Devotionals: Resurrection: First Fruits

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Day 1: Divine Appointments

​Devotional
Have you ever considered that God has specific times He wants to meet with you? Just like we schedule important meetings in our daily lives, God has set divine appointments - not just casual get-togethers, but meaningful encounters designed to reveal more of Himself to us. These appointments aren't meant to be burdensome religious obligations, but rather loving invitations from a Father who eagerly anticipates time with His children. When we understand this perspective, our approach to spending time with God transforms from duty to delight. He's not a distant deity demanding rigid rituals, but a loving Father who has carefully planned special moments to connect with us.

 

Bible Verse
"All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness." - 2 Timothy 3:16

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Reflection Question
How might your relationship with God change if you viewed your time with Him as a divine appointment rather than a religious obligation?
 

Quote
God does not want to be approached like other gods. God does not want to be worshiped the way that the world worships their gods. He is very, very clear about how he wants his people to love him, to worship him, to gather together and speak together.

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Prayer
Father, help me to see the times You've set aside for us to meet as precious opportunities rather than duties. Give me a heart that eagerly anticipates these appointments with You. Amen.

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Day 2: Divine Appointments​

Devotional
God's timing is never coincidental. Every detail, every moment is precisely orchestrated according to His perfect plan. When we look at how Jesus fulfilled prophecies with exact timing, we see a God who is intentional and precise. This isn't just about historical events - it's about building our trust in a God who is equally precise and intentional with the details of our lives today. Nothing in your life is random or overlooked. The same God who orchestrated cosmic events continues to work with perfect timing in your personal story.

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Bible Verse
"For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures." - 1 Corinthians 15:3-4

Reflection Question
Looking back at your life, can you identify moments where God's timing was perfect, even if you didn't recognize it at the time?
 

Quote
His attention to detail is so incredible. He didn't just come and fulfill the feast. He came and fulfilled the feast on Passover.

 

Prayer
Lord, thank You for Your perfect timing in all things. Help me trust Your timing even when I don't understand it. Strengthen my faith as I witness Your attention to detail in my life. Amen.

 

Day 3: Living Hope

Devotional
Hope is powerful, but only when its foundation is secure. Our hope isn't built on wishful thinking or positive attitudes - it's anchored in the reality of a risen Savior. Jesus isn't just a historical figure or a spiritual concept; He is alive today. This truth changes everything about how we face our challenges and view our future. When we grasp that our hope is living because He is living, our perspective shifts from earthly limitations to eternal possibilities.

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Bible Verse
"For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man." - 1 Corinthians 15:21

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Reflection Question
How does knowing that Jesus is alive today - not just historically - impact how you face your current challenges?
 

Quote
Jesus is our living hope because he is alive. We would not have a living hope if he did not come alive.

 

Prayer
Jesus, thank You for being our living hope. Help me to live today with the confidence that comes from knowing You are alive and active in my life. Amen.

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Day 4: Written on His Calendar

Devotional
Imagine having a standing appointment with the Creator of the universe. The amazing truth is, you do! God has established specific times to meet with His people, demonstrating His desire for regular, meaningful connection. These aren't casual drop-ins but purposeful encounters He's planned in advance. Just as we anticipate important meetings on our calendar, God anticipates these times with us. He's already there, waiting. The question isn't whether He'll show up - it's whether we will.

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Bible Verse
"These are the LORD's appointed festivals, the sacred assemblies you are to proclaim at their appointed times." - Leviticus 23:4

Reflection Question
What prevents you from keeping your appointments with God, and how can you make these divine meetings a priority in your life?

 

Quote
He is longing for his people to meet with him. When he has set it up in his calendar, he's gonna meet with us because we know he's gonna show up. Are we the ones that don't show up?

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Prayer
Father, forgive me for the times I've missed our appointments. Help me prioritize these special times You've set aside for us to meet. Amen.

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Day 5: A Father's Loving Instruction

Devotional
God's Word isn't a rulebook designed to restrict us - it's a love letter written to guide us. When we understand that the Torah, the foundation of Scripture, is actually the loving instruction of a Father to His children, it transforms how we approach God's commands. Every instruction, every guideline comes from a place of deep parental love and desire to see us thrive. Like a father teaching his child to avoid danger, God's Word shows us the path to abundant life.

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Bible Verse
"For you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus." - Ephesians 2:19

 

Reflection Question
How does viewing God's commands as loving instruction rather than restrictive rules change your approach to reading and following His Word?
 

Quote
The Torah, this word, it literally means the definition, the Hebrew definition of Torah. The first five books of the Bible is the loving instruction of the father to his children, so they will not miss the mark.

 

Prayer
Loving Father, thank You for Your perfect instruction. Help me to see Your commands as expressions of Your love and desire for my wellbeing. Guide me in following Your path. Amen.