Tag Archives: NEW

A NEW DAY!

A NEW DAY

SELAH Daily Devotions!

Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth, Shall ye not know it?   I will even make a way in the wilderness, And rivers in the desert?  Isaiah 43:19

Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,” says the Lord of hosts. Zechariah 4:6

 
 

I still remember when I would actually curse the breaking forth of the morning. For me, it only meant another day filled with excruciating physical pain, sadness, discouragement and disappointment–just like all the others.

Looking back, it’s doesnt take a lotta stretching of the imagination to figure out who had secretly planted those deceitful diabolical thoughts into my mind, okay?  But that was B.C. (Before Christ came into my life)!!!!  But by The Grace of God, today I stand as a living testimony to reality of The New-Life-Giving Power of God! (2 Corinthians 5:17)
 
Yessirreee Bob, this ol’ gurl’s gotta  new attitude!  Coming from an extremely negative environment, I thought that this was just the way of the world. However, once I accepted Jesus into my life, I learned that God’s Salvation’s Benefit Package included a completely different attitude, faith!  Yeah Baby, this new faith attitude is the heritage of the saints, the children of God! 
 
Once you recognize that you’re really in a personal relationship with the True and Living God, it’s actually possible for you to embrace each day with  joy, hopeful anticipation and confident assurance that this is a great day because God made it! Seriously,  it’s a new day! #WHOKNU?
 
Before you open up your eyes or your feet hit the floor, you have the power to dictate your day.  You can say,‘Good Lord, it’s morning already!’ or ‘Good Morning, Lord’. You choose whether to approach your day with joyful celebration and gratitude for  another opportunity to behold The Beauty of The Lord, experience God’s Glory, Grace and Praise for what He’s already done, is doing now and for what He is about to do or you can claim fear, discouragement and defeat by murmuring and complaining!
 
Don’t get it twisted! Even as a disciple of Christ, everyday is not the same! Howevrrrr,  each day you’re becoming new as you grow in the Wisdom, Knowledge and the Grace of God! That’s right Saints, the new you makes the decision to enjoy this wonderful gift of present by refusing to allow past sins, past failures, past wounds and past disappointments, to keep you from moving forward into this brand new day! Didjaheardat?
 
The Ol’ Saints used to sing, ‘Everyday with Jesus is sweeter than the day before!”  Sometimes, we think that’s because things were a whole lot different, as my Granddaughter Sadie says , ‘Bacndaday’! Don’t fool yourself, they lived through some very distressing times. Remember, The Great Depression!  Yet, amidst their adversity, they remained convinced that God was well able to keep them thru and to bring them out of anything that would unfold during a day!
 
When Jesus is your Shepherd, it doesn’t matter what happened yesterday.  God empowers each new day with new mercy, new grace and new faith to believe that today is the first day of the best of my life…because today is MY new day !

Soooooo, I decree and declare that Today, I have the mind of Christ! I believe that God is making a way out of no way, for ME! Today, I believe that God is up to something that He’s never done before. Today, I fully expect to be strengthened, delivered and re-joyed! Today is another chance for me to do better and become more because today is another opportunity to get closer to Jesus!

Now if that doesn’t jumpstart your day, you better check your vitals and make sure you’re still living! OOOHHH GLORRRAAAAA!

HEY YALL, TRUST2KNO…LIFE GOES BETTER WITH CHRIST! O HAPPY EVERYDAY!  IT’S A NEW DAY!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

 

UNDER CONSTRUCTION!

 

UNDER CONSTRUCTION 2018.jpg

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: Philippians 1:6

 

I wasn’t born and raised in the church like a lot of you. I was one of those who kinda fell up in the doors of the church after years of getting beat up and beat down by the devil’s abuse. But thanks be to GOD! The Gracious Compassion Savior took me in and saved me anyhow! Being naïve and overwhelmed with pure joy and gladness to be saved, I actually thought everybody would love, welcome, accept and celebrate with me, because they were so glad that I was now part of the family of God!

Needless to say, I was shocked to discover that people are still people—in and out of the church. I still remember Mother Annie Carter, (my 1st spiritual mentor) pulling me under her wing, warning me “Stay close to the praying part of the church, baby”.  At the time, I wasn’t quite sure what Mother was talkin about, howevrrrr, it didn’t take long for me to realize that only THE REAL TRUE GOD can make a saint!

Beloved, you see what I didn’t know was that the Church is a construction zone and the Master Builder is GOD! He doesn’t build His House with brick and mortar, but with flesh and blood (dirt and water)!  Through the Precious Blood of Jesus and the regenerating Power of THE WORD, Holy Ghost equips ordinary, imperfect people to do extraordinary exploits!

While, some of us just need a few minor adjustments, others may require little more or even a major overhaul. TRUTHBTOLD, most of us  are so jacked up by the time we got to Jesus that we need a longer stay in the furnaces of afflictions than others before we’re done.  So don’t be surprized when you get a little too close to a brother or sista and get pricked by a thorn!

Always remember, there’s some good in the worst of us and some bad in the best of us, okay?  Nonetheless, we are all under construction according to The Master Carpenter’s specs and all of us  need the same GOD to help all of us!

Even if your intentions are just and honorable, sometimes helping people can hurt you! The Scriptures back this up numerous times!  Yes, even the most sainted, faithful and committed servants of The High God can become entrapped, disenfranchised, hopelessly discouraged and find ourselves retreating to dark caves or the backside of mountains and valleys.  It doesn’t matter how long or how far you’ve walked with The Lord, any of  God’s faithful-elect, can find themselves overwhelmed by the cares of this world to the point that you’re tempted to just give up and leave the church! #shuturmouth!

But, before you do something foolish, can I remind you of this one thing? There is NO PLAN B!

We’re it! God chose us name by name to expand His Kingdom in the earth, fully ware of the challenges of this seemingly impossible task.  That’s why He sent Holy Ghost to equip you to overcome!  Yep,  The Holy Ghost is your personal trainer! He takes your everyday life, places you on pathways strategically designed to stretch and strengthen your christian character, develop your trust, build up your confidence and fortify your commitment!

While it may not always look like God’s anywhere to be found, HE IS ALWAYS RIGHT THERE preparing you for a glorious future!  (Ref. Hebrew 13:5)

 BELOVED, TRUST2KNO, HELL CAN’T STOP ANYTHING THAT HEAVEN STARTS! GOD COMPLETES EVERYTHING HE STARTS!  UNDER CONSTRUCTION? UUUHHH… REALLY…MAKE SURE YOU’RE WEARING UR HARD HAT! #Didjaheardat?

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

 Ann Caffee

DON’T LOOK BACK!

DON'T LOOK BACK2

 

Selah Daily Devotions!

 

The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back, I gave my back to the smitters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair; I hid not my face from shame and spiting. For the Lord God will help me, therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I SHALL NOT BE ASHAMED. He is near that justifieth me; who will content with me? Behold the Lord will help me, who is he that shall condemn me? Isaiah 50:5-9

 

The Psalmist said, ‘Before I was afflicted, I went astray’. Well, King David, you’re not the only one! Can I get a witness? Before our ears were opened,  you know, before our personal encounter with The Divine Kind, before we met Jesus, all of us rebelled against God’s Righteous standards! Amen 3x!

But! Just like The Prophet Isaiah, when we finally heard that ‘un-mistakable’ Voice of Our Lord speaking to our heart, we turned our face to God and our back to Satan! We made the conscious, irrevocable determination to commit ourselves to our Redeemer, begin a new life, walk a new path, and emphatically denounced our former Task Master, declaring—‘I’m so through with you!’

However, I must confess! Much to my surprise, not everyone celebrated! In fact, some of the same folk that we used to kick it with backndadaydon’t treat me like they used to, since I laid my burden down’! Many of your peeps, who used to ‘have your back’ become back-stabbers or now avoid you like a bubonic plague. Don’t think it strange if some even set traps to get you to fall, just to let you know that you ain’t no better then they are! #ijs For real!

I know we’ve heard the seasoned saints testify, “I’m so glad God delivered me from a miserable life of sin!” But honestly, all of our past life wasn’t miserable! In fact, some of it was down right pleasurable! Y’all, don’t play me nah!

The problem is, the partaa didn’t last! That’s when we realized that we needed some ONE Greater than ‘self’ to pick up the pieces and put our lives together!

But guess what? No one who walks away from the world ever comes up short. Nothing that you give up to follow Jesus is ever in vain. So don’t worry about your haters. Remember, you now have a Friend who sticks closer than any brother; and He has promised to never leave you or give up on you. (Ref. Proverbs 18:24; Hebrews 13:5)

Don’t try to defend yourself, just let your life speak for you! Trust me, some of those folk who walked away, they’re still watchin’. And guess who they’ll come to when they hit that pothole? EXACTLY! The ‘new and improved you’!

For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith. Hebrews 4:2

Now, before we go any further, it’s important that you understand, that not one of us can claim that we’re in any way, shape or form deserving of such great a SALVATION! It’s totally a Gift of God and not due to anything we ever coulda, shoulda, woulda earned! That’s what’s so awemaazing about GRACE, huh? (Ref. Ephesians 2:8) Hence, clearly Salvation doesn’t make you better than anyone else, however it does make us better off than those who’ve yet to come into a  personal Saving Knowledge of Jesus Christ!

It’s also imperative to note that while Salvation does not exempt us from experiencing many of the same maladies as the ungenerated souls, it does guarantee us that life goes better with Christ, a Surety of a Peace that surpasses all understanding and a Hope that’s beyond this world! #ETERNALLY!!!

Precious one, TRUST2KNOW, God’s got your back! Just keep walking, unashamedly, looking unto Jesus! Trusting in His Promises, with all of your heart, knowing that God’s got a Plan and a Purpose for your life and I hearrrd (in my best preacha voice) that what’s coming is better than what’s been! (Ref. Jeremiah 29:11) #Didjaheardat? #WOW!

So the next time that ol’ lying devil tries to make you doubt God’s Faithfulness and derail your Divine Destiny—tell him—”Obviously, you’ve mistaken me for someone else! I ain’t Lot’s wife! I WON’T TURN BACK!” #BOOMMMM #Didjaheardat? 

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

I WON’T TURN BACK!

I WON'T TURN BACK

 

Selah Daily Devotions!

 

The Lord God has opened my ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back, I gave my back to the smitters, and my cheeks to them that plucked off the hair; I hid not my face from shame and spiting. For the Lord God will help me, therefore have I set my face like a flint, and I know that I SHALL NOT BE ASHAMED. He is near that justifieth me; who will content with me? Behold the Lord will help me, who is he that shall condemn me? Isaiah 50:5-9

 

The Psalmist said, ‘Before I was afflicted, I went astray’. Well, King David, you’re not the only one! Can I get a witness? Before our ears were opened, before our personal encounter with The Divine Kind, before we met Jesus, all of us rebelled against God’s Righteous standards! Amen 3x!

But! Just like The Prophet Isaiah, when we finally heard that ‘un-mistakable’ Voice of Our Lord speaking to our heart, we turned our face to God and our back to Satan! We made the conscious, irrevocable determination to commit ourselves to The Redeemer, begin a new life, walk a new path, and emphatically denounced our former Task Master, declaring—I’m through with you!

However, I must confess! Much to my surprise, not everyone celebrated! In fact, some of the same folk that we used to kick it with backndaday ‘don’t treat me like they used to, since I laid my burden down’! Many of your peeps, who used to ‘have your back’ become back-stabbers or now avoid you like a bubonic plague. Don’t think it strange if some even set traps to get you to fall, just to let you know that you ain’t no better then they are!  #ijs For real!

But guess what? No one who walks away from the world ever comes up short. Nothing that you give up to follow Jesus is ever in vain. So don’t worry about your haters. Remember, you now have a Friend who sticks closer than any brother; and He has promised to never leave you or give up on you. (Ref. Proverbs 18:24; Hebrews 13:5)

Don’t try to defend yourself, just let your life speak for you! Trust me, some of those folk who walked away, they’re still watchin’. And guess who they’ll come to when they hit that pothole? EXACTLY! The ‘new and improved you’!

For we also have had the gospel preached to us, just as they did; but the message they heard was of no value to them, because those who heard did not combine it with faith. Hebrews 4:2

Precious one, God’s got your back! Just keep walking, unashamedly, looking unto Jesus! Trusting in His Promises, with all of your heart knowing that God’s got a plan for your life and I hearrrd  (in my best preacha voice) that what’s coming is better than what’s been! (Ref. Jeremiah 29:11) #Didjaheardat? #WOW!

So the next time that lying devil tries to make you doubt God’s faithfulness and derail your destiny—tell him—”Obviously, you’ve mistaken me for someone else! I ain’t Lot’s wife! I WON’T TURN BACK!” #BOOMMMM

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

TRUE CIRCUMCISION

TRUE CIRCUMCISION

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit and rejoice in Christ Jesus, And have no confidence in the flesh. Philippians 3:3

 

According to the Old Testament, God commanded every male child to be circumcised on the 8th day of their birth. (Ref. Genesis 17:7-14) As you (women) can only  imagine, this procedure was extremely bloody. God wanted his people to stand out from the rest of the nations.  Hence, circumcision became the outward sign symbolizing that you were a member of a Peculiar, Elite, a Royal Family!

Today, God’s chosen people still undergo a procedure. However, ours is spiritual and involves a circumcision of our hearts! The procedure can only be performed under the direction of the skillful hand of the Holy Ghost. Because of the fragility and exceptionality of this procedure, it requires the use of particular surgical instruments. Every incision must be meticulously and tediously made with a two edged sword—The Word of God—that’s capable of dividing, piercing asunder both the soul and the spirit! (Ref. Hebrews 4:12)

And guess what else? The best part about this whole thing is that you don’t have to be pre-approved by Kaiser, Aetna, Blue Cross or Blue Shield… it’s already paid for! But keep in mind, this surgical procedure is solely elective. This means that the patient must willingly submit to the knife because The Holy Ghost will never impose or force Himself upon anyone!

Once the patient embraces the Gospel of Jesus Christ, by humbly allowing the Word of God to penetrate and cut away their old stony heart, confessing that he’s a sinner, alienated from God’s family and in need of a Savior, he receives a brand new heart—The Heart of Jesus!

When the procedure is completed, successfully, the patient becomes a new species—a born-again Believer—A Christian!  (Ref. 2 Corinthians 5:17)

This new Christian is now free to worship and serve God faithfully by presenting his body as a living sacrifice. Wow! Could that be why they praise Him like they do? The truth of the matter is, God is a heart-fixer and a mind-regulator! If you will allow HIM to exchange your heart for HIS, it’ll change your mind! When you change your mind, everything else in your life’s gotta change! #SERIOUSLY

Have you scheduled your appointment with the Master Surgeon yet?

Don’t delay! They tell me procrastination kills, Eternally! TRUE CIRCUMCISION!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!
 
Ann Caffee

IT’S A NEW DAY!

IT'S A NEW DAY!

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth, Shall ye not know it?   I will even make a way in the wilderness, And rivers in the desert?  Isaiah 43:19

Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,” says the Lord of hosts. Zechariah 4:6

 
 

I still remember when I would curse the breaking forth of the morning. It only meant another day filled with excruciating pain, sadness, discouragement and disappointment–just like all the others. It is no stretch of the imagination to figure out who had perpetuated those thoughts, okay?  But that was B.C. (Before Christ came into my life)!!!!  But by The Grace of God, today I stand as a living testimony to reality of The New-Life-Giving Power of God! (2 Corinthians 5:17)
 
Yessirreee Bob, this old gurl’s gotta  new attitude!  Coming from an extremely negative environment, I thought that this was just the way of the world. However, once I accepted Jesus, I learned that God’s Salvation’s Benefit Package included a completely different attitude, faith!  Yeah Baby, this new faith attitude is the heritage of the saints, the children of God! 
 
Once you recognize that you’re really in a personal relationship with the True and Living God, it’s actually possible for you to embrace each day with  joy, hopeful anticipation and confident assurance that this is a great day because God made it! Seriously,  it’s a new day!
 
Before you open up your eyes or your feet hit the floor, you have the power to dictate your day.  You can say,‘Good Lord, it’s morning already or Good Morning, Lord’. You choose whether to approach your day with joyful celebration and gratitude for  another opportunity to experience God’s Glory, Grace and Praise for what He’s already done, is doing now and for what He is about to do or you can claim fear, discouragement and defeat by murmuring and complaining. 
 
Don’t get it twisted. Even as a disciple of Christ, everyday is not the same; however each day you’re becoming new as you grow in the Wisdom, Knowledge and the Grace of God! That’s right saints, the new you makes the decision to enjoy this wonderful gift of present by refusing to allow past sins, past failures, past wounds and past disappointments, to keep you from moving forward into this brand new day! Didjaheardat?
 
The Ol’ Saints used to sing, ‘Everyday with Jesus is sweeter than the day before!”  Don’t fool yourself, they lived through some very distressing times. Remember, The Great Depression!  Yet, amidst their adversity, they remained convinced that God was well able to keep them thru and to bring them out of anything that would unfold during a day!
 
When Jesus is your Shepherd, it doesn’t matter what happened yesterday.  God empowers each new day with new mercy, new grace and new faith to believe that today is the first day of the best of my life…because today is MY new day !

Soooooo, I decree and declare that Today, I have the mind of Christ! I believe that God is making a way out of no way, for me! Today, I believe that God is up to something that He’s never done before. Today, I expect to be strengthened, delivered and re-joyed! Today is another chance for me to do better and become more because today is another opportunity to get closer to Jesus!

Now if that doesn’t jumpstart your day, you better check your vitals and make sure you’re still living! OOOHHH GLORRRAAAAA!

HEY YALL, LIFE GOES BETTER WITH CHRIST! O HAPPY EVERYDAY!  IT’S A NEW DAY!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

MEMORIES

MEMORIES

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

When He slew them, then they sought Him; and they returned and inquired early after God. And they remembered that God was their rock, and the high God their redeemer. Nevertheless they did flatter him with their mouth, and they lied unto him with their tongues. For their heart was not right with him, neither were they steadfast in His covenant. But He, being full of compassion, forgave their iniquity and destroyed them not; yeah, many a time turned He his anger away and did not stir up all His wrath. For He remembered that they were but flesh, a wind passeth away, and cometh not again. Psalm 78:34-39

 

A few years back, (but who’s counting, huh?) Barbara Strissand recorded a hit song entitled ‘Memories’. This song pricked the hearts of all of us! Hence, we all have memories of days gone by that lure us back to the way we were. For some of us, when certain ticker-tapes of past personal experiences cross our minds, immediately we smile.  Other flash-backs cause our hearts to flutter, skipping a beat or two, remembering when.  And then there are those special ones that yetstill prompt silent tears to crease our cheeks. Memories, huh?  Some are fading and some, we only wish we could forget. 

Like all of us, I indeed cling to God’s promises to keep my mind focused, sharp and sound.  That being my faith stance, I must confess that—every now and then—I have to cash in  what my kids call, one of my ‘senior moments’ vouchers.  Now don’t look at me in that tone of voice. Can we be for real?  I believe we all suffer a bout of ‘Spiritual Alzheimer’s’—every now and then.

Today’s scripture text recalls how the Israelites’ sporadic attacks of ‘forgetfulness’ provoked God’s wrath as He carried them through the wilderness.  Now don’t be so hard on them.  Truth be told, any one of us, drapped in this fickle-frail-flesh-frame, are just as prone to spiritual amnesia when it comes to recounting the wondrous works of God.

Time and time again, God has proven Himself a Faithful Provider, A Way-Out- of -No-Way, our Rock-in-A-Weary-Land, A Shelter-in our-Storm, A Strong Protector, Committed Redeemer and Eternal Hope of our Salvation. Yet, in spite of our own memories of all that God has already done, when faced with new challenges, does our response reflect a confident trust in our Compassionate Merciful God of All Grace?  Or do we suddenly forget to remember that if He Did It Before, He’ll Do It Again?
 
Even when we forget, God always remembers!  Memories!

SELAH! 
 
Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

B…U!

B...U2

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

I will praise thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvellous are thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well. Psalm 139:14

 

One of the greatest discoveries in my life, is the emancipation from the bondage of being every “thing” and every “one” that everybody else expected me to be! Honestly, it was only after I got a personal revelation of my Creator that I was able to recognize and embrace WHO I am!

We live in a society where sameness is the rule and different is generally unacceptable. Not judging, jus an observation, k? We spend millions upon millions of cash, attempting to duplicate and imitate somebody else. If you can afford it, there’s somebody out there who can snip, slap it, fill it, tuck it, stretch it, shrink, sew it to look any way you want it. And as products of this amazing 21st Century Information Age, all worldly wisdom is simply a click away making ignorance a choice, rather an than inevitable malfunction.

Nevertheless, apparently, somewhere down the line, as children, we’re given subliminal messages that suggest we don’t quite measure up, as if Barbie is the epitome of beauty, Donald Trump is the litmus test for success and prosperity, Michael Jordon is the ultimate goal for the athletically inclined and Michael Jackson was World Renown Mr. Entertainment! And let’s not even mention the inked-up rock/rap artists that so many of our children admire and try to be like.

I remember a conversation with some ladies at the gym a while ago,  both of which were fair-skinned Black women. One of them looked at the other one and said, “You need to get some sun!” to which the other responded, “You ain’t that much darker than I am yourself.” I noticed a elderly Caucasian lady, glancing back at them and it hit me, why can’t we just be satisfied with what and who GOD made us.

Perhaps, it’s because, we don’t really know what GOD sees when He looks at us! GOD sees the most precious of all creation; a Masterpiece fashioned in His Image; His very own Handiwork; a Designer’s Original uniquely crafted, intentionally purposed, distinctively wonder-filled creature all for the Praise of HIS GLORY!

And as far as those personal peculiar idiosyncrasies, GOD’s already set your next appointment to come in and rub a little more of GODSELF off in you.

“Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:” (Ref. Philippians 1:6)

NOW THAT YOU KNOW THE TRUTH, WORK that GRACE AND BE THE U GOD MADE!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

HE’S IN THERE!

hes-in-there-2

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. (Romans 6:4)

 

Life happens, so you don’t always feel like jumping over rafters, but your salvation is not based on feelings, but faith! Thank God! When you just take a moment to think about your new relationship with Jesus, it just blows your mind!

The reality, that since we’ve accepted Jesus as our personal Savior and Lord, resurrection life has taken up permanent residence in our mortal bodies is almost unbelievable! Oh yeah, we never have to worry about having to meander through this life on our own. We’re now full of the Resurrection Life of God! WOW!

By faith we know, just like Prego, everything we need pertaining to life and godliness is in there! However, I must caution you. Be ware of those pesty lil “life suckers” that can severely restrict the outpouring of your new resurrection life. Particularly, pride, greed, selfishness and disobedience!

Even though you are born again, habitual sin can cause the resurrection life to become covert or undeveloped. But that’s why God sent Holy Spirit to live in us! God knew that left to our innately human limitations, it would be virtually impossible to live the God-Honoring life that pleases Him. Hence, the Holy Ghost empowers you from the inside out to overcome sin and walk in the newness of HIS Life!

Included in your salvation benefits package is the sin-clause! Sin no longer has dominion over you. (Romans 6:14) The more time spent building your relationship with Jesus, studying God’s Word and communing with Him in prayer, Holy Spirit strengthens you to put sin right where it belongs, trapped under your feet.

Unlike your previous Hard-Task-Master, Satan, Holy Spirit never forces His will on us, but graciously waits for us to choose to do the right thing then strengthens us to walk in the spirit instead of being controlled by the dictates of our lust-filled carnal flesh. And we all know how that turns out, huh?

Beloved, Christ never intended us to be bound by fear, guilt and shame, but free to enjoy life everyday filled to the brim, overflowing with confident trust, assurance and fellowship, empowered by His Presence, Joy and Peace! Now datz a mouthful, huh? BUT? #didjaheardat? (Ref. John 8:36)

Personally, one of the greatest benefits of this resurrected life is you no longer have to struggle trying to change yourself! The Christ-Regenerated Life in you affirms your resolve that as ‘I deny myself, spend time in The Word and prayer, I can do all things with the help of Holy Spirit!’ Awemaazing, huh? (Ref. Philippians 4:13)

Go ahead with ur righteous self! Walk in the Resurrected Life! It’s okay, HE’s in there!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

LET GOD RUB OFF ON U!

LET GOD RUB OFF ON U3

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Romans 8:29

The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple. Psalm 119:130 

Back in my B.C. (before Christ) days, I met this very special lady. Subsequently, Ms. Annette and I grew as close as two peas in a pod. Whoever coined the phrase “a little bit of country and a little bit of rock n’ roll” had to have met my friend “Anna” (self-identification of her alter-ego). By day, Ms. Annette was a successful-sophisticated-know-her-stuff-RN. BUT! By nite, that Hattiesburg-Mississippi-Black Water-Country-Ebonic-Talk’n-parta’-down-like it was 1999-Anna would emerge! And guess who would try to hang-out right with her? Exactly!

Evrrrr noticed, that if you spend a lot of time around someone you admire, who happens to have a strangely-peculiar personality, the strangely-peculiar affect they tend to have on you? Startlingly, without my consciousness (until my kids so happily pointed out) my conversation conspicuously became sporadically seasoned with some of the same words, same dialect and same mannerisms as my friend. Obviously, a little bit of “Anna” had rubbed off on me!

It works the exact same way when it comes to strengthening your personal relationship with God!

As believers, the Father’s Plan is to mold us into the image of Jesus. The moment you are born again, Holy Spirit begins the process of Supernatural Empowered Transformation of our spirit until it looks just like Him. Spiritually, you were instantly changed on the inside; however the progression of outward change depends largely upon us.

The amount of time spent pursuing things of the Spirit correlates directly to our spiritual growth and development. If most of your time is spent satisfying the lustful desires of your flesh, inevitably your spiritual growth will be stunted! #ijs However, as you begin to separate yourself apart from the worldly things of life and dedicate more time to studying The Word of God, mounting habitual alone-time with Him, The Holy Spirit will ecstatically teach, guide and share Christ-Likeness with you. He’s gonna rub off on you until His ways become your ways!

The more readily you yield the more of you to Him, abiding in His Presence in prayer, meditating in His Word and surrending yourself in worship, you will be absolutely amazed at the miraculous change that will take place on the inside and out! I’m telling you, personally, you’ll hardly recognize that new man in the mirror! Seriously!!!

Arise, shine; for thy light is come, and the glory of the LORD is risen upon thee. Isaiah 60:1 #Didjaheardat?

Ohh, by the way, guess who introduced me to Jesus Christ? Yep, Anna! THANKYA JESUS!

I “D-DOUBLE-DARE” YA! LET GOD RUB OFF ON YOU!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee