Tag Archives: trouble

GOT JOY?

Leave a reply

Jumping woman at sunset

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.  John 15:11

 

If the only evidence that the prosecution had to convict us of being Christian was our countenance or our dispositions, our case would be thrown out and we’d get off scott-free! A lot of  church-folk are claiming salvation, naming the Name of Jesus and on their way to heaven anyhow, but most of them don’t seem to be enjoying the trip. If so, they forget to send an IM from their heart to their face!

One would think that if anybody should have joy, it’s the saints of the Most High God., right? But if the Saints are walking around with our heads hung down, broke, busted and disgusted with everything and everybody, then how can we persuade a lost world that life goes better with Christ? Don’t shout me down , now!

Don’t get it twisted, I’m not jus preaching to the choir, I’m talking to myself too. Since I’ve been saved, sanctified and walking with Jesus some thirty-sumptin years now, I learned that while it makes for a good shout, however, not everyday gets sweeter than the day before!  LIFE HAPPENS 2 the saints and the sinners!

Perhaps, some of us have become wearied on this journey  because we’ve mistakenly equated joy with happiness. While happiness is an emotional response based merely on enjoyable circumstances, joy is a constant internal state embedded in the Love of God, producing serenity and tranquility totally independent of external conditions.

Jesus looking from eternity past and seeing the many souls that would be saved, overwhelmed with joy made a conscious commitment to endure the pain, despise the shame, become obedient, even to death on the Cross of Calvary that His joy, might be poured out upon His people. (Ref. Hebrew 12:20) Guess what, that makes YOU the JOY of Jesus!

There’s more to Joy than goose-bumps. Nehemiah 8:10 says, “The joy of the Lord is our strength”.

Jesus Joy is a weapon of mass destruction in the believer’s arsenal. Hence, Jesus Joy is empowerment to overcome any challenge with courage and confidence!

Just knowing that every promise in The Bible is ours to claim with the assurance that Jesus will never ever leave nor forsake us should make every Born-again, Blood-washed child of God’s heart swell up to the overflow with pure Jesus Joy until we can’t help but HOLLA and THROW UP BOTH OF MY HANDS! JUS REMEMBER, JEHOVAH HAS THE FINAL SAY!

Didjaheardat? JESUS OVER YOU! WOW,  NOW DATZ POWERFUL! C’MON NAH, U GOT JESUS, U GOT JOY!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

THURSDAYS’ PRAYERS!

Leave a reply

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 Corporate Fast and Prayer! In times like these, it’s incumbent upon those 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 THRONE together! AMEN 3X!

 

My soul loves Jesus! My soul loves Jesus! My soul Loves JESUS, BLESS HIS NAME! HE’S A WONDER, IN MY SOUL! HE’S A WONDER, IN MY SOUL! HE’S A WONDER, IN MY SOUL, BLESS HIS NAME!  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! We recognize it’s only because of Your Loving Kindness and Faithfulness that we’re able to embrace this opportunity and enjoy the abundance of Your Mercy, Your Grace, Your Power and Your Peace! We’re thankful that because You knowing our frame, Your Faithfulness and Compassionate Lovingkindness, continuously allow You to look beyond our human frailties, faults and iniquities to seeing yet ministering to every one of our need! We acknowledge You as The God of all Life, of our Salvation, our Deliverance, Breakthrough and Provision!

As we embrace the day ahead, Holy Spirt help us to start this day with a new attitude of an all consuming gratitude, trusting You to keep us safe from all hurt, harm and danger. Help us to make the best of each moment that You gift to us! Lord Jesus, clear our minds so that we can hear from You and cleanse our hearts that we may deny ourselves, trust and obey Your Will.

Sweet Jesus, as we look around this country 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! In Jesus Name!

Holy Father, please help us to not whine and whimper 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 when this world seems to close in on us, please help us to follow the example that our Lord and Savior has given us to and slip away to our secret quiet place to pray. When we’re pushed beyond our limited abilities, let Prayer be our 1st response! Give us the mind to bow before Our Heavenly High Priest, casting our cares upon the Only Wise God and Savior! We know than 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, as we pray for Your children everywhere, for every family member and friend, we’re 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 church! We believing that Your 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! We pray for  all those who have a mind to sacrifice their will on The Altar of Your Will, expecting that You will reward us with supernatural abundance in every area of their lives, In Jesus Name!

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 with a “sincere YES” that they shall come to You humbled by Your Lovingkindness, in obedient to Your call and are now receiving Your 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 “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 submit their lives to the sound teachings of Your Word, and learn to love and live their lives walking to please You First!

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 and cancel every scheme that Satan desires to inflict upon them! As we commit them into Your Providential care, we realize that You also have a plan and purpose for their lives! Therefore, we have the Blessed Assurance that their steps are being ordered by Your eyes and 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, according to Your WORD, 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! 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, 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 destroy their faith, faithfulness and ministry,You have ordained!

Abba, we know that You have cautioned 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, tempted to lose our focus and become overwhelmed by the cares of this world! You know that every day is not the same and sometimes our days seem to be spent beneath clouds of evil foreboding, while our nites are plagued with restlessness, despondency and hopelessness! Lord, You know whose 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, 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, we ask that You 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! 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, 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!

Abba Father, 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!

We declare and decree that 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, in Jesus Name!

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!

WHO’S ON 1st?

Leave a reply

 

WHO'S ON 1ST

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

“Draw nigh to God, and He will draw nigh to you…” James 4:8a kjv
 

Ever heard the term ‘1st chair’?  Well, according to the Law, the Legal definition of First Chair is the lead attorney in a case.  However, The Farlex Trivia Dictionary defines First Chair as “The premier musician playing a particular instrument in an orchestra—seated closest to the audience, taking the lead for that instrument’s movements, and playing any solos. “ My point being, ‘WHO’S IN CHARGE OF RUNNING YOUR LIFE’?

Really? 

Then why are you still complaining? Apparently, there appears to be a direct correlation between the amount of time one spends in HIS Presence and the amount of time spent worrying, murmuring and complaining, questioning and judging God’s decisions regarding our lives. OMG! WHO KNU?

Seriously, the The Holy Scriptures is filled with testimonials that further substantiate this observation!  “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you”. Matthew 6:33 and…“Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near.  Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon.” Isaiah 55:6-7 

Let’s be for real! Too many of us are still trying to fix stuff that God never intended for us to. That’s why He invites us to come to Him with those things that are concerning us. Uuuh, isn’t that what prayer is all about?  #ijs It makes no sense to ask God to meet you on the rooftop when you’re stuck in the basement, right? Unless your pride is bent on self-reliance, which is  basically no help at all!  #Don’t shout me down nah!

Still need help? “Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fulness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” Psalm 16:11

Beloved, GOD doesn’t ask any of us to walk this journey of LIFE independent of His Awemmaazzing Grace! That’s why The WORD says, “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

TRUST2KNO, whatever you’re struggling with today, God calls light-duty?

And guess what? GOD DON’T NEED NO CO-PILOT! WOW! #didjaheardat? Strap yourself in The Love of GOD and He’ll take You THERE–WHEREVER HE WANTS U 2 B!

Looks to me LIKE DATZ A RAP, huh?  Jus another perspective 4 U 2 PONDER! NOW, WHO’S ON 1st?

SELAH!
 
Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee 

FAILURE AIN’T FATAL!

Leave a reply

 

FAILURE AIN'T FATAL

SELAH Daily Devotions!

Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. Jude 1:24-25

 

Isn’t is just annoying? I mean the constant bombarding of your mind with intimidating taunting thoughts designed to taint your perspective and ultimately sabotage your peace! #SERIOUSLY!!! Satan, aka da devil, knows fully well that he has absolutely no power to stop what God has planned for your future, nevertheless, he’s determined to strip away every ounce of  our in joy in the journey to our Final Destination…Heaven’s Glorious Salvation! Saints, regardless of his deceptive tactics, never 4get 2 remember, Satan is not GOD!  Notwithstanding, since his first encounter with our foreparents, Adam and Eve, he’s become quite adept in manipulating our thoughts and causing us to question the Faithfulness of God! How? Well, one of his favorite methods is to use your Memories!

Ever notice how the devil keeps bringing up your past mistakes and failures, reminding you of what you did and accusing you about what you should’ve done and didn’t? Oh Yeah, I gotta few witness, huh? Well, this morning I was reminded of something I heard many years ago ‘When the devil starts messing with your mind about your PAST, just remind him of his FUTURE!’

My Precious ones, we don’t have to tuck tail and squirm away in shame as if that’s the end of our story. BUT, AGREE WITH YOUR ADVERSARY QUICKLY? #4REAL! When we  remind the devil that what happened back then was just a chapter setting me up for future episodes of coming attractions, it terrorizes the Hell of o him!  Hence, The Bible says, let the redeedmed of the LORD tell their story!

Beloved, didjakno that the last thing that Satan wants to come up against, is a BIBLE BELIEVING BELIEVER! BUT THAT’S HIS PROBLEM not yours!  You have been Divinely authorized to speak The Word of God with such tenacity, Holy boldeness and confident assurance that  it will actually change your current circumstances!  It’s True!  The CHRIST IN YOU empowers You to call those things that be not, as though they were!

WOW!  Didjaheardat? Sounds like it’s time to let the devil know up front, you ain’t scarred, huh? You know, like that great R&B Prophet  James Brown, ‘SAY It loud! SAY it proud! 

So the next time you feel like giving up, jus remind yourself that “I AM the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus;  I’m not in this thing by myself and GOD SAID, that I shoud Glory in mine infirmities because when I am at my weakest that’s when THE POWER OF GOD’s GRACE RESTS UPON ME! (Ref. 2 Corinthians 12:9)  OMG! #GAMECHANGER!

WORSHIPING WARRIORS TAKE A STAND!  Let the devil know, “HOLD UP! Today ain’t looking that good for ya, and TRUTHBTOLD, tomorrow either! SOOOO, whatever you’re planning to trip me up, U might wanna reconsider! *ijs…Chances are, just like it didn’t work the last time, it won’t work this time either.” (Ref. Isaiah 54:17)

“My God has GGGggrrreeeaaaatt plans for me, for good and not for evil, and He swore by God-self, to bring me into an amazingly glorious future! And remember all that stuff you keep reminding me of, it’s covered, blotted out by the BLOOD!! I know it ain’t fair, it’s called‘favor’!” (Ref. Jeremiah 29:11)

“OOOOOh, Devil, QUESS WHAAA? UR STILL THE BIGGEST LOSER! I peeped  the back of the Book, and in the end, WE WIN! 

#BAMM!  #GOTTCHA! FAILURE AIN’T FATAL!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

FROM THE PRESENCE

Leave a reply

FROM THE PRESENCE

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

I have set the Lord always before me, because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved. Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoiceth; my flesh also shall rest in hope. For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine holy one to see corruption. Thou wilt show me the path of life; in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Psalm 16:8-11

Have you noticed that it’s being said, a whole lot more lately, that we’re living in troubling times that vex the very souls of humanity!  Quite frankly, given the traumatic state of current events, many of us are inclined to agree, huh?  The 21st Century culture domination of mass social media has allowed the days of our lives to be historically documented, moment by moment, unveiling perilous chaos and confusion, imperceptible deception, threats and intimidation, institutionalized-sanctioned-bullying and blatant injustices as The New Millennial Norm!

Fortunately, as spiritually regenerated Saints of the Most High God, we have a Blessed Assurance whispering to our souls “Peace Be Still” for now is not always and ‘come what may’ our times are yet in the Mighty Hands of JEHOVAH, The Sovereign Creator, Lord and Savior!”

Through the enactment of The Kingdom Constitution, Abba Father has secured Eternal Emancipation, Divine Peace and Unspeakable Joy for whosoever that will continuously abide in His Presence keeping their minds focused on Him! (Ref. 1 Peter 1:8)

The Holy Writ commands us to “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus”, (Philippians 2:5) Hence, through the Indwelling Presence of  Holy Spirit, every believer has the power to stop yielding your mind to fear, anxiety, doubt, unbelief and worry! When we allow these Satanically-induced responses access to our spirit, we give the adversary waaaayyyy too much undeserved glory! #Didjaheardat?

Let’s be real! Every human being born into this earth shall suffer tests, trials, trouble and tragedy! That’s a given! However, we must remember for every problem, God has given us a PROMISE! “…The LORD will deliver him out of them all!” (Ref. Ps. 34:19) Therefore, it stands to reason that instead of meditating on the problems and cares of this world, it behooves us to strive to do like David, The man after God’s own Heart, REMIND OURSELVES, that whatever circumstances we find ourselves in, we’re never outside the reach of our True and Living God!

Precious One, be vigilant and watchful! Don’t sanction the enemy’s unlawful access to plant intimidating images in your mind! Be ware of your thoughts! TRUST2KNO, thoughts left unrestrained become our words and your words become your reality! The Bible admonishes us to quickly discipline, i.e. to bring under subjection, our thoughts and every spoken word, to the obedience of the Spirit of Christ. (Ref. 2 Corinthians 10:5)

As warriors of The Faith, we must remain in a state of preemptive readiness! Think on these things! What does God say about this situation? The Father of Grace and Peace has told us to not allow your hearts to be troubled. (Ref. John 14:1) Rest Assured, He has your back! He is your Shield and your Buckler. (Ref. Psalm 18:2) There is safety in His Arms. He has both the authority and power to keep you. In the Presence of our Faithful Savior, we find Eternal Pleasures. In His Presence, is Rest and Hope. Under the Shadow of His Wings is protection.(Ref. Psalm 16:11) #Getit?

It’s not enough to jus memorize  Scriptures, but we must apply His Word to our practical everyday lives by first acknowledging His Presence! Beloved, as you deight yourself in HIS PRESENCE, keeping HIS WORD in the forefront of your thoughts, you will not be so easily moved by your circumstances! #SERIOUSLY!

As we learn to yield our entire being to His Will and abide in the stillness of confident trust, relying solely in The Omnipresent Creator and Omnipotent Sustainer of the universe, we will be transported from the realm of natural into the supernatural where we’re covered by The Glorious Presence of our Lord!

And the effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever. Isaiah 32:17 (ESV)

BELOVED, have you been lured by THAT Voice from within…”JUS 2 B CLOSE 2 YOU, IS MY DESIRE!? WELL THAT’S JESUS calling you to a higher level of intimate worship! This next level of anointing requires elevating your faith to a new dimension! R U READY? ENTER INTO HIS GATES WITH THANKSGIVING AND HIS COURTS WITH PRAIZ! GO ‘HEAD…RUN N2 HIS PRESENCE!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Cafee

 

SEASONED VS. SELECTIVE SAINTS

Leave a reply

SEASONED VS. SELECTIVE SAINTS

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.” Matthew 5:13

 

WOW! With all that’s going on in this world TODAY, aren’t you glad that you’re saved, sanctified, living all you can to serve and please da Lord? I feel ya!

BUT! Before we go slappin’ 5 with our neighbors or yourself on the back, perhaps we need to take a closer look at today’s scripture. SOMETIMES…WE—GOD’S-CHOSEN-THE SAINTS—have a way of judging others by their actions BUT judging ourselves by our good intentions, huh?

Whachatalkinbout? It’s easy to make yourself come out smelling like a rose, as long as we’re comparing ourselves to one another! However,  according to The Bible, God never intended to make our own warped flesh the plumb-line for gauging His Righteousness!

Remember the story of the Pharisee who went up to the Temple to pray, stood off by himself, looked across the room and seeing the tax collector, praying “God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.” (Ref. Luke 18:9-14)

Evrrr noticed how God’s elect often develop a severe case of selective amnesia once they’ve been saved for any length of time? Perhaps that’s why The Apostle Paul left a not-so-friendly reminder to snatch our minds out of the clouds as needed! “And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” 1 Corinthians 6:11

Hence, DON’T GET IT TWISTED! No matter how many right things you manage to do on a daily basis, at the end of your bestest day—every single one of us must acknowledge “That if it had not been for JESUS…I coulda, woulda and shoulda _________” And y’all can fill in the blank! (Ref. Romans 3:23)
HONEST2GOD, there ain’t none good but GOD! That’s why He sent The Perfect role model for us to keep before us. JESUS…Righteousness Personified! (Ref. John 3:16-17)

TRUTHBETOLD, except for the Mercy of God’s Grace, NONE OF US WOULD qualify for Heaven! We’d all be consumed by our own sin!  But God, knowing what He was getting before we were even born, DECIDED TO PUT GODSELF in the midst of our fragile-clay vessels, therefore there’s yet HOPE of Glorraaaa! (Ref. Colossians 1:27)

So the next time, you’re tempted to bask in the glorraa of your own self-righteousness, CHECK YOURSEL! Remember that flicked human proclivity? Beloved, you betta recognize that God really does read hearts! (Ref. 1 Samuel 16:7)

“For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:20

WOW!  Jesus raised the bar, huh? Question is, of all the folk in your sphere, who’s going to heaven because of your influence, or who’s going to hell? Don’t shout me down nah! #ijs!

Sooooo, the next time you’re tempted to send ANYONE’S po’ soul straight to HELL, because they don’t measure up to your self-discriminating standards, MIGHT I SUGGEST THAT WE MAKE SURE THAT OUR OWN SALT IS SEASONED WELL WITH LOTS OF LOVE and LACED WITH LOADS OF MERCY AND GRACE! #IJS #SEASONED VS. SELECTIVE

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

SMALL BEGINNINGS!

Leave a reply

SMALL BEGINNINGS

SELAH Daily Devotions!

And said to his servent, go up now, look toward the sea. And he went up and looked, and said. There is nothing. And he said, go up again seven times. And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, behold there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man’s hand. And he said, go up, say unto Ahab. Prepare thy chariot, and get thee down, that the rain stop thee not. And it came to pass in the meanwhile, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. 1 Kings 18:43-45

For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth.  Zechariah 4:10
Anybody can say I trust God, huh? However, it’s how we endure the proving time that determines the genuineness of our trust!

Life inevitably includes dark times when there’s no evidence to substantiate that God is with you and even less that He’s sees you or is even listening to your prayers. It’s during these times, when the pressure is on us to faint and to give up, that we learn how to dig in our heels and encourage ourselves, intentionally, by regurgitating what God has promised! It ain’t cheap! But it is possible! This kind of holy-boldness, that stares suffering in the face, determining that in spite of what it looks like, my heart shall remain fixed on God’s Eternal Word requires time-tested commitment, patience and endurance!

In this 21st Mellinium Age of high-tech instant gratification, waiting has become an endangered phenomenon! Can you imagine  Elijah’s servant’s frustration, running back and forth six times before he was able to see what His Master saw? I know I can. (Hint! Hint!) Thank God for Elijah’s faith, not to mention God’s compassionate patience to wait on the servant’s eyes to be opened, huh?

Like the Prophet Zerubbabel, I know,  all too well, the struggle involved to overcome the external and internal challenges of any Pastor, assigned to build a new ministry from the ground up! Especially, when it means persuading. encouraging and emboldening a small group of believers, firstly, that this is The Lord’s Doing and not ours! Secondly, we must be prepared to endure the ‘mean time’ armed with the realization that God’s vision for the church is always greater than natural eyes can conceive.

As leaders, we must also accept that everybody’s not going to be eager to jump onboard! Nevertheless,  God has assigned His number to lay the foundation and rejoices in the faithfulness of those who are willing to grab hold to His Word and move forward, convinced that despite of the opposition, under Jehovah’s watchful Eye and empowered by Holy Spirit, the vision shall come to pass!

Beloved, as Blood-washed-born-again-Children of The Most High God, we must understand that Satan’s never gong to High-5 us and say, ‘Uncle’! But from the cradle to the grave he’s going to work overtime to cause us to give up on our Lord! Hence, we must expect our faith to be stretched beyond our comfort zone!

Watching my son’s life ravished by sickness, unemployment, discouragement, depression, hope dispelled by hopelessness grieved my heart unlike anything I’d ever experience. Little did I know that in the midst of everything that the devil meant for evil, God was there waiting behind the cloud, leading and drawing him closer to Himself. I remember how my soul rejoiced hearing that he had given his life to The Lord during a bible study class the evening before! God used the storm to woo my son to seek Him for himself thereby positioning him for the showers of blessings that would follow!

Always remember, the prayers of the righteous don’t have an expiration date, but your troubles do! We must remain confident that God will do just what He needs to bring our loved ones into The Kingdom. While weeping may endure for a night, however, with every breaking of a new day, God reminds us of His Faithfulness to those who trust in Him.

Precious ones, when we can’t see our way, God guides us with his eyes! His vision is far greater than 20/20; it’s from eternity past, thru present, into eternity future!

Beloved,  if you find yourself smack-dab-in-the-middle of what  seems like the sun ain’t never gonna shine again, keep looking up! You’re not alone! TRUTHBTOLD, many of the saints are under satanic attack and afflicted by all manner of maladies. Tragically, some have lost their hope for life getting any better. But instead of surrendering to what you’re going through, can I offer you a ray of Son Light? Rest assured, absolutely nothings ever happens that takes your Heavenly Father by surprise!

Saints, your Heavenly Father works the night shift! Like Elijah and Zerubbabel, gird up the loins of your mind and remember WHO you’re trusting! He who promised is failthful!  Don’t allow the darkness to scare you! God is using the clouds to position to receive His Abundant Blessings! Look up, your Redeemer’s Hands are in the midst of the clouds!

Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. Eccl. 7:8  #SMALLBEGINNINGS!!!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

THURSDAYS’ PRAYERS!

Leave a reply

prayn-and-fasting-pic

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

Good morning Family! GOTTA MOMENT? Ooh GGGGllllorrrraaaaa!

Welcome to a new day! Today, we’re excited that you have joined us in our Thursdays’ Day of Corporate Fasting & Prayer! Once again, we appreciate the opportunity and privilege to entreat The Presence of our Great High Priest, pouring out our hearts desires, petitions and supplications with Thanksgiving. We know that He delights in our embracing Him in earnest expectation, confident that He Rules Forever by His Power is able to save and deliver us from any of life’s maladies!Shall we pray?

Welcome Holy Spirit! We are in Your Presence! Fill us with Your Power, take complete control! You are Living Water, Never ending Fountain, Comforter and Counselor! Take complete control….Welcome Holy Spirit…O, Sweet Wonder! Oh Sweet Wonder! Jesus, The Son of God! Ooohh Sweet Wonder! Oh! Sweet Wonder! Jesus! The Son of God! Here I am to worship, Here I am to bow down, Here I am to say that you’re my God,You’re altogether lovely, Altogether worthy, Altogether wonderful to me! LET’S PRAY…

 

Our Father and God of Heaven and Earth, we come before You humbled by Your Loving-Kindness, Grace and Mercy! We’re eternally grateful for one more opportunity to behold The Glory of Your Presence! We know that it’s Your Sovereign Will and Strength that has allowed us to live, move and breath, being clothed in our right mind today! We thank You for revealing to us such wondrous treasures that were hidden from our understanding, when we walked surrounded by darkness, as dead men in the earth without a God on our side!

Abba Father, it’s only because of Your Wisdom, we know to cherish this day and not take it for granted as if we have a right to be alive! We come humbled by Your Mercy before You, with open hears, uplifted hands and lips filled with joy and delight to praiz and Your Holy Name! We thank You for giving us The Name that’s above every other name! You have decreed that at The Name of Jesus ,our Lord and Savior, every knee must bow and every tongue shall confess that He Alone is Lord of Lords and King o Kings! We praiz You, Jesus for You have redeemed our lives from destruction and engrafted us into The Royal Kingdom of God! Because of Your Sacrificial Atoning Blood, we are now called Children f The Most High 4ever! Oh, how awesome are Your deeds! For You have preserved our lives and kept our feet from slipping!

Daddy, we thank You for Your continued benevolence and favor towards us! We are eternally grateful that because You are The God of our Salvation, Deliverance, Breakthrough and Provision, no good thing will You withhold from us as we continuously walk upright before You! And because You formed us in our Mother’s wombs, You know our frame, nevertheless Your faithfulness and compassion continuously allows You to look beyond our human frailties,fickleness, faults and iniquities to see and minister to fulfill everything that we will ever need pertaining to life and godliness! We rejoice in Your Promise that You will watch over, protect and guide tenderly us as the apple of Your Eye!

We know You to be A Merciful and Forgiving Father! We know that You are the God of many chances because You keep right on blessing us over and over again! Abba Father, we know that it would be foolish for us to continue in sin, frustrating Your Grace, therefore we bow reverently before You now asking You to forgive me this day for everything I have done, said or thought that was not pleasing to Your Heart. Assured 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 now for Your forgiveness, in The Precious Name of Jesus!
Sweet Jesus, teach us to see sin through Your eyes and to acknowledge it as evil wickedness and rebellion against the Creator and Lover of our souls, The Giver and Sustainer of All Life! 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! For this cause, we gladly present our spirit, soul and body as a living holy sacrifice to be used for Your Greatest Glory!
Precious Lord, because no man can come to the Father except You draw them, we intercede on behalf of every unsaved soul, praying that You will quicken The Spirit of Godly-repentance in their heart and in their mind that they will will hear Your Voice, come confessing a “Sincere YES” to your Amazing Gift of Grace and receive You as their personal Lord and Savior TODAY! We’re believing that You will Divinely orchestrate their footsteps settleling them into a local church home where they will be embraced with joy-filled loving fellowship with their brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus!

Lord, we ask You to put a fresh “committed YES” in the heart and mind of every backslider who has walked away from following Your Teachings! Let today be the day that they come back to You and come back to YOUR church where they will sincerely submit their lives to the sound teachings of Your Word, learn to love and live their lives walking out Your plan and purpose, becoming a Light reflecting Your Glory,Will and Ways to a dark, lost and dying world and provoking some sinner man, sinner woman, boy and girl to cry out “What must I do to be saved!”

 

Father, we pray that You will touch our brother, touch our sister whose body has been afflicted by  all manner of sickness and disease, including but not limited to the spirit of cancer, kidney/live disease, heart/lung , disease, arthritis, bone and muscle disease, autism and dementia! We pray that You are already rebuking and casting out every symptom and trace of it out at the root, for Your Name Sake!

 

We lift up all who are on dialysis, chemotherapy, awaiting transplants and other surgery, those in nursing and rehabilitation homes! 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 and Willing to do the same right now! Your Eternal Living 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!

Sweet Holy Spirit, we’re standing in agreement with every believer who is yet holding on to Your Hand by faith today, that You are releaseing Divine Power, Supernatural Strength, Health, Wholeness, Provision, Prosperity, Protection and Peace that passes all Understanding. As we’re trusting in You, we thank You for preserving each and everyone of us thru the tests that You have allowed us to go thru, keeping us constantly aware of YOUR PRESENCE and fully-confident that at the appointed time,You, WILL bring them out wholly restored, renewed, refreshed and with the reward with a soul-stirring testimony of what Faith In God can do!

 

Father, we lift up our children, our grand-children and our great-grands, nieces, nephews, cousins, sisters, brothers, spouses, in-laws and friends, by faith, we abort and overrule every curse that’s been ordered against their lives and canceling every scheme that Satan desires to inflict upon them! As we commit them into Your Providential 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 ordered by Your eyes! Therefore we speak The Peace of God over their spirits, souls, minds and bodies releasing a Spirit of Love, Holiness and Excellence to fulfill their God ordained destiny!

Holy Father, we’re lifingt up every Bishop, Pastor, Overseer, Apostle, Evangelist, Preacher. Teacher, Missionary, auxiliary leader, usher, musician, choir member and director and church member! 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 with honor, wisdom and favor!All who would seek to discredit, hinder and even destroy their faith, faithfulness and the ministry You have ordained from their mother’s womb, shall be rebuked and restrained by The Power of Holy Spirit. In Jesus Name! IT IS SO!

Sweet Lord, as You have instructed, we pray for every leader of our nation, federal and local government, legislative, corporate, judicial, education, public service, healthcare and financial institutions! We’re asking that You touch the minds and hearts of those that You’ve ordained for leadership for such a time as this! Lord speak to them in dreams and visions, reminding them that POWER BELONGS TO YOU Who Sit Enthroned Above the Heavens! Convict them that Your eyes are going to and fro throughout the whole earth, keeping record of the deeds of every man’s heart and will reward accordingly!

El Shadai, we believe that You are warning them that He who is pregnant with evil and conceives trouble gives birth to disillusionment. He who digs a hole and scoops it out will fall into the pit he has made. The trouble he causes recoils on himself and his violent schemes will come down on his own head.We believe that because their hearts are in Your Hands, they are being continuously opened to hear and obey Your Will! Lord Jesus, we’re standing on Your Word as decreed that The government of this world shall rest upon Your shoulders and that You are The Eternal King of Kings and Lord of Lords!

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! We pray that You send a double-portion-downpour of Your Divine Favor upon each who needs encouragement and empowe them to stand steadfast, immovable in the midst of these wicked and evil days! Let us know that we are never alone  and that Your Grace is Sufficient to overcome every weapon that is formed against us!! We decree that every demonic-induced spirit of addiction and fear is defeated NOW because of Your Anointing and that the Spirit of Love, Power and Sound-mindness and Purpose is being released into the lives of Your people now, in Jesus Name!

 

Heavenly Father, because You have promised to perfect our cares and concerns, O GOD, we bring so many other situations before Your Majestic Throne. Those who are broken hearted, feeble in body and spirit, the one at a crossroad of life, 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 acknowledge that there are so many other things we should pray about, however believing that Holy Spirit is already interceding on our behalf, interpreting our sighs, moans and the groanings of our hearts, we wait in confidence and quietness, anticipating the exceeding Greatness of Your Power, rejoicing in hope and trusting wholly that all workers of iniquity are trembling and suddenly departing 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, in closing, we stand in humbled boldness, agreeing with You Who hears and answers our prayers, and forgives our transgressions! Holy Father, because You have chosen us to lice eternally with You Who Reigns 4Ever, our souls are strengthened as we shout with joy! We bow in obedient reverence before The Hope of all the earth, believing that as Your face shines upon us that, You are making Your ways and salvation known among all nations for You Guide and Rule justly!

Father, we thank You NOW, for WE believe that it is done according to Your Eternal Will! 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 LIVES AND LOVES EVERYBODY!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

 

 

THURSDAYS’ PRAYERS!

Leave a reply

prayn-and-fasting-pic

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

GM FAM! GOTTA MOMENT? HALLELUJAHHHH!

 

We’re excited that you’ve joined us once again for our Weekly Thursday’s Corporate Prayer and Fasting! All those who truly believe that if U call on JESUS, HE WILL ANSWER are uniting in one accord! We know that we’re dealing with what the Scriptures define as  those ‘SOME THINGS’! Therefore we’re taking God at HIS WORD and lifting up all  who’re experiencing time-sensitive circumstances, depending solely upon THE GRACE OF GOD 2 perfect everything that’s accelerating doubt, causing us much concern and depleting our hope! Shall we pray?

 

Saviour, like a Shepherd lead us, Much we need thy tend’rest care; In thy pleasant pastures feed us, For our use thy folds prepare:Blessed Jesus, blessed Jesus,Thou hast bought us, thine we are….THOU HAS BOUGHT US THINE WE ARE…O how I love the Name Jesus! O how I love the Name Jesus! IT IS THE SWEETEST NAME I KNOW…

 

Abba Father, it is with outstretched arms, open hearts filled with eternal gratitude, rejoicing in The Splendor and Magnificence of Your Glorious Presence, we come blessing Your Holy Name for allowing us to live 1 more day! It’s only because of Your Loving-Kindness, Grace and Mercy, that we’re yet here to live, breathe move  and have our being! As we enter into Your Throne Room, humbled by Your Ambiance, we bow in hope-filled earnest expectation that You will entreat us graciously as we pour out the burdens that seem to overwhelm our hearts today, releasing everything that concerns us to You,! Knowing 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!

As we present ourselves as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable unto you, 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!

Precious Lord, before we go any further, we’re asking You to forgive us for everything that we, your children, have willfully and unwillfully 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! With sincere praise , we yield our spirits, soul and bodies as empty vessels before You today, depending and relying only on You for renewed power, strength, wisdom and understanding!

Because no man can come to the Father except you draw them, we intercede on behalf of every unsaved soul, asking You to quicken the Spirit of Godly-repentance in their heart and in their mind that they will come to You today confessing a “sincere YES” to your gift of Grace and receiving You as their personal Lord and Savior! We’re believing that You will direct their footsteps, placing and settleling them into a church home where they will be loved, nurtured and taught the ways of righteousness to live the blessed lives that You have purchased through Your Sacrificial Atone Blood!

Heavenly Father, 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  back to YOUR church where they will submit their lives to the sound teachings of Your Word, and learn to love and live their lives walking to please You First and provoking all who don’t know You to cry out “WHAT MUST I DO 2 BE SAVED” and to fall deeply in Love With You!

Sweet Jesus, as we lift up our children, grand-children and great-grand children, help us to remember that such were some of us! By faith, we decree and declare that every scheme that Satan desires to inflict upon them, IS HEREBY SUDDENLY CANCELLED, and RECOILED! As we commit them into Your providential care, we acknowledge that because Your Plan and Purpose for their lives cannot be over-ruled, we have the blessed assurance that EVERY STEP AND STOP IS BEING ORDERED UNDER THE WATCHFUL CARE OF YOUR EYES AND NO WEAPON FORMED AGAINST THEM SHALL PROSPER AND EVERYTHING THAT PERTAINS TO THEIR DESTINY OF LIFE AND GODLINESS IS FULLFILLED!

Holy Father, we lift up every Bishop, Pastor, Overseer, Apostle, Evangelist, Preacher. Teacher, Missionary, auxiliary leader, usher, musician, choir member and director and church member! 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 with honor, wisdom and favor! All who would seek to discredit, hinder and even destroy their faith, faithfulness and the GOD-ORDAINED ministry shall be rebuked and restrainedby The Power of Holy Spirit. In Jesus Name!

As You have instructed, we pray for every leader of our nation and this world, be it federal and local government, legislative, corporate, judicial, education, public service, healthcare and financial institutions! We’re asking that You touch the minds and hearts of those that You’ve ordained for leadership for such a time as this! Lord speak to them in dreams and visions, reminding them that POWER BELONGS TO YOU Who Sit Enthroned Above the Heavens! Convict them that Your eyes are going to and fro throughout the whole earth, keeping record of the deeds of every man’s heart and will reward accordingly! We believe that because their hearts are in Your Hands, they are being continuously opened to hear and obey Your Will! Lord Jesus, we’re standing on Your Word as decreed that The government of this world shall rest upon Your shoulders and that You are The Eternal King of Kings and Lord of Lords!

Abba Father, Your Word warns us that many are the afflictions of the righteous, therefore, Your children are not exempt from experiencing the troubles of this fallen ungodly systems of this world! Even knowing that man shall not live by Bread Alone but by every Word that proceeds from Your Mouth, yet, sometimes we are so overwhelmed by the noisy pestilence of this DECAYING world that we find ourselves walking in fear and not by faith! Nevertheless, clinging to Your Assurance that nothing happens in our lives except it’s cleared by You, we are fully persuaded that while weeping may endure for a nite, all trouble has an expiration date BUT JOY SHALL COME IN THE MORNING LIGHT!

HOWEVER, Your Faithful Power to deliver, heal and set us free  NEVER ENDS!  You have Sovereignly designated the exact moment of Divine Deliverance from all of life’s maladies, and Your children shall be rewarded double for our troubles, EMPOWERED with a burning testimony in our bellies to convince, encourage and convict those who we come into contact with that JESUS IS THE SAME, YESTERDAY, TODAY AND 4EVER!

We decree that every demonic-induced spirit of fear is defeated NOW because of Your Anointing and that the Spirit of Love, Power and Sound-mindness and Purpose is being released in the lives of Your people now, in Jesus Name!

We lift up before You, the sick, shut-in, those who are grieving and mourning the death of family and friends, those whose lives are being tormented by fear, failure, unbelief, unforgiveness, doubt, anxiety, stress, mental disorder, hopelessness, shame and guilt, disappointment, rejection, broken marriages and relationships, ungodly soul ties, addictions and perverted sexual orientations! We rebuke and renounce every sickness, disease and all manner of afflictions!

By faith in THE POWER AND AUTHORITY OF THE NAME OF JESUS, we declare and decree immediate release of physical, mental, spiritual and financial healing to be manifested in the lives and bodies of Your elect! As God’s anointed, we stand in agreement that everything that does not align with Your Will shall bow, be bound and cast down immediately! We call everything in the atmosphere surrounding Your Chosen, into Divine Alignment now, In Jesus Name!

Father, we wait in confidence and quietness, rejoicing in hope and trusting wholly that all workers of iniquity are trembling and suddenly departing in fear and 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 Sovereign Throne of Grace and Mercy!

Abba Father, we stand in agreement with You who hears ours prayers, forgives our transgressions, chosen and brought us near to live in Your House, are shouting with everlasting joy to The One to Whom all men will come! We’re owing in obedient reverence before 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!

Believing that every  prayer, supplication and inquiry is being answered according to Your Holy Will,  we thank You NOW! In The Exalted Name of Jesus WE SAY Amen 3X and It Is So!

Now every child of God who is standing in agreement with this prayer, SHOUT GLORRRAA AND GO TELL SOMEBODY THAT JESUS STILL LOVES AND CARES 4 EVERYBODY!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

 

 

 

A REASON 4 HOPE???

Leave a reply

A REASON 4 HOPE

 

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: 1 Peter 3:15

 

Daily, the end-time prophetic utterances are being actualized in real-time-illustrated-sermons. You don’t have to be a Biblical Scholar or Seminar Theologian to recognize that we’re living in unparalleled times much like the Bible describes  as  “The Times of Jacobs Troubles”! Those of us who’re spiritually awakened are astutely aware that the end is nearer now than its ever been! The world, as we know it,  is spiraling towards Eternity and there’s absolutely nothing man can do to effectively change the course of Divine Destiny! Except humble himself and surrender his life to His Creator! The problem is, far too many are still unwilling to accept Truth even as it’s glaring at us right before our eyes. Why would we do such a thing? Perhaps as we intentionally investigate the Holy Writ, prayerfully, we might glean further insight into this uniquely human propensity.

And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. John 3:19.

Contrary to the personal opinions of many hirelings, The Bible never tells us that after we make the decision to live holy, as unto The Lord, that we can just relax stretched out on a flowery bed of ease.Yet, it does promise rewards of a better life than those who refuse to accept The Savior’s Amazing Grace!

Unfortunately some still opt to take the pathway of least resistance. Falling prey to the assumption that rejection liberates them from that pesky notion called ‘accountability’ ,preferring the more popular alleyway of “I’m the master of my own destiny; therefore I’ll do whatever seems right in my own mind for as long as I feel like it! And IF there is a GOD, then I expect Him to calculate my good and evil deeds and compassionately determine that since I’m not like so and so, He’ll let me come thru The Pearly Gates.”

Regrettably, sometimes even the ‘so-called-saints’ don’t fare much better! When challenged by unfavorable situations, fear and doubt will slither in, causing them to erroneously accuse and attack the Faithfulness of Jehovah Jireh revealing the shallowness of their faith with a,“Where are you GOD? Why is this happening to me? I am born-again, I’ve been baptized. I’m not perfect, but I deserve better than this. Besides, I thought we’re no longer under the Law but under The Dispensation of Grace. So EVEN if I still walk in unfaithful disobedience, God,YOU  know my heart, right?”

Ironically, the more holy your lifestyle, the more of a target of unsavory rejection and reproof you become to those who choose not to live Godly! Evidently, your Godliness testifies against their Godlessness! (Ref. 2 Timothy 3:12) Is there any wonder why OUR (those of us who actually believe that The Holy Bible is The Word of God) attempts to share ETERNAL TRUTHS are often ‘buked and scorned, castoff with disgust, as if we’re nothing more than an annoying nuisance? That is until The Adversary rips into their comfortable lives threatening to destroy their self-orchestrated world! #don’tshoutmedownnah!

Frequently, these frantic inquirers have no clue that trouble does not discriminate between the just and the unjust. In fact, it’s almost as if Satan gets a double-kick out of terrorizing the saints even more than those rebellious unbelievers. Kinda makes you wonder if demons are rewarded with trophies for bringing down God’s Elect, huh?

Nonetheless, God allows tests and trials to strike our lives, knowing full well that there’s a group of haters watching and waiting for your faith to fail and fall facedown! However, much to their dismay, God has fortified you to triumph with His Promise, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.” Psalm 23:4-5

Hence, the greater the darkness, the brighter Light shines! It’s almost unfair, considering the supernatural advantage that we, who no longer rely on fate-based-circumstantial-evidence, have over the unregenerated souls. But, then again; favor ain’t fair!

When the world sees you still standing, having endured the sting of hell’s fiery darts, surviving the very same pitfalls, hardships and struggles, yet determined to sanctify our hearts, trusting God regardless of what the circumstances look like, I MEAN WOW! Talk about a REAL living testimony, huh?

Can you imagine the devastating gut-ravishing rage that your commitment to Christ causes in the Kingdom of Darkness? More importantly, can you imagine the joy shouting, thundering applauds, exuberant dancing erupting from Heaven’s angelic hosts, not to mention the cloud of witnesses cheering us on? (Ref. Hebrews 12:1) NOW DATZ AMAZING!

Beloved, TRUST2KNO, whatever we go through, we have The Blessed Assurance that our Victory is inevitable! Okay, now that’s just too good to keep to yourself!

That’s exactly why we gotta keep telling everybody that what we have reaches far beyond this world and RESTS SOLELY IN THE ETERNAL HOPE PERSONIFIED, THE LORD JESUS CHRIST WHO REIGNS FOREVER! #SOUNDREASONABLE? #WOW!!! OOOHH GGLORRAAAA!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee