Cast The Vision

Things that matter in our life require preparation.  The thing is . . . we often want to go from idea to outcome without the time and work of preparation.  We are told there is a season for everything: There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens (Ecclesiastes 3:1).There needs to be winter before there can be a spring; the quiet work of winter is necessary to be ready for the season of explosive growth. 

The book of Joshua describes the pinnacle of preparation when Joshua casts the vision of what will occur:  "It shall come about when the soles of the feet of the priests who carry the ark of the LORD, the Lord of all the earth, rest in the waters of the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan will be cut off, and the waters which are flowing down from above will stand in one heap" (Joshua 3:13).

Think about how Joshua prepared the people by casting the vision of the Jordan standing in one heap.  There is power in casting the vision as we prepare for what God has promised to do in our life . . . whether it is personal, physical, financial, relational, spiritual . . . look beyond the realm of today.

Get ready.

Prepare for what more God has for you.

Cast the vision.

 Learning with you to KICK START the day casting the vision in preparation for what more God is doing.

                                                                  Pastor Kerrie

 (written by Kerrie Palmer © 2010 All Rights Reserved)
interactstudies/ ~ kpalmer@hillchurch.com ~Church on the Hill~700 N. Hill Rd.~McMinnville, OR 97128~503.472.8476 ~www.hillchurch.com~Archives & Daily Subscription: go to http://kickstarttoday.blogspot.com/

A Common Trap

“Stupid.  That’s all that can be said about what I did. My life would be different today, if,  I had done things differently.”

His comment said so much. 

He was stuck in regret for what he had done. 

His perception of life narrowed.

The thing is . . . his way of thinking is a common trap for all.   

The people in the ancient days had made a decision that had propelled a whole generation into wandering the desert.  As with all things, we see more clearly when we look backwards.  If, only, they had believed God.

If, only, they would have took the risk and crossed over to the land.

When we fail to trust God . . . we will experience the consequences. 

God provided a way to move forward.  

God always has something more . . . we do not need to be stuck . . . or in a dead-end.

God used Joshua to lead the people forward.  So.

Joshua prepared the people to move forward and cross the line:  Now then, take for yourselves twelve men from the tribes of Israel, one man for each tribe. Joshua 3:12

The twelve men represented all the tribes of Israel.  The imagery is profound . . . not one of the tribes that had wandered away from God were to be left behind . . . the promises were for all. God provided a way for all of them to cross the line and receive what He promised.

That said . . . the people had to decide if they would go where God was going and receive what God had planned.

Refuse to be stuck in dead-end thinking.

Believe God.

Take the risk and move forward.

Go where God is going.

 Learning with you to KICK START the day refusing to be trapped into dead-end thinking.

                                                                  Pastor Kerrie

 (written by Kerrie Palmer © 2010 All Rights Reserved)
interactstudies/ ~ kpalmer@hillchurch.com ~Church on the Hill~700 N. Hill Rd.~McMinnville, OR 97128~503.472.8476 ~www.hillchurch.com~Archives & Daily Subscription: go to http://kickstarttoday.blogspot.com/

Cross the Line

They were tired. 

Extremely tired. 

Tired of being lost in a world of busyness and pressures. 

They became so tired that they failed to recognize what really matters.
The thing is . . . when you know what matters . . . you are energized. 

How do we know what matters?

It is the business of God to show us what matters.  So. He leads and guides into the provided place of promise..

Joshua pointed out that the presence of God (the ark) would cross over the line and move ahead of the people into the Promised Land: Behold, the ark of the covenant of the Lord of all the earth is crossing over ahead of you into the Jordan. (Joshua 3:11)..  

God led the people into a place that had been promised to live a life that mattered.  Too often we miss where and how we are to live . . . missing what matters . . . to live a full and whole life.

Cross the line. 

Go where it matters to God.

Leave the tired existence of a life that does not matter.

Live.

 Learning with you to KICK START the day living the life that matters. .

                                                                  Pastor Kerrie

 (written by Kerrie Palmer © 2010 All Rights Reserved)
interactstudies/ ~ kpalmer@hillchurch.com ~Church on the Hill~700 N. Hill Rd.~McMinnville, OR 97128~503.472.8476 ~www.hillchurch.com~Archives & Daily Subscription: go to http://kickstarttoday.blogspot.com/

Aware of the Presence

Along the course of a lifetime, crisis occurs and individuals lose their balance. And, too many times, difficult circumstances, challenges, and crises reproduce

Crises often block our awareness of the presence of God. When we can’t see God, we go sideways.  Life becomes a series of challenges; the simplest task seems too difficult to do.

How life proceeds is not dependent on being crises-free but to be set free through the presence of God.

. .. For He Himself has said, "I will never leave you nor forsake you." (Hebrews 13:5 ).
. . . And He said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness." ( 2 Corinthians 12:9).
. . . And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:7).

In reality, beyond the restraints of time and space, Christ-followers are given the eternal presence, power, and peace of Christ. The awareness of the presence of Christ changes our perception. The awareness of the dynamic power of Christ changes the management of circumstances, challenges, and crises. The awareness of the peace of Christ, changes the impact of whatever we face.

Christ promised to never leave or forsake us (Hebrews 13:5).
Develop an awareness of His promise to never leave you . . . ever.

Christ promised to be our strength in the weakness of our humanity (2 Corinthians 12:9).
Develop an awareness of the strength He makes available for you to endure and persist in the race of life.

Christ promised to give peace that passes all understanding (Philippians 4:7). Develop an awareness of an active peace of God.

Joshua assured the people that they would know the living God would be present because of the fulfilled word.  He said: "By this you shall know that the living God is among you, and that He will assuredly dispossess from before you the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Hivite, the Perizzite, the Girgashite, the Amorite, and the Jebusite.  Joshua 3:10

Are you aware of God?

Develop an awareness of God . . . intentionally acknowledge God throughout the day.

 Learning with you to KICK START the day in the presence and peace of Christ.

                                                                  Pastor Kerrie

 (written by Kerrie Palmer © 2010 All Rights Reserved)
interactstudies/ ~ kpalmer@hillchurch.com ~Church on the Hill~700 N. Hill Rd.~McMinnville, OR 97128~503.472.8476 ~www.hillchurch.com~Archives & Daily Subscription: go to http://kickstarttoday.blogspot.com/