February 1, 2024 – The Fruit Of Love

The Fruit Of Love
February 1, 2024

DAILY PROVERB:

Proverbs 3:9-11
Honour the LORD with thy substance, and with the firstfruits of all thine increase: So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine. My son, despise not the chastening of the LORD; neither be weary of his correction:

OUTLOOK ON THE IN BOOK:

        Today, many people profess their love for Jesus, but their commitment falters when discussions turn to the money they’ve been blessed with by God. However, in the Old Testament, the Israelites who sought to honor God above all exhibited their faith and trust by offering Him their firstfruits. What did this entail? It didn’t mean that they went into the field, gathered ten baskets of fruit, and gave God just one basket or a mere tithe of the yield. Their faith in God ran deeper than that. What it signified was that they ventured out and, from the initial harvest, they dedicated all or the majority of their produce to God, believing that He would replenish their crops throughout the year. They gave God the very best. Could a famine have struck their land? Certainly. Nevertheless, they entrusted their firstfruits to God.

      I know, I know, some of you are saying, “Preacher, we live in the day of grace; we’re not under the law.” You are absolutely right. So, if people who hadn’t seen the Messiah, nor experienced the salvation He brought on Calvary’s Hill, placed their trust in His coming and offered Him their best, how is it that we, who have encountered the life-changing power of Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross, would want to give Him anything less?

     What did God promise in return for their faith in Him? He pledged to provide for all their needs and ensure they have enough. Some individuals might interpret this as a “get rich quick” verse, but God never said He would make you rich. He did say, “So shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy presses shall burst out with new wine.” In other words, if you put your trust in God first, He will take care of your needs. If not, you may receive only what you sow, or even less.     

 

THE WORD WALKING IN ME:

     You’ll never outgive God. If you don’t believe me, try it. When you give with a heart filled with love for God, you will never be lacking in the love that God graciously bestows in return. It’s the fruit of love.

What are you sowing that God may harvest for you?

IF YOU ARE JOURNALING:

Ask yourself, what are MY THOUGHTS concerning this Passage, and todays Devotion?

Do I find within this reading a CHALLENGE for my life?

What are one or two things I WILL DO today or this week to accept that CHALLENGE?

  

GOD TALKING TO ME: FEBRUARY 1, 2024

THROUGH THE BIBLE WITH A DAILY PROVERBS
    Exodus 23 – Exodus 26
    Proverbs 3:9-11

THROUGH THE BIBLE OLD & NEW TESTAMENT DAILY
   Exodus 17-19
   Matthew 21:1-22