Seize the Momment – Day 1319
Listen Closely for the Word of Peace!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Friday, October 27.
I was recently talking on the phone with one of our beloved homebound members, who told me how bothered she was by all the horrific scenes of death on the news. Later that same day, a younger man told me how distracted he was by the escalation of violence in the Middle East. We are living in difficult days, with divisive political rhetoric making it worse, so I am praying that we will remain focused on our calling as disciples of Jesus. We are His church, ambassadors of Jesus, ministers of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:18-20). We are called “peacemakers,” as Jesus preached in Matthew 5:9, “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.”
With so many angry and loud voices coming at us, we must listen closely for God’s message in all the noise. Solomon taught in Proverbs 19:20-21, and 27, “Listen to counsel and accept discipline, that you may be wise the rest of your days. Many plans are in a man’s heart, but the counsel of the Lord will stand. … Cease listening, my son, to discipline, and you will stray from the words of knowledge.” Train yourself to listen well for the counsel of God through Bible reading, prayer, and spiritual friendship. Be a part of a church that helps you focus; helping you to not get carried away by the passions that war within you, which cause conflict and quarrels (James 4:1-3). Solomon explained in Proverbs 19:3, “The foolishness of man ruins his way, and his heart rages against the Lord.” The first step to being a peacemaker is to invite the Prince of Peace to rule over your heart and mind (Philippians 4:6-9; cf. John 14:27). Invite Jesus to calm the storm of your life (Matthew 8:23-27; cf. Hebrews 12:11).
Seize the moment and apply the wisdom of Proverbs 19: listen closely for the Word of Peace!
God bless you!
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YOUTUBE:
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