From the desk of Steve Shultz:
As you're reading this insight from the prophetic teaching of Kim Clement, you'll realize that you're in no way alone in your struggles – as you attempt to know and understand God and His ways...
Take note of what Kim says, "...You know what I noticed? Each and every one of these [Biblical] heroes [such as Job], not only in the Bible, but throughout history, went through seasons of tremendous difficulties and trials..."
Are you trying to hold on during a deep, seemingly, unending trial – be it finances, relationships, your job situations, or health problems (to name some of the big ones)? Some of you may have ALL of these things right now.
Hold on to the LORD. And read this article because you're in excellent company! You may be on your way to becoming a HERO.
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Kim Clement:
From Zero to Hero
Warriors,
I've been reading in Job every day now for the past month as my daily reading and the more I read about Job and his struggles, the more I realize my limited knowledge about God. The fact is that we must always look at Biblical characters who shook the world, who today are remembered and will be our heroes forever.
You know what I noticed? Each and every one of these heroes, not only in the Bible, but throughout history, went through seasons of tremendous difficulties and trials. Some were years. And yes it continues being the pattern, which seems unfortunate for us; but if and when we overcome and endure that season, the end result is glorious. If we don't survive, it is laborious and burdensome for the remainder of our time on earth. The Apostle Paul understood this when he wrote the following to the people of Galatia:
Galatians 6:8-9 "For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart."
Joseph...
Look at Joseph. What did Jerry Brown, the Governor of California, quote about Joseph just recently? He quoted his victories, his wisdom and insight and how he saved Egypt from economic ruin. Doesn't it seem a little odd that barely anyone remembers the young boy who was victimized, hated and sold as a slave, wrongly accused of rape, and thrown into prison for years? He paid the price with magnanimity.
Nelson Mandela...
Nelson Mandela wrongly and unjustly imprisoned for 27 years, practiced the exact principle as Joseph and uses his pain for his gain, by forgiving his enemies, recognizing that the pathway to kingship had been beaten by this trial. Nelson Mandela was sentenced to life imprisonment on June 12, 1964. He was imprisoned on Robben Island where he remained for the next 18 of his 27 years in prison.
On the island, he and others performed hard labor in a lime quarry. Prison conditions were very basic. Prisoners were segregated by race, with black prisoners receiving the fewest rations. Political prisoners were kept separate from ordinary criminals and received fewer privileges. Mandela describes how, as a D-group prisoner (the lowest classification) he was allowed one visitor and one letter every six months. Letters, when they came, were often delayed for long periods and made unreadable by the prison censors.
Whilst in prison Mandela undertook study with the University of London by correspondence through its External Program and received the degree of Bachelor of Laws. He was subsequently nominated for the position of Chancellor of the University of London in the 1981 election. Today Nelson Mandela is a hero to the world.
My Own Life...
I had one long trial after the other during the first 27 years of my journey; most of which nobody knows about. Falsely accused, kicked off an island by church elders, expelled from churches and accused on national Christian TV of being a false prophet, spat upon, kicked (yes, kicked), cursed at, extreme financial struggle, six severe surgeries (all as a result of my spiritual journey), loss of two homes, and upon arriving in California until the 3rd year, five lawsuits.
Job...
Job 39:26-30 "Is it your wisdom that makes the hawk soar and spread its wings toward the south? Is it at your command that the eagle rises to the heights to make its nest? It lives on the cliffs, making its home on a distant, rocky crag. From there it hunts its prey, keeping watch with piercing eyes. Its young gulp down blood. Where there's a carcass, there you'll find it."
Job 40:1 Then the Lord said to Job, "Do you still want to argue with the Almighty? You are God's critic, but do you have the answers?"
God asked Job questions to demonstrate the limits of Job's knowledge. God was helping Job to recognize and submit to His power and sovereignty. Only then could Job really begin to know God and understand His justice. The wrong view of justice says that God must abide by a law of fairness that is higher and more absolute than He is. That view comes out when we question whether God is being unfair. The correct view, however, is that God Himself is the standard of justice. He uses His power according to His own moral perfection. So whatever He does is fair, even when we don't understand it.
Our response should be to appeal directly to Him.
How do you contend with or accuse Almighty God? Do you demand answers when you lose a job, someone close to you is ill or dies, finances are tight, you fail, or things don't go your way? Are we worse off than Job or more righteous than he was? Give God a chance to reveal His greater purposes for you, but remember that they may unfold over the course of your life and not at the moment you desire.
However, I do want to tell you what happened after Job's terrific trial and let's not forget he lost all his children and suffered severely thereafter, losing EVERYTHING. One thing that Job did that gave him a double portion at the end of his trial was he knew the power of giving offerings:
Job 1:5 "...he (Job) would rise early in the morning and offer burnt offerings according to the number of his children. For Job said, "It may be that my sons have sinned and cursed God in their hearts." Thus Job did regularly.
Job 42:12, 16-17 "Now the Lord blessed the latter days of Job more than his beginning; for he had fourteen thousand sheep, six thousand camels, one thousand yoke of oxen, and one thousand female donkeys. After this Job lived one hundred and forty years, and saw his children and grandchildren for four generations. So Job died, old and full of days."
Be encouraged today. Your trial is but for a season. Count it all joy and keep your head up. Let's go out "old and full of days"!
Kim Clement
Prophetic Image Expressions
Email: hope@kimclement.com
Website: kimclement.com
Kim Clement: The life of Kim Clement is an expression that has defined "the prophet" for the modern era. This has made his journey unique; a journey that has taken his inspired message to schools and colleges, churches and synagogues, alleyways and prison cells. Kim's prophetic gift is a magnet that has drawn a broad audience, as he has whispered to kings and inspired prisoners; his path through life continues to be an exciting adventure. His diverse and extemporaneous perspective has gained him notoriety that transcends culture, race and religion, placing him onto a world platform. He has performed at the Rose Bowl Stadium in California, Times Square in New York City, Mt. Carmel in Israel, and even the steps of the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C.
