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Luke Powell Daily Devotions

Luke Powell Daily Devotions

By Luke Powell

Short daily Bible teachings to start your day.
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Me and My Big Mouth #3 our circumstances (Mon): Christ strengthens us

Luke Powell Daily DevotionsSep 13, 2020

00:00
02:33
Christopher Harrison Teaches Mark 1 (day 5): Fishing For People

Christopher Harrison Teaches Mark 1 (day 5): Fishing For People

In Mark's Gospel chapter 1, Jesus said the words “come and follow me.” And then he goes on to say, “I'll send you out to fish for people.” And then verse 18 says, “At once they left their nets and followed him.” Isn't that a powerful phrase?

I wondered about the immediacy of our willingness to follow God. And when God calls us and God engages with us, I think He gauges our love for him by our obedience. To love and obey all kind of inextricably linked; to love somebody is to do what they want. And the desire of our hearts is we love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength to do what He wants us to do.

And so the passion for the world that God has, is to say, “I wish you to fish for people”. Now Matthew 28:19 and so on speaks about making disciples of all nations. And therefore, the word “éthni”, you know, “nations”, is every single level of the ethnicities within our cultures. And so there is a Harley Davidson culture or there is a yuppie culture or there is a hip hop culture, or there is whatever - you with me?

All these subcultures are the groups that you have affinities with. And Jesus says, “You don't have to go and climb mountains. You don't need to go the furthest ends of the world. You just need to go to the affinity groups of the people that you know and love. And those are the people that you need to fish for!” Those are the levels of the cultures in which we live that God has placed us so that we can make disciples in those contexts.

Think about your affinity groups. Think about the people that you rub shoulders with. How can you help them in that - their gathering moments - to say, “Maybe today we could think of reading a verse and just hearing what God says to us today” and evolving that into a moment where you share the Scripture? Three people: one person with the Scripture, another person reads the Scripture in another translation, and a third one paraphrases it and you say, “What is God saying to us today?” And then God draws the people to himself.

The book Miraculous Movements tells us that right around the world, these affinity groups are the multiplying ways in which God is growing the kingdom amongst us. So think about the people you could rub shoulders with and how can you turn your affinity groups into an encounter with God so that it can be an incredible blessing. Because that's how we are obedient to going to fish for people.

Spend time today thinking and praying about the people that you can bring into a loving community where you can experience the risen Jesus.

Aug 11, 202303:31
Christopher Harrison Teaches Mark 1 (day 4): Sent Out

Christopher Harrison Teaches Mark 1 (day 4): Sent Out

As we continue in Mark's Gospel, I pick up the second part of chapter 1 verse 17, and Jesus says, having said, “Come follow me”, he now goes on and says, and “I will send you out to fish for people.”

There is a powerful thing which we don't really take seriously enough in our world today, and that is the word “go”. And sending out is the nature of the church. The word “ecclesia” is the Greek word for church and it's the called out ones, the sent ones, the summoned ones. And so right from the beginning of Jesus's ministry, he's modeling for us what church should really be. And that's a church that is being sent. And he says, “and I will send you out”.

Now the word “go”... Just think for a moment as you read the Bible, have you encountered the word “go”? The word “go” appears in the Bible over 1500 times. And so if we are not going, then we are simply a gathering of disobedient Christians, because right at the essence and the beginning of Jesus's ministry, he says we should “go”.

The word “stay” in the Bible only appears about 60 times. He is saying to us, only 6% of the time, “stay here, be replenished, be able to recover and be strengthened in the spirit.” But the dominant 94% of the times Jesus is saying “go”! Stay, yes, but go 94% and therefore we are encouraged to be those who follow Jesus in the going.

The going is to people who need the good news, people who need to hear that God loves them. And so we are transmitters of God's love and power. We are passing that on. We don't have to invent the good news. It's already there for them to know that they are utterly, irrevocably, unconditionally, extravagantly and eternally loved.

That's our offer to people: Come get to know this, Jesus, and I've been sent to you in his name. And so today, be prayerful around the names of people that come to mind, but also the people you rub shoulders with. Maybe God is sending you to that person to be an instrument of good news in this day and you can drop a seed into their life of the Gospel of God's love.

Plant seeds of God's love in every conversation. God bless you.


Aug 10, 202302:39
Christopher Harrison Teaches Mark 1 (day 3): Come Follow Me

Christopher Harrison Teaches Mark 1 (day 3): Come Follow Me

Today we're picking up verse 17 where Jesus continues in his engagement with people and says to these folk, both Simon and Andrew and others, “Come, follow me.”

Let's stay with those three words for the moment. Understand that God is the inviting God! As Dallas Willard reminded me, God is the great includer. And He continues to invite - invite to the banquet, invite into his presence, invite children.

Jesus looks at you in the face today and says, “Come, come to me, come to me.” This is a personal encounter. This is not just religiosity. This is not a religion. This is not a set of rules and regulations and oughts and shoulds and musts and have tos and things that are tasks for us to do to be religious. This is Jesus seeing us for who we are and saying, “Come to me. This is deeply personal, this is deeply real, and I take you seriously. I know you by name. I know who you are. I've seen you through your entire life. And I want for you to experience something that is about you and me in a relationship.” That coming is great because Jesus says, “come as you are, and I will do something with you.”

Then the second and third words are “Follow me.” And there are many books written in our world today about leadership. But show me the number of books that are written about followership. And so therefore, Jesus is saying, “I will be your leader. I'm the greatest leader that ever lived.” Not that he used those words himself, but we know him to be.

He's saying, “Come follow me. Live your life as if I was you. Live as I lived. And follow my example. Follow me. Because I go with you into those experiences.”

And so today, as you enter into whatever you are doing, Jesus invites you into his presence throughout the day and invites you to follow Jesus’ example in each of the events and every encounter through this day today.

God bless you.

#dailydevo #dailydevotional #bibleteaching #bibleverse #dailybible

Aug 09, 202302:21
Christopher Harrison Teaches Mark 1 (day 2): Jesus Sees You!

Christopher Harrison Teaches Mark 1 (day 2): Jesus Sees You!

Rev. Christopher Harrison is sharing with us this week!

We’re journeying this week through Mark’s gospel chapter 1 verse 16, where Jesus walked beside the Sea of Galilee and saw Simon and his brother Andrew casting nets and so on. Let's hold on to this. In our world today, Jesus is the risen one who's walking alongside of you, and He is the one who is incarnate. He walks amongst us, holding into our presence the love of God right here and right now.

We're not just talking about a historical figure. So picture your day today, that Jesus is walking beside you. He's your closest companion. He's your deepest friend. He's the one who knows you best and has the best desire for your life.

But then the verse goes on and says, “He saw Simon.” Understand this: Jesus is seeing you. You’re not just a number. He looks into your face and sees you. And one of the most powerful things is to realize that the most magnificent person who ever lived, to ever walk on the face of this earth, Jesus Christ - sees you, sees what you are doing, and takes you seriously.

As you journey through today, as you go through the events of the day that is in front of you, as you meet the people that you engage with as you go about the work that you are to do, pick picture the fact that Jesus accompanies you in that experience and is seeing you - that you matter, and what you do matters to Jesus and the world in which you live, because you are a reflection of God's glory.

You are created by Jesus Christ to do good works. And in this day, God is working alongside you and is seeing you do what you do and says, “Well done, good and faithful servant.”

Work alongside Jesus today in everything that you do. God bless you.

Aug 08, 202302:08
Christopher Harrison Teaches Mark 1 (day 1): The Time Has Come

Christopher Harrison Teaches Mark 1 (day 1): The Time Has Come

Rev. Christopher Harrison joins me to talk teach from Mark 1 this week!

As we dip into the Scriptures this week, taking us to Mark's Gospel chapter 1 and verse 15. “The time has come,” says Jesus. “The Kingdom of God has come near.”

Just think about that at the moment - what we think about is time. How are we using our time? And of course there is lineal time, which is - kind of - starts and ends in a kind of a line.

But there’s Kairos time, and that is God's time, and God invites us into the Greek word “zoe” life. That's a life that's outside of time, that's eternal, that's abundant, extravagant. And so when we think of living in God's timing, we are stepping into the reality of God's world, which is the Kingdom of God, the place where God's rule is, where His will has sway, where God's life is flowing into us. And we are living according to God's life.

So I'm inviting you today to realize that the time that you have through this day has been given to you by God. And so live an eternal perspective of the time that you have today. What can I do with my time today that has eternal significance? What can I do with this moment that God has entrusted to me to reflect something of God's kingdom vision for the world?

So don't just waste your time today. Make the most of every opportunity. Because Jesus is saying to you, believe this good news I've given you this day. Use it for Kingdom values and Kingdom vision. May God bless you in this day.


Aug 07, 202301:57
Abram's Calling (day 5): Building Altars

Abram's Calling (day 5): Building Altars

Abram built altars for the glory of God. Should we do the same today?

#dailydevoswithluke #dailydevotions #dailybible #bibleverse #abram #blessings #altar #altars

Aug 04, 202302:59
Abram's Calling (day 4): A Godless Culture

Abram's Calling (day 4): A Godless Culture

Abram was called to a godless culture, to shine God's light. Nothing has changed! We have the same calling. #dailydevoswithluke #dailydevotions #dailybible #bibleverse #abram #blessings

Aug 03, 202302:40
Abram's Calling (day 3): Blessing People with Jesus

Abram's Calling (day 3): Blessing People with Jesus

It's great to bless others out of the abundance you have - but ultimately, we need to bless them with the saving love of Jesus, which has eternal benefits. #dailydevoswithluke #dailydevotions #dailybible #bibleverse #abram #blessings

Aug 02, 202302:05
Abram's Calling (day 2): Blessed to Be a Blessing

Abram's Calling (day 2): Blessed to Be a Blessing

God blessed Abram - why? So that he could bless others. He does the same for you and me.

#dailydevotions #blessed #blessings #bibleteaching #bible #dailydevos #abram

Aug 01, 202301:41
Abram's Calling (day 1): Called to Sacrifice

Abram's Calling (day 1): Called to Sacrifice

Abram was called to leave his country, his people, and his family. Obedience often takes sacrifice - but it's worth it.

#dailydevotions #sacrifice #bibleteaching #bible #dailydevos #abram

Jul 31, 202302:24
Sharing Our Faith (day 5): The Means of Sharing Our Faith

Sharing Our Faith (day 5): The Means of Sharing Our Faith

Do you feel like you don't have what it takes to share the faith? Don't worry. None of us do. But we have the Spirit of Jesus with us, and it He who does the work, not us.

#GreatComission #evangelism #evangelist #sharethelove #sharingyourfaith #bibleteaching #dailydevotional #dailydevotions

Jul 28, 202302:42
Sharing Our Faith (day 4): The Method for Sharing Our Faith

Sharing Our Faith (day 4): The Method for Sharing Our Faith

Ron Rand's FRIEND evangelism is a great way to learn about sharing faith in different stages.

#GreatComission #evangelism #sharethelove #dailydevotional #dailydevotion #bibleteaching

Jul 27, 202303:15
Sharing Our Faith (day 3): The Mindset when Sharing Our Faith

Sharing Our Faith (day 3): The Mindset when Sharing Our Faith

Paul didn't bludgeon people with the truth! He took it case by case and humbly shared the gospel in thoughtful ways. We can learn from his thoughfulness.

#GreatComission #evangelism #sharethelove #bibleteaching #dailydevotional

Jul 26, 202303:20
Sharing Our Faith (day 2): The Motive for Sharing Our Faith

Sharing Our Faith (day 2): The Motive for Sharing Our Faith

Why do we share our faith? Because it is our joy to do so! And how great to have others share in the joy we found in Jesus.

#GreatComission #evangelism #sharethelove #dailydevotional #bibleteaching

Jul 25, 202302:02
Sharing Our Faith (day 1): The Great Commission

Sharing Our Faith (day 1): The Great Commission

Jesus' final words show his great desire for us to live out the "Great Comission" - to share the good news with others.

#GreatCommission #evangelism #sharethelove #dailydevotional #bibleteaching

Jul 24, 202303:02
Under the King's Protection (part 5): don't stay in the stronghold!

Under the King's Protection (part 5): don't stay in the stronghold!

Our sacred places are important, but we are called to go out from them into the world to bring light into darkness.

#light #dailydevotional #go #sent #bibleteaching

www.lukepowell.co.za

Jul 21, 202302:32
Under the King's Protection (part 4): those under attack

Under the King's Protection (part 4): those under attack

David welcome those who were under attack, promising to protect them. Jesus does the same for us today. Do you need to run to him for protection in the midst of an attack?

Jul 20, 202302:29
Under the King's Protection (part 3): the discontented

Under the King's Protection (part 3): the discontented

The only place to find contentment is in Jesus. When we are discontent, we can run to him, and find the satisfaction we desire.

www.lukepowell.co.za

#dailydevotional #dailydevotions #bibleteaching #content #contentment

Jul 19, 202302:47
Under the King's Protection (part 2): the debtors

Under the King's Protection (part 2): the debtors

Those in debt joined David in his cave. How blessed are we to have King Jesus, who forgives us our debts.

www.lukepowell.co.za

Jul 18, 202302:18
Under the King's Protection (part 1): the distressed
Jul 17, 202302:15
Nazarene General Assembly 2023 - Breaking of the Dawn (Dr. Carla Sunberg)

Nazarene General Assembly 2023 - Breaking of the Dawn (Dr. Carla Sunberg)

Dr. Carla Sunberg shares the story of Church of the Nazarene's founder Phineas Bresee always saying "Good Morning!" no matter what time of day it was. Why? Because good things were always on the horizon.

#goodmorning #nazarene #bibleteaching #dailydevotional #hope

Jul 14, 202302:55
Nazarene General Assembly 2023 - Storming Hell's Gates (Dr. David Busic)

Nazarene General Assembly 2023 - Storming Hell's Gates (Dr. David Busic)

Dr David Busic shares a powerful truth - that the church is not on the defence, but hell is on the defence as the church of Jesus attacks!

#hell #spiritualwarfare #dailydevotion #bibleteaching #nazarene

Jul 13, 202303:49
Nazarene General Assembly 2023 - Truckloads of God's Love (Dr. David Graves)

Nazarene General Assembly 2023 - Truckloads of God's Love (Dr. David Graves)

God is wanting to pour out truckloads of love over you. Do you know this? Do you believe it?

#GodsLove #LoveofGod #dailydevotional #bibleteaching #nazarene

Jul 12, 202302:52
Nazarene General Assembly 2023 - Journeying With Jesus (Dr Gustavo Crocker)

Nazarene General Assembly 2023 - Journeying With Jesus (Dr Gustavo Crocker)

Dr Crocker reminded us that while God could've accomplished the work of redemption any way He wanted, He chose to say "follow me" to ordinary people like you and me.

#followme #followJesus #nazarene #dailydevotions #bibleteaching

Jul 11, 202302:25
Nazarene General Assembly 2023 - "Jesus Speed" (Dr. Eugenio Duarte)

Nazarene General Assembly 2023 - "Jesus Speed" (Dr. Eugenio Duarte)

Dr. Eugenio Duarte inspired us to live at Jesus speed - slow enough to tend to the needs of others, but not too slow that we don't go where he sends!

#dailydevotion #dailydevotional #bibleteaching #nazarene #GA2023 #Jesus

Jul 10, 202303:09
Testify! How Will You Respond? (John 5:31-39)

Testify! How Will You Respond? (John 5:31-39)

How will you respond to the testimonies of God himself, Jesus' life, and John along with countless believers?

#testify #dailydevotional #dailydevotion #bibleteaching #believe #respond

Jul 07, 202302:21
Testify! Scripture's Testimony (John 5:31-39)

Testify! Scripture's Testimony (John 5:31-39)

Jesus pointed to Scripture to prove that he was who he claimed to be. But the Pharisees scoured Scripture and still missed him!

#Bible #HolyBible #Bibleteaching #dailydevotional #dailydevotion #testify

Jul 06, 202302:22
Testify! God the Father's Testimony (John 5:31-39)

Testify! God the Father's Testimony (John 5:31-39)

The greatest testimony to Jesus' claims was the very voice of God booming down from heaven on three separate occasions.

#Jesuschrist #dailydevotional #dailydevotion #bibleteaching #godthefather #testify

Jul 05, 202301:55
Testify! Jesus' Works Testify (John 5:31-39)

Testify! Jesus' Works Testify (John 5:31-39)

Don't just believe Jesus' words about himself. Look at his life and see how his works prove that he is who he claims to be!

#jesusislord #dailydevotional #jesuschrist #dailydevotion #bibleteaching

Jul 04, 202301:46
Testify! John's Testimony (John 5:31-39)

Testify! John's Testimony (John 5:31-39)

Jesus told people to look at John the Baptist, because his life testified to the truth about Jesus. Could he point to us, saying the same thing?

#devotional #dailydevotional #bibleteaching #scripture #testify

Jul 03, 202301:60
Evil King Ahab - don't pretend to repent

Evil King Ahab - don't pretend to repent

False repentance is worthless. Ahab seemed outwardly to repent, but his heart stayed godless. Have you truly repented?

Jun 30, 202302:50
Evil King Ahab - don't follow idols

Evil King Ahab - don't follow idols

The worst thing King Ahab did was to go after idols instead of putting God first. How often we find ourselves doing the same thing!

Jun 29, 202302:26
Evil King Ahab - don't take possession of what isn't yours

Evil King Ahab - don't take possession of what isn't yours

Sometimes God says 'you're not ready for that. I don't want you to take possession of it.' Do we respond like Ahab, forcing our way and taking it anyway?

Jun 28, 202302:25
Evil King Ahab - don't lie!

Evil King Ahab - don't lie!

Lying to make others look bad - this was a trick used by King Ahab and Jezebel to get what they wanted. Don't be like them.

Jun 27, 202302:13
Evil King Ahab - don't sulk!

Evil King Ahab - don't sulk!

When King Ahab didn't get his way, he sulked and pouted. Are you like him? Take your sulking to Jesus and find freedom and joy.

Jun 26, 202302:35
Andrew Murray’s call for Workers and Prayers
Jun 22, 202302:47
Andrew Murray's Failures
Jun 21, 202302:21
Andrew Murray the Gentle Preacher
Jun 20, 202302:18
Andrew Murray the Ecumenical Preacher
Jun 19, 202302:42
Andrew Murray's struggle in faith (day 5)
Jun 16, 202302:58
Andrew Murray's Father - a lesson in prayer (day 4)
Jun 15, 202302:09
Andrew Murray - reverence (day 3)
Jun 14, 202302:50
Andrew Murray's mother - communion with God (day 2)
Jun 13, 202302:04
Andrew Murray - a worshipful home ( day 1)
Jun 12, 202302:36
Every Christian is a Priest! (Rev 1:6)

Every Christian is a Priest! (Rev 1:6)

John says that Jesus makes us all priests. What does this mean? Not that we all wear dog collars, but that we can go directly to God.

Jun 09, 202302:59
Jesus the Lover of Souls (Revelation 1:6)

Jesus the Lover of Souls (Revelation 1:6)

Jesus loves us, even though he is high and exalted. When we understand how great He is, we start to glimpse the depth of His love.

Jun 08, 202302:31
The Ruler of Kings (Revelation 1:5)

The Ruler of Kings (Revelation 1:5)

Jesus is above all earthly rulers and authorities. Are we loyal to him first?

Jun 07, 202302:18
The Firstborn from Among the Dead (Revelation 1:5)

The Firstborn from Among the Dead (Revelation 1:5)

John calls Jesus the firstborn from among the dead. What did he mean?

Jun 06, 202302:57
Jesus the Faithful Witness (Revelation 1:5)

Jesus the Faithful Witness (Revelation 1:5)

Who is Jesus? John describes him as the faithful witness. He is the witness of all the truth of God, and came to earth to teach it to us.

Jun 05, 202302:53
Psalm 136 (day 5): God's Care

Psalm 136 (day 5): God's Care

The Psalmist tells us that God remembers us in our low estate. Do you need to hear this today? He cares for you, He loves you, He is with you. Hold to Him.

Jun 02, 202302:41