Closing 2018

If I could only choose one name to describe God this year, it would have to be Redeemer. He has redeemed my life in so many ways. He has been liberator, deliverer, rescuer, and preserver. This year He opened my eyes to see that despite spiritual ups and downs, He has preserved my calling and my dream. What once seemed hopeless and forgotten, was redeemed in a new and unexpected way. 

It will be five years in May 2019, that I endured an almost crippling spiritual divorce (there is no other way to describe it than by calling it as such). Depression and bitterness settled in my heart, BUT God plowed through every so gently and with great patience. I suffered spiritually in seasons of dessert living while my Bible remained closed, BUT God continued to satisfy my hunger and thirst through the faithful teaching of the Word and worship at Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale. It was and will always be my oasis, my place of refuge and relief. 

My image of the church had been shattered, BUT God painted a beautiful picture of what the church truly is through the Bible study group He has called Josie and I to lead. We were broken women who needed to study the Word together with other broken women, and God has used each life as a paintbrush to paint community, love, and truth in our hearts. 

And just when I was satisfied with how He had redeemed what was broken, He redeemed what was forgotten. In November of 2017, I filled a card to serve at Christ Fellowship. Though I was extremely apprehensive about doing so, I did it out of obedience. Five months later I received a call. And in that conversation, what had been tucked and sealed away in the hidden chambers of my heart was brought to surface. And the verse the Lord gave me in January 2018 made complete sense to me in that moment: “But the anointing which you have received from Him abides in you...” 1 John 2:27. The anointing still abides in me! I set no expectations other than to wait on Him and walk in full obedience. 

Oh, sweet Jesus, you truly redeem what is broken, hopeless, and forgotten. 

My encouragement to You: 

He can do the same for you. 

Hope, believe, and persevere in hardships. 

Don’t give in and don’t give up! 

Walk in obedience and He will make all things new. 

Lyrical Friday - Not For A Moment

[photo credit]

Today's post and song is on that is sure to encourage just about anyone. Below are a few of the verses that have sustained me through rough waters, wanderings and through seasons of stillness and silence. When I have felt alone and abandoned, God has proved me wrong. I have never been alone, not for a moment. He has never forgotten me, not for a moment. He will never forsake me, not for a moment. He is constant. He is good. He is sovereign. And, He is for you! You are not alone. You are not forgotten. You have not been forsaken. May the promises of God and the lyrics of this song encourage you in a great and mighty way. 

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And the Lord, He is the One who goes before you. He will be with you, He will not leave you nor forsake you; do not fear nor be dismayed. Deuteronomy 31:8 

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Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4
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You light a lamp for me. The Lord, my God, lights up my darkness. Psalm 18:28
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Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and He saved them out of their distresses. He brought them out of darkness and the shadow of death, and broke their chains in pieces. Psalm 107:13-14
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Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness; He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous. Psalm 112:4
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Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence? 
If I ascend into heaven, You are there; 
If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there. 
If I take the wings of the morning, 
And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea, 
Even there Your hand shall lead me,
And Your right hand shall hold me.
Psalm 139:7-10
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Not For a Moment, Meredith Andrews

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You were reaching through the storm 
walking on the water 
even when I could not see 
in the middle of it all 
when I thought You were a thousand miles away 
not for a moment did You forsake me 
not for a moment did You forsake me 

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after all You are constant 
after all You are only good 
after all You are sovereign 
not for a moment will You forsake me 
not for a moment will You forsake me 

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You were singing in the dark 
whispering Your promise 
even when I could not hear 
I was held in Your arms 
carried for a thousand miles to show 
Not for a moment did You forsake me 
-and every step every breath you are there 
every tear every cry every prayer 
in my heart at my worst 
when my world falls down 
not for a moment will You forsake me 
even in the dark 
even when it's hard 
you will never leave me 
after all