Tag Archives: temporary

I LIVED!

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I LIVED 2

SELAH Daily Devotions!

I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD. The LORD hath chastened me sore : but he hath not given me over unto death. Psalm 118:17-18

Everything living changes! #Didjaheardat?

From the moment of beginning, life evolves, progressively spiraling from eternity past through present towards eternity future. The Eternal Life-Giver sets into motion HIS own pre-determined course, every thing according to the counsel of His Will and Good Pleasure. (Ref. Ecclesiastes 3:1)

So why are we so taken aback by the sudden shifts?

Perhaps it has a lot to do with the often brutal abrupt interruptions to the comfort and security of familiarity. Be it pleasant or unpleasant, there’s something about humanity’s expectation of normal that enables us to resign to a certain sense of contentment. Some might call it the spirit of survival or resilience.

Pass the mic and every one of us could undoubtedly recite times of suffering some kinda personal tragedy, un-relentless abuse, myriad temptations, bona fide threats through which we’ve already come. But almost as fluently, we can enumerate with timeless ecstacy those experiences where closed gates were opened before us, night weeping gave way to the morning joy, mourning bowed to dancing and desperation succumbed to determination. And yet life goes on!

As children of faith we must recognize that wherever we are, we’re never alone! God has planted us there not to die, but to grow through our wildernesses. As we learn to trust and confidently submit to His Will, GOD gives us Grace to come out better and not bitter, stronger and wiser and with a new life-giving, soul-stirring, encouraging, strengthening, empowering—“COME SEE WHAT THE LORD HAS DONE!” testimony!

Nevertheless, we, God’s Chosen, continue in hope for that time when happiness is unchanging, fear and doubt is terminated, and the foreboding darkness is consumed by the all encompassing Eternal Light of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

“This is the LORD’S doing; it is marvellous in our eyes. This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.” Psalm 118:23-24

IS THERE ANYBODY WHO AIN’T AFRAID TO ADMIT, “THERE HAVE BEEN TIMES, I ALMOST…BUT! I LIVED!”??? #bothhandsup, huh?

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

DISCOVERING GRACE!

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DISCOVERING GRACE 2

SELAH Daily Devotions!

There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. Ephesians 4:4-8

 

O MAN! Did we ever get that twisted. GRACE that is! Guilty! I remember it, just like Mama and probably her Mama and undoubtedly my own kids to theirs, asking, “DidjasayyourGrace?” God knows, we didn’t know! But now, knowing the true meaning and eternal value of GRACE, (God’s unmerited, unearned favor towards us) makes it even more OUTRAGEOUS, huh?

Today’s scripture text reveals that when Jesus conquered death, He ascended into Heaven, He sent back to us the Precious Gift of Holy Spirit to embody the Body of Christ (The Church), with everything we’d ever need to fulfill, not only our individual God-ordained purpose, but GOD’s Eternal Purpose in the earth—To colonize a God-Centered society giving Light and Light to a dark sin-filled world! Didjaknodat?

HOWEVRRRRR, even today, some believers act as if Grace is simply a free pass to continue in sin. Don’t shout me down now!!!

In essence, not only does such erroneous thinking normally lead to a life filled with continuous rebellion, it completely misrepresents and dishonors Christ Jesus’ Sacrifice on The Altar at Calvary. Grace is more aptly recognized as God’s Divine Enabling Power Gifts, which He has Sovereignly equipped those who have placed their personal faith in the finished WORK OF CHRIST, measuring out to each believer, according to their specific pre-ordained assignments in The Kingdom of God!

While there are a variety of spiritual giftings, every gift is vital to the health of The Body! Hence, jealousy, envy, covetous and certainly competitiveness between our brothers and sister’s gifts is uncharacteristically absurd for a Christian, considering the Source is the same for each gift, The Holy Spirit! (Ref. 1 Corinthians 12) After all, these gifts are not given for us to boast in ourselves, but to boost up and to glorify The Kingdom of Heaven in the earth! Of course, we must never negate the reality that the ground is completely level at the foot of The Cross! Hence, not one of us deserved  to be included in this AMAZING GIFT OF GRACE in the first place! #SERIOUSLY!!!

That’s why the scriptures warn us that The BookKeeper is keeping track of every deed that is done in our bodies and one day, we will all be judged for how we used our gifts to promote the advancement of The Kingdom of God to a lost and dying world! (Ref. 2 Corinthians 5:10)

Sounds to me like it’s a total abuse of time to engage in such  foolishness as bickering and complaining about what somebody else has or doesn’t and even more ridiculous, a wishin’ and hopin’ you had!  May I submit for your consideration? PERHAPS, your MOST valuable commodity aka, TIME,  might be more wisely appropriated diligently seeking to discover your own ultimate “WHY and WHAACHACOME HERE FOR!”  UR RIGHT! IT AIN’T NONE OF MY BUSINESS!!! #IJS!!!

IN OTHER WORDS, DISCOVER YOUR GRACE AND WORK IT!

SELAH!

Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!

Ann Caffee

IT’S ABOUT TIME

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ITZ ABOUT TIME 2

SELAH Daily Devotions!

“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Mark 8:36-37

 

“Time is filled with swift transition, Naught of earth unmoved can stand, Build your hopes on things eternal, Hold to God’s unchanging hand.” (saanngn yall)
 
Remember that one? It’s  the first verse to one of my favorite Gospel hymns (by Jennie Bain Wilson)! This song probes the core of every mortal’s soul provoking either aggravating or consoling intentional thought concerning its eternal destination.

While some would prefer to dismiss the  inevitable potency of its reality, there’s absolutely no escaping it. The most precious commodity in the earth is not silver, gold, oil or even real estate—BUT TIME!

This New Millennium Theology teaches “time is money”; but I beg to differ!

Time is much more valuable than mere mammon. Granted you’d probably never notice the slightest hint of this, given the media’s promotion of the extravagant lifestyles of the rich and famous; nevertheless, I think it not robbery to propose that if you’d ask any one of this world’s wealthiest man or woman,  retrospectfully glancing back over their life’s times achievements, how much they’d be willing to barter for one solitary moment of unrefined, unrequited love; one night of tranquil serene rest unhindered by foreboding betrayal; one day of normality without drug induced sense of well-being, many would ardently confess—“ALL…I’D GIVE UP ALL!”

Hence, that’s the crucible of every one of our lives! What makes life meaningful and more importantly what in this life that’s truly worth dying for?  “If in this life only we have hope, we are of all men most miserable.” 1 Corinthians 15:19.

But! Thanks Be To God! God is a Master Economist! He dispenses time and talents based on projected recompense. (Ref. Matthew 25:14-30) We have been given the gift of time called ‘TODAY’ to fulfill God’s Purpose for our lives, one day and one step at a time!

Someone once said (and I am not quoting) “The only thing that’s certain is uncertainty. Life is change and change is growth and growth is evolving into the ‘being’ that God has created in us”. 

Sounds like a wise person would count up the cost and build your life on things eternal, huh?

“For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21 
 
DON’T WASTE IT—LIVE LIFE TO LAST ETERNALLY! REMEMBER, IT’S ABOUT TIME!
 
SELAH!
 
Pause, Ponder, Pray & Praiz!
 
Ann Caffee

ETERNAL

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ETERNAL

SELAH Daily Devotions!

“Your kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, And Your dominion endures throughout all generations. The Lord upholds all who fall, And raises up all who are bowed down.” Psalm 145:13-14

Granted there is a certain degree of comforting consolation from King David’s lamenting songs, “For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” (Psalm 30:5),  unfortunately,  I dare say, there are some times when these words shriek hallow leaving our battle-wearied hearts to sigh “OH WHAT A NIGHT!”

Even though all the circumstantial evidence blaring in our faces might cause us to question internally; “God where are you? Don’t you see? Do you not understand; do you care?” , as born-again-baptised-believers, we must learn to walk by faith–not sight and certainly not our fickle feelings!  The whole point of having our Salvation Benefits Package is that despite of what it looks like in the natural, we yet have a HOPE that’s beyond this world. OUR GOD LIVES! OUR GOD Sees! OUR GOD Knows! OUR GOD Cares! #didjaheardat?

My Precious saints, it ‘s TRUE! Nevertheless, God does allow tests and trials to come into our lives. Not to tempt us to turn from HIM, but to train us to trust HIM! The Ol’ skool Mothers used to say “if you never had a problem, how would you know GOD COULD solve them?” While I’m totally convinced that The Sovereign God could’ve gotten HIS Purpose fulfilled without allowing me to go thru some of those desperate Baca places, the operative word is “thru”! In other words, this thing didn’t come to stay–it too shall pass!

All of our problems have a pre-designated expiration date—BUT GOD DOESN’T! THE I AM IS ETERNAL!

“For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Romans 8:18

While you’re meandering through your wilderness, pick up a few stones; as a personal memento when you get on the other side of it! Not just to remind yourself of what GOD can do; but to empower your witness to that sojourner you meet on their way in to where you’ve come out!

“HOLD TO GOD’S UNCHANGING HANDS! HE REIGNS FOREVER!”

SELAH!

“Have a WONDER-FILLED day!”

Ann Caffee

WHAT’S THE POINT?

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whatz the point

SELAH Daily Devotions!

“ I gathered me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces: I gat me men singers and women singers, and the delights of the sons of men, as musical instruments, and that of all sorts.
So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me. And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour.
Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.” Ecclesiastes 2:8-11

According to Biblical Historians, today’s scripture text was penned by the highly-acclaimed, wisest and wealthiest man in all of the known world, King Solomon! WOW! Here he is, King of the most powerful nation in the world during that time, Israel! The off-spring of Israel’s King, David, Solomon, having been hand-picked by GOD to carry on the lineage to The Seed promised to Abraham; privileged and honored to build The Temple where God promised to dwell in the midst of His people forever! I’d say King Solomon pretty much qualified as top-dog—back in dat day, huh?

The Bible tells of Solomon’s humble, earnest, passionate prayer of dedication of The Temple, that so touched the heart of God. He did not ask for wealth and fame, but for wisdom to lead God’s people in such a way that they would honor God before the other nations of the world. And because this prayer pleased God so much, God responded “I have given thee a wise and an understanding heart; so that there was none like thee before thee, neither after thee shall any arise like unto thee. And I have also given thee that which thou hast not asked, both riches, and honour; so that there shall not be any among the kings like unto thee all thy days. And if thou will walk in my ways, to keep my statues and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy day” (1 King 3:5-15)

SO, WHAT HAPPENED to cause the smartest, richest man in the world, to get to where we find him in Ecclesiastes?”

Apparently, Solomon came to a point in his life where he began to realize that none of the glitz and glamour of this world’s luxurious creature comforts that one might accumulate, could ever fill that God-size void in each of us. Unfortunately Solomon spent a life-time of pursuing and getting; yet not recognizing and understanding that the true value, wealth and treasure of what was right before his eyes. GOD!

WHAT’S THE POINT?

In all thy getting, get understanding! WITHOUT CHRIST—LIFE IS NOTHING!

SELAH!

“Have a WONDER-FILLED day!”

Ann Caffee

STAY IN TOUCH!

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STAY IN TOUCH

SELAH Daily Devotions!

“While he spake these things unto them, behold, there came a certain ruler, and worshipped him, saying, My daughter is even now dead: but come and lay thy hand upon her, and she shall live….And, behold, a woman, which was diseased with an issue of blood twelve years, came behind him, and touched the hem of his garment:For she said within herself, If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole….But when the people were put forth, he went in, and took her by the hand, and the maid arose.” Matthew 9:18, 20-21, 25

Sometimes, what you know doesn’t always get you where you want to go! Perhaps that’s why there’s so much emphasis placed on social networking today. You’d probably be amazed at how quickly certain doors that were once off-limits to you could now be opened to you, if you have the right connections, huh?

As it is in the natural, so it is in the spiritual, huh? According to today’s scripture text, one day a certain ruler came to Jesus standing in proxy for his daughter who had just died. Yet, despite of this tremendously desperate situation and the looming circumstantial evidence starring him in his face, taunting him to ‘just accept it’; it’s too late’, ‘you waited too long’; you might as well just accept the fact and go home and bury your baby gurl, the text says that this local official mounting up some audacious-faith, came bowing crying out to Jesus saying, “Jesus, if you would come to my house and simply touch my daughter, she will live!” Jesus recognizing that this man’s astonishing-faith expectantly looked beyond the natural, piercing through the impossible, grabbed hold to The Supernatural to acquire that which his heart desired. Jesus proceeded to follow the ruler home!

On their way, they passed a woman, suffering from a blood disease that literally left her leaking the very life out of her body, everyday for the past twelve years! Having heard that Jesus was close by, risking everything, including being stoned to death if she was exposed, she made her way through the crowd, determining in herself to get close enough to put her finger on Jesus’ Robe, knowing that her life would be restored. Jesus recognizing that certain faith-touch, and that corresponding pull on His Anointing, instantaneously released healing from His Being.

Jesus, glancing back over the huge gathering, fixed His eyes on this one woman, whose faith out-shined that of all the spectators, immediately began to comfort and encourage her to not be afraid! At that moment, The Great High Priest assured her that her courageous faith had made a Kingdom Connection. Hence, that which she had believed for, she’d become! Not only was she healed, she was made whole! (Ref. Hebrews 4:14)

Continuing on to Jairus’ house, pushing past the nay-sayers, the doubters, the unbelievers and the mockers, Jesus went to the young damsel’s bedside. Taking her hand gently, pulling her from the gripping clutches of death, He restores her to life! When the word of Jesus’ miraculous powers spread around town, it sent shock-waves of gossipers pouring through the streets and the surrounding regions proclaiming that The Kingdom of Heaven has come to dwell in the earth!

Be encouraged my precious ones! Regardless of what it looks like, despite how long you’ve had to endure this present situation, it’s just temporary! ( Ref. Romans 8:17-18) BUT JESUS IS NOT!

As fellow-partakers of the faith, “keep your focus on Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession”. (Ref. Hebrew 3:1)

GOD IS STILL LOOKING FOR THOSE WHO ARE WILLING TO STRETCH THEIR FAITH WELL BEYOND THAT WHICH CAN BE SEEN, HEARD AND EVEN IMAGINED! TOUCH THE HEART THE COMPASSIONATE SAVIOR! …STAY IN TOUCH!

SELAH!

“Have a WONDER-FILLED day!”

 Ann Caffee