Tag Archives: salvation

RIDE IT OUT!

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RIDE IT OUT

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

And when they had taken up the anchors, they committed themselves unto the sea, and loosed the rudder bands, and hoised up the mainsail to the wind, and made toward shore… But the centurion, willing to save Paul, kept them from their purpose; and commanded that they which could swim should cast themselves first into the sea, and get to land: And the rest, some on boards, and some on broken pieces of the ship. And so it came to pass, that they escaped all safe to land. Acts 27:40, 43-44

 

Life happens! As that commercial says, Life has a way of coming at you hard! #understatement!

The Ol’ Skool Mothers of Zion used to sang, ‘Nobody told me, that the road would be easy, but I don’t believe, He brought me this far to leave me”!  To which we often reply, ‘yeah,… BUT!’ 

Sometimes, after we’ve charted our course, designated our timeframe for accomplishing the task or reaching our goal, inevitably some things will pop-up unexpectedly!  And it’s during these times that we are tempted to believe that God has either lied to us, forgotten us or He is punishing us. However, we who have a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ, having trusted in  and relying soley upon His Testimony, have an assurance that neither scenario is possible! #Seriously!
 
Since, God can not lie, (Ref. Numbers 23:19) it’s more likely that God has a better plan! (Ref. Proverbs 16:9; Jeremiah 29:11)

Nothing in the life of a believer can separate us from The Father’s Love. (Ref. Romans 8:38-39)  However, The Shepherd will, at times, allow trouble to test our hearts and our commitment to remain faithful. Nonetheless,  we have this confidence, GOD is never too far off, but is ALWAYS close by! 

Although, GOD is quite capable of stilling the tempest before it gets anywhere near us, sometimes He chooses not to. In other words, GOD doesn’t always dismiss or divert the storms around us! BUT! He has a way of showing up, stepping right in the middle of the boisterous winds and mountainous waves, to comfort, while fortifying us to live through life’s treacherous tides.

Hence, Beloved, don’t be alarmed by the darkness, it just GOD’S way of covering you so your enemies can’t find you!
 
When life seems as if it’s falling apart, take courage! In the Kingdom, nothing just happens! The Master is yet in control of everything. TRUST2KNOW, God will see to it that you make it to Heaven’s Shore, safe and right on time! 

GRAB HOLD TO A PLANK, (CALVARY’S CROSS) RISE ABOVE THE THE WINDS, CATCH THE NEXT WAVE AND RIDE IT OUT!
 
SELAH!
 
Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee 

 

I’M WITH HIM!

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I'M WITH HIM

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

Blessed be the God and Father of Our Lord Jesus Christ, Who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ. According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world that we should be Holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His own will. To the praise of the Glory of His Grace wherein He had made us accepted in the Beloved. Ephesians 1:3-6.

 

Remember back in the day when you hopped from one partaa to the next with your friends? Sometimes, you had no clue who was giving the party! We used to call it, ‘crashing da party’.  Remember, how when you got there, somebody on the door would ask you, ‘who are you?’ You would automatically respond, ‘Oh, I’m with him, or I’m with her’. And if they recognized the person you were with, nine times out of ten you’d get in the party!

Well guess what, it works even more so, in the Kingdom of God! The Lord knows them that are His! (Ref. 2 Timothy 2:19) God has so graciously adopted everyone who has accepted Jesus as Savior and Lord. We are now part of the Royal Family of God. The same God that rules over the universe, we now are privileged to call Him Abba Father!  He’s our Daddy! Yeah, I know, right? #awesome!

Association leads to Assimilation! Because of that one decision you made, you are eternally in Christ Jesus, and now we can get into places that we would never have access to on our own! We got the hook up, yall!

Because of our connection in Christ Jesus, doors that would’ve (could’ve…should’ve) been closed in our faces, are now opened for us. Because of our personal relationship with Jesus, nothing shall be impossible with God, our Father! NOW there is always a way out of no way! #didjaheardat?

The next time that diabolical ol’ sloo foot devil attempts to keep you out, or tries to hinder you from possessing your inheritance, look down at him and confidently inform that fool, “I’M WITH HIM – YOU DO RECOGNIZE ‘HIM’ DON’T YOU? THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD! C’mon… YOU KNOW HIS NAME, right? IT’S JESUS! IN CASE YOU FORGOT, HE’S MY ELDER BROTHER; AND HE’S GIVEN ME THE POWER AND AUTHORITY TO USE HIS NAME!

SO AT THE NAME OF JESUS, YOU HAVE TWO CHOICES! FIRST, GETTA STEPPIN OR SECOND, BOW DOWN!  CUZ, I’M WITH HIM!”

SELAH!

Have a WONDER-FILLED day!

Ann Caffee

THE POWER OF NEVERTHELESS!

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THE POWER OF NEVERTHELESS3

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

Saying, Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me; nevertheless not my will but thine, be done. Luke 22:42

And when Jesus had cried with a loud voice, he said, ‘Father, into thy hands I commend my spirit’; and having said thus, he gave up the Ghost.  Luke 23:46

 

Evvrr noticed how easy it is to be so full of faith and the joy of the Lord on Sunday morning? C’mon nah, you know what I mean; when the choir is singing your song and all around you the saints are lifting their hands in total praise. The Word of God is powerful; just what you needed to affirm your faith in God!  Oh yeah! But what happens when you leave the refuge of the sanctuary and go back to your everyday-life?

What do you do when Hell’s demons launch an all out-attack on your mind with taunting memories of past pain that quickly erupts into a full-fledge fear of the future? What happens when your personal reality comes crashing back and invades your present, trampling any hope for the future? Well, if the devil has his way, we usually find ourselves giving way to the seductive satanic spirits, enslaved and …here we go again…trampling another lap around the valley of hopelessness and despair.

If you’re like me, after a while, you just get tired of being on the devil’s leash, Amen?

“Yeah, Co-Pastor, but how can we get off of that treadmill? How can we sustain that same Sunday-morning-confident-assuring-joy? How do we hold fast to the ‘knowing’ God is with us and for us? What can we do to get back that same anointing we experienced in The Sanctuary?”

Okay, truthfully? It’s really not that deep—it’s simple! It is by making a choice to no longer live by chance!

Saints are empowered by choice, not by chance! 

When a Blood-washed-born-again-believer makes a conscious choice that “I just refuse to allow something as fickle as my emotionally torn flesh to dictate how much I trust God!” Wooaaahhh, didjaheardat?    BREAKING NEWS! SPOILER ALERT! Partaa’s over, Devil! Victory is inevitable!

Now I’m not talking about that mind over matter philosophy or psychological exercise in positive thinking, but how saints demonstrate our faith in a Faithful God!

Well, Psalm 37:37 challenges us “to mark the perfect man”, that’s gotta be Jesus, right? In other words, imitate Jesus! Put on the mind of Christ! (Philippians 2:5)

In the midst of gross spiritual darkness and deep agony, our Savior remained faithful to the will of the Father. Refusing to succumb to the dictates of his humanity (his flesh or his feelings), Jesus focused on His purpose. The very moment Jesus said ‘nevertheless’ was the beginning of the end for the devil.

Beloved, Jesus models to us how we too can sustain that overcoming spirit in the heat of the firey pressures of this world. Oh, don’t let the devil fool you, “Nevertheless” is not the word of a coward, but of a Conqueror! Our, ‘nevertheless’ releases and commits our cares into His Hands and that hammers the nail into the devil’s coffin.

What are you struggling with today? Whaaaaevvvrrrrr!

I encourage you to DO WHAT JESUS DID! Choose to be a Victor rather than a victim! Say ‘NEVERTHELESS’!  #BOOOM #didjagetit?

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

SHELTER

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SHELTER

SELAH Daily Devotions!

“The Lord is good, a strong hold in the day of trouble; and he knoweth them that trust in him.” Nahum 1:7

One of those most prominent desires of humanity is a sense of security. Thanks to our ancestors, Adam and Eve, we lost that the moment we submitted to the Deceitful Tempter, Satan! Scriptures reveal the absolute perfection that they enjoyed walking in The Will of our Creator God! Any and everything their pure hearts desired was readily available for them for the asking. Yet, the one thing that God had required of them was the same thing that the devil used to lure them away from what God commanded, faithful obedience!

Since mankind’s expulsion from The Paradise of The Garden Eden, we’ve been trying to find our own piece of peace in the midst of this sin-fated world we’ve been forced to inhabit. Adding insult to injury, from the moment Abel’s blood hit the earth, all of Cain’s descendants, were destined to sojourn throughout the earth, cursed and marked for The Righteous Vengeance of The Lord! This spirit of rebellion soon gave way to anger, spiraling into murder nailing the coffin shut for any hope of returning to the blissful state of innocence and intimacy that once endowed God’s Most Precious Creation!

BUT! Thanks Be To GOD! Jehovah’s Loyal Love; refusing to be denied, had ordained before the foundation of the world, a Rest for anyone who cries out to Him earnestly, in sincere contrition for Salvation IN THE PERSON OF OUR LORD JESUS CHRIST! (Ref. 1 Peter 1:20)

Sometimes, looking back from this side of the Cross, it’s more convenient to blame the horrid conditions of our world on the careless apathy of our first parents. And, depending on the weight of the trial or struggle, we just might point our fist toward God. After all He’s God and could’ve stopped sin in it’s track, huh? Yet, Wisdom and Grace soon deter us from persisting in such foolishness! The truth of the matter is that seed of sin has regenerated, thus degenerating our morality, perverting our sense of right and wrong to the extent that we can no longer trust our own hearts!

BUT FOR THE GRACE OF GOD!

In the midst of these perilous times, we need to know that God has prepared (by God’s Own Hand), a safe haven for those of us, who will place our personal trust, confidence and absolute reliance in the immutability of God’s Righteous Character:Justice, Truth, Honor and Ability!

“The name of the Lords a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.” Proverbs 18:10

When life is raging beyond what you can weather and the billows of trouble threaten to devour you, remember! There is Refuge! In God,  Believers, escaping from the cares of this world, can dwell under the Wings of Adonai ! There you find rest safe from all hurt and harm!

JESUS is A VERY PRESENT SHELTER IN THE TIME OF THE STORMS!

SELAH!

“Have a WONDER-FILLED day!”

Ann Caffee

 

NOW IS NOT ALWAYS!

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NOW IS NOT ALWAYS 2

 

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

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

 

It’s been acclaimed by some Biblical scholars, that we, the New Millennium 21st Century Church Age, are the generation destined to witness the fulfillment of End-Time Biblical Prophecy!

While I’m certainly not an expert of Eschatology, yet it’s no wide-stretch of the imagination, to speculate that we are INDEED living in times that try and even vex the very souls of the righteous.

Glancing through 2 Timothy 3:1-7’s description of the perilous times in the earth, it sounds distinctly-uncomfortably-familiar to us who are expectantly awaiting The Second Coming of our Lord, huh?

Much to Satan’s delight, Spirits of Terror, Fear, Apathy and Discouragement have crept into the minds and hearts of the people of God to such a degree that even ‘Seasoned-Saints’ are becoming weary in their well doing.

May I submit these words of  comfort and encouragement as a reminder to your soul today? “DON’T GET IT TWISTED! THE DEVIL AIN’T RUNNING NOTHING!!!

While it may appear as if this world’s falling apart, from God’s Perspective, EVERYTHING IS FALLING RIGHT IN PLACE!

As my GrandMa Annie used to say, “this world is not our home and I didn’t come here to stay!” We merely sojourning thru this land; ever mindful that GOD has reserved a special place which far exceeds anything we could dare imagine or hope for.  That’s HEAVEN, YALL! #didjaheardat?

Much to the devil’s dismay, therefore, be it RESOLVED Our Eternal God is yet seated on HIS Throne.  HE has not nor will He ever relinquish one iota of HIS GLORY to anyone or anything! 
 
Be it further RESOLVED, that absolutely Nothing that you’ve been thru, Nothing you’re going thru NOW should make you want to tuck tail and turn back to that life that you’ve been delivered from. 

Don’t limit your expectations of Our Omnipotent God to your previous experiences! What God has for you is always in front of you!  Trust God!  Everything that  God has planned for your future won’t even fit in your past!  (Ref. Jeremiah 29:11-13) OOOOHHHH GGLLOORRRAAAA!!!
 
OH YEAH, B 4 U EVEN THINK ABOUT GIVING UP…PLEASE CHECK THE BACK OF THE BOOK–YOU WIN!   REMEMBER, NOW IS NOT ALWAYS—GREATER IS COMING! 

SELAH!
 
Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!
 
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

REST ASSURED!

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REST ASSURED

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour; whom resist steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. But the God of all grace who hath called us unto his eternal glory in Christ Jesus, after that ye have suffered a while, make you perfect, stablish, strengthen, settle you.To him be glory and dominion for ever and ever, amen.” 1 Peter 5:8-11

As a Blood-Washed Born-Again Believers, you have been given many awesome promises regarding your Eternal Destination. Nevertheless, while we’re yet living in this dispensation called time, we must understand that  our lives will be filled with transitional challenges.

We have an adversary, the devil, who is consumed with a passionate desire to steal, kill and to destroy God’s most glorious creation, mankind. (Ref. John 10:10)

Throughtout the ages, the enemy still uses basically the same stragegy. Unfortunately, its still proven to be quite effective. I’m talking about deception and hopeless isolation! Satan wants you to think that throughout the history of humanity, ‘you’re the only one who’s going through this! Trust a Mother—you are not the only one going through!

The Bible admonishes us to not assume that your ‘this’ is a strange phenomen! (Ref.1 Peter 4:12-19) Truthfully, every one born into the planet earth has the same enemy, therefore at some point in our lives faces the same tests, trials, challenges, struggles, temptations and afflictions.

Today’s text reveals the strategic details of Satan’s mission to terrorize, deplete and conquer God’s chosen! Satan fills up his time walking about, going to and fro, diligently in hot pursuit, seeking somebody to devour! He’s even bold enough to tell God to his face that that’s what he’s doing! (Ref. Job 1:6-12) The devil sets up stumbling blocks in your pathway,  intentionally designed to discourage and discredit you and deminish your faithfulness to God.

Don’t get it twisted! While he’s intent on destroying anyone who’s placed their personal faith in The Lord Jesus Christ, the real objective and root of his motivation is an overwhelming urge to challenge the Power and Authority of The One True King of Glory!

Acknowledging and implementing this Truth gives you a tremendous advantage over your arch enemy! Once you understand that regardless of what circumstances are threatening you, the reality is that it’s really not our battle. Therefore, the only thing that your Heavenly Father expects you to do is to be steadfast, immovable, patiently trusting and relying solely in The Testimony of Jesus!  On Calvary’s Cross,  Jesus overcame, putting  to naught every evil scheme and wicked divice that Satan can ever rail against us!

“Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” Romans 8:37

 

Never forget that the only reason that the devil is able to come after you, is because God has given him His permission. And the only reason God has allowed it, is because He’s already fixed the outcome! WOW! Didjaheardat? Seriously, yall! 

As the songwriter penned, ‘I DON’T CARE WHAT’S GOING ON, YOU’RE NOT IN THIS THING ALONE; GOD WON’T LET IT LAST TOO LONG; YOU CAN MAKE IT’! REST ASSURED! #urcovered

SELAH!

“Have a WONDER-FILLED day!”

Ann Caffee

 

LET GOD RUB OFF ON U!

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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

 

GOD’S VOICE

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gods-voice-3

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb, and called me by his grace, to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the heathen; immediately I conferred not with flesh and blood.  Galatians 1:15-16

In today’s scripture text, we hear the testimonial of The Apostle Paul in response to The Lord’s prompting to go spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles. And we all know how that turned out, huh? 

GGGGLLLLORRRRRAAA 2 GOD! However, what stands out to me, is what Paul didn’t do!

The Apostle didn’t wait to get an Executive Order from The White House nor a congregational consensus before stepping out by faith. Instead of asking anybody what they thought about it, relying solely on his personal relationship with His Savior, feeling no need for further validation, The Apostle Paul immediately obeyed God’s instructions!

How about you? When you’ve heard from God, what’s your initial response? Before you move, do you have to survey the opinions of your family and friends? Does the fear of failure, embarrassment, humiliation or retaliation cause you to stagger at God’s Word? Are you willing to take a leap of faith and just do what you believe God is asking of you?

As believers, we’re sometimes reluctant to move out on a WORD FROM GOD. Not so much because we’re not trusting God, but more often than not, it’s because of a spirit of difiance deeply rooted in the lack of self-confidence in our own ability. Ooops…#noshedidn’t!

In an attempt to re-assure ourselves that we’re in God’s will, like Gideon, we will ask God for a sign and come up with some kinda obtuse fleece as further proof that it is actually God speaking. ( Judges 6) And while God so graciously granted Gideon’s request, twice, as believers, we must recognize that God often tests our trust and confidence by commissioning us to do what seems impossible!

That’s what our life in Christ is about. God doesn’t require us to walk by signs, but by hope-filled trust that whatever He asks us to do, by His Grace, we are well able to perform.

The Bible says, “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me:” John 10:27. As we entreat His Presence daily in prayer inquiring direction, thru diligent study  and meditation of His Word, we learn to distinguish His Voice from the chatter emanating from the world and He will teach you what He wants of you!

That’s why it’s so important to build an intimate relationship with your Heavenly Father and not just show up at The Throne Room for emergency visits! God really cares about you! He is not a dead-beat Dad nor is He willing to settle for weekend visitations! God wants to be actively involved in every aspect of your life, every day!

WHEN YOU KNOW HIM, YOU WILL KNOW HIS WILL!  WHEN YOU KNOW HIS WILL, YOU DON’T NEED TO CONFER WITH ANYBODY…BUT U GOTTA KNOW GOD’S VOICE! #canuhearMEnow!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

BUT, GOD!

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BUT GOD!

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

“Now it came to pass on a certain day, that he went into a ship with his disciples: and he said unto them, Let us go over unto the other side of the lake. And they launched forth. But as they sailed he fell asleep: and there came down a storm of wind on the lake; and they were filled with water, and were in jeopardy.  And they came to him, and awoke him, saying, Master, Master, we perish. Then he arose, and rebuked the wind and the raging of the water: and they ceased, and there was a calm. And he said unto them, Where is your faith? And they being afraid wondered, saying one to another, What manner of man is this! for he commandeth even the winds and water, and they obey him.” Luke 8:22-25

 

Oh, I know you’re saved, sanctified, filled with the Precious Gift of Holy Ghost and do speak in tongues as The Spirit gives utterance! BUT! Since you’ve been saved, have you ever felt like saying to God, “Lord, I know You say it’s an honor to be recommended by God to the devil, BUT…here lately, it seems that I’m the only one you’ve been pointing out. If You don’t mind, next time, could you please recommend somebody else!”

Have you ever considered telling God, “Jesus, the next time you decide to pull down the hedge around me and giving Satan a shot at me, I’d appreciate at least a heads-up!” No? Jus wondering!

Unless you just landed on Planet Earth early this morning or were born late last night, you already know that storms are a natural occurrence on the sea of life, whether you’re saved or unsaved! In fact The Holy Bible tells us “Man that is born of a woman is of few days and full of trouble.” Job 14:1 Hence, as long as there is breath in your body, you will experience some measure of adversity and affliction, temptation and trial, distress and disappointment and choas and calamity.

Today’s text shares a story of an average day in the lives of Jesus’ disciples and their response to an unexpected storm that popped-up out of no where. Sounds a bit too uncomfortably familiar, huh?

As the text opens, Jesus having finished teaching classes, traveling from town to town and village to village, decided to take some ‘down-time’ and go across the lake to the other side to escape the crowds that normally followed him. He told His disciples, “Let’s go to the other side” and went to catch a nap. The disciples also seemed to be enjoying the calm atmosphere as the boat sailed on the smooth waters. Until, suddenly a terrible windy storm arose causing turbulent waves to come pouring into their small vessel, threatening to capside at any minute, killing everyone on the boat. Someone thought to wake up Jesus and cried out, “Master, Master, can’t you see we’re about to drown?” As if The Omniscient One had vacated the premises!

The Scripture goes on to say that Jesus, standing up, spoke to the wind and the waves, “Silence, Peace Be Still!” to which they had no other recourse BUT to obey The Master Creator! Turning to His disciples, Jesus sorrowfully inquired, “Why can’t you trust me?”

My Precious Sistas and Brothers, perhaps Jesus is posing that same question to you today. I know it’s been rough out there. I know you have a mindset to follow Jesus all the way, to love Him with all of your heart, soul and body, yet still storms keep hitting your life on the left and the right. But Beloved, Jesus won’t jump ship like some other people might. Jesus has promised to stay with you all the way across the Lake of Life. No matter where you are today, Jesus is always with you.

There are some lessons that prove vital to your personal maturity and intimacy through understanding the attributes of the God Whom you serve you, that can only be learned in the midst of the storms!

Could this be why the astonished disciples inquired, “What kind of Man is this?”

So the next time that Ol’ Deceiving Tyrant comes slithering around, threatening to destroy your hope, joy and peace, jap-slap ’em with this, “I hear ya knocking…BUT! GOD!”

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee