Mary Did You Know?

Mary Did You Know
[Originally written by Mark Lowry and Buddy Greene]

Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy would one day walk on water?

Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy would save our sons and daughters?

Did you know
that your Baby Boy has come to make you new?

This Child that you delivered will soon deliver you.

Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy will give sight to a blind man?

Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy will calm the storm with His hand?

Did you know
that your Baby Boy has walked where angels trod?

When you kiss your little Baby you kissed the face of God?
Mary did you know..

The blind will see.
The deaf will hear.
The dead will live again.
The lame will leap.
The dumb will speak
The praises of The Lamb.

Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy is Lord of all creation?

Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy would one day rule the nations?

Did you know
that your Baby Boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?

The sleeping Child you're holding is the Great, I Am.

God's Covenant

For a long time now, I have been pondering over the impact the Lord’s Supper has on god’s people and the innate healing properties it holds for a complete restoration of a person.

In fact Healing of the Mind, Body and Soul is certain when one partakes of the meal in remembrance of the one who was a personification of Grace, mercy and compassion. During this period of contemplation, I was blessed to receive a copy of the book The MEAL that Heals by Pastor Perry Stone Jr.

In the next several posts, I'll be sharing the author’s insights from the book along with my thoughts. I hope whoever might read my blog will pick up this book at their local book store or library.

The author’s insights and applying them to your life is likely to increase the flow of blessing in your life manifold, healing you at all three levels . If you've read this book some time ago, I encourage you to share your insights with us. I pray that the atoning work which Christ began from the garden of Gethsemane to Golgotha the place of skull create in you a fountain of life.

THE REVELATION OF THE AT ONE MENT

Romans 5:11

Not only is this so, but we also rejoice in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation.

The word atonement is mentioned 80 times in the Old Testament. The New Testament shows us that the death of our lord on the cross was an act of atonement for our sins as patterned by the animal sacrifices in the Old Testament. The fall and subsequent expulsion from the Garden of Eden a place of delight made sin and sickness a reality for mankind.

Yet the author remarks that Yahweh Rapha (the lord that healeth) establishes a healing covenant with his people right from the beginning. We read about the healing through prayer in Genesis 20:17, Numbers 12:13, 2 kings 20: 5-6 and in the book of Exodus 15:26

He said, "If you listen carefully to the voice of the LORD your God and do what is right in his eyes, if you pay attention to his commands and keep all his decrees, I will not bring on you any of the diseases I brought on the Egyptians, for I am the LORD, who heals you."

May the blows our lord received soothe your physical injuries, bandage your emotional hurts and lead you to a greater spiritual union with the father.

Vigils for September

Would you like to join us?

Lord Our Protector

Lord God we look to you, our source of help at all times. You who made Heaven and earth, watch over us always. like a shepherd who guards his flock be our guard protecting us from unseen forces. You who laid down your life to save us, lead us to follow the plan of god in our lives. Make us to prosper and bear fruit according to your word.

Oh Lord we know that you have carved us on the palm of your hand and so no evil will befall us. Lead the way for us just the way you led the nation of Israel to the promised land. We believe that not a hair on our head will be touched without your permission.

Lord we ask you to sit at our right hand and look at us as a bridegroom looks at his beloved. We know that you never get tired looking at your creation.

Lord give us the desire to constantly look into your eyes.

Living Agape

How can we show love of the father in our life?

Love one another as I have loved you. Jn 13:34


We all like to be loved and get favors and blessing from the one who loves us. But do we like to love all around us like God loves us. Unconditional, ever forgiving love. Ready to lay down our life for others?

It is God"s commandment to love another. When we receive His love our cup gets full, but if we do not share what we get, since our cup is full, we stop receiving.

Ask your self. Do you go out of our way to help an old person to cross the road or be good to a person who slandered your name or magnified your weakness in public. A very difficult situation which I find myself in, time and again. The question we need to ask is What would Jesus do in this situation and then act accordingly.

As you have your prayer time do express your inability to love and your desire to want to. Ask for the grace. Gradually but surely the change will happen. You will be surprised at your self, for you begin to acquire the mind of Christ.

Prayer: Heavenly Father give us the grace to Love all those around us the way you would love them. Help us to be faithful to our prayer time so that we too will acquire the mind of Christ.

AGAPE- Unconditional Love

Here's the next guest post by the talented Adam

“Be the tree that shades the tired, comforts the lonely, and loves the neglected. When it is time, with His love you will bear a fruitful life.”
...

One fine morning, a young boy asked his mother, "Mommy, how much does God love me?"

His mother was surprised at his question. She called him close, looked into his eyes and said, "God loves you with unconditional love."

The boy thought for a little while and asked, "Mommy, what is unconditional love?"

His mother recollected for a few minutes and told him, "Do you remember last week when you broke Mommy's teapot while playing?"

The boy fell silent and nodded.

His mother continued, "Although I got angry for a little while; when you went to your room and started crying, I brought you a glass of milk and some cookies. Do you remember?"

The boy's face lit up. "Yes, I do." he said happily.

His mother told him, "God's love for us is like that, but much better and nicer. If we are ready to receive it, we will be really happy."

The boy thought for some time and told his mother, "I am ready to receive God's love, Mommy."

...

"In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the satisfaction for our sins."
-John 4:19

The Greeks coined three separate words to mean ‘Love’. They were ‘eros’, ’philios’ and ‘agape’. In Christian theology, Agape is termed as the love of God or Christ for mankind. It also translates to ‘Parental Love’. Rightly so, because His children are showered with his unconditional love. I do think however, that there is a condition imposed.

A wise philosopher once said "Everything that belongs to you will come to you, if you only create the capacity to receive it.” Think about this line again. "Everything that belongs to you will come to you, if you only create the capacity to receive it.” It is true with all of our achievements, our goals and our wishes. It is also true for love. Every ounce of God's love will come to you, if you only create the capacity to receive it. So how does one create the capacity to receive His love?

"Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud"

-1 Corinthians 13:4

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said:

"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you: Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous."

A light held to illuminate someone else’s path will surely illuminate your path as well. Any man/woman who learns to give love freely will so receive. It is in serving that one gains the capacity to lead. It is by learning that one earns the capacity to teach. It is by giving love freely that one gains the capacity to receive it.

Jesus once said that the greatest commandment was to love your neighbor as you love yourself. It is not a process that finds fruit immediately. An exercise will yield strength only if performed regularly and quantified with effort. The capacity to love is similar. Each day we must fill a little unconditional love into someone’s life. It could be your loved ones, an enemy who asks for your help, a stranger in need of a shoulder to cry on – it could be anyone! A little effort each day, and your heart will earn the capacity to receive His love.

So my friends ask yourselves, to whom did you give your unconditional love today?

Adam

The Breath of Life- Guest Post

We have our very first guest blogger at Agape. Adam aka Aashith. I got to know Adam through our blogs. He has 2 blogs Lyrical Melancholy and Thoughts...An attempt at understanding ourselves. Both are an intense expression of himself, one through lyric, the other through verse. He has also written an interesting book, do check it out here. This incredibly talented writer has contributed two wonderful posts to Agape, one in lyric the other in verse. Here's the first post-
It's truly a privilege to have you at Agape Adam!
Job 33:4

"The Spirit of God has made me;
the breath of the Almighty gives me life"


I lived in a time of fear whence,

My wisdom was in abeyance.

It is now I tread in absence of fear,

Wiser that He walks beside me here.



From dust to dust, the truth - an adage,

Molded in form to His own image,

The life He has given can see no real death,

A Life that is not just the passage of breath.


In valleys of shadows, in alleys of dark,

Wisdom ensues His words, akin a spark

That lights a million lamps, all at once,

He shines forth his light on all my runs.


Today I arise to the sounds of the fall,

Chirps and rustles bind them all,

His breath, my life; He will keep giving,

Return to dust I will, but keep on living.

...
The Breath of Life

The Lord's Love in Everyday Life

Psalm 23:1-3 “The Lord is my shepherd I have everything I need. He lets me rest in fields of green grass and leads me to quiet pools of fresh water . He gives me new strength He guides me in the right paths as He has promised.”

When the Lord is my shepherd He builds a relationship of love. He is a person who takes care of every need and ready to lay His life down for us. I will never be left wanting as said in Philippians 4:19 “With all abundant wealth through Christ Jesus, my God will supply all my needs”.

He gives me the rest I and peace when I drink of the living water. When I eat and live on His word my body will be strengthened. He will give me direction in my day to day life as I learn to dwell on his word and seek his help in everything.

Prayer- Heavenly Father help us to follow Your ways, increase our faith and and find joy only in Your presence. Cause us to come to You as a deer pants for water. Lord give us a mind of Christ so that we discern and keep away from people who do not fear the Lord or have faith in you. Help us to have the right relationship with people around us as we grow in our relationship with You.

When we grow by the living water may each one us bear the fruits of the spirit. Be prosperous in whatever we do. Experience healing of our body mind and soul wisdom to know what is right and wrong .

Deliver us from our fears and keep our mind clear of trivial things so that our thoughts will be focused only on You. May the Lord reign our soul and mind and all thoughts and action be led by you alone. Know fully well that you Oh Lord God is besides us during good times and bad times. As we move with our focus on You alone nothing will be impossible and all our troubles seems nothing for our lives will be effortless. For You alone our God.

Almighty God is a Father and mother to us.!

Love and compassion of our heavenly father is like a firm father and a tender mother. In the Parable of the Prodigal son Luke 15: 20 “So while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him”.

This is how our heavenly father loves us. He gives us freedom to choose. When we make mistakes, when we sin and go far away from him or even disown him he waits patiently for he knows his love will draw his children unto himself. One step towards him is enough to bring him joy and he will run to us and restore us.

Isaiah 66:13 “As a mother comforts her child, so will I comfort you”. The tender side of him is a close comparison to that of a loving mother. God the Father has both the qualities. He will speak to our heart and comfort us according to our needs.

The Love of the Father

I the Lord am a God who is full of compassion and pity, who is not easily angered and who shows great love and faithfulness. Ex 34:6

From the creation of man till date the existence of man speaks of God's love for us. Man did not co-operate with Gods plan and went astray. His love and compassion for His people saved them from various situations. He raised prophets to warn protect and bring them back unto Him.

I will never forget you my people I have you on the palm on my hand. Is49:15-16

Such is the promise of the Lord to us. God wants to look and spend time with us .He keeps looking, admiring, patting and stroking us: He just cant stop loving us.

Do you want to experience that love? ...

Come let us sit at his feet...

3- DIVINE PERFECTION!

The number 3 in the Bible stands for Divine Perfection! The plan of redemption was Divine Perfection to completion! Let's see how.

At Gethsemane-
He took 3 of his apostles with Him to pray.
Matt26:37
He took Peter and the two sons of Zebedee along with him, and he began to be sorrowful and troubled.

He prayed 3 times
Matt26:36-46

The Lord said 3 words at His arrest and the soldiers fell. What power in those 3 words!
Jn18:5-6
"I am He," Jesus said. When Jesus said, "I am he," they drew back and fell to the ground.

Trial
Jesus was tried before 3- Annas, Caiaphas and Pilate
Jn18

Betrayal of Peter- 3 times
Matt 26:69-75

Cruxificion

There were 3 crosses at Golgotha. The Lord was flanked by the good and bad.
Jn 19:18
Here they crucified him, and with him two others—one on each side and Jesus in the middle.

Inscription 3 languages
Jn19:19-20
Jesus of Nazareth, King of the Jews...and the sign was written in Aramaic, Latin and Greek.

3words- "It is finished"
Jn19:30
When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.

Ressurection
3women at the tomb
Mark16:1
When the Sabbath was over, Mary Magdalene, Mary the mother of James, and Salome bought spices so that they might go to anoint Jesus' body.

Rise on the 3rd day
Luke24:7
...and on the third day be raised again.'

YOUR FACE LORD I WILL SEEK

Psalm 27:8


There are times in our walk with the Lord we long to see His face. Here is an opportunity if you really desire it from your heart. This does not happen nor can be achieved overnight or by just sitting one time before the Lord.


In order to see the face you first make a choice. A firm decision from the heart to seek and see His face.


Psalm 27 :9 “Do not hide your face from me, do not run your servant away in anger; you have been my helper. Do not reject me or forsake me O God my savior.”


Heart in the Bible is referred as a place that makes decision. The word of God is hidden in heart.God always says do it from your heart. So, if you really desire to see His face and know His plan for you, make a decision.


James 4:8-10 “ Come near to God and he will come near to you, Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up.”


The first step is to set a side time for Him. Sit at His feet and learn to dialogue with Him. A very difficult step as one has plenty of distraction. One needs to slowly get detached from five senses ideally done with fasting to discipline oneself. The five senses keep us in touch with the world. And as a result we miss out on spiritual gifts. People who are distracted are in bondage and such problems can be solved by fasting and praying. Another way is to prepare yourself for your prayer time by praying to the Holy Spirit in advance and ask for help for a better and good prayer time. This exercise takes some time to master.


Once we get detached we enter the Holy of Holies.


Sometimes it happens that every time you sit to pray a particular incident or a person comes to mind. Then bring it up to the lord and ask the lord what you need to do in that situation. If you need to forgive or reconcile with the person or sometimes the situation needs healing ask God to heal that incident that hurts so much. Heb12:14-15 “Make every effort to live in peace with all men and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. See to it that no one misses the grace of God and that no better roots grow up to cause trouble and defile many.” The fruit of the Holy Spirit is peace. All efforts should be made towards it. Sometimes you do not see the face of God because of this reason.


Mathew 5: 8 “Blessed are the pure in heart”


Song of songs 2: 16 “My lover is mine and I am his.” That is the intense love we need to have for our lord. For He is our bridegroom.


Heb:10:22-23 "Let us draw near to God with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and having our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.”

Song of songs 3: 1-4


Taking into consideration the above point and genuine effort to sit before the Lord is the first step to seek His face.

(Contributed by the Intercession head)

Gethsemane

There is this soul stirring song by Gaither choir " Have you had a Gethsemane?" as part of their Israel Homecoming. They show the garden of Gethsemane where the Lord was in agony and sing this touching song.

Watch and Pray!

"Watch and Pray" International Night Vigil
All prayer warriors for Agape come together this night to watch and pray.

I have often reflected on how the apostles found it difficult to watch and pray at Gethsemane.

Matt26:40-41
Then he returned to his disciples and found them sleeping. "Could you men not keep watch with me for one hour?" he asked Peter. "Watch and pray so that you will not fall into temptation. The spirit is willing, but the body is weak."

Note that the Lord tells them to watch and pray for themselves that they may not fall into temptation. He does not tell them 'pray for me, I suffer'. Though He loved all His apostles, He had taken the ones closest to Him -Peter - chosen to lead the flock, James-his own cousin and John- the Beloved apostle. Even these failed to support Him in prayer when He needed comfort the most.
I wonder if it would have been the same if the apostles had a clue as to what was in store for them. To witness the passion and death of their Master, to face the persecution for being His followers, even the death that each of them had to face?

Matt26:38
Then he said to them, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me."

Any human that experiences sorrow so deep and intense cannot sleep. Can you remember the times that you were so overwhelmed with sorrow that you could not sleep?

Do you think it would have been different if they could only understand the sorrow in His heart? The apostle John I think would have lasted longer than the others. He passionately loved the Lord. Thus we have a detailed account of the Lord's agony in John 17. But he too succumbed to the weakness of the flesh.
Do share your thoughts and reflections.

Intercession Part-II

(contributed by our Intercession leader)
The spirit and the bride say, “Come and let him who hears say Come. Whoever is thirsty, let him come; and whoever wishes let him take the free gift of the water of life. Rev22:17

Prayer Time

Prayer-To recognize His voice you need to know His voice. In order to know that you need to spend time with Him. Start first with a decision to want to spend time to be with Him as much as a lover wants to be with his beloved. Every human being wants to be loved and longs to be with those who love them. The same goes with our relationship with our Heavenly Father who loves us unconditionally.


Time-
Then decide which is the best time for this date with the Lord. It could be scheduled any time of the day, though most prefer it to be first thing in the morning. A special joy which you begin to experience as you walk with the Lord. Set aside the place and the time. If it is within your house other members should learn to respect your personal prayer time. This might be difficult in families that do not have prayer life.

 You may wonder what am I suppose to do after that. Well you can start singing some praise songs or even keep some Christian music to start with.

Scipture-
Allot some time for it try and read Psalms or read scripture to get yourself used to this new date.
Initially it gets very difficult and all sorts of problems occur during that time. Prayer time is all about persistence.Some times it seems you are there and achieved it, sometimes you find your schedule just does not work. Do not be discouraged, but persist.
Luke 5:16
Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed.
If you do a study of the Gospel you will note that Jesus regularly spent time in prayer especially before His active ministry. He drew His strength through these closed moments with the Father. He understood the mind of the Heavenly Father and did just what He willed. If Jesus needed to do it how much more do mere mortals like us.

During the day try and ponder over what you read or even talk to Him as a companion asking Him what to do next. You will notice that your day is much more relaxed and easier to handle when you keep talking to the Lord. There are times you want quick results and it does not happen.

Listening-
John 10:27
My sheep listen to my voice; 

Initially it starts as intuition, slowly as your fellowhip increase, you begin to recognise a voice guiding you. A voice like none other and as you see the result you will know that the Lord was there and you heard Him. The voice and presence remains with you and it slowly develops into a deep relationship which you long for. A fellowship you don’t want to miss and wait for that hour and as time passes it slowly moves on to the whole day. The Lord becomes your unseen companion.


The Lord then begins to purify you. If you are alert to his voice you notice your character changes and you slowly begin to get the image the potter wants you to have and your only role model is Jesus. The world and what it has to offer does not matter you move on spiritually to a new high. People around you especially your family notice the change in you and want to know more about it sometimes they know what it is . You slowly lead the next person to the potters wheel and you bloom into an Intercessor. Your only desire then is to save or pray for others need.The burden just flows into you as your companion holds your hand he leads you to higher places.

Song Of Love

Song of Solomon 2:3


Like an apple tree among the trees of the forest is my lover among the young men. I delight to sit in his shade, and his fruit is sweet to my taste.

Intercession- Part-1

Who is an Intecessor?
"Inter cessor"
Inter= middle
Cessor= never ceasing.

All are called to pray for one another but few are given the burden to pray never ceasing till the prayer is answered.

To be an intercessor, one has to have a desire to know the will of God for them. In order to know that and to learn to recognize the voice of God, spending time with God is very essential. One has to slowly recognize and learn to be like Jesus-to be in the world not off the world.
To be like Jesus-
Temptations are in plenty: everyone likes to be loved, all like to be recognized and appreciated for their works. Working for the Lord or being like Jesus may not bring all that. Take the example of Jesus even though He is the Son of God was he recognized and appreciated while he walked on this earth? Most people did not like Him because He spoke truth and they did not want to face. The easy way out was to put Him to death. Are you prepared to stand for truth which you learn from the Word of God? Are you ready to face criticism because you stand for truth which is rooted in Christ?
The Worldly amusement and entertainment is more and more influenced by the evil one in a very subtle way. In order to discern about it one needs to spend time with the Lord to know what is good and bad what is right and wrong. Floating with the crowd and being accepted by the world may cost your soul. Appreciation of the people will last only for some time till some thing dramatic happens. An experience with the Lord last for many days months sometimes even a life time.
Sitting still before the Lord and recognizing His voice helps in this walk with Christ. Initially it is difficult to recognize his voice but as you spend more time with the Lord you will recognize and learn to distinguish his voice. As you grow in the fellowship appreciation and love for one another slowly grows. When your fellowship with Lord grows the Lord brings to your mind all your hurts and slowly gives you the grace to forgive those who hurt you.(This process takes sometimes years).

Slowly as this fellowship grows one notices detachment from the worldly things. After some time appreciation and acceptance from others does not matter being with the Lord and His presence in you is all that matters.

The Potter begins to give shape to the clay and the clay willing surrenders itself to be shaped according to His will. The Lord then leads the clay and moulds it. One hears His voice leading one to greater heights and burden to pray and dedicate ones life to do His will.

To be continued.....