"...but we have the mind of Christ." 1 Corinthians 2:16b
We have all heard it said, "You can be so heavenly minded that you are no earthly good". I understand where those who say that are coming from, but I don't believe that it is an accurate statement. As I thought about it, I began to think about the life of Jesus. He was nothing but "heavenly minded". He had a "kingdom mindset" behind everything He did- He did it with the kingdom in view. Everything He said was in reference to the kingdom. His thoughts were on the things of the kingdom- not on worldly things. Everywhere He went He was presenting the kingdom. His whole live was wrapped up in the kingdom and kingdom things and He was continually relating it to those on earth. He was the "embodiment" of the kingdom while He was on earth- showing us what the kingdom was like.
I don't think being "too heavenly minded is the problem". I think the problem with most Christians now days is that we aren't heavenly/kingdom minded enough. Perhaps it would be better said this way, "We need to be a little more heavenly/kingdom minded if we are going to be of any earthly good".
The scriptures tell us a lot about the renewing of our minds so that we won't be conformed to this world. It tells us what things we are to think on, and all those things are spiritual/heavenly things. If we are truly going to be of any earthly good, then we are going to have to be more kingdom minded than we are and less worldly minded--- we are going to have to keep heavenly things always in the forefront of our minds. Those things are: all have sinned and come short of the glory of God; the wages of sin is death- eternity in hell; the love of God that brought Jesus to earth to pay the price for our sins so that we can have eternal life; God's grace and mercy that He has shown to a lost and dying world; heaven; peace with God; fellowship and communion with the Father; joy in salvation; etc. We are going to have to have our minds on these "heavenly" things so that we will not forget that God loves the lost and without Him they are perishing.
Without being a little more heavenly minded we look, sound and act just like the world and, therefore, our lights are hid. Keeping our mind on heavenly/kingdom things keeps everything in perspective so that our lights continue to shine brightly and we don't lose our saltiness. If the world is going to see and hear about who Jesus is- it will happen as they see it and hear if from our lives. And they will only see it and hear it as we are more heavenly minded than earthly minded.
Have a great day. We need to be a little more heavenly minded if we are going to be of any earthly good.
For further reading:
Romans 12:2
Philippians 2:5;4:8
Colossians 3:1,2
Luke 17:21
John 14:9
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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
If you would like to subscribe to the Coffee Break mailing list, visit our website and on the Coffee Break page you will find a submision form.
You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.
.
Friday, July 29, 2011
Thursday, July 28, 2011
"A House Out of Order"
Dear All,
I want to thank you for your prayers for my husband... and your notes of concern and encouragement. Everything went well and we are back home now. I saw the Lord's wonderful keeping power and His how beautifully He moved on our behalf. I give Him praise and glory this morning.
Love and blessings,
Lorraine
___________________________________
"...Set thine house in order..." Isaiah 38:1ff
As most of you know, a week ago I went on a trip for a few days. Since I have been back- starting the very next morning after I returned- I have not had a minute to slow down (appointments, meetings, demands on my time- I won't bore you with all the details). Then my husband wound up having a heart cath and I have been on the go with that. I took a look around my neglected office this morning at the paper work that has piled up on my desk- bills that need attention, receipts that need to be filed, mail that needs to be sorted, etc. and thought- "this afternoon when I get back home, I have to get this office in order!'. At that moment, this verse came to me- "Set your house in order", and the Lord began to speak to me about this.
There are things that require our attention and we should give it to them. We should not be slothful or lazy in our business affairs, we should have good work ethics, we should not ignore our responsibilities, we should be diligent in every area of life. But we must also stop and take inventory of our "whole" life-- namely, our "spiritual" life.
Are we spending more time concerned with getting our "natural" life in order than we are with getting our "spiritual" life in order? You can work on taking care of the natural and neglect the spiritual until it is completely "out of order". Is your attention given first, and more, to your physical/natural well-being, or to your spiritual well-being? Which one of the two has your primary focus? Which one is your first priority?
Again, we should be taking care of business and not neglect our responsibilities, but our relationship with the Heavenly Father should be the first thing on our "to do list". Last night as I was answering my emails, I discovered a renewal notice for my website. It was due yesterday. Thank the Lord He brought it to my attention when He did, or it would have caused me to lose it and have to pay a higher price to have a new one. Neglect often cost us- it carries a price. We can't afford to neglect our spiritual man and relationship with the Lord either- it will cost us something if we do. And the price is too great to pay.
Have a great day. Don't neglect your physical responsibilities, but mainly don't neglect your "spiritual" life.
For further reading:
Hebrews 2:3
Matthew 6:19,33; 24:35
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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
If you would like to subscribe to the Coffee Break mailing list, visit our website and on the Coffee Break page you will find a submision form.
You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.
I want to thank you for your prayers for my husband... and your notes of concern and encouragement. Everything went well and we are back home now. I saw the Lord's wonderful keeping power and His how beautifully He moved on our behalf. I give Him praise and glory this morning.
Love and blessings,
Lorraine
___________________________________
"...Set thine house in order..." Isaiah 38:1ff
As most of you know, a week ago I went on a trip for a few days. Since I have been back- starting the very next morning after I returned- I have not had a minute to slow down (appointments, meetings, demands on my time- I won't bore you with all the details). Then my husband wound up having a heart cath and I have been on the go with that. I took a look around my neglected office this morning at the paper work that has piled up on my desk- bills that need attention, receipts that need to be filed, mail that needs to be sorted, etc. and thought- "this afternoon when I get back home, I have to get this office in order!'. At that moment, this verse came to me- "Set your house in order", and the Lord began to speak to me about this.
There are things that require our attention and we should give it to them. We should not be slothful or lazy in our business affairs, we should have good work ethics, we should not ignore our responsibilities, we should be diligent in every area of life. But we must also stop and take inventory of our "whole" life-- namely, our "spiritual" life.
Are we spending more time concerned with getting our "natural" life in order than we are with getting our "spiritual" life in order? You can work on taking care of the natural and neglect the spiritual until it is completely "out of order". Is your attention given first, and more, to your physical/natural well-being, or to your spiritual well-being? Which one of the two has your primary focus? Which one is your first priority?
Again, we should be taking care of business and not neglect our responsibilities, but our relationship with the Heavenly Father should be the first thing on our "to do list". Last night as I was answering my emails, I discovered a renewal notice for my website. It was due yesterday. Thank the Lord He brought it to my attention when He did, or it would have caused me to lose it and have to pay a higher price to have a new one. Neglect often cost us- it carries a price. We can't afford to neglect our spiritual man and relationship with the Lord either- it will cost us something if we do. And the price is too great to pay.
Have a great day. Don't neglect your physical responsibilities, but mainly don't neglect your "spiritual" life.
For further reading:
Hebrews 2:3
Matthew 6:19,33; 24:35
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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
If you would like to subscribe to the Coffee Break mailing list, visit our website and on the Coffee Break page you will find a submision form.
You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
"God's Great Mercy"
Dear All,
I would appreciate it if you would remember my husband in prayer this morning. He will be having a heart cath.
Thank you. Love and blessings, Lorraine
__________________________________________________________
"And David said unto Gad, I am in a great strait: let me fall now into the hand of the Lord; for very great are his mercies: but let me not fall into the hand of man." 1 Chronicles 21:13
Last night a friend posted something on her face book wall for the reader to think about. What she said was, "Who would you rather on your side? Men/Women or the God who created the Men/Women? For some reason that question reminded me of the story in the Bible about King David when he disobeyed the Lord by taking a census of the people. Naturally, his act of disobedience brought not only consequences but it had to be punished. God gave David three choices as a punishment then allowed him to choose which one he wanted. "And the Lord spake unto Gad, David's seer, saying, Go and tell David, saying, Thus saith the Lord, I offer thee three things: choose thee one of them, that I may do it unto thee. So Gad came to David, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Choose thee either three years' famine; or three months to be destroyed before thy foes, while that the sword of thine enemies overtaketh thee; or else three days the sword of the Lord, even the pestilence, in the land, and the angel of the Lord destroying throughout all the coasts of Israel. Now therefore advise thyself what word I shall bring again to him that sent me." (verses 9-12)
Out of the three David chose to fall into the hands of God and not man. His reason was: "for very great are His mercies". David knew that even though God's punishment was justified and deserved, God would show him mercy even in punishment. Therefore, he would rather face God than man because he knew that God's mercy, love, compassion and forgiveness was attached to His judgments. "For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?" (Hebrews 12:6,7)
Even though David faced the punishment and Israel suffered for it too, David was right-- God stopped the punishment when David fell on his face before the Lord crying out in repentance asking for mercy.
I weep when I think of the goodness and mercy of God. We fall, we sin, we disobey, we reject God and by doing so we deserve punishment, yet when we will turn to Him asking for forgiveness and mercy, He so graciously gives it to us.
David was guilty of his sin against God, and God showed mercy on him. Are you in need of God's mercy this morning over your act of disobedience? It is available to you just like it was for David. His mercies are awaiting you today. Go to Him in repentance and fall upon His mercy.... I am sure you will find it.
Have a great day. The mercy of God is so much greater than all our sins.
For further reading:
Lamentation 3:23
Psalm 33:22; 51:1; 66:20; 103:17
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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
If you would like to subscribe to the Coffee Break mailing list, visit our website and on the Coffee Break page you will find a submision form.
You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.
I would appreciate it if you would remember my husband in prayer this morning. He will be having a heart cath.
Thank you. Love and blessings, Lorraine
__________________________________________________________
"And David said unto Gad, I am in a great strait: let me fall now into the hand of the Lord; for very great are his mercies: but let me not fall into the hand of man." 1 Chronicles 21:13
Last night a friend posted something on her face book wall for the reader to think about. What she said was, "Who would you rather on your side? Men/Women or the God who created the Men/Women? For some reason that question reminded me of the story in the Bible about King David when he disobeyed the Lord by taking a census of the people. Naturally, his act of disobedience brought not only consequences but it had to be punished. God gave David three choices as a punishment then allowed him to choose which one he wanted. "And the Lord spake unto Gad, David's seer, saying, Go and tell David, saying, Thus saith the Lord, I offer thee three things: choose thee one of them, that I may do it unto thee. So Gad came to David, and said unto him, Thus saith the Lord, Choose thee either three years' famine; or three months to be destroyed before thy foes, while that the sword of thine enemies overtaketh thee; or else three days the sword of the Lord, even the pestilence, in the land, and the angel of the Lord destroying throughout all the coasts of Israel. Now therefore advise thyself what word I shall bring again to him that sent me." (verses 9-12)
Out of the three David chose to fall into the hands of God and not man. His reason was: "for very great are His mercies". David knew that even though God's punishment was justified and deserved, God would show him mercy even in punishment. Therefore, he would rather face God than man because he knew that God's mercy, love, compassion and forgiveness was attached to His judgments. "For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth. If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not?" (Hebrews 12:6,7)
Even though David faced the punishment and Israel suffered for it too, David was right-- God stopped the punishment when David fell on his face before the Lord crying out in repentance asking for mercy.
I weep when I think of the goodness and mercy of God. We fall, we sin, we disobey, we reject God and by doing so we deserve punishment, yet when we will turn to Him asking for forgiveness and mercy, He so graciously gives it to us.
David was guilty of his sin against God, and God showed mercy on him. Are you in need of God's mercy this morning over your act of disobedience? It is available to you just like it was for David. His mercies are awaiting you today. Go to Him in repentance and fall upon His mercy.... I am sure you will find it.
Have a great day. The mercy of God is so much greater than all our sins.
For further reading:
Lamentation 3:23
Psalm 33:22; 51:1; 66:20; 103:17
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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
If you would like to subscribe to the Coffee Break mailing list, visit our website and on the Coffee Break page you will find a submision form.
You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.
Monday, July 25, 2011
"Wrong or Right Reason?"
"Labour not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed." John 6:27
We put way too much emphasis on the physical life and material things. This is even true when it comes to our spiritual life. In John 6:26, Jesus tells us this: "Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled." Jesus said that the people were seeking Him because of the physical blessings and physical needs that He was providing for them. Then in our opening verse He tells us that this is the wrong reason to seek Him, and what we should be seeking Him for instead.
If we are seeking the Lord and following Him for the "things" He can give us, then we are following Him for the wrong reason. The crowds followed Jesus everywhere He went while He was on earth. Most were following Him because of some miracle He could give them, or because He fed them with bread and fish, or because they wanted Him to heal their body or do something for them. But few followed Him for the "right" reason. Think that isn't true? Then where were they all- where were the crowds- at the cross?
Why are you following Him? What do you seek to find from Him? Are you following Him because of some material thing you want Him to give you? Are you following Him because you want His physical blessings on your life? Are you following Him because you want to see His hand moving in your life? Are you following Him because of the eternal life that He provides? Are you following Him because you love Him? Are you following Him because you desire to see His "face" and know His "heart"? There is a right and a wrong reason for following Him. If your reason for following Him is based on receiving material blessings that He can give, then you are following Him for the wrong reason.
Have a great day. Is the reason you are following Jesus attached to some physical need He can provide for you, or out of love?
For further reading:
Matthew 6:19,20,33
Mark 7:6
Colossians 3:2
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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
If you would like to subscribe to the Coffee Break mailing list, visit our website and on the Coffee Break page you will find a submision form.
You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.
We put way too much emphasis on the physical life and material things. This is even true when it comes to our spiritual life. In John 6:26, Jesus tells us this: "Jesus answered them and said, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Ye seek me, not because ye saw the miracles, but because ye did eat of the loaves, and were filled." Jesus said that the people were seeking Him because of the physical blessings and physical needs that He was providing for them. Then in our opening verse He tells us that this is the wrong reason to seek Him, and what we should be seeking Him for instead.
If we are seeking the Lord and following Him for the "things" He can give us, then we are following Him for the wrong reason. The crowds followed Jesus everywhere He went while He was on earth. Most were following Him because of some miracle He could give them, or because He fed them with bread and fish, or because they wanted Him to heal their body or do something for them. But few followed Him for the "right" reason. Think that isn't true? Then where were they all- where were the crowds- at the cross?
Why are you following Him? What do you seek to find from Him? Are you following Him because of some material thing you want Him to give you? Are you following Him because you want His physical blessings on your life? Are you following Him because you want to see His hand moving in your life? Are you following Him because of the eternal life that He provides? Are you following Him because you love Him? Are you following Him because you desire to see His "face" and know His "heart"? There is a right and a wrong reason for following Him. If your reason for following Him is based on receiving material blessings that He can give, then you are following Him for the wrong reason.
Have a great day. Is the reason you are following Jesus attached to some physical need He can provide for you, or out of love?
For further reading:
Matthew 6:19,20,33
Mark 7:6
Colossians 3:2
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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
If you would like to subscribe to the Coffee Break mailing list, visit our website and on the Coffee Break page you will find a submision form.
You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.
Friday, July 15, 2011
"Guilty Without Guilt"
"If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us." 1 John 1:8
I want to talk about guilt this morning. In the English language the word guilt is a noun and a verb. The word guilt used as a noun means that it's a fact that you have committed some offense, some wrong doing or violated some law. Guilt as a verb deals with the feeling of remorse over some wrong that you have done. For example, the feeling of guilt may come as a result of cheating on your spouse. You betrayed the love that they gave you by giving yourself to someone else. It may come because you said something hurtful or harmful and now you wish you could take those words back because of the pain they inflicted. Parents often feel guilty because they did not spend time with their children while they were growing up. Some suffer with guilt because they committed a crime against another person through theft, murder, abuse, etc.
The guilt we feel is because we are in fact truly guilty of doing what we are feeling guilty about. It is not because we are innocent. I want to encourage you that if you are dealing with guilt today over something you did, the Lord wants to deliver you from it.
Look at the life of the Apostle Paul. He was guilty of persecuting the church. His occupation was to seek out those who were living for Christ and have them imprisoned or put to death. Then one day he had an encounter with the Lord on the Damascus Road and his life was forever changed. Instead of persecuting the church, he became part of it and preached the same gospel that he had tried to destroy. Although Paul was guilty of all the things we just said, he did not live in guilt over them. Had he, he would have never been able to preach the saving, healing, delivering message of Jesus. The guilt would have stopped him every time he opened his mouth. The point I want to make from the life of Paul is that while he was guilty, he did not live in guilt. And you don't have to either. The Lord wants to deliver you from the guilt of what you have done and give you healing and forgiveness. Did Paul still endure some things because of his guilty act? Yes. But he did not endure the struggle of wresting with those guilty feelings- he had peace, his guilt was gone.
Are you wresting with guilt? Are you guilty of doing the thing that you are having remorse over but you can't get past the guilt of it? The same healing that was available for Paul is available for you. The same peace that the Lord gave to him He wants to give to you. He wants to deliver you from the guilt.
The enemy wants to keep you bound in guilt so that he can stop you from fulfilling God's purpose and accomplishing God's plan for your life. He wants to keep you feeling guilty so that you will not pursue a relationship with the Lord.
This morning, take your guilt to God. Ask for His forgiveness, then let Him take the guilt away and give you peace.
Have a great day. You may be guilty, but the Lord wants to deliver you from the guilt.
For further reading:
Romans 8:1
1 John 1:9
Acts 9:1-26
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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
If you would like to subscribe to the Coffee Break mailing list, visit our website and on the Coffee Break page you will find a submision form.
You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.
I want to talk about guilt this morning. In the English language the word guilt is a noun and a verb. The word guilt used as a noun means that it's a fact that you have committed some offense, some wrong doing or violated some law. Guilt as a verb deals with the feeling of remorse over some wrong that you have done. For example, the feeling of guilt may come as a result of cheating on your spouse. You betrayed the love that they gave you by giving yourself to someone else. It may come because you said something hurtful or harmful and now you wish you could take those words back because of the pain they inflicted. Parents often feel guilty because they did not spend time with their children while they were growing up. Some suffer with guilt because they committed a crime against another person through theft, murder, abuse, etc.
The guilt we feel is because we are in fact truly guilty of doing what we are feeling guilty about. It is not because we are innocent. I want to encourage you that if you are dealing with guilt today over something you did, the Lord wants to deliver you from it.
Look at the life of the Apostle Paul. He was guilty of persecuting the church. His occupation was to seek out those who were living for Christ and have them imprisoned or put to death. Then one day he had an encounter with the Lord on the Damascus Road and his life was forever changed. Instead of persecuting the church, he became part of it and preached the same gospel that he had tried to destroy. Although Paul was guilty of all the things we just said, he did not live in guilt over them. Had he, he would have never been able to preach the saving, healing, delivering message of Jesus. The guilt would have stopped him every time he opened his mouth. The point I want to make from the life of Paul is that while he was guilty, he did not live in guilt. And you don't have to either. The Lord wants to deliver you from the guilt of what you have done and give you healing and forgiveness. Did Paul still endure some things because of his guilty act? Yes. But he did not endure the struggle of wresting with those guilty feelings- he had peace, his guilt was gone.
Are you wresting with guilt? Are you guilty of doing the thing that you are having remorse over but you can't get past the guilt of it? The same healing that was available for Paul is available for you. The same peace that the Lord gave to him He wants to give to you. He wants to deliver you from the guilt.
The enemy wants to keep you bound in guilt so that he can stop you from fulfilling God's purpose and accomplishing God's plan for your life. He wants to keep you feeling guilty so that you will not pursue a relationship with the Lord.
This morning, take your guilt to God. Ask for His forgiveness, then let Him take the guilt away and give you peace.
Have a great day. You may be guilty, but the Lord wants to deliver you from the guilt.
For further reading:
Romans 8:1
1 John 1:9
Acts 9:1-26
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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
If you would like to subscribe to the Coffee Break mailing list, visit our website and on the Coffee Break page you will find a submision form.
You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.
Thursday, July 14, 2011
"Evidence"
"By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." John 13:35
If you say you are a Christian, how much evidence is there in your life to back it up? It is one thing to say you are something and it is another thing to actually be what you say you are. My little granddaughter comes to me from time to time with her hands in the air saying, "I am a bear.. growl!". Yesterday, she was on her hands and knees on the floor saying she was a horse. Of course, she is not a bear, she is not a horse, or anything else she pretends to be. Just because she says she is something doesn't make it so.
Just because we say we are Christians doesn't make it so either. There has to be some evidence in our lives to back it up. And sometimes the things that we think are "evidence" are not. My granddaughter thinks that just because she growls like a bear, shows me her teeth and makes a fierce face, I will believe that she is one. Some people think that just because they do some "Christian things" that this is enough evidence to prove that they are a Christian.
The true evidence is internal evidence, not external. It is who you are on the inside, not just what you do on the outside. You may do some good deeds that look like what a Christian does, but that doesn't mean that you actually are one. Just because my granddaughter imitates a bear doesn't make her one- that is not enough evidence to prove she is one.
The real evidence comes from within- out of the heart. It is not something you can imitate, it is something that is either there or it isn't, and it is something that only God's Holy Spirit can put in and produce in you. Is the evidence that you are a Christian just your words professing that you are one, or is the evidence a Christ-like heart being manifested in your life.
Have a great day. What is the evidence in your life that gives proof to your profession that you are a Christian?
For further reading:
Matthew 7:20; 15:19
Galatians 5:22,23
Titus 1:16
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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
If you would like to subscribe to the Coffee Break mailing list, viist our website and on the Coffee Break page you will be able to subscribe.
You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.
If you say you are a Christian, how much evidence is there in your life to back it up? It is one thing to say you are something and it is another thing to actually be what you say you are. My little granddaughter comes to me from time to time with her hands in the air saying, "I am a bear.. growl!". Yesterday, she was on her hands and knees on the floor saying she was a horse. Of course, she is not a bear, she is not a horse, or anything else she pretends to be. Just because she says she is something doesn't make it so.
Just because we say we are Christians doesn't make it so either. There has to be some evidence in our lives to back it up. And sometimes the things that we think are "evidence" are not. My granddaughter thinks that just because she growls like a bear, shows me her teeth and makes a fierce face, I will believe that she is one. Some people think that just because they do some "Christian things" that this is enough evidence to prove that they are a Christian.
The true evidence is internal evidence, not external. It is who you are on the inside, not just what you do on the outside. You may do some good deeds that look like what a Christian does, but that doesn't mean that you actually are one. Just because my granddaughter imitates a bear doesn't make her one- that is not enough evidence to prove she is one.
The real evidence comes from within- out of the heart. It is not something you can imitate, it is something that is either there or it isn't, and it is something that only God's Holy Spirit can put in and produce in you. Is the evidence that you are a Christian just your words professing that you are one, or is the evidence a Christ-like heart being manifested in your life.
Have a great day. What is the evidence in your life that gives proof to your profession that you are a Christian?
For further reading:
Matthew 7:20; 15:19
Galatians 5:22,23
Titus 1:16
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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
If you would like to subscribe to the Coffee Break mailing list, viist our website and on the Coffee Break page you will be able to subscribe.
You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
"Road of Departure"
"For I have kept the ways of the Lord, and have not wickedly departed from my God." Psalm 18:21
Not only was the verse above the testimony of the Psalmist, it's the key to not departing from the Lord. Sadly, some have departed from the Lord going back to their old ways- Paul even addressed this in his letters to the churches. "For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:" (Philippians 3:18) He also gave a warning that in the last days some would depart from the faith. "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils." (1 Timothy 4:1)
So what is this key? How do we keep from departing from the Lord? How do we continue to stay close to Him? By "keeping the ways of the Lord". His "ways" literally means- to go in His direction and follow His path. We do this through keeping His commandments and submitting to His will.
You can't obey and disobey the Lord's commandments at the same time. You can't keep His ways and your own ways at the same time. You can't follow His will and your own will both at once. His will will always take you in a different direction than the will of your own flesh. So you will either have to go in one direction or the other. Physically speaking, I can't go to the left and right at the same time. When I get in my car and start driving, I can't go north and south at the same time. I either have to drive in the direction of north or south, but not both. It's the same in dealing with our spiritual life. We can't do both- we can't go in God's direction and our own at the same time.
If you feel yourself getting further away from the Lord it is because you are not keeping His ways- you are going in another direction and that direction, since it is not His direction, is leading you away from Him. The solution is to repent, turn around, then start following His direction. You will find that when you do, you will be getting closer to Him and off the road of departure from Him.
Have a great day. Following the Lord's direction will keep us from departing from Him.
For further reading:
Proverbs 4:4; 3:1; 7:2; 5:7
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org
You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.
Not only was the verse above the testimony of the Psalmist, it's the key to not departing from the Lord. Sadly, some have departed from the Lord going back to their old ways- Paul even addressed this in his letters to the churches. "For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ:" (Philippians 3:18) He also gave a warning that in the last days some would depart from the faith. "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils." (1 Timothy 4:1)
So what is this key? How do we keep from departing from the Lord? How do we continue to stay close to Him? By "keeping the ways of the Lord". His "ways" literally means- to go in His direction and follow His path. We do this through keeping His commandments and submitting to His will.
You can't obey and disobey the Lord's commandments at the same time. You can't keep His ways and your own ways at the same time. You can't follow His will and your own will both at once. His will will always take you in a different direction than the will of your own flesh. So you will either have to go in one direction or the other. Physically speaking, I can't go to the left and right at the same time. When I get in my car and start driving, I can't go north and south at the same time. I either have to drive in the direction of north or south, but not both. It's the same in dealing with our spiritual life. We can't do both- we can't go in God's direction and our own at the same time.
If you feel yourself getting further away from the Lord it is because you are not keeping His ways- you are going in another direction and that direction, since it is not His direction, is leading you away from Him. The solution is to repent, turn around, then start following His direction. You will find that when you do, you will be getting closer to Him and off the road of departure from Him.
Have a great day. Following the Lord's direction will keep us from departing from Him.
For further reading:
Proverbs 4:4; 3:1; 7:2; 5:7
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org
You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
"Equipped With Strength"
"It is God that girdeth me with strength, and maketh my way perfect." Psalm 18:32
Stop saying you are weak! Stop saying that you can't do it- that you are just too weak and don't have the strength! "Let the weak say, I am strong; strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might." (Joel 3:10; Ephesians 6:10) Yes, in and of yourself you are weak and can do nothing, but as a born again child of God you are no longer too weak to do any task that He sets before you. You are no longer too weak to stand before the enemy. Why? Because He "girdeth" you with strength. (Translated- He equips you with strength.) He equips you with the strength that you need to "run through a troop", to "stand and face your Goliath"; to "preach the gospel", to "lay aside every weight of sin that would beset you". This means that you can now do "all things through Christ which strengthens you".
We have been equipped with everything we need to live victoriously- including strength. The strength that He has equipped us with is His very own strength. It is the same strength that was in Jesus when He stood against the devil's temptations in the wilderness; when He went about doing good; when He was daily confronted by His accusers; when He humbled Himself in Gethsemane and surrendered to the will of the Father. It is the same strength that caused Him to endure the shame and the pain in order to pay the price for our sins on the cross.
We do not have to cave in to weakness because not only is His strength available to us, it is part of what He has equipped us with in order to live the life that He has called us to live. Do we have moments when we feel weak? Yes, we do. But in those times we can't give into the weakness and just stop or give up. We have to look to the One who "infuses" us with His strength and get our strength renewed. "I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency]." (Philippians 4:13- Amplified Bible) And when we go to Him for renewed strength, He promises us that we will receive it. "For my strength is made perfect in weakness." (2 Corinthians 12:9)
If this describes you this morning, you do not have to be weak, the Lord has equipped you with His strength. And you won't be weak if you will "put on" the strength that He has equipped you with.
Have a great day. We have been equipped with the Lord's strength so we aren't weaklings.
For further reading:
Psalm 18:29; 39; 138:3
Hebrews 12:1
2 Timothy 4:17
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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 unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.
Stop saying you are weak! Stop saying that you can't do it- that you are just too weak and don't have the strength! "Let the weak say, I am strong; strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might." (Joel 3:10; Ephesians 6:10) Yes, in and of yourself you are weak and can do nothing, but as a born again child of God you are no longer too weak to do any task that He sets before you. You are no longer too weak to stand before the enemy. Why? Because He "girdeth" you with strength. (Translated- He equips you with strength.) He equips you with the strength that you need to "run through a troop", to "stand and face your Goliath"; to "preach the gospel", to "lay aside every weight of sin that would beset you". This means that you can now do "all things through Christ which strengthens you".
We have been equipped with everything we need to live victoriously- including strength. The strength that He has equipped us with is His very own strength. It is the same strength that was in Jesus when He stood against the devil's temptations in the wilderness; when He went about doing good; when He was daily confronted by His accusers; when He humbled Himself in Gethsemane and surrendered to the will of the Father. It is the same strength that caused Him to endure the shame and the pain in order to pay the price for our sins on the cross.
We do not have to cave in to weakness because not only is His strength available to us, it is part of what He has equipped us with in order to live the life that He has called us to live. Do we have moments when we feel weak? Yes, we do. But in those times we can't give into the weakness and just stop or give up. We have to look to the One who "infuses" us with His strength and get our strength renewed. "I have strength for all things in Christ Who empowers me [I am ready for anything and equal to anything through Him Who infuses inner strength into me; I am self-sufficient in Christ's sufficiency]." (Philippians 4:13- Amplified Bible) And when we go to Him for renewed strength, He promises us that we will receive it. "For my strength is made perfect in weakness." (2 Corinthians 12:9)
If this describes you this morning, you do not have to be weak, the Lord has equipped you with His strength. And you won't be weak if you will "put on" the strength that He has equipped you with.
Have a great day. We have been equipped with the Lord's strength so we aren't weaklings.
For further reading:
Psalm 18:29; 39; 138:3
Hebrews 12:1
2 Timothy 4:17
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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 unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.
Monday, July 11, 2011
"Noticeable Difference"
"As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby:" 1 Peter 2:2
If you have ever watched a baby grow you have noticed that there is a transformation that takes place in it. As you watch the baby day after day you will soon see that it goes through many changes. You'll notice it putting on weight, its little legs start getting longer, its head gets bigger, its features start developing, and so on. How does this transformation take place in its little body? Does it happen by leaving the baby alone in its crib every day? Does it happen because you sit and rock it for hours at a time? Does it just automatically happen through the course of nature? No, to all of the above.
What causes the transformation in the baby's physical appearance is the milk/formula it takes in. When a baby drinks its "food', it takes in certain nutrients from that food. The nutrients that are in it are what causes the change. As those nutrients get into the muscles, organs, cells and tissues in that baby's body those nutrients start bringing about a change in its body. The more nutrients it takes in the more noticeable the change, until it no longer resembles a baby and eventually changes into an adult.
Our spiritual growth happens the same way- it comes through the "nutrients" we receive from God's word. When we take His word in, it is like taking "spiritual growth hormones". But I am not talking about just casually reading it and then being a "forgetful hearer" of what you read. I am talking about letting His word get down into your spirit and putting it into practice in your life. The putting it into practice and letting it govern your life is what brings about transformation in us. As we read the word and apply the word a transformation takes place in our spirits and there begins to be a noticeable difference in us. If we continue daily to read God's word and live our lives by it the more noticeable that difference will be. So noticeable that we will eventually come into the "measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ." (Ephesians 4:13) In other words, we will come to spiritual maturity and look like Christ.
Have a great day. Our spiritual growth comes from the nutrients we receive from God's word.
For further reading:
James 1:22,25
1 Corinthians 3:1-3
Hebrews 5:14
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org
You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.
If you have ever watched a baby grow you have noticed that there is a transformation that takes place in it. As you watch the baby day after day you will soon see that it goes through many changes. You'll notice it putting on weight, its little legs start getting longer, its head gets bigger, its features start developing, and so on. How does this transformation take place in its little body? Does it happen by leaving the baby alone in its crib every day? Does it happen because you sit and rock it for hours at a time? Does it just automatically happen through the course of nature? No, to all of the above.
What causes the transformation in the baby's physical appearance is the milk/formula it takes in. When a baby drinks its "food', it takes in certain nutrients from that food. The nutrients that are in it are what causes the change. As those nutrients get into the muscles, organs, cells and tissues in that baby's body those nutrients start bringing about a change in its body. The more nutrients it takes in the more noticeable the change, until it no longer resembles a baby and eventually changes into an adult.
Our spiritual growth happens the same way- it comes through the "nutrients" we receive from God's word. When we take His word in, it is like taking "spiritual growth hormones". But I am not talking about just casually reading it and then being a "forgetful hearer" of what you read. I am talking about letting His word get down into your spirit and putting it into practice in your life. The putting it into practice and letting it govern your life is what brings about transformation in us. As we read the word and apply the word a transformation takes place in our spirits and there begins to be a noticeable difference in us. If we continue daily to read God's word and live our lives by it the more noticeable that difference will be. So noticeable that we will eventually come into the "measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ." (Ephesians 4:13) In other words, we will come to spiritual maturity and look like Christ.
Have a great day. Our spiritual growth comes from the nutrients we receive from God's word.
For further reading:
James 1:22,25
1 Corinthians 3:1-3
Hebrews 5:14
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org
You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.
Friday, July 8, 2011
"You Are Not Too Bad"
"This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief." 1 Timothy 1:15
In sharing the good news of Jesus' love, salvation and forgiveness of sin, there is one attitude/belief that I encounter from people more often then others. It is the belief that they are "too bad" for God to forgive them. They hear what you are saying and they want to believe it but they can't get past something they have done. Their own heart condemns them and will not allow them to believe it. To them the message is just "too good to be true".
I remember going through this same thing. When I was a young girl, I was in a store one day and saw something that caught my attention. I didn't even know what it was, it was very tiny and didn't cost a quarter but I stuck it in my pocket. I knew I had done wrong. A few years later, the Lord began to deal with my heart to come to salvation. I went to the altar to pray and receive Jesus into my life but I could not get past the fact that I had stolen that item years before. I wanted God's forgiveness. I wanted to be saved. I wanted to give my life to Him, but that "wasn't" possible- I thought- because of what I had done. Thankfully, my cousin came to the altar, who was a Christian and older than I was, to pray with me. I could not get past the guilt of what I had done. I just knew I could never be forgiven. I shared what I had done years before with her. I remember saying these exact words to her, "But I stole something, I can't be forgiven." Again, thankfully, she knew the truth of God's word. I don't even remember what she told me, but before I got up from the altar I was convinced that God's love for me was greater than anything, or any sin that I had committed, and that Jesus died for my sins so I could be forgiven. I left the altar a brand new person- forgiven of my sins.... ALL of them.
Our own hearts will condemn us and tell us we are too bad for God's forgiveness. The devil will condemn us and tell us that we are too bad for God to forgive. But neither is true. The truth is that we are all "too bad" to be forgiven- even at our very "best". We are all sinners- no matter what we have done. Whatever you have done- you may have stolen something, you may have committed adultery, you may be a drug addict, you may be addicted to something else, you may have murdered someone. What you think is too big or too bad for God to forgive is not. The love of God covers a multitude of sins. The shed blood of Jesus at the cross can wash away every sin regardless of what it is.
Don't believe the lie that your sin is too big or you are too bad for God to forgive. Believe His word, which is- He loves you, He wants to forgive your sins, nothing you have done is too big or horrible for His forgiveness, and He is waiting for you to come to Him and receive His love and forgiveness.
Have a great day. You are not too bad for God to love, and your sin is not too big for Him to forgive.
For further reading:
John 3:16,17
Romans 5:8
1 John 3:20
Romans 3:23
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org
You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.
In sharing the good news of Jesus' love, salvation and forgiveness of sin, there is one attitude/belief that I encounter from people more often then others. It is the belief that they are "too bad" for God to forgive them. They hear what you are saying and they want to believe it but they can't get past something they have done. Their own heart condemns them and will not allow them to believe it. To them the message is just "too good to be true".
I remember going through this same thing. When I was a young girl, I was in a store one day and saw something that caught my attention. I didn't even know what it was, it was very tiny and didn't cost a quarter but I stuck it in my pocket. I knew I had done wrong. A few years later, the Lord began to deal with my heart to come to salvation. I went to the altar to pray and receive Jesus into my life but I could not get past the fact that I had stolen that item years before. I wanted God's forgiveness. I wanted to be saved. I wanted to give my life to Him, but that "wasn't" possible- I thought- because of what I had done. Thankfully, my cousin came to the altar, who was a Christian and older than I was, to pray with me. I could not get past the guilt of what I had done. I just knew I could never be forgiven. I shared what I had done years before with her. I remember saying these exact words to her, "But I stole something, I can't be forgiven." Again, thankfully, she knew the truth of God's word. I don't even remember what she told me, but before I got up from the altar I was convinced that God's love for me was greater than anything, or any sin that I had committed, and that Jesus died for my sins so I could be forgiven. I left the altar a brand new person- forgiven of my sins.... ALL of them.
Our own hearts will condemn us and tell us we are too bad for God's forgiveness. The devil will condemn us and tell us that we are too bad for God to forgive. But neither is true. The truth is that we are all "too bad" to be forgiven- even at our very "best". We are all sinners- no matter what we have done. Whatever you have done- you may have stolen something, you may have committed adultery, you may be a drug addict, you may be addicted to something else, you may have murdered someone. What you think is too big or too bad for God to forgive is not. The love of God covers a multitude of sins. The shed blood of Jesus at the cross can wash away every sin regardless of what it is.
Don't believe the lie that your sin is too big or you are too bad for God to forgive. Believe His word, which is- He loves you, He wants to forgive your sins, nothing you have done is too big or horrible for His forgiveness, and He is waiting for you to come to Him and receive His love and forgiveness.
Have a great day. You are not too bad for God to love, and your sin is not too big for Him to forgive.
For further reading:
John 3:16,17
Romans 5:8
1 John 3:20
Romans 3:23
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org
You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
"Sure Foundation"
"For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ." 1 Corinthians 3:11
Everyone is building their lives on some sort of foundation. It may be ambition, dreams, hopes or a wide variety of many other things. But there is only one sure foundation upon which we can build. There is only one foundation that offers lasting "support" for our lives. There is only one foundation that can stand the test of time, withstand the storms of life and remains solid. The foundation that I am talking about is the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.
When Jesus is the foundation of our life, that foundation is not a temporary one, it is an eternal one. It isn't a weak support, it is a strong one- we don't have to worry whether it is going to support our lives or not. This foundation will stay firm through all the storms- even tsunami size ones- that come our way. It will stand firm when "earthquakes"- those things that try to shake us to our very core- hit our lives.
If you are building your life on any foundation other than Jesus, you are building it on the wrong foundation. One day that foundation will give away and you will be left without a foundation under you. So are you going to build your life upon the one and only sure foundation, or build it on something that is faulty and temporary and hope that it will be able to support you?
Have a great day. There is only one solid foundation upon which we can build our lives-- Jesus!
For further reading:
1 Corinthians 3:10-12
Matthew 7:24-27
Isaiah 28:16
Ephesians 2:19-21
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org
You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.
Everyone is building their lives on some sort of foundation. It may be ambition, dreams, hopes or a wide variety of many other things. But there is only one sure foundation upon which we can build. There is only one foundation that offers lasting "support" for our lives. There is only one foundation that can stand the test of time, withstand the storms of life and remains solid. The foundation that I am talking about is the Lord Jesus Christ Himself.
When Jesus is the foundation of our life, that foundation is not a temporary one, it is an eternal one. It isn't a weak support, it is a strong one- we don't have to worry whether it is going to support our lives or not. This foundation will stay firm through all the storms- even tsunami size ones- that come our way. It will stand firm when "earthquakes"- those things that try to shake us to our very core- hit our lives.
If you are building your life on any foundation other than Jesus, you are building it on the wrong foundation. One day that foundation will give away and you will be left without a foundation under you. So are you going to build your life upon the one and only sure foundation, or build it on something that is faulty and temporary and hope that it will be able to support you?
Have a great day. There is only one solid foundation upon which we can build our lives-- Jesus!
For further reading:
1 Corinthians 3:10-12
Matthew 7:24-27
Isaiah 28:16
Ephesians 2:19-21
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org
You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
"You Have To Do It"
"But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway." 1 Corinthians 9:27
So you won't misunderstand what I am about to say, let me say this first- only the Lord can truly save us, heal us and deliver us, we can't do it ourselves. I do not have the power to set myself free from the bondage of sin. I cannot give myself eternal life. I cannot bring myself out of the pit of destruction. I can't heal my body when it is consumed with sickness. Only the Lord can set the captive free and open the prison door to those who are bound. I can't do it, but He can. He is able and with Him nothing is impossible or too difficult.
Now, having said that, let me say this- when we have a besetting sin in our lives, when we are going through a time of temptation, when we are wrestling with some lust of the flesh, we often think that the Lord is going to just "miraculously; magically" come down and take it away from us, slap it out of our hands or snatch it from us. We think that all we have to do is sit back and let Him just do it all for us. That is not the case.
Although He can do that there are some things that He expects us to do and He will empower us by giving us the grace and strength to do it. Paul, in the verse above, said that "he" kept his body under subjection. That meant that he was the one who disciplined it, he was the one who did not allow it to have everything it desired. He took control of his flesh and would not let it give into every desire and craving.
There are some things that you are waiting for God to do for you but He has told you to do it. You are waiting for Him to come and "take it out of your hands" but He is not going to. You have to do it. You have to lay it aside. You have to stop it. You have to turn from it. You have to decide not to do it. You have to discipline yourself. But when you do, like I said earlier, He will empower you with everything you need to do it.
Have a great day. You are waiting on God to do it, and you are the one who has to do it, then He will come to your aid.
For further reading:
Hebrews 12:1
Galatians 5:1
Philippians 4:13
James 4:7
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org
You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.
So you won't misunderstand what I am about to say, let me say this first- only the Lord can truly save us, heal us and deliver us, we can't do it ourselves. I do not have the power to set myself free from the bondage of sin. I cannot give myself eternal life. I cannot bring myself out of the pit of destruction. I can't heal my body when it is consumed with sickness. Only the Lord can set the captive free and open the prison door to those who are bound. I can't do it, but He can. He is able and with Him nothing is impossible or too difficult.
Now, having said that, let me say this- when we have a besetting sin in our lives, when we are going through a time of temptation, when we are wrestling with some lust of the flesh, we often think that the Lord is going to just "miraculously; magically" come down and take it away from us, slap it out of our hands or snatch it from us. We think that all we have to do is sit back and let Him just do it all for us. That is not the case.
Although He can do that there are some things that He expects us to do and He will empower us by giving us the grace and strength to do it. Paul, in the verse above, said that "he" kept his body under subjection. That meant that he was the one who disciplined it, he was the one who did not allow it to have everything it desired. He took control of his flesh and would not let it give into every desire and craving.
There are some things that you are waiting for God to do for you but He has told you to do it. You are waiting for Him to come and "take it out of your hands" but He is not going to. You have to do it. You have to lay it aside. You have to stop it. You have to turn from it. You have to decide not to do it. You have to discipline yourself. But when you do, like I said earlier, He will empower you with everything you need to do it.
Have a great day. You are waiting on God to do it, and you are the one who has to do it, then He will come to your aid.
For further reading:
Hebrews 12:1
Galatians 5:1
Philippians 4:13
James 4:7
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org
You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
"The Living Sacrifice"
"I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service." Romans 12:1
When a sacrifice was brought to the priest, it was placed in his hands for him to do whatever he pleased with it. It no longer belonged to the person who was bringing it. The Bible says that Jesus is our "High Priest" and those who come to Him (have put their faith and trust in Him as Savior and Lord) are compared to "living sacrifices". As a "living sacrifice" when we present ourselves to Jesus, our High Priest, we are placing ourselves in His hands for Him to do with us whatever He pleases. It is no longer about what we want because this "sacrifice" (ourselves) no longer belongs to us. "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?" (1 Corinthians 6:19) The priest would take the sacrifice and do with it as God had commanded him to do- he was following God's will and plan for the sacrifice. Not only was Jesus the Sacrifice for our sins carrying out the will of the Father in His own life, but as the High Priest, He too- like the priests of old- carries out the will of the Father with the living sacrifices that are presented to Him. "For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me." (John 6:38) Therefore, when we present ourselves to Him, He is working in our lives to bring about the will of God for us living sacrifices.
Are you being a living sacrifice? Have you presented yourself to Him for Him to do what He desires to do with your life? Are you in the hands of the High Priest- Jesus? Are you letting His will consume you- your desires, your goals, your plans, your ambition, your will? Or are you resisting His plan and will for your life? Are you being an unwilling sacrifice? There is only one acceptable sacrifice- a willing sacrifice totally surrendered to the hands of the High Priest.
Have a great day. If you are truly a living sacrifice, then it is no longer about you the sacrifice, but about the High Priest's (Jesus) plan for you. You are surrendered into His hands.
For further reading:
Hebrews 3:1; 9:11
1 Peter 2:5
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org
You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.
When a sacrifice was brought to the priest, it was placed in his hands for him to do whatever he pleased with it. It no longer belonged to the person who was bringing it. The Bible says that Jesus is our "High Priest" and those who come to Him (have put their faith and trust in Him as Savior and Lord) are compared to "living sacrifices". As a "living sacrifice" when we present ourselves to Jesus, our High Priest, we are placing ourselves in His hands for Him to do with us whatever He pleases. It is no longer about what we want because this "sacrifice" (ourselves) no longer belongs to us. "What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?" (1 Corinthians 6:19) The priest would take the sacrifice and do with it as God had commanded him to do- he was following God's will and plan for the sacrifice. Not only was Jesus the Sacrifice for our sins carrying out the will of the Father in His own life, but as the High Priest, He too- like the priests of old- carries out the will of the Father with the living sacrifices that are presented to Him. "For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me." (John 6:38) Therefore, when we present ourselves to Him, He is working in our lives to bring about the will of God for us living sacrifices.
Are you being a living sacrifice? Have you presented yourself to Him for Him to do what He desires to do with your life? Are you in the hands of the High Priest- Jesus? Are you letting His will consume you- your desires, your goals, your plans, your ambition, your will? Or are you resisting His plan and will for your life? Are you being an unwilling sacrifice? There is only one acceptable sacrifice- a willing sacrifice totally surrendered to the hands of the High Priest.
Have a great day. If you are truly a living sacrifice, then it is no longer about you the sacrifice, but about the High Priest's (Jesus) plan for you. You are surrendered into His hands.
For further reading:
Hebrews 3:1; 9:11
1 Peter 2:5
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org
You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.
Friday, July 1, 2011
"The Weeping Will Stop"
"Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning." Psalm 30:5b
When we are going through times of pain and sorrow, we can't see past that moment. What we are going through feels like it will last forever- we see no end to our hurt. This verse gives us so much hope. It lets us know that our weeping, pain, sorrow, grief and hurt won't last forever. It will come to an end.
The verse says that "weeping endures for a night, but joy comes in the morning". Just as surely as night time gives way to the morning, just as surely as day follows night and has since the beginning of creation, weeping will give way to joy. Joy will follow weeping. It will come. Your weeping will stop. You will have joy again.
Who causes the night to give place to the morning? Who creates the morning? Who sets each new day in place? Who tells night when it is ended and a new day when to begin? The Lord does. And He is the One who gives and restores your joy and brings your weeping to an end.
"Weeping endures for a night." Night time is a specific amount of time- it's a season. Your weeping only last for a season and then it comes to an end. The morning is the start of a new day- a new season, a new beginning. God will wipe away your tears after a season, and you will see the dawn of a new day. At the present all you can see is a "night of weeping", but it won't last forever, the morning will come.
Have a great day. Weeping only lasts for the night, but then joy will come.
For further reading:
Isaiah 51:11; 61:3
Psalm 30:11; 126:6
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org
You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.
When we are going through times of pain and sorrow, we can't see past that moment. What we are going through feels like it will last forever- we see no end to our hurt. This verse gives us so much hope. It lets us know that our weeping, pain, sorrow, grief and hurt won't last forever. It will come to an end.
The verse says that "weeping endures for a night, but joy comes in the morning". Just as surely as night time gives way to the morning, just as surely as day follows night and has since the beginning of creation, weeping will give way to joy. Joy will follow weeping. It will come. Your weeping will stop. You will have joy again.
Who causes the night to give place to the morning? Who creates the morning? Who sets each new day in place? Who tells night when it is ended and a new day when to begin? The Lord does. And He is the One who gives and restores your joy and brings your weeping to an end.
"Weeping endures for a night." Night time is a specific amount of time- it's a season. Your weeping only last for a season and then it comes to an end. The morning is the start of a new day- a new season, a new beginning. God will wipe away your tears after a season, and you will see the dawn of a new day. At the present all you can see is a "night of weeping", but it won't last forever, the morning will come.
Have a great day. Weeping only lasts for the night, but then joy will come.
For further reading:
Isaiah 51:11; 61:3
Psalm 30:11; 126:6
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org
You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.
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