Circumstances change.
Circumstances often delineate our response to life.
Circumstances are often beyond our control.
People can live and work side-by-side . . . but . . . experience completely different circumstances. Though they are close in proximity, their circumstances may shape their lives in such a way that it seems they live in two different worlds. The other day . . . while we were watching a men's soccer game . . . . clapping and cheering for our team’s efforts . . . sirens screamed through the streets. Individuals, around the corner from the soccer field were desperately waiting for help.
Circumstances often delineate our response to life.
Circumstances are often beyond our control.
People can live and work side-by-side . . . but . . . experience completely different circumstances. Though they are close in proximity, their circumstances may shape their lives in such a way that it seems they live in two different worlds. The other day . . . while we were watching a men's soccer game . . . . clapping and cheering for our team’s efforts . . . sirens screamed through the streets. Individuals, around the corner from the soccer field were desperately waiting for help.
We are often physically contained and constrained by our circumstances; however, God is never contained or constrained by time, place, or space.
Focus on Matthew 1:23
"The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" (which means "God with us").
"The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel" (which means "God with us").
Take a moment and meditate on the power of those three words: "God with us."
What does trusting that God is present . . . that Immanuel, God with us, is in the midst of whatever we are experiencing.
What does trusting that God is present . . . that Immanuel, God with us, is in the midst of whatever we are experiencing.
Study Isaiah 40.
Verses 27-31: Why would you ever complain, O Jacob,
or, whine, Israel, saying,
"God has lost track of me.
He doesn't care what happens to me"?
Don't you know anything? Haven't you been listening?
God doesn't come and go. God lasts.
He's Creator of all you can see or imagine.
He doesn't get tired out, doesn't pause to catch his breath.
And he knows everything, inside and out.
He energizes those who get tired,
gives fresh strength to dropouts.
For even young people tire and drop out,
young folk in their prime stumble and fall.
But those who wait upon God get fresh strength.
They spread their wings and soar like eagles,
They run and don't get tired,
they walk and don't lag behind.
( The Message)
Isaiah 40 is a message of comfort . . . written to address the people that had endured the destruction of Jerusalem . . . they had lost their homes . . . family . . . friends . . . they were exiled . . . leaving life as they knew it. Isaiah encouraged the people to move forward with the hope of restoration through the power of God. The people had two choices to live in despair of what had occurred or hope in what was to come. Hope in the presence and power of God is key to living beyond the constraints of our circumstances.
Pray Isaiah 40.
Begin in meditative prayer:
• Be still.
• Breathe.
Meditate on the presence of God.
Verses 27-31: Why would you ever complain, O Jacob,
or, whine, Israel, saying,
"God has lost track of me.
He doesn't care what happens to me"?
Don't you know anything? Haven't you been listening?
God doesn't come and go. God lasts.
He's Creator of all you can see or imagine.
He doesn't get tired out, doesn't pause to catch his breath.
And he knows everything, inside and out.
He energizes those who get tired,
gives fresh strength to dropouts.
For even young people tire and drop out,
young folk in their prime stumble and fall.
But those who wait upon God get fresh strength.
They spread their wings and soar like eagles,
They run and don't get tired,
they walk and don't lag behind.
( The Message)
Pray
Begin in meditative prayer:
• Be still.
• Breathe.
Meditate on the presence of God.
Oh God I don’t want to be a complainer or whiner . . . I give thanks.
I am grateful God. Thank you God (Pause in awareness of the presence of God).
You never lose track of where I am. You do not come and go. You are everlasting. You know everything.
Would you give me an increased awareness of Your presence . . . a new and fresh strength and power through actively knowing Your presence (Pause in awareness of the presence of God). I give You my weariness and receive Your strength to soar like eagles (Pause in awareness of the presence of God). Thank You for Your presence . . . in Your name. Amen.
I am grateful God. Thank you God (Pause in awareness of the presence of God).
You never lose track of where I am. You do not come and go. You are everlasting. You know everything.
Would you give me an increased awareness of Your presence . . . a new and fresh strength and power through actively knowing Your presence (Pause in awareness of the presence of God). I give You my weariness and receive Your strength to soar like eagles (Pause in awareness of the presence of God). Thank You for Your presence . . . in Your name. Amen.
When we fail to stop and rest in the presence, peace, and power of God we get tired . . . we become weary . . . or as The Message states in Isaiah 40
At the end of the day, no one can make it through the circumstances of life without the strength of God.
At the end of the day, no one can make it through the circumstances of life without the strength of God.
Worship: REVELATION SONG - Kari Jobe
Learning with you to KICK START the day
. . . intentionally being aware of the presence and power of 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