Seize the Moment – Day 241
Absolute Dependence!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Friday, November 13.
We all have favorite passages of the Bible. One of my favorites is Galatians 3:3 because of its deep impact upon my testimony as a pastor who is learning to be totally dependent on the Word and Spirit and no longer dependent on my own competencies and charisma.
Listen to Paul’s questions in Galatians 3:3, “Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your goal by human effort?”.
I was on a silent retreat in 2015 when this Scripture came alive and spoke personally to me. The Lord was graciously teaching me, and is still teaching me, absolute dependence on Him—a full surrender—a forsaking of all—a crucified life. This was the beginning of the journey that has led me to learn the life of a Yokefellow; the life of the easy yoke of Jesus Christ (Matthew 11:28-30).
When we learn to work from grace and restfully work, then we can do much for God without hurry in our souls because our souls are at rest in Him. We learn that all things, from justification to glorification and every step of sanctification along the way, comes only from grace and not from anything we can do! When we learn to stop being foolish and trying to do on our own power only what God can do through His Holy Spirit, then we stop fighting against God’s will for our lives—our sanctification, which is our conformity to the image of Christ for the glory of the Father through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
Seize the moment and learn to submit to the work of the Holy Spirit in you. This the life of faith. This is what it means to believe.
Have a wonderful day!
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.
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Seize the Moment – Day 240
Leadership Update!
A leadership update this morning: Indiana’s governor just announced a new targeted county-level system of restrictions on social gatherings that goes into effect this Sunday, November 15. This is a major adjustment from the Stages 1-5 plan and your church leaders are in discussion on its implications to us. I encourage you to read the state-wide directive to learn more.
The good news is that churches are exempt from these restrictions, but we are still a place of concern for community health and well-being. Therefore, we are to wear face masks when not social distanced and to follow social distancing plans for all activities. As you know, we have been on top of safety and sanitary efforts at FBC, and we will continue to do so. This is a new normal.
We are fully open and I encourage everyone to prayerfully come back to church and rebuild good spiritual rhythms in their lives, we also call you to prudence and patience if you have health concerns. Never forget that your mental, emotional and spiritual health are important, too.
In other news: thank you to everyone who participated and voted in Sunday’s congregational meeting. We had a good turnout, well exceeded our quorum, and the 2021 budget and slate of officers all were approved with a high majority of votes. It is so good to dwell in unity as a church, especially in a culture that is so divided over everything. I am hopeful for our future!
As you drive by our church building, you will see a lot of great work being done. All of our new HVAC units are being installed. Those antiquated, original to the Wal Mart building HVAC units are finally going away and new more energy-efficient and cost-effective units are going up. More visible improvements on their way; stay engaged and remain hopeful for 2021.
2021 is going to be a year of promise!
Seize the moment and be hope-bearers!
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.
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Seize the Moment – Day 239
On-Purpose Christians!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Wednesday, November 11. Happy Veteran’s Day to all of my fellow veterans! Take time today to thank the veterans in your life because our freedoms are only possible because of their blood and sacrifice. Today, please take time to pray for our veterans and their families, past and present.
Listen to Paul from Galatians 2:16 & 20, “We know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified…. I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.”
Jesus Christ gave His life for a purpose—so that God’s family can be restored to Him. That means you can be saved—accepted, justified, redeemed, restored into right relationship with God—through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. Jesus lived and died on purpose!
All of us who claim Christ as Lord and Savior are called to live with the same intentional focus—on purpose—for Jesus Christ by not only receiving Christ through faith, but then living our lives on purpose for Jesus, through faith and thankfulness for His life, death, and resurrection.
Many understand and embrace their salvation, if not celebrate it every Sunday, but do each of us understand that we are called, saved, and transformed by the love of God to walk with Jesus and His purposes to restore God’s family back to Him.
Seize the moment and live on purpose for Jesus
Have a wonderful day!
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.
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Seize the Moment – Day 238
We Can’t Serve Two Masters!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Tuesday, November 10.
Paul emphasizes from the very beginning of his letter to the Christians in the region of Galatia that the gospel he received and proclaimed is not from man. It is from Jesus Christ; his ministry as an apostle to the gentiles (non-Jewish people) is a grace bestowed upon him by God. Neither his faith nor his ministry is of himself; it is all from God. Therefore, he lives and does everything for God. Paul was very clear who he was a servant of; and it was not the church or any man, including himself and his good intentions.
His ministry would not been as effective or impactful for going-on 2,000 years if it was man he was serving. When we serve God, God can use us in ways that are beyond our imaginations.
Listen to Paul from Galatians 1:10, “For am I now seeking the approval of man, or of God? Or am I trying to please man? If I were still trying to please man, I would not be a servant of Christ.”
Paul breaks people pleasing down to a simple choice: if you serve man you are not serving Christ! This is one of those either-or moments that confronts us. To refuse to acknowledge the choice put before you this day and to stubbornly believe that we can serve both God and man is to ensure we are stuck in people-pleasing patterns of living. But to humble ourselves and acknowledge the Holy Spirit’s confrontation of our motives and intentions is to set our face and feet to seeking first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness, trusting that all these other things will be added unto us (Jesus’ words from Matthew 6:33).
So, today, I ask: Who do you serve?
Seize the moment and seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness.
Have a wonderful day!
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.
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Seize the Moment – Day 237
Passing the Test!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Monday, November 9.
As some of you know I just finished my doctorate and I graduate next month. It was a wonderful four years and my fourth college degree. I love school! Do you? Do you remember taking tests in school?
Honestly, everyone gets a little nervous when they hear the word test, even life-long students like me, so what should we do when Paul says in 2 Corinthians 13:5, “Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves”?
What should such a test look like?
Let’s get some context for his statement: Paul lays out his goal in 2 Corinthians 13:9-11, stating, “For we are glad when we are weak and you are strong. Your restoration is what we pray for. For this reason I write these things while I am away from you, that when I come I may not have to be severe in my use of the authority that the Lord has given me for building up and not for tearing down. Finally brothers rejoice. Aim for restoration, comfort one another, agree with one another, live in peace; and the God of love and peace will be with you.”
Based on this, there would be 4 questions to determine whether or not you would pass the test he calls us to:
- Are you rejoicing in the presence of the God of love and peace?
- Are your relationships “restored” meaning they are spiritually healthy, meaning they are filled with wholeness, forgiveness, and grace?
- Are you comforting one another in the hardships, griefs, and loneliness of life?
- Are you living in peace with yourself and others throughout all circumstances?
Seize the moment and examine yourself today. By yourself and under your own power it is impossible to pass this test, but with God all things are possible.
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Responding to Jesus by Giving Thanks – Week 2
“Three Church Marks that Lead a Pastor to Give Thanks!”
1 Thessalonians 1:1-3 (NAS95)
Last week, Pastor Ken opened up our November sermon series on “Responding to Jesus by Giving Thanks” and today, I continue from the same book of the Bible: Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians. Please turn with me to 1 Thessalonians 1:1-3,
Paul and Silvanus and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace. We give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers; constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father.
From this passage we learn three characteristics of the early church that caused the early church leaders to give thanks to God always for all of the people.
Before we examine these three characteristics, I want to make two quick observations from this Scripture:
Now, what can we learn from the three characteristics of the early church that caused the early church leaders to give thanks to God always for all of the people? According to 1 Thessalonians 1:1-3, church leaders; hence, the people of the churches should focus their thoughts or “bear in mind” these three areas: (1) Work of Faith; (2) Labor of Love; and (3) Steadfastness of Hope.
“But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.”
Biblically, these are the three areas we should excel as Christians in character and conduct, as individuals, as families, and as communities. This is how we are called to stand out and shine like stars in these dark days!
Let’s now apply them to our lives. It has been said,
“Faith rests on the past; love works in the present; hope looks to the future” (Moody Bible Commentary, 1879).
1. Work of FAITH!
“Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve.”
“work of faith … in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father.”
While this applies to all three of these points, I will only say it once, all that I am teaching today invokes the teachings of every sermon series from 2020: we are called to the work of faith, the labor of love, and the steadfastness of hope in response to the Plans of God, the Passion of Jesus Christ, the Priorities of Jesus, the Promises of God, and the Presence of God. All that we have been discussing this year, through each of the sermon series, is being called forth in this passage.
“Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. Let us not become boastful, challenging one another, envying one another.”
“My Father is glorified by this, that you bear much fruit, and so prove to be My disciples.”
When our work is the work of faith (when our trust is in God) we manifest the “fruit of the Spirit”, but when our work is of any of source, we show the world ourselves—the “deeds of the flesh”!
Work of faith proves who we serve and to whom we belong! What you do is important because it is the only way you can show the world the life of Christ that is in you… This is a life that brings thanksgiving to Paul!
2. Labor of LOVE!
“And working together with Him, we also urge you not to receive the grace of God in vain— for He says, ‘At the acceptable time I listened to you, And on the day of salvation I helped you.’ Behold, now is ‘the acceptable time,’ behold, now is ‘the day of salvation’— giving no cause for offense in anything, so that the ministry will not be discredited, but in everything commending ourselves as servants of God, in much endurance, in afflictions, in hardships, in distresses, in beatings, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in sleeplessness, in hunger, in purity, in knowledge, in patience, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in genuine love, in the word of truth, in the power of God; by the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and the left, by glory and dishonor, by evil report and good report; regarded as deceivers and yet true; as unknown yet well-known, as dying yet behold, we live; as punished yet not put to death, as sorrowful yet always rejoicing, as poor yet making many rich, as having nothing yet possessing all things.”
“Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your toil is not in vain in the Lord.”
When we labor in love, though we may not get the results we want (success vs failure), we will live lives that give glory to God and invoke thankfulness from our faith communities! Love does not always win in this world, as the world defines winning and losing, but God’s love never fails. But, without God’s love, even if you score a win in the eyes of the world, you still lose! We must do all things in God’s love if we are truly giving thanks!
“If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing. Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy, they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away.”
And that leads us to Paul’s final admonition…
3. Steadfastness of HOPE!
“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us.”
What leads Paul and church leaders to give thanks? The people of God maturing in Christlikeness and reflecting Him in this life, more and more, one day at a time, until the Day of His royal visitation.
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Seize the Moment – Day 235
Hymn: “Victory in Jesus”
“But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”
When you wake up, do you automatically think of the victories that Jesus has given you? If not, make that a daily practice as we serve the One we love!
YOUTUBE:
LYRICS:
How He gave His life on Calvary to save a wretch like me
I heard about His groaning, (of His blood’s atoning) of His precious blood’s atoning
Then I repented (repented) of my sins (repented of my sins) and won the victory
Oh victory in Jesus (victory in Jesus), my Savior (my Savior) forever (forever)
He sought me and He bought me with His redeeming blood (bought me with His blood)
He loved me ‘ere I knew Him and all my love is due Him
He plunged me to victory beneath the cleansing flood
How He made the lame to walk again and caused the blind to see
And then I cried, “Dear Jesus, come and heal my broken spirit”
I then obeyed His blest command and gained the victory
And I heard about the street of gold beyond the crystal sea (beyond the crystal sea)
About the angels singing (the angels are singing) and the old redemption story
Oh and some sweet day I’ll sing up there the song of victory
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Seize the Moment – Day 234
God’s Design and Plan: Navigate
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” (ESV)
As we conclude on building our PLAN, Tuesday we talked about where we PLACE OUR TRUST. Wednesday was why we do not LEAN ON our own understanding. Thursday was in all your ways ACKNOWLEDGE Him. Today is why we need to let God NAVIGATE.
Let’s wake up and start our day by asking God everyday “What would You have me to do for You? For where You lead me, I will follow.”
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.
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Seize the Moment – Day 233
God’s Design and Plan: Acknowledge
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” (ESV)
As we continue to build our PLAN, Tuesday we talked about where we PLACE OUR TRUST. Wednesday was why we do not LEAN ON our own understanding. Today is in all your ways ACKNOWLEDGE Him.
To acknowledge God is more than just a head nod, like saying, “Oh yeah, I see you there.” This is a full on recognition, giving a high regard and reverence to God, letting everyone know that without Him, we can do nothing!
There is a song written by Mylon LaFevre that states, “Without Him, I could do nothing. Without Him, I’d surely fail. Without Him, I would be drifting like a ship without a sail.”
And there are three little words that proceeds this charge…IN ALL THINGS. This means in all that we say, in all that we do, in how we treat our family, our neighbors, even those with whom we don’t always get along.
Only then will it be evident to ALL who see us that Jesus is Lord of our lives, and He is leading and guiding us every step of the way.
Wake up! Let the Holy Spirit throw some cold water on our faces to bring us back into focus. Be fully aware of and in fellowship with Him in all your ways!
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Seize the Moment – Day 232
God’s Design and Plan: Lean On
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.” (ESV)
As we continue to build our PLAN, Tuesday we talked about where we PLACE OUR TRUST. Today, we understand why we do not LEAN ON our own understanding.
If you lean on or against someone or something, you rest against them so that they partly support your weight, or so that it is partly supported by that thing. This means you are placing your trust in your own understanding rather than trusting in the Lord with all your heart. When that ‘moves’, we move with it.
Another view is that if something is leaning, then it is not plum, or perfectly straight, and may cause the object to eventually fall down. Would you want to lean against something that is already leaning? Our natural understanding of things will mislead us or even fail us because it shifts with whatever is going on around us. We need to fully trust what God is leading us to do and not say “I can’t do that”. Rather we need to say, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me!”
We need to wake up and realize where we are placing our trust, and do it with all our heart, and take self out of the picture by not leaning on what we think it to mean. We need to be like Jesus, totally surrendering to our Father who loves us and say, “Not my will (understanding), but Your will be done!”
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.
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