Held Hostage

Question to think about: Is your mind held hostage by limited thinking?

Three months before he died, Saint Thomas Aquinas said: “I can no longer write, for God has given me such glorious knowledge that all contained in my works are as straw - barely fit to absorb the holy wonders that fall in a stable.”

Think on what that Aquinas' statement means. What knowledge did Saint Thomas Aquinas refer to?

We often try to fit God into how we perceive life through our personal experience and reality which limits how we think. A limited mind-set holds our perception hostage and we fail to see more.
To see more . . .
to see beyond the limitations and constraints of circumstances . . .
we must seek God . . .
and ask God to break through what is perceived.

The break-through of a limited mind-set changes our perception, producing vision of something more. And, God always has something more. Faith that God has something more comes through an active and participating relationship with Christ:
Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. (Philippians 2:1-2)
At first glance, being like-minded with Christ . . .
seems hard . . . .
and impossible.
But, look again, to be like-minded with Christ, is to be
released
and
freed from the weight of pressures and problems.

In reality, the process that releases us from the limitations that holds the mind hostage requires frequent attention with the intention to break free. The critical solution for release from a limited mindset is to invite Christ to move into all of the mind.

Continue the self-imposed spiritual boot camp to strengthen your mind . . . asking God to empower the way you think . . . to be like-minded with Christ . . . believing that God always has more.

Learning with you to be like-minded with Christ,

Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2009 All Rights Reserved)

Unthinkable

Question to think about: Do you worry?

He was stuck.

He wrote a note . . . describing a life that seemed like everything and everyone had come against him.

He gave up . . . there seemed to be nothing else to do.

He left family and friends.

It was unthinkable . . .

that such a brilliant individual, with so much to offer, could give up everything.

As the years have passed,

I have wondered what he would have done with more life on earth.

The one thing I know is that there would have been something more for him.

God always gives more.

Is it possible to find more when everything and everyone seems to be against us?

Meditate on Romans 12:2: And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. (NASB)

Our thoughts easily conform to the problems and pressures of life.

How do we move from conformed to transformed thinking?

We need intentional training of the mind . . . a self-imposed spiritual boot camp.

So how do we train to think beyond problems and pressures?

Let go of worry . . . refuse to allow worry to be in your mind . . . do not let worry disturb your way of thinking: “I will not worry about anything. I will pray . . . giving up my worry, surrendering God in trust.”

Do not fret or have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance and in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. (Philippians 4:6, Amp)


Place a shield around your mind . . . by putting trust rather than worry into practice.

Learning with you to refuse to let problems and pressures conform my thoughts,


Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2009 All Rights Reserved)

Really . . . aliens?

Question to think about: How do you think?

On October 30, 1938 a dramatic presentation began with a news alert which announced aliens, specifically from Mars, had invaded the New England states. In actuality, the report was part of a radio drama that had been adapted from the book, War of the Worlds by H.G. Wells. The announcer, Orson Welles, had the idea to present the story on the radio through actors playing the parts of radio announcers, newscasters, and scientists that reported from different locations. No one expected that the drama produced to increase ratings would create a mass panic amongst listeners across the United States.

It seems ridiculous now . . . however . . . the media continues to be ratings-driven with significant power to impact the way the world thinks.

The way we think . . . is the way we live. What forms your thoughts?

Study Romans 12:2: And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect (NASB)

Changing the way we think requires intentional training . . . with a spiritual boot camp approach. Before you enter a boot camp . . . there must be a clear commitment and willingness to put in hard work.

Make a commitment to start a rigorous boot camp regime to increase the health of the way you think.

To begin: evaluate how your thoughts conform to this world. Meditate on the word, conform (suschematizo, Greek) which means to conform to a specific pattern.

Ask the Spirit of God to help you understand the way you think.

Be encouraged in the process. God will provide the power to think more effectively which produces life-changing results.


Learning with you to think the way God intends,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2009 All Rights Reserved)

He Left

Question to think about: Do you love?

“Why did you leave?”

His children posed the question as they said good-bye to him.

Now at the end of his life . . .

he admitted that he regretted leaving his family.

What he understood now . . .

what he did not understand then . . .

is that . . .

love is what matters.

Was it too late?

With the power of God, it is never too late to love.

That said, damage occurs when love is disregarded.

The land mines of hurt and harm explode when an individual refuses to love.

The Spirit of God works through Christ followers to be a part of restorative and healing love:
". . . and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us." (Romans 5:5, NASB)

Regardless of how hopeless the situation looks, hope in God will not disappoint us, the Spirit of God pours out the love of God into and out of our life.

When all is said and done, love is at the center of the greatest two life-laws:

"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.

And the second command is like the first: Love your neighbor as you love yourself.’” (Matthew 22:36-39, NASB)


Pay attention to the greatest two life laws.

Evaluate your life.

Where is love needed?

Love God with all your heart . . . soul . . . and mind. Love your neighbors as yourself.


Learning with you to love,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2009 All Rights Reserved)

Difficulties

Question to think about: Who do you need to love?

Sometimes life becomes so difficult that the difficulties define an individual.
Eventually the individual is perceived as difficult.
The thing is . . . others back away from difficult individuals afraid that land mines of distrust . . . anger . . . bitterness . . . self-hate . . . or hate of others will blow up.
Nothing is solved . . . more difficulties arise . . . and the pattern is repeated.

What can we do?

Christ gave the second most important life-law:
And the second command is like the first: Love your neighbor as you love yourself. (Matthew 22:39, NASB)

We are given the life-law to love others . . . our neighbors . . . as we love ourselves.

In other words, we need to love our life in order to love others.

What we all need, more than anything else, is love.

Love your neighbor
as yourself regardless of any difficulties.

Learning with you to love neighbors,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2009 All Rights Reserved)

Land Mines

(Go to Kick Start (link on the sidebar) for more . . .
Or log onto facebook and become friends with Kick Start for five-days/week worship . . . prayer . . . meditation.)

Question to think about: What land mines do you have?

They chose to clear land mines across the world.
Land mines are often left after a war, which injure and kill thousands of people.
When they left, they knew they might not come back . . . the task was a risk to their lives.
They went to Viet Nam with an organization that had the goal to bring peace, healing, and restoration to the landscape.

We allow land mines in our own lives which may be in the form of
busyness,
anxiety,
fear,
bitterness,
hate,
and the list goes on.

As we turn over the heart, soul, and mind to Christ . . . the places that the land mines occupy are cleared out.
"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul . . . (Matthew 22:36-37b, NASB)

The thing is, a land mine like hate in the soul is unable to exist simultaneously with whole soul love for God.

What land mines need to be cleared out?

Turn
the heart, the core of your being,
the soul, your emotions, attitude, and will,
and the mind
to fully loving God
and begin clearing out the land mines.

Experience peace, healing, and restoration to the landscape of your life.


Learning with you to clear the land mines out,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2009 All Rights Reserved)

Hero

Question to think about: Do you have a hero's mind?

Heroes have a mindset . . . they think beyond themselves.

One hero had to

move her children to safety.

It was tough and necessary.

Her husband, the father of her children, consistently made harmful choices. He created an unsafe environment for their children as he literally drank himself to death.

She moved from their home, created a new home, worked hard, and provided for the needs of her children. The children were protected as they weathered the storm of their father's mistakes.

Then it happened . . . he became ill from the effects of alcohol toxicity.

One lonely, stormy night, she struggled with a question: “Should I help him?” Thoughts of his destructive behavior overwhelmed her with fear.

She focused on God. In the midst of the stormy night, she knew God was present . . . love won out.

Peace came with the decision to help him.

The hero reached out without blame, demands, or expectation . . . leaning into God moment to moment.

Trust in the LORD with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;
In all your ways acknowledge Him,
And He shall direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6, NKJV)

He died with the hero by his side; the fatherless children were left with the legacy of love.

What transformed the mind of hurt to become heroic?

Her mind was transformed by the presence and power of God.

Jesus explained the greatest life-law to live by:

"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. (Matthew 22:36-37, NASB)

We love God with our whole heart . . . all of our being . . . and soul . . . and mind.

The whole mind includes our deepest thoughts where we synthesize, analyze, and conclude how to live.

Become one of God’s heroes.

Surrender your mind to God.

Love God with all of your mind.

Lean into God rather than your own understanding.

In all your ways acknowledge God and God will direct your pathways.

Learning with you to love God with all of the mind,

Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2009 All Rights Reserved)

Recharged

Question to think about: How is it possible to be recharged?

Life had become boring. It wasn't that they weren't busy . . . they were extremely busy . . .

jobs . . .

kids . . .

household chores . . .

sports . . .

committees . . .

kept them constantly running from one place to another. Perhaps busyness was the initial problem; however, when I had a chance to talk with them . . . they described their life as empty and . . . purposeless.

From the outside, their life looked good . . . actually it looked like a great life. Even so, they did not see their life as good and certainly not great. There did not seem to be much to savor, except for their kids.

How do we get so far away from living with passion and purpose or from seeing life as great?

Boredom . . . emptiness . . . purposelessness . . . are all land mines in the landscape of our lives. If we fail to pay attention to the land mines . . . our lives will blow up.

How do we clear out the land mines?

Jesus explained the whole crux to life:

"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul . . . (Matthew 22:36-37b, NASB)

We love God with our whole heart . . . all of our being . . . and soul.

The soul can be defined as our emotions, attitude, and will.
1. Emotions--If, we filter our love for God through our emotions, then, we discover that our emotions are guided by the love for God. One thing is for sure . . . we can't have hate for an individual while we are loving God.
2. Attitude--Managing our response to life is guided by our attitude. Those that center their attitude on loving God will experience gratefulness . . . and other God-directed attitudes.
3. Will--Loving God produces a surrendered spirit. As the Apostle Paul said, "Not I, but Christ." (Galatians 2:20, NKJV)

Our response of love to the presence of God in our soul recharges our life . . . allowing us to see that life is Christ at the front and center of life.

Meditate on
Matthew 22:36-37,
Galatians 2:20,
and
Philippians 1:3-6.

How does loving God with all of your soul . . . emotions, attitude, and will . . . shift the way you live?


Determine to live in love with God.
Love God with all your soul.

Surrender your emotions, attitude, and will.

Learning with you to love God with all of the soul,

Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2009 All Rights Reserved)

The Shift

Question to think about: How does loving God with all of your heart shift the way you live?

The circumstance seemed impossible.
His health seemed to be failing.
The doctors thought surgery might help.
He realized God had invited him to an ongoing-active-participating relationship.
He focused on his relationship with God.
He communicated with God . . . talking and listening . . . others prayed . . . peace began to overtake his fear as he focused on God.
Then something happened . . . there was a shift . . . . an unexplainable shift . . . a mystery beyond what medicine could do.
He will not have surgery . . . he is better . . . his universe shifted.

Life shifts when we focus on God . . . when love for God takes precedence. Study the shift recorded in Matthew 22.

Jesus, God with us, faced religious leaders. Their life revolved around the 613 plus rules, believing in the rules which defined their life with God. They asked Jesus:

"Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?" Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart (Matthew 22:36-37a, NASB)

Jesus simplified the hundreds of laws into two basic principles . . . and explained the importance of a relationship . . . responding to the love of God through loving God with all of the heart. The heart was considered to be the core and identity of an individual. Thus, Jesus explained that our identity . . . our whole being . . . was to revolve around love for God. At the heart of it life, everything about our life, is to be centered on love for God.

The religious leaders must have stopped breathing for a moment . . . their time and effort was centered on obeying the rules . . . it was a major shift from how they lived.

Study Matthew 22. Underline words that speak to your heart.

Meditate on Matthew 22:36-37.

Focus on your relationship with God and what it means to love God with all of your life.


Learning with you to love God with all of the heart,

Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2009 All Rights Reserved)

The Storm

Question to think about: How do you manage the storms?

Some of us were caught off guard when a storm blew into our area during the afternoon.
It was an unusual storm for our area.
The skies darkened . . . and rumbled with thunder . . . lightening flashed off and on . . . trees bent as the winds came through . . . hail pelted the ground . . . rain came down sideways.
Tornadoes were sighted . . . roads filled up with water . . . trees came down.
Today is a new day.
The storm is over.
Clean up has begun.
Life goes on . . . just as it does when we experience storms in our personal life.

Christ declared peace to come in the midst of the storm:
On the same day, when evening had come, He said to them, “Let us cross over to the other side.” Now when they had left the multitude, they took Him along in the boat as He was. And other little boats were also with Him. And a great windstorm arose, and the waves beat into the boat, so that it was already filling. But He was in the stern, asleep on a pillow. And they awoke Him and said to Him, “Teacher, do You not care that we are perishing?”
Then He arose and rebuked the wind, and said to the sea, “Peace, be still!” And the wind ceased and there was a great calm. But He said to them, “Why are you so fearful? How is it that you have no faith?” And they feared exceedingly, and said to one another, “Who can this be, that even the wind and the sea obey Him!” (Mark 4:35-41, NLT)

Meditate on the words of Jesus: “Peace, be still!”
Christ issued peace in a life-threatening storm.
The same peace . . . the peace that calmed the storm . . . can be received today.
Receive the peace of Christ . . . become aware of the power of peace . . . which leads to wholeness and well-being regardless of stormy circumstances.

Learning with you to receive the peace of God in the midst of the storms of life,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2009 All Rights Reserved)

Do you have a problem?

Question to think about: Do you believe a problem can be a tool?

We watched my nephew graduate last night . . . waiting for the moment that he crossed the threshold from senior to graduate.
While the atmosphere was charged with excitement and celebration,
the graduates were told they would now face one of the toughest times in history.
In my opinion, the sobering words were overshadowed by
the party planned after the ceremony.
The thing is . . . life does not need to hinge on problems but on the plan of God.
God has promised a future of hope rather than problems.
When you get down to it . . . we must decide if we allow problems to define who we are or to be tools on the journey.

The true story is told:
For I know the plans I have for you,” says the Lord. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11, NLT)

The key to living beyond the problem is made clear:
First: In those days when you pray, I will listen. (Jeremiah 29:12, NLT)

Communicating with God is vital. The Creator of the universe promises to listen.

Second: If you look for me wholeheartedly, you will find me. (Jeremiah 29:13, NLT)

Focusing on God changes how we live . . . beyond the constraints and limits of problems . . . because we find God.

Set your mind on the plan of God rather than a problem.
Refuse to be managed by a problem.
Remember that God has a plan with a future of hope.
Communicate . . . God will listen.
Focus on God with your whole heart . . . you will find God . . . transforming all of life.

Learning with you to set my mind on the plan of God,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2009 All Rights Reserved)

What are you thinking?

Question to think about: What is on your mind?

I talked with a doctor about the healing process of a wound. While things can be done to assist the repair of damaged tissue, healing is a built-in process. That said, the wound must be clean to heal. Contaminated tissues will disrupt healing.

It made me think.

In order to have a mindset that is healthy and whole . . . we must clean out the toxic thoughts . . . and the dead-end thinking.

Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.(Romans 12:2, NLT)

Pay attention to your thought life.
Surrender your thoughts to God.
Get rid of toxic and dead-end thoughts.
Set your mind to the way God thinks . . . beyond the constraints of this world.

Learning with you to clean out toxic thoughts,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2009 All Rights Reserved)

Live New

Question to think about: Are you new today?
She had a simple procedure.
Something went wrong.
The family was told she had less than 20% chance to live.
When I visited her a few weeks ago . . . she was on full life support.
And now . . .
she is new . . .
living as if everything is new . . .
and it is.

God makes life new.

"Behold,
the former things have come to pass,
Now I declare new things;
Before they spring forth I proclaim them to you." (Isaiah 42:9, NASB)
5And He who sits on the throne said,
"Behold, I am making all things new "
And He said, "Write, for these words are faithful and true."
(Revelations 21:5, NASB)

The past is the past.
New things are declared.
God is making all things new.
Refuse to be stuck.
Yield to the work of God.
Experience the energy and power as all things are made new.
Meditate on what God is doing.
See new,
hear new,
think new,
speak new,
live new.

Learning with you to live new,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2009 All Rights Reserved)

Daily Dying

Question to think about: Will you die?

He received a bonus.
He gave it away.
It wasn't a case of not wanting the bonus
but
he saw a need beyond his own life.
The thing is
he said the experience
gave him
something more
that
he did not
expect: fulfillment.

While giving changes the lives of others, ultimately giving changes the giver.
A true giver dies to self . . . a daily decision . . . to give of ourselves . . . time, talent, and monies. In return, we experience fulfillment of life.

I affirm, brethren, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily. (I Corinthians 15:31, NASB)

Choose to die on a daily basis.
Surrender all to Christ.
Give yourself away.
Live.

Learning with you to die on a daily basis,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2009 All Rights Reserved)

Tyranny of the urgent

Question to think about: Do you have enough time?

We live in a time of urgency . . . with a now or never mind-set . . .
creating a sense of things being unfinished . . .
and an overwhelming need to
accomplish more.
Fulfillment . . .
purpose . . .
joy . . .
is missed
in the tyranny of the urgent . . . the urgent has become the dictator of society . . . and influences all of us.
One thing I am learning . . .
we have the personal responsibility to refuse to be dictated by the urgent.
How?
God invites us to abandon the urgent . . . to totally give it all to Christ . . . to really live.
"But I do not consider my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may finish my course and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify solemnly of the gospel of the grace of God. (Acts 20:24, NASB)
Refuse to give your life to the urgent.
Refuse to be consumed with the urgent.
Refuse to give up the joy of living for the urgent.
Live.
Learning with you to refuse to be dictated by the urgent,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2009 All Rights Reserved)

Tailgated

Question to think about: Do you see God?

I drove on old country roads last night.
An individual driving a pick-up chose to follow me,
without leaving any space between our vehicles,
shining its bright lights into my car.
Yep . . . I was tailgated.
The pick-up would not back off.
I pulled over.
The pick-up pulled over.
I turned.
The pick-up turned.

While it was annoying to be tailgated, I knew God was with me.
When we invite God into the journey of life, we are given eyes to see that God is always with us.
The presence,
power,
and peace of God is with us . . . not separate . . . not somewhere far off . . . but with us. It really is mind-boggling to think of the Creator of the universe to be personally present.
Even so . . .
When a problem tailgates us we often fail to see the presence of God.
Look again:
Be still and know God (Psalm 46:10).
Refuse to let the circumstance rule you:
Do not worry or be anxious for anything (Philippians 4:6.
Believe Christ:
I am with you always(Matthew 28:20b).
Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you(Hebrews 13:5b).
Make the decision today:
"Be strong. Take courage. Don't be intimidated. Don't give them a second thought because God, your God, is striding ahead of you. He's right there with you. He won't let you down; he won't leave you." (Deuternonmy 31:6, The Message)

Learning with you to see the presence of God when a problem is tailgating,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2009 All Rights Reserved)

The Miracle of A Crisis

Question to think about: Can you see it as a tool?

They never thought it could happen to them. In a matter of seconds their life was turned upside down from one wrong decision.
The one wrong decision led to a boatload of problems.
The problems
seemed larger than life . . .
overwhelming them . . .
changing the way they saw the rest of life
and each other.
They were stuck in crisis.
The crisis ruled everything, including them.
Nothing changed for a few years.
Until they just could not take the pressure anymore.
Something changed.
They began to see their life differently.
Looking in from the outside, I can tell you their circumstance has not changed.
But, they have changed.
How?
They came to the end of themselves; there was nothing left in them.
Desperate, they asked God to take it away.
God did.
They felt relief from the pressure and peace that God was present and at work.
And . . . they continue to ask God help them see above the crisis rather than to be weighted down underneath it.
Here's the miracle in the whole thing: They now see the crisis as a tool of God to reveal Christ.

The Apostle Paul explained:
If you only look at us, you might well miss the brightness. We carry this precious Message around in the unadorned clay pots of our ordinary lives. That's to prevent anyone from confusing God's incomparable power with us. As it is, there's not much chance of that. You know for yourselves that we're not much to look at. We've been surrounded and battered by troubles, but we're not demoralized; we're not sure what to do, but we know that God knows what to do; we've been spiritually terrorized, but God hasn't left our side; we've been thrown down, but we haven't broken. What they did to Jesus, they do to us—trial and torture, mockery and murder; what Jesus did among them, he does in us—he lives! Our lives are at constant risk for Jesus' sake, which makes Jesus' life all the more evident in us. While we're going through the worst, you're getting in on the best! (2 Corinthians 4:7-12, The Message)

Stop.
Ask for the miracle of changing your view of a crisis and/or circumstance.
Choose to surrender everything you are facing.
Look at life happenings as a tool to reveal Christ.

Learning with you to miraculously see a crisis as a tool,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2009 All Rights Reserved)

What Matters

Question to think about: What will you do that matters for more than a moment?

We can become so consumed with the stuff of life that we fail to recognize what really matters.
Looking back on our life often brings clarity.
Things that seemed so important often hold little or no significance in the long-term.

What counts in the long term?
The thing is . . . we have been shown.
The truth . . . the reality of life . . . has been revealed.
Christ, God with us, came revealing what really matters.


So, what really matters?

Quite simply . . . living a life directed by the Spirit of Christ.

13 Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit.” 14 How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone. 15 What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” (James 4:13-15, NLT).

Stop.
Refuse to do something without the leading of the Spirit of God.
Ask the Spirit of God to guide and direct you in every detail of life.
Do what matters in and through the power of Christ.

Learning with you to do what matters,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2009 All Rights Reserved)

Remembering

Question to think about: What is in your memory?

"Remember me."
"I would never forget you."
"I will remember."

The memory of one circumstance,
one moment,
one individual
will
change our identity.
Ideas, thoughts, words, actions, behavior, habits, hope, and fears are impacted by memory. It makes sense that we are changed each time a memory is made.
Remembering the past directly influences our future.
Remembering what matters causes us to be more focused.
Remembering is part of how we are created.

Christ asked to be purposefully remembered:
And when He had given thanks, He broke [it] and said, Take, eat. This is My body, which is broken for you. Do this to call Me [affectionately] to remembrance.

Similarly when supper was ended, He took the cup also, saying, This cup is the new covenant [ratified and established] in My blood. Do this, as often as you drink [it], to call Me [affectionately] to remembrance.(I Corinthians 11:24-25, Amp)

Purposefully remembering Christ . . . changes who we are . . . impacting what we think, say and do.
Remembering what Christ has done is a reminder that nothing is impossible with God!

Remember what Christ
has done.
Remember Christ
is at work today.
Remember that in Christ
real life is experienced.

Learning with you to remember,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2009 All Rights Reserved)

IT

Question to think about: What is it in your life?

It seems impossible.
It appears to be a mountain that can't be climbed.
It is an obstacle, a struggle, an unattainable need and desire.
It is thought-provoking, mind-boggling, life-changing.
It will not change without God.
It is what only God can do.
It is surrender.
It is when you realize that in weakness you are strong.
It is living beyond self.

The Apostle Paul said it this way:
It's in Christ that we find out who we are and what we are living for. Long before we first heard of Christ and got our hopes up, he had his eye on us, had designs on us for glorious living, part of the overall purpose he is working out in everything and everyone.

It's in Christ that you, once you heard the truth and believed it (this Message of your salvation), found yourselves home free—signed, sealed, and delivered by the Holy Spirit. This signet from God is the first installment on what's coming, a reminder that we'll get everything God has planned for us, a praising and glorious life. (Ephesians 1:1-14, The Message)

It is what Christ came and did . . . to give life . . . with a divine purpose that is being worked out in the smallest to greatest circumstance.

It is to be experienced today.
It is the purpose God planned before the beginning of time.
It is life . . . signed, sealed, and delivered by the Spirit of Christ.
Live it today.
Life . . . in Christ.

Learning with you to live it in Christ,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2009 All Rights Reserved)

Road Trip

Question to think about: Which way will you go today?

Road trips are always fun,
especially when there is time to take time.
That said, there are differing views of how to make a road trip successful.
Some individuals
plan,
seek advice,
google for tips,
purchase supplies,
outline the route on a map,
create a travel journal,
and organize music to play along the way.
Others get up and go
without planning or
seeking advice
or thinking through all the details.

The thing is . . . there is an art to taking a road trip . . . like the journey of life . . . the way we do it . . . is a key component of who we are.

Christ, the Way, came to reveal the heart and soul of the journey.
Jesus answered, "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. The only way to the Father is through me. (John 14:6, NCV)

The choice to go through the Way is not only a lifetime choice but a daily choice. We must ask: Will the journey be made in an active-participating-ongoing relationship with God?
The way the journey is made changes when we choose to go God's way.
We are given a profound message from God:
I will go before you
And make the crooked places straight . . . (Isaiah 45:2, NKJV)

When we invite God . . .
on the road trip . . .
the journey of life . . .
God not only promises to go before us . . .
but to make the crooked places straight.

Seek the Way on your daily road trip of life.
Invite God to guide You.
Trust God to go before You.
Ask God for directions for every detail.
Believe God will make the crooked places straight.
Enjoy the journey.

Learning with you to enjoy the journey,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2009 All Rights Reserved)

Did You Drop the Ball?

Question to think about: Are you a good steward of the life you have been given?

Have you "dropped the ball?"
In other words, have you ever failed being a steward of the life you have been given?
Have you . . .
made a mistake . . .
or did something that was completely . . .
well . . . dumb . . .
and, then, did it again . . .
and again?
Before you knew it, the mistake became a way of life.
It is easy to point to others and see the habits that rule their life.
When we examine ourselves and let the search light of the Spirit of God move through our mind, heart, and soul . . .
we will see behaviors that entrap . . .
that are entrenched in the way we think, speak, and do things . . .
that have become a part of our identity . . .
and suck life out of us.
Whether the compulsive habit has settle in as an attitude, thought, or action, the battle begins in the mind;
however,
at the end of the day,
the matter becomes a heart issue.
The reason?
We have allowed something to rule a portion of our life. These are the things that make us unhealthy and prevent us from living to the fullest measure.

Christ, God with us, came to set us free.

Then Jesus turned to the Jews who had claimed to believe in him. "If you stick with this, living out what I tell you, you are my disciples for sure. Then you will experience for yourselves the truth, and the truth will free you." (John 8: 31-32, Message)

Jesus said to him, I am the Way and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by (through) Me. (John 14:6, Amplified)

Christ is Truth.
Without Christ, we do not know complete truth.
With Truth, we are able to see what is in our life that does not belong.
With the presence and power of the Spirit of Christ, we can become free.

Experience Truth.
Ask God to search your mind, heart, and soul.
Face the Truth.
Let go of what does not belong in your life.
Rely on the presence and power of Christ to set you free moment by moment and day by day.

Learning with you to be set free through the presence of Truth,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2009 All Rights Reserved)

Wake Up!

Question to think about: Are you sleeping?

Life seemed different.
In fact, everything seemed different
when they realized time was short.
For some reason, they never thought it would happen to them . . . to hear the word . . . a dreaded-no-good-terrible-word . . . cancer.
But, for them . . . when the word became part of their vocabulary . . . in the pain and suffering . . .they received a gift.
They woke up.
They understood that each day needed to be experienced . . . to be shared . . . and celebrated.

Celebration does not come from circumstances but from the presence of Christ:
I know how to be abased and live humbly in straitened circumstances, and I know also how to enjoy plenty and live in abundance. I have learned in any and all circumstances the secret of facing every situation, whether well-fed or going hungry, having a sufficiency and enough to spare or going without and being in want. (Philippians 3:12, AMP)

Wake up.
Discover that living is not defined by circumstances but in and through Christ.
Become aware of the presence of Christ.
Celebrate

Learning with you to wake up,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2009 All Rights Reserved)

Miracles Do Happen

Question to think about: What is your miracle?

Sadness encompassed their thoughts, words, and daily life.
One had endured the havoc of cancer.
The other had endured rejection of love.
And . . .
they found each other.
Some might say it was coincidence
until they meet these two individuals.
The
presence of God-given love is obvious.
A miracle
of restoration . . .
of new life . . .
of hope . . .
and of love that will endure a lifetime.

The presence of God is a miracle . . . immeasurably changing our life.


Nothing is impossible with God: Luke 1:27

What is impossible with men is possible with God: Luke 18:27

Apart from Jesus you can do nothing: John 15:5

I can do everything through him who gives me strength: Philippians 4:13

Now to Him Who by the power that is at work within us is able to do superabundantly far over an above all that we dare ask or think (infinitely beyond our highest prayers desires thoughts hopes or dreams): Ephesians 3:20

The presence of God changes everything . . . a miracle.
Stop.
See the presence of God.
Celebrate the miracle of what God in your life.

Learning with you to see the miracle,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2009 All Rights Reserved)

When You Get Down To It

Question to think about: What do you do with interruptions?

Life changes when it happens . . .
the unplanned,
unwanted,
and
unimaginable
interruption.
We forget what we were doing.
Time seems to stop.
No one knows what to say or do.
Someone begins to pray . . . and then another joins in . . . because when we get down to it . . . when we don't know what to do . . . . and we can't do anything else . . . we realize we don't have any control ... and we turn to God.

God invites us to see and understand more about life through prayer.
[For I always pray to] the God of our Lord Jesus Christ,
the Father of glory,
that He may grant you a spirit of wisdom and revelation
[of insight into mysteries and secrets]
in the [deep and intimate] knowledge of Him,
(Ephesians 1:17, Amplified)
When you get down to it . . . down to the core of life . . . it is about trusting God for all things.
Get down to it.
Pray.
Receive wisdom and revelation.
No matter what . . . trust God for all things.

Learning with you to get down to it by trusting God,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2009 All Rights Reserved)

Can You Wait?

Question to think about: Do you see the value of waiting?

I am always behind in my communication with others . . . emails, facebook, voicemail, and texting. The expectation for an immediate reply reduces time to think and pray before giving a response. It seems to me that there was value in the past days when an individual had time to respond to the now almost extinct written and mailed letter.

The thing is . . . communication with God often includes a time of waiting . . . to trust when it seems that there is a significant space between our request and a divine answer.

Transformation occurs when we wait:
But those who wait for the Lord
[who expect, look for, and hope in Him]
shall change and renew their strength and power;
they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God]
as eagles [mount up to the sun];
they shall run and not be weary,
they shall walk and not faint or become tired.
(Isaiah 40:31, AMP).

Wait on God today.
Trust God in the waiting.
Experience renewal and transformation in the time you wait.

Learning with you to wait,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2009 All Rights Reserved)

My Week . . . Celebration

Question to think about: Is it your week?

"It's my week."
In our home someone is assigned as the really big deal for the week.
~You have first choice to all choices to be made.
~Your accomplishments are featured.
~You are celebrated.
~You are a really big deal.
"My week" provides a venue to appreciate, support, and encourage one another. Of course, we sometimes have been out of control with the "my week" concept. We have been heard to say:
"I'm sorry . . . did you think I could do that . . . hmmm . . .it is, after all, MY WEEK."
The ensuing conversation always ends in laughter because the point is to completely celebrate one another.

I routinely spend time with people that either do not feel celebrated or regret they did not celebrate a specific individual.

The thing to remember is that God celebrates every individual as a "prized possession."

Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession.(James 1: 17-18, NLT)

What does it mean to be God's prized possession?
How does that change how we live the life we are given?
How does it change today?

Celebrate all that you have received from God.
Celebrate your life.
Celebrate a specific individual today and the rest of the week.
Celebrate.

Learning with you to celebrate,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2009 All Rights Reserved)

Seriously . . . who are you?

Question to think about: Do people know who you really are?

While I waited to speak to a large group, a friend told me to be myself. As he walked away, I wanted to say, "Who do you think I am?"

It is necessary to assess how our
words
and
actions
reflect our identity.

We often get so consumed with the details of life that we forget our words and actions really do matter.

Look at Jesus. Christ portrayed who He was in every word and action . . . so much so that everything was dropped to follow Him . . . without question.


Walking along the beach of Lake Galilee, Jesus saw two brothers: Simon (later called Peter) and Andrew. They were fishing, throwing their nets into the lake. It was their regular work. Jesus said to them, "Come with me. I'll make a new kind of fisherman out of you. I'll show you how to catch men and women instead of perch and bass." They didn't ask questions, but simply dropped their nets and followed. (Matthew 4: 18-20, The Message)

Jesus,faithful God dwelling in the midst of humanity, used words and actions to give new life to individuals.

Think about the scene: Two fisherman, Simon Peter and Andrew did not ask questions; they dropped their nets and followed.

Do your words and actions reveal the presence and power of Christ in you?
Do others want to follow Christ because of what you say and do?
Seriously . . .
let your words
and
actions
reveal who you are in Christ . . .
and be a part of the transforming work of our faithful God dwelling with us.

Learning with you to let words and actions reveal Christ,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2009 All Rights Reserved)

Power

Question to think about: How can you impact an individual's life?

"What can I do?"
"Pray."
"Of course I will pray, but what can I do?"
"Pray."
"Are you sure I can't do something for you?"
"Yes . . . pray."

Praying for others takes time,
effort,
and intention.
Prayer allows us to connect with unlimited power that is beyond what we could think, ask, or imagine.
The combined power of all the nations can not compare with the power that transforms the mind, heart, and soul of an individual.
The power that has been offered to all humanity through Christ . . .
The power that broke through the power of darkness and death . . .
The power that shook the world centuries ago when the followers of Christ sat in a room waiting and wanting something more.
The power of the Spirit . . . the infilling presence of God.
"When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were sitting (Acts 2:1-2, NASB)."

Experience life through the power of God.
Pray.
Pray specifically for someone.
Pray in and through the presence of the Spirit of God.
Experience the power of God.

Learning with you to connect with the power of God,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2009 All Rights Reserved)

"I"

Question to think about: Where is the "I" in your life?

She was ill.
Really sick.
At the end of her life kind of sick.
She reached out and helped an individual that needed help.
Her help gave hope.

Despite challenges, difficulties,
and adversity
there are individuals
who see beyond their own life.
The word, "I," is rarely in their conversations
or thoughts.
They are not only interested in
what is occurring in the lives of other people
but would like to make a difference.
So, they do.

How is it possible to live beyond our own adversity?

The formula is simple and powerful. The Apostle Paul said it:
"Not I, but Christ." (Galatians 2:20, KJV)

Meditate on the four words: Not . . . I . . . but . . . Christ.
What do the words mean for you?
How does the words change how you
think,
speak,
and
act?
Think Christ first.
Speak Christ.
Do as Christ would do.

Learning with you to take the "I" out,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2009 All Rights Reserved)

Starting Over

Question to think about: Do you realize who Christ is in your life?

A new day.
A new start.
A new perspective.
A new mindset.
How is it possible to authentically start over . . . to begin the day without the load of the day before?
First we must understand that through the great and mysterious power of Christ . . . all things are new.
People have struggled throughout the centuries of understanding that Christ is life. Period. Nothing else is life.
The religious leaders faced Christ.
They said to him, "Just who are you anyway?" (John 8:25-26, The Message)

John wrote about the identity of Christ in Revelations:
5 And the one sitting on the throne said, “Look, I am making everything new!” And then he said to me, “Write this down, for what I tell you is trustworthy and true.” 6 And he also said, “It is finished! I am the Alpha and the Omega—the Beginning and the End. To all who are thirsty I will give freely from the springs of the water of life. 7 All who are victorious will inherit all these blessings, and I will be their God, and they will be my children. (Revelations 21:5-7, NLT)

Christ, God with us will make all things are new.
Start over.
Begin the day with Christ.
Ask Christ to define your day, every hour and minute.
Experience the Springs of Life!
Celebrate . . . all things are made new in Christ!

Learning with you to start over,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2009 All Rights Reserved)

Living Beyond Your Horizons

Question to think about: Are you stuck in the mundane?

I encounter individuals that speak into my life by the way they live. These individuals are on my want-to-do-life-like-them list.
They
refuse
to be entrapped with the mundane-task-oriented-daily details . . .
determined to make a difference . . .
with attention on God.
They
want to engage with God
experiencing life to the fullest.
They
live beyond
the limitations of humanity's horizons.

Jesus said, "You're tied down to the mundane; I'm in touch with what is beyond your horizons. You live in terms of what you see and touch. I'm living on other terms. I told you that you were missing God in all this. You're at a dead end. If you won't believe I am who I say I am, you're at the dead end of sins. You're missing God in your lives." (John 8:23-24, The Message)

Live beyond your horizons.
Refuse to live in terms of what you see and touch.
Engage with God.

Learning with you to live beyond my horizons,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2009 All Rights Reserved)

Is God Missing?

Question to think about: Are you headed for a dead-end?

The stuff of life can be consuming.
Details,
deadlines,
problems,
and pressures
take precedence.
And . . . the presence of God is missed.
One thing for sure is that we are headed for a dead-end when we fail to acknowledge the presence of God in every component of life.
God is present.
God is always present.
God will never fail.
God invites us to engage in an ongoing-active-participating relationship in all we do.

Jesus explained:
Then he went over the same ground again. "I'm leaving and you are going to look for me, but you're missing God in this and are headed for a dead end. There is no way you can come with me." (John 8:21, The Message)

What do we need to do?
First things first . . .
But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides. (Matthew 6:33, Amplified)

Refuse to miss God.
Turn away from the dead-end way of living.
Seek God.
Be aware of the presence, power, and peace of God.
Aim at and strive after doing life God's way.
Trust God for all things to come together.

Learning with you to not miss God,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2009 All Rights Reserved)

The Time

Question to think about: Do you have enough time?

There never seems to be enough time.
Time managers give
strategies,
techniques,
skills,
and tools
to
maximize time.
These experts say that it is imperative to shift our attitude towards time and to set measurable goals.

After all is said done, time is a marker of how we live which requires daily choices.

Jesus demonstrated time management. He lived with purpose in a specific allotted amount of time:
Jesus made these statements while he was teaching in the section of the Temple known as the Treasury. But he was not arrested, because his time had not yet come.(John 8:20, NLT)

How is it possible to live with the same kind of purpose Jesus had?

"If God gives such attention to the appearance of wildflowers—most of which are never even seen—don't you think he'll attend to you, take pride in you, do his best for you? What I'm trying to do here is to get you to relax, to not be so preoccupied with getting, so you can respond to God's giving. People who don't know God and the way he works fuss over these things, but you know both God and how he works. Steep your life in God-reality, God-initiative, God-provisions. Don't worry about missing out. You'll find all your everyday human concerns will be met." (Matthew 6:31-33, The Message)

Seek God-reality, God initiative, God-provisions in the time you are given. Rather than worrying about what you are missing, trust God every minute.
Live well in the time you have been given.

Learning with you to live well every minute of the day,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2009 All Rights Reserved)

Contrast

Question to think about: Is Christ visible in your life?

Chaos.
Order.

Ending.
New beginnings.

Impossibilities.
Possibilities.

Exhausted.
Energized.

Dark.
Light.

Death.
Life.

Why do individuals choose such contrasting ways to live?

The thing is . . . we often think we don't have a choice in the way we live because of circumstances; however, we do have a choice through Christ.

Christ, God with us, demonstrated the way we are designed to live. Meditate on the fact that God came:

So they were saying to Him, "Where is Your Father?" Jesus answered, "You know neither Me nor My Father; if you knew Me, you would know My Father also." (John 8:19, NASB)

The story does not end . . . God is present.
"If you love me, show it by doing what I've told you. I will talk to the Father, and he'll provide you another Friend so that you will always have someone with you. This Friend is the Spirit of Truth. The godless world can't take him in because it doesn't have eyes to see him, doesn't know what to look for. But you know him already because he has been staying with you, and will even be in you!" (John 14:15-17, The Message)

Choose to live in Christ.
Experience more.

Learning with you to live in Christ,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2009 All Rights Reserved)

How do you see it?

Question to think about: Do you see through doubt and fear or trust and faith?

Waiting.
Refusing doubt . . . fear . . . powerlessness.
Praying.
Believing.
Receiving trust . . . faith . . . power.

No one wants to wait; however, there are waiting seasons in life.
The process of waiting defines the way we see a situation . . . with doubt or trust, fear or faith, powerlessness or power. The thing is . . . doubt leads to fear and fear leaves us powerless; trust leads to faith and ultimately power.

How do we trust when doubt begins to work its way into our thoughts?

The key is our perspective:
Jesus replied, "You're right that you only have my word. But you can depend on it being true. I know where I've come from and where I go next. You don't know where I'm from or where I'm headed. You decide according to what you can see and touch. I don't make judgments like that. But even if I did, my judgment would be true because I wouldn't make it out of the narrowness of my experience but in the largeness of the One who sent me, the Father. That fulfills the conditions set down in God's Law: that you can count on the testimony of two witnesses. And that is what you have: You have my word and you have the word of the Father who sent me." (John 8: 14-18, The Message).

Jesus did not make judgments of situations through the limitations of the human mind but through the perspective of the Father.
When our perspective is narrowed to our experience we see all the impossibilities . . . when our perspective is enlarged through the view of God . . . we see the possibilities.

Learning with you to see more,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2009 All Rights Reserved)

Party in the ICU Waiting Room

Question to think about: What do you do?

An incomprehensible medical event occurred on Easter morning to one of our long-time-best friends . . . who was preparing to lead worship at his church.
A few years ago the same event had occurred to another long-time-best friend . . . his wife.
She died . . . he became a single father of their three children.
He met and married a beautiful woman . . . her husband had died of a devastating cancer.
Several years ago, his father experienced the tragic death of his wife, our friend's mother. A drunk driver came up an entrance on a highway the wrong way and had smashed into their car.
The pain for his wife,
children,
and father,
as well as for him,
overwhelmed us.

We did not know
what to
think . . .
say . . .
do . . .
imagine . . .
or
even
pray.

What do we do when situations are beyond our comprehension?
Ask others to intercede in prayer . . . the power of God moves through intercessory prayer.
Be still.
Know the presence of God.
Listen.
Listen to the Spirit of God.
God speaks.
A song began to echo within me:

Savior
He can move the mountains
My God is Mighty to save
He is Mighty to save
Forever
Author of salvation
He rose and conquered the grave
Jesus conquered the grave
~Michael W. Smith

And then a word seemed to be highlighted in the Life Workbook for humanity in the book of Isaiah chapter 43:

16The LORD says,
Who makes a way through the sea
And a path through the mighty waters,
17Who brings forth the chariot and the horse,
The army and the mighty man
(They will lie down together and not rise again;
They have been quenched and extinguished like a wick):
18"Do not call to mind the former things,
Or ponder things of the past.
19 Behold, I will do something new,
Now it will spring forth;
Will you not be aware of it?
I will even make a roadway in the wilderness,
Rivers in the desert. (Isaiah 43, NASB)

And . . . Matthew 19:26 which several of us have prayed for forty days ending on Easter morning:

"With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible."

So, we are praying:

God You are mighty to save.
You move mountains
and part the deep waters of the sea
providing a pathway that we can't see with our eyes but with our heart.
Would you move the mountain of all the medical problems?
Make a way through the sea of impossibilities
and a pathway through the deep waters of pain.
Quench and extinguish the obstacles to health.
All things are possible with You.
Do a new thing.
We will be aware of it.
Give us a new song and a new day.
Savior . . .
You are mighty to save.
With You all things are possible.

Yesterday morning, the doctors determined that an emergency procedure was needed . . . it was intense . . . and incredible.
Countless people prayed and continue to pray.
The procedure was successful . . . but more than that . . .
he began to respond . . . and we celebrated the work of God . . . it was a party in the ICU waiting room . . . with old and new friends that are united by the presence, power, and peace of God.
Pray.
Celebrate the work of God.
Party!
Learning with you to pray and party,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2009 All Rights Reserved)

Out of the darkness . . . into the Light

Question to think about: Is there Light?

The words came slowly,
underscoring the pain
that resided within.

No one has cared
about me.
Nights are the hardest . . .
in the darkness . . .
being alone
is a reality.
What if I die in
the darkness?
No one would
know.

How many others feel alone in the dark?

The thing is . . . there is a way out of the darkness . . . to come into the Light:
Then Jesus again spoke to them, saying, "I am the Light of the world; he who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life."
(John 8:12, NASB)
Humanity . . . you and I . . . are invited to live in the Light of life.
The darkness does not comprehend the Light (meditate on John 1:5)and the Light moves the darkness out.
In the Light . . .
humanity is not alone . . .
in the Light . . .
the presence of the Spirit of Christ is seen.

Celebrate the Light of Christ that is in you this Easter weekend!
Learning with you to live in the Light of Christ,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2009 All Rights Reserved)

Decision

Question to think about: What have you done?

A wrong decision was made.
The impact of the decision worsened
when it was covered up.
Eventually the truth came out.
Life became messy.
Trust was lost.
Words and actions were questioned.
As time went on . . .
trust was restored.
Life became better . . .
until the wrong decision was made . . . again.

A woman stood in the middle of the court, condemned for her wrong decisions. The presence and the words of Jesus turned attention to their own sins:
The religious rulers walked away from the woman they accused of making wrong decisions.

When they heard it, they began to go out one by one, beginning with the older ones, and He was left alone, and the woman, where she was, in the center of the court.
Straightening up, Jesus said to her, "Woman, where are they? Did no one condemn you?"
She said, "No one, Lord." And Jesus said, "I do not condemn you, either Go From now on sin no more."
(John 8:9-11, NASB)

Christ freed the woman condemned to death. She did not deserve it . . . but she received new life.
The nameless woman was given the opportunity to live . . . it was her decision to start over . . . to live a different life through Christ . . . a decision that has been given to all of humanity.

Make the decision to live life through Christ.
Celebrate freedom from living condemned to death . . . through the power, presence, and peace of Christ.
Learning with you to decide to live life through Christ,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2009 All Rights Reserved)

Words In The Sand

Question to think about: Do you know what God said?

Miscommunication.
Offended.
Hurt.
Anger.
Refusal to forgive.
Avoidance.
Blame.
Division.
Broken.

How can individuals be reconciled?

Reconciliation is a process.
Those who reconcile must be willing to
give up their rights . . .
forgive . . .
and
reach out in peace.

Christ is the Reconciler. The presence, power, and peace of Christ has reconciled humanity to God and one another.

A woman stood between the accusations of religious leaders and the love of Christ.
Christ gave a strong message of truth and wrote a message in the sandy soil.

Again He stooped down and wrote on the ground.
(John 8:9, NASB)

What did Jesus write?
We can only imagine. Perhaps it was something like:
"Forgive and you will be forgiven."
"Love as I love you."
"Go in My peace."

Engage with the reconciling power of Christ.
What words would Christ write in the sand for you?
Forgive.
Love.
Go in peace.

Learning with you to live in the reconciling power of Christ,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2009 All Rights Reserved)

Stand Your Ground

Question to think about: Do you stand your ground?

It was dark . . . late at night.
I could hear footsteps behind me as I made my way into the hospital to visit an individual.
I startled the man when I turned around and said,

"Can I help you?"
He stuttered and said, "Ummm. . . I noticed the Bible in your hand."
I replied, "Walk with me and we will talk."

We walked into the hospital talking about God.

I don't know what the man was originally thinking . . .
but
I do know that we are not to fear,
facing who or what pursues us . . .
standing our ground through the presence and power of Christ.

Jesus did not fear what the religious rulers might do. He stood his ground.

But when they persisted in asking Him, He straightened up, and said to them, "He who is without sin among you, let him be the first to throw a stone at her."
(John 8:7-8, NABB)

Jesus stood His ground.
He faced the attackers.
He did not give into to their divisiveness.
He spoke in truth.

Stop.
Refuse to fear who or whatever is divisive.
Face the fear through the presence of Christ.
Stand your ground in the strength and power of the Spirit of Christ.


Learning with you to stand the ground,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2009 All Rights Reserved)

BUT . . .

Question to think about: Do you see possibilities?

I listened to the words:
"It's time."
"Nothing is working."
"It's over."
"But . . . we have hope."

The word, "but," grabbed my attention . . . indicating possibility in the impossible circumstance.

Certainly, the word, "but," had significance for one woman.
She had been caught.
She must have felt the weight of shame and disgrace
as she faced the religious rulers.
There was no doubt that she would be stoned to death.
The religious rulers used her to
trap Jesus.

Now Moses in the Law commanded us that such [women--offenders] shall be stoned to death. But what do You say [to do with her--what is Your sentence]? This they said to try (test) Him, hoping they might find a charge on which to accuse Him. But Jesus stooped down and wrote on the ground with His finger. (John 8:5-6, AMP)

"But" . . . the word is small . . . but . . . the word has power.
But . . . there was something more.
Jesus stooped down . . . God was at work . . . as he wrote in the sand.

Stop.
Life may seem hopeless . . . but . . . there you can find hope through Christ.
Refuse to focus on the hopelessness of a circumstance.
Receive hope through Christ.

Learning with you about the possibilities of the word, "but,"
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2009 All Rights Reserved)

Tragedy

Question to think about: How does the tragedy of humanity define your life?

Long ago,
a man spent time
scaring kids in our neighborhood.
The thing is . . . he was living in our children's playhouse behind
our home.
Somewhere along the way, the man lost his purpose in life . . . a true tragedy.

The tragedy of humanity is real . . . living without purpose . . . lost . . . without God.

The story of one woman,
put on trial by religious leaders,
described the rejection and shame
that came out of the
tragedy of humanity.

The religious leaders did not see the result of the tragedy closed humanity off from living in a participating-active-ongoing relationship with God . . . it was as if their own hearts were boarded up with the sign . . . KEEP OUT . . . DO NOT ENTER. They were lost in a self-righteous-rigid-rule-keeping life . . . seeing themselves separated from others for the sake of God . . . but in reality . . . they lived separated from God.
The scribes and the Pharisees brought a woman caught in adultery, and having set her in the center of the court,
they said to Him, "Teacher, this woman has been caught in adultery, in the very act.
John 8:2-4, NASB)

Each of us are impacted on a daily basis by the tragedy of humanity.
Stop.
Be released from the power of the tragedy . . .
receive the
presence . . . power . . . and peace of God.
Celebrate . . . with God . . . tragedy is not the end of the story.

Learning with you that life does not need to be defined by tragedy,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2009 All Rights Reserved)

He Came In Peace

Question to think about: Do you have peace?
There are certain people that impact our lives.
He was eighty-something.
He came in peace
to our church
to help us find healing
in a time of chaos and profound hurt.
Not all of us thought we were hurt.
We were.
Hurt is often hidden . . .
we tend not to deal with pain . . .
denying the presence and power it has over us.
He taught us to be honest,
to face pain,
and to receive
the presence
and power
of peace.
We did.
And . . . we began to experience peace . . . and become healthy.

We are unhealthy until we face pain and receive peace.

Christ, God with us, came to give humanity peace . . . shalom . . . well-being. Healing, at the deepest level, occurs through receiving the life-giving peace of Christ.

Christ came in active peace:
BUT JESUS went to the Mount of Olives.
Early in the morning (at dawn), He came back into the temple [court], and the people came to Him in crowds. He sat down and was teaching them,(John 8:1-2, Amplified)
Think about how this story reveals peace:
John 7 closes with the religious leaders telling the people not to believe. In response, the people went home.
Chapter 8 opens up with a dramatic scene . . . Jesus goes to Mount of Olives . . . and then early in the morning returns to the temple.
Jesus did not allow rejection to deter Him from bringing life-giving peace to humanity.
Jesus came back and the people came to Him.
No justification.
No arguments.
No strife.
He came
with life-giving peace.
He sat down.
He taught.
He sat down and taught them.

Think about it . . . God who created this world . . . comes to us . . . takes time to connect . . . and teach . . . without force . . . but with peace.

Jesus lived out the message of peace.
We are called to live in and through active peace.
Stop.
Face the pain that comes from this world.
Receive the peace of Christ.
Actively live out peace today.

Learning with you to live out the message of peace,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2009 All Rights Reserved)

Moving Your Mountains

Question to think about: What are your mountains?

It appeared that nothing more could be done,
the end seemed near,
they decided to
walk away.
A mountain of problems had piled up.
And then it happened . . .
an idea came to them.
One more try,
did not make sense;
however,
they had nothing more to lose.

Problems become mountains.

Is there something more that can be done when problems become impassable mountains in our life?
To see beyond the mountain, we need to first see the presence of God.
The thing is . . . the mountain of problems often block our view of God . . . as the problems begin to overpower faith.
Humanity has struggled since the beginning of time
with faith that God is present and more powerful than what we are facing.
In a conversation with religious rulers, the people were told not to believe that God would come and be in their midst:
Nicodemus, the man who had come to Jesus earlier and was both a ruler and a Pharisee, spoke up. "Does our Law decide about a man's guilt without first listening to him and finding out what he is doing?"
But they cut him off. "Are you also campaigning for the Galilean? Examine the evidence. See if any prophet ever comes from Galilee."
Then they all went home. (John 7:50-53, The Message)
God is present, regardless of the acknowledgement of humanity.
God invites humanity to faith that moves mountains. . . in the presence, power, and peace of God:

“You don’t have enough faith,” Jesus told them. “I tell you the truth, if you had faith even as small as a mustard seed, you could say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there,’ and it would move. Nothing would be impossible.

Accept the invitation to faith, even as small as a mustard seed.

Move
the
mountain.

Learning with you to move mountains,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2009 All Rights Reserved)

What I Want You To Know

Question to think about: What message do you give through your words and actions?
The family came.
They gathered around the bed.
The background noise of the Intensive Care Unit intermixed with the end of life discussion.
Powerful words were issued:
"What I want you to know . . . "
The words gave reason to pause and pay attention.

Christ, God with us, came to show and tell what humanity was to know about life; however, the religious rulers refused to pause and pay attention.

The officers then came to the chief priests and Pharisees, and they said to them, "Why did you not bring Him?"
The officers answered, "Never has a man spoken the way this man speaks." The Pharisees then answered them, "You have not also been led astray, have you?
"No one of the rulers or Pharisees has believed in Him, has he? "But this crowd which does not know the Law is accursed."
(John 7:45-49, NASB)

God is present . . . revealing what we are to know . . . and in turn we have the opportunity to tell others:
Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you." (Deuteronomy 31:6, NASB)

Seek God first.
Receive and tell the Message . . . what everyone needs to know:
Be strong.
Be courageous.
Do not be afraid.
God will go with you.
God will never leave you.
God will not forsake you.
Learning with you to live out the message of what is to be known,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2009 All Rights Reserved)

Thin Place

Question to think about: Have you experienced the thin place?

Her time is short.
She has been told that her days are numbered.
Her last days
are
long,
challenging,
and
purposeful.
She knows
time is short
and speaks
carefully.
Each word is
measured,
focused on
the legacy she
leaves behind . . . purposeful living in Christ.
She is present in the presence of God.
She is in the thin place,
a sacred place,
where the presence of God
is undeniable.

How is it possible to experience the thin place? What do people miss when they are unaware of the presence of God?

People stood in the presence of Christ, God with us; however, they did not know they were in the presence of Christ:
Those in the crowd who heard these words were saying, "This has to be the Prophet." Others said, "He is the Messiah!" But others were saying, "The Messiah doesn't come from Galilee, does he? Don't the Scriptures tell us that the Messiah comes from David's line and from Bethlehem, David's village?" So there was a split in the crowd over him. Some went so far as wanting to arrest him, but no one laid a hand on him. (John 7:40-44, The Message)

They did not see the identity of Christ:
Who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.(Philippians 2:6-8, NASB)

Seek God first and foremost.
Find the thin place.
Be present in the presence of Christ.

Learning with you to live in the thin place,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2009 All Rights Reserved)

Out of Control

Question to think about: What is out of control?

Believe it or not . . . as we were driving
out in the country
two Clydesdale horses
pulling farm machinery
raced past us
on the road.
A small truck
chased after them.
No one was
guiding the horses.
The big,
strong,
horses
were out of control . . .
on their own.

It was a picture of humanity . . .
when we take matters into our own hands,
living in our own strength
and power,
going our own way.

The Spirit of God will direct us . . . if . . . we choose.

Through Christ we receive the Spirit. He spoke of the Spirit before going to the cross:
But this He spoke (of the Spirit, whom those who believed in Him were to receive; for the Spirit was not yet given, because Jesus was not yet glorified. (John 7:39, NASB)
Christ came to the disciples after He died on the cross and put in the tomb, revealing life:

21So Jesus said to them again, "Peace be with you; as the Father has sent Me, I also send you." And when He had said this, He breathed on them and said to them, "Receive the Holy Spirit. (John 20:21-22, NASB)

To those who believe:
Christ has issued peace . . . well-being and wholeness in life.
Christ sends into the world as the Father sent Him.
Christ invites to receive the Holy Spirit

Refuse to live an out-of-control life without direction or guidance.
Seek God.
Believe.
Live in and through the peace of Christ.
Respond to Christ as Christ responded to the Father.
Surrender to the guidance of the Holy Spirit.

Learning with you to live through the guidance of the Spirit,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2009 All Rights Reserved)

A New Day

Question to think about: Do you see the new day?

I visited a woman in ICU yesterday.
A few days before . . .
medical professionals fought to save her life for several hours.
At first she felt panicked; however, there was a moment in time that she received perfect peace.
While doctors and nurses worked on her . . .
she saw something more
through a window
where the light was brighter
than she had ever seen.
She described it as "a new day."
The view of the new day changed her.
As she described her experience . . .
I felt humbled,
changed,
and renewed.
Isn't it powerful to think that
regardless of circumstances,
we can look forward
to a new day,
every day,
filled with the
presence,
power,
and peace of God?

Christ brings hope. Changing our perception so that we too can see the new day.

Through Christ . . . the power of life is received:

He who believes in Me, as the Scripture said, 'From his innermost being will flow rivers of living water.'"
(John 7:38, NASB)

God has promised to guide us through the hard places of life, strengthening us, enabling us to see there is a new day:

"And the LORD will continually guide you,
And satisfy your desire in scorched places,
And give strength to your bones;
And you will be like a watered garden,
And like a spring of water whose waters do not fail. (Isaiah 58:11, NASB)

Learning with you to see the new day,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2009 All Rights Reserved)

A New Choice

Question to think about: Will you change?

He made a choice.
He chose to take a risk.
He chose to risk what he had for what he wanted.
He lost what he had.
He did not get what he wanted.
He feels like a failure.
He hates his life.
He doesn't see that anything else will work.
He keeps doing what he has been doing.
He is stuck; nothing changes.
He is afraid to change.
He feels like he will lose the little that defines his life.

How is it possible to change life?

Study John 7. The people could not see beyond what they knew. They did not understand Jesus:
Then the Jews said among themselves, Where does this Man intend to go that we shall not find Him? Will He go to the Jews who are scattered in the Dispersion among the Greeks, and teach the Greeks?
What does this statement of His mean, You will look for Me and not be able to find Me, and, Where I am, you cannot come?
Now on the final and most important day of the Feast, Jesus stood, and He cried in a loud voice, If any man is thirsty, let him come to Me and drink!
(John 7:35-37, Amplified)
Jesus interrupted the celebration of the Feast.
People could not understand that God was in their mist at the Feast. Jesus revealed Himself as the Source of water. What did the revelation mean to the people?Ceremonial pouring of water occurred during the celebration of the Feast.
Water was considered a gift in the hot, arid, desert lands. The people asked God for rain and remembered when God provided water from a rock, as their ancestors wandered in the wilderness (see Exodus 17:1-7).
It is easy to imagine the drama that occurred as Jesus announced He was the answer to their need for water during the ceremonial water pouring and prayer.
The presence of Christ, God with us, changed life for humanity. The people did not need to thirst anymore. Christ offered a new choice . . . to come to Him and drink. Christ is
the Rock
out of which
Living Water flows.
Stop.
Make a new choice.
There is not any need to thirst for something more in life.
There is more . . . choose the invitation of Christ . . .
"Come" . . .
"Drink" . . .
Experience real Life.

Learning with you to make a new choice,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2009 All Rights Reserved)

Walking Through Storms

Question to think about: How do you manage the storms?

It rained along the Oregon Coast.
Oregonians . . . true Oregonians . . . are not deterred by rain storms.
As a family, we consider ourselves to be true Oregonians . . . so we walked together in the sideways rain and the blowing wind,
enjoying the sight of the clouds hugging the mountains and the crashing waves of the gray sea disappearing into the gray stormy skies.
We walked together and watched the seagulls become stuck in the air as the wind pushed back on their attempts to fly and observed the pelicans weathering the storm by standing alone in some of the inland pools of water.
We enjoyed the storm . . . because we were together.
The thing is . . . Oregonians know that the storm will end . . . and the day will be new.

How do we survive the storms in our life?

A storm was brewing . . . individuals planned to arrest Jesus and stop Him.

Jesus began to tell the people that there was something more that would occur,
facing a crowd that could not have possibly imagined the powerful moment that God had planned for the world . . . that would change life for all of humanity:
Therefore Jesus said, For a little while I am [still] with you, and then I go back to Him Who sent Me. You will look for Me, but you will not [be able to] find Me; where I am, you cannot come.(John 7:33-34, Amplified)

Jesus promised there was not any reason to fear . . . there was a plan put into place:
DO NOT let your hearts be troubled (distressed, agitated). You believe in and adhere to and trust in and rely on God; believe in and adhere to and trust in and rely also on Me. (John 14:1, Amplified)
Jesus promised that humanity would not need to be alone:
And I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Comforter (Counselor, Helper, Intercessor, Advocate, Strengthener, and Standby), that He may remain with you forever--
The Spirit of Truth, Whom the world cannot receive (welcome, take to its heart), because it does not see Him or know and recognize Him. But you know and recognize Him, for He lives with you [constantly] and will be in you.(John 14:16-17, Amplified)
There was a purpose to the plan . . . Jesus prayed:
And now I am coming to You; I say these things while I am still in the world, so that My joy may be made full and complete and perfect in them [that they may experience My delight fulfilled in them, that My enjoyment may be perfected in their own souls, that they may have My gladness within them, filling their hearts].(John 17:13, Amplified)
Jesus broke through the power of the storms for all of humanity.
Regardless of the power of the storm that comes into our life,
we do not need to be troubled, distressed, or agitated . . .
because we have the Friend that will walk through the storms with us . . .
the Spirit of God . . .
and through it all . . .
a new work is being done . . .
that completes who we are . . .
creating peace and producing joy.

Walk through the storms of life
with the Friend . . . Who
makes all things new.

Learning with you to walk with Christ,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2009 All Rights Reserved)

The Already and Not Yet of Life

Question to think about: Do you focus on the "already" or the "not yet" of living?

They are waiting for something to happen . . . something bad to happen.
They have become accustomed to bad news.
Each day is filled with
pain,
heartache,
and
difficulties.
The thing is . . . they need something good to happen; however, they have lost faith that any good will happen now.

Is it possible to have faith that God is at work in the "already" and "not yet" of life when everything seems wrong?

We are given insight:

Therefore they were eager to arrest Him, but no one laid a hand on Him, for His hour (time) had not yet come.
And besides, many of the multitude believed in Him [adhered to Him, trusted in Him, relied on Him]. And they kept saying, When the Christ comes, will He do [can He be expected to do] more miracles and produce more proofs and signs than what this Man has done?
(John 7:20-31, Amplified)

Humanity's rejection of Christ would be used in the overall plan of God. Jesus would be arrested . . . but it was not time . . . no one laid a hand on him. Meanwhile, people came to believe in Christ.

In order to see the work of God we must take time to see
God is already at work
and
has planned for more than can be imagined,
which has not yet occurred in our life;
however,
God will
bring all things to completion.

And I am convinced and sure of this very thing, that He Who began a good work in you will continue until the day of Jesus Christ [right up to the time of His return], developing [that good work] and perfecting and bringing it to full completion in you. (Philippians 1:6, Amplified)

Step back.
Stop.
Seek God.
See the "already" and "not yet" of God.

Learning with you to trust God is at work,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2009 All Rights Reserved)

Nothing Seems To Be Working

Question to think about: Are you empowered?

They are struggling.
Actually they have spent most of their time together struggling.
No one would guess . . .
not even their children.
Throughout the years they have hidden their struggles.
Their hidden struggles have become their normal.
Except . . . it has become too hard . . .
to use all their energy . . .
to continue struggling . . .
and hiding their struggles.
Nothing is working any more.

What do we do when nothing seems to work?

Change is required. A primary component of effective change is changing our perception . . . how we view life.

We need to be honest. Do we perceive life through the power of Christ or the power of our circumstances?

John wrote of the inability of individuals to see the power of God through Jesus.

That provoked Jesus, who was teaching in the Temple, to cry out, "Yes, you think you know me and where I'm from, but that's not where I'm from. I didn't set myself up in business. My true origin is in the One who sent me, and you don't know him at all. I come from him—that's how I know him. He sent me here." (John 7:28-29, The Message)

Live empowered.
Stop struggling.
Refocus when nothing seems to be working.
Take your eyes off the circumstance.
Refuse to allow the power of the circumstance to rule your life.
Focus on Christ.
Receive the power of Christ.

Learning with you to live through the power of Christ,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2009 All Rights Reserved)

A Daily Choice

Question to think about: Do you make a daily choice of faith?

He lost his job.
He never would have changed his job.
He liked his job.
He was comfortable in his job.
He immediately sent his resume out.
He was hired.
He started his new job.
He is challenged at his new job.
He loves his new job.
He is confident that unfortunate circumstances were used as a pathway to a new beginning.
Confidence requires faith that . . .
there is something more to come
and that God has a plan
and is at work using the circumstance to create a pathway
to something new.
Hebrews 11:1 provides a definition of faith: Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen (NASB).

People lacked confidence in God. They could not imagine that God would become part of humanity
to change lives . . .
to provide a way for a personal relationship with God . . . .
to give new life.
Then again . . . it seems impossible:

That's when some of the people of Jerusalem said, "Isn't this the one they were out to kill? And here he is out in the open, saying whatever he pleases, and no one is stopping him. Could it be that the rulers know that he is, in fact, the Messiah? And yet we know where this man came from. The Messiah is going to come out of nowhere. Nobody is going to know where he comes from."
(John 7:25-27, The Message)

At the end of the day, the people would have to make the choice of faith
that God was present and at work in their midst.
Faith is a daily choice.

Make a daily chose of faith.
Stop.
Seek God first.
Surrender to the work of God.
Look through the circumstance to see that God will use it to a pathway of new beginning.

Learning with you to make a daily choice of faith,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2009 All Rights Reserved)