"Your Own Anointing"

"And Saul armed David with his armour, and he put an helmet of brass upon his head; also he armed him with a coat of mail." 1 Samuel 17:38

 

There are people who call or write me from time to time trying to push me into a certain area of ministry or pull me into their ministry. While I am called to do the work of the Lord, I am not called or anointed to do everyone else's work-- only what God has called me to do. 

 

When David went to check on the battle between Israel and the Philistines, he was being positioned to fulfill a plan that God had for his life. But God's plan was not for him to join the army and become a soldier. God's plan was not for him to take King Saul's place at that moment. God's plan was for David to kill the giant and turn the battle to victory. 

 

When Saul gave David his armor to wear when he faced Goliath, it was more than just providing him with protection. This was Saul's own armor, it was the king's armor, it was for him not anyone else, but he was trying to "pass it off" and place it on David. King Saul tried to put David under his anointing and make him do what he thought he should do. 

 

We must guard against allowing others to try to put their anointing on us but instead make our calling and election sure. We must follow God's plan and will for our own lives, not someone else's. David could not function with Saul's armor on- it wasn't made for him. We can't function in our gifts and calling if we are trying to "wear" something that is not made for us. Saul was operating under the flesh when he tried to get David to wear his armor. Had David yielded to that he would have come under bondage to the king. He would have been bond up and unable to move freely, unhindered in what God called him to do. Yielding to man's plan will bring us into bondage to them and remove the liberty we have to flow freely in what God has called us to do. David's anointing would have been hid under someone else's. Man would have got the glory that day on the battlefield had David worn Saul's armor. It will rob God of the glory that He wants to bring forth from your life also.

 

We are all called to do the work of the Lord. We are all called to do the same thing-- reach people for Christ-- but we aren't all called to do the same thing to accomplish it. That is why the Bible compares the body of Christ to our physical body. This one body is made up of many different parts each having their own role to play. That is also why God has given different gifts of ministry to the church. There are pastors, but not all are pastors. There are prophets, but not all are prophets. And so on. 

 

Whose anointing and calling are you trying to work under? God's or man's? Is what you are doing what someone else has called you to do or pushed you into? Or are you doing what God has called and anointed you to do?

 

Have a great day. People will try to place you under their call and anointing, but you must follow God's plan for your life not their plan. 

 

For further reading:

1 Samuel 17:17-51

1 Corinthians 12:12,18

Ephesians 4:11

2 Peter 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.

"Spider Webs"

"The entrance of thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple." Psalm 119:130

 

I live on a dead end road and on the mornings when the weather and time permit, I love to go for a walk and commune with the Lord. While walking I often encounter spider webs strung across the road. Some are visible, others I don't even know are there until I run into them or the light from the sun hits them in a certain way, then they are exposed.

 

There are traps and snares that the enemy has placed in our paths, some are obvious- they are easily seen. But then there are others, like those spider webs, that we don't see or know they are there. They are hid from view waiting for us to "run, fall, or walk" into them. They aren't invisible to us until the light shines upon them. 

 

God's Word is that light. When the Word comes into a situation it brings light that brings exposure to what is hidden. God's Word brings knowledge and revelation as to the trap's presence in our path. It lights our path so that we can see clearly where we are walking-- including if there are any traps laid out before us.

 

Don't neglect God's Word, even if you aren't going through a trial or difficulty. You need it in the good times as well as the bad times, because you never know when the enemy has laid a trap for you. Also, the Word of God will prepare you ahead of time and show you what to do when those times come. Just like when the sunlight hit the spider web, it showed me it was there and how to avoid it before I got tangled in it. Had the disciples not neglected the words of Jesus when they got in the boat to sail to Gadara they never would have been fearful when the storm arose. Jesus' words- "Let us go to the other side"- where the light they needed to avoid falling into the trap of fear instead of being entangled by it. 

 

Have a great day. There are traps and snares laid for us by the enemy, but God's Word will bring light that will expose them so that we aren't entangled by them.

 

For further reading:

Mark 4:35-40

Psalm 119:105

 

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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.

"God Makes No Mistakes"

"... Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord..." Exodus 14:13

 

Yesterday I had the oil changed in my automobile. The waiting room was located beside the shop. As I waited I was able to sit where I could see the mechanic working on my vehicle. The mechanic seemed to be so "laid back", unrushed and unhurried. As I watched, several thoughts went through my mind. I wondered if he really knew what he was doing. I hoped he was good at his job. I thought about what if he put too much oil or too little oil, or didn't put the new oil filter on tight enough. I wasn't worried that he wouldn't do it right, just thought about how important it was that he not make any mistakes. 

 

I think we tend to look at God the same way. We question whether He is "doing it right". Does He know what He is doing? Will everything turn out all right? Has He made a mistake? Can He really handle the situation? 

 

Unlike people who can make mistakes-- no matter how well trained, how educated, how strong they are-- God doesn't make mistakes. He can't make mistakes. It is impossible for Him to make a mistake. He is perfect. Therefore, all He does is perfect. 

 

God is not like us at all where perfection is concerned. His ways are higher than our ways. So are His thoughts above our thoughts. He knows exactly what He is doing and how to do it. While the mechanic was working on my vehicle, I sat there and watched. I didn't go out to the shop to help him. I didn't go out there and advise him. I didn't go out there and tell him what to do. I watched at a distance while he did it. Perhaps we should do the same when it comes to letting God work on our behalf-- just watch Him work.

 

Have a great day. Unlike people, God does not and cannot make a mistake. Therefore, we can leave the situation in His hands and trust that He will do it right. 

 

For further reading:

2 Chronicles 20:17

Isaiah 55:9

 

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Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell

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

About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.

Please feel free to

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

Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

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.

"Chasten Your Soul"

"When I wept, and chastened my soul with fasting, that was to my reproach." Psalm 69:10

 

The Bible tells us that the Lord chastens those that He loves. But we should also chasten (correct, discipline) our own selves and not wait for Him to always do it. 

 

If we don't chasten ourselves, pretty soon we will find sin creeping in. We will find ourselves doing those things we know we should not do. We will find ourselves pulling away from the Lord and being drawn back into the lusts of the flesh. 

 

How do we chasten our souls? Through self denial. Self denial comes in many forms. Fasting is one. Turning off the television and spending time reading the Bible is another. Getting away from computer games and taking that time to pray. Getting up in the morning when the clock goes off and going to church. 

 

When a child is chastened (disciplined), it reroutes that child from going in the wrong direction to going in the right one. The chastening (discipline) of the Lord reroutes us as well. It turns us from going our own way back to going God's way. Chastening our own soul brings our will into subjection to the will of the Lord. 

 

Have you chastened (corrected, disciplined) your soul/flesh? Are you allowing it to act like a "spoiled child"? Are you letting it follow after its own lustful desires without keeping it in check? Paul said of his own soul that he had to chasten it to keep it in line. He used the illustration of beating it black and blue like a boxer would beat up his opponent. 

 

We must chasten our own souls. If we do, the Lord won't have to chasten us as often. If we do, the power of God would have more liberty to flow freely through us. If we do, our flesh won't get in the way of what the Spirit is trying to do in our lives. If we do, our spiritual ears will hear the voice and prompting of the Holy Spirit more clearly. Chastening doesn't let our flesh be unruly against the Holy Spirit. Chastening our own souls keeps our flesh in check and our spirit in control. 

 

Have a great day. Are you chastening your own soul? Or allowing it to act like a spoiled child always having its own way?

 

For further reading:

1 Corinthians 9:27

Hebrews 12:6

 

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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.

"Comparing God"

"To whom will ye liken me, and make me equal, and compare me, that we may be like?" Isaiah 46:5

 

Every once and a while I will get an email that says, "God is like..." While it is an interesting analogy, it is far from being accurate. God is so great, so amazing, so awesome, so powerful, so wise, there really is nothing we can compare Him with and get a full grasp on who He is. 

 

The Bible does use analogies also concerning God, but these are given to help us have some point of reference so that in our finite and limited understanding we might get at least some small (very small) view of God. 

 

When He is compared to a mighty oak tree, for example, we understand that He is strong but we still don't comprehend that His strength is unlimited, and it is eternal in the sense that it never weakens. The oak, on the other hand, as strong as it may be can be cut down by a human instrument-- a saw or an ax. Time can eventually destroy the oak. Insects can destroy it. A stronger wind than it is can uproot it. But nothing can "touch" God. Nothing can take Him off His throne. Nothing can cause Him to fall. Nothing can drain His power. Nothing can hinder His power. Nothing can zap His strength. Nothing can weaken Him. He is All-Powerful. He is stronger than the strongest thing we can compare Him to. 

 

In your comparison of God to something else, always keep in mind that your comparison is flawed and far from an accurate description of who He really is. He is much, much, much more than you or I can comprehend... that is what makes Him God. 

 

Have a great day. We may try to compare God to something natural to help us gain a better understanding of who He is, but that comparison will always fall short because there is nothing He can be compared to because He is so much greater than any thing that has been created.

 

For further reading:

Isaiah 40:18,25

Romans 1:19,20

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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.

"Remember The Plan"

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

 

This verse is a favorite verse of many people. It is one that is preached very often. Probably one of the most memorized. But no matter how many times you hear it, it never hurts to hear it again, especially when you are going through difficult times. It is in the times of testing and trials that we tend to forget that God has a plan for us. All we see is the hardship of what we are facing. We can easily begin to think that God has forgotten us, that He is against us, that He is punishing us, or that He doesn't care about us.

 

God had a plan for Joseph's life- to save God's people. Before he saw the fulfillment of that plan, he was betrayed by his brothers, thrown into a pit, sold into slavery, lied on by an angry woman, and thrown into prison. I am sure that at some point he probably asked, "Where are you, God? Where is your plan for my life? Why is this happening? Have You forgotten me?"

 

Do you wonder the same thing? Have you asked the same questions? Does it seem hard to believe that any good can come out of your situation? When you are questioning, when you are feeling like that, remind yourself that God has a plan for your life. You may not see it now, you may not understand it, but He has one and it is a good plan-- to give you hope and a future.

 

Have a great day. Don't let the difficulties you are going through cause you to forget that God has a plan for your life and He has not forgotten you.

 

For further reading:

Hebrews 13:5

Genesis 50:20

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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.

"Pleasing Who?"

"Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more." 1 Thessalonians 4:1

 

"... and to please God". That seems like a foreign concept in the church as a whole today. You mean we are to "please God"? You mean it is not all about God pleasing me?

 

This seems to be the attitude of the modern church now days. We live with the mentality that says, "What's in it for me?" We think that God is our "Sugar Daddy" who is to come running at our beckoning and call and give us everything we want. We think it is all about what He can give me and how He can bless me.

 

I hate to "burst your bubble", but it is not all about you. Yes, Jesus' death on the cross was about you. He went through the agony, pain, ridicule and death for you so that you could have eternal life. He did that for you. He did it because He loves you, did not want you to perish, and desires that you live with Him in His kingdom forever. But as far as your life is concerned after you have received Him, it is not about God pleasing you. His number one goal is not to make you happy. Your number one goal should be to please Him. Jesus always did those things that pleased the Father-- not Himself. Jesus also taught us to deny ourselves.

 

Are you living a life that pleases Him, or self? Are you following Him, or trying to make Him follow you? Are you expecting Him to please you and make you happy? Is it about Him or you? After all He has done for us, after all He has given us-- not sparing His own Son-- our desire prompted by love should be to please Him in all we do.

 

Have a great day. Christianity is not about God pleasing us, it is about us pleasing God. 

 

For further reading:

Romans 8:8

John 8:29

Mark 8:34

 

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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.

"Making Decisions"

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." Psalm 119:105

 

I don't know anybody who always knows what to do in every situation. Some situations we do know which direction to take or what the answer is, but there are more that we don't know what to do than we know what to do. 

 

Are you facing a situation that demands an answer? You have thought about it and are still not sure what to do? The answer that you need is found in God's Word. It is a lamp and a light that illuminates the darkness of the decision you have to make by showing you the direction to go, and telling you what to do. For example, it cautions you not to lean to your own understanding but to knowledge God in the situation instead. It admonishes you seek the wisdom that comes from God above-- not your own wisdom. It invites you to cast the burden of decision making upon the Lord and let Him lead you. It also lets you know that you always have an invitation to bring Him the heavy weight of what to do and let Him give you rest in the decision.

 

As I said earlier, no one always knows what to do when faced with a decision. But there is one who does-- the Lord. And as we look to His word for guidance, we will then know which direction to take, because His word will enlighten our path and understanding.

 

Have a great day. If you are faced with a decision, you will find the answer as to what you should do in God's word.

 

For further reading:

Proverbs 3:5,6

1 Peter 5:7

Matthew 11:28

James 1:5

 

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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.

"Power Outage"

"But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." Acts 1:8

 

The night before last we had a terrible storm. A loud boom woke me up. I discovered that I did not have any electricity-- apparently, lightening had struck a transformer. My power did not come back on until later the next morning. Since I had no electricity in the house, I was not able to send out the Coffee Break devotional because my computer runs on electricity. As with all electronics there has to be a power source in order for them to be effective and accomplish the purpose for which they were invented. There is a spiritual application to this as well.

 

As born again Christians, we have a God-given, God-called purpose and commission. We are to influence our world for Christ. We can only do this effectively through the power of the Holy Spirit. But if that power has been "turned off" or is "weak", we can't be effective or accomplish God's purpose for us. 

 

God's power is not weak or limited. He is All-Powerful. But the flow of His power through us can be hindered by us. Sin in our lives will hinder the flow and even stop it. Lack of spiritual disciplines- reading God's word, spending time in prayer and communion with Him-- self-centeredness, selfishness, pursuit of fleshly desires, etc will also hinder the flow of God's power in our lives. 

 

The power of God freely flowing through our lives does two things. First, it gives us personal victory over the enemy. It gives us power to resist the temptations when they come. Second, it gives us power to be bold witnesses proclaiming the message of God's saving grace and love. It gives us the power of the anointing to set captives free, open prison doors to those who are bond, tread on the enemy, and do the mighty works and miracles that confirm the Word once it is spoken. It gives us the power to fulfill the commission to be witnesses and do the greater works that Jesus said we were to do.

 

Are you feeling "powerless" in your personal walk? Are you feeling powerless over the enemy? Are you feeling that you have no power to witness? Does your life lack the power to do the works that Jesus did? Just as there is always a power source, there is always a source of powerlessness. Start tracing your "spiritual wires" and find out what it is? Is it a lack of spiritual disciple, a besetting sin, unforgiveness? When the blown transformer was fixed, the power at my house came back on. Once you deal with the source of your powerlessness, the spiritual power will begin to flow again in your life. 

 

Have a great day. If you are powerless spiritually, trace your life to find the source of the problem. 

 

For further reading:

John 14:12

Luke 10:19

 

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Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell

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

About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.

Please feel free to

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

Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

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.

"Father's Day"

".... Our Father which art in heaven..." Matthew 6:9

 

We are celebrating Father's Day this weekend. I would like to say Happy Father's Day to all of our fathers out there who are readying this. I pray your day is very special. 

 

I want to remind you to take time to honor your Heavenly Father as well. (Which we should do everyday.) Make it a point to give Him praise and glory for His great love for you. 

 

Regardless, of how great and loving our earthly fathers may be, they can never compare to Him. Our earthly fathers are flesh and blood men. They make mistakes. They miss the mark at times. They can't always provide like they might like to. They may have wisdom, but it is limited. You can't say that about your Heavenly Father. He is a Father who loves and cares for you deeply. He meets and supplies your every need. He comforts you in your time of trouble. He strengthens you when you are weak. He never leaves you nor forsakes you. He can never be accused of child neglect, child abuse, or child abandonment. He is not a dead-beat dad. 

 

For years there has been the joke about the "Father's Day tie". What to get dad? The answer is always a tie. You can't give Father God a tie, but you can give Him a gift. That gift is yourself. It is the surrender of your heart, soul and will to Him. That is the one gift that He desires to receive from you. 

 

Have a great day. Give your Heavenly Father honor and glory everyday and the gift of yourself. 

 

For further reading:

Matthew 6:32

Luke 11:13

Psalm 103:13

James 1:17

 

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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.

"Divide And Conquer"

"Teach me thy way, O Lord; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name." Psalm 86:11

 

We are all familiar with the phrase, "Divide and conquer." This is a strategy used by one opposing force against another. If you can divide groups of people, if you can divide nations, if you can divide a family, then you will conquer them. This is also a strategy that the enemy of our soul, the devil, uses against us. 

 

He uses it against the church and tries to put us at odds against each other within our congregations. He uses this tactic to bring disunity within the Body of Christ. But he also uses it against us individually and tries to divide our own heart against itself. He tries to get us to have a divided heart so that we will not love the Lord and serve Him with all our heart. 

 

He tries to divide our hearts between God and mammon. He tries to divide our hearts between God and materialism; God and entertainment; God and pleasure. He tries to divide our hearts between God's will and our own will. His goal, as with any enemy, is to destroy us. If he can divide our hearts, he can conquer us, and ultimately destroy us because a divided heart is a lukewarm heart.

 

Is your heart divided? Is it divided between God and something else? It doesn't have to necessarily be something we consider bad or evil. Even good things, when they take part of your heart away from God, can be just as effective a weapon of the enemy as besetting sins. 

 

If your heart is divided? Then repent, ask the Lord to forgive you, pray the prayer above-- "Unite my heart to fear Your name", and be on guard to not allow anything to divide it again.

 

Have a great day. Love God with all your heart and do not let the enemy divide your heart. 

 

For further reading:

Matthew 6:24; 22:37

Revelation 3:16

 

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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.

"Jesus Walks On The Trouble"

"But the ship was now in the midst of the sea, tossed with waves: for the wind was contrary. And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea." Matthew 14:24,25

 

I went fishing with my husband yesterday afternoon. As I looked across the lake my thoughts went to the time when Jesus walked on water. I could imagine Him walking on the lake where I was, but then I remembered when Jesus walked on the water to the boat where His disciples were, the sea was not calm and smooth as glass. Instead the waves were beating on the boat and the wind was blowing hard against it. 

 

Our lives are not always "smooth". There are times when the winds of adversity blow. There are times when trials, temptations, difficulties and problems beat upon us. Take comfort when those times come because Jesus didn't walk on water to His disciples when the water was calm, He came when the waters were troubled. Jesus will come "walking" on the troubles to get to where you are. He doesn't only show up when things are going well. He will be there even when they aren't. 

 

Have a great day. Jesus doesn't just show up in your life when things are calm and smooth. He shows up when things are "beating" against your life. 

 

For further reading:

Matthew 14: 22-27

 

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Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell

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

About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.

Please feel free to

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

Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

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.

"Don't Limit God"

"Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us," Ephesians 3:20

 

The verse above has been on my heart for the last week. Each time I think about it, I find myself breaking it down in such a way where my understanding gains greater enlightenment and my faith is becoming stronger in its truth. Let me break it down for you this morning.

 

"Him"-- God, not man.

"that is" -- not will be, but already is.

"able" -- not unable, but well able, always able.

"to do" -- that's action, not passive, at work.

"exceeding" -- to go beyond, in great measure.

"abundantly" -- plenty, more than enough, excess.

"above" -- more than just enough, but over the top, beyond.

"all"-- not some, not a little, not just barely enough, not just part.

"that we" -- you, me, anyone.

"ask or think" -- what I can say, request, hope for or imagine.

 

Do we really take this verse to heart? Do we really believe what it says? Do we believe it with limitations on God? Martha believed that Jesus could raise her brother Lazarus from the dead, but she believed it for the future- in the Resurrection. She was limiting His ability to do exceeding abundantly above what she could ask or think at the present. She was limiting Him because of the situation-- he was already dead and buried for four days. She was limiting Him because of her own reasoning-- he stinks.

 

When you ask the Lord concerning a need, don't limit Him in your asking. When you think about the Lord, don't limit Him and bring Him down to the level of just another person. He is not a person, He is God, and He is able-- more than able-- to do exceeding abundantly above all that you can ask or think.

 

Have a great day. God is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we can ask or think.

 

For further reading:

Jeremiah 32:27

John 11

 

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Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell

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

About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.

Please feel free to

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

Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

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.

"Learn Him"

"Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls." Matthew 11:29
 

"... Learn of me..." Jesus did not say to "learn about Him", but to "learn Him". Many are just learning about Him. They are learning facts and figures, so to speak, about who He is and the work that He did. They know He healed the sick, opened blinded eyes, died on the cross, and rose from the dead, but that is all they know about Him. This doesn't mean you know Him though. 

 

We all have individuals in our lives that we know such details about as where they live, where they work, what their spouse's name is, how old they are, but past that we don't know anything else about them. Then there are also individuals in our lives that we know more personally. We know more about them than just facts about their lives. My sister is my best friend. I can tell you more than her street address or where she works. I can tell you what her gifts are. I can tell you about her character. I can tell you what makes her happy, what makes her sad, how she feels about certain subjects, in certain situations I can tell you exactly what she is thinking and how she is going to respond. Why is that? Because I know her. I have spent my whole life with her getting to know her.

 

This is the "knowing" that I am talking about where Jesus is concerned. Do you know Him in such a way where you know how He thinks about certain things? What makes Him happy, what makes Him sad? What His heart looks like? What His thoughts on certain issues are? 

 

He wants us to know. "He made known his ways unto Moses." (Psalm 103:7) Moses not only knew what God was doing in His dealing with His people, but why He was doing it. He knew God's heart on the matter of the children of Israel. He knew why God was bringing the plagues on Egypt. He knew what pleased and displeased the Lord. If God showed Moses who He was in the Old Testament how much more in the New Testament under grace does He desire to show us who He is. 

 

Learning who He is only happens one way. It happens by spending time in His presence and in His Word. This is not the same as just having your little ten minute prayer time where you give God your list of wants. This is not the same as doing your daily reading through the Bible in a year program. This is quality time spent daily waiting on Him, being still and quiet before Him, listening to Him, reading His Word with the intention of discovering Who He really is. As you spend more time with Him, you will get to learn/know Him in a more personal way.

 

Have a great day. Knowing about God and knowing God are not the same thing,

 

For further reading:

2 Corinthians 2:9

Hebrews 8:11

John 4:9

 

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

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.

"The Path Of Least Resistance"

"He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)" John 7:38,39

 

When water (such as in a river) is flowing, it always takes the path of least resistance. It will flow in the direction that does not hinder it. If there is something that completely blocks its path it will not flow at all. 

 

There is a chorus that says-- "I've got a river of life flowing out of me. It makes the lame to walk and the blind to see. It opens prison doors, sets the captives free. I've got a river of life flowing out of me." This song is, of course, talking about the Holy Spirit. Jesus in His teaching said that the Holy Spirit would be a (spiritual) river of living waters (life) that flows out of us. 

 

Do you ever wonder why the river doesn't seem to be flowing from your life? Do you wonder why you are powerless when it comes to doing the works that Jesus said we would do? Do you wonder where the signs are that should be following your life as a believer? Those works are not done through our power, strength or ability, but they are done through the power of the Holy Spirit. The problem is not with the Holy Spirit. He is able, He is all-powerful, nothing is too difficult for Him, and it is His will to do the works through you that honor and glorify God. 

 

The problem is found in our opening sentence. Water takes the path of least resistance. The flow of the river (living waters) of the Holy Spirit in our lives also takes the path of least resistance. If there is any "resistance", then He is hindered in flowing freely in your life. In other words, He doesn't have the liberty He needs, therefore, He is being quenched. 

 

Are there "resistances" in your life? Fear, unbelief, selfishness, self-righteousness, compromise, laziness, bitterness, unforgiveness, etc.-- all these will cause Him not to flow freely. And if we don't deal with these resistances they will block His flow completely and we can become spiritually stagnant. 

 

Have a great day. Is the Spirit flowing freely in your life? Or is He met with resistance?

 

For further reading:

John 14:12

Acts 1:8

Zechariah 4:6

Mark 16:17,18

 

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

Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell

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

About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.

Please feel free to

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

Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

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

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

"Misplaced Hope - Part 2"

"And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them. Then Peter said, Silver and gold have I none; but such as I have give I thee: In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk." Acts 3:5,6

 

Yesterday we talked about putting our hope (expectation) in people to meet our needs. I want to talk about that again today. There are several reasons why we should not expect people to be our source of provision. 

 

First, man doesn't always have what we need. "Silver and gold have I none". And second, if he does have it, what he has to give will only bring a temporary solution. The need is only met for the moment. 

 

Had Peter and John given the lame man the money he needed, they would not have solved his problem. He would have still been lame. He would have still had to depend on others. He would have been at the gate again the next day and the next day and the next day. He would have continued to be a beggar. All man's ability can do is give you a temporary "fix"-- if he can even do that much.

 

But when we look to God as our source, we can expect our needs to be met perfectly. God is not limited by what He has. There is no lack or shortage in His resources. If by chance He does not have it, He can simply create it. God's provision is not a temporary one. He doesn't meet a portion of the need only, He supplies all the need. When God meets and supplies the need, He does it well. In the beggar's case He healed his body, He restored his soul, He gave him his freedom and independence, and He gave him back his life. 

 

Expecting man to give you what you need will leave you still lacking and disappointed. Placing your expectation in God will never leave you lacking or disappoint. 

 

Have a great day. When we place our trust in God, we can expect our need to be met perfectly.

 

For further reading:

Philippians 4:19

Acts 3:1-13

 

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

Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell

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

About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.

Please feel free to

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

Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

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

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