Friday, May 29, 2009

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)

Thursday, May 28, 2009

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)

Wednesday, May 27, 2009

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)

Tuesday, May 26, 2009

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)

Monday, May 25, 2009

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)

Friday, May 22, 2009

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)

Thursday, May 21, 2009

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)

Wednesday, May 20, 2009

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)

Tuesday, May 19, 2009

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)

Monday, May 18, 2009

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)

Friday, May 15, 2009

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)

Thursday, May 14, 2009

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)

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

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)

Tuesday, May 12, 2009

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)

Monday, May 11, 2009

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)

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

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)

Monday, May 4, 2009

"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)