Process to PROMISE✨

 
At some part in every believers journey you come to a place where you recognize the things you’re most passionate about are not just coincidence. They are your calling. My passion probably drives people crazy. You just know when there’s something you’re born for, and GOD gives us promises we can hold on too along our entire journey. The bible is full of HIS promises. These promises are for all of HIS children.

The process however to reaching the promise can be quite a journey. It’s important that we don’t forget our GOD dreams and passions in the process, yet to remember HE who holds them is to stay our first love. I remember years ago when I kept receiving prophetic words that I was to sing the Song of The LORD and He would use me to set the captives free. I longed to travel and worship the LORD with my family, and stay in HIS presence…To be purified to worship in Spirit and Truth, and  I even remember a day where I even told my husband we would sing the songs the LORD has been giving us over the years and quoted Psalm 33:3.

“Sing to him a new song; play skillfully on the strings, with loud shouts.”

‭‭Psalm‬ ‭33:3‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/psa.33.3.esv

That was probably around five or more years ago. Still, I wait in the process. Our testimony is developed and made ready to walk out what HE is preparing us for. Think about baking a cake for a moment.  It takes time to prepare and bake a cake, but when the cake has been through proper prepping and baking time… It comes out beautifully decorated and delicious after undergoing the necessary process to get it ready!

GOD adorns us with HIS character, qualities, fruits of the Spirit, and all HE sees we need to prepare us to carry out through the power of HIS HOLY SPIRIT, HIS plans. We can’t escape the process… So my advice to you and me, ha!…is stay the process with thankfulness.  Learning to remain thankful and celebrating others as they receive their promotion is part of it. Honor is something we should place on one another.

GOD has the ultimate strategy for your life. HE sees the end before the beginning and knows when a turn is needed or a promotion. HE knows when we can handle it in humility, and once humility comes usually the blessing isn’t far off. Humilty is like a crown it is something so beautiful to GOD and others. I see my life often as a puzzle. GOD’s hand placing certain pieces at certain times and seasons to bring it all together and eventually in HIS time it will form HIS picture perfectly. It’s not what we think it should look like, but it is what HE knows it should look like. It’s what we needed all along.  It’s a beautiful journey where we never stop growing and we get to walk with our FATHER. Even if you don’t feel HE is near in this season it’s ok friend, because HE is. Learning we can tell HIM how we feel even though HE already knows is part of the journey to intimacy. You can tell HIM everything. HE is not a far away GOD who doesn’t know you and doesn’t care. HE wants to see you walking in the fullness of who HE has made you to be and your destiny in HIM more than you do!

Keep seeking and waiting ….HE SEES YOU FRIEND!
In CHRIST,

❤️Sharika

GOD Confirms

  
I recently heard how daddy took Sarah Lynne to the store when they moved to Texas to get a new pony blind bag. You can’t really see what’s inside so when Sarah Lynne began to tell me all about the first pony daddy got her in Dallas I just stared at her while my mind went back almost five years ago to August 2012. In 2012 I felt led by the HOLY SPIRIT to begin writing a book. Care to guess the name? Yes that’s it Love Struck! Also recently had been given a journal with arrows, and a word about the way my husband and I love each other actually setting people free just by eating dinner with us. GOD was reminding me of HIS promises and the things HE had been speaking. HE wants to let us know that HE is so near. So intentional in every one of HIS children’s process. We need not look far just around and HE will reveal HIMself.

The bible teaches us that GOD confirms things throughout. HE was speaking so clearly through something some may think is so insignificant. Yet to me I heard HIM loud and clear. Even shortly after beginning to write the book,  I received  a prophetic word from someone who didn’t know that I had already just started to write this book for the LORD. About four years ago I went through a season where HIS voice was speaking to me through everything. I one day went to work just a regular day and trees were getting struck by lightening a lot. Someone actually gave me a piece of bark from one of the trees struck and I just stared at it. Because the HOLY SPIRIT had given me a name and prompted me to start writing a book. Which for a person like me is impossible without the help of the LORDS HOLY SPIRIT. Then one day I just opened up my Evernote and started writing and the strangest thing happened…. It just started pouring out so effortlessly. I knew HE was giving me the words, metaphors, pictures, and verses. I wrote a small introduction, one chapter, and laid it down. This year after this incident HE brought it back to the forefront to remind me not only are you following my voice, but don’t forget the book. I mean I had no idea they had a pony named that. I had heard of my little ponies since I was little, but this particular one I didn’t know it even existed! HE did though and HE knew there would come a day to speak and confirm that which HE had already spoken to give me the GOD wink needed to pick it up again. So I did. I read over chapter one realizing the LORD was helping me walk out everything I had written for HIM in that first chapter. Then I felt led because of learning what was in chapter one to begin chapter two. Which I haven’t fully worked on as of yet. I just want to share this because I want you to know GOD made you! HE sees everything far ahead and is capable of communicating as only HE can to the ones HE formed before the foundation of the world. It may be a toy or a verse someone hands you on paper … There are so many ways HE speaks just keep looking for HIM everywhere. I promise you will find HIM when you look with intent on finding HIM. HE knows when we really truly want something and then when we say we do but do not. HE sees through us and HE longs to commune with you. Just ask.:) 

In CHRIST,

Sharika 

Look NOT like the World

 

“We need to set our mind on the right thing so we can think from the right place. We need to be in this world but not of it.”-Todd White

We shouldn’t look like the world …. We are called to be HOLY, because HE is HOLY … HE didn’t die for you to live your life according to your feelings, your flesh, and not be transformed into a new creation. 

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭5:17‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/2co.5.17.esv

Spiritually speaking…
We should not consume or serve up garbage… In what we watch, what we listen to, or what we speak. You take things in by hearing and by seeing. So if you realize it or not you are feeding either your flesh or your Spirit at all times. There should be a true reverence for GOD. A realization of HIS LOVE, yet your absolute need for HIS grace. We should never take entering into HIS presence lightly. It’s a big deal. HE is a BIG GOD and a most Holy GOD. Who deserves our best, and HIS grace covers where we fall short. HE is truly amazing. HIS grace shouldn’t be abused just because HE offers it in love. HIS grace should never be something we just say, “Oh, I can keep this and this in my life because HIS grace covers me.” Grace and true repentance means a change of heart, a change in thinking, and a change in your life. You come to a place where you no longer want or desire to do the things you did. You start to hate sin and recognize how it held you, and realize HE by HIS grace and love set you free. You change when you ENCOUNTER HIS LOVE. HE makes you completely new and yet for the believer HIS grace is sufficient. 

“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭12:9‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/2co.12.9.esv
“This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. If we say we have fellowship with him while we walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus his Son cleanses us from all sin.”

‭‭1 John‬ ‭1:5-7‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/1jn.1.5-7.esv
“For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.

For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh. For the desires of the flesh are against the Spirit, and the desires of the Spirit are against the flesh, for these are opposed to each other, to keep you from doing the things you want to do. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.”

‭‭Galatians‬ ‭5:1, 13, 16-26‬ ‭ESV‬‬

http://bible.com/59/gal.5.1,13,16-26.esv

May GOD strengthen each of us to run the race HE so lovingly set before us and may we press on toward the mark, and hear…”Well done good and faithful servant enter in.”
God Bless.

In CHRIST,

Sharika 

CHRISTmas and Thankfulness

 This season always makes me reflect on all I have to be thankful for. Most importantly CHRIST our LORD and then secondly my family and friends. But CHRISTmas wouldn’t be CHRISTmas    without HIM.  

 

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.”

‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭9:6-7‬ ‭KJV‬‬

http://bible.com/1/isa.9.6-7.kj 

Yet the world is trying to remove HIS name from everything including CHRISTmas itself; but they don’t realize what they are doing… Because if they would know HIM and encounter His Love they would never be the same. We, HIS bride know that JESUS CHRIST is a name that can never be removed and forgotten, because HE is alive and coming back. I am so thankful for HIS love and grace. HE is so patient with HIS children. I learn something with HIM everyday. For example everyday HE shows me things I need HIM to help me with like my self control for eating around CHRISTmas and Thanksgiving :), not doing everything unto HIM with excellence, or complaining when I should be thankful. I am grateful for the very character and nature of all that HE is. HE is faithful and true, and we can trust all that HE does. HE watches over HIS very Word to perform it, and all in HIS book will be fulfilled at HIS appointed time.  We are woven into the tapestry of HIS masterpiece and one day we will see the finished work. Let’s talk about who HE is …HE is All Knowing, All Powerful, and Almighty GOD. HIS ways higher than our ways, and HIS thoughts higher than our thoughts. Keeping the vastness of who HE is in mind there are  sometimes HE asks us to do things that people may not understand. So what! If He says it and HIS PEACE and confirmation are there move forward or stand still whichever HE SAYS DO! Sometimes when HE prompts us to step out in faith we may not even comprehend in the moment the reason HE is instructing us to do something. It may be something that may seem so small or large yet when we do what HE instructs there is always a reason and …HE MEETS US THERE. HIS grace meets you where your faith takes a step, or for some a giant leap. Some may think you have lost your mind because faith in action defies logic sometimes. It challenges our comfortable, and stretches us in order for us to grow. Yet even in these times of transition and process we can be thankful knowing HE will finish the work HE has begun in each of us. We can trust that HE will fulfill HIS promises and plans for our lives according to HIS timing not ours.

❤️Merry CHRISTmas,

IN CHRIST …

Sharika 

Drunk on wine? No, just a HOLY MOMENT.

Bravery can look like so many things…maybe someone fighting for what they believe in, standing for what is just, speaking HIS truth in love, and even sharing part of your testimony despite what some may think of you in order to reach those who need to hear it….even if its just one. So here goes…  
Did you know theres a place the bible describes people who were in GODS presence as what appeared as drunk to mans eye? Well read for yourself…Acts 2:15… 

“For these people are not drunk, as you suppose, since it is only the third hour of the day. But this is what was uttered through the prophet Joel: “‘And in the last days it shall be, God declares, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams; even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy. And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke; the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day. And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’”

‭‭Acts‬ ‭2:15-21‬ ‭ESV‬‬http://bible.com/59/act.2.15-21.

I know this will be controversial to some, but it’s in there. I recently had an encounter with GOD that has become another testimony in the story of my family’s life for HIS glory. I had been listening to Heidi Baker recently and over the past seven or eight years off and on. Her life is not what the world would call normal, but in the eyes of GOD I think it’s probably more of the normal HE has in mind for us as believers. Heidi tells her story much better than I do so I encourage you to look her up and listen for yourself. She is completely sold out for JESUS to the point of selling everything she owned with her husband to move to a garbage dump in Mozambique Africa because it’s what GOD wanted. They started an orphanage there that helps feed thousands of children and teach them the gospel of JESUS. I have watched documentaries where the LORD leads her to often preach the gospel to villages who have never heard it by first calling for the deaf and and then praying for he LORD TO heal them those that the whole village know have been blind or deaf their whole life. I have even seen her call the children from the orphanage to lay hands on them. When GOD heals them in front of masses of people it opens up the entire village to receive the gospel. She challenges me to change my perspective of normal. She loves well and lives a life totally abandoned to JESUS. Todd White and Dan Mohler also challenge me in my perspective of the normal CHRISTian life. I want to grow in GOD not stay stagnant. Stagnant water starts to stink it has to flow like a river inorder to thrive. 

So I recently prayed a simple prayer driving in my car after watching a message where people were saying what she has is not of GOD. My car happens to be my secret place. I said, “God if what she has is YOU getting that wrecked (in a good way) from YOUR presence YOUR HOLY SPIRIT… Then I want it! If it’s not you I don’t.”  Simple childlike prayers in my life have often led to beautiful encounters with the FATHER. 

Well a couple weeks if not a week later HE answered me by taking me to that place. Challenging me entering into worship that Sunday even in a totally different way. Not by singing which is the little box I had entering into HIS presence in, because I’m a worshipper. I just thought I had to sing my way in and in praise and thanksgiving. I just began to pray and sing some but I felt HIM leading me differently that Sunday. So I was at the back of the home church we attend in Louisiana. I was alone there just focusing on me and GOD. HE has had me there at the back for a long while breaking off things in me. Helping me see things in me that needed pruning and refining. HE had me kneel and then I felt the HOLY SPIRIT lead me to pray this prayer my right arm extended to HEAVEN reaching up to my FATHER. I prayed, “God I am reaching up to you, but I can’t reach you. Please FATHER reach down and touch me. I need you to touch me.” Well that led to me laying down on my face continuing to pray it was not pretty it was messy. It was laughter, tears, joy, weeping, and pouring my heart about things I needed HIM to help with ….yet it was between my breath and the floor just between me and Him, and postured in reverence. Then I felt HIM leading me to stand and face the wall. To sing my song to HIM and then to turn around. HE then showed me my friend Holly. I had told Holly about a month earlier that I kept feeling like I was suppose to go sit down by her feet as she worshipped the LORD. The weirdest prompting, but I hadn’t done it yet…until this Sunday where I prayed this prayer over a month later … So after I turned around HE showed me her and led me to do what I had been feeling in my spirit for so long. As I walked I told the LORD I’m walking to the front to get closer to you to touch the Hem of YOUR garment … There is a red scarlet carpet where a podium and a chair sits from the Welsh revival. So I went and I sat down like a little kid by her feet. I also felt led to touch her right leg at one point. Weird I know. Sometimes GOD has led me to do somethings I just didn’t understand, but there’s always a reason. When I did I felt like our faith joined and as she laid hands on my head my left hand was raised, and as I was seated there on the floor it began to tremble. It was happening . HE was taking me to that place I questioned was HIM or not, and the words from a sermon Heidi gave from HOLY SPIRIT years ago brought to my lips over and over …” HOLY,HOLY, HOLY!” I was bent over and felt an urge from HIM to press in more so I knelt and touched the carpet as if it was the hem of HIS garment. I had never felt this before I have been filled where people thought I was actually drunk before years back with other dear friends, but in actuality we were filled overflowing with the SPIRIT and JOY OF THE LORD. This was something new though, something I hadn’t tasted before in this way. Not to discredit other encounters as lesser, I cherish and value every single one. It was during this recent encounter I then heard Him whispering to my heart… ,

“This is what happens when you make yourself available. You made yourself available to receive. I AM available. There’s always more. For those who are hungry there’s more. For those who are thirsty there’s more. Come and eat and drink. There’s always more.”

 I also felt the word undignified come press on my heart like our worship doesn’t have to be pretty or accepted by people to be pure before GOD. I think of David dancing with his whole being to the point where it offended Sauls daughter, his wife. David worshipped GOD with all he was. A man after GODS own heart…for GOD alone sees the heart. 

 Holly got up from where we were after a few minutes, and I felt the LORD press on my heart, because she had seen and encountered HIM in that way before she knew how to interpret what HE was doing from the HOLY SPIRIT. She got up an shared a word and we stayed in that place for a while. It was like she was a mother in that moment to explain to the body what the LORD was saying and doing, and then we both were laid out on the floor laughing in the front under this heavenly heavy weighty glorious presence of GOD. I couldn’t get up, and I didn’t want to leave that place of HIS presence. I was laying on the floor and I felt like I had laid my life down on the altar for HIM that Sunday to use as a vessel in a way I had never known. I lay there thinking I know we have to have church now, but I don’t  want to get up. Now I know why Heidi Baker uses the term laid down lover for JESUS. She says HE is looking for laid down lovers. Those who will lay down their entire lives for HIM. Deny ourself leave everything, and sell everything we own and know to follow HIM. This is biblical though the world would say it is crazy or radical, but we are not of this world.

 “They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.”

‭‭John‬ ‭17:16-17‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“Jesus said to him, “If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow me.””

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭19:21‬ ‭ESV‬‬

“And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭9:23‬ ‭ESV‬‬

All I now know is there is no box for your rules about how to enter into HIS PRESENCE. HE is already there we just have to receive. We don’t have to strive or perform. We can’t earn our way into HIS presence. HE already paid for us to have access. The veil has been torn. JESUS made access easy if we abide and rest in HIM, and make ourselves available to just receive. It’s like HE IS WAITING ON US. We so easily complicate things. We so easily make it about us and not just living for  HIM first and others. HE is truly a good FATHER who longs to have a intimate relationship with each of HIS children, and no one more than another. HIS love will undo everything inside you until you are left awestruck and in wonder of HIM. It’s truly beautiful the way HE LOVES US. It’s unfathomable. HIS patience for us even blows my tiny mind . I just want to be closer to GOD to know HIM more in such a intimate way. 

The religious spirit loves to attack what it doesn’t understand. It lives from a place of no encounter, it’s a dry cold place, and the HOLY SPIRIT is not a fan of it. JESUS spoke out against that very spirit the religious of HIS time (Pharisees). If you want to read it it’s in the New Testament of your bible. We should search the scriptures for ourself not depending on others to teach us the truth blindly… Not that all will mislead, but people are human. They aren’t the HOLY SPIRIT in you. We should be able to give account to others as to why we believe the way we say we believe. Be filled with the HOLY SPIRIT of GOD He promises this gift to the believer in HIS SON JESUS CHRIST, and Stand out with a joy unspeakable and fire unquenchable. Literally there are no words to describe that place of HIS prescence. 

I pray for all of you to encounter HIM in a way in this next season that will set your soul on fire for GOD in a way that it could never be put out. That it will grow and spread for HIM all over the world for the GOSPEL to be told in love, the light of JESUS to shine in and through you, and revival to break out like never before, before your very eyes. 

In JESUS name, Amen!🙏🏻❤️

In CHRIST,

Sharika 

Stepping Out Of The Boat

Where we step out in faith HIS grace is there to meet us just as HE met Peter, and Peter walked on the water.  

 

“He said, “Come.” So Peter got out of the boat and walked on the water and came to Jesus. But when he saw the wind, he was afraid, and beginning to sink he cried out, “Lord, save me.” Jesus immediately reached out his hand and took hold of him, saying to him, “O you of little faith, why did you doubt?” And when they
got into the boat, the wind ceased. And those in the boat worshiped him, saying, “Truly you are the Son of God.””

‭‭Matthew‬ ‭14:29-33‬ ‭ESV‬‬

Looking at the above passage reveals so much about the journey of following the voice of The LORD as HE says, “Come.” Whether that be the first call of salvation , that next step, or a call to move in order to fulfill HIS plan for your life. The fear, the inability to fully trust, and truly without putting it all in the FATHER’S hands you can’t reach the TRUST we all so lightly speak of when encouraging other believers. You know when you tell someone those three words…”Just Trust GOD.” Many of us have been hurt by fathers, mothers, or those we love and trusting can be hard, but with JESUS HE shows you HE is not like man. We truly can REST and TRUST in HIS FAITHFULNESS AT ALL TIMES. HE shows you how to forgive those and love those who hurt you just as HE has forgiven you. HE shows us how to wait on HIS TIMING and not try to force or control things in our own time and way. I have been the worlds worst at this in the past, but thankfully for the Grace of GOD, and GOD using my husband to reveal this to me at times I am learning to REST, BE STILL, and WAIT on the LORD. GOD shows up in our doubt and lack of faith and proves HE is a Good FATHER.  HE reaches out his hand to us just as he did for Peter. HE pulls us out of partnering with believing any falsities about HIS nature and character. HE sets our feet back in the boat and the storm ceases and when HE does that… Everyone witnesses what HE did as we stepped out in faith. All those who love the LORD and doubted suddenly believe. Our testimony holds keys and powerful truths to help others overcome. No one can argue with your story, and we overcome by the blood of the LAMB and the word of our testimony. 

“And they have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, for they loved not their lives even unto death.”

‭‭Revelation‬ ‭12:11‬ ‭ESV‬‬

CALLED TO DALLAS 

Recently we packed up and headed to Dallas, Texas. To begin the process of moving our family. This is where the LORD called us and within the first couple hours of being there we received even more confirmation. It’s amazing to me to see just how much GOD cares about each of us. Not only does HE care, but the tiniest details are even important to HIM. HE delights in HIS children the Word of GOD even says that HE REJOICES OVER US with singing.  

“The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save; he will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; he will exult over you with loud singing.”

‭‭Zephaniah‬ ‭3:17‬ ‭ESV‬‬

  Sometimes confirmation isn’t what you expect. 

I’ll never forget that first day of our oldest daughters getting ready to leave for school. She marched right upstairs and yelled out to me, “Mommy, two of the tires on your car are flat.” I immediately thought…”oh no!” Then something began to happen. I could feel bubbling up in my spirit from within…laughter, and then I began to thank GOD for my flat tires. I also got into an accident that day. Same exact day! I parked in an almost empty parking lot and hit the only car anywhere around. Immediately the enemy came and said, “No one saw you just leave. I said, “No I am doing the right thing!” About that time the owner of the car walked outside. I began to tell him that my tires had been slashed and I wasn’t paying attention because we had aired them up and I was checking to see if I could drive to pick up our oldest from school. He looked at me and said, “Its ok don’t worry about it.” I just stared and knew the LORD was providing HIS GRACE for me in this moment. I know this makes no sense according to the world. However, I knew in these moments, because all this resistance was coming at us and GOD grace kept showing up we were exactly where the LORD wanted us.

 Why would I say that? 

Well it’s because anytime you are on track and about to do something for the LORD the enemy will throw resistance at you to try and convince you you’re in the wrong place. Think about JESUS. After John the Baptist baptized the LORD, and HE rose up out of the water GOD said over HIM…. “This is my SON in whom I’m well pleased”. Then JESUS was led into the desert where HE fasted and was tempted by the enemy. The enemy was coming to try to stop JESUS, but he couldn’t. Our GOD is all powerful, almighty, and all knowing. HE knows the end before the beginning. HE also knows when we need to learn to TRUST HIM in a way that we are not leaning on our own understanding. This season has stretched me and grown me already immensely. 

After the accident I sat in the car waiting to put some air back in my front tire. The HOLY SPIRIT brought me a word almost immediately. HE said, “Where mercy is shown mercy is given.” Then shortly after HE pressed on my heart that even when we sin and show no mercy for others…when we repent…. HIS grace and mercy is enough!  Then HE took me back as I sat there to about a month earlier. I was on my way to work and a young woman hit me from behind. There was no damage to my car. So I got out looked at the car and said, ” It’s ok don’t worry about it.” The look on her face was priceless, and probably the same look I had as THE LORD extended HIS GRACE to me for damaging someone else’s car. All I could do was praise HIM thankfully.

So I say all of this to encourage those who are about to, or hesitating to step out of the boat. If HE is calling you to a place or something specific …

I promise you HIS GRACE IS SUFFICENT. 

“But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”

‭‭2 Corinthians‬ ‭12:9‬ ‭ESV

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.”

‭‭Proverbs‬ ‭3:5-6‬ ‭ESV

May HE bless you with HIS GRACE and peace to fully TRUST in HIM in this season so you can REST. In JESUS name, Amen.

In CHRIST JESUS,

🙏🏻Sharika Triche

T R U S T-ing GOD

   

Dreaming and trusting go hand in hand when it’s a GOD SIZED adventure. HIS dreams for us become our own in HIM. Recently the LORD has spoke to both my husband and I, and put us in a place where words once just spoken have breath and life. The words have now come alive, and active in a whole new way…at least for me in this new season. My husband is a lot stronger in this area then I am. It’s something he understands naturally, and he makes it look so easy. I on the other hand feel like this is new ground for me in walking with the FATHER. The words I’m speaking of are, 

“Just T R U S T  GOD.”

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones.”(‭Proverbs‬ ‭3‬:‭5-8‬ ESV)

Something we say so often to encourage other believers as they walk through a place on their own journey with GOD. Yet when it’s our turn the words are likely not so easy to do without the LORD there holding your hand through it. In this season I see these three words …”Just Trust GOD” …becoming faith in action, active, alive, and filled with substance. 
Trusting GOD means… Also having faith. These two words go hand in hand.  

Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. (‭Hebrews‬ ‭11‬:‭1‬ ESV)

Main Entry: trust

Part of Speech: noun

Definition: belief in something as true, trustworthy
Synonyms: assurance, certainty, certitude, confidence, conviction, credence, credit, dependence, entrustment, expectation, faith, gospel truth, hope, positiveness, reliance, stock, store, sureness 

• Trusting GOD means trusting in HIS timing. 
• Letting go of any preconceived notions and embracing HIS PLANS fully. 
• Letting go of control.
• Letting go of false securities whether that be in a job, family, money, etc. (Those things are not your source. GOD is. HE takes us to this place for us to realize HE alone is our source and provider in all things and seasons.)
•  Knowing HE is going to do everything needed at the proper time to fullfill all HE has called and desires for you and your family.

Here are a few scriptures relating to Trust~~~~

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.” (‭Jeremiah‬ ‭17‬:‭7-8‬ ESV)
Trust in the Lord, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the Lord; trust in him, and he will act. He will bring forth your righteousness as the light, and your justice as the noonday. (‭Psalm‬ ‭37‬:‭3-6‬ ESV)
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. (‭Proverbs‬ ‭3‬:‭5-6‬ ESV)
He only is my rock and my salvation, my fortress; I shall not be shaken. On God rests my salvation and my glory; my mighty rock, my refuge is God. Trust in him at all times, O people; pour out your heart before him; God is a refuge for us. Selah (‭Psalm‬ ‭62‬:‭6-8‬ ESV)

May HE bless you with an impartation of heavenly trust, and also the boldness and obedience to do all HE asks you. In JESUS name, Amen!
💗In CHRIST JESUS,Sharika Triche 

“Weirdo”…a peculiar people

1 Peter 2:9King James Version (KJV)

9 But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light;

 

I love everything about this verse. Such a great word for those seeking HIM. In HIM lays our identity. The bible calls us a peculiar people. This very verse has caused me to embrace my weirdness in terms of not wanting to look anything like the world anymore. I desire to be more like my FATHER in Heaven. I desire to be HOLY because HE calls us to HOLINESS, through the gift of the HOLY SPIRIT this is possible. 

but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, since it is written, “You shall be holy, for I am holy.” And if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one’s deeds, conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. (‭1 Peter‬ ‭1‬:‭15-19‬ ESV)

Consecrate yourselves, therefore, and be holy, for I am the Lord your God. Keep my statutes and do them; I am the Lord who sanctifies you. (‭Leviticus‬ ‭20‬:‭7-8‬ ESV)

This reminds me of the time a group of my friends and I went to a conference and had just worshipped the LORD together. We went to eat afterward, and as we came out of the restaurant we were so filled with the HOLY SPIRIT we began to sing and dance in the parking lot. People coming out of the restaurant literally thought, and remarked as they passed that we were intoxicated! No alcohol needed, just a touch from our FATHER.  HE had poured in so much JOY, we could not stop praising GOD. So we yelled out to the people and said , “No we aren’t drunk. We got JESUS and the HOLY GHOST!” Can you imagine what their faces looked like?! Because true JOY comes from the LORD, not a substance sent as a counterfeit. The enemy has a counterfeit for everything. Do NOT settle for the counterfeit! Ask GOD to pour into you, to touch you daily and to bring you HIS joy that surpasses anything man can try to find in the world. Embrace your inner “weirdo” as a believer. After all HE even says HE uses the foolish things to confound the wise.

For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. (‭1 Corinthians‬ ‭1‬:‭25-29‬ ESV)

In CHRIST,

💗

Sharika

You

A TIME TO ARISE

 

Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord has risen upon you. For behold, darkness shall cover the earth, and thick darkness the peoples; but the Lord will arise upon you, and his glory will be seen upon you. (‭Isaiah‬ ‭60‬:‭1-2‬ ESV)

 There comes a point in everyone’s life when you’re serving the Lord, where your past… that which has been redeemed,  stares in the face of someone who is standing in a place that’s all too familiar to you. Although your stories may be different there are certain feelings or emotions that parallel, and as you stare into the past you see the places and or spaces that once had you bound before knowing JESUS. Those captive places within yourself without knowing JESUS that you may have carried for years… The shame,  the guilt,  the regret, the feeling of worthlessness, yet you held on to the glimmer of light that there’s hope, and a way out of the darkness. Looking back you have no idea how you ever ended up entangled in those vines that ensnared you at all. Yet, the hope that finds those even in the darkest of places and hours is JESUS… We all have our own story or as in relating to Joseph’s story our own pit. Some of us put ourselves there, and there are others who were forced into a pit like Joesph into that place of dispair by his own brothers. 

They saw him from afar, and before he came near to them they conspired against him to kill him. They said to one another, “Here comes this dreamer. Come now, let us kill him and throw him into one of the pits. Then we will say that a fierce animal has devoured him, and we will see what will become of his dreams.” But when Reuben heard it, he rescued him out of their hands, saying, “Let us not take his life.” And Reuben said to them, “Shed no blood; throw him into this pit here in the wilderness, but do not lay a hand on him”—that he might rescue him out of their hand to restore him to his father. So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe, the robe of many colors that he wore. And they took him and threw him into a pit. The pit was empty; there was no water in it. Then they sat down to eat. And looking up they saw a caravan of Ishmaelites coming from Gilead, with their camels bearing gum, balm, and myrrh, on their way to carry it down to Egypt. Then Judah said to his brothers, “What profit is it if we kill our brother and conceal his blood? Come, let us sell him to the Ishmaelites, and let not our hand be upon him, for he is our brother, our own flesh.” And his brothers listened to him. Then Midianite traders passed by. And they drew Joseph up and lifted him out of the pit, and sold him to the Ishmaelites for twenty shekels of silver. They took Joseph to Egypt. (‭Genesis‬ ‭37‬:‭18-28‬ ESV)

Though Joesph was left abandoned, mocked as a dreamer, depised, and rejected by those that should have loved him most, when we read the passage above we can see the very fingerprints of GOD amidst the darkness Joesph is enduring. How Rueben spoke out to intercede for Joesphs life, and even how Joesph was drawn up out of the pit and taken to Egypt where he would be placed in a prison that would eventually lead to being seated in a palace. There’s a process to the promise. Sometimes GOD will allow us to go through our own pits, and prisons in order to get to that place of promise in HIM. That palace where we use the authority given to us for advancing the kingdom of GOD and HIS will on earth. It’s because of the process endured we can trust GOD fully, and be trusted in that place of authority once the appointed time has come.

Think about all HE has helped you overcome. Think of all those places deep deep within yourself that HE has reached down and set you free in.  It is that very place or places CHRIST has reached down, and rescued you from that HE will one day send you back to, and by the power of HIS HOLY SPIRIT, you will help set the captives free. In Joesph’s case the LORD had such a great plan for HIS life even when Joesph felt trapped GOD forsaw that HE would one day use Joesph to help save the very lives of his brothers who sold him for only 20 pieces of silver. There comes an authority over the very places you have walked in a victory out of.  There’s such a beauty in walking in victory over the darkness. Extending the FATHER’s LOVE, mercy, forgiveness, and grace to those who deserve it the least will impact and change you the most. It will set you free from holding onto what was done to you and you can begin to see the power in what GOD alone has done through you for HIS glory, and the very hearts of those that hurt you will be forever changed by a love that could never be explained…. The LOVE of GOD…that Agape Unconditional forever kind of LOVE! 

The places some may never know you have endured will become your greatest testimonies. There comes a time to pour out GOD’s LOVE where the scars of former pain and wounds once existed. There comes a time to arise, and silence the lies of satan in the lives of others. A time to speak a truth that brings life from death, the Word of GOD made flesh brings dead bones to life…. HIS name is JESUS.  HE alone can save HE is the only way, and through HIM you too can help set the captives free friend. All you must do is say yes and come in be my Saviour, my friend, forgive me for my sin, and I promise if you truly call on the name of the Lord you shall be saved. It is written…

For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (‭Romans‬ ‭10‬:‭13‬ ESV)

The Lord is near to all who call on him, to all who call on him in truth. He fulfills the desire of those who fear him; he also hears their cry and saves them. (‭Psalm‬ ‭145‬:‭18-19‬ ESV)

In CHRIST, 💗

Sharika 

Learning to love myself.

 

 Learning to love myself has been one of the hardest things I have ever had to do my life. Growing up and feeling unwanted, rejected, unworthy, and broken made it very hard for me to find worth in myself. This inability to love myself gave me such a false sense of what love truly is.

 Yet the thought of love and being loved consumed me. 

What was I born for?

 Who was I? 

What were the deepest depths of love?

My SAVIOUR calls me beloved. 

As indeed he says in Hosea, “Those who were not my people I will call ‘my people,’ and her who was not beloved I will call ‘beloved.’” (‭Romans‬ ‭9‬:‭25‬ ESV)

It wasn’t until I found what the LORD said about me in the Word of GOD, and encountered that unconditional love that I began to love myself at all. HE saw me so differently than I saw myself. The enemy’s lies of where I had been, the things that were said about be, or even things that were done to me had me bound up until,GODS LOVE THROUGH HIS SON,broke every chain of deception and every lie ever spoken. The enemy wants you to believe you are the mistakes you have made, that you are a nobody, unwanted, and unloved. The truth is satan is the father of lies! It is in the Heavenly FATHER we find identity and who HE says we are. Who you were created to be is found in HIM AND IN HIM ALONE. The devil never wants you to discover who you are because then you become a threat to him. You knowing who you are, living the life GOD intended, and doing all the FATHER has called you too no matter what is a great way to kick satan in the teeth.

Children of GOD, know you’re loved, know HE sees you, know HE WILL NEVER LEAVE NOR FORSAKE YOU. For HE who chose you is FAITHFUL AND TRUE. 💗

I praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made. Wonderful are your works; my soul knows it very well. (‭Psalm‬ ‭139‬:‭14‬ ESV)