Thursday, January 15, 2015

First Fruits BY: KB © 1.15.15

Man! I'm at home battling yet another bout of cooties but I am also praising God for the opportunity to rely on Him for sustenance. I have to say whatever form of viral hell I picked up is extra powerful, I woke up drenched in sweat yesterday and for a minute, I didn't know where I was, but I remain in praise.

I had to change my bed linens and do my laundry because I didn't want to lay a clean body on contaminated sheets so, I mustered up enough energy to get so basic housekeeping done....so now, I'm lying in a nice clean bed and enjoying my book....which brings me to my point T.D. Jakes has done it again. I'm at the very end of the book and I truly hate to release the writer and the writings but T.D. ends the book just as big as he started. He ends with the story of the ten lepers being healed. He started off the story discussing on how God designed things to return to Him. He used examples of how corn fields bloom and give back; how bees pollinate and give back; how streams flow into rivers, etc... T.D. Jakes illustrates how we are all connected and how we have the choice to give back; He also notes that the process of giving back denotes that you understand not only your calling but your purpose. Imagine that! Knowing your purpose!!!!

James 1: 16 -18   …16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren.17 Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow. 18 In the exercise of His will He brought us forth by the word of truth, so that we would be a kind of first fruits among His creatures.

Yes, we can enjoy blessing but how many of us know that a blessing is just a temporary thing if we never stop to acknowledge and celebrate the ONE who caused it to happen. If we never get too the place of celebration we will constantly be driven by our needs and desires. We will constantly live in peaks and valleys of emotions.

Getting to the story of the ten lepers, ten men were healed but only one returned to Jesus. Ten men were celebrating restoration but the one that returned was made whole because he stopped to acknowledge the source of it all rather than praise in the moment.  (I hope this makes sense, I'm trying to convey this as best I can) Let me take you to another example using the scripture that God used to describe himself He said "I AM the great  I AM" which means His provision is not impacted by time. So to put it in terms that we can relate to...say you had an amazing birthday party when you were six years old and you're now forty six.....you start your story with "remember that time." When you know that things of God are  returned to Him you speak of His provision in the moment saying "God is!" even if that thing has not manifested itself , you faith knows that God can and God will and He is always active in the present I AM....I AM...I AM

Are you acting as a "first fruit"? Are you bringing your gifts back to God? (Remember the story of Cain and Abel?) Do you know your purpose or are you content to receive without ever giving back?


How ya livin'?!!

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