Toxic People

If you know someone who’s difficult and causes a lot of conflict in your life, you may be dealing with a person who is toxic. These people an create a lot of stress and unpleasantness for you and others not to mention emotional or physical pain. I’m sure we have all met people who are toxic or been told about them.

A toxic person is anyone who’s behavior adds negativity and upset to your life. Many times people who are toxic are dealing with their own stresses and traumas. Todo this, they act in ways that don’t present then in the best light and usually others along the way. Some might even recognize family members who are toxic.

Toxicity in people isn’t considered a mental disorder. But there could be underlying mental problems that causes someone to act in toxic ways, including personality disorders.

Sometimes we tend to just accommodate toxic people, until it becomes a serious matter of mental or physical abuse or just think that’s just the way they are. I thought I would share some warning signs to watch out for if you think you’re dealing with a toxic person. Life is to short to accept toxic people into our lives. If you can help it, try and shy away from people like this.

  • You feel like you’re being manipulated Into something you don’t want to do.
  • You are constantly confused by the person’s behavior.
  • You feel like you deserve an apology that never comes.
  • You always have to defend yourself around this person.
  • You continually feed bad about yourself in their presence.

If you’ve experienced these feelings around someone, they may be toxic. If you constantly have these emotions, you may want to change the relationship or stop the relationship entirely.

Just like there are signs you’re around a toxic person because of how the person makes you feel, there are sign seen in person themselves that highlight their toxicity.

Inconsistency

Part of being human is having ups and downs, good times, and bad times. But a toxic person is almost never consistent. Their behavior is erratic. They don’t follow through on their commitments or promises. You never know what they will do next. This inconsistency is very hard when you’re trying to be there for someone. They can be elated with you one minute, and write you off the next.

They Always Need Your Attention

Have you noticed that a person who always need something from you? Whether it’s constant phone calls, texts, or showing up at your door, they always need emotional support. And they’re probably not being supportive to you in return. They take all that you have without giving much back. They have a heightened level of self-interest, a need to showcase their own greatness to receive affirmation.

There Is Always Drama

Have you ever noticed how drama seems to follow some people? It’s likely not a coincidence. Toxic people thrive in dramatic environments. They inflame emotions and create conflict. They love stirring the pot to see what happens. People are often toxic because they’re not interested in being stable and healthy relationships.

They Don’t Respect Your Boundaries

Another sign of a toxic person is no boundaries. If you have been clear with someone time and time again about your needs, and they just can’t help themselves and disrespect them, they are toxic. Healthy relationships are based on trust and the ability to respect boundaries. Toxic people just can’t do that,

They Manipulate Others For What They Need

If your around someone and constantly feel taken advantage of, or manipulated your probably dealing with a toxic person. This means they will do anything to get what they need. This means lying, bending the truth, exaggerating, or leaving out information so that you take a certain action or have a certain opinion about them. They will do whatever it takes, even if it means hurting people.

They Abuse Substances

Another toxic behavior is the abuse of substances, like drugs and alcohol. These behaviors become toxic when the person is continually harming other people, including themselves.

Now that you know the signs of a toxic person, both in the way you feel and they act, whether they’re a family member or not. What do you do about it?

Here are a few things I’ve learned over the years. These are a few strategies to try.

Confront Them

As soon as you notice toxic behaviors, call them out on any lies or inconsistencies. Tell them you don’t appreciate how they behave. This shows them that you’re paying attention. And your giving them an opportunity to explain themselves and apologize.

Set Stricter Boundaries

If you can not get away from toxic people in your life, try to set stricter boundaries. For example m if someone is abusing substances let them know you won’t see them u less they are sober. Or make it clear you won’t tolerate their overly dramatic behavior. Limit the time you spend with them.

Cut Them Out Of Your Life

I have a family member that is toxic, I can’t get away from them. But I restrict the amount of time I have to spend with them. At family get togethers I spend the least amount of time I have to with them. If I get overly stressed I go outside and take a walk or call a friend.

No one like spending time with toxic people who stress them out or cause them pain. I hope this gives you a few strategies that will help you cope.

Doors In The New Year

Rosh Hashanah

Rosh Hashanah is Jerusalem’s New Year. It is September 16th 2023 , Year 5784 which would compare to our 2024.

Every year according to the Hebrew Alphabet there is a prophetic meaning for the year. If we look at the number 4 according to the Hebrew Alphabet.

The focus on the significance of number 4 in the new year 5784, 4 is dalet. The number not only looks like a door, but it means door.

This coming year will be a time of preparation, a time when some doors will be opened and others will be shut. This is the year of new opportunities and walking through new doors in the spirit.

What Is Standing In The Doorway?

There is a lack of understanding that could be standing in the doorway, getting in the way of the peace that the Spirit of God is pouring over your mind. We must see ourselves as the ones who are called and step into the calling God has prepared for us. We must be the generation caked to be repairers of the breach, pioneer reformers of the latter rain glory.

“The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former, says the Lord of hosts. And in this place I will give you peace, says the Lord of hosts” -Haggai 2:9 (Messianic)

“The Lord will guide you continually, and satisfy your soul in drought, and strengthen your bones; you shall be like a watered garden, and like a spring of water, whose water do not fail. Those who shall be of you shall build the old waste places; you shall raise up the foundations of many generations; and you shall be called the Repairer of the breach, the Restorer of Streets to Dwell in.” -Isaiah 58:11-12 (Messianic)

Preparing For Open Doors in 5784 (2024)

As you get quiet before the Lord focus on knowing, seeing and feeling what God is releasing in the coming months. He will be taking you full circle in the coming months, asking you to reflect on what was and step into what is to come.

“I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it; for you have a little strength, have kept My Word, and have not denied my name.“ Revelation 3:8 (Messianic)

Know –Know the doors God has shut for you will stay shut. The tormenting spirits that once has access will no longer have access to torment you.

He is bringing you into a full-circle reset, opening new doors of opportunity.

See – See how God used “open door” trials for something bigger. Often, an open door from God allows our faith to be stretched and straightened. Trials work out faith-like tension works our muscles. When we are in a stressful situation, God has a plan to work it out and bring about an abundant harvest in due time.

God doesn’t send tormenting through to, but He will use every situation to build your faith and bring glory to Himself if you allow it.

Feel -Feel the supernatural faith experience. Understand that in 5783 (2023), God used closed doors to open up bigger and better ones. In 5781 feet the perfect peace of God flow over you in this new season.

How To Prophetically Prepare For Doors To Open And Shut.

It is time to A.C.T. – apply, change, and transform.

A –Apply Revelations 3:7, “I know your work….” Apply the truth that Yeshua (God) has opened new doors before you!

C – Change your mindset to trusting God to shift you through this opened door. His ways are better than ours. His plans are better than ours. His plans are bigger. His dreams for your life are more rewarding, fulfilling, and more blessed than you could ever imagine.

T – Be transformed by staying focused, and open to the Spirit, and surrendering to God’s guidance to it all His way.

Preparing To Move Into 5784 (2024)

As you prepare to move into the new year, meditate on Isaiah 23:6,

“You will keep whoever’s mind in steadfast in perfect peace, because he trusts in you,” – Isaiah 26:3 (Messianic)

Receive The Peace That Transcends All Understanding!

Open Doors

Relaxing

How do you relax?

I relax my listening to music which is usually Messianic Worship, is connects me to Jesus and causes me to intently listen for that voice within me. There is something about the Hebrew Messianic music that instantly relaxes me. I also relax by taking a walk in nature, there’s just something about the trees or water that relaxes me.

When Persecution Comes

Christian Persecution

I’ve been thinking of the times ahead of us, and I often think of those being persecuted today. I evaluated it often. thinking how people suffer for being a believer. Sometimes I cannot even wrap my head around what’s happening and is going to happen. I keep everyone who is experiencing this in prayer.

The Christian faith is counterintuitive in a number of ways, but perhaps none so much as in it’s perspective on suffering and particularly on suffering persecution. We may see this most clearly in the actions of the apostles who, after being imprisoned and beaten, “left the presence of the council rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer dishonor for Jesus’s name (Acts 5:41).

Of course they must not have been surprised to suffer persecution because, Jesus told them to expect it and evaluate it. But he did more than that, he does more than that to us, Jesus tells us to embrace persecution -to embrace it as His will.

While there is no way to soften the word embrace with the word endure. It’s certainly true we need to face persecution with patience and perseverance. But Jesus seems to call us to even more than this. He says we should as far to embrace persecution. That’s not to say we should never pray for it to be lifted, or that we should never flee from it, or that we should never turn from it, or that we should never turn to the courts where we can appeal for justice at least for the time being while some places are still called free nations. It’s does mean that as long as we face true persecution, we should rejoice in it. Jesus says “blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake. He says to even “rejoice and be glad” in persecution (Matthew 5:10-12).

But is this really possible? It this really reasonable? It is! because we know that our God is sovereign and that nothing happens apart from His plan, which means that in some way our suffering is God’s will. It’s not a mistake. It’s a opportunity to respond to God’s sovereignty with hope, with trust, and with godly character. It’s a opportunity to shine God’s light in the midst of darkness.

We need to consider: How is it possible to rejoice even during something as painful as persecution? There are reasons we can rejoice and be glad even when being persecuted.

  • Persecution Proves Your Citizenship

Our Savior who was persecuted, even though He lived a life that was perfect and unblemished, still the authorities, the civil authorities, and the common people all turned against Him and put Him to death. If that was His story, why wouldn’t it be ours? Jesus told us it would be ours. He said, “Take up your cross and follow me.” We should expect to suffer like our Savior suffered. In that way persecution is proof of our citizenship in His kingdom, proof of your alignment with Jesus.

Many fall away when their faith is tested; but those who truly love the Lord will preserve and emerge with their faith tested, proven, and strengthened. They can rejoice.

And then there’s this: persecution displays your faith. Passing through the test of persecution proves the validity and the strength of your faith. You’ll never know how strong your arms are until you have to lift something heavy, and your never know what your faith is made of until it is put to the test.

In James 1:12, he says, “Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he had stood the test he will receive the crown of life.”

Persecution shapes your character. In Romans 5 Paul says, “We rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope” (Romans 5:3-4). It takes tremendous heat and pressure to form a diamond deep in the ground and it takes suffering and even persecution to form Christian character deep in your heart. Persecution is a means God uses to conform us to the image of Christ.

  • Persecution Equips Us For Service

Through persecution, God is equipping you for deeper service to Him. In 2 Corinthians Paul writes suffered deeply and says, “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction…” Why does God offer this comfort? He goes on, “so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affection, with the comfort which we ourselves are comforted by God.” He knows that in His suffering He has been comforted so that He can now extend that comfort to others. He has been made more useful in God’s purposes because of this persecution. And that’s true of you as well.

  • Persecution Produces Communion

In your suffering, you experience a deep fellowship with Jesus, because you are actually joining in his suffering. In 2 Corinthians 1:5 Paul says this: “ For, as we hear abundantly in Christ’s sufferings, so through Jesus’s we share abundantly in comfort too. You are being persecuted because you are United with Jesus. You are suffering in Him and For Him and With Him. And God meets you in your sorrows, He draws close, and He ministers His comfort to you.

  • Persecution Provokes Longing

It causes you to look forward, to elevate your gaze beyond this world. There is nothing that more clearly that shows that this world is not our home more than persecution. There is nothing that makes it more obvious that we don’t belong here. There is nothing more likely to shift your gaze from the kingdom of this world to the kingdom of heaven. When everything in your life is going great, when everyone around you loves and affirms you, it’s easy to say “this world isn’t so bad.” But when you are hated and mocked, you understand: These are not my people. This is not my place.

And if this isn’t, then what is? The Kingdom of Heaven. Persecution makes you exercise your faith to believe that the kingdom is real and the kingdom is coming and the kingdom is your true and final home. You rejoice that your heart is being uprooted from this kingdom and planted in the kingdom still you come. You rejoice and are glad in all that God has promised, and will very soon fulfill.

God give you your suffering and trust that you will embrace it and honor Him through it in such a way that you will hear Him say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.

It surely seems like there will be more separate and even persecution in the years ahead how will you meet it? I know how God tells us to meet it, that we are supposed to meet any suffering with confidence, submission, and even the fiercest persecution with rejoicing and gladness. God means for us to emerge from it with our faith not only intact, that’s strengthened, our joy, not only present, but amplified. He means for us to marvel like the apostles that said “ I have been counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name of Jesus.” And to rejoice.

God is that work for the furthering of His kingdom, the good of His people, and the glory of His name. Let us rejoice.

My Regularly Used Word

If you had to give up one word that you use regularly, what would it be?

The work I use a lot to end most conversation with was originated by a editor of a Boston newspaper in the late 1830’s as “ol korrect,” the humorous misspelling of all correct.

I will think of this every time I’m going to say this overly used work. Especially since some conversations are not simply ol korrect (all correct). Maybe because that’s how this crazy mind of mine thinks. Even though it’s not a “heaven or hell issue.”

Separated For God… But Satan Blurs The Boundaries

Genesis holds the key todo much about God and His ways. In the beginning, God separated a lot of things, on purpose, and called it “good.” How can separation be “good?” Separation sounds hard and unpleasant. Wholeness and unity sounds way better. Yet many times in the Bible God makes a distinction between one thing and another while Satan tries to blur the lines, or even erases them. So, what are the reasons God separates things.

The basic narrative for Genesis and separation is to disjoin, divide, or distinguish something that was previously mixed together.

God separated light from darkness – Genesis 1:7

God separated the waters above from the waters below – Genesis 1:7

God separated the day from the night – Genesis 1:14

When we look at how God created all the different animals in various forms, and filled the earth with different kinds of vegetation,we see a glimpse into God’s purposes in making all the separate species. With all the variety comes great beauty. Have you ever looked at a garden with all kind of different flowering plants and foliage and thought how beautiful it looks together?

The differs seasons, and different times of the day all enriches our experiences of life in a profound way. Nature and wildlife in its many forms continues to stun believers and unbelievers with wonder. Nature is wild and varied. Wouldn’t it be boring if there was just one season? Or one type of animal? One type of tree?

In Corinthians 12 Paul describes the different gifts we each have in the body of Christ. Paul said if the whole body were an eye where would the hearing be. If the whole were hearing, where would the smelling be. Our differences are something to celebrate, not resent or erase.

And Then He Made Man, And Separated Woman From Out Of The Man. Male And Female He Created Them.

God separated one from another in Genesis 2. The interesting inference then is that initially, “man” contained the elements of both man and woman, but God separated them so they could relate to one another. Secular humanism has tried to fix misogyny by trying to shove everyone into the same mold, and encourage women to behave as men instead of valuing womanhood as distinct and equally valuable. And now the distinction is getting blurred beyond belief, contravening God’s created order. Learning to be happy with who we are and how God made us is not easy in a world where the temptation to wish we were someone else is strong. Yet our diversity displays God’s glory, especially when working together in harmony. We need to follow Paul’s teaching, each of us needs to embrace the unique contribution we can bring to the world. There is only one of you, and you are deeply loved, just as you are. Resisting the enemy’s pressure to conform to the world is a life long battle, but is well worth the fight.

Another Separation God Makes In The Beginning Is The Difference Between Regular And Holy In His Creation Of Sabbath

There is nothing sinful or bad about the other days of the week, but the Sabbath is Holy to the Lord, set aside for Him. The Sabbath is a time when we can enjoy just being, relating to each other, to creation, and to God without working or striving. Just as many married couples have regular “date nights’ to keep their relationships strong, so God created this day for us to enjoy our relationship with Him. Without that time set aside, it’s all too easy for life to take over and the most important things to get sidelined. The Sabbath is God’s gift to us, made for mankind, as part of the creation narrative in Genesis. The difference between “holy” and regular is not necessarily the same as between “good” and “bad,” but this distinction of setting the Sabbath aside, sanctifying it and separating it from all other days, is an important principle that God builds on throughout His Word.

In Exodus, God’s Law Differentiates Many Times Between Israel And The Nations, Saying They Are A Holy Called-Out People.

The people of Israel were chosen by God to act differently, eat differently, farm differently, dress differently… They were set apart, separated. They were to be a presentation of God and His ways to the earth, even though it would mostly be by way of God showing His faithfulness in the light of Israel’s unfaithfulness. God’s priests were to teach the difference between holy and not holy:

“They shall teach my people the difference between the holy and the common, and show them how to distinguish between the unclean and the clean.” Ezekiel 44:23

God separated then so that we could get to know His ways -not because Israel was better in any way, but for God’s redemptive plans for the whole world. Many people resist this distinction by quoting Galatians 3:28 saying there is no difference between Jew and Gentile now, but forget that it also says there’s no difference between man and woman! And it’s true, before God we are all equal. One is not “better” than the other. We are all equally loved and have equal access.

But just as the distinctions of our God-given gender identity remains, so God still sees Jew and Gentile, even when we are one in Jesus. Becoming one does not erase who we are.

Worship The Creator, Not Creation!

Today’s belief that God and the Universe are the same is on the rise, which is the erroneous belief that all matter is one, and erases the distinction between us and God. We were created to worship our Creator and experience His love for us. Yet we are seeing a return to paganism in many of the nations around the world. Essentially paganism worships creation rather than the Creator.

“Who exchanged the truth of God for a lie, and worshiped and serve the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.” – Romans 1:25

In lowering God to the status of His own handiwork, these vain philosophers are trying to strip God of His sovereignty. By refusing to acknowledge God as Creator they deny His right to rule and reign over us. God is King, God is Lord of Creation, and He will judge the living and the dead by His standards, not ours. I am definitely not God, and what a sad state of affairs it would be if He were me! Mercifully the final decisions are in God’s hands, not ours. He is perfectly good and perfectly wise, and He will judge rightly. We are fools to think we can make up the rules for ourselves. We are not God and God is not us.

In Genesis 12 Abraham was sent out of paganism, out of polytheism where the “gods” were part of creation like the sun, moon and stars. In this way of thinking each can have their own view point, devise their own version of morality… but there is only one morality. There is only one yardstick. And it is in the hands of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. Today we see people thinking that they are in charge of their own destiny, accountable only to their own ideas. It’s like the time of the judges in the Bible where each did what was right in their own eyes. In choosing this path people dismiss God’s love for them, and miss out on the whole meaning of life.

Babel And Boundary Stones

Another violation of separateness and distinction can be found in the Bible in the moving of boundary stones.

“Don’t move the ancient boundary stone. Don’t encroach on the fields of the fatherless.” – Proverbs 23:10

This Proverb repeats commandments found in Deuteronomy 19:14 and 27:17. Crossing boundaries without permission, or worse moving the boundary stones, was out of bounds in God’s Book. Boundaries protect property, and separated one family’s inheritance from another’s. Today many think that condoning open borders that they are caring for the weak and vulnerable. After all, why shouldn’t rich countries share their wealth? But moving boundary stones or disposing of them altogether does not, in the end, produce the results people may be hoping for. For one thing, how would the poorer nation maintain its own autonomy and resist colonization?

Boundaries are necessary for identity, community, and generosity: If all property is common, giving becomes redundant – people can help themselves to whatever they want. You don’t have to consider this idea

for too long before realizing it’s not a one-way ticket to utopia. Poverty and need should be met with compassion and generosity, as exemplified in the Book of Acts chapter 2 and 4, where the needy were helped because people chose to give voluntarily. The Bible is explicit about God’s expectation that we do care for the needy -it will not go well for us on judgment day if we don’t. But that is still a choice for each person and each nation, to make. Freely. Because God gives us a free will. The alternative is people taking what is not being given voluntarily, otherwise known as theft. Boundaries prevent violation.

Different countries have different cultures and blurring distinctions ends up eliminating that difference, as it happened in Genesis 11. God sees nations as unique, with specific callings and destinies, and characteristics. These differences are glorious, like the diversity in all of creation.

Removing borders leads to sprawling empires.

If there’s one thing history should teach us even the history of missions, it that imposing one culture on another is violation. Unity is one thing, uniformity is another. We need respect and to uphold each nation’s right to be separated from others, tone who they are, to live according to their own cultures and traditions.

The God who the world and everything in it… made from one man every nation of mankind to live on all the face of the earth, having determined allotted periods and the boundaries of their dwelling place, that they should seek God, and perhaps feel their ways toward Him and find Him. Yet, He is actually not far from each one of us.

It was God’s intention and Will to have different nations and countries, tribes and tongues. He wanted the earth to be fruitful and filled (Genesis 1:28). The inverse of respecting boundary stones is war, conquest, empire, and results in Babel-style globalism. The human desire to erase differences and separateness and to build an empire of all nations fused into one monstrosity. A beast, if you will. We are steadily heading towards this according to God’s Word, but this forced merge of the nations is a counterfeit of God’s real peace plan, which will come at the end of time.

Holding A Grudge

Are you holding a grudge? About?

I can honestly say I’m not holding a grudge towards anyone. I decided a long time ago that it just isn’t worth it. We all make mistakes and everyone doesn’t always do what’s right, intentional or not. I’m not going to spend my life holding a grudge against someone or something they did. It will only makes your heart and cold, people change and if they don’t I have the right to walk away from them.

Colossians 3:14 says, “bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you must do,

My Father always said, “Fool me once shame on you; fool me twice shame on me.” If a person hurts you over and over separate yourself from them,

Victim Or Victor

We all experience some trauma’s in our lives. From abuse to not being treated fairly. But we also have a choice whether we will stay wounded by them or become wise, and whether we will be a victim of what happened to us or a victor.

Someone who has chosen to have a victim mentality feels like they have no control over their circumstances. I lived this way for nearly 20 years, feeling like the world was out to get me, that I never had a chance. I blamed my mother for everything bad that happened in my life. I admit I played my victim role perfectly. I was wounded and I wanted the entire world to know it. Before I nearly destroyed myself, and dug myself a hole so deep I couldn’t get out. I realized that, I had to start clawing and climbing my way up out of that hole. There was no way out but up.

I realized that I didn’t want Satan to win. I had to become wiser in my ways. I have to become a victor.

Life isn’t fair, and you have to overcome the obstacles put in your life. If there is any way to find peace and joy in your life, being a victim isn’t the way to do it.

They say experience is a excellent teacher. But I sure wish someone would have told me what I’m telling you now. I don’t know if I would have understood it, but I would have loved to have the option.

If profound experiences have happened to you in unpleasantness in the past, do not turn that wound within yourself. Turn it into wisdom.

Many people I see in society have come to the conclusion just like I did that being joyful is out of the question. Maybe it’s time to move beyond that.

There are people that say, “I’m like this because because of the way my because someone treated me poorly. They are making that situation into something that they cannot change for a reason of what they are today. After some hard lessons I’ve realized that no one can change what happened to me, nor can anyone else who have had painful situations in their lives. When you say “My present condition is only because of that, you are only ensuring that you cannot change.

The most unpleasant the situations that happen to us, the more possibility for us to grow out of our limitations. That’s what happened to be, I became so wounded that the only way out was up.

But, when unpleasant situations come we must grow quickly, and because wise to it. Painful experiences have a profound impact on our lives. When it comes our way, in whatever form. Don’t let it go to waste. These impacts is what helps up mature. Don’t turn that pain towards yourself curate it into wisdom.

Every life situation that comes to you, you can use it either to liberate yourself or to bind yo. You are not the way you are because of the situations that you have faced. You are the way you are because you have let those sick what they have done to you. If you are willing you can change that.

Sadhguru

Things that happen in our lives leave impressions on us. Don’t let your mind become a garbage can. Every one we meet in this life will try and stuff something into our heads. We have choices to what we receive in our minds. We have the choice on how we react and make use of it in our lives. We will either become wounded by it, or wise to it.

Traveling

Share a story about the furthest you’ve ever traveled from home.

I drove to San Antonio Texas for 10 days going to a Veterans Conference. While a lot of time was spent in meetings. I had time to go to The Alamo and the RiverWalk visiting all the shops and amazing food, along with the boat ride downriver.

Angels In The Bible

What Do We Actually Know About Them?

There has been a lot of talk about Angel lately. Everywhere I go people are talking about angels even the prophets talk about angels these days. But what does the Bible actually say. I decided to do a study on angels, I thought I would share my findings.

For centuries, angels have been portrayed as beautiful human beings with wings and glowing light, complete with halos, harps, and flowing white gowns. But is that what angels really look like? Angels have inspired all sorts of imaginative stories and depictions. What’s let when we separate fact from fiction? What does the Bible actually say about angels?

  • God created Angels

Angels have an always existed. According to scripture, they are part of the universe God created. The Bible refers to angels as “host” or “armies” of heaven, Nehemiah 9:6 says, “You are, the Lord you alone made the heaven, the heaven of heavens, with all their hosts… and the host of heaven worships you.” In the New Testament, Paul tells us that God created all things “visible and invisible,” and specifically includes the angelic world in that phrase “Whether thrones or dominions, or principalities or authorities” (Colossians 1:16).

While Bible verses tell us that God created angels, the Bible also suggests that they don’t “exist” in the same way we do. Hebrews 1:13-14 suggests that all angels are spirits. When Jesus appears to the disciples, He asserts that “spirits” don’t have bodies like He does (Luke 24:39). Angels, can’t usually be seen by humans unless God reveals them (Numbers 22:31, 2 Kings 6:17, Luke 2:13). However, from time to time, Andrew took on bodily form and appeared to various people in scripture (Matthew 28:5, Hebrews 13:3).

  • There are three types of angels in the Bible

Scripture names three types of heavenly beings that appear to be types of Angels:

Cherubim

Seraphim

Living creatures

Cherubim

Cherubim are mentioned in several places throughout scripture,

– They guarded the entrance to the Garden of Eden (Genesis 3:24).

– Gods is enthroned above them (Ezekiel 10 1-22).

– God rides on them (Psalm 18:10).

– Two golden figures of Cherubim sit above the Ark of the Covenant, where God promised to dwell among His people (Exodus 25:22; 18:21).

Seraphim

Another type of angel, the Seraphim, are only mentioned once in the Bible. They appear in Isaiah 6:2-7, Where they continually worship will Lord saying “ Holy, Holy, Holy is the Lord of hosts, the whole earth is full of His glory.”

Living Creatures

Ezekiel and Revelation Speak of other kinds of heavenly being known as “living creatures” around God’s throne (Ezekiel 1:5-14, Revelation 4:6-8). They appear like a lion, an ox, a man, and an eagle, representing various parts of God’s creation – wild beasts, domesticated animals, human beings, and birds. They, too, worship God continually: “Day and night, they never cease to sing, “Holy, Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord God Almighty, who was and is and is to come!” (Revelation 4:8).

  • Angels have a hierarchy

Angels in the Bible appear to have rank in order. Angel hierarchy is supported by Jude 9, when the Angel Michael is called an “archangel” a title that indicates rule or authority over other angels. He’s also called “one of the chief princes” in Daniel 10:13, and appears to lead God’s angelic army in Revelation 12: Now war, a rose in heaven, Michael and his angels fighting against the dragon and the dragon and his angels fought but were defeated” (Revelation 12:7-8). Paul also tells us that the Lord will return from heaven “with the archangels call” (1 Thessalonians 4:16). Scripture doesn’t tell us if he refers to Michael, or there are other archangels as well.

  • Only two angels have names in the Bible

Only to Andrew‘s first pacifically named in scripture. As said above. the archangel Michael is mentioned in Jude 9, Revelation 12:7-8, and Daniel 10:13, 21).

Gabriel is the only other angel named in the Bible. He’s mentioned and Daniel 8:16 and 19:21 as a messenger who comes from God to speak to Daniel. He’s also identified as God’s messenger and Luke 1. He tells Zachariah, “I am Gabriel, who stands in the presence of God” (Luke 1:19). Then we read, “In the sixth month the angel Gabriel was sent from God to a city of Galilee, named Nazareth, to a virgin…and the virgins name was Mary” (Luke 1:26-27).

  • Angels are not omnipresent

Angels frequently appear as messengers in the Bible, traveling from one place to another.

The fact that angels are not omnipresent is made explicit when the angle comes to Daniel and says:

“I have come because of your words. The prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty one days; but Michael, one of the chief princes came you help me; so I left him there with the prince of the kingdom of Persia and came to make you understand what it is to befall your people in the latter days.” – Daniel 10:12-14.

If Angels were omnipresent, Michael wouldn’t have “came to help” because who would’ve already been there, and this angel wouldn’t need to leave Michael to bring this message. Unlike God, who is omnipresent, angels are finite creatures, limited to one place at one time.

  • We don’t know how many angels exist

The Bible doesn’t tell us how many angels God created. But apparently, there are a lot of them. Here are a few ways the Bible tells us how many angels there are:

– On Mount Sinai, God “came from the tens of thousands of holy ones, with flaming fire at His right hand“ (Deuteronomy 33:2).

– We also learned that, “the chariots of God or tens of thousands and thousands and thousands“ Psalms 68:17 NIV).

– When we come to worship, we come into the presence of “innumerable angels” (Hebrews 12:22).

– John says, I heard around the throne and a living creatures, and the elders, a voice of many elders John says, “I heard around the throne and the living creatures, and the elders, a voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands” (Revelation 5:11).

Every biblical reference to the total number, angels suggest, that they are beyond counting.

  • We can’t prove that guardian angels exist

The Bible clearly tells us that God sends angels to protect people. “He will give his angels charge over you and guide you in all your ways. On their hands they will bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone” (Psalm 91:11-12).

But are these what we think of as “guardian angels”? Jesus’s words in Matthew 18:10 seem to support the idea that individual people have guardian angels. In heaven, their angels always behold the face of the Father , who is in heaven. But Jesus, not only meant angels were assigned to protect little children in general.

When the disciples in Acts 12:15 say that Peter’s ‘angel” must be knocking at the door, this doesn’t necessarily imply that they believe in guardian angels. It’s possible that they believe in angels were simply guarding Peter at the time.

While arguments can be made, there seems to be no definitive biblical proof for the existence of “guardian angels.”

  • Angels do not marry

Jesus taught that in the resurrection people, “neither marry or are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven” (Matthew 22:30; Luke 20:34-36). Yes, clearly suggest that angels don’t marry

No other scripture addresses relationships between angel, so anything beyond this is simply speculation.

  • Angels are very powerful

Angles are called “mighty ones to do his word“ (Psalm 103:20), “powers” (Ephesians 1:21) and “dominions” and “authorities” (Colossians1:16). They are certainly “greater in Mike and power” than humans (2 Peter 2:11; Matthew 28 2)). Angels use their power to battle against Satan, demonic forces (Daniel 10:13; Revelation 12:7-8, 20:1-3).

During our earthly lives, we are lower than the angels (Hebrews 2:7). But as powerful as Angels are,when Jesus returns, followers of Christ will be raised higher than them (1 Corinthians 6:3).

  • We don’t know when angels were created

Genesis 2:1 tells us that the angels were made at some point before the seventh day of creation. The heavens and the Earth were finished, and all the host of them, host, referring to heavenly beings.

Exodus 20:22 is even more explicit In six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, and rested on the seventh day. We can at least confirm that all the angels were created by the sixth day of creation.

But there’s a hint of the creation of Angelic beings on the first day of creation, when we read “ in the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth” (Genesis 1:1), immediately followed by, “the earth was without form and void” (Genesis 1:2). There is no mention of heavens in the second verse. This might be intended to contrast the emptiness of the earth is with the heavens,where God already created angelic beings. This idea may be supported by Job, where we read that the morning stars sang together, and all the sons of God shouted for joy” when God laid the “corner stone” of the earth and sunk its “bases” (Job 38:6-7). If the angels shouted for joy when God was forming the earth, this could imply that God created the angelic being on the first day. But, this is only speculation.

  • Angels carry out some of God’s plans

There are numerous ways and with angels carry out God planned on earth:

– They frequently bring God messages to people (Luke 1:11-19, Acts 8:26, 10:3-8, 22, 27:23-24).

– They carry out with some of God judgments, bringing a plague upon Israel (2 Samuel 24:16-17), smiting the leaders of the Assyrian army (2 Chronicles 32-21), striking King Herod dead because he did not give God glory (Acts 12:23), pouring out bowls of God’s wrath on the earth (revelation 16:1).

– When christ returns, angels will come with him as a great army accompanying their King and Lord (Matthew 16:27, Luke 9:26, 2 Thessalonians 1:7).

– They patrol earth as God’s representatives (Zachariah 1:10-11).

– They carry out war against demonic forces (Daniel 10:13; Revelation 12:7-8).

– John records, that an angel, seized the dragon, that ancient serpent, who is the Devil, and bound him for1000-years, and threw him into the pit…” (Revelation 20:1-3).

– When Christ returns, and Arcángel will proclaim His coming (1 Thessalonians 4:16, Revelation 18:1-2, 21, 19:17-18).

  • Angels directly glorify God

Humans are the only intelligent, moral creatures, who glorify God. In Psalm 130:20, 148:2.

“Angels, glorify, God for who he is in Himself, for His excellence. Bless the Lord, O you Bis angels, you mighty ones who do His word, hearkening to the voice of His Word.”

The seraphim continually praise God for His holiness (Isaiah 6:2-3), and so do the living creatures (Revelation 4:8).

Angles also walk by God as a witness His plan and unfold. When Christ was born in Bethlehem, a multitude of angels, praised God, and said, “ Glory to God, in the highest, and on earth, peace among men with whom He is pleased” (Luke 2:14; Hebrews 1:6). Jesus tells us, “There is joy before the angels of God, over one sinner, who repents” (Luke 15:10), indicating that angels rejoice when someone turns from sin, and trust in Christ.

Peter tells us that “angels long to look” (1 Peter 1:12) into the glories of the plan of salvation as it works out in the lives of believers each day. To emphasize the seriousness of particular command, Paul reminds us that our actions are carried out in the presence of angelic witnesses:

“In the presence of God, and of Christ Jesus, and the elected angels I charge, you to keep the rules without favor doing nothing from partiality” – 1 Timothy 5:21; 1 Corinthians 4:9

If Timothy follows Paul’s instructions, angels will witness his obedience and glorify God. If you neglect to obey, angles will also see and be grieved.

  • Angels are not to be worshipped

“Worship of angels”, with one of the false doctrines being taught at Colossae (Colossians 2:18). In the book of Revelation and angel warns John not to worship him. “You must not do that! I am a fellow servant with you, and your brethren who holds the testimony of Jesus Worship God” (Revelation 19:10).

We shouldn’t pray to Angels either. God is able to answer prayer Paul, warns us against thinking that any other mediator can come between us and God, “ for there is one god, and it was one mediator between God and man, the man in Christ Jesus” (1 Timothy 2:5). If we were to pray to angels, it would implicitly give them a status equal to God. There are no examples in scripture of anyone praying to an angel or asking for an angel’s help.

Scripture gives us no warrant who seek appearances of angels. They manifest themselves and unsought. 26 such appearances would seem to indicate an unhealthy curiosity, or a desire of some kind of spectacular event, rather than love of God, and devotion to Him and His work.

Though angels did appear to people at various times in scripture, the people apparently never sought those appearances. Our role is rather to talk to the Lord, who is himself, the commander of all angelic forces. However, it would not seem wrong to ask God to fulfill His promise in Psalm 91:11 to send angels to protect us in times of need.

Much of what we see, or hear about angels in culture is based on speculation, non-biblical sources, or just plain fantasy. The Bible has a lot to say about them – so much in fact that it can be hard to say which of the things we hear about are rooted in scripture.

My Ideal Home

What does your ideal home look like?

My ideal home would be close to a beach. There would be a least 4 bedrooms and 2 baths. Open concept kitchen. Decorated with nautical accessories to bring the beach inside that is brightly colored. At least 4 bedrooms and 3 baths. A fireplace, just because I’ve always wanted one. Comfy furniture by my big bay window. A big front porch with an ocean view. A fire pit for barbeques. A pool and a jacuzzi.

I’ve always loved the beach. I can feel all the daily stressors drifting away when I think about it. There’s just something about salty air, sand, and the crashing of the waves,

How To Guard Your Heart

King Solomon said it best in Proverbs 4:23, “Above all else, Guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.” This scripture implies that whatever we allow to enter our hearts, if not examined and evaluated properly, will undoubtedly be expressed in our lives and our actions -in positive and negative ways.

Vigilance is defined as the action or state of keeping careful watch for possible danger or difficulties. That’s exactly what God calls us to do with our hearts. We are to pay extra attention to our hearts and watch them closely. There will be dangers and difficulties we can face in life, and we should be ready.

Jesus has done everything for us. We can be forgiven for all of eternity if we repent. What He did on the cross and how He rose from the dead was enough and will always be enough. If you’re a follower of Jesus you should remain loyal and faithful to God in everything you do.

The wellspring of life…where someone does all thinking, feeling, and choosing doesn’t come into out hearts from external circumstances but rather flows out of our hearts through the Holy Spirit. At the end of the day, what we do reveals our heart.

Here are 7 ways to guard your heart:

1. Protect Everything That Comes In

Everything is competing for our time, money, and resources. Just turn on the TV or social media or go anywhere and you’ll quickly be hit with anything and everything that wants your attention. Music, videos, sex, books, language, power, money and pride are just some of the many examples.

We need to use wisdom in what we allow into our hearts. We only have a limited time each day to make much of God, so what are we being influenced by, listening to, or looking at?

We should train our eyes to look away from lust. Listen to wisdom instead of folly. Protect yourself from harm’s way and a culture that is anti-God and replace it with things that are Godly. And your heart will remain protected.

2. Persevere In The Face Of Difficulties

Difficulties happen in life, there is no getting around it. It’s a product of a sinful world with sinful people. It’s not a coincidence that God lines out multiple things for you to do while following Him. Reading the Bible daily, praying consistently, sharing the Gospel every chance you get, and spending time in solitude with the Lord are just some of these.

There will be times we don’t feel like being in the Lord’s presence or feel like He is listening to our prayers. Persevere! Trust that He is always completing a good work in you. Believe that the Lord will prevail, in all things. As you persevere, you will continue to grow in Godliness and your heart will be strong.

3. Follow What The Lord Is Leading You To Do

This is a nice way of saying “Obey God.” If we don’t do this why do we expect anything good to happen in our lives. Everyone is different. We all have different skills and desires and that’s a good thing. God made us all different intentionally. He calls us to follow Him in many different ways. Some will be teachers, pastors, emergency technicians, stay at home parents, musicians, mechanics, writers, or retail.

What is God asking you to do? What do you desire and you just can’t stop thinking about it? Chances are that’ll what God’s calling you to do right now. Trust Him and go for it. The longer you quench that desire, the more strain your putting on your heart.

4. Cultivate An Atmosphere Of Community

When we are adopted as sons and daughters of the one true King, we come into a family and are sent on a mission. This involves people. There is no way to follow Jesus in isolation, it doesn’t make any sense. If your following Jesus, you’ll be part of a church and He will make you disciples… that does not translate to -just have your personal isolation relationship with me and you’ll be fine. We need people. We need community,

Your heart needs people constantly pouring into you, and you need to be pouring into people. There’s a constant flow coming in and out as you love and serve others. People need to hear about Jesus and you need to grow in the Lord with your family that you’ll be with for all eternity.

5. Keep Priorities High And Do Not Compromise

There’s wisdom in keeping our priorities. Of course, those need to be the right priorities to become with, keeping them is a big deal. What can happen (and it’s happened many times) is that we let the day dictate our priorities instead of our priorities dictating the day.

God, our family (spouse, children etc.), work, and so on is an example of an order of priorities to keep throughout your day. How should we be expect to be blessed and have abundant life if we don’t put God first? If we put God first everything else will follow (Matthew 6:33). What we might be tempted to do is to lower one throughout the day of elevate one too high.

Yes, we live and serve one another, but not to the extent of compromising the priorities and values the Lord had given us. Once you make a little compromise here or there, you begin to add toxicity to your heart. The good news is that if you keep them, your heart will grow in wisdom,

6. Trust The Lord With Rest

We live in a culture that is so fast-paced, chances are you might have to spend about 30 seconds on this page, and you will be off to the next one. Productivity is elevated above all else and people are praised for getting things done. While we run around like crazy, we often forget how bad it is for our hearts. We are also telling God we don’t trust Him in the process.

When we rest in the Lord (including taking a full day off), we are declaring out dependency on Him. We are admitting we can’t do life on our own. If you think about it, your body needs sleep 1/3 of the time you are alive, Not only that, when we fall asleep or even wake up that’s only because of the Lord.

Whether you need to start observing the Sabbath, or just need to take a deep breath and let the Lord so the work instead of you, be encouraged to trust Jesus and rest. Let your heart rest, “The yoke is easy… the burden is light” (Matthew 11:30).

7. Preach The Gospel To Yourself Each Day

This last one some up everything above and couldn’t be more important. The Gospel isn’t just a “one-time” thing and a ticket to heaven, but something we all need each and every day. The secure take our eyes off of the cross we forget who we really are. Our hearts need to be reminded that while we still sin, we are forgiven, redeemed, and are children of God.

As you start your day with this reminder, you’ll have no choice but to glorify God in everything you do. You’ll begin seeing God’s hand on everything you do.