#SpreadTheGospel

Children of the Most High God,

How far nau? How you dey?

These Nigerians have grabbed me by the heart! I love me some West Africans! Their steeze is too fresh.

March was an amazing month and it had me writing all about my Saviour and His savageness #fiesty! Then April and May came and took me by surprise.

I was telling my friend Cakes that I feel like my life is the script of one amazing blockbuster movie because the way things are moving…

I am a self-confessed David fan and it seems like my life is almost following his path – skip the Bathsheba parts, family incest and a ton of unmentionables – but you get my drift. Remember when David was playing the harp for Saul when a spear was thrown his way?

Later, in Saul’s house, David was playing the harp. Saul was there with his spear in his hand. Then an evil spirit from the LORD came on Saul. Saul threw his spear at David and tried to pin him to the wall. David jumped out of the way, so the spear missed him and stuck in the wall. That night, David ran away.

1 Samuel 19:9 ERV

With that analogy in mind, now imagine a corporate spear sent to pin me to the wall but then I ran away. I thought I was in the green but there was more…

David escaped and ran away to Samuel at Ramah. He told Samuel everything that Saul had done to him. Then David and Samuel went to the camps where the prophets stayed. David stayed there.

Saul heard that David was there in the camps near Ramah. So he sent some men to arrest David. …..

1 Samuel 19:18 -20 ERV

David ran away but Saul was still on his tail and that, folks, is what happened to me… of course with my own twist; but a corporate “Saul” has been pursuing me!

Christianity is a lived experience and everything we go through is meant to bring God glory. Reading the Word of God during one’s personal devotion time is one thing, and putting that Word to WORK is another. During such trying times, the Holy Spirit reminds me to put the Word of God to work. David wrote in one of his most widely acclaimed Psalms, that the Lord is his shepherd, he shall not want. The second half of last year was a personal testament to that. God not only showed up (of course He would) but He showed off with me! He set a table before my “enemies” and then this year, He let those enemies pursue me again. Lol! God really has a sense of humour.

Quite frankly, there are a lot of thoughts swirling through my head but I choose to take it a day at a time and to trust God and His way of doing things.

“Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Can any one of you by worrying add a single hour to your life?

Matthew 6:25-27 NIV

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts,
    neither are your ways my ways,”
declares the Lord.

Isaiah 55:8 NIV

I choose to give thanks in all things, for all things – tough as it may be – but this is all part of the making process.

Does the clay say to the potter,
‘What are you making?’
Does your work say,
‘The potter has no hands’?

Isaiah 45:9 NIV

The fire is not meant to burn me, but to purify me. This year marks my tenth year of salvation and perhaps, this is God’s way of commemorating our anniversary! He was thinking, “Let me sprinkle some trials over here, pour some tribulation over there and let’s see whether her faith will withstand!”

When you walk through the fire,
you will not be burned;
the flames will not set you ablaze.

Isaiah 43:2 NIV

These trials will show that your faith is genuine. It is being tested as fire tests and purifies gold—though your faith is far more precious than mere gold. So when your faith remains strong through many trials, it will bring you much praise and glory and honor on the day when Jesus Christ is revealed to the whole world.

1 Peter 1:7 NLT

I may not get into the specifics of what is happening at the moment due to legal ramifications; but all in all, God is amazing! There is nothing that HE cannot do. My parents are alive and I am so grateful for that. Whatever has been or will be lost can always be recouped in greater measure; but when a life transitions from earth, it is up till you get to heaven for you to see them again. Thus, in spite of the tempest around me, I have those near and dear to me still alive and well. I have a wonderful support system who check in on me. I have a community of believers praying for me. I have the peace of God that surpasses human understanding. I am healthy. I am wealthy. I am beautiful. I am funny. I am smart. I am intelligent. I mean…

Most importantly, greater is He who is in me than he who is in the world aaaand many more are for me than those who are against me. The only direction I will be moving is forward and upwards!

You are of God, little children, and have overcome them, because He who is in you is greater than he who is in the world.

1 John 4:4 NKJV

Elisha answered, “Do not be afraid, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.”

2 Kings 6:16 AMP

Also, my birthday is coming up in the next three days and I am quite excited about it! I had not thought much about it given all that is happening but you know what? We are going to have a great time!! I have every reason to celebrate; my Jesus is alive and I am thriving! If you would like to get me something for my birthday; remember when the three wise men visited Mary with gold, frankincense and myrrh for baby Jesus? Well, you could pick a cue from them – especially the gold part [wink wink 😉 ].

I hope you have been edified by this post and have been reminded that God’s got you and ‘He carries your matter for head’, as the Nigerians would say.

If you are not yet a believer and would like to give your life to Christ; please read the prayer below out loud:

Dear Lord,

Thank You for dying on the cross for me. I believe in my heart that you died and rose again and I confess with my mouth that You are Lord and Saviour in my heart and in my life. I denounce my former ways and choose to be Your child. Thank You for setting me free. I am now born again.

In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

I will leave you with the lyrics to the song that inspired the title of this blog post and is ministering to me in a special way in this season. The song is called Hills and Valleys by Tauren Wells and you can listen to it here. I’ve boldened the portion of lyrics that really spoke to me.

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 the 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

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 hand

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

Are you going through a tough season? God is with you and He will never leave you nor forsake you. Stand on His promises – He is faithful.

He is… the God of the Hills and Valleys ❤

XO,

That Lady

Cover image outfit: Ninja Turtle