. . . They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint. (Isaiah 40:31b, NLT)
Life can seem impossible, especially when there has been great loss. How does anyone move forward after experiencing the death of a loved one? For that matter, how does an individual continue on with life when they have been told they have limited time? Or, how does someone move forward after losing their job, their home, and the list goes on . . .
We can try to go forward on our own; however, eventually we lose our strength and even desire. The only way to truly have the ability to move forward when there is loss is to receive the infusing strength of God.
We are told that when we are weak that God will make us strong:
But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. (2 Corinthians 12:9, NIV)
The promise of this verse is one to remember through the word, "is."
The grace of God IS sufficient . . . meaning it IS present right now and IS enough for whatever we are facing.
The power of God IS made perfect in weakness . . . as our need is surrendered to God we open ourselves up to the power that penetrates our need giving strength to not only move forward but to be restored.
Isaiah explains:
Wait on the Lord and receive a strength that is beyond what is possible on our own strength. The strength of God infuses our inner being and gives us strength to fly high on wings like eagles, run and not grow weary, walk and not be faint.
What do we have to do to fly like eagles? Receive the grace of God today. Grace is undeserved . . . we can't earn it . . . but the grace of God IS present today and sufficient.
Receive the grace of God, which IS sufficient for our needs.
Surrender to the power of God, which IS made perfect in our weakness.
Fly high on wings like eagles.
Learning with you to fly like eagles,
Shalom,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2008 All Rights Reserved)
31 But those who wait on the LORD will find new strength. They will fly high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.
Monday, March 31, 2008
Friday, March 28, 2008
Wait
Even youths will faint and be weary, and the young will fall exhausted;
but those who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength . . .(Isaiah 40:29-30a, NRS)a
I receive lists of prayer requests that involve important life matters. The outcome of the prayer will be crucial to how the rest of life will proceed. Most of these prayer requests require waiting.
Waiting is difficult. The process of waiting either produces anxiety or trust. In the end we must measure what matters in the process of life.
Does waiting matter?
The right answer would be that the process of waiting does matter when we use the time to trust God. Even so, most of us would prefer not to wait when it comes to the true matters of life. Seriously, wouldn't you rather immediately trust and skip the waiting?
When you get down to it . . . there is a component of trust that requires waiting. It occurs when we have done all that we can do and the only thing left to do is trust that God is working on our behalf with perfect timing.
Isaiah allows us to see waiting from an inside-out position: Those who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength.
Wait.
Wait and refuse to be anxious.
Wait and trust God.
Wait and believe God is working.
Wait and be strengthened.
Learning with you to wait,
Shalom,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2008 All Rights Reserved)
but those who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength . . .(Isaiah 40:29-30a, NRS)a
I receive lists of prayer requests that involve important life matters. The outcome of the prayer will be crucial to how the rest of life will proceed. Most of these prayer requests require waiting.
Waiting is difficult. The process of waiting either produces anxiety or trust. In the end we must measure what matters in the process of life.
Does waiting matter?
The right answer would be that the process of waiting does matter when we use the time to trust God. Even so, most of us would prefer not to wait when it comes to the true matters of life. Seriously, wouldn't you rather immediately trust and skip the waiting?
When you get down to it . . . there is a component of trust that requires waiting. It occurs when we have done all that we can do and the only thing left to do is trust that God is working on our behalf with perfect timing.
Isaiah allows us to see waiting from an inside-out position: Those who wait for the LORD shall renew their strength.
Wait.
Wait and refuse to be anxious.
Wait and trust God.
Wait and believe God is working.
Wait and be strengthened.
Learning with you to wait,
Shalom,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2008 All Rights Reserved)
Wednesday, March 26, 2008
Place of Need
He gives power to the faint, and strengthens the powerless. (Isaiah 40:28, NRS)
If I didn't have a personal relationship with God, I would. I have the opportunity to meet with people who face difficult and downright horrible experiences. And, yet, they are able to persevere and move through the circumstance with unrelenting hope and faith.
How do they do it? Simply put, God meets an individual in their place of need.
How is it possible to meet God, who is beyond what humanity can fully comprehend?
Humanity often defines God through limited comprehension and abilities. Ummm. . . the thing is . . . we think in terms of time and space, which God transcends. So, we struggle understanding that God comes into our defined time and space, allowing us to participate and interact in a personal relationship with the all-powerful Creator of the universe.
How does God meet us in our time and space?
We, fragile as a clay pot is fragile, are promised that difficult circumstances will not crush us, drive us to depair, leave us forsaken, or destroy us because of the life of Christ abiding within our being. God meets us in our place of need:
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. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair;persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies. (2 Corinthians 4:7-10, NRS)
Isaiah states the concept in a succinct way: He gives power to the faint, and strengthens the powerless.
So, how do we receive God in our place of need?
It is a choice to receive the unmeasured grace of Christ, who actively works in and through our life with power that is beyond comprehension. When we invite Christ into our life, including our experiences, God will meet us in our place of need:
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)
Receive the Apostle Paul's prayer for Christ-followers to meet God at their place of need:
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, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.(Ephesians 3:16-21, NRS)
Remain open to the work of God at the place of your need.
Acknowledge your weakness and the strength of the presence of Christ.
Experience the power of Christ in the place of your need.
Learning with you to receive Christ at the place of need,
Shalom,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2008 All Rights Reserved)
If I didn't have a personal relationship with God, I would. I have the opportunity to meet with people who face difficult and downright horrible experiences. And, yet, they are able to persevere and move through the circumstance with unrelenting hope and faith.
How do they do it? Simply put, God meets an individual in their place of need.
How is it possible to meet God, who is beyond what humanity can fully comprehend?
Humanity often defines God through limited comprehension and abilities. Ummm. . . the thing is . . . we think in terms of time and space, which God transcends. So, we struggle understanding that God comes into our defined time and space, allowing us to participate and interact in a personal relationship with the all-powerful Creator of the universe.
How does God meet us in our time and space?
We, fragile as a clay pot is fragile, are promised that difficult circumstances will not crush us, drive us to depair, leave us forsaken, or destroy us because of the life of Christ abiding within our being. God meets us in our place of need:
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. We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair;persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed; always carrying in the body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be made visible in our bodies. (2 Corinthians 4:7-10, NRS)
Isaiah states the concept in a succinct way: He gives power to the faint, and strengthens the powerless.
So, how do we receive God in our place of need?
It is a choice to receive the unmeasured grace of Christ, who actively works in and through our life with power that is beyond comprehension. When we invite Christ into our life, including our experiences, God will meet us in our place of need:
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)
Receive the Apostle Paul's prayer for Christ-followers to meet God at their place of need:
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, and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith, as you are being rooted and grounded in love. I pray that you may have the power to comprehend, with all the saints, what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
Now to him who by the power at work within us is able to accomplish abundantly far more than all we can ask or imagine, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.(Ephesians 3:16-21, NRS)
Remain open to the work of God at the place of your need.
Acknowledge your weakness and the strength of the presence of Christ.
Experience the power of Christ in the place of your need.
Learning with you to receive Christ at the place of need,
Shalom,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2008 All Rights Reserved)
Tuesday, March 25, 2008
Life Has Never Been The Same
Have you not known? Have you not heard? The LORD is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He does not faint or grow weary; his understanding is unsearchable. (Isaiah 40:28, NRS)
One individual told me mornings used to be spent in utter chaos, no one paid attention to one another. The goal was to get out the door and down the road. They would give a quick kiss, a slurred, "loveya," and slam the door as they rushed away from home. An accident occurred . . . life has never been the same.
Story after story is recorded about the people that were distracted and focused on things that did not matter in the end. They eventually they lost their love for God, the Source of life. Then in 586 B.C. . . . life changed . . . Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem . . . burned the Temple . . . invaded the land . . . killed . . . enslaved . . . drove the people from their homes . . . life would never be the same. The story changed . . . they realized that they were created to be in a continual ongoing relationship with the Creator, the Source of Life, God.
Isaiah brings perspective to life:
The LORD is the everlasting God:
Take time to focus on the presence and power of God in your life.
Awareness of the presence of God requires intentionality. The effort to recognize His presence changes how we perceive and manage life. Take at least one minute per hour and become still. Breathe. Let distracting thoughts go. Center your attention on God. Be still and know the everlasting God.
The Creator of the ends of the earth:
This era has produced distracted hyper people that are highly concerned with how life will impact self. The thing is . . . humanity has been created for more . . . to participate in the work of God that impacts people throughout the ages.
He does not faint or grow weary:
Whether we know it or not, God is always working on our behalf. What we see now . . . in this dimension . . is not all of the story . . . and . . . God never grows weary of us . . . the power of His love . . . is beyond human comprehension.
His understanding is unsearchable:
God understands absolutely everything . . . and He waits for us to come to Him . . . that we might receive peace . . . the kind of peace that goes beyond our understanding.
Lean back on the unchanging and eternal presence of God.
Develop an awareness of the presence of God.
Focus on the gifts of life through His presence.
Remember that life is fragile . . . be attentive and intentional to what you have through the presence of God.
Learning with you to see life through the presence of God,
Shalom,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2008 All Rights Reserved)
One individual told me mornings used to be spent in utter chaos, no one paid attention to one another. The goal was to get out the door and down the road. They would give a quick kiss, a slurred, "loveya," and slam the door as they rushed away from home. An accident occurred . . . life has never been the same.
Why are we in such a hurry?
Why do we make such a big deal out of things that do not matter?
Why do we forget that life is a gift?
Story after story is recorded about the people that were distracted and focused on things that did not matter in the end. They eventually they lost their love for God, the Source of life. Then in 586 B.C. . . . life changed . . . Babylonians destroyed Jerusalem . . . burned the Temple . . . invaded the land . . . killed . . . enslaved . . . drove the people from their homes . . . life would never be the same. The story changed . . . they realized that they were created to be in a continual ongoing relationship with the Creator, the Source of Life, God.
Isaiah brings perspective to life:
The LORD is the everlasting God:
Take time to focus on the presence and power of God in your life.
Awareness of the presence of God requires intentionality. The effort to recognize His presence changes how we perceive and manage life. Take at least one minute per hour and become still. Breathe. Let distracting thoughts go. Center your attention on God. Be still and know the everlasting God.
The Creator of the ends of the earth:
This era has produced distracted hyper people that are highly concerned with how life will impact self. The thing is . . . humanity has been created for more . . . to participate in the work of God that impacts people throughout the ages.
He does not faint or grow weary:
Whether we know it or not, God is always working on our behalf. What we see now . . . in this dimension . . is not all of the story . . . and . . . God never grows weary of us . . . the power of His love . . . is beyond human comprehension.
His understanding is unsearchable:
God understands absolutely everything . . . and He waits for us to come to Him . . . that we might receive peace . . . the kind of peace that goes beyond our understanding.
Lean back on the unchanging and eternal presence of God.
Develop an awareness of the presence of God.
Focus on the gifts of life through His presence.
Remember that life is fragile . . . be attentive and intentional to what you have through the presence of God.
Learning with you to see life through the presence of God,
Shalom,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2008 All Rights Reserved)
Monday, March 24, 2008
The Meaning of Life
Lift up your eyes on high and see: Who created these? He who brings out their host and numbers them, calling them all by name; because he is great in strength, mighty in power, not one is missing. (Isaiah 40:26, NRS)
Cancer always seems to make a difference in how life is seen. I have one friend that has used cancer as a tool to live on purpose. Until the diagnosis, she maintained and managed her life. Now please . . . don't judge . . . because if we are honest . . . a significant amount of time is spent maintaining life . . . living with purpose and intention is rare.
Why do we take life for granted?
In my opinion, busyness dulls our perception to the value and gift of life.
Throughout the Old Testament, stories are told of how the people lost their interest in experiencing life through God; however, after they lost everything the people looked for the meaning of their life. As the people looked and hoped for restoration the prophet Isaiah said:
Lift up your eyes on high and see:
Broaden your perspective . . . get a bigger picture.
Evaluate your perspective by assessing your thoughts.
Write out your thoughts without editing . . .determine what thoughts obstruct the view of what God is doing.
Who created these?
Open your heart and mind to God who created you to be you.
Remember life does not depend on circumstances but upon God.
Receive the purpose of God into your life.
He who brings out their host and numbers them,
calling them all by name;
Acknowledge that God works in the details.
because he is great in strength,
mighty in power,
not one is missing.
Surrender your life to God . . . ask God to direct your life in His strength and great power.
Take time to renew your life on a daily basis.
Develop a greater perspective.
Learning with you to never lose sight of what life means,
Shalom,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2008 All Rights Reserved)
Cancer always seems to make a difference in how life is seen. I have one friend that has used cancer as a tool to live on purpose. Until the diagnosis, she maintained and managed her life. Now please . . . don't judge . . . because if we are honest . . . a significant amount of time is spent maintaining life . . . living with purpose and intention is rare.
Why do we take life for granted?
In my opinion, busyness dulls our perception to the value and gift of life.
Throughout the Old Testament, stories are told of how the people lost their interest in experiencing life through God; however, after they lost everything the people looked for the meaning of their life. As the people looked and hoped for restoration the prophet Isaiah said:
Lift up your eyes on high and see:
Broaden your perspective . . . get a bigger picture.
Evaluate your perspective by assessing your thoughts.
Write out your thoughts without editing . . .determine what thoughts obstruct the view of what God is doing.
Who created these?
Open your heart and mind to God who created you to be you.
Remember life does not depend on circumstances but upon God.
Receive the purpose of God into your life.
He who brings out their host and numbers them,
calling them all by name;
Acknowledge that God works in the details.
because he is great in strength,
mighty in power,
not one is missing.
Surrender your life to God . . . ask God to direct your life in His strength and great power.
Take time to renew your life on a daily basis.
Develop a greater perspective.
Learning with you to never lose sight of what life means,
Shalom,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2008 All Rights Reserved)
Friday, March 21, 2008
The Story In His Word
May you know joy this Easter weekend . . . His Word tells the story . . . Shalom, Kerrie
Note: This may take some time to read . . . but the story of the week leading to the cross, as well as the death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ bring power to those who choose to follow . . .
Matthew 26:1-2
John 12:1-8
Matthew 21:1-9
Mark 11:12-14
Luke 19:45-46
Luke 20:1-47
Luke 21:1-4
Mark 13:1-37
John 13:1-20
Luke 22:17-34
John 13:21-38
Matthew 26:47-75
Matthew 27:1-2
John 18:28-40
John 19:1-16
Luke 23:26-45
John 19:25-30
Luke 23:46-54
John 20:1-18
Luke 24:3-45
John 20:19-31
John 21:1-25
Matthew 28:18-20
Luke 24:50-53
Note: This may take some time to read . . . but the story of the week leading to the cross, as well as the death, resurrection, and ascension of Christ bring power to those who choose to follow . . .
Matthew 26:1-2
John 12:1-8
Matthew 21:1-9
Mark 11:12-14
Luke 19:45-46
Luke 20:1-47
Luke 21:1-4
Mark 13:1-37
John 13:1-20
Luke 22:17-34
John 13:21-38
Matthew 26:47-75
Matthew 27:1-2
John 18:28-40
John 19:1-16
Luke 23:26-45
John 19:25-30
Luke 23:46-54
John 20:1-18
Luke 24:3-45
John 20:19-31
John 21:1-25
Matthew 28:18-20
Luke 24:50-53
Wednesday, March 19, 2008
Take Your Robe Off and Use a Towel
Jesus knew that the Father had given him authority over everything and that he had come from God and would return to God. So he got up from the table, took off his robe, wrapped a towel around his waist . . . (John 13:3)
A pastor friend of mine has had a difficult week. His teenage son was with the wrong people at the wrong time, arrested, put in jail, and now has to wait for his day in court behind bars. The teenager will be tried as an adult and faces a probable fifteen years in prison.
I know my friend's son did not think of the consequences for himself or his family. In fact, I am pretty sure that he did not understand the destructive impact that his actions would have on others . . . until now. The thing is . . . my friend has reached out to his son . . . serving him with compassion and complete love.
Serving those who don't deserve to be served produces a powerful message.The words in John 13 paint the picture of service.
John reminds us that Jesus knew that he had authority over everything. And in the next sentence paints the picture of how Jesus used the unimaginable, all encompassing power . . . he took off his robe to serve. In the ancient days, the robe signified the power of an individual. Jesus was the honored Rabbi . . . the teacher . . . taking off the robe . . . was not done . . . but there was more . . . the unthinkable occurred . . . Jesus wrapped a towel around his waist . . . symbolizing the lowest ranking slave. Imagine how this messed with the disciple's way of thinking!
Meditate on this picture . . . put it in your mind . . . heart . . . spirit . . . think about it all day . . . let it change you . . . experience serving others in this manner.
Ask the Spirit to empower you to be able to take off your power and serve in humility and love.
Take off your robe.
Use the towel of service.
Learning with you to serve like Jesus,
Shalom,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2008 All Rights Reserved)
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