Tag Archives: Omega

EXCHANGING TRUTH 4 A LIE!

EXCHANGING THE TRUTH 4 A LIE

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

…because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened Romans 1:21

Therefore God also gave tem up to uncleanness, in the lusts of teir hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen. Romans 1:24-25

 

Granted, you don’t hear a lotta preaching these days about this particular subject, nevertheless, TRUTHBTOLD, there is NO EXCUSE!

I know many have chosen to sugar-coat reality in an attempt to dismiss their personal obligation and responsibility, preferring to see themselves as victims of some mystical cosmic mishap, yet from the beginning of time, GOD has openly made GODSELF known to humanity. The Holy Scriptures announce that even ‘the heavens declare the glory of God, and the firmament displays His handiwork.’ (Ref. Psalm 19:1, Acts 14:15-17)!
Can we talk 4REAL 4REAL?

Our problem has never been that we don’t know the TRUTH, but as history has clearly disclosed, since mankind’s knowledge of God became perverted by the willfulness of rebellious flesh, humanity has been determined to oppose the Righteousness of God! As a result man’s heinous act of high treason, his God Consciousness has been severed, thereby losing contact with the true purpose of his existence!

Choosing to yield to the dictates of their heart’s fleshy lusts, instead of Glorifying God, they rejected Truth for a Lie!  Having created man with the power, ability and freedom of choice, God turned them over to pursue the vile passions and inevitable consequences of the insatiable deception,  idolatry and corruption, reaping the Wrath of their selfishness, uncleanliness, ingratitude and rebellion!

Only a fool denies the existence of GOD. (Ref. Psalm 14:1) Still too many, by failing to acknowledge Him as GOD, refuse to bow to His Majesty in their faithful obedient service,  and are determined to attain righteousness through their own understanding of good and acceptable behavior. And we all know how that turns out, huh?

While the godz of this world work relentlessly to distract us away from seeking a personal revelation of Our Loving Father, we must always remember, that our enemies can do absolutely nothing, except God allows! Hence, as The Good Shepherd safely guides us through the fires, floods and the storms of this life, these experiences allow us to gain a fresh insight into the height, length, dept and width of His Loving Kindness and the Sufficiency of His Grace to any who demonstrates personal trust in Him through a lifestyle of humility, loyalty and faithful obedience!

God has so wondrously fashioned each man with a GOD-SIZED VOID so that the ultimate fulfillment of life can only be consummated through his pursuit of intimacy with his Creator! Unfortunately only a few are driven to forsake the lure of this world’s glitz and glamour to tread the least traveled remote pathways to ETERNAL LIFE!

But every once in a while, a isolated sojourner catches a glimpse of The EVERLASTING LIGHT OF HOPE found ONLY in Christ Jesus, forsakes the ways of this ungodly world to lay hold of ETERNAL TRUTH establishing themselves firmly rooted and grounded in The Hands of  JESUS CHRIST, The Almighty King, who has Sovereignly summoned them, before the foundation of this world, as HIS BELOVED! 

SSSHHHH! #Didjaheardat? #WOW! EXCHANGING THE LIES 4 TRUTH!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

THE BENEFITS OF OBEDIENCE!

THE BENEFITS OF OBEDIENCE

SELAH DEVOTIONS!

 

For the wicked boasteth of his heart’s desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the Lord abhorreth. The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts. Psalm 10:3-4
He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity. His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity. Psalm 10:6-7

“Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.”But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth? Seeing thou hatest instruction, and casteth my words behind thee. ..These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes. Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver. Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God.” Psalm 50:15-17, 21-23

 

I know that a lot of folk prefer to escape THE Truth in favor of the opinions of  the self-proclaimed ‘geniuses’ of this world’s culture, who ascribe to the more palatable theory of “no absolutes”! Nonetheless, the rest of us who have lived on both sides of The Cross, have concluded adamantly, “Let EVERY MAN BE A LIAR, AND GOD BE THE TRUTH! Okay,  as one of my favorite ol’ skool Preachers loves to say, “Nah, run down the aisle on dat!”

TRUTHBTOLD, everyday we’re faced with more and more evidence that the ideology of this present world is destined for a direct-hit collision with the reality that there is a SUPER BEING WHO IS, WAS AND WILL FOREVER BE in ABSOLUTE CONTROL OF THE COURSE OF THE PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE OF ALL OF HIS CREATION, INCLUDING HUMANITY! BELIEVETH THOU THIS? #ijs!!!!

While this truth is often disputed by those who favour the more liberating “I’m the Master of my own fate” persuasion, THERE YET REMAINS A REMNANT OF US WHO ARE FULLY PERSUADED THAT there will be no atheist in Hell!  #Don’t shout me down nah!!!

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. (Romans 1:21-22)

The arrogance of wickedness goes deeper than absolute unbelief! Rooted in the folly of his own imagination is the concept that God isn’t paying attention to what people are doing, therefore he’s getting away with every and anything his own evil heart desires! In other words, they foolishly assume that there ARE NO CONSEQUENCES 2 PAY! #WOW!

TRUST2KNO, nothing EVRRR catches GOD by surprise!The Ancient of Days watches patiently, examining and knowing the hearts of mankind, knows them that are HIS! God is not moved nor is He mocked by those who offer up lip service but have no intention of honoring His commands with faithful obedience!
However, those of us who yet cling to THE WORD, as if our very life depends upon HIM, have the Blessed Assurance that as we walk daily surrendering our hearts, minds and actions to the Righteous Commands of a Holy Heavenly Father, have an ETERNALHOPE that reaches far beyond this world!

When we find ourselves in the middle of trouble, we call upon Our Faithful Friend Who hears us and responds with Deliverance, Righteousness, Security, Peace, Fulfillment and Joy…GUARANTEEING VICTORY, BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY, FOR US AND GREATER GLORY FOR HIS NAME SAKE! #SERIOUSLY!

 
BUT FOR THE WICKED, WHO CHOOSE 2 FORGET GOD OR CHANGE HIS UNCORRUPTABLE GLORY 2 REFLECT THE IMAGE OF CORRUPTABLE MAN , IT IS NOT SO! HE REBUKES THEM AND LAUGHS AT THEIR DESTRUCTION! “but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he sees that his day is coming. (Psalm 37:13)

I know ‘it ain’t none of my business’, U gotta right to live anyway U wanna, right? #ijs…THERE ARE BENEFITS 4 OBEDIENCE! #ETERNAL LIFE! #NOW&LATER!

SELAH!
Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann E. Caffee

THURSDAYS’ PRAYERS!

prayn-and-fasting-pic

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

GOOD MORNING FAM! GOTTA MOMENT? Good God Almighty!

 

Once again, we are delighted that you’ve joined us in our Weekly Thursdays’ Corporate Fast and Prayer! In times like these, it’s necessary for all who believe in the WORD and WORTH of prayer, to band together, entreating the Face of our Lord, interceding on behalf of all of our brothers and sisters whose lives are being ravaged by unimaginable test, trials and devastating circumstances! We recognize that GOD, being A FAITHFUL and Compassionate Savior, will never be without a witness in the Earth! WE continue to look to the hills, from whence our help comes as we go before HIS MAJESTIC THRONE together! AMEN 3X!

 

WE NEED THEE, OH WE NEED THEE! EVERY HOUR, WE NEED THEE! OOOHHH BLESS US NOW, OUR SAVIOR! WE COME 222222 THEE! Great is Thy faithfulness! Great is Thy faithfulness! Morning by morning new mercies I see; All I have needed Thy hand hath provided—Great is Thy faithfulness, Lord, unto me!” With our hands lifted up, and our mouths filled with praiz! With a heart of Thanksgiving, I WILL BLESS THEE, O LORD!”

 

Heavenly Father, we come today, In Jesus Name, first thanking You for blessing us to see one more day! While the world is celebrating Valentine’s Day, we recognize that You are The True Lover of our souls! If it had not been for Jesus’ Sacrificial Love, we’d all be condemned to the devil’s Hell! We bow before You to acknowledge that it’s only because of Your Loving Kindness and Commitment that we’re able to embrace the precious Gift of Life and one more day to enjoy the abundance of Your Mercy, Your Grace, Your Power and Your Peace! We’re thankful that because You, knowing our frame, look beyond our human frailties, faults and iniquities yet You continue providing us our daily Bread!

 

Sweet Holy Spirit, as we embrace the day ahead, help us to continuously trust You to keep us safe from all hurt, harm and danger. Help us to make the best of each moment to glorify Your Holy and Righteous Name! Lord Jesus, clear our minds so that we can hear from You and cleanse our hearts that we may deny ourselves and obey Your Will!

 

Sweet Jesus, as we look around this nation and seeing what’s going on in world, we pray that You will hold back the flood waters, rebuke the winds and bind the hand of death an destruction! Send hope, healing, deliverance and restoration wherever it’s needed! Loose Your legions of ministering agents to meet the needs of Your people, releasing blessings and breakthroughs into their lives! Bind the Spirits of Death, Poverty and Defeat, In Jesus Name!

 

Holy Father, please help us to not whine, whimper or complain over things we have no control, and let us show our gratitude that things are as well as they are by faithfully adhering to Your Word!And whenever the cares of this world begin to close in on us, lead us into a secret quiet place where we can look Heavenward and see You Enthroned upon the circle of the Earth! When we’re pushed beyond our limited abilities, let Prayer be our 1st response and not a last resort! Give us the mind to bow before Our Great High Priest, releasing our burdens and casting our cares upon the Only Wise God and Savior! We know when we do that our hearts are comforted and our souls are calmed by the reality that even when we can’t find the words to pray, You’re yet able to listen to our hearts, interpreting every moan, groan and sigh of our spirits and release relief to our souls!

 

Abba Father, 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. Help us to be an effective witness and to pray for all 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.

 

Precious Jesus, we pray for Your children everywhere, for every family member and friend, w believing and decreeing that a Spirit of Peace, Unity, Love, Hope and Joy is being released in our homes, places of employment, schools, communities, nation and churches! We believe that Divine Favor is being poured out upon everyone who needs You and their faith is rising to a level that they shall be faithful and obedient to Your Word! Father, bless all of us who have made up in our minds, ‘COME WHAT MAY,’ we will sacrifice OUR will on The Altar of YOUR Will, expecting that You will reward us with supernatural abundance in every area of their lives!

 

We thank You for hearing the hearts of those who have never accepted Your Son Jesus as their personal Savior and Lord! We believe that Holy Spirit is quickening that stony heart with a sincere YES” allowing them to come to You, humbled by Your Unconditional Love, in obedience to Your call and are now receiving Your Mercy and Grace to Save. We Thank You for leading and guiding them to their designated local church, planting them in Your Vineyard, where they shall be welcomed, loved, 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 The Ark of Safety! Father, arrest them In The Holy Ghost, convict them to declare airrevocable committed YES” to Your Purpose for their lives! Because You Alone are The Hope of This Life and The Life to come, let today be their day to come back to You and back to YOUR church where they will restored as they submit their lives to the sound teachings of Your Word, and learn to love and live their lives walking to please You First!

 

Abba Father, we’re lifting up our children, our grands and great-grand children and by faith. we abort and overrule every curse that’s been ordered against their lives ! We cancel every scheme that Satan desires to inflict upon them! As we commit them into Your Providential care, realizing that ‘such were some of us’, however, at the appointed time You snatched our lives out of the pit of destruction. We thank You Sweet Jesus, that You also have a plan and purpose for their lives! Therefore, we have the Blessed Assurance that their steps and stops are being ordered by Your eyes, no weapon that’s formed against them shall prosper and every tongue that speaks against them is already condemned!We speak The Peace of God over their spirits, minds and bodies. releasing a spirit of Love, Holiness and Excellence to fulfill their God ordained destiny!

Heavenly Father, as commanded by Your WORD, we pray for the leaders of our nation, federal/local government, corporate, judicial, education, financial, health care institutions, military, public service workers 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! Believing that their hearts are in Your Hands, they are being continuously opened to hear and obey Your Will! We bind principalities powers, rulers of darkness, spiritual wickedness in high places, every demonic strongman over this nation and the world. We shut down every ungodly portal and disable every line of communication that attempts to hinder the effectual fervent prayers of the Righteous and The Word of Truth! We’re yet 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, in the Name Lord Jesus

 

Abba, we lift up every Bishop, Pastor, Overseer, Apostle, Evangelist, Preacher and Teacher, Missionary, Deacon, auxiliary leader/member, choir director/member, praise team and musician, usher, nurse, driver, parking attendant and custodial worker! 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 decimate their faith, faithfulness and ministry that You have ordained! By faith in Your ability to establish our words, we release warring angels to annihilate spirits of witchcraft, false religions, prophets, teachers, deceptive spirits, perverted soul ties, curses, occult powers and the spirit of anti-Christ, in Jesus Name! AMEN 3X!

 

Abba, You know the frailness of our flesh, and how easily we’re provoked, tempted to lose our focus and become overwhelmed by the cares of this world! Sometimes our hearts are burdened with the pressures of this life, wearied with fear, doubt, unbelief, sickness and disease, financial debt, marital issues, broken relationships, unprovoked threats, depression, addictions, insecurities and grief, Father remember us! Lift up the widows, the caretakers, the downcast who have born the heat of the day, those who pushed and prayed us through! Lord, give them sweet Peace knowing that their labor is never in vain! Lord, keep us as only You can!

 

Precious 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 Adversary 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! Heavenly Father, we thank You for listening to the hearts of everyone whose spirits are united and fervently praying with us!

 

Father, because the our steps are being ordered by You, we walk confident that 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 Supernatural PRESENCE, Power, Strength, Health, Encouragement, Provision, Prosperity and Protection! Keep us constantly aware that Christ in Us Is The Hope of Glorraa!

 

We are more than conquers, therefore, 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!

 

Abba Father, as we patiently wait in confidence and quietness, we rejoice in hope, 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 and a HOLY HALLELUJAHHH!

 

Beloved, every child of God who is standing in agreement with this prayer, GO TELL SOMEBODY THAT JESUS LIVES, LOVES AND CARES 4 U 2!

 

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

 

HE WILL DO IT…AGAIN!

HE WILL DO IT...AGAIN

SELAH Daily Devotions!

For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed. Isaiah 50:7

For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. Malachi 3:6

There’s never been a point, place or space in time where God is not! God IS and will ever BE—for He is ETERNALLY GOD! #didjaheardat?

To souls wearied and wounded from matriculating through the sporadic-tumultuous terrains of life, this statement has proven to be the Source of great comfort and strength. At the same time, to the forces of evil, it’s the sting of predictable debilitating destruction and defeat against their insidious attacks!

The primary mission of the Kingdom of darkness is to cause the people of God to abandon their hope and personal trust in The Eternal Father by any means necessary! Haven’t you noticed how Satan’s disciples strategically sets up obstacles  to ensnare believers with confusion, fear and doubt designed ultimately to contaminate their faith, causing them to re-evaluate the Reliability of trusting in an invisible, yet all emcompassing True and Living God!

Problem is, all too often, it’s the personal testimonies of triumphant victories down thru the years that continue to rigorously validate God’s Faithfulness, fueling the Believer’s Hope of Eternal Glory!

Granted, finding ourselves knee-deep in the dung of this 21st Century Anti-Christ culture, there’s no shortage of opportunities to just throw in the towel, tap-out on the Promises revealed in the Sacred Writ, resolving that they’re no longer relevant in this self-centered, self-righteous, intellectually astute, Hi-Tech, contemporal millenial society!

However, such thinking is only logical to those who have foolishly opted to reject the reality of The Omnipresent Omnipotent True and Living God! Nevertheless, absolutely nothing ever happens that catches God off-guard. Hence, He is Alpha and Omega! The Omniscient Creator, Sovereignly orchestrating the affairs of humanity from eternity past, thru present into eternity future, determined that His Purpose shall never be frustrated by the inherent iniquity of flawed-fickled-fleshy-lust-filled mankind!

Because God wanted to make the UNCHANGING nature of His purpose very clear to HIS heirs of what was promised, HE confirmed it with an oath. God did this so that, by two inchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of The Hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged! We have this Hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. Hebrews 6:17-19

Beloved, standing firmly on the Immutability of God’s Word, gives us the leverage to embrace every situation with confident assurance that we’re never alone and God is always in control. CHILLAX! Remember this ain’t your first rodeo, right? A quick glance over your shoulders will remind us that our Heavenly Father has always been our very Present Help, constantly undergirding our inabilities with His Infinite Excellence!

History declares that we’re surrounded by clouds of witnesses who’ve gone before us, therefore, we courageously strive to imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises! (Hebrews 6:12) 

Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Deuteronomy 31:6

Remember, Child of The True and Living God, when it seems as if the odds are stacked against the righteous—GOD’S AT HIS BEST! FAITHFUL…IF HE DID IT B4, HE WILL DO IT…AGAIN!  #seriously

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

PROMISE KEEPER!

PROMISE KEEPER

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

So He said, “I will certainly be with you….” Exodus 3:12a
You have turned for me my mourning into dancing; you have loosed my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness, that my glory may sing your praise and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks to you forever! Psalm 30:11-12

Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. John 5:24

 

As followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, we vow to live our lives according to the testimony God reveals in The Holy Bible. As our knowledge of God’s Word increases, we discover how God has ordained certain rights, privileges and promises to us and for us. Yet, even as confessing Believers, sometimes we fall short when it comes to experiencing the fulfillment of God’s exceedingly great and precious promises. Don’t shout me down now, yall!

Consequently, our churches are filled with frustrated, anxious, angry and unsatisfied folk who’re secretly disappointed with God. AMEN Anyhow! For the record, let’s concede this, GOD IS NOT THE PROBLEM! Therefore, His Faithfulness is not on trial! God’s Word is Eternally Immutable, Faithful and True.

So what’s up? We go to church and hear the gospel—well most of the time—anyway, preached with power and conviction. We enjoy the sermon, buy the CD’s and the DVD’s. We’ll leave the sanctuary talking about “Man, we had CHUURCH today”. But, the question is, where’s the evidence that what we’ve heard has profited our lives? For real, where’s the change in our personal situations?

It may behoove us to interrogate the Word more closely. The Scripture declares, ‘Faith comes by Hearing and Hearing By The Word’, right?  Obviously, the breakdown does not exist in the effectiveness of THE WORD! Hence, that leaves the higher probability that our inability to see the manifestation of the PROMISE lies in our personal cognition to believe and accept the Integrity of GOD’S WORD!

Moses was called by GOD to do a task that was so completely outside of his comfort zone causing him to offer up a plethora of excuses why successfully completing the assignment was impossible! GOD told Moses that He’d heard the desperate cry of the children of Israel, I’ve see how the Egyptians have oppressed; now I am sending you to Pharaoh that you may bring MY people out of Egypt! I will certainly be with you…When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you shall serve GOD on this mountain.” (Ref. Exodus 3:9-10; 12)

Now, stop looking at me with that tone of voice! U know there’s been plenty of times God presented a situation in your face, that even with the aid of 66 Books of Holy Writ, you were so overwhelmed with the challenge that you immediately started questioning God’s reasoning not to mention His decision that you were remotely qualified and equipped to go thru what you would have to go thru, not to mention come out! #ijs

However, GOD never asks us to do anything that He’s not willing to get personally involved! When GOD promised Moses, ‘I WILL CERTAINLY BE WITH YOU’ that was the game changer! The value of a promise solely depends upon the Authority, Ability and the Involvement of the One who’s making the promise! SINCE GOD ALONE IS THE SELF-PROCLAIMED I AM WHO I AM…THE ALPHA & THE OMEGA, WHO SPOKE TO NOTHING AND CREATED EVERYTHING…we might jus wanna put our trust and confidence in whatever HE SAYS, HE CAN AND WILL DO!

After all, WHO CAN STAY HIS HAND! Remember Pharaoh and his horses all drowned in the Red Sea! (Ref. Exodus 14:21-23)

Beloved, it matters not how high the mountain you must overcome, how wide valley you must go thru, nor how deep the river you must cross over, hold on the The Master’s Hand, lean not to your own understanding, but trust in His Promises with all of your heart, committing your whole being to His Keeping Power and you shall see The Saving Grace of our God! TRUST2KNO! Every Promise that God’s left on record is still as good as it was the day He Spoke it into Being! Hence, don’t wait ’til the battle is over, SHOUT NOW!

#BELIEVE 2 C THE GOODNESS OF THE LORD IN THE LAND OF THE LIVING! HE IS THE PROMISE KEEPER!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

FATE OR FAITH

FATE OR FAITH3

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and Eliab’s anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle. And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause?  1 Samuel 17:28-29

The Lord is My Shepherd, I shall not want! Psalm 23:1

 
Life is challenging! WOW! Is that ever grossly understated?

If you can’t say Amen then like the ol’ saints used to say, ‘Jus keep getting up in the morning and going to bed in the evenings!’ Surely surely, sooner or later you’ll get the depth of the revelation, huh? Regardless of how your attempt to walk circumspectly, there is always going to be something or someone who’s sole purpose in existing is to challenge your peace, patience, prosperity, position or your purpose. #ijs

Here’s the clincher! Sometimes your worst adversity comes from your own house! I mean, one might expect opposition competing for a job, after all the unemployment rate being as high as it is. And of course, given the diminishing numbers of viable bachelors/bachelorettes these day you kinda know how steep the competition is for someone looking for the whole package (head, body and heart). But when you gotta overcome rejection and disrespect from those who are closest to you, even your own brothers and sistas, well that’s a beast of an entirely different species!

Most of the time when 1 Samuel 17 is preached or taught Goliath stands out as David’s most prominent archenemy! Yet, upon closer observation of the context, David faced serious opposition even before he dealt with the 10 ft. Philistine. Remember what happened that day God sent Samuel to anoint the next King of Israel? (Ref. 1 Samuel 16) Well, it was only after much resistance from his own Father, Jessie, that David was even considered an option. Isn’t it something when your own kinfolk can only see you the way you used to be or never acknowledge that where you are now is not necessarily your final destination?

Even more grueling, is rising above those who’re secretly intimidated by your desire to excel to dimensions beyond where they’ve chosen to settle in the comfort of complacency, paralyzed by their fears rather than risk failure. 

But the young shepherd boy had somehow learned that when you can’t find support or encouragement from without, you don’t give up! Flip the script by looking to the only One Who’s qualified to determine your true worth or define your destiny is The Creator and Giver of Life, The Lord Almighty! Down thru the years, David had learned how to draw strength and to encourage himself by trusting in the Unfailing Love he found in The Presence of His Shepherd, Yahweh, translated, I AM THE ONE, or I AM WHAT I AM!

While most of us can look back at those ‘almostsesses’  and rekindle those undeniable ‘look what the Lord has done moments’, sometimes it takes us a while to realize the folly of depending on self …and others, to get out of our mess, huh? Fortunately, when we do finally come to the end of ourselves, we must recognize that when God decides to bless you, it doesn’t matter who tries to curse you! In fact, I’d dare say that it behooves any who attempt to mistreat or abuse a Child of God, to be careful. God loves His children and doesn’t cotton much to those who seek their destruction. Oh Gggglorrra!

In the midst of foreboding clouds of impending threats, persecutions, peer pressure, hopelessness and despair, we jus gotta believe that nothing just happens! Inspite of all the circumstantial evidence, GOD IS IN TOTAL CONTROL of our steps and our stops! Needless to say, He rarely fills us in on the details, nevertheless He assures us that in Him, we are more than conquerors! (Ref. Romans 8:37) Hence, the precious personal revelations awaiting you as you place your faith in His Irrefutable Word, is well worth enduring the weight of confronting every challenge!

Beloved, God’s got a plan for your life and IT’S ALL GOOD AND YES, IT ALL TRUE! You jus gotta fight the good fight of faith to win! God appoints Divine Coincidences! NOW…IS THAT NOT A CAUSE? FATE OR FAITH?

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray and Praiz!

Ann Caffee