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On His Path

Posted Tuesday October 13th, 2020

Last night, as my family was going to bed, one of my sons was walking in the hallway. He stepped on something sharp that was coming out of the carpet. I don’t know what it is, I need to figure it out but I just have not taken the time to do so. So right now, we kind of just leap over the general area of the carpet so that we can avoid whatever that is that is making us uncomfortable. It’s quite the production!
I wonder if that is what God pictured when He said that He was laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense? He knew we were going to get so tripped up on the gift of salvation that comes only through Jesus Christ. He knew that we were going to take this free gift and make it into a performance of behaviors we need to do or not do so that we are saved by God. He knew we were going to stumble over a simple message.
So why is Jesus a stumbling block? One reason can be our pride. We think that there is something in our power and our being that is going to determine our salvation. I would like to think I can determine whether or not I am good enough to have relationship with God by MY behaviors. But that’s not true…not even a little true.
Here is the truth of the Gospel:
We are all sinners that have fallen short of being able to have a relationship with God (ALL of us have….ALL).
He loves us so much that He STILL wants to have a relationship with us(can you believe that?!?!).
The only way that we are able to have a relationship with Him is that there needed to be a sacrifice that is enough to cover our sins.
Jesus was enough to cover our sins.
We hear and understand this dilemma and respond to this by putting our faith in Jesus Christ as our savior; being confident that His death and resurrection reconciled us into relationship with God.
Jesus is enough. Its not Jesus and attend the church potluck. Its not Jesus and donate to an organization. Its not Jesus and go to church every Sunday. It’s not Jesus and parent your children by using this certain book. Its not Jesus and serve your pastor. Its not Jesus and this and that behavior. IT’S JUST JESUS.

God knew we would all have a hard time with this. He warned us about this.
as it is written, “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”-Romans 9:33
And he will become a sanctuary and a stone of offense and a rock of stumbling to both houses of Israel, a trap and a snare to the inhabitants of Jerusalem. Isiah 8:14

Is Jesus a stumbling block for you? Do you find that you can be confident in talking about God, but a little confused about who Jesus is? We would love to hear from you, please message us.
-Annie Powell
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On His Path

Posted Tuesday September 22nd, 2020

Wear a mask…Don’t wear a mask… We need a supreme court justice now… We need to wait until after the election for a supreme court justice…Home school… Social Distance... Distance learning...In person Learning... Have a gathering... Cancel a gathering...Wild fires... Murder Hornets…Tropical Storm…Derecho…Friend…Unfriend…
Are you feeling weary and distracted by the news and decisions around you? Do you feel like you are being pulled in different directions?

Believe it or not distractions have been around since the beginning of the ages; not just in the year 2020.
Take Nehemiah for example. Nehemiah was specifically called by God to go back to Jerusalem and rebuild the wall. The opposition to this started immediately.
The opposition was not blatant physical battle (though there were threats). The opposition took place as distractions and annoyances.
One particular tactic was that two governors of Persia sent an invite to Nehemiah to get together and chat about the wall. Nehemiah’s response was:

so I sent messengers to them with this reply: “I am carrying on a great project and cannot go down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and go down to you?”-Nehemiah 6:3

Talk about being focused! Nehemiah was driven and knew what he needed to do. On the other hand, these guys were relentless! They sent messengers to Nehemiah 4 TIMES and he says that he answered them exactly the same way each time. The leaders see that they are not getting Nehemiah’s attention so they send the governor’s personal aid a 5th time.

Then, the fifth time, Sanballat sent his aide to me with the same message, and in his hand was an unsealed letter in which was written:

“It is reported among the nations—and Geshem says it is true—that you and the Jews are plotting to revolt, and therefore you are building the wall. Moreover, according to these reports you are about to become their king and have even appointed prophets to make this proclamation about you in Jerusalem: ‘There is a king in Judah!’ Now this report will get back to the king; so come, let us meet together.”-Nehemiah 6:5-7

This reminds me of being in high school and I am not getting the response I want, so I embellish the story (not a proud part of my history, but defiantly true). I love Nehemiah’s response to this..it cracks me up! I sometimes wish I could be so bold. He says:

I sent him this reply: “Nothing like what you are saying is happening; you are just making it up out of your head.”-Nehemiah 6:8

He reminds me of a firm tree rooted in the ground; not being swayed. He called it what it was and continued to work. Not giving it a second thought. Verse 9 gives us some insight into Nehemiah’s wisdom;

They were all trying to frighten us, thinking, “Their hands will get too weak for the work, and it will not be completed.” Can you relate? Does that sound familiar? Do you sometimes feel frightened because of the news?

And then Nehemiah responds to this realization, not by retaliation or an opinion filled rant, instead he says:
But I prayed, “Now strengthen my hands.”

We are at a tipping point; to make a choice if we are going to be distracted or continue to live out God’s purpose in our lives. As believers in Christ we know that we are called to glorify God through faith. Let’s pray that we can continue to do His will even though there is opposition.
Pray without ceasing… Be wise… Trust in the Lord….Focus on what God has for your family… Know that God has authority over all things…Be a blessing…
If you need prayer about the distractions in your life, please message us.
-Annie Powell
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On His Path

Posted Thursday September 17th, 2020

What is a story? A story is a created picture of a moment that happened in the past; it can be from yesterday or years ago.

I have heard people say “change your story”. But I would challenge you to think about that. How can you really change your story when it is in the past?

One of my favorite accounts in the Bible is in John 4. It’s the account of the Samaria woman meeting Jesus. She is a woman that was of low class, in fact Jewish people (such as Jesus) were not to associate with her or other Samarians because they would then be considered unclean. She was an outcast, not only to the Jewish community BUT also her own community did not associate with her. It is safe to say that she had a story and everybody in town knew it!

She had so much shame and wanted to avoid everyone in her community, that she would choose to go to the city well at the hottest time of the day. This was so that she would guarantee she would not bump into anyone.

When she goes to the well, on this particular day, she meets Jesus. Not only does she meet Jesus, but He changes her life. He reveals to her that He is the Messiah that the scriptures talk about.

My favorite passages in the account is John 4:28-29:

So the woman left her water jar and went away into town and said to the people, “Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?”

I love that she drops her water jug, leaves the well, and goes running into town, shouting about Jesus. She went from hiding from others to shouting excitedly that she met the Christ. But do you see what happened? I don’t want you to miss it. HER STORY WAS NOT GONE, HER SHAME WAS. Do you see that?!? Her story is the exact same story that caused her to go to the well at a time when she would be not run into anyone.

So her story is not erased when she met Jesus and she is not going to have an easy road in front of her. In fact, I am pretty sure she had to have some hard conversations; especially with the guy she was living with. But she could do that, she has been set free from her prison. Jesus is the promised Messiah that was spoken about in the Old Testament.

"The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives
and release from darkness for the prisoners" (Isaiah 61:1)

You can’t change your past, but you can be set free from shame and darkness by accepting Jesus as your Savior. As the apostle Paul reminds us:

As it is written; None is righteous, no not one-Romans 3:10

That means not you and not me, thankfully God gave us a Savior!
-Annie Powell
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On His Path

Posted Tuesday September 15th, 2020

Are you a toe dipper? You know, do you dip your toe in the water when you go swimming? Testing out to see how cold it is. Do you then put your feet in the water and rest a bit to get your feet use to the temperature? You then find yourself up to just about your shoulders in water bouncing around trying to find enough courage to just dunk your head under. As soon as you dunk your head under and come back up you suddenly are acclimated to the water.

Not me. I am a jump- in-do- a -cannon- ball-kind- of- girl. Seriously, cannon balls are so fun! I haven’t always been that way, but now in my 40+ years of swimming; I just find it easier and quicker to get acclimated to the water that way.

I find this easier because I have done the toe dipping, shoulder bouncing, head dunking for many years. I know that toe dipping will get me acclimated to the water, I also know that cannon balls do too! (and frankly, I love swimming and don’t want to waste my time getting use to the water).

When I speak to people that are struggling to trust God, I often use this analogy. I encourage them to “toe-dip” in faith. I just ask them to trust their toe to God(one aspect of their life) and when He shows He is trust worthy there; then I encourage people to step both feet in. I love it when I see people finally cannon balling to God (if that is even a thing…but you get what I mean).

For example, I read Deuteronomy 31:6 and Matthew 28:20 and I am able to conclude that I have comfort and confidence that He is with me until the end of ages(future experience) because He has never left me(past experience).

Because of this:
Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the LORD your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”-Deuteronomy 31:6 (He said this not ONCE, but MANY TIMES through out scripture).
I can believe this:
I am with you always, to the end of the age.”- Matthew 28:20b
My prayer will be that we would all be able to cannon-ball in our life today because we have found His promises trustworthy in the past. If you need prayer or encouragement, please message us.
-Annie Powell
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On His Path

Posted Tuesday September 1st, 2020

I was recently pulling weeds from around my yard. It’s kind of a love hate relationship: I love the satisfaction of pulling the weeds but I hate the work I have to put into it REPEATEDLY. I mean, I know that I am going to pull these weeds out just to pull them out AGAIN very soon. It’s a relentless process and there is no easy way about it. BUT I continue to do it because I know exactly what my house would look like if I did not continue to pull weeds. It reminds of Proverbs 24:30-34
I passed by the field of a sluggard,
by the vineyard of a man lacking sense,
and behold, it was all overgrown with thorns;
the ground was covered with nettles,
and its stone wall was broken down.
Then I saw and considered it;
I looked and received instruction.
A little sleep, a little slumber,
a little folding of the hands to rest,
and poverty will come upon you like a robber,
and want like an armed man. - Proverbs 24: 30-34

The field is my gift of salvation that produces fruit in my life. If I don’t pull the weeds(sin), there will be utter destruction at my house(the fruit of salvation). I don’t want to be this person described in Proverbs 24:30-34. I don’t want to be apathetic to my sin. So, what does that mean? I need to be in the word, asking for wisdom from God, and continually pulling weeds from my life.

This list of “to do” can sound overwhelming, but the thing is, I have been pulling weeds at my house for almost 18 years. I know where the weeds are; they are going to be around the barn, by the back of my house, in the landscaping by the spirea. Just as I know what sin I struggle with. So instead of getting frustrated, I use this time to thank God for this continual illustration of the sin in my life and the continual need to pull those weeds of sin.
The Psalmist in Psalm 139:23-24 knew just what I need. I need God’s conviction and guidance to lead me to Him every day of my life.
Search me, O God, and know my heart!
Try me and know my thoughts!
And see if there be any grievous way in me,
and lead me in the way everlasting!

Do you know where your weeds are? Are you pulling them out? Don’t give up. Our God is full of Grace and Mercy. He knows we are not righteous BUT He continues to desire a relationship with us. If you need prayer or you would like to talk about how you can have a relationship with our Holy God, please message us.
-Annie Powell
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On His Path

Posted Thursday August 27th, 2020

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On His Path

Posted Thursday August 27th, 2020

Have you ever found yourself somewhere where you TRULY do not belong?
I took my teenage boys and some of their friends to a bike trail/bike park. Now to give them credit, they warned me that I would not like the trails and actually discouraged me from bringing my bike. BUT in the same breath, they also said there are different degrees of expertise needed for the trails, and there were plenty of beginner trails. So, given that information, I DID pack my bike. Afterall, beginner trails are beginner trails.
When we got to the park, the boys took off on their bikes. I saw that the trail said “easy-beginner-green”. I studied the map of the trails and decided which green trail I would follow. I took off on my bike. The sign on the trail said “easy” so I was on my way!
Sometimes I would coast, sometimes I would break, sometimes I would pedal, sometimes I would stop and walk my bike. The deeper that I got on the trail the more I was thinking “I don’t belong here”. But I kept on because the sign said “easy”.
I turned a corner and it was sharper than I expected. I went plowing into a sticky bush and kept going down the hill (because it was a hill and I couldn’t stop!). FINALLY, I got myself stopped…shook my head and said out loud “I don’t have any business being out here!” I turned my bike around and started walking my bike back up the hill. The WHOLE time I was riding my bike on this trail, I kept comparing what the sign said: “easy, for beginners” to what I was actually experiencing “scary and hard”.
This situation reminds me of the prompting of the Holy Spirit and the gift of discernment. We have a helper that will prompt us to what is in God’s will; even when the world says something different.
The signs and my experience did not match up. Have you ever felt one way, but the world has been telling you something different? That is the Holy Spirit working in you!
Jesus speaks of the helper that God will send:
And I will ask the father, and he will give you another Helper,
to be with you forever, even the Spirit of truth, whom the world
cannot receive, because it neither sees him nor knows him.
You know him, for he dwells with you and will be in you. -John 14:16-17
Paul speaks of it:
And it is my prayer that your love may abound more and more, with knowledge and all discernment, so that you may approve what is excellent, and so be pure and blameless for the day of Christ, -Philippians 1:9-10
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal
of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God,
what is good and acceptable and perfect.- Romans 12:2

My prayer for you today is that you will hear the Holy Spirit, listen, and confidently follow Him. This is a crazy world. The exciting news is we have a helper sent to navigate us through it! Praise Jesus!
-Annie Powell
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On His Path

Posted Thursday August 20th, 2020

We have an opportunity to help our neighbors in Cedar Rapids! Eight Days of Hope is in Cedar Rapids from Saturday August 15th to September 5th. They are helping serve the community AND share the Hope of Jesus. After the devastating dechero that hit the community last Monday, they could use the renewing word of Jesus.

According to Eight days of Hope, 85% to 90% of all homes in Cedar Rapids have sustained damage.

Please join On His Path in supporting our neighbors and this wonderful ministry. On His Path is setting a goal to match up to $5,000.00. That means your giving will be DOUBLED!

To donate go to: www.onhispath.org click donate button and in the comments write “8 days of Hope”.

As always 100% of your donation goes directly to those in need; there are no administrative costs taken from your donation. Deadline is September 1st.

The Lord is near to the brokenhearted
And saves the crushed in spirit. -Psalm 34:18

Let’s show our friends and neighbors this truth. Let’s show them that the Lord is near those in Cedar Rapids. Please share our post and help us give to Eight Days of Hope. ... See MoreSee Less

On His Path

Posted Tuesday August 18th, 2020

17 Though the fig tree should not blossom,
nor fruit be on the vines,
the produce of the olive fail
and the fields yield no food,
the flock be cut off from the fold
and there be no herd in the stalls,
18 yet I will rejoice in the LORD;
I will take joy in the God of my salvation.
19 GOD, the Lord, is my strength;
he makes my feet like the deer's;
he makes me tread on my high places. Habakkuk 3:17-19

When I read this, I can feel Habakkuk accept what is going to happen to the people he loves; Judah. There was going to be a destruction through some really awful people.
Throughout Habakkuk, the prophet is having a conversation with God. Habakkuk is lamenting and openly complaining to God. He cannot believe that God has a plan of rescue and he wants movement right now! God promises that he is “doing a work in your days that you would not believe if told”

Can you relate? Can you feel tension? Have you been lamenting? Is it hard to wait? Are you questioning God?

The good news is we are on the other side of this work plan and we get to see it. Believe it our not; you and I are so blessed today. What was that work that Habakkuk would not believe if told? It is Jesus and the reconciliation he has done between God and us!

Habakkuk was able to rejoice; even though the crops would not produce, there would be persecution, and no way to financially survive. He was able to take JOY in God even though he did not know God’s plan.
Here is the thing; we know God’s plan. He created a way for our salvation through Jesus. Can we have our poetic response to today? Can we rejoice in the Lord, today?

Though the economy might not open,
And no entertainment to enjoy,
The stock market will fall
And no jobs will be here,
There will be obstacles in the way of worship
And the churches will be empty
No politician or movement will make me secure
I will take each day as it comes
I will be joyful because of my Salvation through Christ
God, the Lord, is my strength;
He has overcome.

If you need prayer or encouragement today, please message us.
-Annie Powell
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On His Path

Posted Tuesday July 28th, 2020

This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it. -Psalm 118:24

Short, sweet words from the psalmist, reminding me that today has been made by my Lord. It reminds me that there is a beginning to today and an end to today (Amen! It’s not a relentless saga!). I am to rejoice and be glad in TODAY.
I love to write notes and to-do lists; just so that I can cross them off and feel productive (Crazy, Right? But I feel so accomplished!). I even have been known to write an unsolicited list or two for my husband and children. So naturally, I have a planner where I can write all that is needed to be done.
For the past four months, I have had plans that I have had to scratch off, reschedule, cancel, change, juggle…some days not knowing what next week’s plans will look like. I have two choices; one is that I can kick and scream and complain about the constant change(which is my default) or I can lean into God and trust Him through this difficult time.
So, I have been clinging to Psalm 118:24. I looked at my planner today, and see one square…it’s the 28th of July. It has a beginning and an end. I can do that…I can rejoice in TODAY.
I would encourage you to read Psalm 118 today. If you would like prayer for being present and rejoicing in today, please message us.
-Annie Powell
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