Optimistic Journey » Spiritual Development

Your Steps are Ordered!

Jarrod Clark — Tue, 24 Apr 2012 05:15:10 +0000

Before the foundation of the world, God knew you. He had great plans in store. The scripture says that before you were even formed in the womb, God set you apart.

Your steps are divinely orchestrated by the almighty God. He knows the end from the beginning. He knew every setback, setup, failure, and good break that you would get.

Be encouraged today. Know that God has a strategic plan in place. It’s not by accident, it’s not by coincidence, it’s a divine strategy by the almighty God to bring you into your ultimate destiny.

It’s easy to think God is through with you. It’s easy to think that you have no purpose. But let me encourage you, God is not through with you, God is working through you.

You may not be able to see it. You may not be able to see the end from the beginning but God has plans bring you into your purpose. Every setback that you faced was divinely purposed by the most high God to set you up for a higher dimension.

I’ve got good news. Your story ends in victory. Your final chapter concludes victory, healing, wholeness and fulfilled dreams.

You may go through the valley, the wilderness, or the flood but know that it is the almighty God who will have the last say so. In the end, you will look back and see that God was working diligently behind the scenes. You’ll then see that the whole time, God’s plan worked out for the best as you charge forth on your journey of life!

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Amen Seals the Deal!

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

So many are putting a question mark where God put a period. The fact of the matter is the promises of God are already signed, sealed and delivered. Before the foundation of the world, God’s word stood. He knew our fate. And He had a plan for all of our lives.

God’s word is His bond. It’s His promise to all people. The Bible tells us that God’s word is the same yesterday, today and forevermore. It never changes.

The scripture says, “the promises of God are yes and amen.” When God gave us His final word- when He gave us His promise, it was an amen. That sealed the deal. It’s not for us to refute it. It’s not for us to dispute it. No, it’s non-negotiable. There’s not jury to vote against it. With God’s promises, it’s a resounding Yes! We can confidently stand on His word with an amen.

It’s easy to look around you at all the circumstances. It might seem like all the odds are against you. It might seem like the Lord is no where to be found in the midst of a dark night, but His word says never will He leave you or forsake you. He will be with you always even ’til the end of the age.

Don’t question God’s word. Don’t doubt it. If He promised it, then it an amen, period. It’s signed, sealed and delivered. Don’t put a question mark where God put a period.

A nay-sayer may convince you that the odds are against you. A critic may speak against your God-given destiny. But our God, the creator of the universe, has the final say so. Stand on the promises of God. Believe what His word says about you and walk in a bold confidence that it will come to pass as you charge forth on your journey of life!

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Mind Over Matter… or God Over Matter?

Jarrod Clark — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 05:15:19 +0000

Without God, we could do nothing. But when we have the Lord on our side we can do anything. We can be anything.

With God on our side, we are victorious. We are overcomers. We are more than able. But it’s easy to think that we can do it on our own. It’s easy to give credit to our own thinking- our own mind, our own gifts and abilities. It’s easy to think that we are in control.

But know today that it’s not a mind over matter deal. No, it’s God over matter deal. God is in control. He is all-powerful- all knowing- all sufficient. He is Lord over all creation.

He causes us to triumph in everything we set our hands to do. When you landed that business deal, it wasn’t on your own strength. God had a hand in the matter. When you got that promotion, it was the creator of the universe who brought you into that opportunity.

When you make great achievements in life- when you come into your destiny, give credit where credit is due. Realize that it was the almighty God who was at work behind the scenes. He was making a way for provision, increase and promotion.

We can’t do it on our own. It’s not a “mind over matter” thing, it’s a God over matter thing. God is in control. God created your mind. He gives you the power to triumph. He gives you the talents and abilities that you have.

Give all the glory and honor to the most high God. As long as you have God on your side you’ll be able to do anything you set your mind to do as you charge forth on your journey!

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Good Things Happen When You Diligently Seek God

Jarrod Clark — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 05:15:17 +0000

The scripture says that the Lord is a rewarder of those who diligently seek after Him. Too often, we’re looking for a quick fix. We seek after the wrong things. We’re looking around at our circumstances and problems.

We’ll ask others for advice before we seek the Lord. We’ll even go as far as to lean on our own understanding before seeking God.

But you have to know that the Lord has all the answers. He’s the solution to every question or problem that you can ever have.

When you seek the Lord, you’ll find clarity, direction and reassurance. Good things happen when you seek the Lord. Psalm 34:10 says, “the lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.”

You put too much at risk when you rely on your own understanding. There’s too much at stake when you rely on the advice at others. Sure they may have good intentions. They may mean well, but the Lord has your best interests at heart. He has the master plan.

Proverbs 3:6 is a reminder that when you acknowledge the Lord and lean not into your own understanding, He’ll direct your paths. He’ll show you what steps to take.

I have to agree with the songwriter. Sometimes you have to have a little talk with Jesus. Tell Him all about your troubles. He’ll hear your faintest cry. And here’s the key: He’ll answer by and by.

We’re all looking for answers. Everyone loves a quick fix. But there’s a reason why it’s called a “quick fix.” It may work periodically. It’s temporary. It may work tomorrow but it can be broken again the next day. But it’s better to wait on God’s timing. It’s better to hear a word of clarity from the Lord than a word of uncertainty from the wrong source.

There is a just reward when you’re intentional in seeking the Lord. Diligently seek the Lord and watch good things happen in every area of your life as you charge forth on your journey!

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Don’t Put God in a Box

Jarrod Clark — Wed, 07 Mar 2012 06:30:08 +0000

The scripture tells us that with man it’s impossible but with God all things are possible. As long as you have the power of the almighty God working for you, no one or nothing can come against you.

But too often, we forget this principle. We forget the power that we have at hand with God on our side. We tend to reduce God to the world’s standard.

The circumstances might be slim to none but God is higher than your circumstances. He’s bigger than your problems. He’s an Ephesians 3:20 God. He’s able to do exceedingly and abundantly above all you can ask or think according to the power that works in you.

Don’t put God in a box. Don’t reduce Him to your circumstances. No, remove the limits and let Him perform an expected miracle. Let His signs and wonders show through in every area of your life.

Don’t be afraid to dream big. Don’t be afraid to set your sights high. In the natural, you may not have the abilities to perform them. You may not have the gifts, talents and abilities, but with God on your side you can do the impossible.

When you limit God to this world’s standards, you’re keeping yourself from the abundant blessings that are in store for you. God is moved when you activate your faith. Just like Abraham, you have to venture out into unknown territories. You have to know the power that you have when you put your faith in the almighty God.

Expect great and mighty things from the Lord. Don’t look for a “just-get-by” blessing. Don’t look for a “just-enough” blessing. No, raise your level of expectation. Instead, look for an exceeding and abundant blessing. Our God has a grace that’s sufficient for you. Remove God from the box and watch limitless blessings overflow in your life as you charge forth on your journey!

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A Ram in The Bush

Jarrod Clark — Thu, 01 Mar 2012 06:15:19 +0000

We serve a God who is a great provider. Throughout God’s Word, there are abundant blessings for obedience. When we put aside our own agenda and sacrifice God’s master plan for our life, He’ll show Himself strong in every area of our lives.

But too often, we find ourselves taking the easy way out. We don’t always make the right sacrifices. We don’t always do the things that will cause us to be better, whole, and more fulfilled in the long run.

Sometimes, we go left when God says go right. But if you’ll sacrifice your own agenda for the God’s divine plan, you’ll end up coming out better off than before. God will show up in the nick of time.

I think of how God instructed Abraham to sacrifice his son, Isaac, as a burnt offering to the Lord. I’m sure Abraham didn’t want to give up his son. After all, he waited years and years for God to promise him a son. I’m sure he was tempted to get discouraged and be disobedient.

But Abraham knew this principle. He knew there was a reward for obedience and sacrifice. He knew that somewhere along the line the Lord would provide.

Right as Abraham was about to take the knife to his son, the Lord provided a ram in the bush. Because of Abraham’s act of obedience and sacrifice, God delivered that ram to be sacrificed in place of his son.

There will come a time when we all have to make unwanted sacrifices. Sometimes, we’ll have to give up the things that, in the natural, seem near and dear. But know today that we serve a God who is the great provider.

Just like Abraham, the Lord will provide a ram in the bush for those times when you need a way of escape. He’ll provide just what you need to go forward on the rocky roads of life. If you’ll be obedient and make right sacrifices, the Lord our provider will meet you at the point of your need. He’ll then take you into a higher dimension of blessings as you charge forth on your journey of life!

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Your Prayer Does Matter

Jarrod Clark — Fri, 10 Feb 2012 06:26:39 +0000

“…The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” – James 5:16

When God called you into His kingdom, He crowned you with righteousness. He took all your mess and put it as far as the east is from the west. Then He justified you, and put you in right standings with Him.

But for some, the past becomes a hindrance to their prayer walk. They believe that they’re unworthy, unqualified and unequipped to pray to the Father. Know today that prayer is not a skill. It’s not something that has to be perfected. There is no intimidation factor to prayer.

God is not looking for big words and eloquent statements. He’s not looking for the most powerful or catchy passage of scripture. No, He’s looking for a sincere believing heart. The scripture says, “when you ask, you must believe and not doubt…”

The good news, is that God is just a prayer away. His prayer line is open 24/7. Your prayer does matter. When you pray to the Father, it’s just like having a conversation with your best friend. You can confide in Him. You can go to Him about your biggest darkest secrets. And you can ask Him for anything.

You don’t have to have a degree. God is not looking for a certification prayer plaque on the wall that has your name on it. No, you can go to the Lord in prayer. And not only that, but He hears your prayers. He hears your faintest cry, and He will answer.

Pray with a passion and zeal

What I find interesting about today’s verse is one particular word, the word fervent. Fervent means: showing great emotion or zeal. It means displaying a passionate intensity. When you pray to the Lord, approach Him fervently, with passion, zeal, and a bold confidence.

When you’re driving down the street, you can pray. Before the big exam in class, you can pray. When you put good seed in the ground, water it with a prayer. Before that business presentation, say a silent prayer. The Lord will hear and move on your behalf.

Maybe you’ve prayed in the past, and you’re tempted to think that your prayer is of no good use. Know today that, that’s far from the truth. God answers prayer in His time. He’s never late, He’s never early, but He’s right on time.

Remember, your prayer may be delayed but never denied. So say a prayer. A great songwriter once said: “have a talk with Jesus… tell Him all about your troubles.” So do just that, friend. Have a good talk with Jesus. When you do so, you’ll come into fulfilled blessings and manifestations as you charge forth on your journey of life!

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Stuck between a Rock and a Hard Place?

Jarrod Clark — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 06:32:06 +0000

“We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed.” – 2 Corinthians 4:8-9

Do you feel like you’re hard-pressed on every side? Maybe you’re perplexed. You may even feel forsaken or struck down.

If you’re stuck between a rock and a hard place, know today that there is a rock that is higher than you and I. And this “Rock” can bear all things!

This is no ordinary rock. This is not a rock that causes harm, hurt or pressure. This is not the kind of rock that will weigh you down. No, this rock is the solid rock.

God’s Word uses a metaphor that refers to Jesus as the solid rock- a sure foundation. No matter what storms come, no matter how hard the winds blow, if you build your house on the solid rock it won’t collapse. It won’t crumble. This sure foundation is the best “home owner’s” insurance you can ever have.

It’s easy to think: why did I get that bad break? Why did that person hurt me? Why can’t I break this bad addiction? As a result you might crumble. You might get soured on life. It might seem like you’re hard-pressed, forsaken and struck down. But you’re not in despair. The solid rock is waiting in the wings to shield you in times of trouble.

When you build your foundation on Christ, the Solid Rock, you can stand up to your challenges. You can bear any storm, disappointment, or bad break. You can conquer bad habits, you can get out of debt, your relationships can be restored.

When the rain waters of life come, don’t build your foundation on the sand. No, build your foundation on the Solid Rock. Like the scripture says, you may be hard-pressed but you’re not crushed. You may get knocked down but not knocked out. You might even bend but you won’t break.

Dig your heels in, stand tall. Put your shoulders back. You’re an overcomer. Build your house on a solid foundation today and watch the Lord strengthen you in every area of your life as you charge forth on your journey!

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Benefits in Seeking After the Lord

Jarrod Clark — Mon, 06 Feb 2012 03:25:07 +0000

“The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.” – Psalm 34:10

God’s Word says that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek after Him. He showers down blessings, honor and favor to those who have a heart after Him.

Too often, we seek after the wrong things looking for our great reward. We’re looking towards other people, material possessions and our accomplishments for our personal gain. But we serve a God who will supply our every need if we first acknowledge Him.

If there’s a void in your life, look to the Father to fill it. Look to Him for wisdom, guidance and understanding. If there’s turmoil, stress or worry, look to the Lord for the peace that surpasses all understanding which will guard your heart and mind through Christ Jesus.

What I find interesting about the scripture is not only is God looking for us to seek after Him. He wants us to be a diligent seeker. In other words, we have to be intentional. We must consciously and constantly seek Him, not just for what He can do for us, but for who He is to us.

God is many things to many different people. When you seek the Lord, you’ll find Him to be King of kings. Lord of lords. A friend to the friendless. A Father to the fatherless. Prince of peace. A provider, a helper, a healer, and an encourager. When you seek God, He can be all these things and more!

I love how today’s scripture says that those who seek the Lord will lack no good thing. When we have a heart after God, He will see to it that we are “taken care of.”

I’m reminded of how friends say, “I’ve got your back.” Family and friends have a natural instinct to look out for one another. When something happens, we tend to go out of our way to protect, care for and tend to a loved one’s every need.

In the same way, that’s the way it is with our Heavenly Father. He’s got your back. He’s looking out for you. But you must first seek Him with diligence. Be intentional. Make a conscious effort to seek the Lord today. When you do so, He will see to it that you’re taken care of in every area of your life. Then you’ll find that our God, the Creator of all things, can tend to your every need and “have your back” in every way as you charge forth on your journey of life!

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The Great Exchange

Jarrod Clark — Fri, 20 Jan 2012 03:14:30 +0000

We serve a God who loves us for better or for worse. He loves us in sickness and in health. And the good news is nothing can separate us from His love.

When you come into Christ, a great exchange takes place. You trade your disappointments for His divine appointments. You trade your doubts for His blessed assurance. You trade your sorrows for the joy of the Lord.

It’s like a couple who gets married. It’s no longer yours or mine… it becomes ours. In marriage, you take on the benefits of each other. In most cases, she takes his last name. Her family becomes his family. His home becomes her home. And her belongings become his belongings.

In the same way, when you come into Christ you take on his benefits. He changes your name. He takes your mess and gives you a message. No longer are you defeated, no, your name becomes victory. You enter into the royal family and you become a child of the most High God!

When the great exchange takes place, you’ll go from broken to mended, from decrease to increase. You’ll go from strife to everlasting peace and from pain to gain.

God has your best interests at heart. He wants nothing but the best for you. You can go to Him and cast all your cares, worries and anxieties, and exchange it for the peace that surpasses all understanding.

Our gracious Father turns mourning into dancing. He exchanges beauty for ashes. He turns broken dreams into fulfilled visions. He’ll take you out of darkness into His marvelous light

With Christ, you may have the blues but He’ll give you his good news. You may be cursed but He sends you blessings. If you’re lost He’ll show you the way. And not only will He provide you with direction, but He’ll send you His utmost protection.

Forget not the Lord’s many benefits. Take your burdens and cares to the Lord and look for a supernatural exchange to take place. When you do so, the Lord will bring you into a season of favor, strength and increase as you charge forth on your journey of life!

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