The Enemy's Power Is Broken
Our old man was crucified with Him, that the body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves of sin. (Romans 6:6)
As Christians, we often become discouraged when tempted by sinful habits we thought were eliminated at the point of our salvation. The truth is, we still live in a fallen world under the influence of Satan.
Because you are a child of God, the enemy no longer holds the title to your life. Spiritually you are seated in heaven with Christ (Col. 3:3). However, this does not free you from the strife of Satan's disastrous intentions. Salvation only shifts his goal for your life from one of eternal death to one of ineffectiveness. Sin is his favorite weapon because he knows it damages your relationship with God. However, the Cross eternally broke the power of sin. You no longer have to yield to its temptation. When temptation comes, remember the enemy's power has been broken. Jesus is your strong Advocate before the Father. Confess your sins, claim His forgiveness, and continue your life in the light of His grace.
The Lord is merciful and gracious. Slow to anger, and abounding in mercy (Ps. 103:8).
Christians should be the most joyful people on earth. The thrill of victory should dance on our tongues and souls since Christ has borne the agony of sin on His shoulders. Perhaps the wonder of your relationship with Christ has been obscured by a misplaced emphasis on the character of God. Yes, He is holy; yes, He is a righteous Judge. But He always exercises these attributes within the framework of His mercy and grace.
When you were saved, God became your loving Father. You are His treasured, precious son or daughter. Nothing you do will change His steadfast, fatherly love. Run if you will; rebel against His rule; yet the Father's heart does not turn away from you. When you were saved, Christ became your faithful friend. He is always there for you. You can never offend Him or disappoint Him since He knew you perfectly before you were saved and still He brought you to Himself (Rom. 5:6). He wants to help you, regardless of the mess you may have made. You are free to enjoy God because He has removed all of the barriers.
He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation (Eph. 2:14).
Your freedom from sin's penalty and power do not come cheaply. Your symbol of true freedom --- liberty from the chains of sin and self -- is a costly one. It is steeped in the blood of Jesus Christ, God's Son. On Calvary, Christ fought and secured your deliverance from sin. He paid the supreme price, the sacrifice of His divine life. The grace of God is wonderful, marvelous. But it is yours only through the ransom paid by God to God through Christ's torturous death. Bearing the guilt of your sin, He died in your place, turning aside the wrath of holy God. His sacrifice satisfied God's justice and opened heaven's doors to those who place their faith in Him. There is nothing passive about the Cross. There is nothing cheap about salvation. It is a gift --- a costly one.
Have you received Christ as your personal Savior? The gift of eternal life is free if you believe, but it was secured at a most extravagant price.
He loves YOU more than you'll ever know. To know the Lord as your Heavenly Father; (Abba-Father-Dad) takes a personal relationship with Him, that must be worked on DAILY.
Inside Agape
Annual Yard Sale
We would like to thank everyone that helped out at this years yard sale! Especially for Miss Ayers for donating her yard once again for this event.
All money raised is used for the Thanksgiving and Christmas Holidays. To help buy food, toys and clothes for children. Thank you to everyone who donated and bought stuff from the sale. Every little bit helps a lot!!
Newsletters / Food
We are going to start a quarterly newsletter instead of a bi-monthly. Our newsletter and Bible studies are going out to hundreds of people. From nursing homes to behind the walls and to peoples homes. We are also on line that reaches around the world with the gospel. With the economy, donations are down making it very hard to keep up with everything like postage, ink, paper, envelopes, Bibles, tracks, Bible studies,and food. Mark Ayers and many others are reaching into 9 different counties with food. There are so many with out and they are really making a difference in a lot of peoples lives. They make a lot of sacrifices of their time and a lot of gas to deliver the food. We are truly blessed to be able to reach out to so many. We would like to send out a "BIG GOD BLESS YOU" to the many volunteers that are reaching out to feed the needy. It seems like every year we grow in a different direction. There is always so much that needs done. All of us here are volunteers so that every dollar that comes in goes right back out to help those in need. If you would like to volunteer your time to reach out to others please call or email us for more information. If you are unable to donate your time maybe you can make a donation to help the needs of others. Please write in the memo part of your check what you would like your donation to go for like Bibles, newsletters, food, etc.... Please pray about helping us out. You can always be a prayer partner of ours as we value your prayers more than anything! May God bless you in a special way today!
Covenant in the Blood
1. Through the blood of Jesus I am redeemed out of the hand of the devil
2. Through the blood of Jesus ALL my sins are forgiven.
3. The blood of Jesus Christ, God’s Son, is cleansing me now from all sin.
4. Through the blood of Jesus, I am justified, made righteous, just as if I had never sinned.
5. Through the blood of Jesus, I am sanctified, made holy, set apart for God.
6. My body is a temple for the Holy Spirit --- Redeemed, cleansed, sanctified by the blood of Jesus.
7. The devil has no more place in me and no more power over me. I renounce him totally. I lift myself from him now and I command him to leave me in the name of JESUS.
Psalms 107:2, Ephesians 1:7, John 5:6, Romans 5:9, Hebrews 13:12. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20.
Why Blood ?
“And they went to a place which was called Gethsemane; and He said to His disciples, “Sit here, while I pray.” And He took Peter , James and John and began to be greatly distressed and troubled. And He said to them, “ My soul is very sorrowful, even to death; remain here, and watch.” And going a little farther, He fell on the ground and prayed that, if it were possible, the hour might pass from Him. And he said, “Abba, Father, all things are possible to Thee; remove this cup from Me; yet not what I will, but what Thou wilt.”(Mark 14: 2-36 RSV) Jesus knew that He was the Messiah, the “Lamb of God” (John 1:29) and yet, knowing what awaited Him in a few hours, since He was human He asked the Father to relieve Him of the need to actually go through with it. Ironically, He prayed so hard that “His sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground”(Luke 22:44 KJV) He asked three times, in deep and sorrowful prayer, but God’s answer was that it must be carried through. Why? Why did Jesus have to actually shed His Blood as a sacrifice for humanity?Life, Blood, and JusticeThe Penalty of Sin Is Death
We was born into sin because of what happened in the garden....
“Behold, the man has become like one of Us, knowing good and evil; and now, lest he put forth his hand and take also of the tree of life, and eat, and live forever, therefore The Lord God sent him forth from the garden of Eden” (Genesis 3:22-23)
“You are dust, and to dust you shall return” (Genesis 3:19 RSV)
“For the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23 RSV)Jesus Christ Paid The Death Penalty For Us, By His Shed Blood
“With the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. He was destined before the foundation of the world but was made manifest at the end of the times for your sake” (1 Peter 1:19-20 RSV)
“For this is My blood of the covenant, which is poured out for many for the forgiveness of sins”(Matthew 26:28)
“But one soldiers pierced his side with a spear, and at once there came out blood and water” (John 19:34)Old Testament Sacrifices Were Symbolic Of The Messiah
“But when Christ appeared as a High Priest of the good things that have come, then through the greater and more perfect tent, not made with hands, that is, not of this creation, He entered once for all into the Holy Place, taking not the blood of goats and calves but His own blood, thus securing an eternal redemption. For if the sprinkling of defiled persons with the blood of goats and bulls and with the ashes of a heifer sanctifies for the purification of the flesh, how much more shall the blood of Christ, Who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, purify your conscience from dead works to serve the living God.”
Therefore He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that those who are called may receive the promised eternal inheritance, since a death has occurred which redeem them from the transgressions under the first covenant.”
“For where a will is involved, the death of the one who made it must be established. For a will takes effect only at death, since it is not in force as long as the one who made it is alive. Even the first covenant was not ratified without blood. For when every commandment of the law had been declared by Moses to all people, he took the blood of calves and goats, with water and wool and hyssop, sprinkled both the book itself and all the people, saying, “This is the blood of the covenant which God commanded you.” And in the same way he sprinkled with the blood both the tent and all the vessels used in worship. Indeed, under the law almost everything is purified with blood, and without the shedding of blood there is no forgiveness of sins”.
Bible Trivia
Here is a legend for the categories that we will be using.
WIS = Wisdom OT = Old Testament NT = New Testament HIS = History / Geography
Wis = What does Jesus say that good trees bear?
OT = Why did Jacob's son kill every male of the Hivites?
NT = What did Jesus say a man would not give his son when he asks for a fish?
His = To where did an angel of the Lord tell Joseph to take the baby Jesus and Mary from Bethlehem?
Here are the answers from last issue.Wis = Matthew (Matt 5:5) OT = Lion and Bear NT = God (Acts 13:22) His = The Tower of Babel (Gen.11:2)
County Jail Communicator
The purpose of this column is to share t the love of Jesus with you. May He speak to your heart through these words. As Christians, we are asked by our Lord to witness to others who are lost and who may not know the love and forgiveness of Jesus. This is much easier to do if we ourselves are in a comfort zone.
Even in prison you get into a daily routine within a year or two, and no one lies to have their routine changed. When that happens, our most likely response is one of confusion and angers us to why God would allow this to happen to you, isn't it?
Well, that's what happened to me in late April 2010, Out of the blue , I was ordered to pick up my belongings within a half hour because I was going back to court. However, no one here could tell me why I was going.
So, after enduring a crowded hot ride back to my county jail. I sent a kite to my jailers as to why I was back. I was told it was for a resentencing hearing.
I thought, "But God", don't you know that I am suppose to see the parole board in a month? On top of all that, I had a good cell and a comfortable bunk and decent food and outside recreation and my own tv and etc....
No God, there's nothing for me at this county jail! There is no outside recreation, I have to sleep on a solid steel bunk bed the men around me are strangers and I can't go to work everyday or to commissary at all. Why in the world is this happening?
Guess what? I did not get an answer right away. But at least 3 weeks into my one month stay, I met a young man in my cell block who was a Christian once, but had backslid because of the events in his life. God gave me the words to encourage him with. I was able to share with him that God had not abandoned hi, but that he had walked away from God. Although he may have committed new sins, if he would but humble himself and ask God to forgive him through Jesus, he could have fellowship with the Father again.
I do not know if he did that or not. It seemed that was all the lord had me share with him. I was not led to speak to him anymore. So if God takes you out of your comfort zone, He always has a reason for it. Its not His will that any should perish, but all should come to repentance. (2 Peter 3:9)
Allow God to use you to bless others as the Apostle Paul did. As Paul did. Phill 4:11-13... For I have learned in whatever state I am to be content... I can do all things through Christ and strengthen me."
Gene
What Do You Want Most
At the age of 14 Andrea Jaeger won her first professional tennis tournament. At 18, she reached the finals of Wimbledon. But at the age of 19, a shoulder injury brought her career to an end. Her body was injured, but not her spirit. Andrea no longer serves up aces on the court, but she is serving society. She began a nonprofit organization called Kid’s Stuff Foundation that brings hope and joy to children who are suffering from cancer or other life-threatening illnesses. She run the organization full time, year-round, unpaid. She says, “You get very spoiled on the pro tour because you can hit a good shot.” It has been said that the main cause for failure and unhappiness is trading what you want most for what you want at the moment. If the best things in life are not things, what do you want most? Fulfillment? Love? Joy? Happiness? Meaning? Intimacy? Friendship? Spiritual wholeness? Success? Health? Hope? Something else?
What if you traded what you want at the moment for what you want most --- if you remember what is important in life and concentrate only on that. The life you build would be no less than INCREDIBLE! What are you trading off in your life.... and at what cost? The things that you think are important at that time in your life are costing you big. For you are really losing out on LIFE itself. The Word of God tells us that the most important thing called “Salvation” is FREELY given. It seems to me that the most important things in this life are freely given by the one that really loves us, GOD.
Action & Relationships
This column is written by Dennis in hope that you will take the necessary action to have a true relationship with God.
The Shinning Stars!!
Question? Have you ever gone out at night to look at the stars and maybe wonder what they might represent? I have! Let me share some thought's with you as to what they might represent and what is said about them. I know what science and the scientists say they are but in my mind I sometimes think that each and every star represents the multitude of angels, saints and all those who are saved and they are giving all honor and glory to God when they come out at night. Someone once said that the stars are like celestial evangelists above who circle the earth twenty four hours shouting in every language that there is God.
Those two scenarios about the stars bring to mind what I read in the bible. Daniel 12:2-3: Multitudes who sleep in the dust of the earth will awake : Some to everlasting life, others to shame and everlasting contempt. Those who are wise will shine like the brightness of the Heavens and those who lead many to righteousness, like the stars forever and ever.
So there you are. What might your thoughts be on what is written above? Maybe there is a little bit of fantasy on what is written, but it is something to think about.
Now there is something else that people get caught up with regarding the stars. As you gaze upon the stars that God created don't get caught up as others have thought out the generations in believing that they can reveal your future, do not trust them to that extent. No one will discover what the future holds in made up charts of God's stars. Only God knows the future and what lies ahead. Depend on Him and work in the power of His spirit.
In your journey through life with the ultimate goal of reaching heaven and being with God for all eternity. Concentrate on His real requirements. To trust, follow and Love Him and to find peace.
So in closing live to honor God. Consult your bible on a daily basis, not the stars the bible is God's map for you and He is the guide and your constant companion. So again as you make your way through life. Lean both on the map and the guide. Trust God with your future not the stars!
Dennis
The First Fourth of July
Things didn't happen overnight. It took years for the final draft of the Declaration to be written. At the same time The American Revolution was taking place. The draft was finally accepted on July 4, 1776. Over the next month, the document was read to the public and people celebrated whenever they heard it. In 1783 the war finally ended and Independence Day was made an official holiday.
Celebrations
Every July 4th, Americans have a day off work and stuff themselves full of food at picnics. There are activities in the afternoon including baseball games, music and more food. Some cities have parades. Then, at dusk, people watch fireworks displays. This is one birthday celebration you don't want to miss.
History
In the beginning of United States' history, 13 colonies were ruled by the King of England, King George III. These colonies were tired of having a king 3,000 miles away across the Atlantic Ocean. Two acts of defiance made history. Tea was purposely dumped into the Massachusetts (this event, known as the Boston tea party, was in reaction by the people to England raising their taxes), and in Boston harbor, British soldiers fired into a crowd after being jeered and stoned. The number of people killed was exaggerated (only a few people died), but the event became known as the Massacre.Brothers, let us glorify freedom’s twilight
Brothers, let us glorify freedom’s twilight
the great, darkening year.
Into the seething waters of the night
heavy forests of nets disappear.
O Sun, judge, people, your light
is rising over sombre years
Let us glorify the deadly weight
the people’s leader lifts with tears.
Let us glorify the dark burden of fate,
power’s unbearable yoke of fears.
How your ship is sinking, straight,
he who has a heart, Time, hears.
We have bound swallows
into battle legions - and we,
we cannot see the sun: nature’s boughs
are living, twittering, moving, totally:
through the nets the thick twilight - now
we cannot see the sun, and Earth floats free.
Let’s try: a huge, clumsy, turn then
of the creaking helm, and, see -
Earth floats free. Take heart, O men.
Slicing like a plough through the sea,
Earth, to us, we know, even in Lethe’s icy fen, has been worth a dozen heavens’ eternity.
Behind The Walls
This column is both written by and dedicated to inmates around the world. If you have a Praise report, poems, or something that you would like to share with others, please write us. Please make time to encourage others.
Michigan
Our greatest gift
Or greatest gift, comes from God above. It's our mother's and their undying love. In their eyes we can do no wrong, Their love for us is unconditional, and so very strong. Why then, do we hurt our very best friend. The only one we can count on right till the end. We always hurt the ones we love, this is so true. My only regret is hurting you. You did more for me, then I will ever know. Sow why did I lie, and hurt you so? If you could see into my heart , you would know I am sorry and need a new start. You will always be my number girl, my precious Mother, My beautiful Pearl.
Rebecca
The Miracle of Friendship
There's a miracle called friendship. That dwells within the heart and you don't know how it happens or when it gets it start... But the happiness it brings you always give a special lift. And you realize that "friendship" Is God most precious gift!
Father's Day Without You Is like Music
Father's Day without you is like music
Muted by a distance undisturbed.
It is so faint I cannot tell the feeling,
Though I myself am gripped with pensive sorrow.
I listen all the more for what I cannot
Hear, and you are somewhere close beside me.
"It's joy!" you say, and then I nod, unbending,
Listening still while weeping like fine rain.
Yes, it's joy, and you again are with me.
I turn to you, and I am in your arms.
The music is a rhapsody around me,
And I am safe again and free to cry.
It is so beautiful, I cannot stand it,
I am a torrent, shaking in my gladness,
And you recede, as distant as the music,
Smiling dimly far across the plain.
"Please, please!" I say, yet know that what I'm asking
No longer is. Your day will come and go,
And I will crave and fear its restless turning
Because my happiness must be my pain.
Grandfathers Are the Mountains We Call Home
Grandfathers are the mountains we call home:
Rugged, rock-faced remnants of our souls,
Alps far grander than our hills and knolls,
Now sheltering the fields through which we roam.
Dare we understand what they have been:
Fathers of the children of our dreams?
As we knew them, bathing in their streams,
They were the wakers of the gods within.
How beautiful they stand, though far away!
Each the guardian of a long lost child,
Reached alone by those whose love has smiled
So happily it danced right through their day.
Hands Are a Bond Between Father and Son
Hands are a bond between father and son,
A tool that one teaches the other to use,
Needing to pass on the passion, or lose
Doing what long generations have done:
Sowing the seeds of what they have begun.You’re Always There for Me
When the world comes crashing in
And chaos rules my mind,
I turn my heart to you, Lord,
And pure, sweet peace I find.
You lift me out of trouble
You comfort me in pain;
You nourish, heal and cleanse me,
Like cool, refreshing rain.
In times of joy and bliss,
When things are going right,
You lift me even higher,
And fill me with delight.
You listen to my prayers;
You hear my every plea;
I’m safe because I know
You’re always there for me.
By Joanna Fuchs
Help Me Forgive
When rage and fury overwhelm my heart,
It’s time to look to God’s own Holy Word.
I search the Bible for His good advice;
My will to His commands must be deferred.
In Romans God reveals His love for me;
In all things God works only for my good;
He gives me blessings I can’t understand;
I’d be peaceful if I’d do the things I should.
Jesus forgave so much; why then can’t I? I want to mold my life after His own.
I pray, I try, but my sinful nature wins;
Lord, help me, I can’t do this thing alone.
In Colossians, I read about the peace of Christ;
Oh, how I long to feel it in my heart.
All I have to do is to forgive,
But Lord, it seems I don’t know where to start. I need to walk a mile in the other’s shoes;
They’re doing what they think they have to do.
I know some problems are blessings in disguise,
But Lord, sometimes I feel so doggone blue.
Ephesians says "forgive as the Lord forgave you;
Get rid of anger and every form of malice."
I’d love to just let go and release it all,
But upon my heart is a wound that’s become a callus.
I’ll keep praying, trying, Lord, no matter what;
I’m determined to let go and relinquish blame;
Some day, I’ll say, and be truly sincere:
"I forgive it all in Jesus’ precious name."
(Romans 8:28, Colossians 3:13, Ephesians 4:31) By Joanna Fuchs
“The A-B-C’s of SALVATION”
A = Acknowledge Self as a SinnerBC
God has wagered He can make something great of you; the devil has gambled that you will fail. Your actions will prove one of them right.I AM THE DECLARATION OF INDEPENDENCE
by Genie Keller
I was born in 1776 on the 4th of July
Amid strife and the burning question of, why?
My aim to succeed in every way
To Bless my people with hope everyday.
My every word took a solemn beginning
The anticipation of futures and also of winning.
I was written with skill from far above
With meaningful words, blended with love.
The pattern was struck into every mind
To explain what was there for all mankind.
The Truth of the Right belongs to all men
To protect it and Guard it, secured to the end.
Now with hope in our hearts and the will of the state
With life, liberty and pursuit of happiness,
OR, our fate
I pledged to each person, the promise of peace
For Loyalty and Independence never to cease.
I wrote to protect us in all of our Rights
And grant us much strength through out all of the nights.
Please send in your testimonies, poems and stories to encourage one another in the Lord. You can write to us or email at; Agape Outreach P.O. Box 8183 Canton, Ohio 44711 email newsletter@agapeoutreach.org Make time to encourage each other and to pray for each others needs. Bind together in the name of Jesus!
When the enemy reminds you of your past; remind him of his future!
If you know someone that does not have access to a computer and would like for us to send them our bi-monthly newsletter, for a donation of $10 a year, we will add them to our monthly mailing list. Inmates and for those who are in nursing homes, our monthly newsletter will continue to be FREE of charge. Please fill out the form below where you would like it mailed to and make checks payable to; Agape Outreach
We need to encourage one another in the Lord. If you have some words of encouragement, poems, or a short story you would like to share, please mail it to us, or email it to us. When you send your letter please print so we can read it. It's good to encourage one another. We all need it. I would like to thank everyone who has mailed articles in over the years. May the Lord bless you as you reach out to encourage others. Our address; Agape Outreach P.O. Box 8183 Canton, Oh. 44711 or email to; Newsletter@agapeoutreach.org
Would like to take this time to thank you for taking the time to send in your poems and words of encouragement. It's always good to share with others.
= Confess Christ as Savior Romans 10:9-10; 1 John 4:15; Acts 19:18; John 1:9= Believe in Christ Acts 16:31; Luke 5:32; Luke 13:3; Romans 2:4; John 3:16-17; John 20:31; Hebrews 11:6; Romans 10:17; Acts 10:43Romans 3:23; 3:10-12, Isaiah 53:6; James 2:10; John 3:3; Acts 4:12
= Judges (Judges 20:15-16) = The losing candidate to be replacement for the apostle Judas Iscariot (Acts 1:23-26) = 2 Samuel (2 Sam. 21:20)= Grandchildren (Prov. 17-6) = Who bought property from Naomi? = What was the occupation of Joseph, husband of Mary? = Which of Isaac's sons was supposed to receive his blessing? = Who hung five kings on trees? = Wisdom OT = Old Testament NT = New Testament HIS = History / GeographyRight from the earliest times, as God decreed blood was equated with life: “For the life of every creature is the blood of it”? (Leviticus 17:14 RSV) The devil has no more place in me and no more power over me. I renounce him totally. I lift myself from him now and I command him to leave me in the name of JESUS. Psalms 107:2, Ephesians 1:7, John 5:6, Romans 5:9, Hebrews 13:12. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20. Through the blood of Jesus, I am sanctified, made holy, set apart for God. The blood of Jesus Christ, God’s Son, is cleansing me now from all sin. Through the blood of Jesus ALL my sins are forgiven. Through the blood of Jesus I am redeemed out of the hand of the devil
