How does God use angels in relation to man. Does God hear us when we ask God for angelic help or does God decide when angelic help is needed?
I have never really studied this topic and have suddenly been asked by more than one source.
So what say ye?
Angels around us?
Discussion in 'General Baptist Discussions' started by John Toppass, Dec 23, 2010.
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Gabriel Elijah MemberSite Supporter
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Funny you should bring this up. I was traveling back from Nashville tonight, my husband driving. Traffic was horrendous, bumper to bumper on the interstate. All of a sudden, someone 5 cars ahead would slam on the brakes because someone pulled over into their lane. That sent everyone slamming on their brakes and I thought more than once we were going to plow into the car in front of us.
I was praying for God to put an angel in between our car and the one ahead of us. We are home and alive so I thank the Lord! -
Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known MemberSite Supporter
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Angles are created beings, and a little higher than we (at present). We need to be careful for we can get into worshipping these spiritual beings, and all Angels are not Good Angels.
I personally do not care for anything depicting angels, as we have no idea of what they look like, and once we start to accept them (most have already done so), then they become little Idols. We know some churches hold the "angels in very high esteem. You see them all over the place in their churches, and homes. Just as can be seen the Virgin Mary being held up to man. And to top it off, they need to see by sight Jesus Christ, so they may go to that statue, or picture in order to really pray??
And people don't have to be members of such religions. There IDOLISM is spread throughout the world. "Oh look Mommy, there goes Jesus. I know it is him because I saw his picture in that little Bible they gave me in Sunday school." Then the little ones say, as they grow older, "Oh well, He's just like Santa Clause."
We know angels observe us (at least women), but I know the Holy Spirit indwells we in the Body of Christ.
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The late Corrie ten Boom relates the story
She was in line to be searched at the women't prison
She had a Bible tied around her neck hanging down her back by a string
Horror of horrors---they were doing a strip search
She prayed something like
"Lord! Send your angels to cover me and my Bible!! No, wait Lord!!! Your angels are invisible!!! YOU come and cover me and my Bible!!"
The lady in front of Corrie was stripped and searched
The lady in back of Corrie was stripped and searched
But Corrie went through the line seemingly unseen!! -
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I've wondered about this for most of my life.
Let me recount something that happened to me when I was about 14 or 15 years old. I wasn't a Christian; I didn't accept Christ until I was 17 years old. Anyway, I was at Galveston Texas with my family and friends. I decided to go way out in the surf. After going out till the water was up to my neck, with the waves being way over my head, I started to swim back to shore. I was a pretty good swimmer, so I wasn't worried. After a few minutes, I realized I was not getting any closer to shore. If anything, I was loosing ground. I started to get tired and scared. From out of nowhere, there was a man on a float to my right. I actually grabbed the float away from the man and held on for dear life. He must have realized I was in a panic. He calmed me down and helped me get into shallower water. I made it to the shore, and collapsed out of exhaustion. I looked around to thank him and he was gone.
Now, he could have simply went on about his business; I don't know. I am not claiming he was anything but a person in the right spot at the right time, but after becoming a Christian I have often thought back to this incident and wondered. -
There have been times where I've specifically asked God to send angels to protect our church services from demonic influence, and I believe he did just that.
Angels are just one way God gets things accomplished. He can use the Holy Spirit to work in the hearts of men, or he can simply speak and his will is done. He used birds to feed Elijah. Personally, I don't care HOW he helps, I'm just thankful he watches over us.:thumbs: -
Don't get me wrong---I believe angels are ministering agents from God---but they are not the most reliable form of protection---even in the OT Book of Psalms the Scripture says that God(Himself) is an ever PRESENT help in the day of trouble-----now---is there anything out there capable of hindering God???
If we're not careful we can hang a omnipresent, omnipotent, omniscient tag upon angels just like we do God! Lets be careful in giving angels the honor/glory that is due only to God!! -
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I have started several times to study scripture on how God uses His angels but seem always to get sidetracked. I will tell you why my curiosity has peaked.
A little over a year ago my granddaughters were talking with me and the 5 year old was telling me about the angels she sees. We talked a bit more and then she said that she sees these angels quite abit, then she exclaimed to her 3year old sister "isn't that right" and her sister said "Yes, Grampa, their all around!"
Well, I didn't see them but I have thanked God several times for His angels. I do not know why God sends angels when sometimes it seems that He doesn't. I do know that God is sovereign and He knows exactly when and how He wants His Will to be accomplished. After all, God does see the big picture! -
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Amen blackbird. All Satan need do is get us to glance at Him. We forget that this special Angel is beautiful, charming, oozing soft words, and charisma personified. He'll hook us every time, diverting us from God to things he knows will interest us, embellish their worth so we worship that something else.
I have a few (that I know of) instances in my life concerning divine intervention. Attribute this to God, and Him alone. And in some instances it is plain luck.
I believe God uses man/woman to help man/woman. I've had things happen when I wonder what happened to God, but this is necessary in order for we to be chiseled to get rid of the rough edges; turn up the heat to mold us to what He desires. In the meantime He'll let things ride, and intervene if it will go toward gloryfying our Lord Jesus Christ. -
Be kind to strangers, as you never know if the stranger you meet is one of God's angels.
I am quiet about the events where I have wondered if a person I dealt with really existed or if it was just a test to see what I'd do. I like to keep those occasions in my mind so that I remember to treat strangers kindly. -
Certainly angels are one of the tools God uses to accomplish his will here on earth. In our spirit-filled enlightened age I believe it is more common for him to use spirit led believers to accomplish what he might have used angles for in old testament times.
There have been many times in my life similar to those stories shared of how I was helped or protected and wondered if God had sent an angel my way. But there are many other times when I know I have been used by God to fill a need someone else had. The truth is that to me those times are much cooler.
Since others have shared their stories here is a short one. Once I passed a stopped vehicle and felt led of the spirit to stop and help. I found an older woman with a mechanical difficulty. It was an easy fix, which was good because I am not a skilled mechanic. Quickly I had her repaired and back on the road. Once the vehicle was running again she looked at me with the most serious look and shared how just moments before I pulled over she had prayed for God to send an angle to help her. I just smiled and walked away.
To copy the commercial, the idea that God might use an angle to help me in my time of need is great, but the idea that God might use me to meet another’s need – Priceless. -
I have been thinking about it and had to add to my earlier post. God is not limited to using angles or Christians you know. Sometimes he even uses an unbeliever to accomplish his will. Since it is Christmas time I thought of my favorite Christmas Poem, Annie and Willie’s Prayer. The twist in the end is that God uses the unbelieving father to answer the children’s prayers.
We sure have an awesome God! Merry Christmas. -