MY FIRSTFRUIT OFFERING

TEXT: DEUTERONOMY 26:1-11

1 Then it shall be, when you enter the land which the Lord your God gives you as an inheritance, and you possess it and live in it,
2 that you shall take some of the first of all the produce of the ground which you bring in from your land that the Lord your God gives you, and you shall put it in a basket and go to the place where the Lord your God chooses to establish His name.
3 “You shall go to the priest who is in office at that time and say to him, ‘I declare this day to the Lord my God that I have entered the land which the Lord swore to our fathers to give us.’
4 “Then the priest shall take the basket from your hand and set it down before the altar of the Lord your God.
5 “You shall answer and say before the Lord your God, My father was a wandering Aramean, and he went down to Egypt and sojourned there, few in number; but there he became a great, mighty and populous nation.

6 And the Egyptians treated us harshly and afflicted us, and imposed hard labor on us. 

7 ‘Then we cried to the Lord, the God of our fathers, and the Lord heard our voice and saw our affliction and our toil and our oppression;
8 and the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm and with great terror and with signs and wonders;
9 and He has brought us to this place and has given us this land, a land flowing with milk and honey.
10 ‘Now behold, I have brought the first of the produce of the ground which You, O Lord have given me.’ And you shall set it down before the Lord your God, and worship before the Lord your God;
11 and you and the Levite and the alien who is among you shall rejoice in all the good which the Lord your God has given you and your household. 

WINING STARTS WITH BEGINNING, AND BEGINNING START WITH A SINGLE ACTION. THAT ACTION IS YOUR FIRSTFRUIT OFFERING. 

 

ITS SO TRUE FOR PEOPLE WHO:

 - WANT TO RECOVER ALL (1 SAM 30:17)

 - WANT TO RECEIVE DOUBLE PORTION (ISAIAH 61:7) IN THIS YEAR OF DOUBLE PERFECTION

 - WANT TO FULFILL THEIR DESTINY

WHAT IS FIRSTFRUIT?

- it is the first portion of the HARVEST that is given to God

1. It can be a produce of the ground - Lev. 27:30
2. It can be an offspring of the womb - Num. 18:13
3. It's your ACTION (acts of worship) It could be Talent, Time or Treasure

     Our God does not accept our SECOND BEST. God want to be FIRST in everything. 

        3 things our God don't accept:

         - Don't give God a TIP

         - Don't give God a SURPLUS

         - Don't give God your LEFT-OVER

 

THE IMPORTANCE

- it guarantee that there will be a continue supply (your harvest) Proverbs 3:9-10

- it connects you to GOD'S covenant or blessing of prosperity (Deut 26:; Lev. 27)

- it guarantee an open heaven (Mal. 3:8-10)

- it connects the Jew via circumcision on the 8th day to GOD'S covenant of blessing

- it is the key to putting God first in your life - Pro. 3:9

YOUR FIRSTFRUIT AS YOUR ROOT SYSTEM

- no plant can survive without the root 

Seeing at a distance a fig tree in leaf, He went to see if perhaps He would find anything on it; and when He came to it, He found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. (Mark 11:13)

As they were passing by in the morning, they saw the fig tree withered from the roots up. 

(Mark 11:20)

- whatever life is in the root covers the rest of the plant

- once the root dies the plant dies

- your FIRSTFRUIT when sanctify at the alter of God, sanctify the rest of your finances

If the first piece of dough is holy, the lump is also; and if the root is holy, the branches are too. (Romans 11:16)

"2016 YOU HAVE CROSSED OVER FROM LABOR TO FAVOR IN JESUS NAME" -
I DECREE THE GOODNESS OF THE LORD TO FOLLOW YOU FROM JANUARY TO DECEMBER IN JESUS NAME.
SAY A LOUD AMEN!
"And the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a mighty hand and an outstretched arm and with great terror and with signs and wonders" Deuteronomy 26:8
“Like an eagle that stirs up its nest, That hovers over its young, He spread His wings and caught them, He carried them on His pinions. The Lord alone guided him..." Deuteronomy 32:11-12

 Worship with us today at 635 Main Street, Farmingdale, NY 11735
www.bethelofpraise.org

PRAY FOR YOUR PASTOR.

"And I, behold, I have taken your brethren the Levites (Pastors) from among the children of Israel: to you they are given as a gift for the Lord, to do the service of the tabernacle of the congregation" (Numbers 18:6)

"The elders (Pastors) who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching" (1 Timothy 5:17)

 Here in the United Sates, the Month of October is Pastors appreciation month. The work of a Pastor is one of the most hazardous job, a Pastor contend with forces seen and unseen everyday, and still have to operate under a tight budget with a coterie of volunteers. Pastors are Priest who stand between God and man offering sacrifices, they are called and appointed to watch over your souls. 

Pastors are gift to the church. A simple definition of a gift implies, something given voluntarily without payment in return, as to show favor towards someone. The value of the work of a Pastor is unquantifiable and yet lots of Pastors are suffering and even burning out. This month, show that you value your Pastor.

THINGS YOU CAN DO TO APPRECIATE YOUR PASTOR

• Pray for your Pastors always
• Let him/her know how his ministry has been a blessing to you
• Send him/her a thank you card
• Send your Pastor a gift
• Take your Pastor out to lunch or dinner
• Help to clean their house or car
• Do something about your Pastor's wardrobe
• Protect, defend and beautify your Pastor
• Organize a special celebration for your Pastor
• Send your Pastor on vacation 

Pray and connect to your Pastor that you may prosper.

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Give your donation at www.bethelofpraise.org

An image of a 3-year-old drown Syrian boy, identified as Aylan Kurdi, washed up face-down on a Turkish beach after he, his father and 5-year-old brother were trying to flee to the Greek island of Kos.

HAPPY ROSH HASHANAH TO ALL OUR JEWISH FRIENDS

THE JEWISH HIGH HOLY DAYS

Rosh HaShanah is the Jewish New Year, which marks the beginning of a 10-day period of prayer, self-examination and repentance, known as the High Holy Days. The first night of Rosh HaShanah began TONIGHT, September 13th.
The origin of Rosh HaShanah is from the Bible book of Leviticus (23:24-25) which says “In the seventh month, on the first day of the month, you shall observe a day of rest, a memorial proclaimed with the blowing of the shofar, a holy convocation.”
Then, 10 days from now, (Sep 22 – 23), Jews will observe Yom Kippur, the holiest day on the Jewish calendar. Yom Kippur means "Day of Atonement" and is a serious observance of fasting, prayer and repentance.
In three separate passages in the Torah of the Old Testament, the Jewish people are told, "the tenth day of the seventh month is the Day of Atonement. It shall be a sacred occasion for you: You shall practice self-denial."(Leviticus 23:27). The Yom Kippur fast is intended to help a person focus on their own spiritual needs and spiritual hunger through prayer and repentance. It is a time to rededicate oneself to reconciliation - with both God and with other human beings – by both asking forgiveness and offering forgiveness to others.
Jesus repeated this Old Testament teaching in the Lord’s Prayer when he commanded us to pray “And forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.”

I wish all my Jewish friends “Happy New Year!” as they observe Rosh Hashanah!

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

A MAMA'S JOKE

Four brothers left home for college, and they became successful doctors and lawyers and prospered. Some years later, they chatted after having dinner together. They discussed the gifts they were able to give their elderly mother who lived far away in another city.
The first said, "I had a big house built for Mama."
The second said, "I had a hundred thousand dollar theater built in the house."     The third said "I had my Mercedes dealer deliver an SL600 to her."
The fourth said, "You know how Mama loved reading the Bible and you know she can't read anymore because she can't see very well. I met this preacher who told me about a parrot that can recite the entire Bible. It took twenty preachers 12 years to teach him. I had to pledge to contribute $100,000 a year for twenty years to the church, but it was worth it. Mama just has to name the chapter and verse and the parrot will recite it."
The other brothers were impressed. After the holidays Mom sent out her thank you notes.

"She wrote: "Milton, the house you built is so huge. I live in only one room, but I have to clean the whole house. Thanks anyway."
"Marvin, I am too old to travel. I stay home, I have my groceries delivered, so I never use the Mercedes. The thought was good. Thanks."
"Michael, you gave me an expensive theater with Dolby sound, it could hold 50 people, but all my friends are dead, I've lost my hearing and I'm nearly blind. I'll never use it. Thank you for the gesture just the same."
"Dearest Melvin, you were the only son to have the good sense to give little thought to your gift. The chicken was delicious. Thank you."

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY

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