FATHER wants us all to be overcomers. Why? HE desires a family to fellowship with and to express HIS unconditional Love.
Paul wrote by The Holy Spirit in Romans chapter 8:
14The mature children of God are those who are moved by the impulses of the Holy Spirit. 15And you did not receive the “spirit of religious duty,” leading you back into the fear of never being good enough. But you have received the “Spirit of full acceptance,” enfolding you into the family of God. And you will never feel orphaned, for as He rises up within us, our spirits join Him in saying the words of tender affection, “Beloved Father!”
The greater the revelation of Agape Love, the greater level of maturity as a Son or a Daughter. This is why The Holy Spirit continually emphasizes Agape Love in many of my writings. This is why He has led me to use The Passion Translation (TPT) as the primary Scriptural reference in most of the New Testament books.
In 1998 when I was studying the Scriptures in the area of the meaning of numbers and Biblical names, FATHER suddenly spoke to me about the address of my house. HE had directed us to buy this particular house even though we had been focused elsewhere. We had not looked in Bethany for any houses back in 1991-92, but were looking to the north side of Oklahoma City. HE had a different plan. After looking at over 200 houses to the north (wasting time and energy on Saturdays for over a year) and never getting peace, one Saturday morning HE spoke to me and told me to go by this particular house in Bethany.
The owner was outside and invited me in to look at the house. I knew this was the one. I took my wife by and she confirmed in her spirit. Little did we know, we took possession of the house on the 1st day of Tabernacles that year. Had I simply waited on a Word from FATHER instead of looking at 200 houses, my life would have been much simpler and more productive… clearly, I was less mature at the time and notably impatient.
Back to 1998. HE told me that my address was prophetic. I looked up the name and it represented the two Covenants of entering the Promised Land, one at Gilgal and the other at Shechem. I was all excited about the revelation. Then HE said, “That is not all, the street number is also important.” The number is 2005. “I will give you a revelation in that year.” Are you kidding? I had to wait seven years?
For the entire year of 2005 I waited. Of course HE gave me The Word in December. HE said “You are to focus foremost on Agape Love and set aside your past focus in other areas.” HE then told me to set up Servias Ministries in 2006. It was never my idea to do this. HE instructed me to write blogs and minister through this entity. Here we are! As you can see, by faith I followed HIS instructions. The adversary has attempted to take me out multiple times since but FATHER has protected me from those attempts, even with direct angelic intervention. Am I special? No more than you for we are all meant to be HIS mature children and fellowship with HIM at HIS table with Christ. As you can see, I had to exercise faith without knowing any details other than what HE spoke to me. HE did not explain the future in any detail. Be assured, those details are in the book written in Heaven before I was born. You and I simply need to trust HIS Word to us. Walk in Love foremost and then walk in faith by Love.
28 So we are convinced that every detail of our lives is continually woven together for good, for we are HIS Lovers who have been called to fulfill HIS designed purpose.
29 For HE knew all about us before we were born and HE destined us from the beginning to share the likeness of HIS Son. This means the Son is the oldest among a vast family of brothers and sisters who will become just like Him.
30 Having determined our destiny ahead of time, HE called us to HIMSELF and transferred HIS perfect righteousness to everyone HE called. And those who possess HIS perfect righteousness HE co-glorified with HIS Son!
What a Word of encouragement! As we walk out our destiny being led by The Holy Spirit in a greater degree, we will be “co-glorified” with Jesus, our Elder Brother. This is our destiny and the fact you are reading this is your assurance of FATHER’S Divine Intent for your life. The time is now, not seven years from now.
When I downloaded a copy of TPT on my phone, I received the following welcome link, it may add to the perspective of why I use this translation so much: