Sunday, September 9, 2012

An Angel in Disguise


“At once an angel from heaven was at his side, strengthening him” (Luke 22:43)

Imagine if you will that the next stranger you come across might actually be an angel sent especially for you. How might you react differently to them? I'm a firm believer that God is always putting people into our lives to help direct us and get us through lonely and difficult times. He puts these angels into our lives to help grow us and make us better people, because sometimes our own efforts fall short of what we need. That is when angels appear. Haven’t you had someone special who made a difference in your life? Someone who encouraged you, nurtured you, and inspired you? God sends the right people at the right moment when we least expect it to encourage and strengthen us. Angels in disguise; they are the people around us whose love, joyfulness, goodness, and light brighten our life. Angels sent from God. It happens all the time. More often than we realize.

 
“Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it.” Hebrews 13:2

Just as God sends people into our lives to encourage us, you never know when a visitor will be sent your way to give you the opportunity to administer to, physically, mentally, financially, or even spiritually. Take a moment to think about how you treated everyone you came in contact with just for today. How many times have you passed up the opportunity to help someone who spilled their groceries on the way to their car, how did you treat the rude waitress who was unkind to you in a restaurant, or how many times have you stopped for someone whose car is broken down on the side of the road? Do we turn away these opportunities to love and serve because we are afraid, or because we just don’t want to interrupt our schedule and take the time to help? Treating others with hospitality and love that goes over and above is what God commanded us to do; every day we should try to get the attention of someone we meet and make an attempt to make one person’s day a little brighter.

 
 
“Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full-pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap. The amount you give will determine the amount you get back” (Luke 6:38)

Two of the most dominant forces in our lives are kindness and encouragement. Not only for the person who gets it...but also for the one who gives it. And if you have a hard time accepting kind-heartedness, inspiration, and praise, it’s mighty hard to give it! God’s angels may come to us disguised, so each day we need to practice receiving and extending love to all people because you never know who you will encounter. You never know that the person standing in front of you could be an angel!

22 comments:

  1. I love this, Denise! Your words and inspirational graphics are always an encouragement to me!

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    1. Thanks Debbie! So blessed God connected us to encourage each other! :)

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  2. There have been times throughout the years when the Lord brings someone into my life at just the right time. There are no coincidences, that's for sure. I think we need to be open for those Divine appointments. It can be all too easy to miss them in our busyness.

    Blessings and love to you friend,
    Debbie

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    1. So very gad He brought you into my life Debbie! :)

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  3. It's so true that we should be attuned to His Voice to appreciate those who enter our lives and how to treat them.

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  4. "God sends the right people at the right moment when we least expect it to encourage and strengthen us..."

    How very true Denise. Wonderfully encouraging and thought provoking post.

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    1. Thanks Wendy; so blessed and thankful for the angels God has sent to me in my life! :)

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  5. I always leave here with a smile on my lips and warmth in my heart. Thanks for the reminder of those special angels God sends our way.

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    1. Blessings to you Susan; I am pretty sure you have been an angel in disguise too so many of your patients! :)

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  6. Thank you for sharing these heart warming thoughts. There have been many angels in my life.
    Blessings,
    Charlotte

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    1. My pleasure Charlotte; I look forward to linking up to Spiritual Sundays when possible! :)
      God bless!

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  7. So inspirational! Maybe I have entertained angels without knowing for myself too! Thanks for posting this Denise! God bless ya! :D

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    1. I am certain you have Joy; God is working within you in wonderful ways! Blessings and love Joy!

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  8. By sharing this inspirational blog, you are being an angel to others :)

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  9. I must have browsed over that verse in Hebrews, but it is so powerful. I try to see something good in every one I meet. And I recognize the angels, often.

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    1. I have always loved this verse Peaches, and try to keep my eyes open! :)

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  10. Hi Denise, I think you are an angel in my life. Great post my friend
    God bless
    Tracy

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    1. Had you in mind as I was writing this Tracy! :) :)

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  11. This was good Denise,
    I've had lots of angelic encounters
    (oh the stories I could tell!)
    It is cool to see a new believer (or even some older ones), react when you show them in scripture where it says we will judge our angels...so far, mine have done a great job~ Praise Jesus!
    I have removed word verification on my blog, by the way...hope this helps :)

    ~God Bless~ Lisa

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  12. Oh mine have too Lisa! PTL for all our angels on earth! :)
    Blessings to you my friend; excited to be able to comment on yours now!

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  13. Love this Denise...and yes yes yes to those special people who I am totally sure are really angels in disguise.

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