Ahhhhhhhh!!! This is so refreshing. What was set as a trap before me has become the blessing ahead of me. Bam! Love hurt, hurts. The hurt you experience from someone you love cuts real deep. It is a wound that heals gradually over time, because during the process of healing, the wound is often reopened and exposed again and again.

But, thanks be to God who gives us the victory! - I Corinthians 15:57

The evil that was meant against you, the evil that someone deliberately conspired to harm you with, got played! God jumped in it, because He was in control from the very beginning. He knew! And with that, he has orchestrated the evil, the pain, and the hurt to mean you well.

It will make you stronger, more durable and built to last!

It can be difficult to understand the struggle, but the glory that follows is a sure win. Look at Joseph. His life consisted of several struggles, one after the other. He faced adversary and hardship on every side. He was rejected by family, falsely accused by those he thought were friends, and lost years that he should have been prospering in.

Despite it all, I believe Joseph was able to take inventory and look back over His life, and see the hand of God moving in every hurtful situation. Despite the turmoil, he came out on top and it was all because God meant it for good. God was setting Joseph up for a time such as that. For a time, where a wise leader was going to be needed to help save the land from famine. But most importantly, for a time where a brother, was needed to save a family that deeply hurt him.

The evil that was initiated to crush him only strengthened him. Every rejection, every accusation, and every day that was lost, God turned it ALL around in his favor to work out for his good. In the end, nothing was lost, but all was gained. God made his enemies his footstool and He restored years and time.

There you have it. What was meant to crush you, got crushed! Realize that you are, have been, or will be faced with deliberate hurt that is planned to evilly set you back. However, that plan has already failed and you already win!

You win! Say it, "I win".

God meant it for good. All of it. God meant it for good!

I remember a brief moment in my life where I was incredibly hurt by someone I loved dearly. I couldn't see or feel past that pain. It was amazing the grip it had on my emotions and my heart.

Today, that thing is a faded memory. What I have left of it now, is all the good that God produced from it. Ha! Thank you Jesus!

Love hurt, hurts...tough to swallow, but God meant it for your good.

Peace and blessings! 

Carica 

Deliverance takes many forms. By definition it means to be saved from something dangerous or unpleasant. That dangerous or unpleasant thing can be the obvious drugs or alcohol or it can be something less obvious and invisible like past circumstances, past relationships, or even one's self. It's easy to spot an open sin, but how about the sins that plague the mind? Not so easy then.

We can find ourselves in a constant mental battle needing deliverance from our self and our history and past. 

Have you ever found yourself "over it" only to find out later -maybe even years later, you really weren't over anything? Issues and events from childhood, hurt relationships, family pain, bad decisions, wrong choices, they all lie dormant in our mind and the enemy, with his undefeated self, finds the right time to bring them to the surface, causing us to feel less than and inadequate.

Thirteen years ago, I was so incredibly hurt and pained that I began to harbor and show hatred. I didn't know how to move past the tears and heartache. What I did know, was that I needed to be healed and delivered, what I didn't know, was that it was a process; a process that I had to be willing to go through.

Well, time passed and I was sure I had been delivered and I was positive that I had been healed, until I was confronted with the situation almost a year later. Every feeling that I previously felt, instantly resurfaced. Everything that I thought I had given to God and was set free from, was still right there, in my spirit, ready to come out and show its ugly face.

I wasn't delivered at all. 

I was still hurt.

I still felt pain and I still need to be healed. 

During down times, I would sit and think about how badly I was mistreated. I would victimize myself.


I hadn't completed the process.

The second time around was different. I gave it completely to God. I went through the process of letting go and allowing God to burn up every thing that was taking residence in my heart, that didn't have permission to be there. 

I exposed myself to God, confessed my sins, and stayed in constant prayer. 

When I drove, I prayed. 

As I waited in lines at the store, I prayed. 

Cooking meals in the kitchen, I spoke to God and prayed. 

I couldn't get away from myself. I couldn't escape my own thoughts; therefore I had to pray and talk to God, or else my mind would wander and stop right on the pain I was trying to escape. 

One day, something just broke in me. All other days, I was only scratching the surface, but on this particular day, I received a breakthrough. I received my deliverance and this deliverance didn't take place in church, it happened one day during my daily car ride home.

The spirit of the Lord filled my car and I cried out to God. At the moment, I was released. I really wanted to be set free from the dealings of my past that often came to taunt me, but it didn't happen over night. Even more important, it didn't happen by my own doing. I had to let God take control.

Confronted again by the same situation, I felt nothing; absolutely nothing. My heart did not ache and my spirit of forgiveness was not comprised. Years later, the same thing. Today, the same thing.

My mind needed to be delivered from circumstances that negatively affected me. I had to be delivered from myself. 

Satan has no power. The only thing he does is deceives us and this deception begins in the mind.

An idle mind is the devil's playground - Philippians 4:8 

Every pain, every heartache, every individual that wronged you, has no power over you. Don't think about, but think about it. God has made you victorious. He has called you above. Every set back is a set up for God to elevate and bless you. 

Use your story as a testimony of your deliverance. Your past choices do not have to negatively affect your present joy. Hurt relationships have no bearing on where God is taking you and the people He has prepared for your life. 

You are more than a conqueror (Romans 8:37).

Don't rush it, go through the process, although it may hurt for a while, it is meant for your good. When you are totally delivered and set free, your past won't be able to taunt you and your mind will not revisit the things that wish to hold your emotions captive. 

You will be free. 

You are free!

Deliverance takes time, but God will do it! 

Peace & blessings,

Carica

 

Hey Love! I must admit, sometimes, I am amazed at my own self. Who is this cutie starring back at me in the mirror? She doesn't look like the person she used to be. Thank God!

Here's what I love about today's scripture: old things are passed away; behold, ALL things are become new. 

God is so super amazing. When He removes the old, unwanted, unuseful stuff. He replaces it with a brand spanking new upgrade. This is why it is important to understand why you must release the old man, your nasty filthy habits and sins that separate you from the fullness of Gods. Why? Because God has a bucket of newness filled with refreshing times, just for you.

The key word here is "if". If any man be in Christ... If you are in Christ, you are a new creature, a new person, a new doer and a new thinker - no questions asked. 

Only one in Christ can be made brand new. There is a newness of life that comes along with being His child. There is a wiping away or a cleansing that takes place in the mind and spirit. 
 
One day you will notice that you have no desire to do the things you used to do or interact with certain people.

One day you will notice that all you want is more of Him.

One day you will notice that if God be for you, who can be against you.

One day you will notice a change.

And you will be a new creature. It's not magic, it's Jesus. During our daily walk with Christ we are ever changing and our heart and spirit are being renewed. Take notice of your life. Take a quick look back. See, where God has brought you from, but even more, see where He is taken you.

I know you want more and you desire to be in an even greater space, but thank God you are not where you once were. You are not where you once were physically, emotionally, or spiritually. Right?

God is doing a work in you that even you won't believe. Trust in Him. Being confident of this very thing, that He which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ (Philippians 1:6).   

Change! What a wonderful change that has come over you (and me)!

Peace & blessings,

Carica

I'm back! It has been way toooooooooo long, but I am officially back in the place to blog and talk and share the goodness of the Lord. It has been on my heart for quite some time to return, but there just never seems to be enough time in the day, the week, the month, the year (you get it), to get certain things done. We have 24 hours in a day, which should be enough, but it doesn't seem like it.

I have made a decision to return and rebirth this blog. I have let others go, but I want to be here.

There has been so much that has taken place since I last shared. God has done so much.
I have been through ups and I have been through downs.
I have been restored in areas and I have matured in others.
I have gained and I have lost.
I can't wait to share all that God has given me with you.

Let's go!

My prayer is that I will be a blessing and testimony to you along the way.

Like many things in life, we start off on fire and excited, but along the way we become discouraged and lose momentum. I thank God for focus. I have examined and reexamined, and reexamined some more, areas in my life that needed order.

Despite where I was, I let things go, prioritized and started over. It was difficult making some decisions, but once made, I realized that the 24 hours that God has given us in a day, really are enough.

My testimony is, my focus is clear and I am allowing God to lead me into destiny. He knows the desires of my heart and with a clear focus, they are becoming more attainable, everyday.

It doesn't matter where you stopped, just as long as you start, again. The Lord has placed a special "something" deep inside and it His will that you bring it forth and accomplish it.  Refuse to let time and its restraints hinder it from coming forth. Give time another TKO, and show it who's boss.

Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil. Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.
- Ephesians 5:15-1



Peace & Love,

Carica

Whenever I am put in a position to encourage someone, I am instantly taken back to a time in my life, where I was so low and discouraged, I didn't think I was going to pull through. I was so disenchanted and extremely sad in my spirit, although my outward man displayed a different characteristic. I was faking it. My heart hurt and my mind didn't know what to do. I can't pinpoint my lowly state to just one thing because it was a mix of things, situations, and occurrences.

What I remember most about being in that place, was how terrible I felt and how badly I wanted to be released. My spirit was troubled and needed complete deliverance. I began to find encouragement in the word of God; whether from my own self studies or across a pulpit in church. It was by no means easy to encourage myself and allow God to lift me up. Although I couldn't pinpoint the problem, I was the one trying to solve it. I was going about in my own way besides letting God have His way.

So when I am in a position to encourage someone, like you today, I say, "stand still and see the salvation of the Lord." (2 Chronicles 20:17). Even though it does not feel like it, God is nigh and He is going to step in and send a change your way. 

It is not God's will for you or me to be troubled in our spirit and disconnected from the joy and abundant life that He has for us (John 10:10). Words can be so much easier said than done, but God is able and God will do it. Besides faking it, I had to learn to faith it! I had to call those things that were not as though they were. You have to call those things that be not as though they were!(Romans 4:17). Go ahead, try it.


Lord, I speak life, the abundant life that your word speaks of, over the life of myself and your people. It is not your will for us, your children, to be sad and heavy laden, because for that you said you would give us rest. I take the power that you have given me through your Holy Spirit and I command the storms to cease and the sun to shine. I pray for the season of miraculous change in our life today, through Jesus name. Amen.


*Please find time in your studies to read the quoted scriptural texts given in this post, for your strength and edification.

Times get rough and circumstances of life can cloud our faith judgement, causing us to fear and doubt. But I want to tell you, if God said, He is going to do it. You may have to go through the valley, taking bumps and bruises, or you might have to go through the fire and feel some heat, but that which God has declared over your life is true and will come to pass.


Don't think you don't have anything to do in this process. As often as you can (which is everyday) speak God's promises over your life. God has not forgotten you. The promises of God are yea and amen (2 Corinthians 1:20). You have to continue to look to the hills where your help comes from. Declare:

The issue of control is one of the toughest battles we face as Christians. As human beings, our nature is to grab control of the aspects of our life that appear awry. However, when walk with Christ, we must give up that need and replace it with trust. We must trust that Father God, is bringing us to an expected end. To grow in faith and strengthen our walk, follow these 3 steps and concepts:

1. You can not change the past, no matter how hard you try. You can't rewrite history. There are things that we all have done, in Christ and out of Christ, that are shameful. Living in the past can cause death to your present and future. You must accept the past for what it is: gone, over, finished. You can not allow yourself or anyone to bring up the negatives of your past as a weapon to tarnish the person that Christ has established today. The old man has passed away, and behold all things...all things...all things [within you] are made new. - 2 Corinthians 5:17
   
   
2. Forgive and move on. It is your duty, as a follower of Christ to forgive and pray for those that harm, hurt, and despitefully misuse you - Matthew 5:44. However, you have no control over people forgiving you. You must accept the fact, although it may hurt, if someone chooses to not forgive your imperfection or act of ill will. Cleanse yourself, ask for forgiveness from the Father, and the individual. Once you have done that, if said person chooses not to forgive, your hands are now clean and the "ball" is in their court to do what is right in the eye of God, and that is to forgive. You can not chase behind a person, begging approval, forgiveness and favor. You can not allow guilt to rise up in your spirit and cause you to waiver in your walk.
   
3. Control your spirit and your tongue. Isn't this a doozy? How hard is it for you to walk away from a situation that disturbs you without adding your two cents? For me, this was super hard. I always wanted to fight my own battles. I always wanted to get my point across and let the culprit have it. Tisk, tisk, tisk. This is not the system of the kingdom. Let go and let God. The Lord will fight your battles. - 2 Chronicles 20:17. This is what we are taught and should adhere to. Your teeny, tiny tongue is unruly and hard to tame (James 3:8), but we must bridle it, because it is powerful. Your tongue is so powerful, it holds [the power] of life and death (Proverbs 18:21); therefore, careful what you say, because it cannot be retracted. When you feel pushed to the max, and feel as if you must go to battle, do it in prayer. 
   

          Watch your spirit and refrain from disobedience. A person that can't control his spirit is like a city
          with no walls. - Proverbs 25:28  Do not place your spirit in environments or situations that are
          corrupt, giving way to evil; allowing your good works to be spoken evil of.


Incorporate these steps into your daily walk and watch your walk with Christ be strengthened. Your spirit will be refreshed, and you will learn to trust and depend on Jesus for all things.