Complaining...

What is the Bible’s perspective on complaining? You read and then decide...

“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.” James 1:2-4

“...for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.” 1 Peter 1:6-7

“Do everything without complaining or arguing”  Philippians 2:14

“Remember those earlier days after you had received the light, when you stood your ground in a great contest in the face of suffering. Sometimes you were publicly exposed to insult and persecution; at other times you stood side by side with those who were so treated. You sympathized with those in prison and joyfully accepted the confiscation of your property, because you knew that you yourselves had better and lasting possessions. So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised.” Hebrews 10:32-36

“Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of his saints.”  Psalm 116:15

Lord, help my perspective on life to be changed into your perspective I pray in Jesus name, Amen.

Jeff Powell

What Does God Really Owe Me?

Last week I shared with you two common and popular ways of seeing God - both of which I believe are wrong.

First, one can see God as owing them everything good. Second, one can see God as owing them nothing. 

Third, one can see God as owing them punishment.  This I believe is the Biblical way to see God.  Is He good?  Absolutely.  And it is precisely because He is good that He owes us punishment for the sins we have engaged in.

For God to be truly good, He must be just.  And for Him to be just, He must address our utter sinfulness.  Every human being has missed the mark and fallen into sin.  Just one sin of mine carries with it the full wrath and judgement of God...just one, not to mention the multitude of sins I have committed against a Holy and perfect God!

But here is the amazing thing about God.  Although He owes us punishment due to our sin, He chose instead to pour that punishment out on His Son Jesus.  Make no mistake about it, Biblically, God owes us His wrath and punishment due to our sin, but instead of us receiving the wrath and punishment, Jesus took it for us by dying on the cross, satisfying the wrath and justice of God forever.

How do I see God?  I see Him as owing me a whole lot of punishment and wrath because of my sin.  Thankfully in His grace and mercy He has chosen to allow Jesus to take my place in receiving that punishment and wrath for my sins!

How do you see God differently today than you did yesterday?

Loving and Leading,

Jeff Powell

What Does God Owe You?

Recently I have been thinking about how I view God.  Assuming that a person believes in God, I really believe there is only a few ways to see God...

First, one can see God as owing them everything good.  After all, we didn’t ask to be created.  If God made us, then certainly He owes us the provision to live life right?  I believe WRONG!

Seeing God as owing us everything good or even for that matter some things good, makes life centered around us as the creation, rather than around God as the Creator.  To use natural logic:  If I build something with my own hands am I then obligated to sustain what I have built and improve what I have built?  Of course not.  In the same way, God as our Creator does not owe us anything good.  He is Creator, we are the creation.

Second, one can see God as owing them nothing.  Because God does not owe us anything good, the obvious conclusion must be that God doesn’t owe us anything?  Again, I believe WRONG!

Seeing God as not owing us anything places us on equal standing with God.  If God doesn’t owe us anything, then we are even with God - He doesn’t owe us and we don’t owe Him.  The hard and true reality however is that God does owe us and we owe Him, but that will have to wait until next week.

How do you see God today?

Loving and Leading,

Jeff Powell

What else is Allie doing in Heaven?

Last week I wrote about some of the things I believe my 13 year old daughter Allie is experiencing in Heaven.  Here is what else I know she is experiencing...

-  No night.  Radiant light from Jesus shines constantly.  There is no sun nor moon.  There is only pure, wonderful light from Jesus (Revelation 21:23 & 22:5).

-  No separation.  She is perfectly united with God.  She sees God.  There is no longer any hindrance to her comprehension and understanding of God.  She is in His presence and is fully aware of His purpose and plans (2 Corinthians 5:8; Revelation 22:4).

-  No pain or sickness or sorrow.  Allie does not hurt.  Her body does not tire.  Her emotions feel no sorrow.  The result of sin has been removed.  She is experiencing perfection at its fullest all because of Jesus (Revelation 21:4)!

Don’t you long for Heaven?  Do you know for sure that you will go to Heaven?  The reality is that not everyone will arrive at the place called Heaven.  Many will spend eternity in the place the Bible calls Hell. 

The truthful reality is that there is only ONE WAY to the place called Heaven.  All paths DO NOT lead to Heaven.  There is no such thing as “finding your own way” to Heaven.  The Bible is very clear on this (see John 14:6). 

I hope that you will take the ONE WAY to Heaven.  Please visit www.alliepowellmissions.com and click AMP UP.

Loving and Leading,

Jeff Powell