Tag Archives: love

I CHANGED MY MIND!

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I CHANGED MY MIND 3

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord Acts 3:19

I am straight Holiness/Pentecostal todabone; jus ask anybody who knows me in church! I mean, I’ll shout you down in a heartbeat! But guess what? The devil ain’t stud’n you getting your praise on shoutin’ and dancin’, flip’n over pews, in the church house, as long as you don’t change! That’s right, I’m talking about repentance! Don’t touch dat button!

I know repentance still carries a negative connotation, generally provoking feelings of fear and condemnation. I totally get! However, what we need to realize is that none of us  have the power or responsibility to make a person repent by threatening them that they’re going to Hell!  BUT!!!! IF  you let them know how good The Lord is and what He’s ALREADY done for US to make us right with God, there a good chance that they’ll want to know Him for themselves!

Before the days of name it and claim it, and blab it and grab it, when a true prophet spoke, the only thing he promised was the WORD OF GOD! Really, check your Bible? John the Baptist preached the same message every day, “prepare ye the way, repent and be baptized, for the Lord is at hand”. When The Apostle Peter left the upper room, filled with the Holy Ghost, he came preaching the same message, “repent”. Yall ain’t liking me, huh?

Some folk still believe repentance means going to the altar, echoing a confession and shaking the pastor’s hand. But my beloved, genuine repentance is a matter of the heart and I don’t mean just feeling sorry. If you really want to experience authentic fellowship with Jesus, you have to sanctify yourself through repenting from your heart.

2 Corinthians 7:10 explains, when a person truly repents, they’ll admit that they’re sincerely sorry for rebelling against God and living a sinful life; make a conscious commitment to change the way they live, turn their back AWAY FROM the devil, and TURN 2 JESUS!

One of the best parts of repentance is taking back the personal power that we’ve allowed Satan to rule over our lives! Godly sorrow will make you stare the devil down and tell him in no uncertain terms, “No thank you, I don’t want to live like this anymore, it’s over! I DON’T BELONG 2 U, I BELONG TO JESUS! MY PAST IS COVERED IN THE BLOOD AND MY NEW LIFE IS NONE OF YOUR BUSINESS! NOW , GET OUTTA MY FACE OR I’M GONNA CALL MY DADDY!

Beloved, don’t allow another moment of doubt, unbelief or fear cause you to forfeit the blessings that God has prepared for us. (Ref. Jeremiah 29:11) The Bible says, the day you hear His Voice calling–just come! Didjaheardat? Can you hear HIM now?

Somebody quick, please tell the devil, “ I CHANGED MY MIND!”

SELAH!

PAUSE, PONDER, PRAY & PRAIZ!

Ann Caffee

THE MASTER’S BOUQUET

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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

A LIVING TESTIMONY?

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A LIVING TESTIMONY

SELAH Daily Devotions!

“These things command and teach. Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.” 1 Timothy 4:11-12

Have you heard that old cliché, “ACTIONS SPEAK LOUDER THAN WORDS”? Well guess what, according to today’s scripture text, The Bible said it first! Seriously! That kinda sheds a whole new light on parenting, huh? Perhaps, this might even explain the outbreak of blatant rebelliousness so prevalent amongst of our youth.

Studies have concluded that children whose parents eat nutritious foods and exercise daily also grow up to become adults who eat right and exercise daily. Uuummm! Unfortunately, this trending does not necessarily carry over into our spiritual lives. Hence, often times there’s a discerning disconnect between our religious persuasions and our real-life saunter.

While the scriptures enumerates the importance and the responsibility that we, who have confessed our faith in the Saving Grace of Jesus Christ and accepted the Gift of His Righteousness, have to represent Our Master to a lost and dying world! However, sometimes we relegate this obligation to mean only ‘card-holding’ church delegates. Now who do you think started that lie?

The Bible says in Acts 1:8, Jesus himself testifies, “But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth.”

Didjaheardat? Who shall be witnesses? Sounded like it says it’s the believers! Oh Yeah! Those who have God living in them will be called to the witness stand to testify to the Living Truth of The Gospel!

Have you heard that other one, (most often attributed to St. Francis Assisi) “Preach the Gospel Always, and if necessary use words”?

Apparently, we’ve been charged to spread The Good News everywhere we go. No, that doesn’t mean that the saints are to act like an elite force of bible-tote’n secret service agents, armed and ready to attack unsuspecting unbelievers, beating them over the head with your scripture quoting. But rather, it tells us that our very lifestyle should exemplify Christ-likeness. In other words, we’re commanded to walk circumspectly! (Ref. Ephesians 5:15-16) Our demeanor, our character, integrity, our love, kindness and our patience should blasts “This is a Child of The Most High God”!

Beloved, “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16

Didjahear the one, “God is Real! The Gospel is True and Salvation is Still Available!”? If not, don’t doubt the veracity of The Message because of its erroneous misrepresentation! A LIVING TESTIMONY!

SELAH!

“Have a WONDER-FILLED day!”

Ann Caffee
 

DON’T SELL YOURSELF CHEAP!

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DON'T SELL URSELF CHEAP!

SELAH DAILY DEVOTIONS!

 

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvelous light. 1 Peter 2:9

 

Granted, given the peer pressure of this 21st Century society that we live in, it ain’t no easy task, howeverrr, sometimes, we just gotta learn how to appreciate ourselves for the fearfully, wondrously and gloriously made creations of God that we are! (Ref. Psalm 139:14) #ijs!!!

 For some of us, by the time you get to Jesus, you’ve already suffered years of psychological damage, mis-use and abuse. As the psalmist said, we’ve been ‘ buked and scorned, lied on, cheated, talked about sure as we’re born; slammed and crushed by life that you’ve subconsciously de-valued yourselves so much so that when you hear some preacher say ‘God loves you’, your initial response is an overwhelmingly cynical—REALLY? But the Good News is that God is not intimidated by  your fragile-self-incriminating state. He specializes in restoring broken things!

As you continue to feed on The Word of God, through the enabling Power of The Holy Spirit, your eyes are opened to Truth and astonishingly, you will begin to see yourself through the “blood stained” Savior’s eyes. As God’s relentless Loving-kindness and Amazing Grace begins to penetrate the callousness of your heart, you get a revelation of the Magnificent Compassion that your Heavenly Father has toward you. Honestly, It’s almost unbelievable!

Come to think of it, no one BUT The Creator can determine the true worth of His creation! Remember, God Himself  deliberately and intentionally chose you in Christ Jesus before the foundation of the world! Once you have accepted God’s Love, there’s no need to crave validation from anybody else. REALLY! 

NOW AIN’T THAT AWEMAAZING? 

ITZ DA TRUTH!  BELOVED, ALWAYS REMEMBER THAT REGARDLESS OF WHAT ‘THEY’ SAY,  IN GOD’S EYES YOU’RE INDELIBLY PRICELESS! DON’T SELL YOURSELF CHEAP!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

THURSDAYS’ PRAYERS!

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PRAYN AND FASTING PIC

SELAH Daily Devotions!

Good morning Family and Friends, GOTTA MOMENT?

Once again, we, the New Nations Worship Ministries family invite you to join us in our Day of Corporate Prayer and Fasting between 6:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.! In times like these, it’s imperative that we all stay close to the Altar…and linger in the midst of the Incense…WE DECLARE AND DECREE!!!!

JESUS, I’LL NEVER 4 GET WHAT U’VE DONE 4 ME! JESUS, I’LL NEVER 4 GET HOW U SET, ME FREE, JESUS I’LL NEVER 4GET HOW U BROUGHT ME OUT, JESUS, WE’LL NEVER 4 GET NOOOOO NEVER…WE LOVE U LORD, AND WE LIFT OUR VOICE, TO WORSHIP U, OH MY SOUL, REJOICE, TAKE JOY MY KING, IN WHAT U HEAR, AND LET IT B A SWEET, SWEET SOUND IN UR EAR….

Father, as we come today, we lift up The Precious Name of Jesus and give great praise to You, we are immediately mindful to thank You for blessing us to see this brand new day.  Not that we deserve or have in anyway merited such favor, but because it has pleased You to grant us another opportunity to enjoy the abundance of Your Mercy, Your Grace, Power and Peace with overwhelming gratitude we Thankya!

Heavenly Father,  we can never take it lightly, that You, The Creator and Mastor of The Universes, have bestowed upon us such honor and privilege in choosing us to be Your very own children to enter into Your Presence, without fear and trembling, knowing that You delight in fellowship with Your Beloved children!

Lord Jesus, we continuously give thanks to You for being not just The God of All Creation, but The God of our Salvation, our Deliverance, Breakthrough and Provision. We’re constantly amamzed at Your Lovingkindness towards us, knowing our frame, yet Your benevolence, faithfulness and compassion allow You to look beyond our human frailties, faults and iniquities to see and minister to all of our need!

As we humble ourselves under Your Mighty Hand, Father, we pray for renewed strength, understanding, comfort and power from hearts open to, depending and relying only on You.

We pray that as Your eyes continue to search the hearts of mankind that you save every lost and dying soul that has not yet surrendered their lives to you and received Your Son as their personal Savior and Lord. We ask that you put a REAL YES, into their hearts and minds that this will be the day that they decided to turn their backs on Satan and run under The Blood of Jesus! And Lord, as they come, we know that you will place them into a local church home where they might learn the ways of Your Kingdom!

Abba Father, as we pray, we ask that You reclaim every back-slider; put a final YES in their heart and mind. Assure them of Your Promise that You are waiting with open Heart and Arms, because You never consented to a divorce, but are Married to the backslider! Let today be the day that they come back to You and come back to YOUR church and that You  will guide, place and settle them into a church home today!

Father, we’re praying, we ask that You  touch our brother, touch our sister whose body has been afflicted by all manner of sickness and disease, high blood-low blood pressure, kidney disease, heart disease, epiplepsy, strokes, arthiritis, lung disease! We pray to The Prince of Peace that You will rebuke mental disorders causing depression, uncommon anxiety attacks, fears and fobias among Your Chosen Ones.

Lord, as we pray. we know that it mattera nor to You what the diagnosis is, but we ask especially that You  cancel, rebuke and cast out every spirit of cancer and  for Your Name Sake! Lord, for you have DECREED IN YOUR WORD, that Your stripes have redeemed and healed us and we’re yet standing on your promises that the prayer of faith shall save the sick and raise them up, In Jesus Name!

Lord, we pray for every believer who is yet holding on to Your Hand by faith today, that as You are looking down upon us, that You will release Your Divine Power, Supernatural Strength and Health, Provision, Prosperity, Peace and Protection.

Heavenly Father, we pray that You preserve them thru every test that they must go thru and bring them out wholly restored, renewed, refreshed and with the rewardsYou have promised us in Your Word. Father I ask that you comfort all those who are grieving the lost of a loved one this day! Give them Your assurance that joy shall come again!

Lord, we also ask that your Love surround, comfort and shield every member of our Armed Forces and give them the assurance that we appreciate the personal sacrifices that they make each and everyday that we may enjoy peace in our homes, on our roadways, in our airways!

We pray for President Obama and the 1st Family, every member of Congress and Senate, asking for Divine intervention and inspiration to reign in the very midst of every decision, in Jesus Name!

Father we ask that You send down a Special Anointing that will rest upon every True Man/Woman of God who will stand before your people this week, and that a life-giving, life-altering Word would prick and arrest the hearts of everyone in attendance!

Father we wait in confidence, quietness, and earnest expectation trusting wholly that all workers of iniquity are suddenly departing in shame, turning their backs from Your people, because You have heard the voice of our weeping, our supplications and received our prayer as a sweet savor coming up before Your Sovereign Throne of Grace and Mercy!

Father, we thank You, honor and praise You now, for we believe that it is done! In The Exalted Name of Jesus. Amen and It Is So!

THE LONGING!

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the-longing-2

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death. Philippians 3:10

 

One of the most intriguing topical discussions amongst expectant mothers and women who have become mothers (besides swapping labor stories) is the abnormally-intensified cravings that we experience during pregnancy awaiting the birth of their bundle of joy!

While, at this writing, my eldest is 47 years old, yet, I can still summon up that daily occurrence of overwhelming intensity, provoking me to walk my big-belly-self five city blocks up to MLK Avenue to get my hands around a 6 in., lettuce and tomatoes, fried onions, mayo and mustard, salt and pepper, heavily-loaded with pickles steak and cheese sandwich. This became such a ritual that the moment I wobbled through the threshold of the deli, the cashier would holla to the cook “Steak and Cheese Special for the big lady”. And off I’d be to our little apartment on Oakwood Street, five blocks back, just as happy as if I’d discovered a treasure chest filled with diamonds and gold. Somehow, the journey back never seemed as difficult or as long, perhaps because I’d be that much closer to relishing the second I’d take my first bite of my bounty! Oh my, what we won’t do for love, huh?

Well guess what? That’s exactly how believers ought to be in our quest for Jesus Christ! We see this truth evidenced in the life of The Apostle Paul. We can almost feel the earnest urgency with which The Apostle sought after his personal, intimate- knowing and understanding of “The True One” Who had apprehended him on the Damascus Road. (Ref. Acts 9) It was as if Paul was driven by an uncommonly unique passionate desire that set him on a course that remains unchartered territory to even the most astutely-religious 21st Century church-goers today.

Yet, there is that remnant of us whose yearning for more JESUS consumes most of our waking moments and often invading our nights with dreams and images of His Awesomeness. Imagine my surprise at the realization that not everyone in the church shares this delight-filled insatiable lusting for The Living Water and The Bread of Life!

This could very well explain why some who profess Christ, are content with following Him a far off while others are compelled to dig-out the secret treasures hidden in The Word of God, diligently, intentionally searching the Scriptures daily that they might know HIM in ways that may never be actualized by the second-handed-casually-acquainted follower—experientially! (Ref. Acts 17:11)

The Word of God is Alive and gives life to any who have a desire for The God Who Speaks revealing GOD-SELF through His Auto-Biography, inscribed through Genesis into Revelation, that all who seek Him with all of their hearts, minds, spirit, soul and body may know HIM (TRUTH) intimately. Sadly, not everyone who calls Him Savior seek Him as Lord, huh? #ijs Yall!

Therefore, much to their own sorrow, they miss out on the true wealth and reward of a personal, dynamic, GOD-involved relationship that awaits us who lend our hearts and attention to discovering The Father in the face of His First-Begotten Son, Jesus! (Ref. Colossians 1:15-16)

My precious one, seeking God, although often challenging, should never become be a chore! However, it is vindictive of the level of love, faith and commitment towards Him!

 “O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in him.” (Psalm 34:8)

HENCE, WHATEVER POSITION GOD OCCUPIES IN YOUR HEART DETERMINES HIS PRESENCE IN YOUR LIFE! HOW BAD DO YOU WANT HIM? LONGING?

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

WEIGHT ON THE LORD!

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weight on the LORD 3

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

“I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living. Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.” Psalm 27:13-14

“Cast your burden on the Lord, And He shall sustain you;He shall never permit the righteous to be moved.” Isaiah 55:22

 

Glancing up at the TV screen on my way into the kitchen one morning, I couldn’t help but hear this early morning’s breaking news report that sometime, while most of us slept in the comfort and safety of our homes, a group of bomb-strapped terrorist had stormed into a Pakistani school house killing over 120 people, including  a number of 1st to 6th grade students, teachers and anyone else who crossed their sight lines. As I tuned my ears, the commentator continuing on said that Isis had proudly stepped up, acclaiming  responsibility for this heinous act in retaliation for a previous attack against their forces.

After reminding myself again,why I’m not an avid news watcher, I came up stairs to ask my husband whether or not he’d heard about it, and he had. Almost simultaneously, both of us asked “What is this world coming to”?  ” It’s as if nothing is sacred, nothing is restricted by basic human morality!

Suddenly, the Holy Spirit cut into our conversation; “The End!” I repeated, as if the light had just been cut on. “The End!” The world, as we’ve known, is coming to an end,  live and living HD color! Who nu? The 21st century generation would be eye witnesses to the actualization of the antiquated prophetic utterances of God’s servants.

I found myself praying, “Lord, as Pastors, preachers, teachers, evangelists, your servants, what are we supposed to do? How can we continue to preach trust and hope to comfort and encourage your people surroundied by the presence of lawless gross darkness? Especially when we ourselves are fainting, wearied, overwhelmed and being choked by the cords of cares and chaos!”

The Holy Spirit interrupted my self-induced saga; “Tell them about JESUS! After all He is The Only Hope of the World! Preach, JESUS! The Eternal Light that yet shines out of the darkness. Remind them that all these things must be before The Kingdom of God ushers in The New Life! Hail to the scattered sheep that NOW is the time for Salvation! Warn them that time is winding up, spiraling intently towards eternity and NOW is the time to prepare to meet their Master in peace; for He could show up at any minute!”

“Encourage your fellow-sojourners to take full advantage of these days, not trembling in fearful foreboding but celebrating God all day,every day!”

My mind went back to the wisdom of those ol’ skool  Churrch Mothers? ‘Wear this world like a loosing fitting overcoat, that you can drop-off at a moment’s notice!’ That was their way of reminding us that we are not home yet. We are still passing through this barren land on our way to Heaven!

Beloved, if all your hope is wrapped up in what you can collect, seeking man’s approval and striving to attain society’s standard of success, then my precious one, the best you can expect to see in this world is constant decadence of morality and amplified misery. But asThe Redeemed, we have an resounding advantage over those who are yet in darkness. GOD IS STILL GOD!

God is not surprised at anything that’s happening! He Reigns Supreme Ruler over His Creation, astutely aware and actively involved in the intrinsic detailed affairs of man-kind! And to top it all off, God loves us with an Everlasting Love that compassionately invites us to come boldly before His Throne daily to find Hope, Help, Mercy and Grace!

Therefore, Beloved, we do not give up HOPE! We contend for the faith, waiting patiently in earnest expectation, resting in quiet confidence and believing to see that THE ONE WHO HAS PROMISED IS FAITHFUL TO PERFORM! WEIGHT ON THE LORD!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

GOD LISTENS

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GOD LISTENS!

SELAH Daily Devotions!

I love the Lord, because he hath heard my voice and my supplications. Because he hath inclined his ear unto me, therefore will I call upon him as long as I live.” Psalm 116:1-2

 

Ever found yourself at the end of your rope? That’s silly; of course you have! We’ve all been there! But did you ever think that that’s exactly where GOD wants you?

Too often we’ve been led to believe that you, the master of your own life, will never face a challenge that you can’t get past. After all you’re an intelligent individual, right? Wrong!

As you’ve probably figured out by now, there are some things, try as you may, ‘you still don’t know how to fix this mess’, huh?. But again, GOD sets it up, just like dat? He never intended us to live life independent of HIMSELF! Where do you think fellowship began? That’s exactly right; like everything else, in the mind of God!

Unfortunately, GOD knows that except we have these “impossible” situational intrusions, you know that thing that seems to just pop-up outta no where blocking our path, we wouldn’t think we needed GOD! Don’t forget GOD knows your heart! So don’t even try to wiggle your way out of this truth, okay?

Every so often, we find ourselves in circumstances where you just need one somebody to talk it over with. Even if they can’t change your situation. So you call your Mama and your Daddy, your BFF, your Dawg and errrbody else you can think of; hoping, that if somebody just listened, it will ease the pain, frustration and helplessness. Or, perhaps make you feel like at least they care. But then again, can you really trust them to not put you there on blast or even worst, alter their impression of you?

But we have this confidence, God is never shocked by anything and He knows everything! And to top that whenever we call Him, He shows up! And whenever He shows up, He’s never empty-handed. He has all the answers that you and I will ever need in this lifetime and the world to come.

Who else can you depend on like Jesus? C’mon nah, u already know what I’m talking about… that thing, that situation, that person who’s got your heart so troubled, okay? Well, stop procrastinating and start talking to JESUS! HE’S ALWAYS WAITING!

TRUST 2 KNOW, GOD IS GRACIOUS AND HE SPECIALIZES IN MAKING  WRONG THINGS RIGHT! GOD LISTENS!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

LIVE FREE!

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LIVE FREE 3

SELAH Daily Devotions!

Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Galatians 5:1

If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. John 8:36

 SMH!!!! Coming into another dimension of Revelation of the ‘almost too good to be true’ Gospel of Jesus Christ, my only appropriate response is shaking my head in wonder-filled absolute amazement! I’m not a novice to this thing we call ‘Salvation’, by no means. I’ve been saved for more than thirty years! Yet, I’m almost embarrassed to admit it; nevertheless, for most of my walk with Christ, I’ve struggled secretly imprisoned by guilt and shame for sins I have committed. And I’m not just talking about those B.C. (before Christ). I’m talking about the since I’ve been saved stuff too! 

Just in case someone else out there knows what I’m talking about, I feel an urging in my spirit, compelling me to put myself out on blast just to let you know that there’s Hope for you also, and it’s “IN” Christ Jesus!

Now, don’t get it twisted!  I’m not trying to push the blame off on somebody else. I’m just acknowledging that for whatever reason I adapted a sense of ‘performance-based-legalism’ that followed me right into Christianity! Do good, get good—do bad, get bad!  This kind of thinking just about seals the deal—you’re doomed for failure and defeat, desolation and destruction because there’s no wiggle-room for our innately flawed human characteristics. You lie because you are a liar, you steal because you are a thief; you sin because you were born a sinner!

The Devil’s had a very long time to master deception and manipulation. Frankly,  he’s become quite proficient in using us against us! He cloaks his best handiwork in fostering our ‘self-righteousness, self-degradation and ultimate self-rejection’! Yall know how he just loves to throw a rock and hide his hand. Unfortunately there’s little need to change his tactics, after all, it still works!

Truth be told, on our ‘bestest’ days, we still aren’t good enough to somehow deserve God’s Grace! That’s what’s so Great about Salvation! Even if we could, by accident, done some ‘right’ act it never would’ve equaled out all of the ‘wrong’ acts we’ve committed.

That’s why God sent Jesus!

God knew the first plan was not and never could work—because ‘they just don’t have it in them’! In Hebrews 10:18 Jesus said it something like this…this new covenant will not be written on tablets of stone, but ‘I’m writing it in their hearts and in their minds’! Father, prepare me A Body… I, The Righteous One, will come to live in them and will empower them to become righteous and do right things the right way!

OMG, SMH…AGAIN! Didjaheardat?

It ain’t about ‘you’ it’s all about ‘JESUS’!!!

Hence, why keep trying to earn something that God’s already given you for free? Just accept Jesus’  unmerited Love and Loyalty by living  your life to the fullest every day in HIM!

That’s what it means to be ‘BORN AGAIN’ …saved and set free! IT’S SUCH A BLESSING…NO MORE CHAINS HOLDING ME!

When we place our personal confident trust not in ‘self’ –not in what we can’t do—but IN WHAT JESUS CHRIST HAS ALREADY DONE, WE’RE FREE—TO DO AND BE EVERYTHING HE WANTS US TO BE! —IN DEED–LIVE FREE!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

MAKING THE CUT!

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MAKING THE CUT 3

SELAH Daily Devotions!

“For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us; Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments contained in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, so making peace; And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh. For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.” Ephesians 2:14-18

Remember, how it felt, as a child, standing amongst your peers, who were about to play a game; and one particular kid, the captain of the team, was authorized to hand-pick the members of his team? And there you are waiting, wanting, wondering and wishing “Pick me…please!”? Only to be overlooked and rejected, without a moment’s hesitation, as usual, in favor of the captain’s personal favs.

It didn’t matter how much you wanted to play or even how much better you could play, if given the opportunity, you never seemed quite enough to make the cut. But not so in The Kingdom of Faith!

“And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Rev. 22:17

The King of Kings and The Lord of Lords stands as The Gateway to The Father! Having torn down the barriers between the possessors of The Law and the Lawless, Jesus, bridging the gap, as a testament of The Heavenly Father’s immense mercy and incredible love towards the most precious of His creation—mankind.

No longer are we denied the right-hand-of fellowship because of our nationality, racial ethnicity or gender; but standing at the foot of the Cross of Christ  levels the field,  for all who will submit their hearts to the True Circumcision of The Holy Spirit.

Jesus, The Mediator sent from Heaven to reconcile both Jew and Gentile back to The Kingdom of God through the tearing of His own flesh, has fulfilled the greatest desire of the Father’s Heart, creating One New Man!

And you, who were once aliens to the Promise, had no clue! The Truth was hidden, in the darkness of sinful flesh, until you opened your heart, trusting in and embracing Jesus Christ alone as your only hope for salvation, allowing The Light of Glory to reveal that before you were formed in your mother’s womb, God has already chosen you for His own! (Ref. Ephesians 1:4)
 
THANK GOD, YOU MADE THE CUT!
 
SELAH!
 
“Have a WONDER-FILLED day!”
 
Ann Caffee