Optimistic Journey » Faith

Take Bold Steps of Faith!

Jarrod Clark — Mon, 30 Apr 2012 05:15:28 +0000

The scripture says that every person has been given a measure of faith. Faith is much like confidence in many ways. When you walk from point A to B, unless you have a handicap, you don’t have to worry about making it to your destination. You don’t stress and toil over the situation. You don’t have to over think it. You simply have confidence in knowing that all you have to do is put one foot in front of the other and before long you’ve arrived at your destination.

Faith is the same way. It’s putting confidence in Christ. It’s taking bold steps of faith in other areas of your life.

God doesn’t want you to worry. He doesn’t want you to stress in toil. He doesn’t want you to toss and turn in the midnight hour. No, He simply wants you to take confident steps of faith.

Every step you take is a seed that you’re sowing toward your destination. You may not see the end. You may not know how much further you have to go. You may not know all the details: the who, what, when, where and how- but with every step you’re taking you’re putting your confidence in the Lord.

With every step you take you’re saying, “God I may not know the way but I know you have the way. I’m trusting that you have an expected end.”

Here’s my encouragement for you- be bold, be courageous. Keep taking steps of faith. In doing so you’re putting your confidence in God. Find your groove. And keep doing it until you reach your destination.

When you take steps of faith, God honors that and responds. Others will tell you sometimes you have to fake it to make it. But let me encourage you today, sometimes you have to faith it to make it. Keep courageously taking steps of faith and before long you’ll find yourself closer to your God-given destiny as you charge forth on your journey of life!

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February 28, 2012 -- It’s Not a Matter of Fact , It’s a Matter of Faith (0)
January 23, 2012 -- Press Through in Faith (0)
April 23, 2012 -- Vlogisode #3 – Launch Out Into the Deep (Video) (0)
April 2, 2012 -- Risk Your Life… Get More than You Ever Dreamed! (Video) (0)
February 15, 2012 -- What’s In Your Picture Frame? (0)

Make It Bigger and Better!

Jarrod Clark — Tue, 27 Mar 2012 05:15:50 +0000

The Lord has found favor in you. He has entrusted you with talents, gifts and abilities. It’s our duty to take the gifts that the Lord has given us and put it to good use. We have to make them bigger and better.

It’s easy to listen to the voice of defeat. It’s easy to think, “I don’t have the skills.” “I wasn’t born with any talent or abilities,” but the truth is you have something deep on the inside.

When God favored you, He placed seeds of greatness into you. Now it’s up to you to take these seeds and water them and put them to work for you. Be faithful over what the Lord has given you.

Remember, to whom much is given, much is required. When God gave you the talents, He expected you to put them to work. He doesn’t want you to put the seeds in the ground and let them wither and die. No, He wants you to make it bigger and better!

If you’re going to come into your God-given destiny, you’re going to have to take time and further your talents. In doing so, you’ll earn a return off your investment. Invest more time into your abilities. Invest in education. Invest in practicing and furthering your skills.

For instance, if you have a passion for the Arts- be it music, performance, dance or entertainment, don’t settle for mediocrity. Don’t settle with a just get by mentality. Go the extra mile. You’re not ordinary, you’re extraordinary.

God is pleased when we take what He has entrusted us with and make it bigger and better. Just like the Parable of the Ten Talents in the Bible, where the master entrusting his servants with talents, God is pleased when we earn a greater return off the talents He has given us. Put your skills to work for you, when You do so you’ll get the pleasure of a “well done” as you charge forth on your journey!

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April 23, 2012 -- Vlogisode #3 – Launch Out Into the Deep (Video) (0)
March 28, 2012 -- Let it Bounce Off (0)
March 21, 2012 -- When You’re Down to Nothing… (1)
March 16, 2012 -- Don’t Grow Immune to the Blessings of God (3)
March 13, 2012 -- Faithful Over the Few Things (Video) (0)

It’s Not a Matter of Fact , It’s a Matter of Faith

Jarrod Clark — Tue, 28 Feb 2012 06:15:54 +0000

It’s easy to get wrapped up in the facts of life. From time to time we’re told, this is will never work. That is impossible. This can’t be done. That is unachievable. But the fact of the matter is when you take a step out on faith, you have the power of the almighty God backing you up.

The scripture says with man it’s impossible, but with God all things are possible. When you live by the facts, you’re limiting God. Don’t put God in a box. No, dare to take a step out on faith and watch miraculous things happen.

I once heard a wise person once say, “most of the things worth doing in the world had been declared impossible before they were done.”

Here’s the thing, when you take bold steps of faith, you’ll find that the odds are against you. Scientists may tell you that you’re defying all the laws of nature. Doctors may give you a report based on facts. Your friends may even advise you against it. But you have to know that you know that with God, you can defy all odds.

When you put your faith in God, He’ll turn a negative report into a positive one. He’ll perform miracles, signs and wonders in ways that you never thought possible.

Hebrews 11:1 tells us “now faith is the substance of the things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” When you rely on the facts, you’re relying on the visible. You’re relying on the tangible. But when you rely on faith you’re going by things that are unseen. You’re going against the facts. You’re going against all odds.

Maybe you wanted to jump start your career, but on paper you don’t have the credentials. It’s not a matter of facts, it’s a matter of faith. Apply for that position anyway. Maybe you wanted to try out for the sports team, but the odds are against you. Don’t go by the facts, try out for the team anyway.

Maybe you wanted to buy that brand new luxury car, but everything says that car is way out of your league. Don’t rely on the facts, go to the car dealership and name and claim it.

Don’t get so wrapped up in the facts of life that you forget to faith it. Faith is about taking action based on the unseen. Raise your level of faith above the level of facts. Dare to venture out into the unknown. When you do so, you’ll experience more of the surpassing greatness of the Lord’s favor as you charge forth on your journey of life!

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February 27, 2012 -- In Your appointed Time (1)
April 23, 2012 -- Vlogisode #3 – Launch Out Into the Deep (Video) (0)
March 16, 2012 -- Don’t Grow Immune to the Blessings of God (3)
March 13, 2012 -- Faithful Over the Few Things (Video) (0)
February 29, 2012 -- Maybe Knocked Down but Not Out Forever! (Video) (0)

What’s In Your Picture Frame?

Jarrod Clark — Wed, 15 Feb 2012 06:05:30 +0000

What do you see when you look out into the future? Do you see a life of hope, favor and blessings? Or do you see lack, defeat and failure?

Let me encourage you today, get a vision for the great things that God has in store for you. See through your eyes of faith.

The promises of God may not be tangible yet. You may not experience signs and wonders of the greatness that He has in store for you, but get a vision for it. See through the supernatural picture frame

Remember, faith is the substance of things hoped for and the evidence of things not seen. In the supernatural, everything that God has ever promised is already yours. Now all you have to do is align your vision with the spiritual promises that are already in store.

If you’re going to come into the promises of God you’re going to have to look through your eyes of faith. See yourself healthy, prosperous and whole. Imagine the abundant life that God has for you. See yourself coming out of debt, overcoming bad addictions, and being restored to good health.

God is still on the throne. He has your best interests at heart. The scripture says that the Lord has plans to prosper you and not to harm you. God has plans to give you hope and a future. Dare you see through your eyes of faith? Dare you get a vision for the great things in store?

Your best days are still out in front of you. Don’t lose sight of the promises of God. Don’t put limits on God. No, enlarge your vision. When you do so you’ll come into the fulfilled visions that God has in store for you as you charge forth on your journey of life!

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July 27, 2011 -- Enlarge Your Hopes! (4)
April 17, 2012 -- It Starts With a Vision! (Video) (1)
November 20, 2009 -- Does Faith and Vision Go Hand and Hand? (2)
April 30, 2012 -- Take Bold Steps of Faith! (2)
March 7, 2012 -- Don’t Put God in a Box (0)

Ignite the Spark!

Jarrod Clark — Wed, 08 Feb 2012 07:09:25 +0000

Do you have talents and abilities that are lying dormant? Maybe you’ve been waiting on the right moment to do what you’ve deemed impossible.

God wants you to know that you are qualified. He gave you all the tools you need to do the impossible. All you need to do is ignite the spark.

For some, all it takes is a spark. All it takes is a nudge in the right direction. Well, let me encourage you today. Find that spark that will launch you into your God-given destiny.

If you’re going to fulfill your divine assignment, you’re going to have to fan the flame. Stir up the gifts that are already inside you.

Don’t wait on the “right time.” Don’t wait until everything is in place to soar into your destiny. No, you have to ignite the spark that is within.

No need to wait until you have the right qualifications. Your resume doesn’t validate you. You have a spark on the inside, take a leap of faith. Let your resume catch up with you. In the Kingdom of God, you don’t need qualifications. You don’t need the experience. You just need a spark. You need a faith that will ignite explosive blessings in your favor.

I like to think of how a vehicle has all the right components to get from point A to point B. But one of the most important components is the starter. The starter is the spark. A car can have a top notch engine, second to none transmission and a high class fuel economy, but if it doesn’t have the spark, it won’t go anywhere.

In the same way, God has give you the ignition. He’s has began a good thing in you and He’s ready to bring it to completion, all you have to do is ignite the spark.

Remember, God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called. It may seem like you don’t have the talents, gifts and abilities but ignite the spark anyway. Put your faith out there. Launch forward into your destiny. When you do so, God will qualify you along the way as you charge forth on your journey of life!

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November 28, 2011 -- That Wasn’t So Bad! (0)
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Press Through in Faith

Jarrod Clark — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 03:06:06 +0000

“She had heard about Jesus, so she came up behind him through the crowd and touched his robe.” – Mark 5:27

There was a woman in the Bible who had an issue of blood. The scripture says she suffered for many years under the hand of physicians. She spent all her money, and she still didn’t get any better. In fact, she got worse.

One day she heard Jesus was passing through the crowd and she came up behind him. She touched his garment. She knew that in doing so, she would be made whole. The scripture goes on to say, that when she touched his robe, she felt her body being immediately healed of her affliction.

This woman understood a principle. She understood that Jesus responds when we press through in faith. Here’s the thing, she was just one person in the crowd who was pressing Jesus. I’d imagine her complaint was, “I’m in the midst of all these people.” “I’ll never get a chance.” “What are the chances that I could be one of the ones to press through and be made whole.” But she defied all odds and pressed through in faith.

After twelve long years suffering this affliction, I’d imagine she was without hope. She spent her last dime. She was probably ready to throw in the towel. But she pressed.

Just like this woman, our gracious Father responds when we press Him in times of trouble. Maybe there’s an area in your life that needs to be made whole. Maybe you’ve struggled, toiled and suffered, yet still to no avail. Like this woman, maybe you’ve ran out of options. You’ve done all you can, no one has the answers. No magic pill will suffice. No counselor can give you the help you need. Let me encourage you today, there is a better way. You can still press through.

Notice the scripture didn’t say Jesus came to her. Notice it didn’t say, she was hoping Christ would notice her and come. No, she was bold and courageous. She had a tremendous faith. She pressed through the crowd and was made whole.

When it seems life doesn’t have the answers, press through. When you’ve ran out of options, press through. When it seems there’s no hope, press through.

Jesus responds when we’re bold and courageous. He has a heart for those who are determined, and faithful to press through the crowds of life. Make a choice to press Jesus through the difficult times. When you do so, our Father will respond to your faith. In effect, you’ll experience wholeness in every area of your life!

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April 30, 2012 -- Take Bold Steps of Faith! (2)
April 2, 2012 -- Risk Your Life… Get More than You Ever Dreamed! (Video) (0)
August 9, 2011 -- Pray Bolder Prayers (0)
April 23, 2012 -- Vlogisode #3 – Launch Out Into the Deep (Video) (0)
April 17, 2012 -- It Starts With a Vision! (Video) (1)

Have A Right Now Faith!

Jarrod Clark — Thu, 19 Jan 2012 03:43:29 +0000

“In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead.” – James 2:17

Our God is moved when we take leaps of faith. All it takes is mustard seed faith and we can move mountains.

But too often, we find ourselves looking for the end result in the beginning. Day after day we’re making the wrong declarations. Declarations such as: “I’ll give more to charity once my finances get in order.” “I’ll wash my car, when God provides me with a brand new one.” “I’ll lose weight and get in shape once the vacation to the beach is booked.”

But you need to know that the Lord is looking for you to have a right now faith. That means you have to put your faith out there regardless of the conditions around you.

Remember, without faith it’s impossible to please the Lord. One of the reasons you’re not getting your breakthrough is because you’re not exercising your faith. In order for you to come into your season of abundance and increase, you must sow some seeds of faith.

The good news is all you need is a mustard seed faith. The scripture says if you have a mustard seed faith you can move mountains.

Here’s the thing. If you’ll first clean out your car then the Lord will bless you with a new one. As soon as you fix up your house, the Lord will bless you with a new home. If you’ll be faithful and sow a seed to someone in need, the Lord will bless you with financial increase.

Remember, if you’ll be faithful over the few things, God will make you ruler over many things.

Release your faith today. God is looking for you to have a right now faith. Not a tomorrow faith. Not a next year faith, but a right now faith. The Lord won’t move until you move.

Here’s the good news. Your final chapter ends in increase, promotion, and blessings. But first you have to break down the walls of doubt and unbelief. Display a right now faith today. When you do so, the Lord will bring you into your season of victory as you charge forth on your journey!

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March 13, 2012 -- Faithful Over the Few Things (Video) (0)
April 4, 2012 -- Mind Over Matter… or God Over Matter? (0)
March 16, 2012 -- Don’t Grow Immune to the Blessings of God (3)
February 16, 2012 -- Do Good Toward all People (2)
January 25, 2012 -- Stuck in a Rut? How to Get Out (0)

Plant Good Seeds!

Jarrod Clark — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 04:35:00 +0000

“Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap.” – Galatians 6:7

Every decision you make, is a seed you’re planting in the ground. You’re either planting good seeds or bad seeds. Even the thoughts that you choose to entertain, are seeds that you’re sowing.

When you wake up in the morning with a heart full of gratitude and thanksgiving, you’re planting a good seed for the entire day. You’re showing the almighty God that despite of the way things seems, you’re grateful for the few things. When you’re grateful for the little things, God will inturn reward you and make you ruler over many things.

When you choose to entertain thoughts that are virtuous, honorable and of a good report, you’re planting a seed for peace, wholeness and joy. On the contrary, when you choose to meditate on things that are depressing, downcast and solemn, you’re planting dark seeds. You’re putting seeds of doom and gloom into the ground.

Remember, whatever you sow is what you’ll reap. If you’re putting seeds of faith into the ground, you’ll reap a harvest of manifestation. If you plant seeds of love into the ground, you’ll reap a harvest of love in return. If you sow seeds of mercy and forgiveness, you’ll reap more of the same.

Too often, we’re planting seeds that aren’t nourishing us… seeds of worry, fear and doubt. But we’re expecting a harvest of prosperity and abundance. And when we don’t reap the harvest we expect, we end up throwing in the towel.

But God wants you to experience a life full of joy and abundance. But in order to do so, you must remain faithful and plant good seeds.

If you’re looking for hope, put your hope in the LORD and He’ll renew your strength. Wake up in the morning with expectation, and declare hope and God’s anointed favor over your life. If you’re looking for joy, make a positive declaration. Say early in the morning that the joy of the LORD is your strength!

If you’re looking for peace, don’t give in to worry and anxiety. Instead, through prayer, thanksgiving and petitions, make your requests known unto the LORD. When you do so, God’s peace, which surpasses all understanding, will come to guard your heart and mind.

If you’re looking for direction, seek the LORD. Remember, God is a rewarder of those who diligently seek after Him. Choose to acknowledge God in all your ways and He’ll direct your path.

If you’ll plant good seeds ahead of time, the LORD will be merciful to deliver you into your season of harvest in due time. You will then experience more of the abundant life that God has for you, as you charge forth on your journey of life!

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March 30, 2012 -- The Seeds are Going In (0)
March 13, 2012 -- Faithful Over the Few Things (Video) (0)
October 24, 2011 -- Harvest Where You Didn’t Plant (0)
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Have Yourself a Very Fearless Christmas!

Jarrod Clark — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 03:22:04 +0000

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. – Luke 2:10

The Bible is full of “fear nots.” God made it clear in His word that He wants us to live an abundant life full of faith, courage, hope and reassurance.

God doesn’t want you to go through your Christmas season with fears, doubts, and negative emotions. No, He wants you to live in comfort and peace this joyous time of year.

In the natural, we all have our doubts and fears. These are unfortunate character traits that we all develop over the course of life. But because of the birth of Christ, the old has passed away. We’ve been made anew. Therefore, we no longer have to live in fear, we can have great joy and peace.

I heard an interesting statistic. The phrase “fear not” has been mentioned in the Bible approximately 366 times in one form or another. What’s interesting, is that it’s one for each day of the year, and an extra one for the leap year.

You see, the enemy’s number one strategy is to instill fear into your heart. When you operate in fear, you give power to Satan. But when you operate in faith, you give power to the most High God.

Take comfort in knowing that God and His mighty angels are watching over you day and night. God has your best interests at heart.

As we approach the day where we celebrate the birth of Christ, put all fears behind. Instead, operate in faith. When you do so, God will give you a sense of security, blessed assurance, comfort, joy and peace, as you charge forth on your journey of life!

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February 7, 2012 -- How to Get Peace of Mind (0)
October 6, 2011 -- The Choice is Yours (6)
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Part of the Struggle

Jarrod Clark — Fri, 02 Dec 2011 16:30:33 +0000

The hardest part about making great achievements is taking the first step. When you wake up in the morning, the hardest thing to do is set foot out of bed. Once you’re up and out of the bed, you’re halfway along the journey to starting your day.

In the same way, faith is all about taking the first step. Once you put your faith into action, God goes to work on your behalf in many ways.

.The hardest struggle is taking that first step. But if you’ll put in the effort and take one step, God will take two.

They say the hardest part about exercise is going to the gym. Once you’re there, you have everything at your disposal. You have access to all the equipment and access to the right people. But as long as you’re sitting at home on the couch, you’ll remain in the same place physically. You’ll be one step away from reaching your goal and your full potential.

I dare you to exercise your faith today. What are those lost dreams that you’ve failed to take that one step? What area of your life are you lacking in that one step is all that’s required?

If you’ll take a leap of faith, God will go to work behind the scenes and perform miraculous miracles! He’ll show you those hidden abilities, talents, and gifts which you did not know. Put your faith into action today and watch great things happen as you charge forth on your journey of life!

Photo credit: by davefishernc

April 30, 2012 -- Take Bold Steps of Faith! (2)
February 28, 2012 -- It’s Not a Matter of Fact , It’s a Matter of Faith (0)
August 16, 2011 -- Don’t Wait too Long (0)
August 9, 2011 -- Pray Bolder Prayers (0)
June 13, 2010 -- Don’t Forget To Take Action! (7)

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