Category Archives: waymaker

WORTHY!

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WORTHY!

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

Sing unto the Lord, all the earth; shew forth from day to day his salvation. Declare his glory among the heathen; his marvellous works among all nations. For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised: he also is to be feared above all gods. For all the gods of the people are idols: but the Lord made the heavens. Glory and honour are in his presence; strength and gladness are in his place. 1 Chronicles 16:23-27

 

Today’s scripture text takes place when King David and the Levitical Priests were finally bringing The Ark of the Covenant home to Jerusalem, after their first attempt turned drastically wrong, releasing the burning Anger of God resulting in the death of the King’s servant, Uzzah, who unsuspectingly illegally handled The Ark. (Ref. 2 Samuel 6:6-11)

But GOD! In his infinite Mercy and Grace, allows David a second chance to restore The Presence of God to its rightful place, in the center of the City of David. This time, David sought instructions of The Lord rather than presuming that he already knew the Will of God. Oh Hallelujahhhhh!!!!

How many times have we run ahead of God, only to regrettably discover that our decisions landed us smack-dab-in-the middle of a dead-end situation? Oh, the folly of man’s failure to remember The Wonders of God’s Sovereignty is far too great to be limited by our past experiences or the inadequacy of human intellectual presupposition. Nevertheless,  our Condescending Savior’s Grace towards us is revealed time and time again as His Favor allows us the opportunity to repent and turn back to Him that He might Shepherd and direct us in the appropriate Ways we should go. Have I gotta a bonifide witness to tell da truth and shame da devil?

It’s no wonder David, overwhelmed with ecstasy, joy and delight, rejoiced, danced, singing a new song celebrated before the Lord without reserve, uninhibited by person, title, position, nor shame. Israel’s King recognized fully well, that GOD alone, having forgiven his rebellious presumptions sin, restoring him back into proper right-standing with The King of Kings was indeed worthy of unrelenting worship, praise, honor and glory!

When was the last time you abandoned your expectations, mistakes, predicaments and criticisms, and lost yourself to inflamed worship in The Shechinah Glory for another second chance?

” FOR THERE IS NONE ELSE IS LIKE YOU LORD! NONE ELSE TO COMPARE WITH YOUR MAJESTIC GLORY! FOR THIS CAUSE, WE BLESS AND MAGNIFY YOUR NAME, KING JESUS… TODAY AND FOREVER MORE! FOR YOU ALONE ARE WORTHY!”

Didjaheardat? WELL…LET IT GO! MY HALLELUJAH BELONGS 2 U! ALL OF THE GLORRRAAAA BELONG 2 U! U DESERVE IT….4 U ALONE R WORTHY!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

 

I’M WITH HIM!

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I'M WITH HIM

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

Blessed be the God and Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ. According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world that we should be Holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His own will. To the praise of the Glory of His Grace wherein He had made us accepted in the Beloved. Ephesians 1:3-6.

 

Remember back in the day when you hopped from one partaa to the next with your friends? Sometimes, you had no clue who was giving the party! We used to call it, ‘crashing da party’.  Remember, how when you got there, somebody on the door would ask you, ‘who are you?’ You would automatically respond, ‘Oh, I’m with him, or I’m with her’. And if they recognized the person you were with, nine times out of ten you’d get in the party!

Well guess what, it works even more so, in the Kingdom of God! The Lord knows them that are His! (Ref. 2 Timothy 2:19) God has so graciously adopted everyone who has accepted Jesus as Savior and Lord. We are now part of the Royal Family of God. The same God that rules over the universe, we now are privileged to call Him Abba Father!  He’s our Daddy! Yeah, I know, right? #awesome!

Association leads to Assimilation! Because of that one decision you made, you are eternally in Christ Jesus, and now we can get into places that we would never have access to on our own! We got the hook up, yall!

Because of our connection in Christ Jesus, doors that would’ve (could’ve…should’ve) been closed in our faces, are now opened for us. Because of our personal relationship with Jesus, nothing shall be impossible with God, our Father! NOW there is always a way out of no way! #didjaheardat?

The next time that diabolical ol’ sloo foot devil attempts to keep you out, or tries to hinder you from possessing your inheritance, look down at him and confidently inform that fool, “I’M WITH HIM – YOU DO RECOGNIZE ‘HIM’ DON’T YOU? THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD! C’mon… YOU KNOW HIS NAME, right? IT’S JESUS! IN CASE YOU FORGOT, HE’S MY ELDER BROTHER; AND HE’S GIVEN ME THE POWER AND AUTHORITY TO USE HIS NAME!

SO AT THE NAME OF JESUS, YOU HAVE TWO CHOICES! FIRST, GETTA STEPPIN OR SECOND, BOW DOWN!  CUZ, I’M WITH HIM!”

SELAH!

Have a WONDER-FILLED day!

Ann Caffee

AN ANEMIC CHURCH???

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AN ANEMIC CHURCH 2

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the Kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His Blood, the forgiveness of sins. Colossians 1:13-14

Recently, I’ve come into contact with several people who undergo Dialysis treatment due to severe kidney failure. I am certainly not an expert in these matters, so humor me in my attempt to describe, in my acutely limited understanding, how dialysis works. Okay, here goes?

Apparently, the dialysis process involves draining the blood from the patient’s body thru a machine which filters out the impurities in the blood system and returns the clean blood back into the body. The number of the times the patient visits the dialysis center weekly varies according to the level of kidney dysfunction of the individual. While the benefits outweigh the risks of this procedure, there are potentially critical consequences of this process. One being anemia. One of the markers that the physician looks at to determine the stage of anemia is the ratio of white blood cells to red blood cells.

Prayerfully, none of you will ever suffer through anything like this, in the natural; yet it prompted me to look at its similarities spiritually. It’s becoming profoundly evident that The New millennium church is suffering from a severe case of spiritual anemic. Somewhere along the way, there has been a gradual drifting away and a markedly diminishing of the revelation, significance and the Power of The Blood of Jesus!

Consequently, the church is in dire need of a blood transfusion. The problem is most of the times this dis-ease goes virtually unnoticed and undiagnosed until we find ourselves sprawled out on a gurney in the ER (the Altar) depleted physically, emotionally, financially, relationally scrapped and spiritually bankrupt.

Oh yeah, some of us have become quite adept at putting on our ‘church-game-face’ and can actually manage to press on, for a good while, conquering one hurdle after another before draining all our strength. But inevitably, we get to that place where we’ve no other option but to come clean. ‘That’s it…I’m through…Kapoop…there’s absolute nothing left…I’ve tried to stop lying and cussin’, drinking and dopin’… I tried to handle this adulterous relationship…I’ve done all I can think of to keep this house/business/church afloat, keep these kids from going to jail…but now …I’m at my wits end.” And… That’s when we turn to Jesus, the True Source of All Strength and Power…The Master Physician!

You see the problem is, God never intended us to do it (LIFE) alone! That’s why He sent Jesus to restore the connection severed by Adam’s rebellion. The Blood of God’s Sacrificial Lamb flows from The Righteous to the unrighteous. As it is applied daily to our hearts, minds, our will through prayer and study of His Word, filtering into every area of our lives we are fortified and sanctified holy and acceptable to God!

The transforming Blood of Jesus purifies our sin-consciousness and empowers us to overcome all of this life’s maladies replenishing hope and healing to an anemic church and to a lost and unholy world.

THAT’S THE GOSPEL! NEED A BLOOD TRANSFUSION? #hookmeupLORD

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

SHELTER

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SHELTER

SELAH Daily Devotions!

“The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.” Nahum 1:7

One of those most prominent desires of humanity is a sense of security. Thanks to our ancestors, Adam and Eve, we lost that the moment we submitted to the Deceitful Tempter, Satan! Scriptures reveal the absolute perfection that they enjoyed walking in The Will of our Creator God! Any and everything their pure hearts desired was readily available for them for the asking. Yet, the one thing that God had required of them was the same thing that the devil used to lure them away from what God commanded, faithful obedience!

Since mankind’s expulsion from The Paradise of The Garden Eden, we’ve been trying to find our own piece of peace in the midst of this sin-fated world we’ve been forced to inhabit. Adding insult to injury, from the moment Abel’s blood hit the earth, all of Cain’s descendants, were destined to sojourn throughout the earth, cursed and marked for The Righteous Vengeance of The Lord! This spirit of rebellion soon gave way to anger, spiraling into murder nailing the coffin shut for any hope of returning to the blissful state of innocence and intimacy that once endowed God’s Most Precious Creation!

BUT! Thanks Be To GOD! Jehovah’s Loyal Love; refusing to be denied, had ordained before the foundation of the world, a Rest for anyone who cries out to Him earnestly, in sincere contrition for Salvation IN THE PERSON OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST! (Ref. 1 Peter 1:20)

Sometimes, looking back from this side of the Cross, it’s more convenient to blame the horrid conditions of our world on the careless apathy of our first parents. And, depending on the weight of the trial or struggle, we just might point our fist toward God. After all He’s God and could’ve stopped sin in it’s track, huh? Yet, Wisdom and Grace soon deter us from persisting in such foolishness! The truth of the matter is that seed of sin has regenerated, thus degenerating our morality, perverting our sense of right and wrong to the extent that we can no longer trust our own hearts!

BUT FOR THE GRACE OF GOD!

In the midst of these perilous times, we need to know that God has prepared (by God’s Own Hand), a safe haven for those of us, who will place our personal trust, confidence and absolute reliance in the immutability of God’s Righteous Character:Justice, Truth, Honor and Ability!

“The name of the Lords a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.” Proverbs 18:10

When life is raging beyond what you can weather and the billows of trouble threaten to devour you, remember! There is Refuge! In God,  Believers, escaping from the cares of this world, can dwell under the Wings of Adonai ! There you find rest safe from all hurt and harm!

JESUS is A VERY PRESENT SHELTER IN THE TIME OF THE STORMS!

SELAH!

“Have a WONDER-FILLED day!”

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

 

 

BOTTOMS UP!

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BOTTOMS UP 4

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

And she went and did according to the saying of Elijah: and she, and he, and her house, did eat many days. And the barrel of meal wasted not, neither did the cruse of oil fail, according to the word of the Lord, which he spake by Elijah. 1 Kings 17:15-16

 

We are a piece of work, huh? And living proof of the Loving Compassion of our Creator! #ijs

Seriously, no other god would put up with us for as long as The Living God of the Bible. Every morning we’re awaken to a brand new day filled with hopeful promises of  fresh Mercy and Grace. Every evening we lie down confident that He who never sleeps nor slumbers will watch over us, protecting and shielding us from dangers seen and unseen, sustaining our bodies, assuring that every particle of flesh and bone is in perfect alignment with its ordained purpose and functioning at the precise rhythm of its appointed origin, without any assistance from us. (Ref. Psalm 121:4) Awemaazin!

Nevertheless, at the first hint or threat that our circumstances aren’t going the way we think they ought to go, immediately we are stricken with an acute case of fatalistic-selective amnesia, forgetting that that Self-Same-God of The Universe Who has elected to be our Father also rules and reigns over the affairs of his most precious creation, humanity!

Unfortunately, our tendency to adapt to the world’s mindset that says, ‘if I don’t, nobody else will’, often lands us smack-dab-center–staged in the valley of despair victimized by fear of lack and hopelessly doomed to looming defeat and death. The truth of the matter is, God never intended us to live independent of Him in any area of our lives!

However, it’s the all-consuming task of our adversary, Satan, to keep us so pre-occupied with our personal comfort that it takes a conscious concerted self-determined humility to commit our entire being into the Hands of our Faithful Savior, fully trusting that He’s already provided everything that will ever be needed to prosper in this life and the life to come!  (Ref. 2 Peter 1:3)  OMG! #Didjaheardat?

As our scripture text unfolds, we see The Sovereign Teacher, using a season of severe drought and famine as the Lesson Plan, to test and strengthen the faith of both His servant Elijah and the un-named widow of Zarephath. The Prophet of God had oftentimes experienced the miracle working power of God’s Grace to deliver him triumphantly over his enemies. Yet when suddenly confronted by a new threat to take him out, finds himself hiding at the Kerith Ravine on the other side of The Jordan River being waited on by God-Sent Ravens. Then God orders him to leave that place and go to another place where he’d find a woman, who God had instructed to feed him. Being the obedient servant that he was, Elijah obeyed.  Howevrrr, unbeknownst to him, this woman was dealing with her own desperately dramatic circumstances. In fact, by the time Elijah got there, she’d made a decision to prepare this last meal for herself and her son after which they’d both die and it would all be over!

God is not limited to temporary situations, neither is His power diminished by our finite ability to accurately assess what, how, where or when He dispenses out miracles. Notwithstanding, God’s miraculous intervention is sometimes limited by our personal willingness to trust Him to do whatever He promises for us! Hence, we must take care to not miss our miracle because it doesn’t look like what we expect.

For instance, imagine if Elijah had allowed the outward appearance and the initial assumption of the woman’s distressing circumstances to direct his steps? He would’ve missed another opportunity to testify to the Glory of The True Source and Sustainer of Life! And, if the widow woman had allowed her wearied fluctuating state of emotions and even the reality of physical hunger to confine her to her own plan, she and her son would’ve missed their Divine Visitation!

The scripture also makes mention that God did not instantly pour down a whole barrel of oil and a full bin of flour. And we know that HE COULD’VE! However, each day The Good Shepherd supplied them with a sufficient portion of bread and oil from the bottom of the vessels! (Ref. Matthew 6:11) Apparently, it is the delight of our Heavenly Father to joyfully greet and so graciously meet the needs of those who offer their personal trust and confidence to Him one day at a time!

REMEMBER…THEY DID EAT! FROM THE BOTTOM UP!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee