Tag Archives: or

CHAINED OR CHANGED???

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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

 

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’! #OHYESSHEDIDSAYDAT!!!

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

TRUTH OR DARE?

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SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee.  Jeremiah 31:3

 

As a child, I imagined God as this Supernatural Giant Bully, somewhere far off, standing above the circle of the Earth; eyes roaming throughout the north, south, east and west; scoping the territory for the worst of the unrighteous, anxiously anticipating His next victim of massive destruction.

No wonder, looking back my childhood was basically engulfed by constant fear, trauma and terror. Knowing that you’re cursed from birth, yet not knowing when your sins would have piled up reaching that mystical number thereby provoking the anger of God’s Wrath, until His sledge-hammer clutching Hand would pierce the sky, pouncing upon your head and smashing your body into bits and pieces, which would immediately be gathered up by demons and transported to The Devil’s Hell for all of Eternity!

Well! Not being raised in a church-going christian household, meant that most of my GOD knowledge came from an ungodly environment. So, because most of us just naturally assumed we were that pre-destined part of the ‘have-nots’, we attempted to comfort one another with sayings like “at least I won’t be there by myself; all of my friends are gonna be right down there with me; and we’re gonna parta forever!’ Okay, I hear yall sanctified folk gasping, but what else could you expect?

Can you imagine my surprise and the sheer delight of my fallen soul when my heart was exposed to The Life-Giving-Light-Gospel of Jesus Christ? Seriously! Who knew that such a Holy God, did in fact love sinners like me, so much that He actually gave up His Only Begotten Son, Who willingly sacrificed His Life, allowing sinners to be reconciled back to His Heavenly Father. Sounds incredibly unbelievable, huh? BUT IT’S THE TRUTH! (Ref. John 3:16)

Absolutely Amazingly! Despite man’s continuous proclivity to rebellion against GOD, the door yet remains open to anyone who will accept GOD’S Gracious offer of Salvation! HOW GREAT IS OUR GOD! (Ref. Romans 10:13)

His eyes continuously patrolling the earth, looking for a single soul, who’s trying to live a pure life pleasing to HIM, that HE might forgive that person! (Ref. Jeremiah 5:1-2) Can you imagine the grief? GOD being WISDOM, knowing that many have come swearing with their lips their dedication to GOD yet the wickedness of their lying hearts giving them away! Remember, “The spirit of man is the candle of the LORD, searching all the inward parts of the belly.” Proverbs 20:27

However, at the end of the day, I guess the question is not whether GOD is WHO HE SAYS HE IS, but rather the real question is, will you choose Truth and live or dare to resist THE LOVE OF GOD, defy THE POWER OF ALMIGHTY GOD and perish in your sin, huh?

Hope 2 C U at the Great Coronation! NOW DATZ GONNA BE A PARTA! TRUTH OR DARE?

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

EITHER/OR???

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SELAH Daily Devotions!

And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom you will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. Joshua 24:15

 

Who nu? Dictionary.com would have so many different definitions of the word ‘DEBATE’!

So, I’ve decided to add my compilation synopsis to the list. Here goes:

“to engage in formal/informal discussion, argumentation or disputation with another person or group, to deliberate upon, to consider and/or to contend for or over opposing viewpoints, in which the affirmative and negatives side of a proposition are advocated by opposing speakers” 

Now, ain’t that a mouth-full? No wonder there’s seems to be no end to the perplexity of issues up for debate, huh?

The ancient Grecians were famous for their fascination with prolific debating practices. There’s still open-ending discussions regarding whether the art of Grecian debate played a significant role in developing today’s American society… or not. Apparently, while many antiquities of social traditions are extinct, the debate goes on and on!

One might ascertain that Humanity’s Inalienable Right to freely express his/her own opinions and to make choices regarding issues they presume relevant, sets us above all other creation!

This concept of “either /or” has existed since the Garden of Eden. God allowed Adam to exercise his freedom of choice giving him access to a garden variety of luscious fruit to select from, with the exception of one particular tree; The Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. (Ref. Genesis 2:17) And we all know how that worked out! Huh?

Temptation makes it extremely difficult to resist engaging in some form of debate. Does chocolate taste better than vanilla? Are Marines better equipped than The Navy Seals? Is marriage better than remaining single? Creation vs. Evolution?

Logic leads us to this conclusion. Even though we do have the freedom and power to choose our actions, when it comes to the consequences of our decisions, it’s completely out of our hands. God’s Sovereignty over His Creation is NOT UP FOR DEBATE!

Unfortunately, this often doesn’t sit well with some. Many a disillusioned soul has taken issue to this kind of ‘authoritative manipulation’ resulting in habitual sinful rebellion. But! God looks down from His Throne and laughs at this foolish obstinacy! (Ref. Psalm 2:4)

Nevertheless, it still remains man’s choice either to bow now or bow later!

The Great Debate continues to infiltrate various sects of society. Hence, Absolutes vs. No Absolutes! Either you are male or female, saved or lost? Does God exist or not? Is there One God or many? Is Jesus Lord of all or not at all?

While there are those who might agree that these are tough issues that warrant careful consideration, at the end of the day, The Word Prevails! #WOW!

BEFORE YOU RESPOND, TAKE A MOMENT TO PAUSE AND PONDER! AFTER ALL, THE CONSEQUENCES ARE EITHER HEAVEN OR HELL! #ijs

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee