Would We Know . . .

Would we know there is a hill if there was no valley?
Would we know there is rest if there was no work?
Would we know the comfort of God if there was no discomfort?
Would we know there is success if there was no failure?
Would we know there is a remedy for sin if there was no Savior?
Would we know there is forgiveness if there was no blood?
Would we know there is a Savior if there was no cross?
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I wonder if God permits the light to shine through the clouds (penetrate, enter and pass through) as proof that He is REALLY there, as it says in 2 Chronicles 6:1 "...'The Lord has said that He would dwell in the thick cloud.' " because in Revelation 21:8, it says there will no longer be night and there won't be any need of the sun because God will be the Light there.
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Leviticus 2:12,14 "As an offering of first fruits ... a grain offering of early ripened things ... you shall bring fresh heads of grain ... grits of new growth ... of your early ripened things." (NASB)

In my neighbor's garden, I see beautifully ripened tomatoes. Matter-of-fact, they gave us eight huge, juicy tomatoes a week and a half ago. DELICIOUS!

Then I remembered about other tomatoes we'd received. Though large and ripe, they were deeply scarred from over-watering, sun scorching, and caterpillars, insects, and other critters making paths in the pre-ripened fruit.

Then I thought and asked myself, "Do we -no! Do **I** do this to God? Do I truly offer to Him the first fruits of my life? --- Time first to Him in the morning; thanks to Him first before eating; praise and worship to Him first when faith sees Him at work; rejoicing in Him first, last and always; tithes and offerings to Him first before supplying my own needs or wants. Or do I offer to Him the "second fruits" of my life, that which is deeply scarred by the effects of hurrying my time with Him; placing the needs and wants that I may have above what is due to Him first; being in awe and amazement at some "miracle" performed to faith, but viewed only as a miracle; rejoicing only sometimes. DO I REALLY GIVE TO GOD the first fruits???

Thoughts for my heart to ponder before Him!

jfn - 8/18/2011