Fresh wind is blowing (okay I know it is still way too hot for October). But the wind I am talking about is the wind of the presence of God - His breath being blown on us. Ezekiel 37 gives us a vivid picture of a vision that God gave to Ezekiel concerning His people. Verse 10 says, “So I prophesied as he commanded me, and breath entered into them; they came to life and stood up on their feet - a vast army.”
Did you get that? When the breath of God enters into us several things happen to us...
1. We come to life. What areas do you need God to bring back to life in you? What appears to be dead right now? God can bring what is dead back to life in Jesus’ Name!
2. We stand up on our feet. Have you been knocked down? Do you feel weak and tired? Have you felt the path before you has been confused? God can raise us up, steady our path, and make us firm in Jesus’ Name!
3. We become a vast army. Have you felt alone? Do you feel like you’re the only one facing what you are facing? Have you felt the pressure of Satan’s army against you? God brings us unified into His great (vast), MIGHTY AND POWERFUL ARMY where we are not alone but TOGETHER in Jesus’ Name!
These are some of the things that I have been speaking, praying and yes prophesying over us as a church. LIFE, STANDING, AND BEING AN ARMY for the glory of Jesus! Do you receive it? I sure hope and pray so. His breath is blowing among us, let us feel it, take it in, and walk in it in Jesus’ Name!
Jane and I love you so very much and are so very proud of you. God has allowed us to be shaken, but we are still standing and His fresh breath is blowing among us bringing life, joy, peace, and power in Jesus’ Name!
Don’t forget to make note of all the exciting, life-giving things that are coming our way noted in the Share and the web.
I love you and bless you in Jesus’ Name!
Jeff Powell
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Hope and a Future!
Fellowship Church, I am excited about the future. Jeremiah 29:11 loudly declares, “I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.” Praise Jesus - our future is very bright in Jesus’ name!
Here are some things that are coming up in the life of our church that are a part of that hope and future that God promises to you and me...
1. Trunk R Treat. Saturday, October 31 from 7-9 we are expecting a great ‘treat’ in being able to reach out to our community!
2. Small Groups. They are in full swing. I have heard many testimonies of how God is changing lives in these groups. Eight are up and running and more are planned for the future. If you’re not yet connected to one, I would encourage you to contact any staff member to find out more about getting involved.
3. Thanksgiving Agape Feast. Yes, it will be here in less than a month - wow! On November 22 at 6PM we will gather for food, fun, and fellowship.
4. Christmas Parties. Our small groups will be getting geared up to host parties, December 6-18, in advance of our December 20 Christmas Celebration.
In addition to all this, God has given us great plans for 2010 with ‘The Big Serve’ and ministry expansion. Yes, our future is bright and filled with hope. Lives are being changed by Jesus, hope is being imparted, and healing is occurring. Jane and I love you, appreciate you, and are so thankful for you in the name of Jesus!
Loving and Leading,
Jeff Powell
Here are some things that are coming up in the life of our church that are a part of that hope and future that God promises to you and me...
1. Trunk R Treat. Saturday, October 31 from 7-9 we are expecting a great ‘treat’ in being able to reach out to our community!
2. Small Groups. They are in full swing. I have heard many testimonies of how God is changing lives in these groups. Eight are up and running and more are planned for the future. If you’re not yet connected to one, I would encourage you to contact any staff member to find out more about getting involved.
3. Thanksgiving Agape Feast. Yes, it will be here in less than a month - wow! On November 22 at 6PM we will gather for food, fun, and fellowship.
4. Christmas Parties. Our small groups will be getting geared up to host parties, December 6-18, in advance of our December 20 Christmas Celebration.
In addition to all this, God has given us great plans for 2010 with ‘The Big Serve’ and ministry expansion. Yes, our future is bright and filled with hope. Lives are being changed by Jesus, hope is being imparted, and healing is occurring. Jane and I love you, appreciate you, and are so thankful for you in the name of Jesus!
Loving and Leading,
Jeff Powell
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Gators, Tigers, & Honor
Last Saturday, I was at the LSU / Florida game amid 93,129 people with my dad, Tyler, and other friends and family. Ironically Tyler and I sat right in front a HUGE section of Gator fans...and it was wild and LOUD...we felt right at home in Tiger Stadium!
At the end of the game, something marvelous happened - Tiger Field became a mixed sea of LSU and Florida players. Minutes earlier both teams were passionately battling it out and now they were one big group honoring (respecting) each other for a well played game. Honor is needed in life.
Throughout last weekend, I was able to honor my earthly father. Tears filled my eyes as we surprised him on Saturday and went to the game. Sunday morning we worshipped together in their church, East Bayou Baptist Church (www.eastbayou.org). And then Sunday evening my sister and I surprised my dad with a birthday party accompanied by his small group. It was great to be able to honor my earthly father!
Romans 12:10 says “...Honor one another above yourselves.” We really don’t need to define honor - you know it when you see it and you certainly know it when it is absent. Allow me to end my thoughts by asking you a few questions...
- Who have you honored lately in your life?
- What can you do today to honor those you love?
- How do you daily honor the most important entity in your life, God?
Fellowship Church, Jane and I love you, appreciate you, are so thankful for you, bless you, and honor you in the name of Jesus!
Loving and Leading,
Jeff Powell
At the end of the game, something marvelous happened - Tiger Field became a mixed sea of LSU and Florida players. Minutes earlier both teams were passionately battling it out and now they were one big group honoring (respecting) each other for a well played game. Honor is needed in life.
Throughout last weekend, I was able to honor my earthly father. Tears filled my eyes as we surprised him on Saturday and went to the game. Sunday morning we worshipped together in their church, East Bayou Baptist Church (www.eastbayou.org). And then Sunday evening my sister and I surprised my dad with a birthday party accompanied by his small group. It was great to be able to honor my earthly father!
Romans 12:10 says “...Honor one another above yourselves.” We really don’t need to define honor - you know it when you see it and you certainly know it when it is absent. Allow me to end my thoughts by asking you a few questions...
- Who have you honored lately in your life?
- What can you do today to honor those you love?
- How do you daily honor the most important entity in your life, God?
Fellowship Church, Jane and I love you, appreciate you, are so thankful for you, bless you, and honor you in the name of Jesus!
Loving and Leading,
Jeff Powell
Thursday, October 8, 2009
The Challenge...
Remember the words I spoke to you: "No servant is greater than his master." If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me.
John 15:20-21
“One of the most surprising facts that people learn about the Christian faith, is that obedience does not equal a comfortable life. Jesus says in Matthew 10, that he did not come to bring peace. He came to bring a sword.
God never promised that we would have it easy in this world. Some of God’s most obedient followers have been imprisoned, tortured and have even forfeited their lives because of their allegiance to Christ.
Most Christ-followers today will not lose their life for faithful obedience. The costs are often more subtle. You may have to sacrifice some social events in order to attend church, or give of your time to volunteer serving others instead of serving your own wants and needs. But these are small inconveniences compared to the ultimate sacrifice that Christ made on the cross.
Don’t let minor sacrifices keep you from focusing on the bigger picture. Consider what the Bible says. "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:2). Jesus sacrificed his life because of the blessings on the other side of the cross. What are you holding on to, instead of sacrificing it so that you can experience the joy of a much bigger blessing?”
What a great word from Ed Young’s devotional this past week (www.edyoung.com)!
Loving and Leading,
Jeff Powell
John 15:20-21
“One of the most surprising facts that people learn about the Christian faith, is that obedience does not equal a comfortable life. Jesus says in Matthew 10, that he did not come to bring peace. He came to bring a sword.
God never promised that we would have it easy in this world. Some of God’s most obedient followers have been imprisoned, tortured and have even forfeited their lives because of their allegiance to Christ.
Most Christ-followers today will not lose their life for faithful obedience. The costs are often more subtle. You may have to sacrifice some social events in order to attend church, or give of your time to volunteer serving others instead of serving your own wants and needs. But these are small inconveniences compared to the ultimate sacrifice that Christ made on the cross.
Don’t let minor sacrifices keep you from focusing on the bigger picture. Consider what the Bible says. "Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God" (Hebrews 12:2). Jesus sacrificed his life because of the blessings on the other side of the cross. What are you holding on to, instead of sacrificing it so that you can experience the joy of a much bigger blessing?”
What a great word from Ed Young’s devotional this past week (www.edyoung.com)!
Loving and Leading,
Jeff Powell
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Monday Night Prayer AND Meeting Update...
Fellowship Church,
Thank you for joining your core leadership (Pastoral Staff, Active Deacons, and Administrative Team) and Rick Lawrence in prayer on Monday night. I have heard from some of you how your lives were blessed by joining us in collective prayer around our facilities and some of you in the comfort of your own home - thank you! I believe that God indeed began to move in response to you, His people, investing time in prayer.
While you were praying, your core leadership and Rick Lawrence spent approximately one hour in individual and corporate prayer. We then spent a few moments sharing with each other things on our hearts. We then proceeded to engage in a dialogue for approximately two hours around leadership direction, staff and church health issues. Rick challenged us and encouraged us on many points throughout the night.
As we take a break from meeting as a core leadership for the next few weeks, I would strongly encourage you to continue in a mode of prayer and fasting. Ezra 8:21-23 has powerful, and I would add, timely words for us as a church body - let us please follow this text of scripture.
And as you pray, please allow the Holy Spirit to speak to you. Recently I received an e-mail from a dear member of Fellowship Church that says in part... "Clear communication comes from the stillness of time spent with Christ, not in the grumblings of when one gets their feelings hurt. In the world, the squeaky wheel gets the grease. In Christ, the quiet ones are able to hear His voice and receive His blessings. His blessings are always better than grease! Many of us are remaining quiet and listening to Christ, not the gossip. Please know that we are not being outspoken, but we are in deep and constant prayer and truly believe the best is yet to come for Fellowship." May we follow these wise words as well!
Fellowship Church, God has given us a clear purpose to lead people to become followers of Jesus. During this time may we exemplify that purpose by being the best followers of Jesus that we possibly can by loving each other with the undying love of Christ!
Loving and Leading,
Jeff Powell
Thank you for joining your core leadership (Pastoral Staff, Active Deacons, and Administrative Team) and Rick Lawrence in prayer on Monday night. I have heard from some of you how your lives were blessed by joining us in collective prayer around our facilities and some of you in the comfort of your own home - thank you! I believe that God indeed began to move in response to you, His people, investing time in prayer.
While you were praying, your core leadership and Rick Lawrence spent approximately one hour in individual and corporate prayer. We then spent a few moments sharing with each other things on our hearts. We then proceeded to engage in a dialogue for approximately two hours around leadership direction, staff and church health issues. Rick challenged us and encouraged us on many points throughout the night.
As we take a break from meeting as a core leadership for the next few weeks, I would strongly encourage you to continue in a mode of prayer and fasting. Ezra 8:21-23 has powerful, and I would add, timely words for us as a church body - let us please follow this text of scripture.
And as you pray, please allow the Holy Spirit to speak to you. Recently I received an e-mail from a dear member of Fellowship Church that says in part... "Clear communication comes from the stillness of time spent with Christ, not in the grumblings of when one gets their feelings hurt. In the world, the squeaky wheel gets the grease. In Christ, the quiet ones are able to hear His voice and receive His blessings. His blessings are always better than grease! Many of us are remaining quiet and listening to Christ, not the gossip. Please know that we are not being outspoken, but we are in deep and constant prayer and truly believe the best is yet to come for Fellowship." May we follow these wise words as well!
Fellowship Church, God has given us a clear purpose to lead people to become followers of Jesus. During this time may we exemplify that purpose by being the best followers of Jesus that we possibly can by loving each other with the undying love of Christ!
Loving and Leading,
Jeff Powell
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