Category Archives: Fear and Worry

Can You Hear Me Now???

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CAN U HEAR ME NOW2

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace, to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood. Galatians 1:15-16

 

In today’s scripture text, we hear the testimonial of The Apostle Paul in response to The Lord’s prompting to go spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles. And we all know how that turned out, huh? GGGGLLLLORRRRRAAA 2 GOD! However, what stands out to me, is what Paul didn’t do!

The Apostle didn’t wait to get an Executive Order from The White House nor a congregational consensus before stepping out in faith. Instead of asking anybody what they thought about it, relying solely on his personal relationship with His Savior. Feeling no need for further validation, The Apostle Paul immediately obeyed God’s instructions!

How about you? When you’ve heard from God, what’s your initial response? Before you move, do you have to survey the opinions of your family and friends? Does the fear of failure, embarrassment, humiliation or retaliation cause you to stagger at God’s Word? Are you willing to take a leap of faith and just do what you believe God is asking of you?

As believers, we’re sometimes reluctant to move out on a WORD FROM GOD. Not so much because we’re not trusting God, but more often than not, it’s because of a spirit of difiance deeply rooted in the lack of self-confidence in our own ability. Ooops…#noshedidn’t! Yall kno she did!

In an attempt to re-assure ourselves that we’re in God’s will, like Gideon, we’ll ask God for a sign and come up with some kinda obtuse fleece as further proof that it is actually God speaking. (Ref.Judges 6) Particularly, when it’s something that causes us to move beyond the boundaries of our comfort zone! And while God so graciously granted Gideon’s request, twice, as believers, we must recognize that God often tests our trust and confidence by commissioning us to do what seems impossible!

Precious ones, that’s what our life in Christ is about. God doesn’t require us to walk by signs, but by hope-filled trust that whatever He asks us to do, by His Grace, we are well able to perform.

The Bible says, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:” John 10:27. As we entreat His Presence daily in prayer, seeking Divine assistance, inquiring direction thru diligent study and meditation of His Word, we learn to distinguish His Voice from the chatter emanating from the world! That’s how HE teaches you what He wants of you!

That’s why it’s so important to build an intimate relationship with your Heavenly Father and not just show up at The Throne Room for emergency visits! God really cares about you! He is not a dead-beat Dad nor is He willing to settle for weekend visitations! God wants to be actively involved in every aspect of your life, every day!

The closer you get to JESUS the clearer He speaks and the sweeter His Voice becomes! #Didjaheardat?

WHEN YOU KNOW HIM, YOU WILL KNOW HIS WILL! WHEN YOU KNOW HIS WILL, YOU DON’T NEED TO CONFER WITH ANYBODY…BUT U GOTTA KNOW GOD’S VOICE4urself! #canuhearMEnow!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

NON-NEGOTIABLE

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NON-NEGOTIABLE2

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom you will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. Joshua 24:15

 

Who nu? Dictionary.com would have so many different definitions of the word ‘DEBATE’!

So, I’ve decided to add my compilation synopsis to the list. Here goes:

“To engage in formal/informal discussion, argumentation or disputation with another person or group, to deliberate upon, to consider and/or to contend for or over opposing viewpoints, in which the affirmative and negatives side of a proposition are advocated by opposing speakers”

Now, ain’t that a mouth-full? No wonder there’s seems to be no end to the perplexity of issues up for debate, huh?

The ancient Grecians were famous for their fascination with prolific debating practices. There’s still open-ending discussions regarding whether the art of Grecian debate played a significant role in developing today’s American society… or not. Apparently, while many antiquities of social traditions are extinct, the debate goes on and on!

One might ascertain that Humanity’s Inalienable Right to freely express his/her own opinions and to make choices regarding issues they presume relevant, sets us above all other creation, or not!

This concept of “either /or” has existed since the Garden of Eden. God allowed Adam to exercise his freedom of choice giving him access to a garden variety of luscious fruit to select from, with the exception of one particular tree; The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. (Ref. Genesis 2:17) And we all know how that worked out! Huh?

Temptation makes it extremely difficult to resist engaging in some form of debate. Does chocolate taste better than vanilla? Are Marines better equipped than The Navy Seals? Is marriage better than remaining single? Creation vs. Evolution?

Logic leads us to this conclusion. Even though we do have the freedom and power to choose our actions, when it comes to the consequences of our decisions, it’s completely out of our hands. God’s Sovereignty over His Creation is NOT UP FOR DEBATE! Hence, there are some decisions that command intentional consciencous reflection, consultation and evaluation because the aftermath of an erroneous selection is irrevocable!

Unfortunately, this often doesn’t sit well with some. Many a disillusioned soul has taken issue to this kind of ‘authoritative manipulation’ resulting in habitual sinful rebellion. But! God looks down from His Throne and laughs at this foolish obstinacy! (Ref. Psalm 2:4)

The Great Debate continues to infiltrate various sects of society. Hence, Absolutes vs. No Absolutes! Either you are male or female, saved or lost, spiritual or religious, Calvinism vs. Arminianism? Does God exist or not? Is there One God or many? Is Jesus Lord of all or not at all? Apparently, there will always be those who disagree with with our preferences, yet there’s no denying that these tough issues warrant careful deliberation! 

Amazingly,  the Graciousness of a Holy God still allows man the power of choice to either bow now or bow later! #ijs

Beloved, may I submit for your consideration, BEFORE YOU RESPOND, TAKE A MOMENT TO PAUSE AND PONDER! AFTER ALL, THE CONSEQUENCES ARE ETERNAL! IT’S EITHER HEAVEN OR HELL! BELIEVE it or NOT, ultimately, The Word of God is NON-NEGOTIABLE!  #WOW #Didjaheardat?

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

ROCK STEADY, BABY!

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ROCK STEADY 4

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever. Let Israel now say, that his mercy endureth for ever.  Let the house of Aaron now say, that his mercy endureth for ever. Let them now that fear the Lord say, that his mercy endureth for ever.

I called upon the Lord in distress: the Lord answered me, and set me in a large place.

The Lord is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me? The Lord taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me. It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man. Psalm 118:1-8

 

Unless you were born late last night or just landed on Planet Earth early this morning, you’ve probably already recognized that real-life comes at you hard and fast! It matters not whether you’ve been walking with Jesus for a long time or just recently made a decision to follow Christ! Truthfully, none of us are excluded from life’s faith-stresses aka test and trials! In fact, The Holy Writ is ladened with numerous accountings to alert even the most sincerest of faith-talking-faith-walking-Christians among us, to expect trying times to pop-up when you least expect them!

The Apostle Paul describes life as a race, and we soon discover that it’s not a sprint, but a marathon! However, unlike The Boston Marathon, God doesn’t usually let us in on the specifics that we’ll encounter along the way that could potentially hinder, even derail our progress, ultimately keeping us from finishing our course.

Perhaps, it’s because the Omniscient One knows that if we had foreknowledge, most of us would re-calculate our journey to suit own will, or worst yet, start looking to external resources, other than GOD, to be our help!

Yes! We all experience those seasons when it feels like our lives are being torpedoed by Satan’s inferno darts, coupled with the tolls of living in this fallen world, even to the point where our own flesh turns against us and we ‘re almost persuaded that GOD has obviously just abandoned us in the valley of the shadows of death, hopelessly desperate to fend for ourselves, huh?

But, The Psalmist, David, having personally triumphantly trampled through turbulent terrains many times, extends to us this olive-branch of hope-filled-encouragement, don’t give up! Despite of what it looks like, never stop trusting God!

Why? Because David knew what Satan never wants us to know, that no matter what the enemy throws at you, we have a Forever Faithful Refuge on our side and HIS NAME IS JESUS!

The next time (and there will be a next time), the enemy tries to convince you that it’s over, defeat is imminent, there’s no place to run, no place to hide, everything you once stood on has now turned to sinking sand, TRUST2KNO, God Alone is your Impregnable Mountain of Righteousness!

Beloved, when darkness surrounds you, hiding HIS Face, press on; trusting HIS Heart to do whatever is necessary to keep you safely tucked in HIS Providential Care every minute of every day! 

If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything. 1 John 3:20

Didjaheardat?

Don’t be afraid, little children! Remember, if Jehovah allows you to go to it, it means that He’s already gone before you, preparing Divinely designated rest areas along the road to comfort, renew and energize our spirit and soul!

GOD’S LOVE REMAINS—ROCK STEADY, BABY!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

EXPERIENCING HIM!

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EXPERIENCING HIM

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

Then the woman said to Elijah, “Now by this, I know that you are a man of God, and that the word of the Lord in your mouth is the truth.” 1 Kings 17:24

 

We’ve all heard it, probably said it ourselves! ‘We found Jesus’, as if He was lost, huh? Truthfully, no man can know GOD except GOD reveals GODSELF.  In fact, it is God who initiates the search and orchestrates the circumstances for the encounter! SERIOUSLY!

The Creator God has so wondrously fashioned man so that the ultimate fulfillment of life can only be consummated through his pursuit of intimacy with his Creator! Yet few are driven to forsake the lure of this world’s glitz and glamour to tread the least traveled remote pathways of The Kingdom. But every once in a while, a isolated sojourner will catch a glimpse of The Hope that placing ones personal trust in Jesus makes available to every man!

The Holy Writ is packed with stories of  The Heavenly Father’s compelling compassion to make Himself known!  For example, God sent The Prophet Elijah to an uncircumcised widow in the midst of a distressing situation! Nevertheless, this pagan woman dared to dismiss the visible and grab hold to the invisible (unseen to the natural eye)! Trusting that the Prophet’s instructions were actually The Words of God, her obedience proved a measure of her faith!

However, her faith took a quantum leap, when she experienced the miraculous power of God (the resurrection of her son from the claws of death) for herself! It’s one thing to hear others testify of God’s Supernatural Power; but when you witness His Glory personally, you enter into an exclusively different dimension of faith! #Didjaheardat?

As believers in Christ, our earnest heart cry ought to be that everyone come to know who Jesus really is! But the reality is, that it’s incumbent upon each individual to pursue their own intimate personal relationship with the Creator. This relationship is only accessible through seeking to know The God Who knows you!

Unless you were born late last night or arrived on planet earth early this morning, you probably already know that the gods of this world work relentlessly to distract us with troubles, in an attempt to discourage us from seeking after the heart of our Loving Father. Overwhelmed with fear and doubt, some stray further and further away from The True Source of comfort and peace! Yet, The Good Shepherd sovereignly uses these challenges to guide us safely through the fires, floods and the storms of this life to a face-to-face encounter with The Redeemer of our Soul!

In the midst of test, trials and tragedy, as you behold His Glory, you will gain unphantomable insight into the length, dept and width of His Loving Kindness and the Sufficiency of His Grace erupting into unspeakable joy and unparalled satisfaction!

That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; Philippians 3:10

My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. James 1:2-5

Beloved, even in the midst of a dark fallen world, there’s no need for you to shrink back in fear! God has equipped our hearts with the Victorious Hope of Eternity! No matter what the challenge, we march on, confident that we are not alone! Faith in The Greater One, empowers believers to become agents of His Glory, touching and transforming as many lives as possible, while passing through this life on our way to our Heavenly Home!

TRUST2KNO HIM EXPERIENTIALLY! 

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

GOD’S HELP!

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GOD'S HELP B

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Ephesians 4:7

But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth. Acts 1:8

 

OMG! Did we ever get dat twisted? GRACE that is!

Guilty! I remember it, just like Mama and probably her Mama and undoubtedly my own kids to theirs, asking, “DidjasayyourGrace?” God knows, we didn’t know! But now, knowing the true meaning and eternal value of GRACE, (God’s unmerited, unearned favor towards us) makes it even more Awemazzzin, huh?

 When Jesus conquered death, He ascended into Heaven and sent back to us the Precious Gift of Holy Spirit emboldening the Body of Christ (The Church), with everything we’d evrrr need to fulfill, not only our individual God-ordained purpose, but GOD’s Eternal Purpose in the earth—To colonize a God-Centered society giving Light and Life to a dark sin-filled world!

Howeverrr, didjakno that even today, some believers act as if Grace is simply a free pass to continue in sin?  SERIOUSLY! 

In essence, not only does such erroneous thinking usually lead to continuous rebellion, it completely misrepresents and dishonors Christ Jesus’ Sacrifice on The Altar at Calvary! Grace is more aptly recognized as God’s Divine Enabling Power Gifts, which He has Sovereignly equipped, measuring out to each believer, according to their specific tasks in The Kingdom of God!

While there are a variety of spiritual giftings, every gift is vital to the health of The Body! Hence, jealousy, envy, covetous and certainly competitiveness between our brothers and sister’s gifts is uncharacteristically absurd for a Christian, considering the Source is the same for each gift, The Holy Spirit! (Ref. 1 Corinthians 12) After all, these gifts are not given to boast in ourselves, but to boost up and to glorify The Kingdom of Heaven in the earth! That’s why the scriptures warn us that The BookKeeper is keeping track of every deed that is done in our bodies and one day we will all be judged for how we used our gifts to promote the advancement of The Kingdom of God to a lost and dying world! (Ref. 2 Corinthians 5:10)

Sounds to me like it’s a total abuse of time bickering and complaining about what somebody else has or doesn’t and even more foolish, wishin’ and hopin’ you had, huh? Hence, time might be more wisely appropriated by diligently seeking to discover our own ultimate “WHY and WHACHA COME HERE FOR!”

IN OTHER WORDS, WHATEVER GOD’S PUT ON YOUR HEART 2 DO 4 HIS GLORY, RECOGNIZE THAT HE’S FAVORED U TO WORK DAT THANG!  OH, AND DON’T WORRY ABOUT THE NAYSAYERS, WITH GOD’S HELP, FAILURE AIN’T EVEN AN OPTION!  #datzGRACE!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

MAKE AMERICA RIGHT AGAIN!

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MAKE AMERICA RIGHT AGAIN

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

Righteousness exalteth a nation: but sin is a reproach to any people. Proverbs 14:34

Well? Guess What? I know that it’s uncomfortable and disconcerting to many, howeverrrr in the midst of our seemingly helplessness, and in a lot of cases, our hopelessness, I jus believe that some more bodies need to step up to the plate and acknowledge the HUMONGUS pink elephant in the room! After all, what else do we have to lose, right? So let me preface the rest of this writing with a disclosure! NOT FOR THE BLIND AND FAINT OF HEART!

Not surprising to some and yet debatable to others, we’re living in a duplicitous society! As the Great Prophet and Scribe, Bill Adkins, whom I dearly honor and respect, recently said, “What we thought could not happen, has happened! An American Pharaoh has been elected!”

Make no mistake about it!  Sequestered behind the supposedly-secretiveness of the voting booths America has shown it’s true colors! And I’m not talking about the red, white and blue! Many of my brown brothers and sisters, awakened that morning to hear the shocking news that our greatest fears had been realized, while many others whose hearts, once embittered by racism, now openly rejoiced ecstatically at the overwhelming successful enterprise of the most unlikely-least-qualified candidate in the history of AMERICA, The Land of The Beautiful! As David Duke, the former KKK Grand Wizard proudly tweeted, “This is one of the most exciting nights of my life. Make no mistake about it! Our people have played a huge role in electing Trump”!

Under the robes of political-ism, record numbers of white Americans flocked to the polls to elect their 21st Century Maverick of Law and Order, expressing their true sentiments and endorsing his brazen boldness to say out-loud what was usually constricted to the reclusiveness of like-minded-like-looking- folk and a few misguided-conditioned-blacks! Without the aid of bumper stickers and yard-signs, their encoded hypocritical message was blatantly published nation-wide from the board room, thru the court rooms and YESSS to the church houses, “Let’s Make America Great Again! “ OH NO SHE DIDN’T! YESSS I DID!!!

Unfortunately, while we were laughing, scratching our heads and throwing up our hands at the absurdity, the so-called real Americans were mobilizing to repeal and replace the advancements of other than White Americans and rectify the ultimate humiliation of having a Black man (and his family) (having been elected twice), residing at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue! Subsequently, in the aftermath of  what many hope to be the end of our beginning, we’re now forced to reconcile the once incomprehensible reality of the State of Black America under a Trump presidency!

Nevertheless, what’s some have failed to consider is that while we honor the excruciating pain of the back-breaking sacrifices endured by our fore-fathers and mothers, to ensure that the seed would prevail, allowing us to get here, we are not our Great-Grand-Father’s! Believe it or not,  the 21st Century Afro-American is a entirely new breed who refuses to bow in humble obeisance and accept the ‘yes saa massar’ self-engrandizing manipulation sociology and philosophy of the former slave masters. Don’t let our College degrees, zip codes, Red-bottom shoes, Michael Kors handbags and our Brioni ‘Ludovisi suits fool ya! The Truth of the matter is, we no longer feel the need to apologize for what the Hand of God has done for us!

Contrary to populist partisan fake news, all of us ain’t willing to take a bribe or go along just to get along! Undeniably, every white man ain’t a fascist bigot, every Muslim ain’t a terrorist, every Latino ain’t a drug-dealing-gang-banger and every so-called Christian ain’t a saint! Nevertheless, the truly born-again-blood-washed-Holy Ghost-sanctified believers, still believe that the God we love and serve is yet able to rescue and deliver us from captivity! Even in the worst of times, He’s proven GODSELF to be a GOOD GOD! TRUST2KNOW, The same God who kept us in the midst of JIM CROW is well able to keep us through the tyranny of JAMES CROW, ESQ.! Hence,  for our God abideth Faithful, Loving and Just!

While we’ve been instructed to pray for the leaders of our nation that we can live peaceful and quiet lives marked by godliness and dignity, (Ref. 1 Timothy 2:2) it does not negate the fact that God watches over the righteous to preserve the faithful but abundantly repays the one who acts in pride. (Ref. Psalm 31:23)

Remember, nothing happens that takes GOD by surprise! And Saints, nothing happens that GOD does not allow! Could this grand-debauchery be a Clarion Call from The Throne Room of Heaven TO WAKE UP AMERICA?

WHATZ THE MATTER ZION? THIS AIN’T UR 1st RODEO! We’re IN this world, but we’re not OF this world! As we walk to the beat of a different drummer, we pledge our allegiance to The KING OF KINGS and the LORD OF LORDS! AMEN?

If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14

Ain’t no time to give up! We ain’t in heaven yet! WE’VE COME THIS FAR BY FAITH, LEANING ON THE LORD! AND AMERICA IS OUR COUNTRY TOO!  In the midst of our frustration we must remember what the ol’ skool saints said, PUSH! Pray Until Something Happens! ANYBODY STILL BELIEVE IN THE EFFECTUAL FERVENT PRAYER OF THE RIGHTEOUS RELEASES TREMENDOUS POWER TO THOSE WHO TRUST IN THE LORD? #ijs

Regardless of who’s in The White House, GOD still LIVES IN OUR HOUSE! WAKE UP ZION AND LET’S MAKE AMERICA RIGHT AGAIN!!!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

My name is Ann Caffee AND I APPROVE THIS MESSAGE, IN JESUS NAME!

 

 

WHEN I Can’t, GOD CAN!

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WHEN I CAN'T, GOD CAN 2

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

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

 

As a remnant of the 20th Century Church, at the ripe ol’ age of 60 sumptin’  I’ve lived long and experienced and seen enough to have a much clearer understanding of why The God of The Bible adamantly commanded His Chosen Ones to resist amalgamating with those outside of covenant relationship with Him. (Ref. 2 Corinthians 6:17) And some of us thought that God just wanted to keep us from having any fun, huh?  Considering the way this world is headed, now we see the consequences of not distinguishing ourselves from unbelievers. Apparently, Father still knows best, huh? #SERIOUSLY

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

What’s the matter Zion? Are we allowing the hourly massive influx of social-media reports of wide-spread chaos leave us so traumatized by predictions of doom and gloom that they have muted our praise and drained us of  ANY Hope? If we’re walking around with our heads hung down and hearts inundated with fear and anxiety; worried about how we gonna make it, then what separates us from the Gentiles? Don’t shout me down, nah?  #IJS…

Abraham,  God’s Proclaimed ‘Father of faith’, found himself in a seemingly hopeless situation. Not surprisingly, Abraham tried to fix the problem by himself. He ended up with an Ishmael (the child of the flesh) when God intended to give him Isaac (the child of Promise)!  Finally, after the drama and chaos had escalated to the point that Sarah gave him an ultimatum (it’s either her or me) suddenly, Father Abraham had an epiphany, ultimately resigning to the one viable conclusion, “the only hope that I have of this thing ever working is Divine Intervention.” In other words, “Lord, without YOUR GRACE, I can’t do this!”

OMG! Can we ever identify with Abraham! How many times have we been in a situation and we tried and tried, we cried and cried, murmured and complained, spent all we had and still came up short? It was not until we, like Abraham, made a conscious decision to stop depending on our inability, started relying on God’s Ability and turned it over to Jesus, that our hope was revived!

As the text says, when all human reasoning for hope was exhausted, Abraham hoped on and God brought life into his dead situation. (Ref. Romans 4:17-18) Hence, when we come to the end of ourselves, God steps in and does what seemed impossible!

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

Lift up your heads, O Ye Gates! You have been  ordained, anointed and authorized as agents of change! SO, gird up the loins of your mind AND walk this thang out, confident, courageous and fully persuaded that SINCE YOU ARE IN CHRIST, THE CHRIST IN YOU automatically gives you a Supernatural advantage over natural consequences! (Ref. Colossians 1:27; 2 Corinthians 2:14)

TRUST2KNO, EVERYTHING GOD STARTS, HE COMPLETES! (Philippians 1:6) AND WHATEVER GOD PROMISES, HE IS WELL ABLE  AND WILLING 2 PERFORM! 

PRECIOUS ONE,  JUS LET IT GO, REMEMBER…EVEN IF I CAN’T, GOD CAN!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

ARISE AND CONQUER!

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ARISE AND CONQUER

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

No man shall be able to stand before you all the days of your life; as I was with Moses, so I will be with you. I will not leave you nor forsake you…Have I not commanded you? 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 1:5, 9

 

Throughout the [ages of The Holy Scriptures God has placed examples (role models) to teach us wisdom, to encourage us and to show us the potential hidden within each of us who will allow His Power to be manifested through our very being! However, it’s important to note that at some point in the lives of His servants, God will remove anyone or anything that you become co-dependent upon and anything that represents a mark for you to follow other than GOD-SELF! You shall have no other gods before Me. Exodus 20:3

 For forty years, Joshua had witnessed the anointing that rested upon Moses demonstrated through miraculous signs and wonders. He saw the courage and boldness with which Moses approached Pharaoh, commanding that he release God’s Chosen People.
“Go back to Pharaoh,” the LORD commanded Moses. “Tell him, ‘This is what the LORD, the God of the Hebrews, says: Let my people go, so they can worship me” Exodus 9:1

THEN, God spoke to Joshua, calling him to complete the task of leading Israel into The Promised Land. “Moses is dead; his season is over. Now it’s time for you, Joshua, to arise and position yourself that I might use you to fulfill my purpose through you. It’s time to go over the Jordan!”

Perhaps you’ve been there, huh? I mean, being confronted by an amazing opportunity that while potentially privileged, at the same time, seeming undeniably impossible! Seriously, when you don’t have that person/job/wisdom, skill, etc. that mentored, challenged, encouraged and stretched you beyond your comfort zone, it’s highly likely the waves of personal insufficiency will rise up and suddenly you find yourself tripping over hidden rocks of low self-esteem! Of course you don’t know if you have what you need to go over whatever it’s gonna take to overcome and succeed! #ijs!

Barricaded by the Spirit of Lo-debar, beneath the rubble of fear, doubt, shame and anxiety, the insurgent provocative ‘what if’s’ begin to surface, challenging your faith! Not in God, but can you stand up to the responsibility of such daunting privilege? Okay, I guess it’s jus me, huh?

BUT…Ain’t you glad that God already knows what He’s getting when He calls us? Hallelujah 2 the Lamb!!!

Thankfully, God knowing our frame, never asks us to do anything that He’s not totally committed to helping us complete! God made Joshua a Promise that you and your people will go over this Jordan! Didjaheardatt? Don’t jus dream about it, don’t just talk about it! BUT position yourself in GOD and GOD WILL give you the land! Be strong in the Lord and the Power of HIS MIGHT! (Ref. Ephesians 6:10) Ignore the naysayers, and take GOD at HIS WORD! Don’t fret, falter or fain! Put it in your heart, mind and your mouth! U gotta know that over that barrier, there’s a blessing awaiting you!

Remember, wherever your feet go, GOD SAID, I HAVE GIVEN IT 2 U! AS I WAS WITH MOSES, SO SHALL I BE WITH U! Hence, Beloved, take courage and trust GOD for your success! NOW GET UP AND GO GET YOUR BLESSING! #ARISE&CONQUER!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

ALL POWER BELONGS 2 GOD!

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ALL POWER BELONGS 2 GOD

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

In God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust in him at all times; ye people, pour out your heart before him: God is a refuge for us. Selah…God hath spoken once; twice have I heard this; that power belongeth unto God. Psalm 62:7-8,11
 

Over the past 50 years, we’ve seen a whole lot of changes. Our society has evolved from being agriculturally dominated, thru industrially dominated, into an age where information technology dominates. Some of you remember what it was like growing up in the country. You worked hard and you played hard,  right? But through it all, you were able to maintain a healthy balance between the physical labor of working the fields and the ease of drinking a cold glass of lemonade sitting on the porch come Sunday afternoon.
 
Then, the war came, and many of our brothers went off to war leaving the familiarity of the farms for foreign soil, forcing those left behind into factories working the machinery building weapons, mass production of crops, meat, clothing, etc. The dirt roads and shotgun houses were replaced by concrete paved streets and skyscrapers. The Industrial Age had taken over and the ease of those Sunday mornings vacated and swapped with washing the car, 2 hours at the gym, 3-mile runs, kids soccer games, karate tournaments, or at the very least, I gotta get my stuff ready to go back to work next week!
 
As wars and rumors of wars escalate, so has tension, stress and the push for greater technological advancements. The factories have basically come to a hault as the focus shifted away from meeting the needs of common folk  onto which nation will gather the most information proving who’s the best of the best; who’s going to be the first country to put a man on the moon, mars of take over a yet undiscovered universe; who’s gonna build the biggest bomb, and who’s gonna conquer outer space once we blow up this planet. YEAH BABY, WE’VE COME A LONG WAY, huh?
 
Who nu? Here we are in the 21st Century, and for many we got what we wanted, but at what cost? The laughter of our children in the yard jumping double-dutch, playing football, the swish of the ball dropping through a wooden loop, the clicking sounds of cardboard or plastic between the spikes of bikes, roller skates racing down the streets have been silenced by the noise of doors being slammed by rebellious children barricading themselves in their rooms; whispering, texting and yes, even sexing on $500 cell phones/ipads or the clicking of remote controls to $700  video games played on 75-inch flat screen TV’s! Owww Wheeeeee, don’t shout me down now!
 
While we, the parents have bought into the propaganda being dupped with the misguidedphilosopy, “I’m gonna make sure that my baby has it better than I did”, we’ve created a generation of young people who seem to get everything in life they want, yet have nothing to live for. Meanwhile, many of them are engaging in disruptive habits that scream, “LIFE’S A BEACH! I hate myself, and I hate you too. So why not make a pact to commit suicide, or I’m bored so let’s go shoot up a bunch of folk we don’t even know.”
 
Honestly! If you’re not prayerful, it’s easy to allow all the hell of this world to consume your whole life.  Yall don’t believe it, huh?  Well, it’s gotten to the point now that even the most seasoned saints may ponder the Satanically-induced thought of cutting your own wrist, just to escape the peril of these wicked times. 

BUT GOD! Knowing everything that humanity would experience, left it on record to console those who would become weary in well-doing, ‘while we’re in this world—we are not of this world!’ Although, we are not exempt from test, trials and persecution, we are never alone! (Ref. Hebrews 13:5)
 
Precious Saints, when it looks like there’s no point to living for God (aka) living holy and you’ve come to the end of your rope, that’s your clue—not to give up but to take a stand—tie a knot in the rope and hang on! Cling to the Hope of your calling, Jesus Christ—The Living Word of Life! (Ref. Ephesians 1:18)  Don’t get it twisted, it ain’t always what it looks like!
 
Remember, when the dusts settles,  He Who has called you is Faithful and True (Ref. 1 Thessalonians 5:24; Revelations 19:11) and He Yet Reigns! ALL POWER BELONGS 2 GOD! #Didjaheardat?

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!
 
Ann Caffee

UNSHAKEABLE PEACE!

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UNSHAKEABLE PEACE 2

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

He shall be like a tree Planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, Whose leaf also shall not wither, And whatever he does shall prosper. Psalm 1:3

For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Romans 8:18

 

SOMETIMES! I wonder how much easier life would be, if in fact it was meant to be lived “Que sera, sera …Whatever will be, will be. The future’s not ours to see. Que sera, sera …What will be, will be“ ?

However appealing this perspective might appear at first glance, truthfully, God Who Sovereignly created us in His Own Image, never intended us to be merely robotic beings devoid of the ability to reason and make decisions based on our individual free will. God deliberately fashioned and formed us to be fully capable active participants in working out His Plan for each of our individual lives. In other words, life, according to God’s Purpose, is not a spectator’s sport!

How childish and immature it would be to think otherwise, huh? As my son once reminded me, reminiscing back to the days when the most critical decisions he had to make that day was, ‘is it gonna be Fruit Loops or Captain Crunch’? But now, finally, as all-grown-up adults,we no longer enjoy the privileges childhood innocence affords to casting off the burden of personal responsibility and accountability for our own actions unto unsuspecting parents, school teachers, coaches, counselors, professors, supervisors, pervasive racism, financially scrapped government institutions, corrupt politicians, over zealous police officers, the collapse of basic moral ethics and inevitable endangered decaying environmental resources.

And we couldn’t wait for this?

God uses all of these, (and much much more) to train and transform us into the persons that He’s Divinely ordained us to be—a reflection of His Amazing Grace and Ominous Glory! The problem is, we’re hell-bent on thinking that God expects us to carry out this work, totally independent of His Sovereign Controlling Interest in the Process! And we all know how that eventually turns out, huh?

Hopefully, sooner rather than later, we having exhausted all of our own fire, are forced to acknowledge “This ain’t working, Lord. I need Your helllpppp! Lord, save me!” Thank God, Who steps right in, rolling up His spiritual sleeves, bears us up under The Power of Holy Spirit, places us back on The Potter’s Wheel, gracefully presses, pinches, prodding, pounding, purges and pushes us through the next phase in His process of Restoration.

When we pray and ask God to restore us, we must be willing to submit to the process. Here is where most of us miss it. We don’t want the pain, humility and the lack of control that’s often required in order to equip and empower us for the next level of spiritual growth and development. So often we, the unwilling participants, come kicking and screaming, murmuring and complaining, doubting and accusing God of miscalculating just how much we can bear!

Until finally, we surrender, committing our care to His Loving Hands, trusting His Purpose to be greater than our personal pain, embracing HIS Will rather than ours, finding more  power, rest, hope and joy than you ever  dared imagined,  are comforted by HIS UNSHAKEABLE PEACE! Hallelujah 2 The Lamb!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee