Day 1618

 

Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Wednesday, August 21.

 

What kind of prosperity are you pursuing? Jesus pointedly asked in Mark 8:36-37, “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? For what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” Wealth can be a seductive measurement of success in life, and the pursuit of prosperity can lead a person away from faithfulness to God. The prophet called out Israel for this at one of their fall festivals in Hosea 9:1-3:

 

Do not rejoice, O Israel, with exultation like the nations! For you have played the harlot, forsaking your God. You have loved harlots’ earnings on every threshing floor. Threshing floor and wine press will not feed them, and the new wine will fail them. They will not remain in the LORD’S land, but Ephraim will return to Egypt, and in Assyria they will eat unclean food.

 

Heartbreakingly, so much of what we strive for in life can be taken away from us, abandoning us in our time of need. The Israelites turned to foreign nations for security, and, in doing so, rejected God and His protection and provision. God warns you not to pursue the fool’s gold of this world, that which appears to be worth your efforts but only sparkles without worth. Instead, pursue prosperity through a relationship with the One who promises to transform your soul through His great treasure in you (2 Corinthians 4:7). There is nothing more valuable to the world today than a person of character who shines with wisdom, hope, and love (Proverbs 3:15).

 

Seize the moment and pursue prosperity of the soul – “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it; for then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have success” (Joshua 1:8).

 

 

If you prefer a video, Pastor Jerry reads his devotion on YouTube as well. Click HERE to visit the page.