Paul W. Powell Legacy Library

1 I cried unto God with my voice, even unto God with my voice; and he gave ear unto me. 2 In the day of my trouble I sought the Lord: my sore ran in the night, and ceased not: my soul refused to be comforted. 3 I remembered God, and was troubled: I complained, and my spirit was overwhelmed. Selah. 4 Thou holdest mine eyes waking: I am so troubled that I cannot spea...

38 And he said unto them, Why are ye troubled? and why do thoughts arise in your hearts? 39 Behold my hands and my feet, that it is I myself: handle me, and see; for a spirit hath not flesh and bones, as ye see me have. 40 And when he had thus spoken, he shewed them his hands and his feet. Introduction In the 1982 NBA Finals between the Los Angeles Lakers and the...

God’s purpose for our lives involves more than our physical ease. It also involves our spiritual development. His aim is not primarily that we be comfortable on earth but that we be conformed to the image of his dear Son in heaven (Romans 8:29). To this end God uses even the troubles of life for our good. What are some of the good things that can come out of th...

Jeff Ray, former professor at Southwestern Seminary, used to say to his students, “Be kind to everyone because everyone is having a hard time.” He was right. Some burdens are seen. But some of the deepest and most powerful ones aren’t. If we but knew the battles people were fighting, we would be more understanding of them. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow...

Nothing is more universal than trouble. In its many forms it comes to all men alike. Our only trouble-free days are those in the past. The question then is not “Will I have trouble in life?” or “Why do trials come?” but “How will I face them?” It is a question of attitude. The person who has not learned to deal successfully with tro...

Experiences such as failure, difficulties, heartaches, and disappointments can sometimes almost crush a person. The problems may have to do with marriage, business, health, or children. Christians face these kinds of pressures just like everyone else. We are not members of a Red Carpet Club. All the pressures of life remain or are intensified when we become followers...

Someone has said, “Given a strong hub, a person can take a surprising number of shocks and bumps on the outer rim without sustaining permanent damage.” Jesus Christ is the only hub sufficient for the rough and rocky road of life. For three years Martin Niemöller survived the horrors of Dachau: the smells of burning flesh and the sights of walking dea...

Troubles take many forms in our lives. Sometimes they take the form of illness or death. Sometimes they take the form of financial losses or disappointments. Whatever their form, troubles do come and it's our attitude toward them that is most important. Trouble can make us bitter or better, depending on our attitude. How are we to react to problems? I offer thre...

Here is a typical day for any pastor in America today. Received a telephone call from a young lady who recently married outside of her faith. She is now having trouble from both sides of the family.  Worked on a funeral sermon for a dear friend who passed away. Visited with a young couple. They are new here in town. She is lonely. Her parents live in a distant...