Tag Archives: jesus

SURRENDER??

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SURRENDER

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

“Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” Matthew 11:28-30 The Message

 

Back in the old’n days, one of my favorite things to do was watching the westerns on our black and white tv’s. Yeah! Those good ol’ shootem ups (as Daddy called them)! The bad guys always wore the black hats and the good guys never lost a fight. I remember, there would always be that scene when the bad guys would be hemmed in a cabin, a barn, or a dead end road, surrounded by the posse of good guys, with no way out! The sheriff would call out, ‘We’ve got you surrounded, so throw your guns out!’ ‘And come out with our hands up!’ After a moment or two, you’d see a white hankerchief being waved out of a window or door and the bad guy would holler, ‘Don’t shoot, we’re coming out’! They’d come stumbling out of their hiding place with both of their hands in the air high above their heads to surrender. Boy, those were the days, huh?

Surrender! WOW! That word is almost as bewildering as ‘commit’, right?

We stand in the sanctuary with our hands lifted in the air sanngin, “I surrender all, I surrender all, all to Jesus, I surrender, I surrender all!” However, what does it mean to surrender to Jesus? Surrender is just another way to say, submit! Ooops dat didn’t help much, huh?

Even Christians sometimes find this task elusive. Although we love the idea of receiving Christ as our Savior, we struggle to master the concept of surrendering according to The Word of God! Could it possibly be, because it grinds up against our pride and the innate insatiable need of being in control? #ijs

One day Saul, found himself in a strange place. And he did just what a lot of us do when we hear the Voice of God calling us to another level of anointing. Saul went and hid behind some stuff! But because God’s Word must come to past, Saul could not stay there. Eventually, Saul came out from his hiding place, threw up both his hands, and surrendered to the Will of God for his life! (Ref. 1 Samuel 10:22)

What stuff are you hiding behind? What’s keeping you from surrendering to Jesus? Are you hiding behind fear and anxiety of failure or succes? Is it doubt and personal insecurities? Perhaps it’s self righteousness or your own will! Could you be using your family or friends as an excuse for not embracing your destiny? Or, do you need to come out from behind your past and your sins?

Perhaps today, you’re surrounded, hemmed in, backed into a dead–end—no—win—place, let me assure you it ain’t what it looks like! God’s got you just where He wants you. Trust2know, it’s gets a whole lot easier to surrender when you know that it’s JESUS calling you to come!

When you get the revelation that God is simply asking you to trust your entire being to the Faithful Loving Care of the Unconditional Lover of your soul, you can throw down any and everything that’s hindering you from moving into your next phase of His Glory and gladly run to the shelter of His Almighty Arms! Afterall,  you said you wanna be like JESUS, huh? Your life is not your own. Remember, you were purchased by The Blood of The Precious Lamb of God!

‘My Beloved, empty out your heart; give in to Jesus and submit your all to My Will for your life. Stop resisting and yield! Give Me the right of Way in your life!’ #didjaheardat?

MAKE TODAY THE DAY THAT YOU SURRENDER YOUR ENTIRE EVERYDAY LIFE TO YOUR GOD! LET PEACE BE YOUR ANCHOR AND YOU’LL DISCOVER THAT JESUS ALONE IS THE REST FOR YOUR SOUL!

DON’T BE SCARRED! HIS GRACE IS ALWAYS SUFFICIENT TO UPHOLD AND CARRY YOU THRU, BY ANY MEANS NECESSARY, FROM WHEREVER YOU ARE TO WHEREVER HE’S CALLING YOU TO! IN JESUS NAME. IT IS SO! SURRENDER!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

COURAGEOUS TRUST!

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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

THIS IS GOD’S WORLD

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THIS IS GODZ WORLD

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

The earth is the LORD’S, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein. Psalm 24:1

 

Here I go again, reflecting back to days gone by. Perhaps, it’s because I just recently celebrated  another birthday, yall! Nevertheless, perhaps a few of my readers may remember the words of that Great R&B Prophet, James Brown’s hit song recorded in 1966, “This is a Man’s World!” My My! Did we ever groove off of that one. However, in retrospect (accompanied by a good ol’ dose of The Holy Ghost), I must confess “Boy were we ever wrong!”

In fairness to my fellow human-kind, it’s no wonder we were attracted to those lyrics. Given the fact that it supports man’s insatiable urgent need to dominate, control and conquer his environment. I suppose this mindset has it’s own advantages. For some at least, it alleviates that pesty loathsome notion of accountability, huh?

As life long east coast residents of The DMV, some of us are now living in a suburban tree lined, street lighten, well manicured lawn, 3-car garaged mini-mansions, just outside of the metropolis, in gated communities from which periodically we’re forced to venture onto rush-hour crowded cement roadways up to historical monuments of governmental, judicial, legislative, communication systems, financial and academia institutions, state of the art medical facilities, opera halls, convention and shopping centers, fine cuisine restaurants, fast-food drive-thru lines, soccer fields, football and base ball stadiums–it’s easy to forget! Oh Yeah, we’ve come a long way, baby! But God has a way of making Truth clear as the ground you walk on, remember that earthquake no body expected?

With so much going on in our sophisticated Hi-Tech 21st Century lives, we’ve created a man-made superficial reality that subtly separates us from the Eternal Truth. Whether you call home The White House or the out-house, we’re all co-inhabitants of a massive celestial sphere, constantly turning, masterfully choreographed from eternity past through time into eternity future at the specifically detailed instructions of The Universal Sovereign Invisible Creator! My Lord!

While The Bible teaches us there’s a place in our lives for worldly wisdom, ambition and hard work, it also cautions us that we must never allow any of these things to take precedence over our aspiration and commitment to seek to fulfill our God ordained purpose for being part of His Story! Sadly, many a person has left this world (and all their accumulated richest) wealthy, according to this world’s standard, yet spiritually impoverished; never knowing nor desiring the benefits of living life to the fullest intent of The Life-Giver. (Ref. John 10:10)

According to God’s Word, the soul is the most valuable possession of man’s life! It is The Father’s greatest desire to live in eternal fellowship with the most precious of all his creation—mankind! In order to get His Plan back on track, God’s literally tore Himself apart to accomplish so great a Salvation by demolishing the the enmity of our sinful rebellion against His Lordship!

“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. “ John 3:16

Through the eye-opening repentant heart, The Light of Life is miraculously revealed, The Majestic Radiance of The King of Glory is esteemed and Grace is dispensed saturating and quenching the thirst of the way-faring soul! Man discovers, much to his delight, that truly… THIS IS GOD’S WORLD! #PEACEOUT!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

 

COME BACK 2 THE TABLE

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COME BACK 2 THE TABLE

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 
And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, this cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. 1 Corinthians 11:24-25

For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body. 1 Corinthians 11:29

 

At our church, it’s every 1st Sunday! The table has been prepared by Deac, anticipating the moment when the scripture will be read and Pastor will extend the invitation to the congregation to come to the table and partake of the bread (wafer) and the wine (grape juice). The charge is given, to let every man examine his/her self and let them eat of that bread and drink of that cup, lest you bring a curse upon yourself by mocking the Body and The Blood of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ! #heartpounding, huh?

Unfortunately, since we don’t know what’s residing in the hearts of our brothers and sistas, how many folk refrain because their own hearts have condemned them or not just because they don’t want others to think that they’re not in right-standing with Christ? Anyway, it’s not my business, right? #juswondering

Chances are even some God-fearing-sanctified-baptised-holy-walking-tongue-talking believers don’t really understand the significance of The Communion Table and wrongfully approach this feast as a religious traditon ritual. Hence, this is just something we do 1st Sunday! Oh, Precious Ones, there’s so much more taking place that meets the eye! Journey with me as the Holy Spirit lluminates the spiritual reality, intimacy and implications of this sacred fellowship with The Risen Savior!

The Communion Table is Divinely instituted to take us back to The Cross of Calvary and The Blood that was shed for the remission of our sin. When we come to The Table, we’re revisiting remembering the whipping posts where The Lamb of God was beaten with 39 stripes + 1  before He was nailed to an ol’ rugged Cross atop Calvary! While many who watched self-righteously believing that they were doing God a favor,  there were a remnant of others who knew that Jesus was wounded for our transgressions and bruised for our iniquities and the stripes that He bore in His flesh were for our healing!

When we come to the Communion Table, remembering the Cross, you gotta come correct! Not in pride nor condemnation; but in joy-filled anticipation, humbled by Jesus’ humiliation! Come, humbled by Jesus’ Holiness, His Faithful submission to death, hell, the grave and to His Father’s Will–in order that we could have a right to eat the fruit of Eternal Life!

Come to the table, remembering the falability of your humanity and the infallability of His Divinity, acknowledging that not only do I need The Atoning Blood to get saved, but to stay saved!

The Word of God reminds us that there’s a devil who’s constantly plotting against us, determined to stop us from living holy and righteous before God. He’s always lurking about us, awaiting the opportunity to sneak up, entrapping you with that sin that so easily besets you, drapping your heart with burdens of guilt, shame and condemnation destroying your peace! He’s strategically scheming to flood your mind with fear,worry and doubt, drainining your spirit of the Jesus’ joy, strength and hope! But the Communion Table, reminds you that just One Drop of The sanctifying Blood applied to the door post of your heart and mind is enough to shake off temptation, depression, gloom and doom and lift you up out of the pit of hopelessness and dispair!

When you drink of The cup of Redemption, your strength is refreshed, renewed and your holy boldness is restored, empowering you to repel the firey darts of Satan. When you eat The Body, remember you now stand clad in The Full Armor of God, declaring to the kingdom of darkness, ‘I refuse to deny the Testimony of Jesus on The Cross – I gotcha covered, IT IS FINISHED!

Beloved, the next time you partake of the Communion Table, let the Blood cleanse your heart of the guilt by acknowledging that it was your sin that betrayed Jesus, even since you’ve been saved. The devil will choke on that, because you know He certainly was planning to throw that back in your face, k?

But be of good courage, that’s why Jesus suffered The Cross, once and for all who will receive Him as the propitiation of their sin. As you eat His Body and drink His Blood, remember, Jesus prayed, knowing you’d fail Him again before you leave this world. That’s why He asked The Father to send you The Helper to live on the inside of you to empower you to live faithfully and obedient to His commandments!

As you fellowship with The Savior, hear His plea, ‘All I want you to do, when you are converted is go strengthen your brother! Go tell them how much I still LOVE them! Go tell them about My Blood that frees them from sin! Go tell somebody how I saved, healed and delivered you! Go tell one somebody that if Jesus was able to saved me, a wretch undone, He can saved anybody! WOW! #didjaheardat?

Maybe you need to come back to the table? C’mon, THE BLOOD STILL WORKS!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

PURPOSE TRUMPS PAIN

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PURPOSE TRUMPS PAIN

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen. Jude 1:24-25

 
“Don’t put a question mark where God has put a period.” Sounds good, huh? Plastered on a billboard, right? Unfortunately, it’s potetency seeps out in everyday real life! Because that’s exactly what many of us do when things don’t workout like we think they should. We marry our soul mate and three years later, we’re widowed. We train up our children to love and follow Jesus, and they’re addicted to cocaine. We finally get that promotion and are able to buy our dream house and the doctor reports confirm that your wife has Stage 4 breast cancer!

Sometimes life doesn’t make sense! Perhaps, that’s why God told us not to lean to our own understanding, knowing His ways are beyond our human comprehension, huh? But He does tell us that before we breathed our first day, He’s designed each day to work together for our greatest good and His Higher Glory. I surely recognize that to the carnal mind, in the midst of tests, trials and tragedy, this offers little help (and even less hope). But there is some Good News for those who’ve become wearied in well-doing! The True and Living God Who takes pleasure in our prosperity is in complete control of our end from the beginning! (Ref. Romans 8:28)

Contrary to this new 21st Century Gospel-Lite philosophical preaching that asserts that if you choose to follow Jesus, (as if you ever would) the rest of your journey will be a flowery bed of ease,  God recycles those who have put their faith and trust in Him alone into agents of transformation for the upbuilding of His Kingdom in the Earth! While The Father of Comfort is determined that you reach the fullness of your Destiny, He’s Sovereignly ordained that you face resistance, struggles and adversity in this life, in order to produce and prove your Godly character.

It’s easy for us to get stuck in the muck and mire of our pain and waste it! #Datsoundsabitharsh, huh? Honestly, while life is filled with unexpected uninvited disruptions, nothing happens coincidentally! God doesn’t waste pain! It’s in the midst of these sporadic interuptions that we discover what God has put on the inside of you, not to deminish you, but to prepare you for the next level of your mission. Hence, we must decide whether or not we’re going to remain pitififul or allow this to make us powerful!

I tend to think about it like this, everytime I use my painful experiences to help somebody who’s facing a challenge that I’ve already come thru, I just imagine the demons trembling in terror. Remember the scripture that says, if they only knew what was going to happen when they crucified our Lord and Savior, they never would’ve done it! (Ref. 1 Corinthians 2:8) Ha! Ha! So, I gotta admit that turning the tables on the devil is absolutely delightful. In fact, I tell him, “Satan, you’re gonna regret every moment of this more than I ever will!”

Beloved, by using the lessons we gain to help somebody else, we’re heaping coals of fire on the devil’s head! If you will allow the pain to transform your mind, you gain a greater understanding of God’s miraculous Power and sustaining Grace! Besides that, your faith will boister a personal confidence that affirms ‘IF GOD DID IT BEFORE, HE’LL DO IT AGAIN! As I allow these experiences to make me better rather than bitter, I can be content regardless of my circircumstances!’ (Ref. Philippians 4:11)

Somebody said, NO PAIN NO GAIN! However, unless you change your perspective, this offers little to motivate you in the furnace of affliction! In order for us to grow through these seasons of difficulties we must be fully persuaded that because of God’s unconditional Love and immutable Faithfulness, the only reason God has allowed this, is because He knows He can trusts me with this trouble! WOW! PURPOSE TRUMPS PAIN!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

I WON’T BE SILENT ANYMORE!

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I WON'T BE SILENT ANYMORE

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision and told him, “Don’t be afraid! Speak out! Don’t be silent! For I am with you, and no one will attack and harm you, for many people in this city belong to Me.” Acts 18:9-10
Several years ago, The Grand Ole’ Church of God in Christ, came out with a slogan, guess what? Exactly! ‘I won’t be silent anymore!’  I wonder why I haven’t heard that one in a while! Especially in light of all the other voices that a bellowing out all kinds of crazy comments! #wink #wink!  Yall don’t mind granting a sista a few moments of folly, do you? AWESOME!

Have you noticed that every one and their cuzzins have come out of the closets, declaring and decreeing their rights. WOW! But where are the Saints? What’s the matter Zion? Perhaps, it’s got more to do with frustration and disenfranchisement than fear, huh? Them ol’ skool church Mothers were right! We’re living in times that will definitely try men’s souls. Seems as if everybody’s got rights…BUT THE CHURCH!

I ain’t scurred! Why are we the brunt of  such vicious accusations and slander, if we dare to uphold the moral standards of The Word of God?  What happened to our freedom of speech rights? Why are we subjected to blatant mockery and defamation of character when we defend our Declaration of Dependance on The True and Living Creator of The Universe? #ijs

Last time I checked, The Holy Bible still says that there’d come a time when the people of God would be forced to make an individual conscious decision, for Jesus I live, for Jesus I die! Well?  Churrch, do we really believe The Word of God or are we pretending to fit in to get in?  Have we forgotten that the Ol’ Ship of Zion is not a cruiseliner but a battleship?  

It’s time to show whatcha working with! Ain’t no where to run and no where to hide. The stage is set and the rubber is treading  the road. Timeout for playing church and teetering on the edge of the fence! You know, how close can you get to the world and still make it to Heaven?  Either you’re all in THIS….OR UR OUTSIDE OF THE ARK! 

I still believe that the safest place in the whole wide world, IS IN THE WILL OF GOD!

Now, that’s just my two cents…do U, Boo!  BUT AS THE OL’ CHURCH USED TO SAY…AS 4 ME AND MY HOUSE….WE SHALL SERVE THE LORD!

#speak-up? #SILENCEAIN’TBLISS! #datzmystoryugottaluvmehuh!  #NLOL

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

WHATZ STOPPIN’ U?

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Copyright - © Mike Grandmaison

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

Abandoning that one, Isaac moved on and dug another well. This time there was no dispute over it, so Isaac named the place Rehoboth (which means “open space”), for he said, “At last the LORD has created enough space for us to prosper in this land.” Genesis 26:-22
Has God ever promised you something that seemed absurd not to mention impossible in your own mind? Well, you’re in good company! Remember, Abram and Sarai. When God promised to give them a son,  considering Abraham was 100 and Sarah 90 years old, (waaayyy past the childbrearing age), they both laughed at the very thought of such a thing happening. But God got the last laugh! At the appointed time, Isaac (laughter) was born to this barren couple! Is there anyting too hard for God?

Isaac grew up and married Rebekah. Everything was going well, until suddenly there was a famine in their land which drove them to move to Gerar, a land occupied by the Philistine King Abimelech. Isaac settled there, and planted crops in that land, and reaped a hundredfold in that same year, his cattled increased and so did his servants! Now, don’t miss it, K? Remember, they were in the midst of a famine and water, being extremely scarce, was as precious as gold. Therefore, the land was barely producing, but because God was with him, everything his hands touched, prospered and Isaac became filty rich! #Didjagetit?

Howeverrr, be prepared for the repercussions of  increase! #ijs!!! Everybody ain’t happy when things are going well for you, huh? Oh yeah, as God begins to elevate you, some folk will start disappearing from your life. Are you ready for some pruning!

Soon jealousy reared its ugly head and King Abimelech told Isaac ‘This land ain’t big enough for the both of us. You ain’t gotta go home, but you leaving here.’! To make sure that his land couldn’t produce, The King ordered the wells that Isaac had dug to be filled up with dirt. Have you ever known somebody who was so jealous about what you had that they didn’t, that they began to spread lies to tear down your character and tarnish your reputation? Hence, throwing dirt in your well?

Sometimes, to keep the peace and unity, it’s better to take the low road! Isaac moved to the Valley where he discovered wells of fresh water! Yet, this infuriated the herdsmen of Gerar even more! Time and time again they’d come claiming these wells as their own.

Beloved, don’t be surprised at the opposition that shows up whenever you make a decision to seek the Fountain of Living Water! Nevertheless, God says to ‘count it all joy’! (Ref. James 1:2-4) He only allows it to try your faith and prove your trust through a furnace of affliction! Isaac, refusing to let oppostion stop him, kept right on seeking and digging wells. He did not give in to the ways of the world just because his circumstances were not what he’d expected. HE WAS IN THE WILL OF GOD!

It’s important to note, Isaac didn’t rebel against the ol’ land marks but remained steadfast to the promises that God had given to his Father. Saints, we don’t have to come up with a new bunch of truths to inherit the promises of God! We certainly don’t change our beliefs just because the world says, times have changed.  Them ol’ skool Mothers said, “Yep, it’s a new day, but don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater! You might get what you want, but lose what you had!” It’s okay to dig new wells, but make sure that you build on the foundation of those who have gone on before us and make sure that we get where they are! #ijs… Amen!

Isaac moved three times, looking for new wells just to avoid conflict! Yet, Isaac had something that his enemies didn’t. He had the comforting assurance that no matter where he was, no matter what his circumstances, God’s Presence and Promises abided with him!

His hope, faith, trust and patience were rewarded in the end! They dug another well, and no one quarrel after this one. Isaac named it Rehoboth, meaning the Lord has made room for us and we will flourish!

Saints, you don’t have to push nobody down, lie, cheat, hook-crook-back-stab to get what God has planned for your life. Your gift will make room for you! (Ref. Jeremiah 29:11, Proverbs 18:16)

Some might look at Isaac and call him a whimp, but God looks at him and calls him BLESSED!

GOD DID EVERYTHING THAT HE PROMISED HE WOULD DO. AND IF HE DID IT FOR ISAAC, IF YOU REMAIN FAITHFUL AND OBEDIENT, YOU TOO SHALL EAT OF THE GOOD OF THIS LAND!  GOD SWORE MY GOD-SELF, NO GOOD THING WILL HE WITHOLD FROM YOU, AS YOU WALK UPRIGHT BEFORE HIM! SO, WHATZ STOPPING U? #RUSERIOUS??

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

BEYOND UNDERSTANDING

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BEYOND UNDERSTANDING

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have Power, together with all the saints, to grasp how wide and high And deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that Surpasses knowledge — that you may be filled to the measure of All the fullness of God. Ephesians 3:17-19

 

There’s an ol’ song we used to sing, backndaday, that says, “I don’t know why Jesus loves me, I don’t know why He cares, I don’t know why He sacrificed His life, OOH but I’m glad, so glad He did!” Can I getta witness?

A lot of people have acknowledged, intellectually, the fact that God loves them. Unfortunately, THAT intellectual comprehension is  hardly ever incorporated into their individual everyday life!

Okay, so let’s go further. Because our knowledge of who we are and what we know about ourselves, we may find it extremely difficult, bordering on impossible, to process intellectually that a HOLY GOD could extend such unconditional affection towards something as flawed and fickled as humanity. Because God is Omniscient (all wisdom), to logically conclude that He loves us so deeply, makes no sense at all!

Could this be the reason so many intellectually astitute stumble and stagger at the premise that the Almighty God, Creator and Sustainer of everything cares so much for us that He was willing to sacrifice His Life for our life, just to restore an intimate fellowship with Him! Makes no sense, huh? That’s why we must come to Him in faith and not facts!

According to the Scriptures, not many wise, not many of the scholars, the elite of society would accept His offer of GRACE. (Ref. 1 Corinthians 1:26) However, given what I know about ME, I’d have to be a fool to refuse it! When I realized what was at stake, I had to jump quickly to grasp hold of so Great a Salvation, before He changed his mind! Ha! Ha! And I’m glad, so glad I did. Ain’t dat Amazing Grace?

Stop trying to figure it out and jus go for it! (Ref. Hebrew 11:6)

May the reality of God’s Rich Love fill your heart today! #Getit? IT’S BEYOND UNDERSTANDING!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

TRUSTING SILENCE

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trusting-silence

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Matthew 27:46

 

I don’t pretend to speak for every believer, however one of the most difficult things for me is trusting God when Heaven goes mute! Not only does this create anxiety, stress and discouragement, but the doubt, confusion and sense of abandonment becomes a personal virtual hell. And no, I am not a babe-in-Christ, but I’d consider myself to be a reasonably seasoned-saint! #ijs

Our spirit man knows quite well that God answers all of our prayers in one of three ways. Yes, No or Not Now, right? Nevertheless the carnal mind could care less! Flesh  wants immediate gratification. ‘I did what You told me, I asked, seeked and knocked; but I guess the answer must’ve got lost in the mail or either perhaps You’re too busy managing the world to be concerned about what’s concerning me, huh?’ Now don’t look at me with that tone of voice, surely I’m not the only one to concede to the Tempter’s situational analysis!

In all of scripture, these feelings of abandonment is never more profound than at the words uttered from the mouth of our Savior hanging on The Cross… and God is silent! And while there is no record of God’s answer in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, or Luke, the Passion story does not end with our Lord’s despairing cry. In Psalm 22, God’s affirming Love and Grace encourages us to trust Him to resurrect Greater Greaterness out of our greatest messes! “In you our ancestors trusted; they trusted and you delivered them. To you they cried, and were saved; in you they trusted, and were not put to shame.”

While some folk would have you believe that faith means unwavering trust in God’s power and ability to do anything, and that’s absolutely Truth. Nevertheless, there’s that other part of faith that commands trusting God’s silence as well as His actions, that has proven to be, at the least, extremely unsettling!

The Word of God tells us that the promises of God are Yeah and Amen, however we tend to forget that spiritual things are governed by spiritual laws. Case in point, seed-time-harvest! God is more concerned about developing christian core values and attributes than providing our fleshly creature comforts!

The Prophet Isaiah encourages believers to persevere through the trials expecting your deliverance is soon to come. ‘But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.’ (Isaiah 40:31) And James 1:4 admonishes us to ‘let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. Honestly, while both texts have been tremendously resourceful, strengthening and comforting, sometimes they ring hollow when the circumstantial eveidence against you is screaming hopelessness, rejection and it appears as if Heaven’s doors are closed and locked you out!

As you walk with Jesus, experience will teach you that these feelings are just a trick of the enemy to get you to doubt the validity and Faithfulness of God’s Word. If He ain’t saying nothing else, then keep doing the last thing He told you because evidently He ain’t changed His mind!

Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. Psalm 46:10

Beloved, when you can’t see God’s Hand, feel His touch or hear His Voice, trust His Heart! REMEMBER THE TEACHER NEVER TALKS DURING THE TEST! TRUSTING GOD’S SILENCE!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

THE CROSS AND THE CROWN

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THE CROSS AND THE CROWN

 

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

Anyone who does not carry his cross and follow me cannot be my disciple. Luke 14:27 NIV

 

Ever looked at anyone and admired their zeal, confidence, positive attitude and their success? Who hasn’t, right? Ever looked at somene and (secretly of course), coveted, envied, wondered why did they get all the breaks and not me? No? Right! #Juswondering

Well, for those of us who’re yet awaiting our hallos and wings, it’s not that uncommon to envy those who appear to have so easily overcome adversity, conquered conflict and triumphed to the pennacles of prosperity! That is, until we discover the real story behind their glory! As the Scripture reveals, the mind of a man plans his way, but The Lord directs his steps. (Proverbs 16:9) Unless you were born late last night or arrived on the planet earth early this morning, you already know that the journey of life is filled with just as many moments of misery as merriment. It matters not whether you were born sucking on the proverbial silverspoon, sprawled out on the back pew or crouched behind the dumpster, trouble, test, trials, tragedy and tyranny will be a non-discrimnatory uninvited interruption. (Ref. Job 14:1)

Every man must bear his own cross! But thanks be to God! The Omniscient Creator of The Universe has strategically ordained every single step and stop to assure that His Purpose for each one of our lives be fulfilled! The goal of our Lord for His Beloved is that we be transformed into His Image, demonstrating His character and reflecting His Glory into a dark, lost, dying, hellbound world. Sometimes, this process demands enduring physical, emotional and spiritual discomfort as we learn to walk by faith and not by sight, trusting wholly in The Faithful Lovingkindness of Our Invisible Savior!

However, The Master Architect works it all together for our greatest good and His Highest Glory! (Romans 8:28) Our Heavenly Father Sovereignly designs the exact dimensions of length, width and depth of the cross you’ll need to carry you safely across the tumultuous rivers, through dry valleys enabling you to meticulously ascend to predestined mountaintops enroute to your Eternal Destiny.

Kinda makes you go, uuuummm? Huh? Exactly! Can you really afford to judge another man’s crown?

Now imagine The Cross that Jesus carried, not for Himself,  not for us; not for them…BUT 4 ME!  YOU SEE, UNTIL WE MAKE IT PERSONAL, IT NOT REAL! Don’t know about you, but it makes me wanna holla and throw up both my hands, HALLELUJAH! THANKYA JESUS!

YOUR CROSS! YOUR CROWN!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee