Optimistic Journey » Hope

Is Christmas Here Today?

Jarrod Clark — Mon, 07 May 2012 05:15:55 +0000

As a child, I can remember loving the Christmas holidays. When I was younger, I didn’t know exactly what day of the month Christmas fell on, I just knew it was my favorite time of year. The decorations, the music and the festivities let me know it was Christmas season long before Christmas day actually arrived.

As a child, I didn’t quite realize the true meaning behind Christmas but I did remember it was a time to share gifts and spend time with family. I remember all the excitement. There were days in early December when I would ask, “Is Christmas here today?” Much to my dismay, it was quite a few days away.

A few days later I’d ask: “is Christmas here today?” Again and again, day in and day out I was told “no, it’s not here yet, but it’s coming you just wait.”

Finally, Christmas day arrived. The day I had long awaited. After all the waiting, after all the anticipation, the day had finally come. Just a few days ago, I was asking: “Is today the day?” Time and time again, I was told no. But not today. No, today was the big day… the day where I got a yes.

Often times, we get discouraged in life. We’re waiting on that big moment in life. We’re waiting on the big day of expectations, blessings and favor to rain down on our lives. And when it doesn’t happen in our time, we give up and get discouraged.

In the spiritual, it’s as if we’re asking: “is today the day?” We’re being told “no” in one way or another.

But let me encourage you today. Your “yes” is somewhere down the line, it’s only a matter of time. You see, for me as a child, I was told Christmas day wasn’t here yet, but it’s coming soon. Notice that keyword “yet.” In the same way, you have to know that your big day of expectation isn’t here yet, but it’s coming.

Here’s the thing: God sees the big calendar of life. He sees the supernatural “holdiay”, the day where He get’s to grant you your yes. He sees the countdown until your day of blessing, your day of expectation- the big “yes” that you’ve been waiting for.

You may wake up asking “is today the day,” but let me encourage you. The promises of God are yes and amen! You may get a delay but never a denial. If God promised it then it will come to pass, it’s only a matter of time.

Don’t get discouraged. Don’t give up. Don’t throw in the towel. If today is not the day, then say, “that’s alright.” Just draw a line through that day on your supernatural calendar. Say, “that’s one day down, only a matter of time now.” Let this be your declaration. Before you know it, you’ll come into the big day of expectation as you charge forth on your journey!

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It’s Already Worked Out!

Jarrod Clark — Fri, 04 May 2012 05:15:27 +0000

In the supernatural, God has got it all lined out. He has planned every good break. Every divine connection is in store. Every successful opportunity is waiting on the right time to be revealed.

Too often, we forget that God is in control. He’s on the throne. He’s the captain of our ship. We’re in good hands.

Don’t worry about tomorrow. Don’t doubt the works of the Lord. No, you need to know that God has it all worked out.

Jeremiah 1:5 says before you were formed in the womb, God knew you and He had a plan for you. Notice the scripture didn’t say He has a plan, present tense- it didn’t say He’ll develop a plan in the future to come. No, it says before you were even formed God had a plan for you.

Before the foundation of the world, God had it mapped out. He ordered your every step. He knew every choice you would make. He numbered the hairs on your head.

Now, get your hopes up! Get your excitement back. There are great things in store. God has your best interests at heart. The scripture says the Lord has plans to prosper and not harm you. He has plans to give you hope and a future.

Let this be the one thing to ignite that joy, passion and fire deep down on the inside. And watch as great and mighty things come to pass as you charge forth on your journey!

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You Can’t Have Too Much Jesus

Jarrod Clark — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 06:15:51 +0000

In the world, we take everything in moderation. Too much food leads to weight issues. Too much sugar can lead to diabetes. Too much salt leads to high cholesterol. Too much work leads to burn out. Too much rest and relaxation can lead to laziness.

But there is One who you can’t have enough of and that’s Christ. You can have enough fun time. You can have enough sleep. You can even have enough vacation time. But you can never have enough of Jesus.

Your prayer should be, “Lord, I want more of you. I need more of you.” When the Jesus factor comes into play, one thing rings true, the more the better.

I’ve heard it said, “too much of a good thing can be a bad thing.” But when it comes to Christ, this is far from the truth. With Jesus, there can never be too much of a good thing.

When you walk into a room and greet a stranger like they’re your long lost best friend, that’s a healthy dose of Jesus. That’s being a light in a dark world. When you walk up to a random person and do a good deed with no ulterior motives, that’s a healthy dose of Christ. These are things you can’t have enough of.

There is no such thing as over-kill when it comes to doing good deeds. Someone needs a kind word. Someone today needs to see a light in a dark world. Someone needs to see the Jesus in you.

I’ve heard it said that for someone, you’re the only Jesus they’re going to see. In other words, somewhere out there is a person who is looking for the ultimate fix. They’re looking for a light. Maybe you can show them who Jesus is. Maybe you can show them a better way.

Someone may have had a bad upbringing. Someone wasn’t fortunate enough to experience a life full of hope, love and joy.

They’ve had their fair share of negativity. They’ve had an overdose on the pains of the past. They’ve had an overdose on discouragement, let downs and fear. But they haven’t had enough of Christ.

Maybe you can be a healthy dose to turn someone’s sad day into a hopeful tomorrow. You can never be too kind. You can never be too compassionate. Be the love, joy, and hope that someone can look forward to. When you do so, God will reward you beyond measure as you charge forth on your journey of life!

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And it Came to Pass…

Jarrod Clark — Tue, 21 Feb 2012 06:15:55 +0000

“…weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” – Psalm 30:5

We all go through our seasons in life. Even in the natural, seasons don’t last forever. No, every season has it’s time. The summer, fall, winter and spring only last for an appointed time.

This same concept applies in every area of your life. When you face storms and trials in your life, remember that they’re only temporary. They’re just like seasons, they’re meant to pass away.

All throughout God’s word, it says “and it came to pass…” This is a great reminder that nothing lasts forever. Your storm didn’t come to stay, it came to pass.

You can rejoice in knowing that your dark and cold winters won’t last forever. Rejoice knowing that your obstacles will soon be a thing of the past. On the other side of your mountain is joy, hope and victory. It will all come to pass.

I love how today’s scripture reminds us, weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning. But here’s the good news: it’s darkest just before the break of day.

When life seems dark, when your joy is gone and your enthusiasm has left, you can dig your heels in and declare that your dark season will come to pass. Just around the corner is your morning, your sunlight, your break of day.

Around your corner is promotion, breakthrough, increase and favor. Remember, your greatest days are still ahead of you.

Get your joy back! Get your enthusiasm back and rejoice knowing that your dark seasons will become a thing of the past. When you do so, you’ll discover that just around the way is a brand new season of favor as you charge forth on your journey of life!

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December 8, 2011 -- And it Came to Pass! (2)
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He’s the Lifter of Our Heads!

Jarrod Clark — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 05:16:10 +0000

“But you, O LORD, are a shield about me, my glory, and the lifter of my head.” – Psalm 3:3

There is no situation that our God can’t turn around for the greater good. There is no pit too deep that the LORD can’t raise you out of.

We all face our dark days. We all experience doom and gloom. But know today that we serve a God who is the lifter of our heads.

God has the ability to bring joy in the times of sorrow. When you have a hung down head, our God goes to work behind the scenes to comfort you and meet you at the point of your need.

Remember, when you’re at your weakest that’s when God is at His strongest in you. When you don’t see a way, God has a way.

I love how the Psalmist says it. He says, “The LORD is near to to the brokenhearted and He saves the crushed in spirit.” If you have a broken heart, our God is a faithful God. He’s the mender of broken hearts!

God’s Word has the awesome ability to speak life, victory and encouragement into your circumstance. Our almighty God is sufficient and He can provide the

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Your Best Days are Ahead of You!

Jarrod Clark — Mon, 02 Jan 2012 04:29:27 +0000

The glory of this latter temple shall be greater than the former, says the Lord of hosts. And in this place I will give peace, says the Lord of hosts. – Haggai 2:9

As you embark into a New Year, God wants you to look forward with hope and expectation. This is a chance for you to wipe the slate clean and leap forward with God’s great joy.

No matter what your past may have been, God already has your future planned. Your best days are ahead of you!

God’s Word says that your latter days will be greater than your former days. Not only that, but God promises in the scripture that there will be peace in the days ahead.

God doesn’t want you to go into a new year looking behind you. He doesn’t want you to compare the now with what has been in the past. He doesn’t want you to go forth with turmoil and strife. No, He wants you to look forward with hope and expectation. Something good is in store for your future.

Maybe you’ve been blessed to have a favorable past. Still know that God has greater plans in store even for you. He wants to take you into a higher dimension in this new year.

Don’t settle for less. Don’t set your standards low. Don’t think of yourself as mediocre. No, you are God’s most prized possession and He wants to prosper you and bring you into a season of increase.

As you go forward in this new season, know that all things work together for your greater good. God wants you to be blessed going in and coming out.

You’re blessed coming out of last year and you’re blessed going into this year. Rejoice in the fact that there are greater days ahead and watch as God brings you into a season of increase as you charge forth on your journey of life!

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Look for the Showers of Blessings!

Jarrod Clark — Tue, 27 Dec 2011 03:26:23 +0000

I will make them and the places surrounding my hill a blessing. I will send down showers in season; there will be showers of blessing. – Ezekiel 34:26

Whether you know it or not, God is blessing you every minute of the day. Every breath that you take is a blessing from the almighty God.

From the moment you wake up to the time you lay down to rest, God’s mercies are endless. Everyday that you come and go, God is showering down blessings in your favor.

When you wake up in the morning, instead of looking at what seems to be a curse, look for the showers of blessings from the most High God. Live in expectation that something good is going to happen to you today. Take out some time and meditate on the mighty works that God has already performed on your behalf.

Look at the victories you’ve won. Look at the successes. Thank God for all your accomplishments. Focus your attention on the doors of opportunity that have been granted to you. Maybe there was a time when you didn’t see a way, but God made a way.

In hindsight, you can see that it was the almighty God who had His hand on you. He was showering down blessings in season. In the same way that He blessed you in the past, He can do it again and again. So live in expectation. Look for the showers of blessings that God has in store for you!

We serve a God who is no favor of persons. You don’t have to have a certain degree to receive the blessings of God. You don’t have to be accomplished or travel the world or be a “big name” person to receive His mercies. No, the blessings of God are for the small and great alike. Our great God will shower down blessings even for you, your children and your children’s children.

Maybe it’s something you need. Maybe you need God to work a miracle. Don’t doubt His mighty works, instead, look forward with hope and expectation. Before you know it, He will shower down blessings in due time and bring about increase as you charge forth on your journey!

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He’s a God of Many Roles

Jarrod Clark — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 04:04:41 +0000

For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. – Isaiah 9:6

This Christmas season, we can rejoice in knowing that we serve a great God who fills many positions. He plays many roles. Whatever you need Him to be, that’s who He’ll be.

If you’re looking for a friend, He’s a friend to the friendless. Our God is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. He called you friend before you even knew Him.

In the scripture, Isaiah refers to Christ as Wonderful Counselor. That means if you’re seeking wisdom, guidance or advice, you can run to Christ for counsel.

He’s also referred to as the Mighty God. He’s the most High God, the God above all gods. And the good news is, you have access to Him. You don’t have to make an appointment. You don’t have to go through some type of cleansing ritual, no, you have direct access to the Mighty God.

Some know Him to be an Everlasting Father. If you’re fatherless or grew up in a broken home, He can be the Everlasting Father that you need Him to be. He’ll never come and go, He’ll always be right there by your side.

Another good thing about Christ, is He is known as the Prince of Peace. Jesus says in John 14:27, “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.” If you’re looking for peace, you can run to the Prince of Peace. And He can give you a peace that surpasses all understanding, which will guard your heart and mind.

In Exodus 3:14 God says, “I am who I am…” Whatever you need Him to be, He can be that and much more. He’s called Jehovah-Jireh, which means the Lord will provide.” He’s the Alpha and the Omega, the beginning and the end.” He’s King of kings and Lord of lords. He’s the first and the last. He’s the healer. Someone once called Him a doctor in a sick room and a lawyer and a court room.

He’s a God who fights your battles. He’s called Emmanuel, God with us. Rejoice in knowing that He’s a God who fills many roles. And He will supplies all your needs as you charge forth on your journey of life!

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He’s a Twenty-Four Seven God (…and a Right Now God)

Jarrod Clark — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 03:32:22 +0000

In the natural, the holidays are when most people take breaks. Businesses are closing and people are going on vacation.

But the good thing is we serve a God who never goes on break. Twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week, He’s manning His post. He’s ever watchful over you and me. The scripture says that He never sleeps or slumbers. He’s always on the look out.

Not only that but He’s a right now God. He has the ability to tend to every person’s needs right away. You see, when you call 911, they have to send emergency personnel out where you are. Even though they have the ability to get there quick, it’s those times of extreme distress that are most critical.

‘I think about some movies and how the police always seem to be the last to arrive on the scene. In these movies, the law enforcements always seem to arrive when the solution has been found. They show up when the bad guys have already been killed, captured, or discovered.

But that’s not like our God, He’s a right now God. He’s not an hour later God, He’s not a God of tomorrow, no, He’s a right now God!

A great song writer once said, “He may not come when you want Him, but He’ll be there right on time.” My friend, He’s always on time. He’s waiting for His moment to move.

It’s like the water boy at the football game. He’s on the sidelines waiting for his chance to dart out on the field to give out water. As soon as the time out buzzard sounds, he’s on the job.

Well that’s how our God is, He doesn’t take a break. He’s ever ready and ever waiting for that right time to meet you at the point of your need. That’s good news my friend. Readily receive Him with open arms as you charge forth on your journey of life!

Photo credit: by .aditya.

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It’s Easier Said than Done

Jarrod Clark — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 22:00:48 +0000

In this season of Thanksgiving, you may be watching everyone around you show gratitude. You see all the smiles, the friendships and the laughter but on a personal level, you’re on your last string of hope.

Maybe you’ve had some hardships and it seems like nothing is letting up. You hear all these messages of hope, urging you to just think positive. They are messages full of inspiration, exclaiming you to just let it go and put it in God’s hands. But something deep down on the inside says, “that’s nice but it’s easier said than done.”

Maybe you’ve lost all hope. You’ve lost your fire, passion and zeal for the things you once had. You’re squinting your eyes, focusing, trying to see that silver lining in the clouds that you hear so much about.

.It’s true, everyday may not be filled with cheer. There will be some days when it seem a little cloudy. But here’s the thing, even when you hit rock bottom, the choice is yours of whether you go up or continue to go down. My friend, it may not seem like things can’t get worse but they can. In the same way, things can always get better too.

I dare you to stretch your faith and believe God can work miracles on your behalf. Dare to make a bold choice that no matter what happens, you won’t let the voice of defeat set in. Make the decision to fight back those thoughts of doubt, negativity, and fear.

I know it’s easier said than done. But if you’ll just take small steps everyday, you’ll strengthen the ability to see that light at the end of the tunnel. You’ll see more hope than you ever have. You’ll see yourself as an over-comer.

Know that all things, the good, the bad and the ugly, work together for your good. God can take everything that the enemy meant for your bad and cause it to work out for your good. You may not see it immediately but someday, you’ll look back and see that God was at work in you the whole time.

Keep fighting, keep smiling, and keep striving to fight back defeat. Make a declaration that you’re not a victim, you’re a victor. Then you’ll get your joy back. You’ll get your hope back.

Know today that peace is available to you. Ecclesiastes 9:4 says that as long as you are among the living you have hope. Today, take a step towards a better life of peace and victory and watch God turn the tide in your favor as you charge forth on your journey of life!

Photo credit: by Richard Lehoux

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Optimistic Journey » Hope

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