Grow Strong in God’s Grace – Wk 29
Learning How to be a Faithful Farmer for God’s Harvest!
Reap a Harvest of Praise!
(Part 2 of 2 of Series Conclusion)
Hebrews 12:1-3 (NASB)
The full title of today’s sermon is, “Reap a harvest through the faithful strategy of a hardworking farmer.” Today, I am finishing our 2023 sermon series called, “Grow Strong in God’s Grace: Learning How to be a Faithful Famer for God’s Harvest!” Allow me to continue the conclusion of this sermon series, which I began on October 22. Listen to the poem, “How Great the Yield from a Fertile Field”:[1]
The farmer ploughs through the fields of green
And the blade of the plough is sharp and keen,
But the seed must be sown to bring forth grain.
For nothing is born without suffering and pain.
And God never ploughs in the soul of man
Without intention and purpose and plan,
So whenever you feel the plough’s sharp blade
Let not your heart be sorely afraid.
For, like the farmer, God chooses a field
From which He expects an excellent yield –
So rejoice though your heart is broken in two.
God seeks to bring forth a rich harvest in you.
How true this poem is, in each of our lives – “God never ploughs in the soul of man without intention and purpose and plan, so whenever you feel the plough’s sharp blade let not your heart be sorely afraid.” God’s intent for your life is that you would reap a harvest of praise to His glory. To participate with God’s work in us, we must follow the faithful strategy of the hardworking farmer. Paul taught in Philippians 2:12-13, “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.” God is at work in us through His Holy Spirit’s indwelling presence. Hope in God’s work for us, and in us, is the key ingredient when following the four steps that every hard-working farmer must follow to experience a large crop yield:
- Cultivate the soil.
- Sow the good seed.
- Care for the maturing plant.
- Reap a harvest.
To be a fruit-bearing branch, we must maintain our focus on Jesus Christ, the vine through which all the life-giving nourishment of the Holy Spirit flows, as Jesus testified in John 15:1-5:
I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit, He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, He prunes it so that it may bear more fruit. You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself unless it abides in the vine, so neither can you unless you abide in Me. I am the vine, you are the branches; he who abides in Me and I in him, he bears much fruit, for apart from Me you can do nothing.
As hardworking farmers, abide in Jesus and He will bear much fruit upon your branch! As C. H. Spurgeon preached in 1871, “Preaching is sowing, prayer is watering, but praise is the harvest.”[2] It is my desire to see First Baptist Church of New Castle, Indiana witness a large crop yield of praise to the glory of God. That we will be an epicenter of revival. Until all worship, let us continue to be faithful to the Lord of the Harvest and respond to His call upon our lives to be hard-working farmers!
As we learned in part 1 of the conclusion, the faith stories of God’s people summarized in Hebrews 11 inform our lives and our lifestyles by calling us to live according to Hebrews 12:1-3:
Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.
Let’s take a couple of minutes to review Hebrew 11, and the lessons from the transforming stories of faith we have learned this year. Learn from these men and women of faith how you can be a witness to the transforming power of faith in your life. This is the faith we get to live when we are set free from sin to live with our eyes on Jesus:
- a faith, which pleases God.
- a faith, which gives substance to your life.
- a faith, which trusts God’s promises.
- a faith, which bears fruit.
- a faith, which passes the test.
- a faith, which blesses the next generation.
- a faith, which gives us a limp.
- a faith, which lifts us out of the pits.
- a faith, which makes us humble.
- a faith, which toots God’s horn.
- a faith, which saves the day.
- a faith, which takes God at His Word.
- a faith, which invites partnership.
- a faith, which invites us to be weak.
- a faith, which overcomes obstacles.
- a faith, which demonstrates God’s own heart.
- a faith, which listens and obeys.
- a faith, which calls people home.
If you minimize the Bible to a moralistic rule book filled with one-dimensional people, then you miss God’s extravagant love and scandalous grace. If you miss love and grace, then you miss Jesus, who is the only way to know the Father (John 14:6). Jesus didn’t die on the cross so that you can make a good human effort at living according to the Ten Commandments, doing and saying all the right things by your own strength. Jesus did not die on the cross so that you can go around living a good moralistic life and be filled with pride and self-righteousness. Jesus died on the cross so that you could be free from sin to love others as God first loved you; not to earn anything, but from the fertile field of a transformed heart.
Working hard, like a faithful farmer, we are to strive to be like Him and like those who have come before us to show us the way of faith – the great cloud of witnesses. Jesus gives us our right standing by grace – a relationship with God that comes with the responsibilities of righteousness. As Paul taught in 2 Corinthians 5:21, “He made Him who knew no sin to be sin on our behalf, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” This is our calling; we have been made new by His love to join with Jesus in His ministry of love to reconcile all people to Him. Listen to Paul explain this in 2 Corinthians 5:17-20:
Therefore if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creature; the old things passed away; behold, new things have come. Now all these things are from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation, namely, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.
Does your life tell the story of Jesus Christ and how He is seeking to transform stories through His gospel of love and grace? You are being invited into the next class of the great cloud of witnesses. Until the Day you are inducted into the great cloud of witnesses and join with the saints that we have learned about in this sermon series, you are called to “not grow weary and lose heart” (Hebrews 12:3). No matter the struggle, and the fight is real, we are to keep our eyes on Jesus, just as He told a better story with His life and death – “who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God” (Hebrews 12:2).
When all our stories point to Jesus Christ as the main character of each of our stories, then we will find unity in the body of Christ, and each of us will mature so that the entire body will be built up on love (Ephesians 4:11-16). Jesus is the only Hero of this story! Paul testified to this in 1 Corinthians 3:5-9, and I conclude with this appeal:
What then is Apollos? And what is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, even as the Lord gave opportunity to each one. I planted, Apollos watered, but God was causing the growth. So then neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth. Now he who plants and he who waters are one; but each will receive his own reward according to his own labor. For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field….
Today, God is calling to you, choosing you, extending His love to you. Trust Him today and experience the joy of why Christ endured the cross and despised the shame. For the joy set before you, live strong in God’s grace and reap a harvest of praise to the glory of God. Never forget, that what we do in this life is a witness to what Christ did to give us the life we live, once for all.
What does your transforming story of faith look like? Jesus is interceding for you at the right hand of the Father, so do not grow weary and do not lose heart. Go from this place telling a better story, His Story, the transforming story of God’s grace, and together we will see our communities thriving to the glory of God!
If you would like to watch Pastor Jerry present this message, Click HERE.
If you would like to watch the entire service including music, click HERE.
FOOTNOTES:
[1] Written by Helen Stiner Rice. This poem was reproduced from the memorial folder for Avon Dwight “Scotty” Scott, an Indiana dairy farmer (February 5, 1929 – October 28, 2023). His daughter, Delora Hartsock, found this poem in his hymnal along with instructions for his funeral. I had the honor of doing his services on Saturday, November 4; he was a faithful follower of Jesus and a Korean War veteran.
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Hymn: Grace into Gardens
Seize the Moment – Day 1341
Today’s song focus will be
Grace into Gardens
Psalm 30:11-12 (NASB95)
“You turned my wailing into dancing; you removed my sackcloth and clothed me with joy,
that my heart may sing your praises and not be silent. Lord my God, I will praise you forever.”
The title track to Elevation Worship’s eighth album, this song was written by Chris Brown, Tiffany Hammer, Brandon Lake and Pastor Steven Furtick in 2019. Inspired by a sermon from Steve about the ongoing influence of the prophet Elisha, even after his death. Chris stated: “…God is still in the business of bringing dead things back to life. If we’ll trust God even with the seemingly dead areas of our lives, if we’ll believe in the power of God, …nothing is wasted. Nothing is over. God can turn any situation around.”
There’s nothing better than You
We need to wake up and proclaim our faith in praise into the face of fear and doubt that there is nothing better than the Lord our God. He brings love, life, hope, grace and peace to each and every situation in our lives.
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.
If you would like to listen to this song, click on this link:
Grace into Gardens
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Ecclesiastes 3
Enjoy the Gift of Life!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Friday, November 17.
Are you enjoying the gift of life that God has entrusted to you? After penning one of the most meaningful poems about time (1-8), Solomon concluded about God’s gift of time, in Ecclesiastes 3:11-14:
He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also set eternity in their heart, yet so that man will not find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end. I know that there is nothing better for them than to rejoice and to do good in one’s lifetime; moreover, that every man who eats and drinks sees good in all his labor – it is the gift of God. I know that everything God does will remain forever; there is nothing to add to it and there is nothing to take from it, for God has so worked that men should fear Him.
Go ahead and enjoy the life you have been given, as it is the gift of God for you to be able to do so, but realize that there is more to life than eating and drinking. If today were your last day on Earth, how would you use the time you have, and where would you be for eternity after the day ended? God has intentionally placed a God-sized hole in your heart so that nothing you pursue in this life will satisfy you until you are satiated in Him alone. It is amazing that no matter how much enjoyment you ring out of life, you are still left with a profound sense that you’re missing something vital. God did this intentionally!
Seize the moment and enjoy the gift of life that has been entrusted to you by God, but be sure to accept the indescribable gift of eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ, so that you may experience joy forevermore (John 3:16; 2 Corinthians 9:15; Psalm 16:11).
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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Ecclesiastes 2
Find Meaning with God!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Thursday, November 16.
I heard a Christian music artist testify, “There is no high, like the Most High!” He stated it with an air of personal authority that made it much more believable than if I had said it. Solomon began Ecclesiastes 2 with that same kind of authority, basing his conclusions on personal experience rather than philosophical speculation. He summarized his observations in verses 10-11:
All that my eyes desired I did not refuse them. I did not withhold my heart from any pleasure, for my heart was pleased because of all my labor and this was my reward for all my labor. Thus I considered all my activities which my hands had done and the labor which I had exerted, and behold all was vanity and striving after wind and there was no profit under the sun.
Solomon tried it all and found every kind of pursuit under the sun as having no lasting value (1-11). After reflecting upon the reality that both the foolish and the wise will share the same death (12-16), Solomon journaled in verse 17, “So I hated life, for the work which had been done under the sun was grievous to me; because everything is futility and striving after wind.”
What’s the answer to living a fulfilled life “under the sun” if it’s all a chasing after the wind? After testing every possible pursuit, he summarized his conclusion with a question, in Ecclesiastes 2:25, “There is nothing better for a man than to eat and drink and tell himself that his labor is good. This also I have seen that it is from the hand of God. For who can eat and who can have enjoyment without Him?” You were never intended to do life apart from God (John 15:5); truly, trying to do so is vanity of vanities!
Seize the moment and find meaning with God – “for in Him we live and move and exist” (Acts 17:28).
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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Ecclesiastes 1
Life Under the Sun!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Wednesday, November 15.
When I first studied the Bible, as a young officer in the US Army, the book of Ecclesiastes pierced my soul, like an arrow to the heart. For years, the opening phrases of Ecclesiastes worked on my soul in deep ways. The Spirit used Ecclesiastes 1:1-3 and 13-14 to bring me to a place of absolute surrender, to answer God’s call:
The words of the Preacher, the son of David, king in Jerusalem. “Vanity of vanities,” says the Preacher, “Vanity of vanities! All is vanity.” What advantage does man have in all his work which he does under the sun? … I set my mind to seek and explore by wisdom concerning all that has been done under heaven. It is a grievous task which God has given to the sons of men to be afflicted with. I have seen all the works which have been done under the sun, and behold, all is vanity and striving after wind.
Solomon, the Preacher in this book, wrote about the universal human experience of living “under the sun.” This phrase points to the human struggle of living in a fallen world, which is deeply broken because of human sin (Genesis 3). There is a profound struggle to living under the effects of God’s curse, as every aspect of human existence, from the most intimate relationships to your daily work, has been made painful and difficult. There is a fundamental choice we each must make in the face of this reality: to strive to make it all work out by our own efforts or to surrender to God and His grace (Ecclesiastes 12:13-14).
Seize the moment and live under the Lordship of the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who promises to give you His abundant life (John 10:10). Don’t toil under the curse, when you can experience the blessing of a right relationship with God through faith in Jesus Christ.
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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Proverbs 31
Focus on what Matters Most!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Tuesday, November 14.
Did you know that in today’s world you can be busy doing nothing? Are you utilizing the precious time you have to focus on what matters most? Proverbs 31:10-31 captures a description of “an excellent wife,” but what it really does is teach us what the life that embodies wisdom looks like. The conclusion of the matter is found in Proverbs 31:30-31, with a characterization of a person who lives according to the fear of the Lord, “Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. Give her the product of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.” These are the concluding words of the book of Proverbs, a summarization of the theme of Solomon’s wisdom – a wise person lives according to the fear of the Lord.
Take some time today to meditate upon this description of a godly life, seeing how important the wise use of time is for each of us. How are you investing your time? What matters most to you? If time is your best expression of love, to whom are you giving this exquisite gift? If I were to write a short story about your life, what would it sound like based on how you are investing your time and energy? Are there things you would like to change? Consider taking active steps today to do this because you do not know how much time is left that can still be rearranged. Today is a gift!
Seize the moment and apply the wisdom of Proverbs 31: focus on what matters most by cultivating the character of a godly person, and you will reap a harvest of praise to God by bearing the good fruit of the Spirit in your life, “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23).
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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Proverbs 30
Ask God for His Will to be Done!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Monday, November 13.
What are you asking God for and why? What are the motivations of your prayer life? In Proverbs 30:7-9, Agur petitions God, “Two things I asked of You, do not refuse me before I die: Keep deception and lies far from me, give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with the food that is my portion, that I not be full and deny You and say, “Who is the Lord?” Or that I not be in want and steal, and profane the name of my God.” He asked for a life of integrity, and a life of contentment. Both of which he desires so that he may honor God with his life. Motives matter when we petition God, as James 4:3 explains, “You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures.”
Prayer is a gift from God. He desires to be in a personal relationship with you, and He wants to hear from you. We are to approach God in the name of Jesus, which means we are to ask Him in accordance with His character and will, as revealed to us through His Word (John 14:14; 15:16; 16:23-24). In Matthew 6:9-13, Jesus taught His disciples how to pray in a new way:
Our Father who is in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors. And do not lead us into temptation, but deliver us from evil. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen.
Seize the moment and apply the wisdom of Proverbs 30: ask God for His will to be done, on Earth as it is in Heaven!
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:
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Unity in the Body of Christ!
A Special Message
The Journey to 2030:
Unity in the Body of Christ!
“FBC desires to see communities thriving to the glory of God.”
“FBC desires to see communities thriving to the glory of God.”
We call you to the journey of experiencing the fullness of joy that Jesus promises each one of you, members of His one body. We understand that the Holy Spirit is the One transforming our stories as walk with Jesus; it’s a faithful journey to the destination of Christlikeness. It’s not always a straight journey, and it can be messy, but we must remain focused – eyes on Jesus!
In creating an atmosphere/culture of transformation for your journey, the leaders of FBC desire to, prayerfully (according to Acts 6:4), preach and teach clearly what it means for each of us (individually and collectively) to live as disciples of Jesus Christ so that we each can ensure we are heading in the right direction – intentionally becoming like Him in word and deed.
This will include what we provide, or partner with, for people on Sunday mornings (during Sunday school hour and in service) and Wednesday nights (youth, children, and adult programming available at the church), as well as what is available to you throughout the week in Bible studies and ministry gatherings.
The goal of such teaching is for each of us to have the mind of Christ and to know the will of God according to Romans 12:2, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” This transformation is necessary for us to be actively engaged in the mission of God, to which Jesus calls all His followers to participate in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20).
Apart from our stories being transformed through the gospel of Jesus Christ we cannot be on the Journey with Jesus. This is a personal journey of discipleship, but it is never private; it is a call to the refreshing work of the Holy Spirit through the great community, called the church. As the leaders of FBC, we desire to empower both the individual and the corporate body, according to the teaching of the Body of Christ in the New Testament (i.e. Romans 12:3-8; 1 Corinthians 12; and Ephesians 4).
Let’s read Ephesians 4:1-16. I’ll make a few comments, then call you to make some commitments as members of the one body of Christ.
There are two ways the force is structured in the US Army: conventional and unconventional. The conventional force has a heavy top-down approach, where no one moves, from top to bottom, without the top first passing down the order that had to move its way down the chain of command. The assumptions of this model are not complementary to the soldiers or their ability to innovate and adapt on their own. Unfortunately, most of the Army is structured this way.
The church is not intended to look this way! We are more like the unconventional forces of the army’s special forces and special operations communities, who empower every solider as a highly trained team member who can accomplish the mission without a lot of oversight. They are given a mission to accomplish, then entrusted with team leadership, to accomplish it in their specific areas of operation, as they have been chosen, trained, and sent to do. This is how the church is called to function, not only with Jesus, our Commander, giving us the Great Commission, and entrusting every congregation in every community of every nation to spring up and get the mission done in ways that are right and true to their time and location, but this is also true of every congregation, as the pastors and leaders empower the people to get the mission done in ways that are right and true to your household, neighborhood, and workplace.
We must structure ourselves to empower you, the soldiers of Jesus who have been chosen, need to be trained, and are being sent to live your life on mission for Jesus.
- The Church Cabinet will consist of Pastoral Staff, Elders, Deacons/Deaconesses, Moderator, and Clerk. The Church Cabinet convenes on a regular basis to assure that those in positions of congregational authority are being faithful to the mission, vision, faith statement and core values of the church.
- The Elders provide spiritual formation and accountability to the pastoral staff of the church. They work together to create a congregational culture that prioritizes the mission and vision of First Baptist Church according to our faith statement and core values.
- The Deacons/Deaconesses are the servants of the church, leading the work of ministry in First Baptist Church. Deacons are affirmed/appointed to their positions based upon their calling to their area of service.
- The Moderator chairs the Church Cabinet, conducts Congregational Meetings, and works closely with the lead pastor to liaise between the congregation and staff.
All areas of ministry (and their teams) are directly accountable to a member of the cabinet. The reason we have this structure at FBC is empower you, the priesthood of all believers, to live on mission, the good fruit of your life of discipleship. In the words of Jesus, for you as a good tree to bear good fruit (Matthew 7:15-20). We want to minimize meetings and red tape, so that you can be equipped, encouraged, and empowered to live for Jesus, on mission for God!
Therefore, I call you to the following six membership commitments to ensure the unity of the body of Christ while so that we can function as God intended, sending you out as an unconventional force of elite special forces soldiers. We gather to scatter!
- I commit to being a loving member where I see membership as a call to godly living and relationships. I will:
- Uphold biblical standards in my own life and in relationship with my brothers and sisters, according to Matthew 18.
- Prioritize greater spiritual, emotional, physical, and relational health with God, self, family, and others.
- I commit to being a healthy member where I see membership as a part of God’s plan for my life (John 13:35). I will be a source of:
- Unity, not division, knowing that none of us, including leadership, are perfect.
- Mercy and grace, not gossip and dissension.
- I commit to being a praying member where I see prayer as my Christian responsibility to fulfill Jesus’ prayer in John 17. I will discipline my life to pray daily for the body of Christ including:
- Pastors and leaders
- Ministries & missions
- Families & community
- The worldwide church throughout all nations
- I commit to being a serving member where I see membership as an opportunity to visibly live a life of sacrificial service (Philippians 2:5-11). I will:
- Serve the church and its membership.
- Actively live a life of ministry and mission through the guidance and power the Holy Spirit in my day-to-day life.
- I commit to being a functional member where I see membership according to the Bible’s teaching (1 Corinthians 12 – 14). I will demonstrate this in the following ways:
- Active participation in a discipleship group.
- Service in ministry.
- Biblical financial partnership.
- Witness for Christ to the community.
- I will be a committed member where I see membership in the body of Christ as a privilege that comes with responsibilities. I recognize the church will only be healthy and grow when I am doing my part; therefore, I will:
- Learn about and use my spiritual gifts to build the body of Christ (Ephesians 4).
- Display the fruit of the Spirit to our community and beyond (Galatians 5:22-23).
I am going to be focusing on discipleship; providing “pathways of grace” for you to grow in godliness (Christlikeness). May your life bear the good fruit of a transformed life through the gospel of Jesus Christ. Thriving is more than an understanding of what is God’s best for my life, the church, and surrounding community, it is a call to full participation in that life through our 7 big words, on the banners behind you: gather, follow, rest, belong, love, service, and go. It is seeing our four core values, posted right here on the wall to my left, come alive in you.
We all have very little space on our calendars available, just as we all have more demands on our money, so we want to invite you to choose pathways of grace that will help you thrive and that will bring thriving to our communities through your unique contributions.
I want to conclude with a thought I read a while back, “Our lives seem too crowded – too busy, we might say, were it not that after long hours of work we let entertainment and various addictions gobble up a good portion of the remaining time – to allow us to give sustained attention to the challenge of discerning the life truly worth living…It’s not just that we don’t know how to live meaningful lives. We don’t even seem to be able to focus for very long on the question” (source unknown).
The leaders of FBC want to help you focus on the abundant life of Jesus Christ; we invite you participate in the work of Jesus Christ to bring about your transformation, but we know that can only happen through your submission to the power and presence of the Holy Spirit in your life. Jesus calls that His “easy yoke” (Matthew 11:28-30).
We invite you to join us on FBC’s Journey to 2030. To get out of the heavy yoke of the world and its definitions of thriving and to get into Jesus’ easy yoke and to walk with Him, in His way. We know it’s going to take a long time, but we are committed to the process of transformation that God will do in us and through us as we learn, step-by-step, to be about our Father’s Work in His Harvest fields.
May Jesus lead us on FBC’s Journey to 2030! To God alone be the Glory!
If you would like to watch Pastor Jerry present this message, Click HERE.
If you would like to watch the entire service including music, click HERE.
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Hymn: Christ is Enough!
Seize the Moment – Day 1334
Today’s song focus will be
Christ is Enough!
Colossians 2:9-10 (NASB95)
“For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority.”
Written in 2003 by Hillsong Worship, this song is a wonderful reminder that Jesus is our reward, our devotion, our joy, our salvation and our hope. He is all we need. By making the decision to follow Him, we choose to turn away from the things of this world and follow after Him with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. He is more than enough for us! Verse two states:
Christ my all in all, my joy and my salvation
And His hope will never fail, Heaven is our home
We need to wake up and realize the sufficiency of our Lord and Savior! He is our all in all, and is everything we will ever need.
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.
If you would like to listen to this song, click on this link:
Christ Is Enough
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Proverbs 29
Repent of Your Stubbornness!
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Proverbs 28
Be Confident in the Lord!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Thursday, November 9.
Are there circumstances in your life holding you back from experiencing God’s best? Is your perspective preventing you from being able to seize the moment in those situations? In Proverbs 28:1, Solomon calls believers to be confident in the Lord, “The wicked flee when no one is pursuing, but the righteous are bold as a lion.” To be as “bold as a lion” is to be daring, or extremely confident. The lion is considered the king of the jungle, not because he is the biggest, but because he is the most confident. It’s his attitude that sets the lion apart, as Proverbs 30:30 explains, “The lion which is mighty among beasts and does not retreat before any.” When the lion sees an elephant, he sees food; whereas, when elephant sees a lion, it flees. The lion sees opportunity where others cannot!
Are you running from situations in your life even though you have the Lord on your side? Paul taught in Romans 8:31, “If God is for us, who is against us?” When we have God on our side, we are to be confident in Him, and His ability to turn any crisis into an opportunity for His glory. We are to be as bold as a lion by being confident in the Lord. Do not make the mistake, as many Christians have, of becoming like a lion in your mannerisms or leadership style. Such bravado only hinders the work of Christ in and through you and the local church. Jesus was meek, but not because He was weak. Jesus is the Lion of the tribe of Judah (Revelation 5:5); therefore, His confidence was in God’s plan for His life. God has a plan for your life, too, so be bold in how you trust Him in every circumstance.
Seize the moment and apply the wisdom of Proverbs 28: be confident in the Lord!
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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Proverbs 27
Reflect the Image of God!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Wednesday, November 8.
Have you ever seen a photograph with still water in the foreground so that it mirrored the focus of the picture? This is called reflection photography, and the classic example is of a striking mountain vista captured on the still water of a serene lake. My wife has used this photography technique to take beautiful pictures from the Rocky Mountains, to include our recent trip to the Grand Tetons. She tried to do the same when we toured Scotland, but it was too windy, so the lochs did not provide a clear canvas. The key to the mirror effect is still waters. When the water is stirred, the reflection is distorted. With this imagery in mind, Solomon insightfully taught in Proverbs 27:19, “As in water face reflects face, so the heart of man reflects man.”
If you want people to see the majesty of Christ reflected on the canvas of your life, there must be still waters to capture the vista of His presence. We are designed by God to be His image bearers (Genesis 1:27-28), mirroring His sovereign rule to the world. This is the very reason we are saved, as Paul clearly taught in Romans 8:29, “For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, so that He would be the firstborn among many brethren.” We exist to make God visible, and this happens when our hearts are filled with God’s peaceful presence. Jesus explained in Luke 6:45, “The good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth what is good; and the evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth what is evil; for his mouth speaks from that which fills his heart.” Your life reflects the truth of your heart.
Seize the moment and apply the wisdom of Proverbs 27: reflect the image of God by finding rest for your soul in the easy yoke of Jesus Christ (Matthew 11:28-30).
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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Proverbs 26
Be Wise with Foolish People!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Tuesday, November 7.
Have you ever been in a situation where you had no idea how to respond to a person who was acting like a fool; nevertheless, whether you should even acknowledge that they said something foolish? I’ve been in this situation in one-on-one conversations and in group settings, small and large. Clearly, Solomon has too, as Proverbs 26:4-5 instructs us how to handle people in such difficult situations, “Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you will also be like him. Answer a fool as his folly deserves, that he not be wise in his own eyes.” Solomon is not contradicting himself in these back-to-back proverbs; rather, he is teaching us situational awareness.
There are times to engage the person with truth, and there are times to ignore him or smooth it over, but there is never a time to be mean about it, even if the person has been casually cruel in his foolishness. In Matthew 5:21-22, Jesus gives clear instruction not to call anyone a fool:
You have heard that the ancients were told, “You shall not commit murder” and “Whoever commits murder shall be liable to the court.” 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.
While conflict is a necessary reality with certain people or situations, character assassination is never acceptable. When a person is acting a fool, be graceful with how you talk about the person, even when you must confront him about his conduct. Check your own heart so that you don’t act like the fool yourself.
Seize the moment and apply the wisdom of Proverbs 26: be wise with foolish people!
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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Proverbs 25
Be Faithful at Work and in Life!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Monday, November 6.
Are you seeking a promotion at work? Are you trying to get ahead in life? Then build a reputation as a humble person who works hard to serve others and puts the team first. Trust God with your hopes for tomorrow by being faithful with what you have been asked to do today. Solomon taught the importance of humility in Proverbs 25:6-7, “Do not claim honor in the presence of the king, and do not stand in the place of great men; for it is better that it be said to you, ‘Come up here,’ than for you to be placed lower in the presence of the prince, whom your eyes have seen.” Jesus taught this proverb as a parable in Luke 14:7-11:
And He began speaking a parable to the invited guests when He noticed how they had been picking out the places of honor at the table, saying to them, “When you are invited by someone to a wedding feast, do not take the place of honor, for someone more distinguished than you may have been invited by him, and he who invited you both will come and say to you, ‘Give your place to this man,’ and then in disgrace you proceed to occupy the last place. But when you are invited, go and recline at the last place, so that when the one who has invited you comes, he may say to you, ‘Friend, move up higher’; then you will have honor in the sight of all who are at the table with you. For everyone who exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted.”
Don’t scheme for future success; instead, work hard today because that’s the best opportunity you will ever have to show your character. Be where you are supposed to be and do what’s right. Trust God with the results!
Seize the moment and apply the wisdom of Proverbs 25: be faithful at work and in 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.
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On Mission
On Mission
Today is the International Day of Prayer
Matthew 28:18-20
John 17:17-18
John 20:21 “I am sending you…”
Video Short: Share Your Testimony – Tim Hawkins
Revelation 12:10-11
It’s all about the one who makes the miracle and makes it powerful!
Examples of ways / places you can serve.
They provide great opportunities in which you can share the Gospel.
He will call you out of your comfort zone.
Story: John & David who were willing to commit, to give up their freedom in order to share the Gospel with others. They were called. They were passionate for Jesus!
“May the Lamb that was slain receive the reward of His suffering.”
Jesus is the Lamb that was slain. Our lives are the reward for His suffering.
If you would like to watch Keven present this message, Click HERE.
If you would like to watch the entire service including music, click HERE.
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Hymn: Jesus Saves!
Seize the Moment – Day 1327
Today’s hymn focus will be
Jesus Saves!
John 14:6 (NASB95)
“Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”
It originally sung to the chorus from an opera, but William J Kirkpatrick composed a vibrant melody for the words of her poem to become the song that we sing today.
We have heard the joyful sound – Jesus Saves! Jesus Saves!
Spread the tidings all around – Jesus Saves! Jesus Saves!
We need to wake up and proclaim the message of this song each and every day of our lives, until He calls us home. Don’t keep it a secret, but let it be known that Jesus Saves!
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.
If you would like to listen to this song, click on this link:
Jesus Saves!
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Spread the tidings all around:
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Bear the news to every land,
Climb the steeps and cross the waves;
Onward!—’tis our Lord’s command;
Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
2
Waft it on the rolling tide,
Jesus saves, Jesus saves;
Tell to sinners far and wide,
Jesus saves, Jesus saves;
Sing, ye islands of the sea,
Echo back, ye ocean caves;
Earth shall keep her jubilee,
Jesus saves, Jesus saves.
3
Sing above the battle’s strife,
Jesus saves, Jesus saves;
By His death and endless life,
Jesus saves, Jesus saves;
Sing it softly thru the gloom,
When the heart for mercy craves,
Sing in triumph o’er the tomb,
Jesus saves, Jesus saves.
4
Give the winds a mighty voice,
Jesus saves, Jesus saves;
Let the nations now rejoice.
Jesus saves, Jesus saves;
Shout salvation full and free,
Highest hills and deepest caves,
This our song of victory,
Jesus saves, Jesus saves.
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Proverbs 24
Taste and See that the Lord is Good!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Friday, November 3.
I like to put honey in my coffee; it’s a natural sweetener that has some health benefits to it, especially if you use local honey. I love how Solomon references honey in today’s rich chapter on wise living, instructing his students in Proverbs 24:13-14, “My son, eat honey, for it is good, yes, the honey from the comb is sweet to your taste; know that wisdom is thus for your soul; if you find it, then there will be a future, and your hope will not be cut off.” There are health benefits for your soul when you live your life according to the wisdom of God. Life is sweeter when you live with hope for the future.
It appears that Solomon caught his love for honey from his father. David used the same imagery in Psalm 19:9-11, “The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever; the judgments of the Lord are true; they are righteous altogether. They are more desirable than gold, yes, than much fine gold; sweeter also than honey and the drippings of the honeycomb. Moreover, by them Your servant is warned; in keeping them there is great reward.” There is a great reward to living your life according to the judgments of the Lord. This is a truth you must learn for yourself.
More important than learning how good honey is from David, Solomon picked up his love for God and His wisdom. More important than trusting me that honey is good in your coffee, test me and see for yourself if spending time with God in prayer, and in studying His Word, is the sweetest of all. Have you cultivated a taste for the goodness of God?
Seize the moment and apply the wisdom of Proverbs 24: taste and see that the Lord is good – spending time with Him is sweeter than honey!
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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Proverbs 23
Practice Self-Control!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Thursday, November 2.
Proverbs 23 provides warnings against overindulgence, which is when a person has too much of something enjoyable. When people think about overindulging, their minds usually go to one of two places: food or drink. Solomon covered both in today’s chapter, starting in Proverbs 23:1-3, “When you sit down to dine with a ruler, consider carefully what is before you, and put a knife to your throat if you are a man of great appetite. Do not desire his delicacies, for it is deceptive food.” [emphasis added] While there are two dangerous forces at play here, overindulgence and manipulation, there is one solution for both, practicing self-control. That is what the idiom, to “put a knife to your throat,” means; it is saying that if you are tempted to overindulge, you need to practice self-control, or else you will be easily deceived. Self-control is a sign of wisdom.
While overindulging in tasty food seems pleasurable in the moment, many of us can testify that it is not comfortable for long, often leaving us feeling physical discomfort and emotional regret. The same phenomenon happens when a person overindulges in fine wine, or any alcoholic beverage, especially when doing so in the company of friends, called social drinking. Everything is better with friends, right? Solomon, who has experimented with everything to experience happiness, teaches us the importance of self-control in Proverbs 23:20-21, “Do not be with heavy drinkers of wine, or with gluttonous eaters of meat; for the heavy drinker and the glutton will come to poverty, and drowsiness will clothe one with rags.” Regardless of whether you are talking about food or drink, the essential ingredient to the life of wisdom is self-control. For the Christian, self-control is a sign of the Holy Spirit at work in you (Galatians 5:22-23).
Seize the moment and apply the wisdom of Proverbs 23: practice self-control in all things, especially anything that threatens to master you (1 Corinthians 6:12-13). Don’t overindulge, “but be filled with the Spirit” (Ephesians 5:18).
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:
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Proverbs 22
Be a Motivated Learner!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Wednesday, November 1.
Are you paying attention? What motivates you to stay focused in your devotion time? Since he is beginning a new section of his book, Solomon, like a wise teacher, grabs your attention with some incentives in Proverbs 22:17-21:
Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise, and apply your mind to my knowledge; for it will be pleasant if you keep them within you, that they may be ready on your lips. So that your trust may be in the Lord, I have taught you today, even you. Have I not written to you excellent things of counsels and knowledge, to make you know the certainty of the words of truth that you may correctly answer him who sent you?
Solomon knows that it’s easy to get distracted when reading (or listening) to verse after verse of wisdom sayings, so twenty-two chapters into his thirty-one-chapter book, he refocuses his students on why they should pay attention. This is important because the crucial ingredient to effective learning is motivation. A motivated learner has found a reason to remain focused on the instruction of their teacher. The promise of something better keeps us motivated to learn and grow. Solomon gives the following three reasons why you should diligently heed his instructions:
- Your life will go better! Memorize these truths and apply them to your everyday life circumstances. You will make wise and discerning decisions that lead to God’s blessings.
- You will trust God more! There is nothing more valuable to a person’s well-being than having a right relationship with God.
- You will be valuable to your community! Wise people are essential workers in any workplace or community because their words are trustworthy, and their actions are reliable.
Seize the moment and apply the wisdom of Proverbs 22: be a motivated learner and you will diligently heed the words of truth!
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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Proverbs 21
Trust God for His Victory!
Seize the moment and apply the wisdom of Proverbs 21: trust God for His victory! It is done!
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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Proverbs 20
Embrace this Season of Your Life!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Monday, October 30.
I love my long grey beard. I wasn’t sure about it at first, but it’s grown on me. It’s distinguished; it’s colored by wisdom (Proverbs 16:31). We live in a culture that idolizes youth and beauty, and rewards novelty and sensuality, but the Bible calls us not to find our identity in that which passes like the seasons (Proverbs 31:30). Instead, the Bible calls us to grow closer to Jesus in every season. When you make spiritual formation (Christlikeness) your primary ambition – the gaining of wisdom and the training of godliness – you will embrace every season of your life as a gift from God.
There are different reasons for each season, and we gain insights on what those are when we look at creation. There can only be the new life of spring after the deep power of winter’s rest, and we can’t reap the harvest until we’ve experienced the abundant growth of summer. Solomon explained in Proverbs 20:29, “The glory of young men is their strength, and the honor of old men is their gray hair.” I encourage the youth, as Paul exhorted his protégé in 1 Timothy 4:12, “Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.” Use the spring and summer seasons of your life to grow strong and sow good seed, in preparation for the harvest seasons which will come later.
I encourage the mature to embrace the gift of their autumn and winter seasons to reap what has been sown, and to trust the investment of their lives (like good seed) to burst forth with good fruit. Walk in the way of righteousness today, and you will grow closer to Jesus in every season of your life.
Seize the moment and apply the wisdom of Proverbs 20: embrace this season of your 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.
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Proclamation, Preparation & Positioning
Proclamation, Preparation & Positioning
Deuteronomy 32:2-4; Ephesians 5:15-19; Philippians 4:5-9
Today is going to be a different type of Sunday. We are starting the service with each point of the message being reinforced with our worship in song. For those taking notes, the three key points are 1) Proclamation; 2) Preparation; and 3) Positioning. These three “P’s” will help us in both our prayers and our praise.
I. PROCLAMATION: Moses told the people of Israel
“Let my teaching fall on you like rain; let my speech settle like dew. Let my words fall like rain on tender grass, like gentle showers on young plants. I will proclaim the name of the Lord; how glorious is our God! He is the Rock; his deeds are perfect. Everything he does is just and fair. He is a faithful God who does no wrong; how just and upright he is!”
When we proclaim something, we are making it known to those around us. When we pray, we are to proclaim who God is to us. When we sing our praises, we are to lift our voices and proclaim the goodness and the greatness of our God. In Psalm 71:19-19, the psalmist David writes:
O God, you have taught me from my earliest childhood, and I constantly tell others about the wonderful things you do. Now that I am old and gray, do not abandon me, O God. Let me proclaim your power to this new generation, your mighty miracles to all who come after me. Your righteousness, O God, reaches to the highest heavens. You have done such wonderful things. Who can compare with you, O God?
He also writes in Psalm 105:1-2:
“Give thanks to the Lord and proclaim his greatness. Let the whole world know what he has done. Sing to him; yes, sing his praises. Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds.”
And then in Psalm 145:4-7, we are told to:
“Let each generation tell its children of your mighty acts; let them proclaim your power. I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendor and your wonderful miracles. Your awe-inspiring deeds will be on every tongue; I will proclaim your greatness. Everyone will share the story of your wonderful goodness; they will sing with joy about your righteousness.”
Finally, we are encouraged by John, the beloved disciple in 1 John 1:1-2:
“We proclaim to you the one who existed from the beginning, whom we have heard and seen. We saw him with our own eyes and touched him with our own hands. He is the Word of life. This one who is life itself was revealed to us, and we have seen him. And now we testify and proclaim to you that he is the one who is eternal life. He was with the Father, and then he was revealed to us.”
So, as we prepare to lift our voices in worship, remember we are all to proclaim praise to the One Who was, Who is, and Who always will be.
Worship in Song 1: Living Hope, Goodness of God, Trust in God
II. Preparation: Preparation is important for both heart and mind.
QUOTE: “Proper preparation prevents poor performance.”
1 John 1:9:
Ephesians 5:15-19: “So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts.”
*Previous verses warned us not to live like we used to, because we are to live our lives to please God.
“So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control. Put all your hope in the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world.”
However, we are also told in scriptures to bring everything to Jesus. 1 Peter 5:7 states:
“Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you.”
AND…we are to care for one another. Paul wrote to the Corinthians in 2 Corinthians 12:25:
“This makes for harmony among the members, so that all the members care for each other.”
This is not an either/or thing, but rather a both/and. We as the church are to be here to help one another as we see Christ transforming people’s lives and their stories. BUT, it is also important that each person take responsibility to turn EVERYTHING over to God by preparing our hearts and our minds.
Worship in Song 2: Lavish, Who You Say I Am
III. Positioning: Surrendering our wants and desires
“Christ demands first place. There’s no room on the throne of your heart for two gods.”
– Billy Graham
Philippians 4:5-7:
“Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”
I want to close out the service with a response time. Coming to the altar is not a sign that you have done something, but rather you making a public demonstration of presenting yourself as a living sacrifice, making sure that your sacrifice is still on the altar! Position yourself with a fresh surrender.
Worship Set 3: Hold On to Me, It is Well with My Soul
If you would like to watch the service in its entirety with the music, click HERE.
If you would like to watch just the message, click HERE.
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Hymn: Trust in God
Seize the Moment – Day 1320
Today’s song focus will be
Trust in God
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NASB95)
“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.”
Inspired by famous hymns written by Fanny Crosby and Phoebe Knapp, Chris Brown, Steven Furtick, Brandon Lake & Mitch Long wanted to create a new worship song that was both a declaration and a proclamation of God’s faithfulness to His children. In a time where trusting God is becoming more rare and more challenging, this song helps us all declare with one voice that even though we may be shaken, we will still trust in God.
I trust in God, my Savior,
The One who will never fail
He will never fail
We need to wake up with the words of this song in our hearts and on our lips. He is always there when we need Him. When we seek Him, we will always find Him ready to help us. So let’s declare our trust in God!
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.
If you would like to listen to this song, click on this link:
Trust in God
Blessed Assurance, Jesus is mine
He’s been my fourth man in the fire time after time
Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood
And what He did for me on Calvary is more than enough
I trust in God, my Savior
The one who will never fail
He will never fail
The one who will never fail
He will never fail
Perfect submission, all is at rest
I know the author of tomorrow has ordered my steps
So this is my story and this is my song
Praising my risen King and Savior all the day long
I trust in God, my Savior
The one who will never fail
He will never fail
I trust in God, my Savior
The one who will never fail
He will never fail
I sought the Lord and He heard and He answered
I sought the Lord and He heard and He answered
I sought the Lord and He heard and He answered
That’s why I trust Him, that’s why I trust Him
I sought the Lord and He heard and He answered
I sought the Lord and He heard and He answered
I sought the Lord and He heard and He answered
That’s why I trust Him, that’s why I trust Him
I sought the Lord and He heard and He answered
I sought the Lord and He heard and He answered
I sought the Lord and He heard and He answered
That’s why I trust Him, that’s why I trust Him
I sought the Lord and He heard and He answered
I sought the Lord and He heard and He answered
I sought the Lord and He heard and He answered
That’s why I trust Him
That’s why I trust in God, my Savior
The one who will never fail
He will never fail
Oh, I trust in God, my Savior
The one who will never fail
He will never fail
I sought the Lord
[Bridge]
I sought the Lord and He heard and He answered
I sought the Lord (And He delivered me from all my fears)
I sought the Lord (From everything)
And He heard and He answered, oh
That’s why I trust Him, that’s why I trust Him
I sought the Lord and He heard and He answered
I sought the Lord and He heard and He answered
I sought the Lord and He heard and He answered
That’s why I trust Him, that’s why I trust in God
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Proverbs 19
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!
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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Proverbs 18
Be a Close Friend to a Few!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Thursday, October 26.
I was at a leadership conference years ago when I heard a pastor teach about congregational care in a way that lifted a heavy burden from my shoulders, “Do for one person what you wish you could do for everyone.” Pastors are taught to show no favoritism, so, in many ways, we are trained to do for everyone what we have already done or plan to do for another person. Often, that philosophy twists into a crushing weight of meeting people’s expectations, preventing pastors from responding in the Spirit. Proverbs 18:24 explains a better way forward, “A man of too many friends comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”
It is humanly impossible for one person to be a close friend to everyone, and to each of their families, but it’s not impossible for the people of the church to stick close to one another. Let the Spirit lead you to build loving relationships, which are closer than a brother. We are called to do life together as a church, but none of us has the bandwidth to be a friend to everyone in the church. Only Jesus can do this, so be a friend of God, listening to the Holy Spirit’s leading, and be willing to be friendly to all while sticking closer than a brother to a few. Love them like you wish you could love them all, and everyone will get great congregational care. Jesus commanded us in John 13:34-35, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
God bless you!
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