Category Archives: Hope Only in Jesus

GIVE IT UP!

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give-it-up-2

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:1-2

Satan, the enemy of our soul has hoodwinked a lot of folk into believing that they can’t make the commitment to live for God because the sacrifice is more than they are able and truthfully, willing to make!

Then there are those who are waiting for the right time, some dramatic turn of events, a holy moment when they can come to God in a manner worthy of His acceptance.  And I can’t forget this one, “I DON’T WANT TO BE A HYPOCRIT! ANYWAY, GOD KNOWS MY HEART”.  You’re absolutely right!  So? 

Don’t u know? The death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ has completely satisfied God’s Righteous Justice!  Yet there are still so many who fail to take advantage of what Christ’s sacrificial death achieved for us. There are still many who reject this awesome Gift of Love and are trying to live their lives, the best they can and make it to heaven on their own merits!

My message for you today is simple, GIVE IT UP already! 

Duh…Stop trying to pay for what’s already been paid for! 

I love  how the  Amplified Bible puts it;  ‘take your everyday, ordinary life – your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, walking around life – and GIVE IT TO GOD AS A LIVING SACRIFICE! 

Jesus didn’t wait until YOU impressed Him with your good behavior before He gave His life for you.  But while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Ref. Romans 5:8) Don’t let this world continue to drag you down to the pit of desperation, discouragement, depression and hopelessness.

What does this world offer that’s so valuable to you, that’s worth holding onto to the extent that you’re willing to reject God’s Best for you!

What can the world promise that is more precious than your soul?  #R U SERIOUS?

No job, no degree, no house, no car, no title, no position, no reputation, no temporary pleasure — no man, no woman is worth clinging onto that will cause you to miss out on what God has already provided for you through the  Life, Blood, Death and the Resurrection of His Precious Son, Jesus The Christ!

What better time than right now to take all that you have, all that you haven’t got, all that you hope to get, all that you are, and all that you’re not and place it before God?  That’s ALL that He asks in return for what He’s already sacrificed!  He promised that He will take you just like you are, and change your whole life – from the inside out!

God offers the best deal in the universe!  But this offer won’t last forever!  RSVP, ASAP!  GIVE IT UP! 

SELAH!
 
Have a WONDER-FILLED day!
 
Ann Caffee

NOW IS NOT ALWAYS!

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NOW IS NOT ALWAYS 2

 

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.  Isaiah 40:31

 

It’s been acclaimed by some Biblical scholars, that we, the New Millennium 21st Century Church Age, are the generation destined to witness the fulfillment of End-Time Biblical Prophecy!

While I’m certainly not an expert of Eschatology, yet it’s no wide-stretch of the imagination, to speculate that we are INDEED living in times that try and even vex the very souls of the righteous.

Glancing through 2 Timothy 3:1-7’s description of the perilous times in the earth, it sounds distinctly-uncomfortably-familiar to us who are expectantly awaiting The Second Coming of our Lord, huh?

Much to Satan’s delight, Spirits of Terror, Fear, Apathy and Discouragement have crept into the minds and hearts of the people of God to such a degree that even ‘Seasoned-Saints’ are becoming weary in their well doing.

May I submit these words of  comfort and encouragement as a reminder to your soul today? “DON’T GET IT TWISTED! THE DEVIL AIN’T RUNNING NOTHING!!!

While it may appear as if this world’s falling apart, from God’s Perspective, EVERYTHING IS FALLING RIGHT IN PLACE!

As my GrandMa Annie used to say, “this world is not our home and I didn’t come here to stay!” We merely sojourning thru this land; ever mindful that GOD has reserved a special place which far exceeds anything we could dare imagine or hope for.  That’s HEAVEN, YALL! #didjaheardat?

Much to the devil’s dismay, therefore, be it RESOLVED Our Eternal God is yet seated on HIS Throne.  HE has not nor will He ever relinquish one iota of HIS GLORY to anyone or anything! 
 
Be it further RESOLVED, that absolutely Nothing that you’ve been thru, Nothing you’re going thru NOW should make you want to tuck tail and turn back to that life that you’ve been delivered from. 

Don’t limit your expectations of Our Omnipotent God to your previous experiences! What God has for you is always in front of you!  Trust God!  Everything that  God has planned for your future won’t even fit in your past!  (Ref. Jeremiah 29:11-13) OOOOHHHH GGLLOORRRAAAA!!!
 
OH YEAH, B 4 U EVEN THINK ABOUT GIVING UP…PLEASE CHECK THE BACK OF THE BOOK–YOU WIN!   REMEMBER, NOW IS NOT ALWAYS—GREATER IS COMING! 

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

INVITATION ONLY

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INVITATION ONLY

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

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

 

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

Uuuuummmm? So what exactly was Moses saying?  

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

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

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

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

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

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

AWEMAZING, huh?

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

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

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

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

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

WAYFARING WIT

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WAYFARING WIT2

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

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

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

 

WOW! We’ve come a long way, Baby!

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

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

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

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

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

Wisdom is calling!

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

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

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

Didjaheardat? Missed it, huh? WAYFARING WIT!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

GOD’S VOICE

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gods-voice-3

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace, to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood.  Galatians 1:15-16

In today’s scripture text, we hear the testimonial of The Apostle Paul in response to The Lord’s prompting to go spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles. And we all know how that turned out, huh? 

GGGGLLLLORRRRRAAA 2 GOD! However, what stands out to me, is what Paul didn’t do!

The Apostle didn’t wait to get an Executive Order from The White House nor a congregational consensus before stepping out by faith. Instead of asking anybody what they thought about it, relying solely on his personal relationship with His Savior, feeling no need for further validation, The Apostle Paul immediately obeyed God’s instructions!

How about you? When you’ve heard from God, what’s your initial response? Before you move, do you have to survey the opinions of your family and friends? Does the fear of failure, embarrassment, humiliation or retaliation cause you to stagger at God’s Word? Are you willing to take a leap of faith and just do what you believe God is asking of you?

As believers, we’re sometimes reluctant to move out on a WORD FROM GOD. Not so much because we’re not trusting God, but more often than not, it’s because of a spirit of difiance deeply rooted in the lack of self-confidence in our own ability. Ooops…#noshedidn’t!

In an attempt to re-assure ourselves that we’re in God’s will, like Gideon, we will ask God for a sign and come up with some kinda obtuse fleece as further proof that it is actually God speaking. ( Judges 6) And while God so graciously granted Gideon’s request, twice, as believers, we must recognize that God often tests our trust and confidence by commissioning us to do what seems impossible!

That’s what our life in Christ is about. God doesn’t require us to walk by signs, but by hope-filled trust that whatever He asks us to do, by His Grace, we are well able to perform.

The Bible says, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:” John 10:27. As we entreat His Presence daily in prayer inquiring direction, thru diligent study  and meditation of His Word, we learn to distinguish His Voice from the chatter emanating from the world and He will teach you what He wants of you!

That’s why it’s so important to build an intimate relationship with your Heavenly Father and not just show up at The Throne Room for emergency visits! God really cares about you! He is not a dead-beat Dad nor is He willing to settle for weekend visitations! God wants to be actively involved in every aspect of your life, every day!

WHEN YOU KNOW HIM, YOU WILL KNOW HIS WILL!  WHEN YOU KNOW HIS WILL, YOU DON’T NEED TO CONFER WITH ANYBODY…BUT U GOTTA KNOW GOD’S VOICE! #canuhearMEnow!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

BUT, GOD!

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BUT GOD!

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

“Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth. But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy.  And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, Master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm. And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him.” Luke 8:22-25

 

Oh, I know you’re saved, sanctified, filled with the Precious Gift of Holy Ghost and do speak in tongues as The Spirit gives utterance! BUT! Since you’ve been saved, have you ever felt like saying to God, “Lord, I know You say it’s an honor to be recommended by God to the devil, BUT…here lately, it seems that I’m the only one you’ve been pointing out. If You don’t mind, next time, could you please recommend somebody else!”

Have you ever considered telling God, “Jesus, the next time you decide to pull down the hedge around me and giving Satan a shot at me, I’d appreciate at least a heads-up!” No? Jus wondering!

Unless you just landed on Planet Earth early this morning or were born late last night, you already know that storms are a natural occurrence on the sea of life, whether you’re saved or unsaved! In fact The Holy Bible tells us “Man that is born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble.” Job 14:1 Hence, as long as there is breath in your body, you will experience some measure of adversity and affliction, temptation and trial, distress and disappointment and choas and calamity.

Today’s text shares a story of an average day in the lives of Jesus’ disciples and their response to an unexpected storm that popped-up out of no where. Sounds a bit too uncomfortably familiar, huh?

As the text opens, Jesus having finished teaching classes, traveling from town to town and village to village, decided to take some ‘down-time’ and go across the lake to the other side to escape the crowds that normally followed him. He told His disciples, “Let’s go to the other side” and went to catch a nap. The disciples also seemed to be enjoying the calm atmosphere as the boat sailed on the smooth waters. Until, suddenly a terrible windy storm arose causing turbulent waves to come pouring into their small vessel, threatening to capside at any minute, killing everyone on the boat. Someone thought to wake up Jesus and cried out, “Master, Master, can’t you see we’re about to drown?” As if The Omniscient One had vacated the premises!

The Scripture goes on to say that Jesus, standing up, spoke to the wind and the waves, “Silence, Peace Be Still!” to which they had no other recourse BUT to obey The Master Creator! Turning to His disciples, Jesus sorrowfully inquired, “Why can’t you trust me?”

My Precious Sistas and Brothers, perhaps Jesus is posing that same question to you today. I know it’s been rough out there. I know you have a mindset to follow Jesus all the way, to love Him with all of your heart, soul and body, yet still storms keep hitting your life on the left and the right. But Beloved, Jesus won’t jump ship like some other people might. Jesus has promised to stay with you all the way across the Lake of Life. No matter where you are today, Jesus is always with you.

There are some lessons that prove vital to your personal maturity and intimacy through understanding the attributes of the God Whom you serve you, that can only be learned in the midst of the storms!

Could this be why the astonished disciples inquired, “What kind of Man is this?”

So the next time that Ol’ Deceiving Tyrant comes slithering around, threatening to destroy your hope, joy and peace, jap-slap ’em with this, “I hear ya knocking…BUT! GOD!”

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

 

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!!

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ENUFF IS ENUFF 2

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

So the Lord sent a pestilence upon Israel from the morning even to the time appointed: and there died of the people from Dan even to Beersheba seventy thousand men. And when the angel stretched out his hand upon Jerusalem to destroy it, the Lord repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed the people, It is enough: stay now thine hand. And the angel of the Lord was by the threshing place of Araunah the Jebusite. Samuel 24:15:16

 

To those who still doubt the authenticity of The Holy Bible, I say obviously you’ve never read this Book! It must be God! I mean, can you imagine any other person, being as openly-transparent about His own family? #ijs

Here we see Israel’s most celebrated King, David, God’s Elect, “Man after God’s Own Heart” exposed by The Light of Truth throughout all generations as an example and a warning!

While there yet remains much to admire, seeing the Favor of God exemplified raising up a shepherd boy to King reigning over HIS People, but we must never forget that David was mortal and not Divine. It’s okay to acknowledge and even emulate some of the more notable characteristics of God’s servant, however we must never fail to take into account David’s humanity! Therefore,  David was subject to the same proclivities of his frail, infirmed, flawed and failing flesh as we are!

As we further investigate today’s text, we get a glimpse into one of the more dimmer phases of his extraordinary life. As the story goes, during the latter part of his life, God allowed Satan to tempt David in order to test what was truly in his heart. At the height of his successful reign, apparently David began to think more highly of himself than he ought to. (Ref. Romans 12:3) Hence, opening the gateway to pride and vainglory, the King commanded an unauthorized census taken of his people, which was a deliberate violation of God’s Law. (Ref. Exodus 30:12)

Now before yall sanctified folk start judging David, remember “let He who is without sin, cast the first stone! (Ref. John 8:7)

How many times have you willfully over-ruled the urging of Holy Spirit and did what seemed right in your own eyes? Put your hands down! Right!

Truth is, every one of us has been GUILTY as charged! Nevertheless, when Justice demanded punishment, MERCY said NO! And while we might’ve suffered, to some extent, for our rebellious disobedience, GOD feeling the pain and the terror of His Beloved Children, stepped in the midst of our guilt-ridden, regret-laden, shame-filled consequences, rebuked Death and declared “Enough is Enough”!

David acknowledging his guilt, taking full responsibility for his actions, humbly committed himself into the Hands of the Loving Mercy Faithful Shepherd, prayed for forgiveness for himself and interceding on behalf of those who were innocently victimized because of his selfishness! #Didjaheardat?

WOW! Now, that right there should cause all of us to immediately follow David’s lead, huh?  Turn our faces back towards the One True God, sanctify your heart and lifestyle wholly unto our Holy God!

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:1-2

C’mon nah! AFTER ALL THAT GOD’S DONE FOR US, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! #jusreasonable!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

 

ONE ON ONE

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1 on 1

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

SELAH!

“Have a WONDER-FILLED day!”

Ann Caffee

SEASONED SALT

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SEASONED SALT

SELAH Daily Devotions!

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

WOW! Aren’t you glad that you’re saved, sanctified, living all you can to serve and please da Lord?

BUT! Before we go slappin’ 5 with our neighbors (or yourself) on the back, perhaps we need to take a closer look at today’s scripture text. Sometimes, WE—THE SAINTS—have a way of judging others by their actions BUT judging ourselves by our good intentions!

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

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

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

Hence, “DON’T GET IT TWISTED…no matter how many right things you manage to do on a daily basis, at the end of your bestest day—every single one of us must acknowledge “that if it had not been for JESUS…where would I be.” (Ref. Romans 3:23) Truthfully, there ain’t none good but GOD!”

That’s why He sent Jesus! The Perfect role model for us to keep before us. Righteousness Personified! (Ref. John 3:16-17)

So the next time, you’re tempted to bask in your own self-righteousness, remember our frail-flawed-fickle human tendency to judge one another by outward appearances!  Precious one, check yourself ! And please recognize that God reads hearts! (Ref. 1 Samuel 16:7)

Jesus warned,  “For I say unto you, That except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall in no case enter into the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:20
SO…BEFORE YOU START SENDING ANY POOR SOUL STRAIGHT TO HELL, BECAUSE THEY DON’T MEASURE UP TO YOUR STANDARDS, MIGHT I SUGGEST THAT WE MAKE SURE THAT OUR OWN SALT IS SEASONED WITH MERCY AND GRACE!

SELAH!

“Have a WONDER-FILLED day!”

 Ann Caffee