“For I know the plans I have for you," declares the LORD, "plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call upon me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you," declares the LORD. (Jeremiah 29:11-13)
This Scripture verse is a tremendous promise we all know well and quote frequently. I want to take a closer look at it as we approach the New Year. This is a declaration of Almighty God over you and me that He has great plans for us. According to the word of the Lord to Jeremiah, these plans were made for us even before we were formed in our mother’s womb. (Jeremiah 1:5) Pretty awesome! God goes on to say that these plans will give us hope. How can God’s plans give us hope? Hebrews 11:1 says “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for.” Hope is an expectation of something. In order to have hope, we need to know what God’s plans are for us.
I Corinthians 2:9-10 says, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love Him, but God has revealed it to us by His Spirit.” God’s desire is to reveal to us by His Spirit those awesome plans He has for us that will give us hope and establish our future. This revelation of God’s plan can come through Scripture, the Spirit speaking in a quit voice to our spirit, and through prophetic word. The key to coming into this revelation is to begin to put our hope and our future in God’s hands. Our hope and future cannot be in our education, job, ministry, family, government, etc. In these uncertain times we need to transfer our hope and faith totally to God. When we do, we begin to ask God what He wants us to do. We are no longer swayed by circumstances or people because our hope is in God.
When our focus is on God and we are really willing to follow His way, an amazing thing begins to happen; God begins to reveal by His Spirit these awesome plans He has for us that we could not even conceive in our own minds. These unimaginable plans are conceived in the mind of God and can only be fulfilled by God. That brings us to the second half of our Scripture in Jeremiah. Notice the word “then” which connects the last half of the Scripture portion to the first half.
After we come into the revelation of God’s plan and future, God says “then you will call upon me,…I will listen to you,…and be found by you.” When we understand God’s plans for us, plans that are too big for us, it causes us to seek God’s face and enables us to pray according to God’s will. Then because we are praying and working in line with God’s plan, He hears us and enables us to do what we can not do ourselves. That is when life with God becomes exciting and fulfilling.
God declares over you and me a hope and a future, but we have to believe and pray it into reality. God promised Abraham that he would have descendents as numerous as the stars when he was married to a barren woman. God promised a shepherd boy named David that he was going to be the next king of Israel. Both had to persevere in faith to receive the promise.
As you enter the New Year, I encourage you to resolve to put your hope and future squarely in God’s hands, pursue His will for your life and His alone. Once you have received a word from Him, do not let go until it has been fulfilled in your life. Have faith in God! He has an awesome future planned for you.
Andy Clark
Monday, December 27, 2010
Monday, December 20, 2010
Scaffolding
Isaiah 9:6-7
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end.”
At Christmastime we celebrate the birth of The King. The multitude of angelic hosts announced His birth. What a celebration in heaven there must have been! The wise men came from afar to see the King who had been born and to give Him gifts. Under the anointing of the Spirit, Isaiah defines the character of The King. He is the mighty God who has no equal or competition, and yet He is our compassionate Father to whom we can turn at any time. What an awesome Father we have! He is Wonderful, isn’t He? He is our Counselor, where we can find wisdom. He is our Peace, no matter how great the storm.
This King of Kings came into the world to establish His kingdom. The authority or government of the kingdom is upon His shoulders, and of this kingdom there is no end. Jesus described His kingdom in Luke 17:20-21, "The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, 'See here!' or 'See there!' For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you." His kingdom is not defined by a geographical location, country or people group. His kingdom is seated in the hearts of men, women and children around the world.
Paul writes that “the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 14:17-18) Christ’s kingdom is not in what we own but in who we are. We are a kingdom of priests who represent God to the world and intercede before God for the world. We are the likeness of Christ, the earthen vessels that show forth the glory of God. Wherever we are, we are the kingdom, a kingdom that is ever expanding into the hearts and lives of those with whom we come in contact. Together we are being built into a spiritual house for His glory.
Only what is built in the hearts and lives of people is the true kingdom, the overcoming and eternal kingdom that will never pass away. We need to constantly remind ourselves that our organizations, programs and buildings are not the kingdom. They are simply the scaffolding that allows us to build the kingdom. Scaffolding is important but only temporary. God help us not to become so preoccupied and busy building and maintaining the scaffolding that we fail to build the building, the kingdom in ourselves and in others, the kingdom of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. One day the scaffolding we have spent so much time, money and effort building will be swept away to reveal what we have built that is of eternal value.
In this holiday season, let us celebrate what an awesome King we have and that we are part of the greatest kingdom in the world today. Let us purpose to build His kingdom in us and in those around us to the glory of God the Father.
Andy Clark
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end.”
At Christmastime we celebrate the birth of The King. The multitude of angelic hosts announced His birth. What a celebration in heaven there must have been! The wise men came from afar to see the King who had been born and to give Him gifts. Under the anointing of the Spirit, Isaiah defines the character of The King. He is the mighty God who has no equal or competition, and yet He is our compassionate Father to whom we can turn at any time. What an awesome Father we have! He is Wonderful, isn’t He? He is our Counselor, where we can find wisdom. He is our Peace, no matter how great the storm.
This King of Kings came into the world to establish His kingdom. The authority or government of the kingdom is upon His shoulders, and of this kingdom there is no end. Jesus described His kingdom in Luke 17:20-21, "The kingdom of God does not come with observation; nor will they say, 'See here!' or 'See there!' For indeed, the kingdom of God is within you." His kingdom is not defined by a geographical location, country or people group. His kingdom is seated in the hearts of men, women and children around the world.
Paul writes that “the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” (Romans 14:17-18) Christ’s kingdom is not in what we own but in who we are. We are a kingdom of priests who represent God to the world and intercede before God for the world. We are the likeness of Christ, the earthen vessels that show forth the glory of God. Wherever we are, we are the kingdom, a kingdom that is ever expanding into the hearts and lives of those with whom we come in contact. Together we are being built into a spiritual house for His glory.
Only what is built in the hearts and lives of people is the true kingdom, the overcoming and eternal kingdom that will never pass away. We need to constantly remind ourselves that our organizations, programs and buildings are not the kingdom. They are simply the scaffolding that allows us to build the kingdom. Scaffolding is important but only temporary. God help us not to become so preoccupied and busy building and maintaining the scaffolding that we fail to build the building, the kingdom in ourselves and in others, the kingdom of righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. One day the scaffolding we have spent so much time, money and effort building will be swept away to reveal what we have built that is of eternal value.
In this holiday season, let us celebrate what an awesome King we have and that we are part of the greatest kingdom in the world today. Let us purpose to build His kingdom in us and in those around us to the glory of God the Father.
Andy Clark
Monday, December 13, 2010
In Christ
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, as I look around today, I see so many facing challenges in their lives, whether it be with health, finances, family issues or ministry. I want to look at some promises today that will help you walk in victory whether facing the fiery furnace or a den of lions that seem to be ready to devour you at any minute.
Isaiah 54:17 says, “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord.”
This promise of overcoming circumstances and people that may come against us is based on two godly principals. First, as children of God, being more than a conqueror is our heritage. Because Christ overcame we will overcome also. He has defeated the powers of death, hell and the grave. We walk in His resurrection power. God does not promise to keep us from attack of the enemy, but the attack will not prosper because of who we are in Christ Jesus.
Secondly, God declares that our righteousness of from Him. We do not stand in our righteousness but in the righteousness of Christ. This promise is not based on our goodness or our ability, but on who Christ is and what He has accomplished for us. We often fail to overcome because we are so aware of our weaknesses and failures, and we lose sight of who we are in Christ. Romans 8:1-3 says, “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.”
I like to illustrate the principle of Romans 8:1-3 by placing a hanky over my fist. My fist represents my sinful nature, and the hanky the righteousness of Christ. The accuser of the brethren, other people, and even we ourselves often focus on what is under the hanky, while all God only sees is the hanky. I then begin to stuff the hanky into my fist to illustrate that over time as we walk in the Spirit, the righteousness of Christ that covers us begins to fill our life as we are changed from glory to glory in the image of Christ. However during the transformation process we are constantly covered by and stand in the righteousness of Christ.
Christ is our salvation, our healer, our provider, and our deliverer. God loves you not because of who you are or what you have done, but because of who He is. He is love. Victory is His because He cannot fail. Defeat is not in His nature. He has peace in the midst of conflict and turmoil because He is the Prince of Peace. As a born again believer, you are in Christ and it is out of your relationship with Him that you overcome and walk in love, peace, and victory no matter what circumstances you face.
Whatever weapon has been formed against you today cannot prosper because the God of the universe declares over you “this is their heritage and their righteousness is of me.”
Andy Clark
Isaiah 54:17 says, “No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord.”
This promise of overcoming circumstances and people that may come against us is based on two godly principals. First, as children of God, being more than a conqueror is our heritage. Because Christ overcame we will overcome also. He has defeated the powers of death, hell and the grave. We walk in His resurrection power. God does not promise to keep us from attack of the enemy, but the attack will not prosper because of who we are in Christ Jesus.
Secondly, God declares that our righteousness of from Him. We do not stand in our righteousness but in the righteousness of Christ. This promise is not based on our goodness or our ability, but on who Christ is and what He has accomplished for us. We often fail to overcome because we are so aware of our weaknesses and failures, and we lose sight of who we are in Christ. Romans 8:1-3 says, “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death.”
I like to illustrate the principle of Romans 8:1-3 by placing a hanky over my fist. My fist represents my sinful nature, and the hanky the righteousness of Christ. The accuser of the brethren, other people, and even we ourselves often focus on what is under the hanky, while all God only sees is the hanky. I then begin to stuff the hanky into my fist to illustrate that over time as we walk in the Spirit, the righteousness of Christ that covers us begins to fill our life as we are changed from glory to glory in the image of Christ. However during the transformation process we are constantly covered by and stand in the righteousness of Christ.
Christ is our salvation, our healer, our provider, and our deliverer. God loves you not because of who you are or what you have done, but because of who He is. He is love. Victory is His because He cannot fail. Defeat is not in His nature. He has peace in the midst of conflict and turmoil because He is the Prince of Peace. As a born again believer, you are in Christ and it is out of your relationship with Him that you overcome and walk in love, peace, and victory no matter what circumstances you face.
Whatever weapon has been formed against you today cannot prosper because the God of the universe declares over you “this is their heritage and their righteousness is of me.”
Andy Clark
Monday, December 6, 2010
Weapons of Our Warfare
"Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels."— Revelation 12:7
There will always be war between the two kingdoms: the kingdom of light and the kingdom of darkness, the kingdom of good and that of evil, the kingdom of Christ and the kingdom of Satan, until Jesus comes and casts Satan and his hordes into the bottomless pit. Peace between good and evil is an impossibility. There is no compromise or middle ground.
Daniel understood this battle in which we fight, a battle he took on to discover God’s will for the Jewish people in Babylon. In Daniel 10:3, Daniel sets himself to fast and pray for forty days until he received an answer. In verse 10 an angel appeared to him and said, "Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia. Now I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days.” (Daniel 10:12-14)
The enemy never gives up and is incessant in his onslaught, sparing no weapon, fair or foul. We must become as persistent as the enemy. Like Daniel, we must come into agreement with God and His Word, and persist until we get an answer. God sent an answer the first day Daniel prayed, but it took forty days of persistent prayer and fasting on Daniel’s part to receive what God had for him. II Corinthians 10:4-5 says, “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of
God.” What are these weapons of warfare that God has given us?
Ephesians 6:14-18 exhort us to, “Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.” I had a missionary friend who, when he dressed every morning, he mentally put on the armor of God to remind himself of the battle he was in and what God had given him to overcome the enemy.
We do not overcome the enemy with the gifts of the Spirit, for those are for ministry. We overcome the enemy with the fruit of the Spirit--“love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23) The enemy has no weapon or defense against love, joy and peace. When the enemy throws everything at you and by the Spirit you maintain peace and joy, what can he do? Righteousness and faith will always quench every fiery dart of the enemy.
We are in a battle, but the victory is ours if we will persevere in prayer with faith, hope and love.
Andy Clark
There will always be war between the two kingdoms: the kingdom of light and the kingdom of darkness, the kingdom of good and that of evil, the kingdom of Christ and the kingdom of Satan, until Jesus comes and casts Satan and his hordes into the bottomless pit. Peace between good and evil is an impossibility. There is no compromise or middle ground.
Daniel understood this battle in which we fight, a battle he took on to discover God’s will for the Jewish people in Babylon. In Daniel 10:3, Daniel sets himself to fast and pray for forty days until he received an answer. In verse 10 an angel appeared to him and said, "Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words. But the prince of the kingdom of Persia withstood me twenty-one days; and behold, Michael, one of the chief princes, came to help me, for I had been left alone there with the kings of Persia. Now I have come to make you understand what will happen to your people in the latter days.” (Daniel 10:12-14)
The enemy never gives up and is incessant in his onslaught, sparing no weapon, fair or foul. We must become as persistent as the enemy. Like Daniel, we must come into agreement with God and His Word, and persist until we get an answer. God sent an answer the first day Daniel prayed, but it took forty days of persistent prayer and fasting on Daniel’s part to receive what God had for him. II Corinthians 10:4-5 says, “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of
God.” What are these weapons of warfare that God has given us?
Ephesians 6:14-18 exhort us to, “Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.” I had a missionary friend who, when he dressed every morning, he mentally put on the armor of God to remind himself of the battle he was in and what God had given him to overcome the enemy.
We do not overcome the enemy with the gifts of the Spirit, for those are for ministry. We overcome the enemy with the fruit of the Spirit--“love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.” (Galatians 5:22-23) The enemy has no weapon or defense against love, joy and peace. When the enemy throws everything at you and by the Spirit you maintain peace and joy, what can he do? Righteousness and faith will always quench every fiery dart of the enemy.
We are in a battle, but the victory is ours if we will persevere in prayer with faith, hope and love.
Andy Clark
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