"Trust And Not Fear"

"What time I am afraid, I will trust in thee."  Psalm 56:3

When you look at the condition of the world around us-- wars and rumors of war, the insecurity of the financial systems, evil men making threats, and so on-- it is easy to allow yourself to become afraid.  Afraid of the unknown.  Afraid of uncertainties in life.  Afraid of evil reports.  Afraid of what the future may hold.  If you allow it, by dwelling on these things, fear will come in and try to overwhelm, defeat and consume you.

But we do not have to be afraid of evil tidings, ominous reports and uncertainties.  First, because God hasn't given us a spirit of fear.  Fear does not come from Him.  It is a weapon of the enemy that he uses against us.  What God has given us is power.  Power over all the powers of the enemy-- including fear.  He has given us love.  Perfect love casts out fear.  He has also given us a sound mind.  If we keep our minds on Him and His promises, fear will not have a place in our minds in order to torment us.  Instead our minds will be at peace.

"What time I am afraid".  There will, no doubt, be times when we will be tempted to be afraid.  But when we are, we can trust in the Lord.  We have an anchor of hope and peace in Him.  He will not leave us when fear comes.  He will empower us to overcome when it comes.  He will protect us when it comes.  He will make a way for us when fear comes. 

Are you battling fear today?  Is fear coming against you?  Are the things you are going through promoting fear in your life?  Take this verse to heart.  Apply it.  Turn to the Lord and trust in Him-- because you can trust Him.

Have a great day.  When you are afraid, trust in the Lord.  Your trust in the Lord is your greatest weapon to combat fear.

For further reading:
2 Timothy 1:7  

 

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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
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"It's A Blessing"

"Blessed be he that cometh in the name of the Lord: we have blessed you out of the house of the Lord."  Psalm 118:26

We all want to be blessed.  We think that blessings equate to money, material possessions, provisions, and other things that pertain to our physical well being.  While those are a type of blessing, but they are not the greatest blessings.  They are temporary.  They may be here today but gone tomorrow.  They are fleeting.  They don't offer real security.  The greatest blessings are those which have eternal value to them.

The greatest blessings are eternal and spiritual in nature.  The truest definition of blessings is:  benefits and gifts that have been divinely bestowed.  The greatest blessing bestowed upon us is that of salvation and eternal life.  God in His grace and mercy gave us the opportunity to escape the wages of sin if we put our faith in His Son Jesus and the work He did at the cross.   

I want us to look at a blessing this morning that we have probably never considered a blessing (a divinely bestowed gift).  The verse above is a prophesy given about Jesus.  It was fulfilled at His triumphant entry into Jerusalem riding on a donkey.  He was "blessed" in His coming.  What was He coming to do?  He was coming to fulfill the will of the Father.  He didn't come to do His own will, but the will of Him who sent Him. 

This blessing I want us to look at is the blessing of being in and doing the will of God.  We often don't see this as a blessings, but it is.  We pray for His will.  We say we want His will.  But do we really see His will as a blessing in our lives?  How blessed we are that God has a will for us.  How blessed to know that He has chosen us to fulfill His will.  How wonderful that He wants us to be a part of fulfilling His will in the earth.  This, my friends, is a blessing.  He could have chosen anyone and anything to fulfill His will but He chose us-- more specifically, He chose you.  Will you accept this blessing?  Will you respond to His will?  Will you allow Him to fulfill His great plan through you?  Don't reject this blessing.  It is of much more value than the physical and material ones you would accept from Him-- it is eternal and has eternal riches with it.   

Have a great day.  Don't take the will of God for granted, or reject it.  It is one of your greatest blessings.

For further reading:
Matthew 21:8-10

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Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell

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

About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.

Please feel free to

call (601) 833-5278 or
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"Desensitized And Accepting"

"And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."  Romans 12:2

I am sure many of you have seen the "Jurassic Park" movies.  The first time I watched one I had nightmares about being there.  Each time I would see even a commercial about the movie, that night I would again have nightmares-- literally-- about facing the dinosaurs.  I couldn't watch it at all.  But through the years as they kept producing them I would find myself attempting to watch them, and I discovered something-- I no longer have nightmares or even dream about it.  The movies don't make me "afraid" any more.  I don't feel that inner anxiousness about them any more. 

Some may say that is a good thing, but that depends.  There is a principle that is in operation here, and it is one the enemy of our soul uses as a strategy against us.  It is called "desensitizing".  The more we see something, the more we hear something, the less it begins to affect us. 

We don't seem to be "bothered" any more by things that once did bother us and we knew were wrong.  It is because we are bombarded with commercials, television programs, music, magazine articles, etc. about these subjects until they have become "common place".  We see and hear everything from abortion, homosexuality, skimpy cladded men and women, sex, alcohol, murder and so on.  The more we see it, the more we are presented with it, the more sympathetic and accepting of it we become.

This is why we must keep our minds renewed with God's Word.  We must keep it before us and let it determine for us what is acceptable and what isn't.  It will keep our thinking right.  It will keep us from accepting those things that God disapproves of.  It will keep us from being deceived by sin and the lust of our own flesh. 

Have a great day.  The more you are bombarded by something, the more accepting of it you become.  Therefore, keep your mind renewed with the Word of God.      
 

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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: 

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"Enough Is Enough"

"And the Lord said unto Samuel, How long wilt thou mourn for Saul, seeing I have rejected him from reigning over Israel? fill thine horn with oil, and go, I will send thee to Jesse the Bethlehemite: for I have provided me a king among his sons."  1 Samuel 16:1

The Lord had the prophet Samuel to anoint Saul as king over Israel.  Saul rebelled against the Lord, so He rejected him.  This grieved Samuel and he mourned over Saul- evidently, for a while.  Finally, God went to Samuel and told him-- "Enough is enough.  How long are you going to mourn over him?  Get up and go." 

I have a question for you this morning?  How long are you going to "wallow" in your situation?  It is time you say, "Enough is enough".  Enough beating yourself up over past mistakes and failures.  Enough mourning over what you can't change.  Enough feeling sorry for yourself.  Enough is enough, stop being bitter, unforgiving and holding a grudge against someone who did you wrong.  How long are you going to let that besetting sin have dominion over you?  How long are you going to let the enemy keep condemning you for what you did?  It is time to not only say "enough is enough" but to get up and go on into the victory and abundant life you have through Christ Jesus.   

There was a great famine in Samaria.  The city was under seize by the Syrians.  Four lepers sat at the gate of the city starving.  "And there were four leprous men at the entering in of the gate: and they said one to another, Why sit we here until we die?  If we say, We will enter into the city, then the famine is in the city, and we shall die there: and if we sit still here, we die also.  Now therefore come, and let us fall unto the host of the Syrians:  if they save us alive, we shall live; and if they kill us, we shall but die." (2 Kings 7:3,4)  These men decided "enough is enough".  It was time for them to stop wallowing in their situation and get up and go to where there was bread to eat.

God has "bread" for you.  He has victory.  He has abundant life.  He has peace, joy, contentment, happiness, healing, etc.  It is right there waiting for you.  The enemy wants to keep you consumed in your situation until you die in it or it kills you one.  So ask yourself the same question these four lepers asked themselves.  Ask yourself the same question God asked Samuel.  How long are you going to sit here?  Until you die?  Or will you say, "Enough is enough" and get up?    

Have a great day.  It is time to get up and declare-- enough is enough! 
 <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><  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
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"Accept His Love"

"When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon and the stars, which thou hast ordained; what is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?"  Psalm 8:3,4

Do you ever wonder-- how can God possibly love you?  How can He even care about you?  After all, if you are like me, you know how unlovable you can be.  You know your faults.  You know your weaknesses.  You know that you don't always do or say the right thing.  You know that you have a deceitfully wicked heart that is always "floundering".  You know that it doesn't always want to go in the right direction or draw close to God.  You know that you are negligent, lazy, slothful and even rebellious at times against the Lord.  Yet, in all your shortcomings, in all your failures, in all your rebellion, in all your mistakes and ignorance--- He still loves you!

Who can understand it?  I can't.  No mere mortal can understand the depth, the breadth, the length and the height of His love.  Actually, He never asks us to understand it.  He never told us to "figure His love out".  All He ask is that we accept it. 

Perhaps you are questioning His love?  Perhaps you are doubting that He could possibly love you?  Perhaps you feel so unworthy of His love?  Well, stop questioning it.  Just accept it.  You will never in a billion and one years be able to understand it or figure out how He can love you like He does.  It is one of those things that we have to accept by faith, just like everything else we receive from the Lord.  Just know that He loves you and enjoy His love.

Have a great day.  God doesn't want you to try to figure out why He loves you so much.  He just wants you to accept His love.  

For further reading:
Ephesians 3:17-19
John 3:16; 15:13
Jeremiah 17:9

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

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 

 

"How Would God Act?"

"And the Lord passed by before him, and proclaimed, The Lord, The Lord God, merciful and gracious, longsuffering, and abundant in goodness and truth, keeping mercy for thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin, and that will by no means clear the guilty; visiting the iniquity of the fathers upon the children, and upon the children's children, unto the third and to the fourth generation."  Exodus 34:6,7

Recently, I had a situation to arise and I knew my attitude was wrong in it.  I didn't "sin openly", but I knew the way I was "acting inside" was wrong and not pleasing to the Lord.  When I later went to Him with a request, I was feeling so badly about my thoughts concerning the situation, that as I was asking for His help I said to Him, "If I were You I wouldn't do it."  Without missing a beat He immediately replied back to me, "If you were Me, you would."

I might not be quick to forgive when asked for my forgiveness.  I might not be compassionate toward an enemy.  I might not be understanding when someone is hurting.  I might not withhold revenge.  I might not want to embrace a foe.  I might not always show love and kindness, especially to one who has hurt me.  But God isn't like me... THANKFULLY!  He doesn't hold a grudge.  He doesn't try to get even.  He doesn't keep taunting you with your mistakes.  You may not deserve His forgiveness, but He will not withhold it.  The Bible says He is ready to forgive.  You may not deserve His blessing, especially when you have done something wrong, but He gives it to you anyway-- it's called grace. 

If we were Him, we would do what He does.  But we are not Him and often don't respond the same way He does-- with love, mercy, compassion, forgiveness, tenderness and grace.  But if we are His children through faith in Jesus Christ, shouldn't we respond in the same way He does when faced with the opportunity to do so?  Isn't that what Christian (Christ-like) means?

Have a great day.  Thankfully, God doesn't act like we act.  
 

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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    

 

"I Did It To Myself"

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."  Matthew 11:28

Why is it that we will stay away from the Lord when we "mess up"?  Mostly it is because whatever we did, we did it to our self.  We either disobeyed, we opened the door to the temptation, we gave into something we shouldn't have, we didn't listen and did our own thing anyway, and now we are suffering for it.  Therefore, we think that we don't have the right to ask God for forgiveness or help.  We feel like whatever "punishment" we are getting, we deserve it. 

I need to make something clear.  Yes, there are consequences to most of our actions.  Some of the things we suffer are at our own hands.  There are some consequences that may never go away.  We may have, in some cases, to live with the consequences of bad choices.  But if you are being pressed down, if you are being condemned, if you are being tormented, if you are being rob of peace and joy, then that is something you don't have to "live with". 

While the consequences may not change, the Lord wants to give you peace and grace in them.  He wants to give you joy and contentment.  He wants to take the heavy burden of guilt, shame and condemnation that brought on the consequences away from you.  He doesn't want you to feel like you have to "pay for this" the rest of your life.  He doesn't want you to feel as though this is your "cross to bear".  He doesn't want you to go through life weighted down by it.  He carried it for you.  He bore it for you.  We all make mistakes-- some bigger than others-- but He bore the punishment of them.

So stop running from the Lord and allowing the enemy of your soul to make you believe that you have to carry the emotional, inner and spiritual turmoil of this as part of your punishment.  You don't.  Go to Him and let Him give you rest.  His yoke is easy and His burden is light-- a whole lot lighter than what you are carrying.

Have a great day.  Just because you did it to yourself, doesn't mean that you have to carry the punishment of it and that the Lord won't forgive and restore you.     

 

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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   

"He Knows What You Are"

"Now when the Pharisee which had bidden him saw it, he spake within himself, saying, This man, if he were a prophet, would have known who and what manner of woman this is that toucheth him: for she is a sinner."  Luke 7:39

Jesus knew exactly who this woman was that was touching him.  He knew she was a sinner, but He loved her and saved her.  He knew who Saul was but He loved him and changed him from a religious zealot who persecuted Christians to a great apostle.  Jesus knew Zacchaeus was a thief but He loved him and changed his heart into that of a giver.  He knew Mary Magdalene was a demon possessed prostitute but He loved her and delivered her and changed her into a follower.  The Lord knew that Moses was a murderer but He loved him and changed him into a deliverer of His people.  He knew Gideon was a coward but He loved him and made him a mighty man of valor. 

Never think that the Lord doesn't know who you are.  He knows who you are, what you are and where you are.  He knows all your mistakes, your failures, your past and your sins.  But He loves you anyway.  He loves you so much that He came to earth to die for you.  When you come to Him, He will not only save you from your sins but He will change you and make you into a brand new person.  "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) 

Have a great day.  The Lord knows what kind of person you are, but He still loves you and will change you.   

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

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   

 

"Who Is He?"

"After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name."  Matthew 6:9

Many people talk about the Lord, they make reference to Him, they even pray to Him, and act as if they know who He is, but they really don't know who He is.  Jesus addressed the Lord God as the Holy Father who was in heaven.  He knew who He was and came to reveal Him to us. 

To some He is the "Big Guy in the sky".  To others He is a "Santa Claus" who is there for the purpose of fulfilling their every want.  Some call Him "just one of many objects of worship".  Some believe He is only "a concept, a philosophy, a religious icon, a fairy tale, a crutch for the weak minded".  Some see Him as a "grandfatherly figure".  Some call Him a "hard taskmaster who is always out to get them".  To other people He is a "warm and fuzzy feeling".  None of these are who the Lord God is.     

If we don't know Him correctly, we don't know Him.  If we don't know Him as Father, then we aren't His child.  If we don't know Him as Savior, then we aren't saved.  If we don't know Him as Holy, then we don't reverence Him.  If we don't know Him correctly, how can we have a correct relationship with Him?   We can't, because He is something else rather than who He really is, which makes Him false and the relationship false.

Jesus asked His disciples who did men say that He was?  Then He asked them who did they say He was?  When Peter answered that He was the Christ the Son of the Living God, Jesus commended him and went on to give him insight and revelation.  It is in knowing Who He really is that brings us into the proper relationship that we should have with Him.

Have a great day.  In order to really know the Lord God, you have to have a correct understanding of Who He is.  

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

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   

"Dwelling"

"He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty."  Psalm 91:1

There are many promises in this chapter of Psalms, but they come to those who are "dwelling" in the secret place of the Most High.  There is a difference in "dwelling" in a place and just "visiting" it.  Many who profess Christianity are only "visiting"-- they don't "dwell".  

To dwell means to sit down, to settle in, to inhabit, to have as one's abode-- it's the place you live.  That is a far cry from what many tend to do where God is concerned.  They rush in and out of His presence-- check in and check out like you do at a hotel.  They go to God when they have a need.  They run to Him when they are in trouble.  They seek Him out when they have a problem.  But that is not necessarily dwelling.

Dwelling means you live your life in Him-- at all times.  It means that He is your life.  It means that you have taken up residency in Him.  He is where you live.  It means you are always aware of His presence.  It means you don't make a move without seeking Him.  It means you have His desire and will in mind-- even above your own.  It means that you can't wait to come into His presence in prayer.  It means you love and apply His word to your life.  It means you enjoy worshipping Him. 

Are you dwelling in the Lord?  Is He where you "live"?  Are you comfortable in Him or feel "at home" in His presence?  Or is He just somewhere you go when you are in need?

Have a great day.  Is the Lord your dwelling place or just the place you visit?
 For further reading:
Acts 17:28

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

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   

"What Is Truth?"

"Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will shew you things to come."  John 16:13

Everyone is searching for "truth", or so they say.  Where do we find truth?  Who can we trust to give us the truth?  Many people look to many sources to find it.  Some look to education.  Some look to the news commentators, their elected officials or some other popular personality to tell them the truth.  Some look to their inner self.   Some search for it through the wisdom of the ages.  Others are convinced that truth is whatever you believe it to be.  Then some have just given up in their quest to know the truth, concluding there is no absolute truth. 

How do we learn the truth?  The answer isn't complex.  We look to the One who is Truth.  The Holy Spirit is The Spirit of Truth.  When in doubt, you look to Him.  He was Truth in the eternal past.  He will continue to be Truth throughout the eternal future.  He does not change.  He is God (the third Person of the God-head). 

Are you struggling to know the truth?  Are you confused because you are being bombarded by so many varying opinions?  Is it hard to know who is telling the truth and who isn't?  Is it hard to know who to believe and what to believe?  There is so much "logic" floating around, who can know the difference?  Well, logic and opinion, is not always truth.  Jesus told us that in the end times there would be false teachers, preachers and prophets.  He also warned us not to be deceived.  When He left earth, He gave us our answer to keep from being deceived by the false.  He said He would not leave us by ourselves, but He would send the Comforter (Holy Spirit) to be with us and He would do the work of showing us truth and helping us stay in the truth-- even during times when truth is being twisted, buried, placed on the "back burner" and denied.  Look to Him.  Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal the truth to you.  Ask Him to lead you in all truth.  Ask Him to show you the difference between what is and what isn't truth.  He will.  So listen to, heed and follow Him.

Have a great day.  It is hard to always know what is the truth, but if you want to know, you go to the source of truth.  The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of Truth, so He will tell you.

For further reading:
John 14:16-18; 8:32
Luke 21:8
Matthew 24:11,24
Mark 13:21-23

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

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   

 

"A Promise Instead"

"And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me."  2 Corinthians 12:9

Paul had a "thorn in the flesh" and he prayed three times for the Lord to remove it.  The Lord didn't remove it though.  Sometimes no matter how much you pray, no matter how much you fast, no matter how much you bargain with God, kick and scream, cry and beg, stand in faith, confess the scriptures, there are some things that you are just going to have to go through.  In God's perfect knowledge, divine counsel and excellent plan for your life, He sees fit to allow you to walk down certain paths sometimes instead of removing them.  In Paul's case, this "thorn" was given so that he would not be "exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations". (verse 7)

Paul was not being "punished" with this "thorn", he was being "protected".  It was an instrument to keep him humble.  It was there to keep him from becoming full of pride because of the great revelations that he had received.  Paul saw and knew things that most mortal men did not.  It would have been easy for pride to take hold of him.  Thus, causing his destruction. (Proverbs 16:18)

Have you prayed for a "thorn" to be removed, yet it is still there?  It might be meant for your protection.  It might be meant to perfect the character of Christ in you.  It might be there to produce the Fruit of the Spirit in your life.  It might be there to keep you from destruction.  I don't know.  But this I do know, God did not remove the thorn from Paul but He gave him a promise instead.  He promised to give him His grace to bear it and His strength to go through it.  The same promise is given to you.  If you are having to walk through it, if you are having to deal with a "thorn", His grace is sufficient enough so you can keep going and His strength will be made perfect when you get weak.

Have a great day.  Sometimes God won't remove the thorn, but He will give you a promise instead.  
 

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

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  

 

"Troubled Heart"

"Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in me."  John 14:1

How do we not let our hearts be troubled (anxious, distressed, disquieted, agitated) when we live in the midst of a wicked and perverse generation?  When we are perplexed on every side?  When society is acting in a Godless manner?  When evil men are getting more powerful?  When temptations are pressing upon us?  When the cares of this life are trying to choke out God's word in is?  When besetting sins are binding us?  When the enemy is attacking us?  When we are being persecuted for our faith?  When bad reports are all around us?  How do we do it?  How is it possible not to be troubled in our heart?

The answer:  "Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee." (Isaiah 26:3)  When we keep our mind (also means heart) stayed on Him, which doesn't mean that we are just to constantly think about the Lord and nothing else, but the word means to have our mind firmly leaning up Him.  When our hearts/minds are firmly leaning/trusting upon Him, He will keep us in not just peace but perfect peace.  Perfect peace means to have completeness, soundness, quietness and contentment.  When our hearts/minds are at rest, content, whole and well, they are not troubled.

So how do we keep our minds on the Lord?  "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." (Romans 12:1)  When you are tempted to be troubled in your heart, renew your mind.  Renew it in God's Word.  Combat those thoughts that would make you anxious with His Word.  Capture those thoughts that make you afraid with His Word.  Counteract them with His Word.  His Word brings life, health, peace, joy, contentment, etc.  As you are transforming your mind with God's Word, you are at the same time keeping it stayed on Him because He is the Word. (John 1:1)

Have a great day.  Don't let your heart be troubled.  Keep it on 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   

"Working Out A Good Plan"

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."  Romans 8:28

Yesterday I asked the Lord to give me a word to read.  The verse above is what He gave me.  He encouraged me through it and wants you to be encouraged as well.  I know this is a very familiar verse but one we need to hold on to in the daily trials of life. 

The verse doesn't say that all things are good, but that God knows how to work them together for good.  The point is that no matter what you see happening in the world around you, what you hear the enemy say, or how defeated and overwhelmed you feel, remember that God is at work working all things together for the good.  Remember that He has a good plan in mind-- for you and the time in which we are living.  He will bring His plan to pass... even when it looks like things are as bad as they can get, even when it looks like evil is winning, even when it looks like the bad is triumphing.

There were some bad things that happened to Joseph.  He was hated by his brothers.  He was sold by them into slavery.  He was taken from his home into a foreign land.  He was tempted then falsely accused by Potiphar's wife.  He was beaten, thrown into prison and suffered in chains.  Yet, all the while, God had a good plan for Joseph's life.  He knew how to make all these bad things work together for good.  You know the story.  Joseph became the second most powerful man in the world.

God knows how to take your suffering, your pain, your sorrow, your persecutions, your difficulties, the accusations of the enemy, the fear that is trying to come upon you and put it in His hands, press it down, shake it together and bring forth something good.  God had a good plan to redeem mankind.  He sent His Son Jesus to die.  Jesus suffered, was beaten, mocked, ridiculed, falsely accused and crucified.  When Jesus died, the devil thought he had won.  The demons shouted in victory.  The disciples lost hope.  The world looked dark.  But God took the bad and worked it into His good plan and Jesus was victorious even though it looked like defeat!

Have a great day.  Regardless of what you see, hear or feel, God is working it all together to bring forth His good plan. 

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

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  
 

"Whose Plan?"

"Now the man out of whom the devils were departed besought him that he might be with him: but Jesus sent him away, saying,  Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee. And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him."  Luke 8:38,39

When Jesus arrived in the land of Garada, He cast out the demons that had tormented a particular young man.  Because Jesus had commanded the demons to go into a herd of swine, the people were not happy and wanted Jesus to leave.  Before He left, the young man whom He had cast the demons out of desired to go with Him.  But instead of letting him go Jesus told him to return to his own house and show and tell others what great things God had done for him. 

When we come to the Lord, we are so grateful for what He has done for us that we desire to follow Him, serve Him and be used by Him.  Like this young man, we often have our own idea of what "serving Jesus" should look like.  To this man it looked like leaving his home and going with Jesus.  Some of us we have the same idea.  Some believe it means that they should be a preacher or a pastor of a church.  Others believe it means they should be a missionary.  And in some cases it just might truly be either of these.  But God's plan for you may be that instead of starting some ministry or becoming a preacher that you show forth the grace and power of God on your 9-5 job.  It may mean that you are to be a Christian businessman, or a house wife, or a factory worker, a doctor, a lawyer, a politician, a school teacher, etc. 

Jesus sent this man back to his own house and told him to show God's great works there.  As a result, the next time Jesus went to Gardara, they didn't reject Him.  They gladly received Him and welcomed Him.  "And it came to pass, that, when Jesus was returned, the people gladly received him: for they were all waiting for him." (verse 40)  Why?  All because this man chose God's plan for his life and not his own desire.  He chose to serve the Lord the way He wanted him to instead of how he wanted to or what he thought he should do.

Are you following God's plan for your life?  Are you letting Him place you where He wants you to be?  Are you serving Him in a capacity that you desire or want because you think that is the thing you should be doing?  Do you really have His plan and His way at heart?  If you will sincerely seek Him for His plan, it may mean that some of you will have to change course.  It will mean that you have to lay some ministries aside and get refocused.  It will mean that you will have to transition into another field.  But when we are following His plan instead of our own desire, the end result will bring Him much, much glory!

Have a great day.  Are you following God's plan for your life or your own desire? 

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

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  

"Double Minded Danger"

"Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded."  James 4:8

"Purify your hearts, you double minded".  What does it mean to be double minded?  The Book of James says that a "double minded" man is unstable in all his ways.  So being double minded means that you are unstable.  What does being double minded look like?  How do we know if we are being "double minded"?  That is a very good question especially in light of the fact that there are so many double minded people walking around on earth-- in the world and in the church.

Double minded according to the dictionary means:  wavering; undecided.  In short, it means you can't make up your mind.  You believe more than one thing is true.  You believe that something is right while at the same time you believe it is wrong.  No wonder the Bible said this kind of person is unstable in all their ways.  They flounder back and forth between two opinions. 

This is happening in our world today.  There are those who call themselves Christians yet they call clean what God has called unclean.  They condone, accept, embrace and defend the very things that God says are an abomination.  They believe the Bible but they don't believe all of it is true.  They believe that they are a Christian but that Jesus isn't the only way.  You can't believe both ways!  That is being double minded. 

Being double minded is a dangerous place to be.  It makes you easy prey for the enemy to destroy your soul.  It robs you of peace.  It gives you nothing more than shifting sand to build your life upon-- and we all know that sand is not a proper foundation, any house built upon it will fall.  

One day God sent the prophet Elijah to confront the Israelites about this very thing.  They were being double minded.  They were "halting" between two opinions.  They were "jumping back and forth" in their belief that God was God and Baal was god.  In the bad times, they looked to God and served Him.  In the good times, they looked to the false god Baal and served him.  God drew a line and said it was enough.  He told them to choose Him or Baal, but you can't have both. 

I believe God is drawing a line today and saying the same thing to us.  If He is God serve Him.  If He isn't then don't serve Him.  You can't have both.  You can't have Him and these other false beliefs.  He also calls it being "lukewarm".  You can't be hot and cold at the same time.  The warning and judgment for those who are is that He will literally "vomit" you out of His mouth.  Lukewarm, double minded, it is all the same.  You can't have it both ways.  Make up your mind and be single minded, serving God alone and believing His whole word.

Have a great day.  If you are being double minded, you are in a dangerous place.    

For further reading:
James 1:8
Matthew 7:24-27
1 Kings 18:21
Revelation 3:16 
 

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



 

"Change Your Prayers"

"After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.  Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven."  Matthew 6:9,10

Jesus taught us to pray-- "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done".  He did not teach us to pray selfish, self-centered prayers that are consumed with getting our lusts and desires met.  He did teach us to pray a "modest" prayer for our needs, but not for our wants.

I believe this is one of the reasons we are seeing so much "evil" running rampant in our society.  The church changed her prayer focus.  For many years, including a whole generation of Christians, we have prayed "prosperity prayers".  Our prayers have been centered around "blessing me".  They have been centered around my "wants".  Our prayers have been focused on the receiving of material things.  We have prayed for bigger houses, more money, new cars, luxuries, riches, etc. 

Our prayer focus must change.  It must be taken off of "self" and placed on "the Kingdom".  When was the last time you prayed for those in authority?  When was the last time you prayed for the removal of unjust judges?  When was the last time you prayed for your bosses' salvation?  For your lost family members?  When was the last time you prayed for your enemies?  When was the last time you grabbed ahold of the horns of the altar and prayed for your nation?  When was the last time you prayed for the Lord to convict and change self-serving pastors?  When was the last time you prayed that the abortion doctors would get saved and stop killing innocent babies?  When was the last time you prayed for your brothers and sisters who are being persecuted and imprisoned for the gospel in other countries?  Do you ever pray for your neighbor?  Do you pray for revival in the land?     

The prayers we pray for ourselves should look more like this:  Change me, Lord.  Transform me until others see Jesus in me.  Enlighten the eyes of my understanding so that I might see the hope of Your calling.  Help me to discern both good and evil.  Help me to take up my cross and follow You.  Help me to decrease so that You might increase.  Help me to be a living sacrifice and humble myself before Your mighty hand.  Make me an instrument to show forth Your righteousness.  Help me to possess my body in honor unto you.  Make me holy.  Give me my needs today and what is sufficient for me. 

If we don't change our prayer focus voluntarily we will be focused to change it by conditions that continue to deteriorate around us.  And the deteriorating conditions around us are a result of a changed prayer focus-- from the Kingdom to self.

Have a great day.  What kind of prayers do you pray?  Self-centered or Kingdom centered? 

 

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

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 

 

"Running From"

"...He maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust."  Matthew 5:45b

I have a small goldfish pond in my backyard.  There are only a few fish in it and occasionally I will see them swimming around close to the top.  Each time that I walk by they immediately dart toward the bottom of the pond.  Yesterday, as I walked past, I saw a goldfish and when he saw men, he dove toward the bottom.  I made the statement toward him-- I won't hurt you. I am the one who takes care of you.  At that moment the Lord spoke to my spirit that we do Him the same way.

You may not be living for the Lord.  You may not acknowledge Him.  You may not believe in Him.  But He is the One who is taking care of you.  He gives you air to breath.  He gives you daily provisions.  He woke you up.  He gives you those things you take for granted.   Yet in all His care of us, we still "run from Him".  When He convicts our hearts about getting right with Him, we run from Him as if that is a bad thing.  When He begins to speak to us about His will for our lives, we often run from Him.  When He is drawing us into a deeper relationship with Him, we run from that as well. 

 

We are like those fish, we spend more time "running from" the Lord, even though He is the One who is taking care of us, than we do "running to" Him-- unless, of course, we have some need.  Are you running from the One who is taking care of you?  Are you running from His love, His will, His salvation or His plan for your life?  Are you running toward Him?  Are you acknowledging that He is the One who cares about you? 

 

Have a great day.  Are you running from the Lord?  If so, why?  He is the One who is taking care of you.  He won't hurt you.   

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

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