Category Archives: challenges

INSIDER ADVANTAGE!

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INSIDER ADVANTAGE 2

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

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

 
“The rich get richer and the poor get poorer!” Ever heard that ol’ addage? I was thinking about the Wall Street moguls, sitting in penthouse corner offices, puffing on expensive cigars, bellowing out orders to their subordinates, (who’re most likely in some crowded rooms filled with discarded ticket tapes with the I-Phones glued to their faces) ‘Buy low; sell high’! ‘Buy now; sell it now’! We’ve seen Hollywood’s behind the scenes depictions of the ‘the powers that be’ conducting transactions that keep the big ballers on top and the rest of us clamoring to make ends meet!

Down thru the years, we’ve watched the rising and collapse of major financial institutions, heard stories of CEO’s jumping out of windows at the threat of bankrupty, the accusations and a few convictions of corporate corruption as a means to topple their competitors to gain or maintain ‘top dog’ recognition and witnessed the slander of whistle-blowers who dared to expose the tyranny of boardroom shenanigans all in the name of capitalism!

As you’ve probably determined, having no personal knowledge, experience nor a financial portfolio, I can only assume that there’s a whole lot of insider information involved that the rest of us are generally not privy to.

However, I do know a thing or two about Kingdom Economics! I know that God can do big things in tight places! How do I know, I’ve seen Him do it! I’ve seen Grand-Ma take a pound of chicken livers, mix it with a couple cups of rice, bake a pan of biscuits and turn it into feast to feed a family of fourteen! I’ve seen Mama mete out the equivolent of a two week paycheck over a month of expenses! I experienced the Hand of God drawing a spiritually drought, emotionally-hopelessly distraught, physically battered, single Mom into the Fountain of Life-giving Love, transforming her entire being in unimaginable ways from the inside out!
Oh don’t get it twisted! This was (is) not a one-and-done fix! But by the ever-increasing empowering Grace, we learn to lean and depend on the in-dwelling Presence of Holy Spirit. Who knu?

God is so determined to confound the wisdom of this world that He chooses those least likelys to be reflectors of His Glory! The greatest thing about the process, is that God is the One who begins and completes the work! Talk about guaranteed success, huh?

Ain’tdatamazing? Our Heavenly Father, already knew the frail-fickled-flaws of our flesh, yet before the foundation of the world, stragetically implemented His Plan to reconcile and restore those created in His image back unto God-Self through The Sacraficial Atoning Blood of His Son, Jesus! Now, God’s Spirit living on the inside of us enables us to live everyday shining His Light in the midst of the gross darkness of this world! That’s the Gospel of Salvation! WOW!

Sometimes, looking at ourselves and the surmounting circumstantial evidence, it’s easy to believe that your spiritual maturity is in the red and become discouraged, huh? BUT don’t give up! Remember, ‘Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world.’ 1 John 4:4) Hence, God will never give up on you until He sees Jesus’ image in you!

Jus knowing that God loves you ‘despite of-just-because’ should make u grab hold to the Hope of His Divine Help and His Healing Presence, in confident humility and grateful obedience—until He completes His Work in you! #ijs #INSIDE ADVANTAGE!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

PREDESTINED 2 UNCONQUERABLE LOVE

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PREDESTINED 2 UNCONQUERABLE LOVE

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. Romans 8:37

There are various perspectives on ‘predestination’ even amongst the Christian community. Some believe that God has earmarked certain ones to receive His gift of Salvation; while others believe that because The Omniscient Creator already knew those who would respond to this gracious offer by accepting the atonement offered by Christ, their salvation is inevitable! But for those, just like me, my philosophy is ‘I don’t know why Jesus loved me, I don’t know why He cared! I don’t know why He Sacraficed His Life, Oooohhh But I’m glad! So glad HE DID!’

 
I  don’t know about you, but I still get happy just thinking about being saved! I mean, knowing that there was absolutely nothing in my life’s repertoire that remotely merited so great a gift, but God summoned me to such Grace according to His own purpose, amazes the hell outta a wretch like me! To those who have an ongoing proclivity to engage in a self-loathing-guilt-shame-blame game, these words scribed by The Apostle Paul in Romans Chapter 8:28-39, offer  new perspective and continue to be a source of great comfort, confidence, strength and hope to po’ souls!

Do you understand, beloved, that in the Mind of God, you and I are not an afterthought? Oh Yeah! Before the foundation of the world God Soveignly called us to fulfill His ultimate purpose, to make us like His Son Jesus! WOW! I know, right? Knowing that The Omniscient God knew you would sin before you committed one sin, yet loved you and will always love you is beyond human comprehension, but it’s TRUE! Kinda sheds a new light on how and why Paul calls the painful test, trials and tragedies that we all experience in this fallen world, a light affliction, huh?

Can you imagine how Micael, Gabriel and the rest of the angels who have never failed to honor God feel about us? (Ref. Psalm 8:4) WOW! Crazy LOVE, right!

Now! We need to understand that there’s an Accuser who will never forget that you defected from his kingdom of darkness, volunteering to go to the other side, Jesus Christ! Satan’s tracking your every move, gathering infractions you’ve committed in order to charge you before The Righteous Judge, but don’t be fooled! You have an Advocate, Jesus! His Sacrificial Blood has already rendered the devil, defeated!

God promised those who trust in the riches of Jesus are secure in His Righteousness and Hope for His Redemption, need never fear His Rejection!

Precious Saints, the reality is, this same GRACE that saves us, empowers us to live to serve and honor The One who loves us eternally! #whatalife! UNCONQUERABLE LOVE!

 

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

 

LET GOD BE GOD!

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LET GOD BE GOD

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

So then, those who suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good. 1 Peter 4:19

And the God of all grace, who called you to His eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will Himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. To Him be the power for ever and ever. Amen 1 Peter 5:10-11
‘He’s got the whole world, in His Hands! He’s got the whole wide world, in His Hands! He’s got the whole world, in His Hands! He got the whole world in His Hands!’

WOW! I’m good with that; for about the first 22 seconds of consciousness! Then I realize that I’m awake! Opening my eyes, immediately hell’s hounds pounce onto my thoughts filling them with the residue of yesterday’s drama, failures, guilt, shame; which gives way to loneliness, dispair, taunting fears and ravaging accusations! Puff! There goes my  joy, hope and confidence.  Oh, don’t get your knickers twisted! I’m talking about me, yall!!!

Oh Yeah! It’s easy to quote the scriptures and sing the songs when life is beautiful, all is well, the air is filled with the sweetness of His Wonder Working Power. The problem is, life is not always bliss because we’re still living in a fallen world! I don’t care how long you’ve been walking in da way, trusting God in times of tests and tragedy is trying, huh?

One of the most difficult things I’ve ever been asked to do, is absolutely nothing! It’s kinda like asking your child to sit for five minutes without saying a single word? Obviously, stillness is not one of our more dominating genetic traits.

Particularly, when it comes to waiting on God’s answer in what we perceive as  ‘time-sensitive’ issues. Unfortunately, the art of stillness doesn’t always get better with age. Quiet as it’s kept, even the more seasoned of saints find ourselves boppin up and down in a faith dance every now and then. Oh, we start off fired-up, after all ‘We know God is able to do all things’. That is, until He doesn’t do what we’re expecting—when we expect it!

What happens after you’ve been faithful to follow (as best as you can) all that God has required of us, and yet find yourself backed up against a stonewall, surrounded by situations that are hell bent on taking you out? What can you do when the realities of your circumstances collide with His Promises and the suffering and the pain are screaming ‘this will never end’? Apparently, the only thing God expects any of us to do is trust Him to be God!

Seriously? Absolutely! The same God who created the entire world, faithfully ordered, maintained and sustained everything since it’s beginning, is He not also capable of taking care of anything that’s happening in your life? Duuhhhh! The last time you breathed, ought to tell you God’s Still Reigns, huh?

However, He’s such a gentle Savior! He never forces Himself into situations uninvited. However, the moment we let IT go, releasing and casting the care of the circumstances into His Almighty Hands, entrusting Him to make everything work together for our greatest good and His Highest Glory, His Incomprehensible Peace comes in; flooding our hearts, overwhelming the burdens of fear, doubt, anxiety and hopelessness!

As we acknowledge The Inseparable richness of His Lovingkindness and Compassion towards us, suddenly, His Amazing Grace begins to restore quiet rest and ernest expectations to our po-wearied soul!

BE still, and know that I AM GOD; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth! Psalm 46:10

I know, feels strange, huh? I’m not saying it’s easy, but I’m a living witness,  IT IS POSSIBLE! Hey, don’t knock it until you try it!

Take a couple of days off, from running your world, k? Pray and wait for God’s answer! HENCE, LET GOD BE GOD 2 & 4 U!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

THE PATH 2 GLORY

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THE PATH 2 GLORY

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
James 4:7
Yep! Ain’t no getting around it, because it’s still The Eternal Word of God, huh? I’m talking about that pesty-provoking-pressure-on-our-pleasure, five letter word “pride”! As the ol’ skool preacher would say, ‘I jus lost ¾ of my church’! LOL!

If you’ve been saved more than 25 years, you’ve seen subtle transitions taking place in the Christian Community. I’m referring to the greater emphasis being levied on the side of accumulating creature comforts rather than developing Christian character. While, there’s no denying that our Heavenly Father delights in the prosperity of His children, He distinctly distinguishes His Prosperity Plan from the system of this world, by including ‘even as your soul prospers, huh? (Ref. 3 John 1:2)

Of course, we know that God’s Ways are not ours and we’re eternally grateful that His thoughts are not like our, huh? Yet, many a wandering wayfaring person has been drawn down to the altar, enticed by the lure of a prolific prophetic preacher, promising peace and prosperity. Although this message has elements of doctrinal truth, upon closer examination, it can dilute the integrity of basic biblical foundation! Hence, leaving some believers with lop-side expectations and ill-prepared to walk out their journey of faith.

The New Millennium Church has adapted to The Burger King mentality that says, ‘If I can’t have it my way, then I’ll hit the highway’! While that attitude may work at a fast-food chain, it won’t get you off the run-way in the Kingdom of God. The last time I caught a breath, Jesus was still LORD! Therefore, He has the right to expect loyalty, faithfulness and obedience from those He has created!

God knows that it’s difficult for flesh to be humble! That’s why HE put these flesh-killing scriptures in The Book! Yall know, flesh wants to set up its own kingdoms and not submit to anything or anyone. Flesh wants to dominate; to be in charge; have its own way; be right; be the best and not ever admit that ‘I’m wrong, not perfect, it’s my fault; I need help, forgiveness…or I don’t know what to do!

Flesh wants folk to come to us; look up to us; be admired and yes even envied! Flesh wants to be first in line following the Apostle, Bishop and the Pastors. Flesh wants to sit on the front row so it can be noticed—to go higher, IN THE LORD, of course!

We like to quote the scripture, ‘resist the devil and he’ll flee from you’, right? However, more often than not, we leave out the first part, ‘submit yourself to God...and then you’ll have the power to resist the devil’! OMG, does it really say dat? Indeed! In the Kingdom, the way up is down!

God says, ‘humble yourself’—BUT–IF YOU CAN’T, HE WILL HELP YOU! Chances are He’ll raise up a devil, a situation, a problem, a need, a national threat, a global economic collapse! Sometimes, He’ll allow trouble to come knocking at your door, your church, job, wallet to get your attention long enough for you to humble yourself and have to pray! God knows that as long as we’re living high-on-the-hog, we’re prone to spiritual amnesia and assume that He’s okay playing second fiddle! NOT!

The Kingdom of Heaven has it’s own stimulus plan and it ain’t about to change! The strength and power of God’s Covenant relationship with His people is based on the parties involved doing what they’ve sworn to do. The position of GOD is permanently filling space and time! Remember, HE IS GOD & U R NOT!

It’s a highway to Heaven, however you’ve got to be willing to take the low road 2 get there! As we yield our entire lives to GOD’ S WILL, WE SHALL REAP THE KING’S ETERNAL REWARDS! #THE PATH TO GLORAAAA!

 

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

 

FAITH-BASED INITIATIVE

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FAITH-BASED INITIATIVE

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came, and drew nigh to meet David, that David hastened, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine. 1 Samuel 17:48

Therefore David ran, and stood upon the Philistine, and took his sword and drew it out of the sheath thereof, and slew him, and cut off his head therewith. And when the Philistines saw their champion was dead, they fled. 1 Samuel 17:51

 

Us  ‘baby-boomers’, have witnessed  major transformations in the culture of this country and the world at large. We’ve seen the powers that be set into motion various legal and judicial orders, reforms and deregulations calling for separation of church and state, which under the radar,  were really directed to push the very Presence of God out of the focus of our daily lives.

This Satanically-induced plot was introduced under the guise of safeguards to protect our human rights, freedom of speech, freedom of religion, freedom of choice, etc. But while the flesh was enjoying its emancipation from the antiquated codes of morality and moving  into the land of parta hardy, it’s your thang, do what you wanna do, we were lured into a false sense of security. Never realizing that there would be consequences of this so-called liberation. When you eliminate God from the equation, what you’re left with is hell on earth!

Along with free love, free sex, free drugs, fast money, came increase in teen pregnancy, abortions, STD’s (and worse), drug addictions, divorce, fatherless homes, suicide, fraud, just to name a few by-products of an ‘it’s all about me’ generation!

In January 2001, President George Bush signed an Executive Order establishing a program that would ‘Rally America’s Army of Compassion’ to stimulate and enable private, charitable and religious organizations to access federal funds for social service programs to address the rising challenges and concerns that the nation was experiencing.  At least, this was what The White House Press Release reported.

But in ‘laymen’s terms’, America was jacked up, unraveling at the roots, and they were clueless as to how to turn this mess around. Hence, somebody realized that the Church was the only real hope to preserve this nation. They invited churches and community leaders to come get this free money (grants) and do something to calm the restless beasts who were getting out of hand. Perhaps you’ve already guessed, this program was dubbed ‘Faith-Based Initiatives’.

If the world got sense enough to know that God is the ONLY ONE who can fix the wiles of this world, what’s up with the real faith-based people—THE CHURCH OF THE LIVING GOD? Over a decade has passed, and what’s changed?  What are we waiting for? When will we start taking some faith-based initiative and start walking in the power and authority that we shout about in the sanctuary?

According to today’s scripture text, 1 Sam 17:45-51, we see one individual, David,  who put his faith to work to impact the environment and to make a difference in the lives of the people. May I submit for your consideration, that the underlying strength of Satan’s kingdom is the persistently passive complacent Saints. His whole kingdom is utterly reliant upon what I call the ‘spirit of toleration’ that has many believers shut-up and locked down with a victim mentality. #ijs

The Apostle James says, ‘you show me your faith without works, and I’ll show you my faith by what I do’. (Ref. James 2:14-26). The devil is not impressed because your faith gets a bigger house, a new car, 20 credit cards—for a season. He knows that with you paying 32% interest rates, any time he’s ready, he can pull the rug right out from under you, while you’re walking around so high and lofty. However, just don’t take your faith to the trenches of the marketplace, hospital rooms, schools, court room, prisons, crack house, state house and certainly not into your own house!

Unfortunately,  many of God’s elect have  become lethargic, disgruntled and are merely biding their time, waiting for Jesus to show up and rapture them off to Heaven? Can you imagine what could happen if instead of blaming God for what’s going on in the earth we’d actually believe that God is Sovereign and satan ain’t running nothing? 

Saints, this is war! Like David when challenged by Goliath, we must stop waiting for the devil to make his next move. The Bible says, “Since the days of John The Baptist, the Kingdom of God has suffered violence, but the violent shall take it by force.” (Matthew 11:12)

It’s time for the Church to take the initiative and confront the devil on our terms! God has given us weapons of mass destruction that enables us to pull down Satan’s strongholds — THE WORD OF GOD, PRAYER & PRAIZ! “If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land”. 2 Chronicles 7:14

Those who recognize their Godly lineage and legacy, will not be content to sit behind the doors of the church, bracing for the devil’s next blow. There’s a remnant of true believers, who will put their faith into action, as the Army of The Living God, and take dominion over the works of the kingdom of darkness!

God has not given us the spirit of fear, but a holy bodacious faith! We ain’t scarred to let the devil know, “I am not losing my mind and I’m not giving in!  I will bless The Lord at all times! I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me! I’m fully persuaded that Greater is He that’s in me. I am more than a conqueror through Christ and ain’t no devil in hell gonna walk on the Jesus in me! NOW BACK UP OFF OF ME, YOU LYING DEVIL!”

Didjagetit? NOW, GET UP AND DO SOMETHING! TAKE SOME FAITH-BASED INITIATIVE!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

WORD PROCESSORS

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WORD PROCESSORS

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. Hebrews 4:1-3

 

As followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, we vow to live our lives according to the testimony God reveals in The Holy Bible. As our knowledge of God’s Word increases, we discover how God has ordained certain rights, privileges and promises to us and for us.Yet, even as confessing Believers, sometimes we fall short when it comes to experiencing the fulfillment of God’s exceedingly great and precious promises. Now don’t shout me down, yall!

Consequently, our churches are filled with frustrated, anxious, angry and unsatisfied folk who’re secretly disappointed with God. Amen? For the record, let’s concede this, God’s not the problem! His faithfulness is not on trial! God’s Word is Eternally Immutable, Faithful and True. Am I right about it? So what’s up? We go to church and hear the gospel—well most of the time—anyway, preached with power and conviction. We enjoy the sermon, buy the CD’s and the DVD’s. We’ll leave the sanctuary talking about “Man, we had CHUURCH today”. But, where’s the fruit? Where’s the evidence? How has the message profited our lives? For real, where’s the change in our personal situations and even more important, what’s changed in our personal relationship with Jesus Christ?

The Bible warns us how Satan, comes immediately to steal the Word before we can reap the benefit. The devil persistently preys on our frustrations, anxieties and fears with one goal in mind, to cause us to distrust God. Can we go a little deeper? Ask a Saint who knows a little Bible and they’ll religiously proclaim that The Gospel has the ability and power to save and transform the lives of anyone who believes it. But—the Bible also says, “be ye doers of the word and not hearers only”. (James 1:22)

Therein lies the underlying issue! If nothing changes, then nothing changes! However, thru the completion of proper processing (a series of actions, motions, or occurrences intended to achieve a certain results), you get the right results!

According to Hebrews 4:12, “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” As followers of Christ, we know the Word is True, we must ultimately concur that the breakdown is not with the Word, but with the processing of the processor!

Mark 4, says, “the Sower sows the word” Hence, the preacher preaches the Word ; but, the harvest is determined by the condition of the soil. Wow! Didjaheardat? Sounds like The Word must be properly processed in order to produce the harvest! (Ref. Mark 4:15) How? By applying it to your everyday life through confession (speaking those things as though they were); meditating on the promises rather than your problems, meditating on who you are now in Christ Jesus, as opposed to who you were and acting on your convictions rather than impulse. (Ref. Romans 4:17)

It’s important to note, that The Advesary has been observing you from the moment you entered the earth realm. Hence, he knows just what buttons to push to get you to do what he wants you to do. Then he hides his hands, leaving you to deal with the guilt, shame and self-rejecting disappointment, causing you to exclude (thus disqualify) your ownself as an eligibile beneficiary for God’s Mercy and Grace!

Precious One, don’t let the devil intimdate you into allowing fear and frustration to cause you to abort your promise. Instead, embrace The penetrating Light of God’s Word to break up the hardness of your heart and be processed in the perfect ground of a yielded, trusting, believing rest-filled heart! 

BELOVED,  AS YOU DILIGENTLY WORK THE WORD, IT WILL WORK IN, FOR AND THROUGH YOU! TODAY, MAY YOU PURPOSE IN YOUR HEART TO REST IN THE FAITHFULNESS OF JESUS’ PROMISES, IN JESUS NAME! AMEN 3X #WORD PROCESSOR

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

IT’S TIME 2 PRODUCE

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IT'S TIME 2 PRODUCE

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

Sing, O barren, thou that didst not bear; break forth into singing, and cry aloud, thou that didst not travail with child: for more are the children of the desolate than the children of the married wife, saith the Lord. Isaiah. 54:1

 

When I think of the word ‘barren’ I get an image of a desert, a wilderness, dry, desolate, unfruitful place. Obviously, The Prophet Isaiah could not be talking to God’s Chosen Ones. Or could he? I know this doesn’t quite fit in the New Millennium Church Prosperity Theology. After all, aren’t we the head and not the tail, above not beneath. Aren’t we the blessed coming in, and blessed going out, right?

Well, I don’t mean to intrude into your celestial comfort zone and burst your balloon, but for those of us who’ve been walking with The Lord for more than a week, can testify that sometimes real-life contradicts everything that we’ve ever heard, studied and believed about what it means to be “saved”.

Many times the saints believe because we love God and know that God loves us, the favor of God automatically guarantees a life of levitating thru this world on a flowery bed of ease; that is until life doesn’t produce the fruit of righteousness that we expect! That’s Barrenness! I’m talking about even after, we’ve made all of our faith confessions, planted faith seeds all across the nations; only to end up broker, busted and even more disgusted. Don’t shout me down, nah? #ijs!

What about when Prophet Lightning Buzz told you that your soul mate was on his way to you and up pops Sis. Rahab or Bro. Bozo and she or he snags the very one you just knew God said was yours? I’d call that a barren place!  #4REAL!!!

And what about this one, you make up your mind to stop robbing God and start paying your tithes and giving your offerings faithfully and consistently, and you still can’t make ends meet? Okay! Now you see what I’m talking about, huh?

Sometimes it appears as if God brought you into the L&D room, watched you suffer the pain, exposing you for everyone to see and then stitched up your womb and left the building!

O YE BARREN, HEAR YE THE WORDS OF THE LORD! “It ain’t what it looks like!” God uses our barrenness, to mature us and to prepare us to take possession of our heritage!

Perhaps, some of you have been wandering around the desert for quite a while, aimlessly drifting without direction or purpose. Have you considered that God’s been trying to bring you out, howevvrrrr, because you’ve refused to trust Him and keep trying to deliver yourself, you continue to go round and round in circles!  Beloved, might I offer an alternative perspective,  God had to make the brook dry up just to get you in position for your miracle!

Stop It! It’s time to go in and to take possession of everything that God has promised you.

Remember, your  next blessing is never in what you’ve lost, but it’s always in what you’ve got left! God can produce more in a famine than the wicked can in his wealth. It’s time for you to stop trying and start trusting.

O Ye barren; get ready to enlarge your tent! TRUST2KNO, IT’S TIME TO PRODUCE!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

RIDE IT OUT!

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RIDE IT OUT

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

And when they had taken up the anchors, they committed themselves unto the sea, and loosed the rudder bands, and hoised up the mainsail to the wind, and made toward shore… But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land: And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land. Acts 27:40, 43-44

 

Life happens! As that commercial says, Life has a way of coming at you hard! #understatement!

The Ol’ Skool Mothers of Zion used to sang, ‘Nobody told me, that the road would be easy, but I don’t believe, He brought me this far to leave me”!  To which we often reply, ‘yeah,… BUT!’ 

Sometimes, after we’ve charted our course, designated our timeframe for accomplishing the task or reaching our goal, inevitably some things will pop-up unexpectedly!  And it’s during these times that we are tempted to believe that God has either lied to us, forgotten us or He is punishing us. However, we who have a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, having trusted in  and relying soley upon His Testimony, have an assurance that neither scenario is possible! #Seriously!
 
Since, God can not lie, (Ref. Numbers 23:19) it’s more likely that God has a better plan! (Ref. Proverbs 16:9; Jeremiah 29:11)

Nothing in the life of a believer can separate us from The Father’s Love. (Ref. Romans 8:38-39)  However, The Shepherd will, at times, allow trouble to test our hearts and our commitment to remain faithful. Nonetheless,  we have this confidence, GOD is never too far off, but is ALWAYS close by! 

Although, GOD is quite capable of stilling the tempest before it gets anywhere near us, sometimes He chooses not to. In other words, GOD doesn’t always dismiss or divert the storms around us! BUT! He has a way of showing up, stepping right in the middle of the boisterous winds and mountainous waves, to comfort, while fortifying us to live through life’s treacherous tides.

Hence, Beloved, don’t be alarmed by the darkness, it just GOD’S way of covering you so your enemies can’t find you!
 
When life seems as if it’s falling apart, take courage! In the Kingdom, nothing just happens! The Master is yet in control of everything. TRUST2KNOW, God will see to it that you make it to Heaven’s Shore, safe and right on time! 

GRAB HOLD TO A PLANK, (CALVARY’S CROSS) RISE ABOVE THE THE WINDS, CATCH THE NEXT WAVE AND RIDE IT OUT!
 
SELAH!
 
Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee 

 

B HAPPY…IN JESUS!!!

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B HAPPY IN JESUS 2

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

Therefore, do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble. Matthew 6:34

 

Many of us who have heard the 1988’s hit song, ‘Don’t Worry; Be Happy!’, written by Bobby McFerrin, remember that while it topped the charts in America’s Pop Music Culture, the song also came under the scrutiny of critics who felt that the lyrics were promoting a philosophy of denial to escape our unpleasant reality.

As Christians, we should be accustomed to the backlash often associated with our belief in the reality of The Invisible God!  Yet, when confronted by opposing views, we must remind ourselves that The Supreme One is always in control of every aspect of our being, and has promised to supply everything that we need to live abundantly in this present world! (2nd Peter 1:3)

Don’t get it twisted. We, the Body of Christ, are not denying the reality that we’re living in turbulent times. All over this world, people  are being inundated by the cataclysmic convulsions of the systems of this world causing epic fear, frustration and panic. We are certainly not suggesting that we’re to stick our heads in the sand and act as if we can mystically dismiss  what’s right before our eyes! Not at all, we’re still on earth, not Heaven!

However, what I am purporting is that because we know Truth, we confidently expect that someway–somehow you’re going to persevere  thru the tumultuous state of human affairs and  when you come out, you’re not gonna look like what you’ve been through! Remember, Goshen? (Ref. Exodus 9:26)

Today’s scripture reference reminds us how The Omniscient, Omnipotent, Omnipresent Master of our destiny takes care of the wildflowers who never spend a dime or a moment of time worrying and working, shopping and primping, and yet they’re fashionably arrayed such that would put the Parisian Designers to shame!

Unlike those who don’t know God as The Source of their life, health and strength, our personal faith history allows us to maintain a stance of  unwavering confidence!  As joint-heirs to The Kingdom of Heaven,  we don’t have to be so preoccupied and traumatized by what we’re going to eat or drink, how we’re going to keep a roof over our heads, how we’re going to pay our bills, that we lose focus on that we do know!  

Walking with our Shepherd, we’ve learned that reliance on His Faithfulness allows us to press courageously through any adversity, resting assured that the same God who delivered us in the past is the same God now—and is yet well able to carry us through this into our future victory again, and again!

Beloved, if God takes care of the birds of the air and flowers of the field, how much more will He provide for those created in His Own Image, huh? While sometimes  it seems as if the world is falling apart, remember, absolutely nothing happens except God allows! Fear not, little children! You’re never outside of God’s sight nor His reach. Our lives are hidden in Jesus and we’re sheltered under the Shadow of His Almighty Wings!  (Ref. Hebrews 13:5)

GOD’S GOTCHA! #didjaheardat?

SO? RELAX, DON’T WORRY ABOUT A THANG! BE HAPPY…IN JESUS!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

THE POWER OF NEVERTHELESS!

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THE POWER OF NEVERTHELESS3

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me; nevertheless not my will but thine, be done. Luke 22:42

And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, ‘Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit’; and having said thus, he gave up the Ghost.  Luke 23:46

 

Evvrr noticed how easy it is to be so full of faith and the joy of the Lord on Sunday morning? C’mon nah, you know what I mean; when the choir is singing your song and all around you the saints are lifting their hands in total praise. The Word of God is powerful; just what you needed to affirm your faith in God!  Oh yeah! But what happens when you leave the refuge of the sanctuary and go back to your everyday-life?

What do you do when Hell’s demons launch an all out-attack on your mind with taunting memories of past pain that quickly erupts into a full-fledge fear of the future? What happens when your personal reality comes crashing back and invades your present, trampling any hope for the future? Well, if the devil has his way, we usually find ourselves giving way to the seductive satanic spirits, enslaved and …here we go again…trampling another lap around the valley of hopelessness and despair.

If you’re like me, after a while, you just get tired of being on the devil’s leash, Amen?

“Yeah, Co-Pastor, but how can we get off of that treadmill? How can we sustain that same Sunday-morning-confident-assuring-joy? How do we hold fast to the ‘knowing’ God is with us and for us? What can we do to get back that same anointing we experienced in The Sanctuary?”

Okay, truthfully? It’s really not that deep—it’s simple! It is by making a choice to no longer live by chance!

Saints are empowered by choice, not by chance! 

When a Blood-washed-born-again-believer makes a conscious choice that “I just refuse to allow something as fickle as my emotionally torn flesh to dictate how much I trust God!” Wooaaahhh, didjaheardat?    BREAKING NEWS! SPOILER ALERT! Partaa’s over, Devil! Victory is inevitable!

Now I’m not talking about that mind over matter philosophy or psychological exercise in positive thinking, but how saints demonstrate our faith in a Faithful God!

Well, Psalm 37:37 challenges us “to mark the perfect man”, that’s gotta be Jesus, right? In other words, imitate Jesus! Put on the mind of Christ! (Philippians 2:5)

In the midst of gross spiritual darkness and deep agony, our Savior remained faithful to the will of the Father. Refusing to succumb to the dictates of his humanity (his flesh or his feelings), Jesus focused on His purpose. The very moment Jesus said ‘nevertheless’ was the beginning of the end for the devil.

Beloved, Jesus models to us how we too can sustain that overcoming spirit in the heat of the firey pressures of this world. Oh, don’t let the devil fool you, “Nevertheless” is not the word of a coward, but of a Conqueror! Our, ‘nevertheless’ releases and commits our cares into His Hands and that hammers the nail into the devil’s coffin.

What are you struggling with today? Whaaaaevvvrrrrr!

I encourage you to DO WHAT JESUS DID! Choose to be a Victor rather than a victim! Say ‘NEVERTHELESS’!  #BOOOM #didjagetit?

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee