Dear diary, I can’t believe I’m gonna be 18 in two months. Time does fly! I remember when I was in Jss1, a nine year old petite child basking in the excitement of finally being in secondary school, or when I was in Jss3, shy and not confident. Thank God for God. This sounds cliché but when I look back all I can say is God has been faithful. I struggled a lot as a child and a teenager. I fought my battles not knowing who God was and what He did on the cross. At fifteen, I was an utter mess. My whole life was in doldrums, I was so fearful and full of so many thoughts and memories that ate me up inside. The devil indeed had wicked plans for my destiny and I was heading very much in the line of destruction until Jesus came along. He changed everything and now I see myself flowering into ‘that woman’ I always wanted to become but never thought I’ll have the courage to be. Again, thank God for God. Back to my eighteenth birthday, *shines teeth* I am so excited to be turning eighteen. I wake up every day knowing that God has a plan for me and my confidence level has escalated.*grins* The way I walk is different, the way I talk is different, everything about me is different. If you knew me before and know me now, the difference is undeniably clear. I encountered God when I was age fifteen, that was when I surrendered my life to Christ or got saved as many Christians call it. I decided to surrender all to God withholding nothing, I couldn’t fight my battles alone, I couldn’t hold on to my fears and pain anymore. Jesus took everything away and gave me a new life, a new beautiful life that I am so so blessed to be living! So what if I hadn’t surrendered my life to Jesus? I probably would have been in a mental institution or somewhere wallowing in self pity and depression. I wouldn’t have been looking forward to my eighteenth birthday and the devil would have been somewhere rejoicing! God forbid. So what if I hadn’t surrendered my life to Jesus? I probably would have been in a mental institution or somewhere wallowing in self pity and depression. I wouldn’t have been looking forward to my eighteenth birthday and the devil would have been somewhere rejoicing! God forbid. | I know as I get older, there will be battles to fight and storms but thank God, my Father fights my battles for me. Jesus was in the boat with the disciples and He calmed the storm! (Matthew 4:39). Like Bishop Oyedepo says “ It is scriptural for a Christian to be challenged but it is not scriptural for a Christian to be defeated” I am going to enter my 18th year knowing and believing that I can do all things through Christ that gives me strength. (Phillipians 4:13) *beams* My life is just a glimpse of how God can turn bad for good and give beauty for ashes! (Isaiah 61:3) Joyce Meyer is a very good example, she was abused sexually by her own father and now look at where she is today! The devil is a liar. She impacts people worldwide, her messages are part of who I am today and her life proves to me that God is a God with no boundaries. He takes the foolish things of this world to shame the wise and the weak to shame the strong. (1Cor 1:27) That’s the incredible God we serve! If you’re reading this and you don’t know Jesus or you don’t have a relationship with Him and you interested in having this new, beautiful life; Then I lovingly encourage you to say this prayer of salvation (out loud): Father God, I love You, I come to you today in faith asking You to forgive my sins. Jesus, I believe in you, I believe you died on the cross for me. You shed your innocent blood for me, You took my place and all the punishment I deserve. I believe you died and were buried and on the third day You rose from the dead. Death could not hold You. You have conquered satan and taken the keys of hell and death from him. I believe you did all of this for me because you love me. I want to be a Christian. I want to serve you all the days of my life. I want to learn how to live the new life You have promised me. I receive You now Jesus, and I give myself to You. Take me just the way I am and make me what you want me to be. Thank You Jesus, for saving me. Fill me with your holy spirit and teach me everything I need to know. Now I believe I am saved, I have been born again, and I will go to heaven when I die. Father God, I am going to enjoy my journey and live for your glory! I celebrate with you if you just said that prayer and I know that God will do amazing things in your life! God bless you and if you have any questions, feel free to send me an email and leave your comments below! God bless you. Scriptures mentioned Matthew 4:39 1 Corinthians 1:27 Isaiah 61:3 Philippians 4:13 Uplifting songs Withholding nothing: William McDowell- https://soundcloud.com/search?q=witholding%20nothing%20william%20mcdowell For Your Glory: Tasha Cobbs- https://soundcloud.com/user829953598/tasha-cobbs-for-your-glory Imela(Thank You): Nathaniel Bassey ft Enitan Adaba- https://soundcloud.com/nitorilola/nathaniel-bassey-ft-enitan Indescribable: Kierra Sheard- https://soundcloud.com/junbug2k/kierra-sheard-indescribable Break Every Chain: Tasha Cobbs- https://soundcloud.com/felicia-austin/break-every-chain-tasha-cobbs |