Tag Archives: tribulations

COURAGE!!!

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courage

SELAH Daily Devotions!

So do not throw away your confidence, it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. Hebrews 10:35-36

I believe that most of us remember The Wizard of Oz, right? If not, perhaps you’re familiar with Michael Jackson’s rendition of the 1939 Classic, The Oz! Aahhhh!, the gathering of the ‘least of the likelies’, comrades in arms unified by one common denominator! They each had a need that could only be fulfilled by the same source! Dorothy and Toto wanted to get back home to Kansas; The Tin Man wanted a heart; The Scarecrow wanted a brain and The Lion wanted some courage! Now, forgive me if I’m infringing upon the sanctity of the religiously sanctimonious. But! Guess that’s how I’m wired, huh? When I look at The Body of Christ, I see certain similarities between us and them!

C’mon now! You gotta admit, looking around the sanctuary on any given Sunday Morning, that it’s uncomfortably obvious that God’s perception of Footmen in The Army of the Lord destined to dominate the systems of this world, contrasts profusely from those that human wisdom and intellect would nominate! Hence, I stand eternally grateful, with both hands raised high in the air, that God saw fit to choose such a wreak like I to be a part of His Family! So I’m totally convinced that God indeed does have a sense of humor!

Nevertheless, “For ye see your calling, brethren, how that not many wise men after the flesh, not many mighty, not many noble, are called:”! 1 Corinthians 1:26

The Sovereign Creator and Lord of Life individually hand-picked us out from amongst an unusual conglomerate of ethnic, intellectual, social, financial and spiritual backgrounds. I would imagine, that since He ia Alpha and Omega, being fully aware of not just the common need (A SAVIOR) but also the gi-normous potential of resounding Glory that would resonate throughout the universes as we’re being made holy (HOLY SPIRIT) was too much to resist, therefore motivated Him to draw some of us, huh?

I mean who would’ve thought YOU would be saved, sanctified and serving The Lord with all of your heart, mind, body, soul and spirit…everyday? #4REAL! #ijs

Howeverrrr, contrary to the world’s notion, saints ain’t no chumps! It takes tremendous strength, fortitude and determination to walk worthy of this calling! Those who’ve walked with God for any length of time, know that even after we’ve confessed our faith in The Lord Jesus Christ, you can’t expect that deceitful devil to wave a white flag, pat you on the back and throw you a retirement party! In fact, for lack of a better word, he is committed to tearing down The Kingdom of God, one soul at a time.

Nevertheless, every Blood-washed, born-again child of The Most High God must be armed with the same mindset that Jesus had! (Ref. 1 Corinthians 2:16) Just as sure as there is an enemy determined to destroy you, you have The True and Living God, Who has sworn by Godself, to always cause you to be victorious!(Ref. 2 Corinthians 2:14)

Oh, and don’t forget as you wield The Sword of The Spirit, (THE WORD) it comes alive, releasing supernatural power to rebuke threats and pull down the strongholds of your enemies, unmercifully! If he is bold enough to raise his ugly head above your feet, because you are IN Christ, you have been authorized and empowered to step on his throat and cut off his head!

Lastly, always be aware of the enemies attempt to strip away your confidence and trust in God by manipulating the circumstances thru FEAR (FALSE EVIDENCE APPEARING REAL)! Anything that the devil says is a lie! (Ref. John 8:44) Satan ain’t GOD and he certainly ain’t running nothing! The only reason he even showed up is because God allowed him to tempt you to test your faith! (Ref. Job 1:8) WOW! #Didjaheardat?

Precious ones, don’t abandon your confidence in The Faithfulness of Your Heavenly Father! Trust to know, God’s Love will never abandon those who will persevere, enduring the stress and hardships of being aliens of this fallen world! (Ref. Hebrew 13:5) What’s coming is so much greater than what’s been! (Ref. Romans 8:18)

Be encouraged Believer! It’s through much tribulation that we enter into The Kingdom of God!’ (Ref. Acts 14:22) Remember, Beloved, we’re not home! Yet clothed in Hope of The Celestial City awaiting, we forge courageously Heavenward to be united Eternally with our King!

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

 

THE PERFECT STORM

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THE PERFECT STORM 2

SELAH Daily Devotions!

 

“One thing have I desired of the Lord, that will I seek after; that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the Lord, and to enquire in his temple. For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.” Psalm 27:4-5

 

Aaawwwww…Fantasy! Believe it or not, that’s where many escape to when the painful realities of life become much more than a person can bear. Perhaps, this might explain why that 1965 Classic American Sitcom “I Dream of Genie” (staring Barbara Eden and Larry Hagman) drew such a faithful following!

Week after week families gathered around their b/w TV’s anxiously gasping for any momentary retreat from the real-time burdens facing our nation. I mean who wouldn’t jump at the opportunity to have anything their heart desired suddenly appear simply by swiping a lamp, right?  Yep, those were the good ol’ days, huh?

History records President Lyndon B. Johnson struggling to lead the nation through a multiplicity of vexing controversial challenges and at the same time maintain some semblance of the homeland security that many cleaved to so dearly.

Remember, The First Combat Boots landing in Viet Nam and the Dominican Republic, the arrest of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King along with 2,600 others in Selma Alabama for demonstrating against voter-registration rules. Malcom X was shot to death in a Harlem rally, while the newly recognized Afro-Americans were rioting in Watts and others were rudely awakened to the undeniable existence of racism in The Land of the Free? Yep! Yep! #thoseweredadays!

The point is, despite the torrid winds of time, we survived!

Truthfully, as long as we live and breathe on this earth, there will be storms of adversity. In today’s scripture text, the Psalmist offers a brilliant ray of confident hope, strength and encouragement to those who yet contend for the faith found only in an intimate personal relationship with The God of all flesh.

Having been victimized by jealously, hatred and malicious rejection from those closes to him on numerous occasions, David sticks out in history as a true, honest, God-revealing companion to the desperate and down casts. A recap of God’s servant’s life depicts one who repeatedly finds himself besieged by fear, doubt, betrayal, death and isolation from human kindness. Yet in the midst of chaos, terror and tragedy, The Shepherd boy/King, David discovers the Source of true solace under the watchful care of His Sovereign Lord!

Beloved, we’re living in a day in time where it’s easy to get caught up in the daily grind of hussle and bustle, striving for the world’s standards of successful accomplishments and accommodations! However,  in spite of those poignant pathetic prophetic voices declaring peace and prosperity, sometimes we are left trembling and shaken by the inscrutable ungodliness of the systems of this world!

Nevertheless, if we keep our eyes pointed Heavenward, we too can be blessed, revitalized and restored by that Peace that passes all understanding, swept over by the unspeakable joy and resting assured in the Presence of the One Savior and Lord that David delighted in, Jesus Christ!  THE PERFECT ANSWER TO THE PERFECT STORM!

SELAH!
 
PAUSE, PONDER, PRAY & PRAIZ!
 
Ann Caffee