Tag Archives: NEW

FEELIN SOME KINDA WAY…

FEELIN SOME KINDA WAY

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” (Romans 8:18)

 

I know I’m too old to be using this new slang! In fact, you probably have to be over 50 to even know what ‘slang’ is, right!

But from where I’m sitting, I believe that it’s an attempt to describe those unidentifiable unrefined emotions birthed out of the womb of unsettling situations. And there’s certainly been a lot of those going around lately, huh? The jandra “You never know” pretty much typifies the attitude of this 21st Century.

Despite all the technological advancements of our New Millennium Age and our fixation with pursuing our destiny, it doesn’t seem that we’re any closer to attaining that level of peace, comfort and contentment that every soul longs for.

I truly believe that The Creator deliberately left a GOD-size hole in the center of our hearts that can never be sufficiently filled through human efforts!

Surveying the state of humanity, there’s seems to be no end to the onslaught of strategically-designed-distractions launched by the gods of this world, to draw our focus away from The Eternal Word of God, leaving a lot of God’s Elect gasping, trembling and wavering hopelessly between faith and fear! Hence, ‘feeling some kinda way’!

There’s no denying that from an earthly-perspective, this world is spinning out of control causing the bottom of life (as we’d known) to fall out!

There’s a prevalent sense of entitlement which allows every man to do what seems right in his own eyes and that once endeared standard of morality apparently has plummeting to incomparable depths of new low.

But Truth remains! “Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. (2 Timothy 2:19)!

Granted, issues have a way of knocking at the door of our lives, unexpected and uninvited, leaving us off balance! But by GOD’s GRACE! We stand firm, our hearts fixed on this comforting assurance that absolutely nothing happens in your life that ever catches God by surprise! And while we may not know what challenges we’ll face during the course of any given day, God promised that He will never abandon nor leave us defenseless! (Ref. Isaiah 54:17)

It’s during these temporary moments of affliction that we, The Saints, evoke our privilege to cry out to our High Priest for Divine Help! (Hebrews 4:15)

The ol’ Mothers of Zion used to sang, “For He is a Battle Axe in the time of the struggle and a Shelter in the time of the Storm.”

THE NEXT TIME LIFE ASSAULTS YOU, LEAVING YOU ‘FEELING SOME KINDA WAY’, JUST CALL JESUS!

SELAH!

“Have a WONDER-FILLED day!”

Ann Caffee

 

DON’T DIE BEFORE LIVING!

 

DON'T DIE B 4 LIVING 2

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

The thief cometh not but to steal, to kill and to destroy; I AM come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly.  John 10:10

 

One of the most tragic phenomenon befalling humanity is leaving here without ever knowing and becoming the fearfully, wonder-filled, exceptionally-crafted Masterpiece our Creator intended before you were formed in your Mother’s womb. (Ref. Jeremiah 1:5)

Could that be why some say that the richest piece of real estate in any city is the cemetery? Don’t get melancholic on me! In fact my objective is quite the opposite; to spawn enticing hope-filled adventurous tomorrows!

We live in a society where conformity is the paramount attribute of success. If you want to be in you’ve got to fit the mold, otherwise you’re considered not one of us but part of the others. Unfortunately that leaves a whole lot of us out of the clique, huh?

But here’s where I stand on such matters; who gave you the authority to authenticate what God has made in the first place? Only the creator of a thing has the right to determine its true value and potential! Hence, too many of us walk around, ignorant of self-identity, convicted and/or condemned to a lifetime of regret-filled apologizing to others for who I AM!

That is until we come into the personal saving knowledge of Christ Jesus and get a revelation of who and Whose you are. This opens us gargantuan possibilities and prospective that eyes have not seen neither have ears heard of. Why waste time being a copy of anybody or everybody else when God has distinguished you from every other individual born in the earth. Check your fingerprints?

“Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” 1 Corinthians 3:16

Locked up in you is the answer to someone’s question. You are designed to be the miracle that person’s waiting on. You are the gift of hope to some despondent soul. You are the treasure that one somebody’s been seeking for and was about to give up on, disgusted by a history of repetitious seconds and hand-me-downs!

Oh what liberating truth in realizing that despite of what some folk may think or even said about you, in Christ, you have been empowered to stand-sure-footed in His Grace and profoundly proclaim, “I shall not allow anybody to deny me the right to be, become, have and do everything God ordained me 2 BE! I CHOOSE LIFE!”

Remember, Absolutely Nobody, BUT GOD can make you who you are!  DON’T DIE BEFORE LIVING! #GO4IT!

SELAH

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

KEEP’N IT 100

KEEP'N IT 100

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity. 2 Timothy 2:19 
 

If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do? Psalm 11:3 

 

God has given to those who have placed their personal trust in The Blood of Jesus for the saving of their souls, exceedingly great and precious promises!  Those of us who never ever believed that they could be invited to partake of so GREAT A SALVATION,  have latched on to this Blessed Hope as if our very lives depended upon it–and it does!  While rejoicing is indeed in order, it’s also important that we not indulge in THE WORD like it’s a smorgasbord… ‘eat’ the text we like and discard those that we don’t!
 
According to The Holy Writ, certain Promises are specifically-reserved for those who are walking daily in Christ with GOD!  “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” (Amos 3:3) 

God recognizes those who have been called to Him by their willingness to submit to His Will and whosoever chooses to obey His Word, receive The Promises!

May I submit for your consideration that everybody that’s in the church building ain’t necessarily in Christ?  #OHNOSHEDIDN’T…OHYESSHEDID!

Some people can be religious (or as the Millennials say, SPIRITUAL) but not in an intimate relationship with The Lord Jesus Christ! Many may believe that the Bible is the Word of God, yet they don’t believe that it’s talking to them! Others may believe that God has power, however don’t essentially believe that God has the Power to change their lives!

Unfortunately, all of the blame is not on the people but must be shared by those in leadership in churches that have watered-down the Living Word in order to fill the pews, appease the congregation and appear more palatable to the world!  #ijsSeriously?

I know, with so many opinions being perpetuated into our spirits from various medias, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to sift thru the fake news in an effort to decipher Truth from the fictitious, fabricated to manipulate the unsuspecting for personal gain! Hence, it behooves the true seekers to let every man be a liar and GOD BE THE TRUTH!

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. 2 Timothy 2:15

Seasons change, opinions change, customs change, methods change BUT God’s Message will never change!

The Bible, aka The Eternal Word of God, plainly declares and decrees — If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?

While the New Millennium church is reaching forward and pressing on to get wherever we’re going, please don’t lose Jesus!  Remember, it doesn’t matter how high we go in this life, we’ll never get above GOD. #Didjaheardat?

For He knows them that are His!  JUS KEEP’N IT 100!  

SELAH! 
 
Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!
 
Ann Caffee
 

THE MASTER’S BOUQUET

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

LIVING YESTERDAY

LIVING YESTERDAY

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

“This is the day which the Lord hath made, rejoice and be glad in it! ” Psalm 118:24

 

“The Good ol’ Days!” WOW! Remember? But what is it about memories? Either time has a peculiar way of tainting our perspective or our minds automatically default to selective-perception when the moment ends.

Somehow, we remember that gut-wrenching pain (that you were utterly convinced was terminal) and the high that would get higher and the groove getsgroovyur; the music never stopped; the laughter would become heartier and the flood of tears would never subside; the mornings came too soon and the nights were eternal; puppy love would grow into a couple, a family and divorce and you’d just…and recess lasts for a lifetime…and then! IT’S TODAY and you’re still alive! #wannacheckurpulse?

Whatever happened, good, bad, ugly and indifferent; you survived it all!

Release the coulda’s , woulda’s, shoulda’s! Smile triumphantly over conquests and the sweetness of successes! Sigh sheepishly over the guilts and regrets—then thank GOD for all the second chances!

“You can’t alter your past, but you can always take your past to the Altar!” (unknown)

Thank GOD for the Sufficiency of yesterday’s Grace and Hope-Filled tomorrows!

BUT MOST IMPORTANTLY, THANK GOD FOR THIS BRAND-NEW BLESSED DAY! DON’T WASTE A SECOND OF IT! LIVE TODAY AS IF IT WERE YOUR LAST!

SELAH!

“Have a WONDER-FILLED day!”

Ann Caffee

CHAINED? OR CHANGED?

chained-or-changed-2

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

When crowds of people came out for baptism because it was the popular thing to do, John exploded, “Brood of snakes! What do you think you’re doing slithering down here to the river? Do you think a little water on your snakeskins is going to deflect God’s judgment? It’s your life that must change, not your skin. And don’t think you can pull rank by claiming Abraham as ‘father.’ Being a child of Abraham is neither here nor there—children of Abraham are a dime a dozen. God can make children from stones if he wants. What counts is your life. Is it green and blossoming? Because if it’s deadwood, it goes on the fire. Luke 3:7-9

 

Have you ever asked someone, “Are you saved?” to which they responded, ‘matter-of-factly’,“uuuhhh…Mama told me I been baptized!” or “I belong to First Bed-Rock of The Divine Pentecostal Kingdom Fellowship” Don’t shout me down, now yall….jus wondering?

Seems to be a lot of that going around, huh? We’re living in a world where pretty much everybody’s ‘saved’! I mean, just look at the explosion of ‘Mega Ministries’, that have popped up in this country alone, right? Kinda makes you wonder why Jesus hasn’t returned! Well, may I submit for your consideration, while church attendance is a critical component of our spiritual development, church membership doesn’t make you a Christian any more than living in a garage makes you a car!

I understand how one might be confused, given the ‘mob mentality’ of the more contemporary theological persuasions of The New Millennium Era, that more means better. This is nothing new! According to our scripture text, it’s been going on since the days of John The Baptist! One might wonder, given the number of churches and folk who pour into the buildings any Sunday morning, why we don’t see much change as individuals, in our families, communities,even as a nation?

Simply put, too many folk try to cut across the field, by-pass the cross and creep into the Kingdom through an imaginary backdoor!

That’s why some imposters casually enter the church house, ‘carrying their chains, tuck them quietly under the plush pews, sanng, shout, dance up and down the aisle, sit like a bump on a log while the sermon is presented, Hi-5 your neighbor 10x, turn around 7x, repeat the benediction, greet your neighbor, pick up your chains and get back out there and do what u gotta do’!

Beloved! Jesus came not to set up another system of legalistic religious rituals, but to restore the personal intimate relationship, severed by our First Parents, Adam and Eve’s rebellion against the righteous commands of The True and Living God! And when He ascended back to The Throne Room on High, Father God sent The Holy Spirit to live inside of anyone who makes a conscious decision to humble themselves, repent and put their personal faith in The Only Saving Grace of Jesus Christ! The indwelling Presence of The Spirit of Jesus, empowers us to live a holy, separated, consecrated life of triumphant deliverance in the midst of this dark and depraved world! Didjaheardat?

“…for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose,” Philippians 2:13

Sadly, despite the finished work of the Cross, Satan has yet been able to keep too many of God’s precious ones, illegally chained to stuff that Jesus has already secured their glorious freedom from! But that’s why we’re here, right? To shine out for God by spreading the Good News,“If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” John 8:36

CHAINED? OR CHANGED? #WOW

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee