January, 24, 2023
Dear Church Family,
This past Saturday, the 21st, we began a church-wide 21-day fast. I explained the biblical emphasis of this fast the previous Sunday in a message called Fasting for Miracles. Praise the Lord …who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think; miracles have already begun to happen. We had one in the church finances and another in the important worship team realm.
My message this last Sunday was, “Firstfruits and Miracles”. Giving firstfruits in faith honors the Lord and releases an increase of miracles in our lives. Isaiah 8:18 says, Here am I and the children whom the LORD has given me! We are for signs and wonders in Israel from the LORD of hosts, Who dwells in Mount Zion. The Lord is saying, “Look and see for miracles will be like never before”. It seems the Lord desires to distinguish His people through the miraculous becoming their normal.
The scriptures teach that firstfruits is an entirely different offering than the tithe. The tithe is given after the harvest to honor and thank the Lord for His goodness and provision. Whereas firstfruits is given in faith before the harvest to consecrate the increase yet to come. For example, Sunday, the first day of the week, has historically been known as The Lord’s Day. When we gather at the first part of that day to give the Lord our attention and affection, it is an act of giving firstfruits that consecrates the rest of the week. Romans 11:16 says, For if the firstfruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches. When first things are put first, the rest will be blessed.
Since 2009 we have designated a three-month period of time for giving firstfruits. This year it begins on Sunday, January 29th, and ends Sunday, April 30th. Of course, you can give firstfruits at any time throughout the year, but this is when firstfruits is a church-wide emphasis.
I am asking that, first of all, you would prayerfully ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the amount of the firstfruits faith gift you should pledge this Sunday morning. Secondly, on your firstfruits envelope that will be provided this Sunday morning, record your pledge amount and the specific need or harvest that you desire to consecrate with firstfruits. Third and finally, please come prepared to give your best offering towards beginning to fulfill your firstfruits pledge as the Lord blesses you.
2 Chronicles 31:10 tells us that when “the people began to bring the offerings into the house of the Lord” the Lord began to bless them. When the people began to bring… the Lord began to bless, and He blessed them so much that there was more than enough and great abundance left over.
Sunday morning, I will release an apostolic blessing over your firstfruits pledges and offerings, and this year of 2023, we will look and see many miracles of God’s abundant blessing and breakthrough.
Blessings above & beyond,
Pastor David
Dear Church Family,
This past Saturday, the 21st, we began a church-wide 21-day fast. I explained the biblical emphasis of this fast the previous Sunday in a message called Fasting for Miracles. Praise the Lord …who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think; miracles have already begun to happen. We had one in the church finances and another in the important worship team realm.
My message this last Sunday was, “Firstfruits and Miracles”. Giving firstfruits in faith honors the Lord and releases an increase of miracles in our lives. Isaiah 8:18 says, Here am I and the children whom the LORD has given me! We are for signs and wonders in Israel from the LORD of hosts, Who dwells in Mount Zion. The Lord is saying, “Look and see for miracles will be like never before”. It seems the Lord desires to distinguish His people through the miraculous becoming their normal.
The scriptures teach that firstfruits is an entirely different offering than the tithe. The tithe is given after the harvest to honor and thank the Lord for His goodness and provision. Whereas firstfruits is given in faith before the harvest to consecrate the increase yet to come. For example, Sunday, the first day of the week, has historically been known as The Lord’s Day. When we gather at the first part of that day to give the Lord our attention and affection, it is an act of giving firstfruits that consecrates the rest of the week. Romans 11:16 says, For if the firstfruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches. When first things are put first, the rest will be blessed.
Since 2009 we have designated a three-month period of time for giving firstfruits. This year it begins on Sunday, January 29th, and ends Sunday, April 30th. Of course, you can give firstfruits at any time throughout the year, but this is when firstfruits is a church-wide emphasis.
I am asking that, first of all, you would prayerfully ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the amount of the firstfruits faith gift you should pledge this Sunday morning. Secondly, on your firstfruits envelope that will be provided this Sunday morning, record your pledge amount and the specific need or harvest that you desire to consecrate with firstfruits. Third and finally, please come prepared to give your best offering towards beginning to fulfill your firstfruits pledge as the Lord blesses you.
2 Chronicles 31:10 tells us that when “the people began to bring the offerings into the house of the Lord” the Lord began to bless them. When the people began to bring… the Lord began to bless, and He blessed them so much that there was more than enough and great abundance left over.
Sunday morning, I will release an apostolic blessing over your firstfruits pledges and offerings, and this year of 2023, we will look and see many miracles of God’s abundant blessing and breakthrough.
Blessings above & beyond,
Pastor David