Survey of Firstfruit Fundamentals

Lesson 2:  Introduction and General Questions-Part 2 and God   MP3      printer-friendly

Firstfruit Fundamentals …on the homepage of this section

"Success is nothing more than a few basic spiritual disciplines, practiced every day."

"Success is the natural consequence of consistently applying the basic fundamentals."

The purpose of this page is to discuss firstfruit fundamentals of Christian living.  Here we deal with the basics.  Here we present the primary and foundational elements that aid us in our day-to-day life encounters.  The subject areas you see below are just some of the areas we are and will discuss.  Each subject is a workshop.  Each workshop runs between five and fifteen minutes, with some subjects in multiple parts.  Each workshop is one single concept, principle or idea.  Each presentation is given from the physical, emotional, mental, as well as spiritual viewpoints.  This is essential knowledge, instruction and encouragement.  This is practical information for life encounters, as well as tools for prayers, meditation and contemplation.
 

The future topics is all about you in the congregation.  Have a topic?  Let me know and we will add it to the list.

Subject: General Questions
Question 5 If one was born and raised in the church do you have that same first love reaction as people called out of the world?    

Yes, you do. Possibly even more. Godly calling to repentance, baptism and the receiving of the Holy Spirit by the laying on of hands is a specific and individual work. The most special event that could possibly take place on this planet, this side of the return of Jesus Christ is the calling of one individual human being to the Salvation Process. There is no greater event. Everything God does is a perfect work. He is perfect in all His ways and when He calls a second or third generation Christian, the first love will be the same or better than any first-generation call.

The only pitfall I have ever seen is a second or third generation firstfruit feeling or appearing to be somehow jaded [wearied, dulled, sated or even cynical]. If present in either form, the firstfruit has the Holy Spirit to help them overcome this. Then there is a multitude of brothers and sisters in the congregation who have their backs, as the saying goes.

1 Corinthians 10:24 
Let no man seek his own, but every man another's wealth. 

Ephesians 4:2
With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 

1 Thessalonians 5:11
Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. 

Romans 12:10
Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; 

Romans 15:5
Now the God of patience and consolation grant you to be likeminded one toward another according to Christ Jesus: 

Question 6: How do I get motivated?

Here's one for you; I became motivated the moment I saw this question.  This is the point and the answer to the question.  Motivation for God's people is a fruit of the Spirit.  Principles are guidelines for human conduct that are proven to have enduring, permanent value. They’re fundamental. They’re essentially unarguable because they are self-evident.

Principles are deep, fundamental truths that have universal application. They apply to individuals, to marriages, to families, to private and public organizations of every kind.

Motivation is a fundamental truth that has universal application.  Motivation is essentially unarguable because it is self-evident.  Therefore, you get motivated by invoking the power of the Holy Spirit in the form of motivation, just as you do with love, joy, peace, service, honesty, excellence and the other fruits of the Spirit.

Part of getting motivated is being excited about life.  Firstfruits, by definition, should be excited about life.

Colossians 3:23
And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men; 

1 Corinthians 15:58
Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord. 

2 Corinthians 12:9
And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 

2 Corinthians 9:7
Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. 

Romans 12:11
Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; 

Psalm 40:8
I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart. 

Psalm 73:25
Whom have I in heaven but thee? and there is none upon earth that I desire beside thee. 

Philippians 4:12-13
12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. 
13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. 

Romans 5:2
By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. 

Deuteronomy 10:12
And now, Israel, what doth the LORD thy God require of thee, but to fear the LORD thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the LORD thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul.

Reading the literature on the subject, the overwhelming consensus is that motivation comes from people who are goal-setters.  Motivation is built into Goals for the simple reason people set goals for things they are inherently excited about.  Motivation comes from both internal and external elements.  For firstfruits, the internal elements are powered by and driven by the Holy Spirit.  The external elements are anything that generates excitement and motivation within the individual.

I like motivational seminars, speeches and videos.  Sermons usually have the element of motivation in them because the minister is passionate about the subjects he is inspired to speak about.  Watch these motivational and inspirational videos:

Give me your best  6:03 [from the movie, "Facing the Giants" based on a true story]
The Field Goal 3:03 [from the movie, "Facing the Giants" based on a true story]
Top 10 Inspirational Quotes of All Time  1:21
Hoosiers-Final Scene 3:27 ...based on the true story of a small high school team that won the state championship in 1954 in Indiana.
Derek Redmond - 1992 Summer Olympics - Never Give Up!! 4:57
One of the most courageous thing you will ever see on a running track 2:46

Isaiah 40:31
But they that wait upon the LORD shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. 

Manifest the power of the Holy Spirit in the form of motivation!!

Question 8: I can't seem to overcome this negative yucky feeling? 

Normally this would be a question I would receive in a personal counseling session.  However, we can discuss it generally here.  The question is closely related to  Question 7, which is about coming out of the world.  In Question 7 we discuss all of the commands and admonitions of God to come out of and remain separate for the ways of the world.  In this question we will discuss the negative emotions we experience living in this world.

Let us begin by defining the word, "yucky" to see what kind of emotions this word implies.

Yucky:
1] Repugnant
2] Disgusting
3] Bad
4] Disagreeable
5] Offensive
6] Messy

The definition for, "repugnant" is arousing disgust or aversion; offensive or repulsive.  All of these words allude to purely negative emotions.  The only way to overcome negative feelings is by displacement.  One does not rid himself of these negative emotions by direct attack.  That is, it is ineffective to attempt to take hold of the negative emotion and toss it out.  In displacement, you are bringing in the good which displaces the bad.  We do this in overcoming sin and bad habits.   We displace sin by bringing in goodness and righteousness.  We invoke the power of the Holy Spirit and thus manifest Godly principles or what Galatians calls, "fruits of the Spirit."  We displace bad or negative habits by bringing in and practicing good habits.

To rid yourself of "yucky" feelings, bring in, "yummy" feelings.

Yummy:
1] Very pleasing
2] Delicious
3] Delightful
4] Pleasant

Let's read some scripture:

Proverbs 2:10 
When wisdom entereth into thine heart, and knowledge is pleasant unto thy soul; 

Proverbs 15:26 
The thoughts of the wicked are an abomination to the LORD: but the words of the pure are pleasant words. 

Proverbs 16:24 
Pleasant words are as an honeycomb, sweet to the soul, and health to the bones. 

Proverbs 22:18 
For it is a pleasant thing if thou keep them within thee; they shall withal be fitted in thy lips. 

Proverbs 24:4 
And by knowledge shall the chambers be filled with all precious and pleasant riches. 

Ecclesiastes 11:7 
Truly the light is sweet, and a pleasant thing it is for the eyes to behold the sun: 

Deuteronomy 32:2
My doctrine shall drop as the rain, my speech shall distil as the dew, as the small rain upon the tender herb, and as the showers upon the grass: 

Proverbs 27:9 
Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel. 

Proverbs 23:16 
Yea, my reins shall rejoice, when thy lips speak right things. 

Philippians 4:8 
Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.

1 John 4:1 
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world. 

Notice some quotes on the subject:

"With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts."
~Eleanor Roosevelt 

"Change your thoughts and you change your world."
~Norman Vincent Peale 

"A man is but the product of his thoughts what he thinks, he becomes."
~Mahatma Gandhi 

"Once you replace negative thoughts with positive ones, you'll start having positive results."
~Willie Nelson 

"The more man meditates upon good thoughts, the better will be his world and the world at large."

"Always aim at complete harmony of thought and word and deed. Always aim at purifying your thoughts and everything will be well."
~Mahatma Gandhi 

"The happiness of your life depends upon the quality of your thoughts: therefore, guard accordingly, and take care that you entertain no notions unsuitable to virtue and reasonable nature."
~Marcus Aurelius 

"Great men are they who see that spiritual is stronger than any material force - that thoughts rule the world."
~Ralph Waldo Emerson 

Subject: God

Question: How do I make God real in my life?   See sermon on this subject: Verity

The original question was, "How do I put a face on God?"  More to the point is how do we make God real.  Before we get to how to make God real, let us speak to the original question.

God is a spirit:
John 4:24
God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.   

Therefore, how can a human describe a spirit being?  Notice Exodus 33 and beginning in verse 17 where Moses is speaking to God [actually Jesus].

Exodus 33:17-20
17 And the LORD said unto Moses, I will do this thing also that thou hast spoken: for thou hast found grace in my sight, and I know thee by name. 
18 And he said, I beseech thee, shew me thy glory. 
19 And he said, I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy. 
20 And he said, Thou canst not see my face: for there shall no man see me, and live. 

Because it is so hard to even attempt to describe God in human terms, God helps us by giving us a glimpse by using terms we can understand.

Ezekiel 1:26-28
26 And above the firmament that was over their heads was the likeness of a throne, as the appearance of a sapphire stone: and upon the likeness of the throne was the likeness as the appearance of a man above upon it. 
27 And I saw as the colour of amber, as the appearance of fire round about within it, from the appearance of his loins even upward, and from the appearance of his loins even downward, I saw as it were the appearance of fire, and it had brightness round about. 
28 As the appearance of the bow that is in the cloud in the day of rain, so was the appearance of the brightness round about. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the LORD. And when I saw it, I fell upon my face, and I heard a voice of one that spake. 

Revelation 1:14-16
14 His head and his hairs were white like wool, as white as snow; and his eyes were as a flame of fire; 
15 And his feet like unto fine brass, as if they burned in a furnace; and his voice as the sound of many waters. 
16 And he had in his right hand seven stars: and out of his mouth went a sharp twoedged sword: and his countenance was as the sun shineth in his strength. 

The question is often asked, "Why does God hid Himself?"  Partially because it would be much too easy to gain Salvation and eternal life if we could see God the Father and/or Christ and/or the angels on a constant basis.  The Bible shows how certain individuals were always looking for a sign [Matthew 12 and 16].  Firstfruits do not need to look for a sign.  They do not need angels appearing to them.  They have faith, the Holy Spirit and a whole lot more.

In college, I took a course on non-verbal communication.  One of the things we learned is that one can tell much about another person by his or her non-verbal communication.  We even had field work where we described people just by the sound of their voice or by reading their resume.  When it comes to God, we have much more that this.  Notice Romans 1:20

Romans 1:20 
For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 

Watch any good detective following a man he has never met and you will see a detective gleaning much information from where the person has been, what he has done and what he has said.  We have mountains of information on where God has been, to whom He spoke, what He has done and even what His plans are.  Begin here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YQrf6r-9ozc  This is a one-hour video, "Stargaze HD: Universal Beauty"  which brings the beauty and majesty of the Universe to our living room.
See the star map of the known Universe [actually just the local neighborhood from Earth] - http://www.atlasoftheuniverse.com/. 

Now go here to travel from sub-particles of an oak leaf all the way out to deep space:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EToLXqgrX7o 

Below I will give you a number of resources that will help you see God in nature.  Right now, however I want to share some scriptures from Colossians.

Colossians 1:8-15
8 Who also declared unto us your love in the Spirit. 
9 For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 
10 That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God; 
11 Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness; 
12 Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: 
13 Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: 
14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: 
15 Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: 

Note:  Paul is praying that the congregation is increasing in the knowledge of God.  Part of that knowledge comes from our invoking the power of the Holy Spirit in the form of Godly principles or fruits of the Spirit.  The more you are fruitful in every good work, the more you will "see" God.  The more you increase in the knowledge of God, the more you will see Him.  The more unction you have from Him, the more you will know His personality, His ways, His plans and His will.  They will all become your own.  It worked with Moses.  Notice:

Hebrews 11:27 
By faith he [Moses] forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. 

Resources:
Minister Notebook:  Have You Ever Tasted God?
Seeing God through Natural Revelation
Seeing the Divine in all things

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