January 2012 – Firstfruits - In Real Life

In Spirit and in Truth

God desires those that would worship Him in Spirit and in truth. That means God is looking for a people that will worship Him in their heart of hearts and walk it out in real life. This means that the good we know to do, we actually do in real life. God’s divine principle of First Fruits is about prioritizing His presence in your life as an act of worship.

This month we have been talking about the principle of firstfruits; the principle of one for many. We know that firstfruits is the principle that what you do with the first things in your life determines what happens to all the rest. Firstfruits is really about order in your life. When we get our priorities out of order, we get into confusion. Confusion is disorder with darkness, and it’s not of God. Any time a first becomes a second, you’re going to have chaos in your life. Our foundation is putting the Cornerstone, Jesus Christ first. Without a foundation, then there will be no structure, and the first element is the foundation. Today, I want to talk to you about “real life” ways of putting God first in our lives.

We Can Trust Him

If we sow the best of ourselves to God as an act of worship, He will complete us and add to us all the things we need. The Word says, “…seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Matthew 6:33). He has given us all things necessary for life and godliness. He takes care of the birds, which don’t even sow or reap. How much more will He take care of us, who have more value than many sparrows? With God, we never have to be afraid of something we let out of our hands towards Him in an act of worship, whether it is a relationship, an act of boldness, or our giving; we never have to be afraid because we have immeasurable value to God.

We Know The Way

The knowledge of what we “should” do is already contained like a vision or memory in our hearts. That’s why the Bible says in the book of James we need to do the good we “know” to do. In other words, God has put a vision in your heart of the good things He preordained for you to do in your life on the earth. There is knowledge already in your heart of what you need to do every day in real life. Jesus said in John 14:2b-4:

Jesus basically told His disciples, “I am going to heaven to prepare a place for you, but I have already put the knowledge in you that you need to arrive at the place I am going.” That’s why we need to do the things we “know” to do in real life every day. How does this have anything to do with firstfruits?

Get On The Floor

We’re talking about offering yourselves to God in real life, on the dance floor of our lives. It’s one thing to talk about it and want to serve God in your heart, but the real test comes when you get out there on the floor of the story of your life. Will you be in the flesh or in the Spirit?

Remember that God has already put supernatural knowledge in your heart of what you should do. Jesus is “the Way.” Maybe there is a coworker you need to get bold and encourage. Maybe there is an item you hold dear, but God is tugging at your heart to bless someone else with it because they’re in need. When you release the supernatural knowledge God put in your heart by acting on it, you’re following the “script” God wrote in your heart for the story of your life.

Work

Jesus said to go into all the world. You have a sphere of influence, to evangelize. Being a Christian is not just about you. It is about Jesus and helping others find Him. Work is a treasure trove of opportunities to serve the living God. The Word of God says to serve our earthly masters with singleness of heart; not just doing things to look good, but really serving them from heart, no matter their attitude. The Bible says in Luke 6:35 that God is kind to the unthankful and the unholy.

Or maybe you are the boss – the Word of God says to be kindhearted, knowing that your Master is in heaven also. We will need some extra reliance on the Holy Spirit and self-control. If we tell our flesh to ‘shut up’ and serve people at work as unto the Lord, we set ourselves up for blessing, and offer ourselves as a sacrifice. Sometimes this can unlock favor we wouldn’t have had access to otherwise!

Relationships

Relationships are probably the most important things in our lives to God. The Bible even says that others will know our true identity by how we treat others. “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another,” states John 13:35.

It’s not easy to love the unlovable. Maybe there are people you know who are lost and who pluck your last nerve. It’s impossible to love others without the knowing love of God for ourselves. Romans 5:5 says that the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Spirit. The power to love others unconditionally is not found in yourself, but that ability is placed there by the Holy Spirit.

If we’re giving God the best part of ourselves by allowing His love to be released in our relationships every day, then we’re prioritizing His presence and staying in order. 1 Corinthians 13 says that the greatest spiritual gift is love!

Trials

Jesus tells us in the Bible that while we are in the world, we will have trouble. He gave us the key to overcoming trials in His next statement: “…but be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world.” (John 16:33) Jesus tells us to keep our joy and always know that He has already overcome everything in this world. He gives us the mental attitude we need to hold on to in order to get through our trials. “Be of good cheer, for I have overcome the world.”

In real life, it is a supernatural act of worship to hold on to your faith AND your good attitude during a fiery trial. Offer God the sacrifices of praise in that season. When you do this, you are giving Him absolutely the best part of yourself and accelerating your victory.

Mornings And Prayer

Any time is the “right time” to activate the power of prayer, but the first hours of your day are so important. The morning will govern a good part of how the rest of your day goes. That’s why we should wake up and “set” our attitude by letting our first thoughts be of praise, prayer and reading some Scripture. That’s why David said in the Psalms, “In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.” (Psalm 5:3, NIV) Talk to Him first every day, before you do anything else. Come to Him with your needs and desires – family, career, financial recovery and blessings. He will honor your faithfulness!

Be A Doer!

By prioritizing God’s presence in our lives and giving Him the best part daily, we are keeping with the principle of firstfruits. We’re seeking Him first in our workplace, loving the unlovable, sharing with those in need, keeping our joy in trials and being faithful in prayer.

The Word works! When we seek Him first, and give Him the best part first, all the things we need in life will be added to us supernaturally by His hand. Our lives will be aligned with His plan and purpose, and positive results and a satisfied life will be the result.

Now that you understand the principle of firstfruits - giving God the best part – you should do what you know to do. Remember, Jesus told the disciples as He was leaving in John 14:4 that they already the way back home. As you incorporate the “First things first – GOD FIRST!” principle as the root and foundation of your life, you will see how this attitude blossoms and transforms every area – your family, relationships, health, career and finances.