Category Archives: God is Eternal

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

 

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!

 

 

WHO MOVED?

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WHO MOVED

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

“Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at anytime we should let them slip. For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward. How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation which at the first began to be spoken by the lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him.” Hebrews 2:1-3

One morning during my devotion, the Lord began speaking to me about The Millennium Church Age. At this point in my walk with Jesus, needless to say, I’ve heard many a message preached about the Church of God down through the years! Gratefully, much has been pontification of the Glorious and Victorious Church as well as those that admonish the people of God concerning the goats and the sheep and the wheat and the tare. However, I must confess I was a bit surprised when God began to talk to me about a different threat (either unnoticed or unacknowledged) that has slipped under the radar of nodding watchmen into the Kingdom. He asked, “Have you heard the one about the ‘drifters and the disciples?”

After thinking for a moment, I responded “No, Lord. I don’t recall hearing that one.” Honestly, my mind went ‘back in da day’, remembering the Drifters, that group of fine black men, dressed to da T and sanng’n those ‘Good ol’ slow songs’! For the 30 and under crew, u betta ask ya Mama!

Abruptly bringing me back from the edge of Egypt, God began to reveal to me, “Oh yes! You’ve heard about them. They may have been called ‘Backsliders’ instead!’

Okay! I know about the backsliders! But, when church folk think of a backslider, what generally comes to mind are those wicked ol’ evil rebellious hypocrites, aka that heathen who has turned his back and walked away from the Lord and the Church. In other words, we’ve categorized them as somebody who didn’t really love the Lord, at least not as much as he loved the world. Right?  HOWEVERRR! The Lord, allowing me to peep into His thoughts for a moment, led me to Webster’s Dictionary to look up the word ‘drift’ to discover that Webster defines it several ways, but here are a few that Holy Spirit highlighted:

“To be carried along by a current of air or water; to pile up or to heap, to move or appear to move aimlessly, go along without knowing or caring where one is going; the sideways movement of an aircraft or ship off it’s projected course due to cross currents.”

OMG!  #Didjaheardat? First of all, you don’t have to leave the church at all to backslide! You can become a drifter sitting front row, center aisle, or back row, far left and yes, truthfully, center stage of the pulpiteers!  #WOW! That ol’ devil is as cunning and subtle in 2017 as ever, huh?

Satan knows he can’t just blatantly confront some of us face 2 face with the lies that have been proven so successful among the babes in Christ. You know; like, “I don’t need to go to church; I can read my bible at home (the bedside Baptist)”; or “who says you have to belong to a church to serve God?” What about this one, “Get with the times! Don’t be so narrow-minded; after all there are all kinds of roads that lead to the Universal god, you know The Higher Power!”  #BOOM!

Therefore, he applies another method to bring down the more seasoned saints. Unfortunately, all too often they’re just as lethal and successful! Satan hurls wicked devices (distractions) into our lives to catch us off guard and sidetrack us from our true mission! A little trouble here; a trial there; a threat here lodging a bit of anxiety there; an ominous sense of foreboding fear here; a dip of delay, denial and disappointment there; a letter here and a phone call there, a rumor here and a lie there; a modest competitive spirit there or a root of resentment and rejection here!  Didjaseedat? Who nu?

The scariest part about drifting is that you rarely recognize that you’ve moved at all! It’s not as if you were swept away from the shore by some gi-normous wave; you didn’t even hear the thunder or see the lightening flashing. In fact you never felt the ground collapsing underfoot. One minute, there you were sitting on the dock of the bay, watching the tides rolling—you thought you had it all together, handling thangs, maintaining! Until… you reached for that dose of The Holy Ghost and discovered that your cup was empty and your subscription had run out! Apparently, somewhere along the trip, we got so busy with other ‘real-life-stuff’ at the expense of your personal, intimate time with Jesus! Unbeknownst to you, you’d become weary in your well-doing and unconsciously decided that it don’t take all that!

Tell somebody it takes all that and more! More prayer, more fasting, more wisdom, knowledge and understanding of his word, more praising, and a whole lot more His Grace to stay anchored in The Lord!

But here’s the ultimate catastrophic fatality, when all hell breaks out in your life, we tend to look at Godc, ross-eyed, and place the blame for our circumstances on HIM!  Of course, we’ll most likely not own up to such brazen charges again our Redeemer, howeverrrr buried down in the seat of our being, we whisper “Lord, if  You  REALLY love me like You said, why did You let this happen to me?”  #BOOM  We’ve swalled Satan’s bait and the seeds of doubt have taken root  producing a crop of accusations, distrust and unbelief!  #canIgetagoodAMEN3X? OK, maybe not, huh?

TRUTH BE TOLD, God can’t lie and God can’t fail!  If He said, “I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU, NOR FORSAKE YOU, NEVER” THEN IT STANDS TO REASON, GOD NEVER MOVED!  (Ref. Hebrew 13:5)
Precious Ones, with all that’s going on in the world around us, it’s incumbent upon each one of us to not make light of the lessons to be learned from The Apostle Paul’s teaching! Hence, make a real earnest commitment to BE a true disciple of Jesus Christ. GET A GRIP ON THE MASTER’S HAND AND HOLD ON AS IF YOUR VERY LIFE DEPENDED UPON IT! BCUZ IT DOES!

WHO MOVED? HOPEFULLY NOT U! #SERIOUSLY? #IJS

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

GOD WANTS AMERICA, BACK!

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GOD WANTS AMERICA BACK 3

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

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

 

WELL, AMERICA’S GREAT AGAIN, huh?  WOW!

Today despite of all the  predictions, our Nation has survived one more surprise attack, huh?  Who knu that the greatest threat to our national security would come from within the borders of our own democratic system? Nontheless, they say, ‘Liberty For All’, right? Well, I suppose that depends on one’s personal perspective. Nevertheless, we can agree on this, Freedom is not free nor is it cheap!

Hence,  I declare and decree, in Order to form a more perfect Unity, establish true Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defence, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain. establish, stand steadfast, immovable always abiding in THIS TRUTH, that despite all of these sophisticated technological security advancements of  the 21st Century,  the safest place in the whole wide world yet remains “smack-dabb” in the middle of GOD’S PERFECT WILL!!!

While many families are still struggling to cope and recover from the distress of 911, the increase in the random killings of young students,  senseless massacre of innocent kindergarteners at Connecticut’s Sandy Hook Elementary,  bomb blasts  abruptly interrupting The Boston Marathon , suicide bombings at airports globally, lunatics open-firing on random citizens out enjoying a matinee movie,  afternoon shopping at the local mall and evenings at their favorite restaurants or niteclubs,  those who arbitrarily invade the sanctify of Bible Study and Prayer Meetings, and to add insult to injury, now there’s the unprecedented diagnosis of post election stress disorder!  The devastating sociological effect of the culmination of  each of these obviously re-enforce the new-now reality! America has changed forever! Consequently, that somewhat bi-partisant-nonchalant-attitude that we once held viewing  media broadcasts detailing the slaughter of civilians in other countries has given way to a national sense of restrained anxiety and anticipation.

The false sense of serenity that our nation once enjoyed has now converted to sporadic rampant acts of violence, devastation and destruction. In the after mass, we see a socieity of proud Americans struggling to present a united front, clinging, crying, comforting, praying together in an attempt to let the world know “We’re proud to be Americans; United we stand and God bless America”!

Now don’t shout me down! Trust me, I’m just as patriotic as anyone. I am grateful that God destined me to be born in this country. However, first and foremost, I’m a Christian; a citizen of The Kingdom of God! Therefore I am compelled to plead on behalf of all my fellow countrymen, “America, bless Our GOD!”

None can deny that God has been so merciful to America. Time and time again, God has proven Himself to be so near to us. Our nation’s history confirms that God has continuously reached out to assure us, “My children, we are in this thing together…forever. I am here to help you. I am your shield and your buckler; I am as close as the very breath you breathe. I am fully and totally committed to you.” Unfortunately, just like the Israelites in Bible days, this nation has persisted in boldly rejected GOD’s Way, insisting on doing things our way, legislating unrighteousness!

Well can I offer my most solemn suggestion; my fellow Americans, instead of trying to pass the buck, we need to repent. Why spend so much time, money and attention pursuing false gods? We don’t need another God to save us! We just need to turn back to the One True Foundation of this great nation. It’s time to bend our knees, bow our hearts, and surrender our praise and worship to The True and Living God our Lord Jesus Christ. Clearly, everything that we will ever need is in Him.

What’s the point of having another National Day of Prayer if we have no intention of changing? I mean, can you imagine the stinch that’s seeping into The Throne Room of His Grace and Mercy? #yukyuk! Awemazingly, The Living God is waiting for His Chosen People to humbly cry out in sincerity to Him, (actually repenting) and return to the Rock of our Salvation!Remember, God has promised that in the midst of troubling times, we’d find Him to be a Very Present Help.

“Therefore say thou unto them, Thus saith the LORD of hosts; Turn ye unto me, saith the LORD of hosts, and I will turn unto you, saith the LORD of hosts.” Zechariah 1:3

WAKE UP AMERICA, IT’S WAY PASS TIME TO BLESS OUR GOD! GOD WANTS HIS AMERICA, BACK! #NUFFSAID!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

THE NIGHT SHIFT!

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the-night-shift

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. Psalm 121:4

 Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you.  Genesis 28:15 ESV

 

Whether you’ve been walking with Jesus for a long time or just recently made your decision to follow Christ, none of us are excluded from faith’s stresses, test and trials! If you don’t have a clue about what I’m talking about, may I draw from dem ol’ skool Mothers’ terminology, “Baby, jus keep getting up in the mornin’ and going to bed at night, sooner or later you will encounter a season in your life when you’ll feel as though God has left you in the valley of the shadows of death to fend for yourself!”

I understand that this kinda theology may seem a bit strange, (not to mention unbiblical, after all we live in the Dispensation of Grace) to some Millenniums who’ve been spoon fed Gospel-Lite-Prosperity pablum prepared by the more sophisticated-socially-acceptable-all-ingratiating-all-inclusive preachers! But check The Book, it’s still in there! “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:” 1 Peter 4:12

Yet! When you’re forced to trample through the turbulence terrains of this life, know, that your Heavenly Father is not a dead-beat absentee Father. God has left His Eternal Word as a Light to the 21st Century Saints! Hence, The Word of God is still well able to comfort, strengthen and encourage those who seek Him!

Precious ones, perhaps, at this reading, you find yourself smack-dab-in-the-middle of a loooonnnnggg night of overwhelming fear and anxiety,  yet Truth remains! Even when you’re unable  to trace God’s Face or feel His Hand, trust His Heart!

Sometimes, we’re so focused on the trauma of the moment that we forget that we have a real enemy who delights in secretly launching attacks against God’s elect, under the cloak of darkness with his diabolical wiles, strategically aimed to diminish your confidence and trust in God!  Nevertheless,  don’t fall for the okey-doke…Satan ain’t running nothing! Your God is Sovereignly watching over you 24/7! He never naps! Day and night are the same to Him! Every step you take is Divinely-ordered by The Lord! He’s already gone before you preparing designated rest areas along the road to revive and re-energize our spirit and soul! #Didjaheardat? IT’S TRUE!

Beloved, when it seems as if everything is falling apart, Holy Spirit says, ‘It’s falling right in place’! Abba Father is weaving each piece of your life together for your greatest good and His Highest Glory! And at the appointed time, He will flip it over to display His Magnificent Masterpiece! (Ref. Romans 8:28)

“Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” 1 John 3:2

Like Jacob, as we continue our pilgrimage through the gross darkness of this fallen world en route to the celestial city, we may all proclaim of our Savior “The God that led me all my life long” works THE NIGHT SHIFT!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

THIS IS GOD’S WORLD

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THIS IS GODZ WORLD

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

The earth is the LORD’S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. Psalm 24:1

 

Here I go again, reflecting back to days gone by. Perhaps, it’s because I just recently celebrated  another birthday, yall! Nevertheless, perhaps a few of my readers may remember the words of that Great R&B Prophet, James Brown’s hit song recorded in 1966, “This is a Man’s World!” My My! Did we ever groove off of that one. However, in retrospect (accompanied by a good ol’ dose of The Holy Ghost), I must confess “Boy were we ever wrong!”

In fairness to my fellow human-kind, it’s no wonder we were attracted to those lyrics. Given the fact that it supports man’s insatiable urgent need to dominate, control and conquer his environment. I suppose this mindset has it’s own advantages. For some at least, it alleviates that pesty loathsome notion of accountability, huh?

As life long east coast residents of The DMV, some of us are now living in a suburban tree lined, street lighten, well manicured lawn, 3-car garaged mini-mansions, just outside of the metropolis, in gated communities from which periodically we’re forced to venture onto rush-hour crowded cement roadways up to historical monuments of governmental, judicial, legislative, communication systems, financial and academia institutions, state of the art medical facilities, opera halls, convention and shopping centers, fine cuisine restaurants, fast-food drive-thru lines, soccer fields, football and base ball stadiums–it’s easy to forget! Oh Yeah, we’ve come a long way, baby! But God has a way of making Truth clear as the ground you walk on, remember that earthquake no body expected?

With so much going on in our sophisticated Hi-Tech 21st Century lives, we’ve created a man-made superficial reality that subtly separates us from the Eternal Truth. Whether you call home The White House or the out-house, we’re all co-inhabitants of a massive celestial sphere, constantly turning, masterfully choreographed from eternity past through time into eternity future at the specifically detailed instructions of The Universal Sovereign Invisible Creator! My Lord!

While The Bible teaches us there’s a place in our lives for worldly wisdom, ambition and hard work, it also cautions us that we must never allow any of these things to take precedence over our aspiration and commitment to seek to fulfill our God ordained purpose for being part of His Story! Sadly, many a person has left this world (and all their accumulated richest) wealthy, according to this world’s standard, yet spiritually impoverished; never knowing nor desiring the benefits of living life to the fullest intent of The Life-Giver. (Ref. John 10:10)

According to God’s Word, the soul is the most valuable possession of man’s life! It is The Father’s greatest desire to live in eternal fellowship with the most precious of all his creation—mankind! In order to get His Plan back on track, God’s literally tore Himself apart to accomplish so great a Salvation by demolishing the the enmity of our sinful rebellion against His Lordship!

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. “ John 3:16

Through the eye-opening repentant heart, The Light of Life is miraculously revealed, The Majestic Radiance of The King of Glory is esteemed and Grace is dispensed saturating and quenching the thirst of the way-faring soul! Man discovers, much to his delight, that truly… THIS IS GOD’S WORLD! #PEACEOUT!

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

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

 

FAITH 4 NOW!

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SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrew 11:1

 

Several years ago, I heard a teaching by Kenneth Copeland, reminiscing about his early experiences in the family church. Bro. Copeland said that just about every Sunday morning, it was pretty much guaranteed that you’d hear the Preacher say ‘you gotta have faith’, or ‘you need to increase youaith’, or ‘if it’s not of faith then, it’s sin’. Bro. Copeland remembered how frustrating it was because the Preacher never told them how a poor soul might procure this precious gift of faith!

Well, guess what? Not much has changed, huh? Even now, given the popularity of 21st Century prosperity doctrinal teachings, I’d venture to say that a whole of churchgoers are still confused about they can exercise true biblical faith in their lives. Contrary to New Millennium mysticism , faith is not a new theological doctrine reserved for the elect seminary scholars. God has given every one of us ‘a measure of faith’…and it’s a free gift, yall! No one can work hard enough or be good enough to earn or deserve it! But The Heavenly Father so graciously pours it into us when we open our hearts to HIM!

Simply put, Faith is a patient confident trust in the integrity and power of our Loving and Caring Heavenly Father!

Faith is the currency of exchange in The Kingdom of God! Duuhhh! God doesn’t need our money! EVERYTHING, including all the silver and gold belongs to Him! However, we need faith to get anything from Him. In fact, you can’t even approach God unless you believe that He exists and is able to do what you need Him to do for you. Sounds like it’s virtually impossible to please God without it, huh? (Ref. Hebrew 11:6)

Hebrews Chapter 12, dubbed The Hall of Faith, highlights several examples of ordinary men and women, who activated their faith and achieved extraordinary things thru God! Nevertheless, to relegate God’s Faithfulness to an historical phenomenon seems to suggest that He’s changed—and that’ll NEVER happen! (Ref. Hebrews 13:8) Perhaps that’s why Today’s text says now faith and not then faith, huh?

After all that God has done for us, trusting Him seems only reasonable! (Ref. Romans 12:1-2)

Did you know that your Heavenly Father is absolutely delighted when His sons and daughters genuinely trust in Him! Seriously!

Faith in God says, ‘Father I believe that You love me unconditionally and always have my best interest at heart. Even if it doesn’t look like it, I am fully persuaded that my God is working everything together for my highest good and His Greatest Glory!’ (Ref. Romans 8:28)

WOW! REMEMBER, IF HE did it before, HE WILL DO IT NOW! —NOW THAT’S FAITH!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

WHO’S LYING???

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WHO'S LYING

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10

Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. John 8:43-45

In our Judicial system, oftimes a case is won or lost, based upon the credibility of the witnesses? Hence, I’d imagine that attorneys conduct pretty substantial investigations prior to putting an individual in the witness seat. Sometimes the prosecuting attorney will drop the case before it even reaches the court room, if the credibility of their star witness could potentially jeopardize their chances of a favorable verdict.

Beloved, throughtout the Scriptures we find our common adversary, Satan, adamantly accusing those of us who have trusted in the Saving Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, before The Father day and night. He’s been at it for so long and surprisingly has far too many knotches on his belt. His primary SOP is to first target our will, confronting our pride, attacking our hearts and our conscious by reminding us of our failures. He knows that fear and doubt left unrestrained will soon paralyze our faith and deminish any hope of receiving God’s Grace and eventually we’ll tap out! And then you know what happens, generally we find ourselves on the defense trying to justify ourselves rather than asking God’s forgiveness and being restored to right-standing with the Father of All Mercies and God of All Comfort! (Ref. 2 Corinthians 1:3-5)

I don’t know about you, but I am tired of getting played like a broken guitar! Especially since, our Heavenly Father has already settled my case, once and for all! “And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?” (Zachariah 3:2) Didjacdat? God shut the devil down…WITH THE TESTIMONY OF THE BLOOD OF JESUS!

I don’t care how much circumstantial evidence the da devil has presented against you today, you need to carefully consider the facts. The devil is a thief, a killer and a liar! On the other hand, based upon the testimony of Jesus Christ as outlined in the opening statements above, God’s Holiness, Integrity, Faithfulness and Trustworthiness is time tested. “For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. (Psalm 119:89)

Oh, don’t get me wrong, my decisions do not always hail me to be shiniest penny in the pocket! However, my precious ones, there is one adjudication that I can wholeheartedly guarantee  has proven to be regret-free! JESUS IS THE BEST THING THAT HAS EVER HAPPEN TO ME! Sounds pretty solid to me, huh? It’s not my business to tell you what to do, but I’m stickin WITH THE ROCK!

It’s my profound belief that my readers are intellectually competent to make informed decisions! Amen?
NOW THAT THE EVIDENCE HAS BEEN PRESENTED TO YOU, IT’S TIME FOR YOU TO EXERCISE YOUR POWER OF CHOICE! WHO’S LYING? #ijs

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee