Forsaken to Fulfilled: A Woman’S Journey to Healing, Hope, and Fulfillment, Through the Old Testament Book of Isaiah

Copyright © 2014 by Kady McCrady.

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ISBN: 978-1-4908-4663-7 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4908-4664-4 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4908-4662-0 (e)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2014913728

WestBow Press rev. date: 10/06/2014

CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1:   A WOMAN FORSAKEN (Is. 54:6)

Forsaken in Faithfulness

CHAPTER 2:   SING O BARREN WOMAN (Is.54:1)

Forsaken in Family and Fertility

CHAPTER 3:   REPROACH OF WIDOWHOOD (Is. 54:4)

Forsaken in Familiarity

CHAPTER 4:   SET THE CAPTIVES FREE (Is. 61:1)

Forsaken from Freedom

CHAPTER 5:   THE RIVER OF PROSPERITY (Is. 56:12)

Forsaken Financially

CHAPTER 6:   THE HOLY ONE OF ISRAEL (Is. 43:3)

Forsaken in Faith

CHAPTER 7:   THE OIL OF JOY (Is. 61:3)

Forsaken In Frame of Mind

CHAPTER 8:   HEALING AND RESTORATION (Is 57:18)

Forsaken in Fitness and Health

CHAPTER 9:   A WAY OF ESCAPE (Is 51:10)

Forsaken in Fortitude

CHAPTER 10:   BLOSSOM AS A ROSE (Is 51:3)

Forsaken in Femininity

CHAPTER 11:   SOAR LIKE EAGLES (Is 40:31)

Forsaken to FULFILLED!

~ DEDICATION AND ACKNOWLEDGEMENT ~

Our heavenly father has upheld me in every difficult situation in my life. He is my rock, fortress, and savior. I thank him for the wisdom I have gained in the trials I have endured. Now I am able to pass this wisdom on to other women.

I appreciate the godly example my parents gave me through the moral lives they lived. I am thankful for the spiritual education they provided to us children. Both my parents have gone home to be with our Lord.

I thank my children for their unconditional love and support through my marriages, divorces, and other hardships. Their lives were also scarred as a result these traumas.

I want to express appreciation to my pastor, C.J. and his wife, Wanda for their encouragement and confidence in me. Pastor C.J. entrusted me with positions of leadership in the church, which taught me to grow in God’s love, grace, and service. He and his wife have set a godly example of Christianity that I am proud to follow.

K. McCrady

~ FORWARD ~

By Pastor C.J.

When my wife and I met Kady McCrady, she was an overcomer, victorious, dedicated and self-confident. The most important thing we noticed…she was a child of the King.

We met Kady around the year 2000, several years before she came to work at our church. While working with us, she served as Director of Women’s Ministries and Director of Missions. She was a member of the worship team, and assisted in the sound room. Kady was faithful to God’s work, and I thank God for the privilege of working beside her.

In her book, "Forsaken to fulfilled", you discover Kady, as a young 18 year old girl searching for a life that is full of happiness. Used, beaten, and forsaken, she makes no apologies or excuses. She takes full responsibility for her actions. Kady has done a great job using the book of Isaiah to demonstrate the word of God is the answer to your problems. Through God’s word, you too can be victorious!

Kady, a brave woman of God, is willing to share her life story, and the abuse she suffered in a world that is full of violence. Desiring to help others who are in similar relationships, her purpose is to send a message that there is a way out. Every married couple should read this book. It reinforces the fact that no woman should have to endure this kind of life. In the world we live in, we need more courageous individuals, like Kady, to stand up and be a voice for the vulnerable and hurting.

~ SCRIPTURE LEGEND ~

NIV: New International Version

NLT: New Living Translation

ESV: English Standard Version

GWT: God’s Word Translation

ISV: International Standard Version

NCV: New Century Version

ESV: English Revised Version

TLB: The Living Bible

YLT: Young’s Literal Translation

RHE: Douay-Rheims

NASB: New American Standard Bible

WYC: Wycliffe

HCSB: Holman Christian Standard Bible

NET: Net Bible

ABE Aramaic Bible of Plain English

MSG: The Message

CJB: Complete Jewish Bible

GNT: Good New Translation

AKJV: American King James Version

GNV: Good News Version

WEB: World English Bible 2 versions

DBY: Darby Bible Translation

JUB: Jubilee Bible

Modern English

Hebrew-Messianic Version

KJV: King James Version

AMP: Amplified Bible

WNT: Weyland New Testament

Note: Diverse bible sources are referenced in this testimony. Though the wording may slightly vary, all verses interpret the same. God is unchangeable and His word lasts forever.

~ PROLOGUE ~

"Forsaken to Fulfilled unveils the path to God’s plan of fulfillment" for every woman. The Lord desires to bring healing, hope, and comfort, to all who are brokenhearted. He is our guide through sorrows and hard times. Obedience to his word leads us to a life of peace, security, and abundance.

The word of the Lord that you have spoken is good. For he thought, There will be peace and security in my days." (Isaiah 39:8 ESV)

…He has sent me to bind up and heal the brokenhearted…to comfort all who mourn, (Isaiah 61:1-2 AMP).

Almighty God has faithfully brought me through many troubles and disappointments. The purpose of this testimony is to provide hope to women travelling through similar dark valleys of despair.

…that time of darkness and despair will not go on forever… (Isaiah 9:1 NLT)

His wisdom will teach us how to stand firm in our faith during difficult times. We will learn to turn to God’s word, for hope and "fulfillment."

"…If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all". (Isaiah 7:9 NIV)

And it hath come to pass, When the Lord doth fulfill all his work (Isaiah 10:12 YLT)

The prophecy of Isaiah was meant not just for the Israelites in Old Testament times. It is for all people in all times. This includes male and female, Jews, slave or free, rich or poor. God does not favor one person over another. We all are his people, and he is our God. We are all one in Christ Jesus, if we believe and worship him.

…all people will come to worship me," declares the LORD. (Isaiah 66:23 GWT)

This message of joy and hope is a comparison of God’s faithful love for Israel, to all believers today. It demonstrates the immeasurable power of God’s word. Through it, he will reveal his purpose and plan for us.

To care for the needs of all who mourn in Zion, give them bouquets of roses instead of ashes, Messages of joy instead of news of doom, a praising heart instead of a languid spirit. (Isaiah 61:3 MSG))

For the mountains may move and the hills disappear, but even then my faithful love for you will remain. (Isaiah 54:10 NLT)

A brief background of the book of Isaiah will reveal how it relates to believers today. Isaiah was an Old Testament prophet. Visions, dreams and prophetic words were imparted to Isaiah by the Holy Spirit of God.

The purpose of these prophecies was to warn and bring back those who strayed away from the Lord. A message of doom was given to those who did not confess their sin and return to him.

All of us, like sheep, have strayed away. We have left God’s paths to follow our own. (Isaiah

A blessing was promised to those who repented and returned to the Lord. God promised a coming redeemer who would save them from sin. He promised them everlasting life with joy.

The redeemer will come to Zion, to those in Jacob who repent of their sins," declares the LORD. (Isaiah 59:20 NIV)

And the ransomed of the LORD shall return and come to Zion with singing; everlasting joy shall be upon their heads… (Isaiah 35:10 ESV)

This covenant blessing declared God’s mercy, salvation, and hope. Jesus Christ was the fulfillment of this promise (see Acts 17:3).

My covenant of blessing will never be broken," says the LORD, who has mercy on you.

My mercy and justice are coming soon. My salvation is on the way…All distant lands will look to me and wait in hope for my powerful arm. (Isaiah 51:5 NLT)

The New Testament proclaims the fulfillment of promises and prophecies from the Old Testament. These promises are for all God’s people. Gentile (any person Non-Jewish) believers of Christ Jesus today have become a Spiritual Israel. Therefore the blessings of Israel belong to any person who commits their life to the Lord.

And my blessings are for Gentiles, too, when they commit themselves to the Lord… (Isaiah 56:3 NLT)

God referred to the children of Israel as his bride, and declared himself as their husband. The last book in the bible, Revelation, refers to the church, as his wife or bride. The church is composed of all believers who have given their lives to the Lord Jesus.

… Your new name will be The City of God’s Delight and "The Bride of God," for the Lord delights in you and will claim you as his bride. (Isaiah 62:4NLT)

Marriage is a commitment and covenant between a husband and wife. A commitment to the Lord is a holy covenant of love between Jesus (our husband) and his followers, (the bride of Christ). This covenant will never fail.

…I will make an everlasting covenant with you. I will give you all the unfailing love I promised … Isaiah 55:3 NLT)

For thy Maker is thine husband; the Lord of hosts is his name… (Isaiah 54:5 ERV)

When a bride and groom marry they proclaim vows to each other. The Lord pledges his vows to us, as our husband (bridegroom), to love and honor us, as his bride. He promises us he will provide for all our needs. He assures us we will experience blessings, joy, and peace if we look to him as our husband and provider.

…you are precious in my eyes, and honored, and I love you… (Isaiah 43:4 ESV)

…as a bridegroom is happy in his bride, so your God is happy with you. (Isaiah 62:5 MSG)

The book of Isaiah is like a mini-bible within the Bible. I look to this book whenever I struggle through the ravines of despair and affliction. I have found it to be a guiding passage to God’s good news of peace and hope.

The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me, because the LORD has anointed me to bring good news to the afflicted… (Isaiah 61:1 NASB)

I chose an abundant amount of scriptures from Isaiah. The reason is to illustrate how women today can relate their lives to the Old Testament. The book of Isaiah is a parallel between our lives and the children of Israel. The bible says there is nothing new under the sun! Any trials we go through in this age, has happened to someone in Old Testament days. In fact, folks back then would probably say, Been there and done that! We can learn from their mistakes. We only need to put their experiences in the perspective of our own lives. What worked for them will work for us, if we obedient to God’s word.

The bible was inspired by God (2 Timothy 3:16). God’s word teaches and guides us in his truth. It helps us become aware of our weaknesses and overcome them. The voice of his word, (the bible), leads us to walk in his ways, and make the right choices.

And the LORD will make his majestic voice heard… (Isaiah 30:30 NLT)

…I am the Lord your God. I teach you what is best for you. I lead you where you should go. (Isaiah 48:17 GWT)

God’s promises in his book are for every believer. Reading and reciting scriptures, spiritually engraves them on the tablets of your heart. They are stored in the secret places of our spirit and soul. The Holy Spirit brings those scriptures to our mind in a time when we need them.

…go in, write it on a tablet with them, and on a book engrave it, and it is for a latter day, for a witness unto the age, (Isaiah 30:8 YLT)

I will give you hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places, so that you may know that I am the LORD, the God of Israel, who summons you by name. (Isaiah 45:3 NIV)

God’s words are alive, powerful, and therapeutic. His scriptures are beneficial for guidance and restoration in our healing journey. They are medicine…a spiritual bandage for all wounds.

…I will heal him; I will guide him and restore comfort to him (Isaiah 57:8 NIV)

…the Lord bandages his people’s injuries and heals the wounds… (Isaiah 30:26)

Reciting or praying positive scriptures aloud will send forth God’s power into the atmosphere. The voice of his spoken word will bring about his purpose and desire. His word cannot return to him empty.

So is my word that goes out from my mouth; it will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire, and achieve the purpose for which I sent it. (Isaiah 55:11)

Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying… (Isaiah 6:8)

The Lord will give you the desires of your heart. But your heart must be in line with his will. When you pray according to his word, you are praying his will, and he hears you!

…before they call, I will answer, and while they are yet speaking I will hear (Isaiah 65:24 NASB)

God knows what you will ask for. In fact, he already has an answer to your prayer. However, he lives and reigns outside of earth time. Sometimes we have to wait for his perfect timing to see the fulfillment of his answer.

This is what the Lord says: "In the time of my favor I will answer you, and in the day of salvation I will help you… (Isaiah 49:8)

I hope this testimony and the scriptures from Isaiah will help women discover how God’s word will help in hard times. Build hope and trust in his word and his precious promises. His word is truth and his truth lasts forever. Try not to skip over the scriptures in this message. They are keys to open the doors of God’s blessings.

The word of the LORD which you have spoken is good. For he thought, For there will be peace and truth in my days." (Isaiah 39:8 NASB)

I will place on his shoulder the key…what he opens no one can shut… (Isaiah 22:22 NIV)

CHAPTER 1

A WOMAN FORSAKEN

Forsaken in Faithfulness

Throughout the night I tossed and turned. My pillow was flooded with tears of brokenness. I questioned and pleaded with God, "Why me, O Lord? How long do I have to live with this? I can’t bear this misery anymore! Did you forget about me? Please, help me!

My heavenly father did not forget me. He spoke loving words of assurance to me in his still, small voice.

I will not forget you. See, I have inscribed you on the palms of my hands (Isaiah 49:15-16 NIV)

God saw my crushed and forsaken heart and had compassion on me. He promised to deliver me out of hopelessness and restore my life.

I restore the crushed spirit of the humble and revive the courage of those with repentant hearts. (Isaiah 57:15 NLT)

The Lord empathizes with women who are forsaken. His word recounts many stories of his loving kindness and compassion toward women.

… But with everlasting loving kindness I will have compassion on you," Says the Lord your redeemer. (Isaiah 54:8 NASB)

One New Testament story is the account of the Samaritan woman at the well. It reveals God’s wisdom, justice, and compassion for women. He gives mercy and salvation to all, bearing no discrimination.

A woman came to a well to draw water. Jesus was there and he asked the woman to give him a drink. His request amazed her because Jews didn’t associate with Samaritan’s. The woman asked him why he spoke to her, since she was a Samaritan, and he was a Jew.

The Lord responded that if she knew him, she would have been able to ask for living water. If she would drink from his "fountain of living water, she would never again be thirsty. His water is eternal life (salvation) which God gives us through his Son, Jesus. He explained to the woman that her spiritual needs were as important as her physical needs. He expressed his love and concern for her, and forgave all her sins.

With joy you will drink deeply from the fountain of salvation! (Isaiah 12:3 NLT)

For I will pour water on the thirsty land…I will pour out my Spirit on your offspring… (Isaiah 44:3 NIV)

Jesus revealed his awareness of the woman’s many relationships and heartaches. He knew the man she was living with now was not her husband. Jesus disclosed to her that he knew her heart cried for fulfillment. She was surprised Jesus knew everything about her although she had never met him before. The woman was convinced he was the promised Messiah.

The Lord is omniscient, and knows everything about us. He formed us in our mother’s womb. He is aware of our life’s failures and disappointments. Father God understands the heartache and trouble we experience in times of distress. He carries us through these times, and longs to comfort and help us.

This is what the Lord says—He who made you, who formed you in the womb, and who will help you… (Isaiah 44:2 NIV)

In all their distress He too was distressed…he lifted them up and carried them all the days of old. (Isaiah 63:9 NLT)

I can relate to the woman at the well. I have had five husbands, and many relationships in between. I’ve plodded through my share of heartaches as a wife, mother, and single woman. I have grieved through the forsakenness of separation from my children. I have suffered the consequences of physical violence and other forms of abuse. I have endured the distress of divorce, desertion, loneliness, financial hardships, chronic physical illness, and more. Jesus came and healed my heart and spirit, and gave me fresh new life. He gave me a new heart to replace my broken one. He filled me with hope for the future.

For the Lord has called you like a wife deserted and grieved in spirit… (Isaiah 54:6 ESV)

For I am ready to set things right, not in the distant future, but right now… (Isaiah 46:13 NLT)

The bible tells of another woman who was caught in the act of adultery. The law required that she be stoned to death. The Pharisees took the woman to Jesus to test him and see what he would do with her. Jesus replied by asking if there were anyone there who was without sin. If so, they could throw the first stone. Slowly the crowd walked away one by one. The woman thanked Jesus for helping her. She was relieved that no one had condemned her. Jesus told her that he did not condemn her either, and to go and sin no more

Behold, the Lord GOD helps Me; Who is he who condemns Me? … (Isaiah50:9 NASB)

*************

I spent most of my child and teenage years at the local skating rink. I met Max