Having won 10 Grammy Awards, CeCe Winans has not forgotten the reason why she makes music – to bring the listener encouragement, joy, and love. In this 4-day devotional, in partnership with The Overflow Christian Music Streaming Service, CeCe shares the heart and application behind 4 songs from her latest album “Let Them Fall in Love.”
TheOverflow.com and CeCe Winans
Day 1
Scripture: John 14:27
PEACE FROM GOD
The peace of God is one of the greatest benefits of salvation. When we put our trust in God, His peace floods our hearts and minds. God has all power, all wisdom, all knowledge, and He knows the end from the beginning so we can rest in His sovereignty. To have peace is to be in a state of rest, quietness, and calm. It generally denotes a perfect well-being. Because of the blood of Jesus, we have full access to all the promises of God. Jesus as Prince of Peace gives peace to those who call upon Him for personal salvation.
The end result of the Holy Spirit’s work in our lives is a real deep and lasting peace. Unlike worldly peace, which is usually defined as the absence of conflict, this peace is confident assurance in any circumstance; with Christ’s peace, we have no need to fear the past, the present, or the future. Sin, fear, uncertainty, and doubt are at war within us. The peace of God moves into our hearts and lives to restrain these hostile forces and offer comfort in place of conflict. Jesus says He will give us that peace if we are willing to accept it from Him. If your life is full of stress, allow the Holy Spirit to fill you with Christ’s peace.
God sent His son, His son Jesus gave His life, and Jesus sent the Holy Spirit so that the peace from God could live inside of us, and now we never ever have to live without it. God is good!
Prayer: Dear Lord, thank you for your peace that surpasses all understanding. Because of your sovereignty, my heart and mind can rest today and forever.
Declaration: Because of Jesus, I live my life in total peace.
Day 2
Scripture: Psalms 34:18
NEVER HAVE TO BE ALONE
We all experience life challenges that causes pain, grief, loss, sorrow, and failure. God promises to be “close to the brokenhearted” and to be our source of power, courage, and wisdom, helping us through our problems. Not just the big problems, but even the small daily frustrations that constantly wear us down. It brings me great comfort to know that God is always with me. He will never leave me or forsake me.
Feelings of loneliness will come and go but God is always there to keep you company. He is a friend that is closer than a brother, so whenever you feel lonely draw close to Him. The word of God says if you draw close to Him He will draw close to you. When we saturate ourselves daily with the word of God through study, meditation, prayer, and confessing the word of God, everything in our lives that does not line up with the word of God has to leave, even loneliness.
The more time you spend in God’s presence, the more you are aware of God’s presence, and in His presence is fullness of joy. God’s love is unconditional and has staying power no matter how fragile you are. Even if your heart has been shattered and broken into many pieces, God’s love is ready and able to restore you to complete wholeness.
Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, I am so glad all of your promises are true. You promised to never leave me or forsake me, so no matter how I feel, I know that you are always with me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Declaration: I am never alone because God is with me!
Day 3
Scripture: James 4:7
HEY DEVIL!
God has all power and the devil (satan) only has the power you give him. He is a liar and a deceiver, and if you listen to him at all, he will steal from you every time. The devil only comes to kill, steal, and destroy. Although God and the devil are at war, we don’t have to wait until the end to see who will win. God has already defeated satan (Revelation 12:10-12), and when Christ returns, the devil and all he stands for will be eliminated forever (Revelation 20:10-15).
Satan is here now, however, and he is trying to win us over to his evil cause. With the Holy Spirit’s power, we can resist the devil, and he will flee from us. Yes, the power of God is strong enough to give you victory every time! We as believers have to remember the power of the cross and the power of the resurrection. The blood of Jesus paid for our freedom, and the resurrection gave us authority over everything that comes against the will of God in our lives. The same resurrection power that raised Jesus from the dead lives within all those who belong to Him. So we have no need to be defeated or afraid, because we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.
It’s time we as believers live at our fullest potential and walk in all the authority that has been provided. No more excuses as to why we can’t be all God has called us to be. You have purpose and a God-given destiny that is more awesome than you can imagine. God is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all you can ask or think. Yes, that’s right, your biggest dreams don’t even come close to the magnificent plan God has for your life.
Today draw a line in the sand, enough is enough, make up your mind that you will no longer live beneath your privileges, and that you will no longer allow the devil to steal the promises God has given you. It doesn’t matter what you are facing, nothing takes God by surprise because He has already worked it out. Through the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus, He has given you the power and authority to look the devil in the face and command him to get behind you! Even the demons tremble at the name of Jesus! Live your life submitted to the Father, and the devil will always have to submit to you.
Prayer: Dear Father, thank you for the authority I have in Jesus. I have total victory over the devil in every area of my life because of the cross. The blood of Jesus protects me from all harm. In Jesus’ name, Amen!
Declaration: I am the head and not the tail, above only and not beneath, and the devil has no place and no authority in my life.
Day 4
Scripture: Psalms 149:3
DANCING IN THE SPIRIT!
The Bible invites us to praise God, but some people aren’t sure how to go about it. Throughout the scriptures, several ways are suggested: singing, dancing, playing musical instruments, clapping our hands and offering thanksgiving. God enjoys His people, and we should enjoy praising Him. There are so many reasons why we should always praise God. God is the creator of all things, He loves us with an everlasting love, God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. While we were still sinners Christ died for us. He alone is worthy of our praise.
I love to celebrate the goodness of God through dancing. It’s exhilarating and it brings me so much joy! There is no party like a Holy Ghost party! When we praise God according to His greatness, we have to express our praise in every way we possibly can. Dancing, singing, playing all the musical instruments, clapping our hands, and raising our voices with a shout of praise are all ways we can express our gratitude to our Father. David danced before the Lord because He knew that God deserved that and so much more. Even though God loves to be praised, we are the ones who benefit from praising God. You see, praising God brings deliverance, and when we praise God it invites the Spirit of God into our situation. When Paul and Silas praised the Lord in prison, the Bible tells us that all the prisoners were set free! Praise also lifts the spirit of heaviness, so when you praise God, depression has to go.
Personally, praising God is one of my secret weapons and I love to praise God. I keep praises on my lips, and I will keep dancing, because He’s been too good for me not to. God commands us to praise Him and that’s reason enough, but I choose to praise God with all my strength, heart, and mind simply because I love Him. Dancing in the Spirit before the Lord brings heaven on earth and that keeps me going and it keeps me strong, so I Got To Keep Dancing! You should too!
Prayer: Thank you, Father, for sending your Son. Your love is overwhelming. Thank you for every blessing in my life. I give you all the praise for who you are and for all you have done. Hallelujah!
Declaration: I will sing and dance for God with all my heart because He alone is worthy to be praised.