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WHAT’S THE POINT?

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whatz the point

SELAH Daily Devotions!

“ I gathered me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces: I gat me men singers and women singers, and the delights of the sons of men, as musical instruments, and that of all sorts.
So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me. And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour.
Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 2:8-11

According to Biblical Historians, today’s scripture text was penned by the highly-acclaimed, wisest and wealthiest man in all of the known world, King Solomon! WOW! Here he is, King of the most powerful nation in the world during that time, Israel! The off-spring of Israel’s King, David, Solomon, having been hand-picked by GOD to carry on the lineage to The Seed promised to Abraham; privileged and honored to build The Temple where God promised to dwell in the midst of His people forever! I’d say King Solomon pretty much qualified as top-dog—back in dat day, huh?

The Bible tells of Solomon’s humble, earnest, passionate prayer of dedication of The Temple, that so touched the heart of God. He did not ask for wealth and fame, but for wisdom to lead God’s people in such a way that they would honor God before the other nations of the world. And because this prayer pleased God so much, God responded “I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour; so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days. And if thou will walk in my ways, to keep my statues and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy day” (1 King 3:5-15)

SO, WHAT HAPPENED to cause the smartest, richest man in the world, to get to where we find him in Ecclesiastes?”

Apparently, Solomon came to a point in his life where he began to realize that none of the glitz and glamour of this world’s luxurious creature comforts that one might accumulate, could ever fill that God-size void in each of us. Unfortunately Solomon spent a life-time of pursuing and getting; yet not recognizing and understanding that the true value, wealth and treasure of what was right before his eyes. GOD!

WHAT’S THE POINT?

In all thy getting, get understanding! WITHOUT CHRIST—LIFE IS NOTHING!

SELAH!

“Have a WONDER-FILLED day!”

Ann Caffee

LET’S GET SPIRITUAL!

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LET'S GET SPIRITUAL

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh: That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” Romans 8:1-4

 

Didjaknow? On the inside of every human being there’s a God-sized void and you’d never imagine the lengths man has gone to create the garden variety of temple trinkets, be it crystal, metal or wood, the special chantings, and the elite secret orders, etc. in his attempt to fill in this gapping sink hole in his soul. And we’d be remiss if we neglect considering the smorgage board of religions available to suit the distinct palates of ardent seekers! I mean it’s kinda hard to find anyone these days who’s not spiritual, huh?

However, if it ain’t of The Holy Spirit, it ain’t God! Seriously!

Unfortunately, history proves that these fanatical religious pursuits ultimately entrap unsuspecting devout followers! Subsequently, leaving them fatally victimized by unrealized series of legalistic rituals, hopelessly condemned by the flesh’s inability to consistentlly conform nor perform the multitude of oppressive regulations required to appease the spiritual guides to immortal bliss.

Why? Because every human born since Adam and Eve is born naughty by nature. Therefore, before you can truly experience the only True Spiritual Connection to A Holy God, you must deal with the root of the problem that ripped us apart from the intimate relationship mankind once held before…SIN! OH NO SHE DIDN’T….OH YES I DID!

“Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thilng: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.” Romans 7:17-20

BUT FOR THE LOVE OF GOD! The Father of Mercy and Grace initiated His Plan (Salvation) before the foundation of the world to rescue you from your dilemma! When God personally entered into the very world that He created (and we’d messed up living according to our perverted lustful desires), He took on the likeness of human flesh, nailed our sins to the cross, died for us and was raised by The Holy Spirit, freeing us from the power and penalty of sin, once and for all! Hence, Jesus died for you so that you could live for Him! Awwwmazing, huh?

Beloved, according to Romans 8:9, “But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his”, hence, the moment you make a consciencious decision to die to self, turn from the evil dictates of your self-serving flesh and cry out, in absolute sincerity from a repented heart to the Father of Glory, He saves you, adopts you into His Own Royal Family, moves into your heart and begins to transform your entire life! Therefore, you are  free from the death-gripping stronghold of your former slave master, Satan. By God’s own Power, you have been translated into a life far beyond anything you ever dared imagined possible for the rest of eternity! #didjaheardat?

COME ON YALL!  LET’S GET TRULLY SPIRITUAL…RECEIVE JESUS!

SELAH!

‘Have a WONDER-FILLED day!”

Ann Caffee

GODZ EXPECTATIONS!

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GOD'Z EXPECTATIONS

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

Wherewith shall I come before the Lord, and bow myself before the high God? shall I come before him with burnt offerings, with calves of a year old? Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil?  shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

Micah 6:6-8

Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong. 2 Corinthians 2:10

 

For those of us, who truly love God with all of our hearts, spirit, soul and body, yet feel an intrinsic urging to apologize to Him each and every day because it’s a guarantee that at some point between the time you get out of bed and the time you crawl back into bed, you have inevitably fallen short of living up to God’s Righteous expectations of you, have I got some great news for you!

Given the fact that He is our Creator, God is perfectly justified in establishing specific standards of behavior for us to live by. Hence, it also stands to reason that because He has shown such unfathomable loving-kindness, tender-mercy and unmerited favor towards us, that the only reasonable response should be radical thanksgiving and faithful obedience! Yet, try as we may, left to our own efforts, we’re totally incapable of reaching this level of holy worship that God so richly deserves.

I mean, even on those day where we actually do some righteous things, they could never equal out all our unrighteous thoughts, words and deeds! So we certainly can’t gloat in our self-righteousness. However there’s yet Hope for our terminal dis-ease!

According to God’s Word, “And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:32

Truthfully, my precious ones, what God really expects from each one of us, is failure! And from sixty something years of personal experience, I can testify, with absolute confidence, that we can surely do! Royally! Can I get a Hallelujah and Amen 3x?

Dontchakno?  It’s only when we come to the end of ourselves and acknowledge our weaknesses that God is truly glorified!

For without Him, we can do absolutely nothing, however through Christ’s strength, we can do all things.(Ref. Matthew 19:26, Philippians 4:13) As long as we think we’re capable of doing anything on our own, we deceive ourselves and deny God the pleasure of delivering us from any and everything that is trying to hold us captive. That’s why The Bible encourages the weak to say I am strong. (Ref. Joel 3:10) Therefore, with holy boldness, we humbly confess that the only thing standing between our strength and weakness, righteousness and wickedness, success and failure, is Jesus!

GLORRAAAA 2 GOD! Christ IN us, The Hope of Glory, guarantees our victory every single time! (Ref. Colossians 1:27)

WHO NU ACCOMPLISHING GOD’S EXPECTATIONS WAS THAT EASY, huh?

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

SAVE THE BABY!

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SAVE THE BABY

SELAH Daily Devotions!

“Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? by taking heed thereto according to thy word. With my whole heart have I sought thee: O let me not wander from thy commandments. Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee. Blessed art thou, O Lord: teach me thy statutes.
With my lips have I declared all the judgments of thy mouth. I have rejoiced in the way of thy testimonies, as much as in all riches. I will meditate in thy precepts, and have respect unto thy ways. I will delight myself in thy statutes: I will not forget thy word.” Psalm 119:9-16

Ever noticed how that sometimes 21th Century Church folk lifestyles assert the attitude ‘I’m gonna live just close enough to God to say I’m saved yet close enough to the world to fit in’?

Anybody remember when the deacons testified, “I come over here to stay!” and the Missionaries would haply proclaim “I’ve come too far to turn around!”?

It seems to me that once upon a time, the people of God reverenced God’s Gracious Gift of Salvation with such an holy awe that’s rarely experienced in the lives of converted believers today. It’s almost as if Jesus is type of ornate accessory to life as usual, which can be applied and removed at one’s own discretion. WOW! itain’tmybusiness2judge BUT…  I’m jus say’n, yall! What a stark divergence from church culture of yesterdays.

Imagine what a difference it might make if the world could see more saints actually living in divine fellowship with Jesus Christ—everyday! What if more of God’s people really trusted the Holy Bible to be The Only Infallible, God-Inspired-Written-Word for personal salvation, guidance and instructions to live consecrated according to God’s standards for Righteousness? What if, instead of bombarding the Gates of The Throne Room pleading for a man, woman, a better paying job, bigger homes, newer cars, another college degree, another spouse, the saints would entreat The Savior’s Presence crying out, “Just A Closer Walk with Thee”?

What if, instead of us sending subliminal messages to our young people that ‘it’s okay to do you, sow your wild oats, after all you got time’, the seasoned-sanctified-saints could humble ourselves to be transparent enough to encourage the future deacons, evangelists, pastors, preachers, teachers to surrender their hearts to The Savior now and not wait (regrettably, like many of us) until they’ve been beaten, broken down and tarnished and tainted by the world’s dainties, but while they have sound minds and strong bodies, to devote their lives to serving The Creator!

Don’t get me wrong, in retrospect there were a lotta things about the good ol’ days that I’m truly grateful to be delivered from. Nevertheless, considering the desperately despicable state of this New Millennium Age today, we might need to revisit and revamp a lot more of the ol’ church’s teachings. Perhaps then, we’d stop doing our Sunday morning church thang and BE The HOLY-WALKING True Bride of Christ earnestly anticipating the soon coming return of our King!

While change is inevitable, personal salvation is a choice! HENCE, DON’T THROW THE BABY OUT WITH THE BATH WATER!

SELAH!

“Have a WONDER-FILLED day!”

Ann Caffee

R U OPENED, OR CLOSED?

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R U OPEN OR CLOSED 3 2018

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Mark 2:17

Remarkably, in following the footsteps of Jesus,  you’ll inevitably discover that His Walk was earmarked with as much skepticism as was faith-filled devotion!  A closer review of The Sacred Scriptures we’ll see recorded many instances where the very ones who should’ve recognized Him were His greatest critics! Time and time again, the religious scholars tried to bait Jesus into disqualifying Himself thereby discounting the rumors that were spreading like wild fire throughout Capernaum and Galilee that He is the Promised Messiah!

They were particularly perturbed by Jesus’ repeatedly allowing Himself to be drawn into the company of what was considered ‘the misfits’ who didn’t deserve their time of day. And in their minds, any REAL Prophet would’ve known better!  Their own pompous arrogance prevented them from seeing The Light that was right before their eyes!

Unlike some of today’s Gospel Icons, Jesus did not look down on sinners, neither did He consider Himself too Holy to be in their presence. While Jesus had compassion for the sinner, He never condoned sin! In fact, He openly pronounced that His mission for coming to Earth was to call sinners to repentance! Perhaps, this in a nutshell explains why Jesus’ behavior was considered totally reprehensible to the religious leaders of that day, who considered themselves holier, therefore worthier than any of their subjects! Imagine Dat!

Unfortunately, far too many of the 21st Century Church still ascribe to this ill-begotten-theology as well. Although they don’t actually say it, their actions typify that loud and clear. 

Case in point, when my husband and I were called to begin a new work in the Vineyard, God placed it upon my heart to order a banner that would be placed on the roof the the building that said, ‘SINNERS WELCOME!’  Much to our surprise and dismay, we were rebuked by the people of God for displaying such an invitation! “Pastor, don’tcha mean, ‘ALL VISITORS ARE WELCOME!’ Well, then we were really confused  because the last time we checked, the Bible clearly and emphatically discloses that “all have sinned and fall desperately short of God’s Righteousness”!  (Romans 3:23) Hence, every single human born into this world, must come by the Cross in order to enjoy the Divine Heritage that Jesus labored to freely give us!

Truthfully, sometimes we, seasoned saints, forget who we once were. (Ref. 1 Corinthians 6:11) For Real…the only difference between a sinner and a saint is Repentance, the core of the Gospel! Thankfully, it’s not our own self-righteousness—BUT the pure goodness of God’s Grace that causes any man to repent! (Ref. Romans 2:4)

Seriously! Think about it; what good does it do to tell people they’re a sinner and if they don’t quit sinning, they’re going to hell. Well I can tell you as a regenerated Spirit-Filled ex-habitual-sinner, sinners already know that they’re sinners! What they don’t know is that before the foundation of the world, GOD provided a way off of that easily-accessible-fatalistic-dead-end-hell-bound slippery-pathway and a that they have been pre-approved for a fully-paid 1st ticket to Heaven through The Precious Blood of Jesus,  awaiting their acceptance! (Ref. Revelations 13:8)

The problem is, too many of us who have accepted The Sacrificial Lamp’s offering, have a tendency to become so closed minded and mute-mouthed that we refuse to get the message that “JESUS SAVES” out of the CHURRCH and into this lost and dying world!  #OHYESISAIDIT!

In other words, instead of putting THE GOOD NEWS ON BLAST,  a whole of  us are quite comfortably content living lives as  “Secret Servants” aka “Under-cover Christians”!

OH, C’MON NAH! RELAX! I’m not talking about ‘you’, UNLESS I’m talking about ‘you’! OPENED or CLOSED?

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

THE BIGGEST LOSER!

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the-biggest-loser3

SELAH Daily Devotions!

“But the salvation of the righteous is of the Lord; he is their strength in the time of trouble. And the Lord shall help them, and deliver them from the wicked and save them, because they trust in him.” Psalm 37:39-40

 

You know how Ol Slu Foot (dat devil) is constantly bombarding your mind with negative thoughts designed specifically to sabotage your peace? Yeah, but do we really know why?

Most of what he does is just him acting out his frustration. You see, knowing what’s in store for him compared to what we have awaiting us, and having absolutely no power to stop what God has planned for our future frustrates hell out of him!

Oh don’t get it twisted; Satan is not GOD! He has no creative power! Therefore, whatever he’s doing is restricted to what he’s allowed to do by the Authority of GOD ALMIGHTY! The Bible says that he comes as a Destroyer! Unfortunately, down thru time, he’s become quite proficient in his endeavors by using the only resource available to him to accomplish his three-fold mission. (Ref. John 10:10) What’s his resource, you ask? Memories!

Ever notice how the devil keeps bringing up your past mistakes and past failures? He specializes in accusing you of what you did or should’ve done and didn’t! Well, this morning I was reminded of a message I heard years ago. The Man of Gawd told the saints, that “When the devil starts messing with your mind about your past, just remind him of his future!“ WOW! Deep huh?

Psalm 107:2 says, “Let the redeemed of the Lord say so! As a born-again, Blood washed, Holy Ghost-filled, Child of The Most High God, we have been appointed, anointed and authorized to call those things that be not as though they are. (Romans 4:17) The problem is, most of the time we fail to exercise our power and continue to call those things that are as though they’ll always be. #4REAL!!!

Beloved, you don’t have to be intimidated by the devil. Jesus is the perfect example of walking in the overcoming life! Remember how Jesus dealt with Satan in the wilderness? (Ref. Matthew 4:1-11) And guess what, you can do the same thing that Jesus did!

Don’t be skuarred–take a stand! When believers say what God says by faith, it blows the devil’s scheme right out the water. When the devil starts dredging up your past, you better recognize that it’s time to go ol’ skool R&B on that bugga and, “Say it Loud…I’m Saved and I’m Proud!

Saints, you have to let the devil know that we know, What we know and in Whom we believe! Our God has an amazingly glorious future planned for our lives and it’s ALL good and not evil! (Ref. Jermiah 29:11)

The next time the devil tries to destroy your peace, put him in his rightful place, under your feet. Let him know in no uncertain terms, ‘Hey devil, all that stuff you keep bringing up, it’s ALL covered—under The Blood! Oh, and by the way devil, I peeped the end of the story and it ain’t looking all that good for you.

In the end, I win and you’re still a loser! It looks like you got Hell to pay!”  LOSER!!!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee