Showing posts with label Attitude. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Attitude. Show all posts

Friday, May 11, 2007

What Is Your Complaint?

Do all things without complaining and disputing . . . (Philippians 2:14, NKJ)

Good Morning!

In attempt to get some gas for my car, I found myself in the middle of an argument at a gas station. Apparently a customer did not agree with the price of gas and let the young attendant know it. The young attendant (the state of Oregon mandates attendants at most gas stations) tried to explain that his job was to serve customers and pump the gas; however he had nothing to do with the prices. The customer refused to listen, telling the attendant the prices did not serve the community, listing complaints which became down-right mean and accusatory.

I don’t think the complaining did any good for either individual—

The customer revved up his car’s motor and sped out of the gas station. JUST A THOUGHT . . . his actions burnt up his expensive fuel quickly. Oh well . . . no one asked me. . .

Meanwhile, back at the pumps . . . the young attendant literally shook from head to toe, obviously impacted by the discussion. I think he intended to ask how he could serve me; however, he asked, “What is your complaint?”
Poor guy . . . he was trying to do his job.

The Apostle Paul wrote a command to the early Christ followers, “Do all things without complaining and disputing . . .” Yikes! The command to do all things without complaining and disputing is huge, seemingly impossible. Humanity has argued and complained throughout the ages.

Remember the miraculous exodus from Egypt? God had freed His beloved children (Israel) from centuries of enslavement. When the tough times came, even the toughest complained. They were thirsty.
You know the drill:
I’m thirsty. . .
I want a drink of water now. . .
Even our animals are thirsty . . .
The complaining became so powerful that their leader, Moses, feared he would be stoned.
The LORD said to Moses, "Take your shepherd's staff, the one you used when you struck the water of the Nile. Then call some of the leaders of Israel and walk on ahead of the people.
I will meet you by the rock at Mount Sinai. Strike the rock, and water will come pouring out. Then the people will be able to drink." Moses did just as he was told; and as the leaders looked on, water gushed out.
Moses named the place Massah -- "the place of testing" -- and Meribah -- "the place of arguing" -- because the people of Israel argued with Moses and tested the LORD by saying, "Is the LORD going to take care of us or not?" (Exodus 17:3-7, NLT)


God provided water from the rocks and saved Moses from being beaten to death with rocks.
What if Israel had trusted?
What miracle would have occurred?

Israel’s complaints became a barrier to recognizing the power of being in a relationship with the Creator of the universe. A specific place, Meribah, became a symbol of arguing and complaining, rather than ruthless trust and peace in the provisional power of God.The episode of complaining will be remembered throughout the ages of time!

Nothing is impossible with God. With God, humanity can live without complaints and arguing.
Determine if your mindset and actions are based on dissatisfaction and/or complaints.
Be honest. What is your complaint?
Meditate on the gushing water from the rocks.
Surrender complaints through the power of the Spirit.
Ask the Spirit to provide the strength to trust God.
Trust God.

Learning with you to trust God, surrendering every complaint,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2007 All Rights Reserved)

Monday, April 23, 2007

Prerogatives Put Aside

For he, who had always been God by nature, did not cling to his prerogatives as God's equal,
(Philippians 2:6, Phillips)

Good Morning!

Currently, rain and baseball seem to be the constants of our life, which frequently merge together to provide some challenging moments. Baseball in the rain is a whole different game than in the sun. Of course, we attend the games, rain or shine, for the sake of the players.

The Apostle Paul delineated that Christ Jesus put aside his divine prerogatives for the sake of each individual of humanity:

For he, who had always been God by nature:

The Gospel of John explained the identity of Christ Jesus.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God.
He was with God in the beginning.
Through him all things were made;
without him nothing was made that has been made.
In him was life,
and that life was the light of men.
(John 1:1-4, NIV)


Jesus revealed the glory He put aside for humanity’s sake.
And now, Father,
bring me into the glory
we shared before the world began.
(John 17:5, NLT)


The author of Hebrews confirmed that the nature of Jesus
never did and never will altar or change.
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday,
today,
and forever.
( Hebrews 13:8, NKJ)


Did not cling to his prerogatives as God's equal:
Jesus stepped out of the divine heavenly realm to join humanity. He came to serve and save humanity.

Christ Jesus put aside His divine prerogatives for all of humanity.
Put aside time to give thanks to Christ and celebrate! Christ Jesus came for you!
Choose to put prerogatives aside to serve humanity for the sake of Christ Jesus.

Learning with you to put prerogatives aside to serve,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2007 All Rights Reserved)

Thursday, April 19, 2007

Interesting . . .

Let each of you esteem and look upon and be concerned for not [merely] his own interests, but also each for the interests of others. (Philippians 2:4, AMP)

Good Morning!

Believe it or not, there are times that I am at a loss for words. What do you say when someone says something that . . . well. . . makes little sense? I have learned over the years to say—Wow. . . . that is so . . . so . . . interesting. I may not understand what they said; however, I am interested in them.

Once again, the Apostle Paul said it was important to be interested in the lives of others:

Let each of you esteem and look upon and be concerned for not [merely] his own interests: A follower of Christ develops a genuine interest in others. A meaningful life occurs through refusing to be self –centered and choosing to be caring for others.

But also each for the interests of others: A component of being other-centered is to realize that humanity is the created of the Creator. The “haves” are not superior to the “have-nots” in this world; however, the mentality of humanity often assumes power, possessions, and position generates superiority.

Be interested in others today.
Listen to someone today.
Honor someone today.
Randomly bless someone today.


Learning with you to be interested in others,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2007 All Rights Reserved)

Monday, April 9, 2007

Encouraged

If then there is any encouragement in Christ . . .
(Philippians 2:1a, NRS)

Good Morning,

Do you ever watch people? Be honest. Most of us get caught up in watching others. Some of the best life lessons are learned by watching people.
I will confess, I am a bona fide people watcher.

Some of the best people watching can be found after the loss of a school baseball game. There are some who are unable to tolerate loss. They choose to discourage rather than encourage the kids. We all need encouragement.

The Apostle Paul described divine encouragement in Philippians 2:

If then there is any encouragement: In some translations the word, “therefore,” is used. The Apostle Paul referred the reader back to the first words of the letter to the Philippians. His message relayed the need to be aligned with Christ. The word, encouragement, could also be translated as consoled or comforted from the Greek word, paraklêsis. Divine encouragement is a strengthening process producing internal courage. In effect, to be encouraged is to receive inward courage (in courage).

In Christ: The Spirit of God is the Comforter drawing an individual to the Comfort, Christ Jesus.

Be encouraged through the Spirit of God.
Find comfort and courage from the Source of Comfort and Courage,
Encourage others.

Learning with you to be encouraged and to encourage others,
Kerrie

(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2007 All Rights Reserved)

Saturday, April 7, 2007

Not The "E" Key!

Don't be intimidated by your enemies.
This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed,
but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself.
(Philippians 1:28, NLT)

Good Morning,

Last night our family told stories around the dinner table. One of our favorite stories involves a young friend that cleaned his father’s computer keyboard, taking off the keys for a thorough cleaning. As he put the keyboard back together the “E” key broke. Our friend told the story of the mishap to his father.

The father asked, “Which key broke?”

Our friend answered, “The E key.”

The father’s voice rose higher and higher as he repeatedly said, “Not the E key! Not the E key!”

In the midst of discussing life challenges, the friends will cry out, “Not the E key!”

I love story-telling. I can relate to stories of real people. Actually—every day is a part of the big story of God. Dreams, disappointments, and difficulties belong to the story; however, we often are unable to understand how disappointments and difficulties can possibly be a part of the story of God. Of course, when you read the Bible—the disappointments of people are evident. The stories unfold the intervention of God as disappointments and difficulties fit into the plan of God.

The Apostle Paul gave his insights to the bigger story in Philippians 1:

Don't be intimidated by your enemies: Too often disappointments and difficulties become the enemy of living. No one wants an “E” key challenge. Let’s be honest—none of us want to be disappointed or experience difficulties. Even so, God tells us not to fear disappointments and difficulties.

This will be a sign to them that they are going to be destroyed, but that you are going to be saved, even by God himself: The story of God reveals God as the Deliverer. The plot of the story may seem to be headed into an “E” key disaster. Whatever it is, even something meant for evil, God will use for good in the big story of God.

Even when the “E” key breaks in your life—God will use disappointments and difficulties for good in His big story.

Learning with you to look at the big story instead of the “E” key,
Kerrie

(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2007 All Rights Reserved)

The Bragathon

So that I may share abundantly
in your boasting in Christ Jesus
when I come to you again.
(Philippians 1:26, NLT)


Good Morning,

A friend informed me that he had earned bragging rights. Who says that? I mean really—seriously—are you kidding? And then the bragathon began . . . you know what I mean . . . a long never-ending list of all too wonderful things to brag about. By the way, I think the word, bragathon, should be placed in Webster’s dictionary. . . .
Anyway . . . somewhere during the discourse of bragging, I wanted to join in on the bragathon. His bragging was contagious. In fact, I wanted to prove that there was some bragging in me . . . oh yeah . . . well let me tell you this . . . I have never had so much fun. Why? Because my friend bragged about all the things God has done for his family while he struggled with a life-threatening disease. I was energized and found myself bragging long after the bragathon had finished.

Truth be told, I think the Apostle Paul could seriously brag. Meditate on Philippians 1:26—he definitely initiated a bragathon:

So that I may share abundantly in your boasting in Christ Jesus: Joy overflowed from Paul’s life because he recognized the work of Christ Jesus. Life turns upside down when we realize that something was done through the power of the abiding Spirit of God.

Brag with praise and thanksgiving about the powerful work of God. Begin a bragathon.

When I come to you again:
Paul planned on coming to join the people to share the joy of God’s presence and power. There is nothing like a group of people bragging about the activity of God.

Brag with your friends. Join a bragathon.

Take time to brag about the presence of God today.
Get wild and brag about the activity of Christ.
I mean make it a bragathon.

I can’t wait for the next bragathon— really—seriously—not kidding!

Learning with you to participate in bragathons,
Kerrie

(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2007 All Rights Reserved)

Friday, April 6, 2007

Tongue Power

All day long my tongue
will talk
of your righteous help,
for those who tried to do me harm
have been put to shame and disgraced.
(Psalm 71:24, NRS)

Good Morning,

A semi-truck came too close to the rear end of my car on the freeway. To avoid my car, the truck driver braked and skidded onto the shoulder of the road. Remarkably, no one was hit or harmed. The choice must be made to either focus on the truck driver or the presence of God.

The Psalmist described the use of the tongue to activate focusing on God in a harmful environment.

All day long my tongue: The tongue is powerful, used for good and/or evil. The tongue can be utilized as a weapon. Words become ammunition. Conversely, the tongue can be surrendered to the control of the Spirit of God. The tongue becomes a tool of divine love, kindness, peace, and joy.

Will talk of your righteous help: The Psalmist made the decision to intentionally (willfully) talk of the righteous help of God. Words centered on the rightness of the character, words, and actions of God overpower words focused on the wrongs of others. In turn, our thoughts and actions are released from the wrongful words and actions of others. Our own words impact our well-being.

For those who tried to do me harm have been put to shame and disgraced: Speaking about the protective presence of God impact those who attempt to intentionally harm us as well as ourselves.

Our focus in life is revealed by the use of the tongue.
The tongue is a powerful tool used for good and/or evil

How are you using your tongue today?


Learning with you to use my tongue to talk about God,
Kerrie

(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2007 All Rights Reserved)

God Is Good All The Time

You will increase my honor,
and comfort me once again.
(Psalm 71:21, NRS)

Good Morning,

My grandfather was known for his joyful attitude irregardless of difficulties and challenges. Grandpa believed that life was good because God is good. Humanity often perceives God as good when circumstances are good.

God is good. God is good all the time.
The Psalmist recognized the infinite goodness of God in Psalm 71:

You will increase my honor: Connecting with the goodness of God completes the heart, mind, and soul. Those who acknowledge the goodness of God live an honored (principled, privileged, and valued) life.

God is good. God is good all the time.

And comfort me once again: The goodness of God is comforting in the darkness of this world. We can count on the goodness of God.

God is good. God is good all the time.

Trust God.
Pray.
God is good. God is good all the time.

Learning with you about the goodness of God:
Kerrie

(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2007 All Rights Reserved)

What Really Matters

And your righteousness, O God,
reach the high heavens.
You who have done great things,
O God, who is like you?
(Psalm 71:19, NRS)

Good Morning,

We had a surprisingly beautiful spring-like day yesterday. After weeks of stormy weather, the sun warmed the earth and the clouds parted to reveal blue skies. Most of us were glad to have relief from cold weather, snow, rain, and wind.
Isn’t it interesting how weather seems to influence our attitude and conversations?
At the end of the day what really matters?

Meditate on what mattered to the Psalmist (Psalm 71:19):

And your righteousness, O God: Yahweh (God) is infinitely righteousness, which means He is:
Complete
Perfect
Holy
We tend to think our life is complete through perfect circumstances. Surrendering to the presence of God perfectly completes our life. His righteous presence really matters.
Prayerfully ask God to complete you today through His presence.

Reach the high heavens: Yahweh (God) is unchangeable and faithful. Our circumstances change in a moment. God never changes. His righteousness always reaches the high heavens. In other words, everything about God is infinite, greater than can be imagined. The infinite presence of God really matters.
Prayerfully praise God for His infinite presence in your life.

You who have done great things: What is seen within the divine dimension of life? Would the power from the work of God look like light beams piercing through the darkness of this world? The Light of the world is constantly at work doing great things on our behalf. The work of the Light of the world really matters.
Prayerfully give thanks for the Light moving in and through your life today.

O God, who is like you: Throughout the ages humanity has attempted to find a way to be content. Only the presence of God sufficiently satisfies our needs and desires. Knowing God really matters.

Prayerfully confess nothing compares to the presence of God.
His righteousness reaches the High Heavens and the heart of humanity.
The abiding presence and work of God really matters.
Learning with you about what really matters,
Kerrie

(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2007 All Rights Reserved)