Supernatural Dreams

But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost. And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name Jesus: for he shall save his people from their sins. (Matthew 1:20-21)

Dreams are one way God speaks to us. They are also a way the enemy tries to attack us. The devil uses demons to bring nightmares, like God uses angels to bring dreams.

Nightmares fill a mind with fear and prevent a person from getting restful sleep. When someone lacks proper rest, their body is susceptible to illness. They often become irritable and have difficulty hearing from God.

God uses angels to help you hear what He is saying, as He did with Joseph in Matthew 1:20-21. Joseph was confused and full of doubt about Mary’s pregnancy. But during that struggle, God sent an angel in a dream to encourage him, direct him, and fill Joseph with faith that God had a plan. The angel told Joseph to take Mary as his wife because what she told him about the child in her womb was true.

Joseph was attentive to what God was saying. He was also quick to obey when he heard a word from one of God’s messengers. Later, an angel appeared to Joseph telling them to get out of Bethlehem and move to Egypt to protect the infant Jesus from Herod’s terrible slaughter of the innocents.

Joseph didn’t have the Holy Ghost inside to lead him, so God used dreams to give him direction. While the Holy Ghost should primarily lead believers, God can also speak to them through dreams. He can use angels to protect your dreams and even to declare some things that you need to know. 

Practical Application

Before you go to bed at night, ask the Lord to give you dreams that give revelation, information, or peace. Be led by the Spirit and be open to God-given dreams.

Matthew 2:13; Luke 2:10

Angels Open Doors of Favor

There was a certain man in Caesarea called Cornelius, a centurion of the band called the Italian band, A devout man, and one that feared God with all his house, which gave much alms to the people, and prayed to God alway. He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius. And when he looked on him, he was afraid, and said, What is it, Lord? And he said unto him, Thy prayers and thine alms are come up for a memorial before God. (Acts 10:1-4)

Have you ever felt confused about God’s will in a situation? God is not the author of confusion, and He has a plan to bring you clarity about His will, even if He needs to send an angel to do it. Acts 10 is about Cornelius, a Roman who believed in God, but didn’t understand who Jesus was.

God sent Cornelius an angel, who told Cornelius that his prayers and acts of kindness had caught God’s attention. They were like a fragrant offering ascending to heaven— a sweet aroma that changed the atmosphere of the throne room of heaven. Cornelius’s encounter with the angel wasn’t just about God’s commendation; it was God’s commission. God had a plan for Cornelius. He would be instrumental in the kingdom's expansion with the Gentiles. He used an angel to open that door of invitation to God’s favor in that season.

God still speaks through angelic encounters. He uses them to encourage, guide, or to get you to see the door of favor that God opens for a particular season or task. Too many believers are quick to notice the devil’s attacks, but not God’s provision. Let’s focus more on God and the angels He assigned to help us rather than on the devil, his demons, and his lies. When we do what’s right as Cornelius did, by praying and giving to the poor, God will send us angelic help. If you need favor in any situation, angels can open doors of influence for you just as they did for Cornelius.

Practical Application

When you give to the poor, keep in mind that God sees your alms and He will protect and provide for you. Your giving is a sweet smell in heaven and God has seen every gift you have given with the right heart.

Daniel 9:21; Luke 1:11

Guided by Angels

And the angel of the Lord spake unto Philip, saying, Arise, and go toward the south unto the way that goeth down from Jerusalem unto Gaza, which is desert. And he arose and went: and, behold, a man of Ethiopia, an eunuch of great authority under Candace queen of the Ethiopians, who had the charge of all her treasure, and had come to Jerusalem for to worship, Was returning, and sitting in his chariot read Esaias the prophet. Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot. And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. (Acts 8:26-31)

Have you ever been in a situation when you didn’t know which way to turn, and suddenly, it was as if the heavens opened and God gave you clear directions? You may hear that still, small voice inside your heart giving you a specific instruction or you might just sense a pull to go one way. Many of those moments are God speaking to you through an angel.

If we want to benefit from the ministry of angels, we must be open to it. In Acts 8:26-31, Philip was part of a newly birthed, but flourishing, church. He began as a server of tables but developed into an evangelist who led a great revival in Samaria, but then an angel of the Lord told him to leave that successful work and go to the desert of Gaza.

I can imagine some preachers who would say, “Why should I leave Samaria? That can’t be right, God. I mean, look at the fame and success that is happening here.” But that’s not what Philip thought. He followed the prompting of the angel immediately. The angel didn’t tell him what was in Gaza or what he was going to do. He just gave him a direction.

You don’t need to know everything to obey immediately. To that desolate place, God brought a certain chariot with an influential man who needed to know about Jesus and Philip was there to tell him because he listened to angelic direction.

Practical Application

God still speaks to His people through angels today. Whether it’s a nudge in the right direction, or a revelation about an issue, God uses His messengers to guide us. Recently, I was wrestling with a decision and was unsure of which path to take. But in a moment of uncertainty, I heard God’s voice, probably through an angel. I knew then what to do.

2 Kings 1:3; Luke 14:28