Category Archives: God’s Power

INVITATION ONLY

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INVITATION ONLY

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

For the commandment which I command you today is not too mysterious for you, nor is it far off. It is not in heaven, that you should say, ‘Who will ascend into the heaven for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it and do it?’ Nor is it beyond the sea, that you should say, ‘Who will go over the sea for us and bring it to us, that we may hear it, and do it?’ But the word is very nigh unto thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart, that thou mayest do it. Deuteronomy 30:11-14

 

Who in this world would wanna make God’s Grace soooo complicated and difficult to acceptt? Dat lying devil, of course!  The last thing Satan wants a lost sinner to recognize is that God is the ONE who initiated Salvation IN THE 1ST PLACE and makes it available to all who will repent and return to The Maker of Heaven and Earth!  Appealing to the SIN that so easily besets us, ‘PRIDE’, Satan  manipulates our thoughts, enticing the lusts of our flesh to do those things which are unseemly, then slams the door condeming us to fear, doubt and utimate, logical, justifiable terminal  self-rejecting eternal damnation!

Uuuuummmm? So what exactly was Moses saying?  

Moses, God’s appointed Covenant Mediator, was telling God’s Chosen nation that God, knowing the inadeqacy of human’s frame, has always planned to restore His  wayward children back into right-relationship to Godself, independent of our  puny efforts to warrant such Wonderous Gift of Love!  

“And the LORD your God will circumcise your heart and the heart of your descendents, to love the LORD your God with all your heart and with all your soul, that you may live.”…For the LORD will again rejoice over you for good as He rejoiced over your fathers, if you obey the voice of the LORD your God, to keep His commandments and His statutes which are written in this Book. “(Detuteronomy 30:6, 9b-10)

This is the core of  every true Gospel preaching! It’s encouraging diligent seeker to say the welcoming word to God—“Jesus is my Master”! Hence, embracing, body and soul, God’s work of doing in us what He did in raising Jesus from the dead.  That’s it!  #didjaheardat?   

You’re not “doing” anything!  By simply calling out to God from a grateful and sincere heart, you’re trusting Him to do it for you. With your whole being you embrace God’s Mercy, setting things right, and then you say it, right out loud: “God has set everything right between Him and me!” That’s  the essence of SALVATION, yall!  

The word that saves is right here, as near as the tongue in your mouth, as close as the heart in your chest. It’s the word of faith that welcomes God to go to work and set things right for us and IN US!

Scripture reassures us, “No one who trusts God like this—heart and soul—will ever regret it.” It’s exactly the same no matter what  your religious affiliation may be! When any soul is depending solely upon The Cross of Jesus,  we receive all the benefits of the same God for all of us! God is no respecter of person! He demonstrates the same incredible generosity to everyone who crys out for help. “Everyone who calls, ‘Help, God!’ gets help.”Romans 10:13 THE MESSAGE  

AWEMAZING, huh?

GOD doesn’t bumrush HIS WAY in and crash your party, but Graciously awaits HIS Personal Invitation from YOUR heart to HIS heart!

Is GOD welcome in your house?  Is GOD welcome in your LIFE? Have you invited THE SAVIOR into your heart?

Your  SALVATION is as close to YOU as your TRUSTING heart’s cry! 

Shhhhh!  didjaheardat knocking?  REALLY? #whatRUwaiting4?
 
REMEMBER, SALVATION COMES BY  INVITATION ONLY!  #HALLELUJAHHHH!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

WAYFARING WIT

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WAYFARING WIT2

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

How much better to get wisdom than gold! and to get understanding rather to be chosen than silver! Proverbs 16:16

Receive my instruction, and not silver; and knowledge rather than choice gold. For wisdom is better than rubies; and all the things that may be desired are not to be compared to it. Proverbs 8:10-11

 

WOW! We’ve come a long way, Baby!

As far as the ingathering of information and the major technological accomplishments attained by this 21st Century New Millennium Age is concerned, undoubtedly, we’ve taken quantum leaps exceedingly well beyond the realm of possibility to even the most esteemed intellectuals and astute scientific calculus of days gone by.

In other words, (sigh)! It’s safe to say that knowledge abounds!

Unfortunately, the scarcity of wit, wisdom and truth is decisively profound! Generally the appeal for this degree of understanding is left to those few famished, disillusioned, disinfranchised, exhausted, wayfaring scavengers who wander off rush-hour-grid-locked-getting-byways and highways to worldly success and traditional religious rituals. For reasons, yet unknown, somehow some of us are being distinctly drawn to the under-passes, service roads, and trenches; seeking the hidden treasures, riches stored in secret places of The Kingdom of His Presence! (Ref. Isaiah 45:3)

Who knew that we’d be called to the Kingdom for such a time as this? Who knew that before we lived one day that our Master already had a plan, purpose,  and a hope-filled destination for our lives?

“It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.” Proverbs 25:2

Wisdom is calling!

“But you have not called upon Me, O Jacob; And you have been weary of Me. O Israel” Isaiah 43:22

“But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.” 1Timothy 6:6-8

“Congratulations! You finally got what you wanted, BUT… lost what you had”!

Didjaheardat? Missed it, huh? WAYFARING WIT!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

EMPTY POTS

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EMPTY POT 2

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

“He feedeth on ashes: a deceived heart hath turned him aside, that he cannot deliver his soul, nor say, Is there not a lie in my right hand? Isaiah 44:20

I can only imagine what’s going on in the mind and heart of Elohim gazing down the the portals of time from Eternity, seeing the massive gathering of Sunday Morning worshipers.

Look at us, over there we’re suited down in our St. Johns and over here in our Sean Johns. Got our weaves looking fresh jus like dat and our hair perfectly trimmed tight. Etienne Aigner shoes and our New York Yankees designer hats neatly tucked under the pews, just in case the person next to us gets a bit too unruly.

Once the policeman re-directed the traffic to turn left (because the parking lot was already filled to its capacity) finally, we’re glad to be seated in our favorite row. The stage is set! The sound-man gives the nod, the lighting is in sync with the Minister of Music and the Choreographer has gotten the attention of the Liturgical Dancers, we’re ready! Let’s Get It Done…BAMM!

Not so fast! I see ‘yall’, BUT where’s ‘The Glory’? Where are the God-Seekers? Who’s actually among us here to Honor HIM?

“What’s up with you asking us these kinds of questions? How could you miss HIM? Didn’t you see all those fine automobiles parked outside of this grandiose sanctuary? I bet if you tallied up the cost that was spent at the hair salons this week, you’d probably could buy a small nation. And you know the price for an authentic custom-tailored suit these days ain’t cheap, given inflation. Not to mention the small fortune the church puts out to fuel up our Pastor’s jet. You got some nerve asking about GOD! Obviously GOD has been good to us!”

Okay! Granted, you got a whole lot of stuff going on. You can afford to sit back on your laurels proudly contented and cozy, belly full and satisfied, enjoying the fruit of your successful accomplishments, and resting in the warm of your own fire. Man! that’s the life that God promised us or is it?

When was the last time you actually talked to The God you claim to belong to and serve? Did you even thank HIM for waking you up this morning, giving you the strength to get up (under your own volition) and the mind to brush your teeth with a toothbrush and not a hair brush? Have you really forgotten that there was a time when going to church on a Sunday morning never crossed you mind and the only cross you carried was dangling from your rear view mirror as a token protector for you and your property? Remember when the only word you read with any consistency was your horoscope?

Yeah, Buddy! What a life!

And you call those folk—who just can’t wait to get to Church, not just on Sunday mornings, but Bible Study, prayer meetings, whatever and whenever the doors of the church are open, they gotta be in The House, in fellowship with like-minded spirits after being amidst a bunch of God-Haters all week/day long, we who are desperate for the times of refreshment found only in the Presence of The Lord—out of touch with reality! REALLY?

Come, let’s reason this thing out together.

IS GOD BLESSED BY YOUR WORSHIP OR IS IT A STINCH IN HIS NOSTRILS?

EMPTY POTS, huh?

SELAH!

“Have a WONDER-FILLED day!”

Ann Caffee

 

LET GOD RUB OFF ON U!

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LET GOD RUB OFF ON U3

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Romans 8:29

The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. Psalm 119:130 

Back in my B.C. (before Christ) days, I met this very special lady. Subsequently, Ms. Annette and I grew as close as two peas in a pod. Whoever coined the phrase “a little bit of country and a little bit of rock n’ roll” had to have met my friend “Anna” (self-identification of her alter-ego). By day, Ms. Annette was a successful-sophisticated-know-her-stuff-RN. BUT! By nite, that Hattiesburg-Mississippi-Black Water-Country-Ebonic-Talk’n-parta’-down-like it was 1999-Anna would emerge! And guess who would try to hang-out right with her? Exactly!

Evrrrr noticed, that if you spend a lot of time around someone you admire, who happens to have a strangely-peculiar personality, the strangely-peculiar affect they tend to have on you? Startlingly, without my consciousness (until my kids so happily pointed out) my conversation conspicuously became sporadically seasoned with some of the same words, same dialect and same mannerisms as my friend. Obviously, a little bit of “Anna” had rubbed off on me!

It works the exact same way when it comes to strengthening your personal relationship with God!

As believers, the Father’s Plan is to mold us into the image of Jesus. The moment you are born again, Holy Spirit begins the process of Supernatural Empowered Transformation of our spirit until it looks just like Him. Spiritually, you were instantly changed on the inside; however the progression of outward change depends largely upon us.

The amount of time spent pursuing things of the Spirit correlates directly to our spiritual growth and development. If most of your time is spent satisfying the lustful desires of your flesh, inevitably your spiritual growth will be stunted! #ijs However, as you begin to separate yourself apart from the worldly things of life and dedicate more time to studying The Word of God, mounting habitual alone-time with Him, The Holy Spirit will ecstatically teach, guide and share Christ-Likeness with you. He’s gonna rub off on you until His ways become your ways!

The more readily you yield the more of you to Him, abiding in His Presence in prayer, meditating in His Word and surrending yourself in worship, you will be absolutely amazed at the miraculous change that will take place on the inside and out! I’m telling you, personally, you’ll hardly recognize that new man in the mirror! Seriously!!!

Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. Isaiah 60:1 #Didjaheardat?

Ohh, by the way, guess who introduced me to Jesus Christ? Yep, Anna! THANKYA JESUS!

I “D-DOUBLE-DARE” YA! LET GOD RUB OFF ON YOU!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

GOD’S VOICE

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gods-voice-3

 

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 by 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!

In an attempt to re-assure ourselves that we’re in God’s will, like Gideon, we will ask God for a sign and come up with some kinda obtuse fleece as further proof that it is actually God speaking. ( Judges 6) 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!

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 inquiring direction, thru diligent study  and meditation of His Word, we learn to distinguish His Voice from the chatter emanating from the world and He will teach 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!

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 VOICE! #canuhearMEnow!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

WHAT DID HE DO?

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WHAT DID HE DO

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

“O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy; And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south,” Psalm 107:1-3

 

Do you know how many times we, who claim The Lord Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord, are admonished by the Sacred Scriptures to exalt Him in exuberant praise and heart-felt adorning worship? Suffice it to say numerous times in each of Its 66 Books, huh? And for the most part, we’re all faithfully obedient to comply, particularly when we’re all assembled together in the Sanctuary, with the choir singing, the high-sounding instruments blasting in our ears, ushering us into The Presence!

Yet, inspite of His Absolute Worthiness, there are still times when even the most seasoned-elect, find it difficult to mutter even a whisper of ‘Glorrraaa’ out of a heart overwhelmed by the cares of this world, through the muted lips frozen by the temptation of mumuring complaints!

Let it be known, that mine is the first hand lifted in affirmation, Amen!

It matters not how long you’ve been walking with the Lord, life has a way of placing you smack dab in the middle of crisis and suddenly you find yourself coming down with an acute case of spiritual amnesia! It’s during these moments that we need to attack the demonic spirits with a direct hit drawn from the arsenal of weaponry that God has given to every believer. A personal testimony! (Ref. 2 Corinthians 10:4 and Revelations 12:11)

Backndaday, The Ol’ Mothers used to open up Tuesday Nite Bible Study with a Testimony Service. One of my favorite songs they saang was, “When I think of the goodness of Jesus and alllll He’s done for me, myyyyyyyy soul cries out Hallaleujah, I thank God for saving me!” Remember? And when you took the time to reflect back over your life and began to count how many times God stepped in, right in the nick of time, and delivered you from all manner of maladies, you can’t help but the give Him praiz!

Come to think of it, the Bible is filled with countless mind-refreshing BUT by The Grace of God testimonies of triumphant conquerers who acknowledge that they never would’ve made it over into the Land of Promises if the Lord had not been with them all the way!

There’s another ol’ song, that comes to mind; ‘Count your blessings, name them one by one, count your blessings, see what The Lord has done”! WOW! Didjaheardat?

Truthfully, one of those most difficult times for a believer to praise GOD is in the meantime! I’m talking about while you’re waiting for God to move on your behalf and every demon assigned to your region is blasting threatening what-if’s soundtracs in your mind! That’s when you need to deliberately take authority over your thoughts. Instead of focusing on what it is you need Him to do, make a faith-conscious-decison to set your affections on those things JESUS HAS ALREADY DONE!

Okay? There you were wandering around in the desert, lost in the wilderness of sin, stumbling through life, homeless, hopless, confused yet desperate for change, starving for love, parched for peace and joy and you cried out for help, knowing perfectly well there was nobody to hear, much less care! BUT GOD heard you and sent Jesus to lead you out of that barreness, placing your feet on a Straight Path to The Good Life, filling your belly with The Living Bread and Living Water of Holy Spirit to the point of unimaginable satisfaction and sustaining strength!

And you gotta remember, it wasn’t that long ago that you were locked in a self-induced cell of darkness, imprisoned by an evil consciousness of guilt and shame, condemned and sentenced to a lifetime of isolation and hard labor, eternally separated from God! But you cried out to God and He came for you, breaking through the prison bars as if they were match sticks, opened up the Gates that had you trapped and led you out into the Light of Freedom!

What about that storm? Despite of how hard you tried to navigate your way, there you were lost on the Sea of Life, desperately struggling to keep your head above water, being tossed by contrary winds, finding yourself swept away by towering turbulent waves, until the bottom dropped out and finally, not knowing what else to do, you called out to God who faithfully showed up just in the nick of time, commanded the wind and the waves to quietly surrender to Peace and so graciously drew you out and carried you safely to His Harbor!

NOW! Beloved, rest assured, confidently trusting that Jesus is the same, yesterday, today and forever. IF HE DID IT BEFORE…HE’LL DO IT AGAILN! SO, THINKABOUT IT…WHAT DID HE DO! O Give Thanks unto The Lord, my Beloved! 

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

ITZ ALL ABOUT THE CROWN

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itz-all-about-the-crown-2

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches; He that overcometh shall not be hurt of the second death. Revelations 2:10-11

 

PARDON ME, again! I know this isn’t religiously correct, how—evrrrr sometimes, it’s just hard!

Here you are, as the ol’ saints used to say, ‘living all u know how 2 live for JESUS’, with everything in you clinging to The Testimony of God’s Faithful Witness, who is TRUTH, YET …EVERYWHERE U TURN, U GOT TROUBLE BREAKING OUT!!! #WHADA…???

Seriously, none of us normal human beings enjoy suffering, right?
Nevertheless, life has taught you (and even the Word admonishes us) that those who Name the Name of Jesus must expect trouble. Afterall, even “Jesus learned obedience through the things He suffered”! (Ref. Hebrew 5:8)

“Yeah, but but butt”…I feelya, okay? Yet, according to The Scriptures, God has Sovereignly linked suffering and glory into the lives of those who have confessed their trust in His Plan for our lives. Remember the words of The Apostle Paul? “As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter.” Roman 8:36

I know, sometimes that doesn’t help MUCH! BUT! We have this confident assurance that before God permits sporadic seasons of tribulations He sets an expiration date before the test begin! Aren’t U Soooo glad, trouble don’t last always!

Beloved, there’s always a greater purpose behind our pain! And no, it ain’t always God punishing you for your disobedience! For His own reasons, God has elected to allow test, trials and trouble along the landscape of our journey to draw us closer to Him, to purify, purge and position us to partake of His Divine Nature—HOLINESS!

“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

This life has a way of putting you through the ringer, huh? But God has decreed, that nothing you will ever experiene can separate you from His Love! “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38-39

Rest Assured, GOD KNOWS!

Today, receive His Words to The church at Smyrna, as your very own! Don’t allow fear of this temporary situation to deter you from your eternal goal! The King of Glory has declared and decreed that I AM ALPHA and OMEGA! I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU NOR FORSAKE YOU. LO I WILL BE WITH YOU ALWAY!  FOR WHO CAN STAY MY HAND! (Ref. Rev. 22:13; Heb. 13:5; Matt. 28:2o; Isa. 43:13) Didjaheardat? #WOW!!!

Precious ones,  endure persecution with fidelity, confident that “I AM THE RESURRECTION AND YOUR REWARDER! DON’T QUIT! YOUR CROWN AWAITS YOU!”

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

ONE ON ONE

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1 on 1

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

“For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.” (Psalm 84:10-12 KJV)

Life is complicated! WOW! Talk about genuine ‘over-simplification’?

From beginning to end, effectively maneuvering through the matrix of 21st Century mores is no small achievement! Particularly for the more seasoned members of society who find ourselves pryingly wondering “Am I really smarter than a 5th Grader?” I remember when the word ‘text” referred to “the main body of a book or other piece of writing, printed work or document”. Who knew?

Nevertheless, broken down to its least-common denominator, we all have the same needs. That is, “to love and be loved among un-lovables, find solace amidst chaos, and ultimately gain insight and direction to sequester that all-too-often-elusive sense of true satisfaction and accomplishment”. Preferably, sooner than later!

We live in a culture where individualism is glorified and self-denial is discarded as a sign of weakness and failure. Unfortunately for too many, it’s only after we’ve reached the pinnacle of success (according to man’s interpretation) do we realize that while we were so busy getting, we lost track of what we’d been given. Prayerfully, it’s at that point we’ll ask, “What does GOD want from me?”

GOD summed it up like this, “He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?” (Micah 6:8)

While time is barreling towards eternity at the speed of life, there is One Constant Consistency! His Name is JESUS. Every day, GOD is watching, waiting, seeking those busy, desperately wearied souls to turn towards HIM!

GOD knows that the Answer to every longing heart’s hunger and thirst is SIMPLY JESUS! Time spent alone with HIM is never wasted. Jesus is our SAFE HOUSE! He’s so kind and patient; yet truthfully, HE can hardly wait to see you!

HE LEFT THE DOOR OPEN! STOP BY TODAY FOR SOME ONE-ON-ONE TIME!

SELAH!

“Have a WONDER-FILLED day!”

Ann Caffee

DON’T DIE BEFORE LIVING!

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DON'T DIE B 4 LIVING 2

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

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

 

One of the most tragic phenomenon befalling humanity is leaving here without ever knowing and becoming the fearfully, wonder-filled, exceptionally-crafted Masterpiece our Creator intended before you were formed in your Mother’s womb. (Ref. Jeremiah 1:5)

Could that be why some say that the richest piece of real estate in any city is the cemetery? Don’t get melancholic on me! In fact my objective is quite the opposite; to spawn enticing hope-filled adventurous tomorrows!

We live in a society where conformity is the paramount attribute of success. If you want to be in you’ve got to fit the mold, otherwise you’re considered not one of us but part of the others. Unfortunately that leaves a whole lot of us out of the clique, huh?

But here’s where I stand on such matters; who gave you the authority to authenticate what God has made in the first place? Only the creator of a thing has the right to determine its true value and potential! Hence, too many of us walk around, ignorant of self-identity, convicted and/or condemned to a lifetime of regret-filled apologizing to others for who I AM!

That is until we come into the personal saving knowledge of Christ Jesus and get a revelation of who and Whose you are. This opens us gargantuan possibilities and prospective that eyes have not seen neither have ears heard of. Why waste time being a copy of anybody or everybody else when God has distinguished you from every other individual born in the earth. Check your fingerprints?

“Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” 1 Corinthians 3:16

Locked up in you is the answer to someone’s question. You are designed to be the miracle that person’s waiting on. You are the gift of hope to some despondent soul. You are the treasure that one somebody’s been seeking for and was about to give up on, disgusted by a history of repetitious seconds and hand-me-downs!

Oh what liberating truth in realizing that despite of what some folk may think or even said about you, in Christ, you have been empowered to stand-sure-footed in His Grace and profoundly proclaim, “I shall not allow anybody to deny me the right to be, become, have and do everything God ordained me 2 BE! I CHOOSE LIFE!”

Remember, Absolutely Nobody, BUT GOD can make you who you are!  DON’T DIE BEFORE LIVING! #GO4IT!

SELAH

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

THE FIRST RESPONDER!

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the-1st-responder2

SELAH Daily Devotions!

“When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. ” Isaiah 43:2
 
” lo am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Matthew 28:20b

 

Certain things just stick out at you!  Like, where you were and what you were doing on Tuesday, September 11, 2001?

If you were anywhere in the United States, you were probably sitting somewhere stunned and paralyzed, eyes glued to a TV screen at images that are now indelibly entrenched in your psyche!  Some of us initially were just trying to figure out what the heck was going on. Were our eyes betraying our thoughts or was this simply another advertising stunt vying for publicity?

But, as we listened intensively to the broadcaster’s pronouncement, inquisitively quickly gave way to awe, fear and helplessness! Millions of us sat paralyzed by not knowing where or when the next strike would hit. We watched masses of people running terrified away from buildings, aimlessly through the streets in an effort to escape the billowing clouds of gas-filled smoke and the menacing threat of flying glass and debris.  The sense of security and the superfluous naivety of an Invincible America tragically came falling down right before our eyes, shattered live and in color!

Just as the rain falls on the just as well as the unjust, tragedy and trouble are neither biased nor prejudice! Except you be some sadistic masochist, most of us are intrinsically wired to avoid pain. Perhaps, that’s why some of us might’ve secretly questioned the wisdom of those ‘first responders’. Nevertheless, we honor the courageous men and women who waived the threat of death in lieu of the prospect of rescuing the survivors and ran boldly into the face of catastrophe.

Perchance, that’s what makes GOD so appealing to that desperately lonely wayfaring stranger, crying out to The Heavenly Father, “Lord, save me!” 

Today’s scripture assures us that our Savior, Jesus, doesn’t sit uncaringly aloof, watching us meandering our way through life’s tumultuous terrain, endlessly giving way to hopelessness and despair. But so Graciously is our God, who Lovingly leans toward us, tenderly guarding and guiding us safely through overwhelming floodwaters of seemingly unconquerable test and trials!

May this note serve as a constant reminder, that whenever we find ourselves surrounded, constrained by dire circumstances, in the claws of the temptation to give up; we who have surrendered our lives to The Lordship of Christ, find consolation, encouragement and confidence by  faith, to look up–for Redemption is Always near!

Jesus, The First Responder!

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