Angels and Frazier

Good Monday Morning to you!

Did you notice I changed my profile picture? The little guy with me is my best friend, Frazier. Frazier is 10 months old and is our new puppy. We got him back on the 6th of February. He is a miniature schnauzer who originally came from McKee, Kentucky, near London. Like nearly everyone else in Florida, he is from somewhere else. He is adapting well, but has a few things to learn. We are trying to teach him not to jump on people when they come to see us. We live so far back in the woods that company is rare at our house, so I guess he’s excited about seeing fresh faces. The dog whisperer has given us many excellent tips, and it doesn’t hurt that he too has a miniature schnauzer. Frazier has brought a lot of love and happiness to our home, but I must confess he is my last puppy. I simply do not have the stamina to keep up with his youthful exuberance. I just wonder what happened to mine.

Yesterday we had an excellent service with super attendance. The sermon title came from an old song entitled, “Angels Watchin’ Over Me My Lawd.” I tried to convey to the Church that as believers God sometime will send “ministering spirits” or angels our way as needed. We examined the fact that they are sent. Genesis 24:40a “ And he said unto me, The LORD, before whom I walk, will send his angel with thee, and prosper thy way…” Angels never come on their own, nor do they ever initiate any action, with the exception of praising God. An angel will only act upon God’s command. If only we as believers would follow that example.

Also, an angel can be an answer to your prayer. That is not to suggest that you pray specifically for angelic assistance, but God can and indeed has dispatched them to the aid of a believer in distress. We read in Numbers 20:16a “And when we cried unto the LORD, he heard our voice, and sent an angel…” God is not limited when it comes to answering our cries for help and angels stand ready to assist just as quickly as the LORD says, “Go!” Are you is a difficult or perplexing situation? Perhaps an angel is at your side.

Did you realize an angel can take on any form necessary including that of a human? This is not science fiction, nor is it super spiritualism --- angels are real. They are created beings says Nehemiah 9:6 who according to 1 Peter 1:13b are interested in the happenings here on earth. They even rejoice when a sinner confesses and trusts Christ. (Luke 15:10) Perhaps you have seen an angel, but did not recognize him as such. When we think of angels we think of winged creatures with halos. As far as wings go, that is, according to Isaiah 6:2, an accurate description of the seraphim, one classification of angels. There are many taught in Scriptures including cherubim, principalities, authorities, and powers. The Bible also speaks of the archangel, Michael. Many hold to the teaching of seven archangels, but do not believe tradition; believe your Bible. Michael is referred to as “the” archangel, not “an” archangel. The Bible recognizes only one. The apocrypha speaks of several, but it is not inspired text and should not be given the same respect as the sixty six books of the authorized text.

The Bible says in Hebrews 13:2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels unawares. Maybe you have seen or met an angel and did not even recognize it. If not, that’s O.K. God does not require you too. Remember one key fact about an angel - an angel is a messenger. The angel’s message might not come by what he says, but by what he does. Pay close attention; you’ll get the message!

I hope you have a good, safe, and healthy week. The Lord has really blessed my family and me these past few weeks, and we cannot thank Him nor praise Him enough. I pray He bless you, too. By the way, Happy Birthday today to my nephew Shaun. I love you buddy, have a super day! Frazier and I look forward to seeing all of you next Monday Morning With Pastor Vic!

Cold milk with pastor Vic

Good Monday morning to you once again! Pour yourself a cup of coffee or a glass of juice and we can enjoy it together. I believe I'll have a glass of milk. Can any of you remember milk from the farm? I grew up a city boy from Cincinnati, but my aunt and uncle, Margie and Ed Blevins, lived outside London, Kentucky in a community called Swiss Colony. We would go there and visit each summer. Theirs was a rural community where farmers still milked cows and sold the milk fresh. I remember going with my aunt Margie up the road about a mile to purchase some milk. The man sold her two gallons in large glass jars. It was fresh - about four hours from the cow. I even got to meet the cow and pet her. To a city boy, this was a treat given only out of God's grace. She also bought butter and eggs and boy what a breakfast we had! To this day milk is my drink of choice. Unlike farm milk, I now drink 1%. I've learned to tolerate it, but what I'd give for another glass of good cold right from the farm, fresh from the cow, loaded down with cream, milk. And please, do not put mine in plastic - I still say glass is best. Yum!

My Sunday morning message was "Salt and Light." It came from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. The text can be found in Matthew 5:13-16 where Jesus tells believers they are salt and light. Notice, He did not say we should be or are to be, but that we are. Salt and light are both beneficial to man kind. Salt adds flavor, acts as a preservative, and heals wounds. As Christian salt we add flavor to this world: we improve it. This world in which we live is at least tolerable due to the Judaeo-Christian influence. We act as a preservative because we, through the Holy Spirit, are what is holding this world together. Take the believers out of this world and you have a chaos known as tribulation. You certainly do not want to stick around for that! As salt, we heal spiritual wounds by pointing those poisoned by sin to the only cure, our Lord Jesus Christ.

As light, we are actually reflectors for that Greater Light, Jesus. We are not to let our light become obstructed - it becomes useless. I told you I was a city boy from Cincinnati. Cincy sits on seven hills. At night there are places where you can see the city lights for miles and miles: it is a very beautiful sight. The light is unobstructed and it leaves no doubt that there is a large city there. As believers our light is to shine as to leave no doubt that we love and serve Jesus. It is so that others can see our good works (as salt and light), and glorify our Heavenly Father. (v16)

If the light is obstructed, it is of no value. If the salt looses its saltiness, the only thing it is good for is to be walked on, and God never calls His children to be a doormat for this world. If you are a born again believer, you ARE salt and light. How good is the salt in your shaker? How clean are the reflectors of your life?

Last week I mentioned our little puppy Frazier. He sure has brought a lot of joy into our lives. He is a 7 month old miniature schnauzer. He is a handful, I must confess. As a matter of fact, I have decided at the age of 56 he is my last puppy. I'm having trouble keeping up! This little dude is keeping me active just trying to follow him around. Bess is teaching him tricks: he can sit, shake, lay, and come. They are still working on roll over and catch. Dog experts say roll over is tough, but that they can learn it.

The poor dog has also had to learn all his names. Bess calls him "Freddie Fray." Shelly calls him "Little Mister" and Kevin calls him "Freezer." I call him "Fray-Fray" and off hand I can't recall what Jason calls him, but you can be assured it is anything but Frazier. Some of his other names are "Frazier No!" "Frazier Quit!" "Frazier, get out of there!" Oh the joys of living with a puppy! Actually, we thank the Lord for sending him into our lives. He is such a treat. Maybe next week I'll have Shelly post a picture of him. I do not know how to do such as that. She has tried to teach me, but do you remember that old saying about teaching old dogs???

I do hope you have a fantastic week. Be sure to let me hear from you. It's kinda nice when someone talks back. You can send me an e-mail or scroll down to the bottom of this blog and click on comments. I enjoy what you have to say. My e-mail address is preachercooper@hotmail.com. Its been good chattin' with you, and I look forward when we get together again on Monday Morning With Pastor Vic.