Ripple Effect

 People were put on alert and advised about a tsunami on the Oregon coast after an earthquake struck in the South Pacific. Water surges were forecasted from California to Oregon.  As a result, the Coast Guard put out broadcasts and patrolled the coast, warning about the possibility of a tsunami producing strong currents and waves.  Certainly, the ripple effect of the earthquake is remarkable.

There is a similarity in the earthquakes that we can create in our personal lives to the earthquakes that cause havoc throughout the world.  It is surprising how easily our actions impact others.  History reveals how behavior can be likened to the ripple effect of an earthquake.  Look at the history of the Church.  Throughout the ages, the Church . . . the ecclesia . . . the called out of God . . . has had the task to impact the world with the hope of Christ.    

Most likely the Early Church did not fully understand the ripple effect and the ultimate impact it would have on the world. The thing is . . . Philippians 2:1-3 suggests there was some kind of faction that took the focus of the Philippi Church off of Christ.  

The Apostle Paul specifically addressed the letter “to all the saints” . . . delineating the message to be for all Christ followers at Philippi.

 [ Thanksgiving ] Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons . . . Philippians 1:1

The letter to the Philippians made it clear that we are called to be Christ-like . . . to serve . . . and to impact the world through the strength of Christ, ( see Philippians 4:13).

We either reflect or deflect Christ . . . producing a ripple effect . . . impacting the world one way or another. 

A decision must be made . . . what will your ripple effect be on the world?

Worship:  Nicole C Mullen: Call on Jesus

Pray:  With You, the Church will be the hope of the world.

Learning with you to KICK START the day . . . to impact the world for Christ,

Pastor Kerrie

 For a deeper study go to: interAct: Bible Study

(written by Kerrie Palmer © 2009 All Rights Reserved)

kpalmer@hillchurch.com ~Church on the Hill~700 N. Hill Rd.~McMinnville, OR 97128~503.472.8476 ~www.hillchurch.com~ InterAct: Bible Study~Kick Start Your Day

Archives & Daily Subscription: go to http://kickstarttoday.blogspot.com/

Shock and Surprise

“I can’t believe it.”

“I never thought it could happen to me.”

“I have been caught off guard.”

In the moments that shock and surprise us . . . we need to manage the situation . . . regardless of how huge or impossible it seems.

There is a way to manage life . . . to be healthy and whole . . . but it can’t be apart from Christ. 

The Apostle Paul explained the precept as being a bond-servant:

[ Thanksgiving ] Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons . . . Philippians 1:1

The bond-servant belonged to the Master. 

Perhaps the best way to explain the relationship of the bond-servant is to go to John 15:5 when Jesus explained:
"I am the vine; you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”

Certainly, the picture of the vine and branches depicts a life-sustaining union.

Study: John 15.

Life is to be maximized for the purpose of Christ.

Choose to respond to the shock and surprises of life through Christ.

Worship: "Glory To God Forever" New Song Cafe

Pray:  God, I choose to be Your bond-servant.

Learning with you to KICK START the day . . . as a bond-servant of Christ,

Pastor Kerrie

For a deeper study go to: InterAct: Bible Study

(written by Kerrie Palmer © 2009 All Rights Reserved)

kpalmer@hillchurch.com ~Church on the Hill~700 N. Hill Rd.~McMinnville, OR 97128~503.472.8476 ~www.hillchurch.com~ InterAct: Bible Study~Kick Start Your Day

Archives & Daily Subscription: go to http://kickstarttoday.blogspot.com/

Who Are You Anyway?

He changed. 

She changed.

They said they no longer knew who each other were.

Did their change of behavior change their identity? 

What defines who you are?

The Apostle Paul wrote a letter to the Philippians from a jail cell identifying himself:

[ Thanksgiving ] Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons . . . Philippians 1:1

Christ was central to Paul’s identification.  The life united with the life of Christ is transformed.  So . . . does Christ give you identity?

Focus on what it means to be in Christ.

Worship: MercyMe: I Can Only Imagine

Pray:  God, show me who I am in You.

Learning with you to KICK START the day . . . in Christ,

Pastor Kerrie

(written by Kerrie Palmer © 2009 All Rights Reserved)

kpalmer@hillchurch.com ~Church on the Hill~700 N. Hill Rd.~McMinnville, OR 97128~503.472.8476 ~www.hillchurch.com~ Kick Start Your Day

Archives & Daily Subscription: go to http://kickstarttoday.blogspot.com/

Joy In The Morning

Worship: Mark Schultz "Letters From War"

Laughter and love faded.

Hearts emptied.

Silence spread. 

Grief came. 

Doubt.

Disbelief.

Prayer.

Peace.

Hope.

Trust.

New beginnings: Joy . . . that comes in the morning!

Meditate on the dedication song for the temple:

Psalm 30:1
I will exalt you, Lord, for you rescued me.

You refused to let my enemies triumph over me.

Pray:  Thank You for Your rescuing power . . . that refuses to let the enemy of the soul triumph!

Psalm 30:2-4

O Lord my God, I cried to you for help,
      and you restored my health.
You brought me up from the grave, O Lord.
      You kept me from falling into the pit of death.

Sing to the Lord, all you godly ones!
      Praise his holy name.

Pray:  Thank You for restoration . . . preventing a fall into the pit of death!

Psalm 30:4-6

  Sing to the Lord, all you godly ones!
      Praise his holy name.
 For his anger lasts only a moment,
      but his favor lasts a lifetime!
   Weeping may last through the night,
      but joy comes with the morning. When I was prosperous, I said, “Nothing can stop me now!”

Pray:  Thank You for joy in the morning.

Learning with you to KICK START the day . . . with joy in the morning,

Pastor Kerrie

(written by Kerrie Palmer © 2009 All Rights Reserved)

kpalmer@hillchurch.com ~Church on the Hill~700 N. Hill Rd.~McMinnville, OR 97128~503.472.8476 ~www.hillchurch.com~ Kick Start Your Day

That Kind of Day . . .

Have you ever had that kind of day?

You know . . . the kind of day that nothing seems to go right

. . . the kind of day that nothing goes the way it was planned

. . . the kind of day that has more problems than solutions.

Apparently the Israelites felt that it was that kind of day.  Read Numbers 14.

The Israelites did not see how God’s plan could work.  They knew God had promised them land; however, the reports from ten out of the twelve men who explored the land were not favorable.  They did not see how the big problems could work out.  So . . . they decided to not risk their lives . . . it seemed like it was the safest and wisest decision. 

If the LORD is pleased with us, he will lead us into that land, a land flowing with milk and honey, and will give it to us. Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not be afraid of the people of the land, because we will devour them. Their protection is gone, but the LORD is with us. Do not be afraid of them." But the whole assembly talked about stoning them. Then the glory of the LORD appeared at the tent of meeting to all the Israelites. Numbers 14:8-10

It was that kind of day

. . . the kind of day that the people turned from faith to fear

. . . the kind of day that the people believed they would be devoured rather than protected

. . . the kind of day that could have been different if the people had trusted God.

Worship: Michael W. Smith "Deep In Love With You"

Pray:  Reveal Your presence and power each day.

Learning with you to KICK START the day . . . every kind of day,
Pastor Kerrie

(written by Kerrie Palmer © 2009 All Rights Reserved)

kpalmer@hillchurch.com ~Church on the Hill~700 N. Hill Rd.~McMinnville, OR 97128~503.472.8476 ~www.hillchurch.com~ Kick Start Your Day

God Will Move The Mountains!

One individual asked, “Why did it happen?”

The other individual responded, “How will God use it?”

The thing is . . . the “whys”. . . the mountains of life . . . give us the opportunity to press into God . . . even when everything seems wrong.  It is a choice

That said, it is not easy to have a mountain blocking our way.  We need to remember God will move the mountain:

Then the disciples came to Jesus in private and asked, "Why couldn't we drive it out?" He replied, "Because you have so little faith. Truly I tell you, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, 'Move from here to there,' and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you." Matthew 17:19-21

Look at the Israelites  . . . when they were headed towards the Promised Land.  God had promised the people a place to live in freedom.  Men were sent into the Promised Land to explore what God had promised. Ten of the twelve explorers  saw the “mountain” problems that could occur if they entered the Promised Land. Read Numbers 13. 

They reported that it would be impossible to enter:

Then Caleb silenced the people before Moses and said, "We should go up and take possession of the land, for we can certainly do it." But the men who had gone up with him said, "We can't attack those people; they are stronger than we are." And they spread among the Israelites a bad report about the land they had explored. They said, "The land we explored devours those living in it. All the people we saw there are of great size. Numbers 13:30-32 

The people saw the “mountain” rather than the presence and power of God.  They did not believe that  . . . with God  . . . nothing is impossible . . . the mountain we see today will be gone tomorrow! 

Worship: Michael W. Smith: "Mighty To Save"

Pray:  God, thank You for moving the mountains.

Learning with you to KICK START the day . . . knowing and believing God will move the mountains.
Pastor Kerrie

(written by Kerrie Palmer © 2009 All Rights Reserved)

kpalmer@hillchurch.com ~Church on the Hill~700 N. Hill Rd.~McMinnville, OR 97128~503.472.8476 ~www.hillchurch.com~ Kick Start Your Day

Archives & Daily Subscription: go to http://kickstarttoday.blogspot.com/

Have you seen God?

The circumstance was

tough

messy and

downright difficult.

Every effort to change the circumstance was made; but nothing worked.

The principle that we discussed in yesterday’s Kick Start remains:

With God, there is always something more. 

Tough-messy-downright-difficult times 

are never dead-end with God,

but, rather, a new beginning .  . . .

God will do something that is far from the realm

of our known possibilities . . . a miracle.

But how do you have a perspective of possibilities  . . . how do you see God in the midst of the challenges of life?

Jesus taught the keys to living a blessed life on a mountain plateau close to Capernaum. 

When you get down to it . . . the blessed are those who know the presence and activity of God.  

Jesus said it: Blessed are the pure in heart, for they will see God.

    Matthew5:8

In order to see God, the heart must be clear of impurities or toxins like hatred, gossip, distrust, and negative attitudes, which require us to go to God . . . praying . . . surrendering . . . realizing that prayer is not just one more thing added to our list . . . but a miracle . . . the place where possibilities begin.  

We are created to surrender

impurities,

to pray,

and to see God.

And, when we see God . . . we are transformed . . . which changes everything.

Worship: Sara Groves: I Saw What I Saw

Pray:  God, give me vision to see You.

Learning with you to KICK START the day . . . to see God.
Pastor Kerrie

(written by Kerrie Palmer © 2009 All Rights Reserved)

kpalmer@hillchurch.com ~Church on the Hill~700 N. Hill Rd.~McMinnville, OR 97128~503.472.8476 ~www.hillchurch.com~ Kick Start Your Day

Archives & Daily Subscription: go to http://kickstarttoday.blogspot.com/

Something More

In his acceptance speech of the Nobel Prize for peace Dr. King said:

“This faith can give us courage to face the uncertainties of the future. It will give our tired feet new strength as we continue our forward stride toward the city of freedom. When our days become dreary with low-hovering clouds and our nights become darker than a thousand midnights, we will know that we are living in the creative turmoil of a genuine civilization struggling to be born.”

Dr. Martin Luther King~Acceptance speech of the Nobel Prize for Peace ~December 10, 1964 ~Oslo, Norway

We have a choice to experience something more in life . . . a birth.

With God . . . there is never a dead-end but a new beginning.

Christ, God with us, revealed the reality of something more in life.

Thousands of people were hungry.

Only one had food, a little boy.

Nothing much.

Five loaves, two fish.

Not enough for a crowd.

But there was more than enough:

“After everyone was full, Jesus told his disciples, “Now gather the leftovers, so that nothing is wasted.” So they picked up the pieces and filled twelve baskets with scraps left by the people who had eaten from the five barley loaves.(John 6:12-13, NLT)

Someone could have said it was time to go home . . . there was nothing to eat . . . but . . . there was something more to experience.  

Jesus used what was there.

Nothing was wasted.

The thing is . . . we often become so immersed in our circumstances . . . so absorbed with our personal need . . . that we see the impossibilities rather than something more, constrained by our limitations and inability to see more.

When it looks like there is nothing else . . . God always has something more . . . look for it.

Stop.

Breathe.

Become aware of the presence of Christ, God with us.

Believe there is more in Christ.

Act on your belief.

Worship: Brandon Heath: Wait and See

Pray:  Give me eyes to see something more.

Learning with you to KICK START the day . . . seeing something more.
Pastor Kerrie

(written by Kerrie Palmer © 2009 All Rights Reserved)

kpalmer@hillchurch.com ~Church on the Hill~700 N. Hill Rd.~McMinnville, OR 97128~503.472.8476 ~www.hillchurch.com~ Kick Start Your Day

Archives & Daily Subscription: go to http://kickstarttoday.blogspot.com/

The Best Life

There is usually a time in life that individuals want to live better, to experience more. It seems as life happens . . . life can become messy and less fulfilling . . . which makes people want and look for a better way to live.  The thing is . . . God does have something more for you and I to experience . . . a plan . . . a way to live the best life: 


Ephesians 5:15-17
[ Living by the Spirit’s Power ]  So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do.

What does it mean to live by the Spirit’s power?  We need to think first, understanding what God wants us to do before we take action.  In other words, we need to be intentional in order to live the best life.  

Ephesians 5:18
Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit,

How do we fill our life with the Spirit of God?  We surrender to the presence and power of Christ . . . aligning our feelings, thoughts, and words with God . . . the essential key to living the best life.

Ephesians 5:19-21
 . . . singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
 
Authentic gratefulness is as much a learned art as it is an attitude.  Gratefulness comes out of the way we live.  Gratefulness is an essential element of living the best life.


Live the best life  . . .  

1.     Be filled with the Spirit of Christ . . . surrendering everything to the presence of God.

2.     Be intentional with the way you think, speak, and act.  

3.     Be grateful, giving thanks for everything.

And . . . sing songs  . . . become a part of the symphony that makes music to the Lord . . .  a vital component to experiencing the best life.

Worship: Chris Tomlin: Love

Spirit of Christ . . . fill me  . . . guide me . . . thank You.

Learning with you to KICK START the day . . . intentionally living the best life.
Pastor Kerrie


(written by Kerrie Palmer © 2009 All Rights Reserved)
kpalmer@hillchurch.com ~Church on the Hill~700 N. Hill Rd.~McMinnville, OR 97128~503.472.8476 ~www.hillchurch.com~ Kick Start Your Day
Archives & Daily Subscription: go to http://kickstarttoday.blogspot.com/