Tag Archives: grace

GOD’S HELP!

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GOD'S HELP B

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

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

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

A FULL HOUSE

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A FULL HOUSE

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over. Psalm 23:5

 

Anyone that knows me, already know, if they ever wanna win a card game, don’t pick Ann as a partner. The only game that I evrrr remember having a remote chance of winning was “Go Fish” or “I Declare War”! Uuum, maybe God was trying to tell me something, huh?

Anyhow, I took the liberty of Googling what ‘A Full House’ meant and ascertained that “Any three cards of the same rank together with any two cards of the same rank. However, “Aces full of Kings” is a bigger full house than “Kings full of Aces.” Evidently, when comparing full houses, the rank of the three cards determines which is higher, huh? Oh well, as you’ve probably already surmised, none of that means a hill of beans to me because Mama said ‘scarred money never wins’ and SINCE my money was terrified!  #gotit? Therefore, I ‘d better stick to what I’m best suited for, huh? Catching souls and slamming demons!

According to the historical Eastern culture tradition, The Bedouin Law of Hospitality, when a host wanted to let his guest know that he was truly welcomed and that in his house there was plenty to accommodate the comfort and happiness to his guest, he’d ask the guest to lift up his cup and the host would pour the wine into it, and keep on pouring wine until it overflowed and spilled out onto the carpeted banquet floor. The guest would then know that he was doubly honored and abundantly welcomed!

As part of this hospitality, guests would also be anointed with oil, so that their robes emanated a delightful fragrance, indicating that the host would anoint his honored guest, not sparingly but to the extent that their heads would glisten in the candle-lights! Failure to do this was recognized as a deliberate rebuff and insult! WOW!

Now I get that this might be difficult for most of us westerners to comprehend, given the fact that for the most part, hospitality has become a lost art! #ijs!!! However, thankfully, with God, it’s a tradition that shall never go out of style.  Our Heavenly Father’s  Benevolence is exuberantly extravagant! He lavishes His gifts upon all who will embrace His Gracious Loving-kindness with up-stretched hands and open hearts, anxiously awaiting His unending ever-flowing river of compassionate providential care!

In the Scriptures, oil is a figure of God The Holy Spirit. While it’s the mission of our arch-enemy, Satan, to suppress the Children of God, enslaving you in small places, confining us to poverty, lack and diminished hope, joy and peace, The Holy Spirit intercedes on your behalf, ushering you into large lands flooded with showers of blessings! (Ref. John 10:10)

Needless to say, faith in Christ does not exempt believers from experiencing trying times of tearful sorrow, being wearied by disappointment and enduring dishonor and rejection of shameful lies! Nevertheless, we’re yet able to rejoice as The Spirit of God infuses our soul with joy and gladness, grace upon grace, love without measure and peace beyond understanding!

Beloved, God is not content with your being satisfied with just enough! He’s The King of kings and Lord of lords! Therefore as His Heritage, He’s chosen to give us more than we could ask or think! (Ref. Ephesians 3:20)  Didjaheardat card jus hit da table? #BAMM Amazing, huh?

Our Great Shepherd invites you to be seated at the table He has prepared today, making a public announcement to your enemies—‘don’t even try it,’ lifting His cup over your head, signifying that as His honored guest, you’re not just getting leftovers, but you’ve got the keys to the whole house to enjoy the finest of provisions!  #BOOM

Hence, TRUST2KNO, your God delights in running your cup over so that you can’t contain the blessings, and will be able to share with others so that His Grace is reaching more and more people, multiplying praises with thanksgiving from grateful hearts to overflow to the Glory of God. (Ref. 2 Corinthians 4:15) 

Well, whatcha say?

“HERE’S MY CUP LORD, I LIFT IT UP, COME AND QUENCH THE THIRSTING OF MY SOUL!” …DRINK UP!  NOW DATZ A FULL HOUSE!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

RELEASE URSELF!

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RELEASE URSELF

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus For good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should Walk in them. Ephesians 2:10

 

Okay, let me begin by saying, it’s not my intention to offend the sanctity of The Holy Writ, however to simply relay my personal internal experience!  Down the these 60 sumthin’ years, I’ve discovered that oftimes the process of life application is ‘easier said than done’!  #Understatement! Needless to say, transitioning this mindset to real-life tends to involve hauling along its own measure of self-accusing, doubt, ignominy and guilt. After all, we’re people of faith, right?

Fortunately, when we understand The Truth, that God Himself, fully aware of who and what we are capable (aka incapable of), has saved us, not because—but—in spite—of, we get a snapshot of impregnable fortress of our Heavenly Father’s Loving Kindness towards us, laced with a whopping dollop of reality!

Hence, armed with this intelligence, give yourself permission to get over you! News Flash! As difficult as it may be to latch onto, my Precious One, you are not the ‘good news’! JESUS Is!

None of us is saved by trusting in ourselves, but anyone can be saved by trusting in God’s Mercy! None of us can keep our selves saved through our own volition, however by trusting in God’s Grace we are sustained through His Sufficiency!

Ultimately, its placing your personal confidence in The Almighty God, realizing (as the Ol’ Skool Church Mothers’ sanng) “JESUS PAID IT ALL, ALL TO HIM I OWE, SIN HAD LEFT A CRIMSON STAIN, AND HE WASHED ME WHITE AS SNOW”, and accepting as Truth, that everything required to satisfy The Righteousness of God, Jesus already did it, releases us from the daily burden of ‘being good enough to deserve God’s goodness! Didjaheardat?

WOW! JESUS, Perfection Personified, got it all right for you!

Now that doesn’t mean we’re off the hook! Don’t be foolish; be grateful! Because of His Once-and-for-all Sacrificial Death,  no longer will we be judged according to our filthy righteousness but are now free to live hope-filled, holy, God-Honoring, God-Witnessing lives, reflecting the Light of God’s Glory to a dark, lost, and dying world! (Ref. John 10:10)

As we continue to walk with Jesus, entrusting our very lives to Him, our faith increases, our knowledge expands, and our experiences will teach us that trusting God is about releasing yourself from the futility of struggling to meet the unrealistic expectations of others, and most importantly, releasing yourself from devastating side effect of self-imposed exile, self -rejection!

If you are a bona-fied, Blood-Washed-Born-Again-Child of The Most High God, your life is hidden in Christ and you are kept by The Hands of The Almighty God! Remember, The Omnipotent, Omnscient, Omnipresent Creator of Heaven and Earth is always with you, working everything out in your life for your highest good and His GREATER GLORY! WHEWWWW! So, REST IN HIM  & RELEASE URSELF!  #GETIT?

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

MAKE AMERICA RIGHT AGAIN!

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MAKE AMERICA RIGHT AGAIN

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people. Proverbs 14:34

Well? Guess What? I know that it’s uncomfortable and disconcerting to many, howeverrrr in the midst of our seemingly helplessness, and in a lot of cases, our hopelessness, I jus believe that some more bodies need to step up to the plate and acknowledge the HUMONGUS pink elephant in the room! After all, what else do we have to lose, right? So let me preface the rest of this writing with a disclosure! NOT FOR THE BLIND AND FAINT OF HEART!

Not surprising to some and yet debatable to others, we’re living in a duplicitous society! As the Great Prophet and Scribe, Bill Adkins, whom I dearly honor and respect, recently said, “What we thought could not happen, has happened! An American Pharaoh has been elected!”

Make no mistake about it!  Sequestered behind the supposedly-secretiveness of the voting booths America has shown it’s true colors! And I’m not talking about the red, white and blue! Many of my brown brothers and sisters, awakened that morning to hear the shocking news that our greatest fears had been realized, while many others whose hearts, once embittered by racism, now openly rejoiced ecstatically at the overwhelming successful enterprise of the most unlikely-least-qualified candidate in the history of AMERICA, The Land of The Beautiful! As David Duke, the former KKK Grand Wizard proudly tweeted, “This is one of the most exciting nights of my life. Make no mistake about it! Our people have played a huge role in electing Trump”!

Under the robes of political-ism, record numbers of white Americans flocked to the polls to elect their 21st Century Maverick of Law and Order, expressing their true sentiments and endorsing his brazen boldness to say out-loud what was usually constricted to the reclusiveness of like-minded-like-looking- folk and a few misguided-conditioned-blacks! Without the aid of bumper stickers and yard-signs, their encoded hypocritical message was blatantly published nation-wide from the board room, thru the court rooms and YESSS to the church houses, “Let’s Make America Great Again! “ OH NO SHE DIDN’T! YESSS I DID!!!

Unfortunately, while we were laughing, scratching our heads and throwing up our hands at the absurdity, the so-called real Americans were mobilizing to repeal and replace the advancements of other than White Americans and rectify the ultimate humiliation of having a Black man (and his family) (having been elected twice), residing at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue! Subsequently, in the aftermath of  what many hope to be the end of our beginning, we’re now forced to reconcile the once incomprehensible reality of the State of Black America under a Trump presidency!

Nevertheless, what’s some have failed to consider is that while we honor the excruciating pain of the back-breaking sacrifices endured by our fore-fathers and mothers, to ensure that the seed would prevail, allowing us to get here, we are not our Great-Grand-Father’s! Believe it or not,  the 21st Century Afro-American is a entirely new breed who refuses to bow in humble obeisance and accept the ‘yes saa massar’ self-engrandizing manipulation sociology and philosophy of the former slave masters. Don’t let our College degrees, zip codes, Red-bottom shoes, Michael Kors handbags and our Brioni ‘Ludovisi suits fool ya! The Truth of the matter is, we no longer feel the need to apologize for what the Hand of God has done for us!

Contrary to populist partisan fake news, all of us ain’t willing to take a bribe or go along just to get along! Undeniably, every white man ain’t a fascist bigot, every Muslim ain’t a terrorist, every Latino ain’t a drug-dealing-gang-banger and every so-called Christian ain’t a saint! Nevertheless, the truly born-again-blood-washed-Holy Ghost-sanctified believers, still believe that the God we love and serve is yet able to rescue and deliver us from captivity! Even in the worst of times, He’s proven GODSELF to be a GOOD GOD! TRUST2KNOW, The same God who kept us in the midst of JIM CROW is well able to keep us through the tyranny of JAMES CROW, ESQ.! Hence,  for our God abideth Faithful, Loving and Just!

While we’ve been instructed to pray for the leaders of our nation that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity, (Ref. 1 Timothy 2:2) it does not negate the fact that God watches over the righteous to preserve the faithful but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride. (Ref. Psalm 31:23)

Remember, nothing happens that takes GOD by surprise! And Saints, nothing happens that GOD does not allow! Could this grand-debauchery be a Clarion Call from The Throne Room of Heaven TO WAKE UP AMERICA?

WHATZ THE MATTER ZION? THIS AIN’T UR 1st RODEO! We’re IN this world, but we’re not OF this world! As we walk to the beat of a different drummer, we pledge our allegiance to The KING OF KINGS and the LORD OF LORDS! AMEN?

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14

Ain’t no time to give up! We ain’t in heaven yet! WE’VE COME THIS FAR BY FAITH, LEANING ON THE LORD! AND AMERICA IS OUR COUNTRY TOO!  In the midst of our frustration we must remember what the ol’ skool saints said, PUSH! Pray Until Something Happens! ANYBODY STILL BELIEVE IN THE EFFECTUAL FERVENT PRAYER OF THE RIGHTEOUS RELEASES TREMENDOUS POWER TO THOSE WHO TRUST IN THE LORD? #ijs

Regardless of who’s in The White House, GOD still LIVES IN OUR HOUSE! WAKE UP ZION AND LET’S MAKE AMERICA RIGHT AGAIN!!!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

My name is Ann Caffee AND I APPROVE THIS MESSAGE, IN JESUS NAME!

 

 

THURSDAYS’ PRAYERS!

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prayn-and-fasting-pic

SELAH Daily Devotions!

GOOD MORNING FAM! GOTTA MOMENT! OOOOHHH GLORRRAAAA!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Lord, we ask You to put a fresh  “committed YES” in the heart and mind of every backslider! Let today be the day that they come back to You and come back to YOUR church where they will wholly submit their lives to the sound teachings of Your Word, and learn to love and live their lives walking to please You First!

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SELAH!

PAUSE, PONDER, PRAY & PRAIZ!

 

ARISE AND CONQUER!

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ARISE AND CONQUER

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you…Have I not commanded you? Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Joshua 1:5, 9

 

Throughout the [ages of The Holy Scriptures God has placed examples (role models) to teach us wisdom, to encourage us and to show us the potential hidden within each of us who will allow His Power to be manifested through our very being! However, it’s important to note that at some point in the lives of His servants, God will remove anyone or anything that you become co-dependent upon and anything that represents a mark for you to follow other than GOD-SELF! You shall have no other gods before Me. Exodus 20:3

 For forty years, Joshua had witnessed the anointing that rested upon Moses demonstrated through miraculous signs and wonders. He saw the courage and boldness with which Moses approached Pharaoh, commanding that he release God’s Chosen People.
“Go back to Pharaoh,” the LORD commanded Moses. “Tell him, ‘This is what the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, says: Let my people go, so they can worship me” Exodus 9:1

THEN, God spoke to Joshua, calling him to complete the task of leading Israel into The Promised Land. “Moses is dead; his season is over. Now it’s time for you, Joshua, to arise and position yourself that I might use you to fulfill my purpose through you. It’s time to go over the Jordan!”

Perhaps you’ve been there, huh? I mean, being confronted by an amazing opportunity that while potentially privileged, at the same time, seeming undeniably impossible! Seriously, when you don’t have that person/job/wisdom, skill, etc. that mentored, challenged, encouraged and stretched you beyond your comfort zone, it’s highly likely the waves of personal insufficiency will rise up and suddenly you find yourself tripping over hidden rocks of low self-esteem! Of course you don’t know if you have what you need to go over whatever it’s gonna take to overcome and succeed! #ijs!

Barricaded by the Spirit of Lo-debar, beneath the rubble of fear, doubt, shame and anxiety, the insurgent provocative ‘what if’s’ begin to surface, challenging your faith! Not in God, but can you stand up to the responsibility of such daunting privilege? Okay, I guess it’s jus me, huh?

BUT…Ain’t you glad that God already knows what He’s getting when He calls us? Hallelujah 2 the Lamb!!!

Thankfully, God knowing our frame, never asks us to do anything that He’s not totally committed to helping us complete! God made Joshua a Promise that you and your people will go over this Jordan! Didjaheardatt? Don’t jus dream about it, don’t just talk about it! BUT position yourself in GOD and GOD WILL give you the land! Be strong in the Lord and the Power of HIS MIGHT! (Ref. Ephesians 6:10) Ignore the naysayers, and take GOD at HIS WORD! Don’t fret, falter or fain! Put it in your heart, mind and your mouth! U gotta know that over that barrier, there’s a blessing awaiting you!

Remember, wherever your feet go, GOD SAID, I HAVE GIVEN IT 2 U! AS I WAS WITH MOSES, SO SHALL I BE WITH U! Hence, Beloved, take courage and trust GOD for your success! NOW GET UP AND GO GET YOUR BLESSING! #ARISE&CONQUER!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

HELP 2 HOPE!

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HELP 2 HOPE!

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 of the undeniable reality that there were two nations insidiously co-existing in one! #ijs

According to historical accounts, Courage and Confidence was once the unrefutable hallmark of our GREAT nation, huh? Yet, some would say that the infamous catastrophic events of 911 has since radically stripped away this lofty heritage and hope-filled future legacy  once ascribed to the land of power, peace and prosperity! The land of the free is now being besieged by the rampant rage of darkening clouds of an evil foreboding fear, doubt, deception, anxiety, stress, hatred, manipulation, 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 reverential awe, a clear vision and a Divine impartation of  wisdom and understanding of WHO GOD IS & WHAT HE REQUIRES OF US, people’s strength will fail and their expectations of security  inevitably perishes! A conscientious analysis of  our country’s past proves that without the restraint of  righteous 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 the ingenuous wisdom and compassionate concern of nonpartisant national leadership, notwithstanding the innate proclivity of self to take care of our needs and satisfy the desires of our own biased 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!  #CANIGETAGOODAMEN?

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  The True and Living God, trusting wholly in His Sustaining Grace!

Instead of conforming to the ways of the world, true believers don’t bail out! Hence, in the face of impending calamity and the uncertainty of 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, trust2kno, when it looks like your world is falling apart, look again! Don’t allow fear to drain your faith while simultaneously diminishing your hope! From Heaven’s perspective, everything is falling right in place! The Eternal Omnipotent, Omnscient Creator and Sustainer of ALL life is never caught off guard by the fraudulent affairs of human-kind! A man’s heart plans his way, BUT the Lord directs his steps. (Proverbs 16:9)  Hence, while Satan is always plotting against the people of God, we who delight in The Saving Grace of  King Jesus, have this confidence as an anchor of our soul! The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing! (Psalm 33:10)

Precious ones,  Jesus has already gone into Tomorrow to prepare a table before you, right in the presence of your enemies! (Ref. Psalm 23:5) #Didjaheardat?

REST ASSURED, IT AIN’T WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE, K? YOU GOTTA HOPE BEYOND THIS WORLD! HIS NAME IS JESUS!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

UNSHAKEABLE PEACE!

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UNSHAKEABLE PEACE 2

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither, And whatever he does shall prosper. Psalm 1:3

For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Romans 8:18

 

SOMETIMES! I wonder how much easier life would be, if in fact it was meant to be lived “Que sera, sera …Whatever will be, will be. The future’s not ours to see. Que sera, sera …What will be, will be“ ?

However appealing this perspective might appear at first glance, truthfully, God Who Sovereignly created us in His Own Image, never intended us to be merely robotic beings devoid of the ability to reason and make decisions based on our individual free will. God deliberately fashioned and formed us to be fully capable active participants in working out His Plan for each of our individual lives. In other words, life, according to God’s Purpose, is not a spectator’s sport!

How childish and immature it would be to think otherwise, huh? As my son once reminded me, reminiscing back to the days when the most critical decisions he had to make that day was, ‘is it gonna be Fruit Loops or Captain Crunch’? But now, finally, as all-grown-up adults,we no longer enjoy the privileges childhood innocence affords to casting off the burden of personal responsibility and accountability for our own actions unto unsuspecting parents, school teachers, coaches, counselors, professors, supervisors, pervasive racism, financially scrapped government institutions, corrupt politicians, over zealous police officers, the collapse of basic moral ethics and inevitable endangered decaying environmental resources.

And we couldn’t wait for this?

God uses all of these, (and much much more) to train and transform us into the persons that He’s Divinely ordained us to be—a reflection of His Amazing Grace and Ominous Glory! The problem is, we’re hell-bent on thinking that God expects us to carry out this work, totally independent of His Sovereign Controlling Interest in the Process! And we all know how that eventually turns out, huh?

Hopefully, sooner rather than later, we having exhausted all of our own fire, are forced to acknowledge “This ain’t working, Lord. I need Your helllpppp! Lord, save me!” Thank God, Who steps right in, rolling up His spiritual sleeves, bears us up under The Power of Holy Spirit, places us back on The Potter’s Wheel, gracefully presses, pinches, prodding, pounding, purges and pushes us through the next phase in His process of Restoration.

When we pray and ask God to restore us, we must be willing to submit to the process. Here is where most of us miss it. We don’t want the pain, humility and the lack of control that’s often required in order to equip and empower us for the next level of spiritual growth and development. So often we, the unwilling participants, come kicking and screaming, murmuring and complaining, doubting and accusing God of miscalculating just how much we can bear!

Until finally, we surrender, committing our care to His Loving Hands, trusting His Purpose to be greater than our personal pain, embracing HIS Will rather than ours, finding more  power, rest, hope and joy than you ever  dared imagined,  are comforted by HIS UNSHAKEABLE PEACE! Hallelujah 2 The Lamb!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

HALLELUJAHHHH!!!

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HALLELUJAH2!

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

#Didjaheardat? “HALLELUJAH!”

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

IN GOD’S SIGHT…

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IN GOD'S SIGHT

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then, you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success. Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go. Joshua 1:8-9

Whaa Da? I get it! In the midst of the myriad of prominent prolific pastors, poised preachas, pulpit pounding prosperity prophets, packed out padded pews, dazzling mood lighting, symphonic sound systems and praiz and worship leaders (auditioning for Stella Awards), its kinda easy to lose sight of what qualifies as true spiritual success! #ijs! Can the courageous church say, Amen 3x!

Didjakno? Spiritual success is not measured according to perfection, fear, fainting, failures nor even wanting to give up!

It’s not measured according to how many chapters you read a day, how many scriptures you memorize or quote, your church affiliation, the number of zero’s on your tithe check, your designer labels, your zip code, what you drive, your last name or how many titles/degrees you have in front or behind your name!

Believe it or not, it’s not indigenous to your melodious prayers, swarming soul-stirring testimonies, how high you jump, or how fast you run around the church!

According to our scripture reference, Joshua was suddenly confronted with a situation that on the surface seemed impossible to fulfill! Unbeknownst to him,  during the last 40 years, God had been preparing him to lead his people into the Promised Land. Having personally witnessed a myriad of miraculous events since leaving Egypt, Joshua had become quite content with undergirding the awemazing ministry of God’s Servant/Leader, Moses.  However, when Moses died, Joshua’s world was struck by the shocking realization that God was calling him from the background to the forefront!

It’s a whole lot easier to sit on the side lines and admire, envy, compare, murmur or complain about what others are doing or not doing! However, when God flips the script and the burden and  responsibility of leadership is shifted upon you, your perspective is abruptly altered. Joshua discovered that the past courageous feats on the battlefield were rewarding, nevertheless it did not exempt him from the inner -threatening-hauntings of self-doubt, fear of failure,  frustrations, rejection and do I have what it takes to get this done???

But God knowing Joshua’s heart, so graciously interrupted these taunting imaginations, assuring him,  “As I was with Moses, so I will be with you.” (Ref. Joshual 1:5)  Joshua learned that at the end of the day, his success was not dependent on his own strength, military skills or intellect, but rested solely upon his ability to take God at His Word!  If God be for us, who can be against us? Romans 8:31 #DIDJACDAT?  Failure is not an option when your hope is anchored in God’s Presence and Promises!

In God’s Eyes, spiritual success is the culmination of maneuvering your thru the mine-fields of this life, maturing while mastering and maintaining the knowledge and power of being saved, sane and survive all at the same time!

WOW! THAT’S  SUCCESS–IN GOD’S SIGHT! Now, WHO OR WHAT’S BLOCKING U?

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee