Category Archives: Happiness

THIS IS GOD’S WORLD

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THIS IS GODZ WORLD

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

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

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

 

LET’S STAY TOGETHER

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LET'S STAY 2GETHER

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday. Psalm 42:4
 
I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord. Psalm 122:1

 

Perplexing, huh? Given all the chaos, turmoil, and just plain drama that people are going thru today, why aren’t all of our churches packed out, every service? When so many people’s minds are filled with fear, anxiety, doubt and uncertainty, why do so many stay away from the sanctuary of God’s House? Nonetheless, I’ve discovered that oftentimes when our hearts become overwhelmed by the woes of life, the absolutely last thing some of us want to do is actually the very first thing we ought to do–fellowship with our brothers and sistas in Christ! Am I right about it?

 
The Psalmist, understood how to survive his soul’s dis-eases—the times when the cares of his world left his spirit cast down, unsettled, and wearied to the point that he didn’t know what to do. David always found his answers and comfort in God’s Presence and among kindred believers!
 
The Word of God let’s us know that there is nothing, no temptation, no trial, no test that we will ever go through that somebody else has not already experienced and triumphantly overcome. (Ref. 1 Corinthians 10:13)  Yet, Satan, the Master of Deceit, wants us to think that we’re the only one who’s gone thru this. The devil feeds off of our fears and doubts to cause us to believe that our circumstances are so unique that nobody else can really understand what we’re going through.  Unfortunately,  for the carnally-minded saints, one of his most effective strategic deployment is isolation! 
 
BUT GOD, knowing how vulnerable we can be, always provides a way of escape. Jesus says,‘Come unto me and you shall find rest for your souls’. (Ref.Matthew 11:28) The Word of God further encourages and admonishes us to not neglect the refuge that awaits us in the sanctuary of His Church. (Ref. Hebrews 10:25) God promises an outpouring of a corporate anointing (God’s Grace) upon His people when they come together in fellowship, praise and worship. A Holy Synergy is released into the atmosphere as the people of God unite in prayer,  igniting the Divine Intervention of God’s Favor and turning our bad situations around to work for our higher good and His Greater Glory! Uuum, could that be why he works overtime to keep us from Church?
 
Well guess what, enough is enough! The next time that chump tries that, ignore him!  Getta stepp’n and say to yourself…“I was glad when they said unto me, let’s go to Chuurrch!!!”
 
Be encouraged, saints! There is strength in numbers and power in unity! Let’s Stay Together!

 

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

 

 

 

PRACTICE HIS PRESENCE

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PRACTICE HIS PRESENCE

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

I have set the Lord always before me, because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.  Therefore my heart is glad and my glory rejoiceth; my flesh also shall rest in hope. For thou wilt not leave my soul in hell, neither wilt thou suffer thine holy one to see corruption. Thou wilt show me the path of life; in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore. Psalm 16:8-11

 

It’s often being said that these are the times that try men’s souls. And given the traumatic state of events that are happening in the world today, undoubtedly we must agree. But as Saints of the Most High God, we have this Blessed Assurance whispering to our souls  “Peace Be Still” for ‘come what may’ our times are yet in the Mighty Hands of our Lord and Savior!

God, our Heritage, has secured Divine Peace and Joy unspeakable for whosoever that will keep their minds focused on Him by continuously abiding in His Presence. (Ref. 1 Peter 1:8)

The Bible commands us to “Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus”, (Philippians 2:5) Hence, through the assistance of  Holy Spirit we have the power to stop yielding your mind to anxiety, fear, doubt, unbelief and worry.  When we allow these Satanically-induced responses access to our spirit, we give the adversary too much undeserved glory! Instead of meditating on the problems and cares of this world, we must strive to do like The Psalmist David,  by reminding ourselves that whatever circumstances we find ourselves; we are never outside the reach of The True and the Living God!

Be vigilant and watchful! Don’t sanction the enemy’s unlawful entrance to plant intimidating images in your mind!  Our thoughts, if left unrestrained, will become our words, and our words become our reality! The Bible admonishes us to quickly discipline, to bring under subjection, our thoughts and every spoken word, to the obedience of the Spirit of Christ. (Ref. 2 Corinthians 10:5)

What does God say about this situation? The Father of Grace and Peace has told us to not allow your hearts to be troubled. (Ref. John 14:1) He has your back! He is your Shield and your Buckler. (Ref. Psalm 18:2) There is safety in His Arms. He has both the authority and power to keep you. In the Presence of our Faithful Savior we find Eternal Pleasures. In His Presence, is Rest and Hope. Under the Shadow of His Wings is protection. (Ref. Psalm 16:11)

It’s not enough to just memorize the scriptures, but we must put His Word into practice by acknowledging His Presence. As we delight in His Presence and keep His Word in the forefront of our thoughts, we will not be so easily moved by our circumstances.

As we abide in the stillness of confident trust in The Omnipresent Creator and Omnipotent Sustainer of the universe, we’re covered by Glorious Presence of our Lord!

And the effect of righteousness will be peace, and the result of righteousness, quietness and trust forever. Isaiah 32:17 (ESV)

Now unto Him that is able to keep me from falling and to present me faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy. To the only wise god my savior be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen  And so it shall be established. (Jude 1:24-25)

BELOVED, Jesus is calling you to put your faith to work! JUS 2 B CLOSE 2 HIM; IS MY DESIRE, right? ENTER INTO HIS GATES WITH THANKSGIVING AND HIS COURTS WITH PRAIZ! GO ‘HEAD…PRACTICE HIS PRESENCE! 

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Cafee

 

DISTANT LOVER

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DISTANT LOVERS

 

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 lifts 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? He’s always just one prayer away.  If you need Him now; call Him now!

He doesn’t have to be a Distant Lover!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

DRIVE AND GO FORWARD!

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DRIVE & GO FORWARD 2

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

“Then she saddled an ass, and said to her servant, Drive, and go forward; slack not thy riding for me, except I bid thee.” 2 Kings 4:24

 

The context of today’s scripture text tells the story of a Shunammite woman’s unselfish generosity towards God’s Servant, Elisha! Being so grateful for their hospitality, The Prophet sent his apprentice, Gehazi, to find how they might be a blessing to her.

Sometimes people will do something for you yet their motives may be suspect, if you will? Sometimes, their generosity comes with strings attached. You know, you scratch my back and I’ll scratch yours. Remember, sometimes, you might get what you wanted but lose whatcha had, huh?

However, this woman’s generosity towards The Prophet was never intended to obligate him in any manner. She simply recognized a need and was convicted to meet it.

When Gehazi inquired if they could repay her by hooking her up with the King or the Captain of the Army or something, she respectfully declined. Yet, Elisha , determined to reward her kindness, refused to let it go. Then Gehazi spoke up, “Sir, I did notice that they don’t have any children .” Elisha immediately sent for the Shunammite woman! After thanking her and her husband again for their hospitality, the Prophet began to prophesy to her, telling her that “because of your kindness, this time next year you shall have a baby boy.” 

Can you imagine the astonishment of this woman? Obviously, nobody BUT GOD could’ve revealed this secret desire tucked away in the heart of this barren soul!

Nine months later, she gave birth to a son just as God’s Servant had spoken. The next several years their home was filled with such joyful laughter more than she ever thought possible. Until that day, while in the fields with his Dad, apparently from a sun stroke, and died sitting on his Mother’s lap. Has the devil tried to kill your promise?

After carrying her dead son upstairs and laying him on the same  bed that she’d prepared for Elisha, she immediately called for a servant to take her to see The Prophet. Shaken and perplexed, her husband inquired, “why you going to church, it ain’t even Sunday!” Sounds like some of our relatives, huh?

Not bothering to explain, she simply said, using today’s vernacular, “it’s all good”! When the servant arrived with the donkey, she instructed him, “Drive and go forward and don’t slack up until I tell you to”. She didn’t do what some of us do—throw up our hands and start accusing God and stop coming to church. But she kicked it into 4th gear, put the pedal to the metal and kept it moving!

I submit to you, my brothers and sisters, that in the seat of the soul of every individual, there is something that is driving them to either push beyond their inabilities or admit defeat and throw in the towel! What drives YOU?

Contrary to popular opinions, there are  many other things that drive a person besides sex. Some folk are driven by fear of rejection, a compulsive need to be the greatest, the bestest, the smartest; the cutest, an insatiable, unquenchable, uncompromisingly addiction to succeed no matter the cost or the loss!

Living in a world  hurling with gianormous (datz my word, yall) distractions, it’s easy to become entanged with seductive spirits that promise multiple avenues to epic fulfillment!  I’m talking, even God’s elect, yall! Hence, failure to keep your faith  firmly rooted and grounded in the faithfulness of God’s Love, you might suddenly find yourself stuck in spiritual quicksand, sucked under by a spirit of complacency, and ultimately lose your drive to go forward.

Perhaps, today you feel like you’ve hit a brass ceiling, reached a plateau in your level of consecration, your prayer life, even your relationship with Jesus? Well, honey, you are not alone!  Don’t allow what you’ve been going through, to shut you down. Know that Now is Not Always!  

Trusting God means not only trusting His Word but trusting His Timing! Beloved, if God is for you, regardless of what the circumstantial evidence says, it fails to compare with God’s plans for your future! (Ref.Jeremiah 29:11)  After all, WHO CAN STAY GOD’S HAND, huh?  (Ref. Romans 8:31) Just like the Shunammite  mother, you grab hold to  the promise God gave you in HIS Immutable Word and come hell or highwater keep saying “IT IS WELL!” Beloved, look around, someone’s depending on you to raise the bar!

Didjaheardat? DON’T SLACK UP NOW, “DRIVE AND GO FORWARD”!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

A PERFECT HEART

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A PERFECT HEART2

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars. 2 Chronicles 16:9

 

According to Data Center Solutions, the KJV Bible uses the word ‘heart’ 884 times. When the scriptures speak of the heart, it’s not referring to the 9-ounce muscle that pumps the blood throughout the human body. But rather, it’s speaking of the central control room of our emotions, ( feelings) of love, our desires and yes the seat of hatred, envy, covetnous, bitterness, resentment and fear!

We tend to so readily embrace those scriptures that bring encouragment and comfort to our hearts, right? However, when it comes to those that teach how to avoid those secret subsceptabilities that are exposed by the light of The Holy Spirit, Who intentionally searches the hearts of men, chances are we’ll speed by those, pausing momentarily to clip a few notes that ‘I jus gotta share this one with Sis. Cantelope and Bro. Watermelon, both of whom definitely will benefit from this, more than I will!”

Today’s scripture, 2 Chronicles 16:9, says that God is searching for perfect hearts. Well here’s when most of us leave the conversation, afterall, ain’t nobody perfect, right? But a closer examination of the situation discloses God’s interpretation of a perfect heart! As our Heavenly Father peered into the heart of His servant, King Asa, we notice a few things were missing. First of all God expected to see a Holy Awe, a Reverence and Appreciation for The Almighty God who had showed Himself Powerful to deliver in the time of battle against the Cushites. Hence, instead of loyalty, total commitment and a willingness to obey God, Asa’s heart was torn between a reliance on self, man, the world and God!

When Asa was confronted by the Prophet Hanani, who alerted him of the precariousness of seeking help from any source other than God, Asa’s anger flarred up and he immediately ordered Hanani thrown into prison, revealing the true condition of his heart!

How many times have you heard someone declaring, “God knows my heart!? #ikr! He certainly does!  Therefore, He’s not easily impressed by our good works. Sometimes, we need to examine our hearts to determine if our good works are the result of right motives. Could we be harboring a religious spirit of self-righteousness? One way to identify this is by asking ourselves, “Is MY right doing to glorify and honor God or MYself?” #OOPHS!

That thou appear not unto men to fast, but unto thy Father which is in secret: and thy Father, which seeth in secret, shall reward thee openly. Matthew 6:18

Solomon, dubbed the wisest man in the known world, shares this intellegence, that we must be mindful to monitor our hearts, putting limits on our feelings and desires, guarding against the innate proclivity to rationalize certain behaviors that will ultimately determine how we live. (Ref. Proverbs 4:23-27)

Beloved, a perfect heart does not means that you will always do the right thing. And, we all know the low probability of that, huh? However God’s looking for that ‘want to’, in other words, a GENUINE desire to grow in grace! This is only possible by a conscious deliberate effort to hide the Word of God in your hearts that you might not sin against the Faithful and True Living God! (Ref. 2 Timothy 2:15; Romans 12:1-2) #DIDJAHEARDAT? #WOW!

Jesus says, ‘That’s close enough, I’ll take it from here!’ PERFECT!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

CLIMB HIGHER!

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CLIMB HIGHER 3

SELAH Daily Devotions!

“It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in.” Isaiah 40:22

Several years ago, I heard a story which, much like a good wine fermented by test, agitated by maturity and textured by time yet still manages to profoundly impact my responses to life’s often tempestuous cyclonic events!

Once upon a day, just moments after take-off, an emergency call was made from an obviously distressed co-pilot to the Control Tower, informing them of an unusually awkward situation that threatened the safety of the lives of the full passenger payload and crew members of this 255,000 lb. Boeing 757. The urgent message to the Air Traffic Control Center went something like this, “Uh, somebody? We have a problem up here! We’ve discovered that there are all kinds of snakes in the cockpit!”

When the person on the other end of the line, heard this message and recognizing the terror in the co-pilots voice, panicked and ran out the Tower. Immediately, a recently retired Senior Air Traffic Controller, who just happened to be there visiting his former co-workers, stepped up to the Control Panel, picking up the headset (that was so abruptly discarded to the side by the young man) speaking calmly into the mic told the Co-Pilot, “Young man, this is Officer James Marshall, to whom am I speaking?” The voice on the other end answered, somewhat frantically, “Uh, Sir, my name is DeVaughn”. “Good afternoon, DeVaughn. Now, let’s see how we can get you back on track and get these folk to their destinations.” Still trembling and somewhat confused at this ol’ man’s obvious inability to fully comprehend the gravity of the circumstances, the confused co-pilot reluctantly agreed, “Yes Sir”.

“Now”, the retired ATC continued, “The first thing I want you to do is to take the breaks off of the aircraft and begin to climb higher!” “What?”, retorted the co-pilot, “What did you say?” At this point, totally convinced and exasperated by the guy on the other end’s lack of discernment for the potential threat that the aircraft and its passengers were facing, again inquired, “Could you repeat that, sir!”

Once again, the Senior repeated, “Take the breaks off and climb higher!”

What the young man didn’t know, was that this was not the ol man’s first encounter with this kind of traumatic experiences and since he’d been this way before, he knew how to respond to an otherwise catastrophic event. Once the aircraft reaches a certain level of elevation, snakes cannot survive the air pressure and will quickly die!

Saints, today, God told me to tell you that situation confronting you now, those snakes that are taunting and threatening to delay the safe arrival at your next destination and all the evidence stacked against you to convince you to abort the mission all together, can’t survive the atmospheric conditions that you’re about to enter into!

“I the Lord have called thee in righteousness, and will hold thine hand, and will keep thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, for a light of the Gentiles”

Isaiah 42:5-6

Beloved, take the breaks off of God! He’s been this way before you! TRUST HIM AND CLIMB HIGHER!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee