"Hot Spot"

"But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly." Matthew 6:6

 

When I woke up this morning the words "hot spot" came to mind. My thoughts went toward a wireless internet connection. There are certain places that if you have a computer or portable electronic device you can go to get a wifi connection so you can use it to connect to the Internet.

 

If you are trying to use a portable electronic devise you have to find a "hot spot"- a place where you can go and get a connection. Then there are other places you can try to get a connection but can't. When I go to my parent's house, I can't get a connection. If I go to the library I can. At my parent's home there is no "hot spot"- no wifi signal. At the library there is. I can pick up an intent signal there. Am I making sense?

 

There are "hot spots" spiritually speaking where we can "get a signal" and "connection" to the Lord. The primary "hot spot" is the place of prayer. So many think that they can go through life communicating on the go, talking to God while they are busy doing other things, and they will have a good connection and clear reception. While we can "pray without ceasing"- meaning no matter where we are and what we are doing- there have to be times where we stop, get alone and be quiet in the presence of God. We have to "sit down" and "be still" and "connect". 

 

Where can you find the "hot spot" where you can connect to Him? You will find it in that "sweet hour of prayer". You will find it in the "closet"- in the quiet, undistracted place that shuts out everything else. You will find it in the place of "fasting". You will find it in "seeking Him with all your heart".

 

If you want to have a good strong wifi connection you have to move close to the source of the signal. If you want to have a good strong signal and relationship with the Lord you have to move close to the "signal"- His Presence. "Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you." (James 4:8)

 

Have a great day. If you want to want to hear clearly and have good communication with the Lord, you are going to have to find a "hot spot"- a place of prayer where His Presence draws near. 

 

For further reading:

1 Thessalonians 5:17

Mark 14:37; 9:29

Jeremiah 29:13

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Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell

and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from

About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.

Please feel free to

call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net

Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.

You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"Unlimited Power"

"Wherefore also God highly exalted him, and gave unto him the name which is above every name." Philippians 2:9

 

The Lord spoke a word to me yesterday during worship; I feel impressed that I am to share it with you this morning.

 

"It was prophesied that when I (Jesus) came, I would arise with healing in My wings. When I walked the earth, I did just that- went about healing those who were oppressed of the devil and healing all manner of diseases. If I did that while I was clothed in flesh, would I not do the same now that I am at the right hand of the Father- clothed in deity and the glory and majesty that I had with Him before the foundation of the world? Do you think my power has diminished? Do you think that I have become powerless now? Do you think that I am any less, and that as a man I would do more than I can do now?"

 

(My thoughts) Why do we look at Jesus as "less" now than He was while on earth? While on earth He was clothed in corruptible flesh. He was limited as a man to what He could do. He was limited by time and space. Although He exercised power over natural elements and law, He was still limited in all that He could do. Now He sits in heaven on the throne of majesty unlimited- with all power in heaven and earth. All things are in subjection to Him. At His name every knee shall bow. He is the Omnipotent God-- All powerful. 

 

If He demonstrated such power (healing the sick, casting out devils, raising the dead) on earth as a limited man, how much more- not less- now that He is "re-clothed" with His majesty, glory and honor as the only true and living God to whom all things bow.

 

Have great day. If Jesus demonstrated such great power while He was on earth confined to flesh and limited as a man, why would that power be any less now that He is seated on the throne of God.

 

For further reading:

Malachi 4:2

Philippians 2:6-11

Luke 22:69

1 Peter 3:22

John 17:5

 

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Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell

and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from

About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.

Please feel free to

call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net

Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.

You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"The Reward Of Occupying"

"And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come." Luke 19:13

 

Some of my family and I were talking yesterday about how fast time is going. The days are turning into weeks and it is the end of the month before the month has barely begun. It does seem as though time is speeding up. Whether it is speeding up or not, there are only so many hours in a day, days in a week, weeks in a month and months in a year. And we aren't promised any more time. We aren't promised our next breath, much less another day. 

 

The Bible tells us to "occupy" while we are here-- tend to business. How are you occupying? What are you doing with your time? How are you spending it? Are you spending it on foolish things that only waste it? Are spending it on something productive? Are spending it totally on self? Are spending it coveting after more? Are you spending it on temporal things? Are you spending it on eternal things? 

 

Some follow the world's motto, "Grab all the gusto you can. You only go around once". They believe that life is intended solely to be spent on self and selfish pleasure-- they think to do otherwise would be a waste. Spending it on eternal things is never a waste. It is a waste not to. (Don't misunderstand. The Lord wants us to enjoy life, but enjoy it in Him.) 

 

When we spend it all on self, we will get a temporary reward. The reward is the pleasure it brings us at the moment, the applaud of men for a time, the joy and thrill of it for a season. But when we spend it on eternal things, the reward may not always be evident here but we will have an eternal reward. It is the rewards of hearing the Heavenly Father tell us, "Well done.", of living in heaven forever, of eternal joy and peace, of seeing others there because of your work of occupying yourself with eternal things. So occupying ourselves more with eternal things than temporary pleasures is never wasted, it actually brings a greater reward.

 

Have a great day. When you occupy yourself with temporary pleasures, you gain a temporary reward. When you occupy yourself with eternal things, you will receive an eternal reward.

 

For further reading:

Matthew 6:20

Luke 19:17

2 John 1:8

Revelation 22:12

 

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Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell

and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from

About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.

Please feel free to

call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net

Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.

You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"Seeking Or Suffering?"

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Matthew 6:33

 

When we are seeking first the kingdom of God, we don't have to "worry" ourselves with seeking after the material things that we need. What we need will be added to us. In context the verse is talking about the material needs of our physical man-- food, clothing and shelter. But there are other things that we need-- things that the spiritual and emotional part of us needs.

 

We need peace. We need strength. We need wisdom, guidance, clarity, joy, etc. If our priority is to seek God's kingdom and it causes all the things that we need to be added to us physically, then the same is true where our spiritual needs are concerned. If we seek first the kingdom, then spiritual needs will be added to us as well. But by the same token, if we don't seek His kingdom then we will lack and suffer in this area.

 

Where does real peace come from? It comes from the Prince of Peace-- My peace I give unto you. Where does strength come from to face trying times? It comes from the Lord-- My strength is perfected in your weakness. Where does real joy come from? It comes from the Lord- the joy of the Lord is my strength. As we seek the Lord and press into His presence the things that we need spiritually are imparted/added to us. If we aren't seeking, then are won't have. If we don't have, then we are suffering and in lack-- we have no peace, no joy, no strength, etc..

 

Are these missing from your life? Are you seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness? If not, you may have discovered the source of your problem-- and your answer. 

 

Have a great day. When we seek first the kingdom of God, all we need is added to us. On the other hand, when we don't seek first the kingdom of God, we suffer the lack of the things we need. 

 

For further reading:

John 14:27

Acts 3:19

Galatians 5:22,23

2 Corinthians 12:9

Luke 12:31

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><

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.

"Know Truth, No Fear"

"His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies." Psalm 112:8

 

As I sought the Lord for His word to us this morning, He gave me the scripture above. I knew we had just talked about it recently. But He let me know that He wanted us to talk about it again. He wants us to be reassured that we do not have to be afraid for the terror by night, the arrow that flies by day, or for the destruction that comes at noonday. We do not have to be afraid when we see evil arising, violence around us, hear discouraging reports, or wars and rumors of war.

 

How is it possible not to be fearful? It is possible when we have our hearts established in God's Word. His Word is truth. When our hearts are established in the truth we don't have to fear because we know the truth about what is happening. 

 

When my daughter was a little girl, she was afraid of thunder. When she would hear a loud clap, she would run to the couch, her dad or to me. I wasn't afraid of thunder because I knew what it was and that it could not hurt you. She didn't know what it was. All she knew was it was a loud, frightening noise that might get her. Now that she is older and knows the truth about thunder and what it is, she is no longer afraid of its noise.

 

Many are fearful because they don't know the truth. They hear the "sound" and don't know the truth about what they are hearing. When they hear the sound that says God has abandoned them, they are fearful because they don't know the truth that says He will never leave them. When they are walking through the valley of the shadow of death, they are fearful because they don't know the truth that says He will walk with them and His rod and staff will comfort them. When they are in lack, they are fearful because they don't know the truth that says God shall supply all their need. 

 

We go through situations personally that try to make us fearful. The earth is coming into a time of events that will try to make us fearful. They will succeed if we are not established (rooted and grounded) in God's Word-- the Truth. If we are established we will not fear because we know the truth about what we are hearing and the truth will make us free-- free from fear.

 

Have a great day. When we are rooted and grounded in God's Word, we know the truth. Knowing the truth will keep us from being fearful when fearful times come. 

 

For further reading:

Psalm 91:5,6; 23:4

John 8:32; 17:17

 

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Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell

and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from

About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.

Please feel free to

call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net

Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.

You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"An Unquenchable Fire"

"Then I said, I will not make mention of him, nor speak any more in his name. But his word was in mine heart as a burning fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary with forbearing, and I could not stay." Jeremiah 20:9

 

God's word was so strong in the prophet that when he tried to keep quiet he could not-- it was like a burning fire in his bones that could not be quenched. Is the Word of God so strong and alive in you that you can't help but speak it and live it? 

 

We need the fire of God's word burning in us again, if it is not. We need it burning so strongly that it comes out of us in our speech, our attitude, our reactions and our deeds. The devil tried to quench the word in Jesus (Who is The Living Word- John 1:1,14). He tried by tempting Him to yield to a "false word"- ("And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone." Mathew 4:6) He tried to quench it in the disciples through threats. ("But that it spread no further among the people, let us straitly threaten them, that they speak henceforth to no man in this name. And they called them, and commanded them not to speak at all nor teach in the name of Jesus." Acts 4:17,18)

 

We must never cease to proclaim God's word. It is powerful. It sets captives free and opens prison doors to those who are bond. It is eternal. It is the Truth. We must read it, study it, meditate upon it and hide it in our hearts. We need to pray that it will burn so brightly and strongly in us that it cannot be quenched by threats, by lies, by fear, by intimidation, by reproach, by persecution, by opposition or any other thing the enemy throws at us. 

 

It has been reported repeatedly of Christians in the past that when they faced persecutions and even martyrdom that with their last breath they were proclaiming the gospel and speaking the Word of God. Even death could not quench the fire of God's Word that was in them. May the same be said of us today.

 

Have a great day. Is God's Word shut up in your heart like a fire that nothing can quench?

 

For further reading:

John 17:17

Hebrews 4:12

Isaiah 55:11

Romans 10:8

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><

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.

"Kicker"

"And he said, Who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks." Acts 9:5

 

To kick against something means to place your will, wants and desire ahead of that which you are in opposition against. It is a lack of conformity. It is also an act of rebellion. Kicking against something also implies the digging in of one's heels in an act of determination not to move.

 

Paul kicked against the Lord's will by refusing to change his direction from religious adherence to a relationship with Jesus Christ. Jonah kicked against going to Nineveh. 

 

Are you a kicker? Kicking against the will of the Lord? Kicking against His call? Are you kicking against the conviction that you are under to give your life to Christ? Are you kicking against doing what He has told you to do? Has He told you to go but you are determined to stay? Has He told you to stay but you are determined to go? Has He told you to speak but you refuse to? Is He leading you in one direction but you are still heading in the opposite one? 

 

There are times when we all have the urge to "kick" against the Lord because our flesh doesn't always want to surrender and give up control. But we can't kick forever. We need to surrender. When we kick, the road is much harder, and it won't go well for us. But when we stop kicking we will find an inward peace and joy that makes life easier.

 

Have a great day. Are you kicking against God? If so, you need to stop and just surrender.

 

For further reading:

1 Samuel 2:28-30; 15:22

Jonah 1:3

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Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell

and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from

About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.

Please feel free to

call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net

Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

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.

"Rejoice"

"Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice." Philippians 4:4

 

When are we to rejoice? Always. Always means always-- in good times and in bad times; in difficult times, in trying times, in times of rest and in times of peace. 

 

How are we to rejoice? In the Lord. He didn't say to rejoice that tragedy has struck your life, or that you got a bad report. He said to rejoice in "Him". 

 

How do we rejoice in the Lord? We rejoice in His goodness. We rejoice in His faithfulness. We rejoice in the fact that He is constantly there with us. We rejoice that He is our Provider. We rejoice in who He is-- our loving Father who cares about us and will not abandon or forsake us. So while our lives may be shaking, we can rejoice that He is the solid Rock that is unmovable and unshaken. While all hope seems lost in our situation, we rejoice that He is our hope- with Him nothing is impossible and nothing is too difficult. While our situation seems dark and fearful, we rejoice that the Lord is our light, our wisdom and our peace in the situation. 

 

We don't rejoice over the bad that comes to our lives, we rejoice in the Lord that He is more than able to take care of it. And when we start "feeling" the situation, we start rejoicing again. "And again, I say, Rejoice". 

 

Have a great day. Rejoicing in the Lord is the key to victory in every situation we face.

 

For further reading:

Psalm 34:2; 70:4; 89:16; 97:12

1 Thessalonians 5:16

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Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell

and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from

About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.

Please feel free to

call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net

Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

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.

"Trouble And Distress"

"We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair." 2 Corinthians 4:8

 

This verse was written over a thousand years ago, it sounds like it should have been written today: troubled on every side, perplexed. Seems like no matter which direction we turn there is trouble. Seems like the times in which we live are perplexing, who can understand what is going on. 

 

They were troubled on every side. The word troubled here means to be pressed. They were pressed, oppressed, afflicted, persecuted and suffering. They were perplexed. Perplexed means: to be without resources, to be in straits, to be left wanting, to be embarrassed, to be in doubt, not to know which way to turn. But read the verse again. Though they were in troubles on every side, they were not distressed. Though they were perplexed, they were not in despair. 

 

How was that possible? How did they handle what they were going through? "For God, who commanded the light to shine out of darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us." (verses 6,7)

 

The answer is "For God". He gave them light in the dark places of suffering. He shined His light in their hearts in times of hopelessness. They had a relationship with God the Father through Jesus Christ, the Son. They knew the Lord was with them and in them. They had power in the times of trouble and perplexity and they knew that the power to stand, to be at peace, to overcome instead of being overcame came from God. 

 

Are you in trouble? Are you being pressed by life? Are you perplexed? You don't have to be distressed by it. You don't have to be in despair because of it. As the Lord gave them all that they needed to walk through these times, He will give it to you also. All that you need- strength, peace, power, wisdom, guidance, healing, provision, grace, help etc.- is available to you. "For God" will give you all you need. He did it for them, He will do it for you.

 

Have a great day. Are you troubled? Are you perplexed? You don't have to be distressed or despair. God will give you everything you need to overcome.

 

For further reading:

2 Corinthians 4

 

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Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell

and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from

About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.

Please feel free to

call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net

Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.

You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"Omnipresent God"

"Am I a God at hand, saith the Lord, and not a God afar off?" Jeremiah 23:23

 

The Lord is a very present help to us in time of trouble. He is not a God that is afar off. He is not far away when we are in need, although He is accused of being so. To those who feel like He has left you, let me ask you a question-- just where would He go seeing He is an Omnipresent God?

 

There are times when His presence is with us in a special way- a way where we can "feel" it, a way where we "know" He is there. There are times when we feel like we are sitting in His very lap. His presence engulfs us and His peace overtakes us. But when we don't feel or sense that type of presence, we can rest assured that He is still there. His presence fills the whole of creation. There is no place that He isn't. "If I ascend up into heaven, thou art there: if I make my bed in hell, behold, thou art there." (Psalm 139:18)

 

Jonah thought he could escape to a place where God could not see him... wrong. God saw him on the ship. God saw him in the belly of the whale. Adam thought he could hide in the garden and God could not find him... wrong. God saw him. He saw him when he ate from the tree. He saw him when he tried to hide. 

 

You cannot get away from God, He is everyway. That is why He isn't far away when you need Him. Even one of the Hebrew names for God is Jehovah Shammah- meaning God is there. Where is the place called "there". This "there' means He is right there/here where you are. If "there" is "here", then "here" is always "here" no matter where you are. Therefore, God is there with you no matter where you are. 

 

Don't think God is not there. Don't think that He is far away. Don't think that He isn't near. Don't think that He has left. He is right there .

 

Have a great day. God has not left you. He is Omnipresent, where would He go?

 

For further reading:

Psalm 139; 46:1

Genesis 3:10

Jonah 1:10

 

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Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell

and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from

About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.

Please feel free to

call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net

Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

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 Insignificant"

"But the very hairs of your head are all numbered." Matthew 10:30

 

The Lord is often accused of not caring. Many question if He is even there and knows what they are going through. It may feel as though He is removed or far away at times, but He isn't- He is right there. He is aware of the situation. He is watching over you. He knows where you are and what you are going through. You and your situation is not hid from Hm. 

 

He is so aware of you that He even knows the very number of hairs on your head. Your hair is made up of enumerable individual hairs. Each one plays a part in making up your "hair". If He numbers the very hairs on your head then that means He counts each and every one. It also means that He knows each and every time you lose one and changes His count. 

 

What is one hair? It is "insignificant". There is no value in a hair. It isn't worth anything. We lose individual hairs all day long and aren't even aware of it. The fact that the Bible tells us that God knows the number of them lets us know that if God cares and is aware of even the most insignificant part of us, then He certainly must care about that which is more significant.

 

The Lord is more aware of when you lose one single hair than you are. He takes time to change His count and renumber them. Can you count the number of hairs on your head? Does just one hair mean that much to you? So when you start feeling as if He doesn't care and isn't aware, think about the number of hairs on your head, and remember if God cares about even the most insignificant part of you then He cares about what is most significant. 

 

Have a great day. God cares about even the most insignificant thing about you, so therefore, He cares about the significant as well.

 

For further reading:

Luke 12:7

Hebrews 4:13

 

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Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell

and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from

About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.

Please feel free to

call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net

Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.

You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"Established Heart"

"His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies." Psalm 112:8

 

How do we live a life at rest and peace inwardly? How do we resist caving into fear when it comes? The answer is in having an established heart. What is an established heart? It is one that is unmovable and firm. It is firm in its conviction. It is firm in its belief. It is firm in its confidence. When something is "firm", it is unmovable, unshakeable, un wavering- it is solid. So how do we get an established heart? 

 

"Praise ye the Lord. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, that delighteth greatly in his commandments." (verse 1) This established heart is the characteristic of a person who fears the Lord and delights in His commandments. It is not something he obtains on his own- through his education, through a strong resolve, through seer determination. No matter how determined you are, no matter how resolved you are, when fearful situations arise your own human strength will fail. It is not strong enough to withstand it on its own. But when we fear the Lord and are established in Him, His strength is made perfect in our weakness. When we fear the Lord, His peace that passes understanding is imparted to us. When we fear the Lord let the enemy come, but we are not afraid because our confidence is in the Lord that He is with us fighting the battle on our behalf.

 

This established confidence of heart only comes to those who fear the Lord. Those that fear Him are those that have surrendered their lives to Him. They are the ones who follow and serve Him. They are the ones who love Him with all their heart, soul, strength and mind. They are those who don't just profess to know Him but truly know Him. 

 

This established heart stays established through God's word (that delighteth greatly in his commandments). When our delight is in the commandments- God's word- and we read it, hide it in our hearts and meditate upon it, we are strengthen in our faith. Our faith becomes unwavering because it is rooted and grounded in God's word and promises which cannot fail. His word gives us a firm foundation upon which we build not only our hope but our lives. His word is like a solid rock- a firm foundation. When we are built upon it, we don't have to fear because our lives will stand firm. "And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock." (Matthew 7:25)

 

The Lord is our Rock and His word is our Rock. When our lives are built upon Him, our hearts are established. When they are established, we don't have to fear when the rain comes, when the floods come, when the winds blow, when the enemy rises, when the fire threatens, when the lions roar, or when evil approaches.

 

Have a great day. When we fear God and love His word, our hearts will be firm in faith and we don't have to fear whatever comes our way.

 

For further reading:

Psalm 23:4

Philippians 4:7

2 Corinthians 2:9

2 Chronicles 20:15

 

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Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell

and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from

About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.

Please feel free to

call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net

Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.

You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"Your Life Will Show It"

"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17

 

We used to sing a song in church when I was growing up and it went like this, "If you're saved and you know it say, Amen. If you're saved and you know it then your life will surely show it. If you're saved and you know it say, Amen."

 

"If you're saved and you know it then your life will surely show it." Christianity is more than a profession, it is a lifestyle. Actually, it is the person of Jesus living His life through you. There are many who profess to be a Christian but their lifestyle does not back it up. 

 

You can't live a sinful life and be a Christian. The word Christian means "to be Christ-like"-- Christ-like in action, deeds, word, conduct, attitude and so on. You can't be Christ-like and act like the devil. If you are then the truth is not in you.

 

If you are saved, if Jesus is living in you, it will surely been seen- there will be no doubt. You have people who call themselves Christians but they are not doing what Jesus would do, they are doing the opposite. They are getting drunk, cheating, lying, committing adultery, cursing, following unrestrained pleasure, they are rude, mean and hot tempered. Would you find Jesus living like this? No. Then why, or how can you if you are what you say you are? You may do some religious deeds- go to church, give offerings, sing in the choir, give to charity, but religious deeds don't make you a Christian. (May I remind you that it was the "religious leaders" who cried out to Pilate for the death of Jesus.) 

 

We have been deceived and we are being destroyed because we have believed the lie that says all you have to do is join the church, get baptized, do some other religious deeds, believe that Jesus is real and try to be good and that makes us saved. That does not make us saved, or a Christian, any more than standing in a garage makes us an automobile. We are saved by grace through faith, it is a gift of God and not by works. We are saved by faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. We are saved by repenting of our sins and turning from our wicked ways. If there is no turning from sin, then there is no salvation. If there is no salvation there is no relationship with Him. If there is no relationship with Him then there is no evidence that we are a Christian. Talk is cheap, anyone can say anything, but only the person who is the "real thing" can produce the real evidence in their lives. What you really are is what will be evident in your speech and your lifestyle.

 

Have a great day. If you're saved and you know it then your life will surely show it-- does it show it?

 

For further reading:

Isaiah 29:13

Ephesians 2:8,9

John 13:35

Luke 6:46

1 John 3:9

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><

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.

"Never Abandoned"

"...I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee...." Hebrews 13:5b

 

I believe we need to continually remind ourselves that the Lord is with us-- especially when we are going through difficult times. If we aren't careful we can easily believe the lie that God has abandoned us. 

 

He has not abandoned you-- never has, never will. He didn't abandon the disciples while they were in the storm. He didn't abandon the three Hebrews in the fiery furnace. He didn't abandon Daniel in the lion's den. He didn't abandon the children of Israel at the Red Sea. He didn't abandon Joshua as he faced the battles in the land of Canaan. He didn't abandon David when he stood before Goliath. He does not change, so why would He start abandoning His people now? He wouldn't.

 

There are those who believe that because they go through difficulties, trying times, hardship and testing that it is a sure sign that the Lord has abandoned them. Going through these times is not proof that He has abandoned you. While we live on planet earth we will also go through difficulties and encounter problems. This is why we must remind ourselves daily that He is with us- regardless of what is going on in our lives. 

 

Are you feeling like He has left you? Are you feeling abandoned by God? Don't live by your feelings, don't trust them, they aren't true- they change constantly. Live by His Word- it is faithful and it is the truth- and it says He will NEVER abandon you.

 

Have a great day. God will never abandon you in difficult times. 

 

For further reading:

Deuteronomy 31:6,8

Joshua 1:5

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.

"Noise Maker"

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." 1 Peter 5:8

 

I told you in yesterday's devotional that I awoke to the sound of thunder. Because of the sound of the thunder I just knew that a storm was approaching. To my surprise, one didn't. There was no storm, just the noise of thunder. 

 

The thought came to me that this is how the enemy (the devil) does us. He makes a lot of "noise". He threatens us with his lies. He tries to make us afraid at the sound of a bad report. He roars like a lion hoping to intimidate us and make us believe what he says is the truth. 

 

One definition of fear is: F-alse E-vidence A-ppearing R-eal. The thunder yesterday appeared to be the evidence of a storm but it was a false evidence-- I heard it but it never happened. The devil wants you to listen to his "roaring"- lies, accusations, etc.- and believe that they are real. 

 

When he comes making a lot of "noise", we must not pay attention to him. We must not give in to his roaring and believe what he says. We must listen for another sound, the sound of God's word, the sound of the Lord's peace and the sound of His voice. 

 

Have a great day. The enemy makes a lot of noise hoping to make you afraid, but that is all it is just noise.

 

For further reading:

John 10:10, 27

2 Timothy 1:7

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><

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.

"The Sudden Storm Attitude"

Dear All,

Thank you so much for your emails of concern and the prayers you have/are praying for our family. There were far too many for me to reply to each one personally. I am touched and overwhelmed. You are all a blessing to me.

I am rejoicing still in the faithfulness and goodness of the Lord to us in this, as well as every situation we face. He truly is who He says He is-- Healer, Comforter, Peace, Provider, etc.

Thank you again.

Love and blessings,

Lorraine

______________________________

"And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep." Matthew 8:24

 

I awoke this morning to the sound of thunder and flashes of lightening. This was not in the forecast for today. The storms were forecast for tomorrow. This is a perfect example of the way life is. There is no sign of a "storm" brewing in our lives. The "skies" are blue and everything is going well. Then all of a sudden you hear the roar of thunder and your life is being filled with wave after wave.

 

When the storms come upon us suddenly, what is our attitude? Is it like the disciples? Fearful? Accusing God? Is our attitude like Jesus? He was not distressed by the storm. He was not frightened. He was not afraid. He was asleep. He was resting in the arms and will of His Father. He knew His Father was with Him. He was at perfect peace. His disciples should have been also because they were not alone-- He was with them. They should not have been fearful because they had His word to guide them through. 

 

Storms are a given in life. Some we see coming, others happen suddenly. But what will our attitude be when they do? One of peace because we are at rest trusting in God's faithfulness? Or one of fear and worry?

 

Have a great day. What is your attitude when storms of life come? How do you respond to them?

 

For further reading:

Matthew 8:23-25

Psalm 56:3; 23:4

 

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><

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.