No More Lonely Places

I was born in Sao Paulo, Brazil, to a kind, affluent family. I had a great childhood filled with good memories. Around the age of 13, however, I started drinking beer and smoking marijuana.

I liked hanging out with my friends and doing these things, but when I was 17, one of my friends showed up with cocaine. I had no idea how addictive this drug would be. After my first hit, I wanted more.

At the age of 18, I moved to San Diego, California, to learn English. Three months into my studies, someone encouraged me to take the TOEFL test (Test of English as a Foreign Language). If I passed, they told me, I would be able to attend college. “Why not?” I thought. I passed without studying one single day. How, I do not know. I could barely speak the English language. God surely had a plan for my life.

I began college at San Diego State University and graduated with an international business degree. I was drinking heavily, growing and selling marijuana, and smoking heroine. My life was out of control.

Living on the coast, I liked to surf, but being out in the vastness of the Pacific Ocean magnified how insignificant and lonely I felt. I would often cry, then I would go home and escape feeling lonely with drugs.

On December 17, 1998, my roommate and I had a party in our house. We spent all night drinking and doing all sorts of drugs. By early morning, I realized I was in trouble. I lay on the floor in a puddle of cold sweat, and my heart felt like it was beating out of my chest. I could hear someone laughing at me, but there was no one there.

“Today, you are going to die,” a voice taunted.

“God,” I cried out. “If You really exist, save me…and I will follow You.”

Moments later, I fell fast asleep. When I awoke, I was completely sober. It was as if nothing had happened. I was a new man. I got on a plane that afternoon and flew to Sao Paulo. When I got to my parents’ house, I began to think about my experience, and I heard the sweetest voice say to me, “Cleber, open that drawer.”

I opened the drawer in front of me, and there was a New Testament. I started reading, and every verse spoke to my heart. I cried as I read about a man named Jesus who loved me so much. I said to God, “I want this Jesus in my life, and I want to be like Him.” That day, the Lord called me to Himself, and I answered His call. Nobody had ever told me the Gospel of Jesus Christ before. God Himself reached down from Heaven, answered my cry, and revealed Himself to me.

“God, I give You my life. I give You everything,” I said. In that moment, my desire for drugs disappeared and a new desire for Jesus filled my heart. I started attending Bible studies in San Diego to learn more.

Two years later, I met a beautiful, godly Brazilian woman. We dated ten months and were married and then began our ministry of planting churches. Together, we have taught the Word of God and shared the Gospel of Jesus Christ in several nations, including Greece, Great Britain, Spain, and Brazil.

After my salvation, I returned to my former drug friends to tell them about Jesus. I wanted them to know that He could fill the lonely places of their hearts, too. Sadly, 80 percent of them had died. This fact fueled my passion to give more people access to the Gospel so they could learn about Jesus and find freedom from their pain.

This year, my wife and our three boys moved to Orlando. For 16 years, we have planted churches, but now the Lord is moving us into a new season, giving us a time to raise our boys. We are excited about what God has for us to do here among our new church family and community.

Church planting is a challenging ministry. We’re never in one location for very long, and the constant uprooting of our family makes it difficult to connect with others. Few people understand the call on our lives and the passion that fuels us. I think this is true for any ministry leader, really. That’s why we must pray fervently for our leaders, especially our pastors. Satan attacks them and their families fiercely.

Planted now in Orlando for a season of time, we are looking forward to being able to serve our church family and build lasting relationships. We don’t know what God has for us here, but we trust He’s already prepared and provided all we need. Sure, we have fears, but our faith goes ahead of us. God never leads us to an empty place. He’s always there.

I thank God for His goodness and the privilege of serving Him. I thank Him for His presence. I have no more lonely places in my heart, because Jesus sits in every place.

by Cleber Cordeiro

Photo by Ben White

From The Father

There is a battle for your life, My child. Satan desires to have you. Many times he has sent people and circumstances to cause confusion and shame, anger and fear. He wants you to hate yourself, to hate others, and to follow after the lust of the flesh. His greatest desire is that you feel you are not enough. But you are! In Me you are more than enough, and you have all you need.

From The Father

My child, I will put you in a place of honor. I will make your name great. You will not have to strive and make things happen. Let go of fear and pride. Trust Me. As you rest in Me and surrender your fears, hurts, and life to Me, you will be amazed. You will find peace, purpose, and worth… the very things you have been searching for your whole life.

From The Father

It’s time to get in My Word and learn who you are in Me, My child. Satan has caused you to question who I am and who you are in Me. That has brought you to a place of conflict and confusion. I will make you victorious as you set your eyes and heart on Me. I will open up the floodgates of Heaven right where you are.

From The Father

My child, be not afraid or dismayed of the looks of people. Don’t worry about what people think. Live for Me. I am the One who will fulfill your every desire and give you more than you could ever hope for or imagine. I am the One who will never fail, forsake, or abandon you. I am the Giver of life and the Giver of all good things. Seek Me.

From The Father

My Precious Child, My plans for you and your loved ones are always for good. You can trust them, and you can trust Me. I know life is hard, and I know it hurts. I understand how you feel. Like you, I have felt the betrayal of people as they rejected, mocked, and ignored Me. I have felt the pain of losing loved ones; I have wept. I have felt the physical pain of hunger. I have been tempted and lied to by the enemy. I was beaten and then nailed to a cross to die. So you can trust Me, child, when I say, I know your pain. But there is hope. When you are with Me, nothing can overtake you. I have given you My strength to overcome every trial—and My strength never runs out. My wisdom never runs out, either. And neither will My provision. Ever. Draw close now, and hold tight to Me. I am with you always. Remember, nothing is impossible for Me! Don’t look at your circumstances; look at Me. I am all you need. My grace is sufficient for you. It provides all the peace, power, and provision you need to emerge victoriously from your trial. My love and divine presence will always be more than enough.

From The Father

Trust Me with the circumstances of your life. I know they seem overwhelming. But always remember, you are not alone. The great I AM is with you, helping you, and able to do abundantly more than you can hope for or imagine. So don’t give up and don’t give in. I know you have so many questions. I know you don’t understand the why behind what you are experiencing. But that’s okay. You don’t have to have the answers to every one of life’s questions to move forward. All you need is Me; I AM the answer. And as you acknowledge Me and bring me into your circumstances, I will direct your path. My love will carry you. My wisdom will show you the way. My power will provide the strength to move forward, even in the darkest night. I AM working behind the scenes, working everything out for good and for My glory. I will not fail you. Trust Me, child…even now.

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