"It Is A Time"

"To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven."  Ecclesiastes 3:1

When you face troubles, problems, hardships, heartaches, trials, tribulations and difficulties, how do you see them?  A phrase came to me that encompasses how we handle them.  The phrase-- it is a time.  See these as a time in your life for one of two things to happen.   

When these times happen, it is a time for you to draw near to God or a time for you to distance yourself from Him.  It is a time for you to learn a great spiritual lesson through it or it is a time for you to quit and give up.  It is a time for you to be strengthened in your faith or get weary and not press forward.  It is a time for you to seek the Lord or a time to walk away from following Him.  It is a time for you to grow in grace and knowledge or a time to complain and stop growing.  It is a time for you to get revelation of His ways and acts or get discouraged and go in the opposite direction.  It is a time for you to walk by faith or a time for you to walk by sight.  It is a time for you to trust Him in spite of it all or a time for you to accuse Him.  It is a time for you to lean to your own understanding or a time for you to acknowledge Him and get His understanding.  It is a time for you to surrender to His will or a time for you to turn to your own will.  

During these times, you have a choice to do one of two things.  You will either make what you are going through a time to get closer, go higher, get stronger, gain more, overcome and be victorious in the Lord, or you can choose to make it a time to walk in defeat, confusion, discouragement and give up.  Which will it be?

Have a great day.  When the trying times of life come, what kind of time will you choose to make it?    

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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

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"Open The Gate"

"Open to me the gates of righteousness:  I will go into them, and I will praise the Lord."  Psalm 118:19

How are the gates of righteousness opened?  Are they opened by our own righteousness?  No, our righteousness is as filthy rags.  Are they opened by our good works?  No, it is not by righteous deeds that we do.  They are only opened to us by Christ Jesus' righteousness.  They are opened to us by and because of what He did for us at the cross.  He is the only One who holds the key to open the gate.

Gates are meant to keep someone or something out.  These gates kept us from the presence of God.  We were unable to come to Him.  No matter how hard we tried, no matter how good we were, no matter how much we may have wanted to enter, access to us was denied. 

The gate to keep us out was not God's will or plan.  It was our sins that caused it.  But because of His great love and mercy for us, He made a way to open the gate.  That way was through Jesus Christ.  He is the Way.  Before Him and without Him there is no other way. 

Are you on the outside of the gate because of your sins?  Are you trying to get through the gate by your good deeds?  Are you attempting to climb over the gate in some way?  The gate has to be opened by a key.  That key is available.  Jesus not only holds the key, He is the key.  Come to Him in repentance and the gates of righteousness will be opened to you.  Then you can go in.

Have a great day.  In order to get through the gates of righteousness, you have to have a key.  Jesus has the key.  Go to Him and He'll let you in.

For further reading:
Isaiah 64:6
Titus 3:5
Revelation 1:18; 3:7
 

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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

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"Infestation"

"Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God."  2 Corinthians 7:1

I had a dream last night about two things-- twigs and roaches.  When I woke up, the thought came to me that I was "cleaning" up some things.  The part of the dream with the roaches was more pronounced. 

As I prayed about it this morning, I believe I am suppose to share it with you because the dream was not just for me personally.  In the dream there were an innumerable amount of roaches.  A few cockroaches but mostly small to mid size ones.  They were everywhere.  I was having to fight to keep some of them from getting on me.  I decided I needed to try to get rid of them.  I got the roach spray and began to spray.  To my surprise it worked.  They didn't just drop dead, they began to vanish until there were none left.

What the Lord gave me to share from this dream was this:  These roaches represented things that contaminate our hearts and minds and distract us.  They can be pet sins, evil thoughts, wrong thinking, lusts, materialism, the cares of this life, pain, wounds in our hearts, fear, mistakes from the past that try to haunt us, or any number of other things.   We must keep ourselves clean of all those things that would contaminate our flesh and spirit, and distract us.  If we don't they will continue to grow and multiply in our lives until they overcome us. 

How do we overcome them?  How do we destroy them?  The solution is easier than we think-- just like in my dream.  You bring your thoughts toward them into subjection to God's Word.  You use the Word of God against them.  When temptation comes, quote the Word and then do what it says.  When fear comes, quote the Word and resist it.  When the cares of this life get more than you can bear, look to the Word and find peace and rest in it.  If you don't use the Word (like I used the bug spray in my dream), you will wind up with an "infestation".  But if you take action and use the Word instead of just watching them, accepting them and being overwhelmed by them, you will see them stop multiplying and vanish.

Have a great day.  If you don't take care of those small things that contaminate your flesh and spirit, you will wind up with an infestation of them.   

 

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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.

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"Threatened To Bow"

"That at what time ye hear the sound of the cornet, flute, harp, sackbut, psaltery, dulcimer, and all kinds of musick, ye fall down and worship the golden image that Nebuchadnezzar the king hath set up:  And whoso falleth not down and worshippeth shall the same hour be cast into the midst of a burning fiery furnace."  Daniel 3:5,6

The king made a golden idol and required the people to worship it.  There are forces that are trying to get us to bow down to idols as well-- the world, the flesh and the devil.  Some of those idols include mammon, immorality, homosexuality, abortion, false religions, offense, fear, unforgiveness, condemnation, and so on. 

The people were threatened if they did not bow and worship the king's idol.  We too are threatened with death, with law suits, with failure, with insecurities, with being an outcast, being labeled, being lied about and being rejected if we don't bow to the idols.  If the threats don't work, and we still don't bow, then we are given a "second chance" to bow.  We are enticed, our senses are appealed to and we are given an incentive to bow.  If this still doesn't work, we are threatened again.  (Daniel 3:14,15)     

The three Hebrews stood for their God and would not betray Him and bow.  What happened?  They were thrown into the furnace.  Just because you don't bow to the threats, just because you don't worship the idols, doesn't necessarily mean that you won't be "spared" from facing what was threatened.  But if you don't bow you will be the victor even if it looks like you aren't.  What else happened to these guys?  When they were thrown into the furnace, they were not alone.  Jesus was in there with them. 

To sum it up:  Don't bow to idols, even when threatened.  Stay faithful to God.  Even if you do stay faithful you may not be delivered from the threats, but you will be delivered in them and you won't face them alone.  The Lord will be with you. 

Have a great day.  Don't bow to the threats and worship the idols.      

For further reading:
Daniel 3  

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Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell

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

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"White-Washed Tombs"

"Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchres, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men's bones, and of all uncleanness."  Matthew 23:27

Jesus described the scribes and Pharisees as white-washed tombs.  What did He mean by that?  They were the religious leaders of the day.  They taught the people the law.  They prayed.  They fasted.  They made converts.  They went to the temple.  So why this description?  Because it was only external.  They looked good on the outside.  They looked "godly" on the outside.  They looked "holy" to others.  They were religious.  But once the "stone" of their lives was rolled away it exposed what was on the inside-- what was in their hearts. 

Inside a tomb is death.  There is no life.  Inside a tomb is decay.  This is how their lives were.  They didn't have truth in them-- just the law.  The word of truth brings life.  The law brought death.  They didn't have the Life Giver, Jesus, in their lives.  They just had a religious formality. 

When the "stone is rolled away" from your life, when your heart is exposed, when what is really inside of you is revealed, what will it be?  Do you love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength and mind?  If so, then it is full of life-- you are not like a tomb.  If it is only surface religion-- church attendance, giving offerings, acting half way decent, etc.-- but no Jesus in there then you are like a tomb full of death.  The Bible says that the one who has the Son living inside of him has life.  But he who doesn't have the Son does not have life-- he has death instead.  If you are religious acting but don't have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, you too are nothing more than a white-washed tomb. 

Have a great day.  When the "stone" is rolled away from your life, what will be found inside your heart?     

For further reading:
1 John 5:11-13

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Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell

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

About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.

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"Contaminated Praise"

"And offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving with leaven, and proclaim and publish the free offerings: for this liketh you, O ye children of Israel, saith the Lord God."  Amos 4:5

 "And offer a sacrifice of thanksgiving with leaven."  Leaven represents sin.  These people were offering their praise and  thanksgiving to the Lord combined with sin.  How do you offer thanksgiving that has "sin" in it? 

It has "leaven" in it when it isn't pure thanksgiving from a grateful heart.  When it is given to God with an ulterior motive.  When it is for a show to be seen of others.  When your thanksgiving is not sincere.  When you praise Him out of duty or obligation. 

There are two kinds of praise and thanksgiving.  One comes from the heart.  The other comes from the lips.  What comes only from the lips is really not praise at all.  "He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me." (Mark 7:6) 

When the praise from the heart is mixed together with the attitudes we talked about above, it ceases to be praise and thanksgiving because it is "mingled" with "leaven".  The Bible says a little leaven makes it all leavened.  Even a little "leaven" will make the whole thing "leavened".  Therefore, it will "contaminate" your praise and thanksgiving and make it unacceptable to the Lord.

Think about your praise and thanksgiving.  What are you offering the Lord?  Is it sincere from a grateful heart?  Is it mixed with something that is impure?  Is it with your lips only? 

Have a great day.  Is your thanksgiving and praise to the Lord contaminated or is it acceptable to Him?     

For further reading:
Galatians 5:9
1 Corinthians 5:6

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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

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Visit us on the web: 

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"Offended For God"

"Then said he unto the disciples, It is impossible but that offences will come: but woe unto him, through whom they come!"  Luke 17:1

Have you noticed that the whole world seems to be offended over something?  A few days ago I was praying and the Lord showed me that a spirit of offense has been released on this nation.  A couple of hours later at church one of the ladies there said the same thing-- there is an evil spirit of offense that has been released.

People are offended if you don't accept their lifestyle and bake them a wedding cake- they will threaten to sue you over it.  They are offended over something that was done to their ancestors over a hundred years ago and are trying to punish another generation for it.  They are offended over a flag and want it removed from society.  They are offended over certain terminology and want you to use their terminology.  They are offended because you are against the murder of babies while they are still in the womb.  They are offended if you drive a newer automobile than they do.  They are offended if you don't give them everything they want for free.  They are offended because you don't place more value on the life of an animal than you do on the life of a human.  They are offended if you don't agree with them and see eye to eye with them on all issues.  They are offended if you question them about anything.

People are taking personal offense over worldly issues and matters, but why aren't we taking offense to the things that offend God?  Why doesn't it offend us when someone uses His name in vain?  Why doesn't sin offend us?  Why doesn't false teaching and preaching offend us?  Why doesn't sexual immorality offend us?  Why aren't we offended when God is mocked?  Why aren't we offended when He is being removed from society? 

Everybody likes to get on the "band wagon" of "causes".  There are many causes that are admirable.  There are many that need attention and support.  There are many that are worth standing up for.  But, church, our first priority is to stand for that which God stands for.  The cause of Christ is what we must take up and be busy doing.  That cause is to reach this lost world with the message of hope and salvation that comes through Jesus Christ.

Have a great day.  Offenses are everywhere.  If you are going to be offended, be offended for the things that really count-- like those things that offend 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

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"Provider"

"Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labour of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:  Yet I will rejoice in the Lord, I will joy in the God of my salvation."  Habakkuk 3:17,18

There is a lot of talk about some major events that could happen in the near future-- the fall of the economy, a cataclysmic disaster, wars, etc.  These things may or may not happen.  But what if they do?  What if there is no money to buy with, no food available, no jobs, and no homes because they have been wiped out by an earthquake, a flood or even a volcano.  Are you prepared? 

This preparation is not putting things like food, water, money, provisions, etc. back-- although we have already talked about the wisdom in doing that.  I am talking about another type of preparedness.  I am talking about renewing your mind and affirming your faith now (daily) that the Lord is your provider. 

It is so easy to get accustomed to the natural way of doing things that we forget about God's hand in our needs being met.  Therefore, you have to get it settled and stay settled that the government is not your provider.  The stock market is not your provider.  Your spouse is not your provider.  Your stockpile is not your provider.  Your job and your boss is not your provider.  Natural resources are not your provider.  Some religious organization is not your provider.  These are only ways and means that He uses.  When your faith for not only the future but for your daily bread is rooted in the fact that God alone is the provider, it won't matter that there is no physical means of provision.  It won't make you fearful, anxious or distressed because your full trust is in God's faithfulness to provide whatever you need.  

He already provides for you every day by giving you air to breath.  He has not changed.  He can still give water from a rock, send manna from heaven, put money in a fish's mouth, and multiply bread and oil.  Get it settled in your heart everyday who your real provider is.

Have a great day.  Everyday settle it in your heart that your provider is the Lord.  If you do, when natural provisions are cut off, you won't be afraid or worry because you know He will take care of 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

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"He Is In The Darkness"

"He made darkness his secret place; his pavilion round about him were dark waters and thick clouds of the skies."  Psalm 18:11

How can a God who is Light-- in Him there is no darkness-- make darkness His secret place?  It isn't that He "lives" in darkness but He uses darkness as a place where we can find Him.  It is like He "hides out", or "camps out" in the dark places-- the places of grief, sorrow, trials, testing, tribulation, storms, etc.-- so that when we go through them, we can find Him because He is already there. 

He was already waiting ahead of time in the fiery furnace when the three Hebrews were thrown in.  He was already in the dark lion's den when they threw Daniel in it.  He is already there in our trials but often we don't see Him because of the darkness of the situation. 

If you are going through a "dark place" remember that He is already there.  He is there so He can be easily found when you seek for Him.  He is already there so you can touch Him in your dark time when you reach out to Him.  When the disciples were in a storm on the sea, it was dark.  There was no moonlight, no lamps, no flashlights, but there He was in the darkness of the boat, in the darkness of the storm.  They had no trouble finding Him and calling upon Him to save them.  The same for us today.  The storm may hide Him from sight.  The darkness may cover His presence.  But rest assured, He is already there waiting for when you call upon Him for help.

Have a great day.  The Lord is already in your dark times, waiting to help you when you need Him.    
 

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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

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"Stuck In The Why"

"Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you."  1 Peter 5:7

Do you ever "beat yourself up" with "why"?  Why did I say that?  Why did I do that?  Why did I give in?  Why didn't I keep my mouth shut?  Why didn't I speak up?  Why didn't I tell the truth?  Why didn't I let them know how I felt?  Why did I talk too much?  Why didn't I listen more?  Why did I let them talk me into it?  Why didn't I handle it differently?  And a hundred other "whys". 

I am sure we all have asked ourselves these questions at some point.  Usually when we ask ourselves these questions it is because there is regret, guilt, shame or condemnation attached to them. 

Who can always answer them?  Who can say why we did or didn't do what we did?  There is a wide array of answers to choose from.  We might have done it out of fear.  We might have done it to appease the flesh.  The answer may be rooted in the need to be accepted.  The answer may be attached to the pleasure that thing brought us.  Maybe it was the easy, or lazy, way out. 

Whatever the reason, it is too late to take it back or change it.  Fretting over, regretting it and beating yourself up about it won't change it.  You have to learn to go on and put the questions down.  You may not always be able to put them to rest-- have the answer behind the why-- but you don't have to carry them around with you constantly letting them "nag" you.  Cast the question, the result, the regret and anything else attached to it upon the Lord.  Don't let it continue to "haunt" you.  Don't let it continue to "condemn" you.  Don't let it continue to "rob" you of peace, joy, contentment and abundant life.

Have a great day.  Don't beat yourself up trying to find the answer to why you did or didn't do what you did. 

For further reading:
Romans 8:1        
 

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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

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"Preppers"

"Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise."  Proverbs 6:6

There is much talk about events that may or may not happen in the very near future.  Many think that we might experience an economic collapse, a disturbance in the atmosphere that would cause a chaos, or some natural disaster.  The threat of these things have caused many people to begin to prepare for it.  They are storing up necessary items-- food, water, etc.--- to help them get through it.

There is nothing wrong with putting back a few things for difficult times.  God told Noah to build an ark to provide safety for him and his family during the flood.  God used Joseph to interrupt Pharaoh's dream concerning a famine that was coming and told him how to prepare for it by storing up grain in the years of plenty.  Proverbs tells us to learn from the ant.  She stores up her food in the summer to get her through the winter. 

What I want to address this morning is two ways of preparing.  One is physically as we have already talked about.  The other is spiritually.  Our spiritual preparation is more important.  It is more important because this life is temporary.  The body is going to die, whether you have a supply of food on hand or not.  If you don't make preparation for your spiritual man, he will be lost for eternity.  Also, even if you have all these provisions but you don't have peace that comes from having your spirit man prepared and living in a spiritually abundant life, what good is your storehouse of material provisions?

There is nothing wrong with putting back physical supplies for the uncertainty of the future.  A wise man will do so.  But don't work so hard at securing the things your physical man needs that you are neglecting the spiritual man.  Bread and water will help sustain the body.  But being spiritually prepared will sustain your entire being-- spirit, soul, body, emotions.  Being prepared spiritually will get you through even if you aren't prepared physically and there is nothing to sustain you physically.  It will sustain you when the food runs out, when the water is gone, when trials come, when the enemy is trying to kill you, when you are in hardships, difficulties, tribulations, and anything else that may come your way.

Have a great day.  If you are preparing for disasters in the future, don't forget the most important preparation is to make sure your spirit is prepared.      
 

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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

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"Dealing With A Thorn"

"And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure." 2 Corinthians 12:7

Did you notice that the apostle said, "there was given to me a thorn in the flesh"?  That means it didn't just happen to him, it wasn't just the devil deciding to attack him, it was given, it had to come from somewhere.  It came from God-- or rather from His permission. 

This goes against the grain with most Christians.  But look at Job.  God brought up the subject of Job to the devil.  God pointed out the hole in the hedge that was around Job.  God removed the hedge in that area.  Also the Bible says that God uses good and evil for His purposes.  I am not saying that God did it, caused it or brought it on him, but He did allow it.  The enemy cannot touch you unless he goes through God first.

The point I am getting to is this:  There are times when we are going through something and we rebuke it, we pray for God to remove it, we quote scriptures at it, we fast for it to leave but it doesn't.  It is because God has allowed this thing to be present in our life.  Why?  In Paul's case he had seen things that it wasn't lawful for a person to even speak about.  He had had an abundance of revelations.  He had been taken into the third heaven.  The Lord allowed this thorn to keep Paul from getting exalted with pride.  It was for Paul's own good.  It was for his well-being.  Pride goes before a fall.  The bottom line why God allowed it is because of His great love.  He did not want to see this destroy Paul so He allowed a means to keep that from happening.

Even though God did not remove it from Paul.  He made him a promise-- My grace is sufficient and My strength will become perfect in your weakness so you can endure it.  Remember this for your own life when you are dealing with a "thorn in the flesh", if God doesn't remove it for you, then rest assured that He will be with you, strengthen you and give you grace to endure it as well.

Have a great day.  If you have a thorn in the flesh, God will give you the grace and strength to endure it. 

For further reading:

Job 1:8-12
Proverbs 16:4
Romans 8:28

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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

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"The Judge"

"To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect."  Hebrews 12:23

I watched one of those court shows yesterday.  The judge heard the case then made her decision.  Had I been the judge I probably would not have ruled in favor of the one she did because I disagree with this person's beliefs.  But I have to say that her judgment was the right one.  She made her decision based on wisdom and the law. 

The shameful reality is that many judges don't always judge according to the law.  They make their rulings based on popular opinion, personal preference, political correctness, bribes, the mindset of society, their interpretation of the law, their own convictions, favoritism and their agenda.

As I was thinking about this, I thought about the Lord God who will one day Judge all men.  We like to think that God is just love and that because He is He will accept, understand and look over everything we do.  This is not the case.  He is love but He is also Judge. 

We will all stand before Him one day and He will judge each of us in righteousness and fairness.  He will judge according to His standards-- not ours.  He will judge according to His own counsel and not according to the things we have named above.  His judgment will be true-- you won't be able to argue with it or take it to a higher court.  He is the highest court.  He is greater than the Supreme Court or any court here on earth.

There is no escaping that day.  You will stand before Him.  He will give a verdict.  He will pass sentence.  It will either be, "well done, good and faithful servant, enter into the joy of your Lord".  Or He will say, "Depart from Me, you cursed into everlasting fire".  Which will He say to you?

Have a great day.  God is a righteous Judge.  You will stand before Him one day and He will judge according to His own standards-- not yours.    

For further reading:
2 Timothy 4:8
Psalm 96:13
Revelation 20:11,12
Matthew 25:23,41
 

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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.mastersbuisness.org

"The Same Treatment"

"Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world."  1 Peter 5:9

Sometimes we think we are the only one who is going through a trial, hard time, difficulties, persecutions, etc.  We aren't.  Many around us are going through some of the same things.  The Bible is full of examples of men and women who throughout history have gone through the same things we have.

I want us to look at three of them this morning.  These three examples are all in the area of our relationships and dealings with other people-- how they treat us, respond to us, feel about us and act toward us.

The first is Moses.  Moses was hated even as a new born baby.  They tried to kill him.  Why?  All because he was the wrong nationality.  He was a Hebrew not an Egyptian.  There are people who have their prejudices against you just because you were born white, black, Hispanic or Asian, male or female, into a wealthy family, and so on. 

The next is Joseph.  His brothers were jealous of him.  They hated him.  They wanted to kill him.  They threw him in a pit, sold him to slave traders and lied to their father and told him Joseph was dead.  Some people hate you for no reason.  They have "conjured" up all sorts of thoughts about you, that most the time are not true.  As a result they seek to destroy you-- your reputation, your well-being, the call of God on your life, etc.

Lastly, is David.  David's own father didn't think he was important enough to call in from tending the sheep when the prophet came to his house to anoint the new king of Israel from among his sons.  Jesse left David in the field instead of calling him into the house.  The prophet had to ask if he had any more sons.  Some people don't think you are worth the "time of day".  They see you as worthless and unworthy.  They put no value on you.  You are always the last one they would think about.  Sometimes those people are in your own family.

If you feel that others don't care about you.  If they are against you.  If they are labeling you.  If they tell you that you are no good, not worth it and always putting you down.  If they hate you and are jealous of you.  If they are plotting your downfall.  Remember this-- God knows.  He is watching.  He sees it all.  He is with you.  He loves you and cares about you.  He was with Moses, Joseph and David.  Not only was He with them, though others were against them, through it all He was orchestrating His plan and will in their lives.  Moses was the greatest prophet and deliverer of God's people.  Joseph became the second most powerful man in the world.  David became king of Israel.  He is with you watching over His plan for your life no matter what anyone else thinks, says or does. 

Have a great day.  When men are against you, God is with you and for you. 

For further reading:
Romans 8:31     

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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.mastersbuisness.org

"The Foolish Cross"

"For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God."  1 Corinthians 1:18

Yesterday I shared a couple of dreams I had.  One was about holiness-- which we talked about.  The other was about the cross.  The interpretation dealt with how both subjects are being left out of the church.  This morning I want to talk about the cross.

The scripture says that it is the preaching of the cross that is the power of God to save the lost.  There is power in the cross, but many-- including ministers-- see it as "foolish".  They see their own plan, their own way, their own message, their own preaching as a "wiser" one.  What is this "wiser" plan?  It is one that will give the people what they want to hear.  It is one that will not preach the cross if it "offends" anyone.  Their plan includes making the gospel popular and "seeker friendly" and more appealing to the masses.  They think the preaching of the cross is old-fashioned and out of touch with this new generation.  Therefore, give them something "fresh and new". 

If the preaching of the cross offends, then it will just have to offend.  If the way the Lord has established to reach the lost turns people away, then it just turns them away.  This is His way; there is no other way.  Jesus' words turned many away.  Many were offended by what He said.  Followers of His were offended and turned away when He told them they would have to "eat His flesh and drink His blood".  The rich young ruler was grieved when Jesus told him what he needed to do-- not what he wanted to do-- to have eternal life.  The young man turned away and left.  Jesus did not run after them and tell them He would change His message-- He let them go.  He did not compromise the Word or Will of God.

Stop trying to appease people.  Stop running after them.  Stop changing the message to suit them.  Stop compromising just to get them to stay in the church.  Compromising and changing the message to keep from offending them and cause them to stay will never save them.  It is the truth that sets man free.  The truth is that the preaching of the cross will bring salvation to the lost. 

Have a great day.  The preaching of the cross may seem foolish to you, but it is God's wise way that leads to salvation. 

For further reading:
John 6:50-61
2 Timothy 4:1-4  

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Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell

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

About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.

Please feel free to

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

Visit us on the web: 

www.mastersbuisness.org

"Where Is Holiness?"

"Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord."  Hebrews 12:14

The night before last I had two dreams back to back, but they were both related.  In the first dream I was at a conference.  The room was full of attendees and ministers.  The ministers were scheduled to speak.  I noticed that there was no anointing there.  I knew they were going to ask me to speak as well but I was not prepared.  I prayed and asked the Lord what He wanted me to speak about and to please anoint me to do so.  He gave me a clear topic.  Speak on holiness.  In the second dream I was in a church.  I was suppose to sing a special.  But I was not allowed to because of the song I had chosen.  It was an old hymn that spoke about the power of the cross. 

The relationship between the two dreams was this-- in Christianity we no longer preach the message of holiness and we have done away with the cross.  That is why there is no anointing in our services.  That is why we aren't seeing mighty moves of God.  

Today I want to talk about holiness.  On the subject of holiness, I am not talking about the length of your hair, your dress or your shirt sleeves.  I am talking about an inward attribute that is the very nature and character of God.  The Bible tells us to be holy as our Father in heaven is holy.  Holiness is the reflection of Father God that is to be seen in our lives.  Children resemble their parents.  Holiness is our resemblance to the Father.

Where is holiness in the church of Jesus Christ?  Many don't preach it for fear of running people away.  Some don't teach it because it is "old fashioned".  Others don't see it as relevant for today.  Or they don't want to preach it because it doesn't project the image of their church they are wanting to portray. 

As a result of not preaching holiness we are seeing the repercussions of it.  This is why we see people who call themselves Christians living in adultery, fornication and all other kinds of immorality.  This is why people continue to use profanity and never think twice about it.  This is why you see these so called Christians indulging in the same activities as the world-- bar hoping, gambling, drug and alcohol abuse, "shacking up", dressing like "hookers", and so on.  I am not talking about bringing people into religious bondage-- a list of do's and don'ts.  I am talking about being like your Father who is in heaven.  He is holy and His children-- if they are truly His children-- will be holy too!

Have a great day.  Jesus taught holiness.  The early apostles taught holiness.  Why doesn't the modern day church teach holiness?  Without it, you will not see God!

For further reading:
1 Peter 1:15,16
Romans 6:19,22
Ephesians 4:24
1 Thessalonians 4:7
Hebrews 12:10

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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.mastersbuisness.org

 

"Don't Just Read It"

"It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.  They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness."  Lamentations 3:22,23

These verses are among my favorite verses.  I wanted to share them with you this morning and encourage you to not just read them, but meditate on them.  Think about what you are reading.  Too often, we just "read through" the scriptures and never pay much attention to what we are reading.  We don't think about what they are saying to us.  We don't act upon them.  We don't receive them in a personal way and embrace them for our own lives. 

These verses reveal the very character of God and His dealings with us.  They show how much He loves us.  They tell us how merciful and faithful He is.  When you doubt God's love for you, these are the kind of verses you need to focus on.  You need to have them hid in your heart and let them produce faith, hope and assurance in you. 

It is through not just reading it but receiving and acting upon His word that you get strength for life's battles.  Hope for the future.  Peace in confusion.  Joy in sorrow.  Wisdom in decisions.  Grace in dealing with frustration.  Help in time of trouble. 

So, don't just read the Bible in a "brownie point" manner-- just so you can say you did it for the day.  Even if it is one verse, take time to hear the voice of God speaking to you personally through it.  What is He saying to you?  What message does He want to relate to you?  What is it about Himself that He wants to show you?  What answer is He revealing to you? 

Have a great day.  The scriptures are more than black words on white paper.  They are meant to be heard and received and not just read. 

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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.mastersbuisness.org

"Fruit Testing"

"But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law."  Galatians 5:22,23

Most of you know that our ministry runs a Thrift Store.  The items in the store have all been donated.  The store is only open three days a week.  That is when we ask people to bring their donations.  We have put up signs asking them not to leave it on the sidewalk or at the door when we are closed, but some ignore the signs and leave it anyway.  I can't tell you how many phone calls I receive by friends telling me that someone has left something at the door.  There have been times I have happened to ride by and see the sidewalk literally lined with bags of clothes. 

I said all that to say that what is happening when people do that is about more than just having to deal with the donations at an inopportune time, but it is about my "fruit" being tested.  As Christians, we are to bear the fruit of the Spirit.  This fruit is in our lives for two reasons.  It is the character of Christ, which is suppose to be revealed through His people.  And it is so that when they see our lives, they can "pick" the fruit in order to taste and see how good He is. 

Fruit-- even the fruit of the Spirit-- has to be produced.  It has to go through a process of development.  When it is mature, it can then be picked.  How do we know when fruit is ripe and ready to pick?  We women know how.  When we go to the market, we "thump" the fruit.  We "smell" the fruit.  We may "eat" a piece.  We may "squeeze" it.  In other words, there is a "test" we put it through to see if it is ripe and can be enjoyed.

The fruit of the Spirit in our lives is tested as well.  When I see all those bags sitting there when the store is closed, the fruit of peace is tested.  Do I get angry and out of sorts or do I remain calm?  When people ignore the signs, do I start complaining, or does the fruit of joy and patience reside in me anyway? 

There are many ways the fruit is tested in our lives.  Sometimes it is tested when telemarketers call non-stop.  Sometimes it is tested when you have to tell your child "no" for the hundredth time.  Sometimes it is being tested when your boss asks you to stay late.  Sometimes it is being tested when you are called names at school. 

If when the test comes the fruit remains, then it is ripe and others can "taste" Christ in you.  If the fruit gives way to the flesh, then the fruit has to continue to ripen... it is not ready. 

Have a great day.  What you are gong through may be a test of your fruit to see if it is ripe and ready to pick.

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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.mastersbuisness.org

"It Is Marvelous"

"This is the Lord's doing; it is marvellous in our eyes."  Psalm 118:23

"This is the Lord's doing".  There are some things that only God can do.  Only He can create a universe.  Man can explore it but not create it.  Only He can place a seed on a tree that will produce another tree.  We can plant a seed but only He can give us the seed to plant.  Man breathes in oxygen, but only God can create the oxygen.  Man can dig gold out of the earth.  But it was God who put it there for him to dig.  Man can enjoy the sunshine and harness its energy into solar power, but God was the one who created the sun.  Man may invent instruments for work and pleasure but it was God who gave him the thoughts to do it, the wisdom to carry it out, and the resources that it takes to make it.  Man can work to make money, but it is God who gives him the power to get wealth. This and much more is the Lord's doing because only He can do it.  And what He does is marvelous.

 On many occasions the Psalmist writes of how he marvels at what God has done.  "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)  He marvels at God's handiwork.  He marvels at the great things that God has done for him.  But he also marvels at God's goodness, love, mercy, patience, forbearance and grace toward mankind.  He marvels that God loves him so much that He would send His Son into the world to pay for the sins that he committed. 

I marvel at His creation.  I marvel at His presence in my life.  I marvel at how He blesses me.  I marvel at His love and compassion for me.  I marvel at it and never want to take it-- or Him-- for granted.  What about you?  Do you marvel at it?  Do you marvel at God's handiwork?  Do you marvel at His great love for you?  Do you marvel that God would even notice you much less have anything to do with you?  Or do you take it for granted?  

Have a great day.  Do we marvel over God and His handiwork?  Or do we take it for granted?

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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.mastersbuisness.org