I'm torn between two desires:
Sometimes I want to live,
and sometimes I long to go
and be with Christ.
That would be far better for me,
(Philippians 1:23, NLT)
Good Morning,
It is clear that we need to move into the community where I serve as associate pastor. Consequently, we have our home for sale. The process of waiting for someone to purchase our home requires trust that God is in control. So we wait and trust . . .
The Apostle Paul wrote of the need to trust God in the journey of life in Philippians 1:
I'm torn between two desires. Sometimes I want to live, and sometimes I long to go and be with Christ that would be far better for me: The Apostle Paul made his income as a tent maker, he illustrated the body as a tent in 2 Corinthians 5:1—
For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down –
when we die and leave these bodies -- we will have a home in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands. (NLT)
In other words, there is a day that we break camp on earth to move to a home in heaven. Whether Paul lived on earth or heaven became a matter of trust.
All that said, trust requires waiting for God to lead and direct our steps. Too often we try to do something on our own rather than trust God.
Relax, God is in control.
Refuse to try to do something without the leading and guiding of God.
Wait for the dynamic power of God to move you forward.
Trust God.
Trust God to bring all the details of your life together for good.
Learning with you to wait and trust,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2007 All Rights Reserved)
Showing posts with label Prayer. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Prayer. Show all posts
Saturday, April 7, 2007
God's Phone Number
For I know that as you pray for me
and as the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me,
this will all turn out for my deliverance.
(Philippians 1:19, NLT)
Good Morning,
At three years of age, Timothy determined that God had a phone number. He told people to call God at Jeremiah 33:3—“Call upon me and I will answer.” God promises to answer our call.
The Apostle Paul discussed prayer in Philippians 1:
For I know that as you pray for me: Prayer is wrapped around the intentional decision to surrender our limited ability to the unlimited power of God.
And as the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me: Prayer connects humanity with the source of Life.
This will all turn out for my deliverance: Prayer delivers and/or releases us from whatever constrains and hinders our life.
Learning with you to call upon God,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2007 All Rights Reserved)
and as the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me,
this will all turn out for my deliverance.
(Philippians 1:19, NLT)
Good Morning,
At three years of age, Timothy determined that God had a phone number. He told people to call God at Jeremiah 33:3—“Call upon me and I will answer.” God promises to answer our call.
The Apostle Paul discussed prayer in Philippians 1:
For I know that as you pray for me: Prayer is wrapped around the intentional decision to surrender our limited ability to the unlimited power of God.
And as the Spirit of Jesus Christ helps me: Prayer connects humanity with the source of Life.
This will all turn out for my deliverance: Prayer delivers and/or releases us from whatever constrains and hinders our life.
Learning with you to call upon God,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2007 All Rights Reserved)
Friday, April 6, 2007
Pause And Calmly Think
"With my voice I cry to the Lord,
and He hears
and answers me
out of His holy hill.
Selah (pause, and calmly think of that)!
(Pslam 3:4, AMP).
Good Morning,
There are times that I am too rushed. Through the course of my life I have learned that being rushed reduces my awareness of God. To consciously slow down, I pray. Taking time to pray creates the need to pause and calmly think on the presence and power of God.
Pause.
Literally stop everything.
Calmly (quietly, peacefully, confidently, humbly) think about the prayer of the Psalmist (3:4):
With my voice I cry to the Lord:
Pause and calmly think—Prayer is a divine exchange.
Call out to Him. He will answer.
“Call to Me and I will answer you.” (Jeremiah 33:3).
And He hears:
Pause and calmly think —God listens. He never fails. He always listens.
And answers me:
Pause and calmly think --God will answer. His answers produce peace that passes understanding, unspeakable joy, and abounding love.
Out of His holy hill:
Pause and calmly think –His Name is above all names. He is Great. He is Mighty. He is All in all. We come to God through Christ Jesus and exchange our need for His answer. There is an exchange as the mind, heart, and soul opens up to the presence and power of God. Thoughts, feelings, and behavior are transformed through divine power, wisdom, and energy as the Spirit of God moves through the mind, heart, and soul.
Selah (pause, and calmly think of that)!
Pause and calmly think--Pause.
Literally stop doing whatever you are doing.
Surrender all you are thinking and doing.
Calmly (quietly, peacefully, confidently, humbly) think and meditate on the presence of God.
Discover the joy of slowing down through prayer.
Enjoy a renewed awareness of God.
Give thanks.
Praise God.
Celebrate.
and He hears
and answers me
out of His holy hill.
Selah (pause, and calmly think of that)!
(Pslam 3:4, AMP).
Good Morning,
There are times that I am too rushed. Through the course of my life I have learned that being rushed reduces my awareness of God. To consciously slow down, I pray. Taking time to pray creates the need to pause and calmly think on the presence and power of God.
Pause.
Literally stop everything.
Calmly (quietly, peacefully, confidently, humbly) think about the prayer of the Psalmist (3:4):
With my voice I cry to the Lord:
Pause and calmly think—Prayer is a divine exchange.
Call out to Him. He will answer.
“Call to Me and I will answer you.” (Jeremiah 33:3).
And He hears:
Pause and calmly think —God listens. He never fails. He always listens.
And answers me:
Pause and calmly think --God will answer. His answers produce peace that passes understanding, unspeakable joy, and abounding love.
Out of His holy hill:
Pause and calmly think –His Name is above all names. He is Great. He is Mighty. He is All in all. We come to God through Christ Jesus and exchange our need for His answer. There is an exchange as the mind, heart, and soul opens up to the presence and power of God. Thoughts, feelings, and behavior are transformed through divine power, wisdom, and energy as the Spirit of God moves through the mind, heart, and soul.
Selah (pause, and calmly think of that)!
Pause and calmly think--Pause.
Literally stop doing whatever you are doing.
Surrender all you are thinking and doing.
Calmly (quietly, peacefully, confidently, humbly) think and meditate on the presence of God.
Discover the joy of slowing down through prayer.
Enjoy a renewed awareness of God.
Give thanks.
Praise God.
Celebrate.
Learning with you to pause and calmly think through prayer,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2007 All Rights Reserved)
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2007 All Rights Reserved)
Just Five More Minutes
I will also praise you with the harp for your faithfulness,
O my God;
I will sing praises to you with the lyre,
O Holy One of Israel.
(Psalm 71:22, NRS)
Good Morning,
Tiffany recited a poem when she was a little girl with the repetitive phrase, “Please . . . . Just five more minutes please… just five more minutes.” The phrase became a family classic used to communicate the desire to prolong an activity.
Most people in the western world adhere to living a fast-paced, scheduled life. Time has become a treasured and sought after commodity.
The Psalmist wrote in Psalm 71 of the intention to use time to praise God.
I will also praise you with the harp for your faithfulness O my God: The Psalmist chose to intentionally praise God for faithfulness.
I will sing praises to you with the lyre O Holy One of Israel: The Psalmist intentionally chose to sing praises to the Holy One.
Intentional living is expressed in the words, “I will,” indicating determination and resolve.
Consider intentionally scheduling more time to praise God—just five more minutes.
Choose to exert earnest and energetic effort to express praise with just five more minutes in your day:
O God You are faithful.
O my God;
I will sing praises to you with the lyre,
O Holy One of Israel.
(Psalm 71:22, NRS)
Good Morning,
Tiffany recited a poem when she was a little girl with the repetitive phrase, “Please . . . . Just five more minutes please… just five more minutes.” The phrase became a family classic used to communicate the desire to prolong an activity.
Most people in the western world adhere to living a fast-paced, scheduled life. Time has become a treasured and sought after commodity.
The Psalmist wrote in Psalm 71 of the intention to use time to praise God.
I will also praise you with the harp for your faithfulness O my God: The Psalmist chose to intentionally praise God for faithfulness.
I will sing praises to you with the lyre O Holy One of Israel: The Psalmist intentionally chose to sing praises to the Holy One.
Intentional living is expressed in the words, “I will,” indicating determination and resolve.
Consider intentionally scheduling more time to praise God—just five more minutes.
“I will praise God—just five more minutes.”
Choose to exert earnest and energetic effort to express praise with just five more minutes in your day:
O God You are faithful.
You never change.
You do what You promise.
You never fail.
You are always with me.
O God You are holy.
O God You are holy.
You are pure.
You are true.
You are good.
Praise God—just five more minutes.
Learning with you to give five more minutes to praising God,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2007 All Rights Reserved)
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2007 All Rights Reserved)
Go To The Rock
Be to me a rock of refuge,
a strong fortress,
to save me,
for you are my rock and my fortress.
(Psalm 71:3, NRS)
Good Morning,
I took time for a personal retreat at the Oregon Coast. The sea covered the beach most of the time. The gray skies blended into the gray ocean. There seemed to be no beginning or end of sky and water.
Faith is strengthened when we realize that there is no beginning nor end with God.
He is . . . the Alpha and the Omega . . . Eternal.
God will never change . . . He is the same yesterday and today and forever (Hebrews 13:8).
Go to God through prayer with the belief that He is present and will not change. The Psalmist prayed:
Be to me a rock of refuge: We can pray this with confidence that God is always the Rock—the solid foundation of life, providing a place of refuge from problems and pressures in this world.
A strong fortress: We can pray this with confidence that God will never change (He is immutable). He is always perfect. He provides a perfect strong fortress—a place of complete life-sustaining protection.
To save me: We can pray this with confidence that God is ever-present and actively working on our behalf. He provides greater security than anything this world will ever provide. The saving power of God through Christ blasts through every circumstance and/or obstacle (sin) that separates humanity from divinity.
For you are my rock and my fortress: Knowing God is a personal Rock and Fortress is different than experiencing Him as our personal Rock and Fortress. We experience the power of God when we go to Him. We are called to an active relationship with God for all eternity.
Take time to pray—God is always the Rock in the midst of our daily living.
Learning with you to always go to the Rock,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2007 All Rights Reserved)
a strong fortress,
to save me,
for you are my rock and my fortress.
(Psalm 71:3, NRS)
Good Morning,
I took time for a personal retreat at the Oregon Coast. The sea covered the beach most of the time. The gray skies blended into the gray ocean. There seemed to be no beginning or end of sky and water.
Faith is strengthened when we realize that there is no beginning nor end with God.
He is . . . the Alpha and the Omega . . . Eternal.
God will never change . . . He is the same yesterday and today and forever (Hebrews 13:8).
Go to God through prayer with the belief that He is present and will not change. The Psalmist prayed:
Be to me a rock of refuge: We can pray this with confidence that God is always the Rock—the solid foundation of life, providing a place of refuge from problems and pressures in this world.
A strong fortress: We can pray this with confidence that God will never change (He is immutable). He is always perfect. He provides a perfect strong fortress—a place of complete life-sustaining protection.
To save me: We can pray this with confidence that God is ever-present and actively working on our behalf. He provides greater security than anything this world will ever provide. The saving power of God through Christ blasts through every circumstance and/or obstacle (sin) that separates humanity from divinity.
For you are my rock and my fortress: Knowing God is a personal Rock and Fortress is different than experiencing Him as our personal Rock and Fortress. We experience the power of God when we go to Him. We are called to an active relationship with God for all eternity.
Take time to pray—God is always the Rock in the midst of our daily living.
Learning with you to always go to the Rock,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2007 All Rights Reserved)
The Place of Refuge
In you, O LORD,
I take refuge;
let me never be put to shame.
In your righteousness deliver me
and rescue me;
incline your ear to me
and save me.
(Psalm 71:1-2, NRS)
My friend finished a day of surgery and now will wait for the pathologist’s report.
Prayer is a necessary activity in the period of waiting.
Prayer provides a place of refuge. The Psalmist prayed:
In you, O LORD: Prayer moves us to make a conscious decision to surrender in trust of the Lord through the guidance of the Spirit.
I take refuge: In the ancient days, refuge cities were established to protect people, providing justice.
Prayer moves us into the place of protection and justice.
Let me never be put to shame: Sin and guilt are rooted in shame, which produces the sense of defeat and nothingness.
Prayer moves us to exchange shame for peace and confidence through the power of Christ.
In your righteousness deliver me: God is continually and eternally righteous, good, and holy.
Prayer moves thoughts, actions, and beliefs into alignment with the righteousness of God.
And rescue me: When we are rescued from earthly distractions we are enabled to be fulfilled through serving God in any and all circumstances.
Prayer moves us away from the things that separate us from completing the plan of God.
Incline your ear to me: Draw near to the heart of God.
Prayer produces the belief that God listens.
And save me: God saves us from the all consuming pressures and problems of the world.
Prayer is a transforming process.
Learning with you to move into the place of refuge through prayer,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2007 All Rights Reserved)
I take refuge;
let me never be put to shame.
In your righteousness deliver me
and rescue me;
incline your ear to me
and save me.
(Psalm 71:1-2, NRS)
My friend finished a day of surgery and now will wait for the pathologist’s report.
Prayer is a necessary activity in the period of waiting.
Prayer provides a place of refuge. The Psalmist prayed:
In you, O LORD: Prayer moves us to make a conscious decision to surrender in trust of the Lord through the guidance of the Spirit.
I take refuge: In the ancient days, refuge cities were established to protect people, providing justice.
Prayer moves us into the place of protection and justice.
Let me never be put to shame: Sin and guilt are rooted in shame, which produces the sense of defeat and nothingness.
Prayer moves us to exchange shame for peace and confidence through the power of Christ.
In your righteousness deliver me: God is continually and eternally righteous, good, and holy.
Prayer moves thoughts, actions, and beliefs into alignment with the righteousness of God.
And rescue me: When we are rescued from earthly distractions we are enabled to be fulfilled through serving God in any and all circumstances.
Prayer moves us away from the things that separate us from completing the plan of God.
Incline your ear to me: Draw near to the heart of God.
Prayer produces the belief that God listens.
And save me: God saves us from the all consuming pressures and problems of the world.
Prayer is a transforming process.
Learning with you to move into the place of refuge through prayer,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2007 All Rights Reserved)
Devouring Fire
Then Moses went up on the mountain, and the cloud covered the mountain.
The glory of the LORD settled on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days; on the seventh day he called to Moses out of the cloud.
Now the appearance of the glory of the LORD was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the people of Israel.
(Exodus 24:15-17, NRS)
Good Morning,
My friend has surgery today in order to remove cancer. Details such as finding a doctor and choosing the most effective treatment have been completed. While my friend’s future will be impacted by the choice of treatment as well as the quality of the surgeon, my friend's future is encompassed in the hands of God.
Prayer allows us to know we are held in the hands of God.
Prayer is a conscious activity to surrender to the control of God, connecting with the power and plan of God.
The book of Exodus paints a picture of prayer:
Then Moses went up on the mountain—we are called to make a prayer journey, moving us upwards towards the heavenly presence of God.
And the cloud covered the mountain—we are called to pray in faith as our ability to see beyond ourselves and circumstances is limited. You might say our perspective on earth is clouded and covered. Prayer produces a divine perspective.
The glory of the LORD settled on Mount Sinai—we are called to connect with the presence of God.
Now the appearance of the glory of the LORD was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the people of Israel—we are called to seek the glory of God in which the devouring fire illustrates the all-consuming power of God overpowering any and all circumstances.
Take a daily prayer journey. Go to the mountain.
Faithfully pray.
Connect with the presence of God in prayer.
Surrender and be consumed in the devouring fire through intense prayer.
Learning with you to seek the presence (devouring fire) of God in prayer,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2007 All Rights Reserved)
The glory of the LORD settled on Mount Sinai, and the cloud covered it for six days; on the seventh day he called to Moses out of the cloud.
Now the appearance of the glory of the LORD was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the people of Israel.
(Exodus 24:15-17, NRS)
Good Morning,
My friend has surgery today in order to remove cancer. Details such as finding a doctor and choosing the most effective treatment have been completed. While my friend’s future will be impacted by the choice of treatment as well as the quality of the surgeon, my friend's future is encompassed in the hands of God.
Prayer allows us to know we are held in the hands of God.
Prayer is a conscious activity to surrender to the control of God, connecting with the power and plan of God.
The book of Exodus paints a picture of prayer:
Then Moses went up on the mountain—we are called to make a prayer journey, moving us upwards towards the heavenly presence of God.
And the cloud covered the mountain—we are called to pray in faith as our ability to see beyond ourselves and circumstances is limited. You might say our perspective on earth is clouded and covered. Prayer produces a divine perspective.
The glory of the LORD settled on Mount Sinai—we are called to connect with the presence of God.
Now the appearance of the glory of the LORD was like a devouring fire on the top of the mountain in the sight of the people of Israel—we are called to seek the glory of God in which the devouring fire illustrates the all-consuming power of God overpowering any and all circumstances.
Take a daily prayer journey. Go to the mountain.
Faithfully pray.
Connect with the presence of God in prayer.
Surrender and be consumed in the devouring fire through intense prayer.
Learning with you to seek the presence (devouring fire) of God in prayer,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2007 All Rights Reserved)
New Year
All these were constantly devoting themselves to prayer,
together with certain women,
including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers.
(Acts 1:14, NRS)
Good Morning,
During the Christmas break my friend received the diagnosis of cancer. Schedules and plans for the New Year changed with the diagnosis. Surgery is scheduled for tomorrow.
Friends and family want to do something that matters when someone is in crisis. Pray. . .
Prayer matters.
Prayer transforms our ability to manage life.
Prayer changes circumstances.
Prayer is a key component to living beyond the circumstances, challenges, and crises of the New Year.
Prayer is not complicated; however, prayer requires an active commitment.
The book of acts states the followers of Christ Jesus were constantly devoting themselves to prayer. The phrase, “constantly devoting” delineates an ongoing activity.
Seize the New Year through constantly devoting yourself to prayer.
Learning with you to constantly pray in the New Year,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2007 All Rights Reserved)
together with certain women,
including Mary the mother of Jesus, as well as his brothers.
(Acts 1:14, NRS)
Good Morning,
During the Christmas break my friend received the diagnosis of cancer. Schedules and plans for the New Year changed with the diagnosis. Surgery is scheduled for tomorrow.
Friends and family want to do something that matters when someone is in crisis. Pray. . .
Prayer matters.
Prayer transforms our ability to manage life.
Prayer changes circumstances.
Prayer is a key component to living beyond the circumstances, challenges, and crises of the New Year.
Prayer is not complicated; however, prayer requires an active commitment.
The book of acts states the followers of Christ Jesus were constantly devoting themselves to prayer. The phrase, “constantly devoting” delineates an ongoing activity.
Seize the New Year through constantly devoting yourself to prayer.
Learning with you to constantly pray in the New Year,
Kerrie
(All devotions written by Kerrie Palmer ©2007 All Rights Reserved)
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