Tag Archives: Empowered

Can You Hear Me Now???

CAN U HEAR ME NOW2

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace, to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood. Galatians 1:15-16

 

In today’s scripture text, we hear the testimonial of The Apostle Paul in response to The Lord’s prompting to go spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles. And we all know how that turned out, huh? GGGGLLLLORRRRRAAA 2 GOD! However, what stands out to me, is what Paul didn’t do!

The Apostle didn’t wait to get an Executive Order from The White House nor a congregational consensus before stepping out in faith. Instead of asking anybody what they thought about it, relying solely on his personal relationship with His Savior. Feeling no need for further validation, The Apostle Paul immediately obeyed God’s instructions!

How about you? When you’ve heard from God, what’s your initial response? Before you move, do you have to survey the opinions of your family and friends? Does the fear of failure, embarrassment, humiliation or retaliation cause you to stagger at God’s Word? Are you willing to take a leap of faith and just do what you believe God is asking of you?

As believers, we’re sometimes reluctant to move out on a WORD FROM GOD. Not so much because we’re not trusting God, but more often than not, it’s because of a spirit of difiance deeply rooted in the lack of self-confidence in our own ability. Ooops…#noshedidn’t! Yall kno she did!

In an attempt to re-assure ourselves that we’re in God’s will, like Gideon, we’ll ask God for a sign and come up with some kinda obtuse fleece as further proof that it is actually God speaking. (Ref.Judges 6) Particularly, when it’s something that causes us to move beyond the boundaries of our comfort zone! And while God so graciously granted Gideon’s request, twice, as believers, we must recognize that God often tests our trust and confidence by commissioning us to do what seems impossible!

Precious ones, that’s what our life in Christ is about. God doesn’t require us to walk by signs, but by hope-filled trust that whatever He asks us to do, by His Grace, we are well able to perform.

The Bible says, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:” John 10:27. As we entreat His Presence daily in prayer, seeking Divine assistance, inquiring direction thru diligent study and meditation of His Word, we learn to distinguish His Voice from the chatter emanating from the world! That’s how HE teaches you what He wants of you!

That’s why it’s so important to build an intimate relationship with your Heavenly Father and not just show up at The Throne Room for emergency visits! God really cares about you! He is not a dead-beat Dad nor is He willing to settle for weekend visitations! God wants to be actively involved in every aspect of your life, every day!

The closer you get to JESUS the clearer He speaks and the sweeter His Voice becomes! #Didjaheardat?

WHEN YOU KNOW HIM, YOU WILL KNOW HIS WILL! WHEN YOU KNOW HIS WILL, YOU DON’T NEED TO CONFER WITH ANYBODY…BUT U GOTTA KNOW GOD’S VOICE4urself! #canuhearMEnow!

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!

 

Good morning Family! GOTTA MOMENT? Ooh Glorraa!

Welcome to one more new day! We’re so excited that you’ve joined us in our Weekly Thursdays’ Corporate Fasting & Prayer! We appreciate every opportunity that God allows us to entreat The Presence of our Great High Priest to pour out our hearts desires, petitions and supplications with Thanksgiving. We appreciatively acknowledge that our Heavenly Father delights in our embracing Him in earnest expectation, confident that He Reigns Forever by His Power and is willing and able to save and deliver us from any of life’s maladies! Shall we enter in?

My Hallelujah Belongs 2 U! My Hallelujah Belongs 2 U! MY HALLELUJAH BELONGS 2 U! U Deserve IT! U DESERVE IT! U DESERVE IT! All of The Praises Belongs 2 U! ALL OF THE PRAISES BELONGS 2 U! ALL OF THE PRAISES BELONGS 2 U! U DESERVE IT! U DESERVE IT! U DESERVE IT! ALL OF THE GLORRAA BELONGS 2 U! ALL OF THE GLORRAA BELONGS 2 U! ALL OF THE GLORRAA BELONGS 2 U! U DESERVE IT! U DESERVE IT! U DESERVE IT! U DESERVE IT! U DESERVE IT! U DESERVE IT! U DESERVE IT! U DESERVE IT! U DESERVE IT!

 

Our Father and our God! Creator of Heaven and Earth, once again, we come before You humbled by Your Loving-Kindness, Grace and Mercy! We’re eternally grateful for one more opportunity to behold The Glory of Your Majestic Presence! We know that it’s only Your Wisdom and Strength that has allowed us to be alive today! We 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 and without a God on our side! For this cause we bow in humble awe!

Abba Father, we come with joy-filled hearts, upstretched hands and lips forever magnifying and adoring You! Oh, how awesome are Your works amongst the children of men! For it is You Who preserve our lives and keep our feet from slipping!

Daddy, we thank You, for even knowing our frame, Your Faithful Compassion continuously allows You to look beyond our human frailties, faults, failures and iniquities seeing yet You minister to all of our need and even bless us with the desires of our hearts, as You see fit! We honor and praise You today, from a heart open to, depending and relying solely on You for renewed power, strength and understanding to apply Your righteous statues to our lives that we may enjoy the abundant lives that You have predestined for us now and forever!

Abba Father, kneeling our hearts before You, we ask You to forgive us for every act that we have committed, willfully and unwillfully, every word spoken or thought that was not pleasing in Your sight, causing grief to Holy Spirit! We believe, according to Your Promise that as we confess and repent from a heart of sincerity, that You are Faithful and Just to forgive us, remove our sins from us, casting them into the Sea of Your Selective Forgetfulness, and cleanse us from all unrighteousness through The Word and the Blood!

Lord Jesus, help us to rest assured that YOU ARE SOVEREIGN and always in absolute control of all things. In light of the continuous influx of profound arrogance,  the deceitfulness of ungodly-mankind, legalized immorality perpetrated upon Your people from ‘the powers that be’, and the revolting of the heavens, winds, earth and seas erupting all around us, encourage our hearts to cling to TRUTH! Bless us to find and affirm that Your Grace is sufficient to keep us saved, safe and sane! Father, in times when we find ourselves swallowed up in the cares of this world and overwhelmed by sadden hearts and wearied spirits, please convict and strengthen our hearts that we may never fail to express our gratitude for Your Faithfulness to keep every covenant-promise You’ve ever decreed over those who place our personal faith in You! You are Good and Your Mercy endures Forever!

We Thank You, Jesus for hiding Your Beloved under The BLOOD! And as You provided Light and Provision for Your people in Goshen, even as we endure these days of imminent terror, tragedy, chaos and destruction, we know that the safest place in this whole world is in YOUR perfect will! Therefore, we trust that no weapon that is formed against us shall prosper and every tongue that rises up again your children, thou shall condemn!

Lord, we pray for every one who is going thru a season of sorrow and grief at the lost of a loved one, those who are being victimized by institutionalized racism and systemic intimidation, Spirits of fear, rejection, disappointment and failure, divorce, lost of employment, bankruptcy and illegal foreclosures! We plead the Blood of Jesus over every demonic thought and prohibit demonic-induced assignments, spirits of anxiety, oppression, depression and confusion, because we know that You are not the author of these satanic thoughts and feelings, but You have given us who have put our personal trust in Your Son Jesus, Your Righteousness, a Spirit of Love, Peace, Joy and a Sound Mind!

Sweet Holy Spirit, 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 in their heart and in their mind that they will come crying out to You, confessing with their mouths a “SINCERE YES” , accepting Your Grace Gift and are now receiving You as their personal Savior and Lord of their lives from this day forward! We’re believing, declaring and decreeing, that You are directing their footsteps, placing and settling them into a local church home where they are nurtured and encouraged to live holy, acceptable and committed to faithful obedience to Your Word!

Sweet Jesus, we ask You reclaim every soul that has turned their back and walked away from Your Will! Put a new “COMMITTED YES” in their heart, mind and soul and let today be the day that they come back to You and come 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!

Father, as we pray, we believe that You will touch our brother, touch our sister whose body has been afflicted by all manner of sickness and disease, rebuke and casting it out at the root, for Your Name Sake! Heavenly Father, You are Alpha and Omega, the same yesterday, today and forever! Even as You walked in this earth healing all who were sick, feeble, lame we know that You’re Well Able to do the same right now! Lord Jesus, Your Word declares that Your stripes have redeemed and healed us and we’re yet standing on Your promises that the prayer of faith shall save the sick and raise them up, In Jesus Name! Amen 3x!

Lord, we pray that You will save, heal and deliver speedily by Your Mighty Hand, all those who are crying out to you, seeking Your Face at the very moment! Give us to know that because we belong to You, we are never too far that You can’t see us, reach us, and shield us from anything that the devil would rail against us. Help us to understand that Your Name, Jesus is a Strong Tower, and those that You hve declared the righteous run into it and are saved. Open up our minds and our hearts, filling us with Your Assurance, and confidence that at The Name of Jesus, every knee must bow and every tongue confess that You are Lord!

Abba Father, grace Your children with hope-filled trust that because You have committed Your Word towards us, no weapon that’s formed us shall ever prosper and except You allow it, no trouble, test or trial can come near us. Therefore, we are fully persuaded of Your Providential Presence and Power to turn everything around to work in our favor, to bring about exuberant testimonies and praizes of Your Eternal Magnificence, Honor and Glory!

Heavenly Father,  we pray, according to Your Will, lifting up the leaders of our nation, government, corporate, judicial, education, financial institutions and our churches! We’re asking that You touch their minds and hearts, visit them in the night, speak to them in dreams and visions and let them know that You Who Sit Enthroned Above the Heavens is keeping record of the deeds of every man’s heart and will reward accordingly!

Father, we’re trusting You to release a sudden downpour of Divine Favor upon each and every one of Your children who are challenged by seemingly time-sensitive situations such as marital relationships, wayward children, loneliness, financial, employment and promotion issues, approvals of student/car/home loans! Assure them that YOU are Jehovah Jareh, who shall supply all of their need according to Your Riches in Glory!

Father, we declare and decree that every demonic-induced spirit of addiction, perversion, poverty, doubt, failure, inadequacy and fear is defeated NOW because of Your Anointing and that the Spirit of Love, Power, Wisdom, Purpose and Prosperity is being released into every area of the lives of Your people now, in Jesus Name!

Lord Jesus, as we close our prayer, we confidently await Your Salvation in peace and quietness, rejoicing in hope and trusting wholly that all workers of iniquity are trembling, suddenly departing in shameful defeat, recognizing that You have heard the voice of our weeping, our supplications and received our prayer as a sweet savor coming up before Your Sovereign Throne of Grace and Mercy!

Abba Father, as Your Face shines upon us, we shout with joy unto The One to Whom EVERY MAN will bow in obedient reverence, The Hope of all the Ages!

Father, believing that IT IS DONE, In The Exalted Name of Jesus we offer up this prayer, IN JESUS NAME! Alleleujah! Amen 3X!

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

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

 

 

GOD’S HELP!

GOD'S HELP B

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Ephesians 4:7

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. Acts 1:8

 

OMG! Did we ever get dat twisted? GRACE that is!

Guilty! I remember it, just like Mama and probably her Mama and undoubtedly my own kids to theirs, asking, “DidjasayyourGrace?” God knows, we didn’t know! But now, knowing the true meaning and eternal value of GRACE, (God’s unmerited, unearned favor towards us) makes it even more Awemazzzin, huh?

 When Jesus conquered death, He ascended into Heaven and sent back to us the Precious Gift of Holy Spirit emboldening the Body of Christ (The Church), with everything we’d evrrr need to fulfill, not only our individual God-ordained purpose, but GOD’s Eternal Purpose in the earth—To colonize a God-Centered society giving Light and Life to a dark sin-filled world!

Howeverrr, didjakno that even today, some believers act as if Grace is simply a free pass to continue in sin?  SERIOUSLY! 

In essence, not only does such erroneous thinking usually lead to continuous rebellion, it completely misrepresents and dishonors Christ Jesus’ Sacrifice on The Altar at Calvary! Grace is more aptly recognized as God’s Divine Enabling Power Gifts, which He has Sovereignly equipped, measuring out to each believer, according to their specific tasks in The Kingdom of God!

While there are a variety of spiritual giftings, every gift is vital to the health of The Body! Hence, jealousy, envy, covetous and certainly competitiveness between our brothers and sister’s gifts is uncharacteristically absurd for a Christian, considering the Source is the same for each gift, The Holy Spirit! (Ref. 1 Corinthians 12) After all, these gifts are not given to boast in ourselves, but to boost up and to glorify The Kingdom of Heaven in the earth! That’s why the scriptures warn us that The BookKeeper is keeping track of every deed that is done in our bodies and one day we will all be judged for how we used our gifts to promote the advancement of The Kingdom of God to a lost and dying world! (Ref. 2 Corinthians 5:10)

Sounds to me like it’s a total abuse of time bickering and complaining about what somebody else has or doesn’t and even more foolish, wishin’ and hopin’ you had, huh? Hence, time might be more wisely appropriated by diligently seeking to discover our own ultimate “WHY and WHACHA COME HERE FOR!”

IN OTHER WORDS, WHATEVER GOD’S PUT ON YOUR HEART 2 DO 4 HIS GLORY, RECOGNIZE THAT HE’S FAVORED U TO WORK DAT THANG!  OH, AND DON’T WORRY ABOUT THE NAYSAYERS, WITH GOD’S HELP, FAILURE AIN’T EVEN AN OPTION!  #datzGRACE!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

THURSDAYS’ PRAYERS!

prayn-and-fasting-pic

SELAH Daily Devotions!

GOOD MORNING FAM! GOTTA MOMENT! OOOOHHH GLORRRAAAA!

Once again, we are absolutely delighted that you have joined us in our weekly Corporate Prayer and Fasting. My heart is overwhelmed with compassion for all who don’t know who or where to turn to in these days of immorality, deceitfulness, confusion and chaos. While those of us who have placed our personal faith and confidence in the Eternal Word of God are truly privileged and grateful, yet we feel the weightiness of such a burden and responsibility to intercede on their behalf. But By The Amaazing Grace of God, we will continue to look to the hills, from whence cometh our help. Remember, Beloved, all of our help comes from The Lord Jesus Christ! Shall we bow before The Maker of  Heaven and Earth?

Savior, like a shepherd lead us, much we need Thy tender care; In Thy pleasant pastures feed us, for our use Thy folds prepare. Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! Thou hast bought us, Thine we are. Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus! Thou hast bought us, Thine we are!

Abba Father, here we are again! As we hear the call of Holy Spirit, inviting us to seek Thy Face, our hearts reply, Thy Face Oh Lord we seek! We bow in humble and obeisance, basking in the radiant ambiance of Your Magnificent Majesty! We draw nigh to You with our hands lifted high and our hearts rejoicing in Your Sovereignty! For You Are the Self-Existent, Creator and Sustainer of all living creation. With holy-boldness we cry out, knowing that in Your Presence there’s fullness of Joy and at Your Right Hand are pleasures forever more! Sweet Jesus!

Thank You for loving us! Thank You for choosing us Thank You for redeeming us! Thank You for forgiving us! Thank You for keeping us! Thank You for being such a patient and understanding God and Father to us! We know that there was and is nothing in us that merits such loving-kindness, mercy and grace that You’ve poured out upon our lives! From our Mother’ womb You have kept us, carried us, shielded us from dangers seen and unseen. Hear our sincere confession, “If it had not been for the LORD on our side, our enemies would’ve swallowed us up a long time ago!”

We praise You Heavenly Father for directing Holy Spirit to open our eyes and break-thru the shallowness of our stony hearts, revealing to us The Wondrous Grace of Salvation that You have made available to any who will humbly seek and accept the Sacrificial Atonement of Your Beloved Son, Jesus Christ! We bless You for adopting us into Your Royal Family and decreeing us as joint-heirs with Christ!

Sweet Jesus, teach us to see sin through Your eyes and to acknowledge it as evil wickedness and rebellion against the Lover of our souls! And when we sin, quicken our spirit to repent immediately and to confess with our mouth our wrongdoing, that we might receive the Gracious forgiveness of our Heavenly Father!

We bless Your Holy Name, not only because You have forgiven us more than we could ever know, but because over and over You’ve blessed us even when we failed to keep our promises to You! For this we pray, “Abba Father, forgive me this day for everything I have done, said or thought that was not pleasing to Your Heart. Holy Spirit, because You have given us the assurance, that as we confess our sin, You are Faithful and Just to forgive, pardon and restore us back into rightful fellowship with You, we ask and thank You NOW for Your forgiveness! For this cause, we gladly present our spirit, soul and body as a living holy sacrifice to be used for Your Greatest Glory! in The Precious Name of Jesus!”

Precious Lord, because no man can come to the Father except You draw them, we intercede on behalf of every unsaved soul, please quicken the Spirit of Godly-repentance in their heart and in their mind that they will come to you today confessing a “sincere Yes” to your Amazing Gift of Grace that they might be able to receive You as their personal Lord and Savior! We’re believing that You will Divinely orchestrate their footsteps settleling them into a local church home today.

Lord, we ask You to put a fresh  “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 wholly submit their lives to the sound teachings of Your Word, and learn to love and live their lives walking to please You First!

Abba, we ask that You encourage and comfort the souls of Your Elect who are overwhelmed with fear, doubt and worry because of the things that are going on in our personal lives and in this ungodly world systems! Send Your assurance with an double-portion-outpouring of Divine Favor upon each who needs encouragement and empowerment to stand steadfast, immovable in the midst of these wicked and evil days! Console and Comfort us to know that we are never alone and never without Your Very Present Help!

Father, we pray that You will touch our brother, touch our sister whose body has been afflicted by sickness and disease, especially the spirit of cancer, kidney disease, heart/lung disease and rebuke and cast it out at the root, for Your Name Sake. Heavenly Father, You are Alpha and Omega, the same yesterday, today and forever! Therefore, even 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!

Heavenly Father, we pray according to Your Will, for the leaders of our nation, corporate, judicial, education, financial institutions and our churches! We come against the Spirit of rampant immorality, hatred, corruption, deceitfulness, rhetoric ambiguity, racism, bigotry, pride, arrogance, and human-supremacy! We’re asking that You touch the minds and hearts, that You speak to them in dreams and visions letting them know that You Who Sit Enthroned Above the Heavens are keeping record of the deeds of every man’s heart and will reward accordingly!

Heavenly Father, we bring so many others that we’ve failed to mention before Your throne O God. Those who are broken hearten, feeble in mind, body and spirit, the one at a crossroad of life who have no idea where to go or who to turn to, the ones addicted to harmful substances, our armed forces, policemen, fire and rescue personnel, nurses, doctors, pastors and leaders, missionaries far and near; our leaders of the world. We’re trusting You to send peace where there is confusion, send love where there is hate, send unity where there is division. Bless the fatherless and motherless. Keep us ALL in your care. These favors we ask in Jesus mighty name!!

Father we wait in confidence and quietness, rejoicing in hope and trusting wholly that all workers of iniquity are suddenly trembling in terror and retreating in shameful defeat, because You have heard the voice of our weeping, our supplications and received our prayer as a sweet savor coming up before Your Sovereign Throne of Grace and Mercy!

Abba Father, we stand in agreement with You Who hears ours prayers and forgives our transgressions! Holy Father, because You have chosen to live in Your House, we shout with exceeding Joy unto The Hope of all the earth, believing that as Your face shines upon us, You are making Your Ways and Salvation known among all nations for You Guide and Rule justly!

Father, we thank You NOW, for WE believe that it is done! In The Exalted Name of Jesus. Amen 3X and It Is So!
Now every child of God who is standing in agreement with this prayer, GO TELL SOMEBODY THAT JESUS SAVES!

SELAH!

PAUSE, PONDER, PRAY & PRAIZ!

 

ALL POWER BELONGS 2 GOD!

ALL POWER BELONGS 2 GOD

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah…God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God. Psalm 62:7-8,11
 

Over the past 50 years, we’ve seen a whole lot of changes. Our society has evolved from being agriculturally dominated, thru industrially dominated, into an age where information technology dominates. Some of you remember what it was like growing up in the country. You worked hard and you played hard,  right? But through it all, you were able to maintain a healthy balance between the physical labor of working the fields and the ease of drinking a cold glass of lemonade sitting on the porch come Sunday afternoon.
 
Then, the war came, and many of our brothers went off to war leaving the familiarity of the farms for foreign soil, forcing those left behind into factories working the machinery building weapons, mass production of crops, meat, clothing, etc. The dirt roads and shotgun houses were replaced by concrete paved streets and skyscrapers. The Industrial Age had taken over and the ease of those Sunday mornings vacated and swapped with washing the car, 2 hours at the gym, 3-mile runs, kids soccer games, karate tournaments, or at the very least, I gotta get my stuff ready to go back to work next week!
 
As wars and rumors of wars escalate, so has tension, stress and the push for greater technological advancements. The factories have basically come to a hault as the focus shifted away from meeting the needs of common folk  onto which nation will gather the most information proving who’s the best of the best; who’s going to be the first country to put a man on the moon, mars of take over a yet undiscovered universe; who’s gonna build the biggest bomb, and who’s gonna conquer outer space once we blow up this planet. YEAH BABY, WE’VE COME A LONG WAY, huh?
 
Who nu? Here we are in the 21st Century, and for many we got what we wanted, but at what cost? The laughter of our children in the yard jumping double-dutch, playing football, the swish of the ball dropping through a wooden loop, the clicking sounds of cardboard or plastic between the spikes of bikes, roller skates racing down the streets have been silenced by the noise of doors being slammed by rebellious children barricading themselves in their rooms; whispering, texting and yes, even sexing on $500 cell phones/ipads or the clicking of remote controls to $700  video games played on 75-inch flat screen TV’s! Owww Wheeeeee, don’t shout me down now!
 
While we, the parents have bought into the propaganda being dupped with the misguidedphilosopy“I’m gonna make sure that my baby has it better than I did”, we’ve created a generation of young people who seem to get everything in life they want, yet have nothing to live for. Meanwhile, many of them are engaging in disruptive habits that scream, “LIFE’S A BEACH! I hate myself, and I hate you too. So why not make a pact to commit suicide, or I’m bored so let’s go shoot up a bunch of folk we don’t even know.”
 
Honestly! If you’re not prayerful, it’s easy to allow all the hell of this world to consume your whole life.  Yall don’t believe it, huh?  Well, it’s gotten to the point now that even the most seasoned saints may ponder the Satanically-induced thought of cutting your own wrist, just to escape the peril of these wicked times. 

BUT GOD! Knowing everything that humanity would experience, left it on record to console those who would become weary in well-doing, ‘while we’re in this world—we are not of this world!’ Although, we are not exempt from test, trials and persecution, we are never alone! (Ref. Hebrews 13:5)
 
Precious Saints, when it looks like there’s no point to living for God (aka) living holy and you’ve come to the end of your rope, that’s your clue—not to give up but to take a stand—tie a knot in the rope and hang on! Cling to the Hope of your calling, Jesus Christ—The Living Word of Life! (Ref. Ephesians 1:18)  Don’t get it twisted, it ain’t always what it looks like!
 
Remember, when the dusts settles,  He Who has called you is Faithful and True (Ref. 1 Thessalonians 5:24; Revelations 19:11) and He Yet Reigns! ALL POWER BELONGS 2 GOD! #Didjaheardat?

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!
 
Ann Caffee

THURSDAYS’ PRAYERS!

prayn-and-fasting-pic

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

GM FBF! GOTTA MOMENT? GREAT GOD ALMIGHTY!

We’re delighted that you have joined us today in our Weekly Corporate Thursdays’ Prayer and Fasting! While the world is foolishly looking to man to deliver us, we, Your Children, in faithful obedience, look to You, JESUS, The Author and Finisher of our Faith to cause us to NOT JUS SURVIVE BUT THRIVE in the day of evil! Let’s pray…Ooops Care2Share?

Reach out and touch The Lord, as He goes by! You’ll find He’s not too busy to hear your cry! He IS PASSING BY THIS MOMENT! UR NEED HE WILL SUPPLY! REACH OUT AND TOUCH THE LORD AS HE GOES BY! O, Sweet Wonder! Oh Sweet Wonder! Jesus, The Son of God! Ooohh Sweet Wonder! Oh! Sweet Wonder! Jesus! The Son of God! Here I am to worship, Here I am to bow down, Here I am to say that You’re my God, You’re altogether lovely, Altogether worthy, Altogether wonderful to me!

Our Father and Our God, we come this morning, eternally grateful for Your Loving-Kindness and Tender Mercy us that has been bestowed upon us! For this is the day that You have made and we SHALL REJOICE AND BE GLAD IN IT! With joy-filled humbled hearts, we set our attentions on things above and not below, knowing that You Forever Rule and Reign! You are Elohim, LORD, GOD, ALMIGHTY, JEHOVAH all by YOURSELF! Beside YOU, there is none else to revere, fear and none to compare! For You are HOLY!

Throughout the Ages, You Alone have proven to be The Only Wise God, Savior and Lord of all, in and through all! As You have blessed and favored us, we now come boldly before Your Throne, lifting up The Name that is above all names, The Sweetest Name we know, JESUS!

SWEET JESUS, we’re thankful that because You are Enthoned at The Right Hand of The Father, clothed in Majesty as The Great and Eternal High Priest, Who voluntarily stripped GODself to come down and walk amongst us, allowing Yourself to be wounded for our transgressions, bruised for our iniquities, bore our guilt and shame and have been touched with the feelings of our infirmities! It’s only by Your Graciousness, we are able to approach You confident that Your Mercy has imputed ALL THAT JESUS IS unto us! Therefore, we stand in this Amazing Grace, resting assured that In Christ Jesus, we are The Righteousness of God, Forgiven, Redeemed, Restored and inheriting all the riches and glory of Thine Eternal Kingdom!

Abba Father, as we come today with our our hearts rejoicing, hands lifted up and our lips forever praizing You we declare, Oh, how awesome are Your deeds! For You have preserved our lives and kept our feet from slipping! Because You know our frame, Your faithfulness and compassion continuously allows You to look beyond our human frailties, faults and iniquities to see and yet minister to all of our real need! Because You are a forgiving God and an understanding God You keep right on blessing us over and over again! With sincere Godly-repentance, we ask You to forgive us this day for any and everything we have done, said or thought that was not pleasing to Your Heart. As we confess our sin, You are Faithful and Just to forgive, pardon and restore us back into rightful fellowship with You, we ask now for Your forgiveness, in The Precious Name of Jesus!

And because no man can come to The Father, except You draw them, we pray for the lost and the blind who have no personal revelation of Who You are an all that You’ve Done for us! We ask that You open their eyes to see the lawless of their sin through Your eyes and to acknowledge it as evil wickedness and rebellion against the Creator and Lover of our souls, The Giver and Sustainer of All Life! Hence, we pray that You quicken their spirits to repent immediately, and confess with their mouths their wrongdoing that they might receive the Gracious forgiveness of our Heavenly Father! As You have forgiven me, Lord forgive them for their sins, because they know not what they do!

Lord God, because Your Word declares that You are married to the backslider, 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!

Father, there are so many who are faced with many different situations. Some are dealing with hurt, pain, illnesses, sorrow and grief. Some are battling depression and oppression; addictions, low self esteem and the list goes on and on. Many are contemplating throwing in the towel on your spouse, your family; some simply don’t know what to do. As Your Word has instructed, we now look to the hills from whence cometh all our help; knowing that whatever challenges we’re faced with, You are still in control.

Jehovah Rophe, touch our brother, touch our sister whose body has been afflicted by sickness and disease, especially the spirit of cancer, kidney disease, heart/lung disease and rebuke and cast it out at the root, for Your Name Sake. You are Alpha and Omega, the same yesterday, today and forever! Therefore, even 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 we declare and decree that The God of ALL Peace, Love, Hope, Wholeness and Serenity is covering and comforting each one of us even as we pray! Amen 3x!

Dear Lord, we’re believing that as You are releasing Divine power, Supernatural strength and health, provision, prosperity and protection, we’re trusting that You will keep us constantly aware of YOUR PRESENCE and fully-confident that at the appointed time, You, will bring us out wholly restored, renewed, refreshed and with the reward as You have promised in Your Word!

Heavenly Father, as You have instructed us, we pray for the leaders of our nation and the world and every corporate, judicial, education, financial institutions! We ask that You touch their minds and hearts, speak to them in dreams and visions letting them know that You Who Sit Enthroned Above the Heavens are keeping record of the deeds of every man’s heart and will reward accordingly! We believe that because their hearts are in Your Hands, they are being continuously opened to hear and obey Your Will! Lord Jesus, we’re standing on Your Word as decreed thatThe government of this world shall rest upon Your shoulders and that You are The Eternal King of Kings and Lord of Lords!

Abba Father, we lift up every Bishop, Pastor, Overseer, Apostle, Evangelist, Preacher, Teacher and auxiliary leader. 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!

Father, we’re lifting up our children, our children’s children by faith, as many of them are about to begin a new school year, some are entering the workforce, hence, we’re committing them into Your care, realizing that You have a plan and purpose for their lives too; we have the blessed assurance that their steps and stops are being Divinely orchestrated by Your eyes!

Lord Jesus, when the cares of this world begins to close in on us, help us to slip away and find a quiet place to pray! And in those moments when we can’t pray, we know that You listen to our hearts and interpret every moan, groan and sigh of our spirits! Father, we thank You that despite our fractures and dysfunctions, You yet continue to bless us that we may be a blessing to others. You keep us strong that we may help the weak. You will keep us uplifted that we may have words of encouragement for others. You will strengthen our hearts to pray for those who are lost and can’t find their way, pray for those who are misjudged and misunderstood, those who don’t know You intimately and for those who don’t believe that You sent Jesus not to condemn us, but to convict us and to free us from the power, pain and penalty of Sin!

Abba Father, we know that You have instructed us to look not at the temporary things but to the eternal, so please help those whose hearts are burdened with the pressures of this life, wearied with fear, doubt, unbelief, sickness and disease, financial debt, broken relationships, unprovoked threats, depression, addictions, insecurities and grief, the widows, the downcast who have born the heat of the day, those who pushed and prayed us through! Lord, give them sweet Peace! Lord, keep us as only You can!

Father, help us to not complain about things that are out of our control and enlighten us to recognize that faith in God not only changes people, it changes me; and only You, O God have the Power to change things!

As we near the close of our prayer, we’re praising You for peace, unity, love and joy in our homes; believing that Your Divine Favor is being poured out upon everyone now and their faith is rising to a level that they’re faithful and obedient to live everyday as You have commanded, allowing You to release supernatural abundance in every area of our lives, because we have committed to put You first,all our needs are met. In Jesus Name!
Lord, save, heal and deliver speedily all who are crying out to you, seeking Your Face at this very moment! Give us to know that because we belong to You, we’re never too far that You can’t see us, reach us, and shield us from anything that the devil would rail against us. Help us to understand that Your Name, Jesus is a Strong Tower, and those that run into it and are saved!
Lord Jesus, while there are many other things that we have yet to mention, we’re trusting that You are not just able, but You’re willing to do anything that we ask and imagine, according to You Perfect Will. We decree and declare, believing You to fix IT Jesus, as only You can!
Abba Father, we wait in confidence and quietness, rejoicing in hope and trusting wholly that You have listened, 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! We thank You and seal this Prayer In The Holy Ghost, for WE KNOW THAT IT IS DONE! In The Exalted Name of Jesus. Amen 3X

Now every child of God who is standing in agreement with this prayer, GO TELL SOMEBODY THAT JESUS LOVES AND CARES ABOUT U2!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

 

 

HALLELUJAHHHH!!!

HALLELUJAH2!

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

#Didjaheardat? “HALLELUJAH!”

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

SILENT PRAIZ!

SILENT PRAIZ 2

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

“Praise waiteth for thee, O God, in Sion: and unto thee shall the vow be performed. O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come.” Psalm 65:1-2

 

Being Pentecostal, born and bred, means that I am accustomed, and I might add, a willing participant, to exuberant praise and worship. So can you imagine my surprise, to discover that God-Honored Adoration is not necessarily limited to loud singing, hand-clappin’, foot-stomppin, shoutin’ and dancing to drum thumping, key-board tickling, guitar pick’n tunes escalating His Glory!

Who nu? There is a high praise in God, where the weary souls, thirsty and hungry for an escape from the chaos and confusion of this world’s clamor, finding rest, peace, security, strength and hope, fall prostrate into HIS PRESENCE!

There’s a secret place, a Cleft hued out in The Impregnable Rock of Salvation, where mere words are no longer necessary, and sighs are welcomed, giving way to hope-filled silence, birthing unspoken-bellows of acceptable obedient prayers and God-Centered Praise and Worship!

There is an epiphany where we all must ascribe to reach in God, where we practice appreciation and respect for HIM by disciplining ourselves, focusing our minds and making a conscious decision that regardless of my circumstances, I’m going to Bless God—not just for all of His Goodness to me—BUT for WHO HE IS!

In this lofty estate, time spent waiting on The Lord is no longer full of anxious frustration, but quiet peaceful resting in child-like confident anticipation, trusting that you’re being kept safely, far from your conspirators’ reach, hidden in The Glory of His WONDEROUS PRESENCE.

As God’s Chosen, you’re surrounded by a Fortress, the Builder and Maker is The Creator of The Universe, where we can breathe easily, waiting patiently, for as long as HE says,  fully assured that everything we will ever need and hope for comes from HIM—JESUS!

#DIDJAHEARDAT? The Holy Spirit is calling! Be still, in that Peace-Filled-Knowing that all of your Help and Hope of Glory abides in The All-Powerful God,  EL SHADDAI…your GOD! SILENT PRAISE! #WOW #AWEMAAZIN, huh?

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

STAY N IT 2 WIN IT!

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