" Not Just One Among Many"

"....I have called thee by thy name..."  Isaiah 43:1

 

When we aren't having church at the church I attend, I will often visit other churches.  Many of those churches still take prayer requests from the floor.  As I sit listening to the many requests that are given usually I don't know any of the people that we will be praying for.  Although I don't know them, I know that the Lord Jesus does.  He knows each individual and each need no matter who they are or how many there are. 

 

This morning let that bring you comfort.  Even if no one else knows who you are and the need you have, the Lord Jesus does.  He knows your name.  He knows who you are, where you are and what you are going through. He knows your need   and He knows how to answer it.  He knows the best way to answer it.  He knows how to bring something good from it.  He knows how to bring glory from it.  He is more than able to meet and supply all your need. 

Do you have a need?  Take it to the Lord don't just let it be a request that is given in church by someone else.  Go to the Lord yourself and make your request know.  He has your answer.  He is your answer.  To Him you are not just another request given in church among many.

 

Have a great day.  While to some you may just be another prayer request given in church, you aren't to the Lord.  He knows exactly who you are.

 

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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  

"Conditional Needs"

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

There is one thing you can say for sure about people-- they are needy!  We always need something.  It seems like I am always praying for some need that I have.  I need favor.  I need help.  I need strength.  I need grace.  I need an answer.  I need wisdom.  I need, I need, I need.  Thankfully, the Lord gives us a wonderful promise that He will supply all our need. 

So, if the Lord promises to meet our needs, why then aren't they always met?  The Lord doesn't always just automatically supply our needs... although, most of the time He does.  When He does, it is because of His loving-kindness and tender mercies toward us. 

I want to submit to you that sometimes there are reasons why our needs aren't met.
1)  You have not because you ask not. (James 4:2)  Ask and it shall be given unto you. (Matthew 7:7)  Sometimes we haven't asked.  We assume, or we take for granted, that the Lord already knows what we need so there is no reason to ask.  That is not what the Bible teaches.  He does know, but He wants you to ask anyways.

2)  What are you seeking?  When you seek the Lord and put Him first, then all the things that you have need of will be added to you. (Matthew 6:33).  If you are seeking the need, if you are seeking your own desires, if you are putting you first, instead of the Lord, His will and His desires, then your needs will go lacking.  Kingdom priority brings the blessings and meets the needs.

3)  Obedience is another reason-- or rather, lack of.  There are many things that we receive that are conditional.  Give and it shall be given unto you. (Luke 6:38) With the same measure that you give it shall be given back to you. (Matthew 7:2) If we aren't meeting the conditions we are holding up the blessings.  For example, if you don't work, you don't eat rings true in the natural realm, and in the spiritual realm.  There are spiritual principles that have to be put in to practice in order to get the desired outcome.  It works like a "chain reaction". 

Of course, there may be other reasons but I believe that these three sometimes contribute to why we don't see the needs in our lives met.  If they aren't met, the fault never lies with the Lord.  We need to make sure we are doing what we need to do in order to receive them.

Have a great day.  The Lord is so gracious to meet our needs, many without us even asking.  But there are some needs that we receive only after we meet the conditions.
 

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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  

"The Door Out Of Temptation"

"There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it".  1 Corinthians 10:13

 

Temptations are not uncommon.  We are all tempted.  Jesus Himself was tempted.  Being tempted is not a sin.  It is when we give into the temptation that it becomes sin.  But we don't have to give into temptation.  Why?  Because the Lord makes a way of escape for us in every temptation.  In other words, there is a way out, a door that is open for us if we will take it.

 

So what is the way of escape that is open for us?  Often we don't "see it" because we are looking for some literal open door.  Our way of escape is not always a physical, tangible thing that we can see and feel.  Our way of escape is through God's Word. 

 

When you are facing temptation and need a way of escape in order not to yield, God's Word will give you the way of escape.  It will tell you what to do in order to resist.  For example, when you are tempted to take something that isn't yours, the Word will tell you-- "Thou shall not steal".  When you are tempted to be unforgiving toward someone, the Word will tell you-- "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us".  This is your way of escape.  It was for Jesus when He was tempted in the wilderness.  With each temptation He quoted, and did, what the Word of God said.  That was His way of escape.  He took it and therefore did not give into the temptation. 

 

You have to hide God's Word in your heart.  You have to apply it to memory.  When you do, you will have an open door and way out of temptation when it comes, because the Holy Spirit will show you the opening through the Word.

 

Have a great day.  God's Word is your way of escape in times of temptation. 

 

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

"Even Our Weapons"

"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

 

There are weapons that are formed against us from time to time-- sometimes it seems like they form constantly.  The enemy of our soul and other people form weapons against us.  But they aren't the only ones though.  You have heard it said-- you are your own worst enemy.  That is true.  We often "shoot our own selves in the foot".  Thereby forming weapons against ourselves. 

 

We form them through bad choices.  We form them by not keeping our mouths closed when we should.  We form them by stepping out when we should stand still.  We form them through wrong attitudes.  Joseph's brothers weren't his only enemies.  He couldn't keep his mouth shut about his dreams, therefore, he became his own enemy.  That made his brothers hate him more-- it added fuel to the fire of the hatred they already had for him.  David got himself into trouble when he looked at Bathsheba and carried out his lust and desire to have her.  

 

But the Lord promises that every weapon that is formed against us won't prosper-- even the weapons we form against ourselves.  They won't prosper because He knows how to turn them around and work them together for our good.  Joseph did himself in with his brothers by not keeping his mouth closed.  But God used it as part of the chain of events to get him to Egypt and in position for the palace.  David did it to himself as well when he slept with another man's wife and had her husband killed.  Uriah wasn't his enemy, his own sinful heart was.  But God turned it around when David repented and gave him a son who was the wisest man to ever live.  

 

You and I are our own worst enemies.  We do things that form weapons against our own selves.  But if we will turn in repentance and call out to the Lord for forgiveness, help, grace and mercy, He will cause our own weapons to work together for us instead of prosper against us.  In other words, He will bring something good out of it, therefore, they won't prosper.

 

Have a great day.  The Lord won't let any weapon that is formed against us prosper-- including the weapons we form against ourselves.   

 

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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  

"Wait Until"

"And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high".  Luke 24:49

 

"But tarry ye until".  In other words "wait until".  Until what?  Until you are endued with power from on high-- from the Lord.  These disciples were told to wait until they received the power of the Holy Spirit outpouring.  I see a real problem that faces the modern day church.  We don't know how to wait-- or perhaps I should say, we don't want to wait.  We are so accustomed to having everything when we want it without waiting.

 

It is no wonder we are weak and stay in a state of confusion about what God's will and plan is for our lives.  No wonder we are discouraged because we don't hear from the Lord or feel as though our prayers aren't answered.  We aren't waiting for an answer.   

 

The fault never lies with the Lord.  He promised that we would receive when we ask; He would answer when we call upon Him; He would tell us what to do and He would lead us in the way we should go.  We are the ones at fault.  We are the reason-- rather, our impatience-- is the reason we don't get answers to prayers.  We aren't really praying.  We are throwing up words to God and expecting Him to catch it "on the fly" and immediately send back the answer.

 

New flash:  God is not on your timetable or schedule!  He is God and He answers when He gets ready to answer.  You don't command Him by telling Him when to do it.  He answers in the "fullness of time", according to His time.  Mary conceived the Messiah in the fullness of time-- God's schedule.  Daniel prayed for an answer for twenty-one days before God spoke-- God's schedule.  Jesus prayed at one hour intervals three times in the Garden of Gethsemane before the answer came-- God's schedule.  The Day of Pentecost was fully come when the disciples who were tarrying were finally endued with power-- God's schedule.  

 

If we would learn to wait in prayer until the Lord answers, instead of rushing it, we would have clarity instead of assumption, power instead of performance, direction instead of confusion and know what the will of God is instead of trying to figure it out.  Rushing the answer never works.  You can't rush God.  You have to learn how to wait.  And if you will-- it will be well worth the wait.  

Have a great day.  Waiting until brings the answer.     

    

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

 

"Fuel For The Fire"

"Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth".  Proverbs 26:20

 

If you have ever built a fire you know that in order for the fire to continue burning it has to have a fuel source.  If you don't keep putting wood, gasoline or some other flammable material on it it will die out.  It doesn't matter how big the fire is nor how long it has been burning, it will not sustain itself without replenishing the fuel source. 

 

Spiritually speaking we have a "fire" in us-- a fire of passion for the Lord; a fire of desire for the things of God; a fire of praise to God.  That "fire" has to be constantly rekindled as well.  If not it will wane or die out.  How do we keep the "fire" of the Lord burning in our lives?  We have to keep adding fuel to it.  

 

The fuel that keeps our spirits alive and burning brightly is spiritual in nature.  That fuel is prayer.  It is also Bible reading, studying and application.  It is being around other Christians and sharing the Word, testimony and revelations of the Lord.  It is keeping full of the Holy Spirit.  It is also praise and worship.  When we neglect these things, we are not putting fuel on the fire of our spiritual life in Christ.  When we do these things periodically, or spend only a little time adding them, we are letting the fire get low.  The fire within us must be fed regularly and often in order to keep it burning brightly.

Have a great day.  Don't let the fire go out. 

 

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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 

"It Will Tell You"

"It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing:  the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life".  John 6:63

 

In the words of Jesus we find life, but we also find out about the things that pertain to our lives.  Not only are His words life giving, but they teach us about life.  They teach us how to live our lives.  They tell us the meaning of life.  They tell us how to make it through this life.  They tell us how to navigate through life. They tell us how to handle the trials, obstacles, heartaches, temptations and problems of life.  They instruct us on how to have right relationships with others.  They will help us with our attitudes concerning others and the problems that we face.  They will give wisdom, courage, strength, joy, contentment, satisfaction, victory, fulfillment and purpose to our lives if we will listen to, heed and follow them. 

 

Whatever you want to know about life, go to God's word-- it will tell you.  Whatever you need to know about living your life, go to God's word-- it will tell you.  Whatever problem in life you are facing and you don't know what to do, go to God's word-- it will tell you.  If you just don't seem to be making it through life and don't know how to, go to God's word-- it will tell you.  Whatever you need to know about living life, go to God's word-- it will tell you.  

 

Have a great day.  God's word will tell you everything you need to know about life and how to make it through life.

 

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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 

"Not So Sweet"

"Truly God is good..."  Psalm 73:1a

 

There is a children's prayer that has been memorized and quoted for years-- "Thank You for the world so sweet.  Thank You for the food we eat.  Thank You for the birds that sing.  Thank You, God for everything".  The truth is that the world is not "so sweet". 

 

It is filled with violence, pain, grief, suffering, lack, heartache, poverty, sickness, hunger, destruction and death.  The world is a place where people are taken advantage of; hurting people hurt other people; evil men wax worse and worse; hate and violence are rampant; there are wars and rumors of war; and it is a "dog eat dog" world most of the time. 

 

While the world is not always a "sweet place", one fact remains-- God is good.  The fact that the world is increasing in violence and evil does not negate the truth of the goodness of God.  God was good at the beginning-- and all He created was good (Genesis 1)-- and He will still be good at the end.  He will be good even when things aren't good.  He will remain good even when things don't remain the same and the condition of the world gets worse and worse.  To coin a phrase-- God is good all the time, and all the time God is good. 

 

So in a "topsy-turvy" world when things aren't good, you can look to and trust in the goodness of God to see you through.  You can anchor your hope in Him.  You can put your faith and confidence in Him.  No matter how "unsweet" the world becomes, He will always remain good.

 

Have a great day.  In this not so sweet world, God is still good.  

 

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

 

"Jesus Himself Said It"

"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

 

"And He said unto me".  Who is He that spoke to Paul?  If you have a red-letter Bible you will notice that this verse is written in red.  That means the words spoken there are the words of Jesus.  Jesus Himself was the One who said to Paul, "My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness".  It wasn't the words of an angel sent from God as were the words spoken to Mary concerning her carrying of the Messiah.  It wasn't the words of a prophet, a disciple or an apostle who was inspired by the Holy Spirit to write them.  It was none other than Jesus Himself! 

 

Jesus said to Paul in his time of trial, confusion, unrest, and weakness that His grace was sufficient and His strength would be perfected in Paul's weakness.  Paul needed to hear it from Jesus Himself-- and he did.  Today, Jesus Himself is speaking the same thing to you.  I don't know what you may be going through, but Jesus does (just like He knew what Paul was going through).  I can't hear your prayers, but Jesus does (He heard Paul's and replied with these words). 

 

Jesus is still speaking today.  He is speaking by His word and by His Spirit.  You may be in a place of weakness, great trial, temptation, grief, pain, or confusion.  Your whole world may be turned upside down.  You may feel as though you can't go on and you are not going to make it.  You may feel as though the weight you are bearing is more than you can endure.  Your problem may be hanging on and hanging on with no evidence of resolve to it.  But take heart, Jesus is speaking and He is speaking to you the same thing He spoke to Paul in his time of need-- "My grace is more than enough for you.  My strength will be manifested in your weakness".

 

Have a great day.  Jesus Himself is saying to you, "My grace is sufficient for you: My strength is made perfect in your weakness". 

 

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

"Impossible Promotion"

"He raiseth up the poor out of the dust, and lifteth the needy out of the dunghill; That he may set him with princes, even with the princes of his people".  Palm 113:7,8

 

Whoever heard of the poor and needy sitting with princes and kings and those of wealth, prestige and power.  The next verse says- "He maketh the barren woman to keep house, and to be a joyful mother of children".  How can a barren women become a joyful mother?  The two are totally opposite.  You can't be barren and a mother at the same time.  You can't have sorrow from being barren and have joy from being a mother at the same time. 

 

These verses sound like a total contradiction.  It is not possible-- the poor to sit with princes and the barren to be a joyful mother.  With man it is not possible, but with God all things are possible.  He is the One who makes all things possible in our lives.  The things that conflict with each other, the things that just don't naturally happen, the things that are contrary to our way of thinking and the things that aren't accepted in society can happen through the Lord.

 

How was it possible for unlearned fisherman to turn their world upside down for Christ?  How was it possible that a poor widow fed a prophet through a draught?  How did a harlot save her entire family by simply hiding spies and then placing a red cord in her window?  How did all the ordinary people throughout history do extraordinary things for God?

 

It is not possible for men, but it is possible for God.  He knows how to use weak and foolish things to confound the wise and strong.  He knows how to promote those who need to be promoted.  He knows how to raise up what needs to be brought to the forefront.  He knew how to bring a Hebrew slave out of a prison and place him in a palace to rule the most powerful nation in the world.  God can do it.  He has done it and He will do it.  He knows how to place you where you need to be in order to fulfill His plan and purpose for you.  In due season and at the right/appointed time He will.  He will take what is poor and set with princes.  He will take what is barren and make it produce.  He will promote what needs to be promoted; give favor where it is needed and sit in order what needs to be in order to fulfill your destiny.  Trust Him.  Wait for Him.  Believe Him.  It is not impossible with Him.  

 

Have a great day.  God knows how to promote, even what seems to be impossible, to fulfill His plan.  It is not impossible for Him.

    

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

"Gold Star Mentality"

"All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:  That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works".  2 Timothy 3:16,17

 

When I was a child growing up in church, we would get a little gold star each week beside our name on a list if we could quote our memory verse.  As a child it was exciting to see the gold stars filling up the line.  That was my reason for memorizing the verse-- to get the gold star. 

 

Unfortunately, many adult "Christians" still have that same mentality.  They read the Bible with a "gold star" mentality.  They think that just because they did their Bible reading for the day that fulfilled their religious duty and met the "requirements".  But that is not the reason why we read God's Word.

 

We read it in order to grow spiritually-- it is "bread" to our spirit.  We read it to renew our minds-- so that we won't be conformed to this world but have the mind of Christ.  We read it to have spiritual insight and understanding-- so that we may know what is good and acceptable and the perfect will of the Lord.  We read it so that we will be equipped to fight spiritual battles-- it is our offensive weapon.  We read it, and hide it in our hearts, to give us power to resist temptation--  so that we will not sin against God.  We read it so that we might be transformed-- transformed into His image. 

 

The word is not suppose to only be read.  It is suppose to be practiced.  It is suppose to be taken to heart.  Jesus said that the truly wise person would read it and do what it says.  In other words, God gave us His Word in order to teach us how to live.  Therefore, it is meant to be lived out in our daily lives.

 

Have a great day.  If you only read the Bible so that you can say you have fulfilled your religious duty for the day you are missing the whole point.  You read it so that you can be transformed on the inside to be more like Jesus.    

 

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