YOUR PERSONAL ANGELS, Hebrews 1:14

 YOUR PERSONAL ANGELS

Hebrews 1:14

"Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?"
— Hebrews 1:14

VALUE IN ALL GOD’S CREATION

Everything God created has value to mankind. All you have to do is look for it and be open to it. I asked my grand daughter what is the purpose of ants she looked it up and said they do soil aeration, nutrient  cycling  and pest control etc

I hate roaches, what is their purpose? She look it up and said they decompose dead organic matter, recycle nutrients , they support predators like birds, reptiles etc

BENEFIT OF ANGELS

The Bible talks a lot about angels and how God used them in the past. Is their purpose today  the same? How does God use them in our lives today?

The Greek word for angel is aggelos, which means messenger. Throughout the Old and New Testaments, God used angels to benefit mankind. They are important in our lives. They are God’s appointed messengers and servants to God and us.

They are spiritual beings created by God. They are servants and not to be worshipped. 

Angels are the unseen attendants of the saints of God; they bear us up in their hands, lest we dash our foot against a stone (Psalms 91:11-12) (C S)

Loyalty to their Lord leads them to take a deep interest in the children of His love; they rejoice over the return of the prodigal to his father's house below, and they welcome the advent of the believer to the King's palace above. 

History of Angels

Their creation; Job 38:4 "Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth? Tell me, if you know so much. as the morning stars sang together and all the angels shouted for joy? 

We don’t know when Angels were created, but they are God’s creation. They are spiritual beings in an unseen world operating for our good according to the will and direction of God.

Col 1:16 for through him (Jesus) God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can't see—such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him.

All we know is that angels were created before God created the earth. They watched God’s creation and were joyful.

How many angels did God create? The Lord does not give us an exact number, but tells us He created many,

Ps 89:5 All heaven will praise your great wonders, Lord; myriads of angels will praise you for your faithfulness. The word myriad means an extremely large uncountable number of heavenly beings. Do not think because you cannot see them that they are not present.

Dan 7:10 and a river of fire was pouring out, flowing from his presence. Millions of angels ministered to him; many millions stood to attend him.

THE MISSION OF ANGELS

Their purpose: praise Ps 148:1-2 Praise him from the skies! 2 Praise him, all his angels! Praise him, all the armies of heaven!

Their work ministering spirits Hebrews 1:14 "Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?"

Their Target: The Heirs of salvation are God’s chosen, the church, you and me

In the Old testament Angels are introduced to us as created beings. Jesus created them with the ability to be obedient or disobedient  Satan or Lucifer became full of pride and decided he was above God,

Isa 14:12  "How you are fallen from heaven, O shining star, son of the morning! You have been thrown down to the earth, you who destroyed the nations of the world. 13 For you said to yourself, 'I will ascend to heaven and set my throne above God's stars.

It is believed that Satan corrupted ⅓ of the angels in heaven who fell with him (Revelations 12:4) God’s holy angels remained obedient. 

In the beginning  God appeared to Adam and Eve during the cool of the day. They walked and talked with the God of the heavens. Today we are gifted to walk with Jesus seated at the right hand of the Father. Heaven is still opened, and the angels of God ascend and descend upon the Son of man, that they may visit the heirs of salvation(Gen 28:12). Seraphim still fly with live coals from off the altar to touch the lips of men greatly beloved ( Isa 6-7). Today we are cleaned by the blood of Jesus,

HISTORY OF GOD’S USE OF ANGELS

God may use angels to block doors He don”t want us to go through as He did for Adam and Eden

Gen 3:24 After sending them out, the Lord God stationed mighty cherubim to the east of the Garden of Eden. And he placed a flaming sword that flashed back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.

Had Adam and Eve touched the Tree of life in their sinful state, mankind would have been doomed for ever. God took action to keep our sinful heart from destroying us using angels as guard.

God uses Angels to bring good news. The good news was Adam and Eve lived for another day to start generations of families.  Throughout time, God has allowed man to live out his life with hard work learning to rely on Him for survival. It is all part of God’s plan to bring about salvation. God uses His angel from time to time to bring us messages from Him.

Abraham and Sarah wanted a child but were child barren. Three angels appeared to Abraham  with the news from God that they would have a child 

Gen 18:10 Then one of them said, "I will return to you about this time next year, and your wife, Sarah, will have a son!"

God uses Angels to move us into a safe place. Danger is all around us that we cannot see and therefore puts us in  defenseless circumstances. Since God is spiritual He sees danger in eyes of evil people. We have no idea which angel God dispatches to save us.

In Genesis 19, Lot and his family had settled in Sodom and Gomorrah , homosexual cities unaware of the danger. God sent angels to warn them to get out of the city.  When they ( Lot and his daughters)were safely out of the city, one of the angels ordered, "Run for your lives! And don't look back or stop anywhere in the valley! Escape to the mountains, or you will be swept away!"

Angels confirm God’s promises. Years earlier God told Abraham to take his family and travel to land unknown to him,  with the promise that he would be the father of many nations. Jacob, a descendant of Abraham, found himself in a dangerous situation facing an angry brother with an army of 400 men. God changed the heart of his brother and sent an angel to confirm and continue the promised redemption. Jacob wrestled with an angel all night. 

Gen 32:28 "Your name will no longer be Jacob," the man (Angel) told him. "From now on you will be called Israel, because you have fought with God and with men and have won."

The angel's message was the confirmation of the promise to Abraham, , Great Grandfather of Jacob and name of the first nation Israel.

God uses Angels to comfort us in the middle of trouble 

Shadrach, Meshack and Abednego, the three Hebrew boys refused to worship the golden statue of King Nebuchadnezzar while in Babylonian captivity and were thrown in the fiery furnace. They  trusted God to save them. God put an angel in the fired up furnace to comfort and protect them (Daniel 3).

When the king looked in the furnace he saw four men  safe in the fire and one looked like an angel. He released the three and claimed God as Lord.

God didn't get rid of the trouble but used their trouble to give Himself glory and bring the King to belief.   

 

God uses Angels to bring messages of joy. 

God sent the angel Grabiel to virgin girl Mary, to announce that she had been chosen to conceive by the Holy Spirit Jesus the savior of the world.  

Shepherds sleeping in the field at night guarding their sheep were visited by a host of angels announcing the birth of Jesus

Luke 2:10  "I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior—yes, the Messiah, the Lord—has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger."

God uses Angels to comfort us 

The night before Jesus was taken captive to be crucified, He went to the Garden of Gethsemane to pray knowing the agony He would suffer. He took his disciple with Him but they went to sleep and were no comfort. God sent an angel to do the job.

Luke 22: 43 Then an angel from heaven appeared and strengthened him (Jesus). 44 He prayed more fervently, and he (Jesus) was in such agony of spirit that his sweat fell to the ground like great drops of blood. 

God uses Angels to guide us to places and people to proclaim the Gospel

An angel of the Lord met Philip and directed him to an Ethiopian eunuch who had worshiped in Jerusalem. He was going back to Africa. Philip proclaimed the gospel, and it was taken to Africa.

Acts 26 As for Philip, an angel of the Lord said to him, "Go south down the desert road that runs from Jerusalem to Gaza." 27 So he started out, and he met the treasurer of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under the Kandake, the queen of Ethiopia. 

Acts 8:36-38

 Why can't I be baptized?" 38 He ordered the carriage to stop, and they went down into the water, and Philip baptized him.

God uses Angels to give you new directions

Acts 16:9 That night Paul had a vision: A man from Macedonia in northern Greece was standing there, pleading with him, "Come over to Macedonia and help us!" 10 So we decided to leave for Macedonia at once, having concluded that God was calling us to preach the Good News there.

God uses Angels to Open Locked Doors 

Acts 12:7  and an angel of the Lord stood before Peter. The angel struck him on the side to awaken him and said, "Quick! Get up!" And the chains fell off his wrists. 8 Then the angel told him, "Get dressed and put on your sandals." And he did. "Now put on your coat and follow me," the angel ordered. 9 So Peter left the cell, following the angel

Angels comfort and give direction:

Gen 16: 9 The angel of the Lord said to her (Hagar), "Return to your mistress, and submit to her authority." 10 Then he added, "I will give you more descendants than you can count."

God uses Angels to minister to those who are grieving

Early Sunday morning after Jesus’s crucifixion, women gathered spices and went to the tomb to properly prepare Jesus body for burial. They worried how they would remove the stone covering the tomb.

Matt 28:5 The women were terrified and bowed with their faces to the ground. Then the men asked, "Why are you looking among the dead for someone who is alive? 6 He isn't here! He is risen from the dead! 

ALL THIS IS IN THE BIBLE BUT WHAT ABOUT NOW

Does God use  angles in your  life today? I SAY YES YES AND YES

Mal 3:6 "I am the Lord, and I do not change 

      That is a promise that what the Lord did in the past, He does today for      

       you  and me

Heb 13:2 Don't forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it! 

This seems to suggest that angels can show up at any time in any form; man woman or child. They come with a message from God. The Lord said, I do what I want

God uses Angels to protect you 

Ps 34:7 For the angel of the Lord is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear him.

Notice the Lord uses His angels to protect  believers in Him not none believers

 Ps 91:11 For he will order his angels to protect you wherever you go.

Ps 103:19-20

God uses Angels to give Him praise and carry out His plans concerning you

19 The Lord has made the heavens his throne; from there he rules over everything.

20 Praise the Lord, you angels, you mighty ones who carry out his plans, listening for each of his commands.

God encamps His Angels around you and me

There are millions of angels  Daniel 7:10. Only three are given names. Two  holy Michael, Gabriel and one fallen; Lucifer the enemy 

Ps 34:7 For the angel of the Lord is a guard; he surrounds and defends all who fear him.

You are never alone. You may be weak but God is powerful. In the middle of danger you can call on Jesus and He can send His angels to protect you

LIVING AN EFFECTIVE PRAYER LIFE Mark 9:14-29

 

"BRING HIM TO ME."
— Mark 9:14 -29

Our children are most precious to us. When they suffer, we suffer with them and for them. We are all God’s Children and when we suffer, He provides healing when we come to Him in prayer by faith. He allows our trouble to bring us to Him in prayer. 

There is a purpose for our troubles: James 1:2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.

The purpose of our troubles is to draw us closer to God. They are designed to build our faith, get us ready for what’s ahead and to be a blessing to others

In Mark 9 a fathers brought his son to Jesus  to be healed. Like any parent, his heart is broken and needs a miracle for his son. We are all sons and daughters of  God the father in need of healing. We can not exist without the favor of God.

I want to focus less on the miracle, and more on the events that led to the miracle.  I will review the text from following point of view;

1. God makes all things work for the good of those who love Him

2. God used the devil’s violence to affect the son 

3. God used the son’s problem to bring the father to Christ

4. God used the fathers love for the son to bring him to belief 

THE TEXT

14 When they returned to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd surrounding them, and some teachers of religious law were arguing with them. 15 When the crowd saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with awe, and they ran to greet him. 16 "What is all this arguing about?" Jesus asked.

17 One of the men in the crowd spoke up and said, "Teacher, I brought my son so you could heal him. He is possessed by an evil spirit that won't let him talk. 18 And whenever this spirit seizes him, it throws him violently to the ground. Then he foams at the mouth and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So I asked your disciples to cast out the evil spirit, but they couldn't do it."  19 Jesus said to them, "You faithless people! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy to me." 

20 So they brought the boy. But when the evil spirit saw Jesus, it threw the child into a violent convulsion, and he fell to the ground, writhing and foaming at the mouth. 21 "How long has this been happening?" Jesus asked the boy's father.

He replied, "Since he was a little boy. 22 The spirit often throws him into the fire or into water, trying to kill him. Have mercy on us and help us, if you can."

23 "What do you mean, 'If I can'?" Jesus asked. "Anything is possible if a person believes." 24 The father instantly cried out, "I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!"

25 When Jesus saw that the crowd of onlookers was growing, he rebuked the evil spirit. "Listen, you spirit that makes this boy unable to hear and speak," he said. "I command you to come out of this child and never enter him again!" 

26 Then the spirit screamed and threw the boy into another violent convulsion and left him. The boy appeared to be dead. A murmur ran through the crowd as people said, "He's dead." 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and helped him to his feet, and he stood up.

28 Afterward, when Jesus was alone in the house with his disciples, they asked him, "Why couldn't we cast out that evil spirit?" 29 Jesus replied, "This kind can be cast out only by prayer." 

I want focus less on the miracle, but more on the events that led to the miracle,  I believe God used this this fathers anguish to teach us the wise of the devil and the way to quench his fiery darts 

BACKGROUND

Jesus had sent out the 12 disciples in pairs to cast out demons, heal the sick And teach the good news as described in Mark 6.  It was a successful trip. The same disciples in Mark 9 could not heal the fathers son 

Jesus took Peter James and John to the mount of Transfiguration. He was not present with the disciples that were left when the father brought his son seeking help. 

The devil used his influence to distract the disciples. With the religious leaders, the enemy of Jesus watching, the disciples decided to cast out the demon. They had  cast out demons before (Mark 6), with The power and the authority of Jesus, but they couldn’t do it this time

DON’T ARGUE SCRIPTURE WITH NON BELIEVERS 

They got into an argument with religious leaders and the teachers of the law. The argument was a distraction. The argument stopped the disciples from being a cohesive force. It stopped the disciples from seeking Jesus. It stopped the disciples from looking at themselves and evaluating their failure. 

The argument drew a crowd, which may have added to the confusion with the disciples. When you lead, all eyes are on you with the pressure to perform. Jesus did it, but could the disciples do the same?

ESTABLISH A RELATIONSHIP

Jesus showed up and established an order with the disciples and the religious leaders. He asked the right questions. Why was there an argument and what was it about?  Notice the devil and those he influenced stayed silent. It was the father of the demon possessed son who spoke up.

When asked to pray for someone or something it is important to know what we are praying for. The more information we have the better we can structure the prayer. 

Mark 9:17"Teacher, I brought my son so you could heal him. He is possessed by an evil spirit that won't let him talk. 18 And whenever this spirit seizes him, it throws him violently to the ground. Then he foams at the mouth and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid.

This is added information that the disciple may not have obtained.

THE ROOT OF THE PROBLEM; LACK OF FAITH AND PRAYER

Mark 9:19 Jesus said to them, "You faithless people! How long must I be with you? How long must I put up with you? Bring the boy to me."

Jesus was not just talking to His disciples, He was talking to the crowd. He was talking to you and me.

The problem was lack of faith. The disciples had been with Jesus, witnessed His healing, participated in the healings, but had no faith in their ability to heal. The question by Jesus of “how long will you remain faithless suggests that we have many experiences of healing by Jesus and still didn't believe. Jesus was disappointed but tolerant.

You cannot expect anything from Jesus without faith. God brings us through trials from time to time to grow our faith. We must not take any of life’s experiences for granted. Always take time to see what God is showing you each day. You never know when previous experiences will be called to bear on current circumstances. 

BRING THE PROBLEM TO JESUS 

The father’s prayer and Jesus response

Mark 9:22 Have mercy on us and help us, if you can.

23 "What do you mean, 'If I can'?" Jesus asked. "Anything is possible if a person believes." 24 The father instantly cried out, "I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!"

We have to recognize that the devil shows up in the midst of your  agony to cast doubt on Jesus' will for you. The devil showed up in this case, but the disciples didn’t recognize him and had no plan to combat him.

The disciples had never experienced a situation before without Jesus. Jesus ’had cast out many demons in their presence, but they didn’t learn from them.  You will run into situations you have never handled before. But God’s word is the same.

THE DEVIL IS ALWAYS PRESENT

The moment you go in prayer with Jesus, the devil will remind you of his destructive influence. Prayer puts you in the presence of Jesus

Watch this: Mark 9:20 So they brought the boy. But when the evil spirit saw Jesus, it threw the child into a violent convulsion, and he fell to the ground, writhing and foaming at the mouth.

Jesus was not disturbed, He continued establishing a relationship with the father of the demon possessed child. The devil’s job is to cast doubt and destroy any hope of help from Jesus. Remember there was a large crowd watching and many were being influenced by the devil

Mark 9:21  "How long has this been happening?" Jesus asked the boy's father.  He replied, "Since he was a little boy. 22 The spirit often throws him into the fire or into water, trying to kill him. Have mercy on us and help us, if you can."

How often do we ignore a problem and let it drag on until it gets too big for us to handle?  Even in your prayers the devil is persistent. 

"

“IF YOU CAN”  That “if” is Satan casting doubt in the ability of Jesus. It is the same “if” the devil tried to use on Jesus after He was baptized. If you are the Son of God, turn these stones into bread. It is the same “if” he used on Jesus on the cross. If you are the Christ, get down from the cross and save yourself and me. 

Don’t let no “If” be in your prayer. If is a level of doubt. The if did not come from God it put in your mind by Satan 

Mark 9:23 23 "What do you mean, 'If I can'?" Jesus asked. "Anything is possible if a person believes." 

24 The father instantly cried out, "I do believe, but help me overcome my unbelief!"

THE DEVIL WILL NOT GIVE UP WITHOUT A FIGHT

Mark 9:25 When Jesus saw that the crowd of onlookers was growing, he rebuked the evil spirit. "Listen, you spirit that makes this boy unable to hear and speak," he said. "I command you to come out of this child and never enter him again!”   

26 Then the spirit screamed and threw the boy into another violent convulsion and left him. The boy appeared to be dead. A murmur ran through the crowd as people said, "He's dead." 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and helped him to his feet, and he stood up.

Even when Jesus is working, there is a tendency not to believe. Folk gave up on the child, he is still dead. God has the last word. Jesus took the child by the hand. Have you ever prayed for change in behavior in a child, but the “if”, the doubt was still in your mind because you didn’t see an immediate change?

The commands of Jesus is powerful, Its our job to rebuke the devil with the commands of Jesus. Then we must wait on Jesus to act, because the situation may get worse before it gets better.

FAITH DEVELOPS IN THE MIDST OF THE BATTLE

When you take a prayer to Jesus, leave it in His hand. I know a man that was  in a coma for six months and came out of it.

God specializes in the dead, the lost, the heartless, the vile and the proud.

TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR YOUR FAITH 

Mark 9:28 Afterward, when Jesus was alone in the house with his disciples, they asked him, "Why couldn't we cast out that evil spirit?"29 Jesus replied, "This kind can be cast out only by prayer." 

Let’s talk about this kind. Apparently there is more than one kind of demonic spirit. There are levels of evil in the world. 

This kind is violent. This kind hate children, this kind will hurt the father and kill the son. This kind makes a public show of its evil influence.

Faith in Jesus is encouraged in prayer. There were nine disciples whose father brought his son too. None offered up a prayer to Jesus. We must have an attitude of prayer. Not just on Sunday but every day

During Jesus time devout Jews prayed three times a day, 9am, 12 pm and 3pm. Jesus commanded us to pray without ceasing. We have the power in prayer through the Holy Spirit to call on Jesus for healing and miracles of any kind.   

Prayer and faith are intertwined  together.  

James 5:13 Are any of you suffering hardships? You should pray. Are any of you happy? You should sing praises. 14 Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven.

SUMMARY LIVING AN EFFECTIVE PRAYER LIFE

• DEVELOP AND IMPROVE YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH JESUS

• MAKE FAITH IN JESUS AND HIS WORD YOUR PRIORITY

• BE PREPARED AT ALL TIMES TO DEFEND YOUR FAITH 

• TREAT EVERYONE WITH KINDNESS AND RIGHTEOUSNESS

• NEVER ARGUE SCRIPTURE, DO BIBLE STUDY

• DON’T GET DISTRACTED BY THE ENEMY

• PRAY WITHOUT CEASING ALL YOUR WAKING HOURS

• RECOGNIZED THAT ALL ILLNESSES ARE   THE PRODUCT OF SATAN

• WHEN YOU PRAY FOR OTHERS, CALL ON JESUS IN FAITH

A MESSAGE OF HOPE, JOY, PEACE Psalms 73:24

 A MESSAGE OF HOPE, JOY AND PEACE

Psalms 73:24

We are all on a journey on this earth designed by God with a starting point and an ending. 

In  Isaiah  46:10 God said this;  Only I can tell you the future before it even happens.

Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish.  

God has a plan for everyone. And everyone is in his plan 

I want to take a text from a verse in the Bible from  Psalms 73:24-25 NLT

IT IS A MESSAGE OF HOPE JOY AND PEACE

Psalms 73:24 -25

24 Lord You guide me with your counsel, 

leading me to a glorious destiny.

25 Whom have I in heaven but you?

There are 4 important points I want to speak to in this verse.

Divine Guidance

Divine Counsel

Heavenly Destination

A DESIRE TO BE LIKE JESUS

Psalms 73 was written by Asaph, the chief musician under King David

He was in charge of praise and worship. He considered his situation and observed that the rich, the powerful seem to enjoy life with no problems. They could say what they want and get away with anything, but I am suffering

 He said in verse 2  But as for me, I almost lost my footing. My feet were slipping, and I was almost gone.

I got so caught up in what the world was doing, that I almost gave up on God.

But I remembered God and His goodness. So he gave us this prayer;

24 Lord, You guide me with your counsel, 

leading me to a glorious destiny.

25 Whom have I in heaven but you?

This is what we all should be seeking from God. I don’t know about you, but I don’t know everything, in fact I know very little.  I need 

Divine Guidance

I need Divine Counsel and 

I want a Heavenly Destination

A Changed Heart to be like Jesus

Life is complicated. We live in a world of violence. We really don’t know what tomorrow will bring.  We cannot determine how our day will start or how our day will end. We can only look back and say what happened.

We need divine guidance. We need the Lord who can order our steps. We need someone who knows where the road blocks are. We need someone who can guide us around or through an accident. We need someone that is bigger than the biggest gun, faster than a speeding bullet, smarter than the most intelligent person on earth to guide and direct us. 

We need someone who open closed doors and make a way out of no way

We need someone that is more powerful than all the leaders on earth to protect  us.

 I know that someone and his name is Jesus. 

WHAT DOES DIVINE GUIDANCE LOOK LIKE

Ps 37:23 The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives.

In order to allow God to direct your steps you must know and submit to God’s will. To know God’s will to follow God’s will you have to know His Word. BIBLE STUDY

You have to make up your mind to follow His Word. You must be intentional in following God  word You must  be in prayer for every decision

God is a good leader and will and cannot guide you wrong.  

Isa 8:19  But shouldn't people ask God for guidance? Should the living seek guidance from the dead? Why ask someone don’t know the Lord what to do?

The problem with trusting other people is you don’t know their heart. The only person you can trust is God. But what does that Look like? It your opinion  Or do you search scripture  then wait on God to reveal an answer? God may wait to see if you react or respond. We react on what we think. We respond based on meditation of God’s word

DIVINE  COUNSEL 

First You need divine directions and second ,

You need divine counsel. I don’t know about you, but I need divine counsel. I need someone to tell me the truth. We don’t need the opinions of others, we need the truth. Opinions are based on incomplete information. Opinions change as my thoughts change. Opinions change more often you change your underwear.

I need a truth that does not change, from a person that cannot change. Sometimes the truth hurts. Sometimes we don’t want to hear the truth. Sometimes we would rather go along with the crowd to be in the crowd. 

The Lord says I change not. He also said in Revelation you cannot add anything to my word or take anything away from it. The New Testament is over 2000 years old. Some parts of the Old Testament are over 4000 years old. It is the most read book in the world. It has survived the test of time.

Your situation is in the Bible. Whatever you are going through, somebody has already gone through it and the Lord has already talked about it, and given you directions on how to live with and deal with it.  Ecclesiastes 1: 9 say there is nothing new under the sun. 

Before Jesus returned to heaven He promised a divine counselor 

John 14: 16 And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Advocate, who will never leave you. 17 He is the Holy Spirit, who leads into all truth. 

How does this work? How do you receive God’s counseling? 

1. Jesus and the Father sent you a spiritual counselor

2. The counselor is always with you 

3. The spiritual counselor is just like Jesus

4. The spiritual counselor dwells within you

5. If you consult with Him, he give you the truth

6. You have to intentionally seek the truth that dwell in you

John 14:26  But when the Father sends the Advocate as my representative—that is, the Holy Spirit—he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I have told you.

1. Your teacher of the God’s Word is the counselor; the Holy Spirit

2. You have to study the Word to have reservoir of information stored in your brain

3. You have intentionally study the Word to get an understanding through the power of the Holy Spirit

4. In any situation the Holy Spirit will remind you of the truth

5. In any situation, you have intentionally listen for the Holy Spirit before responding

6. You must trust that Holy Spirit speaking is what you should say

There is hope. Despite what you are going through Family, there is Hope.

YOU HAVE DIVINE DIRECTION, YOU HAVE DIVINE COUNSEL 

AND YOU HAVE A GLORIOUS DESTINATION PREPARED FOR YOU 

There is no doubt in hope. It is a confident assurance in Jesus. Teach  the text to your family 

The Psalmist said in verse 21, I realized that my heart was bitter and I was all torn up inside.  He got caught up in what others had and was blinded to the grace God provided for his life

You have to come to the conclusion that everything will not be alright with you all the time. It’s ok, God designed life circumstance to keep you in prayer

All of us have or will experience a sense of brokenness. It is part of God’s plan to draw us closer to Him. He intends to make us perfect and lacking nothing. 

James 1:2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing. NLT

Joy does not come from what you got, but who got you. Perfection does not just happen, its the pain God works in us.

Remember the Samaritan woman at Jacobs well in John 4, God designed her 6 Broken marriages to get her prepared to meet Jesus at the well. She accepted Jesus' words and took the Gospel to her whole village.  Her 7th marriage was to Jesus, a permanent relationship

Her brokenness was not just for her but her entire village. The Samaritan woman brokenness was a means to her wholeness. Your testimony brings others to Christ.

Consider this the woman had had 5 legal marriages but had not married the 6th. She may have given up on marriage. She was not a bad woman because 1. Jesus made a special trip to Samaria to meet her 2. Jesus did not condemn her and , 3 her message was accepted by the whole village,  they believed her testimony . 

HEAVEN IS YOUR HOME

The Psalmist  said in verse 23,  Lead me to a glorious destiny. Who do I have in heaven but you?

 Life is a journey to your heavenly home. Earth is not your home, you are just passing through  What a great prayer, God lead me to a glorious destination.

God never really tells us what heaven is but He does tell us what heaven is like. 

Isa 46:10

10 Only I can tell you the future before it even happens.

Everything I plan will come to pass, for I do whatever I wish.

TAKING RESPOSIBILITY FOR HOPE

Eden asked me about heaven. Is Aunt Roro in heaven? Well Eden the Bible says this in 2 Corinthian 5:8 Absent from the body is to be at home with the Lord. Your aunt Veronica who you called RoRo is with the Lord. 

Then Eden asked me, will I know her in heaven? Matthew 17:3 says three of Jesus' disciples went up to a mountain with Him, they saw and recognized Moses and Elijah who lived hundreds of years before they were born. Yes Eden you will know RORO when you get there. 

In heaven you will have a place prepared especially for you. Jesus said to all of us;

John 14:1-3 14 "Don't let your hearts be troubled. Trust in God, and trust also in me. 2 There is more than enough room in my Father's home. If this were not so, would I have told you that I am going to prepare a place for you? 3 When everything is ready, I will come and get you, so that you will always be with me where I am.

Heaven will be all about praise and worship. Revelation 4:9 The angels sang Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord God Almighty the one who was who is and still is to come 

Rev 4:9-11

9 Whenever the living beings give glory and honor and thanks to the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever), 10 the twenty-four elders fall down and worship the one sitting on the throne (the one who lives forever and ever). And they lay their crowns before the throne and say, 11 "You are worthy, O Lord our God, to receive glory and honor and power.

It is a place of meet and greet, in Matthew 17:3,  that what Eden asked about  You will know people you never met.

Matt 17:2-4 Jesus' appearance was transformed so that his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became as white as light. 3 Suddenly, Moses and Elijah appeared and began talking with Jesus.  4 Peter blurted out, "Lord, it's wonderful for us to be here! If you want, I'll make three shelters as memorials—one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah."

It is a place where there will be no pain or sorrow Revelation 21:4  There will be nothing but good times. 

Rev 21:3-4  God himself will be with them. 4 He will wipe every tear from their eyes, and there will be no more death or sorrow or crying or pain. All these things are gone forever." Rev 21:4  "Look, I am making everything new!"

  

HEAVEN IS A PLACE WHERE JESUS RESIDES

John 14:1-3

Is that a place you will want to go? It is available to you

 Let me tell all of you, you cannot get there without a relationship with Jesus. 

You don’t have time to waste,  You don’t know the time or the place  Jesus will come for you.

TAKING RESPOSIBILITY FOR HOPE

Rom 15:13-14

13 I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Jesus' hope has no ifs and no doubt. It is the absolute assurance from God. You have to believe and take hold of it. It will over flow through you. Our job is to express that hope to everyone

Hope Changes what you can see 

Luke 4:18  "The Spirit of the LORD is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that the oppressed will be set free, 

1. You have the Good News

2. It up to you to trust God’s word

3. God has set you free from the devils influence

4. You have been sent to excite others about Jesus

5. Jesus opened eyes so people can see the truth

6. Your circumstances may seem oppressive, but God is your freedom

The Bible says who ever believes in Jesus shall not perish but have everlasting life  John 3:16

God didn’t say you have to belong to a church. God didn’t say you have to be doing any good work to be accepted in heaven. He did say whoever believes in Jesus, will have home in heaven. Jesus will take care of the rest. John 3:16

AMEN