Tag Archives: grace

IS JESUS A DISTANT LOVER?

IS JESUS A DISTANT LOVER

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, …let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Hebrews 10:19-20, 22

 

To mimic my granddaughter, ‘back in da olden days’, R&B artist, Marvin Gaye, recorded a song entitled, “Distant Lover”OMG, did we EEVVVRRR parta on that one!

Sadly, this title typifies the relationship between many Christians and Jesus. Too often those who proclaim Jesus as their personal Savior, The Hope of Eternity yet remains a  DISTANT Lover!

When The Holy Book clearly tells us that we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ–once for all! ( Hebrews 10:10)  Hence, when we accept Jesus as our Savior and Lord, every obstacle that stood between us and His Presence is rolled away. It seems kinda foolish to settle for religion when we could have a relationship! I mean, right?

We must understand the essence of the ETERNAL TRUTH ! 

God promised and accepted Jesus’ Sacrificial death as atonement for our unrighteousness!#Didjaheardat?  In  other words, the debt we owed and could not payJesus paid in full, therefore, releasing us from the curse of the law! (Galations 3:13)  Now unless you think your good deeds have somehow merited God’s forgiveness and earned you a seat at Heaven’s Banquet Table, knowing this should just bless your sin-worn soul!  #ijs WOW!  That’s Grace! 

That means, we’re now free to enter into a Divine Intimacy with the Lover of our soul—the Creator and Sustainer of Heaven and Earth without fear of rejection or retribution! Sounds pretty good to me, huh?

My Precious saints, this is the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

You know those times when you become overwhelmed by the cares of this world and it appears as if God is so beyond your reach, well guess what? It’s just feels like that! But the truth is, even when we can’t trace Him, God is never far from anyone who seeks Him with a sincere heart.  Our Compassionate Father knows when we can’t quite make it up to touch Him, so His Love so graciously reaches down to lift us up to Him. (Hebrews 4:15)

This is the essence and the joy of our salvation!

Today, Beloved, God is inviting you to call upon Him with confident assurance that when you cry out to Him with a humbled, repentant heart, He will hear you and He will come close to you. Remember, The Word is nigh thee, even in your mouth!  (Romans 10:8) Didjaheardat?  TRUST2KNO, He’s always just one prayer away!  If you need Him now; call Him now! Didjaheardat?  JESUS IS CALLING! 

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. Matthew 11:28-29

He doesn’t have to be a Distant Lover!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

HE NEVER 4GETS!

HE NEVER 4GETS!

SELAH Daily Devotions!

Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid, for YAH, the Lord, is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation. Therefore with joy you will draw water From the wells of salvation. Isaiah 12:2-3

Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me. Isa. 49:16

 

In light of the prevailing gross darkness, devastation and desolation plaguing our world today, threatening to sapp the Light and Life out of us, I was incited to review the words of God’s Prophet, Isaiah, speaking to the remnant of God’s Chosen nation.

God’s people were facing eminent danger of massive destruction, yet God sends His Man-Servant Isaiah, offering a WORD of warning and hope that we’d do well to glean from today! The Prophet encourages them  ‘that no matter what’s happening around you, don’t be afraid, but keep trusting and praising our God!’ Isaiah, knowing God inhabits the praises of His people, speaks to souls wearied by the consequences of unwise choices reminding them (and us)  that their (#our) only Hope of Deliverance was to remain steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of their Lord! (Ref. 1 Corinthians 15:58)

God is Holy, Righteous and Just! YET! While He must punish the unjust, His Anger does not last forever! Unlike many of our earthly fathers, YAH, is The Covenant-Keeping God! He remains a Faithful Father, Saving Strength, Shield, Provider and Redeemer to all who  call upon Him! From His own Mouth, Abba Father promises to wipe away the tears from their faces and keep you in perfect peace because we trust in Him! (Ref. Isaiah 25:8, 26:3-4)

Beloved, when life is out of your control, rest assured, Jesus is ALWAYS IN CONTROL!

The grass withers, and the flowers fade, nevertheless GOD’S WORD IS ETERNAL!  (Ref. Isaiah 40:8) The King of Glory has declared and decreed that you are the apple of HIS Eye! He has sworn by His GODSELF, tatooing your name in the palm of HIS HANDS, HE SHALL NEVER EVER FORSAKE NOR ABANDON YOU!  (Ref. Psalm 17:8; Isa. 49:16)

In the midst of these unsettling times, I adjourn you to keep your eyes on Jesus, The Hope of your Calling and The Joy of your Salvation! Precious ones, when you can’t see no way, why not confuse hell and praiz JESUS anyhow!  At the mere mentioning of THE NAME OF JESUS, demons tremble and the angelic host is put on alert! Didjaheardat?

Ooooh Yeah! TRUST2KNO,  God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. (Psalm 46:1 NLT)

The Book already said there’d be days like this BUT IN THE END WE WIN! Those of us who have put our personal trust in The Redeemer know that The Great and Holy One of Israel is closer than ever before! Hence, our hearts joyfully cry out, “EVEN SO, COME LORD JESUS”! AMEN! NOW…occupy ’til HE COME! Don’t U EVER  forget that YOUR GOD NEVER EVER 4GETS!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

WARRANTY GUARANTEED!

WARRANTY GUARANTEED

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

Wherewith shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God? Micah 6:6-8

Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. 2 Corinthians 2:10

 

Well, we’re already 2 months into a brand new year that our God has so graciously allotted to us! Chances are, many of us have already dropped our bucket-list (resolutions) for this year, huh? While others, perhaps, are just so glad that we made it over, we welcome everything that the future can throw at us with open arms with a heart’s decree that ‘anything that happens gotta be better than where I’ve been! #HaveIgottawitness?

Nevertheless, I do realize that the self-righteous religious tribe, are still pumped, ready,  determined to build upon last year’s successes and primed for the next dimension of your personal aspirations and spiritual elevation! Howevvrrrr, for the rest of us, who truly love God with all of our hearts, spirit, soul, mind and body, must confess that beneath the surface of our confident exterior, somewhere deep within the pit of our subconscious consciusness, there remains an intrinsic urging to apologize to our Loving Lord, each and every day! Unquestionably, at some point between the time you roll out  and the time you crawl back into bed, you have inevitably fallen short of living up to God’s Righteous expectations! Fortunately, there’s yet hope for all of us! 

The certainty of Life’s uncertainties has trained us that the only acceptable way to embark upon each new beginning is with extreme gratitude, absolute humility and purity of hearts void of any resentment because God’s purposes did not live up to our best laid-out plans!  SERIOUSLY?

I know this seems a bit too ‘unconventional, irrelevant and marred by unsound ol’skool theological’ to the 21st Century 7-11 spin off  New Millennium Church, nevertheless, may I submit for your consideration, given the fact that HE is our Creator, God is perfectly justified in establishing specific standards of behavior for us to live by! Hence, it  stands to reason that because He has consistently shown such unfathomable loving-kindness, tender-mercy and unmerited favor towards us, that the only reasonable response should be radical thanksgiving and faithful obedience!  #ijs

Yet, try as we may, left to our own efforts, we’re totally incapable of reaching this level of holy worship that God so richly deserves. I mean, even those random days where we actually do some righteous things, will never equal out all our unrighteous thoughts, words and deeds!  Therefore, it’s pure folly to dare gloat on our egotistical star. Right? BUT THANKS BE TO GOD, there’s yet Hope for our terminal dis-ease!

Honestly, my precious ones, what God really expects from each one of us, is failure! And from sixty something years of personal experience, I can testify, with absolute confidence, that we can surely do! Royally! Can I get a  genuine Hallelujah and Amen 3x?

Trust2know, it’s only when we come to the end of self and acknowledge our weaknesses that God is truly glorified! 

For without Him, we can do absolutely nothing, however through Christ’s strength, we can do all things.(Ref. Matthew 19:26, Philippians 4:13) As long as we think we’re capable of doing anything on our own, we deceive ourselves and deny God the pleasure of delivering us from any and everything that is trying to hold us captive. That’s why The Bible encourages the weak to say I am strong. (Ref. Joel 3:10) THAT’S GRACE, YALL!

Therefore, it is with holy boldness and unspeakable joy-filled-anticipation, we humbly confess that the only thing standing between our strength and weakness, righteousness and wickedness, success and failure, is JESUS!

#PRAIZBREAK! GLORRAAAA 2 GOD! There is no failure in GOD!  YESSSSS MY LORD! Christ IN us, The Hope of Glory, guarantees our victory every single time! (Ref. Colossians 1:27)

WOW! WHO KNU FULFILLING GOD’S  EXPECTATIONS WAS THAT EASY! Christ IN us, The Hope of Glory, GUARANTEES VICTORY EVERY SINGLE TIME! #LET’S DO THIS!!!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

UNAPOLOGETICALLY ME!

 

UNAPOLOGETICALLY ME2

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

The thief cometh not but to steal, to kill and to destroy; I AM come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly.  John 10:10

Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 1 John 3:2

 

One of the most tragic phenomenon befalling humanity is leaving here without ever knowing and becoming the fearfully, wonder-filled, exceptionally-crafted Masterpiece our Creator intended before you were formed in your Mother’s womb. (Ref. Jeremiah 1:5)

Could that be why some say that the richest piece of real estate in any city is the cemetery? Don’t get melancholic on me! In fact my objective is quite the opposite; to spawn enticing hope-filled adventurous tomorrows!

We live in a society where conformity is the paramount attribute of success. If you want to be in you’ve got to fit the mold, otherwise you’re considered not one of us but part of the others.Unfortunately that leaves a whole lot of us out of the clique, huh?

But here’s where I stand on such matters; who gave you the authority to authenticate what God has made in the first place? Only the creator of a thing has the right to determine its true value and potential! Hence, too many of us walk around, ignorant of self-identity, convicted and/or condemned to a lifetime of regret-filled apologizing to others for who I AM!

That is until we come into the personal saving knowledge of Christ Jesus and get a revelation of who and Whose you are. This opens us gargantuan possibilities and prospective that eyes have not seen neither have ears heard of. Why waste time being a copy of anybody or everybody else when God has distinguished you from every other individual born in the earth. Check your fingerprints?

“Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” 1 Corinthians 3:16

Locked up in you is the answer to someone’s question. You are designed to be the miracle that person’s waiting on. You are the gift of hope to some despondent soul. You are the treasure that one somebody’s been seeking for and was about to give up on, disgusted by a history of repetitious seconds and hand-me-downs!

Oh what liberating truth in realizing that despite of what some folk may think or even said about you, in Christ, you have been empowered to stand-sure-footed in His Grace and profoundly proclaim, “I shall not allow anybody to deny me the right to be, become, have and do everything God ordained me 2 BE! I CHOOSE LIFE!”

BELOVED,  TRUE LIFE IS NOT ABOUT FINDING YOURSELF, IT’Z ABOUT DISCOVERING WHO YOU WERE CREATED 2 B! Remember, Absolutely Nobody, BUT GOD can make you who you are!  LIVE UNAPOLOGETICALLY ME! #GO4IT!

SELAH

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

THURSDAYS’ PRAYERS

prayn-and-fasting-pic

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

Good Morning Family! GOTTA MOMENT? AWEMAAZIN!

Once again, we’re delighted to  have you join 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!

BECAUSE OF WHO U R, WE GIVE U GLORAAA…BCUZ OF WHO U R, WE GIVE U PRAIZ! BECAUSE OF WHO U R, I WILL LIFT MY VOICE AND SAY, LORD, I WORSHIP U, BCUZ OF WHO U R…HERE WE ARE TO WORSHIP, HERE WE ARE TO BOW DOWN, HERE WE ARE TO SAY THAT YOU’RE OUR KING! YOU’RE ALTOGETHER LOVELY, ALTOGETHER WORTHY, ALTOGETER WONDERFUL! LET’S PRAY…

 

Father in Heaven, here we are once again! We come today with upstretched arms, open hands and grateful hearts, for this is the day that You have made!  As we celebrate The Birth of Your Only Begotten Son, we enter into The Splendor of Your Magnificent Glory, humbled yet rejoicing  because we know that it’s only because of Your Grace and Mercy, that You have allowed us one more day to enjoy this life of righteousness, peace, love, joy and wholeness!

We’re thankful for every new opportunity to surrender ourselves completely to Your Will, as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable unto You. From our Mother’s womb, You’ve proven Yourself to be Faithful and True; therefore, we’re trusting You to provide everything that we need today to sustain us thru whatever challenges that unfold during the course of this day! Abba Father, we know that You Alone are our God, Guard and Guide!

Daddy, before we go any further, we stand humbly before Your Sovereignty asking You to forgive us for everything that we have spoken, done and even thought that was not pleasing in Your sight. Open the eyes of our understanding that we might see sin through Your eyes, acknowledge it’s evilness and quicken our spirits to not make excuses, but to immediately repent, confess with our mouths our wrongdoing! For You, Heavenly Father, have assured us that if we would confess our sins, You will Faithfully forgive us, and wash us in The Precious Blood of Jesus, cleansing us from all unrighteousness, and restoring the breach that our disobedience has caused between our poor souls and our Lord and Savior, Jesus! As we embrace the day ahead, clear our minds so that we can hear from You and cleanse our hearts that we may deny ourselves, trust and obey Your Will.

Lord Jesus, when this world closes in on us, help us to follow our Redeemer’s example — to slip away and find a quiet place to pray. Knowing that prayer is our best response when we’re being pushed beyond our limits. We thank You because even when we can’t pray, You listen to our hearts and interpret every moan, groan and sigh of our spirits! Father, I thank You that despite our fractures and dysfunctions , You are yet able to use us to do Your will ensuring The You Alone get The Glory!

Abba Father, continue to bless us that we may 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 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, help us to not complain about things that are out of our control. Help 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! We’re praising You for peace, unity, love and joy in our homes. 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 live everyday as You have commanded, allowing You to release supernatural abundance in every area of our lives, because they have committed to put You first, all their needs are met. In Jesus Name!

Father, we’re lifting up our children, our children’s children by faith, 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!

Abba, we know that You have instructed us, to look not at the temporary things but to the eternal, yet You know the frailness of our flesh, and how easily we’re provoked and tempted to lose our focus and become overwhelmed by the cares of this world! Sometimes our days seem to be spent beneath clouds of evil foreboding, while our nites are plagued with restlessness, despondency and hopelessness! You know 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!

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 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 run into it and are saved!

Father, because the our steps are being ordered by You, You have committed Your Word towards us, no weapon that’s formed against us shall ever prosper and no trouble, test or trial can come near us, except You have allowed it to train us to live each day solely depending on You. We thank Holy Spirit, for fully persuading us of Your Providential Presence and Power to turn everything around to work in our favor and to bring about exuberant testimonies and praises of Your Eternal Magnificence, Honor and Glory!

Heavenly Father, we thank You for listening to the hearts of everyone praying with us. We thank You for hearing the hearts of those who have never accepted Your Son Jesus as their personal Savior and Lord! We are thankful that Holy Spirit is quickening that stony heart now that they shall come to You humbled by Your Lovingkindness,  in obedience to Your call  are crying out of a repentant heart a “sincere YES’ and are now receiving Your Gift of Mercy and Grace to Save. We Thank You for leading and guiding them to the local church, planting them in Your Vineyard, where they shall be taught and transformed by Your Word of Life to take their position in The Kingdom of Heaven. We pray for all those who have walked away from You today, Father arrest them In The Holy Ghost, convict them to declare a “commited YES” to Your Purpose for their lives, because You Alone are The Hope of This Life and The Life to come! 

Let today be the day that they come back to You and come back HOME 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!

Heavenly Father, as You have instructed us, we pray for the leaders of our nation, corporate, judicial, education, financial institutions and our churches! We’re asking 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  that their allegiance will be to the people of these United States and not to a party! 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!

Abba, we lift up every Bishop, Pastor, Overseer, Apostle, Evangelist, 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.

Lord, I pray for every believer who is struggling in their faith to hold on to Your Hand! We’re asking You for a Divine Intervention of Your Supernatural Power, Strength, Health, Encouragement, Provision, Prosperity and Protection! Keep us constantly aware of YOUR PRESENCE and fully confident that Christ in Us Is The Hope of Glorraa! Father we declare and decree that because we are more than conquers, every demonic-induced spirit of addiction and fear is defeated NOW because of Your Yoke Destroying, Burden Bearing Anointing that the Spirit of Love, Power a Sound-mind and Purpose is being released into the lives of Your people now, in Jesus Name!

Lord, while there are so 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, according to You Perfect Will. We’re decreeing and believing You to fix it, Jesus, as only You can, in Jesus Name!

Abba Father, we wait in confidence and quietness, rejoicing in hope and trusting wholly 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! Father, 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!

UNDER THE INFLUENCE

UNDER THE INFLUENCE 2

SELAH Daily Devotions!

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

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

As I began to think about this, several questions flooded my mind. First, does God’s Presence influence your life? If so, then howWhat impact has God’s Presence in you made in your circle of influence?

We love to sing the song, “Jesus You’re the center of my joy, all that’s good and perfect comes from You; You’re the Heart of my contentment, Hope for all I do….” But when the music stops and your feet hit the ground, how’s your walk? In other words, does your video authenticate your audio? #ijs!!!

The Bible does not merely ask us to have faith to believe that God does exist. Lucifer and his hord of demons believe that God exists, however they don’t follow Him! As bona fide, Blood-washed, Born-Again Children of The Most High God, our lifestyle should attest to fact that not only do we believe that He exits, but we  also believe that God is who He says He is, that God is with us, that God is for us and that God will perform every promise that He’s sworn by GOD-self towards us! (Ref. Hebrew 11:6)  Hence, if we desire to please The Lord we must walk out our lives under the influence of His Presence, adhering to HIS instructions and exemplifying our beliefs throughout the course of daily living! #Didjaheardat? #SERIOUSLY!!!

Does your character reflect the Presence of God in your life? Does the influence of God’s Presence affect the choices that you make? Does your life style reflect the influence of God’s Presence? Whose chances of ending up in Heaven have increased because of the impact that you’ve made upon their life? Whose chances of ending up in Hell increased because you are in their life? Now, since our response and our responsibility carry eternal consequences, may I suggest that you carefully and conscientiously ponder the depth of your soul before answering the aforementioned questions? 

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

The Bible says, we are the salt of the earth. I believe that means that we ought to make someone who doesn’t know God, thirsty for a drink of The Living Waters(Ref. Matthew 5:13-14)

As Christians, our greatest desire should be to allow the influence of God’s Presence to be reflected on those around us so much so that it provokes them to envy  and thirst for The God that we worship and  ultimately seek to claim Him as their personal Savior and Lord! 

Looking back, perhaps there where many times when we almost, and unfortunately, even more times where we flat-out missed opportunities to Glorify God! Thanks Be To God!  IT MATTERS NOT WHERE WE START, BUT HOW WE END!  The ground around The Cross of Calvary is level to all!  With each new day, GOD SO GRACIOUSLY GIVES US ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO BEGIN, AGAIN! #WOW! 

As this year slips into eternity past, instead of lingering in the land of pouting and doubting remember that BUT…by God’s Grace!  KEEP IT MOVIN’! SPEND TODAY WISELY! LIVE EACH DAY UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF GOD’S PRESENCE! 

BELOVED, MAY YOU EMBRACE A PRODUCTIVE AND PROSPEROUS NEW DAY!

SELAH! 

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

THURSDAYS’ PRAYERS!

prayn-and-fasting-pic

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

Good Morning Family! GOTTA MOMENT? GREAT! We’re so glad that you’ve joined with us today in our Weekly Thursdays’ Corporate Prayer and Fasting!

O sing unto the Lord a new song: sing unto the Lord, all the earth. Sing unto the Lord, bless his name; shew forth his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the heathen, his wonders among all people. For the Lord is great, and greatly to be praised: he is to be feared above all gods! For all the gods of the nations are idols: but the Lord made the heavens. Psalm 96:1-5

FATHER, I stretch my hand to THEE! No other help I know! If THY withdraw THYSELF from me…where shall I go…LET’S PRAY…

 

Father in Heaven, once again, we come humbly entreating Your Throne of Mercy and Grace! With outstretched arms, open hands and grateful hearts, we praise You for this is the day that You have made! Therefore we’re rejoicing in The Splendor of Your Magnificent Glory! We know that it’s only because of Your Grace and Mercy, that we’re yet here and because of Your lovingkindness, You have allowed us one more day to enjoy life, health and strength!

We’re thankful for this opportunity to present ourselves as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable unto You. From our Mother’s womb, You’ve proven Yourself to be Faithful and True; therefore, we’re trusting You to provide everything that we need today to sustain us thru whatever challenges that unfold during the course of this day! Abba Father, we’re blessed to call You our God, Guard and Guide!

Father, with eternal gratitude we bless You for allowing us to enter into Your Throne Room, with hope-filled expectation that you will entreat us graciously as we pour out the burdens that seem to overwhelm our hearts, releasing everything that concerns us to you! Lord Jesus, because we know that You are Omniscient, Omnipresent, You see and You already know everything about everyone of us, yet you have welcomed us to come to you, to find Grace and Mercy to comfort, strengthen and encourage us to hold on to every Word that You have spoken over our lives, before we were born.

 
Precious Lord, as we stand humbly before Your Sovereignty, before we go any further, we’re asking You to forgive us for everything that we, your children, have spoken, done and even thought that was not pleasing in Your sight. We thank You now because You have assured us that if we would confess our sins, You, Heavenly being Faithful and Just, will forgive us, and wash us in The Precious Blood of Jesus, cleansing us from all unrighteousness, and restoring the breach that our disobedience has caused between our poor souls and our Lord and Savior, Jesus! Now, we ask Holy Spirit to intercede on our behalf, our family, our friends, even our enemies, as we know that Your love is the same for each and everyone of us!

 
Sweet Jesus, we know that You have instructed us, to look not at the temporary things, but to the eternal, yet You know the frailness of our flesh, and how easily we’re provoked and tempted to become overwhelmed by the cares of this world, that our hearts are burdened with the pressures of this life, that some of us are wearied with fear, doubt, unbelief, sickness and disease, financial debt, broken relationships, unprovoked threats, depression, addictions, insecurities. Lord you know that sometimes we lose our focus on You causing our days to be spent beneath clouds of evil foreboding, while our nites are plagued with restlessness, despondency and hopelessness! Lord, keep us in Your Will, as only You can!

Lord,  we thankya for being a Listening God!  We thankya for The Precious Blood  that yet speaks. Your Words declares that the blood of Abel was crying out to You from the ground, hence we are fully persuaded that You ears are not deaf to the cries of our fathers, Grandfathers, husbands, brothers, sons, nephews and cousins all over this world, even these UNITED STATES OF AMERICA! Therefore, as Your ears are tuned into the blood of all those victimized by the ungodly culture of a nation who has turned it’s back on Your Righteous Standards, we pray for patience to await Your Divine Justice!

 

While You have taught us to love everyone that You’ve created in Your Own Image, we cannot deny that we need You to heal the pain, anger, grief and distrust,and yes even that glimpse of revenge that taints the hearts of Your people at the prevailing injustice inflicted upon people of color. While many in ‘power’ who have sworn to take the position of being color-blind, and ethnically/socially unbiased, nevertheless as of late, their voices are mute when it comes to urban genocide! However, when certain hues are involved, there’s outrage emanating texts and speeches streaming live from The Oval Office to floor of Congress and Senators, and throughout the nation! Jesus, Cover us in Your BLOOD as we walk through the valleys of the shadow of death! We know that because of this crooked and perverted nation, the safest place yet remains in THE WILL OF GOD! Therefore, Father, heal our land!

 

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 have robed in Your righteousness 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!

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

Father, we thank You for listening to the hearts of everyone reading and praying with us. We thank you for hearing the hearts of those who have never trusted and accepted Your Son Jesus as Savior and Lord! We are thankful that Holy Spirit is quickening that stony heart now and that they shall come to You humbled by Your Lovingkindness, in obedience to Your call and are now receiving your Mercy and Grace to Save. We pray now that You are leading and guiding them to the local church, planting them in Your Vineyard, where they shall be nurtured, taught and transformed by Your Word of Life to take their position as ambassadors in The Kingdom of Heaven!

Father, we pray for those who are distraught by grief and fear, the elderly, the widows, the downcast who have born the heat of the day, those who pushed and prayed us through! Father, give them sweet peace. Lord, we pray for the leaders of governments world-wide, their hearts are in Your Hands, visit them in the night season and command them to do Your Will.

Lord, I pray for every believer who is yet holding onto Your Hand by faith today, that You are releasing Divine power, Supernatural strength and health, provision, prosperity and protection. Father, we’re trusting that You shall preserve them thru the tests that they must go thru and keep them constantly aware of YOUR PRESENCE, fully-confident that at the appointed time, You will bring them out wholly restored, renewed, refreshed and with the reward asYou have promised them in Your Word!

We decree that as Your people align their lives with Your Word, You shall supply all of our needs according to Your Riches in Christ Jesus! As we intercede on behalf of our brothers and sisters, we’re believing that there’s an immediate release of miraculous Favor and Prosperity, unexpected promotions, opening up opportunities for entrepreneurship, increased education grants, lower interest mortgage rates, supernatural debt cancellations, book contracts and overturning legal decisions to giving Your people sudden victories! In Jesus Name! Amen 3x!

Father we decree that every demonic-induced spirit of addiction and fear is defeated NOW because of Your Yoke Destroying-Burden-releasing Anointing and The Spirit of Love, Power and Sound-mindness and Purpose is being released into the lives of Your people now,in The Mighty Name of Jesus!

Abba, as we lift up every Bishop, Pastor, Overseer, Apostle, Evangelist, Preacher and Teacher, we ask that You undergird them with Your Anointing 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 the ministry You have ordained!

Lord, there are so many other things, that we have yet to mention, but we’re trusting, believing you to fix it, Jesus, as only You can! Lord, we know that You are not just able, but willing to do anything that we ask, in accordance to Your Word, in Jesus Name! We thank you Father that as we walk through this day, depending on you for abundant life, divine health and Your Joy to strengthen us for whatever lies ahead, we shall give You all the Praise!

Heavenly Father, continue to bless us that we may be a blessing to others. Keep us strong that we may help the weak.. Keep us uplifted, encourage our souls that we may share words of encouragement to those who need comfort and assurance that You are with them also!

As we offer up this prayer, we commend our lives into Your Hands! 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, turning their backs 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 Throne of Grace and Mercy!

Father, we thank You NOW, for WE believe that it is done according To Your Perfect Will and Purpose for our lives! 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 THEM JUS AS MUCH AS HE LOVES EVERYBODY!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray and Praiz!

 

IS FAIRNESS OVERRATED?

IS FAIRNESS OVERRATED

 

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

 

Oh, c’mon nah? 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, TruthBtold, 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,  otherwise known as 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 GOD’s Holy Nature, is down-right foolish!

Hence, stop trying to PLAY God! HE IS NOT THE ONE! Trust2kno…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

REMEMBER GOD?

REMEMBER GOD 4

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

I call to remembrance my song in the night: I commune with mine own heart: and my spirit made diligent search. Will the Lord cast off for ever? and will he be favourable no more? Is his mercy clean gone for ever? doth his promise fail for evermore? Hath God forgotten to be gracious? hath he in anger shut up his tender mercies? Selah. And I said, This is my infirmity: but I will remember the years of the right hand of the most High. Psalm 77:6-10

 

That’s Life! The ol’ skool church used to tell us, “Everyday ain’t the same, baby!” I guess that was their way of warning us to expect some days when your heart is overflowing with the Joy of the Lord and your mind is so consumed with the Peace of God that you can hardly restrain yourself from bum-rushing unsuspecting strangers who happen across your path, giving them a big hug and spewing out your testimony of how good life is and how Great your God is!

BUT! Then, there will be other days, when all hell is breaking out around you, the thief has broken into your world, robbing you of your joy, destroying your peace and killing every ounce of hope that the future will be any better than now! And to add insult to injury, the devil will send his lying prophet to your heart inquiring, “Where is your God now?” “Has God had enough of your mess?” Sound uncomfortably familiar, huh? Yep, been there and got a few T-shirts!

Life can be a complexing compilation of complaints and comfort! And guess what, believers are not exempt from either. For example, just look at King David, the God-Proclaimed ‘man after God’s own heart’. While David enjoyed an especially unique relationship with The God of Creation, he was also no stranger to abuse, resentment, rejection, bitterness, jealousy and anger steming from family, friends and enemies!

Time and time again, David sought refuge in the cavernous hillsides, surrounded by blood-thirsty enemies who relentlessly pursued him, barely escaping with his life through valleys overshadowed by death.

Inevitably, there would be days when the chaos of his life would come crashing down upon his wearied soul already overburdened by waves upon waves of unending oppression from every side, leaving him entrapped by desperation, depression and desolation. Nevertheless, David unable to find solace in the midst of his tears, humbly directed his soul to retreat to the One True Source of All Comfort!

Remembering days long past, the hours upon hours spent communing with The Lord, reminded David that no matter where he was, he was never away from The Presence of His Faithful Shepherd. Recounting the wondrous personal experiences with The Almighty God, leading and guiding him to green pastures, watching over him while he rested beside oasis of cool water, protecting him from ravenous beasts, singing songs as they fellowship throughout the nights, encouraged David’s heart, reassuring him of God’s Promise to love and keep him all the days of his life!

Isn’t it amazing how sometimes, just the thought of God can catapult the most grievous soul into The Throne Room of Grace and Mercy, igniting volcanic eruptions of pure worship and praise? Just a moment of intentional seeking and faith-filled prayer can immediately release a believer from the damnable clutches of fear and dread, thrusting you into the sanctity of confident trust inspiring earnest joy-filled expectation of HIS EMINENCE!

A lifetime of experiencing The Amazing Grace and Unrelenting Love and Faithfulness of his God kindled David’s heart to pen this personal testimony that  continues to console the wounded,  inspire contentment, bring solace to fractured hearts and nourishment to lean souls even to this day! 

“I was young and now I’m old, but I have never seen the righteous left all alone, have never seen their children begging for bread.” Psalm 37:25

Given the unstabilzed state of this 21st Century society, it’s no wonder that so many are facing seemingly impossible challenges, be it physical, finanancial, emotional or spiritual! Nevertheless, it’s just good to know that regardless of the circumstances, your life is hidden in The God of Life—The Impregnable Rock of Ages—JESUS!

WHEN YOU DON’T KNOW WHAT TO DO, REMEMBER GOD!  #GETIT?

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

ABLAZED WITH GLORY!

ABLAZED WITH GLORY 2

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the Knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His Divine power has given to us all things that pertain To life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue by which Have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be Partakers of the divine nature, having escaped The corruption that is in the world through lust. 2 Peter 1:1-4

 

Didjakno? Today’s scripture text is penned by The Apostle Simon Peter! You know Peter, right? He’s the same cussin’ Peter who rejected Jesus three times, cut off the soldier’s ear, stepped out of the boat on the stormy sea and walked on the water to Jesus. Well, now Peter is a self-proclaimed bond-servant, Divinely ordained and authorized to speak on behalf of Jesus Christ! Now this really excites me! Why? Because it assures me of the unfathomable Mercies of our Loving Savior and that nothing in your past has the power to keep you from fulfilling your Destiny! Now to me that’s a good place to praise God, huh? Hold my mule…Halleleujahhhh!

We, having no right to such loving kindness, yet our Heavenly Father has  so graciously endowed us with His Divine Power, giving us everything that we need to escape the corruption of this world and to live a holy and godly life, not in heaven, but in this present world! Didjaheardat? Unbelievable, I know; but it’s True!

God has equipped every true Believers with His Presence in the indwelling Power of  Holy Spirit, transforming us into His Chariots of Fire in this earth!

We love to sing Donnie McKlurkin’s song, “We fall down, but we get up, we fall down, but we get up…because a saint is just a sinner who fell down, and got up”! Don’t get me wrong, I like that song too. However,  we can get a little twisted in our mindset, because of the craftiness of the devil, and without knowing it, we can actually be masking a spirit of rebellion behind the cloak of faith!  #ijs

Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound…GOD FORBID!” Romans 6:1-2

As disciples of our Lord Jesus Christ, every one of us has been commissioned by God to reflect His Glory to this lost, dark and dying world.  Howeverrr, if we keep falling into the same old temptations over and over, flippantly counting on the favor of God to show up in our pit to rescue you out of the same old mess, how’s God’s Glory being manifested?

According to The Holy Ghost, True Glory is manifested when a believer demonstrates righteousness thru faithful obedience. When you make a genuine commitment to deny the ungodly appetites of your flesh, rather than to bring reproach to the Name of your Lord and Savior, not only are you relying upon God’s Power to deliver you, you’re also proving your love and gratitude for all that Jesus did to redeem you back to your Heavenly Father! Seriously!

Our journey to Heaven is plagued with unexpected, trouble, chaos and tragedy, however knowing that The Promise Keeper is able to open up pathways that you know not of, make ways out of no way, open doors that have been shut,  carries us triumphantly thru every valley to the mountaintops and fortifies our spirit with HOPE! As we experience His miraculous deliverances, it develops our confidence so much so that when our faith is challenged by difficulties, we don’t give up, we look up!

As a true carrier of God’s Glory, we plant our faith in the Eternal Word of God’s Grace!

Having done all to stand, we yet stand, steadfast, unmovable, always abounding, continuously expanding, exceeding all natural expectations, daring to taunt and frustrate the evil plans of the wicked, with holy boldness, testifying ‘Satan, every now and then, I might have to bend, BUT KNOW THIS, I REFUSE 2 BOW”!

NOW, IN TIMES LIKE THIS, YOU’RE JUS WHAT THE WORLD IS WAITING FOR! GO AHEAD, BURN BABY BURN! LIGHT UP THE WORLD PROCLAIMING, ‘TO GOD BE THE GLORY! KEEP THE FIYA BURNING!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee