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NON-NEGOTIABLE

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NON-NEGOTIABLE2

 

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, or not!

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! Hence, there are some decisions that command intentional consciencous reflection, consultation and evaluation because the aftermath of an erroneous selection is irrevocable!

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)

The Great Debate continues to infiltrate various sects of society. Hence, Absolutes vs. No Absolutes! Either you are male or female, saved or lost, spiritual or religious, Calvinism vs. Arminianism? Does God exist or not? Is there One God or many? Is Jesus Lord of all or not at all? Apparently, there will always be those who disagree with with our preferences, yet there’s no denying that these tough issues warrant careful deliberation! 

Amazingly,  the Graciousness of a Holy God still allows man the power of choice to either bow now or bow later! #ijs

Beloved, may I submit for your consideration, BEFORE YOU RESPOND, TAKE A MOMENT TO PAUSE AND PONDER! AFTER ALL, THE CONSEQUENCES ARE ETERNAL! IT’S EITHER HEAVEN OR HELL! BELIEVE it or NOT, ultimately, The Word of God is NON-NEGOTIABLE!  #WOW #Didjaheardat?

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

WHO MOVED?

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WHO MOVED

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

“Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at anytime we should let them slip. For if the word spoken by angels was steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just recompense of reward. How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation which at the first began to be spoken by the lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him.” Hebrews 2:1-3

One morning during my devotion, the Lord began speaking to me about The Millennium Church Age. At this point in my walk with Jesus, needless to say, I’ve heard many a message preached about the Church of God down through the years! Gratefully, much has been pontification of the Glorious and Victorious Church as well as those that admonish the people of God concerning the goats and the sheep and the wheat and the tare. However, I must confess I was a bit surprised when God began to talk to me about a different threat (either unnoticed or unacknowledged) that has slipped under the radar of nodding watchmen into the Kingdom. He asked, “Have you heard the one about the ‘drifters and the disciples?”

After thinking for a moment, I responded “No, Lord. I don’t recall hearing that one.” Honestly, my mind went ‘back in da day’, remembering the Drifters, that group of fine black men, dressed to da T and sanng’n those ‘Good ol’ slow songs’! For the 30 and under crew, u betta ask ya Mama!

Abruptly bringing me back from the edge of Egypt, God began to reveal to me, “Oh yes! You’ve heard about them. They may have been called ‘Backsliders’ instead!’

Okay! I know about the backsliders! But, when church folk think of a backslider, what generally comes to mind are those wicked ol’ evil rebellious hypocrites, aka that heathen who has turned his back and walked away from the Lord and the Church. In other words, we’ve categorized them as somebody who didn’t really love the Lord, at least not as much as he loved the world. Right?  HOWEVERRR! The Lord, allowing me to peep into His thoughts for a moment, led me to Webster’s Dictionary to look up the word ‘drift’ to discover that Webster defines it several ways, but here are a few that Holy Spirit highlighted:

“To be carried along by a current of air or water; to pile up or to heap, to move or appear to move aimlessly, go along without knowing or caring where one is going; the sideways movement of an aircraft or ship off it’s projected course due to cross currents.”

OMG!  #Didjaheardat? First of all, you don’t have to leave the church at all to backslide! You can become a drifter sitting front row, center aisle, or back row, far left and yes, truthfully, center stage of the pulpiteers!  #WOW! That ol’ devil is as cunning and subtle in 2017 as ever, huh?

Satan knows he can’t just blatantly confront some of us face 2 face with the lies that have been proven so successful among the babes in Christ. You know; like, “I don’t need to go to church; I can read my bible at home (the bedside Baptist)”; or “who says you have to belong to a church to serve God?” What about this one, “Get with the times! Don’t be so narrow-minded; after all there are all kinds of roads that lead to the Universal god, you know The Higher Power!”  #BOOM!

Therefore, he applies another method to bring down the more seasoned saints. Unfortunately, all too often they’re just as lethal and successful! Satan hurls wicked devices (distractions) into our lives to catch us off guard and sidetrack us from our true mission! A little trouble here; a trial there; a threat here lodging a bit of anxiety there; an ominous sense of foreboding fear here; a dip of delay, denial and disappointment there; a letter here and a phone call there, a rumor here and a lie there; a modest competitive spirit there or a root of resentment and rejection here!  Didjaseedat? Who nu?

The scariest part about drifting is that you rarely recognize that you’ve moved at all! It’s not as if you were swept away from the shore by some gi-normous wave; you didn’t even hear the thunder or see the lightening flashing. In fact you never felt the ground collapsing underfoot. One minute, there you were sitting on the dock of the bay, watching the tides rolling—you thought you had it all together, handling thangs, maintaining! Until… you reached for that dose of The Holy Ghost and discovered that your cup was empty and your subscription had run out! Apparently, somewhere along the trip, we got so busy with other ‘real-life-stuff’ at the expense of your personal, intimate time with Jesus! Unbeknownst to you, you’d become weary in your well-doing and unconsciously decided that it don’t take all that!

Tell somebody it takes all that and more! More prayer, more fasting, more wisdom, knowledge and understanding of his word, more praising, and a whole lot more His Grace to stay anchored in The Lord!

But here’s the ultimate catastrophic fatality, when all hell breaks out in your life, we tend to look at Godc, ross-eyed, and place the blame for our circumstances on HIM!  Of course, we’ll most likely not own up to such brazen charges again our Redeemer, howeverrrr buried down in the seat of our being, we whisper “Lord, if  You  REALLY love me like You said, why did You let this happen to me?”  #BOOM  We’ve swalled Satan’s bait and the seeds of doubt have taken root  producing a crop of accusations, distrust and unbelief!  #canIgetagoodAMEN3X? OK, maybe not, huh?

TRUTH BE TOLD, God can’t lie and God can’t fail!  If He said, “I WILL NEVER LEAVE YOU, NOR FORSAKE YOU, NEVER” THEN IT STANDS TO REASON, GOD NEVER MOVED!  (Ref. Hebrew 13:5)
Precious Ones, with all that’s going on in the world around us, it’s incumbent upon each one of us to not make light of the lessons to be learned from The Apostle Paul’s teaching! Hence, make a real earnest commitment to BE a true disciple of Jesus Christ. GET A GRIP ON THE MASTER’S HAND AND HOLD ON AS IF YOUR VERY LIFE DEPENDED UPON IT! BCUZ IT DOES!

WHO MOVED? HOPEFULLY NOT U! #SERIOUSLY? #IJS

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

MY DEVELOPING ROOM

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MY DEVELOPING ROOM 2

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

“ In thee, O Lord, do I put my trust; let me never be ashamed: deliver me in thy righteousness. Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me.

For thou art my rock and my fortress; therefore for thy name’s sake lead me, and guide me. Pull me out of the net that they have laid privily for me: for thou art my strength. Into thine hand I commit my spirit: thou hast redeemed me, O Lord God of truth.” Psalm 31:1-5

 

Ever been in that cavernous place,  isolated by loneliness and entrapped in a den of hopelessness, despair and Yes, even shame for allowing your circumstances to rupture the confident trust you enjoyed, just a short time ago?

Still confused how quickly things changed hurling you into this momentary pit of discontentment amassed by discouragement and terrorized by ‘what if”, huh?

Truthfully, like David, most of us have been there at some point in our lives! Honestly, quiet as it’s kept, even more of us have experienced extended stays! Yet, by the Grace of The Almighty God, we’ve learned that the way out is looking up! Benevolence always descends!  Hence, instead of focusing on what’s going on around you re-set your attention on The One Enthroned above The Heavens.

Gratefully, our Heavenly Father has gifted us with His Precious Holy Spirit! Not only is He able to investigate and translate the moaning of our sorrow-filled souls, but swiftly carries them to The Master’s listening Heart.

As we cry out to Him, much to our delight (yet usually unbeknown to us), Your Presence has crept in, invaded, overshadowed and decapitated the gloominess of this prison cell pulling me up and out of the web that had so easily ensnared my soul. Where fear, doubt and confusion once raged, Your quietness whispers words of consolation, infusing and invigorating my wearied soul with such sweet unspeakable joy. Straight away, my sullen countenance is overwhelmed by the Luster from Your smile as You, in passing, suddenly wink at me!

As we still ‘self’ to listen obediently, You instruct our heart to follow the leading of Holy Spirit into a state of Blissful Peace that’s so far beyond my own understanding. (Ref. Isaiah 26:3)

Coming to myself, I am subliminally aware of my surroundings, and what I believed to be prison is just another developing room where You’re secretly hiding me; making me all that You have destined me to BE—COMES! MY DEVELOPING ROOM! #PURPOSE

For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; 2 Corinthians 4:17 #Didjaheardat?

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

U AIN’T RIGHT!

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U AIN'T RIGHT 2

 

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

 Understand, then, that it is not because of your righteous that the Lord your God is giving you this good land, for you are a stiff-necked people. Deuteronomy 9:6

And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; Philippians 3:9-10
 

Are you proud of yourself! Come on now; how many of us have, consciously or unconsciously, given ourselves a slight pat on the back or an inward nod because we did something better or knew more about something  that no one else in our sphere of influence knew?  Exactly!  Of course I’m not suggesting that we venture off to the other end of the spectrum and fall into self-debasement or self-loathing.  I’m simply noting how easily the line between arrogance and self esteem can become blurred!
 
Taking pride in our successful accomplishments has its place in our lives.  However when we over-compensate ourselves for what we’ve managed to attain to the point that we levitate through life as if our ‘performance’ gives us an edge above everyone else,  WATCHOUT! You’re  headed down a slippery ledge to destruction! (Ref. Proverb 16:18)  
 
Sometimes even Christians find themselves ominously near the vicinity of Pharisee Blvd and Straight Street, when it comes to Righteousness. (Ref. Matthew 5:20)  When our righteousness is based on our performance, we’ve missed it by miles! If we’re relying upon our good works to qualify us for a automatic ticket to Heaven, boy are we ever deceiving ourselves! When we equate our holiness according to the world’s standards, we’re sho nuff trippin’!  So what hope do we have of reaching the lofty Pentacle of Acceptability to GOD?
 
Have I got some good news for you! There is a way to receive God’s Righteousness and it doesn’t involve anything that YOU can do on your own.  It’s called Grace! Grace is God’s free Gift to us, something that we could never earn or merit—a right-standing with a Holy God!
 
God’s Righteousness is based solely upon personal acceptance, through faith in the finished works of Christ Jesus!  The scripture says, ‘For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. (2 Corinthians 5:21)
 
There is a well-spring of exhilarating freedom in just taking God at His Word; knowing that you ain’t right, BUT…JESUS IS! 
 
SELAH!
 
Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!
 
Ann Caffee
 

TRUTH OF CONSEQUENCES!

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TRUTH OF CONSEQUENCES

 

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

Lo, this only have I found, that God hath made man upright; but they have sought out many inventions. Ecclesiastes 7:29

Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, 2 Timothy 3:5-6

 

One day in the winter of his life, King Solomon, God’s proclaimed wisest man in the world, sat pondering events, adventures and experiences of former seasons, and penned the words left in Ecclesiastes 7:29. Theologians have various perspectives on how and even if somethings happened that caused a quantrum shift in this young man’s overview of life. Since, I am unqualified to object or sustain either I defer the question to the more capable intellectual biblical scholars!

However allow me, with the aid of Holy Spirit, to share a few insights that I gleaned as I visited these texts. Hopefully, someone might find them useful for practical daily application. I am firmly convinced that every one of us born into the earth has at some point, looked up inquiring, ‘Why me, what’s going on and when is it gonna change for my good?’ But it’s alright, ain’t nobody here but you and me, ok?

It’s a whole lot easier to hide somethings in the closets of our minds, rather than openly subjecting them to the speculations of folk we need to impress and even more so advantagious to cover them up from self, huh? But somebody a whole lot smarter than I said, ‘You can’t conquer what you’ll not willing to confront’! Don’t you just hate those addages? LOL!

Recently, I was confronted by an opportunity to delve heart-first into a long-standing personal dilemma, ‘how is it that we, humans—save and unsaved—are able to justify our actions even while acknowledging that they’re wrong!’ I use that word wrong, because they say in this New Millennium Age, it’s more palatable than SIN!

Most of us have, at varying degrees, mentally assented to the reality of GOD! While there may be a multiplicity of individual opinions of Who,Where and What role does He play in our lives, I don’t think I’m way out on a limb with this assumption. The unregenerated soul cannot be expected to receive the things of God because they don’t know HIM. (Ref. 1 Corinthians 2:14) Problem is those of us who name the Name of Jesus Christ, are obviously able to conjure up in our minds an IMAGE of our own God. Beloved, trust2kno! I know better than anyone, I am far from a finished work! Hence, I say this not out of a superficious self-righteous spirit, but as a statement of observation over the past years of pastoring God’s sheep!

We all know that The Word of God is alive and speaks to us taking into full account our personal circumstances and situations! Nevertheless, there are inherent truths that flow through generations, that are immuable! Whether we understand, believe, agree or disagree! Truth is ABSOLUTE because God is Truth and God is Sovereign!

Can you imagine the angelic conversations, looking down from Heaven’s view, witnessing humanity’s arrogance, self-will, pride, power coveting, resistance to the authority as we perpetually deny the Soveignty of God? Probably not, huh? Perhaps even more perplexing to the heavenly host, is our prevailing response to the consequences of our disobedience. We got some nerve, blaming God when we reap the wages of doing what seems right in our own eyes. As if the clay can demand the potter to relent from His Purpose for His creation. (Ref. Jeremiah 18-19)

I guess, we never looked at it like that, huh? After all, God knows out hearts, right? It’s more self comforting to judge others by their actions and ourselves by our good intentions! After all, what would become of us if we looked in the mirror of God’s Word and saw ourselves as God sees. Why we might have to plead guilty to the myriad of alleged charges railed against us of repeated abuse of God’s Love, breaking His Commandments, gross dis-honor and negligence, denying His Right to rule over His creations, refusal to submit to His authority and Power as Eternal Soveign Lord God!

Well, when you put it like dat! Kinda makes you wonder, what’s your response to the ultimate question ‘WHO DO U SAY I AM’?

I’m not Holy Ghost, Jr. so I can’t tell you what King Solomen’s final conclusion meant or didn’t. I can only speak for myself. But! Think about it! At the end of the day, we’re all slaves; yet GOD honors us as Sons! #AWEMAAZZIN!

IT BEHOOVES ANY /ALL OF US TO REMEMBER THAT BABYLON WILL BE JUDGED IN ONE DAY! WOW! TRUTH OF CONSEQUENCES!

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

 

SEIZE YOUR MOMENT

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SEIZE UR MOMENT

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

And Moses said unto Hobab, the son of Raguel the Midianite, Moses’ father in law, We are journeying unto the place of which the Lord said, I will give it you: come thou with us, and we will do thee good: for the Lord hath spoken good concerning Israel. And he said unto him, I will not go; but I will depart to mine own land, and to my kindred. And he said, Leave us not, I pray thee; forasmuch as thou knowest how we are to encamp in the wilderness, and thou mayest be to us instead of eyes. And it shall be, if thou go with us, yea, it shall be, that what goodness the Lord shall do unto us, the same will we do unto thee. Numbers 10:29-32

 

Do you know what time it is? I mean, REALLY?

Each one of us has been given a ‘pre-planned’ moment of Destiny! Everything that you’ve been through was designed by God to transition you into a specific place on God’s itinerary. At His appointed time, the spot light will be on you and that will be your moment to shine.

In today’s scripture text, Moses invites Horab, his brother-in-law, to join them on their way to The Promised Land which God had given them. This journey was nothing new to Horab, having traveled to Cannan on several occasions, he was well aquainted with the dangers of the wilderness terrain and he knew the best route to travel. Having Horab’s eyes guiding them would be extremely beneficial to them. Horab knew where the water and the fuel were; he knew where the best green pastures were. Moses also promised Horab that if he would agree to come with them, he would also be given a healthy portion of the riches that awaited them in Cannan.

Despite Moses’ persistent pleadings and the promise of great wealth, Horab turned Moses down, choosing rather to return back to his own country and to his own family. Horab was not aware that a window of opportunity was being opened unto him and because of this one decision, missed his moment! From this single incident, he drifted back into obscurity and his name was wiped out of Bible history.

Glancing back over your life, you’ve probably gained a proliferation of valuable insights that would be tremendously helpful to that certain someone who’s embarking upon their own wilderness experience. Don’t be afraid to let somebody know what you’ve been through and how you made it out. It’ll save them a whole lot of time, energy, and strength. Often times, just knowing that somone has survived the desert storms offers tremendous hope, encouragement that empowers them to just keep moving, no matter what challenges they face, trusting God will carry them safely to their land of promise. Be somebody’s eyes!

Horab, not realizing who The Hand of The Lord was on and more importantly who it’s not, probably looked at the children of God and saw a bunch of ignorant slaves who didn’t have nothing and weren’t going no where. God doesn’t see as man sees!

Life changes often!  We need wisdom to prepare to make the best of it by seeking God’s guidance as we deal with challenging times and seasons. It’s imperative that you know who you’re hooked up to! Be careful that you don’t hook-up with folk who don’t have a vision and a plan. Without a vision, the people perish. (Ref. Proverbs 29:18) Without a clear vision, you’ll keep going around in circles, getting no where fast!

As a disciple of Christ, there is a Divine order to our life! We’d do well to seek, accept and embrace it with hope, trust and confidence. When you unselfishly submit and commit to helping others to fulfill their vision, when God does it for them, because you are hooked up with them, He will do it for you too!

Beloved, God is ready to take the limits off, open doors, and raise windows for you. He’s already set-up your destination and all the help you need will be given in the fullness of time. Be mindful, the anointing to get through rests in your obedience to His instructions! #DIDJAHEARDAT?

Everything is in place, are you ready? Don’t miss your moment. Expect it! Seize it!

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

SPIRITUAL SUCCESS

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SPIRITUAL SUCCESS

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

This Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it.For then, you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.  Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor be dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.  Joshua 1:8-9

 

Whaa Da?  I get it! In the midst of the myriad of prominent prolific pastors, poised preachas, pulpit pounding prosperity phophets, packed out padded pews, dazzling mood lighting and symphonic sound systems and praiz and worship leaders (auditioning for Stella Awards), its kinda easy to lose sight of what qualifies as true spiritual success! Can the courageous church say, Amen 3x!

 

Didjakno? Spiritual success is not measured according to perfection, fear, fainting, failures nor even wanting to give up.

It’s not measured according to how many scriptures you memorize or quote, your church affiliation, the number of zero’s on your tithe check, your designer labels, your zip code, what you drive, your last name or how many titles/degrees you have in front or behind your name!

Believe it or not, it’s not indigenous to your melodious prayers, swarming soul-stirring testimonies, how high you jump, or how fast you run around the church!

Spiritual success is the culmination of maneuvering your way thru the mine-fields of this life, maturing while mastering and maintaining the knowledge and power of being saved, sane and survival at the same time!

WOW! THAT’S SPIRITUAL SUCCESS–GOD’S WAY!  Now, WHO OR WHAT’S BLOCKING U?

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

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