i know, i know, we're like 2 weeks into the year and i'm kinda late in the new year wishes but it's still pretty new. ;)
i hope you had a warm, meaningful and peaceful christmas season and i hope you've started your new year on a great note!
my christmas was a very peaceful one with lots of buddy time with sweet Jesus. i got to rest from all the to-dos and the sometimes super tight schedules.
Aaaaand, by the amazing grace of the Lord i got to publish my second book in december! wooo-hoooo! sometimes it's surreal!i'm so thankful to Jesus for helping me through the writing process.
it's titled UNASHAMED! it's available in paperback and the kindle version on amazon. it's my testimony in a memoir form. i talk about the areas in my life which the Lord has redeemed and how He has miraculously healed and restored me. you can read more about it on amazon right here. :) it's only $9.99 on amazon. if you want a paperback kindly let me know and i'll send it your way!
Head full of questions, how can you measure up? To deserve affection, to ever be enough For this existence When did it get so hard? Your heart is beating, alive and breathing And there's a reason why You are essential, not accidental And you should realize
You are beloved I wanted you to know You are beloved Let it soak into your soul Oh, forget the lies you heard Rise above the hurt And listen to these words You are beloved I want you to know You are beloved You-ou-ou, you-ou-ou, you, you are beloved
Sometimes a heart can feel like a heavy weight It pulls you under and you just fall away Is anybody gonna hear you call? (Oh oh) But there's a purpose Under the surface And you don't have to drown Let me remind you That love will find you Let it lift you out
Don't be afraid Don't let hope fade Keep your eyes fixed on the light above In the heartbreak, in your mistakes Nothing can separate you from love Don't be afraid Don't let hope fade Keep you eyes fixed on the light above In the heartbreak, in your mistakes Nothing can separate you from love
Don't be afraid Don't let hope fade Keep your eyes fixed on the light above (you are beloved) In the heartbreak, in your mistakes Nothing can separate you from love You are beloved
But now, this is what the Lord says— he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze.
For I am the Lord your God, the Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I give Egypt for your ransom, Cush and Seba in your stead.
Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life.
Do not be afraid, for I am with you; I will bring your children from the east and gather you from the west.
I will say to the north, ‘Give them up!’ and to the south, ‘Do not hold them back.’ Bring my sons from afar and my daughters from the ends of the earth—
everyone who is called by my name, whom I created for my glory, whom I formed and made.” //isaiah 43
no matter what negative words someone has spoken that has slayed your heart and
no matter who has made you feel rejected and unwanted, the truth is you are so loved, beloved.
focus on the love of Jesus and find your worth and identity in His precious word.
You, don't have to prove yourself, don't try to be someone else
You don't have to prove yourself
Don't try to be someone else
You are loved
Just look up; you are loved
Just look up; you are loved
Just look up; you are loved, just look up
"So, what do you think? With God on our side like this, how can we lose? If God didn’t hesitate to put everything on the line for us, embracing our condition and exposing himself to the worst by sending his own Son, is there anything else he wouldn’t gladly and freely do for us? And who would dare tangle with God by messing with one of God’s chosen? Who would dare even to point a finger? The One who died for us—who was raised to life for us!—is in the presence of God at this very moment sticking up for us. Do you think anyone is going to be able to drive a wedge between us and Christ’s love for us? There is no way! Not trouble, not hard times, not hatred, not hunger, not homelessness, not bullying threats, not backstabbing, not even the worst sins listed in Scripture:
They kill us in cold blood because they hate you. We’re sitting ducks; they pick us off one by one.
None of this fazes us because Jesus loves us. I’m absolutely convinced that nothing—nothing living or dead, angelic or demonic, today or tomorrow, high or low, thinkable or unthinkable—absolutely nothing can get between us and God’s love because of the way that Jesus our Master has embraced us."// romans 8:31-38
i remember when january peered its head into view and now here we are, already in the first week of the penultimate month of the year! woohooo!!!
so i'd like to share this song to encourage you. you may be feeling like you're a bit behind in the things the Lord has laid on your heart to do or you may be going through some things wondering where He is.
relax. God is around. He is on the move in your life.
Anytime a heart turns from darkness to light
Anytime temptation comes and someone stands to fight
Anytime somebody lives to serve and not be served
I know, I know, I know, I know
God is on the move, on the move
Hallelujah
God is on the move
In many mighty ways
God is on the move, on the move
Hallelujah
God is on the move
On the move today
Anytime in weakness someone falls upon their knees
Or dares to speak the truth that sets men free
Anytime the choice is made to stand upon the Word
I see your generation standing on the truth In each and everyday saying God is on the move Anytime the Gospel stirs a searching souls And someone says “send me, here I go” I see your generation standing on the truth In each and everyday saying God is on the move
Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" And I said, "Here am I. Send me!" // isaiah 6:8
do not give up on God and His wonderful promises to you.
hi there! i hope you had a restful weekend. :) mine was productive and good! i spent a bit of it crafting new pieces of hand lettering art. you can check out my new crafts shop (Delali Creates Shop) here! sooo today I'm sharing this song by jeremy camp that just wouldn't leave my head. i keep humming it unconsciously in between the buzz of these past days. the words carry so much weight and i'm hoping it means something to you as much as it does to me. :)
In this obsession with the things this world says make us happy
Can't see the slaves we are in all the searching all the grasping
Like we deserve much more than all these blessing we're holding
So now I'm running free into an ocean of mercy unending
So come and empty me
So that it's you I breathe
I want my life to be
Only Christ in me
So I will fix my eyes
'Cause You're my source of life
I need the world to see
That it's Christ in me
That it's Christ in me
Done with what holds me down the things I once was chasing after
Throw off these heavy chains that I have let become my master
So now I'm running free into an ocean of mercy unending
So come and empty me
So that it's you I breathe
I want my life to be
Only Christ in me
So I will fix my eyes
'Cause you're my source of life
I need the world to see
That it's Christ in me
That it's Christ in me
In this obsession with the things this world says make us happy
Can't see the slaves we are in all the searching all the grasping
So come and empty me
So that it's you I breathe
I want my life to be
Only Christ in me
So I will fix my eyes
'Cause you're my source of life
I need the world to see
Only Christ in me
Only Christ in me
Only Christ in me
Christ in me
"I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but
Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by
faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me."// galatians 2:20
I in them and You in Me, that they may be perfected in unity, so that
the world may know that You sent Me, and loved them, even as You have
loved Me."// John 17:23
"If Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness."// romans 8:10
"The one who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him We know
by this that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us."// 1 John 3:24
This planet called earth is a world full of decay and sin and death and the only Source of life here is the Word of Father God as His Holy Spirit moves and brings the Word alive in the lives of those who seek salvation in Jesus Christ by believing in Him. If you're a Christian i'd like to encourage you not to give up or compromise on your faith in Jesus no matter what. If you're caught in a cyclone of doubts and unbelief and wondering if this Jesus you keep hearing about is real, well let me just say He is soooooo real, closer than your breath and He is waiting, yearning for the time when you would eventually put your faith and trust in Him. it is worth it. i promise! dear you, please do not allow yourself to be polluted by this obsession driven world. more money wouldn't satisfy the void inside, more stuff wouldn't bring fulfillment, more relationships with guys and ladies wouldn't do it either. we're all broken cisterns and only Jesus truly satisfies the thirst of the human soul. only He can fill the void in the human heart. Christ in you and i is the hope of glory! :)
although its only been a couple of months i've been away from this space it feels like forever since i spilled some of the sunshiny, colorful words Father has given to my care for you here.
it's not a monday nor a tuesday but who says i can't share a song on a thursday? hihihihi
so this evening, i came across this song and in a few seconds it got me hooked.
it spoke to me so much that i just had to share. :)
enjoy!
I am no victim~bethel music
I am no victim
I live with a vision
I'm covered by the force of love
Covered in my Savior's blood
I am no orphan
I'm not a poor man
The Kingdom's now become my own
And with the King I've found a home
He's not just reviving, not simply restoring
greater things have yet to come
greater things have yet to come
He is my Father
I do not wonder
If His plans for me are good
If He'll come through like He should
'Çause He is provision and enough wisdom
To usher in my brightest days
To turn my mourning into praise
He's not just reviving, not simply restoring
greater things have yet to come
greater things have yet to come
I am who He says I am
He is who He says He is
I'm defined by all His promises
Shaped by every word He says
I am no victim
I live with a vision
I'm covered by the force of love
Covered in my Savior's blood
I am no orphan
I'm not a poor man
The Kingdom's now become my own
And with the King I have a home
it took a while for me to come to this powerful understanding. I AM NOT A VICTIM!
no matter what I've had to painfully endure because of other people's terrible mistakes and poor life choices, no matter how their choking words have pierced my heart, i refuse to see myself as a victim and live with a victim mentality.
why? because I believe I have my loving Father in heaven and He cares about me, He adores me, He wants me, He loves me even when people I thought were best in displaying His love for me treat me with such absurdity, cruelty and shove me aside with their unbelievably cold and hurtful words and silently loud actions.
i've had to endure some things these past months that have left me wondering and questioning and just trying to really understand how some folks who say they are Christian leaders could say and do certain things that arr so way out of line as the leaders they say they are.
and after much introspection and lots of time spent with the Lord i've finally reached that understanding that ever human walking the surface of the earth is a broken cistern. no matter how 'good' of a person they are or pose to be and no human or thing could ever fill the void in the human heart. only God through Jesus Christ His Son and the power of His Holy Spirit can do that if we believe.
i've come to the point where i've stopped looking forward to any human loving me perfectly as my Father in heaven does. His approval of me is enough for me and His love is all i've ever needed. and sometimes He uses humans who allow themselves to be the physical extension of His love to show me His care and love like one loving and thoughtful uncle I have in australia but not even he could ever love me perfectly as my Father in heaven.
i won't deny the yearning of enjoying being part of a loving and peaceful home. but till then, i'm thankful for the beautiful glimpses Father God gives me of His amazing promises to me on earth and in Heaven. i am grateful for the short and sweet experiences He gives me as i taste what it is like to be loved by a set of humans i can call family who make me feel like i belong. as brief as those moments are, i cherish them.
i am grateful.
i understand my Father God better now.
i understand myself better now,
and i understand other humans better now and why they can be so unstable and cold, and hurtful and mean and insecure and envious and how it drives them to do the unthinkable.
i understand why i love anne of green gables and akeelah and the bee so much too. :D
my Father in Heaven has promised me that He has not left me as an orphan. He is right here with me through His Holy Spirit.
as i yield myself to Him, and obey Him and deeply depend on Him, i'm good to go!
it's true, we're all searching and looking to be loved.
i've stopped my search, thank God!!!
i am now the one allowing myself to be the vessel to pour my Father's love and hope into little hearts that are hungry for love and affection. hearts that are desperate to be seen, known, loved.
so no. i am not a victim!
i am a victor through my Jesus Christ!
i am more than a conqueror through Him who loves me.
i refuse to be the hurt who keeps hurting others.
i put an end to that demonic cycle.
i am not a victim.
i am LOVED!
I don't know what you have endured in your journey till now, i don't know what you are currently enduring but what i do know is if you believe in Jesus, you are no longer an orphan left in this cold, difficult world. You are His child now, so stop striving to be loved. stop looking for love in all the wrong places. stop thinking God created you to suffer on your on in this life.
He sees you, He knows you! He wants you to stop striving.
He wants you to accept His love (Jesus) and all that comes with Him as a gift to you.
just believe.
It's really worth it.
i have tasted and seen that He is good! :)
Psalm 68:5 says, “Father of the fatherless and protector of widows, is God in his holy habitation.”
Deuteronomy 10:18 says, “He ensures that orphans and widows receive justice. He shows love to the foreigners living among you and gives them food and clothing.”
Psalm 10:14 says, “But you, God, see the trouble of the afflicted. You consider their grief and take it in hand. The victims commit themselves to you; you are the helper of the fatherless.”
"I will not leave you as orphans. I will come to you." ~ Jesus // John 14:18
"Let us acknowledge the Lord, let us press on to acknowledge Him. As surely as the sun rises, He will appear, He will come to us like the winter rains, like the spring rains that water the earth. " ~ hosea 6:3
hi lovely folks! of course, it's mondayyy again!!! good thing for me is that it's a holiday back here in le ghana. ;) (this is actually a scheduled post because urm, i'd be caught up on monday with a number of things...like finishing up on my new booook! sshhhh... keep it down. i'm excited too! :D)
so yeah, scheduled post or not. i'm so glad i get to be a part of your monday. :)
so this song! i so love it. aside the lovely words, you should know the other reason why i love it. guessss.
okay, okay, i love it extra because it's sang by kidssss! :D i find myself laughing and dancing around whenever i have bethel music kids singing a tune. i promise, you'd love it.
I stand before You now The greatness of your renown I have heard of the majesty and wonder of you King of Heaven, in humility, I bow As Your love, in wave after wave Crashes over me, crashes over me For You are for us You are not against us Champion of Heaven You made a way for all to enter in I have heard You calling my name I have heard the song of love that You sing So I will let You draw me out beyond the shore Into Your grace Your grace You make me brave You make me brave You call me out beyond the shore into the waves You make me brave You make me brave No fear can hinder now the love that made a way You make me brave You make me brave You call me out beyond the shore into the waves You make me brave You make me brave No fear can hinder now the promises you made You make me brave You make me brave No fear can hinder now the love that made a way
Be
strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them,
for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake
you.”
7Then Moses summoned Joshua and said to
him in the presence of all Israel, “Be strong and courageous, for you
must go with this people into the land that the LORD swore to their
ancestors to give them, and you must divide it among them as their
inheritance.
The LORD himself goes before you and
will be with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you. Do not be
afraid; do not be discouraged.”// deuteronomy 31:6-8
whatever you're facing, you need to be brave and pray through it, sing through it, find a reason to laugh through it. the world needs you brave. :)
hey, hey, hey! so itsss monday! yaaay!!! i hope this song i'm sharing today brightens your monday even if for a little while. i so love danny gokey. he sings from his soul. and this tune right here is food for the soul. enjoy! :)
Heartbreaks a bittersweet sound Know it well It's ringing in my ears And I can't understand Why I'm not fixed by now Begged and I pleaded Take this pain but I'm still bleeding Heart trusts you for certain Head says it's not working I'm stuck here still hurting But you tell me You're making a masterpiece You shaping the soul in me You're moving where I can't see And all I am is in your hands You're taking me all apart Like it was your plan from the start To finish your work of art for all to see you're making a masterpiece Guess I'm your canvas Beautiful black and blue Painted in mercy's hue I don't see past this But you see me now Who I'll be then There at the end Standing there as Your Masterpiece You're shaping the soul in me You're moving where I can't see And all I am is in your hands You're taking me all apart Like it was your plan from the start To finish your work of art for all to see You're making a masterpiece You're making a masterpiece Heart trust you for certain Head says it's not working You're making a masterpiece You're shaping the soul in me You're moving where I can't see And all I am is in your hands You're taking me all apart Like it was your plan from the start To finish your work of art for all to see you're making a masterpiece
For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago.// ephesians 2:10
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.// romans 8:28
dear Christian, whatever you may facing, know that when you trust in Jesus He is making something beautiful out of your situation.
be strong. He wants you strong! the humans He specially designed your purpose for need you strong.
hi guysss! so today I'm sharing a hymn that has a special place in my heart. it soothes the soul so well! it's like chicken soup for the soul.
it amazes me how Fanny Crosby, the hymn writer was blind when she wrote her hymns. God is interesting, right?! He does wonderful things through the most unlikely of humans.
To God be the glory, great things He has done; So loved He the world that He gave us His Son, Who yielded His life an atonement for sin, And opened the life gate that all may go in.
Refrain
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, Let the earth hear His voice! Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, Let the people rejoice! O come to the Father, through Jesus the Son, And give Him the glory, great things He has done.
O perfect redemption, the purchase of blood, To every believer the promise of God; The vilest offender who truly believes, That moment from Jesus a pardon receives.
Refrain
Great things He has taught us, great things He has done, And great our rejoicing through Jesus the Son; But purer, and higher, and greater will be Our wonder, our transport, when Jesus we see.
Refrain
Let them give glory to the LORD And declare His praise in the coastlands.// isaiah 42:12
"For the earth will be filled With the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, As the waters cover the sea.// hubakkuk 2:14
I will praise the name of God with song And magnify Him with thanksgiving.// psalm 69:30
I would
like to encourage you that no matter what you're facing, praising the
Lord is the answer to unlock the door He has promised to open for you.
giving Him the glory
makes you focus on Him despite the attacks and schemes of the enemy. and
worship does something wonderful. never stop worshiping. give God the
glory.
