Father’s Day

Looking at Facebook and seeing everyone wishing their husband’s, and father’s a happy Father’s Day makes me think on the special day this is.  This is the first Father’s day in several years I am a normal church attendee, while in the pastorate I was always focused on the sermon and making it a special day for the father’s in the congregation.  Also, there is the aspect that both of my kids are on TLC mission trips, so I won’t be spending Father’s Day with them this year.  Do I miss them? Yes, but so glad they are working for God and am praying for God to use them and speak to them during their time.  I come to realize, as a Father we should live what we preach, teach and also act, so our children will really believe what we say.  No, I am not the perfect father, and I see many mistakes I have made and probably more to come in the future.

Here are a couple things I would like us father’s to consider.

1. As a father, are you a living example for your children?
2. Are you making God led decisions for your family that will have an eternal value for them?

I realize each of us make mistakes, and can look back and say, “I would have done it different.”  God can take our intentions and make them into a blessing although we mess up.

Lu 14:28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?

Adam Clark brings out, this is speaking of those who are going to follow Christ need to count the cost and it is the power of God which enables you to finish.  I parallel that with raising a family.  Count the cost Dad.  The decisions you are making…have you counted the cost of where it will lead?  In our movement we are seeing the conservative pendulum back and forth as to the dress, our thinking, our beliefs…have you counted the cost?  Can we get back to having the desire to be spirit led and not peer led?

I will finish up by saying, my desire it to see God’s will for my family and my personal life completed.  There will be times others will look on and comment, they will add their opinions of agreement or disapproval.  In the end…What does God want?  Let me end with a reminder, There is something to be said of the Holiness Movement.  There is a reason why men look like men and women look like women.  Dad, What decisions are you making for your family in light of heaven?

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God’s Leadership

Greetings,

As many of you know we are now in Hobe Sound Fl.  We are still adjusting to our move and are excited about how God has led thus far.  I realize there are many varying opinions from each person I talked to through this entire ordeal, all the while keeping my heart open to God’s leading.  At the moment the resignation was final of us pastoring in Fairmont WV, we had no clue as to the path God would lead.  While talking with several churches, trying out at one, and putting feelers out to see which way God wanted us to go, we saw how God allowed things to fall into place, and at the right time.

Yes, there are probably many who have something to say about stepping out of the pastorate for a while.  But I am going to jump into this arena of thought.  All through this, as a family we have been praying for God’s leadership.  I have seen many missionaries come off the field for their kids.  I have seen different ones who change their path to minister to their family.  Ok, here goes; why is it that if a pastor steps out of pastoring to minister to their kids, it seems they are doing something horrible?  Well, I am going to just give my opinion…I know they haven’t made it to heaven yet, but I know I am going to do everything within my power to get them in the environment for them to turn an ear toward God.  There are those who say, “well God can be wherever you are.”  Yes, I wholeheartedly agree, but as a parent we all sense when a move is needed.  What secular job wouldn’t you quit if you felt it would help your family?  Why is it any different being in the ministry?  God definitely called us to where we were, and He definitely released the burden too.  I have seen family after family go wayward because of ministering to everyone else's family. 

As a family we covet your prayers and I know God will lead as long as we keep allowing Him access to our will.  I have found, that no matter what you do, or where you go, God is there and His spirit will lead if we allow it.  In closing, I am reminiscent of the years I spent in the factory, in owning a business, and in sales, and then seeing how all of those experiences add up to making who I am today.  With being in my mid forties and seeing the changes in our holiness movement, it convicts me more each day to stay the course. 

I am continuing to develop our website www.powellministries.com and will continue interviewing different ones across the holiness movement.  If you have a ministry or organization you would like to tell about, just contact us @ powellministries@gmail.com and we will set up a time to record the interview.  This is totally free, and all my time is just given to the carrying on the holiness message.  If anyone would like to sponsor us it would be helpful, but not necessary.

Have a blessed day and we trust everyone will have a good Lord’s Day.

James Powell

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Our most recent Shows

Here are the recent shows from www.powellministries.com

Mrs. Jane Hannold Interview–Part 1

March 22 Show

Pastor Jay Interview

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March 8th Interview with Pastor Jay

The latest interview it uploaded…enjoy

Pastor Jay–Youth Pastor, Hobe Sound Bible Church

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Call in show tomorrow

Our blog show will be a call in show, we will also be bringing everyone up to date with what is happening in our lives.

We are asking everyone to go to our website www.powellministries.com and fill out our survey in the lower left hand corner.  We are going to give some of the results tomorrow on our show.

Audio Reminder of tomorrows show

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Rev. David Fulton Sr.

Listen to our interview with Rev. Fulton.

March 1 2011 Interview

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Self-Control

Pr 25:28 He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls.

This scripture could be used for so much.  I just got back from taking our youth snow tubing.  You may ask what snow tubing has to do with the above scripture.  It is a simple illustration, but the tubing park has lanes and each of the lanes has barriers so that the one beside you cannot come over.

I simply look at this as an illustration of this verse.  If we don’t have any control over ourselves then we can cause trouble or a disaster.  Can you imagine what it would be if everyone was able to sled down the hill at once with no barriers between?  There would be major wrecks and probably injuries.

Matthew Henry says, “He lies exposed to all the temptations of Satan and becomes an easy prey to that enemy.”  Wow, not much more needs said.  God help us to stay in our own lane spiritually and not destroy any of God’s work and potential in our lives as well as others.

God Bless,

Have a blessed day

Rev. James Powell

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Preparing for Sunday School

Good Monday,

I would like to just say, “I am anticipating this week.”  I am finding the more we follow God and His leadings, the more satisfied we can find ourselves.  I am in the midst of studying a Sunday school lesson for this next Sunday morning.  We will be at the Piedmont Bible church in NC.  I am looking at the youth pastorate there and that really excites me.  If you are in the area, please stop by and say hello.  We are in the midst of making many decisions regarding our future and I know that God is leading.

The reason for this post is the topic of the lesson I am studying.  It is found in John 15 speaking of the vine.  The question is asked, “Does being a Christian Really Make a Difference?”  Wow what a question, and where do to do you start and stop?  What I would like to do is ask anyone who would be brave enough to give me a comment on it.

I know all of us have our opinions regarding the Bible, so give it to me.  I know being a Christian does make a difference, but I would like to hear how it makes a difference for you.  A quick reminder; tomorrow I will be interviewing Rev. Mark Heskett from UBC on my Blog Talk Radio Show…so stop by and have a listen.

God Bless and if you would remember us in prayer, it would be much appreciated.

Rev. James Powell
In Transition

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Repost–Anyone have any questions?

I am opening up the opportunity of any question you have for Rev. Mark Heskett.  I am interviewing him on Feb. 22 on the Powell Ministries Blog Talk Radio Show.  Questions should be relevant to UBC.  Show will be @ 2:30 PM EST.

So email me: pastorpowell@netzero.net with your questions.

Have a great day

Rev. James Powell

 

Feb 15th Show

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Any Questions?

I am opening up the opportunity of any question you have for Rev. Mark Heskett.  I am interviewing him on Feb. 22 on the Powell Ministries Blog Talk Radio Show.  Show will be @ 2:30 PM EST.

So email me: pastorpowell@netzero.net with your questions.

Have a great day

Rev. James Powell

Feb 15th Show

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Feb 15

2:30 PM interview with Ron McCormick at www.blogtalkradio.com/pastorpowell

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New Venture

Blog Radio Promo

 

Greetings again,

I am asking again for prayer for our family.  I know God knows what we need before we ever ask.  I am trying a new venture and I really don’t know where it will lead.  This is not a venture for monetary gain, or even popularity gain.  This is a venture to show that all of us have ups and downs in our lives.

I am going to attempt a Blog Talk Radio show and will be interviewing (or trying to get participators … ha) Pastors, Layman, Bible College staff, professors, evangelists, and anyone in our holiness movement.  We will learn as we go thru this.  The goal is to have a new one at least every other week and if I can line up different ones every week I will.

So…when you get an email from me asking for an interview, please consent.  Please sense the sarcasm…lol

Each interview will either be on Monday or Tuesday afternoons around 2:30.  This is the projected time anyway…some shows may fluctuate.  You will have to check back with us to see when each one is.  I hope to eventually add in questions from callers as we go along, but the first several shows, we won’t be taking any questions from callers.

So…to go to our show website you can go to BLOG TALK RADIO  Or you can go to the complete show site at http://www.blogtalkradio.com/pastorpowell

Our first Guest:

Rev. Ron McCormick from Ponca City OK

Upcoming Guest:

Rev. Mark Heskett from Union Bible College

Have a great day and God Bless

 

Rev. James Powell

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Following His Leadings

I am remembering my high school graduation.  I know, you may say that is a sign of getting older, but I had the privilege to graduate high school from a Christian school in Indiana and the theme of the class was the title of this article, “Following His Leadings.”

Although I was so naive and not really understanding the depth of meaning to the saying, I can say God has lead me through each period of my life.  I remember the times of working in the factory and having a feeling of not being content.  The constant day in day out routine in those four wall seemingly would drive a person crazy.  I was a full supporter of my local church, loved being a regular attendee and when the church doors were open I was there…should I repeat that?  I remember the days of working a full time job, running a business and starting out my family and still made it to church on Wednesday evenings…seems to be a lost art the more I talk to pastor’s.

I am saying all of that to say, following God may take you down roads you would have never imagined.  I look back at the time when I felt God calling me into some type of ministry and really not knowing what.  I started pursuing Bible colleges and pushed to go to one and the door was shut.  Many of you know I ended up at Hobe Sound Bible College and now I see that God had a plan and I was “Following His Leadings.”  As we moved to Florida and we felt the change as a family, with me in school and a constant busyness, we were content because we were “Following God’s Leadings.”  Well…we are at another stage in our lives where we don’t know exactly the direction God is leading, but we are following Him.

Some may have heard by now that we have resigned as pastor of the Bible Methodist Church in Fairmont WV.  Some have asked what are we going to do?  We don’t know, God hasn’t exactly shown us yet, but I am confident that He will lead us.  Yes, I feel an uneasiness at times in asking the what ifs.  But I am confident that God has a place for us, whether it be pastoring, being an assistant or youth pastor, teaching somewhere…I don’t know, but God will lead.

The bottom line is… As a family we are “Following His Leadings.”

Have a great week

God Bless

Rev. James Powell

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Where is your Treasure?

Mt 6:19 Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

Sitting here on a Saturday morning, trying to still get the mind of God for tomorrow, my mind keeps wondering in all sorts of ways.  I know most of you preachers out there are the type that have your message by Thursday and are just looking over it the rest of the week.  That has always been my desire, but it seems like lately my thoughts have been so scattered and I just sit numbly looking at scripture and hoping my fingers would start typing something.

The above scripture seems to speak out to me and my mind starts to think on “treasure on earth.”  Undoubtedly this verse has been used over and over speaking on materialism and such.  My mind is thinking of my family and the treasures that God has given me.  I realize that this scripture is speaking of wealth and material things and laying up treasures in heaven.  I have heard preachers bring out about laying souls (treasures) up in heaven, I have heard others speak about money.  But this morning my mind thinks of my family.  I know many may bristle at this point I am going to make, and some may adamantly disagree with me.  If so, that is ok…I am glad that I believe in a holiness that we can disagree agreeably.

The point I want to make is that the treasures (my family) that God has bestowed upon me, I am responsible for.  I can win thousands to Christ, but if I don’t see that my family makes it to heaven, then what good have I done?  I know…I can hear some saying “well, bless God your job is such and such….” but I remind you Father’s, we are the head of our homes and as we go, so go our “treasures.”

Well that is my ramble for today…I will be looking at something for Sanctity of Life, but my mind was rolling down this path.  I pray that everyone has a blessed Lord’s day and that we all will follow God’s leading in each of our lives.

God Bless,

Rev. James Powell

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The Awakened Conscience.

Ps 107:5 Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them.

Treasury of David Commentary:

Ver. 5. Hungry and thirsty, their soul fainted in them. The spirits sink when the bodily frame becomes exhausted by long privations. Who can keep his courage up when he is ready to fall to the ground at every step through utter exhaustion? The supply of food is all eaten, the water is spent in the bottles, and there are neither fields nor streams in the desert, the heart therefore sinks in dire despair.  Such is the condition of an awakened conscience before it knows the Lord Jesus; it is full of unsatisfied cravings, painful needs, and heavy fears. It is utterly spent and without strength, and there is nothing in the whole creation which can minister to its refreshment.

I typically wouldn’t post the entire commentary reading, but I wanted all to understand what this is saying.  I constantly am saying things about our society or our world and trying to remind myself that we, who are in the church, must realize the devastation those of the world are facing.

When someone doesn’t know Christ they have no way out and there seems to be no where to turn other than their cravings they already have.  Quickly our minds rush to drink, drugs, and many other things, but what I what to remind myself and others is; that is all they know.  When one comes to know Christ, He can and does instantly change their heart, but there is still scars and damage that sin has done.  I guess what I am trying to say is this; we need to let God do the dealing and changing of people, instead of “Those who know Christ” trying to change new converts.  Damage can be done so quick, although it is well meaning, it can do more harm than good.

I have seen time and time again, when God changes something it is permanent , when man changes something it typically only lasts for a period of time.  God help us to let the Holy Spirit deal with people and us just step back and pray for each individual.  Until someone is exposed to the truth, they don’t know they are in the wrong.  As the commentator relays the idea…the soul is exhausted in deep despair until the soul meets God and the conscience is awakened.

God help us inside the “church walls” awaken our conscience to God’s desire for each of our own lives.  So much for some more ramblings…I again am doing some deep searching as I try to follow God’s will for my life.  God bless each of you and have a great day.

Pastor James Powell

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Just a portion of the pictures

		Germany Trip - 2004 VIEW SLIDE SHOW DOWNLOAD ALL

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Pictures from several years ago

 

Place where Luther stated “Here I stand”

 

Wartburg Castle – Luther translated the Bible into common peoples language

 

Desk used for translation

 

 

Wall Separating East and West Germany near Point Alpha.

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Creating Havoc

Once again, my mind is wandering all over like some preachers do.  Today we had to have only a mid afternoon service due to weather conditions.  Thinking of the safety of those traveling in…I am thinking spiritually.  As easy as it is to slip off the road when it is snow covered, the same is easy to slip when our spiritual lives are getting covered and we lose focus of God.  To get a grip on the road there is salt and sometime cinders put down, which then in turn melts the ice/snow so the grip can return to the road.

I believe there are times in our spiritual lives, we lose grip and we are in need of God’s salt and/or cinders.  Most know that salt has a healing and preserving part to it.  I want God to do that to me spiritually.  I have to put forth the effort which comes by the way of reading of His word, praying, prioritizing my life around His leading.  It is easy to slip into just looking back over the last year in the first month of the new year.  I am continuing to ask God for His spiritual salt to heal and preserve me in my spiritual life throughout all year.

Once again this is some rambling, but I know God exactly what I need for 2011.  God Bless and may you have a fantastic Lord’s Day.

Pastor James Powell

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What inspires you?

This morning as I am trying to continue to get the mind of God, I find myself still drained inspirationally.  Yes, I guess I am being very transparent, but I imagine there are several out there who feel the same way from time to time.  I know God is always with us, and He knows what we need and when we need it, but there are times it seems there is nothing clicking.  I remember being told by a professor, “boys, sometimes you will feel there is nothing and yet you know there is a sermon in all of these scriptures.”  I guess this is one of those times.  Of course is seems these type of times have come frequently lately, but I do know that God is always with us and will not forsake us. 

Starting out the New Year often leads us to rehashing what was successful or unsuccessful from the previous year.  I am looking at a portion of scripture in Mal 3, which this portion pops out at me.  Mal 3:7 Even from the days of your fathers ye are gone away from mine ordinances, and have not kept them. Return unto me, and I will return unto you, saith the LORD of hosts. But ye said, Wherein shall we return?  Notice the portion saying, “Return unto me, and I will return unto you.”  Digging into the word return, for all you Hebrew scholars (I am definitely not one)  is shuwb,  pronounced shoob.  It conveys the idea of going back, but not necessarily to the beginning.

How many times do we do something and make a mistake and feel like we need to start all over?  I believe this idea refers to going back to where the mistake was instead of starting all over.  If a runner falls down during a race, do they start at the beginning again?  No, they pick right back up where they fell.  I challenge myself, along with each of us to go back into last year, or even further than that, and “Return” to where we once were spiritually, if need be.  I am asking God for leadership in my life, and my families life.  As a family, we are refocusing on family devotions, I am personally digging deeper spiritually, and I am focusing on what God wants, not what I think other people would have me do.  Well so much for this post…this is just some random thoughts and rants I guess.  Ha.  I pray that everyone has a great day, week, and year.  May God’s will be done in 2011.

God Bless,

Pastor James Powell
Following God’s leading

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We are God’s Possession

Just a quick preview of the devotional tonight. 

1Co 6:19 What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

1Co 6:20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's.

It is interesting how many people think they can get away with doing what they want and not realizing there are consequences.  If we call our self a Christian then we are not our own.  All we do, say, act reflects on God’s Kingdom.  It brings to mind of my kids.  I see in them my actions, talk, and characteristics, the same is with us who are Christians.  If we are truly a Christian then we will reflect God’s love and compassion.  I pray that I continue to show God’s love to everyone I come in contact with.  Most companies market there products and all have a trademark on them to show it belongs to some corporation.  I want to think of that in the spiritual sense.  I am owned by him so I want His trademarks all over me.  May we all market our self properly to promote God’s kingdom.

God Bless and have a good day

Pastor James Powell

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Going on Empty

Coming thru the Thanksgiving and Christmas seasons I find myself feeling worn out, frustrated, looking for refuge and sometimes not wanting to deal with people.  I am sure each of you can relate to one of these experiences.

I know there are times when we may be misunderstood, or misrepresented, but I am glad that God understands us.  Sometimes I have to wonder, if we can get away for a few refreshing days with no phone, email, and all that comes with it and just clear our minds.  I remember years ago, one speaker saying you need to get away once a year to focus on what God has for you.  He suggested doing it at the beginning of the year.  I am seeing now how important this is.  This Christmas season has seemed to fly by and seemingly has been a very stressful one.  God help us all to focus on Him and to look forward to seeing what He has for us in this bright 2011 year.  God bless all of you and may we all see victories for God this year.

Ernie Hause

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Readying for the New Year

Trying out the new windows live for the new year.

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Happy New Year

Happy New Year to all from the James Powell Family

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