FirePOWER!     'Spiritual FUEL for the Soul'            The Agape Letters Ministry Newsletter   | About us |  Archives |  Events | Devotional |  Prayer |  Proverbs | Photos | SEARCH | Trivia | Tuesday September 30, 2008 (1 Tishri 5769) 'A Warrior's Daily Journal' Devotional     Luke 24:46-49 (Amplified Bible)    And said to them, Thus it is written that the Christ (the Messiah) should suffer and on the third day rise from (among) the dead, And that repentance [with a view to and as the condition of] forgiveness of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning from Jerusalem. You are witnesses of these things. And behold, I will send forth upon you what My Father has promised; but remain in the city [Jerusalem] until you are clothed with power from on high.    Soon after HIS resurrection, Christ Jesus appeared to the 11 remaining disciples and those who had gathered  with them, where Luke records that Jesus opened their minds to the scriptures, so that they might understand.    Just days earlier, Jesus had questioned the women who went mournfully to HIS tomb, only to find it empty, 'Why look among the dead for the LIVING?'  Where now HE appears in their midst, and commands them to 'Declare to the dead, that HE, the LORD of Life, is Risen and ALIVE!'    Having dispatched angels to roll away the stone which secured the tomb and by HIS Power resurrectd Christ from the grave, God also delivered on this day, the Comforter and Counselor, Holy Spirit, who would lead them into complete understanding.    The empty tomb, is more than just a reminder of the physical Victory of Christ over death, but also a revelation of God's POWER bringing forth LIFE where spiritual death once ruled. It is the view of looking towards Eternity, and of HIS Promise fulfilled, having had our hearts and minds opened to Truth, that should send us running through the streets Proclaiming the Gospel of HIS Kingdom, reigning in absolute POWER!    In those following days prior to Pentecost, Christ Jesus revealed a treasure of knowledge concerning HIS forthcoming Glory. Opening their hearts and minds to an abundance of wisdom, rolling back that 'stone', which had before kept them from 'seeing' the TRUTH as God had intended.    O'LORD, now I must GO, seeking among the dead those who are mourning for LIFE, leading to 'see' Christ as Savior and LORD, that YOUR Spirit may open their hearts and minds to receive Knowledge of the Promised Inheritance of Power and Everlasting Joy in YOUR Eternal Presence. Reigning in Glory, forever and Amen! Monday September 29, 2008 (29 Elul 5768) 'A Warrior's Daily Journal' Devotional      Hebrews 12:11 (Amplified)  For the time being no discipline brings joy, but seems grievous and painful; but afterwards it yields a peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it [a harvest of fruit which consists in righteousness--in conformity to God's will in purpose, thought, and action, resulting in right living and right standing with God].    The writer of Hebrews brings attention to the harvest spoken of by Christ Jesus, being as one of righteous souls brought into the Kingdom of God. Believers who passionately seek to see family and friends establish a covenant relationship with Christ as Savior and LORD, are those who are submissive to the guidance of Holy Spirit each day, and are Obedient to God accomplishing HIS intended Purpose as co-laborers.   Those 1st century Believers understood the significance of sacrifice and suffering, often experiencing such themselves. Yet it is the picture of our Victory in Christ, where we must see the importance of remembering what the bread and cup stand for.   The bread could never be made, without first harvesting the grain. Being crushed, sifted and shaken, then it is HIS Holy Fire that makes it a finished WORK. The wine could neither be a part of the sacrament, before being gathered from the vineyard and processed to yield it's fruit.   It is of monumental importance, that we see the LORD's desire, that those who are Faithful to WORK the fields, will also be partakers of the fruit of the Harvest. O'LORD, in YOU is my Hope surely founded,          living in Victory each day. Stir my heart to search the byways and hedges for the hurting and lost, bringing them to sit at YOUR table filled to overflowing. Harvest time is nearing, and I must be about YOUR Kingdom Work, gleaning those fields where YOUR WORD, the Good Seed has been sown. Amen!   Friday September 26, 2008 (26 Elul 5768) 'A Warrior's Daily Journal' Devotional    2 Timothy 4:8 (AMP)      [As to what remains] henceforth there is laid up for me the [victor's] crown  of righteousness [for being right with God and doing right], which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me and recompense me on that [great] day--and not to me only, but also to all those who have loved and yearned for and welcomed His appearing (His return).         As Believers in the Body of Christ, we resemble  those beautiful and precious jewels or stones that adorn the LORD's crown. For Christ Jesus is the HEAD, and we as the members of HIS Body are made righteous through HIM,  each one realizing their lone significance and worth. Only the most flawless stones and finest metals are chosen to be used, where clarity and purity is of the utmost significance. As one chosen of the Lord to be used, it is often the pressure that has produced such beautiful gems that goes unnoticed. The Apostle Paul's WORDs to Timothy, bring to my mind a picture of what the Bride of Christ will look like at HIS appearing. The Father of the Bride adorns her with the finest garments and jewels, presenting her pure and blameless to her husband-to-be. Realizing the importance of what Paul is saying, it is my heart which must be pure, freed from those things which reduce the appeal and would hinder my being used. As selected precious gems, each Believer has been chosen regardless of the various shape, size or color, having submitting to being used by HIS Spirit of Righteousness, it is this clarity and purity which will ultimately determine the significance and worth pertaining to God's Kingdom. Laying my life at HIS feet, in complete submission to HIS Will, as Paul says, begins the process of being Refined by HIS Holy Fire. Precious metals and exquisite jewels of every kind become heavenly treasures which will adorn the Bride of Christ for all the world to view. Presented in Glory to the Majestic KING of kings and LORD of lords a blessed Savior who ransomed HIS LIFE so that none would perish on that Day of Judgement. Father, purify my heart with YOUR Fire, use me in the earth as a testimony to YOUR Love and Power. Any pressure that I must bear, does not compare to what YOU have promised for all who endure. My life is in YOUR Hands, mold me into a beautiful gem, that will beam with radiance the everlasting Gospel of Light which brings Freedom and Victory to all who seek and find YOU. Amen! Thursday September 25, 2008 (25 Elul 5768) 'A Warrior's Daily Journal' Devotional   Luke 3:4-6 (Amplified Bible) (Jesus speaking)Prepare the way of the Lord, make His beaten paths straight. Every valley and ravine shall be filled up, and every mountain and hill shall be leveled; and the crooked places shall be made straight, and the rough roads shall be made smooth; And all mankind shall see (behold and understand and at last acknowledge) the salvation of God (the deliverance from eternal death decreed by God)        A mountaintop view has always had an exhilarating effect on my spirit, for it is a place where Jesus went often to pray to HIS Father, and from which to speak HIS Life WORDs to all those who were gathered before HIM in the valleys below. As a Believer in Christ, I must make every opportunity purposeful for the mission I have been appointed to, whether I am on a mountaintop or in the valleys below.      There are people all around me, who are either climbing to a mountaintop in their life or they are descending into the depth of the valleys beneath, still where ever their life at that point may be, is where they can receive the message of Hope and Salvation. Christ Jesus spoke TRUTH to the Samaritan women at the well, telling her that God will be worshipped in Spirit and Truth, never again to be limited by the boundary of mountain nor the streets of the city. It is with a similiar description which Jesus used in HIS parable of the king who prepared a banquet, instructing his servants to go out into the highways and fields, hedges and cities and welcome all those they found. Each day presents itself with opportunity after opportunity for me to invite and welcome others into fellowship with God through HIS Son, my Lord and my King who forever reigns over heaven's banquet. O'Lord, YOU have set before me this great mission , to invite and welcome the lost to YOUR table of goodness! YOUR Spirit fills my lips with YOUR invitation WORD, for YOUR house must be filled with hungry hearts and souls!! Of Spirit and Truth will they be fed daily, to worship and serve HIM who prepared the Way!!! May the halls of heaven resonate with shouts of Joy, as YOU pronounce Eternal Peace and Rest, to all those in YOUR Holy Presence! My Joy is found only in YOU, O'Lord! Amen and Forever!!!   The Vision of The Agape Letters Ministry is to Equip, Exhort and Inspire Believers to become Victorious Spiritual Warriors of Christ Jesus. Training them to Boldly and Courageously Advance the Kingdom WORK of God, recognizing the FirePOWER availabe to them under the anointing and presence of Holy Spirit within their lives. Encouraging them to Walk by Faith, fulfilling the mandate of Proclaiming the Gospel as Ambassadors of Christ throughout every nation upon the earth. www.theagapeletters.com   Contact Us!