Today’s Devotional – Because He Lives

Before we get into today’s devotional (below), I just wanted to give you a quick heads up to let you know that my daughter’s newest Bible Study for Kids is out and available at Amazon! “The Life of Jesus” (Part 1), takes kids on a journey through the New Testament. With a wide range of stories, questions, and fun activities, children are not only learning the Bible–they’re deeply engaged with God’s Word.

Ever since Madison learned to pick up a pencil, she’s gone the extra mile to be detailed in her work. As you flip through the pages (take a peek inside on Amazon) you’ll see what I mean. She put so much into this book that she finally had to break it into two parts. As you’ll see, it’s jam packed with information, as well as activities like crossword puzzles and word finds that reinforce what they’re learning.

We didn’t put an age on it this time, because we believe that kids of all ages will enjoy it. Young ones can benefit with a little help from their parents and teens will enjoy the information and puzzles. If you have homeschooled kids, you’ll want to get this book!

Click here to pick up a copy at Amazon. And, if you love it as much as I think you will–please spread the word!

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Today’s Devotional – Because He Lives

Numbers Chapter 13 tells us a story about 12 men returning from Canaan. Verse 23 tells us,

When they reached the Valley of Eshkol, they cut off a branch bearing a single cluster of grapes. Two of them carried it on a pole between them, along with some pomegranates and figs.

What they carried there is what’s known in the Bible as “firstfruits.” The word “first” thus signifying that there is a series to follow. In other words, this was merely a sample of many blessings to come.

In his book, The Holy Spirit: Activating God’s Power in Your Life, Billy Graham explained this concept of “firstfruits” by saying:

One of New York’s leading grocery stores exhibited a basket of choice and beautiful grapes in the window. A notice appeared above the basket announcing: ‘A whole carload like this sample basket is expected in a few days.’ The grapes were a ‘pledge’ of what was to come. The firstfruits are but a handful compared with the whole harvest.”

What should have been a night of celebration and thanksgiving for the Israelites, turned into something quite different. They grumbled, complained, and rebelled. They overlooked the fact that God protected them on their mission. They failed to see that the same powerful God who brought them out of Egypt and across the Red Sea, would bring them much further yet.

The Bible refers to Jesus as our “firstfruit.”

But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. (1 Corinthians 15:20, NIV)

Because He rose, we shall rise too. We have a hope of salvation, and by that hope we have strength.

If only the Israelites held to the hope of salvation that day. If they recognized the image of Christ in the grapes that hung on the pole. If they looked to the cross.

Maybe then they would have found strength. Maybe then they would have had faith to look to the future with hope.

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Tilling the Soil

Read Numbers 13

Planting Hope

But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. (1 Corinthians 15:20, NIV)

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