Tag Archives: acceptance

THE HERITAGE OF THE FOOLISH !

Leave a reply

 

MORNING GLORAAA

 

ETERNAL TRUTHS!

 

Surely He scorns the scornful, But gives grace to the humble. The wise shall inherit glory, But shame shall be the legacy of fools. Proverbs 3:34-35

The heart of a fool is shapened by his continuous rejection of Godly Wisdom and Understanding and is committed to the ridicule of righteousness! God treats that man with contempt therefore bequeaths him the legacy of shame!

BUT GOD shall establish the humble, who refrain from wickedness, esteeming the soundness of Godly Wisdom with Understanding, with enduring riches of glory, honor, safety, discretion, inner peace and Eternal Life!

Good understanding giveth favour: but the way of transgressors is hard.

Prov. 13:15

MAN’S DECISIONS DETERMINE WHETHER HE RECEIVES HIS JUST PENALTY OR INHERITS GOD’S GRACE AND FAVOR! #ijs…LIVE WISELY, LIVE WELL!

THE HERITAGE OF A FOOL!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

ETERNAL TRUTHS! #CARE2SHARE #WOW

THURSDAYS’ PRAYERS!

Leave a reply

prayn-and-fasting-pic

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

Good Morning my Precious Bros. And Sistas! GOTTA MOMENT?

Didjaknow, that the only reason u r able to read this post is because Our Heavenly Father has blessed u to be alive one more day? And for that, please join us in exalting The Glorious Name of Jesus! As is our custom on Thursdays, we encourage you to join us in our weekly day of Corporate Prayer and Fasting between 6:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Is there any among you sick, weak, afflicted, ill-treated or faint-hearted, then as James 5:13 instructs, let’s pray!

Great is Thy Faithfulness, O God our Father! There is no shadow of turning with Thee. Thy changes not; Thy compassions fail not; as Thou hast beenThou forever wilt be! Morning by morning new mercies I see; ALL I HAVE NEEDED THY HAND HATH PROVIDED—GREAT IS THY FAITHFULNESS, LORD UNTO ME!

 

Abba Father, today, it is with exceeding joy that we entreat Thy Seat of Mercy! Trusting confidently that You have afforded us this awesome honor and privilege not because we deserve it, but based solely on Your Loving-Kindness towards us, that draws us into Your All Emcompassing Presence. Sweet Jesus, we thankya for Your Faithful Obedience to please The Heart of The Father by sacrificing Your Life in our stead, that we might become Sons of The True and Living God! And for this cause, we bow in humble gratitude, fully aware that as we come before You, empty and void of anything that would warrant such awesome graciousness, but because Your Righteousness we are now the beneficiary of All that You are in the Eyes of God!

Jesus, we know that You already know everything about every single one of us, because You are Omnisient and Omnipresent, but because You walked among us, allowing Yourself to be tempted at all point as we are, You learned what we experience in these earthly tabernacles and can be touched with the feelings of our infirmities! Therefore You, as our Great High Priest, are able to intercede on our behalf continuously searching and conveying the thoughts, intents, emotions and physical weaknesses that we’re often unable to articulate to The Father of All Grace, Compassion and Comfort! We thankya Lord, for being our Very Present Help! We ask that You hear our hearts confessing our sins, known and unknown,  that You will apply Your Blood over us, forgiving and cleansing us from all unrighteousness.

Lord, while we try to please You by trusting in Your Word, sometimes, it’s difficult to over-ride the noises of the pestilences, the chaos of uncertainty and the pain of condemnation, guilt, and shame that seems to lure us into the valleys shadowed with danger, fear, anger, bitterness, anxiety, hopelessness and self-doubt! That’s why we gladly run to You, daily finding refuge, peace, restoration that You have prepared for any who would come to You in hope-filled assurance that You will never deny Your Word!

Heavenly Father, we bless You for continuing to renew our strength, understanding and power as we open our hearts to You, by depending and relying only on You. And as we humbly yield our entire being before You, we pray for those who have yet to receive The Saving Grace of Jesus, believing You to ignite a spirit of Godly-repentance that drives them to come today, surrendering their lives to You, confessing  out of their mouths “a sincere YES”  flowing from hearts that seeking a personal relationship with The Only Savior and Lord of Life

Sweet Holy Spirit, we ask You to put a “FRESH COMMITTED  YES” in the heart and mind of every backslider so that this will be their day to come back to You and come back to YOUR  local church that they may be accepted, restored, nurtured, encouraged and committed to live the rest of their lives according to Your Will and Ways.

Father, please touch our brother, touch our sister who has been afflicted by any sickness and disease, including the spirit of cancer, kidney failure, high blood pressure, low blood pressure and rebuke and cast it out at the root, for Your Name Sake. We come into agreement with Your Word and declare 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! And as You are strengthening these, we ask that you also envigorate, encourage and replenish the spirits, minds and bodies of those who are charged to care for their loved ones!

Lord, as always, we pray for every believer who is yet holding on to Your Hand by faith today, trusting that You will release Divine power, Supernatural strength, consolation, health, provision, prosperity and protection.

We pray also Father, that You preserve them thru the tests that they must go thru and keep them constantly aware of YOUR PRESENCE and fully-confident that at Your pre-determined appointed time, You shall bring them out wholly restored, renewed, refreshed and with the reward as You have promised them in Your Word.

Father  God, we lift up every spiritual leader, asking an immediate manifestation of that special miracle for each and every one of them who are yet standing on the wall proclaiming Your Word under the conviction Power and Anointing of Holy Spirit. Continue to open doors and make straight the  paths before them; bind every spirit that’s been assigned to hinder them from fulfiling every vision and dream that You’ve placed in their hearts and minds! Send those to lift their arms, encourage and undergird them as they seek to be a blessing to those that You’ve charged them to shepherd!

Jesus, we’re trusting and believing You to equip them by Your Grace to be the living examples 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 their lives serving You!

Father, once again, we come lifting up our children, our grandchildren and great-grand children! By faith we rebuke and cancel every scheme that Satan desires to inflict upon them! We’re committing them into Your Providential care, covered by The Blood of Jesus! We acknowledge that from their Mothers’ wombis, You have a plan and purpose for their lives; therefore, we have the Blessed Assurance that their steps  and stops are being ordered by Your eyes and they shall NOT DIE prematurely VUT THEY SHALL LIVE  A LONG LIFE to declare the wonderous works of The LORD!

Precious Lord, stir up the hearts and minds of those who are professing Your Name with a fresh desire and passion for an even greater personal, intimate relationship with Creator God through fellowship of Holy Spirit that they might prove what is the perfect and acceptable will of The Lord Jesus!

As You Sovereignly Rule and Reign over the affairs of mankind, we’re praying for  President Trump and his family! Surround him with advisors and counselors who have a holy reverence and  can’t resist the directive and instructions of Holy Spirit!  We rebuke ungodly influence assigned over this region and we bind every transmission of evil, wicked and corrupt communication surrounding this nation, as we declare and decree that no weapon that is formed against this nation shall prosper.

Sweet Holy Spirit, endow the hearts of your people with a peace that surpasses all understanding and the confident expectation that because we’re citizens of Your Kingdom, regardless of the mass deceitfulness of this world, our times are in Your Hands and You have promised to protect, provide and preserve the righteous who trust and obey Your Word!

We ask that you continue to open the eyes of understanding so that Your people are not easily deceived by those who would desire to enslave us to everything that which You have delivered us from.

Abba Father, help us to understand that salvation only comes to those who trust in the Name of Your First Begotten Son, Jesus ALONE as the Only Power to save us. Give us a sign of Your Goodness, that our enemies may see it and be put to shame. For You, O Lord who searches minds and hearts will continue to shield, help, comfort and saveYour servants whose hearts are upright before You.

Father, we believe that every demonic-induced spirit of temptation, addiction, rejection, self-hate, suicide, fear and failure is already defeated by Your Anointing and that the Spirit of Love, Power and Sound-mindness is being released now, in Jesus Name! We declare and decree that all those who are pregnant with evil and conceives trouble shall give birth to disillusionment. Anyone who digs a hole and scoops it out shall fall into the pit he has made and the trouble he causes on others shall recoil on himself and every violent scheme that he devises against God’s Elect shall come down on his own head.

Father, we rejoice now in confidence and quietness, trusting wholly that all workers of iniquity are trembling and suddenly departing in hopeless, helpless, shameful defeat, because You have heard the voice of our weeping, our supplications and received our prayers as sweet savor coming up before Your Sovereign Throne of Grace and Mercy, You will not withold Your Mercy from us and Your Love and Your Truth is a wall around us!

Abba Father, we thank You for listening to our prayer and because You are listening, WE KNOW AND BELIEVE THAT WE HAVE RECEIVED THOSE THINGS, OFFERED BEFORE YOU, ACCORDING TO YOUR WILL! THEREFORE, we bow in holy reverence, honor and praise with Thanksgiving! For we trust and believe that it is done! In The Exalted Name of Jesus. Amen & Halleleujah 3X and It Is So!

BE ENCOURAGED!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

WHO LET THE DOGS OUT?

Leave a reply

WHO LET THE DOGS OUT

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

There are many wayward people, smooth talkers, and deceivers—especially the converts from Judaism. They must be silenced because they are disrupting entire families with their corrupt teachings, all for their dishonest greed. A certain one of them, one of their own prophets, said, “Those Cretans are nothing but liars, worthless beasts, and lazy gluttons.” He certainly knew what he was talking about! For this reason, correct them thoroughly so that their lives will line up with the truths of our faith. instruct them not to pay any attention to Jewish myths or follow the teachings of those who reject the truth,  It’s true that all is pure to those who have pure hearts, but to the corrupt unbelievers nothing is pure. Their minds and consciences are defiled.  They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are disgusting, disobedient, and disqualified from doing anything good. Titus 1:10-16 TPT

 

 

Mama told me there’d be days like this! BUT, C’mon nah! Who ever thought that progress would be interpreted as truth being despised and irrelevant, deceitfulness, pride, arrogance and greed is extolled while integrity is detested, trust is impaired according to the circumstances of any given moment and hope is deferred as justice bows to social elitism, racial prejudice and party preference! AND ALL THIS IS MAKING AMERICA GREAT AGAIN? #Don’tshoutmedown, nah? A matter of perspective, huh?

TRUTHBTOLD, The Holy Scriptures are being unfolded, live and in living color, right before the eyes of the discerning who yet ascribe to the concept of Biblical Absolutes! Shocking, right? The lawlessness, chaos, confusion, uncertainties, frustration caused by the desolation of moral codes is the inevitable response when the righteous commands are resisted by the rebelliousness of a culture determined to evict the Sovereignty of the LORD GOD ALMIGHTY favoring to do what’s right in their own eyes!

BUT can somebody say, “THANKSB2GOD!” Knowing everything that could, should and would transpire before the foundation of the world, GOD, has made provision through HIS ETERNAL WORD to fulfill HIS DIVINE Plan and Purpose for His most precious of creation’s restoration and reconciliation! Rest assured Beloved, nothing has, can or ever will happen in the earth (and your life) that takes God by surprise! When it seems as if everything is fallen to the dogs and hell is winning, remember, KING JESUS IS STILL ON THE THRONE, REIGNING & RULING OVER THE AFFAIRS OF MANKIND!

And while the rage of the dogs’ barking seems to be drowning out The Voice of Holy Spirit, don’t get it twisted! God’s got them on a lease! Beloved, although we’re living in a season of spiritual darkness, we don’t faint in fear but we boldly walk by faith in the Light of HIS ETERNAL WORD! In the midst of spiritual famine, we remain undaunted, steadfast, courageous, focusing and trusting JESUS, The Author and Finisher of our our Faith.

Your Heavenly Father promised, “ I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU NOR FORSAKE YOU! (Ref. Heb. 13:5) At God’s appointed time The Glory of God SHALL ARISE,  bringing about a Divine Reversal! The first shall be last and the last shall be first! (Mark 10:31)

Blessed is the one who has made the Lord, his trust! Psalm 40:4

GOD MAKES EVERYTHING BEAUTIFUL, IN HIS OWN TIME! STAND STILL & SEE THE SALVATION OF THE LORD! TRUST2KNO, Destiny’s calling 2 shut the dogs mouths!

NOW, #TRUMPDAT!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

WHATZ N YOUR HEART?

Leave a reply

WHAT'S IN UR HEART

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

And you shall remember the whole way that the Lord your God has led you these forty years in the wilderness, that he might humble you, testing you to know what was in your heart, whether you would keep his commandments or not. And he humbled you and let you hunger and fed you with manna, which you did not know, nor did your fathers know, that he might make you know that man does not live by bread alone, but man lives by every word that comes from the mouth of the Lord. Deuteronomy 8:2-3 ESV

 

We’ve all been there! At some point in this journey, we’ve found ourselves, barraged by seemingly insurmountable odds stacked against us, huh? There I was, sitting there unsuccessfuly attempting to make a 911 connection to The Throne Room. This one, was a time sensitive—not later—but I need YOU right nah—Lord situation! As my eyes skimmed over to my laptop and I realized that somehow it was in the middle of running an unscheduled scan! Immediately, I understood what the Holy Spirit was trying to do in me.

Remember when you thought you knew, but didn’t really know? Exactly! It’s during these moments of mental confusions and conflicting emotions that we need the aid of Holy Spirit. According to Isaiah 11:2, no one but The Spirit of Truth and Wisdom, can scan the the inner most chambers of the human heart, assess the situation, identify the dangerous infectious viral components, quarantine and eliminate them before they’re able to contaminate our heart’s drive! WOW, and He was doing this way before Bill Gates or Steve Job! Awemaazing, huh? 

With that being said, once again I had to admit that before I could make a right connection with Jesus, I had to clear the line! No, God was not saying that my issue was not valid, but that there was an even more life-threating situation that demanded immediate attention. There was something crucial going on in my heart that I was not willing to confront and deal with at the root! Sometimes we do that, you know? We like to justify our rebellion by playing the blame game. “Lord, if they hadn’t….then I never would’ve …” But God wasn’t buying none of that!

There’s no denying that there’s something embedded in the DNA of humanity that resists repentance.  C’mon, don’t shout me down nah! #ijs!!!

It’s difficult for us to acknowledge that we’re at fault. It’s a whole lot easier for us to judge others by their actions and ourselves by our good intentions, huh? But God is not intimidated by our self-deceiving, willful, prideful hearts NOR IS HE IMPRESSED BY OUR CHURCH TESTIMONIES!

God strategically sets up unscheduled heart scans to illuminate potentially critial viruses that left untreated could result in the hardening of the arteries causing damaging blockages. For instance, that spirit of jealosy, envy, anger, resentment, bitterness and yessss the unforgiveness haboring in the crevices of your heart against someone, who probably doesn’t even know it! You know how fake the saints can be sometimes. Problem is, chances are before the end of the day, you’ll probably gonna need somebody to forgive you for something! The scripture is clear on this, if you don’t forgive others, neither will Your Heavenly Father forgive you your faults! (Ref. Matthew 6:15) OMG! Kinda sheds a different light on it, huh?

Beloved, I don’t know about you, but I NEED THE MERCY AND GRACE OF GOD, ALL DAY…EVERY DAY! Don’t look at me with that tone of voice, Y’all know I ain’t by myself!

I know it’s not always easy, especially when you’re the one who’s been hurt. But considering the repercussions, sounds to me like, by GOD’S Grace, whatever the offense, we just need to release it, drop it, leave it and let God handle it! God always knows everything about everything –and we don’t!

SO, WHAT’S REALLY IN YOUR HEART? #GOD REALLY KNOWS!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

HIGHER PRAIZ!

Leave a reply

HIGHER PRAIZ 2

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

Praise waiteth for thee, O God, in Sion: and unto thee shall the vow be performed. O thou that hearest prayer, unto thee shall all flesh come. Psalm 65:1-2

We have thought, “O God, on Your lovingkindness, in the midst of Your temple.According to Your name, O God, So is Your praise to the ends of the earth; Your right hand is full of righteousness. Let Mount Zion rejoice. Let the daughters of Judah be glad, Because of Your judgments. Psalm 48:9-11

Lift up your hands in the sanctuary, and bless the LORD. Psalm 134:2

 

Being Pentecostal, born and bred, means that I am accustomed, and I might add, an extremely willing participant, to exuberant praise and worship. So can you imagine my surprise, to discover that God-Honored Adoration is not necessarily limited to loud singing, hand-clappin’, foot-stomppin, shoutin’ and dancing to drum thumping, key-board tickling, guitar pick’n tunes escalating His Glory!

WHOKNU? There is a high praise in God, where the weary souls, thirsty and hungry for an escape from the chaos and confusion of this world’s clamor, finding rest, peace, security, strength and hope, fall prostrate into HIS PRESENCE!

There’s a secret place, a Cleft hued out in The Impregnable Rock of Salvation, where mere words are no longer necessary, and sighs are welcomed, giving way to hope-filled silence, birthing unspoken-bellows of acceptable obedient prayers and God-Centered Praise and Worship!

There is an epiphany where we all must ascribe to reach in God, where we practice appreciation and respect for HIM by disciplining ourselves, focusing our minds and making a conscious decision that regardless of my circumstances, I’m going to Bless God—not just for all of His Goodness to me—BUT for WHO HE IS!

In this lofty estate, time spent waiting on The Lord is no longer full of anxious frustration, but quiet peaceful resting in child-like confident anticipation, trusting that you’re being kept safely, far from your conspirators’ reach, hidden in The Glory of His WONDEROUS PRESENCE.

As God’s Chosen, you’re surrounded by a Fortress, whose Builder and Maker is The Creator of The Universe, where we can breathe easily, waiting patiently, for as long as HE says,  fully assured that everything we will ever need and hope for comes from HIM—JESUS!

#DIDJAHEARDAT? The Holy Spirit is calling! Be still, in that ‘Peace-Filled-Knowing’ that all of your Help and Hope of Glory abides in The All-Powerful God,  EL SHADDAI…your FATHER AND your GOD!  NOW THAT’S A HIGHER PRAISE! #WOW #AWEMAAZIN, huh?

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

UNREASONABLE HOPE?

Leave a reply

UNREASONABLE HOPE

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: 1 Peter 3:15

 

Daily, the end-time prophetic utterances are being actualized in real-time-illustrated- sermons. You don’t have to be a Biblical Scholar or Seminar Theologian to recognize that we’re living in troubling times and that the end is nearer now than its ever been. The world is spirialing towards Eternity at the speed of life and there’s absolutely nothing man can do to effectively change the course of destiny! Except humble himself and surrender his life to His Creator! The problem is, far too many are yet unwilling to accept Truth even as it’s glaring at us right between our eyes. What’s up with dat?  Perhaps we might glean some insight from The Bible.

And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. John 3:19.

Honestly, The Bible never tells us that after we make the decision to live holy, as unto The Lord, that we can just relax stretched out on a flowery bed of ease. Yet, it does promise rewards of a better life than those who refuse to accept The Savior’s Amazing Grace. Nevertheless, far too many still opt to take the pathway of least resistance. Falling prey to the assumption that rejection liberates them from that pesty notion called ‘accountability’, they prefer the more popular alleyway of “I’m the master of my own destiny; therefore I’ll do whatever seems right in my own mind for as long as I feel like it! And IF there is a GOD, then I expect Him to calculate my good and evil deeds and compassionately determine that since I’m not like so and so, He’ll let me come thru The Pearly Gates.”

Unfortunately, sometimes the-saints don’t fare much better! When challenged by unfavorable situations, fear and doubt will slither in, causing us to erroneously accuse and attack the Faithfulness of Jehovah Jireh with a “Where are you GOD? Why is this happening to me? I am born-again, I’ve been baptized. I’m not perfect, but I deserve better than this. Besides, I thought we’re no longer under the Law but under The Dispensation of Grace. So EVEN if I still walk in unfaithful disobedience, God, you know my heart, right?”

Ironically, the more holy your lifestyle, the more of a target of unsavory rejection and reproof you become to those who choose not to live Godly. Evidently, your Godliness testifies against their Godlessness! (Ref. 2 Timothy 3:12) Is there any wonder that our (those of us who actually believe that The Holy Bible is The Word of God) attempts to share TRUTH are often ‘buked and scorned, castoff with disgust, as if we’re such an annoying nuisance? That is until The Adversary rips into their comfortable lives threatening to destroy their self-orchestrated world! Can I get a good Amen?

Oftimes, these frantic inquirers have no clue that trouble does not discriminate between the just and the unjust. In fact, it’s almost as if Satan gets a double-kick out of terrorizing the saints even more than those rebellious unbelievers. Kinda makes you wonder if demons are rewarded with trophies for bringing down God’s Elect!

Nonetheless, God allows tests and trials to strike our lives, knowing full well that there’s a group of haters watching and waiting for you to faith, fail and fall! Remember, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.” Psalm 23:4-5

Hence, the greater the darkness, the brighter Light shines! It’s almost unfair, considering the supernatural advantage that we, who no longer rely on fate-based-circumstantial-evidence, have over the unregenerated souls. But, then again; favor ain’t fair!  #ijs

When the world sees you still standing, having endured the ravaging assault of hell’s fiery darts, surviving the very same pitfalls, hardships and struggles, yet determined to sanctify our hearts, trusting God regardless of what the circumstances look like! Talk about a REAL living testimony, huh?

Can you imagine the devastating gut-ravishing rage that your commitment to Christ causes in the Kingdom of Darkness? More importantly, can you imagine the joy, applauds, shouting and dancing erupting from Heaven’s angelic hosts, not to mention the cloud of witnesses cheering us on? (Ref. Hebrews 12:1) NOW AIN’T DAT AMAZING!

Come what may…whatever we go through, we have The Blessed Assurance that our Victory is inevitable! Okay, now that’s just too good to keep to yourself!

That’s exactly why we gotta keep telling everybody that what we have reaches far beyond this world and RESTS SOLELY IN THE ETERNAL HOPE PERSONIFIED, THE LORD JESUS CHRIST WHO REIGNS FOREVER! #SOUNDREASONABLE? #WOW!!!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

NON-NEGOTIABLE

1 Reply

NON-NEGOTIABLE2

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom you will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. Joshua 24:15

 

Who nu? Dictionary.com would have so many different definitions of the word ‘DEBATE’!

So, I’ve decided to add my compilation synopsis to the list. Here goes:

“To engage in formal/informal discussion, argumentation or disputation with another person or group, to deliberate upon, to consider and/or to contend for or over opposing viewpoints, in which the affirmative and negatives side of a proposition are advocated by opposing speakers”

Now, ain’t that a mouth-full? No wonder there’s seems to be no end to the perplexity of issues up for debate, huh?

The ancient Grecians were famous for their fascination with prolific debating practices. There’s still open-ending discussions regarding whether the art of Grecian debate played a significant role in developing today’s American society… or not. Apparently, while many antiquities of social traditions are extinct, the debate goes on and on!

One might ascertain that Humanity’s Inalienable Right to freely express his/her own opinions and to make choices regarding issues they presume relevant, sets us above all other creation, or not!

This concept of “either /or” has existed since the Garden of Eden. God allowed Adam to exercise his freedom of choice giving him access to a garden variety of luscious fruit to select from, with the exception of one particular tree; The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. (Ref. Genesis 2:17) And we all know how that worked out! Huh?

Temptation makes it extremely difficult to resist engaging in some form of debate. Does chocolate taste better than vanilla? Are Marines better equipped than The Navy Seals? Is marriage better than remaining single? Creation vs. Evolution?

Logic leads us to this conclusion. Even though we do have the freedom and power to choose our actions, when it comes to the consequences of our decisions, it’s completely out of our hands. God’s Sovereignty over His Creation is NOT UP FOR DEBATE! Hence, there are some decisions that command intentional consciencous reflection, consultation and evaluation because the aftermath of an erroneous selection is irrevocable!

Unfortunately, this often doesn’t sit well with some. Many a disillusioned soul has taken issue to this kind of ‘authoritative manipulation’ resulting in habitual sinful rebellion. But! God looks down from His Throne and laughs at this foolish obstinacy! (Ref. Psalm 2:4)

The Great Debate continues to infiltrate various sects of society. Hence, Absolutes vs. No Absolutes! Either you are male or female, saved or lost, spiritual or religious, Calvinism vs. Arminianism? Does God exist or not? Is there One God or many? Is Jesus Lord of all or not at all? Apparently, there will always be those who disagree with with our preferences, yet there’s no denying that these tough issues warrant careful deliberation! 

Amazingly,  the Graciousness of a Holy God still allows man the power of choice to either bow now or bow later! #ijs

Beloved, may I submit for your consideration, BEFORE YOU RESPOND, TAKE A MOMENT TO PAUSE AND PONDER! AFTER ALL, THE CONSEQUENCES ARE ETERNAL! IT’S EITHER HEAVEN OR HELL! BELIEVE it or NOT, ultimately, The Word of God is NON-NEGOTIABLE!  #WOW #Didjaheardat?

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

FATE OR FAITH

Leave a reply

FATE OR FAITH3

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and Eliab’s anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle. And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause?  1 Samuel 17:28-29

The Lord is My Shepherd, I shall not want! Psalm 23:1

 
Life is challenging! WOW! Is that ever grossly understated?

If you can’t say Amen then like the ol’ saints used to say, ‘Jus keep getting up in the morning and going to bed in the evenings!’ Surely surely, sooner or later you’ll get the depth of the revelation, huh? Regardless of how your attempt to walk circumspectly, there is always going to be something or someone who’s sole purpose in existing is to challenge your peace, patience, prosperity, position or your purpose. #ijs

Here’s the clincher! Sometimes your worst adversity comes from your own house! I mean, one might expect opposition competing for a job, after all the unemployment rate being as high as it is. And of course, given the diminishing numbers of viable bachelors/bachelorettes these day you kinda know how steep the competition is for someone looking for the whole package (head, body and heart). But when you gotta overcome rejection and disrespect from those who are closest to you, even your own brothers and sistas, well that’s a beast of an entirely different species!

Most of the time when 1 Samuel 17 is preached or taught Goliath stands out as David’s most prominent archenemy! Yet, upon closer observation of the context, David faced serious opposition even before he dealt with the 10 ft. Philistine. Remember what happened that day God sent Samuel to anoint the next King of Israel? (Ref. 1 Samuel 16) Well, it was only after much resistance from his own Father, Jessie, that David was even considered an option. Isn’t it something when your own kinfolk can only see you the way you used to be or never acknowledge that where you are now is not necessarily your final destination?

Even more grueling, is rising above those who’re secretly intimidated by your desire to excel to dimensions beyond where they’ve chosen to settle in the comfort of complacency, paralyzed by their fears rather than risk failure. 

But the young shepherd boy had somehow learned that when you can’t find support or encouragement from without, you don’t give up! Flip the script by looking to the only One Who’s qualified to determine your true worth or define your destiny is The Creator and Giver of Life, The Lord Almighty! Down thru the years, David had learned how to draw strength and to encourage himself by trusting in the Unfailing Love he found in The Presence of His Shepherd, Yahweh, translated, I AM THE ONE, or I AM WHAT I AM!

While most of us can look back at those ‘almostsesses’  and rekindle those undeniable ‘look what the Lord has done moments’, sometimes it takes us a while to realize the folly of depending on self …and others, to get out of our mess, huh? Fortunately, when we do finally come to the end of ourselves, we must recognize that when God decides to bless you, it doesn’t matter who tries to curse you! In fact, I’d dare say that it behooves any who attempt to mistreat or abuse a Child of God, to be careful. God loves His children and doesn’t cotton much to those who seek their destruction. Oh Gggglorrra!

In the midst of foreboding clouds of impending threats, persecutions, peer pressure, hopelessness and despair, we jus gotta believe that nothing just happens! Inspite of all the circumstantial evidence, GOD IS IN TOTAL CONTROL of our steps and our stops! Needless to say, He rarely fills us in on the details, nevertheless He assures us that in Him, we are more than conquerors! (Ref. Romans 8:37) Hence, the precious personal revelations awaiting you as you place your faith in His Irrefutable Word, is well worth enduring the weight of confronting every challenge!

Beloved, God’s got a plan for your life and IT’S ALL GOOD AND YES, IT ALL TRUE! You jus gotta fight the good fight of faith to win! God appoints Divine Coincidences! NOW…IS THAT NOT A CAUSE? FATE OR FAITH?

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray and Praiz!

Ann Caffee

OUT ON A LIMB…

1 Reply

out-on-a-limb-2

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

And when Jesus came to the place, he looked up, and saw him, and said unto him, Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to day I must abide at thy house. And he made haste, and came down, and received him joyfully. And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner. And Zacchaeus stood, and said unto the Lord; Behold, Lord, the half of my goods I give to the poor; and if I have taken any thing from any man by false accusation, I restore him fourfold.

And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. Luke 19:5-10

 

According to the latest statistics of The US Census Bureau regarding the world population in 2016, there are approximately 7,346,235,000 people on earth, as of August 23, 2016! These numbers are expected to increase at a rate of 1.13% annually! WOW! Who Knu?

Have you ever gazed up at the night sky  and wondered, ‘IS THERE ANYONE WHO REALLY CARES ABOUT ME?’ Oooh, I’m not saying that You don’t know that GOD is REAL and believe that HIS WORD IS TRUTH! But, I’m just wondering if you’ve ever entertained the thought, given the enormity of individuals inhabiting Terra Firma, ‘What’s the chance that God has time to be concerned about what’s going on in my life, at any given moment? I mean, something like 1 in 7 billion? YET! That’s exactly what The HOLY BIBLE says! While many are called, The God of all flesh chooses us, name by name!

Perhaps, Zacchaeus pondered these very thoughts before risking public humiliation in front of the ever increasing crowds of folk who followed this new Prophet from Galilee! Being the Chief Tax Collector, he was already ostracized as it was. Yall know how folk feel about the IRS. Unless it involves a refund check, huh? Even though Zacchaeus was at the top of his profession and apparently extremely wealthy, we can safely assume that he didn’t have a whole lot of real friends. But for reasons, yet undisclosed by Scriptures, when he heard that Jesus was passing through town, Zacchaeus was driven by a passionate desire to get close to Jesus!

Now, we know that nothing Jesus did was by happenstance; wherever He went, He was sent on assignment. Nonetheless, who would  ever expect Jesus to make time out of His busy schedule for a face-to-face encounter with the likes of Zacchaeus! According to historical accounts, Jesus, Himself had testified that it’s easier to get a camel through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to get into Heaven. (Ref. Matthew 19:24) No! It’s not because The Father just wants poor folk, but because most wealthy people believe that everything they’ve accomplished, they’ve achieved on their own. So there’s no reason to submit to nobody—especially an Invisible Superior Being. After all, when this life is over, it’s over! Right?

Apparently, life had led Zacchaeus to the inevitable conclusion, ‘With all that I have, it’s still not enough to make me whole. Something missing, and from the stories I’ve heard, perhaps this MAN, JESUS, can fill the gaping hole in my life!’  Zacchaeus’ decision was eternally life-changing for himself as well as his family! He determined within himself that he would not allow anything to stand between his soul and His Savior. Hence, he ran ahead of the crowd, climbed a sycamore tree and went out on a limb to make sure that he didn’t miss Jesus!

I must confess, having grown up vertically challenged, I know what it’s like to be the runt of the pack, never quite measuring up to the crowd, as if you had a choice in being who God created you to be!

Unfortunately, the crowds aren’t the only things that keep some people from getting close to Jesus.! What about, pride, self-righteousness, education, careers, drinking and druggin, adultery and fornication, lying and cheating? And we can’t forget what would happen when the people we hang out with find out that we’ve given our lives completely over to Jesus 4 REAL! Yeah, sometimes we might have to climb over a whole lotta stuff to get to Jesus, huh? Nevertheless, like Zach, sooner or later everyone must answer, why am I here, where am I going and what am I going to do about Jesus? Whether we decide to accept or reject the Savior’s free gift of Grace, not one of us can remain indifferent!

Zach said, ‘I’m going to do whatever I need to do to get to the only ONE, who truly knows me, loves me and believes that I was worth dying for!’ Amazingly, Jesus knowing exactly where Zacchaeus was, spoke to him specifically as if He was the only person that He’d come to see! The Good News is…Jesus doesn’t play favorites! #didjaheardat?

Beloved, you are somebody special to Jesus! The Ol’ Skool preacha said, “He left His Home in Glory, came down thru 40 and 2 generations, was mocked, jailed, beaten, crucified, died, was buried, went down to hell before ascending back to Heaven, to be seated at the right side of The Father Eternally! There now, as our Great High Priest, He intercedes on our behalf, pleading for mercy, forgiveness and grace, waiting for you and I to come to the end of ourselves and seek SINCERELY after Him with all our hearts, minds, body and spirit!

The next question is, what risks are you willing to take to reach Jesus? What are you willing to let go of to lay hold of everything that Christ has prepared for you? How far are you willing to go to get closer to Him? #OUTONALIMB! #REALLY?

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

BACK 2 THE FUTURE

1 Reply

BACK2 DA FUTURE2

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

Stand at the crossroads and look; ask for the ancient paths, ask where the good way is, and walk in it, and you will find rest for your souls, But you said, ‘We will not walk in it.’ Jeremiah 6:16

 

Okay! I gotta confess, our family might be a bit eccentric! But, c’mon, ever met anyone’s clan who wasn’t, huh?  YEAH, RIGHT! 

One of the personal proclivities of our household is the weekly (or daily for the patriarch) excursions to every thrift store within a 20 mile radius of our home. Overtime, the quest to recruit followers has been somewhat successful, amongst the older members of the family. However, the considerable efforts to pass down this soul rewarding heritage to future generations, have most often been met with extreme resistance! Obviously, the young’ns have yet to developed the palate necessary to distinguish (#appreciatethevalue) old from vintage!

Hence, may I submit for your consideration, that these same sentiments can  perhaps be attributed, spiritually, to the world at large! Don’t shout me down, now? Seriously! Given the spirit of this 21st Century Age of comtemporarized, unconventional, ambiguity, tolerance and self-motivated righteousness, apparently there’s little need and even less desire to conform to the irrelevant, antiquated dictatorship of The Holy Bible! After all, look what we’ve already done! Jus check out the mind-blowing accomplishments that we’ve attained just in the past 100 years, right?

To be honest, in a high-tech synthetic world of rockets, jets, cruiseliners, skycrapers and paved roadways, voice activated iphones and ipads…one might easily get caught up in a world where nature is generally overlooked! It’s no wonder that we tend to ignore The Creator and glorify creation! I mean, it’s kinda foolish to serve a God that you can’t even explain, when our sophisticated intellectual contemporary world appears to offer every kind of solutions to any problems that we face, right?

I’m sure you know by now that there’s always going to be plenty of folk around you who will tell you that ‘all you gotta do’ is keep on trying; pull yourself up by your bootstraps, and remember you da man 2 make it happen, right? But as good as that sounds, what do you do when you ain’t got no boots?

Life has a way of suddenly intruding upon, unannounced and uninvited, and dismantling the perfect 5-year plan that we’ve conjured up, leaving you at the crossroads of clueless, helpless and worse yet hopeless as how to recover and reconnect the broken pieces! It’s  usually at this point, that our Heavenly Father, reaches down into the pits of our vanity and depravity and draws us into a personal encounter with the Creator of Life, Love, Faith for Peace and Joy! It’s in this state that we discover that the true meaning and purpose for our being is to praise and glorify HIM!

As Holy Spirit begins to reveal Godself to you through The Word and intimate communion (prayer) the eyes of your understanding is enlighten and you recognize that the path for right living has already been marked out by God before the foundation of the world!

Unfortunately, even today, so few will choose to leave the glitz and glamour of the wide road, going their own way, and venture off to the old narrow pathways to follow in the footsteps of The OneTrue Shepherd! Those who have lost (or were never privvy to) God’s Perspective of their lives, tend to minimize the benefits of being set apart to manifest the Glory of God’s Mercy and Grace to a people living in a world filled with the emptiness of gross darkness, lost yet consumed with persuing a hell-bound life of eternal devastation and destruction!

Everyday, we’re forced to make numerous decisions, however there’re those which have eternal consequences. Are you going to choose the old ways (God’s) or will you continue forging on new paths of your own way?

Don’t get it twisted, JESUS is STILL the ONLY WAY LEADING TO PEACE AND REST FOR YOUR SOUL! #BACK2DAFUTURE!!!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee