Tag Archives: victory

GOD WILL COME THRU

GOD WILL COME THRU

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

And the redeemer shall come to Zion, and unto them that turn from transgression in Jacob, saith the Lord. Isaiah 59:20)

 

Ever heard them ol’ skool Mothers say, “God’s never late and hardly ever early”? Well, if that’s supposed to make waiting easier, let me assure you, it doesn’t! What about, “A delay is not a denial and a failure is not final”. Granted, these proverbial acclaimations may work in a 11 a.m. Sunday Morning Service, with the musicians crankin’, the praise team rockin’ it and the saints shoutin’! But! What about when you leave the sanctuary and get home alone, again; and the evil one starts bringing up all the reasons why you ain’t  gonna make it through this time! And what if the test results confirm _____; and what if you don’t get accepted; and what if  she did have an affair; whatcha gonna do if He does want a divorce? Hence, ‘Hey you, where’s your GOD NOW!’

The ol’ saints used to sing, “He Delivers, Praise the Lord, He Delivers, Praise the Lord, I was bound by the power of the devil, but HE delivered, Praise the Lord”! Well, let me tell you why they were able to sing those kinda songs. They didn’t have a lot of money at their disposal, so if they got sick they couldn’t afford a doctor. If they had more mouths than food they couldn’t just whip out their credit card at the grocery store. When their car broke down, they couldn’t take it to Mr. Bill’s Auto Shop. And if John Edward got locked up, they couldn’t afford no bail or private attorney!  But, they had a God to pray to! And you know what? They found Him to be an ‘ON TIME GOD!’

Having no other recourse, but to wait on da Lawdd, they resigned themselves to stand planted on The Rock of Ages, not wishin’ and a hopin’; but trusting in the Strength of God’s Love despite what it looked like!

Needless to say, this kind of faith is hard to find in this “busy-booming-High-Tech-don’t need nobody-DIY” generation. After all we have so many other options. Why pray and have to wait on GOD? 

Because He is God and we are not! God has deliberately designated each step and stop necessary to cultivate our realization that we are His Creation; created to fulfill His purpose and without Him we can do absolutely nothing. (Ref. John 15:5) But through His Guidance and Power, all things are possible! (Ref. Philippians 4:13)

Yes, we all experience times when it jus feels like God has turned His Face and given our enemy the nod to ‘walk right over our head’. Except, considering the ambiguity of our emotions, is it really wise to rely upon such in the crucial moments of a time-sensitive-crisis? Exactly? Bible-Faith is based on solely upon The Sure Foundation; The Word of God!

God knows sometimes our flesh becomes weary! That’s why He dispatched Holy Spirit to hover close while we’re waiting for Him to move! (Ref. Isaiah 40:31) The reason God is never in a hurry is because He knows just what it takes to perfect His Will and His Glory in your life. He swore by GOD-SELF to never abandon or give up on you! (Ref. Deut. 31:8) So, why would you ever give up on Him? Am I right, about it? #ijs

Stop trying to figure everything out. Keep trusting and keep expecting your deliverance at any moment! Trust and know that ain’t no mountain high enough, ain’t no valley low enough; Ain’t no river wide enough, TO KEEP GOD FROM GETTING 2 U! 

REMEMBER DAT! HE’S ALWAYS COME THROUGH 4 YOU!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

STICK WITH WHAT U KNOW

STICK WITH WHAT U KNOW

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; And through the rivers, they shall not overflow you. When you walk through the fire, you shall not be burned, Nor shall the flame scorch you. For I am the Lord your God, The Holy One of Israel, your Savior; I gave Egypt for your ransom, Ethiopia and Seba in your place. Since you were precious in My sight, You have been honored, And I have loved you; Therefore I will give men for you, And people for your life. Fear not, for I am with you. Isaiah 43:2-4

 

Time is hurling towards Eternity at the speed of life! And sometimes, life comes at you hard, fast and furious, huh?.

I mean, it can’t actually be 21 years ago? I blink and I’m sitting at my daughter’s bedside in the L & D Unit, only slightly aware of her antagonistic glares, but not the least bit daunted away from my mission. Time after time, warning her of each impending contraction (as if she really needed to hear me tell her).

Was it really that many hours past before the birth of the most beautiful baby girl this side of heaven, Lil’ Miss Dasia? I can still summon up that joy and sheer magic just witnessing this small Wonder of God’s Glory. It can’t be 21 years ago or can it? One moment, she’s sitting on the front steps waiting for Pop-Pop; her first starring role in a kindergarten play; going to the Senior Prom; crossing the stage receiving her High School Diploma; packing up the car; going off to college and now few months shy of graduation…WOOOAH! I guess it must be, huh?

We treasure memories like those, right? Nobody expects those unannounced choatic interruptions. I mean; like waking up the morning refreshed, satiated in anticipation of what adventures are waiting to be unfolded during the course of this new day; totally oblivious to the impact of that 11:49 mid-day phone call, that 5:22 rush-hour accident on the Beltway, or that 2:15 a.m. Police knocking at your door, invading your normal routine everyday as usual life in a way you never thought possible!

Suddenly! By the time your head hits the pillow again, every ounce of hope has been ripped out of you, fleeing to a place waaaaay beyond reach. That peace you enjoyed earlier that day somehow has become lost in the maze of extreme anxiety, depression, and hapless desolation. While something inside of you wonders, was that this morning?

Life has a way of slapping you smack-dab-in the middle of your face, no matter how strong you may think you are. There’s no way to be prepared for something like this, saved-sanctified-Holy Ghost filled or not! Yet not one of us is exempt from the threat of drowning in an unexpected out of the blue situation. And of course, The Tempter doesn’t miss any opportunity to exploit our crisis and destroy our faith in what we do know.

The Israelites faced a similar dilemma in 2 Chronicles 2:12. Surrounded by their enemy with no way out, King Jehoshaphat did the only thing he could do, he cried out to The Lord. “O our God, wilt Thou not judge them? For we have no might against this great company that cometh against us, neither know we what to do; but our eyes are upon Thee.”

Hopefuly, we all can glean from this example. Challenged by those “we don’t know why or what to do situations”, focus on what you do know! We do know WHO!

We know God is yet God! We know God is Omnipresent, Omnipotent and Omniscient! We know God is Ruler of All Creation! We know God is in complete control! We know He’s always Present with us and that All Power Belongs to God! We know God knows everything about everything! We know His love is unconditionally faithful and irrevocably established forever! We know He’s Solemnly committed Himself to caring, comforting, protecting and restoring our righteousness, peace and our joy!

Don’t get lost in the quarry of the unknown. STICK WITH WHAT YOU KNOW!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

HALLELUJAH!!!

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 new born and bred, Blood-washed, Holy Ghost baptized 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!

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 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

WHATCHA SAY?

whaacha-say-2

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

“And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Matthew 16:19

Ever wonder why it seems like The Word of God isn’t working for you? Hopefully, we do know that the fault can’t be with God, right? Well that leaves, you know who; and I ain’t talking about the devil. Although he doesn’t mind a bit lapping up the free publicity! So what are we doing, or perhaps more appropriately, what are we not doing?

Normally, in our western culture, we tend to use the words, declare and decree interchangeably when in fact they are quite different. Judicially, before a policy or a law can be enforced or carried out there must be a decree or a mandate  authorized by a source who is empowered to rule or to govern. In other words a decree must be handed down from a sovereign or higher authority!

One of the many fringe benefits of our Covenant Relationship through our Lord Jesus Christ is as bona fide heirs we have The Keys to the Kingdom! Keys represent authority! However, we must first understand not what but Who our Key is—it is the Name of JESUS! (Ref. Romans 4:11) Hence, The Creator of the universe has entrusted us to speak (decree) things that be not and expect them to come to pass. (Ref. Romans 4:17) Didjaheardat?

As authorized agents of the Kingdom, we’re charged to enforce the plan of God—which is the WILL of GOD revealed in the WORD of GOD! This means any demonic attempt to block us from receiving the blessings of our Heavenly Father is thereby bound and forced to bow to The Name of Jesus!

The problem is, ofttimes, His children never reach a level of maturity in the things of God to freely operate in the power that God has ordained. Hence, instead of calling those things that be not as though they were, we continue to call things that are as if they will always be! And guess what, since we are created in His Image, we get just what we say! And then blame GOD because we don’t get the results we expect! We got some nerve, huh?

Considering Amos 3:3 asks “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” , today, is your walk in alignment with Kingdom Authority? Are you calling those things which be not as though they are? Or, are you calling those things as they are? #IJS

ARE YOU SAYING WHAT GOD SAYS OR SAYING WHAT YOU SEE? INTERESTING, huh? WHATCHA SAY?

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

WORTHY!

WORTHY!

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

Sing unto the Lord, all the earth; shew forth from day to day his salvation. Declare his glory among the heathen; his marvellous works among all nations. For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised: he also is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the people are idols: but the Lord made the heavens. Glory and honour are in his presence; strength and gladness are in his place. 1 Chronicles 16:23-27

 

Today’s scripture text takes place when King David and the Levitical Priests were finally bringing The Ark of the Covenant home to Jerusalem, after their first attempt turned drastically wrong, releasing the burning Anger of God resulting in the death of the King’s servant, Uzzah, who unsuspectingly illegally handled The Ark. (Ref. 2 Samuel 6:6-11)

But GOD! In his infinite Mercy and Grace, allows David a second chance to restore The Presence of God to its rightful place, in the center of the City of David. This time, David sought instructions of The Lord rather than presuming that he already knew the Will of God. Oh Hallelujahhhhh!!!!

How many times have we run ahead of God, only to regrettably discover that our decisions landed us smack-dab-in-the middle of a dead-end situation? Oh, the folly of man’s failure to remember The Wonders of God’s Sovereignty is far too great to be limited by our past experiences or the inadequacy of human intellectual presupposition. Nevertheless,  our Condescending Savior’s Grace towards us is revealed time and time again as His Favor allows us the opportunity to repent and turn back to Him that He might Shepherd and direct us in the appropriate Ways we should go. Have I gotta a bonifide witness to tell da truth and shame da devil?

It’s no wonder David, overwhelmed with ecstasy, joy and delight, rejoiced, danced, singing a new song celebrated before the Lord without reserve, uninhibited by person, title, position, nor shame. Israel’s King recognized fully well, that GOD alone, having forgiven his rebellious presumptions sin, restoring him back into proper right-standing with The King of Kings was indeed worthy of unrelenting worship, praise, honor and glory!

When was the last time you abandoned your expectations, mistakes, predicaments and criticisms, and lost yourself to inflamed worship in The Shechinah Glory for another second chance?

” FOR THERE IS NONE ELSE IS LIKE YOU LORD! NONE ELSE TO COMPARE WITH YOUR MAJESTIC GLORY! FOR THIS CAUSE, WE BLESS AND MAGNIFY YOUR NAME, KING JESUS… TODAY AND FOREVER MORE! FOR YOU ALONE ARE WORTHY!”

Didjaheardat? WELL…LET IT GO! MY HALLELUJAH BELONGS 2 U! ALL OF THE GLORRRAAAA BELONG 2 U! U DESERVE IT….4 U ALONE R WORTHY!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

 

DON’T GET SIDETRACKED!

dont-get-sidebraked3

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

“Keep therefore the words of this covenant, and do them, that ye may prosper in all that ye do.”…”Lest there should be among you man, or woman, or family, or tribe, whose heart turneth away this day from the Lord our God, to go and serve the gods of these nations; lest there should be among you a root that beareth gall and wormwood; And it come to pass, when he heareth the words of this curse, that he bless himself in his heart, saying, I shall have peace, though I walk in the imagination of mine heart, to add drunkenness to thirst:” Deuteronomy 29:9, 18-19 NIV

“All the nations will ask, “Why did God do this to this country? What on earth could have made Him this angry?”

Your children will answer, “Because they abandoned the Covenant of the God of their ancestors that He made with them after He got them out of Egypt; they went off and worshiped other gods, submitted to gods they’d never heard of before, gods they had no business dealing with. So God’s anger erupted against that land and all the curses written in this book came down on it. God, furiously angry, pulled them, roots and all, out of their land and dumped them in another country; as you can see.”

God, our God, will take care of the hidden things but the revealed things are our business. It’s up to us and our children to attend to all the terms in this Revelation.” Deuteronomy 29:24-29 The Message

OMG!  NOT AGAIN…What is it with us? While our spirit knows fully well that Your Ways are always the best for us, yet this ol’ fickle flesh is so easily tempted to …as if we could ever possibly improve on Perfection!

When are we gonna recognize that our Heavenly Father IS OMNISCIENT… dat means HE knows the end from the beginning? Even more important, you need to remember that HE IS GOD AND UR NOT! K?  Therefore, absolutely  NOTHING IN YOUR LIFE CAN EVER TAKE HIM BY SURPRISE! #DIDJAHEARDAT?

So you still think you got a better plan, huh?  

Okay! BUT…while you’re doing YOUDon’t let your guard down, lest there be hell to pay!

LORD, HELP US! Lord deliver us from us!  Father, when our circumstances contradict Your Promises, teach us to trust the Power of Your Word and how to activate it in our lives as we await Your Perfect Timing!  Lord Jesus, help us to stay focused on Your Word that we may see Your goodness in the land of the living! 

IF GOD SAID IT, THAT SETTLES IT…BELIEVE IT OR NOT! DON‘T GET SIDETRACKED!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

I CAN’T, BUT GOD CAN!

i-cant-but-god-can-3

SELAH Daily Devotions!

“And being not weak in faith, he considered not his own body now dead, when he was about a hundred years old, neither yet the deadness of Sarah’s womb; He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God; And being fully persuaded that, what He had promised, He was able also to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.” Romans 4:19-22

As a remnant of the 20th Century Church, I’ve lived long enough to have a clearer understanding, why The God of The Bible adamantly commanded His Chosen Ones to resist amalgamating with those outside of covenant relationship with Him. (Ref. 2 Corinthians 6:17) And some of us thought that God just wanted to keep us from having any fun! Considering the way this world is headed, now we see the consequences of not distinguishing ourselves from unbelievers. Apparently, Father still knows best, huh?

Unfortunately, many who profess Christ, remain double-minded, straddling the fence! I can only assume their stance is depending on the group they happen to be in the midst of. Of course,  God never intended  for us to strut around robed in a spirit of self-righteous-arrogance, with our noses in the air, as if we are better than anybody else! Howeverrrr, spiritually speaking, as recipients of God’s Amazing Grace, it does make us better-off!  Oh no she didn’t!!! OOOHHH YES, I DID!

What’s the matter Zion?  Are we allowing the daily influx of mass media’s reportings  of  wide-spread chaos to leave us so traumatized by predictions of doom and gloom that they have muted our praise and drained us of Hope? If we’re walking around with our heads hung down and hearts inundated with fear and anxiety; worried about how we gonna make it, then what separates us from the Gentiles? #IJS…

Abraham,The Father of our faith, found himself in a seemingly hopeless situation. Not surprisingly, Abraham tried to fix the problem by himself. He got Ishmael (the child of the flesh) when God intended to give him Isaac (the child of Promise).When the drama and chaos had escalated to the point that Sarah gave him an ultimatum (it’s either her or me) suddenly, Abraham had an epiphany “the only hope that I have of this thing ever working is Divine Intervention.” In other words, “ Lord, I can’t do this, without Your Grace!”

OMG! Can we ever identify with Abraham! How many times have we been in a situation and we tried and tried, we cried and cried, murmured and complained, spent all we had and still came up short? It was not until we, like Abraham, made a conscious decision to stop depending on our inability, started relying on God’s Ability and turned it over to Jesus, that our hope was revived! As the text says, when all human reasoning for hope was exhausted, Abraham hoped on and God brought life into his dead situation(Romans 4:17-18) Hence, when we come to the end of ourselves, God steps in and does what seemed impossible!

Stop listening to that devil telling you, “it’s too late, you might as well accept the situation for what it is –eminent defeat!” He’s still a liar! My precious saints, don’t allow your present (temporary) circumstances cause you to doubt the Faithful Power of God’s Eternal Word. Why settle for seconds? If you are Abraham’s seed, you are the heirs of righteousness! #didjaheardat? WOW! 

So… lift up your heads, O Ye Gates! You have been anointed as agents of change! Gird up the loins of your mind AND be confident and fully persuaded that  SINCE YOU ARE IN CHRIST, THE CHRIST IN YOU automatically gives you a Supernatural advantage over natural consequences! (Ref. Colossians 1:27; 2 Corinthians 2:14)

Beloved,TRUST 2 KNOW THAT WHATEVER GOD PROMISES, HE IS WELL ABLE TO PERFORM! ALWAYS REMEMBER…EVEN IF I CAN’T, GOD CAN!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

GIANTS DO FALL!

GIANTS DO FALL2

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

Then said David to the Philistine, you come to me with a sword, a spear, and a javelIn; but I come to you in the name of the Lord of Hosts, the God of the ranks of Israel, whom you have defiled.

This day The Lord will deliver you into my hand; and I will smite you, and cut off your head; and I will give the corpses of the army of the Philistines this day to the birds of the air and the wild beasts of the earth; that all the earth may know that there is a God in Israel. And all this assembly shall know that the Lord saves not with sword and spear; for the battle is the Lord’s and He will give you into our hand. When the Philistine came forward to meet David, David ran quickly toward the battle line to me the Philistine. 1 Samuel 17:45-48

 

Life is challenging! No matter how we try to avoid drama, we might as well accept that there’s always going to be something or someone who’s sole mission in life is to challenge your peace, your postion or your purpose on any given day!

There was nothing unusual about this day for David,  an ordinary shepherd boy,  going about his daily chores and obeying his Father instructions  to deliver lunch to his older brothers who were part of Israel’s Army; that is until suddenly, he found himself smack-dab-in-the-middle of an unsually challenging situation!

As David approached the camp, he couldn’t help but notice this 10 ft. Philistine giant, Goliath, yelling out threats to the experienced warriors of God’s Chosen.  Israel’s army was reknown for their courageous military tactics; yet in this instance, most likely because of the monstrosity of this opponent, not to mention the threatening words bellowing from his lips, the Israelite soldiers immobilized with terror and paralyzed by fear, were hiding amongst the rocks. Okay now, don’t act like you would’ve responded any differently!

What was going on? Well apparently, these mighty-men-of valor who were normally confident, relying on their own strength and the effficiency of their arsenal to defeat their adversaries, but when faced with the size of Goliath, had reckoned that the risk and danger of this task insurmountable!

However, David’s perspective was quite different! David was no stranger to seemingly futile confrontations in his past, nevertheless, had victoriously overcome them all. Therefore, armed with his determination that if GOD did it before, HE’D SURELY DO IT AGAIN,  David chose to stick with the tried and proven!

Instead of running away from the potential imminent destruction, David’s memories of God’s Faithfulness enabled him to forge ahead, trusing soley in His God, thorougly convinced that the greater the challenge, the greater the reward! Life had trained David that if GOD be for you, it doesn’t matter who tries to come against you! Faith in God assures you that no matter what it looks like, GOD will turn it around in your favor guaranteeing that you’re always more than a conqueror! (Ref. Romans 8:28, 37)

Unless you were born late last night or just landed on earth early this morning, like David, I kinda believe you’ve racked of a collection of personal testimonies of God’s Miraculous Saving Grace, huh?  Nevertheless, for whatever reason, whenever we’re confronted by a new challenge, rather than relying on your God to work it out, more often than not, you develop a severe case of spiritual amnesia and look for the nearest exit, huh?

But, Beloved, God left us a record of David’s response to model a different spirit! Time and time again, instead of running away from the giants, David stood firmly rooted and convicted that his adversaries were not just challenging him, but they were challengilng David’s GOD!

Saints, you will never overcome anything that you’re not willing to confront! You’ve got to know that we have a common antagonist, Satan, who is intent on challenging you each and every day. Some situations will be easy to handle, however others will be more than you can bear on your own. But keep in mind, God never intended you to! That’s the reason He promised you that He’ll never leave you, nor forsake you. (Ref. Hebrews 13:5) So, no matter how big your problem appears to be, don’t be scarrred! YOUR GOD IS GREATER! (Ref. 1 John 4:4)

As a born-again-blood-washed-Holy Spirit-filled-baptized believer, don’t let the devil find you naked! Every day, strap yourself in the whole Armour of God and go get your victory! (Ref. Ephesians 6:11) God’s gotcha covered!

REMEMBER, GIANTS DO FALL!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

HE’S IN THERE!

hes-in-there-2

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:4)

 

Life happens, so you don’t always feel like jumping over rafters, but your salvation is not based on feelings, but faith! Thank God! When you just take a moment to think about your new relationship with Jesus, it just blows your mind!

The reality, that since we’ve accepted Jesus as our personal Savior and Lord, resurrection life has taken up permanent residence in our mortal bodies is almost unbelievable! Oh yeah, we never have to worry about having to meander through this life on our own. We’re now full of the Resurrection Life of God! WOW!

By faith we know, just like Prego, everything we need pertaining to life and godliness is in there! However, I must caution you. Be ware of those pesty lil “life suckers” that can severely restrict the outpouring of your new resurrection life. Particularly, pride, greed, selfishness and disobedience!

Even though you are born again, habitual sin can cause the resurrection life to become covert or undeveloped. But that’s why God sent Holy Spirit to live in us! God knew that left to our innately human limitations, it would be virtually impossible to live the God-Honoring life that pleases Him. Hence, the Holy Ghost empowers you from the inside out to overcome sin and walk in the newness of HIS Life!

Included in your salvation benefits package is the sin-clause! Sin no longer has dominion over you. (Romans 6:14) The more time spent building your relationship with Jesus, studying God’s Word and communing with Him in prayer, Holy Spirit strengthens you to put sin right where it belongs, trapped under your feet.

Unlike your previous Hard-Task-Master, Satan, Holy Spirit never forces His will on us, but graciously waits for us to choose to do the right thing then strengthens us to walk in the spirit instead of being controlled by the dictates of our lust-filled carnal flesh. And we all know how that turns out, huh?

Beloved, Christ never intended us to be bound by fear, guilt and shame, but free to enjoy life everyday filled to the brim, overflowing with confident trust, assurance and fellowship, empowered by His Presence, Joy and Peace! Now datz a mouthful, huh? BUT? #didjaheardat? (Ref. John 8:36)

Personally, one of the greatest benefits of this resurrected life is you no longer have to struggle trying to change yourself! The Christ-Regenerated Life in you affirms your resolve that as ‘I deny myself, spend time in The Word and prayer, I can do all things with the help of Holy Spirit!’ Awemaazing, huh? (Ref. Philippians 4:13)

Go ahead with ur righteous self! Walk in the Resurrected Life! It’s okay, HE’s in there!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

DISTRESSED?

DISTRESSED 3

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

“I called upon the Lord in distress; the Lord answered me and set me in a large place.” Psalm 118:5

Those who know me, already know how much I love to decorate, redecorate… and decorate again! Several years ago, there was a reformation in the Home Décor arena. Remember that old piece of furniture secretly sequestered in the backroom, garage or attic? Yeah, like your Mother-in-law’s first nightstand! Well it was no longer considered an eyesore, but it resurfaced as ‘shabby chic’.

Of course furniture manufacturers picked up on it and immediately began to build new pieces that resembled those old used and somewhat abused pieces. What was once disgustingly dubbed ‘old-timey’ was now the new ‘distressed’! I can only imagine the timidity of the challenge to abandon traditional artistic craftsmanship to achieve this look.

OMG! The assault and the punishment inflicted upon each piece—painstakingly beaten, burned, chipped and hammered with metal chains, and torched…but once the process was completed the item was pompously positioned on the showroom floor.

Now doesn’t that sound uncomfortably familiar to the what believers go through at the Hand of The Master. Oh, we know, no one actually told us that once we turned the reins of our lives over to Jesus, it would be smooth sailing on The Ol’ Ship of Zion; but for real—we had no clue that life would take on this new persona. After all, we came to Christ to get out of hell, right?

While we’re encouraged to gravitate to the Covenant Promises of God, nevertheless, we’re totally oblivious to the progressive transformation from receiving Christ as Savior to submission to His Lordship! As disciples, we’re taught to pray and believe God to enlarge our territory, increase our anointing and give us wisdom to impact our families, church and communities and God answers our prayers. Unfortunately, we tend to grossly misinterpret the process thru manifestation! It’s the refiner’s fire that produces the purest gold!

Don’t get it twisted! Trusting God to take care of you in the midst of overwhelming stressful circumstances is quite a challenge; but that’s exactly what we must do!

The first step to this amazing transition is acknowledging that God is not trying to harm you. God loves you, and is committed to seeing you reach your highest potential!

Once this Truth  is firmly fixed in the seat of your soul, the devil knows he’s in big trouble!  That’s why he works double-time to fill your heart with guilt, shame and doubt that God knew exactly what He was getting when HE CHOSE YOU!

Armed with the reality and intimacy of God’s  Loyal Love enables you to walk in a state of inward rest, freeing you to experience the strength and encoragement to live the-above-circumstances-abundant-life that Jesus’ sacrifice procured for you. (Ref. John 10:10)

Remember, no matter how out of control life  you think your life is,  there is NEVER a moment when  your Sovereign God is not in ABSOLUTE control of it ALL!

DISTRESSED? DIG-IN AND ENDURE! YOU’RE BEING PROCESSED FOR PRESENTATION!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee