As much as I can stomach it, I keep up with politics and governmental affairs. Recently, the big debate in our national politics has been over the growing deficit and debt ceiling. Now before you stop reading, please understand I am not about to bore you on all intricacies and implications of this debate. However I will say, I was shocked to be reminded again that for every dollar the U.S. government spends, we borrow 40 cents! Try running your business or personal budget like that - you would not last long!
Now all of this has gotten me thinking about the value of a single dollar as it relates to the Kingdom of God. I am happy to tell you that every dollar that is spent on the Kingdom of God ends up being multiplied by God! Rather than a debt and deficit growing for every dollar we invest in the Kingdom of God, the exact opposite happens: Every dollar that is spent on the Kingdom of God results in a surplus - praise God (see 2 Corinthians 9:6-15)!
The reality is that at times we see this surplus and at other times we don’t. I am happy to share with you that recently I was able to see this surplus from your investment into God’s Kingdom. While I was in India with Joseph Matcha, he shared with me some of what our monthly church support means to his ministry. Did you know that $50 a month supports one pastor and his family? For little more than a dollar a day, one pastor has his housing, food, and medical needs met! Did you know that for one dollar a day, one orphan child receives housing, teaching, food, clothes, and medical care? Talk about surplus from giving one dollar!!!
The debate is over concerning investing in the Kingdom of God - every dollar invested/spent for God’s purposes results in a surplus! May we as a church and as a people continue adding to Heaven’s surplus.
Loving and Leading,
Jeff Powell
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Praying for One Another
Prayer is misunderstood, misused, or not used at all. God has provided prayer as a great avenue for us to connect with Him. Through prayer we can release burdens to the Lord and through prayer we can receive blessings from God. Where is prayer best practiced in the church context?
“When we talk about the gifts of the Spirit, we tend to limit them to speaking in tongues and prophecy. But we must not forget that healings and miracles are also gifts of the Spirit.
In a congregation...it is increasingly difficult for the pastor to pray for all the sick. This is not because of the lack of willingness, but because it is increasingly difficult to devote adequate time to pray for a growing number of needs.
Yes, the pastor can pray for as many sick people as he wishes, but the Bible also says that we need to pray for one another (James 5:16). This is a duty that all believers should practice as part of their priestly role.
The best place to pray for each other is in the cell (small group). It is the place where people know each other intimately, can fully share what’s happening in their lives, and where emotional ties are established. Personal healing also takes place in this atmosphere as believers pray for one another.
In the larger celebration services, the pastor can make a general prayer for all the sick, even for those who are not present. But in the cell, each believer can confess faults to one another, place hands on the sick, and then pray for the gifts of healing. The cell is the ideal place for believers to serve each other through their spiritual gifts.”
Thanks Mario Vega for sharing this with us! I hope that each of us are connected to one of our small groups (cells) so that all of our prayer needs can be met!
Praying,
Jeff Powell
“When we talk about the gifts of the Spirit, we tend to limit them to speaking in tongues and prophecy. But we must not forget that healings and miracles are also gifts of the Spirit.
In a congregation...it is increasingly difficult for the pastor to pray for all the sick. This is not because of the lack of willingness, but because it is increasingly difficult to devote adequate time to pray for a growing number of needs.
Yes, the pastor can pray for as many sick people as he wishes, but the Bible also says that we need to pray for one another (James 5:16). This is a duty that all believers should practice as part of their priestly role.
The best place to pray for each other is in the cell (small group). It is the place where people know each other intimately, can fully share what’s happening in their lives, and where emotional ties are established. Personal healing also takes place in this atmosphere as believers pray for one another.
In the larger celebration services, the pastor can make a general prayer for all the sick, even for those who are not present. But in the cell, each believer can confess faults to one another, place hands on the sick, and then pray for the gifts of healing. The cell is the ideal place for believers to serve each other through their spiritual gifts.”
Thanks Mario Vega for sharing this with us! I hope that each of us are connected to one of our small groups (cells) so that all of our prayer needs can be met!
Praying,
Jeff Powell
Tuesday, April 12, 2011
If you....
Recently I received an e-mail from one of our members that I want to share. These are questions from Jesus to us.
“If you never felt pain, then how would you know that I am a Healer?
If you never had to pray, how would you know that I am a Deliverer?
If you never had a trial, how could you call yourself an overcomer?
If you never felt sadness, how would you know that I am a Comforter?
If you never made a mistake, how would you know that I am a Forgiver?
If you never were in trouble, how would you know that I will come to your rescue?
If you never were broken, then how would you know that I can make you whole?
If you never had any suffering, then how would you know what I went through?
If you never went through the fire, then how would you become pure?
If I never corrected you, how would you know that I love you?
If you had all power, then how would you learn to depend on me?
If your life was perfect, then what would you need me for?
Love,
Jesus”
Thanks Adela for sharing!
Jeff Powell
“If you never felt pain, then how would you know that I am a Healer?
If you never had to pray, how would you know that I am a Deliverer?
If you never had a trial, how could you call yourself an overcomer?
If you never felt sadness, how would you know that I am a Comforter?
If you never made a mistake, how would you know that I am a Forgiver?
If you never were in trouble, how would you know that I will come to your rescue?
If you never were broken, then how would you know that I can make you whole?
If you never had any suffering, then how would you know what I went through?
If you never went through the fire, then how would you become pure?
If I never corrected you, how would you know that I love you?
If you had all power, then how would you learn to depend on me?
If your life was perfect, then what would you need me for?
Love,
Jesus”
Thanks Adela for sharing!
Jeff Powell
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Giving Your All
Vision is what allows us to get from one place to the next. Have you ever thought about God’s vision? Normally we don’t think of God in terms of movement. We think of God as certain, fixed, and final. However He is also filled with movement (vision) that has yet to be completed.
God’s vision is for humans to know Him through Jesus Christ and then for those humans that know Him to make Him known to others!
This vision can only be completed by GIVING. Jesus said that “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son that whoever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16. God gave first. We then follow Him by giving of ourselves. It is that simple.
Are you giving of your time by reaching out and inviting others to a relationship with Jesus? Are you giving of your treasures so that others will continue hearing the saving message of Jesus? Are you giving of your abilities so that others will see God through your servanthood?
I believe that you can do all three through Fellowship Church: Easter Sunday, April 24 is a natural opportunity for you to give your time by inviting others to attend with you. Saturday, April 16 is the BIG SERVE and your participation will allow God to be seen by our community through your servanthood. April 24 is our Bring Your Best offering where we will give of our treasures to God’s work!
Giving,
Jeff Powell
God’s vision is for humans to know Him through Jesus Christ and then for those humans that know Him to make Him known to others!
This vision can only be completed by GIVING. Jesus said that “God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son that whoever believes in him will not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16. God gave first. We then follow Him by giving of ourselves. It is that simple.
Are you giving of your time by reaching out and inviting others to a relationship with Jesus? Are you giving of your treasures so that others will continue hearing the saving message of Jesus? Are you giving of your abilities so that others will see God through your servanthood?
I believe that you can do all three through Fellowship Church: Easter Sunday, April 24 is a natural opportunity for you to give your time by inviting others to attend with you. Saturday, April 16 is the BIG SERVE and your participation will allow God to be seen by our community through your servanthood. April 24 is our Bring Your Best offering where we will give of our treasures to God’s work!
Giving,
Jeff Powell
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)