Category Archives: Overcoming Tragedy

MAKE IT THRU THE NITE!

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

 

THURSDAYS’ PRAYERS!

prayn-and-fasting-pic

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

 

GM Precious Children of The Most High God! GOTTA MOMENT? AWESOME!

We’re delighted that you’ve joined us, once again, in our Weekly Thursdays’ Corporate Fasting and Prayer! Needless to say, there’s yet so much to seek The Face of God for, Amen? But Thanks Be To God, in the midst of soul-vexing times, we know Where to go and Who to call on to find Love, Peace, Hope and Rest for our weary souls! For we have a Heavenly FATHER Who CARES! Let’s enter into The Throne Room together…

 

When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll;Whatever my lot, Thou hast taught me to say, IT IS WELL, IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL! IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL, IT IS WELL, IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL…Bow down and worship Him! Worship Him! Oh, worship Him! Bow down and worship Him; Enter in! Oh, enter in! Consuming fire; Sweet perfume. His awesome presence fills this room! THIS IS HOLY GROUND! THIS IS HOLY GROUND! THIS IS HOLY GROUND! SO COME AND BOW DOWN …

 

Father of All Glory, Honor, Comfort, Strength, Wisdom and Joy, into thine Hands, we lift up our souls! For we know that You are LORD of Heaven and Earth! Besides Thee, there is none else to save, deliver and heal! We extol Your  HOLY Name above every other name that can be named! As You have decreed, we exalt Your Word, even above Your Name! Thank You for blessing us to enjoy one more day of Your Presence and Providential Care! Thank You for 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! We bless You for we know that it’s IN YOU that we live, move and have our being! 

We come before You now, humbled by Your Loving-kindness, clothed in assurance that because of The Precious Blood that was shed on Calvary’s Cross, the Scepter is always extended towards Your Children, allowing us to come boldly before The Majestic Throne to find Hope and Help in the time of need, in the Name of JESUS!

Abba Father,  forgive our tendency towards willfully relinquishing our faith to do, think and speak those things that are not pleasing in Your sight! We’re eternally grateful that because of The Sacrificial Atoning Death and Resurrection of Jesus, Your Compassionate Faithfulness and Deep Love for us, allows You to look beyond our faults and failures, forgive us our sin, cleanse our hearts and hands in The Blood of Jesus, restoring our rightful fellowship and satisfy all our need, according to Your Riches in Glory!

Today,  we offer up glorious praise, from hearts open to, depending and relying only on You for renewed power, strength and understanding to apply Your statues to our lives that we may enjoy the abundant lives that You have predestined for us now and forever!

Lord Jesus, because YOU ARE LORD, there is never a space or time when YOU are not in absolute contr ol of all things! Your WORD promised to keep us hidden under The BLOOD! Hence, just as You provided Light and Provision for Your people in Goshen, even in these days of imminent terror, tragedy, chaos and destruction, famine, wars and rumors of war, we know that the safest place in this whole world is in YOUR perfect Will!  We trust that no weapon that is formed against us shall prosper and every tongue that rises up against Your children, thou shall condemn!

Sweet Jesus, because no man can come to the Father except You draw them, we interceded on behalf of every unsaved soul, asking You to quicken the Spirit of Godly-repentance into their heart and in their mind that they will come to You today confessing with their mouths “a sincere Yes” to your Gift of Grace and receive You now as their personal Savior and Lord! We’re believing that You are directing their footsteps, placing and settling them into a local church home today where they will be nurtured and encouraged to live holy, acceptable and committed to faithful obedience to Your Word!

Precious Lord, we ask You reclaim every soul that has turned their back and walked away from Your Will! Plant a new “commitment YES” in the soil of their hearts and minds! Make today the day that they come back to You and back to The Body of Christ where they will submit their lives to the sound teachings of Your Word, learn to love and live their lives denying the lust of their flesh, walking daily to please and Glorify You to this lost, dark and dying world!

Abba Father, we pray that You will touch our brother, touch our sister whose body has been afflicted by all manner of sickness and disease, rebuke and cast it out at the root, for Your Name Sake! Heavenly Father,  we know that 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!

Lord, we lift up every believer who is struggling to hold on to Your Word of faith today, trusting that You to release Divine Power, Supernatural Hope, Strength, Health,  Wholeness, Provision, Prosperity and Protection. Father! We’re trusting You to preserve each and everyone of us thru the tests that we must go thru, keeping our minds constantly stayed on YOUR PRESENCE, fully-confident that at Your appointed time,You will bring us out wholly restored, renewed, refreshed and with every reward as You have promised in Your Word.

Sweet Jesus, while Your Word tells us that You’ve not given us the Spirit of Fear, but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind, You knowing the frailness and fickleness of our flesh, know we’re proned to give into the piercing temptations of Satan’s thorns, leaving our hearts filled with anxiety, stress, disappointment, doubt, hopelessness, rejection and unbelief! But You’ve assured us that You have not left us comfortless, but You’ve sent Holy Spirit to abide IN us, empowering us to escape and overcome the plots of the wicked! For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but Mighty Thru God to pull down the strongholds, cast down perverted images and illicit seductions that entice us to leave the path of righteousness, turn back to and again enslave us in bondage to the will and ways of the Kingdom of Darkness!

It is with exceeding Joy, that we stand with boldness, in The Holy Ghost, anchored in Hope and Love, grounded in our right mind, clothed in the full armor of God, anointed and authorized to pull down every strong hold that the enemy shall attempt to take us captive to! By the Power invested in us, we bind the works of the enemy; we bind the works of the flesh, every plan, plot, scheme and we REBUKE AND BIND every satanic-induced plan, ungodly spirits of poverty, lack, unholy desire and want! We CANCEL, REPEAL & REPLACE every curse that has been spoken against the children of God,  and RELEASE blessings and increase in every area of our lives, in The Name  LORD JESUS!

Father, as we lift up our children, our children’s children; by faith we cancel every scheme that Satan desires to inflict upon them, as we’re committing them into Your Providential Care and Protection, we release a Spirit of Truth and Excellence upon their spirit, souls, minds and bodies! In Jesus Name, Amen 3x! We gratefully acknowledge that You have a plan and purpose for their lives too’ therefore, we have the Blessed Assurance that even when we can’t see them, their steps are being ordered by Your eyes!

Heavenly Father, as instructed, we lift up the government/legislative leaders of every nation of this world, judicial, corporate, education, financial, food service, public service and health care institutional leaders! We’re asking that You touch their minds and hearts, speak to them in dreams and visions letting them know that You Who Sit Sovereignly 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 because You are The Eternal King of Kings and Lord of Lords!

Abba, we lift up every Bishop, Pastor, Overseer, Apostle, Evangelist, Minister, Missionary, Preacher and Teacher. 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. Grace them to be the holy humble examples in their homes, marketplace, communities and churches that will cause those who are in their sphere of influence to fall deeply in love with JESUS, and the people of God, fully committed to love, trust and live everyday of life serving and glorifying You, Our Heavenly Father!

Father, we’re trusting You to release a downpour of Divine Favor upon every one of Your children who are challenged by seemingly time-sensitive situations such as sickness and disease, mental disorders, abuse, rejection, oppression, depression, marital relationships, unholy soul-ties, wayward children, loneliness, financial, employment and promotion issues, approvals of student/car/home loans!

Lord Jesus, as Your children await Your Salvation in confident quietness, we rejoice in exuberant hope, 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, as we align our spirits, soul and body with Your Eternal Word, 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 for You Guide and Rule justly! Father, believing that IT IS DONE! In The Exalted Name of Jesus we offer up this prayer! Alleleujah! Amen 3X!

Now every child of God who is standing in agreement with this prayer, GO TELL EVERYBODY THAT JESUS LOVES  and CARES 4 YOU, YOU & YOU! #FRONTLINEMINISTRY

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

 

 

THURSDAYS’ PRAYERS!

prayn-and-fasting-pic

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

GM FAM! GOTTA MOMENT! AWESOME! Once again we are delighted to have you join us today in our Weekly Corporate Prayer & Fasting. There’s absolutely no doubt that it’s praying time! We count it both an honor and a privilege to seek The Face of Our Lord for instruction, courage, and help to walk circumspectly, lifting up the BLOOD-STAINED BANNER, 2 BRING GLORRAA2GAWD in the midst of these very trying times! #CARE2SHARE

Sweet Holy Spirit, Sweet heavenly Dove, Stay right here with us, filling us with Your love. And for these blessings we lift our hearts in praise; Without a doubt we’ll know that we have been revived, When we shall leave this place…OOOH Sweet Wonder; OOOOHHH Sweet Wonder, JESUS THE SON OF GOD! OOOOHHH SSSSWEEET WONDER! OOOOHHH SSSSWEEET WONDER! JESUS THE SON OF GOD!

 

ABBA FATHER, once again Your children stand before You with our hands lifted up, our hearts leaning towards Your Majestic Throne and our mouth filled with glorious praise and adoration! For this is the day that You have made and we shall continue to rejoice and be glad in it! We know that it’s only because of Your Loving-Kindness that we are yet here in the land of the living. We bless You for You alone are worthy of all the gloraaa! U alone are worthy of all the praiz! For there is and never shall be NONE LIKE YOU!

As we come into Your Presence, we bow in humility at Your Amazing Grace that You continue to pour out upon us! Only You can look beyond our faults and yet minister compassionately to satisfy every need and desire! Your Unfailing Love flows daily to the just and the unjust alike! For through the ages there’s yet a universal cry coming up to Your ears that acknowledges, ‘IF IT HAD NOT BEEN FOR THE LORD ON OUR SIDE, OUR ENEMIES WOULD HAVE SWALLOWED US UP’!

FATHER, hear us as we proclaim, ‘HALLELUJAH TO THE LAMB OF GOD’!

Sweet Holy Spirit, we’re eternally grateful that You welcome and encourage each of us to seek a personal, intimate, intense and effective relationship with The Triune GOD! For it is in You that we live, move, breath and having our being! For You are the source of all that we are and ever hope to be. Father, we repent now for every and anything that we’ve done, thought and said that failed to come up to Your Holy Will, statutes and purpose for our lives. Wash us over again in The Blood of Your Son, Jesus that we might be cleansed from our iniquities. Restore our covenant relationship for You are our Righteousness, Redeemer and our King!

Let the prayers of the righteous prevail and let everything and anything that our enemies bring against us scatter. Father, we thank You for what You are about to do that is exceedingly, abundantly above all that we can ask or image. For You are our Joy, for You have given us Love, Power and a Sound-mind. We thank You for the contentment that flows from godly-repentance; we thank You for being a Very Present Help In troubling times! We thank You for strength, goodness, kindness, mercy and grace to preserve us that patience may yield it’s perfect fruit of righteousness in and through us!
We thank You Heavenly Father, that we do not look like what we’ve been through! Thankya for never leaving us or forsaking us through the temptations, test, trauma and drama, the good and the bad, the dark days and sleepless nights You stayed right there by our side letting us know that You Love us! Sweet Jesus, You are a Wonder in my soul! You are Alpha and Omega, The King WHO CAN NEVER BE ignored, dismissed or DE-throned! For You are King of kings and Lord of lords!
Abba Father, we thankya for everything You brought us out of, for every time You put us on the wheel in order to mold, make and shape us according to Your Will. We believe that because Your Ways are higher than ours, Your Thoughts are beyond our finite comprehension, that You are always leading and guiding our steps and our stops, assuring safe passage from glory to glory! We trust that while none of us enjoy suffering, weeping endures for a night but JOY does come in the morning!

Father, we lift up our brother, our sister whose body has been afflicted by all manner of sickness and disease, touch them from the crown of their heads to the soles of their feet, rebuking and commanding that every tissue, muscle, blood vessel and organ be restored to it’s proper function! 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!

Abba, we ask that You encourage and comfort the souls of Your Elect who are overwhelmed with fear, distraught by grief, doubt and worry because of the things that are going on in our personal lives and in this ungodly world systems! Preserve us thru every test and trial; keeping us constantly aware of OMNIPRESENCE, fully-confident that all trouble does have an expiration date and that at Your appointed time, You will bring them out wholly restored, renewed, refreshed and with the reward as You have promised them in Your Word. Lord, remember the elderly, the widows, the abused, the downcast, the outcast, all those who have born the heat of the day, those who pushed and prayed us through! And as You are strengthening these, we ask that you also invigorate, encourage and replenish the spirits, minds and bodies of those who are charged to care for their loved ones! Send Assurance that we are never alone, and never without Your Very Present Help!

Dear Lord, we believe that as we praise and Glorify Your Name, everything else MUST come subject to Beautiful, Healing and Victorious Name of JESUS! We decree and declare that at The Name of Jesus, every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that JESUS IS LORD over, in and through all! Even as we lift up Your Name, You are calming all our fears, soothing all our doubts and solving all of our problems.

Sweet Holy Spirit, because no man can come to the Father except You draw them, we thank You for hearing the hearts of those who have never trusted and accepted Your Son Jesus as Savior and Lord! Quicken that stony heart now with a ‘SINCERE REPENTING YES’ that they shall come to You humbled by Your Lovingkindness, in obedience to Your call and receive Your Mercy and Grace to Save. We pray now that You are leading and guiding them to the local church, planting them in Your Vineyard, where they shall be taught and transformed by Your Word of Life to take their position in The Kingdom of Heaven.

Lord, we ask You to put a “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!

We thank You for forgiving us and saving us from us! We thank You for interrupting our Adamic DNA by infusing The Precious, Perfect, Sacrificial, Atoning, Substitutionary Blood of Jesus, that completely eradicates and renders null and void every curse, sin, spirit of iniquity, perversion, poverty, sickness and disease that may be lying dormant in our bodies and hearts, releasing us from the power, penalties and punishment of our ancestors. We thank You for giving us the authority to speak life to every dead situation and bind, frustrate tiredness, weariness and release strength, prosperity, Divine Health, Increased Wealth and Wholeness in every area of our Being! FOR WE TRUST AND BELIEVE THAT HE WHOM THE SON SETS FREE IS FREE IN DEED!

We Thank You Holy Spirit for the Divine Impartation of a second wind that is now swelling up in our spirits, minds, souls and bodies, that’s not only changing every adverse situation that we’re facing but is also changing us for the better, empowering us to live the GOOD, ABUNDANT LIFE that You purchased for us! We thank You for the fresh anointing that’s falling from the crown of our heads to the soles of our feet, casting down all ungodly imagination, destroying every yoke, lifting every burden, empowering and equipping us to fulfill our God-Ordained assignments. We thank You Heavenly Father for the Spirit of Excellence that glorifies Your Name. We thank You for the confident Hope that YOU ARE WATCHING OVER YOUR WORD AND WILL PERFORM EVERYTHING THAT YOU HAVE SPOKEN OVER OUR LIVES!

Dear Lord, 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 for You Guide and Rule justly! We thank You now, believing that it is done! In The Exalted Name of Jesus we seal our prayer with a spirit-inspired Hallelujah! Amen 3X and It Is So!

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

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

 

 

READINESS!

READINESS

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Ephesians 6:13

What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee, for thou hast delivered my soul from death; …will, not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?  Psalm 56:3,13

 

Today’s scripture texts are a reminder that each and every day we might as well expect to be attacked by the enemies of our soul. In fact, according to the Apostle Paul, we should not even consider it a strange phenomenon. Yes!  Even after we’ve confessed our faith in The Lord Jesus Christ, you can’t expect that deceitful devil to wave a white flag, pat you on the back and throw you a retirement party! For lack of a better word, he is committed to tearing down The Kingdom of God, one soul at a time!
 
Does this mean that the people of God are defenseless? GOD FORBID! 

Contrary to the world’s notion, saints ain’t no chumps! It takes tremendous strength, fortitude and determination to walk worthy of this calling! 

The Cambridge English Dictionary defines readiness as ‘a willingness or a state of being prepared for something!
 
As a child of The Most High God, we have been anointed and authorized by the Lord of Hosts to annihilate the works of the devil. But you must remember, that the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but spiritual! God has equipped our arsenal with Weaponry of Mass Destruction! It is THE WORD OF GOD!  When you speak God’s Word, it comes alive and releases the power to rebuke the threats and pull down the strongholds of your enemies, unmercifully!  OooohhhWell! If Satan is bold enough to raise his ugly head, because you are IN Christ, you have been empowered to step on his throat and cut off his head!
 
Since the Garden of Eden, Lucifer has tactfully  planted seeds of doubt in the minds and hearts of  unsuspecting prey! Unfortunately, many of God’s people have allowed the cares of this world to lure them into a state of slothful weariness! SHAKE UP! Be aware of the enemies attempts to diminish your confidence and trust in God through Fear! FEAR (FALSE EVIDENCE APPEARING REAL)! 

 As soldiers in The Army of The Lord,  regardless of the political/social/economic climate, you have sworn to defend the Kingdom Constitution from dangers seen and unseen!  SO…WATCH AND PRAY! Hence, you must stay on high alert, armed with the mindset of Christ, fully persuaded that “No Weapon that’s formed against  you shall prosper!” By the Grace of God, You shall overcome the wiles of the devil! (Ref. Isaiah 54:17) 

Just as sure as there is an enemy determined to destroy you, your God is Jehovah Shamah, The One Who has sworn by Godself to always cause you to be victorious!(Ref. 2 Corinthians 2:14) Remember,  He’s not coming, HE IS ALREADY HERE  ready, willing and able to execute judgment on your behalf!

 
The same God Who  delivered your soul from the clutches of eternal damnation, will He not deliver your feet from falling prey to those awaiting to conquer your hope as well?#shonuff!
 
As Believers, our steps and  stops are being Divinely orchestrated by The Creator and Sustainer of The Universe! As we walk confidently in the path that God sets before us, be confident of this very thing we are never alone!  Goodness and mercy SHALL  accompany me all the days of my life. Therefore, as I walk thru valleys overshadowed by death,  I shall delight in the Light of His Loving Presence!

Beloved, rest assured, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (Ref. 2 Timothy 1:7)  You and God make a majority! So, take a stand, dig in your heels, draw a line in the sand and with Holy Boldness proclaim, “COME WHAT MAY, I WILL TRUST IN THEE, MY GOD; NOW DEVIL, ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK BCUZ I’M READY 2 TAKE U DOWN!!”

Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. 1 John 4:4
 
SELAH!
 
Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

ARE YOU OVER YOU?

R U OVER U

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. Revelations 12:10-11

Wow! Overcomers! Now datz what I’m talking about, huh?  Everybody knows how we Pentecostals just love stomping the dust mites out when we hear them ‘Over-comers’ scriptures, right? But, exactly who are the ‘Over-Comers’?

Some may think that they’re those sacred saints, having renounced sin and Satan, forsaking all their worldly goods pledged absolute loyalty and devotion to Christ. And that’s right! Others may have proclaimed this state based on their willingness to separate themselves from ungodly associates choosing rather to walk alone than stand in the way of sinners, or sit in the seat of the scornful, thereby freeing themselves from all that would disrupt their hallowed union with Christ. (Ref. Psalm 1) And, perhaps, that too would be true?

Unfortunately, none of our self-righteous acts guarantee nor entitle us to Eternal Life. If you think that you’ve been good enough to pay your own way to Heaven, you’ve already blown it. The scriptures make this absolutely clear, i.e. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:”  Ephesians 2:8 

And on those rare occasions that Holy Ghost was able to get hold of enough of your flesh to do something right, I doubt if it would even come close to all the times that your fickle-flesh over-ruled your spirit, huh? 

But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. (Isaiah 64:6)

May I submit, for your consideration, how few would be inclined to pursue this echelon of spirituality knowing in advance the real cost of this lofty attribute?

According to Revelations 2:10 “Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.” True Overcomers are the ones who  faithfully endure the suffering through trials and tribulations and yet persevere, committing their way to The Blood of The Cross, giving Glory to Jesus that they might know the fellowship of HIS suffering and the power of HIS Resurrection. These are THEY to whom the Lord will reward with a Crown of Life!

The good news is, Jesus The Christ has already triumphed over every obstacle that blocked our access to The Heavenly Father–in our stead. His sacrificial death justified us, exchanging HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS for our unrighteousnessonce and for all!  Now, it’s up to you to accept this amazing gift of Grace! So, whatchawaiting4? C’mon nah, get over you! 

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

THE WELL

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

I STILL BELIEVE

I STILL BELIEVE

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

“And he believed in the lord, and he counted it to him for righteousness”. (Genesis 15:6)

Noticed how the gods of this world constantly bombard our minds with unhealthy doses of supposedly new truths explicitly designed to attack the validity of our hope and core of our Christian beliefs? Don’t be alarmed. The Scriptures said that there’d be days like this!

Ever heard a New Millennium televangelists shun the old hymns of yesterday saying that they’re scripturally inaccurate, inappropriate and therefore no longer relevant to the New Testament Church?

Well! I beg to differ! In case you haven’t realized yet, I am unapologetically ol skool, and I say it’s time to pull some of those old songs out from the bottom of that old piano bench and put them on blast. Particularly, that one that says, ‘I know the Bible is right, somebody’s wrong’!

What these 21st Century Johnny-come-lately’s, fail to take into account is that them old saints were not performing for BET or Stellar Awards! They didn’t come to church to be entertained nor to excite your flesh. But they sang songs birthed out in the heat of personal experiences, tempered in The Word of God and seasoned by The Holy Spirit! When they sang, their songs struck your heart strings, re-affirmed their faith and ushered in The Very Presence and Power of the True and the Living God.

Today, if you need a song to lift you, strengthen and encourage you along the way, might I suggest “Lord, I believe, Lord, I believe…ALL things are possible if you only believe!” And if that doesn’t ignite your flame, try following it with one of my Pastor’s favorite, “You Can’t Make Me Doubt Him”!

When the world says, “I’ll believe it when I see it” the saints believe to see!

Facts change but Truth is forever! Remember what they said about the planet Pluto? Yeah, right! Like Mother Carter used to say, “Everything is going down–but the Word of God!”

Heaven and earth shall pass away, but Jesus Never Fails!

The question yet remains; “Whose report, will you believe?”

As for me, I don’t care what the infamous “they” say, I shall believe The Report of The Lord!

In the face of any and every thing that appears to contradict your faith, yet stand—firmly convicted, to emphatically confess ‘come what may, I STILL BELIEVE GOD!

SELAH!

“Have a WONDER-FILLED day!”

Ann Caffee

 

INVITATION ONLY

INVITATION ONLY

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

For the commandment which I command you today is not too mysterious for you, nor is it far off. It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will ascend into the heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ Nor is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it, and do it?’ But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it. Deuteronomy 30:11-14

 

Who in this world would wanna make God’s Grace soooo complicated and difficult to acceptt? Dat lying devil, of course!  The last thing Satan wants a lost sinner to recognize is that God is the ONE who initiated Salvation IN THE 1ST PLACE and makes it available to all who will repent and return to The Maker of Heaven and Earth!  Appealing to the SIN that so easily besets us, ‘PRIDE’, Satan  manipulates our thoughts, enticing the lusts of our flesh to do those things which are unseemly, then slams the door condeming us to fear, doubt and utimate, logical, justifiable terminal  self-rejecting eternal damnation!

Uuuuummmm? So what exactly was Moses saying?  

Moses, God’s appointed Covenant Mediator, was telling God’s Chosen nation that God, knowing the inadeqacy of human’s frame, has always planned to restore His  wayward children back into right-relationship to Godself, independent of our  puny efforts to warrant such Wonderous Gift of Love!  

“And the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendents, to love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live.”…For the LORD will again rejoice over you for good as He rejoiced over your fathers, if you obey the voice of the LORD your God, to keep His commandments and His statutes which are written in this Book. “(Detuteronomy 30:6, 9b-10)

This is the core of  every true Gospel preaching! It’s encouraging diligent seeker to say the welcoming word to God—“Jesus is my Master”! Hence, embracing, body and soul, God’s work of doing in us what He did in raising Jesus from the dead.  That’s it!  #didjaheardat?   

You’re not “doinganything!  By simply calling out to God from a grateful and sincere heart, you’re trusting Him to do it for you. With your whole being you embrace God’s Mercy, setting things right, and then you say it, right out loud: “God has set everything right between Him and me!” That’s  the essence of SALVATION, yall!  

The word that saves is right here, as near as the tongue in your mouth, as close as the heart in your chest. It’s the word of faith that welcomes God to go to work and set things right for us and IN US!

Scripture reassures us, “No one who trusts God like this—heart and soul—will ever regret it.” It’s exactly the same no matter what  your religious affiliation may be! When any soul is depending solely upon The Cross of Jesus,  we receive all the benefits of the same God for all of us! God is no respecter of person! He demonstrates the same incredible generosity to everyone who crys out for help. “Everyone who calls, ‘Help, God!’ gets help.”Romans 10:13 THE MESSAGE  

AWEMAZING, huh?

GOD doesn’t bumrush HIS WAY in and crash your party, but Graciously awaits HIS Personal Invitation from YOUR heart to HIS heart!

Is GOD welcome in your house?  Is GOD welcome in your LIFE? Have you invited THE SAVIOR into your heart?

Your  SALVATION is as close to YOU as your TRUSTING heart’s cry! 

Shhhhh!  didjaheardat knocking?  REALLY? #whatRUwaiting4?
 
REMEMBER, SALVATION COMES BY  INVITATION ONLY!  #HALLELUJAHHHH!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

WAYFARING WIT

WAYFARING WIT2

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

How much better to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver! Proverbs 16:16

Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold. For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it. Proverbs 8:10-11

 

WOW! We’ve come a long way, Baby!

As far as the ingathering of information and the major technological accomplishments attained by this 21st Century New Millennium Age is concerned, undoubtedly, we’ve taken quantum leaps exceedingly well beyond the realm of possibility to even the most esteemed intellectuals and astute scientific calculus of days gone by.

In other words, (sigh)! It’s safe to say that knowledge abounds!

Unfortunately, the scarcity of wit, wisdom and truth is decisively profound! Generally the appeal for this degree of understanding is left to those few famished, disillusioned, disinfranchised, exhausted, wayfaring scavengers who wander off rush-hour-grid-locked-getting-byways and highways to worldly success and traditional religious rituals. For reasons, yet unknown, somehow some of us are being distinctly drawn to the under-passes, service roads, and trenches; seeking the hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places of The Kingdom of His Presence! (Ref. Isaiah 45:3)

Who knew that we’d be called to the Kingdom for such a time as this? Who knew that before we lived one day that our Master already had a plan, purpose,  and a hope-filled destination for our lives?

“It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.” Proverbs 25:2

Wisdom is calling!

“But you have not called upon Me, O Jacob; And you have been weary of Me. O Israel” Isaiah 43:22

“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.” 1Timothy 6:6-8

“Congratulations! You finally got what you wanted, BUT… lost what you had”!

Didjaheardat? Missed it, huh? WAYFARING WIT!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

LET GOD RUB OFF ON U!

LET GOD RUB OFF ON U3

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Romans 8:29

The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. Psalm 119:130 

Back in my B.C. (before Christ) days, I met this very special lady. Subsequently, Ms. Annette and I grew as close as two peas in a pod. Whoever coined the phrase “a little bit of country and a little bit of rock n’ roll” had to have met my friend “Anna” (self-identification of her alter-ego). By day, Ms. Annette was a successful-sophisticated-know-her-stuff-RN. BUT! By nite, that Hattiesburg-Mississippi-Black Water-Country-Ebonic-Talk’n-parta’-down-like it was 1999-Anna would emerge! And guess who would try to hang-out right with her? Exactly!

Evrrrr noticed, that if you spend a lot of time around someone you admire, who happens to have a strangely-peculiar personality, the strangely-peculiar affect they tend to have on you? Startlingly, without my consciousness (until my kids so happily pointed out) my conversation conspicuously became sporadically seasoned with some of the same words, same dialect and same mannerisms as my friend. Obviously, a little bit of “Anna” had rubbed off on me!

It works the exact same way when it comes to strengthening your personal relationship with God!

As believers, the Father’s Plan is to mold us into the image of Jesus. The moment you are born again, Holy Spirit begins the process of Supernatural Empowered Transformation of our spirit until it looks just like Him. Spiritually, you were instantly changed on the inside; however the progression of outward change depends largely upon us.

The amount of time spent pursuing things of the Spirit correlates directly to our spiritual growth and development. If most of your time is spent satisfying the lustful desires of your flesh, inevitably your spiritual growth will be stunted! #ijs However, as you begin to separate yourself apart from the worldly things of life and dedicate more time to studying The Word of God, mounting habitual alone-time with Him, The Holy Spirit will ecstatically teach, guide and share Christ-Likeness with you. He’s gonna rub off on you until His ways become your ways!

The more readily you yield the more of you to Him, abiding in His Presence in prayer, meditating in His Word and surrending yourself in worship, you will be absolutely amazed at the miraculous change that will take place on the inside and out! I’m telling you, personally, you’ll hardly recognize that new man in the mirror! Seriously!!!

Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. Isaiah 60:1 #Didjaheardat?

Ohh, by the way, guess who introduced me to Jesus Christ? Yep, Anna! THANKYA JESUS!

I “D-DOUBLE-DARE” YA! LET GOD RUB OFF ON YOU!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee