Monday, November 30, 2015

"He Doesn't Turn From His Word"

"The Lord hath sworn in truth unto David; he will not turn from it; Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne."  Psalm 132:11

The Lord is faithful to do what He says He will do.  He is not a man that He should lie.  What He has sworn, He will not turn away from it.  We might.  We might not keep our word.  We might not do what we say we are going to do.  Our words may mean nothing.  Our word may not be very dependable.  We may say one thing and do another.  But not Him.  What He says He will do, He will do.

Therefore, we can take comfort in this truth about Him.   We never have to wonder if He means what He says.  We never have to worry that He won't preform His word.  The only hindrance to Him doing what He says He will do is us-- it is our fault.  If His promise is conditional and we don't meet the condition, then He is not obligated to bring His word to pass in our lives. "The Lord hath sworn in truth unto David; he will not turn from it; Of the fruit of thy body will I set upon thy throne.  If thy children will keep my covenant and my testimony that I shall teach them, their children shall also sit upon thy throne for evermore". (Psalm 132:11,12)

The faithfulness of God should never come into question.  He is faithful... period!  If there is anything that is hindering the fulfillment, perhaps we should check and see if it is us.  It might not be, but it might be.

Have a great day.  The Lord is faithful to keep His word.  If there is a reason why He isn't, perhaps that reason is us.     

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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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Wednesday, November 25, 2015

"Thankful For Eternal Things"

"In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you".  1 Thessalonians 5:18

We are getting ready to celebrate the Thanksgiving holiday here in the United States.  But for a Christian every day should be a day of thanksgiving.  We should go through each day giving thanks to the Lord for all His bountiful blessings upon us. 

Many withhold their thanksgiving because they are looking at what they don't have and what is going on around them in their personal lives and in the world.  They say, "How can we give thanks when there is so much wrong?".  Yes, there is much wrong, much suffering, much pain, much hurt and much grief.  When you can't find anything to be thankful for, get your eyes off of this physical temporary world and put them on the eternal one.

The fact that God loved you so much that He didn't want you to perish, although you deserved to.  The fact that while you were going to receive the just punishment for your sins-- eternity in hell-- He stepped in an provided a way for you to go from eternal death to eternal life.  The fact that He doesn't make you pay for your own sins-- because you can't-- but sent His Son Jesus as the payment for them.  The fact that He has done all this, and more-- reconciled you to Himself; made you His heir and a joint heir to Christ Jesus; set you in heavenly places in Christ Jesus; blesses you with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places; and has written your name in the Lamb's Book of Life should make you never want to stop giving Him thanks! 

When you feel like you have nothing to be thankful for, get your eyes off of this natural, temporary life and look at the eternal riches that He has given you.

Have a great day.  If you look at the temporary things, they can steal your thanksgiving to God.  But if you look at the eternal blessings He has given you, you may not be able to stop giving Him praise and thanksgiving. 

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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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Tuesday, November 24, 2015

"Draw Him Near"

"Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near".  Isaiah 55:6 

"Seek the Lord.... while He is near".  Does that mean that there is a time when He is not near?  The verse leaves you with the impression that there may be a time when we have a need that the Lord may not be near so we can ask Him to meet the need.  It leaves you "wondering" if or when He will come near so you can ask Him.  It is more of a "hope" than an "assurance".  It is the same "hope" that those who were at the Pool of Bethesda had.  They hoped that the angel would come down and stir up the waters so they could get healed-- but they had no assurance that he would.

We don't have to live in "hope" and "wonder" concerning whether the Lord is near or not so we can make our petitions to Him.  We have been given a "formula", if you will, that assures His nearness.  It is called-- "Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you". (James 4:8a)  When we make the step to draw near to Him, He in turn draws near to us.  When He draws near to us, we can ask Him our request. 

There is also another "formula".  "But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel." (Psalm 22:3)  It is praise!  If you want to assure the "nearness" of the presence of God, then praise Him.  He dwells in our praises. 

How awesome it is that the Lord draws near to us at all-- that's grace.  But He has also given us the assurance of His nearness by letting us know what "conditions" will cause Him to draw near.  We can set an atmosphere that literally, according to His Word, brings Him near.  It is when we draw near to Him and when we praise His holy name.

Have a great day.  We don't have to hope the Lord is near when we need Him, we can know because He tells us what to do to ensure His presence is near. 

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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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Monday, November 23, 2015

"Gifts In Disguise"

"Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven."  Matthew 6:10

God's will, plan and blessings for our lives don't always come wrapped up in beautiful packages.  God's plan for Joseph came in the form of a pit, slavery and prison.  God's plan for the widow and her son came wrapped up in a prophet who wanted her to bake him a cake with her last bit of meal.  The beginning of the fulfillment of man's redemption came wrapped in swaddling clothes and was laid in a manger.  The fulfillment of God's plan of redemption came in the form of a beaten, bloody Messiah left to die on an old rugged cross. 

If you are looking for God's plan, His will and His blessings to come into your life through a neat, nice source, it may not happen.  They often come in a disguise.  They often come in either a plainly wrapped package or one that looks like suffering or a curse.  Remember, Christ came riding on a donkey, not a noble steed.  We expect a knight in shining armor to be the bearer of our blessings.  We expect it to come in the form of an unexpected check in the mail.  We expect it to come in a comfortable way or through an angelic visitation.  But more times than not, it will come in sackcloth and ashes.  It will come through a trial, a problem or an unpleasant situation. 

We want God's will, His plan and His blessings.  But the way He choses to send it is up to Him.  We must not have a preconceived idea of "how" He will send it because if it comes another way, we might despise it or reject it, and, therefore, miss it.

Have a great day.  God's gifts don't always come in nice, neat packages.  They often come in disguise. 

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Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
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Friday, November 20, 2015

"Their Story"

"How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?".  Romans 10:14

Yesterday I encountered a woman whose husband has been through multiple surgeries and she has health issues that left them both unable to work.  She had no gas in her home for heating or cooking.  Then I encountered a man whose home had burned, several months ago, and he was having to live in his car in the driveway.  As if that wasn't bad enough, he is also battling cancer.  Then I met a lady whose four year old son was tragically killed in a car wreck recently.  Her husband left her and she is trying to raise her other children on her own.  These were only three peoples' stories out of the dozens of people I met yesterday.  Only God knows how many others had stories like these.

I said all that to say that we never know what is going on in a person's life.  From the outward appearance we often think that "all is well" in their lives.  On the other hand we may "criticize" the way they are living.  But like it has been said, "No one knows what goes on behind closed doors". 

We don't always know a person's story or their history.  I was talking with a customer who had lost a child.  There was another customer in line behind her waiting to check out and when she approached I commented that I can't imagine how hard it would be to lose a child.  She replied back that she had lost a daughter years ago.  Again, you just don't know what people are going through.

Having said that, because there are so many hurting people, so many tragic stories, so many suffering, if God places us in a person's life, even for a brief encounter, perhaps He wants us to become a part of their story.  I believe He does because He wants to be part of their life's story.  Therefore, we need to point them to Jesus.  We need to let them know He is a Comforter; He is a Helper; He loves them and cares about them; He wants to be with them.  We need to also pray for them and we need to embrace them and let them feel Jesus' embrace.

Have a great day.  Everybody has a story.  We don't always know the depths of the sorrow of their story, but God wants us to let them know that He wants to be a part of their life story.   

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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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Thursday, November 19, 2015

"Stop, Drop And Pray"

"Pray without ceasing".  1 Thessalonians 5:17
 
When we were growing up we learned a very important instruction should we ever catch on fire.  It was three simple words to remember.  "Stop, drop and roll".   We were taught to do this instead of running.  Running would only cause the flames to become worse.  But applying this simple procedure would help extinguish the fire. 
 
Throughout the day I find myself facing "fires"-- problems that need to be solved; issues that need to be settled; questions that need answers; and so on.  When these "fires" come, we should not "run"-- we should not continue to proceed any further.  We should "stop" what we are doing.  We should "drop" to our knees".  We should "pray" to God and ask for His help and guidance in the matter.  "Running"-- proceeding on, doing nothing about them-- will only make it worse.  They need to be "extinguished".  Applying this simply instruction will do it. 
 
Have a great day.  When you are facing the "fires" of life, don't continue any further.  Stop, drop and pray and they will be "extinguished".
 
For further reading:

"...ye have not, because ye ask not".  James 4:2b

"Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you".  Matthew 7:7

"Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice".  Psalm 55:17
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Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email
: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web:
www.mastersbusiness.org
 
 

Wednesday, November 18, 2015

"A Safe Place"

"The horse is prepared against the day of battle: but safety is of the Lord."  Proverbs 21:31

People are becoming anxious and even fearful concerning the events that are taking place throughout the world.  It looks as though we may be on the verge of another world war.  Evil people are infiltrating every nation and raining down terror, destruction and death.  Is there anyone who is safe from the onslaught of the enemy?  There seems to be no place to hide?  Is there a safe place anywhere?  The answer is, "yes", there is.

The safe place is not found in a geographical location.  This safe place is also a secret place.  The safe place is a person-- Jesus Christ.  He has provided a safe place for those who have, and those who will, put their faith and trust in Him.  We are safe when we abide in Him. "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.  I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust." (Psalm 91:1,2)

Dwelling in Christ Jesus doesn't necessarily mean that we are safe physically and protected from bodily harm.  It means that none of the weapons that the enemy forms against us will prosper.  Why?  Because they won't be able to find us-- we are dwelling in a safe place.  What it means is that the weapon of fear that the enemy uses against us won't be able to find us and destroy us-- because in that safe place there is peace.  The weapon of doubt won't be able to find us and destroy us-- because in that safe place we have faith.  The weapons of confusion or anxiety won't be able to find us and destroy us-- because we have a sound mind that comes from dwelling in that place. 

If you are going to be safe from the enemies who attack physically and spiritually, you are going to have to get to a safe place.  You are going to have to get to Jesus.  He offers that place of safety to all who desire to enter into it.  

Have a great day.  There is only one safe place where we are protected from the weapons of the enemy-- Jesus Christ. 

For further reading:
"Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah."  (Psalm 32:7) 

"Thou art my hiding place and my shield: I hope in thy word."  (Psalm 119:114)

"The God of my rock; in him will I trust: he is my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my high tower, and my refuge, my saviour; thou savest me from violence."  (2 Samuel 22:3)

"For thou hast been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy."  (Psalm 61:3)

"The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe."  (Proverbs 18:10)

"No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord." (Isaiah 54:17)

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Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
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Tuesday, November 17, 2015

"Fumes Or Full?"

"Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their lamps.  And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps are gone out."  Matthew 25:7,8

All morning a thought has been stirring in my heart.  Our "lamps" can either be full of oil, empty, or partially full.  Many of you who are reading this are "running on fumes".  Your lamps aren't empty, but they barely have any "oil" in them.  How does that happen?  What causes our lamps to run low or out of oil? 

Neglect-- the foolish virgins neglected the oil in their lamps.  Lack of attention-- they fell asleep thereby not noticing what was taking place with their lamps; they didn't pay attention to their lamps.  Distractions-- allowing the cares of this life to cause you to lose focus on your lamps and get it on something else.  Assumption-- assuming you have enough and don't need extra.  

Don't neglect your spiritual life.  Don't neglect those things that will keep your "lamps full of oil".  Don't neglect your fellowship and prayer time with the Lord.  Don't neglect filling yourself up with God's Word.  Don't neglect your praise time.  Don't neglect your communion with the Holy Spirit.  Keep your heart and mind fixed and stayed on the Lord.  All these keep your "lamps full".  So, pay attention, don't fall asleep, don't neglect your lamps. 

Have a great day.  Is your lamp full of oil?  Or are you running on fumes?  

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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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Monday, November 16, 2015

"Do You Go For Others?"

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

On Sunday many people go to church, but my question to you if you attend is, "why?".  Why do you go to church?  Do you go out of habit?  Or because of some religious duty?  Do you go to socialize?  Do you go because it is a place you feel acceptance?  Do you go to be seen of others?  Do you go because you think it will make you look "bad" if you don't or look "good" if you do?  Do you go because it is a good way to get customers for a business you own?  Do you go because you have nothing else to do?  Do you go for someone else?  Just why do you go?

Our reason should be because of our love and devotion to Jesus.  We should want to go to His house because we know that this pleases Him.  We should go because we want to spend time with others worshipping Him.  We should go because this is one more opportunity to meet with Him.  He should be our sole reason for going and our focus once we are there.     

Most people go for the reasons stated in the questions above.  To most it has become more of a social gathering.  For most it is because of the friendships they have made.  It is mostly because they want to see and spend time with each other.  The real reason is left out.  Does this describe you?  Have you placed your reason for going to church in the people or in the Lord Himself?  Go for Him, then the relationships with others will follow. 

Have a great day.  If you attend church, do you do it for someone else only-- to either impress or fellowship with them?  Or do you attend because of your love and devotion to the Lord--- and long to meet with 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
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Friday, November 13, 2015

"An Escape Route?"

"...they have forgotten the Lord their God."  Jeremiah 3:21b

Do you have people in your life who only call you when they are in trouble and need your help?  I suppose we all do.  You never hear from them unless they have a problem.  I have several in my life like that.  They only call when they want something. 

I was thinking about this in light of our relationship with the Lord.  Sadly, most people do Him the same way.  They don't give Him any thought unless they need HIs help.  They only pray to Him when they are in need.  For some reason they think they can neglect Him and then when they are in trouble "throw up" some sort of SOS and He will come to their rescue.  To them all He really is is a "way of escape" from their problem. 

The children of Israel did this numerous times.  When things were well, they forgot God.  But when things were going badly for them, they would turn to Him.  Many times, because of His tender mercies, He would answer their cry for help.  With those who call upon Him only when they need help, many times He will come through for them too, but only because of His own nature of love and mercy.

God doesn't desire to be an "escape route".  He desires a relationship with you.  He doesn't want to only hear from you when you have a need.  He wants to have fellowship and communion with you everyday-- in the good times and the bad times.  He doesn't want you to neglect Him until you need His help.  He wants to be actively involved in your life all the time.  So which type of person are you?  One who has a relationship with Him?  Or one who just goes to Him when you have a problem?  One has a relationship with Him, the other doesn't.     

Have a great day.  Do you have a relationship with the Lord?  Or is He nothing more than an "escape route" to get you out trouble? 

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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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Thursday, November 12, 2015

"The Proper Attire"

"And when the king came in to see the guests, he saw there a man which had not on a wedding garment:  And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless."  Matthew 22:11,12

I grew up being taught that you always wear the appropriate clothes to fit the occasion or place.  For example, you don't wear your pajamas to work.  You wear your "Sunday best" to church.  You wear black to a funeral.  You don't wear shorts and a t-shirt to a job interview.  You don't wear white to a wedding.  Now days, it seems like anything goes.  

The way we dress, no matter where we are, may seem acceptable here and now, but one day we will be invited to a wedding and what we wear will matter.  We are all given an invitation to come to a wedding given by the King of the Universe, but the condition to whether you will be accepted as a guest or not is determined by what you are wearing.  You will have to have on the proper attire. 

You won't be able to show up dressed any way you want.  You won't be able to come dressed in "fig leaves"-- your own ability to cover your sins.  You won't be able to come dressed in dirty garments-- your own filthy righteousness.  You won't be able to come dressed in the same thing that you wore in the pig pen -- your rebellious attitude toward God.  You won't be able to come dressed in anything that has been spotted by the world.  You won't be able to come dressed in your own religious deeds, your good works or your own goodness.  You will have to be dressed in the proper garment.

What is that garment?  It is the righteousness of Christ.  You have to be "clothed in Christ".  It is the righteousness of the Son that the Father is looking for.  There is only one way to get that garment.  You can't purchase it with money, with talent, with religious acts, by church attendance, or water baptism, by joining the church or by cleaning up your act.  Actually, it can't be purchased at all.  It is given to you freely as a gift.  You receive it by faith.  Faith in the provision of God to forgive your sins that came through Jesus' death on the cross. Do you have that garment?     

Have a great day.  If you are going to get into the Wedding, you have to have on the proper attire. 

For further reading:
Matthew 22 
 

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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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Wednesday, November 11, 2015

"Praise In The Imperfect - Part 2"

"From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the Lord's name is to be praised."  Psalm 113:3

Yesterday we talked about the fact that we don't always wake up each morning to a "perfect" life or "perfect" conditions.  We also talked about the fact that each new day is like having a new door opened to us and that we should enter into that door with praise-- in spite of what is going wrong. 

This morning I want to talk about ending your day with praise.  Like the verse above says-- "from the rising of the sun to the going down of it, the Lord's name is to be praised."  Perhaps everything went wrong during the day.  Maybe things didn't go according to plan, or turn out like you had hoped or maybe even bad things happened to you.  Maybe your day was anything but "perfect".  Does it change the fact that He is still worthy of your praise and you should give it to Him for helping you make it through an "imperfect day"?  No, it doesn't.

If we would make a step of faith and bring a sacrifice of praise to the Lord in spite of all the imperfect things, people and situations that touched our lives, the imperfect would not crush us, defeat us, cripple us, or overcome us.  Our praise would defeat the effects that those imperfect things have on us.

So, praise Him in the morning even if conditions aren't perfect.  Praise Him at night even if conditions weren't perfect.

Have a great day.  Life is not perfect, but we should praise God morning, noon and night anyway because He is perfect.

For further reading:

"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world."  (John 16:33)
 
"Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice." (Philippines 4:4)
 
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
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Visit us on the web:

Tuesday, November 10, 2015

"Praise In The Imperfect"

"Enter into his gates with thanksgiving, and into his courts with praise: be thankful unto him, and bless his name."  Psalm 100:4

When we awake to a new day, it is like entering into a door.  We are on the threshold of another experience and adventure.  So, let me ask you, "How did you enter into this new day?".  Did you enter it with complaining because you "have to get up", or you "have to go to work", or you are going to have to "listen to screaming kids all day"?  Or did you enter it with praise?  Thanking God because you are privileged to get up and go to work?  Praising Him because you get to love on those noisy children and enjoy watching them grow? 

When I get up in the mornings, first I thank God for waking me up.  I thank Him for waking me up in my own bed, in my own home, with my own husband.  I thank Him for health, for my eyesight, for my ability to hear, I am mobile and not paralyzed, I have a sound mind and can reason.  I thank Him that I am not homeless, in a mental institution, in a hospital, in prison.  I thank Him that I have plenty to eat and clothes to wear.  I thank Him for my family, my extended family and my friends.  I could go on and on.

When you woke up this morning, your situation may have been completely different than mine.  You may have woke up with multiple problems plaguing you.  You may not have woke up with your health, your eyesight, your hearing.  You may be on a bed of affliction.  You may have woke up in a financial straight, with a dire need or in an emotional conflict.  But regardless of whether everything in our lives are "perfect" or not, we can always find something to praise Him for.  Even in the worst of conditions we can still praise Him, and we should.

Have a great day.  We should enter each new day with praise, regardless of our "imperfect situation".   

For further reading:
"And at midnight Paul and Silas prayed, and sang praises unto God: and the prisoners heard them."  (Acts 16:25)

"While I live will I praise the Lord: I will sing praises unto my God while I have any being."  (Psalm 146:2)

"I will bless the Lord at all times: his praise shall continually be in my mouth."  (Psalm 34:1)

"But I will sing of thy power; yea, I will sing aloud of thy mercy in the morning: for thou hast been my defence and refuge in the day of my trouble."  (Psalm 59:16)

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


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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
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Monday, November 9, 2015

"The Fixer"

"Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted."  Galatians 6:1

The devotion this morning is for all us "fixers".  You know, we are the people who like to "fix" everything.  We like to fix people's problems.  We want to try to make their lives, especially those we love, easy, problem free and pain free.  We want to make their lives perfect.  When we see they are going the wrong direction, we want to put them on the right way.  When we know something they are doing is harmful to them, we want to "change their course".  The fact is-- we can't fix people!

Having said that, let me now say this-- although we can't "fix" people it doesn't mean that we don't have a God-given responsibility in the lives of others in the "fixing" process.  The scriptures teach us, Jesus called us and modeled by example, that we are to point out the problem for people that needs fixing.  The world (people) is broken and needs fixing.  But if they don't know that, they will forever remain broken.  It is our job to tell them-- let them know. 

Our second responsibility is to tell them how they can be "fixed".  We are to point them to the One who can and does the fixing-- Jesus.  We are to give them hope that they can be "fixed".  We are to present them with truth and help them to see the difference.

The fact remains that even when you tell people the truth and point them in the right direction, there are those who don't want to hear.  They don't want to be "fixed".  They like things the way they are.  They like doing what they are doing.  They don't want to change.  That being the case, since we can't fix anyone anyway, we have to stop trying to fix them and love and pray for them and leave it to the One who does the "fixing".

Have a great day.  We can't "fix" people-- but we have a responsibility to let them know what is broken and point them in the direction of the One who can fix them, or the situation. 

For further reading: 
"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children." (Hosea 4:6)

"Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother." (Matthew 18:15)

"A wise man will hear, and will increase learning; and a man of understanding shall attain unto wise counsels." (Proverbs 1:5)

"When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him not warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.  Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul."  (Ezekiel 3:18,19)

"And of some have compassion, making a difference: And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh." (Jude 22,23)


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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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Friday, November 6, 2015

"Take Heed"

"And take heed to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so that day come upon you unawares."  Luke 21:34

Almost two dozen times in the scriptures (Old and New Testaments) we are told to "take heed to ourselves".  The verse above in context is referring to the time when Jesus shall return.  But it is sandwiched in between two verse--  "Heaven and earth shall pass away: but my words shall not pass away.   For as a snare shall it come on all them that dwell on the face of the whole earth." 

We need to take heed, by taking note, of what we are doing in our flesh.  We need to take heed to do God's word and not give heed (give place) to the lusts of our own flesh.  If we don't, we will be "snared".  If we are so busy with the things of the flesh, the cares of this life, being anxious about our lives, working and working for more and more of the temporal and neglecting the spiritual, we will miss out.  We will be taken unaware.  If we don't heed and obey the word of God and follow its instructions through life, we will not be like "good ground", but like the "wayside", "thorny ground", or "stony ground".  We will be caught like a bird in a snare?

What are you focused on?  Are you focused on "eating, drinking and being merry"?  Or are you focused on the Word of God that is able to carry you through life, preserve you in trials and keep you from being snared?

Have a great day.  The Word of God will keep you from being snared.  Take heed to yourself and give heed to His Word.  

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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
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Thursday, November 5, 2015

"He Delights To Supply"

"But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus."  Philippians 4:19

I noticed this morning during my prayer time that the majority of my prayers were for my "needs".  "Lord, I need strength, I need wisdom, I need help, I need forgiveness, I need grace, I need a healing touch, I need guidance, etc., etc., etc."  The truth is we are needy people, and God knew that before He created us. 

He knew we would have needs, therefore, He spent five days of creation making sure that once He created us on the sixth day that we would have everything we needed in place waiting for us. 

Are you in need this morning?  Do you have a specific need you need to have supplied?  God delights in meeting our needs.  He loves it when we come to Him with our needs.  He loves being a Father to us who provides all our needs.  We see this also in the creation story.  He delighted in having everything in place for us to supply all our needs.  He even saw ahead that one day we would need a Savior because of sin.  He planned that provision before the foundation of the world.  Then at the appointed time Jesus Christ came into the world to fulfill that provision. 

Don't shy away from God with your need.  Don't think that you are able to provide it and don't need to bother Him with it.  Don't ever think that He doesn't care about your need. He has proven over and over again, even before the world was created, even before you were created, that He cares about your need.

Have a great day.  The Lord delights in supplying our needs... all of them... so let 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
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email
: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
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Wednesday, November 4, 2015

"Weapons Of Mass Destruction"

"Take us the foxes, the little foxes, that spoil the vines: for our vines have tender grapes."  Song of Solomon 2:15

A tooth, a splinter, a bee sting, a microscopic parasite, a small wound, an infected hair root, an ingrown toenail even an eyelash, though all are small they can pain your whole body.

One word, one thought, one misplaced deed and one temptation can "pain" your spirit.  It is amazing that such small things can cause so much havoc, pain, distress, discouragement and concern in our lives.  Just goes to show that it is not the "big" things only that you have to be on guard for, but the little things as well. 

Today, be on guard for the big and small things that the enemy would try to destroy you with.  They come in all sizes and forms.  So don't ignore it because it seems "small and insignificant".  One small stone in the hand of one young lad brought down a giant.  One the flip side, the enemy would love to do the same and bring you down with one small stone.  It is the small things that the devil uses as his "weapons of mass destruction".  One small suggestion, one little temptation, one lie, just one bite of forbidden fruit in the garden and it destroyed the souls of the masses in every generation. 

Have a great day.  It is the little things that the devil often uses as his weapons of mass destruction.  

 
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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:

Tuesday, November 3, 2015

"Accept His Help"

"So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me."  Hebrews 13:6

How often have we prayed, "Lord, help me", yet when He "tries" to help us, we reject His help?  We are like little children who need help doing something, but when help is offered they insist that they can do it by themselves.  They insist that they know how. 

Makes me wonder why we even bother to ask for His help if we are going to reject it?  We need His help, but when we reject it, it's usually because it comes in a way we don't recognize.  Or it comes in a way we don't like.  When God answers your prayer for help, receive His help.  If you aren't going to, then don't ask.  When God answers your prayer for help, let Him decide how to answer it.  Don't reject it, but remember, He truly knows what is best and His answer will be the perfect answer for you.  God wants to answer.  He wants to help you.  You need to let Him.   

Have a great day.  Ask for God's help, then trust Him to send the right provision. 
 
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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:

Monday, November 2, 2015

"Theme Song"

"Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.'  Philippians 2:12

I was talking with someone recently and this person voiced their concern at the way they see the "church" in America going.  This person kept using the pronouns "we", "us", "they" and "our" in talking about what is happening.

While we are a body, the Body of Christ, and many members, the bottom line is-- when it is all said and done, it will not be about "us" all.  It is about "I" and "me". 

One day when we stand before the Lord and give an account, we won't stand there as a husband and wife, a parent and child, a family, an organization or a church.  We will stand before Him individually.  No one else will be beside us-- we will stand alone.  Therefore, we must, make the choice and decision to personally follow the Lord Jesus Christ now.  Even if it means that we have to go alone.  Even if it means that no one else will stand with us.  Even if it means that all forsake us because of Christ.  Even if everyone that is near and dear to us turns their backs on us because of Jesus.  No matter who and no matter what it may cost to live for Him, we must make the decision to "work out our own individual salvation". 

Jesus asked His disciples one day who men said He was.  His next question was, "Who do "you" say that I am?".  Our theme song must be, "I have decided to follow Jesus.  Though none go with me, still I will follow.  No turning back.  No turning back."

Is that your theme song?  Are you sold out and surrendered to Jesus?  So much so that even if you are forsaken, ridiculed, turned on, left by yourself, have no one with you and have to stand alone, will you?  Is He worth it?  Is following Him worth it?  Is it worth it to be able to hear Him say, "Well done, good and faithful servant."?  It should be. When it is, there is another song that you will sing, "It will be worth it all, when we see Jesus." 

Have a great day.  It is not about what "he", "she", "they", "we" or "them" is doing.  It is about "I" or "me".   

 
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
 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: