Angels

Today is the day the church remembers and gives thanks for angels. There is a lot of misinformation in the world about angels. Angels are not beautiful women or chubby-cheeked babies - they are warriors! They are servants of God who protect us from the evil angels who want to do us harm. That doesn't mean there won't be evil in our world, but it does mean there would be a whole lot more without them. 

Angels sometimes bring messages from God, but we do not pray to angels, only to God. We do not worship angels, only God. We do not become angels when we die - that would be a step down! Angels serve us. And today we give thanks for that. For the angels we cannot see now, but we will when we join them in heaven for eternity.

Worry

Ever wish you were a bird? They seem so free from cares and worries, going about their day, singing and greeting the rising sun. Jesus says we can be like that as well, but . . . really? There is so much to worry about in the world and in our lives. How can we be like that? Only by knowing that you have a Father in heaven who cares for you and has promised to provide for you. Like when you were a child - you didn't worry about dinner, your mom got it ready for you. You didn't worry about the future, especially if it was a Saturday! You just went outside and played as long as it was light. Like a bird. But Jesus says you are worth much more than a bird! How much more? Jesus traded His life for yours on the cross. That makes you pretty precious! So if your heavenly Father takes care of birds and gave His Son to die for your sins so that you can have eternal life with Him, He will care for you here and now, too. Look to Him in your time of worry and need, and see how He will provide!

Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air: they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? . . . But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

~Matthew 6:25-26, 33

Fear

There is certainly no shortage of things to be afraid of in our world today. The pandemic brought that home to many in no small way. The news is also filled with stories of death and trouble every day. People are afraid to answer their front door, to go out at night, to even be around other people. 

But don't be so afraid of dying that you're afraid of living! 

We have a Saviour who took care of death for us. When Jesus rose from the dead, He defeated death for all who trust in Him. When your life is in His hands, you no longer have to fear death because death is no longer the end, but now the gate to eternal life. So whether we die from a virus, in an accident, a disease, or just plain old age, as Christians we know we are safe and secure in the hands of Jesus. And so we can live now, knowing that we will also live forever.