Tag Archives: faith

U AIN’T RIGHT!

U AINT RIGHT

SELAH Daily Devotions!

And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; Philippians 3:9-10

Are you proud of yourself!

Come on now; how many of us have, consciously or unconsciously, given ourselves a slight pat on the back or an inward nod because we did something better or knew more about something that no one else in our sphere of influence knew? Exactly!

Of course I’m not suggesting that we venture off to the other end of the spectrum and fall into self-debasement or self-loathing. I’m simply noting how easily the line between arrogance and self esteem can become blurred!

Taking pride in our successful accomplishments has its place in our lives. However when we over-compensate ourselves for what we’ve managed to attain to the point that we levitate through life as if our ‘performance’ gives us an edge above everyone else, WATCHOUT! You’re headed down a slippery ledge to destruction! (Ref. Proverb 16:18)

Sometimes even Christians find themselves ominously near the vicinity of Pharisee Blvd and Straight Street, when it comes to Righteousness. (Ref. Matthew 5:20) When our righteousness is based on our performance, we’ve missed it by miles! If we’re relying upon our good works to qualify us for a automatic ticket to Heaven, boy are we ever deceiving ourselves! When we equate our holiness according to the world’s standards, we’re sho nuff trippin’! So what hope do we have of reaching the lofty Pentacle of Acceptability to GOD?

Have I got some good news for you! There is a way to receive God’s Righteousness and it doesn’t involve anything that YOU can do on your own. It’s called Grace! Grace is God’s free Gift to us, something that we could never earn or merit—a right-standing with a Holy God!

God’s Righteousness is based solely upon personal acceptance, through faith in the finished works of Christ Jesus! The scripture say, ‘For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. (2 Corinthians 5:21)

There is a well-spring of exhilarating freedom in just taking God at His Word; knowing that you ain’t right, BUT…JESUS IS!

SELAH!

Have a WONDER-FILLED day!

Ann Caffee

IT’S ABOUT TIME

 

ITZ ABOUT TIME 2

SELAH Daily Devotions!

For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Mark 8:36-37

 

“Time is filled with swift transition, Naught of earth unmoved can stand, Build your hopes on things eternal, Hold to God’s unchanging hand.” (saanngn yall)
 
Remember that one? It’s  the first verse to one of my favorite Gospel hymns (by Jennie Bain Wilson)! This song probes the core of every mortal’s soul provoking either aggravating or consoling intentional thought concerning its eternal destination.

While some would prefer to dismiss the  inevitable potency of its reality, there’s absolutely no escaping it. The most precious commodity in the earth is not silver, gold, oil or even real estate—BUT TIME!

This New Millennium Theology teaches “time is money”; but I beg to differ!

Time is much more valuable than mere mammon. Granted you’d probably never notice the slightest hint of this, given the media’s promotion of the extravagant lifestyles of the rich and famous; nevertheless, I think it not robbery to propose that if you’d ask any one of this world’s wealthiest man or woman,  retrospectfully glancing back over their life’s times achievements, how much they’d be willing to barter for one solitary moment of unrefined, unrequited love; one night of tranquil serene rest unhindered by foreboding betrayal; one day of normality without drug induced sense of well-being, many would ardently confess“ALL…I’D GIVE UP ALL!”

Hence, that’s the crucible of every one of our lives! What makes life meaningful and more importantly what in this life that’s truly worth dying for?  “If in this life only we have hope, we are of all men most miserable.” 1 Corinthians 15:19.

But! Thanks Be To God! God is a Master Economist! He dispenses time and talents based on projected recompense. (Ref. Matthew 25:14-30) We have been given the gift of time called ‘TODAY’ to fulfill God’s Purpose for our lives, one day and one step at a time!

Someone once said (and I am not quoting) “The only thing that’s certain is uncertainty. Life is change and change is growth and growth is evolving into the ‘being’ that God has created in us”. 

Sounds like a wise person would count up the cost and build your life on things eternal, huh?

“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21 
 
DON’T WASTE IT—LIVE LIFE TO LAST ETERNALLY! REMEMBER, IT’S ABOUT TIME!
 
SELAH!
 
Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!
 
Ann Caffee

THE UNTOUCHABLES!

The_Untouchables

SELAH Daily Devotions!

“For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole.” Matthew 9:21

A while back, there was a TV drama entitled, “Touch by An Angel” starring Roma Downey and Della Reese. The program was about “a female angel sent to Earth to help solve people’s problems with a touch of spiritual guidance”. Not surprising, it became quite popular and the series lasted from 1994-2003. Can you image how much better we’d be if all of our life’s crisis were eradicated by Divine intervention?Well guess what, it’s absolutely possible!

According to Free On-Line Dictionary, ‘touch’ means “To cause or permit a part of the body, especially the hand or fingers, to come in contact with so as to feel”. Just wondering, if you conducted a census of church attendees, what percentage of those on the rolls have actually personally touched or been touched by Christ?  I’ve discovered that talking about God or studying Theology (The Story of God) and actually experiencing GOD is as different as life and death!
 
According to studies, never in the history of the western world have we had so many people on church rolls as there are today. I’m talking about folk who ‘profess’ to know Christ! Unfortunately, these same studies conclude that the number of ‘committed’ Christians is at an all time low!

Evidently, it is possible to be in Church yet not in Christ! Don’t  u dare touch that delete key!

I’m simply submitting, for your consideration, the reason we have so many border-line-hypocritical-uncommitted folk in our churches today, is because you can’t really be faithful and committed to a god that you can’t touch or who can’t touch you! #FLATOUT!

There is an exclusively reserved GOD-size hole in each of us! And while some church folk are content with a theoretical relationship (living on the edge, in the vicinity of) with Christ, others of us have such an insatiable thirst, hunger, a longing for HIM that keeps us in constant pursuit for more and more of His Presence, His Grace, Peace and His Joy!

Just like the woman with the issues in today’s scripture text, we have come into contact with the ONLY TRUE, LIVING, HOLY, LOVING, DELIVERING SAVING GOD who can be touched even with our weaknesses!

“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.” (Heb. 4:15)

DO YOU KNOW HIM OR R U yet THE UNTOUCHABLES? #jusaskining
 
SELAH!
 
“Have a WONDER-FILLED day!”
 
Ann Caffee 

FAITH TALKS!

 

FAITH TALKS 3

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

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

 

Contrary to contemporary Millennium thinking, faith is not a new theological doctrine. Biblical faith doesn’t have to be complicated. Genuine Faith is simply a patient confident trust in the integrity and power of our Loving and Caring Heavenly Father. Didjaheardat?

Faith is the currency of exchange in the Kingdom of God! The Bible emphatically states that we can’t even approach The Creator of Heaven and earth, The True and Living God without first believing, not only that He exists, but that HE is WHO HE SAYS HE IS!  Furthermore, we can’t expect to get anything from God unless we believe that HE IS ABLE TO DO EVERYTHING HE SAYS HE WILL DO! #SERIOUSLY!

Hebrews 11:1 says, “NOW” faith, not “THEN” faith! The Eternal God reigns from Everlasting to Everlasting; and because JESUS is the same, yesterday, today and forever, we can expect Him to be the same God NOW that He’s always been! (Ref. Hebrews 13:8)

Beloved, words are powerful containers! Hence, as long as you continue to call those things that are, then you will continue to get jus whachasay! However, if you want to see  that situation change for the better, then start calling it whacha want! Jesus did! #ijs (Ref. Romans 4:17) 

Remember how them Ol’ Church Mothers used to encourage themselves while waiting on their Lord by singing faith songs like “GOD Specializes” and “I know the Lord Will Make a Way, Somehow”. Their hope, just like ours, was not in what we can see now, but what we can expect God to do. Faith says “I don’t know when and I don’t know how, but I just believe that God is already working on my situation; turning everything around to work in my favor and for His Greatest Glorrraaa!   (Ref. Romans8:28)

TRUST2KNO, Faith is not limited by our natural eyes…but says, “I don’t have to see it to believe it!  AMEN 3X…IT IS SO! FAITH TALKS!

SELAH!
 
Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!
 
Ann Caffee 

THE PERFECT STORM

THE PERFECT STORM 2

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

“One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple. For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.” Psalm 27:4-5

 

Aaawwwww…Fantasy! Believe it or not, that’s where many escape to when the painful realities of life become much more than a person can bear. Perhaps, this might explain why that 1965 Classic American Sitcom “I Dream of Genie” (staring Barbara Eden and Larry Hagman) drew such a faithful following!

Week after week families gathered around their b/w TV’s anxiously gasping for any momentary retreat from the real-time burdens facing our nation. I mean who wouldn’t jump at the opportunity to have anything their heart desired suddenly appear simply by swiping a lamp, right?  Yep, those were the good ol’ days, huh?

History records President Lyndon B. Johnson struggling to lead the nation through a multiplicity of vexing controversial challenges and at the same time maintain some semblance of the homeland security that many cleaved to so dearly.

Remember, The First Combat Boots landing in Viet Nam and the Dominican Republic, the arrest of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King along with 2,600 others in Selma Alabama for demonstrating against voter-registration rules. Malcom X was shot to death in a Harlem rally, while the newly recognized Afro-Americans were rioting in Watts and others were rudely awakened to the undeniable existence of racism in The Land of the FreeYep! Yep! #thoseweredadays!

The point is, despite the torrid winds of time, we survived!

Truthfully, as long as we live and breathe on this earth, there will be storms of adversity. In today’s scripture text, the Psalmist offers a brilliant ray of confident hope, strength and encouragement to those who yet contend for the faith found only in an intimate personal relationship with The God of all flesh.

Having been victimized by jealously, hatred and malicious rejection from those closes to him on numerous occasions, David sticks out in history as a true, honest, God-revealing companion to the desperate and down casts. A recap of God’s servant’s life depicts one who repeatedly finds himself besieged by fear, doubt, betrayal, death and isolation from human kindness. Yet in the midst of chaos, terror and tragedy, The Shepherd boy/King, David discovers the Source of true solace under the watchful care of His Sovereign Lord!

Beloved, we’re living in a day in time where it’s easy to get caught up in the daily grind of hussle and bustle, striving for the world’s standards of successful accomplishments and accommodations! However,  in spite of those poignant pathetic prophetic voices declaring peace and prosperity, sometimes we are left trembling and shaken by the inscrutable ungodliness of the systems of this world!

Nevertheless, if we keep our eyes pointed Heavenward, we too can be blessed, revitalized and restored by that Peace that passes all understanding, swept over by the unspeakable joy and resting assured in the Presence of the One Savior and Lord that David delighted in, Jesus Christ!  THE PERFECT ANSWER TO THE PERFECT STORM!

SELAH!
 
PAUSE, PONDER, PRAY & PRAIZ!
 
Ann Caffee

KEEP’N IT 100

KEEP'N IT 100

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. 2 Timothy 2:19 
 

If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? Psalm 11:3 

 

God has given to those who have placed their personal trust in The Blood of Jesus for the saving of their souls, exceedingly great and precious promises!  Those of us who never ever believed that they could be invited to partake of so GREAT A SALVATION,  have latched on to this Blessed Hope as if our very lives depended upon it–and it does!  While rejoicing is indeed in order, it’s also important that we not indulge in THE WORD like it’s a smorgasbord… ‘eat’ the text we like and discard those that we don’t!
 
According to The Holy Writ, certain Promises are specifically-reserved for those who are walking daily in Christ with GOD!  “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” (Amos 3:3) 

God recognizes those who have been called to Him by their willingness to submit to His Will and whosoever chooses to obey His Word, receive The Promises!

May I submit for your consideration that everybody that’s in the church building ain’t necessarily in Christ?  #OHNOSHEDIDN’T…OHYESSHEDID!

Some people can be religious (or as the Millennials say, SPIRITUAL) but not in an intimate relationship with The Lord Jesus Christ! Many may believe that the Bible is the Word of God, yet they don’t believe that it’s talking to them! Others may believe that God has power, however don’t essentially believe that God has the Power to change their lives!

Unfortunately, all of the blame is not on the people but must be shared by those in leadership in churches that have watered-down the Living Word in order to fill the pews, appease the congregation and appear more palatable to the world!  #ijsSeriously?

I know, with so many opinions being perpetuated into our spirits from various medias, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to sift thru the fake news in an effort to decipher Truth from the fictitious, fabricated to manipulate the unsuspecting for personal gain! Hence, it behooves the true seekers to let every man be a liar and GOD BE THE TRUTH!

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15

Seasons change, opinions change, customs change, methods change BUT God’s Message will never change!

The Bible, aka The Eternal Word of God, plainly declares and decrees — If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?

While the New Millennium church is reaching forward and pressing on to get wherever we’re going, please don’t lose Jesus!  Remember, it doesn’t matter how high we go in this life, we’ll never get above GOD. #Didjaheardat?

For He knows them that are His!  JUS KEEP’N IT 100!  

SELAH! 
 
Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!
 
Ann Caffee
 

ETERNAL

ETERNAL

SELAH Daily Devotions!

“Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, And Your dominion endures throughout all generations. The Lord upholds all who fall, And raises up all who are bowed down.” Psalm 145:13-14

Granted there is a certain degree of comforting consolation from King David’s lamenting songs, “For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” (Psalm 30:5),  unfortunately,  I dare say, there are some times when these words shriek hallow leaving our battle-wearied hearts to sigh “OH WHAT A NIGHT!”

Even though all the circumstantial evidence blaring in our faces might cause us to question internally; “God where are you? Don’t you see? Do you not understand; do you care?” , as born-again-baptised-believers, we must learn to walk by faith–not sight and certainly not our fickle feelings!  The whole point of having our Salvation Benefits Package is that despite of what it looks like in the natural, we yet have a HOPE that’s beyond this world. OUR GOD LIVES! OUR GOD Sees! OUR GOD Knows! OUR GOD Cares! #didjaheardat?

My Precious saints, it ‘s TRUE! Nevertheless, God does allow tests and trials to come into our lives. Not to tempt us to turn from HIM, but to train us to trust HIM! The Ol’ skool Mothers used to say “if you never had a problem, how would you know GOD COULD solve them?” While I’m totally convinced that The Sovereign God could’ve gotten HIS Purpose fulfilled without allowing me to go thru some of those desperate Baca places, the operative word is “thru”! In other words, this thing didn’t come to stay–it too shall pass!

All of our problems have a pre-designated expiration date—BUT GOD DOESN’T! THE I AM IS ETERNAL!

“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Romans 8:18

While you’re meandering through your wilderness, pick up a few stones; as a personal memento when you get on the other side of it! Not just to remind yourself of what GOD can do; but to empower your witness to that sojourner you meet on their way in to where you’ve come out!

“HOLD TO GOD’S UNCHANGING HANDS! HE REIGNS FOREVER!”

SELAH!

“Have a WONDER-FILLED day!”

Ann Caffee

THE MASTER’S BOUQUET

THE MASTER'S BOUQUET PIC

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

“I will greatly rejoice in the Lord, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels. For as the earth bringeth forth her bud, and as the garden causeth the things that are sown in it to spring forth; so the Lord God will cause righteousness and praise to spring forth before all the nations.” Isaiah 61:10-11

 

Living on the East Coast,  allows us the opportunity to enjoy the experience of watching with sheer delight as the seasons transition displaying God awesomeness! BUT! Don’tchajusluv SPRING? 

WOW! Ever looked at it like this? The whole earth is waking up from a long cold winter’s night and suddenly exploding under the light of a brand new day, huh? Seems like everywhere you turn, flowers are bursting up with blossoms filling the air with the sweet frangrance of fresh!

The Light of HOPE springs ALIVE dismissing the dismal depths of past failures, disappointments and desolations, arousing passion, promises and potential. Feeldat? Aaaaahhhhh! Oh Yeah, LOVE is in the air!

Didjaheardat?  Even the birds are tweeting songs of thanksgiving and praise to the Faithfulness of their Benefactor’s sustaining Grace. Listen! The streets and playgrounds are filled with children’s lalughter, dancing beneath the afternoon showers as the joy revives the strength of many who have been wearied and burdened by  far too many lengthy tear-filled restless nights!

That’s simplly awemazing, huh? I mean, inspite of all that gossip, sibling bickering and too much unsolicited advice, once again families are gathered round banquet-sized tables, anxiously anticipating the first bite! That’s if PopPop ever gets finished boasting about his culinary skills and brings the BBQ chicken, ribs and those famous ever-so-slightly burned hot dogs and burgers to the table and puts them along side Aunt Bessie’s baked beans and Big Mama’s infamous potato salad!

OMG! Now where dem older kids, think they slippin off to? Funny how they think us old folk were born old! Ha! Ha! ‘Can somebody go tell them guys, if they keep walking back to the trucks, they ain’t gonna get no pig feet!’

‘Can you believe that Uncle D thinks he’s getting away with slipping all those extra cookies, candy and chips to dem kids (as if anyone could miss it—with all that noise behind the side of the house)!’

‘Can you tell Pastor to come bless the food, please?’

Gotta Luv It! NOW THAT’S LIFE—MORE ABUNDANT AND FILLED WITH GLORRAAA! THAT’S THE HANDIWORK OF THE MASTER’S BOUQUET! #um..um…umm! Can hardly wait, huh?

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

U TOOK MY SIDE…

U TOOK MY SIDE...

SELAH Daily Devotions!

“I called upon thy name, O Lord, out of the low dungeon. Thou hast heard my voice: hide not thine ear at my breathing, at my cry. Thou drewest near in the day that I called upon thee: thou saidst, Fear not. O Lord, thou hast pleaded the causes of my soul; thou hast redeemed my life.” Lamentations 3:55-58

I must confess, I have a lot in common with The Weeping Prophet, Jeremiah! I guess you call it kindred spirits! I am, personally, persuaded that if you have The Love of Christ in you at all, I suspect you can identify with God’s Prophet also. The more things change, the more they stay the same, right?

Jeremiah’s pure love of God and his devotion to the people of God, often landed him swamped smack-dab-n-the-middle of backstabbing plots, the main attraction of malicious gossip, abuse, victimization and isolation! Basically, all because he dared to live godly in an ungodly environment! There goes that glitz. glam and prestigious mirage of the lifestyle of the true servants of God, huh?
Often times, in the midst of the excitement, honor, and humbling of being called, we underestimate the burden that comes along with the privilege of being used by God.

I would imagine Jeremiah was no different. Little did the he know that the weight of The Prophetic calling on his life meant being exposed to unimaginable, unparalleled suffering, grief, sorrow and yes even fear! Somebody called it—the  cost of the anointing!

Much like any faithful intercessor today, much of his ministry encompassed weeping and mourning, not just for his own life, but because he knew the certainty of ultimate destruction awaiting the nation of Israel if they persisted in flaunting their outrageous rebellion again their God!

While the Bible does make it clear, that because we represent another Kingdom and King, we should expected to be tagged alien intolerant troublers, BUT spit on, chased down and beaten, treated like last weeks garbage, thrown into an empty cistern, left to die in the muck and the mire? I know it’s not always easy to help hurting people! Oh, come on now!

Nevertheless, when the saints suffer persecution because of the ungodliness of others, there is great recompense of reward! According to today’s scripture text, when Jeremiah called out to God, God rescued him. Just as He does for us! Have I got a witness?

When we come to the end of ourselves and our lamenting heart cries out, “LORD HELP ME!” our Loving Father, looking down from on high, seeing the tears streaming from our eyes, comes near, saying “Don’t be afraid! It’s gonna be all right! I gotcha!”

Has God ever restored you with A WORD? Seriously! It only takes One Rhema Word from God to jump-start the most wearied heart and re-igniting the faintest hope, with His Peace. Thereby, allowing that you to rest assured in quiet expectation of imminent rescue and deliverance trusting solely in The Loving Caring Heart of The Faithful Friend!

THANKYA JESUS FOR TAKING MY SIDE!

SELAH!

“Have a WONDER-FILLED day!”

Ann Caffee

BEGIN…AGAIN!

BEGIN, AGAIN!

SELAH Daily Devotions!

Therefore they shall come and sing in ‘the height of Zion, Streaming to the goodness of the Lord–…Their souls shall be like a well-watered garden, And they shall sorrow no more at all… But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My law in their minds and write it on their hearts, and I will be their God, and they shall be My people…For I will forgive their iniquity and their sin I will remember no more. Jeremiah 31:12, 33,34

As a parent of four, I know, personally, just how exasperatingly challenging it can be to put up with a stubborn hard-headed off-spring. I mean, after repeatedly instructing them for the umpteenth time, and they still insist on ignoring and refusing to comply with what you tell them to do, will push even the most Sainted tolerant parent out-of-bounds! Can I get a witness?

Who else BUT GOD could continuously show such relentless patience, compassion and love for an ungrateful, rebellious, disobedient self-willed child! Oh, what a Mighty God we serve!

The Scriptures record the Israelites’ response to God’s Loving-kindness. Their continuous rejection of God’s Righteous commandments demonstrated not only a total lack of respect for The Sovereign Lord but a complete disregard for compliance to the things that God required of them. Their lack of concern for pleasing God periodically provoked Him to withhold Mercy and enforce Judgment upon His Beloved in order to train them and make them aware of the consequences of their disobedience.

Nevertheless, we know that God took no pleasure in seeing His people experiencing the wrath set aside for the wicked! The Joy of God is satisfied by the Outpouring of His Abundant Goodness upon His Own chosen people. #Didjaheardat?

In today’s scripture, the Prophet Jeremiah brings a word of Hope, Comfort and Restoration to God’s Covenant Nation.  The Weeping Prophet assures them that God (Israel’s Husband) yet refuses to divorce them (pushing them afar off), but has already decided that at the appointed time, when Judgment was complete, He would intervene gathering His sheepfold back unto Himself.

God grieved as Israel faced poverty, oppression and captivity. Remember, how our human parent used to tell us as they meted out the rod of correction (in my day that meant the belt or switch or whatever they could get their hands on) ‘this is gonna hurt me more than it’s gonna hurt you.’ Of course, at the time, we couldn’t possibly see that being the case. Yet at the core of the very nature of our Heavenly Father is Love. His Grace makes it possible for us to get back into proper fellowship with Him. That’s called Repentance, yall!

No matter what we’ve done and how many times we’ve done it, if we would sincerely return to Him, admit that we’ve sinned against God by refusing to obey His Word, acknowledge that He (thru Christ’s Blood) has the power to forgive us and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness, God is Faithfully waiting eager to release His Divine Favor upon us restoring us to our proper relationship to Him!(Ref. 1 John 1:9) HE IIS OUR GOD AND WE ARE HIS PEOPLE!

BELOVED, this is the New Covenant that God has made with us in Christ Jesus! WE CAN  BEGIN…AGAIN! #4REAL…#4REAL!!!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

 Ann Caffee