Category Archives: AMAZED

AMAZED, Angels, Appearance, Bible, God's Will, Heaven, Messages, Scripture

ANGELS?

GALATIANS 3:19

“Why the Law then? It was added on account of the violations, having been ordered through angels at the hand of a mediator, until the Seed would come to whom the promise had been made.”

I know people who have had personal encounters with angels. Now, before you stop reading and mark me off as crazy, why should that amaze you? God has used angels all through history to deliver His messages to individuals. He has sent angels to protect and defend the innocent. So, let’s take a look at some angels today.

Paul speaks of an angelic event that is less familiar. A very strong rabbinical teaching centered around the angelic presence at the time the Law was given. Look at Deuteronomy 33:2. “He said, ‘The LORD came from Sinai, And dawned on them from Seir; He shone from Mount Paran, And He came from the midst of myriads of holy ones; At His right hand there was flashing lightning for them.’” That “myriads of holy ones” refers to ten thousands of angels. Pretty cool.

APPLICATION

Okay Carl, let’s see you apply this verse to our lives. Don’t you see? We are surrounded by angels. One of my favorite verses has to do with children having their angels. Jesus said in Matthew 18:10, “‘See that you do not look down on one of these little ones; for I say to you that their angels in heaven continually see the face of My Father who is in heaven.’” Did you catch that? “their angels in heaven.

How about the passage that talks about our unknown encounters with angels? Hebrews 13:2 says, “Do not neglect hospitality to strangers, for by this some have entertained angels without knowing it.” I want you to understand that angels are really an everyday thing. We should not be surprised if we have the blessing of such a meeting. I could have gone on and on listing more and more about angels in the Word. Why don’t you do a word search of angels? It might just surprise you.

Let me encourage you, though, should you have an encounter, don’t go around telling everyone. You might get locked up in a hospital, lol. Most people don’t have a box for such things. But we know, as believers in Christ, that He can and does use these heavenly hosts when it is appropriate. Until then, just serve Jesus. Don’t spend your time looking for angels. Spend your time living for Jesus and looking for His return.

And the angels cried, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come.”

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AMAZED, Bible, Choices, Decisions, Enemies, God's Will, Gospel, Relationships, Scripture

WHY I NEVER!

GALATIANS 1:6

“I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel,”

Have you ever been incredulous about something? You know, you just couldn’t believe that someone would do such a thing. Down here in the South, we say, “Why I never!” to show such astonishment. Some things are just hard to believe, even if you see it for yourself.

Paul was “amazed” that the Galatians had turned from the truth of the Gospel which he had taught them to some other form. When Paul called it a “different” gospel, he meant it was totally different, a different kind. Most scholars agree that this shift must have happened relatively quickly after Paul left them. Paul was often followed by men who wanted to add to Paul’s teachings. They must have been just waiting for the opportunity to swoop in and pervert the true Gospel.

APPLICATION

We have to stay true to the Gospel as it was presented to us. That’s why it is so important for you to get into the Word and study it. That’s why you need to be discipled by someone. You are also supposed to be investing in someone yourself, teaching them to follow Christ’s teachings. Paul told Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:2, “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses, entrust to reliable men who will be qualified to teach others.” That is so critical to keeping people informed and growing.

The word Paul uses in today’s verse “deserting” can also be translated as “switching sides.” What if a star player on a team decided during half-time to switch sides and play for the other team? That would be foolish. He had been trained by his team’s coach. He had been taught all the plays. If he switched sides, he would be playing against the very things he had been taught.

Don’t let anyone teach you anything contrary to God’s Word. Check them out. Make sure whatever you hear can be verified by the Word. Too many people fall for any slick teaching. If the preacher sounds good, he must be telling the truth. If he has thousands of followers, he must be right. Listen closely to what he is saying.

Keep me loyal, Lord, to Your teachings. Help those who fallen prey to false teachings.

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