Live Like a Champion – (Week 6)
Series: “Live Like a Champion: Victory Through the Promises of God!”
“The Promise of Forgiveness!”
1 John 1:5-10 (NASB95)
We have finished our study of 2 Peter 1, which is the foundation for this entire series. If you missed those foundational five sermons during the month of January, then please go to our webpage and you can either read the manuscripts on the blog or listen to and/or watch the messages through an audio or video file.
Today, we start looking at the individual promises—the plays in God’s Playbook—and learn how to apply them to our lives so that we can live the victorious life and play like champions!
Never forget the larger vision of why we are learning these lessons: We live like champions so that others will come to know the One who gave us His Victory—Jesus Christ, crucified, risen, and coming again!
We are starting with the promise that, in many ways, is the greatest evidence of our Christianity: nothing demonstrates to us and the world the tangible reality of Jesus Christ crucified, risen and coming again more than our ability to forgive as we have first been forgiven (Colossians 3:13; Ephesians 4:32).
Now, let’s start our study of the plays in God’s Playbook by walking through the 4 steps of how to live like a champion in both the private and public arenas of our lives, starting with the promise of forgiveness:
STEP #1: Know God’s playbook—the Bible—by learning the promises of God.
5This is the message we have heard from Him and announce to you, that God is Light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. 6If we say that we have fellowship with Him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth; 7but if we walk in the Light as He Himself is in the Light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus His Son cleanses us from all sin. 8If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. 9If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us.
Remember, knowing is more than memorizing; it is a call to internalizing it. That requires us to meditate upon it or hide God’s Word in our hearts (Psalm 119:11) so that the Word is in us and we are in the Word. We master when we memorize; it masters us when we internalize. Joshua was commanded in Joshua 1:7-9,
Only be strong and very courageous; be careful to do according to all the law which Moses My servant commanded you; do not turn from it to the right or to the left, so that you may have success wherever you go. This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success. Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
STEP #2: Train in godliness by learning to live according to the promises of God.
To truly understand the importance of training ourselves in godliness according to this teaching, we need to go back to our theme passage for this sermon series. Peter teaches us the importance of receiving Christ’s forgiveness for ourselves in 2 Peter 1:5-10, with emphasis added to verse 9:
Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self-control, and in your self-control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins. Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble;
Our scripture lesson in 1 John 1:5-10 is very clear and I’ll help you apply it with 1-2-3-LIVE IN GRACE!
“Every good thing given and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shifting shadow.”
The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him: the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.”
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
This “1-2-3-Live in Grace! “ application of 1 John 1:5-10 is essential to the promise of forgiveness. Only God’s love is perfect; therefore, we must live in a forgiving love that is anchored on His perfect love!
STEP #3: We are invited to learn how to listen to the Coach’s voice so that we play the right play at the right time.
Jesus is very clear about the urgency of forgiveness. In Matthew 6:12, Jesus taught us to pray in the Lord’s prayer: “And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.”
“For if you forgive others for their transgressions, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. “But if you do not forgive others, then your Father will not forgive your transgressions” (cf. 2 Corinthians 2:10-11).
What a wonderful invitation from our Lord and Savior! But the disciples were confused by this, so listen to this exchange between Peter and Jesus in Matthew 18:21-35, as Jesus makes the application very clear:
Then Peter came and said to Him, “Lord, how often shall my brother sin against me and I forgive him? Up to seven times?” Jesus said to him, “I do not say to you, up to seven times, but up to seventy times seven. “For this reason the kingdom of heaven may be compared to a king who wished to settle accounts with his slaves. “When he had begun to settle them, one who owed him ten thousand talents was brought to him. “But since he did not have the means to repay, his lord commanded him to be sold, along with his wife and children and all that he had, and repayment to be made. “So the slave fell to the ground and prostrated himself before him, saying, ‘Have patience with me and I will repay you everything.’ “And the lord of that slave felt compassion and released him and forgave him the debt. “But that slave went out and found one of his fellow slaves who owed him a hundred denarii; and he seized him and began to choke him, saying, ‘Pay back what you owe.’ “So his fellow slave fell to the ground and began to plead with him, saying, ‘Have patience with me and I will repay you.’ “But he was unwilling and went and threw him in prison until he should pay back what was owed. “So when his fellow slaves saw what had happened, they were deeply grieved and came and reported to their lord all that had happened. “Then summoning him, his lord said to him, ‘You wicked slave, I forgave you all that debt because you pleaded with me. ‘Should you not also have had mercy on your fellow slave, in the same way that I had mercy on you?’ “And his lord, moved with anger, handed him over to the torturers until he should repay all that was owed him. “My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from your heart.”
What is the right play to run in both the private and public arenas of our lives: FORGIVE! Every time!! Because this is the sign and wonder of the resurrection in you and through you! This is our mission as the people of God and that leads us to step #4.
STEP #4: Work together as one team—we are members of God’s family—His Church.
I close our time together with Jesus’ words from Matthew 5:22-24, as an invitation to each of us today, because we can’t make visible to the world our Victory if we don’t run the plays together as one team:
But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, “You good-for-nothing,” shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, “You fool,” shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell. Therefore if you are presenting your offering at the altar, and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your offering there before the altar and go; first be reconciled to your brother, and then come and present your offering.
We are one team! We each have been chosen by God and called to be on the field together, but how can we play as one team if we aren’t willing to practice together the most fundamental play in the Playbook? What would it look like to the world watching the Superbowl if the players were fighting one another on the sidelines or arguing with the QB and one another in huddle? As Jesus said in John 13:35, “By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Read more...
Seize the Moment – Day 326
Today’s hymn: “Just As I Am”
Charlotte Elliott, born in Brighton, England, lived a carefree life, becoming known for her portrait artistry and as a writer of humorous verse. But at age 30, she was struck with a serious ailment that left her an invalid for life. She became despondent and bitter, until in 1822 Swiss Evangelist Dr. Caesar Malan visited her family home. While counseling her, he spoke to her directly saying “You must come just as you are – a sinner – to the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world.” She responded by giving her heart to the Lord. Fourteen years later, she never forgot those words as she wrote this text ‘Just as I Am’, to help her brother raise funds for the children of poor clergymen.
Just as I am, without one plea. But that thy blood was shed for me
And that Thou bidd’st me come to Thee, O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
We need to wake up every day and take this message to a world that is in need of this blessed hope. Jesus doesn’t say, ‘change first, then come to Me’. He wants us to tell them to come just as they are, and He will pardon, cleanse and relieve.
YOUTUBE:
but that thy blood was shed for me,
and that thou bidd’st me come to thee,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
to rid my soul of one dark blot,
to thee, whose blood can cleanse each spot,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
with many a conflict, many a doubt,
fightings and fears within, without,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve;
because thy promise I believe,
O Lamb of God, I come, I come.
Read more...
Seize the Moment – Day 325
Taste that the Lord is Good!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Friday, February 5.
Did you know that what you think about someone will determine how you interpret their words and actions?
This is such an important paradigm to understand. It is crucial that we start with our view of God, which shapes everything else we think about ourselves, the world, and other people. And I’m not talking about your intellectual understanding of God because I’m sure you’ve worked quite hard to be orthodox in word, but I am talking about how you relate to God on the level of intimate knowing, not head knowledge alone.
Listen to 1 Peter 2:1-3, “Therefore, putting aside all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander, like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation, if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.”
I was reminded by a friend of a wonderful quote by a favorite author of mine, “Never believe anything bad about God.”
That is such a beautiful reality of how we are to view God. It shapes our worldview! As Peter commands, I am to put off all malice, deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander so that I can grow up in my salvation and experience the fullness of Christ’s life in my life of wholeness and holiness—what He called the abundant life, the fullness of joy, the perfect love that drives out fear, and the peace that transcends human understanding.
These are the promises of God and where do they start? Peter makes it very clear when he says, “if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.”
If you believe in your deepest self (your heart) that God is good in all of His ways, then put aside the shadow of death and live in the love of God as the Light of the World.
Seize the moment and taste that the Lord is good.
YOUTUBE:
Read more...
Seize the Moment – Day 324
Jesus is our Living Hope!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Thursday, February 4.
Peter starts off his first letter by bursting forth in doxology for who God is and what God has done for His children. In 1 Peter 1:2-5, he greets the Christians as those who are chosen
Amen!
Peter’s letter is so rich with praise to the Triune God for who He is and what He has done for His children. Peter writes, from very personal experience, how Jesus can lift people up out of the difficulties of their circumstances. In fact, Peter is writing to a church that has been scattered due to persecution.
That is why Peter calls Jesus our living hope and calls us to remember that we are made new (“born again”) to Him through His resurrection. What God has given us in Jesus cannot be destroyed or diminished by life’s difficulties. Peter would know this because not only did Jesus forgive him after his denials, but He also patiently persevered with Peter as he learned how to live out Christ’s way of life in an ever-changing world.
Sound relevant for today? Absolutely!
Seize the moment and persevere with Jesus, our living hope for today and always.
YOUTUBE:
Read more...
Seize the Moment – Day 323
Journey with Patient Perseverance!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Wednesday, February 3.
I started running again a couple of years ago. I am greatly enjoying running on the trail around Westwood Lake and on the Wilbur Wright Trail and am now working towards a trail marathon. It is amazing how much long distance running mirrors the Christian life. Both require a patient perseverance—a long slow obedience in the same direction!
James 5:7-8 closes his letter with a call to patient perseverance knowing that all things will bear fruit in their season: “Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains. You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near.”
Patience is the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) that God has given you and that He calls you to cultivate as good fruit. In fact, patient perseverance is necessary for you to become whole and holy.
You see, God wants you to become whole and holy. Holy is being at peace with God and wholeness is being at peace with oneself. It is only when we are whole and holy that we can truly reflect the image of Christ to the world as He designed each of us to do uniquely and personally.
So, cultivate the good fruit of patient perseverance in your life. I’m only 46, but the older I get the more I realize that life is a long slow obedience in the same direction. It’s not a sprint, it’s a marathon, and more specifically, it’s a trail marathon so hit the trail today and enjoy the journey!
Seize the moment and strengthen your heart for the coming of the Lord is near. Journey with patient perseverance until the finish line!
YOUTUBE:
Read more...
Seize the Moment – Day 322
Open Hands Demonstrate a Humble Heart!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Tuesday, February 2.
Do you hold your life and your plans tightly, as with closed fists, or do you hold your life and your plans loosely, as with open hands?
James speaks into all of our shared experiences and collective circumstance of our last 11 months grappling with the novel Covid-19 international pandemic in James 4:13-15,
Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to such and such a city, and spend a year there and engage in business and make a profit.” Yet you do not know what your life will be like tomorrow. You are just a vapor that appears for a little while and then vanishes away. Instead, you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and also do this or that.”
This is not actually about Covid-19, this is our reality all the time, as some many have experienced before all of this, whether through a medical incident or work accident or heart break. Life as we know it can change today.
While it is honest to say that we intellectually know this, but it is also honest to acknowledge that until we experience it we do not really live with this posture of humility towards our lives and our plans or life ambitions. We keep making plans and assume they will happen!
We hold everything tightly until we don’t because we realize we can’t. This is when the deepest decision of our lives is made: to truly trust God and His goodness and grace over our lives or keeping fighting for control and our ability to make life work out the way we want it to.
Did you know that this passage is an application of verse 10, when James write, “Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you”?
Seize the moment and open your hands to God today. Because He loves you and you can trust Him!
YOUTUBE:
Read more...
Seize the Moment – Day 321
Teachers Appreciation!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Monday, February 1.
Who has influenced your life and way of thinking? Are you thankful and encouraging to your teachers?
James addressed a very important issue: being thankful and supportive of our teachers because they do an impossible task for us!
Listen to what he says in James 3:1-5,
Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment. For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body as well. Now if we put the bits into the horses’ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well. Look at the ships also, though they are so great and are driven by strong winds, are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires. So also the tongue is a small part of the body, and yet it boasts of great things. See how great a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!
Do you see it? Do you see how James is dealing with some specific issues in the local churches, not just our everyday use of our tongue, even though, of course, the principles apply, but the focus is on how there were people most likely wagging their tongues at the teachers of the local congregations. James, the overseer of the Jerusalem church (Acts 15:13-21), was telling them to get a handle on their critique and ridicule of the early church teachers because there was only one perfect teacher: Jesus.
James was calling them to submit themselves to their teachers and not disqualify them just because they were human and made mistakes. James is calling all of us to stop being a hostile demanding crowd and start being a peaceful appreciative congregation. None of us are perfect!
Seize the moment and be thankful and encouraging to your teachers.
YOUTUBE:
Read more...
Live Like a Champion – (Week 5)
“Live Like a Champion: Victory Through the Promises of God!”
“The Promise of Being Established in God’s Word!”
2 Peter 1:12-21 (NAS95)
In the first four weeks of this series, we have learned how to live like a champion by learning how to live according to the Victory of the promises of God. Our guiding image for this series is being a member of an NFL team who wins the Superbowl. As God’s athletes we must do four things to live like champions:
(1) Know God’s playbook—the Bible—by learning the promises of God.
(2) Train ourselves for godliness by learning to live according to the promises of God.
(3) Learn how to listen to the Coach’s voice so that we play the right play at the right time.
(4) Work together as one team—we are members of God’s family—His Church.
Never forget, the Superbowl celebration is in our future and we are invited to play like a championship team.
This is our last foundational message for this series as we finish our study of 2 Peter 1. Today, we are focusing on the last verses of this chapter to learn that we can trust God’s playbook. Starting next Sunday, we are going to start looking at the individual promises—the plays in God’s Playbook—and learn how to apply them to our lives so that we can live the victorious life and play like champions!
Listen to Peter’s words from 2 Peter 1:12–21,
12Therefore, I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present with you. 13I consider it right, as long as I am in this earthly dwelling, to stir you up by way of reminder, 14knowing that the laying aside of my earthly dwelling is imminent, as also our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. 15And I will also be diligent that at any time after my departure you will be able to call these things to mind. 16For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. 17For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, such an utterance as this was made to Him by the Majestic Glory, “This is My beloved Son with whom I am well-pleased”— 18and we ourselves heard this utterance made from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain. 19So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts. 20But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, 21for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.
The heart of today’s message is to reinforce the bedrock of the promises of God as being God’s spoken Word to us. As the last verses, 2 Peter 1:20-21, say as of first importance, “But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture is a matter of one’s own interpretation, for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.”
We believe the Bible is God-breathed (inspired) as Paul teaches in 2 Timothy 3:16-17, “All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work.”
Furthermore, we can trust that what we have in the four Gospel narratives are the true historical accounts of Jesus Christ, the living Word. Peter, a disciple of Jesus Christ, makes significant claims of this first-hand witness to their historicity in today’s scripture. Listen again to verses 16-18:
For we did not follow cleverly devised tales when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but we were eyewitnesses of His majesty. For when He received honor and glory from God the Father, such an utterance as this was made to Him by the Majestic Glory, “This is My beloved Son with whom I am well-pleased”—and we ourselves heard this utterance made from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.
Luke further emphasizes the accuracy of the Gospels as theologically-motivated historical accounts of Jesus’ life and ministry in Luke 1:1-4, the prelude of his Gospel:
Inasmuch as many have undertaken to compile an account of the things accomplished among us, just as they were handed down to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, it seemed fitting for me as well, having investigated everything carefully from the beginning, to write it out for you in consecutive order, most excellent Theophilus; so that you may know the exact truth about the things you have been taught.
As a final point of the importance of the Word of God, Peter states in verse 19, “So we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts.”
John, another first-hand witness of Jesus, discussed Jesus with the same imagery in John 1:1-4,
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was in the beginning with God. All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being. In Him was life, and the life was the Light of men. The Light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not comprehend it.
If the first big step of living the victorious life is to know God’s playbook, then this message is intended to give us a conviction that as we learn to listen to God’s voice we will trust the Bible as His playbook. When God calls us into the game and directs us to play a certain play, we won’t question either the authenticity (that this is the Coach’s idea and not our own) or the efficacy of that play (that the play will accomplish that which the Coach intends for it to do).
We are invited to trust the Bible as God’s Playbook.
For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, and do not return there without watering the earth and making it bear and sprout, and furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; so will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; it will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.
Can you imagine the ridiculously chaotic game on the football field if the players started questioning the authenticity or efficacy of the play every huddle? In reality, there would be no game. There would be only internal confusion and fighting at every huddle (with no running of the plays; therefore, no victory!).
Is this an accurate image for the American church? We spend more time in our huddles “discussing” the authenticity and trustworthiness of the playbook and questioning the efficacy of the play themselves, that we never get on with the game to win the championships that is ours in Christ Jesus!
This series is intended to change that because every week we are going to learn a play and your assignment is to trust God’s playbook, training yourself in godliness, listen for the Coach’s voice, and then, out in both the private and public arenas of life, run the play—live like a champion based on the promises of God!
We are to build our lives and our game plan on the truth, from the Playbook!
Therefore, I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present with you. I consider it right, as long as I am in this earthly dwelling, to stir you up by way of reminder, knowing that the laying aside of my earthly dwelling is imminent, as also our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. And I will also be diligent that at any time after my departure you will be able to call these things to mind.
God has given us His Word and His Spirit to do what Peter promises in these verses. Here’s how it happens:
(1) His Word! We establish our lives on the Truth of God’s Word as handed down to us in the Bible.
“How can a young man keep his way pure? By keeping it according to Your word. With all my heart I have sought You; Do not let me wander from Your commandments. Your word I have treasured in my heart, That I may not sin against You. Blessed are You, O Lord; Teach me Your statutes.”
“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful; and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near.”
If you don’t feel connected to the team, stop making excuses and start showing up to the practices. The Coach has us at FBC sending every player plays from the Playbook every day on the phone at 10 am; we are inviting you to the team practice to learn how to listen to the Coach’s voice every Wednesday night at 6:15 pm; and we you are called to participate in weekly scrimmages every Sunday at 10:30 am.
But, the reality is that victorious living, while learned and practiced together, must be lived every day out there. The Christian life was never to be one big holy huddle, but a rhythm of gathering and scattering, so that we run the right play in the everyday circumstances and challenges of our communities.
(2) His Spirit! The Holy Spirit is the one who stirs us up and calls the play for the Coach in the midst of our ever present circumstance and challenges. God has given us the Word and He calls us to the right play!
“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all that I said to you (e.g. Luke 12:11-12).
As we learn the Playbook and listen to our Coach’s Voice, then we will live like champions in both the public and private arenas of life and make His Victory visible. Paul taught us in Philippians 2:12-16,
So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure. Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain (cf. Matthew 5:14-16 & 1 Peter 2:9-12).
Read more...
Seize the Moment – Day 319
Today’s hymn focus: “How Firm A Foundation”
Isaiah 41:10 (ESV)
“fear not, for I am with you, be not dismayed, for I am your God;
I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
Written just before the turn of the 18th century, this hymn is attributed to Robert Keene and John Rippon. This hymn was said to be a favorite of Theodore Roosevelt, and Andrew Jackson requested it be sung at his deathbed.
The song was written to make known the promises of God found in Scripture, especially calling upon the promises for strength in times of tribulation to bring comfort and peace. Verse 2 is from our scripture today…
“Fear not, I am with thee; oh be not dismayed. For I am thy God and will still give thee aid. I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand.
Upheld by My righteous, omnipotent hand.”
We need to wake up every morning and remind ourselves that our faith and hope is built on Jesus and it is strong and firm. No matter the circumstances we find ourselves in, we can rely upon the solid foundation of the Lord to keep us calm and encouraged.
YOUTUBE:
How Firm A Foundation
is laid for your faith in his excellent Word!
What more can he say than to you he has said,
to you who for refuge to Jesus have fled?
for I am your God, and will still give you aid.
I’ll strengthen you, help you, and cause you to stand,
upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand.
the rivers of sorrow shall not overflow,
for I will be with you, your troubles to bless,
and sanctify to you the deepest distress.
my grace, all sufficient, shall be your supply.
The flames shall not hurt you. I only design
your dross to consume, and your gold to refine.
I will not, I will not desert to its foes.
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake!”
Read more...
Seize the Moment – Day 318
The Hearth of Your Life!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Friday, January 29.
In the 1500s, Martin Luther championed the fundamental Christian belief that we are saved by faith alone and changed the modern world in the process.
James 2:18-20 focuses our minds on the importance of living the life of faith and not just saying we have faith, lest we be deceived ourselves:
But someone may well say, “You have faith and I have works; show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” You believe that God is one. You do well; the demons also believe, and shudder. But are you willing to recognize, you foolish fellow, that faith without works is useless?
Luther certainly did not miss this point. Listen to this wonderful teaching that informs the church’s faith and practice to this day, 500 years since he wrote it:
Faith is a living, daring confidence in God’s grace, so sure and certain that the believer would stake life itself on it a thousand times. This knowledge of and confidence in God’s grace makes people glad and bold and happy in dealing with God and with all creatures. And this is the work which the Holy Spirit performs in faith. Because of it, without compulsion, a person is ready and glad to do good to everyone, to serve everyone, to suffer everything, out of love and praise to God, who has shown this grace. Thus, it is impossible to separate works from faith, quite as impossible as to separate heat and light from fire.[1]
YOUTUBE:
[1] Robert Kolb, Timothy J. Wengert, and Charles P. Arand, The Book of Concord: The Confessions of the Evangelical Lutheran Church (Minneapolis, MN: Fortress Press, 2000), 576.
Read more...