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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