Chaos happens. Chaos often surprises us, especially when things seem to be going well . . . one thing occurs and order disappears.
How does chaos occur so quickly when we think everything is under control?
Look
at the story of the Egyptians who went after the Israelites in full
pursuit. It is clear how chaos occurred in their story. The Egyptians, the Israelites’ former oppressors, were
stronger and had more resources than the former slaves. Things were going really well for them; they were on top of their game. Even so, their lives ended in chaotic havoc.
How did the powerful Egyptians lose control over the weak Israelites? How did their elite and organized system plummet into the deep waters of the Red Sea?
Everything seemed to go
wrong for the Egyptians when they attempted to cross the Red Sea . . .
they lost control . . . chaos occurred. In reality, everything went
wrong long before they entered the Red Sea . . . chaos was set into
motion when the Egyptians went their own way rather than God’s way.
God had told them over and over to let the people go . . . what would
have happened if they would have trusted God and responded the way God asked? It is true, the slaves were the driving force of their economic status; however, trusting God would have created more than that nation could ever accomplished on their own.
But . . . they went their own way . . . trying to get back what was not theirs to have:
The
Egyptians came after them in full pursuit, every horse and chariot and
driver of Pharaoh racing into the middle of the sea. It was now the
morning watch. GOD looked down from the Pillar of Fire and Cloud on the
Egyptian army and threw them into a panic. He clogged the wheels of
their chariots; they were stuck in the mud.
The Egyptians said, "Run from Israel! GOD is fighting on their side and against Egypt!"
(Exodus 14: 22-25, The Message)
If
only, they would have turned to God for help rather than
trying with all of they had to stay in control. When we do it our way . . .
chaos enters in . . . and life goes sideways.
The
thing is . . . God promises to direct are paths when we trust him and
seek His will in all we do. There are no ifs, ands, or buts to this precept. God's Spirit will show us the path to take, making a miraculous dry
pathway in the Red Seas of life, providing opportunities that we would never imagine.
How is it possible when we were are faced with the Red Seas of Life?
We
are told to:
Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take. (Proverbs 3: 5,6, NLT)
So. We need to relinquish our own control and
1. Trust God with all of our heart, which includes trusting that God will not fail us..
2.
Broaden the view of our situation through the wisdom of God rather than
our own understanding, which requires us to walk down the pathway God
provides by faith not by sight.
3. Seek the will of God in absolutely everything, which means every step on the pathway.
Refuse to go down the pathway of chaos.
Trust God.
Seek God.
Follow the pathway God shows you to go on.
Learning to KickStart the day with you following God,
Kerrie
(written by Kerrie L. Palmer © 2010 All Rights Reserved)
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
What Would We Miss If We Went Back?
God ordains healing change rather than living to sustain our life in status quo. We do not need to be swallowed up by the things of life but to persevere through faith that God has something more for us to experience. In the ancient days, the Israelites had to be willing to walk away from salvery going forward by faith. It began with prayer when they were lives were weighed down with the pain of oppression.
At the end of the day . . . prayer is the hinge of a healing change.
They prayed: The Israelites groaned in their slavery and cried out, and their cry for help because of their slavery went up to God. God heard their groaning and he remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac and with Jacob. So God looked on the Israelites and was concerned about them. (Exodus 2:23-25)
God answered, continually at work on behalf of the people: So the people of Israel walked through the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on each side! (Exodus 14: 22, NLT)
'The Israelites struggled with their future; however, they stayed the course, trusting God for complete deliverance.
What would have happened if they turned around and went back to Egypt?
We know they would have missed the way God had planned for them to go through the Red Sea on dry ground with walls of water on each side.
The walk of a lifetime would never have been a part of their reality had they not prayed and went the way God directed.
Once they prayed . . . even the atmosphere changed. . . as they asked God to shift the details of their life. It required a response . . . to leave the shore of the Red Sea and take a step . . . to experience a breakthrough from slavery.
What do we miss when we go back to things that oppress and enslave us?
The presence of God is more powerful than the pain that we encounter in this world. The suffering of the pain can be so great that we can't see that God is present. The thing is . . . God has a plan . . . before we were born . . . a plan to prosper and not to harm us . . . a dry pathway with the walls of water held high as we face the Red Seas of life. When we call out to God, He will shift the universe, answering in extraordinary ways.
Call out to God.
Experience the new way God has for you to go in healing and wholeness.
Learning to KickStart the day by praying, going the way God plans for me to go,
Kerrie
(written by Kerrie L. Palmer © 2010 All Rights Reserved)
At the end of the day . . . prayer is the hinge of a healing change.
They prayed: The Israelites groaned in their slavery and cried out, and their cry for help because of their slavery went up to God. God heard their groaning and he remembered his covenant with Abraham, with Isaac and with Jacob. So God looked on the Israelites and was concerned about them. (Exodus 2:23-25)
God answered, continually at work on behalf of the people: So the people of Israel walked through the sea on dry ground, with walls of water on each side! (Exodus 14: 22, NLT)
'The Israelites struggled with their future; however, they stayed the course, trusting God for complete deliverance.
What would have happened if they turned around and went back to Egypt?
We know they would have missed the way God had planned for them to go through the Red Sea on dry ground with walls of water on each side.
The walk of a lifetime would never have been a part of their reality had they not prayed and went the way God directed.
Once they prayed . . . even the atmosphere changed. . . as they asked God to shift the details of their life. It required a response . . . to leave the shore of the Red Sea and take a step . . . to experience a breakthrough from slavery.
What do we miss when we go back to things that oppress and enslave us?
The presence of God is more powerful than the pain that we encounter in this world. The suffering of the pain can be so great that we can't see that God is present. The thing is . . . God has a plan . . . before we were born . . . a plan to prosper and not to harm us . . . a dry pathway with the walls of water held high as we face the Red Seas of life. When we call out to God, He will shift the universe, answering in extraordinary ways.
Call out to God.
Experience the new way God has for you to go in healing and wholeness.
Learning to KickStart the day by praying, going the way God plans for me to go,
Kerrie
(written by Kerrie L. Palmer © 2010 All Rights Reserved)
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Red Seas of Life
Most of us have lived in difficult and challenging circumstances . . . which I call the Red Seas of Life . . the kind of things that are always on our mind. . . throughout the day . . . all through the night. The Red Seas of life relentlessly occupy our thoughts, emotions, and attitude. The thing that messes with most of us is that we are responsible for not letting the Red Seas of life to take the life out of us. And more than that . . . there is a time . . . a place . . . a moment . .. which does not make sense to those who do not know Christ . . . that will profoundly impact the world . . . when we respond with faith in Christ rather than . . . respond in fear to the Red Seas of life. The thing is. . . as a Christ Follower we have the duty and pleasure . . . to let the world see Christ in us . . . as we walk through the Red Seas of life . . . in faith that God will make a way.
I am the first to say the Red Seas of life that lie between me and faith can be so overwhelming that it seems impossible that God will make a way through the messiness of the problems, pressures, and challenges. Fear is an understandable and normal response when we face the Red Seas of life. But, fear is not of God.
In all honesty, I have experienced the Red Seas of life in two different ways. There have been the times that I have continued to have fear and other times I have had perfect peace with faith that Christ is . . . well. . . Christ. There is one difference in both scenarios: in the former I end up trying as much as possible not to have fear and in the latter, I have surrendered and laid all things down to Christ. There is a huge gap between trying and surrender.
As we look back into the ancient days, we are able to see that the struggle between fear and faith is an ongoing battle of humanity when the Red Sea is in front of us. Read the book of Exodus and study Moses. While we can skip ahead and then read the words to discover the outcome, Moses did not have that luxury.to know the future as he stood before the rushing waters of the Red Sea with the most powerful army charging behind him and the very fearful two million people in between. In that moment of time, Moses took a leap of faith to believe that God would part the waters when he simply raised his hand over the sea. Seriously. It would have been the ultimate exercise of faith: Then Moses raised his hand over the sea, and the LORD opened up a path through the water with a strong east wind. The wind blew all that night, turning the seabed into dry land. (Exodus 14: 21, NLT)
I am not sure anyone would really be prepared for the deliverance scene in Exodus. It had to be breathtakingly miraculous to see that as Moses raised his hand over the Red Sea. . . a path opened through the water . . . and to feel the strength of the east wind as it came up . . . blowing all night . . . like a gigantic blow dryer . . . until the bottom of the sea became dry land. The Israelites had perceived life through their experience of oppression; however, the parting waters of the Red Sea and its dry ground changed their perception of God, who was not somewhere far off, but, present, saving the people to fully experience freedom. Perception changes everything.
They came to that moment that they had to decide if they would respond in faith that God could and would make a way through the Red Sea:
2 Corinthians 3:17 is clear that true freedom in life is coming to the moments of life trusting the Spirit of God to not only provides the way but to be present, going through it with us : Now, the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, he gives freedom.
Whenever we experience the presence of God, we experience divine freedom. God always makes a way for humanity to experience freedom from the Red Sea of life . . . the problems, challenges, and messes in life. That said, freedom doesn’t make sense if we are immersed in fear of the Red Sea rather than focused on faith of Christ. Fear must be surrendered in order to get through the Red Sea of life..
Remember God always makes a way for us to be delivered from the pressures and power of problems and trials. He parts the Red Sea of life and blows the wind of His Spirit over us to make a way through whatever we are going through.
Do you want the Red Sea of Life to part?
Respond in faith.
Believe God will make a way.
Walk through the way God has planned for you . . . believe God will part the Red Seas of your life . . . and provide dry ground to walk in . . . as the Spirit moves in your circumstance.
Learning to Kick Start the day in faith that Christ will make a way . . . parting the Red Sea of Life . . . as the wind of the Spirit moves,
Kerrie
(written by Kerrie Palmer © 2010 All Rights Reserved)
I am the first to say the Red Seas of life that lie between me and faith can be so overwhelming that it seems impossible that God will make a way through the messiness of the problems, pressures, and challenges. Fear is an understandable and normal response when we face the Red Seas of life. But, fear is not of God.
In all honesty, I have experienced the Red Seas of life in two different ways. There have been the times that I have continued to have fear and other times I have had perfect peace with faith that Christ is . . . well. . . Christ. There is one difference in both scenarios: in the former I end up trying as much as possible not to have fear and in the latter, I have surrendered and laid all things down to Christ. There is a huge gap between trying and surrender.
As we look back into the ancient days, we are able to see that the struggle between fear and faith is an ongoing battle of humanity when the Red Sea is in front of us. Read the book of Exodus and study Moses. While we can skip ahead and then read the words to discover the outcome, Moses did not have that luxury.to know the future as he stood before the rushing waters of the Red Sea with the most powerful army charging behind him and the very fearful two million people in between. In that moment of time, Moses took a leap of faith to believe that God would part the waters when he simply raised his hand over the sea. Seriously. It would have been the ultimate exercise of faith: Then Moses raised his hand over the sea, and the LORD opened up a path through the water with a strong east wind. The wind blew all that night, turning the seabed into dry land. (Exodus 14: 21, NLT)
I am not sure anyone would really be prepared for the deliverance scene in Exodus. It had to be breathtakingly miraculous to see that as Moses raised his hand over the Red Sea. . . a path opened through the water . . . and to feel the strength of the east wind as it came up . . . blowing all night . . . like a gigantic blow dryer . . . until the bottom of the sea became dry land. The Israelites had perceived life through their experience of oppression; however, the parting waters of the Red Sea and its dry ground changed their perception of God, who was not somewhere far off, but, present, saving the people to fully experience freedom. Perception changes everything.
They came to that moment that they had to decide if they would respond in faith that God could and would make a way through the Red Sea:
2 Corinthians 3:17 is clear that true freedom in life is coming to the moments of life trusting the Spirit of God to not only provides the way but to be present, going through it with us : Now, the Lord is the Spirit, and wherever the Spirit of the Lord is, he gives freedom.
Whenever we experience the presence of God, we experience divine freedom. God always makes a way for humanity to experience freedom from the Red Sea of life . . . the problems, challenges, and messes in life. That said, freedom doesn’t make sense if we are immersed in fear of the Red Sea rather than focused on faith of Christ. Fear must be surrendered in order to get through the Red Sea of life..
Remember God always makes a way for us to be delivered from the pressures and power of problems and trials. He parts the Red Sea of life and blows the wind of His Spirit over us to make a way through whatever we are going through.
Do you want the Red Sea of Life to part?
Respond in faith.
Believe God will make a way.
Walk through the way God has planned for you . . . believe God will part the Red Seas of your life . . . and provide dry ground to walk in . . . as the Spirit moves in your circumstance.
Learning to Kick Start the day in faith that Christ will make a way . . . parting the Red Sea of Life . . . as the wind of the Spirit moves,
Kerrie
(written by Kerrie Palmer © 2010 All Rights Reserved)
Monday, September 27, 2010
LET THERE BE LIGHT!
Mornings have changed as summer has moved into fall . . . and we begin the day in darkness . . . but we know the light will come. Can you imagine living in the dark day and night without hope of the light coming?
God is the giver of light.
Those who follow God live in light. Those who are separated from God live in the darkness. The ancient day Exodus story encapsulates the steps of the journey we take either in the darkness or light. We freely choose to follow God, a choice that leads us in the light. The Exodus story contrasts the differences between two camps . . . light and dark . . . following God . . . or going our own way.
The cloud settled between the Israelite and Egyptian camps. As night came, the pillar of cloud turned into a pillar of fire, lighting the Israelite camp. But the cloud became darkness to the Egyptians, and they couldn't find the Israelites. (Exodus 14: 20, NLT)
The Egyptians were in the kind of darkness that nothing could be seen. They were chasing after what they wanted for themselves . . . their slaves. Their camp was completely dark. Imagine the fear and frustration of the Egyptians. Next door to the dark Egyptian camp, the Israelites’ camp was lit with the light of God. Two camps . . . side by side . . . light . . . dark . . . a picture of humanity. Light and dark separate our lives. Only God has the power to turn darkness into light. When we ask God to exchange Light for the darkness . . . we can know that His Word has been issued and will not be deterred . . . His word moves through time and space . . . LET THERE BE LIGHT! And there is light.
Declare the Word of God . . . in places of darkness. . . LET THERE BE LIGHT!
Intentionally think, speak, and act in the Light.
Remember living in the dark is purposeless, a waste of the gift of life.
Invite others to join you in the Light . . . to live in the light of the presence of God and say as the Psalmist said:
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, TNIV)
God is our personal light and salvation.
Learning with you to Kick Start the day . . . agreeing with the Words of God. . . in every place . . . LET THERE BE LIGHT!
Kerrie
(written by Kerrie Palmer © 2010 All Rights Reserved)
God is the giver of light.
Then God said, "LET THERE BE LIGHT!" and there was light.Have you ever been in the dark? The kind of dark without light . . . absolute darkness . . . pitch black . . . nothing can be seen . . . nothing. There are not only physical places in life that are dark but mentally, emotionally and spiritually. Loss, especially loss that we do not plan on, can create a place of darkness, whether it is loss of a relationship, health, finances, job, or something else that we count as vital.
And God saw that it was good. Then he separated the light from the darkness. (Genesis 1:3-4, NLT)
Those who follow God live in light. Those who are separated from God live in the darkness. The ancient day Exodus story encapsulates the steps of the journey we take either in the darkness or light. We freely choose to follow God, a choice that leads us in the light. The Exodus story contrasts the differences between two camps . . . light and dark . . . following God . . . or going our own way.
The cloud settled between the Israelite and Egyptian camps. As night came, the pillar of cloud turned into a pillar of fire, lighting the Israelite camp. But the cloud became darkness to the Egyptians, and they couldn't find the Israelites. (Exodus 14: 20, NLT)
The Egyptians were in the kind of darkness that nothing could be seen. They were chasing after what they wanted for themselves . . . their slaves. Their camp was completely dark. Imagine the fear and frustration of the Egyptians. Next door to the dark Egyptian camp, the Israelites’ camp was lit with the light of God. Two camps . . . side by side . . . light . . . dark . . . a picture of humanity. Light and dark separate our lives. Only God has the power to turn darkness into light. When we ask God to exchange Light for the darkness . . . we can know that His Word has been issued and will not be deterred . . . His word moves through time and space . . . LET THERE BE LIGHT! And there is light.
Declare the Word of God . . . in places of darkness. . . LET THERE BE LIGHT!
Intentionally think, speak, and act in the Light.
Remember living in the dark is purposeless, a waste of the gift of life.
Invite others to join you in the Light . . . to live in the light of the presence of God and say as the Psalmist said:
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, TNIV)
God is our personal light and salvation.
Learning with you to Kick Start the day . . . agreeing with the Words of God. . . in every place . . . LET THERE BE LIGHT!
Kerrie
(written by Kerrie Palmer © 2010 All Rights Reserved)
Friday, September 24, 2010
The Place of Freedom
Many would tell you that we are living in times of trials and heartaches. Even so, there are individuals that appear to be free of the impact of the challenges. You probably know at least one individual who seems to be thriving in these times. The thing is . . . it is possible . . . to live free of pressures and problems in difficult places of living. The key to living in any place at any time is to intentionally break free of whatever oppresses us through the power of God. Regardless of how tough it seems, God will take us to the place of absolute freedom.
In the ancient days, God not only planned for the people to get out of the place of bondage but to enter a place of promised freedom. So. God led the people: Then the angel of God, who had been leading the people of Israel,moved to the rear of the camp. The pillar of cloud also moved from the front and stood behind them. (Exodus 14: 19, NLT) God will free us from bondage, allowing to experience the divine gift of the fullness of freedom.
The activity of God is revealed in Exodus 14 . . . God is always at work on our behalf . . . but . . . God is often missed. We must make a decision to have faith in God's continual work. There is freedom from the power of circumstances when we have faith that God is present and continually at work rather than somewhere far away. We are often our own greatest obstacle to getting to the place of complete freedom. Unbelief is the most common reason. But, God will empower us to believe if we ask.
Go to the place of freedom.
Confess your need of God as the Psalmist did: God, investigate my life; get all the facts firsthand.
I'm an open book to you;
even from a distance, you know what I'm thinking.
You know when I leave and when I get back;
I'm never out of your sight.
You know everything I'm going to say
before I start the first sentence.
I look behind me and you're there,
then up ahead and you're there, too—
your reassuring presence, coming and going.
This is too much, too wonderful—
I can't take it all in! (Psalm 139: 1-6, The Message).
Ask God to take you to the place of freedom.
Go where God says to go.
Experience freedom.
.
Learning to Kick Start the day in the place of freedom,.
Kerrie
(written by Kerrie Palmer © 2010 All Rights Reserved)
In the ancient days, God not only planned for the people to get out of the place of bondage but to enter a place of promised freedom. So. God led the people: Then the angel of God, who had been leading the people of Israel,moved to the rear of the camp. The pillar of cloud also moved from the front and stood behind them. (Exodus 14: 19, NLT) God will free us from bondage, allowing to experience the divine gift of the fullness of freedom.
The activity of God is revealed in Exodus 14 . . . God is always at work on our behalf . . . but . . . God is often missed. We must make a decision to have faith in God's continual work. There is freedom from the power of circumstances when we have faith that God is present and continually at work rather than somewhere far away. We are often our own greatest obstacle to getting to the place of complete freedom. Unbelief is the most common reason. But, God will empower us to believe if we ask.
Go to the place of freedom.
Confess your need of God as the Psalmist did: God, investigate my life; get all the facts firsthand.
I'm an open book to you;
even from a distance, you know what I'm thinking.
You know when I leave and when I get back;
I'm never out of your sight.
You know everything I'm going to say
before I start the first sentence.
I look behind me and you're there,
then up ahead and you're there, too—
your reassuring presence, coming and going.
This is too much, too wonderful—
I can't take it all in! (Psalm 139: 1-6, The Message).
Ask God to take you to the place of freedom.
Go where God says to go.
Experience freedom.
.
Learning to Kick Start the day in the place of freedom,.
Kerrie
(written by Kerrie Palmer © 2010 All Rights Reserved)
Thursday, September 23, 2010
Success
When we ignore Christ, we live in defeat. A lasting successful life
can only be found through Christ. In the ancient days, Egypt had
unbelievable great power and wealth at the expense of their slaves.
Their success was measured by what they had and what they did rather
than by who they were. If, we aren't careful, we will evaluate our
life by those same standards. Success based on what we have and do
never lasts
At the end of the day, the power of God usurped the great power and wealth of the Egyptians: "When I defeat the king, his chariot drivers, and chariots, the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD." (Exodus 14: 18, NCV)
The thing is . . . they lost before they got started . . . life without God . . . is not life . . . regardless of how others see it. Jesus came to free us of the thoughts that draw us away from living a true successful life. So. We need to have a different mindset as Romans 12:2 says: And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. (NASB)
It is important to remember that we have to work on our thought life on a daily basis. Our thoughts direct the way we live our life. The way we think of success. . . is the way we live successfully. What forms your thoughts of success?
God wants to transform our thoughts so we can live the way we are created to live successfully in Christ.
Evaluate how your thoughts of success conform to this world.
Meditate on the word, conform (suschematizo, Greek) which means to conform to a specific pattern.
Ask the Spirit of God to transform the way you think about success.
.
Learning to Kick Start the day with transformed thoughts,.
Kerrie
(written by Kerrie Palmer © 2010 All Rights Reserved)
At the end of the day, the power of God usurped the great power and wealth of the Egyptians: "When I defeat the king, his chariot drivers, and chariots, the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD." (Exodus 14: 18, NCV)
The thing is . . . they lost before they got started . . . life without God . . . is not life . . . regardless of how others see it. Jesus came to free us of the thoughts that draw us away from living a true successful life. So. We need to have a different mindset as Romans 12:2 says: And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. (NASB)
It is important to remember that we have to work on our thought life on a daily basis. Our thoughts direct the way we live our life. The way we think of success. . . is the way we live successfully. What forms your thoughts of success?
God wants to transform our thoughts so we can live the way we are created to live successfully in Christ.
Evaluate how your thoughts of success conform to this world.
Meditate on the word, conform (suschematizo, Greek) which means to conform to a specific pattern.
Ask the Spirit of God to transform the way you think about success.
.
Learning to Kick Start the day with transformed thoughts,.
Kerrie
(written by Kerrie Palmer © 2010 All Rights Reserved)
Success
When we ignore Christ, we live in defeat. A lasting successful life can only be found through Christ. In the ancient days, Egypt had unbelievable great power and wealth at the expense of their slaves. Their success was measured by what they had and what they did rather than by who they were. If, we aren't careful, we will evaluate our life by those same standards. Success based on what we have and do never lasts
At the end of the day, the power of God usurped the great power and wealth of the Egyptians: "When I defeat the king, his chariot drivers, and chariots, the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD." (Exodus 14: 18, NCV)
The thing is . . . they lost before they got started . . . life without God . . . is not life . . . regardless of how others see it. Jesus came to free us of the thoughts that draw us away from living a true successful life. So. We need to have a different mindset as Romans 12:2 says: And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. (NASB)
It is important to remember that we have to work on our thought life each day of our life. Our thoughts direct the way we live our life. The way we think of success. . . is the way we live successfully. What forms your thoughts of success?
God wants to transform our thoughts so we can live the way we are created to live successfully in Christ.
Evaluate how your thoughts of success conform to this world.
Meditate on the word, conform (suschematizo, Greek) which means to conform to a specific pattern.
Ask the Spirit of God to transform the way you think about success.
.
Learning to Kick Start the day with transformed thoughts,.
Kerrie
(written by Kerrie Palmer © 2010 All Rights Reserved)
At the end of the day, the power of God usurped the great power and wealth of the Egyptians: "When I defeat the king, his chariot drivers, and chariots, the Egyptians will know that I am the LORD." (Exodus 14: 18, NCV)
The thing is . . . they lost before they got started . . . life without God . . . is not life . . . regardless of how others see it. Jesus came to free us of the thoughts that draw us away from living a true successful life. So. We need to have a different mindset as Romans 12:2 says: And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. (NASB)
It is important to remember that we have to work on our thought life each day of our life. Our thoughts direct the way we live our life. The way we think of success. . . is the way we live successfully. What forms your thoughts of success?
God wants to transform our thoughts so we can live the way we are created to live successfully in Christ.
Evaluate how your thoughts of success conform to this world.
Meditate on the word, conform (suschematizo, Greek) which means to conform to a specific pattern.
Ask the Spirit of God to transform the way you think about success.
.
Learning to Kick Start the day with transformed thoughts,.
Kerrie
(written by Kerrie Palmer © 2010 All Rights Reserved)
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Fix it
They were in bondage to their fear of living without their slaves . . . their economy tanked with the exodus . . . and their comfortable lifestyle had disappeared. They did not understand that God was in control as they tried to fix the situation: "Meanwhile I'll make sure the Egyptians keep up their stubborn chase—I'll use Pharaoh and his entire army, his chariots and horsemen, to put my Glory on display so that the Egyptians will realize that I am God." (Exodus 14: 17-18)
. .
The Egyptians chased God's people . . . their slaves . . . . . . rather than turning to God. It could have been different. There is no doubt that they knew that God was more powerful than anything they could do. They certainly had viewed the power of God as Pharaoh and Moses battled for God's people. The thing is . . . if they would have walked in the peace and power of God rather than in their own desires . . . thinking . . . speaking . . . and acting God's way . . . they would not have been in bondage for needing slaves. In reality, they were enslaved by their self-absorption.
What would have happened if they would have turned to God rather than trying to fix their life through chasing their released slaves?
How often do we try to fix life instead of turning to God?
With God, it is not just about fixing things, but transformation.
The Egyptians had many possibilities to invite God into their own life.
Isn't new life after loss a true miracle?
Tragedy occurs when we become lost in our loss and fail to see God. Jesus said to "seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well" (Matthew 6:33).
God uses loss as a place for a new beginning and new life.
Seek God first.
Walk in the peace and power of God
Receive new life in places of loss.
Learning to Kick Start the day be transformed rather than just fix it..
Kerrie
(written by Kerrie Palmer © 2010 All Rights Reserved)
. .
The Egyptians chased God's people . . . their slaves . . . . . . rather than turning to God. It could have been different. There is no doubt that they knew that God was more powerful than anything they could do. They certainly had viewed the power of God as Pharaoh and Moses battled for God's people. The thing is . . . if they would have walked in the peace and power of God rather than in their own desires . . . thinking . . . speaking . . . and acting God's way . . . they would not have been in bondage for needing slaves. In reality, they were enslaved by their self-absorption.
What would have happened if they would have turned to God rather than trying to fix their life through chasing their released slaves?
How often do we try to fix life instead of turning to God?
With God, it is not just about fixing things, but transformation.
The Egyptians had many possibilities to invite God into their own life.
Isn't new life after loss a true miracle?
Tragedy occurs when we become lost in our loss and fail to see God. Jesus said to "seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well" (Matthew 6:33).
God uses loss as a place for a new beginning and new life.
Seek God first.
Walk in the peace and power of God
Receive new life in places of loss.
Learning to Kick Start the day be transformed rather than just fix it..
Kerrie
(written by Kerrie Palmer © 2010 All Rights Reserved)
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Cross the Line Between Fear and Faith
Some things just don't make sense when it comes to our relationship
with God. There is mystery to living by faith. Imagine Moses standing
at the bank of the Red Sea with about 2 million people crying out in
fear as they faced the waters. Moses had to have at least a moment of
anxiety when God said: "Use your shepherd's staff -- hold it out over
the water, and a path will open up before you through the sea. Then all
the people of Israel will walk through on dry ground" (Exodus 14: 16,
NLT).
Seriously? Really? That's it? Raise the staff?
Wouldn't you have thought it was crazy to think the solution was to raise his staff over the water?
Yes, I know Moses had experienced God's empowerment through his staff in his past. But . . . that was then . . . this was now . . . the pressure of the mass of fearful people must have shifted the atmosphere . . . from celebration of freedom . . . to fear for their lives. You and I have been there . . . at the line between fear and faith. The way God moves us across the line requires the choice of faith and obedience.
Think what it would have been like from the people's perspective. People have not changed despite all the technology and information we now have. As they had fear, we have fear.
The people were stuck in a difficult place . . .
that required a difficult choice . . .
to either go back to what they had always done . . .
in a place of oppression and slavery . . .
OR . . .
to believe God had a plan for them to move forward into the sea.
Moses was faced with the pressure.
The places of difficult choices are a part of life. Fear and faith are companions of difficult choices. To make the choice of faith we must face the fear and run head-on into it. To live by faith requires a belief that God will use something in our life . . . our "staff" . . . to move us across the line between fear and faith.
If, you had been Moses, would you raise the staff as two million people watched?
Or would fear win?
Will you cross the line between fear and faith?
Trusting God does not always make sense . . . but that is what faith is . . . believing God will do what He has promised to do . . . to make the impossible . . . possible. Choosing to live by faith requires seeking God, believing God can do more than you think is possible, and following His directions.
Raise "your staff" in faith that God will empower you.
Believe God has a plan.
Experience God's empowerment to move you across the line between fear and faith.
Learning to Kick Start the day to choose to raise the "staff" and cross the line between fear and faith.
Kerrie
(written by Kerrie Palmer © 2010 All Rights Reserved)
Seriously? Really? That's it? Raise the staff?
Wouldn't you have thought it was crazy to think the solution was to raise his staff over the water?
Yes, I know Moses had experienced God's empowerment through his staff in his past. But . . . that was then . . . this was now . . . the pressure of the mass of fearful people must have shifted the atmosphere . . . from celebration of freedom . . . to fear for their lives. You and I have been there . . . at the line between fear and faith. The way God moves us across the line requires the choice of faith and obedience.
Think what it would have been like from the people's perspective. People have not changed despite all the technology and information we now have. As they had fear, we have fear.
The people were stuck in a difficult place . . .
that required a difficult choice . . .
to either go back to what they had always done . . .
in a place of oppression and slavery . . .
OR . . .
to believe God had a plan for them to move forward into the sea.
Moses was faced with the pressure.
The places of difficult choices are a part of life. Fear and faith are companions of difficult choices. To make the choice of faith we must face the fear and run head-on into it. To live by faith requires a belief that God will use something in our life . . . our "staff" . . . to move us across the line between fear and faith.
If, you had been Moses, would you raise the staff as two million people watched?
Or would fear win?
Will you cross the line between fear and faith?
Trusting God does not always make sense . . . but that is what faith is . . . believing God will do what He has promised to do . . . to make the impossible . . . possible. Choosing to live by faith requires seeking God, believing God can do more than you think is possible, and following His directions.
Raise "your staff" in faith that God will empower you.
Believe God has a plan.
Experience God's empowerment to move you across the line between fear and faith.
Learning to Kick Start the day to choose to raise the "staff" and cross the line between fear and faith.
Kerrie
(written by Kerrie Palmer © 2010 All Rights Reserved)
Monday, September 20, 2010
Fear Nothing
We know that life can change with every breath which can produce
fear if we are not intentionally focused on God.. Certainly, we are
living in a time of fear that something unpleasant will occur . . . and
we fear that things will get more difficult . . . dark . . . and
depressing. If, we fail to intentionally respond to circumstances
through prayer we will only see the horizontal details.Fear erects an
obstacle to see more than the moment.
I have a friend that says "Pray about nothing and you will fear everything. Pray about everything and you will fear nothing." The thing is . . . we ultimately need to make a decision whether we will respond to the challenges of life through prayer or if we will allow fear to control us.
Take a look in the ancient days: The people of God were freed from slavery; however, their previous slave owners wanted them back. (see Exodus 14: 5). A choice had to be made. They could face their oppressors or head into the Red Sea. Either way appeared to lead to their death. The people were afraid. (see Exodus 14:11) . Their fear makes sense.
While we know the Red Sea parted; the people had no idea that God would make a miraculous way. The people needed to have faith that God a plan in order to move forward.
What would have occurred if they would have stayed at the bank of the Red Sea because of their fear?
They would have missed out on the plan of God . . . to provide a way to the promised land . . . by parting the Red Sea. Prayer made the difference.
Moses prayed: "The LORD said to Moses, "Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving! (Exodus 14: 15, NKJ)"
It is simple.
God had already made it clear that they were to leave Egypt; however, the power of fear became a strong force. Moses prayed. God clearly directed him: "Get moving!"
Pray about everything. Fear nothing
Do what God says to do: "Get moving."
Learning to Kick Start the day by praying about everything and fearing nothing,
Kerrie
(written by Kerrie Palmer © 2010 All Rights Reserved)
I have a friend that says "Pray about nothing and you will fear everything. Pray about everything and you will fear nothing." The thing is . . . we ultimately need to make a decision whether we will respond to the challenges of life through prayer or if we will allow fear to control us.
Take a look in the ancient days: The people of God were freed from slavery; however, their previous slave owners wanted them back. (see Exodus 14: 5). A choice had to be made. They could face their oppressors or head into the Red Sea. Either way appeared to lead to their death. The people were afraid. (see Exodus 14:11) . Their fear makes sense.
While we know the Red Sea parted; the people had no idea that God would make a miraculous way. The people needed to have faith that God a plan in order to move forward.
What would have occurred if they would have stayed at the bank of the Red Sea because of their fear?
They would have missed out on the plan of God . . . to provide a way to the promised land . . . by parting the Red Sea. Prayer made the difference.
Moses prayed: "The LORD said to Moses, "Why are you crying out to me? Tell the people to get moving! (Exodus 14: 15, NKJ)"
It is simple.
God had already made it clear that they were to leave Egypt; however, the power of fear became a strong force. Moses prayed. God clearly directed him: "Get moving!"
Pray about everything. Fear nothing
Do what God says to do: "Get moving."
Learning to Kick Start the day by praying about everything and fearing nothing,
Kerrie
(written by Kerrie Palmer © 2010 All Rights Reserved)
Friday, September 17, 2010
Life Gets Hard
It's hard to believe anything ever will be okay when we are going through a major crisis. And, yet, I have watched people make their way through the worst of things and find a way to be healthy and whole. The process begins with one step at a time . . . that step is turning to God.
Jeremiah wrote the book of Lamentations while the people were in a tragic exile. I like how The Message translates his writing about prayer:
When life is heavy and hard to take,
go off by yourself.
Enter the silence.
Bow in prayer.
Don't ask questions:
Wait for hope to appear.
Don't run from trouble.
Take it full-face.
The "worst" is never the worst. (Lamentations 3: 28-30, The Message)
The thing is . . . the worst of life occurs when we fail to know that God is present . . . and miss out participating with Him. Hope, authentic hope, appears when we go to God and work out our life through Him.
When life gets hard . . . look . . . see the presence of God . . . give your life to Him.
Learning to Kick Start the day by turning to God.
(written by Kerrie Palmer © 2010 All Rights Reserved)
Jeremiah wrote the book of Lamentations while the people were in a tragic exile. I like how The Message translates his writing about prayer:
When life is heavy and hard to take,
go off by yourself.
Enter the silence.
Bow in prayer.
Don't ask questions:
Wait for hope to appear.
Don't run from trouble.
Take it full-face.
The "worst" is never the worst. (Lamentations 3: 28-30, The Message)
The thing is . . . the worst of life occurs when we fail to know that God is present . . . and miss out participating with Him. Hope, authentic hope, appears when we go to God and work out our life through Him.
When life gets hard . . . look . . . see the presence of God . . . give your life to Him.
Learning to Kick Start the day by turning to God.
(written by Kerrie Palmer © 2010 All Rights Reserved)
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Regardless of Interruptions
They had not prepared for an interruption in their busy schedule.
In fact, life had become so busy that they focused on what else they
had to do rather than what they were doing. Then, it happened . . . an
interruption . . . so profound that it seemed life had stopped.
It does make me think that we need to be ready for interruptions. Things happen; plans are canceled. The thing is . . . God will use interruptions . . . for good as Romans 8:28 promises. So. we must realize that the details of the day our not ours to own, but even the most minute moment belongs to God.
In Deuteronomy, Moses makes it clear that there is a way to manage life with consistency and continuity that is not contingent on life going the way we plan. He states it with a profound question and answer:
And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you?
He requires you to fear him, to live according to his will, to love and worship him with all your heart and soul (Deuteronomy 10:12).
Unpack the scripture:
Fear Him: Be in awe of God . . . understand God offers us the daily opportunity to be in an active, ongoing, participating relationship . . . through the presence of Christ. The priority of the day is God . . . "Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well" (Matthew 6:33)
Live according to his will: Live the way Christ, God with us, seeking the will of God on a daily basis . . . "
"This, then, is how you should pray:
" 'Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread." (Matthew 6:9-11)
Love: Love God with everything you have . . . body, mind, soul, and strength. Respond through the power of love . . . a strength greater than whatever must be faced. God holds nothing back . . . everything has been given for humanity to receive the complete and full love of God . . . Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind" (Matthew 22:37)
Worship: Pay attention to God. Be aware of the presence of Christ . . . worship . . . realizing the presence of Christ is more than enough . . . Ezra praised the LORD, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, "Amen! Amen!" Then they bowed down and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground" (Nehemiah 8:6)
So . . . there is an intentional decision to live every day . . . fully engaged with God . . . living beyond our daily plans . . . ready for any interruption . . . believing God will make everything work out for good.
Experience Christ regardless of interruptions.
Learning to Kick Start the day by living beyond interruptions.
(written by Kerrie Palmer © 2010 All Rights Reserved)
It does make me think that we need to be ready for interruptions. Things happen; plans are canceled. The thing is . . . God will use interruptions . . . for good as Romans 8:28 promises. So. we must realize that the details of the day our not ours to own, but even the most minute moment belongs to God.
In Deuteronomy, Moses makes it clear that there is a way to manage life with consistency and continuity that is not contingent on life going the way we plan. He states it with a profound question and answer:
And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you?
He requires you to fear him, to live according to his will, to love and worship him with all your heart and soul (Deuteronomy 10:12).
Unpack the scripture:
Fear Him: Be in awe of God . . . understand God offers us the daily opportunity to be in an active, ongoing, participating relationship . . . through the presence of Christ. The priority of the day is God . . . "Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well" (Matthew 6:33)
Live according to his will: Live the way Christ, God with us, seeking the will of God on a daily basis . . . "
"This, then, is how you should pray:
" 'Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread." (Matthew 6:9-11)
Love: Love God with everything you have . . . body, mind, soul, and strength. Respond through the power of love . . . a strength greater than whatever must be faced. God holds nothing back . . . everything has been given for humanity to receive the complete and full love of God . . . Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind" (Matthew 22:37)
Worship: Pay attention to God. Be aware of the presence of Christ . . . worship . . . realizing the presence of Christ is more than enough . . . Ezra praised the LORD, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, "Amen! Amen!" Then they bowed down and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground" (Nehemiah 8:6)
So . . . there is an intentional decision to live every day . . . fully engaged with God . . . living beyond our daily plans . . . ready for any interruption . . . believing God will make everything work out for good.
Experience Christ regardless of interruptions.
Learning to Kick Start the day by living beyond interruptions.
(written by Kerrie Palmer © 2010 All Rights Reserved)
Interruptions
They had not prepared for an interruption in their busy schedule. In fact, life had become so busy that they focused on what else they had to do rather than what they were doing. Then, it happened . . . an interruption . . . so profound that it seemed life had stopped.
It does make me think that we need to be ready for interruptions. Things happen; plans are canceled. The thing is . . . God will use interruptions . . . for good as Romans 8:28 promises. So. we must realize that the details of the day our not ours to own, but even the most minute moment belongs to God.
In Deuteronomy, Moses makes it clear that there is a way to manage life with consistency and continuity that is not contingent on life going the way we plan. He states it with a profound question and answer:
And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you?
He requires you to fear him, to live according to his will, to love and worship him with all your heart and soul (Deuteronomy 10:12).
Unpack the scripture:
Fear Him: Be in awe of God . . . understand God offers us the daily opportunity to be in an active, ongoing, participating relationship . . . through the presence of Christ. The priority of the day is God . . . "Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well" (Matthew 6:33)
Live according to his will: Live the way Christ, God with us, seeking the will of God on a daily basis . . . "
"This, then, is how you should pray:
" 'Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread." (Matthew 6:9-11)
Love: Love God with everything you have . . . body, mind, soul, and strength. Respond through the power of love . . . a strength greater than whatever must be faced. God holds nothing back . . . everything has been given for humanity to receive the complete and full love of God . . . Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind" (Matthew 22:37)
Worship: Pay attention to God. Be aware of the presence of Christ . . . worship . . . realizing the presence of Christ is more than enough . . . Ezra praised the LORD, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, "Amen! Amen!" Then they bowed down and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground" (Nehemiah 8:6)
So . . . there is an intentional decision to live every day . . . fully engaged with God . . . living beyond our daily plans . . . ready for any interruption . . . believing God will make everything work out for good.
Experience Christ regardless of interruptions.
Learning to Kick Start the day by living beyond interruptions.
(written by Kerrie Palmer © 2010 All Rights Reserved)
It does make me think that we need to be ready for interruptions. Things happen; plans are canceled. The thing is . . . God will use interruptions . . . for good as Romans 8:28 promises. So. we must realize that the details of the day our not ours to own, but even the most minute moment belongs to God.
In Deuteronomy, Moses makes it clear that there is a way to manage life with consistency and continuity that is not contingent on life going the way we plan. He states it with a profound question and answer:
And now, Israel, what does the LORD your God require of you?
He requires you to fear him, to live according to his will, to love and worship him with all your heart and soul (Deuteronomy 10:12).
Unpack the scripture:
Fear Him: Be in awe of God . . . understand God offers us the daily opportunity to be in an active, ongoing, participating relationship . . . through the presence of Christ. The priority of the day is God . . . "Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well" (Matthew 6:33)
Live according to his will: Live the way Christ, God with us, seeking the will of God on a daily basis . . . "
"This, then, is how you should pray:
" 'Our Father in heaven,
hallowed be your name,
kingdom come,
your will be done,
on earth as it is in heaven.
Give us today our daily bread." (Matthew 6:9-11)
Love: Love God with everything you have . . . body, mind, soul, and strength. Respond through the power of love . . . a strength greater than whatever must be faced. God holds nothing back . . . everything has been given for humanity to receive the complete and full love of God . . . Jesus replied: " 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind" (Matthew 22:37)
Worship: Pay attention to God. Be aware of the presence of Christ . . . worship . . . realizing the presence of Christ is more than enough . . . Ezra praised the LORD, the great God; and all the people lifted their hands and responded, "Amen! Amen!" Then they bowed down and worshiped the LORD with their faces to the ground" (Nehemiah 8:6)
So . . . there is an intentional decision to live every day . . . fully engaged with God . . . living beyond our daily plans . . . ready for any interruption . . . believing God will make everything work out for good.
Experience Christ regardless of interruptions.
Learning to Kick Start the day by living beyond interruptions.
(written by Kerrie Palmer © 2010 All Rights Reserved)
Tuesday, September 14, 2010
A Way Through
Waiting is a difficult when we wait
I wait for the LORD, my soul does wait,
And in His word do I hope.
My soul waits for the Lord
More than the watchmen for the morning;
Indeed, more than the watchmen for the morning.(Pslams 130: 5-6)
The Psalmist used the words wait and hope interchangeably. In the ancient days, the watchmen kept watch at night . . . knowing . . . without doubt . . . . that morning would come. Likewise, we are to wait and hope in God and His word with the same trust and anticipation. In hope, we know that God always makes a way through our circumstances regardless of how impossible that would seem.
Waiting for a way through can seem ridiculous and downright useless without hope. The thing is . . . waiting . . . is about putting our hope in Christ rather than in another individual or circumstance. Unfortunately, we can get so bound up in the difficulties that we gradually lose hope.
We need to look . . . really look . . . and see that even in the most difficult circumstances . . . God is doing a new work in our life. God has given us a specific word we can hope in:
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)
So. When we wait, we wait asking the Spirit to open our eyes to see that God is making a way through the wilderness and wasteland of life.
Wait with confident hope.
Wait on God.
Have hope in the Word of God.
Focus on God and see that He is doing a new thing.
Believe God is making a way through the places of life that are like a wilderness and wasteland. .
Learning to Kick Start the day by waiting with hope that God is making a way through the wilderness and wasteland.
(written by Kerrie Palmer © 2010 All Rights Reserved)
for someone we love while they are undergoing surgery.Waiting is difficult; however, waiting is a part of living. The Psalmist wrote about waiting with hope:
for a diagnosis.
for an answer from an employer.
for an estranged husband or wife or child to return.
for things to get better.
I wait for the LORD, my soul does wait,
And in His word do I hope.
My soul waits for the Lord
More than the watchmen for the morning;
Indeed, more than the watchmen for the morning.(Pslams 130: 5-6)
The Psalmist used the words wait and hope interchangeably. In the ancient days, the watchmen kept watch at night . . . knowing . . . without doubt . . . . that morning would come. Likewise, we are to wait and hope in God and His word with the same trust and anticipation. In hope, we know that God always makes a way through our circumstances regardless of how impossible that would seem.
Waiting for a way through can seem ridiculous and downright useless without hope. The thing is . . . waiting . . . is about putting our hope in Christ rather than in another individual or circumstance. Unfortunately, we can get so bound up in the difficulties that we gradually lose hope.
We need to look . . . really look . . . and see that even in the most difficult circumstances . . . God is doing a new work in our life. God has given us a specific word we can hope in:
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)
So. When we wait, we wait asking the Spirit to open our eyes to see that God is making a way through the wilderness and wasteland of life.
Wait with confident hope.
Wait on God.
Have hope in the Word of God.
Focus on God and see that He is doing a new thing.
Believe God is making a way through the places of life that are like a wilderness and wasteland. .
Learning to Kick Start the day by waiting with hope that God is making a way through the wilderness and wasteland.
(written by Kerrie Palmer © 2010 All Rights Reserved)
Monday, September 13, 2010
What are you doing here?
My friend is certain that God spoke to him. I am not talking about the big fireworks and drum roll kind of talk, but, a gentle whisper, like Elijah heard: After the earthquake came a fire, but the LORD was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. (1 Kings 19:12) .
I, too, have heard the gentle whispers of God. It is in the gentle whispers that we hear the question that God asked Elijah: What are you doing here? (From I Kings 19:13)
It seems to me that if we keep doing what we have been doing but want God to change things . . . we are . . . well . . . dumb. There is a reason that God whispers the question to us. The reason? If, we want change, we must be a part of the change. At the end of the day, our life is about living with the purpose God has created us to do.
So. We must be honest when we answer the question, "What am I doing here?"
. . . Which leads to more questions . . .
Stop and listen to the whispers of God.
Answer the question: What are you doing here?
Change what needs to be changed.
Go where God says to go.
Learning with you to kickstart the day answering God's whispered question,
Kerrie
(written by Kerrie Palmer © 2010 All Rights Reserved)
I, too, have heard the gentle whispers of God. It is in the gentle whispers that we hear the question that God asked Elijah: What are you doing here? (From I Kings 19:13)
It seems to me that if we keep doing what we have been doing but want God to change things . . . we are . . . well . . . dumb. There is a reason that God whispers the question to us. The reason? If, we want change, we must be a part of the change. At the end of the day, our life is about living with the purpose God has created us to do.
So. We must be honest when we answer the question, "What am I doing here?"
. . . Which leads to more questions . . .
Am I living on purpose?God whispers the question to help us see that we are to face life with His purpose . . . that we can change with His strength . . . that we can move forward with His direction . .. and that ultimately we can live beyond our own ability.
Am I part of the change in this world that makes life better for others?
Am I making an impact for Christ?
Stop and listen to the whispers of God.
Answer the question: What are you doing here?
Change what needs to be changed.
Go where God says to go.
Learning with you to kickstart the day answering God's whispered question,
Kerrie
(written by Kerrie Palmer © 2010 All Rights Reserved)
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Nothing Short Of A Miracle
Along with other pastors, I had the privilege of baptizing people at an outdoor service, The Time of Your Life. It is nothing short of a miracle when an individual asks Christ into their life and experiences authentic transformation. When you come down to it, committing to live by faith in Christ changes everything we know to be true. It is then, that the step of faith to be baptized makes sense. The thing is . . . we enter a sacred moment of time . . . when we do what Jesus has said to do . . . to "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19)."
I have often thought that when an individual comes up and out of the water there is a "Red Sea" experience. Remember the story of Moses as he stood before the Red Sea and did what God said to do? God gave Moses instructions to stand firm, go forward, lift his staff, hold his hand out over the water and divide it. And . . . the water divided and the people walked through it . . . saved and delivered from the oppression of slavery.
God takes us to the place of the Red Sea when we do what he says in faith. The division of the "Red Sea" is the place where we understand what life is really about. In that moment we understand that God is God. We don't need to fear when we understand that God has planned for us to be free to experience life through an ongoing-active-ongoing relationship with Him:
But Moses said to the people, "Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the LORD which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again forever.
"The LORD will fight for you while you keep silent."
Then the LORD said to Moses, "Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the sons of Israel to go forward.
"As for you, lift up your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, and the sons of Israel shall go through the midst of the sea on dry land (Exodus 14: 13-16).
Not one of us has to live standing at the bank of the Red Sea. God has planned for us to live by faith and go through the Red Sea. It is nothing short of a miracle.
Confess an oppressive circumstance in your life.
Believe God will free you from the oppression.
Stand firm.
Go forward in faith.
Experience the place of the division of the Red Sea in your life.
Learning with you to KICK START the day by faith that the Red Sea will divide,
Kerrie
(written by Kerrie Palmer © 2010 All Rights Reserved)
I have often thought that when an individual comes up and out of the water there is a "Red Sea" experience. Remember the story of Moses as he stood before the Red Sea and did what God said to do? God gave Moses instructions to stand firm, go forward, lift his staff, hold his hand out over the water and divide it. And . . . the water divided and the people walked through it . . . saved and delivered from the oppression of slavery.
God takes us to the place of the Red Sea when we do what he says in faith. The division of the "Red Sea" is the place where we understand what life is really about. In that moment we understand that God is God. We don't need to fear when we understand that God has planned for us to be free to experience life through an ongoing-active-ongoing relationship with Him:
But Moses said to the people, "Do not fear! Stand by and see the salvation of the LORD which He will accomplish for you today; for the Egyptians whom you have seen today, you will never see them again forever.
"The LORD will fight for you while you keep silent."
Then the LORD said to Moses, "Why are you crying out to Me? Tell the sons of Israel to go forward.
"As for you, lift up your staff and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it, and the sons of Israel shall go through the midst of the sea on dry land (Exodus 14: 13-16).
Not one of us has to live standing at the bank of the Red Sea. God has planned for us to live by faith and go through the Red Sea. It is nothing short of a miracle.
Confess an oppressive circumstance in your life.
Believe God will free you from the oppression.
Stand firm.
Go forward in faith.
Experience the place of the division of the Red Sea in your life.
Learning with you to KICK START the day by faith that the Red Sea will divide,
Kerrie
(written by Kerrie Palmer © 2010 All Rights Reserved)
Thursday, September 9, 2010
Spirit-word
Life had become so difficult that nothing was easy. He lost everything he had.
He told me that even breathing seemed hard.
Yes . .. he had received Christ into his life . . . but he was empty.
His pain was apparent. He needed a word, a Spirit-word, that would direct him away from the pain and ultimately to be freed from the pain. Through the Spirit we are given freedom; when you come down to it, the salvation of Christ is freedom. We are transformed when we come to the place of understanding that salvation, freedom, is not a one-time moment in time but a continual-ongoing process in our life.
In his book, John wrote how Christ described the life-giving relationship for humanity to receive (read John 6). Even so, the disciples (Christ followers) struggled to understand the life-message of Jesus. They resisted and even refused to receive the truth that Jesus was more than a man . . . more than a prophet . . . as the Bread of Life . . . the sustenance of life. They were comfortable believing what they had believed generation after generation . . . that God was way up there . . . separated from our personal lives: Many among his disciples heard this and said, "This is tough teaching, too tough to swallow." Jesus sensed that his disciples were having a hard time with this and said, "Does this throw you completely? What would happen if you saw the Son of Man ascending to where he came from? The Spirit can make life. Sheer muscle and willpower don't make anything happen. Every word I've spoken to you is a Spirit-word, and so it is life-making. But some of you are resisting, refusing to have any part in this." (Jesus knew from the start that some weren't going to risk themselves with him. He knew also who would betray him.) He went on to say, "This is why I told you earlier that no one is capable of coming to me on his own. You get to me only as a gift from the Father." (John 6: 60-65, The Message)
Through Christ we do not need to live with the pressure and power of pain.
Through Christ we receive salvation . . . freedom . . . to live healthy and whole..
Through Christ we are given an ongoing-active-engaged relationship with God, the Creator of life.
Through Christ we are enabled to receive a Spirit-word.
Through Christ we receive a clarity of life each day.
Receive a Spirit-word today . . . the breath of life.
Let the Spirit-word transform you.
Become a new creation . . . a new person . . . through the word Christ has for you.
Experience the day with a Spirit-word today.
Learning with you to KICK START the day free to receive a Spirit-word of life,
Kerrie
(written by Kerrie Palmer © 2010 All Rights Reserved)
He told me that even breathing seemed hard.
Yes . .. he had received Christ into his life . . . but he was empty.
His pain was apparent. He needed a word, a Spirit-word, that would direct him away from the pain and ultimately to be freed from the pain. Through the Spirit we are given freedom; when you come down to it, the salvation of Christ is freedom. We are transformed when we come to the place of understanding that salvation, freedom, is not a one-time moment in time but a continual-ongoing process in our life.
In his book, John wrote how Christ described the life-giving relationship for humanity to receive (read John 6). Even so, the disciples (Christ followers) struggled to understand the life-message of Jesus. They resisted and even refused to receive the truth that Jesus was more than a man . . . more than a prophet . . . as the Bread of Life . . . the sustenance of life. They were comfortable believing what they had believed generation after generation . . . that God was way up there . . . separated from our personal lives: Many among his disciples heard this and said, "This is tough teaching, too tough to swallow." Jesus sensed that his disciples were having a hard time with this and said, "Does this throw you completely? What would happen if you saw the Son of Man ascending to where he came from? The Spirit can make life. Sheer muscle and willpower don't make anything happen. Every word I've spoken to you is a Spirit-word, and so it is life-making. But some of you are resisting, refusing to have any part in this." (Jesus knew from the start that some weren't going to risk themselves with him. He knew also who would betray him.) He went on to say, "This is why I told you earlier that no one is capable of coming to me on his own. You get to me only as a gift from the Father." (John 6: 60-65, The Message)
Through Christ we do not need to live with the pressure and power of pain.
Through Christ we receive salvation . . . freedom . . . to live healthy and whole..
Through Christ we are given an ongoing-active-engaged relationship with God, the Creator of life.
Through Christ we are enabled to receive a Spirit-word.
Through Christ we receive a clarity of life each day.
Receive a Spirit-word today . . . the breath of life.
Let the Spirit-word transform you.
Become a new creation . . . a new person . . . through the word Christ has for you.
Experience the day with a Spirit-word today.
Learning with you to KICK START the day free to receive a Spirit-word of life,
Kerrie
(written by Kerrie Palmer © 2010 All Rights Reserved)
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
What I Want You To Know . . .
The family came.
They gathered around the bed.
The background noise of the Intensive Care Unit intermixed with the end of life discussion.
Powerful words were issued:
"What I want you to know . . . "
The words gave reason to pause and pay attention.
There are some words that matter . . . that pierce through the soul . . . and attach to the core of our being.
The words of Christ were powerful;
The officers then came to the chief priests and Pharisees, and they said to them, "Why did you not bring Him?"
The officers answered, "Never has a man spoken the way this man speaks." The Pharisees then answered them, "You have not also been led astray, have you?
"No one of the rulers or Pharisees has believed in Him, has he? "But this crowd which does not know the Law is accursed."
(John 7:45-49, NASB)
The Word of Christ changes how we think, speak, and act.
Meditate on the Word of Christ.
Ask: Do people hear and see the Word of Christ in me?
Learning with you to KICK START the day learning what God wants us to know,
Kerrie
(written by Kerrie Palmer © 2010 All Rights Reserved)
Tuesday, September 7, 2010
Hope Does Not Disappoint
We are grieving for our friends. Their daughter was to be married in two weeks . . . tragedy struck . . . her fiance' was killed by a drunk driver this holiday weekend. If we are honest, none of us have an adequate understanding of tragedy to even begin explaining it.
What I do know is this:
Christ will be our anchor even when nothing makes sense. This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil (Hebrews 6:19, NRSV)
Christ will give peace in the storm: Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be fearful. (John 14: 27, NRSV)
Christ will walk through the darkest of times with us: Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. (Psalm 23: 4, TNIV)
Christ will renew our strength in each moment: But those who wait for the Lord who expect, look for, and hope in Him] shall change and renew their strength and power; they shall lift their wings and mount up [close to God] as eagles [mount up to the sun]; they shall run and not be weary, they shall walk and not faint or become tired. (Isaiah 40:31, AMP).
Christ will give hope even when everything seems hopeless: And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. (Romans 5:5, , NRSV )
At the end of the day . . . life is about the hope of Christ . . . and hope does not disappoint.
Live this day in the hope of Christ.
Learning with you to KICK START the day knowing hope does not disappoint,
Kerrie
(written by Kerrie Palmer © 2010 All Rights Reserved)
Friday, September 3, 2010
WITH
I have thought a lot about a conversation that I had with an individual. It was about the impossible things in life. He told me that he did believe in God and knows that for God, nothing is impossible. But . . . people need to accept reality and get on with life.
He was missing one word, "WITH."
The word, WITH, was part of the announcement of the coming of Christ: "For WITH God nothing is impossible." (Luke 1:37)
Jesus looked at them and said, "With human beings this is impossible, but WITH God all things are possible." (Matthew 19:26, TNIV)
The thing is . . . when we respond to the impossibilities of life WITH God . . . all things are possible. When we understand that reality is Christ, we can see beyond the impossible things of life. It gives clarity to the words that Jesus prayed:
Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:10)
It seems impossible . . . but Jesus prayed that what God wills for heaven is willed for life on earth. The will of God is the same for you and I on earth as it is heaven. At first glance the prayers seems downright impossible. You and I know the difficulties and challenges of life on earth . . . where sin . . . the things that are done without God . . . brings chaos, hardship, and pain into our lives. But what Christ declared in His prayer as been issued . . . "as it is in heaven."
So what does that mean?
When we step into the dimension called heaven, we step into the full presence of God. The weight of sin that the earth is burdened with . . . is gone . . . there is liberation from the oppression of sin. We are invited to step into the presence of Christ and walk WITH God to be free of the oppressive power of sin today and tomorrow.
And . . . as we live intentionally with God . . . we see that the "veil" has been lifted we are in a "thin place" between heaven and earth.
All things are possible WITH God.
Live in the possible.
Live with Christ.
Believe what Jesus prayed . . . on earth as it is in heaven.
Learning with you to KICK START the day with Christ,
Kerrie
(written by Kerrie Palmer © 2010 All Rights Reserved)
He was missing one word, "WITH."
The word, WITH, was part of the announcement of the coming of Christ: "For WITH God nothing is impossible." (Luke 1:37)
Jesus looked at them and said, "With human beings this is impossible, but WITH God all things are possible." (Matthew 19:26, TNIV)
The thing is . . . when we respond to the impossibilities of life WITH God . . . all things are possible. When we understand that reality is Christ, we can see beyond the impossible things of life. It gives clarity to the words that Jesus prayed:
Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. (Matthew 6:10)
It seems impossible . . . but Jesus prayed that what God wills for heaven is willed for life on earth. The will of God is the same for you and I on earth as it is heaven. At first glance the prayers seems downright impossible. You and I know the difficulties and challenges of life on earth . . . where sin . . . the things that are done without God . . . brings chaos, hardship, and pain into our lives. But what Christ declared in His prayer as been issued . . . "as it is in heaven."
So what does that mean?
When we step into the dimension called heaven, we step into the full presence of God. The weight of sin that the earth is burdened with . . . is gone . . . there is liberation from the oppression of sin. We are invited to step into the presence of Christ and walk WITH God to be free of the oppressive power of sin today and tomorrow.
And . . . as we live intentionally with God . . . we see that the "veil" has been lifted we are in a "thin place" between heaven and earth.
All things are possible WITH God.
Live in the possible.
Live with Christ.
Believe what Jesus prayed . . . on earth as it is in heaven.
Learning with you to KICK START the day with Christ,
Kerrie
(written by Kerrie Palmer © 2010 All Rights Reserved)
Thursday, September 2, 2010
Living Intentionally
One of my life mentors told me on several occasions that no matter how
difficult life became . . .
how miserable the day seemed . . .
that if I trusted God . . .
I would be blessed . . .
knowing the activity of God . . .
bearing fruit in my life regardless of the "heat."
I can't count the times that I would receive a phone message or card in the mail with the scripture:
"But blessed are those who trust in the LORD, whose confidence is in him.
They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit." Jeremiah 17:7-8 (Today's New International Version)
Through the years, in the middle of innumerable crises, the words of Jeremiah became a personal truth to manage the challenges of life:
Trust God.
Put all of my confidence in God . . . no one and nothing else.
Become blessed, despite the crisis.
Remember that I am blessed because I am engaged in an ongoing-active-personal relationship with God . . . sustained by Christ, the Living Water, as a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream . . .
And despite the heat of life . . . there is life . . . as a tree with continual green leaves. . . .
So. I will not worry about drought because the Living Water is always present . . .
Regardless of the circumstance I will continue living with purpose . . .
producing fruit.
I am grateful for receiving the wisdom of my mentor.
Remember Jeremiah's words.
Live as a tree planted along the Living Water with continual green leaves bearing fruit in all seasons.
Learning with you to KICK START the day living intentionally,
Kerrie
(written by Kerrie Palmer © 2010 All Rights Reserved)
how miserable the day seemed . . .
that if I trusted God . . .
I would be blessed . . .
knowing the activity of God . . .
bearing fruit in my life regardless of the "heat."
I can't count the times that I would receive a phone message or card in the mail with the scripture:
"But blessed are those who trust in the LORD, whose confidence is in him.
They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit." Jeremiah 17:7-8 (Today's New International Version)
Through the years, in the middle of innumerable crises, the words of Jeremiah became a personal truth to manage the challenges of life:
Trust God.
Put all of my confidence in God . . . no one and nothing else.
Become blessed, despite the crisis.
Remember that I am blessed because I am engaged in an ongoing-active-personal relationship with God . . . sustained by Christ, the Living Water, as a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream . . .
And despite the heat of life . . . there is life . . . as a tree with continual green leaves. . . .
So. I will not worry about drought because the Living Water is always present . . .
Regardless of the circumstance I will continue living with purpose . . .
producing fruit.
I am grateful for receiving the wisdom of my mentor.
Remember Jeremiah's words.
Live as a tree planted along the Living Water with continual green leaves bearing fruit in all seasons.
Learning with you to KICK START the day living intentionally,
Kerrie
(written by Kerrie Palmer © 2010 All Rights Reserved)
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Tough Times
How many times have you thought about getting away from tough times?
The day of surgery, Madelyn was more interested in getting away than staying. Of course, she is eighteen months old so it made more sense to go in the other direction. At the end of the day, we might agree that when life gets tough it seems we should go the other way. And, usually at least one time in our life we run away from the tough situations of life.
The thing is . . . we eventually . . . find ourselves in tough times. The challenges of life require courage. For sure, it is tiring and even miserable to live in tough times . . . wondering when it is going to end . . . hoping that someone will come to the rescue.
That said, it seems to me that the big thing we miss . . . the thing that should be evident is not evident because we are focused on the challenges of difficulties . . . is that . . .
God is present . . .
God will get you through it . . .
and God will make all things work together.
The truth is spelled out in the Word of God. The Psalmist described the tough times as the earth itself coming apart in Psalm 46 but prefaced it with the promise: God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. (Psalm 46:1, TNIV)
We are reminded that God is “ever-present.” Though we might run away, God stays with us.
Turn back the pages in the Psalms to Psalm 23 and consider the tenacity of the presence of God: Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil (Psalm 23:4a, TNIV)
Rather than focusing on the fear of evil we willfully and intentionally focus on the fact that God will not stop being present. While, I don’t know the story of your difficulties . . . I do know God is with you. And, regarding the difficulties . . . we are promised that all things come together: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28, TNIV)
Again, we must take another look and focus on the activity of God in the challenges of life which means we focus on blessings rather than on fear. What Madelyn did not know . . . could not see . . . that going through a tough surgery has a great outcome and will change her life for the good. Turns out that the difficult and hard stuff created by surgery will work out for the good in the end.
Take another look at the tough times you are facing.
Determine to face the tough times with courage.
Focus on the continual presence of God.
Believe that God will walk through it with you.
Underline the word, “through,” which is vital to know as you enter a dark valley.
Know that the tough stuff is not the end of the story but will be used by God for the good.
Learning with you to KICK START the day facing the tough times,
Kerrie
(written by Kerrie Palmer © 2010 All Rights Reserved)
The day of surgery, Madelyn was more interested in getting away than staying. Of course, she is eighteen months old so it made more sense to go in the other direction. At the end of the day, we might agree that when life gets tough it seems we should go the other way. And, usually at least one time in our life we run away from the tough situations of life.
The thing is . . . we eventually . . . find ourselves in tough times. The challenges of life require courage. For sure, it is tiring and even miserable to live in tough times . . . wondering when it is going to end . . . hoping that someone will come to the rescue.
That said, it seems to me that the big thing we miss . . . the thing that should be evident is not evident because we are focused on the challenges of difficulties . . . is that . . .
God is present . . .
God will get you through it . . .
and God will make all things work together.
The truth is spelled out in the Word of God. The Psalmist described the tough times as the earth itself coming apart in Psalm 46 but prefaced it with the promise: God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. (Psalm 46:1, TNIV)
We are reminded that God is “ever-present.” Though we might run away, God stays with us.
Turn back the pages in the Psalms to Psalm 23 and consider the tenacity of the presence of God: Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil (Psalm 23:4a, TNIV)
Rather than focusing on the fear of evil we willfully and intentionally focus on the fact that God will not stop being present. While, I don’t know the story of your difficulties . . . I do know God is with you. And, regarding the difficulties . . . we are promised that all things come together: And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. (Romans 8:28, TNIV)
Again, we must take another look and focus on the activity of God in the challenges of life which means we focus on blessings rather than on fear. What Madelyn did not know . . . could not see . . . that going through a tough surgery has a great outcome and will change her life for the good. Turns out that the difficult and hard stuff created by surgery will work out for the good in the end.
Take another look at the tough times you are facing.
Determine to face the tough times with courage.
Focus on the continual presence of God.
Believe that God will walk through it with you.
Underline the word, “through,” which is vital to know as you enter a dark valley.
Know that the tough stuff is not the end of the story but will be used by God for the good.
Learning with you to KICK START the day facing the tough times,
Kerrie
(written by Kerrie Palmer © 2010 All Rights Reserved)
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