Bursting with Wine
Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine. Proverbs 3:9-10
Author: Lori Casto
Our Best First
Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. 3 John 1:2 (Prosper- flourish, thrive, grow)
Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine. Proverbs 3:9-10
I (with the help of my father-in-law) planted a sizable garden of sweet corn and tomatoes the summer my husband and I got married. We celebrated the very first pick of corn by inviting both my parents and my husband’s parents over to enjoy it. It was very tender white and yellow corn.
I’ve loved and eaten sweetcorn my whole life but never enjoyed it as much as that day. The first pick was the best sweetcorn I’ve ever had- before or since. There was something special about putting so much love and care into our garden for several months with the anticipation of eating its first fruits. I was reminded that day of this scripture in Proverbs 3:9-10…
Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine. Proverbs 3:9-10
What if we honored God by giving Him our absolute best? I’m not just talking about material or financial- though that’s important. I’m talking about giving Him the “first fruits” of our energy, attitude, and ability as well as the “first fruits” of our time. Sometimes I’ve been guilty of giving God what’s left over.
We are meant to prosper, flourish, thrive, and grow. Growth begins with giving God our best first. What area of your life needs to thrive? Give God your “first fruits.”
Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. 3 John 1:2 (Prosper- flourish, thrive, grow)
Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce; then your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will be bursting with wine. Proverbs 3:9-10
But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. Matthew 6:33
Walk in Truth
Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. For I rejoiced greatly when brethren came and testified of the truth that is in you, just as you walk in the truth. I have no greater joy than to hear that my children walk in truth. 3 John 1:2-4
God is Love
Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. He who does not love does not know God, for God is love. In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins. Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. 1 John 4:7-11
No Condemnation
Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. Romans 8:1-2 NIV
So there is now no condemnation awaiting those who belong to Christ Jesus. For the power of the life-giving Spirit—and this power is mine through Christ Jesus—has freed me from the vicious circle of sin and death. Romans 8:1-2 Living
- Condemnation- blame, disapproval, criticism
Christ, With God
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it. John 1:1-5 NKJV
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it. NIV
Before anything else existed, there was Christ, with God. He has always been alive and is himself God. He created everything there is—nothing exists that he didn’t make. Eternal life is in him, and this life gives light to all mankind. His life is the light that shines through the darkness—and the darkness can never extinguish it. Living
Loyalty
(Love) bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 1 Corinthians 13:7 NKJV
If you love someone, you will be loyal to him no matter what the cost. You will always believe in him, always expect the best of him, and always stand your ground in defending him. 1 Corinthians 13:7 (Living Bible)
(Love) It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. 1 Corinthians 13:7
All Things
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Philippians 4:13
TRUST
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge(submit to) Him,
And He shall direct your paths.(Make your path straight)
Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the Lord and depart (shun) from evil.
It will be health to your flesh,
And strength(nourishment) to your bones.
Proverbs 3:5-8
“But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in Him.” – Jeremiah 17:7
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways,” declares the LORD. “As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” – Isaiah 55:8-9
Trust- Hope, Easy to be obedient when we trust
Confidence– (Philippians 1:6) Being confident of this… He who began a good work in you will complete it
***Trust = Peace, blessing, health, direction***
Health & Strength
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths.
Do not be wise in your own eyes;
Fear the Lord and depart from evil.
It will be health to your flesh,
And strength to your bones.
Proverbs 3:5-8
He Restores
He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; Psalm 23:2-3a
He Makes Me
He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; Psalm 23:2-3a
Did your parents ever make you sit in time out? Do you remember in kindergarten nap time? I remember in grade school having to put my head on the desk for a short break. We even had an hour set aside at church camp for a rest period.
I never personally liked nap time, break time, or quiet time.
Today The Holy Spirit gently reminded me about the importance of sitting still. In the 23rd psalm David said, “He makes me.” That jumped out at me today. He isn’t saying it’s a suggestion. God actually made David lay down. I also notice the progression…
First, He makes me lie down
Second, He Leads me beside still waters
Third, He restores my soul
Do you need renew, restore, refresh, renovate, rejuvenate in your life and body? Maybe it’s time to rest. Maybe it’s time to sit still. Maybe God has something to say. Are you listening?
He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; Psalm 23:2-3a