Articles by Jim Clark at Heartlight

Knowing the Father's Presence

jimclark@abilene.com (Jim Clark) — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 00:00:00 -0500

Some mornings I wake up not feeling very close to God. It was one of those mornings earlier this week. I read some Scripture and prayed a bit before hopping in the shower. But as I said goodbye to my wife, I admitted that I didn't feel much intimacy with Christ. There were no major problems at home or work. My ministry was going well. Jesus was Lord of my life. And yet there was this spiritual dryness that made me long for another drink of the living water of Jesus. How could I sense that closeness to Him once more?

That morning I wrote in my diary:

I long for that Father/son relationship with You, Lord, where I know You are there for me. Where I weep when reading the story of the cross, knowing that my Savior died for me. But today I feel so dry and distant from You. Please show me the way.

I read of one believer who said that when he struggles he's learning to run to You, not away from You. I want to do the same. I'm running to You, Jesus, because I desperately need You. Please reveal Yourself to me in a powerful way and give me faith to trust You even when I don't feel You near me. In Jesus' Name, Amen.

Later in the week I read these encouraging words from Michael Horton about the work of the Holy Spirit:

So much of contemporary spirituality and piety is focused on self. "How am I doing spiritually? How is my walk? Am I living in victory?" Reformation spirituality lifted people out of a purely introspective, inward-looking piety and directed them outside of themselves to Christ and the cross, from which vista they could now look out across the needy world. ("In the Face of God", Word Publishing, 1996)

What a great reminder to continually come back to the cross and know that my salvation is not based on my feelings, how much I surrender, or how "spiritual" I may be that day. Our standing before God depends entirely upon His mercy displayed to us through the shed blood of Jesus. As we rest in that forgiveness, by faith, the Holy Spirit frees us to love God and love others with vigor and joy. As God promises us:

And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from his love. Death can't, and life can't. The angels can't, and the demons can't. Our fears for today, our worries about tomorrow, and even the powers of hell can't keep God's love away. Whether we are high above the sky or in the deepest ocean, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 8:38-39 NLT)

Not even a bad mood.

Jim Clark is Executive Director of the Christian Service Center in Abilene, Texas.

Responding to the Gift-Giver

jimclark@abilene.com (Jim Clark) — Thu, 25 Mar 2004 00:00:00 -0600

Kenny Spain has been giving sacrificially to his friends for years. Then one day, his buddies decided it was high time for Kenny to be on the receiving end.

Kenny, a 32-year old contractor, had always had a big heart. Living in a run-down house, he spends most of his time off remodeling homes for those in need. One year, though, Kenny's friends planned a special surprise for him.

They sent him away to his sister's home for a long fall weekend. Over the next three days, they upgraded his house. Installing a new roof, floors, carpet, a furnace — even new landscaping!

And they did all this labor with great joy. Because Kenny had done so much for them.

What a beautiful illustration of our relationship with Jesus. When he saves us, we begin experiencing the abundant life promised to his followers. He then calls us to pass these blessings on to others through love and service.

After washing his disciples' feet, Jesus said, "Now that I, your Lord and Teacher, have washed your feet, you also should wash one another's feet. I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you." (John 13:14-15)

This week, why not let Jesus know how much you love him? In his name, give a gift of love to someone in need. Because Christ has done so much for you.

You'll discover a joy you may have never known. A joy coming straight from the heart of the Father.

Jim Clark is Executive Director of the Christian Service Center in Abilene, Texas.

Mission of Mercy

jimclark@abilene.com (Jim Clark) — Thu, 11 Mar 2004 00:00:00 -0600

I want to tell you about Scott Coleman, a quiet servant who came to the aid of a sick young girl. I think his story will remind you of someone who has come to your aid.

As Scott guides his twin-engine Cessna in towards Boston's Logan Airport, his passenger -- six-year-old Erika Carlson -- squeals with excitement. "We're about to land," she announces to her mom sitting next to her.

Erika was born with a life-threatening disease. For years she has had to travel to Boston from her family's home in Maine several times each year. But the twelve-hour drive became too draining for Erika and her parents.

That's when Scott stepped in. A non-commercial pilot, he volunteered to fly Erika to Boston.¹ And every trip he's made has come at a great sacrifice to him -- about $1,200 round trip. But because he knows that Erika desperately needed the treatment, he was willing to make that sacrifice. Again and again.

As I reflected on this story, I was struck by the parallel to our spiritual condition. All of us have souls that are sick with sin. We are helpless. We're in need of a spiritual physician. And Jesus has stepped in to lead us safely to the Father.

Paul states in Ephesians 5:25 that "Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a ... sacrifice to God." There's nothing we can do to earn this rescue -- or to deserve it. Like little Erika, all we can do is receive it.

I hope you've received this gift and are following Jesus every day out of deep gratitude for rescuing you. Only Jesus can heal our sin-sick souls and guide us safely to a heavenly home.

References:

¹For more information, you may want to contact Angel Flight America, a nationwide group of volunteer pilots like Scott Coleman who provide assistance to medical patients.

Jim Clark is Executive Director of the Christian Service Center in Abilene, Texas.

Flat On Our Backs ... In Prayer

jimclark@abilene.com (Jim Clark) — Wed, 10 Dec 2003 00:00:00 -0600

Sometimes we need God to thrust us into total helplessness to hear what he values most. One man experienced this lesson lying on his back for six weeks.

In Isaiah 57:15 the Lord says, "I live in a high and holy place, but also with him who is contrite and lowly in spirit, to revive the spirit of the lowly and to revive the heart of the contrite." This scripture applies well to Ben Patterson's painful health ordeal.

It was the spring of 1980 when it happened. Ben was an active, motivated minister, constantly putting himself to work at the tasks of building up the church. Then he suffered excruciating lower back pain: two herniated discs! The prescription was total bed rest. Yet because his bed was too soft, he was confined to lying on the floor for six weeks instead.

It was extremely humiliating, boring, and frustrating. He couldn't preach. He couldn't lead meetings. He couldn't visit people — or do any of the things he wanted to. All he could do was pray.

Each day he got out the church directory and prayed for every member of his church as he lay there flat on his back. But after awhile, the time spent on his back became sweet. When he recovered, he said to God, "Lord, this has been great, this praying. It's too bad I don't have time to do this when I go back to work."

Then he sensed the Lord saying to him, "Ben, you have the same 24 hours each day when you're weak as when you're strong. The difference is that when you're strong, you think you're in charge."

I hope Ben's story will remind us all that when we stay on our knees, we stop being "lords" and let Jesus be Lord of his church. And when he is Lord, there is power and their is fruit.

As Ben Patterson learned, "The good fruit visible in the church is planted in prayers prayed in weakness and in secret."

Each time he [God] said, "My gracious favor is all you need. My power works best in your weakness." So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may work through me. (2 Corinthians 12:9)

Jim Clark is Executive Director of the Christian Service Center in Abilene, Texas.

With Jesus You Can Stay On Your Feet

jimclark@abilene.com (Jim Clark) — Wed, 08 Oct 2003 00:00:00 -0500

At times, life can throw so many obstacles our way that we're tempted to throw in the towel. Is that how you feel today? When you hear Beth Anne's story, you'll be inspired to never give up.

Runner Beth Anne DeCianti ran in a marathon in order to qualify for the '92 Olympic Trials. To make the cut, she had to complete the 26-mile, 385-yard run in less than two hours and forty-five minutes.

But at mile 23, Beth Anne started having trouble. As she reached the final straightaway, she had just two minutes left to qualify. Then she stumbled, and fell! The crowd yelled, "Get up! Get up!"

Less than a minute remained. Beth Anne staggered back to her feet and started walking -- and fell once more. Then she began to crawl. The crowd cheered her on as she crossed the finish line on her hands and knees. With three seconds to spare, Beth Anne DeCianti qualified for the Olympic Trials -- all because she refused to give up.

Has your life lately been like Beth Anne's grueling run?

Do disappointments and discouragement keep knocking you down?

I want to encourage you in the Lord to never, ever give up. Let these words from Hebrews 12 keep you on your feet:

Keep your eyes on Jesus, who both began and finished this race we're in. Study how he did it. Because he never lost sight of where he was headed . . . When you find yourselves flagging in your faith, go over that story again . . . That will shoot adrenaline into your souls! (Hebrews 12:2-3 The Message)

Jim Clark is Executive Director of the Christian Service Center in Abilene, Texas.