Years ago I had the opportunity to meet Bill Clinton a few weeks before he was elected President of the United States. Before meeting him, I had to endure much security. And even while meeting him the Secret Service’s watchful eye was ever present. In the brief time that I had with him I found him to be nice, energetic, and simply human.
Years ago before George W. Bush was elected President of the United States of America, my mother-in-law had the opportunity to meet him and even have her picture taken with him. While meeting him she too was under the watchful eye of the Secret Service. She found him to be nice, energetic, and simply human.
So what does all this have to do with Jesus? No matter how popular or powerful a famous person may be, none can compare to Jesus. At the end of the day, all celebrities, all presidents, all people are simply humans who are limited in their abilities and who will one day die.
Jesus lives forever. And His abilities are not limited. No sin and no separation is too great for him to forgive and heal. I have met Jesus and found Him to be nice, energetic, fully human, AND fully God. He was God made flesh among us. He lived as the perfect human. He died as the perfect sacrifice for the worlds sins. And He lives as the perfect savior for every human.
Have you met Him yet? If you haven’t I pray you will today. Unlike many famous people, Jesus is as accessible to you as your very next breath. Simply call out to Him. You’ll be glad you did!
Loving and Leading,
Jeff Powell
Wednesday, August 25, 2010
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
One Minute Before Midnight
In 1 Samuel 13 Saul faced a crucial moment that every believer must eventually confront. It is a time of crisis when we're forced to decide whether we'll wait on God by faith, or get impatient and take matters into our own hands.
Saul's pivotal moment came when ominous clouds of war were gathering over Israel. A week earlier Samuel had warned Saul to wait for him before going into battle.
When the day came and Samuel hadn't arrived, Saul's soldiers began to scatter. Worse, the king didn't have God's direction for battle.
What approach did Saul take? Did he stand firm? No, Saul panicked. He allowed himself to be overwhelmed by his circumstances. And he ended up manipulating his way around God's Word (see 1 Samuel 13:11,12).
God is never late. The Lord had set the prophet on a heavenly navigation system, pinpointing his arrival to the very second. Samuel would be there, even if it was one minute before midnight.
God has not changed. He is still concerned with whether his people obey this command: "Obey the voice of the Lord, and [do not] rebel against the commandment of the Lord" (1 Samuel 12:15, paraphrased). It doesn't matter if our lives are spinning out of control, we are to walk in total confidence in the Lord. Even if things look hopeless, we are not to act in fear. Rather, we are to wait patiently on him to deliver us, as his Word promises.
Our God sees all the life-problems pressing in on you. Those who pray and wait on him with calm faith are never in any real danger.”
Taken in part from: http://www.worldchallenge.org/en/devotions/2010/one-minute-before-midnight
Loving and Leading,
Jeff Powell
Saul's pivotal moment came when ominous clouds of war were gathering over Israel. A week earlier Samuel had warned Saul to wait for him before going into battle.
When the day came and Samuel hadn't arrived, Saul's soldiers began to scatter. Worse, the king didn't have God's direction for battle.
What approach did Saul take? Did he stand firm? No, Saul panicked. He allowed himself to be overwhelmed by his circumstances. And he ended up manipulating his way around God's Word (see 1 Samuel 13:11,12).
God is never late. The Lord had set the prophet on a heavenly navigation system, pinpointing his arrival to the very second. Samuel would be there, even if it was one minute before midnight.
God has not changed. He is still concerned with whether his people obey this command: "Obey the voice of the Lord, and [do not] rebel against the commandment of the Lord" (1 Samuel 12:15, paraphrased). It doesn't matter if our lives are spinning out of control, we are to walk in total confidence in the Lord. Even if things look hopeless, we are not to act in fear. Rather, we are to wait patiently on him to deliver us, as his Word promises.
Our God sees all the life-problems pressing in on you. Those who pray and wait on him with calm faith are never in any real danger.”
Taken in part from: http://www.worldchallenge.org/en/devotions/2010/one-minute-before-midnight
Loving and Leading,
Jeff Powell
Wednesday, August 11, 2010
Who Runs the Church? Part 2
A few weeks ago, I gave a brief overview in answer to this question. Jesus runs His church and He does so through a group of qualified, called, and appointed men called Elders. So who are these qualified, called, and appointed men? And what specifically do these men do?
First of all, these men are those that meet the Biblical qualifications for such service as described in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9. Second, these men are those that are willing to serve the church in this capacity. There is an internal desire to serve the church in this manner, a calling. Thirdly, these men are appointed to serve. They are not democratically elected through a voting process, but rather are appointed to serve as an Elder. This in short is who Elder’s are.
Now, what specifically do Elder’s do? No matter how you try to define what they do, the simple answer is they oversee or rule the local church (see 1 Peter 5:2-3, 1 Timothy 5:17). They shepherd a local church following in the footsteps of Jesus, the Chief Shepherd. They do this through decision making, preaching and teaching God’s word, and guiding the local church to fulfill God’s purpose for her.
The clearest, and most Biblical manner in which the church is to be organized is to have a group of qualified men who are called and appointed to serve as Elder’s of a local church body. These men are to meet biblical qualifications, desire to serve in this capacity, and be appointed to serve. They are to oversee (rule or shepherd) a local church through making decisions, preaching God’s word, and keeping the church focused on God’s purpose for her. May we become such a church in the near future!
Loving and Leading,
Jeff Powell
First of all, these men are those that meet the Biblical qualifications for such service as described in 1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1:6-9. Second, these men are those that are willing to serve the church in this capacity. There is an internal desire to serve the church in this manner, a calling. Thirdly, these men are appointed to serve. They are not democratically elected through a voting process, but rather are appointed to serve as an Elder. This in short is who Elder’s are.
Now, what specifically do Elder’s do? No matter how you try to define what they do, the simple answer is they oversee or rule the local church (see 1 Peter 5:2-3, 1 Timothy 5:17). They shepherd a local church following in the footsteps of Jesus, the Chief Shepherd. They do this through decision making, preaching and teaching God’s word, and guiding the local church to fulfill God’s purpose for her.
The clearest, and most Biblical manner in which the church is to be organized is to have a group of qualified men who are called and appointed to serve as Elder’s of a local church body. These men are to meet biblical qualifications, desire to serve in this capacity, and be appointed to serve. They are to oversee (rule or shepherd) a local church through making decisions, preaching God’s word, and keeping the church focused on God’s purpose for her. May we become such a church in the near future!
Loving and Leading,
Jeff Powell
Wednesday, August 4, 2010
Thoughts that Motivate!
I get inspiration and encouragement from God’s people - you. Last week provided large doses of encouragement and inspiration from you! Every evening I lavished in the joy seeing you serve God and His children through VBS. Each evening I completely enjoyed the opportunities I had with many of you just to talk and share a laugh together. Needless to say, my cup was filled to overflowing with inspiration and encouragement by you. Jane and I are blessed to serve as your leaders!
I also get encouragement and inspiration from those who have lived for Jesus in much more difficult circumstances than I probably will ever face. One such person is Watchman Nee. He served Jesus faithfully in his home country of China during a time of persecution. In 1956 he was judged, condemned, and sentenced to fifteen years of prison. In prison, only his wife was allowed to visit him.
He died in confinement on May 30, 1972. After his death, a scrap of paper was found near his bed. What was written on that paper serves as a great encouragement and inspiration to us all today: "Christ is the Son of God Who died for the redemption of sinners and was resurrected after three days. This is the greatest truth in the universe. I die because of my belief in Christ. Watchman Nee."
Today (Sunday) I am in Costa Rica with 19 others serving Jesus. Please pray for us as we engage in international missions today and all during this week. Jane and I look forward to seeing you next Sunday!
Inspired and Encouraged by YOU,
Jeff Powell
I also get encouragement and inspiration from those who have lived for Jesus in much more difficult circumstances than I probably will ever face. One such person is Watchman Nee. He served Jesus faithfully in his home country of China during a time of persecution. In 1956 he was judged, condemned, and sentenced to fifteen years of prison. In prison, only his wife was allowed to visit him.
He died in confinement on May 30, 1972. After his death, a scrap of paper was found near his bed. What was written on that paper serves as a great encouragement and inspiration to us all today: "Christ is the Son of God Who died for the redemption of sinners and was resurrected after three days. This is the greatest truth in the universe. I die because of my belief in Christ. Watchman Nee."
Today (Sunday) I am in Costa Rica with 19 others serving Jesus. Please pray for us as we engage in international missions today and all during this week. Jane and I look forward to seeing you next Sunday!
Inspired and Encouraged by YOU,
Jeff Powell
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