Category Archives: grace

IS JESUS A DISTANT LOVER?

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IS JESUS A DISTANT LOVER

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

Therefore, brethren, having boldness to enter the Holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He consecrated for us, …let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Hebrews 10:19-20, 22

 

To mimic my granddaughter, ‘back in da olden days’, R&B artist, Marvin Gaye, recorded a song entitled, “Distant Lover”. OMG, did we EEVVVRRR parta on that one!

Sadly, this title typifies the relationship between many Christians and Jesus. Too often those who proclaim Jesus as their personal Savior, The Hope of Eternity yet remains a  DISTANT Lover!

When The Holy Book clearly tells us that we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ–once for all! ( Hebrews 10:10)  Hence, when we accept Jesus as our Savior and Lord, every obstacle that stood between us and His Presence is rolled away. It seems kinda foolish to settle for religion when we could have a relationship! I mean, right?

We must understand the essence of the ETERNAL TRUTH ! 

God promised and accepted Jesus’ Sacrificial death as atonement for our unrighteousness!#Didjaheardat?  In  other words, the debt we owed and could not pay, Jesus paid in full, therefore, releasing us from the curse of the law! (Galations 3:13)  Now unless you think your good deeds have somehow merited God’s forgiveness and earned you a seat at Heaven’s Banquet Table, knowing this should just bless your sin-worn soul!  #ijs WOW!  That’s Grace! 

That means, we’re now free to enter into a Divine Intimacy with the Lover of our soul—the Creator and Sustainer of Heaven and Earth without fear of rejection or retribution! Sounds pretty good to me, huh?

My Precious saints, this is the Gospel of Jesus Christ!

You know those times when you become overwhelmed by the cares of this world and it appears as if God is so beyond your reach, well guess what? It’s just feels like that! But the truth is, even when we can’t trace Him, God is never far from anyone who seeks Him with a sincere heart.  Our Compassionate Father knows when we can’t quite make it up to touch Him, so His Love so graciously reaches down to lift us up to Him. (Hebrews 4:15)

This is the essence and the joy of our salvation!

Today, Beloved, God is inviting you to call upon Him with confident assurance that when you cry out to Him with a humbled, repentant heart, He will hear you and He will come close to you. Remember, The Word is nigh thee, even in your mouth!  (Romans 10:8) Didjaheardat?  TRUST2KNO, He’s always just one prayer away!  If you need Him now; call Him now! Didjaheardat?  JESUS IS CALLING! 

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. Matthew 11:28-29

He doesn’t have to be a Distant Lover!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

TRUE LOVE???

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true-love

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him. John 14:21

 
WOW! Faithful Obedience, huh? Honestly, this should be the very heart-cry of every born-again, Blood-Washed Child of The Most High God! Right? After all, yall know that absolutely nothing in our personal repertoire is remotely worthy of such extravagant Loveliness that was extended towards humanity through the Sacrificial Atonement of our Redeemer, Jesus Christ! Hence, Unfailing Love and Truth have met together. Righteousness and peace have kissed! (Psalm 85:10)  In other words, God refused to let us go!

Yet, far too many who claim The Name of Jesus, consider the burden of denying their will in humble gratitude to The Lordship of Jesus Christ, more than they’re able to commit to for so great a Salvation! Don’t get me wrong, just about anyone will gladly run to Jesus for Fire Insurance, (Savior) but how many are willing to subject themselves to The Righteousness required by The Sovereign Creator?  Perhaps that’s what The Scripture  means by ‘Many are called but few are chosen’, #ijs (Ref. Matthew 22:14)

Of course, it’s never God’s Will that any should perish, however His Holiness will not allow sin to go un-judged! Strangely enough, some who confess Him as Savior in order to grab a ‘get outta-hell-free pass, think it totally unreasonable that God should expect them to live a holy and righteous lifestyle…everrry day!

Oh, you can’t always tell who they are on Sunday mornings with their hands lifted high in the air, jus like everybody else, but if you follow them home chances are you’ll hear them saying, ‘ain’t nobody perfect’ in an effort to make all kinds of excuses to justify their rebellion against the teachings of Jesus Christ.

Truthfully, only those who are driven by a personal hunger and thirst to know God intimately, will genuinely seek to please Him by putting to death the sin-lusting cravings of their fleshy appetites and surrendering to the new nature that yearns to obey His Word! Amazingly, God does not require anything of us that He’s not willing to help us to succeed! “And God is able to make all grace abound unto you; that ye, having always all sufficiency in everything, may abound unto every good work:” (2 Corinthians 5:8) #Didjaheardat? WOW! NOW THAT’S GRACE!

Quite frankly, Beloved, due to the severe limitations of my finite intellect and limited verbal ability. such awesomeness is not easily described and I find myself gasping at the mere suggestion that I AM the object of such affection. Yet this Truth encompasses my spirit, soul and body and I embrace my wholeness and completeness, as I dwell in the Presence of The All-Knowing, All-Loving, Caring, Creator-Giver, Father of All-Life! FINALLY, TRUE LOVE!

WHEN LOVE IS REAL, IT FINDS A WAY. 
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SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

HE NEVER 4GETS!

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HE NEVER 4GETS!

SELAH Daily Devotions!

Behold, God is my salvation, I will trust and not be afraid, for YAH, the Lord, is my strength and song; He also has become my salvation. Therefore with joy you will draw water From the wells of salvation. Isaiah 12:2-3

Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are ever before me. Isa. 49:16

 

In light of the prevailing gross darkness, devastation and desolation plaguing our world today, threatening to sapp the Light and Life out of us, I was incited to review the words of God’s Prophet, Isaiah, speaking to the remnant of God’s Chosen nation.

God’s people were facing eminent danger of massive destruction, yet God sends His Man-Servant Isaiah, offering a WORD of warning and hope that we’d do well to glean from today! The Prophet encourages them  ‘that no matter what’s happening around you, don’t be afraid, but keep trusting and praising our God!’ Isaiah, knowing God inhabits the praises of His people, speaks to souls wearied by the consequences of unwise choices reminding them (and us)  that their (#our) only Hope of Deliverance was to remain steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of their Lord! (Ref. 1 Corinthians 15:58)

God is Holy, Righteous and Just! YET! While He must punish the unjust, His Anger does not last forever! Unlike many of our earthly fathers, YAH, is The Covenant-Keeping God! He remains a Faithful Father, Saving Strength, Shield, Provider and Redeemer to all who  call upon Him! From His own Mouth, Abba Father promises to wipe away the tears from their faces and keep you in perfect peace because we trust in Him! (Ref. Isaiah 25:8, 26:3-4)

Beloved, when life is out of your control, rest assured, Jesus is ALWAYS IN CONTROL!

The grass withers, and the flowers fade, nevertheless GOD’S WORD IS ETERNAL!  (Ref. Isaiah 40:8) The King of Glory has declared and decreed that you are the apple of HIS Eye! He has sworn by His GODSELF, tatooing your name in the palm of HIS HANDS, HE SHALL NEVER EVER FORSAKE NOR ABANDON YOU!  (Ref. Psalm 17:8; Isa. 49:16)

In the midst of these unsettling times, I adjourn you to keep your eyes on Jesus, The Hope of your Calling and The Joy of your Salvation! Precious ones, when you can’t see no way, why not confuse hell and praiz JESUS anyhow!  At the mere mentioning of THE NAME OF JESUS, demons tremble and the angelic host is put on alert! Didjaheardat?

Ooooh Yeah! TRUST2KNO,  God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. (Psalm 46:1 NLT)

The Book already said there’d be days like this BUT IN THE END WE WIN! Those of us who have put our personal trust in The Redeemer know that The Great and Holy One of Israel is closer than ever before! Hence, our hearts joyfully cry out, “EVEN SO, COME LORD JESUS”! AMEN! NOW…occupy ’til HE COME! Don’t U EVER  forget that YOUR GOD NEVER EVER 4GETS!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

WARRANTY GUARANTEED!

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WARRANTY GUARANTEED

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

Wherewith shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? 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 6:6-8

Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. 2 Corinthians 2:10

 

Well, we’re already 2 months into a brand new year that our God has so graciously allotted to us! Chances are, many of us have already dropped our bucket-list (resolutions) for this year, huh? While others, perhaps, are just so glad that we made it over, we welcome everything that the future can throw at us with open arms with a heart’s decree that ‘anything that happens gotta be better than where I’ve been! #HaveIgottawitness?

Nevertheless, I do realize that the self-righteous religious tribe, are still pumped, ready,  determined to build upon last year’s successes and primed for the next dimension of your personal aspirations and spiritual elevation! Howevvrrrr, for the rest of us, who truly love God with all of our hearts, spirit, soul, mind and body, must confess that beneath the surface of our confident exterior, somewhere deep within the pit of our subconscious consciusness, there remains an intrinsic urging to apologize to our Loving Lord, each and every day! Unquestionably, at some point between the time you roll out  and the time you crawl back into bed, you have inevitably fallen short of living up to God’s Righteous expectations! Fortunately, there’s yet hope for all of us! 

The certainty of Life’s uncertainties has trained us that the only acceptable way to embark upon each new beginning is with extreme gratitude, absolute humility and purity of hearts void of any resentment because God’s purposes did not live up to our best laid-out plans!  SERIOUSLY?

I know this seems a bit too ‘unconventional, irrelevant and marred by unsound ol’skool theological’ to the 21st Century 7-11 spin off  New Millennium Church, nevertheless, may I submit for your consideration, given the fact that HE is our Creator, God is perfectly justified in establishing specific standards of behavior for us to live by! Hence, it  stands to reason that because He has consistently shown such unfathomable loving-kindness, tender-mercy and unmerited favor towards us, that the only reasonable response should be radical thanksgiving and faithful obedience!  #ijs

Yet, try as we may, left to our own efforts, we’re totally incapable of reaching this level of holy worship that God so richly deserves. I mean, even those random days where we actually do some righteous things, will never equal out all our unrighteous thoughts, words and deeds!  Therefore, it’s pure folly to dare gloat on our egotistical star. Right? BUT THANKS BE TO GOD, there’s yet Hope for our terminal dis-ease!

Honestly, my precious ones, what God really expects from each one of us, is failure! And from sixty something years of personal experience, I can testify, with absolute confidence, that we can surely do! Royally! Can I get a  genuine Hallelujah and Amen 3x?

Trust2know, it’s only when we come to the end of self and acknowledge our weaknesses that God is truly glorified! 

For without Him, we can do absolutely nothing, however through Christ’s strength, we can do all things.(Ref. Matthew 19:26, Philippians 4:13) As long as we think we’re capable of doing anything on our own, we deceive ourselves and deny God the pleasure of delivering us from any and everything that is trying to hold us captive. That’s why The Bible encourages the weak to say I am strong. (Ref. Joel 3:10) THAT’S GRACE, YALL!

Therefore, it is with holy boldness and unspeakable joy-filled-anticipation, we humbly confess that the only thing standing between our strength and weakness, righteousness and wickedness, success and failure, is JESUS!

#PRAIZBREAK! GLORRAAAA 2 GOD! There is no failure in GOD!  YESSSSS MY LORD! Christ IN us, The Hope of Glory, guarantees our victory every single time! (Ref. Colossians 1:27)

WOW! WHO KNU FULFILLING GOD’S  EXPECTATIONS WAS THAT EASY! Christ IN us, The Hope of Glory, GUARANTEES VICTORY EVERY SINGLE TIME! #LET’S DO THIS!!!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

THURSDAYS’ PRAYERS!

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prayn-and-fasting-pic

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

GM FAM! GOTTA MOMENT? AWEMAZZING!

We’re excited that you’ve joined us, once again for our Weekly Thursdays’ Corporate Prayer and Fasting! We’re quickly approaching the end of 2017 and the beginning of a brand new day! If you’re like me, you can truly say, “If it had not been for the Lord on my side, where would I be?” Nevertheless we share the self same victorious testimony, “I am not ashamed of The Gospel of Jesus Christ! Oh, how our Lord has so faithfully blessed and preserved our coming in and our going out!” Amen 3x! Shall we boldly enter in The Majestic Throne Room of our Father, with eternal gratitude we bow before The God of All Creation, giving honor and glory to The King of Kings and Lord of Lords?

Lord, prepare me to be a sanctuary, pure and holy, tried and true! And with thanksgiving, I’ll be a living sanctuary, Lord for YOU! Ooooh how I love JESUS! Ooooh how I love JESUS! OOOOH HOW I LOVE JESUS! BECAUSE HE FIRST LOVED ME! So, here we are to worship, here we are to bow down! Here we are to say that You’re My God! You’re altogether Worthy, Altogether Lovely, Altogether WONDERFUL 2 ME! And when the battle is o’vr I shall wear a crown, I shall wear a crown, I shall wear a crown! When the battle is o’vr I shall wear a crown! I shall wear a golden crown!!!

Father of All Glory, here we are again! As we beseech Your Presence, acknowledging that there is none like You in Heaven above nor the earth below! For You Alone are GOD, THE HOLY ONE, THE GREAT I AM! It is with joy-filled praise that we lift our hearts and our hands heavenward, emptied of anything that would warrant Your Amazing Grace, but solely we cling to The Name that is above every other Name, trusting wholly that as we claim The Name of Jesus, we have direct access to all of the Favor that Heaven possesses!

Looking back, we know that it was no goodness of our own but  wholly Your Unfailing Love that allows us to be here to see one more brand new day! Therefore, we come thanking You Father for the honor and privilege bestowed upon all who will earnestly seek Your Face! For You are the Source of our Life, Strength, Love, Peace, and The Joy of our Hope, Wisdom and Understanding! In You we live, move and have our very being!

As we delight ourselves in glorifying Your Name, You continue to give us the desires of our hearts! As we look not at the things which are seen, but focus our faith on The benevolent Lovingkindness of The Eternal Father, Abba, we rest in The Peace that passes all understanding, confident that You are Sovereignly Ruling and Reigning over the affairs of humanity! We’re thankful that You have a Plan, Purpose and Destiny for each one that You’ve called before the foundation of this world! We’re thankful that You’re not a man that can lie, neither shall You ever need to repent! You have sworn by Your God-Self, that whosoever shall call upon Your Name, shall be saved! If You said it, it shall come to pass!

Abba Father, we come continuously blessing You for the day that You opened our hearts, enabling us to recognize and receive the saving Grace in the Life, Death, Burial and Resurrection of Your Son, Jesus! We acknowledge that because it pleased You, You Sovereignly choose us to be Your very own children, even though there was absolutely nothing in us lovable nor worthy of this honor and privilege! Lord Jesus, we are eternally grateful that we’re here now only because You so purposed in Your Heart and by Your Own Hand!

Sweet Jesus, we’re thankful that You, knowing our frame and because of the Unsearchable Richness of Your Faithfulness and Compassion, You look beyond our human frailties, faults and iniquities to see and minister to every one of our need! Therefore, we shall never fail to acknowledge that You are The True and Living God of our Salvation, our Deliverance, Breakthrough and Provision!  Heaven Father, we have so much to thank You for and absolutely nothing to complain about, so we refuse to take anything for granted! We praise You for allowing us to even think to pray this morning! We pray, Abba Father, forgive me this day for every and anything I’ve done, said or thought that was not pleasing to Your Heart! By faith, we believe and receive Your forgiveness, in The Precious Name of Jesus! 

 
Jesus, we bless You for being willing to sacrifice Your Life that we might receive Eternal Life! We thank You for The Atoning Precious Blood that You so freely offered in our stead, that our sins would be washed away, allowing us to become Sons of The Most High God, vessels empowered by Holy Spirit, to be a Light, reflecting The Love of God amidst the backdrop of darkness of a sin-filled, sin-lusting, sin-lead people, driving them to envy the unsearchable joy and peace that we have discovered thru developing a personal relationship with You!

Your Word has told us that while we’re in this world, we shall suffer test, trials and tribulations, yet because we are sojourners here, we are fully persuaded that as citizens of another Kingdom, we have an Eternal Hope, that’s beyond this world and as we walk thru the valleys, overshadowed with death, we shall fear no evil for You Shall Deliver Us from them All!  As we embrace this day ahead, Heavenly Father, wrap our minds with a new attitude and loads of gratitude!  Keep Your children safe from all hurt, harm and danger! Let us make the best of each moment that You have gifted to us! Lord Jesus, clear our minds so that we can hear from You and cleanse our hearts that we may deny ourselves, trust and obey Your Will!

Abba Father, because no man can come close to You, except You draw them, we pray that Your Blood-Stained Eyes will continue to search the hearts of mankind and blessing all those who crying out to You now! We’re interdeding on behalf of every unsaved soul, asking that You quicken the Spirit of Godly-repentance in their hearts and minds that they will come to you today with a “sincere YES” to Your Grace Gift and receive You as their personal Lord and Savior!

Eternal Father, we ask You to fill the hearts and minds of every backslider with a fresh “Committed YES’ and let this day be the day that they come running back to You and to Your local church! We’re believing that many of our unsaved loved ones and friends will be saved before the end of 2017 and become part of our Eternal Family! In Jesus Name Amen 3x!

Father, touch our brother, touch our sister whose body has been afflicted by sickness and disease, especially the spirit of cancer, high/low blood pressure, heart disease, kidney, lung failure, satanically induced depression/oppression/addictions and rebuke and cast it out at the root, for Your Name Sake! Lord, we’re holding on to the Infallible WORD which decreed that the stripes that Jesus bore on His back has already redeemed and healed us! Therefore, under the Eternal Authority of our Divine Creator and Ruler of the Ages, we also declare that the prayer of faith shall save the sick and raise them up, In Jesus Name!

Lord, as we intercede on behalf of our brother and sisters, we pray that you will remember those who are being overlooked, held down and even abused by undeniable racial prejudice in this country. We’re believing You to intervene on their behalf, releasing miraculous Favor and Prosperity, unexpected promotions, opening up opportunities for entrepreneurship, increased education grants, lower interest mortgage rates, debt cancellations, book contracts and overturning legal decisions to give us the victory!

Lord, we’re praying for every believer who is yet holding on to Your Hand by faith today, that from the portals of The Throne Room,You are releasing a double portion of Your overflowing Divine power, Supernatural Strength, Health, Provision, Prosperity and Protection. Father, we thanking You for an outpouring of Your Divine Favor upon each and every one of your children who are seeking employment, promotion, prompt approval for student/car/home loans!
Precious Lord, we’re believing You to preserve Your elect in the midst of these trying times! Father, as we’re looking towards the hills from whence cometh all our help, crying out, send now help from Zion, we ask that You comfort the hearts of Your children with restful-assuring peace, that confirms that regardless of who sits in The Oval Office, congress or supreme court, YOU ARE ETERNALLY SEATED UPON THE CIRCLE OF THE EARTH AND ABSOLUTE POWER BELONGS TO YOU and YOU are Jehovah Jareh, who shall supply all of their need according to Your Riches in Glory!

In faithful obedience, we lift up the political, social, judicial, business, civil/public service, military servant/leaders, trusting You to visit them in the nite seasons with visions and dreams as You touch and direct the hearts of each one of them!

Abba, we lift up every Bishop, Pastor, Overseer, Apostle, Evangelist, Preacher and Teacher. Undergird them with Your Anointing to carry out their assignment, under the direction of Holy Spirit. Cover them as they go in and out amongst Your people and those who would seek to discredit, hinder and even destroy their faith, faithfulness and the ministryYou have ordained. Grace them to be the holy humble examples in their homes, marketplace, communities and churches that will cause those who are in their sphere of influence to love, trust and live everyday of life serving and glorifying You, Our Heavenly Father!

Holy Spirit, as we pray, we’re asking You to touch the Mothers and Fathers of Zion, who have labored in the Vineyard interceding on our behalf. Many of which are yet believing for things that have yet to manifest! Comfort their hearts that our prayers have no expiration date and reward their faithfulness with sweet peace!

Lord, there are so many other things, that we have yet to mention, but we’re trusting, believing you to fix it, Jesus, as only You can! Lord, we know that You are not just able, but willing to do anything that we ask, in accordance to Your Word, in Jesus Name!

We’re believing that every demonic-induced spirit of fear, failure, rejection, hopelessness and disappointment be defeated by Your Anointing and that  The Spirit Love, Joy, Peace, Power and a Sound Mind is being released now, in Jesus Name! We’re trusting that each morning Your children will awaken empowered with assuring grace to accomplish every assignment and sleep peacefully every nite, confident of earnest hope-filled tomorrows!

Heavenly Father, continue to bless us that we may be a blessing to others. Keep us strong that we may help the weak.. Keep us uplifted, encourage our souls that we may share words of encouragement to those who need comfort and assurance that You are with them also!

As we offer up this prayer, Father we wait in confidence and quietness, rejoicing in hope and trusting wholly that all workers of iniquity are trembling and suddenly departing in shame, turning their backs from Your people, because You have heard the voice of our weeping, our supplications and received our prayer as a sweet savor coming up before Your Sovereign Throne of Grace and Mercy!

Father, we thank You NOW, for WE believe that IT IS DONE according To Your Perfect Will and Purpose for our lives! In The Exalted Name of Jesus. Amen 3X

Now every child of God who is standing in agreement with this prayer, GO TELL SOMEBODY THAT GOD’S MERCY IS EVERLASTING AND HIS TRUTH ENDURES FOREVER!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray and Praiz!
 

UNAPOLOGETICALLY ME!

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UNAPOLOGETICALLY ME2

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

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

 

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!”

BELOVED,  TRUE LIFE IS NOT ABOUT FINDING YOURSELF, IT’Z ABOUT DISCOVERING WHO YOU WERE CREATED 2 B! Remember, Absolutely Nobody, BUT GOD can make you who you are!  LIVE UNAPOLOGETICALLY ME! #GO4IT!

SELAH

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

UNDER THE INFLUENCE

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UNDER THE INFLUENCE 2

SELAH Daily Devotions!

But without faith it is impossible to please him; for he that cometh to god must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.’ Hebrews 11:6

The other day I heard someone say something that I thought was quite profound, at least thought provoking. It was said that “we are swirling towards eternity at the speed of life!” History is being written every day. Memories are being made, every day. Lessons are being taught and learned, every day. Attitudes are being formed and developed, every day.

As I began to think about this, several questions flooded my mind. First, does God’s Presence influence your life? If so, then how? What impact has God’s Presence in you made in your circle of influence?

We love to sing the song, “Jesus You’re the center of my joy, all that’s good and perfect comes from You; You’re the Heart of my contentment, Hope for all I do….” But when the music stops and your feet hit the ground, how’s your walk? In other words, does your video authenticate your audio? #ijs!!!

The Bible does not merely ask us to have faith to believe that God does exist. Lucifer and his hord of demons believe that God exists, however they don’t follow Him! As bona fide, Blood-washed, Born-Again Children of The Most High God, our lifestyle should attest to fact that not only do we believe that He exits, but we  also believe that God is who He says He is, that God is with us, that God is for us and that God will perform every promise that He’s sworn by GOD-self towards us! (Ref. Hebrew 11:6)  Hence, if we desire to please The Lord we must walk out our lives under the influence of His Presence, adhering to HIS instructions and exemplifying our beliefs throughout the course of daily living! #Didjaheardat? #SERIOUSLY!!!

Does your character reflect the Presence of God in your life? Does the influence of God’s Presence affect the choices that you make? Does your life style reflect the influence of God’s Presence? Whose chances of ending up in Heaven have increased because of the impact that you’ve made upon their life? Whose chances of ending up in Hell increased because you are in their life? Now, since our response and our responsibility carry eternal consequences, may I suggest that you carefully and conscientiously ponder the depth of your soul before answering the aforementioned questions? 

We are living epistles (letters) and folk are reading our mail, every day! How is the Presence of God in you influencing your readers? Just a thought! #ijs (Ref. 2 Corinthians 3:1-3)

The Bible says, we are the salt of the earth. I believe that means that we ought to make someone who doesn’t know God, thirsty for a drink of The Living Waters. (Ref. Matthew 5:13-14)

As Christians, our greatest desire should be to allow the influence of God’s Presence to be reflected on those around us so much so that it provokes them to envy  and thirst for The God that we worship and  ultimately seek to claim Him as their personal Savior and Lord! 

Looking back, perhaps there where many times when we almost, and unfortunately, even more times where we flat-out missed opportunities to Glorify God! Thanks Be To God!  IT MATTERS NOT WHERE WE START, BUT HOW WE END!  The ground around The Cross of Calvary is level to all!  With each new day, GOD SO GRACIOUSLY GIVES US ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO BEGIN, AGAIN! #WOW! 

As this year slips into eternity past, instead of lingering in the land of pouting and doubting remember that BUT…by God’s Grace!  KEEP IT MOVIN’! SPEND TODAY WISELY! LIVE EACH DAY UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF GOD’S PRESENCE! 

BELOVED, MAY YOU EMBRACE A PRODUCTIVE AND PROSPEROUS NEW DAY!

SELAH! 

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

IS FAIRNESS OVERRATED?

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IS FAIRNESS OVERRATED

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.

Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: Romans 1:21-26a

 

Oh, c’mon nah? Don’t be looking at me with that tone of voice! Even if we were too sccaarred to speak it out loud, chances are, we’ve all thought about it at some point in our lives, huh?

Particularly, when circumstances didn’t flow in the natural order of progression according to our personal logic! That’s when we tend to get all philosophical and put God on the witness stand! “Why would a Loving God send people to Hell? Why do innocent babies die? Why do bad things happen to good people?” Unfortunately, as Bro. Job can attest to, except thru Holy Spirits’ impartation of revelation, we’re fundamentally incapable of assessing the Ways and Means of our Sovereign Lord’s Infinite Wisdom and Knowledge. (Ref. Job 42:3-5) Am I right about it?

Amazingly, The Sustainer of everything, knowing the hopelessness of relying on the innate frailty of our flawed, fickled, self-centered frame, so graciously restrains Godself with compassionate patience, suffering with us through The Divine Maturation Process, until we arrive at the unity of faith implied by trusting in The Son of God! (Ref. Ephesians 4:13)

Howeverrrrr, TruthBtold, this type of interrogation is generally a direct result of a deliberate, self-induced distortion, rebellion and ultimate rejection of God’s Perfect Morality in order to justify our unmoral proclivity to satisfy the our own fleshy lust for wickedness and evil-doing! WELL? #Didjaheardat? Like the ol’ skool preacha said, “I jus lost 1/2 my church!”

According to Scriptures, Creation declares the reality of God. Barring some rare genetic malfunction, every human being born into the earth has an inner GPS (God’s Protection System) directly plugged into The Creator of The Universe,  otherwise known as a conscience. This inner sensory perception allows us to discern good from evil. Therefore, there’s no excuse for anyone to claim that they don’t know whether God exists or if He does exists, what He requires of their lives! Now, given that we are not robots, we all have the freedom and ability to suppress God’s moral standards in favor of our own or the world’s! And…such were all of us! (Ref. 1 Corinthians 6:11) Yet, the consequences of our erroneous decisions are completely out of our hands! And we all know how well that plays out, huh?

Beloved, there’s no denying how much God loves us! I mean, He was willing to sacrifice His Righteous Son to save us who so deserved the punishment for our unrighteousness! NEVERTHELESS HE CANNOT DENY HIS LOVE!

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

Yet to deny the other part of GOD’s Holy Nature, is down-right foolish!

Hence, stop trying to PLAY God! HE IS NOT THE ONE! Trust2kno…the last thing you ever wanna DO is make God angry! Seriously! It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God! (Hebrew 10:31)

Beloved, God’s mercy awaits us every morning as He awakens us to embrace one more day! Unfortunately, we have no clue how long before Grace is frustrated. While it is yet today, Precious Ones, exercise your choice, accept Jesus as Savior and Lord! When it comes to your eternal destination…FAIRNESS IS OVER-RATED…CHOOSE LIFE!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

I NEED A DRINK!

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I NEED A DRINK

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:13-14

Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink–even if you have no money! Come, take your choice of wine or milk–it’s all free! Isaiah 55:1 NLT
Remember what they taught us in the ol’ church, first the natural then the spiritual? Most of us know that water is essential to our survival. Experts tell us that we can live without food a whole lot longer than we can live without water. As one who struggles to get anywhere near the recommended amount of water ingested daily, my 60 sumptin body quickly sounds the alarm, ‘you’re thirsty, fool! Drink some water’. Likewise, my spirit man has a innate personal service announcement alert system that lets me know that your soul is thirsting for The Living Water—JESUS!

The journey of Life has a way of siphoning out the wellspring of joy, strength, hope, calm, favor, peace and sheer delight of being a Child of The Eternal Father. We can become so distracted by the happenings of daily duties, drama and disappointments, that the benefits of our New Life in Christ takes a backseat, to the stress, chaos, depression, mumuring and complaining. Oh, is that too real 4 U? #ijs!

Like the Samaritan woman, many of us come to Jesus believing that our initial confession of faith will make life easier; not understanding that Christ doesn’t promise us a life gliding into Glory on a flowery bed of ease, but the power to overcome life’s challenges by trusting in His Faithfulness! As you learn to walk with Jesus, knowing that Christ (your personal Savior and Lord) lives in you, changes you, this newly-installed perspicacity revolutionizes, empowers and enables you to live in a state of continual, hopefilled-joy…REGARDLESS OF YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES! #WOW #Didjaheardat?

However, we must also understand that this is not a one-and-done-once-a-week-only transition! The Apostle Paul, a faithful companion, sheds insight as to how we can keep the stream of living water ever-flowing in the midst of  drought, famine, confusion and persecution that often encompasses us on this journey. “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord” Ephesians 5:19

Saywhaaa? ‘Lady, you obviously don’t understand what I’m going through!’ Perhaps not, BUT GOD DOES! And not only does He know every detail but He’s the Only One who can solve every problem and bring you out better than you were coming in! Them Ol’ Skool Mothers said it like this, “Baby, u betta keep a song in your heart and a praise in your mouth, bcuz you’re gonna need it!”

Didjakno how doing this confuses hell? Imagine Satan’s hell hounds scratching their heads, having dealt that last blow, thinking that one would surely make you give up all hope and turn away from trusting Jesus! Ha! Ha! But instead, as you remind yourself of how good God’s been to you, suddenly, the flood gates burst erupting exuberate praise out of your belly, awakening a fresh view of GOD! #GREATGODALMIGHTY!

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

Precious one, when you’re tempted to fall head-first into the pit of hopelessness and accept the devil’s invitation to your own private pity party, just remember, HOW GREAT IS YOUR GOD! He Alone forgives all of your sins, heals all your diseases, redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion; satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagles. (Ref. Psalm 103:3-5)

And suddenly, your well swells up and fear turns to trust, dispair gives way to hope, grumbling flares-up into gratitude and your soul gets intoxicated on praise for all the blessings that God’s Grace avails!

Guess what? You don’t have to pay a dime for this experience? If you’re really thirsty, it’s free for the asking! #Seriously! 

Aaaawwww shucks, SOUNDS LIKE YOU’RE PRIMING THE PUMP, huh? ITZ ALL GOOD! GOD’S RESERVED AN UNLIMITED SUPPLY! THIRSTY? GO ‘HEAD..DRINK UP!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

UNREASONABLE HOPE?

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UNREASONABLE 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 troubling times and that the end is nearer now than its ever been. The world is spirialing towards Eternity at the speed of life and there’s absolutely nothing man can do to effectively change the course of destiny! Except humble himself and surrender his life to His Creator! The problem is, far too many are yet unwilling to accept Truth even as it’s glaring at us right between our eyes. What’s up with dat?  Perhaps we might glean some insight from The Bible.

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.

Honestly, 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. Nevertheless, far too many still opt to take the pathway of least resistance. Falling prey to the assumption that rejection liberates them from that pesty notion called ‘accountability’, they prefer 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.”

Unfortunately, sometimes the-saints don’t fare much better! When challenged by unfavorable situations, fear and doubt will slither in, causing us to erroneously accuse and attack the Faithfulness of Jehovah Jireh 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 that our (those of us who actually believe that The Holy Bible is The Word of God) attempts to share TRUTH are often ‘buked and scorned, castoff with disgust, as if we’re such an annoying nuisance? That is until The Adversary rips into their comfortable lives threatening to destroy their self-orchestrated world! Can I get a good Amen?

Oftimes, 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!

Nonetheless, God allows tests and trials to strike our lives, knowing full well that there’s a group of haters watching and waiting for you to faith, fail and fall! Remember, “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!  #ijs

When the world sees you still standing, having endured the ravaging assault 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! 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, applauds, shouting and dancing erupting from Heaven’s angelic hosts, not to mention the cloud of witnesses cheering us on? (Ref. Hebrews 12:1) NOW AIN’T DAT AMAZING!

Come what may…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!!!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee