A New Thing

Last night we stood on the ground that had been the place of our church almost 100 years ago.  It was a place that God had been revealed . . . where lives had changed . . . and people experienced faith . . . that led generation after generation to follow Christ. 

 Faith is a choice, changing how we live.  There are some people that want to remind us that faith is not always easy.  It is true that faith can be a risk and a challenge;  however, faith produces a new perspective allowing us to see the new thing  God is doing.   

By faith . . . we can see that God is doing a new thing:  ”See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland” (Isaiah 43:19, NIV)

God will do a new thing in every place of life, including the desert times of living . . . those places that are challenging and difficult . .. and it will spring up and provide a way to move through whatever we are facing. It is a matter of choice to not get stuck in the deadend of living and to believe that God is doing more.

So.  By faith, we develop a new perspective and attitude . . . that God is doing a new thing . . . each day.

With God, there is always something more . . . we never need to be stuck in what we are doing . . . but rather to be open to what more God is doing.

Experience the gift of a new thing! Anticipate what more God is doing.

 Learning with you to KICK START the day . . . experiencing a new thing.

                                      Pastor Kerrie 

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

The Plan of God Is . . .

Does God have a plan?  Are we living in the plan?  When does the plan kick in? 

So, how can we know if God really has a plan?  Is it possible to know? 

 God plants a desire for His plan in the heart.  That said, we often attempt to make our own plans; however, eventually we lose our strength and even desire to follow the plan we have set to accomplish. When we reframe our perspective . . . shifting from the limitations of our own plans to the plan of God . . . we discover God activates His plan in our life. 

The impossible becomes possible.  Things we never would think of happening occur in the plan of God. 
Hopelessness becomes hope.  Even when we believe everything is over . . . there is always something .more in the plan of God. 

Study Joshua.  He reminded the people that God had already activated his promised plan:  

Remember what Moses, the servant of the Lord, commanded you: ‘The Lord your God is giving you a place of rest He has given you this land.’ Joshua1:13                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
The promise of this verse can be found through the word, "is."
The word, “is,"
connects humanity with the active plan of God. 

God promised a specific plan . . . a place of rest . . . and He gave it. 

Step into the plan of God and walk, knowing God is actively putting His plan into place.

 Learning with you to KICK START the day . . . knowing the plan of God is activated.

                                      Pastor Kerrie 

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

The Plan "is"

Does God have a plan?  Are we living in the plan?  When does the plan kick in? 

So, how can we know if God really has a plan?  Is it possible to know? 

 God plants a desire for His plan in the heart.  That said, we often attempt to make our own plans; however, eventually we lose our strength and even desire to follow the plan we have set to accomplish. When we reframe our perspective . . . shifting from the limitations of our own plans to the plan of God . . . we discover God activates His plan in our life. 

The impossible becomes possible.  Things we never would think of happening occur in the plan of God. 
Hopelessness becomes hope.  Even when we believe everything is over . . . there is always something .more in the plan of God. 
Study Joshua.  He reminded the people that God had already activated his promised plan:  

Remember what Moses, the servant of the Lord, commanded you: ‘The Lord your God is giving you a place of rest He has given you this land.’ Joshua1:13                                                                                                                                                                                                                            
The promise of this verse can be found through the word, "is."

The word, “is,
connects humanity with the active plan of God. 

God promised a specific plan . . . a place of rest . . . and He was giving it. 

Step into the plan of God and walk, knowing God is actively putting His plan into place.

 Learning with you to KICK START the day . . . knowing the plan of God is activated.

                                      Pastor Kerrie 

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

Refuse To Settle

Settling is a self-imposed condition.  It often occurs when we believe that we will never experience much in life.  Eventually we find ourselves just existing rather than being excited for what is to come.

How is it possible to live without settling?

Intentionally live in and through Christ:

"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. John 10:10

The thing is the enemy of our soul, Satan, is a thief and wants to take the value of living away from us.  Jesus generously gives us more than what we can imagine . . . abundance.  

How do we live out the kind of life Jesus offers us?

Look at Joshua:  

He instructed his officers: "Pass through the midst of the camp and command the people, saying, 'Prepare provisions for yourselves, for within three days you are to cross this Jordan, to go in to possess the land which the LORD your God is giving you, to possess it.'" Joshua 1:11

Joshua refused to settle for less than what God had for him and believed the people he led should not settle.  He told the people to get ready . . . not to stay where they were at . . . but . .. to receive what more God had planned.  It is a choice to be ready to go where God wants us to go to receive more.

So.  We choose to:

Refuse to settle for less.  

Intentionally go where God says to go.  

Be ready to receive what God will generously give.

Make the decision:

Refuse to settle and stay where you are at.

Get ready to go.

Prepare with anticipation for the abundance God has for you.  

Learning with you to KICK START the day . . .  to live the abundant life, refusing to settle,

                                      Pastor Kerrie 

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

Step In

Energized.  Excited.  Focused. 

Tired.   Indifferent.  Apathetic.

These  two descriptions do not describe different people but rather different days and seasons in the course of life.

At the end of the day we must assess our response to life . . . to come to a place of recognition that life is not as much about the circumstances and details . . . but about the presence of God.

Look at Joshua in the Old Testament.  A great leader, Moses, remembered throughout the ages . . . Joshua’s personal leader . . . mentor . . . friend . . . had died.  Joshua was asked to take the place of Moses.   I mean . . .  MOSES! 

How do you take the place of someone that is greater than what anyone had ever known?   

To take Moses’ place required courage; however, it was likely that Joshua was not only dealing with grief from the death of Moses but also fear.

Why do I say that?   

Because God repeatedly told Joshua to have strength and courage . . . with the promise that He would be present.

Fear is a powerful enemy . . . Joshua had to face the enemy of fear with belief that God would do what He said: "Have I not commanded you?  Be strong and courageous! Do not tremble or be dismayed, for the LORD your God is with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9

The thing is . . .   God promised to be present; however, Joshua had to choose to step into the promise of God in order to experience it. 

Choose the way you will live your day.

Receive the strength and courage of God.
Step into the promise that God is present and will go where you go.

Learning with you to KICK START the day . . .  stepping into the promise that God is present,

                                      Pastor Kerrie 

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

Trust is a Gift

Challenges cause us to question:

How can I?  Why should I?  When will I? If not me, then who? 

The thing is . . . we don’t ask the questions until we can’t figure out how to go forward.

 Even so, we may not have answers but we can trust despite out-of-control challenges.

The point is . . .  risk may not be appealing but doing nothing is sacrificing the gift of trusting God.

Whatever we do, the first question we must ask is: Do I trust God?
The second question is: Will I respond to the challenge by trusting God?

To trust, we need to adjust our perspective:

James said: Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don't try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way. James 1:2

Periodically we face a challenge that requires us to decide if God has more power than challenges. 
Trust is intentionally engaging in an active-participating relationship with God.  Trust is not produced or controlled by circumstances . . . but through the presence of the Spirit. That said, challenging circumstances will force us to trust or dismiss the power of God. 

Looking back on our life, we will discover trust is a gift.

So. Trust and receive the gift that the Apostle Paul expressed in the book of Philippians: I can do all things through Him who strengthens me (Philippians 4:13).

Learning with you to KICK START the day . . .  experiencing the gift of trust,

                                      Pastor Kerrie 

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

Take The Message of Christ Seriously

Life is most often missed from being stressed.  We live in times that people struggle with being pressured, overwhelmed, and overdone. 

How do we let go of the stress to gain clarity of what is really important?

Christ explained:
"But my purpose is not to get your vote, and not to appeal to mere human testimony. I'm speaking to you this way so that you will be saved. John was a torch, blazing and bright, and you were glad enough to dance for an hour or so in his bright light. But the witness that really confirms me far exceeds John's witness. It's the work the Father gave me to complete. These very tasks, as I go about completing them, confirm that the Father, in fact, sent me. The Father who sent me, confirmed me. And you missed it. You never heard his voice, you never saw his appearance. There is nothing left in your memory of his Message because you do not take his Messenger seriously. John 5:34

 The message of Christ shifts how we respond to life.  At the end of the day, when all is said and done, we can relax knowing that if we rely on Christ . . . if we take His message seriously . . .  we can face anything.   Christ came to save.  In other words, Christ came to free humanity.  To receive the gift of salvation is to receive freedom from the power of darkness..

What is  the result?

Christ followers will face  problems and pressures that seem insurmountable; however,  there is a freedom and a release that brings peace.  Christ said: Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid ( John 14:27).

Are you overwhelmed? 

Is your mind on overload . . . do you find yourself replaying details of an incident, a problem, an expectation, a need, or something that has distressed you?
Take the message of Christ seriously.  Surrender to the freeing power of Christ..  Let Christ be at the center of how you manage what you are facing.

Authentic peace comes from God--Shalom--which can be defined as knowing the presence and goodness of God. Shalom guards the heart from the worry and anxiety of problems and pressures. Ultimately, Shalom is health and well-being of body, mind, and soul. 

Refuse to be stressed. Receive the freedom and the gift of peace through Christ.

Invite Christ, God with us, to be present in your thoughts, feelings, words, and actions.
Receive the peace of Christ's presence . . . know the power of Shalom . . . well-being . . . God is with you . . . all is well.

Learning with you to KICK START the day . . .  taking the message of Christ seriously,

                                      Pastor Kerrie 

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