Although it was not two years ago today, it was two years ago on Easter that I last saw Mom and Dad. I will never forget that weekend. My kids, parents, aunt, uncle, cousins, one brother and my only grandson had gathered at my daughter's home on Saturday before Easter for lunch and an Easter egg hunt. We had a great day together.
Yesterday we gathered again at Sarah and Troy's home. Now I have four grandchildren instead of one. Aunt Sis, Uncle Virgil, my kids, and my brother were again present. We had a wonderful visit and, of course, an Easter egg hunt.
Two years ago this Easter my Dad and I attended sunrise service together. I have not been able to bring myself to go to sunrise service since then. Mom and Dad attended Easter services with us and we then went home where I grilled lamb chops. Mom commented that she had never had lamb before. She loved the size of the lamb chop and asked how I seasoned them. Later I found a little notebook she carried and she had written a shopping list with lamb chops and the seasonings I had mentioned. I knew she had to have written that in the car on their way home later that Easter Sunday. I have fixed lamb chops on Easter since then.
We had an awesome worship service that day so it was fitting that we had equally awesome worship services today but when we sang "How Great Thou Art" I lost it. The tears flowed! Even though we did a more rocking version of the song it was the same melody and words that I heard my Dad sing so many times through the years - often with tears running down his face as he sang and Mom dabbing her eyes as she listened to him.
Two years ago Easter, I went to the jail and ministered to the ladies of cell block C. When I got to my car afterward I had a text message from Mom. They had made it home safe and sound. I texted her back that 2 ladies had given their lives to the Lord that night at the jail. She texted me back one word, "Hallelujah!". That was the last communication I had with Mom. How fitting!
Isaiah 53:10 (The Message)
Still, it’s what God had in mind all along,
to crush him with pain.
The plan was that he give himself as an offering for sin
so that he’d see life come from it—life, life, and more life.
And God’s plan will deeply prosper through him.
Mark 16:5-6 (New Living Translation)
When they entered the tomb, they saw a young man clothed in a white robe sitting on the right side. The women were shocked, but the angel said, “Don’t be alarmed. You are looking for Jesus of Nazareth, who was crucified. He isn’t here! He is risen from the dead! Look, this is where they laid his body.
Christ is risen!
He is risen indeed!
Hallelujah!
Sunday, March 31, 2013
Sunday, March 17, 2013
Zemirah Ann
I have a new granddaughter! Zemirah (pronounced zeh-mee-RAH) was born Thursday, March 14th. Her name is Hebrew for joyous song. Her middle name, Ann, means favored grace. I love her name!
When Stacie first found out she was pregnant she felt she was going to have a boy but God showed me she was having a girl and her name would be Joy. Even though I shared that with Stacie right away, she was trying out many different names and wondered what I thought about this name or that name. Finally I said, "You can name her whatever you want but she will always be Joy to me." After that Stacie began looking for other names that meant Joy and settled on Zemirah.
Even though Zemirah was born very quickly (only about 3 hours of actual labor), she broke her arm during delivery. Her right arm is broken between her elbow and shoulder. Doctors say it will heal very quickly - between 4 and 6 weeks. With so many people praying for her I am sure it will be healed much sooner than that!
I am saddened by the fact that this is Mom & Dad's third great-grandchild that they will not be able to meet. All four of their great-grandchildren will have to grow up without ever knowing their great-grandparents personally. I will do everything I can to make sure that my grandchildren know about my parents.
However I take great joy in knowing that Mom & Dad have been praying for these precious children for years. They were in the habit of praying through the generations. Now that is my habit. I not only pray for my grandchildren that are here but also for those who will not be born for years to come. This includes those that will not be born until long after my physical death. It is amazing to me that we can do this. Our prayers can have impact for centuries to come! As a matter of fact the Bible tells us that our prayers are as incense to God!
Revelation 5:8b (New International Version)
Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people.
Yesterday my brother, Stephen called and said as he focused on Zemirah's name and it's meaning he felt she would become a worship leader. Nothing would make me happier! Stephen's wife, Kate died last February after a long battle with ALS. I think it's only fitting that I choose Kate's favorite verse as Zemirah's life verse.
Zephaniah 3:17 (New Living Translation)
For the Lord your God is living among you.
He is a mighty savior.
He will take delight in you with gladness.
With his love, he will calm all your fears.
He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”
When Stacie first found out she was pregnant she felt she was going to have a boy but God showed me she was having a girl and her name would be Joy. Even though I shared that with Stacie right away, she was trying out many different names and wondered what I thought about this name or that name. Finally I said, "You can name her whatever you want but she will always be Joy to me." After that Stacie began looking for other names that meant Joy and settled on Zemirah.
Even though Zemirah was born very quickly (only about 3 hours of actual labor), she broke her arm during delivery. Her right arm is broken between her elbow and shoulder. Doctors say it will heal very quickly - between 4 and 6 weeks. With so many people praying for her I am sure it will be healed much sooner than that!
I am saddened by the fact that this is Mom & Dad's third great-grandchild that they will not be able to meet. All four of their great-grandchildren will have to grow up without ever knowing their great-grandparents personally. I will do everything I can to make sure that my grandchildren know about my parents.
However I take great joy in knowing that Mom & Dad have been praying for these precious children for years. They were in the habit of praying through the generations. Now that is my habit. I not only pray for my grandchildren that are here but also for those who will not be born for years to come. This includes those that will not be born until long after my physical death. It is amazing to me that we can do this. Our prayers can have impact for centuries to come! As a matter of fact the Bible tells us that our prayers are as incense to God!
Revelation 5:8b (New International Version)
Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people.
Yesterday my brother, Stephen called and said as he focused on Zemirah's name and it's meaning he felt she would become a worship leader. Nothing would make me happier! Stephen's wife, Kate died last February after a long battle with ALS. I think it's only fitting that I choose Kate's favorite verse as Zemirah's life verse.
Zephaniah 3:17 (New Living Translation)
For the Lord your God is living among you.
He is a mighty savior.
He will take delight in you with gladness.
With his love, he will calm all your fears.
He will rejoice over you with joyful songs.”
Thursday, March 7, 2013
God's Eye View
Matthew 16:21-23 (New Living Translation)
From then on Jesus began to tell his disciples plainly that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, and that he would suffer many terrible things at the hands of the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but on the third day he would be raised from the dead.
But Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things. “Heaven forbid, Lord,” he said. “This will never happen to you!”
Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.”
When Peter had a better "idea" for Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus said he was seeing things from a human point of view, not God's. How often are we guilty of doing the exact same thing?
My grandson, Kristopher, loves puzzles. Even though he is only 3 he can do 100 piece puzzles pretty easily! Lately he has been doing 300 piece puzzles, with some help, of course. When we are working on puzzles, the small pieces do not often make any sense. Apart they do not look like anything but as the pieces come together a picture begins to emerge.
That is how our lives are to God. He sees the finished product ~ the picture on the box. We can only see these small bits and pieces. It does not look like anything usable. But, oh, if we could see ourselves and our lives from His viewpoint! Instead of a "birds eye view" we need a "Gods eye view"!
I can only imagine some of the things God is doing through Mom & Dad's deaths. I know many people have already been touched and begun to look at this spiritual world in a whole new way but it is far from over. We have only seen a few of the little pieces. Some day we will see the completed picture. How beautiful it will be!
Isaiah 55:8-9 (New Living Translation)
“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord.
“And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so my ways are higher than your ways
and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.
From then on Jesus began to tell his disciples plainly that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, and that he would suffer many terrible things at the hands of the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but on the third day he would be raised from the dead.
But Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things. “Heaven forbid, Lord,” he said. “This will never happen to you!”
Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.”
When Peter had a better "idea" for Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus said he was seeing things from a human point of view, not God's. How often are we guilty of doing the exact same thing?
My grandson, Kristopher, loves puzzles. Even though he is only 3 he can do 100 piece puzzles pretty easily! Lately he has been doing 300 piece puzzles, with some help, of course. When we are working on puzzles, the small pieces do not often make any sense. Apart they do not look like anything but as the pieces come together a picture begins to emerge.
That is how our lives are to God. He sees the finished product ~ the picture on the box. We can only see these small bits and pieces. It does not look like anything usable. But, oh, if we could see ourselves and our lives from His viewpoint! Instead of a "birds eye view" we need a "Gods eye view"!
I can only imagine some of the things God is doing through Mom & Dad's deaths. I know many people have already been touched and begun to look at this spiritual world in a whole new way but it is far from over. We have only seen a few of the little pieces. Some day we will see the completed picture. How beautiful it will be!
Isaiah 55:8-9 (New Living Translation)
“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord.
“And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth,
so my ways are higher than your ways
and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.
Saturday, March 2, 2013
Steal, Kill, and Destroy
I have read the 10th chapter of the gospel John many times over in my life but for some reason when I read the 10th verse again this morning it struck me in a whole new way. I love that about God's Word! It truly is alive!
This is a verse that I memorized many years ago. I know the verse well. When I read it this morning I had a picture of Jose Huckleberry, the man who has been arrested for being involved in Mom and Dad's murders. According to the police report, he entered the home to rob it. To steal. He ended up killing and destroying.
If that were the end of the story it would be very depressing indeed! But praise God, He has the last Word! Many people have commented to me how wonderful it is that I am being so forgiving. In my heart and mind right now, I am committed to forgiving. When I actually come face to face with their killer(s) I may not feel that way. So I am putting it out there now. I want to have this foundation to stand on. The more I say it and claim it now, the more likely I will be able to forgive when I come face to face with the person (or people) responsible.
Satan has used this young man to try to destroy Mom and Dad in this physical realm. Satan will try to use you and me to steal, kill, and destroy, too. We might feel great about ourselves because we have never physically killed anyone but how many times have my words struck like daggers into anothers heart? I have to choose to forgive for I want to be forgiven. We all have to choose who we will serve. We may think we are serving ourselves but the Bible tells us quite plainly that we either serve God or Satan. The choice is ours and those are the only 2 choices we have. I choose to stand with God on His firm foundation.
We are in a spiritual battle. This physical world is just a facade, a mere fuzzy image of the spiritual world around us. We have to take a stand to live according to God's standard. If we do not, we will fall prey to Satan's lies. There is no compromising. It will be worth it in the end.
In reading the different notes, journals and studies that I have from both Mom and Dad, I do believe they were very close in bringing another dimension of God's Kingdom to earth. That is why Satan went to such great lengths to destroy them. Even though they may be gone from this physical life, they are not gone. Their work has not ended. I believe it has only now begun in earnest.
John 10:6 - 10 (The Message)
Jesus told this simple story, but they had no idea what he was talking about. So he tried again. “I’ll be explicit, then. I am the Gate for the sheep. All those others are up to no good—sheep stealers, every one of them. But the sheep didn’t listen to them. I am the Gate. Anyone who goes through me will be cared for—will freely go in and out, and find pasture. A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.
Choose to serve God. Dream big God dreams and just watch what He will do!
This is a verse that I memorized many years ago. I know the verse well. When I read it this morning I had a picture of Jose Huckleberry, the man who has been arrested for being involved in Mom and Dad's murders. According to the police report, he entered the home to rob it. To steal. He ended up killing and destroying.
If that were the end of the story it would be very depressing indeed! But praise God, He has the last Word! Many people have commented to me how wonderful it is that I am being so forgiving. In my heart and mind right now, I am committed to forgiving. When I actually come face to face with their killer(s) I may not feel that way. So I am putting it out there now. I want to have this foundation to stand on. The more I say it and claim it now, the more likely I will be able to forgive when I come face to face with the person (or people) responsible.
Satan has used this young man to try to destroy Mom and Dad in this physical realm. Satan will try to use you and me to steal, kill, and destroy, too. We might feel great about ourselves because we have never physically killed anyone but how many times have my words struck like daggers into anothers heart? I have to choose to forgive for I want to be forgiven. We all have to choose who we will serve. We may think we are serving ourselves but the Bible tells us quite plainly that we either serve God or Satan. The choice is ours and those are the only 2 choices we have. I choose to stand with God on His firm foundation.
We are in a spiritual battle. This physical world is just a facade, a mere fuzzy image of the spiritual world around us. We have to take a stand to live according to God's standard. If we do not, we will fall prey to Satan's lies. There is no compromising. It will be worth it in the end.
In reading the different notes, journals and studies that I have from both Mom and Dad, I do believe they were very close in bringing another dimension of God's Kingdom to earth. That is why Satan went to such great lengths to destroy them. Even though they may be gone from this physical life, they are not gone. Their work has not ended. I believe it has only now begun in earnest.
John 10:6 - 10 (The Message)
Jesus told this simple story, but they had no idea what he was talking about. So he tried again. “I’ll be explicit, then. I am the Gate for the sheep. All those others are up to no good—sheep stealers, every one of them. But the sheep didn’t listen to them. I am the Gate. Anyone who goes through me will be cared for—will freely go in and out, and find pasture. A thief is only there to steal and kill and destroy. I came so they can have real and eternal life, more and better life than they ever dreamed of.
Choose to serve God. Dream big God dreams and just watch what He will do!
Thursday, February 21, 2013
Ancestry
My Dad had been tracing our ancestry quite diligently with the help of Ancestry.com before his death. His sister, my Aunt Frankie, picked up where he left off. She has discovered that our branch of the Willingham family traces back to several English kings including King James (yes the one that had the Bible translated into English)!
We do have a lot of preachers in our family but since all the ones I knew were simple Baptist preachers, I was surprised to learn that we are related to this very famous king! While this is pleasing and interesting news, I want to tell you (and I know Mom & Dad would concur) if you are a Christian, you are the child of The King of all Kings! No matter how great our physical ancestry might be it cannot hold a candle to our spiritual ancestry!
Mom and Dad would also want you to know that there are no grandchildren in the Kingdom of God. Each one of us has to personally come into the intimate Father/child relationship with our Lord through His Son Jesus. We will not enter heaven based on the faith of any of our ancestors. Even if you are a descendant of King James himself it will not help you get into heaven!
John 14:6-7 (New Living Translation)
Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!”
I know that God was not surprised when Mom and Dad were killed. Although it was a shock to me it was not a shock to Him. If even one person comes to know God as their Father because of their deaths I know they would say it was worth it! Simply ask Jesus to forgive you of your sins and become Lord of your life and you too will be a child of God!
Revelation 21:5-7 (New Living Translation)
And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.” And he also said, “It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life. All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children.
You can begin all things new, too! No matter where you are in life, God wants to give you a fresh start. If you have accepted the invitation to become a part of the family of God, or if you want to know more about how to do this, please leave a comment. I would love to connect with you and send you a free booklet to help you begin your faith walk. Yes, my parents were wonderful people who loved God with all their hearts but they would want all of you to know they were not loved by God any more than you are. Warts and all, God loves you just the way the you are.
Revelation 22:17 (New Living Translation)
The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” Let anyone who hears this say, “Come.” Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life.
We do have a lot of preachers in our family but since all the ones I knew were simple Baptist preachers, I was surprised to learn that we are related to this very famous king! While this is pleasing and interesting news, I want to tell you (and I know Mom & Dad would concur) if you are a Christian, you are the child of The King of all Kings! No matter how great our physical ancestry might be it cannot hold a candle to our spiritual ancestry!
Mom and Dad would also want you to know that there are no grandchildren in the Kingdom of God. Each one of us has to personally come into the intimate Father/child relationship with our Lord through His Son Jesus. We will not enter heaven based on the faith of any of our ancestors. Even if you are a descendant of King James himself it will not help you get into heaven!
John 14:6-7 (New Living Translation)
Jesus told him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me. If you had really known me, you would know who my Father is. From now on, you do know him and have seen him!”
I know that God was not surprised when Mom and Dad were killed. Although it was a shock to me it was not a shock to Him. If even one person comes to know God as their Father because of their deaths I know they would say it was worth it! Simply ask Jesus to forgive you of your sins and become Lord of your life and you too will be a child of God!
Revelation 21:5-7 (New Living Translation)
And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.” And he also said, “It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life. All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children.
You can begin all things new, too! No matter where you are in life, God wants to give you a fresh start. If you have accepted the invitation to become a part of the family of God, or if you want to know more about how to do this, please leave a comment. I would love to connect with you and send you a free booklet to help you begin your faith walk. Yes, my parents were wonderful people who loved God with all their hearts but they would want all of you to know they were not loved by God any more than you are. Warts and all, God loves you just the way the you are.
Revelation 22:17 (New Living Translation)
The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” Let anyone who hears this say, “Come.” Let anyone who is thirsty come. Let anyone who desires drink freely from the water of life.
Sunday, February 17, 2013
Peace
People often tell me how amazing it is that I am so at peace with Mom and Dad's horrendous deaths. Now that an arrest has been made people are surprised that I still portray peace when I am confronted with forgiving the young man who has confessed to participating in their murders.
I truly am at peace (at least most of the time) and it is all because of God. He is the God of peace. His peace can soothe a raging soul but we have to let Him. Peace comes from abiding in Him. Peace has been popping up at me in Scripture lately. Actually, just the past couple of days. It is incredible how that happens but, again, it is all God!
Isaiah 26:3 (New Living Translation)
You will keep in perfect peace
all who trust in you,
all whose thoughts are fixed on you!
God will keep in perfect peace all whose thoughts are fixed on Him! Not just peace but perfect peace. You cannot get any better than that! It sounds pretty easy on the surface but the important part is keeping our thoughts focused on God. I cannot do that if I am filling my mind with garbage. What am I focusing on when I am watching TV or surfing the internet? What books am I reading? How much time am I spending in prayer? How much of my prayer time is spent listening to God? Hmm...
John 16:33 (Amplified Bible)
I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]
In Jesus we can have perfect peace and confidence! Notice we are not promised an easy life. As a matter of fact we are told we will have trials and frustrations. God is so open with us! No matter what comes my way if I remain in Christ, I will have peace. What a promise!
Romans 8:5-6 (New Living Translation)
Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.
We have to think about things that please the Holy Spirit. In order to do that we have to let the Spirit control our minds. It is our choice but the outcome on one hand is death and on the other it is life and peace. That is a no brainer!
There are many other Scriptures I have "happened" to come across in the past two days alone that deal with peace but I would just like to leave you with one last one. I says it so well. I challenge you to join me in meditating on these verses. Look them up in other translations. Write them out on index cards or post-it notes and read them over and over again this week. Then think about what you are thinking about!
Philippians 4:4-8 (New Living Translation)
4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! 5 Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.
6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
I truly am at peace (at least most of the time) and it is all because of God. He is the God of peace. His peace can soothe a raging soul but we have to let Him. Peace comes from abiding in Him. Peace has been popping up at me in Scripture lately. Actually, just the past couple of days. It is incredible how that happens but, again, it is all God!
Isaiah 26:3 (New Living Translation)
You will keep in perfect peace
all who trust in you,
all whose thoughts are fixed on you!
God will keep in perfect peace all whose thoughts are fixed on Him! Not just peace but perfect peace. You cannot get any better than that! It sounds pretty easy on the surface but the important part is keeping our thoughts focused on God. I cannot do that if I am filling my mind with garbage. What am I focusing on when I am watching TV or surfing the internet? What books am I reading? How much time am I spending in prayer? How much of my prayer time is spent listening to God? Hmm...
John 16:33 (Amplified Bible)
I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have [perfect] peace and confidence. In the world you have tribulation and trials and distress and frustration; but be of good cheer [take courage; be confident, certain, undaunted]! For I have overcome the world. [I have deprived it of power to harm you and have conquered it for you.]
In Jesus we can have perfect peace and confidence! Notice we are not promised an easy life. As a matter of fact we are told we will have trials and frustrations. God is so open with us! No matter what comes my way if I remain in Christ, I will have peace. What a promise!
Romans 8:5-6 (New Living Translation)
Those who are dominated by the sinful nature think about sinful things, but those who are controlled by the Holy Spirit think about things that please the Spirit. So letting your sinful nature control your mind leads to death. But letting the Spirit control your mind leads to life and peace.
We have to think about things that please the Holy Spirit. In order to do that we have to let the Spirit control our minds. It is our choice but the outcome on one hand is death and on the other it is life and peace. That is a no brainer!
There are many other Scriptures I have "happened" to come across in the past two days alone that deal with peace but I would just like to leave you with one last one. I says it so well. I challenge you to join me in meditating on these verses. Look them up in other translations. Write them out on index cards or post-it notes and read them over and over again this week. Then think about what you are thinking about!
Philippians 4:4-8 (New Living Translation)
4 Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice! 5 Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.
6 Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. 7 Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.
8 And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.
Tuesday, February 12, 2013
Angels 2
I wrote about angels on August 4, 2011 but I feel the need to write about it again only this time I'm going to use Dad's own words. I hope you will go back and read the first post I wrote on angels.
Some people can become obsessed with angels which is not good. We are warned in God's Word not to worship angels but that does not mean we should forget about them and act as though they are not there. The Holy Spirit reminded me just the other day that our prayers actually bring angels to our aid and empowers them. We must never forget the spiritual warfare we are in!
Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see—
Some people can become obsessed with angels which is not good. We are warned in God's Word not to worship angels but that does not mean we should forget about them and act as though they are not there. The Holy Spirit reminded me just the other day that our prayers actually bring angels to our aid and empowers them. We must never forget the spiritual warfare we are in!
I was going through some of Dad's writings over the weekend and came across this one. If you knew my Dad you would recognize that these are indeed his very own words:
Warning: I
am chasing a rabbit here. There is a question floating around in my mind. “If
people can be demonized, why can’t they be ANGELIZED?” We have a clock that
projects the time on the ceiling of our bedroom. When I wake up in the night, I
can look up on the ceiling and see the time. Numerous times here of late, when
I wake up in the night and look up to see the time on the ceiling instead of
seeing the time, I see people. I strain and try to get my eyes focused to see
the time, but I only see people. One night I saw my father. However, most often
I see one, two or three girls with golden hair dressed in white. They are
beautiful and they move. Being slow to think, I just wanted the moving pictures
of people to get off my ceiling so I could see the time. But the other night, I
saw my two sisters that are presently in China, Bonnie and Frankie. This
really startled me and immediately I asked the Lord why did I see my two sisters?
I thought that something might have happened to them. No answer came. Then I
asked the Lord why was I seeing the pretty (apparently preteen) girls? The
Lord responded by telling me they were angels sent to watch over me. The next
night the girls’ image morphed into three young ladies dressed in business
clothes. The next night, the ladies changed into typical looking angels with
long flowing robes and wings, except for one. He had no wings but He had a
beard and started rising up and disappeared into the clouds. I heard Him say to
me, “I am the Lord” after his image disappeared. WOW! I have much more
confidence since that encounter. I thank The Lord that He cares enough to send
his angels to watch over and minister to us.
“Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them
who shall be heirs of salvation?” (Heb 1:14 AV) God is so good.
Back to my
question about why can’t people be “Angelized”: there is no question that
demons can have a significant negative impact on people. Demons are fallen
angels. If that is true, then why cannot the Angels of heaven directly
influence our lives, (behavior and attitudes)? Just remember Gideon. “And the
Angel of the LORD appeared to him, and said to him, "The LORD is with you,
you mighty man of valor!"” (Judges 6:12 NKJV) The angel influenced his confidence to go
from hiding from the enemy, to leading the Israelites to victory over the
enemy. Now, I not only try to be open to hear what the Holy Spirit tells me,
but also I try to know what the angels God has sent to minister to me are doing
for me. “For He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your
ways.” (Ps 91:11 NKJV). Believe me I need all the help I can get.
When we stand in obedience to the Lord,
preparing to step out for the Kingdom, the enemy tries to intimidate us. What
would our faith be like if our eyes were opened, like Elisha’s servant, and we
could see a multitude of angelic chariots? Would that embolden us if we knew
that there are more of “us” than there is of the enemy trying to intimidate us?
John tells us: “You are of God, little children, and have overcome them,
because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.” (1John 4:4
NKJV) I venture to say that indeed, if we really believed that, we would step
out with courage to speak to someone about his salvation, or pray for someone
who is hurting. When we realize that angels are present, who would back away
from a fight with the enemy?
Certainly not you, Dad! How I love you and miss you!
Psalm 34: 6-8 (The Message)
When I was desperate, I called out,
and God got me out of a tight spot.
and God got me out of a tight spot.
God’s angel sets up a circle
of protection around us while we pray.
of protection around us while we pray.
Open your mouth and taste, open your eyes and see—
how good God is.
Blessed are you who run to him.
Blessed are you who run to him.
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