Angels Sent to Protect and to Serve 4-23-09

Good morning, Lord Jesus. Be at the center of my life and the foundation of my day. … "Suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared and a light shone in the cell. He tapped Peter on the side and woke him, saying, 'Get up quickly.' And the chains fell off his wrists. The angel said to him, 'Fasten your belt and put on your sandals.' He did so. Then he said to him, 'Wrap your cloak around you and follow me' " (Acts 12:7-8). Thank You, Lord, for Your holy angels, "spirits in the divine service, sent to serve for the sake of those who are to inherit salvation" (Acts 1:14). Thank You for sending them to watch over us, to walk with us, to protect us, and fight for us in so many ways we never know (Psalm 91:11-13). In some ways, they are like holy policemen, here "to protect and to serve." You've sent them to be with us from the beginning. And they live and move and have their being both here with us in this earthly dimension, while, at the same time, there with You in the heavenly dimension (Matthew 18:10). Yet most of the time, we're unaware of their presence and their mission (Hebrews 13:2). Peter had a hard time realizing that the supernatural realm had invaded his natural realm, that the heavenly dimension had invaded his earthly dimension. "He did not realize that what was happening with the angel's help was real; he thought he was seeing a vision" (Acts 12:9). But the light that surrounded him was no dream; the breaking of his chains was not wishful thinking; the opening of his prison bars was not his imagination. His chains were gone and he was set free by Your power, at Your direction, through Your holy angel. It was time to fasten his belt and get going. Lord, You seem to be sending Your holy angels to protect and to serve, in Your power for Your purposes. You seem to be opening our spiritual eyes and increasing our spiritual sensitivity to Your spiritual realm. You are setting us free from our chains and prisons to fasten our belts and get going with the work of the kingdom at hand. "Then they cried to the Lord in their trouble, and He saved them from their distress; He brought them out of darkness and gloom, and broke their bonds asunder. Let them thank the Lord for His steadfast love, for His wonderful works to humankind. For He shatters the doors of bronze, and cuts in two the bars of iron" (Psalm 107:13-16). With Your holy angels and filled with Your Holy Spirit, Your light is shining all around us. By Your grace, we will arise from our prisons and go forth in Your power to fulfill Your purpose. As it was in Peter's generation, let it be so in our generation. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen. Be encouraged today! In the Love of Jesus, Tommy Hays Order our Ministry Resources or Contribute to our vision and calling: www.shop.messiah-ministries.org Subscribe by email to me at Messiah Ministries --MessiahMin@aol.com -- "Preparing the Way of the Lord ... Ministering the Healing Love of God" www.messiah-ministries.org 2800 Tates Creek Rd; Lexington, KY 40502