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Thursday July 29, 2010 (18th
of Av, 5770)
"Rewarded by LOVE!"
2 Corinthians 12:15 (Amplified)
But I
will most gladly spend [myself] and be utterly spent for your souls. If I love
you exceedingly, am I to be loved [by you] the less?
The Apostle
Paul was quite straightforward in his appeal to the Corinthian Believers,
explaining that his humanity was of no less importantance than was his spiriutal
conviction that they receive the Gospel message without error or
compromise.
Rather than drawing attention away from the Truth,
Paul shares the deepest thoughts of his own heart, that of his LOVE for their
souls as opposed to what he could have gained from demanding their
affection.
As with
Christ Jesus, having gave of HIS LOVE without regard to HIS own well-being,
knowing that any who would choose to Believe and follow HIM, would in the end
receive a much Greater Reward for their Obedience. While today,
many Believers continue facing stern opposition and ridicule for their
uncompromising stand for Truth and Righteousness, it is the LOVE for those whose
souls delicately hang in the balance of Eternity, that proves God's Spirit
continues to WORK mightily through LOVE.
Where Paul
addressed the question of whether the WORKing of Signs and Miracles by the Power
of Holy Spirit proved his Authority as an Apostle, he pressed the issue
regarding committment to Christ Jesus above all else. Of more
importance than who God has chosen to use as HIS instrument of deliverance, it
remains as fact that HIS SOUL desire is for man to choose LIFE through Christ
Jesus. Burdens are
exchanged for JOY, when someone cries out to God for Mercy, and TRUTH replaces
rebellion when HIS Grace floods their hearts with LOVE, stretching far beyond
the boundaries and limits of carnal understanding.
Paul was
admonishing the Corinthians for their distraction from the Kingdom message
which he had presented earlier, his dedication uncompromised by their
opposition, in knowing LOVE's Greatest Reward is a WORK of God's Spirit
in every heart that submits to HIS guidance....
Father, the Good News has broken many hearts, some who have turned away from
serving YOU. Not because the WAGES of their labors YOU Promised were short, but
because they sought riches rather than relationship. May I be found Obedient to
encourage those who labor, that together we may be busy in the fields of
harvest. Not my will, O'Lord, but YOUR WILL be done in the earth. May YOU
receive all Glory, Honor and Power, for it is in YOUR WORD, that I find the
REWARD of YOUR Love for me... Amen and Forever
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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.
For HIS Glory,
Jake Tribble
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