Category Archives: Eternal Hope

PURPOSE TRUMPS PAIN

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PURPOSE TRUMPS PAIN

 

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

 
“Don’t put a question mark where God has put a period.” Sounds good, huh? Plastered on a billboard, right? Unfortunately, it’s potetency seeps out in everyday real life! Because that’s exactly what many of us do when things don’t workout like we think they should. We marry our soul mate and three years later, we’re widowed. We train up our children to love and follow Jesus, and they’re addicted to cocaine. We finally get that promotion and are able to buy our dream house and the doctor reports confirm that your wife has Stage 4 breast cancer!

Sometimes life doesn’t make sense! Perhaps, that’s why God told us not to lean to our own understanding, knowing His ways are beyond our human comprehension, huh? But He does tell us that before we breathed our first day, He’s designed each day to work together for our greatest good and His Higher Glory. I surely recognize that to the carnal mind, in the midst of tests, trials and tragedy, this offers little help (and even less hope). But there is some Good News for those who’ve become wearied in well-doing! The True and Living God Who takes pleasure in our prosperity is in complete control of our end from the beginning! (Ref. Romans 8:28)

Contrary to this new 21st Century Gospel-Lite philosophical preaching that asserts that if you choose to follow Jesus, (as if you ever would) the rest of your journey will be a flowery bed of ease,  God recycles those who have put their faith and trust in Him alone into agents of transformation for the upbuilding of His Kingdom in the Earth! While The Father of Comfort is determined that you reach the fullness of your Destiny, He’s Sovereignly ordained that you face resistance, struggles and adversity in this life, in order to produce and prove your Godly character.

It’s easy for us to get stuck in the muck and mire of our pain and waste it! #Datsoundsabitharsh, huh? Honestly, while life is filled with unexpected uninvited disruptions, nothing happens coincidentally! God doesn’t waste pain! It’s in the midst of these sporadic interuptions that we discover what God has put on the inside of you, not to deminish you, but to prepare you for the next level of your mission. Hence, we must decide whether or not we’re going to remain pitififul or allow this to make us powerful!

I tend to think about it like this, everytime I use my painful experiences to help somebody who’s facing a challenge that I’ve already come thru, I just imagine the demons trembling in terror. Remember the scripture that says, if they only knew what was going to happen when they crucified our Lord and Savior, they never would’ve done it! (Ref. 1 Corinthians 2:8) Ha! Ha! So, I gotta admit that turning the tables on the devil is absolutely delightful. In fact, I tell him, “Satan, you’re gonna regret every moment of this more than I ever will!”

Beloved, by using the lessons we gain to help somebody else, we’re heaping coals of fire on the devil’s head! If you will allow the pain to transform your mind, you gain a greater understanding of God’s miraculous Power and sustaining Grace! Besides that, your faith will boister a personal confidence that affirms ‘IF GOD DID IT BEFORE, HE’LL DO IT AGAIN! As I allow these experiences to make me better rather than bitter, I can be content regardless of my circircumstances!’ (Ref. Philippians 4:11)

Somebody said, NO PAIN NO GAIN! However, unless you change your perspective, this offers little to motivate you in the furnace of affliction! In order for us to grow through these seasons of difficulties we must be fully persuaded that because of God’s unconditional Love and immutable Faithfulness, the only reason God has allowed this, is because He knows He can trusts me with this trouble! WOW! PURPOSE TRUMPS PAIN!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

I WON’T BE SILENT ANYMORE!

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I WON'T BE SILENT ANYMORE

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision and told him, “Don’t be afraid! Speak out! Don’t be silent! For I am with you, and no one will attack and harm you, for many people in this city belong to Me.” Acts 18:9-10
Several years ago, The Grand Ole’ Church of God in Christ, came out with a slogan, guess what? Exactly! ‘I won’t be silent anymore!’  I wonder why I haven’t heard that one in a while! Especially in light of all the other voices that a bellowing out all kinds of crazy comments! #wink #wink!  Yall don’t mind granting a sista a few moments of folly, do you? AWESOME!

Have you noticed that every one and their cuzzins have come out of the closets, declaring and decreeing their rights. WOW! But where are the Saints? What’s the matter Zion? Perhaps, it’s got more to do with frustration and disenfranchisement than fear, huh? Them ol’ skool church Mothers were right! We’re living in times that will definitely try men’s souls. Seems as if everybody’s got rights…BUT THE CHURCH!

I ain’t scurred! Why are we the brunt of  such vicious accusations and slander, if we dare to uphold the moral standards of The Word of God?  What happened to our freedom of speech rights? Why are we subjected to blatant mockery and defamation of character when we defend our Declaration of Dependance on The True and Living Creator of The Universe? #ijs

Last time I checked, The Holy Bible still says that there’d come a time when the people of God would be forced to make an individual conscious decision, for Jesus I live, for Jesus I die! Well?  Churrch, do we really believe The Word of God or are we pretending to fit in to get in?  Have we forgotten that the Ol’ Ship of Zion is not a cruiseliner but a battleship?  

It’s time to show whatcha working with! Ain’t no where to run and no where to hide. The stage is set and the rubber is treading  the road. Timeout for playing church and teetering on the edge of the fence! You know, how close can you get to the world and still make it to Heaven?  Either you’re all in THIS….OR UR OUTSIDE OF THE ARK! 

I still believe that the safest place in the whole wide world, IS IN THE WILL OF GOD!

Now, that’s just my two cents…do U, Boo!  BUT AS THE OL’ CHURCH USED TO SAY…AS 4 ME AND MY HOUSE….WE SHALL SERVE THE LORD!

#speak-up? #SILENCEAIN’TBLISS! #datzmystoryugottaluvmehuh!  #NLOL

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

THE CROSS AND THE CROWN

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THE CROSS AND THE CROWN

 

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

Anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:27 NIV

 

Ever looked at anyone and admired their zeal, confidence, positive attitude and their success? Who hasn’t, right? Ever looked at somene and (secretly of course), coveted, envied, wondered why did they get all the breaks and not me? No? Right! #Juswondering

Well, for those of us who’re yet awaiting our hallos and wings, it’s not that uncommon to envy those who appear to have so easily overcome adversity, conquered conflict and triumphed to the pennacles of prosperity! That is, until we discover the real story behind their glory! As the Scripture reveals, the mind of a man plans his way, but The Lord directs his steps. (Proverbs 16:9) Unless you were born late last night or arrived on the planet earth early this morning, you already know that the journey of life is filled with just as many moments of misery as merriment. It matters not whether you were born sucking on the proverbial silverspoon, sprawled out on the back pew or crouched behind the dumpster, trouble, test, trials, tragedy and tyranny will be a non-discrimnatory uninvited interruption. (Ref. Job 14:1)

Every man must bear his own cross! But thanks be to God! The Omniscient Creator of The Universe has strategically ordained every single step and stop to assure that His Purpose for each one of our lives be fulfilled! The goal of our Lord for His Beloved is that we be transformed into His Image, demonstrating His character and reflecting His Glory into a dark, lost, dying, hellbound world. Sometimes, this process demands enduring physical, emotional and spiritual discomfort as we learn to walk by faith and not by sight, trusting wholly in The Faithful Lovingkindness of Our Invisible Savior!

However, The Master Architect works it all together for our greatest good and His Highest Glory! (Romans 8:28) Our Heavenly Father Sovereignly designs the exact dimensions of length, width and depth of the cross you’ll need to carry you safely across the tumultuous rivers, through dry valleys enabling you to meticulously ascend to predestined mountaintops enroute to your Eternal Destiny.

Kinda makes you go, uuuummm? Huh? Exactly! Can you really afford to judge another man’s crown?

Now imagine The Cross that Jesus carried, not for Himself,  not for us; not for them…BUT 4 ME!  YOU SEE, UNTIL WE MAKE IT PERSONAL, IT NOT REAL! Don’t know about you, but it makes me wanna holla and throw up both my hands, HALLELUJAH! THANKYA JESUS!

YOUR CROSS! YOUR CROWN!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

JESUS LIVES!

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JESUS LIVES

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

After this, Jesus, knowing that all was now finished, said (to fulfill the Scripture), ‘I thirst.’ A jar full of sour wine stood there, so they put a sponge full of the sour wine on a hyssop branch and held it to his mouth. When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, ‘It is finished,’ and he bowed his head and gave up his spirit,” (John 19:28-30)

 

From early morning broadcasts GM America, until Late Nite News we’re constantly inundated with media blitz to keep us abreast of local and world-wide current events as they unfold throughout the course of the day! Unfortunately, barring a brief human interest segment, generally most of what is considered news-worthy reporting generally involves someone’s personal tragedy, layered by an unusually catastrophic event, sandwiched between a hefty dosage of robberies, murders, kidnappings, and embezzlement scams etc. Apparently, tragedy boosts ratings. I reckon that’s why the majority of so-called news is all bad!

I was impressed by the Spirit of God to get this urgent message out immediately to every believing soul struggling with a situation that seems impossible! There is Good News! And while it may not survive the final cut of an editing room floor, let me assure you it’s indeed something to phone, text, Instagram, IM, snap chat, fb, linkedin, tweet or by any means necessary to get The Word out!

Hear Ye! Hear Ye! The devil ain’t running nothing!

Over 2000 years ago, The Son of God, Jesus Christ, dealt Satan the ultimate death crushing blow, as He hung crucified on an Old Rugged Cross atop a hill called Calvary!

History records Jesus dying words,‘IT IS FINISHED’! Following The Holy Lamb of God’s unjustifiably humiliating ghastly agonizing execution where He surrendered to Death, Jesus yet Lives! Having miraculously risen from the Grave, Jesus told His disciples, “All Power in heaven and in the Earth has been given to me! (Matthew 28:18) “I have overcome the world, and in me, you are over comers!” ( John 16:33) And because of this one man’s atoning death, LIFE has come to anyone who dares to trust in Jesus Redemptive Power!(Ref. Romans 5:19)

Upon our Lord’s Resurrection, any victory that Satan once held over death and the grave was snatch un-mercifully away from him, eternally triumphantly trampling over all powers, principalities, and all wickedness in High Places. And the records decree how God has placed all things under his dominion and if ye be Christ’s then all things are under your feet also! (Ref. 1 Corinthians 15:55-57)
 
Seriously! The Immutable Word of God still stands firm! We are more than conquers through Christ, and the devil is still a desperate defeated liar!

SO WHATEVER STATICS THE INTIMIDATOR IS USING TO THREATEN YOUR PEACE AND DESTROY YOUR JOY  AND DIMINISH YOUR CONFIDENCE IN GOD, DON’T EVEN SWEAT IT! JESUS ALREADY HANDLED IT AND SATAN TOO! WE ALREADY HAVE THE VICTORY BECAUSE JESUS LIVES!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!”

Ann Caffee

 

TRUTH OF CONSEQUENCES!

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TRUTH OF CONSEQUENCES

 

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions. Ecclesiastes 7:29

Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 2 Timothy 3:5-6

 

One day in the winter of his life, King Solomon, God’s proclaimed wisest man in the world, sat pondering events, adventures and experiences of former seasons, and penned the words left in Ecclesiastes 7:29. Theologians have various perspectives on how and even if somethings happened that caused a quantrum shift in this young man’s overview of life. Since, I am unqualified to object or sustain either I defer the question to the more capable intellectual biblical scholars!

However allow me, with the aid of Holy Spirit, to share a few insights that I gleaned as I visited these texts. Hopefully, someone might find them useful for practical daily application. I am firmly convinced that every one of us born into the earth has at some point, looked up inquiring, ‘Why me, what’s going on and when is it gonna change for my good?’ But it’s alright, ain’t nobody here but you and me, ok?

It’s a whole lot easier to hide somethings in the closets of our minds, rather than openly subjecting them to the speculations of folk we need to impress and even more so advantagious to cover them up from self, huh? But somebody a whole lot smarter than I said, ‘You can’t conquer what you’ll not willing to confront’! Don’t you just hate those addages? LOL!

Recently, I was confronted by an opportunity to delve heart-first into a long-standing personal dilemma, ‘how is it that we, humans—save and unsaved—are able to justify our actions even while acknowledging that they’re wrong!’ I use that word wrong, because they say in this New Millennium Age, it’s more palatable than SIN!

Most of us have, at varying degrees, mentally assented to the reality of GOD! While there may be a multiplicity of individual opinions of Who,Where and What role does He play in our lives, I don’t think I’m way out on a limb with this assumption. The unregenerated soul cannot be expected to receive the things of God because they don’t know HIM. (Ref. 1 Corinthians 2:14) Problem is those of us who name the Name of Jesus Christ, are obviously able to conjure up in our minds an IMAGE of our own God. Beloved, trust2kno! I know better than anyone, I am far from a finished work! Hence, I say this not out of a superficious self-righteous spirit, but as a statement of observation over the past years of pastoring God’s sheep!

We all know that The Word of God is alive and speaks to us taking into full account our personal circumstances and situations! Nevertheless, there are inherent truths that flow through generations, that are immuable! Whether we understand, believe, agree or disagree! Truth is ABSOLUTE because God is Truth and God is Sovereign!

Can you imagine the angelic conversations, looking down from Heaven’s view, witnessing humanity’s arrogance, self-will, pride, power coveting, resistance to the authority as we perpetually deny the Soveignty of God? Probably not, huh? Perhaps even more perplexing to the heavenly host, is our prevailing response to the consequences of our disobedience. We got some nerve, blaming God when we reap the wages of doing what seems right in our own eyes. As if the clay can demand the potter to relent from His Purpose for His creation. (Ref. Jeremiah 18-19)

I guess, we never looked at it like that, huh? After all, God knows out hearts, right? It’s more self comforting to judge others by their actions and ourselves by our good intentions! After all, what would become of us if we looked in the mirror of God’s Word and saw ourselves as God sees. Why we might have to plead guilty to the myriad of alleged charges railed against us of repeated abuse of God’s Love, breaking His Commandments, gross dis-honor and negligence, denying His Right to rule over His creations, refusal to submit to His authority and Power as Eternal Soveign Lord God!

Well, when you put it like dat! Kinda makes you wonder, what’s your response to the ultimate question ‘WHO DO U SAY I AM’?

I’m not Holy Ghost, Jr. so I can’t tell you what King Solomen’s final conclusion meant or didn’t. I can only speak for myself. But! Think about it! At the end of the day, we’re all slaves; yet GOD honors us as Sons! #AWEMAAZZIN!

IT BEHOOVES ANY /ALL OF US TO REMEMBER THAT BABYLON WILL BE JUDGED IN ONE DAY! WOW! TRUTH OF CONSEQUENCES!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

I DON’T MIND WAITING

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I DON'T MIND WAITING!

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. Habakkuk 2:3
If there’s anything that I find more detestable than eating okra, it’s gotta be waiting! Oh, don’t look at me with that tone of voice. I see your hand up too! Out of all of the spiritual gifts we crave, patience is probably at least next to the bottom of the list! The Ol’ Churrch Mothers used to say, ‘Baby, don’t ever ask God for patience, cause you’re inviting trouble to your door’!

But I’ve lived long enough to conclude, invited or not, Trouble’s bound to show up sooner or later. So it behooves us to not just expect it but to prepare for the unexpected. One of the first things on the ‘to do list’ of every soul who pledges allegiance to The Cross should be learning how to wait! While there’s little to none chance of escaping waiting, I’ve found it to be extremely efficacious to establish a few things at the onset!

Primarily, Who you’re waiting on has a direct affect on how you wait. Next, consider the probability of facilitation of your expectation. Lastly, what time constraints are you prepared to impose on the process? #WOW, huh?

Waiting on God is always our best bet! (Ref. Philippians 3:1-4) As you’ve probably realized by now, the odds of success when putting all of your confidence in any flesh, especially your own, is kinda like winning Power Ball Mega Millions the first time you purchased a lottery ticket. Exactly! Not that their intentions weren’t honorable; BUT! Sometimes, God will ordain those certain ONLY GOD types of situations to tutor us in ‘The Validity of Maintaining Confidence in His Trustworthiness’! God knows that as long as we can handle life on our own (or with the aid of that other person), chances are we’ll never come to Him! When we seek God first (not as a last resort), our faith is rewarded exceedingly beyond our expectations (Ref. Matthew 6:31-33)

GOD CANNOT LIE! (Ref Numbers 23:19) Once we’ve established the reliability of God’s Word, based conclusively upon a settled-realism that everything God ever promised already is, that all of the promises of God are Yea and Amen (Ref. 2 Corinthians 1:20) and that God has obligated Himself to bring every Word He’s ever spoken it to pass, we rest!  Hence,  personal trust blossomes through patient waiting, in quiet confident hope, knowing that our Harvest Time is coming! (Ref. Hebrews 6:18)

So the next time the devil asks, “Whatcha waiting on?”, don’t bother to respond! Just stretch out the cords, buckle down the hatches and get ready for the overflow!

When you’re expecting God, anytime He shows up is your season for Grace and Favor!  #ijs, DON’T MIND THE WAITING!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

PRACTICE HIS PRESENCE

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PRACTICE HIS 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

 

It’s often being said that these are the times that try men’s souls. And given the traumatic state of events that are happening in the world today, undoubtedly we must agree. But as Saints of the Most High God, we have this Blessed Assurance whispering to our souls  “Peace Be Still” for ‘come what may’ our times are yet in the Mighty Hands of our Lord and Savior!

God, our Heritage, has secured Divine Peace and Joy unspeakable for whosoever that will keep their minds focused on Him by continuously abiding in His Presence. (Ref. 1 Peter 1:8)

The Bible commands us to “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus”, (Philippians 2:5) Hence, through the assistance of  Holy Spirit we have the power to stop yielding your mind to anxiety, fear, doubt, unbelief and worry.  When we allow these Satanically-induced responses access to our spirit, we give the adversary too much undeserved glory! Instead of meditating on the problems and cares of this world, we must strive to do like The Psalmist David,  by reminding ourselves that whatever circumstances we find ourselves; we are never outside the reach of The True and the Living God!

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

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) 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)

It’s not enough to just memorize the scriptures, but we must put His Word into practice by acknowledging His Presence. As we delight in His Presence and keep His Word in the forefront of our thoughts, we will not be so easily moved by our circumstances.

As we abide in the stillness of confident trust in The Omnipresent Creator and Omnipotent Sustainer of the universe, we’re covered by 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)

Now unto Him that is able to keep me from falling and to present me faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy. To the only wise god my savior be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen  And so it shall be established. (Jude 1:24-25)

BELOVED, Jesus is calling you to put your faith to work! JUS 2 B CLOSE 2 HIM; IS MY DESIRE, right? ENTER INTO HIS GATES WITH THANKSGIVING AND HIS COURTS WITH PRAIZ! GO ‘HEAD…PRACTICE HIS PRESENCE! 

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Cafee

 

EMPTY HEARTS & OPEN HANDS

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EMPTY HEARTS OPEN HANDS

SELAH Daily Devotions!

I went out full and the Lord hath brought me home again empty: why then call ye me Naomi, seeing the Lord hath testified against me, and the Almighty hath afflicted me?  Ruth 1:21

 

Personally, today’s text is one of the most saddest scriptures in the entire Bible. These words, uttered from the lips of Mother Naomi, can’t help but resonate in the wounded  hearts of any one of us who’s ever had their life, brutally interrupted by tragedy!

It doesn’t matter if you’re a seasoned saint or a rank sinner, none of us wake up in the morning anticipating that today is the day that my life as usual will be ravaged by an out of the black catastrophic event. Yet tragedy is an uninvited, unbiased, self-imposing and most certainly unwelcomed guest that arbitrarily shows up anywhere , at anytime, at any one of our doors!

While The Bible clearly tells us that as new creations in Christ, we ought not to look at the things which are seen but rather, through the eye of faith, we’re encouraged to focus our attention on those things which are invisible to the natural eye. By the way, faith in God does not suggest that we deny that our current circumstances are challenging, but rather because we know that it’s only temporary, we must not allow fear and panic to rob us of The Eternal Hope we have in Jesus Christ! (Ref. 2 Corinthians 4:18)  Nevertheless, when tragedy strikes your life, it’s difficult to see real-time in an eternity perspective!

Mother Naomi’s words depict the pit of a woman’s soul devastated by despair and terrorized by hopelessness due to circumstances that were not of her own doing! Have you ever been victimized because of someone else’s choices? As you read Naomi’s story,  you discover that doing the right thing doesn’t exempt you from bad things happening to you. (Ref. Psalm 34:19) However, you’ll also recognize that you’re not the first person to have their life’s dreams crushed leaving your soul vacant and despondent!

While this may offer the faithful a glimmer of hope, sometimes the pressure of all the present circumstantial evidence stacked against us, blinds us from the spiritual reality that GOD is yet seated on The Throne, and has not lost–nor relinquished one iota of His Omnipresence, Omnipotence and Omniscient Glory!

That’s the point! The real root of the enemy’s constant plotting against God’s Chosen is not to steal your husband, wife, house, car or job. The bottom line is, the devil wants to destroy your trust in our Heavenly Father!

My precious ones, whatever you do, don’t allow the devil to intimidate you. Before you give up and throw in the towel,  REMEMBER.THE DEVIL IS A LIAR! And if he lies, he’ll steal, and if he steals, he’ll kill! (Ref. John 10:10a)

Now, the question is, who are you gonna trust?

IF YOU REALLY WANT TO PLEASE GOD, YOU’VE GOTTA TRUST HIM, EVEN WHEN YOU HAVEN’T GOT A CLUE WHAT HE’S UP TO!

Reach out to your Heavenly Father, trusting that He Who makes all things, holds all things together! That’s what Naomi did! She made a decision to go back to Bethlehem! Back to the Land of Promise! Not only did she reconnect to her relative, the Land-Lord, Boaz, she became the Great-Grand Mother of  Israel’s Greatest King, David, the descendant of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ! WHEN NAOMI OPENED HER HEART TO GOD, HE FILLED HER HEART AND HER HANDS! Hence, is your heart opened to God’s Plan or yours?

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

IF U THINK…U CAN THANK!

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IF U THINK, U CAN THANK

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

“When I think of the goodness of Jesus, and all he has done for me,my soul cries out Hallelujah! I thank God for saving me!”

 

We’ve all heard that; some of us have even testified it ourselves. How many of us were clueless that this was really a verse of a song, and not a scripture? But datz okay! Regardless of it’s roots, reciting these words has pulled many drowning souls out of the depths of hopelessness and despair!

The master of deceit, Satan, flourishes in our proclivity towards selective amnesia. Whether it’s a self-induced defense mechanism or some type of ego-boosting-denial-syndrome, I don’t know. However, if we’re honest, every single one of us could testify we’ve scaled some mountains higher than we thought possible and drifted through seemingly impossible storms that “NOBODY BUT GOD kept us alive!”

Truthfully, that’s exactly what terrifies Satan the most. He knows that if we ever take the time to really think about how often The Power Twins, Mercy and Grace, showed up, just in the nick of time delivering us from danger, destruction and even death, praise and worship is imminent! And of course, that’s the absolute last thing the devil wants to endure is a bunch of happy trusting believers rejoicing and lifting up The Name of Jesus!

Well, guess what devil, you might as well pull out your earplugs, because God is raising up a nation of your worst nightmare,  reformed doubters-complainers, an honest-to-goodness -genuine BELIEVERS! Oh Yeah! We’ve come through some fires, been through some storms but we can truly say that God was with me all the way!

In fact, come to think of it,  everytime that I cried out to Him, Jesus heard me and saved me out of all my troubles! ( Psalm 34:6) And because of my personal history, I have learned how to lean and depend on Jesus! Therefore, I truly and profoundly declare and decree (with both hands raised) “I WILL BLESS THE LORD AT ALL TIMES, HIS PRAISE SHALL CONTINUALLY BE IN MOUTH! (Psalm 34:1)

And guess what else, if you think I’m gonna keep this to myself, you must be an ol’ fool! I’m about to tell everybody, ‘come and see what the Lord has done for me!” THINK ABOUT IT…U GOTTA THANK HIM, huh?

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

 

UN-HOLY COWS

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UN-HOLY COW!

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

These are the statutes and judgments, which ye shall observe to do in the land, which the LordGod of thy fathers giveth thee to possess it, all the days that ye live upon the earth. Ye shall utterly destroy all the places, wherein the nations which ye shall possess served their gods, upon the high mountains, and upon the hills, and under every green tree: And ye shall overthrow their altars, and break their pillars, and burn their groves with fire; and ye shall hew down the graven images of their gods, and destroy the names of them out of that place. Ye shall not do so unto the Lord your God.” Deuteronomy 12:1-4

 

Due to the incredible technological advances, we’re now living in an Age of constant transition. As knowledge increases, our world appears to be getting smaller by the second. Yet many of us escape the stress and chaos that often accompanies such swift changeovers by clinging to the Hope and Comfort of The Holy Scriptures, which profoundly proclaim to 21st Century Believers, that while time is spiraling down into Eternity at unprecedented speeds of Life, Jesus remains the same; Yesterday, Today and Forevermore! (Ref. Hebrews 13:8)

While there are no shortages of intellectually astute scoffers who, sparing no punches, continually dispute its validity  and adamantly renounce the relevance of The Bible’s antiquated moral code to their sophisticated culture! HOWEVRRRR, that’shouldn’t surprise any of us!

The Holy Spirit already told us these days were coming, right?  Certainly does! The Good Book lets us know that there will be those who would choose to ignore what their eyes clearly observe, trivializing Truth into fabricated self-delusions and imagining themselves excused from the obligation of submission to any authority outside of the god of self! (Ref. Romans 1:18-23)

Nevertheless, what’s more even vexing to the hearts of God-Honoring followers of The Lord Jesus Christ, is the misconception of some New Millennium converts who have latched onto the false doctrine of “Come as U R and Stay as U R”!  C’mon nah, don’t yall shout me down!

Hence, on any given Sabbath Day, padded pews are filled with unsuspecting people clad in their mindset, clinched fisted and unashamedly determined, “Preacha, I’m Good! Okay, so don’t bother me with your out-dated version of un-realistic expectations. After all, we’re no longer under the Law, we’re under Grace! And besides that, who are you to judge me anyhow?”

BUT! Before you get a little bit too happy, can we allow The Living Word of God to shed some Truth on what God thinks about this matter? Isn’t that what every Born-Again, Blood Washed Child of God has sworn to live by? Right!

God sent His Son, Jesus seeking to save those of us who were lost (outside of Covenant-Relationship with The Father of Glory)! Jesus Sacrificial Blood redeemed you from darkness and dominion of Satan! By personally trusting in HIM, you have become a Child of The Kingdom of Christ! Now, that your eyes have been exposed to The Light of Truth, why would you want to continue in bondange to the works of wickedness and evil? If it was all that good, why did you want to leave Egypt in the first place, huh? EXACTLY!

R U listening? God has stratetically placed you in The Body of Christ, under the direction of His Shepherd, Holy Spirit, whom He has appointed to lead, guide, instruct, encourage and discipline you in The Ways of Righteousness, Love, Peace and Joy! So…stop kicking against the prick!

Now! Isn’t it time to make that change!  Ooops, I jus felt a ‘tomato throwing spirit’ in da house!  Seriously, The  rules of engagement in The Kingdom of God demands both a change of mind and heart! Tear down those sacred shrines and stop making those un-sanctified offerings of yester-year (when you were out there doing everything and anything that the devil, your former Hard-Task-Master, COMMANDED YOU TO DO)!

DIDJAHEARDAT?

#IJS…Now that Jesus  HAS DELIVERED YOU INTO HIS ETERNAL ABUNDANT LIFE, STOP THE BULL! UN-HOLY COWS! #ijs

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee