"And David enquired at the Lord, saying, Shall I pursue after this troop? shall I overtake them? And he answered him, Pursue: for thou shalt surely overtake them, and without fail recover all." 1 Samuel 30:8
When David and his men returned to Ziklag, they discovered that the enemy had come and destroyed their homes and taken their families captive. There were two things that David did in his time of trial that I want to address this morning.
When the enemy is attacking, when you are being tormented in soul, when sin is waging war against you, when you feel as if you can't keep going on and all hope is gone, it is not a time to sit down, give up or do nothing. There comes a time when you have to do the same two things that David when he was under attack.
The first thing he did was encourage himself in the Lord. "And David was greatly distressed... but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God." (1 Samuel 30:6) It may seem as though God is no where around. You may feel as if He has abandoned you. You may feel as if He is angry with you and has stopped listening to your cries. You may even feel that this is His fault and that He has not been faithful to His promise to you. If you are feeling that way- stop! Instead, encourage yourself in Him- in who He is, in His character, in His promises. Seek Him as did David. He has not abandoned nor forsaken you. He has not shut His ears to your cries, His eyes are still upon you, His hand is still outstretched to save you.
The second thing David did was to pursue. You must do the same- pursue! Get up, stop feeling sorry for yourself, stop sitting there with a defeated attitude, don't give up! There comes a time when we must do battle against the enemy that is warring against our soul. The kingdom of heaven suffers violence and the violent take it by force. We have been equipped for battle with full armor. We have the Spirit of God to lead us into battle strategies. We have already been promised victory because Jesus already won the victory.
When David faced his greatest trial, he could have given up and given in, but he went before God and then he went after the enemy. It was not a time to do nothing, but a time to do battle. Too often we give up too easily against the enemy. We have laid down our battle array. We have allowed those fiery darts to defeat us and have not even raised a finger to do anything about it. If this is you this morning, get up. Put on your battle attire and pursue. Go to the enemy's camp and take back what he has stolen from you.
Have a great day. There comes a time when you have to get violent with the enemy of your soul and take back what he has stolen.
For further reading:
Ephesians 6:10-17
1 Samuel 30
Matthew 11:12
1 John 5:4
2 Corinthians 4:10
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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.
Please remember to give credit to
About the Master's Business Ministry.
Take time to visit our on-line Christian magazine and blogs.
http://livingstonesmagazine.homestead.com
Monday, February 28, 2011
Friday, February 25, 2011
"What's Your Name?"
"There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores." Luke 16:19, 20
In this story of the rich man who went to hell and Lazarus who went to heaven, it should be noted that Jesus gave the name of one man and didn't the other. The wicked man was not given a name, but the one who was righteous was. Those who are born again, are born into the family of God, and God their heavenly Father knows there name. Those who are not born again are not His children, therefore He does not know their name.
When this life is over, it will come down to one thing- does He know your name? We think it is all about us knowing Him but when we really "know" Him- not just know about Him, not just know facts, figures and trivia questions about Him, not just know that He does exist- He will know us too. It will be about whether He knows us or not. This is not just knowledge concerning Him, but this is knowing Him in relationship- on an intimate level. "Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." (Matthew 7:22,23)
Does He know you? Does He know you by name? Are you in an intimate relationship with Him? When the Book of Life is open, will He have trouble finding your name because He doesn't know it? He won't know it if you are not having a relationship with Him. How do we have that relationship with Him? Through His Son Jesus. "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name." (John 1:12)
Have a great day. Strangers don't know your name, but those who are in a relationship with you do.
For further reading:
Luke 16:19-31
Revelation 20:12
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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.
Please remember to give credit to
About the Master's Business Ministry.
Take time to visit our on-line Christian magazine and blogs.
http://livingstonesmagazine.homestead.com
In this story of the rich man who went to hell and Lazarus who went to heaven, it should be noted that Jesus gave the name of one man and didn't the other. The wicked man was not given a name, but the one who was righteous was. Those who are born again, are born into the family of God, and God their heavenly Father knows there name. Those who are not born again are not His children, therefore He does not know their name.
When this life is over, it will come down to one thing- does He know your name? We think it is all about us knowing Him but when we really "know" Him- not just know about Him, not just know facts, figures and trivia questions about Him, not just know that He does exist- He will know us too. It will be about whether He knows us or not. This is not just knowledge concerning Him, but this is knowing Him in relationship- on an intimate level. "Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." (Matthew 7:22,23)
Does He know you? Does He know you by name? Are you in an intimate relationship with Him? When the Book of Life is open, will He have trouble finding your name because He doesn't know it? He won't know it if you are not having a relationship with Him. How do we have that relationship with Him? Through His Son Jesus. "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name." (John 1:12)
Have a great day. Strangers don't know your name, but those who are in a relationship with you do.
For further reading:
Luke 16:19-31
Revelation 20:12
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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.
Please remember to give credit to
About the Master's Business Ministry.
Take time to visit our on-line Christian magazine and blogs.
http://livingstonesmagazine.homestead.com
Thursday, February 24, 2011
"Questioning God"
"And Joshua said, Alas, O Lord God, wherefore hast thou at all brought this people over Jordan, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us? would to God we had been content, and dwelt on the other side Jordan!" Joshua 7:7
I grew up being taught that you don't question God. You just accept whatever comes your way and trust Him in spite of it. To question shows lack of faith and disrespect. And besides, who are you to question God? I have since learned that it is actually all right to question Him. He even invites us to come and "reason together with Him".
If you look throughout the scriptures, the Patriarchs and many great men and women of God questioned. Mary the mother of Jesus questioned- not what God was doing- but how she could have a baby since she had not been with a man. The disciples were always questioning Jesus about what He was doing and why.
There are questions and then there are questions. Some questions are to gain knowledge simply because we don't understand. It is all right to ask those questions and it is all right to inquire of the Lord for guidance and direction. But then there are questions that are accusing of who God is and what He is doing. Those are the ones that we have been taught not to ask. But this morning I want to clarify that we can ask those questions. If we are confused by something; if we think that the Lord is behind it; if we think He is doing this or that to us; then we actually need to ask and question Him.
Joshua thought that the Lord had turned on them and given them over to their enemy so he questioned God in a accusing fashion- "Why have You brought us here to destroy us?" Did God rebuke Joshua? Did He punish or kill him for asking? No, He gave him his answer. The enemy would have us keep quiet and keep our questions to ourselves- but never "question" God. Had Joshua not questioned he would have never discovered the reason for their defeat. Once he questioned, God told him that there was "sin in the camp". Through his questioning the answer to the problem was revealed and Joshua then corrected the situation.
God wants us to be honest with Him, even if it means we question, because it is through our questions that He can give us the answer and the solution.
Have a great day. If you don't understand, it is all right to question God.
For further reading:
Joshua 7
Isaiah 1:18
Luke 1:34
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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.
Please remember to give credit to
About the Master's Business Ministry.
Take time to visit our on-line Christian magazine and blogs.
http://livingstonesmagazine.homestead.com
I grew up being taught that you don't question God. You just accept whatever comes your way and trust Him in spite of it. To question shows lack of faith and disrespect. And besides, who are you to question God? I have since learned that it is actually all right to question Him. He even invites us to come and "reason together with Him".
If you look throughout the scriptures, the Patriarchs and many great men and women of God questioned. Mary the mother of Jesus questioned- not what God was doing- but how she could have a baby since she had not been with a man. The disciples were always questioning Jesus about what He was doing and why.
There are questions and then there are questions. Some questions are to gain knowledge simply because we don't understand. It is all right to ask those questions and it is all right to inquire of the Lord for guidance and direction. But then there are questions that are accusing of who God is and what He is doing. Those are the ones that we have been taught not to ask. But this morning I want to clarify that we can ask those questions. If we are confused by something; if we think that the Lord is behind it; if we think He is doing this or that to us; then we actually need to ask and question Him.
Joshua thought that the Lord had turned on them and given them over to their enemy so he questioned God in a accusing fashion- "Why have You brought us here to destroy us?" Did God rebuke Joshua? Did He punish or kill him for asking? No, He gave him his answer. The enemy would have us keep quiet and keep our questions to ourselves- but never "question" God. Had Joshua not questioned he would have never discovered the reason for their defeat. Once he questioned, God told him that there was "sin in the camp". Through his questioning the answer to the problem was revealed and Joshua then corrected the situation.
God wants us to be honest with Him, even if it means we question, because it is through our questions that He can give us the answer and the solution.
Have a great day. If you don't understand, it is all right to question God.
For further reading:
Joshua 7
Isaiah 1:18
Luke 1:34
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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.
Please remember to give credit to
About the Master's Business Ministry.
Take time to visit our on-line Christian magazine and blogs.
http://livingstonesmagazine.homestead.com
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
"He Overcame"
"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." John 16:33
"I have overcome the world." When Jesus walked the earth as a man, He faced the same temptations we face. He was tempted in every area we are tempted- the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life. He was tempted to hold grudges, receive offense, give in to bitterness, be unforgiving. He was tempted to gossip and talk about others. He was tempted to follow His own desires. There was no area that He wasn't tempted in.
Yet in the times of temptation He did not yield to the temptations. He did not give in to them. He, at the cross, became sin but He knew no sin. He did not know it from first hand experience. Reason number one is because He was born sinless. Reason number two was because He never gave into sin's temptations- He did not indulge in sin.
That is good news for us! He overcame showing us that it can be done. He overcame and then left us the example to follow so that we can overcome. He overcame and left us His Spirit and His word to show us how He did it. He overcame and left His victory with us so that we can overcome. Remember the next time that you are tempted that Jesus has already gotten the victory for you in all areas and you do not have to give into sin. "Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world." (John 4:4)
Have a great day. He overcame the temptations of sin and through Him so can we.
For further reading:
1 John 2:16; 3:5
1 Peter 2:21-24
1 Corinthians 15:57
Hebrews 4:15
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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.
Please remember to give credit to
About the Master's Business Ministry.
Take time to visit our on-line Christian magazine and blogs.
http://livingstonesmagazine.homestead.com
"I have overcome the world." When Jesus walked the earth as a man, He faced the same temptations we face. He was tempted in every area we are tempted- the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh and the pride of life. He was tempted to hold grudges, receive offense, give in to bitterness, be unforgiving. He was tempted to gossip and talk about others. He was tempted to follow His own desires. There was no area that He wasn't tempted in.
Yet in the times of temptation He did not yield to the temptations. He did not give in to them. He, at the cross, became sin but He knew no sin. He did not know it from first hand experience. Reason number one is because He was born sinless. Reason number two was because He never gave into sin's temptations- He did not indulge in sin.
That is good news for us! He overcame showing us that it can be done. He overcame and then left us the example to follow so that we can overcome. He overcame and left us His Spirit and His word to show us how He did it. He overcame and left His victory with us so that we can overcome. Remember the next time that you are tempted that Jesus has already gotten the victory for you in all areas and you do not have to give into sin. "Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world." (John 4:4)
Have a great day. He overcame the temptations of sin and through Him so can we.
For further reading:
1 John 2:16; 3:5
1 Peter 2:21-24
1 Corinthians 15:57
Hebrews 4:15
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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.
Please remember to give credit to
About the Master's Business Ministry.
Take time to visit our on-line Christian magazine and blogs.
http://livingstonesmagazine.homestead.com
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
"Renewed In Hearing"
"Therefore it is come to pass, that as he cried, and they would not hear; so they cried, and I would not hear, saith the Lord of hosts." Zechariah 7:13
We say we want to hear from the Lord, but do we really? How many times has the Lord spoken to your heart but you ignored what He said or pretended that you did not hear? Eight different times in His earthly ministry Jesus admonished the people to "have ears to hear". I thought it was interesting that He used that same phrase eight times- the number eight represents new beginnings; newness. (I see a message within His message to "have ears to hear".)
The Lord desires to speak to His people, and we need to learn how to listen and heed what He is saying. When He speaks, it is for our good- even when He says something that we don't necessarily want to hear. God always has a reason for everything He says.
But also, hearing what He is saying when you are going through a difficult time is like a breath of fresh air- it gives renewed hope, renewed faith, renewed peace and renewed strength. When David and his men arrived at Ziklag and found their homes destroyed and families gone, they were so distressed that they cried until they couldn't cry any more. David went before the Lord and sought for a word from Him. The Lord spoke to David and gave Him instructions concerning what he should do in this situation. After David heard from the Lord his strength and hope was renewed and he went forth and regained all that the enemy had stolen.
When we hear from the Lord in the problems that we face, there is something that happens in us- that something is a renewing of hope that says it is possible; a renewed faith that cries out, "this is not impossible for God"; a renewed strength to stand firm and not wavier; a renewed peace that all is well because He is with me; and a renewed joy to continue on.
Have a great day. Hear what He is saying, there is something "new" attached to it.
For further reading:
1 Samuel 30
Matthew 11:15; 13:43
Luke 5:4-6
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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.
Please remember to give credit to
About the Master's Business Ministry.
Take time to visit our on-line Christian magazine and blogs.
http://livingstonesmagazine.homestead.com
We say we want to hear from the Lord, but do we really? How many times has the Lord spoken to your heart but you ignored what He said or pretended that you did not hear? Eight different times in His earthly ministry Jesus admonished the people to "have ears to hear". I thought it was interesting that He used that same phrase eight times- the number eight represents new beginnings; newness. (I see a message within His message to "have ears to hear".)
The Lord desires to speak to His people, and we need to learn how to listen and heed what He is saying. When He speaks, it is for our good- even when He says something that we don't necessarily want to hear. God always has a reason for everything He says.
But also, hearing what He is saying when you are going through a difficult time is like a breath of fresh air- it gives renewed hope, renewed faith, renewed peace and renewed strength. When David and his men arrived at Ziklag and found their homes destroyed and families gone, they were so distressed that they cried until they couldn't cry any more. David went before the Lord and sought for a word from Him. The Lord spoke to David and gave Him instructions concerning what he should do in this situation. After David heard from the Lord his strength and hope was renewed and he went forth and regained all that the enemy had stolen.
When we hear from the Lord in the problems that we face, there is something that happens in us- that something is a renewing of hope that says it is possible; a renewed faith that cries out, "this is not impossible for God"; a renewed strength to stand firm and not wavier; a renewed peace that all is well because He is with me; and a renewed joy to continue on.
Have a great day. Hear what He is saying, there is something "new" attached to it.
For further reading:
1 Samuel 30
Matthew 11:15; 13:43
Luke 5:4-6
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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.
Please remember to give credit to
About the Master's Business Ministry.
Take time to visit our on-line Christian magazine and blogs.
http://livingstonesmagazine.homestead.com
Monday, February 21, 2011
"Come"
"And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely." Revelation 22:17
Throughout all the ages (from Genesis to Revelation) the Lord God has expressed the desire for us to come to Him. And not only has He expressed this desire, He has made Himself accessible and approachable so that we can come to Him. He has provided the way into His presence and invites us to come.
If you are tired and thirsty- come to Him and He will give you living waters so that you will never thirst again. "Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price." (Isaiah 55:1)
If you are heavy ladened, burdened down with a load of cares- come to Him and He will give you rest. "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28)
If you living in sin, He invites you to come and let Him wash them away. "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." (Isaiah 1:18)
If you are hungry, He invites you to come and dine in His presence. "Come and dine." (John 21:12)
Though these invitations have been given, and the way provided, it is still up to you as to whether you will come to Him or not.
One day there will be another invitation given to come and inherit the Kingdom. This invitation will be given to those who have accepted His other invitations while they were here on earth. "Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." (Matthew 25:34) Will you be one of them?
Are you accepting His invitations to come to Him? Don't refuse or reject them. Accept His invitation of salvation, of strength, of help, of grace and of everything else you need. "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." (John 6:37)
Have a great day. His greatest desire is for you to come to Him- the invitation has been given and the way provided.
For further reading:
John 6:35; 4:14
Throughout all the ages (from Genesis to Revelation) the Lord God has expressed the desire for us to come to Him. And not only has He expressed this desire, He has made Himself accessible and approachable so that we can come to Him. He has provided the way into His presence and invites us to come.
If you are tired and thirsty- come to Him and He will give you living waters so that you will never thirst again. "Ho, every one that thirsteth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price." (Isaiah 55:1)
If you are heavy ladened, burdened down with a load of cares- come to Him and He will give you rest. "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest." (Matthew 11:28)
If you living in sin, He invites you to come and let Him wash them away. "Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool." (Isaiah 1:18)
If you are hungry, He invites you to come and dine in His presence. "Come and dine." (John 21:12)
Though these invitations have been given, and the way provided, it is still up to you as to whether you will come to Him or not.
One day there will be another invitation given to come and inherit the Kingdom. This invitation will be given to those who have accepted His other invitations while they were here on earth. "Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." (Matthew 25:34) Will you be one of them?
Are you accepting His invitations to come to Him? Don't refuse or reject them. Accept His invitation of salvation, of strength, of help, of grace and of everything else you need. "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." (John 6:37)
Have a great day. His greatest desire is for you to come to Him- the invitation has been given and the way provided.
For further reading:
John 6:35; 4:14
Friday, February 18, 2011
"Jesus Saves"
"And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins." Matthew 1:21
When Jesus came to earth, He came for a purpose. That purpose was not just to make our lives better, make us happy people, give us an easier life, load us with blessings, give us riches, houses, lands, fame and fortune, or to be a "Santa Claus" to us. All those around Him- the people, the Jewish leaders, Nicodemus, His own disciples- thought He was going to set up an earthly kingdom, restore their nation and deliver them from Roman oppression- thus making life better for them. But that was not they case. They missed His true purpose for coming. I wonder if when we look at the life of Jesus if we misunderstand His purpose also.
His true purpose was to save His people from their sins, to seek and to save those who were lost, to call sinners to repentance. Have we lost view of this? Are we warning the wicked man of his wicked way? Are we preaching the message of repentance? Are we warning the lost and proclaiming good news to those in darkness? Our message is a message of hope, are we sharing it?
Our message is namely this: We are all sinners under a death sentence. One day we will stand before God, the Judge, and He will enforce the death penalty upon us- eternal separation from Him in the lake of fire. But God loved us so much that He provided a way for us to come out from under the death sentence. That way was through the death of His only begotten Son Jesus. Jesus died on the cross taking our punishment for sin, thus bringing us out from under the death sentence and replacing it with the gift of eternal life- living in God's presence for all eternity. This was His purpose for coming- to be our Savior.
If we lose the true meaning of the gospel, or if we substitute it with the gospel of blessings only, then we leave people with a false sense of security thinking all is well because they are being blessed, and defining salvation through material possessions, while all along they are losing their soul.
Do not lose sight of Jesus' purpose. We can gain the whole world and still lose our soul. We need a Savior. That was why Jesus came.
Have a great day. Jesus saves!
For further reading:
Matthew 16:26
John 3:16-18
Luke 19:10
Revelation 20:12-15
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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.
Please remember to give credit to
About the Master's Business Ministry.
Take time to visit our on-line Christian magazine and blogs.
http://livingstonesmagazine.homestead.com
When Jesus came to earth, He came for a purpose. That purpose was not just to make our lives better, make us happy people, give us an easier life, load us with blessings, give us riches, houses, lands, fame and fortune, or to be a "Santa Claus" to us. All those around Him- the people, the Jewish leaders, Nicodemus, His own disciples- thought He was going to set up an earthly kingdom, restore their nation and deliver them from Roman oppression- thus making life better for them. But that was not they case. They missed His true purpose for coming. I wonder if when we look at the life of Jesus if we misunderstand His purpose also.
His true purpose was to save His people from their sins, to seek and to save those who were lost, to call sinners to repentance. Have we lost view of this? Are we warning the wicked man of his wicked way? Are we preaching the message of repentance? Are we warning the lost and proclaiming good news to those in darkness? Our message is a message of hope, are we sharing it?
Our message is namely this: We are all sinners under a death sentence. One day we will stand before God, the Judge, and He will enforce the death penalty upon us- eternal separation from Him in the lake of fire. But God loved us so much that He provided a way for us to come out from under the death sentence. That way was through the death of His only begotten Son Jesus. Jesus died on the cross taking our punishment for sin, thus bringing us out from under the death sentence and replacing it with the gift of eternal life- living in God's presence for all eternity. This was His purpose for coming- to be our Savior.
If we lose the true meaning of the gospel, or if we substitute it with the gospel of blessings only, then we leave people with a false sense of security thinking all is well because they are being blessed, and defining salvation through material possessions, while all along they are losing their soul.
Do not lose sight of Jesus' purpose. We can gain the whole world and still lose our soul. We need a Savior. That was why Jesus came.
Have a great day. Jesus saves!
For further reading:
Matthew 16:26
John 3:16-18
Luke 19:10
Revelation 20:12-15
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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.
Please remember to give credit to
About the Master's Business Ministry.
Take time to visit our on-line Christian magazine and blogs.
http://livingstonesmagazine.homestead.com
Thursday, February 17, 2011
"Amazing God"
"And they feared exceedingly, and said one to another, What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey him?" Mark 4:41
I want to share a word with you this morning that the Lord spoke to my heart recently. I know it is meant for you too this morning.
"I am the mighty God and with Me nothing is impossible. I am able to do exceeding, abundantly above all that you can ask or think. I can take all things, even that which is bad, and work it together for good to those who love Me and are called according to My purpose. I can use what is considered weak by the strong and foolish by the wise and use it for My glory."
As He spoke this to me, I had a sense that He was trying to convey the message that He truly is who He is and can do what He says He can do, regardless of the situation. Too often we look at the circumstances and make them bigger and more powerful than God. They are not! Have we forgotten who it is in the boat of life with us? Or perhaps we are like the disciples and don't even really know although we walk with Him daily through prayer and Bible reading. We have become so geared to following a natural course of action when we are experiencing problems, that we tend to forget about Him entirely. The disciples tried to solve their own problem. They bailed water, they pulled downed the sails, they did everything they could to help keep the boat afloat, finally, as a last resort, they woke Jesus up. He calmed the storm with just His words and they were all amazed at His power.
Have we become like them? Forgetting, or perhaps not understanding, who He is who is with us? I believe that is what He is reminding us of in the word that He spoke above. He is wanting to "amaze" us today by demonstrating His power in our situations. He still has power over the enemy. He still is more powerful than the storms of your life. He can bring down mountains, quench fires, calm storms, and take every bad situation and turn it around for good in your life and for His glory.
Have a great day. Don't forget how amazing He is.
For further reading:
Ephesians 3:20
Mark 10:27; 6:2
Matthew 28:18
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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.
Please remember to give credit to
About the Master's Business Ministry.
Take time to visit our on-line Christian magazine and blogs.
http://livingstonesmagazine.homestead.com
I want to share a word with you this morning that the Lord spoke to my heart recently. I know it is meant for you too this morning.
"I am the mighty God and with Me nothing is impossible. I am able to do exceeding, abundantly above all that you can ask or think. I can take all things, even that which is bad, and work it together for good to those who love Me and are called according to My purpose. I can use what is considered weak by the strong and foolish by the wise and use it for My glory."
As He spoke this to me, I had a sense that He was trying to convey the message that He truly is who He is and can do what He says He can do, regardless of the situation. Too often we look at the circumstances and make them bigger and more powerful than God. They are not! Have we forgotten who it is in the boat of life with us? Or perhaps we are like the disciples and don't even really know although we walk with Him daily through prayer and Bible reading. We have become so geared to following a natural course of action when we are experiencing problems, that we tend to forget about Him entirely. The disciples tried to solve their own problem. They bailed water, they pulled downed the sails, they did everything they could to help keep the boat afloat, finally, as a last resort, they woke Jesus up. He calmed the storm with just His words and they were all amazed at His power.
Have we become like them? Forgetting, or perhaps not understanding, who He is who is with us? I believe that is what He is reminding us of in the word that He spoke above. He is wanting to "amaze" us today by demonstrating His power in our situations. He still has power over the enemy. He still is more powerful than the storms of your life. He can bring down mountains, quench fires, calm storms, and take every bad situation and turn it around for good in your life and for His glory.
Have a great day. Don't forget how amazing He is.
For further reading:
Ephesians 3:20
Mark 10:27; 6:2
Matthew 28:18
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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.
Please remember to give credit to
About the Master's Business Ministry.
Take time to visit our on-line Christian magazine and blogs.
http://livingstonesmagazine.homestead.com
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
"The Process"
"By little and little I will drive them out from before thee, until thou be increased, and inherit the land." Exodus 23:30
While speaking to the Israelites in the wilderness concerning their entering into the promised land, the Lord told them that He was going to drive the other nations out of the land little by little. He was not going to drive them all out at one time. It would be by the conquering of one city after another. Could God drive them all out at once? Sure He could, but He was not going to. He was going to do it through a process.
At salvation there is something that takes place in our lives right then- we become a new creation. But that is only the beginning, from there we go through a process. God could totally deliver us from all the vain imaginations of our heart, from the lusts of the flesh, from our flawed thinking, but He doesn't. The destruction of our biggest enemy (our own flesh) and transformation into the likeness of Christ, takes place through a process- a daily process of denying self, of renewing our mind and of presenting ourselves before the Lord as living sacrifices.
How nice it would be if He would just instantaneously change at salvation all the things about us that have to be put to death. But instead we have to do that on a daily basis as we encounter each one. So today, remember that you are in a process and every "enemy" you encounter has to be dealt with then and "driven out".
Have a great day. We are in a process- I must decrease and He must increase.
For further reading:
Exodus 23:25-31
John 3:30
Romans 8:13
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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.
Please remember to give credit to
About the Master's Business Ministry.
Take time to visit our on-line Christian magazine and blogs.
http://livingstonesmagazine.homestead.com
While speaking to the Israelites in the wilderness concerning their entering into the promised land, the Lord told them that He was going to drive the other nations out of the land little by little. He was not going to drive them all out at one time. It would be by the conquering of one city after another. Could God drive them all out at once? Sure He could, but He was not going to. He was going to do it through a process.
At salvation there is something that takes place in our lives right then- we become a new creation. But that is only the beginning, from there we go through a process. God could totally deliver us from all the vain imaginations of our heart, from the lusts of the flesh, from our flawed thinking, but He doesn't. The destruction of our biggest enemy (our own flesh) and transformation into the likeness of Christ, takes place through a process- a daily process of denying self, of renewing our mind and of presenting ourselves before the Lord as living sacrifices.
How nice it would be if He would just instantaneously change at salvation all the things about us that have to be put to death. But instead we have to do that on a daily basis as we encounter each one. So today, remember that you are in a process and every "enemy" you encounter has to be dealt with then and "driven out".
Have a great day. We are in a process- I must decrease and He must increase.
For further reading:
Exodus 23:25-31
John 3:30
Romans 8:13
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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.
Please remember to give credit to
About the Master's Business Ministry.
Take time to visit our on-line Christian magazine and blogs.
http://livingstonesmagazine.homestead.com
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
"Follow Me"
"And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me." Luke 9:23
When Jesus said to, "Follow Me", He also said that there would be a cross to bear involved. In modern day Christianity we have a "one-sided" view of what it means to "follow" Jesus. We want to follow Him for the blessings and what He can do for us, like the multitudes that followed Him did while He was here on earth. "And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole." (Mark 6:56)
We want to follow Him in the works. We want to do the same works He did- miracles, heal the sick, teach, preach, minister. We want to follow His power. We want to follow in the glory. We want to be used in the gifts of the Spirit. And this seems to be our whole focus and desire when it comes to following Him. But there is more to following Jesus than what we consider the "glamorous" side of ministry- this is only one side of following Him.
There was a reason why Jesus said that those who would follow Him would also bear a cross. There is no gospel without the cross. There can be no discipleship without the cross. Jesus bore a cross and we do too.
So what does it mean to "follow Him"? It means to follow Him down the same path He walked. We are to follow Him on the path of obedience, the path of suffering, the path of sacrifice and self-denial. It is a path that surrenders to the will of God no matter what it cost us- “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” (Matthew 26:39b- NIV) Following Him means that we will suffer pain, rejection and sorrow. And eventually it will mean death- death to self-- self-will, self-desire, self-ambition, self-love.
When you say you are a follower of Jesus, what do you mean? Do you mean that you are following His blessings, His power, His glory, His works? Or are you following Him by following Him to the cross as well?
Have a great day. What kind of follower are you?
For further reading:
Mark 10:21; 37-39
Hebrews 5:8Philippians 3:10
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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.
Please remember to give credit to
About the Master's Business Ministry.
Take time to visit our on-line Christian magazine and blogs.
http://livingstonesmagazine.homestead.com
When Jesus said to, "Follow Me", He also said that there would be a cross to bear involved. In modern day Christianity we have a "one-sided" view of what it means to "follow" Jesus. We want to follow Him for the blessings and what He can do for us, like the multitudes that followed Him did while He was here on earth. "And whithersoever he entered, into villages, or cities, or country, they laid the sick in the streets, and besought him that they might touch if it were but the border of his garment: and as many as touched him were made whole." (Mark 6:56)
We want to follow Him in the works. We want to do the same works He did- miracles, heal the sick, teach, preach, minister. We want to follow His power. We want to follow in the glory. We want to be used in the gifts of the Spirit. And this seems to be our whole focus and desire when it comes to following Him. But there is more to following Jesus than what we consider the "glamorous" side of ministry- this is only one side of following Him.
There was a reason why Jesus said that those who would follow Him would also bear a cross. There is no gospel without the cross. There can be no discipleship without the cross. Jesus bore a cross and we do too.
So what does it mean to "follow Him"? It means to follow Him down the same path He walked. We are to follow Him on the path of obedience, the path of suffering, the path of sacrifice and self-denial. It is a path that surrenders to the will of God no matter what it cost us- “My Father, if it is possible, may this cup be taken from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.” (Matthew 26:39b- NIV) Following Him means that we will suffer pain, rejection and sorrow. And eventually it will mean death- death to self-- self-will, self-desire, self-ambition, self-love.
When you say you are a follower of Jesus, what do you mean? Do you mean that you are following His blessings, His power, His glory, His works? Or are you following Him by following Him to the cross as well?
Have a great day. What kind of follower are you?
For further reading:
Mark 10:21; 37-39
Hebrews 5:8Philippians 3:10
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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.
Please remember to give credit to
About the Master's Business Ministry.
Take time to visit our on-line Christian magazine and blogs.
http://livingstonesmagazine.homestead.com
Monday, February 14, 2011
"True Symbol of Love"
"And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him." 1 John 4:16
We are celebrating Valentine's Day today. It is a day when we let others know that we love them through the exchange of cards, candy, flowers and other gifts. This celebration of love is symbolized by hearts and a cherub type figure named Cupid- the Roman god of love.
There are a couple of things I want to say about this day- known as the celebration of love. For the Christian "Valentine's Day", because it is suppose to represent showing expressions of love, should not be just a special occasion on the calendar or a once a year event. We are to walk in love everyday- love toward God and love toward our neighbors.
The next thing I want to say is Cupid a mythological, fictitious god who has nothing to do with love. But there is a real God of love. The Lord God- the only true and living God. And He is not just the God of love, but He is love. He doesn't just posses love, His whole nature and character is one of love.
In the English language the word "love" is considered an abstract word. Abstracts are nouns which are not tangible objects but depict feelings, concepts, etc. So how can you put a picture to an abstract word? How can you visualize a feeling? Today we will exchange heart shaped gifts because we think this is a true picture of what love looks like. True love may start in the heart, but that isn't the true picture of love. The Lord God drew us a true picture of what this abstract word looks like-- it was the cross. The cross is the true symbol of love. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever would believe in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16) "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13)
Today you will tell others that you love them, you may exchange gifts, you may receive a box of chocolate or a heart shaped something, but as you do, remember that God has given you a much greater gift of love- the gift of eternal life that came through His Son Jesus Christ. "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)
Have a great day. The true picture of love is not defined by hearts, flowers, candy or jewelry, but it is defined by the cross.
For further reading:
1 John 4:7-12
John 3:17
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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.
Please remember to give credit to
About the Master's Business Ministry.
Take time to visit our on-line Christian magazine and blogs.
http://livingstonesmagazine.homestead.com
We are celebrating Valentine's Day today. It is a day when we let others know that we love them through the exchange of cards, candy, flowers and other gifts. This celebration of love is symbolized by hearts and a cherub type figure named Cupid- the Roman god of love.
There are a couple of things I want to say about this day- known as the celebration of love. For the Christian "Valentine's Day", because it is suppose to represent showing expressions of love, should not be just a special occasion on the calendar or a once a year event. We are to walk in love everyday- love toward God and love toward our neighbors.
The next thing I want to say is Cupid a mythological, fictitious god who has nothing to do with love. But there is a real God of love. The Lord God- the only true and living God. And He is not just the God of love, but He is love. He doesn't just posses love, His whole nature and character is one of love.
In the English language the word "love" is considered an abstract word. Abstracts are nouns which are not tangible objects but depict feelings, concepts, etc. So how can you put a picture to an abstract word? How can you visualize a feeling? Today we will exchange heart shaped gifts because we think this is a true picture of what love looks like. True love may start in the heart, but that isn't the true picture of love. The Lord God drew us a true picture of what this abstract word looks like-- it was the cross. The cross is the true symbol of love. "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever would believe in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." (John 3:16) "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." (John 15:13)
Today you will tell others that you love them, you may exchange gifts, you may receive a box of chocolate or a heart shaped something, but as you do, remember that God has given you a much greater gift of love- the gift of eternal life that came through His Son Jesus Christ. "But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." (Romans 5:8)
Have a great day. The true picture of love is not defined by hearts, flowers, candy or jewelry, but it is defined by the cross.
For further reading:
1 John 4:7-12
John 3:17
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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.
Please remember to give credit to
About the Master's Business Ministry.
Take time to visit our on-line Christian magazine and blogs.
http://livingstonesmagazine.homestead.com
Friday, February 11, 2011
"God Will Take Care of You"
"Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?" Matthew 6:26
I woke up this morning with this chorus repeating over and over in my thoughts- "God will take care of you, through every day, o'er all the way; He will take care of you, God will take care of you." I knew the Lord wanted me to share it with you this morning as a reminder. A reminder that He will take care of you no matter what you are going through. He always has taken care of you and He always will. He is the same faithful Father today as He was yesterday. He hasn't changed. The situation may look overwhelming, but it isn't to God. It may look impossible, but not for the Lord. It may seem devastating, but it does not upset Him.
Remember too this morning that He feeds the birds daily and watches over them, meeting their every need. But He says you are of much more value to Him than they are. So if He is faithful to the fowls of the air, He will be much more faithful to you. You are His child. He doesn't abandon and leave His own. Take comfort today in the faithfulness of your loving Heavenly Father and His care for you.
Have a great day. God will take care of you.
For Further reading:
Matthew 10:29-31
"God Will Take Care Of You"
1. Be not dismayed whate'er betide, God will take care of you; beneath his wings of love abide, God will take care of you.Refrain:God will take care of you, through every day, o'er all the way; he will take care of you, God will take care of you.
2. Through days of toil when heart doth fail, God will take care of you; when dangers fierce your path assail, God will take care of you.
3. All you may need he will provide, God will take care of you; nothing you ask will be denied, God will take care of you.
4. No matter what may be the test, God will take care of you;lean, weary one, upon his breast, God will take care of you.
I woke up this morning with this chorus repeating over and over in my thoughts- "God will take care of you, through every day, o'er all the way; He will take care of you, God will take care of you." I knew the Lord wanted me to share it with you this morning as a reminder. A reminder that He will take care of you no matter what you are going through. He always has taken care of you and He always will. He is the same faithful Father today as He was yesterday. He hasn't changed. The situation may look overwhelming, but it isn't to God. It may look impossible, but not for the Lord. It may seem devastating, but it does not upset Him.
Remember too this morning that He feeds the birds daily and watches over them, meeting their every need. But He says you are of much more value to Him than they are. So if He is faithful to the fowls of the air, He will be much more faithful to you. You are His child. He doesn't abandon and leave His own. Take comfort today in the faithfulness of your loving Heavenly Father and His care for you.
Have a great day. God will take care of you.
For Further reading:
Matthew 10:29-31
"God Will Take Care Of You"
1. Be not dismayed whate'er betide, God will take care of you; beneath his wings of love abide, God will take care of you.Refrain:God will take care of you, through every day, o'er all the way; he will take care of you, God will take care of you.
2. Through days of toil when heart doth fail, God will take care of you; when dangers fierce your path assail, God will take care of you.
3. All you may need he will provide, God will take care of you; nothing you ask will be denied, God will take care of you.
4. No matter what may be the test, God will take care of you;lean, weary one, upon his breast, God will take care of you.
Thursday, February 10, 2011
"My House"
"And they come to Jerusalem: and Jesus went into the temple, and began to cast out them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves." Mark 11:15
When Jesus comes into our lives (our temples- 1 Corinthians 3:16), don't expect Him to do any less than He did in the verse above. He "cleans house". He doesn't leave us the way He finds us.
Many Christians are of the opinion that Christianity is just mere religious duty- church attendance, singing in the choir, giving offerings, reading their Bible, and so on. How wrong they are. When Jesus cleaned out the temple, He also set things back in order, restored it to its original purpose and reestablished its priority- "My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer." (verse 17)
When Christ comes into our lives, He puts them back in order, restores us to our original purpose for which He created us and helps us to reestablish His priorities in our lives as well- "Thou shall love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind." (Matthew 22:37) Up to that point, before He does, it is not about Him but about us. We were living for self and doing what was right and pleasing in our own eyes.
When Jesus got finished cleaning the temple that day, I can promise you it did not look the same. There was a definite "transformation" that took place. The moneychangers were gone, the merchant tables were no longer set up, the place was quieter, worship was heard again, prayer and holiness was restored.
As I said earlier, "He doesn't leave us the way He finds us." He brings the gift of salvation and eternal life to us and from that moment on He desires to bring about a "transformation" process in our lives. He doesn't leave us the same way and He doesn't leave us looking the same way. Instead the goal is that we look like His original intention for us. "Let us make man in our image." (Genesis 1:26) "And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly." (1 Cor. 15:49) The goal is that we look like Him-- "My house".
Have a great day. Jesus doesn't come into our lives and leave us the same way-- He brings transformation.
For further reading:
2 Corinthians 3:18
Matthew 21:13
Romans 8:29; 12:2
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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.
Please remember to give credit to
About the Master's Business Ministry.
Take time to visit our on-line Christian magazine and blogs.
http://livingstonesmagazine.homestead.com
When Jesus comes into our lives (our temples- 1 Corinthians 3:16), don't expect Him to do any less than He did in the verse above. He "cleans house". He doesn't leave us the way He finds us.
Many Christians are of the opinion that Christianity is just mere religious duty- church attendance, singing in the choir, giving offerings, reading their Bible, and so on. How wrong they are. When Jesus cleaned out the temple, He also set things back in order, restored it to its original purpose and reestablished its priority- "My house shall be called of all nations the house of prayer." (verse 17)
When Christ comes into our lives, He puts them back in order, restores us to our original purpose for which He created us and helps us to reestablish His priorities in our lives as well- "Thou shall love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind." (Matthew 22:37) Up to that point, before He does, it is not about Him but about us. We were living for self and doing what was right and pleasing in our own eyes.
When Jesus got finished cleaning the temple that day, I can promise you it did not look the same. There was a definite "transformation" that took place. The moneychangers were gone, the merchant tables were no longer set up, the place was quieter, worship was heard again, prayer and holiness was restored.
As I said earlier, "He doesn't leave us the way He finds us." He brings the gift of salvation and eternal life to us and from that moment on He desires to bring about a "transformation" process in our lives. He doesn't leave us the same way and He doesn't leave us looking the same way. Instead the goal is that we look like His original intention for us. "Let us make man in our image." (Genesis 1:26) "And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly." (1 Cor. 15:49) The goal is that we look like Him-- "My house".
Have a great day. Jesus doesn't come into our lives and leave us the same way-- He brings transformation.
For further reading:
2 Corinthians 3:18
Matthew 21:13
Romans 8:29; 12:2
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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.
Please remember to give credit to
About the Master's Business Ministry.
Take time to visit our on-line Christian magazine and blogs.
http://livingstonesmagazine.homestead.com
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
"Chain Reaction"
"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint." Isaiah 40:31
There are times when our physical bodies get tired and grow weary, but our inner man should never grow weary in our service, devotion and love for God. There shouldn't be any times of weariness of heart when it comes to walking with our Lord- at least according to the verse above.
The reason we seem to be weary of living for the Lord and tired in our service that we are doing for Him boils down to one reason- we aren't communing with Him. You see there is something that happens when we are in continual communion with the Lord- it's call renewed strength.
When you are in constant communion with the Lord (not just on Sundays or when you are in need but in daily unbroken fellowship) you are abiding in His presence. When you are in His presence, there is joy- the joy of Lord. ("Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore." Psalm 16:11) Where His joy is there is strength- His strength. ("For the joy of the Lord is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10) And His strength is made perfect in our weakness. ("And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." 2 Cor. 12:9)
It's a "chain reaction"- one action influences the next. When you are in unbroken fellowship with the Lord there is joy, and from that joy comes strength, with strength comes service, from service the Lord receives glory. If you are neglecting your fellowship with the Lord it causes a "chain reaction" too- a negative one. Where fellowship with the Lord is lacking there is no joy, no joy means no strength, no strength means weariness, weariness means no service, no service means no fruit... and it just goes on and on.
Have you become weary in your service and devotion to the Lord? Then you need to go back and take a look at the first "link" of the chain. Your reason will be found there.
Have a great day. Our bodies may grow tired and weary, but our inner man will be renewed with strength as we have unbroken fellowship with the Lord.
For further reading:
Ephesians 3:16
2 Corinthians 4:16
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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.
Please remember to give credit to
About the Master's Business Ministry.
Take time to visit our on-line Christian magazine and blogs.
http://livingstonesmagazine.homestead.com
There are times when our physical bodies get tired and grow weary, but our inner man should never grow weary in our service, devotion and love for God. There shouldn't be any times of weariness of heart when it comes to walking with our Lord- at least according to the verse above.
The reason we seem to be weary of living for the Lord and tired in our service that we are doing for Him boils down to one reason- we aren't communing with Him. You see there is something that happens when we are in continual communion with the Lord- it's call renewed strength.
When you are in constant communion with the Lord (not just on Sundays or when you are in need but in daily unbroken fellowship) you are abiding in His presence. When you are in His presence, there is joy- the joy of Lord. ("Thou wilt shew me the path of life: in thy presence is fullness of joy; at thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore." Psalm 16:11) Where His joy is there is strength- His strength. ("For the joy of the Lord is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10) And His strength is made perfect in our weakness. ("And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me." 2 Cor. 12:9)
It's a "chain reaction"- one action influences the next. When you are in unbroken fellowship with the Lord there is joy, and from that joy comes strength, with strength comes service, from service the Lord receives glory. If you are neglecting your fellowship with the Lord it causes a "chain reaction" too- a negative one. Where fellowship with the Lord is lacking there is no joy, no joy means no strength, no strength means weariness, weariness means no service, no service means no fruit... and it just goes on and on.
Have you become weary in your service and devotion to the Lord? Then you need to go back and take a look at the first "link" of the chain. Your reason will be found there.
Have a great day. Our bodies may grow tired and weary, but our inner man will be renewed with strength as we have unbroken fellowship with the Lord.
For further reading:
Ephesians 3:16
2 Corinthians 4:16
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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.
Please remember to give credit to
About the Master's Business Ministry.
Take time to visit our on-line Christian magazine and blogs.
http://livingstonesmagazine.homestead.com
Tuesday, February 8, 2011
"Guard Your Heart"
"Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it." Proverbs 4:23 (NIV)
In this verse we find both a command and a warning. We are commanded to guard our hearts- in other words, protect them. And we are warned that there are consequences if we don't.
Let's start with the warning first. I won't spend much time on this because we all know that whatever we open our hearts up to will come in and take over them. This is why the Lord says to love Him with all our hearts- don't give place, or room, for anything else in our hearts because whatever is in there will be the governing factor of your life. So, if we don't guard/protect them, then we leave them open for the enemy's attack. We make them susceptible to his destructive devices. He will try to fill our hearts with bitterness, resentfulness, evil desires, lusts, immorality, selfishness, and so on- which will destroy us.
I want to talk a little more about the command to guard our hearts because this is the solution that will shut the door, and keep it shut, to the evil influences that would try to take over it. How do we guard our hearts? What can we do that will keep the door of our hearts closed and not give anything but the Lord access?
1) Be careful about what you set before your eyes. ("I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes. - Psalm 101:3) What you see really does influence you and that "image" will find its way into your heart. If not dealt with, it will breed lust and when lust is conceived it brings forth sin. ("Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.- James 1:15)
2) Don't allow the standards and ideology of this world to mold your heart. You do this by renewing your mind with the word of God. ("And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. - Romans 12:2)
3) Follow the word of God. It is one thing to read it, or know it, but it is in the doing of it that we guard our hearts. ("But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. - James 1:22)
4) Keep yourself in the love of God. ("Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life."- Jude 1:21) You do this by staying close to the Lord through communing with Him in prayer and worship, through His word, through repentance when you sin, by constantly drawing near to Him and through self denial.
If we will heed the warning and follow the command, then we are being the "guard at the door" of our hearts and governing what comes in and what doesn't.
Have a great day. Guard your heart- that is a command and a warning.
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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.
Please remember to give credit to
About the Master's Business Ministry.
Take time to visit our on-line Christian magazine and blogs.
http://livingstonesmagazine.homestead.com
In this verse we find both a command and a warning. We are commanded to guard our hearts- in other words, protect them. And we are warned that there are consequences if we don't.
Let's start with the warning first. I won't spend much time on this because we all know that whatever we open our hearts up to will come in and take over them. This is why the Lord says to love Him with all our hearts- don't give place, or room, for anything else in our hearts because whatever is in there will be the governing factor of your life. So, if we don't guard/protect them, then we leave them open for the enemy's attack. We make them susceptible to his destructive devices. He will try to fill our hearts with bitterness, resentfulness, evil desires, lusts, immorality, selfishness, and so on- which will destroy us.
I want to talk a little more about the command to guard our hearts because this is the solution that will shut the door, and keep it shut, to the evil influences that would try to take over it. How do we guard our hearts? What can we do that will keep the door of our hearts closed and not give anything but the Lord access?
1) Be careful about what you set before your eyes. ("I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes. - Psalm 101:3) What you see really does influence you and that "image" will find its way into your heart. If not dealt with, it will breed lust and when lust is conceived it brings forth sin. ("Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.- James 1:15)
2) Don't allow the standards and ideology of this world to mold your heart. You do this by renewing your mind with the word of God. ("And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. - Romans 12:2)
3) Follow the word of God. It is one thing to read it, or know it, but it is in the doing of it that we guard our hearts. ("But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. - James 1:22)
4) Keep yourself in the love of God. ("Keep yourselves in the love of God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life."- Jude 1:21) You do this by staying close to the Lord through communing with Him in prayer and worship, through His word, through repentance when you sin, by constantly drawing near to Him and through self denial.
If we will heed the warning and follow the command, then we are being the "guard at the door" of our hearts and governing what comes in and what doesn't.
Have a great day. Guard your heart- that is a command and a warning.
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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.
Please remember to give credit to
About the Master's Business Ministry.
Take time to visit our on-line Christian magazine and blogs.
http://livingstonesmagazine.homestead.com
Monday, February 7, 2011
"He Loves You More, Not Less"
"He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?" Romans 8:32
Why is it that once we become a Christian we get this notion that God doesn't love us as much now as He did when we got saved? Why do we think that He isn't as willing to forgive our mistakes now as He was before? We act as if He doesn't care about us any longer-- now that He "has us".
Sadly, I know many people, especially women, who have married men who treated them like queens while they were dating- nothing was too good for them, they gave them anything they wanted, they wanted to spend endless amounts of time with them, they were always attentive and complementary- but once they got married, the guy completely changed. It was hard to believe that this was even the same guy they had dated. The attention stopped. They were taken for granted. They no longer complemented them but constantly criticized their every move instead. I bring this up because I wonder if what we have seen in some human relationships is not how we view our relationship with our Heavenly Father.
Men may treat you like this. They may act one way one time and a different way another time. They may treat you special before the wedding and common afterwards. They may treat you one way in public and a different way in private. But the Lord is NOT- let me repeat- He is NOT like that. His love for you is eternal and unchanging. It is without hypocrisy. He even tells us in His word that if He loved us before we became His, once we give ourselves to Him He loves us even more- not less. "Christ died for us while we were still sinners. This demonstrates God’s love for us. Since Christ’s blood has now given us God’s approval, we are even more certain that Christ will save us from God’s anger. If the death of his Son restored our relationship with God while we were still his enemies, we are even more certain that, because of this restored relationship, the life his Son lived will save us." (Romans 5:8-10- God's Word Translation)
We need to stop letting other relationships (the not so good ones) be the example for determining God's relationship toward us. We need to stop listening to and allowing the enemy's lies to influence us in the area of God's love for us. We need to get rid of our misconceived ideas about the way God feels about us and stop following our own feelings in this area. What we need to do is listen to Him and believe what He says about the way He loves us. And what He says is-- how could He possibly love you any less now that you are His child then He did before!
Have a great day. The Lord loves us even more after we give ourselves to Him-- not less!
For further reading:
John 3:16,17
Romans 8:31-39
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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.
Please remember to give credit to
About the Master's Business Ministry.
Take time to visit our on-line Christian magazine and blogs.
http://livingstonesmagazine.homestead.com
Why is it that once we become a Christian we get this notion that God doesn't love us as much now as He did when we got saved? Why do we think that He isn't as willing to forgive our mistakes now as He was before? We act as if He doesn't care about us any longer-- now that He "has us".
Sadly, I know many people, especially women, who have married men who treated them like queens while they were dating- nothing was too good for them, they gave them anything they wanted, they wanted to spend endless amounts of time with them, they were always attentive and complementary- but once they got married, the guy completely changed. It was hard to believe that this was even the same guy they had dated. The attention stopped. They were taken for granted. They no longer complemented them but constantly criticized their every move instead. I bring this up because I wonder if what we have seen in some human relationships is not how we view our relationship with our Heavenly Father.
Men may treat you like this. They may act one way one time and a different way another time. They may treat you special before the wedding and common afterwards. They may treat you one way in public and a different way in private. But the Lord is NOT- let me repeat- He is NOT like that. His love for you is eternal and unchanging. It is without hypocrisy. He even tells us in His word that if He loved us before we became His, once we give ourselves to Him He loves us even more- not less. "Christ died for us while we were still sinners. This demonstrates God’s love for us. Since Christ’s blood has now given us God’s approval, we are even more certain that Christ will save us from God’s anger. If the death of his Son restored our relationship with God while we were still his enemies, we are even more certain that, because of this restored relationship, the life his Son lived will save us." (Romans 5:8-10- God's Word Translation)
We need to stop letting other relationships (the not so good ones) be the example for determining God's relationship toward us. We need to stop listening to and allowing the enemy's lies to influence us in the area of God's love for us. We need to get rid of our misconceived ideas about the way God feels about us and stop following our own feelings in this area. What we need to do is listen to Him and believe what He says about the way He loves us. And what He says is-- how could He possibly love you any less now that you are His child then He did before!
Have a great day. The Lord loves us even more after we give ourselves to Him-- not less!
For further reading:
John 3:16,17
Romans 8:31-39
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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.
Please remember to give credit to
About the Master's Business Ministry.
Take time to visit our on-line Christian magazine and blogs.
http://livingstonesmagazine.homestead.com
Friday, February 4, 2011
"Fearful Things"
"They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever." Psalm 125:1
"And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken." (Luke 21:25,26) We are living in "distressful" times. It is so seldom that you hear any good news. There are wars and rumors of wars, talk of economic collapse on a global scale, violence is plaguing the land, natural disasters seem to never end but instead seem to be getting worse.
If you listen to all the ominous reports it would be easy to allow yourself to become fearful. But this morning, may I remind you, if you are a Child of God/ follower of Jesus/ His disciple (whatever you chose to call it) you have nothing to fear. Our trust is not in the things of this world. It is not in material resources. It is not in the wisdom of this world. It is not in man's knowledge or abilities. Our hope is in the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. Our hope is in the One who created this world to begin with. He is our Savior, Deliverer, Fortress, Strong Tower of Refuge and our Source.
He was "Goshen" for the Israelites while the plagues were coming upon Egypt. He was the "Ark" that protected Noah and his family during the flood. He was the fourth man in the fire with the three Hebrews. He was the Angel who shut the lions' mouths for Daniel while in the lion's den. He was the "Smooth Stone" in the sling shot of David which brought down the giant.
Biblical history has recorded from Genesis to Revelation that the Lord has always been with His people- watching over, protecting and providing for them. He has always been there, He will not change now and leave us when we need Him. He is a Faithful Father to all His children throughout all generations. Therefore, we have no reason to fear- though the earth be removed and the powers of heaven be shaken. Our hope is in the Lord and we will look to Him.
Have a great day. Fearful things are happening, but we will be like Mount Zion which cannot be moved because our faith and trust is in the right place- it is in the Lord.
For further reading:
Psalm 91; 46
Isaiah 43:1,2
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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.
Please remember to give credit to
About the Master's Business Ministry.
Take time to visit our on-line Christian magazine and blogs.
http://livingstonesmagazine.homestead.com
"And there shall be signs in the sun, and in the moon, and in the stars; and upon the earth distress of nations, with perplexity; the sea and the waves roaring; men's hearts failing them for fear, and for looking after those things which are coming on the earth: for the powers of heaven shall be shaken." (Luke 21:25,26) We are living in "distressful" times. It is so seldom that you hear any good news. There are wars and rumors of wars, talk of economic collapse on a global scale, violence is plaguing the land, natural disasters seem to never end but instead seem to be getting worse.
If you listen to all the ominous reports it would be easy to allow yourself to become fearful. But this morning, may I remind you, if you are a Child of God/ follower of Jesus/ His disciple (whatever you chose to call it) you have nothing to fear. Our trust is not in the things of this world. It is not in material resources. It is not in the wisdom of this world. It is not in man's knowledge or abilities. Our hope is in the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth. Our hope is in the One who created this world to begin with. He is our Savior, Deliverer, Fortress, Strong Tower of Refuge and our Source.
He was "Goshen" for the Israelites while the plagues were coming upon Egypt. He was the "Ark" that protected Noah and his family during the flood. He was the fourth man in the fire with the three Hebrews. He was the Angel who shut the lions' mouths for Daniel while in the lion's den. He was the "Smooth Stone" in the sling shot of David which brought down the giant.
Biblical history has recorded from Genesis to Revelation that the Lord has always been with His people- watching over, protecting and providing for them. He has always been there, He will not change now and leave us when we need Him. He is a Faithful Father to all His children throughout all generations. Therefore, we have no reason to fear- though the earth be removed and the powers of heaven be shaken. Our hope is in the Lord and we will look to Him.
Have a great day. Fearful things are happening, but we will be like Mount Zion which cannot be moved because our faith and trust is in the right place- it is in the Lord.
For further reading:
Psalm 91; 46
Isaiah 43:1,2
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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.
Please remember to give credit to
About the Master's Business Ministry.
Take time to visit our on-line Christian magazine and blogs.
http://livingstonesmagazine.homestead.com
Thursday, February 3, 2011
"The Price of Discipleship"
"They said unto him, Grant unto us that we may sit, one on thy right hand, and the other on thy left hand, in thy glory. But Jesus said unto them, Ye know not what ye ask: can ye drink of the cup that I drink of? and be baptized with the baptism that I am baptized with?" Mark 10:37,38
Most Christians tend to think that being a disciple of Jesus is about what we can "get" from God. We think it is about all the blessings He gives. We are always after the "good" things and good gifts that He will send our way. There is more to it though than just receiving blessings. There is a price to pay.
When we think about "the price" in Christianity, we tend to confine it to the price Jesus paid for our salvation. We forget that there is a price to discipleship as well. If you are going to follow Jesus, if you are going to be a partaker of His inheritance, if you are going to enjoy the blessings, then you are also going to have to pay a price.
Let me clarify that I am not talking about us paying a price for our salvation through works and by doing good deeds. I am talking about the price that comes from following Jesus. He told us in His word that there was a price and what the price was. "And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, if any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?" (Luke 14:25-28)
The price is:
1) Love Him with all your heart, soul, strength and mind. (and hate not... cannot be my disciple)
2) Don't allow anything or anyone besides Him to have first place in your life. (not father, mother, wife, children, brothers or sisters) He is your family now.
3) Surrender your own will to Him. (hate his own life also)
4) Die to self- (bear his cross)
Jesus wasn't telling us to hate others or self. The true evidence that we are Christians is our love for others. Besides if He told us to "hate" our families in the sense that we define hate, He would be telling us to break the greatest commandment. He was telling us that we cannot let our love for people(including family), ourselves, or material things come ahead of our love for Him. Our love for Him must be willing to sacrifice all other relationships for the relationship we have with Him. The cross is the place of death and sacrifice. This is the price that we are called to pay as disciples- the sacrifice of all for a relationship with Him. (Isn't that exactly what He did- sacrifice all in order to have a relationship with us?) This was the price that He told James and John when they were arguing about "position" in our verses above- "can ye drink of the cup that I drink of?"
Have a great day. We want the blessings, benefits and glory that come along with being His disciple, but we don't hear much about the price that comes along with it too. "And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together." (Romans 8:17)
For further reading:
1 Peter 4:12-14
Matthew 22:36-40
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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.
Please remember to give credit to
About the Master's Business Ministry.
Take time to visit our on-line Christian magazine and blogs.
http://livingstonesmagazine.homestead.com
Most Christians tend to think that being a disciple of Jesus is about what we can "get" from God. We think it is about all the blessings He gives. We are always after the "good" things and good gifts that He will send our way. There is more to it though than just receiving blessings. There is a price to pay.
When we think about "the price" in Christianity, we tend to confine it to the price Jesus paid for our salvation. We forget that there is a price to discipleship as well. If you are going to follow Jesus, if you are going to be a partaker of His inheritance, if you are going to enjoy the blessings, then you are also going to have to pay a price.
Let me clarify that I am not talking about us paying a price for our salvation through works and by doing good deeds. I am talking about the price that comes from following Jesus. He told us in His word that there was a price and what the price was. "And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, if any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?" (Luke 14:25-28)
The price is:
1) Love Him with all your heart, soul, strength and mind. (and hate not... cannot be my disciple)
2) Don't allow anything or anyone besides Him to have first place in your life. (not father, mother, wife, children, brothers or sisters) He is your family now.
3) Surrender your own will to Him. (hate his own life also)
4) Die to self- (bear his cross)
Jesus wasn't telling us to hate others or self. The true evidence that we are Christians is our love for others. Besides if He told us to "hate" our families in the sense that we define hate, He would be telling us to break the greatest commandment. He was telling us that we cannot let our love for people(including family), ourselves, or material things come ahead of our love for Him. Our love for Him must be willing to sacrifice all other relationships for the relationship we have with Him. The cross is the place of death and sacrifice. This is the price that we are called to pay as disciples- the sacrifice of all for a relationship with Him. (Isn't that exactly what He did- sacrifice all in order to have a relationship with us?) This was the price that He told James and John when they were arguing about "position" in our verses above- "can ye drink of the cup that I drink of?"
Have a great day. We want the blessings, benefits and glory that come along with being His disciple, but we don't hear much about the price that comes along with it too. "And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together." (Romans 8:17)
For further reading:
1 Peter 4:12-14
Matthew 22:36-40
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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.
Please remember to give credit to
About the Master's Business Ministry.
Take time to visit our on-line Christian magazine and blogs.
http://livingstonesmagazine.homestead.com
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
"Out of Focus"
"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." John 16:33
I woke up this morning with this chorus repeating over and over in my thoughts- "Savior, worthy of honor and glory, worthy of all our praise, You overcameJesus, awesome in power forever, awesome and great is Your name, You overcame." The words of this song were taken directly from the scriptures, therefore, they are truth. Jesus has overcome. He is awesome in power- He is the Omnipotent One. He is no "wimpy" little "Casper milk toast" God. He is not a "ninety-eight pound weakling". He is not limited in power- with Him nothing is impossible. May I remind you this morning that He is the Creator of the Universe. He is the Ruler of all creation. He is so powerful that He did not even have to take something in hand to create all that is, all He had to do was speak and it came into existence. His throne is eternal- He will always be though everything else may pass away. He always has been- when nothing else was.
I think that sometimes we need to readjust our focus- and thinking. Have you ever starred at something for so long that once you got your eyes off of it, everything else seemed blurry? When we look at our problems for too long without taking our eyes off of them, the same thing happens. Once we finally look somewhere else, everything else is out of focus-- including our view of God. We don't see Him as He really is- but as a distorted figure who is weak, not in control, unable to meet the need, unfaithful, etc.
Today turn your eyes for a moment from your problem, and start "starring" at Jesus. Get refocused on Him. If you "stare" at Him long enough, once you look back at your problem, it will be a blur- it will now look distorted and unclear. It won't look as intimidating, as big, as hopeless and as impossible, because it will be a true image of the problem compared to God.
Have great day. Readjust your focus and place it on the One who is awesome in power and overcame.
For further reading:
Philippians 2:10
Revelation 5:12
2 Samuel 7:22
Psalm 86:10; 121:1
Jeremiah 10:6
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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.
Please remember to give credit to
About the Master's Business Ministry.
Take time to visit our on-line Christian magazine and blogs.
http://livingstonesmagazine.homestead.com
I woke up this morning with this chorus repeating over and over in my thoughts- "Savior, worthy of honor and glory, worthy of all our praise, You overcameJesus, awesome in power forever, awesome and great is Your name, You overcame." The words of this song were taken directly from the scriptures, therefore, they are truth. Jesus has overcome. He is awesome in power- He is the Omnipotent One. He is no "wimpy" little "Casper milk toast" God. He is not a "ninety-eight pound weakling". He is not limited in power- with Him nothing is impossible. May I remind you this morning that He is the Creator of the Universe. He is the Ruler of all creation. He is so powerful that He did not even have to take something in hand to create all that is, all He had to do was speak and it came into existence. His throne is eternal- He will always be though everything else may pass away. He always has been- when nothing else was.
I think that sometimes we need to readjust our focus- and thinking. Have you ever starred at something for so long that once you got your eyes off of it, everything else seemed blurry? When we look at our problems for too long without taking our eyes off of them, the same thing happens. Once we finally look somewhere else, everything else is out of focus-- including our view of God. We don't see Him as He really is- but as a distorted figure who is weak, not in control, unable to meet the need, unfaithful, etc.
Today turn your eyes for a moment from your problem, and start "starring" at Jesus. Get refocused on Him. If you "stare" at Him long enough, once you look back at your problem, it will be a blur- it will now look distorted and unclear. It won't look as intimidating, as big, as hopeless and as impossible, because it will be a true image of the problem compared to God.
Have great day. Readjust your focus and place it on the One who is awesome in power and overcame.
For further reading:
Philippians 2:10
Revelation 5:12
2 Samuel 7:22
Psalm 86:10; 121:1
Jeremiah 10:6
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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.
Please remember to give credit to
About the Master's Business Ministry.
Take time to visit our on-line Christian magazine and blogs.
http://livingstonesmagazine.homestead.com
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
"He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill." Psalm 113:7
How wonderful it is to know that no matter what our station in life or our financial status is God loves and cares about us. He is not a respecter of persons. He doesn't look at our bank account to determine our worth or value. We are valuable to Him whether we are an aged widow who gives her last mite or the wealthiest person on earth. God doesn't look at us the way we look at others. This is why we are admonished time and time again in the scriptures not to show favoritism. "My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; and ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?" (James 2:1-4) James goes on to say, "But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors." (James 2:9) How sobering is that! If we show respect of persons then we are committing sin.
Why would He call it sin? Because you are breaking the royal law of love. "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." (James 2:8) Once Jesus was asked the question, "Who is my neighbor?" He defined it through the story of the Good Samaritan. Basically, the answer was- your neighbor is anyone you share the planet with. The next question, "How do we show love to our neighbor?" When they are in need, do whatever is in your power to help them. And do it without partiality. Don't help them only because they are poor or wealthy, share the same culture, have the same color skin, in the same age group, etc. Jesus used the characters that He did in His illustration because the Samaritans and Jews had no dealings with each other at all- they did not think very highly of each other. But the Samaritan was the one who stopped to help. The first two men would not stop and help, even though the one hurting was a fellow country man.
Jesus commanded His followers to love their neighbor as themselves, love those who are of the household of faith, and He even commanded us to love our enemies. And our love is not to be with partiality, favoritism or respect of persons. Why? Because it is not our love that we are to love them with, but His love that has been placed in our hearts by the Holy Spirit.
Have a great day. Do you show favoritism or love for all?
For further reading:
Matthew 5:44
Galatians 6:10
Luke 10:29-37
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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.
Please remember to give credit to
About the Master's Business Ministry.
Take time to visit our on-line Christian magazine and blogs.
http://livingstonesmagazine.homestead.com
How wonderful it is to know that no matter what our station in life or our financial status is God loves and cares about us. He is not a respecter of persons. He doesn't look at our bank account to determine our worth or value. We are valuable to Him whether we are an aged widow who gives her last mite or the wealthiest person on earth. God doesn't look at us the way we look at others. This is why we are admonished time and time again in the scriptures not to show favoritism. "My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons. For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment; and ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool: Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?" (James 2:1-4) James goes on to say, "But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors." (James 2:9) How sobering is that! If we show respect of persons then we are committing sin.
Why would He call it sin? Because you are breaking the royal law of love. "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." (James 2:8) Once Jesus was asked the question, "Who is my neighbor?" He defined it through the story of the Good Samaritan. Basically, the answer was- your neighbor is anyone you share the planet with. The next question, "How do we show love to our neighbor?" When they are in need, do whatever is in your power to help them. And do it without partiality. Don't help them only because they are poor or wealthy, share the same culture, have the same color skin, in the same age group, etc. Jesus used the characters that He did in His illustration because the Samaritans and Jews had no dealings with each other at all- they did not think very highly of each other. But the Samaritan was the one who stopped to help. The first two men would not stop and help, even though the one hurting was a fellow country man.
Jesus commanded His followers to love their neighbor as themselves, love those who are of the household of faith, and He even commanded us to love our enemies. And our love is not to be with partiality, favoritism or respect of persons. Why? Because it is not our love that we are to love them with, but His love that has been placed in our hearts by the Holy Spirit.
Have a great day. Do you show favoritism or love for all?
For further reading:
Matthew 5:44
Galatians 6:10
Luke 10:29-37
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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.
Please remember to give credit to
About the Master's Business Ministry.
Take time to visit our on-line Christian magazine and blogs.
http://livingstonesmagazine.homestead.com
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