Category Archives: Eternal Security

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

 

RUN TO THE ROCK!

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OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer. From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed. Lead me to the rock that is higher than I. For thou has been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy. I will abide in thy tabernacle forever, I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Psalm 61:1-4
I know we’ve heard it in the church so often that it almost seems common, but don’t fool yourself, it’s still  true!  “These are the times that will try men’s souls”. I’d venture to say,  in light of the upsurge in horrific atrocities perpetrated against humanity along with the cataclysm of floods, earthquakes, and social/political upheaveals confronting the nation, this TRUTH is even more substantiated in this 21st Centry, huh?  Sadly, our society has become somewhat desensitized to the reports of violence that’s dispensed daily via media, we’ve closed our eyes and ears in an attempt to conjure  up a simblance of normality!   Seriously, yall know backndaday, we never imagined that we’d see days like this. Can the churrch say,  AMEN?

But God knew! Remember, absolutely nothing  happens that takes our Lord by surprise! In the midst of the gross darkness, turmoil, threats and stress, God offers us His Word to assure, comfort and console us that He will never leave us nor forsake us. (Ref. Hebrews 13:5) While sometimes it may seem as if Satan has the upper hand, it ain’t what it looks like. God is still God! His Kingdom is everlasting and SHALL never be overtaken!  Remember what happened when the devil led a third of the angelic host to revoke against The Lordship of Heaven? Yeah, Lucifer does too! Hence, he’s still trying to recuperate from that foolish mistake!

With that being said, driven by his intense hatred for God,  he persists in going after the closest thing to God’s Heart, humanity, with a vengence! However, God promised His Beloved, “There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. 1 Corinthians 10:13

Saints, the way to escape out of the enemy’s snare is by entering in to His Presence!  HOW? Ephesians 5:19 invites us to “speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord”.

During times of overwhelming fear, danger, distress and persecution, The Psalmist encouraged himself and reinforced his trust in The Faithfulness of His Shepherd penning psalms, hymns and prayers such as Psalm 61:1-4.

Precious ones, we also can enter into God’s Rest by singing songs of hope delighting the spirits, minds and hearts of the wearied!  Try this one, it always helps me…

Where do I go, when the storms of life are raging,
who do I talk to when there’s no one there to listen,
who do I lean on when there’s no foundation stable…I go to the Rock, I know He’s able, I go to the Rock.

I go to the Rock of my salvation, I go to the Stone that builders rejected, I run to the Mountain and the Mountain stands by me.

When the earth all around me is sinking sand, on Christ the Solid Rock I stand. When I need Shelter, when I need a Friend, I go to the Rock.

You see, it still works! When you don’t know what to do, it’s time to go to The ROCK. His Name is Jesus! Let Him hide you in His secret place!

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

STAND YOUR GROUND!

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STAND UR GROUND 2

SELAH Daily Devotions!

“Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:11-13

Once again, The Apostle Paul finds himself in a life-threatening situation, being unjustly accused by his former peers the Sadducees and the Pharisees, who now hold him in great contempt. Their hatred for Paul was so intense that they persisted, relentlessly, for several years to discredit and ultimately take his life. Regardless of how many times God frustrated their schemes, they were committed to his destruction. Kind of reminds me of the Devil, huh? And frightenly similar to the way some of the nation treated our President Barak Obama!

However, Paul’s accusers failed to recognize that Paul was a man on a mission for God! Since his Damascus Road conversion, the newly ordained Apostle had become so in tuned with the purposes of God that he refused to allow external circumstances to determine internal perseverance. Paul had discovered the secret of drawing on Christ’s power for strength rather than trusting in his own ability! Paul’s revelation that Jesus Is Lord, therefore in control of everything, gave him the fortitude to persevere in the midst of persecution, confident that none of these things will move me! (Ref. Acts 20:24)

In this day of 21st Century Christianity many of God’s people have been dupped by hefty doses of the more contemporized “Gospel Lite Theology”! Hence, in their minds, once you surrender your life to Christ, everyday is gonna be a tip-toe thru the tulips awaiting the Trumpet sound when they’ll be transported to the Pearly Gates of The Celesterial City. Unfortunately, real-life does not remotely resemble Hollywood’s version. Being a Christian does not promise we won’t experience test, trials and even tragedies. However, it does mean that God will be with us thru every single  challenge that we’ll ever face!

As we walk with The Good Shepherd, maintaing a consistent gratitude for what God has already done, a  hopeful expectation for the future and relying solely upon the All Encompassing Sufficiency of God’s Grace, we’ll learn to remain steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the Faithfulness of God’s Love! (Ref. 1 Corinthians 15:58)

I don’t care what’s or who’s threatenng to destroy your peace today arm yourself with the same Spirit of Faith that motivated, not only The Apostle Paul but our Ultimate Role Model of a man on a mission, The Lord Jesus Christ.

Oh, by the way don’t worry about threatening demonic forces who try to take you out, remember who created the bow and the archer! #ijs (Ref. Isaiah 54:16-17)

BELOVED, GOD HAS PERSONALLY POSITIONED YOU TO REPRESENT THE KINGDOM OF HEAVEN TO A LOST AND DYING WORLD! STAND YOUR GROUND AND SHINE ON! 

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

LET’S STAY TOGETHER

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LET'S STAY 2GETHER

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday. Psalm 42:4
 
I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord. Psalm 122:1

 

Perplexing, huh? Given all the chaos, turmoil, and just plain drama that people are going thru today, why aren’t all of our churches packed out, every service? When so many people’s minds are filled with fear, anxiety, doubt and uncertainty, why do so many stay away from the sanctuary of God’s House? Nonetheless, I’ve discovered that oftentimes when our hearts become overwhelmed by the woes of life, the absolutely last thing some of us want to do is actually the very first thing we ought to do–fellowship with our brothers and sistas in Christ! Am I right about it?

 
The Psalmist, understood how to survive his soul’s dis-eases—the times when the cares of his world left his spirit cast down, unsettled, and wearied to the point that he didn’t know what to do. David always found his answers and comfort in God’s Presence and among kindred believers!
 
The Word of God let’s us know that there is nothing, no temptation, no trial, no test that we will ever go through that somebody else has not already experienced and triumphantly overcome. (Ref. 1 Corinthians 10:13)  Yet, Satan, the Master of Deceit, wants us to think that we’re the only one who’s gone thru this. The devil feeds off of our fears and doubts to cause us to believe that our circumstances are so unique that nobody else can really understand what we’re going through.  Unfortunately,  for the carnally-minded saints, one of his most effective strategic deployment is isolation! 
 
BUT GOD, knowing how vulnerable we can be, always provides a way of escape. Jesus says,‘Come unto me and you shall find rest for your souls’. (Ref.Matthew 11:28) The Word of God further encourages and admonishes us to not neglect the refuge that awaits us in the sanctuary of His Church. (Ref. Hebrews 10:25) God promises an outpouring of a corporate anointing (God’s Grace) upon His people when they come together in fellowship, praise and worship. A Holy Synergy is released into the atmosphere as the people of God unite in prayer,  igniting the Divine Intervention of God’s Favor and turning our bad situations around to work for our higher good and His Greater Glory! Uuum, could that be why he works overtime to keep us from Church?
 
Well guess what, enough is enough! The next time that chump tries that, ignore him!  Getta stepp’n and say to yourself…“I was glad when they said unto me, let’s go to Chuurrch!!!”
 
Be encouraged, saints! There is strength in numbers and power in unity! Let’s Stay Together!

 

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

 

 

 

SHALLOW CHRISTIANITY

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SHALLOW CHRISTIANITY

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

And now, children, stay with Christ. Live deeply in Christ. Then we’ll be ready for HIM when HE appears, ready to receive Him with open arms, with no cause for red-faced guilt or lame excuses when He arrives. Once you’re convinced that he is right and righteous, you’ll recognize that all who practice righteousness are God’s true children. 1 JOHN 2:28-29 THE MESSAGE

 
It might surprise you! One of the greatest deterrents to advancing The Kingdom of God in the earth is not ‘da devil’ BUT ‘Shallow Christians’! What is that, you ask. Well they’re not that hard to recognize. In fact, they’re probably your pew partners. Whhhaaaa? #ikr! While they confess their faith in The Lord Jesus, their walk does not line up with their talk, and as a result, most likely they’re confusing many who’ve yet to invite Christ into their lives as Savior and Lord!

OOOHHH Yessss I did go there! I know how churrch-folk are adamant about not judging, right? But, for your own safety, the Bible says a tree is known by the fruit it bears! More importantly, God knows those who are His! (Ref. 2 Timothy 2:19)

The preaching and teaching of this Gospel of Christ is still the best way to get souls saved, but sometimes His PR staff could use a refreshers course on what it means to live deeply in Christ!

Rest assured, God is not mocked! (Ref. Galatians 6:7) While we might impress some people with our 11:00 A.M. Sunday morning tongue-talking, pew hopping, propha-lyin, shout’n and danc’n, GOD KNOWS the difference between those who are faking it ’till they make it and those who freely rejoice in the mercy, compassionate, longsuffering, unconditional Love of The Heavenly Father, yet acknowledge that sometimes they miss the mark and have yet to reach perfection!

Shallow christians hide behind shameless excuses to continue to satisfy their ungodly cravings, but a true child of God will be quick to repent. GOD KNOWS those who are genuinely striving everyday to mortify the wickness of their flesh and live a life that pleases HIM even at their own hurt! After all, we are living epistles! It’s our holy lifestyle  that will advertise and promote the True Answer to mankinds’ most dire and desperate need–THE SAVIOR OF THE WORLD, JESUS CHRIST!

I am by no means suggesting that this is easy nor is it a one and done thang! But God already took care of that too. He sent your Guardian, Holy Spirit, to live inside of you to teach and empower you to say no to sin and yes to righteousness!

Sometimes, it looks like Satan is gaining the upper hand, huh?  Beloved, don’t fall for the devil’s tricks and please don’t blame God! Trust 2 know, God ain’t scarred! Remember what happened when Jesus went to Hell, snatched the keys from his puny hands and got up proclaiming, ALL POWER IS IN MY HANDS?

God is raising up an army of disciples that no man can number; building a new nation of trusting believers who will obey His Voice; hewing out a courageous People who’re not ashamed to live righteously in the midst of darkness as a monument to HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, POWER AND MAJESTY!

Examine yourself? REPRSENT JESUS? LIVE DEEPLY?

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

WANTED!

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WANTED

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will. To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.  Ephesians 1:5-6

Most of us didn’t have a choice about what family we were born into, not to mention who our family members are.  We came through the old fashioned way.  In other words, you kinda got who and what you got!

But, looking back, adoption has been a common, yet always celebrated, event in our family. I guess, it’s ‘cause, generally, we’re just big-hearted!  A lot of my folk, opened their hearts and homes to little boys and girls whose biological parents, for whatever the circumstances, were unable to provide the nurturing love that they needed.  I can’t tell you how awesome it was to welcome and embrace a new cousin, niece or nephew.  I remember thinking, “Wow, they must be pretty special to be picked out like that”!
 
I’d seen those black and white movies about orphans who were waiting and waiting for parents.  Someone would come in, look them over, decide if they were cute enough, little enough, big enough, smart enough, strong enough, good enough. I imagine their list of criteria could’ve been as unique as their handprints, huh?  

Sometimes, a few of them would get “lucky” and be adopted. But more often than not, many more were left behind. The rejected kids probably assumed that they didn’t quite fit the model the prospective parents were looking for. Can you imagine what it’s like to feel that kind of rejection? Sadly, many of us can.
 
But Thanks Be to God!  According to our scripture text, there is One looking down through the portals of Eternity! Before we were even born, GOD Personally and purposely selected you and I to become His Very Own!
 
I mean, He actually legally adopted us through His First Begotten Son, Jesus Christ, to be legitimate sons and daughters!  And what’s even more amazing to this seemingly unbelievable reality, is that God chose us knowing exactly what He was getting!
 
I know, right? 

The Bible attests that “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly… But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:6, 8)!
   
Didjaheardat? Not only are we lovingly accepted into God’s own family, but as justified believers, we’re joint-heirs with The King of Glory, Christ Jesus!  Now that we’re God’s sons and daughters, we’re free to share and enjoy the same rights and privileges that Jesus Christ does! (Ref. Romans 8:17)  Ain’t that Amazing? Good God Ta Mighty!

I don’t know how you feel about it, but to me, that sounds a whole lot like He Really Does Want You! 

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

HELP IS ON THE WAY!

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HELP IS ON THE WAY

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

Behold, the Lord God will help me, who is he who will condemn me? Lo, they all shall wax old and be worn out as a garment, the moth shall eat them up. Who is among you who reverently fears the lord, who obeys the voice of his servant, yet who walks in darkness and deep trouble and has no shining splendor in his heart? Let him rely on, trust and be confident in the name of the lord, and let him lean upon and be supported by his God. Isaiah 50:9-10

 

I gotta confess! It’s gotten to the point, where a lot of us no longer watch the evening news broadcast. OMG!  It’s not that we’re ignorant or unconcerned, but  because there’s so much wrong going on in the world we live in!  Some of us have come to the realization that rather than walking around in a constant state of fear, anxiety and depression, we’d prefer to take the unabating deluge of daily news in small doses! Truthfully, yall know, terror and trauma sells, right? And quite honestly, since the dubiousness of #45’s  texts and fake news, most of what we get is a little too copious for the intellectual palate to absorb! #ijs So generally, the most you can get out of a 30 minute time-frame is a 15 second spot of so called ‘good news’! 

However, there is Hope that’s expands far beyond this world! Every born-again, Blood-washed, Holy Ghost sanctified Believer has the assurance that regardless what they say, our Hope rests confidently upon Truth! Truth emphatically declares that the good news is that the bad news is not the final WORD FOR US! Therefore, we who are not ashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, are fully persuaded that it is still the Power of God to save, heal and deliver us out of any of life’s maladies!

While our personal relationship with The Heavenly Father does not exempt us from the impact of this desperately-wicked-fallen world, we are yet able to rejoice in faith, assured that we are not alone, not abandoned nor forsaken! How? Because our Redeemer yet reigns and has no intention of RELINQUISHING HIS POWER NOR AUTHORITY TO ANY ONE OR THING!

Armed with this mindset, we wait in quiet confidence, even if we’re clueless as to why, what, when or where…we know WHO is able to do exceedingly, abundantly above all that we could ask or think! (Ref. Ephesians 3:20)

The ol’ skool church Mothers used to say, “He may not come when you want HIM, but He’ll Be There right on time”!

Beloved, when darkness, sorrow, trouble or tragedy comes rushing down upon you, remember you are a child of The King! There is a Protective Custody Order over your life that has been signed, ratified, sealed and delivered by The Blood of Jesus! Greater is He Who is in you than anything that the prince of darkness assails against you. (Ref. 1 John 4:4)

Don’t fall for the okey doke, saints! While the devil is persistent, remember ‘he ain’t running nuffin!’ No matter how dark dark gets, God knows exactly where you are! Hence, light and darkness are the same to Him. (Ref. Psalm 139:12)

As our knowledge of God increases so does HIS GRACE empowering us to trust him, even when we can’t trace him! REST ASSURED! God is near to all who confidently trust in Him and wait obediently and patiently for His appearance. Now that’s Good News, huh?

Trouble in your way today? Don’t give in to the pressures of contradictory circumstances and don’t even try to figure it out! Just hide yourself in HIS LOVE, grab hold to The Living Word, as if your very life depended upon because it surely does!!

BE STILL! TRUST 2 KNOW … HE WHO PROMISED SHALL PERFORM IT! YOUR HELP IS ON THE WAY!

“Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” Psalm 27:14

SELAH!

Pause, Pondder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

WHO KNEW?

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WHO NU

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved. Ephesians 1:3-6

 

Shhh!!! Quiet as it’s kept, sometimes even seasoned-saints are overwhelmed by a daily dose of mass media infiltration of ‘you- just-gotta know current events’! Oh, don’t shout me down yet!

You know what I mean!  What about that hefty serving of derogatory remarks from the ‘people in-the-know’, mixed with a side order of another senseless school slaying and alleged child pornography arrests, sandwiched between two slabs of multiple assault, batteries and robberies along with a ear-full of not-so-subtle-any-more racial slurs directed at high ranking politicians coupled with the collapse of another financial institution due to the greedy boardroom antics, the increase of bankruptcies, foreclosures and the unstable employment stats, and for dessert we get a heaping dollop of flamboyant ungodliness in some pulpit way across the country. It’s bound to jangle the lifestyle of the comfortably complacent and vex the very soul of the righteous, huh?

And we haven’t even gotten to those ‘real-time-scandalous-drama-pop-ups’ that keep recurring in your own personal day-to-day life! 

May I offer this Word of consolation? Absolutely nothing ever catches God by surprise!

Really! According to Scripture, God knew that men would audaciously rebel and reject Godly Wisdom and Truth, and go about doing that which ‘seemed right’ in their own eyes. (Ref. Judges 17:6) Nevertheless, He didn’t change a thing! Why? Because He controls everything in Creation! Before laying the foundation of this world, God deliberately put in place everything we could possibly ever need to overcome anything we’d ever face!

As we go about the daily business of life, rubbing up against the ungodly on our jobs, riding the subway, in the malls, the grocery store, at the bank and even in our homes—rest assured, no matter what it looks like—GOD KNOWS!

That’s why He sent Jesus to preserve the faithful and vindicate the righteous! 

Can I tell you something else? God never intended you to set this whole world right! Neither does He want you to run thru life scarred and terrorized by the lord of Destruction.  Well, what am I supposed to do? The answer is found in The Book! 

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. James 4:7

Yes, somethings happen in life that are beyond your control. However, you have the power to choose your response! Make a decision to rest in God’s Love, trust in His Faithfulness and depend upon God’s Power!

Beloved, today, may your faith be affirmed, your strength renewed and your peace restored through The Knowledge, Absolute Authority and All Sufficient Grace of your OMNISCIENT FATHER GOD!

WHO KNEW? GOD KNEW!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

CONTRADICTIONS

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Contradictions!

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save.  He will take great delight in you, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.
Zephaniah 3:17
 

I’ve heard that some scholarly skeptics, after critiquing the Holy Bible, conclude ‘how can they be taken in by this foolishness, considering that The Word of God appears to contradict itself!’ But! The devil is still a liar!  The Word of God emphatically states that, the secret things of God are sacred and cannot be discerned by the carnal mind.  (Ref. Deuteronomy 29:29) Oh, there’s no denying that we’re often challenged by circumstances and situations that appear to be totally contrary to the promises of God!
 
And yes, it’s difficult to hear that still small voice of comfort and reassurance, amidst the boisterous tempest of compelling circumstances! We’ve all had those periods where our experiences challenge our expectations. Yet, hope compels us to stand firm being confident in this sure thing!  God is not a liar and God is yet faithful!  Remember, if God did not hold back the sacrifice of His Only Begotten Son, the very best He had to offer, then how shall He not deliver you from the snare of the adversary again, and again!
 
Perhaps, today, it seems as if God has forgotten you or at least miscalculated just how much you can actually bear.  But He has not!  He is Alpha and Omega!  He planned every episode of your entire life from the end to the beginning.  Sometimes, it may seem like you’re not even on the winning team, huh? But rest assured, Beloved! God has decreed that though your beginnings appear humble now, and your problems seem to be overwhelming…..your Deliverer is about to arouse Himself to restore you to your rightful place. Everything you’re going through is a sure sign that you’re being positioned for purpose. (Ref. Mark 10:30)
 
Jesus is not impressed nor is He ever moved by anything that Satan is trying to do in your life! He already dealt with him on Calvary! Remember, Jesus said, ‘IT IS FINISHED’!  If God said it, He shall do it; if God spoke it, it shall come to pass.  His thoughts toward you are for good and not for evil and your future is brighter, joyful and more prosperous than you could ever imagine!
 
My precious saints, wait patiently on your God! He is the same God who came through for you in the past! He’s already proven His Faithfulness.  He’s already proven that He is worthy of your trust! He’ll do it again too!
 
Don’t focus on the contradictory circumstantial evidence, but continue to look to the Almighty God knowing that not only is He your sufficiency HE IS YOUR SOURCE!  (Ref. James 1:17-21)
 
Don’t take the enemy’s bait. Never allow your past experiences nor present conditions to determine your future destination!  The Promises of God supersede and overrule every apparent contradiction!  It ain’t what it looks like!  CONTRADICTIONS, huh?

SELAH!
 
Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee