Category Archives: Firstfruits

5 Loaves + 2 Fish

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But He answered them, “You give them something to eat!” And they said to Him, “Shall we go and spend two hundred denarii on bread and give them something to eat?” Mark 6:37

Lets set the scene…there is a large crowd composed of men, woman, and children. They have traveled from great distances to see the Son of God speak. Its getting late, everyone is hungry and tired. The location they are at is remote, it would take hours to travel back into town, so the disciples decided to send them all away

But notice what Jesus says “You give them something to eat!”

The disciples are perplexed, they don’t have any food or shelter to give anyone. How are they going to feed a crowd of over 5,000 people?

And He said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go look!” And when they found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.” Mark 6:38

Notice how Jesus responds, “How many loaves do you have?”  Meaning instead of saying all the things we don’t have , tell him what we do have to give!”  This is a lesson even today all of us can learn from. We have many reasons and excuses to not help people out, limited money, limited time, limited resources. But God doesn’t want to hear our excuses he wants to know what we have and he will bless it!

And He took the five loaves and the two fish, and looking up toward heaven, He blessed the food and broke the loaves and He kept giving them to the disciples to set before them; and He divided up the two fish among them all. Mark 6:41

Jesus took what the disciples did have to offer, blessed it, and multiplied it! There was more Bread and Fish , then the disciples knew what to do with. God is our provider, not us. We need to take the gifts that God has given us and use them to serve others, and God will bless and provide for us in Jesus Name Amen!

Heart, Mind, and Soul

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“If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.” Genesis 4:7

Today we take a look at Cane and Abel, brothers that Satan tore apart to caused the first murder! Both brothers brought an offering before God; however God was pleased with Abel’s but not Cain’s? Why?

We have to remember God wants our heart,mind, and soul (Matthew 22:37) not just our presence, like quality over quantity. It says that Abel offered his first born sheep of his flock (Firstfruits), this was the best Abel had to offer and because of this God was pleased.  While Cain offered some random fruit from his garden, could have been leftovers or bad fruit, but it surely wasn’t his best, God rejected it!

God doesn’t really care what you are offering him, but what you are offering him should be the best you can provide from your heart. Cain was just going through the motions basically trying to trick God, but God reads our hearts, minds, and soul.

Now this rejection from God obviously upset Cain, and instead of him trying to do better, he became insanely jealous of his brother Abel.  As God said to him “sin is crouching at your door” meaning if you allow this jealousy and anger to manifest in you, it will grow into sin (James 1:15). That’s exactly what happened.

Instead of Cain, repenting, he allowed sin to grow into murder! (James 1:15) God wants us to love him with all our heart, mind, and soul (Matthew 22:37) , not just going through the motions!  Just like the 5 loaves and 2 fish, give God whatever you have and he will bless you in Jesus Name Amen!

First Fruits

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But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. 1 Corinthians 15:20-22

Originally God designed us to be immortal, but by the Sins of Adam he has cursed humanity. But then The Word Became Flesh thru Jesus Christ and he has redeemed humanity once again.

But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. 1 Corinthians 15:23-24

When Paul uses the term Firstfruits, he’s referring to the harvest offering Jews would give God at the beginning of Grain Harvest. Jesus is the Firstfruits or the sacrifice that redeems us all. He sits all the right hand of God with all authority, King of Kings. If you accept him he will accept you into the Kingdom of God.

For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. For he “has put everything under his feet.” Now when it says that “everything” has been put under him, it is clear that this does not include God himself, who put everything under Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:25-27

Jesus is sitting on the throne, and before God can restore his Kingdom, Jesus will destroy all evil on the Earth. Satan’s days are numbered, his sin and corruption is temporary but the Kingdom of God will stand forever.

When he has done this, then the Son himself will be made subject to him who put everything under him, so that God may be all in all. 1 Corinthians 15:28

Jesus has been giving the authority by God , he is the judge and ruler of the Earth. If you accept him he will stand for before God, no one is worthy without the redemption of Jesus Christ.

Now if there is no resurrection, what will those do who are baptized for the dead? If the dead are not raised at all, why are people baptized for them? And as for us, why do we endanger ourselves every hour? 1 Corinthians 15:29-30

Jesus saved the world, without his sacrifice we would be slaves to sin and death. But thru him we are redeemed. Nobody gets to the Father without going thru the Son

I face death every day–yes, just as surely as I boast about you in Christ Jesus our Lord. If I fought wild beasts in Ephesus with no more than human hopes, what have I gained? If the dead are not raised, “Let us eat and drink, for tomorrow we die.”  Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” Come back to your senses as you ought, and stop sinning; for there are some who are ignorant of God–I say this to your shame. 1 Corinthians 15:31-34

The world tells us “ You only live once” or “Live like theres no tomorrow” implying you should live recklessly because there are no consequences. But thru Jesus Christ we will live forever, our human bodies may pass away one day but we will be resurrected just like Christ.

Trust in our Lord Jesus, he is the only way to eternal life and to God. Prepare for eternity, follow Gods plan for you in Jesus name Amen