Where in the world are you?

Question to think about: Are you in the right place?

I took a short-cut and turned on a country road at the same time a road construction crew was setting up detour signs. Timing is everything! So, I followed the detour signs and ended up where I didn't want to be . . . and then the adventure began . . .

There are detours in life.
Detours direct us away from our destination.
We end up somewhere else.
How do we determine if we are in the right place? How do we know if we should stay or go?
The answer can be formed in a question: Is God present?
It happened in the ancient days.
The people had been in the presence of Christ, God with us
. . . receiving words of life
. . . experiencing Life
. . . energized
. . . satisfied as Jesus took all they had and made it more than enough.
They remained in the place of the miracle.
But . . .
Christ was not present.
The place must have felt empty and void of Life.
They saw the difference and wanted to go where Jesus and the disciples were:
Several boats from Tiberias landed near the place where the Lord had blessed the bread and the people had eaten. So when the crowd saw that neither Jesus nor his disciples were there, they got into the boats and went across to Capernaum to look for him. (John 6:23-24, Amplified)
Where in the world are you?
How can we be in the presence of God when there are so many distractions and detours in this world?

We are told:

Do not be afraid or discouraged,
for the Lord will personally go ahead of you.
He will be with you;
he will neither fail you nor abandon you.”
(Deuteronomy 31:8, NLT)

Commit to being in the presence of God.
Refuse to be detoured by fear or discouragement.
Follow Christ . . . go where Christ is . . . have faith that Christ will never fail or abandon you.
Learning with you to be in the presence of God,
Shalom,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2009 All Rights Reserved)

Margin

Question to think about: Do you have margin?

Time often dictates how we live. In our culture, people tend to rush through the day without leaving margin to experience life. Margin is the created space in life that allows breathing room. Without margin life becomes a race at a high speed pace.

Without margin, we are absorbed with what we have to do and miss Life. Look at what happened to the people who were left on the other side of the sea . . . they could not figure out what had happened:

The next day the crowd [that still remained] standing on the other side of the sea realized that there had been only one small boat there, and that Jesus had not gone into it with His disciples, but that His disciples had gone away by themselves.John 6:212, Amplified)
The people failed to be aware of what Jesus was doing.
Too often we know Christ is present but we fail to be aware of the work of Christ, God with us.
The whole point to living is to be fully engaged in an active ongoing relationship with Christ . . . to listen and to go where Christ is going . . . to experience the work of Christ in and through our life . . . which requires margin.
STOP!
Become aware of the presence of Christ.
Determine to slow your pace with margin in the day.
Experience Life.

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

Stuck

Question to think about: When do you invite Christ to participate?

My friend oversees many employees. Her organization is struggling with the current economic issues. There is a possibility of some lay-offs. It will be her job to decide who stays and who leaves. The stress on her and the employees markedly increases every day . . . decreasing the energy and motivation . .. creating an unpleasant work environment . . . impacting the production rate . . . making lay-offs more of a reality. My friend feels stuck in a hard place.

Something needs to change. What can change when life becomes difficult?

Look at the disciples.
They knew what to do as
experienced fisherman
understanding the ways of
the sea
whether in blue skies and calm waters or
during dark stormy days.
They learned to manage
high winds and stormy waters;
however,
they left without Jesus
and
were caught in the dark
during a storm.
The storm raged
and the disciples were stuck in the boat.
Jesus came.
They were willing and glad to have the presence of Christ, God with us.
Jesus got into their boat.
They were able to steer the boat
to where they had been headed
and immediately arrived
safely to the other side:
Then they were quite willing and glad for Him to come into the boat. And now the boat went at once to the land they had steered toward. [And immediately they reached the shore toward which they had been slowly making their way.]John 6:21, Amplified)

Immediately . . . life changed with Jesus in the boat . . . and the disciples were able to get where they were supposed to go.
Is there something not working in life?
Is there a storm brewing?
Stop.
Invite Jesus into the boat . . . the way you think, speak, and act.
Ask God to guide you to where you are going.

Learning with you to invite Christ to guide the way,
Shalom,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2009 All Rights Reserved)

Are you in the boat?

Question to think about: When do you get into the boat?

An individual told me that she and many of her friends often use their cell phones to record moments throughout the day and night. We talked about the need to be mindful of people's privacy. It made me think. What if people were able to access and record all of my private thoughts, words, and actions throughout the day? What would be found?

With technology advances . . . it isn't out of the realm of reality to be able to access our private life. The thing is . . . there is nothing hidden from God. Nothing.
Thoughts are known.
Words are heard.
Actions are seen.
Even so, there is a lack of awareness of the presence of God. The disciples did what we often do:
The disciples separated themselves from Christ, God with us. They got into the boat and left without Christ. A storm came. Jesus walked on the stormy seas and approached the boat.
[However] when they had rowed three or four miles, they saw Jesus walking on the sea and approaching the boat. And they were afraid (terrified). But Jesus said to them, It is I; be not afraid! [I AM; stop being frightened!](John 6:19-20, Amplified)

The disciples left . . . God knew what they were doing.
The disciples were in a storm . . . God knew their exact position . . . in the darkness . . . in the stormy seas.
We perceive we are alone.
We fail to invite God into our thoughts, words, and actions. You might say we get into the boat without Christ.
And . . . then a storm comes.
Fear comes when we separate from the presence of God.
We experience aloneness, emotional pain, stress, distress, depression, and oppression from fear.
God is present.
God knows exactly where we are mentally, emotionally, physically, and spiritually. God comes to us in our need.

Stop.
Ask God to reveal the thoughts, words, and actions that you have put in the boat without the presence of Christ, God with us.
Wait on God.


Learning with you to wait rather than to get into the boat,
Shalom,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2009 All Rights Reserved)

The Failure to Wait

Question to think about: Are you willing to wait?

In the Western world we spend a lot of time waiting. We wait in traffic, in grocery store lines, and in drive-thru lines, while commercials interrupt programs we are watching, for medical tests to be completed, and for our pay check to arrive. We even wait in "waiting rooms" at a doctor's office. The thing is . . . waiting is a challenge for must of us . . . we want to be action takers.

Waiting gives us time to think . . . to strategize . . . to make wise decisions . . . in the presence of God. Waiting on God is the process of trust.

The story of failing to wait is part of our story:
The disciples, those who followed Christ, God with us, participated in the miracle of feeding thousands of people with a small amount of food.
They knew that that thousands of people were hungry.
They realized that there was only five loaves of bread and two fish available.
They watched Jesus bless the little bit of food.
They served the food to the people.
They saw all the people eat.
They collected left-overs.
They must have been over-the-top-excited to see the miracle of "more than enough."
Then it was over.
Jesus withdrew.
The crowd went home.
The day was done:
Now when evening came, His disciples went down to the sea, got into the boat, and went over the sea toward Capernaum. And it was already dark, and Jesus had not come to them. Then the sea arose because a great wind was blowing. (John 6:16-18, Amplified)
The energy and vitality of the day seemed to have disappeared. The skies darkened as night replaced day. Apparently, the disciples did what they knew to do. They got into the boat and went over the sea without Jesus. John does not say why they left without Jesus. But they did. Then a storm came.
The disciples had participated with the work of Jesus, experiencing a power that could not be adequately described. Even so, they missed the point . . . and did not wait for Jesus. They went about their business, doing what they knew to do . . . without Jesus.

How often do we get impatient, fail to wait, and go about our business?
How often do we try to figure out what we need to do without the presence, power, and wisdom of God?

Stop.
Wait before you begin the business of your day.
Seek to be in the energetic strength and power of God.
Experience the power of waiting.

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

Withdraw

Question to think about: Do you withdraw?

Many people seem to be overcome with the pressures of life.
There is too much to do . . . to worry about . . . to balance.
Daily details.
Decisions.
Relationships.
Health.
Finances.
Home.
Work.
Life.
How is it possible to manage it all?
Jesus demonstrated one of the components to managing pressure:
Then Jesus, knowing that they meant to come and seize Him that they might make Him king, withdrew again to the hillside by Himself alone. (John 6:15, Amplified)
The people witnessed a miracle.
It seemed clear that Jesus could do something that could change the way people were living.
The people were ready for change.
They wanted a leader to take charge.
Jesus withdrew.
Most leadership how-to-guides fail to talk about the value of withdrawing.
Withdrawing is not the same as retreating.
Withdrawing provides the way to renew and rejuvenate.
Withdrawing provides the opportunity to become quiet . . . to become still . . . to know God . . . to be present in the presence, power, and peace of God.

The Message reiterates the prayer of what can occur when we become still and know the presence of Christ:

"That's why, when I heard of the solid trust you have in the Master Jesus and your outpouring of love to all the followers of Jesus, I couldn't stop thanking God for you—every time I prayed, I'd think of you and give thanks. But I do more than thank. I ask—ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory—to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for his followers, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him—endless energy, boundless strength!" (Ephesians 1:15-19, The Message)

Take time to withdraw.
Become still and know God.
Know the presence of Christ.
Focus and be clear about the way of Christ.
Renew your mind, heart, and soul through the presence of Christ.
Receive the immensity of the glorious way of life that God has given.
Remember the extravagant work of Christ in you.
Renew in the presence of Christ.
Rejuvenate through the endless energy and boundless strength of Christ.

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

The Picture of Hope

Question to think about: Does your life reveal hope?

I talked with an individual yesterday that needed hope. Hope is necessary to press on. Without hope, life is dark and appears impossible. Hope brings light and the view of possibilities when life seems to have come to a dead-end.

How do we receive hope?
And, how do we bring hope to people when life seems hopeless?

We need real hope rather than feel-better-greeting-card words.
There is real hope when the message comes from God.

What does the message of God look like?
The book of John, found in the New Testament, gives us pictures of hope. Think about the miracle described in John 6.
Picture thousands of people gathered to hear the words of Jesus.
The people were hungry.
Food was gathered.
Five loaves of bread.
Two fish.
Jesus took the loaves and fish.
Jesus gave thanks.
The disciples served the food.
The people ate until they were full.
The leftovers were collected.

The picture describes hope:
When the people saw him do this miraculous sign, they exclaimed, “Surely, he is the Prophet we have been expecting!” John 6:14, New Living Translation)

Why would people have thought that Christ, God with us, was a prophet?
What is a prophet?
• Prophet in the Hebrew language could be translated as “one called of God.”
• The Old Testament prophets relayed the plan of God through a personal encounter with God.
• To prophesy does not necessarily mean to make predictions about a circumstance or the future but to bring a message from God.
• Simply put, a prophet speaks the Word of God to reveal something about the plan of God.

Jesus gave the message of hope through demonstration and words.
In Matthew 19:26, the words of hope are recorded:
Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible" (NIV).
The picture of five loaves and two fish feeding thousands of people depicts the words that "with God all things are possible."

Become still.
Picture the message of hope.
Meditate on the words of hope: "All things are possible with God."

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

The Road to Freedom

Question to think about: Are you free?

History in the making is rarely noticed until we look backwards in time. There is an enormous sense of the events of the past colliding with the events of today.
November 19, 1863 in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania: President Abraham Lincoln said, " . . . this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom."
The civil war divided the United States but the right for all Americans to be free had been determined. It has been a long road to freedom and yet today . . .
January 20, 2009 in Washington D.C.: The first African-American president of the United States begins as 44th president with the theme of "a new birth of freedom."

There is a need in the heart of humanity to be free of the things that oppress, devalue, and take away the created purpose of God. The idea of freedom is different than the experience of freedom.

Christ, God with us, chose the road to the cross, providing the way for all of humanity to experience complete freedom. But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. And we, who with unveiled faces all reflect the Lord's glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:16-18, New International Version)

Meditate on the words: "Where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom."
Are you free to do what God has created you to do?
Are you completely free?
Travel the road of freedom that leads to the cross where . . .
Oppression is removed.
Freedom is received.
Transformation occurs.

Learning with you to keep on the road of freedom,
Shalom,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2009 All Rights Reserved)

There is More

Question to think about: Do you have faith that there is more in life than your experience?

This is the 80th anniversary of celebrating Martin Luther King's birthday. He took a risk in thinking, speaking, and taking action in belief that there was more to life than what had been his experience. He believed in freedom for all people without the constraint or limitations of racial injustice . . . something more . . .

In his acceptance speech of the Nobel Prize for peace Dr. King said:

This faith can give us courage to face the uncertainties of the future. It will give our tired feet new strength as we continue our forward stride toward the city of freedom. When our days become dreary with low-hovering clouds and our nights become darker than a thousand midnights, we will know that we are living in the creative turmoil of a genuine civilization struggling to be born.
Dr. Martin Luther King
Acceptance speech of the Nobel Prize for Peace
December 10, 1964
Oslo, Norway

Dr. King believed that there was something more in life.
Christ, God with us, revealed the reality of something more in life.
Thousands of people were hungry.
Only one had food, a little boy.
Nothing much.
Five loaves, two fish.
Not enough for a crowd.
But there was more than enough:
“After everyone was full, Jesus told his disciples, “Now gather the leftovers, so that nothing is wasted.” So they picked up the pieces and filled twelve baskets with scraps left by the people who had eaten from the five barley loaves.(John 6:12-13, NLT)

There was more than enough. Nothing was wasted. The thing is . . . we often become so immersed in our circumstances . . . so absorbed with our personal need . . . that we see the impossibilities rather than the possibilities, constrained by our limitations and inability to see more.

In the reality of the presence of Christ . . . there is more.
Stop.
Breathe.
Become aware of the presence of Christ, God with us.
Believe there is more in Christ.
Act on your belief.

Learning with you to believe there is more,
Shalom,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2009 All Rights Reserved)

Seriously . . . do you know your position on this?

Question to think about: What position do you take?

Listening to some friends discuss their political positions was . . . well . . . interesting . . . intense . . . opinionated . . . and draining. It seemed to me that no one would possibly be persuaded to change their personal position on issues. But . . . no one seemed to care . . . they were passionately determined to give the most minute-detailed reasons that their position had to be the right position.

When you down to it . . . knowing our position on issues with passion occurs when we are engaged with what is going on in this world. Ultimately, the position of our heart impacts every area of our life. If, we are willing to do what Christ tells us to do then we must surrender. Easy to say . . . but not so easy to do.

Look at what happened to the followers that positioned themselves as Christ asked. The scene had been set. One little boy had two loaves and five fish in a crowd of thousands of hungry people:

“Tell everyone to sit down,” Jesus said. So they all sat down on the grassy slopes. (The men alone numbered about 5,000.) Then Jesus took the loaves, gave thanks to God, and distributed them to the people. Afterward he did the same with the fish. And they all ate as much as they wanted.(John 6:10-11, NLT)

Unpack the passage and think about what it means in every day life:
Jesus told the disciples to tell everyone to sit down.
Jesus took the bread . . . gave thanks . . . and distributed the bread.
(Also: Jesus took the fish . . . gave thanks . . . and distributed the fish.)
They all ate . . . as much as they wanted.

An incredible . . . downright miracle occurred . . . but what would have happened if they had not paid attention to Christ?
What if the disciples would have refused to do what Christ said?
What if the people would not have sat down?
What if they would have stood up and started worrying and complaining about the circumstance?

Experiencing the work of Christ requires a position of surrender and trust which requires us to change the position of self-centeredness, stress, and/or fear. It is not easy to change our position. That said, something more than can ever be imagined occurs when we position ourselves with Christ.
Sit down . . . surrender.
Give thanks for what God is going to do with what you have.
Receive the provision of God . . . it is more than enough.

Learning with you to take the position of surrender,
Shalom,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2009 All Rights Reserved)

There Is A Solution

Question to think about: How do you impact the people around you when there is a problem?

I have a friend that generates energy in others. He filters life issues through the principle that if there is a problem there is a solution. So, he pursues the solution and leaves the problem behind. The thing is . . . he is fairly unusual . . . we live in a time where people tend to be problem-oriented . . . draining the energy of others . . . dragging people away from a solution . . . generating anxiety and stress.

The disciples were stumped when Jesus asked them how to feed the huge crowd. Andrew tried to explain the impossibility:
Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter's brother, spoke up, "Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?" (John 6:8, NLT)

Though it was known that Jesus performed miracles . . . no one asked Jesus: "What are your thoughts on this?" No one discussed the possibility of a miracle . . . the intervention of God in human affairs . . . or expressed excitement that there could be a miraculous solution.
Did they think the problem was too big for Christ to make a difference?
Look what Deuteronomy 32:6 tells us what to do and why:
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"
There is not an option to be afraid or terrified in any circumstance. We are told to be strong and courageous. At the end of the day, God will be present and be a part of the problems we face . . . always!

Stop.
Invite God into your circumstances.
Refuse to fear . . . often revealed in stress and stress reactions.
Be strong.
Be courageous.
Be aware of the presence of God.

Learning with you that there is a solution,
Shalom,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2009 All Rights Reserved)

Facing A Problem

Question to think about: What do you do when you face a problem?

The forecast in our area includes heavy rains, high winds, floods, and avalanches. When a storm was coming, my grandfather used to say, "Grab your hat and hang on!" My grandfather always had a positive attitude through the storms of life. While he certainly saw the glass half full rather than half empty . . . his attitude came from knowing that God was present . . . he consciously chose to trust God regardless of the challenges.

Look at the day that John described. Jesus and the disciples faced a problem:
Jesus soon saw a great crowd of people climbing the hill, looking for him. Turning to Philip, he asked, "Philip, where can we buy bread to feed all these people?"
He was testing Philip, for he already knew what he was going to do.
Philip replied, "It would take a small fortune to feed them!"
(John 6:5-7, NLT)

Philip could not see a solution, only problems.

The thing is . . . Jesus was present . . . the activity and work of Jesus was not hindered by the problems . . . in fact . . . the problems became a way to reveal the power, provision, and peace of Christ, God with us.

What problems do you face?
Invite Christ into the problem.
Be aware of the presence of Christ.
Ask Christ to guide you.
Trust Christ.
Follow the way of Christ.
There is something more to see and experience in the presence of Christ.
Learning with you to face problems with trust,
Shalom,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2009 All Rights Reserved)

Ready for more . . .

Question to think about: What is your focus?

In regard to the US economy, a politician commented that the goal was to "just make it through this time." In reality, daily life is often managed with the same mind-set. There are ramifications to living this way. At the end of the day, the fullness of life is missed when the focus is nothing more than making it through each hour.

How do we focus on God?
Stop. Become still . . . stop thinking about what has to be done and become aware of the presence of God ("Be still and know that I am God" Psalm 46:10, NIV).

John described a moment in time when individuals stopped their "doing" and sat in the presence of Christ:
Then Jesus climbed a hill and sat down with his disciples around him. (John 6:3, NLT)

The above verse is included in a description of a busy, people-filled, miraculous day . . . and, yet . . . Christ stopped and sat down with those who wanted to learn . . . disciples.

This verse reveals that when we stop . . . take a break from the normal activities . . . and sit down to be in the presence of God . . . that Christ, God with us, not only shows up but sits beside us.

If, God, who created the universe, is willing and wanting to spend time with us . . . then, why wouldn't it be the first thing we do?

What would happen if our focus was completely on God?

Would something more occur in our life?

Read John 6 . . . there is more to the day.

Refuse to "just get through" the day.
Focus on God.
Stop.
Become still.
Be aware of the presence of God.
Be ready for more . . .
Learning with you to be ready for more . . .
Shalom,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2009 All Rights Reserved)

Today's Miracle

Question to think about: If . . . you could have a miracle today . . . what would it be?

We go back to routine today. Routine is helpful after we have experienced several schedule changes from snow, ice, and of course the holidays. Routine produces stability and helps to develop a healthy rhythm of life. But . . . at the same time doing something random or being surprised . . . infuses energy into the day . . . and is just plain old fun.

Some individuals will begin this New Year grieving, ill, fearful, hopeless . . . dreading what the day will bring. Routine no longer exists. The day will seem trying and difficult. A miracle is needed.

Everyone needs a miracle. People followed Jesus because of miracles. The scene is described in John 6:

Some time after this, Jesus crossed to the far shore of the Sea of Galilee (that is, the Sea of Tiberias), and a great crowd of people followed him because they saw the miraculous signs he had performed on the sick.(John 6:1-2, NIV)

People followed Jesus because they were attracted by miracles.
Did the people want to get to know Jesus?
Did they want to have a relationship with Jesus?
Were they mostly interested in what Jesus could do for them?
Well, duh . . . of course . . . they were interested in what Jesus could do . . . who wouldn't be?
Seriously . . . miracles attract humanity. Webster’s defines a miracle as: "An extraordinary event manifesting divine intervention in human affairs."

When you get down to it . . . having a relationship with God is a miracle . . . it is an extraordinary event that changes all human affairs.
Get ready for more than routine today.
Seek God first.
Participate in the activity of God.
Give thanks for the miracle of knowing God.
Learning with you to see the miracle of the day,
Shalom,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2009 All Rights Reserved)