Monthly Archives: January 2016

HE’S ALWAYS THERE

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HE'S ALWAYS THERE!

SELAH Daily Devotions!

I am with you always, even to the end of the age

Matthew 28:20 
 

One morning I received an email that took me back to an all too familiar place. As I read  on, I immediately realized that the lost sheep could very well had been me. Feel free to eavesdrop on the conversation,…
 
 “In the early 1980s I counseled a Christian young woman who was languishing in deep spiritual, mental and emotional torment. She wrote:
 
“Dear God, Where are you? How can you watch and not help me? I hurt so bad, and you don’t even care. If you cared you’d make it stop or let me die. I love you, but you seem so far away. I can’t hear you or feel you or see you, but I’m supposed to believe you’re here. Lord, I feel them and hear them. They are here. I know you’re real, God, but they are more real to me right now. Please make someone believe me, Lord. Why won’t you make it stop? Please, lord, please! If you love me you’ll let me die…A lost sheep”
 
I deal with many Christians who are filled with such confusion that their daily walk with Christ is unfulfilling and unproductive. When they try to pray, they begin thinking about a million things they should be doing. When they sit down to read the bible, they can’t concentrate. Whenever they have an opportunity to serve the Lord in some way, it comes up short by discouraging thoughts of self-doubt.
 
Having found freedom and deliverance, “the lost sheep” penned a response to her own prayer based on her new understanding of God’s provision in Christ.
 
“My dear lost sheep, You ask me where I am. My child, I am with you and I always will be. You are weak, but in me you are strong. I am so close that I feel everything you feel. Be crucified with me and I will live in you, and you shall live with me. I will direct you in paths of righteousness. My child, I love you and I will never forsake you, for you are truly mine…Love, God”
 
Saints, by The Grace of God, while I too have experienced the freedom of  being delivered from the tormenting trauma and enslavement to depression; however I will never everrrr forget to remember How Great A Salvation that The Lord wrought in my life!  
 
It’s incumbent upon us to remember, this is not heaven, the devil is still a liar and God’s Word is Truth! If the saints are feeling the heat of the devil’s wicked devises, can you imagine what he’s putting the unsaved through?

Saints, ask God to open the eyes of your heart that you may see who’s hurting around you. If the whole world’s coming out the closet, we certainly can’t afford to be closet Christians! We have an awesome responsibility and an obligation to be the Love, Compassion and Hope of Christ to a lost generation! You ought to tell one somebody that there is a Hope that’s out of this world…I mean, really?
 
His Name is Jesus and He’s Always There!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

SEIZE YOUR MOMENT

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SEIZE UR MOMENT

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

And Moses said unto Hobab, the son of Raguel the Midianite, Moses’ father in law, We are journeying unto the place of which the Lord said, I will give it you: come thou with us, and we will do thee good: for the Lord hath spoken good concerning Israel. And he said unto him, I will not go; but I will depart to mine own land, and to my kindred. And he said, Leave us not, I pray thee; forasmuch as thou knowest how we are to encamp in the wilderness, and thou mayest be to us instead of eyes. And it shall be, if thou go with us, yea, it shall be, that what goodness the Lord shall do unto us, the same will we do unto thee. Numbers 10:29-32

 

Do you know what time it is? I mean, REALLY?

Each one of us has been given a ‘pre-planned’ moment of Destiny! Everything that you’ve been through was designed by God to transition you into a specific place on God’s itinerary. At His appointed time, the spot light will be on you and that will be your moment to shine.

In today’s scripture text, Moses invites Horab, his brother-in-law, to join them on their way to The Promised Land which God had given them. This journey was nothing new to Horab, having traveled to Cannan on several occasions, he was well aquainted with the dangers of the wilderness terrain and he knew the best route to travel. Having Horab’s eyes guiding them would be extremely beneficial to them. Horab knew where the water and the fuel were; he knew where the best green pastures were. Moses also promised Horab that if he would agree to come with them, he would also be given a healthy portion of the riches that awaited them in Cannan.

Despite Moses’ persistent pleadings and the promise of great wealth, Horab turned Moses down, choosing rather to return back to his own country and to his own family. Horab was not aware that a window of opportunity was being opened unto him and because of this one decision, missed his moment! From this single incident, he drifted back into obscurity and his name was wiped out of Bible history.

Glancing back over your life, you’ve probably gained a proliferation of valuable insights that would be tremendously helpful to that certain someone who’s embarking upon their own wilderness experience. Don’t be afraid to let somebody know what you’ve been through and how you made it out. It’ll save them a whole lot of time, energy, and strength. Often times, just knowing that somone has survived the desert storms offers tremendous hope, encouragement that empowers them to just keep moving, no matter what challenges they face, trusting God will carry them safely to their land of promise. Be somebody’s eyes!

Horab, not realizing who The Hand of The Lord was on and more importantly who it’s not, probably looked at the children of God and saw a bunch of ignorant slaves who didn’t have nothing and weren’t going no where. God doesn’t see as man sees!

Life changes often!  We need wisdom to prepare to make the best of it by seeking God’s guidance as we deal with challenging times and seasons. It’s imperative that you know who you’re hooked up to! Be careful that you don’t hook-up with folk who don’t have a vision and a plan. Without a vision, the people perish. (Ref. Proverbs 29:18) Without a clear vision, you’ll keep going around in circles, getting no where fast!

As a disciple of Christ, there is a Divine order to our life! We’d do well to seek, accept and embrace it with hope, trust and confidence. When you unselfishly submit and commit to helping others to fulfill their vision, when God does it for them, because you are hooked up with them, He will do it for you too!

Beloved, God is ready to take the limits off, open doors, and raise windows for you. He’s already set-up your destination and all the help you need will be given in the fullness of time. Be mindful, the anointing to get through rests in your obedience to His instructions! #DIDJAHEARDAT?

Everything is in place, are you ready? Don’t miss your moment. Expect it! Seize it!

SELAH!
 
Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!
 
Ann Caffee

IT’S A NEW DAY!

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IT'S A NEW DAY!

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth, Shall ye not know it?   I will even make a way in the wilderness, And rivers in the desert?  Isaiah 43:19

Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,” says the Lord of hosts. Zechariah 4:6

 
 

I still remember when I would curse the breaking forth of the morning. It only meant another day filled with excruciating pain, sadness, discouragement and disappointment–just like all the others. It is no stretch of the imagination to figure out who had perpetuated those thoughts, okay?  But that was B.C. (Before Christ came into my life)!!!!  But by The Grace of God, today I stand as a living testimony to reality of The New-Life-Giving Power of God! (2 Corinthians 5:17)
 
Yessirreee Bob, this old gurl’s gotta  new attitude!  Coming from an extremely negative environment, I thought that this was just the way of the world. However, once I accepted Jesus, I learned that God’s Salvation’s Benefit Package included a completely different attitude, faith!  Yeah Baby, this new faith attitude is the heritage of the saints, the children of God! 
 
Once you recognize that you’re really in a personal relationship with the True and Living God, it’s actually possible for you to embrace each day with  joy, hopeful anticipation and confident assurance that this is a great day because God made it! Seriously,  it’s a new day!
 
Before you open up your eyes or your feet hit the floor, you have the power to dictate your day.  You can say,‘Good Lord, it’s morning already or Good Morning, Lord’. You choose whether to approach your day with joyful celebration and gratitude for  another opportunity to experience God’s Glory, Grace and Praise for what He’s already done, is doing now and for what He is about to do or you can claim fear, discouragement and defeat by murmuring and complaining. 
 
Don’t get it twisted. Even as a disciple of Christ, everyday is not the same; however each day you’re becoming new as you grow in the Wisdom, Knowledge and the Grace of God! That’s right saints, the new you makes the decision to enjoy this wonderful gift of present by refusing to allow past sins, past failures, past wounds and past disappointments, to keep you from moving forward into this brand new day! Didjaheardat?
 
The Ol’ Saints used to sing, ‘Everyday with Jesus is sweeter than the day before!”  Don’t fool yourself, they lived through some very distressing times. Remember, The Great Depression!  Yet, amidst their adversity, they remained convinced that God was well able to keep them thru and to bring them out of anything that would unfold during a day!
 
When Jesus is your Shepherd, it doesn’t matter what happened yesterday.  God empowers each new day with new mercy, new grace and new faith to believe that today is the first day of the best of my life…because today is MY new day !

Soooooo, I decree and declare that Today, I have the mind of Christ! I believe that God is making a way out of no way, for me! Today, I believe that God is up to something that He’s never done before. Today, I expect to be strengthened, delivered and re-joyed! Today is another chance for me to do better and become more because today is another opportunity to get closer to Jesus!

Now if that doesn’t jumpstart your day, you better check your vitals and make sure you’re still living! OOOHHH GLORRRAAAAA!

HEY YALL, LIFE GOES BETTER WITH CHRIST! O HAPPY EVERYDAY!  IT’S A NEW DAY!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

THURSDAYS’ PRAYERS!

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PRAYN AND FASTING PIC

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

Good Morning Family! GOTTA MOMENT? GREAT! LET’S PRAY…

 

BECAUSE OF WHO U R, WE GIVE U GLORAAA…BCUZ OF WHO U R, WE GIVE U PRAIZ! BECAUSE OF WHO U R, I WILL LIFT MY VOICE AND SAY, LORD, I WORSHIP U, BCUZ OF WHO U R…HERE WE ARE TO WORSHIP, HERE WE ARE TO BOW DOWN, HERE WE ARE TO SAY THAT YOU’RE OUR KING! YOU’RE ALTOGETHER LOVELY, ALTOGETHER WORTHY, ALTOGETER WONDERFUL 2 me…

Father in Heaven, here we are before you once again. We come today with outstretched arms, open hands and grateful hearts, for this is the day that You have made! Therefore we’re rejoicing in The Splendor of Your Magnificent Glory! We know that it’s only because of Your Grace and Mercy, that we’re yet here! It’z because of Your love for us, You have allowed us one more day to enjoy life, health and strength. We’re thankful for another opportunity to present ourselves as living sacrifices, holy and acceptable unto you.

From our Mother’s womb, You’ve proven Yourself to be Faithful and True; therfore, 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!

Father, with eternal gratitude we bless You for allowing us to enter into Your Throne Room, with hope-filed expectation that you will entreat us graciously as we pour out the burdens that seem to overwhelm our hearts, releasing everything that concerns us to you! Lord Jesus, because we know 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.

Daddy, as we stand humbly before Your Sovereignty, before we go any further, we’re asking You to forgive us for everything that we, your children, have 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!

Now, we ask Holy Spirit to intercede for us, on our behalf, our family, our friends, even our enemies, as we know that Your love is the same to each and everyone of us!

Abba, we know that You have instructed 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 and tempted to become overwhelmed by the cares of this world, that our hearts are burdened with the pressures of this life, that some of us are wearied with fear, doubt, unbelief, sickness and disease, financial debt, broken relationships, unprovoked threats, depression, addictions, insecurities.

Lord you know that sometimes we lose our focus on You causing our days to be spent beneath clouds of evil foreboding, while our nites are plagued with restlessness, despondency and hopelessness! Lord, keep us in Your Will, as only You can!

Lord we pray that you will save, heal and deliver speedily by Your Mighty Hand,all those who are crying out to you, seeking Your Face at the 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 You hve declared the righteous run into it and are saved.

Open up our minds and our hearts, filling us with Your Assurance, and confidence that at The Name of Jesus, every knee must bow and every tongue confess that You are Lord! Grace your children with hope-filled trust that You, Father have committed Your Word towards us that no weapon that’s formed us shall ever prosper and except You allow it, no trouble, test or trial can come near us. We thank you Lord, for fully persuading us our of Providential Presence and Power to turn everything around to work in our favor and to bring about exuberant testimonies and praizes of Your Eternal Magnificence, Honor and Glory!

Father, we thank you now for listening to the hearts of everyone reading and praying with us. We thank you for hearing the hearts of those who have never trusted and accepted Your Son Jesus as Savior and Lord! We are thankful that Holy Spirit is quickening that stony heart now and that they shall come to You humbled by Your Lovingkindness, in obedient to Your call and are now receving your Mercy and Grace to Save. We pray now that You are leading and guiding them to the local church, planting them inYour Vineyard, where they shall be taught and transformed by Your Word of Life to take their position in The Kingdom of Heaven.

Father, we pray for those who are distraught by grief and fear, the elderly, the widows, the downcast who have born the heat of the day, especially those who pushed and prayed us through! Father, give them sweet peace. Lord, we pray for the leaders of governments world-wide, their hearts are in Your Hands, visit them in the night season and command them to do Your Will.

Lord, I pray for every believer who is yet holding on to Your Hand by faith today, that You are releasing Divine power, Supernatural strength and health, provision, prosperity and protection. Father, we’re trusting that You shall preserve them thru the tests that they must go thru and keep them constantly aware of YOUR PRESENCE and fully-confident that You will bring them out wholly restored, renewed, refreshed and with the reward as You have promised them in Your Word!

Father, we thanking You for an outpouring of Your Divine Favor upon each and every one of your children who are seeking employment, promotion, prompt approval for student/car/home loans and assure them that YOU are YET HE, Jehovah Jareh, who shall supply all of their need according to Your Riches in Glory!

Father we decree and declare 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!

Abba, we lift up every Bishop, Pastor, Overseer, Apostle, Evangelist, Preacher and Teacher. Undergird them with Your Anointing 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 the ministryYou have ordained.

Lord, there are so many other things, that we have yet to mention, but we’re trusting, believing you to fix it, Jesus, as only You can! Lord, we know that You are not just able, but willing to do anything that we ask, in accorance to Your Word, in Jesus Name!

As we offer us this prayer, Father we wait in confidence and quietness, rejoicing in hope and trusting wholly that all workers of iniquity are trembling and suddenly departing in 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!

Father, we thank You NOW, for WE believe that it is done! In The Exalted Name of Jesus. Amen 3X

Now every child of God who is standing in agreement with this prayer, GO TELL SOMEBODY THAT JESUS LOVES EVERYBODY!

THAT’S LIFE!

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THAT'S LIFE

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5-6 
 

There’s one thing that each of us faces as we tread through this 21st Century, both believers or unbelievers, and that’s ‘The uncertainty”.  Yes, it’s pretty much a guarantee at some point during our day we will all face some degree of uncertainty.  Whether it’s wondering if we’ll have a job tomorrow,  will there be a massive storm or will the sun be shining, what will the traffic be like, what will I come home to, will I have the finances to take that much needed and earnestly anticipated vacation?
 
Life always entails a mist of mystery that one might reckon to a confusing road trip. Sometimes, we might know where we want to go, but we’re rarely aware of the congestion, structural delays, not to mention the inexplicable road signs that seem to hamper our getting from where we are to where we’re going.

I’m not trying to be flippant, neither attempting to diminish the level of frustration that we’re surely forced to endure, but if I might borrow from Frank Sinatra’s 1966 Hit Song, “THAT’S LIFE”!

It’s been my experience that The Divine Architect of our lives  generally doesn’t pre-announce the details of His Master Plan, nor does He tend to incorporate our suggestions (no matter how excellent we think they are), but works it all out, according to the Counsel of His own Will. (Ephesians 1:11-12) However, He does give us this confident assurance, that as we keep our focus and trust in Him, at the end of our journey we shall realize that every thing we’ve experienced has all been for our highest good and for His Greatest Glory! (Romans 8:28, Jeremiah 29:11)

My fellow sojourner, as we make our way along life’s terrain, remember that our every step and stop has been lovingly ordered by The Good Shepherd who has committed His Presence to be with us always!!

SO, EVEN WHEN WE DON’T KNOW WHY, WE DO KNOW HOW? THAT’S LIFE! 

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!
 
Ann Caffee

HIDE AND SEEK!

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HIDE & SEEK

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. 2 Chronicles 16:9(a)

Like most children, my grandchildren loved to play the game ‘Hide and Seek’! I mean they would really get ALL N2 it! LOL! They just knew that they’d found the perfect hiding place, each and every time! Most of the time, you could find them in their favorite spot. I mean there’re only so many hiding places in one house! But they’d get so excited as I’d go around the house calling out their names. Sometimes they couldn’t resist the urge to peek out at me as I’d pass by their spot just to make sure that they’d gotten over on me. I’d laugh when I saw their little bottoms sticking out from behind the chair that covered their heads!

There’s a whole lot of grown folk still playing Hide and Seek! Somehow they’ve conditioned themselves to suppose that if I can’t see Him, He can’t see me! Evidently, they forgot to check The Book. Ps. 139:12 says,’Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.’ Didjaheardat? Wow! Day and Night are the same to Him?

Strangely enough, just like my grandbabies, the devil tricks some of us into thinking that we’ve successfully covered up our mess. But God has 20/20 vision, there’s no where to run and no where to hide from His Presence! God is enthroned above the circle of the earth; keeping its inhabitants under constant surveillance!! (Ref. Isaiah 40:22) This wonderful reality brings comfort to the true believer, at the same time striking enormous fear in the hearts of the heathen! Aren’t you glad that God always knows exactly where you are at any time? Sounds like, everybody needs to know who Jesus really is, huh?

Truthfully, we’ve all starred in our own cliffhanger episode, right? Remember when it seems like all hell is breaking loose, and your soul’s suffering in the solace of your tears because there’s no one to help put the pieces back together. After trying everything you could think of and the trauma of emptiness hurts so deep; yet, still have no idea how to fill the space; you finally discover that the One who promises to be a very present help in the times of struggle is there all the time; just a prayer away! 

BELOVED, TRUST2KNO, GOD HEARS; GOD REMEMBERS, GOD SEES & GOD KNOWS!

When we come to the end of ourselves, we will recognize that it’s the seekers who receive the greatest blessings!

Gottcha!  Game Over! Come out from whatever you’ve been hiding behind! Just give up and turn yourself over to Jesus today! Don’t forget, He’s watching and waiting for you to seek Him!

Precious one, just ask God 2 help you; Comfort, strengthen and protect you! REMEMBER, JESUS IS WILLING 2 SAVE U AND HE WILL ALWAYS CARRY YOU THROUGH!

Come out with your hands up & tell God, ‘NO MORE HIDE AND SEEK!’ 

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

SPIRITUAL SUCCESS

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SPIRITUAL SUCCESS

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

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

 

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

 

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

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

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

Spiritual success is the culmination of maneuvering your way thru the mine-fields of this life, maturing while mastering and maintaining the knowledge and power of being saved, sane and survival at the same time!

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

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

UNDER THE INFLUENCE

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UNDER THE INFLUENCE 2

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

But without faith it is impossible to please him; for he that cometh to god must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.’ Hebrews 11:6

 

The other day I heard someone say something that I thought was quite profound, at least thought provoking. It was said that “we are swirling towards eternity at the speed of life!” History is being written every day. Memories are being made, every day. Lessons are being taught and learned, every day. Attitudes are being formed and developed, every day.

As I began to think about this, several questions flooded my mind. First, does God’s Presence influence your life? How has the Presence of God influenced your life? What impact has God’s Presence made in your circle of influence?

We love to sing the song, “Jesus you are the center of my joy, all that’s good and perfect comes from you; you’re the Heart of my contentment, Hope for all I do….” But when the music stops, how’s your walk?

The Bible does not merely ask us to have faith to believe that God does exist. But we must also believe that God is who He says He is, that God is with us and that God is for us. (Ref. Hebrew 11:6) Accordingly, if we desire to please The Lord we must walk out our lives under the influence of His Presence that we may exemplify our beliefs throughout the course of daily living.

Does your character reflect the Presence of God in your life? Does the influence of God’s Presence affect the choices that you make? Does your life style reflect the influence of God’s Presence?

We are living epistles (letters) and folk are reading our mail, every day! How is the Presence of God in you influencing your readers? Just a thought! #ijs (Ref. 2 Corinthians 3:1-3)

The Bible says, we are the salt of the earth. I believe that means that we ought to make someone who doesn’t know God, thirsty for a drink of The Living Waters. (Ref. Matthew 5:13-14) As Christians, our greatest desire should be to allow the influence of God’s Presence to be reflected on those around us so much so that it provokes them to envy  and thirst for The God that we worship and  ultimately seek to claim Him as their personal Savior and Lord! 

KEEP IT MOVING! LIVE EACH DAY UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF GOD’S PRESENCE IN YOUR LIFE! 

SELAH! 

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

MEMORIES

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MEMORIES

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

When He slew them, then they sought Him; and they returned and inquired early after God. And they remembered that God was their rock, and the high God their redeemer. Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied unto him with their tongues. For their heart was not right with him, neither were they steadfast in His covenant. But He, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity and destroyed them not; yeah, many a time turned He his anger away and did not stir up all His wrath. For He remembered that they were but flesh, a wind passeth away, and cometh not again. Psalm 78:34-39

 

A few years back, (but who’s counting, huh?) Barbara Strissand recorded a hit song entitled ‘Memories’. This song pricked the hearts of all of us! Hence, we all have memories of days gone by that lure us back to the way we were. For some of us, when certain ticker-tapes of past personal experiences cross our minds, immediately we smile.  Other flash-backs cause our hearts to flutter, skipping a beat or two, remembering when.  And then there are those special ones that yet…still prompt silent tears to crease our cheeks. Memories, huh?  Some are fading and some, we only wish we could forget. 

Like all of us, I indeed cling to God’s promises to keep my mind focused, sharp and sound.  That being my faith stance, I must confess that—every now and then—I have to cash in  what my kids call, one of my ‘senior moments’ vouchers.  Now don’t look at me in that tone of voice. Can we be for real?  I believe we all suffer a bout of ‘Spiritual Alzheimer’s’—every now and then.

Today’s scripture text recalls how the Israelites’ sporadic attacks of ‘forgetfulness’ provoked God’s wrath as He carried them through the wilderness.  Now don’t be so hard on them.  Truth be told, any one of us, drapped in this fickle-frail-flesh-frame, are just as prone to spiritual amnesia when it comes to recounting the wondrous works of God.

Time and time again, God has proven Himself a Faithful Provider, A Way-Out- of -No-Way, our Rock-in-A-Weary-Land, A Shelter-in our-Storm, A Strong Protector, Committed Redeemer and Eternal Hope of our Salvation. Yet, in spite of our own memories of all that God has already done, when faced with new challenges, does our response reflect a confident trust in our Compassionate Merciful God of All Grace?  Or do we suddenly forget to remember that if He Did It Before, He’ll Do It Again?
 
Even when we forget, God always remembers!  Memories!

SELAH! 
 
Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

FOOLISHNESS?

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FOOLISHNESS

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel; not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness, but unto us which are saved; it is the power of God…for after that in the wisdom of God, the world by wisdom knew not God; it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. 1Corinthians 1:17-18, 20

 

Granted, in this new millennium church age, some challenge the relevancy and even the validity of ‘The preaching of the Cross’!  After all, we have so much going on, so much information available to us, so much to accomplish and so little time!

Well, guess what? Contrary to contemporary pop culture, God knew before we knew how long and how far mankind would go to avoid accountability!

According to 2 Timothy 4:3, ‘For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but having itching ears, they shall heap to themselves teachers in accordance with their own lusts.

In other words, the focus would no longer be how to live a holy and sanctified life, in this present world, but folk would religiously come to church to scratch an itch, you know, to satisfy their hunger for more and some more of the WORLD’S creature comforts.  Of course they’d use a more palatable vernacular, such as, “Give me a ‘word’ that will tell me how I can supersize my life!” Or perhaps, “I’ll give you a part of my ‘free day’ if you can make it worth my while; you know, cheer me up, make me feel good (bring on the hype)! “A’int nobody got time for foolishness!” And we’d certainly be remiss to ignore this one—“You can’t judge me, God knows My Heart!” 
 
I know we shouldn’t be shocked—but C’mon! This attitude prevailing amongst the household of faith? Yeah, I mean, we’re not talking about ‘worldly sinners’ we’re talking–Church Folks!

But to those of us who yet believe in the testimony of Jesus Christ and the Gospel message of that ol’ rugged cross, the preaching of the cross is not foolishness, but it is the Power of God to save the sinner man who will dare to believe that The Word of God is True.

Frankly, it’s easy to understand exactly why the Deceitful Destroyer works so diligently to keep humanity from The Truth.  If we were in his position, we wouldn’t want this Good News on blast in mainstream media, either!  Obviously!!  The Bible says, if they only knew ‘They never would’ve crucified Christ’ in the first place. (1 Corinthians 2:8) Well guess what, devil… ‘You’re over 2000 years too late’!
 
To the weary wanderer, The Cross is the Place of Refuge! To the lost, The Cross is the Center of the Universe, where Eternity collided with Time and Mercy and Grace unashamedly kissed each other! To the unlovable faint of heart, The Cross is The Power and Love of God openly revealed and freely offered in exchange for our rebellion against God! To the spiritually bankrupt, The Cross the Place of Welcomed Surrender– where, you give Him your all, He Gives You His All!

To those who’re trapped in darkness, The Cross is where the Light of GOD’S Amazing Grace is still shining—beckoning us  before the day of gross darkness overtakes you—COME!

OH YEAH! THE FOOLISHNESS OF PREACHING! So who’s the real fool?

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee