Lyrical Friday - Not For A Moment

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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 

Sentence Tuesday

The truth you store up in silence comes back to you in the storm, and it lifts you away as on a life raft from the fears and disappointments that would otherwise pull you under. When you abide in His Word, He abides in you. -Christine Caine, Undaunted.

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turbulence

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Whatever turbulence you are experiencing now, is no match to the mighty power of God in your life. Trust Him through this season. My prayer and hope is that you would find refuge and courage through abiding in God's Word. Here for you, a few verses to comfort, encourage and lift your head up. 
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These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world. John 16:33
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No temptation has overtaken you but such as is common to man; and God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, that you may be able to endure it. 1 Corinthians 10:13
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Beloved, do not think it strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened to you; but rejoice to the extent that you partake of Christ’s sufferings, that when His glory is revealed, you may also be glad with exceeding joy. If you are reproached for the name of Christ, blessed are you, for the Spirit of glory and of God rests upon you. 1 Peter 4:12-14
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Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, shall guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
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"Blessed are those who have been persecuted for the sake of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "Blessed are you when men cast insults at you, and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, on account of Me. "Rejoice, and be glad, for your reward in heaven is great, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:10-12
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I would have lost heart, unless I had believed 
That I would see the goodness of the Lord 
In the land of the living. 
Wait on the Lord; 
Be of good courage, 
And He shall strengthen your heart; 
Wait, I say, on the Lord!
Psalm 27:13-14

the comforter and the jarrah tree

The Comforter
by Pastor Jack Hayford

And I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Comforter, that He may abide with you forever—
John 14:16

In Australia, there’s a tree called the Jarrah—also known as “ironwood.” This tree is so heavy and dense and hard that termites hate it. That’s why this ironwood is used widely in construction. But let me tell you, it takes real strength, skill, and determination to build with ironwood.
Aspects of your life may cause you to wonder: Is this a “jarrah” situation—one so hard I don’t think I’ll ever be able to “cut it”?

Well, rest in comfort—rather, in the Comforter. The Holy Spirit can handle it! He is deeply personal, all-powerful, and ever present. And He wants to make Himself known in the details of your life and your relationships.

Rebuilding the Real You

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Lyrical Friday - You Alone We Praise

Happy Friday!
I heard this song for the first time last week and could not get it out of my head (for good reason). My friends who were with me couldn't stop singing it. And I am pretty sure that after listening to it, you won't either. Enjoy and praise the One who alone is worthy of our praise.
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You Alone We Praise, Ocean's Edge School of Worship

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King of Kings and Lord of Lords
You alone are powerful
You reign in love, You reign in love
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The One who is and is to come
Great I Am, The Holy One
You reign in love, You reign in love
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You Alone We Praise, Oh
You Alone We Praise
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Jesus Christ, the Risen One
You have saved us by Your blood
We're overcome, by Your love-
There is no One who is like You
There is no One like our God!

Sentence Tuesday

Don’t be so bent on receiving that one thing,

that you miss out on all that God is trying to give you along the way. 

-Stephanie Landa 

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Lyrical Friday - Wake Up

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^{Jesus said to them, “My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.} You know the saying, ‘Four months between planting and harvest.’ But I say, wake up and look around. The fields are already ripe for harvest. The harvesters are paid good wages, and the fruit they harvest is people brought to eternal life. What joy awaits both the planter and the harvester alike! John 4:34-36 
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Wake Up, All Sons & Daughters 

a life of gratitude

gratitude:  a feeling of thankfulness or appreciation, as for gifts or favors 

synonyms: thanks, thankfulness, appreciation, gratefulness

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Make thankfulness your sacrifice to God, and keep the vows you made to the Most High. psalm 50:14
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Over ten years ago I sat in a church service that changed me forever. I don't remember the topic or the passage of scripture being read. The only thing I remember is this: "Gratitude is not a feeling, it is an act. We must chose to be grateful, by choosing to give thanks." When the Psalmist said, "make thankfulness your sacrifice" He was right on. It is work.
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How are we to do the work of thankfulness? The Pastor continued sharing practical ways of living a life of gratitude: "Give thanks to God for everything! When you wake up, thank God for being alive. When you shower, thank God for the water and soap. As you have breakfast, thank God for the coffee (Lord knows I do this one daily!). As you drive, thank God for your transportation. Thank God for the tree you pass every day. Thank God for..." You get the drift, give thanks to God for everything. If God is the giver of all things, and I am His follower, a life of gratitude is a logical act of worship.
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I took this nugget of wisdom with me and put it to practice the very next day. As I drove to work, I thanked God everything! From the very breath I had just taken, to the trees down the street. The more consistent I was in this new way of life, the more things I found to be thankful for. Oh my Word! This was easier than I thought. I was on a roll, till I was rolled over by a great and fiery trial. What was I to do? The words of Pastor Mandy came back to mind, gratitude is an act, not a feeling. I definitely didn't feel like dancing with shouts of thankfulness, but I made a choice to give thanks. I learned that day what an "offering of thanksgiving" meant. It wasn't easy at first, but it did become easier. Before I knew it, my heart and mind had found peace in the midst of a pressing situation.
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I challenge you today. As gratitude is an action, choose today to be thankful for everything. Begin by thanking God for being who He is, name His names and attributes. Thank Him for the small things you see in your surrounding. Trust me, nothing is too small or insignificant. As you walk, sit, or drive from one destination to another, thank God for the things and people you see. And when you can't fall asleep at night, and are "too tired" to pray, just lay there and thank God for whatever comes to mind. Take it a step further, keep a daily journal where you jot down things you are thankful for that day. When trying times come over you, go back and read all the many things you are thankful for. You will discover that through gratitude, you already have enough to fight the battle.
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God bless you dear friend!
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Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving;
Let us shout joyfully to Him with psalms. Psalm 95:2
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Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name. Psalm 100:4
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Be thankful in all circumstances, 
for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:18
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Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6
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Therefore by Him let us continually offer the sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving thanks to His name. Hebrews 13:15
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Let your roots grow down into Christ, and let your lives be built on him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness. Colossians 2:7

Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. Colossians 3:16
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 Let there be no sexual immorality, impurity, or greed among you. Such sins have no place among God’s people. Obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. You can be sure that no immoral, impure, or greedy person will inherit the Kingdom of Christ and of God. For a greedy person is an idolater, worshiping the things of this world. Ephesians 5:3-5
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Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping him with holy fear and awe. Hebrews 12:28

Sentence Tuesday

Jesus was a revolutionary, 

who did not become an extremist, 

since he did not offer an ideology, 

but offered Himself instead. -The Whosoevers

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Sentence Tuesday

Don't be imprisoned by your need to be perfect, 

or your need for everyone else to think you are perfect. 

-Coleen York 

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