Seize the Moment – Day 961
Confront Evil with Good!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Thursday, November 3.
Have you ever heard the saying, “No good deed goes unpunished”? Have you ever helped someone to only get hurt by them? Did that stop you from doing good in the future?
Joash was a baby when his aunt and her husband, Jehoiada the Chief Priest, saved him from his murderous grandmother, the evil Queen Athaliah. As the only survivor in the line of David, Joash was made king at the age of seven, and he was a good king when he listened to the council of Jehoiada (2 Chronicles 24:1-2). After the priest died, Joash forsook God (17-18). The crescendo of his evil was the murder of Zechariah in the temple courts. He owed his life and kingship to Zechariah’s parents, but upon their deaths he not only rejected their godly influence, but he had their son stoned to death for calling him back to faithfulness. This tragic turn of events is recorded in 2 Chronicles 24:20-21
Then the Spirit of God came on Zechariah the son of Jehoiada the priest; and he stood above the people and said to them, “Thus God has said, ‘Why do you transgress the commandments of the Lord and do not prosper? Because you have forsaken the Lord, He has also forsaken you.’” So they conspired against him and at the command of the king they stoned him to death in the court of the house of the Lord.
This is a heartbreaking tragedy that confronts us with the injustices of life. Bad things happen to good people, and there are times when doing the right thing leads to devasting consequences. What are God’s people to do in the face of such pain and injustice?
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.
Videos are posted about a week after the devotion appears in the blog.
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Seize the Moment – Day 960
Don’t be a Benedict Arnold!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Wednesday, November 2.
The infamous story of the arrogant American Revolutionary War hero turned traitor is legendary. Benedict Arnold’s selfish act to sell the strategic military stronghold of West Point to the British in 1780 has become synonymous with treason – “Don’t be a Benedict Arnold!”
Athaliah, the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel, and widow of the former king Jehoram, made herself queen of Judah after the death of her son, Ahaziah. Her treason did not stop there as she attempted to extinguish the line of David through the murder of the royal offspring.
Athaliah blasphemed the throne of David for seven years before justice came at the hand of the Chief Priest Jehoiada, ironically the husband of Athaliah’s daughter Jehoshabeath. Joash, the rightful heir to the throne, was anointed king, then Athaliah responded in 2 Chronicles 23:12-13:
When Athaliah heard the noise of the people running and praising the king, she came into the house of the Lord to the people. She looked, and behold, the king was standing by his pillar at the entrance, and the captains and the trumpeters were beside the king. And all the people of the land rejoiced and blew trumpets, the singers with their musical instruments leading the praise. Then Athaliah tore her clothes and said, “Treason! Treason!”
The hardest form of deception to root out is self-deception. Her ironically illegitimate cry of “Treason! Treason!” was futile! But, just like with Benedict Arnold, Athaliah thought she was justified in her treasonous acts and entitled to the reward she had given herself. Her own ego-centric self-narrative drove her down a destructive path that was obvious to all but herself. She could not see the irony of her own self-deception.
Seize the moment and don’t be a Benedict Arnold! Don’t let your pride deceive or blind you to the truth (Obadiah 1:3; cf. Proverbs 16:18; Revelation 3:17). James 1:22 exhorts, “But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who [deceive] themselves.”
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 959
You have a Choice to Make!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Tuesday, November 1.
I will never forget an interview where two sons of an alcoholic testified to each of their stations in life – “I am the way I am today because of my father.” One son was in and out of prison with a lifelong struggle with addiction, while the other son was a successful businessman living a clean life.
Arguably, Jehoshaphat’s greatest mistake as the king of Judah was to form an alliance with Israel through an arranged marriage between his eldest son Jehoram and Athaliah, the daughter of Ahab and Jezebel (2 Chronicles 18:1; 19:2). By doing so, he invited wickedness and destruction into his family. Ultimately, Jehoram murdered all his brothers to secure his dynasty (2 Chronicles 21:4-6).
Jehoshaphat’s grandson Ahaziah became king upon the death of his father Jehoram. He was described in 2 Chronicles 22:3-4, “He also walked in the ways of the house of Ahab, for his mother was his counselor to do wickedly. He did evil in the sight of the Lord like the house of Ahab, for they were his counselors after the death of his father, to his destruction.” Ironically, Ahaziah’s premature death was caused by making the same error as his grandfather – he allied with Israel (2 Chronicles 22:5-9).
Upon her son’s death, Athaliah attempted to murder all the “royal offspring of the house of Judah” (10-12). Providentially, the seed of David survived through a baby named Joash who was rescued by his aunt Jehoshabeath, the daughter of the wicked queen.
In this time of great betrayal and bloodshed, the son followed in the ways of his wicked mother and the daughter thwarted her evil plan. We all have choices to make in life!
Seize the moment and walk in the way of victory for your life – you are more than a conqueror in Jesus Christ (Romans 8:37). It’s a choice you must each day!
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 958
Listen for the Voice of God!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Monday, October 31.
Have you ever received a letter from an old friend? Better yet, did you get to hear his voice through a phone call or see her face on a visit? That initial moment of hearing your friend’s voice is surprisingly good. It causes you to press in and listen.
I felt that way today when the prophet Elijah made a surprise appearance – I pressed in to listen! In the Old Testament, outside of 1 & 2 Kings, he only shows up here, in 2 Chronicles 21:12-15:
Then a letter came to him from Elijah the prophet saying, “Thus says the Lord God of your father David, ‘Because you have not walked in the ways of Jehoshaphat your father and the ways of Asa king of Judah, but have walked in the way of the kings of Israel, and have caused Judah and the inhabitants of Jerusalem to play the harlot as the house of Ahab played the harlot, and you have also killed your brothers, your own family, who were better than you, behold, the Lord is going to [bring judgment upon you and your household].’”
As one of the top characters in the Bible, his words demand attention. Alongside of Moses, it is Elijah who stands with Jesus at His transfiguration (Matthew 17:3). Jesus called John the Baptist the “Elijah who was to come” (Matthew 11:14; cf. 17:11-12), in reference to the prophecy of Malachi 4:5-6.
In preparing the way of the Lord, John the Baptist’s message carried the heart of Elijah, “Therefore bear fruit in keeping with repentance” (Matthew 3:8). That has always been the overwhelming message of God’s prophets, “Return to Me!” The coming judgment of God is a gracious call to repentance and life.
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.
Videos are posted about a week after the devotion appears in the blog.
(Pastor Ken)
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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Train to Live on Mission – Week 34
Battle Drill #34:
Building up Heart & Mind
Pastor Jerry shared last week about learning resilience, and that it is more than just being tough and having a ‘thick skin”, learning from the example of Paul’s life and skills. Today I would like to take follow up on that thought and take us through the fundamentals that this resilience comes out of… the building up of your heart and mind.
Proverbs 24:3-5, 10-12
“By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established;
And by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches. A wise man is strong, and a man of knowledge increases power.
I. It starts with the heart, for the heart of the matter is the matter of the heart.
It takes a heart of integrity! Look at King David! It was said of him:
Psalm 78:72
“He shepherded them with integrity of heart; with skillful hands he led them”
His son, King Solomon wrote:
Proverbs 4:23
“Watch over your heart with all diligence, for from it flow the springs of life.”
A. Know the field manual: He Weighs the Heart
Romans 10:9-10
“that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.”
1 Samuel 16:7
“But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look at his appearance or at the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for [a]God sees not as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
1 Thessalonians 2:4
“but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who examines our hearts.”
God uses the Word to measure
Hebrews 4:12
“For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.”
B. Importance of Training Together: It Brings Unity
ILLUS: “Don’t Lose Heart” by Steven Curtis Chapman
It is the home of your hope and faith
2 Chronicles 30:12
“The hand of God was also on Judah to give them one heart to do what the king and the princes commanded by the word of the Lord.”
Acts 4:32-33
“And the congregation of those who believed were of one heart and soul; and not one of them claimed that anything belonging to him was his own, but all things were common property to them. And with great power the apostles were giving testimony to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and abundant grace was upon them all.”
C. Seek the Commander’s Approval: More than just good intentions
1 Tim. 1:5
“But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.”
Heb. 10:22
“ let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.”
Benefit: God will guard your heart
Philippians 4:7
“And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Proverbs 24:3-5
“By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; And by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches. A wise man is strong, and a man of knowledge increases power.
A. Know the field manual: Set your mind
ILLUS: On the line of scrimmage – no flinching
Romans 8:5
Colossians 3:1-2 (NIV)
“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
1 Peter 1:13
“Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”
Psalm 26:2
“Examine me, O Lord, and try me; Test my mind and my heart.”
B. Importance of Training Together: We Need Each Other!
ILLUS: Things we can’t go without: Air/3 minutes; Water/3 days; Food/3 weeks; Fellowship/3 months.
Starts having impact on our overall well-being.
Human touch inspires positive thinking & expands trust, reduces social anxiety & stress, boosts immune system & lowers blood pressure.”
In an article published in a secular psychology magazine, the writer stated:
“It’s ironic that during a highly contagious pandemic where our immune systems are being the most stressed, we are being deprived of something (human touch) that is so essential to our body’s function.” *
How the early church started
Acts 2:42
“They were continually devoting themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer.”
Philippians 2:5 (ESV)
“Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus”
Hebrews 10:24-25
“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.”
C. Seek the Commander’s Approval: Put God first!
Proverbs 24:12
“If you say, “See, we did not know this,” Does He not consider it who weighs the hearts? And does He not know it who keeps your soul? And will He not render to man according to his work?”
ILLUS: Reading or hearing the instructions.
Proverbs 3:6
“In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.”
1 Corinthians 10:31
“Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
Colossians 3:17,23-24
“Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father… 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.”
How do we Live on Mission? K.I.S.S. (Keep It Simple, Silly)
You can listen to the message here:
You can watch the message by clicking HERE.
FOOTNOTE:
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Seize the Moment – Day 956
Today’s hymn focus will be
Blessed Be Your Name
Psalm 34:1 (NASB95)
“I will bless the Lord at all times;
His praise shall continually be in my mouth.”
This modern-day hymn was written by Matt & Beth Redman, who also have written songs we sing like “The Heart of Worship”, “Your Grace Finds Me”, and “10,000 Reasons”. In September 2001, they were visiting in California just after 9/11 occurred. They saw the effects that it was having on people and churches and the brokenness that was being felt. As they visited churches, they heard the powerful messages of pastors expressing the pain of the nation and God’s heart for His people, but there seemed to be a lack of songs that gave people a voice in worship. They were inspired to write this hymn to give a voice to the lament, but also reflect in Whom our hope of victory is placed.
Blessed be the name of the Lord, blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord, blessed be Your glorious name.
We need to wake up to the fact that God is with us in every season of our lives, even those times that may seem dark and sad. When we remember that the sorrow may last for a night, but joy comes with the morning, we can trade the sadness for gladness.
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.
Videos are posted about a week after the devotion appears in the blog.
If you would like to listen to this song, click on this link:
Blessed Be Your Name
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Seize the Moment – Day 955
A Godly Response to Fear!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Friday, October 28.
When you are afraid, what do you do? When you are anxious, to what do you turn?
I have a dear friend that walked through the valley of the shadow; it threatened to ensnare him in fear and anxiety. He was tempted to take matters into his own hands instead of trusting the Sovereign God. He was enticed to comfort himself instead of trusting the Good Shepherd. Instead of giving himself to either of those “fight or flight” responses, he embraced God’s way of victory during that dark season – he prayed and fasted. Years later, I am still in awe of his faith!
A great multitude of enemy nations arose against Judah in 2 Chronicles 20. King Jehoshaphat responded in verses 3-4, “Jehoshaphat was afraid and turned his attention to seek the Lord, and proclaimed a fast throughout all Judah. So Judah gathered together to seek help from the Lord; they even came from all the cities of Judah to seek the Lord.” Though he was not a perfect king, he sought God with his whole heart. He embodied what he commanded Judah to do in verse 20, “put your trust in the Lord your God and you will be established.” Yes, he felt fear, but he wasn’t paralyzed by his emotions – he responded to fear with faith! That takes courage!
What were the results of his prayer and fasting? We find out in verse 30, “So the kingdom of Jehoshaphat was at peace, for his God gave him rest on all sides.” Don’t rely upon yourself or lesser things to bring peace to your mind and heart, or rest for your soul, only God can win these victories – “Do not fear or be dismayed; … the Lord is with you” (17). That is the promise of Immanuel!
Seize the moment and act with courageous faith in the face of fear – pray and fast (Matthew 17:20-21)!
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.
Videos are posted about a week after the devotion appears in the blog.
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Seize the Moment – Day 954
A Right Response to a Harrowing Experience!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Thursday, October 27.
Have you ever had a near-death experience? It’s amazing how many testimonies I’ve heard about people whose walk with God started with a harrowing experience.
The evil king of Israel, Ahab, had been killed in a battle with his ally Jehoshaphat fighting by his side. After barely surviving his harrowing experience, the king of Judah was rebuked by the prophet Hanani for his ungodly alliance with Israel. Jehoshaphat wholeheartedly responded to the prophet’s rebuke by seeking to establish the kingdom of Yahweh in Judah (2 Chronicles 19:1-4).
Jehoshaphat led Judah with righteousness and justice by appointing judges in every city (5-7). To emphasize his commitment to the rule of God over His people, in 2 Chronicles 19:9-10, he commissioned the judges:
Thus you shall do in the fear of the Lord, faithfully and wholeheartedly. Whenever any dispute comes to you from your brethren who live in their cities, between blood and blood, between law and commandment, statutes and ordinances, you shall warn them so that they may not be guilty before the Lord, and wrath may not come on you and your brethren.
There are four Hebrew words found in this charge, which are emphasized in Psalm 119 as four of the eight aspects of obedience to God’s Word to do righteousness and justice:
- Law. The Hebrew word torah references the entirety or collection of God’s instructions (Psalm 119:1).
- Commandment. The Hebrew word mitswah indicates specific commands to be obeyed (Psalm 119:6).
- Statutes or regulations. The Hebrew word chuqqim captures the written laws or boundaries (Psalm 119:5).
- Ordinances or justice. The Hebrew word mishpat establishes legal precedents through rulings or decisions (Psalm 119:7).
Seize the moment and do righteousness and justice (Proverbs 21:3)! You don’t have to wait for a crisis to happen in your life, seek God with your whole heart, and you will be blessed (Psalm 119:1-2).
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 953
Worship the One True God!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Wednesday, October 26.
We live in an age that is fascinated by strange things, especially when they are spiritual in nature. If that includes you, you are going to love today’s Bible reading.
There are a few stories in the Old Testament that give us a glimpse into the inner workings of the divine council of God. We see this in Job 1:6 when the “sons of God” were present around the throne of God and Satan presented himself before God. We spot it again in Daniel 4:17 when the angelic watchers were tasked by the Sovereign God. We find it in 2 Chronicles 18:18-21 when the prophet Micaiah pulls back the veil:
I saw the Lord sitting on His throne, and all the host of heaven standing on His right and on His left. The Lord said, “Who will entice Ahab king of Israel to go up and fall at Ramoth-gilead?” And one said this while another said that. Then a spirit came forward and stood before the Lord and said, “I will entice him.” And the Lord said to him, “How?” He said, “I will go and be a deceiving spirit in the mouth of all his prophets.” Then He said, “You are to entice him and prevail also. Go and do so.”
Today’s passage allows us to see a very important distinction in the spiritual realm – there is a clearly established hierarchy with only one who is God! Psalm 89:5-7 declares this important supernatural reality:
The heavens will praise Your wonders, O Lord; Your faithfulness also in the assembly of the holy ones. For who in the skies is comparable to the Lord? Who among the sons of the mighty is like the Lord, a God greatly feared in the council of the holy ones, and awesome above all those who are around Him? (cf. Psalm 82:1)
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.
Videos are posted about a week after the devotion appears in the blog.
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Seize the Moment – Day 952
The Importance of Teachers!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Tuesday, October 25.
Teachers are important! When I first left the military to start seminary, my wife and I worked at our local church’s school. It was a joy for both of us to teach children, and we learned so much from this ministry. We learned firsthand the hard work and dedication it takes to be a good teacher. Please join us in supporting and praying for our teachers.
Jehoshaphat demonstrated the importance of teachers during his reign. He loved the Lord, removed the high places of idolatry, and empowered teachers to teach the people the Law of God, as seen in 2 Chronicles 17:7-9:
Then in the third year of his reign he sent his officials, Ben-hail, Obadiah, Zechariah, Nethanel and Micaiah, to teach in the cities of Judah; and with them the Levites, Shemaiah, Nethaniah, Zebadiah, Asahel, Shemiramoth, Jehonathan, Adonijah, Tobijah and Tobadonijah, the Levites; and with them Elishama and Jehoram, the priests. They taught in Judah, having the book of the law of the Lord with them; and they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught among the people.
By focusing on the teaching of the Law, Jehoshaphat was fulfilling the ideal responsibilities of a king of Israel, as God commanded in Deuteronomy 17:18-20. It is not surprising then that God secured his borders (10-11) and blessed his kingship – “So Jehoshaphat grew greater and greater” (12a).
Jesus Christ fulfilled the ideal responsibilities as the King by commissioning His disciples to be teachers of the Word. In Matthew 28:19-20, Jesus authorized and empowered His followers with the Great Commission, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you.”
Seize the moment and teach others what was first taught to you – pass the life of faith on to others by teaching the Bible (2 Timothy 2:2).
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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