Optimistic Journey » Jarrod Clark

True Intentions (Video)

Jarrod Clark — Tue, 22 May 2012 09:27:16 +0000

God has a heart after those who have a pure heart. Good intentions and right motives are one of many ways to having a heart after God.

We have many interactions with people on a daily basis. And God looks not so much at what we’re doing as much as He looks at why we’re doing it. He has an eye to see straight through our actions and deeds to the motive behind it.

Do you ever volunteer to do something only with a wrong motive? Do you compliment someone expecting a compliment in return? Do you do a good deed for a friend based on an ulterior motive? These are all questions worth asking ourselves.

Here is this week’s vlogisode. In it, I talk about our motives and intentions. I also give an example that everyone uses on a daily basis which, often times, is based on an ill motive. I also give an interesting Proverb scripture that sheds some light on how we “joke” with our friends. I hope you’ll check it out and I hope it blesses you!

(If reading by email, click Here to watch video on the blog page)

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April 23, 2012 -- Vlogisode #3 – Launch Out Into the Deep (Video) (0)
April 13, 2012 -- Accepting the Opposition (Video) (0)
April 9, 2012 -- My First Vlog… Happy Easter… and… (video) (0)

Grow Into Your Full Potential

Jarrod Clark — Mon, 21 May 2012 05:15:42 +0000

We are forever evolving into the person that God has called us to be. We can never learn too much. We can never experience all there is to experience.

We can never be too wise, or too strong, or too smart. God always has more for us. But the fact of the matter is that it’s easy to settle. It’s easy to get comfortable where we are in life.

Many stop growing. They stop pushing and striving to reach their ultimate potential. But know today that God wants the best for you. He wants you to continue to grow. He wants you to continue to thrive, flourish and blossom into your God-given destiny.

Here’s encouragement for you- don’t get settled. Don’t get so comfortable that you miss out on the next dimension in life.

Continue to grow. Let the lessons, the hardships and the setbacks of life catapult you into a better, stronger and wiser person.

Before long, you’ll be able to say, “I’m stronger than my yesterdays.” “I’m more equipped and empowered than I was before.”

But it all starts with a mindset to grow. It starts with the decision to overcome mediocrity and stagnation. Here’s my question for you: Will you dare to explore new horizons? Will you dare to be all you can be and grow into the full abundance God has for you?

Don’t get comfortable where you are. Always strive to grow and reach the next dimension in life. When you do so, you’ll come into your full potential as you charge forth on your journey!

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May 2, 2012 -- Did You Get Bitter or Better? (2)
May 1, 2012 -- Vlogisode #4 – The “Dirt” Post (Video) (0)
February 1, 2012 -- Get the Inside Information! (0)
December 19, 2011 -- How the Words “So What” can Change Your Life (4)
December 4, 2011 -- The Man with the Master Plan (0)

Trash In, Trash Out

Jarrod Clark — Fri, 18 May 2012 05:15:42 +0000

What you expose yourself to is the course that your life will take. Day in and day out, we’re exposed to a lot. There is so much grabbing our attention.

From the people we hang out with, to the music we listen to and the shows we watch, there are a lot of influences that can either help or hurt us.

That’s why it’s important for us to guard what goes on the inside. I love the way Proverbs 4:23 puts it. It urges us to guard our heart with all diligence, for everything we do flows from it.

It’s hard to totally block everything that comes at you on a daily basis. But for much of the time, you can control a great majority of what goes in.

Let me encourage you today. Guard your ear gate and your eye gate. Choose to listen to something that is uplifting. Watch something that’s encouraging and inspiring. Read a good book. Open up the Bible and meditate on a scripture.

Don’t expose yourself to something that’s going to tear you down. Don’t listen to something that’s going to discourage you and influence you in a negative way. Make a choice to watch something that’s going to build you up.

You may be familiar with a quote that simply says, “trash in, trash out.” This says it all. When you put trash on the inside, it’s going to be reflective in your interactions with others. If you listen to music that’s degrading and is an overall bad influence, it’s going to affect you in one way or another. When you watch movies that promote violence, negativity, and immorality then it’s going to affect your decisions and bring the same out of you.

Make a choice to guard your heart. Watch what you allow to enter your eyes and ears. Listen to something that’s going to promote empowerment and positivity. Then, the course of your life will take a turn for the better as you charge forth on your journey!

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September 26, 2011 -- Change The Channel (2)

Your Name Has Been Changed!

Jarrod Clark — Thu, 17 May 2012 05:15:22 +0000

When you come into Christ, the old becomes past away. The scripture says you become a new creature.

Many things change. Your thoughts and your actions change. You take on a new way of living. You project a new kind of fruit: peace, love, joy, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. These are known as the Fruits of the Spirit.

In the supernatural, another thing changes. God changes your name. Often throughout the scriptures, God would change the name of a person He wanted to use. For example, Abram became Abraham, which meant father of many nations. Sarai became Sarah, which meant princess.

Saul used to be a persecutor of the Christian church. When He came into Christ, his name was changed to Paul. He then became a major influence in the Christian church. Simon became Peter who was a follower of Christ who was later given the keys to the church.

In the same way, God changes your name. The person you used to be doesn’t matter. The things you used to do have no meaning. What matters is that you’re a child of the most high God. He has changed your name.

Others may know you by who you used to be. But God knows you by who He has called you to be. With Christ, you’ve gone from a victim to a victor. You’re no longer a failure you’re a success. You’re not poor, you’re rich.

Let this seed take root. Your name has been changed. Your story ends in victory. Don’t answer to the name of your yesterdays. Answer to what God has called you to be as you charge forth on your journey of life!

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September 14, 2010 -- He’s Doing A New Thing! (1)
April 23, 2012 -- Vlogisode #3 – Launch Out Into the Deep (Video) (0)
March 22, 2012 -- Take Captive Every Thought (1)
February 9, 2012 -- Stuck between a Rock and a Hard Place? (0)
December 18, 2011 -- Experience God’s Peace During the Christmas Season (0)

When the Rubber Meets the Passion

Jarrod Clark — Wed, 16 May 2012 05:15:09 +0000

Something amazing happens when we seek out to pursue our dreams. Anytime something is new and fresh we go after it with passion, enthusiasm, and desire. But what happens when the fire dies? What happens when the passion that was once there subsides?

For many, a number of things happen. Some abandon their dreams. It gets old and stale. Some get lackadaisical and lose their way.

But let me encourage you to rekindle the flame. Stir up those gifts that you’ve allowed to lye dormant. Relight that fire.

You may be familiar with an idiom that says, “when the rubber meets the road.” It’s defined as the moment of truth. This is the point that determines if you’re in it to win it.

The same principle applies to our dreams. I give it a different twist. It’s when the “rubber meets the passion.” This is the moment when you make a decision that no matter how hard it gets, you’re going to go on to pursue your God-given destiny. It’s the moment when no matter how tough the goin’ gets, you chose to press through the difficulties. Press through the struggles. Press through the setbacks.

If you come into this moment of truth when the rubber meets the passion, that’s when it’s time to up the ante. Kick your passion into the next gear. Don’t lose the love for those dreams that are near and dear. Don’t let your goals and visions get washed down the drain. It’s at this point that you dig your heels in and fight to the finish.

Leap over the obstacles. Embrace and conquer the challenges. When you do so, you’ll come into your full potential as you charge forth on your journey of life!

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April 11, 2012 -- Relight the Fire! (0)
June 27, 2010 -- Don’t Let Anyone Rain on Your Parade (3)
April 5, 2012 -- Set Your Sights High (Keep Stretching Yourself) (0)
March 2, 2012 -- Celebrate the Small Victories! (1)
January 31, 2012 -- If You Want it Bad Enough… (Accept no Excuses) (0)

How to Enjoy Your Life! (Video)

Jarrod Clark — Tue, 15 May 2012 08:02:29 +0000

God has an abundant life for you. He doesn’t want us to go around stressing over needless things. He doesn’t want us to get so caught up in the hustle and bustle of the day that we lose sight on the abundant life. No, He wants us to enjoy our life and live it to the fullest!

Here’s encouragement for you. In this week’s vlogisode video, I encourage you to not take life too seriously. Live a little. Laugh a little. Enjoy every waking moment. These, along with others are just a few tips to get you on your way to living the abundant life that God has for you. I hope this video blesses and encourages you!

(If reading by email, click Here to watch video on the blog page)

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February 2, 2012 -- 10 Ways to Have a Complete Joy-filled Day! (2)
August 23, 2011 -- Don’t Take Yourself too Seriously (1)
January 11, 2010 -- How To Stay Sane In An Insane World (0)
May 9, 2012 -- The Naysayer Within (2)
April 13, 2012 -- Accepting the Opposition (Video) (0)

He’s the Supplier of Your Every Need!

Jarrod Clark — Fri, 11 May 2012 05:34:41 +0000

We serve a God who knows our every need. Your desires may be outside of the will of God. Your wants may limit God’s plan for your life. But in the end, God’s will for your life will prevail.

Too often, we get focused on our wants and desires. But God is in control. He sees the big picture. He knows how to align everything to fit our ultimate need. And He sets everything accordingly.

Philippians 4:19 says “And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Notice it doesn’t say that God shall supply your wants. It doesn’t say that He’ll meet your desires. No, it says that He will supply all your needs.

Your needs are above your desires. You may desire a huge mansion on a hill. But to a homeless person, a simple warm dwelling is enough to suffice. You may desire the latest most popular car on the road. But to someone without a vehicle, something that gets them from point A to B will fix the need.

Now, don’t get me wrong, God wants you to live an abundant life. He doesn’t want you to just get by, He wants you to thrive. But first, the foundation has to be in place. A teenager who just starts out driving may desire a brand new popular sports car. But most of the time, their first car may be a used one. It’ll be something that they can manage for the time.

In the same way, God wants our needs to be a priority. He’s going to make sure our needs are supplied above all else. Let this encourage you. If there is something that you need, know that God will supply it.

He is the Good Shepherd and He will feed His flock. Let this encouragement take root deep on the inside and you’ll never have to worry about your needs as you charge forth on your journey!

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December 21, 2011 -- He’s a God of Many Roles (0)
May 21, 2012 -- Grow Into Your Full Potential (0)
May 16, 2012 -- When the Rubber Meets the Passion (2)
May 4, 2012 -- It’s Already Worked Out! (2)
May 3, 2012 -- Master Fix-It (He Always Fixes It) (1)

Now or Later?

Jarrod Clark — Thu, 10 May 2012 05:15:12 +0000

Procrastination is one setback that robs many from reaching their full potential. The longer we wait, the longer we continue to make excuses, then the longer it will be before our plans come into play.

Too often, we’re putting things off until tomorrow. Maybe you wanted to start an exercise program. But your declaration has been, “I’ll do it tomorrow or next week.” Maybe you wanted to break an old habit or bad addiction but you’ve been putting it further and further into the future.

The longer you delay- the longer you continue to buy into the wrong excuses, the slimmer the chances are of even accomplishing the goal.

A question we should ask ourselves is will it be now or later. No, I’m not talking about a pack of candy. I’m talking about giving yourself an ultimatum.

One thing that will help is to examine the priorities. Determine what’s important. And put those things at the forefront of your mind. Commit to performing them. Make a decision to go after the important matters now.

Don’t make an excuse. Don’t continue to put it off until tomorrow. No, let me encourage you today- start now! Be about those dreams that you’ve put along the wayside. Go after your visions with a new found passion and a new persistence.

Procrastinate no further. When you put this principle into play and take action, you’ll lead a more accomplished and more fulfilling life as you charge forth on your journey!

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January 24, 2012 -- Find the Lessons in Your Failures (0)
August 16, 2011 -- Don’t Wait too Long (0)
June 8, 2010 -- What Excuses Are You Making? (0)
April 13, 2010 -- Edison’s Persistence, Can You Use It? (2)
December 22, 2009 -- Stick-to-it-iveness Aint Easy But It’s Critical (0)

The Naysayer Within

Jarrod Clark — Wed, 09 May 2012 05:15:18 +0000

I heard an interesting statistic. We believe more of what we say about ourselves than what anyone else says about us. Unfortunately, the problem comes into play when we become our own voice of defeat. We become our own worst critic and naysayer.

If we could play back the words and thoughts that we think, we would realize why we never accomplished that dream. We would soon find out why we never met that goal and came into that victory. It’s because the whole time we’ve been allowing the negative voice of defeat to set in.

Make a choice today to speak victory into your life. Speak hope, blessings and courage into your destiny.

The scripture says that God has given us a choice. He has set before us blessings and curses. He’s given us a choice at life and death. He then urges us to choose life!

Friends, also remember what else God’s Word says. It says that life and death lies in the power of the tongue. You have the choice to continue to speak death, curses, and defeat over yourself- or you can speak victory, hope, and prosperity into your future.

At least if others around you are speaking against your God-given destiny, you can tune them out. You can get a new circle of friends. But if it’s your own voice and thoughts then that puts you at a disadvantage. You would be doomed for defeat.

So don’t become your own worst critic. Don’t be the naysayer within. No, be a “yay-sayer”. Speak a yes into your future.

God has an expected end waiting in store for you. But in order to come into this hope, you’ll have to start by speaking life and blessings. When you do so, you’ll come into the abundant life that God has for you as you charge forth on your journey!

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July 10, 2011 -- Make Positive Declarations (0)
March 29, 2011 -- There’s Power In The Tongue! (0)
March 29, 2012 -- Pick up Your Bed and Walk (1)
March 28, 2012 -- Let it Bounce Off (0)
November 23, 2011 -- It’s Easier Said than Done (0)

How to be Cool! (Video)

Jarrod Clark — Tue, 08 May 2012 08:48:19 +0000

Many have got the wrong perception of what it means to be cool. They think that being cool is keeping up with the newest trends, being the most popular or owning the latest gadget on the market.

I must say that over the years my perception of “cool” has changed. And no this is not one of those “be cool, stay in school” posts… although I’m all for that. But this is a slightly different interpretation of what “cool” is.

I hope you will check out this week’s inspirational video. I give a scenario of what it was like the first time I was asked if I had email. And how being on top of the latest trends isn’t what makes you cool. Check out the video to find out what makes you cool. Hope it encourages you!

(If reading by email, click Here to watch video on the blog page)

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