Tag Archives: self

GOD’S VOICE

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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

DON’T DIE BEFORE LIVING!

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DON'T DIE B 4 LIVING 2

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

The thief cometh not but to steal, to kill and to destroy; I AM come that they might have life and that they might have it more abundantly.  John 10:10

 

One of the most tragic phenomenon befalling humanity is leaving here without ever knowing and becoming the fearfully, wonder-filled, exceptionally-crafted Masterpiece our Creator intended before you were formed in your Mother’s womb. (Ref. Jeremiah 1:5)

Could that be why some say that the richest piece of real estate in any city is the cemetery? Don’t get melancholic on me! In fact my objective is quite the opposite; to spawn enticing hope-filled adventurous tomorrows!

We live in a society where conformity is the paramount attribute of success. If you want to be in you’ve got to fit the mold, otherwise you’re considered not one of us but part of the others. Unfortunately that leaves a whole lot of us out of the clique, huh?

But here’s where I stand on such matters; who gave you the authority to authenticate what God has made in the first place? Only the creator of a thing has the right to determine its true value and potential! Hence, too many of us walk around, ignorant of self-identity, convicted and/or condemned to a lifetime of regret-filled apologizing to others for who I AM!

That is until we come into the personal saving knowledge of Christ Jesus and get a revelation of who and Whose you are. This opens us gargantuan possibilities and prospective that eyes have not seen neither have ears heard of. Why waste time being a copy of anybody or everybody else when God has distinguished you from every other individual born in the earth. Check your fingerprints?

“Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?” 1 Corinthians 3:16

Locked up in you is the answer to someone’s question. You are designed to be the miracle that person’s waiting on. You are the gift of hope to some despondent soul. You are the treasure that one somebody’s been seeking for and was about to give up on, disgusted by a history of repetitious seconds and hand-me-downs!

Oh what liberating truth in realizing that despite of what some folk may think or even said about you, in Christ, you have been empowered to stand-sure-footed in His Grace and profoundly proclaim, “I shall not allow anybody to deny me the right to be, become, have and do everything God ordained me 2 BE! I CHOOSE LIFE!”

Remember, Absolutely Nobody, BUT GOD can make you who you are!  DON’T DIE BEFORE LIVING! #GO4IT!

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, alone 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”?

Truthfully, most of us have at some point in our lives and even more of us have had extended stays! However, 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 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

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

VERY SUPERSTITIOUS

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VERY SUPERSTITIOUS

SELAH Daily Devotions!

“The Message from God-of-the-Angel-Armies, Israel’s GOD; “Go ahead! Put your burnt offering with all of your other sacrifical offerings and make a good meal for yourselves. I sure don’t want them! When I delivered your ancestors out of Egypt, I never said anyting to them about wanting burnt offerings and sacrifices as such.
BUT I did say this, commanded this: “OBEY ME. DO WHAT I SAY AND I WILL BE YOUR GOD AND YOU WILL BE MY PEOPLE. LIVE THE WAY I TELL YOU. DO WHAT I COMMAND SO THAT YOUR LIVES WILL GO WELL.”
“’BUT do you think they listened? Not a word of it. They did just what they wanted to do, indulged any and every evil whim and got worse day by day.
From the time your ancestors left the land of Egypt until now, I’ve supplied a steady stream of my servants the prophets, but do you think the people listened? Not once! Stubborn as mules and worse than their ancestors!’
“TELL THEM ALL THIS, BUT DON’T EXPECT THEM TO LISTEN! Call out to them, BUT DON’T EXPECT AN ANSWER! Tell them, ‘YOU ARE THE NATION THAT WOULDN’T OBEY GOD, THAT REFUSED ALL DISPLINE. TRUTH HAS DISAPPEARED. THERE’S NOT A TRACE OF IT LEFT IN YOUR MOUTHS! Jeremiah 7:21-28 THE MESSAGE
We’ve heard the news, and we’re as limp as wet dishrags. We’re paralyzed with fear. Terror has a death grip on our throats.
Don’t dare go outdoors! Don’t leave the house! ….Death is on the prowl. Danger everywhere!
“Dear Daughter Zion: Dress in black. Blacken your face with ashes. Weep most bitterly, as for an only child. The countdown has begun…six, five, four, three…
THE TERROR IS ON US!” Jeremiah 8: 24-25-26 THE MESSAGE

…BUT SOME SAY, ‘THIS DOESN’T CONCERN US…WE’RE AMERICA, huh? #UUUUMMMMM…VERY SUPERSTITIOUS!

SELAH!

“Have a WONDER-FILLED day?”

Ann Caffee

THE GOD HONORED LIFE!

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THE GOD HONORED LIFE!

SELAH Daily Devotions!

“But in the last days it shall come to pass, that the mountain of the house of theLord shall be established in the top of the mountains, and it shall be exalted above the hills; and people shall flow unto it. And many nations shall come, and say, Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, and to the house of the God of Jacob; and he will teach us of his ways, and we will walk in his paths: for the law shall go forth of Zion, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem. And he shall judge among many people, and rebuke strong nations afar off; and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks: nation shall not lift up a sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. But they shall sit every man under his vine and under his fig tree; and none shall make them afraid: for the mouth of the Lord of hosts hath spoken it. For all people will walk every one in the name of his god, and we will walk in the name of the Lord our God for ever and ever.” Micah 4:1-4

Sometimes, looking at the world around us, it’s quite possible to believe that there’s no one living for God? While there is much evidence to support this, especially among those who religiously attend church services on Sunday mornings, but yet apparently feel as though church has no relevant life-altering significance that testifies to God’s Reality in their Monday-Saturday lifestyle. Unfortunately, God’s Word adamantly firmly disagrees with this 21st Century Pop Culture Theology.

Looking back throughout history, we find that this type of thinking didn’t just crop-up in the last centuries, but can be traced back throughout the scriptures, “In those day there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes.” Judges 21:25.

Obviously, it’s innately human to resist any outside source or supreme authority that restricts us from doing anything that pleases the desires of our selfish-sin-lusting flesh. Given the diversity of religious belief systems accessible to us today, it’s not difficult to find somebody (for the right price) preaching exactly what suits your particular fancy and soothes your conscience from unrequited burden of sin’s shame and guilt, regardless of how it contradicts The Holy Bible.

“For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears; And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.” 2 Timothy 4:3-4

While living life so haphazardly may seem to have it’s own conveniences and advantages, it’s only temporary and ultimately will be proven absolutely foolish. Belief it or not, any attempt to deny God’s existence is imminently disastrous!

The Bible warns repeatedly of this idolatry! Yet, there is a strange propensity towards self-deception, that convinces so many ‘if there is a God, then how could he punish the very same creation that He claims to have such intense love for?’

That’s simple, because He is Holy and Just! Therefore, to withhold punishment for all unrighteousness would be totally against His Righteous Character! Nevertheless, God takes no pleasure in dispensing His Wrath upon His Beloved that’s why He sends His Word to warn us of the dire consequences of consistently living in rebellion against His teachings.

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23

To trust in ones own opinions, expectations and assumptions of what God requires, only leads us into deeper depths of depravity and immorality that drives us further away from from The Redeeming Grace of Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. (Ref. Proverbs 3:5-7)

However, by trusting solely upon The Faithful Witness, we embrace The Love, Hope, Peace, Joy and Favor of The Holy Father’s Presence not just in the land of the living, but eternally in the world to come!

BELOVED, GOD HAS A PLAN FOR YOUR LIFE! BUT IT’S STILL YOUR CHOICE! TRUST IT AND LIVE IT… THE GOD HONORED LIFE!

SELAH!

“Have a WONDER-FILLED day!”

Ann Caffee

DO U KNOW?

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do-u-know2

SELAH Daily Devotions!

And thou shalt remember all the way which the LORD thy God led thee these forty years in the wilderness, to humble thee, and to prove thee, to know what was in thine heart, whether thou wouldest keep his commandments, or no. Deuteronomy 8:2

 

Someone once said, “God allows tests, trials and trouble to hyjack a Believer’s life in order to build up your faith”! Well, I’m not trying to dispute the validity of that train of thought, but simply contemplating, with all of the Hell the Saints have been going through lately, seems to me we ought to have a whole lot of ‘buff’ specimens prancing around our neighborhoods, huh? Justhinking, yall!

According to our scripture text, God delayed the Israelites entering and taking possession of The Promised Land for 40 years, right? Strangely enough, only two of the original slaves who were miraculously delivered out of Egyptian bondange actually crossed over into Caanaan. Joshua and Caleb. It was God’s testimony that they had a different spirit! (Ref. Number 14:24)

Evidently, God recognized that unlike all the others who had personally experienced the Awesome Powerful Providential care of God, these two trusted God, were relying wholeheartedly upon His Word, regardless of what contradictory circumstancial evidence suggested.

As I always say, ‘don’t be so hard on the Israelites’! After all, how often have you (so-called name-it-and-claim it-blabb-it-and-grab-it-disciples) latched hold to The Promises of God without taking into consideraton the process of transformation that must take place to prepare you for the manifestation? And remember how frustrated and anxious you got when God didn’t do things the way you expected Him to? We won’t even mention the complaints and accusations! Seriously?

Trust to know, God’s never the problem! Whatever God says IS!

When God says you’re delivered, you’re delivered. Obviously there’s something innately inscribed in our DNA that causes us to adapt to a worldly psychology ‘just open up the door and I can get it myself’. By the way, how’s that working for you? I know, right? Just when you thought you had it all together, here comes something you never expected! And try as you might, you can’t seem to work your way out of this wilderness mess, huh?

But hold up! God never intended you to live independently of Godself! That’s why He sent Jesus! He wants to take you farther, bless you more and keep you longer than you could ever go alone!

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6

Sometimes, you become so fixated on what you want, what you think and how you feel that you’re blinded to The Pillar of Fire and The Cloud that’s right before your eyes. So get over yourself!

Come to think of it, God was with them all the time, yet those who failed to Glorify Him as The Most High God, missed their opportunity to inhabit the Promised Land! #OMG!!!

WHATZ IN YOUR SPIRIT? GOD ALREADY KNOWS! DO U KNO?

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

RELEASE AND RELAX!

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RELEASE AND RELAX!

SELAH Daily Devotions!

“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus For good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should Walk in them” Ephesians 2:10

Okay, let me begin by saying, it’s not my intention to offend the sanctity of The Holy Writ, however it’s been my personal internal experience that often the process of life application is ‘easier said than done’! Needless to say, this mindset tends to carry  along its own measure of guilt. After all, we’re people of faith, right?

Fortunately, when we understand The Truth, that God Himself, fully aware of who and what we are capable (aka incapable of), has saved us, not because—but—in spite—of, we get a snapshot of God’s Impregnable Loving Kindness towards us, laced with a whopping dollop of reality!

Hence, GET OVER U! News Flash! You are not the ‘good news’! Jesus Is!

None of us is saved by trusting in ourselves, but anyone can be saved by trusting in God’s Mercy! None of us can keep our selves saved through our own volition, however by trusting in God’s Grace we are sustained through His Sufficiency!

Ultimately, its placing your personal confidence in The Almighty God, realizing (as the Ol’ Skool Church Mothers’ sanng) “JESUS PAID IT ALL, ALL TO HIM I OWE, SIN HAD LEFT A CRIMSON STAIN, AND HE WASHED ME WHITE AS SNOW”, and accepting as Truth, that everything required to satisfy The Righteousness of God, Jesus already did it, releases us from the daily burden of ‘being good enough to deserve God’s goodness! Didjaheardat?

WOW! JESUS, Perfection Personified, got it all right for you!

Now that doesn’t mean we’re off the hook! Don’t be foolish; be grateful! Because of His Once-and-for-all Sacrificial Death, we no longer have to be judged according to our filthy righteousness but now are free to live hope-filled, holy, God-Honoring, God-Witnessing lives, reflecting the Light of God’s Glory to a dark, lost, and dying world! (Ref. John 10:10)

As we continue to walk with Jesus, entrusting our very lives to Him, our faith increases, our knowledge expands, and our experiences will teach us that trusting God is about releasing yourself from the futility of struggling to meet the unrealistic expectations of others, and most importantly, releasing yourself from devastating side effect of self-imposed exile, self -rejection!

WHEWWWW! So, RELEASE AND RELAX! REST YOURSELF! You’re in The Hands of The Almighty God who is always with you; working everything out in your life for your highest good and His GREATER GLORY!

SELAH!

“Have a WONDER-FILLED day!”

Ann Caffee