I received this word of encouragement from Jentezen Franklin I thought I would share it with you. Pastor Jim
I know this past year has been a tough one. Maybe you have lost your job or seen your retirement dwindle. Maybe your marriage has been strained and family thrown into turmoil.
My heart aches for you . . . and I'm praying for you. But no matter what you've faced in 2009, I believe the New Year can be your turnaround year. The key is to set your priorities from the very start--keep first things first and God will take care of the rest.
The Bible says when you give God your first and best through FASTING, PRAYER and GIVING in the early days of the year, He will give you His best for the ENTIRE YEAR.
"But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well" (Matthew 6:33, NIV).
I want to challenge you today to begin this year by putting God first. My wife Cherise and I start each New Year with the first fruits of fasting, prayer and giving and it has transformed our lives and ministry. Each January, along with fasting and praying, we give our first week's salary as a first fruits offering. Whether you can give one hour's wages, one day's pay or even one month's salary, God will honor your faithfulness.
Fasting, prayer and giving make up a three-step act of obedience commanded by Christ in Matthew 6.
1. FAST. If you've not already done so, I invite you to join the Fasting Movement and participate in our First Fruits Corporate Fast this month.
2. PRAY. Give God the first fruits of your time through prayer and study.
3. GIVE YOUR FINANCIAL FIRST FRUITS. Put action to your faith with an online first fruits offering today. "First fruits" is an offering of gratitude for blessings and faith for future provision.
Your first fruits offering will impact your entire year. And God will use it to help touch the hearts of hundreds of thousands of people around the world.
Remember, keep first things first and obey God's commands of prayer, fasting and giving, and He will take care of the rest.
Jentezen Franklin
On our fifteenth day Remember
Pray specifically for those things God has laid on your heart
Continue in prayer and meditation it is your source of strength
Keep writing in your journal
In His Service
Pastor Jim
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