music monday// these days

There’s this thing about Mondays that just undo many folks. And that’s exactly why I decided to create ‘music Mondays.’ To help us get through Mondays. Cos, yeah, I get it. it means the start of another week on the grind and possible stress. There’re so many things that we wish we could wish away. But oh welp, the best we can do is pray through it all and choose to be joyful on the journey, on the way to where Daddy is taking us.

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 these days~ mandisa

I never liked Mondays or bad news

Or breaking in new shoes

And mornings when I can’t find my phone

Nobody like traffic or short nights

Or sit ups or long flights

But sometimes that’s just the way it goes

It’s funny what You use to help me grow

So I’ll learn to love these days

Life along the way

In the middle of the crazy

God your love is so amazing

Through the ups and downs

You’re the only hope I’ve found

Lord, you meet me in the madness

I’ll learn to love these days

I’ll learn to love these days

I can see silver lining

When the sun’s not shining

Even when You choose to bring the rain

Oh, but there’s freedom believing

And trusting Your leading

Cause You’re Lord of all my joy and all my pain

I could wait the hundred years

You gave me here, the days when you were near

The days when I was out there

Looking for what comes next

Oh, cause every minute, every hour, everyday

Is such a gift and I can say

I’m thankful for each day

So I’ll learn to love these days

Life along the way

In the middle of the crazy

God, Your love is so amazing

Through the ups and downs

You’re the only hope I’ve found

Lord, you meet me in the madness

So I’ll learn to love these days

I’ll learn to love these days

I’ll learn to love these days

I’ll learn to love these days

“those whom I love I rebuke and discipline…” revelations 3:19

“endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as His children. For what children are not disciplined by their father?...no discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it. therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees.” Hebrews 12:7, 11-12

“He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver…” malachi 3:3

The Lord will sometimes allow us to experience certain situations which we wouldn’t find so lovely. But in His love, He knows what’s best for us and uses so many situations to help us grow in Him and exercise our faith.

I doubt anyone loves taking exams. Well, I sure don’t. but it’s necessary we study and prepare well for them in order to move to a higher stage of life. I believe it’s similar with life in general. We need to go through some things to refine us, to take away things in our hearts that are not of Him, to make us better and more like Him.

xoxo, gen

music monday// to know You

Knowing the Lord of our souls is a life-long journey. There is so much to Him. these lyrics remind me of some of the ways to keep knowing Him.

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to know You~ casting crowns

To know You is to never worry for my life,

And to know You is to never give in to compromise

To know You is to want to tell the world about You

Cause I can’t live without You

To know You is to hear Your voice when You are calling

To know You is to catch my brother when he’s falling

To know You is to feel the pain of the broken hearted

Cause they can’t live without You

More than my next breath

More than life or death

All am reaching for, I live my life to know You more

I leave it all behind, You are all that satisfies

To know You is to want to know You more

To know You is to want to know You more

To know You is to ache for more than ordinary

To know You is to look beyond the temporary

To know You is believing that You will be enough

Cause there is no life without You

All this life could offer me, could not compare to You, compare to You

And I count it all as lost, compared to knowing You, knowing You

“I tell you, do not worry about your life…” matthew 6:25

" that I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings..." phillipians 3:10

“I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me. if you really know Me, you will know My Father as well. From now on, you do know Him and have seen Him.” john 14:6-7

“these commandments that I give you today are to be on your hearts. Impress them on your children. Talk about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Write them on the door-frames of your houses and on your gates.” Deuteronomy 6:6-9

My prayer is that I do not get tired of getting to know my Lord, that I’ll keep on pursuing Him and when I get weak and weary, pray for strength to carry on like the faithful soldier that He’s called me to be in His kingdom. I pray you pray the same too.

xoxo, gen

music monday// never once

it’s so easy to think and even believe God has forgotten us, right? I’ll be honest and admit there’re times it looks like I’m all alone in a sticky situation. It looks like it but that’s not the case. Though physically we may be alone, in the spirit realm, we are never alone. God’s spirit dwells in us, He has His angels watching over us, His eye is on us.

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Standing on this mountaintop

Looking just how far we’ve come

Knowing that for every step

You were with us

Kneeling on this battle ground

Seeing just how much You’ve done

Knowing every victory

Was Your power in us

Scars and struggles on the way

But with joy our hearts can say

Never once did we ever walk alone

Never once did You leave us on our own

You are faithful, God, You are faithful

Kneeling on this battle ground

Seeing just how much You’ve done

Knowing every victory

Was Your power in us

Scars and struggles on the way

But with joy our hearts can say

Yes, our hearts can say

Never once did we ever walk alone

Never once did You leave us on our own

You are faithful, God, You are faithful

Scars and struggles on the way

But with joy our hearts can say

Never once did we ever walk alone

Carried by Your constant grace

Held within Your perfect peace

Never once, no, we never walk alone

Never once did we ever walk alone

Never once did You leave us on our own

You are faithful, God, You are faithful

Every step we are breathing in Your grace

Evermore we’ll be breathing out Your praise

You are faithful, God, You are faithful

You are faithful, God, You are faithful

“I will not leave you as orphans, I will come to you.” John 14:18

“no one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with moses, so I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you. Be strong and courageous…” Joshua 1:5-6

“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

I can understand the state of aloneness you may be facing. I’ve been there. But remember when joseph was in the pit it seemed God had up and left. As if God showed him all those lovely dreams only to find himself in a pit. I don’t know what run through the thoughts of joseph whiles in the pit and in the prison, but see how God was indeed with him throughout the whole drama? He was preparing him for the very dreams He gave him.

Even if the people you counted on abandon you and get tired of you, don’t let that deceive you to think God has forsaken you. Joseph’s brothers hated him but God was still with him. so if you have to repeat to yourself that God never forsakes you, to help you get by, then do. It’s my mantra too. God never forsakes me.

xoxo, gen

music monday// anchor of hope

I just love this song! The words are scripture based, and boy, what better way than to sing scripture over your soul!

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 anchor of hope~ ellie holcomb

Marvelous, wonderful, infinite God

Author of all that is good

Faithful provider and giver of life

Source of all power and love

Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise

Refuge of strength to the end

Righteous redeemer and mighty to save

He’s the anchor of hope for the souls of men

Gracious, compassionate, merciful God

Radiant, holy delight

Beautiful Father, victorious Son

Source of unchangeable light

Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise

Refuge of strength to the end

Righteous redeemer and mighty to save

He’s the anchor of hope for the souls of men

You are light in the dark

You are healing for the broken heart

You are hope, You are Lord

You are life, You are love that endures

Powerful, constant, unwavering God

Shepherd who comes for the lost

Rock of salvation, remarkable love

Savior who died on the cross

Great is the Lord and most worthy of praise

Refuge of strength to the end

Righteous redeemer and mighty to save

He’s the anchor of hope for the souls of men

“we have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. It enters the inner sanctuary behind the curtain, where our forerunner, Jesus, has entered on our behalf…” hebrews 6:19

“Truly He is my rock and my salvation, He is my fortress, I shall never be shaken.” Psalm 62:2

Our Father above is for you. He truly is our salvation. Even when the way seems unclear, He is there and leading us Home.

xoxo, gen

music monday// rock bottom

Dropping in today to remind you and myself of God’s love. love that is unfathomable. Love that is deep, sincere and authentic.

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 rock bottom~ jimmy needham

I’ve never seen anything like your fountain

Comin’ down from the tip of the mountaintop

And it goes, never stops, only overflows

I’ve never met anyone with the power

To make a desert bloom like a flower

Up and it goes, where it stops, only heaven knows

Never known anyone as wonderful as You are

Over and over

You fill my heart with wonder

You take me by surprise

I can’t believe my eyes

Wider and deeper

Just when I think I’ve seen You

Like a stone thrown into the ocean water

I could search your depths

And never hit rock bottom

How can the God of the galaxies

Have a care for the little things

Every tear that I cry, every time that I smile

Deep in me You’ve created a fire

Like a friend You keep taking me higher

Up and it grows, where it stops, only heaven knows

Never known anyone as wonderful as You are

Even though I’m plungin’ in the depths of Your love

I’m just scratchin’ the surface of who You are

All the seas in all the world cannot contain all that You are

You captivate my heart

“what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?” psalm 8:4 and yet, He cares oh, so much for us!

“who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword?...no, in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:35, 37-39

 No matter how far you think you’ve gone from the Lord, He still loves you. His love is asking you to draw close to him in obedience. So while the enemy uses people and even your own thoughts to point accusing fingers at you, Jesus is at the right hand of God also interceding for you. (see romans 8:34)

I am loved no matter what. You are loved no matter what. Why? Because that’s the nature of this ridiculously amazing love our Father has for us. His love compels us to obey and abide in His will for us. Nothing can separate God’s love from you and i. isn’t that the best news ever?!

xoxo, gen

music monday// giants fall

Isn’t it interesting how Job’s wife told him to curse God and die when God permitted the enemy to afflict Job? In the creamy, sunshiny years of abundance she basked in the provision of God but when trouble came she lost hope and decided to persuade Job to do same. We’ve got to be careful who we listen to when things are shaky in our lives. The enemy can use people close to us to work fear and helplessness into our hearts.

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The mountain is gigantic, true. The pain is like torture, true. But don’t you dare give up. whatever pain you’re feeling now is way better than the fire and torment of hell. Even when it feels like hell, remember hell is far crazy and eternal than what you’re going through. the affliction now is only temporary, and the Lord will deliver.

Sometimes I feel too small and inadequate to do the things the Lord lays on my heart. You may have felt that too. But remember the thing with feelings. They are tricky. It’s one of the tools the enemy can easily use to rob us of victory. David didn’t have time to look at how small he was in comparison with goliath. His confidence didn’t come from himself at all. He rather dwelt on the power and strength of God. So clearly, we ought to focus on God’s confidence, His power, His ability through us.

 giants fall~ francisca battistelli

Everyone’s telling you

To let go of what you’re holding to

It’s too late, too far

You’re too small, it’s too hard

Throwing water on that spark

Living deep inside your heart

With oceans of reasons

The things you’re not seeing

But oh, maybe they don’t

Know what you know

That you’re not alone

Don’t you be afraid

Of giants in your way

With God you know that anything’s possible

So step into the fight

He’s right there by your side

The stones inside your hands might be small

But watch the giants fall

We could really live like this

Can’t you imagine it

So bold, so brave

With childlike faith

Miracles could happen

Mountains would start moving

So whatever you may face

Ask and believe

You’re gonna see

The hand of God in every little thing

Miracles can happen

Anything is possible

Watch the giants fall.

“the Lord will fight for you, you need only to be still.” Exodus 14:14

“david said to the philistine, ‘you come against me with sword and spear and javeline, but I come against you in the name of the Lord Almighty, the God of the armies of israel, whom you have defied.” 1 samuel 17:45

“reaching into his bag and taking out a stone, he slung it and struck the philistine on the forehead. The stone sank into his forehead, and he fell face down on the ground.” 1 samuel 17:49

You may be feeling inadequate because you see yourself as average or a plain jane. Please, don’t let your petite size, or looks fool you. You are made in the likeness of God, the Almighty! He does not called the qualified, He qualifies the called. You matter, your words matter, your gifts to serve people matter. Whatever He’s calling you to do, you can do it! and watch the giants and criticism fall.

xoxo, gen

music monday// greater

This song’s a great reminder of the greatness of the power of Holy Spirit within us, the children of God. His spirit in the depths of our being s greater than the trials and confusion we face. People may slander, gossip, hate, dislike you but choose to believe that you are an overcomer.

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 greater~ mercyme

Bring your tired, bring your shame

Bring your guilt, bring your pain

Don’t you know that’s not your name

You will always be much more to me

Everyday I wrestle with the voices

that keep telling me I’m not right

but that’s alright

cause I hear a voice and He calls me redeemed

when others say I’ll never be enough

and greater is the One living inside of me

than he who is living in the world

in the world, in the world

and greater is the One living inside of me

than he who is living in the world

bring your doubts, bring your fears

bring your hurt, bring your tears

there’ll be no condemnation here

you are holy, righteous and redeemed

every time I fall

there’ll be those who will call me a mistake

well that’s ok

there’ll be days I lose the battle

grace says that it doesn’t matter

cause the cross already won the war

he’s greater, He’s greater

I am learning to run freely

Understanding just how He loves me

And it makes me love Him more and more

He’s greater, He’s greater

I know how it feels for people to secretly be glad when you’re facing a mountain. They subtly show their satisfaction over what you’re facing and mock you with certain questions and sarcasm. I know that all too well. If you’re facing something like this, do not despair. As you keep abiding in the shadow of God, He will deliver. It’s a matter of time.

“you, dear children, are from God and have overcome them, because the One who is in you is greater than the One who is in the world.” 1 john 4:4

“therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1

“may all who gloat over my distress be put to shame and confusion; may all who exalt themselves over me be clothed with shame and disgrace.” Psalm 35:26

“because he loves Me, says the Lord, ‘I will rescue him. I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name. he will call on Me, and I will answer him, I will be with him in trouble, I will deliver him and honor him.” psalm 91:14-15

xoxo, gen