Seize the Moment – Day 555
Everything Belongs to God!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Thursday, September 23.
Did you know that nine dollars will go further than ten dollars when you give the first dollar to the Lord? This was a teaching principle I used with the brothers I ministered to in the men’s recovery discipleship program at CityTeam Ministries in San Jose, California when they would receive their weekly ten-dollar stipend.
Leviticus 27:30-32 explains the ancient spiritual practice of tithing:
Thus all the tithe of the land, of the seed of the land or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord’s; it is holy to the Lord. If, therefore, a man wishes to redeem part of his tithe, he shall add to it one-fifth of it. For every tenth part of herd or flock, whatever passes under the rod, the tenth one shall be holy to the Lord.
If a person wanted to redeem or purchase back part of the tithe for personal use, he must pay the value plus an additional 20%. Did you know that the principle of proportionate giving protects us from the presumption of ownership? While the tithe is no longer a legalistic mandate because we are under grace, it is a diagnostic tool of the Spirit for generous and sacrificial giving.
When you set apart as holy the first portion of what God has blessed you with, it demonstrates your awareness that everything given to you is a good gift from a perfect God (James 1:17). It is a proclamation of the truth that we own nothing! We are designed by God to steward and cultivate all His creation for His glory because everything belongs to God, as it has been from the beginning.
Seize the moment and give back to God what was never yours in the first place and you will experience a new depth of freedom in your mind and heart.
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Seize the Moment – Day 554
The Breaking of the Yoke!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Wednesday, September 22.
Leviticus 26 summarizes the blessings and curses of the Levitical Law, both of which are the promises of God. Verses 1-13 give the blessings for obedience, verses 14-39 promise the curses for disobedience, and verses 40-46 describe an opportunity for repentance.
To walk in covenant faithfulness is to walk uprightly in the yoke of God’s blessings, but to walk in disobedience to God’s covenant is to be bowed down by the heavy yoke of slavery.
Seize the moment and take on yourself the easy yoke of Jesus Christ and experience the blessings of covenant faithfulness—rest for your soul! God has already broken the yoke of slavery for you; live in the freedom Christ has given you by walking in the new way of the Spirit.
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Seize the Moment – Day 553
The Gift of Sabbatical!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Tuesday, September 21.
I will never forget the love and support my family experienced when my local church worked with us to take a fully funded, three-month sabbatical in 2019. This was a gift of God’s extravagant grace as I finished my tenth year as the Lead Pastor of FBC.
Leviticus 25:3-7 explains how all-encompassing the gift of sabbatical rest was intended to be for every aspect of the Israelite community:
Six years you shall sow your field, and six years you shall prune your vineyard and gather in its crop, but during the seventh year the land shall have a sabbath rest, a sabbath to the Lord; you shall not sow your field nor prune your vineyard. Your harvest’s aftergrowth you shall not reap, and your grapes of untrimmed vines you shall not gather; the land shall have a sabbatical year. All of you shall have the sabbath products of the land for food; yourself, and your male and female slaves, and your hired man and your foreign resident, those who live as aliens with you. Even your cattle and the animals that are in your land shall have all its crops to eat.
Never forget that the rhythms of weekly sabbath, the sabbatical every seventh year, and the Jubilee every fiftieth year, was God’s idea first! It is still God’s design for His people to be blessed by and experience His unforced rhythms of grace through rest.
Because rest is part of God’s rescue of His creation—from the rich landowners to the lowliest servants to rest from their labors, as well as for the land to replenish and the animals to be unburdened.
The fact that God’s people have never been able to faithfully follow these commands demonstrates our desperate need for God’s deliverance from the slavery caused by sin.
Seize the moment and prioritize God’s rhythms of rest to declare the easy yoke of Jesus.
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Seize the Moment – Day 552
Justice Proclaims a People’s Values!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Monday, September 20.
Have you ever experienced an unfair situation where a person in a powerful position was not using the same standards for everyone? An easy example is when an umpire is not consistent with the size of the strike zone between the home and away teams. While this is upsetting in sporting events, it is unjust in legal systems.
Legal systems are an important part of any society because they define a people and the ideals they uphold as sacred. For the people of God, how we do justice defines the reputation of our God and declares the holiness of His name. Justice proclaims our values!
Seize the moment and exalt the name of Jesus by how you treat others with fairness!
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Live Like a Champion – Week 38
“The Promise of Church Family!
Matthew 19:29 (NAS95)
Let’s listen to it in its full context found in Matthew 19:27-30,
Then Peter said to Him, “Behold, we have left everything and followed You; what then will there be for us?” And Jesus said to them, “Truly I say to you, that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name’s sake, will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last; and the last, first.”
Jesus is answering Peter’s question when He gives the promise of increase, which includes church family. But what motivated Peter to ask this question? To answer that question, we need to listen to how Jesus responded to the rich young ruler in Matthew 19:16-26,
And someone came to Him and said, “Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may obtain eternal life?” And He said to him, “Why are you asking Me about what is good? There is only One who is good; but if you wish to enter into life, keep the commandments.” Then he said to Him, “Which ones?” And Jesus said, “You shall not commit murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not bear false witness; Honor your father and mother; and You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept; what am I still lacking?” Jesus said to him, “If you wish to be complete, go and sell your possessions and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.” But when the young man heard this statement, he went away grieving; for he was one who owned much property. And Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I say to you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.” When the disciples heard this, they were very astonished and said, “Then who can be saved?” And looking at them Jesus said to them, “With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”
As we now see, it was Jesus’ response to the rich young ruler who was following the commandments of God that caused Peter to first ask, “Then who can be saved?” Jesus essentially says, “You can’t save yourself, but God can save you.”
Seemingly, Peter started feeling a little insecure and needed further clarification after hearing Jesus tell the rich young ruler that if he wanted to be perfect, he had to sell everything he had and give it to the poor.
Was this a bridge too far for Peter? Peter had recently left his business as a local fisherman to follow Jesus as Matthew 4:18-20 recorded:
Now as Jesus was walking by the Sea of Galilee, He saw two brothers, Simon who was called Peter, and Andrew his brother, casting a net into the sea; for they were fishermen. And He said to them, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Immediately they left their nets and followed Him.
In our scripture lesson for today (Matthew 19:27), Peter seems to be reminding Jesus of this: “Behold, we have left everything and followed You; what then will there be for us?”
Jesus then gave the promise of church family for all who do the same in 28-30:
“Truly I say to you, that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms for My name’s sake, will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last; and the last, first.”
The best way for me to explain this teaching is through stories:
During the summer and into the fall of 2003, I resigned my commission as an officer in the US Army to enter seminary and full-time pastoral ministry. We left behind the security and support of being a part of the military community and received many times as much from our local church in family and support. We were blessed and loved and cared for those next 6 ½ years.
While it was difficult and sad to leave that church family, the LORD’s promise was proven true again as He called us to leave that to answer His call again. As we entered the winter of 2009-10, we drove to New Castle, Indiana to begin my service as the Senior Pastor of this congregation. Again, the LORD provided through the promise of church family with an abundance of love and support as we moved 2,500 miles to a new home where we had no biological family or existing friend group but received many times as much.
Kimberly and I know the truth of the Lord’s promise as a pastor’s family and can tell you from experience that the practice of this truth is “TRUST and OBEY!” Trust that God’s calling is right and true! Trust that God will provide for you when you are obedient to the next step of faith!
This is such a challenge among our culture, even for Christ followers. The need for prosperity and control that governs our society creeps in to govern our minds and hearts and decisions. God calls us to something that is “more” in the sense of the Kingdom, but “less” in the eyes of the world. Jesus promised in verse 30, the “first will be last; and the last, first.”
Listen to some amazing truths about this principle:
- Proverbs 3:5-6, “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 your paths straight.”
- Isaiah 55:8-9, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts.”
The next story is that of the Apostle Paul found in Acts 9:19b-31, the second part of his story:
Now for several days he was with the disciples who were at Damascus, and immediately he began to proclaim Jesus in the synagogues, saying, “He is the Son of God.” All those hearing him continued to be amazed, and were saying, “Is this not he who in Jerusalem destroyed those who called on this name, and who had come here for the purpose of bringing them bound before the chief priests?” But Saul kept increasing in strength and confounding the Jews who lived at Damascus by proving that this Jesus is the Christ. When many days had elapsed, the Jews plotted together to do away with him, but their plot became known to Saul. They were also watching the gates day and night so that they might put him to death; but his disciples took him by night and let him down through an opening in the wall, lowering him in a large basket. When he came to Jerusalem, he was trying to associate with the disciples; but they were all afraid of him, not believing that he was a disciple. But Barnabas took hold of him and brought him to the apostles and described to them how he had seen the Lord on the road, and that He had talked to him, and how at Damascus he had spoken out boldly in the name of Jesus. And he was with them, moving about freely in Jerusalem, speaking out boldly in the name of the Lord. And he was talking and arguing with the Hellenistic Jews; but they were attempting to put him to death. But when the brethren learned of it, they brought him down to Caesarea and sent him away to Tarsus. So the church throughout all Judea and Galilee and Samaria enjoyed peace, being built up; and going on in the fear of the Lord and in the comfort of the Holy Spirit, it continued to increase.
When telling Paul’s story, we usually tell the first part of the story as that is the supernatural part of it, but it is in this second half and throughout the rest of Paul’s letters that we read about the promise of church family. Paul lost everything he had built in his old life when he followed the Way of Jesus Christ. That is why he wrote in Philippians 3:4b-7,
If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more: circumcised the eighth day, of the nation of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the Law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless. But whatever things were gain to me, those things I have counted as loss for the sake of Christ.
Paul’s heritage, his station, his status, his reputation—none of those things were worth keeping if it meant forsaking Christ. These are not empty words, as Paul is referencing the much that he gave up! When Paul answered God’s call upon his life, God brought the promise of increase to his life through the Church and in the Kingdom of God, but from the eyes of the world he fell from his pedestal to lose everything he had built towards. But He no longer found them worthwhile because the first had become last and the last had become first!
This can be your testimony too because when you trust the promise of church family, you will trust God enough to be willing to listen and obey to what your next step of faith is to walk closely with Jesus.
Trust and obey, for there’s no other way. To be happy in Jesus, but to trust and obey.
You can listen to Pastor Jerry’s message by clicking the link below:
You can watch the service by clicking HERE.
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Seize the Moment – Day 550
Today’s hymn focus will be
“The Bond of Love”
1 John 3:18-19(NLT)
“ Dear children, let’s not merely say that we love each other; let us show the truth by our actions. Our actions will show that we belong to the truth, so we will be confident when we stand before God.”
Otis Skillings grew up playing the piano in his father’s church. But his life was changed when he was asked to play for the Dayton Youth for Christ gatherings. He would go on to write thousands of songs during his lifetime and travel the world as a music missionary. But this simple hymn was the one he was best known for, expressing our oneness in Christ in such a unique way that is so compelling and timeless. During his travels, he would often find people in other countries singing this song in their native language.
We need to wake up, church, and remember that the world will know that we are Christians by our love. Our actions speak so much louder than our words!
YOUTUBE:
The Bond of Love
Verse 1
Love thro’ Christ has brought us together,
Making our hearts as one.
By God’s Spirit we are united,
One thro’ His blessed Son.
Chorus
We are one in the bond of love,
We are one in the bond of love,
We have joined our spirit with the Spirit of God,
We are one in the bond of love.
Verse 2
Now, dear Lord, we join in worship;
Thank you for all you’ve done.
Thank You for this love You gave us;
Thank you for making us one.
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Seize the Moment – Day 549
First Things First!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Friday, September 17.
When you plan out your calendar, how do you protect first things first?
For example, if you asked me to meet with you on December 25, I hope you would fully expect me to say, “no.” Why? Because that day is Christmas. We protect that day to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ and remember God’s gift of salvation.
For the ancients, the Levitical Law gave them direction on how to protect first things first on their annual calendar. Leviticus 23 clearly lays out their holy days:
- The Passover (5).
- The Feast of Unleavened Bread (6-8).
- The Feast of First Fruits (9-14).
- The Feast of Weeks, later known as Pentecost (15-22).
- The Feast of Trumpets (23-25).
- The Day of Atonement (26-32).
- The Feast of Booths or Tabernacles (33-43).
Listen to the LORD introduce these seven holidays in verses 2-4:
The Lord’s appointed times which you shall proclaim as holy convocations—My appointed times are these: For six days work may be done, but on the seventh day there is a sabbath of complete rest, a holy convocation. You shall not do any work; it is a sabbath to the Lord in all your dwellings. These are the appointed times of the Lord, holy convocations which you shall proclaim at the times appointed for them.
Did you notice that the annual calendar was built upon a weekly rhythm of work and rest that flowed out of God’s gracious gift of sabbath?
As busy and productive Americans, we must learn from God’s rhythms of grace. Not only did the LORD designate times of remembrance and celebration throughout the annual calendar, but He also instituted a protected day off every week. Until we realize that rest is God’s idea for our good and His glory we will continue to live in the tyranny of the urgent.
Seize the moment and protect first things first on your calendar today. This is a habit of grace because your life rhythms matter to God!
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Seize the Moment – Day 548
Give Your Very Best!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Thursday, September 16.
When you give to the Lord, how do you determine what is an acceptable offering?
While there are technical issues people love to focus on when it comes to giving money, never forget that God has a strategic purpose for inviting us to give!
Leviticus 22:18-22 records God’s command to His people to offer only acceptable sacrifices from the best of His provision:
Any man of the house of Israel or of the aliens in Israel who presents his offering, whether it is any of their votive or any of their freewill offerings, which they present to the Lord for a burnt offering—for you to be accepted—it must be a male without defect from the cattle, the sheep, or the goats. Whatever has a defect, you shall not offer, for it will not be accepted for you.
God desires for us to give our very best to Him. God desires to be approached by people whose hearts are committed to giving back to Him the very best of what they have been entrusted to steward. It is not by accident that Jesus Christ, the only begotten Son of God, was called the Passover Lamb, a male without defect (1 Peter 1:19), because Jesus gave His all so that we can approach God with our all.
Seize the moment and ask the LORD to teach you how to give with a right heart so that He may find your giving acceptable in His sight and bring His increase to your life.
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Seize the Moment – Day 547
High Standards for Leaders!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Wednesday, September 15. P
Do you have high expectations of people who hold leadership positions in your church?
We all do! It is normal and right to desire of our leaders to have an integrity of faith and practice that manifests God’s love throughout their lives—at home, in the church, and in the community. The problem is not having high expectations of leaders, it is not having grace and mercy for them when they fall short. I have yet to meet a leader who is fully qualified all the time.
Correspondingly, 1 Timothy 3:2-5 sets high standards for the New Testament Church and its qualifications for elders:
An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money. He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?).
Seize the moment and pray for the current and future leaders in your congregation. It is not surprising that few people are willing to serve as leaders in the church today as our culture moves away from biblical standards, but never forget that none of us are qualified to be members or leaders in the Church except by God’s grace.
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Seize the Moment – Day 546
The Root of the Issue!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Tuesday, September 14.
When I provide pastoral care for a person, which often is a combination of active listening, pastoral prayer, biblical counseling, and Christian discipleship, I am attempting to get to the root of the issue and not manage the bad fruit. Another way I think about this is that while catharsis provides short-term relief, transformation brings long-term victory.
Leviticus 20 diagnoses the root of holiness issues as false worship. Listen to verses 6-8,
As for the person who turns to mediums and to spiritists, to play the harlot after them, I will also set My face against that person and will cut him off from among his people. You shall consecrate yourselves therefore and be holy, for I am the Lord your God. You shall keep My statutes and practice them; I am the Lord who sanctifies you.
The previous verses address the false worship of Molech with the Canaanite practice of child sacrifice, forbidding it by penalty of death. The chapter then lists many practices that flow from false worship that carried with them the death penalty, excommunication, or barrenness.
So often, churches have mutated Christianity into a laundry list of acceptable and forbidden activities, but that is not the heart of why Christ came. All our behaviors and activities flow out of our relationship with the God we truly serve. The God you worship will determine the fruit of your life because you are designed to reflect what you worship!
Seize the moment and worship Jesus in spirit and truth (John 4:24)! Jesus came to show you the heart of the Father and to bear the Fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).
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