A few years ago, as the Urban Area Director for a Christian organization, that believed and still believes in spreading the gospel to the youth, we took our kids to camp.
As a leader, I was suppose to set the pace, some of the children had never seen a mountain top nor rode a horse or even had done the water zip line. Everyday we were presented with a new challenge, there was always something exciting for us to do. One particular day we were headed to the ropes course, if my memory serves me correctly, we had to climb the ropes some 30 to 45 feet in the air and then zip line across to one tree before letting go and free falling to the ground.
I was fine with climbing the ropes but it was the letting go of the ropes that terrified me......trembling as I stood at the top. I kept telling myself the "Lord is my shepherd and I shall not want" constantly repeating this and looking at my harness that I was strapped into, I just couldn't jump to that next destination. For once as a leader I was paralyzed with fear, what if this harness comes loose or what if my helmet falls off, or what if, what if, what if?
For me I was comfortable being on the ground, I was even comfortable walking across the rope to the next tree BUT I wasn't fine in letting go. When moving to the next level, we are often faced with challenges and in order for us to get the promotion that God wants us to have we have to LET GO!
Letting GO of our past mistakes, letting go of past hurts and wounds, letting go of familiar places......when we do not let go, we are not in a position to receive. We must have an open hand and not a closed fist and the only way our hands can be open is if we let go!
As I prepared to let go and jump off of the platform, I looked around at all of the kids who were watching me and then I heard a still voice, that said if you trust me with the small stuff, why not trust me with the big stuff....LET GO and allow me to handle those intricate details of your life.
Ahhh! Talk about a renewal process, seconds later I let go and jumped down. Yes, I tackled the impossible, all God wanted me to do was to walk towards the finish line, he was going to do the rest!
CHAMPIONS be encouraged, I know the obstacle course of life may be difficult but GOD is there beside you, LET GO AND LET GOD! HE CAN HANDLE IT!
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
Encouragement Prayer
Lord,
Today I pray for my friends that are facing tough times. I pray that you would encourage them to press on a little further, to continue on with the race. Father I pray that you would open the doors of opportunity for those that are looking for jobs. I pray God that you would heal the hearts of those that are broken, that you would give them joy in the midst of pain, let them feel your presence. Please help those that are faced with loosing their homes, that they would have peace.
There are so many obstacles that come our way to distract us from what you have called us to and sometimes God our lives seem untied, but we know that you are there, waiting to help us...Thank You!
God as we stretch our hand out to you, we ask that you continue to lead the way, lead us through the paths and intersections of life. Thank you for being a consistent friend that listens when we talk. Today I pray that you would have a reason to smile, a reason to live and a reason to praise God for his goodness, may he strengthen your heart and encourage you through his word.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Additional Scripture References:
Psalms 16:5NIV "Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure."
Psalms 18:28NIV "You, Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light."
Psalms 20:1NIV "May the Lord answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you."
Psalms 20:(5-7) 5 "May we shout for joy over your victory
and lift up our banners in the name of our God.
May the Lord grant all your requests.
6 Now this I know:
The Lord gives victory to his anointed.
He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary
with the victorious power of his right hand.
7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
Today I pray for my friends that are facing tough times. I pray that you would encourage them to press on a little further, to continue on with the race. Father I pray that you would open the doors of opportunity for those that are looking for jobs. I pray God that you would heal the hearts of those that are broken, that you would give them joy in the midst of pain, let them feel your presence. Please help those that are faced with loosing their homes, that they would have peace.
There are so many obstacles that come our way to distract us from what you have called us to and sometimes God our lives seem untied, but we know that you are there, waiting to help us...Thank You!
God as we stretch our hand out to you, we ask that you continue to lead the way, lead us through the paths and intersections of life. Thank you for being a consistent friend that listens when we talk. Today I pray that you would have a reason to smile, a reason to live and a reason to praise God for his goodness, may he strengthen your heart and encourage you through his word.
In Jesus Name,
Amen
Additional Scripture References:
Psalms 16:5NIV "Lord, you alone are my portion and my cup; you make my lot secure."
Psalms 18:28NIV "You, Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light."
Psalms 20:1NIV "May the Lord answer you when you are in distress; may the name of the God of Jacob protect you."
Psalms 20:(5-7) 5 "May we shout for joy over your victory
and lift up our banners in the name of our God.
May the Lord grant all your requests.
6 Now this I know:
The Lord gives victory to his anointed.
He answers him from his heavenly sanctuary
with the victorious power of his right hand.
7 Some trust in chariots and some in horses,
but we trust in the name of the Lord our God.
Thursday, June 16, 2011
The Right Road To Take
My favorite movie is "Finding Nemo" there are so many wonderful elements to Nemo's story. How many times have we heard our parents tell us, "don't do that, don't touch this, or you can't go there"? Nemo's father warned his son not to go swimming out in the ocean, because he thought that his son was not ready for the big sea. Doing just what he was warned not to do, Nemo broke away from his father and started out in the ocean.
The minute that Nemo decided to go swim against his father's wishes he was captured and taken away to a strange land. Alone and frightened this was the first time away from his father's care. Society has given us the ability to choose anything we want, from a hamburger to a cheeseburger, power windows, sunroofs,anti-lock brakes, ,long hair, short hair,good advice and bad advice. But, what if you chose the wrong direction because you didn't want to listen to the voice of your father?
As a teenager my mother told me not to drive my car to a neighboring state because the car was in need of some minor repairs. Needless to say I didn't listen and boy was that a big mistake! One mile from my destination the car stopped on a dark country road with the nearest street light at the local gas station six country miles away. I was terrified, there I was with two of my friends on the side of the road, and at that time we didn't have cell phones. What was I going to do? How was I going to get home? Was I going to die, once my mother found out what happened? If ever there was a time when bad thoughts entered my mind, it was then. Fortunately for me, a nice stranger helped us to get where we needed to go. Unfortunately for me, I messed the car up even worse than before. There are consequences when we are disobedient.
People can be a great asset to have but they can also be a detriment to your life, when we chose to listen to them rather than the voice of God. Often times we can chose ungodly counsel or make a hasty decision that will lead us off our directed path because we do not want to be laughed at or picked on. Just as Nemo found himself on an unwanted path, we as creatures of habit have done some of the same things.
After several days of failed attempts to escape from his capturer's Nemo was finally free and was reunited with his father. In the story of the prodigal son, the Father saw his son from afar off and welcomed him back into his kingdom. (Luke 15:11-32) I can't help but to think what that moment was like for the Father who had been missing his son, I am sure he had been praying for his son's safe return. How did the son feel? In a sense he probably felt like we did when we connected to God for the first time or re-connected to him after leaving his will to follow our fleshly will. It was a sense of humility and relief from the pressure of carrying unnecessary weight.
Luckily for us God forgives us and receives us back to him. "Just as Nemo had to realize he had made a mistake, we too, have to come to the realization that we need to change our course. John 10:27 says "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them and they follow me." Trust the God in you and listen to what God is saying to you.
There are some simple steps that can lead us off the path, but one step can lead us back to Christ. That step is a repentant heart. If you have strayed from God's path, he is waiting for you to turn back to him, his arms are open to receive you. " I am the door; by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture." "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." John 10:9-10.
Yesterday may have been a day of bad choices, but today is the first day of your abundant life...Ask God for his direction and walk into your full God given ability. THERE IS GREATNESS IN YOU, THERE IS A CHAMPION IN YOU!
Additional Scriptures:
John 3:16; Romans 10:9-10
The minute that Nemo decided to go swim against his father's wishes he was captured and taken away to a strange land. Alone and frightened this was the first time away from his father's care. Society has given us the ability to choose anything we want, from a hamburger to a cheeseburger, power windows, sunroofs,anti-lock brakes, ,long hair, short hair,good advice and bad advice. But, what if you chose the wrong direction because you didn't want to listen to the voice of your father?
As a teenager my mother told me not to drive my car to a neighboring state because the car was in need of some minor repairs. Needless to say I didn't listen and boy was that a big mistake! One mile from my destination the car stopped on a dark country road with the nearest street light at the local gas station six country miles away. I was terrified, there I was with two of my friends on the side of the road, and at that time we didn't have cell phones. What was I going to do? How was I going to get home? Was I going to die, once my mother found out what happened? If ever there was a time when bad thoughts entered my mind, it was then. Fortunately for me, a nice stranger helped us to get where we needed to go. Unfortunately for me, I messed the car up even worse than before. There are consequences when we are disobedient.
People can be a great asset to have but they can also be a detriment to your life, when we chose to listen to them rather than the voice of God. Often times we can chose ungodly counsel or make a hasty decision that will lead us off our directed path because we do not want to be laughed at or picked on. Just as Nemo found himself on an unwanted path, we as creatures of habit have done some of the same things.
After several days of failed attempts to escape from his capturer's Nemo was finally free and was reunited with his father. In the story of the prodigal son, the Father saw his son from afar off and welcomed him back into his kingdom. (Luke 15:11-32) I can't help but to think what that moment was like for the Father who had been missing his son, I am sure he had been praying for his son's safe return. How did the son feel? In a sense he probably felt like we did when we connected to God for the first time or re-connected to him after leaving his will to follow our fleshly will. It was a sense of humility and relief from the pressure of carrying unnecessary weight.
Luckily for us God forgives us and receives us back to him. "Just as Nemo had to realize he had made a mistake, we too, have to come to the realization that we need to change our course. John 10:27 says "My sheep hear my voice, and I know them and they follow me." Trust the God in you and listen to what God is saying to you.
There are some simple steps that can lead us off the path, but one step can lead us back to Christ. That step is a repentant heart. If you have strayed from God's path, he is waiting for you to turn back to him, his arms are open to receive you. " I am the door; by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture." "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly." John 10:9-10.
Yesterday may have been a day of bad choices, but today is the first day of your abundant life...Ask God for his direction and walk into your full God given ability. THERE IS GREATNESS IN YOU, THERE IS A CHAMPION IN YOU!
Additional Scriptures:
John 3:16; Romans 10:9-10
Monday, June 13, 2011
Whose report will you believe?
It is so easy to praise God when things are going good, we give him the praise for deliverance and bringing us out, BUT can you praise him in the midst of being criticized? In the thick of the battle? When people walk out? When being laughed at? When they don't believe in you. Can you praise him while going through?
I was faced with a crisis and I wasn't sure how I would handle it. The doctor confirmed some lumps in my breast, I was told to go in for more extensive testing. As a believer in Jesus Christ, all I knew how to do was pray. It could have been easier for me to let my mind run with the news the doctor gave me, but inside I heard God say..."whose report will you believe?"
Everything around me looked as if I should throw in the towel, instead, I threw my hands up and said "ok, God, I can't do it but you can." Amazingly, that was all God was trying to get me to do was let him handle it. Over the years I have learned not to worry about things, but to truly allow God to deal with it. (Phil 4:6)
In the book of Numbers(chapters 13 & 14), Moses sends the spies out to view the land, conflicting reports came back......oh they complained about how big the giants were but then Caleb and Joshua spoke up and told them,"oh we can take them!" They told the people, look the land is good and if God is pleased with us, he will give us the land, just don't rebel against God.(Numbers 14:6-9) Every once and a while you need a Joshua and Caleb spirit, you need to be able to look at the giants that you are facing and say with God's help we can take them.
Maybe you are faced with a giant in your life and people around you are telling you, "oh you might as well give up, throw in your towel, that giant is too big, you might as well quit." God doesn't want you to quit, but face those giants. As the story continued the one's that grumbled and complained that rejected God did not get to see the land. However Caleb and Joshua were able to enter into the land. God wants you to receive your promise!
Champions no matter what giants you are facing, the Lord is not slack concerning his promise for you. He will provide for you, he has given you the VICTORY...Now whose report will you believe?
Additional Scripture References
Numbers 13 & 14
"This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
I was faced with a crisis and I wasn't sure how I would handle it. The doctor confirmed some lumps in my breast, I was told to go in for more extensive testing. As a believer in Jesus Christ, all I knew how to do was pray. It could have been easier for me to let my mind run with the news the doctor gave me, but inside I heard God say..."whose report will you believe?"
Everything around me looked as if I should throw in the towel, instead, I threw my hands up and said "ok, God, I can't do it but you can." Amazingly, that was all God was trying to get me to do was let him handle it. Over the years I have learned not to worry about things, but to truly allow God to deal with it. (Phil 4:6)
In the book of Numbers(chapters 13 & 14), Moses sends the spies out to view the land, conflicting reports came back......oh they complained about how big the giants were but then Caleb and Joshua spoke up and told them,"oh we can take them!" They told the people, look the land is good and if God is pleased with us, he will give us the land, just don't rebel against God.(Numbers 14:6-9) Every once and a while you need a Joshua and Caleb spirit, you need to be able to look at the giants that you are facing and say with God's help we can take them.
Maybe you are faced with a giant in your life and people around you are telling you, "oh you might as well give up, throw in your towel, that giant is too big, you might as well quit." God doesn't want you to quit, but face those giants. As the story continued the one's that grumbled and complained that rejected God did not get to see the land. However Caleb and Joshua were able to enter into the land. God wants you to receive your promise!
Champions no matter what giants you are facing, the Lord is not slack concerning his promise for you. He will provide for you, he has given you the VICTORY...Now whose report will you believe?
Additional Scripture References
Numbers 13 & 14
"This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9
Tuesday, June 7, 2011
Prayer of Thanks for THE PROMISE!
In the race of life, we all face obstacles, some are bigger than others and some are tiny, but this one thing we know for sure, GOD knows all about it. My prayer is that while you continue to minister, be a wife/husband, student/teacher, or friend, that you will have patience to endure.......Hebrews 10:36 " Patient endurance is what you need now, so that you will continue to do God’s will. Then you will receive all that he has promised."
Father, we know that all things work together for our good,(Romans 8:28) while it is not always easy to see the good in the task, we trust you. We trust that you will guide our footsteps to our destinies. We thank you for calling us to do greater works,calling us to make a differences in our communities. Thank you for calling us to greatness and since we know you called us, we will not worry about what people have to say about our walk with you.(Romans 8:29-30) Thank you for keeping us from ourselves, when we could have messed up, you allowed the spirit within us to rise up.
We thank you for the creative power within us, that causes us to own businesses, attend schools, work jobs and be a TRUE reflection of you, everywhere we go. In these tough economic times, we know that it is you that have supplied all of our needs, it is you that have kept us from day to day. Thank you for having your hand upon us. You are truly our shepherd and we thank you!(Psalms 23, Philippians 4:19)
For the beauty that we see on the outside, thank you. For the things we can't see thank you for allowing us to "walk by faith and not by sight"(2 Corinthians 5:7), you are leading us to places that our natural mind can not comprehend, but our spirit is in alignment and agreeing to those things that you have called us to. THANK YOU!
We thank you for your healing power(Isaiah 53:5)......thank you for healing our bodies and our minds. Thank you for the peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7)....that peace which we can't explain, we just know it's there and we accept it in our lives.
Thank you for every door that closed, that was not beneficial for us, thank you for protecting us from danger seen and unseen. Now we say as believers, we believe your report and we celebrate the hurdles that we had to cross in order to receive the VICTORY!
God we bless your HOLY name, the only name in by which men can be saved (Philippians 2:10), thank you for your goodness and love towards us all. Thank you for the promise it didn't die....it is manifesting in us!
In Jesus Name,
Amen!
Copyright ©2011 Carmen Palmer
Father, we know that all things work together for our good,(Romans 8:28) while it is not always easy to see the good in the task, we trust you. We trust that you will guide our footsteps to our destinies. We thank you for calling us to do greater works,calling us to make a differences in our communities. Thank you for calling us to greatness and since we know you called us, we will not worry about what people have to say about our walk with you.(Romans 8:29-30) Thank you for keeping us from ourselves, when we could have messed up, you allowed the spirit within us to rise up.
We thank you for the creative power within us, that causes us to own businesses, attend schools, work jobs and be a TRUE reflection of you, everywhere we go. In these tough economic times, we know that it is you that have supplied all of our needs, it is you that have kept us from day to day. Thank you for having your hand upon us. You are truly our shepherd and we thank you!(Psalms 23, Philippians 4:19)
For the beauty that we see on the outside, thank you. For the things we can't see thank you for allowing us to "walk by faith and not by sight"(2 Corinthians 5:7), you are leading us to places that our natural mind can not comprehend, but our spirit is in alignment and agreeing to those things that you have called us to. THANK YOU!
We thank you for your healing power(Isaiah 53:5)......thank you for healing our bodies and our minds. Thank you for the peace that surpasses all understanding (Philippians 4:7)....that peace which we can't explain, we just know it's there and we accept it in our lives.
Thank you for every door that closed, that was not beneficial for us, thank you for protecting us from danger seen and unseen. Now we say as believers, we believe your report and we celebrate the hurdles that we had to cross in order to receive the VICTORY!
God we bless your HOLY name, the only name in by which men can be saved (Philippians 2:10), thank you for your goodness and love towards us all. Thank you for the promise it didn't die....it is manifesting in us!
In Jesus Name,
Amen!
Copyright ©2011 Carmen Palmer
Friday, June 3, 2011
Setting The Record!
It's hard to believe....but in high school, I was on the track team. Now I never considered myself a runner; however, I did find an event that I liked. I decided to follow after my sister's footsteps and try the shot put and discus.
Now when my sister was in high school she set a record for discus throwing(some 25 years later that record still has not been broken). Thinking I could do the same thing as my sister, I tried very hard to stay in her shoes. What I failed to realize is that we both possessed different qualities, although we have the same parents, we have different strengths and weaknesses. My sister made it to the state level, I on the other hand made it to the regionals and my track career, well let's just say it stopped there. I lost my motivation because in my mind, I needed to do what my sister did.
Have you ever found yourself trying to keep up with the Joneses? This person did this, so you think you can do what they did and sometimes even better. CHAMPIONS, unfortunately for you, you were created to be different, your footprint is not the same as anyone. While you may share the same heavenly father as other believers he has made and equipped you to be different.
CHAMPIONS, it is no need to pattern your life after another person. Within you is greatness and he has called you to do even greater things than others. TODAY, embrace the CHAMPION within and set your own record of abundant living.
Scripture References: Psalms 139; Jeremiah 29:11; Romans 12:4-8; I Corinthians 12:4
Copyright © 2011 Carmen Palmer
Now when my sister was in high school she set a record for discus throwing(some 25 years later that record still has not been broken). Thinking I could do the same thing as my sister, I tried very hard to stay in her shoes. What I failed to realize is that we both possessed different qualities, although we have the same parents, we have different strengths and weaknesses. My sister made it to the state level, I on the other hand made it to the regionals and my track career, well let's just say it stopped there. I lost my motivation because in my mind, I needed to do what my sister did.
Have you ever found yourself trying to keep up with the Joneses? This person did this, so you think you can do what they did and sometimes even better. CHAMPIONS, unfortunately for you, you were created to be different, your footprint is not the same as anyone. While you may share the same heavenly father as other believers he has made and equipped you to be different.
CHAMPIONS, it is no need to pattern your life after another person. Within you is greatness and he has called you to do even greater things than others. TODAY, embrace the CHAMPION within and set your own record of abundant living.
Scripture References: Psalms 139; Jeremiah 29:11; Romans 12:4-8; I Corinthians 12:4
Copyright © 2011 Carmen Palmer
Thursday, June 2, 2011
The Promise Didn't Die!
Recently, I was on a flight that was delayed by two hours. This delay caused me to miss my connecting flight. I was very disappointed as I wanted to see my family after being away for several days on a business trip.
Pacing the floor at the airport, I could not accept the answer that I was going to have to wait another 24 hours before heading home. The airline was very accommodating to me, they were going to send me to an hotel and book me on a "noon" flight. Still grateful, I called customer service and asked if they could fly me into a "neighboring city", they quickly obliged. See when you know what's ahead of you, you don't just give up. Joseph was given a promise although it took years to manifest, he didn't give up on his dreams, he knew he was destined to be a ruler, a leader and from every pit he looked to do good to those in his care and he found favor with GOD...
CHAMPIONS from crisis to CHRIST IS.....don't give up on your dreams........THE PROMISE IS MANIFESTING!
Scripture Reference Genesis chapters 37-42
Copyright © 2011 Carmen Palmer
Pacing the floor at the airport, I could not accept the answer that I was going to have to wait another 24 hours before heading home. The airline was very accommodating to me, they were going to send me to an hotel and book me on a "noon" flight. Still grateful, I called customer service and asked if they could fly me into a "neighboring city", they quickly obliged. See when you know what's ahead of you, you don't just give up. Joseph was given a promise although it took years to manifest, he didn't give up on his dreams, he knew he was destined to be a ruler, a leader and from every pit he looked to do good to those in his care and he found favor with GOD...
CHAMPIONS from crisis to CHRIST IS.....don't give up on your dreams........THE PROMISE IS MANIFESTING!
Scripture Reference Genesis chapters 37-42
Copyright © 2011 Carmen Palmer
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