Tag Archives: Church

HALLELUJAHHHH!!!

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HALLELUJAH2!

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

Let them praise the name of the Lord: for his name alone is excellent; his glory is above the earth and heaven. He also exalteth the horn of his people, the praise of all his saints; even of the children of Israel, a people near unto him. Praise ye the Lord. Psalm 148:13-14

As a born-again and bred, Blood-washed, Holy Ghost baptized and filled in the Grand Ole Church of God in Christ, I know, personally, what it means when you hear the words ‘give honor to whom honor is due’! And if you’ve ever had the pleasure of attending one of their Holy Convocations or District meetings, I’m sure you do too! LOL!

Although we were trained in pulpit etiquette that once the podium is addressed the first time, it’s no longer necessary for every subsequent person to address the entire pulpiteers individually! At least, that’s what they told us. Nevertheless, some of us could not help ourselves from spending at least 8-10 minutes giving honor to ‘the Bishops, Superintendents, Pastors, Elders, District Missionaries, Evangelists, Deacons, Chairman of the Usher Boards, Choir Directors, Choir Member, Saints, Members and Friends before finally doing what they were asked to do!

Don’t get mad at me…on the inside, I’m still COGIC 2 DA BONE!

However, I’ve noticed that there’s only ONE NAME that’s uniquely and distinctly dignified with its own Exclusive Exaltation! And that’s the Name that’s above every other name that can ever be named! That name is JESUS!

When you understand the tremendous worth and exceedingly radiant glory impregnated in HIS NAME, the only acclamation that even comes close to befitting HIM is the ONE Divinely-inspired by the original praise and worship team (the angelic host) who continuously behold His Face, is ‘OH Glorraaaaa!’

Considering, according to Biblical Historians, the name YAHWEH was so sacred that uttering it was almost blashphemous, what an amazing honor that The Father has bestowed upon us that allows up to freely lift up The Name of His Son—JESUS! Awesome things happen, when you call upon Jesus because there’s extravagant power available to those who trust in the Name!

The world has purposed its own list of certain names that are synonymous with importance, wealth, fame, beauty, talent and intelligence such as Donald Trump, Oprah Winfrey, Rockefellow, Haley Berry, Magic Johnson and Sigmund Freud, to name a few. And while these names may carry a certain degree of clout and access among man, it does not impress God in the least. But there is a name that over-rides and over-rules everything seen and unseen. Talk about name-dropping, huh?

“That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; (Philippians 2:10)

No wonder, those who have been saved, healed, delivered and truly love the Lord, just can’t help but to worship the ONLY NAME WORTH praising at all—JESUS!

“ Let every thing that hath breath praise the Lord. Praise ye the Lord.” Psalm 150:6

#Didjaheardat? “HALLELUJAH!”

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

WHAAA? AN ANEMIC CHURRCH???

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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, worship 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! #Didjaheardat? #WOW!

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

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

WORD PROCESSORS

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WORD PROCESSORS

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

Let us therefore fear, lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it. For we which have believed do enter into rest, as he said, As I have sworn in my wrath, if they shall enter into my rest: although the works were finished from the foundation of the world. Hebrews 4:1-3

 

As followers of the Lord Jesus Christ, we vow to live our lives according to the testimony God reveals in The Holy Bible. As our knowledge of God’s Word increases, we discover how God has ordained certain rights, privileges and promises to us and for us.Yet, even as confessing Believers, sometimes we fall short when it comes to experiencing the fulfillment of God’s exceedingly great and precious promises. Now don’t shout me down, yall!

Consequently, our churches are filled with frustrated, anxious, angry and unsatisfied folk who’re secretly disappointed with God. Amen? For the record, let’s concede this, God’s not the problem! His faithfulness is not on trial! God’s Word is Eternally Immutable, Faithful and True. Am I right about it? So what’s up? We go to church and hear the gospel—well most of the time—anyway, preached with power and conviction. We enjoy the sermon, buy the CD’s and the DVD’s. We’ll leave the sanctuary talking about “Man, we had CHUURCH today”. But, where’s the fruit? Where’s the evidence? How has the message profited our lives? For real, where’s the change in our personal situations and even more important, what’s changed in our personal relationship with Jesus Christ?

The Bible warns us how Satan, comes immediately to steal the Word before we can reap the benefit. The devil persistently preys on our frustrations, anxieties and fears with one goal in mind, to cause us to distrust God. Can we go a little deeper? Ask a Saint who knows a little Bible and they’ll religiously proclaim that The Gospel has the ability and power to save and transform the lives of anyone who believes it. But—the Bible also says, “be ye doers of the word and not hearers only”. (James 1:22)

Therein lies the underlying issue! If nothing changes, then nothing changes! However, thru the completion of proper processing (a series of actions, motions, or occurrences intended to achieve a certain results), you get the right results!

According to Hebrews 4:12, “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” As followers of Christ, we know the Word is True, we must ultimately concur that the breakdown is not with the Word, but with the processing of the processor!

Mark 4, says, “the Sower sows the word” Hence, the preacher preaches the Word ; but, the harvest is determined by the condition of the soil. Wow! Didjaheardat? Sounds like The Word must be properly processed in order to produce the harvest! (Ref. Mark 4:15) How? By applying it to your everyday life through confession (speaking those things as though they were); meditating on the promises rather than your problems, meditating on who you are now in Christ Jesus, as opposed to who you were and acting on your convictions rather than impulse. (Ref. Romans 4:17)

It’s important to note, that The Advesary has been observing you from the moment you entered the earth realm. Hence, he knows just what buttons to push to get you to do what he wants you to do. Then he hides his hands, leaving you to deal with the guilt, shame and self-rejecting disappointment, causing you to exclude (thus disqualify) your ownself as an eligibile beneficiary for God’s Mercy and Grace!

Precious One, don’t let the devil intimdate you into allowing fear and frustration to cause you to abort your promise. Instead, embrace The penetrating Light of God’s Word to break up the hardness of your heart and be processed in the perfect ground of a yielded, trusting, believing rest-filled heart! 

BELOVED,  AS YOU DILIGENTLY WORK THE WORD, IT WILL WORK IN, FOR AND THROUGH YOU! TODAY, MAY YOU PURPOSE IN YOUR HEART TO REST IN THE FAITHFULNESS OF JESUS’ PROMISES, IN JESUS NAME! AMEN 3X #WORD PROCESSOR

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

I WON’T BE SILENT ANYMORE!

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I WON'T BE SILENT ANYMORE

 

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 a bellowing out all kinds of crazy comments! #wink #wink!  Yall don’t mind granting a sista a few moments of folly, do you? AWESOME!

Have you noticed that every one and their cuzzins have come out of the 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 church 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 of 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

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 conscious decision, for Jesus I live, for Jesus I die! Well?  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 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, how close can you get to the world and still make it to Heaven?  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’ CHURCH USED TO SAY…AS 4 ME AND MY HOUSE….WE SHALL SERVE THE LORD!

#speak-up? #SILENCEAIN’TBLISS! #datzmystoryugottaluvmehuh!  #NLOL

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

LET’S STAY TOGETHER

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LET'S STAY 2GETHER

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

When I remember these things, I pour out my soul in me: for I had gone with the multitude, I went with them to the house of God, with the voice of joy and praise, with a multitude that kept holyday. Psalm 42:4
 
I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord. Psalm 122:1

 

Perplexing, huh? Given all the chaos, turmoil, and just plain drama that people are going thru today, why aren’t all of our churches packed out, every service? When so many people’s minds are filled with fear, anxiety, doubt and uncertainty, why do so many stay away from the sanctuary of God’s House? Nonetheless, I’ve discovered that oftentimes when our hearts become overwhelmed by the woes of life, the absolutely last thing some of us want to do is actually the very first thing we ought to do–fellowship with our brothers and sistas in Christ! Am I right about it?

 
The Psalmist, understood how to survive his soul’s dis-eases—the times when the cares of his world left his spirit cast down, unsettled, and wearied to the point that he didn’t know what to do. David always found his answers and comfort in God’s Presence and among kindred believers!
 
The Word of God let’s us know that there is nothing, no temptation, no trial, no test that we will ever go through that somebody else has not already experienced and triumphantly overcome. (Ref. 1 Corinthians 10:13)  Yet, Satan, the Master of Deceit, wants us to think that we’re the only one who’s gone thru this. The devil feeds off of our fears and doubts to cause us to believe that our circumstances are so unique that nobody else can really understand what we’re going through.  Unfortunately,  for the carnally-minded saints, one of his most effective strategic deployment is isolation! 
 
BUT GOD, knowing how vulnerable we can be, always provides a way of escape. Jesus says,‘Come unto me and you shall find rest for your souls’. (Ref.Matthew 11:28) The Word of God further encourages and admonishes us to not neglect the refuge that awaits us in the sanctuary of His Church. (Ref. Hebrews 10:25) God promises an outpouring of a corporate anointing (God’s Grace) upon His people when they come together in fellowship, praise and worship. A Holy Synergy is released into the atmosphere as the people of God unite in prayer,  igniting the Divine Intervention of God’s Favor and turning our bad situations around to work for our higher good and His Greater Glory! Uuum, could that be why he works overtime to keep us from Church?
 
Well guess what, enough is enough! The next time that chump tries that, ignore him!  Getta stepp’n and say to yourself…“I was glad when they said unto me, let’s go to Chuurrch!!!”
 
Be encouraged, saints! There is strength in numbers and power in unity! Let’s Stay Together!

 

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

 

 

 

UN-HOLY COWS

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UN-HOLY COW!

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

These are the statutes and judgments, which ye shall observe to do in the land, which the LordGod of thy fathers giveth thee to possess it, all the days that ye live upon the earth. Ye shall utterly destroy all the places, wherein the nations which ye shall possess served their gods, upon the high mountains, and upon the hills, and under every green tree: And ye shall overthrow their altars, and break their pillars, and burn their groves with fire; and ye shall hew down the graven images of their gods, and destroy the names of them out of that place. Ye shall not do so unto the Lord your God.” Deuteronomy 12:1-4

 

Due to the incredible technological advances, we’re now living in an Age of constant transition. As knowledge increases, our world appears to be getting smaller by the second. Yet many of us escape the stress and chaos that often accompanies such swift changeovers by clinging to the Hope and Comfort of The Holy Scriptures, which profoundly proclaim to 21st Century Believers, that while time is spiraling down into Eternity at unprecedented speeds of Life, Jesus remains the same; Yesterday, Today and Forevermore! (Ref. Hebrews 13:8)

While there are no shortages of intellectually astute scoffers who, sparing no punches, continually dispute its validity  and adamantly renounce the relevance of The Bible’s antiquated moral code to their sophisticated culture! HOWEVRRRR, that’shouldn’t surprise any of us!

The Holy Spirit already told us these days were coming, right?  Certainly does! The Good Book lets us know that there will be those who would choose to ignore what their eyes clearly observe, trivializing Truth into fabricated self-delusions and imagining themselves excused from the obligation of submission to any authority outside of the god of self! (Ref. Romans 1:18-23)

Nevertheless, what’s more even vexing to the hearts of God-Honoring followers of The Lord Jesus Christ, is the misconception of some New Millennium converts who have latched onto the false doctrine of “Come as U R and Stay as U R”!  C’mon nah, don’t yall shout me down!

Hence, on any given Sabbath Day, padded pews are filled with unsuspecting people clad in their mindset, clinched fisted and unashamedly determined, “Preacha, I’m Good! Okay, so don’t bother me with your out-dated version of un-realistic expectations. After all, we’re no longer under the Law, we’re under Grace! And besides that, who are you to judge me anyhow?”

BUT! Before you get a little bit too happy, can we allow The Living Word of God to shed some Truth on what God thinks about this matter? Isn’t that what every Born-Again, Blood Washed Child of God has sworn to live by? Right!

God sent His Son, Jesus seeking to save those of us who were lost (outside of Covenant-Relationship with The Father of Glory)! Jesus Sacrificial Blood redeemed you from darkness and dominion of Satan! By personally trusting in HIM, you have become a Child of The Kingdom of Christ! Now, that your eyes have been exposed to The Light of Truth, why would you want to continue in bondange to the works of wickedness and evil? If it was all that good, why did you want to leave Egypt in the first place, huh? EXACTLY!

R U listening? God has stratetically placed you in The Body of Christ, under the direction of His Shepherd, Holy Spirit, whom He has appointed to lead, guide, instruct, encourage and discipline you in The Ways of Righteousness, Love, Peace and Joy! So…stop kicking against the prick!

Now! Isn’t it time to make that change!  Ooops, I jus felt a ‘tomato throwing spirit’ in da house!  Seriously, The  rules of engagement in The Kingdom of God demands both a change of mind and heart! Tear down those sacred shrines and stop making those un-sanctified offerings of yester-year (when you were out there doing everything and anything that the devil, your former Hard-Task-Master, COMMANDED YOU TO DO)!

DIDJAHEARDAT?

#IJS…Now that Jesus  HAS DELIVERED YOU INTO HIS ETERNAL ABUNDANT LIFE, STOP THE BULL! UN-HOLY COWS! #ijs

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

FOOLISHNESS?

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FOOLISHNESS

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the gospel; not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of none effect. For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness, but unto us which are saved; it is the power of God…for after that in the wisdom of God, the world by wisdom knew not God; it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. 1Corinthians 1:17-18, 20

 

Granted, in this new millennium church age, some challenge the relevancy and even the validity of ‘The preaching of the Cross’!  After all, we have so much going on, so much information available to us, so much to accomplish and so little time!

Well, guess what? Contrary to contemporary pop culture, God knew before we knew how long and how far mankind would go to avoid accountability!

According to 2 Timothy 4:3, ‘For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but having itching ears, they shall heap to themselves teachers in accordance with their own lusts.

In other words, the focus would no longer be how to live a holy and sanctified life, in this present world, but folk would religiously come to church to scratch an itch, you know, to satisfy their hunger for more and some more of the WORLD’S creature comforts.  Of course they’d use a more palatable vernacular, such as, “Give me a ‘word’ that will tell me how I can supersize my life!” Or perhaps, “I’ll give you a part of my ‘free day’ if you can make it worth my while; you know, cheer me up, make me feel good (bring on the hype)! “A’int nobody got time for foolishness!” And we’d certainly be remiss to ignore this one—“You can’t judge me, God knows My Heart!” 
 
I know we shouldn’t be shocked—but C’mon! This attitude prevailing amongst the household of faith? Yeah, I mean, we’re not talking about ‘worldly sinners’ we’re talking–Church Folks!

But to those of us who yet believe in the testimony of Jesus Christ and the Gospel message of that ol’ rugged cross, the preaching of the cross is not foolishness, but it is the Power of God to save the sinner man who will dare to believe that The Word of God is True.

Frankly, it’s easy to understand exactly why the Deceitful Destroyer works so diligently to keep humanity from The Truth.  If we were in his position, we wouldn’t want this Good News on blast in mainstream media, either!  Obviously!!  The Bible says, if they only knew ‘They never would’ve crucified Christ’ in the first place. (1 Corinthians 2:8) Well guess what, devil… ‘You’re over 2000 years too late’!
 
To the weary wanderer, The Cross is the Place of Refuge! To the lost, The Cross is the Center of the Universe, where Eternity collided with Time and Mercy and Grace unashamedly kissed each other! To the unlovable faint of heart, The Cross is The Power and Love of God openly revealed and freely offered in exchange for our rebellion against God! To the spiritually bankrupt, The Cross the Place of Welcomed Surrender– where, you give Him your all, He Gives You His All!

To those who’re trapped in darkness, The Cross is where the Light of GOD’S Amazing Grace is still shining—beckoning us  before the day of gross darkness overtakes you—COME!

OH YEAH! THE FOOLISHNESS OF PREACHING! So who’s the real fool?

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

 

 

TOTALLY COMMITTED

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TOTALLY COMMITTED

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

“When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee; when thou walkest through the fire, thou shall not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee…Fear not; for I am with thee. Even everyone that is called by my name; for I have created him for my glory; I have formed him, yeah, I have made him.” Isaiah 43:2, 5

Jesus is our living example of God, a Son, a Servant, a man, who is totally committed!

Remember that song, “Fully Committed”. I believe it topped the charts and was hailed by choirs all over the world for months. Yet, I wonder how many of us were just repeating as opposed to actually repenting? UUMMMM! Wonder why you hardly ever hear that song these day?

Have you noticed that many of us struggle in making commitments, and even more critical, in our being totally committed?

Commitment is one of the greatest forms of worship! My brothers and my sisters, God is calling Zion to a higher place of worship and praise! It’s not about the lifting up of our hands; it’s about the lifting up of our hearts!

Do you believe that every believer has a ministry? Or are you one of those who still think that that’s just for the card carrying saints? Well it’s time for you to know the Truth! Jesus is calling every single one of us to be His witnesses in the earth; and commitment is the character of a true disciple! (Ref. 2 Corinthians 5:18) Unfortunately, too many of God’s people are so pre-occupied by the ”self-centered-what about me-I-doctrine” that they never answer the call!

I’m not saying that God doesn’t want us to enjoy the blessings of His Salvation Benefits Package, but He doesn’t want them to consume all of our tasks, time and talents with ‘what’s in it for me’ that we lose sight of the Eternal Kingdom Mission, i.e. SOULS FOR CHRIST!

NOW THAT U KNOW, lets’ all Pray,
“Father, now that I know what You really want from me,  I surrender and commit all –“my everything”.  Everything I am, everything I got, everything I’m not; I give to you. Unto you O Lord, I lift up my soul. I release it, my ‘self’, into your hands. I empty myself unto and into You. Like a person who is being committed to a mental health institution!

I COME because Your Word promises to keep my mind in perfect peace; like a person who has been committed to a high security penal institution, like the Apostle Paul, I am a prisoner of Christ, I am being confined for life, with no chance of parole nor probation!
Lord Jesus, as I COME. I come to abide, remain forever in the secret place, under the shadow of the Almighty God; I commit MY SELF – my heart, my thoughts, my body, my emotions, my relationships, my care, MY WILL – MY BEING – my entire EXISTENCE!

I come to you now, and I volunteer my service –I give up my rights and bow to Your Right as my Creator to rule and to reign over my life! I come to you now, without fear, fully persuaded in light of all that You’ve done for me, it’s only my reasonable service! (Ref. Romans 12:1)

Today, Father, I submit, surrender and commit  ALL I AM To You, in The Majestic Name Lord Jesus! Amen 3x!”

 TOTALLY COMMITTED? SERIOUSLY? WOW! #freedom

SELAH!

“Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!”

Ann Caffee

 

DRIFTERS?

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drifters-2

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

“Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at anytime we should let them slip. For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward. How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation which at the first began to be spoken by the lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him.” Hebrews 2:1-3

 

One morning during my devotion, the Lord began speaking to me about The Millennium Church Age. At this point in my walk with Jesus, needless to say, I’ve heard many a message preached about the Church of God down through the years! Gratefully, much has been pontification of the Glorious and Victorious Church as well as those that admonish the people of God concerning the goats and the sheep and the wheat and the tare. However, I must confess I was a bit surprised when God began to talk to me about a different threat (either unnoticed or unacknowledged) that has slipped under the radar of nodding watchmen into the Kingdom. He asked, “Have you heard the one about the ‘drifters and the disciples?”
 
After thinking for a moment, I responded “No, Lord. I don’t recall hearing that one.” Honestly, my mind went ‘back in da day’, remembering the Drifters, that group of fine black men, dressed to da T and sanng’n those ‘Good ol’ slow songs’! For the 30 and under crew, u betta ask ya Mama!
 
Abruptly bringing me back from the edge of Egypt, God began to reveal to me, “Oh yes! You’ve heard about them. They may have been called ‘Backsliders’ instead!’
 
Okay! I know about the backsliders! But, when church folk think of a backslider, what generally comes to mind are those wicked ol’ evil rebellious hypocrites, aka that heathen who has turned his back and walked away from the Lord and the Church. In other words, we’ve categorized them as somebody who didn’t really love the Lord, at least not as much as he loved the world. Right? HOWEVERRR! The Lord, allowing me to peep into His thoughts for a moment, led me to Webster’s Dictionary to look up the word ‘drift’ to discover that Webster defines it several ways, but here are a few that Holy Spirit highlighted:
 
“To be carried along by a current of air or water; to pile up or to heap, to move or appear to move aimlessly, go along without knowing or caring where one is going; the sideways movement of an aircraft or ship off it’s projected course due to cross currents.”
 
Oh my! First of all, you don’t have to leave the church at all to backslide! You can become a drifter sitting front row, center aisle, or back row, far left and yes, truthfully, center stage of the pulpiteers! Didjaheardat? That ol’ devil is as cunning and subtle in 2016 as ever, huh?
 
Satan knows he can’t just blatantly confront some of us face to face with the lies that have been proven so successful among the babes in Christ. You know; like, “I don’t need to go to church; I can read my bible at home (the bedside Baptist)”; or “who says you have to belong to a church to serve God?” What about this one, “Get with the times! Don’t be so narrow-minded; after all there are all kinds of roads that lead to the Universal god, you know The Higher Power!”
 
Therefore, he applies another method to bring down the more seasoned saints. Unfortunately, all too often they’re just as lethal and successful!  Satan hurls wicked devices (distractions) into our lives to throw us off guard! A little trouble here; a trial there; a threat here lodging a bit of anxiety there; an ominous sense of foreboding fear here; a dip of delay, denial and disappointment there; a letter here and a phone call there, a rumor here and a lie there; a modest competitive spirit there or a root of resentment and rejection here! WOW! Who nu?
 
The scariest part about drifting is that you rarely recognize that you’ve moved at all! It’s not as if you were swept away from the shore by some gi-normous wave, you didn’t even hear the thunder or see the lightening flashing. In fact you never felt the ground collapsing underfoot. One minute, there you were sitting on the dock of the bay, watching the tides rolling—you thought you had it all together, handling thangs, maintaining! Until… you reached for that dose of The Holy Ghost and discovered that your cup was empty and your subscription had run out! Apparently, somewhere along the trip, we got so busy with other ‘real-life-stuff’ at the expense of your personal, intimate time with Jesus! Unbeknownst to you, you’d become weary in your well-doing and unconsciously decided that it don’t take all that!
 
Tell somebody it takes all that and more! More prayer, more fasting, more wisdom, knowledge and understanding of his word, more praising, and a whole lot more His Grace to stay anchored in The Lord!
 
With all that’s going on in the world around us, it’s incumbent upon each one of us to not make light of the Apostle Paul’s teaching! Hence, make a real earnest commitment to BE a true disciple of Jesus Christ. GET A GRIP ON THE MASTER’S HAND AND HOLD ON AS IF YOUR VERY LIFE DEPENDED UPON IT! IT DOES!
 
DRIFTER? HOPE NOT!
 
SELAH!
 
Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!
 
 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