Category Archives: Soldiers of Faith

TRUE LOVE

true-love

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. John 14:21

 
WOW! Faithful Obedience, huh? Honestly, this should be the very heart-cry of every born-again, Blood-Washed Child of The Most High God! After all, yall know that absolutely nothing in our personal repertoire is remotely worthy of such extravagant Loveliness that was extended towards humanity through the Sacrificial Atonement of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ! Hence, Unfailing love and Truth have met together. Righteousness and peace have kissed! (Psalm 85:10) God refused to let us go!

Yet, far too many who claim The Name of Jesus, consider the burden of denying their will in humble gratitude to The Lordship of Jesus Christ, more than they’re able to commit to for so great a Salvation! Don’t get me wrong, just about anyone will gladly run to Jesus for Fire Insurance, (Savior) but how many are willing to subject themselves to The Righteousness required by The Sovereign Creator? That’s probably what The Bible means by ‘Many are called but few are chosen’, right? (Ref. Matthew 22:14)

Of course, it’s never God Will that any should perish, however His Holiness will not allow sin to go un-judged! Strangely enough, some who confess Him as Savior in order to grab a ‘get outta-hell-free pass, think it totally unreasonable that God should expect them to live a holy and righteous lifestyle…everrry day!

Oh, you can’t always tell who they are on Sunday mornings with their hands lifted high in the air, jus like everybody else, but if you follow them home chances are you’ll hear them saying, ‘ain’t nobody perfect’ and making all kinds of excuses to justify their rebellion against the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Truthfully, only those who are driven by a personal hunger and thirst to know God intimately, will genuinely seek to please Him by putting to death the sin-lusting cravings of their fleshy appetites and surrendering to the new nature that yearns to obey His Word! Amazingly, God does not require anything of us that He’s not willing to help us to succeed! “And God is able to make all grace abound unto you; that ye, having always all sufficiency in everything, may abound unto every good work:” (2 Corinthians 5:8) #Didjaheardat? WOW! NOW THAT’S GRACE!

Quite frankly, Beloved, due to the severe limitations of my finite intellect and limited verbal ability. such awesomeness is not easily described and I find myself gasping at the mere suggestion that I AM the object of such affection. Yet this Truth encompasses my spirit, soul and body and I embrace my wholeness and completeness, as I dwell in the Presence of The All-Knowing, All-Loving, Caring, Creator-Giver, Father of All-Life! FINALLY, TRUE LOVE!

WHEN LOVE IS REAL, IT FINDS A WAY.
Avatar Roku

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

THURSDAYS’ PRAYERS!

 

prayn-and-fasting-pic

 

GOOD MORNING FAMILY! GOTTA MOMENT! #AWEMAZING!!!

Once again, we’re absolutely delighted for one more opportunity for us to link up togehter in Thursdays’ Corporate Prayer and Fasting! With everything that going on in our nation and the world today, we bless God for the privilege and honor to enter into The Throne Room, casting all of our cares before The Very Presence of Divine Glory, Grace and Mercy! Amen?

OOOOHH Sweet Wonder! Ooooh Sweet Wonder! Jesus! The Son of God! Ooooh Sweet Wonder! Ooooh Sweet Wonder! JESUS, THE SON OF GOD! FATHER, I stretch my hand to THEE! No other help I know! If THY withdraw THYSELF from me…where shall I go…

As we’re praying and believing, we’re declaring and decreeing…
Abba Father, we come before You today, In the Magnificent, All Powerful Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus! We’re determined to rejoice, praise and thank You for blessing us to see the 1st day of December 2016! Looking back, we know that it was no goodness of our own but solely Your Unfailing Love that allows us to be here to see one more brand new day and the beginning of one more new month. Because of Your Benevolence, we thank You, Father for another opportunity to enjoy the abundance of Your Mercy, Your Grace, Your Power and Your Peace!

Father, we come continuously blessing You for the day that You opened our hearts, enabling us to recognize and receive the saving Grace in the Life, Death, Burial and Resurrection of Your Son, Jesus! We acknowledge that because it pleased You, You Sovereignly choose us to be Your very own children, even though there was absolutely nothing in us lovable nor worthy of this honor and privilege! Lord Jesus, we are eternally grateful that we’re here now only because You so purposed in Your Heart and by Your Own Hand!

Sweet Jesus, we’re thankful that You, knowing our frame and because of the Unsearchable Richness of Your Faithfulness and Compassion,  You chose to look beyond our human frailties, faults and iniquities to see and minister to every one of our need! Therefore, we shall never fail to acknowledge that You are The True and Living God of our Salvation, our Deliverance, Breakthrough and Provision!

Heavenly Father, we have so much to thank You for and refuse to take anything for granted! We praise You for our being able to breathe, see, to hear, walk, talk and even think to pray this morning! We’re blessed because You are a forgiving and an understanding God! Not only have You have done so much for us, You keep right on blessing us over and over again! Abba Father, I bow in humble obedience now, asking that You forgive me this day for everything I have done, said or thought that was not pleasing to Your Heart. By Faith, we believe and receive Your forgiveness as You cleanse us in The Precious Atoning Sacrificial Blood of Your Son and restoring us to a right-relationship with You through Our Lord and Savior, JESUS CHRIST! 

As we embrace the day ahead, Heavenly Father, help us to begin  with a new attitude and loads of gratitude. Keep Your children safe from all hurt, harm and danger. Let us make the best of each moment that You have gifted to us! Lord Jesus, clear our minds so that we can hear from You and cleanse our hearts that we may deny ourselves, trust and obey Your Will.

Once, again, Heavenly Father, out of the sincerity of our hearts, continuously open to, depending and relying solely upon You, we’re praising You for renewing hope, strengthening our faith, and giving us an abundance of Godly Wisdom, Understanding and Power!

Aba Father, because no man can come close to You, except You draw us, we ask that Your Blood-Stained Eyes continue to search the hearts of mankind, blessing all those who are crying out to You now! We also interceded on behalf of every unsaved soul, asking Lord that You quicken the Spirit of Godly-repentance in their hearts and in their minds that they will come to you today confessing a sincere ‘YES’ to Your Grace Gift  and receive You as today as their personal Lord and Savior!

Eternal Father, we ask You to fill the hearts and minds of every backslider with a fresh ‘Committed Yes’!  Let this day be the day that they come back to You and come back to YOUR church! By Fath, we’re yet believing that many of our unsaved loved ones and friends will be saved before the end of 2016 and become part of The Royal Priesthood that You have Ordained  members of Your Eternal Family! In Jesus Name Amen 3x!

Father, touch our brother, touch our sister whose body has been afflicted by sickness and disease, especially the spirit of cancer, high/low blood pressure, heart disease, kidney, lung failure, satanically induced depression/oppression/addictions and rebuke and cast it out at the root, for Your Name Sake! Lord, we’re holding on to the Infallible WORD which decreed that the stripes that Jesus bore on His back has already redeemed and healed us! Therefore, under the Eternal Authority of our Divine Creator and Ruler of the Ages, we also declare that the prayer of faith shall save the sick and raise them up, In Jesus Name!

Lord, as we intercede on behalf of our brother and sisters, we pray that you will remember those who are being overlooked, held down and even abused by undeniable racial prejudice in this country. 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!

Lord, we’re praying for every believer who is yet holding on to Your Hand by faith today, that from the portals of The Throne Room,You are releasing a double portion of Your Divine power, Supernatural Strength, Health, Provision, Prosperity and Protection. Father! We thank You for an outpouring of Your Divine Favor upon each and every one of your children who are seeking employment, promotion, prompt approval for student/car/home loans and assure them that YOU are YET HE, Jehovah Jareh, who shall supply all of their need according to Your Riches in Glory!

Lord, as we’re praying, we’re believing You, The True Source of All Comfort and Grace, to preserve Your elect in the midst of every tests that we through! Father, we’re looking towards the hills from whence cometh all our help, crying out, send now help from Zion! Father, keep us constantly aware of YOUR PRESENCE, fully-confident that You shall bring everyone of us out wholly restored, renewed, refreshed, restored and recovering every reward as promised in Your Word!

Heavenly Father, we thank You for comforting and assuring us that regardless of who is seated in the Oval Office, Congress or Supreme court, YOU ARE ETERNALLY SEATED UPON THE CIRCLE OF THE EARTH AND ABSOLUTE POWER BELONGS TO YOU!

Therefore, as You have instructed, in faithful obedience, we lift up the political, social, judicial, business, religious leaders, trusting You to visit them in the nite seasons with visions and dreams as You touch the hearts of each one of them! 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 love, trust and live everyday of life serving and glorifying You, Our Heavenly Father!

Holy Spirit, as we pray, we’re believing that every demonic-induced spirit of fear, failure, rejection, hopelessness and disappointment be defeated by Your Anointing and that the Spirit Love, Joy, Peace, Power and a Sound Mind is being released now, in Jesus Name! We’re trusting that each morning Your children will awaken empowered with assuring grace to accomplish every assignment and sleep peacefully every nite, confident of earnest hope-filled tomorrows!

Lord, as we await Your rescue in confident quietness and earnest expectation, we’re trusting wholly that suddenly, every worker of iniquity is trembling in fear, shame and defeat, running away from Your people, knowing that in spite of their threats, You have heard the voice of our weeping, our supplications and received our prayer as a sweet savor coming up before Your Sovereign Throne of Grace and Mercy!

Father, we thank, honor and praise You, The Author and Finisher of our faith! We’re believing NOW,  that every request and supplication that has been set before You today…IT IS DONE! IN THE EXALTED NAME OF JESUS THE CHRIST!  AMEN 3X!

BELOVED,  every soul that is standing in agreement, SEAL THIS PRAYER BY ENCOURAGING ONE SOMEBODY, LETTING THEM KNOW THAT JESUS CARES!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

THE 1st RESPONDER!

the-1st-responder2

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

“When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. ” Isaiah 43:2

” lo am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Matthew 28:20b

 

Certain things just kinda stick out at you! Like, where you were and what you were doing on Tuesday, September 11, 2001?

If you were anywhere in the United States, you were probably sitting somewhere stunned and paralyzed, eyes glued to a TV screen at images that are now indelibly entrenched in your psyche! Some of us initially were just trying to figure out what the heck was going on. Were our eyes betraying our thoughts or was this simply another advertising stunt vying for publicity?

But, as we listened intensively to the broadcaster’s pronouncement, our inquisitively quickly gave way to awe, fear and helplessness! Millions of us sat immobilized by not knowing where or when the next strike would hit. We watched masses of people running terrified away from buildings, aimlessly through the streets in an effort to escape the billowing clouds of gas-filled smoke and the menacing threat of flying glass and debris. The sense of security and the superfluous naivety of an Invincible America tragically came falling down right before our eyes, shattered live and in color!

Just as the rain falls on the just as well as the unjust, tragedy and trouble are neither biased nor prejudice! Except you be some sadistic masochist, most of us are intrinsically wired to avoid pain. Perhaps, that’s why some of us might’ve secretly questioned the wisdom of those ‘first responders’. Nevertheless, we honor the courageous men and women who waived the threat of death in lieu of the prospect of rescuing the survivors and ran boldly into the face of catastrophe!

Perchance, that’s what makes GOD so appealing to that desperately lonely wayfaring stranger, crying out to The Heavenly Father, “Lord, save me!”

Today’s scripture assures us that our Savior, Jesus, doesn’t sit uncaringly aloof, watching us meandering our way through life’s tumultuous terrain, endlessly giving way to hopelessness and despair. But so Gracious is our God, who Lovingly leans toward us, tenderly guarding and guiding us safely through overwhelming floodwaters of seemingly unconquerable test and trials!

May this note serve as a constant reminder, that whenever we find ourselves surrounded, constrained by dire circumstances, in the claws of the temptation to give up and tap out on life, may those of us who have made a personal decision to surrender our lives to The Lordship of Christ, find consolation, encouragement and confidence by faith, to look up–for our Redemption is Always near!

Jesus, The First Responder!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

DIVINE DESIGN

 

DIVINE DESIGN

SELAH Daily Devotions!

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

Remember that ol’ skool gospel song, “You can’t hurry God, you just have to wait”? Or was that the The Supreme’s “You can’t hurry Love, you just gotta wait”? Either way, most of us don’t wait on either well, huh?

The truth is, sinner or saint, waiting is a reality of life! Since birth, we instinctively incline our will to surrender to the passionate urges of self without the restraint of inconvenient annoying discipline codes of morality. Our flesh could care less! Flesh demands what it wants, when it wants, and as often as it wants. Unfortunately, for many of us that’s not usually a problem, except when your spirit man has been quickened by The Holy Spirit who takes over, regenerating our desires and orchestrating our steps to align with The Righteousness of God! That’s when the struggle begins!

The New Birth conversion,  that everyone who accepts Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord of their life experiences, forces us to not only take a look at ourselves in a way we never could or would before but now we are exposed to The Eternal Supreme Source of Life and Light, The Maker of Heaven and Earth, Infinite Wisdom, Goodness, Mercy, Love and Grace!

Once our eyes and our hearts have been opened to TRUTH, and we remorsefully acknowledge our sin, guilt and shame, The Faithful Love of our newly discovered Shepherd entices us to begin the transformation process. This entails re-prioritizing our needs, desires, actions and even our thoughts! Inevitably, as we become acutely aware of the fact that naturally, this is virtually impossible, we desperately cry out, humbly appealing to God’s Grace and Mercy instead of relying on our own merits!  But by the Grace of God, The Holy Spirit empowers us to do those things that are holy, acceptable, and pleasing to our Heavenly Father.

Amazingly, as we walk in The Light of God’s Countenance, no longer depending on our own understanding, His Word reveals unimaginable blessings! Surprisingly, we find ourselves endowed with joy unspeakable, peace that passes all understanding and the manifestation of ways out of no ways. The Favor of God opens doors that were previously locked, and shuts doors that left you vulnerable to Satan’s evil deceptions and plots intended to detour, derail and ultimately destroy the Glorious destiny that God has ordained for our lives, before the foundation of this world!

Every good and perfect gift that your heart desires and more is awaiting anyone who determines to keep the main thing, the main thing! Jesus First, right? OH YEAH…DIVINE DESIGN!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

THE AVENGER!

THE AVENGER 2

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

Do you rulers indeed speak justly? Do you judge uprightly among men? No, in your heart you devise injustice, and your hands mete out violence on the earth. Psalm 58:1-2

The righteous will be glad when they are avenged, when they bathe their feet in the blood of the wicked. Then men will say, “Surely the righteous still are rewarded; surely there is a God who judges the earth.” Psalm 58:10-11

 

To those who’re unfamiliar with the prose of The Psalmist, through the Scriptures penned by David, he might appear to be vacillating between schizophrenia and bi-polar disorders. Seriously! One minute He seems to be complaining about his circumstances and cursing his adversaries and without taking a breath, he’s translated into a state of euphoric ecstasy exalting His Shepherd! But isn’t that just what happens when we stop focusing on our problems and remember God’s Promises?

Can I be the first to confess? Over these past several years of continuous chaos and confusion resulting from the senseless murders of our young black brothers at the hands of trigger-happy tyrants who have sworn to protect the citizens of our nation, the incorrigible violence perpetrated against innocent victims of homeland terrorist and the escalation of systemic-institulized-racism spurred by the power of  the elite-executive-privileged,  I’ve found myself swinging from the pillar of justice to the post of revenge! And yes, I am still saved, sanctified, filled with the precious Gift of the Holy Ghost and do speak in tongues, as the Spirit gives utterance!

I’ve heard, that our nation was founded upon the Godly principles outlined in The Holy Writ, however just like many who lived in Old Testament times,  21st Century rulers do not always practice what they preach. Despite statistics that clearly contradict the rhetoric that is pumped out daily through mass media, we with unveiled faces cannot deny our own consciences nor deny our personal experiences in order to perpetuate the fallacious imagery projected by those who refuse to acknowledge nor assume responsibility for the injustices inflicted upon it’s only citizens who were enslaved and brought to this country involuntarily!

Perhaps, that’s what happens when you have ‘authority without accountability’, right? Well, like the ol’ skool preacha said, “I just lost ¾ of my church”, huh?

But! Those of us who have truly committed our entire lives, pledged our allegiance and complete reliance upon the Only Infallible-Written-God-Breathed-Eternal Word of God, aka The Holy Bible, yet know that our God loves justice and those who trust and obey HIM need never fear! Hence, in the end…HE WILL mete out perfect justice!

In the meantime, we must stand firm in faith, fully persuaded that nothing in the earth is hidden from His Presence! Hence, the righteous are assured that those who deliberately ignore and defy His Plan shall receive their just reward!

Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” Romans 12:19 ESV

Weeping may endure for a night, but joy and gladness will be the reward of those who walk uprightly before Him, trusting solely in His Glory! THERE IS A GOD! #THE AVENGER!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

AIN’T NO QUIT IN ME

AIN'T NO QUIT IN ME

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

We are hard-pressed on every side, yet not crushed; we are perplexed, but not in despair, persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed—always carrying about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our body. 2 Corinthians 4:8-10

For our light affliction which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory… 2 Corinthians 4:17-18a

 

Someone, with far more wisdom than you and I, penned these words, “Winners never quit, and quitters never win!” Granted, we’re living in times that could easily tempt us to just fall apart, succumb to our dire situations and even begin to doubt God‘s ability to turn things around in our favor. Yet, Jesus never told us to rely on what we think, we see or even what we feel. The Word admonishes us to put no confidence in flawed fickle flesh, particularly our own. Believers walk by faith and not by what it may look like in the natural. Believers believe!

When the enemy comes upon us flooding our hearts with intimidating fear and discouragement, a spirit of super tenacity, and holy boldness, begins to flow up from the pit our inner most being and when it kicks in, it really doesn’t matter what we go thru, a true believer will refuse to throw up our hands and give in! The Ol’ Skool Church used to say, “I’m in it, to win it”! You see they knew something—I don’t care who sanngs, God Reigns, therefore it ain’t over until God says it’s over!

When it appears that the circumstantial evidence against us pretty much guarantees we’re going down for the count, we have a secret weapon on the inside of us that assures us the victory! Greater is He that is in me than anything that comes against me! (1 John 4:4)

The Apostle Paul, encouraging a troubled Corinthian Church, lets us know we’re don’t have to deny the severity of our situation, we just deny it’s  power to work against us. (Ref. Isaiah 54:17) Didjaheardat? Yes, it’s okay to acknowledge what’s happening, but don’t just stop with the bad stuff, remember Who we have going right for us.

Okay, we might be feeling some pressure, but we’re still standing! We might not have all the answers, but we know The One who does! Our circumstances might not be what we expected, but God already knew about it before He allowed us to be in it! It may seem that the burden is much more than we can take, but God’s Grace is sufficient! We might not know how long we’re be in it, but God knows! He’s predesignated a set time for our deliverance! And when God brings us out we don’t come out empty handed, but we come out with Greater Glory!

YEP! Believers may bend, but we don’t break! We hold fast to the Hope that is within us! (Ref. Colossians 1:27)

BELOVED, DON’T STOP, ‘TILL YOU GET IT! GET IT?

Seriously!  Obviously Satan didn’t get the text, huh? So you tell ’em, ‘Ain’t nobody got time 4 dat; check the back of the Book, WE WIN! Ain’t NO QUIT In ME!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

DISCOURAGED BY THE WAY

DISCOURAGED BY THE WAY

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

And they journeyed from Mount Hor by the way of the Red Sea, to compass the land of Edom and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the way. Numbers 21:4
God had kept His promise to deliver His people out from under the gruesome bondage of their Egyptian captors. Time and time again, they saw The Mighty Hand of God’s miraculous power triumph over their enemies and now they were on the way to their prosperous place finally free to serve their God!

Yet, the very first time one of their enemies refused them passage through to the Promised Land, the people of God became so discouraged and began to murmur and complain. Some even had the nerve to accuse God of making promises that He couldn’t keep. IMAGINE DAT?

It’s amusing, how we tend to judge them so harshly! As if we would’ve handled the situation any differently, huh?. Hind sight is always 20/20. And in retrospect, given the way we’ve responded in our personal wilderness experiences, we probably can relate a whole lot more than we’d be willing to acknowledge in public. Really?

Nevertheless, we must admit that there are important lessons to be learned from the Israelites. Such as, don’t be deceived just because it appears that it’s taking too long to receive that thing God has promised. Be careful that you do not allow discouragement to cause you to murmur and complain about the way that God is leading you.

Don’t ever forget to be grateful for God’s provision while you’re  enroute to the promised land. And above all, never allow your past nor present circumstances to dictate your future.

While trouble might be on your itenerary, it’s not your destiny! Remember Job? (Ref. Job 23:10) Trust that God knows the way that you take! Not only is He your Guide but He’s also your Guard! 
 
DISCOURAGEMENT IS TOXIC. IF LEFT UNCONFINED,  IT WILL KILL THE FAITH OF A BELIEVER! #DIDJAHEARDAT? WELL..PRAIZ HIM ON THE WAY! #ijs

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

IT’S A NEW DAY!

IT'S A NEW DAY!

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth, Shall ye not know it?   I will even make a way in the wilderness, And rivers in the desert?  Isaiah 43:19

Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,” says the Lord of hosts. Zechariah 4:6

 
 

I still remember when I would curse the breaking forth of the morning. It only meant another day filled with excruciating pain, sadness, discouragement and disappointment–just like all the others. It is no stretch of the imagination to figure out who had perpetuated those thoughts, okay?  But that was B.C. (Before Christ came into my life)!!!!  But by The Grace of God, today I stand as a living testimony to reality of The New-Life-Giving Power of God! (2 Corinthians 5:17)
 
Yessirreee Bob, this old gurl’s gotta  new attitude!  Coming from an extremely negative environment, I thought that this was just the way of the world. However, once I accepted Jesus, I learned that God’s Salvation’s Benefit Package included a completely different attitude, faith!  Yeah Baby, this new faith attitude is the heritage of the saints, the children of God! 
 
Once you recognize that you’re really in a personal relationship with the True and Living God, it’s actually possible for you to embrace each day with  joy, hopeful anticipation and confident assurance that this is a great day because God made it! Seriously,  it’s a new day!
 
Before you open up your eyes or your feet hit the floor, you have the power to dictate your day.  You can say,‘Good Lord, it’s morning already or Good Morning, Lord’. You choose whether to approach your day with joyful celebration and gratitude for  another opportunity to experience God’s Glory, Grace and Praise for what He’s already done, is doing now and for what He is about to do or you can claim fear, discouragement and defeat by murmuring and complaining. 
 
Don’t get it twisted. Even as a disciple of Christ, everyday is not the same; however each day you’re becoming new as you grow in the Wisdom, Knowledge and the Grace of God! That’s right saints, the new you makes the decision to enjoy this wonderful gift of present by refusing to allow past sins, past failures, past wounds and past disappointments, to keep you from moving forward into this brand new day! Didjaheardat?
 
The Ol’ Saints used to sing, ‘Everyday with Jesus is sweeter than the day before!”  Don’t fool yourself, they lived through some very distressing times. Remember, The Great Depression!  Yet, amidst their adversity, they remained convinced that God was well able to keep them thru and to bring them out of anything that would unfold during a day!
 
When Jesus is your Shepherd, it doesn’t matter what happened yesterday.  God empowers each new day with new mercy, new grace and new faith to believe that today is the first day of the best of my life…because today is MY new day !

Soooooo, I decree and declare that Today, I have the mind of Christ! I believe that God is making a way out of no way, for me! Today, I believe that God is up to something that He’s never done before. Today, I expect to be strengthened, delivered and re-joyed! Today is another chance for me to do better and become more because today is another opportunity to get closer to Jesus!

Now if that doesn’t jumpstart your day, you better check your vitals and make sure you’re still living! OOOHHH GLORRRAAAAA!

HEY YALL, LIFE GOES BETTER WITH CHRIST! O HAPPY EVERYDAY!  IT’S A NEW DAY!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

UNDER THE INFLUENCE

UNDER THE INFLUENCE 2

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

But without faith it is impossible to please him; for he that cometh to god must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.’ Hebrews 11:6

 

The other day I heard someone say something that I thought was quite profound, at least thought provoking. It was said that “we are swirling towards eternity at the speed of life!” History is being written every day. Memories are being made, every day. Lessons are being taught and learned, every day. Attitudes are being formed and developed, every day.

As I began to think about this, several questions flooded my mind. First, does God’s Presence influence your life? How has the Presence of God influenced your life? What impact has God’s Presence made in your circle of influence?

We love to sing the song, “Jesus you are the center of my joy, all that’s good and perfect comes from you; you’re the Heart of my contentment, Hope for all I do….” But when the music stops, how’s your walk?

The Bible does not merely ask us to have faith to believe that God does exist. But we must also believe that God is who He says He is, that God is with us and that God is for us. (Ref. Hebrew 11:6) Accordingly, if we desire to please The Lord we must walk out our lives under the influence of His Presence that we may exemplify our beliefs throughout the course of daily living.

Does your character reflect the Presence of God in your life? Does the influence of God’s Presence affect the choices that you make? Does your life style reflect the influence of God’s Presence?

We are living epistles (letters) and folk are reading our mail, every day! How is the Presence of God in you influencing your readers? Just a thought! #ijs (Ref. 2 Corinthians 3:1-3)

The Bible says, we are the salt of the earth. I believe that means that we ought to make someone who doesn’t know God, thirsty for a drink of The Living Waters. (Ref. Matthew 5:13-14) As Christians, our greatest desire should be to allow the influence of God’s Presence to be reflected on those around us so much so that it provokes them to envy  and thirst for The God that we worship and  ultimately seek to claim Him as their personal Savior and Lord! 

KEEP IT MOVING! LIVE EACH DAY UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF GOD’S PRESENCE IN YOUR LIFE! 

SELAH! 

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

WHATZ YOUR SIGN?

WHATZ UR SIGN

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

When was the last time you heard a message preached on good ol’ fashioned forgiveness? With so many of the saints seeking the gifts of God, it kinda makes you wonder, ‘what happened to the Fruit of the Spirit of God?’ Don’t shout me down, yall! Jus thinking, k?

Well I got slammed this morning with one word. Forgiveness! So…perhaps somebody reading this (besides me) may be experiencing some situation that is screaming ‘YOU NEED TO FORGIVE and get on with life!’ I know, I know! We really hate when we’re challenged by The Holy Spirit to do something that goes completely against our core, especially when we honestly believe we have every right to hold on to unforgiveness. After all you were the one victimized by their actions, right? And besides that it’s the only thing that you have left to memorialize the pain, suffering and affliction that they did to you, Amen?

BUT! You’re a Christian now!

You’re the person who confessed your faith in The Saving Grace of The Lord Jesus Christ. Weren’t you the one who stood in the sanctuary that Sunday morning, with you hands lifted in the air and your heart filled with joy, sannging louder than anybody else, “TO BE LIKE JESUS, TO BE LIKE JESUS…OH HOW I LONG TO BE LIKE HIM!” ? Oh yeah, you’re the one! Well?

According to The Holy Scripture, you’re no longer of this world! You’re a citizen of a different Kingdom, bound by different rules and regulations that generally totally contradict the standards of ethics and morality of the world from which you have been delivered! BUT! What’s a child of God to do?

“Put on therefore as the elect of god, holy and beloved, bowels of mercies, kindness, humbleness of mind, meekneess, longsuffering. Forbearing one another and forgiving one another, if any man have a quarrel against any, even as christ forgave you, so also do ye.” Colossians 3:12-13

Yep, yep, yep! I feel ya, baby! Sometimes, spiritual maturity requires serious open heart surgery at the Hand of Holy Spirit! That’s what the Bible calls, circumcision of the heart! The Sword of the Spirit skillfully cuts away the callous scars that have formed to protect the soft spots left by the cruel experiences of our lives!

Forgiving comes from the Greek root word “charizomon” which means grace, bestowing favor, unconditionally. Showing or treating the offending party graciously. Oooh my! Didjaheardat?

You need Bible on it, okay! “Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him, if he thirst, give him drink, for in so doing thou shall heap coals of fire on his head. Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.” Romans 12:20-21

When the saints of God show love by doing good, it brings the offender to shame, remorse, repentance and ultimately changes their attitude towards us! As a bonified Christian, you must resist the impulse to retaliate and make a faith decision to promote your sanctification and regeneration! In other words, show off the new man and glorify God by doing good to those who do evil to us. Hence, exhibiting your life of transformation before a watching world. (Ref. 2 Corinthians 3:2)

Beloved, don’t you remember how you used to know Christians before the days of bumper stickers and pens? WHAT’S YOUR SIGN? FORGIVENESS!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee