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THE BENEFITS OF OBEDIENCE!

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THE BENEFITS OF OBEDIENCE

SELAH DEVOTIONS!

 

For the wicked boasteth of his heart’s desire, and blesseth the covetous, whom the Lord abhorreth. The wicked, through the pride of his countenance, will not seek after God: God is not in all his thoughts. Psalm 10:3-4
He hath said in his heart, I shall not be moved: for I shall never be in adversity. His mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: under his tongue is mischief and vanity. Psalm 10:6-7

“Call upon Me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify Me.”But unto the wicked God saith, What hast thou to do to declare my statutes, or that thou shouldest take my covenant in thy mouth? Seeing thou hatest instruction, and casteth my words behind thee. ..These things hast thou done, and I kept silence; thou thoughtest that I was altogether such an one as thyself: but I will reprove thee, and set them in order before thine eyes. Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver. Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God.” Psalm 50:15-17, 21-23

 

I know that a lot of folk prefer to escape THE Truth in favor of the opinions of  the self-proclaimed ‘geniuses’ of this world’s culture, who ascribe to the more palatable theory of “no absolutes”! Nonetheless, the rest of us who have lived on both sides of The Cross, have concluded adamantly, “Let EVERY MAN BE A LIAR, AND GOD BE THE TRUTH! Okay,  as one of my favorite ol’ skool Preachers loves to say, “Nah, run down the aisle on dat!”

TRUTHBTOLD, everyday we’re faced with more and more evidence that the ideology of this present world is destined for a direct-hit collision with the reality that there is a SUPER BEING WHO IS, WAS AND WILL FOREVER BE in ABSOLUTE CONTROL OF THE COURSE OF THE PAST, PRESENT AND FUTURE OF ALL OF HIS CREATION, INCLUDING HUMANITY! BELIEVETH THOU THIS? #ijs!!!!

While this truth is often disputed by those who favour the more liberating “I’m the Master of my own fate” persuasion, THERE YET REMAINS A REMNANT OF US WHO ARE FULLY PERSUADED THAT there will be no atheist in Hell!  #Don’t shout me down nah!!!

Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools. (Romans 1:21-22)

The arrogance of wickedness goes deeper than absolute unbelief! Rooted in the folly of his own imagination is the concept that God isn’t paying attention to what people are doing, therefore he’s getting away with every and anything his own evil heart desires! In other words, they foolishly assume that there ARE NO CONSEQUENCES 2 PAY! #WOW!

TRUST2KNO, nothing EVRRR catches GOD by surprise!The Ancient of Days watches patiently, examining and knowing the hearts of mankind, knows them that are HIS! God is not moved nor is He mocked by those who offer up lip service but have no intention of honoring His commands with faithful obedience!
However, those of us who yet cling to THE WORD, as if our very life depends upon HIM, have the Blessed Assurance that as we walk daily surrendering our hearts, minds and actions to the Righteous Commands of a Holy Heavenly Father, have an ETERNALHOPE that reaches far beyond this world!

When we find ourselves in the middle of trouble, we call upon Our Faithful Friend Who hears us and responds with Deliverance, Righteousness, Security, Peace, Fulfillment and Joy…GUARANTEEING VICTORY, BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY, FOR US AND GREATER GLORY FOR HIS NAME SAKE! #SERIOUSLY!

 
BUT FOR THE WICKED, WHO CHOOSE 2 FORGET GOD OR CHANGE HIS UNCORRUPTABLE GLORY 2 REFLECT THE IMAGE OF CORRUPTABLE MAN , IT IS NOT SO! HE REBUKES THEM AND LAUGHS AT THEIR DESTRUCTION! “but the Lord laughs at the wicked, for he sees that his day is coming. (Psalm 37:13)

I know ‘it ain’t none of my business’, U gotta right to live anyway U wanna, right? #ijs…THERE ARE BENEFITS 4 OBEDIENCE! #ETERNAL LIFE! #NOW&LATER!

SELAH!
Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann E. Caffee

THURSDAYS’ PRAYERS!

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PRAYN AND FASTING PIC

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

GM FAM! GOTTA MOMENT! AWESOME! Once again we are delighted to have you join us today in our Weekly Corporate Prayer & Fasting. There’s absolutely no doubt that it’s praying time! We count it both an honor and a privilege to seek The Face of Our Lord for instruction, courage, and help to walk circumspectly, lifting up the BLOOD-STAINED BANNER, 2 BRING GLORRAA2GAWD in the midst of these very trying times! #CARE2SHARE

 

Sweet Holy Spirit, Sweet heavenly Dove, Stay right here with us, filling us with Your love. And for these blessings we lift our hearts in praise; Without a doubt we’ll know that we have been revived, When we shall leave this place…OOOH Sweet Wonder; OOOOHHH Sweet Wonder, JESUS THE SON OF GOD! OOOOHHH SSSSWEEET WONDER! OOOOHHH SSSSWEEET WONDER! JESUS THE SON OF GOD!

 

ABBA FATHER, once again Your children stand before You with our hands lifted up, our hearts leaning towards Your Majestic Throne and our mouths filled with glorious praise and adoration! For this is the day that You have made and we shall continue to rejoice and be glad in it! We know that it’s only because of Your Loving-Kindness that we are yet here in the land of the living. We bless You for You alone are worthy of all the gloraaa! U alone are worthy of all the praiz! For there is and never shall be NONE LIKE YOU!

As we come into Your Presence, we bow in humility at Your Awemazing Grace; that You continue to pour out upon us! Only You can look beyond our faults and yet minister compassionately to satisfy every need and desire! Your Unfailing Love flows daily to the just and the unjust alike! For through the ages there’s yet a universal cry coming up to Your ears that acknowledges, ‘IF IT HAD NOT BEEN FOR THE LORD ON OUR SIDE, OUR ENEMIES WOULD HAVE SWALLOWED US UP’!

FATHER, hear us as we proclaim, ‘HALLELUJAH TO THE LAMB OF GOD’!

Sweet Holy Spirit, we’re eternally grateful that You welcome and encourage each of us to seek a personal, intimate, intense and effective relationship with The Triune GOD! For it is in You that we live, move, breath and having our being! For You are the source of all that we are and ever hope to be. Father, we repent now for every and anything that we’ve done, thought and said that failed to come up to Your Holy Will, statutes and purpose for our lives. Wash us over again in The Blood of Your Son, Jesus that we might be cleansed from our iniquities. Restore our covenant relationship for You are our Righteousness, Redeemer and our King!

Let the prayers of the righteous prevail and let everything and anything that our enemies bring against us scatter. Father, we thank You for what You are about to do that is exceedingly, abundantly above all that we can ask or image. For You are our Joy, for You have given us Love, Power and a Sound-mind. We thank You for the contentment that flows from Godly-repentance; we thank You for being a Very Present Help In troubling times! We thank You for strength, goodness, kindness, mercy and grace to preserve us that patience may yield it’s perfect fruit of righteousness in and through us!
We thank You Heavenly Father, that we do not look like what we’ve been through! Thankya for never leaving us or forsaking us through the temptations, test, trauma and drama, the good and the bad, the dark days and sleepless nights You stayed right there by our side letting us know that You Love us! Sweet Jesus, You are a Wonder in my soul! You are Alpha and Omega, The King WHO CAN NEVER BE ignored, dismissed or DE-throned! For You are King of kings and Lord of lords!
Abba Father, we thankya for everything You brought us out of, for every time You put us on the wheel in order to mold, make and shape us according to Your Will. We believe that because Your Ways are higher than ours, Your Thoughts are beyond our finite comprehension, that You are always leading and guiding our steps and our stops, assuring safe passage from glory to glory! We trust that while none of us enjoy suffering, weeping endures for a night but JOY does come in the morning!

 

Father, we lift up our brother, our sister whose body has been afflicted by all manner of sickness and disease, touch them from the crown of their heads to the soles of their feet, rebuking and commanding that every tissue, muscle, blood vessel and organ be restored to it’s proper function! As You walked this earth healing all who were sick, feeble, lame we know that You’re Well Able to do the same right now! Your Word declares that Your stripes have redeemed and healed us and we’re yet standing on your promises that the prayer of faith shall save the sick and raise them up, In Jesus Name! Amen 3x!

Abba, we ask that You encourage and comfort the souls of Your Elect who are overwhelmed with fear, distraught by grief, doubt and worry because of the things that are going on in our personal lives and in this ungodly world systems! Preserve us thru every test and trial; keeping us constantly aware of OMNIPRESENCE, fully-confident that all trouble does have an expiration date and that at Your appointed time, You will bring them out wholly restored, renewed, refreshed and with the reward as You have promised them in Your Word.

 

Precious Lord, remember the elderly, the widows, the abused, the downcast, the outcast, all those who have born the heat of the day, those who pushed and prayed us through! And as You are strengthening these, we ask that you also invigorate, encourage and replenish the spirits, minds and bodies of those who are charged to care for their loved ones! Send Assurance that we are never alone, and never without Your Very Present Help!

Dear Lord, we believe that as we praise and Glorify Your Name, everything else MUST come subject to Beautiful, Healing and Victorious Name of JESUS! We decree and declare that at The Name of Jesus, every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that JESUS IS LORD over, in and through all! Even as we lift up Your Name, You are calming all our fears, soothing all our doubts and solving all of our problems.

Sweet Holy Spirit, because no man can come to the Father except You draw them, we thank You for hearing the hearts of those who have never trusted and accepted Your Son Jesus as Savior and Lord! Quicken that stony heart now with a ‘SINCERE REPENTING YES’ that they shall come to You humbled by Your Lovingkindness, in obedience to Your call and receive Your Mercy and Grace to Save. We pray now that You are leading and guiding them to the local church, planting them in Your Vineyard, where they shall be taught and transformed by Your Word of Life to take their position in The Kingdom of Heaven.

Lord, we ask You to put a “COMMITTED YES” in the heart and mind of every backslider! Let today be the day that they come back to You and come back to YOUR church where they will submit their lives to the sound teachings of Your Word, and learn to love and live their lives walking to please You First!

Abba Father,  we lift up our children, our Grand/Great-Grand-children and by faith, we abort and overrule every curse that’s been ordered against their lives, canceling every scheme that Satan desires to inflict upon them! As we commit them into Your Providential care, we realize that You have a plan and purpose for their lives too and we have the blessed assurance that their every step and stop is being ordered by Your Eyes! Therefore we speak The Peace of God over their spirits, minds and bodies releasing a spirit of Love, Holiness and Excellence to fulfill their God ordained destiny!
Sweet Jesus, we lift up every spiritual leader, we’re asking and believing for immediate manifestation of that special miracle for  all those who are yet standing on the wall proclaiming Your Word under the  Power, conviction and anointing of Holy Spirit. Jesus, we’re trusting and believing You to Grace them to be the examples of Your Righteousness in their homes, churches and community that will cause everyone who comes into contact with them to fall in love with You, trust wholly in and commit to live the rest of their lives serving You!

Knowing that You Sovereignly Rule and Reign over the affairs of mankind, we’re praying for and thanking You for the government/legislative/judicial/corporate/education, healthcare/public service, military,, police, fire department, every aviation and every transportation worker and leaders of our nation! Heavenly Father, we’re believing that You will visit them in the night seasons with dreams and visions, warning them that He who is pregnant with evil and conceives trouble gives birth to disillusionment. He who digs a hole and scoops it out will fall into the pit he has made. The trouble he causes recoils on himself and his violent schemes will come down on his own head.

We thank You for forgiving us and saving us from us! We thank You for interrupting our Adamic DNA by infusing The Precious, Perfect, Sacrificial, Atoning, Substitutionary Blood of Jesus, that completely eradicates and renders null and void every curse, sin, spirit of iniquity, perversion, poverty, sickness and disease that may be lying dormant in our bodies and hearts, releasing us from the power, penalties and punishment of our ancestors. We thank You for giving us the authority to speak life to every dead situation and bind, frustrate tiredness, weariness and release strength, prosperity, Divine Health, Increased Wealth and Wholeness in every area of our Being! FOR WE TRUST AND BELIEVE THAT HE WHOM THE SON SETS FREE IS FREE IN DEED!

We Thank You Holy Spirit for the Divine Impartation of a second wind that is now swelling up in our spirits, minds, souls and bodies, that’s not only changing every adverse situation that we’re facing but is also changing us for the better, empowering us to live the GOOD, ABUNDANT LIFE that You purchased for us! We thank You for the fresh anointing that’s falling from the crown of our heads to the soles of our feet, casting down all ungodly imagination, destroying every yoke, lifting every burden, empowering and equipping us to fulfill our God-Ordained assignments. We thank You Heavenly Father for the Spirit of Excellence that glorifies Your Name. We thank You for the confident Hope that YOU ARE WATCHING OVER YOUR WORD AND WILL PERFORM EVERYTHING THAT YOU HAVE SPOKEN OVER OUR LIVES!

Dear Lord, we bow in obedient reverence before The Hope of all the earth, believing that as Your face shines upon us that, You are making Your Will, Ways and Salvation known among all nations; for You Guide and Rule justly! We thank You now, believing that it is done! In The Exalted Name of Jesus we seal our prayer with a spirit-inspired Hallelujah! Amen 3X and It Is So!

Now every child of God who is standing in agreement with this prayer, GO TELL SOMEBODY THAT JESUS LOVES AND CARES FOR EVERYBODY!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

 

 

JOY???

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Jumping woman at sunset

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.  John 15:11 4 

Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again—rejoice!  Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon.  Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done.  Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.  And now, dear brothers and sisters, one final thing. Fix your thoughts on what is true, and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely, and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.  Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me—everything you heard from me and saw me doing. Then the God of peace will be with you.

Philippians 4:4-9

 

If the only evidence that the Prosecution had to convict us of being Christian was our countenance or our dispositions,  how many of our cases would be thrown out and we’d get off scott-free!? A lot of folk are claiming salvation, naming the Name of Jesus and on their way to heaven anyhow, but most of them don’t seem to be enjoying the trip. If so, they forget to send an IM from their heart to their face!  #ijs

If anybody should have joy, it’s the saints of the Most High God. But if the Saints are walking around with our heads hung down, broke, busted and disgusted with everything and everybody, then how can we persuade a lost world that life goes better with Christ? Don’t shout me down , now!

Perhaps, some of us have become wearied on the journey of life because we’ve mistakenly equated joy with happiness. While happiness is an emotional response based merely on enjoyable circumstances, joy is a constant internal state embedded in the Love of God, producing serenity and tranquility totally independent of external conditions.

Jesus looking from eternity past and seeing the many souls that would be saved, overwhelmed with Joy made a conscious commitment to endure the pain, despise the shame, become obedient, even to death on the Cross of Calvary that HIS JOY, might be poured out upon His people. (Ref. Hebrew 12:20) Guess what, that makes YOU the joy of Jesus!

There’s more to Joy than goose-bumps. Nehemiah 8:10 says, “The joy of the Lord is our strength”.

Jesus Joy is a weapon of mass destruction in the believer’s arsenal. Hence, Jesus Joy is empowerment to overcome any challenge with courage and confidence!

Just knowing that every promise in The Bible is ours to claim with the assurance that Jesus will never ever leave nor forsake us should make every Born-again, Blood-washed child of God’s heart swell up to the overflow with pure Jesus Joy that makes you wanna  HOLLA and THROW UP BOTH OF MY HANDS AND RUN AROUND THE ROOM!

Didjaheardat? JESUS OVER YOU! WOW,  NOW DATZ POWERFUL!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

FACTS VS. FAITH?

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FACTS VS. FAITH

SELAH Daily Devotions!

The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10

Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word.Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. John 8:43-45

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

 

I’ve been told that in our Judicial system, oftimes a case is won or lost, based upon the credibility of the witnesses? Hence, I’d imagine that attorneys conduct pretty substantial investigations prior to putting an individual in the witness seat. Sometimes the prosecuting attorney will drop the case before it even reaches the court room, if the credibility of their star witness could potentially jeopardize their chances of a favorable verdict. At least, that’s the way that it used to be!

Unfortunately, in light of the gross corruption and the massive influx of deception trickling down from high places, most of us have become viciously suspicious of  what is often presented as truth versus reality! I mean, when our leaders stand in front of the Flag and proclaim, “Don’t believe what you see or what you hear from the major news networks, because it’s all fake news, but believe what I say!”  I, KNOW; WHO EVVRRR THOUGHT, huh?

And within the hour, The Washington Post Fact Checker, who is keeping a running list of the suspect statements since the innauguration, assert that “In the 497 days since he took the oath of office, POTUS has made 3,251 false or misleading claims (averaging about 6.5 alternative facts per day)!  #SERIOUSLY? Kinda makes it a bit hard to injest what’s REAL and what’s perverted conjecture and selfish manipulation, despite the corroborating videos! C’mon nah! #ijs! 

I wonder how these alternative facts impact The False Claim Act?  And does anybody remember when Pluto was a planet? Ooops, I digress! 

Beloved, throughtout the Scriptures we find our common adversary, Satan, adamantly accusing those of us who have trusted in the Saving Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, before The Father day and night. He’s been at it for so long and surprisingly has far too many knotches on his belt. His primary SOP is to first target our will, confronting our pride, attacking our hearts and our conscious by reminding us of our failures and defeats. He knows that fear and doubt left unrestrained will soon paralyze our faith,  deminish any hope of receiving God’s Grace and eventually we’ll tap out! And then you know what happens, generally we find ourselves on the defense trying to justify ourselves rather repenting, asking God’s forgiveness and being restored to right-standing with the Father of All Mercies and God of All Comfort! (Ref. 2 Corinthians 1:3-5)

I don’t know about you, but I am tired of getting played like a three-strings guitar! Especially since, our Heavenly Father has already settled my case, once and for all! “And the LORD said unto Satan, The LORD rebuke thee, O Satan; even the LORD that hath chosen Jerusalem rebuke thee: is not this a brand plucked out of the fire?” (Zachariah 3:2)

Didjacdat? God shut the devil down…WITH THE TESTIMONY OF THE BLOOD OF JESUS!

I don’t care how much circumstantial evidence the da devil has presented against you today, you need to carefully consider the facts. The devil is a thief, a killer and a liar! On the other hand, based upon the testimony of Jesus Christ as outlined in the opening statements above, God’s Holiness, Integrity, Faithfulness and Trustworthiness is time tested. “For ever, O LORD, thy word is settled in heaven. (Psalm 119:89)

Oh, don’t get me wrong, my decisions do not always hail me to be shiniest penny in the pocket! However, my precious ones, there are two adjudications that I can wholeheartedly guarantee which have proven to be regret-free! JESUS IS THE BEST THING THAT HAS EVER HAPPEN TO ME and EVERYTHING I HAVE EVER NEEDED, I’VE  FOUND IN JESUS! Sounds pretty solid to me, huh?

According to the author of Hebrews, our faith is not transitory! But faith in God, while not validated by visible circumstances, is an inward conviction that fortifies our confidence to forge forward, trusting wholly that He Who Promised, is faithful to perform that which we Hope for! (Ref. Hebrews 10:23)  

Now, it’s not my business to tell you what to do,  howeverrrrr,  but simply to encourage you to make an informed decision based on the facts presented from the mouths of two or more witness, Amen?  

THE HOLY BIBLE confirms, “God is not a man, that he should lie; neither the son of man, that he should repent: hath he said, and shall he not do it? or hath he spoken, and shall he not make it good? (Numbers 23:19)  Based on the incredible  amount of authenticated historical evidence accumulated and corroborated by the testimonials of a cloud of witnesses peering over the portals of heaven,  I’m stickin WITH THE ROCK!

It’s my profound belief that my readers are intellectually competent to make informed decisions! Amen?

NOW THAT THE EVIDENCE HAS BEEN PRESENTED TO YOU, IT’S TIME FOR YOU TO EXERCISE YOUR POWER OF CHOICE! WHO’S REPORT R U GONNA BELIEVE?  FACTS OR FAITH! #ijs #BOOM!!!!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

NON-NEGOTIABLE

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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

 

TRUTH OR DARE???

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truth-or-dare2

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee. Jeremiah 31:3

 

As a child, I imagined God as this Supernatural Giant Bully, somewhere far off, standing above the circle of the Earth; eyes roaming throughout the north, south, east and west; scoping the territory for the worst of the unrighteous, anxiously anticipating His next victim of massive destruction.

No wonder, looking back my childhood was basically engulfed by constant fear, trauma and terror. Knowing that you’re cursed from birth, yet not knowing when your sins would have piled up reaching that mystical number thereby provoking the anger of God’s Wrath, until His sledge-hammer clutching Hand would pierce the sky, pouncing upon your head and smashing your body into bits and pieces, which would immediately be gathered up by demons and transported to The Devil’s Hell for all of Eternity!

Well! Not being raised in a church-going christian household, meant that most of my GOD knowledge came from an ungodly environment. So, because most of us just naturally assumed we were that pre-destined part of the ‘have-nots’, we attempted to comfort one another with sayings like “at least I won’t be there by myself; all of my friends are gonna be right down there with me; and we’re gonna parta forever!’ Okay, I hear yall sanctified folk gasping, but what else could you expect, huh?

Can you imagine my surprise and the sheer delight of my po-fallen-soul when my heart was exposed to The Life-Giving-Light-Gospel of Jesus Christ? Seriously! Who knew that such a Holy God, did in fact love sinners like me, so much so that He actually gave up His Only Begotten Son, Who willingly sacrificed His Life, allowing sinners to be reconciled back to His Heavenly Father. Sounds incredibly unbelievable, huh? BUT IT’S THE TRUTH! (Ref. John 3:16)

Absolutely Amazing! Despite man’s continuous proclivity to rebellion against GOD, the door yet remains open to anyone who will accept GOD’S Gracious offer of Salvation! HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD! (Ref. Romans 10:13)

His eyes continuously patrolling the earth, looking for a single soul, who’s trying to live a pure life pleasing to HIM, that HE might forgive that person! (Ref. Jeremiah 5:1-2) Can you imagine The Holy Father’s grief? GOD being WISDOM, knowing that many have come swearing with their lips their dedication to GOD yet the wickedness of their lying hearts giving them away! Probably not, huh? Remember, “The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly.” Proverbs 20:27

However, at the end of the day, I guess the question is not whether GOD is WHO HE SAYS HE IS, but rather,  will you choose Truth and live or dare to resist THE LOVE OF GOD, defy THE POWER OF ALMIGHTY GOD and perish in your sin, huh? #ijs…

Hope 2 C U at the Great Coronation! NOW DATZ GONNA BE A PARTA! TRUTH OR DARE?

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

TRUTH OF CONSEQUENCES!

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TRUTH OF CONSEQUENCES

 

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions. Ecclesiastes 7:29

Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 2 Timothy 3:5-6

 

One day in the winter of his life, King Solomon, God’s proclaimed wisest man in the world, sat pondering events, adventures and experiences of former seasons, and penned the words left in Ecclesiastes 7:29. Theologians have various perspectives on how and even if somethings happened that caused a quantrum shift in this young man’s overview of life. Since, I am unqualified to object or sustain either I defer the question to the more capable intellectual biblical scholars!

However allow me, with the aid of Holy Spirit, to share a few insights that I gleaned as I visited these texts. Hopefully, someone might find them useful for practical daily application. I am firmly convinced that every one of us born into the earth has at some point, looked up inquiring, ‘Why me, what’s going on and when is it gonna change for my good?’ But it’s alright, ain’t nobody here but you and me, ok?

It’s a whole lot easier to hide somethings in the closets of our minds, rather than openly subjecting them to the speculations of folk we need to impress and even more so advantagious to cover them up from self, huh? But somebody a whole lot smarter than I said, ‘You can’t conquer what you’ll not willing to confront’! Don’t you just hate those addages? LOL!

Recently, I was confronted by an opportunity to delve heart-first into a long-standing personal dilemma, ‘how is it that we, humans—save and unsaved—are able to justify our actions even while acknowledging that they’re wrong!’ I use that word wrong, because they say in this New Millennium Age, it’s more palatable than SIN!

Most of us have, at varying degrees, mentally assented to the reality of GOD! While there may be a multiplicity of individual opinions of Who,Where and What role does He play in our lives, I don’t think I’m way out on a limb with this assumption. The unregenerated soul cannot be expected to receive the things of God because they don’t know HIM. (Ref. 1 Corinthians 2:14) Problem is those of us who name the Name of Jesus Christ, are obviously able to conjure up in our minds an IMAGE of our own God. Beloved, trust2kno! I know better than anyone, I am far from a finished work! Hence, I say this not out of a superficious self-righteous spirit, but as a statement of observation over the past years of pastoring God’s sheep!

We all know that The Word of God is alive and speaks to us taking into full account our personal circumstances and situations! Nevertheless, there are inherent truths that flow through generations, that are immuable! Whether we understand, believe, agree or disagree! Truth is ABSOLUTE because God is Truth and God is Sovereign!

Can you imagine the angelic conversations, looking down from Heaven’s view, witnessing humanity’s arrogance, self-will, pride, power coveting, resistance to the authority as we perpetually deny the Soveignty of God? Probably not, huh? Perhaps even more perplexing to the heavenly host, is our prevailing response to the consequences of our disobedience. We got some nerve, blaming God when we reap the wages of doing what seems right in our own eyes. As if the clay can demand the potter to relent from His Purpose for His creation. (Ref. Jeremiah 18-19)

I guess, we never looked at it like that, huh? After all, God knows out hearts, right? It’s more self comforting to judge others by their actions and ourselves by our good intentions! After all, what would become of us if we looked in the mirror of God’s Word and saw ourselves as God sees. Why we might have to plead guilty to the myriad of alleged charges railed against us of repeated abuse of God’s Love, breaking His Commandments, gross dis-honor and negligence, denying His Right to rule over His creations, refusal to submit to His authority and Power as Eternal Soveign Lord God!

Well, when you put it like dat! Kinda makes you wonder, what’s your response to the ultimate question ‘WHO DO U SAY I AM’?

I’m not Holy Ghost, Jr. so I can’t tell you what King Solomen’s final conclusion meant or didn’t. I can only speak for myself. But! Think about it! At the end of the day, we’re all slaves; yet GOD honors us as Sons! #AWEMAAZZIN!

IT BEHOOVES ANY /ALL OF US TO REMEMBER THAT BABYLON WILL BE JUDGED IN ONE DAY! WOW! TRUTH OF CONSEQUENCES!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

EITHER/OR???

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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!

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!

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)

Nevertheless, it still remains man’s choice either to bow now or bow later!

The Great Debate continues to infiltrate various sects of society. Hence, Absolutes vs. No Absolutes! Either you are male or female, saved or lost? Does God exist or not? Is there One God or many? Is Jesus Lord of all or not at all?

While there are those who might agree that these are tough issues that warrant careful consideration, at the end of the day, The Word Prevails! #WOW!

BEFORE YOU RESPOND, TAKE A MOMENT TO PAUSE AND PONDER! AFTER ALL, THE CONSEQUENCES ARE EITHER HEAVEN OR HELL! #ijs

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee