so the first song i'd share for music monday this year is a lovely song originally written by jeremey riddle, josh farro & phil wickham but i'm sharing the version of bethel music kids. urm, because kids make things extra fun! ;)
it's another lovely monday! and yours truly is right here to share an equally lovely song with you. I was singing this song the whole of yesterday. i so love it! it's amazing how Jesus is the only Person who actually loves me without being manipulative. His friendship and affection is what I'll always long for and i hope the same for you too. enjoy! :)
the only name (Yours will be)// big daddy weave
Yours will be the only Name that matters to me
The only One Whose favor I seek
The only Name that matters to me
Yours will be
The friendship and affection I need
To feel my Father smiling on me
The only Name that matters to me
Yours is the Name the Name that has saved me
Mercy and grace, the power that forgave me
And Your love is all I’ve ever needed
When I wake up in the Land of Glory
And with the saints I will tell my story
There will be one Name that I proclaim
Jesus, Jesus, Jesus, just that Name
The angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary; for you have found favor with God.// luke 1:30
But the LORD was with Joseph and extended kindness to him, and gave him favor in the sight of the chief jailer.// genesis 39:21
For he says to Moses, "I will have mercy on whom I have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I have compassion."//romans 9:15
So you will find favor and good repute In the sight of God and man.// proverbs 3:4
A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows,is God in His holy dwelling.//psalm 68:5
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.// ephesians 2:8-9
the wonderful Grace of God leaves me in wonder so much. His grace is what enables us to do the very humanly impossible things.
He pours blessings I so don't deserve upon my life and tops up with mercy.His love is so devoted to me, and you too!
when we have God as our Father we need to remember that He is the One that we're living for and it's only His applause that we should expect to hear.
Let's live for the audience of One, King Jesus! and no matter what anyone says or does to distract us from the assignments He has given us to fulfill, His name is all that should matter to us. :)
travis greeeeeeene! he was in town over the weekend for a prayer/worship time to stand in the gap for the nations. twas an awesome time! i sang and danced my heart and body out.
i love, love his songs! especially this one. it's special to me because whenever God leads me to win a battle it comes up on my shuffle. i usually have my songs on shuffle, and somehow, someway, whenever i face what seems like an insurmountable hurdle and God makes a way to overcome it's this very song that comes right up. and i just look up at the skies and laugh and laugh in awe and breathe a 'thank You' to Him because He did it again. He's awesome!
made a way//travis greene
Made a way Don't know how but You did it Made a way Standing here not knowing how we'll get through this test But holding unto faith You know that Nothing can catch You by surprise You got this figured out and You're watching us now But when it looks as if we can't win You wrap us in Your arm and step in And everything we need You supply You got this in control And now we know that
You made a way When our backs were against the wall And it looked as if it was over You made a way And we're standing here Only because You made a way You made a way
And now we're here Looking back on where we come from Because of You and nothing we've done To deserve the love and mercy You've shown But Your grace was strong enough to pick us up
And You made a way When our backs were against the wall And it looked as if it was over Lord You made a way And we're standing here Only because You made a way You made a way When our backs were against the wall And it looked as if it was over Lord You made a way And we're standing here Only because You made a way
And you move mountains
You cause walls to fall With Your power You perform miracles There is nothing that's impossible And we're standing here
Only because You made a way
You move mountains You cause walls to fall With Your power Perform miracles There is nothing that's impossible And we're standing here Only because You made a way
You move mountains You cause walls to fall With Your power Perform miracles There is nothing that's impossible And we're standing here Only because You made a way
And we're standing here Only because You made a way
And we're standing here Only because You made a way
You made a way You made a way You made a way You made a way
Don't know how but You did it Made a way Don't know how but You did it Made a way
Don't know how but You did it Don't know how but You did it Don't know how but You did it Don't know how but You did it Don't know how but You did it
Don't know why but I'm grateful Don't know why but I'm grateful Don't know why but I'm grateful Don't know why but I'm grateful Don't know why but I'm grateful Don't know why but I'm grateful
And we're standing here Only because You made And we're standing here Only because You made a way And we're standing here Only because You made
'Cause You move mountains You move mountains You move mountains You move mountains
And You cause walls to fall You cause walls to fall You cause walls to fall You cause walls to fall
And You cause chains to break You cause chains to break You cause chains to break You cause chains to break
And giants fall Giants fall Giants fall Giants fall
'Cause you move mountain You move mountain And everything is easy for you 'Cause you move mountain Yes You move mountain
Mountains are moving Mountains are moving Mountains are moving Mountains are moving
Strong holds are breaking now Strong holds are breaking now Strong holds are breaking Strong holds are breaking
'Cause you move mountain You cause walls to fall
With Your power With Your power With Your power With Your power
You perform miracles You perform miracles You perform miracles You perform miracles
My son is breathing My son is living My son is breathing My son is living
When the doctor said no You said yes When the doctor said no You said yes
When they pronounced me dead You said not yet When they pronounced me dead You said not yet
You perform miracles You perform miracles
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
But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy,made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus,in order that in the coming ages He might show the incomparable riches of His grace, expressed in His kindness to us in Christ Jesus.For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.// ephesians 2:4-10
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do
not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.// galatians 5:1
Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear.// isaiah 59:1
i know my life is an offense to the devil and his demons because i am he apple of my Father's eye. i am a Princess of the Most High God and there's no power, no flesh that can thwart His plans for my life. and because the devil what damage i do and will continue to do to his useless kingdom he comes at me pretty often. sickness, accusations, lies, false rumors, slander...you name it. he has tried it all but i aint going nowhere till my Master asks me to come Home.
And because i am a threat to his kingdom he keeps trying all the time to take me down. and each time i'm like, nah uh, satan! and i fight him with the armor of my Father.
Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power.11 Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes.12 For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.13 Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand.14 Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place,15 and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.16 In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one.17 Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.// ephesians 6:10-18
keep praying child of God, wage war against the enemy of your soul with the Word of God. and i pray that you'll be sensitive against double minded people. there are so many phonies out there who pretend to be on your side but are only trying to know your mind and work against you. be careful what you share and with who.
talk to God and He'll give you discernment to know who's genuine around you. as you pray, the angels on assignment are working for your good and destroying strongholds!
the miracles God wants to bring your way will leave you speechless. the power of His Holy Spirit is available to you! USE IT!
battle on, faithful soldier of the Lord! you can do this! and keep your joy! it's your strength!
Nehemiah said, “Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength.”// nehemiah 8:10 :)
hi people! so i mentioned sometime back that i got the chance to go for a local missions trip to yeji in the brong ahafo region of Ghana in february. it was organsied by the ministry i serve with called teens aloud foundation.
we set off from accra late in the night from my old university campus on on 23rd february. it was a very loooong drive. we had to pick our members from the other university campuses (Kwame Nkrumah uni of science and tech //KNUST//, uni of energy and natural resources //UENR//etc).
so we got here the next morning. and right away we dispatched in groups and went for junior high school outreach (j-reach) in several schools in the town.
here's a little recap of the missions. twas an amazing time with children and young people. this is going to be mostly photos. ;)
junior high school outreach at citizen int school :)
ice breakers// doing the banana dance ;)
the students trying out the banana dance :D
i think i was pulling someone's leg about the dance ;)
we're dancing! yaaayyy! :D
time for the sermon. i shared my slightly thick passion story heheheh ;)
the key text was based on 2 timothy 2:22 "Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart."
we shared "shine magazine," a magazine designed for young people filled with devotionals, puzzles and fun, fun, stuff that's geared towards helping the nurturing process of their spiritual growth.
having fun taking dozens and dozens of photos with the students with their copies of the shine magazine. :)
of course, i couldn't leave without hanging with the sweet little children i befriended there and give them bear hugs. hihihih
with my fellow missionaries walking through the market place in the town on our way for SOS (Sermon on the Sofa) to minister to senior high school students.
playing ampe with girlsss :)// yes, yes, that's me in flight. heheheh
marching through the town during the Jesus March to crown Him Lord over Yeji! :D
our final stop at the bank of the volta river on 26th February, our last full day. hanging with wilma and alex!
hanging with dessy, gould, joseph and another awesome missionary. :)
my friennnd!
so i borrowed her bike, trying to test to see if i could still ride a bike cos it's been forever since i rode one. the last time i did was way back in junior high. bwahahaha!
oh you know, taking a photo with the bike that i actually couldn't ride cos my riding skills have gotten so, so rusty. :P
the evening we were leaving.
we took this after i spent some time chatting with them and making them laugh their heads off. kwakwakwa! laughter is good for the soul i hear. :D
i miss allll my kidssss. :( they bring me so much joy. :D
baring our teeth in the pitch dark cos we're excited missionaries!
alright guys, i hope you've been inspired to go out there and serve cos you've been saved to serve! ask the Lord where He would want you to go and follow His leading!
itssss mayyyy! :) one of my absolute favorite months! how wonderful to have it again, to walk through its days, to sing through its nights, to smile at the surprises tucked away in each of its hours! i loved this song the moment i first watched the video and listened to it on YouTube. and in no time i could sing along so well too. i could bet Tauren Wells, Chuck Butler, Jonathan Smith wrote it just for me. its perfection. enjoy!
I've walked among the shadows You wiped my tears away And I've felt the pain of heartbreak And I've seen the brighter days And I've prayed prayers to heaven from my lowest place And I have held Your blessings God You give and take away No matter what I have, Your grace is enough No matter where I am, I'm standing in Your love (chorus) On the mountains I will bow my life to the One who set me there In the valley I will lift my eyes to the One who sees me there When I'm standing on the mountain I didn't get there on my own When I'm walking through the valley I know I am not alone You're God of the hills and valleys, hills and valleys God of the hills and valleys And I am not alone I've watched my dreams get broken In You I hope again No matter what I know I'm safe inside Your hands (chorus) On the mountains I will bow my life to the One who set me there In the valley I will lift my eyes to the One who sees me there When I'm standing on the mountain I didn't get there on my own When I'm walking through the valley I know I am not alone You're God of the hills and valleys, hills and valleys God of the hills and valleys And I am not alone Father You give and take away Every joy and every pain Through it all You will remain over it all On the mountains I will bow my life In the valley I will lift my eyes (chorus) On the mountains I will bow my life to the One who set me there In the valley I will lift my eyes to the One who sees me there When I'm standing on the mountain I didn't get there on my own When I'm walking through the valley I know I am not alone You're God of the hills and valleys, hills and valleys God of the hills and valleys And I am not alone And I will choose to say Blessed be Your name And I am not alone
Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me.// psalm 23:4
He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock, And established my steps.// psalm 40:2
"Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD
gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised."// job:1:21
The Sovereign LORD is my strength; he makes my feet like the feet of a deer, he enables me to tread on the heights.// habakkuk 3:19
i find it so comforting to know that God
is always, always by my side. when i was walking through the valley of
the shadow of death He was right by my side. When He lifts me up on to
the peak of the mountains, He is still there with me. whether life is up
or down, my Father is with me.
in the valley He teaches me how to trust Him and seek Him. On the mountain tops, He glorifies Himself through the story He keeps writing through me, through my life.
be encouraged if you're in a valley right now. if you believe in Jesus believe that God is with you and He wants you to trust Him and pass this test. talk with Him ad listen to what He has to say about what's going on in your life. He has angels on assignment to help you.
if you don't believe in Jesus yet God sooo much wants you to call on Him and believe in His Son Jesus. and this doesn't mean everything will automatically become perfect. But He's going to help you figure things out if only you're willing to listen to Him.
if you're on a mountain top, go ahead and enjoy the victory the Lord has brought you. remember to give Him the glory and point people to Him, acknowledging that He's the one who helped you break through.
i hope you come to love this song as much as i do. :)
so, the year is wrapping up in a couple of days, and maybe you were hoping for certain things to happen this year, but perhaps things didn't quite turn out like you hoped. well, if the desires on your heart are the very desires of God for your life and He placed them in your heart, then surely, He has an appointed time for His plans to unfold in your life.
this year has been a re-routing of my plans. Daddy stepped in and led me to His plans. i had to let go of my will and submit to His will for me. and it isn't as if my will was bad, no. but it was still not the sure, original plan He had in mind for me even before i was conceived. it's been a hard season of adjusting and waiting. He's been reminding me to make full use of certain gifts He's given me, and He's been drawing me to Himself so much more in this season, and placed some adorable lil' people in my life to love on.
i know, oh, i know that His plans are farrr better than my wildest dreams, knowing that the highest form of holiness is the release of my will to Him.(remember before the cross when Jesus prayed- 'My Father if it is possible, may this cup be taken from Me. yet not as I will, but as You will'? yurp.--matthew 26:39) and i know that i will be more fulfilled in what He's leading me to. so, i'm choosing to dream the dreams of my Father.
i know that whatever good work He has started in me, He is going to see to it that every single word He has spoken to me will become a reality. He has His perfect timing which is not necessarily my timing. He is faithful and i will see His goodness, and twirl in His bliss. i'm a change in the making.
finish what He started~ mercyme
i don't have to know you to know that you will go through hard times, it's just part of life
don't let that moment blind you, and don't let it define you.
take heart, that's not who you are.
our God is able, more than capable to be faithful to the end.
He'll finish what He started.
no matter what you've done, grace comes like a flood
there's grace to carry on, He'll finish what He started.
no matter what you face, His mercy will not change.
He's with you all the way, He'll finish what He started.
remember you're forgiven, so there's no need to give in
to the lie that you're disqualified.
this work He started in you now, He's faithful to complete it,
the promise was sealed when He cried out "it is finished!"
He'll finish what He started.
"...being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." philippians 1:6
"many are saying of me, 'God will not deliver him.' but You, Lord, are a shield around me, my glory, the One who lifts my head high." psalm 3:2-3
"...but He said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for My power is made perfect in weakness...' " 2 corinthians 12:9
"when He had received the drink, Jesus said, 'it is finished.'..." john 19:30
" 'blessed is she who has believed that the Lord would fulfil His promises to her!' " luke 1:45
"the One who calls you is faithful, and He will do it." 1 thessalonians 5:24
"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
"now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! amen." ephesians 3:20
His seemingly 'delay' is not His denial. no matter how cruel 2014 has been, you are still alive, breathing, with purpose thumping in your heart, and Love coursing through your veins. Daddy is a faithful Father. let His wave of hope wash over you. He will lovingly swipe away our shame and lift our heads. ask Him what He's up to in your life and be in hopeful anticipation for what He's going to do in your life this coming new year.
to all my 'silent' readers and not-so-silent readers, thanks for tuning in this year. i'm thankful for all the lovely bloggers i came across this year. i love the way you guys show Jesus!
2014, you and i, we've had our ups and downs but it's time to say goodbye. bye, 2014!
the love God has for me is so great, i sometimes can't seem to fathom how wide and deep it really is. this song reminds me of how i cannot earn my way into the grace and salvation of Jesus Christ! like, He loves me not because of my own good deeds, but because He simply loves me! i need to be careful not to work for God's grace[undeserved favor], but to work from it. the outflow of His love into my life eventually fills up to the brim and spills over through me to others!
"therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." 2 corinthians 5:17
forgiven and loved~ jimmy needham
tell me i'm forgiven and loved, cause i hear it from the street corner priests
on how God is love and how man can be clean
but my joy has been on holiday and my peace has almost passed away
tell me i'm forgiven and free
oh, i tried and tried to rectify my hopeless situation
but i bought the lie, i still have work to do.
now, i'm working nine to five like i can earn my own salvation
but there is no condemnation in You.
oh, whisper to me now that it's for real
oh, cause in the silence of these walls righteousness lost its appeal,
dirty deeds have done me in
oh, but that can't stop the faithful Friend
giving mercy once again as You heal
here it is, i'm feeling it
oh, oh, oh, i tried and tried to rectify my hopeless situation
but i bought the lie, i still have work to do.
now, i'm working nine to five like i can earn my own salvation
but there is no condemnation
oh, He died, He died to rectify my hopeless situation
and His blood commands my guilt to leave
now on Calvary i stand, empty pockets, open hands,
oh, there is no condemnation for me.
oh, i tried, oh, i tried and tried to rectify my hopeless situation
but i bought the lie, i still have work to do
now i'm working nine to five like i can earn my own salvation
but there is no condemnation in You
child you're forgiven and loved, child you're forgiven and loved.
child you're forgiven, and child you are loved,
child you're forgiven and loved.
no matter how farrr you think you've gone in the wrong direction, bad choices, sinful nature, Christ beckons you to come to Him! He has forgiveness that's rooted in a deep, deep, ocean of pure, unconditional love.
and if You've confessed your sins and asked for forgiveness, He has forgiven you! really! don't allow the enemy weigh you down with the shame and guilt of the mistakes you've made. you. have. been. forgiven. believe it and move on in Christ! constantly let His truth fill you up to shut out the lies of the enemy.
