Category Archives: Lovingkindness

WHATZ N YOUR HEART?

Leave a reply

WHAT'S IN UR HEART

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

And you shall remember the whole way that the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not. And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. Deuteronomy 8:2-3 ESV

 

We’ve all been there! At some point in this journey, we’ve found ourselves, barraged by seemingly insurmountable odds stacked against us, huh? There I was, sitting there unsuccessfuly attempting to make a 911 connection to The Throne Room. This one, was a time sensitive—not later—but I need YOU right nah—Lord situation! As my eyes skimmed over to my laptop and I realized that somehow it was in the middle of running an unscheduled scan! Immediately, I understood what the Holy Spirit was trying to do in me.

Remember when you thought you knew, but didn’t really know? Exactly! It’s during these moments of mental confusions and conflicting emotions that we need the aid of Holy Spirit. According to Isaiah 11:2, no one but The Spirit of Truth and Wisdom, can scan the the inner most chambers of the human heart, assess the situation, identify the dangerous infectious viral components, quarantine and eliminate them before they’re able to contaminate our heart’s drive! WOW, and He was doing this way before Bill Gates or Steve Job! Awemaazing, huh? 

With that being said, once again I had to admit that before I could make a right connection with Jesus, I had to clear the line! No, God was not saying that my issue was not valid, but that there was an even more life-threating situation that demanded immediate attention. There was something crucial going on in my heart that I was not willing to confront and deal with at the root! Sometimes we do that, you know? We like to justify our rebellion by playing the blame game. “Lord, if they hadn’t….then I never would’ve …” But God wasn’t buying none of that!

There’s no denying that there’s something embedded in the DNA of humanity that resists repentance.  C’mon, don’t shout me down nah! #ijs!!!

It’s difficult for us to acknowledge that we’re at fault. It’s a whole lot easier for us to judge others by their actions and ourselves by our good intentions, huh? But God is not intimidated by our self-deceiving, willful, prideful hearts NOR IS HE IMPRESSED BY OUR CHURCH TESTIMONIES!

God strategically sets up unscheduled heart scans to illuminate potentially critial viruses that left untreated could result in the hardening of the arteries causing damaging blockages. For instance, that spirit of jealosy, envy, anger, resentment, bitterness and yessss the unforgiveness haboring in the crevices of your heart against someone, who probably doesn’t even know it! You know how fake the saints can be sometimes. Problem is, chances are before the end of the day, you’ll probably gonna need somebody to forgive you for something! The scripture is clear on this, if you don’t forgive others, neither will Your Heavenly Father forgive you your faults! (Ref. Matthew 6:15) OMG! Kinda sheds a different light on it, huh?

Beloved, I don’t know about you, but I NEED THE MERCY AND GRACE OF GOD, ALL DAY…EVERY DAY! Don’t look at me with that tone of voice, Y’all know I ain’t by myself!

I know it’s not always easy, especially when you’re the one who’s been hurt. But considering the repercussions, sounds to me like, by GOD’S Grace, whatever the offense, we just need to release it, drop it, leave it and let God handle it! God always knows everything about everything –and we don’t!

SO, WHAT’S REALLY IN YOUR HEART? #GOD REALLY KNOWS!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

THURSDAYS’ PRAYERS!

Leave a reply

prayn-and-fasting-pic

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

GOOD MORNING BELOVED OF GOD! GOTTA MOMENT? AWESOME!

 

Once again we’re delighted that you’ve joined us in our Weekly Thursdays’ Corporate Fasting and Prayers! We who have placed our confidence in The Saving Grace of The Lord Jesus Christ, are eternally grateful for each and every opportunity afforded to us to come before The Majestic Throne, finding Our Great High Priest to be A Very Present Help in the time of need! As we bow before our Maker, trusting Him to perfect every one of our concerns, we rejoice in His Wonder! Let’s enter in…

OOOH Sweet WONDER! OOOH, SWEET WONDER! JESUS, THE SON OF GOD! OOOHHH, SWEET WONDER! OOOOHHHH SSWEEETT WONDER! JESUS, THE SON OF GOD! JESUS! JESUS! JESUS! THERE IS SOMETHING ABOUT THAT NAME! MASTER, SAVIOR! JESUS! LET HEAVEN AND EARTH PROCLAIM! KINGS AND KINGDOMS SHALL ALL PASS AWAY, BUT THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT THAT NAME! GOD OF HEAVEN, FEED ME ‘TIL I WANT NO MORE! HERE’S MY CUP! I LIFT IT UP, COME MAKE ME WHOLE…
Our Father and our God, we come today, lifting up The Name of Jesus! Lord, we bless You for The  Sacrificial Blood that You so freely shedding in our stead, which now allows us to come boldly into The Holy Presence of The Creator and Sustainer of all Life!  Today, we come lifting up holy hands and hope-filled hearts, praising and rejoicing in The Wonder of Your Glory! We thank You for so graciously awakening us to one more new day that You have made! We bless Your Name for life, health and strength! We thank You for a right mind, acknowledging that if it had not been for You keeping us even while we slept and slumbered in the night, our enemies would’ve destroyed us!

We know that nothing we’ve done or could do that was deserving of such Lovingkindness, but because of You are a Merciful God, You continue to look beyond our faults and faithfully minister to each and everyone of our needs! For this cause we bow in reverence of Your Awesomeness, praying that as You search our hearts and find anything that’s not pleasing in Your sight, please forgive us and take it out, and take it out by the root! Help us Holy Spirit to shew evil and to cling to righteousness that we might cause someone to see Jesus and inquire of Thee, “What must I do to be saved! In Jesus Name, we pray! Amen 3x!

We’re blessed knowing that it’s not Your Will that any man should perish, but that we’d all come to a Saving Knowledge of Jesus Christ. Because no man can come to The Father, except You draw them, we ask that You remember the lost today! Touch their stony hearts and transform it into hearts of flesh. Open the eyes of their understanding so that they will welcome a personal encounter with The Only Wise Savior who You sent to forgive and restore all those who have been ensnared by the sin nature of every unregenerated soul! Even as You did for us, snatch them out of Satan’s grip of deceit and let them see Your Glory in The Face of Jesus beckoning them to confess a “submitted SINCERE YES” to Your Will and Your Ways for humanity is Life Eternal in Your Presence!

Father, remember the backsliders who have allowed the lusts of this ungodly world to lure them back into those things which You delivered them from. Arrest them in The Holy Ghost and prick their hearts with a Spirit of Godly-Repentance that provokes their rebellious hearts to surrender confessing a “COMMITTED YES”, regretting ever having turned their backs from The Grace that they once enjoyed and come running back to The Safety of The Ark. Order their steps to the local church where they will be welcomed, loved, nurtured, encouraged and strengthen in Your Word and Ways that they might be witnesses of Light in the midst of this dark and untoward generation!

Father, we ask that You remember The Saints as we struggled to hold on to Your Promises amidst the choas, turmoil eminating from a people of unclean lips! Help us to remember that nothing happens except You allow it. Breath afresh The Wind of Your Glory into the spirits and souls of Your Elect that may have become wearied and wounded by the cares of this world. We are grateful that nothing is hidden from Your view, for You are Omnipresent, Omniscient and Omnipotent! We’re blessed that as Your Compassion draws nigh to those who are lonely, Your Strength is made perfect in our weakness, and Your Blood runs swiftly to the place where we hurt the most!

Father, help us to remember Your Covenant Keeping Power that when we grow weary in well-doing! Lift up every bowed down head today! Restore the Joy of Thy Salvation! Strengthen the feeble knees and send sweet Peace to those who are yet praying for the lost, heal and restore peace into the trouble homes, the marriages that are under fire, wayward disobedient children, those struggling with their finances, those who are being mistreated on their jobs, those who are tempted to give up and throw in the towel, those whose flesh is enduring the pressure of temptations to commit fornication and adultery, comfort those who are mourning the loss of loved ones, bless the precious babies in daycare, at babysitters, daycare providers, encourage the caregivers, those who are tormented by unprovoked threats, depression, rejections, addictions, insecurities and grief! Console the widows, those forgotten and downcast who have born the heat of the day and pushed and prayed us through! Lord, give them sweet Peace knowing that their labor is never in vain!

Lord, encourage all those who find it difficult to pray for those in authority but yet have a desire to deal righteously with the injustices of a world filled with institutionalized racial discrimination, corruption, arrogance, entitlement, nasty attitudes, greed, rage and hatred that’s intentionally inflicted upon those who are not like them and especially those of us who name the Name of Christ!

 

Abba Father, even as we’re praying, we’re believing You to intervene on our behalf, releasing miraculous Favor and Prosperity, unexpected promotions, opening up opportunities for entrepreneurship, increased education grants, lower interest mortgage rates, debt cancellations, book contracts and overturning legal decisions to give us the victory! Father, remember and keep us in Your Will that we might be examples to those who are looking for Hope in a hopeless, uncaring world!

 

Father, because You’ve sworn to be Faithful to generations of those who’ve placed our personal faith and trust in You, we’re lifting up our children, our grands and great-grand children and by faith we abort and overrule every curse that’s been ordered against their lives and cancel every scheme that Satan desires to inflict upon them! As we commit them into Your Providential care, we realize that You also have a plan and purpose for their lives! Therefore, we have the Blessed Assurance that their steps are being ordered by Your eyes and no weapon that’s formed against them shall prosper and every tongue that speaks against them is already condemned! 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!
Abba, we lift up every Bishop, Pastor, Overseer, Apostle, Evangelist, Preacher and Teacher, Missionary, Deacon, auxiliary leader/member, choir director/member, praise team and musician, usher, nurse, driver, parking attendant and custodial worker! Undergird them with Your Anointing and conviction to carry out their assignment, under the direction of Holy Spirit. Cover them as they go in and out amongst Your people and those who would seek to discredit, hinder and even destroy their faith, faithfulness and ministry,You have ordained!

 

Heavenly Father, according to Your WORD, we pray for the leaders of our nation, government, corporate, judicial, education, financial institutions, healthcare services and public service workers!  We’re asking that You touch their minds and hearts, speak to them in dreams and visions letting 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! We believe that because their hearts are in Your Hands, they are being 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 pray that You will touch our brother, touch our sister whose body has been afflicted by all manner of physical and mental sickness and disease! Rebuke and cast it out at the root, for Your Name Sake! Heavenly Father, You are Alpha and Omega, the same yesterday, today and forever! Even as You walked in this earth healing all who were sick, feeble, lame we know that You’re Well Able to do the same right now! Lord Jesus, 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 Holy Spirit, we thank You for intervening in our lives and thru The Blood of Jesus we have become Curse-Breakers and Blessing Carriers! Therefore, by The Power invested in us, we rebuke every curse that has been assigned to our families, our relationships, our bodies, our homes, our community and our nation! Look on us now and uphold us with Your Free Spirit. Fill our hearts with Confident Hope-filled Assurance that while weeping may endure for a night, at Your Appointed Time we will be delivered and The Peace of God that passes all understanding shall be restored! We thank You Holy Spirit for directing our hearts into God’s Love and Christ’s Perseverance! In Jesus Name, Amen 3x!

Lord Jesus, as Your children await Your Salvation, in confidence and quietness,  we’re continue rejoicing in hope and trusting wholly that all workers of iniquity are trembling, suddenly departing in shameful defeat, recognizing that 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 align our spirits, soul and body with Your Eternal Word! Because You have chosen us and brought us near to dwell safety and secure in House, we shout with joy unto The One to Whom all men will come! We bow in obedient reverence before The Hope of all the earth, believing that as Your face shines upon us that, You are making Your Ways and Salvation known among all nations as You Guide and Rule justly! Father, believing that IT IS DONE, In The Exalted Name of Jesus we offer up this prayer with a Holy Alleleujah! Amen 3X!

Beloved, every child of God who is standing in agreement with this prayer, GO TELL SOMEBODY THAT JESUS LIVES, LOVES AND CARES 4 U 2!
SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

 

 

 

GOD IS HOLY, BUT MINISTRY IS MESSY

Leave a reply

GOD IS HOLY BUT MINISTRY IS MESSY

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at His footstool—HE IS HOLY.

Moses and Aaron were among His priests, And Samuel was among those who called upon His name; They called upon the LORD, and He answered them.

He spoke to them in the cloudy pillar; They kept His testimonies and the ordinance He gave them.

You answered them, O LORD our God; You were to them God-Who-Forgives , on their deeds. Exalt the LORD our God, And worship at his Holy hill, For the LORD our GOD IS HOLY. Psalm 99:5-9

 

Considering all that God has done through the Life, Death, Burial and Resurrection of our LORD and Savior, Jesus Christ, it’s just our reasonable service to esteem His Righteousness and exalt His Name as Awesome and Worthy of reverent adoring praise and worship! After all, except Jesus humbling Himself, leaving The Holiness, Glory and Majesty He’d known throughout Eternity Past, coming down to dwell among wormy humanity, we’d never know the Love, Justice, Equity and Righteousness of The Invisible Omnipresent, Omnipotent, Omniscient Living God and Creator!

And to think, He was so committed to fulfilling His Father’s plan and purpose for His most precious of all creation, He submitted Himself so graciously,  ignoring our rejection and despising the shame and bore the burden of our sin that we might become sons of God! #AWEMAAZING #GRACE

He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: John 1:11-12

Likewise, we who have accepted the Benefits of so great a Salvation, have been charged with the responsibility to carry out our Redeemer’s assignment that His Joy may be filled to the overflow! Unfortunately, as God’s Intercessors Moses, Aaron and Samuel discovered, the pathway of Righteousness is often plagued with test, trials, trauma and travesty! In other words, it’s not always easy to help those you’re assigned to minister to! Ministry is Messy!

Nevertheless, it behooves us to remember Whose we are and Who we’ve been called to serve!  In other words, since we represent Christ, we must take on the same character. It ain’t about making a name for ourselves but it’s about lifting up The Name of Jesus! This tremendous task requires compassionate gentleness, meekness, discipline, loads of tolerance and a whole lotta intentional knowing that Sinners sin and hurting people, hurt people!

“If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me!” John 15:19-21

Didjaheardat?

Beloved, if it had not been for the LORD, reaching way down and snatching you and I out of our miry clay, where would we be?  I don’t know about you, but my heart yet flutters  shamefully at such thoughts! BUT GOD, huh? Yes Lawd!

For I say unto you, That except your righteousness, shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.” Matthews 5:20

Never 4get, we are all called to be intercessors, if for no other reason but eternal gratitude! Hence, don’t be so easily offended but gird up the loins of your mind, strap yourself in the whole armour of God and report for duty!

TRUST2KNOW, without the test, there’d be no testimonies and without treking though the swamp of human misery, there’d be no ministry! #ijs…MINISTRY IS MESSY! #CARRYON!!!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

 

U HARVEST WHAT U PLANT!

Leave a reply

U HARVEST WHAT U PLANT 2. 2018

SELAH Daily Devotions!

Moreover the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 2 “Now, son of man, will you judge, will you judge the bloody city? Yes, show her all her abominations! 3Then say, ‘Thus says the Lord God: “The city sheds blood in her own midst, that her time may come; and she makes idols within herself to defile herself. 4You have become guilty by the blood which you have shed, and have defiled yourself with the idols which you have made. You have caused your days to draw near, and have come to the end of your years; therefore I have made you a reproach to the nations, and a mockery to all countries. 5Those near and those far from you will mock you as infamous and Ezekiel 22:1-5

In you they take bribes to shed blood; you take usury and increase; you have made profit from your neighbors by extortion, and have forgotten Me,” says the Lord God. full of tumult. Ezekiel 22:23

Can your heart endure, or can your hands remain strong, in the days when I shall deal with you? I, the Lord, have spoken, and will do it. 15 I will scatter you among the nations, disperse you throughout the countries, and remove your filthiness completely from you. 16You shall defile yourself in the sight of the nations; then you shall know that I am the Lord.”’” Ezekiel 22:12, 14-16

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. 8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. 9 And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart. Galatians 6:7-10

 

While, a lot of us readily agree that the most prominent characteristic of The Creator of Life is Love! However, there is that other part of GOD that we prefer to deny or attempt to IGNORE as being an EQUALLY intricate component of God’s Holiness…Justice! According to Ezekiel 22, God sends His servant, Ezekiel, to admonish the people of Jerusalem that their cantankerous sinfulness and unrelenting rejection of His Holy standard of Righteousness has provoked God to the end of Mercy! While this would break God’s heart to do so, they were about to personally experience the boiling point of frustrating The Grace of God and triggering the out pour of His anger…Wrath!

Ezekiel was tasked by God, The Righteous Judge, to inform God’s chosen of the list of charges indited against them. Jerusalem, once renowned as God’s Beautiful City of Peaceful Habitation, had now become infamously known as the Bloody City! Although Jerusalem’s sins were many, showing disregard for human life and leading to violence and death, their sinfulness didn’t exceed the bloodiness of the other pagan cities surrounding it! Yet, because they had the Word, prophets, and priests of God, they were justifiedly held to a much higher standard. However, like many of the 21st Century creme la crème have totally misinterpreted the purpose and intent of God’s blessings, assuming that somehow their physical attributes, heightened intellectual aptitude, financial wealth and elite social status entitles them to esteem themselves above everybody! Kinda reminds you of #45, huh? #SERIOUSLY!

God’s people erroneously believed that because God had claimed them as His own Holy Possession, they were exempt from adhering to His Commandments and excluded from Eternal judgment. They were absolutely convinced that they were IN LIKE FLYNN (or is it Flint)! In other words, we can do whatever we want, as long as we want to, and to whoever we want to… and there will be no consequences, after all God calls me, “MINE”! Besides that we got The Temple!

Over many generations, God had been graciously patient with their bullheadedness! However, after searching for someone to stand in the gap, interceding on their behalf, upholding The Righteousness of God to advert God’s judgment, yet finding not one who would commit to this lofty task, THEIR JIG WAS UP! Eventually, because of the wickedness of their own hearts, time ran out! As they continued to defile His Name with their importunate unfaithfulness, despising His Holy Things with gross idolatry, profaning The Sabbath and their blatant propensity to repulse God’s generous offer of repentance. As a result of their lack of obedience, rejecting His HOLY Code of moral ethics, lethargy for the disadvantaged and making a mockery of God before the gentile nations, FINALLY GOD said, “You Have Forgotten ME! That’s when God resolved to invoke The Sovereignty of HIS NAME!

God’s tactical reversal proved to His Beloved that there MUST be a difference between their own life or for the people they were called to serve! And while it’s extremely rare today to find ENOUGH circumstantial evidence to support it amongst the lifestyle of the saints and the sinner man, there IS A difference between the fate of the unclean and the clean!

God elected to remove the hedge of protection from around them and pour out His indignation upon them, He gathered them into a furnace of affliction! Ezekiel would warn all who rebel against God’s Will, violating the Law, would receive their just reward according to their own deeds! As silver is melted in the midst of a furnace, the fury of God’s anger would be a consuming fire, refining and purifying their hearts corrupted by the dross of fleshy carnal lust, leaving only that which will glorify God! In the midst of the fire of God’s Wrath, “Ye shall know that I the LORD HAS DONE THIS! Hence, demonstrating that if we insist on having our own way, we will be rewarded with the harvest we have planted!

Unless you were born late last night or arrived on planet Earth early this morning, you’ve probably heard some folk making excuses to deceive themselves and relieve the guilt and shame of habitual disobedience. At the same time, depending on whose presence they happen to be in at any particular time, they’ll put on a show! Don’t get it twisted, we’ve ALL BEEN THERE! And as the ol’ skool Preacha said, “You might fool some of the people, some of the time…BUT U CAN’T FOOL GOD…NONE OF THE TIME! Remember, GOD WILL NOT BE MOCKED! As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest…will not cease!

Every day that you wake up in the present, is seed time and the world to come (Eternity) is where we shall reap what we sow NOW!

When one forgets God and leaves his ways, the path into every kind of abomination opens before him.” (Alexander)

‘Cuse me, jus wondering? Does this whole scenario sound disturbingly familiar to EVERYDAY 2018 NEWS, OR IS IT JUST ME? I guess it’s true, huh? The more times change, the more we remain the same! I remember Grand Ma saying, ‘U NEED TO WEAR THIS OL’ WORLD LIKE LOOSE-FITTING OVERCOAT…AFTER ALL WE DIDN’T COME HERE TO STAY” #WOW! #IJS!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

 

THE HEART OF THE FATHER!

1 Reply

THE HEART OF THE FATHER

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. Psalm 23:1

Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? there is no searching of his understanding. 29 He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. 30 Even the youths shall faint and be weary, and the young men shall utterly fall:31 But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:28-31

 
Uuuh forgive my intrusion into your alabaster box, howeverrrrr! Do you sometimes cry out, as I have, “God, don’t You see my tears? Can’t You see my broken heart? God, never mind me, but how can You bear to see the agony of my loved one? God, I know that You care. I just don’t understand why You don’t intervene in this situation right now. Why don’t You do something? And, God, why did you do that?”

Then,  in the midst of my lamenting heart,  I seem to hear His still, small voice whispering, “Ann, trust Me. I know what’s best.”

…And I’m left to wonder, “Hold up, Ms. Smarty pants, why  would  you ever think that you know better than God what’s best for yourself  or your loved one, huh?”

Perhaps, that kind of thinking is the product of humanity’s naivety to presume that once we finally surrender our hearts to The Saving Grace of Jesus Christ, from that point on life consists of floating down rose, hydrangea, tulip and lilly clad pathways of ease, on our way to the Pearly Gates of New Jerusalem!  Unfortunately, there’s nothing in The Holy Writ that remotely resembles such a scenario. In fact, there’s more evidence to support that following in the Footsteps of Jesus is more likely to parallel swallowing big gulps from the cup of imminent suffering and sacrifice! #SERIOUSLY!!!

Remember, “Man that is born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble.”  Job 14:1

Don’t get it twisted!  I am not being sacrilegious nor am I craaazzzy enough to dare imply that our Heavenly Father is a Dead-Beat Dad or some kinda Narcissistic Sadist! Quite the contrary!  I am fully persuaded that before the Beginning began, The Creator of Life, in the Sovereignty of His Own Will, determined that purpose trumps pain! Hence, God has Divinely orchestrated the terrains of our journey to include sporadic detours through wilderness pit stops as well as ecstatically triumphant mountain top encounters to perfect in us the same Godly Character and Radiant Glory of our Kinsmen Redeemer!

Remember, “His Ways are not our ways and His Thoughts supersede our severely limited intellectual capacity to comprehend the length, width and depth and wonder of His Omnipotent Omniscience! (Ref. Isaiah 55:8-9)

Nevertheless, by Faith, we know that all things work together for our highest good and His Greatest Glory! (Ref. Romans 8:28) Consequently,  as  Blood-washed, Born-again children of The Most High God, no matter what it looks like, in the end VICTORY BELONGS 2 JESUS! Thus, WE SHALL OVERCOME!  #DIDJAHEARDAT? #WOW!!!

 Beloved, thru test, trial, toil and tragedy, wisdom has revealed through experience that the quicker that you and I acquiesce to the promptings of The God In Me//You, the sooner our po-wearied-soul is encompassed about with the Comforting Presence, Joy and Peace of The Only Wise Savior and Lord of our Life! 

Holy Father, time and time again, You’ve  proven to be The Loving and Compassionate Shepherd who leads and guides my steps and stops according to what’s  best for me! Therefore, I humbly bow, submitting myself under Your Mighty Hands,  declaring and decreeing “Lord whatever You’re doing… don’t do it without me!  Abba, when my circumstances appear to contradict Your Promise and I am tempted  to doubt Your Faithfulness, please forgive me, help my unbelief and give me a double portion of Your Supernatural Grace 2 Trust  the Benevolence of Ur Heart  even more than what my natural eyes can see! In Jesus Name, AMEN 3X!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

MAKE IT THRU THE NITE!

1 Reply

MAKE IT THRU THE NITE SHIFT2

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. Psalm 121:4

Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you. Genesis 28:15 ESV

 

Whether you’ve been walking with Jesus for a long time or just recently made your decision to follow Christ, none of us are excluded from faith’s stresses, test and trials! If you don’t have a clue about what I’m talking about, may I draw from dem ol’ skool Mothers’ terminology, “Baby, jus keep getting up in the mornin’ and going to bed at night, sooner or later you will encounter a season in your life when you’ll feel as though God has left you alone in the valley of the shadows of death to fend for yourself!”

I understand that this kinda theology may seem a bit strange, (not to mention unbiblical, after all we live in the Dispensation of Grace) to some Millenniums who’ve been spoon fed Gospel-Lite-Prosperity pablum prepared by the more sophisticated-socially-acceptable-all-ingratiating-all-inclusive preachers! But check The Book, it’s still in there! “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:” 1 Peter 4:12

Further,  when you’re forced to trample through the turbulent terrains of this life, know that your Heavenly Father is not a dead-beat-absentee Dad! God’s Eternal Word  has no shelf-‘life expiration date! It’s still Light to the 21st Century Saints and potent enough  to comfort, strengthen and encourage those who dare seek Him!

Precious ones, perhaps, at this reading, you find yourself smack-dab-in-the-middle of a loooonnnnggg night filled with overwhelming fear, anxiety and doubt, yet Truth remains! Even when you’re unable to trace God’s Face or feel His Hand, trust His Heart!

Sometimes, we’re so focused on the trauma of the moment that we forget that we have a real enemy who delights in secretly launching attacks against God’s elect, under the cloak of darkness with his diabolical wiles, strategically aimed to diminish your confidence and trust in God! Nevertheless, don’t fall for the okey-doke; Satan ain’t running nothing! Your God is Sovereignly watching over you 24/7! He never naps! Day and night are the same to Him! Every step and stop you take is Divinely-choreographed by The Maestro of Heaven! He’s already gone before you preparing designated rest areas along the road to revive and re-energize our spirit and soul! #Didjaheardat? IT’S TRUE!

Beloved, when it seems as if everything around you is falling apart, Holy Spirit says, ‘It’s falling right in place’! Abba Father is weaving each tattered piece of your life together for your greatest good and His Highest Glory! And at the appointed time, He will flip it over  displaying His Magnificent Masterpiece! (Ref. Romans 8:28)

 For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. Psalm 30:5

“Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” 1 John 3:2

Like Jacob, as we continue our pilgrimage through the gross immorality of this fallen world en route to the celestial city, may out faith remain steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of The sustaining power and Grace of  The Lord of all Life. Therefore, with uplifted hands, let us continuously proclaim of our Savior “The God that led me all my life long” works THE NIGHT SHIFT!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

GOD DID IT!

1 Reply

 

GOD DID IT.1

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

And thinkest thou this O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgement of God? Or despisest thou the riches of His goodness, and forebearance and long-suffering; not kowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? Romans 2:3-4

 O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death?  I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. Romans 7:24-25

 

A while ago, I heard a preacher confessing that at one time he was an avid believer and willing partaker of one of the greatest lies that Satan has perpetrated. As he went on to talk about his early perception of God, I began reflecting back on the  B.C. (Before Christ) in my own personal life, I humbly concluded, “You ain’t by yourself preacha!” If we would be honest, for real, a whole lot of us would have to raise both our hands and say “Amen 3X, Preacha!”

How many of you once believed that somewhere, way out there, there was a Great Big Ol’ Angry God, watching and recording every single thing you did? And when you had accumulated that mystical, unknown number of sins, His Hand of Wrath would suddenly appear from heaven, striking you down with a big sledge hammer, crush you and fling your po’ soul straight into the devil’s hell! Oh, C’mon nah; don’t play me like you never…

Perhaps you were with that other group—the self-righteous, who ascribe to the lie that when they get themselves together, they fully intend to start going to church but they’re not going to be no hypocrite, like all them other folk. They’re gonna be real about serving God! And we all know how that’s gonna turn out, huh?

Truth be told, this  sin-thing started way before any of us were born! 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! The Glory of Innocence that once covered Adam and us had now been disrupted by sin, exposing us to evil, guilt, shame and fear! That 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! And as they say, the rest is history, huh?

Now, just think about all those times GOD could’ve, should’ve, BUT didn’t serve you your just desserts! Remember all those unfulfilled promises you made (lies) just before GOD delivered you, again?  Evvrrr wonder, how many times God chose to withhold justice prefering to dispense Grace and Mercy towards us? WOW! Haven’t got a clue, huh? Neither do I! #ijs

Can we be for real? You and I will never, ever be good enough to remotely qualify as ‘acceptable’ to a HOLY GOD—SO….get over you! God already knew that we’d fall short numerous times, BEFORE AND AFTER WE RECEIVED JESUS!  That’s why, before we were even formed in our mother’s womb, God’s plan of Salvation was already established!

Ephesians 2:8 declares, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:”! Didjaheardat? God never left it up to us! Salvation is God’s free gift.

That’s the GOSPEL! It’s called GRACE, YALL! And guess what?  This offer is still available to WHOSOEVER will humble themselves before God, acknowledge themselves as sinners who have no other Hope for Salvation but JESUS and accept His Amazingly-Gracious-Merciful GIFT OF FORGIVENESS!

NOW, don’t get it twisted! There is such a thing as frustrating the GRACE OF GOD! Hence, it behooves each of us to make a sincere concerted effort to daily live our lives doing those things that are pleasing to GOD! Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? GOD FORBID. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? (Ref. Romans 6:1-2)

I KNOW THIS SOUNDS 2 good 2 be true!  YET, IT IS! GOD ALREADY DID EVERYTHING NEEDED 2 SAVE ANY ONE OF US! THAT’S JUS HOW GOOD GOD IS! NOW??? WHAT’S UR EXCUSE, huh?

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

STUPEFYING!

1 Reply

STUPEFYING

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father’s sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually. And he bowed himself, and said, What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am? 2 Samuel 9:7-8
“Why me?”
 
How many times have we found ourselves spurting these words out of our mouths? Whether out of a sense of cynical-rhetorical contemptuousness or an overwhelming comeback to the lusciousness of God’s unexpected favoritism, we can all identify with Mephibosheth’s response to King David. (Ref. 2 Samuel 9) Especially, since none of us can honestly claim that we deserve to be so blessed in the first place, huh? Truthfully, any good that we do is generally accidental! So, as far as standing up to the standards of GOD’S RIGHTEOUSNESS, we’re all lame in both feet! (Ref. Romans 3:23) Can I get a holy Hallelujah and three AMENS?
 
But that’s the whole point! It’s the Wonder of God’s unmerited goodness that sets us apart from the rest of the world!
 
Knowing us from the inside-out, not just what you did–but why,  your Heavenly Father blessed you anyway! Despite all the justifiable circumstantial evidence to support our accuser’s objections, The Eternal Judge over-rules them, dismissing the case, covers you in HIS Royal Robe of Righteousness, leaving them (and sometimes even us) scratching their heads, dumbfounded and paralyzed uttering in amazement “What jus happened?” 
 
Creation clearly demonstrates God’s propensity for details. Behold, how marvelously God pieces the individual segments of our lives to fit perfectly jointed together for our highest good and His Greatest Glory! (Ref. Romans 8:28) His Handiwork, often mysteriously hidden behind the clouds, weaving the highs and the lows, the strides and the falls, the haves and the have nots, lovingly bonding the momentary to the eternal, paints a collage that captivates the attention of that passerby to stop and ponder; taking much needed periods of reflection, introspection, covetously inquires “Why not me?”
 
THANK GOD for that day when, like Mephibosheth, we finally get it! Casting off fear, we fall prostrate before our Benevolent Faithful King in humble obedience, with everlasting joy, declaring “For you O Lord are my Everlasting Hope!” (Ref. Psalm 16:5)

GOD SO LOVED…ME?  I KNOW IT MAKES NO SENSE, BUT…YES HE DOES!  AND HE ALWAYS WILL! #DIDJAGETIT???
 
SOOOO…WITH ABUNDANT JOY WE GRATEFULLY  SUCCUMB TO THE WONDER OF OUR GOD!  STUPEFYING, huh? #ijs #WOW!
 
SELAH!
 
Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!”
 
Ann Caffee

A FULL HOUSE

1 Reply

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

MY DEVELOPING ROOM

1 Reply

MY DEVELOPING ROOM 2

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

“ In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness. Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me.

For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name’s sake lead me, and guide me. Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me: for thou art my strength. Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth.” Psalm 31:1-5

 

Ever been in that cavernous place,  isolated by loneliness and entrapped in a den of hopelessness, despair and Yes, even shame for allowing your circumstances to rupture the confident trust you enjoyed, just a short time ago?

Still confused how quickly things changed hurling you into this momentary pit of discontentment amassed by discouragement and terrorized by ‘what if”, huh?

Truthfully, like David, most of us have been there at some point in our lives! Honestly, quiet as it’s kept, even more of us have experienced extended stays! Yet, by the Grace of The Almighty God, we’ve learned that the way out is looking up! Benevolence always descends!  Hence, instead of focusing on what’s going on around you re-set your attention on The One Enthroned above The Heavens.

Gratefully, our Heavenly Father has gifted us with His Precious Holy Spirit! Not only is He able to investigate and translate the moaning of our sorrow-filled souls, but swiftly carries them to The Master’s listening Heart.

As we cry out to Him, much to our delight (yet usually unbeknown to us), Your Presence has crept in, invaded, overshadowed and decapitated the gloominess of this prison cell pulling me up and out of the web that had so easily ensnared my soul. Where fear, doubt and confusion once raged, Your quietness whispers words of consolation, infusing and invigorating my wearied soul with such sweet unspeakable joy. Straight away, my sullen countenance is overwhelmed by the Luster from Your smile as You, in passing, suddenly wink at me!

As we still ‘self’ to listen obediently, You instruct our heart to follow the leading of Holy Spirit into a state of Blissful Peace that’s so far beyond my own understanding. (Ref. Isaiah 26:3)

Coming to myself, I am subliminally aware of my surroundings, and what I believed to be prison is just another developing room where You’re secretly hiding me; making me all that You have destined me to BE—COMES! MY DEVELOPING ROOM! #PURPOSE

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 2 Corinthians 4:17 #Didjaheardat?

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee