Category Archives: Let God Be God!

SINGLE VISION

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SINGLE VISION

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!
(Matthew 6:22-23)

 

Have you seen that optical illusion photo of Jesus where you’re instructed to stare at the four dots continuously for about a minute, then look away to the light and watch the darkness evaporate revealing The Face of Jesus?

DID YOU SEE HIM YET… still too dark, huh?

Belief it or not, that’s a challenge for most believers? I mean, seriously! How can we be expected to focus on The Light of the World, when we are constantly encompassed and distracted by such gross darkness? As with most of the things Our Heavenly Father expects of us, it’s not always easy, yet if we make a conscious effort to disciple ourselves, it is possible!

We must stick  to the Living Word of Truth; not just on crisis days, but every day; as if our very lives depended upon it. And it does! Beloved, remember we’re strangers sojourning through this life on our way to a Glorious Family Reunion. (Ref. John 17:16) Jesus prayed to The Father that He would keep us in this world until He’s sent again to fully restore us to The Kingdom. Knowing fully well that we’d be hated by His enemies, just like He was while he walked this earth; Jesus asked The Father to put HIS Light in us to ensure that His followers would never be without His Presence. (Ref. John 17:15; Matthew 5:14)

The Apostle John wrote, “But if we are living in the light, as God is in the light, then we have fellowship with each other, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, cleanses us from all sin. “ (1 John 1:7)

Remember, thou weary one, you are God’s Chosen! Despite the random patches of darkness, we are never abandoned. Jesus guaranteed that there will always be just enough light to guide us through these momentary afflictions! (Ref. Hebrew 13:5)

DON’T TRIP! STAY FOCUSED ON THE SON LIGHT! THAT’S RIGHT…SINGLE-VISION!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

THE WELL

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THE WELL

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

“Blessed is the man whose strength is in thee; in whose heart are theWays of them. Who passing through the valley of Baca make it a well; the rain also filleth the pools. They go from strength to strength, every one of them in Zion appeareth before God.” (Psalm 84:1-7)

 

James Cleveland penned the verses, “nobody told me that the road would be easy, but I don’t believe He brought me this far to leave me”! But can I add my personal P.S? Nobody told me that total surrendering of my life to the Lordship of Jesus Christ would just be the beginning of the process either!

Who knew?

Okay, John 15:2-3, does suggest that God has Divinely orchestrated and ordained precisely detailed terrains of testing’s and trials in order to produce Christlike character and strength in those whom He has chosen to be in intimate, personal relationship with.

And yes! The Psalmist does note that the road leading up to The Temple at Jerusalem required the sojourner to pass through the Valley of Baca, (a valley of weeping). Wait a minute, is this some sort of a clue that likewise, the Believer’s pathway to Glory, is often snagged by unforeseen uncertainties and all manner of deliberate satanically-induced abuses to entice you to give up and turn back?

I’m told that the experienced worshipers would make preparation for the drought seasons by digging pits to store up rainwater. And sure enough, their confidence would be rewarded as God opened up the windows of heaven to fill their earthen vessels. Not only would there be sufficient refreshment to meet their needs, but there would an abundance to help out others they might meet as they traveled along the way.

Granted, The King’s Highway is not always the quickest or easiest way, but we’re never alone! The Good Shepherd is always before us opening up The Way.  Our Messiah promised; He’ll faithfully meet every one of our needs – even if it’s one at a time! We go from one level of Grace to Grace, Joy to Joy, Prayer to Prayer, Word to Word, Anointing to Anointing and Glory to Glory!

My fellow Sojourner, take courage! While weeping may endure for a night, Joy is coming in the morning. It might still be dark, but don’t stop now. Keep leaning, keep trusting, trekking on in The Lord! Troubles don’t last, but God does!

Remember, the valley is not our destination, it’s a right of passage thru? The goal is just at the end of the road! Rest assured, while it may be lonely, the road ultimately crosses path with someone who’s needs to know what you have already come through.

Go ahead; jus take another drink! TRUST2KNO, He’s a WELL OF WATER 2 UR THIRSTY SOUL! 

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

TRIAL-SIZED gODZ!

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TRIAL SIZED gODS

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Today’s takeaway?

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

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

AMERICA, WHO IS YOUR GOD?

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

TOTALLY COMMITTED

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TOTALLY COMMITTED

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

“When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee; when thou walkest through the fire, thou shall not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee…Fear not; for I am with thee. Even everyone that is called by my name; for I have created him for my glory; I have formed him, yeah, I have made him.” Isaiah 43:2, 5

Jesus is our living example of God, a Son, a Servant, a man, who is totally committed!

Remember that song, “Fully Committed”. I believe it topped the charts and was hailed by choirs all over the world for months. Yet, I wonder how many of us were just repeating as opposed to actually repenting? UUMMMM! Wonder why you hardly ever hear that song these day?

Have you noticed that many of us struggle in making commitments, and even more critical, in our being totally committed?

Commitment is one of the greatest forms of worship! My brothers and my sisters, God is calling Zion to a higher place of worship and praise! It’s not about the lifting up of our hands; it’s about the lifting up of our hearts!

Do you believe that every believer has a ministry? Or are you one of those who still think that that’s just for the card carrying saints? Well it’s time for you to know the Truth! Jesus is calling every single one of us to be His witnesses in the earth; and commitment is the character of a true disciple! (Ref. 2 Corinthians 5:18) Unfortunately, too many of God’s people are so pre-occupied by the ”self-centered-what about me-I-doctrine” that they never answer the call!

I’m not saying that God doesn’t want us to enjoy the blessings of His Salvation Benefits Package, but He doesn’t want them to consume all of our tasks, time and talents with ‘what’s in it for me’ that we lose sight of the Eternal Kingdom Mission, i.e. SOULS FOR CHRIST!

NOW THAT U KNOW, lets’ all Pray,
“Father, now that I know what You really want from me,  I surrender and commit all –“my everything”.  Everything I am, everything I got, everything I’m not; I give to you. Unto you O Lord, I lift up my soul. I release it, my ‘self’, into your hands. I empty myself unto and into You. Like a person who is being committed to a mental health institution!

I COME because Your Word promises to keep my mind in perfect peace; like a person who has been committed to a high security penal institution, like the Apostle Paul, I am a prisoner of Christ, I am being confined for life, with no chance of parole nor probation!
Lord Jesus, as I COME. I come to abide, remain forever in the secret place, under the shadow of the Almighty God; I commit MY SELF – my heart, my thoughts, my body, my emotions, my relationships, my care, MY WILL – MY BEING – my entire EXISTENCE!

I come to you now, and I volunteer my service –I give up my rights and bow to Your Right as my Creator to rule and to reign over my life! I come to you now, without fear, fully persuaded in light of all that You’ve done for me, it’s only my reasonable service! (Ref. Romans 12:1)

Today, Father, I submit, surrender and commit  ALL I AM To You, in The Majestic Name Lord Jesus! Amen 3x!”

 TOTALLY COMMITTED? SERIOUSLY? WOW! #freedom

SELAH!

“Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!”

Ann Caffee

 

GRATEFUL

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GRATEFUL

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which to day is, and to morrow is cast into the oven, shall he not much more clothe you, O ye of little faith?1 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed? (For after all these things do the Gentiles seek:) for your heavenly Father knoweth that ye have need of all these things. Matthew 6:30-32 

Whoa!!! Sometimes, you just got to put the brakes on life! Particularly in this 21st Century-go-getta- high-tech-higher-achiever-pop-culture! Relaxation is quickly becoming an ‘endangered art-form’ and if we don’t make it a deliberate priority, it’ll soon become extinct or at the very least an incidental phenomenon.

It’s easy to be enticed by the lure of the lust-filled-lifestyles of the rich and famous, especially when our own reality seems to be plagued with unrealized expectations layered by futility, frustration and disappointment. Commercialization, coupled with the collapse of viable standards of moral ethics within our communities favors the ideology of a self-centered-selfish-entitlement that fuels insatiable greed over contentment and gratitude towards GOD for HIS Faithfulness in meeting our basic needs.

The scripture  text describes the inevitable down-spiraling effect that such an attitude tends to harbor in the mindsets of those who live out their lives vicariously trying to compete and compare with the infamous “Jones’”. But those who know GOD and how GOD works, also know not to be so pre-occupied with ‘getting’ that we lose sight of what GOD is ‘giving’!

STOP! Failure to recognize GOD”S GRACE is generally ensued by Ungrateful Discontentment!  No wonder you can barely tell the saints from the aints, huh? #ijs 

Don’t worry about missing out on nothing. GOD’s GOTCHA! Relax and enjoy the PRESENT! BE GRATEFUL!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

HALLELUJAH!!!

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HALLELUJAH2!

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

Let them praise the name of the Lord: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven. He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye the Lord. Psalm 148:13-14

 

As a new born and bred, Blood-washed, Holy Ghost baptized in the Grand Ole Church of God in Christ, I know, personally, what it means when you hear the words ‘give honor to whom honor is due’! And if you’ve ever had the pleasure of attending one of their Holy Convocations or District meetings, I’m sure you do too!

Although we were trained in pulpit etiquette that once the podium is addressed the first time, it’s no longer necessary for every subsequent person to address the entire pulpiteers individually! At least, that’s what they told us. Nevertheless, some of us could not help ourselves from spending at least 8-10 minutes giving honor to ‘the Bishops, Superintendents, Pastors, Elders, District Missionaries, Evangelists, Deacons, Chairman of the Usher Boards, Choir Directors, Choir Member, Saints, Members and Friends before finally doing what they were asked to do!

Don’t get mad at me…on the inside, I’m COGIC 2 DA BONE!

However, I’ve noticed that there’s only ONE NAME that’s uniquely and distinctly dignified with its own Exclusive Exaltation! And that’s the Name that’s above every other name that can ever be named! That name is JESUS!

When you understand the tremendous worth and exceedingly radiant glory impregnated in HIS NAME, the only acclamation that even comes close to befitting HIM is the ONE Divinely-inspired by the original praise and worship team (the angelic host) who continuously behold His Face, is OH Glorraaaaa!

Considering, according to Biblical Historians, the name YAHWEH was so sacred that uttering it was almost blashphemous, what an amazing honor that The Father has bestowed upon us that allows up to freely lift up The Name of His Son—JESUS! Awesome things happen, when you call upon Jesus because there’s extravagant power available to those who trust in the Name!

The world has purposed its own list of  certain names that are synonymous with importance, wealth, fame, beauty, talent and intelligence such as Donald Trump, Oprah Winfrey, Rockefellow, Haley Berry, Magic Johnson and Sigmund Freud, to name a few. And while these names may carry a certain degree of clout and access among man, it does not impress God in the least. But there is a name that over-rides and over-rules everything seen and unseen. Talk about name-dropping, huh?

“That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; (Philippians 2:10)

No wonder, those who have been saved, healed, delivered and truly love the Lord, just can’t help but to worship the ONLY NAME WORTH praising at all—JESUS!

“ Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord.” Psalm 150:6

#Didjaheardat?  “HALLELUJAH!”

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

EXTREME MAKEOVERS!

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EXTREME MAKEOVERS!

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

I beseech you therefore bretheren by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world. But be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good and acceptable, and perfect will of God. Romans 12:1-2

Didja notice the new 21st Century rave sweeping across the nations of this world. It’s called ‘Makeovers’? We’re no longer stuck with what we got! Everywhere you look there’s someone, somewhere offering you another alternative. The media is bombarding our airways via TV, newspaper, magazines, and now social media the message, that not only do you have the right, but now you have the means to exercise your power of choice.

Technology has opened up all kinds of alternatives. Don’t like your nose? Lips too thin, chin too long? Hips to wide? No longer compatible with your mate/partner/gender–not a problem! If you’ve got the cash, they’ve got the solution! It’s no big deal. Right? They say, everybody’s doing a little nip-tuck thang.  While it’s being applauded by the ‘beautiful people’, it’s not just a ‘Hollywood thing’ anymore — even Mr., Mrs. and Ms. Average have caught on to this thing!

Can you see what’s happening in this world? The focus has become extremely top-heavy! Isn’t it time for you to make some changes in your own life? Is it time to lose some weight? I’m not just talking physically – but spiritually!

If you’re tired of the “same ol’ sameo”, same discontentment, same un-fulfillment, well then you don’t have to settle anymore!  Jus Go IT!

The Word of God offers a great solution to save you time, energy and yes, even money. The benefits are miraculous and guaranteed to last a lifetime, even throughout eternity!

The Master Architect has encapsulated on the pages of 66 Books specific directives to accomplishing extreme spiritual makeovers that don’t merely change your physical appearance but guarantee you will experience genuine enhancement of your character and your lifestyle.

Yes, it’s important to take care of our body. The Scriptures teach us that our body houses the Spirit of The Living God.(Ref. 1 Corinthians 3:16) However, physical exercise has its limitations, while a transformed mind has infinite value and potential with an unlimited guarantee benefits that are out of this world!  The Apostle Paul’s plea to the saints, admonishes us to get radical – BE YE SEPARATE—BE HOLY!

God never intended for His people to fit in with the world. We have been called out to be different, to be transformed and to transform the lives of others. Take life to the extreme and renew our minds by the Word of God.

What’s  makes this opportunity even more  awesome is that everyone is eligible. The only requirement is the willingness to open your whole heart, spirit, soul and body to the One who started that good work in you. (Ref. Philippians 1:6)

Go ahead! Make the decision to take your relationship with the Lord to the extreme.

Are you ready to become a faithful and committed Christian? Are you determined to live the life that others see more of Jesus and less of U?

Great, let’s pray and ask God for an extreme makeover!

Selah!

“Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!”

Ann Caffee

WHATCHA SAY?

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whaacha-say-2

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

“And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Matthew 16:19

Ever wonder why it seems like The Word of God isn’t working for you? Hopefully, we do know that the fault can’t be with God, right? Well that leaves, you know who; and I ain’t talking about the devil. Although he doesn’t mind a bit lapping up the free publicity! So what are we doing, or perhaps more appropriately, what are we not doing?

Normally, in our western culture, we tend to use the words, declare and decree interchangeably when in fact they are quite different. Judicially, before a policy or a law can be enforced or carried out there must be a decree or a mandate  authorized by a source who is empowered to rule or to govern. In other words a decree must be handed down from a sovereign or higher authority!

One of the many fringe benefits of our Covenant Relationship through our Lord Jesus Christ is as bona fide heirs we have The Keys to the Kingdom! Keys represent authority! However, we must first understand not what but Who our Key is—it is the Name of JESUS! (Ref. Romans 4:11) Hence, The Creator of the universe has entrusted us to speak (decree) things that be not and expect them to come to pass. (Ref. Romans 4:17) Didjaheardat?

As authorized agents of the Kingdom, we’re charged to enforce the plan of God—which is the WILL of GOD revealed in the WORD of GOD! This means any demonic attempt to block us from receiving the blessings of our Heavenly Father is thereby bound and forced to bow to The Name of Jesus!

The problem is, ofttimes, His children never reach a level of maturity in the things of God to freely operate in the power that God has ordained. Hence, instead of calling those things that be not as though they were, we continue to call things that are as if they will always be! And guess what, since we are created in His Image, we get just what we say! And then blame GOD because we don’t get the results we expect! We got some nerve, huh?

Considering Amos 3:3 asks “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” , today, is your walk in alignment with Kingdom Authority? Are you calling those things which be not as though they are? Or, are you calling those things as they are? #IJS

ARE YOU SAYING WHAT GOD SAYS OR SAYING WHAT YOU SEE? INTERESTING, huh? WHATCHA SAY?

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

WORTHY!

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WORTHY!

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

Sing unto the Lord, all the earth; shew forth from day to day his salvation. Declare his glory among the heathen; his marvellous works among all nations. For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised: he also is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the people are idols: but the Lord made the heavens. Glory and honour are in his presence; strength and gladness are in his place. 1 Chronicles 16:23-27

 

Today’s scripture text takes place when King David and the Levitical Priests were finally bringing The Ark of the Covenant home to Jerusalem, after their first attempt turned drastically wrong, releasing the burning Anger of God resulting in the death of the King’s servant, Uzzah, who unsuspectingly illegally handled The Ark. (Ref. 2 Samuel 6:6-11)

But GOD! In his infinite Mercy and Grace, allows David a second chance to restore The Presence of God to its rightful place, in the center of the City of David. This time, David sought instructions of The Lord rather than presuming that he already knew the Will of God. Oh Hallelujahhhhh!!!!

How many times have we run ahead of God, only to regrettably discover that our decisions landed us smack-dab-in-the middle of a dead-end situation? Oh, the folly of man’s failure to remember The Wonders of God’s Sovereignty is far too great to be limited by our past experiences or the inadequacy of human intellectual presupposition. Nevertheless,  our Condescending Savior’s Grace towards us is revealed time and time again as His Favor allows us the opportunity to repent and turn back to Him that He might Shepherd and direct us in the appropriate Ways we should go. Have I gotta a bonifide witness to tell da truth and shame da devil?

It’s no wonder David, overwhelmed with ecstasy, joy and delight, rejoiced, danced, singing a new song celebrated before the Lord without reserve, uninhibited by person, title, position, nor shame. Israel’s King recognized fully well, that GOD alone, having forgiven his rebellious presumptions sin, restoring him back into proper right-standing with The King of Kings was indeed worthy of unrelenting worship, praise, honor and glory!

When was the last time you abandoned your expectations, mistakes, predicaments and criticisms, and lost yourself to inflamed worship in The Shechinah Glory for another second chance?

” FOR THERE IS NONE ELSE IS LIKE YOU LORD! NONE ELSE TO COMPARE WITH YOUR MAJESTIC GLORY! FOR THIS CAUSE, WE BLESS AND MAGNIFY YOUR NAME, KING JESUS… TODAY AND FOREVER MORE! FOR YOU ALONE ARE WORTHY!”

Didjaheardat? WELL…LET IT GO! MY HALLELUJAH BELONGS 2 U! ALL OF THE GLORRRAAAA BELONG 2 U! U DESERVE IT….4 U ALONE R WORTHY!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

 

DON’T GET SIDETRACKED!

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dont-get-sidebraked3

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

“Keep therefore the words of this covenant, and do them, that ye may prosper in all that ye do.”…”Lest there should be among you man, or woman, or family, or tribe, whose heart turneth away this day from the Lord our God, to go and serve the gods of these nations; lest there should be among you a root that beareth gall and wormwood; And it come to pass, when he heareth the words of this curse, that he bless himself in his heart, saying, I shall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of mine heart, to add drunkenness to thirst:” Deuteronomy 29:9, 18-19 NIV

“All the nations will ask, “Why did God do this to this country? What on earth could have made Him this angry?”

Your children will answer, “Because they abandoned the Covenant of the God of their ancestors that He made with them after He got them out of Egypt; they went off and worshiped other gods, submitted to gods they’d never heard of before, gods they had no business dealing with. So God’s anger erupted against that land and all the curses written in this book came down on it. God, furiously angry, pulled them, roots and all, out of their land and dumped them in another country; as you can see.”

God, our God, will take care of the hidden things but the revealed things are our business. It’s up to us and our children to attend to all the terms in this Revelation.” Deuteronomy 29:24-29 The Message

OMG!  NOT AGAIN…What is it with us? While our spirit knows fully well that Your Ways are always the best for us, yet this ol’ fickle flesh is so easily tempted to …as if we could ever possibly improve on Perfection!

When are we gonna recognize that our Heavenly Father IS OMNISCIENT… dat means HE knows the end from the beginning? Even more important, you need to remember that HE IS GOD AND UR NOT! K?  Therefore, absolutely  NOTHING IN YOUR LIFE CAN EVER TAKE HIM BY SURPRISE! #DIDJAHEARDAT?

So you still think you got a better plan, huh?  

Okay! BUT…while you’re doing YOU…Don’t let your guard down, lest there be hell to pay!

LORD, HELP US! Lord deliver us from us!  Father, when our circumstances contradict Your Promises, teach us to trust the Power of Your Word and how to activate it in our lives as we await Your Perfect Timing!  Lord Jesus, help us to stay focused on Your Word that we may see Your goodness in the land of the living! 

IF GOD SAID IT, THAT SETTLES IT…BELIEVE IT OR NOT! DON‘T GET SIDETRACKED!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee