Category Archives: christian warfare

DRIVE AND GO FORWARD!

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DRIVE & GO FORWARD 2

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

“Then she saddled an ass, and said to her servant, Drive, and go forward; slack not thy riding for me, except I bid thee.” 2 Kings 4:24

 

The context of today’s scripture text tells the story of a Shunammite woman’s unselfish generosity towards God’s Servant, Elisha! Being so grateful for their hospitality, The Prophet sent his apprentice, Gehazi, to find how they might be a blessing to her.

Sometimes people will do something for you yet their motives may be suspect, if you will? Sometimes, their generosity comes with strings attached. You know, you scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours. Remember, sometimes, you might get what you wanted but lose whatcha had, huh?

However, this woman’s generosity towards The Prophet was never intended to obligate him in any manner. She simply recognized a need and was convicted to meet it.

When Gehazi inquired if they could repay her by hooking her up with the King or the Captain of the Army or something, she respectfully declined. Yet, Elisha , determined to reward her kindness, refused to let it go. Then Gehazi spoke up, “Sir, I did notice that they don’t have any children .” Elisha immediately sent for the Shunammite woman! After thanking her and her husband again for their hospitality, the Prophet began to prophesy to her, telling her that “because of your kindness, this time next year you shall have a baby boy.” 

Can you imagine the astonishment of this woman? Obviously, nobody BUT GOD could’ve revealed this secret desire tucked away in the heart of this barren soul!

Nine months later, she gave birth to a son just as God’s Servant had spoken. The next several years their home was filled with such joyful laughter more than she ever thought possible. Until that day, while in the fields with his Dad, apparently from a sun stroke, and died sitting on his Mother’s lap. Has the devil tried to kill your promise?

After carrying her dead son upstairs and laying him on the same  bed that she’d prepared for Elisha, she immediately called for a servant to take her to see The Prophet. Shaken and perplexed, her husband inquired, “why you going to church, it ain’t even Sunday!” Sounds like some of our relatives, huh?

Not bothering to explain, she simply said, using today’s vernacular, “it’s all good”! When the servant arrived with the donkey, she instructed him, “Drive and go forward and don’t slack up until I tell you to”. She didn’t do what some of us do—throw up our hands and start accusing God and stop coming to church. But she kicked it into 4th gear, put the pedal to the metal and kept it moving!

I submit to you, my brothers and sisters, that in the seat of the soul of every individual, there is something that is driving them to either push beyond their inabilities or admit defeat and throw in the towel! What drives YOU?

Contrary to popular opinions, there are  many other things that drive a person besides sex. Some folk are driven by fear of rejection, a compulsive need to be the greatest, the bestest, the smartest; the cutest, an insatiable, unquenchable, uncompromisingly addiction to succeed no matter the cost or the loss!

Living in a world  hurling with gianormous (datz my word, yall) distractions, it’s easy to become entanged with seductive spirits that promise multiple avenues to epic fulfillment!  I’m talking, even God’s elect, yall! Hence, failure to keep your faith  firmly rooted and grounded in the faithfulness of God’s Love, you might suddenly find yourself stuck in spiritual quicksand, sucked under by a spirit of complacency, and ultimately lose your drive to go forward.

Perhaps, today you feel like you’ve hit a brass ceiling, reached a plateau in your level of consecration, your prayer life, even your relationship with Jesus? Well, honey, you are not alone!  Don’t allow what you’ve been going through, to shut you down. Know that Now is Not Always!  

Trusting God means not only trusting His Word but trusting His Timing! Beloved, if God is for you, regardless of what the circumstantial evidence says, it fails to compare with God’s plans for your future! (Ref.Jeremiah 29:11)  After all, WHO CAN STAY GOD’S HAND, huh?  (Ref. Romans 8:31) Just like the Shunammite  mother, you grab hold to  the promise God gave you in HIS Immutable Word and come hell or highwater keep saying “IT IS WELL!” Beloved, look around, someone’s depending on you to raise the bar!

Didjaheardat? DON’T SLACK UP NOW, “DRIVE AND GO FORWARD”!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

1 WORD!

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ONE WORD

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

Thou drewest near in the day that I called upon thee: thou saidst, Fear not.
Lamentations 3:57

 

Some saints would have you to believe that since they’ve been saved, they’ve never experienced a moment of fear, grief or despair. Oh, yall know what I mean! Listening to their church testimony, you’d think that all their days were ‘goody, goody and howdy, howdy’! Okay, well Bless God, I guess, I’m yet a work in progress. But perhaps, I am not the only one, huh?

According to our text, Jeremiah, aka The Weeping Prophet, came to realize that neither his great love for nor his faithful obedience to God exempted him from suffering depression, sorrow and fear. Ironically, Jeremiah’s tears didn’t stem from personal defiance but rather the insolence of his fellow-countrymen. The prophet’s heart was broken and burdened because his beloved nation was facing imminent destruction due to their continuous rebellion against God.

Instead of God’s chosen people gratefully heeding Jeremiah’s warnings, the Prophet’s concern was repeatedly met with murderous bitter resentment. Jeremiah was beaten severely, thrown into an empty cistern, and left to die for daring to tell the people the Truth. According to the scriptures, there Jeremiah called out to God and God responded with A GRACE WORD … ‘fear not!’

While there’s some degree of solace in knowing we, the Elect of God, are in this world, BUT we’re not of this world, nonetheless we, like Jeremiah, will also endure times of suffering due to the ungodliness of others. The degradation of morality and diminishing respect for life in general, often lead us down into pits of muck and miry clay. Relationships drive us to the edge and end of ourselves, through valleys of ‘don’t know what else we can do’ and onto the intersection of ‘helpless to change our condition’—yet we are never without this Hope—our deliverance is always just a prayer away! One short faith-filled“HELP ME, LORD JESUS!” releases The Power and The Glory of God—right on time, every time!

In the midst of your turmoil, has God ever whispered a Rhema Word that instantly checked your spirit, jump started your hope and restored your peace, right? Just One Word can flip the script, strengthen your heart, renew your mind, quicken your faith, stir up the Holy Ghost, Who empowers you with that second wind that catapults you to run on, convinced that, ‘Yeah Baby! WE GOT THIS!’ (Ref. Isaiah 40: 30-31)

Don’t be scarred! God’s near! Let Hell know WHO YOU KNOW, WHOSE YOU ARE AND WHOM YOU SERVE!

Oh yeah! ONE WORD FROM GOD CHANGES EVERYTHING!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

THURSDAYS’ PRAYERS!

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PRAYN AND FASTING PIC

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

Good morning Family, GOT A MOMENT? AWESOME!

Once again we’re so excited to invite you to join us today in our Weekly Day of Corporate Prayer and Fasting between 6:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Reach out and touch The Lord, as He goes by! You will find, He’s not too busy to hear ur cry! He is passing by this moment, your needs HE WILL SUPPLY! REACH OUT AND TOUCH YOUR LORD, AS HE GOES BY!

With up stretched arms and open hearts, we pray:

Father we come today, In Jesus Name, thanking You for blessing us to see a brand new day. We thank you for another opportunity to enjoy the abundance of your Mercy, your Grace, your Power and your Peace!

Father, we come this morning thanking you for choosing us to be your very own children! For the scriptures affirm that we did not choose YOU, but YOU determined in Your Own Will to draw us, forgive, cleanse and cover us IN THE BLOOD OF JESUS! Because of Your Lovingkindness towards us, we can now declare unashamedly that You are Our God, our Salvation, our Deliverance, Breakthrough and Provision. Because of Your Grace, today You have renewed our strength, understanding and power with everything that we need to carry us through another day.

Lord Jesus, we’re so grateful that You are yet  in control of all things. Father while we slept safely in our homes last night, we know that there’re reports of shootings, robberies, accidents and all manner of maladies, nevertheless, we will not fail to thank You, for it was only You who kept us alive! We’re so very thankful that even in days of impending chaos and destruction, the safest place in this whole world in in YOUR PERFECT WILL! 

Precious Lord, we pray that you save the lost, and reclaim every back-slider; Father, put a yes in their heart and in their mind that they will come to you today and receive you as their Lord and Savior. Bless them now and place them and settle them into a church home today.

Lord, I pray for every one who is going thru a season of grief because of the lost of a loved one, those who have been victimized by divorce, lost of employment, bankrupty and foreclosures! We plead the Blood of Jesus over the demonic thoughts, spirits of anxiety, oppression, depression and confusion, because we know that You are not the author of these confusing demonic thoughts and feelings, but You have given us who have put our personal trust in Your Son Jesus, Your Righteousness, Love and Joy in The Holy Ghost!

Abba Father, as we entreat Your Presence, we lift up every believer who is yet holding on to your Hand by faith today, that you will release a double anointing of Your Divine Peace, Power, Supernatural strength, provision, prosperity and protection.

Father, we’re asking that You will preveserve us thru the every test that You have allowed us to go thru confidently assured that You will bring us out restored, renewed, refreshed and with the reward as You have promised in your Word. Encourage us and empower us with an overwhelming consciousness of Your Abiding Presence and the immutability of Your Word!

Father we lift up our spiritual leaders, asking a special blessing upon each and every one of them who are yet standing on the wall proclaiming Your Word under the conviction and anointing of Holy Spirit. We pray that you will Grace them to be the examples in their homes, churches and community that will cause everyone who comes into contact with them to fall in love, trust wholly in and to live their lives serving You, Our Heavenly Father.

We ask Heavenly Father, that you will stir up the hearts and minds of those who are professing Your Name so that they will have a desire to increase their personal, intimate relationship with Creator God through fellowship of Holy Spirit that they might prove what is the perfect and acceptable will of The Lord Jesus!

Lord, we pray that every demonic-induced spirit of temptation, addiction and fear be defeated by Your Anointing and that the Spirit of Love, Power and Sound-mindness be released now, in Jesus Name!

Father, we now wait in confidence and quietness, trusting wholly that all workers of iniquity are trembling and suddenly departing in shame, turning their backs from Your people, 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, honor and praise You now, for we know that it is done! In The Exalted Name of Jesus. Amen and It Is So!

THURSDAYS’ PRAYERS!

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PRAYN AND FASTING PIC

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

Good Morning Family! GOTTA MOMENT? GREAT! LET’S PRAY…

 

BECAUSE OF WHO U R, WE GIVE U GLORAAA…BCUZ OF WHO U R, WE GIVE U PRAIZ! BECAUSE OF WHO U R, I WILL LIFT MY VOICE AND SAY, LORD, I WORSHIP U, BCUZ OF WHO U R…HERE WE ARE TO WORSHIP, HERE WE ARE TO BOW DOWN, HERE WE ARE TO SAY THAT YOU’RE OUR KING! YOU’RE ALTOGETHER LOVELY, ALTOGETHER WORTHY, ALTOGETER WONDERFUL 2 me…

Father in Heaven, here we are before you once again. We come today with outstretched arms, open hands and grateful hearts, for this is the day that You have made! Therefore we’re 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! It’z because of Your love for us, You have allowed us one more day to enjoy life, health and strength. We’re thankful for another 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; therfore, we’re trusting You to provide everything that we need today to sustain us thru whatever challenges that unfold during the course of this day! Abba Father, we know that You Alone are our God, Guard and Guide!

Father, with eternal gratitude we bless You for allowing us to enter into Your Throne Room, with hope-filed expectation that you will entreat us graciously as we pour out the burdens that seem to overwhelm our hearts, releasing everything that concerns us to you! Lord Jesus, because we know that You are Omniscient, Omnipresent, You see and You already know everything about everyone of us, yet you have welcomed 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, as we stand humbly before Your Sovereignty, before we go any further, we’re asking You to forgive us for everything that we, your children, have spoken, done and even thought that was not pleasing in Your sight. We thank You now because You have assured us that if we would confess our sins, You, Heavenly being Faithful and Just, will forgive us, and wash us in The Precious Blood of Jesus, cleansing us from all unrighteousness, and restoring the breach that our disobedience has caused between our poor souls and our Lord and Savior, Jesus!

Now, we ask Holy Spirit to intercede for us, 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 You know the frailness of our flesh, and how easily we’re provoked and tempted to become overwhelmed by the cares of this world, that our hearts are burdened with the pressures of this life, that some of us are wearied with fear, doubt, unbelief, sickness and disease, financial debt, broken relationships, unprovoked threats, depression, addictions, insecurities.

Lord you 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 Will, as only You can!

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! Grace your children with hope-filled trust that You, Father have committed Your Word towards us that no weapon that’s formed us shall ever prosper and except You allow it, no trouble, test or trial can come near us. We thank you Lord, for fully persuading us our of 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!

Father, we thank you now for listening to the hearts of everyone reading and praying with us. We thank you for hearing the hearts of those who have never trusted and accepted Your Son Jesus as Savior and Lord! We are thankful that Holy Spirit is quickening that stony heart now and that they shall come to You humbled by Your Lovingkindness, in obedient to Your call and are now receving your Mercy and Grace to Save. We pray now that You are leading and guiding them to the local church, planting them inYour Vineyard, where they shall be taught and transformed by Your Word of Life to take their position in The Kingdom of Heaven.

Father, we pray for those who are distraught by grief and fear, the elderly, the widows, the downcast who have born the heat of the day, especially those who pushed and prayed us through! Father, give them sweet peace. Lord, we pray for the leaders of governments world-wide, their hearts are in Your Hands, visit them in the night season and command them to do Your Will.

Lord, I pray for every believer who is yet holding on to Your Hand by faith today, that You are releasing Divine power, Supernatural strength and health, provision, prosperity and protection. Father, we’re trusting that You shall preserve them thru the tests that they must go thru and keep them constantly aware of YOUR PRESENCE and fully-confident that You will bring them out wholly restored, renewed, refreshed and with the reward as You have promised them in Your Word!

Father, we thanking You for an outpouring 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 and declare that every demonic-induced spirit of addiction and fear is defeated NOW because of Your Anointing and that the Spirit of Love, Power and Sound-mindness and Purpose is being released into the lives of Your people now, in Jesus Name!

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 accorance 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 trembling and suddenly departing in shame, turning their backs from Your people, 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 WE believe that it is done! In The Exalted Name of Jesus. Amen 3X

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

SPIRITUAL SUCCESS

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SPIRITUAL SUCCESS

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it.For then, you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.  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 1:8-9

 

Whaa Da?  I get it! In the midst of the myriad of prominent prolific pastors, poised preachas, pulpit pounding prosperity phophets, packed out padded pews, dazzling mood lighting and symphonic sound systems and praiz and worship leaders (auditioning for Stella Awards), its kinda easy to lose sight of what qualifies as true spiritual success! Can the courageous church say, Amen 3x!

 

Didjakno? Spiritual success is not measured according to perfection, fear, fainting, failures nor even wanting to give up.

It’s not measured according to how many scriptures you memorize or quote, your church affiliation, the number of zero’s on your tithe check, your designer labels, your zip code, what you drive, your last name or how many titles/degrees you have in front or behind your name!

Believe it or not, it’s not indigenous to your melodious prayers, swarming soul-stirring testimonies, how high you jump, or how fast you run around the church!

Spiritual success is the culmination of maneuvering your way thru the mine-fields of this life, maturing while mastering and maintaining the knowledge and power of being saved, sane and survival at the same time!

WOW! THAT’S SPIRITUAL SUCCESS–GOD’S WAY!  Now, WHO OR WHAT’S BLOCKING U?

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

UNDER THE INFLUENCE

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UNDER THE INFLUENCE 2

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

But without faith it is impossible to please him; for he that cometh to god must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.’ Hebrews 11:6

 

The other day I heard someone say something that I thought was quite profound, at least thought provoking. It was said that “we are swirling towards eternity at the speed of life!” History is being written every day. Memories are being made, every day. Lessons are being taught and learned, every day. Attitudes are being formed and developed, every day.

As I began to think about this, several questions flooded my mind. First, does God’s Presence influence your life? How has the Presence of God influenced your life? What impact has God’s Presence made in your circle of influence?

We love to sing the song, “Jesus you are the center of my joy, all that’s good and perfect comes from you; you’re the Heart of my contentment, Hope for all I do….” But when the music stops, how’s your walk?

The Bible does not merely ask us to have faith to believe that God does exist. But we must also believe that God is who He says He is, that God is with us and that God is for us. (Ref. Hebrew 11:6) Accordingly, if we desire to please The Lord we must walk out our lives under the influence of His Presence that we may exemplify our beliefs throughout the course of daily living.

Does your character reflect the Presence of God in your life? Does the influence of God’s Presence affect the choices that you make? Does your life style reflect the influence of God’s Presence?

We are living epistles (letters) and folk are reading our mail, every day! How is the Presence of God in you influencing your readers? Just a thought! #ijs (Ref. 2 Corinthians 3:1-3)

The Bible says, we are the salt of the earth. I believe that means that we ought to make someone who doesn’t know God, thirsty for a drink of The Living Waters. (Ref. Matthew 5:13-14) As Christians, our greatest desire should be to allow the influence of God’s Presence to be reflected on those around us so much so that it provokes them to envy  and thirst for The God that we worship and  ultimately seek to claim Him as their personal Savior and Lord! 

KEEP IT MOVING! LIVE EACH DAY UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF GOD’S PRESENCE IN YOUR LIFE! 

SELAH! 

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

MEMORIES

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MEMORIES

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

When He slew them, then they sought Him; and they returned and inquired early after God. And they remembered that God was their rock, and the high God their redeemer. Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied unto him with their tongues. For their heart was not right with him, neither were they steadfast in His covenant. But He, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity and destroyed them not; yeah, many a time turned He his anger away and did not stir up all His wrath. For He remembered that they were but flesh, a wind passeth away, and cometh not again. Psalm 78:34-39

 

A few years back, (but who’s counting, huh?) Barbara Strissand recorded a hit song entitled ‘Memories’. This song pricked the hearts of all of us! Hence, we all have memories of days gone by that lure us back to the way we were. For some of us, when certain ticker-tapes of past personal experiences cross our minds, immediately we smile.  Other flash-backs cause our hearts to flutter, skipping a beat or two, remembering when.  And then there are those special ones that yet…still prompt silent tears to crease our cheeks. Memories, huh?  Some are fading and some, we only wish we could forget. 

Like all of us, I indeed cling to God’s promises to keep my mind focused, sharp and sound.  That being my faith stance, I must confess that—every now and then—I have to cash in  what my kids call, one of my ‘senior moments’ vouchers.  Now don’t look at me in that tone of voice. Can we be for real?  I believe we all suffer a bout of ‘Spiritual Alzheimer’s’—every now and then.

Today’s scripture text recalls how the Israelites’ sporadic attacks of ‘forgetfulness’ provoked God’s wrath as He carried them through the wilderness.  Now don’t be so hard on them.  Truth be told, any one of us, drapped in this fickle-frail-flesh-frame, are just as prone to spiritual amnesia when it comes to recounting the wondrous works of God.

Time and time again, God has proven Himself a Faithful Provider, A Way-Out- of -No-Way, our Rock-in-A-Weary-Land, A Shelter-in our-Storm, A Strong Protector, Committed Redeemer and Eternal Hope of our Salvation. Yet, in spite of our own memories of all that God has already done, when faced with new challenges, does our response reflect a confident trust in our Compassionate Merciful God of All Grace?  Or do we suddenly forget to remember that if He Did It Before, He’ll Do It Again?
 
Even when we forget, God always remembers!  Memories!

SELAH! 
 
Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

WHATZ YOUR SIGN?

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WHATZ UR SIGN

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

When was the last time you heard a message preached on good ol’ fashioned forgiveness? With so many of the saints seeking the gifts of God, it kinda makes you wonder, ‘what happened to the Fruit of the Spirit of God?’ Don’t shout me down, yall! Jus thinking, k?

Well I got slammed this morning with one word. Forgiveness! So…perhaps somebody reading this (besides me) may be experiencing some situation that is screaming ‘YOU NEED TO FORGIVE and get on with life!’ I know, I know! We really hate when we’re challenged by The Holy Spirit to do something that goes completely against our core, especially when we honestly believe we have every right to hold on to unforgiveness. After all you were the one victimized by their actions, right? And besides that it’s the only thing that you have left to memorialize the pain, suffering and affliction that they did to you, Amen?

BUT! You’re a Christian now!

You’re the person who confessed your faith in The Saving Grace of The Lord Jesus Christ. Weren’t you the one who stood in the sanctuary that Sunday morning, with you hands lifted in the air and your heart filled with joy, sannging louder than anybody else, “TO BE LIKE JESUS, TO BE LIKE JESUS…OH HOW I LONG TO BE LIKE HIM!” ? Oh yeah, you’re the one! Well?

According to The Holy Scripture, you’re no longer of this world! You’re a citizen of a different Kingdom, bound by different rules and regulations that generally totally contradict the standards of ethics and morality of the world from which you have been delivered! BUT! What’s a child of God to do?

“Put on therefore as the elect of god, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekneess, longsuffering. Forbearing one another and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any, even as christ forgave you, so also do ye.” Colossians 3:12-13

Yep, yep, yep! I feel ya, baby! Sometimes, spiritual maturity requires serious open heart surgery at the Hand of Holy Spirit! That’s what the Bible calls, circumcision of the heart! The Sword of the Spirit skillfully cuts away the callous scars that have formed to protect the soft spots left by the cruel experiences of our lives!

Forgiving comes from the Greek root word “charizomon” which means grace, bestowing favor, unconditionally. Showing or treating the offending party graciously. Oooh my! Didjaheardat?

You need Bible on it, okay! “Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him, if he thirst, give him drink, for in so doing thou shall heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:20-21

When the saints of God show love by doing good, it brings the offender to shame, remorse, repentance and ultimately changes their attitude towards us! As a bonified Christian, you must resist the impulse to retaliate and make a faith decision to promote your sanctification and regeneration! In other words, show off the new man and glorify God by doing good to those who do evil to us. Hence, exhibiting your life of transformation before a watching world. (Ref. 2 Corinthians 3:2)

Beloved, don’t you remember how you used to know Christians before the days of bumper stickers and pens? WHAT’S YOUR SIGN? FORGIVENESS!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

TRIAL-SIZED gODZ!

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TRIAL SIZED gODS

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me. (Exodus 20:3-5)

I recognize that the sheer suggestion of idol worship tends to rattle the righteous indignation in the spirit of a true Believer! As followers of Christ, we know how despicably foul such worship is in the nostrils of The Holy God of Heaven and Earth. And for the most part, we’d never consider breaking this Commandment. After all, we don’t bow down before carved images of God nor do we display at the entrances or scatter stone replicas of God throughout our homes or businesses, right? Yet, will closer investigation of our lives reflect closely guarded idols formed in the recesses of our imaginations?

According to the scriptures  ‘O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.’ (Ref. Matthew 12:24) Hence, while man will attempt to hide the true intents, insights and purpose for being, ultimately, his lifestyle will reflect the secret things of his heart and clearly define where their loyalty lies!

Do we worship our personal ‘trial-sized’ images of God?

I see further explanation is in order! We have a tendency to make up our own images to represent who God is to us. The problem is we will never be able to fit “The All Encompassing Is-ness of GOD” into the small-minded-frail-framed-carnal-comprehension of our temporal-flesh. In other words, it’s absolutely impossible for us to fathom “Unlimited Presence, Power and Potential” within the limitations of our humanity!

While The Living God is Omnipresent, Omnipotent and Omniscient, HE can only be known through Revelation!

GOD reveals His character, His purpose and His plan for each of as we traverse through our individual life experiences. It’s the knowledge gained through following The Good Shepherd’s lead, cautiously climbing cloud-covered mountaintops and timidly trembling through the death-valleys of our everyday lives that we learn the rewards of faithful trust, patient obedience and the security of resting in The Eternal Hope! 

Today’s takeaway?

Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his… 2 Timothy 2:19

Therefore, Beloved, as you continue to set the Lord  before you, you shall walk in HIS Everlasting JOY! 

AMERICA, WHO IS YOUR GOD?

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

GOD WILL COME THRU

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GOD WILL COME THRU

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

And the redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the Lord. Isaiah 59:20)

 

Ever heard them ol’ skool Mothers say, “God’s never late and hardly ever early”? Well, if that’s supposed to make waiting easier, let me assure you, it doesn’t! What about, “A delay is not a denial and a failure is not final”. Granted, these proverbial acclaimations may work in a 11 a.m. Sunday Morning Service, with the musicians crankin’, the praise team rockin’ it and the saints shoutin’! But! What about when you leave the sanctuary and get home alone, again; and the evil one starts bringing up all the reasons why you ain’t  gonna make it through this time! And what if the test results confirm _____; and what if you don’t get accepted; and what if  she did have an affair; whatcha gonna do if He does want a divorce? Hence, ‘Hey you, where’s your GOD NOW!’

The ol’ saints used to sing, “He Delivers, Praise the Lord, He Delivers, Praise the Lord, I was bound by the power of the devil, but HE delivered, Praise the Lord”! Well, let me tell you why they were able to sing those kinda songs. They didn’t have a lot of money at their disposal, so if they got sick they couldn’t afford a doctor. If they had more mouths than food they couldn’t just whip out their credit card at the grocery store. When their car broke down, they couldn’t take it to Mr. Bill’s Auto Shop. And if John Edward got locked up, they couldn’t afford no bail or private attorney!  But, they had a God to pray to! And you know what? They found Him to be an ‘ON TIME GOD!’

Having no other recourse, but to wait on da Lawdd, they resigned themselves to stand planted on The Rock of Ages, not wishin’ and a hopin’; but trusting in the Strength of God’s Love despite what it looked like!

Needless to say, this kind of faith is hard to find in this “busy-booming-High-Tech-don’t need nobody-DIY” generation. After all we have so many other options. Why pray and have to wait on GOD? 

Because He is God and we are not! God has deliberately designated each step and stop necessary to cultivate our realization that we are His Creation; created to fulfill His purpose and without Him we can do absolutely nothing. (Ref. John 15:5) But through His Guidance and Power, all things are possible! (Ref. Philippians 4:13)

Yes, we all experience times when it jus feels like God has turned His Face and given our enemy the nod to ‘walk right over our head’. Except, considering the ambiguity of our emotions, is it really wise to rely upon such in the crucial moments of a time-sensitive-crisis? Exactly? Bible-Faith is based on solely upon The Sure Foundation; The Word of God!

God knows sometimes our flesh becomes weary! That’s why He dispatched Holy Spirit to hover close while we’re waiting for Him to move! (Ref. Isaiah 40:31) The reason God is never in a hurry is because He knows just what it takes to perfect His Will and His Glory in your life. He swore by GOD-SELF to never abandon or give up on you! (Ref. Deut. 31:8) So, why would you ever give up on Him? Am I right, about it? #ijs

Stop trying to figure everything out. Keep trusting and keep expecting your deliverance at any moment! Trust and know that ain’t no mountain high enough, ain’t no valley low enough; Ain’t no river wide enough, TO KEEP GOD FROM GETTING 2 U! 

REMEMBER DAT! HE’S ALWAYS COME THROUGH 4 YOU!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee