Category Archives: challenges

STAND UR GROUND!

STAND UR  GROUND 2

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

“Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:11-13

 

Once again, The Apostle Paul finds himself in a life-threatening situation, being unjustly accused by his former peers, the Sadducees and the Pharisees, who now hold him in great contempt. Their hatred for Paul was so intense that they persisted, relentlessly, for several years to discredit and ultimately take his life and destroy his legacy! Regardless of how many times God frustrated their schemes, they were committed to his destruction. Kind of reminds me of the Devil, huh? And frightenly similar to the way some of the nation treated our President Barak Obama!  #Don’tshoutmedown nah!

However, Paul’s accusers failed to recognize that Paul was a man on a mission for God! Since his Damascus Road conversion, the newly ordained Apostle had become so in tuned with the purposes of God that he refused to allow external circumstances to determine internal perseverance. Paul had discovered the secret of drawing on Christ’s power for strength rather than trusting in his own ability! Paul’s revelation that Jesus Is Lord, therefore in control of everything, gave him the fortitude to persevere in the midst of persecution, confident that none of these things will move me(Ref. Acts 20:24)

In this day of 21st Century Christianity many of God’s people have been dupped by hefty doses of the more contemporized “Gospel Lite Theology”! Hence, in their minds, once you surrender your life to Christ, everyday is gonna be a tip-toe thru the tulips awaiting the Trumpet sound when they’ll be transported to the Pearly Gates of The Celesterial City. Unfortunately, real-life does not remotely resemble Hollywood’s version. Being a Christian does not promise we won’t experience test, trials and even tragedies. However, it does mean that God will be with us all the way thru every single challenge that we’ll ever face!

As we walk with The Good Shepherd, maintaing a consistent gratitude for what God has already done, a  hopeful expectation for the future, relying solely upon the All Encompassing Sufficiency of God’s Grace, we learn the true meaning of  remaining steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the Faithfulness of God’s Love! (Ref. 1 Corinthians 15:58) #Didjaheardat?

I don’t care what’s or who’s threatenng to destroy your peace, today arm yourself with the same Spirit of Faith that motivated, not only The Apostle Paul but our Ultimate Role Model of a man on a mission, The Lord Jesus Christ.

Oh, by the way don’t even fret the pesty intimidations from demonic forces trying to take you out, remember Who created the bow and the archer! #ijs (Ref. Isaiah 54:16-17)

BELOVED, while it seems that this ol’ world is falling apart, never underestimate The Power  and Plan of God! Nothing happens except GOD ALLOWS! Holy Spirit reminded me that ‘EVERYTHING IS FALLING RIGHT IN PLACE!’

GOD HAS PERSONALLY STRATEGICALLY POSITIONED AND APPOINTED YOU IN THE EARTH AT THIS POINT IN ETERNITY TO REPRESENT THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN TO A LOST AND DYING WORLD! AND AIN’T NO DEVIL THAT HE CREATED, CAN WITHSTAND HIS HAND NOR THWART HIS PURPOSE! 

TRUST2KNO, In the Beginning GOD and when GOD decides to wrap it all up, HE’LL STILL BE GOD!  ‘I AM ALPHA AND OMEGA, AND WHAT I HAVE ESTABLISHED, I FULFILL!’ 

REST ASSURED, SAINTS, AIN’T NOBODY GOD BUT GOD! #IJS STAND YOUR GROUND AND SHINE ON! 

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

MY DEVELOPING ROOM

MY DEVELOPING ROOM 2

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

“ In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness. Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me.

For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name’s sake lead me, and guide me. Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me: for thou art my strength. Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth.” Psalm 31:1-5

 

Ever been in that cavernous place,  isolated by loneliness and entrapped in a den of hopelessness, despair and Yes, even shame for allowing your circumstances to rupture the confident trust you enjoyed, just a short time ago?

Still confused how quickly things changed hurling you into this momentary pit of discontentment amassed by discouragement and terrorized by ‘what if”, huh?

Truthfully, like David, most of us have been there at some point in our lives! Honestly, quiet as it’s kept, even more of us have experienced extended stays! Yet, by the Grace of The Almighty God, we’ve learned that the way out is looking up! Benevolence always descends!  Hence, instead of focusing on what’s going on around you re-set your attention on The One Enthroned above The Heavens.

Gratefully, our Heavenly Father has gifted us with His Precious Holy Spirit! Not only is He able to investigate and translate the moaning of our sorrow-filled souls, but swiftly carries them to The Master’s listening Heart.

As we cry out to Him, much to our delight (yet usually unbeknown to us), Your Presence has crept in, invaded, overshadowed and decapitated the gloominess of this prison cell pulling me up and out of the web that had so easily ensnared my soul. Where fear, doubt and confusion once raged, Your quietness whispers words of consolation, infusing and invigorating my wearied soul with such sweet unspeakable joy. Straight away, my sullen countenance is overwhelmed by the Luster from Your smile as You, in passing, suddenly wink at me!

As we still ‘self’ to listen obediently, You instruct our heart to follow the leading of Holy Spirit into a state of Blissful Peace that’s so far beyond my own understanding. (Ref. Isaiah 26:3)

Coming to myself, I am subliminally aware of my surroundings, and what I believed to be prison is just another developing room where You’re secretly hiding me; making me all that You have destined me to BE—COMES! MY DEVELOPING ROOM! #PURPOSE

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 2 Corinthians 4:17 #Didjaheardat?

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

WEIGHT ON THE LORD!

weight on the LORD 3

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD. Psalm 27:13-14

Cast your burden on the Lord, And He shall sustain you;He shall never permit the righteous to be moved. Isaiah 55:22

 

While glancing back at the TV screen on my way into the kitchen one morning, I couldn’t help but hear this early morning’s breaking news report that sometime during the nite, while most of us slept in the comfort and safety of our homes, a group of bomb-strapped terrorist had stormed into a Pakistani school house killing over 120 people, including a number of 1st to 6th grade students, teachers and anyone else who crossed their sight lines!  Filtering my hearing to the commentator, he continuied on saying that Isis had proudly stepped up, acclaiming responsibility for this heinous act in retaliation for a previous attack against their forces!

After reminding myself again, why I’m not an avid news watcher, I came up stairs to ask my husband whether or not he’d heard about it, and he had. Almost simultaneously, both of us asked “What is this world coming to”? ” It’s as if nothing is sacred, nothing is restricted by basic human morality!

Suddenly, the Holy Spirit cut into our conversation; “The End!” I repeated, as if the light had just been cut on. “The End!” The world, as we’ve known, is coming to an end,  in live and living HD color! Who nu? The 21st century generation would be eye witnesses to the actualization of the antiquated prophetic utterances of God’s servants.

I found myself praying, “Lord, as Pastors, preachers, teachers, evangelists, your servants, what are we supposed to do? How can we continue to preach trust and hope to comfort and encourage your people surrounded by the presence of lawless gross darkness? Especially when we ourselves are fainting, wearied, overwhelmed and being choked by the cords of cares and chaos!”

The Holy Spirit interrupted my self-induced saga; “Tell them about JESUS! After all He is The Only Hope of the World! Preach, JESUS! The Eternal Light that yet shines out of the darkness. Remind them that all these things MUST be before The Kingdom of God ushers in The New Life! Hail to the scattered sheep that NOW is the time for Salvation! Warn them that time is winding up, spiraling intently towards eternity and NOW is the time to prepare to meet their Master in peace; for He could show up at any minute!”

“Encourage your fellow-sojourners to take full advantage of these days, not trembling in fearful foreboding but celebrating God all day, every day!”

Suddenly my mind drifted back to the wisdom of those ol’ skool Churrch Mothers! ‘Babygurl, you need to wear this world like a loose-fitting overcoat, that you can drop off at a moment’s notice!’ That was their way of reminding us that we are not home yet! We’re still passing through this barren land on our way to Heaven!

Beloved, if all your hope is wrapped up in what you can collect, seeking man’s approval and striving to attain society’s standard of success, then my precious one, the best you can expect to see in this world is constant decadence of morality and amplified misery. But as The Redeemed, we have an resounding advantage over those who are yet in darkness. GOD IS STILL GOD!

Hence, God is not surprised at anything that’s happening! He Reigns Supreme Ruler over ALL His Creation, astutely aware and actively involved in the intrinsic detailed affairs of man-kind! And to top it all off, God loves us with an Everlasting Love that compassionately invites us to come boldly before His Throne daily to find Hope AND Help in HIS Mercy and Grace!

“This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast ,and which enters the Presence behind the veil…” Hebrews 6:19a

Therefore, Beloved, we do not give up HOPE! BUT!  As believers in The Testimony of Jesus Christ, we eontend for the faith, waiting patiently in earnest expectation, resting in quiet confidence and believing to see that THE ONE WHO HAS PROMISED IS FAITHFUL TO PERFORM!

Didjaheardat? WOW! WEIGHT ON THE LORD!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

UP & AT ‘EM!

up-at-em

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. Jude 1:24-25

For a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief. Proverbs 24:16

 

LIES! LIES! AND MORE LIES!

Isn’t is jus annoying?  I mean, the constant bombarding of your mind with those pesty intimidating thoughts, strategically designated to taint your perspective and sabotage your peace. Unfortunately, sometimes, the video has been playing in our minds for so long, we just might get confused and start to believe that it’s prophetic, huh? Satan, aka da devil, knows fully well that he has absolutely no power to stop what God has planned for your future, yet, he’s determined to strip us of the Hope and Joy of our Salvation!

However, regardless of his deceptive tactics, Saints we must know that Satan is NOT God!

Since his first encounter with our foreparents, Adam and Eve, he’s become quite adept in manipulating our thoughts causing us to question the Faithfulness of God! How? Well, one of his favorite methods is using our Memories to provoke guilt, shame and self-unworthiness! You do know he’s been studying you from the moment you showed up in the earth, right?

Ever notice how the devil keeps bringing up your past mistakes and failures, reminding you of what you did and accusing you about what you should’ve done and didn’t? Oh Yeah!  He is the Accuser of the bretheren. (Ref. Revelation 12:10) Well, this morning I was reminded of something I heard many years ago ‘When the devil starts messing with your mind about your past, just remind him of his future!’

My Precious ones, we don’t have to tuck tail and squirm away in condemnation, as if that’s the end of our story. We can remind the devil that what happened back then was just a chapter setting me up for future episodes of coming attractions!  Remember, The Bible does say, let the redeedmed of the lord, tell their story!

You have been authorized to speak The Word of God with a holy boldness fueled by  confident assurance! You know, like James Brown, ‘SAY It loud! Say it proud! I don’t care whether the fat lady sanngs or not;  for the Blood-Washed Child of The Living God…Failure ain’t Final! In fact, tell ’em,  “I AM the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus! I’m not in this thing by myself!  AND when I do stumble and fall, The GOD in Me enables me to fall forward, get back up and keep on moving into my destiny and God’s Purpose! (Ref. Colossians 1:27)

Beloved, take a stand! Let the devil know, ‘I am fully persuaded that whatever you’re planning to trip me up, give it your best shot, just like it didn’t work the last time, it won’t work this time either.(Ref. Isaiah 54:17)

If you really wanna shut his mouth, let ’em know that you know“My God has ggggrrreeeaaaatt plans for me, for good and not for evil, and He swore by God-self, to bring me into an amazingly glorious future! And remember all that stuff you keep reminding me of, it’s covered, blotted out by the BLOOD!! I know it ain’t fair, it’s called‘favor’! (Ref. Jeremiah 29:11)

Now seal the deal! “One more thing, You Lyin’ Devil, I peeped the back of the Book, and the TRUTH is it ain’t looking that good for you! In the end, we win and you’re still a loser!

#BAMM! #shutdafrontdoor! Didjaheardat?  HOPE SO! UP & AT ‘EM!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

THE TOUCH!

the-touch

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshiped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live….And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment: For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole….But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose. Matthew 9:18, 20-21, 25

 

Sometimes, what you know doesn’t always get you where you want to go! Perhaps that’s why there’s so much emphasis placed on social media networking today. You’d probably be amazed at how quickly certain doors that were once off-limits to you could now be opened to you, if you have the right connections, huh?

As it is in the natural, so it is in the spiritual, huh? According to today’s scripture text, one day a certain ruler came to Jesus, standing in proxy for his daughter who was on the brink of death. Yet, despite of this tremendously desperate situation and the looming circumstantial evidence starring him in his face, taunting him to ‘just accept it; it’s too late, you waited too long; you might as well just go home and bury your baby gurl’, our text says that this local official, mounting up some audacious-faith, came bowing down and crying out  “Jesus, if you would come to my house and simply touch my daughter, she will live!” Jesus recognized that this man’s astonishing-faith expectantly looked beyond the natural, piercing through the impossible, grabbed hold to The Supernatural to acquire that which his heart desired.  Subsequently, The Savior proceeded to follow the ruler home!

On their way, they passed a woman, who’d suffered everyday for the past twelve years from a blood disease that literally left her leaking the very life out of her body! Having heard that Jesus was close by, risking everything, including being stoned to death if she was exposed, she made her way through the crowd, determining within herself to get close enough to put her finger on Jesus’ Robe, knowing that her life would be restored! The Compassionate Jesus, feeling that certain faith-touch, and that corresponding pull on His Anointing, instantaneously released healing from His Being!
Glancing back over the huge gathering, Jesus fixing His eyes on this one woman, whose faith out-shined that of all the spectators, immediately began to comfort and encourage her to not be afraid! At that moment, The Great High Priest assured her that her courageous faith had made a Kingdom Connection. Hence, that which she had believed for, she’d become! Not only was she healed, she was made whole! (Ref. Hebrews 4:14)

Pushing past the nay-sayers, the doubters, the unbelievers and the mockers and continuing on to Jairus’ house, Jesus went to the young damsel’s bedside. Taking her hand, gently pulling her from the gripping clutches of death,  Jesus restores her to life! When the word of Jesus’ miraculous powers spread around town, it sent shock-waves of gossipers pouring through the streets and the surrounding regions proclaiming that The Kingdom of Heaven has come to dwell in the earth!

Be encouraged my precious ones! Regardless of what it looks like and despite how long you’ve had to endure this present situation, always remember NOW IS NOT ALWAYS! This test, trial, tragedy or temptation is only temporary! BUT JESUS IS NOT! (Ref. Romans 8:17-18)

Precious one, as a fellow-partaker of the Divine Faithfulness of our Holy Redeemer, I adjure you to not allow temporal facts to distract you from The Truth! Stay focused on Jesus, The Eternal King, The Great Apostle and High Priest of our confession! (Ref. Hebrew 3:1) NO WORD FROM GOD WILL EVER FAIL! (Ref. Luke 1:37)

Beloved, GOD IS STILL LOOKING FOR THOSE WHO ARE WILLING TO STRETCH THEIR FAITH WELL BEYOND THAT WHICH CAN BE SEEN, HEARD AND EVEN IMAGINED! TODAY, IF YOU FEEL LIKE GIVING UP,  I ENCOURAGE YOU TO REACH OUT AND TOUCH THE HEART OF THE COMPASSIONATE SAVIOR!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

THURSDAYS’ PRAYERS!

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SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

GOOD MORNING FAM! GOTTA MOMENT? WOW!
Once again, we’re delighted that you’ve joined us in Thursdays’ Corporate Prayer and Fasting! We count it an honor and a privilege that the Creator of Heavens and Earth has stretched out His Scepter, inclining His Ear and welcoming us to enter into His Gates with thanksgiving and His Courts with praise! We run boldly and joyfully to The Rock that covers even the most timid of souls, casting our cares at His Feet! Shall we pray…
I come to the garden alone, While the dew is still on the roses, And the voice I hear, falling on my ear, The Son of God discloses. And He walks with me, and He talks with me, And He tells me I am His own, And the joy we share as we tarry there, None other has everrrrrr known!

There’s a sweet, sweet Spirit in this place, And I know that it’s the Spirit of the Lord; There are sweet expressions on each face, And I know they feel the presence of the Lord…

Good Morning Abba Father! Good Morning Jesus! Good morning Holy Spirit! We’ve come to say thank You for one more day! We’re grateful for such Faithful Loving-kindness that You’ve extended to us allowing us rest under the surveillance of Your watchful Eyes. As the gross darkness hovered around us, You shielded us from death and destruction and at the designated moment You awakened us to a brand new day, flooded with rays of Glorious Mercy and lavished with Your Amazing Unmerited Grace to overcome any challenges that we might incur during the journey of today!

Holy Father, as we embrace this day, we first want to ask You to forgive us for any deed, thought or word that was spoken that was not pleasing in Your sight. As we pray, according to Your Word, that if we would confess our sins from a sincere repentant heart, You will forgive us, cleanse us by The Precious Blood of Jesus and restore us back to right-standing in The Kingdom of Your Son! By Faith,we believe and now receive the Cleansing Flood of Christ’s Atonement in Jesus Name! Amen 3x!

Father, we know that nothing will ever happen in our lives that will escape Your Dominion! However, You know that the frailness of our flawed, fickleness and finite frame often causes us to fall prey to the intimidating turbulence that is erupting around us resulting from those who deny, defy and reject Your Lordship! You also know how easily we tend to forget that You have committed Yourself to never leave nor forsake us! We beseech You now, Sweet Jesus, to open our hearts, our minds that we might understand that You are our Omnipotent, Omniscient, Omnipresent God Who can be touched with the feelings of our infirmities and responds faithfully, patiently and compassionately to our every moan to calm our doubts and console our fears!

Lord Jesus,  we lift up Your children who are holding on to Your Hand today, by faith, trusting You to release a double-portion of Your Divine Peace, Power, Supernatural Strength, Health, Provision, Prosperity and Protection into their lives even as we pray! In Jesus Name, Amen 3x!
Heavenly Father, we pray that You will continue to preserve us thru the tests, trials and sometimes tragedies that we go thru! Keep us, Holy Spirit, constantly aware of YOUR PRESENCE and fully-confident that You only allow these seasons to prepare us for promotion in Your Kingdom. Assure us that this momentary light affliction will not compare to the Glory that shall be revealed in our lives as You bring us out wholly restored, renewed, refreshed and with every reward You have promised in Your Word!

Abba Father, we pray, because no man can come to the Father except You draw them, that as Your Eyes continue to search the hearts of mankind that You draw and save the lost, reclaim every back-slider and direct their footsteps to their local church home today that they might be nurtured, encouraged and committed to live out the rest of their lives pleasing and magnifying Your Name! We declare and decree that all of our unsaved loved ones and friends will be saved in the year 2017 and join our Eternal Royal Family!

Father, we ask You to touch our brother, touch our sister whose body has been afflicted by sickness and disease, especially the spirit of cancer, high/low blood pressure, heart disease, kidney, lung failure, satanically induced depression/oppression/addictions and rebuke and cast it out at the root, for Your Name Sake!  Lord, 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, It Is So!

Lord Jesus, we lift up every political, social, judicial, business, religious leaders, asking a special blessing upon each one! We pray that you will visit them in the night with dreams and visions that will break and convict their hearts so that the morning’s light will spread Your Grace upon them to be the examples in their homes, communities, church and the marketplace that will cause those who are in their sphere of influence to love, trust and live their lives fully devoted to serving and glorifying You, Our Heavenly Father!

Father God, we pray that every demonic-induced spirit of fear, failure, hopelessness and disappointment be defeated by Your Anointing and that the Spirit of Power, Love and a Sound-mind be released now, in Jesus Name! We’re trusting that each morning of this new year Your children will awaken, armed with Grace to accomplish every assignment and earnest hope-filled tomorrows!

Father, we wait in confidence and quietness, trusting wholly that all workers of iniquity are suddenly trembling, retreating in shameful defeat, acknowledging that You have heard the voice of our weepings and our supplications and You have received our prayer as a sweet savor coming up before Your Sovereign Throne of Grace and Mercy!

Heavenly Father, we seal this prayer with gratitude, honor and praise. Believing that it is done, In The Exalted Name of Jesus we shout Halleleujahhhh!!!! Amen 3x!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

YOUR WATER IS BREAKING!

My Water Is Breaking

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

“He that believe on ME, as the Scripture has said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water.” John 7:38

“Because I give waters in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, to give drink to my people, my chosen…” Isaiah 43:20b

 

In the natural, most expectant mothers anticipating blessed arrival of her new baby with unrestrained excitement, shops until she drops! At the same time, the realization that before she actually holds her beautiful bouncing bundle of joy in her arms, she must first endure the grueling discomfort and pain of labor and delivery, can’t help but cause a certain degree of apprehension.

Every woman who has had a baby knows that as the labor progresses, the pain intensifies. Although we’re unable to accurately determine what the baby goes through, we can safely assume, by reason of anatomy, making its way through some extremely tight places causes a certain amount of discomfort for the child as well. For nine months, the womb has been his home and now, he’s reluctantly forced to transition into the next level of life.

Spiritually, our rebirthing process also requires intense laboring for deliverance. Every blood washed, born-again, child of the Living God has been impregnated with purpose and potential. However, making our transition from one realm of spiritual reality into another, (from grace 2 grace) ultimately involves some degree of violent struggle. The ol’ church used to say, no pain – no gain!

As we matriculate from one level of spiritual maturity to the next, we’re often forced to navigate through some tight circumstances. Sometimes, just as in the natural birthing process, in order to hasten the birth and avoid the complications and dangers associated with a dry birth, the doctor may deliberately puncture the embryonic sack. This process is called “breaking the water”.

Likewise, to ensure that a believer transitions spiritually into our highest potential, the spiritual mid-wife, The Holy Spirit, fills His chosen with soul refreshing, sweet living waters drawn from the Wells of Salvation! This water is called Joy.  (Ref. Isaiah 12:3) This joy is not a state of mind neither is it a fleeting emotion; but to a believer facing the famine and drought of the desert storms of life, joy is a Weapon of Mass Destruction.

Saints, whatever you’re going through now, just remember while weeping may endure for a night, God has promised us that Joy is coming in the morning.  (Ref. Psalm 30:5) Beloved, keep this in the forefront of your mind, that if you’re experiencing pain, it is only a sign that God is moving and positioning you into the next stage of abundant everlasting life.

Don’t sweat the process, Holy Spirit’s just induced your labor and your water is about to break!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

THURSDAYS’ PRAYERS!

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GOOD MORNING FAM! GOTTA MOMENT? AWEMAZING!

So glad that you’ve joined us for the first Thursdays’ Corporate Prayer and Fasting of 2017! This is the day that The Lord has made and we shall rejoice and be glad in it! For there’s no doubt in our mind, that if it had not been for The Lord on our side, our enemies would’ve swallowed us up! Yet, in the midst of chaos, confusion and corruption that many of us experienced in 2016, we’re yet standing strong, proclaiming that our God is Greater!

As we enter into The Majestic Throne Room of our Eternal King, our hearts cry, “O Lord, now I see it’s You I need, and with Your help,  I’m denying self and putting my hand in Yours!” “I’ll just say YES! You lead the way. I am not afraid of what it means for me to say; Ummmm, this life You gave, is not, my own! I am trusting YOU LORD to hear MY YES, and lead me on!!!!!!!! YES LORD, YOU ALONE ARE WORTHY TO BE PRAIZED and HONORED!” Shall we pray…
Father in Heaven, we come today with outstretched arms, open hands and grateful hearts rejoicing in The Splendor of Your Magnificent Glory! We know that it’s only because of Your Grace and Mercy, that we’re yet here! Because of Your love for us, You have allowed us one more day to enjoy life, health and strength. We’re grateful for this opportunity to present ourselves as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable unto You. From our Mother’s womb, You’ve proven Yourself to be Faithful and True; therefore, today, we’re trusting You to provide everything that we need to sustain us thru whatever challenges that unfold during the course of this day! Abba Father, we’re confidently content knowing that You Alone are our God, Guard and Guide! 

Father, we bless You for allowing us to enter into Your Throne Room, with hope-filed expectation and as we pour out these burdens that seem to overwhelm our hearts, releasing everything that concerns us into Your Hand, You will entreat us graciously! Lord Jesus, because we know that You are Omniscient, Omnipresent, You see and You already know everything about everyone of us, yet You welcome us to come to you  to find Grace and Mercy to comfort, strengthen and encourage us to hold on to every Word that You have spoken over our lives, before we were born!

Daddy, before we go any further, standing humbly before You, we’re asking You to forgive us for everything that we, your children, have spoken, done, or failed to do and even thought that was not pleasing in Your sight. Because You have assured us that if we would confess our sins, You, being Faithful and Just, will forgive us,  wash us in The Precious Blood of Jesus, cleanse us from all unrighteousness, and restore the breach that our disobedience has caused between our poor souls and our Lord and Savior, Jesus, we thank You now! Sweet Holy Spirit, we ask You to intercede on our behalf, our family, our friends, even our enemies, as we know that Your love is the same to each and everyone of us!

Abba, we know that You have instructed us, to look not at the temporary things, but to the eternal, yet  because of the frailness of our flesh, we’re easily provoked and tempted to become overwhelmed by the cares of this world, so that our hearts are burdened with the pressures of this life! You already know that some of us are wearied with fear, doubt, unbelief, sickness and disease, financial debt, broken relationships, unprovoked threats, oppression and depression, addictions, proclivities and insecurities. Lord You also know that sometimes we lose our focus on You causing our days to be spent beneath clouds of evil foreboding, while our nites are plagued with restlessness, despondency and hopelessness! Lord, keep us in Your Perfect Peace with a mind to submit to Your Will, as only You can!

Lord, we ask that You save, heal and deliver all those who are crying out to You, seeking Your Face at this very moment, speedily! 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 have declared the righteous run into it and are saved. Open up our minds and our hearts, filling us with Your Assurance, and Confident Hope that at The Name of Jesus, every enemy shall bow and every tongue shall confess that You are Lord!

Sweet Jesus, as we embark upon The New Year of 2017,  grace your children with hope-filled trust that You,  Heavenly Father, have committed Your Word towards us that no weapon that’s formed us shall prosper and except You allow it, no trouble, test or trial can come near us. We thank You Lord, for fully persuading us of Your Providential Presence and Power to turn everything around to work in our favor and to bring about exuberant testimonies and praizes of Your Eternal Magnificence, Honor and Glory!

Abba Father, thank You now for listening to the hearts of those who have never trusted and accepted Your Son Jesus as Savior and Lord! Thankya Holy Spirit, for only You can quicken that stony heart and provoke a Spirit of Godly Repentance that enables us to come, humbled by Your Lovingkindness, in faithful obedience to Your call! We thank You for every soul who is now receiving Your Free Gifts of Mercy and Grace to Save. We pray for every backslider who has turned away from Your Favor and find themselves outside of You Covenant, we ask now that You lead and guide them to the local church, plant them in Your Vineyard, where they shall be taught and transformed by Your Word of Life and Love to take their position in The Kingdom of Heaven!

Father, we pray for those whose lives are distraught by grief and fear, the elderly, the widows, the care-givers, the downcast, all who have born the heat of the day,  who pushed and prayed us through! Father, give them sweet peace! 

Lord, we pray for every believer who is yet clinging to Your Hand! By faith, we’re declaring and decreeing that You are releasing Divine power, Supernatural strength and health, provision, prosperity and protection. Father, we’re trusting You to preserve them thru every trial and test; keep us, Lord Jesus, constantly aware of YOUR PRESENCE and fully-confident that at the appointed time, You will always bring us out wholly restored, renewed, refreshed and with the reward You have promised in Your Word!

Father, we thank You for an outpouring of a double-portion of Your Divine Favor upon each and every one of your children who are seeking employment, promotion, prompt approval for student/car/home loans and assure them that YOU are YET HE, Jehovah Jareh, who shall supply all of their need according to Your Riches in Glory!

Father we decree that every demonic-induced spirit of addiction and fear is defeated NOW because of Your Anointing and that the Spirit of Love, Power, a Sound-mind and Purpose is being released into the lives of Your people now, in Jesus Name!

Lord, we pray for the leaders of governments world-wide, remembering that their hearts are in Your Hands, we’re trusting You to visit them in the night season and command them to do Your Will. Abba, we lift up every Bishop, Pastor, Overseer, Apostle, Evangelist, Preacher and Teacher. Undergird them with Your Anointing to carry out their assignment, under the direction of Holy Spirit. Cover them as they go in and out amongst Your people and those who would seek to discredit, hinder and even destroy their faith, faithfulness and the ministryYou have ordained.

Lord, there are so many other things, that we have yet to mention, but we’re trusting, believing You to fix it, Jesus, as only You can! Lord, we know that You are not just able, but willing to do anything that we ask, in accordance to Your Word, in Jesus Name!

As we offer us this prayer, Father we wait in confidence and quietness, rejoicing in hope and trusting wholly that all workers of iniquity are suddenly trembling and departing in shameful defeat, because 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!

Father, we thank You NOW, for down deep in our souls, WE believe that it is done! We seal this prayer In The Exalted Name of Jesus Amen 3X! Hallelujah!

Now every child of God who is standing in agreement with this prayer, GO TELL ONE SOMEBODY THAT THE DEVIL IS STILL A LIAR & JESUS STILL LOVES AND CARES 4 YOU 2!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

AFTER THIS, LOOK 4 THE GLORRAAA!

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SELAH Daily Devotions!

“And said to his servant, go up now, look toward the sea. And he went up and looked, and said. There is nothing. And he said, go up again seven times. And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, behold there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man’s hand. And he said, go up, say unto Ahab. Prepare thy chariot, and get thee down, that the rain stop thee not. And it came to pass in the meanwhile, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain.”(1 Kings 18:43-45)

 

It’s one thing to say that we trust God, but it’s how we endure the proving time that determines the genuineness of our trust!

Life inevitably includes interludes of pesty impositions I call ‘the dark times’! Like unexpected uninvited guest, trouble has a way of poppin in and staying way longer than we’d prefer! And to make matters more unsettling, it’s during these seasons that we’re most likely to experience times when all evidence to substantiate that God is still with you and any sign indicating that He’s even listening to your prayers is essentially non-existent!

Knowing personally, it’s not easy watching our children’s lives being ravished by sickness and their youthful dreams and ambitions dissipated by helpless hopelessness. But this is where the clichés that we so impressively sprout off to others are proven to be real or Memorex! Yet, it’s in the midst of the storms that God reveals His Best Handy Work! Who could’ve ever imagined that in spite of the dire forecast, The Son yet shines, leading and drawing us closer to Himself! Clearly, He’s determined, through any means necessary, to prove unequivocally that everything that the devil meant for evil, God can turn it around and make it work in our favor! (Ref. Romans 8:28)

Oh My! How my soul rejoiced that day, hearing that my son had given his life to The Lord during a bible study class the evening before! Little did I know that God would use this storm to woo him into seeking Him for himself positioning him for the miraculous showers of blessings that would follow! And most certainly, I never imagined as I was praying that God would stretch my faith and increase my knowledge of His Wisdom and Power, that I’d have to bury a son to experience a whole new level of God’s Sustaining Super-Grace!

The Prophet Elijah teaches his young protégé that even when we can’t see no way to escape the threat of emminent destruction, we can yet trust God’s Heart and His Hands. God’s vision is far greater than 20/20. It’s from eternity past to eternity future! God watches guardingly over us thru The Blood stained eyes of Jesus. And through confident trust and quiet patience we discover God’s Faithfulness!

Today, you may find yourself plagued by all manner of maladies. Many of God’s people being wounded and worn out by the insidious attacks of the enemies of God are losing hope for life getting any better. But remember, anything is possible with God! Troubles have a predesignated date of expiration; yet our prayers are eternal.

As people of Hope, instead of surrendering to the pressures of circumstantial evidence, we pray; committing ourselves and our circumstances to our Omnipotent, Omniscient Omnipresent Savior and Lord! Relying wholeheartedly upon His Love and the All-Sufficiency of His Grace to sustain and deliver us! As we pray, God intervenes in His designated timing, turning everything the devil meant for evil—for our greatest good and His Highest Glory! (Ref. 1 Chronicles 7:14)

Don’t allow the present darkness to deceive you. Could God be using the clouds to shield you from your enemies view, aligning you up for an unexpected miracle? (Ref. Exodus 13:21) I know it’s been a loonnnggg night, but don’t give up! They tell me, the darkest hour is just before the breaking of a new day.

Go take another look! See that? AFTER THIS, LOOK FOR THE GLORRAA!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

GREAT EXPECTATIONS!

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SELAH Daily Devotions!

Wherewith shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?  Micah 6:6-8

Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. 2 Corinthians 2:10

 

Well, at this writing, we are rapidly approaching the half-year marker of this new year that our God has so graciously allotted to us! Chances are, some of us have already dropped our bucket-list (resolutions) for this year, huh? While others, perhaps, are just so glad that we made it over, we welcome everything that the future can throw at us with open arms and a ‘anything that happens gotta be better than where I’ve been! #HaveIgottawitness?

I realize that for the self-righteous religious tribe, you’re still pumped, ready and determined to build upon last year’s successes and primed for the next dimension of your  personal aspirations and spiritual elevation! Howevvrrrr, for those of us, who truly love God with all of our hearts, spirit, soul and body, yet feel an intrinsic urging to apologize to Him each and every day because it’s a guarantee that at some point between the time you get out of bed and the time you crawl back into bed, you have inevitably fallen short of living up to God’s Righteous expectations of you, have I got some great news for you!

Life has trained us that the only acceptable way to embark upon each new beginning is with extreme gratitude, absolute humility and purity of hearts void of any resentment because God’s purposes did not live up to our best laid-out plans!

I know this seems a bit too ‘unconventional, irrelevant and unsound ol’skool theological’ to the 21st Century 7-11 spin of the New Millennium Church, nevertheless, given the fact that He is our Creator, God is perfectly justified in establishing specific standards of behavior for us to live by! Hence, it also stands to reason that because He has shown such unfathomable loving-kindness, tender-mercy and unmerited favor towards us, that the only reasonable response should be radical thanksgiving and faithful obedience! Yet, try as we may, left to our own efforts, we’re totally incapable of reaching this level of holy worship that God so richly deserves.

I mean, even those random days where we actually do some righteous things, will never equal out all our unrighteous thoughts, words and deeds! So we certainly can’t gloat on our egotistical star. However there’s yet Hope for our terminal dis-ease!

According to God’s Word, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:32

Truthfully, my precious ones, what God really expects from each one of us, is failure! And from sixty something years of personal experience, I can testify, with absolute confidence, that we can surely do! Royally! Can I get a Hallelujah and Amen 3x?

Dontchakno? It’s only when we come to the end of self and acknowledge our weaknesses that God is truly glorified!

For without Him, we can do absolutely nothing, however through Christ’s strength, we can do all things.(Ref. Matthew 19:26, Philippians 4:13) As long as we think we’re capable of doing anything on our own, we deceive ourselves and deny God the pleasure of delivering us from any and everything that is trying to hold us captive. That’s why The Bible encourages the weak to say I am strong. (Ref. Joel 3:10)

Therefore, it is with holy boldness and unspeakable joy-filled-anticipation, we humbly confess that the only thing standing between our strength and weakness, righteousness and wickedness, success and failure, is JESUS!

There is no failure in GOD! GLORRAAAA 2 GOD! Christ IN us, The Hope of Glory, guarantees our victory every single time! (Ref. Colossians 1:27)

Didjaheardat? WHO NU ACCOMPLISHING GOD’S  GREAT EXPECTATIONS WAS THAT EASY, huh?  ITZ A NEW DAY SO LET’S DO THIS!!!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee