Tag Archives: morning

MAKE IT THRU THE NITE!

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MAKE IT THRU THE NITE SHIFT2

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

Behold, he that keepeth Israel shall neither slumber nor sleep. Psalm 121:4

Behold, I am with you and will keep you wherever you go, and will bring you back to this land. For I will not leave you until I have done what I have promised you. Genesis 28:15 ESV

 

Whether you’ve been walking with Jesus for a long time or just recently made your decision to follow Christ, none of us are excluded from faith’s stresses, test and trials! If you don’t have a clue about what I’m talking about, may I draw from dem ol’ skool Mothers’ terminology, “Baby, jus keep getting up in the mornin’ and going to bed at night, sooner or later you will encounter a season in your life when you’ll feel as though God has left you alone in the valley of the shadows of death to fend for yourself!”

I understand that this kinda theology may seem a bit strange, (not to mention unbiblical, after all we live in the Dispensation of Grace) to some Millenniums who’ve been spoon fed Gospel-Lite-Prosperity pablum prepared by the more sophisticated-socially-acceptable-all-ingratiating-all-inclusive preachers! But check The Book, it’s still in there! “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you:” 1 Peter 4:12

Further,  when you’re forced to trample through the turbulent terrains of this life, know that your Heavenly Father is not a dead-beat-absentee Dad! God’s Eternal Word  has no shelf-‘life expiration date! It’s still Light to the 21st Century Saints and potent enough  to comfort, strengthen and encourage those who dare seek Him!

Precious ones, perhaps, at this reading, you find yourself smack-dab-in-the-middle of a loooonnnnggg night filled with overwhelming fear, anxiety and doubt, yet Truth remains! Even when you’re unable to trace God’s Face or feel His Hand, trust His Heart!

Sometimes, we’re so focused on the trauma of the moment that we forget that we have a real enemy who delights in secretly launching attacks against God’s elect, under the cloak of darkness with his diabolical wiles, strategically aimed to diminish your confidence and trust in God! Nevertheless, don’t fall for the okey-doke; Satan ain’t running nothing! Your God is Sovereignly watching over you 24/7! He never naps! Day and night are the same to Him! Every step and stop you take is Divinely-choreographed by The Maestro of Heaven! He’s already gone before you preparing designated rest areas along the road to revive and re-energize our spirit and soul! #Didjaheardat? IT’S TRUE!

Beloved, when it seems as if everything around you is falling apart, Holy Spirit says, ‘It’s falling right in place’! Abba Father is weaving each tattered piece of your life together for your greatest good and His Highest Glory! And at the appointed time, He will flip it over  displaying His Magnificent Masterpiece! (Ref. Romans 8:28)

 For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. Psalm 30:5

“Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is.” 1 John 3:2

Like Jacob, as we continue our pilgrimage through the gross immorality of this fallen world en route to the celestial city, may out faith remain steadfast, unmoveable, always abounding in the work of The sustaining power and Grace of  The Lord of all Life. Therefore, with uplifted hands, let us continuously proclaim of our Savior “The God that led me all my life long” works THE NIGHT SHIFT!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

THE MORNING AFTER!

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THE MORNING AFTER

SELAH Daily Devotions!

For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. Psalm 30:5

Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ’s sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. 1 Peter 4:12-13

 

Over the past two decades, there’s been a lot of controversial debate concerning whether or not we should allow access to a certain medication that’s being distributed indiscriminately in other countries. I’m talking about the ‘morning after pill’! Not surprising, most of the dialogue is not so much about the potential threat or the adverse physical side effects resulting from ingesting these drugs but rather, whether or not you accept or reject the implicated morality issue.

While the medical field and the pharmaceutical industry may, or not, have their own interests in pursuing the mass distribution to the public at large, my heart leans towards the individuals who persistently engage in leisure sexual promiscuity, irregardless of the eternal consequences of their activities. Evidently, many are convinced that all they have to do is gulp down a pill in the morning, swallowing away any chance of an unwanted conception and juskeepasteppin! After all, it’s their own personal right, right?

Can you imagine what our lives would be like without accountability? Well, guess what, we don’t have to go very far to discover that many of us live everyday as if one day we all will NOT have to take responsibility for the deeds we’ve done in our bodies. (Ref. 2 Corinthians 5:10)

Fortunately, The Omniscient Father of Grace and Comfort, knowing the frailty of our human flesh and our proclivity to be drawn to that forbidden fruit, refused to abandon us, leaving us doomed to our own sin-lusting appetite. That’s why Jesus, prayed asking the Father to send The Promise, The Holy Ghost, to abide in us to help us, not just to do the right thing, but giving us a pure desire to want to do right! (Ref. John 14:16-18)

As born-again, blood-washed believers, sometimes it’s not easy to deny self and go the way of faithful obedience. Especially when life gets difficult. Despite doing all we know to do to walk pleasing to God, there’s a part of us that just wants to throw in the towel. “What’s the point, right?”

The point is that we have Help and Hope that’s beyond this world. The Word of God assures us that while the journey of this life is not without its own share of suffering, pain, rejection, disappointment and despair, we’re not home yet!

Yes!  We, as children of The Day, have a dual citizenship!  BUT,  the pathway to Glory is not without dips, slips, detours and sporadic dead-ends! Yet! We have A Glorious Truth awaiting us!

“His lord said unto him, Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord.” Matthew 25:21

My precious brothers and sisters, HOLD ON TO HOPE! THERE WILL BE GLORY IN THE MORNING… AFTER THIS!

 

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

REST-DIRECTION!

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REST-DIRECTION 3

SELAH Daily Devotions!

“Unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.” (Psalm 25:1)

 

Sometimes, we find ourselves oscillating by the turbulent waves of adversity, drowning in the depths of desperation and despair. While we all know that trouble doesn’t discriminate, harassing the just as much as the unjust, somehow knowing doesn’t make suffering any less traumatic, especially to those of us who intentionally strive to live circumspect fully according to teaching of The Bible.

Perhaps this explains why many believers prefer to deny rather than acknowledge that occasionally they experience a wrath of depression that causes you to shrink back into self-imposed exile, shrouded by terror, isolation and false humility! But today, allow the WORD OF GOD to emancipate you from the burden of secretcy and shame!

Remember David?  Well, on several occasions, we find The Psalmist , crying out of the hub of his soul to his True Source of Salvation, The Living God?

As we follow The King in The Scriptures,  we see David relentlessly bellowing out his distress before his Friend, The Lord Adonai, uninhibited by reputation, shame nor guilt, but fully persuaded that this was indeed what pleases God the most, trusting honesty.

David’s intimacy with his God, was the foundation of his every prayer!

Beloved, during seasons of overwhelming circumstances, instead of running away from God, The Psalmist recognized the value and privilege afforded to him  and entreated God’s Compassionate Heart with the same hope-filled tenacity that he embraced during moments of ease.

We do well to understand that earnest sincere-honest-heart prayer stirs-up the atmosphere of Heaven releasing favor, and guaranteeing Divine Intervention.

Don’t insult God’s Omniscience with phony, fake emotional repetitions, as if He doesn’t already know your heart. Just follow the ‘man after God’s own heart’  and expose the nakedness of your heart, own your emotions and confess “But unto thee have I cried, O Lord; and in the morning shall my prayer prevent thee. Lord, why castest thou off my soul? why hidest thou thy face from me?”  Psalm 88:13

GO ‘HEAD; GOD CAN TAKE IT!

Don’t just wallow in the muck and mire of fear, dread and desolation. Take full-advantage of the situation by reconnecting to The Shepherd! Recommit your life afresh to new purpose, focus and strength. Reaffirm the Foundation of God’s Inseparable Love, entrusting your heart to The Faithful Eternal Lord of Glory!

Truthfully, God orchestrates these momentary afflictions to set you up for Triumphant Victory. WHAA? #didjaheardat?

AAAAWWW! Rest-DIRECTION!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee