Tag Archives: faith

HOPE UNDER SEIGE!

hope-under-seige

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

They will be my people, and I will be their God. I will give them singleness of heart and action, so that they will always fear me for their own good and the good of their children after them. I will make an everlasting covenant with them. I will never stop doing good to them, and I will inspire them to fear me so that they will never turn away from me. I will rejoice in doing them good and will assuredly plant them in this land with all my heart and soul. Jeremiah 32:38-41

 

As a child, I vaguely remember a glimpse of pride swelling up inside whenever I heard someone say,‘this is the GREATEST nation in the world’! I suppose that’s what they mean by ‘let’s make this nation great…again, huh? But, that was before I became abruptly aware that there were two nations co-existing in one! #ijs

According to historical accounts, Courage and Confidence was once the hallmark of our nation! Yet, some say that the infamous catastrophic events of 911 has radically stripped away this lofty heritage and the hope-filled future legacy  that was once ascribed to the land of the power, peace and prosperity is now being besieged by the rampant rage of darkening clouds of an evil foreboding fear, doubt, anxiety, stress, guilt, shame, confusion and condemnation!

Well, it’s not my intent to debate the inevitable result of widespread deviation from the moral standards as defined by The Holy Bible. Howeverrrr, may I submit for your consideration, that without a holy reverence, a clear vision and a Divine impartation of understanding of WHO GOD IS & WHAT HE REQUIRES OF US, people’s strength will fail and their expectations of security perishes! The past has proven that without the restraint of law and order, destruction prevails! Well, like the ol’ skool preacha used to say, “I jus lost half my churrch!” Seriously?

Honestly, when we don’t understand Whose we are, we’ll be inclined to doubt God’s ability and even His willingness to help us. Void of genuine hope and unable to trust God’s Unfailing Love, we instinctively depend upon self to take care of our needs and satisfy the desires of our own hearts. And we all know how that turns out, right?

But those of us who dare to risk resentment, ridicule and rejection from those who will slander our righteousness, labeling us as unloving and intolerant, WE DEFY the prevailing opinions of the worldly in favor of the guidelines of the Ancient Landmarks, rejoice in hope, fully persuaded that if we suffer for Christ sake, we shall also reign with Him!  #CANIGETANGOODAMEN?

Through faith and hope, TRUE WORSHIPERS develop a singleness of -heart and mind, stemming from personal intimacy with The Lord Jesus Christ whereby we experience the Abiding Presence of God, trusting wholly in His Sustaining Grace!

Instead of conforming to the ways of the world, believers don’t bail out! Hence, in the face of the calamity and chaotic circumstances, we stand steadfast, rooted and grounded in The Promises, Provision and Power, persevering in the midst of devastation, famine and plagues, confident that we’re covered! Remember Goshen, God’s Protected Place? (Ref. Exodus 8:22)

Beloved, trust 2 know that when it looks like your world is falling apart, look again! Don’t allow fear to drain your faith! From Heaven’s perspective, everything is falling right in place!  Remember, Jesus has already gone into Tomorrow to prepare a table before you, right in the presence of your enemies! (Ref. Psalm 23:5) #Didjaheardat?

IT AIN’T WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE, K? YOU GOTTA HOPE BEYOND THIS WORLD!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

THURSDAYS’ PRAYERS!

prayn-and-fasting-pic

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

GOTTA MOMENT! GREAT!

Once again we are ecstatically glad that you’ve linked up with us today in our weekly Corporate Prayer and Fasting! With everything that going on in our nation and the world today, it behooves each one of us to stay close to the Altar…and linger in the midst of the Incense!! Amen?

JESUS, HE NEVER FAILS! JESUS, HE NEVER FAILS! HEAVEN AND EARTH SHALL PASS AWAY; BUT…JESUS NEVER FAILS! I’VE TRIED HIM! HE NEVER FAILS! I’VE TRIED HIM, HE NEVER FAILS. HEAVEN AND EARTH SHALL PASS WAY…BUT…JESUS…NEVER…FAILS!

AS WE’RE PRAYING WE’RE BELIEVING & DECREEING…

Abba Father, we come before You today, In the Magnificent, All Powerful Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus, we come rejoicing, praising and thanking You for blessing us to see a brand new day. We thank You, Father for every opportunity to embrace and enjoy the abundance of Your Mercy, Your Grace, Your Power and Your Peace!

Daddy, we’re eternally grateful that You are The God of our Salvation, our Deliverance, Breakthrough and Provision. Not only have You have done so much for us, we can truly say that You’ve been better to us than we’ve been to ourselves! And certainly more than we could ever deserve! You keep right on blessing us over and over again!

As we embrace the day ahead, help us to start this day with a new attitude and loads of gratitude knowing that it’s only because of Your Grace that we’re kept safe from all hurt, harm and danger. Precious Jesus, help us to 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.

Help us Lord to not whine and whimper over things we have no control. Open the eyes of our understanding that we are able to see sin through God’s eyes and acknowledge it as evil. And when we sin, quicken our spirit to repent, and confess with our mouths every deed, word spoken or thought that was not pleasing in Your sight!

Sweet Jesus, we’re thankful that You, knowing our frame, Your faithfulness and compassion allow You to look beyond our human frailties, faults and iniquities to see and minister to all of our need! We believe and claim as You have promised the Gracious forgiveness that you offer to those who trust in You! We praise You today, from a heart open to, depending and relying only on You for renewing our strength, increasing our understanding and empowerment to accomplish Your Will bringing Glory and Honor to Your Name!

Father God, because no man can come to the Father except you draw them, Father we ask that as Your eyes continue to search the hearts of mankind that you draw and save the lost, and reclaim every back-slider and that You will direct their footsteps and place them and settle them into a church home today.

Father, we interceded 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 and say “YES” to your Grace Gift and receive You as their Lord and Savior. Lord, we ask You to put a “COMMITTED YES” in the heart and mind of every backslider and let today be the day that they come back to You and come back to YOUR church.

Father, we pray that you will touch our brother, touch our sister whose body has been afflicted by all manner of sickness and disease, especially the spirit of cancer and at Your Word it is rebuked, dried up immediately and cast out at the root, for Your Name Sake. Lord, 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!

Lord, I pray for every believer whose heart may be overwhelmed by grief, confusion, worry, doubt, disappointment, rejection and fear yet they’re clinging to Hope in faith today, that You will release Divine power, Supernatural strength and health, provision, prosperity and protection, making ways out of no way, opening doors and closing doors, turning circumstances around for our highest good and Your Greatest Glory! We 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 pay their tithes as You have commanded, releasing supernatural abundance in the area of finances, enabling them to not only come of of debt but also because they put You first, all their needs are met. In Jesus Name!

Father, we’re trusting that even in the midst of fiery trials, they will be preserved as You keep them covered in Your Peace, constantly aware of YOUR PRESENCE, fully persuaded of Your Faithfulness, confident that You will bring them out wholly restored, renewed, refreshed and with the reward as You have promised us in Your Word.

Abba Father, as You continue to bless us,  we will be a blessing to others. Keep us strong that we may help the weak.. Keep us uplifted that we may have words of encouragement for others. We pray for those who are lost and can’t find their way. We pray for those who are misjudged and misunderstood. We pray for those who don’t know You intimately. We pray for those who will delete this without sharing it with others. We pray 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.

Father, we’re lifting up our children, our children’s children by faith, as many of them are beginning a new school year, 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 are being ordered by Your eyes!
Father, we know that faith in God not only changes people, it changes me; and only You, O God have the Power to change things!  As we’re praying we’re lifting up all of our sisters and brothers and every family members and their entire households! We’re praying for peace, unity, love and joy to abound in our homes! For You have promised that Your Power is perfected in our weakness! 
We bless and thank You for our President Obama and Secretary Hilliary Clinton and their families. We thank you now that no weapon that is formed against them shall prosper. We ask that You save and deliver Donald Trump, even as You touched others in the past, humbling them to bow before You and acknowledge that You as Lord!

We pray for every government, legislative,corporate and spiritual leader; that their hearts be continuously opened to hear and obey Your Will! Lord Jesus, we’re standing on Your Word as decreed that The government of this world shall rest upon YOUR shoulders and that You are The Eternal King of Kings and Lord of Lords!

Father, we thanking You for a fresh outpouring of Your Divine Favor upon each and every one of Your precious 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!

Abba Father. we declare and decree that every demonic-induced spirit of fear, anxiety, addiction, perversion, depression, oppression, bi-polar mental conditions is defeated NOW because of Your Anointing and that the Spirit of Love, Power and Sound-mindness and Purpose is being released in the lives of Your people now, in Jesus Name!

Father we wait in confidence and quietness, rejoicing in hope and trusting wholly that all workers of iniquity are trembling and suddenly departing in shame and defeat, running away from Your people, 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!

Father, we thank You NOW, for WE believe that it is done! In The Exalted Name of Jesus. Amen x and It Is So!

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

HONEST 2 GOD

honest-2-god

SELAH Daily Devotions!

Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. Psalm 139:7-10

O righteous God, who searches minds and hearts, bring to an end the violence of the wicked and make the righteous secure. Psalm 7:9

Sorry Father Adam, but once again this is on you! Because of our original progenitor’s high treason against the Righteous instructions given by The Creator of Life, we are all born naughty by nature! Thus, every human born into the earth since our fore-parents’ willful rebellion is corrupted by an innate disorder called iniquity! Now, don’t look at me with that self-righteous attitude! (Ref. Ps. 51:5) But, it goes deeper! Like Adam, the Glory of innocence that once covered us had now been disrupted by sin, exposing us to evil, guilt, shame and fear!

The precious intimacy with God that man once enjoyed in Paradise was violently yanked from him plunging all of creation into gross darkness and utter chaos!

Hence, there’s an inbred-inclination to cover ourselves with fig leaves attempting to hide from the Only True Source of Hope for deliverance and restoration!  The moment we allow our desire to satisfy the wickedness of self’s lust to take precedence over our desire to please God, the hedge comes down and all hell breaks out! And as they say, the rest is history, huh?

That’s why God hates sin! Don’t get it twisted like Eve and fall for the deception of the Tempter! Not because He’s trying to control us! Not because He’s arrogantly trying to keep us down! Not because He wants to keep us from enjoying ourselves! Not even because He’s Sovereign Lord! And He is! But God hates sin because it robs us of the freedom, peace and pure delight to openly commune with The Lover of our souls!

You do realize that God knew exactly where and what Adam had done when His Voice came walking through the Garden asking, “Adam, where are you?” God IS The All-Consuming Presence over space and time! There’s NO spot where GOD IS NOT! Someone once said, IF GOD MOVED TO THE LEFT OR RIGHT, HE’D BUMP STRAIGHT INTO GODSELF!

But do we also hear the pain of God’s Heart, knowing that He would have to evict His Family out of their home to keep them  away from certain eternal death and destruction...until JESUS came to our rescue? Do we realize that there’s no such thing as a little sin? SALVATION IS FREE BUT IT WASN’T CHEAP! #WOW! HONESTLY!

Yet, like David, sin perverts our mind and we foolishly assume that if we don’t tell God, He won’t figure it out!

Do you realize that confession benefits us more than it does God? “Before I was afflicted I went astray: but now have I kept thy word.” Psalm 119:67 You do know that we don’t pray to inform God, but we pray to invite Him to step into our misery and fix our mess!

When we confess our faults (sin) to God, He’s able to heal our broken and contrite spirit, revive the brittleness of our bones and clear our hearts, minds and souls of the debris that’s left behind by sin’s breach! It was a good thing that God revealed that He knew David’s sin, sending His servant Nathan allowed David to repent honestly before God, liberating him from the burden, torment, tragedy, grief and condemnation that resulted from harboring secret sin in his heart and hindering him from enjoying the fellowship of God’s Presence!

If we confess our sins, HE is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9 #Didjaheardat?

Jus wondering? When was the last time you had some REAL face2face time with God? THAT LONG, HUH? Well, last time I checked, JESUS WAS STILL SEATED ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE FATHER, WAITING AND WILLING TO INTERCEDE ON YOUR BEHALF! SOOO, WHACHA WAITING 4? HONEST2GOD!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

SLAVE 2 HOPE!

African black hands in chains on white

SELAH Daily Devotions!

Against all hope, Abraham in hope believed and so became the father of many nations, just as it had been said to him, “So shall your offspring be.”…being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. Romans 4:18, 21

 

Do you remember, as a child, ever being warned by your parents (supposing to avoid the pain of disappointment),“Don’t get your hopes up”? For many of us, the devil was laying a foundation for years of pessimism, doubt, unbelief, hopelessness, low self-esteem, depression and despair! WOW! Who Knu?

Ever wonder why God told us not to walk by our feelings? Well, if you’re anything like me, you’ve probably accumulated enough regrets, resulting from poor choices you’ve made listening to your fickle-feelings, to realize how irrational flesh can be, huh?

Let’s set the record straight! Sometimes, it’s difficult to ascribe a tag to feelings; feelings jus are! Directed by proper motivation, feelings are good! That’s why we need the Spirit of Discernment! Remember, when out of no where, you felt that bleep that kept on bleeping up  out of your spirit and something told you…‘don’t go that way, stop right now and turn around or call so-and-so, pray for him now?

Unfortunately, more often than not, we’re tempted to dismiss things if it doesn’t fit within the realm of our logic. Kinda like Abram’s first response to the burning bush! Yet, something pricked his curiosity to closely investigate and ultimately leading him into a personal encounter with The Supernatural Almighty God!

Abram over-ruling emotions and human reasoning, choosing to consider not what he could see (circumstantial evidence) but rather believed and reached for what was not seen! That was faith, yall!

Now, the world looks at this and calls it foolishness, weakness and denial! However, the scriptures reveal that Abram was clearly aware that except by Divine Intervention, it was impossible for a 100 year old man and a 90 year old woman to conceive and birth a child! Because God does nothing in the earth until He gets a man to come into agreement with Him, have you ever wondered what if Abram and Sarai had continued to jus laugh off the promised as an impossible pipe-dream, if perhaps…???

No doubt over the next 25 loonnng years, Abram faced many demonic challenges tempting him to give up his hope of  living to see the manifestation of such a miraculous feat. Yet, against all hope, Abraham hope on! Oooh Glorraa2GAWD! God testified that because Abram believed that His God had the power to shift nature and call those things that be not as though they were, Abraham received the Promise and thus became the Father of our faith!

Howeverrr, how often have we insisted upon ignoring that still small voice of conscience to satisfy feelings of our own lusting, self-centered emotions driven by fear of ‘What if and What’s in it for me’? Even if it means forfeiting our Hope and God’s Peace?  OMG! The next time, perhaps we need to re-think before we act on them, huh? #ijs

Beloved, HONESTLY! This walk of faith that GOD EXPECTS is NOT REALLY all that unreasonable when your HOPE is firmly rooted and ground in Jesus Alone, consistently trusting, wholly relying upon HIS Supernatural Grace to strengthened us to walk out our faith, looking unto JESUS, obeying HIS teachings and patiently awaiting HIM to fulfill every Promise that HE has ever spoken over our lives! #Didjaheardat? SLAVE2HOPE!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

COURAGE!!!

courage

SELAH Daily Devotions!

So do not throw away your confidence, it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. Hebrews 10:35-36

I believe that most of us remember The Wizard of Oz, right? If not, perhaps you’re familiar with Michael Jackson’s rendition of the 1939 Classic, The Oz! Aahhhh!, the gathering of the ‘least of the likelies’, comrades in arms unified by one common denominator! They each had a need that could only be fulfilled by the same source! Dorothy and Toto wanted to get back home to Kansas; The Tin Man wanted a heart; The Scarecrow wanted a brain and The Lion wanted some courage! Now, forgive me if I’m infringing upon the sanctity of the religiously sanctimonious. But! Guess that’s how I’m wired, huh? When I look at The Body of Christ, I see certain similarities between us and them!

C’mon now! You gotta admit, looking around the sanctuary on any given Sunday Morning, that it’s uncomfortably obvious that God’s perception of Footmen in The Army of the Lord destined to dominate the systems of this world, contrasts profusely from those that human wisdom and intellect would nominate! Hence, I stand eternally grateful, with both hands raised high in the air, that God saw fit to choose such a wreak like I to be a part of His Family! So I’m totally convinced that God indeed does have a sense of humor!

Nevertheless, “For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:”! 1 Corinthians 1:26

The Sovereign Creator and Lord of Life individually hand-picked us out from amongst an unusual conglomerate of ethnic, intellectual, social, financial and spiritual backgrounds. I would imagine, that since He ia Alpha and Omega, being fully aware of not just the common need (A SAVIOR) but also the gi-normous potential of resounding Glory that would resonate throughout the universes as we’re being made holy (HOLY SPIRIT) was too much to resist, therefore motivated Him to draw some of us, huh?

I mean who would’ve thought YOU would be saved, sanctified and serving The Lord with all of your heart, mind, body, soul and spirit…everyday? #4REAL! #ijs

Howeverrrr, contrary to the world’s notion, saints ain’t no chumps! It takes tremendous strength, fortitude and determination to walk worthy of this calling! Those who’ve walked with God for any length of time, know that even after we’ve confessed our faith in The Lord Jesus Christ, you can’t expect that deceitful devil to wave a white flag, pat you on the back and throw you a retirement party! In fact, for lack of a better word, he is committed to tearing down The Kingdom of God, one soul at a time.

Nevertheless, every Blood-washed, born-again child of The Most High God must be armed with the same mindset that Jesus had! (Ref. 1 Corinthians 2:16) Just as sure as there is an enemy determined to destroy you, you have The True and Living God, Who has sworn by Godself, to always cause you to be victorious!(Ref. 2 Corinthians 2:14)

Oh, and don’t forget as you wield The Sword of The Spirit, (THE WORD) it comes alive, releasing supernatural power to rebuke threats and pull down the strongholds of your enemies, unmercifully! If he is bold enough to raise his ugly head above your feet, because you are IN Christ, you have been authorized and empowered to step on his throat and cut off his head!

Lastly, always be aware of the enemies attempt to strip away your confidence and trust in God by manipulating the circumstances thru FEAR (FALSE EVIDENCE APPEARING REAL)! Anything that the devil says is a lie! (Ref. John 8:44) Satan ain’t GOD and he certainly ain’t running nothing! The only reason he even showed up is because God allowed him to tempt you to test your faith! (Ref. Job 1:8) WOW! #Didjaheardat?

Precious ones, don’t abandon your confidence in The Faithfulness of Your Heavenly Father! Trust to know, God’s Love will never abandon those who will persevere, enduring the stress and hardships of being aliens of this fallen world! (Ref. Hebrew 13:5) What’s coming is so much greater than what’s been! (Ref. Romans 8:18)

Be encouraged Believer! It’s through much tribulation that we enter into The Kingdom of God!’ (Ref. Acts 14:22) Remember, Beloved, we’re not home! Yet clothed in Hope of The Celestial City awaiting, we forge courageously Heavenward to be united Eternally with our King!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

THURDAYS’ PRAYERS!

prayn-and-fasting-pic

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

Good morning Precious Saints of The Most High God! GOTTA MOMENT? AWESOME!

Here we go again and we’re so excited that you have joined us in our Thursdays’ Day of Corporate Fasting and Prayer! The Bible tells us that some things can only be released through effective fervent fasting and prayer. In deed we must all agree that we need to pray more NOW THAN EVER BEFORE! Let’s enter into The Majestic Throne Room of The Lord and Creator of Life!

HE’s sweet I know, Jesus is sweet I know! Storm clouds may rise; strong winds may blow! But, I’ll tell the world, wherever I go, that I’ve found my Savior…and HE’S SWEET I KNOW! I really love the Lorrrddd…I REALLY LOVE THE LORD! U DON’T KNOW WHAT HE’S DONE FOR ME! HE GAVE ME THE VICTORYYYY! I LUV HIM! I LUV HIMMMM..IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII REAALLLYYY LUUUUUVVVV THE LORD!

WE’RE PRAYING, TRUSTING, BELIEVING & DECLARING….

 

Abba Father, today we come before You, not in our own righteousness but in the Magnificent, All Powerful Name of our Lord and Savior Jesus! As we come clothed in humble obedience, we’re yet rejoicing, praising and thanking You for blessing us to see this brand new day. We sooo grateful Heavenly Father for one more opportunity to embrace and enjoy the Abundance of Your Mercy, Your Grace, Your Power and Your Peace!

Daddy, we thank You for being  Lord of our Salvation, Deliverance, Hope, Breakthrough and Provision. We’re eternally thankful that because You know our frame, Your faithfulness and compassion allows You to look beyond our human frailties, faults and iniquities! Therefore, as we seek Your forgiveness, we’re convinced that You, knowing our hearts will forgive us of every thought, word or deed that we have commiitted  against Your Holiness, wash us in The Precious Blood of The Lamb, cleansing us from all unrighteousness and continue to supply and minister to all of our need!

We praise You Lord Jesus, for renewing our strength, encouraging our hearts, enlightening our understanding. We recognize that You alone are able to search the secret things, and even when our hearts condemn us, Your Lovingkindness is greater than our broken and contrite spirits! As we come to the end of ourselves, we draw near to You, openly repenting,  relying and depending wholly on the Faithfulness of Your Word!

Heavenly Father, we acknowledge that no man can come to You except You draw them! Therefore, as we intercede on behalf of every unsaved soul, we’re asking that as Your eyes continue to search the hearts of mankind, quicken our hearts and minds with the Spirit of Godly-repentance that all will cry out to You, saying ‘Yes’ to your Mercy and Grace and receive You as personal Lord and Savior today. As you draw them near to You, Father we’re believing that You will save them because it’s not Your Will that any should perish, but that all would run to receive Your Saving Grace! Father, as You pick them up, we’re believing that You’re directing their footsteps to a local Church home where they will be settled, nourished, and taught how to live out their lives pleasing and glorifying You!

Abba Father, we pray for every backslider who, for whatever reason has walked away from the fold!  Your Word assures us that You have never issued a divorce decree from any who has come into covenant relationship with You. We ask that Holy Spirit  will prick the heart and mind of those who have fallen prey to the Deceiver’s lies right now. Let them know that You’re looking, waiting with Your arms open wide to receive them in joyful celebration as they return to Your Kingdom! Lord, plant a ‘commited Yes’ into their hearts and minds that restores and empowers them to a Faithful witness to a lost and dying wold, In Jesus Name! Amen!

Sweet Jesus, touch our brother, touch our sister whose body has been afflicted by all manner of sickness and disease, especially the spirit of cancer, heart, kidney, lung, liver, bone disease, drug and alcohol addictions, mental oppression and depression, Alzheimer, dementia, strokes, high/low blood pressure! Lord we know that You have the Power to rebuke and cast it out at the root, for Your Name Sake. Lord, 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!

Lord, as we lift up every believer who is experiencing grief, anxiety and weariness, those who have been victimized by senseless killings, those who are caretakers of ailing loved ones, those who are struggling to remain hopeful as they sit at the bedsides of those whom the doctors have gone as far as they know, yet today they’re determined to hold on to Your Hand by faith today!

Abba Father, we declare and agree that as we are yet praying, You are releasing Divine power, Supernatural strength, health, provision, prosperity and protection. We Thankya Father, that as You preserve them thru the tests, keep them constantly aware of YOUR PRESENCE, they are fully-confident that You will bring them out wholly restored, renewed, refreshed and with the reward as You have promised them in Your Word.

Holy Spirit, 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!

Heavenly Father, as You have taught us, we lift up our political, social, judicial, business, religious leaders, trusting You to touch the hearts of each one of them! Grace them to be the holy, humble servant/leaders 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 glorifyingYou, Our Heavenly Father!

Abba Father, we decree that every demonic-induced spirit of fear, failure, rejection, hopelessness and disappointment is defeated by Your Anointing and that the Spirit of Love, Power and Soberness is being released now, in Jesus Name! We’re declaring and trusting that each morning Your children will awaken empowered with assuring Grace to accomplish every assignment and sleep peacefully every nite, confident of brand new hope-filled tomorrows!

Father as we wait in confidence and quietness,we continue rejoicing in hope and trusting wholly that all workers of iniquity are trembling and suddenly departing in shame, turning away from Your people terrorized, 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!

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 REALLY REALLY LOVES AND CARES 4 YOU!’

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

JESUS CARES!

jesus-cares

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

When my spirit grows faint within me, it is you who knows my way. In the path where I walk men have hidden a snare for me. Look to my right and see; no one is concerned for me. I have no refuge; no one cares for my life.

Set me free from my prison, that I may praise your name. Then the righteous will gather about me because of your goodness to me. Psalm 142:3-4,7

 

LIFE happens!  Whether we embrace it or ignore it, time is spiraling into eternity at the speed of life. Most of us do our best to respond to the inevitable uncertainties maintaining an assemblance of confidence and control! Amen? Howevvrrrr, there are those uninvited episodes when the roof just comes crashing down and the very foundation of your being quakes uncontrollably leaving you traumatized by tragedy and utterly destroying every ounce of normalcy!

The subscript of today’s scriptures says this text was penned by David finding himself victimized by Saul’s inner insecurities and covetousness, hiding in a cave, imprisoned by the hopelessness of circumstances beyond his control! I know it’s socially inappropriate for us to discuss such matters publicly, BUT! Since it’s jus us, have you ever been ensnared by a state of desperation, despair and hopelessness, and try as you might, couldn’t muster up enough strength to pull yourself up out of a pit full of depression?

I realize that this might be a stretch,  BUT! Have you ever been surrounded by a crowd of people, simultaneously isolated and paralyzed by inner fears, feeling as if no one really cared about you? Of course, we realize who the originator of these irrational thoughts and conflicting emotions is, that ly’n devil, right? ‘Cuse me, may I submit this thought for your consideration, right here? I believe that the same God who Divinely orchestrates our mountaintop experiences also schedules sporadic excursions through death-valleys! Yet, you must understand that everybody is not assigned to your hardships and struggles! Hence, you have to be careful who is privy to your vulnerabilities!  Uuuh, remember, Job’s frienemies?

It’s during these times that we need a freedom that’s only accessible through a personal intimate relationship with The Overseer of your soul! Isn’t it just good to know that when the Bible invites us to take it to the Lawd in prayer, that it includes the bad, ugly and indifferent as well as the good and wonderful! Why waste time acting as if You need Jesus to meet you in the penthouse, when you’re stuck in the cellar?#ijs, God already knows everything about everything! He’s jus waiting for you to speak up!

It just delights our Heavenly Father’s heart, knowing that we trust Him to BE GOD in, through and over our lives!  Didjaheardat? DATZ JUS HOW MUCH HE REALLY LOVES AND CARES ! #AWEMAAZIN, huh? I KNOW HE CARES 4 U & ME! GIVE YOUR ALL 2 JESUS!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

ARISE & SHINE!

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SELAH Daily Devotions!

Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the Lord is risen upon thee. For, behold, the darkness shall cover the earth, and gross darkness the people: but the Lord shall arise upon thee, and his glory shall be seen upon thee. Isaiah 60:1-2

 

Face it, every day ain’t the same! Some of us can’t even remember the last time we popped out of bed, headed for the gates, fortified with the zeal to take over anything or anyone who dared to challenge our God-ordained authority in the earth!

I know we saanng that song last Sunday morning, some of us even cut a step, “I been running for Jesus along Time, and I’m not tired Yet!” But, once we left the Euphoric atmosphere of the sanctuary and went back to da real-world, chances are that behind the plastic smiles and the colloquial ‘Blessed and Highly Favored’ many of us were bowed down, burdened and overwhelmed by unimaginable weights of everyday existence! Hush!  Yall know we can’t admit it to them religious folk, huh?  After all, how we feel has absolutely nothing to do with our relationship with God! We’re supposed to walk by faith, not by our feeling, right?

I know a man who walked this earth over 2,000 years ago; Who was despised. rejected, tortured,spat on and left to die hanging between Heaven and Hell! Awemaazingly, most of His persecution came from the very ones He came to save, heal and deliver!  WOW! YET! He was willing to deny His feelings and endure it all to finish His assignment given by His Heavenly Father! WOW! And we think we have it rough, huh?

Nobody told us that this journey would be easy! In fact, the exact opposite is True. “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” Matthew 16:24

Nevertheless, this same JESUS, illustrated to us, who dare to name the Name of Christ, how to take the hits and keep it moving! The scriptures reveal how our Savior was able to commit to God’s Process, even submitting to The Cross, death, hell and the grave! “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 is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2 #Didjaheardat?

Jesus did not focus on the moment, but He concentrated on THE BIG PICTURE! Hence, in The Kingdom of God, purpose trumps pain! Before the foundation of the world, Jesus was perfectly committed to His Father’s Redemption Plan! It was the Joy of ensuring the restoration of God’s elect back to The Kingdom that motivated Jesus! Thankfully, He did not consider the price too extravagant, but a small thing to fulfill the Father’s Love.

Please understand, it’s not our intent to minimize the severity nor enormity of the issues challenging the faith, hope and peace of 21st Century Saints. However, those of us who have walked with Jesus over these past three decades, know that there’s one thing that has not changed! That’s The Word of God! God has called us to be The Light of this World! We, who put our personal trust in Jesus , our Eternal King, are reflectors of God’s Loving-kindness and Faithfulness! C’mon now, we’ve ALL got some personal history to verify that trouble don’t last always! Joy is comin’ in the morning!

Seems like we got this thing kinda backwards, huh?  We say, the world’s in darkness, yet they’re laughing, partying, turnin it up! While, God’s people are walking around with our heads hung down and our backs humped over? Something is sho nuff wrong with that picture! We’re heirs, joint-heir of The Kingdom of God! This is our heritage—righteousness, peace and joy in The Holy Ghost!

Perhaps today, you find yourself in the midst of a long dark night, remember although you don’t see the sun, it’s still there! Beloved, if you’re experiencing a power shortage and need to be re-connected to The True Power Source, The Son, U NEED 2 KNOW…He’s STILL THERE! Bow your heart, lift your hands, reach up and receive The Glory! Afterall, He’s already paid the Bill! ARISE & SHINE 4 HIS MERCY ENDURES 4EVER!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

IS GOD FAIR???

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SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: Romans 1:21-26a

 

Okay! Don’t be looking at me with that tone of voice! Even if we were too sccaarred to speak it out loud, chances are, we’ve all thought about it at some point in our lives, huh?

Particularly, when circumstances didn’t flow in the natural order of progression according to our personal logic! That’s when we tend to get all philosophical and put God on the witness stand! “Why would a Loving God send people to Hell? Why do innocent babies die? Why do bad things happen to good people?” Unfortunately, as Bro. Job can attest to, except thru Holy Spirits’ impartation of revelation, we’re fundamentally incapable of assessing the Ways and Means of our Sovereign Lord’s Infinite Wisdom and Knowledge. (Ref. Job 42:3-5) Am I right about it?

Amazingly, The Sustainer of everything, knowing the hopelessness of relying on the innate frailty of our flawed, fickled, self-centered frame, so graciously restrains Godself with compassionate patience, suffering with us through The Divine Maturation Process, until we arrive at the unity of faith implied by trusting in The Son of God! (Ref. Ephesians 4:13)

Howeverrrrr, Truth be told, this type of interrogation is generally  a direct result of a deliberate, self-induced distortion, rebellion and ultimate rejection of God’s Perfect Morality in order to justify our unmoral proclivity to satisfy the our own fleshy lust for wickedness and evil-doing! WELL? #Didjaheardat? Like the ol’ skool preacha said, “I jus lost 1/2 my church!”

According to Scriptures, Creation declares the reality of God. Barring some rare genetic malfunction, every human being born into the earth has an inner GPS (God’s Protection System) directly plugged into The Creator of The Universe, commonly called a conscience. This inner sensory perception allows us to discern good from evil. Therefore, there’s no excuse for anyone to claim that they don’t know whether God exists or if He does exists, what He requires of their lives. Now, given that we are not robots, we all have the freedom and ability to suppress God’s moral standards in favor of our own or the world’s! And…such were all of us! (Ref. 1 Corinthians 6:11) Yet, the consequences of our erroneous decisions are completely out of our hands! And we all know how well that plays out, huh?

Beloved, there’s no denying how much God loves us! I mean, He was willing to sacrifice His Righteous Son to save us who so deserved the punishment for our unrighteousness! NEVERTHELESS HE CANNOT DENY HIS LOVE!

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 3:16

Yet to deny the other part of his Holy Nature, is down-right foolish! Hence, stop trying to PLAY God! HE IS NOT THE ONE! Trust 2 know…the last thing you ever wanna DO is make God angry! Seriously! It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God! (Hebrew 10:31)

Beloved, God’s mercy awaits us every morning as He awakens us to embrace one more day! Unfortunately, we have no clue how long before Grace is frustrated. While it is yet today, Precious Ones, exercise your choice, accept Jesus as Savior and Lord! When it comes to your eternal destination…FAIRNESS IS OVER-RATED…CHOOSE LIFE!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

OUT ON A LIMB…

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SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.

And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. Luke 19:5-10

 

According to the latest statistics of The US Census Bureau regarding the world population in 2016, there are approximately 7,346,235,000 people on earth, as of August 23, 2016! These numbers are expected to increase at a rate of 1.13% annually! WOW! Who Knu?

Have you ever gazed up at the night sky  and wondered, ‘IS THERE ANYONE WHO REALLY CARES ABOUT ME?’ Oooh, I’m not saying that You don’t know that GOD is REAL and believe that HIS WORD IS TRUTH! But, I’m just wondering if you’ve ever entertained the thought, given the enormity of individuals inhabiting Terra Firma, ‘What’s the chance that God has time to be concerned about what’s going on in my life, at any given moment? I mean, something like 1 in 7 billion? YET! That’s exactly what The HOLY BIBLE says! While many are called, The God of all flesh chooses us, name by name!

Perhaps, Zacchaeus pondered these very thoughts before risking public humiliation in front of the ever increasing crowds of folk who followed this new Prophet from Galilee! Being the Chief Tax Collector, he was already ostracized as it was. Yall know how folk feel about the IRS. Unless it involves a refund check, huh? Even though Zacchaeus was at the top of his profession and apparently extremely wealthy, we can safely assume that he didn’t have a whole lot of real friends. But for reasons, yet undisclosed by Scriptures, when he heard that Jesus was passing through town, Zacchaeus was driven by a passionate desire to get close to Jesus!

Now, we know that nothing Jesus did was by happenstance; wherever He went, He was sent on assignment. Nonetheless, who would  ever expect Jesus to make time out of His busy schedule for a face-to-face encounter with the likes of Zacchaeus! According to historical accounts, Jesus, Himself had testified that it’s easier to get a camel through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to get into Heaven. (Ref. Matthew 19:24) No! It’s not because The Father just wants poor folk, but because most wealthy people believe that everything they’ve accomplished, they’ve achieved on their own. So there’s no reason to submit to nobody—especially an Invisible Superior Being. After all, when this life is over, it’s over! Right?

Apparently, life had led Zacchaeus to the inevitable conclusion, ‘With all that I have, it’s still not enough to make me whole. Something missing, and from the stories I’ve heard, perhaps this MAN, JESUS, can fill the gaping hole in my life!’  Zacchaeus’ decision was eternally life-changing for himself as well as his family! He determined within himself that he would not allow anything to stand between his soul and His Savior. Hence, he ran ahead of the crowd, climbed a sycamore tree and went out on a limb to make sure that he didn’t miss Jesus!

I must confess, having grown up vertically challenged, I know what it’s like to be the runt of the pack, never quite measuring up to the crowd, as if you had a choice in being who God created you to be!

Unfortunately, the crowds aren’t the only things that keep some people from getting close to Jesus.! What about, pride, self-righteousness, education, careers, drinking and druggin, adultery and fornication, lying and cheating? And we can’t forget what would happen when the people we hang out with find out that we’ve given our lives completely over to Jesus 4 REAL! Yeah, sometimes we might have to climb over a whole lotta stuff to get to Jesus, huh? Nevertheless, like Zach, sooner or later everyone must answer, why am I here, where am I going and what am I going to do about Jesus? Whether we decide to accept or reject the Savior’s free gift of Grace, not one of us can remain indifferent!

Zach said, ‘I’m going to do whatever I need to do to get to the only ONE, who truly knows me, loves me and believes that I was worth dying for!’ Amazingly, Jesus knowing exactly where Zacchaeus was, spoke to him specifically as if He was the only person that He’d come to see! The Good News is…Jesus doesn’t play favorites! #didjaheardat?

Beloved, you are somebody special to Jesus! The Ol’ Skool preacha said, “He left His Home in Glory, came down thru 40 and 2 generations, was mocked, jailed, beaten, crucified, died, was buried, went down to hell before ascending back to Heaven, to be seated at the right side of The Father Eternally! There now, as our Great High Priest, He intercedes on our behalf, pleading for mercy, forgiveness and grace, waiting for you and I to come to the end of ourselves and seek SINCERELY after Him with all our hearts, minds, body and spirit!

The next question is, what risks are you willing to take to reach Jesus? What are you willing to let go of to lay hold of everything that Christ has prepared for you? How far are you willing to go to get closer to Him? #OUTONALIMB! #REALLY?

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee