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FEELIN SOME KINDA WAY…

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FEELIN SOME KINDA WAY

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

“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)

 

I know I’m too old to be using this new slang! In fact, you probably have to be over 50 to even know what ‘slang’ is, right!

But from where I’m sitting, I believe that it’s an attempt to describe those unidentifiable unrefined emotions birthed out of the womb of unsettling situations. And there’s certainly been a lot of those going around lately, huh? The jandra “You never know” pretty much typifies the attitude of this 21st Century.

Despite all the technological advancements of our New Millennium Age and our fixation with pursuing our destiny, it doesn’t seem that we’re any closer to attaining that level of peace, comfort and contentment that every soul longs for.

I truly believe that The Creator deliberately left a GOD-size hole in the center of our hearts that can never be sufficiently filled through human efforts!

Surveying the state of humanity, there’s seems to be no end to the onslaught of strategically-designed-distractions launched by the gods of this world, to draw our focus away from The Eternal Word of God, leaving a lot of God’s Elect gasping, trembling and wavering hopelessly between faith and fear! Hence, ‘feeling some kinda way’!

There’s no denying that from an earthly-perspective, this world is spinning out of control causing the bottom of life (as we’d known) to fall out!

There’s a prevalent sense of entitlement which allows every man to do what seems right in his own eyes and that once endeared standard of morality apparently has plummeting to incomparable depths of new low.

But Truth remains! “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. (2 Timothy 2:19)!

Granted, issues have a way of knocking at the door of our lives, unexpected and uninvited, leaving us off balance! But by GOD’s GRACE! We stand firm, our hearts fixed on this comforting assurance that absolutely nothing happens in your life that ever catches God by surprise! And while we may not know what challenges we’ll face during the course of any given day, God promised that He will never abandon nor leave us defenseless! (Ref. Isaiah 54:17)

It’s during these temporary moments of affliction that we, The Saints, evoke our privilege to cry out to our High Priest for Divine Help! (Hebrews 4:15)

The ol’ Mothers of Zion used to sang, “For He is a Battle Axe in the time of the struggle and a Shelter in the time of the Storm.”

THE NEXT TIME LIFE ASSAULTS YOU, LEAVING YOU ‘FEELING SOME KINDA WAY’, JUST CALL JESUS!

SELAH!

“Have a WONDER-FILLED day!”

Ann Caffee

 

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!!

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ENUFF IS ENUFF 2

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

So the Lord sent a pestilence upon Israel from the morning even to the time appointed: and there died of the people from Dan even to Beersheba seventy thousand men. And when the angel stretched out his hand upon Jerusalem to destroy it, the Lord repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed the people, It is enough: stay now thine hand. And the angel of the Lord was by the threshing place of Araunah the Jebusite. Samuel 24:15:16

 

To those who still doubt the authenticity of The Holy Bible, I say obviously you’ve never read this Book! It must be God! I mean, can you imagine any other person, being as openly-transparent about His own family? #ijs

Here we see Israel’s most celebrated King, David, God’s Elect, “Man after God’s Own Heart” exposed by The Light of Truth throughout all generations as an example and a warning!

While there yet remains much to admire, seeing the Favor of God exemplified raising up a shepherd boy to King reigning over HIS People, but we must never forget that David was mortal and not Divine. It’s okay to acknowledge and even emulate some of the more notable characteristics of God’s servant, however we must never fail to take into account David’s humanity! Therefore,  David was subject to the same proclivities of his frail, infirmed, flawed and failing flesh as we are!

As we further investigate today’s text, we get a glimpse into one of the more dimmer phases of his extraordinary life. As the story goes, during the latter part of his life, God allowed Satan to tempt David in order to test what was truly in his heart. At the height of his successful reign, apparently David began to think more highly of himself than he ought to. (Ref. Romans 12:3) Hence, opening the gateway to pride and vainglory, the King commanded an unauthorized census taken of his people, which was a deliberate violation of God’s Law. (Ref. Exodus 30:12)

Now before yall sanctified folk start judging David, remember “let He who is without sin, cast the first stone! (Ref. John 8:7)

How many times have you willfully over-ruled the urging of Holy Spirit and did what seemed right in your own eyes? Put your hands down! Right!

Truth is, every one of us has been GUILTY as charged! Nevertheless, when Justice demanded punishment, MERCY said NO! And while we might’ve suffered, to some extent, for our rebellious disobedience, GOD feeling the pain and the terror of His Beloved Children, stepped in the midst of our guilt-ridden, regret-laden, shame-filled consequences, rebuked Death and declared “Enough is Enough”!

David acknowledging his guilt, taking full responsibility for his actions, humbly committed himself into the Hands of the Loving Mercy Faithful Shepherd, prayed for forgiveness for himself and interceding on behalf of those who were innocently victimized because of his selfishness! #Didjaheardat?

WOW! Now, that right there should cause all of us to immediately follow David’s lead, huh?  Turn our faces back towards the One True God, sanctify your heart and lifestyle wholly unto our Holy God!

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:1-2

C’mon nah! AFTER ALL THAT GOD’S DONE FOR US, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! #jusreasonable!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

 

ONE ON ONE

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1 on 1

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

“For a day in thy courts is better than a thousand. I had rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God, than to dwell in the tents of wickedness. For the Lord God is a sun and shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will he withhold from them that walk uprightly. O Lord of hosts, blessed is the man that trusteth in thee.” (Psalm 84:10-12 KJV)

Life is complicated! WOW! Talk about genuine ‘over-simplification’?

From beginning to end, effectively maneuvering through the matrix of 21st Century mores is no small achievement! Particularly for the more seasoned members of society who find ourselves pryingly wondering “Am I really smarter than a 5th Grader?” I remember when the word ‘text” referred to “the main body of a book or other piece of writing, printed work or document”. Who knew?

Nevertheless, broken down to its least-common denominator, we all have the same needs. That is, “to love and be loved among un-lovables, find solace amidst chaos, and ultimately gain insight and direction to sequester that all-too-often-elusive sense of true satisfaction and accomplishment”. Preferably, sooner than later!

We live in a culture where individualism is glorified and self-denial is discarded as a sign of weakness and failure. Unfortunately for too many, it’s only after we’ve reached the pinnacle of success (according to man’s interpretation) do we realize that while we were so busy getting, we lost track of what we’d been given. Prayerfully, it’s at that point we’ll ask, “What does GOD want from me?”

GOD summed it up like this, “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 6:8)

While time is barreling towards eternity at the speed of life, there is One Constant Consistency! His Name is JESUS. Every day, GOD is watching, waiting, seeking those busy, desperately wearied souls to turn towards HIM!

GOD knows that the Answer to every longing heart’s hunger and thirst is SIMPLY JESUS! Time spent alone with HIM is never wasted. Jesus is our SAFE HOUSE! He’s so kind and patient; yet truthfully, HE can hardly wait to see you!

HE LEFT THE DOOR OPEN! STOP BY TODAY FOR SOME ONE-ON-ONE TIME!

SELAH!

“Have a WONDER-FILLED day!”

Ann Caffee

DON’T SWALLOW THE BAIT

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DON'T SWALLOW THE BAIT

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.
And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord.” Psalm 27:4-6 KJV

 

One thing for sure, nobody who knows me would ever accuse me of being remotely ‘out-door-sy”, huh? Yessssirreeeyyy! I’m totally domesticated!

So when it comes to taking part in those adventures that so many of yall find such immense pleasure in, such as camping, hiking, fishing, skiing, anything I say about them are solely vicarious! However, I am married to an avid fisherman who would rather be on a boat in the middle of a lake for hours at a time than just about any other place; save Heaven!

I understand that in order to catch a fish you must have certain equipment. A fishing line, a hook and a bait! I have experienced opening up my freezer door and being greeted by neatly packaged baggies filled with all kinds of strange looking objects to which I’ve been inclined to immediately dump in the garbage; that is until he informs me of their intrinsic value.

Unfortunately, too many of you are just as ignorant of Satan’s wicked devices as I am when it comes to fishing!

While we  may acknowledge this Truth, mentally assenting to its veracity, that as Born-Again, Blood-Washed, Children of The King, Satan no longer has authority to lord over our lives far too often,  yet the revelation fails to transcend into our ‘real life’, huh? Apparently there’s a innately human flaw of fickleness that tends to overcome even the most sainted believer the moment The Designated Accuser fires his darts, interrupting your blissful state of abiding in God’s Presence! Hence, you develop an acute case of selective amnesia; forgetting the Fundamental of Christianity 101!

When you placed your personal trust in The Lord Jesus, accepting Him as your Redeemer, you were immediately rescued from The Kingdom of Darkness and transferred into The Kingdom of God’s Son! (Ref. Colossians 1:12-14) Didjaheardat?

Ooooh Glorrraaaa! That means that the devil has no right or power to control any area of your life! He’s a defeated foe! Now, of course being the Master of Deceit, he’s unable to resist his diabolical urges to persistently threaten any unsuspecting Child of God who will swallow the bait, hook line and sink to a level far beneath his God-Ordained position of Righteousness in Christ Jesus!

But you don’t have to! Today’s scripture text tells you where you are, from God’s Perspective! Hidden in God’s Pavillion, seated safe and secure in The Rock of Ages, far beyond the reach of all of your enemies!

So, before you start acting like Satan is a true prophet, re-evaluate the Reality of your situation!

Pause, take a deep breath, ponder and relish His Presence! Got it?

AAAAAWWWWWW!!!! NOT TODAY DEVIL! AND FROM WHERE I’M SITTING…IT AIN’T LOOKING DAT GOOD FOR YOU TOMORROW EITHER! BBBBAAAAMMMMM!!! DON’T SWALLOW THE BAIT!

SELAH!

“Have a WONDER-FILLED day!”

Ann Caffee

SHUT UR MOUTH!

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SHUT UR MOUTH 2

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

“For so is the will of God, that with well doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.” 1 Peter 2:15

 

“GET ‘EM LORD!”

That’s frustration talking! Because, truth be told, sometimes, it’s just difficult to pray right! Like when you’re sincerely striving to walk circumspectly, pleasing God and hopefully provoke “one somebody” to pursue their own personal relationship with The Savior; and despite of all your well-doing, there’s that “certain” somebody! Apparently, their only purpose in life is to criticize, demean and spread all manner of false accusations about you. Oh, C’mon nah! Don’t yall leave me out there hang’n by myself!!! ‘Here’s the kicker, for reasons way beyond your understanding, God persists in nagging at you to pray for ‘them’! 

Kinda makes you understand how Jonah felt, huh?

This may shock you; BUT, personally, when I’m being attacked, wrongfully accused and my name is slandered, praying for them is not my natural first response!

However, as true followers of Christ, we don’t war like the world does. “For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty through God to the pulling down of strong holds”  (Ref. 2 Corinthians 10:3)  Difficult as it may be, we must realize that the genuine culprit is not that person we see with our natural eyes; but our real enemy is a notorious diabolical spirit-being! Satan himself!

Once you recognize this, it’s a game changer!  You can’t fight spiritual battles in the flesh. It’s a waste of time! You don’t have to argue, defend yourself or retaliate against them by giving them a taste of their own medicine! Granted, it might make your flesh feel a whole lot better. But if you really want to shut that devil down, just keep quiet and continue doing the good works that God has ordained you to do!  (Ref. Ephesians 2:10) Inn-ta-resting, huh?

That’s exactly what Jesus did, remember? When His accusers confronted Him, attacking His credibility and authority, He never said a mumbling word! His response was stay focused and stick to the Mission!

In other words, Jesus kept right on praying for those oppressed by the devil, delivering and casting out demons, laying hands on sick folk getting them healed and whole; stumbling up Calvary’s Hill caring that Ol’ Rugged Cross, temporarily surrendering to Death; being buried in Joseph’s borrowed tomb; ascending up to The Throne, where He poured out His Redeeming Blood upon His Father’s Altar and today continues looking down at Satan saying “Who got the last Word, now? You lying wonder!”

AND DAT DUMB DEVIL NEVER SAW IT COMING! HENCE, DON’T TRY TO GET EVEN…GET OVER!  #DIDJAHEARDAT? SHUT YOUR MOUTH!!!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

MORE THAN THE I CAN C!

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MORE THAN THE EYE CAN C!

SELAH Daily Devotions!

“And Jesus stood still, and commanded him to be called. And they call the blind man, saying unto him, Be of good comfort, rise; he calleth thee.And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus.

And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight.

And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way.” Mark 10:49-52

Jesus had spent the day in Jericho along with His Disciples. As was His custom, He’d taken full advantage of each opportunity to share and teach Kingdom Wisdom with them throughout the day as He mingled throughout the neighborhods enroute to Jerusalem.

A young man came running after Him anxiously inquiring,‘What can I do, God Master, to get in on this Eternal Life thing’. And Jesus reminded him that Moses has already told the Jews what God had commanded of them. To which the young man proudly affirmed, ‘Cool! I already got that covered from my youth up!‘

‘Well then’, Jesus continued looking him dead in his eyes with deep compassion, ‘One more thing! Go and sell everything you own and give it to the poor’. Suddenly every ounce of windy-arrogance deflated, leaving the young man grieved and hopless. Knowing in his heart of hearts that the cost was more than he was willing to pay, he turned and walked away from The Only Way of Truth and Life!

Jesus, breathing a sigh of lament, said, “It’s not easy for the ‘well-to-do’s’ to enter into TheKingdom.” Now, lookingat His Disciples,”It’s easier for a camel to go thru a needles eye than for the rich to get into God’s Kingdom”. One of the Disciples, feeling dazzled and disappointment, asked Jesus, ‘Master, if the rich and the famous can’t afford Eternal life, then what chance do the rest of us have?’

“None at all”, Jesus said, “if you’re trying to get there on your own merits. BUT EVERY CHANCE IN THE WORLD, IF YOU WILL ALLOW GOD TO DO IT FOR YOU!”

Later that day as they were leaving Jericho, picking up an entourage of cheering by-standers, they passed a blind man, Bartimaeus, sitting on the side of the road begging for help to support himself. Hearing the loud voices that usually accompanied Jesus wherever He went, he inquired of someone in the crowd, ‘What’s going on?‘ ‘It’s Jesus, The Nazarene!’, someone yelled back. All of a sudden, in an even louder voice, Bartimaeus cried out, ‘JESUS,Son of David; JESUS! HAVE MERCY ON ME’! His cry was so loud that the people tried to shut him up! But, Bartimaeus refusing to miss his moment of Divine Encounter, would not be confined nor intimidated by the approvation or opinions of the same folk who’d walked by him day after day, totally oblivious, unconcerned and irresponsive to his desperate plight!

JESUS STOPPED! Ordering His Disciples, “Call him to me!” Somewhat apprehensively, they turned to Bartimaeus, ‘Well, seems like this is your lucky day. The Master is calling you to come.’ Immediately, Bartimaeus throwing off his beggar’s coat, went close to Jesus.

When Jesus asked, “What do you want me to do for you?” Without hesitation, the blind-beggar responded, ‘Rabbi! I want to see!” Jesus being touched by this man’s God-Honoring faith and unwavering determination, compassionately responded “On your way! Your faith has saved and healed you!” Instantly, Bartimaeus’ sight was completely restored and he followed Jesus! Not only did he get what he wanted, but he got EVEN more than he’d dared to imagine!

FAITH IN GOD HEALS PHYSICALLY, EMOTIONALLY, RELATIONALLY, FINANCIALLY AND SPIRITUALLY! MORE THAN THE EYE CAN C!

SELAH!

“Have a WONDER-FILLED day!”

Ann Caffee

DISCOVERING GRACE!

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DISCOVERING GRACE 2

SELAH Daily Devotions!

There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. Ephesians 4:4-8

 

O MAN! Did we ever get that twisted. GRACE that is! Guilty! I remember it, just like Mama and probably her Mama and undoubtedly my own kids to theirs, asking, “DidjasayyourGrace?” God knows, we didn’t know! But now, knowing the true meaning and eternal value of GRACE, (God’s unmerited, unearned favor towards us) makes it even more OUTRAGEOUS, huh?

Today’s scripture text reveals that when Jesus conquered death, He ascended into Heaven, He sent back to us the Precious Gift of Holy Spirit to embody the Body of Christ (The Church), with everything we’d ever need to fulfill, not only our individual God-ordained purpose, but GOD’s Eternal Purpose in the earth—To colonize a God-Centered society giving Light and Light to a dark sin-filled world! Didjaknodat?

HOWEVRRRRR, even today, some believers act as if Grace is simply a free pass to continue in sin. Don’t shout me down now!!!

In essence, not only does such erroneous thinking normally lead to a life filled with continuous rebellion, it completely misrepresents and dishonors Christ Jesus’ Sacrifice on The Altar at Calvary. Grace is more aptly recognized as God’s Divine Enabling Power Gifts, which He has Sovereignly equipped those who have placed their personal faith in the finished WORK OF CHRIST, measuring out to each believer, according to their specific pre-ordained assignments in The Kingdom of God!

While there are a variety of spiritual giftings, every gift is vital to the health of The Body! Hence, jealousy, envy, covetous and certainly competitiveness between our brothers and sister’s gifts is uncharacteristically absurd for a Christian, considering the Source is the same for each gift, The Holy Spirit! (Ref. 1 Corinthians 12) After all, these gifts are not given for us to boast in ourselves, but to boost up and to glorify The Kingdom of Heaven in the earth! Of course, we must never negate the reality that the ground is completely level at the foot of The Cross! Hence, not one of us deserved  to be included in this AMAZING GIFT OF GRACE in the first place! #SERIOUSLY!!!

That’s why the scriptures warn us that The BookKeeper is keeping track of every deed that is done in our bodies and one day, we will all be judged for how we used our gifts to promote the advancement of The Kingdom of God to a lost and dying world! (Ref. 2 Corinthians 5:10)

Sounds to me like it’s a total abuse of time to engage in such  foolishness as bickering and complaining about what somebody else has or doesn’t and even more ridiculous, a wishin’ and hopin’ you had!  May I submit for your consideration? PERHAPS, your MOST valuable commodity aka, TIME,  might be more wisely appropriated diligently seeking to discover your own ultimate “WHY and WHAACHACOME HERE FOR!”  UR RIGHT! IT AIN’T NONE OF MY BUSINESS!!! #IJS!!!

IN OTHER WORDS, DISCOVER YOUR GRACE AND WORK IT!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

ACCOUNTS SETTLED?

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accounts settled2

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

You know that if the house owner had known what night the burglar was coming, he wouldn’t have stayed out late and left the place unlocked. So don’t you be slovenly and careless. Just when you don’t expect him, the Son of Man will show up.”…The servant who knows what his master wants and ignores it, or insolently does whatever he pleases, will be thoroughly thrashed. But if he does a poor job through ignorance, he’ll get off with a slap on the hand. Great gifts mean great responsibilities; greater gifts, greater responsibilities! Luke 12:39-40, 47-48 THE MESSAGE

You know how to tell a change in the weather, so don’t tell me you can’t tell a change in the season, the God-season we’re in right now. You don’t have to be a genius to understand these things. Just use your common sense, the kind you’d use if, while being taken to court, you decided to settle up with your accuser on the way, knowing that if the case went to the judge you’d probably go to jail and pay every last penny of the fine. That’s the kind of decision I’m asking you to make. Luke 12:56-59 THE MESSAGE

A bystander said, ‘Master, will only a few be saved’?

He said, ‘Whether few or many is none of your business. Put your mind on your life with God. The way to life—to God!—is vigorous and requires your total attention. A lot of you are going to assume that you’ll sit down to God’s salvation banquet just because you’ve been hanging around the neighborhood all your lives. Well, one day you’re going to be banging on the door, wanting to get in, but you’ll find the door locked and the Master saying, ‘Sorry, you’re not on my guest list.’

You’ll protest, ‘But we’ve known you all our lives!’ only to be interrupted with his abrupt, ‘Your kind of knowing can hardly be called knowing. You don’t know the first thing about me.’ That’s when you’ll find yourselves out in the cold, strangers to grace. You’ll watch Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, and all the prophets march into God’s kingdom. You’ll watch outsiders stream in from east, west, north, and south and sit down at the table of God’s kingdom. And all the time you’ll be outside looking in—and wondering what happened.

This is the Great Reversal: the last in line put at the head of the line, and the so-called first ending up last.” Luke 13:23-30 THE MESSAGE

 

OMG… Didjaheardat? Think about it! It’s not that difficult! Just use a little common sense. If Time is the most valuable commodities you have in the earth, then why go to hell by default? Seriously!

Since, not one of us knows how much time we have left to spend in this life, it behooves every one of us to manage it wisely. In other words, don’t blow it presumptuously!

Let’s keep it real!  Face it, is, even on your bestest days, our score still isn’t high enough to merit a free pass through Heaven’s Pearly Gates. Truthfully, unless you accept Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and Lord, at the end of the day, we’re all spiritually bankrupt and not one of us can afford the high price of low living.

BUT GOD has put a deal on the table that we’d have to be a fool to refuse. It’s called Salvation by Grace. By His Amazing Grace, The Father of Creation has offered and accepted The Blood of His Only Begotten Son, Jesus, as collateral to completely wipe out a debt that HE DIDN’T EVEN OWE, and one that we would never EVVRRRR be able to pay!

I know, sounds UNBELIEVABLE, but it’s TRUE! THAT’S THE GOSPEL!

It’s right there in John Chapter 3:16! “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

When we admit that we’re guilty of rebellion against His Righteousness, are willing to accept Jesus into our hearts and commit the rest our of lives to faithful obedience to His standards, GOD fixes the BOOKS! YES, IT’S ACCOUNTS SETTLED—PAID IN FULL! #didjagetit?  WHACHAWAITN4??? #slowbus,huh?

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

EXCLUSIVE!

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EXCLUSIVE 2 JESUS WINKS

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

So they feared the Lord, and made unto themselves of the lowest of them priests of the high places, which sacrificed for them in the houses of the high places. They feared the Lord, and served their own gods, after the manner of the nations whom they carried away from thence.” 2 Kings 17:32-33

“But the Lord your God ye shall fear; and he shall deliver you out of the hand of all your enemies. Howbeit they did not hearken, but they did after their former manner. So these nations feared the Lord, and served their graven images, both their children, and their children’s children: as did their fathers, so do they unto this day.” 2 Kings 17:39-41

 

America, the land of the free! A nation established and founded on the premises that no longer will its citizens be forced to hide their religious convictions in fear of retaliation or retribution, and are now free to express their devotion and adoration to The God of The Bible. Right? Well, perhaps that’s the original interpretation of The Constitution. But that kind of thinking is no longer relevant to 21st Century contemporary constituents, huh?

Apparently, that’s a bit too narrow-minded. After all, considering all of the astonishing advancements in technology has expanded our world-view far beyond anything that our forefathers’ localized-tribunal expectations. And besides that, what difference does it make who or how you worship as long as you worship a god? At least, that’s the New Age Theologists’ perspective!

Surprisingly, this humanistic approach to religion did not just pop-up in our lifetime. But according to our scripture text, it has  perpetuated down through the ages. While this concept of worship may be more palatable to so many, the ultimate result is a fatal collision with the explicit commandments of the Supreme Being, The Creator of the universes, Elohim.

It’s the nature of un-regenerated humanity to reject and rebel against authority. In fact, the very first words that most toddlers say is ‘NO’ and ‘MINE’.The truth of the matter is, it permeates throughout adolescence into adulthood. Unfortunately, oftentimes the residual effects tend to influence our relationship with The Only God of our Salvation. We want to incorporate carry-on-gods of our past into our newly found faith. But! This doesn’t set too well with The True God who demands absolute exclusive solidarity and adoration of those who have been called into His Kingdom!

“Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me”. Exodus 20:3-5

Nevertheless,  some yet stagger at such obstinacy, considering it demeaning and uncharacteristic of a universal gOD and choosing to overlook God’s Sovereignty, gravitate to a more inclusive tolerating object of personal worship.

There’s a prevalent trend in The New Millennium church doctrine that teaches it’s okay to cover all your bases and act like a Christian when it’s convenient, but at the same time, be a realist. Don’t forget or neglect the gods of the land you came from! Ain’t nobody perfect, right? In other words, you can have your cake and eat it too, huh?

Despite the popularity of Self-aggrandizing Narcisism religious affiliations, there yet remains a Remnant Church who prefer a personal intimate relationship as opposed to a form of godliness that denies the Authority and Power of The One and Only True GOD to rule over the daily affairs of mankind! (Ref. 2 Timothy 3:5)

Didjaheardat? SOUNDS LIKE EXCLUSIVE WORSHIP TO ME! #howboutu?

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

U AIN’T RIGHT!

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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