F1rst Fru1ts: The Battle to Become

By Katie Broccolo

First Fruits is a 30 day devotional that will guide you through lifes battles with a heavenly perspective. God did not intend for us to be lost. He intended for us to be found and to be made whole in His presence. We were created to love and to be loved. We were each created intentionally, for a unique purpose and to live our lives to the fullest.

Imagine the most passionate love story with someone who knows you better than you know yourself. Your Creator, the same Creator of the universe and all that is in it, is longing for this relationship with YOU.

First Fruits is a term used to describe the first and best part of a harvest. The First Fruit was given as an offering or sacrifice before the entire harvest was taken, guaranteeing Gods blessing upon the rest of the harvest. Time is our most valuable gift. That is why this moment is called the present!

First Fruits is an invitation to experience Gods best for your life. Devote the first and best of your time to seeking the will of God for your life and you will be pleasantly surprised what mighty things God can accomplish through you with one step of faith.

• Language: English
• Publisher: WestBow Press
• Release date: Dec 30, 2017
• ISBN: 9781973611707

Katie Broccolo

Katie grew up by the beautiful beaches of Southwest Florida but her real growth began in her twenties when she took a step of faith into the unknown. Although she once considered herself a devowed Catholic, her spiritual life had become a wilderness of empty religion, doubt, searching, feelings of betrayal and disbelief. In the majestic mountains of North Georgia, God met her in her mess. This is where her journey began. Rediscovering the comfort and promptings of the Holy Spirit, she experienced the awesome power of God and came to know her Savior, Jesus. Katie saw herself from Gods point of view and found that He delighted in her! Her relationship with God continues to grow and her life has transformed into a journey of love, challenge, humor, faith and peace. Katie now resides in Atlanta, Georgia where she leads others into a growing relationship with Jesus.

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Day

1

Stop It

Are you on the verge of losing it? Stop right now; before it goes too far. Recognize when you are starting to get angry or starting to get upset. You have the Holy Spirit within you and trials will come and go. In order to live beyond your feelings, you can’t give in to anxious thoughts when you don’t feel God’s presence or when you are feeling sadness or anger begin to overtake you. Be still. Remember. How many times have you gone down this path? This is likely a familiar feeling so identify it and take control! Many times strife, anxiety, grief and pain stem from worrying about things that have yet to happen. If it hasn’t actually happened, then you are being tormented by deception. Refuse to believe the lies of evil and listen to the voice of truth. When the lies creep back up take control again! The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. God is love. When a negative thought enters your mind, cast it out immediately before it takes root. Don’t ever, ever, ever give up! Stand firm against the devil! Resist him and he will flee from you! We have authority in Christ and we need to use it. Do not be a slave to fear. You are a child of the living God. In order to lead, we must first be led. Will you be led by fear or by truth?

Jesus said to him, Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’" Matthew 4:10 NIV

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8 NIV

Jesus was faced with all of the same trials we are. He was betrayed by his best friends. He was wrongly accused. As an innocent man, He was crucified so that we may exercise the power of God within us to resist the devil just as Jesus did when He was being tempted, tormented and tortured in His life. Set your eyes on heaven. Keep your eyes above the water and trust in Him.

Do your best with what you have. Don’t worry; pray. Focus on the now. What has God placed right in front of you?

Spend some time in scripture. Matthew, one of Jesus’ friends recorded some of the stories that Jesus told to help us in our life journey. Open your bible to Matthew 25 and begin to read some of these stories. Spend some time being still and opening your heart to hear what God is trying to tell you through these ancient texts.

God has entrusted something to you. Maybe more than one thing. Do your best with what you have and more will be added unto you. Let God lead you. Don’t become discouraged. Don’t fight and struggle to get your way or what you think you want; He will give you the desires of your heart once you learn to seek Him fully. It is a process but He knows best! He loves you and He wants you to be successful. You were created to be successful with and in and through and by Him and to share in His glory. Don’t chase after a tempting, temporary fix. Trust in His way. He is the only way.

Train yourself to recognize the ploys of the devil. Become disciplined in your following and in your walk with God. Always be ready to fight even when you don’t feel like it. Even when you are sad and burdened; those are the times when we are refined by the fire. Patience only grows through trial. Give your burdens up to God and ask Him for His strength to help you endure and to carry you through. This is where it counts. This is where you grow.

Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works. James 2:26 NLT

You can identify them by their fruit, that is, by the way they act. Can you pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Matthew 7:16 NLT

We must demonstrate that we are God’s children by the fruits of our actions, especially in adversity. It is easier to maintain peace when we are not being tested but we must learn to keep God’s peace and joy and rely on that in the hard times. As soon as you feel fear or worry, direct your eyes to the Creator of the universe. He is greater than any problem we will face.

If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5: 46-48 NIV

No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. Hebrews 12:11 NIV

Day

2

Start It

Redirect your actions. Pray for those that are upsetting you. Is your boss stressing you out? Is a co-worker getting on your last nerve? Is a significant other saying or doing things that hurt your feelings? Rather than getting angry and retaliating, cast your care on God! Let Him make a message out of your mess. The