Mark 11
A House of Prayer!
Good morning! This is Pastor Jerry Ingalls from New Castle First Baptist Church and today is Friday, May 1.
After seven weeks of stay at home orders I am getting a lot of reports of weight gain from people. How are your clothes fitting you or have you even gotten out of your yoga paints or sweatpants in seven weeks to know? Separately, but maybe connected, media is reporting a rise in domestic violence. Also, alcohol sales are way up. People are dealing with the stress, anxiety, and grief of this season in different ways… We are learning a lot about ourselves in this time…
Your mom probably taught you to treat your body like a temple. Surprise, she didn’t make that up…the Bible talks about your body being the temple of the Holy Spirit, the dwelling place of God on earth (1 Corinthians 3:16-17; 6:19-20). This is a great truth that we often reference when it comes to what we eat and drink, how we treat our own and other people’s bodies.
I want to make a connection for you this morning: Jesus proclaims in Mark 11:17, “Is it not written, ‘My house shall be called a house of prayer for all the nations’? But you have made it a den of robbers.”
Your body can either be a “den of robbers” or a “house of prayer.” It all comes down to how you use what God has entrusted to you. How are you dealing with your stress, anxiety, and grief during this COVID-19 pandemic? What are you learning about yourself?
Seize the moment and be “a house of prayer for all the nations.” This is not only God’s best way for you to take care of yourself, but it is also the very design of how He makes Himself known to the nations in and through you. I love how God weaves those two together—what is best for you is also the best way to bring Him glory!
FBC wants to be there for you personally, so please dial the phone number below if you need any practical assistance or would like to talk to someone today. We are praying for you!