Pastor Ricky Powell

The Truth About Divorce Rates In America

"The truth is when church attendance is factored in the results, believers who attend church are less likely to divorce than people who do not show up."
Facts and Trends, Vol 60, Number 1, Winter 2014, p. 23

A 40-Day Church-Wide Study I Recommend (Worktalk FOURZERO)

Is your church looking for a great way to help people balance work and faith? Here is a study of the 7 Sentences of Christ from the cross that will help people consider how Jesus handled His work and how He can help them handle their work (or any stress and responsibility in life). This is a great 40-day study that includes sermons, daily devotions, and a mid-week group time. I led this study at Fort Caroline Baptist Church, and I highly recommend it to you. Call me if you want to know more! Or visit www.worktalk.gs. This would be awesome for the Spring leading up to Easter or anytime of the year.

 

What I'm Reading Now

Girgis, Sherif, Ryan Anderson T., and Robert George P. What Is Marriage?: Man and Woman: A Defense. New York: Encounter, 2012. Print.

An Area Of Christian Growth We Don't Like To Talk About

But as you excel in everything—in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all earnestness, and in our love for you—see that you excel in this act of grace (giving) also. (2 Corinthians 8:7 ESV)

Every Christian I know says they want to grow in their faith, their ability to speak for the Lord, their knowledge of God's word, and their sincerity and love for God and others. This is certainly commendable. The world would be a better place if we all sought to grow in these key areas of Christian conduct and character.

But notice that the Bible speaks of another area of Christian growth. This is on par with the other virtues. It is growth in the grace of giving. Yet when a pastor preaches on this subject our defenses go up. It seems that we do not like it when God or others meddle in our finances. But God's word is absolutely clear. We are to grow in the grace of giving. We ought to be men and women who seek to put God first in every area of our lives, including our finances.

How are you doing in this area of your Christian life? There is room to grow for all of us. Perhaps you need to start a budget to help manage your funds available. Perhaps you need to put aside money at the beginning of the week for God's work rather than waiting to see what is left over after you've spent it on yourself. Perhaps you ought to make your giving to the church automatic through your online bill pay system at the bank. Perhaps you need to increase the percent of your income that you dedicate to God's work through his church. Perhaps you need to say no to things that are non-essentials so you can free up money to give.

These are just a few suggestions to help you grow in the grace of giving. The most important way to grow in the grace of giving is to first of all consider how much God has given you through his son, the Lord Jesus Christ. When we consider his sacrifice on the cross we will conclude that it is possible to give God too little, but it is never possible to give him to much.

What Do You Want People To Say About You?

As I prepare to attend the third funeral in two days I am reminded of the brevity of life. At two of the funerals I have been asked to say a few words about the deceased. In many ways they made my job easy by how they lived.

There is nothing like a funeral to remind you that one day death will come calling for you, too. Studies have shown that one out of one people die! Perhaps it is a good question to ask, "What do I want people to say about me when I am gone?" I believe what really matters in life cannot be summed up with money, houses, or the plaudits of men. True riches are those things which money cannot buy and death cannot take away. Your family, your friends, and your faith in Jesus Christ are what really matters in this life. Live in such a way that your life preaches your own funeral. Live in such a way that you leave a rich legacy of virtue and faith. Live in such a way that your pastor doesn't have to lie at your funeral!

"The years of our life are seventy, or even by reason of strength eighty; yet their span is but toil and trouble; they are soon gone, and we fly away. So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom" (Psalm 90:10, 12 ESV).

A Question From Jesus To You. How Will You Answer Him?

"So why do you keep calling me 'Lord, Lord!' when you don't do what I say?" (Luke 6:46, NLT)

Jesus not only gave brilliant answers, He also asked brilliant questions. This is a brilliant question that He is still asking today. Imagine Jesus looking into your eyes today and asking you this question. "Why do you call me the boss of your life when you won't do what I tell you to do?"

To call Jesus Lord is to call Him your master. It means He is your boss. He is the one who leads you. To call Him Lord while at the same time disobeying Him is to contradict yourself. If you claim someone is your boss but do not follow his instructions then your walk doesn't match your talk. 

Jesus goes on to give a parable of two builders in order to illustrate that His true followers are those who obey His word (see Luke 6:47-49). Jesus is not looking for people who are content to hear what He has to say but has no desire to practice what He says. Jesus is looking for people who will build their lives on His teaching.

It is not always evident to the naked eye who the true followers of Christ are. But when the storms of life come His followers are manifest. True followers of Jesus Christ obey Him as the boss of their lives. As a result they withstand the storms and struggles of life with their faith intact. The life built on the solid rock of Jesus can withstand the raging storms of life. Obedience leads to strength and stability of faith.

As you examine your ethics, morals, relationships, activities and beliefs, do they show evidence that you are obeying Jesus. To call Him your Lord while disobeying Him is hypocritical. Let's resolve to not merely say He is Lord, but to show He is Lord though our obedience.