Trust

Psalms 37:3-5

Trust in the LORD, and do good;

Dwell in the land, and feed on His faithfulness.

Delight yourself also in the LORD,

And He shall give you the desires of your heart.

Commit your way to the LORD,

Trust also in Him, and He shall bring it to pass.

This passage of Scripture begins and ends in trust. So should the life of every Christian begin and end with trust in God no matter what our situation, whether in abundance or in want, whether in sickness or in health. The word “trust” in the Hebrew means to be bold, confident, secure and sure. This bold, secure confidence must be in the Lord, Yahweh, the self-Existent, Eternal One.

In the world we live in today, we need to shift our trust from our government and economic system to the self-Existent and Eternal One who changes not and depends on no one. As our world shakes and reels, we who trust in the Lord should be the most optimistic, confident, secure and sure people on the planet. This is not because of who we are or what we have done, but because of who He is and what He has done. God is looking for a people who are bold in Him and will not cower to the gods of this age that roar like lions trying to intimidate us and silence us.

The Psalmist continues, “Trust in the Lord and do good.” True trust in God always produces good works because trust empowers us to reach out and encourage, build up, and serve others. Acts 10:38 records, “how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.” Though Jesus had little in the way of possessions, and had no official title or position, His trust and confidence in the Father empowered Him to give His life to minister to others.

Ephesians 2:10 says, “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” When we take our eyes off of ourselves, our needs and our wants, it enables us to see the opportunities God has for us to bless and influence the lives of others. Trust delivers us from the fear and/or bondage of trying to meet our needs or constantly trying to improve our lives and makes us secure because our security is in Him.

Trust opens the door for us to delight in the Lord, to truly enjoy and bask in the love and security of the Lord. Like Jesus, the joy and fulfillment of life is in the Father. Trust in the Lord changes your whole perspective on life and enables you to see the world as He sees it.

Andy Clark

Calling Disciples

Luke 6:12-13

“Now it came to pass in those days that He went out to the mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God. And when it was day, He called His disciples to Himself; and from them He chose twelve whom He also named apostles.”

Sunday, I heard a tremendous sermon on discipleship that inspired this week’s devotional. No matter where we are located or what we are doing, I believe the ultimate goal for each one of us is the mandate of Christ to “go and make disciples in all nations.” (Matthew 28:19) I believe several keys to making disciples are revealed in the opening portion from Luke 6:12-13. These are basic keys that I believe we all need to review in our lives that are a constant part of making disciples.

Prayer – Jesus pulled away from everything for a time of prayer. This was a repetitive act that distinguished His life and ministry. Everything He did and everything we do that has eternal consequences is born out of prayer. Prayer is the key to our relationship with the Father. Prayer encourages, inspires and energizes us in our everyday walk. Prayer enables us to see things as God sees things and to respond as He would respond. Pray empowers us to do what we could not do in ourselves. Making disciples requires concentrated prayer.

Called – “He called His disciples to Himself.” Every disciple of Christ responded to an intentional call by Christ. A call requires a decision and demands a response. We are all familiar with the Muslim “call to prayer.” Not everyone comes, but the call goes forth daily, confronting people and requiring a decision and response. How much more important is it for us to give a clear call no matter what the response. Jesus called them to Himself. Our call is to a relationship with Christ, but we have to give the call. For without the call, a person does not have the opportunity to accept or reject a saving relationship with Christ. Jesus said “Many are called but few are chosen.” If you have ever been is sales, you know it takes a lot of calls to make one sale. Making disciples requires persistent calls no matter what the cost.

Chosen – “He chose twelve whom He also named apostles.” It takes a boldness to call people, but it takes a commitment to disciple them. Many people who respond to the call, respond out of great need, and takes a commitment of time and energy on our part to disciple them. Jesus committed himself three and a half years, almost 24/7, to the ones He chose to be with Him. He called them intentionally and discipled them purposefully to be apostles or “sent ones.” While He continued to call and minister to the multitudes, the future of the church rode upon the ones He discipled. Making disciples requires choosing and committing ourselves to people who will disciple others.

Andy Clark

Fear Not

Isaiah  43:1-2

"Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by your name; you are Mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, nor shall the flame scorch you.”

Fear is something everyone deals with in their lives. Fear of failure, fear of the unknown, or fear of rejection. People often mask their fears with aggression, controlling behavior, aloofness, avoiding relationships and commitments, or an unwillingness to try new things. Fear can rob us of the freedom, joy, and adventure of life that we had when we were younger. Great men in the Bible like Abraham and Moses dealt with fear. The words fear, fears, and afraid appear over six hundred times in the Bible. David, the great warrior and king, wrote, “I sought the LORD, and He heard me, and delivered me from all my fears.” (Psalms 34:4) Jesus repeatedly had to tell the disciples not to be afraid. The great Apostle Paul wrote, “For indeed, when we came to Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were troubled on every side. Outside were conflicts, inside were fears.” (2 Corinthians 7:5)

In these last days the world is trying to intimidate the church through threats and fear tactics to rob us of our freedom and authority purchased for us by the blood of Jesus Christ. The enemy would love to box us within our church walls creating a powerless and ineffective church that is neither salt nor light in this darkening world. Many Christians are afraid to share their faith in the public arena because of political correctness, fear of ridicule and rejection, or the possibility of losing their jobs. Fear has caused financial security to trump moral values in the public arena.

Fear can paralyze us or motivate us. God is looking for people like, Abraham, Sarah, Moses, David, Esther, Peter, John, Paul and the men and women of the early church who, despite conflicts on the outside and fears within, stood up in their generation to live out and declare the truths of God’s word. 2 Timothy 1:7 says, “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 1 John 4:18 says, “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. But he who fears has not been made perfect in love. We love Him because He first loved us.”

If we really believe God loves us, like children, we live in the security and freedom of that love no matter what is going on around us or what challenges we may face. The security of God’s love also enables us to live a transparent life in this world no matter what the response is of those around us. “Do not fear, little flock, for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12: 32)

Andy Clark

Every Day Miracles

John 3:5-8

Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.  That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.  Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.'  The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit." 

I believe God is calling His people to begin to walk in what I call EVERY DAY MIRACLES. This is when God through you by the Spirit touches someone’s life at their point of need. This may be a word of encouragement, direction, faith and hope, an act of kindness, an expression of love or concern, a gift, or a supernatural touch of healing or provision. It may be expressed in person or through a prayer, call, email, or text message.

In John 3 Jesus is teaching on the necessity of the new birth, but there is also an underlying principle here that there are two levels of activity. There is that which is born of the flesh (man’s will or ability) and that which is born of the Spirit (God’s will and ability). Then He compares what is born of the Spirit to the wind. The wind is not bound by man-made limitations, ideas, laws, programs, culture and traditions, but “the wind blows where it wishes.” “So is everyone who is born of the Spirit."

EVERY DAY MIRACLES are born out of our willingness to move beyond our ideas, programs, and ability into the freedom of the Spirit’s daily leading in our lives.

In John 5:16-20 Jesus heals a lame man on the Sabbath against Jewish tradition and comes under criticism of Jewish leaders. Look carefully at Jesus’ response. "My Father has been working until now, and I have been working.”…. "Most assuredly, I say to you, the Son can do nothing of Himself, but what He sees the Father do; for whatever He does, the Son also does in like manner.  For the Father loves the Son, and shows Him all things that He Himself does; and He will show Him greater works than these, that you may marvel.”

EVERY DAY MIRACLES are born out of a passion for God, His everyday will in our lives and a passion for people. Our role in any miracle must be to serve people, anyone, anywhere, and anytime God directs.

My everyday prayer has become, “Lord, whom do you want me to touch by your Spirit today?”  Then I go through my day expecting to be used of God in some unexpected way.

May you discover the God of miracles working in your life and ministry today and every day.

Andy Clark

Stand Still

Sometimes we find ourselves surrounded by challenges and problems that seem to have no solution. Maybe we have been experiencing victory and success, or at the very least, life has been going along pretty normally when: Bang! an unexpected crisis hits our life that throws everything into a tail spin.  Israel found themselves in this situation in Exodus chapter 14. God had delivered them from four hundred years of slavery with awesome miracles and power. They were so excited leaving Egypt with the wealth of Egypt in their hands on the way to the promised land. Man, life was good and God is great! Then they ran into the Red Sea with mountains on each side and the Egyptian army at their back.

When challenges, problems, or crises unexpectedly strike our lives, and there seems to be no way out, our initial response is not always the best. Like Israel, maybe we become frantic or fearful, or anger sets in and we blame God or others for the problem. Despair whispers, “Lie down and give up, there is no way out.” Cowardice cries, “Retreat; God’s way is too difficult, I’ve made a mistake and should have never tried this, it was good for a while but it isn’t working any more. Human Effort determines, “If I just pray a little harder, work a little more, or try a different way, I can get out of this. Presumption declares, “If the sea is before me, by faith I am going to walk into it and expect a miracle from God.”

Faith though does not listen to Despair, Cowardice, Human Effort or Presumption. As with Israel, the command may be, “Stand still and see the salvation of the Lord… The Lord will fight for you, and you will hold your peace.” (Exodus 14:13,14) Great faith is not based upon what we do, but our willingness to trust God totally in the midst of the storm and impossible situation. Do we really believe in a supernatural God who can do far above what we could even ask or think?

In Matthew 8:8 a centurion came to Jesus and said, “Lord, my servant is lying at home paralyzed, dreadfully tormented." Jesus immediate response was, “I’ll come to your house and heal him.” The centurion’s response astounded Jesus. He said, “Just speak the word and my servant will be healed.” Verse10 says, “When Jesus heard it, He marveled, and said to those who followed, "Assuredly, I say to you, I have not found such great faith, not even in Israel!”

Sometimes the greatest faith is when we cease from our labors and stop crying, pleading, and begging God for what we want or expect and just stand still. Stand still, attentive to God, ready for action, expecting further orders, cheerfully and patiently awaiting the voice of God, ready to do whatever He asks, no matter how ridiculous it may seem. When Israel stopped complaining and stood still, quietly waiting, the word of the Lord came, “Go forward, lift up your rod, and stretch out your hand over the sea and divide it. And the children of Israel will go on dry ground through the midst of the sea.” (Exodus 14:15-16)

No matter what you are facing today, God is not at fault, nor is he surprised or caught off guard. He knew what was going to happen even before you were born and already has a solution in place. It may not be your solution but His solution. Stop your frantic activity, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord.

Andy Clark

Jesus Journey

As you read in my devotional last week entitled “Jesus,” the only hope for our world that groans in the bondage of sin is the manifestation of the children of God, that is Jesus Christ in us the hope of glory. (Romans 8:17, Colossians 1:27) For God’s glory to manifest in us we must walk the Jesus journey.

The summary of the first thirty years of Jesus’ journey are written in Luke 2:52,

“And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men.” Jesus is twelve years old and has gone to the temple with his parents, and Luke records in 2:47

“And all who heard Him were astonished at His understanding and answers.” Though Jesus had revelation knowledge that surpassed the greatest teachers of His day, he spent His first thirty years growing “in wisdom and stature, and favor with God and men.”  We can become so busy with life that we do not allow time in our journey for God to develop His character in us. As we watch the Olympics this week, we will see people who have spent a lifetime of discipline in developing the character and skills necessary to stand for a moment on the world stage. Whatever we do in life, our Jesus journey begins with the disciplines of a Christlike character in us. We do not live according to the values of this world but by the values revealed to us in His Word and developed in us by submission to our heavenly coach, the Holy Spirit.

The next phase of Jesus’ journey is recorded in Luke 3:22, “and a voice came from heaven which said, "You are My beloved Son; in You I am well pleased." Wherever our journey takes us, the voice of affirmation over our lives must come from heaven. While Jesus grew in favor with man, the affirmation of who he was and what he did came only from the Father. No matter what kind of work we do, our only measure of success and sense of fulfillment can come from God. God’s pleasure with His son did not come from performance, because Jesus’ ministry had not yet begun. God’s pleasure was with Jesus the carpenter who had learned to walk as a son in a love relationship of submission and obedience.

The Jesus journey continues with the test of identity and character in the wilderness in Luke chapter four. The repeated challenge of the enemy was “If you are the son of God,” then prove it. Jesus’ consistent response was “It is written.” Satan constantly tests our identity and our character through success and suffering. He constantly flaunts the world before us, tempting us to measure ourselves by those around us, what we see and what we feel, instead of the Word of God.

The conclusion of Jesus’ journey is in Acts 10:38, “how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and with power, who went about doing good and healing all who were oppressed by the devil, for God was with Him.” This can be the testimony of your journey when your identity and life is hidden in Christ. Through the Holy Spirit, you can do good works that God has ordained for you and bring healing to those around you.

Andy Clark

Jesus

Jesus said, “If I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw all peoples to myself.” John 12:23

Last Wednesday, I went to the church of a pastor friend of mine to hear a friend of his with whom he had played college basketball, and both went on to play professional basketball. My friend now pastors a growing church that is bursting at the seams and in the midst of a building program, while his friend has a powerful ministry as a character coach for young men. Both of their successful ministries were birthed out of an encounter with Jesus Christ that radically changed their lives and created in them a passion for Jesus that marked their basketball careers, their lives, and their ministries.

As we look out over our decaying world, our only salvation is a generation that is radically turned on to and passionate about Jesus Christ. Christianity, especially in the West has become too much of a private relationship with Christ. Jesus said, “If I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all peoples to Myself.” Jesus’ death and resurrection was a very public matter, out front where all could see. Jesus told the Jewish leaders, who arrested him, what I have done and taught has been in the open for everyone to hear. The mark of the early church was a bold and public confession of Jesus Christ.

Jesus said, “I will build My church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (Matthew 16:18)  We become so caught up with building churches, programs and ministries that will attract people that we loose sight of the central attraction to Christianity and that is Jesus Christ. Somehow, lifting up Jesus is not enough of an attraction to appeal to our modern world. We feel this need to compete with the glitz of our modern age and sugar coat Jesus to make him palatable to our day and age. Relational and social evangelism, the trend of our day, is a wonderful thing, but without an open passion for Jesus it cannot stand.

Jesus is the star attraction of Christianity. Yes, there are many who will ridicule, oppose, and persecute the name of Jesus, but without Jesus we have nothing but a vain and empty religion. When we build our lives, reputation, family, work, church, and ministry on an open and public confession of Jesus Christ, He will draw people to himself and build a church that the gates of hell cannot prevail against.

Philippians 2:9-11says, “Therefore, God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Ask the Holy Spirit today to help you take Jesus out of the closet and make an open confession so that He can draw all people to himself and glorify God the Father.

Andy Clark