Question to think about: How are you making a difference?
Several of my friends have been impacted by a tragic accident that occurred yesterday . . . a friend, a man that made a difference in countless lives, died. Though I did not know him personally, I have been the recipient of the difference he made in the lives of many of my friends. No one would have ever thought that yesterday was his last day on earth or that he would step into a new dimension of life. The thing is . . . his life has been defined by making a lasting difference.
Jesus explained that we can make a difference:
For here the saying holds true, 'One sows and another reaps.' (John 4:37, NRS)
There is reason and rhythm to life . . . humanity is created to impact one another . . . one is to sow while another will reap what the sower has put into the life of an individual. Sowing the seeds of love, faith, and hope into an individual's life creates change. As the seeds take root in the heart, transformation occurs. Another individual comes along . . . and reaps the difference that has been made.
It is unavoidable . . . when we intentionally and actively make a difference in one life . . . others will experience the difference. A ripple effect occurs when time is invested into making a difference in one person. One man made a difference . . . and I am one of the individuals that reaped what he sowed.
Make a difference.
Impact the world.
Sow seeds.
Remember someone will reap the difference that was made.
Learning with you to take time to sow seeds,
Shalom,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2008 All Rights Reserved)
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Monday, September 29, 2008
The Pay-Off
Question to think about: Do you understand the payoff of authentic productivity?
I wonder why we make life so complicated. A good portion of stress is created by the way we complicate our life . . . thinking that productivity is generated by busyness and a stress-filled lifestyle. Jesus made it clear that life has been created to be enjoyed in a simple manner . . . the pay-off to living simply occurs when someone is touched by our life.
Most of our message is told by the way we live rather than by our words. Life is not very attractive when life is ruled by calendars and to-do-lists. At the end of life, productivity is defined by making a difference because of who we are rather than a schedule or a to-do-list.
Jesus explained the pay-off of true productivity:
The harvesters are paid good wages, and the fruit they harvest is people brought to eternal life. What joy awaits both the planter and the harvester alike! (John 4:36, NRSV)
In God's economy, productivity is translated by making a difference. True productivity is accomplished through the power and presence of the Spirit of God rather than completion of the to-do-list.
Live productively.
Receive the pay-off.
Learning with you that the pay-off comes from making a difference,
Shalom,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2008 All Rights Reserved)
I wonder why we make life so complicated. A good portion of stress is created by the way we complicate our life . . . thinking that productivity is generated by busyness and a stress-filled lifestyle. Jesus made it clear that life has been created to be enjoyed in a simple manner . . . the pay-off to living simply occurs when someone is touched by our life.
Most of our message is told by the way we live rather than by our words. Life is not very attractive when life is ruled by calendars and to-do-lists. At the end of life, productivity is defined by making a difference because of who we are rather than a schedule or a to-do-list.
Jesus explained the pay-off of true productivity:
The harvesters are paid good wages, and the fruit they harvest is people brought to eternal life. What joy awaits both the planter and the harvester alike! (John 4:36, NRSV)
In God's economy, productivity is translated by making a difference. True productivity is accomplished through the power and presence of the Spirit of God rather than completion of the to-do-list.
Live productively.
Receive the pay-off.
Learning with you that the pay-off comes from making a difference,
Shalom,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2008 All Rights Reserved)
Friday, September 26, 2008
God always makes a way . . . always!
Question to think about: Do you believe God will make a way for you?
Bailouts . . . buyouts . . . stocks falling . . . banks failing . . . isn't there more to the story?
The answer is yes . . . God always (underline always) makes a way through our problems. Yes . . . there will be difficult challenges . . . pain . . . and perceived impossibilities . . . but God will guide us through with strength, wisdom, and power. God always makes a way!
God promises to be central to the solution of the problem:
And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19, NLT)
Jesus provided a way for the woman at the well to live fully and wholly. There seemed to be no way to experience life differently; however, God made a way. The disciples were not thinking of others; they were thinking of eating and getting back on the road. Jesus told them to change their perspective . . . to see the needs of people with a simple metaphor:
Do you not say, 'Four months more, then comes the harvest'? But I tell you, look around you, and see how the fields are ripe for harvesting. (John 4:35, NRS)
We are living in times that people are living in total fear. Look around . . . people need to know that God always makes a way. Christ-followers need to see the heart of individuals . .. to see that there are people that have no idea that there is another way to live . . . and to assure them that God will make a way to manage the most difficult challenges . . . with wisdom, strength, and peace.
Bring someone some good news today.
There is more to the story . . . God always makes a way to get through our problems . . . always.
Learning with you to remember that God always makes a way,
Shalom,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2008 All Rights Reserved)
Bailouts . . . buyouts . . . stocks falling . . . banks failing . . . isn't there more to the story?
The answer is yes . . . God always (underline always) makes a way through our problems. Yes . . . there will be difficult challenges . . . pain . . . and perceived impossibilities . . . but God will guide us through with strength, wisdom, and power. God always makes a way!
God promises to be central to the solution of the problem:
And this same God who takes care of me will supply all your needs from his glorious riches, which have been given to us in Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:19, NLT)
Jesus provided a way for the woman at the well to live fully and wholly. There seemed to be no way to experience life differently; however, God made a way. The disciples were not thinking of others; they were thinking of eating and getting back on the road. Jesus told them to change their perspective . . . to see the needs of people with a simple metaphor:
Do you not say, 'Four months more, then comes the harvest'? But I tell you, look around you, and see how the fields are ripe for harvesting. (John 4:35, NRS)
We are living in times that people are living in total fear. Look around . . . people need to know that God always makes a way. Christ-followers need to see the heart of individuals . .. to see that there are people that have no idea that there is another way to live . . . and to assure them that God will make a way to manage the most difficult challenges . . . with wisdom, strength, and peace.
Bring someone some good news today.
There is more to the story . . . God always makes a way to get through our problems . . . always.
Learning with you to remember that God always makes a way,
Shalom,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2008 All Rights Reserved)
Thursday, September 25, 2008
The Main Point
Question to think about: What is the main point?
It is easy to be consumed with everything we have to do and miss the point of why we are doing it. If, we start our day consumed with all there is to do, then, we will most likely be consumed all day long. Eventually stress and anxiety become a normal part of life which impacts mental, emotional, and ultimately spiritual health.
The times we take time to start the day in stillness . . . in awareness of the presence of God, we gain clarity of what the main point of the day is all about.
Apparently, the disciples missed the point:
They were focused on the task . . . they went to get food and wanted Jesus to eat it. They thought the food was the main point of stopping on their journey. A discussion ensued:
Meanwhile the disciples were urging him, "Rabbi, eat something." But he said to them, "I have food to eat that you do not know about." So the disciples said to one another, "Surely no one has brought him something to eat?" Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to complete his work. (John 4:31-34, NRS)
The point of going a different way . . . the point of stopping . . . was not the task of getting food . . . but making a difference . . . to give an individual an opportunity to experience and receive Life. The connection with the woman was the point . . . she came empty and left full of life.
We see it . . . because we were not in the moment. It is easy to think the disciples were . . . well . . . not smart. How many times do we miss the point because we are so stressed and overcome by busyness? We all miss the point.
Breathe.
Be still.
Become aware of the presence of God.
Be willing to see beyond the tasks to understand the main point of living today.
Learning with you to not miss the main point,
Shalom,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2008 All Rights Reserved)
It is easy to be consumed with everything we have to do and miss the point of why we are doing it. If, we start our day consumed with all there is to do, then, we will most likely be consumed all day long. Eventually stress and anxiety become a normal part of life which impacts mental, emotional, and ultimately spiritual health.
The times we take time to start the day in stillness . . . in awareness of the presence of God, we gain clarity of what the main point of the day is all about.
Apparently, the disciples missed the point:
They were focused on the task . . . they went to get food and wanted Jesus to eat it. They thought the food was the main point of stopping on their journey. A discussion ensued:
Meanwhile the disciples were urging him, "Rabbi, eat something." But he said to them, "I have food to eat that you do not know about." So the disciples said to one another, "Surely no one has brought him something to eat?" Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to complete his work. (John 4:31-34, NRS)
The point of going a different way . . . the point of stopping . . . was not the task of getting food . . . but making a difference . . . to give an individual an opportunity to experience and receive Life. The connection with the woman was the point . . . she came empty and left full of life.
We see it . . . because we were not in the moment. It is easy to think the disciples were . . . well . . . not smart. How many times do we miss the point because we are so stressed and overcome by busyness? We all miss the point.
Breathe.
Be still.
Become aware of the presence of God.
Be willing to see beyond the tasks to understand the main point of living today.
Learning with you to not miss the main point,
Shalom,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2008 All Rights Reserved)
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
Sometimes you gotta party!
Question to think about: Have you had a party lately?
There are times that life is messy, inconvenient, and irritating. Through experience, I have learned to shake it off and take time to party. In the midst of the whole mess, taking time to be grateful and to celebrate life clarifies what matters. Celebration changes how we see life. How we manage life begins with our perspective.
When you get down to it . . . perspective is our reality.
The woman at the well entered a conversation with Christ and her perspective completely changed. Her circumstances remained; however, she viewed them differently. It must have been more than a little noticeable. No one had cared, valued, or noticed this woman until her encounter with Christ:
"Come and see a man who told me everything I have ever done! He cannot be the Messiah,can he?" They left the city and were on their way to him. (John 4: 29-30, NRSV)
The woman convinced the people to leave what they were doing to find what matters in life!
Imagine . . . the party . . . the excitement . . . the discussion . . . "maybe there really is something different . . . something better . . . something that really matters."
The people stopped what they were doing . . . left the stuff behind . . . to meet with Christ.
Stop. Despite challenges, life is worth celebrating. Turn your perspective away from the messy, inconvenient, irritating things.
Take time to meet with Christ.
Tell Christ thank you: Make a list of all the things that are really important and offer your thanks.
Change your perspective . . . turn on music . . . hum . . . sing . . . dance . . . celebrate Christ . . . party!
Invite others to break out from the stuff and party!
Learning with you to take time to party,
Shalom,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2008 All Rights Reserved)
There are times that life is messy, inconvenient, and irritating. Through experience, I have learned to shake it off and take time to party. In the midst of the whole mess, taking time to be grateful and to celebrate life clarifies what matters. Celebration changes how we see life. How we manage life begins with our perspective.
When you get down to it . . . perspective is our reality.
The woman at the well entered a conversation with Christ and her perspective completely changed. Her circumstances remained; however, she viewed them differently. It must have been more than a little noticeable. No one had cared, valued, or noticed this woman until her encounter with Christ:
"Come and see a man who told me everything I have ever done! He cannot be the Messiah,can he?" They left the city and were on their way to him. (John 4: 29-30, NRSV)
The woman convinced the people to leave what they were doing to find what matters in life!
Imagine . . . the party . . . the excitement . . . the discussion . . . "maybe there really is something different . . . something better . . . something that really matters."
The people stopped what they were doing . . . left the stuff behind . . . to meet with Christ.
Stop. Despite challenges, life is worth celebrating. Turn your perspective away from the messy, inconvenient, irritating things.
Take time to meet with Christ.
Tell Christ thank you: Make a list of all the things that are really important and offer your thanks.
Change your perspective . . . turn on music . . . hum . . . sing . . . dance . . . celebrate Christ . . . party!
Invite others to break out from the stuff and party!
Learning with you to take time to party,
Shalom,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2008 All Rights Reserved)
Tuesday, September 23, 2008
What is your jar?
Question to think about: What needs to be let go of in order to live free from the limitations of the circumstances of the day?
I don't know about you . . . but listening to the news is challenging if not discouraging. It seems that the media is participating in a competition with one another to find the dirt and darkness in this world like nobody's business. Do you ever wonder if the response of listeners plays into the drama of the day?
The thing is . . . our response to life is what changes the world.
John wrote about Jesus in an era of difficulties and challenges, ending his book with the statement: There are so many other things Jesus did. If they were all written down, each of them, one by one, I can't imagine a world big enough to hold such a library of books. (John 21:25, The Message)This statement tells the reader an important fact: what is necessary to understand about Jesus and life has been included in the story.
In chapter 4, John includes some necessary details. It is necessary to understand that it was unusual to speak to a woman in the culture of the ancient days. The scene between Jesus and the woman at the well revealed the radical revolution that began through what Christ did. It is also necessary to realize that it was unusual for the disciples not to question the woman for speaking to Jesus; they did not impose their perspective on the woman. And, John included a minute detail of the woman's response . . . she left her jar: Just then his disciples came. They were astonished that he was speaking with a woman, but no one said, "What do you want?" or, "Why are you speaking with her?"
Then the woman left her water jar and went back to the city . . . (John 4:27-28, NRSV)
The power in the conversation with Jesus went beyond the norms of the culture . . . went beyond the restrictions of humanity . . . value was given to an individual that knew no value . . . she received it . . . the business of the day changed.
The circumstances had not changed; however, confronted by Jesus, the woman changed. "She left her jar." There is such power in the minute detail of the woman leaving her jar and that she would actually return to the city. Nothing had changed. No one thought any different of her; however, she faced her circumstances, returning to the city because she had changed. Couldn't this be categorized as a miracle?
Setting down "our jar" is a miracle. We can face circumstances when we change.
What is your jar?
Set the jar down. Leave the jar.
Face the circumstances knowing you are changed through the presence, power, and peace of Christ.
Learning with you to set the jar down and to leave it,
Shalom,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2008 All Rights Reserved)
I don't know about you . . . but listening to the news is challenging if not discouraging. It seems that the media is participating in a competition with one another to find the dirt and darkness in this world like nobody's business. Do you ever wonder if the response of listeners plays into the drama of the day?
The thing is . . . our response to life is what changes the world.
John wrote about Jesus in an era of difficulties and challenges, ending his book with the statement: There are so many other things Jesus did. If they were all written down, each of them, one by one, I can't imagine a world big enough to hold such a library of books. (John 21:25, The Message)This statement tells the reader an important fact: what is necessary to understand about Jesus and life has been included in the story.
In chapter 4, John includes some necessary details. It is necessary to understand that it was unusual to speak to a woman in the culture of the ancient days. The scene between Jesus and the woman at the well revealed the radical revolution that began through what Christ did. It is also necessary to realize that it was unusual for the disciples not to question the woman for speaking to Jesus; they did not impose their perspective on the woman. And, John included a minute detail of the woman's response . . . she left her jar: Just then his disciples came. They were astonished that he was speaking with a woman, but no one said, "What do you want?" or, "Why are you speaking with her?"
Then the woman left her water jar and went back to the city . . . (John 4:27-28, NRSV)
The power in the conversation with Jesus went beyond the norms of the culture . . . went beyond the restrictions of humanity . . . value was given to an individual that knew no value . . . she received it . . . the business of the day changed.
The circumstances had not changed; however, confronted by Jesus, the woman changed. "She left her jar." There is such power in the minute detail of the woman leaving her jar and that she would actually return to the city. Nothing had changed. No one thought any different of her; however, she faced her circumstances, returning to the city because she had changed. Couldn't this be categorized as a miracle?
Setting down "our jar" is a miracle. We can face circumstances when we change.
What is your jar?
Set the jar down. Leave the jar.
Face the circumstances knowing you are changed through the presence, power, and peace of Christ.
Learning with you to set the jar down and to leave it,
Shalom,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2008 All Rights Reserved)
Monday, September 22, 2008
Reserved
Question to think about: Have you reserved today for God?
There are wetlands behind our home. The space is reserved for wildlife to live in their natural habitat and to provide a stopover for feeding and breeding. It works . . . the space is active . . . filled with creatures . . . big and small!
The land is anything but boring, constantly changing, filled with life. Too often humanity settles for a life that is boring, becoming more about survival than purpose.
Jesus entered into a discussion with a woman who lived to survive. Can you imagine how her thinking turned upside down as she realized that she had encountered Christ . . . God with us?
God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth."
The woman said to him, "I know that Messiah is coming" (who is called Christ). "When he comes, he will proclaim all things to us."
Jesus said to her, "I am he,the one who is speaking to you." (John 4:24-26, NRS)
A true encounter with Christ always changes us. There is nothing that can be the same when we invite Christ to completely invade our thought process . . . our attitudes . . . our feelings . . . our response to people and circumstances. We are created for more than survival.
Life is discussed in Ecclesiastes:
He has made everything beautiful in its time. He also has
We are created to experience life in and through the presence of God.
Life changes when we ask God to invade our mind and heart . . . a reserved space that only Christ can fill. The presence of Christ ignites true life, turning us away from living in survival mode to a purposeful and passionate engaged lifestyle.
Reserve the day for Christ.
Renew your mind and heart by asking Christ to invade every thought, attitude, emotion, word, and action.
Experience living with purpose and passion today.
Learning with you to reserve today for Christ,
Shalom,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2008 All Rights Reserved)
There are wetlands behind our home. The space is reserved for wildlife to live in their natural habitat and to provide a stopover for feeding and breeding. It works . . . the space is active . . . filled with creatures . . . big and small!
The land is anything but boring, constantly changing, filled with life. Too often humanity settles for a life that is boring, becoming more about survival than purpose.
Jesus entered into a discussion with a woman who lived to survive. Can you imagine how her thinking turned upside down as she realized that she had encountered Christ . . . God with us?
God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth."
The woman said to him, "I know that Messiah is coming" (who is called Christ). "When he comes, he will proclaim all things to us."
Jesus said to her, "I am he,the one who is speaking to you." (John 4:24-26, NRS)
A true encounter with Christ always changes us. There is nothing that can be the same when we invite Christ to completely invade our thought process . . . our attitudes . . . our feelings . . . our response to people and circumstances. We are created for more than survival.
Life is discussed in Ecclesiastes:
He has made everything beautiful in its time. He also has
planted eternity in men's hearts and minds[a divinely implanted sense of a purpose working through the ages which nothing under the sun but God alone can satisfy], yet so that men cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end. (Ecclesiastes 3:11,Amplified Bible)
We are created to experience life in and through the presence of God.
Life changes when we ask God to invade our mind and heart . . . a reserved space that only Christ can fill. The presence of Christ ignites true life, turning us away from living in survival mode to a purposeful and passionate engaged lifestyle.
Reserve the day for Christ.
Renew your mind and heart by asking Christ to invade every thought, attitude, emotion, word, and action.
Experience living with purpose and passion today.
Learning with you to reserve today for Christ,
Shalom,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2008 All Rights Reserved)
Friday, September 19, 2008
Stop It!
Question to think about: Do you need to stop?
During a class break, a clip of an old television scene with actor Bob Newhart was played. Bob Newhart, acting as a psychologist, repeatedly gave two words to his patient: "STOP IT!" At the end of the day, we all need to evaluate the things that get in the way of our mental, emotional, and spiritual health . . . and STOP whatever is hindering us.
When we live a certain way for a period of time, it becomes our normal. We convince ourselves that we are "okay." That said, those who risk changing will discover freedom . . . liberation . . . health . . . and fulfillment.
The life story of the woman at the well (John 4) changed when she dared to ask Jesus how to live beyond a lifestyle of existence. The woman entered a discussion with Jesus:
Jesus said to her, "Go, call your husband, and come back."
The woman answered him, "I have no husband." Jesus said to her, "You are right in saying, 'I have no husband'; for you have had five husbands, and the one you have now is not your husband. What you have said is true!" The woman said to him, "Sir, I see that you are a prophet. Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you say that the place where people must worship is in Jerusalem." Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews.But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such as these to worship him.
(John 4: 16-23, NRS)
The woman chose to stop . . . to turn around from the way she lived life . . . to see the truth that Jesus was and is God with us . . . to receive the offer of true life . . . to enter into a lifestyle of health and wholeness . . . to worship in spirit and truth.
Enter into a discussion with Christ, God with us.
Ask to see the things that hinder you from living a healthy and whole life.
Determine to STOP IT!
Live the lifestyle of health and wholeness . . . make time throughout the day to worship . . . in spirit and truth.
Be aware of the presence of Christ, God with us, throughout the day and worship.
Learning with you to STOP IT!
Shalom,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2008 All Rights Reserved)
During a class break, a clip of an old television scene with actor Bob Newhart was played. Bob Newhart, acting as a psychologist, repeatedly gave two words to his patient: "STOP IT!" At the end of the day, we all need to evaluate the things that get in the way of our mental, emotional, and spiritual health . . . and STOP whatever is hindering us.
When we live a certain way for a period of time, it becomes our normal. We convince ourselves that we are "okay." That said, those who risk changing will discover freedom . . . liberation . . . health . . . and fulfillment.
The life story of the woman at the well (John 4) changed when she dared to ask Jesus how to live beyond a lifestyle of existence. The woman entered a discussion with Jesus:
Jesus said to her, "Go, call your husband, and come back."
The woman answered him, "I have no husband." Jesus said to her, "You are right in saying, 'I have no husband'; for you have had five husbands, and the one you have now is not your husband. What you have said is true!" The woman said to him, "Sir, I see that you are a prophet. Our ancestors worshiped on this mountain, but you say that the place where people must worship is in Jerusalem." Jesus said to her, "Woman, believe me, the hour is coming when you will worship the Father neither on this mountain nor in Jerusalem. You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews.But the hour is coming, and is now here, when the true worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and truth, for the Father seeks such as these to worship him.
(John 4: 16-23, NRS)
The woman chose to stop . . . to turn around from the way she lived life . . . to see the truth that Jesus was and is God with us . . . to receive the offer of true life . . . to enter into a lifestyle of health and wholeness . . . to worship in spirit and truth.
Enter into a discussion with Christ, God with us.
Ask to see the things that hinder you from living a healthy and whole life.
Determine to STOP IT!
Live the lifestyle of health and wholeness . . . make time throughout the day to worship . . . in spirit and truth.
Be aware of the presence of Christ, God with us, throughout the day and worship.
Learning with you to STOP IT!
Shalom,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2008 All Rights Reserved)
Thursday, September 18, 2008
Something Important to Know
Question to think about: Are you prepared to face and manage necessary-annoying-bothersome-not-fun-at-all-challenging circumstances?
A friend of mine is going through surgery this morning. No one signs up to start their day with surgery; however, it is necessary for him. The main thing my friend must do is determine how he will manage this necessary-annoying-bothersome-not-fun-at-all-challenging circumstance. Our attitude and ability to manage life is far more important than the actual circumstance; however, knowing this truth and putting it into practice are two different things, especially when it comes to necessary-annoying-bothersome-not-fun-at-all-challenging circumstances.
How is it possible to not be controlled from the pressures and problems of circumstances?
Christ delineated the way to manage life:
John 14:1~"Don't be troubled. You trust God, now trust in me."
To not be troubled is a common theme throughout the Bible: Do not be anxious. Do not be discouraged. Do not be troubled.
This principle can be followed until things become difficult. And . . . then . . . well it is challenging not to be anxious, discouraged, or troubled. The thing is, these three responses are rooted in fear. The overriding message to manage life is: DO NOT FEAR. If, we respond to a circumstance in fear, then, our faith remains in the background; however, if we activate our faith and choose to trust Christ . . . fear will not motivate our response to the challenges. Faith and fear do not mix . . . the Spirit will enable us to have faith, even when fear seems reasonable given the type of circumstance we are facing.
We miss out in life when we are restrained by fear. Faith opens the doors of possibilities, even in the most impossible situation. Jesus encountered a woman who lived a life without worth, most likely living her life out in fear. But, when she faced Christ, God with us, she realized there was another way to experience life.
The woman said to him, "Sir, give me this water, so that I may never be thirsty or have to keep coming here to draw water." (John 4:19, NLT)
Remember the important factor in managing necessary-annoying-bothersome-not-fun-at-all-challenging circumstances: do not fear.
Breathe.
Relax. Lean into God through faith.
Discard the fear.
Receive the peace of God.
Learning with you something important to know,
Shalom,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2008 All Rights Reserved)
A friend of mine is going through surgery this morning. No one signs up to start their day with surgery; however, it is necessary for him. The main thing my friend must do is determine how he will manage this necessary-annoying-bothersome-not-fun-at-all-challenging circumstance. Our attitude and ability to manage life is far more important than the actual circumstance; however, knowing this truth and putting it into practice are two different things, especially when it comes to necessary-annoying-bothersome-not-fun-at-all-challenging circumstances.
How is it possible to not be controlled from the pressures and problems of circumstances?
Christ delineated the way to manage life:
John 14:1~"Don't be troubled. You trust God, now trust in me."
To not be troubled is a common theme throughout the Bible: Do not be anxious. Do not be discouraged. Do not be troubled.
This principle can be followed until things become difficult. And . . . then . . . well it is challenging not to be anxious, discouraged, or troubled. The thing is, these three responses are rooted in fear. The overriding message to manage life is: DO NOT FEAR. If, we respond to a circumstance in fear, then, our faith remains in the background; however, if we activate our faith and choose to trust Christ . . . fear will not motivate our response to the challenges. Faith and fear do not mix . . . the Spirit will enable us to have faith, even when fear seems reasonable given the type of circumstance we are facing.
We miss out in life when we are restrained by fear. Faith opens the doors of possibilities, even in the most impossible situation. Jesus encountered a woman who lived a life without worth, most likely living her life out in fear. But, when she faced Christ, God with us, she realized there was another way to experience life.
The woman said to him, "Sir, give me this water, so that I may never be thirsty or have to keep coming here to draw water." (John 4:19, NLT)
Remember the important factor in managing necessary-annoying-bothersome-not-fun-at-all-challenging circumstances: do not fear.
Breathe.
Relax. Lean into God through faith.
Discard the fear.
Receive the peace of God.
Learning with you something important to know,
Shalom,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2008 All Rights Reserved)
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
People thought the world was flat . . .
Question to think about: Does it feel like your world is flat and you might fall off?
A revolution of life comes when we are willing to be outrageously radical. Long ago, when people thought the earth was flat . . . yes, I am almost that old . . . I spent a weekend with a woman named Corrie Ten Boom, who was one of the most radical people in the history of humanity. The thing is . . . I did not want to be there . . . my dad, who never insisted . . . insisted. I could not imagine spending a weekend with an "elderly woman."
The process of change in my life began at high speed in that one weekend. One of the first things Corrie ten Boom talked about was the adventure of life that occurs when we get the "I" out of our life, referring to Galatians 2:20 (of course she used King James) . . . "Not I, but Christ."
She endured a Nazi concentration camp, the death of her family and friends, and poor health. Those personal events were a catalyst for a major change in her life . . . she became an evangelist, writer, and speaker for Christ, laying her life down for Christ. All those who encountered her, including myself, wanted to change, drawn to live fully and authentically for Christ.
Too often we feel like there is nothing more to life than our circumstances . . . it is very similar to the mindset that people had who thought the earth was flat and if you went too far . . . you would fall off.
The thing is, Christ offers a life that is whole. We are created to live beyond the limits and circumstances that we find ourselves in. Christ gave a picture of what life is to look like . . . a spring of water gushing up:
Jesus said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again,but those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life." (John 4: 13-14, NRSV)
Think about the picture of limitless life residing within you . . . the spring of water gushing up.
Evaluate your thoughts, words, and actions: Are you living like the earth is flat?
Are you willing to trust God to remove the "I" and live without fear that you will fall off the earth?
Breathe.
You are created to live empowered by the presence of the Spirit to go beyond the limits of circumstances.
Learning with you to live beyond the limits of a flat earth,
Shalom,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2008 All Rights Reserved)
A revolution of life comes when we are willing to be outrageously radical. Long ago, when people thought the earth was flat . . . yes, I am almost that old . . . I spent a weekend with a woman named Corrie Ten Boom, who was one of the most radical people in the history of humanity. The thing is . . . I did not want to be there . . . my dad, who never insisted . . . insisted. I could not imagine spending a weekend with an "elderly woman."
The process of change in my life began at high speed in that one weekend. One of the first things Corrie ten Boom talked about was the adventure of life that occurs when we get the "I" out of our life, referring to Galatians 2:20 (of course she used King James) . . . "Not I, but Christ."
She endured a Nazi concentration camp, the death of her family and friends, and poor health. Those personal events were a catalyst for a major change in her life . . . she became an evangelist, writer, and speaker for Christ, laying her life down for Christ. All those who encountered her, including myself, wanted to change, drawn to live fully and authentically for Christ.
Too often we feel like there is nothing more to life than our circumstances . . . it is very similar to the mindset that people had who thought the earth was flat and if you went too far . . . you would fall off.
The thing is, Christ offers a life that is whole. We are created to live beyond the limits and circumstances that we find ourselves in. Christ gave a picture of what life is to look like . . . a spring of water gushing up:
Jesus said to her, "Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again,but those who drink of the water that I will give them will never be thirsty. The water that I will give will become in them a spring of water gushing up to eternal life." (John 4: 13-14, NRSV)
Think about the picture of limitless life residing within you . . . the spring of water gushing up.
Evaluate your thoughts, words, and actions: Are you living like the earth is flat?
Are you willing to trust God to remove the "I" and live without fear that you will fall off the earth?
Breathe.
You are created to live empowered by the presence of the Spirit to go beyond the limits of circumstances.
Learning with you to live beyond the limits of a flat earth,
Shalom,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2008 All Rights Reserved)
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
So, what is the meaning of life?
Question to think about: What makes today worth living?
This weekend, a group of firefighters lined up on a small town street stopped me. They all held their boots out for donations. This is the second year that I have experienced their campaign, "Fill-the-Boot." What I have learned since last year, is that the firefighters give their time to collect money for organizations that fight against specific diseases.
In an era that everyone needs more time, giving our time can be equated to giving a portion of life away . . . especially powerful when life means something.
So, what is the meaning of life?
A woman, believing she had no worth, encountered Jesus. He offered to give her new life . . . living water. It was incomprehensible to her:
The woman said to him, "Sir, you have no bucket, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? Are you greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us the well, and with his sons and his flocks drank from it?" (John 4:11-12, NRS)
When it comes down to it, a new life is difficult to imagine, let alone believe. How is it possible? The thing is, without participating in a relationship with God, life is centered upon the details of the day. Eventually, life becomes meaningless; however, when we realize that Christ, God with us, wants to give us more on an ongoing basis . . . our perspective changes . . . we see more than the details . . . we see the big picture that life is a gift, to be experienced in and through a real relationship with Christ.
Experience the real meaning of life: the presence of Christ.
Re-new your life through the Living Water.
Experience true life.
Learning with you that Christ is the meaning of life,
Shalom,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2008 All Rights Reserved)
This weekend, a group of firefighters lined up on a small town street stopped me. They all held their boots out for donations. This is the second year that I have experienced their campaign, "Fill-the-Boot." What I have learned since last year, is that the firefighters give their time to collect money for organizations that fight against specific diseases.
In an era that everyone needs more time, giving our time can be equated to giving a portion of life away . . . especially powerful when life means something.
So, what is the meaning of life?
A woman, believing she had no worth, encountered Jesus. He offered to give her new life . . . living water. It was incomprehensible to her:
The woman said to him, "Sir, you have no bucket, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? Are you greater than our ancestor Jacob, who gave us the well, and with his sons and his flocks drank from it?" (John 4:11-12, NRS)
When it comes down to it, a new life is difficult to imagine, let alone believe. How is it possible? The thing is, without participating in a relationship with God, life is centered upon the details of the day. Eventually, life becomes meaningless; however, when we realize that Christ, God with us, wants to give us more on an ongoing basis . . . our perspective changes . . . we see more than the details . . . we see the big picture that life is a gift, to be experienced in and through a real relationship with Christ.
Experience the real meaning of life: the presence of Christ.
Re-new your life through the Living Water.
Experience true life.
Learning with you that Christ is the meaning of life,
Shalom,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2008 All Rights Reserved)
Monday, September 15, 2008
Are you done?
Question to think about: Are you done?
I have a friend that is done . . . done with people not being real . . . . done with people living for themselves . . . done with competition between co-workers . . . done with people consumed with busyness . . . done. Turns out, he is not the only one . . . the more I talk with people . . . the more I realize that a revolution is beginning in the Western world . . . people want to change the way they are living . . . to live with more meaning.
What does it mean to live on a daily moment to moment life of meaning?
Can you and I be a part of the revolution and be done with the things that really don't matter?
Christ, God with us, sat down by a woman that lived without meaning . . . and offered a gift . . . a gift described as living water.
Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, 'Give me a drink,' you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water." (John 4:9, NRSV)
Stop.
Be a part of the revolution today.
Immerse yourself in the presence of God.
Say "no" to the things that don't matter.
Live with meaning today--refreshed, renewed, and energized.
Learning with you to be done with the things that really don't matter,
Shalom,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2008 All Rights Reserved)
I have a friend that is done . . . done with people not being real . . . . done with people living for themselves . . . done with competition between co-workers . . . done with people consumed with busyness . . . done. Turns out, he is not the only one . . . the more I talk with people . . . the more I realize that a revolution is beginning in the Western world . . . people want to change the way they are living . . . to live with more meaning.
What does it mean to live on a daily moment to moment life of meaning?
Can you and I be a part of the revolution and be done with the things that really don't matter?
Christ, God with us, sat down by a woman that lived without meaning . . . and offered a gift . . . a gift described as living water.
Jesus answered her, "If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, 'Give me a drink,' you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water." (John 4:9, NRSV)
Stop.
Be a part of the revolution today.
Immerse yourself in the presence of God.
Say "no" to the things that don't matter.
Live with meaning today--refreshed, renewed, and energized.
Learning with you to be done with the things that really don't matter,
Shalom,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2008 All Rights Reserved)
Friday, September 12, 2008
Time to Notice
Question to think about: Have you stopped and noticed the presence of God today?
I could not help but notice the glow of the skies as the sun set on my drive along the country roads last night. I have missed seeing a good portion of sunsets in my life because . . . well . . . apparently I am too busy to notice. As the skies morphed from one color to the next, I thought about how God is purposeful in all things . . . perhaps the sunset is one of those things that God has created for us to take time to notice. When we stop and take time to notice what God has done, our perspective changes.
The thing is . . . God always notices you and I.
John took time to reference a woman that would have routinely been dismissed in the ancient days. Even to write about a Samaritan woman would have seemed unnecessary in the culture of that era. But he did. Why? It was an important component to understanding Jesus and understanding how to become a follower:
The Samaritan woman, taken aback, asked, "How come you, a Jew, are asking me, a Samaritan woman, for a drink?" (Jews in those days wouldn't be caught dead talking to Samaritans.) (John 4:9, The Message)
Jesus purposefully took a different route to Galilee and purposefully took time to notice someone that had no value or necessity to others. Without a doubt, Jesus understood where the woman was in life and what she needed. The fact that Jesus noticed the woman must have blown her away.
When you get down to it, doesn't it blow you away that the Creator of everything in the universe and beyond notices the details of every individual? And in turn, as we follow Christ, God with us, we are given the assignment to take time to notice others. At one time or another, we all need to know that we have value and that we are necessary.
Stop.
Look around . . . pay attention.
Take time to notice God.
Celebrate that God always notices you. Be grateful.
Ask God who needs to be noticed today and let them know they are noticed.
Learning with you to take time to notice,
Shalom,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2008 All Rights Reserved)
Thursday, September 11, 2008
When Something Happens
Question to think about: Do you get it. . . that there is always something more to experience through the presence and power of God when something happens?
My job affords me opportunities to engage with people who go through difficult and even horrific circumstances. Webster defines a circumstance as "something that happens or takes place." There are times that it seems that nothing good could possibly come out of some things that happen or take place. Most of Americans would describe the events of September 11, 2001 in that category.
The horrific events that occurred seven years ago were so memorable for most US citizens that most can tell you where they were and what they were doing the moment they heard the news. When something happens, especially difficulties, our perspective changes; how our perspective changes shapes the course of our life.
The book of Genesis records the story of a man called Joseph. Some things happened in his life that changed the course of his life . . . his brothers threw him into a pit to die, slave traders sold him as a slave, his slave master's wife wrongly accused him of trying to seduce her, and he ended up in prison. He did not deserve to go through the circumstances, but it happened.
The thing is, Joseph got it. He understood that God had not changed; his circumstances had changed. Joseph trusted God and ended up serving with the most powerful ruler in the world, the Egyptian Pharaoh. Circumstances changed, his brothers went to Egypt to find food during a famine, not knowing Joseph was not only alive but one of the most powerful men in the world. When they discovered the truth they were afraid, but Joseph got it and said: "Even though you intended to do harm to me, God intended it for good, in order to preserve a numerous people, as he is doing today."
Years later, it would happen that Jesus would go a different direction on the way to Galilee to meet a woman that needed to be freed from her life circumstances. Something happened . . . a vulnerable Samaritan woman, considered to be worth nothing, met a Jewish man . . . no one would have thought anything if she had been harmed . . . but instead she would be healed and a community would be changed. It started with a question: A woman, a Samaritan, came to draw water. Jesus said, "Would you give me a drink of water?" (His disciples had gone to the village to buy food for lunch.) (John 4: 7-8).
Meet with Jesus.
Be ready for something to happen.
See the faithfulness of God.
Trust that God intends to do good, even when circumstances seem impossible.
Learning with you to know God is faithful when something happens,
Shalom,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2008 All Rights Reserved)
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Go Where You Have Never Gone Before
Question to think about: Are you willing to break out of your routine and do something radical . . . to go where you have never gone before?
It is difficult for people to stop doing what they always have done. It is easier to stay in a comfortable realm of living, even when it is not a healthy way to live. Sometimes people are more willing to hurt themselves or others rather than change. Turns out change can be uncomfortable. Those who follow Christ are asked to give up the old comfortable way of living to live a new and radical way that leads to a healthy and purpose-filled living.
Society often views Christ-followers to be boring and mundane until they experience Christ for themselves. Christ leads followers to go where they have never gone . . . to do what they have never done. Christ, God with us, did not waste any opportunity to show humanity how to live. Look at what happened when Jesus took a different route from Judea to Galilee . . . lives were changed because Jesus took a radical way.
Right before the trip, the gospel of John refers to the Pharisees taking note of what Jesus was doing. The Pharisees, religious rulers in the ancient days, did not like Jesus. Known as Rabbi or Teacher, Jesus did things outside of the Pharisees' established rules. A Rabbi was to respect the rules. In fact, when Jesus left Judea to go back to Galilee he went through Samaria which was exactly the kind of thing that made the Pharisees mad. The Jewish people were not supposed to have contact with the Samaritans. Why would Jesus dare to do something so radical when he was already disliked?
Life has never been about the old ways and rules but about the love of God so Jesus took the radical route: To get there, he had to pass through Samaria. He came into Sychar, a Samaritan village that bordered the field Jacob had given his son Joseph. Jacob's well was still there. Jesus, worn out by the trip, sat down at the well. It was noon(John 4-6, The Message.
Take the radical route.
Break out of your old ways.
Stop. Think about what you are doing and where are you going.
Envision how the future would look if you changed your direction.
Is it worth changing?
Take a risk and change the direction you are going.
Go where you have never gone through the leading of Christ.
Turns out . . . the way of Christ is a radical adventurous life.
Learning with you to take the radical route,
Shalom,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2008 All Rights Reserved)
It is difficult for people to stop doing what they always have done. It is easier to stay in a comfortable realm of living, even when it is not a healthy way to live. Sometimes people are more willing to hurt themselves or others rather than change. Turns out change can be uncomfortable. Those who follow Christ are asked to give up the old comfortable way of living to live a new and radical way that leads to a healthy and purpose-filled living.
Society often views Christ-followers to be boring and mundane until they experience Christ for themselves. Christ leads followers to go where they have never gone . . . to do what they have never done. Christ, God with us, did not waste any opportunity to show humanity how to live. Look at what happened when Jesus took a different route from Judea to Galilee . . . lives were changed because Jesus took a radical way.
Right before the trip, the gospel of John refers to the Pharisees taking note of what Jesus was doing. The Pharisees, religious rulers in the ancient days, did not like Jesus. Known as Rabbi or Teacher, Jesus did things outside of the Pharisees' established rules. A Rabbi was to respect the rules. In fact, when Jesus left Judea to go back to Galilee he went through Samaria which was exactly the kind of thing that made the Pharisees mad. The Jewish people were not supposed to have contact with the Samaritans. Why would Jesus dare to do something so radical when he was already disliked?
Life has never been about the old ways and rules but about the love of God so Jesus took the radical route: To get there, he had to pass through Samaria. He came into Sychar, a Samaritan village that bordered the field Jacob had given his son Joseph. Jacob's well was still there. Jesus, worn out by the trip, sat down at the well. It was noon(John 4-6, The Message.
Take the radical route.
Break out of your old ways.
Stop. Think about what you are doing and where are you going.
Envision how the future would look if you changed your direction.
Is it worth changing?
Take a risk and change the direction you are going.
Go where you have never gone through the leading of Christ.
Turns out . . . the way of Christ is a radical adventurous life.
Learning with you to take the radical route,
Shalom,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2008 All Rights Reserved)
Tuesday, September 9, 2008
It Could Be Better
Question to think about: Could you live better than you lived yesterday?
We don't have a home phone, just cell phones. In theory, that works well . . . until a cell phone doesn't work. I spent the last couple of days being able to make calls and hear others; however, no one could hear me. Kind of misses the point of communication don't you think?
Last night I was at a meeting with a friend who knew just want to do . . . he took all the parts out of my phone . . . blew on each component . . . arranged the parts back into the phone . . . turned on the phone . . . let it reboot . . . and . . . now . . . the phone works better than ever.
There are times that we are so focused on the circumstances of the day and what we need to do that we become tired, exhausted, stressed, or even burned out. We need to have time to be still and know God. How is it possible to be still when the pressures of life seem to be coming at us from every direction?
We need time to reboot to think, feel, speak, and act in the way of Christ.
Be still and know (Psalm 46:10).
Let's be honest . . . sometimes we need a good rant to get it all out before God: tell God everything . . . actually it is the process we need to go through to surrender everything we have a tight grip on . . . turns out God knows . . . the process of an honest exchange with God changes our perspective.
Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me (Psalm 51:10).
After letting our emotions, feelings, and thoughts out, we need to take a breath: sit down, relax, and lean into the heart of God. There is a moment in time when we decide if we really want to keep in control of everything or if we are willing to trust God to direct our thoughts, words, and actions.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5).
Listen. Be quiet. Take time to be in the presence of God . . . to be aware of love that surrounds and invades you . . . to be overwhelmed in the awareness of God . . . to receive the peace of Christ . . . and to be grateful.
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful (Colossians 3:15).
Then what?
Get up. Follow God.
Nothing is wasted in God's economy. Circumstances become stepping stones to do what God has purposed for you and I to do.
John described a situation that at first glance would seem that Jesus left the countryside of Judea because the Pharisees were pressuring him. Turns out, the circumstances were stepping stones to going where the work needed to be done.
Jesus realized that the Pharisees were keeping count of the baptisms that he and John performed (although his disciples, not Jesus, did the actual baptizing). They had posted the score that Jesus was ahead, turning him and John into rivals in the eyes of the people. So Jesus left the Judean countryside and went back to Galilee. (John 4:1-3, The Message).
Learning with you to live better,
Shalom,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2008 All Rights Reserved)
We don't have a home phone, just cell phones. In theory, that works well . . . until a cell phone doesn't work. I spent the last couple of days being able to make calls and hear others; however, no one could hear me. Kind of misses the point of communication don't you think?
Last night I was at a meeting with a friend who knew just want to do . . . he took all the parts out of my phone . . . blew on each component . . . arranged the parts back into the phone . . . turned on the phone . . . let it reboot . . . and . . . now . . . the phone works better than ever.
There are times that we are so focused on the circumstances of the day and what we need to do that we become tired, exhausted, stressed, or even burned out. We need to have time to be still and know God. How is it possible to be still when the pressures of life seem to be coming at us from every direction?
We need time to reboot to think, feel, speak, and act in the way of Christ.
Be still and know (Psalm 46:10).
Let's be honest . . . sometimes we need a good rant to get it all out before God: tell God everything . . . actually it is the process we need to go through to surrender everything we have a tight grip on . . . turns out God knows . . . the process of an honest exchange with God changes our perspective.
Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a right spirit within me (Psalm 51:10).
After letting our emotions, feelings, and thoughts out, we need to take a breath: sit down, relax, and lean into the heart of God. There is a moment in time when we decide if we really want to keep in control of everything or if we are willing to trust God to direct our thoughts, words, and actions.
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding (Proverbs 3:5).
Listen. Be quiet. Take time to be in the presence of God . . . to be aware of love that surrounds and invades you . . . to be overwhelmed in the awareness of God . . . to receive the peace of Christ . . . and to be grateful.
And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in the one body. And be thankful (Colossians 3:15).
Then what?
Get up. Follow God.
Nothing is wasted in God's economy. Circumstances become stepping stones to do what God has purposed for you and I to do.
John described a situation that at first glance would seem that Jesus left the countryside of Judea because the Pharisees were pressuring him. Turns out, the circumstances were stepping stones to going where the work needed to be done.
Jesus realized that the Pharisees were keeping count of the baptisms that he and John performed (although his disciples, not Jesus, did the actual baptizing). They had posted the score that Jesus was ahead, turning him and John into rivals in the eyes of the people. So Jesus left the Judean countryside and went back to Galilee. (John 4:1-3, The Message).
Learning with you to live better,
Shalom,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2008 All Rights Reserved)
Monday, September 8, 2008
Are You Living Today?
Question to think about: Are you living beyond your limitations . . . in the power of Christ?
My friend leaves today for a nine-month journey. The agenda is simple: help people, giving them hope. The process may not be as simple . . . she is traveling with a group of people that she has never met and is going into areas that she has never been to do things that she has never done. Why? God said go. She is going, willing to learn and choosing to trust God.
The thing is, we are made to live the way God wants us to live. The strength, endurance, and ability to do what God says to do . . . will always be available. . . if, we want it. Ephesians 2:10 states: "For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life" (NRS).
Another translation might read: Don't just sit there. Get up! Don't get stuck in your circumstances. Get going! God has created us to live with purpose and passion today. So, we need to see through the problems and the challenges in order to proceed through the power, presence, and peace of God. When we live the way we are designed to live we can be sure that with God nothing is impossible (Luke 1:37); regardless of whatever we are presented with God will empower us . . . we can do all things through Christ (Philippians 4:13); despite human limitations, God has created us to be able to more than can be asked, thought of, or imagined (Ephesians 3:20)!
John explained that when we believe in the life Christ gives us, we will experience what we have been created to experience: engaged, participating, active, energized living through God. Without belief in the life Christ offers, we will not experience true life: "The One that God sent speaks God's words. And don't think he rations out the Spirit in bits and pieces. The Father loves the Son extravagantly. He turned everything over to him so he could give it away—a lavish distribution of gifts. That is why whoever accepts and trusts the Son gets in on everything, life complete and forever! And that is also why the person who avoids and distrusts the Son is in the dark and doesn't see life. All he experiences of God is darkness, and an angry darkness at that." (John 3:34-36, The Message)
Believe that God has prepared you to live beyond the problems and circumstances.
Live today.
Live in Christ.
Remember that God has been, is, and will be at work in and through you today.
Learning with you to really live,
Shalom,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2008 All Rights Reserved)
My friend leaves today for a nine-month journey. The agenda is simple: help people, giving them hope. The process may not be as simple . . . she is traveling with a group of people that she has never met and is going into areas that she has never been to do things that she has never done. Why? God said go. She is going, willing to learn and choosing to trust God.
The thing is, we are made to live the way God wants us to live. The strength, endurance, and ability to do what God says to do . . . will always be available. . . if, we want it. Ephesians 2:10 states: "For we are what he has made us, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand to be our way of life" (NRS).
Another translation might read: Don't just sit there. Get up! Don't get stuck in your circumstances. Get going! God has created us to live with purpose and passion today. So, we need to see through the problems and the challenges in order to proceed through the power, presence, and peace of God. When we live the way we are designed to live we can be sure that with God nothing is impossible (Luke 1:37); regardless of whatever we are presented with God will empower us . . . we can do all things through Christ (Philippians 4:13); despite human limitations, God has created us to be able to more than can be asked, thought of, or imagined (Ephesians 3:20)!
John explained that when we believe in the life Christ gives us, we will experience what we have been created to experience: engaged, participating, active, energized living through God. Without belief in the life Christ offers, we will not experience true life: "The One that God sent speaks God's words. And don't think he rations out the Spirit in bits and pieces. The Father loves the Son extravagantly. He turned everything over to him so he could give it away—a lavish distribution of gifts. That is why whoever accepts and trusts the Son gets in on everything, life complete and forever! And that is also why the person who avoids and distrusts the Son is in the dark and doesn't see life. All he experiences of God is darkness, and an angry darkness at that." (John 3:34-36, The Message)
Believe that God has prepared you to live beyond the problems and circumstances.
Live today.
Live in Christ.
Remember that God has been, is, and will be at work in and through you today.
Learning with you to really live,
Shalom,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2008 All Rights Reserved)
Friday, September 5, 2008
How is it possible?
Question to think about: Do you allow outrageously difficult circumstances stop you?
My friend faces a daily battle with a disabling disease. The ongoing--seemingly--never-ending--pain requires a tremendous amount of energy on a daily basis. The thing is, he works from sun up to sun down with enthusiastic passion. He does not stop. Sometimes I am baffled how people, like my friend, can not only manage daily details but far surpass the average individual's life accomplishments regardless of outrageously difficult life challenges.
One thing that my friend has taught me: Show up where God tells you to be, even if it seems that your circumstances are prohibitive: It isn't about what we feel we can or cannot do, but what God will do through you and I. If we are honest, we all have times that we are focused on the "I can't" of living rather than "I can do all things through him who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13, NRS).
The "can do" is the power and presence of the Spirit that empowers and works through us regardless of our circumstances. Do we understand this power?
John the Baptist explained Christ, God with us, gives the Spirit to humanity: He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. (John 3:34, NRS)
Read those two verses again. Think about it--God gives the Spirit without measure--no limitations! And . . . we can do all things through the strength of the Spirit! What does this mean?
The work of the Spirit is never limited to circumstance, time, or space; however, humanity's perspective is often limited to a circumstance within a specific time frame and place. In other words, the Spirit is never confined to the perimeters of what we might think, ask, or imagine. God will always do more than what we could ever do on our own (Read Ephesians 3. Just trying to make it through the day will never compare with doing all things through the strength of God.
Break out of your circumstances.
Show up where God directs you to go.
Determine if you are living in the "can do" of the Spirit.
Activate the belief that you "can do" whatever you are destined to do through the immeasurable power of the Spirit.
Learning with you to do live out my purpose regardless of challenging circumstances,
Shalom,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2008 All Rights Reserved)
My friend faces a daily battle with a disabling disease. The ongoing--seemingly--never-ending--pain requires a tremendous amount of energy on a daily basis. The thing is, he works from sun up to sun down with enthusiastic passion. He does not stop. Sometimes I am baffled how people, like my friend, can not only manage daily details but far surpass the average individual's life accomplishments regardless of outrageously difficult life challenges.
One thing that my friend has taught me: Show up where God tells you to be, even if it seems that your circumstances are prohibitive: It isn't about what we feel we can or cannot do, but what God will do through you and I. If we are honest, we all have times that we are focused on the "I can't" of living rather than "I can do all things through him who strengthens me" (Philippians 4:13, NRS).
The "can do" is the power and presence of the Spirit that empowers and works through us regardless of our circumstances. Do we understand this power?
John the Baptist explained Christ, God with us, gives the Spirit to humanity: He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for he gives the Spirit without measure. (John 3:34, NRS)
Read those two verses again. Think about it--God gives the Spirit without measure--no limitations! And . . . we can do all things through the strength of the Spirit! What does this mean?
The work of the Spirit is never limited to circumstance, time, or space; however, humanity's perspective is often limited to a circumstance within a specific time frame and place. In other words, the Spirit is never confined to the perimeters of what we might think, ask, or imagine. God will always do more than what we could ever do on our own (Read Ephesians 3. Just trying to make it through the day will never compare with doing all things through the strength of God.
Break out of your circumstances.
Show up where God directs you to go.
Determine if you are living in the "can do" of the Spirit.
Activate the belief that you "can do" whatever you are destined to do through the immeasurable power of the Spirit.
Learning with you to do live out my purpose regardless of challenging circumstances,
Shalom,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2008 All Rights Reserved)
Thursday, September 4, 2008
Seriously? Really? Are you sure?
Question to think about: Is your perspective and response to your circumstances based on truth?
I like to read, listen, or watch the news at least once during the day. I want to know what is happening in the world beyond me. Most of us do . . . the thing is . . . our perspective of the world is influenced by what drives the news media . . . ratings and advertisers. If we are honest, most of us routinely assume we are hearing and reading truth even though we know we should not assume.
It is our responsibility to filter information, regardless of the source. We need to ask questions: Seriously? Really? Are you sure?
John the Baptist pointed to Christ, the Truth: Whoever has accepted his testimony has certified this, that God is true.(John 3:3,NRS)
Christ came to reveal that God is true, demonstrating through living on earth that God is present, is good, and offers to walk through every detail of life with us.
Deuteronomy 6:4, the Shema, a Jewish prayer and creed, was central to the knowing the truth of God:
Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD alone. Verse 5 tells us what we are to do with the truth: And you must love the LORD your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your strength.
Seriously . . . really . . . with all assurance know the truth.
Believe the truth: God is true.
Believe the truth: God invites you into a daily engaged-active-participating relationship.
Believe the truth and respond: intentionally love God today with every thought, every desire, every attitude, every emotion, every word, and every action.
Learning with you to base living on Truth,
Shalom,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2008 All Rights Reserved)
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Ummm. . . HOW CAN I MAKE THEM BELIEVE ME????
Think about it: Do people believe you are living in Christ? Or do they think you live somewhere else?
I ordered some books that were to be delivered to my house yesterday. The thing is the delivery company called to tell me that the address that I had given them was incorrect . . . they did not believe that the address existed. I explained that the address is legitimate and gave them explicit directions. Last night I checked the tracking record and read their update: "Address incorrect." Nothing had changed. I called the dispatcher and confirmed the address actually was correct and repeated the directions. I checked the tracking site again this morning; their new update reads the same: "Address incorrect."
Ummmm. . . HOW CAN I MAKE THEM BELIEVE ME????
I wonder how many times I have said I believe but my actions fail to reveal the belief?
John the Baptist made the comment about Jesus: "He tells what he has seen and heard, but how few believe what he tells them!" (John 3:32)
The thing is, Christ invites us into an active participating ongoing relationship which means that we enter into a lifestyle of belief . . . thinking . . . speaking . . . and yes . . . acting in belief. Jesus calls it abiding or living in Him: If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you (John 15:7).
Belief is not about what we do but where we are at with Christ . . . do we live in Christ and in His words? Are we fully and wholly engaged in the way we think, speak, and act in Christ and in His words?
Live in Christ with nothing held back . . . all of your mind, heart, and spirit.
Filter circumstances through your belief rather than filtering your belief through your circumstances.
Learning with you to believe,
Shalom,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2008 All Rights Reserved)
I ordered some books that were to be delivered to my house yesterday. The thing is the delivery company called to tell me that the address that I had given them was incorrect . . . they did not believe that the address existed. I explained that the address is legitimate and gave them explicit directions. Last night I checked the tracking record and read their update: "Address incorrect." Nothing had changed. I called the dispatcher and confirmed the address actually was correct and repeated the directions. I checked the tracking site again this morning; their new update reads the same: "Address incorrect."
Ummmm. . . HOW CAN I MAKE THEM BELIEVE ME????
I wonder how many times I have said I believe but my actions fail to reveal the belief?
John the Baptist made the comment about Jesus: "He tells what he has seen and heard, but how few believe what he tells them!" (John 3:32)
The thing is, Christ invites us into an active participating ongoing relationship which means that we enter into a lifestyle of belief . . . thinking . . . speaking . . . and yes . . . acting in belief. Jesus calls it abiding or living in Him: If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask for whatever you wish, and it will be done for you (John 15:7).
Belief is not about what we do but where we are at with Christ . . . do we live in Christ and in His words? Are we fully and wholly engaged in the way we think, speak, and act in Christ and in His words?
Live in Christ with nothing held back . . . all of your mind, heart, and spirit.
Filter circumstances through your belief rather than filtering your belief through your circumstances.
Learning with you to believe,
Shalom,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2008 All Rights Reserved)
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Stop . . . Take Note . . . Celebrate!
Question to meditate on today: Have you celebrated?
The past few days were dedicated to celebrating our daughter's birthday. How fun is that? We intentionally stopped our everyday life in order to invest our time and effort to celebrate her life. Celebration is a vital component of healthy living. . . . for the mind, body, and spirit. In fact, in the ancient days the people religiously stopped to take note of God, the source of Life, and celebrated. Celebration was woven into daily life. That said, authentic celebration is to be fully experienced, rather than one more thing to do.
John the Baptist put all of his energy into helping people experience the Source of Life. John explained that he did not have the power to renew and regenerate people. Only Christ, God with us, can make our life new: He has come from above and is greater than anyone else. I am of the earth, and my understanding is limited to the things of earth, but he has come from heaven(John 3:31, NLT).
The Apostle Peter wrote that true life comes through the mercy of God: All honor to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for it is by his boundless mercy that God has given us the privilege of being born again. Now we live with a wonderful expectation because Jesus Christ rose again from the dead (I Peter 1:3, NLT).
The New Testament Greek word, anagennao, is used which has been translated in English as born again. Anagennao can be broken down for our understanding:
1. aná is equated to renewal from above
2. gennáo is equated to bring to birth again or beget or regenerate.
John and Peter understood that to live life to the fullest did not come from living within the perfect circumstance but in and through the Source of Life. The thing is . . . Christ changes us . . . we are renewed . . . freed from our old way of constrained and limited living . . . to live a liberated and ongoing new-life . . . energized and empowered by the Spirit.
Life changes through the renewing and regenerating presence and power of Christ.
Stop.
Take note of Christ, God with us.
Celebrate life.
Learning with you to celebrate,
Shalom,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2008 All Rights Reserved)
The past few days were dedicated to celebrating our daughter's birthday. How fun is that? We intentionally stopped our everyday life in order to invest our time and effort to celebrate her life. Celebration is a vital component of healthy living. . . . for the mind, body, and spirit. In fact, in the ancient days the people religiously stopped to take note of God, the source of Life, and celebrated. Celebration was woven into daily life. That said, authentic celebration is to be fully experienced, rather than one more thing to do.
John the Baptist put all of his energy into helping people experience the Source of Life. John explained that he did not have the power to renew and regenerate people. Only Christ, God with us, can make our life new: He has come from above and is greater than anyone else. I am of the earth, and my understanding is limited to the things of earth, but he has come from heaven(John 3:31, NLT).
The Apostle Peter wrote that true life comes through the mercy of God: All honor to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, for it is by his boundless mercy that God has given us the privilege of being born again. Now we live with a wonderful expectation because Jesus Christ rose again from the dead (I Peter 1:3, NLT).
The New Testament Greek word, anagennao, is used which has been translated in English as born again. Anagennao can be broken down for our understanding:
1. aná is equated to renewal from above
2. gennáo is equated to bring to birth again or beget or regenerate.
John and Peter understood that to live life to the fullest did not come from living within the perfect circumstance but in and through the Source of Life. The thing is . . . Christ changes us . . . we are renewed . . . freed from our old way of constrained and limited living . . . to live a liberated and ongoing new-life . . . energized and empowered by the Spirit.
Life changes through the renewing and regenerating presence and power of Christ.
Stop.
Take note of Christ, God with us.
Celebrate life.
Learning with you to celebrate,
Shalom,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2008 All Rights Reserved)
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