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A SAFE PLACE!

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A SAFE PLACE 3

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved”…In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah….God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God. Psalm 62:1-2, 7-8, 11

 The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him. Nahum 1:7

 

“Everyday is not the same!” These were the words from a faithful friend to me to encourage me at a time when I found myself drowning in raging waters, attempting to maneuver my way through the valley overshadowed by Dred and Death! In retrospect, I’m almost tempted to say, “Sir, is dat ever an understatement!”

Who knu?  I never would’ve dare to imagine that one day, I’d be the one offering these same words to fellow sojourners along my path as a breath of refreshing wind to wayfaring souls hoping to console their storm-wearied hearts to keep moving, keep trusting, keep believing because NOW IS NOT FOREVER and GOD IS TOO FAITHFUL FOR YOU TO GIVE UP NOW! GOD IS Awemaazin, huh?

My sincere prayer is that the treasured words of today’s text,  inspired by Holy Spirit, serve as a compass leading you to The True Source of Comfort and Peace as they remind us of The Eternal Truth and Faithfulness of every Word that proceeds out of God’s Mouth! 

The sum of Your word is truth, And every one of Your righteous ordinances is everlasting. Psalm 119:160

Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Psalm 16:11

Beloved, only God knows what challenges you are facing at this writing, yet I hear the Saints of ol’ saanging ‘I Go To The Rock!’ It was those soul-stirring songs that taught us that when the cares of this ol’ world overwhelm us, there is an escape, a safe house that we can run into and be saved from the threatening terror! Hence, we can run to the Mountain That is Higher than you and I!

My precious one, can we pray?

“Heavenly Father, here we are again bowing at The Throne of Your Mercy! We’re so grateful for the honor and privilege to come boldly, knowing that You hear and answer every petition, supplication and inquiry we place before You.

We’re praying for the strength of The people of God, that we might be encouraged to stand strong, continue lifting up The Blood Stained Banner of our Lord and Savior. Trusting confidently that He Who Rules and Reigns above The Heavens, is in ABSOLUTE CONTROL of the affairs of all mankind! We’re praying for the leaders of our country, fully persuaded that their hearts remain in God’s Hand, confident that The Omniscient Father never sleeps nor slumbers, is never taken by surprise, neither does He ever need to repent! EVERYTHING HE HAS PROMISED, HE WILL PERFORM!

We’re praying for our children, every parent who has been charged to instruct and rear them up in the fear and admonition of THE LORD will submit to the leading of Holy Spirit, walk upright before them that they may see our faith and commitment to THE GOD OF ALL HOPE!

We’re praying for those who are yet in darkness, being deceived by Satan into rejecting The Saving Grace of The Lord Jesus Christ will be snatched from the snares of sinfulness and repent before GOD, seeking forgiveness and salvation. We’re believing that the hearts of the backsliders will be pricked by The Spirit of The Living God so that they will make a decision to return to Jesus TODAY!

We’re praying for the comfort of those who are dealing with grief, depression, loneliness, fear, addictions, confusion, overwhelmed by financial commitments, sickness and diseases. We’re believing that the angels of the Lord are being sent to their sides to minister help, health and hope at this very moment.

We’re rejoicing in reality that the companionship of The Lord of All Comfort, Joy and Peace is never too far away and that HE can be touched with the feelings of our infirmities.

We’re eternally grateful, Father, that regardless of what each day brings, YOU OH GOD REMAIN THE SAME, YESTERDAY, TODAY AND FOREVER FAITHFUL to protect and provide everthing we ever need.

ABBA FATHER, we’re thanking You now for Your Compassionate Loving Kindness, Tender Mercies and Unconditional Love that never leaves us nor forsakes those who place their personal trust in JESUS ALONE! THE SOLID ROCK!

We’re asking these things, recognizing that it’s because of The Majestic Name of Jesus that we yet rest assured in Hope, earnestly anticipating that it shall be so. In Jesus Name. AMEN 3X

LORD, AS YOU STAND BY ME, I’M IN MY SAFE PLACE!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

THURSDAYS’ PRAYERS!

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SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

Good morning Family! GOTTA MOMENT? Ooh Glorraa!

Welcome to one more new day! We’re so excited that you’ve joined us in our Weekly Thursdays’ Corporate Fasting & Prayer! We appreciate every opportunity that God allows us to entreat The Presence of our Great High Priest to pour out our hearts desires, petitions and supplications with Thanksgiving. We appreciatively acknowledge that our Heavenly Father delights in our embracing Him in earnest expectation, confident that He Reigns Forever by His Power and is willing and able to save and deliver us from any of life’s maladies! Shall we enter in?

My Hallelujah Belongs 2 U! My Hallelujah Belongs 2 U! MY HALLELUJAH BELONGS 2 U! U Deserve IT! U DESERVE IT! U DESERVE IT! All of The Praises Belongs 2 U! ALL OF THE PRAISES BELONGS 2 U! ALL OF THE PRAISES BELONGS 2 U! U DESERVE IT! U DESERVE IT! U DESERVE IT! ALL OF THE GLORRAA BELONGS 2 U! ALL OF THE GLORRAA BELONGS 2 U! ALL OF THE GLORRAA BELONGS 2 U! U DESERVE IT! U DESERVE IT! U DESERVE IT! U DESERVE IT! U DESERVE IT! U DESERVE IT! U DESERVE IT! U DESERVE IT! U DESERVE IT!

 

Our Father and our God! Creator of Heaven and Earth, once again, we come before You humbled by Your Loving-Kindness, Grace and Mercy! We’re eternally grateful for one more opportunity to behold The Glory of Your Majestic Presence! We know that it’s only Your Wisdom and Strength that has allowed us to be alive today! We thank You for revealing to us such wondrous treasures that were hidden from our understanding, when we walked surrounded by darkness, as dead men in the earth and without a God on our side! For this cause we bow in humble awe!

Abba Father, we come with joy-filled hearts, upstretched hands and lips forever magnifying and adoring You! Oh, how awesome are Your works amongst the children of men! For it is You Who preserve our lives and keep our feet from slipping!

Daddy, we thank You, for even knowing our frame, Your Faithful Compassion continuously allows You to look beyond our human frailties, faults, failures and iniquities seeing yet You minister to all of our need and even bless us with the desires of our hearts, as You see fit! We honor and praise You today, from a heart open to, depending and relying solely on You for renewed power, strength and understanding to apply Your righteous statues to our lives that we may enjoy the abundant lives that You have predestined for us now and forever!

Abba Father, kneeling our hearts before You, we ask You to forgive us for every act that we have committed, willfully and unwillfully, every word spoken or thought that was not pleasing in Your sight, causing grief to Holy Spirit! We believe, according to Your Promise that as we confess and repent from a heart of sincerity, that You are Faithful and Just to forgive us, remove our sins from us, casting them into the Sea of Your Selective Forgetfulness, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness through The Word and the Blood!

Lord Jesus, help us to rest assured that YOU ARE SOVEREIGN and always in absolute control of all things. In light of the continuous influx of profound arrogance,  the deceitfulness of ungodly-mankind, legalized immorality perpetrated upon Your people from ‘the powers that be’, and the revolting of the heavens, winds, earth and seas erupting all around us, encourage our hearts to cling to TRUTH! Bless us to find and affirm that Your Grace is sufficient to keep us saved, safe and sane! Father, in times when we find ourselves swallowed up in the cares of this world and overwhelmed by sadden hearts and wearied spirits, please convict and strengthen our hearts that we may never fail to express our gratitude for Your Faithfulness to keep every covenant-promise You’ve ever decreed over those who place our personal faith in You! You are Good and Your Mercy endures Forever!

We Thank You, Jesus for hiding Your Beloved under The BLOOD! And as You provided Light and Provision for Your people in Goshen, even as we endure these days of imminent terror, tragedy, chaos and destruction, we know that the safest place in this whole world is in YOUR perfect will! Therefore, we trust that no weapon that is formed against us shall prosper and every tongue that rises up again your children, thou shall condemn!

Lord, we pray for every one who is going thru a season of sorrow and grief at the lost of a loved one, those who are being victimized by institutionalized racism and systemic intimidation, Spirits of fear, rejection, disappointment and failure, divorce, lost of employment, bankruptcy and illegal foreclosures! We plead the Blood of Jesus over every demonic thought and prohibit demonic-induced assignments, spirits of anxiety, oppression, depression and confusion, because we know that You are not the author of these satanic thoughts and feelings, but You have given us who have put our personal trust in Your Son Jesus, Your Righteousness, a Spirit of Love, Peace, Joy and a Sound Mind!

Sweet Holy Spirit, because no man can come to the Father except You draw them, we interceded on behalf of every unsaved soul, asking You to quicken The Spirit of Godly-repentance in their heart and in their mind that they will come crying out to You, confessing with their mouths a “SINCERE YES” , accepting Your Grace Gift and are now receiving You as their personal Savior and Lord of their lives from this day forward! We’re believing, declaring and decreeing, that You are directing their footsteps, placing and settling them into a local church home where they are nurtured and encouraged to live holy, acceptable and committed to faithful obedience to Your Word!

Sweet Jesus, we ask You reclaim every soul that has turned their back and walked away from Your Will! Put a new “COMMITTED YES” in their heart, mind and soul and let today be the day that they come back to You and come back to The Body of Christ where they will submit their lives to the sound teachings of Your Word, learn to love and live their lives denying the lust of their flesh, walking daily to please and Glorify You to this lost, dark and dying world!

Father, as we pray, we believe that You will touch our brother, touch our sister whose body has been afflicted by all manner of sickness and disease, rebuke and casting it out at the root, for Your Name Sake! Heavenly Father, You are Alpha and Omega, the same yesterday, today and forever! Even as You walked in this earth healing all who were sick, feeble, lame we know that You’re Well Able to do the same right now! Lord Jesus, Your Word declares that Your stripes have redeemed and healed us and we’re yet standing on Your promises that the prayer of faith shall save the sick and raise them up, In Jesus Name! Amen 3x!

Lord, we pray that You will save, heal and deliver speedily by Your Mighty Hand, all those who are crying out to you, seeking Your Face at the very moment! Give us to know that because we belong to You, we are never too far that You can’t see us, reach us, and shield us from anything that the devil would rail against us. Help us to understand that Your Name, Jesus is a Strong Tower, and those that You hve declared the righteous run into it and are saved. Open up our minds and our hearts, filling us with Your Assurance, and confidence that at The Name of Jesus, every knee must bow and every tongue confess that You are Lord!

Abba Father, grace Your children with hope-filled trust that because You have committed Your Word towards us, no weapon that’s formed us shall ever prosper and except You allow it, no trouble, test or trial can come near us. Therefore, we are fully persuaded of Your Providential Presence and Power to turn everything around to work in our favor, to bring about exuberant testimonies and praizes of Your Eternal Magnificence, Honor and Glory!

Heavenly Father,  we pray, according to Your Will, lifting up the leaders of our nation, government, corporate, judicial, education, financial institutions and our churches! We’re asking that You touch their minds and hearts, visit them in the night, speak to them in dreams and visions and let them know that You Who Sit Enthroned Above the Heavens is keeping record of the deeds of every man’s heart and will reward accordingly!

Father, we’re trusting You to release a sudden downpour of Divine Favor upon each and every one of Your children who are challenged by seemingly time-sensitive situations such as marital relationships, wayward children, loneliness, financial, employment and promotion issues, approvals of student/car/home loans! Assure them that YOU are Jehovah Jareh, who shall supply all of their need according to Your Riches in Glory!

Father, we declare and decree that every demonic-induced spirit of addiction, perversion, poverty, doubt, failure, inadequacy and fear is defeated NOW because of Your Anointing and that the Spirit of Love, Power, Wisdom, Purpose and Prosperity is being released into every area of the lives of Your people now, in Jesus Name!

Lord Jesus, as we close our prayer, we confidently await Your Salvation in peace and quietness, rejoicing in hope and trusting wholly that all workers of iniquity are trembling, suddenly departing in shameful defeat, recognizing that You have heard the voice of our weeping, our supplications and received our prayer as a sweet savor coming up before Your Sovereign Throne of Grace and Mercy!

Abba Father, as Your Face shines upon us, we shout with joy unto The One to Whom EVERY MAN will bow in obedient reverence, The Hope of all the Ages!

Father, believing that IT IS DONE, In The Exalted Name of Jesus we offer up this prayer, IN JESUS NAME! Alleleujah! Amen 3X!

Now every child of God who is standing in agreement with this prayer, GO TELL SOMEBODY THAT JESUS LOVES YOU, YOU & YOU! #FRONTLINEMINISTRY

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

 

 

EXPERIENCING HIM!

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EXPERIENCING HIM

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

Then the woman said to Elijah, “Now by this, I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the Lord in your mouth is the truth.” 1 Kings 17:24

 

We’ve all heard it, probably said it ourselves! ‘We found Jesus’, as if He was lost, huh? Truthfully, no man can know GOD except GOD reveals GODSELF.  In fact, it is God who initiates the search and orchestrates the circumstances for the encounter! SERIOUSLY!

The Creator God has so wondrously fashioned man so that the ultimate fulfillment of life can only be consummated through his pursuit of intimacy with his Creator! Yet few are driven to forsake the lure of this world’s glitz and glamour to tread the least traveled remote pathways of The Kingdom. But every once in a while, a isolated sojourner will catch a glimpse of The Hope that placing ones personal trust in Jesus makes available to every man!

The Holy Writ is packed with stories of  The Heavenly Father’s compelling compassion to make Himself known!  For example, God sent The Prophet Elijah to an uncircumcised widow in the midst of a distressing situation! Nevertheless, this pagan woman dared to dismiss the visible and grab hold to the invisible (unseen to the natural eye)! Trusting that the Prophet’s instructions were actually The Words of God, her obedience proved a measure of her faith!

However, her faith took a quantum leap, when she experienced the miraculous power of God (the resurrection of her son from the claws of death) for herself! It’s one thing to hear others testify of God’s Supernatural Power; but when you witness His Glory personally, you enter into an exclusively different dimension of faith! #Didjaheardat?

As believers in Christ, our earnest heart cry ought to be that everyone come to know who Jesus really is! But the reality is, that it’s incumbent upon each individual to pursue their own intimate personal relationship with the Creator. This relationship is only accessible through seeking to know The God Who knows you!

Unless you were born late last night or arrived on planet earth early this morning, you probably already know that the gods of this world work relentlessly to distract us with troubles, in an attempt to discourage us from seeking after the heart of our Loving Father. Overwhelmed with fear and doubt, some stray further and further away from The True Source of comfort and peace! Yet, The Good Shepherd sovereignly uses these challenges to guide us safely through the fires, floods and the storms of this life to a face-to-face encounter with The Redeemer of our Soul!

In the midst of test, trials and tragedy, as you behold His Glory, you will gain unphantomable insight into the length, dept and width of His Loving Kindness and the Sufficiency of His Grace erupting into unspeakable joy and unparalled satisfaction!

That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; Philippians 3:10

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. James 1:2-5

Beloved, even in the midst of a dark fallen world, there’s no need for you to shrink back in fear! God has equipped our hearts with the Victorious Hope of Eternity! No matter what the challenge, we march on, confident that we are not alone! Faith in The Greater One, empowers believers to become agents of His Glory, touching and transforming as many lives as possible, while passing through this life on our way to our Heavenly Home!

TRUST2KNO HIM EXPERIENTIALLY! 

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

GOD’S HELP!

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GOD'S HELP B

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Ephesians 4:7

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. Acts 1:8

 

OMG! Did we ever get dat twisted? GRACE that is!

Guilty! I remember it, just like Mama and probably her Mama and undoubtedly my own kids to theirs, asking, “DidjasayyourGrace?” God knows, we didn’t know! But now, knowing the true meaning and eternal value of GRACE, (God’s unmerited, unearned favor towards us) makes it even more Awemazzzin, huh?

 When Jesus conquered death, He ascended into Heaven and sent back to us the Precious Gift of Holy Spirit emboldening the Body of Christ (The Church), with everything we’d evrrr need to fulfill, not only our individual God-ordained purpose, but GOD’s Eternal Purpose in the earth—To colonize a God-Centered society giving Light and Life to a dark sin-filled world!

Howeverrr, didjakno that even today, some believers act as if Grace is simply a free pass to continue in sin?  SERIOUSLY! 

In essence, not only does such erroneous thinking usually lead to continuous rebellion, it completely misrepresents and dishonors Christ Jesus’ Sacrifice on The Altar at Calvary! Grace is more aptly recognized as God’s Divine Enabling Power Gifts, which He has Sovereignly equipped, measuring out to each believer, according to their specific tasks in The Kingdom of God!

While there are a variety of spiritual giftings, every gift is vital to the health of The Body! Hence, jealousy, envy, covetous and certainly competitiveness between our brothers and sister’s gifts is uncharacteristically absurd for a Christian, considering the Source is the same for each gift, The Holy Spirit! (Ref. 1 Corinthians 12) After all, these gifts are not given to boast in ourselves, but to boost up and to glorify The Kingdom of Heaven in the earth! That’s why the scriptures warn us that The BookKeeper is keeping track of every deed that is done in our bodies and one day we will all be judged for how we used our gifts to promote the advancement of The Kingdom of God to a lost and dying world! (Ref. 2 Corinthians 5:10)

Sounds to me like it’s a total abuse of time bickering and complaining about what somebody else has or doesn’t and even more foolish, wishin’ and hopin’ you had, huh? Hence, time might be more wisely appropriated by diligently seeking to discover our own ultimate “WHY and WHACHA COME HERE FOR!”

IN OTHER WORDS, WHATEVER GOD’S PUT ON YOUR HEART 2 DO 4 HIS GLORY, RECOGNIZE THAT HE’S FAVORED U TO WORK DAT THANG!  OH, AND DON’T WORRY ABOUT THE NAYSAYERS, WITH GOD’S HELP, FAILURE AIN’T EVEN AN OPTION!  #datzGRACE!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

RELEASE URSELF!

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RELEASE URSELF

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus For good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should Walk in them. Ephesians 2:10

 

Okay, let me begin by saying, it’s not my intention to offend the sanctity of The Holy Writ, however to simply relay my personal internal experience!  Down the these 60 sumthin’ years, I’ve discovered that oftimes the process of life application is ‘easier said than done’!  #Understatement! Needless to say, transitioning this mindset to real-life tends to involve hauling along its own measure of self-accusing, doubt, ignominy and guilt. After all, we’re people of faith, right?

Fortunately, when we understand The Truth, that God Himself, fully aware of who and what we are capable (aka incapable of), has saved us, not because—but—in spite—of, we get a snapshot of impregnable fortress of our Heavenly Father’s Loving Kindness towards us, laced with a whopping dollop of reality!

Hence, armed with this intelligence, give yourself permission to get over you! News Flash! As difficult as it may be to latch onto, my Precious One, you are not the ‘good news’! JESUS Is!

None of us is saved by trusting in ourselves, but anyone can be saved by trusting in God’s Mercy! None of us can keep our selves saved through our own volition, however by trusting in God’s Grace we are sustained through His Sufficiency!

Ultimately, its placing your personal confidence in The Almighty God, realizing (as the Ol’ Skool Church Mothers’ sanng) “JESUS PAID IT ALL, ALL TO HIM I OWE, SIN HAD LEFT A CRIMSON STAIN, AND HE WASHED ME WHITE AS SNOW”, and accepting as Truth, that everything required to satisfy The Righteousness of God, Jesus already did it, releases us from the daily burden of ‘being good enough to deserve God’s goodness! Didjaheardat?

WOW! JESUS, Perfection Personified, got it all right for you!

Now that doesn’t mean we’re off the hook! Don’t be foolish; be grateful! Because of His Once-and-for-all Sacrificial Death,  no longer will we be judged according to our filthy righteousness but are now free to live hope-filled, holy, God-Honoring, God-Witnessing lives, reflecting the Light of God’s Glory to a dark, lost, and dying world! (Ref. John 10:10)

As we continue to walk with Jesus, entrusting our very lives to Him, our faith increases, our knowledge expands, and our experiences will teach us that trusting God is about releasing yourself from the futility of struggling to meet the unrealistic expectations of others, and most importantly, releasing yourself from devastating side effect of self-imposed exile, self -rejection!

If you are a bona-fied, Blood-Washed-Born-Again-Child of The Most High God, your life is hidden in Christ and you are kept by The Hands of The Almighty God! Remember, The Omnipotent, Omnscient, Omnipresent Creator of Heaven and Earth is always with you, working everything out in your life for your highest good and His GREATER GLORY! WHEWWWW! So, REST IN HIM  & RELEASE URSELF!  #GETIT?

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

WHO MOVED?

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WHO MOVED

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

“Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at anytime we should let them slip. For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward. How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation which at the first began to be spoken by the lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him.” Hebrews 2:1-3

One morning during my devotion, the Lord began speaking to me about The Millennium Church Age. At this point in my walk with Jesus, needless to say, I’ve heard many a message preached about the Church of God down through the years! Gratefully, much has been pontification of the Glorious and Victorious Church as well as those that admonish the people of God concerning the goats and the sheep and the wheat and the tare. However, I must confess I was a bit surprised when God began to talk to me about a different threat (either unnoticed or unacknowledged) that has slipped under the radar of nodding watchmen into the Kingdom. He asked, “Have you heard the one about the ‘drifters and the disciples?”

After thinking for a moment, I responded “No, Lord. I don’t recall hearing that one.” Honestly, my mind went ‘back in da day’, remembering the Drifters, that group of fine black men, dressed to da T and sanng’n those ‘Good ol’ slow songs’! For the 30 and under crew, u betta ask ya Mama!

Abruptly bringing me back from the edge of Egypt, God began to reveal to me, “Oh yes! You’ve heard about them. They may have been called ‘Backsliders’ instead!’

Okay! I know about the backsliders! But, when church folk think of a backslider, what generally comes to mind are those wicked ol’ evil rebellious hypocrites, aka that heathen who has turned his back and walked away from the Lord and the Church. In other words, we’ve categorized them as somebody who didn’t really love the Lord, at least not as much as he loved the world. Right?  HOWEVERRR! The Lord, allowing me to peep into His thoughts for a moment, led me to Webster’s Dictionary to look up the word ‘drift’ to discover that Webster defines it several ways, but here are a few that Holy Spirit highlighted:

“To be carried along by a current of air or water; to pile up or to heap, to move or appear to move aimlessly, go along without knowing or caring where one is going; the sideways movement of an aircraft or ship off it’s projected course due to cross currents.”

OMG!  #Didjaheardat? First of all, you don’t have to leave the church at all to backslide! You can become a drifter sitting front row, center aisle, or back row, far left and yes, truthfully, center stage of the pulpiteers!  #WOW! That ol’ devil is as cunning and subtle in 2017 as ever, huh?

Satan knows he can’t just blatantly confront some of us face 2 face with the lies that have been proven so successful among the babes in Christ. You know; like, “I don’t need to go to church; I can read my bible at home (the bedside Baptist)”; or “who says you have to belong to a church to serve God?” What about this one, “Get with the times! Don’t be so narrow-minded; after all there are all kinds of roads that lead to the Universal god, you know The Higher Power!”  #BOOM!

Therefore, he applies another method to bring down the more seasoned saints. Unfortunately, all too often they’re just as lethal and successful! Satan hurls wicked devices (distractions) into our lives to catch us off guard and sidetrack us from our true mission! A little trouble here; a trial there; a threat here lodging a bit of anxiety there; an ominous sense of foreboding fear here; a dip of delay, denial and disappointment there; a letter here and a phone call there, a rumor here and a lie there; a modest competitive spirit there or a root of resentment and rejection here!  Didjaseedat? Who nu?

The scariest part about drifting is that you rarely recognize that you’ve moved at all! It’s not as if you were swept away from the shore by some gi-normous wave; you didn’t even hear the thunder or see the lightening flashing. In fact you never felt the ground collapsing underfoot. One minute, there you were sitting on the dock of the bay, watching the tides rolling—you thought you had it all together, handling thangs, maintaining! Until… you reached for that dose of The Holy Ghost and discovered that your cup was empty and your subscription had run out! Apparently, somewhere along the trip, we got so busy with other ‘real-life-stuff’ at the expense of your personal, intimate time with Jesus! Unbeknownst to you, you’d become weary in your well-doing and unconsciously decided that it don’t take all that!

Tell somebody it takes all that and more! More prayer, more fasting, more wisdom, knowledge and understanding of his word, more praising, and a whole lot more His Grace to stay anchored in The Lord!

But here’s the ultimate catastrophic fatality, when all hell breaks out in your life, we tend to look at Godc, ross-eyed, and place the blame for our circumstances on HIM!  Of course, we’ll most likely not own up to such brazen charges again our Redeemer, howeverrrr buried down in the seat of our being, we whisper “Lord, if  You  REALLY love me like You said, why did You let this happen to me?”  #BOOM  We’ve swalled Satan’s bait and the seeds of doubt have taken root  producing a crop of accusations, distrust and unbelief!  #canIgetagoodAMEN3X? OK, maybe not, huh?

TRUTH BE TOLD, God can’t lie and God can’t fail!  If He said, “I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU, NOR FORSAKE YOU, NEVER” THEN IT STANDS TO REASON, GOD NEVER MOVED!  (Ref. Hebrew 13:5)
Precious Ones, with all that’s going on in the world around us, it’s incumbent upon each one of us to not make light of the lessons to be learned from The Apostle Paul’s teaching! Hence, make a real earnest commitment to BE a true disciple of Jesus Christ. GET A GRIP ON THE MASTER’S HAND AND HOLD ON AS IF YOUR VERY LIFE DEPENDED UPON IT! BCUZ IT DOES!

WHO MOVED? HOPEFULLY NOT U! #SERIOUSLY? #IJS

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

BEHOLD OUR GOD!

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BEHOLD OUR GOD

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid, for YAH, the Lord, is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation. Therefore with joy you will draw water From the wells of salvation. Isaiah 12:2-3

Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me. Isa. 49:16

 

In light of prevailing gross darkness and prevalent winds of foreboding devastation and desolation in our world today, it’s no wonder that we’re stressed out, huh? Even those who have placed their faith in the Saving Grace of Jesus very souls have been vexed by the state of this nation! In answer to my prayerful inquiry, ‘Precious Lord, what’s going on?’,  I was incited by the Comforting Presence of Holy Spirit to review the words of God’s Prophet, Isaiah, speaking to the remnant of God’s Elect nation.

According to the text, once again, God’s people find themselves facing eminent danger of massive destruction, yet we hear Isaiah offering  words of warning and hope that we’d do well to glean from today! The Prophet encourages them that no matter what’s happening around you, don’t be afraid, but keep trusting and praising our God! Isaiah, knowing God inhabits the praises of His people, speaks to souls wearied by the consequences of unwise choices and reminds them that their only hope of deliverance was to remain steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of their Lord! (Ref. 1 Corinthians 15:58)

Saints, the first step in overcoming any challenge is to keep the main thing the main thing! God is Holy, Righteous and Just! While He must punish the unjust, His Anger does not last forever! Unlike many of our earthly fathers, YAH is our covenant-keeping God and remains a Faithful Father, Saving Strength, Shield, Provider and Redeemer to all who call upon Him! From His own Mouth, Abba Father promises to wipe away the tears from our faces and keep us in perfect peace just because we trust in Him! #Didjaheardat?  WOW! (Ref. Isaiah 25:8, 26:3-4)

Beloved, when life is out of your control, set your affections on The Eternal Hope of the Ages and not the temporary circumstances of this present time! Rest assured, Jesus is always in control!  God’s Word declares that you are the apple of His eye and He has tatooed your name in the palm of His Hands forever. (Ref. Psalm 17:8; Isa. 49:16)

In the midst of these unsettling times, I adjourn you to keep your eyes on Jesus, The Joy of your Salvation! Precious ones, when you can’t see no way, why not confuse hell and praiz JESUS anyhow! Don’tchaknow? At the mere mentioning of THE NAME OF JESUS demons tremble and the angelic host is put on alert!

Ooooh Yeah! TRUST2KNOW, The Great and Holy One of Israel is closer than ever before! Therefore, Precious Ones, don’t be deceived by temporary circumstantial evidence! Hold on to every Promise we’ve been given by your Covenant Keeping Lord and “Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.”  (Psalm 121:4)  LOOK UP AND BEHOLD YOUR GOD!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

NOT THERE YET!

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NOT THERE YET!

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

Ye have compassed this mountain long enough: turn you northward. Deuteronomy 2:3

 

It’s been a few years ago that Holy Spirit pricked my heart prompting me to ask this question, ‘ARE WE THER YET?’ I’m sure that it caused you to reminisce about the 2005 film starring Nick Persons (Ice Cube) Nia Long and Aleisha Allen!

Sadly, once again many of my fellow kinsmen in Christ find ourselves trapped in this dilemma (whether we’re willing to acknowledge it publicly or even privately)! What am I talking about, NOW? While it gladdens our hearts to acknowledge the tremendous strides that we, as a nation, have taken as it relates to establishing ethnic, gender and social equality in the land of the free, on the other hand, we’re yet haunted by the insidious pink elephant in the room, chanting “We ain’t where we used to be, but we sho ain’t where we ought to be!” Don’ lost half my church, again, huh?

Granted, it’s been the custom of many of our leaders to ascribe to the notion of ‘separation of state and church’, yet, there has been a subtle reformation amongst a few to sneak preach their opposition to those who have, in no uncertain terms, expressed their earnest and impassioned desires to repeal and replace the furtherance of political, legislative, economic, social and religious progressions of the more contemporized inclusive mind-sets of 21st Century millenniums with the more partisan-palatable-self-engrandising traditions of their ancestral culture. Oooh NO SHE DIDN’T! #uknowidid!

Quite honestly, the recent events of the past year and a half,  plainly affirm the vociferous premise, “We ain’t there yet”!  Down thru the years, those of us who have witnessed numerous infractions of the civil and domestic rights, defined by The U.S. Constitution, of every citizen of this nation, have been stupefied, shocked and yes terrified by the attitude and inexpiable restraint of those who consistently choose to ignore the obvious and supplant distractions in an effort to excuse the inexcusable activity that’s been perpetuated upon us DAILY, in live and in living HD coverage!

I must confess, personally,  it’s becoming increasingly difficult for the saved and sane, who sincerely endeavor to obediently follow after the heart of God, to fake stupid and go along just to get along! Some of us actually believed our Grandma and Maya Angelo, “If someone repeatedly shows you who they are, BELIEVE THEM!” #IJS!!!

Life has a way of teaching us two of the greatest deterrents to successfully reaching our goals: contentment and indulgence!  Again, I’m not trying to negate the credibility of The Apostle Paul’s revelation “Not that I speak in respect to want, for I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content (Philippians 4:11) However, I AM simply reverberating the apparent, if we linger here too long, our contentment becomes a comfort zone that potentially diminishes our hope, dreams and drive for reaching better…there! GOD FORBID!

God promised to bring His Chosen people into their good land, flowing with milk and honey! But when they got so comfortable going around Mount Horeb that they were willing to settle for a piece of God’s Promise, this became unacceptable! When do we grow-up into a level of spiritual maturity that exemplifies God’s perspective of righteousness? Not only is partial obedience disobedience, but it also robs Him of the opportunity to fully express His Glory!

Beloved, it’s time out for pointing our fingers at them Israelites and not looking at our own lives to recognize how many times we’ve settled for less than God was offering! Yes, we are not called out to fight as the world, nevertheless, the weapons of our warfare are still mighty thru God! (Ref. 2 Chronicles 7:14) BUT! When we get thru praying that effectual fervent prayer of the righteous that availeth much, we get up and vote, show up at the city council, town hall, school board, PTA and home-owners association meetings!

I dare U shout on dat?

Please hear my heart, Precious One, God said, “It’s time to head northward! Shake the dust of compromise off your feet and getta steppin—FORWARD”!

Let’s lift up our heads! Remember, “…the race is not given to the swift neither to the strong, But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved”Matthew 24:13!

Nawh, we might not be there yet, BUT…GREATER IS HE THAT IS IN US THAN HE THAT’S IN THIS WORLD! Let the Spirit of Caleb rise up in you, exhale the spirit of doubt and fear and trust GOD 2 PREVAIL THRU UR FAITH AND FEET!

ARE YOU ‘THERE’ YET? SERIOUSLY?

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

This is Ann Caffee and I pledge my allegiance to The Gospel!

 

ARISE AND CONQUER!

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ARISE AND CONQUER

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you…Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:5, 9

 

Throughout the [ages of The Holy Scriptures God has placed examples (role models) to teach us wisdom, to encourage us and to show us the potential hidden within each of us who will allow His Power to be manifested through our very being! However, it’s important to note that at some point in the lives of His servants, God will remove anyone or anything that you become co-dependent upon and anything that represents a mark for you to follow other than GOD-SELF! You shall have no other gods before Me. Exodus 20:3

 For forty years, Joshua had witnessed the anointing that rested upon Moses demonstrated through miraculous signs and wonders. He saw the courage and boldness with which Moses approached Pharaoh, commanding that he release God’s Chosen People.
“Go back to Pharaoh,” the LORD commanded Moses. “Tell him, ‘This is what the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, says: Let my people go, so they can worship me” Exodus 9:1

THEN, God spoke to Joshua, calling him to complete the task of leading Israel into The Promised Land. “Moses is dead; his season is over. Now it’s time for you, Joshua, to arise and position yourself that I might use you to fulfill my purpose through you. It’s time to go over the Jordan!”

Perhaps you’ve been there, huh? I mean, being confronted by an amazing opportunity that while potentially privileged, at the same time, seeming undeniably impossible! Seriously, when you don’t have that person/job/wisdom, skill, etc. that mentored, challenged, encouraged and stretched you beyond your comfort zone, it’s highly likely the waves of personal insufficiency will rise up and suddenly you find yourself tripping over hidden rocks of low self-esteem! Of course you don’t know if you have what you need to go over whatever it’s gonna take to overcome and succeed! #ijs!

Barricaded by the Spirit of Lo-debar, beneath the rubble of fear, doubt, shame and anxiety, the insurgent provocative ‘what if’s’ begin to surface, challenging your faith! Not in God, but can you stand up to the responsibility of such daunting privilege? Okay, I guess it’s jus me, huh?

BUT…Ain’t you glad that God already knows what He’s getting when He calls us? Hallelujah 2 the Lamb!!!

Thankfully, God knowing our frame, never asks us to do anything that He’s not totally committed to helping us complete! God made Joshua a Promise that you and your people will go over this Jordan! Didjaheardatt? Don’t jus dream about it, don’t just talk about it! BUT position yourself in GOD and GOD WILL give you the land! Be strong in the Lord and the Power of HIS MIGHT! (Ref. Ephesians 6:10) Ignore the naysayers, and take GOD at HIS WORD! Don’t fret, falter or fain! Put it in your heart, mind and your mouth! U gotta know that over that barrier, there’s a blessing awaiting you!

Remember, wherever your feet go, GOD SAID, I HAVE GIVEN IT 2 U! AS I WAS WITH MOSES, SO SHALL I BE WITH U! Hence, Beloved, take courage and trust GOD for your success! NOW GET UP AND GO GET YOUR BLESSING! #ARISE&CONQUER!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

ALL POWER BELONGS 2 GOD!

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ALL POWER BELONGS 2 GOD

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah…God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God. Psalm 62:7-8,11
 

Over the past 50 years, we’ve seen a whole lot of changes. Our society has evolved from being agriculturally dominated, thru industrially dominated, into an age where information technology dominates. Some of you remember what it was like growing up in the country. You worked hard and you played hard,  right? But through it all, you were able to maintain a healthy balance between the physical labor of working the fields and the ease of drinking a cold glass of lemonade sitting on the porch come Sunday afternoon.
 
Then, the war came, and many of our brothers went off to war leaving the familiarity of the farms for foreign soil, forcing those left behind into factories working the machinery building weapons, mass production of crops, meat, clothing, etc. The dirt roads and shotgun houses were replaced by concrete paved streets and skyscrapers. The Industrial Age had taken over and the ease of those Sunday mornings vacated and swapped with washing the car, 2 hours at the gym, 3-mile runs, kids soccer games, karate tournaments, or at the very least, I gotta get my stuff ready to go back to work next week!
 
As wars and rumors of wars escalate, so has tension, stress and the push for greater technological advancements. The factories have basically come to a hault as the focus shifted away from meeting the needs of common folk  onto which nation will gather the most information proving who’s the best of the best; who’s going to be the first country to put a man on the moon, mars of take over a yet undiscovered universe; who’s gonna build the biggest bomb, and who’s gonna conquer outer space once we blow up this planet. YEAH BABY, WE’VE COME A LONG WAY, huh?
 
Who nu? Here we are in the 21st Century, and for many we got what we wanted, but at what cost? The laughter of our children in the yard jumping double-dutch, playing football, the swish of the ball dropping through a wooden loop, the clicking sounds of cardboard or plastic between the spikes of bikes, roller skates racing down the streets have been silenced by the noise of doors being slammed by rebellious children barricading themselves in their rooms; whispering, texting and yes, even sexing on $500 cell phones/ipads or the clicking of remote controls to $700  video games played on 75-inch flat screen TV’s! Owww Wheeeeee, don’t shout me down now!
 
While we, the parents have bought into the propaganda being dupped with the misguidedphilosopy, “I’m gonna make sure that my baby has it better than I did”, we’ve created a generation of young people who seem to get everything in life they want, yet have nothing to live for. Meanwhile, many of them are engaging in disruptive habits that scream, “LIFE’S A BEACH! I hate myself, and I hate you too. So why not make a pact to commit suicide, or I’m bored so let’s go shoot up a bunch of folk we don’t even know.”
 
Honestly! If you’re not prayerful, it’s easy to allow all the hell of this world to consume your whole life.  Yall don’t believe it, huh?  Well, it’s gotten to the point now that even the most seasoned saints may ponder the Satanically-induced thought of cutting your own wrist, just to escape the peril of these wicked times. 

BUT GOD! Knowing everything that humanity would experience, left it on record to console those who would become weary in well-doing, ‘while we’re in this world—we are not of this world!’ Although, we are not exempt from test, trials and persecution, we are never alone! (Ref. Hebrews 13:5)
 
Precious Saints, when it looks like there’s no point to living for God (aka) living holy and you’ve come to the end of your rope, that’s your clue—not to give up but to take a stand—tie a knot in the rope and hang on! Cling to the Hope of your calling, Jesus Christ—The Living Word of Life! (Ref. Ephesians 1:18)  Don’t get it twisted, it ain’t always what it looks like!
 
Remember, when the dusts settles,  He Who has called you is Faithful and True (Ref. 1 Thessalonians 5:24; Revelations 19:11) and He Yet Reigns! ALL POWER BELONGS 2 GOD! #Didjaheardat?

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!
 
Ann Caffee