1 Corinthians 1:17 (Amplified Bible) "For Christ (the Messiah) sent me out not to baptize but [to evangelize by] preaching the glad tidings (the Gospel), and that not with verbal eloquence, lest the cross of Christ should be deprived of force and emptied of its power and rendered vain (fruitless, void of value, and of no effect). "
Paul defines Discipleship as called by God to preach the Gospel, Declare the POWER of the Cross and Proclaim Christ Jesus as Resurrected Savior, reaching across the economic, religious and social divide of his day. From the day Paul encountered the LORD, he urged his listeners to 'Forge Ahead' as Mighty Warriors, guided by Holy Spirit into full understanding of Kingdom LIFE.
1 Corinthians 1:30 (Amplified Bible) "But it is from Him that you have your life in Christ Jesus, Whom God made our Wisdom from God, [revealed to us a knowledge of the divine plan of salvation previously hidden, manifesting itself as] our Righteousness [thus making us upright and putting us in right standing with God], and our Consecration [making us pure and holy], and our Redemption [providing our ransom from eternal penalty for sin]. "
This same message 2000 years later, speaks clearly to the heart of humanity, of God's Love desiring for mankind to seek HIM in repentance. Revealing the constant struggles which mankind faces, Paul was quick to point out that receiving knowledge of God's Divine Plan entirely fulfilled in Christ Jesus, was in terms of Eternity, certainly more profitable.
Properly fitted with the Spiritual Armor of God, Believers are fitly able to withstand adversity and persecution, such as Paul, Peter and the other disciples had. Every Believer must be completely surrendered to God's Will, every footstep directed by HIS Spirit, following the same course outlined in HIS Covenant.
Having REDEEMED us with a ransom of HIS Life, Christ Jesus calls us into a LIFE of Abundance and Victory, becoming the Holiness and Righteousness of God as Believers are the manifestation of HIS Glory throughout the earth.
O'LORD, all Praise and Honor to YOU on high. To YOU I draw near, to hear YOUR Voice. Direct me as I follow YOU each day, overcoming the enemy with YOUR Spirit of POWER. I must Declare that YOUR Kingdom is here, brought to earth by YOUR Son of endless LOVE, extending YOUR Grace and Mercy from heaven above. YOU alone must I serve with all that I am, Faithful and Obedient to YOUR Will all of my days. Send forth YOUR Warriors of TRUTH, for YOUR Holy WORD gives LIFE Everlasting.. Amen
Thursday January 12, 2012 (17th of Tevet, 5772)
"Make Known the Truth!"
Acts 23:9 (Amplified) "Then a great uproar ensued, and some of the scribes of the Pharisees' party stood up and thoroughly fought the case, [contending fiercely] and declaring, We find nothing evil or wrong in this man. But if a spirit or an angel [really] spoke to him--? Let us not fight against God! "
Luke records a great division among the people who had gathered to hear the Apostle Paul defend his testimony of Christ and of HIS Resurrection. Even some of the religious leaders came to Paul's defense, adding that if God had truly spoken to him by either a spirit or and angel, none could dispute the Truth.
Paul had received such a great revelation of who Christ Jesus is, that God's Spirit was bringing conviction upon those who were shortly before not willing to hear the Gospel. Much like today, there are those who will strongly defend the part of the Gospel that agrees with their own understanding. Yet a short time later, will they then begin to vehemently dispute the POWERful move of God's Spirit, when TRUTH begins to deliver in the form of manifestations and WORKs of deliverance that accompany the vision.
Throughout the history of the church, the accusations against God's messengers of Faith in Christ, have grown more and more defiant, regardless of the warning that any opposition to the WORD of God is an effort of futility.
This incident caused such an uproar among the people, that both sides soon turned against Paul, yet God continued to direct Paul to preach the uncompromising Gospel, even while imprisoned. Believers are given Holy Spirit for the Proclamation of TRUTH, often resisted by those whose thoughts on God's nature are founded only upon the very thing that convicts them of their guilt.
Refusing to acknowledge that Christ Jesus came Declaring HOPE for Eternity, those who continue to defy God and HIS Will, soon find that their arguments are essentially 'Fighting against God'!
God's TRUTH penetrates even the hardest heart, and by HIS LOVE for our souls, HIS Spirit brings spiritual unity where division and strife once thrived.
Father, stir my heart towards Unity and Truth, show me the Power of YOUR WORKs by Faith.Strengthen me with YOUR WORDs of Life, reveal YOUR Holiness to me in LOVE. Destroy every barrier and stronghold, establish YOUR Kingdom of UNITY by YOUR Spirit, O'Lord. Speak YOUR WORDs through lips of Praise, for only YOU will be Honored and Glorified. O'Lord, YOU Reign Eternal, over my heart now and forever..Amen
Friday January , 2012 (11th of Tevet, 5772)
"Treasure of LIGHT!"
2 Corinthians 4:6-7 (Amplified Bible) "For God Who said, Let light shine out of darkness, has shone in our hearts so as [to beam forth] the Light for the illumination of the knowledge of the majesty and glory of God [as it is manifest in the Person and is revealed] in the face of Jesus Christ (the Messiah). However, we possess this precious treasure [the divine Light of the Gospel] in [frail, human] vessels of earth, that the grandeur and exceeding greatness of the power may be shown to be from God and not from ourselves."
The Apostle Paul looked upon possessing the KNOWLEDGE of Christ Jesus as God's Son, Savior and LORD of mankind, to be regarded as precious and rewarding, greater even than having amassed great riches and honor. Paul speaks of the grandeur and exceeding greatness of POWER that is given from God, where both KNOWLEDGE and POWER are combined and are considered Kingdom Treasure as well.
The Gospel message was what Paul continued Proclaiming, even after he was imprisoned, persecuted severely and despised by many who had earlier accepted the TRUTH but had turned back to unrighteous living.
The WORDs of Christ tell us that the enemy comes to kill, steal and destroy, not only the WORKs of God, but also those who WORK on HIS behalf as Believers. The Treasure which Paul speaks of, can and many times has been stolen, because some Believers did not regard and take precautions as the earlier WORDs by Christ warned.
Forfeiture of our Kingdom Treasure must also be guarded against, for Believers also POSSESS the POWER of God, as Holy Spirit reinforces our stronghold and barrier against every assault from the enemy. Standing firm in our Knowledge that Christ Jesus conquered death, HE also defeated the darkness that the enemy uses to hide the TRUTH.
Jesus HIMself being the LIGHT as God says, it is imperative that we must beam forth that which is within our hearts, illuminating the Way for the lost to find HIM as Savior and LORD.
O'LORD, as I embrace YOUR WORD as Truth by Faith, I cling to YOUR Treasure of Knowledge and POWER.Guiding me in my journey by YOUR Light, YOUR Spirit guards my every step with Love. My heart rejoices knowing YOUR gifts are good, given to those who desire to follow only YOU. YOUR Treasure surpasses all this world offers, and YOUR Kingdom flourishes, existing Eternally. My HOPE is in YOU alone O'LORD, Let YOUR Glorious LIGHT shine through me forever... Amen
Monday January 2, 2012 (7th of Tevet, 5772)
"Lasting Faith!"
Hebrews 10:23 (Amplified Version) "So let us seize and hold fast and retain without wavering the hope we cherish and confess and our acknowledgement of it, for He Who promised is reliable (sure) and faithful to His word."
The writer of Hebrews tells us of the Faith of so many who relied upon God for everything. Getting to that place in our Faith, comes not from our own strength, which is being strengthened daily by HIS Spirit, but our Faith comes from acknowledging that God never wavers from HIS Promise.
Depending upon the boundless Grace and Mercies of God, there is assurance that whatever HE says, HE WILL DO! We learn more of walking completely by Faith in Christ, there is nothing that is impossible for God to do through us, only if we allow HIM to.
Much like those 1st century Apostles and disciples, each day we live is a reminder of the mission and purpose that I have been assigned to as a Believer in Christ.
Remaining Faithful to the Gospel of Christ brings Glory and Honor to God, and by seizing and taking firm hold of every Promise of God, HE is able to manifest an increase of HIS Power and WORK, and we gain everything from believing EVERY WORD HE says.
O'Lord, the depth of YOUR Love is unmeasureable, and YOUR Glory which surrounds me is immense. My Faith in YOU is far more than Provision, and it is far more than Prosperity, it is YOUR Power which strengthens and delivers me. To be YOUR witness of TRUTH and Life, because YOUR Grace and Mercy abounds giving me HOPE to continue pressing onward. O'Lord, YOU are my Provider and my Strength, Amen
Sharing this FirePOWER!
Devotional with your family and friends, will have an
impact upon their lives. This generation deserves to
hear the message of God's Kingdom, knowing
that Christ Jesus loves them and desires that they
know HIM.
Romans
10:15 And how can men
[be expected to] preach unless they are sent? As it is
written, How beautiful are the feet of those who bring
glad tidings! [How welcome is the coming of those who
preach the good news of His good things!] (Amplified
Bible)
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 available 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.
