New Year...New ME!

Tonight, on Apple TV, I watched as Anthony Evans lead worship live. Calvary Chapel Fort Lauderdale counted down with him leading into the New Year. I was refreshed singing familiar worship songs, but his message resonated most with my heart. 

In between sets, he gave his testimony -sharing how he, being the son of well-known pastor - Tony Evans, would condemn himself and be gilt ridden over the sins he struggled with. His dad's congregation put pressures on him which lead him to write an awesome song about his freedom in Christ. Where there is no condemnation.

The song was beautiful. It was refreshing. It was holy. It is my anthem I plan to download and play loudly. Those times when satan wants to make me feel worthless for a foolish decision I have made. Or for those many "Mommy Moments" I wish I could erase. For freedom from those habits I haven't kicked and need release from.

Tonight I am reminded of Truth. That my Heavenly Father doesn't condemn me but loves me unconditionally through the ugly I am struggling with. Through whatever you have struggled with in 2013. It's a NEW YEAR! Full of HOPE! Repent and start over! His mercies are new. Let your burden of last year be lifted! Let Go!

Be reminded that HE has thrown your sin far into the depths of the ocean & thinks of them no more.

It's a NEW YEAR! HE has compassion, runs toward me, and celebrates as I repent and start anew!

 Luke 15:18-24 
  ¹⁸ I will set out and go back to my father and say to him: Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. ¹⁹ I am no longer worthy to be called your son; make me like one of your hired servants.’ ²⁰ So he got up and went to his father.
“But while he was still a long way off, his father saw him and was filled with compassion for him; he ran to his son, threw his arms around him and kissed him.
²¹ “The son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and against you. I am no longer worthy to be called your son.’
²² “But the father said to his servants, ‘Quick! Bring the best robe and put it on him. Put a ring on his finger and sandals on his feet. ²³ Bring the fattened calf and kill it. Let’s have a feast and celebrate. ²⁴ For this son of mine was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ So they began to celebrate.

Pray that HE would reveal truth in your life today & throughout 2014 too!

It's a new year. Ask for forgiveness and let go of the past. Run into His arms with excitement as it's a new year & a new you!  

Happy New Year!

"Happy New Year" by Valencia

Every year millions of people start off the New Year singing, "Should old acquaintances be forgotten?"

Sometimes, the answer is quite frankly, "YES!" 

Most of us have friends that have been in our life for years. Some are toxic relationships we keep just because of tenure the relationship. I have spoken to at least 5 different women about this in the last month. 

1 Corinthians 15:33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals."

Make it a New Year's resolution to cleanse your life of toxic people and relationships. Choose carefully who you spend your time with and who you let influence you. Ask God to reveal those relationships to you and give you the courage to step back. 

Challenge: Pray for discernment and pray for God-fearing friends.

Birthday reflections

“I took you from the ends of the earth,
from its farthest corners I called you.
I said, ‘You are my servant’;
I have chosen you and have not rejected you.
So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:9-10

This past Thursday I turned 35 years old. I had a sweet time with the Lord in the morning and as He led me to this scripture, I started to think about everything He has done for me. This is my journal entry for that day.

Thank You, Jesus, for all the work You’ve done for me. Once on the cross but then all Your patience and work to get me to where I am today. All the distractions, fears, idols, hurts and effects of this fallen world that You had to plow through to get me to be free to see You and to know You!

You never gave up on me, never got discouraged, even in my seasons of sin and when I denied You. You waited, You loved and You worked as soon as I allowed You back in. You purged by allowing hardships to show me where my faith was lacking and You comforted me when I couldn’t bear it any longer.

You have redeemed my childhood pains in so many ways. Being fatherless at the age of one, You have now become my Father. Feeling abandoned during moments of hurt throughout my school years, You have become my safe place. The discovery of the joys of creating, drawing and acting that was made fun of and shut down in me as a child, You have renewed and even brought praise and honor in my accomplishments. All the broken choices I’ve made, all the ground the enemy had gained on me through the years, You have thwarted it all.

There is nothing You have not redeemed, no dark place You’ve allowed to exist, all to set me free. Everything serves You and You can make good use of anything that comes at me if I allow You in. The hardships I’ve walked through with You have served to purify me by burning away pride, self sufficiency and self righteousness and to teach me compassion and love for others. Now You’ve granted me lasting friendships and a family that protects and loves me unconditionally.

Jesus, You have done it ALL with consideration to what I’ve been through yet without allowing anything to be my excuse for not growing. You are My Redeemer and God. Thank You.

The next morning as I was enjoying the blessings of having family and godly friends in place for me here in Georgia and in such short time, God led me to this verse.

I have given you a land for which you did not labor, and cities which you did not build, and you dwell in them; you eat of the vineyards and olive groves which you did not plant.’
“Now therefore, fear the LORD, serve Him in sincerity and in truth, and put away the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River and in Egypt. Serve the LORD!   Josh.24:13-14

Giving my life to God in may, 1994 was the best decision I've ever made. It has made all birthdays since then a wealth of priceless memories as each year passes and I can see God more and more.