Category Archives: Growing in Grace

WHO’S ON 1st?

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WHO'S ON 1ST

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

“Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you…” James 4:8a kjv
 

Ever heard the term ‘1st chair’?  Well, according to the Law, the Legal definition of First Chair is the lead attorney in a case.  However, The Farlex Trivia Dictionary defines First Chair as “The premier musician playing a particular instrument in an orchestra—seated closest to the audience, taking the lead for that instrument’s movements, and playing any solos. “ My point being, ‘WHO’S IN CHARGE OF RUNNING YOUR LIFE’?

Really? 

Then why are you still complaining? Apparently, there appears to be a direct correlation between the amount of time one spends in HIS Presence and the amount of time spent worrying, murmuring and complaining, questioning and judging God’s decisions regarding our lives. OMG! WHO KNU?

Seriously, the The Holy Scriptures is filled with testimonials that further substantiate this observation!  “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you”. Matthew 6:33 and…“Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near.  Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” Isaiah 55:6-7 

Let’s be for real! Too many of us are still trying to fix stuff that God never intended for us to. That’s why He invites us to come to Him with those things that are concerning us. Uuuh, isn’t that what prayer is all about?  #ijs It makes no sense to ask God to meet you on the rooftop when you’re stuck in the basement, right? Unless your pride is bent on self-reliance, which is  basically no help at all!  #Don’t shout me down nah!

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

Beloved, GOD doesn’t ask any of us to walk this journey of LIFE independent of His Awemmaazzing Grace! That’s why The WORD says, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.”  Matthew 11:28-29

TRUST2KNO, whatever you’re struggling with today, God calls light-duty?

And guess what? GOD DON’T NEED NO CO-PILOT! WOW! #didjaheardat? Strap yourself in The Love of GOD and He’ll take You THERE–WHEREVER HE WANTS U 2 B!

Looks to me LIKE DATZ A RAP, huh?  Jus another perspective 4 U 2 PONDER! NOW, WHO’S ON 1st?

SELAH!
 
Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee 

SHOW-OFF!

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SHOW OFF

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

“I called upon the Lord in distress; the Lord answered me and set me in a large place.” Psalm 118:5

Those who know me, already know how much I love to decorate, redecorate… and decorate again!  Yep! My name is Ann Caffee and I’m an HGTV/DIY addict!  LOL! Several years ago, there was a reformation in the Home Décor arena. Remember that old piece of furniture secretly sequestered in the backroom, garage or attic? Yeah, like your Mother-in-law’s first nightstand! Well it was no longer considered an eyesore, but it resurfaced as ‘shabby chic’!  WHO KNU, huh?

Of course furniture manufacturers picked up on it and immediately began to build new pieces that resembled those old used and somewhat abused pieces. What was once disgustingly dubbed ‘old-timey’ was now the new ‘distressed’! I can only imagine the timidity of the challenge to abandon traditional artistic craftsmanship to achieve this look.

OMG! The brutal assault and the punishment inflicted upon each piece—painstakingly beaten, burned, chipped and hammered with metal chains, and torched…but once the process was completed the item was pompously positioned on the showroom floor.

Now doesn’t that sound slightly too uncomfortably familiar to the what believers go through at the Hand of The Master. Oh, we know, no one actually told us that once we turned the reins of our lives over to Jesus, it would be smooth sailing on The Ol’ Ship of Zion; but for real—we had no clue that life would take on this new persona. After all, we came to Christ to get out of hell, right?

While we’re encouraged to gravitate to the Covenant Promises of God, nevertheless, we’re totally oblivious to the progressive transformation from receiving Christ as Savior to submission to His Lordship! As disciples, we’re taught to pray and believe God to enlarge our territory, increase our anointing and give us wisdom to impact our families, church and communities and TRUST2KNO…God answers our prayers! Unfortunately, we tend to grossly misinterpret the process thru manifestation! It’s the refiner’s fire that produces the purest gold! 

Don’t get it twisted! Trusting God to take care of you in the midst of overwhelming stressful circumstances is quite a challenge; but that’s exactly what we must do!

The first step to this amazing transition is acknowledging that God is not trying to harm you. God loves you, and is committed to seeing you reach your highest potential!

Once this Truth  is firmly affixed in the seat of your soul, the devil knows he’s in big trouble!  That’s why he works double-time and a half to fill your heart with guilt, shame, condemnation to the point where you actually doubt that God knew exactly what He  was getting when HE CHOSE YOU!

HOWEVRRRR, being armed with a personal reality and intimacy of God’s Loyal Love enables you to walk in a state of inward rest, frees you to experience the strength and encoragement to live the-above-circumstances-abundant-life that Jesus’ sacrifice procured for you. (Ref. John 10:10)

Remember, no matter how out of control life  you think your life is,  there is NEVER a moment when  your Sovereign God is not in ABSOLUTE control of it ALL!

DISTRESSED? DIG-IN AND ENDURE! YOU’RE BEING PROCESSED FOR  SHOW ROOM PRESENTATION!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

GOD’S CHOICE!

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GOD'S CHOICE 2

 

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

And he LORD said, “Arise, anoint him, for this is the one.” Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him in the midst o his brothers, and the Spirit of the LORD came upon David from that day forward. So Samuel arose and went to Ramah. 1 Samuel 16:12b-13

 

In a perfect world one might expect to be valued for their compassion, kindness, integrity, selflessness, caring, thoughtfulness, humility, intestinal fortitude (grit), courage, loyalty and strength to be true to one’s self and others! Might I venture to say given the socially-challenged-spiritually-bankrupt state of humanity in this New Millennial society, a concordant manifestation of any combination of these heavenly attributes would be most welcomed, appreciated, admired and envied! Needless to say, we ain’t there yet! Can I get a strong AMEN 3x and double Hi-5?

TRUTHBTOLD, as far as we know, since that first infraction of our progenitors, Adam and Eve, in the Garden of Eden, mankind has lost the glorious innocence and sensitivity that once clothed the most precious of God’s creation! Hence, opening up the way for self preservation, shame, guilt, blame, hatred, inconsideration, covetousness, envy, jealousy and irresponsibility to become the new norm of the land! Could that be why God said, ‘don’t eat of the tree of good and evil’? UUUMMMMM?

Fortunately, God always had a plan to redeem and restore humanity back to HIS original intent, to surround Godself with an Eternal Family! He sent His Only Begotten Son, Jesus, serving as an illustrated sermon, to teach us the perfect, good and acceptable standard of Righteousness Personified!

Unfortunately, to attain such a lofty estate one must be transformed from faith to faith and glory to glory! This transition requires discipline and endurance,  which most of f us refuse to tolerate having little or no time for dat! A closer investigation of David, dubbed a man after God’s Own Heart, reveals that rarely does man and God come to the same conclusion when it comes to choosing candidates for the most likely to achieve success, IN GOD’S EYES! #ijs

Not only was David rejected by his father, he was not even considered remotely eligible to fill the position that Samuel was sent to appoint! Jessie lined his seven sons up before Samuel from the eldest on down; but much to his surprise, the oil refused to flow! And guess what, Samuel didn’t fair much better himself!  Looking at Eliab’s physical statue, he was confident that he had to be the best man for the mission! Until God corrected him!  “For the LORD does not see as man sees, for man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart!? (Ref. 1 Samuel 16:7) Finally, Samuel informed Jessie, “The LORD has not chosen these”! And inquired, “Are all the young men here?” Reluctantly, Jessie was forced to admit, “There remains yet the youngest, and he is, keeping the sheep.” (1 Samuel 16-10-11)

#DIDJACDAT? TALK ABOUT BEING OVERLOOKED, huh? #WOW!

You might think that someone would’ve remembered what happened the last time the people over-ruled God’s leadership preferring SAUL, the people’s CHOICE? And we all know how that turned out, right?

IS IT JUS ME? OR DOES THIS SOUND UNCOMFORTABLY 2 FAMILIAR?  YEP! SOMETIMES, YOU GET WHAT YOU WANTED, BUT LOSE WHAT YOU HAD, huh? Sounds like, ‘FATHER REALLY DOES KNOW WHAT’S BEST!’ Don’t shout me down nah!
Beloved, the LORD KNOWS them that are His, and He knows the gifts and callings He’s placed inside of you from your Mother’s womb! Don’t be dismayed or discouraged by those who fail to recognize your hidden treasure but are quick to acknowledge your inadequacies! Afterall, They can’t see what U C, because GOD DIDN’T SHOW IT 2 THEM! BESIDES THAT…GOD WASN’T TALKING TO THEM…HE WAS TALKING 2 U! Remember, God doesn’t usually call the qualified, BUT HE ALWAYS QUALIFIES THE CALLED!

PRECIOUS ONE, THE OIL IS FLOWING! NOW, THE CHOICE IS YOURS! WHO ARE U TRYING 2 BE, THE PEOPLE’S CHOICE OR GOD’S CHOICE? #ijs!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

THURSDAYS’ PRAYERS!

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PRAYN AND FASTING PIC

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

GOOD MORNING FAM! We are so excited that you’ve joined us in our Weekly Thursdays’ Day of Corporate Prayer and Fasting! We are truly blessed that our Heavenly Father so graciously allows us to come before His Throne of Mercy and Grace anytime there’s a need! What a Loving, Compassionate Great High Priest, huh? Beloved, let’s enter into His gates with Thanksgiving and into His Courts with Praise, fully persuaded that He hears us and since we know He hears us, we can claim the victory over every concern and care in advance! Let’s go in…

LORD, YOU ARE GOOD AND YOUR MERCY ENDURETH 4EVERRRR! LORD YOU ARE GOOD AND YOUR MERCY ENDURETH 4EVERRRR! PEOPLE OF EVERY NATION AND TONGUE, FROM GENERATION 2 GENERATION, WE WORSHIP YOU! HALLELUJAH! HALLELUJAH! WE WORSHIP YOU 4 WHO U ARE!….Let’s pray…

 

GOOD MORNING FATHER! GOOD MORNING LORD! GOOD MORNING HOLY SPIRIT!

We bless You for this day! This is a new day that we’ve never seen before and will never see again!! We come in child-like faith, before The Father of All Grace, Mercy and Comfort, rejoicing in hope, for this is the day that You have made! We thank You for watching over us last night as we rested safely in our beds, surrounded by Your Loving-Kindness,  with a roof over our heads! We know that we can’t ever take thany of these things for granted, especially  these days of time! We thankya Jesus for awakening us this morning, allowing us the activities of our limbs, being clothed in the right mind to know what, where, who and WHOSE we are! We praise You Holy Spirit for instructing our hearts to seek You first, earnestly praying the prayer of faith, trusting that as we commit all of our way to You, You are well able and willing to daily provide all of our needs according to Your Riches in Glory!

 

We bow in Holy reverence, praising You O Lord, for You are our Portion! While some trust in chariots, and some trust in horses, our Hope shall forever remain in You Alone! We look to The True and Living God, Jehovah, The Great Deliverer, The Keeper of our Souls! As pray, in The Majestic Name that is above every other name that can be named, JESUS, we ask that You forgive us for every sin, every word spoken, every thought, every deed and every intent of our hearts that was not pleasing in Your Sight! Knowing that You’ve promised that if we confess with our mouths, believing in our hearts that You will forgive us, wash us in The Sacrificial Blood of Your Lamp, You are Faithful and Just to forgive and restore our our right relationship with/in You we ask, Lord forgive me!

Abba Father, because You said, if I be lifted up from the earth, I’ll draw all men unto me, we pray that as ,You Holy Father, are searching the hearts of men everywhere , remember that no man can come to The Father, except You draw us! Therefore, we pray for men everywhere, especially those of the Household o Faith! Save that one who is closes to Hell’s firey-destruction today! Break-up their stony hearts, quicken their dead spirit with a Spirit of Godly Repentance, that they may cry out to You, “LORD, WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?” Plant a “SINCERE YES’ into their hearts and minds and order their steps to a local church where they’ll be received with Love and Joy, nurtured and instructed in the WORD, WILL AND WAYS of their personal Savior and Lord! In Jesus Name!

Father God, we lift up every backslider who has been deceived, by Satan, drawn away by their own lustful desires and foolishly walking away from You, The Only Hope of Salvation! Precious Savior, remind them of Your Promise that You are Married to the backslider and if they’d humble themselves and pray, You will never deny nor forsake any who’s hearts cry is a ‘COMMITTED YES LORD!”Assure that one that You are The Good Shepherd, who welcomes with outstretched Love, any repented soul back into The Kingdom Fold!

 

Sweet Jesus, today we cry out for those who need help, hope, deliverance and salvation! You have given us a spirit of a strong mind, therefore we do not fear what the enemy can do! We do not fear what man can do. Hence, we ask you to intervene on our behalf, move uponYour church today! Thankya for leaders who are listening to You preaching, teaching and living Your Word as beacons of Light amidst the gross darkness of this ungodly world! Thankya for opening the eyes of our understanding and loosing us into our destiny! Thank You Holy Spirit for inspiring Hope that springs eternally!

Father, as we lift up our children, our children’s children by faith,we abort and overrule every curse that’s been ordered against their lives, canceling every scheme that Satan desires to inflict upon them! As we commit them into Your Providential care, we realize that You have a plan and purpose for their lives too and we have the blessed assurance that their steps are being ordered by Your eyes! Therefore we speak The Peace of God over their spirits, minds and bodies releasing a spirit of Love, Holiness and Excellence to fulfill their God ordained destiny!

 

Precious Savior, as we yield before You today, in reverent worship-filled boldness, we’re yet believing You to move upon the stony hearts of all those who have no compassion for families children, those who are suffering, those who have lack. While, it’s not always easy to do, but in obedient trust, we ask that You look on presidents, kings, leaders and all those who You have positioned in places of authority, visit them in the nighttime with dreams and visions, touch their hearts, change hearts and minds, and redirect their course, lead and guide them to pursue the old landmarks along the pathways of holiness and righteousness!

Sweet Holy Spirit, we pray for the church to be the CHURCH and strip us from every demonic influence! You have called us to impact and to be influencers in the midst of this lost and ungodly world. Grace Your Children to pray for our enemies and all those who despitefully use us! Help us to bless those who are bitter and speak evil of us that our faith may be a sign that we belong to You! Empowered by Holy Spirit, we pronounce blessing, joy, peace, favor upon all who trust you, as You prepare a table before our enemies!

Lord send confirmation to those whose faith may be wavering as we’re waiting for Your Hand to move on our behalf. Thank You for allowing our pain to birth greatness in us, transition us into new levels of Your anointing, opportunities, relationships and restoring that which is broken! We ask that you help us to move by faith, remembering not the former things but confidently reaching forward fully persuaded and anticipating that everything you have promised already is!

Lord, as You are seated high above the circle of the earth, You see all those things that are coming against Your Will, Your Plan, and we know that it’s only because many of Your creationcs yet fail to acknowledge You as The One True God, King of kings and Lord of lords! Father,  nevertheless, ewmwmvwe those of us who identify with the Cross today as we cry out to You, for You are THE POWER, THE GLORY, THE ETERNAL LORD, Sovereignly ruling above all kings! Because  ALL POWER is  in Your Hands, You have the power to speak life to dead things! Because the Power of Life and Death is in You, You have the Power to keep us in the operating room, dialysis, court room, chemotherapy and psychotherapy! You can still rebuke cancer, mental disorders, shrink tumors, heal skeptical diseases, regulate and heal blood disease! You are not bound by anything! According to Your authority, we call all flesh to line up with Your Will and Your Word, in Jesus Name Amen 3x!!!

Father God, as we pray for our children, our grand and great grands, we abort and overrule every curse that’s been ordered against their lives. “We cancel every plot and scheme that Satan desires to inflict upon them As we commit their lives into Your Providential care, we acknowledge that You have a plan and purpose for each of their lives and with the Blessed Assure that their steps are being Divinely orchested by Your Eyes, we speak The Peace of God over their spirits, minds and bodies! We release a Spirit of Love, Holiness and Excellence to fulfill their God-Ordained destiny in Jesus Name! Amen 3x!

Sweet Holy Spirit, we lift up our spiritual leaders,  believing for an immediate manifestation of that special miracle that those who are yet standing on the wall proclaiming Your Word, under the convicting anointing of Holy Spirit! We’re trusting and believing that You will Grace each of them to be the examples in their homes, churches and communities that will entice all who come into contact with them to fall deeply in Love with Jesus and make a decision to follow Your Teachings!

You have allowed us to see in the spirit before we see in the natural and call those things which be not, as though they already exist! Therefore we declare and decree that we see our loved ones free from every addiction; we see them Saved, Sanctified, walking in the newness of Life! We see them filled with the Precious Gift of Holy Spirit, empowered and walking worthy and circumspectfully, giving You the Glory for Salvation, Healing and Deliverance, because of Your Mercy and Grace toward us!

As we stand in agreement on behalf of all who are crying out for their children, grands, great grands, we’re believing that their souls are being comfort ed today! We rebuke guilt, shame and condemnation! We bind every lying spirit who would have them in bondage to past failures, mistakes! Remind them that all have sinned and come short of Your Righteous, but because of Your Great Mercy, we were not consumed! Remind them that JESUS PAID THE SIN DEBT FOR US ALL and because of HIS Cleansing, Delivering, Sanctifying Atoning Blood that was shed for all, once and for all we are free to live the holy, acceptable and pleasing lives that You have purchased for any who will accept The Gift of Eternal Salvation!

Holy Redeemer, because of the frailness of our flesh we know that perhaps there are so many issues and concerns we could and should pray about that escapes our minds. Nevertheless, we lift up every unspoken request before Your Majestic Throne now! Remember those who are broken hearted, feeble in body and spirit, the ones at a crossroad of life, the ones addicted to harmful substances, our armed forces, policemen, fire and rescue personnel, nurses, doctors, pastors and leaders, missionaries far and near; the leaders of the world. We’re trusting You to send peace where there is confusion, send love where there is hate, send unity where there is division. Bless the fatherless and motherless. Keep us ALL in your care. These favors we ask in Jesus Mighty Name!!

LORD GOD, as we close our prayer, standing  prayerfully in the gap for these traumatized children and these heartbroken mothers and fathers that have been separated, we ask PLEASE LORD help these mothers and fathers be re-united with the 2,000 children that have been placed in detention centers all over the land before this executive order. Send your Guardian Angels to these detention centers. Lord God please watch over these children who are being transferred all over different states, some far away from their parents. LORD GOD, MOVE on their behalf. Break the yoke of the strongman!

Holy Father, we wait in confidence and quietness, rejoicing in hope and trusting wholly that all workers of iniquity are trembling and suddenly 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!

Abba Father, we stand in agreement with You Who hears ours prayers and forgives our transgressions! Holy Father, because You have chosen to live in Your House, we shout with exceeding Joy unto The Hope of all the earth, believing that as Your face shines upon us, You are making Your ways and salvation known among all nations for You Guide and Rule justly!

Father, believing that is done, we thank You NOW! In The Exalted Name of Jesus. Amen 3X and It Is So!
Now every child of God who is standing in agreement with this prayer, GO TELL SOMEBODY THAT JESUS STILL SAVES, HEALS AND DELIVERS!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

 

 

 

trus

FAILURE AIN’T FATAL!

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FAILURE AIN'T FATAL

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

 

Isn’t is just annoying? I mean the constant bombarding of your mind with intimidating taunting thoughts designed to taint your perspective and ultimately sabotage your peace! #SERIOUSLY!!! Satan, aka da devil, knows fully well that he has absolutely no power to stop what God has planned for your future, nevertheless, he’s determined to strip away every ounce of  our in joy in the journey to our Final Destination…Heaven’s Glorious Salvation! Saints, regardless of his deceptive tactics, never 4get 2 remember, Satan is not GOD!  Notwithstanding, since his first encounter with our foreparents, Adam and Eve, he’s become quite adept in manipulating our thoughts and causing us to question the Faithfulness of God! How? Well, one of his favorite methods is to use your Memories!

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, I gotta few witness, huh? 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 shame as if that’s the end of our story. BUT, AGREE WITH YOUR ADVERSARY QUICKLY? #4REAL! When we  remind the devil that what happened back then was just a chapter setting me up for future episodes of coming attractions, it terrorizes the Hell of o him!  Hence, The Bible says, let the redeedmed of the LORD tell their story!

Beloved, didjakno that the last thing that Satan wants to come up against, is a BIBLE BELIEVING BELIEVER! BUT THAT’S HIS PROBLEM not yours!  You have been Divinely authorized to speak The Word of God with such tenacity, Holy boldeness and confident assurance that  it will actually change your current circumstances!  It’s True!  The CHRIST IN YOU empowers You to call those things that be not, as though they were!

WOW!  Didjaheardat? Sounds like it’s time to let the devil know up front, you ain’t scarred, huh? You know, like that great R&B Prophet  James Brown, ‘SAY It loud! SAY it proud! 

So the next time you feel like giving up, jus remind yourself that “I AM the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus;  I’m not in this thing by myself and GOD SAID, that I shoud Glory in mine infirmities because when I am at my weakest that’s when THE POWER OF GOD’s GRACE RESTS UPON ME! (Ref. 2 Corinthians 12:9)  OMG! #GAMECHANGER!

WORSHIPING WARRIORS TAKE A STAND!  Let the devil know, “HOLD UP! Today ain’t looking that good for ya, and TRUTHBTOLD, tomorrow either! SOOOO, whatever you’re planning to trip me up, U might wanna reconsider! *ijs…Chances are, just like it didn’t work the last time, it won’t work this time either.” (Ref. Isaiah 54:17)

“My God has GGGggrrreeeaaaatt 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)

“OOOOOh, Devil, QUESS WHAAA? UR STILL THE BIGGEST LOSER! I peeped  the back of the Book, and in the end, WE WIN! 

#BAMM!  #GOTTCHA! FAILURE AIN’T FATAL!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

FRONT-LINE WARFARE!

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FRONTLINE WARFARE

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution.  2 Timothy 3:12
Thou therefore endure hardness, a a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangled himself with the affairs of this life, that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. 2 Timothy 2:3-4

 

OMG! Do we ever love to sing those ol’ songs that tend to stir up our emotions and at the same time, placate the reality that each and any day of this life we might find ourselves on the front line of a battlefield!  Most of us recognize, at least on some cognitive level, that when we enlisted into The Lord’s Army, that Ol’ Ship of Zion is a battleship and not some luxurious ocean front cruise liner! Yet, there’s an innately human propensity to glamorize our voyage to the ultimate conquest, Eternal Life with our Heavenly Commander-in-Chief.

Sometimes,  season-saints can forget that Christianity has always attracted danger,  persecution and even death! Hence, our decision and commitment to become disciples of Jesus Christ must not be taken lightly, but emanating from a heart fully persuaded, entrusting wholly our spirit, soul, mind and body, that… come what may, He Who called you is well able and willing to keep us from  failing  and falling prey to the wicked devices of our common Adversary! (Ref. Jude 24-25)

Didjakno that your enrollment into God’s Kingdom demanded rebellion against your former slavemaster, Satan, Ruler of The Kingdom of Darkness and his host of enthusiastically organized agents of disastrously diabolical deeds? Remember how hard you had to fight to get out from under the clutches of his domineering cruelty? BUT for The Grace of God, you never could’ve, would’ve, should’ve made it, huh?

Nevertheless, sometimes—even, Born-Again-Blood-Washed Believers wearied and overburdened by the cares of this world, can become slouthful, letting down our guard, leaving a inch-sized crack in your armor, thereby exposing your vulnerability to Satanic strategies. How? Any good soldier knows the crucial sine qua nons of assuring that your weapons are kept  readily accessible and armed for optimal peformance in case of sneak attacks of your arch enemy. Therefore, it’s incumbent upon God’s footmen to engage in diligent daily exercises to ensure confident courageous valor!

According to the Scripture, The Apostle Paul, instructed his young protegee, “Timothy, your entire life’s experiences have been training ground for this assigment. And now, I admonish you to advance forward, fearless in your struggle, keeping a firm grip on the faith that was delivered down to you from your Mother and Grand-Mother. Son, this is a fight for your life! If you hope to succed in this mission, you must stay prayed-up! Pray every day and every way you know; pray about everything and every one!” “And above all, keep your faith energized and ablazed by The Power of The Holy Ghost, because this walk means you’re guaranteed to experience your share of suffering, simply for sharing The Gospel of Jesus Christ. BUT! If you will stay your life, focused, firmly faithful and rooted in the Love of Christ, regardless of what comes against you—your victory is imminent!”

The Apostle continues encouraging the young servant, “Timothy, run for your life, keep this commitment to the letter, don’t slack off and don’t ever give up. Arm yourself with the same mind as your Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, the Epitome of a True Warrior of Faith!”

Beloved, perhaps today life has launched you smack-dab-indamiddle of a spiritual war zone,  but GOD has already equipped you to win! Jus remember what them ol’ skool Mothers said? “GOD DON’T NEED NO COWARD SOLDIERS’! 

WELL? WHACHAGONNADO?  Hold fast to His Eternal Promises! Be strong and courageous. “Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the LORD your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake.”  (Deuteronomy 31:6)

 “For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds” 2 Corinthians 10:4

As an experienced 30+ veteran of the Faithulness of God, may I audaciously suggest your best option? “Stand your ground and guard your treasure with your life! Be faithful and with holy boldness, pass on His Word and The Grace of God will always keep you safe, secure and saved!”

B READY 2 RUMBLE…AFTER ALL, THIS IS FRONT-LINE SPIRITUAL WARFARE!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

 

LET’S GO DEEPER!

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LETZ GO DEEPER

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

Jesus said, “Everyone who drinks this water will get thirsty again and again. Anyone who drinks the water I give will never thirst—not ever. The water I give will be an everlasting spring within, gushing fountains of endless life.” John 4:13-14

It’s who you are and the way you live that count before God. Your worship must engage your spirit in the pursuit of truth. That’s the kind of people the Father is out looking for: those who are simply and honestly themselves before him in their worship. God is sheer being itself—Spirit. Those who worship him must do it out of their very being, their spirits, their true selves, in adoration. John 4:23-24

 

A closer investigation into GOD’S ETERNAL WORD will reveal that throughout Jesus’ public ministry,  most of his criticism came not from the heathens, but from religious folk!  I’m not being sacrilegious BUT…Can I tell ya something, Jesus hates RELIGION!

Now that might shock some of you, because all your life, you’ve been lead to believe that that’s what church is all about. But Jesus never came to start a new religion! In fact there’s too much of that going on now and it makes God puke! #ijs!

According to the scriptures, religious folk claim to be close to God, but their lifestyle of habitual rebellious disobedience proves otherwise. They’re simply going thru the motions and their religion boils down to simply checking off the boxes in an effort to comply with shallow practices of routine rituals. Howeverrr, MAN LOOKS ON THE OUTWARD APPEARANCE, BUT GOD READS HEARTS! #SERIOUSLY!!!

Just imagine The Omniscient, Creator God, looking deep into their hearts, seeing that there’s is nothing real about their worship, no real love for Him and no sincere thankfulness to HIM for all of  HIS Lovingkindness towards them!

Hence, TRUST2KNO…No matter how high they jump or how loud they shout, GOD’S NOT IMPRESSED! In the Sovereignty of God’s Mind, HE KNOWS that there’s absolutely nothing personal about their relationship, they’re simply empty pots making a whole lot of noise—but ain’t saying nothing to touch His Heart!

The Prophet Isaiah says, ‘These people come near to me with their mouth and honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me. Their worship of me is made up only of rules taught by men –who turn my words upside down, as if the potter were thought to be like the clay! Can the pot say of the potter, HE KNOWS NOTHING!” (Isaiah 29:13-14)

In other words, God’s not affected by our performance, remember God is SPIRIT! So those who worship Him must worship in spirit and in truth!

Beloved, God longs to have an intimate fellowship/communion that goes beyond our flesh and makes its home within our spirits! He wants us to meet Him Spirit-to-spirit. That’s what the scriptures means when it says, Deep calls unto deep! Jesus died for us in order that we could draw nigh to Him humbly, transparently, honestly, withholding nothing but recognizing WHO HE IS and accepting who WE ARE IN HIS PRESENCE! Y’all jus missed a shoutin’ moment!

Saints, what separates Christianity, not just apart, but above every other religion, is when we invite Christ into our hearts, immediately we shift from one Kingdom to another Kingdom! We transition from DEATH N2 ETERNAL LIFE! That’s what Salvation thru Jesus Christ is all about! YES LAWD! NOW AIN’T DAT GOOD NEWS?

The Heavenly Father welcomes all to come as you are, but once you come into The Body of Christ, you don’t just stay where you are! It’s a rite of passage, kindred to taking a quantum leap from religious rituals to personal relationship! Once you taste of The Goodness of Jesus, you can’t resist the Holy Spirit’s promptings and urgency to change.! BCUZ YOUR WELL GETS DEEPER! #4REAL!

Could this be why carnal folk don’t understand why you go to church on a Tuesday nite, tithe the whole 10% , and give a LOVE offering every time you come to church? #interesting, huh? However, you can’t get mad at them, because spiritual things cannot be carnally discerned. (Ref. 1 Corinthians 2:14) They’re just speaking out of the shallowness of their well! Believe it or not…some folk are just content to be CME …CHRISTMAS, MOTHER’S DAY AND EASTER WORSHIPERS! Don’t shout me down nah!

Nonetheless, there yet remains a remnant of witnesses in the Earth who unashamedly dare 2 testify,

“ I can’t take no credit for none of it …BUT HE CHOSE ME anyhow and SINCE I met JESUS… my well is continuously getting deeper. I no longer need my environment to consent that I need to praise God. I don’t have to have my circumstances to be perfect to determine whether or not MY GOD IS WORTHY 2 B PRAISED! BUT WHEN I FOUND  A LOVE THAT’S STRONGER AND FLOWS DEEPER THAN DEATH…

I MADE UP IN MY OWN MIND…COME WHAT MAY… I WILL BLESS THE LORD AT ALL TIMES! GOOD, BAD, UGLY AND INDIFFERENT…MOUNTAIN TOP OR VALLEY LOW…I WILL LIFT UP MY VOICE AND MAGNIFY HIS NAME…FOR IF IT HAD NOT BEEN FOR THE LORD ON MY SIDE, I COULDA, WOULDA, SHOULDA BEEN YET AMONG THE WALKING DEAD, WITHOUT A GOD ON MY SIDE! SHUCKS, CHANCES ARE I’D PROBABLY NOT EVEN BE HERE TODAY!” BUT GOD, huh? #BOUT2LOSE1/2MYCHURCH

C’mon nah! HOW DEEP IS UR WELL? WOW! #LET’S GO DEEPER…

SELAH!
Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!
Ann Caffee

 

SMALL BEGINNINGS!

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SMALL BEGINNINGS

SELAH Daily Devotions!

And said to his servent, 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

For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth.  Zechariah 4:10
Anybody can say I trust God, huh? However, it’s how we endure the proving time that determines the genuineness of our trust!

Life inevitably includes dark times when there’s no evidence to substantiate that God is with you and even less that He’s sees you or is even listening to your prayers. It’s during these times, when the pressure is on us to faint and to give up, that we learn how to dig in our heels and encourage ourselves, intentionally, by regurgitating what God has promised! It ain’t cheap! But it is possible! This kind of holy-boldness, that stares suffering in the face, determining that in spite of what it looks like, my heart shall remain fixed on God’s Eternal Word requires time-tested commitment, patience and endurance!

In this 21st Mellinium Age of high-tech instant gratification, waiting has become an endangered phenomenon! Can you imagine  Elijah’s servant’s frustration, running back and forth six times before he was able to see what His Master saw? I know I can. (Hint! Hint!) Thank God for Elijah’s faith, not to mention God’s compassionate patience to wait on the servant’s eyes to be opened, huh?

Like the Prophet Zerubbabel, I know,  all too well, the struggle involved to overcome the external and internal challenges of any Pastor, assigned to build a new ministry from the ground up! Especially, when it means persuading. encouraging and emboldening a small group of believers, firstly, that this is The Lord’s Doing and not ours! Secondly, we must be prepared to endure the ‘mean time’ armed with the realization that God’s vision for the church is always greater than natural eyes can conceive.

As leaders, we must also accept that everybody’s not going to be eager to jump onboard! Nevertheless,  God has assigned His number to lay the foundation and rejoices in the faithfulness of those who are willing to grab hold to His Word and move forward, convinced that despite of the opposition, under Jehovah’s watchful Eye and empowered by Holy Spirit, the vision shall come to pass!

Beloved, as Blood-washed-born-again-Children of The Most High God, we must understand that Satan’s never gong to High-5 us and say, ‘Uncle’! But from the cradle to the grave he’s going to work overtime to cause us to give up on our Lord! Hence, we must expect our faith to be stretched beyond our comfort zone!

Watching my son’s life ravished by sickness, unemployment, discouragement, depression, hope dispelled by hopelessness grieved my heart unlike anything I’d ever experience. Little did I know that in the midst of everything that the devil meant for evil, God was there waiting behind the cloud, leading and drawing him closer to Himself. I remember how my soul rejoiced hearing that he had given his life to The Lord during a bible study class the evening before! God used the storm to woo my son to seek Him for himself thereby positioning him for the showers of blessings that would follow!

Always remember, the prayers of the righteous don’t have an expiration date, but your troubles do! We must remain confident that God will do just what He needs to bring our loved ones into The Kingdom. While weeping may endure for a night, however, with every breaking of a new day, God reminds us of His Faithfulness to those who trust in Him.

Precious ones, when we can’t see our way, God guides us with his eyes! His vision is far greater than 20/20; it’s from eternity past, thru present, into eternity future!

Beloved,  if you find yourself smack-dab-in-the-middle of what  seems like the sun ain’t never gonna shine again, keep looking up! You’re not alone! TRUTHBTOLD, many of the saints are under satanic attack and afflicted by all manner of maladies. Tragically, some have lost their hope for life getting any better. But instead of surrendering to what you’re going through, can I offer you a ray of Son Light? Rest assured, absolutely nothings ever happens that takes your Heavenly Father by surprise!

Saints, your Heavenly Father works the night shift! Like Elijah and Zerubbabel, gird up the loins of your mind and remember WHO you’re trusting! He who promised is failthful!  Don’t allow the darkness to scare you! God is using the clouds to position to receive His Abundant Blessings! Look up, your Redeemer’s Hands are in the midst of the clouds!

Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. Eccl. 7:8  #SMALLBEGINNINGS!!!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

THIS WAY OUT!

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THIS WAY OUT

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

Unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul. Psalm 25:1

I know we don’t like to talk about it much, huh? HOWEVRRR, sometimes, even the most seasoned of saints, find ourselves oscillating by the turbulent waves of adversity and drowning in the depths of desperation and despair. While we all know that trouble doesn’t discriminate, harassing the just as much as the unjust, somehow knowing doesn’t make suffering any less traumatic, especially to those of us who live intentionally striving to walk circumspect fully according to teaching of The Bible.

Perhaps this explains why so many believers prefer to deny rather than acknowledge that occasionally they encounter episodes of depression, shrouded by the wrath of terror, isolation and false humility that causes you to shrink back into a self-imposed exile! But today, allow the WORD OF GOD to emancipate you from the burden of secrecy and shame! Seriously, quiet as it’s kept, U R NOT ALONE!

Remember David, God’s ordained, ‘man after God’s own heart? Well, a closer investigation of many of his most infamous writings reveal several occasions when The Worshiper Psalmist is heard lamenting from the hub of his soul to his True Source of Salvation and Restoration, The Living God!

As we follow God’s Anointed King in The Scriptures, we see David relentlessly bellowing out his distress before his Friend, The LORD Adonai, uninhibited by reputation, shame nor guilt, but fully persuaded that what pleases God the most is genuine Trusting Honesty. David’s intimacy with his Faithful God, was the foundation of his every prayer!

Beloved, instead of running away from God, during those spasmodic seasons (that seem to contradict the prophetic promises to those who’ve placed their personal faith in the redemptive grace of their Heavenly Father), David learned to embrace the value and privilege afforded to him by fastening his hope to God’s Compassionate Heart with the same  ferverent tenacity that he’d so revently clenched during moments of ease!

Hence, like The Psalmist, when we truly understand that earnest-sincere-honest-heart prayer, stirs-up the atmosphere of Heaven, releases favor, guarantees Divine Intervention and opens the door to a way out of no way, prayer will become our first response rather than our last resort. Didjaheardat?

Now, don’t get it twisted by insulting GOD’S OMNISCIENCE with phony, fake emotional repetitions, as if He doesn’t already know your heart. Just follow David’s example, expose the nakedness of your heart, own your emotions and confess “But unto thee have I cried, O Lord; and in the morning shall my prayer prevent thee. Lord, why castest thou off my soul? why hidest thou thy face from me?” Psalm 88:13

Whom have I in heaven but You? My flesh and my heart faileth; but GOD is the strength of my heart and my portion forever! Psalm 73:25-26

Don’t waste another moment of precious time, wallowing in the quick-sand of evil foreboding, fear, threatening desolation and impending dread! Instead of murmuring and complaining, take full advantage of the situation, flip the satanic script! After all, remember The Living Word, “Greater is He Who is abiding on the inside of you than any plot that the enemy can come up with!” (Ref. 1 John 4:4)

TRUTHBTOLD, The Good Shepherd can hardly wait to reconnect with you! When you recommit your life afresh, He causes you to lie down in green pastures, leads you beside the still waters and restores your soul, your focus and strength! (Ref. Psalm 23) Beloved, when we rely upon the Foundation of God’s Inseparable Love by entrusting our whole heart to The Faithful Eternal Lord of Glory, GOD so graciously reaffirms HIS PURPOSE FOR OUR LIVES! GO ‘HEAD NAH, TERRORIZE HELL! #IJS #PRAY4REAL!!

HONESTLY, God only orchestrates those momentary afflictions to build your faith, setting you up for Triumphant Victory. WHAA? DIDJAHEARDAT? AAAAWWW! SO WALK THIS WAY OUT!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

HOW BAD DO U WANT HIM?

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HOW BAD DO U WANT HIM

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

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

Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled. Matthew 5:6

 

One of the most intriguing topical discussions amongst expectant mothers and women who have become mothers (besides swapping labor stories) is the abnormally-intensified cravings that we experience during pregnancy awaiting the birth of their beautiful bouncing bundle of joy!

While, much to my amazement, my eldest is presently encroaching 50 years of age, yet, I can still summon up that daily occurrence of overwhelming ferociousness, provoking me to walk my big-belly-self five city blocks up to MLK Avenue to get my hands around a 6 in., lettuce and tomatoes, fried onions, mayo, ketchup and mustard, salt and pepper, heavily-loaded with pickles steak and cheese sandwich. This became such a ritual that the moment I wobbled through the threshold of the deli, the cashier would holla to the cook “Steak and Cheese Special for the big lady”. And off I’d be to our little one-bedroom apartment on Oakwood Street, five blocks back, just as happy as if I’d discovered a treasure chest filled with diamonds, rubies and gold.

Somehow, the journey back never seemed as difficult or as long, perhaps because I’d be that much closer to relishing the second I’d take my first bite of my bounty! Oh my, what we won’t do for love, huh?

Well guess what? That’s exactly how believers ought to be in our quest for Jesus Christ!

We see this truth evidenced in the life of The Apostle Paul. We can almost feel the earnest urgency with which The Apostle sought after his intentional personal, intimate- knowing and understanding of “The True One” Who had apprehended him on the Damascus Road. (Ref. Acts 9) It was as if Paul was driven by an uncommonly unique passionate desire that set him on a course that remains unchartered territory to even the most astutely-religious 21st Century church-goers today.

Yet, there is that remnant of us whose yearning for more JESUS consumes most of our waking moments and often invading our nights with dreams and images of His Awesomeness. Imagine my surprise at the realization that not everyone in the church shares this delight-filled insatiable lusting for The Living Water and The Bread of Life! #4REAL!

This might very well explain why some who profess Christ, are content with following Him a far off while others are compelled to dig-out the secret treasures hidden in The Word of God, diligently, intentionally searching the Scriptures daily that they might know HIM in ways that may never be actualized by the second-handed-casually-acquainted follower—experientially! (Ref. Acts 17:11)

The Word of God is Alive and gives LIFE to any who have a desire for The God Who Speaks revealing GOD-SELF through His Auto-Biography, inscribed through Genesis into Revelation, that all who seek Him with all of their hearts, minds, spirit, soul and body may know HIM (TRUTH) intimately. Sadly, not everyone who calls Him Savior seek Him as Lord, huh? #ijs Yall!

Therefore, much to their own sorrow, they miss out on the true wealth and reward of a personal, dynamic, GOD-involved relationship that awaits us who lend our hearts and attention to discovering The Father in the face of His First-Begotten Son, Jesus! (Ref. Colossians 1:15-16)

My precious one, seeking God, although often challenging, should never become be a chore! However, may I submit for your momentary consideration, that our response to His drawing is vindictive of the level of love, faith and commitment towards Him!

“O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.” (Psalm 34:8)

HENCE, WHATEVER POSITION GOD OCCUPIES IN YOUR HEART DETERMINES HIS PRESENCE IN YOUR LIFE! #IJS HOW BAD DO U WANT HIM?  

 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you. Matthew 6:33

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee