"Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God." John 3:5
Nicodemus and Jesus had a conversation about the Kingdom of God and eternal life. Jesus made the criteria for entering in very clear to Nicodemus-- you must be born again. Jesus didn't tell him you must join the church, you must become a church member, you must be baptized, you must be religious, you must do this or that work. He told him you have to be "born into the Kingdom" through the process of the new birth- you don't just work hard enough to get in.
When I was growing up, my sister, brother and I had friends and cousins that would come to our house. It didn't matter how often them came, how many times they sat around our table and ate, it didn't matter how many nights they stayed there or how long they stayed, it didn't matter that they felt at home and didn't want to leave, they were not a member of our family. They never would be unless my parents adopted them.
Just because you go to God's house doesn't make you His child any more than the friends that visited us made them my daddy's child. Sadly, we think it does. Nicodemus thought this way and Jesus scolded, and corrected, him about it. Nicodemus was religious, was in church all the time, and he was a teacher/leader in church. (Jesus even repeated it twice for him.)
I think it needs to be repeated for us again today. We need to be told again that we must be born again if we want to enter into God's Kingdom and have the gift of eternal life. To try to enter into His Kingdom and become a member of His family any other way than through "The Way"- new birth which comes through faith in Jesus Christ- is not possible. You will never be good enough or do enough good works or religious deeds, and you will be considered a thief trying to jump over the fence and break in.
To enter in you have to be born in-- are you? Or are you just religious? Are you just a "church goer"? Are you a part of God's family or just part of a religious organization? A member of a local church but not a member of the family of God?
Have a great day. To live in God's house for eternity, you have to be born into His family.
For further reading:
John 3:1-17
Ephesians 2:8,9
Titus 3:5
Galatians 2:16
John 10:1; 14:6
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org
You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
Monday, February 20, 2012
"Strength For Heaviness"
"My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word." Psalm 119:28
The word heaviness is translated- heaviness, grief, sorrow. There are many things that can cause grief, sorrow and heaviness. The loss of a loved one; shattered dreams; hope deferred; betrayal by someone you trusted; rejection by a friend; broken promises; the weight of responsibilities; burdens of caring for others; addictions; the loss of a job; failing health; a bad report and the list goes on. They come from many different sources, in many different ways and usually without warning. Our day can start off with joy but end in sorrow. None of us are exempt- rich or poor, black or white, young or old. The situations of life that bring grief, heaviness and sorrow are not a respecter of persons- they come to us all.
If I stopped here this morning, this word would bring sorrow to our hearts because it would leave us without any hope in those times. But the good news is- there is hope. There is hope and help for us in those times. There is a way for us to be strengthened during times of heaviness and sorrow. That strength and help doesn't come through worldly means. It doesn't come through the government. It doesn't come through our employer, through the welfare system, through the doctor, through the banker or the lawyer. The help and strength that we need to make it through those times, and even be victorious in them, comes through God's word.
God's word is the only true, unfailing source of strength to make it through the times that try mens' souls. We find encouragement, grace, help, health, direction, comfort and joy within its pages. We find God's promises to be with us, to direct us through, to guide us, to not forsake us and to meet our need when we walk through the places that bring heaviness, sorrow and grief. "Yea, through I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me." (Psalm 23:4)
Is your soul in sorrow this morning? Are you under a burden of heaviness? Are you suffering grief over a loss? The strength that you need to make it through can be found in God's word-- it is your strength. Hold to it tightly.
Have a great day. When heaviness, grief or sorrow hit your life, God's word will give you strength.
For further reading:
Psalm 23
Hebrews 13:5
Psalm 119:81; 116
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org
You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.
The word heaviness is translated- heaviness, grief, sorrow. There are many things that can cause grief, sorrow and heaviness. The loss of a loved one; shattered dreams; hope deferred; betrayal by someone you trusted; rejection by a friend; broken promises; the weight of responsibilities; burdens of caring for others; addictions; the loss of a job; failing health; a bad report and the list goes on. They come from many different sources, in many different ways and usually without warning. Our day can start off with joy but end in sorrow. None of us are exempt- rich or poor, black or white, young or old. The situations of life that bring grief, heaviness and sorrow are not a respecter of persons- they come to us all.
If I stopped here this morning, this word would bring sorrow to our hearts because it would leave us without any hope in those times. But the good news is- there is hope. There is hope and help for us in those times. There is a way for us to be strengthened during times of heaviness and sorrow. That strength and help doesn't come through worldly means. It doesn't come through the government. It doesn't come through our employer, through the welfare system, through the doctor, through the banker or the lawyer. The help and strength that we need to make it through those times, and even be victorious in them, comes through God's word.
God's word is the only true, unfailing source of strength to make it through the times that try mens' souls. We find encouragement, grace, help, health, direction, comfort and joy within its pages. We find God's promises to be with us, to direct us through, to guide us, to not forsake us and to meet our need when we walk through the places that bring heaviness, sorrow and grief. "Yea, through I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me." (Psalm 23:4)
Is your soul in sorrow this morning? Are you under a burden of heaviness? Are you suffering grief over a loss? The strength that you need to make it through can be found in God's word-- it is your strength. Hold to it tightly.
Have a great day. When heaviness, grief or sorrow hit your life, God's word will give you strength.
For further reading:
Psalm 23
Hebrews 13:5
Psalm 119:81; 116
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org
You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.
Friday, February 17, 2012
"Which Way? - Part 2"
"And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints." Revelation 15:3
In the story of Alice In Wonderland, Alice has an encounter with "The Queen". She soon discovered, as she is trying to find her "way" back home, that she has "no way" because "all ways are The Queen's Way". And if you are familiar with the story you discovered that The Queen loved enforcing her authority, she was always right (even when she was wrong), she was hot-tempered, easily angered and she had a favorite saying, "Off with their head". She had no kindness or compassion. She was always "out for blood". She rejoiced in and enjoyed pronouncing judgment upon anyone who did not agree with her completely. She had "a way" all right-- her way was one of judgment without any mercy.
I brought this up because yesterday in our devotional, we talked about following and yielding to God's way. What is God's way? It certainly is not like "The Queen's Way". Don't misunderstand, He is a God of judgment. One day all mankind will stand before Him and He will be The Judge. But He is a God who loves mercy more than He loves judgment. He loves to show mercy to those who come to Him. He loves to bestow His grace upon us. He delights in loving us. He proved this through His Son Jesus when He sent Him to earth to pay the penalty for our sins.
The Queen's way (as is most people's way) is to delight in judgment without mercy-- we want people to get what they deserve. That is our way of doing things. But God's way is to show loving-kindness and tender mercies to those who don't deserve it and to those who are truly guilty. If that is you, God is not screaming for your head this morning. He is not eager to judge you. He does not want you destroyed. He does not delight in punishing you. On the contrary He desires to love you, forgive you, show you mercy, wrap you in His love and withhold judgment. And His provision to do so came through His Son Jesus. He has been patiently waiting for you, will you come to Him today.
Have a great day. God's way is the way of mercy, grace and love.
For further reading:
John 3:16,17
Ezekiel 33:11
Romans 5:8
Nehemiah 9:31
Psalm 103:8
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org
You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.
In the story of Alice In Wonderland, Alice has an encounter with "The Queen". She soon discovered, as she is trying to find her "way" back home, that she has "no way" because "all ways are The Queen's Way". And if you are familiar with the story you discovered that The Queen loved enforcing her authority, she was always right (even when she was wrong), she was hot-tempered, easily angered and she had a favorite saying, "Off with their head". She had no kindness or compassion. She was always "out for blood". She rejoiced in and enjoyed pronouncing judgment upon anyone who did not agree with her completely. She had "a way" all right-- her way was one of judgment without any mercy.
I brought this up because yesterday in our devotional, we talked about following and yielding to God's way. What is God's way? It certainly is not like "The Queen's Way". Don't misunderstand, He is a God of judgment. One day all mankind will stand before Him and He will be The Judge. But He is a God who loves mercy more than He loves judgment. He loves to show mercy to those who come to Him. He loves to bestow His grace upon us. He delights in loving us. He proved this through His Son Jesus when He sent Him to earth to pay the penalty for our sins.
The Queen's way (as is most people's way) is to delight in judgment without mercy-- we want people to get what they deserve. That is our way of doing things. But God's way is to show loving-kindness and tender mercies to those who don't deserve it and to those who are truly guilty. If that is you, God is not screaming for your head this morning. He is not eager to judge you. He does not want you destroyed. He does not delight in punishing you. On the contrary He desires to love you, forgive you, show you mercy, wrap you in His love and withhold judgment. And His provision to do so came through His Son Jesus. He has been patiently waiting for you, will you come to Him today.
Have a great day. God's way is the way of mercy, grace and love.
For further reading:
John 3:16,17
Ezekiel 33:11
Romans 5:8
Nehemiah 9:31
Psalm 103:8
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org
You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.
Thursday, February 16, 2012
"Which Way?"
"I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes." Psalm 119:26
There are two ways: my/our way or God's way. The two are not the same. Our way leads to destruction. It is the way of darkness and confusion. Our way leads us down a path of grief and sorrow. It is not the way of life. Our way may seem like the right way, but at the end we discover death. This is why we are told not to lean to our own understanding but in all our ways to acknowledge the Lord and He will direct our way. God's ways lead to health, peace, prosperity, abundant life and eternal life. It is the way of light and rest.
When we use the word "way", we are talking about two things. The first means the path or direction you are going. For example, you can either be going the wrong or right way- in the right or wrong direction. You can either be on the way that is straight and narrow and leads to life or on the broad and wide way that leads to destruction. The second meaning deals with the method you are using. You can either be doing things your way or God's way.
Jonah is a prime example of both. He took the way (path) to Joppa instead of going the direction to Nineveh like the Lord had commanded him. And he wanted to do things his way (method), which was not go to Nineveh- he thought it would be better if judgment fell on them. He is also a perfect example of the result of doing things our own way and going in our own direction.
This morning, whose way are you on? Are you walking on God's path- the path of freedom, joy, obedience, grace? Or are you walking on your own path- the path of heartache, confusion, disobedience, fear? Also, whose way are you living by- yours or God's? Are you doing things His way or your own way? Are you leaning to your own understanding or following His guidance and word? The choice of which direction (way) you are going to go and which way (plan) you are going to follow is up to you. If you want life you will choose God's way to walk on and His way of doing things. If you want misery and death then choose to keep going your own direction and doing things your own way.
Have a great day. Whose way you are going to follow? Your way or God's way?
For further reading:
Proverbs 16:25: 3:5,6; 14:12
Matthew 7:13,14
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org
You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.
There are two ways: my/our way or God's way. The two are not the same. Our way leads to destruction. It is the way of darkness and confusion. Our way leads us down a path of grief and sorrow. It is not the way of life. Our way may seem like the right way, but at the end we discover death. This is why we are told not to lean to our own understanding but in all our ways to acknowledge the Lord and He will direct our way. God's ways lead to health, peace, prosperity, abundant life and eternal life. It is the way of light and rest.
When we use the word "way", we are talking about two things. The first means the path or direction you are going. For example, you can either be going the wrong or right way- in the right or wrong direction. You can either be on the way that is straight and narrow and leads to life or on the broad and wide way that leads to destruction. The second meaning deals with the method you are using. You can either be doing things your way or God's way.
Jonah is a prime example of both. He took the way (path) to Joppa instead of going the direction to Nineveh like the Lord had commanded him. And he wanted to do things his way (method), which was not go to Nineveh- he thought it would be better if judgment fell on them. He is also a perfect example of the result of doing things our own way and going in our own direction.
This morning, whose way are you on? Are you walking on God's path- the path of freedom, joy, obedience, grace? Or are you walking on your own path- the path of heartache, confusion, disobedience, fear? Also, whose way are you living by- yours or God's? Are you doing things His way or your own way? Are you leaning to your own understanding or following His guidance and word? The choice of which direction (way) you are going to go and which way (plan) you are going to follow is up to you. If you want life you will choose God's way to walk on and His way of doing things. If you want misery and death then choose to keep going your own direction and doing things your own way.
Have a great day. Whose way you are going to follow? Your way or God's way?
For further reading:
Proverbs 16:25: 3:5,6; 14:12
Matthew 7:13,14
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org
You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
"Yes, You Can"
"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Philippians 4:13
The words "I can't" should not be in the Christian vocabulary. True enough there is nothing we "can" do without the Lord. Even Jesus said that He could do nothing on His own without the Father. On our own we are not strong enough, wise enough or capable enough to do anything. But the key to doing "all things" is "through Christ".
When our lives are in Christ, we can do all things-- there is nothing we can't do. Why? Because the same power that raised Jesus from the dead lives in us. Because His love is shed throughout our hearts. Because His strengthen is perfected in our weakness. Because He makes a way even when there seems to be no way. Because His grace is sufficient. Because He fights our battles for us. Because He goes before us making crooked ways straight. Moses thought he couldn't do what God called him to do- which was to go to Pharaoh and tell him to let God's people go. Why? His excuse was because he stuttered. Wrong, yes, he could because God would send him someone to speak as his voice- Aaron.
We can't give God any good reason why we "can't" do what He has called us to do. If we say the sea stands in the way-- He can part the sea. If we say we aren't strong even-- He will give us strength. If we say we don't have the resources-- He can put money in the fish's mouth. If we say we don't have enough-- He can multiply the loaves and fish. If we say we aren't educated enough-- He can send a child to lead us.
The reason I said earlier that "the words 'I can't' should not be in the Christian vocabulary" is because first- it is not true. And secondly- God knows how to remove "can't" out of the equation and make it possible for you to do it. He can put the "I can" in it.
Have a great day. We can never truthfully say "I can't" because with God we always can.
For further reading:
John 5:30; 9:33; 15:5
2 Timothy 4:17
Psalm 138:8
Romans 8:11; 5:5
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org
You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.
The words "I can't" should not be in the Christian vocabulary. True enough there is nothing we "can" do without the Lord. Even Jesus said that He could do nothing on His own without the Father. On our own we are not strong enough, wise enough or capable enough to do anything. But the key to doing "all things" is "through Christ".
When our lives are in Christ, we can do all things-- there is nothing we can't do. Why? Because the same power that raised Jesus from the dead lives in us. Because His love is shed throughout our hearts. Because His strengthen is perfected in our weakness. Because He makes a way even when there seems to be no way. Because His grace is sufficient. Because He fights our battles for us. Because He goes before us making crooked ways straight. Moses thought he couldn't do what God called him to do- which was to go to Pharaoh and tell him to let God's people go. Why? His excuse was because he stuttered. Wrong, yes, he could because God would send him someone to speak as his voice- Aaron.
We can't give God any good reason why we "can't" do what He has called us to do. If we say the sea stands in the way-- He can part the sea. If we say we aren't strong even-- He will give us strength. If we say we don't have the resources-- He can put money in the fish's mouth. If we say we don't have enough-- He can multiply the loaves and fish. If we say we aren't educated enough-- He can send a child to lead us.
The reason I said earlier that "the words 'I can't' should not be in the Christian vocabulary" is because first- it is not true. And secondly- God knows how to remove "can't" out of the equation and make it possible for you to do it. He can put the "I can" in it.
Have a great day. We can never truthfully say "I can't" because with God we always can.
For further reading:
John 5:30; 9:33; 15:5
2 Timothy 4:17
Psalm 138:8
Romans 8:11; 5:5
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org
You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)