The Power of Adversity

Have you ever been desperate for peace?
My friend received a phone call.  A phone call that changed her plans.  All of her plans.  Results of tests were received.  Cancer has returned for the third time.  The world seemed to tip over. Peace left. Desperation began to settle in.

The one thing I know for sure is that God wants us to have peace regardless of  adversity.  It is the plan of God for us to have peace. 

For a child is born to us, a son is given to us. And the government will rest on his shoulders. These will be his royal titles: Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
(Isaiah 9:6, NLT)

There is power in the Prince of Peace.   As we  prepare for Christmas . . . we need to recognize that the presence of Christ . . . is the presence of Peace  . . . the kind of peace we are desperate to have . . . when we face adversity.

In our need, Christ comes and gives  peace. . . the kind that makes no sense in the face of adversity . . . but changes how we face and manage life.

For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.   But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.  We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair;  persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed (2 Corinthians 4: 6-9, TNIV). 

Adversity may crush . . . perplex . . . persecute . . . and strikes us down . . . HOWEVER . . .  Christ . . . the Prince of Peace . . . took on our adversity on the cross . . . and put it in the grave.  In other words, the power of adversity is dead.  So.  While we go through adversity . . . it can't have us when we receive Christ . . . who gives us all-surpassing power. We will not be crushed, in despair, abandoned, or destroyed in the face of adversity. 

Take time to see the power of the Prince of Peace.
Take a stand against adversity, which may come but has no power.
Live in the peace of Christ, who put the power of the adversity in the grave.
Celebrate the Prince of peace.

Learning to KickStart the day in the peace of God rather than in the power of adversity,
Kerrie
(written by Kerrie L. Palmer © 2010 All Rights Reserved)

Beyond the Glitter and Gifts of Christmas

Christmas.
There is  much more to the celebration of Christ's coming than what we normally think about,  requiring thought and intention to move into a celebration that is beyond the traditional glitter and gifts.

Think about the true gift.  John said it so plainly . . . God so loved the world that He gave His only Son (John 3:16).
The Christmas season often is described as stressful and tiring.  The thing is . . . we look at Christmas as something we do . . . UNTIL . . . we let go of the preconceived necessities of the season.  Letting go of the  pressures is necessary to receive the endless energy and boundless strength that marks the power that we are invited to receive in Christ.
I like how The Message translates this in the prayer that the Apostle Paul prayed for the Ephesians: 

That's why, when I heard of the solid trust you have in the Master Jesus and your outpouring of love to all the followers of Jesus, I couldn't stop thanking God for you—every time I prayed, I'd think of you and give thanks. But I do more than thank. I ask—ask the God of our Master, Jesus Christ, the God of glory—to make you intelligent and discerning in knowing him personally, your eyes focused and clear, so that you can see exactly what it is he is calling you to do, grasp the immensity of this glorious way of life he has for his followers, oh, the utter extravagance of his work in us who trust him—endless energy, boundless strength (Ephesians 1:15-19, The Message).

So. Look at the power of living in Christ that this prayer of Life reveals:

Intelligence and discernment in knowing Christ personally.
Focused and clear vision.
Ability to see exactly what He is calling you to do.
A grasp of the immensity of the glorious way of life.
His utter extravagant work in you.
Endless energy.
Boundless strength.

Intentionally live out the prayer of life  . . .  beyond the glitter and gifts.
Celebrate the coming of Christ, God with us.

Receive the abundant gift of  Life.
May you experience the extravagant work of God in you today with endless energy and boundless strength.
Learning to KickStart the day in the gift of Christ, God with us,

Kerrie
(written by Kerrie L. Palmer © 2010 All Rights Reserved

Peace

An announcement was made to the world on the first Christmas night. 

"Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests." (Luke 2:14)

Peace, well-being and health, had been issued to the world on the life-changing night.

How is it possible to live in and through the peace of Christ in this crazed-stress-producing world?
First, we need to continually remember that the presence,
power,
and peace of God is with us . . . not separate . . . not somewhere far off . . . but with us. It really is mind-boggling to think that the Creator of the universe comes to be personally present in our life with peace that changes the way we live.
Jesus said it clearly, 

“Peace be with you” (John 20:19, 21,26). 

It is a choice to receive the peace that has been issued to reside in us.
Even so . . .
Problems, pressures, and the stuff of life often becomes an obstacle to receiving peace.
Develop a new response to the stress of life.

Be still and know God (Psalm 46:10).

Refuse to let any circumstance rule you:

Do not worry or be anxious for anything (Philippians 4:6).

Believe Christ is present regardless of what you are facing.

I am with you always (Matthew 28:20b).
Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you (Hebrews 13:5b).

Make the decision today to live courageously in Christ.

"Be strong. Take courage. Don't be intimidated. Don't give them a second thought because God, your God, is striding ahead of you. He's right there with you. He won't let you down; he won't leave you." (Deuternonmy 31:6, The Message)

Ultimately, it is our personal choice to receive the peace of Christ . . . which is the key to living well. Receive the peace Christ has issued.  

Experience transformation  when peace is received.  

Rejected . . . now loved.
Lost . . . now found.
Hopeless . . . now hopeful.
Sorrowful . . . now filled with joy.
Broken . . . now healed.
Bored . . . now passionate.
Focused on self . . . now loving and serving all.

 Pray.  On earth . . .  let there be peace . . . that comes from the presence and power of Christ.

Learning to KickStart the day in the peace that Christ brings,

Kerrie
(written by Kerrie L. Palmer © 2010 All Rights Reserved)

The Way it Was

 Is it possible that we don't get what Christmas is really meant to be?  
What if the coming of Christ became what it was on the first Christmas  . . . life-changing . . . and purposeful?  Could it be that we are to respond to the coming of Christ in the way it was the first Christmas? 


Look at Mary, the mother of Christ.  She received a Word from God . . . that she would carry His Son . . .

“How will this be,” Mary asked the angel, “since I am a virgin?”
The angel answered, “The Holy Spirit will come on you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you. So the holy one to be born will be called the Son of God.  Even Elizabeth your relative is going to have a child in her old age, and she who was said to be unable to conceive is in her sixth month.  For no word from God will ever fail.”
“I am the Lord’s servant,” Mary answered. “May it be to me according to your word.” Then the angel left her.
 (Luke 1:34-38, TNIV)

Mary's question could be anyone's question:  How will this be? 

Mary's response revealed courageous faith;  I am the Lord's servant . . . may it be to me . . . according to your word.


The way it was for Mary that first Christmas is a miracle.  She said yes.  Trusting.  Surrendering.  Willing.  Believing.
Courageous faith begins with surrendering of personal plans. Surrendering is a daily choice of faith. The choice is an active decision to participate  in the work of God.  Stepping in to the life God calls is the miracle.  And, then the adventure begins.  God will do more than we can ever think, ask, or imagine.

Mary was changed. And, we are called to be changed.

Intentionally live the way it was the first Christmas.
Surrender.


Prepare for an amazing life  the way it was when Christ came . . . Immanuel . . . God with us.

Learning to KickStart the day the way it was the first Christmas, 

Kerrie
(written by Kerrie L. Palmer © 2010 All Rights Reserved)

I Will

I will bring the blind by a way they did not know;
I will lead them in paths they have not known.
I will make darkness light before them,
And crooked places straight.
These things I will do for them,
And not forsake them. (Isaiah 42:16, NKJ)

The two words of God, “I will,” make a powerful difference in the way we manage life.  It seems to me that anxiety and stress come out of not understanding the coming of Christ.  In preparation for celebrating Christmas, meditate on the words of God:  I WILL.

I will bring the blind by a way they did not know: God will  . . . give eyes to see Reality . . . the presence and power of God.
I will lead them in paths they have not known:  God will . . . lead us in a direction that we would not go on our own . . . through His plan.
I will make darkness light before them:  God will . . . bring light to our lives . . . even in the darkest of times when hope seems lost.
And crooked places straight:  God will . . . . transform the impossible to possible with unexpected transforming power . . . .   making all things new.
These things I will do for them:  God will . . .  provide a way . . . and do more than can be imagined. 
And not forsake them . . . God  will . . .  always be present . . . and will never leave or fail us.

God’s will for us is beyond what we can comprehend. 
Connect with the “I will” of God.
Focus on the “I will” throughout the day.
Celebrate the two words of God:  I WILL.

Learning to KickStart the day in the will of God,
Kerrie

(written by Kerrie L. Palmer © 2010 All Rights Reserved)

Get ready to celebrate the coming of Christ this Christmas . . . Live in His Favor

Think about what Isaiah declared before the birth of Christ:  [ The Year of the LORD 's Favor ] The Spirit of the Sovereign LORD is on me, because the LORD has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners . . . Isaiah 61:1

Isaiah noted  the year of the Lord's favor, which later would be referenced by Jesus (found in Luke 4:19).  Favor will not be understood in the same way on earth as it is in heaven without faith. The favor of God is anchored in the unseen realm: Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. (Hebrews 11: 1, TNIV).  So.  Understanding the  favor of God comes through faith.

 The favor of God occurs through  Christ . . . the One who heals the broken . . . frees the body, mind, and soul . . . and releases the prisoners of the darkness. 

Receiving the favor of God is a choice to intentionally live in the presence, power, and peace of Christ in faith.  Too often we become our own worst enemy and live outside of the favor of God.  The most common reason is that we try to control our life rather than surrendering everything to God.  Remember, faith is being sure and certain of God. 

How can we be sure and certain of God? 

Two things that I know make a great difference in our faith is focusing on the Word of God and prayer.

Let God speak to you through His Word.  Let His Word become a way of your thinking, behaving, and responding to life by studying on it each day.  Meditate on the two scriptures Isaiah 61:1 and Hebrews 11:1  today. Respond to the truth of His Word.
Pray.  It is a choice who we go to first and whose voice will speak to us.  Wait for the guidance of the Spirit of God. 

Learning to KickStart the day in the favor of God,
Kerrie
(written by Kerrie L. Palmer © 2010 All Rights Reserved)

Courage

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

 One of the most impacting and honest questions to ask ourselves is what the Psalmist asked:  Whom shall I fear?

Fear can become a routine habit that impacts the way we manage life, including how we relate to God and others. Fear finds its way into our life through difficult or downright hard circumstances . . .  from significant people in our life teaching us the ways of fear . . . and/or . . . from gradually allowing fear into our mind and behavior.  As fear weaves its place into our life, we tend to respond to life in defeat, discouragement, depression, and anger.  

We have the opportunity to celebrate the coming of Christ . . . Christmas . . .  a time to understand that Christ has wiped out the kind of fear that pushes us into the darkness.  Christ is our  salvation, the One that releases us from fear, freeing us to live in the Light.  The salvation of Christ powerfully frees  . . . body . . . mind . . . and soul . . . enabling us to live courageously as we give it all to Him.

The Word of God continually tells us that with God, there is no need to fear.  Whatever the reason, fear becomes a life pattern that must be broken off our life. The book of John, chapter 5, records the story of  a man who lay paralyzed beside a pool with healing waters for 38 years waiting to be healed; however, he never asked for assistance.  His physical paralysis had produced a paralyzing fear. There was a risk to ask for help and not be healed.  And, there was the unknown of what life would be like without the paralysis. Fear had become a part of the routine of his life.
So.  Jesus asked him the duh question, "Do you want to get well?" Duh.  Of course he did.  Jesus told him three simple things:
Stand.
Pick up your mat.
Walk.
A choice had to be made.  He either would spend the rest of his life on the mat or he would get up and move forward in the power of Christ.
Christ is your light and salvation.  Whom shall you fear?  Do you want to be well . . . free of fear . . . living in the power of Christ?

In Christ:
Take a position . . .  stand in faith . . . rather than living in a state of fear.
Pick up your mat . . . the things that prevent you from moving forward . . . perceived impossibilities.
Refuse to be stuck on your "mat." Walk in the healing power of Christ.  Intentionally live courageously.

Learning to KickStart the day  . . .  answering the question, "Whom shall I fear?"

Kerrie

(written by Kerrie L. Palmer © 2010 All Rights Reserved)