Isaiah 55:8-9 "For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways," says the Lord.
For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways, and My thoughts than your thoughts.” NKJV
I love the Old Testament stories because they reveal God’s character and how He works with people. There are many stories that illustrate the above verse that God does not operate anything like we do. However, today I want to look at the story of Abraham and draw out some important life principles.
We know that God called Abraham to leave his country, family, friends, lifestyle and go to a land he knew not. He called Abraham to move from the known to the unknown, from a place of security to a place that was not secure. Upon God’s word Abraham makes this total illogical move. God then gives and outrageous promise to Abraham that his descendents would be as numerous as the stars in the heaven and sand on the sea shore, that all of Canaan would be his, and that his descendents would be a blessing to all the earth. When Abraham receives this promise, he is a nomad in a strange land, owns no property, and to stack the odds against him, his wife is barren. God’s ways are not our ways!
Part of the key of Abraham’s and Sarah’s ability to believe God’s promises and follow God’s plan against insurmountable odds is in Hebrews 11:11-12. “By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude — innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.” NKJV
Abraham and Sarah judged or counted Him faithful who had promised. The focus is not on the promise or the plan, but on God's faithfulness. God’s promise or plan is like a mountain. From the distance it looks like a single mountain. But as you journey closer you find it is a series of hills and valleys leading to the mountain. Because the timing of the promise or the way it is fulfilled is different than we expected, we can become disillusioned, discouraged and give up. It is like you have climbed over several hills and gone through several valleys, and you come to the top of another hill. There is another valley, and you seem no closer to the peak of the mountain than you were before. In fact, the closer you get to the peak, the bigger are the hills and valleys are. We become so focused on the destination or the promise that we fail to enjoy the journey with God.
The second thing is God’s promise or plan is much greater than each of us. Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and Joseph were each part of the fulfillment of God’s promise and plan. Upon this journey to God’s promise, God has people on the way on those hills and in those valleys that he has ordained to be part of our journey. They are part of God’s plan, and they hold keys to the promise. When we become so bent on reaching the peak, we fail to take the time to engage the very people God has ordained on the journey.
Like Abraham, though the promise of the peak of the mountain may challenge and inspire us, the joy of the journey is our walk with God and those God brings into our life. With every hill and valley that you walk through and arriving at the peak, the joy is looking back on the faithfulness of God through the journey. 1 Thessalonians 5:24 “Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.”
Andy
Monday, January 31, 2011
Monday, January 24, 2011
Perseverance
This past week World Horizons had an international Prayer Focus for Emerging Missions Movement in countries such as Senegal, Burkina Faso, Niger, Burundi, Rwanda, Central African Republic, Ethiopia, Egypt, India and Indonesia. God is truly raising up an army from around the world to reach those who have not yet been touched by the Good News.
One of the Scripture portions we used as part of our Prayer Focus, and which the Spirit quickened to me was Colossians 1:9-12. “For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.”
One of the keys to the success of Paul’s ministry was his perseverance in the midst of trials and persecution. Often in our spiritual lives and ministry we are too short sighted and fail to persevere in faith as Abraham did until we see the fulfillment of the vision or the promise. Paul begins his statement by saying that he did “not cease to pray” for them. Anything we do for God is birthed out of persistent prayer. Jesus himself exhorted us to “ask, seek and knock.” Persistent prayer is not so much us trying to move the hand of God, as it is bringing our mind and will to the obedience of Christ so that we can pray and act according to His will.
Paul goes on to pray for some key elements necessary to success in our walk with God and kingdom endeavors. He prays that we may have an increasing knowledge of God, knowledge and understanding of His will, and the wisdom of how to walk out His will. When we truly know and understand God and His ways, it enables us to pray with persistent faith and to persevere in our walk and works because we know we are walking in harmony with His will. Paul says the result of this revelation knowledge of God and His will is that we will “walk worthy of God, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work.”
But not only do we need His knowledge, wisdom and spiritual understanding, we need to be “strengthened…by His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy.” Once we know the will of God, we need His strength to persevere with joy until we see the fulfillment of the vision and promise. EVERYTHING IS OF GOD! God is the author and the finisher of our faith. It is He “who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints of light.” What an awesome privilege it is to be part of what He is doing in the world today!
My prayer for you is that whatever journey you are on with the Father, and whatever challenges you may be facing, that the Spirit will renew your vision of the Father and what He has spoken to you. Allow Him to stir up your that faith and expectation of what He is has promised you so that you may persevere and receive the reward of your faith.
Andy Clark
www.worldhorizonsusa.org
One of the Scripture portions we used as part of our Prayer Focus, and which the Spirit quickened to me was Colossians 1:9-12. “For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light.”
One of the keys to the success of Paul’s ministry was his perseverance in the midst of trials and persecution. Often in our spiritual lives and ministry we are too short sighted and fail to persevere in faith as Abraham did until we see the fulfillment of the vision or the promise. Paul begins his statement by saying that he did “not cease to pray” for them. Anything we do for God is birthed out of persistent prayer. Jesus himself exhorted us to “ask, seek and knock.” Persistent prayer is not so much us trying to move the hand of God, as it is bringing our mind and will to the obedience of Christ so that we can pray and act according to His will.
Paul goes on to pray for some key elements necessary to success in our walk with God and kingdom endeavors. He prays that we may have an increasing knowledge of God, knowledge and understanding of His will, and the wisdom of how to walk out His will. When we truly know and understand God and His ways, it enables us to pray with persistent faith and to persevere in our walk and works because we know we are walking in harmony with His will. Paul says the result of this revelation knowledge of God and His will is that we will “walk worthy of God, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work.”
But not only do we need His knowledge, wisdom and spiritual understanding, we need to be “strengthened…by His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy.” Once we know the will of God, we need His strength to persevere with joy until we see the fulfillment of the vision and promise. EVERYTHING IS OF GOD! God is the author and the finisher of our faith. It is He “who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints of light.” What an awesome privilege it is to be part of what He is doing in the world today!
My prayer for you is that whatever journey you are on with the Father, and whatever challenges you may be facing, that the Spirit will renew your vision of the Father and what He has spoken to you. Allow Him to stir up your that faith and expectation of what He is has promised you so that you may persevere and receive the reward of your faith.
Andy Clark
www.worldhorizonsusa.org
Monday, January 17, 2011
Kingdom of Priests
Exodus 19:5-6
God spoke through Moses to the children of Israel, “out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” NIV
God created the Levitical priesthood to serve the nation of Israel, God’s chosen people, but he chose the nation of Israel to be a kingdom of priests before the world. A priest represents people to God and God to people.
Examples of working people whom God used:
Abraham was a traveling farmer, a businessman, a landowner, a cattle rancher and an investor in silver and gold. Because of Abraham’s faith, obedience and integrity, God prospered him and he gained the respect of all the kings in Canaan, as well as the king of Egypt.
Joseph began as a shepherd boy, became a slave, then the manager of a military man’s home, then was a prisoner and became the manager of the king’s prison. Finally the second in charge of all of Egypt.
Daniel was a Jewish boy, who became a politician, and God used him to impact an empire.
Daniel refused to compromise himself with the Babylonian culture. Daniel 1:8
Daniel prayed three times a day. Daniel 6:10
In the midst of a Babylonian world, Daniel never compromised or lost his identity.
David was a shepherd, a poet, musician, military strategist, and a king. He was used of God in each of these fields of work. No matter what his work, he was identified as a man after God’s own heart.
Each of these men, no matter their role in life, operated in their role of priesthood whether, in the field, the prison, or the court of the king.
Jesus, our ultimate example, served as an apprentice and then senior partner in the family carpentry business. Here he learned to deal with cash flow, pricing, quality, delivery and purchasing. Was he any less the Son of God as a carpenter and businessman? Do you think his relationship with God influenced and impacted his business?
1 Peter 2:5
“You, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”
1 Peter 2:9
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”
Like Abraham, Joseph, Daniel, David and Jesus, no matter what our role is in this world, we need to begin to find our full identity in God and His kingdom. Like them, we need to become His royal priesthood and holy nation in the world where we live in and that is rapidly deteriorating because it has no representation of God in their midst. We need to get beyond ourselves and our needs and desires and as priests begin to intercede for the lost and represent our King before a world that has little knowledge of God. The world needs to become the place where we worship, sacrifice, and serve.
Andy
God spoke through Moses to the children of Israel, “out of all nations you will be my treasured possession. Although the whole earth is mine, you will be for me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.” NIV
God created the Levitical priesthood to serve the nation of Israel, God’s chosen people, but he chose the nation of Israel to be a kingdom of priests before the world. A priest represents people to God and God to people.
Examples of working people whom God used:
Abraham was a traveling farmer, a businessman, a landowner, a cattle rancher and an investor in silver and gold. Because of Abraham’s faith, obedience and integrity, God prospered him and he gained the respect of all the kings in Canaan, as well as the king of Egypt.
Joseph began as a shepherd boy, became a slave, then the manager of a military man’s home, then was a prisoner and became the manager of the king’s prison. Finally the second in charge of all of Egypt.
Daniel was a Jewish boy, who became a politician, and God used him to impact an empire.
Daniel refused to compromise himself with the Babylonian culture. Daniel 1:8
Daniel prayed three times a day. Daniel 6:10
In the midst of a Babylonian world, Daniel never compromised or lost his identity.
David was a shepherd, a poet, musician, military strategist, and a king. He was used of God in each of these fields of work. No matter what his work, he was identified as a man after God’s own heart.
Each of these men, no matter their role in life, operated in their role of priesthood whether, in the field, the prison, or the court of the king.
Jesus, our ultimate example, served as an apprentice and then senior partner in the family carpentry business. Here he learned to deal with cash flow, pricing, quality, delivery and purchasing. Was he any less the Son of God as a carpenter and businessman? Do you think his relationship with God influenced and impacted his business?
1 Peter 2:5
“You, like living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood, offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.”
1 Peter 2:9
“But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, and a people belonging to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.”
Like Abraham, Joseph, Daniel, David and Jesus, no matter what our role is in this world, we need to begin to find our full identity in God and His kingdom. Like them, we need to become His royal priesthood and holy nation in the world where we live in and that is rapidly deteriorating because it has no representation of God in their midst. We need to get beyond ourselves and our needs and desires and as priests begin to intercede for the lost and represent our King before a world that has little knowledge of God. The world needs to become the place where we worship, sacrifice, and serve.
Andy
Monday, January 10, 2011
In His Presence
Genesis 3:8 “They heard the sound of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God among the trees of the garden.” (NKJ)
As I read this Scripture, I am amazed at how much the Lord loves us and desires our company. It is awesome that the Lord of the universe would step down from his glorious throne of power surrounded by multitudes of worshipping angels to walk in the dirt and fellowship with sinful man. Yet, in our business we hide from his presence. How is it we fail to find time to spend with the giver of life?
The Psalmist cries out, “What is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him?” Psalms 8:4
“And the Lord God called to the man, ‘Where are you?” (Genesis 3:9)
The author of creation desires your presence!
In Exodus 33:15-16 Moses said to God, "If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?" (NIV)
It is in this time in His presence that we are transformed from glory to glory into His likeness that distinguishes us from the world around us.
I’m reminded of a little song I learned a long time ago.
In His presence, in His presence, there is peace.
In His presence, in His presence, there is joy.
I will linger, I will stay in His presence day by day
Til His likeness shall be seen in me.
“In Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
Psalms 16:11 (NKJ)
Take time with the Lord of Glory today. Allow Him to wash away the stress and dirt of life, and baptize you in His love and peace so that His likeness may be seen in you today.
Andy Clark
As I read this Scripture, I am amazed at how much the Lord loves us and desires our company. It is awesome that the Lord of the universe would step down from his glorious throne of power surrounded by multitudes of worshipping angels to walk in the dirt and fellowship with sinful man. Yet, in our business we hide from his presence. How is it we fail to find time to spend with the giver of life?
The Psalmist cries out, “What is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of man that You visit him?” Psalms 8:4
“And the Lord God called to the man, ‘Where are you?” (Genesis 3:9)
The author of creation desires your presence!
In Exodus 33:15-16 Moses said to God, "If your Presence does not go with us, do not send us up from here. How will anyone know that you are pleased with me and with your people unless you go with us? What else will distinguish me and your people from all the other people on the face of the earth?" (NIV)
It is in this time in His presence that we are transformed from glory to glory into His likeness that distinguishes us from the world around us.
I’m reminded of a little song I learned a long time ago.
In His presence, in His presence, there is peace.
In His presence, in His presence, there is joy.
I will linger, I will stay in His presence day by day
Til His likeness shall be seen in me.
“In Your presence is fullness of joy; at Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
Psalms 16:11 (NKJ)
Take time with the Lord of Glory today. Allow Him to wash away the stress and dirt of life, and baptize you in His love and peace so that His likeness may be seen in you today.
Andy Clark
Monday, January 3, 2011
An Everlasting Covenant
Today’s Text: Ps 105:8-10
8 He remembers his covenant forever,
the word he commanded, for a thousand generations,
9 the covenant he made with Abraham,
the oath he swore to Isaac.
10 He confirmed it to Jacob as a decree,
to Israel as an everlasting covenant:
We serve a covenant keeping God. The Bible says it is “His covenant.” God Almighty, the Creator of the universe, who holds all things together by His word, is the one who makes His covenant with us. Thus, He is bound by His word to keep it for us. The writer of Hebrews shows how powerful this covenant is that God made not only for Abraham but for those of us who believe. Hebrews 6:13-18 says, “For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, saying, "Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you." And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. …Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise (that is you and me) the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us.”
The King of kings and Lord of all the earth, El-Shaddai the Lord All-sufficient, Jehovah-
Jireh, the Lord our Provider, the Great I AM of our past, present and future has made a covenant with you. It is “an everlasting covenant” that has no expiration date. His covenant to us came into existence at “the word he commanded,” the same command that said “Let there be light” and there was light”, and we have had light every day since the creation of the world. It never changes! God’s covenant with you and with me is even more certain than creation because God said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my word will never pass away.” His covenant cannot fail because it is based on “two immutable things” God’s character and His word.
“For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.” (2 Corinthians 1:20) The promise is made by God, and in Christ they are Yes and Amen. But the promise is fulfilled through those of us in Christ Jesus for the glory of God. 2 Peter 1:4 says, “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature.” Just as with Abraham, God has made a covenant with you that you may show forth His glory and be a blessing to your family, your church, your neighbors and the nations.
As we enter the New Year with new opportunities and challenges, I want to encourage you today that God is a covenant-keeping God. Take time to review the covenants in His Word. Pray and allow these to become alive to your situation. Do not let doubt or disobedience hinder you from pressing into those promises. Remind God of His promises and be willing to step out in faith and maybe do something that you have never done before. Step out of the box of your routine and ability into the vastness of God’s greatness, and see Him work on your behalf.
May God by His Spirit and Word encourage you today.
Andy Clark
8 He remembers his covenant forever,
the word he commanded, for a thousand generations,
9 the covenant he made with Abraham,
the oath he swore to Isaac.
10 He confirmed it to Jacob as a decree,
to Israel as an everlasting covenant:
We serve a covenant keeping God. The Bible says it is “His covenant.” God Almighty, the Creator of the universe, who holds all things together by His word, is the one who makes His covenant with us. Thus, He is bound by His word to keep it for us. The writer of Hebrews shows how powerful this covenant is that God made not only for Abraham but for those of us who believe. Hebrews 6:13-18 says, “For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, saying, "Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you." And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. …Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise (that is you and me) the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us.”
The King of kings and Lord of all the earth, El-Shaddai the Lord All-sufficient, Jehovah-
Jireh, the Lord our Provider, the Great I AM of our past, present and future has made a covenant with you. It is “an everlasting covenant” that has no expiration date. His covenant to us came into existence at “the word he commanded,” the same command that said “Let there be light” and there was light”, and we have had light every day since the creation of the world. It never changes! God’s covenant with you and with me is even more certain than creation because God said, “Heaven and earth will pass away, but my word will never pass away.” His covenant cannot fail because it is based on “two immutable things” God’s character and His word.
“For all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, to the glory of God through us.” (2 Corinthians 1:20) The promise is made by God, and in Christ they are Yes and Amen. But the promise is fulfilled through those of us in Christ Jesus for the glory of God. 2 Peter 1:4 says, “Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature.” Just as with Abraham, God has made a covenant with you that you may show forth His glory and be a blessing to your family, your church, your neighbors and the nations.
As we enter the New Year with new opportunities and challenges, I want to encourage you today that God is a covenant-keeping God. Take time to review the covenants in His Word. Pray and allow these to become alive to your situation. Do not let doubt or disobedience hinder you from pressing into those promises. Remind God of His promises and be willing to step out in faith and maybe do something that you have never done before. Step out of the box of your routine and ability into the vastness of God’s greatness, and see Him work on your behalf.
May God by His Spirit and Word encourage you today.
Andy Clark
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