Wednesday, November 26, 2014

"Thankful - Part 3"

"It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not"  Lamentations 3:22

Today I would like to give thanks to the Lord for His mercy.  His mercy withholds from us what we deserve.  We deserve judgment, punishment-- death.  We have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God and the wages of our sins is death.  But because of His mercy we have been given the opportunity, as we have been talking about, through His Son Jesus to have forgiveness of our sins and receive instead the gift of God which is eternal life. 

If you have noticed over the past three days, I have used the same two scriptures.  In those we see His attributes of mercy, compassion and faithfulness.  But these are not all, there are more-- He is more.  He is Love.  He is Grace.  He is Peace.  He is Deliverance, Healing, Righteousness, Holiness, Purity, Goodness, Joy, etc.  You see, God doesn't just posses these attributes, He doesn't just "carry them around in His pocket" this is Who He Is.  For example, in my purse I have a wallet, but I am not a wallet.  I have a package of Kleenex, but I am not a tissue.  I have a comb, but I am not a comb.  Not so with God.  He doesn't just carry love around with Him, He Is love.  He doesn't just posses righteousness, He Is Righteous.  

As you are taking time this Thanksgiving Holiday to thank the Lord for all that He has given you and blessed you with, take time to thank Him for Who He Is.  Had it not been for Who He Is, He would not have given you what you have.  Because He Is compassion, mercy and faithfulness He has given you the gift of eternal life, and all the blessings that come with it. 

Have a great day.  While thanking the Lord for all He has given you, thank Him for Who He Is as well.  You wouldn't have what you have had He not been who He Is.

For further reading:
1 John 4:7,8
Romans 3:23; 6:23; 5:8   
John 3:16,17
 

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

 

Tuesday, November 25, 2014

"Thankful - Part 2"

"It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not." Lamentations 3:22

This morning the attribute of the Lord that I am thankful for is His compassion.  I don't always understand the compassion that He has towards us.  When I looked up the word compassion, it also referred to "womb".  The compassion of the Lord is so deep. It comes from the very inner most part and depth of who He is.  Were it not for His compassion for us, we would have all been consumed and destroyed by our own sin without hope.

His compassion for us prompted Him to reach out to us with the hand of salvation.  He was, and is, not willing that any of us should perish.  When one person dies lost and goes out into eternal away from Him, it grieves His heart.  He is grieved because of the great love He has for them.  He is grieved because He provided a way of escape and they would not take it.  He is grieved because they rejected His Son whom He sent in exchange to pay the ransom price for their sins.

Have you experienced the great compassion of the Lord?  Perhaps you know about it.  Perhaps you have heard about it.  But have you experienced it?  Do you know how it feels?  Do you know it personally?  How do we experience it?  We experience it by accepting His Son Jesus as our Savior and Lord.  His compassion is then placed in our lives in the person of Jesus.  When Jesus comes in, His compassion floods our souls giving us peace, taking away the shame and guilt, and setting us free. 

Have a great day.  I am thankful for the compassion of the Lord.  Are you?

For further reading:
Psalm 111:4; 145:8
Romans 9:15 

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

Monday, November 24, 2014

"Thankful"

"They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness."  Lamentations 3:23

We are getting ready to celebrate Thanksgiving Holiday this week.  I wanted to take the next few days and focus on some of the attributes of our Heavenly Father that I am thankful for.  Today I am thankful for His faithfulness!

Faithfulness is the attribute and character of God that I love the most.  I never have to wonder about Him.  I never have to doubt what He says.  I never have to hope that He hasn't changed.  He is faithful to His own character.  He is faithful to His promises.  He is faithful to His people.     

When He says He won't leave me, He won't leave me.  When He makes me a promise, He will keep it.  He is totally trustworthy (faithful).  His faithfulness is not contingent upon my faithfulness.  Even when I am not faithful to Him, He is still faithful to me.

Thousands of years ago, God made a promise in the Garden of Eden to redeem mankind from his sins.  Though the years passed, God still showed His faithfulness when He sent His Son Jesus into the world to give His life on the cross.  Often we accuse God of being unfaithful because of "time".  When He doesn't "act" or "move" when we think He should, or want Him to, we think that He has been unfaithful.  That is never the case.  His faithfulness is perfect-- in time, in plan, in fulfillment.  He is faithful... period!

Have a great day.  I am thankful today for God's faithfulness.  Are you?   

For further reading:
2 Timothy 2:13
Genesis 3:15
John 19:30
Psalm 89:33
 
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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, November 21, 2014

"The Greatest Love"

"Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends."  John 15:13

I woke up the other morning thinking about the love of God.  The love He has for us is not "ordinary".  It is supernatural.  It is not "conditional" is it unconditional.  It is not a "lip service" love, it is a love demonstrated.  The cross was all about love.  On the outside it looked like a place of suffering, a place of pain, a place of shame, and a place of humiliation,  and it was all that, but more importantly and behind all the suffering was a love so great it can not be fathomed with the human intellect.  So great it has endured for thousands of years.  So great that nothing greater has been able to top or out do it. 
 
Take time today, especially if you are feeling unloved and unwanted, and just look at the cross.  Find a picture of it, or maybe you have one in your home.  And just stare at it and think about what Jesus did for you on it.  Don't get a "frilly" one that is very ornate.  Find a plain, simple and rugged one.  As you stare at it, and take a long time to do so, and while you are thinking about it begin to say to yourself over and over-- Jesus loves me; He did this for me; thank you, Jesus for loving me.  This may seems odd to you to do this, but some days we just have to remind ourselves. 
 
Have a great day.  The cross was all about love.  Remind yourself that Jesus loves you!
 
For further reading:
John 3:16,17  

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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, November 20, 2014

"Resolved"

"I have inclined mine heart to perform thy statutes alway, even unto the end."  Psalm 119:112

The Psalmist said that he was resolved (had a firm determination) to keep and do God's word.  Are you resolved to do God's will?  Are you resolved to apply HIs word to your life?  Are you resolved to do it until the end?  Until the end of your life?  Until the end of the matter is completed that you are walking through? 

Daniel and the other Hebrews were resolved to follow the law of God even in captivity.  They had purposed in their hearts not to defile themselves with the king's meat.  They held onto and practiced God's law throughout their entire captivity in Babylon-- until they died.  They were able to do this because they had already resolved the matter in their hearts.  They went into captivity already determined to keep God's law no matter what it might cost them.  Therefore, it wasn't an issue for them. 

When we come to Christ as Savior, it isn't a matter of "trying" Him and seeing if it works for you.  It is a matter of resolving yourself (inclining, having a firm determination) that from that day forward you are giving your whole life to Him to follow Him until you die. 

Have you made that determination?  Are you determined that no matter what comes your way you will follow Him and keep His word for the rest of your life?  We don't need to be wishy-washy, and back and forth, and up and down.  We need to be resolved and settled in our hearts-- I will follow Him, period!

Have a great day.  Following the Lord and keeping His word is a life long decision.  Have you determined that you will do that?

For further reading:
Daniel 1:8

Matthew 16:24

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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, November 19, 2014

"The Abomination Of Discord"

"These six things doth the Lord hate: yea, seven are an abomination unto him."  Proverbs 6:16

When we think about the things that are an abomination to the Lord, we think about such things as idol worship, homosexuality and pride, but there is one that many Christians engage in but never think about the abomination that it is to the Lord.  Proverbs 6 listed six things that the Lord hates, but seven are an abomination to Him-- A proud look, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that deviseth wicked imaginations, feet that be swift in running to mischief, a false witness that speaks lies, and the seventh is the one who sows discord among the brethren.

This last one is an abomination to the Lord but happens way too often in the church-- sowing discord among the body of Christ.  Pastors do it; lay people do it; we are probably all guilty of it.  It happens as an "innocent warning" about someone else.  It happens when new comers in your church are "filled in" about certain people.  It happens when you are "lovingly" making someone aware about a particular person.  You know it has happened when someone just right-out tells you that they were "warned" about you.  You know it has happened when all of a sudden you get a "cold shoulder".  You know this is the case when people's attitude toward you has changed for apparently no reason.  You know it has happened when they no longer talk to you or want to be around you.

What are we doing?  We, in the body of Christ, are not each other's enemy.  We have a very real enemy who is doing everything in his power to destroy us and hinder the work of Christ through us.  We have far too many "causalities" because we are shooting each other.  We need each other if we are going to be effective in our battle against the enemy.  We need to stand together united instead of separated, we can accomplish more that way.  A house divided against itself cannot, and will not, stand.  We are all on the same side-- hopefully.  Jesus said you are either for Him or against Him.  And when you cause discord through gossip or information about a person in the body of Christ, you are coming against Jesus because they are His body.   

In the Garden of Gethsemane Jesus prayed that we might be one as He and the Father are one.  Causing discord never makes us "one"-- unity.  Without unity we are defeated.  With unity we defeat the enemy.

Have a great day.  Causing discord in the body of Christ is an abomination to the Lord.

For further reading:
Proverbs 6:16-19
John 17:11
1 Corinthians 12    
Ephesians 4:16    


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

Tuesday, November 18, 2014

"The Lord Is At Work"

"For the Lord had made the host of the Syrians to hear a noise of chariots, and a noise of horses, even the noise of a great host: and they said one to another, Lo, the king of Israel hath hired against us the kings of the Hittites, and the kings of the Egyptians, to come upon us." 2 Kings 7:6

The Lord has laid a word on my heart for someone this morning- it is this:  While you are sitting in fear and discouragement concerning the enemy and your situation, the Lord is working behind the scenes on your behalf. He is already taking care of the matter.  He has already said to you that it is well.  He has already told you the outcome.  Yet you are allowing fear and what you see in the natural to be a shroud to the truth of what He has said.

As with what was happening in Samaria at the time of our verse and God used four lepers as an instrument to accomplish His plan, so it is with your situation.  He is using the most unlikely means to work on your behalf.  He has not forgotten you.  He is watching over you and the situation.  He is moving already on your behalf.  He just says to trust Him to make a way even though there seems to be none.  Though it looks impossible, with God nothing is impossible.  He is able to do anything.  He is able to use any instrument.  Just know that He is working and be still and rest in Him.

Have a great day.  God is working already on your behalf, just trust and believe Him.

For further reading:
2 Kings 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
 

Monday, November 17, 2014

"Pillow Talk"

"And after the earthquake a fire; but the Lord was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice."  1 King 19:12

I have two pillows on my side of the bed.  One I sleep on and the other I don't.  The one I sleep on is my favorite.  It is conformed to my head.  I can't sleep without it or on any other pillow.  It has traveled with me everywhere I have gone.  I never spend a night away from home without it.  A couple of nights last weeks, when I got in bed, I moved the pillow I don't sleep on as usual then laid my head on my pillow to go to sleep.  Something didn't feel right.  I couldn't get it comfortable.  I thought this must be the wrong pillow, but my mind said that it was the right one.  This happened again the next night.  Finally, the next morning as I made up my bed I decided to examine the pillow closer because something was wrong.  Guess what?  It was the wrong pillow.  It was not "my" pillow.

The point of sharing this with you is this:  if something doesn't feel right, you better check it out.  If you are feeling, even slightly, uncomfortable about a particular issue don't ignore it.  We have the Spirit of God to lead us into all truth.  We have a conscience to help us do the right thing.  We have been given discernment to know when something is amiss.  We have the still small voice that will speak to us so that we know which direction to take.  What you are feeling/sensing may seem insignificant but it may be trying to point something out to you that is wrong.  Check it out.  Don't wait.  Seek God about it.  Look at it a little closer.  Find out what and why.  It may be nothing.  But it may be something the Lord is trying to make you aware of . 

Have a great day.  If it doesn't feel right, look right, seem right, sound right, don't ignore it, find out why.

For further reading:
John 16:13   

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



Friday, November 14, 2014

"The Red And Black Letters"

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

There was a song that was written several years ago that talked about the red letters.  It was referring to the words of Jesus in the Bible.  You used to could buy Bibles that had the words that Jesus spoke written in red.  Not too many are written like that any more, but you can still find a few.

The song said that there was hope, peace, forgiveness, etc., in the red letters.  I just wanted to remind you that you can still find whatever it is you need in the "red letters"-- the words of Jesus.  You can also find it in the "black letters".  From Genesis to Revelation the Bible has your answer to every question and your solution to every problem.

It is not an outdated book.  It is relevant for today.  It talks about every subject known to mankind.  If you need wisdom, if you need guidance, if you need to know how to respond to certain individuals, if you need to know the truth on a particular issue, then read the Bible.  There is not one subject that it does not cover.  It covers relationships, politics, health, eternity, attitude, romance, betrayal, morality, world affairs, you name it, it is all in there. 

When we don't know the definition of a word, we turn to the dictionary.  When we don't know how to operate a certain piece of equipment, we turn to the owners manual.  When we want to know how much money we have in the bank, we look at our bank statement.  When we have a problem and need an answer, why wouldn't we turn to the only true source of help just like we do for all these others-- the Bible.

Have a great day.  Your answer to all your problems is found in the red and black letters of the Bible.

For further reading:
John 5:39; 17:17
Matthew 24:35
Psalm 119:50; 105


<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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, November 13, 2014

"Which Will You Believe?"

"So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief."  Hebrews 3:19

When you believe what you see and what you feel and it becomes more real to you than what God says, then you will wind up wandering around in a wilderness.  The Lord had told the Israelites that He was going to give them the promised land.  He told them that He was giving them a land that flowed with milk and honey.  But when the ten spies came back from "inspecting" the land, they told the people that they were not able to take possession of the land because of the giants that were there. 

They traded milk and honey, houses they did not build, crops they did not grow, businesses they did not start for a wilderness, all because they did not believe what God said.  They leaned to their own understanding; looked to their own strength and ability; looked at the size of the giants; and looked at the obstacles when they should have been trusting in what God had said to them. 

Are you doing the same?  Are you trading the promises of God for a wilderness existence because you believe what you see and what your feelings tell you instead of what God said?  Are you looking at the storm that is raging, like the disciples in the boat, instead of listening to what Jesus said-- let us pass over to the other side?

Which will you listen to? Your feelings that tell you that you can't do it?  Or God's word which says you can do all things through Christ?  Will you give heed to your feelings that say God has left you and is not with you in this storm?  Or will you listen to His words-- I will never leave you.  Will you look at your lost children and think that they will never change?  Or will you believe the words of the Lord-- I will save your children.  The just live by faith.  You have to stir up the gift of faith and believe what God says above everything else. 

Have a great day.  Will you trade the promises of God for a wilderness because you believe what you see and feel more than you believe what He says?  


<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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, November 12, 2014

"Desensitized"

"I will set no wicked thing before mine eyes: I hate the work of them that turn aside; it shall not cleave to me."  Psalm 101:3

The devil comes to steal, kill and destroy.  One strategy that he uses in order to do that is to try to desensitize us to sin.  I can see him doing that through media and entertainment.  When I was a little girl, on television you never saw a husband and wife sleep in the same bed, they slept in separate beds.  Then television began to show the married couple in bed together.  Then they began to show unmarried individuals in bed together.  Now, the shows are full of adultery.  It's the same with the language on television.  You never heard a curse word, or a bleep.  Then Ret Butler said his famous line to Scarlett at the end of the movie with a curse word in it.  Everyone "gasped"... but then began to repeat it.  From there the profanity started increasing in the movies and on television.  Now you can't find a descent show that you can watch without hearing profanity or seeing adultery.  The same thing is happening with homosexuality.  It came "out of the closet" and presented itself on television in sitcoms.  Now it is moving into commercials.

The point I am trying to make this morning is that the enemy has desensitized us into accepting the things we once would not.  He has been repeatedly putting it before our eyes, subtly at first, until we have stopped "gasping" at it or being "appalled" by it.  If he can keep "bombarding" us with it, pretty soon it becomes "common", "ordinary" and "normal".

News flash-- if God says it is wrong, if He says it is sin, if He says it is unacceptable, if He says it is damnable, if He says it is an abomination, if He says it is evil then it should never be "normal" for us.  We should never be accepting of it. 

Do not set any evil thing before your eyes.  The more you are surrounded by something, the more you watch it, listen to it, and place yourself in its company, the less and less it will bother you if it is something wrong.  This happens to a lot of teenagers.  They may not partake of some of the vices their friends are doing, but if they hang around it long enough they will be begin to do the same thing because it has become common place.  Sin should never be common place in our lives. 

How to we "combat" this desensitization?  By turning off the television, movies and music that are propagating these things.  Removing yourself from its presence if possible.  Keep your mind renewed in God's word.  Meditate on it.  Quote it continually to yourself.  Love what God loves and hate what God hates. 

We were, and are, being spoon-fed a little compromise/sin at a time.  What happens overtime is that you begin to "acquire" a taste for it and then become accepting of it.  But there is an end result.  If you take a little poison, just a drop at a time, for a period of time, it will kill you-- you will die.  Same thing.  Your conscience will be seared and your heart will become hard hearted.

Have a great day.  The devil wants to desensitize you to sin so that you will become accepting of it.   

For further reading:
John 10:10
Psalm 119:11
Romans 12:2
2 Peter 2:7,8


<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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, November 11, 2014

"How To Pray"

 
"Likewise the Spirit also helpeth our infirmities: for we know not what we should pray for as we ought: but the Spirit itself maketh intercession for us with groanings which cannot be uttered."  Romans 8:26

Have you ever not known what to pray, or how to pray, about a particular situation?  Before His crucifixion Jesus was there with the disciples.  Any question they had, anything they needed to know, they just asked Him.  He was there and gave them the answer, the insight, the revelation, the guidance, and the understanding to their questions.  But Jesus wasn't always going to be there.  He knew He was getting ready to be offered up in death for the sins of the world.  So He told His disciples that when He was gone He would send them another Comforter in His place.  This Comforter- the Holy Spirit- would be with them and in them teaching them all things.

Our verse sums up one of the works the Holy Spirit does in our lives-- helps us to pray as we should.  Not only do we not know what to pray or how to pray but also our own will, thoughts, opinions, ideas and assumptions get in the way of our prayers and instead of praying according to the Father's will we wind up praying our own will.

When you go to your place of prayer each day, when you knee before God to make your request, ask the Holy Spirit to come into your prayer time.  Ask Him to come along beside you and help you pray.  When you do, your prayers will get further and you will see more answers.  The reason being is that the Holy Spirit always knows what the will of the Father is in any and every situation and will not pray otherwise or against that will.  "And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God." (verse 27)

Have a great day.  If you are unsure how to pray and what to pray, invite the Holy Spirit into your prayer time and ask Him to help you.

For further reading:
John 14:16,17
 
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email
: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org
You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.    
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry

Monday, November 10, 2014

"The House Of The Lord"

"I was glad when they said unto me, Let us go into the house of the Lord."  Psalm 122:1

In context this verse is talking about going into the literal house of God- the temple.  When we go to the house of God, the church building for us now days, we are not just gathering together with each other, we are going to meet with the Lord and enter into His presence. 

In Psalm 90:1 it says, "The Lord, thou hast been our dwelling place in all generations."  The Lord Himself is the "house".  He is the "temple".  The "church" was inside of Him before it came into formation on the earth.  Going into the house of the Lord is more about going into His presence than it is about actually going into a building.

Let me ask you this-- if the "house of the Lord" is more about Him and going into His presence, how glad are you?  How glad are you to meet with Him on a individual level?  How glad are you to enter into His presence in your own prayer closet?  How glad are you to spend time with Him in worship at His footstool?  "I was glad" means to rejoice and be gladden.  Does your heart rejoice at the thought of meeting with the Lord daily in your time of prayer?  Does your heart leap for joy at the prospect of getting to be alone with Him in His presence?

We should be glad when it comes time to go to the church building and assemble with others of like precious faith. But it should cause our hearts to rejoice more at the thought of going into His presence, and that whether we are in a church building, a temple or a prayer closet.

Have a great day.  Does your heart rejoice at the thought of entering into the presence of God?

 
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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, November 7, 2014

"The Closing Of Doors"

"And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth." Revelation 3:7

When a door closes to something that we have wanted or believed for, we try to convince ourselves that it is because God has something better for us.  Maybe so, but that isn't always the case.

We tend to think that just because the door is open it has to be God.  If that were the case why would He shut any doors?  It is because not every open door is God's open door for you.  Sometimes He shuts them because it is simply not His will and you are trying to go through the wrong door, thinking that it is the right door.  When He closes a door, it is for our protection.  If we proceed into it, we could be walking into a trap laid by the enemy. 

Sometimes the timing, on God's clock not yours, is not right.  It was two more years from the time Joseph asked the butler to tell Pharaoh about him and when Pharaoh actually called him out of prison.   

So when God closes a door, even if you thought the open door was Him originally, don't fret or worry, just trust.  Had it truly been His door in the first place, it would have stayed open because He is not divided against Himself.  Had it truly been His timing, it would have stayed open and you would be able to walk on through it.

Instead of complaining and getting discouraged when a door closes, perhaps you should be rejoicing and thanking God for either having something better for you or for keeping you from something bad.

Have a great day.  When God closes a door, it is always for our benefit.   


<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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, November 6, 2014

"The Outcome Of Suffering"

"For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."  Romans 8:18

Suffering, trials, temptation, sorrow, persecution, pain and tribulation are all part of this life.  Even for the Christian, and perhaps more so.  We are not exempt.  Sometimes we even experience more, mostly because we have become a target for the enemy- the devil- who is out to steal, kill and destroy us.  We are, if we are living as Christ commanded us to live, a great threat to his works and plans.  That being the case, he is out to stop us.  And he will do it by any means possible.  He doesn't "fight fair".  He has one goal in mind-- "take you down" and "take you out". 

If you are "under the gun", if you are on his "radar", if you are in his "sights" then rejoice.  Don't whine.  Don't complain.  Don't get a "poor me" complex.  Don't have a "pity party".  Wait a minute.  You are telling me to "rejoice" when I am persecuted or suffering or in tribulation?  That makes no sense.  No, I am not telling you this, God's word tells us to.  Jesus told us to.

There is suffering and then there is suffering.  When we are suffering for the cause of Christ, when we are suffering for our faith in Him, the way we are to handle it is by "rejoicing".  We don't rejoice because of the suffering, we rejoice in spite of it.  We rejoice because we know this is not the end.  There is an outcome that we are rejoicing over.  When we look past the suffering, we see glory!  That "glory" gives us reason to rejoice.  Jesus looked past the suffering of the cross and at the outcome of His suffering.  This brought Him great joy.

What is the outcome of our suffering for Christ?  What is the result that will cause us to rejoice?
A great reward in heaven.  (Matthew 5:10-12)
You are sharing in Christ's suffering and will share in His glory.  (1 Peter 4:12,13)
It is working patience in you.  (James 1:3)
You shall receive a crown of life.  (James 1:12)
If we suffer with Him, we will reign with Him.  (2 Timothy 2:12)
There will be a glory revealed in us.  (Romans 8:18)

Have a great day.  We may not feel we can rejoice in our suffering for Christ, but when we look at the outcome of that suffering we can greatly rejoice!


<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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, November 5, 2014

"He Is Speaking"

".... him that speaketh from heaven."  Hebrews 12:25b 

It has always been the Lord God's desire to speak to His people.  At the very beginning of creation He talked with Adam each day.  He talked with the patriarchs.  He talked with His people Israel.  We hear His voice at the Jordan River at the baptism of Jesus saying, "This is my beloved Son, hear Him".  Jesus said to the people, "He who has an ear to hear, let him hear".  Seven times in the book of Revelation we are told to "hear what the Spirit is saying".  In old times the Lord spoke through the prophets, but in these last days He speaks to us through His Son. 

Since it has always been His desire to speak to us in the past, then that means it still is His desire today.  God desires to speak to mankind.  He desires to speak to YOU.  The question is, "Are you listening?"  When there is a problem in communication, it lies with us.  We are the ones who are either not listening, or not understanding what He is saying.  The understanding part is easy to correct-- just ask Him to clarify.  He will.  Why do we think that the Lord would speak to us and then not give us the understanding of what He is saying?  Sometimes we just have to listen a little longer. 

The Lord is speaking all around you--- through His word, by His Spirit, through creation, through other people, through circumstances, as well as through dreams and visions.  Are you listening?  Or are you continuing to ask Him to "speak to you"?

Have a great day.  God desires to speak to you, and He is... are you listening?

For further reading:
Mark 9:7
Genesis 3:8
Hebrews 1:2
Matthew 11:15

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