InterActive

He was in the world, and the world came into being through him; yet the world did not know him. (John 1:10, NRS)

I talked with an individual that believed in a higher power but could not understand the reality of a personal relationship with God. Humanity often views God in the abstract rather than up close and personal. John wrote that humanity did not understand that the creator of the universe had joined humanity. Throughout the ages, there has been a struggle to fully comprehend that the God of the universe is not just a higher power but intimately interactive with humanity.

Christ, God with us, has provided the way to personally interact and encounter God. Christ revealed the personal presence of God that the Psalmist wrote about:

2 You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from far.
3 You search out my path and my lying down, and are acquainted with all my ways.
4 Even before a word is on my tongue, O LORD, you know it completely. (Psalm 139, NRS)

Be aware of the personal presence of God.
Encounter God and seek a stronger intimacy on a daily basis.
InterAct with God in your thoughts, behavior, words, and actions.

Learning with you of that God is interactive in every thought, behavior, word, and action,
Shalom,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2008 All Rights Reserved)

Daily Details

The true light, which enlightens everyone, was coming into the world. (John 1:9, NRS)

Too often we only see life through what we are experiencing in the moment. And, sometimes it seems too difficult to do anything else. That said, humanity has been given the capacity to develop a perspective that encompasses what has been, what is in the moment, and what could be. The daily details change when we develop a greater perspective.

In his writing, John told the story of Christ, the true (authentic) light, entering the world as part of humanity. The story begins before the birth of Christ, in an era that nobody had any idea of what was about to take place. Perspective changes when we look back and see more of the picture.

The coming of Christ into humanity has revealed the kind of relationship God desires to have with humanity. It is a day in and day out, participative relationship, which includes the details. Everything changes, even the darkest moments, when we invite the true Light into the daily details of life.

Stop.
Take a breath.
Ask Christ to enter into the details of your life.
Look beyond what is seen in the moment and seek the true Light to enlighten you.
Refuse to react on your own ability but rather respond through the power of Christ.
Learning with you that Christ wants to participate in the daily details,
Shalom,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2008 All Rights Reserved)

Clarity

In him was life, and the life was the light of all people. (John 1:4, NLT)

I talked with an individual who had been struggling with a difficult situation. After a significant time of praying . . . there was clarity . . . not everything was clear . . . but it was clear what needed to be done.

How do you and I find that kind of clarity?

Light and life are frequently interconnected in John's writing. The culture understood light to be revelation. In the Old Testament, light often referred to instruction and guidance. The Psalmist wrote:

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.
(Psalm 119:105, NRS)?

What does the image of light mean in this era?

In this time of history, we have learned that there is enormous power generated to turn on the lights of a home. The "haves" of this world may not think about the power behind the flip of a switch; however, I think we are becoming more conscious of the energy that is required to turn on a light bulb.

To turn this around, think about the incredible power of the Spirit that illuminates the truth, instructing and guiding you and I through life. When we live in the Light, we are living in power that is beyond our comprehension.

Have you ever struggled with how you were going to manage something in your life?
Have you prayed and sought the wisdom of God?
Have you experienced the switch from confusion to clarity?
If you answered yes . . . your mind and heart were empowered with the presence of the Spirit bringing light into your life.

The Spirit of God brings light into our mind as we seek clarity.
The process of prayer, meditation, and counsel are components of attaining clarity through the Light.

Seek God.
Pray.
Meditate on the Word of God.
Receive counsel.
Give thanks for the power that produces divine clarity.
Learning with you to find clarity,
Shalom,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2008 All Rights Reserved)

A Good Day

All things came into being through him, and without him not one thing came into being. (John 1:3, NRS)

Sunny days are always welcome in our area. Yesterday was no exception. I enjoyed watching people enjoy the sun. As I wove through country roads there seemed to be more activity than usual. There were children playing outside, people working in their yards, bikers along the road, and convertibles out. Turns out, a sunny day is a good day in our neck of the woods.

When even a weather change makes a difference, it is easier to understand how circumstances dictate our well-being. John writes a concept about life that goes beyond the power of circumstances:

All of life comes from God. In other words, we need to understand that the most basic part of our existence, which is what gives us life, comes from God.

When we take stock of our day, the very first thing is to realize we are living today because of the life God has given. Secondly, we are to live well, regardless of the circumstances, because we have received life. Receiving life makes today a good day.

God has given you and I life today.
It is a good day.
Give thanks for the life you have received today.
Take time to enjoy life.
. . . it is a good day.
Learning with you that it is a good day,
Shalom,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2008 All Rights Reserved)

Light Overcomes Darkness

The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it (John 1:5, NRS)

I spent some time with individuals harmed by someone they trusted. Some people become so consumed with their own life that they do not give a thought to what they are doing to others. Conversely, there are individuals who intentionally want others to experience pain. Whatever the reason, the pain is created out of darkness.

John writes a promise that humanity can hold onto: Light overpowers darkness. Light shines into the darkness. The darkness does not hide the light. Christ, the Light of the world, brings us into the Light with sustaining power that will overcome.

While simple, it is a promise of hope for all of humanity: Light overcomes darkness.

Refuse to be in darkness.
Walk in the Light.
Stay in the Light.
Learning with you that Light overcomes darkness,
Shalom,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2008 All Rights Reserved)

Life Goes Wrong

Therefore I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities for the sake of Christ; for whenever I am weak, then I am strong. (2 Corinthians 12:10, NRS)

I listen to people that explain how life goes wrong. The list of how life goes wrong never seems to end. Usually, the outcome brings significant challenges which includes some form of loss, such as a relationship, health, and finances. There are elements of fear and faith within each individual.

Paul continually illustrated the tension we experience in this world throughout all of his writings. He listed things that occur when life goes wrong in 2 Corinthians 12:10 ending with a life-changing principle: "Whenever I am weak, then I am strong."
This principle works in every circumstance, including times when life goes wrong.

Any circumstance can be endured because of the empowering presence of God.

So, I receive for myself and give this prayer to you:
I pray that, according to the riches of his glory, he may grant that you may be strengthened in your inner being with power through his Spirit (Ephesians 1:16, NRS)

Learning with you to learn how to live when life goes wrong,
Shalom,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2008 All Rights Reserved)

Clay Jar

But we have this treasure in clay jars, so that it may be made clear that this extraordinary power belongs to God and does not come from us. (2 Corinthians 4:7)

Significant people, the ones that make a lasting mark on this earth, usually do great things in the midst of adversity. I have a friend that has spent a significant amount of time battling for his life. Cancer has been a personal battle for several years; however, his focus is serving others. His service is his legacy.

How do we live beyond adversity?

As Paul wrote the second letter to the Corinthian church, he described his body as a clay jar. Despite the constraints of his marred and easily broken clay jar, Paul experienced power through the abiding presence of God that enabled him to live out his life in service.

Meditate on Paul's epiphany (realization):

Of this gospel I have become a servant according to the gift of God's grace that was given me by the working of his power. (Ephesians 3:7, NRS)
But he said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for power is made perfect in weakness." So, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. (2 Corinthians 12:9, NRS)

Clay jars are weak and easily broken, but through the power of God, it is possible to leave a legacy that impacts others. The power of God enables us to carry out a life of service regardless of constraints, obstacles, and adversity. It comes down to a choice. Will we be held captive by the weakness of the clay jar or liberated and empowered by the power of God within the clay jar?

Leave a legacy that matters.
Refuse to be dictated by the limitations of the clay jar.
Consciously choose to experience the liberation and power of God within the clay jar each day.
Learning with you to refuse to be limited by the clay jar,
Shalom,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2008 All Rights Reserved)