Category Archives: love

UNDER CONSTRUCTION!

 

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SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: Philippians 1:6

 

I wasn’t born and raised in the church like a lot of you. I was one of those who kinda fell up in the doors of the church after years of getting beat up and beat down by the devil’s abuse. But thanks be to GOD! The Gracious Compassion Savior took me in and saved me anyhow! Being naïve and overwhelmed with pure joy and gladness to be saved, I actually thought everybody would love, welcome, accept and celebrate with me, because they were so glad that I was now part of the family of God!

Needless to say, I was shocked to discover that people are still people—in and out of the church. I still remember Mother Annie Carter, (my 1st spiritual mentor) pulling me under her wing, warning me “Stay close to the praying part of the church, baby”.  At the time, I wasn’t quite sure what Mother was talkin about, howevrrrr, it didn’t take long for me to realize that only THE REAL TRUE GOD can make a saint!

Beloved, you see what I didn’t know was that the Church is a construction zone and the Master Builder is GOD! He doesn’t build His House with brick and mortar, but with flesh and blood (dirt and water)!  Through the Precious Blood of Jesus and the regenerating Power of THE WORD, Holy Ghost equips ordinary, imperfect people to do extraordinary exploits!

While, some of us just need a few minor adjustments, others may require little more or even a major overhaul. TRUTHBTOLD, most of us  are so jacked up by the time we got to Jesus that we need a longer stay in the furnaces of afflictions than others before we’re done.  So don’t be surprized when you get a little too close to a brother or sista and get pricked by a thorn!

Always remember, there’s some good in the worst of us and some bad in the best of us, okay?  Nonetheless, we are all under construction according to The Master Carpenter’s specs and all of us  need the same GOD to help all of us!

Even if your intentions are just and honorable, sometimes helping people can hurt you! The Scriptures back this up numerous times!  Yes, even the most sainted, faithful and committed servants of The High God can become entrapped, disenfranchised, hopelessly discouraged and find ourselves retreating to dark caves or the backside of mountains and valleys.  It doesn’t matter how long or how far you’ve walked with The Lord, any of  God’s faithful-elect, can find themselves overwhelmed by the cares of this world to the point that you’re tempted to just give up and leave the church! #shuturmouth!

But, before you do something foolish, can I remind you of this one thing? There is NO PLAN B!

We’re it! God chose us name by name to expand His Kingdom in the earth, fully ware of the challenges of this seemingly impossible task.  That’s why He sent Holy Ghost to equip you to overcome!  Yep,  The Holy Ghost is your personal trainer! He takes your everyday life, places you on pathways strategically designed to stretch and strengthen your christian character, develop your trust, build up your confidence and fortify your commitment!

While it may not always look like God’s anywhere to be found, HE IS ALWAYS RIGHT THERE preparing you for a glorious future!  (Ref. Hebrew 13:5)

 BELOVED, TRUST2KNO, HELL CAN’T STOP ANYTHING THAT HEAVEN STARTS! GOD COMPLETES EVERYTHING HE STARTS!  UNDER CONSTRUCTION? UUUHHH… REALLY…MAKE SURE YOU’RE WEARING UR HARD HAT! #Didjaheardat?

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

 Ann Caffee

POLARIZED!

POLARIZING 2

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God.  Psalm 20:7

He says, “Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10
Well! Well! Well! Here we go again, huh? America is waking up the morning after The Mid-term Elections! And once again, it depends on which side of the aisle your heart is seated on whether you’re  absolutely delighted or definitely discouraged. Now I know, according to some, it’s socialally irresponsible to mix politics with religion! Or was that waaayyyy backndaday? Needless to say, those of you who know me, already know that I’m generally much to real for a whole lotta folk, so can we jus talk?

Has anyone (besides me) evrrr jus wondered how so many of our caucasian (and those few Afro-American) evangelical bretheren could be such staunch supporters of #45 and at the same time profess their absolute devotion to The Lord and Savior Jesus Christ? #ohnoshedidn’t! OH YES I DID! Honestly, to me, this scenario in itself seems nothing short of paradoxical! #ijs!!!

Now for you legalistic dogmatic religious enthusist who’re already looking at me some kinda way, I know that the Bible says, “Judge Not, lest Ye BE JUDGED”! (Ref. Matt. 7:1) There’s also another scripture that says, ““He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her! (Ref. John 8:7) please  allow me a few moments of  ‘senior folly’! I’m merely suggesting an alternative prospective for your  momentary consideration! Done lost ½ my church already, huh?

God, not willing that His children be ignorant of the enemy’s devices, has so graciously allowed anyone of us who lacks wisdom the privilege to merely ask Him! (Ref. James 1:5) 

Hence, last nite, I was awakened from my slumber, hearing the TV, that being my custom,  tuned into a very popular Religious Cable Network , and lo and behold I was enlightened! Much to my surprise, there was a partaa going on among some of the most prominent elite wealthy evangelical preachers who having graced this  humongous Red/White/Blue Flag drapped stage, were stirring up this large coliseum filled with GOP advocates! Now, the reason that this seemed strange,ly awkward was because before I drifted off to sleep, those who were broadcasting and analyzing the results of the evening’s nationwide election activities had just reported that “The DEMS HAD TAKEN THE HOUSE BACK”! But as I listened further, I heard that #45 was congratulating himself  (and Nancy Pelosi) because the “GOP had maintained CONTROL OF The Senate!” NOW I GUESS THAT’S WHAT U CALL BREAKING NEWS, huh?  Suddenly,   someone on the stage daring  to state the OBVIOUS cried out “AMERICA IS POLARIZED!”  #uthink??? 

Ahhh Shucks! Nah, I’m not always the shiniest penny in the pocket, BUT…I could’ve told ’em dat a long time ago!  GUESS NOBODY ASKED ME, right?

But, the epiphany didn’t jus stop there! As I continued listening to ‘the WORDS DAT WERE COMING OUT OF HIS MOUTH’, IIIIII HHHEEEARRD, one of them say, “America was in a nationwide REVIVAL! Because they had followed the leading of the Lord in 2 Chronicles 7:14 by praying for the nation and supporting God’s designated 21st Century Cyrus, #45, who was bold enuff to finally set in order the things necessary to make AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, (open the way to reverse, Roe vs. Wade; keep illegal aliens out but keep NRA in place, and give RELIGION a much needed VOICE; ridding the nation of Obamacare while subsidizing THE WEALTHY at the expense of Social Security recipients; ignoring perversion, deception and manipulation while denying obvious racial injustice) THE RED WAVE WAS STILL IN PLACE! THEN...he SO eloquently and prolifically dropped da bomb announcing, that THE RED WAVE was symbolic of a THE BLOOD OF JESUS sweeping across this nation!  SERIOUSLY! #OMG! #WHO KNU, right?

BUT! CALL ME IDIOTIC OR BI-POLAR if U want, but I’m gonna stick with THE BOOK! LET EVERY MAN BE A LIAR AND GOD B THE TRUTH! TRUST2KNO2, THEY THAT WORSHIP HIM, MUST WORSHIP HIM IN SPIRIT AND IN TRUST! AS 4 ME AND MY HOUSE, WE SHALL CONTINUE 2 SERVE THE TRUE AND LIVING GOD OF HEAVEN AND EARTH! Datz my story and I’m sticking with IT!

WELL, I GUESS…NOW U KNOW! #WOW!!! POLARIZING, huh? #ijs WAKE UP AMERICA!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

CHANGE YOUR MIND?

CHANGE UR MIND

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord Acts 3:19

 

I am straight Holiness/Pentecostal todabone; jus ask anybody who knows me in church! I mean, I’ll shout you down in a heartbeat! But guess what? The devil ain’t stud’n you getting your praise on shoutin’ and dancin’, flip’n over pews, in the church house, as long as you don’t change! That’s right, I’m talking about repentance! Don’t touch dat button!

Notice? You don’t hear a whole lotta preaching about REPENTANCE, lately!  Apparently it carries such a negative connotation that tends to provoke unpalatable feelings of fear, condemnation and frustration that some churches have opted out of traditional biblical teachings, preferring to  institutionalize a more contemporal all-inclusive perspective of church as a gathering apparatus for religious/social networking! SO, I totally getit! 

Howevvvvttttr, those of us who have already accepted the Gift of Salvation offered  through The Atoning Grace of Jesus Christ  need to realize is that while we  have been commissioned  to share  The Love of Christ,  none of us have been given the power nor responsibility to make a person repent, particularly by threatening  them that they’re going to Hell!   #Didjaheardat? “Done lost 1/2 my churrch!”

BUT!!!! IF  you let them know how good The Lord is and what He’s ALREADY done for US to make us right with God, there a good chance that they’ll want to know Him for themselves!

Before the days of name it and claim it, and blab it and grab it, when a true prophet spoke, the only thing he promised was the WORD OF GOD! Really, check your Bible? John the Baptist preached the same message every day, “prepare ye the way, repent and be baptized, for the Lord is at hand”. When The Apostle Peter left the upper room, filled with the Holy Ghost, he came preaching the same message, “repent”Yall ain’t liking me nah, huh?

Some folk still believe repentance means going to the altar, echoing a confession and shaking the pastor’s/preacher/evangelist’s hand. But my beloved, genuine repentance is a matter of the heart and I don’t mean just feeling sorry. If you really want to experience authentic eternal fellowship with Jesus, you have to sanctify yourself through repenting from your heart.

2 Corinthians 7:10 explains, when a person truly repents, they’ll admit that they’re sincerely sorry for rebelling against God and living a sinful life; make a conscious commitment to change the way they live, turn their back AWAY FROM the devil and evil works, and TURN 2 JESUS, totally committing their lives to pleasing HIM and entrusting Holy Spirit to help them to keep their vow! 

Seriously, change your mind, change your life!

One of the best parts of repentance is taking back the personal power that we’ve allowed Satan to rule over our lives! Godly sorrow will make you stare the devil down and tell him in no uncertain terms,“No thank you, I don’t want to live like this anymore, it’s over! I DON’T BELONG 2 U, I BELONG TO JESUS! MY PAST IS COVERED IN THE BLOOD AND MY NEW LIFE IS NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS! NOW , GET OUTTA MY FACE OR I’M GONNA CALL MY DADDY!

Beloved, don’t allow another moment of doubt, unbelief or fear cause you to forfeit the unimaginable blessings that God has prepared for us. (Ref. Jeremiah 29:11) The Bible says, the day you hear His Voice calling–just come! Didjaheardat? Can you hear HIM now?

C’mon SOMEBODY,  quickly! Please tell the devil, “ I CHANGED MY MIND!” GGGLLORRRAAA 2 GOD!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

SHOUT-OUT!

SHOUT-OUT!

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision and told him, “Don’t be afraid! Speak out! Don’t be silent! For I am with you, and no one will attack and harm you, for many people in this city belong to Me.” Acts 18:9-10
Several years ago, The Grand Ole’ Church of God in Christ, came out with a slogan, guess what? Exactly! ‘I won’t be silent anymore!’  I wonder why I haven’t heard that one in a while! Especially in light of all the other voices that are bellowing out all kinds of crazy comments! #wink #wink!  Yall don’t mind granting a senior sista a few moments of folly, do you? AWESOME!

Have you noticed that every one and their cuzzins have come out of the colloquial closets, declaring and decreeing their rights. WOW! But where are the Saints? What’s the matter Zion? Perhaps, it’s got more to do with frustration and disenfranchisement than fear, huh? Them ol’ skool churrch Mothers were right! We’re living in times that will definitely try men’s souls. Seems as if everybody’s got rights…BUT THE CHURCH!

I ain’t scurred! Why are we the brunt of  such vicious accusations and slander, if we dare to uphold the moral standards clearly defined in The Word of God?  What happened to our freedom of speech rights? Why are we subjected to blatant mockery and defamation of character when we defend our Declaration of Dependance on The True and Living Creator of The Universe? #ijs The way things are going in America, we don’t know how much longer we’ll be able to freely speak-up for Jesus and not be martyred!

Last time I checked, The Holy Bible still says that there’d come a time when the people of God would be forced to make an individual conscientious decision, for Jesus I live, for Jesus I dieWell? Churrch, do we really believe The Word of God or are we pretending to fit in to get in?  Have we forgotten that the Ol’ Ship of Zion is not a cruiseliner but a battleship?  

It’s time to show this dark and dying world whatcha working with! Ain’t no where to run and no where to hide. The stage is set and the rubber is treading  the road. Timeout for playing church and teetering on the edge of the fence! You know what I mean;  “How close can you get to the world and still make it to Heaven?”  Baby, Either you’re all in THIS….OR UR OUTSIDE OF THE ARK! 

I still believe that the safest place in the whole wide world, IS IN THE WILL OF GOD!

Now, that’s just my two cents…do U, Boo!  BUT AS THE OL’ CHURRCH PREACHA USED TO SAY…AS 4 ME AND MY HOUSE….WE SHALL SERVE THE LORD!

TRUST2KNO! #SILENCEAIN’TBLISS! #datzmystoryugottaluvmehuh!  #NLOL #SPEAK-UP #SHOUT-OUT!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

THURSDAYS’ PRAYERS!

 

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SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

GOOD MORNING FAM! GOTTA MOMENT! OMG!

Welcome to a new day! Today, we’re ecstatic that you have joined us in our Thursdays’ Day of Corporate Fasting & Prayer! We appreciate this opportunity and privilege to entreat The Presence of our Great High Priest, pouring out our hearts desires, concerns, petitions and supplications with Thanksgiving. We know that He delights in our embracing Him in earnest expectation, confident that He Rules Forever by His Power and is well able to save and deliver us from any of life’s maladies! My beloved speaks and says to me: “Arise, my love, my beautiful one, and come away with me” Shall we go in together?

I worship You, Almighty God, There is none like You. I worship You, oh Prince of Peace, That is what I long to do. I give you praise, for You are my righteousness. I worship You, Almighty God; There is none like You. There Is None Like You! There is none like You, No one else can touch My heart like You do. I could search for all eternity long and find, there is none like You. Jesus, Jesus, Jesus Jesus, Jesus, Jesus There’s just something about that name! Master, Savior, Jesus! Like the fragrance after the rain Kings and Kingdoms, Shall all pass away! BUT there’s just something about that name….let’s go in...

 

Abba Father of Glory, here we are once again! We delight in Your Love that bids our hearts to come way, into that secret sacred place of Your Mercy and Grace! We enter in  joyfully, hallowing Your Holy Name, humbly yet boldly, confident that because of our faith and trust in The Redeeming Sacrificial Life, Death, Burial and Resurrection of Your Only Begotten Son, King Jesus, Your Scepter is leaning towards us, granting us permission and privilege to draw nigh to The Holy One, Who spoke the worlds into existence and Who also calls us ‘MINE’!

Father, we bow eternally grateful for the precious gift of today, knowing that it was nothing that we could ever deserve but solely because of Your Loving-Kindness and Tender Compassionate commitment to The Covenant of Mercy and Grace, You God The Father, God The Son and God The Holy Spirit, spoke over us before the foundation of this world! It’s because of You that we live, move and have our being!

While no man can come to You, except You draw him, we shall forever honor and praise You, Sweet Holy Spirit, for quickening our hearts, shining the brightness of Light into the dimness of our eyes, unstopping the dullness of our ears that allowed us to see Your Glory Illuminating in the Face of our Savior and Lord Jesus Christ!
Oh, how awesome are Your deeds! For You Alone have preseved our lives and kept our feet from slipping!

NEVERTHELESS, we must acknowledge that inspite of Your Benevolence, there are times when we still struggle to deny our ungodly  cravings for things that are outside of Your Holy Standards as defined by Your Kingdom Constitution of Righteousness! Therefore, we ask that You forgive us for any and everything that we’ve willfully and unwillfully spoken, imaged,, and committed that was in violation and rebellion against Your Holy Will and Purpose for our lives! We’re thankful that because You know our frame, Your Faithfulness and Compassion continuously allow You to look beyond our human frailties, faults and iniquities to see and minister to all of our real need!

According to Your Promise, if we confess our sins, You are Faithful and Just to forgive us, we plead the cleansing redeeming restoring Blood of Jesus over our hearts and mind! We decree and declare that as we bind the spirit of The Accuser who brings guilt and shame we release the Spirit of Freedom and Hope that affirms our confidence that there is now therefore no condemnation against us, who love, rely and rest in The Lord Jesus Christ!

Daddy, we thank You for being God of our Salvation, Wisdom, Understanding, Hope, Strength, Deliverance, Breakthrough and Provision. Therefore, receive our praise today, coming from earnest hearts seeking, depending and relying wholly upon You for renewed strength, understanding and power!

Because You are no respecter of persons, what You’ve done for us, You will surely do for others. Hence, Holy Father, we interceded on behalf of every unsaved soul, knowing that no one else can do it, we ask that You respond by quickening the Spirit of Godly-repentance in their heart and in their mind that they will confess a “sincere Yes” to Your Precious Gift of Grace and receive You into their hearts and lives as their personal Lord and Savior! We’re believing that You will direct their footsteps and place them and settle them into a church home today where they will be loved and nurtured to walk in Your Will and Ways.

Abba Father, we ‘re also asking You to remember all who have turned away from following Your Path,  backslidden and find themselves outside of  comfort and fellowship with Holy Spirit! We’re trusting You to put a “fresh committed YES”  in the heart and mind! Make today the day that they come back to You and come back to YOUR local church determined to submit their lives to the sound teachings of Your Word, learn to love and live the remainder of heir lives committed to walking to please You First that they might become known as a Bold Encourager to all who have yet to know You personally!

Father, touch our brother, touch our sister whose body has been afflicted by sickness and disease, especially the spirit of cancer, high/low blood pressure, kidney disease, liver failure, eye problems, heart, lung, bone and blood disease, autism and dementia,  and for Your Name sake, we rebuke and cast it out at the root!  Heavenly Father, You have decreed that You are Alpha and Omega, the same yesterday, today and forever! Even as You walked in this earth healing all who were sick, feeble, lame we know that You’re Well Able to do the same right now! Lord Jesus, 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! Amen 3x!

Lord, we pray for every one going thru a season of sorrow and grief, any one yet being victimized by the consistent corruption of institutionalized racism, tormented by Spirits of fear, anxiety, resentment, jealousy, envy, rejection, disappointment and failure, dysfunctional marital relationships, family members, alcohol and drug addictions, employment environmental issues, rebellious children, incest, verbal/physical/sexual/mental and spiritual abuse, threat of divorce, unemployment, greed, poverty, bankruptcy and unjust illegal incarcerations! We plead the Blood of Jesus over every demonic thought, spirits of anxiety, oppression, depression and confusion, because we know that You are not the author of these satanic thoughts and feelings, but You have given us who have put our personal trust in Your Son Jesus, Your Righteousness, a Spirit of Love, Peace, Joy and a Sound Mind!

Sweet Holy Spirit, Lord, as we lift up all Whom You have handpicked as Your elect, we ask that You encourage and comfort every soul who is clasping Your Hand, struggling to hold onto their faith, yet because of the things that are going on in our personal lives and in this ungodly world systems, may still find themselves overwhelmed with fear, doubt and worry! Let Your WORD continue to bring assurance that we are never alone, and never without Your Very Present Help!

We release Divine Power, Favor, Supernatural Strength, Health, Provision, Prosperity and Protection! Father, we’re fully persuaded that as You preserve each of us thru the tests that You’ve allowed us to go thru, UR keeping us constantly aware of YOUR PRESENCE so that we have PEACE that passes all understanding, and a confident expectation that at Your appointed time, we SHALL come out equipped with renewed hope, wholly restored, refreshed with insight and rewarded with a new testimony of Your Faithfulness to perform everything Your Word has promised! In JESUS NAME! AMEN 3X!!

Father, we lift up our children, our grandchildren, and great-grand-children! We declare and decree by faith, that every curse that has been ordered against their lives is aborted and overruled immediately! Committing them into Your Providential Care, we cancel every scheme that Satan desires to inflict upon them! We acknowledge that You have fearfully and wondrously formed them in their Mothers’ wombs with a plan and purpose for their lives! Therefore, we have the blessed assurance that their steps are being ordered by Your eyes! We speak The Peace of God over their spirits, minds and bodies releasing a spirit of Love, Holiness and Excellence to fulfill their God ordained destiny!

Sweet Jesus, we lift up every spiritual leader, Apostle, Bishop, Elder, Pastor, Preacher, Teacher, Missionary, Evangelist, auxiliary, musician, choir, worship leader, ushers, nurse, pew member and visitor, believing for immediate manifestation of that special miracle! We pray for them who are yet standing on the wall proclaiming Your Word under the conviction and anointing of Holy Spirit. Jesus, we’re trusting and believing You to Grace them to be the examples of Your Righteousness in their homes, churches and community that will cause everyone who comes into contact with them to fall in love with You, trust wholly in and commit to live the rest of their lives serving You!

Heavenly Father, according to Your Will, we’re praying for the leaders of our nation and this world, including federal and local government officials, corporate, judicial, education, financial institutions and our churches! We’re asking that You touch the minds and hearts, that You speak to them in dreams and visions warning them that He who is pregnant with evil and conceives trouble gives birth to disillusionment. He who digs a hole and scoops it out will fall into the pit he has made. The trouble he causes recoils on himself and his violent schemes will come down on his own head. Let them know that You Who Sit Enthroned Above the Heavens is keeping record of the deeds of every man’s heart and will reward accordingly!

Father, we’re trusting You to release a downpour of Divine Favor upon Your children who are challenged by seemingly time-sensitive situations! Send signs and wonders to assure them that YOU Jehovah Jareh, who shall supply all of their need according to Your Riches in Glory!

Father, we know that there’s so much more that perhaps we should ask, but we know that the Holy Spirit is making interception on all our behalf and stirring up the hearts and minds of those who are professing Your Name to pray without ceasing! We ask that You release upon our hearts, an ever-burning desire for an even greater personal, intimate relationship with Creator God through fellowship of Holy Spirit that we might prove what is the perfect and acceptable will of The Lord Jesus!

Lord Jesus, Your children, the apple of Your Eye, await Your Salvation, in patient confidence and quietness, rejoicing in hope and trusting wholly that all workers of iniquity are trembling, suddenly departing in shameful defeat, recognizing that You have heard the voice of our weeping, our supplications and received our prayer as a sweet savor coming up before Your Sovereign Throne of Grace and Mercy and through patient confidence we shall inherit the Promises of GOD!

Abba Father, because You have chosen us and brought us near to dwell safety and secure in Your House, we align our spirits, soul and body with Your Eternal Word! We bow in obedient reverence before The Hope of all the earth, believing that as Your face shines upon us that, You are making Your ways and salvation known among all nations for You Guide and Rule justly! Father, believing that IT IS DONE, In The Exalted Name of Jesus we offer up this prayer, Sealed in The Holy Ghost with a HOLY Alleleujah! Amen 3X!

Now every child of God who is standing in agreement with this prayer, GO TELL SOMEBODY THAT JESUS IS NOT MAD AT US! IN FACT HE’S MADLY IN LUV WITH AND CARES ABOUT THEM 2! #FRONTLINEMINISTRY!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

 

 

IS JESUS A DISTANT LOVER?

IS JESUS A DISTANT LOVER

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

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

 

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

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

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

We must understand the essence of the ETERNAL TRUTH ! 

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

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

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

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

This is the essence and the joy of our salvation!

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

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

He doesn’t have to be a Distant Lover!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

TRUE LOVE???

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SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

MAKE IT THRU THE NITE!

MAKE IT THRU THE NITE SHIFT2

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. Psalm 121:4

Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you. Genesis 28:15 ESV

 

Whether you’ve been walking with Jesus for a long time or just recently made your decision to follow Christ, none of us are excluded from faith’s stresses, test and trials! If you don’t have a clue about what I’m talking about, may I draw from dem ol’ skool Mothers’ terminology, “Baby, jus keep getting up in the mornin’ and going to bed at night, sooner or later you will encounter a season in your life when you’ll feel as though God has left you alone in the valley of the shadows of death to fend for yourself!”

I understand that this kinda theology may seem a bit strange, (not to mention unbiblical, after all we live in the Dispensation of Grace) to some Millenniums who’ve been spoon fed Gospel-Lite-Prosperity pablum prepared by the more sophisticated-socially-acceptable-all-ingratiating-all-inclusive preachers! But check The Book, it’s still in there! “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:” 1 Peter 4:12

Further,  when you’re forced to trample through the turbulent terrains of this life, know that your Heavenly Father is not a dead-beat-absentee Dad! God’s Eternal Word  has no shelf-‘life expiration date! It’s still Light to the 21st Century Saints and potent enough  to comfort, strengthen and encourage those who dare seek Him!

Precious ones, perhaps, at this reading, you find yourself smack-dab-in-the-middle of a loooonnnnggg night filled with overwhelming fear, anxiety and doubt, yet Truth remains! Even when you’re unable to trace God’s Face or feel His Hand, trust His Heart!

Sometimes, we’re so focused on the trauma of the moment that we forget that we have a real enemy who delights in secretly launching attacks against God’s elect, under the cloak of darkness with his diabolical wiles, strategically aimed to diminish your confidence and trust in God! Nevertheless, don’t fall for the okey-doke; Satan ain’t running nothing! Your God is Sovereignly watching over you 24/7! He never naps! Day and night are the same to Him! Every step and stop you take is Divinely-choreographed by The Maestro of Heaven! He’s already gone before you preparing designated rest areas along the road to revive and re-energize our spirit and soul! #Didjaheardat? IT’S TRUE!

Beloved, when it seems as if everything around you is falling apart, Holy Spirit says, ‘It’s falling right in place’! Abba Father is weaving each tattered piece of your life together for your greatest good and His Highest Glory! And at the appointed time, He will flip it over  displaying His Magnificent Masterpiece! (Ref. Romans 8:28)

 For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. Psalm 30:5

“Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” 1 John 3:2

Like Jacob, as we continue our pilgrimage through the gross immorality of this fallen world en route to the celestial city, may out faith remain steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of The sustaining power and Grace of  The Lord of all Life. Therefore, with uplifted hands, let us continuously proclaim of our Savior “The God that led me all my life long” works THE NIGHT SHIFT!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

STUPEFYING!

STUPEFYING

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

And David said unto him, Fear not: for I will surely shew thee kindness for Jonathan thy father’s sake, and will restore thee all the land of Saul thy father; and thou shalt eat bread at my table continually. And he bowed himself, and said, What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am? 2 Samuel 9:7-8
“Why me?”
 
How many times have we found ourselves spurting these words out of our mouths? Whether out of a sense of cynical-rhetorical contemptuousness or an overwhelming comeback to the lusciousness of God’s unexpected favoritism, we can all identify with Mephibosheth’s response to King David. (Ref. 2 Samuel 9) Especially, since none of us can honestly claim that we deserve to be so blessed in the first place, huh? Truthfully, any good that we do is generally accidental! So, as far as standing up to the standards of GOD’S RIGHTEOUSNESS, we’re all lame in both feet! (Ref. Romans 3:23) Can I get a holy Hallelujah and three AMENS?
 
But that’s the whole point! It’s the Wonder of God’s unmerited goodness that sets us apart from the rest of the world!
 
Knowing us from the inside-out, not just what you did–but why,  your Heavenly Father blessed you anyway! Despite all the justifiable circumstantial evidence to support our accuser’s objections, The Eternal Judge over-rules them, dismissing the case, covers you in HIS Royal Robe of Righteousness, leaving them (and sometimes even us) scratching their heads, dumbfounded and paralyzed uttering in amazement “What jus happened?” 
 
Creation clearly demonstrates God’s propensity for details. Behold, how marvelously God pieces the individual segments of our lives to fit perfectly jointed together for our highest good and His Greatest Glory! (Ref. Romans 8:28) His Handiwork, often mysteriously hidden behind the clouds, weaving the highs and the lows, the strides and the falls, the haves and the have nots, lovingly bonding the momentary to the eternal, paints a collage that captivates the attention of that passerby to stop and ponder; taking much needed periods of reflection, introspection, covetously inquires “Why not me?”
 
THANK GOD for that day when, like Mephibosheth, we finally get it! Casting off fear, we fall prostrate before our Benevolent Faithful King in humble obedience, with everlasting joy, declaring “For you O Lord are my Everlasting Hope!” (Ref. Psalm 16:5)

GOD SO LOVED…ME?  I KNOW IT MAKES NO SENSE, BUT…YES HE DOES!  AND HE ALWAYS WILL! #DIDJAGETIT???
 
SOOOO…WITH ABUNDANT JOY WE GRATEFULLY  SUCCUMB TO THE WONDER OF OUR GOD!  STUPEFYING, huh? #ijs #WOW!
 
SELAH!
 
Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!”
 
Ann Caffee

RISKY BUSINESS

RISKY BUSINESS

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

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

 

At the hazard of being sacrilegious or sounding debasing, may I submit for your consideration that today’s scripture text may very well be the Preamble to God’s Covenant between every born-again, blood-washed believer and The Almighty Creator and Sustainer of Life! Truthfully, no one enters into a personal relationship with God without faith and without it, it’s impossible to please Him. (Ref. Hebrew 11:6) Yet, quiet as it’s kept, one of the hardest things for a Christian to do is to live by faith and not by sight.

The difficulty may stem from its decisive departure from the profound proclamation of this world’s culture, i.e., “seeing is believing”. Whereas, when we come into The Kingdom of God, we are taught “believe to see the invisible achieve the impossible”! (Ref. Psalm 27:13) Perhaps that’s why Christianity tends to defy the logic of the more mentally astute intellectuals. Expressly, if I can’t see it, touch it, smell it, taste it…it can’t possibly be real. Undeniably, faith demands risks that not everyone is willing to take!

Biblical Faith commands a conscious decision based solely on our willingness to trust in An Invisible Maker’s ability and commitment to fulfill yet unrealized promises. Specifically, we must first believe that there is A Holy God; Who before the foundation of the world, Sovereignly made immutable promises to His Chosen people which history has established GOD’s absolute commitment to fulfill every last one of them forever!

Coming out from a world where integrity is at an all time low, sometimes “trusting” can be an almost insurmountable challenge to even the most sincere hearted saints. However, as you continue to walk with Jesus, you discover that He is indeed Trustworthy and Forever Faithful! As you spend time in fellowship with HIM through prayer and studying The Word of God, you’ll unearth a perfecting of your faith and a level of trust mounting just like yeast in fresh dough.

A Living Faith is trusting the Promises of God, despite all of the circumstantial evidence that testifies to the pointlessness of expecting these things to somehow work together for our good and His Greatest Glory!  Just when everything within incites us to abandon all hope, suddenly out of  the depts of our inner-most being, a supernatural unction swells up igniting a Divine Impartation of Hope against hope! (Ref. Romans 4:18)

Can you imagine where we would be if Jesus had looked at us and decided, ‘What’s the point? Dad, scratch that! Let’s just start over again with a new batch”?  In Hell, probably, huh? But Thank God! Our Heavenly Father refused to leave so Great a Task up to the fickleness of our flawed flesh! The Bible says, Jesus looked beyond all our faults, seeing our needs, faithfully submitted Himself to do His Father’s Will and humbly came down to secure Eternal Salvation for any who would trust and accept His Divine Provision, GRACE!

WOW! KNOWING WHAT SOME OF US WERE B.C. (BEFORE CHRIST)…NOW THAT’S WHAT YOU CALL, TAKING A RISK…SERIOUSLY!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Pastor Ann Caffee