Tag Archives: SELFLESS

THE PATH 2 GLORRAAA!

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THE PATH 2 GLORY

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. 
James 4:7

 
Yep! Ain’t no getting around it, because it’s still The Eternal Word of God, huh? I’m talking about that pesty-provoking-pressure-on-our-pleasure, five letter word “pride”! As the ol’ skool preacher would say, ‘I jus lost ¾ of my church’! LOL!

Those of us who’ve been saved more than 25 years undoubtedly have seen subtle (and not so subtle) transitions taking place in the Christian Community!  I’m referring to the greater emphasis being levied on the side of accumulating creature comforts rather than developing Christian character.  #Don’tshoutmedownnah!

While, there’s no denying that our Heavenly Father delights in the prosperity of His children, He distinctly distinguishes His Prosperity Plan from the system of this world, by including ‘even as your soul prospers, huh? (Ref. 3 John 1:2)

Of course, we know that God’s Ways are not ours and we’re eternally grateful that His thoughts are not like our, huh? Yet, many a wandering wayfaring person has been drawn down to the altar, enticed by the lure of a prolific prophetic preacher, promising peace and prosperity. Although this message has elements of doctrinal truth, upon closer examination,  oftimes it can dilute the integrity of basic biblical foundation! Hence, leaving some believers with lop-side expectations and ill-prepared to walk out their journey of faith.

The New Millennium Church has adapted to The Burger King mentality that says, ‘If I can’t have it my way, then I’ll hit the highway’! While that attitude may work at a fast-food chain, it won’t get you off the run-way in the Kingdom of God. The last time I caught a breath, Jesus was still LORD! Therefore, He has the right to expect loyalty, faithfulness, commitment and obedience from those He created!

God knows that it’s difficult for flesh to be humble! That’s why HE put these flesh-killing scriptures in The Book! Yall know, flesh wants to set up its own kingdoms and not submit to anything or anyone. Flesh wants to dominate; to be in charge; have its own way; be right; be the best and not ever admit that ‘I’m wrong, not perfect, it’s my fault; I need help, forgiveness…or I don’t know what to do!

Flesh wants folk to come to us; look up to us; be admired and yes even envied! Flesh wants to be first in line following the Apostle, Bishop and the Pastors. Flesh wants to sit on the front row so it can be noticed—to go higher, IN THE LORD, of course!

We like to quote the scripture, ‘resist the devil and he’ll flee from you’, right? However, more often than not, we leave out the first part, ‘submit yourself to GOD...and then you’ll have the power to resist the devil’! OMG, does it really say dat? Indeed! In the Kingdom, the way up is down!

God says, ‘humble yourself’—BUT–IF YOU CAN’T, HE WILL HELP YOU! Chances are He’ll raise up a devil, a situation, a problem, a need, a national threat, a global economic collapse! Sometimes, He’ll allow trouble to come knocking at your front door, your church, job, wallet to get your attention long enough for you to humble yourself and have to pray! God knows that as long as we’re living high-on-the-hog, we’re prone to spiritual amnesia and assume that He’s okay playing second fiddle! NOT!

The Kingdom of Heaven has it’s own stimulus plan and it ain’t about to change! The strength and power of God’s Covenant relationship with His people is based on both  parties involved doing what they’ve sworn to do. The position of GOD is permanently filling space and time! Remember, HE IS GOD & U R NOT!

It’s a highway to Heaven, however you’ve got to be willing to take the low road 2 get there! As we yield our ENTIRE lives to GOD’ S WILL, WE SHALL REAP THE KING’S ETERNAL REWARDS! #FAITHFUL OBEDIENT GRATITUDE  #DIDJAHEARDAT? YEP! THAT’S THE PATH TO GLORAAAA!

 

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

TRIAL-SIZED gODZ!

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TRIAL SIZED gODS

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

Thou shalt have no other gods before me. Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of anything that is in heaven above, or that is in the earth beneath, or that is in the water under the earth. Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them: for I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children unto the third and fourth generation of them that hate me. Exodus 20:3-5

 

I recognize that the mere suggestion of idol worship tends to rattle the righteous indignation in the spirit of a true Believer! As followers of Christ, we know how despicably foul such worship is in the nostrils of The Holy God of Heaven and Earth, RIGHT? And for the most part, we’d never consider breaking  such Holy Commandment! After all, we don’t bow down before carved images of God nor do we display at the entrances or scatter stone replicas of God throughout our homes or businesses, right? Yet, will closer investigation of our lives reflect closely guarded idols formed in the recesses of our most sacred imaginations?

According to the scriptures ‘O generation of vipers, how can ye, being evil, speak good things? for out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.’ (Ref. Matthew 12:24)  Hence, while man will attempt to hide the true intents, insights and purpose for being, ultimately, his lifestyle will reflect the secret things of his heart and clearly define where their loyalty lies!

Do we worship our personal ‘trial-sized’ images of God?

Don’t look at me with that tone of voice! I see further explanation is in order! We have a tendency to make up our own images to represent who God is to us!  The problem is we will never be able to fit “The All Encompassing Is-ness of GOD” into the small-minded-frail-framed-carnal-comprehension of our temporal-flesh. In other words, it’s absolutely impossible for us to fathom “Unlimited Presence, Power, Perfection and Potential” within the limitations of our humanity!

While The Living God is Omnipresent, Omnipotent and Omniscient, HE can only be known through Divinely-Impartated-Revelation!

GOD reveals His character, His purpose and His plan for each of as we traverse through our individual life experiences. It’s the knowledge gained through following The Good Shepherd’s lead, cautiously climbing cloud-covered mountaintops and timidly trembling through the death-valleys of our everyday lives that we learn the rewards of faithful trust, patient obedience and the security of resting in The Eternal Hope!

Today’s takeaway?

Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his… 2 Timothy 2:19

Therefore, Beloved, as you continue to set the Lord before you, you shall walk in HIS Everlasting JOY!

AMERICA, WHO IS YOUR GOD?

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

MORE JESUS!

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MORE JESUS!

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. days (before Christ, y’all), 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 consciously realizing when nor how, (until my kids so happily pointed out to me) 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!

Didjaknow? It works the exact same way when it comes to strengthening your personal relationship with God! #4REAL!

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,  when you sincerely ask God to forgive you of your sins and come into your heart, you were instantly changed on the inside; howevvvrrrrr, the progression of outward change depends largely upon us! #Didjaheardat?

Evidently, there’s a significant correlaation between the amount of time spent pursuing the things of the Spirit and the rate of our personal spiritual growth and development. If most of our time is spent satisfying the lustful desires of our  sin-loving flesh, inevitably our spiritual growth will be stunted!  Don’t shout me down nah! #ijs!

However, as you begin to separate yourself apart  from the worldly (carnal and ungodly) things of life (#sanctify) and deligently dedicate more time to studying The Word of God and mounting habitual alone-time with Him (consecrate), The Holy Spirit will ecstatically teach, guide and share Christ-Likeness with you.  Hence, 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!!!

Truthfully, until you have a real-life personal encounter of The Divine-Kind, you are clueless of Who and Whose You REALLY ARE? Not to mention the worth and purpose that’s yet to be revealed in and through The GOD IN YOU!

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!  My friend has since gone HOME to be with The Lord, BUT THANKYA JESUS 4 unexpected Angels, huh?

I “D-DOUBLE-DARE” YA! LET MORE OF JESUS RUB OFF ON YOU!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

 

UNDER THE INFLUENCE

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UNDER THE INFLUENCE 2

SELAH Daily Devotions!

But without faith it is impossible to please him; for he that cometh to god must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.’ Hebrews 11:6

The other day I heard someone say something that I thought was quite profound, at least thought provoking. It was said that “we are swirling towards eternity at the speed of life!” History is being written every day. Memories are being made, every day. Lessons are being taught and learned, every day. Attitudes are being formed and developed, every day.

As I began to think about this, several questions flooded my mind. First, does God’s Presence influence your life? If so, then how? What impact has God’s Presence in you made in your circle of influence?

We love to sing the song, “Jesus You’re the center of my joy, all that’s good and perfect comes from You; You’re the Heart of my contentment, Hope for all I do….” But when the music stops and your feet hit the ground, how’s your walk? In other words, does your video authenticate your audio? #ijs!!!

The Bible does not merely ask us to have faith to believe that God does exist. Lucifer and his hord of demons believe that God exists, however they don’t follow Him! As bona fide, Blood-washed, Born-Again Children of The Most High God, our lifestyle should attest to fact that not only do we believe that He exits, but we  also believe that God is who He says He is, that God is with us, that God is for us and that God will perform every promise that He’s sworn by GOD-self towards us! (Ref. Hebrew 11:6)  Hence, if we desire to please The Lord we must walk out our lives under the influence of His Presence, adhering to HIS instructions and exemplifying our beliefs throughout the course of daily living! #Didjaheardat? #SERIOUSLY!!!

Does your character reflect the Presence of God in your life? Does the influence of God’s Presence affect the choices that you make? Does your life style reflect the influence of God’s Presence? Whose chances of ending up in Heaven have increased because of the impact that you’ve made upon their life? Whose chances of ending up in Hell increased because you are in their life? Now, since our response and our responsibility carry eternal consequences, may I suggest that you carefully and conscientiously ponder the depth of your soul before answering the aforementioned questions? 

We are living epistles (letters) and folk are reading our mail, every day! How is the Presence of God in you influencing your readers? Just a thought! #ijs (Ref. 2 Corinthians 3:1-3)

The Bible says, we are the salt of the earth. I believe that means that we ought to make someone who doesn’t know God, thirsty for a drink of The Living Waters. (Ref. Matthew 5:13-14)

As Christians, our greatest desire should be to allow the influence of God’s Presence to be reflected on those around us so much so that it provokes them to envy  and thirst for The God that we worship and  ultimately seek to claim Him as their personal Savior and Lord! 

Looking back, perhaps there where many times when we almost, and unfortunately, even more times where we flat-out missed opportunities to Glorify God! Thanks Be To God!  IT MATTERS NOT WHERE WE START, BUT HOW WE END!  The ground around The Cross of Calvary is level to all!  With each new day, GOD SO GRACIOUSLY GIVES US ANOTHER OPPORTUNITY TO BEGIN, AGAIN! #WOW! 

As this year slips into eternity past, instead of lingering in the land of pouting and doubting remember that BUT…by God’s Grace!  KEEP IT MOVIN’! SPEND TODAY WISELY! LIVE EACH DAY UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF GOD’S PRESENCE! 

BELOVED, MAY YOU EMBRACE A PRODUCTIVE AND PROSPEROUS NEW DAY!

SELAH! 

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

I NEED A DRINK!

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I NEED A DRINK

 

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

Jesus answered, “Everyone who drinks this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:13-14

Is anyone thirsty? Come and drink–even if you have no money! Come, take your choice of wine or milk–it’s all free! Isaiah 55:1 NLT
Remember what they taught us in the ol’ church, first the natural then the spiritual? Most of us know that water is essential to our survival. Experts tell us that we can live without food a whole lot longer than we can live without water. As one who struggles to get anywhere near the recommended amount of water ingested daily, my 60 sumptin body quickly sounds the alarm, ‘you’re thirsty, fool! Drink some water’. Likewise, my spirit man has a innate personal service announcement alert system that lets me know that your soul is thirsting for The Living Water—JESUS!

The journey of Life has a way of siphoning out the wellspring of joy, strength, hope, calm, favor, peace and sheer delight of being a Child of The Eternal Father. We can become so distracted by the happenings of daily duties, drama and disappointments, that the benefits of our New Life in Christ takes a backseat, to the stress, chaos, depression, mumuring and complaining. Oh, is that too real 4 U? #ijs!

Like the Samaritan woman, many of us come to Jesus believing that our initial confession of faith will make life easier; not understanding that Christ doesn’t promise us a life gliding into Glory on a flowery bed of ease, but the power to overcome life’s challenges by trusting in His Faithfulness! As you learn to walk with Jesus, knowing that Christ (your personal Savior and Lord) lives in you, changes you, this newly-installed perspicacity revolutionizes, empowers and enables you to live in a state of continual, hopefilled-joy…REGARDLESS OF YOUR CIRCUMSTANCES! #WOW #Didjaheardat?

However, we must also understand that this is not a one-and-done-once-a-week-only transition! The Apostle Paul, a faithful companion, sheds insight as to how we can keep the stream of living water ever-flowing in the midst of  drought, famine, confusion and persecution that often encompasses us on this journey. “Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord” Ephesians 5:19

Saywhaaa? ‘Lady, you obviously don’t understand what I’m going through!’ Perhaps not, BUT GOD DOES! And not only does He know every detail but He’s the Only One who can solve every problem and bring you out better than you were coming in! Them Ol’ Skool Mothers said it like this, “Baby, u betta keep a song in your heart and a praise in your mouth, bcuz you’re gonna need it!”

Didjakno how doing this confuses hell? Imagine Satan’s hell hounds scratching their heads, having dealt that last blow, thinking that one would surely make you give up all hope and turn away from trusting Jesus! Ha! Ha! But instead, as you remind yourself of how good God’s been to you, suddenly, the flood gates burst erupting exuberate praise out of your belly, awakening a fresh view of GOD! #GREATGODALMIGHTY!

Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. 1 John 3:2

Precious one, when you’re tempted to fall head-first into the pit of hopelessness and accept the devil’s invitation to your own private pity party, just remember, HOW GREAT IS YOUR GOD! He Alone forgives all of your sins, heals all your diseases, redeems your life from the pit and crowns you with love and compassion; satisfies your desires with good things so that your youth is renewed like the eagles. (Ref. Psalm 103:3-5)

And suddenly, your well swells up and fear turns to trust, dispair gives way to hope, grumbling flares-up into gratitude and your soul gets intoxicated on praise for all the blessings that God’s Grace avails!

Guess what? You don’t have to pay a dime for this experience? If you’re really thirsty, it’s free for the asking! #Seriously! 

Aaaawwww shucks, SOUNDS LIKE YOU’RE PRIMING THE PUMP, huh? ITZ ALL GOOD! GOD’S RESERVED AN UNLIMITED SUPPLY! THIRSTY? GO ‘HEAD..DRINK UP!

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

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

THE FIRST RESPONDER!

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the-1st-responder2

SELAH Daily Devotions!

“When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee. ” Isaiah 43:2
 
” lo am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” Matthew 28:20b

 

Certain things just stick out at you!  Like, where you were and what you were doing on Tuesday, September 11, 2001?

If you were anywhere in the United States, you were probably sitting somewhere stunned and paralyzed, eyes glued to a TV screen at images that are now indelibly entrenched in your psyche!  Some of us initially were just trying to figure out what the heck was going on. Were our eyes betraying our thoughts or was this simply another advertising stunt vying for publicity?

But, as we listened intensively to the broadcaster’s pronouncement, inquisitively quickly gave way to awe, fear and helplessness! Millions of us sat paralyzed by not knowing where or when the next strike would hit. We watched masses of people running terrified away from buildings, aimlessly through the streets in an effort to escape the billowing clouds of gas-filled smoke and the menacing threat of flying glass and debris.  The sense of security and the superfluous naivety of an Invincible America tragically came falling down right before our eyes, shattered live and in color!

Just as the rain falls on the just as well as the unjust, tragedy and trouble are neither biased nor prejudice! Except you be some sadistic masochist, most of us are intrinsically wired to avoid pain. Perhaps, that’s why some of us might’ve secretly questioned the wisdom of those ‘first responders’. Nevertheless, we honor the courageous men and women who waived the threat of death in lieu of the prospect of rescuing the survivors and ran boldly into the face of catastrophe.

Perchance, that’s what makes GOD so appealing to that desperately lonely wayfaring stranger, crying out to The Heavenly Father, “Lord, save me!” 

Today’s scripture assures us that our Savior, Jesus, doesn’t sit uncaringly aloof, watching us meandering our way through life’s tumultuous terrain, endlessly giving way to hopelessness and despair. But so Graciously is our God, who Lovingly leans toward us, tenderly guarding and guiding us safely through overwhelming floodwaters of seemingly unconquerable test and trials!

May this note serve as a constant reminder, that whenever we find ourselves surrounded, constrained by dire circumstances, in the claws of the temptation to give up; we who have surrendered our lives to The Lordship of Christ, find consolation, encouragement and confidence by  faith, to look up–for Redemption is Always near!

Jesus, The First Responder!

SELAH! 
 
Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!
 
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