Seize the Moment – Day 1441

The Protection of the Redeemer!

Isaiah 54

 

Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Monday, February 26.
 

Isaiah 54 reminds me of the promise in Jeremiah 29:11, which should never be taken out of its context of verse 10, “For thus says the Lord, ‘When seventy years have been completed for Babylon, I will visit you and fulfill My good word to you, to bring you back to this place. For I know the plans that I have for you,’ declares the Lord, ‘plans for welfare and not for calamity to give you a future and a hope.’” Yes, God does have a good plan for your life, but that doesn’t mean there won’t be international turmoil, national disaster, or personal hardship along the way. In fact, God’s promise of redemption and abundance in Isaiah 54 is set in the context of after “the destroyer” has been destroyed, after the seventy years of exile have been completed, as God testified in verses 7-8, “For a brief moment I forsook you, but with great compassion I will gather you. In an outburst of anger I hid My face from you for a moment, but with everlasting lovingkindness I will have compassion on you.”

 

The destroyer is any tool in God’s hands to bring about His righteous judgment, so, never forget, that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). No matter what you are facing, God’s promises will prevail, as declared in Isaiah 54:17, “No weapon that is formed against you will prosper; and every tongue that accuses you in judgment you will condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their vindication is from Me.”

 

Seize the moment and put yourself under the protection of the Redeemer – there is no weapon, which has been formed against God’s people or His will, that can thwart the finished work of Jesus on the Cross.

 
 

God bless you!

 

If you would like to receive a personal phone call today, all you have to do is dial the phone number below right now and one of us will call you soon.

 

YOUTUBE:

If you prefer a video, Pastor Jerry reads his devotion on YouTube as well. Click HERE to visit the page.

 


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Seize the Moment – Day 1429

The Victory of God!

Isaiah 46

 

Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Wednesday, February 14.

 

In ancient times, wars between nations were considered the battle grounds of the gods. In Isaiah 46, Yahweh took on the Babylonian gods, overtly calling them by name in the first verses, then contrasting them with Himself in verses 1-4:

 

Bel has bowed down, Nebo stoops over; their images are consigned to the beasts and the cattle. The things that you carry are burdensome, a load for the weary beast. They stooped over, they have bowed down together; they could not rescue the burden, but have themselves gone into captivity. Listen to Me, O house of Jacob, and all the remnant of the house of Israel, you who have been borne by Me from birth and have been carried from the womb; even to your old age I will be the same, and even to your graying years I will bear you! I have done it, and I will carry you; and I will bear you and I will deliver you.

 

Bel, also known as Marduk, was the principal god in the Babylonian pantheon of gods. He was a storm god associated with fertility and creation. Nebo was his son and was popularly paraded during Babylonian festivals. Isaiah portrayed them both as idols, false gods who burdened their worshippers. Then he contrasted them with Yahweh, the true God who bears the heavy burden of His worshippers. God declared of Himself in Isaiah 46:9-10, “For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times things which have not been done, saying, ‘My purpose will be established, and I will accomplish all My good pleasure.’”

 

Seize the moment and trust Jesus for every victory – “He had disarmed the rulers and authorities, He made a public display of them, having triumphed over them through Him” (Colossians 2:15; cf. 2 Corinthians 2:14). It is done!

 

God bless you!

 

If you would like to receive a personal phone call today, all you have to do is dial the phone number below right now and one of us will call you soon.

 

YOUTUBE:

If you prefer a video, Pastor Jerry reads his devotion on YouTube as well. Click HERE to visit the page.

 
 
 

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Advent 2023 (Wk 3) The Christmas Word

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

To see the edited version, click HERE.

(The sound has been edited and some things were taken out at the beginning.  Sound issues are mostly fixed)
 

To see the original streamed version, click HERE.

(Includes first song, announcements, Advent candle lighting.  Sound is up and down.)
 
 

To see the original program, click HERE.

 
 
 
 

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Seize the Moment – Day 1337

Focus on what Matters Most!

Proverbs 31

 

Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Tuesday, November 14.

 

Did you know that in today’s world you can be busy doing nothing? Are you utilizing the precious time you have to focus on what matters most? Proverbs 31:10-31 captures a description of “an excellent wife,” but what it really does is teach us what the life that embodies wisdom looks like. The conclusion of the matter is found in Proverbs 31:30-31, with a characterization of a person who lives according to the fear of the Lord, “Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her the product of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.” These are the concluding words of the book of Proverbs, a summarization of the theme of Solomon’s wisdom – a wise person lives according to the fear of the Lord.

 

Take some time today to meditate upon this description of a godly life, seeing how important the wise use of time is for each of us. How are you investing your time? What matters most to you? If time is your best expression of love, to whom are you giving this exquisite gift? If I were to write a short story about your life, what would it sound like based on how you are investing your time and energy? Are there things you would like to change? Consider taking active steps today to do this because you do not know how much time is left that can still be rearranged. Today is a gift!

 

Seize the moment and apply the wisdom of Proverbs 31: focus on what matters most by cultivating the character of a godly person, and you will reap a harvest of praise to God by bearing the good fruit of the Spirit in your life, “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23).

 

God bless you!

 

If you would like to receive a personal phone call today, all you have to do is dial the phone number below right now and one of us will call you soon.

 

YOUTUBE:

If you prefer a video, Pastor Jerry reads his devotion on YouTube as well. Click HERE to visit the page.

 
 
 

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Seize the Moment – Day 1336

Ask God for His Will to be Done!

Proverbs 30

 

Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Monday, November 13.

 

What are you asking God for and why? What are the motivations of your prayer life? In Proverbs 30:7-9, Agur petitions God, “Two things I asked of You, do not refuse me before I die: Keep deception and lies far from me, give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is my portion, that I not be full and deny You and say, “Who is the Lord?” Or that I not be in want and steal, and profane the name of my God.” He asked for a life of integrity, and a life of contentment. Both of which he desires so that he may honor God with his life. Motives matter when we petition God, as James 4:3 explains, “You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.”

 

Prayer is a gift from God. He desires to be in a personal relationship with you, and He wants to hear from you. We are to approach God in the name of Jesus, which means we are to ask Him in accordance with His character and will, as revealed to us through His Word (John 14:14; 15:16; 16:23-24). In Matthew 6:9-13, Jesus taught His disciples how to pray in a new way:

 

Our Father who is in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.

 

Seize the moment and apply the wisdom of Proverbs 30: ask God for His will to be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven!

 

God bless you!

 

If you would like to receive a personal phone call today, all you have to do is dial the phone number below right now and one of us will call you soon.

 

YOUTUBE:

If you prefer a video, Pastor Jerry reads his devotion on YouTube as well. Click HERE to visit the page.
 
 

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Seize the Moment – Day 1285

Today’s song focus will be

What a Beautiful Name

 

Colossians 1:15 (NASB95)         

 

“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation.”

 

Brooke Fraser Ligertwood had been writing songs before she was even a teenager. She came to the Lord at the age of 15 in her home country of New Zealand. She later moved to Sydney, Australia where she joined Hillsong Worship, helping to write songs like ‘Desert Song’, ‘Hosanna’, and ‘None but Jesus’. In 2015, she co-wrote “What a Beautiful Name” with Ben Fielding, which went on to receive a Grammy award. She said they wanted to create a song that brought a balance of sound theology and personal lyrics of what that means for the individual worshipper.

 

What a beautiful Name it is. 

What a beautiful Name it is

The Name of Jesus Christ my King.

What a beautiful Name it is

Nothing compares to this.

What a beautiful Name it is

The Name of Jesus

 

We need to wake up each morning declaring our worship to the One who gave everything for us so that we could have the abundant life that can only be found in Him.

 

If you would like to receive a personal phone call today, all you have to do is dial the phone number below right now and one of us will call you soon.

 

YOUTUBE:

If you prefer a video, Pastor Ken reads his devotion on YouTube as well. Click HERE to visit the page.

 

If you would like to listen to this song, click on this link:

 

What a Beautiful Name

 

Verse 1
You were the Word at the beginning
One with God the Lord Most High
Your hidden glory in creation
Now revealed in You our Christ

Chorus 1
What a beautiful Name it is
What a beautiful Name it is
The Name of Jesus Christ my King
What a beautiful Name it is
Nothing compares to this
What a beautiful Name it is
The Name of Jesus

Verse 2
You didn’t want heaven without us
So Jesus You brought heaven down
My sin was great Your love was greater
What could separate us now

Chorus 2
What a wonderful Name it is
What a wonderful Name it is
The Name of Jesus Christ my King
What a wonderful Name it is
Nothing compares to this
What a wonderful Name it is
The Name of Jesus
What a wonderful Name it is
The Name of Jesus

Bridge
Death could not hold You
The veil tore before You
You silence the boast of sin and grave
The heavens are roaring
The praise of Your glory
For You are raised to life again

You have no rival
You have no equal
Now and forever God You reign
Yours is the kingdom
Yours is the glory
Yours is the Name above all names

Chorus 3
What a powerful Name it is
What a powerful Name it is
The Name of Jesus Christ my King
What a powerful Name it is
Nothing can stand against
What a powerful Name it is
The Name of Jesus

Tags
What a powerful Name it is The Name of Jesus
What a powerful Name it is The Name of Jesus

 
 
 
Lyrics found at:
 
 

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Missionary: Jim White

Faith (And what it takes to live in Faith)

from Missionaries Jim & Teresa White
 
 
Teresa shared, thanking the church for their support during a time of deep loss and for a time of renewal in Newfoundland. Teresa also shared about some changes in their mission outreach into “the hood” of their city in the Dominican Republic.
 
Jim wanted to share about Faith and what it takes to live in Faith…. For many, when the hard times come, they walk in doubt.
 
The Bible teaches that we are to be like Jesus when we walk on earth.
 
1 John 2:6; 4:17; We bring the Gospel of Life with others. You may be the only “Jesus” that others ever see. If we are living like Jesus, then others will meet Jesus. We are the hands and the feet and the love of Jesus on earth!
 
We should live each day as if it were the last day for us on earth. How would you change your daily life?
 
1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Run is such a way that you will not be disqualified.
 
We are to run the race with great intent. Our goal is to see Jesus face to face!
Our first thought of the day, our thoughts at work or with others and our final thought of the day – is it Jesus?
 
Philippians 2 – we are to think of others more than we do ourselves.
 
God has given us everything we need to be like Jesus. He honors effort. We are to work out our salvation with fear and trembling…
 
Evil today is rampant. It’s not isolated, it is everywhere! It is not going to get better. From here on out it is going to get worse. Are you prepared? We hear about Christians being in other countries, but it is beginning to happen here. Satan has more freedom in out schools while Christians have to fight for the privilege to do things there!
 
Evil is expanding across the globe and Christians are beginning to lose faith. They are impatient and don’t want to wait on God.
 
There is a goal we need to focus on: to see Jesus face to face. We need to be willing to give up everything. To go where God sends us!
 
We started the mission field dirt poor with rats and cockroaches, and now we are blessed with a nice (although unfinished home), but if He asked us to give it up tomorrow, could we? We need to be ready and willing…
 
I spent 60 days in a Haitian prison and was accused of being a terrorist. I was cleared by Homeland Security and ATF. I was a political pawn. It was the perfect storm. There were many demonic “coincidences”. 60 days was a miracle. The consulate expected me to be there for at least a year and maybe more. They even told me it was a miracle. And many miracles happened while I was in prison. God does things in our lives like he did for the apostles!
 
Paul considered himself to the be least of the apostles, yet he did so much more.
 
We have to be prepared for what’s coming…
 
Colossians 2:6 Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.
 
The only way we can be intimate with Jesus is through His word. Not by asking Him for things! Just by showing up and reading His word and talking to Him!
 
I was never afraid while in prison. Although I was never given a number (which meant they could make me disappear), but God protected me with others who took care of me.
 
A lady gave him a pamphlet, “How do die in a foreign prison.” He wouldn’t take it because God had already assured him that he wouldn’t.
 
I don’t need to learn how to die in prison, I need to learn how to die in Christ! The worse thing you can do when faced with death as a Christian, is to beg for your life. Death is the doorway to being with Christ!
 
Like Paul, I would rather be with the Lord than with you…please don’t take offense at that.
 
Around the world we see evil being taken as good and good as evil!
 
We are all given the ministry of reconciliation, not just the pastors! We will all be held accountable for those in our circle of ministry where we live, and for the truth He has given us.
 
2 Corinthians 5:18 Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.
 
Jim shared a story about an event in the jail and the healing of a nonbeliever there and how God used that to lead him to Christ.
 
Another story was about a man in the prison who was so depressed that just waiting to die. He wouldn’t eat or drink. Jim was sharing with others about how simple it is to receive Christ. Many were saved and began preaching the Gospel. That night this man told Jim that he needed Jesus, but he didn’t know how. Jim told him to just speak to Jesus and tell him of his need. He began to pray and pour out his heart. He changed from being so depressed to being full of joy! The whole cell of men celebrated.
 
He was still sad because he had murdered someone and would never see his family again. Jim prayed a simple prayer for him. He was released 3 days later. Another miracle. He was asked to pray for many people after that!
 
Faith is not complicated. Faith is believing that God is who He said He was and that He will do what He said He would do!
 
We just need to be faithful, no matter what comes your way. He will deliver you!
 
Death is a door. If we die in Christ, we are delivered. We have no need to fear!
 
1 Thessalonians 2:13 For this reason we also thank God without ceasing, because when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you welcomed it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which also effectively works in you who believe.
 

You can watch the message by clicking HERE.

 
 

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Ed Bell’s Testimony Sept 10, 2023

Ed Bell, Husband, Father, Farmer and Speaker.

 

As a youth I had it better than Opie Taylor. I’ve been a farmer most of my life.
 
 

Little things make a big impact!

Deb and I were dating and thinking about getting serious. She had a former boyfriend who couldn’t take no for an answer. Deb was a nurse and had moved into an apartment. She invited me over to see it.

 
 
 
 

My life was changed forever on Sept 5, 1982.

Her boyfriend shot at the apartment and drove off. The police came and told us to stay put. I had driven the farm truck that weekend and I had a 22 rifle and took it into the apartment. Her boyfriend came back and broke all the windows out of the truck. He climbed up to her balcony.

Deb hid in the closet and dialed 911. He kicked at the sliding glass door. He had a trench knife and a large pistol. He dropped the knife as he kicked. The door latch broke and he came in. He said, “Kill me, Ed.” Ed had his rifle and knew he had the right to kill him. Ed wouldn’t kill him. He grabbed Ed’s rifle and Ed heard a “boom”.

They continued to struggle. Ed shot him in the leg and it made him angrier. Ed fell over and he shot Ed point blank while he lay on the floor. Ed tried to shoot him but the rifle jammed. He shot Ed again and hit him in the collar shattering vertebrae paralyzing him. It was a 44 special hollow point. The blood was pouring out of his body (he lost half of his blood supply) and Ed could hear it hitting the floor.

He was passing out and could hardly breath. He was sure he was going to die. He could only think of all of his dreams. He feared for his parents’ reaction. He even wondered if his science teacher was right – there is nothing after death. But he said “NO!, I believe in Jesus”. His sins passed before his eyes. “No, I believe in Jesus! I’ve got nothing but Jesus!” I remembered the song, Jesus Loves Me. The blood stopped!

The next thing he remembered was ER.
The doctors found the holes but couldn’t find the source of the blood. He kept asking, “Am I going to die?” He could hear the guy who shot him screaming in the next room. When the blood stopped in the apartment. He was sure God did it. The first time Ed told Deb he loved her was while he was lying on the floor of her apartment.
 
 

He had to learn to do things all over again.

God has called Ed to till the soil and cultivate people whenever he gets the chance.

Ed took the chance to challenge us…

Romans 15:28-29

Matthew 16:24-26

Galatians 2:20

Isaiah 57:11-13

“Get planted where you are, grow, make fruit. Love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul and all your mind – and tell the world.

It’s that simple. Do it now. Repentance isn’t you crying. It’s you changing.

Die…let that rot and then sprout new and follow Christ. No matter what the cost…”.
 
 
 

You can watch the message by clicking HERE.

 
 
 

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Seize the Moment – Day 1250

Today’s song focus will be

How Deep the Father’s Love for Us

 

John 3:16-17 (NASB95)              

 

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that

whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.  For God did

not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might

be saved through Him.”

 

Today’s song was written by Christian Worship Leader Stuart Townsend in an effort bring our focus on our Lord more than ourselves. He desired to help believers to put Christ as the center of our worship, no matter the situation. Many times, our

emotions try to be the center when, if we put Christ as the center, we will never be disappointed.

 

          How deep the Father’s love for us, How vast beyond all measure,

         That He should give His only Son to make a wretch His treasure.

 

We need to wake up and focus our worship on the One Who did so much for us. Our worship should never be self-seeking or self-serving, making it all about how we feel or what we need. Our worship should be focused on the One who deserves our highest praise…our wonderful, omnipotent God. Then our emotions will be a by-product of that focus.

 

If you would like to receive a personal phone call today, all you have to do is dial the phone number below right now and one of us will call you soon.

 

YOUTUBE:

If you prefer a video, Pastor Ken reads his devotion on YouTube as well. Click HERE to visit the page.

 

If you would like to listen to this song, click on this link:

 
 

How Deep the Father’s Love for Us

 
How deep the Father’s love for us,
How vast beyond all measure,
That He should give His only Son
To make a wretch His treasure.
How great the pain of searing loss –
The Father turns His face away,
As wounds which mar the Chosen One
Bring many sons to glory.
 

Behold the man upon a cross,
My sin upon His shoulders;
Ashamed, I hear my mocking voice
Call out among the scoffers.
It was my sin that held Him there
Until it was accomplished;
His dying breath has brought me life –
I know that it is finished.

 

I will not boast in anything,
No gifts, no power, no wisdom;
But I will boast in Jesus Christ,
His death and resurrection.
Why should I gain from His reward?
I cannot give an answer;
But this I know with all my heart –
His wounds have paid my ransom.
 
 
 
 
 
 

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FBC Church Picnic

Sin, God’s Divine Mercy and Our Answer To It

Speaker: Jacob Davis, Seminary Student
 
 
 

By Grace Through Faith

 

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work in the sons of disobedience— among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind. But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the coming ages he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.

 

 

Outline of Message:

verses 1-4 You were all dead!
 
 
We cannot initiate a return to God on our own.
 
 
verses 4-9 WHY? But God, being rich in mercy and love!
 
verses 6-7 We are spared the death we deserve and are raised up with Him – THIS IS GRACE!
 
verses 8-9 HOW? By the gift of FAITH.
 
ONLY BY FAITH CAN WE BE UNITED WITH GOD!
 
verse 10 GOOD WORKS? This is the PURPOSE for which we have been saved! We are not to sit idle once we have been saved. We are to be involved in the good works He has prepared for us – to spread His Good News to the world around us!
 
 
 

You can watch just the message by clicking HERE.

 

You can watch the entire worship service by clicking HERE.

 
 
 
 
 

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