Category Archives: Walking with God

The Power that Faith Brings

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I have devoted a great deal of time these past few years renewing my faith and relationship with Christ.  I’m not always on point in this walk, but I come a long way in ensuring I walk with Him daily and keep His path close to my heart as I grow as a man of faith and a leader for my family and those around me.  Through my journey, I have learned just how powerful that faith can be in my life and in anyone’s life who chooses to walk by faith.  Even when we are unsure of what the end results may be, following a path by faith will lead you down God’s path for you and help you grow closer to Him in your own life.

Hebrews 11:1 says, “Faith is the confidence that what we hope for will actually happen; it gives us assurance about things we cannot see.”  When we choose to walk through life by faith, we are putting our trust and confidence in the Lord that he will provide and guide us down the path he has chosen for us.  I think we have all heard people over the years talk about their struggle with faith when they cannot see what it is God has planned for even see proof that God is actually here for us.  I walked down this pathway some especially after I lost my Dad and did not know what it was that God was doing and questioning why he would let something as tragic as that happen to someone like him.  Since that time, I have grown to understand that those events happen life for specific reasons.  My Dad was a man of tremendous faith, and maybe through what he endured, it may help others to find their way to the Lord and I think that certainly happened and continues to happen.

So what does faith me to you.  In my Bible readings this morning, the subject of faith as a active thing versus a passive feeling was discussed.  Through faith, Christians can rely on faith for their day to day living.  We’ve come too far in life to live passively and not exercise our faith.  Our lives are a unique opportunity for each of us to life a life of faith and not sit back letting life pass us by and being complacent in how we live.  Just to use an analogy from my reading, lets say you were given the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to play a round of golf at Augusta National Golf Club.  You come to the Par 5 13th hole at Amen Corner.  After driving down the fairway you are faced with the decision to layup or go for the green.  Chances are you may never play that course again, so why not take a chance of faith and go for it.  In other words, when those unique opportunities arise to exercise your faith, take advantage of it.  You only have so much time to so.

If you look throughout our history, so much was done and accomplished on the pillar of faith.  Go all the way back to Abraham, who showed ultimate faith by being willing to sacrifice his son, Isaac as instructed by God, only to be stopped by God himself, when he saw that Abraham had committed all his faith to God.  By trusting in Him, even though he may not be physically visible to us we can make through and accomplish anything in life with the Lord by our side.

Martin Luther King, Jr said, “Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.”  It may be scary to take that step into the unknown, to begin a new chapter in life, to begin a new career, to begin a family, to begin a ministry, or whatever it may be.  That first step can be tricky, but demonstrating faith and stepping, even when you cannot see what will become, is extremely powerful.  It shows a lot of your own character and God will also guide you through those steps into the unknown.  Walk by faith, even when you cannot see.  He will guide you through it all.

The Need for Patience and Persistence

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Yesterday was a dicey day for weather in my neck of the woods.  Unusually warm weather for January with a strong cold front approaching made for some strong storms to roll across Georgia.  It made for an interesting day with bad storms ripping across the state with a tornado or two further west then heavy rain and wind in my area.  The storms hit my area just as Amber and I were picking our kids up from school.  When we arrived at the elementary school for Ashley, the severe storm warning was issued for the county so school release was delayed.  We went inside the school to get out of the storm and wait it out.  One the storm passed they started organizing the dismissal for car riders as most parents were inside at that point.  Of course, it never fails in those types of situations, that patience where thin and people started getting snippy with the school as they were trying there best to organize an unusual situation.  It was very aggravating to me and made me reflect on just how little patience people often can have in various situations of life.  I’ve been guilty of this a time or two as well.

Today, I have been reflecting on the need for patience as it applies to life and our overall successes in life as well as the need persistence.  Far too often we come into situations in life where we have little patience to wait for the result we are looking for.  This could be  as simple as waiting in line at a store or an event or as big as waiting to make a success out of ourselves in our careers.  We have become a society that is bent on give me this now that we forget to exercise  a level of patience in waiting for those things to come.  What is old saying…”The best things come to those who wait.”  A very simple and timeless saying.  It applies to everything in life.  Yet with that simple saying, we put that aside when it comes to what it is we want.

Patience is something that needs to be practiced throughout life.  I know it’s not always easy.  I have my moments where I can get very impatient too.  It is part of our human nature I guess.  With that however, we must learn that when we are after a particular goal, we cannot expect to always achieve that goal instantly.  My career and education has been a practice of patience.  I used to get frustrated after I finished my undergraduate when I did not realize those salary goals that the admins insisted I would achieve.  Then I realized that i had to be patient for the right opportunity, so I continued working hard and advancing my educational learning even through today.  Napoleon Hill stated that, “Patience, persistence and perspiration make an unbeatable combination for success.”  This is true with everything I have learned to realize.  You have to keep working persistently toward those goals knowing that the reward will come.  Don’t let yourself get frustrated when it does not come instantly.  It usually never does come instantly.

The Bible also tells us that patience is needed.  Colossians 1:11 states, “We also pray that you will be strengthened with all his glorious power so you will have all the endurance and patience you need. May you be filled with joy.”  Our journey of faith requires patience as well.  There are many times when we pray to the Lord for something and all too often when we don’t think He has answered those prayers when get angry and sometimes resentful thinking He is not listening to us.  When are praying and seeking God, this is a time where we need to practice even more patience.  We should in fact pray for the strength to find patience within us.  God knows all of our prayers and hears us always.  We cannot expect an answer on our time.  We are on His time always.  Be patient and listen and He will respond at the perfect moment whether you expect it or not.

Life is all about being patient for what it is we want to achieve.  It does not matter what pillar of life are driving at.  The biggest thing is to understand that no matter what the circumstance, big or small, patience is always needed.  If you are working toward something, be persistent about it but at the same time, don’t get so persistent that you forget restraint and lose patience.  Be persistent in your prayers.  As Jesus said, ““Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you” Matthew 7:7.  Those words ring true through everything in life.  Be persistent in life, but never lose patience in that persistence.

Patience

Answering the Call

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Throughout life we encounter times where we begin to question the path we have taken.  Our jobs may make us miserable, we may have lost someone close to us, or tensions and bickering with family and friends may lead you to shut yourself off from people.  It could be anything in life.  Something negative infiltrates and it takes a toll on the path you continue to make.  These negative circumstances may have dictated you to think that life is more or less pointless and that our choices and decisions are meaningless.  Through my own life, I have had my times where things seemed to not be going as I had planned and even times where I thought it did not matter what kind of effort I put into my life, because it was pointless.

Life takes us on whirlwind journey where our experiences along the way can have a significant impact on the type of person we become.  I firmly believe that God has a calling for each of us.  If we are engaged in Him, then we can begin to hear where He is calling us.  We have to choose whether we, ourselves are drawn in to what He is calling us to do or if we choose to be indifferent.  In a sermon yesterday, the message was that God’s purpose for us all hangs in the balance of whether we are drawn in or indifferent to Him.  Far too many of us are indifferent to this call even if we don’t realize it.  This indifference goes a long way to prevent us from hearing the call to serve and do what it is God called us to do.

Jesus said in John 15:16 “You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name.”  Jesus is telling us that we have been called by Him.  We were not placed here by our own choice, but rather because it was God’s will.  He placed each of us here for a purpose.  Each of us, as His children is called to move down a path that is meant for the purpose of God’s glory.  Psalm 39:7 says “And so, Lord, where do I put my hope? My only hope is in you.”  We must learn to place our hope in God as He is the one who will help us find out what our path is meant to be here during our time on Earth.

With this said, we have a significant duty before us.  In order to come alive, we have to choose to answer the call by being drawn in and not being indifferent to the call.  I have been building to this point to answer my call to service of others and helping people learn to unleash themselves through the 4 Pillars of life.  Seeking God’s call for us through our faith is of the utmost importance for all of us.  All of our calls our different.  We are each meant to glorify God in different ways.  Learning to recognize this as God unveils it is very powerful.  My challenge to every one this week and going forward to open yourself to hear the calling that is before you.  Immerse yourself in the Word and in prayer and God will reveal this path to your full purpose.  Doing this will place you on that path to come alive.

I know there may be some hesitancy when you realize that calling.  Especially if it is something that is completely different from what it is you have been used to.  My path to 4 Pillar Living is so different from my years of work and educational experience.  You may also encounter those naysayers that say you are barking up the wrong tree and wasting your time.  Let me tell you something.  There is absolutely nothing wasteful about answering the call, no matter how different it may be.  You will have critics and you will have those moments where it may not seem worthwhile.  That’s when you know you are on the right path.  You are getting push back because the adversary does not want your to succeed.  That’s when it is time to dig in further, remember, Always Forward, and continue that pursuit.  Answer the Call and don’t relent.

All Things Are Possible With God!!!

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Every morning I get up and spend at least a good half hour or so in God’s Word.  I started this habit over a year and half ago and it has been a powerful part of my daily life.  For years I was partially engaged and learned the popular versus out there, but never fully dove into the Word and studied it.  I set my reading each day using a set of reading plans that help to guide me through the Word and better absorb what I am reading so as to not just wander all over each day.  Something struck me today as I was reading and it really showed me how God was at work as I spend time in his Word each day.  I always follow each days reading accordingly and think about and pray about it.  What really hit me today is just how relevant each days reading seemed to be to this very moment in my life and how each encounter I have with His Word or in thinking about God in someway brings to light something new that is so relevant to my daily life.  It could be situations with family, with my work, or any other aspect of life.  It’s quite amazing to see Him this way as each day He gives me something to read that has so much relevance to goings on today.  He may provide answers to questions or He may give me guidance in how to handle particular situations.  This may come as not surprise to some of you, but it was funny how it just hit me that way today.  God reveals Himself through the Word in ways that are always meaningful to us if we take the time to really stop and think about what it is He is showing us.

I came home from the office today and when I walked in, my kids were watching a great movie, “Facing the Giants.”  If you have not seen this movie, I highly recommend it.  As a part of my daily reading a prayer, I typically will pray for my wife and children and pray that my children will live a life in which they seek God each day.  I was very intent about that prayer these last few days.  My kids are always asking questions about the Bible and take an interest in so many aspects of it.  Again, it may seem so minor, but seeing them so intently engaged in a movie like this that ministers to the heart the way it does, is awesome.  It felt like my prayers for their hearts to seek God were working.  They don’t watch this movie just because it is good.  They are engaged in the message that no matter what faces us in life, all things are possible with God just as Jesus said in Matthew 19:26 and again in Mark 10:27.

It is so awesome the work that the Lord does in our lives.  Everything we encounter in life is because He allowed it to happen.  God can open or close any door He wants to in your life.  Spending time each day intentionally reading and meditating on His Word will help you to see those doors that are opened and close.  God has revealed so much to me each day I spend in the Word.  I am thankful for all that He has shown me each day I spend with Him in reading and prayer.  If you don’t have this as a part of your daily routine, think about making it so.  In there you will find so much relevance to your life.  You may burning questions about any part of life be it in your own faith, the relationships with your family and friends, your work, or your purpose in life.  I promise you, He will reveal Himself in the Word.  Take time each day to read and pray on what He is showing you.  You will find so much clarity in your life and will help you learn to live your life for Him and to glorify Him.  You do that, then all things are possible through God.

Merry Christmas from 4 Pillar Living

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Christmas has arrived!  This, by far is one of my favorite times of the year and always has been since I can remember.  I fondly remember the years growing up and the anticipation of this day.  Waking up in the pre-dawn hours to sneak down stairs and see what the jolly ole’ elf had brought us.  As a father, that that joy has continued with the joy of their faces on Christmas morning and the wonderful traditions we have established over the last 15 years as a family.  Through all of that, the one that has remained a constant and I strive to ensure my children never forget, is why we celebrate this season.  It is a celebration of the day that God stepped into this world to deliver his promise of salvation through Jesus Christ.  Celebrating the birth of Jesus is near and dear to Christian faith.  It is also a celebration of the peace that is possible in our lives through Jesus and developing that personal relationship with him as your savior.

Often times, people get so worked up and stressed out, especially this time of year trying to find those right gifts, or stressed that they may not be able to afford much for Christmas if anything at all.  Many times, this can cause strife in the home between couples who get more stressed out about finances.  I have been there.  But one thing I have learned through the struggle is that building that personal relationship with Christ and turning back to God is the best way to get through any of those struggles.

I was up early Sunday morning, and watched a sermon from Dr. Charles Stanley from First Baptist Church Atlanta, while the family was still sleeping.  He spoke of Jesus, The Prince of Peace and how peace in our own lives, real peace, was only possible through our relationship with Christ.  Many times in our lives we encounter situations that we just wonder why would God allow this kind of struggle, or why would He allow suffering such as in Newtown, CT.  Dr. Stanley mentioned one thing that was very real and caught my attention.  He mentioned that we do find God when things are great and we have plenty of money.  No, the struggles are when people turn to Him.  These struggles are  wake-up to turn back to Him.  No matter what kind of struggle may be in front of you, whether it is finances at Christmas time or whatever it may be, by turning back to God and to prayer, you will build the foundation to pull from those struggles.  Let Him take over.  He can bring you through any struggle in life and His promise for salvation and peace is so real.

I will approach this much more as we move forward, but with all of that said, I would like to wish each and everyone of you a very Merry Christmas from my family to yours.  May the Lord’s blessings shine down on each of you and your families.

Take care and God Bless!

Clinton Family Christmas 2012