21 Day Fast - Day 3

Day 3 This week we’ve been talking about the power of firsts. Our “offering of firsts” (love towards others, prayer, etc.) should be the natural response of gratitude to an incredibly generous God. It also postures our heart and brings blessing and reward. I want to think (and worship) for a moment today, though, on the reality that we give God the first in every area because He already went first in every area. Romans 12 says it this way - “Therefore, I urge you… in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God - this is your true and proper worship.” See, we honor God with our bodies and life because He gave us our bodies and life - and grace and mercy along with it. Maybe a great prayer this morning is simple – “God, I offer my body and life afresh to you today.” Likewise, we give God the first of our day because He gave us another day. Many even give God the first tenth of their paycheck (tithe) because He already gave us the ability to work and the opportunity to live on the earth He created. Even when we worship, in a sense we are giving God back His breath that He first breathed in us. Hey, here’s one - and I’m so thankful for it - it’s not that we first loved Him; it’s that he first loved us. Our response of love to Him is incited by His passionate initiation of love towards us. But here’s maybe the most exciting, especially if you’re feeling afraid of death or just lost someone you love. Because Jesus rose again, we will, too. “But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep.” - 1st Corinthians 15:20 NIV Jesus is the first fruits of eternal life, both for life after death, and for fullness of life now (“I have come that you may have life and life more abundantly.”) This should cause us to think, pray, worship, and wonder today at God’s amazing beauty and wonder and acts. Jesus is mu resurrection, but physically and spiritually. When my heart truly swells with the weight of all God has done for me, the only thing I can do is eagerly follow Him back with every area of my life.