Saturday, August 2, 2014

Angels: Guardians of Joy?

Angels: Guardians of Joy?



Mark Virkler           

Today I'm thrilled to have another guest blog from my daughter, Charity Kayembe. Enjoy!
Thanks, Dad. :)
Below is a continuation of the article, Angels: God's Servants, My Friends. If you would like to read about the day Jesus introduced me to my guardian angels, as well as some Scripture verses He highlighted for me about them, please check it out here.

Guardians of What?

They tell me they are "guardians of my laughter" and "protectors of my peace".
So yeah, that’s kind of their thing. My angels are just like my husband in that they love to hear me laugh. Pojes, Shobis and Leo all go out of their way to elicit a smile or laugh from me, just because they want to see me happy and peaceful and in that good place.
So I’d wondered if laughter isn’t almost a swipe at the enemy sometimes even. Because if satan’s strategy is coming to steal our peace and kill our joy and bring destruction to us spirit, soul and body – wouldn’t our laughter just be the simplest way to express his total FAILURE in all of those areas?
And actually, could that maybe even be part of why holy laughter has been such a distinctive element of revival?

I was excited then when I found Bill Johnson shared a similar idea in his book Hosting the Presence and took it as confirmation that this was a God thought.
He said: “It’s important to note that violence in the spiritual realm is always a peace-filled moment for His people. That’s how the Prince of Peace can crush satan under our feet (Rom. 16:20). Another way to put it is every peace-filled moment you experience brings terror to the powers of darkness. Only in the Kingdom of God is peace a military tool.”
Yes! That’s exactly what the Lord had been teaching me. But honestly, I still had had to have a talk with Jesus about these angels He’d assigned to me.
“God, they’re really awesome and everything, and I don’t mean to sound ungrateful, but... They are just so into my feelings (of all things!). Guardians of my joy? Seriously? There’s gotta be WAY more important things for all of us to be concerned with. I mean, isn’t there like a spiritual war even going on and stuff? Where are these guys on that anyway?”

Jesus Laughed

Jesus just laughed, obviously amused, and assured me that my angels were obeying Him perfectly and accomplishing the mission He’d given them precisely. He then went on to show me how all throughout the New Testament, God Emotion was a decidedly big player.
I mean, okay, I knew already that there’s the fruit of the Spirit (love, joy, peace). But then He also reminded me about the “abiding realities”: faith, hope and love. I mean, 1 Corinthians 13 is basically just about how you’d better have the fruit of the Spirit all up in your life or else the gifts aren’t worth a lick.
What really kind of cinched it for me though was when He brought Romans 14:17 onto my radar. Righteousness,peace and joy in the Holy Ghost are actually the very kingdom of God? I’m not sure He could put a higher premium on them than that. And as if that wasn’t enough, the Holy Spirit then showed me how all this God Emotion actually even plays a part in our spiritual warfare. Really?

What Kind of Armor Was That Again?

After I finally got a hold of what He was saying, I had to share it with my small group. I mean, first there’s the idea that it’s “just” wrong feelings like anger (Eph. 4:26,27) and unforgiveness that actually give place to the devil in our lives (2 Cor. 2:10,11).
And then basically yeah, the realization that the armor for our spiritual battles against the enemy – it’s what… A breastplate of faith and love, and a helmet of hope (1 Thess. 5:8)? And feet shod in peace (Eph. 6:15)? I had no idea God was so into all this feeling stuff. Where had I been all my life?
Anyway, like I said, I was totally blessed then later when I found that quote about peace-filled moments bringing terror to the enemy. Because what’s the best outward expression of peace? Laughter sure works for me, which is exactly what my angels had been trying to tell me all along.
If personal revelation, Scripture and Bill Johnson agree? I must be on the right track!

Want About You?

Do you want more God Emotion in your life, protecting you, as your armor? "May the peace of God ... guardyour heart and mind" (Phil. 4:7). Consider being Counseled by God. If you don't know how to let Him trade you your guilt for His peace, your fear for His faith and your anger for His love, we can help. Find out more here.

Photo credits
"The Kayembes" image courtesy of CharlaArts
"Warship at Sunset" image courtesy of bern161616 RGBStock.com
"Red Shoes with Heart" image courtesy of Natara FreeDigitalPhotos.net 


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