A Letter to You from Your Guardian Angel July 23, 2009

A Love Letter

By Angela Posey-Arnold

Greetings to you, my charge, in the name of The Lord our God and Creator Who lovingly assigned me to you. There are just a few things we need to clear up. I suppose it is odd for you to get a letter from me, your Guardian Angel, but I can’t wait any longer to serve this message to you.

I bring glorious good tidings of great joy. It is in my job description. I know you can’t see me but you know I am there. Remember just last week you felt my presence? Yes, that was me, sent by God to comfort and protect you. I am always with you. Possibly you know my work.

I want you to know that I am not in the little golden pin you see on lapels throughout your culture. I am surely not a trumpet toting porcelain figurine on the coffee table.  

I am a messenger and a protector for you. Everything I do is by command of God. I am very old according to your standards and I have been there with you through every trail and every joy. I was there to hear your borning cry and I will be there the day you leave earth. I am fascinated with you.

Be confident of the daily care and protection I was created for. You are the reason God sent me. But, make no mistake about it; God is the One worthy of worship. It makes me very uncomfortable when humans set us angels higher than we should be. Your worship and all your love must remain with God lest you be deceived.

Sometimes I ponder as you go about your daily business if you really know me or what it is you think of me. So many years have rolled by and I am concerned that you truly must understand who I am and why God created me. I want you to know God’s truth about angels. God is sovereign, only Him do we worship. You worship Him and I worship Him. I want you to know me because I will be a part of your eternal environment.

I am eternal and I am always pointing you in the right direction-toward God. Remember how we sang when Jesus was born. We were pointing you to Him then.

As an angel I already know the fullness of heaven. Someday, my beloved, you will experience it with me. Angels do God’s perfect will and we do so gladly. You can find everything you need to know about me in God’s Holy Word. Don’t pray to me, pray to Him. And for heaven’s sake don’t set me up as an idol. Talk about uncomfortable—that really gets under my wings. I am just a ministering spirit sent to serve the redeemed.

Some humans see us from time to time and some do not. As wonderful as it would be to be visible in your presence God has given you something better. He has given you the greatest gift of all. His absolute presence through His Holy Spirit.

I am far more involved in your world than you realize. That is why I am writing this letter. I want you to know me and the amazing things God’s Word tells you about me and my kind. Reading and meditating on His Word will bring you closer to Him, and that is what I want for you. His Word has over 300 references to my kind. We know He loves us and created us for a very special purpose.

When you die you will not be an angel. You will still be the redeemed. You will have songs to sing that we can’t sing, but we rejoice with you. Some humans may criticize you for believing in me, but don’t let that worry you one bit. You are in better company than they are.

Oh, and don’t be like those Sadducees. They really were ‘sad you see’. We all know what happened to them and they did not believe in us. We watched as the apostles were brought before the no-such-thing-as-angels crowd. Those Sadducees spurned angels; they also dropped from history within a generation. The imprisoned apostles simply obeyed God’s message delivered by none other than yours truly. They changed history’s course forever.

I love Matthew 25:31 “when the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him,” Actually, I can’t wait for this day and we are in constant preparation. You should be too.

In closing, my beloved, remember to worship and pray to God. Only the Creator is worthy of worship, not the created. Prepare for the coming again of your Savior Jesus Christ and listen to the Holy Spirit within you. I will be with you. I think you are wonderful.

Angel kisses from heaven,

Your Guardian Angel

The Hole in Your Soul June 24, 2009

Faith Fills the Hole in Our Soul

Hebrews 11:1 KJV Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1 KJV).

Have you ever read this chapter of Hebrews? I counted the word faith 24 times in this one chapter. Paul illustrates historical examples of how faith worked in the lives of Abel, Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sara, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, and Moses. Faith brought down the walls of Jericho and closed the mouths of lions. Faith in Jehovah God can set you free. Faith can make you whole.

Faith works the same way today as it did in the days of Daniel. Can you imagine the faith of Shadrach, Meschak and Abednego? Three Hebrew children, who would not worship the King but held tight to their devotion to Jehovah, were cast into a fiery furnace. They were not burned. When we pray, we are demonstrating faith that God is there and that He hears our prayers.

Faith is the assurance of things hoped for. Without faith what hope is there? Hope is the trust that God indeed loves us and answers our prayers. Without hope there is only doubt, fear and despondency. Consider those who are lost and outside of God’s protection. It is a dismal consideration. Without Jesus Christ there is only hopelessness. Some may put their trust and hope in other people or in money but a hope placed in these can only bring disappointment and grief. Men may disappoint and desert you, but God never will. He is always there. When we need Him He carries us when we can’t even walk. Sometimes, the things of this life are overwhelming. Without hope, faith and trust in Him, how can we possibly hope?

Faith is the knowledge that life on earth is not all there is. Faith is in knowing that beyond this life we have life eternal with God. I know people who believe that this life is all there is, that when we die, that is just the end. How sad it would be to go through everyday thinking that all we had to hope for is nothing. As Christians we have faith that one day we will be in heaven and abide with Him. Jesus is the only way to heaven. Do not be deceived. There is one and only one way to heaven and it is through Jesus Christ. John 3:16 is all you have to know to be saved. For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son and whosoever BELIEVES in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.

In this life on earth we have two choices. We can believe and be saved or we can reject Jesus and go to hell. It is that simple.

To have faith there must be belief. Unbelievers have no hope. Faith is so simple. God made His gospel so simple even little children can understand it. It doesn’t take great intellect to understand that God made us. He loves us and He wants to have a relationship with us. Some scholars have tried to disprove God’s Word. They have taken away their own hope. They try to reason too much about this simple story. By picking apart the Word of God they have made it hard. The brain God gave them has gotten in the way of being able to believe.

Humility and faith go hand in hand. There are times when nonbelievers think they have it all figured out and they feel they have out smarted God. This is a major stumbling block for them to believe. It blinds them to the simple faith that passes all understanding. We as humans are not meant to know everything. If God wanted us to know everything now He would have told us in His Word. What He did tell us is He loved us so much He sent His only Son to die for us. No one can disprove this no matter how hard they try.

All human beings have a big hole in their soul. People try to fill this hole with many things. Money, prestige, fame, fortune, drugs, alcohol, sex but they will always come up empty. The hole will still be there. The only thing that fits in the hole is God and his love for us.

Faith fills up the hole and makes us whole. Trying to fill this hole in our soul with anything but God is like trying to put a square peg into a round hole. Nothing will fit. Nothing will fill the hole except for the power and love of God. He created us with the hole in our soul. He created us to only be completely at peace when we fill the hole with His love.

What we know as Christians is we have the faith one great day every knee shall bow, every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. Now there is something you can put your faith in. There is the hope that fills the hole in the soul. There is the answer.

Dear Lord Help us to demonstrate our faith in You so that others may believe. Help us to help the lost fill the holes in their souls with Your love. Thank you for Your Word and Your peace. We praise You and love you, let Your light so shine that others may see You in us everyday. In Your Holy Name I pray, Amen.

How do you fill the hole in your soul?
Does your faith shine so that others may see something in you that they desire?
How can we reach those who need Jesus the most?

©Angela Posey-Arnold 2008

Reach Out January 22, 2009

Over the last few days I have had the gracious opportunity to lend my writing assistance to my Mother and two of her dear friends and sisters in Christ. They all attend the church where I grew up, Haleyville First United Methodist Church in Haleyville, Alabama.

The Pastor initiated a new program for Lent this year. He asked for 40 people to write a devotional. Just one per person. These devotionals are to be used in a Lenten Worship Devotional Booklet in service of the Lenten Season.

I have been blessed to be able to be the editor for these three devotionals–My Mother’s, her dear friend, Maryanna Foster and a very special lady whom I have always known, Mrs. Freda King Crumpton. I could start with how Mother knew Freda when she was a baby and how Freda babysat me when I was a baby but let’s just suffice it to say, we are all life time church family.

As a Christian Writer I read and wrtie devotionals and articles everyday. I read many other writer’s but it is rare to obtain stories from real Christians who spend their time serving and blessing others in many ways besides writing about it. Since they so graciously asked me to edit their peices I have been blessed by each story. I have asked each of them if it is okay for me to share their stories. They are excited about that.

In this form I will share each story in my blog. In another form these will all be submitted for publication.

My prayer is that you are as blessed as I have been by these three servants of God. I will post My Mother’s first. If you are blessed by this, email me and I will pass it on to them. They would love that.

Outreach

By Bonnie Posey

Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms. (1 Peter 4:10 NIV)

Being of a ‘certain age’ and a member of Haleyville First United Methodist Church most of my life, I have always been confident we were a church doing the Lord’s work. Several years ago a brash young preacher assigned to us took a very good deep look at us. In love and honesty he said, “You are the best church I have ever seen at taking care of yourselves, now you are going to reach out to others. This church is going to reach out next June to the Navajo Reservation in New Mexico. It will be a mission outreach.”

My initial response was, “I will plan the trip but I am not going out west in the summer, it will be too hot.” Famous last words. My husband, Merle, said “Sure, we can do that.” So away we went along with 32 other people from this church and two other congregations in our district. Each person seeking something different. Some just looking to sightsee the Indians or Monument Valley. But all were available to be used by God. I’ve learned, God is not looking for ability; He is looking for availability, willing vessels to be used by Him.

Personally, I became available to the call I had been hearing since I was a teen sitting in the balcony of this same church hearing missionaries sharing their experiences in far off lands. God has shown me the call to mission and outreach can be in a ‘not so far off land’. It can be in New Mexico, Eastern Kentucky, Cherokee, North Carolina, Wyoming, and Mississippi or right in your own back door. Possibly every Tuesday morning serving on the Helping Hand committee.

When I made myself available to be used by God for His purposes He used me to reach out to others. All of us have the potential to do great things for God with the gifts and talents He has so graciously given. God is looking for willing vessels with an open heart to be available for Him to work through.

“God doesn’t call the equipped, He equips the called.”

Dear God, You love all Your children. Teach me to use my time and gifts to serve others. In Jesus Holy Name, Amen.

www.angelaposeyarnold.com

Relinquish Control January 20, 2009

Surrender-Heaven Rules

God is in control.

“………….. your kingdom will be restored to you when you acknowledge that Heaven rules”. (Daniel 4:26 NIV)

“I didn’t hear you buzz.” I said to my Mother on the phone.

 “I buzzed ‘yahoo’ several times, it looks like you are online but you are not answering me.” She said.

“Well, I must have a sound problem. I’ll have to call tech support if I can’t fix it.” Ending our conversation pretty sure I would be calling tech support.

With so many companies outsourcing jobs overseas calling tech support rarely connects me with an English speaking individual. I try to be courteous and kind but there are just so many ways to say, “excuse me, what did you say? I am so sorry; I didn’t understand the last five things you said. Would you mind repeating?” The language barrier can be frustrating.

 Connected with tech support and a patient lady named Rafe who lives in India, together we checked sound settings on my computer. Unsuccessful in regaining the sound on my lap top she said, “I need to take control of your computer.”

 Cautiously agreeing I watched as she examined the inner workings of my laptop.  I suddenly realized she had unlimited access to my most personal information. My computer was completely vulnerable to attack and all my writing, my work, at her mercy.

Surrendering control to a complete stranger is disconcerting and uncomfortable. As a writer, it would be a disaster if my files were corrupted. Fear gripped me as I saw her open my documents file. I prayed to prevent panic.

 Trust and peace eased the grip of fear as she continued working. Soon she had corrected the sound problem.  My computer was fixed and back in my control. Surrendering control is difficult, especially if we don’t know we can trust the person taking control. We surrender control in many aspects of life. To pilots, politicians, other drivers, doctors, nurses, lawyers, teachers, each could disappoint us or make a mistake.

Surrendering to Jesus is not like that at all. In giving up control to Him there is no worry that He might lead us in the wrong direction or hurt us. Relinquishing control to Him is a relief. Burdens are lifted. By trusting Him we gain peace and hope. By giving up, we win. Accepting that Heaven rules and God is in control we find hope, peace and a joy that cannot be found any other way.

Thank You Father for being in control of my life and this world. What a joy to know You are in control. You are an awesome God. In Jesus Holy Name, Amen

Angela Posey-Arnold 2009

A Rainbow in Bethlehem Christmas Day 2008 January 2, 2009

A Glimmer of Hope: Christmas in Bethlehem

By Fred Strickert

Amid the stormy clouds and cold wintry showers, a magnificent rainbow covered the sky over Bethlehem just as the Latin Patriarch was about to make his early afternoon arrival at Manger Square in the traditional Christmas Eve procession. The scene marked the spirit of Bethlehem’s residents who braved the elements to try to make something of this somber occasion. “These are God’s tears,” noted one of the few American visitors. “God shares in the suffering of his people.”

“But look at the rainbow,” remarked an older Palestinian resident, pointing to the sky. “God hasn’t deserted us. We live in hope.”

Christmas morning my husband and I arrived to my parent’s house early. My Daddy had Fox News on the television as we put presents under the tree in the next room.

Among the traditional Christmas morning activities Mother said, “Shhhhh. Yall listen. What did they just say about Bethlehem?”

We missed the story. We missed the pictures. For a brief few seconds the news reports said something about a rainbow over the Manger site in Bethlehem. The story aired for a second or two and then disappeared, the main story now being the Santa Clause who killed and burned a family in California.

I don’t know about you, but I had much rather hear and see images of an outright promise from God than one about slaughter and murder by Santa.

The small tidbit of a story stuck with me and I searched for pictures, stories, anything about the rainbow. All I could find is the above brief mention of it.

I don’t understand why an obvious sign of hope from God is not news. I’ll never understand the mentality of the major news organizations. But, ladies and gentlemen—The Rainbow in Bethlehem on Christmas Day is news.

Of course God has not deserted us. We do have hope in Him. But somehow most people don’t see it. They don’t want to see it. That too causes me to scratch my head in confusion. Here we have God Who is in control and loves us. He sends signs and wonders in the sky to remind us of His Sovereignty.  Yet, this doesn’t make the news.

Would you rather hear of a promise from God in the sky or the fact that men are killing each other because they can’t see the rainbow in the first place?

Isaiah and the prophets must have been so frustrated at the people of their time as well. Why? Because they did not listen. They did not see. We have the ability to read the actual Word of God yet there are many who think it to be a book written by man. Look, folks, no man could have written such a book. The Bible is the Holy Inherent Living Word of God. All of the answers are in there.

Most people who do not accept the Living Word of God probably have never read it to begin with. For me it is hope. Everyone seems to need hope but won’t look where it can be found.

Isaiah 40:10 says “Look! Your God! Look at Him! God, the Master, comes in power , ready to go into action. He is going to pay back His enemies and reward those who love Him………. Like a Shepherd He will care for His flock gathering the lambs in His arms, Hugging them as He carries them leading the nursing ewes to good pasture…….”

I don’t know about you—but I love Him, I love the fact that He watches over me. I love the fact that He gathers me in His arms and hugs me. I’ll never understand why anyone would not want His love.

The Rainbow in Bethlehem on Christmas Day was a sign from Him. Reminding us of the love He has for us. I feel hugged and gathered. I hope you do too.

Visit www.bethlehemstar.net

It is awesome!!!

May the good Lord bless you and keep you. May He gather and hug you.

 

In The Still November 19, 2008

 In The Still

 

By Angela Posey-Arnold

 

‘3:30 A.M.? Wait, let me find my glasses and make sure the time is right‘, I thought to myself.

 

 ‘Yep, 3:30 A.M. Well, why am I wide awake then? Oh yeah, we set our clocks back last night. My body thinks it is 4:30. Good morning, Lord Jesus. Thank You for a good night’s rest and no bad dreams. Today is the Sabbath, the Blessed Sabbath Day.’

 

 I began going about my regular morning routine. Silently rehearsing the song our choir prepared for worship in just a few hours. The stillness of the morning before the dawn is a perfect time for prayer and devotion.  I quickly made a pot of coffee.

 

Radar, my Chihuahua, woke when he heard me. Patient he held his little bladder while I unlocked the front door. I turned on the porch light and let him outside in the crisp cool autumn air. Not far behind I coaxed my 14 year old Pug who reluctantly emerged from his warm bed.

 

Coffee made, dogs in, my husband sleepily walked in the den where I’m settled in my recliner.

 

“Are you okay? Are you cold? Want me to light a fire?” he said rubbing the sleep from his eyes.

 

“I’m fine, Not a lot of pain this morning, I just woke up and don’t feel sleepy anymore. I lit the fire. I’m fine.”

 

“Okay.” he sleepily kissed the air in my direction and shuffled back to bed.

 

For a few minutes I sat in my recliner. Just still. Listening to the sounds of the morning. The cats outside started moving around as our big dog barked at something in the pasture. This was followed by a prolonged rhapsody from the donkey in the field next to ours. Joy filled my heart.

 

Then I remembered the problems and concerns of life. My heart sank. They began naming themselves one by one, again. Still there, ever present but so nice to escape and forget them for a little while. I began to talk to Jesus again to ask for strength and help to adorn God’s armor.

 

I’ve read how others pray and talk to the Lord. I remembered how my Grandmother prayed and taught me how. But mostly I talk to Jesus like he is my best friend. He is my best friend. He says I can talk to Him anytime and I do. I know He hears me, too. How do I know? Because He answers prayers. He has proved it to me time after time.

 

Most of the time I do all the talking, but not this morning. This crisp cool autumn morning I listened more than I talked. How He communicates with His own is determined by the personal relationship we have with Him. The conversations you have with Jesus are just that, between you and Him.

 

God speaks to us through His Word, through other people and in our hearts. He speaks to us in that still small voice, but sometimes the voice is so clear inside my heart I know without a doubt it is Him. I am one of His sheep. God’s children understand. Sheep know the voice of The Shepherd.

 

God tells us in His Word, “Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth. (Psalm 46:10 KJV)

 

In the quiet and peacefulness of a Sabbath morning I was still. I grasped the Grace, and held on to His love.

 

Before the dawn I could only hear the clock pendulum and the fire crackling and popping in the fire place. Praise and thanksgiving in my heart I relaxed focusing all my attention on being still.

 

“My heart is so heavy Lord. I am weary of the problems of our country….” I don’t think I said the words out loud.

 

‘Read My Word.’  In my spirit I heard Him, “Get into My Word, you have a hunger for it, eat.”

 

“Yes, Lord. Your Word is the answer. I will do that.”

 

“Now.”

 

“Oh? Now? Okay.” He wasn’t kidding.

 

I looked around my recliner for my Bible and it wasn’t near. I woke the dogs who were asleep in the recliner with me. Then unwrapped the quilt I had cocooned myself in. Quiet, so not to wake my husband, I quickly got my Bible off the kitchen table.

 

I situated myself into my comfy place again and I opened the Living Word of God. I did not know where to start nor did I have a specific book, chapter or verse in mind. I opened to Zechariah and my eyes fell to Chapter 14:1 “Behold, the day of the Lord cometh. And thy spoil shall be divided in the midst of thee” (Zechariah 14:1 KJV)

 

I felt comforted by the first part but the second line reminded me of the money we lost in the stock market meltdown. Somebody divided our spoil alright. I am just not sure who. No matter who, it is gone. What was to be our retirement disappeared into thin air. It was nice to know we had it if an emergency arose, but it is gone. Poof. Gone.  

 

Closing my Bible I pondered the Scripture for a few minutes. Behold, the DAY OF THE LORD cometh. The spoil won’t matter then.

 

Opening His Word again this time to the New Testament the first words I read were, “Be ye therefore ready also; for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.”(Luke 12:40 KJV)

 

I looked out the big window toward the east. The sun was rising. The colors of the sky were incredible. Only a sky God could paint. Comforted and awe inspired I watched the sun come up and imagined what it will be like when the Eastern Sky opens and Jesus we see. I was still and I know He is God. The Sovereign God creator of all the earth and He cares about me. Amazing Grace.

 

Imagine the day, the hour when He comes. The old hymn came to my mind, “What a day that will be, when my Jesus I shall see. When I look upon His face, the One Who saved me by His Grace. And forever I will be with the One Who died for me. What a Day glorious day that will be. When He takes me by the hand, and leads me to the Promised Land, What a Day, Glorious Day that will be.”

 

Jesus is coming to get His church and I am graciously comforted. Among all the uncertainty and chaos of Wall Street, Main Street and Pennsylvania Avenue as Christians we can be comforted by the truth.  Jesus is coming again. He is coming.

 

We must be about the Father’s business.

 

Another hymn writer penned these word, “Until then, my heart will go on singing, until then with joy I’ll carry on, Until the day my eyes behold that city, Until the day, God calls me home.” 

 

He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus. (Revelation 22:20 KJV)

 

Every person, every human will have a choice to accept Jesus or reject Him. My prayer for you my friend is you believe and accept Jesus as your Savior. Ask Him to come and live in your heart. You will be comforted.

 

No man knows the day or the hour. Not even the angels in heaven know. What we do know is Jesus IS coming. How do I know? He reminded me November 1st, 2008 around 4:00 A.M.

 

 ©Angela Posey-Arnold 2008