Tuesday, August 30, 2011

"Activating Your Flesh"

Dear All,
My husband will be having another procedure this morning. I would appreciate your prayers. This means that some of you may not receive a Coffee Break devotional in the morning. Thank you for understanding, and thank you for your prayers.
Love and blessings in Christ, Lorraine Ezell

Coffee Break

"Activating Your Flesh"

"Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked." Ephesians 6:16

Often we think that the devil's attacks (his darts) are the weapons that are formed against us. They are not the weapon, but those darts are what triggers the weapons that he uses to try to steal, kill and destroy us. When he aims at us, he is aiming at our flesh. He looks for a "weak" spot in our flesh- it might be immorality, jealousy, envy, bitterness, covetousness, etc.. When he finds the spot, he shots a fiery dart at it and if he hits it, all he has to do is "sit back" and wait because our flesh has been "triggered" and it will do a very good job of pulling us down when we give into it.

If you go back to the Garden of Eden and even in the wilderness with Jesus, you will see that the devil tempted them all in three areas: lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh, pride of life. All these are areas in our flesh where sin can be produced. If he can "hit" one of those areas he doesn't have to do anything else, it has been set in motion and our own flesh will take over and do the "dirty work" for him. If he hits a lustful place in us (for example), that weak place in our flesh will entice us and we will be drawn away into it and that will bring forth sin. I hope this is making sense? That was why Jesus was victorious in the wilderness, the devil could find nothing in Him. He couldn't find a mark to hit. He couldn't find a weak place in Jesus' flesh. He couldn't find a lustful or prideful place.

Our flesh is our biggest enemy and all the devil has to do is come up with some scheme to "activate" it and once activated it will lead us down the road to destruction. This is why we must deal with the flesh daily. We must mortify it. We must not give it any place so there is no place that the enemy can find as a target.

Have a great day. The enemy is looking for a weak place in your flesh to activate with his fiery darts.

For further reading:
John 10:10; 14:30
Isaiah 54:17
James 1:14,15
1 John 2:16

Monday, August 29, 2011

"It Is Completed"

"I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end, the first and the last." Revelation 22:13

When the Lord is doing a work, He doesn't do it "half way". He takes care of every detail and when it is finished it is completely finished. At creation He did not rest until He had finished creating everything. He worked for six days and then rested when there was nothing else that could be added to what He had done. Everything that mankind would need to live was provided-- everything. At the cross, Jesus declared, "It is finished". Everything that was needed to bring redemption to mankind was provided, nothing was left lacking. Jesus lost so much blood on the way to the cross that it is amazing He even made it to the cross. He should have died before He made it up Calvary's hill, but He didn't. Then He hung on the cross for hours before He died. Why? Because there was still more in the cup for Him to drink. The full price had not been paid. But once it was He declared, "It is finished" and bowed His head and died. When He did, the price for our sins had been paid in full. There was nothing left to be done. He didn't stop short and provide only 99% of our salvation. He provided all that it would take.

In the situation that you are going through, He won't stop short of completing it. He won't meet only a portion of the need. He won't give you part of the answer. He won't leave it unfinished. He will take care of it all. And when He does, it will all be taken care of- all of it. He is the Beginning and the End, the Author and the Finisher, the First and the Last, and everything in between. He completes what He starts and it is not finished until He completes it. When my daughter was a little girl, we bought her some presents that needed to be assembled. We never gave her the gifts unless the assembly was completed. We didn't give her a bicycle that had the frame put together but no wheels. We didn't give her a trampoline that had no mat. I didn't cook her meals and leave half of what was put on her plate raw. The Lord is the same, He doesn't give it to us until it is completed.

Don't get discouraged it you are in the middle of a trial and you think it will never end. It will end when God has completely finished it by taking care of everything that needs to be done. We need to learn how to wait because the delay may be because He is putting the finishing touches on it.

Have a great day. The Lord doesn't stop short of completion. When He says it is finished, it is completely finished.... there is nothing left to do, it has all been taken care of.

For further reading:
Genesis 2:1-3
John 19:30
Hebrews 12:2
Matthew 5:18

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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

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, August 26, 2011

"It's In Your Mouth"

"The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learned, that I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary: he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned." Isaiah 50:4

Needy people are all around us. And if it is possible and within our ability to do so we should do what we can to help meet that need. Although we are not always able to meet people's material needs or their financial needs, there is an area of "need" that we can all meet all the time. It's the needs that are met through a spoken word.

Sometimes people need a word of comfort and hope. Sometimes it's a word of encouragement or mercy. Sometimes they need to hear the words of salvation. Sometimes it's a word to help point them in the right direction. Whatever they need to "hear" that will meet their need, we can rest assured that the Lord will give us the right word to say at the right time. The excuse of "I don't know what to say" doesn't apply because we are promised that when we are "delivered up" that the Spirit will speak for us.

Think about it: if the Lord could put the money that was needed to pay the disciple's taxes in the "mouth" of a fish; if He could put the warning that a wayward prophet needed in the "mouth" of a donkey; if He could put the food that Elijah needed in the "mouth" of a raven-- can't He put the word that is needed to touch someone else's life in your "mouth" as well.

When the need arises that can be filled by what you say, just remember that the Lord will give you what you need at that moment by putting a word in your mouth to meet their need.

Have a great day. What someone else needs is often found in your mouth.

For further reading:
Numbers 22:28
Matthew 17:24-27; 10:19
1 Kings 17:4-6
Romans 10:8
Proverbs 25:11

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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, visit our website and on the Coffee Break page you will find a submission 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, August 25, 2011

"Entrusted With The Gospel"

"But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts." 1 Thessalonians 2:4

"...to be put in trust with the gospel..." I am so amazed that the Lord has entrusted His work on earth to His followers. He has entrusted us with the gospel and the task of sharing it with others. He didn't entrust the gospel, this great message of salvation and hope of eternal life, into the hands of angels but into the hands of men.

The thing that makes it so amazing is that He entrusted it into the hands of imperfect people- those who are "weak and foolish"; creatures that were made from "dust".

While it is amazing, it is also comforting to know that I don't have to wait until I become "perfect" or reach some higher level of "spirituality" in order to qualify to share the good news of salvation through Jesus with others. "A little child shall lead them." (Isaiah 11:6) I may not be some great Bible theologian, I may not understand all the mysteries of the Bible, I may not have a deep revelation and insight into all that is printed in its pages, but I do have a testimony of how I was once and sinner, how I was in darkness, how I was dead in trespasses and sin and Jesus came and touched my life and gave me eternal life. Every born again believer can share this message.

If you are one of those who think they have to "get it all together" or learn all there is to know about God before He can use you to speak to others about this wonderful salvation, be encouraged this morning that this is not the case. If you have a testimony of how the Lord has saved you, then you need to testify/share it with others.

Have a great day. It is amazing that the Lord uses imperfect people to share His good news, and encouraging to know that we don't have to wait until we are perfect to do so.

For further reading:
1 Timothy 1:11-13
1 Corinthians 1:26-29
Psalm 103:14

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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, visit our website and on the Coffee Break page you will find a submission 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









Wednesday, August 24, 2011

"I Am Waiting To Hear, Lord"

"And it came to pass after ten days, that the word of the LORD came unto Jeremiah." Jeremiah 42:7

This morning I have prayed and prayed, sought and sought, waited and waited, even started writing and still have been struggling to get the word from the Lord to share with you, and still haven't received it. Some mornings it is so easy- it just seems to "flow" and I have trouble keeping up with it to make sure I get it all written down. Other mornings it comes line upon line, here a little and there a little. Then there are mornings like this one-- it seems as if I should just send a note saying, "Have a great day", with nothing else attached and forget it.

I know that you are like I am, I want the Lord to answer me instantly without any waiting, without any struggling to hear. But it doesn't always happen like that. Oh, the Lord does and will answer, it just might not be in our timing or when we want it. He may choose to have us "be still and wait". He may be waiting to answer us so that we will learn how to persevere, wait patiently, exercise our faith, or seek Him. Then again, it may have nothing to do with us but He is arranging things in such a way where it will reach someone else at just the right time.

The reason behind why He waits at times- waits to give us an answer, waits to open doors, waits to fulfill His promise- is not the focus. We may never know why, and even if we did we probably still wouldn't understand it. The main thing is that we learn to trust Him. Trust that He knows best, that His ways are perfect, that He is in control, He knows what He is doing, His timing is always right and He sees the whole picture.

Are you waiting to hear from Him today? You aren't alone, we all are. Don't give up, keep waiting. Keep drawing near to Him. Keep seeking His face. Keep your ears open and attentive to His voice. He will speak to you and it will be at just the right time.

Have a great day. When the Lord chooses to speak is up to Him, we just need to learn how to wait to hear.

For further reading:
Jeremiah 42:1-7
Job 14:15
Psalm 40:1

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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, visit our website and on the Coffee Break page you will find a submission 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, August 23, 2011

"No Comparison"

"Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity." Psalms 37:1

Too often we look at other people and compare what they have to what we have. We even compare ourselves with those who aren't walking with the Lord and wonder why they have so much more than we do and we are the ones who are "living right". When it appears that the wicked are getting ahead, doing better and are more prosperous than we are, if we aren't careful we will give place to anger and jealousy.

The word for "fret" in the verse above doesn't mean to be worried about something, it actually means "not to be angry". So the verse is a command and a warning- do not let anger and envy arise in your heart when you look at the wicked prospering. You must guard against this because the enemy will use it to destroy you. When we are tempted to be angry that they are doing better than we are, we must remind ourselves that their prosperity is only temporary- it will not last forever. What we have will. The things that are eternal are what we are looking forward to receive. We must also remember that our reward is in heaven- not in the earth. For the wicked this is the only reward that they have- there is nothing good that awaits them. We need to also remember to be content with and thankful for what we do have. We have all our needs met because the Lord is faithful.

So when you are tempted to be angry with or jealous of those who are not "living right", stop and remember what you do have: eternal life, peace, a relationship with the Heavenly Father, your name written in the Book of Life, treasures in heaven. How can you compare the two? You can't, there is no comparison.

Have a great day. Don't get angry with or jealous over the wicked when it looks like they are more blessed than you.

For further reading:
Hebrew 13:5
Matthew 6:20
Philippians 4:19
Psalms 37:9
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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, visit our website and on the Coffee Break page you will find a submission 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, August 22, 2011

"Pull Down The Walls"

"There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for ye are all one in Christ Jesus." Galatians 3:26

As many of you know I spoke at a revival service Thursday night at a church in this area. When I got there, the pastor said to me- and also told the congregation- that I was "making history" that evening. I asked him, "How so?'. He told me that in all the history of the church that I was the first woman to ever speak at their revival, and I was the first white person to ever speak at the church. (When he told me this, I was extremely humbled that the Lord would allow me such an honor.)

I am sharing this with you because I am excited to see what the Lord is doing throughout the body of Christ. He is truly pulling down walls that have separated His church for a long time. This has been my prayer for years and something that I have worked toward.

It is the job of the enemy to keep us divided and separated from one another. He uses race, gender, denominations, age- anything he can that will keep us from being unified to accomplish the task that lies ahead of us- the Great Commission. As long as we are divided, we are less effective for the kingdom. The Bible talks much about unity. There is an old saying, "United we stand, divided we fall." Without unity, without one another, we are only "half" or "part" of the body of Christ- we are not whole but incomplete. How much work for God's kingdom would be accomplished if we all came together to do it. It took more than Nehemiah to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem, it took all the people working together to accomplish that great task. It will take all the body of Christ working together to reach this world for Christ.

Walls of separation in the body of Christ was never God's plan. It is the plan of the enemy and man has carried out that plan. The whole world is crying out for "change"-- it is time to change in the area of coming together as the "whole" body of Christ. The other night at that church the Lord pulled down gender and racial walls. He has already pulled down denominational walls there- (by the way, I wasn't a member of that denomination either.) I pray that the same thing will begin to happen in every church that has built up walls within its walls.

Have a great day. If the walls that separate the body of Christ from each other were pulled down we could do a better job of accomplishing the work that is before us.

For further reading:
1 Corinthians 12:12-27
Ecclesiastes 4:11,12
Matthew 18:19

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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, visit our website and on the Coffee Break page you will find a submission 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, August 19, 2011

"He Speaks To Us"


"And the Lord spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend." Exodus 33:11a

Earlier this morning I was thinking about how wonderful it is that the Lord will speak to us. Those who worship false gods don't have this privilege because their gods are not real and therefore cannot speak. But our God, the only true and living God, desires to speak to us- He wants communication with us. We see this at the very beginning in the Garden of Eden. We see it throughout the Old Testament and in the New Testament when God, through His Son Jesus, came to earth and walked among us and talked with us.

Some say that the Lord doesn't "talk" to people. I beg to differ- and I am so glad He does! He may not speak to us audibly, although He can and might. But He speaks to us through His word- the Holy scriptures. He speaks to us by His Spirit. He speaks to us when in prayer. He speaks to us though that still, small voice. He speaks to us through situations. He speaks to us through the creation. He speaks to us through other people.

Is He speaking to you? He desires to. We were created to have fellowship and communion with Him. What better way to do that than through His talking to us. The method in which He speaks is not the main issue. The fact that He speaks to us at all should cause us to rejoice. I need Him to speak to me; I need to hear His voice; I need Him to tell me what to do; I just can't make it on my own without hearing His voice guiding me. So this morning I am rejoicing because He does.

Have a great day. How wonderful it is that the God of creation desires to talk with me and you!

For further reading:
Genesis 3:8
Deuteronomy 5:4
Hebrews 1:1,2
1 Samuel 3:8-10

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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, 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, August 18, 2011

"Others Centered or Self Centered"

"By faith Jacob, when he was a dying, blessed both the sons of Joseph; and worshipped, leaning upon the top of his staff." Hebrews 11:21

"When he was dying". Jacob was dying. He was coming to the end of his life. The scriptures tell us that Jacob was sick and seemed to be pretty much bedridden. "And it came to pass after these things, that one told Joseph, Behold, thy father is sick: and he took with him his two sons, Manasseh and Ephraim. And one told Jacob, and said, Behold, thy son Joseph cometh unto thee: and Israel strengthened himself, and sat upon the bed." (Genesis 48:1,2) He was struggling with the weakness of an aging body and sickness. He had reached the point where he needed help to even stand- "leaning upon the top of his staff." Yet even while he was facing death, we see him doing something that was so note worthy that it is recorded in the scriptures.

Even in his weakened condition, even though he was facing death, even though he was unable to do very much, he did not just lay down and give up. He didn't just lay there and feel sorry for himself- although because of his condition he would have been justified in doing so. Instead he "blessed both the sons of Joseph and worshipped".

He doesn't sound like most of us. We get in situations- not even as serious as life and death- and we do nothing. We tend to become "self absorbed". When we are going through trying times it becomes "all about us"- what we feel, what is happening to us, what is effecting my life. We seem to get introverted and focus more on what we are suffering or going through than on anything else. This was not the case with Jacob. Was he going through difficulty? Was he suffering weakness? Was he staring death in the face? Yes to all, yet he was focused on something besides himself-- he was focused on blessing the sons of Joseph and his worship to God. He didn't let what he was going through hinder him from doing either even though it took quiet some effort to do it.

Are you letting your circumstances and the situation you are facing hinder, or even stop, you from being a blessing to someone else? Are you letting it hinder your worship to the Lord? Are you saying to yourself, "When everything straightens out and gets back to normal, I will lift up my voice in praise, I will then worship the Lord. When this trial is over, then I will serve the Lord and bless others."? The time to do it is not "after" it is over but "during" the trial. Jacob didn't, he couldn't, ignore what was happening to him, yet in spite of it he was still serving the Lord by blessing and being a blessing. We can't ignore our trials but we don't have to be dictated by them and allow them to stop us from doing what we need to do-- bless others and worship the Lord.

Have a great day. Are you allowing your trials to cause you to become focused on self and not on blessing others and worshipping the Lord?

For further reading:
Acts 16:25
Luke 10:27

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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, visit our website and on the Coffee Break page you will find a submission 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











Wednesday, August 17, 2011

"The Thanksgiving Tie"

"Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name: the upright shall dwell in thy presence." Psalm 140:13

What is your thanksgiving tied to? What is the foundation upon which it is based? I am so thankful for the blessings that the Lord has sent, and sends, my way. I never want to take them for granted. I want to exhibit a thankful heart to Him for them. He has blessed me with so much- a roof over my head, clothes on my back, food on my table, a loving family, dear friends, health and air to breath. I am thankful for these and more blessings. But my thanksgiving is not tied to my material/physical blessings.

If your thanksgiving is tied to your blessings only, what do you do if those blessings are gone? What if you didn't have those things any more? What if you found yourself destitute of earthly provisions, material things or close relationships? How thankful would you be if all these blessings disappeared from your life?

This is why, although we should be thankful for the blessings we see, they are not the foundation upon which our thanksgiving is based. I am thankful for something greater, something eternal-- my thanksgiving is tied to the cross, not material blessings.

I am thankful, truly thankful, that Jesus came to earth and became the sacrifice for my sins so that I could come into right relationship God. I am thankful that through His shed blood and the price He paid my sins are forgiven and I am now God's child, His friend, proclaimed as righteous and no longer His enemy. I am thankful for eternal life. I am thankful that when I stand before the Lord and the books are open, my name will be in the Book of Life and I will hear Him say, "Well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy and rest of your Lord". I am thankful that I have a home prepared for me in heaven. I am thankful that hell is no longer my destination. This is the foundation upon which my thanksgiving is based. Things change, loss happens. Look at Job, he suffered tremendous material and physical loss, yet he still worshipped- "My Redeemer lives". His foundation of thanksgiving was based on eternal riches, not earthly riches.

Treasures on earth may slip away, but treasures in heaven are eternal. And those treasures were provided through the shed blood of Jesus at the cross. So what is your thanksgiving tied to? Your material blessings or the cross which provided your eternal blessings?

Have a great day. My thanksgiving has its foundation in the cross. What about yours?

For further reading:
Matthew 6:19,20; 25:21,23
Luke 10:20
Job 19:25,26

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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, 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, August 16, 2011

"Your Own Prophets"

"For thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; Let not your prophets and your diviners, that be in the midst of you, deceive you, neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed." Jeremiah 29:8

Deception has been around since the Garden of Eden. There have always been false prophets and teachers, but Jesus warned that in the days prior to His return they would increase, and He warned us not to be deceived by them. If ever we needed to heed this warning it is now.

"Let not your prophets, your diviners, your dreams". The first warning here is that not everyone who is called a prophet, teacher, preacher, etc. is called by God. They are either God called, self called or man called. Therefore, not all of them are chosen by God. So don't let the ones you, not God, have chosen deceive you.

We tend to chose to listen to those who will tell us what we want to hear. We want to always be told "good things". We don't want to hear anything "bad" or "negative". We must guard against always looking for a "positive" word. True prophets (a true voice for God) will not always tell you what you want to hear- often they will tell you what you don't want to hear.

It is dangerous to be seeking only a word that tells you nothing but good all the time. If we are doing that then we are actually seeking a word that will appease our flesh and give us a license to yield to the desires of our flesh. We need to hear the truth- it will minister to and bring about transformation in our spirits. And the truth is what sets us free.

When the Lord speaks to us, it will not always appeal to our flesh. It will not always be an "easy" word- it is often a "hard" word. A true word from God doesn't always tell us what we want to hear. It doesn't always make us shout for joy. His word will often tell us to deny ourselves, take up our cross, go the second mile, turn the other cheek, sell all you have, forgive seven times seventy, if you suffer with Me you will reign with Me. The word itself may be "hard to swallow" and not what we "want" to hear, but God loves us enough to tell us what we "need" to hear.

So does this mean that the Lord will never tell us anything good? Of course not, but more often than not it won't be something that we want to hear. He is not out to appease our flesh- flesh has to die. Everything He does and says to us is always for our good and out of His love for us.

Have a great day. Don't be deceived by prophets of your own choosing just because they tell you what you want to hear.

For further reading:
1 Kings 22:1-18
Matthew 24:4,11,24
2 Timothy 4:1-4
1 John 4:1
2 Peter 2:1-3

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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, 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, August 15, 2011

"He's Thinking About You"

"For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, saith the Lord, thoughts of peace, and not of evil, to give you an expected end." Jeremiah 29:11

I just wanted to remind you this morning that the Lord is thinking about you. You are on His mind. He hasn't forgotten you. He knows exactly where you are and what you are going through. His thoughts toward you are not evil thoughts. His thoughts are good thoughts. He loves you and cares about you. Never fall into the "trap" of believing He doesn't. Never believe the lie that says- He has forgotten you or He doesn't care. He has not forgotten you and He does care about you. Never forget that, no matter what your circumstances look like and regardless of what your feelings tell you.

Have a great day. The Lord is thinking about you... you are on His mind.

For further reading:
Hebrews 13:5
Isaiah 49:15,16

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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, 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, August 12, 2011

"Know The Truth"

"And many false prophets shall rise, and shall deceive many." Matthew 24:11

The Bible tells us that in the time prior to the return of Christ that many false teachers and false prophets would arise teaching false doctrines and damnable heresies. I believe that time is now. So how do we stand against the deception of false teaching that is not only in the world, but has crept into the church as well? The answer lies in knowing the truth- God's word. ("Thy word is truth." John 17:17)

If you aren't reading and studying God's word then you won't know the difference between truth and error and that makes you vulnerable to deception. I understand that the way those who work in the treasury department learn how to recognize counterfeit money is by studying the real money. They study the real money by looking at it and handling it so much that when the "fake" comes across their path, they readily recognize that it is not real.

We need to learn a lesson from that. If you aren't studying God's word, then how will you spot the "counterfeit" when it presents itself to you? How will you know it is false if you don't have the truth to compare it to.

Being deceived by believing what is false is a serious matter. So serious that it is what brought sin upon all mankind. Adam and Eve believed the lie of the serpent and disobeyed God. Sometimes the deception is so subtle that if it were possible even the very elect could be deceived. So don't think that you know enough of the truth (the Bible) that you don't have to worry about being deceived. You have to continue to stay in God's word and never get slack in it for one minute. It is the only thing that stands between you and a fall through deception.

Have a great day. If you don't know the truth, you have nothing to compare the false to when it comes.

For further reading:
Matthew 24:1-11, 23,24
2 Peter 2:1,2
2 Timothy 3:13-17; 4:3

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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, 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, August 11, 2011

"Go Into The World"

"And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature." Mark 16:15

Recently we have been having elections where I live- on a local and state level. I am a poll worker and have been for quiet some time. Sometimes the elections fall on the same day that my nursing home ministry is scheduled. In a couple of weeks the run-off election will fall on the same day that I was to go to the nursing home. This past Tuesday I was sharing with the nursing home residences that I won't be there at my next appointed time and why-- I have to do my "civic duty". Christians should be involved in various areas of life- politics, business, etc. We have heard a lot of teaching about this very thing over the past several years-- it's called "Market Place Ministry".

We should be involved in different arenas of life- not necessarily part of them by doing the same practices the world does- but definitely have a presence in them. Isn't that what the Bible teaches? For too long the Christian community has stayed behind the four walls of the church-- reduced to nothing more than another "social club" or "sub-culture". This was never God's intention for His church.

Jesus commissioned us to "go into the world and preach the gospel"- not stay in the church. In the Book of Acts we are told that once we receive Holy Spirit's empowerment, it's so that we can be "witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the uttermost parts of the world"- not just witnesses in the church. Jesus said that we are the "light of the world"- not the light of the church- and the "salt of the earth"- not the salt in the church.

The early church went to the temple and from house to house having fellowship with each other- until persecution arose which forced them to be "scattered abroad". God's plan was/is for the church to take the message of salvation out into the world. They were not doing that- so persecution came that would force them into His true plan. Will it take the same for this modern day church to get out there and fulfill His Great Commission? Jesus called us "fishers of men". How will you ever catch "fish" if you don't go to the "pond" where the fish are?

Have a great day. God never intended for His church to stay behind four walls, but to go into the world and give them the good news we already have.

For further reading:
Acts 1:8; 2:46; 5:42; 8:1-4
Matthew 5:13,14

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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, 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






Wednesday, August 10, 2011

"Dead Bug"

"Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you." Luke 10:19

When I came into my office yesterday morning, I was greeted by a big flying insect. It reminded me of a wasp as it swooped past me. I grabbed a tablet and hit it intending to kill it- but didn't. It flew and landed again, so I hit it again- I still didn't kill it. Every time it flew past me I would hit it; every time it landed I would hit it but it would get up and fly away each time. I finally left it alone and sat down at the computer, but it would fly past me so the "chase" was on again. I made a dozen attempts to kill that pest, but each time I thought that surely it had to be dead I would remove the tablet and it would fly away. It was almost ridiculous that I was not able to kill this bug and it would not die. Finally, as I was getting ready to make another attempt to kill it, I heard these words come out of my mouth,"This is not right, I have dominion over you. You will die in the Name of Jesus." Guess what? I hit it again and it died!

I told you this story because as it was going on it reminded me of besetting sins that we often deal with. They may seem small and that we should be able to easily overcome them yet we can't. Every time we think that we have victory over it, there it is again - "alive and well". Does this sound familiar? Have you struggled or fought with something and thought you had finally defeated it only to see it "get up and continue to 'fly around'"? Have you thought that you had victory over anger, or bitterness, or a temper, or jealousy, or pain a situation had caused you, or any number of other things that "harass" you, only to discover that it is still there?

It may have sounded odd for me to talk to a bug and remind it that I have dominion over it and it was going to die. But it was mostly a reminder to me- and now a reminder to you- that I do have victory through Jesus over besetting sins, over those things that the enemy tries to entangle my life with, over those things that try to steal my peace and joy, and that try to have dominion over me and make me its captive. Jesus brought salvation, healing and deliverance at the cross. We can walk in victory and freedom over those sins that want to continue to "hang around". They have to go in His Name. You have been made free- free indeed. You have been given power and authority over these things. Sometimes we just have to remind ourselves that Jesus already gave us the victory- "in all things we are more than conquerors"- and that we need to take authority in His Name over them.

Have a great day. Stop letting that sin/thing "harass" you, there is victory over it. Jesus has given you the victory.

For further reading:
Romans 8:37
1 John 4:4; 5:4
John 8:36
Hebrews 12:1
Philippians 4:13
2 Corinthians 2:14
1 Corinthians 15:57

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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, 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, August 9, 2011

"Seek After God"

"There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God." Romans 3:11

What a sad verse. "There is none that seeks after God". Why do I think it is sad? Because it is the truth. Who really seeks after God? We seek His provisions, His blessings, His benefits. We seek Him for what He can do for us. We seek Him in time of need or trouble. We seek Him when we need answers. We seek Him when we want something that His hand can provide. But do we ever really seek after "HIM"? There is a difference.

Shouldn't we seek Him when we need help? Yes, of course we should. But seeking after God doesn't always mean you are seeking Him for some "thing". It means you are seeking Him Himself. You are seeking to know Him in a more intimate way. You are seeking to know what His desires, like and dislikes are. You are seeking to find out what is in His heart and not only what He can give you.

When was the last time you went to the Lord that you didn't have a need to talk to Him about? When was the last time you went into your place of pray and told Him that you didn't want anything- you had no request, no questions, no pressing need to talk to Him about, but you just wanted to gaze upon Him, you just wanted Him, you just wanted to sit in His presence and love on Him for a while? Has it been a while? Do you feel as though you are wasting your time by doing that and not making some sort of request? Are you too busy to do that? Do you only go to Him when you are in need? Then it sounds like you are among the "none that seek after God".

Have a great. Are you seeking after HIM- to know Him, to discover His heart, to love on Him- or what He has?

For further reading:
Isaiah 29:13
Matthew 15:8
Psalm 27:8

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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, 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, August 8, 2011

"Learn From Mistakes"

"Now all these things happened unto them for examples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come." 1 Corinthians 10:11

We all make mistakes but hopefully we will learn from them so that we will not continue to repeat them. We can also learn from the mistakes of others. The verse above admonishes us to learn from the examples of the Israelites when they were in the wilderness so that we don't make the same mistakes they did- mistakes that have great spiritual consequences.

What were some of the mistakes that they made that we can learn from? The main "mistake" was their lack of faith. God did such a miraculous thing for them by delivering them from Egyptian bondage. Not only did He deliver them, but in a mighty way by demonstrating His great power over Pharaoh. They saw the plagues that He brought upon Egypt. They saw the supernatural protection of God the night that death went throughout the land killing the first born in every household. They had been slaves but they left Egypt with treasures. They saw one miracle after another. Yet, when they came to the place where they were about to inherit the promise of their own land, they did not enter because of their unbelief.

After seeing all that they had seen, after hearing the voice of God from heaven, after being led by His presence (the cloud by day and pillar of fire by night), after seeing the sea open up and make a way of escape from Egypt, after seeing their enemy drowned in the sea, you would think that they would have never doubted God ever again about anything-- yet they did. These things were written for our example because we are no different. The Lord has done some miraculous things for all of us. He has provided our needs, answered our prayers and come through for us at just the right time time and time again. He has been with us and we have seen Him working on our behalf, yet, we tend to still "disbelieve" Him when we come to certain situations in our lives. We tend to do the same thing they did.

We have an advantage when we read about what happened to them, we can go to the end of the chapter and see the outcome- the outcome and consequences when they trusted God and when they didn't. We know how the story ended. We can see that God was always faithful and did what He said He would do regardless of how the situation looked. From that we can learn that He will do the same thing for us so we have no reason to doubt or allow unbelief to enter in and keep us from inheriting our promises.

Have a great day. We can learn from our mistakes and the mistakes of others.

For further reading:
Hebrews 3:12,19; 4:6,11
Acts 7:36
Deuteronomy 6:21; 26:8
Mark 9:24

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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, 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, August 5, 2011

"Strength For The Journey"

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Philippians 4:13

When we receive Jesus as Savior and Lord, that trip to the altar or wherever you made the profession, is not the end, but the beginning-- the beginning of a life long journey. Salvation doesn't mean we have "arrived", it means we are just getting started. Along this journey from here until we reach our final destination- eternity- the "road" will not always be smooth ahead of us. There will be "pot holes", bumps, things that try to make us detour or turn around, ups and downs, highs and lows, valleys, mountains to climb, wildernesses to go through, rivers to cross and a whole list of other obstacles that we will encounter. Obstacles such as temptations, issues in relationships, financial difficulties, times of loss, grief, sorrow and pain.

Sometimes the journey feels as if it will never end. Sometimes we feel as though we have become stuck in the valley or will die in the wilderness. Often it may feel like we will never be able to climb the mountain that is in front of us or get through the storm that is raging around us. While we may feel this way, and while we do face these times, I want to encourage you this morning that you are not on this journey alone. The One who you came to at salvation got on the path with you. He is walking every step of the journey with you. Whether you are in the valley or on the mountaintop, in a storm or on a smooth path, He is right there. And His strength is right there for you as well.

You can continue on this journey, you can make it through whatever "terrain" you are facing, you can reach the end because His strength will be there when you are weak. It will uphold you. It will empower you. It will give you the grace you need. It will give you your "second wind". It will provide the victory to overcome all obstacles that get in the way. So don't give up, don't give in, you can make it, you can finish your course because the Lord Himself is with you and His strength is perfected when you get weak and weary of traveling.

Have a great day. The journey may seem long and unbearable at times, but the Lord is with you giving you the strength you need to make it to your final destination.

For further reading:
Psalm 18:29; 68:28
2 Corinthians 12:9
Joel 3:10
Ephesians 6:10

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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, 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, August 4, 2011

"There's A Famine"

"Behold, the days come, saith the Lord God, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the Lord." Amos 8:11

I believe that we are seeing the fulfillment of this prophecy in our day- at least in this nation. There is a famine of the word of the Lord. You may ask how can that be when we are inundated with preaching. We have churches on every corner in our cities. We have twenty-four hour Christian television. We have more ministers and ministries than ever before in the history of our nation. This is true, but in the vast majority of them we are lacking the "word of God".

In many churches socials, fellowships, gimmicks and programs have replaced the preaching of the word. Some have stopped preaching the word of God altogether because it isn't "popular" so they are preaching what that think the people want to hear in order to grow a big church. There are some others that are still preaching the "word" but they have watered it down, compromised its meaning, not rightly divided it, or brought in a "another" gospel- one that is a mixture of scripture, tradition and philosophy (thus making it something other than the "truth"). The preaching of the word of God has been taken lightly as if it is the least important part of the ministries. I would like to clarify this morning that it is the MOST important part.

I remember when I first got saved sitting in church and there would be times when the Lord's presence showed up in such a powerful way during praise and worship. After the worship was over, we would dismiss and go home. I can remember hearing others, and thinking the same myself, say that it was a great service because the preacher didn't even get to preach. As I am growing in the Lord, I can see that even though it was a great time in worship and the presence of the Lord was there, this was wrong thinking. The Lord wanted to do both- receive our worship and bless us in the process, but He also wanted to speak to us and edify us through His word. This mentality seems to be the norm now. We want the "experiences" more than the word. We want to "feel" something more than we want to "hear" something. We want God to "do" something more than we want Him to "say" something.

As I said earlier, the word is the MOST important part- in the church, in our ministries and in our individual lives. Jesus touched the lives of people through miracles, healings and deliverance while He was on earth. But He never neglected to give them God's word. He gave the people His Father's words everywhere He went- in every city, in the temple, in His encounters with individuals, when He was invited into homes. As Christians, the word of God is our life, and it gives us life. The word has to begin to have priority in our churches, ministries, homes and lives again. Without it, we will not only suffer a "spiritual famine" but we will also be destroyed. "My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children." - Hosea 4:6

Have a great day. Are you experiencing a famine?

For further reading:
2 Timothy 4:2
Luke 8:1; 5:1
Acts 6:7
Romans 10:17
Ephesians 6:17
Hebrews 4:12
John 5:39; 6:63
Proverbs 4:20-23

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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, 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

Wednesday, August 3, 2011

"Growth Is Obvious"

"When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things." 1 Corinthians 13:11

Growth is a natural part of life. Everything that is living grows- people, animals and plants all grow. Just as growth is a natural part of this physical life, it is also a part of our "spiritual life".

When we come to Christ and receive Him as Savior and Lord, it is called the "new birth"- we are born again. The Bible calls us "new born babes". From that moment on growth should be taking place in our "spirit man".

Physical growth is easy to see because it takes place primarily in our appearance. I can go for weeks without seeing my little granddaughter and the next time I see her I can immediately tell she has grown- she looks bigger and her features have slightly changed. Our spiritual growth is not always that obvious because it doesn't take place on the "outside", it takes place on the "inside" of us. The growth of our spiritual man is recognized by our actions, attitudes, responses, speech, treatment of others and by our love.

But just like there are noticeable changes that take place in our physical growth, there should be noticeable changes that take place in our spiritual growth. When we are growing spiritually we begin to notice a change. Those noticeable growth changes are such things as being forgiving toward those who have done you wrong, love for your enemies, change in your speech, kindness, not being easily offended, joy, peace, patience, less selfish an self-center and the greatest change is that we are looking more and more like Jesus.

So, how obvious is your spiritual growth? Are others seeing a change continuing to take place in you? Are you looking different in your attitude because of the presence and influence of Christ in your life? Or are you still the same as you have always been?

Have a great day. Spiritual growth may not be as obvious as physical growth, but it should be evident.

For further reading:
John 3:1-7
Ephesians 4:13,15
1 Peter 2:2

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

Tuesday, August 2, 2011

"Choose The Way of Escape - Part 2"

"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." 1 Corinthians 10:13

Yesterday we talked about God always making a way of escape when we are in a time of temptation, and that it is up to us to take that way. Often, we struggle with that "way" because it is not always obvious to us. It isn't like there will be a "physical door" standing in front of us with a bright red "Exit" sign over it. It would be easier to recognize it if it were.

So what does the "way of escape" look like? Let me list a few ways.

The word of God will be a way that He has made to escape the temptation. Have you ever been in a time of temptation or great trial and a scripture will come to mind? That scripture is your way of escape-- obey what it says.

Daniel's way of escape when the king's meat was set before him was the "purposing in his heart". Daniel had purposed in his heart long before he reached the temptation, that he would remain obedient to the commands of the Lord regardless of what faced him. That settled heart and mind kept him from "floundering" and being "double-minded" when the time of testing did come.

Joseph's way of escape when being tempted to sin by Potaphar's wife was found in his statement to her- "How then can I do this great wickedness, and sin against God?" (Genesis 39:9b) Joseph understood that when you yield to something that is contrary to God's word that it is "sin". The sin issue was settled in his mind and so he didn't allow the questions as to whether it was right or wrong tempt him to do the wrong thing.

Sometimes the way of escape comes through a still, small voice that you hear in the depth of your being and you know that it is your answer- so you follow it.

Another way is through prayer- prayer will bring God in the middle of your temptation and He will give you the strength to resist it. Also fasting. Some days the Lord will impress on me to fast. I have to be honest, I don't always yield as I should. But I have noticed that on the days when I don't, I eat more than I should. I have come to realize that often if I would fast when I feel impressed to, it was my way of escape from giving into my fleshly appetite.

These are a few ways that God opens a door for us to escape. We need to recognize what those ways are and give heed to them.

Have a great day. There are many different ways that the Lord can use to give us a way of escape.

For further reading:
Genesis 39:8-10
Daniel 1:8
James 1:8

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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, 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, August 1, 2011

"Choose The Way of Escape"

"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it." 1 Corinthians 10:13

"But will with the temptation also make a way of escape." There is no doubt that temptations come- we are tempted daily to sin, to yield to our flesh, to stop following Jesus, and so on. But we have a wonderful promise that in the times of temptation the Lord will make a way of escape for us so that we will not be trapped by the temptation with no choice but to yield to it. So the problem when we do yield is not that we had no choice but to yield, the problem is that we did not take the way of escape that was provided for us.

You see, God makes a way of escape and provides a means of deliverance, but it is up to us to choose to take it. He opens a door of escape but we have to go through it. He doesn't do it for us. He provides it for us, but we must make use of the provision.

It works the same way in the area of obedience. God gives us a command but it is up to us to obey it. It works that way where the gift of salvation was concerned. It was provided through Jesus' shed blood at the cross but it is up to us to choose to receive the gift of salvation.

When we give into a temptation, we can't blame God as if it was His fault. We can't accuse Him of not loving us and "letting" it happen. We are to blame and we are at fault. He did what He said He would do "make a way to escape". He was faithful to provide it just as He promised, but we did not take the way of escape that He provided.

When you are facing a temptation, look for the way of escape, it is there and it will be up to you to take it. He will not take it for you or make you take it.

Have a great day. There is a way of escape made in every temptation, but you have to choose to take it.

For further reading:
Philippians 4:13
James 1:13

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Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
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