Category Archives: Holy Spirit

FACT OR FANTASY?

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FACT OR FANTASY

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his strength. A horse is a vain hope for deliverance, despite all its great strength it cannot save. But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear him, on those whose hope is in his unfailing love to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.We wait in hope for the Lord, he is our help and our shield. In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in his holy name. May your unfailing love, rest upon us, O Lord, even as we put our hope in you. Psalm 33:16-22

 

WOAH! TIME OUT! Can we at least agree that there’s a strong possibility that prophesy is being full-filled right before our eyes, live and in living color, huh? WHO KNU? (Ref. Matthew 24:6)

Truth is, any given morning, we wake up to BREAKING NEWS  of the latest epidemic of civic unrest, chaotic rioting, murders, robberies, wars and rumors of wars, unraveling of corrupt political slanderers, traumatic earth-transforming global warming, firey earthquakes and floodings, threatening government shutdowns, human trafficking, corporate bankruptcy, lay-offs, hackers, sword-wailing–errorist bombings targeting soft-spots (bridges, restaurants, libraries, nite clubs, airports and schools), drug overdoses, suicides by cops and we can’t ignore the sporadic plane, train, bus and car crashes. It’s no wonder that so many of us are walking around bi-polarized with fear, anxiety, UN-diagnosed clinical depression coupled with post-election stress disorder, right?

While the world maintains it’s diminutive-demoralizing ‘a wishin and a hopin’ …‘we can only hope so’ ideology of GREATER days to come and Satan continues to infiltrate unregenerated hearts and minds with taunting lies and alternative facts that perpetuate hopelessness and despair, the saints cling desperately to the reality of the yet unseen Eternal Hope!

There’s no denying that it’s extremely difficult to not be frustrated as the wickedness of man profusely increases. Nevertheless, amidst the scorners, believers have an advantage that the world knows not of and a HOPE that reaches beyond this world! We know that NOW IS NOT ALWAYS! According to our Kingdom Constitution, the sufferings of this present time, are not worth even sweating over; compared to the glorious future that awaits us at His Appearance! (Ref. Psalm 33:10-11)

Although, sometimes, God allows the horsemen to trample over our heads. Nonetheless, when faced with the harshness of real-time woes, we don’t tap out but anchor our Trust in Hope! We know that it’s just a temporary set-up to catch our enemies off-guard to their imminent destruction and our inevitable Triumph! When we’re at our weakest, His Uncompromising Faithfulness to save, rescue and cover us is stronger than our momentary doubts! (Ref. 2 Corinthisans 2:14)

Unlike worldly hope, duped in the fantasy, “I am the master of my own destiny’, a believers’ Hope is rooted in a spiritually-inspired anticipation that whatever God has promised HAS TO COME TO PASS! Hence, this holy boldness, assured by every Promise given by The Eternal One, Who abides free from outside influence, is the launching pad to our Eminent Salvation, giving substance to our faith!

Little children, while it’s clearly impossible to turn a blind eye to the downward spiral of this 21st Century society, our spiritual discernment confirms that while it may seem as if things are falling apart, EVERYTHING IS FALLING RIGHT IN PLACE!  TRUST2KNO, nothing  happens that can everrr take God by surprise! The Eyes of The Lord are always looking on His Beloved and His Ears are ever attentive to the cries of those whose hearts revere and Hope in His Holy Name! WOW! Didjaheardat?

Obviously, we have every reason to rest secure, trusting in the Strength of God’s Unfailing Love! NOW DATZ A FACT! #JESUSISLORD!

 

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

READINESS!

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READINESS

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Ephesians 6:13

What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee, for thou hast delivered my soul from death; …will, not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living?  Psalm 56:3,13

 

Today’s scripture texts are a reminder that each and every day we might as well expect to be attacked by the enemies of our soul. In fact, according to the Apostle Paul, we should not even consider it a strange phenomenon. Yes!  Even after we’ve confessed our faith in The Lord Jesus Christ, you can’t expect that deceitful devil to wave a white flag, pat you on the back and throw you a retirement party! For lack of a better word, he is committed to tearing down The Kingdom of God, one soul at a time!
 
Does this mean that the people of God are defenseless? GOD FORBID! 

Contrary to the world’s notion, saints ain’t no chumps! It takes tremendous strength, fortitude and determination to walk worthy of this calling! 

The Cambridge English Dictionary defines readiness as ‘a willingness or a state of being prepared for something!
 
As a child of The Most High God, we have been anointed and authorized by the Lord of Hosts to annihilate the works of the devil. But you must remember, that the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but spiritual! God has equipped our arsenal with Weaponry of Mass Destruction! It is THE WORD OF GOD!  When you speak God’s Word, it comes alive and releases the power to rebuke the threats and pull down the strongholds of your enemies, unmercifully!  OooohhhWell! If Satan is bold enough to raise his ugly head, because you are IN Christ, you have been empowered to step on his throat and cut off his head!
 
Since the Garden of Eden, Lucifer has tactfully  planted seeds of doubt in the minds and hearts of  unsuspecting prey! Unfortunately, many of God’s people have allowed the cares of this world to lure them into a state of slothful weariness! SHAKE UP! Be aware of the enemies attempts to diminish your confidence and trust in God through Fear! FEAR (FALSE EVIDENCE APPEARING REAL)! 

 As soldiers in The Army of The Lord,  regardless of the political/social/economic climate, you have sworn to defend the Kingdom Constitution from dangers seen and unseen!  SO…WATCH AND PRAY! Hence, you must stay on high alert, armed with the mindset of Christ, fully persuaded that “No Weapon that’s formed against  you shall prosper!” By the Grace of God, You shall overcome the wiles of the devil! (Ref. Isaiah 54:17) 

Just as sure as there is an enemy determined to destroy you, your God is Jehovah Shamah, The One Who has sworn by Godself to always cause you to be victorious!(Ref. 2 Corinthians 2:14) Remember,  He’s not coming, HE IS ALREADY HERE  ready, willing and able to execute judgment on your behalf!

 
The same God Who  delivered your soul from the clutches of eternal damnation, will He not deliver your feet from falling prey to those awaiting to conquer your hope as well?#shonuff!
 
As Believers, our steps and  stops are being Divinely orchestrated by The Creator and Sustainer of The Universe! As we walk confidently in the path that God sets before us, be confident of this very thing we are never alone!  Goodness and mercy SHALL  accompany me all the days of my life. Therefore, as I walk thru valleys overshadowed by death,  I shall delight in the Light of His Loving Presence!

Beloved, rest assured, “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (Ref. 2 Timothy 1:7)  You and God make a majority! So, take a stand, dig in your heels, draw a line in the sand and with Holy Boldness proclaim, “COME WHAT MAY, I WILL TRUST IN THEE, MY GOD; NOW DEVIL, ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK BCUZ I’M READY 2 TAKE U DOWN!!”

Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world. 1 John 4:4
 
SELAH!
 
Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

WEIGHT ON THE LORD!

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weight on the LORD 3

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD. Psalm 27:13-14

Cast your burden on the Lord, And He shall sustain you;He shall never permit the righteous to be moved. Isaiah 55:22

 

While glancing back at the TV screen on my way into the kitchen one morning, I couldn’t help but hear this early morning’s breaking news report that sometime during the nite, while most of us slept in the comfort and safety of our homes, a group of bomb-strapped terrorist had stormed into a Pakistani school house killing over 120 people, including a number of 1st to 6th grade students, teachers and anyone else who crossed their sight lines!  Filtering my hearing to the commentator, he continuied on saying that Isis had proudly stepped up, acclaiming responsibility for this heinous act in retaliation for a previous attack against their forces!

After reminding myself again, why I’m not an avid news watcher, I came up stairs to ask my husband whether or not he’d heard about it, and he had. Almost simultaneously, both of us asked “What is this world coming to”? ” It’s as if nothing is sacred, nothing is restricted by basic human morality!

Suddenly, the Holy Spirit cut into our conversation; “The End!” I repeated, as if the light had just been cut on. “The End!” The world, as we’ve known, is coming to an end,  in live and living HD color! Who nu? The 21st century generation would be eye witnesses to the actualization of the antiquated prophetic utterances of God’s servants.

I found myself praying, “Lord, as Pastors, preachers, teachers, evangelists, your servants, what are we supposed to do? How can we continue to preach trust and hope to comfort and encourage your people surrounded by the presence of lawless gross darkness? Especially when we ourselves are fainting, wearied, overwhelmed and being choked by the cords of cares and chaos!”

The Holy Spirit interrupted my self-induced saga; “Tell them about JESUS! After all He is The Only Hope of the World! Preach, JESUS! The Eternal Light that yet shines out of the darkness. Remind them that all these things MUST be before The Kingdom of God ushers in The New Life! Hail to the scattered sheep that NOW is the time for Salvation! Warn them that time is winding up, spiraling intently towards eternity and NOW is the time to prepare to meet their Master in peace; for He could show up at any minute!”

“Encourage your fellow-sojourners to take full advantage of these days, not trembling in fearful foreboding but celebrating God all day, every day!”

Suddenly my mind drifted back to the wisdom of those ol’ skool Churrch Mothers! ‘Babygurl, you need to wear this world like a loose-fitting overcoat, that you can drop off at a moment’s notice!’ That was their way of reminding us that we are not home yet! We’re still passing through this barren land on our way to Heaven!

Beloved, if all your hope is wrapped up in what you can collect, seeking man’s approval and striving to attain society’s standard of success, then my precious one, the best you can expect to see in this world is constant decadence of morality and amplified misery. But as The Redeemed, we have an resounding advantage over those who are yet in darkness. GOD IS STILL GOD!

Hence, God is not surprised at anything that’s happening! He Reigns Supreme Ruler over ALL His Creation, astutely aware and actively involved in the intrinsic detailed affairs of man-kind! And to top it all off, God loves us with an Everlasting Love that compassionately invites us to come boldly before His Throne daily to find Hope AND Help in HIS Mercy and Grace!

“This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast ,and which enters the Presence behind the veil…” Hebrews 6:19a

Therefore, Beloved, we do not give up HOPE! BUT!  As believers in The Testimony of Jesus Christ, we eontend for the faith, waiting patiently in earnest expectation, resting in quiet confidence and believing to see that THE ONE WHO HAS PROMISED IS FAITHFUL TO PERFORM!

Didjaheardat? WOW! WEIGHT ON THE LORD!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

HE’LL DO IT AGAIN!

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hell-do-it-again

SELAH Daily Devotions!

For the Lord GOD will help me; therefore shall I not be confounded: therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I shall not be ashamed. Isaiah 50:7

For I am the Lord, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. Malachi 3:6

 

There’s never been a point, place or space in time where God is not! God IS and will ever BE—for He is ETERNALLY GOD! #didjaheardat?

To souls wearied and wounded from matriculating through the sporadic-tumultuous terrains of life, this statement has proven to be the Source of great comfort and strength. At the same time, to the forces of evil, it’s the sting of predictable debilitating destruction and defeat against their insidious attacks!

The primary mission of the Kingdom of darkness is to cause the people of God to abandon their hope and personal trust in The Eternal Father by any means necessary! Satan’s disciples strategically set up obstacles  to ensnare believers with confusion, fear and doubt designed ultimately to contaminate their faith, causing them to re-evaluate the Reliability of trusting in an invisible, yet all emcompassing True and Living God!

Problem is, all too often, it’s the personal testimonies of triumphant victories down thru the years that continue to rigorously validate God’s Faithfulness, fueling the Believer’s Hope of Eternal Glory!

Granted, finding ourselves knee-deep in the dung of this 21st Century Anti-Christ culture, there’s no shortage of opportunities to just throw in the towel, tap-out on the Promises revealed in the Sacred Writ, resolving that they’re no longer relevant in this self-centered, self-righteous, intellectually astute, Hi-Tech, contemporal millenial society!

However, such thinking is only logical to those who have foolishly opted to avoid the reality of The Omnipresent Omnipotent True and Living God! Nevertheless, absolutely nothing ever happens that catches God off-guard. Hence, He is Alpha and Omega! The Omniscient Creator, Sovereignly orchestrating the affairs of humanity from eternity past, thru present into eternity future, determined that His Purpose shall never be frustrated by the inherent iniquity of flawed-fickled-fleshy-lust-filled mankind!

Because God wanted to make the unchanging nature of His purpose very clear to the heirs of what was promised, he confirmed it with an oath. God did this so that, by two inchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to take hold of The Hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged. We have this Hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure. Hebrews 6:17-19

Beloved, standing firmly on the Immutability of God’s Word, gives us the leverage to embrace every situation with confident assurance that we’re never alone and God is always in control. Relax! Remember this ain’t your first rodeo, right? A quick glance over your shoulders will remind us that our Heavenly Father has always been our very Present Help, constantly undergirding our inabilities with His Infinite Excellence!

History declares that we’re surrounded by clouds of witnesses who’ve gone before us, therefore, we imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises! (Hebrews 6:12) 

Be strong and of a good courage, fear not, nor be afraid of them: for the Lord thy God, he it is that doth go with thee; he will not fail thee, nor forsake thee. Deuteronomy 31:6

Remember, My child, when it seems as if the odds are stacked against the righteous—GOD’S AT HIS BEST! FAITHFUL…IF HE DID IT B4, HE WILL DO IT AGAIN!  #seriously

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

 

 

HE LOVES ME!

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HE LOVES ME

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

And they heard the voice of the Lord God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the Lord God amongst the trees of the garden. Genesis 3:8

 

Back in the olden days, there was a street game (Yes, we actually played outside) and while the name of the game escapes me, I do remember the rules. We’d find a fresh yellow flower, which was no small feat in the hood, and then we’d proceed to slowly pull each individual golden petal apart from the stem while chanting the words,“He loves me…He loves me not…He loves me…He loves me not…HE LOVES ME!”
 
That’s exactly how some of us authenticate our relationship with Jesus! When our circumstances are all good (just as we like them), “He loves me”. Howevrrrr, when situations suddenly shift beyond our comfort level and/or ability to control, “He loves me not!”
 
Where did this come from? Let’s consider our first parents, Adam and Eve. When they obeyed the Voice of God, they enjoyed paradise—living life to the fullest. Everything they desired was theirs for the picking without their even asking. However the moment they began to doubt God’s faithfulness and willfully defied God’s instructions, they were thrust into an environment that God never intended for them to experience. The confident intimacy of God’s Presence was ruptured and for the first time, they found themselves radically disconnected, attempting to hide themselves from the Eternal Source of Life and Love! The enchantment they once knew was displaced by dread, fear, guilt, shame, doubt and insecurity! 
 
But The Eternal God of Love, refused to let go! The Omniscient Creator came looking for Adam.  
 
Where are you? Today? Are you discouraged and feeling detached from The True Source of Power, Hope, Joy and Peace? Are the cares of this world or un-confessed sin tempting you to hide from your Only Savior, Jesus? 
 
Come out from there! Lift your heart towards The King of Glory and be ye reconciled! (Ref. 2 Corinthians 5:20)
 
Don’tchakno?  When our Heavenly Father sees us, He’s looking at us through Lovingly Blood-Stained Eyes!  
 
Trust for sure, Beloved…Yes, HE LOVES ME, AND YOU! 
 
SELAH!
 
Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!
 
Ann Caffee

THURSDAYS’ PRAYERS!

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prayn-and-fasting-pic

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

GOOD MORNING FAM! GOTTA MOMENT? WOW!
Once again, we’re delighted that you’ve joined us in Thursdays’ Corporate Prayer and Fasting! We count it an honor and a privilege that the Creator of Heavens and Earth has stretched out His Scepter, inclining His Ear and welcoming us to enter into His Gates with thanksgiving and His Courts with praise! We run boldly and joyfully to The Rock that covers even the most timid of souls, casting our cares at His Feet! Shall we pray…
I come to the garden alone, While the dew is still on the roses, And the voice I hear, falling on my ear, The Son of God discloses. And He walks with me, and He talks with me, And He tells me I am His own, And the joy we share as we tarry there, None other has everrrrrr known!

There’s a sweet, sweet Spirit in this place, And I know that it’s the Spirit of the Lord; There are sweet expressions on each face, And I know they feel the presence of the Lord…

Good Morning Abba Father! Good Morning Jesus! Good morning Holy Spirit! We’ve come to say thank You for one more day! We’re grateful for such Faithful Loving-kindness that You’ve extended to us allowing us rest under the surveillance of Your watchful Eyes. As the gross darkness hovered around us, You shielded us from death and destruction and at the designated moment You awakened us to a brand new day, flooded with rays of Glorious Mercy and lavished with Your Amazing Unmerited Grace to overcome any challenges that we might incur during the journey of today!

Holy Father, as we embrace this day, we first want to ask You to forgive us for any deed, thought or word that was spoken that was not pleasing in Your sight. As we pray, according to Your Word, that if we would confess our sins from a sincere repentant heart, You will forgive us, cleanse us by The Precious Blood of Jesus and restore us back to right-standing in The Kingdom of Your Son! By Faith,we believe and now receive the Cleansing Flood of Christ’s Atonement in Jesus Name! Amen 3x!

Father, we know that nothing will ever happen in our lives that will escape Your Dominion! However, You know that the frailness of our flawed, fickleness and finite frame often causes us to fall prey to the intimidating turbulence that is erupting around us resulting from those who deny, defy and reject Your Lordship! You also know how easily we tend to forget that You have committed Yourself to never leave nor forsake us! We beseech You now, Sweet Jesus, to open our hearts, our minds that we might understand that You are our Omnipotent, Omniscient, Omnipresent God Who can be touched with the feelings of our infirmities and responds faithfully, patiently and compassionately to our every moan to calm our doubts and console our fears!

Lord Jesus,  we lift up Your children who are holding on to Your Hand today, by faith, trusting You to release a double-portion of Your Divine Peace, Power, Supernatural Strength, Health, Provision, Prosperity and Protection into their lives even as we pray! In Jesus Name, Amen 3x!
Heavenly Father, we pray that You will continue to preserve us thru the tests, trials and sometimes tragedies that we go thru! Keep us, Holy Spirit, constantly aware of YOUR PRESENCE and fully-confident that You only allow these seasons to prepare us for promotion in Your Kingdom. Assure us that this momentary light affliction will not compare to the Glory that shall be revealed in our lives as You bring us out wholly restored, renewed, refreshed and with every reward You have promised in Your Word!

Abba Father, we pray, because no man can come to the Father except You draw them, that as Your Eyes continue to search the hearts of mankind that You draw and save the lost, reclaim every back-slider and direct their footsteps to their local church home today that they might be nurtured, encouraged and committed to live out the rest of their lives pleasing and magnifying Your Name! We declare and decree that all of our unsaved loved ones and friends will be saved in the year 2017 and join our Eternal Royal Family!

Father, we ask You to 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, Your Word declares that Your stripes have redeemed and healed us and we’re yet standing on your promises that the prayer of faith shall save the sick and raise them up, In Jesus Name, It Is So!

Lord Jesus, we lift up every political, social, judicial, business, religious leaders, asking a special blessing upon each one! We pray that you will visit them in the night with dreams and visions that will break and convict their hearts so that the morning’s light will spread Your Grace upon them to be the examples in their homes, communities, church and the marketplace that will cause those who are in their sphere of influence to love, trust and live their lives fully devoted to serving and glorifying You, Our Heavenly Father!

Father God, we pray that every demonic-induced spirit of fear, failure, hopelessness and disappointment be defeated by Your Anointing and that the Spirit of Power, Love and a Sound-mind be released now, in Jesus Name! We’re trusting that each morning of this new year Your children will awaken, armed with Grace to accomplish every assignment and earnest hope-filled tomorrows!

Father, we wait in confidence and quietness, trusting wholly that all workers of iniquity are suddenly trembling, retreating in shameful defeat, acknowledging that You have heard the voice of our weepings and our supplications and You have received our prayer as a sweet savor coming up before Your Sovereign Throne of Grace and Mercy!

Heavenly Father, we seal this prayer with gratitude, honor and praise. Believing that it is done, In The Exalted Name of Jesus we shout Halleleujahhhh!!!! Amen 3x!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

ARE WE THERE, YET?

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R WE THERE YET

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

Ye have compassed this mountain long enough: turn you northward. Deuteronomy 2:3

 

You’ve probably heard or seen the movie entitled “ARE WE THERE YET?”

Many of my fellow kinsmen in Christ have found ourselves trapped in this dilemma (whether or not we’re willing to acknowledge it publically or even privately). What am I talking about? In a hurry, but going nowhere fast! While many who  has professed a sincere desire to obediently follow after the heart of God, life has a way of teaching us that it’s not a ‘one and done’ phenomena but more like ‘a little by little’ process, huh?

Two of the greatest deterrents to successfully reaching our goals are contentment and indulgence! I’m not trying to negate the validity of The Apostle Paul’s revelation “Not that I speak in respect to want, for I have learned in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content (Philippians 4:11) GOD FORBID! However, if we linger here too long, our contentment becomes a comfort zone that could potentially diminish our hope, dreams and drive for attaining better…there!

God promised to bring His Chosen people into their good land, flowing with milk and honey! But they got so comfortable going around Mount Horeb that they were willing to settle for a piece of God’s Promise! This was unacceptable! So God intervened reminding them that not only is partial obedience is disobedience but it also robs Him of the opportunity to fully express His Glory!

Oh yeah, the Israelites were free from Egyptian slavery. They’d seen with their own eyes Pharaoh and his army drowned in the Red Sea! That’s all good, right? But God had told them GREATER WAS COMING! Now,  we can’t keep pointing our fingers at them Israelites without looking back over our own lives and recognizing how many times we settled for less than God was offering. Remember when they said, ‘a piece of a man is better than NO MAN at all’, huh? How did that work out for ya? Okay?

Have you noticed how the New Millennium church has gotten away from praying for deliverance these day?  Don’t shout me down, yall! #ijs! Perhaps, it’s because true deliverance requires discipline! And we all know, ain’t nobody got time for dat! We want everything now! So to appease our conscience we settle for indulgence, ‘I ain’t what God wants me to be, BUT…at least I ain’t where I used to be’! Huh? Don’t  you look at me with dat tone of voice!

But Thanks Be To God Who is still able to redeem the time! God said, “It’s time to head northward! Shake the dust of compromise off your feet and keep it moving—FORWARD”!

Didjaheardat? God IS reminding us that “the race is not given to the swift neither to the strong, But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved”Matthew 24:13  Hence, as long as you have breath in your body,  you have a chance to possess everything GOD Promised, as long as you don’t give up. Oohhh Glorraa!!!

Beloved, today God is inviting you to exhale the fear and doubt and inhale the Breath of His GRACE and getta steppin!

It’s timeout for just singing about it! Pull yourself up out of the pit of complacency, procrastination and stagnation and GO GET UR BLESSING!

Why settle for little when God’s promised you BIG! ARE YOU ‘THERE’ YET? SERIOUSLY?

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Cafee

LOST & FOUND

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lost-and-found

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

And he arose and came to his father. But when he was still a great way off, his father saw him and had compassion, and ran and fell on his neck and kissed him. And the son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against heaven and in your sight, and am no longer worthy to be called your son.’ “But the father said to his servants, ‘Bring out the best robe and put it on him, and put a ring on his hand and sandals on his feet. And bring the fatted calf here and kill it, and let us eat and be merry; for this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’ And they began to be merry. Luke 15:20-24
The Gospels record 35 times that Jesus uses parables as a teaching aid. Literally, a parable is a story “cast alongside” a truth in order to illustrate that truth. In today’s vernacular a parable is as an inspired comparisons, or simply put an earthly story with a heavenly meaning!

Unlike like so many 21st Century preachers,  Jesus wasn’t just trying to spice up the message to keep the crowds entertained. His parables had a two-fold purpose. First, to reveal the truth to those who wanted to know it and to conceal the truth from those who were indifferent! You see, Jesus already knew that everybody who followed Him didn’t do so for the same reason. People are still people, huh?

You do know that everybody who comes into the church building doesn’t come looking to know Jesus, right? Some come just for a ‘kidz-size happy meal and a prize’! While others, like the Pharisee and the scribes, only come to pick up a few stones to throw at Jesus. Notice how they accused Jesus, “Look at Him, This man receives sinners and eats with them.” Spiritually blinded by their preconceived biases, Jesus already knew that they would dismiss His parables as irrelevant nonsense.  Yet, there were also a few sincere seekers of Truth who would eventually receive insight and reap the benefit and comfort of His Words!

Anything that you respect and honor you will pursue! Perhaps, that’s why the Pharisees could not understand why Jesus cared about ‘tax collectors and sinners’. Yall know how you go off when you can’t find your keys or the remote control. You put out an all-points-bulletin and nobody in the house can get any relief until it’s found! When you really desire something with all of your heart, mind, spirit and soul, whatever it takes to get it, is worth it all!

The text says that The Shepherd is so excited that He’s found the sheep that He throws a party to celebrate the safe return and everyone around Him is rejoicing with Him! (Ref. Luke 15:6-7)  Imagine that! I know we don’t get excited when folk get saved anymore, huh? But that’s exactly what happened back-n-da-day!

The next story is about a woman who loses a coin and refusing to give up, she searches until nightfall. Desperately she’s turning every piece of furniture upside-down, looking between the cushions on the sofa, behind the refrigerator, until she found it. You can imagine the joy and the relief she experience when she found it! (Ref. Luke 15:8-9)

This chapter ends with a the more familiar parable of the Prodigal Son! Sometimes we can get so caught up in the drama of the son’s partaayin so hard until he ended up in the pigs pen, that we miss the intensity of The Father’s Love and Compassion for his lost child. This is a picture of The Heavenly Father’s response to those who have yet to accept the glorious gift of Salvation purchased by the sacrificial death of Jesus Christ! This is why God pursues sinners and why everyone of us should rejoice when a repented sinner returns to the sheepfold.

Recovering a lost sinner requires effort and patience! However, often times we develop an acute case of selective spiritual amnesia and forget what it took for us to get our testimony, huh? Do you know that most sinners have no idea that God is looking for them and even fewer believe that He loves them?  When you look at what Jesus gave up to save us, how should those of us, who call ourselves His disciples, be any less engaged in searching for the poor souls who have yet to receive Jesus as Savior and Lord! #ijs! No, it’s not always easy but  gratefully JESUS believed the reward  well worth the effort!

Shamefully, too many Believers still think that soul winning is the Pastors and Evangelist job! But that’s not what The Bible says! ‘And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation’ 2 Cor. 5:18

Jus wondering, what are you doing to bring the lost to Jesus? Are you content to enjoy the privileges of being saved? Is your heart burdened for those who are still lost? Are you willing to get up off the padded pew of do nothing and go into the field and hunt for those who are still outside of the house? (Ref. Matthew 9:37) If Jesus still associates with sinners, why don’t you? WOW! LOST & FOUND!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

HOPE UNDER SEIGE!

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hope-under-seige

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

They will be my people, and I will be their God. I will give them singleness of heart and action, so that they will always fear me for their own good and the good of their children after them. I will make an everlasting covenant with them. I will never stop doing good to them, and I will inspire them to fear me so that they will never turn away from me. I will rejoice in doing them good and will assuredly plant them in this land with all my heart and soul. Jeremiah 32:38-41

 

As a child, I vaguely remember a glimpse of pride swelling up inside whenever I heard someone say,‘this is the GREATEST nation in the world’! I suppose that’s what they mean by ‘let’s make this nation great…again, huh? But, that was before I became abruptly aware that there were two nations co-existing in one! #ijs

According to historical accounts, Courage and Confidence was once the hallmark of our nation! Yet, some say that the infamous catastrophic events of 911 has radically stripped away this lofty heritage and the hope-filled future legacy  that was once ascribed to the land of the power, peace and prosperity is now being besieged by the rampant rage of darkening clouds of an evil foreboding fear, doubt, anxiety, stress, guilt, shame, confusion and condemnation!

Well, it’s not my intent to debate the inevitable result of widespread deviation from the moral standards as defined by The Holy Bible. Howeverrrr, may I submit for your consideration, that without a holy reverence, a clear vision and a Divine impartation of understanding of WHO GOD IS & WHAT HE REQUIRES OF US, people’s strength will fail and their expectations of security perishes! The past has proven that without the restraint of law and order, destruction prevails! Well, like the ol’ skool preacha used to say, “I jus lost half my churrch!” Seriously?

Honestly, when we don’t understand Whose we are, we’ll be inclined to doubt God’s ability and even His willingness to help us. Void of genuine hope and unable to trust God’s Unfailing Love, we instinctively depend upon self to take care of our needs and satisfy the desires of our own hearts. And we all know how that turns out, right?

But those of us who dare to risk resentment, ridicule and rejection from those who will slander our righteousness, labeling us as unloving and intolerant, WE DEFY the prevailing opinions of the worldly in favor of the guidelines of the Ancient Landmarks, rejoice in hope, fully persuaded that if we suffer for Christ sake, we shall also reign with Him!  #CANIGETANGOODAMEN?

Through faith and hope, TRUE WORSHIPERS develop a singleness of -heart and mind, stemming from personal intimacy with The Lord Jesus Christ whereby we experience the Abiding Presence of God, trusting wholly in His Sustaining Grace!

Instead of conforming to the ways of the world, believers don’t bail out! Hence, in the face of the calamity and chaotic circumstances, we stand steadfast, rooted and grounded in The Promises, Provision and Power, persevering in the midst of devastation, famine and plagues, confident that we’re covered! Remember Goshen, God’s Protected Place? (Ref. Exodus 8:22)

Beloved, trust 2 know that when it looks like your world is falling apart, look again! Don’t allow fear to drain your faith! From Heaven’s perspective, everything is falling right in place!  Remember, Jesus has already gone into Tomorrow to prepare a table before you, right in the presence of your enemies! (Ref. Psalm 23:5) #Didjaheardat?

IT AIN’T WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE, K? YOU GOTTA HOPE BEYOND THIS WORLD!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

DELAYED BUT NOT DENIED!

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the-hand-of-god-3

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

Thus saith the Lord; For three transgressions of Israel, for for four, I will not turn away the punishment thereof; because they sold the righteous for silver, and the poor for a pair of shoes; That pant after the dust of the earth on the head of the poor, and turn aside the way of the meek…to profane my holy name. Amos 2:6-7

 

Imagine that? Living your life as if there’s no consequences or no accountability! Well, guess what? There’s a whole lot of grown folk still playing Hide and Seek! I suppose, they’ve convinced themselves that if I can’t see Him, He can’t see me! Evidently, they forgot to check The Book! ‘Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.’ Ps. 139:12 Didjaheardat? WOW! Day and Night are the same to Him!

Amazingly, despite the highly-skilled hackers and all those international satellite peepers who have managed to evade the secrecy of the most sophisticated technologically advanced security systems of this New Millennium Age, the devil still manages to bamboozle some folk into arrogantly thinking that they have somehow successfully covered up their mess., huh? Seriously! Even more mind-blowing is the foolishness of the folk who consistently reject the reality of The True and Living God Who has 20/20 vision! #ijs

Yep! THERE IS A GOD who sits enthroned above the circle of the earth; keeping its inhabitants under constant surveillance!! (Ref. Isaiah 40:22) And while this TRUTH brings tremendous comfort to the hearts and minds of true believers, at the same time it strikes fear in the hearts of the heathen. U think somebody would tell them that there’s no where to run and no where to hide from His Presence! God always knows exactly where you are at any time? I get it, chances are they wouldn’t believe it, huh?

Well, The Book is filled with examples of what happens when The Sovereign God of The Universe decides, enuff is enuff! Take a look at today’s scripture, Amos 2:6-7! God gave His humble servant, Amos, a vision of Israel’s future which, to the keen of eye, should potentially impact the lives of today’s contemporary readers. God charged this lowly  herdsman with the assignment to announce to God’s people that He was going to avenge their enemies. I would imagine this news was received with great relief and joy. However, their celebration was suddenly replaced with shame, fear and remorse. We must never fail to acknowledge The Holiness of The Righteous God demands Justice as well as Mercy!

Those who tend to forget that Power belongs to God will inevitably miss-use their designated authority  to satisfy their greed, fostering a sense of self-sufficiency that leads to a life-time of pursuing their own personal undersanding of spiritual integrity, morality and luxurious comfort at the expense and neglect of the poor and the needy! Apparently, this doesn’t set to well with our Heavenly Father! God does not take the abuse of His FAITHFUL people lightly!

Granted, at times it may seem as if God has forgotten us! BUT! Beloved, IT AIN’T WHAT IT LOOKS LIKE! History proves that God will never be without a witness OF HIS FAITHFULNESS in the earth! 

“Remove the turban, and take off the crown; Nothing shall reman the same. Exalt the humble, and humble the exalted. Overthrown, overthrone! It shall be no longer, Until He comes whose right it is, And I will give it to Him.”  Ezekiel 21:25b-27

Beloved, Trust2kno, there is yet a Remnant of God, who refuse to be distracted by circumstantial evidence! Look around you, we’re everywhere! We’re those whose lights are yet shining in the midst of  the gross darkness of this world,  holding fast to The Name of Jesus! We’re the ones who might bend, but don’t break because we’re rooted and grounded, standing firmly in faith, wholly believing in the Only Inspired-Infallible-Eternal Word of God!

We’re the ones who, even in the midst of these challenging times,  don’t quit  because we live, move,  empowered and fully persuaded by the Indwelling Presence of Holy Spirit that IT AIN’T OVER UNTIL WE WIN! REST ASSURED, GOD WILL VINDICATE HIS OWN! DELAYED BUT NEVER DENIED! #GETIT

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee