Donna K's Bible Study
Title: God Wants Our Firstfruits
by Donna Kazenske
God Wants Our Firstfruits
By: Donna J. Kazenske
As I was teaching one of my classes the other night, the Lord began to speak
to
the class in a precious way. He said, "I'm tired of the leftovers,
I want your firstfruits." We have all been guilty of giving God the "leftovers"
of our time, our attention, and our lives. We pray a "lay me down to sleep"
prayer at 11:00 PM and quickly fall asleep without finishing the prayer
that we are attempting to pray. We wear ourselves out, and then give God
the "leftovers". He wants our firstfruits. He wants to commune with us
when we are "fresh" and attentive to what He is saying. He desires our
complete attention and devotion. He wants to minister to us and impart
His truths to us in ways that we've not known. When we're worn out, we
miss out on many of the things that the Lord wants to impart or speak to
us.
It can be very difficult to hear the Lord speak to us when we are
tired and weary. Our brains have a tendency to "chill out". Our physical
bodies can only take so much abuse before they completely shut down. They
"check out". Many get confused when they are tired and weary, because they
don't understand why they can't hear the voice of the Lord like they used
to hear Him. Their prayer time becomes a duty instead of a privilege. While
trying to read the Bible, they bob for apples, because they just can't stay
awake.
Some of the revivalists and reformers of old were men who wouldn't quit.
They pushed themselves until their physical bodies couldn't take it any
longer. Their friends would tell them to "slow down", "take a break", "rest",
but they refused to listen to anyone. Does this sound familiar?
George
Whitefield, one of the greatest preachers that England ever had, was one
of these men who refused to slow down. He fasted so much that he developed
stomach problems. He would fast for weeks at a time. His doctors advised
him to
"slow down", but his quick response was, "I'd rather wear out than
rust out." He died shortly afterwards. Oh, that God would give us wisdom
to know when to run and when to walk.
It's good to fast, pray, preach, prophesy, teach and do the work of the
ministry. It's a "good thing" when we press into the fullness of what God
has for our lives and fight the good fight of faith. However, we must use
wisdom in our endeavors. When the Lord tells us to "rest", we must be
obedient to His request. He has many ways of speaking to His people. He
can speak through your co-workers, your doctor, your mother or your child
in order to get the message across to you. Some of us need to "listen"
more intently to what He is saying. Obedience will play a "key" role in
our lives in these "latter days".
Obedience is better than sacrifice.
God has given each of us "vision". Most of us know the calling of God that's
on our lives. We know what we are supposed to do, and we are pressing towards
that high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Let's be sure that we continue
to be obedient to His voice, so that we can "complete" the
race that He's
called us to run. Let's not allow the thief to kill, steal and destroy
the plans and purposes of God that are yet to be fulfilled in us and through
us. There's much to be done, so let's be sure that we do it God's way.
"Your teeter totter will work better if it's balanced on both ends."
I
sense that some of you have started some assignments or projects and you
have been content to leave them unfinished. Whether it's been lack of time
or lack of commitment, they are now sitting on a shelf collecting dust.
If the Lord didn't tell you to stop the process, you better get the show
on the road and continue until the mission is accomplished. Don't have
a "give up" mentality and don't allow a complacent spirit to lay hold on
you. Shake it off
and complete the task. When you complete it, you will
find His joy flooding your soul.
A Word for Pastors/Leadership:
If
the Lord has called you into the ministry, "Fight the good fight". Don't
get off the horse if you have not arrived at your final destination.
I
have heard of many Pastors and leaders who have become discouraged because
they don't feel that they are accomplishing the work that God has called
them to do. Sometimes, they sense that their congregation is not as receptive
or responsive to the Holy Spirit, in the services, as they should be. Leader,
you just do what the Lord is telling you to do and let God do the rest.
The Lord
will deal with His people. He will minister and speak to them
by the power of His Spirit. You just be obedient to do what you "know"
to do. We can't play "Holy Spirit" for Him. Be encouraged today, knowing
that God is "for" you. The devil is a liar. He will complete the good
work that He has begun in you and in your congregation.
Prophetic Word:
"I am getting My people in position to receive what I'm about to release
to them, saith the Lord. For it's not a small thing that I am doing. For
I am about to release my Spirit in powerful measures and ways. My people
shall experience My power in ways they've not known. For I will have My
way in the earth, saith the Lord, for I have a divine plan. From the beginning
of time, I
set all things in motion so that My purposes could be fulfilled.
My purposes shall be fulfilled just as I have spoken them. No man shall
hinder the work that I desire to do on the earth or in My people, for I
am the Mighty God, the Everlasting Father. I am El Shaddai, The Prince
of Peace, and The Coming King. I will pour out My Spirit upon all flesh
and My people will sense a greater
release of My anointing upon their lives.
I'm getting ready to "pour" out My Spirit in a mighty way, saith the Lord.
Prepare your hearts now, even this day, to receive all that I have waiting
for you. Don't allow any man or woman to delay you in what I am calling
you to do. Put your hand to the plow and "move" with My Spirit. Don't
look back. The past is gone, the new is coming. I shall be with you and
I shall take care of you, saith the Lord. Do not be fearful of the times
that are ahead, but rather rejoice in Me, for I will sustain you and care
for you, for you are My children, you are My
people and I will never leave
you nor forsake you, saith the Lord."
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