Sunday, June 30, 2013

FILL MY CUP, LORD - 1

FILL MY CUP, LORD - 1
Marilyn Barber
As printed in The Voice of Evangelism

Deep spiritual joy comes as we hunger and thirst for righteousness.  Matt.5:6   The promise is even given that that need will be filled or satisfied.  When we are hungry or thirsty what do we do?  We partake of food and drink if it is available.  The goodness of our awesome God has provided the nourishment through His Word and the teaching of it.  We should ever be thankful for this provision.  It is through Scripture that our spiritual cup can be filled through the blood of Christ and our obedience to His Word.

After we have obeyed to receive the offer of salvation, a tendency prevails in our culture today to follow the world around us.  Our immediate salvation is completed as we are baptized into Christ but too often after the new has worn off, we slip back into our old ways.  Paul was amazed that the Galatians did this.  Gal.3:3

Jesus saw this false security in the Pharisees in Matt.23:25,26.  Could it be that we are guilty of the same?  We do all of the “right” things on the outside:  go to church (at least one hour per week), pray at our mealtime (that’s enough), take our Bibles to church (dust it off first), and then profess to be a Christian.  What about the inside of our cup—our heart?  It must shine with the Light of Christ.  2 Cor.4:6

What are some of the interferences to a clean cup on the inside?  Our media becomes our enemy if we allow it to do that.  Our eyes behold and we desire.  1 Jhn.2:15,16   We want to appear the same as we observe the popular.  We forget that Jesus wants us to be modest.  1 Tim.2:9  We have no need to be decked out like a Christmas tree.  A humble heart would be corresponding to modesty.  Who do we want to please—men or God?  This was a response of Peter to the authorities.  Acts 4:19

Media also corrupts our desire for “stuff”.  Advertisements abound.  Why?  To increase our material desires.  Sales as well as garage sales become compulsive.  Many times Christians use these in order to share as well as fill real needs of their own and in so doing, really do save money.  This is commendable.  We do have to seriously look at the purpose as well as our financial accountability.  The Lord and His work come first.  The cleanliness inside of our cup requires that our “offering” to the Lord is given with joy; it may require sacrifice; it is not what is “left over” after our desires have been fulfilled.  We must not rob God.  Mal.3:8

Old habits have a tendency to cling to the inside of our cup.  We justify ourselves that we are “trying”.  God knows our hearts and therefore knows our efforts.  If we are truly sold out for our Savior, we will trash these old habits as quickly as possible.  Some are smoking, alcohol, drugs.  None of these would be a good example for Christ or His body, the church.  These destroy our body as well as slam the name of Jesus.  1 Cor.6:19,20   Immorality is found in the church.  This is not the way of Christ.  1 Cor.6:18   At times this is preceded with flirting or pornographic material.  This is not done to the glory of the Lord.  1 Cor.10:31

Another old habit that streaks our cup is cursing and taking God’s name in vain or in emptiness.  Deut.55:11 (NIV)   This version says misuses His name.  Our God is a precious God to us having offered His Son for our salvation.  He is always there for us and plans for our eternity if we remain faithful.  Why would we flippantly use His name in a disrespectful way.  Neither should we be found with a cursing tongue.  Jam.5:12   Our language needs to reflect that which would please Christ.  Gal.5:15

As we discard those things that contaminate our cup, let us consider our attitudes.  A large percentage of our Christianity comes from our attitudes.  Our attitudes come from our heart.  Prov.23:7   We hold a grudge so we are unforgiving.  Matt.6:14,15   We don’t like to be told what to do so we don’t submit.  Eph.5:21   We may have a proud spirit.  This is from the world.  1 Jhn.2:16   These are only a few of the bad attitudes that soil our spiritual cup. 

Our friends make a difference in our lives as well.  Jam.4:4   As we take inventory of our cup; may we throw out that which contaminates; may we begin to let the Spirit of the Lord fill our cup with renewed vigor to be like Him.  Ps.51:10





FILL MY CUP, LORD - 2

FILL MY CUP, LORD - 2
Marilyn Barber
As printed in The Voice of Evangelism,

In February, much thought is given to the subject of “Love”.  Too often, love is just an infatuation that is temporary.  Is this the way our love is as a Christian?  As we think about filling our cup or our life, Jesus gave us the number one thing with which we begin.  All else becomes nothing without sincere love in our heart.  Love provides the beginning step in pleasing our Lord and following in His steps.  John Peterson wrote a song, “Oh How He Must Have Loved Us”.  Those words have a continuing thrill to my soul and I hope it thrills you, too, as we think of all He gave up for us.  Born to die.  Phil.2:6-8

As we think of our love with regard for the most important commandment (Lk.10:27), how much do we love our Lord God?  Perhaps we should ask ourselves, “What do we hold back?”  A very important word is used in this verse.  That word is “all”. 

The first “all” is all of our heart.  The “heart” is often used in Scripture as the seat of the emotions.  We have inner yearnings for self.  These yearnings affect our attitudes and our desires.  Our mind may make decisions but the heart adds the determination.  2 Cor.9:7   Our heart is an open book to Christ.  Lk.9:47   We often have the desire to be the one who is right or the one who has the knowledge.  This emotion causes friction among brothers and sisters in Christ.  Lk.16:15   God examines our hearts.  1 Thess.2:4   The Spirit searches our hearts.  Rom.8:27   What a praise to know that God can strengthen our hearts.  1 Thess.3:13

We are to love the Lord with all our soul or with all our life.  Many in the past have given up their lives as our Lord did because they were Christians.  Many today are being persecuted for the Lord and even to the point of dying for Him.  It is done as they know that eternity with the Lord follows.  Is our cup filled with that kind of resolve?  The kingdom is the Lord’s so we seek that first.  Matt.6:33; Col.1:18   It is important that we care for our bodies properly.  1 Cor.6:19,20   Greater importance is attached to our discipline for the purpose of godliness.  1 Tim.4:7,8

All of our strength or our power is from God.  But as human beings our power is nothing except that which is given us by God.  Eph.1:19; Eph.6:10   The glory for whatever we are able to accomplish for the Lord is for Him and not for ourselves.  1 Pet.4:11  What we could never do ourselves, God’s power in us can accomplish.  Matt.19:26

We are to love the Lord with all our mind.  Our minds can lead us astray.  Prov.23:7   With the media of today, our minds can drift places they should not go.  We see, we hear, and then we think and consequently, we desire.  We must guard our minds.  A wonderful filter for our thinking is found in Phil.4:8.  Once we let evil thoughts take root in our minds, it is very difficult to dig them out.  Our minds are like livestock.  Once the livestock gets out of the barn, it is work to get them back.  It would have been easier to keep the barn door closed.  The mind wins or looses the battle with sin.  1 Cor.2:16   The mind of a Christian is to be renewed.  Rom.12:2
All of the above is for love of the Lord our God.  Yet it is all important also for the love of our neighbor for this pleases God.  We are commanded to love God with our all so we show our love for Him by keeping His commandments and pleasing Him.  Jhn.14:15   We cannot say we love God if we do not love our brother.  1 Jhn.4:20,21

Christians are to be a witness for Christ but how can we be if we are not showing love for one another.  Jhn.13:35   It becomes so easy to try to justify our feelings against another.  This attitude is not found in the Word of God.  To love our enemies is found in Matt.5:44.  We gain nothing if we love and do good to those who return the same.  Matt.5:46  

Paul explains our love for one another in Phil.2:2-4.  Selfishness keeps us from love.  We feel that we know best so our way should be followed.  Empty conceit is involved in this attitude.  Personal interests become the thrust of our desire.  To be united in spirit and intent on the same purpose of furthering Christ’s church and winning souls necessitates a humility that regards the other person better or more important than ourselves.  The later kind of attitude occurs often and is divisive when it does not involve the doctrine of the Truth.

Tolerance for one another in love is important in preserving unity.  Eph.4:2,3   Paul describes those who have been chosen of God.  After mentioning eight attitudes, then Paul says “Above all these things, put on love…”  Col.3:12-14  

How different life would be if we could always be devoted to one another (Rom.12:10); if we would never wrong a neighbor (Rom.13:10); and if we would remember to do everything in love (1 Cor.16:14).  Sincere love is so aptly described in 1 Cor.13:4-7.

The love that God and our Lord has for us is boundless.  Rom.8:38,39   May we in turn love our God and Savior with our all and love one another as well.  1 Jhn.4:11






Saturday, June 15, 2013

D - ANGELS FOR REAL - 4

D – ANGELS FOR REAL – 4
As this study of created, spiritual beings called angels as well as many other names given continues, the study would not be complete without mentioning the kinds of angels and the two specific angels given names. 
Cherubim will be the first classification to notice.  Cherubim are winged creatures that are first mentioned in Gen.3:24.  Adam and Eve had been sent out of the Garden of Eden because of their sin.  Cherubim were placed with a flaming sword that turned ever direction to guard the way to the tree of life.  This was a definite task given by God—to guard.  Just one of the cherubim would be a “cherub.”  The im attached on the end makes a plural in Hebrew.
There are 91 references to cherubim in the O.T.  Many of these occurrences refer to the Holy of Holies.  In the Holy of Holies in the tabernacle two cherubim were carved and placed at either end of the Mercy Seat.  Definite instructions were given as to the materials that were to be used.  Ex.25:18,19   The placement of the cherubim was also important.  Ex.25:20,21   The importance extended not only to the fact of following the pattern God gave but to the fact of God’s presence coming to the Mercy Seat between the two cherubim.  Ex.25:22   These instructions given by God were not choices.  The pattern God gave had to be followed or consequences would follow.
Since the O.T. is our schoolmaster (Gal.3:24), the importance of our following God’s plan in the N.T. increases.  Since the church belongs to Christ (Matt.16:18), the importance of following His plan is essential.  The Israelites didn’t decide the cherubim would face the opposite direction and that God was a good God and would understand.  The flaming sword of the cherubim at the gate of the Garden should remind us, God is in control.  His Son is the Head of His church and His plans in the Scripture must be followed.  Eph.2:20  
Just as circumcision was an outward sign of being an Israelite, so baptism is an outward sign of being a Christian as Jesus commanded.  Matt.28:18-20   With that initial step we can be added to His church.  Acts 2:47   Just as circumcision must be inward, of the heart, as well as outward (Rom.2:29,30); so as we are baptized into the death and burial of Christ and not just the washing of the flesh.  1 Pet.3:21   Our lives must continue in love and obedience.  Jhn.14:15
The cherubim signified divine presence.  Just as they were carved figures placed on top of the Mercy Seat in the tabernacle, so, also, they were placed in the inner sanctuary of Solomon’s temple.  1 Kgs.8:6-8; 2 Chron.3:10-13   The image of the cherubim was carved on walls in the inner and outer rooms of the temple.  2 Chron.3:7   All of this represented God’s presence among His people.
At times, cherubim had animal characteristics.  In Ezekiel 1 a vision appeared to Ezekiel that included cherubim with these animal characteristics.  A long description is given in this first chapter although “cherubim” is not mentioned.  However, in Ezek.10:15,20 Ezekiel realizes that they were cherubim.
Seraphim is another classification of angels.  They had six wings as seen by Isaiah.  Isa.6:2,6   More description is given in this chapter.  They were before the throne of God in praise.  Isa.6:3   Another description similar to the one in Isaiah can be found in Revelation 4 although the actual name “seraphim” is not present.  The Hebrew word means burning.  They appeared to be brilliant with a glowing quality.  Seraphim are not mentioned as often as the cherubim.
An archangel was a chief angel over other angels and had power and authority.  One was given a name—Michael.  Jude 9   Michael and his angels are mentioned as waging was in Rev.12:7.  Although Michael is the only one mentioned by name as archangel, there must have been others as inferred in Dan.10:13.  One of the chief princes is a reference to this fact.  An archangel will announce the second coming of Christ.  1 Thess.4:16
Gabriel was another angel by name. Gabriel explained Daniel’s vision to him.  Dan.8:15-17 Gabriel comes to Daniel again to reveal the prophecy of 70 weeks.  Dan.9:21,22   He carried a message to Zacharias in Lk.1:18,19.  Gabriel stood in the presence of God and received a message to be given to Zacharias about the birth of John the Baptist.  Gabriel was also the messenger from God to Mary about the birth of Jesus.  Lk.1:26,27 
This study of angels has shown that they are created, spiritual beings that bring messages from God or perform tasks that God gives them to do. Scripture reveals many of the characteristics of angels as well as relating the many tasks angels performed for God in both the O.T. and N.T.  Kinds of angels are named in Scripture as well as two angels being named.  The assurance that those who will inherit salvation have ministering spirits or angels to watch over us is a precious realization.  Heb.1:14 
For further study I would highly recommend the book, Angels and Demons, by Victor Knowles and published by College Press. 



C - ANGELS FOR REAL - 3

C – ANGELS FOR REAL – 3
As we study further into angels as created beings from the beginning, remembrances of the many messages they gave from God as well as the many tasks they performed for God come to mind.  One characteristic of angels is that they never die.  This was indicated by Jesus when he was explaining to the Sadducees, who did not believe in life after death, about marriage after death.  (They were trying to catch Him on this subject through a ridiculous example.)  Lk.20:34-36    As He explained the situation, He gives us an important characteristic of angel.  …they cannot die anymore because they are like angels. 
Even though the woman of Tekoa was being deceitful to the king in 2 Sam., something can be learned of angels.  2 Sam.14:17,20   In her deceit she still realized an important feature of angels.  They could discern good from evil.  Perhaps this realization made her think what she was doing for in verse 20 she changed her story to the truth.  As she does this, another attribute of angels is indicated.  …like the wisdom of the angel of God to know all that is in the earth.  Angels must have been very real to these people for these remarks to have been made.
Several features of angels are found in Ps.103:20.  Angels are powerful—mighty in strength.  Since they were created by God, God has put this power in them.  Angels are also obedient.  As has been stated, angels perform tasks for God so they are obedient to the voice of His word.  Are we?  We, also, were created by God and when we become His we are his instruments to perform tasks for Him.  Rom.6:13   His Word will instruct us to be what He wants us to be and do what He wants us to do.  We will never know until we listen to the voice of His Word.
Examples are given of God using angels to guide as in the case of Abraham instructing his servant to find a wife for his son, Isaac.  Gen.24:7,40   As the servant was questioning Abraham as to circumstances that might be a possibility, Abraham assured him that an angel would be sent before him.  This was important for when the servant told his story to Laban, he mentions the fact that an angel would be with him to make his mission successful.  These events not only teach us about angels but should renew our trust in our God who cares for us.  Prov.3:5,6
Scripture gives us instances where God has provided for His servant by the means of an angel.  One important example is the event when Elijah was fleeing from Jezebel.  He even asked God to take his life but God was ready with provisions for him through an angel to strengthen him with food and thus cause him to be encouraged.  1 Kgs. 19:5-8   Earlier in this series it was mentioned that angels can perform miracles.  No convenience stores near but through the angel, God provided.
God delivered Daniel by an angel.  Dan.6:22   Darius tried to figure out some way he could save Daniel.  Dan.6:14   He knew Daniel had done no wrong but the law could not be changed.  What Darius, the king, could not do, God did through an angel.to shut the mouths of the lions because Daniel was innocent before the king as well as before God.
God’s deliverance by means of an angel was still at work in the case of Peter.  Herod had just killed James, the brother of John.  It had pleased the people so much that he imprisoned Peter and intended to do the same with him.  Acts 12:4,6   He certainly was well guarded but in the night God sent an angel to deliver him.  Acts 12:7-9   The angel  accomplished his task and left; so now it was up to Peter but he realized the angel was real.  Acts 12:11
As we read of the second coming of the Lord, the angels will be the ones who gather the elect from the four corners of the earth.  Matt.24:31,36   What a joyful task this will be for the angels who rejoice over just one soul brought to salvation.   Lk.15:7
As a messenger of God angels direct activities as in the case of Philip.  The church had been scattered due to persecution.  Philip went to Samaria to preach the gospel.  Acts 8:5   Many believed and were baptized.  Acts 8:12   God revealed another task for Philip through the message of an angel who directed him to a certain location.  Acts 8:26   The rest of the story reveals the conversion of the Eunuch from Ethiopia.
The tasks given to angels were not always positive.  A very gross situation is found as an angel struck Herod with death.  Acts 12:22,23   There is only one God and He is not to be mocked.  Gal.6:7
Angels were sent for destruction at times.  This was true in the case of Sodom.  Gen.19:1,13   As we know, not enough righteous ones were found.  The angels urged Lot to leave Sodom.  Gen. 19:15  Then the city was destroyed.
When Deborah was a judge, an angel of the Lord brought a curse because Meroz did not come to the help of the Lord’s warriors.  Judg.5:23
When David numbered the people, a pestilence was sent upon the people.  Destruction came by an angel.  Then restoration came by the way of an angel.  2 Sam.24:15-17  
Angels obeyed God as to their messages and as to the tasks they performed, whether with mercy or destruction.  May we live so as to be among those who fear the Lord.  Ps.34:7   The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him and rescues them.  For we have ministering angels about us to help those who belong to Him.  Heb.1:14     

 


B - ANGELS FOR REAL - 2

B – ANGELS FOR REAL – 2
In the first lesson of this series angels were defined as well as possible for us..  Descriptions were given and some of the tasks they perform at God’s bidding were illustrated from the Scriptures.
Before going further in this study, the fact that angels were created needs to be established. In studying Col.1:16 evidence is apparent that Jesus created angels.  He created things in heaven.  Angels are in heaven and when they appear on earth, Scripture records that they descend from heaven.  Dan.4:13   Jesus created things unseen.  From the event of Balaam and the donkey it is evident that the angel was invisible to Balaam at first.  Num.22:31
Ps.148:2   The Lord commanded and they were created.  This was speaking of the angels, the hosts.  Neh.9:6   Here we have expressed the fact that the Lord made the heavens and all the hosts, which is another name for angels.  Job 38:4,7   God is questioning Job as to where Job was when He laid the foundation of the earth.  This would have been the beginning of the beginning.  It was at this time that the “sons of God” shouted for joy.  In the O.T. “sons of God” was another name given to angels.  We know God had finished creation in heaven and earth after the sixth day.  Gen.2:1,2
Evidence is strong from the Scriptures that angels were definitely created.  Even though the angels are a glorious creation, Christ is greater.  Heb.1:4,5   Jesus was begotten by God.  The angels were created.  No angel was designated as God’s Son.  Jesus was. At the time of Jesus’ baptism God’s voice came from heaven and designated Jesus as His Son.  Matt.3:17  As Jesus was brought into the world, the angels were told to worship Him.  Heb.1:6   Luke tells us of this glorious event.  First it involved one messenger angel.  Lk.2:9-12   After that a multitude appeared to praise God.  Lk.2:13,14   Angels are from heaven and so return to heaven.  Lk.2:15
Other events in the life of Jesus on earth involved angels.  Matt.4:11   Jesus had been through a very trying time.  He had fasted 40 days.  As if that wasn’t enough, Satan tempted Him in 3 exceptional ways.  Satan had not succeeded and so left.  Then angels came to minister to Him.  Even though Jesus was divine, He had taken on a human body that suffered hunger, pain, weariness, emotional stress and all the human trials we experience.  Heb.4:15; Phil.2:7,8 
1 Tim.3:16 indicates that Jesus was seen by angels.  Scripture tells us many events in His life as He was revealed in the flesh as a human being.  He was established as right by the Holy Spirit.  2 Cor.1:21,22   Jesus knew what was ahead as He prayed in the Garden.  He was in agony but an angel came to strengthen Him  Lk.22:43   An angel met the women after he had risen from the grave.  Matt.28:5   Angels appeared after Jesus ascended into heaven.  Acts 1:9-11
As mentioned in the beginning of this series, angels are never to be worshipped.  Images of angels are not good-luck charms.  They are not on the same level of God.  As John was writing Revelation, he was given a message from God by an angel.  John fell at the feet of the angel to worship but here is the answer from the angel.  Rev.19:10   John once again fell at the feet of an angel to worship but once again he received a similar answer.  Rev.22:8,9  Both times the angel said he was a fellow-servant.  In other words, the angels have a master in their Lord and obey Him as we should also be doing as we follow our Lord.
The apostles were blessed with a prison-release as an angel came to rescue them.  Acts 5:18-20   This is one example of an angel performing a miracle as he was given this task by God.  Another instance of extreme importance was the case of an angel directing Philip to go to a certain road.  The angel does not indicate why and evidently Philip didn’t ask.  The important part is that he immediately went.  He may have even hurried.  This is when he came upon the Ethiopian eunuch reading from Isaiah.  The Spirit guided Philip and he was able to teach the eunuch to the point that he believed and wanted to be baptized right then.  Acts 8:26,27
Yet another very important incident involving a conversion and the appearance of an angel is in Acts 10:3-5   Cornelius is described as a God-fearing man but he was a Gentile.  So far the gospel had been preached only to the Jews.  The angel told Cornelius what to do which he did.  Acts 10:7,8   They found Peter and again the angel is mentioned as they explain to him.  Acts 10:22   Cornelius explains to Peter how the angel appeared to him.  Acts 10:30   This resulted in the conversion of the first Gentile.
An angel appeared before Paul as they shipwrecked on the way to Rome.  Acts 27:23,24   The angel spoke to Paul with an important message from God.  It isn’t everybody that can expect such a message.  Notice the words, to whom I belong and whom I serve.  Many were saved because of the faithfulness of Paul and the task yet before him.
An angel appearing to John has been mentioned a couple of times previously.  However, at the beginning of the book of Revelation we find that God wanted to give a message about the things that would take place.  He chose His follower, John, and communicated His message by an angel.  Rev.1:1  
Revelation begins with a letter to each of the seven churches of Asia.  Rev.1:20 indicates that each of the seven churches has an angel.  God sees and knows all.  He knows our needs and faults.  We need Him to save us, to keep us from the evil one (2 Thess.3:3), to give us the Holy Spirit just to name a few things.  Just as these faithful men of old experienced the work of angels for their benefit, so we also have ministering spirits or angels to help us.  Heb.1:14 

 




Tuesday, June 4, 2013

A - ANGELS FOR REAL - 1

A – ANGELS FOR REAL – 1
What a blessing to know that angels are for real!  Today angels have become an idol to be placed on the dash or hung from the mirror in a vehicle.  This is supposedly to insure safety.  These little angel idols are usually female; however, Scripture never speaks of angels in any gender but male.  We want to look in God’s Word to study the truth about these angels that bless our lives.  We, as human beings, will never understand many things about angels until we get to heaven; but there are many things of which we can rest our assurance.
The beginning point is the question, “What is an angel?”  As we answer this question through the Scriptures, we will also see their purpose.  Angels are heavenly beings created by God.  They carry out tasks and bring messages from God.  They are found worshipping God in large numbers in heaven.  In the Bible their appearance reveals the supernatural world to the earthly world.  Some of the phrases or names referring to angels are:  hosts of heaven, sons of God, saints, ministers of God, holy ones, watcher, and ministering spirits.  Often they are simply called angels.  We will find classification of them and two angels are given names, Michael and Gabriel.
As Daniel was having a vision, an angel descended from heaven.  This angel was not already here.  He was called “angelic watcher and holy one.”  Dan.4:13   This angel revealed a message from God beginning in vs. 23.  Here we find two names of an angel as well as a purpose.
In the N.T. those in Christ are called “saints.”  In Deut.33:2 Moses is giving a blessing to the Israelites.  In the King James Version the angels are called “saints.”  This verse also indicates that they came from above and the number of ten thousand is used.  Other versions use myriads.  Many times the number of angels makes a tremendously-sized group.  Heb.12:22 again mentions myriads of angels.  An extremely large number of angels worship God in Rev.5:11.
In the N.T. those who belong to God are called “sons of God.”  Rom.8:14   Through faith in Jesus we become “sons of God.”  Gal.3:26   In the O.T. angels are called “sons of God.”  Job 38:7   This was part of the many questions God asked Job, “Where were you?”  “Sons of God” as angels are in the scene in heaven as Satan approaches God.  Job 2:1  
We derive descriptions of angels by investigating Scriptural passages.  Angels are wise and discerning.  2 Sam.14:17,20   The maidservant is speaking to the king but in the process comes a description of angels—wise and able to discern good and evil. 
Angels are powerful.  Ps.103:20   This verse gives another important description in that an angel is obedient to God.  If even the angels of heaven obey God at His every Word, shouldn’t we?  Heb.5:9   The word spoken by angels cannot be changed for it comes from God; therefore, we need to pay close attention and not neglect what we have learned in Truth.  Heb.2:1-3
Timothy is giving many instructions to elders and the church.  The importance of angels comes to light in 1 Tim.5:21.  Timothy not only gives his charge or instructions in the presence of God and Christ Jesus.  This is impressing upon them the importance of what he is saying.  Notice the he also includes His chosen angels. 
Angels, for the most part, are invisible.  One of the well-known events of an invisible angel is the story of Balaam.  The angel was visible to a donkey but not to Balaam for some time.  Then his eyes were opened and he saw.  Num.22:31
While we think of angels as being invisible to us, there have been times when they took on a human form.  Gen.18:2   Three men appeared to Abraham.  They even ate with him.  Their purpose was to bring a message from God—Sarah was to have a son in her old age.  It appears to be a short time after when two angels appeared to Lot in Sodom.  Gen.19:1   These angels also ate food.  They brought a message from the Lord but they also saved Lot by blinding those who were trying to assault him.  Miracles were performed by these angels.  Gen.19:11
Angels are concerned about beings on earth, but they have not been given knowledge of all things and do not understand but wish to understand.  1 Pet.1:12   They do know when another soul has been added to the kingdom and they rejoice with emotion.  Lk.15:10
The magnificent praise in worship before God that is conducted by the angels should be a reminder to us of the importance of heartfelt worship in praise and thankfulness before God that should also be exemplified by us before the world.  Ps.148:2; Ps.103:20,21   Just as the angels, we are to continually offer up praise to God  Heb.13:15
Angels give revelations in messages from God.  An example of this is found in Zech.1:9.  The angel had been patrolling the earth in Zech.1:11.  Then the angel asked a question of the Lord in wonderment of how long would the Lord have no compassion of Jerusalem and Judah for they had been in Babylon for 70 years.  The answer came in Zech.1:16.  It is indicated that the angel was speaking with Zechariah in Zech.1:13.
Not only does this discussion help us understand who angels are and some of the tasks they perform for God, we can be overcome with thankfulness and praise that these heavenly creatures are also ministering spirits which watch over those who have received salvation of whom we should make sure that we belong.  Heb.1:14