Category Archives: guilt and shame

A FULL HOUSE

A FULL HOUSE

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Psalm 23:5

 

Anyone that knows me, already know, if they ever wanna win a card game, don’t pick Ann as a partner. The only game that I evrrr remember having a remote chance of winning was “Go Fish” or “I Declare War”! Uuum, maybe God was trying to tell me something, huh?

Anyhow, I took the liberty of Googling what ‘A Full House’ meant and ascertained that “Any three cards of the same rank together with any two cards of the same rank. However, “Aces full of Kings” is a bigger full house than “Kings full of Aces.” Evidently, when comparing full houses, the rank of the three cards determines which is higher, huh? Oh well, as you’ve probably already surmised, none of that means a hill of beans to me because Mama said ‘scarred money never wins’ and SINCE my money was terrified!  #gotit? Therefore, I ‘d better stick to what I’m best suited for, huh? Catching souls and slamming demons!

According to the historical Eastern culture tradition, The Bedouin Law of Hospitality, when a host wanted to let his guest know that he was truly welcomed and that in his house there was plenty to accommodate the comfort and happiness to his guest, he’d ask the guest to lift up his cup and the host would pour the wine into it, and keep on pouring wine until it overflowed and spilled out onto the carpeted banquet floor. The guest would then know that he was doubly honored and abundantly welcomed!

As part of this hospitality, guests would also be anointed with oil, so that their robes emanated a delightful fragrance, indicating that the host would anoint his honored guest, not sparingly but to the extent that their heads would glisten in the candle-lights! Failure to do this was recognized as a deliberate rebuff and insult! WOW!

Now I get that this might be difficult for most of us westerners to comprehend, given the fact that for the most part, hospitality has become a lost art! #ijs!!! However, thankfully, with God, it’s a tradition that shall never go out of style.  Our Heavenly Father’s  Benevolence is exuberantly extravagant! He lavishes His gifts upon all who will embrace His Gracious Loving-kindness with up-stretched hands and open hearts, anxiously awaiting His unending ever-flowing river of compassionate providential care!

In the Scriptures, oil is a figure of God The Holy Spirit. While it’s the mission of our arch-enemy, Satan, to suppress the Children of God, enslaving you in small places, confining us to poverty, lack and diminished hope, joy and peace, The Holy Spirit intercedes on your behalf, ushering you into large lands flooded with showers of blessings! (Ref. John 10:10)

Needless to say, faith in Christ does not exempt believers from experiencing trying times of tearful sorrow, being wearied by disappointment and enduring dishonor and rejection of shameful lies! Nevertheless, we’re yet able to rejoice as The Spirit of God infuses our soul with joy and gladness, grace upon grace, love without measure and peace beyond understanding!

Beloved, God is not content with your being satisfied with just enough! He’s The King of kings and Lord of lords! Therefore as His Heritage, He’s chosen to give us more than we could ask or think! (Ref. Ephesians 3:20)  Didjaheardat card jus hit da table? #BAMM Amazing, huh?

Our Great Shepherd invites you to be seated at the table He has prepared today, making a public announcement to your enemies—‘don’t even try it,’ lifting His cup over your head, signifying that as His honored guest, you’re not just getting leftovers, but you’ve got the keys to the whole house to enjoy the finest of provisions!  #BOOM

Hence, TRUST2KNO, your God delights in running your cup over so that you can’t contain the blessings, and will be able to share with others so that His Grace is reaching more and more people, multiplying praises with thanksgiving from grateful hearts to overflow to the Glory of God. (Ref. 2 Corinthians 4:15) 

Well, whatcha say?

“HERE’S MY CUP LORD, I LIFT IT UP, COME AND QUENCH THE THIRSTING OF MY SOUL!” …DRINK UP!  NOW DATZ A FULL HOUSE!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

RELEASE URSELF!

RELEASE URSELF

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

THURSDAYS’ PRAYERS!

prayn-and-fasting-pic

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

GOOD MORNING FAM! GOTTA MOMENT! AWESOME!

We are extremely delighted that once again you’ve joined us in a Weekly Corporate Prayer & Fasting! We count it both a privilege and honor to approach The God of Heaven and Earth, seated upon The Throne of Mercy and Grace, entreating His Divine Presence, confident that His Scepter is forever extended to all who will diligently seek Him in Spirit and in Truth! Shall we enter in…

I NEED THEE, O I NEED THEE! EVERY HOUR OF THE DAY, I NEED THEE! OOOOHHH BLESS ME NOW, MY SAVIOR! I COME TO THEE! I NEED, THEE; OH I NEED THEE! EVRRRRYYYY HOUR OF THE DAY; I NEED THEE! OOOOOHHHH BLESS ME NOW, MY SAVIOR! I…COME….TO….THEE!

 

Our Father and our God , as we come before You today, humbled by Your Loving-Kindness, tender Mercy and Amazing Grace, we’re eternally grateful for one more opportunity to behold The Beauty of Your Presence! We know that it’s only because of Your Sovereignty that we have been allowed to live one more day! We thank You for that Glorious day when You suddenly opened our blinded eyes, revealing to us such wondrous treasures that were hidden from our understanding, when we walked surrounded by darkness, as dead men in the earth without a God on our side!

Abba Father, it’s only because of You, we now live, move and have our being! Therefore, once again, we come with our our hearts rejoicing, hands lifted up and our lips forever praizing You! Oh, how awesome are Your deeds! For You have preserved our lives and kept our feet from slipping!

Daddy, thank You for being God of our Salvation, Deliverance, Breakthrough and Provision! Because You know our frame, Your Faithful Compassion continuously allows You to look beyond our human frailties,flaws, faults and iniquities to see and still minister to all of our real need! Not only have You have done so much for each and every one of us, You keep right on blessing us over and over again!  Abba Father, forgive me this day for everything I have done, said or thought that was not pleasing to Your Heart. Thankya for the assurance that You’ve given to us, that as we confess our sin, You are Faithful and Just to forgive, pardon and restore us back into rightful fellowship with You, we ask now for Your forgiveness, in The Precious Name of Jesus!

Sweet Jesus, teach us to see sin through Your eyes, acknowledging it as evil wickedness and rebellion against the Creator and Lover of our souls, The Giver and Sustainer of All Life! And when we sin, quicken our spirit to repent immediately, and to confess with our mouth our wrongdoing, that we might receive the Gracious forgiveness of our Heavenly Father!
For this cause, we gladly present our spirit, soul and body as a living holy sacrifice to be used for Your Greatest Glory!

Precious Lord, because no man can come to the Father except you draw them, we intercede on behalf of every unsaved soul. We pray that You will quicken the Spirit of Godly-repentance in their heart and in their mind that they will come to you today confessing a “sincere Yes” to your Amazing Gift of Grace and receive You as their personal Lord and Savior! We’re believing that You will Divinely orchestrate their footsteps settleling them into a local church home today.

Lord, we ask You to put a new “committed YES” in the heart and mind of every backslider! Let today be the day that they come back to You and come back to YOUR church where they will submit their lives to the sound teachings of Your Word, and learn to love and live their lives walking to please You First!

Father, we pray that You will touch our brother, touch our sister, afflicted by sickness and disease, especially the spirit of cancer, kidney disease, heart/lung disease and rebuke and cast it out at the root, for Your Name Sake. Heavenly Father, You have decreed that You are Alpha and Omega, the same yesterday, today and forever! Therefore, even as You walked this earth healing all who were sick, feeble, lame we know that You’re Well Able to do the same right now! Your Word declares that Your stripes have redeemed and healed us and we’re yet standing on your promises that the prayer of faith shall save the sick and raise them up, In Jesus Name! Amen 3x!

Sweet Jesus, we’re believing for every believer who is yet holding on to Your Hand by faith today, that You will release Divine power, Supernatural strength and health, provision, prosperity and protection. Preserve each and everyone of us thru the tests that we must go thru and keep us constantly aware of YOUR PRESENCE, fully-confident that at the appointed time,You, will bring them out wholly restored, renewed, refreshed and with the reward as You have promised them in Your Word.

Father, we lift up our children, our children’s children and by faith, cancel every diabolical scheme that Satan desires to inflict upon them, committing them into Your providential care, realizing 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!

Father, we lift up every spiritual leader, asking that You grant an immediate manifestation of that special miracle for each and every one of them who are yet standing on the wall proclaiming Your Word under the convicting Power and Anointing of Holy Spirit! Sweet Jesus, we’re trusting and believing 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 with You, trust wholly in and commit to live their lives faithfully and obediently serving You!
Knowing that You Sovereignly Rule and Reign over the affairs of mankind, Father we’re praying for the leaders of our nation, government, corporate, judicial, educational, health care providers and every arena of our society! We’re trusting You to touch their minds and hearts, speak to them in dreams and visions to let them know that You Who Sit Enthroned Above the Heavens are keeping record of the deeds of every man’s heart and will reward accordingly!

In the Precious Name of Jesus, we come against every demonic stronghold, every spirit of manipulation, the spirit of rejection! We trust You to reverse every demonic set back, every word curse, every generational curse; annihilate every soul tie and toxic relationship! Sweet Holy Spirit, we’re believing that even as we’re praying, You are breaking off of us the spirit of religion, compromise, Jezebel, traditionalism, pride and inferiority. Father we decree that every demonic-induced spirit of addiction and fear is defeated NOW because of Your Anointing and that the Spirit of Love, Power and Sound-mindness and Purpose is being released into the lives and atmosphere of Your people now, in Jesus Name! We plead the blood over this prayer and us in Jesus Name!

Heavenly Father, we bring so many before Your throne O God. Those who are broken-hearted, feeble in body and spirit, those who are 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; our leaders of the world. We’re trusting You to endow the hearts of your children with 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!!

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 us 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, we thank You NOW, for WE believe that according to Your Will, it is done! 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!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

UP & AT ‘EM!

up-at-em

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

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

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

 

LIES! LIES! AND MORE LIES!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

HOPE UNDER SEIGE!

hope-under-seige

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

They will be my people, and I will be their God. I will give them singleness of heart and action, so that they will always fear me for their own good and the good of their children after them. I will make an everlasting covenant with them. I will never stop doing good to them, and I will inspire them to fear me so that they will never turn away from me. I will rejoice in doing them good and will assuredly plant them in this land with all my heart and soul. Jeremiah 32:38-41

 

As a child, I vaguely remember a glimpse of pride swelling up inside whenever I heard someone say,‘this is the GREATEST nation in the world’! I suppose that’s what they mean by ‘let’s make this nation great…again, huh? But, that was before I became abruptly aware that there were two nations co-existing in one! #ijs

According to historical accounts, Courage and Confidence was once the hallmark of our nation! Yet, some say that the infamous catastrophic events of 911 has radically stripped away this lofty heritage and the hope-filled future legacy  that was once ascribed to the land of the power, peace and prosperity is now being besieged by the rampant rage of darkening clouds of an evil foreboding fear, doubt, anxiety, stress, guilt, shame, confusion and condemnation!

Well, it’s not my intent to debate the inevitable result of widespread deviation from the moral standards as defined by The Holy Bible. Howeverrrr, may I submit for your consideration, that without a holy reverence, a clear vision and a Divine impartation of understanding of WHO GOD IS & WHAT HE REQUIRES OF US, people’s strength will fail and their expectations of security perishes! The past has proven that without the restraint of law and order, destruction prevails! Well, like the ol’ skool preacha used to say, “I jus lost half my churrch!” Seriously?

Honestly, when we don’t understand Whose we are, we’ll be inclined to doubt God’s ability and even His willingness to help us. Void of genuine hope and unable to trust God’s Unfailing Love, we instinctively depend upon self to take care of our needs and satisfy the desires of our own hearts. And we all know how that turns out, right?

But those of us who dare to risk resentment, ridicule and rejection from those who will slander our righteousness, labeling us as unloving and intolerant, WE DEFY the prevailing opinions of the worldly in favor of the guidelines of the Ancient Landmarks, rejoice in hope, fully persuaded that if we suffer for Christ sake, we shall also reign with Him!  #CANIGETANGOODAMEN?

Through faith and hope, TRUE WORSHIPERS develop a singleness of -heart and mind, stemming from personal intimacy with The Lord Jesus Christ whereby we experience the Abiding Presence of God, trusting wholly in His Sustaining Grace!

Instead of conforming to the ways of the world, believers don’t bail out! Hence, in the face of the calamity and chaotic circumstances, we stand steadfast, rooted and grounded in The Promises, Provision and Power, persevering in the midst of devastation, famine and plagues, confident that we’re covered! Remember Goshen, God’s Protected Place? (Ref. Exodus 8:22)

Beloved, trust 2 know that when it looks like your world is falling apart, look again! Don’t allow fear to drain your faith! From Heaven’s perspective, everything is falling right in place!  Remember, Jesus has already gone into Tomorrow to prepare a table before you, right in the presence of your enemies! (Ref. Psalm 23:5) #Didjaheardat?

IT AIN’T WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE, K? YOU GOTTA HOPE BEYOND THIS WORLD!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

THURSDAYS’ PRAYERS!

prayn-and-fasting-pic

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

GOTTA MOMENT! GREAT!

Once again we are ecstatically glad that you’ve linked up with us today in our weekly Corporate Prayer and Fasting! With everything that going on in our nation and the world today, it behooves each one of us to stay close to the Altar…and linger in the midst of the Incense!! Amen?

JESUS, HE NEVER FAILS! JESUS, HE NEVER FAILS! HEAVEN AND EARTH SHALL PASS AWAY; BUT…JESUS NEVER FAILS! I’VE TRIED HIM! HE NEVER FAILS! I’VE TRIED HIM, HE NEVER FAILS. HEAVEN AND EARTH SHALL PASS WAY…BUT…JESUS…NEVER…FAILS!

AS WE’RE PRAYING WE’RE BELIEVING & DECREEING…

Abba Father, we come before You today, In the Magnificent, All Powerful Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus, we come rejoicing, praising and thanking You for blessing us to see a brand new day. We thank You, Father for every opportunity to embrace and enjoy the abundance of Your Mercy, Your Grace, Your Power and Your Peace!

Daddy, we’re eternally grateful that You are The God of our Salvation, our Deliverance, Breakthrough and Provision. Not only have You have done so much for us, we can truly say that You’ve been better to us than we’ve been to ourselves! And certainly more than we could ever deserve! You keep right on blessing us over and over again!

As we embrace the day ahead, help us to start this day with a new attitude and loads of gratitude knowing that it’s only because of Your Grace that we’re kept safe from all hurt, harm and danger. Precious Jesus, help us to make the best of each moment that You have gifted to us! Lord Jesus, clear our minds so that we can hear from You and cleanse our hearts that we may deny ourselves, trust and obey Your Will.

Help us Lord to not whine and whimper over things we have no control. Open the eyes of our understanding that we are able to see sin through God’s eyes and acknowledge it as evil. And when we sin, quicken our spirit to repent, and confess with our mouths every deed, word spoken or thought that was not pleasing in Your sight!

Sweet Jesus, we’re thankful that You, knowing our frame, Your faithfulness and compassion allow You to look beyond our human frailties, faults and iniquities to see and minister to all of our need! We believe and claim as You have promised the Gracious forgiveness that you offer to those who trust in You! We praise You today, from a heart open to, depending and relying only on You for renewing our strength, increasing our understanding and empowerment to accomplish Your Will bringing Glory and Honor to Your Name!

Father God, because no man can come to the Father except you draw them, Father we ask that as Your eyes continue to search the hearts of mankind that you draw and save the lost, and reclaim every back-slider and that You will direct their footsteps and place them and settle them into a church home today.

Father, we interceded on behalf of every unsaved soul, please quicken the Spirit of Godly-repentance in their heart and in their mind that they will come to you today and say “YES” to your Grace Gift and receive You as their Lord and Savior. Lord, we ask You to put a “COMMITTED YES” in the heart and mind of every backslider and let today be the day that they come back to You and come back to YOUR church.

Father, we pray that you will touch our brother, touch our sister whose body has been afflicted by all manner of sickness and disease, especially the spirit of cancer and at Your Word it is rebuked, dried up immediately and cast out at the root, for Your Name Sake. Lord, your Word declares that your stripes have redeemed and healed us and we’re yet standing on your promises that the prayer of faith shall save the sick and raise them up, In Jesus Name!

Lord, I pray for every believer whose heart may be overwhelmed by grief, confusion, worry, doubt, disappointment, rejection and fear yet they’re clinging to Hope in faith today, that You will release Divine power, Supernatural strength and health, provision, prosperity and protection, making ways out of no way, opening doors and closing doors, turning circumstances around for our highest good and Your Greatest Glory! We believing that Your Divine Favor is being poured out upon everyone now and their faith is rising to a level that they’re faithful and obedient to pay their tithes as You have commanded, releasing supernatural abundance in the area of finances, enabling them to not only come of of debt but also because they put You first, all their needs are met. In Jesus Name!

Father, we’re trusting that even in the midst of fiery trials, they will be preserved as You keep them covered in Your Peace, constantly aware of YOUR PRESENCE, fully persuaded of Your Faithfulness, confident that You will bring them out wholly restored, renewed, refreshed and with the reward as You have promised us in Your Word.

Abba Father, as You continue to bless us,  we will be a blessing to others. Keep us strong that we may help the weak.. Keep us uplifted that we may have words of encouragement for others. We pray for those who are lost and can’t find their way. We pray for those who are misjudged and misunderstood. We pray for those who don’t know You intimately. We pray for those who will delete this without sharing it with others. We pray for those who don’t believe that You sent Jesus, not to condemn us, but to convict us and to free us from the power, pain and penalty of Sin.

Father, we’re lifting up our children, our children’s children by faith, as many of them are beginning a new school year, we’re committing them into Your care, realizing that You have a plan and purpose for their lives too; we have the blessed assurance that their steps are being ordered by Your eyes!
Father, we know that faith in God not only changes people, it changes me; and only You, O God have the Power to change things!  As we’re praying we’re lifting up all of our sisters and brothers and every family members and their entire households! We’re praying for peace, unity, love and joy to abound in our homes! For You have promised that Your Power is perfected in our weakness! 
We bless and thank You for our President Obama and Secretary Hilliary Clinton and their families. We thank you now that no weapon that is formed against them shall prosper. We ask that You save and deliver Donald Trump, even as You touched others in the past, humbling them to bow before You and acknowledge that You as Lord!

We pray for every government, legislative,corporate and spiritual leader; that their hearts be continuously opened to hear and obey Your Will! Lord Jesus, we’re standing on Your Word as decreed that The government of this world shall rest upon YOUR shoulders and that You are The Eternal King of Kings and Lord of Lords!

Father, we thanking You for a fresh outpouring of Your Divine Favor upon each and every one of Your precious 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!

Abba Father. we declare and decree that every demonic-induced spirit of fear, anxiety, addiction, perversion, depression, oppression, bi-polar mental conditions is defeated NOW because of Your Anointing and that the Spirit of Love, Power and Sound-mindness and Purpose is being released in the lives of Your people now, in Jesus Name!

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 and defeat, running away 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 x and It Is So!

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

HONEST 2 GOD

honest-2-god

SELAH Daily Devotions!

Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. Psalm 139:7-10

O righteous God, who searches minds and hearts, bring to an end the violence of the wicked and make the righteous secure. Psalm 7:9

Sorry Father Adam, but once again this is on you! Because of our original progenitor’s high treason against the Righteous instructions given by The Creator of Life, we are all born naughty by nature! Thus, every human born into the earth since our fore-parents’ willful rebellion is corrupted by an innate disorder called iniquity! Now, don’t look at me with that self-righteous attitude! (Ref. Ps. 51:5) But, it goes deeper! Like Adam, the Glory of innocence that once covered us had now been disrupted by sin, exposing us to evil, guilt, shame and fear!

The precious intimacy with God that man once enjoyed in Paradise was violently yanked from him plunging all of creation into gross darkness and utter chaos!

Hence, there’s an inbred-inclination to cover ourselves with fig leaves attempting to hide from the Only True Source of Hope for deliverance and restoration!  The moment we allow our desire to satisfy the wickedness of self’s lust to take precedence over our desire to please God, the hedge comes down and all hell breaks out! And as they say, the rest is history, huh?

That’s why God hates sin! Don’t get it twisted like Eve and fall for the deception of the Tempter! Not because He’s trying to control us! Not because He’s arrogantly trying to keep us down! Not because He wants to keep us from enjoying ourselves! Not even because He’s Sovereign Lord! And He is! But God hates sin because it robs us of the freedom, peace and pure delight to openly commune with The Lover of our souls!

You do realize that God knew exactly where and what Adam had done when His Voice came walking through the Garden asking, “Adam, where are you?” God IS The All-Consuming Presence over space and time! There’s NO spot where GOD IS NOT! Someone once said, IF GOD MOVED TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT, HE’D BUMP STRAIGHT INTO GODSELF!

But do we also hear the pain of God’s Heart, knowing that He would have to evict His Family out of their home to keep them  away from certain eternal death and destruction...until JESUS came to our rescue? Do we realize that there’s no such thing as a little sin? SALVATION IS FREE BUT IT WASN’T CHEAP! #WOW! HONESTLY!

Yet, like David, sin perverts our mind and we foolishly assume that if we don’t tell God, He won’t figure it out!

Do you realize that confession benefits us more than it does God? “Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.” Psalm 119:67 You do know that we don’t pray to inform God, but we pray to invite Him to step into our misery and fix our mess!

When we confess our faults (sin) to God, He’s able to heal our broken and contrite spirit, revive the brittleness of our bones and clear our hearts, minds and souls of the debris that’s left behind by sin’s breach! It was a good thing that God revealed that He knew David’s sin, sending His servant Nathan allowed David to repent honestly before God, liberating him from the burden, torment, tragedy, grief and condemnation that resulted from harboring secret sin in his heart and hindering him from enjoying the fellowship of God’s Presence!

If we confess our sins, HE is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 #Didjaheardat?

Jus wondering? When was the last time you had some REAL face2face time with God? THAT LONG, HUH? Well, last time I checked, JESUS WAS STILL SEATED ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE FATHER, WAITING AND WILLING TO INTERCEDE ON YOUR BEHALF! SOOO, WHACHA WAITING 4? HONEST2GOD!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

OUT ON A LIMB…

out-on-a-limb-2

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.

And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. Luke 19:5-10

 

According to the latest statistics of The US Census Bureau regarding the world population in 2016, there are approximately 7,346,235,000 people on earth, as of August 23, 2016! These numbers are expected to increase at a rate of 1.13% annually! WOW! Who Knu?

Have you ever gazed up at the night sky  and wondered, ‘IS THERE ANYONE WHO REALLY CARES ABOUT ME?’ Oooh, I’m not saying that You don’t know that GOD is REAL and believe that HIS WORD IS TRUTH! But, I’m just wondering if you’ve ever entertained the thought, given the enormity of individuals inhabiting Terra Firma, ‘What’s the chance that God has time to be concerned about what’s going on in my life, at any given moment? I mean, something like 1 in 7 billion? YET! That’s exactly what The HOLY BIBLE says! While many are called, The God of all flesh chooses us, name by name!

Perhaps, Zacchaeus pondered these very thoughts before risking public humiliation in front of the ever increasing crowds of folk who followed this new Prophet from Galilee! Being the Chief Tax Collector, he was already ostracized as it was. Yall know how folk feel about the IRS. Unless it involves a refund check, huh? Even though Zacchaeus was at the top of his profession and apparently extremely wealthy, we can safely assume that he didn’t have a whole lot of real friends. But for reasons, yet undisclosed by Scriptures, when he heard that Jesus was passing through town, Zacchaeus was driven by a passionate desire to get close to Jesus!

Now, we know that nothing Jesus did was by happenstance; wherever He went, He was sent on assignment. Nonetheless, who would  ever expect Jesus to make time out of His busy schedule for a face-to-face encounter with the likes of Zacchaeus! According to historical accounts, Jesus, Himself had testified that it’s easier to get a camel through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to get into Heaven. (Ref. Matthew 19:24) No! It’s not because The Father just wants poor folk, but because most wealthy people believe that everything they’ve accomplished, they’ve achieved on their own. So there’s no reason to submit to nobody—especially an Invisible Superior Being. After all, when this life is over, it’s over! Right?

Apparently, life had led Zacchaeus to the inevitable conclusion, ‘With all that I have, it’s still not enough to make me whole. Something missing, and from the stories I’ve heard, perhaps this MAN, JESUS, can fill the gaping hole in my life!’  Zacchaeus’ decision was eternally life-changing for himself as well as his family! He determined within himself that he would not allow anything to stand between his soul and His Savior. Hence, he ran ahead of the crowd, climbed a sycamore tree and went out on a limb to make sure that he didn’t miss Jesus!

I must confess, having grown up vertically challenged, I know what it’s like to be the runt of the pack, never quite measuring up to the crowd, as if you had a choice in being who God created you to be!

Unfortunately, the crowds aren’t the only things that keep some people from getting close to Jesus.! What about, pride, self-righteousness, education, careers, drinking and druggin, adultery and fornication, lying and cheating? And we can’t forget what would happen when the people we hang out with find out that we’ve given our lives completely over to Jesus 4 REAL! Yeah, sometimes we might have to climb over a whole lotta stuff to get to Jesus, huh? Nevertheless, like Zach, sooner or later everyone must answer, why am I here, where am I going and what am I going to do about Jesus? Whether we decide to accept or reject the Savior’s free gift of Grace, not one of us can remain indifferent!

Zach said, ‘I’m going to do whatever I need to do to get to the only ONE, who truly knows me, loves me and believes that I was worth dying for!’ Amazingly, Jesus knowing exactly where Zacchaeus was, spoke to him specifically as if He was the only person that He’d come to see! The Good News is…Jesus doesn’t play favorites! #didjaheardat?

Beloved, you are somebody special to Jesus! The Ol’ Skool preacha said, “He left His Home in Glory, came down thru 40 and 2 generations, was mocked, jailed, beaten, crucified, died, was buried, went down to hell before ascending back to Heaven, to be seated at the right side of The Father Eternally! There now, as our Great High Priest, He intercedes on our behalf, pleading for mercy, forgiveness and grace, waiting for you and I to come to the end of ourselves and seek SINCERELY after Him with all our hearts, minds, body and spirit!

The next question is, what risks are you willing to take to reach Jesus? What are you willing to let go of to lay hold of everything that Christ has prepared for you? How far are you willing to go to get closer to Him? #OUTONALIMB! #REALLY?

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

WHATZ UR THANG?

WHATZ UR THANG

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me. Mark 10:21

 

This parable, commonly dubbed “The Parable of the Rich Young Ruler” is recorded in the each of the synoptic gospels. Most of the time when it’s preached, one of the first things that comes to our minds is “Oh shucks, here they go again trying to get my money”! But, hold on…there’s more meat to pick from that bone then our money!

As the scripture unfolds, Jesus is confronted by a young man running up to Him, kneeling down before Him, then asks Him a question. “Good Teacher, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” In other words, ‘What can I do to be saved; what do I have to do to make Heaven my eternal home?” Jesus responded, ‘Why you asking me…the only one qualified to answer that question is God!’ And Jesus continues, ‘You know the commandments that Moses told you…you’re a Jew.’ And begins to quote from the 10 Commandments the 7th, 6th, 9th and the 5th Commandments.

Upon hearing this, the young man pompously proclaimes, ‘Oh that’s it, well I’ve been doing that since I was a kid, I’m straight then’. To which the Loving Shepherd responds, “One thing you lack; go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.”

The Bible teaches that when the rich young ruler heard these words, ‘he was grieved in his heart and went away sorrowful, because he had great possessions.’

Imagine that, ONLY One Thing! Now religious folk tend to think that Jesus was telling the rich ruler that his greed was enough to make him miss heaven. Some self-righteous others might say that his love of money outweighed his compassion for the welfare of his fellow human beings and that would disqualify him for heaven. However, might I offer, for your consideration, perhaps Jesus was trying to teach this young man (and what God is saying to us), is that the young man’s response was merely symptomatic of a greater issue—the failure to recognize the Lordship of Jesus Christ and a lack of trust in God’s ability to take care of him! WOW!

While it is true that those who have great riches, fame, influence are more likely to put their confidence in their money and in themselves than those who are impoverished and have to depend on The Hand of God for their daily bread, Jesus was not teaching, as some assume, that only those who are living in poverty, barely making it from payday to payday, can go to heaven! The Devil is a Liar!

However, could Jesus have been saying that it is virtually impossible for any man to be saved apart from God’s Mercy, Grace and Power? With men, it is impossible …but not with God! (Ref. Mark 10:27)

I believe each us can think of somebody that we know, who didn’t make it, but truthfully, it could’ve, it should’ve, it would’ve been me and you, BUT GOD! “And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.”1 Corinthians 6:11

None of us know what tomorrow holds for us, but as you advance to the close of our God-ordained destiny for 2018, arm yourselves with this mindset, “But I keep under my body, and bring [it] into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. (Ref. 1 Corinthians 9:27)

Hence, it behooves each of us to ask Holy Spirit to search our hearts, daily, and then give us enuff GRACE to let go of ‘that thang’ that He reveals to us that’s occupying the Throne of our hearts, reserved for God Alone! #ijs!!! #Didjaheardat? 

Remember, it only takes ONE THANG 2 EARN ETERNAL DESTRUCTION! BUT, THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT JUST ONE DROP OF THE SANCTIFYING BLOOD OF JESUS STILL WASHES US WHITE AS SNOW! WHATZ UR THANG? #COVEREDWITHMERCY&GRACE

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

WAKE UP AMERICA!

WAKE UP AMERICA!

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my ace, and turn from their wicked ways,then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
2 Chronicles 7:14

 

WELL, AMERICA’S GREAT AGAIN, huh?  WOW!

Today despite of all the  predictions, our Nation has survived one more surprise attack, huh?  Who knu it would come from within the borders of our own democratic system? Nontheless, they say, ‘Liberty For All’, right? Well, I suppose that depends on one’s personal perspective. Nevertheless, we can agree on this, Freedom is not free nor is it cheap!

Yet,  I declare and decree, in Order to form a more perfect Unity, establish true Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain. establish, stand steadfast, immovable always abiding in THIS TRUTH, that despite all of this sophisticated technological security advancements of  the 21st Century,  that the safest place in the whole wide world yet remains “smack-dabb” in the middle of GOD’S PERFECT WILL!!!

While many families are still struggling to cope and recover from the distress of 911, the increase in the random killings of young students,  senseless massacre of innocent kindergarteners at Connecticut’s Sandy Hook Elementary,  bomb blasts  abruptly interrupting The Boston Marathon , suicide bombings at airports globally, lunatics open-firing on random citizens out enjoying an afternoon movie, shopping at the local mall and evenings at their favorite niteclubs, and we cannot forget those who arbitrarily invade the sanctify of Bible Study and Prayer Meetings, each of which so obviously re-enforce the new-now reality! America has changed forever! Hence, that somewhat nonchalant attitude that we once held viewing  media broadcasts detailing the slaughter of civilians in other countries has given way to a national sense of restrained anxiety and anticipation.

The false sense of serenity that our nation once enjoyed has now converted to sporadic rampant acts of violence, devastation and destruction. In the after mass, we see a socieity of proud Americans struggling to present a united front, clinging, crying, comforting, praying together in an attempt to let the world know “We’re proud to be Americans; United we stand and God bless America”!

Now don’t shout me down! Trust me, I’m just as patriotic as anyone. I am grateful that God destined me to be born in this country. However, first and foremost, I’m a Christian; a citizen of The Kingdom of God! Therefore I am compelled to plead on behalf of all my fellow countrymen, “America, bless Our GOD!”

None can deny that God has been so merciful to America. Time and time again, God has proven Himself to be so near to us. Our nation’s history confirms that God has continuously reached out to assure us, “My children, we are in this thing together…forever. I am here to help you. I am your shield and your buckler; I am as close as the very breath you breathe. I am fully and totally committed to you.” Unfortunately, just like the Israelites in Bible days, this nation has persisted in boldly rejected GOD’s Way, insisting on doing things our way, legislating unrighteousness!

Well can I offer my most solemn suggestion; my fellow Americans, instead of trying to pass the buck, we need to repent. Why spend so much time, money and attention pursuing false gods? We don’t need another God to save us! We just need to turn back to the One True Foundation of this great nation. It’s time to bend our knees, bow our hearts, and surrender our praise and worship to The True and Living God our Lord Jesus Christ. Clearly, everything that we will ever need is in Him.

What’s the point of having another National Day of Prayer if we have no intention of changing? I mean, can you imagine the stinch that’s seeping into The Throne Room of His Grace and Mercy? #yukyuk! Awemazingly, The Living God is waiting for His Chosen People to humbly cry out in sincerity to Him, (actually repenting) and return to the Rock of our Salvation! Remember, God has promised that in the midst of troubling times, we’d find Him to be a Very Present Help.

“Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye unto me, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the LORD of hosts.” Zechariah 1:3

WAKE UP AMERICA, IT’S WAY PASS TIME TO BLESS OUR GOD!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee