music monday// all this time

It’s interesting how we come to seek and find God when things fall apart, right? When things are rainbows and flowers and sunshine we get comfortable and likely to be lax in our pursuit of the Lord. Well, for me, I came to find Him when my life was unraveling at the seams. Like britt nicole, I’ve gone through and still going through some family dysfunctional situations and the Lord has been my strength through it all.

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What’s a girl to do when the already-imperfect-and-chaotic nest is knocked out from beneath her? Get serious and seek her Creator right? But of course, gen didn't immediately do that. I tried to fill the voids with wrong relationships till my heart screamed “enough!” and Holy Spirit guided my steps to pursue my only Comforter and true Love.

I don’t know about your situation. But whether it’s family issues, emotional effects of divorce of your parents or going through a divorce yourself, pain from a broken courtship/relationship, betrayal of a trusted friend, suffering wounds from an accident…whatever your condition may be, the healer of that pain is Jesus Christ! There's no shame in admitting your struggles. Lay them at His feet, He’s willing to comfort you, I promise.

 all this time~ britt nicole

I remember the moment, I remember the pain

I was only a girl but I grew up that day

Tears were falling, I know You saw me

Hiding in my bedroom, so alone

I was doing my best trying to be strong

No one to turn to. That’s when I met You

All this time from the first tear cry

Till today’s sunrise and every single moment between

You were there, You were always there

It was You and I,

You’ve been walking with me all this time

Ever since that day, it’s been clear to me

That no matter what comes You will never leave

I know You’re for me and You’re restoring

Every heartache and failure, every broken dream

You’re the God who sees, the God who rescued me

This is my story, this is my story

I hear these people asking me

How do I know what I believe?

Well, I’m not the same me

And that’s all the proof I need.

I felt love, I felt Your grace.

You stole my heart that day.

“have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:9

“the Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and He helps me…” Psalm 28:7

“in You, Lord, I have taken refuge; let me never be put to shame; deliver me in your righteousness.” Psalm 31:1

“…fulfil your vows to the Most High, and call on Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you will honour Me.” Psalm 50:14-15

“I lift up my eyes to the mountains- where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.” Psalm 121:1-4

“though my father and mother forsake me, the Lord will receive me.” Psalm 27:10

“the righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all.” Psalm 34:19

“the name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe.” Proverbs 18:10

“ “but I will restore you to health and heal your wounds” declares the Lord…” Jeremiah 30:17

No pain or trauma is greater than the healing and restoration power of our Lord. He is your only true love. Cling to Him, seek Him and allow His Word wash over you like a soothing, gentle wave. He’ll put the right people in your life who’ll encourage you and support you through what you’re going through. Take heart!

xoxo, 

gen delali.

music monday// clear the stage

There was a time in my life, the lukewarm years, when I didn’t really understand that worshipping God is not just about singing and raising my hands to Him, that it isn’t about the worship and praise time during service. Cos, one moment I would be singing a song of praise to God and the next moment I would be singing a lustful, sensual song. I was a mess. Lukewarm.

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Oh, but thank God for His wisdom! With time Holy Spirit convicted me to the point of repentance and I decided to de-clutter my soul and really seek the face of my Father. I began to understand that my worship to God is way beyond a song. It’s about how I honor God in everything I do-how I dress, what I read, say, do, the tv series/movies I watch, what I write, the friends I consistently spend time with, the thoughts and imaginations I have…and of course the kind of songs I sing and listen to.

I began to see that worshipping God was in fact every single thing I did with my life, not just singing to Him on a sunday morning. I got real with God about needing His help to change and be better for Him, and He has radically changed me! I’m not perfect, but I’m so glad I’m not how I used to be! I intentionally carved out time to consistently spend with the Lord, and I still do. The results are real good! This entire blog is one of the fruits of my worshipful heart to the Lord, as He impressed on my heart to create it a few years ago to draw people’s heart to Him.

clear the stage~ jimmy needham

Clear the stage and set the sound and light ablaze

That’s the measure you must take to crush the idols.

Check the pews and all the decorations too

Until the congregation’s full, then have revival

Tell your friend that this is where the party ends

Until you’re broken for your sins, you can’t be social

Then seek the Lord and wait for what He has in store

And know that great is your reward so just be hopeful

Cause you can sing all you want to

Yes, you can sing all you want to

You can sing all you want to and still get it wrong

Worship is more than a song.

Take a break from all the plans that you have made

And sit at home and wait for God to whisper

Beg Him please to open up His mouth and speak

And pray for real upon your knees until they blister

Shine the light on every corner of your life

Until the pride and lust and lies are in the open

Then read the Word and put to test the things you’ve heard

Until your heart and soul are stirred and rocked and broken

We must not worship something that’s not even worth it

Clear the stage, make some space for the One who deserves it

Anything I put before my God is an idol

Anything I want with all my heart is an idol

Anything I can’t stop thinking of is an idol

Anything that I give all my love is an idol

Cause I can sing all I want to

Yes, I can sing all I want you

And we can sing all we want to

And we can sing all we want to

We can sing all we want to

And still get it wrong

Worship is more than a song.

Clear the stage and set the sound and lights ablaze

That’s the measure you must take to crush the idols.

“you shall have no other gods before Me.” exodus 20:3

“if My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.” 2 chronicles 7:14

“I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot. I wish you were either one or the other! So, because you are lukewarm-neither hot nor cold- I am about to spit you out of My mouth. You say, “I am rich; I have acquired wealth and do not need a thing.” But you do not realize that you are wretched, pitiful, poor, blind and naked.” Revelations 3:15-17

“my sacrifice, o God, is a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart You, God will not despise.” psalm 51:17

“then you will call on Me and come and pray to Me, and I will answer you. you will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:12-13

“come near to God and He will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up.” james 4:8-10

“and without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6

You’re probably knee-deep in some addiction that does not honor the Lord, that is consuming your heart, eating away your soul and pulling you into depression. Maybe you’re too addicted to Instagram-comparing your life constantly with others, in an unhealthy manner…maybe you’re struggling with pornography, sleeping around with someone you’re not married to, masturbation, lying, stealing, gossiping, dealing in drugs, smoking, gluttony, cutting your precious self out of low self-esteem…know that there is healing. Earnestly and sincerely pray to God to help you get out of that bondage. You might have to confide in a trusted Christian friend to offer some counsel and guidance. Reading the Word consistently might seem a daunting task for you, but as you keep praying and reading biblically based memoirs/books concerning your situation, your hunger for scripture will increase and you’ll desire and engage in the right, God-honoring habits which is good for your soul.

It’s time to break off from the stronghold of idols you’re dealing with. God yearns for all of our hearts. He went to such great lengths to purchase us back to Himself by sacrificing Jesus, His Son to take away our sins if we confess and believe in Him. it’s time to worship Jesus with all your life, let your spiritual worship penetrate into every part of your life-socially, emotionally, physically, financially, mentally. Worship is more than a song.

xoxo, gen delali.

music monday// i see You

I came across this song for the first time through emma, who blogs over here. And not long after, i couldn’t get it out of my head.

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You might have faced or currently facing untold hardship and you might wonder: where is God in all of this?! I’ve asked myself this question a gazillion times too. Life can seem like one affliction after another… it’s always one thing or another.

Have you ever gone through something and a timely word came your way? That was Him! I see Him through so many things. It could be a song that keeps coming to mind or that randomly sank into my soul…sometimes I see Him in the scripture I read for my quiet time that particular day…it could be a radio sermon I happened to ‘randomly’ tune in to…other times it could be a poem or book I come across ‘incidentally’ that really speaks into my situation…or a sermon my pastor preached sometime that totally rocked me, as if he knew into details what’s going on with me and it seemed the whole sermon was intentionally directed at me…or a timely blog I read, or even a tweet on my timeline…or when a someone sends me a message that directly relates to my situation and the person doesn’t even have a clue what I’m going through…these are all ways God reveals Himself to us, the power of Holy Spirit at work.

i see You~ love and the outcome 

I see You, yeah

I’ve seen the view up on a mountain,

Where trouble seems a million miles away.

And I know the lonely of the valley,

When sorrow is close enough to taste.

I’ve had my share of suffering,

I know the pain that life can bring

I’ve gone through some things

I may never understand

But You’ve been good when life was not

Through battles won and battles lost

And when I look back

On everything I’ve been through, I see You.

I know that all things work together

For those of us who choose to call Him God.

He might use calm, He might use chaos,

He’ll use whatever leads us to the cross

So now when heartache comes around,

Surrounds me like a cloud,

I know, I know You’re standing next to me right here

I’m gonna hold Your hand right where I am

“and we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28

“I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living.” Psalm 27:13

“the Lord is close to the broken-hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. The righteous person may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all.” Psalm 34:18-19

“…and surely I (Jesus) am with you always, to the very end of the age.” Matthew 28:20

As much as I may yearn to have a burning bush scenario like moses did with God, I know that God still talks to me. I tell you, He uses anything at all to speak to us in our situations. Even if it has to be a tweet on your twitter, God is not limited. He can let an insightful conversation you had with someone keep recurring to you to help you have clarity about your situation. We just need to be attentive and see Him in our situations. He is always with us.

xoxo, gen delali.

music monday// move

What do you do when life doesn’t go quite like you planned? Forever grieve and sorrow? Nope. It’s okay to grieve in disappointment. Actually it’s healthy to purge your soul of the grief, but there comes a time when you need to move on and choose joy anyway. So you didn’t get the school or job. It stings, yurp. But you’ve got to keep believing that it only means there is something better up ahead.

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God’s timing may seem like the eleventh hour, but it’s been proven to be always the best. Look beyond the reality of the temporary circumstances and choose faith. Sing to the Lord and the devil’s sure to squirm, cos he’s just waiting for you to throw in the towel and quit on God. Move. Let the joy of your salvation ignite within your soul. You’re gonna be walking on pure gold someday and talk face to face with the sweetest Man ever! Ahhh! Now, that’s something to get moving to.

move~ mercyme

I’m not about to give up because I heard You say

There’s gonna be brighter days, there’s gonna be brighter days

I won’t stop I’ll keep my head up

No, I’m not here to stay

There’s gonna be brighter days, there’s gonna be brighter days

I just might bend but I won’t break

As long as I can see Your face

When life won’t play along

And right keeps going wrong

And I can’t seem to find my way,

I know where I am found

So I won’t let it drag me down

Oh, I’ll keep dancing anyway

I’m gonna move, move

I’m gonna move, move

I’ve got to hold ‘er steady,

Keep my head in the game,

Everything’s about to change, everything’s about to change

This hurt is getting heavy

But I’m not about to cave

Everything’s about to change, there’s gonna be brighter days

No matter what may come, gotta move to a different drum

No matter what life brings, gotta move

Gotta move to a different beat

“for we live by faith, bot by sight.” 2 corinthians 5:7

“…do not grieve like the rest of mankind, who have no hope.” 1 thessalonians 4:13

“rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 thessalonians 5:16-18

“see, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:19

“be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.” Romans 12:12

The word in 2 kings 6:15-17 surges hope.  It says “when the servant of the man of God got up and went out early the next morning, an army with horses and chariots had surrounded the city. ‘oh no, my lord! What shall we do?’ the servant asked. ‘don’t be afraid,’ the prophet answered. ‘those who are with us are more than those who are with them.’ And Elisha prayed, ‘open his eyes, Lord, so that he may see.’ Then the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.”

Incredible! In the natural Elisha and his servant seemed alone and doomed, right? But there were heavenly chariots of fire all around ready to fight for them! Till God opens your spiritual eyes to see what He’s preparing and doing for you in the spirit realm, choose to believe by faith that He’s got you covered! Go on and move! Dance to the rhythms of His grace. :)

xoxo, gen delali.

music monday// overcomer

Life is a labyrinth of twists and turns. Things do not always turn out the way we hope they will. But that’s not the time to resign ourselves to disappointment and give up. nope. Jesus overcame the grave. And because of that, His Spirit living inside His followers gives us the same power to overcome whatever setback, tests and trials we face.

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overcomer~ mandisa

Staring at a stop sign, watching people drive by

T mac on the radio.

Got so much on your mind,

Nothing’s really going right,

Looking for a ray of hope

Whatever it is you may be going through,

I know He’s not gonna let it get the best of you.

You’re an overcomer,

Stay in the fight ‘til the final round

You’re not going under

Cause God is holding you right now.

You might be down for a moment,

Feeling like it’s hopeless

That’s when He reminds you,

That you’re an overcomer, you’re an overcomer.

Everybody’s been down,

Hit the bottom, hit the ground

Ooh, you’re not alone

Just take a breath, don’t forget

Hang on to His promises

He wants you to know

The same Man, the Great I AM

The One who overcame death

He’s living inside of you

So just hold on tight, fix your eyes

On the One who holds your life

There’s nothing He can’t do

He’s telling you

Take a breath, don’t forget

Hang on to His promises

So don’t quit, don’t give in, you’re an overcomer.

“ ‘ I (Jesus) have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.’ ” John 16:33

“no, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.” Romans 8:37

“no temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, He will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.” 1 corinthians 10:13

“God said to moses, ‘I AM WHO I AM…” exodus 3:14

  

“let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the Pioneer and Perfecter of faith. For the joy that was set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.” Hebrews 12:2-3

“for our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” 2 corinthians 4:17-18

“…and we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” Romans 5:2-5

I know I am not alone in all I’m going through. He’s right here with me, living on the inside of me. my physical eyes may not see, but with the eyes of faith I believe He is here, with His angels concerning me hovering around me. you are not alone in the sickness, heartbreak, disappointment, financial need, the battle to shed off weight, the looooong waiting season…you are not alone. 

He said we will have trouble in this world, remember? But He also said in Him we will have peace, peace that surpasses all understanding in the midst of the affliction. I will keep seeking His face in prayer and confess His Word for a breakthrough. Surely, He will keep giving me the strength to carry on, I hope you seek Him too. Do not lose hope.

xoxo, gen delali.