Stop-Light Entertaining Angels
A testimony of something that happened to me on August 10, 2017
( This was previously published publicly, but I’m re- sharing it now in 2024 with minor edits. )
The Setting : A stop-light in Indianapolis, Indiana (earlier today) while on my way to a meeting with a sister in Christ who was and still is a close friend.
I see the light turning yellow as I entered the left turn lane at US-31 and Thompson Road, it turned red as I came to a stop at the intersection.
There’s a man, dressed in gray, standing on a small spot of concrete or the median, with his back turned to me. As I approached, I knew I would be right next to this guy for the entire red light.
God has dealt with me or spoken to me in the past on certain things, and I’ve learned from those times.
So, I asked The LORD (Jesus Christ/ Y’shua) “What should I do, if anything?”
The Spirit of The LORD answered loud and clear via the Still, Small Voice: “TEN Dollars.”
I said: “Okay, thank You!”
When I pulled up, he kept his back to me, and I didn’t see any big sign… He wasn’t turning around.
I had already looked in my wallet and easily spotted a $10 bill, as it was the only thing that day in my wallet as far as cash.
Then I rolled the window down and said “excuse me”. He turned around and in his hand he held a very SMALL sign.
It had a red heart (drawn in red sharpie) the word “yourself” next to it, or the message obviously was: “LOVE YOURSELF!”
Of course it instantly struck me, that this was not your typical sign or message for someone “peddling” or needing money.
I asked, “Do you need a blessing?”
He locked eyes with me, and gave a slight nod. There was definitely something very unique about this guy, but I didn’t have it fully discerned yet.
To this day, I wish I had a picture of him and that sign. He was probably in his mid 30’s, with medium long hair and beard, light brown but with hints of gold in his hair and beard. He had an angular face, sharp and strong features, and intense blue eyes.
Back to the “nod” he gave me, with our eyes still locked, I extended the ten dollar bill in my hand, and I said: “It’s not from me, it’s from my King; my Lord and savior Jesus Christ.”
He slowly took it, never looking away… Then, his lip turned and he gave a slight smile, I swear his eyes glinted or sparkled for a quick second.
He waited, then said, “Thank you my brother!”
Two seconds after that, he said “I love you!”
I instantly said, “I love you too, my brother”, and I KNEW He was of the Kingdom.
I rolled up the window, and The Holy Spirit was all over me or my discernment meter was spiking with chills up and down my spine like an electric plant over my head! The light turned green and I pulled away.
I can’t prove it, but I’m 100% positive it was an example of what is written in Hebrews 13!
“Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels. ” Hebrews 13:2.
Yes, he WAS an Angel — a Messenger. The message He had scribbled in colored markers on the cardboard, was the last part of instruction in “The greatest Command.”
“One of the teachers of the law came and heard them debating. Noticing that Jesus had given them a good answer, he asked him, “Of all the commandments, which is the most important?”
“The most important one,” answered Jesus, “is this: ‘Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God, The LORD is one. Love The LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”” Mark 12:28-31.
I’ve had two other more intense and extreme Angelic Encounters before (those stories are for another day), but I believe this was a Hebrews 13:2 encounter, and a test.
Final comments:
If I had pulled up, sat next to him and had not asked the Spirit of The LORD what to do or not do, or (God forbid), if I had “heard” or knew in my Spirit to give him something, and didn’t —
I would have failed the test God was giving me. (“The LORD tests the righteous”, Psalm 11:5 a, NKJV)
Thankfully I did not, and I’m grateful when I hear His voice so clearly.
If we hear something and do not do it, or we have an opportunity to extend love and we do not, it’s called a sin of “omission”.
When The Bible talks bout the Judgment of believers , this is what would qualify as “things burned in the fire”, or hay, stubble and wood.
Only GOD knows each persons situation. Most of the people standing w/signs near the busy intersections may be addicts, or alcoholics, or they’ll use some of the money to buy smokes; but we do NOT know their story, or their hearts, and sometimes God wants to encourage them no matter what.
I encourage you NOT to do what I used to do (always ignore, or get frustrated) but ask God what to do or not do, and whatever He says, obey!
If you don’t hear His answer, then He may give you a strong feeling of peace, and that’s your answer!
Otherwise, He could also tell you “No” as He has with me since. (In those cases, they are likely part of a network, or the King of Glory knows why not; just obey either way!)
No matter what, I loved the message on the sign this Angel held in his hand:
“Love yourself!”
It’s connected to this verse: and you shall love The LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength.’ This is the first commandment. And the second, like it, is this: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no other commandment greater than these.” (Mark 12:30-31)
Short Prayer:
Father, help us in our hearts condition, in being obedient to your greatest command!
Remove any walls or stumbling blocks to love like this, in Jesus’ mighty Name! Amen!
Regarding: “Entertain or entertaining angels.”
What does “entertain” mean in the english translations, according to the Greek “root” in the Strong’s concordance? You can look it up yourself to verify, but the root word of entertain is:
“philoxenia” and the basic definition is: “love to strangers, hospitality.”
Final recommended reminder reading for the times we are now in and up ahead is 1 Corinthians 13
The Greatest Gift
“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing.
Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, [c]thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is [d]perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away.
When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.” 1 Corinthians 13:1-13.
Love and blessings to my true brothers and sisters, in The Name above all names!
Postscript
I give witness that Jesus Christ of Nazareth (aka: Y’shua) came in the flesh, was the spotless perfect lamb who sacrificed Himself willingly for the entire world, through torture on the stake, death and then He rose to eternal life and to His position at the Right Hand of the Father, all for the forgiveness of our sins.
Image © Alice X. Zhang
~ T. Andrew Farley
Todd Andrew Farley is part of the nameless brigade, called for a time such as this, primarily to minister to the body of Christ and occasionally as a prophetic messenger for the edification of those called to the remnant Bride of Christ. He gives all glory, honor and praise, to the Name above all names, Jesus! For He alone was worthy.
Oh heavens, I had something like this as well. I do regularly give to folks who obviously look like they are going through a hard time. I’ll give them whatever cash I have. I always think, “I don’t know what they are going through. I have a roof, a bed and food, they don’t”. So whatever I have I’ll give them. I was walking around a nice area with little shops/restaurants one night (one where you would not see someone looking for a handout). It was quiet, not many people around. Out of a dark little alley an Asian woman in a wheel chair rolled out and smiled at me. I handed her whatever I had. She smiled and said “thank you…you pretty” and rolled back into the alley. I couldn’t see her anymore. I remember thinking how odd it was. I mean totally out of the blue. It was on my mind on and off for a couple of days. I remember hoping she was ok. Then it dawned on me…I wonder if that was test?