Tag Archives: motivation

IT’S THE GOODNESS OF GOD!

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ITZ THE GOODNESS OF GOD

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

And thinkest thou this O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgement of God? Or despisest thou the riches of His goodness, and forebearance and long-suffering; not kowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? Romans 2:3-4
A while ago, I heard a preacher confessing  that at one time he was an avid believer and willing partaker of one of the greatest lies that Satan has perpetrated. As he went on to talk about his early perception of God, I began reflecting back on the B.C. (Before Christ) in my own life, I humbly concluded, “You ain’t by yourself preacha!” If we would be honest, for real, a whole lot of us would have to raise our hands and say Amen 3X, Preacha!

How many of you once believed that somewhere, way out there, there was a Great Big Ol’ Angry God, watching and recording every single thing you did? And when you had accumulated that mystical, unknown number of sins, His Hand of Wrath would suddenly appear from heaven, striking you down with a big sledge hammer, crush you and fling your po’ soul straight into the devil’s hell! Oh, don’t play me like you never…

Perhaps you were with that other group—the self-righteous who ascribe to the lie that when they get themselves together, they fully intend to start going to church and but they’re not going to be no hypocrite, like all them other folk. They’re gonna be real about serving God!  And we all know how that’s gonna turn out, huh?

Just think about all those times He could’ve, should’ve, BUT didn’t serve you your just desserts. Remember all those unfulfilled promises you made (lies) just before He delivered you, again? How many times has God chosen to withhold justice and instead dispensed His Grace and Mercy towards us? WOW! Haven’t got a clue, huh? Neither do I!

Let’s be for real! You and I will never, ever be good enough to qualify as ‘acceptable’ to a Holy GOD—SO….get over you!  God already knew that we’d fall short numerous times.That’s why, before we were even formed in our mother’s womb, God’s plan of Salvation was already established!

Ephesians 2:8 declares, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:”! Didjaheardat? God never left it up to us! Salvation is God’s free gift.

That’s the GOSPEL! It’s called GRACE and it’s still available to WHOSOEVER will  humble themselves before God, acknowledge themselves as sinners who have no other Hope for Salvation but JESUS and accept His Amazing Gracious Merciful Forgiveness! NOW THAT’S THE GOODNESS OF GOD!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

 

SUPER-NATURAL!

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Super-Natural

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Philippians 4:13

 

Don’t you just love hearing these words ringing out in a blazing testimony of the overcoming, triumphant power of a believer—or not? Perhaps, you can you remember hearing these words and being overcome with a sense of disappointment and failure in self for having weaknesses that you are yet struggling with.

Sometimes, like the world, the saints concoct their own sanctified Hollywood version of their personal lives to escape unpleasant realities. Yet, the Bible does not teach this kind of fantasy life. In fact, Jesus says, “These things I have spoken to you, that in me you might have peace. In the world you shall have tribulation; but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16.33

Looking at the preceding verses of today’s scripture text Philippians 4:11-12,  the confidence exemplified in The Apostle Paul’s comments might easily be interpreted as the words of a super human of great faith—able to leap over walls and run through troops, scale tall buildings effortlessly, conquering the unconquerable! And in many instances, indeed they are! However, what many of us fail to recognize is that The Apostle’s faith was developed through personal suffering and patient endurance through tremendous temptations, test, trials and tribulation, totally reliant upon The Lord’s Sustaining Grace! Just like any other human being born into planet Earth.

The problem is, often times we’ll read this text with the focus on the ‘I’, rather than recognizing that the real emphasis should be on the “through Christ” of Paul’s testimony. Think about it! Oh how liberating it is to cast the burden of proving The Word of God in its rightful place. In the Power of The One Who watches over His Word to perform it. (Ref. Jeremiah 1:12) This is the True Hope and Peace-filled Joy of every saint who aspires to experience the manifestation of God’s Promises! U C? It’s all about HIM not us! God gets the Glory by putting Christ’s SUPER ON OUR NATURAL!

It pleases The Heavenly Father to anoint us with HIS Amazing Grace, empowering us beyond our natural ability! It’s The Anointing that enables us to do above and beyond everything we can ever ask or think.

Remember, God is Omnipotent! Hence, God has unlimited resources of Glory yet to be revealed! As we relinquish our self-reliance and embrace Christ-Reliance, we can dauntlessly proclaim, “It’s the GOD IN ME!” (Ref. Galations 2:20)

My precious Sista/Bro, oooohhhh what a relief it is—when we learn to ‘Let go and Let God!’ THAT’S WHEN IT GETS SUPER-NATURAL! #4REAL!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

IF U THINK…U CAN THANK!

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IF U THINK, U CAN THANK

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

“When I think of the goodness of Jesus, and all he has done for me,my soul cries out Hallelujah! I thank God for saving me!”

 

We’ve all heard that; some of us have even testified it ourselves. How many of us were clueless that this was really a verse of a song, and not a scripture? But datz okay! Regardless of it’s roots, reciting these words has pulled many drowning souls out of the depths of hopelessness and despair!

The master of deceit, Satan, flourishes in our proclivity towards selective amnesia. Whether it’s a self-induced defense mechanism or some type of ego-boosting-denial-syndrome, I don’t know. However, if we’re honest, every single one of us could testify we’ve scaled some mountains higher than we thought possible and drifted through seemingly impossible storms that “NOBODY BUT GOD kept us alive!”

Truthfully, that’s exactly what terrifies Satan the most. He knows that if we ever take the time to really think about how often The Power Twins, Mercy and Grace, showed up, just in the nick of time delivering us from danger, destruction and even death, praise and worship is imminent! And of course, that’s the absolute last thing the devil wants to endure is a bunch of happy trusting believers rejoicing and lifting up The Name of Jesus!

Well, guess what devil, you might as well pull out your earplugs, because God is raising up a nation of your worst nightmare,  reformed doubters-complainers, an honest-to-goodness -genuine BELIEVERS! Oh Yeah! We’ve come through some fires, been through some storms but we can truly say that God was with me all the way!

In fact, come to think of it,  everytime that I cried out to Him, Jesus heard me and saved me out of all my troubles! ( Psalm 34:6) And because of my personal history, I have learned how to lean and depend on Jesus! Therefore, I truly and profoundly declare and decree (with both hands raised) “I WILL BLESS THE LORD AT ALL TIMES, HIS PRAISE SHALL CONTINUALLY BE IN MOUTH! (Psalm 34:1)

And guess what else, if you think I’m gonna keep this to myself, you must be an ol’ fool! I’m about to tell everybody, ‘come and see what the Lord has done for me!” THINK ABOUT IT…U GOTTA THANK HIM, huh?

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

 

TURNING POINT

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TURNING POINT

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and  whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. Matthew 16:25

 

At some point in the life of every single man, woman, boy and girl born into the Earth, we will be challenged to personally respond to some potentially life-altering questions.  At that point, they must make critical conscious decisions.  Whatever choices he/she makes will dictate the consequences of his/her ultimate eternal destiny.

Will I continue to live my life depending solely upon my own understanding, relying on my own opinion of what seems right and wrong according to my own moral standards and principles?  Or, am I willing to acknowledge the reality that  I need help from some other Source Greater than myself?

Am I willing to turn my life completely over to The One who created me? Am I entrusting my total care to Him; recognizing that He alone knows and desires the absolute best for my life?  Are you confidently assured that the only motivating factor for His Perfect Will for your life is His unconditional, unwavering, never ending, Faithful and Loyal Love for you?

The good news is that it’s an open-book test, but it’s still your choice!

I call heaven and earth to record this day against you, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose life, that both thou and thy seed shall live.  (Deuteronomy 30:19)

Precious one,  the moment you say emphatically, unapologetically, unrestricted,  ‘YES LORD’… DATZ YOUR TURNING POINT! 

Selah!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

HOPE ETERNAL!

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HOPE ETERNAL

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. Isaiah 9:6

Why art thou cast down oh my soul? And why art thou disquieted within me? Hope in God; for I shall yet praise him, who is the health of my countenance, and my God.
Psalm 43:5

 

Ever noticed how some folk tend to diminish HOPE to some trivial and passive behavior? I’m sure you’ve heard it, or perhaps you’ve been guilty of it, once or twice. ‘I can only hope so’, ‘U don’t wanna  get your hopes up’, ‘ I jus don’t wana  hope for something and be disappointed’.

Okay? Now where do you suppose that kind of talk comes from? You’re absolutely correct! Straight from the lying lips of our arch enemy, Satan, whose SOP is yet based onthe philosophy that ‘what they don’t know can hurt them and help me’.

There is a vast difference between the world’s hope and a believer’s hope! The world can’t help but ‘keepa wishin’ and hop’n’! After all they don’t know The True and Living God! BUT! Biblical Hope is powerful!

Hope is an earnest expectation spiritually-inspired anticipation that whatever God has promised shall come to pass!

Hope is critical to the believer’s faith in Christ Jesus. Hope is the launching pad to our salvation, giving substance to the believer’s faith!

Hope is rooted in absolute confident trust that assures the believer of future fulfillment of a promise given by The Eternal One who abides free from outside influence!

Hope is evidence of being fully persuaded beyond all doubt, utterly convicted of a present unseen reality!

Hope is the ultimate expression of true worship of the Almighty God that unashamedly declares, everything God ever promised already is!

HOPE IS THE PERSONIFICATION OF THE ALL THAT GOD IS AND ALL THAT HE HAS PROMISED!

HOPE IS GOD’S REVELATION ILLUMINATED IN THE FACE OF JESUS CHRIST!

And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld his glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth. John 1:14

During this Christmas season, as we celebrate the Birth of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ we also acknowledge that as a true believer we embrace each day with renewed resolve that no matter what it looks like, ‘I SHALL HOPE TO THE END!’ To the end of what you say? Until you see the complete manifestation of precisely what God has said!!

HOPE IS ALIVE, ETERNALLY SEATED AT THE RIGHT HAND OF THE FATHER! HOPE IS JESUS!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

HE TURN’T IT!

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HE TURNED IT 2

SELAH Daily Devotions!

Behold, the whirlwind of the Lord goeth forth with fury, a continuing whirlwind: it shall fall with pain upon the head of the wicked. The fierce anger of the Lord shall not return, until he hath done it, and until he have performed the intents of his heart: in the latter days ye shall consider it. Jeremiah 30:23-24

 

LOOK OUT…then LOOK UP! These are indeed the times of Jacob’s deep trouble distress prophesied in The Bible! Looking around, you can’t help but to see tragedy, corruption and injustice. So one might erroneously conclude that the fires of darkness have prevailed, releasing double turmoil and chaos on the land, from which there is no recovery!

Obviously, the people of God have not been excluded from the suffering, pain and disparity. In the midst of the overwhelming darkness, some will succumb to fear, giving in to the seducing spirits of the Tempter, turning their faces away from The Hope of Glory and drift over to the enemy’s fire, as if Satan has the power to save them. LOL!

However, don’t be befuddled by the jeers of the false prophets, GOD ALWAYS HAS A NUMBER WHO REFUSE TO BOW! Hence, there yet remains that Faithful Remnant who have determined, “COME WHAT MAY…I WILL trust in the One that the world has rejected, my proven Chief Corner Stone, with all of my heart, mind, soul and spirit!”

Jesus, The True and Faithful Witness, has given His chosen, everything that we shall ever need to endure these hardships as good soldiers! Hence, as we stand solidly on The Rock of our Salvation, taking God at His Word, in due season, we shall see the reward of the wicked and the servants of God exalted!

Always remember! Those who have a personal faith relationship with The Redeemer and Restorer, have an Incorruptible Hope that’s far beyond this world! (Ref. 1 Peter 1:23)

The Righteous Judge has decreed, “I AM keeping watch over MY Word to perform it. Don’t be afraid! I AM WITH YOU ALWAYS! I see everything that you’re going through and I WILL enter into your darkness AND TURN IT AROUND to save and deliver you! AGAIN!

Don’t worry about those fair weather folk who mock and dismiss your faith as ‘hopeless fanatic ignorance’! But cling to ME, for you are MY very own people and I WILL BE YOUR VERY OWN GOD!”

My fellow sojourners, BE STEADFAST, UNMOVABLE  ALWAYS ABOUNDING IN THE WORK OF OUR LORD! (Ref. 1 Corinthians 15:8)

WHEN THE DUST SETTLES, YOUR ENEMIES WILL BE LEFT GROVELING IN THE DIRT, HEADS SPINNING , MOUTHS GAPPING IN ABSOLUTE WONDER, “didjaseedat?”

CHECK THE BACK OF THE BOOK! JUSTICE PREVAILS! WE WIN AND ZION SHALL STAND FOREVER! GOD TURN’T IT!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee