Saturday, October 31, 2009

No Fear or Discouragment

Go Deeper: interAct: Bible Study  & interAct Study: week 5 & interAct: week 5 insights

We got caught in the dark.
We were in a new place.
We did not pay attention to the time.  It was dark before we knew it.
The unfamiliar roads were dark . . . so we used our cell phones to provide light . . . to help us see where to walk . . . one step at a time.
 Likewise, we can easily get caught in the darkness of this world, if, we fail to filter life through the Light.  The Psalmist, David, sang: The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1
The thing is . . . when the Lord is our stronghold . . . our Light . . . we do not need to be worried . . . anxious . . .  or fearful  that we will get caught in the darkness.    The Holy Spirit is our Light and will reveal what we need to see and where we need to go. 
The church was in a new place in the course of history. . . something new . . . a birth of the called out . . . the ecclesia . . . the movement of hope to the world.  Even in the beginning, there were those in the church that were more concerned for themselves . . . than for the message of Christ.  Their leader, Paul, was in prison . . . it would have seemed the church had been caught in the darkness.  Paul wrote:  . . . the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment . . . Philippians 1:17

Pray:  You are my Light.

Paul had a choice . . . to either be distressed in prison by the work of selfish ambition  . . . or . . .  to realize there was nothing or no one to fear in the presence of God, the Light.  The darkness does exist, however, we can be assured that “the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it (John 1:5).

Light is necessary to see through the darkness of circumstances.
Light reveals the Truth of circumstances.
Light reveals what needs to be seen.
Light reveals where we need to walk.

Learning with you to KICK START the day . . . walking in the Light.
Pastor Kerrie
(interAct 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
 Kick Start Your Day~Archives & Daily Subscription: go to http://kickstarttoday.blogspot.com/
interAct: Bible Study  & interAct Study: week 5 & interAct: week 5 insights
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Friday, October 30, 2009

See . . . A New Thing

We viewed the landscape from a plane.  The view was breath-taking.  A rainbow settled over a mountain range changing the look of the mountain . . . everything looked new . . . it was as if we were looking through a special effects lens. 
Change is built into creation . . . a dynamic . . . active . . . change.  
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland. Isaiah 43:19
 When we look back in history, we can see the Church was a new thing in the first century.  God made a way for the Church to be born and built.  The Apostle Paul was key in the building process . . . but he was imprisoned.  Paul was convinced God would make  made a way and continue doing a new thing! Today, we are able to see that God continues to make a way for the Church as the message of hope is carried throughout the world and lives are continually being made new.

Paul wrote:  Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy in the faith, Philippians 1:25
Meditate on the three words:
1.      Convinced . . . believe without doubt.
2.      Continue . . .  . . . actively going on without interruption.
3.      Progress . . . going forward and gaining.  
In adversity:
1.      Are you convinced that God will make a way to do a new thing?
2.      Are you convinced that God will empower you to continue doing what you are called to do?
3.      Are you convinced that God will ensure progress?

Pray:  Thank You for making a way doing a new thing when everything seems impossible.
How differently would you live if you were really convinced that God would make a way, even in adversity, and do a new thing in your life?
Be convinced.  Live as if you have never been more convinced than today that God is present and at work.

Learning with you to KICK START the day . . . trusting that God will make a way, doing a new thing.
Pastor Kerrie
 (interAct 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
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The Message

They are going through tough times.
People . . . all sorts of people . . .  have been watching them manage their trials with faith and trust in the presence and power of God . . . and see that despite their adversity . . .  they are living each day with purpose and passion.
The thing is . . . tough times . . . trials . . . adversity . . . will form confidence, courage, and strength . . . if we choose.   Our response will be our message to those around us.
Paul was serious about Christ . . . a committed follower . . . purposeful . . . and passionate even in the midst of adversity. He knew God had more for him to do . . . to build the church . . . with the Philippians   . . . yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. Philippians 1:24
Remember how Paul's circumstances were used: Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel . . . Philippians 1:12
There were people watching . . . the guard and everyone else:
So that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else. . . Philippians 1:13
The Early Church, the individuals called by God to bring hope to the world,  gained confidence and courage as they watched Paul during his adversity: and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord BECAUSE of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear. . .  Philippians 1:14
There is great freedom in knowing our God-given-purpose does not change in adversity.  We gain confidence and courage when we know with certainity that God will oversee the outcome of our circumstances. 

So, what do we do?
Paul responded to the adversity by continuing to do what he was called to do with confidence that God would take care of the details. His response was a message that changed lives and ultimately built the church.  Likewise, our response to life becomes our message to others.
 Learning with you to KICK START the day . . . knowing what I do is a message to others.
Pastor Kerrie
 (interAct 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
 Kick Start Your Day~Archives & Daily Subscription: go to http://kickstarttoday.blogspot.com/
interAct: Bible Study  & interAct Study: week 5 & interAct: week 5 insights
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Thursday, October 29, 2009

The Message

They are going through tough times.
People . . . all sorts of people . . .  have been watching them manage their trials with faith and trust in the presence and power of God . . . and see that despite their adversity . . .  they are living each day with purpose and passion.
The thing is . . . tough times . . . trials . . . adversity . . . will form confidence, courage, and strength . . . if we choose.   Our response will be our message to those around us.
Paul was serious about Christ . . . a committed follower . . . purposeful . . . and passionate even in the midst of adversity. He knew God had more for him to do . . . to build the church . . . with the Philippians   . . . yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. Philippians 1:24
Remember how Paul's circumstances were used: Now I want you to know, brethren, that my circumstances have turned out for the greater progress of the gospel . . . Philippians 1:12
There were people watching . . . the guard and everyone else:
So that my imprisonment in the cause of Christ has become well known throughout the whole praetorian guard and to everyone else. . . Philippians 1:13
The Early Church, the individuals called by God to bring hope to the world,  gained confidence and courage as they watched Paul during his adversity: and that most of the brethren, trusting in the Lord BECAUSE of my imprisonment, have far more courage to speak the word of God without fear. . .  Philippians 1:14
There is great freedom in knowing our God-given-purpose does not change in adversity.  We gain confidence and courage when we know with certainity that God will oversee the outcome of our circumstances. 

So, what do we do?
Paul responded to the adversity by continuing to do what he was called to do with confidence that God would take care of the details. His response was a message that changed lives and ultimately built the church.  Likewise, our response to life becomes our message to others.
 Learning with you to KICK START the day . . . knowing what I do is a message to others.
Pastor Kerrie
 (interAct 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
 Kick Start Your Day~Archives & Daily Subscription: go to http://kickstarttoday.blogspot.com/
interAct: Bible Study  & interAct Study: week 5 & interAct: week 5 insights
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Wednesday, October 28, 2009

Renewal of the Mind



We stayed at a house located in the mountains.  It began raining in the backyard . . . but it remained sunny in the front of the house.  Somehow . . . the house sat between the sunshine and the rain.  How often in life do we think we are stuck between the sunshine and the rain? 
The Apostle Paul described the power of living in Christ regardless of circumstances . . . whether we are in the sunshine, in the rain, or inbetween.  The essence of the gospel . . . the message of Christ . . .  frees us from being held captive by circumstances. 
When it comes down to it . . . we must choose . . . to exist because of our circumstances . . . or . . .  to exist for the sake of Christ.  If, we make the decision to exist for Christ, then, we will not settle for being dictated by the details of life.  
The Apostle Paul chose to live entirely for Christ . . . . full of life . . . confident of  the presence, power, and peace of Christ even in death:  But I am hard-pressed from both directions, having the desire to depart and be with Christ, for that is very much better; Philippians 1:23
The thing is . . . God is the God of more . . . even in death . . . there is more to experience . . . there is never a dead-end.   God wants to free us from the prison of being defined by circumstances . . . from whatever comes our way . . .  whether it is the sunshine or rain.   
How can we live free of circumstances?
Paul wrote: Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will. Romans 12:2
We can literally be transformed by the renewing of our mind through the work of the Spirit.  Our mindset can hold us captive to our circumstances. We must intentionally go to God’s Word and ask the Holy Spirit to transform us by renewing our mind. 
Pray:  Savior please . . . renew my mind today . . . so that I exist for You rather than for circumstances. 
Renewing of the mind is a daily process . . . the continual work of the Holy Spirit.  Why? Paul does not say to give it a try . . . to see what happens when we renew our mind . . . but . . . says to continually renew our mind.  Renewing our mind is an ongoing-active element of living in Christ.  As our mind is renewed, we are able to process our circumstances with the knowledge that God is present and actively at work.
Learning with you to KICK START the day . . . with a renewed mindset to exist for Christ.

Pastor Kerrie

(interAct 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
 Kick Start Your Day~Archives & Daily Subscription: go to http://kickstarttoday.blogspot.com/
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Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Living The Dream

Go Deeper: interAct: Bible Study  & interAct Study: week 5 & interAct: week 5 insights

My grandmother was known as a master gardener. A plot of dirt was never just dirt to my grandmother . . . but a future garden . . . and not just any garden . . . but a productive-growing-garden.  The thing is . . . as a master gardener . . . she always saw the potential and possibilities.  As the master gardener . . . she planted seeds . . . with faith and belief  . . . that the seeds would take root in the ground . . . eventually push above ground . . . grow . . . bloom . . . and produce. 
While she spent time in the garden . . . Grandma learned lessons. . . seeing that we were created with great potential and possibilities . . . with dreams planted deep within us . . . ready to take root . . . push through our circumstances . . . and eventually become productive.   Perhaps more of us need simple faith . . . For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11
The seeds of the dream to help build the church took root when the Apostle Paul encountered Christ.  The church today is part of that dream that was planted in him . . . to share the message of Christ . . . to bring hope to the world.  He faced impossible circumstances ; however, he knew God had a plan that would not and could not fail: But if I am to live on in the flesh, this will mean fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. Philippians 1:22
We are given the choice to be a steward of the dream God has put in us.  Paul was confident in the presence and activity of God in the dream that he had within him, trusting God for the outcome.   

Pray: Thank YOU for the dream.  I call on you . . . to live the dream.

We never have to settle . . . to allow our circumstances define how we live . . . with God . . . there is a dream . . . that will take root . . . push above the circumstances . . . grow and produce fruit.  God chose Paul to carry a specific dream . . . and God has a dream for each one of us. 
Look backwards in time . . . and see what happens when one individual trusts God to make dreams happen.
Learning with you to KICK START the day . . . living the dream.
Pastor Kerrie

(interAct 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
 Kick Start Your Day~Archives & Daily Subscription: go to http://kickstarttoday.blogspot.com/
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Monday, October 26, 2009

What Would You Do?


An accident occurred.
Life changed for them.  Nothing would ever be the same.  Ever.
Their dreams died the night of the accident . . . vanished . . .  in a moment.
What would you do if you were in their circumstance?
What would you do if you knew with complete confidence that God was present and doing a good work in that circumstance?
What would you do in the circumstances that you are in now . . . if you had complete confidence God is present and doing a good work?
Look at the Apostle Paul . . . an historic moment in time . . . the occasion has been marked.  The church had just begun . . . Paul was assigned by God to build the church . . . he was imprisoned . . . his enemies were working to discredit and bring him down.  It did not seem like it was going to work . . . but Paul had encountered Christ . . . and changed.  So, Paul  united his life in the ongoing-active-never-ending presence of Christ.  He had confidence that God was doing a good work . . . confidence that nothing and no one could stop the work of God.  Even so . . . who could have imagined thousands of years later . . . through adversity and adversaries . . . opposition . . . persecution . . . the church continues today? Paul wrote: . . . according to my earnest expectation and hope, that I will not be put to shame in anything, but that with all boldness, Christ will even now, as always, be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.
To Live Is Christ . . . Philippians 1:20
Paul had earnest expectation and hope:
For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. Philippians 1:6
Paul had confidence . . . an earnest expectation and hope . . . in the presence and activity of God . . . knowing God was doing a good work.
Pray:  God,  I need you to live in an earnest expectation and hope. You are mighty to save!
Christ followers are enabled by the Spirit of God to live with a fearless boldness, confidence, and courage despite adversity and adversaries.  The Christ follower sees beyond the circumstance, knowing that God is at work.    
The thing is . . . it comes down to living confidently in Christ . . . God with us . . . confident there is always more . . . .  whether in life or death. Would you do what Paul did?  Paul defined his actions by a few powerful words:  For to me, to live is Christ and to die is gain. Philippians 1:21
Learning with you to KICK START the day . . . confidently in Christ.
Pastor Kerrie
(interAct 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
 Kick Start Your Day~Archives & Daily Subscription: go to http://kickstarttoday.blogspot.com/
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Sunday, October 25, 2009

Knowing

They came to my office.
They were searching for God.
“How do you know?”
“How do you know that God is real when things continually get worse?”
“For that matter, how do you know God . . .  is . . .  God?”
“How is it possible to know?”
While we talked about many other things . . .  I suggested to ask God to let them know.
There is a “knowing” that comes from the Spirit of God.

It is through the Spirit of God . . . that we can know . . . we are given eyes to see . . . to know God is present and at work. Paul prayed for the Ephesians to know: I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in his people, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is the same as the mighty strength . . . Ephesians 1:17-19

The Spirit of God gives true perspective, the picture of true reality.  The Apostle Paul knew that regardless of  being imprisoned . . . of suffering . . . of opposition . . .  God was at work.  . . . for I know that this will turn out for my deliverance through your prayers and the provision of the Spirit of Jesus Christ . . .  Philippians 1:19
The Spirit of God gave him eyes to see that the good work of God would be completed ( see Philippians 1:6).  He knew . . . the work . . . that would overpower his adversity and adversaries . . . would occur through the prayers of the church and provision of the Spirit.  In faith, he could repeat the words of Christ, “it is finished” (John 19:30), confident that God would see him through it all . . . that Christ is the Finisher.
Prayer:  God, give me eyes to see that it is finished.
Paul had a bold eagerness and anticipation of the future.   His deliverance would come through the prayers of the church and the provision of the Spirit . . . the same Spirit that is in union with Christ.  He was not worried . . . agitated . . . distraught . . . or depressed . . . he could say, “it is well.”
 What was the key to his strength and bold eagerness?
He knew.
Learning with you to KICK START the day . . . knowing.
Pastor Kerrie

(interAct 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
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Saturday, October 24, 2009

What Then?

Crisis.  That is how they define their life . . . an ongoing-never-ending-crisis.  Their schedule is filled with dates for centers around doctor’s visits, hospital stays, and times for medication. They want to live beyond their ongoing-never-ending-crisis mode; however, they are imprisoned by disease.  What, then, can they do? 
Paul was appointed by God to spread the message of Christ . . . to build the church . . . but he was imprisoned by his enemies . . . and there was a problem in the church . . . people were preaching out of pretense . . . deception . . . false motives. 
What then?  What could he do? 
He wrote: What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed; and in this I rejoice. Yes, and I will rejoice . . . Philippians 1:18
The thing is . . . God has promised there is more to life . . . more than what we can see: You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. (Genesis 50:20)
Paul saw through the circumstances of his life . . . he saw reality . . . he knew God was at work and that Christ was being proclaimed despite adversity and adversaries.  And . . . he rejoiced. The ability to rejoice comes from the presence and peace of God . . . a well-being of mind, heart, and body.


Pray:  I will rejoice!

What then? Trust God.  Be confident that God is doing a good work though you can’t see it today.  And . . . rejoice . . . be well.
Learning with you to KICK START the day . . . rejoicing.
Pastor Kerrie

(interAct 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
 Kick Start Your Day~Archives & Daily Subscription: go to http://kickstarttoday.blogspot.com/
interAct: Bible Study  & interAct Study: week 4  & interAct Study: week 4 insights
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Friday, October 23, 2009

Caught In The Darkness


We got caught in the dark.
We were in a new place.
We did not pay attention to the time.  It was dark before we knew it.
The unfamiliar roads were dark . . . so we used our cell phones to provide light . . . to help us see where to walk . . . one step at a time.

 Likewise, we can easily get caught in the darkness of this world, if, we fail to filter life through the Light.  The Psalmist, David, sang: The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid? Psalm 27:1

The thing is . . . when the Lord is our stronghold . . . our Light . . . we do not need to be worried . . . anxious . . .  or fearful  that we will get caught in the darkness.    The Holy Spirit is our Light and will reveal what we need to see and where we need to go. 

The church was in a new place in the course of history. . . something new . . . a birth of the called out . . . the ecclesia . . . the movement of hope to the world.  Even in the beginning, there were those in the church that were more concerned for themselves . . . than for the message of Christ.  Their leader, Paul, was in prison . . . it would have seemed the church had been caught in the darkness.  Paul wrote:  . . . the former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition rather than from pure motives, thinking to cause me distress in my imprisonment . . . Philippians 1:17


Pray:  You are my Light.

Paul had a choice . . . to either be distressed in prison by the work of selfish ambition  . . . or . . .  to realize there was nothing or no one that we have to fear when God is our Light.  The darkness does exist, however, we can be assured that “the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it (John 1:5).

Light is necessary to see through the darkness of circumstances.
Light reveals the Truth of circumstances.
Light reveals what needs to be seen.
Light reveals where we need to walk.

Learning with you to KICK START the day . . . walking in the Light.
Pastor Kerrie

(interAct 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
 Kick Start Your Day~Archives & Daily Subscription: go to http://kickstarttoday.blogspot.com/
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Thursday, October 22, 2009

Appointed


A young woman  . . . a friend of mine . . . has put her whole life aside to help save little girls around the world from sex traders.   My friend does not see the little girls as statistics or haunting faces on a billboard . . . but girls that need someone to rescue them from evil.   The thing is . . . there are people that have accepted God’s appointment to save their lives.  Their connection is love for God and others.

When we give our life to God, we understand that God has appointed us to a specific era, place, and space to make a difference for the sake of Christ.  The Apostle Paul wrote to the Philippi Church from prison, determined to continue to be a defender of the gospel: the latter do it out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel . . . Philippians 1:16

There were those who preached through the presence, power, and peace of Christ .  .  .  understood what it meant to be  appointed by God to serve not for themselves but for Christ.  They were united out of love . . . agape . . .  love given by the Spirit to unite hearts and lives. 

God creates individuals with a specific plan and purpose.  Paul was destined to share the message of Christ and to build the church; however, he had a choice to accept God’s appointment.   To understand this concept read the book of Esther in the Old Testament.   Esther was faced with a life and death situation:  For if you remain silent at this time, relief and deliverance for the Jews will arise from another place, but you and your father's family will perish. And who knows but that you have come to royal position for such a time as this?" Esther 4:14

Pray:  For such a time as this . . . I will accept Your appointment.

Christ followers are destined to carry the message and to be ready to defend it . . . even to the point of death.  God appoints us to live in a certain era at a certain time in a certain space to give the message of Christ . . . our response is our choice.  Paul made the choice to defend the gospel, which was understood by those who had accepted the appointment of God.  

What has God appointed you to do today?
What have you been appointed to do?

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

 
(interAct 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
 Kick Start Your Day~Archives & Daily Subscription: go to http://kickstarttoday.blogspot.com/
interAct: Bible Study  & interAct Study: week 4  & interAct Study: week 4 insights
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