Tag Archives: Encourage

WALK IT OUT!

1 Reply

 

Wet shoe

 

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

Jesus replied,“The time is coming, ma’am, when we will no longer be concerned about whether to worship the Father here or in Jerusalem. For it’s not where we worship that counts, but how we worship—is our worship spiritual and real? Do we have the Holy Spirit’s help? For God is Spirit, and we must have his help to worship as we should. The Father wants this kind of worship from us. But you Samaritans know so little about him, worshiping blindly, while we Jews know all about him, for salvation comes to the world through the Jews.” John 4:21-24 TLB

 

Unless you were born late last night or just landed on planet earth early this morning, you gotta recognize that this whole world has gone crazy! I don’t care who you are, where you live, how many tongues you speak in, you’ve gotta admit that stuff is going down around us today that Mama and Daddy ‘nem never could’ve imagined. We’re living in desperate times, huh?

You don’t have to be a bible scholar or seminary theologian, or even have the Holy Ghost to be able to discern the signs of the times. We are living in the last of the last days. And Jesus is soon to come. Amen 3x? #DON’T SHOUT ME DOWN!

Let me assure you, it matters not whether you’re young or old, everybody needs to know Jesus for themselves. It’s getting darker out here, and there’s no guarantee that you got all that time you think you have to get yourself together. But while you have today, we need to stop blaming or comparing ourselves with everybody else and figure out how to work out our own soul salvation! None of us should allow what nobody else is doing to distract us and make us miss Jesus, huh?

It doesn’t matter who’s in the White House, Senate, Congress, Court House, Jail House, Out House or who falls off the financial cliff, YOU need to be very sure that this world is not your Source of provision, comfort, joy and certainly not your peace! Them ol’ skool Mothers sanng, “My Hope is built on nothing less, but Jesus Blood and His Righteousness, I dare not trust the sweet frame, but wholly lean on JESUS NAME”!

Beloved, time is spirialing into eternity at the speed of LIFE! Hence, recess is over and time’s out for fakin’ it till you make it! We no longer have the luxury of procrastinating! You’ve gotta get off the proverbial fence and make a decision. Either you’re going to walk by faith or allow the cares of this lost and dying world to slamm, trample and sift your joy, strength and hope for better days to come. If the only hope you have is in this world, you’re destined to live a most miserable life!

Saints, God has a better plan for His children. “I come that you might have life and that more abundantly” (Ref. John 10:10) Yet,  contrary to New Age Gospel-Lite doctine, God’s Promises are conditional! As the CEO of your destiny, The Word of God must take priority over everything! Therefore, it’s not enough to hear the Word, you must believe it to the point that you live it; i.e by walking it out in your everyday life!

Stop allowing your intellect to compromise your faith in what God can do. This ain’t the first time, the odds have been stacked against you. Remember, what you see is only temporary, but the Word of God stands forever, eternally established and secure!

Precious one, worship God out of a spirit of faithful obedience. Encourage yourself, giving praise and Glorraaa to your God Who is Faithful and Powerful enough to keep every promise that He’s ever made.  Don’t stop til u getit, GETIT! #WALK IT OUT!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

COURAGEOUS TRUST!

1 Reply

200468309-001

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee, for thou hast delivered my soul from death; …will, not thou deliver my feet from falling, that I may walk before God in the light of the living? 

Psalm 56:3,13

 

Today’s scripture text is a reminder that each and every day we might as well expect to be attacked by the enemies of our soul. In fact, according to the Apostle Paul we should not even consider it a strange phenomenon. Yes!  Even after we’ve confessed our faith in The Lord Jesus Christ, you can’t expect that deceitful devil to wave a white flag, pat you on the back and throw you a retirement party! For lack of a better word, he is committed to tearing down The Kingdom of God, one soul at a time.
 
Does this mean that the people of God are defenseless? Absolutely, positively NOT! As a born-again, blood-washed child of The Most High God, just as sure as there is an enemy determined to destroy you,  you have The True and Living God, Who has sworn by Godself, to always cause you to be victorious! (Ref. 2 Corinthians 2:14)
 
As a child of The Most High God, we have been anointed and authorized by the Lord of Hosts to annihilate the works of the devil. But you must remember, that the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but spiritual! It is THE WORD OF GOD!  When you speak God’s Word, it comes alive and releases the power to rebuke  the threats and pull down the strongholds of your enemies, unmercyfully!  If he is bold enough to raise his ugly head, because you are IN Christ, you have been empowered to step on his throat and cut off his head!
 
Be aware of the enemies attempt to diminish your confidence and trust in God thru FEAR (FALSE EVIDENCE APPEARING REAL)! As soldiers in The Army of The Lord,  you must stay on high alert, clothed in The Whole Armor of God, armed with the mind of Christ, fully persuaded that “No Weapon that’s formed against shall prosper!” you shall overcome the wiles of the devil  by God’s Grace! (Ref. Isaiah 54:17) Keep in the forefront of your consciousness that your God is Jehovah Shamah!  Hence, He’s not coming, HE IS ALREADY HERE  ready, willing and able to execute judgment on your behalf!
 
Rest assured, my precious ones, you and God make a majority! So, take a stand, dig in your heels, draw a line in the sand and with Holy Boldness proclaim, “COME WHAT MAY, I WILL TRUST IN THEE, MY GOD; NOW DEVIL, ENTER AT YOUR OWN RISK!”
 
The same God Who  delivered your soul from the clutches of eternal damnation, will He not deliver your feet from falling prey to those awaiting to conquer your hope as well?#shonuff!
 
As Believers, our steps and  stops are being Divinely orchestrated by The Good Shepherd! As we walk confidently in the path that God sets before us, be confident of this very thing we are never alone!  Goodness and mercy SHALL  accompany me all the days of my life. Therefore, as I walk thru valleys overshadowed by death,  I shall delight in the Light of His Loving Presence! COURAGEOUS TRUST!!
 
SELAH!
 
Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

TRUTH OF CONSEQUENCES!

1 Reply

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

SHALLOW CHRISTIANITY

6 Replies

SHALLOW CHRISTIANITY

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

And now, children, stay with Christ. Live deeply in Christ. Then we’ll be ready for HIM when HE appears, ready to receive Him with open arms, with no cause for red-faced guilt or lame excuses when He arrives. Once you’re convinced that he is right and righteous, you’ll recognize that all who practice righteousness are God’s true children. 1 JOHN 2:28-29 THE MESSAGE

 
It might surprise you! One of the greatest deterrents to advancing The Kingdom of God in the earth is not ‘da devil’ BUT ‘Shallow Christians’! What is that, you ask. Well they’re not that hard to recognize. In fact, they’re probably your pew partners. Whhhaaaa? #ikr! While they confess their faith in The Lord Jesus, their walk does not line up with their talk, and as a result, most likely they’re confusing many who’ve yet to invite Christ into their lives as Savior and Lord!

OOOHHH Yessss I did go there! I know how churrch-folk are adamant about not judging, right? But, for your own safety, the Bible says a tree is known by the fruit it bears! More importantly, God knows those who are His! (Ref. 2 Timothy 2:19)

The preaching and teaching of this Gospel of Christ is still the best way to get souls saved, but sometimes His PR staff could use a refreshers course on what it means to live deeply in Christ!

Rest assured, God is not mocked! (Ref. Galatians 6:7) While we might impress some people with our 11:00 A.M. Sunday morning tongue-talking, pew hopping, propha-lyin, shout’n and danc’n, GOD KNOWS the difference between those who are faking it ’till they make it and those who freely rejoice in the mercy, compassionate, longsuffering, unconditional Love of The Heavenly Father, yet acknowledge that sometimes they miss the mark and have yet to reach perfection!

Shallow christians hide behind shameless excuses to continue to satisfy their ungodly cravings, but a true child of God will be quick to repent. GOD KNOWS those who are genuinely striving everyday to mortify the wickness of their flesh and live a life that pleases HIM even at their own hurt! After all, we are living epistles! It’s our holy lifestyle  that will advertise and promote the True Answer to mankinds’ most dire and desperate need–THE SAVIOR OF THE WORLD, JESUS CHRIST!

I am by no means suggesting that this is easy nor is it a one and done thang! But God already took care of that too. He sent your Guardian, Holy Spirit, to live inside of you to teach and empower you to say no to sin and yes to righteousness!

Sometimes, it looks like Satan is gaining the upper hand, huh?  Beloved, don’t fall for the devil’s tricks and please don’t blame God! Trust 2 know, God ain’t scarred! Remember what happened when Jesus went to Hell, snatched the keys from his puny hands and got up proclaiming, ALL POWER IS IN MY HANDS?

God is raising up an army of disciples that no man can number; building a new nation of trusting believers who will obey His Voice; hewing out a courageous People who’re not ashamed to live righteously in the midst of darkness as a monument to HIS RIGHTEOUSNESS, POWER AND MAJESTY!

Examine yourself? REPRSENT JESUS? LIVE DEEPLY?

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

COME AWAY…WITH ME!

1 Reply

 

COME AWAY WITH ME

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

My beloved spake, and said unto me, Rise up, my love, my fair one, and come away.
Song of Songs 2:10

It was but a little that I passed from them, but I found him whom my soul loveth: I held him, and would not let him go, until I had brought him into my mother’s house, and into the chamber of her that conceived me. Song of Songs 3:4

 

It’s about that time again, yall! Don’t get me wrong, I so enjoy looking at the snow covered rooftops, grounds and trees …out of my living room windows! But,  I jus love the sounds of Spring bursting in the freshness of new beginnings! As a child, I could hardly wait. Not just for school to close, even though I worked hard to get good grades and deserved a break!  But, in the Newton clan,  it meant  new shorts, tank tops and Kenny Kapers, backyard cookouts with loads of family, food, fellowships and street games tournaments. As days got warmer and longer, smiles got brighter and hearts seemed lighter, as if love was in the air!

But then you grow up, huh? Life doesn’t always allow you to play as hard or often when you’ve got obligations and resposibilities to family, commitments to friends, schools, jobs, careers,  and yes church! Sometimes you’re pulled in all kinds of directions, huh?

In the mix of the longer lunch hours, and crammin more fun-n-da sun weekends, it can be difficult to carve out that one-on-one time with the True Light of The World! That still small Voice whispering, “COME” is often muted by the sermonic selections of the birds, blooming  buds and booming music, not to mention the blasts of callings to cruises, amusement park outings and island gettaways! After all, you deserve a little personal  R&R, right?

It ain’t my business, but I’m jus saying, this year, let’s not get so caught up in the heat of the dayz, that you neglect those holy moments with The Daystar, Jesus! In fact, take The Lord God with you, everywhere you go. Chances are, you gonna need Him!

Oh yeah, feel free to invite a friend… that’ll really make Jesus smile! ‘Come, ye… after me?’ Didjaheardat? SERIOUSLY? #don’tdolifewithoutHIM!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

SUPER-NATURAL!

1 Reply

Super-Natural

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:13

 

Don’t you just love hearing these words ringing out in a blazing testimony of the overcoming, triumphant power of a believer—or not? Perhaps, you can you remember hearing these words and being overcome with a sense of disappointment and failure in self for having weaknesses that you are yet struggling with.

Sometimes, like the world, the saints concoct their own sanctified Hollywood version of their personal lives to escape unpleasant realities. Yet, the Bible does not teach this kind of fantasy life. In fact, Jesus says, “These things I have spoken to you, that in me you might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16.33

Looking at the preceding verses of today’s scripture text Philippians 4:11-12,  the confidence exemplified in The Apostle Paul’s comments might easily be interpreted as the words of a super human of great faith—able to leap over walls and run through troops, scale tall buildings effortlessly, conquering the unconquerable! And in many instances, indeed they are! However, what many of us fail to recognize is that The Apostle’s faith was developed through personal suffering and patient endurance through tremendous temptations, test, trials and tribulation, totally reliant upon The Lord’s Sustaining Grace! Just like any other human being born into planet Earth.

The problem is, often times we’ll read this text with the focus on the ‘I’, rather than recognizing that the real emphasis should be on the “through Christ” of Paul’s testimony. Think about it! Oh how liberating it is to cast the burden of proving The Word of God in its rightful place. In the Power of The One Who watches over His Word to perform it. (Ref. Jeremiah 1:12) This is the True Hope and Peace-filled Joy of every saint who aspires to experience the manifestation of God’s Promises! U C? It’s all about HIM not us! God gets the Glory by putting Christ’s SUPER ON OUR NATURAL!

It pleases The Heavenly Father to anoint us with HIS Amazing Grace, empowering us beyond our natural ability! It’s The Anointing that enables us to do above and beyond everything we can ever ask or think.

Remember, God is Omnipotent! Hence, God has unlimited resources of Glory yet to be revealed! As we relinquish our self-reliance and embrace Christ-Reliance, we can dauntlessly proclaim, “It’s the GOD IN ME!” (Ref. Galations 2:20)

My precious Sista/Bro, oooohhhh what a relief it is—when we learn to ‘Let go and Let God!’ THAT’S WHEN IT GETS SUPER-NATURAL! #4REAL!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

FAITH 4 NOW!

Leave a reply

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

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

 

Several years ago, I heard a teaching by Kenneth Copeland, reminiscing about his early experiences in the family church. Bro. Copeland said that just about every Sunday morning, it was pretty much guaranteed that you’d hear the Preacher say ‘you gotta have faith’, or ‘you need to increase youaith’, or ‘if it’s not of faith then, it’s sin’. Bro. Copeland remembered how frustrating it was because the Preacher never told them how a poor soul might procure this precious gift of faith!

Well, guess what? Not much has changed, huh? Even now, given the popularity of 21st Century prosperity doctrinal teachings, I’d venture to say that a whole of churchgoers are still confused about they can exercise true biblical faith in their lives. Contrary to New Millennium mysticism , faith is not a new theological doctrine reserved for the elect seminary scholars. God has given every one of us ‘a measure of faith’…and it’s a free gift, yall! No one can work hard enough or be good enough to earn or deserve it! But The Heavenly Father so graciously pours it into us when we open our hearts to HIM!

Simply put, Faith is a patient confident trust in the integrity and power of our Loving and Caring Heavenly Father!

Faith is the currency of exchange in The Kingdom of God! Duuhhh! God doesn’t need our money! EVERYTHING, including all the silver and gold belongs to Him! However, we need faith to get anything from Him. In fact, you can’t even approach God unless you believe that He exists and is able to do what you need Him to do for you. Sounds like it’s virtually impossible to please God without it, huh? (Ref. Hebrew 11:6)

Hebrews Chapter 12, dubbed The Hall of Faith, highlights several examples of ordinary men and women, who activated their faith and achieved extraordinary things thru God! Nevertheless, to relegate God’s Faithfulness to an historical phenomenon seems to suggest that He’s changed—and that’ll NEVER happen! (Ref. Hebrews 13:8) Perhaps that’s why Today’s text says now faith and not then faith, huh?

After all that God has done for us, trusting Him seems only reasonable! (Ref. Romans 12:1-2)

Did you know that your Heavenly Father is absolutely delighted when His sons and daughters genuinely trust in Him! Seriously!

Faith in God says, ‘Father I believe that You love me unconditionally and always have my best interest at heart. Even if it doesn’t look like it, I am fully persuaded that my God is working everything together for my highest good and His Greatest Glory!’ (Ref. Romans 8:28)

WOW! REMEMBER, IF HE did it before, HE WILL DO IT NOW! —NOW THAT’S FAITH!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

THURSDAYS’ PRAYERS

Leave a reply

PRAYN AND FASTING PIC

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

GOTTA MOMENT?  Once again, we invite you to join us at The Altar of Prayer. We believe God has given us the wonderful opportunity to entreat His Presence, His Mercy through the privilege of Prayer! Shall we approach Him now with a Holy Boldness trusting that as we open our hearts towards Heaven, He will extend His Hands towards us! Shall we pray?

 

JESUS, JESUS! THERE IS SOMETHING ABOUT THAT NAME! MASTER, SAVIOR, JESUS! LET THE HEAVENS AND EARTH PROCLAIM! KINGS AND KINGDOMS SHALL ALL PASS AWAY! BUT THERE’S SOMETHING ABOUT YOUR NAME! OH SWEET WONDER! OH SWEET WONDER! JESUS, THE SON OF GOD! OOOOHHHH SWEET WONDER! OOOOOOH SWEET WONDER, JESUS, THE SON OF GOD!

 

Dear Lord, we come, once again to thank you for this day. We thank You for our being able to see and to hear this morning. We’re so blessed because You are a forgiving  and understanding God. You have done so much for us and You keep on blessing us. Forgive us this day for everything we have done, said or thought that was not pleasing to you. We understand that we have nothing to offer to suffice such mercy, but totally reliance upon The Sacrificial Atonement of Your Son, Jesus Christ!

Abba Father, please keep us safely tucked under Your Wings, from all hurt, harm and danger. Help us to start this day with a new attitude and plenty of gratitude. Let us make the best of each moment to clear our mind and hearts from the clutter of the cares of this world, so that we can hear from You.

Let me not whine and whimper over things we have no control over. Let us continue to see sin through God’s eyes and acknowledge it as evil. And when we sin, let us be quick to repent, and confess with our mouth any wrong doing, and receive the forgiveness of God that cleanses us from the guilt and shame of unrighteousness.

And when this world closes in on, Lord us help us to remember Jesus’ example — to slip away and find a quiet place to pray. It’s the best response when we’re pushed beyond our limits. Give us the confidence to know that when we can’t pray, You listen to our heart. Continue to use us to do Your will, that other’s might recognize Your Glory and give praise and honor to You and You Only!

Heavenly Father, continue to bless us that we may be a blessing to others. Keep us strong that we may help the weak.. Keep us uplifted that we may have words of encouragement for others.

Lord, we pray for those who are lost and can’t find their way. We pray for those who are misjudged and misunderstood. We pray for those who don’t know You intimately. We pray for those who will delete this without sharing it with others. We pray for those who don’t believe. But we shall forever praise and thank You for that blessed day that You revealed Your Son to our hearts allowing us to believe and trust You as Eternal Savior and Lord!

Abba Father we know that God changes people and God changes things. We pray for all my sisters and brothers. For every family member in their households. We decree and declare peace, love, joy, wisdom and wholeness in their homes and into their lives! Father we’re believing that every one of Your children whose body is being attacked by all manner of sicknesses, disease, mental disorders, drug addictions are being healed at this moment. For Your Word has decreed that by Your Stripes we are healed.

We’re decreeing that as Your people obey Your Word with their tithes and offerings,  trusting you to supply all of their needs, their debts are being supernaturally cancelled and all their needs shall be met according to Your Riches in Christ Jesus.

Father, we pray that every eye that reads this knows there is no problem, circumstance, or situation greater than God. Every battle is in Your hands for You to fight. We pray that these words be received into the hearts of every eye that sees them and every mouth that confesses them willingly…

By Faith in The King of Glory, with exceding joy and confidence, we submit this prayer. IN JESUS NAME…AMEN 3X3!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

IF U THINK…U CAN THANK!

1 Reply

IF U THINK, U CAN THANK

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

“When I think of the goodness of Jesus, and all he has done for me,my soul cries out Hallelujah! I thank God for saving me!”

 

We’ve all heard that; some of us have even testified it ourselves. How many of us were clueless that this was really a verse of a song, and not a scripture? But datz okay! Regardless of it’s roots, reciting these words has pulled many drowning souls out of the depths of hopelessness and despair!

The master of deceit, Satan, flourishes in our proclivity towards selective amnesia. Whether it’s a self-induced defense mechanism or some type of ego-boosting-denial-syndrome, I don’t know. However, if we’re honest, every single one of us could testify we’ve scaled some mountains higher than we thought possible and drifted through seemingly impossible storms that “NOBODY BUT GOD kept us alive!”

Truthfully, that’s exactly what terrifies Satan the most. He knows that if we ever take the time to really think about how often The Power Twins, Mercy and Grace, showed up, just in the nick of time delivering us from danger, destruction and even death, praise and worship is imminent! And of course, that’s the absolute last thing the devil wants to endure is a bunch of happy trusting believers rejoicing and lifting up The Name of Jesus!

Well, guess what devil, you might as well pull out your earplugs, because God is raising up a nation of your worst nightmare,  reformed doubters-complainers, an honest-to-goodness -genuine BELIEVERS! Oh Yeah! We’ve come through some fires, been through some storms but we can truly say that God was with me all the way!

In fact, come to think of it,  everytime that I cried out to Him, Jesus heard me and saved me out of all my troubles! ( Psalm 34:6) And because of my personal history, I have learned how to lean and depend on Jesus! Therefore, I truly and profoundly declare and decree (with both hands raised) “I WILL BLESS THE LORD AT ALL TIMES, HIS PRAISE SHALL CONTINUALLY BE IN MOUTH! (Psalm 34:1)

And guess what else, if you think I’m gonna keep this to myself, you must be an ol’ fool! I’m about to tell everybody, ‘come and see what the Lord has done for me!” THINK ABOUT IT…U GOTTA THANK HIM, huh?

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

 

CHALLENGED?

1 Reply

Goliath meets his match

 

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! That’s what I call grossly understated, huh? If you can’t say Amen, the ol’ saints used to say, ‘Jus keep getting up in the morning and going to bed in the evenings!’ 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. Okay?

Here’s the clincher! Sometimes your worst adversity comes from your own house! I mean, one might expect oppositon competing for a job, after all the unemployment rate being as high as it is. And of course, given the deminishing 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 whole different kinda beast!

Most of the time  when 1 Samuel 17 is preached or taught the focus is on Goliath, but upon closer observation of the context, David faced serious oppositon 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 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 difficult, 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. WOW! #OHNOSHEDIDN’T #YESSHEDID!

But the young shepherd boy had somehow learned that when you can’t find support or encouragement from without, don’t give up! Look to the only One truly qualified to determine your worth or define your destiny! The Creator and Giver of Life, The Lord Almighty! David drew strength, courage and unfailing unconditonal love abiding in the Presence of The True Shepherd, Yahweh, translated I  AM THE ONE,  or I AM WHAT I AM!

In the midst of  foreboding clouds of impending threats, persecutions, peer pressure, hopelessness and despair, David found respite rehearsing holy moments he’d spent searching the Heart of His Lord!

Like David, most of us can look back at those ‘almost’, and rekindle those ‘look what the Lord has done’ moments! But sometimes it takes us a while to regroup after we finally back  off looking for our own way out, huh? When you realize the folly of depending on self and others,  you’ll come to the realization that when God decides to bless you, it doesn’t matter who tries to curse you! Oh Gggglorrra!

Life has a way of teaching you that you can’t overcome what you’re not willing to confront! However, even more rewarding is understanding The Good News! God’s got a plan for your life and it’s all good! (Ref. Jeremiah 29:11)  You already got the victory; you jus gotta fight the good fight of faith! Didjaheardat? Trust2know! CHALLENGED?

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray and Praiz!

Ann Caffee