Pastor Cheri
PRAYER
We thank you greatly Lord for another opportunity to hear Your Word and be lifted, we open our hearts, our spirits, to receive all that you have for us this hour and we run with every Word released today, in Jesus' Mighty Name. Amen.
WHY WE GIVE OUR FIRST FRUITS? (BENEFITS)
We are commanded to give it [Prov 3: 9-10, Ex 22: 29]
By giving your first fruit, you secure and sanctify the rest of your fruits (Rom 11: 16)
We give our first fruits that the blessing of God may rest upon us (Eze 44:30)
By giving it, you demonstrate your appreciation for God and the things He has done in your life (Deut 26:10 – 11)
It releases the anointing upon your life. The bible says thy presses shall burst out with new wine. New wine symbolizes the anointing (Prov 3:9)
God is delighted in our obedience to His word; for it is better to obey than to sacrifice. [I Sam 15: 22]
WHERE DO YOU TAKE THE FIRST- FRUIT TO?
It is to be taken to the house of God (Deut 26: 1-4)
Not just any one in the house of God is to receive it, only the priest/Pastor could receive it. (Neh 10: 35 – 37)
The Priest (Pastor) receives it and proclaims the blessing upon you (Eze 44: 30)
Other references - Leviticus 23:20; Deut 18: 3 – 5
WAYS OF GIVING FIRST FRUITS
1. New Job: First salary package
2. New Year: First salary or first income (for those who don’t earn a salary)
3. Promotion on your Job or Increase in your salary – i.e. that will be the difference between the old and new salary. (If your heart condemns you go ahead and give all. He is looking for something to multiply back to you).
Note that giving your first fruit offering may also be a personal revelation, and there are times the Holy Ghost will instruct you in a way that is not common to everyone else around you. For example a businessperson may give first fruit offerings severally, every time he experiences an increase or receives new goods.
The Feast of First Fruits is also referred to as the Feast of harvest [Exo 23: 16]. This means in celebrating our giving of First Fruit we are invariably celebrating the harvest which we would experience throughout the year. It is an act of faith. Therefore bring in your First Fruit with joy and thanksgiving; Give it celebrating and have an expectation when you have acted on the word of God.
Study these Scriptures
Leviticus 23: 9 – 10, Exodus 34: 26, Proverbs 3: 9 -10
