Category Archives: grace

MORE JESUS!

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MORE JESUS!

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. days (before Christ, y’all), 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 consciously realizing when nor how, (until my kids so happily pointed out to me) 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!

Didjaknow? It works the exact same way when it comes to strengthening your personal relationship with God! #4REAL!

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,  when you sincerely ask God to forgive you of your sins and come into your heart, you were instantly changed on the inside; howevvvrrrrr, the progression of outward change depends largely upon us! #Didjaheardat?

Evidently, there’s a significant correlaation between the amount of time spent pursuing the things of the Spirit and the rate of our personal spiritual growth and development. If most of our time is spent satisfying the lustful desires of our  sin-loving flesh, inevitably our spiritual growth will be stunted!  Don’t shout me down nah! #ijs!

However, as you begin to separate yourself apart  from the worldly (carnal and ungodly) things of life (#sanctify) and deligently dedicate more time to studying The Word of God and mounting habitual alone-time with Him (consecrate), The Holy Spirit will ecstatically teach, guide and share Christ-Likeness with you.  Hence, 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!!!

Truthfully, until you have a real-life personal encounter of The Divine-Kind, you are clueless of Who and Whose You REALLY ARE? Not to mention the worth and purpose that’s yet to be revealed in and through The GOD IN YOU!

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!  My friend has since gone HOME to be with The Lord, BUT THANKYA JESUS 4 unexpected Angels, huh?

I “D-DOUBLE-DARE” YA! LET MORE OF JESUS RUB OFF ON YOU!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

FACTS VS. FAITH?

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FACTS VS. FAITH

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

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

 

I’ve been told that 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. At least, that’s the way that it used to be!

Unfortunately, in light of the gross corruption and the massive influx of deception trickling down from high places, most of us have become viciously suspicious of  what is often presented as truth versus reality! I mean, when our leaders stand in front of the Flag and proclaim, “Don’t believe what you see or what you hear from the major news networks, because it’s all fake news, but believe what I say!”  I, KNOW; WHO EVVRRR THOUGHT, huh?

And within the hour, The Washington Post Fact Checker, who is keeping a running list of the suspect statements since the innauguration, assert that “In the 497 days since he took the oath of office, POTUS has made 3,251 false or misleading claims (averaging about 6.5 alternative facts per day)!  #SERIOUSLY? Kinda makes it a bit hard to injest what’s REAL and what’s perverted conjecture and selfish manipulation, despite the corroborating videos! C’mon nah! #ijs! 

I wonder how these alternative facts impact The False Claim Act?  And does anybody remember when Pluto was a planet? Ooops, I digress! 

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 and defeats. He knows that fear and doubt left unrestrained will soon paralyze our faith,  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 repenting, 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 three-strings 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 are two adjudications that I can wholeheartedly guarantee which have proven to be regret-free! JESUS IS THE BEST THING THAT HAS EVER HAPPEN TO ME and EVERYTHING I HAVE EVER NEEDED, I’VE  FOUND IN JESUS! Sounds pretty solid to me, huh?

According to the author of Hebrews, our faith is not transitory! But faith in God, while not validated by visible circumstances, is an inward conviction that fortifies our confidence to forge forward, trusting wholly that He Who Promised, is faithful to perform that which we Hope for! (Ref. Hebrews 10:23)  

Now, it’s not my business to tell you what to do,  howeverrrrr,  but simply to encourage you to make an informed decision based on the facts presented from the mouths of two or more witness, Amen?  

THE HOLY BIBLE confirms, “God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? (Numbers 23:19)  Based on the incredible  amount of authenticated historical evidence accumulated and corroborated by the testimonials of a cloud of witnesses peering over the portals of heaven,  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 REPORT R U GONNA BELIEVE?  FACTS OR FAITH! #ijs #BOOM!!!!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

DON’T DIE B4 U LIVE!

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DON'T DIE B4 U LIVE.jpg

 

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

Even the mystery which hath been hid from ages and from generations, but now is made manifest to his saints:  To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory; Colossians 1:26-27

 

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 outside 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, self-rejecting, 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 personal encounter with The Source and Sustainer of The Universe opens up gargantuan possibilities,  unimaginable potential and inconceivable prospectives that eyes have not seen neither have ears heard of!  

Why waste another moment of the precious time alloted to you 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! #Didjaheardat? 

Oh what liberating Truth erupts from our souls 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!  Because I belong to The King of Kings and The Lord of Lords,  I  can do all things through Christ Who Strengthens me! Therefore I CHOOSE LIFE!”

Beloved, TRUST2KNO, Absolutely Nobody, BUT GOD can make you who you are!  DON’T DIE B4 U LIVE! #GO4IT!

SELAH

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

I REST MY CASE!

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I REST MY CASE

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

Let us labour therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief” (Heb. 4:11)

 

There is a certain ‘place’ that every human, believer or unbeliever, inevitably seeks  to inhabit. However, you can’t locate it on Map Quest, Google or GPS. Given all of the sophisticated technological advancements of this 2lst Century, amazingly, it can’t be seen by telescope,  detected by satellite nor heard by electronic ultra sonic sound systems. You can’t travel there walking, running, swimming, driving or riding in a bus, train, plane,  cruise liner, submarine, rocket or battle ship!

Nevertheless, many a lifetime is spent meandering through days and nights pursuing it! Unfortunately, few ever get there. Some get closer than others only to be left drenched in disappointment!! For reasons unbeknownst to them, before they’re able to get a firm grasp, some way and some how, ‘it’ escapes to just beyond reach! Many have sought for it at the pinnacle of corporate, academia or entertainment world. Ultimately ascertaining  that despite the success, accolades, notoriety, wealth and privileges of the elite, there yet remains this insatiable unfulfilled inner-quest seated in the pit of their soul!

Where is this place that continues to evade so many a desperately wandering soul?

In case you haven’t figured it out, it’s called ‘REST’! And the reason so many fail to reach it, is because it is not a place but a person; and His Name is JESUS!

According to these Scriptures: “And to whom sware he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not?” (Heb. 3:18)

“Seeing therefore it remaineth that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief” (Heb. 4:6)

Apparently, that which is impossible to man is always possible to God! (Ref. Matthew 19:26)

Didjaheardat? Astonisingly, the very moment anyone places their ABSOLUTE trust in The Saving Grace of The Lord Jesus Christ, they have finally arrived, safe , sound and secure, at their Destination—REST!

What an awesome privilege our Heavenly Father has endowed those who desire and depend solely upon His assistance, (above all else)  presenting their case before  The Majestic Throne of Him Who is able to do exceedingly, abundantly, above and beyond anything they dare ask or imagine,  confidently releasing their cares, anxiety, fears, doubts and unbelief in The Hands of Unrelenting Loving-Kindness and Unlimited Grace!

Beloved,  He Who has sworn by GODSELF is FAITHFUL AND TRUE! (Rev. 19:11) Hence, when you place your personal trust in HIS WORD,  you cannot be defeated and you will never be denied!  For greater is HE that is in YOU than he that’s in this world! (Ref. 1 John 4:4)

Didjaheardat?

So do what you can! Pray about anything; trust God for everything and LEAVE THE REST TO JESUS! #GOTIT?? Aaawwwwmmmaaaazzzzzin!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

GOT JOY?

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Jumping woman at sunset

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.  John 15:11

 

If the only evidence that the prosecution had to convict us of being Christian was our countenance or our dispositions, our case would be thrown out and we’d get off scott-free! A lot of  church-folk are claiming salvation, naming the Name of Jesus and on their way to heaven anyhow, but most of them don’t seem to be enjoying the trip. If so, they forget to send an IM from their heart to their face!

One would think that if anybody should have joy, it’s the saints of the Most High God., right? But if the Saints are walking around with our heads hung down, broke, busted and disgusted with everything and everybody, then how can we persuade a lost world that life goes better with Christ? Don’t shout me down , now!

Don’t get it twisted, I’m not jus preaching to the choir, I’m talking to myself too. Since I’ve been saved, sanctified and walking with Jesus some thirty-sumptin years now, I learned that while it makes for a good shout, however, not everyday gets sweeter than the day before!  LIFE HAPPENS 2 the saints and the sinners!

Perhaps, some of us have become wearied on this journey  because we’ve mistakenly equated joy with happiness. While happiness is an emotional response based merely on enjoyable circumstances, joy is a constant internal state embedded in the Love of God, producing serenity and tranquility totally independent of external conditions.

Jesus looking from eternity past and seeing the many souls that would be saved, overwhelmed with joy made a conscious commitment to endure the pain, despise the shame, become obedient, even to death on the Cross of Calvary that His joy, might be poured out upon His people. (Ref. Hebrew 12:20) Guess what, that makes YOU the JOY of Jesus!

There’s more to Joy than goose-bumps. Nehemiah 8:10 says, “The joy of the Lord is our strength”.

Jesus Joy is a weapon of mass destruction in the believer’s arsenal. Hence, Jesus Joy is empowerment to overcome any challenge with courage and confidence!

Just knowing that every promise in The Bible is ours to claim with the assurance that Jesus will never ever leave nor forsake us should make every Born-again, Blood-washed child of God’s heart swell up to the overflow with pure Jesus Joy until we can’t help but HOLLA and THROW UP BOTH OF MY HANDS! JUS REMEMBER, JEHOVAH HAS THE FINAL SAY!

Didjaheardat? JESUS OVER YOU! WOW,  NOW DATZ POWERFUL! C’MON NAH, U GOT JESUS, U GOT JOY!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

FAILURE AIN’T FATAL!

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FAILURE AIN'T FATAL

SELAH Daily Devotions!

Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. Jude 1:24-25

 

Isn’t is just annoying? I mean the constant bombarding of your mind with intimidating taunting thoughts designed to taint your perspective and ultimately sabotage your peace! #SERIOUSLY!!! Satan, aka da devil, knows fully well that he has absolutely no power to stop what God has planned for your future, nevertheless, he’s determined to strip away every ounce of  our in joy in the journey to our Final Destination…Heaven’s Glorious Salvation! Saints, regardless of his deceptive tactics, never 4get 2 remember, Satan is not GOD!  Notwithstanding, since his first encounter with our foreparents, Adam and Eve, he’s become quite adept in manipulating our thoughts and causing us to question the Faithfulness of God! How? Well, one of his favorite methods is to use your Memories!

Ever notice how the devil keeps bringing up your past mistakes and failures, reminding you of what you did and accusing you about what you should’ve done and didn’t? Oh Yeah, I gotta few witness, huh? Well, this morning I was reminded of something I heard many years ago ‘When the devil starts messing with your mind about your PAST, just remind him of his FUTURE!’

My Precious ones, we don’t have to tuck tail and squirm away in shame as if that’s the end of our story. BUT, AGREE WITH YOUR ADVERSARY QUICKLY? #4REAL! When we  remind the devil that what happened back then was just a chapter setting me up for future episodes of coming attractions, it terrorizes the Hell of o him!  Hence, The Bible says, let the redeedmed of the LORD tell their story!

Beloved, didjakno that the last thing that Satan wants to come up against, is a BIBLE BELIEVING BELIEVER! BUT THAT’S HIS PROBLEM not yours!  You have been Divinely authorized to speak The Word of God with such tenacity, Holy boldeness and confident assurance that  it will actually change your current circumstances!  It’s True!  The CHRIST IN YOU empowers You to call those things that be not, as though they were!

WOW!  Didjaheardat? Sounds like it’s time to let the devil know up front, you ain’t scarred, huh? You know, like that great R&B Prophet  James Brown, ‘SAY It loud! SAY it proud! 

So the next time you feel like giving up, jus remind yourself that “I AM the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus;  I’m not in this thing by myself and GOD SAID, that I shoud Glory in mine infirmities because when I am at my weakest that’s when THE POWER OF GOD’s GRACE RESTS UPON ME! (Ref. 2 Corinthians 12:9)  OMG! #GAMECHANGER!

WORSHIPING WARRIORS TAKE A STAND!  Let the devil know, “HOLD UP! Today ain’t looking that good for ya, and TRUTHBTOLD, tomorrow either! SOOOO, whatever you’re planning to trip me up, U might wanna reconsider! *ijs…Chances are, just like it didn’t work the last time, it won’t work this time either.” (Ref. Isaiah 54:17)

“My God has GGGggrrreeeaaaatt plans for me, for good and not for evil, and He swore by God-self, to bring me into an amazingly glorious future! And remember all that stuff you keep reminding me of, it’s covered, blotted out by the BLOOD!! I know it ain’t fair, it’s called‘favor’!” (Ref. Jeremiah 29:11)

“OOOOOh, Devil, QUESS WHAAA? UR STILL THE BIGGEST LOSER! I peeped  the back of the Book, and in the end, WE WIN! 

#BAMM!  #GOTTCHA! FAILURE AIN’T FATAL!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

SEASONED VS. SELECTIVE SAINTS

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SEASONED VS. SELECTIVE SAINTS

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

Ye are the salt of the earth: but if the salt have lost his savour, wherewith shall it be salted? It is thenceforth good for nothing, but to be cast out, and to be trodden under foot of men.” Matthew 5:13

 

WOW! With all that’s going on in this world TODAY, aren’t you glad that you’re saved, sanctified, living all you can to serve and please da Lord? I feel ya!

BUT! Before we go slappin’ 5 with our neighbors or yourself on the back, perhaps we need to take a closer look at today’s scripture. SOMETIMES…WE—GOD’S-CHOSEN-THE SAINTS—have a way of judging others by their actions BUT judging ourselves by our good intentions, huh?

Whachatalkinbout? It’s easy to make yourself come out smelling like a rose, as long as we’re comparing ourselves to one another! However,  according to The Bible, God never intended to make our own warped flesh the plumb-line for gauging His Righteousness!

Remember the story of the Pharisee who went up to the Temple to pray, stood off by himself, looked across the room and seeing the tax collector, praying “God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector.” (Ref. Luke 18:9-14)

Evrrr noticed how God’s elect often develop a severe case of selective amnesia once they’ve been saved for any length of time? Perhaps that’s why The Apostle Paul left a not-so-friendly reminder to snatch our minds out of the clouds as needed! “And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” 1 Corinthians 6:11

Hence, DON’T GET IT TWISTED! No matter how many right things you manage to do on a daily basis, at the end of your bestest day—every single one of us must acknowledge “That if it had not been for JESUS…I coulda, woulda and shoulda _________” And y’all can fill in the blank! (Ref. Romans 3:23)
HONEST2GOD, there ain’t none good but GOD! That’s why He sent The Perfect role model for us to keep before us. JESUS…Righteousness Personified! (Ref. John 3:16-17)

TRUTHBETOLD, except for the Mercy of God’s Grace, NONE OF US WOULD qualify for Heaven! We’d all be consumed by our own sin!  But God, knowing what He was getting before we were even born, DECIDED TO PUT GODSELF in the midst of our fragile-clay vessels, therefore there’s yet HOPE of Glorraaaa! (Ref. Colossians 1:27)

So the next time, you’re tempted to bask in the glorraa of your own self-righteousness, CHECK YOURSEL! Remember that flicked human proclivity? Beloved, you betta recognize that God really does read hearts! (Ref. 1 Samuel 16:7)

“For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:20

WOW!  Jesus raised the bar, huh? Question is, of all the folk in your sphere, who’s going to heaven because of your influence, or who’s going to hell? Don’t shout me down nah! #ijs!

Sooooo, the next time you’re tempted to send ANYONE’S po’ soul straight to HELL, because they don’t measure up to your self-discriminating standards, MIGHT I SUGGEST THAT WE MAKE SURE THAT OUR OWN SALT IS SEASONED WELL WITH LOTS OF LOVE and LACED WITH LOADS OF MERCY AND GRACE! #IJS #SEASONED VS. SELECTIVE

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

SMALL BEGINNINGS!

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SMALL BEGINNINGS

SELAH Daily Devotions!

And said to his servent, go up now, look toward the sea. And he went up and looked, and said. There is nothing. And he said, go up again seven times. And it came to pass at the seventh time, that he said, behold there ariseth a little cloud out of the sea, like a man’s hand. And he said, go up, say unto Ahab. Prepare thy chariot, and get thee down, that the rain stop thee not. And it came to pass in the meanwhile, that the heaven was black with clouds and wind, and there was a great rain. 1 Kings 18:43-45

For who hath despised the day of small things? for they shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth.  Zechariah 4:10
Anybody can say I trust God, huh? However, it’s how we endure the proving time that determines the genuineness of our trust!

Life inevitably includes dark times when there’s no evidence to substantiate that God is with you and even less that He’s sees you or is even listening to your prayers. It’s during these times, when the pressure is on us to faint and to give up, that we learn how to dig in our heels and encourage ourselves, intentionally, by regurgitating what God has promised! It ain’t cheap! But it is possible! This kind of holy-boldness, that stares suffering in the face, determining that in spite of what it looks like, my heart shall remain fixed on God’s Eternal Word requires time-tested commitment, patience and endurance!

In this 21st Mellinium Age of high-tech instant gratification, waiting has become an endangered phenomenon! Can you imagine  Elijah’s servant’s frustration, running back and forth six times before he was able to see what His Master saw? I know I can. (Hint! Hint!) Thank God for Elijah’s faith, not to mention God’s compassionate patience to wait on the servant’s eyes to be opened, huh?

Like the Prophet Zerubbabel, I know,  all too well, the struggle involved to overcome the external and internal challenges of any Pastor, assigned to build a new ministry from the ground up! Especially, when it means persuading. encouraging and emboldening a small group of believers, firstly, that this is The Lord’s Doing and not ours! Secondly, we must be prepared to endure the ‘mean time’ armed with the realization that God’s vision for the church is always greater than natural eyes can conceive.

As leaders, we must also accept that everybody’s not going to be eager to jump onboard! Nevertheless,  God has assigned His number to lay the foundation and rejoices in the faithfulness of those who are willing to grab hold to His Word and move forward, convinced that despite of the opposition, under Jehovah’s watchful Eye and empowered by Holy Spirit, the vision shall come to pass!

Beloved, as Blood-washed-born-again-Children of The Most High God, we must understand that Satan’s never gong to High-5 us and say, ‘Uncle’! But from the cradle to the grave he’s going to work overtime to cause us to give up on our Lord! Hence, we must expect our faith to be stretched beyond our comfort zone!

Watching my son’s life ravished by sickness, unemployment, discouragement, depression, hope dispelled by hopelessness grieved my heart unlike anything I’d ever experience. Little did I know that in the midst of everything that the devil meant for evil, God was there waiting behind the cloud, leading and drawing him closer to Himself. I remember how my soul rejoiced hearing that he had given his life to The Lord during a bible study class the evening before! God used the storm to woo my son to seek Him for himself thereby positioning him for the showers of blessings that would follow!

Always remember, the prayers of the righteous don’t have an expiration date, but your troubles do! We must remain confident that God will do just what He needs to bring our loved ones into The Kingdom. While weeping may endure for a night, however, with every breaking of a new day, God reminds us of His Faithfulness to those who trust in Him.

Precious ones, when we can’t see our way, God guides us with his eyes! His vision is far greater than 20/20; it’s from eternity past, thru present, into eternity future!

Beloved,  if you find yourself smack-dab-in-the-middle of what  seems like the sun ain’t never gonna shine again, keep looking up! You’re not alone! TRUTHBTOLD, many of the saints are under satanic attack and afflicted by all manner of maladies. Tragically, some have lost their hope for life getting any better. But instead of surrendering to what you’re going through, can I offer you a ray of Son Light? Rest assured, absolutely nothings ever happens that takes your Heavenly Father by surprise!

Saints, your Heavenly Father works the night shift! Like Elijah and Zerubbabel, gird up the loins of your mind and remember WHO you’re trusting! He who promised is failthful!  Don’t allow the darkness to scare you! God is using the clouds to position to receive His Abundant Blessings! Look up, your Redeemer’s Hands are in the midst of the clouds!

Better is the end of a thing than the beginning thereof: and the patient in spirit is better than the proud in spirit. Eccl. 7:8  #SMALLBEGINNINGS!!!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

GOD IS HOLY, BUT MINISTRY IS MESSY

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GOD IS HOLY BUT MINISTRY IS MESSY

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

Exalt the LORD our God, and worship at His footstool—HE IS HOLY.

Moses and Aaron were among His priests, And Samuel was among those who called upon His name; They called upon the LORD, and He answered them.

He spoke to them in the cloudy pillar; They kept His testimonies and the ordinance He gave them.

You answered them, O LORD our God; You were to them God-Who-Forgives , on their deeds. Exalt the LORD our God, And worship at his Holy hill, For the LORD our GOD IS HOLY. Psalm 99:5-9

 

Considering all that God has done through the Life, Death, Burial and Resurrection of our LORD and Savior, Jesus Christ, it’s just our reasonable service to esteem His Righteousness and exalt His Name as Awesome and Worthy of reverent adoring praise and worship! After all, except Jesus humbling Himself, leaving The Holiness, Glory and Majesty He’d known throughout Eternity Past, coming down to dwell among wormy humanity, we’d never know the Love, Justice, Equity and Righteousness of The Invisible Omnipresent, Omnipotent, Omniscient Living God and Creator!

And to think, He was so committed to fulfilling His Father’s plan and purpose for His most precious of all creation, He submitted Himself so graciously,  ignoring our rejection and despising the shame and bore the burden of our sin that we might become sons of God! #AWEMAAZING #GRACE

He came unto his own, and his own received him not. But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: John 1:11-12

Likewise, we who have accepted the Benefits of so great a Salvation, have been charged with the responsibility to carry out our Redeemer’s assignment that His Joy may be filled to the overflow! Unfortunately, as God’s Intercessors Moses, Aaron and Samuel discovered, the pathway of Righteousness is often plagued with test, trials, trauma and travesty! In other words, it’s not always easy to help those you’re assigned to minister to! Ministry is Messy!

Nevertheless, it behooves us to remember Whose we are and Who we’ve been called to serve!  In other words, since we represent Christ, we must take on the same character. It ain’t about making a name for ourselves but it’s about lifting up The Name of Jesus! This tremendous task requires compassionate gentleness, meekness, discipline, loads of tolerance and a whole lotta intentional knowing that Sinners sin and hurting people, hurt people!

“If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for my name’s sake, because they know not him that sent me!” John 15:19-21

Didjaheardat?

Beloved, if it had not been for the LORD, reaching way down and snatching you and I out of our miry clay, where would we be?  I don’t know about you, but my heart yet flutters  shamefully at such thoughts! BUT GOD, huh? Yes Lawd!

For I say unto you, That except your righteousness, shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.” Matthews 5:20

Never 4get, we are all called to be intercessors, if for no other reason but eternal gratitude! Hence, don’t be so easily offended but gird up the loins of your mind, strap yourself in the whole armour of God and report for duty!

TRUST2KNOW, without the test, there’d be no testimonies and without treking though the swamp of human misery, there’d be no ministry! #ijs…MINISTRY IS MESSY! #CARRYON!!!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

 

A REASON 4 HOPE???

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A REASON 4 HOPE

 

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: 1 Peter 3:15

 

Daily, the end-time prophetic utterances are being actualized in real-time-illustrated-sermons. You don’t have to be a Biblical Scholar or Seminar Theologian to recognize that we’re living in unparalleled times much like the Bible describes  as  “The Times of Jacobs Troubles”! Those of us who’re spiritually awakened are astutely aware that the end is nearer now than its ever been! The world, as we know it,  is spiraling towards Eternity and there’s absolutely nothing man can do to effectively change the course of Divine Destiny! Except humble himself and surrender his life to His Creator! The problem is, far too many are still unwilling to accept Truth even as it’s glaring at us right before our eyes. Why would we do such a thing? Perhaps as we intentionally investigate the Holy Writ, prayerfully, we might glean further insight into this uniquely human propensity.

And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. John 3:19.

Contrary to the personal opinions of many hirelings, The Bible never tells us that after we make the decision to live holy, as unto The Lord, that we can just relax stretched out on a flowery bed of ease.Yet, it does promise rewards of a better life than those who refuse to accept The Savior’s Amazing Grace!

Unfortunately some still opt to take the pathway of least resistance. Falling prey to the assumption that rejection liberates them from that pesky notion called ‘accountability’ ,preferring the more popular alleyway of “I’m the master of my own destiny; therefore I’ll do whatever seems right in my own mind for as long as I feel like it! And IF there is a GOD, then I expect Him to calculate my good and evil deeds and compassionately determine that since I’m not like so and so, He’ll let me come thru The Pearly Gates.”

Regrettably, sometimes even the ‘so-called-saints’ don’t fare much better! When challenged by unfavorable situations, fear and doubt will slither in, causing them to erroneously accuse and attack the Faithfulness of Jehovah Jireh revealing the shallowness of their faith with a,“Where are you GOD? Why is this happening to me? I am born-again, I’ve been baptized. I’m not perfect, but I deserve better than this. Besides, I thought we’re no longer under the Law but under The Dispensation of Grace. So EVEN if I still walk in unfaithful disobedience, God,YOU  know my heart, right?”

Ironically, the more holy your lifestyle, the more of a target of unsavory rejection and reproof you become to those who choose not to live Godly! Evidently, your Godliness testifies against their Godlessness! (Ref. 2 Timothy 3:12) Is there any wonder why OUR (those of us who actually believe that The Holy Bible is The Word of God) attempts to share ETERNAL TRUTHS are often ‘buked and scorned, castoff with disgust, as if we’re nothing more than an annoying nuisance? That is until The Adversary rips into their comfortable lives threatening to destroy their self-orchestrated world! #don’tshoutmedownnah!

Frequently, these frantic inquirers have no clue that trouble does not discriminate between the just and the unjust. In fact, it’s almost as if Satan gets a double-kick out of terrorizing the saints even more than those rebellious unbelievers. Kinda makes you wonder if demons are rewarded with trophies for bringing down God’s Elect, huh?

Nonetheless, God allows tests and trials to strike our lives, knowing full well that there’s a group of haters watching and waiting for your faith to fail and fall facedown! However, much to their dismay, God has fortified you to triumph with His Promise, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.” Psalm 23:4-5

Hence, the greater the darkness, the brighter Light shines! It’s almost unfair, considering the supernatural advantage that we, who no longer rely on fate-based-circumstantial-evidence, have over the unregenerated souls. But, then again; favor ain’t fair!

When the world sees you still standing, having endured the sting of hell’s fiery darts, surviving the very same pitfalls, hardships and struggles, yet determined to sanctify our hearts, trusting God regardless of what the circumstances look like, I MEAN WOW! Talk about a REAL living testimony, huh?

Can you imagine the devastating gut-ravishing rage that your commitment to Christ causes in the Kingdom of Darkness? More importantly, can you imagine the joy shouting, thundering applauds, exuberant dancing erupting from Heaven’s angelic hosts, not to mention the cloud of witnesses cheering us on? (Ref. Hebrews 12:1) NOW DATZ AMAZING!

Beloved, TRUST2KNO, whatever we go through, we have The Blessed Assurance that our Victory is inevitable! Okay, now that’s just too good to keep to yourself!

That’s exactly why we gotta keep telling everybody that what we have reaches far beyond this world and RESTS SOLELY IN THE ETERNAL HOPE PERSONIFIED, THE LORD JESUS CHRIST WHO REIGNS FOREVER! #SOUNDREASONABLE? #WOW!!! OOOHH GGLORRAAAA!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee