Tag Archives: empower

BEYOND UNDERSTANDING

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BEYOND UNDERSTANDING

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have Power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and high And deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that Surpasses knowledge — that you may be filled to the measure of All the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:17-19

 

There’s an ol’ song we used to sing, backndaday, that says, “I don’t know why Jesus loves me, I don’t know why He cares, I don’t know why He sacrificed His life, OOH but I’m glad, so glad He did!” Can I getta witness?

A lot of people have acknowledged, intellectually, the fact that God loves them. Unfortunately, THAT intellectual comprehension is  hardly ever incorporated into their individual everyday life!

Okay, so let’s go further. Because our knowledge of who we are and what we know about ourselves, we may find it extremely difficult, bordering on impossible, to process intellectually that a HOLY GOD could extend such unconditional affection towards something as flawed and fickled as humanity. Because God is Omniscient (all wisdom), to logically conclude that He loves us so deeply, makes no sense at all!

Could this be the reason so many intellectually astitute stumble and stagger at the premise that the Almighty God, Creator and Sustainer of everything cares so much for us that He was willing to sacrifice His Life for our life, just to restore an intimate fellowship with Him! Makes no sense, huh? That’s why we must come to Him in faith and not facts!

According to the Scriptures, not many wise, not many of the scholars, the elite of society would accept His offer of GRACE. (Ref. 1 Corinthians 1:26) However, given what I know about ME, I’d have to be a fool to refuse it! When I realized what was at stake, I had to jump quickly to grasp hold of so Great a Salvation, before He changed his mind! Ha! Ha! And I’m glad, so glad I did. Ain’t dat Amazing Grace?

Stop trying to figure it out and jus go for it! (Ref. Hebrew 11:6)

May the reality of God’s Rich Love fill your heart today! #Getit? IT’S BEYOND UNDERSTANDING!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

SHALLOW CHRISTIANITY

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SHALLOW CHRISTIANITY

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

And now, children, stay with Christ. Live deeply in Christ. Then we’ll be ready for HIM when HE appears, ready to receive Him with open arms, with no cause for red-faced guilt or lame excuses when He arrives. Once you’re convinced that he is right and righteous, you’ll recognize that all who practice righteousness are God’s true children. 1 JOHN 2:28-29 THE MESSAGE

 
It might surprise you! One of the greatest deterrents to advancing The Kingdom of God in the earth is not ‘da devil’ BUT ‘Shallow Christians’! What is that, you ask. Well they’re not that hard to recognize. In fact, they’re probably your pew partners. Whhhaaaa? #ikr! While they confess their faith in The Lord Jesus, their walk does not line up with their talk, and as a result, most likely they’re confusing many who’ve yet to invite Christ into their lives as Savior and Lord!

OOOHHH Yessss I did go there! I know how churrch-folk are adamant about not judging, right? But, for your own safety, the Bible says a tree is known by the fruit it bears! More importantly, God knows those who are His! (Ref. 2 Timothy 2:19)

The preaching and teaching of this Gospel of Christ is still the best way to get souls saved, but sometimes His PR staff could use a refreshers course on what it means to live deeply in Christ!

Rest assured, God is not mocked! (Ref. Galatians 6:7) While we might impress some people with our 11:00 A.M. Sunday morning tongue-talking, pew hopping, propha-lyin, shout’n and danc’n, GOD KNOWS the difference between those who are faking it ’till they make it and those who freely rejoice in the mercy, compassionate, longsuffering, unconditional Love of The Heavenly Father, yet acknowledge that sometimes they miss the mark and have yet to reach perfection!

Shallow christians hide behind shameless excuses to continue to satisfy their ungodly cravings, but a true child of God will be quick to repent. GOD KNOWS those who are genuinely striving everyday to mortify the wickness of their flesh and live a life that pleases HIM even at their own hurt! After all, we are living epistles! It’s our holy lifestyle  that will advertise and promote the True Answer to mankinds’ most dire and desperate need–THE SAVIOR OF THE WORLD, JESUS CHRIST!

I am by no means suggesting that this is easy nor is it a one and done thang! But God already took care of that too. He sent your Guardian, Holy Spirit, to live inside of you to teach and empower you to say no to sin and yes to righteousness!

Sometimes, it looks like Satan is gaining the upper hand, huh?  Beloved, don’t fall for the devil’s tricks and please don’t blame God! Trust 2 know, God ain’t scarred! Remember what happened when Jesus went to Hell, snatched the keys from his puny hands and got up proclaiming, ALL POWER IS IN MY HANDS?

God is raising up an army of disciples that no man can number; building a new nation of trusting believers who will obey His Voice; hewing out a courageous People who’re not ashamed to live righteously in the midst of darkness as a monument to HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, POWER AND MAJESTY!

Examine yourself? REPRSENT JESUS? LIVE DEEPLY?

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

SUPER-NATURAL!

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Super-Natural

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:13

 

Don’t you just love hearing these words ringing out in a blazing testimony of the overcoming, triumphant power of a believer—or not? Perhaps, you can you remember hearing these words and being overcome with a sense of disappointment and failure in self for having weaknesses that you are yet struggling with.

Sometimes, like the world, the saints concoct their own sanctified Hollywood version of their personal lives to escape unpleasant realities. Yet, the Bible does not teach this kind of fantasy life. In fact, Jesus says, “These things I have spoken to you, that in me you might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16.33

Looking at the preceding verses of today’s scripture text Philippians 4:11-12,  the confidence exemplified in The Apostle Paul’s comments might easily be interpreted as the words of a super human of great faith—able to leap over walls and run through troops, scale tall buildings effortlessly, conquering the unconquerable! And in many instances, indeed they are! However, what many of us fail to recognize is that The Apostle’s faith was developed through personal suffering and patient endurance through tremendous temptations, test, trials and tribulation, totally reliant upon The Lord’s Sustaining Grace! Just like any other human being born into planet Earth.

The problem is, often times we’ll read this text with the focus on the ‘I’, rather than recognizing that the real emphasis should be on the “through Christ” of Paul’s testimony. Think about it! Oh how liberating it is to cast the burden of proving The Word of God in its rightful place. In the Power of The One Who watches over His Word to perform it. (Ref. Jeremiah 1:12) This is the True Hope and Peace-filled Joy of every saint who aspires to experience the manifestation of God’s Promises! U C? It’s all about HIM not us! God gets the Glory by putting Christ’s SUPER ON OUR NATURAL!

It pleases The Heavenly Father to anoint us with HIS Amazing Grace, empowering us beyond our natural ability! It’s The Anointing that enables us to do above and beyond everything we can ever ask or think.

Remember, God is Omnipotent! Hence, God has unlimited resources of Glory yet to be revealed! As we relinquish our self-reliance and embrace Christ-Reliance, we can dauntlessly proclaim, “It’s the GOD IN ME!” (Ref. Galations 2:20)

My precious Sista/Bro, oooohhhh what a relief it is—when we learn to ‘Let go and Let God!’ THAT’S WHEN IT GETS SUPER-NATURAL! #4REAL!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

1 WORD!

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ONE WORD

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

Thou drewest near in the day that I called upon thee: thou saidst, Fear not.
Lamentations 3:57

 

Some saints would have you to believe that since they’ve been saved, they’ve never experienced a moment of fear, grief or despair. Oh, yall know what I mean! Listening to their church testimony, you’d think that all their days were ‘goody, goody and howdy, howdy’! Okay, well Bless God, I guess, I’m yet a work in progress. But perhaps, I am not the only one, huh?

According to our text, Jeremiah, aka The Weeping Prophet, came to realize that neither his great love for nor his faithful obedience to God exempted him from suffering depression, sorrow and fear. Ironically, Jeremiah’s tears didn’t stem from personal defiance but rather the insolence of his fellow-countrymen. The prophet’s heart was broken and burdened because his beloved nation was facing imminent destruction due to their continuous rebellion against God.

Instead of God’s chosen people gratefully heeding Jeremiah’s warnings, the Prophet’s concern was repeatedly met with murderous bitter resentment. Jeremiah was beaten severely, thrown into an empty cistern, and left to die for daring to tell the people the Truth. According to the scriptures, there Jeremiah called out to God and God responded with A GRACE WORD … ‘fear not!’

While there’s some degree of solace in knowing we, the Elect of God, are in this world, BUT we’re not of this world, nonetheless we, like Jeremiah, will also endure times of suffering due to the ungodliness of others. The degradation of morality and diminishing respect for life in general, often lead us down into pits of muck and miry clay. Relationships drive us to the edge and end of ourselves, through valleys of ‘don’t know what else we can do’ and onto the intersection of ‘helpless to change our condition’—yet we are never without this Hope—our deliverance is always just a prayer away! One short faith-filled“HELP ME, LORD JESUS!” releases The Power and The Glory of God—right on time, every time!

In the midst of your turmoil, has God ever whispered a Rhema Word that instantly checked your spirit, jump started your hope and restored your peace, right? Just One Word can flip the script, strengthen your heart, renew your mind, quicken your faith, stir up the Holy Ghost, Who empowers you with that second wind that catapults you to run on, convinced that, ‘Yeah Baby! WE GOT THIS!’ (Ref. Isaiah 40: 30-31)

Don’t be scarred! God’s near! Let Hell know WHO YOU KNOW, WHOSE YOU ARE AND WHOM YOU SERVE!

Oh yeah! ONE WORD FROM GOD CHANGES EVERYTHING!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

THE POWER OF NEVERTHELESS!

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THE POWER OF NEVERTHELESS3

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me; nevertheless not my will but thine, be done. Luke 22:42

And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, ‘Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit’; and having said thus, he gave up the Ghost.  Luke 23:46

 

Evvrr noticed how easy it is to be so full of faith and the joy of the Lord on Sunday morning? C’mon nah, you know what I mean; when the choir is singing your song and all around you the saints are lifting their hands in total praise. The Word of God is powerful; just what you needed to affirm your faith in God!  Oh yeah! But what happens when you leave the refuge of the sanctuary and go back to your everyday-life?

What do you do when Hell’s demons launch an all out-attack on your mind with taunting memories of past pain that quickly erupts into a full-fledge fear of the future? What happens when your personal reality comes crashing back and invades your present, trampling any hope for the future? Well, if the devil has his way, we usually find ourselves giving way to the seductive satanic spirits, enslaved and …here we go again…trampling another lap around the valley of hopelessness and despair.

If you’re like me, after a while, you just get tired of being on the devil’s leash, Amen?

“Yeah, Co-Pastor, but how can we get off of that treadmill? How can we sustain that same Sunday-morning-confident-assuring-joy? How do we hold fast to the ‘knowing’ God is with us and for us? What can we do to get back that same anointing we experienced in The Sanctuary?”

Okay, truthfully? It’s really not that deep—it’s simple! It is by making a choice to no longer live by chance!

Saints are empowered by choice, not by chance! 

When a Blood-washed-born-again-believer makes a conscious choice that “I just refuse to allow something as fickle as my emotionally torn flesh to dictate how much I trust God!” Wooaaahhh, didjaheardat?    BREAKING NEWS! SPOILER ALERT! Partaa’s over, Devil! Victory is inevitable!

Now I’m not talking about that mind over matter philosophy or psychological exercise in positive thinking, but how saints demonstrate our faith in a Faithful God!

Well, Psalm 37:37 challenges us “to mark the perfect man”, that’s gotta be Jesus, right? In other words, imitate Jesus! Put on the mind of Christ! (Philippians 2:5)

In the midst of gross spiritual darkness and deep agony, our Savior remained faithful to the will of the Father. Refusing to succumb to the dictates of his humanity (his flesh or his feelings), Jesus focused on His purpose. The very moment Jesus said ‘nevertheless’ was the beginning of the end for the devil.

Beloved, Jesus models to us how we too can sustain that overcoming spirit in the heat of the firey pressures of this world. Oh, don’t let the devil fool you, “Nevertheless” is not the word of a coward, but of a Conqueror! Our, ‘nevertheless’ releases and commits our cares into His Hands and that hammers the nail into the devil’s coffin.

What are you struggling with today? Whaaaaevvvrrrrr!

I encourage you to DO WHAT JESUS DID! Choose to be a Victor rather than a victim! Say ‘NEVERTHELESS’!  #BOOOM #didjagetit?

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

STAY N IT 2 WIN IT!

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STAY IN IT 2 WIN IT!

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

…let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him, endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2

 

Apparently, somewhere along the way, many of today’s contemporary Christians have picked up the erroneous impression, that The Road of Salvation is a meticulously manicured lawnscape—free of sticks and stones, crabgrass and weeds, lumps and humps and especially parasital insects.

Now! Given my extreme paranoia of bugs, I certainly don’t profess to be no expert in the science of horticulture, however I don’t think it would be going too far out on a limb to suggest that our neighbor’s lusciously green tarp (that we so yearn for) involved a certain moderate-to hard-working-up-sweat-hands-dirty-knee-dropping-diligence and discipline. Right?

So what makes us think that the most important road-trip we’ll ever take, our journey from Earth to Glory, would be a choreographed Boogaloo-Down-Broadway?

I can’t tell you how many times I find myself reminding myself that all of those ‘cheering witnesses’ we stagger at in Hebrews 11’s Hall of Faith, were just plain ordinary everyday folk, just like you and me, who faced the same struggles, tests and trails that we confront. Yet, because they kept their eyes focused on the prize, they overcame their life’s challenges, successfully!

While we understand, at least on some level, the reason that The Apostle Paul compares our walk with Jesus to a race, we have a tendency to think of it as a sprint, rather than a marathon! Okay, here’s how it is—it ain’t a one and done thing! The Master Husbandman, The Sovereign Creator, GOD, has allowed certain interruptions, along our way, that are strategically designed to develop and grow us up into perfect spiritual maturity.

The scriptures reveal that our forerunner, God’s Son, JESUS, learned obedience through his sufferings. (Ref. Hebrews 5:8)

Now, don’t get it twisted; this doesn’t mean that Jesus was ever disobedient to His Father, but rather, His suffering enabled him to intimately-identify with what we endure in our wilderness experiences!

Paul instructs us to study how Jesus did it and follow His lead. Begin with stripping down—laying aside anything that would slow us down—like un-repented sin, unrealized fears, unspoken doubts and worries  and concentrating on the Joy at the completion of the mission.

The mission for which HE was SENT, Salvation, Redemption and Restoration of God’s  most precious creation—us—empowered Our Lord to look past the pain and the shame of The Cross and not quit until He’d Won our Victory!

My brothers and sisters, seeing we have such A Great High Priest, who promised to be with us all the way, don’t give in to that lying Accuser, Satan.! 

Take a big whist of that ‘second wind’  (GRACE) and discipline your mind, body and spirit and keep it movin’. After all, we’re not just hurling aimlessly toward a phantom mirage; this is a sure thing we’re running after! 
God has planned a Great Celebration at the finish line for us! STAY IN IT TO WIN IT!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

 

LET GOD RUB OFF ON U!

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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

 

TRUE GRIT…GRACE UNDER FIRE!

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TRUE GRIT 2

SELAH Daily Devotions!

And He said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee; For my strength is made perfect in weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9

If you’re going to BE a boni-fied Christian, and live not just ‘a good life’ but a ‘GOD life’ it’s  mandatory that you become a willing participant in Jesus’ life-long apprenticeship program! And the only possible way that you’re going to achieve this lofty goal is by the continuous whoppin’ endowment of heavenly power called GRACE!

I realize, however, that some 21st Century New-Age-Faux-Theologians have diminished the amassment of Grace down to that short poem recited before gobbling down their hearty meal. While, the more refined others have encapsulated Grace as God’s unmerited favor. In other words, “much more mercy than we deserve and much less punishment than is required!” And to this, we joyfully agree! But we’d be remiss if we did not consider that other often neglected, under acknowledged and under- appreciated tense of Grace. Grace is Power to do what you’d never be able to do except for God, The Omnipotent Father, pouring out HIS Supernatural Power over our natural!

Admittedly, many 21st Century Saints don’t think they need nobody to teach or help us to live holy, right? But for the  remnant of us who have tried to do life for themselves or by themselves and failed time and time again, we understand that all of us need THE MASTER’s GRACE!

While God has ‘GRACED’ each of us with individual talents and giftings that we bring, not just to the church but to impact the world around us, the challenge becomes remaining humble and not getting arrogant when God is able to get a hold of enough of our flesh to get His Will done in the earth! (Ref. James 4: 6)

As our scripture text recounts, the great Apostle Paul having accomplished many things worthy of accolades before and after His Damascus Road experience, (Ref. Acts 9) finds himself struggling with his flesh. After seeking God’s deliverance three times , only to hear God say, “NO! But I’ll give you the power to get it done even in your weakness!” Can u imagine that?

God has an unlimited supply of Grace checks yet to be deposited into our life accounts. Nevertheless, being the Chief Stewart of every Good and Perfect Gift, He has Sovereignly set the parameters for interspersing! The requirement is a humble obedience rooted in the clear understanding that without His Grace we are nothing and outside of His Mercy we deserve nothing! (Ref. John 15:5)

Saints, can you even imagine what would happen in the world, if God’s representatives ever, really relying on HIM for everything, came together? IT WOULD BE REVOLUTIONARY!

HENCE, IF GOD DOESN’T MOVE IT, HE GIVES U THE GRACE TO GO THRU IT! WOW!!! #didjagetit?

TRUE GRIT…GRACE UNDER FIRE!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

FIRED UP!

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FIRED UP!

SELAH Daily Devotions!

“Wherefore I put thee in remembrance that thou stir up the gift of God, which is in thee by the putting on of my hands. For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:6-7

 

There’s a lot of teaching going around regarding Generational Curses. But, thankfully, we who have been crucified with Christ have also inherited The Generational Blessing!

Today, our scripture text finds The Apostle Paul urging his young protégé, Timothy to keep that same passionate desire that was passed down to him from his Grandmother, Loise, through his Mother, Eunice, and finally imparted to him through the laying on of his own hands!

Remembering the faithfulness and fervency with which these women embraced the Message and Ministry that was entrusted to them by the Grace of God, The Apostle Paul took great joy in sharing the rich heritage of this young pastor, knowing the importance of being equipped for the task set before him! Paul’s personal experience prepared and qualified him to effectively mentor Timothy to successfully overcome every obstacle that he’d face in walking out his pastoral call.

While many covet the charm, fame and prosperity that supposedly accompanies the title and position, Paul cautions Pastor Timothy to stay acutely aware that there’s a tremendous cost for the real anointing that follows the appointment! And it ain’t cheap! “Timothy, there’s a whole lot more to pastoring than preaching, brotha!”

I believe The Apostle was saying, “You better get prepared to be picked out to picked on. Everybody who says they’re with ya, won’t be!  Son,  I hate to tell ya, but a lotta them folk who’ll claim that GAWD sent them to help ya, will leave you in a heartbeat…when GAWD changes their assignment! ! #ijs!!! But that’s okay! As long as you never forget Whose you are and Who’s in you.  Rest assured, that because The Greater One—is in you, always; everything is gonna work out for you! Above all else, my son, keep this at the forefront of your mind, whatever is going on around you or what’s coming against you, don’t let the flame of the Holy Ghost die out!”

“Don’t allow the cares and challenges of this world to consume your heart and mind. Encourage yourself! Remember, EVERY DAY is not the same! There will be those days when you feel as if you can’t make it another further. But TRUST2KNO  GOD STRENGTH WILL BE PERFECTED THROUGH YOUR WEAKNESSES!  It’s the Love and Grace of God that will empower and sustain you to carry out God’s Purpose, bringing His Glory for and through your life! Carry on, my Son!”

#DIDJAGETIT? #AWESOME! #ijs #GODZGOTCHA!!!

STIR UP THE FLAME AND STAY FIRED UP!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee