"Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised." Hebrews 10:23
When we think about the profession of our faith, we usually equate it to an answer to a prayer that we are believing God for, or concerning a promise that we are standing on. And that is an area of our profession of faith. But I want to encourage you this morning to "hold fast your profession of faith without wavering", this profession being the faith that saved you-- faith in Jesus Christ.
Hold on to the faith you have in who Jesus is. He is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. He is God. He is the Savior of the world. He is the Way and the Door by which we enter into eternal life. He is the only Way. Hold fast to your faith in the shed blood of Jesus and the work that He did at the cross for the forgiveness of your sins and redemption of your soul.
There are many false doctrines, false teachers and deceivers- even in the church- who would tell you that Jesus is not the only way to God, there are many ways and you should chose the one that is right for you. There are many who would tell you that Jesus was only a prophet and teacher. They tell you the blood is not necessary for salvation. They also lead you to believe that as long as you are a "good person" and have some religious knowledge that you are saved. Then there are those who tell you there is not a heaven or a hell so you need not fear eternal judgment. These deny the virgin birth and the redemptive work of the cross. They verbally and physically attack the very foundation upon which we anchor our hope and base our faith.
Because of the continual bombardment of a distortion of the truth and the exaltation of a lie, we must as never before be firm and unwavering in the profession of our faith. We must know what we believe and why we believe it and not be moved from it- even a little bit.
Have a great day. Hold fast to the profession of your faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord, and don't be convinced that it is not the truth.
For further reading:
Matthew 16:15-17
1 Timothy 6:12
Jude 1:3,4
2 Peter 2:1-3
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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, March 30, 2012
Thursday, March 29, 2012
"Unlimited"
"And the earth was without form, and void; and darkness was upon the face of the deep. And the Spirit of God moved upon the face of the waters. And God said, Let there be light: and there was light." Genesis 1:2,3
God doesn't have to have something in order to make something else. He can make something from nothing. He did at creation. There was nothing- the earth was without form and void. There was nothing but darkness, yet out of that darkness He created light, the earth and mankind.
When we think that God has to have some "resource" in order to accomplish His will or meet our need, we are limiting Him. We don't truly understand who He is- He is not a man, and He is not like us. We have to start with something before we can make something else. A carpenter has to start with wood in order to make a piece of furniture. An artist has to start with a canvas and paint before he can make a painting. We have to start with money, with tools, with materials- some other resource in order to make something- but He does not. He is His own resource.
Don't misunderstand, He often does create one thing from another. Jesus took a few loaves of bread and fish and turned them into a feast that fed thousands. He took a fish and placed money in its mouth. He gathered up some dirt and spit in it to make clay to heal a blind man's eyes. He turned water into wine. But the point I am trying to make is that we should not limit God by thinking that He can only make something from something else. He can still speak into nothing and make something. We limit God and hinder our faith when we think in natural terms only. He is a supernatural God who is not limited just because there may seem to be nothing there that He can work with--- He doesn't need it. He "calleth those things which be not as though they were."
Have a great day. God is not limited by lack of resources. He doesn't need them, He is His own resource.
For further reading:
Romans 4:17
Matthew 19:26
Psalm 139:16
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org
You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.
God doesn't have to have something in order to make something else. He can make something from nothing. He did at creation. There was nothing- the earth was without form and void. There was nothing but darkness, yet out of that darkness He created light, the earth and mankind.
When we think that God has to have some "resource" in order to accomplish His will or meet our need, we are limiting Him. We don't truly understand who He is- He is not a man, and He is not like us. We have to start with something before we can make something else. A carpenter has to start with wood in order to make a piece of furniture. An artist has to start with a canvas and paint before he can make a painting. We have to start with money, with tools, with materials- some other resource in order to make something- but He does not. He is His own resource.
Don't misunderstand, He often does create one thing from another. Jesus took a few loaves of bread and fish and turned them into a feast that fed thousands. He took a fish and placed money in its mouth. He gathered up some dirt and spit in it to make clay to heal a blind man's eyes. He turned water into wine. But the point I am trying to make is that we should not limit God by thinking that He can only make something from something else. He can still speak into nothing and make something. We limit God and hinder our faith when we think in natural terms only. He is a supernatural God who is not limited just because there may seem to be nothing there that He can work with--- He doesn't need it. He "calleth those things which be not as though they were."
Have a great day. God is not limited by lack of resources. He doesn't need them, He is His own resource.
For further reading:
Romans 4:17
Matthew 19:26
Psalm 139:16
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org
You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.
Wednesday, March 28, 2012
"What Are You Saying?"
"Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile." Psalm 34:13
I have been teaching my four year old granddaughter not to say "bad" things. I told her that God gave us our mouth and He doesn't want us to use it to say bad things only good things. Just as I am trying to teach her, my Heavenly Father is trying to teach me the same lesson. He doesn't want us using our mouths to speak bad or evil. He doesn't want us to use them to curse others, to slander, to criticize, to condemn, to ridicule, to judge, for murmuring and complaining, to tear others down or be verbally abusive. He doesn't want us to use them to speak words of fear, doubt or unbelief.
What He does want us to use them for is to build up, speak truth, express love, bless others, edify, comfort, give praise and speak words of healing. The Bible says that "death and life are in the power of the tongue". Our tongues- the words that we speak- will produce something. They will either produce death or life, but not both. They can't produce both at the same time because death and life are the opposite of each other and can't dwell together at the same time. If you are speaking words of death, life will not come from them. If you are speaking words of life, death will not come from them.
Begin to pay attention to your words, each and every day. What are you saying? What is being produced by what you say? Are you using the mouth that God gave you to speak good things and life? Or are you using it to speak bad things and death?
Have a great day. We are either using our mouths to speak death or life, which one are you speaking?
For further reading:
Psalm 54:2; 34:1; 19:14; 17:3; 51:15; 17:3; 71:8
Proverbs 18:21
James 3:8-10
Ephesians 4:15
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org
You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.
I have been teaching my four year old granddaughter not to say "bad" things. I told her that God gave us our mouth and He doesn't want us to use it to say bad things only good things. Just as I am trying to teach her, my Heavenly Father is trying to teach me the same lesson. He doesn't want us using our mouths to speak bad or evil. He doesn't want us to use them to curse others, to slander, to criticize, to condemn, to ridicule, to judge, for murmuring and complaining, to tear others down or be verbally abusive. He doesn't want us to use them to speak words of fear, doubt or unbelief.
What He does want us to use them for is to build up, speak truth, express love, bless others, edify, comfort, give praise and speak words of healing. The Bible says that "death and life are in the power of the tongue". Our tongues- the words that we speak- will produce something. They will either produce death or life, but not both. They can't produce both at the same time because death and life are the opposite of each other and can't dwell together at the same time. If you are speaking words of death, life will not come from them. If you are speaking words of life, death will not come from them.
Begin to pay attention to your words, each and every day. What are you saying? What is being produced by what you say? Are you using the mouth that God gave you to speak good things and life? Or are you using it to speak bad things and death?
Have a great day. We are either using our mouths to speak death or life, which one are you speaking?
For further reading:
Psalm 54:2; 34:1; 19:14; 17:3; 51:15; 17:3; 71:8
Proverbs 18:21
James 3:8-10
Ephesians 4:15
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org
You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.
Tuesday, March 27, 2012
"God's Searching Eyes"
"For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars." 2 Chronicles 16:9
God has eyes, and His eyes see. As a matter of fact, according to this verse, God's eyes are actually looking over the whole earth. His eyes are searching (running to and fro), and they are searching for something specific.
We tend to think that what the Lord is looking for is someone He can "judge" or "chasten". We think that He is looking at us with a critical eye hoping that we "mess up" so that He can "let us have it". That is not the case at all. God is looking and His eyes are searching for someone on whose behalf He can show Himself strong. He is searching for His children who "need" Him to do something in their lives. He is looking for opportunities to show Himself strong on your behalf.
What is your need today? Are you weak? If so, He wants to show Himself strong for you by perfecting His strength in your weakness. Are you fearful? He want to show Himself strong by giving you His peace that will establish your heart and mind. Are you confused? He wants to give you clarity to help you see the truth. Are you in need of guidance? He wants to give you wisdom and understanding so you can make the right decision. Are you struggling with a besetting sin? He wants to give you His power to resist and overcome. Are you dealing with a bad report concerning your children, your marriage, your job, your health? He wants to give you His measure of faith so that you can stand firm in the trying times. Are you feeling downcast or discouraged? He wants to give you His joy that is your strength and lift your up. Are you dealing with guilt and condemnation? He wants to wipe it away. Are you feeling as if He doesn't really love you or care about you? He wants to embrace you and wrap His presence around you to reassure you that He loves you with an everlasting love.
Yes, the eyes of the Lord are searching the earth today and they are looking for an opportunity to minister to His children at their point of need. If you are the one who needs Him to show Himself strong on your behalf, then know that He is looking at you.
Have a great day. God is looking for someone He can show Himself strong in the behalf of, and His eyes stop searching when He finds them.
For further reading:
2 Corinthians 12:9
James 1:5
Ephesians 6:10
Psalm 3:3
Nehemiah 8:10
John 14:27
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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.
God has eyes, and His eyes see. As a matter of fact, according to this verse, God's eyes are actually looking over the whole earth. His eyes are searching (running to and fro), and they are searching for something specific.
We tend to think that what the Lord is looking for is someone He can "judge" or "chasten". We think that He is looking at us with a critical eye hoping that we "mess up" so that He can "let us have it". That is not the case at all. God is looking and His eyes are searching for someone on whose behalf He can show Himself strong. He is searching for His children who "need" Him to do something in their lives. He is looking for opportunities to show Himself strong on your behalf.
What is your need today? Are you weak? If so, He wants to show Himself strong for you by perfecting His strength in your weakness. Are you fearful? He want to show Himself strong by giving you His peace that will establish your heart and mind. Are you confused? He wants to give you clarity to help you see the truth. Are you in need of guidance? He wants to give you wisdom and understanding so you can make the right decision. Are you struggling with a besetting sin? He wants to give you His power to resist and overcome. Are you dealing with a bad report concerning your children, your marriage, your job, your health? He wants to give you His measure of faith so that you can stand firm in the trying times. Are you feeling downcast or discouraged? He wants to give you His joy that is your strength and lift your up. Are you dealing with guilt and condemnation? He wants to wipe it away. Are you feeling as if He doesn't really love you or care about you? He wants to embrace you and wrap His presence around you to reassure you that He loves you with an everlasting love.
Yes, the eyes of the Lord are searching the earth today and they are looking for an opportunity to minister to His children at their point of need. If you are the one who needs Him to show Himself strong on your behalf, then know that He is looking at you.
Have a great day. God is looking for someone He can show Himself strong in the behalf of, and His eyes stop searching when He finds them.
For further reading:
2 Corinthians 12:9
James 1:5
Ephesians 6:10
Psalm 3:3
Nehemiah 8:10
John 14:27
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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, March 26, 2012
"Our Father"
"After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name." Matthew 6:9
What a comforting thought to know that the One we are praying to is someone we have a relationship with-- He is our Father. He is not someone who is unfamiliar with us. He is not someone who just passes in and out of our lives. He is not just a casual acquaintance. But He is our Heavenly Father.
When Jesus taught us to pray after this manner, He said to pray to "our Father". He didn't just say to pray to "His Father", but He called Him "our" Father- Jesus and ours both. This speaks of relationship with Jesus as well-- if you share a "Father" with someone, you have a relationship with them.
The whole desire and will of the Father is that we have a relationship with Him. This has always been His plan and He provided a way for this to be possible through His Son Jesus. "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name." (John 1:12)
Is He "your Father"? Do you have a relationship with Him? This happens through the "born again" experience. This is why Jesus told Nicodemus that "you must be born again". You have to be born into God's family. The born again experience comes as we repent of our sins and put our faith and trust in Jesus Christ as the way of entrance into the family and relationship with the Father. From there our lives should reflect the relationship that we are in with Him on a daily basis, and they will as long as we follow Him.
Have a great day. "Our" Father which art in heaven... is He "yours'?
For further reading:
John 3:1-18; 14:6; 10:9
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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
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.
What a comforting thought to know that the One we are praying to is someone we have a relationship with-- He is our Father. He is not someone who is unfamiliar with us. He is not someone who just passes in and out of our lives. He is not just a casual acquaintance. But He is our Heavenly Father.
When Jesus taught us to pray after this manner, He said to pray to "our Father". He didn't just say to pray to "His Father", but He called Him "our" Father- Jesus and ours both. This speaks of relationship with Jesus as well-- if you share a "Father" with someone, you have a relationship with them.
The whole desire and will of the Father is that we have a relationship with Him. This has always been His plan and He provided a way for this to be possible through His Son Jesus. "But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name." (John 1:12)
Is He "your Father"? Do you have a relationship with Him? This happens through the "born again" experience. This is why Jesus told Nicodemus that "you must be born again". You have to be born into God's family. The born again experience comes as we repent of our sins and put our faith and trust in Jesus Christ as the way of entrance into the family and relationship with the Father. From there our lives should reflect the relationship that we are in with Him on a daily basis, and they will as long as we follow Him.
Have a great day. "Our" Father which art in heaven... is He "yours'?
For further reading:
John 3:1-18; 14:6; 10:9
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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
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, March 23, 2012
"A Special Plan"
"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Jeremiah 29:11
While I was keeping my little four year old granddaughter the other night the thought came to me to tell her this: "God has a plan for me, and it's a good plan." (I am always telling her about the Lord.) So I told her and had her repeat it back to me. (I want her to learn early in life that God does have a plan and purpose for her.) I did this several times, repeating this same short sentence, and having her repeat it back to me. The next day I looked at her and said, "God has a plan for me, and it's a good plan." She repeated it. Then she wanted me to repeat it after her. So I did. Only she reworded it. She said, "God has a plan for me, and it's a special plan." Talk about "out of the mouth of babes"! I did not correct her, I told her she was very right. He not only has a good plan for her life but it is a special plan. A plan uniquely designed for her. The plan God has for her life is special. He has called her to fulfill it, and her alone.
God has a special plan for your life. One that is unique to you. He has called you for a specific purpose. No one else can do it- just you. God had a special plan for Moses. He had a special plan in mind for Esther. He had a special plan for Peter. He has a special plan for you too. There may be millions and millions of people living on planet earth, but God knows us each one individually and has a special, specific plan designed just for us. I don't know what His "special" plan is for you, but there is one-- you aren't just here to take up space or by accident. So be encouraged and know that He has a plan.
Have a great day. Repeat after me, "God has a plan for me; and it's a good and special plan."
For further reading:
Esther 4:14
Acts 9:15-17
1 Peter 2:9
Romans 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.
While I was keeping my little four year old granddaughter the other night the thought came to me to tell her this: "God has a plan for me, and it's a good plan." (I am always telling her about the Lord.) So I told her and had her repeat it back to me. (I want her to learn early in life that God does have a plan and purpose for her.) I did this several times, repeating this same short sentence, and having her repeat it back to me. The next day I looked at her and said, "God has a plan for me, and it's a good plan." She repeated it. Then she wanted me to repeat it after her. So I did. Only she reworded it. She said, "God has a plan for me, and it's a special plan." Talk about "out of the mouth of babes"! I did not correct her, I told her she was very right. He not only has a good plan for her life but it is a special plan. A plan uniquely designed for her. The plan God has for her life is special. He has called her to fulfill it, and her alone.
God has a special plan for your life. One that is unique to you. He has called you for a specific purpose. No one else can do it- just you. God had a special plan for Moses. He had a special plan in mind for Esther. He had a special plan for Peter. He has a special plan for you too. There may be millions and millions of people living on planet earth, but God knows us each one individually and has a special, specific plan designed just for us. I don't know what His "special" plan is for you, but there is one-- you aren't just here to take up space or by accident. So be encouraged and know that He has a plan.
Have a great day. Repeat after me, "God has a plan for me; and it's a good and special plan."
For further reading:
Esther 4:14
Acts 9:15-17
1 Peter 2:9
Romans 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.
Thursday, March 22, 2012
"Seek The Right Way"
"... and as long as he sought the Lord, God made him to prosper." 2 Chronicles 26:5b
What does it mean to seek the Lord? Let me start off by telling you what it does not mean. It doesn't mean to seek Him for the purpose of trying to persuade Him to do what you want Him to do. It doesn't mean to seek His hand-- to seek what He can give you and do for you. It doesn't mean that it is something that you do as a last resort-- after you have tried everything else and nothing worked. It doesn't mean on occasion-- only when you think about it.
What it does mean is that you seek to know His will-- what it is that He desires, so that He might persuade you to get in line with Him. I also means to seek His face-- seek to know who He is in a personal communicative way. Seek Him to get to know Him-- who He is, what brings Him joy, and to hear His heart beat. It means to seek Him daily-- not just on special occasions or certain days, or when you have a need. It also means to seek Him first-- not last, not after you have exhausted all other resources.
Summing it all up-- seeking the Lord means that you do it all the time, the first thing, to understand more clearly who He is and to know His will for you. Does this describe the way you "seek" the Lord? There is a right way and a wrong way to seek Him. When we seek Him the right way, He will cause us to prosper.
Have a great day. How are you seeking the Lord-- there is a right way and a wrong way?
For further reading:
Proverbs 3:5,6
Matthew 6:33
Psalm 24:6; 119:2
Hebrews 11:6
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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.
What does it mean to seek the Lord? Let me start off by telling you what it does not mean. It doesn't mean to seek Him for the purpose of trying to persuade Him to do what you want Him to do. It doesn't mean to seek His hand-- to seek what He can give you and do for you. It doesn't mean that it is something that you do as a last resort-- after you have tried everything else and nothing worked. It doesn't mean on occasion-- only when you think about it.
What it does mean is that you seek to know His will-- what it is that He desires, so that He might persuade you to get in line with Him. I also means to seek His face-- seek to know who He is in a personal communicative way. Seek Him to get to know Him-- who He is, what brings Him joy, and to hear His heart beat. It means to seek Him daily-- not just on special occasions or certain days, or when you have a need. It also means to seek Him first-- not last, not after you have exhausted all other resources.
Summing it all up-- seeking the Lord means that you do it all the time, the first thing, to understand more clearly who He is and to know His will for you. Does this describe the way you "seek" the Lord? There is a right way and a wrong way to seek Him. When we seek Him the right way, He will cause us to prosper.
Have a great day. How are you seeking the Lord-- there is a right way and a wrong way?
For further reading:
Proverbs 3:5,6
Matthew 6:33
Psalm 24:6; 119:2
Hebrews 11:6
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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.
Wednesday, March 21, 2012
"Taking It For Granted"
"The Spirit himself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God." Romans 8:16
Yesterday we talked about guarding the "spiritual treasures" that the Lord has given us. One way we do that is by not taking them for granted.
When you think about taking something for granted, it usually deals with the treatment of something- it is ignored, neglected or treated with indifference. This morning I want to talk about another form of taking something for granted which deals with accepting something without question-- namely, taking for granted that we are saved when we may very well not be.
Many people never question whether they are truly saved or not because they are "church goers" or "good people". We take for granted that we are saved because we were raised in a Christian nation, or because we go to church, or because we haven't cheated on our spouse, or because we shook some preacher's hand and joined a particular church. Others take for granted that they are saved because they believe that God is real and does exist.
Religious acts or just being good is not what saves us. The Pharisees were very religious, but Jesus called them the "children of the devil". The rich young ruler was a "good" guy, but he missed out on eternal life. Those who will stand before Jesus one day testifying of all the miraculous works that they did in His name while on earth will be told to depart from Him.
If you are taking for granted that you are saved just because of some religious act that you have done or are doing, then you need to check and make sure it is truly right between you and the Lord. You need to make sure you aren't trusting in your own goodness and deeds to save you. Salvation is about receiving the Savior- Jesus Christ- and then following Him the rest of your life. It is not about doing religious things but about having a relationship with the Father, which comes through Jesus Christ the Son. Your eternal well-being is far too serious to take for granted that you are saved because of what you do. It is not about what you do, but who you know. Do you really know Jesus, and does He really know you?
Have a great day. You can't afford to take for granted that you are saved because of some religious acts that you do.
For further reading:
James 2:19
Ephesians 2:8,9
John 8:44
Matthew 7:22,23; 19:16-22
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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.
Yesterday we talked about guarding the "spiritual treasures" that the Lord has given us. One way we do that is by not taking them for granted.
When you think about taking something for granted, it usually deals with the treatment of something- it is ignored, neglected or treated with indifference. This morning I want to talk about another form of taking something for granted which deals with accepting something without question-- namely, taking for granted that we are saved when we may very well not be.
Many people never question whether they are truly saved or not because they are "church goers" or "good people". We take for granted that we are saved because we were raised in a Christian nation, or because we go to church, or because we haven't cheated on our spouse, or because we shook some preacher's hand and joined a particular church. Others take for granted that they are saved because they believe that God is real and does exist.
Religious acts or just being good is not what saves us. The Pharisees were very religious, but Jesus called them the "children of the devil". The rich young ruler was a "good" guy, but he missed out on eternal life. Those who will stand before Jesus one day testifying of all the miraculous works that they did in His name while on earth will be told to depart from Him.
If you are taking for granted that you are saved just because of some religious act that you have done or are doing, then you need to check and make sure it is truly right between you and the Lord. You need to make sure you aren't trusting in your own goodness and deeds to save you. Salvation is about receiving the Savior- Jesus Christ- and then following Him the rest of your life. It is not about doing religious things but about having a relationship with the Father, which comes through Jesus Christ the Son. Your eternal well-being is far too serious to take for granted that you are saved because of what you do. It is not about what you do, but who you know. Do you really know Jesus, and does He really know you?
Have a great day. You can't afford to take for granted that you are saved because of some religious acts that you do.
For further reading:
James 2:19
Ephesians 2:8,9
John 8:44
Matthew 7:22,23; 19:16-22
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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, March 20, 2012
"Guard Your Treasures"
"Then Asa brought out silver and gold out of the treasures of the house of the Lord and of the king's house, and sent to Benhadad king of Syria, that dwelt at Damascus, saying, "There is a league between me and thee, as there was between my father and thy father: behold, I have sent thee silver and gold; go, break thy league with Baasha king of Israel, that he may depart from me." 2 Chronicles 16:2,3
King Asa took the silver and gold out of the treasures of the Lord's house and gave them to the king of Syria as an enticement to get him to help them against the king of Israel. He used these treasures for purposes other than it was intended for them to be used. How are you treating the "treasures of God"?
What are you doing with the treasures God has given you? Those treasures are: your salvation, talents, spiritual gifts, the anointing, your calling, the work of the ministry, and His word. These are all precious treasures that should not be taken lightly. We should not be "throwing" them away. We should not be compromising them. We should not be neglecting them or treating them in a careless manner. And we should never take them for granted.
Treasures should be guarded. Are you guarding and protecting these treasures that God has given you? Are you making the best use of them? Are you making sure the enemy doesn't steal them from you, or that you aren't just giving them away, or that you aren't casting them before others to be trampled under foot?
We need to see these wonderful gifts and blessings as precious and treat them with care and gratitude, and use them in the manner in which God intended for them to be used. He had a plan behind giving them to you, so use them to accomplish that plan.
Have a great day. What are you doing with the "treasures" that God has given you?
For further reading:
Proverbs 17:8; 20:15
2 Peter 1:4
Matthew 7:6
1 Timothy 4:14
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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.
King Asa took the silver and gold out of the treasures of the Lord's house and gave them to the king of Syria as an enticement to get him to help them against the king of Israel. He used these treasures for purposes other than it was intended for them to be used. How are you treating the "treasures of God"?
What are you doing with the treasures God has given you? Those treasures are: your salvation, talents, spiritual gifts, the anointing, your calling, the work of the ministry, and His word. These are all precious treasures that should not be taken lightly. We should not be "throwing" them away. We should not be compromising them. We should not be neglecting them or treating them in a careless manner. And we should never take them for granted.
Treasures should be guarded. Are you guarding and protecting these treasures that God has given you? Are you making the best use of them? Are you making sure the enemy doesn't steal them from you, or that you aren't just giving them away, or that you aren't casting them before others to be trampled under foot?
We need to see these wonderful gifts and blessings as precious and treat them with care and gratitude, and use them in the manner in which God intended for them to be used. He had a plan behind giving them to you, so use them to accomplish that plan.
Have a great day. What are you doing with the "treasures" that God has given you?
For further reading:
Proverbs 17:8; 20:15
2 Peter 1:4
Matthew 7:6
1 Timothy 4:14
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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.
Monday, March 19, 2012
"The Right Attitude"
"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God." Hebrews 12:2
Jesus knew what His purpose for coming to earth was. He knew that He was heading to the cross. In the garden He prayed not for His own will but for the Father's will to be accomplished and then submitted to that will. He knew He would suffer. He knew He would be rejected, mocked, be reproached, bear the sins of the world and be forsaken by His Father while He fulfilled the plan of redeeming mankind. Although He knew what He would endure, He had joy in it. He didn't go to the cross murmuring and complaining. He didn't go begrudgingly. He didn't go with a bad attitude. He went with joy.
When the Father reveals His will to you, what is your attitude while fulfilling it? Do you do it with joy? Do you do it complaining? Do you do it through gritted teeth? Do you do it half-hearted? Many will submit to His will, but with the wrong attitude. They do it on the "outside" but not on the "inside"- their heart isn't in it. God loves a cheerful giver- one who does His will cheerfully and with joy.
No one ever said that doing the will of God would always be easy- as a matter of fact, it very seldom is. But there is a right attitude and a wrong attitude about doing it. Which attitude do you have? Our attitude should be patterned after the attitude of Jesus toward doing the Father's will. Is yours?
Have a great day. Check your attitude when it comes to doing the will of God.
For further reading:
Matthew 26:39
John 4:34
Philippians 2:13,14
2 Corinthians 9:7
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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.
Jesus knew what His purpose for coming to earth was. He knew that He was heading to the cross. In the garden He prayed not for His own will but for the Father's will to be accomplished and then submitted to that will. He knew He would suffer. He knew He would be rejected, mocked, be reproached, bear the sins of the world and be forsaken by His Father while He fulfilled the plan of redeeming mankind. Although He knew what He would endure, He had joy in it. He didn't go to the cross murmuring and complaining. He didn't go begrudgingly. He didn't go with a bad attitude. He went with joy.
When the Father reveals His will to you, what is your attitude while fulfilling it? Do you do it with joy? Do you do it complaining? Do you do it through gritted teeth? Do you do it half-hearted? Many will submit to His will, but with the wrong attitude. They do it on the "outside" but not on the "inside"- their heart isn't in it. God loves a cheerful giver- one who does His will cheerfully and with joy.
No one ever said that doing the will of God would always be easy- as a matter of fact, it very seldom is. But there is a right attitude and a wrong attitude about doing it. Which attitude do you have? Our attitude should be patterned after the attitude of Jesus toward doing the Father's will. Is yours?
Have a great day. Check your attitude when it comes to doing the will of God.
For further reading:
Matthew 26:39
John 4:34
Philippians 2:13,14
2 Corinthians 9:7
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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.
Friday, March 16, 2012
"You Are Not Defeated"
"Ye are of God, little children, and have overcome them: because greater is he that is in you, than he that is in the world." 1 John 4:4
So many Christians live such defeated lives. They act like they are barely getting by and aren't going to make it. They are living less than the abundant life that Jesus came to give them. They are living without joy, without peace and without victory. They seem to give up so easily when trials come their way. They are constantly whining and complaining about something. They never seem to rise above any situation that they face. They live with a "give up" (defeatist) attitude.
Why is this? I believe one of the reasons is because they forget who lives in them-- the Greater One. The Great and Almighty God, the Creator of the universe lives within every born again child of God. He is the One who parts seas, who shuts the mouths of lions, who quenches the fire. When He speaks, the power of His word causes demons to tremble, mountains to be removed and what did not exist to come into being. Living within us is the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead. It's the same Spirit that calls things that are not as though they are. He's the same one who sees the end from the beginning and turns darkness into light- nothing can hide from Him. He and He alone has the titles-- Omnipotent (All-powerful), Omniscient (All-knowing), Omni-present (All-present).
There is never a reason for any true believer to live a defeated life. We aren't defeated. We may feel like it sometimes, the enemy may try to convince us that we are, our own hearts will try to convince us as well that we are, but we aren't. How can we be when the True and Living God abides within us? How can we be when Jesus already won the victory for us? How can we be if God is for us? There is an old hymn entitled- "Victory In Jesus". The title and words came straight from the teachings of the scriptures. We have victory in Jesus! Let me repeat myself-- we HAVE Victory in Jesus!! We aren't heading toward victory, we already have it. "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." (1 John 5:4)
If you are one of the ones that I described earlier, get on your knees and repent for following your feelings and the accusations of the enemy. Ask God to give you the faith to believe in His victory that has been appropriated to your life. Renew your mind with God's word and keep looking to Him, the Author and Finisher of your faith, and not at the circumstances of life. For the Christian there is no defeat, even when it looks like we haven't won, even when it looks like the enemy has defeated us, that is not a true report. Everything, even when it doesn't look like we've come out on top, is a "win win" situation for us because we are going from glory to glory, and victory to victory.
Have a great day. How can the born again child of God live in defeat when the Greater One lives within us!!
For further reading:
John 10:10
Romans 8:11
Genesis 1:3
Psalm 98:1
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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 many Christians live such defeated lives. They act like they are barely getting by and aren't going to make it. They are living less than the abundant life that Jesus came to give them. They are living without joy, without peace and without victory. They seem to give up so easily when trials come their way. They are constantly whining and complaining about something. They never seem to rise above any situation that they face. They live with a "give up" (defeatist) attitude.
Why is this? I believe one of the reasons is because they forget who lives in them-- the Greater One. The Great and Almighty God, the Creator of the universe lives within every born again child of God. He is the One who parts seas, who shuts the mouths of lions, who quenches the fire. When He speaks, the power of His word causes demons to tremble, mountains to be removed and what did not exist to come into being. Living within us is the same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead. It's the same Spirit that calls things that are not as though they are. He's the same one who sees the end from the beginning and turns darkness into light- nothing can hide from Him. He and He alone has the titles-- Omnipotent (All-powerful), Omniscient (All-knowing), Omni-present (All-present).
There is never a reason for any true believer to live a defeated life. We aren't defeated. We may feel like it sometimes, the enemy may try to convince us that we are, our own hearts will try to convince us as well that we are, but we aren't. How can we be when the True and Living God abides within us? How can we be when Jesus already won the victory for us? How can we be if God is for us? There is an old hymn entitled- "Victory In Jesus". The title and words came straight from the teachings of the scriptures. We have victory in Jesus! Let me repeat myself-- we HAVE Victory in Jesus!! We aren't heading toward victory, we already have it. "For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith." (1 John 5:4)
If you are one of the ones that I described earlier, get on your knees and repent for following your feelings and the accusations of the enemy. Ask God to give you the faith to believe in His victory that has been appropriated to your life. Renew your mind with God's word and keep looking to Him, the Author and Finisher of your faith, and not at the circumstances of life. For the Christian there is no defeat, even when it looks like we haven't won, even when it looks like the enemy has defeated us, that is not a true report. Everything, even when it doesn't look like we've come out on top, is a "win win" situation for us because we are going from glory to glory, and victory to victory.
Have a great day. How can the born again child of God live in defeat when the Greater One lives within us!!
For further reading:
John 10:10
Romans 8:11
Genesis 1:3
Psalm 98:1
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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, March 15, 2012
"Blinkers"
"Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?" Galatians 5:7
The Christian life is compared to a race- a race to be run and won. It is not over until we cross the finish line; which happens when we leave this earth and arrive at our home in heaven. So, how's your race going? Are you running it and running it well? Or is something hindering you?
There are many things that can hinder us. Distractions try to hinder us. Distractions come in many forms- other people, pressing responsibilities, busyness or fleshly cravings. Our bodies will try to hinder us through the form of sickness and fatigue. Then of course there is the devil who will try to distract us through temptations. Spending time holding grudges, taking revenge, wallowing in bitterness and unforgiveness, these will all hinder us because they have our attention instead of our attention being on the race that is before us.
How do we stay focused and keep our attention on the race that we are running? When a horse is in a race, they put a blinker- which is a type of partial blinder- on it, so that it can concentrate by looking straight ahead, run properly, correct their attitude so they won't veer to the inner rail and to keep them calm if the noise of the crowd makes them nervous. That's our answer-- put a "blinker" on.
We need to cover our "eyes" with the Word of God. God's Word will keep us focused on the race that is before us as we look to it. It will help us concentrate on spiritual things as we keep our minds renewed in it. It will help us to run properly by keeping us on the straight and narrow racetrack, instead of looking to the left or to the right. It will be the light in front of our feet to show us which direction to go. God's word will correct our attitude as we follow its teaching so we don't veer off the track and stay in the race. When the distractions come- the ones we talked about already and the ones we haven't- God's Word will give us peace so that we can continue on.
As we run the race that is set before us hindrances will come, but as we let God's Word keep us focused we will continue to run it and run it well.
Have a great day. God's Word is like a "blinker" that will help us stay focused on the race that we are running.
For further reading:
Hebrews 12:2
Deuteronomy 6:1-8
Psalm 119:105; 165
Proverbs 4:26,27
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org
You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.
The Christian life is compared to a race- a race to be run and won. It is not over until we cross the finish line; which happens when we leave this earth and arrive at our home in heaven. So, how's your race going? Are you running it and running it well? Or is something hindering you?
There are many things that can hinder us. Distractions try to hinder us. Distractions come in many forms- other people, pressing responsibilities, busyness or fleshly cravings. Our bodies will try to hinder us through the form of sickness and fatigue. Then of course there is the devil who will try to distract us through temptations. Spending time holding grudges, taking revenge, wallowing in bitterness and unforgiveness, these will all hinder us because they have our attention instead of our attention being on the race that is before us.
How do we stay focused and keep our attention on the race that we are running? When a horse is in a race, they put a blinker- which is a type of partial blinder- on it, so that it can concentrate by looking straight ahead, run properly, correct their attitude so they won't veer to the inner rail and to keep them calm if the noise of the crowd makes them nervous. That's our answer-- put a "blinker" on.
We need to cover our "eyes" with the Word of God. God's Word will keep us focused on the race that is before us as we look to it. It will help us concentrate on spiritual things as we keep our minds renewed in it. It will help us to run properly by keeping us on the straight and narrow racetrack, instead of looking to the left or to the right. It will be the light in front of our feet to show us which direction to go. God's word will correct our attitude as we follow its teaching so we don't veer off the track and stay in the race. When the distractions come- the ones we talked about already and the ones we haven't- God's Word will give us peace so that we can continue on.
As we run the race that is set before us hindrances will come, but as we let God's Word keep us focused we will continue to run it and run it well.
Have a great day. God's Word is like a "blinker" that will help us stay focused on the race that we are running.
For further reading:
Hebrews 12:2
Deuteronomy 6:1-8
Psalm 119:105; 165
Proverbs 4:26,27
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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, March 14, 2012
"I Can Do All Thngs"
"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Philippians 4:13
What does the word "all" not include? The word "all" is "all" inclusive. In this verse comes the assurance that we can do all things regardless of what they are. But the source of this ability comes through Christ. For with Him nothing is impossible. Therefore, for us who are in Him, who look to Him, who follow Him, who put their trust and faith in Him, whatever we are called upon to do we can do it.
Does that mean I can live a godly and holy life? Does that mean I can resist temptation and stand firm when it comes? Does that mean I can deny my flesh the lusts it craves and yield to the Spirit's leadership? Does that mean that I can walk victorious over besetting sin? Do "all" things include the ability to let my light shine even in the darkest situation, to be bold when needed, to stand strong in adversity, to cease from anger, to forsake bitterness, to forgive those who have wronged me, to love my enemies, to do good to those who have despitefully used me?
"All things" means whatever you face, whatever you are called upon to do, whatever battle that arises to fight, whatever act you have to perform-- you can do it. You can do it because your life is hid in Christ. It is He who gives you the wisdom to perform the task, who puts the answer in your mouth, who gives you grace, who directs your steps, who pours His love into your heart, who perfects His strength in you, and who puts His power (the same power that raised Jesus from the dead) in you. "Nothing shall be impossible unto you" (Matthew 17:20) as long as you put your faith and trust in Christ and remember that He is the source of your strength and the giver of your ability to do all things.
Have a great day. When it says you can do "all" things through Christ-- it includes "all" things.
For further reading:
Ephesians 6:10
Romans 8:11
Psalm 118:14
2 Corinthians 12:9
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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
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.
What does the word "all" not include? The word "all" is "all" inclusive. In this verse comes the assurance that we can do all things regardless of what they are. But the source of this ability comes through Christ. For with Him nothing is impossible. Therefore, for us who are in Him, who look to Him, who follow Him, who put their trust and faith in Him, whatever we are called upon to do we can do it.
Does that mean I can live a godly and holy life? Does that mean I can resist temptation and stand firm when it comes? Does that mean I can deny my flesh the lusts it craves and yield to the Spirit's leadership? Does that mean that I can walk victorious over besetting sin? Do "all" things include the ability to let my light shine even in the darkest situation, to be bold when needed, to stand strong in adversity, to cease from anger, to forsake bitterness, to forgive those who have wronged me, to love my enemies, to do good to those who have despitefully used me?
"All things" means whatever you face, whatever you are called upon to do, whatever battle that arises to fight, whatever act you have to perform-- you can do it. You can do it because your life is hid in Christ. It is He who gives you the wisdom to perform the task, who puts the answer in your mouth, who gives you grace, who directs your steps, who pours His love into your heart, who perfects His strength in you, and who puts His power (the same power that raised Jesus from the dead) in you. "Nothing shall be impossible unto you" (Matthew 17:20) as long as you put your faith and trust in Christ and remember that He is the source of your strength and the giver of your ability to do all things.
Have a great day. When it says you can do "all" things through Christ-- it includes "all" things.
For further reading:
Ephesians 6:10
Romans 8:11
Psalm 118:14
2 Corinthians 12:9
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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
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, March 13, 2012
"No Reason To Fear"
"But now thus saith the Lord that created thee, O Jacob, and he that formed thee, O Israel, Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine." Isaiah 43:1
"Fear not: for I have redeemed thee." The word that keeps going over and over in my thoughts is-- fear not. You have no reason to fear because He has redeemed you. That means that He has paid the price that it took for you to be released. Released from what? Released from eternal judgment- the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ. Released from the power of sin- sin has no more dominion over you. He also released you from the stronghold of fear. Fear cannot torment you any longer. The ransom price that was paid was paid at the cross through the shedding of the blood of God's own Son Jesus.
The old hymns used to talk about the power in the blood and the power in the cross. There is power in both. That power releases us from fear, oppression, emotional instability, confusion and weakness.
"Fear not: I have called thee by thy name." You have no reason to fear because God knows who you are, where you are and what you are going through. He knows you personally- by name. He knows everything there is to know about you. He knows you better than you know yourself. If He knows you, then that means He is aware of you and everything that touches your life, so you don't have to fear- He is there.
"Fear not: thou art mine." You have no reason to fear because you belong to God. You are His child and He knows how to take good care of you. Since you belong to Him, He will not forsake you or abandon you. He will not leave you to take care of yourself. He is a good Father who cares about His children and never neglects them.
So, again, you have no reason to fear: because He has redeemed/released you from the power of fear; because He knows you by name so He is personally involved in your life and knows what is going on; because You are His child and He loves you and will take care of you.
Have a great day. You have no reason to fear-- because He has redeemed you, knows you by name and you are His.
For further reading:
Isaiah 43:2; 41:13
Deuteronomy 31:6,8
Romans 6:14
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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.
"Fear not: for I have redeemed thee." The word that keeps going over and over in my thoughts is-- fear not. You have no reason to fear because He has redeemed you. That means that He has paid the price that it took for you to be released. Released from what? Released from eternal judgment- the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ. Released from the power of sin- sin has no more dominion over you. He also released you from the stronghold of fear. Fear cannot torment you any longer. The ransom price that was paid was paid at the cross through the shedding of the blood of God's own Son Jesus.
The old hymns used to talk about the power in the blood and the power in the cross. There is power in both. That power releases us from fear, oppression, emotional instability, confusion and weakness.
"Fear not: I have called thee by thy name." You have no reason to fear because God knows who you are, where you are and what you are going through. He knows you personally- by name. He knows everything there is to know about you. He knows you better than you know yourself. If He knows you, then that means He is aware of you and everything that touches your life, so you don't have to fear- He is there.
"Fear not: thou art mine." You have no reason to fear because you belong to God. You are His child and He knows how to take good care of you. Since you belong to Him, He will not forsake you or abandon you. He will not leave you to take care of yourself. He is a good Father who cares about His children and never neglects them.
So, again, you have no reason to fear: because He has redeemed/released you from the power of fear; because He knows you by name so He is personally involved in your life and knows what is going on; because You are His child and He loves you and will take care of you.
Have a great day. You have no reason to fear-- because He has redeemed you, knows you by name and you are His.
For further reading:
Isaiah 43:2; 41:13
Deuteronomy 31:6,8
Romans 6:14
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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.
Monday, March 12, 2012
"Let God Arise"
"Let God arise, let his enemies be scattered: let them also that hate him flee before him." Psalm 68:1
There is no enemy that can stand against God. When He arises, they are scattered. The enemy that is warring against you cannot stand against Him either. It is defeated.
As I was thinking about this, I wondered- what causes God to arise. Our praise causes Him to arise. He takes note of our praise and worship. He, the Bible says, will actually inhabit our praises. When He smells the sweet aroma of our sacrifice of praise, He arises. Our faith also causes Him to arise. It is faith that pleases Him. It is faith that He takes notice of.
When you praise the Lord, even in the presence of your enemy, God will arise and the enemy will flee. When you hold fast your profession of faith, God will arise and the enemy of doubt, fear, unbelief and confusion will flee. So keep praising Him and keep holding on to your unwavering faith in Him. He will arise. He will move on your behalf.
Have a great day. When God arises, the enemies are scattered.
For further reading:
Hebrews 10:23
Psalm 41:2; 3:7: 34:1; 23:5
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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.
There is no enemy that can stand against God. When He arises, they are scattered. The enemy that is warring against you cannot stand against Him either. It is defeated.
As I was thinking about this, I wondered- what causes God to arise. Our praise causes Him to arise. He takes note of our praise and worship. He, the Bible says, will actually inhabit our praises. When He smells the sweet aroma of our sacrifice of praise, He arises. Our faith also causes Him to arise. It is faith that pleases Him. It is faith that He takes notice of.
When you praise the Lord, even in the presence of your enemy, God will arise and the enemy will flee. When you hold fast your profession of faith, God will arise and the enemy of doubt, fear, unbelief and confusion will flee. So keep praising Him and keep holding on to your unwavering faith in Him. He will arise. He will move on your behalf.
Have a great day. When God arises, the enemies are scattered.
For further reading:
Hebrews 10:23
Psalm 41:2; 3:7: 34:1; 23:5
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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, March 9, 2012
"Yoke Free"
"Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage." Galatians 5:1
"... be not entangled again" indicates that you once were entangled by something but then had freedom from it. The warning here is to not get entangled in it again. Who the Son sets free is free indeed, but you have to continue to walk in that freedom. There is no doubt that He freed you, but what are you doing with that freedom.
The enemy has no new tricks in his bag to use against you. He is not a creator. He has to use the same weapons against us over and over again. This is why you keep getting tried in the same area even when you have been freed in that area. He wants to entangle you again with the same thing/things that you once were in bondage to.
The devil should realize that you aren't in bondage to that any more so you don't have to give in. The question isn't whether he knows it or not, but do you know it? Do you know that you have been set free completely? Do you know that you do not have to yield to and succumb to that old yoke of bondage? When Jesus set you free, He destroyed that yoke, He didn't just remove it. He broke it into a million pieces so that it could not be re-glued and put back together again. That yoke is broken but the enemy wants to fashion a new one that looks like the old one in order to put you in bondage again.
Are you under attack, are you being tempted to go back to some things that you have been set free from? The enemy is trying to put a yoke on you again. Do not let him. Do not give into him. Do not stand still in his presence and allow him to take "measurements" for another one. Stand fast in the freedom that Christ has given you.
Have a great day. There is no reason for you to be entangled again in bondage. Jesus set you free, stand fast in that freedom.
For further reading:
John 8:36
Isaiah 10:27
Matthew 10:30
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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.
"... be not entangled again" indicates that you once were entangled by something but then had freedom from it. The warning here is to not get entangled in it again. Who the Son sets free is free indeed, but you have to continue to walk in that freedom. There is no doubt that He freed you, but what are you doing with that freedom.
The enemy has no new tricks in his bag to use against you. He is not a creator. He has to use the same weapons against us over and over again. This is why you keep getting tried in the same area even when you have been freed in that area. He wants to entangle you again with the same thing/things that you once were in bondage to.
The devil should realize that you aren't in bondage to that any more so you don't have to give in. The question isn't whether he knows it or not, but do you know it? Do you know that you have been set free completely? Do you know that you do not have to yield to and succumb to that old yoke of bondage? When Jesus set you free, He destroyed that yoke, He didn't just remove it. He broke it into a million pieces so that it could not be re-glued and put back together again. That yoke is broken but the enemy wants to fashion a new one that looks like the old one in order to put you in bondage again.
Are you under attack, are you being tempted to go back to some things that you have been set free from? The enemy is trying to put a yoke on you again. Do not let him. Do not give into him. Do not stand still in his presence and allow him to take "measurements" for another one. Stand fast in the freedom that Christ has given you.
Have a great day. There is no reason for you to be entangled again in bondage. Jesus set you free, stand fast in that freedom.
For further reading:
John 8:36
Isaiah 10:27
Matthew 10:30
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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, March 8, 2012
"Opossums"
"And stay ye not, but pursue after your enemies, and smite the hindmost of them; suffer them not to enter into their cities: for the Lord your God hath delivered them into your hand." Joshua 10:19
If you know anything about a opossum, when it feels threatened or under attack by a predator, its defense is to "play dead". It will drop where it is standing and act as if it is dead. You can poke it, push on it, try to arouse it but it doesn't move. Sometimes it is very hard to know if it really is dead or not. Just about the time you finally decide it is dead, it gets up and runs away.
Too many Christians are acting like opossums. When the enemy comes, they "play dead". What I mean by that is they won't face the enemy, they try to ignore him, they act like he isn't there, they roll over and do nothing. Acting like a opossum is not God's chosen action for us. He never told us to ignore the enemy or act as if we are unaware that he is there. He told us to "fight the good fight of faith". He has called us to face the enemy and use the weapons we have been given to defeat his attacks.
We don't have to cow down to the enemy, greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world. We have been given power over all his powers. We are more than conquerors through Christ- who has already won the victory for us. We aren't to ever "play dead" in the face of the enemy, we are to pursue and defeat him. When facing Goliath, the armies of Israel "played dead"- they tried to ignore him in hopes that he would go away. Of course he didn't. Ignoring the enemy doesn't make him go away. The only way to deal with him is by "fighting" him. David went out to fight Goliath and the enemy was defeated.
How are you responding to the attacks of the devil, your enemy? Are you trying to ignore him? Are you "playing dead" hoping he will leave you alone? Or are you standing up and facing him full of the strength and power of the Lord? Facing him, not ignoring him, is how you defeat him. When a opossum plays dead, its attacker will leave it alone and go away. If you roll over and play dead when the devil is attacking, he won't leave you alone, he will continue to taunt you until you stand up to him.
Have a great day. We don't fight the devil by rolling over and playing dead.
For further reading:
1 John 4:4
Ephesians 6
Romans 8:37
Luke 10:19
2 Corinthians 10:4
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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 know anything about a opossum, when it feels threatened or under attack by a predator, its defense is to "play dead". It will drop where it is standing and act as if it is dead. You can poke it, push on it, try to arouse it but it doesn't move. Sometimes it is very hard to know if it really is dead or not. Just about the time you finally decide it is dead, it gets up and runs away.
Too many Christians are acting like opossums. When the enemy comes, they "play dead". What I mean by that is they won't face the enemy, they try to ignore him, they act like he isn't there, they roll over and do nothing. Acting like a opossum is not God's chosen action for us. He never told us to ignore the enemy or act as if we are unaware that he is there. He told us to "fight the good fight of faith". He has called us to face the enemy and use the weapons we have been given to defeat his attacks.
We don't have to cow down to the enemy, greater is He that is in us than he that is in the world. We have been given power over all his powers. We are more than conquerors through Christ- who has already won the victory for us. We aren't to ever "play dead" in the face of the enemy, we are to pursue and defeat him. When facing Goliath, the armies of Israel "played dead"- they tried to ignore him in hopes that he would go away. Of course he didn't. Ignoring the enemy doesn't make him go away. The only way to deal with him is by "fighting" him. David went out to fight Goliath and the enemy was defeated.
How are you responding to the attacks of the devil, your enemy? Are you trying to ignore him? Are you "playing dead" hoping he will leave you alone? Or are you standing up and facing him full of the strength and power of the Lord? Facing him, not ignoring him, is how you defeat him. When a opossum plays dead, its attacker will leave it alone and go away. If you roll over and play dead when the devil is attacking, he won't leave you alone, he will continue to taunt you until you stand up to him.
Have a great day. We don't fight the devil by rolling over and playing dead.
For further reading:
1 John 4:4
Ephesians 6
Romans 8:37
Luke 10:19
2 Corinthians 10:4
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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, March 7, 2012
"Enjoy The Word"
"Thy testimonies also are my delight and my counselors." Psalm 119:24
The word delight here means: delight, enjoyment, and it also refers to an object of delight. The Psalmist was saying here that he enjoyed God's testimonies- His precepts, His word, His commands. Does this describe you? Do you enjoy God's word? Do you enjoy reading it? Or is it something you have to force yourself to do? Is reading it something that you will get around to when you get around to it? Is it something you do when you can find the time, or do you make time for reading it?
Do you enjoy learning new things about the Lord from His word? Do you enjoy digging out its promises? Do you enjoy hearing God speak through His word? Or is it just black words on white paper to you? Is it something you do so that you can feel good because you have done your "religious" duty by reading it today?
Do you enjoy patterning your life by it as it counsels you through the situations of life? Do you delight in allowing it to transform your way of thinking, your outlook on life, your attitude, your emotions and the way you respond? Do you enjoy seeing what the Lord will show you on a personal level as you read it?
After asking so many questions this morning, I still want to ask one more that will sum them all up--- just how do you feel about God's word-- is it your delight and enjoyment? The one who delights in it will be victorious, will walk in wholeness, will enjoy peace and have a sound mind. The person who delights in it will always have clear direction as they navigate through life because they will always have His word to guide them. The person who enjoys God's word will remain close to God because they will enjoy Him-- He is the Word.
Have a great day. How do you feel about the Word of God?
For further reading:
John 1:1
Psalm 119:11;105;165
Philippians 4:6-8
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org
You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.
The word delight here means: delight, enjoyment, and it also refers to an object of delight. The Psalmist was saying here that he enjoyed God's testimonies- His precepts, His word, His commands. Does this describe you? Do you enjoy God's word? Do you enjoy reading it? Or is it something you have to force yourself to do? Is reading it something that you will get around to when you get around to it? Is it something you do when you can find the time, or do you make time for reading it?
Do you enjoy learning new things about the Lord from His word? Do you enjoy digging out its promises? Do you enjoy hearing God speak through His word? Or is it just black words on white paper to you? Is it something you do so that you can feel good because you have done your "religious" duty by reading it today?
Do you enjoy patterning your life by it as it counsels you through the situations of life? Do you delight in allowing it to transform your way of thinking, your outlook on life, your attitude, your emotions and the way you respond? Do you enjoy seeing what the Lord will show you on a personal level as you read it?
After asking so many questions this morning, I still want to ask one more that will sum them all up--- just how do you feel about God's word-- is it your delight and enjoyment? The one who delights in it will be victorious, will walk in wholeness, will enjoy peace and have a sound mind. The person who delights in it will always have clear direction as they navigate through life because they will always have His word to guide them. The person who enjoys God's word will remain close to God because they will enjoy Him-- He is the Word.
Have a great day. How do you feel about the Word of God?
For further reading:
John 1:1
Psalm 119:11;105;165
Philippians 4:6-8
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org
You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
"Being Negative"
"Then said Thomas, which is called Didymus, unto his fellow disciples, Let us also go, that we may die with him." John 11:16
Why is it that we tend to gravitate to the negative? When something happens, we seem to lean more toward the "bad" instead of the possibility of the "good". For example, when there is an ailment in our body, we automatically start thinking the worse. We tend to "borrow" trouble.
When Jesus told His disciples that He was going to Judaea to raise Lazarus from the dead, their first thought was, "The Jews tried to stone you when you were there before and you want to go there now?" (v.8) Of course they went with Him but under the belief that they were going to die there with Him. (v. 16) All they could see was a negative outcome.
Is there something going on in your life? Are you facing an illness? Do you have a rebellious child? Are things getting slow at work and there is talk of a lay off in your department? Are your thoughts those of fear, hopelessness, despair? True enough bad things happen around us and to us, but for the Christian these should not be our first thoughts or reactions. We serve a God of hope. The situation may give the appearance that it is bad. Attacking thoughts may come that say it is bad. But we should not gravitate or lean in that direction-- a defeated direction. We are people of faith. We should lean toward the Lord and His promises. We should cast down worry, fear and anxiety and wait upon the Lord.
The disciples already had their "funeral" planned before they even started on their journey to Lazarus. Does that describe you? The outcome was not at all what they expected. Even though the people had sought to kill Jesus before, He was still in control of the whole situation. You may be feeling that it is hopeless and the report will be bad. But remember that Jesus is still in control and regardless of how it may appear all things work together for the good to those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose. Don't be like the disciples and give up before you even start.
Have a great day. Do you tend to gravitate to the negative?
For further reading:
John 11:1-44
Romans 8:28
2 Timothy 1:7
Philippians 4:8
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org
You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.
Why is it that we tend to gravitate to the negative? When something happens, we seem to lean more toward the "bad" instead of the possibility of the "good". For example, when there is an ailment in our body, we automatically start thinking the worse. We tend to "borrow" trouble.
When Jesus told His disciples that He was going to Judaea to raise Lazarus from the dead, their first thought was, "The Jews tried to stone you when you were there before and you want to go there now?" (v.8) Of course they went with Him but under the belief that they were going to die there with Him. (v. 16) All they could see was a negative outcome.
Is there something going on in your life? Are you facing an illness? Do you have a rebellious child? Are things getting slow at work and there is talk of a lay off in your department? Are your thoughts those of fear, hopelessness, despair? True enough bad things happen around us and to us, but for the Christian these should not be our first thoughts or reactions. We serve a God of hope. The situation may give the appearance that it is bad. Attacking thoughts may come that say it is bad. But we should not gravitate or lean in that direction-- a defeated direction. We are people of faith. We should lean toward the Lord and His promises. We should cast down worry, fear and anxiety and wait upon the Lord.
The disciples already had their "funeral" planned before they even started on their journey to Lazarus. Does that describe you? The outcome was not at all what they expected. Even though the people had sought to kill Jesus before, He was still in control of the whole situation. You may be feeling that it is hopeless and the report will be bad. But remember that Jesus is still in control and regardless of how it may appear all things work together for the good to those who love the Lord and are called according to His purpose. Don't be like the disciples and give up before you even start.
Have a great day. Do you tend to gravitate to the negative?
For further reading:
John 11:1-44
Romans 8:28
2 Timothy 1:7
Philippians 4:8
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org
You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.
Monday, March 5, 2012
"Excusing The Flesh"
"Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak." Matthew 26:41
Many people use this verse as their reason, or rather their excuse, for giving into their flesh. They excuse sin, doing the wrong thing, immoral behavior, bad attitudes and selfishness as something that they just can't help because "the flesh is weak". In other words- they have no control over it.
This verse isn't an excuse or a license to sin it is a warning. It warns that there will be a battle between the spirit- which wants to do the right thing, wants to serve God and wants to be obedient to His commands; and the flesh- which wants to have its own way and do what it wants to do.
This verse also gives the reason why we seem to be more prone to give into our flesh-- it is weak. But it doesn't just leave us with a warning and an explanation of why the struggle between spirit and flesh, it also gives us the answer for overcoming the flesh and to walking in the spirit-- "watch and pray".
"Watch". Now that you know the flesh is weak, be aware and on guard for the temptations that your flesh seems to so easily gravitate towards.
"Pray". Prayer keeps us keenly alert to recognize the temptations when they come. It also strengthens our spirit so that we can overcome the desire to give into our flesh.
Stop excusing the behavior of your flesh. You do not have to give in to it and follow its ways. It may be weak, but you do not have to yield to it. Yield to the spirit and it will always overcome the flesh.
Have a great day. Just because your flesh is weak and prone to sin, you cannot excuse its behavior, you overcome it by yielding to the spirit.
For further reading:
Mark 14:38
Romans 8:12
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org
You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.
Many people use this verse as their reason, or rather their excuse, for giving into their flesh. They excuse sin, doing the wrong thing, immoral behavior, bad attitudes and selfishness as something that they just can't help because "the flesh is weak". In other words- they have no control over it.
This verse isn't an excuse or a license to sin it is a warning. It warns that there will be a battle between the spirit- which wants to do the right thing, wants to serve God and wants to be obedient to His commands; and the flesh- which wants to have its own way and do what it wants to do.
This verse also gives the reason why we seem to be more prone to give into our flesh-- it is weak. But it doesn't just leave us with a warning and an explanation of why the struggle between spirit and flesh, it also gives us the answer for overcoming the flesh and to walking in the spirit-- "watch and pray".
"Watch". Now that you know the flesh is weak, be aware and on guard for the temptations that your flesh seems to so easily gravitate towards.
"Pray". Prayer keeps us keenly alert to recognize the temptations when they come. It also strengthens our spirit so that we can overcome the desire to give into our flesh.
Stop excusing the behavior of your flesh. You do not have to give in to it and follow its ways. It may be weak, but you do not have to yield to it. Yield to the spirit and it will always overcome the flesh.
Have a great day. Just because your flesh is weak and prone to sin, you cannot excuse its behavior, you overcome it by yielding to the spirit.
For further reading:
Mark 14:38
Romans 8:12
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org
You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.
Friday, March 2, 2012
"Standing Alone"
"And he answered, Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. And Elisha prayed, and said, Lord, I pray thee, open his eyes, that he may see. And the Lord opened the eyes of the young man; and he saw: and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha." 2 Kings 6:16,17
During the times when we know that we have heard from the Lord on a matter, or He has given us a promise that we are standing on, or we are endeavoring to carry out a plan He is directing us to fulfill, we will often stand alone. We may not find anyone who will stand with us, who will be in agreement or who will support us. On the contrary, it may seem as if there are more standing against us. They don't share the same vision, they don't believe you have heard from God, they are negative concerning the situation. When you share it with them, they don't support you but oppose and discourage you instead. It is during those times when you feel alone.
Take heart this morning, you are not alone. Like the servant of Elisha we can't see past what we see in the natural. But what we see with our natural eyes is not always a true indication of the way things actually are. There are more that are with you than you see at the moment. When you have truly heard from God, the host of heaven is standing with you.
The bottom line is that no matter how much opposition you may encounter or how alone you may feel... if God is for you then you have a majority standing with you- He makes up the majority all by Himself.
Have a great day. If God is standing with us, we are never standing alone.
For further reading:
Romans 8:31
Psalm 118:6
Matthew 28:20
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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.
During the times when we know that we have heard from the Lord on a matter, or He has given us a promise that we are standing on, or we are endeavoring to carry out a plan He is directing us to fulfill, we will often stand alone. We may not find anyone who will stand with us, who will be in agreement or who will support us. On the contrary, it may seem as if there are more standing against us. They don't share the same vision, they don't believe you have heard from God, they are negative concerning the situation. When you share it with them, they don't support you but oppose and discourage you instead. It is during those times when you feel alone.
Take heart this morning, you are not alone. Like the servant of Elisha we can't see past what we see in the natural. But what we see with our natural eyes is not always a true indication of the way things actually are. There are more that are with you than you see at the moment. When you have truly heard from God, the host of heaven is standing with you.
The bottom line is that no matter how much opposition you may encounter or how alone you may feel... if God is for you then you have a majority standing with you- He makes up the majority all by Himself.
Have a great day. If God is standing with us, we are never standing alone.
For further reading:
Romans 8:31
Psalm 118:6
Matthew 28:20
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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, March 1, 2012
"Calling Or Assuming? - Part 2"
"And when the people were come into the camp, the elders of Israel said, Wherefore hath the Lord smitten us to day before the Philistines? Let us fetch the ark of the covenant of the Lord out of Shiloh unto us, that, when it cometh among us, it may save us out of the hand of our enemies." (1 Samuel 4:3)
Yesterday we talked about the fact that we do more "assuming" that we know what the will and plan of God is than we do seeking Him to know for sure. When we assume we know what He wants instead of seeking Him to find out, we often find ourselves making the wrong decisions.
When the Israelites went to battle against the Philistines, they did not seek the Lord, they assumed that just because they took the Ark of the Covenant into battle that the Lord would be with them and give them the victory. This was not the case. They were defeated, the priests were killed, the Ark was captured and the glory departed.
When we move out of assumption, instead of true direction from the Lord, we will wind up in trouble. There will be consequences that we will face. I have seen this happen so many times concerning relationships. A couple will get married and in no time the marriage is in trouble. They are fighting and ready for divorce. They are left wondering, "What happened? I 'prayed' about it." Did you really pray? Pray seeking God's answer? Or assume that this was God's will because you wanted it so badly? I have seen the same thing happen with business endeavors. Often we will move out of assumption because it looked like such a good deal, it was just what we had been praying for, it seemed like the right thing to do, or the opportunity came around. This is why we are told to "try the spirits". Test it to see if it really is God. Pray until you hear the answer and then pray some more to make sure what you heard was correct. Put out the "fleece" if you have to.
I have heard preachers put down on Gideon for putting out a "fleece" before God. They say that he didn't have any faith- he should have just believed God. Well, I never read that God put him down or got angry at him about it. If it takes doing that to make sure that we know, that we know that we have heard from God, then we should do it because the price of not knowing for sure and moving under assumption is often too great to pay.
Have a great day. There are consequences to moving by assumption instead of knowing for sure that you heard from God.
For further reading:
1 Samuel 4
1 John 4:1
2 Chronicles 26:5
Judges 6:37-39
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org
You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.
Yesterday we talked about the fact that we do more "assuming" that we know what the will and plan of God is than we do seeking Him to know for sure. When we assume we know what He wants instead of seeking Him to find out, we often find ourselves making the wrong decisions.
When the Israelites went to battle against the Philistines, they did not seek the Lord, they assumed that just because they took the Ark of the Covenant into battle that the Lord would be with them and give them the victory. This was not the case. They were defeated, the priests were killed, the Ark was captured and the glory departed.
When we move out of assumption, instead of true direction from the Lord, we will wind up in trouble. There will be consequences that we will face. I have seen this happen so many times concerning relationships. A couple will get married and in no time the marriage is in trouble. They are fighting and ready for divorce. They are left wondering, "What happened? I 'prayed' about it." Did you really pray? Pray seeking God's answer? Or assume that this was God's will because you wanted it so badly? I have seen the same thing happen with business endeavors. Often we will move out of assumption because it looked like such a good deal, it was just what we had been praying for, it seemed like the right thing to do, or the opportunity came around. This is why we are told to "try the spirits". Test it to see if it really is God. Pray until you hear the answer and then pray some more to make sure what you heard was correct. Put out the "fleece" if you have to.
I have heard preachers put down on Gideon for putting out a "fleece" before God. They say that he didn't have any faith- he should have just believed God. Well, I never read that God put him down or got angry at him about it. If it takes doing that to make sure that we know, that we know that we have heard from God, then we should do it because the price of not knowing for sure and moving under assumption is often too great to pay.
Have a great day. There are consequences to moving by assumption instead of knowing for sure that you heard from God.
For further reading:
1 Samuel 4
1 John 4:1
2 Chronicles 26:5
Judges 6:37-39
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org
You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.
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