Tag Archives: rejection

AN ALTERNATIVE LIFESTYLE!

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AN ALTERNATIVE LIFESTYLE

 

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

You have trusted in your wickedness and have said, ‘No one sees me. Your widom and knowledge mislead you when you say to yourself “I am, and there is none beside me.’ Isaiah 47:10
I still remember, as a child being ushered from my classroom, thru the halls and down to the basement to the make-shift -fall-out-shelters. Despite of that lingering black cloud of fear looming over the atmosphere, most of the time folk went about doing life as usual. We hardly ever thought about the fact that there was a ‘cold war’ going on between our country and the Russians. That is, until the alarms went off alerting us to proceed immediately to the designated Bomb-Shelters! The thing is, we never knew whether it was just another drill or had the OTHER shoe finally dropped.

Like today, there’s a war going on all around us and a whole lotta folk are clueless to what’s unfolding right before our very eyes! Truthfully, most of this 21st Century New Millinieum High-Teckies are so entrenched in staying abreast of what’s trending, obsessed with pursuing personal power and pleasure and lounging in their own security, oblivious to anyone or anything that does not coincide with their self-god-centered lifestyles! That is, until the roof is blown off of their homes!

Didjaknow? There are people among us who wouldn’t think of leaving home without first seeking the advice (magic spells) of their private socerer, astrologist and stargazers to make sure they’re equipped to sucessfully navigate through their day! Oh Yeah! There’s no shortage of kindred-spirited demons who will gladly validate your personal preferences, as long as you can afford to pay them! Unfortunately, those who seek such are generally much too sophisticated to acknowledge the foolishness of relying upon pet idols who are absolutely powerless to deliver themselves from what shall come upon them from the Almighty Hand of The True and Living God! Whatever happened to dat 1-800 Dial-a-Demon lady? #ijwondering, yall!

According to the Holy Writ, Hell is enlarging herself daily to accommodate those unsuspecting idolotrist slain at the hand of satanic snipers! And they never knew that they’d volunteered to join forces with so many others who reject even the remote possibility of an alternative-lifestyle, other than their own sin-induced-self-centered-flesh-rewarding reality! WOW!

As citizens of The Kingdom of Heaven, we’ve been charged to stand boldly, sound the alarm and shout with Joy, whether they accuse you of being a hater or not… ‘LEAVE BABYLON, FLEE FROM THE BABYLONIANS! (Isaiah 48:20) JESUS IS SOON TO COME! That’s what LOVE does.

Don’t be scarred to let folk know that there is a more EXCELLENT WAY! TELL ‘EM! It’s available to anyone who will accept God’s Grace Gift of SALVATION by simply  placing your personal trust and faith in JESUS ALONE!

UR 2 SMART 4 DAT!  Y go to Hell when JESUS HAS ALREADY PAID THE BILL IN FULL! TAKE THE DEAL WHILE IT’S STILL ON THE TABLE! CHOOSE THE ALTERNATIVE…ETERNAL LIFE!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

TRUSTING SILENCE

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trusting-silence

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Matthew 27:46

 

I don’t pretend to speak for every believer, however one of the most difficult things for me is trusting God when Heaven goes mute! Not only does this create anxiety, stress and discouragement, but the doubt, confusion and sense of abandonment becomes a personal virtual hell. And no, I am not a babe-in-Christ, but I’d consider myself to be a reasonably seasoned-saint! #ijs

Our spirit man knows quite well that God answers all of our prayers in one of three ways. Yes, No or Not Now, right? Nevertheless the carnal mind could care less! Flesh  wants immediate gratification. ‘I did what You told me, I asked, seeked and knocked; but I guess the answer must’ve got lost in the mail or either perhaps You’re too busy managing the world to be concerned about what’s concerning me, huh?’ Now don’t look at me with that tone of voice, surely I’m not the only one to concede to the Tempter’s situational analysis!

In all of scripture, these feelings of abandonment is never more profound than at the words uttered from the mouth of our Savior hanging on The Cross… and God is silent! And while there is no record of God’s answer in the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, or Luke, the Passion story does not end with our Lord’s despairing cry. In Psalm 22, God’s affirming Love and Grace encourages us to trust Him to resurrect Greater Greaterness out of our greatest messes! “In you our ancestors trusted; they trusted and you delivered them. To you they cried, and were saved; in you they trusted, and were not put to shame.”

While some folk would have you believe that faith means unwavering trust in God’s power and ability to do anything, and that’s absolutely Truth. Nevertheless, there’s that other part of faith that commands trusting God’s silence as well as His actions, that has proven to be, at the least, extremely unsettling!

The Word of God tells us that the promises of God are Yeah and Amen, however we tend to forget that spiritual things are governed by spiritual laws. Case in point, seed-time-harvest! God is more concerned about developing christian core values and attributes than providing our fleshly creature comforts!

The Prophet Isaiah encourages believers to persevere through the trials expecting your deliverance is soon to come. ‘But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.’ (Isaiah 40:31) And James 1:4 admonishes us to ‘let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. Honestly, while both texts have been tremendously resourceful, strengthening and comforting, sometimes they ring hollow when the circumstantial eveidence against you is screaming hopelessness, rejection and it appears as if Heaven’s doors are closed and locked you out!

As you walk with Jesus, experience will teach you that these feelings are just a trick of the enemy to get you to doubt the validity and Faithfulness of God’s Word. If He ain’t saying nothing else, then keep doing the last thing He told you because evidently He ain’t changed His mind!

Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth. Psalm 46:10

Beloved, when you can’t see God’s Hand, feel His touch or hear His Voice, trust His Heart! REMEMBER THE TEACHER NEVER TALKS DURING THE TEST! TRUSTING GOD’S SILENCE!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

CHALLENGED?

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Goliath meets his match

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

And Eliab his eldest brother heard when he spake unto the men; and Eliab’s anger was kindled against David, and he said, Why camest thou down hither? and with whom hast thou left those few sheep in the wilderness? I know thy pride, and the naughtiness of thine heart; for thou art come down that thou mightest see the battle. And David said, What have I now done? Is there not a cause? 1 Samuel 17:28-29

The Lord is My Shepherd, I shall not want! Psalm 23:1

Life is challenging! That’s what I call grossly understated, huh? If you can’t say Amen, the ol’ saints used to say, ‘Jus keep getting up in the morning and going to bed in the evenings!’ There is always going to be something or someone who’s sole purpose in existing is to challenge your peace, patience, prosperity, position or your purpose. Okay?

Here’s the clincher! Sometimes your worst adversity comes from your own house! I mean, one might expect oppositon competing for a job, after all the unemployment rate being as high as it is. And of course, given the deminishing numbers of viable bachelors/bachelorettes these day you kinda know how steep the competition is for someone looking for the whole package (head, body and heart). But when you gotta overcome rejection and disrespect from those who are closest to you, even your own brothers and sistas, well that’s a whole different kinda beast!

Most of the time  when 1 Samuel 17 is preached or taught the focus is on Goliath, but upon closer observation of the context, David faced serious oppositon even before he dealt with the 10 ft. Philistine. Remember what happened that day God sent Samuel to anoint the next King of Israel? (Ref. 1 Samuel 16) Well, it was only after much resistance from his Father,  Jessie, that David was even considered an option. Isn’t it something when your own kinfolk can only see you the way you used to be or never acknowledge that where you are now is not necessarily your final destination?

Even more difficult, is rising above those who’re secretly intimidated by your desire to excel to dimensions beyond where they’ve chosen to settle in the comfort of complacency, paralyzed by their fears rather than risk failure. WOW! #OHNOSHEDIDN’T #YESSHEDID!

But the young shepherd boy had somehow learned that when you can’t find support or encouragement from without, don’t give up! Look to the only One truly qualified to determine your worth or define your destiny! The Creator and Giver of Life, The Lord Almighty! David drew strength, courage and unfailing unconditonal love abiding in the Presence of The True Shepherd, Yahweh, translated I  AM THE ONE,  or I AM WHAT I AM!

In the midst of  foreboding clouds of impending threats, persecutions, peer pressure, hopelessness and despair, David found respite rehearsing holy moments he’d spent searching the Heart of His Lord!

Like David, most of us can look back at those ‘almost’, and rekindle those ‘look what the Lord has done’ moments! But sometimes it takes us a while to regroup after we finally back  off looking for our own way out, huh? When you realize the folly of depending on self and others,  you’ll come to the realization that when God decides to bless you, it doesn’t matter who tries to curse you! Oh Gggglorrra!

Life has a way of teaching you that you can’t overcome what you’re not willing to confront! However, even more rewarding is understanding The Good News! God’s got a plan for your life and it’s all good! (Ref. Jeremiah 29:11)  You already got the victory; you jus gotta fight the good fight of faith! Didjaheardat? Trust2know! CHALLENGED?

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray and Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

ENVISION YOURSELF

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ENVISION URSELF

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

Where there is no vision the people perish. but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. Proverbs 29:18

Many of you are familiar with this scripture, huh?  Perhaps, you’ve seen it displayed across your pulpits to pronounce your church leader’s vision statement or to introduce the theme for a new year. However, in light of what’s happening in our world today, please allow me to contemporize the general perspective of the text.

Undoubtedly, we’re experiencing what the ol’ skool church dubbed ‘times that try men’s souls’! We’ve seen transition, and in some cases, major upheavals of the foundation pillars of contemporary society. The collapse of financial institutions followed by instability of the housing market; unprecedented political changing of the guards, uncertainty of employment status and education aspirations, judicial reformations and/or redefinition of civil morality have all contributed to pandemic paranoia.

Given the accumulative complexity of the aforementioned, it’s no wonder that people—in and out of the church—are running out of hope! Without hope for the future, there is nothing motivating you to move forward.

WOW! Kinda looks like the Word of God is right, all along, huh? The domino effect of a Godless society is inevitably moral chaos! History substantiates that without God’s Guidance, there’s no restraint to any people limited only by their own understanding. But GOD, unlike a lot of us, didn’t just leave us hanging out there, left to our own devices. That’s not the end of the story. The text continues…BUT he that keeps the law—happy is he!

God’s Living Word, our Eternal Hope of Glory, assures us, who place our personal trust in Jesus, that no matter how distressing our circumstances appear to be, in the end—we win!

Brothers and sistas, in Christ, we have 66 Books of Prophetic Utterance to live by. The Word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, (Romans 10:8). If you don’t like what’s happening in your life, open up your mouth and re-frame your life. Prophesy to yourself—say what God says… ‘BE STILL MY SOUL, HOPE THOU IN GOD. HOPE THOU IN GOD’S WORD!’

GOD SAYS, ‘I know the thoughts I have toward you. I have made preparations to bless with good and not curses of evil. My precious child, if you only knew the details, you’d be so excited, encouraged and filled with hope for your future!’ (Jeremiah 29:11) 

‘Oh, BY THE WAY, DON’T WORRY ABOUT YOUR HATERS, AT MY MOST STRATEGIC TIME, I WILL BLESS YOU OPENLY; THAT WAY, MY GLORY WILL BE MAGNIFIED!

I WON’T ALWAYS REVEAL EVERYTHING, BUT I WILL TELL YOU THIS—THE END WILL BE FAR GREATER THEN YOU EVER IMAGINED– A GRAND FINALE!

NOW I NEED YOU TO AGREE WITH ME. JUST SAY, AMEN!”

ENVISION YOURSELF! C?

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

GIVE IT UP!

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give-it-up-2

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:1-2

Satan, the enemy of our soul has hoodwinked a lot of folk into believing that they can’t make the commitment to live for God because the sacrifice is more than they are able and truthfully, willing to make!

Then there are those who are waiting for the right time, some dramatic turn of events, a holy moment when they can come to God in a manner worthy of His acceptance.  And I can’t forget this one, “I DON’T WANT TO BE A HYPOCRIT! ANYWAY, GOD KNOWS MY HEART”.  You’re absolutely right!  So? 

Don’t u know? The death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ has completely satisfied God’s Righteous Justice!  Yet there are still so many who fail to take advantage of what Christ’s sacrificial death achieved for us. There are still many who reject this awesome Gift of Love and are trying to live their lives, the best they can and make it to heaven on their own merits!

My message for you today is simple, GIVE IT UP already! 

Duh…Stop trying to pay for what’s already been paid for! 

I love  how the  Amplified Bible puts it;  ‘take your everyday, ordinary life – your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, walking around life – and GIVE IT TO GOD AS A LIVING SACRIFICE! 

Jesus didn’t wait until YOU impressed Him with your good behavior before He gave His life for you.  But while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Ref. Romans 5:8) Don’t let this world continue to drag you down to the pit of desperation, discouragement, depression and hopelessness.

What does this world offer that’s so valuable to you, that’s worth holding onto to the extent that you’re willing to reject God’s Best for you!

What can the world promise that is more precious than your soul?  #R U SERIOUS?

No job, no degree, no house, no car, no title, no position, no reputation, no temporary pleasure — no man, no woman is worth clinging onto that will cause you to miss out on what God has already provided for you through the  Life, Blood, Death and the Resurrection of His Precious Son, Jesus The Christ!

What better time than right now to take all that you have, all that you haven’t got, all that you hope to get, all that you are, and all that you’re not and place it before God?  That’s ALL that He asks in return for what He’s already sacrificed!  He promised that He will take you just like you are, and change your whole life – from the inside out!

God offers the best deal in the universe!  But this offer won’t last forever!  RSVP, ASAP!  GIVE IT UP! 

SELAH!
 
Have a WONDER-FILLED day!
 
Ann Caffee

NOW AIN’T DAT PECULIAR?

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AIN'T DAT PECULIAR 3

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness into his marvellous light; 1 Peter 2:9

 

If you’re a card-holding member of the baby-boomers community, you probably remember R&B recording Artist, Marvin Gayes’ 1965 hit song, “Ain’t That Peculiar!”. This song went on to become one of his best known signature solo-hits.

Now, of course I realize that the object of this writer’s (Smokey Robinson) affection is a two-timing-unfaithful-serial-cheating-significant-other-who-would-never-return-his-misguided- affections, but as we read the last verse, perhaps we might express this same peculiar sentiment when we consider Our Savior’s heart towards His Beloved Creation –Man-kind. “I know love can last through years…But how can love last through tears”.

While the world looks at Christians as being peculiar, stupid, unintelligent, weak-minded, poverty-stricken individuals, who are desperately looking to escape reality with fantasy, but GOD’s interpretation of peculiar differs drastically. According to the bible, peculiar not only means strange, but also connotes the exclusively chosen, uniquely selected, belonging to and set-apart for HIS Divine Purpose. God has the uncanny abiity to hand-pick the foolish for Christ to confound the world’s wise and astute, bringing Praise and Glory to God!

WHO NU? Believers are God’s Very Own Special People!  #didjaheardat? WOW!

One of the most strangely amazing things about God’s People is the reality that God ordained before the foundation of the world, that He would have HIMSELF a people, who would be different from the world around them. Different because they’d be born-again, by The Spirit of God, adopted and transformed by the Indwelling Holy Spirit! #didjaheardat?  Hence, you can’t even take credit for your own ELECT- Royal-Position!

It’s ALL GOD!!! GOD gave us The Faith to trust in Him and it’s only by GOD’s GRACE that we are empowered to live holy, separated and sanctified thru HIS SPIRIT!

None of us could ever live righteously enough to deserve this GRACE! But! While we were yet weak and powerless, at the right time, a LOVING FATHER, sent and sacrificed HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON, JESUS, not to save us IN our sin, but to save us FROM our sin, reconciling us back into HIS FAMILY! (Romans 5:8) OH YEAH! WE ARE GOD’S INHERITANCE! #CANUBELIEVEIT?

WHOOAAAA! GOD’S LOVE LASTS THROUGH TEARS!  NOW DATZ PECULIAR, HUH?

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

THE PERFECT STORM

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THE PERFECT STORM 2

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

“One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple. For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.” Psalm 27:4-5

 

Aaawwwww…Fantasy! Believe it or not, that’s where many escape to when the painful realities of life become much more than a person can bear. Perhaps, this might explain why that 1965 Classic American Sitcom “I Dream of Genie” (staring Barbara Eden and Larry Hagman) drew such a faithful following!

Week after week families gathered around their b/w TV’s anxiously gasping for any momentary retreat from the real-time burdens facing our nation. I mean who wouldn’t jump at the opportunity to have anything their heart desired suddenly appear simply by swiping a lamp, right?  Yep, those were the good ol’ days, huh?

History records President Lyndon B. Johnson struggling to lead the nation through a multiplicity of vexing controversial challenges and at the same time maintain some semblance of the homeland security that many cleaved to so dearly.

Remember, The First Combat Boots landing in Viet Nam and the Dominican Republic, the arrest of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King along with 2,600 others in Selma Alabama for demonstrating against voter-registration rules. Malcom X was shot to death in a Harlem rally, while the newly recognized Afro-Americans were rioting in Watts and others were rudely awakened to the undeniable existence of racism in The Land of the Free? Yep! Yep! #thoseweredadays!

The point is, despite the torrid winds of time, we survived!

Truthfully, as long as we live and breathe on this earth, there will be storms of adversity. In today’s scripture text, the Psalmist offers a brilliant ray of confident hope, strength and encouragement to those who yet contend for the faith found only in an intimate personal relationship with The God of all flesh.

Having been victimized by jealously, hatred and malicious rejection from those closes to him on numerous occasions, David sticks out in history as a true, honest, God-revealing companion to the desperate and down casts. A recap of God’s servant’s life depicts one who repeatedly finds himself besieged by fear, doubt, betrayal, death and isolation from human kindness. Yet in the midst of chaos, terror and tragedy, The Shepherd boy/King, David discovers the Source of true solace under the watchful care of His Sovereign Lord!

Beloved, we’re living in a day in time where it’s easy to get caught up in the daily grind of hussle and bustle, striving for the world’s standards of successful accomplishments and accommodations! However,  in spite of those poignant pathetic prophetic voices declaring peace and prosperity, sometimes we are left trembling and shaken by the inscrutable ungodliness of the systems of this world!

Nevertheless, if we keep our eyes pointed Heavenward, we too can be blessed, revitalized and restored by that Peace that passes all understanding, swept over by the unspeakable joy and resting assured in the Presence of the One Savior and Lord that David delighted in, Jesus Christ!  THE PERFECT ANSWER TO THE PERFECT STORM!

SELAH!
 
PAUSE, PONDER, PRAY & PRAIZ!
 
Ann Caffee