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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

HE’S ALREADY THERE

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HE'S ALREADY THERE

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

“Whither shall I go from thy spirit? or whither shall I flee from thy presence? If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there. If I take the wings of the morning, and dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea; Even there shall thy hand lead me, and thy right hand shall hold me. If I say, Surely the darkness shall cover me; even the night shall be light about me. Yea, the darkness hideth not from thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to thee.” Psalm 139:7-12

At any time, completely unbeknown to us, we could find ourselves pinned to the pendulum of time, swaying violently from side to side, moment by moment, being extended to the furthers spectrum of either end, coming desperately close to the edge of sanity!

While our faith is demanding absolute confident trust (despite the mounting circumstantial evidence) that our Heavenly Father is in complete control, our inner-most consciousness is being tormented by the constant influx of those taunting threatening “what if’s”.

Unfortunately, most of the time our hearts tends to lean toward the most pessimistic catastrophic conclusion. To further compound an already desperately fragmented state of mind, there’s that unmentionable guilt and shame for even doubting God’s accessibility, ability, availability and even His willingness to intervene on our behalf!

I know! We’ve all been there. That’s the other part of our grandiose soul-stirring testimony that we are usually reluctant to share.

Yet, The Psalmist so adeptly and melodiously blends together the dangling, mangling emotions that one endures finding themselves in such a unpredictable predicament; giving us a model by which to navigate our way through the turbulence safely to the after side of life’s contrary oceans.

Not surprisingly, having walked with God for a while now, the Answer is always the same for any hopelessly-helpless,critically-chaotic circumstance.

In the midst of overwhelming uncertainties, set your eyes on The One Constant Creator and Sustainer of the seen and unseen. Jesus Christ; The Bright and Morning Star!

ITZ DA TRUTH!  Anywhere and everywhere you are, God is already there!

The ol’ folk used to sanng, “He’s too high, you can’t go over; too low, you can’t go under; too wide, you can’t go around”! Hence, there’s not a spot in the known universe where God is not!

So you see, whether you’re coming, or going, or smack dab in the middle of an unsettle ling situation, there is unspeakable joy and enormous comfort and strength in acknowledging THE GOD OF ALL COMFORT’S  Reassuring Presence!

The Psalmist further validating the foundation of every Christian’s faith, recognizes that even the most seasoned saints encounter season of glaring darkness; yet God is not intimidated nor His Will hampered! He works The Night Shift! Because darkness and light are the same to God, He is always able to see us; even when we can’t trace His Hand, we can yet trust His Heart! (Ref. Psalm 139:12)

God is too Great to figure out; too Wonderful to predict; too Marvelous to ignore and too Amazing to deny!

So you must simply, trust and thank Him for guiding you safely pass our past, sustaining you in your present, and carrying you securely into your future!

DON’T WORRY ABOUT TOMORROW, GOD IS ALREADY THERE!

SELAH!

“Have a WONDER-FILLED day!”

Ann Caffee

REST-DIRECTION!

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REST-DIRECTION 3

SELAH Daily Devotions!

“Unto thee, O Lord, do I lift up my soul.” (Psalm 25:1)

 

Sometimes, we find ourselves oscillating by the turbulent waves of adversity, drowning in the depths of desperation and despair. While we all know that trouble doesn’t discriminate, harassing the just as much as the unjust, somehow knowing doesn’t make suffering any less traumatic, especially to those of us who intentionally strive to live circumspect fully according to teaching of The Bible.

Perhaps this explains why many believers prefer to deny rather than acknowledge that occasionally they experience a wrath of depression that causes you to shrink back into self-imposed exile, shrouded by terror, isolation and false humility! But today, allow the WORD OF GOD to emancipate you from the burden of secretcy and shame!

Remember David?  Well, on several occasions, we find The Psalmist , crying out of the hub of his soul to his True Source of Salvation, The Living God?

As we follow The King in The Scriptures,  we see David relentlessly bellowing out his distress before his Friend, The Lord Adonai, uninhibited by reputation, shame nor guilt, but fully persuaded that this was indeed what pleases God the most, trusting honesty.

David’s intimacy with his God, was the foundation of his every prayer!

Beloved, during seasons of overwhelming circumstances, instead of running away from God, The Psalmist recognized the value and privilege afforded to him  and entreated God’s Compassionate Heart with the same hope-filled tenacity that he embraced during moments of ease.

We do well to understand that earnest sincere-honest-heart prayer stirs-up the atmosphere of Heaven releasing favor, and guaranteeing Divine Intervention.

Don’t insult God’s Omniscience with phony, fake emotional repetitions, as if He doesn’t already know your heart. Just follow the ‘man after God’s own heart’  and expose the nakedness of your heart, own your emotions and confess “But unto thee have I cried, O Lord; and in the morning shall my prayer prevent thee. Lord, why castest thou off my soul? why hidest thou thy face from me?”  Psalm 88:13

GO ‘HEAD; GOD CAN TAKE IT!

Don’t just wallow in the muck and mire of fear, dread and desolation. Take full-advantage of the situation by reconnecting to The Shepherd! Recommit your life afresh to new purpose, focus and strength. Reaffirm the Foundation of God’s Inseparable Love, entrusting your heart to The Faithful Eternal Lord of Glory!

Truthfully, God orchestrates these momentary afflictions to set you up for Triumphant Victory. WHAA? #didjaheardat?

AAAAWWW! Rest-DIRECTION!

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

 

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

 

 

WHAT DID HE DO?

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WHAT DID HE DO

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

“O give thanks unto the Lord, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so, whom he hath redeemed from the hand of the enemy; And gathered them out of the lands, from the east, and from the west, from the north, and from the south,” Psalm 107:1-3

 

Do you know how many times we, who claim The Lord Jesus Christ as our personal Savior and Lord, are admonished by the Sacred Scriptures to exalt Him in exuberant praise and heart-felt adorning worship? Suffice it to say numerous times in each of Its 66 Books, huh? And for the most part, we’re all faithfully obedient to comply, particularly when we’re all assembled together in the Sanctuary, with the choir singing, the high-sounding instruments blasting in our ears, ushering us into The Presence!

Yet, inspite of His Absolute Worthiness, there are still times when even the most seasoned-elect, find it difficult to mutter even a whisper of ‘Glorrraaa’ out of a heart overwhelmed by the cares of this world, through the muted lips frozen by the temptation of mumuring complaints!

Let it be known, that mine is the first hand lifted in affirmation, Amen!

It matters not how long you’ve been walking with the Lord, life has a way of placing you smack dab in the middle of crisis and suddenly you find yourself coming down with an acute case of spiritual amnesia! It’s during these moments that we need to attack the demonic spirits with a direct hit drawn from the arsenal of weaponry that God has given to every believer. A personal testimony! (Ref. 2 Corinthians 10:4 and Revelations 12:11)

Backndaday, The Ol’ Mothers used to open up Tuesday Nite Bible Study with a Testimony Service. One of my favorite songs they saang was, “When I think of the goodness of Jesus and alllll He’s done for me, myyyyyyyy soul cries out Hallaleujah, I thank God for saving me!” Remember? And when you took the time to reflect back over your life and began to count how many times God stepped in, right in the nick of time, and delivered you from all manner of maladies, you can’t help but the give Him praiz!

Come to think of it, the Bible is filled with countless mind-refreshing BUT by The Grace of God testimonies of triumphant conquerers who acknowledge that they never would’ve made it over into the Land of Promises if the Lord had not been with them all the way!

There’s another ol’ song, that comes to mind; ‘Count your blessings, name them one by one, count your blessings, see what The Lord has done”! WOW! Didjaheardat?

Truthfully, one of those most difficult times for a believer to praise GOD is in the meantime! I’m talking about while you’re waiting for God to move on your behalf and every demon assigned to your region is blasting threatening what-if’s soundtracs in your mind! That’s when you need to deliberately take authority over your thoughts. Instead of focusing on what it is you need Him to do, make a faith-conscious-decison to set your affections on those things JESUS HAS ALREADY DONE!

Okay? There you were wandering around in the desert, lost in the wilderness of sin, stumbling through life, homeless, hopless, confused yet desperate for change, starving for love, parched for peace and joy and you cried out for help, knowing perfectly well there was nobody to hear, much less care! BUT GOD heard you and sent Jesus to lead you out of that barreness, placing your feet on a Straight Path to The Good Life, filling your belly with The Living Bread and Living Water of Holy Spirit to the point of unimaginable satisfaction and sustaining strength!

And you gotta remember, it wasn’t that long ago that you were locked in a self-induced cell of darkness, imprisoned by an evil consciousness of guilt and shame, condemned and sentenced to a lifetime of isolation and hard labor, eternally separated from God! But you cried out to God and He came for you, breaking through the prison bars as if they were match sticks, opened up the Gates that had you trapped and led you out into the Light of Freedom!

What about that storm? Despite of how hard you tried to navigate your way, there you were lost on the Sea of Life, desperately struggling to keep your head above water, being tossed by contrary winds, finding yourself swept away by towering turbulent waves, until the bottom dropped out and finally, not knowing what else to do, you called out to God who faithfully showed up just in the nick of time, commanded the wind and the waves to quietly surrender to Peace and so graciously drew you out and carried you safely to His Harbor!

NOW! Beloved, rest assured, confidently trusting that Jesus is the same, yesterday, today and forever. IF HE DID IT BEFORE…HE’LL DO IT AGAILN! SO, THINKABOUT IT…WHAT DID HE DO! O Give Thanks unto The Lord, my Beloved! 

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

INVITATION TO LIFE

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INVITATION 2 LIFE

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

“HO, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy and eat, yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Wherefore do ye spend money for that which is not bread? And your labor for that which satisfieth not? Hearken diligently unto me, and eat ye that which is good, and let your soul delight itself in fatness. Incline your ear, and come unto me, hear and your soul shall live, and I will make an everlasting covenant with you, even the sure mercies of David.” Isaiah 55:1-4

Congratulations, you made it! Despite the much anticipated threat of total collapse of “Y2K”, not only have you crossed over into the 21st Century, a brand New Millennium, we’ve made it well into 2015!

For us, Baby Boomers, amazingly, we’ve become the “Jetson’s”! While those old b/w sci-fi movies depicted a slightly different reality of this Age, we’re still part of a New Era. Some might even venture to say we have finally arrived, or have we?

Many have emulated into the melting pot of the Great American Dream. More Yuppies and Buppies flood the airways and highways than ever before. Yes, we heard the blast of the information age with our computer technology. Just about every home in the country enjoys satellite, cable, digital TV, dishwashers, microwave ovens, desktops, laptops, Ipads,  (in just about every room). Not to mention how passionately we cling so to our Iphones to assure accessibility and flood the planet with selfies. After all, gotta stay connected at all times, right? On just about every corner, you’ll find a Drive-Thru offering you anything/everything from dinner to a wedding ceremony! Who knew? Yeah, you made it all right, or have you?

The Brothers got Black Power and the Sistas got ‘Loosed’ and the world is yet going on! However in the midst of all this ‘going on’, sometimes… we find our lives cluttered, messed up, and downright jacked up! In the quest for contentment, somehow… you’ve ended up desolate and stressed out! Instead of living the blissful life you dreamed of, many of us are struggling to survive this IMITATION OF LIFE! What’s missing?

Keep on living and you’ll inescapably ascertain that the latest will inevitably be replaced by the next!

Life is more than mere existence or striving to accumulate a bunch of stuff that will never quench the insatiable thirst or fill that deep-centered inexpressibly annoying sense of null and void.

Thanks be to God! There is Hope! Amidst the drama, trauma, tragedies and chaos, there is a Voice calling out to anyone who has an ear to hear. Shhhhh! Didjaheardat? IT’S JESUS!

Through Jesus Christ, God is extending a personal invitation to a life so extravagantly blessed that it’s far beyond this world! If you have Jesus, you have eternal life! (Ref. John 10:10; Hebrew 3:15)

WOW! There it is again!

TODAY, WHEN YOU HEAR MY VOICE, INCLINE YOUR HEART TO MY INVITATION TO REAL LIFE!
SELAH!

“Have a WONDER-FILLED life!”

Ann Caffee

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!!

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ENUFF IS ENUFF 2

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

So the Lord sent a pestilence upon Israel from the morning even to the time appointed: and there died of the people from Dan even to Beersheba seventy thousand men. And when the angel stretched out his hand upon Jerusalem to destroy it, the Lord repented him of the evil, and said to the angel that destroyed the people, It is enough: stay now thine hand. And the angel of the Lord was by the threshing place of Araunah the Jebusite. Samuel 24:15:16

 

To those who still doubt the authenticity of The Holy Bible, I say obviously you’ve never read this Book! It must be God! I mean, can you imagine any other person, being as openly-transparent about His own family? #ijs

Here we see Israel’s most celebrated King, David, God’s Elect, “Man after God’s Own Heart” exposed by The Light of Truth throughout all generations as an example and a warning!

While there yet remains much to admire, seeing the Favor of God exemplified raising up a shepherd boy to King reigning over HIS People, but we must never forget that David was mortal and not Divine. It’s okay to acknowledge and even emulate some of the more notable characteristics of God’s servant, however we must never fail to take into account David’s humanity! Therefore,  David was subject to the same proclivities of his frail, infirmed, flawed and failing flesh as we are!

As we further investigate today’s text, we get a glimpse into one of the more dimmer phases of his extraordinary life. As the story goes, during the latter part of his life, God allowed Satan to tempt David in order to test what was truly in his heart. At the height of his successful reign, apparently David began to think more highly of himself than he ought to. (Ref. Romans 12:3) Hence, opening the gateway to pride and vainglory, the King commanded an unauthorized census taken of his people, which was a deliberate violation of God’s Law. (Ref. Exodus 30:12)

Now before yall sanctified folk start judging David, remember “let He who is without sin, cast the first stone! (Ref. John 8:7)

How many times have you willfully over-ruled the urging of Holy Spirit and did what seemed right in your own eyes? Put your hands down! Right!

Truth is, every one of us has been GUILTY as charged! Nevertheless, when Justice demanded punishment, MERCY said NO! And while we might’ve suffered, to some extent, for our rebellious disobedience, GOD feeling the pain and the terror of His Beloved Children, stepped in the midst of our guilt-ridden, regret-laden, shame-filled consequences, rebuked Death and declared “Enough is Enough”!

David acknowledging his guilt, taking full responsibility for his actions, humbly committed himself into the Hands of the Loving Mercy Faithful Shepherd, prayed for forgiveness for himself and interceding on behalf of those who were innocently victimized because of his selfishness! #Didjaheardat?

WOW! Now, that right there should cause all of us to immediately follow David’s lead, huh?  Turn our faces back towards the One True God, sanctify your heart and lifestyle wholly unto our Holy God!

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

C’mon nah! AFTER ALL THAT GOD’S DONE FOR US, ENOUGH IS ENOUGH! #jusreasonable!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

 

DON’T SWALLOW THE BAIT

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DON'T SWALLOW THE BAIT

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.
And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the Lord.” Psalm 27:4-6 KJV

 

One thing for sure, nobody who knows me would ever accuse me of being remotely ‘out-door-sy”, huh? Yessssirreeeyyy! I’m totally domesticated!

So when it comes to taking part in those adventures that so many of yall find such immense pleasure in, such as camping, hiking, fishing, skiing, anything I say about them are solely vicarious! However, I am married to an avid fisherman who would rather be on a boat in the middle of a lake for hours at a time than just about any other place; save Heaven!

I understand that in order to catch a fish you must have certain equipment. A fishing line, a hook and a bait! I have experienced opening up my freezer door and being greeted by neatly packaged baggies filled with all kinds of strange looking objects to which I’ve been inclined to immediately dump in the garbage; that is until he informs me of their intrinsic value.

Unfortunately, too many of you are just as ignorant of Satan’s wicked devices as I am when it comes to fishing!

While we  may acknowledge this Truth, mentally assenting to its veracity, that as Born-Again, Blood-Washed, Children of The King, Satan no longer has authority to lord over our lives far too often,  yet the revelation fails to transcend into our ‘real life’, huh? Apparently there’s a innately human flaw of fickleness that tends to overcome even the most sainted believer the moment The Designated Accuser fires his darts, interrupting your blissful state of abiding in God’s Presence! Hence, you develop an acute case of selective amnesia; forgetting the Fundamental of Christianity 101!

When you placed your personal trust in The Lord Jesus, accepting Him as your Redeemer, you were immediately rescued from The Kingdom of Darkness and transferred into The Kingdom of God’s Son! (Ref. Colossians 1:12-14) Didjaheardat?

Ooooh Glorrraaaa! That means that the devil has no right or power to control any area of your life! He’s a defeated foe! Now, of course being the Master of Deceit, he’s unable to resist his diabolical urges to persistently threaten any unsuspecting Child of God who will swallow the bait, hook line and sink to a level far beneath his God-Ordained position of Righteousness in Christ Jesus!

But you don’t have to! Today’s scripture text tells you where you are, from God’s Perspective! Hidden in God’s Pavillion, seated safe and secure in The Rock of Ages, far beyond the reach of all of your enemies!

So, before you start acting like Satan is a true prophet, re-evaluate the Reality of your situation!

Pause, take a deep breath, ponder and relish His Presence! Got it?

AAAAAWWWWWW!!!! NOT TODAY DEVIL! AND FROM WHERE I’M SITTING…IT AIN’T LOOKING DAT GOOD FOR YOU TOMORROW EITHER! BBBBAAAAMMMMM!!! DON’T SWALLOW THE BAIT!

SELAH!

“Have a WONDER-FILLED day!”

Ann Caffee