Coffee Break

"Strength For Heaviness"

2012-02-20T07:17:00.000-06:00

"My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word." Psalm 119:28

The word heaviness is translated- heaviness, grief, sorrow. There are many things that can cause grief, sorrow and heaviness. The loss of a loved one; shattered dreams; hope deferred; betrayal by someone you trusted; rejection by a friend; broken promises; the weight of responsibilities; burdens of caring for others; addictions; the loss of a job; failing health; a bad report and the list goes on. They come from many different sources, in many different ways and usually without warning. Our day can start off with joy but end in sorrow. None of us are exempt- rich or poor, black or white, young or old. The situations of life that bring grief, heaviness and sorrow are not a respecter of persons- they come to us all.

If I stopped here this morning, this word would bring sorrow to our hearts because it would leave us without any hope in those times. But the good news is- there is hope. There is hope and help for us in those times. There is a way for us to be strengthened during times of heaviness and sorrow. That strength and help doesn't come through worldly means. It doesn't come through the government. It doesn't come through our employer, through the welfare system, through the doctor, through the banker or the lawyer. The help and strength that we need to make it through those times, and even be victorious in them, comes through God's word.

God's word is the only true, unfailing source of strength to make it through the times that try mens' souls. We find encouragement, grace, help, health, direction, comfort and joy within its pages. We find God's promises to be with us, to direct us through, to guide us, to not forsake us and to meet our need when we walk through the places that bring heaviness, sorrow and grief. "Yea, through I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for Thou art with me." (Psalm 23:4)

Is your soul in sorrow this morning? Are you under a burden of heaviness? Are you suffering grief over a loss? The strength that you need to make it through can be found in God's word-- it is your strength. Hold to it tightly.

Have a great day. When heaviness, grief or sorrow hit your life, God's word will give you strength.

For further reading:
Psalm 23
Hebrews 13:5
Psalm 119:81; 116

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"Which Way? - Part 2"

2012-02-17T07:39:00.001-06:00

"And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints." Revelation 15:3

In the story of Alice In Wonderland, Alice has an encounter with "The Queen". She soon discovered, as she is trying to find her "way" back home, that she has "no way" because "all ways are The Queen's Way". And if you are familiar with the story you discovered that The Queen loved enforcing her authority, she was always right (even when she was wrong), she was hot-tempered, easily angered and she had a favorite saying, "Off with their head". She had no kindness or compassion. She was always "out for blood". She rejoiced in and enjoyed pronouncing judgment upon anyone who did not agree with her completely. She had "a way" all right-- her way was one of judgment without any mercy.

I brought this up because yesterday in our devotional, we talked about following and yielding to God's way. What is God's way? It certainly is not like "The Queen's Way". Don't misunderstand, He is a God of judgment. One day all mankind will stand before Him and He will be The Judge. But He is a God who loves mercy more than He loves judgment. He loves to show mercy to those who come to Him. He loves to bestow His grace upon us. He delights in loving us. He proved this through His Son Jesus when He sent Him to earth to pay the penalty for our sins.

The Queen's way (as is most people's way) is to delight in judgment without mercy-- we want people to get what they deserve. That is our way of doing things. But God's way is to show loving-kindness and tender mercies to those who don't deserve it and to those who are truly guilty. If that is you, God is not screaming for your head this morning. He is not eager to judge you. He does not want you destroyed. He does not delight in punishing you. On the contrary He desires to love you, forgive you, show you mercy, wrap you in His love and withhold judgment. And His provision to do so came through His Son Jesus. He has been patiently waiting for you, will you come to Him today.

Have a great day. God's way is the way of mercy, grace and love.

For further reading:
John 3:16,17
Ezekiel 33:11
Romans 5:8
Nehemiah 9:31
Psalm 103:8

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"Which Way?"

2012-02-16T06:57:00.001-06:00

"I have declared my ways, and thou heardest me: teach me thy statutes." Psalm 119:26

There are two ways: my/our way or God's way. The two are not the same. Our way leads to destruction. It is the way of darkness and confusion. Our way leads us down a path of grief and sorrow. It is not the way of life. Our way may seem like the right way, but at the end we discover death. This is why we are told not to lean to our own understanding but in all our ways to acknowledge the Lord and He will direct our way. God's ways lead to health, peace, prosperity, abundant life and eternal life. It is the way of light and rest.

When we use the word "way", we are talking about two things. The first means the path or direction you are going. For example, you can either be going the wrong or right way- in the right or wrong direction. You can either be on the way that is straight and narrow and leads to life or on the broad and wide way that leads to destruction. The second meaning deals with the method you are using. You can either be doing things your way or God's way.

Jonah is a prime example of both. He took the way (path) to Joppa instead of going the direction to Nineveh like the Lord had commanded him. And he wanted to do things his way (method), which was not go to Nineveh- he thought it would be better if judgment fell on them. He is also a perfect example of the result of doing things our own way and going in our own direction.

This morning, whose way are you on? Are you walking on God's path- the path of freedom, joy, obedience, grace? Or are you walking on your own path- the path of heartache, confusion, disobedience, fear? Also, whose way are you living by- yours or God's? Are you doing things His way or your own way? Are you leaning to your own understanding or following His guidance and word? The choice of which direction (way) you are going to go and which way (plan) you are going to follow is up to you. If you want life you will choose God's way to walk on and His way of doing things. If you want misery and death then choose to keep going your own direction and doing things your own way.

Have a great day. Whose way you are going to follow? Your way or God's way?

For further reading:
Proverbs 16:25: 3:5,6; 14:12
Matthew 7:13,14
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"Yes, You Can"

2012-02-15T06:39:00.001-06:00

"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Philippians 4:13

The words "I can't" should not be in the Christian vocabulary. True enough there is nothing we "can" do without the Lord. Even Jesus said that He could do nothing on His own without the Father. On our own we are not strong enough, wise enough or capable enough to do anything. But the key to doing "all things" is "through Christ".

When our lives are in Christ, we can do all things-- there is nothing we can't do. Why? Because the same power that raised Jesus from the dead lives in us. Because His love is shed throughout our hearts. Because His strengthen is perfected in our weakness. Because He makes a way even when there seems to be no way. Because His grace is sufficient. Because He fights our battles for us. Because He goes before us making crooked ways straight. Moses thought he couldn't do what God called him to do- which was to go to Pharaoh and tell him to let God's people go. Why? His excuse was because he stuttered. Wrong, yes, he could because God would send him someone to speak as his voice- Aaron.

We can't give God any good reason why we "can't" do what He has called us to do. If we say the sea stands in the way-- He can part the sea. If we say we aren't strong even-- He will give us strength. If we say we don't have the resources-- He can put money in the fish's mouth. If we say we don't have enough-- He can multiply the loaves and fish. If we say we aren't educated enough-- He can send a child to lead us.

The reason I said earlier that "the words 'I can't' should not be in the Christian vocabulary" is because first- it is not true. And secondly- God knows how to remove "can't" out of the equation and make it possible for you to do it. He can put the "I can" in it.

Have a great day. We can never truthfully say "I can't" because with God we always can.

For further reading:
John 5:30; 9:33; 15:5
2 Timothy 4:17
Psalm 138:8
Romans 8:11; 5:5

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"Drink Your Milk"

2012-02-14T05:40:00.001-06:00

"As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow thereby." 1 Peter 2:2

We often use this verse to encourage new converts to read and study God's word/the Bible. And so we should. When a person comes to Christ and receives salvation, it is called the "new birth", or they are "born again". They have experienced a spiritual new birth inside. So just like a baby has to have milk to grow physically, a new baby in Christ has to have milk to grow spiritually-- that milk is the word of God.

This verse is not just addressing new born babes in Christ, it is written for all of us who are saved through faith in Jesus- no matter how long we have been saved. My physical body never stops growing- it is growing from the cradle to the grave. (Sometimes it feels like it's just growing old- but it is still growing nevertheless.) In the same way that my physical body never quits growing, my spirit never stops growing either. There will never be a time when we will be too old to grow spiritually. We never will "arrive" and know all there is to know while we are living here in this world. So we need to drink the milk and eat the meat of God's word. It is not just reserved for "babies".

The verse really is an admonition for us to keep thirsty for God's word- never stop craving it. When a baby gets hungry for its milk, it is no small matter. They let you know by crying. They will cry long and loud until you give them their bottle. Nothing will satisfy them until they get it. This is how we should be about God's word. We should crave it more than anything. We should not be satisfied until we get it. Does this describe you? Do you hunger and thirst for God's word? Do you feel like you can't live if you don't get to read it each day? Is it something you feel you can live with or without? Do you go for days at a time without reading the Bible? Does it sit in your vehicle from one Sunday to the next? Or lie on the counter where you put it after church until it is time to go to church again?

The milk of God's word is not restricted to new babes only. It is for all of us. We have to drink it everyday. We have to take in its nutrients everyday if we are going to grow and develop spiritually.

Have a great day. Are you taking in the milk of God's word everyday?

For further reading:
John 3:3,7
1 Peter 1:23
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"Distracting Enemies"

2012-02-13T06:52:00.001-06:00

"That Sanballat and Geshem sent unto me, saying, Come, let us meet together in some one of the villages in the plain of Ono. But they thought to do me mischief. And I sent messengers unto them, saying, I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down: why should the work cease, whilst I leave it, and come down to you?" Nehemiah 6:2,3

We have all heard numerous sermons on how Sanballat had tried to distract Nehemiah from his task of rebuilding the walls of Jerusalem. His attempt was to get him to stop altogether and leave the work undone. This morning I believe the story needs repeating again. We can never be reminded enough that our adversary is always at work trying to get us to stop doing what the Lord has called us to do.

He will try to get you to stop by any means that he thinks he can achieve his goal. He will use temptations-- lusts of the flesh, lusts of the eyes and the pride of life. He will use distractions. He will use discouragement. He will use accusations. He will use other people- godly and ungodly alike. He will use those closest to you and those that are total strangers. He will even use "good" things-- things that appear to be harmless. He will use anything from giants to little foxes.

When do we need to be on guard concerning his attempts? Everyday. He will come in the most obvious ways, but he will also come when you least expect it. Nehemiah expected the enemy to try to fight against the rebuilding of the walls because of the protection they would have from them. King David did not expect the enemy to attack him by just walking out on his balcony that fateful evening when he saw Bathsheba on the roof top. That is why we must be on guard at all times.

Just remember this morning that your enemy does not want you to succeed in the task that the Lord has called you to do. He doesn't want you to finish it. He wants it left undone. He wants to keep his "easy access". He wants to stop you. Nehemiah did not give in to the enemy. He did not listen to his threats. He did not fall into his trap. He kept focused on the task he was given to do and his God who called him to do it. You don't have to give in and stop what the Lord has called you to do either. Just do the same thing Nehemiah did-- stay focused on God and the task.

Have a great day. The enemy is always trying to stop us from doing what God has called us to do. But we will avoid his trap if we stay focused on God and the task.

For further reading:
Isaiah 50:7
Psalm 121:1,2
Philippians 3:14
Song of Solomon 2:15

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"The Enemy Of Inconvenience"

2012-02-10T07:44:00.001-06:00

"And as he reasoned of righteousness, temperance, and judgment to come, Felix trembled, and answered, Go thy way for this time; when I have a convenient season, I will call for thee." Acts 24:25

Several years ago I stopped purchasing a particular product because I discovered the manufacturer was supporting something that was totally against my Christian beliefs and values. I had used this product for years so by making this decision it meant that I would have to find another product to replace it. This has not always been an easy task. There are times when I am "tempted" to go back and use it again. But I am determined not to support their "anti-Christian agenda" even though replacing it has become an inconvenience on several occasions.

I want to address the subject of inconvenience. Having to continually search for a replacement is an inconvenience. But I have to decide if I would rather live in convenience or do the right thing. So many times we will give in to the things that we know are wrong and against the principles of the Bible because it is not convenient for us to do otherwise. For example, we will allow our children to watch shows on television and play video games that are clearly demonic in nature because we don't want the inconvenience of having to deal with their whining, rebellious attitude or take the time needed to train them in this area.

Many don't go to God's house because it is an inconvenience for them to do so. We don't reach out with a helping hand to those in need because it is not convenient. We don't spend time reading God's word because it is inconvenient. There seems to never be a convenient time to stand up for what is right. We won't get involved in the work of the Lord because it may cost us some convenience. We don't speak up when we should because it is just more convenient not to do so.

We have this mindset that causes us to only do what we want to do, when we want to do it, and how we want to do it. If it doesn't fit into our agenda we won't do it, we won't support it, we won't stand up for it. We let our convictions and principles go by the way side for convenience sake. Is this you? Is this how you live your life? Do you give more, do more, stand up for the right thing, go forward in God's plan for your life only when it is convenient? Think about it- how many missed opportunities there have been, how many lost souls have been unreached, how much joy has been forfeited, how much peace we could have had, how much could have been accomplished had we not given into the enemy of inconvenience.

Have a great day. How many times have you let inconvenience stop you from doing what you knew you should do?

For further reading:
Ecclesiastes 11:4
Proverbs 6:6-10
1 Corinthians 15:58
2 Timothy 4:7
Matthew 5:16

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"Crying About or Crying To?"

2012-02-09T06:51:00.001-06:00

"I cried with my whole heart; hear me, O Lord: I will keep thy statutes. I prevented the dawning of the morning, and cried: I hoped in thy word." Psalm 119:145,147

When we think of "crying", we think of weeping because of some grief, or pain, or mishap. In the verses above the Psalmist is going through a devastating time-- he is being pursued by his enemies and in need of help. But he is not just lamenting his situation, his cry here is one of faith and hope. He is crying out to the Lord because he knows that he will find the help that he needs to make it through this trial.

When we face life's trials, we can either "cry about" or "cry to". The Israelites were always crying "about" their situation in the wilderness. They were crying/complaining about having nothing but manna. They were always crying/grumbling about being in the middle of nowhere. They were always crying/murmuring about God not doing what they wanted. They were always crying out of hopelessness- this is all there is, it will never be better, God has abandoned us, He doesn't care about us, etc.

On the other hand, when the Psalmist was facing life's trials, he did not spend his time crying "about"- whining/complaining/murmuring/bemoaning/lamenting- what he was going through, he spent it crying out "to" the Lord to save him through His word/promises. He knew that if he "cried to" the Lord for help the Lord would hear him. He knew that if he cried out to the Lord for strength, grace and help to make it through he would find it. His cry was a cry of hope in the faithfulness of the One who was able to save him, who could do exceeding abundantly above all that he could ask, who would make a way where there seemed to be none and who was able to make all things work together for his ultimate good. It was not a cry of despair but a cry of hope.

We all go through difficult times- times that make us "cry out". The question is,"What kind of cry are you crying?" Are you crying about the situation with murmuring and complaining and hopelessness? Or are you crying out to God in faith and confidence that He is your hope, help and refuge in the situation?

Have a great day. When we are facing a situation, we can either just cry about it, or we can cry out to God about it.

For further reading:
Psalm 30:2,8; 77:1; 88:13; 120:1; 142:5

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"Jesus Cares About Each Individual"

2012-02-08T06:49:00.000-06:00

"How think ye? if a man have an hundred sheep, and one of them be gone astray, doth he not leave the ninety and nine, and goeth into the mountains, and seeketh that which is gone astray?" Matthew 18:12

While the Lord God is concerned about the masses of people- He loves the whole world so much that He gave His only begotten Son for our sins- He is also a very personal and individual God. He cares about each one of us individually.

When Jesus was on earth, He showed us what the Heavenly Father was like. And one of the things He showed us was His love for "each" and "every" person. He showed His love for the masses when He fed the thousands with the bread and fish. He showed His love for the masses when He died on the cross for the sins of the whole world. But He also showed His love for us individually during the personal encounters that we read about in the Bible.

The masses are made up of individuals. Individuals like Nicodemus who talked to Jesus at night. Jesus did not turn him away and tell him to come back in the morning. It is made up of individuals like the widow who gave all that she had- while every one else was noticing just how much the Pharisees were giving, He was noticing her. Then there were the personal encounters with people like the woman at the well, Jarius, the rich young ruler, the woman caught in the act of adultery, the woman with the issue of blood, the man at the pool of Bethesda, blind Bartimaeus, and the list goes on.

One last encounter I want to talk about was the maniac of Gadara. This is my favorite story of Jesus' encounter with individuals. You know the story. Jesus gets in the boat with His disciples, a terrible storm arises, the disciples wake Him up out of fear of drowning, He calms the storm, arrives at Gadara, delivers this one man, the people want Him to leave, He gets back in the boat and turns around and leaves. It is my favorite because it shows what great lengths Jesus would go to to reach just one man. This is a picture of salvation. That is exactly what Jesus did for mankind-- He went to such great lengths (the cross) to reach all of humanity, which is made up of single individuals. This morning I want to remind you that He loves and cares for you individually and personally. To Him you are not just another face in a crowd or another name of a roll. He knows you by name. He knows how many hairs are on your head. He knows what you are going to say before you even think it, nothing about you is hid from Him. He knows where you are and what you are going through and He cares about you.

Have a great day. Jesus cares about and loves each of us individually.

For further reading:
Mark 5:1-18
John 3:16
Luke 12:6,7
1 Peter 5:7

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"Faithful To His Call"

2012-02-07T05:55:00.000-06:00

"Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it." 1 Thessalonians 5:24

Each day I post the Coffee Break devotional on a blog online so that those who don't want to receive it in their inbox can still read it there. I started doing this in 2008. Today's post will be number one thousand-- there are one thousand devotionals posted on the Coffee Break blog. The Lord placed the call to do the daily devotional on my heart in the year 2000. When I first started sending out the devotional, I was doing it seven days a week. So honestly, I have no idea exactly how many all together I have written-- at least a couple of thousands. So it is only fitting that I should talk about the faithfulness of God this morning.

He called me to do this and each day He has faithfully given me what to say. Does fulfilling His call always come easy? No. Did I know how to do what He called me to do? No. Have there been times when I wasn't sure what He wanted me to say? Yes. Does it mean that just because He called you to do something then you don't have to put forth any effort in doing it? No. Is there discipline involved to fulfill what He calls you to do? Absolutely.

I want to encourage you this morning, from experience, that whatever the Lord has called you to do-- and it is truly Him calling you, not just your own desire or assumption that it is Him-- He will be faithful to not only give you every provision that you need to do it, He will also walk with you every step of the way- even when you don't sense that He is there. He doesn't call you to a task then leave you on your own, He will guide you and direct you. He will speak to you concerning what course of action to take. He will instruct and train you by His Spirit to know how to accomplish what He has called you to do. So don't let fear, or worry that you don't know how to do it, stop you from fulfilling His plan for you. If He calls you to do it, He will be faithful to help you to do it and not just at the beginning but all the way through it. I can certainly testify to that. He has not stopped giving me what to write even though it has been around twelve years since He first called me to do it. He was faithful to continually direct and equip Moses in leading the Israelites out of Egypt-- through the whole forty year journey. He was faithful in instructing Noah how to build the ark during all the years that it took for him to build it. He will be faithful to you also-- from the beginning of the task, all the way until the time that He says it is finished.

Have a great day. God is faithful. If He calls you to a task, He will be with you and equip you with everything you need to accomplish it.

For further reading:
1 Corinthians 1:9
Revelation 19:11
Lamentations 3:23

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"The First Work"

2012-02-06T07:03:00.001-06:00

"But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you." Matthew 6:33

What are you seeking-- the work of the Lord, or the Lord of the work? Are you focused on His plan or Him? Are you concerned more about what "ministry" you have been called to, or the One who called you?

God created you with a plan and purpose in mind. If He didn't have a purpose for you, He would not have created you (it is He who has made us and not we ourselves). After all, God never does anything just for the sake of doing it. He never says anything just to hear Himself say it. So you should seek Him to discover what it is He has for you to do and you should not be negligent in doing it. When He reveals a specific plan or assignment that He has for you, you should do it with all your might and with excellence for His glory. So don't misunderstand what I am saying.

But our first and highest call is to "know Him". The whole reason Jesus came to earth and gave His life on the cross was to reconcile us back to the Father so that we could have a relationship with Him-- not so that we could do some great work for Him. Jesus taught us that on the day when we stand before Him, some would make declarations of all the great things they had done for Him but His reply to them will be, "I never knew you". He didn't accuse them of lying about the fact that they had done these great works. But that was not what He was concerned about. His point of interest was not their works for Him but whether they knew Him- or still yet, did He know them.

Don't confuse the work that you are doing for Him with knowing Him. They are not the same thing. You can work for your employer and not know him. You can be in a marriage and do all the "marriage works" and still not know your spouse. You can work to provide for your children, and not know them. We can get so busy working for the Lord that we think we know the One we are working for, but really don't. Is that you? If so, don't neglect the work that He has called you to do, but make your "first work" and priority that of knowing Him.

Have a great day. Doing the work of the Lord and knowing the Lord of the work are not the same thing-- the latter has to be the first priority.

For further reading:
Matthew 7:22,23
Revelation 2:4,5
Psalm 100:3
Colossians 1:19-22
1 John 3:1

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"Running From God's Word"

2012-02-03T07:15:00.000-06:00

"Now the word of the Lord came unto Jonah the son of Amittai, saying, Arise, go to Nineveh, that great city, and cry against it; for their wickedness is come up before me." Jonah 1:1,2

"But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." (James 1:22) There is more to it than just hearing the word of God. God requires, and desires, that we are doers of what His word says-- after all, there is a reason why He has given us His written word and speaks His word to us by His Spirit.

A lot of people hear God's word. They hear it on Sunday mornings sitting in church services. They hear it if they watch Christian television or listen to Christian radio. They hear it through devotional emails and books. There are many avenues through which they hear it, but hearing it is only half of it. We have to apply it to our lives, and do what it says.

The story of Jonah is a very familiar story to us all. Jonah's problem wasn't that he hadn't heard God's word. His problem was that he had heard it but decided not to do it. God spoke His word clearly to Jonah but instead of being a doer (obeying God's instruction) he disobeyed it. The result was that he wound up in a terrible storm and then in the belly of a whale for three days.

We can't just hear the word and comment about what a good sermon the pastor preached or how it gave us "goose bumps". We have to put it into practice. There is safety in following its instructions. We would be saved from so many grieves and heartaches if we would submit to it-- just ask Jonah.

Perhaps you are saying, "I am not like Jonah, I am not running from doing God's word". If you are hearing it but aren't doing it, then yes you are. It's all the same. Jonah ignored it and did what he wanted to do- which was not go to Nineveh. The reason we ignore and don't apply the teachings of God's word to our lives is because we would rather do what we want to do instead of what God wants us to do. There is no difference.

Have a great day. Hearing the word of God and not doing it is the same thing as running from it.

For further reading:
Jonah 1
Romans 2:7-9
Hebrews 5:9

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"Driving In Reverse"

2012-02-02T07:08:00.000-06:00

"I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus." Philippians 3:14

About a year ago I had a dream that I want to share with you this morning. I dreamed that I was in a truck. The truck represented God's plan for my life. It wasn't an ordinary pickup truck, and it wasn't a transfer truck. It was more like the size of the delivery trucks that are used by a hardware store to deliver building supplies. I was not the driver of the truck, I was the passenger. The driver was a very popular television interior designer who has her own program on the home and garden network. You would have thought that since the truck represented God's plan for my life, I would have been the driver, but I wasn't. She was driving, and the really odd thing about it was that she was driving the truck in reverse. She was not driving forward, we were going in reverse down the road all the while having pleasant, casual conversation.

I want to share the meaning now of that dream. During the time when I had it, I have to admit that I was watching a good bit of television. I wasn't watching anything "bad"-- I was watching the home and garden network. I was sitting there for hours sometime watching the designer who was in my dream, and others, makeover rooms and houses. That was the reason the Lord gave me the dream-- He wanted to tell me something. That something was--- I was letting that particular thing take me away from Him. I was letting it "drive" my life and by doing so, I wasn't going forward. Sitting there watching these programs were not bringing me closer to Him, they weren't building my spirit, they weren't helping me develop the ability to discern His voice. In fact, they were actually taking me "away" (in reverse) from Him and fulfilling His call on my life. By spending the majority of my time mindlessly watching those programs, I was letting them influence and control my life. It was keeping me from "pressing forward" in His word and in prayer.

The reason why it was that familiar designer doing the driving in my dream was because He was showing me specifically the area that needed to change. I had to make a choice, was I going to let this "feeding of my flesh" "drive my life"-- which was driving it reverse-- or was I going to get back in the driver seat and go forward. Was I going to let someone, or something, else drive my life? Or was I going to be led by the Spirit and go in the direction that He wants to lead me?

I am not saying that we can't watch a little television from time to time. That wasn't the point. The point was that I was watching too much (even of a good thing) and it was keeping me from going forward with the Lord-- it doesn't have to be television, it can be something else. It was driving my life instead of Him. Is something besides the Lord driving your life? Are you a passenger in your own life? It is one thing to be the passenger when the Lord is the driver, but it is another when outside things, when the lust of your flesh, when the lust of your eyes or the pride of life is doing the driving. When they are, you will continue to go in reverse and by going in reverse, you will never reach God's intended destination for you.

Have a great day. Are you letting someone else be the driver of your life? If so, you are going in reverse.

For further reading:
Hebrews 12:1
Exodus 20:3
1 John 5:21; 2:15-17

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"What Are You Doing?"

2012-02-01T07:19:00.001-06:00

"And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father's have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!" Luke 15:17

You all know the story of the young man in the verse above. His first step out of where he was (the pigpen) came when he finally asked himself, "What am I doing?" If you are a child of God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, I would like to ask you the same thing.

What are you doing living in guilt and condemnation when God does not condemn you? What you are doing living in defeat when Jesus has already won the victory on your behalf? What are you doing living as the tail when you are the head? What are you doing carrying that heavy burden when the burden of the Lord is light? What are you doing living in fear when Jesus has given you His peace? What are you doing spending your time worrying when God has already made provision for all that you need? What are you doing living on the bottom when God has promoted you to the top? What are you doing letting enemy beat you up when Jesus has already destroyed His work power over you?

In the story the son was willing to just be a servant in his father's house but the father restored him to the place of a son. When we put our faith and trust in Jesus as Savior and Lord, we become children of God. We don't only become servants, we become sons/daughters. As children there are certain rights and privileges that He has given us. We are to be living like children. So what are you doing living below the status of a child? This young man was a son because he was born to the father. When we are born again, we are born to the Heavenly Father. When the young man rebelled against the father, repented and then returned home, the father put him back into the place of a son. That means the father expected him to live like a son from now on. Our Heavenly Father created us to be His children and then restored us when we fell back to the place of a child. He too expects us to live like children. So what you are doing by living less than His child?

Have a great day. If you are a born again child of God, what are you doing living like you aren't His child?

For further reading:
Romans 8:1
Psalm 98:1
1 Corinthians 15:57
1 John 5:4
Matthew 11:30
John 14:27
Philippians 4:19

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"We Are Not That Smart"

2012-01-31T06:18:00.001-06:00

"In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." Proverbs 3:6

In our opening scripture we are told to acknowledge the Lord in all our ways. Now, I don't know about you, but when I read the word "all", I take it literally- that means that I believe it really means "all". I have had people tell me that you don't have to acknowledge God in everything (all). You don't have to ask Him about small things. They contend that He gave us a brain to think for ourselves so that is what we should do-- think for ourselves. Seems to me that "thinking for ourselves" is what got the human race in trouble in the first place. Adam was a perfect man, filled with knowledge beyond our wildest imagine-- after all, he named all the animals-- but when he leaned to his own understanding about the tree that the Lord forbid them to eat from, his "intellect" proved to not be very smart.

I learned a long time ago that God says what He means and means what He says. There was a reason why He said, "all", instead of "some" of your ways or "most" of your ways. Acknowledging Him in all our ways may seem foolish, but if we would do it, it would save us a lot of heartache, grief, unnecessary pain, we would make better choices and decisions, and we would find that things would go a whole lot better for us in the long run.

We are told that there is a way that seems right to a man, but the end leads to death. In other words, in our human understanding of certain situations, it may seem right, but it could kill you! Not wanting to acknowledge the Lord in all our ways boils down to being a pride issue.

We don't know better what to do than He does-- even in the smallest problem. We need His help. We need Him to direct our paths. We need Him to show us what to do. Have you ever been around little children who "know everything". Everything you try to tell them--- "I know". Or when you try to help them--- "I can do it". You know they don't know and you know they can't do it. I think we act like that toward our heavenly Father as well. We think we know everything, can do everything and have everything under control when we really don't. And He knows we don't, but He waits patiently for us to decide that we can't do it and then turn to Him. And once we do, He is right there ready to help us.

Have a great day. We might as well admit that we don't know as much as we think we do and that God does!

For further reading:
Proverbs 16:25; 14:12
Psalms 37:23
Jeremiah 10:23

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"He Is In You"

2012-01-30T07:07:00.001-06:00

"....I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee." Hebrews 13:5b

Just a reminder this morning for someone who is feeling "alone" (where God is concerned). You are feeling like God has left you. You feel as if He has abandoned you in your time of need. It seems as though He has led you into a situation and now He is no where to be found. You feel like you are facing it alone.

Be encouraged, He has not left you. He is still there. He is watching over the situation and He is right there with you. While the Israelites were waiting to be freed from Egyptian bondage, it seemed as if God had left them, but He was there. When Daniel was in the lion's den, where was God? He was there. When the three Hebrews were in the fiery furnace, it looked as if the Lord had abandoned them, but He had not. He was right there with them in the fire.

He doesn't run out on us in our time of need, or anytime. He said He would "never" leave us. And when He used the word never, He meant never. His presence never leaves us because when we are born again, His presence takes us residency within us. Our bodies become His temple-- dwelling place. His presence doesn't just come upon us, it doesn't just come and walk beside us, or come to hold our hands during difficulties, His presence is living in us. So take heart this morning, He hasn't and He won't leave you. Because He is in you.

Have a great day. The Lord's presence won't leave you because His presence is in you.

For further reading:
John 14:17
Daniel 3:24,25
1 Corinthians 3:16; 6:19
Matthew 28:20

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"Who Will You Blame?"

2012-01-27T07:58:00.001-06:00

"But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed." James 1:14

Our biggest problem is not everyone else-- it is the person who is looking back at us when we look in the mirror.

We want to blame everyone else for our bad behavior, sour attitude and mistakes. We want to shift the blame to someone else instead of taking responsibility for what we do. The mantra of mankind seems to be- "it is not my fault." Nothing is ever "our fault". We can commit a crime, but it wasn't our fault. We can cheat on our spouse, but it wasn't our fault.

You notice that I didn't say this was a Western attitude or the attitude of a particular culture or of one generation, but of mankind. It's because this attitude of blaming everyone else started all the way back in the Garden of Eden. Eve blamed the serpent and Adam blamed God because they chose to eat from the tree that the Lord had told them not to eat of.

I know that there are some situations where it really isn't our fault. Someone actually did something to us or against us. We sometimes find ourselves in situations that are beyond our control. I am not talking about that. I am talking about those who make excuse for what they did by trying to shift the blame to others. Is that you? Are you constantly excusing your bad attitude by blaming the actions of others for it? Are you indulging in wrong practices but protest that it isn't your fault? Are you one of those who justify the wrong that you are doing because you were treated wrong growing up?

The root of this problem is selfishness. We do what we do because we are selfish and self-centered. We make these wrong choices out of selfish desires. Everything is about me and what makes me happy or makes me feel good. Which takes us back to our opening sentence-- you are your biggest problem-- because you want what you want, when you want it and how you want it. And if you don't get it, then you make wrong choices and cannot justifiably blame anyone else for it.

So really we have no excuse, other than, we did what we wanted/chose to do. The only hope for that kind of attitude is to "die to self" and let someone else live life through you-- that someone else is Jesus. When we are alive in Him, He is living His life through us. He has no excuses for bad behavior, because He never has bad behavior. So the real key to overcoming the problem that is staring back at us in the mirror is to allow Jesus to take full ownership of our lives. When He does, He will bring a transformation in us. We will then walk in the truth, which means we will take responsibility for our own actions and not try to blame someone else.

Have a great day. Who are you blaming for what you are doing?

For further reading:
Genesis 3
Matthew 16:24
Galatians 2:20
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"What Is Your Boast In?"

2012-01-26T06:15:00.001-06:00

"My soul shall make her boast in the LORD: the humble shall hear thereof, and be glad." Psalm 34:2

I have watched, and been in, services that when the speaker starts talking about how those in attendance never should have made it this far because of the people who were against them, the people who tried to destroy them, the people who conspired against them, the people who tried to kill them. They never should have made it but they did and are still here. When this is said, the congregation seems to "go wild". It is as if they are "reveling" in what was "done to them". Please don't misunderstand what I am going to say, we should be rejoicing in the fact that the Lord brought us through and that by His help and grace we did make it- they didn't kill us, the enemy didn't destroy us, we may have been knocked down but we are still here and we are still standing. But should we really be boasting about what was "done to us"... or what was "done for us"?

The part that should make us come up out of our seat, the part that should make us jump for joy, the part that should make us shout the loudest is when Jesus is exalted. It's when He is magnified. And when He is given the honor and glory for what was accomplished in your life. He brought us through. He caused us to live and not die. He put strength in us to endure. He gave us peace of mind so that we didn't go insane. It was His shield of protection around us that guarded us. It was His standard that was raised against the enemy on our behalf. The only reason you and I are still here is because God is for us and He did not let the enemy have his way against us.

So what are you boasting about? The fact that you have been tried, rejected and mistreated? (You know we humans tend to take the things that we have gone through and wear them like some badge of honor for all to see. We want the attention to be on "us"- that's human nature.) We need to get past that. Our boast needs to be in the Lord. We should spend more time, more energy and more resources on telling others how the LORD brought us through the situation than we do on telling what we went through. Yes, let others know that you have been through the "fire" and through the "storm", but don't stay there, let them know how the Lord delivered you from both. You know, David didn't go on and on about the bear and the lion that came against him. He didn't "camp out" in that story. He told the king that he had faced a bear and a lion and how God delivered him from them both and that the Lord would do the same thing with the giant. His boast was not in the attacks against him, but in His God. Where is your boast?

Have a great day. Don't boast about your situation, boast about the God who brought you through it.

For further reading:
Psalm 34:1,17,19; 103:1,2; 18:47-49; 144:10; 97:10

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"My Preference Or His Will"

2012-01-25T06:43:00.001-06:00

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

"And be not conformed to this world". How do we conform to this world? According to the scripture above it comes through your thought process. What we think does matter. Like it has been said, "Where the mind goes, the man follows". You are what you think and you will do what you think and dwell on in your thoughts.

The thinking of the world is "preference". To those in the world it is all about "me", which includes doing what I prefer to do instead of what I should do. This influence would try to cause us to do the same-- choose what we prefer over kingdom principals, choose what we want instead of what God wants, choose our will above God's will, choose what is acceptable to us instead of to God.

Choosing according to your own preference instead of according to the will of God, will always lead you downward instead of upward. It will always lead you into darkness and away from the light. It will always lead you into a place of confusion, discouragement and depression instead of into a place of peace and rest.

When we choose our own preference instead of God's preference and will, we are saying that we know better for ourselves than God does. We deceive ourselves if we think that. David chose to follow the lust of his flesh and commit adultery with Bathsheba instead of following God's word. He preferred to gratify the desire of his sensual appetite over the desire of God. He certainly didn't do the best thing for himself. He suffered and so did his family for his choice to do what he preferred at that moment.

How do we stop choosing our own preferences and start choosing God's will? The answer is also given in the verse above- renew your mind. Renew it with God's word. Renew it through praise and worship. Fill it with God's thoughts and His preference. Hide His word in your heart. Choose to apply it to your life. Stop allowing the world's influence into your thoughts. You do this by turning off the television when programs that would "indoctrinate" you with the world's philosophies are on. You stop listening to music that "preaches a message" that only builds your selfish desires. The more you remove the "worldly" influence from your thoughts and replace it with "God's" influence the less you will be conformed to this world, and the less you will put your preference above God's preference in your life.

Have a great day. Conformity to this world means that you put your own preference above God's will.

For further reading:
Proverbs 23:7
Philippians 4:8
2 Corinthians 10:5; 4:4
Ephesians 2:1-3; 5:1-10

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"Tiny Prayers To A Great Big God"

2012-01-24T07:12:00.000-06:00

"Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us."
Ephesians 3:20

I read this quote yesterday and it really spoke to me so I want to share it with you this morning. "Why do so many Christians pray such tiny prayers when their God is so big?" --Watchman Nee

Does that describe you? Have you paid attention to the type of prayers you pray? Are your prayers for small things? Are your prayers for God to bless you with "just enough"? Or are your prayers for "big" things? Do you pray that He only takes the pain away or that He heals you? Do you pray for just a piece of bread or for your daily bread? Are you praying for one person's salvation or for the whole family?

I think that the type of prayers we pray reflect the way we see our God. I also think that we forget Who it really is that we are praying to. Like the brother said in the quote above-- God is so big. Have we forgotten that?

The God that we are praying to is the One who created the universe, who measures it by the width of His hand, who calls each star by name. We are talking about the God who fed five thousand plus people with a few little loaves of bread and pieces of fish. He fed them until they were all full. He did not ration the meal out to only one piece of fish and one piece of bread each. We are talking about the God who fed the entire nation of Israel (millions of people) everyday while they were in the wilderness for forty years. This is the same God who multiplied the meal and oil for the widow during the famine. He is also the same God who filled every vessel a widow had in the house, not just one. This is the same God who has blessings to give that we don't even have room enough to receive them all. He is the same God who wants to daily load us with benefits. He is the same God who healed the blind, the lame, the deaf, the leper and raised the dead.

"But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:19) We often pray according to size of our need, not according to size of His riches. We pray for a cup full when He has oceans full. We pray for a little when He has a lot. We pray to barely get by while He has an abundance. We pray for just a small touch when He wants to fill us. We ask for a portion of the need when He wants to meet it all.

Take time to examine your prayers. Are your prayers in portion to who God is, or the way you perceive Him to be?

Have a great day. Are you praying tiny prayers to a great big God? The prayers you pray reflect your perception of God.

For further reading:
Psalm 2:8; 68:19
John 10:10
Matthew 14:20; 12:15
Isaiah 40:12, 25,26
2 Kings 4:1-6
1 Kings 17:14
Jeremiah 33:3

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"Unconditional Duty"

2012-01-23T07:21:00.001-06:00

"And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not." Galatians 6:9

There are Christian duties that we all must partake of-- primarily the duty of obedience to God's word. There are times that these duties feel monotonous. There are times that it feels as if we are performing them in vain. There are times when we wonder where the good is in them. I am reminded of Joseph in the Old Testament. Here was a young man who was sold into slavery by his brothers. He was alone in a strange land, surrounded by heathens who worshipped false gods. But what do we see Joseph doing? Do we see him living in bitterness? Do we see him acting like those he was around? Do we see him constantly trying to escape from his new master? Do we see him in rebellion against Potiphar? Do we see him forsaking the commandments of God that he was taught all his life? The answer is no to all of the above.

Did Joseph have the opportunity to be weary in well doing? Could he have excused himself from following the commandments of his God? After all, he wasn't in his homeland, he wasn't surrounded by his people, he was a slave and had no freedom, his situation was not a good one, he had been treated unfairly by his brothers, he had not done this to himself it was done to him. Surely, that should have excused him from obedience to God.

Never think that you have a license to disobey God. Never think that your circumstances give you that excuse. Never think that the injustices that have been done to you give you a good reason to cast off obedience. It does not. We tend to think that we are excused from following God's word when bad things happen to us, when we aren't treated right, when others have placed hardships upon us and when injustice has been done to us. Hagar was mistreated by Sarah but God told her to go back and serve her. Philemon was a run away slave, but Paul encouraged him to go back to his master. It is not about our rights or having justice, it is always about obedience to God. We are never excused from that.

While we are never excused from obedience regardless of the situation- even if it was done to us and out of our control- we are promised a reward if we don't neglect or abandon following the Lord in obedience. There will be a reward for those who don't give up, who don't quit, who don't grow faint and who don't rebel against the commandments of God. We may get that reward in this life- Joseph was rewarded for his faithfulness to the commands of God and exalted to a place of authority. But if we don't get it here, it is sure that we will get it in eternity.

Have a great day. You have a duty to obey God's commands, and that duty is not conditional.

For further reading:
1 Peter 2:18
Genesis 16:1-10; 39:1-6
Isaiah 1:19

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"Encourage Everyday"

2012-01-20T06:49:00.000-06:00

"And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God." 1 Samuel 30:6

There are times when the enemy tries to hit us with discouragement. Things didn't go the way we planned. Doors shut that seemed to be opening. Our faith is being sorely tried. Situations are becoming overwhelming. The light of day is giving way to darkness. Confusion seems to cloud your thinking. You wonder if things are just meant to be this way... forever. Hopelessness and despair seem to be your new traveling companions. These times come to all of us but what should we do when they come? Do we give in to them? Do we give up and agree with them? No, we don't. We fight the good fight of faith.

How do we do that? We do it by encouraging ourselves in the Lord. And that is done by getting into His presence through prayer and praise, by renewing our mind with God's word, by meditating on His faithfulness and by remembering His promises. When we do this, there is no room left for discouragement. It has to leave. You can't have faith and fear at the same time. You can't have despair and hope at the same time. Discouragement and encouragement can't stay in the same place.

When we talk about encouraging ourselves in the Lord, it is something that we do during the times I have talked about above, but we also do it when things are well. Encouraging ourselves in the Lord is something we should "clothe" ourselves with everyday. When we encourage ourselves in the Lord, what we are doing is simply rehearsing the Lord's goodness. We are stirring it up in our remembrance. And that is something we should do daily.

Have a great day. Encourage yourself in the Lord, everyday.

For further reading:
Psalm 143:5; 119:52; 42:5,6,11; 43:5
Jonah 2:7
Philippians 4:8
1 Timothy 6:12

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"Engage"

2012-01-19T06:27:00.001-06:00

"And it came to pass, when the Philistine arose, and came, and drew nigh to meet David, that David hastened, and ran toward the army to meet the Philistine." 1 Samuel 17:48

I woke up this morning hearing the word "engage" in my spirit. A couple of the definitions for the word engage are: to occupy oneself; become involved; enter into conflict. The Bible plainly lets us know that there is a very real spiritual battle going on in the world and that we have an enemy who has waged war against us for the purpose to kill, steal and destroy. When we realize that, we also have to realize that there are times when we have to get into the battle. We cannot stand idly by and do nothing.

Each day for forty days the giant Goliath would come out and threaten the army of Israel. But they did nothing. They just stared at him, commented on his size, focused on their inability to overcome him, hid behind one another and cowed down in fear. This was an army, they should have been doing what armies do best-- fight. No amount of hiding was going to "get rid of him". Fear and complacency are never weapons that bring victory over the enemy. It only adds strength to the opponent. As long as the Israelites stood back unwilling to engage in the battle, his threats did not stop and they were held prisoners to fear and discouragement.

The Israelites did not experience victory until David stepped up and engaged the giant. Once he did, the giant was defeated and the Philistine army was sent fleeing. After having endured his threats for forty days, the enemy was defeated in one day all because someone decided to engage instead of sit back and just "talk about it".

You can sit back and continue to talk about your enemy- how he has treated you, how big he is, how much power he has, how helpless you feel against him; or you can go out and met him face to face and do battle against him. There are two things that are for sure. 1) If you do nothing, he won't quit. He will continue to torment you. He will continue to threaten you. He will continue to defeat you. 2) If you engage him, you will defeat him. Did David lose the battle against the giant? No. The reasons why are plain: he knew that God was greater, he knew that this was more than just a battle between two natural armies, he knew that the Lord was with him, and he trusted fully in God's power to defeat and deliver them from the enemy.

You can go out there and defeat the enemy that keeps taunting and harassing you too. (Let me interject something here. Please don't misunderstand, I am NOT talking about a natural battle, but a spiritual one. Remember that we don't fight against flesh and blood, and the weapons that we use are not natural weapons like guns or knives. Our weapons are spiritual in nature- prayer, fasting, God's word, praise, our confession.) So the decision is up to you-- sit back and do nothing and let the enemy keep defeating you, or engage in the battle and become victorious.

Have a great day. You will never win the battle if you sit back and do nothing. You have to engage the enemy.

For further reading:
1 Samuel 17
2 Corinthians 10:4
Ephesians 6:11-20

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"The Living Bible"

2012-01-18T07:05:00.000-06:00

"Ye are our epistle written in our hearts, known and read of all men." 2 Corinthians 3:2

I am sure that when you read the title of this morning's devotional, you thought I was going to be talking about one of the modern day translations of the Bible. I am not. I am going to talk about our lives- those who are believers, followers of Christ, Christians.

The verse above says that our lives are like a Bible that all men can read. How do they "read" our lives? They read it through the things we say, our actions, our attitudes, the way we respond in situations, by our character, through the way we conduct ourselves and by the way we love others. If we are following Christ, then our lives should be imitating Him- what He does and how He does it. If we are doers of God's word and not hearers only, then our conduct should line up with its teachings. The scriptures should be coming alive in our lives so that the meaning of the scripture is easily understood because they see its meaning plainly through our conduct.

So what does your life say? What do others read from it? Does it paint a confusing picture hard to understand? Is it a picture of peace and joy? Does your life speak of defeat and misery? Does it speak of victory? If your life is the only "Bible" that those around you have to "read", then what are they reading? Are they reading enough to get an understanding of the love, grace and mercy that God has waiting for them? Are they able to read enough that they would want to turn to the Lord and receive His great salvation? Is what they are reading making them desire to know Him or turning them away from Him?

Some people will never pick up the Bible to read it; some will never go to a church; some will never turn on Christian television, for them the only hope of "hearing and seeing" the truth of God's word will only come through your life... is what they are seeing enough for them to see Christ and desire to have Him?

Have a great day. If your life is the only Bible some folks will read.... what are they reading?

For further reading:
James 1:22
John 14:9
Matthew 6:23; 5:16

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"When We Fall"

2012-01-17T05:21:00.000-06:00

"The LORD upholdeth all that fall, and raiseth up all those that be bowed down." Psalm 145:14

"The Lord upholds all that fall." The Hebrew word for uphold here means to uphold, to sustain, to aid. So the Lord aids those who fall. He sustains them. He upholds them by His power and grace. He doesn't beat down those who fall. He doesn't condemn them. He doesn't turn His back on them. He doesn't belittle those who fall. When we fall during a time of temptation or weakness, the Lord doesn't walk away from us. Instead He lifts us up. He strengthens us. He brings help and aid to us. Though we fall we are not utterly cast down. When we fall, it is not the end of us.

Why do we think that God will turn His back and be done with us when we fall? When my daughter was little and learning how to walk, there were times when she would fall down. Even as she began to grow up there were times when she didn't do as well as she should have. There were also times that she knew better than to do some of the things that she did, but she did them anyway. Did I turn my back on her? Did I forsake and leave her? Did I give up on her? Did I condemn and beat her up about it? No. And the reason why I didn't is simple-- I love her dearly. Therefore, I want to see her succeed. I want to see her going forward in life. Did the mistakes she made always make me happy? No, but I still loved her. And my love for her compelled me to help her keep going forward.

If we will treat our own children with love and care, why do we think that God won't do the same with us? Evidently, we don't realize how much He truly loves us. We must not know that He is for us and on our side. He wants to see you succeed. He wants to help you when you fall. He wants to put you back on your feet and help you to learn to stand. He is not the one who condemns us. He does not turn His back on us.

Have you fallen? Let God pick you up. Let Him come to your aid. Let Him sustain you and help you to continue to go forward. He loves you and desires to get you back on your feet again.

Have a great day. God does not turn His back on us when we fall. He wants to help us get up.

For further reading:
Psalm 37:24; 118:6; 113:7
Hebrews 13:6

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"Sin Size"

2012-01-16T07:51:00.001-06:00

"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." 1 John 1:9

"... from all unrighteousness." The blood of Jesus doesn't "pick and choose" which sins it forgives and washes away. It washes away "all" of them. We tend to "categorize" sin. We have what we consider "big" sins and "little" sins. And we think that for some reason the "big" ones are either too big for Jesus' blood to forgive or it takes "more" of the blood to take care of them. Then we think that the "little" ones aren't important enough or are too small to bother with- they are so small that the Lord will just let them "slide by". Neither thinking is correct. Sin is sin- big, little or somewhere in between. All sin has to be dealt with. All sin was taken care of by the blood of Jesus.

How small a sin is too small that it is all right for it to be in our lives? Let's say that you have a 55 gallon container full of pure fresh water. If you take one small drop of raw sewage and dropped it in that container of water, would you still drink it? I wouldn't. The water has been contaminated by what? Gallons of raw sewage? No, by one small drop.

How big a sin is too big? We tend to think that mass murders, rapist, people who cheat hundreds of people out of their life savings, are sins that are too big to be forgiven by the blood of Jesus. That is not what the Bible tells us, and it gives us examples of those who did such things and had their sins forgiven and washed clean. We better be glad that God washes away the "big" ones as well. Because we don't know that we might not be the ones whose sins are too big to be forgiven. If sin had a size, who would determine the "size"- whether they are little or big? God would be the one. How would we know that what we consider small He might actually consider big- so that left us out of having our sins forgiven.

I am so thankful that the bottom line is: Jesus shed His blood for all, because all have sinned. And His blood was and is powerful enough to take care of every sin- regardless- and wash away even the stain that might otherwise be left behind.

Have a great day. If sin had a size, the blood of Jesus would still be powerful enough to take care of them all.

For further reading:
1 John 5:17
Romans 3:23; 14:23
James 4:17

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"Bless The Lord"

2012-01-13T06:33:00.000-06:00

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

"I will". Not maybe or perhaps, not I might or I will think about it. But instead nothing can stop me from blessing the Lord. I choose to bless Him. I make the decision to do it.

"...bless the Lord". I will kneel before Him giving my whole life as a gift into His hands. I will lift up my hands in worship to Him. I will open my mouth and extol the glory of His holy name.

"... at all times". Not only in the good times. Not only when all is well. Not only when I have plenty and not in need. Even in the bad times, in trying times, in times that test my faith, in dark times when the light is hid and in times when the door has been shut. At times when I do not understand why and in times when I have all the answers. In times of pain, grief and sorrow. In times of great joy and peace. There is never a time when I will not bless the Lord.

To bless the Lord is a choice that we make each and every day. We don't make it based on our feelings or our circumstances. We make it based on the fact of who He is- He is God and He is worthy of all our praise. He is worthy of any gift we have to bestow upon Him. We make it based on what He has already done for us. He showed us such grace and mercy when He died on the cross to save us. He has blessed us with more than we ever deserve, or could ever hope for. He has showed us His wonderful kindness and goodness time and time again. The blessing is about the Recipient and His worth. He is worthy to be praised and adored. Therefore, I choose to bless His holy name always. What about you?

Have a great day. "I will bless the Lord at all times!"

For further reading:
Psalm 18:3; 103:1,2; 104:1; 134:2
Revelation 4:11

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"EXIT"

2012-01-12T06:21:00.000-06:00

"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

God always makes a way out of the temptation. The way is there and has already been provided, we just have to look for it. When I go into a public building, I will notice that there are "EXIT" signs over each door. When the designer of that building started drafting his plans, he included exits out of the building. He saw past the design stage of the building to the completed structure. By doing so he took into consideration the fact that one day there might be a fire or other reason for those who were in the building to have to evacuate quickly. So he provided for that when he was drawing up the plans.

Our Heavenly Father, the great designer of our lives, looks past the moment and sees the times in our future when we will be faced with temptation and need an "EXIT" route in order to flee from it. So He placed them there ahead of time, we just have to look for them. When I go into a public building the "EXIT" signs are there, I just have to look for them. They aren't hard to find, they are easily marked. There is a red sign that says "EXIT" above them all. God's exit routes from the temptation are not hard to find either, they are easily marked. And they are "red" also. Red is the color of the blood. The way of escape has been provided for and marked by the blood of Jesus. His shed blood assures us of victory over each temptation as we follow His example and do what He did when He was tempted.

If I need to get out of a building, I not only look for the "EXIT" sign but I have to go through the opening that is marked by it. I can't ignore it or make my own exit. That is the one I must use- the one that was provided for that purpose. We can't make our own way of escape from temptation, we must follow God's escape route. Which is, following His Son Jesus and applying His word to our lives. His word will always give you a way of escape when it is heeded.

Have a great day. Look for the "EXIT" sign, it is not hard to find.

For further reading:
Hebrews 4:15
2 Corinthians 2:14
Matthew 6:13
Luke 8:13
James 1:12

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"Which Perspective?"

2012-01-11T07:11:00.000-06:00

"For we walk by faith, not by sight". 2 Corinthians 5:7

I had a dream that I was invited to speak at a Men's Conference. I was so excited because I have never done that before. I love encouraging men to be all that God has planned for them to be, plus it would be good for the men to hear from a woman's perspective about some things- esp. like how to treat women.

We tend to look at things from one perspective. Usually it is from the perspective of our gender, race, age or culture. Because I am a woman, I see things from a woman's perspective. It takes my husband to show me that there are often two sides to the situation. I see the situation from the emotional side. He sees it from a more practical side.

By looking at things "one sided" we miss so much. We do this not only on a physical level but on a spiritual one as well. We tend to look at things from a natural perspective instead of a spiritual perspective. We judge everything by what we can see, hear, feel, taste or touch. We are motivated by what the natural evidence shows us. Our behavior, attitude and actions are prompted by the physical world around us. Our emotions are governed by those things that are tangible.

As believers in Christ we can't look at everything on a natural level. We must see them through the eyes of faith and from the perspective of God's word. That's what is meant by "the just shall live by faith". We don't live solely by what we see in the natural, we don't live solely by what we hear from human voices. We live by what we see in God's word and what we hear from the voice of the Spirit. For example, when David went out to fight Goliath, King Saul tried to put his armor on David so that he would be protected in battle. The king was looking from a natural perspective-- you go to war, you need weapons of protection. God's perspective was, "the battle is the Lord's". God's perspective is what brought the giant down and gave David the victory. Another example is the walls of Jericho. From a natural perspective those walls couldn't come down without some heavy artillery. God's perspective was "march around the city and blow a horn". God's perspective brought those walls down.

There is a natural perspective and then there is God's perspective, and for the believer God's perspective is the one we need to heed, follow and allow to govern our lives.

Have a great day. Are you looking at things from one perspective only- a natural perspective? Or are you living your life by looking at things from God's perspective.

For further reading:
Hebrews 10:38
1 Corinthians 2:14
Romans 4:17
1 Samuel 17

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"Who Is It Hurting?"

2012-01-10T06:48:00.000-06:00

"The merciful man doeth good to his own soul: but he that is cruel troubleth his own flesh." Proverb 11:17

One of my mother's sayings is- "what goes around, comes around". I have heard her say that all my life, and discovered that it is true. It is true because there is a Biblical principal involved in those words. It is called sowing and reaping. Sowing and reaping applies to more areas than just our finances.

One area it applies to is our treatment of others. You can't be cruel to someone and it not eventually show up on your own "door step". You can't mistreat someone and it not come back to you. When you take advantage of another person, you will pay for it. The most visual illustration that I can give of this is when someone commits a crime. If a young man murders someone, yes, he has destroyed that life, but that was not the only hurt he did. He himself will reap the punishment of his actions for the rest of his life. He "troubled" his own soul, he hurt himself, he brought misery upon his own life.

We must be cautious of how we treat (or mistreat) others. First, because they are people who God has created and He loves them. Secondly, Jesus taught us to "do to others as we would have others do to us". Not only should we treat others the way we want to be treated, but there is a warning in His words that tell us the way we treat others will be the same way we are treated. How do you want to be treated? How do you not want to be treated? We must remember that our treatment of others will eventually come back to us-- either to "haunt" us or to "bless" us. Which will it be? Another wise saying I have heard is, "You aren't hurting anybody but yourself".

Have a great day. What goes around, comes around. What you do to another, good or bad, will come back upon you.

For further reading:
Galatians 6:7
Matthew 7:1,2,12
Luke 6:31

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"He Will Not Turn You Away"

2012-01-09T07:01:00.000-06:00

"All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out." John 6:37

I feel that this morning's devotional is more of a personal word to someone. Perhaps you have "messed up"- you have missed the mark, you have disobeyed, you have turned from the Lord and now you are sorry and repentant but feel too guilty to come to Him, or you feel that if you do go to Him He will turn His back on you and reject you.

"And him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out". These are the words of Jesus and His words are truth. He is not going to turn His back on you. He is not going to turn you away-- no matter what you have done. Remember the story of the prodigal son. It is a picture of the great love and forgiveness of a father toward his rebellious, wayward child. But it is not just a story about any father, it is a picture of the Heavenly Father- a Father who will not turn His repent child away, but instead will embrace him.

Your Heavenly Father longs to embrace you and wash the pain, shame and guilt of what you have done away. He wants to restore you and set you back in right relationship with Himself. The father in the story did not turn his son away, even with the stench of the pigpen on him, but restored him to his rightful place as an heir.

Why would you think that once you turn to Him He would turn you away? That was the whole reason why Jesus came to earth and died on the cross. He died for that very reason- to restore, save, bring the lost and wayward to the Father. If He were going to turn you away, then what He did at the cross made no sense and was for nothing. This morning He stands with outstretched arms waiting for you to come. Don't let the devil, or your own mind, convince you that you can't. Jesus died so you could and He wouldn't have gone through the suffering of the cross if He didn't want you to, or if He was going to close the door on you when you did.

Have a great day. His will is that you come, so He won't turn you away when you do.

For further reading:
Luke 15:11-24
Isaiah 1:18
2 Peter 3:9

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"Expect His Goodness"

2012-01-06T07:19:00.001-06:00

"Thou crownest the year with thy goodness; and thy paths drop fatness." Psalm 65:11

I am believing that this is going to be a good year. By that do I mean that nothing bad is going to happen? When I say that does it mean that I don't think that anything will go wrong, that there won't be trials, pain or suffering? Not at all. This world is tainted by sin. As long as sin is present there will be heartaches and tribulation. Jesus Himself said that in this world there would be tribulation.

When I say that I am believing that this is going to be a good year, I mean that regardless of what may come our way, we will see the goodness of the Lord shining through it. We will see Him working all things together for our good. We will see His power prevail and His presence will go with us. We will see His goodness entwined in every situation, and some how even when things aren't right, His glory will be revealed.

So expect His goodness to be present even in the midst of calamity. Expect His goodness to overshadow what may seem devastating. Expect His goodness to follow you this year-- and all the days of your life.

Have a great day. Good things may not be happening, but His goodness will still surround you.

For further reading:
John 16:33
Psalm 23:6; 27:13; 31:19
Isaiah 63:7

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"Hidden Lights"

2012-01-05T06:30:00.001-06:00

"Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid." Matthew 5:14

"Ye are the light of the world." How do we become lights? We are born into darkness and are darkness. "For ye were sometimes darkness:" (Ephesians 5:8a) Darkness cannot change itself into something that it is not, or into something that it is diametrically opposed to.

The way we become light is through Jesus, He is the Light. We become light when we become born again, when we surrender our lives to Him, when He comes and lives within us. Then it is His light that shines through us. This light is Jesus-- without Him we have no light.

Lights have one purpose-- to shine. When they are hidden, they are not shining. "Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick; and it giveth light unto all that are in the house." (verse 15) Our lights were never meant to be hidden. If Jesus is the Light that is in us- because we have no light of our own- then He is meant to "shine" through us, not be hidden.

Is Jesus hidden in your life? Or is He shining? How can He be hidden? He is hidden when we exhibit something through our lives that He is not. He is love. When we have hate and malice toward someone, He is hidden. When we are living in immorality, He is hidden. When we don't show forgiveness but rather hold a grudge, He is hidden. When we are bitter, mean tempered, rude, unkind, covetous, greedy, condemning, arrogant, proud, boastful, abusive and lustful, He is hidden.

On the other hand, He is shining through us and not hidden when we are kind, tenderhearted, loving, forgiving, compassionate, giving, self-denying, content, meek, humble, gracious, faithful, temperate and walking in peace and joy.

So, examine yourself and see if what you are doing and the type of life you are living is allowing Jesus to shine through you or is it hiding Him.

Have a great day. Lights have one purpose- to shine. Are you?

For further reading:
1 Thessalonians 5:5
Ephesians 5:8
1 Peter 2:9
1 John 1:5,6; 2:9

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"The Fuel of Influence"

2012-01-04T06:06:00.001-06:00

"God hath delivered me to the ungodly, and turned me over into the hands of the wicked." Job 16:11

When Job spoke his accusations against God, he was speaking under the influence of his situation. He was hurting, in pain, grief and confusion. And although he was going through a devastating trial, what he said was not correct. God had not delivered him to the ungodly or the hands of the wicked. He had not brought wrath upon him (verse 9).

When we are going through a trying time, when fear is coming upon us, when pain is overwhelming us, when grief has touched us, when worry is plaguing us, we must watch what we say. We must be on guard that we don't speak out of what is happening to us. We must not let our circumstance influence us- or our speech.

While there is an "extreme" teaching concerning "confession", there is a true Biblical principal on the subject. Our words are important and powerful. We have to be careful about what we say. When we are being attacked by fear, we have to watch that we don't let the fear influence what we say because it only gives more power to the fear. It is like putting wood on a fire-- it only gives it fuel. "And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell." (James 3:6) It is the same way with anything. If we speak from worry, the worry will increase and we will worry more.

Like Job, when we speak under the influence of what we are going through, we will be speaking things that are not correct. We will accuse God of forsaking us, of hating us, of not caring about us or of not being faithful- but that is all incorrect.

So what must we do? We must stop fueling the "fire". "Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out." (Proverbs 26:20a) Stop talking that fear, pain, worry, doubt, depression, bitterness, etc. And instead start fueling it with what is correct. Good things are also fueled by our words-- like faith. Faith comes through hearing. Hearing what? God's word. (And even more so when we hear it coming from our own mouths.) So we must learn to speak from God's influence (His word), not the influences of what we are going through or what is attacking us.

Have a great day. Under what influence are you speaking?

For further reading:
Romans 10:17
Proverbs 18:21; 15:2
Psalms 34:13
James 3:5-8
Job 40:3-5

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"God's Plan Is Not Easy - Part 2"

2012-01-03T06:37:00.000-06:00

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me." Psalm 23:4

Yesterday we talked about the fact that God's plan for us is not always easy. We don't just "sail smoothly" into it. His plan often takes us into unfamiliar and uncomfortable places. There are times when God's plan will take us into dark, uncertain and even scary places.

The pit that Joseph wound up in on his way to fulfilling God's plan in the palace was a deep, dark and scary place. I am sure it was an intimidating place for Moses when he stood before Pharaoh. When Daniel was in exile in Babylon, I am sure that he missed his family and homeland even though he stood in the presence of kings.

Even though God's plan may take us into hard places, there is one thing that is certain when we are walking in and fulfilling His plan for our lives-- He will never leave us nor forsake us. He will walk though it with us. He never left Joseph during the years while he was in route to the palace. He never left Abraham when he left his homeland. He never left him when he was sorely tested to offer up his son Isaac as a sacrifice. He never forsook Daniel, even in the lion's den. He did not run out on Moses when he was in Pharaoh's court.

The plan of God may not be easy to fulfill. There may be pain, struggle and even grief attached to it. You may be facing uncertainty. The way may look dark and dismal. It may look confusing- you may not understand why He is leading in a certain direction. But take heart, He will never leave you on the journey of walking out His plan alone. He is walking it with you.

Have a great day. No matter how hard the plan of God may look, you are not walking out His plan alone- He is with you.

For further reading:
Daniel 6:22
Judges 6:12
Matthew 28:20
Hebrews 13:5
Genesis 22:10-13

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"God's Plan Is Not Easy"

2012-01-02T07:24:00.001-06:00

"But the Lord said unto him, Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel: For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name's sake." Acts 9:15,16

Every true follower of Christ has one primary desire-- to fulfill God's plan for their life. Why is it though that we think that plan is "easy"? Why do we think that once we know it, we are just going to "sail" smoothly into it? Fulfilling God's plan isn't always easy. It often comes at a price. It gets us out of our comfort zone. It stretches us. It causes us to exercise our faith. It takes us into unfamiliar places. It leads us through paths that we don't always understand.

The plan of God took Joseph into a pit, Potiphar's house and a prison before it took him to the palace and the fulfillment of God's plan for his life. The plan of God took Abraham away from his home not knowing where he was going. God's plan took Moses before Pharaoh ten times. His plan took Mary to a stable in Bethlehem in order to give birth to the Savior of the world. The plan of God took Paul through perils, shipwreck, beatings and prison. The plan of God took the apostles into persecution and eventually martyrdom. Even our beloved Savior Jesus fulfilled the plan of God through death on the cross.

God's plan never takes us in a straight line from point A to point B. It often takes us up then down. It very often takes us from the mountaintop to the valley, from the wilderness to the fiery furnace. So don't think it strange if God's plan doesn't unfold or come about in the way you thought it should. Don't think you have missed it if there is hardship or discomfort involved. It doesn't always just "fall into your lap". It doesn't always come without some pain and suffering attached to it. It doesn't always come without affliction. But when you see the plan unfold and God is glorified through it, it will be worth it all. The joy of giving birth to the Messiah outweighed the discomfort of the long journey to the stable, and the labor and delivery that Mary went through to fulfill God's plan. The delivery of a nation from bondage outweighed the burden that Moses when through to fulfill God's plan. The joy of having sons and daughters born into the Kingdom of God outweighed the suffering that Jesus went through on the cross in fulfilling God's plan. The joy that you will receive once you reach the place of fulfilling God's plan will outweigh the pain, the suffering, the hard journey and the struggle that you had to go through in order to fulfill it.

Have a great day. God's plan isn't always easy, but it is worth whatever we have to go through to fulfill it.

For further reading:
2 Corinthians 11:20-28; 4:17
Genesis 39:1
Hebrews 12:2
Matthew 4:1

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"The Quick Passing of Time"

2011-12-30T06:14:00.000-06:00

"Redeeming the time, because the days are evil." Ephesians 5:16

This will be the last devotional that I share with you this year. So I would like to take this opportunity to wish you a prosperous and blessed New Year. My prayer for you throughout the coming year is that "The LORD bless thee, and keep thee: The LORD make his face shine upon thee, and be gracious unto thee: The LORD lift up his countenance upon thee, and give thee peace." (Numbers 6:24-26)

It is hard to believe that we are at the end of another year- not just another week or month, but a year. Where did it go? It has certainly gone by quickly. I have always heard adults say that the older you get the faster time goes by. But over the past couple of years I have begun to hear many younger people say the same thing. I believe the quick passing of time is a sign that the return of the Lord is near. The Bible speaks of an "acceleration" of time. "Behold, the days come, saith the Lord, that the plowman shall overtake the reaper, and the treader of grapes him that soweth seed; and the mountains shall drop sweet wine, and all the hills shall melt." (Amos 9:13) The reaper will over take the sower. This eludes to the fact that you will barely have time to plant the seed before it is time to harvest it. I don't know about you, but I am seeing this very thing happen in my own life. I hardly have time to do one thing before it is time to do it again.

In light of this fact, what should we as believers be doing with our time? Should we be squandering it on foolishness? On selfish interests? On things that will not even matter a week from now? Or should we be taking advantage of it and help promote the gospel of the Kingdom of God? Should we be warning the wicked man to repent of his wicked way? Should we be reaching out to the hurting with compassion? Should we be letting our lights shine in this dark world? Should we be living salty lives that cause others to thirst for this Jesus that we live for? Should we be letting others see and know that God loves them deeply and dearly? Should we be reaching out as His hand extended to the hurting, the hungry, the widow and the orphan? What should we be doing? How can we make the best use of what time we still have available? The theme scripture of this ministry is, "I must work the works of him that sent me, while it is day: the night cometh, when no man can work." (John 9:4) The night is fast approaching, the day is about to be over, if we don't do the works now, we won't be able to do them later-- it will be too late.

So what are you going to do with this new year that lies ahead of you? Or better yet, what are you going to do with this new day that is ahead of you, that the Lord has blessed and allowed you to wake up to? Will you use it wisely, redeeming the time, or will you waste it?

Have a great day. Time is a gift, but it goes by so fast, what are you going to do with it?

For further reading:
Luke 2:49
Mark 16:15
John 17:18
Matthew 5:16; 28:19,20

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"He Loves You"

2011-12-29T06:32:00.001-06:00

"The Lord hath appeared of old unto me, saying, Yea, I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with lovingkindness have I drawn thee." Jeremiah 31:3

As I was praying about what the Lord wanted to say to us this morning, He spoke the words above to me--- "I have loved you with an everlasting love". This morning He wants to remind someone that He loves you. You are feeling unloved because of guilt from the mistakes you have made. You are wondering if He still loves you; or how could He still love you after what you have done. You disobeyed, you made a mess of things, you turned away. I am here to reassure you this morning that He has not stopped loving you. His love is everlasting- that means it has no end to it. He will love you as much today as He did yesterday, and He'll love you as much tomorrow as He does today. His loves bears, believes, hopes and endures all things. His love doesn't give up on you. It is unconditional. It isn't "fair weather love"- present as long as you are doing everything right and as long as you are giving love back to Him in returned. Remember, He loved you first, before you ever loved Him. He loved you while you were still dead in trespasses and sin. He gave Himself as a ransom for your sins while you were still His enemy.

This morning do not let guilt, condemnation, your mistakes and failures convince you that God does not love you. He does love you, and this morning through this word (if you will believe it) He is drawing you to Himself by His loving-kindness. Go to Him, don't run from Him. Repent. Tell Him you are sorrow. Tell Him how much you really do love Him. Pour out your heart to Him. He will not turn you away, but He will forgive you, cleanse you, restore you and embrace you. He is a loving Father who wants to lavish His love on you.

Have a great day. HE REALLY LOVES YOU!

For further reading:
1 John 4:19
1 Corinthians 13
Romans 5:8
John 3:16,17

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"Keeping Joy"

2011-12-28T07:31:00.001-06:00

"....for the joy of the Lord is your strength." Nehemiah 8:10b

Who doesn't want joy in their lives. We search in a wide variety of areas hoping to find it. We hope to obtain it through material possessions, through popularity, through relationships, through wealth, through success. But true and lasting joy comes only from one source-- "of the Lord". Only He can give true and lasting joy. Only He can give us a joy that passes the test of time, that withstands the storm, that holds steady when we are being shaken.

Have you ever noticed that at a time when you should be full of joy, instead there is sorrow and confusion? You should be rejoicing because God has answered your prayer and you have seen the promise come to pass, but you aren't. You would have thought that the Israelites, when they came out of Egypt would have come out overjoyed. After all, the Lord had delivered them from cruelty and bondage. But they barely made it out of the city and you don't see rejoicing you see fear, doubt, complaining and rebellion. That's because- in their lives and in ours- there is a thief who comes to steal, kill and destroy, and one of the things he is after is our joy.

If there should be joy in your life but there isn't, the thief is at work. He has come to steal it. How does he steal it? By getting you to look at the circumstances. By getting you to "believe what you see". Our joy stays intact when we look at God's word, His promises and His faithfulness. Our joy is of the Lord, in the Lord and through the Lord, so by staying focused on the Lord the thief cannot steal our joy.

Have a great day. Our joy is of the Lord, and we keep it by staying focused on Him.

For further reading:
John 10:10
Ephesians 5:22
Isaiah 61:10
Hebrews 12:2
2 Corinthians 5:
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"Provision Ahead of Time"

2011-12-27T07:02:00.001-06:00

"And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him." Matthew 2:13

Two verses prior to this one we read about the wise men presenting their gifts to the Christ child. When they presented their gifts, perhaps Mary and Joseph began to have ideas about what to do with them. Perhaps it could be used to build a more suitable house for their special new arrival or put up for His "college fund" later? But in hindsight we see that God was sending a provision ahead of time to meet a need that was right around the corner... "flee to Egypt". The Lord saw beforetime the trip they would have to make and the expenses it would entail. He saw the need to purchase a place for them to live once they got to Egypt. He knew that Joseph would have a find another job, or start a new business, in a strange place, and that they would have to eat in the meantime. So the gifts were given to provide for their upcoming needs.

When the Lord blesses us, we tend to think about what we are going to do with it- perhaps purchase something we have been desiring to have, or put it aside for later use. I can remember going through a really hard financial period in our lives- not always knowing where our next meal would come from. The Lord would bless us with an unexpected financial blessing but in a day or two something unforeseen would arise that would take all of it. It seemed as if we were never going to "get ahead". I have heard so many other people say this same thing. They would receive a financial blessing, but no sooner than they did some expense would take all of it.

It took me a while to understand that what was happening was not the "devour coming to take what I had", it was the Lord seeing ahead and making provision for the need. The Lord saw what was coming, so He sent what I would need so that when it came I would have it. (This is what He did for Mary and Joseph.) One of His names is Jehovah-Jireh (God our Provider, the One who sees ahead and makes provision, the One who will "see to it"). Beloved, this is what is going on more times than not when this happens to us. Instead of rejoicing and thanking God that the provision was there when the need presented itself, we bemoan and complain about it being taken. We need to change our attitude about the way we see things and consider that there may be another reason why God has sent this blessing.

Have a great day. The provision the Lord sends is not always about the present, sometimes it is about what lies ahead.

For further reading:
Matthew 2:1-14
Philippians 4:19

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"Peace Where?"

2011-12-26T07:19:00.001-06:00

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men." Luke 2:14

"On earth peace". These words brought hope into a world that is without peace. There is no peace to be found in this world. There are wars, rumors of war, murder, hate, toil, strife, hardships, burdens, oppression, calamities, etc. When the angels pronounced their good tidings, they pronounced that peace was on its way.

Peace had to come from some where besides the earth. It had to come from heaven. Man cannot devise peace. He had tried for over two-thousand years without success. Mankind has been unable to achieve it through his wars for peace, through his compromises, through his threats, through his plans or through his resources. As a matter of fact, man lost the peace that was on earth back in the Garden of Eden.

We are hopelessly without peace and the ability to make peace, no matter how hard we try. So peace had to come from the only true source of peace- God Himself. Peace was entering the world again after two-thousand years. It was coming to set itself up in the earth once more- this time within the hearts of men.

There won't be total and lasting peace universally on earth until Jesus Christ the Prince of Peace returns to set up His Kingdom here on earth. But this peace that the angels sang about is a peace that can abide in the individual hearts and lives of those who will receive Jesus as Savior and follow His plan for their lives.

The peace He gives doesn't necessarily mean we will live peacefully with everyone we encounter or the rest of mankind. It doesn't mean that enemies won't rise against us. It means that we now have peace with God and are no longer His enemies. Only Jesus' coming and death on the cross could pave the way for us to have peace with God. To have peace with God and know all is well between you and Him is so much better than to have peace with the rest of mankind. And the key to have any peace with others comes from having peace with God. Do you have peace with Him?

Have a great day. Jesus came to bring peace into the hearts of those who would accept Him.

For further reading:
John 14:27
Isaiah 9:6
Romans 5:1
Psalm 29:11
Colossians 3:15

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"The Plan"

2011-12-23T06:52:00.000-06:00

With CHRISTmas only a few days away, I would like to take this opportunity to wish you and yours and very Merry CHRISTmas and a Happy New Year. May your heart be the continued dwelling place for our wonderful Savior. May He bless you coming in and going out. May you have the knowledge of His will guiding your every step. May He prosper you throughout the coming year for His glory and make you fruitful in every good work as you endeavor to represent His kingdom here on earth.
Love and blessings, Lorraine Ezell
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *

"The Plan"

"...To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world..." John 18:37

We have all heard the saying: He who fails to plan, plans to fail. This is not always true. Even the best laid plans can do awry, they can fail, they can fall through and they can change. Planning is a good thing, we should plan, but just because we do there is no guarantee that our plan will succeed.

God has plans as well. His plans are unlike ours-- His plans never fail, they always succeed. This Omniscient God looked through time and before He ever laid the foundation of the earth or called anything into existence, He saw that the creation (man) He would eventually create turn in disobedience from His command and open the door to sin upon all mankind and broken relationship with Him.

Before the act of Adam's disobedience ever occurred, God already had a plan to redeem mankind. When we make a plan, it has to make sense to us and those who hear it. God's plans, on the other hand, often seem foolish and make no sense. God's plan to redeem us included a young virgin girl, a manger, swaddling clothes, a baby (not just any baby, but the Son of God clothed in flesh), a cross and an empty tomb.

When God began to put His plan into action, He entrusted the care of His plan into the hands of humans but not the fulfillment of it. God planted His plan (Jesus) into the womb of Mary. She gave birth to it, nurtured it/Him and raised it/Him; but Jesus Himself went to the cross to fulfill it. This is why His plans never fail. He planned it and presented it, but fulfilled it Himself.

Every plan should have a reason behind it. God's plan had a reason- it is so that no person would perish but that all may have eternal life. God succeeded in His plan. The way to eternal life has been provided through the sacrifice of His Son Jesus. But in order for us to receive the benefit and promise provided by His plan, we must plan something. We must plan to receive Jesus as Savior, turn from our sins in repentance and follow Him. When we do this, then God's plan is fulfilled in our lives. When we don't accept His plan, we are planning to spend eternity separated from Him in torment.

God's plan, the gift of eternal life, came wrapped in swaddling clothes that first CHRISTmas. Will you receive that gift this CHRISTmas? Will you receive His plan for your life?

Have a great day. God's plans never fail, therefore, you and I have the opportunity to receive the wonderful gift of eternal life.

For further reading:
John 3:16,17
1 Corinthians 1:25
Romans 11:33
2 Peter 3:9
Jeremiah 29:11
Revelation 13:8

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"To Save People"

2011-12-22T06:55:00.000-06:00

"But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive." Genesis 50:20

"To save much people alive." When the Lord uses us or places us in some position, we must resist the temptation to "think more highly of ourselves than we ought to think". We must not look at what He is doing through us as an avenue solely for the purpose of blessing us or making us great.

When Joseph was promoted in Egypt to the place of leadership, it was not so that Joseph could have a great biography to write about how he went from being betrayed to power. It wasn't so that he could brag about how he got from the pit to the palace. It was so that he could save many people during the famine. When Esther was made queen, it wasn't so that she could have a rags to riches story. It wasn't so that she could boast of being a captive who became a queen. It was so that she could save her people from annihilation. When Mary was chosen to give birth to the Son of God, it wasn't so that she could find a place of honor among the saints. It was so that the Savior could come into this world who would save us from our sins.

When God uses you to do something great in His kingdom, it is not about you either. It is not so that you can become famous or popular. It is not so that everyone will know your name. It is not so that you will be admired. It is always so that He can receive glory because whatever He has called you to do will "save many people". Remember this- God in His sovereignty could have chosen someone else besides Joseph, Esther or Mary. It was nothing that they did to cause Him to chose them. In His sovereignty He could have also chosen someone else to do the task He has called you to do. He could have even called a "donkey" to do it. So never think more highly of yourself than you should. Always remember why He called you. Stay focused on Him and what He has called you to do and not on yourself.

Have a great day. Whatever He has called you to do will be about saving people, not about you.

For further reading:
Romans 12:3
Genesis 45:7
Matthew 18:11

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"Right Timing"

2011-12-21T07:33:00.000-06:00

"But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law." Galatians 4:4

"The fullness of time" is a phrase that I have been hearing in my spirit a lot lately. The Bible says to everything there is a season and a time. There is a time when a certain thing occurs, when an event happens, when a birth takes place, when a promise is fulfilled. We would call it-- right timing. It's a time when all the conditions have been met and everything that needs to be in place is.

The thing about "the fullness of time" is that it is God's time- not ours. The "fullness of time" is when God says that it is time for this thing to happen. Eve thought the fullness of time- the promise of the seed that would bruise the head of the serpent- was when she conceived Seth. This promised seed did not come until two-thousand years later with the birth of Christ. Abraham thought that the fullness of time to receive the promised son would be in nine months- the length of time a baby is carried in the womb. But for Abraham the fullness of time came twenty-five years later. The fullness of time did not come for David at his anointing by Samuel, but around fourteen years later. The fullness of time for the Israelite's deliverance from Egyptian bondage did not come the day after Moses went to Pharaoh asking for the release of God's people- it came after all the plagues were fulfilled. Mary did not birth the Christ child the morning after the angel gave her the news, He came nine months later.

We don't understand why the manifestation of the promise of God often waits in coming to pass in our lives, but it is because it is not the "fullness of time". All things aren't ready. Some things need to happen first. Some things need to change. Some things need to be put in place. If it happens too early something may be lacking. You may not can handle it then. But just because it delays doesn't mean it will not happen. Just because it doesn't happen when we think it should doesn't mean that He won't fulfill His promise. God is a sovereign God who sees the end from the beginning, therefore, He sees all things in the middle and by seeing the whole picture He is orchestrating things to be in the right place at the right time. God moves on His time clock. He does everything perfectly. He is never late and never early but always at the right time-- which is called the "fullness of time".

Have a great day. God doesn't work according to our time clock but His own, and in the fullness of His time the promise will be fulfilled.

For further reading:
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8
Genesis 3:15
2 Peter 3:8
Isaiah 57:15

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"Counselors"

2011-12-20T07:20:00.000-06:00

"Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety." Proverbs 11:14

"In the multitude of counsellors there is safety." We all have times when we have to seek out the counsel of others. We need help, we need instruction at times because we don't always know what to do. Pharaoh sought counsel concerning the dreams he had. Moses needed the wise counsel of his father in law concerning judging the matters of the children of Israel. Ruth heeded the counsel of her mother in law concerning Boaz.

"Where no counsel is, the people fall." Without godly counsel we can rest assured that we will fall- that is what the verse tells us. We can easily make mistakes. We can go in the wrong direction. We can mess up our lives. Without wise godly counsel we will do "what is right in our own eyes". Doing what is right in our own eyes ends up leading us in the way of death.

Where do we get counsel? From our spiritual leaders, our teachers, our elders, those who are more educated than we are, those who have greater wisdom or from our public officials? The answer is yes, we can get counsel from all the above. But there is a primary source of counsel that we tend to forget about and instead seek out the counsel of other people. "And his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." (Isaiah 9:6b) Our beloved Jesus whose birth we are getting ready to celebrate, our everlasting Father, His name is called Counselor. He is the Counselor of counselors. He is the greatest counselor because He knows everything about everything. He knows everything about the situation. He knows the end result before it even begins. He knows every detail, every hidden motive, every agenda, everything! And when He gives His counsel, it is not with an ulterior motive, it is not to trap you into something, it is not to take advantage of you, it won't lead you astray, He counsels you according to counsel of His own will-- with your best interest at heart. He counsels you according to the good plans that He has for your life.

While the Bible tells us to seek out godly, wise counsel so that we will have safety in the decisions that we make, we must never place the counsel of men before the counsel of God. Get counsel from others, but go to God and seek His counsel as well.

Have a great day. His name shall be called Counsellor.

For further reading:
Proverbs 16:25; 12:15
Jeremiah 29:11
Ephesians 1:11
Judges 17:6: 21:25

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"Only One I Am"

2011-12-19T07:25:00.001-06:00

"And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you." Exodus 3:14

I have noticed in the music field, entertainment field and throughout various parts of society that "I AM" has become the popular saying. Many people out there are identifying themselves as "I Am". I want to set the record straight this morning-- there is only one "I Am" and that is God. This title is ascribed to Him alone.

While people might like to think that they are "I Am"- He only is. In those two small words is wrapped up the full nature, character and identity of God-- I Am the Beginning and the End. I Am the Creator. I Am the Way, the Truth and the Life. I Am unchanging. I Am all powerful, all knowing and all present. I Am the Provider. I Am the Deliverer. I Am the Good Shepherd. I Am the soon coming King of kings. I Am the all sufficient One. (The list is endless, because He is endless.)

While men like to think they share equality with God- they don't. Anything we have, anything we possess, anything we can do or accomplish, is only because He so graciously blesses us with them. Even our beloved Savior Jesus declared, "Without Him I can do nothing".

When someone thinks that they are "I Am" (meaning so great and powerful), perhaps what they should mean is- I am unable to save myself. I am not able to deliver myself. I am lost. I am without hope if I am the one who can fix the problem. I am not very smart or wise. I am weak. I am helpless. I am nothing without the Lord. These are more truthful statements. And it is only when we realize this truth that we will switch positions from thinking we are "I Am" to allowing the true "I Am" to take control and charge of our lives.

Have a great day. Man is not "I AM", the True and Living God is the only "I Am".

For further reading:
John 5:19: 15:5; 14:6
Isaiah 43:10, 13
Revelation 1:18

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"Praise Among The Presents"

2011-12-16T06:30:00.001-06:00

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

Perhaps you are wondering why I would use the verse above to open the devotional- after all, we tend to associate this verse with the Thanksgiving holiday and we are getting ready to celebrate Christmas. For the Christian each day should be a day to give God thanksgiving and praise, but especially now as we are in the Christmas season. What better time to thank the Lord for the wonderful gift of His Son who came into the world to save us from our sins.

It is so easy to get caught up in all the trappings that we associate with Christmas that we forget why we are celebrating. It is so easy to get anxious about all the demands and details that go along with the preparation for our celebration. It is so easy to let the pressures of finding the "right" gift, having the finances to pay for it, time limitations to get it all done before its too late, make us frustrated. And as we are paying attention to the "externals" that we call Christmas we can miss the true reason for our celebration.

We need to stop all our running around and take time to offer up thanksgiving and praise for the true reason behind Christmas. We need to thank the Lord for His gift. We need to thank Him for not leaving us in our sins, but providing a way of escape. We need to thank Him for paying the greatest price ever paid to redeem us. We need to praise Him for His wonderful grace, for eternal life, for devising a plan to save us and for fulfilling that plan. In short, we need to praise Him for the true meaning of Christmas and the great gift of love that He gave to the world that first Christmas night.

Have a great day. Don't let the true meaning or your praise get lost among the trappings of what we consider Christmas.

For further reading:
John 3:16,17
Romans 5:8
Matthew 1:21

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"Who's Your Friend?"

2011-12-15T06:23:00.000-06:00

"But Amnon had a friend, whose name was Jonadab, the son of Shimeah David's brother: and Jonadab was a very subtil man." 2 Samuel 13:3

Let me give you a little background about this verse. Amnon was King David's oldest son. He fell in love with his half sister Tamar. The Bible records that he wanted her so badly that it made him ill because he thought it was impossible for him to ever be with her. So he made no attempts toward her, but just grew sicker and sicker because of his longing for her.

But Amnon had a "friend" so all that was about to change. This friend encouraged him to pursue his desire and even devised a plan to fulfill it. The end of the story was that Amnon finally fulfilled his desire to be with his sister by raping her. Although he wanted her badly he did not make any advance to cause it to happen until his "friend" showed him how to get what he wanted.

Friendship is a wonderful blessing, or it can be a curse if you don't choose your friends wisely. The Bible warns us that evil companions corrupt good morals. This was certainly the case with Amnon's "friend". It was only at the advice and prompting of his friend that he filled his lust toward his sister by raping her. Up until that point he made no advances toward her and was innocent of that evil.

How many of us have gotten into trouble because we listened to a "friend's advice". This is why it is so important that you choose your friends wisely. The right kind of friends will encourage you to do the right thing. Many people have been led astray by their "friend". This is one of the first things we encourage those who are getting out of the recovery center to do-- break ties with those "friends" that you did drugs with- they will only bring you back down into that pit with them. This is why parents are concerned about their children's friendships.

Choosing your friends wisely is so important. A good friend has your best interest at heart. They will help you make the wisest choice and weigh the consequences of making the wrong choice- not just help you figure out how to get what you want. Ungodly friends will lead you in the wrong direction. It may have seemed like Jonadab had his friend's best interest at heart, but he wound up doing him more harm in the end-- Amnon hated Tamar after he raped her instead of loving her, and his act against her eventually led to his death.

Think about your friendships. Do you have any that you should not have? Are your friends building you up or pulling you down? Are they encouraging you to do the right thing, or the wrong thing? Are they helping you get closer to the Lord and obeying His commands, or do they pull you further away from Him and into sin?

Have a great day. Friendship is a wonderful blessing, or it can be a curse if you don't choose your friends wisely.

For further reading:
1 Corinthians 15:33
2 Samuel 13

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"Ignorance Equals Concern"

2011-12-14T06:07:00.000-06:00

"But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope." 1 Thessalonians 4:13

It is always our ignorance that gives us cause for concern. When we are concerned about a matter, it is usually because we are ignorant of the details, outcome or results concerning the matter. If I have understanding and knowledge of the matter I am less concerned. As in the verse above. These believers at Thessalonica were concerned about their brothers and sisters in the Lord who had already died as to what would become of them at the resurrection. The apostle set their minds at ease with the truth of God's word concerning this matter.

We don't have to stay in a state of confusion and concern because of ignorance. God's word gives us clarity, enlightenment and understanding- and along with that comes hope. If you are concerned about a matter, if you aren't sure about what is going on, then go to God's word, go to Him in prayer, seek Him. He will enlighten the eyes of your understanding. He will give you revelation and insight. He will guide you, calm your fears, and clarify your concerns. After all, He doesn't want us to be anxious, worried or overly concerned. And He doesn't want us in ignorance. He wants us to know the truth because when we do, the truth will set us free-- free from worry and anxiety.

Have a great day. Ignorance often causes us to worry and be anxious, but the knowledge of the truth gives clarity and peace.

For further reading:
Philippians 4:6
John 8:32
Ephesians 1:18

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"Don't You Waver"

2011-12-13T07:09:00.000-06:00

"Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)." Hebrews 10:23

If there is any wavering it is clear that it is on our part, not God's. He is faithful- always has been, always will be. He hasn't changed and He never will. He was faithful in the past and He will be faithful in the future. He was faithful yesterday and He will still be today. He remains faithful even when we aren't.

We are the ones who need to hold fast- be firm, not give up, not change, not waver- in our profession of faith, in our trust in Him, in our belief in His word. We are the ones who need to anchor our trust in His word, pattern our lives after it, build our hopes upon it. And we can, because He is faithful as promised.

How do we hold fast our profession of His faithfulness? How do we keep from wavering when the storms and trials come? By being grounded in His word. By hiding it in our hearts. By studying it. By renewing our minds with it. By keeping it before our eyes and in the hearing of our ears. This will build our faith and reinforce the foundation of His faithfulness that we are standing upon.

Have a great day. God will always be faithful, there is no wavering in Him.

For further reading:
Lamentations 3:23
Deuteronomy 7:9
1 Corinthians 1:9
1 Thessalonians 5:24

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"Family Resemblance"

2011-12-12T07:19:00.000-06:00

"And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly." 1 Corinthians 15:49

It's not very often that I get to spend much time with my sister, but we were able to spend the whole day together just the two of us this weekend. Each time we have been together for any length of time and are out among the public, I have noticed that we are much more alike than I thought we were. We both have some of the same mannerisms. We interact with other people the same way. We have some of the same characteristics. We think alike, act alike and conduct ourselves in certain situations the same way- even though in many ways we are uniquely different.

While my sister and I don't look alike at all, we do tend to act alike. The reason is obvious-- we are family. I was thinking about this yesterday and the Lord spoke to me about family resemblance. As a part of God's family there should be some family resemblance that I have with my Big Brother (Jesus). I should have the same character and mannerisms that He has- love, grace, peace, joy. I should interact with others the way He does- with concern, compassion, mercy, patience.

The reason these same characteristics are evident in my sister and I is because we have the same daddy and mama. Jesus and I have the same Father- I am God's child. Therefore, I should be acting like Him. It should be said of me- "when you have seen me, you have seen the Father" (just as Jesus said). I am not saying that when you see me, you see deity and you don't see a "little god", but you should see His nature alive in me- the Fruit of the Spirit.

Another reason for the resemblance in our mannerisms is because my sister and I both grew up in the same house together- we both got our training, upbringing and influence from the same place. While Jesus was on the earth He was trained in "God's word" and communed with the Father through prayer. I am being trained in "God's word" also, and I have the same communion with the Father that Jesus did- if I am spending time with the Father in prayer. So, like my sister and I both grew up under the same influence, Jesus (while He was on earth) and I are under the same influence- God's word and His Holy Spirit. This means there should be a family resemblance between us.

Is there a family resemblance between you and Jesus? Do you "look" like the Father in your mannerisms, in the way you conduct yourself, in the way you deal with others? Do other people know that you are part of the family of God by the way you act and speak?

Have a great day. What kind of family resemblance do you bear with your Big Brother Jesus?

For further reading:
John 14:7-9; 1:12
2 Corinthians 3:18
Ephesians 5:1

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"Fear Of Who?"

2011-12-09T07:33:00.001-06:00

"And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell." Matthew 10:28

Who do we fear? Has our fear of man replaced our fear of God? Have we stopped speaking the truth when the situation dictates because we fear man more than we fear God? Have we stopped contending for the faith because we fear man above our fear of God? Have we ceased to be obedient to the commands of God because of our fear of man?

King Saul is our example of the consequences of fearing man more than we fear God. "And Saul said unto Samuel, I have sinned: for I have transgressed the commandment of the Lord, and thy words: because I feared the people, and obeyed their voice." (1 Samuel 15:24) The Lord rejected him from being king over Israel.

"The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe." (Proverbs 29:25) The fear of man will bring a snare that will disturb our peace. It also brings a snare that will entangle us and lead us into sin.

"I, even I, am he that comforteth you: who art thou, that thou shouldest be afraid of a man that shall die, and of the son of man which shall be made as grass." (Isaiah 51:12) Why do we fear people- their opinions, their words, their looks, their responses, their threats- more than we fear God? They are no different than we are. They will all die one day just like we will. Their power is limited just like ours is. They aren't God, they can only kill the body- if God permits- and after that there is nothing else they can do to us. It is the fear of the Lord that we must be more concerned with than the fear of man, because He has the power to destroy both soul and body.

How do we stop fearing man? The antidote is to fear God. It is better to have them look down upon us, talk about us, ridicule us, persecute us, than to have God "frown" upon us.

Have a great day. When you truly fear God, you won't fear man.

For further reading:
Acts 4:19
Psalm 111:10
Proverbs 1:7; 8:13; 9:10
Isaiah 33:6

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"Do You Know Him Personally?"

2011-12-08T06:19:00.000-06:00

"And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the Lord his God." 1 Samuel 30:6

Notice that it said David encouraged himself in the Lord "his" God- not just in the Lord. The Lord was "his" God. That indicates something personal. God wasn't just someone he had heard about. Or someone that he was only familiar with through the testimonies of another person. The Lord wasn't just David's father's God that he had been brought up to believe in. He wasn't just a God that he had heard the priest teach about. But He was someone that David knew for himself.

David knew God in a personal way. He had communion with Him daily. He had depended on Him many times through many trials. He had a personal relationship with Him- as a Father and a son. He was a worshipper of God. He followed His commandments. Therefore, when David was in his greatest hour of testing, he knew that he could turn to "his" God. He knew that He would not fail him or let him down. He knew that the Lord would guide and direct him. He knew that the Lord would encourage and strengthen him. He knew that he could count on the faithfulness, love and grace of God to see him through.

David's confidence in God was because of his own personal relationship with Him. If we don't have a personal relationship- one filled with fellowship, worship, love and devotion- then when we call upon Him, we can only "hope" that He will hear us or answer us.

The good news is that we can have a relationship with Him. We can experience that confidence and assurance of knowing that He hears and answers us when we call upon Him. He can be "my" God. I can have personal knowledge of Him and not just hear-say or second hand experience. This personal relationship comes through faith in His Son Jesus. Jesus died to save us from our sins and bring us into a personal relationship with the Lord God. Do you have that relationship? Do you know Him personally? Can you say that He is "your" God?

Have a great day. The Lord was David's God, he knew Him personally... do you?

For further reading:
John 1:12; 14:7,17
Romans 5:8
1 John 2:3; 5:20

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"We've Come To Worship Him"

2011-12-07T07:11:00.000-06:00

"Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him." Matthew 2:2

The goal of the wise men that searched for the new born King of the Jews was that they might worship Him. Their goal was not to receive something from Him, but instead give something to Him. Their plan was not to petition Him for some need, or seek His hand of favor, or gain some position. It was simply to worship Him.

Imagine traveling the great distance they traveled and under such conditions- on camel, facing the elements (rain and heat), with the threat of robbers during the journey. They did not have planes, trains, buses or cars to travel in. They did not have luxury automobiles (no air-conditioning or heaters or comfortable seats). They did not have iPods to keep them entertained on their journey. They could only travel at one speed. Yet they endured and continued on in order to worship this new King.

I can't help but wonder what price are we willing to pay to worship our glorious King of kings, the Lord Jesus. If all the conditions aren't just right will we do it? If we have to get out of our comfort zone will we do it? If it places any inconvenience upon us, do we withhold it?

I can't help but wonder when we do worship Him if our motive is pure. Or is our worship self-centered, because of what we hope to receive from Him instead of give to Him? Do we worship Him with hopes of something in return?

It cost these wise men much to go and worship the new King- time, comfort, material things (those were no cheap gifts that they were bringing- gold, frankincense and myrrh). They did it and they were from heathen lands-- they weren't Jews. If that was the case and they paid this great price, how much easier should it be for us, how much more should we desire to worship Him if we call ourselves Christians because of our love and gratitude to Him for all He has done for us.

Have a great day. Are you a worshipper? If so, what is your motive behind your worship?

For further reading:
Matthew 2:1-12
John 4:23,24
Psalm 29:2; 95:6; 96:9

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"Seeing And Hearing"

2011-12-06T07:16:00.001-06:00

"(For that righteous man dwelling among them, in seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul from day to day with their unlawful deeds;)" 2 Peter 2:8

"In seeing and hearing, vexed his righteous soul." It is so important that you watch what you watch and be careful of what you listen to. You can't just listen to anything and it not effect you. You can't spend your time watching anything you want and it not effect you. There are two avenues through which knowledge and influence enter our lives-- through seeing and hearing.

The Psalmist said that he would "set no wicked thing before his eyes". Why? Because what you watch does effect you. It leaves a picture on your mind. It is a seed that produces an "imagination". You can't watch porn (for example) and it not begin to effect your behavior. It will develop into a lustful, immoral and perverted attitude in your life. King David learned the hard way what happens if you don't guard your eyes from looking at the wrong thing. He watched as Bathsheba bathed and it led to lust, adultery and murder.

The Bible says that "faith comes through hearing". Faith comes through hearing, and so does fear, cursing, rebellion and every other evil attitude. Riots, strikes, uproars are started because a group of people "listened" to what someone else was saying. People aren't automatically born speaking profanity- they learn it by hearing it. This is why we, when talking about little children, always say that you have to be careful about what you say around them because they will repeat it. This is also why parents spend a lot to time "spelling" words around little children. When the devil came to tempt Jesus in the wilderness, he used the tactics of hearing and seeing-- "he said" and "he showed". He tried to get Jesus to act upon what he was saying to Him.

If you sit in front of the television, listen to radio, watch videos and listen to CDs it will effect you. It will get into your mind and heart. Therefore, you have to guard your eyes and your ears and be careful about what you are watching and listening to. If you think that you don't have to be "selective" in the things you watch and listen to because you are "beyond" that- it won't effect you in the wrong way- you are fooling yourself. If you think it doesn't, if you think you can watch and listen to whatever you want, then step back and take a look at yourself and listen to yourself talk. I think you will find that it has more of an influence on you than you realize. What you "fill" yourself with is what comes out.

We guard our hearing and seeing through the Word of God. Let it instruct you as to what you should listen to and what you should watch. Had King David followed it at that moment, he never would have fallen prey to lust. Had Eve listened to the "Word" of God instead of the words of the serpent, and had Adam listened to His Word instead of that of his wife, we would all still be living in the garden without sin.

Have a great day. What you watch and listen to does effect you- either in a good way or a bad way.

For further reading:
Psalm 101:3
Romans 10:17
2 Samuel 11:2
Matthew 4:3,6,8,9

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"Complaining"

2011-12-05T07:19:00.000-06:00

"Wherefore doth a living man complain.....? Lamentations 3:39a

Recently, it seems like everywhere I go I wind up in the company of complaining people... and many of them are professing Christians. The complaints that I hear are not confined to one area, but every area. I hear complaints about everything from the weather to what someone else is doing. People tend to complain about everything that doesn't go their way. We want what we want, when we want it and the way we want it. If it is not to our liking-- we complain about it.

The problem with complaining is that it shows a lack of gratitude. When you complain about your food, it shows that you aren't grateful for the fact that you have something to eat and are not going hungry. When you complain about your spouse, it shows that you aren't thankful for that person. And whether you realize it or not, the primary focus and object of your complaint is God. You are saying that what He has done for you is not good enough. This was the problem with the Israelites in the wilderness. You would have thought that they would have been so thankful to be out from under Egyptian bondage that there would never be a complaint in their mouths ever again--- wrong. They complained about everything, even the blessings the Lord was sending them.

Another problem is that complaining is contagious. When you are around someone and they start complaining, it is easy to get pulled into that complaining spirit yourself. (If you ever talk to any one about politics you'll see this happen real quick.)

The Bible tells us that godliness with contentment is great gain. (1 Timothy 6:6) As I said earlier, complaining comes as a result of things not going the way we want them to go. The truth of the matter is, as long as we live in this world, things will not always go the way we want them to go-- they will go the opposite more times then not. There are plenty of reasons to complain all around us. But we need to learn how to be content with such as we have so we won't be guilty of complaining. If we will have an attitude of gratitude- regardless of the fact that all we have is "manna" and "no meat", then we will not be complaining people. Because when you get down to it, the blessings and good things that we have are far more than we should have.

Have a great day. Let your gratitude outweigh your complaining.

For further reading:
Psalm 144:13-15
Exodus 16:8
John 6:43
1 Corinthians 10:10

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"What Do You Want To Reap?"

2011-12-02T07:25:00.000-06:00

"Even as I have seen, they that plow iniquity, and sow wickedness, reap the same." Job 4:8

There is a law in the natural called sowing and reaping. If you sow corn seeds, you will reap corn. If you sow butter bean seeds, you will reap butter beans. If you sow apple seeds, you will reap apples. Whatever type of seed you sow is the type of fruit you will reap. You can't sow orange seeds and expect to get peas. It doesn't work that way. Everything reproduces after its own kind.

The law of sowing and reaping is also a spiritual law. The principles in the spiritual law of sowing and reaping are the same-- you reap the same thing you sow. So why do we think that we can sow one thing and get another? Why do we think that we can sow the wrong kinds of food into our bodies and not reap the consequences of it in our health? Why do we think we can sow fearful, negative, worldly thoughts into the ground of our minds and not reap fear, negativity and worldliness? Why do we think we can sow seeds of rudeness and not receive rude treatment in return?

The law of sowing and reaping is one of the most powerful laws naturally and spiritually. It doesn't change- never has, never will. It doesn't alter itself for certain individuals- there are no exceptions. Each and every seed that is sown produces according to its nature. It won't become something else just because it is planted along with other seeds of a different kind. Remember the story of the wheat and tares. Both seeds were planted in the field and both grew after their own nature. The wheat didn't change into a tare, and the tare didn't change into wheat just because they were planted side by side.

What kind of seeds are you sowing? When a farmer gets ready to plant his crops, before he even purchases his seeds, he is looking ahead to the harvest. He knows when the time comes to reap, exactly what kind of crop he wants to have so he plants that type of seed. We should do the same. We should have "harvest time" in mind. If we did, we would be more careful about what we are planting/sowing.

Have a great day. Whatever you are sowing is what you are going to reap.

For further reading:
Galatians 6:7,8
2 Corinthians 9:6
Matthew 13:24-30
Genesis 1:11-25
Luke 6:38

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"Gaze Upward"

2011-12-01T07:06:00.000-06:00

"But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him." 1 Corinthians 2:9

Life may not always go the way we plan. We may not always have everything we want. There may be things we don't have. Most people tend to spend so much time focused on what they don't have instead of what they do have. When we do that, it tends to make us ungrateful and complaining. The best way I know to counteract this type of attitude is by changing your focus.

If you are a Christian, instead of being focused on what you don't have here in this life turn your focus upward. Begin to focus on what you do have- on what awaits you in heaven. There is a place that is being prepared for us. It is a place where there is no need for the sun or moon because Jesus is the Light that shines always there. It is a place where the streets are pure gold and the gates are pearl. It is a place where there is no sickness, pain, death, sorrow, wars, murder, abuse, adultery, or any other evil. It is a place of indescribable peace and joy. It is a place where those who have put there faith and trust in Jesus have a home- the Bible calls it a mansion.

We may not have it all while we are here on earth. Actually, the Bible never promises that we will. But it does promise us eternal life and a home with the Lord forever if we have faith in and follow Jesus. So don't bemoan what you don't have, or when you do change the direction you are looking and gaze up and into the future to what awaits you.

Have a great day. We may not have all we want down here, and when we start feeling down and depressed about that we need to turn our gaze to heaven and think about what we do have- or what awaits us.

For further reading:
Revelation 21:18-23; 22:14,15
John 14:2
Matthew 25:21

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"You Are God"

2011-11-30T07:01:00.000-06:00

"Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised; and his greatness is unsearchable." Psalm 145:3

Before I could even get my eyes open this morning I began hearing the words of a song playing over and over in my thoughts. Let me "sing" it for you this morning. "You are God on the highest mountain. You are God in the deepest sea. You are awesome in power and glory. Great is Your love for me."

No matter where you may be, or what you may be going through, there are a few of things you should remember:
1) God is still God when you are on the mountaintop- when you are in a place where trouble is "below" you and you are looking "down" on your problems.

2) God is still God when you are in the sea- the sea of despair, the sea of trouble, the sea of fear, the sea of pain, a sea of overwhelming odds, the sea of financial ruin, a deep sea that threatens to drown you.

3) God is awesome in power and glory- He is more powerful than sickness and disease, then the addiction that has you in bondage, more powerful than the guilt and condemnation that plagues you, more powerful than the enemy of your soul and the weapons that he forms against you.

4) God's love for you is GREAT- the magnitude of His love for you is incomprehensible, the depths of His love for you is unsearchable, the abundance of His love for you is inexhaustible. Nothing separates you from His love. He loves you with an everlasting love. And He demonstrated how great His love for you is by giving His one and only Son Jesus as a ransom for your sins. He loves you so much that He paid the greatest price in order to have a relationship with you.

Have a great day. God is the almighty, powerful, glorious God on the mountain and in the sea... and He loves you.

For further reading:
Romans 5:8
1 John 4:4
Romans 8:1, 31-39
John 3:16

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"Eat"

2011-11-29T07:02:00.001-06:00

"But Jonathan heard not when his father charged the people with the oath: wherefore he put forth the end of the rod that was in his hand, and dipped it in an honeycomb, and put his hand to his mouth; and his eyes were enlightened." 1 Samuel 14:27

The Israelites were fighting against the Philistines and on this particular day King Saul commanded that none of his men eat anything that day. They were tired and faint from hunger. But Saul's son Jonathan did not hear the charge of his father so when he saw the honey he dipped his rod in it and ate what was on the end of it. As a result of eating even that small amount he was strengthened and refreshed. "See, I pray you, how mine eyes have been enlightened, because I tasted a little of this honey." (verse 29)

The Psalmist described God's word as sweeter than honey on his lips. The honey that Jonathan ate refreshed him and gave him strength physically. When we "eat" God's word, it does the same thing for us spiritually. God's word refreshes our weary souls. It strengthens us for the journey. It enlightens our understanding. It gives health. It lifts up our heads. It brings peace to our hearts.

King Saul foolishly commanded the men not to eat that day. The lack of food during the battle hindered their victory. We do foolishly too when we do not "eat" the word of God each and every day- whether we are in a battle or at peace.

When the men came to the woods, the Bible recorded that there was honey all around them- on the ground and dropping from the trees. God's word is in abundant supply. Its pages are filled with wonderful promises, blessings, hope, encouragement and everything else that you need. I wonder how long it sits around in our houses and we never pick it up and taste of its contents.

King Saul had made an oath that placed a curse of death upon any man who ate. Therefore, none of the men would eat the honey although they wanted to, needed it and it was in abundant supply because they feared the king's oath. King Saul was just foolish for making such a command, but the enemy of our soul is strategic. He knows that without the word of God in our lives we will be weak, grow faint and weary- enabling us to be more easily defeated. So he uses fear tactics as well to try to keep us from God's word.

Are you suffering from lack of spiritual food? Are you growing faint and weary? Then take not just a taste, but heartily eat God's word and you will be refreshed.

Have a great day. What honey does to refresh the body, God's word does to refresh the soul.

For further reading:
Psalm 119:103
1 Samuel 14

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"Have Faith Where?"

2011-11-28T06:50:00.001-06:00

"And Jesus answering saith unto them, Have faith in God." Mark 11:22

This statement made by Jesus may seem odd-- "Have faith in God". Why would He tell us to have faith in God? Where else would our faith be based? Of course our faith is in God-- or is it? It may seem odd that He would tell us such a thing but He said it because our faith isn't always in God.

There are many things, people and places that we can place our faith in. The banks, loan companies, the doctor, modern technology, the word of some person, our education-- all these are where we often tend to place our faith. We have faith that the medicine the doctor prescribes will heal us. We have faith that our education will open doors of opportunity for us. We have faith that if the bank will loan us the money we will make it.

I am not saying that it is wrong to go to the doctor or take medicine. I am not saying that you shouldn't get an education. I am not saying that you shouldn't work. What I am saying is that your faith should not be in any of them as your healer, deliverer or provider. I know people who have years and years of education with so many degrees in front and behind their name that it takes ten minutes to read them- yet they can't find a job. We all know that medicines don't always work and doctors can't always save someone's life.

Putting your faith in people and things is not putting your faith in a firm foundation. God is the only true foundation upon which to place our faith. Men will fail. Things will fail. The products of men's hands will fail. Our monies will fail. Our abilities will fail. But the Lord never will. You can put your faith in Him eternally and know without a doubt that He will not fail.

Have a great day. Have faith in God because He is the only source that will not fail.

For further reading:
Hebrews 10:23
1 Chronicles 28:20
Lamentations 3:23

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"Trust The Lord With The Future"

2011-11-25T07:32:00.002-06:00

"They that trust in the Lord shall be as mount Zion, which cannot be removed, but abideth for ever." Psalm 125:1

One of the biggest problems we have is the desire to know everything. We want to know what is going to happen before it happens and how things are going to turn out before they begin. We want to know the future. The knowledge of what will happen in the future will always elude us because no one can tell the future. We each have to wait until it gets here.

When we read the stories of Bible characters who have gone through tremendous trials, we have the advantage of reading the whole story- from the beginning to the end. Those who we read about had to take it one day at a time. They did not know what each day would bring, they did not know how things were going to turn out while they were in it any more than you and I know what will happen while we are in our trials.

Job could not see into the future when his trial began. He didn't know that he would come forth from it as gold. When Naomi's husband and two sons died and she was left a widow, she didn't know that she would become the great-great grandmother of King David through her daughter in law Ruth- who was in the lineage of Jesus. When Joseph was thrown into the pit, he had no idea that one day he would rule "the world"- second to Pharaoh. When the three Hebrews were thrown into the fiery furnace, they didn't know they would come back out alive.

They didn't know the future, they didn't know what was going to happen to them in the end. They had to trust the Lord each and every day with their lives. Since we don't know what the future holds, since we can't see the end from the beginning, since we don't know what the outcome of our trial will be, we have only one course of action that we can take-- we have to trust the Lord. That's what it means to live by faith.

You may be suffering with an illness in your body and unsure of the outcome, but trust the Lord- He knows the outcome. You may be facing financial loss and don't know if you will have a roof over your head in the future, but trust that the Lord sees the outcome. You may be going through a broken relationship unsure if reconciliation is in the future, but trust the Lord because He sees the end. Whatever you may be facing, you may not know what will happen next, but trust the Lord because He does. He sees the end from the beginning; He is the Author and Finisher; He is the First and the Last. He already knows how it is going to end. And the outcome will always work together somehow for your good.

Have a great day. We don't have the luxury of knowing the future, but God does so we can put our trust in Him.

For further reading:
Job 23:10; 13:15
Revelation 1:11
Hebrews 12:2; 10:38
Genesis 45:5-7

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"Fear And Thanksgiving"

2011-11-24T06:51:00.000-06:00

"Then Job arose, and rent his mantle, and shaved his head, and fell down upon the ground, and worshipped." Job 1:20

I wasn't going to send out a devotional this morning since it is a holiday here in the United States, but the Lord woke me up early this morning and spoke a simple- yet powerful- statement to me to share with you. This is it: "Even in the worst situations, there is still something to be thankful for".

If ever there was a man who faced unimaginable grief, hardship and sorrow it was Job. He lost everything he possessed, his wife wanted him to curse God and die, his friends accused him while "comforting" him, he lost his entire family, yet in his time of lamentation he worshipped God.

Job was no different then we are. He was just another ordinary man. He wasn't a "super saint". He wasn't a mega church pastor or a prophet. He was in deep grief, he didn't understand everything that was happening, he was hurting, and he questioned why. Yet he still worshipped God through it all. How? How did he make it through it? "There was a man in the land of Uz, whose name was Job; and that man was perfect and upright, and one that feared God, and eschewed evil." (Job 1:1) Job feared the Lord. Our fear of the Lord will sustain us when everything is against us, when our world is shaken, when the bottom falls out from beneath us and when everything else fails us. It will give us the power to stand and continue on.

How did his fear of the Lord cause him to find something to be thankful for which caused him to worship? "And said, Naked came I out of my mother's womb, and naked shall I return thither: the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord." (Job 1:21) Because he remembered where His blessings came from in the first place. He remembered that anything he has was given to him by the grace of God. He knew that God was in control- He had the power to give and take away. He knew that regardless of what he was going through God was still worthy to be praised. He knew that when you praise and worship the Lord it brings His presence closer in a deeper way. And he knew that all things- some way, some how- work together for the good of those who love and fear the Lord. Therefore, there was still something that he could be thankful for. Everything else in his life may have been gone, but his fear of the Lord was still in tact.

You may be going through the darkest time of your life. You may be facing tremendous grief and sorrow. You may be at the bottom and see no hope in sight. But hold on to your fear of the Lord. It is the anchor that will hold you steady as this storm is raging.

Have a great day. Even in the worst situations, there is still something to be thankful for.

For further reading:
Job 1
Romans 8:28
Psalm 100

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"It's Right In Whose Eyes?"

2011-11-23T06:19:00.001-06:00

"In those days there was no king in Israel: every man did that which was right in his own eyes." Judges 21:25

During this time in the history of Israel there was no king to govern the people. They had God's law but they ignored it and did not follow it. The priest and the Levities did not follow it either. They did exactly as the verse says, "What was right in their own eyes." This verse sounds like it is talking about our modern day society- especially in the Western world. People are being led by what they deem as "right". They are following their own lusts, feelings and emotions. They are led by selfishness, greed and their own understanding. Sadly, this mentality isn't just reflected in the "world", it seems to be pretty prevalent in the present day church as well.

In the period of time in which the verse above was written there was no regard for the commandments and law of God. Have you noticed how little regard there is for God's word among professing believers? They attend church, but they don't live their lives after the guidelines of God's word. They are doing what is right in their own eyes. Many in the church are living in adultery and immorality- which is contrary to God's word, but it is right in their own eyes. They see nothing wrong with it. They see nothing wrong with cheating, lying, cursing, getting drunk, watching pornography, etc., and they justify it by saying, "For me it isn't wrong". One question-- why isn't it? If God's word says it is wrong then why isn't it wrong for you? God's word is the determining factor as to what is right and what is wrong; what we should be involved in and what we shouldn't; how we should conduct our lives and how we shouldn't; what we should participate in and what we should avoid.

If a person continues to do what is right in their own eyes, it will lead to the ways of death. In Israel during this time, as I said earlier, even the priests and Levities were guilty of doing what was right in their eyes instead of following after and holding God's word up as the only true standard of living. It is clear that these religious leaders weren't following God. So whoever you are- pastor, evangelist, church leader or lay person- if you are doing what is right in your own eyes and ignoring God's word as your guideline, then you aren't following Him either.

As long as we are doing what is right in our own eyes we are not following the Lord. And if we aren't following Him, then we are going in the opposite direction. When we are going in the opposite direction, we will get further and further away from Him and find ourselves on a way that leads to destruction. We must repent and turn back to following Him and doing what is "right in His eyes".

Have a great day. Are you doing what is right in your own eyes? Or are you living your life doing what is right in God's eyes?

For further reading:
Proverbs 12:15; 21:2; 16:25; 3:5
Judges 17:6

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"Lifted Up"

2011-11-22T06:21:00.000-06:00

"And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me." John 12:32

Jesus said that if He was lifted up He would draw all men unto Himself. I see this verse as two-fold. In context the verse means the literal lifting up of Jesus on the cross on Calvary's hill for all to see. Being lifted up on the cross opened up the way for all men to now be able to come to the Father and receive eternal life.

The second way I see this verse when I think about it is lifting up Jesus through our praise. We lift Him up when we tell of His goodness and greatness and testify of His wonderful love. This morning I would like to take this time to do just that. I want to lift Jesus up through praise and adoration and remind you of just who He is.

He is the great and mighty God. The Counselor; Prince of Peace; Everlasting Father. He is the Beginning and End; the Author and Finisher of our faith. The One who was and is and is to come. The Ancient of Days who has always been. The Eternal One who will always be. His days have no beginning and no end. His Word is powerful- sharper than a two-edged sword. His mercies are new each morning. His faithfulness cannot be measured. His promises never fail. He will never abandon His children. He gives rain on the just and unjust. He is a very present help in time of trouble. Every soul that cries to Him, He gives an attentive ear. He does not cast us away. He loves us with an everlasting love. He is the Way, the Truth and the Life. He does not change. He is as powerful as He has always been. He can still put money in the mouth of the fish. He can still send manna from heaven. He is still able to part the sea, quench the fire of the furnace, shut the mouths' of lions, command ravens to bring bread, call all the stars by name and He rides upon the wings of the wind.

I have a two-fold reason for lifting Him up this morning. One is because He is worthy to be lifted up through praise. The second is to remind you who He is. We do not act like God is God. For the most part His children appear to live discouraged, defeated, depressed lives. Why!? I believe it is because we have forgotten just Who He is. He is no "wimpy, feeble, weak" God that we are serving and placing our faith in and love upon. He is who He says He is in His word. He hasn't, and never will, changed. I think we need to start reminding ourselves daily who God is. And one way we do that is by lifting Him up through our praise.

Have a great day. Lift Him up today through your praise- it will help you remember how great He is.

For further reading:
Psalm 95:3; 86:8; 145:3-5; 105:2; 26:7
Jeremiah 10:6,7

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"The Greater Reward"

2011-11-21T06:17:00.001-06:00

"Then took Mary a pound of ointment of spikenard, very costly, and anointed the feet of Jesus, and wiped his feet with her hair: and the house was filled with the odour of the ointment." John 12:3

We learn from the scriptures that the ointment that the woman with the alabaster box poured out on Jesus was very expensive and valuable. As I was thinking about that fact I couldn't help but think that as she poured it out on Jesus, she was giving away something expensive but not as expensive as what she would get in return.

While it was a great price for her to give up, the price of what she got in return was so much greater. It reminds me of the words of Jesus, "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it." (Matthew 16:25) When we try to keep and hold on to what we have, instead of "spending" it on Jesus, we wind up the loser in the end.

What are you withholding from Him this morning? What is that thing which you esteem as valuable that you aren't releasing to Him? Your talents? Has He blessed you with some talent- singing, writing, creativity- but you won't use it for His glory, but for selfish gain instead? Your time? Are you spending your time on you with no regard to spending time doing His service? Your financial/material blessings? Are you being stingy with them? What about your children? Perhaps the Lord has called your children into His service, but you are unwilling to let them be used by Him.

Are you withholding from Him the most valuable thing you have- which is your life? What the woman with the alabaster box gave to Jesus was more than just costly perfume or expensive ointment. It represented her life. Everything she had was in that box-- blood, sweat, tears, her future, her worth. But she gave it to Jesus, and she gave all of it to Him. While others accused her of wasting it on Jesus, she didn't waste anything- she "invested" it. She invested her life into Him and received eternal life in return.

Have a great day. When we give our lives to Him, we are making an investment that will receive an eternal reward.

For further reading:
John 12:1-8
Mark 14:1-5
Matthew 16:26

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"The Wedding Dress"

2011-11-18T08:08:00.001-06:00

"And he saith unto him, Friend, how camest thou in hither not having a wedding garment? And he was speechless." Matthew 22:12

It seems like all night I dreamed about weddings. Mostly about wedding garments- namely wedding dresses. The first dream dealt with a young lady who was looking for a wedding dress. Everything she tried on was as far from a wedding dress as you could get. There was another lady who had on one of the most beautiful and elaborate dresses I had ever seen. She looked like a princess in it. There was one more wedding dress in the dream. It wasn't as elaborate, but extremely beautiful. Then I saw a stack of bridesmaids dresses- they were all very lovely.

The more I thought about the dream the more it made me think about the wedding to end all weddings that will take place one day- hopefully in the near future- the marriage of the Lamb.

Wedding gowns are reserved for the bride. The gowns that were so beautiful and tradition in my dream were all designer originals. The garments that will be worn at the marriage of the Lamb are garments that the Master Designer Himself has prepared for the bride. They are made of fine linen, clean and white. The Bible calls them the righteousness of the saints.

As I was thinking about the young lady who was looking for a wedding dress but nothing she tried on looked like something a bride would wear- they were made of cotton, one was pants, one outfit was black, one was short another was long, they were non-traditional- I thought about the many people who are trying to be a part of the "bride" their own way. Many are trying to do enough good works and deeds to be a part. Others are trying to go through "other ways"- thinking "all ways" will get them there. Some are trying to be religious in their attempt to be a part of this marriage. Their efforts are in vain, they will not have on the proper wedding garment. (The young lady in my dream never did find her dress.)

The only wedding garment that will be acceptable at the Marriage of the Lamb is the one that is designed by the Father and purchased through the blood of His Son Jesus. These garments are His righteousness that has been applied to the lives of those who have come to Him and made Him Savior and Lord of their lives.

Have a great day. There is a great marriage coming one day. We may all have a part in it, but only if we have on the right wedding garment. Do you?

For further reading:
Revelation 19:6-9
Matthew 22:1-13; 7:21-23
Ephesians 2:8,9
Titus 3:5
2 Corinthians 5:21

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"Lower Than Dirt"

2011-11-17T07:05:00.000-06:00

"My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word." Psalm 119:25

When the Psalmist said his soul "cleaveth" to the dust, he was saying that he and the dust were "joined together"- they had become one. Literally, he was as low as "dirt". The dirt under our feet is about as low as you can get. Have you ever felt that way? Have you ever felt that you were as low as you could get-- you couldn't get any lower because you were already on bottom? Perhaps you are feeling that way today?

Sometimes the mistakes we make cause us to feel lower than dirt-- we betrayed a trust or caused someone unnecessary grief and pain, now we are feeling like "dirt" over it. Sometimes the sin we indulge in takes us to the place of feeling like we are on the bottom. Repeated sin and the remorse that comes from it will often make us feel like we are no better than the dirt we walk on. Sometimes what others do to us make us feel like dirt. They abuse and misuse us and we begin feeling not only taken for granted but worthless- as worthless as dirt. Regardless of the circumstances that make us feel this way (whether self inflicted or inflicted by others) I want you to know that there is hope. "Quicken me according to Thy word".

God's word gives us hope and rescues us "out of the dirt" as we look to it. His word has the power to lift us up and sit us on high. It lets us know that we are loved, that we are valuable, that there is no condemnation, that we have not been forsaken, that there is forgiveness, that we can hold our heads up, that we can be victorious and it restores us.

Whatever has caused you to feel so low this morning look to God's word and you will find that it will lift you up. We may have been made 'from' the dirt, but we aren't "dirt". We were made 'in' the image of God and that is the way we should be "feeling".

Have a great day. When you feel as low as dirt, look to God's word and let it lift you up to a higher place.

For further reading:
Genesis 1:26
Psalm 40:2; 3:3; 113:7

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"What Are You Feeding?"

2011-11-16T07:06:00.001-06:00

"For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would." Galatians 5:17

Have you ever heard the Native American wise tale about the two dogs? It goes like this- A Native American elder once described his own inner struggles in this manner: Inside of me there are two dogs. One of the dogs is mean and evil. The other dog is good. The mean dog fights the good dog all the time. When asked which dog wins, he reflected for a moment and replied, The one I feed the most.

There is so much truth in this, but instead of there being two dogs inside of us the Bible says that it is the flesh and spirit that are constantly at war with each other. "The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions." (Galatians 5:17- NLT)

The key to overcoming the flesh is to stop feeding it! There is a natural principle that lets us know whatever we feed is what will live and grow. Feed a baby and it will grow, starve it and it will die. The same is true with plants, animals and any person.

So what are the things that we do that feed the flesh? When you give it everything it desires and withholds nothing from it, you are feeding it. When you sit for hours in front of the television, you are feeding it. When you neglect to fast, you are feeding it. When you sit at the computer playing games all evening, you are feeding it. When you stay in bed when it is time to go to church, you are feeding it. When you listen to gossip, murmuring and complaining- or engage in it yourself- you are feeding it. When you spend more time involved in entertainment then you do doing those things that will feed your spirit- like reading the Bible, prayer, worship and Christian fellowship- you are feeding your flesh. (These are just a few ways we feed our flesh, there are many others.)

There are three categories of people: 1) the ones who feed the flesh, 2) the ones who feed flesh and spirit, 3) the ones who feed the spirit. Feeding the flesh will never overcome it. Feeding the flesh and spirit together will never overcome the flesh. Starving the flesh by feeding the spirit more is what overcomes the flesh. We need to stop feeding the flesh and start starving it instead so that it will die. "Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry." (Colossians 3:5) Have a great day. The way to overcome the flesh is to stop feeding it.

For further reading:
Romans 8:13
Galatians 5:19-25
Matthew 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
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"They Are For His Glory"

2011-11-15T06:26:00.000-06:00

"But when the multitudes saw it, they marvelled, and glorified God, which had given such power unto men." Matthew 9:8

When God places His call upon our lives, when He puts His anointing within us, when He gives us spiritual gifts, we tend to think that it is "about us". We look at it as a personal thing that God has done for us. We seem to have the attitude that we have received these blessings so that others will see how powerful or spiritual we are. When God does something supernatural through us, we want people to notice us and talk about what we are doing. This is not the reason why He has given us gifts or the anointing.

There is only one reason and it is not so that flesh can glory in His presence. It is not about us. These gifts are given to us so that He and He alone will be glorified. They are given to point people to Him. They are a sign and witness to the power, grace, goodness and love of God. It is so that people will realize the reality of who He is.

I had received Jesus as my Savior early in life but then turned from Him and went my own way. A little over thirty years ago the Lord began to deal with my heart to return to Him. One day I was sitting in my home and heard a knock at the door. It was a lady from the church- I had not met her because I was not attending church at the time and she had just moved to town and started going to the church a couple of months earlier. I invited her in and while she was there she began to talk to me in "casual conversation". The things she was saying to me were things that were hidden away in my heart. She was describing the very issues that I was dealing with internally. No one knew my struggle- not even my husband or best friend. I knew that it was God speaking through her. After I surrendered my life to the Lord I realized that what she was doing was called the gift of the "word of knowledge". I didn't know what it was at the time, all I knew was that through the things she was saying it let me know that God was aware of me and that He still loved me. You know the rest of the story- I am living for, serving and loving the Lord today.

So you see, the gifts are not for us or about us. They are for making God famous in the earth. They are manifested for His glory. Not for the accolades of men on ourselves. Not so that others will think highly of us. Not so that we can amass a following. But so that people will be convinced that God is real and that He loves them.

Have a great day. The gifts that we have been given are not for self, but in order to bring people to Him.

For further reading:
1 Corinthians 12:1-11
John 3:2
Matthew 25:14-28

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

Virus Scan

2011-11-14T07:40:00.000-06:00

"Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting." Psalm 139:23,24

I am a little late in sending out the devotional this morning because when I sat down at the computer I had a warning from my virus protection software that I needed to run a scan in order to make sure my computer was fully protected. Of course this warning was much too important to ignore even though it took a while to do it.

As the scan was running I started thinking about this in a "spiritual application". Jeremiah 17:9 tells us, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?" This lets us know that we don't know what "evils" lurk within our own hearts. We may think that "all is well" when it is not. I may think that all is well with my computer and it might not be. There is only one way that I know whether there are any viruses hiding in my computer-- I have to run a scan.

In order for us to discover any wicked, deceitful thing that is hiding in our hearts we have to run a "scan". We do this by earnestly praying that the Lord will show us the truth about ourselves and expose anything in us that is deceitful, is a work of the flesh, or that is the opposite of the fruit of the Spirit. We need to also take His Word and as we read it allow it to be the mirror that will reveal any thing that does not look like Him in our lives. Another way is by listening to the voice of the Holy Spirit when He quickens us to the fact that there is something that needs to be dealt with. I could have ignored the virus protection warning but that would have put my computer at risk. If I ignore the prompting of the Holy Spirit it will put my spiritual well being at risk, and that is something that I cannot afford.

My virus protection program warned me to run the scan because it said that I have not done it in a while. Evidently, I have to do it on a regular basis. When was the last time you ran a "scan" spiritually speaking on your life? When was the last time you allowed God and His word to search you and clean you up? It is something that we have to do, without neglect, on a regular basis if we are going to be, and stay, "healthy" spiritually. We cannot "function" properly for the Kingdom of God if we don't.

Have a great day. When was the last time you ran a "virus scan" on your heart?

For further reading:
James 1:22-24
Psalm 51
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"You Are Never Alone"

2011-11-11T06:57:00.000-06:00

Coffee Break

"You Are Never Alone"

"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

These words are the last thing that Jesus taught His disciples in the Book of John before the crucifixion. He was warning them that as long as they were in the world they would have tribulation/troubles/problems/suffering. It is a warning to His disciples today as well.

If we just stopped there we could become discouraged that all we have to look forward to is troubles. But Jesus also gave them some good news- "I have overcome the world, therefore, be of good cheer". How did He overcome? I believe the main key to overcoming is found in verse 32- "Behold, the hour cometh, yea, is now come, that ye shall be scattered, every man to his own, and shall leave me alone: and yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me."

When we are facing difficulties and trials, we must remember that we are "not alone", our Heavenly Father is with us. He is walking every step of the way with us. He will never leave us nor forsake us in our time of need. And when He says "never", He means "never".

We may not feel His presence, we may not see His presence but He is there. He was there with Daniel in the lion's den. He was there with the three Hebrews in the fiery furnace. He was there at the Red Sea. He was there when David stood before Goliath. And He is there with you, and always will be. So when you are walking through the valley, through the midnight hour, through the storm, through the fire and when all others have left you, you are not going through it alone. Always remember that and never forget it.

Have a great day. Never forget that you are never alone in your times of trouble.

For further reading:
Hebrews 13:5
Daniel 3:23-25
Matthew 28:20
Psalm 23

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"Father Neglect"

2011-11-10T07:15:00.000-06:00

"In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried to my God: and he did hear my voice out of his temple, and my cry did enter into his ears." 2 Samuel 22:7

I was thinking about how wonderful the Lord is for allowing us to come to Him in our times of need. When we turn to Him in our troubles, He hears and answers us. But sadly, for many who call themselves Christians that is about the only time they do turn to Him- when they are in trouble or need His help.

How would we feel if our children neglected us until they wanted something? How would you feel if your spouse paid you no attention until they had a need that they wanted you to fulfill? You would feel rejected, used, unloved, unwanted and taken for granted- and rightly so. Yet we don't think anything about doing this to God.

He is not our "Santa Claus" making a "once a year appearance" to fulfill our wish list. He is not our "loan officer" that we visit on occasion when we need the extra to purchase something that we want. He is not "Sunday morning"- taken for granted all week until it is time to go to church.

He is our loving Heavenly Father who desires to have a relationship with us. He wants to be "active" in our lives. He wants to be involved in "all of it". He wants you to come to Him in the good times as well as the bad times; in the times of peace and in times of distress; in the times of laughter as well as in the times of sorrow; in the times of plenty as well as in the times of want and lack; in the times when you have all the answers or when you have lots of questions; in the times when you know which direction to go and in the times when you have no direction.

So let me ask you this morning, "which category are you in?". The one who only calls on Him when you are in need? Or the one who has a daily relationship with Him regardless of what is happening in your life?

Have a great day. He is a loving and gracious God who allows us to come to Him with our needs, but He wants more than just a relationship based on need and want.

For further reading:
Psalm 120:1; 34:1; 103:13
Luke 11:2
Matthew 23:37

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"Bell Boy"

2011-11-09T07:30:00.001-06:00

"Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before." Philippians 3:13

In the past most hotels had a guy on staff who was called a "bell boy"- some still do. His job was to carry the luggage/bags of the hotel guests when they checked in or out of the hotel. Hotels are not the only place you find them any more. There are many Christians who do the same thing- they carry around lots of baggage.

Each day they gather up all their "bags"- guilt, condemnation, remorse, shame, bitterness, anger, revenge, etc- and carry them around. One difference between a guy who is hired to do this for a hotel and these others is destination. These guys carry the baggage to a destination- the guest room or their vehicle upon check-out. We carry them around all the time without leaving them any where. As a result we get weary, hard hearted and confused.

The guys who carry our bags at a hotel know which room they will leave the baggage in. We should know where to leave it too. God never intended for us to carry around this baggage endlessly. Like the desk clerk who instructs the bell boy as to where to take the bags, He has told us where we can take and leave it. It is called the cross. When we catch ourselves carrying around all this baggage that weighs us down and robs from us, we need to make the place of prayer our destination. And while in prayer remember the cross and how Jesus took the burden of our sins and all the "baggage" that came along with it.

Is this you? Are you a "bell boy"- carrying around all this excess baggage? Don't you think it is time to place it somewhere? Give it to God and place it at the cross. "For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." (Matthew 11:30)

Have a great day. Are you like a "bell boy" carrying around "baggage" all the time?

For further reading:
1 Peter 5:7
Matthew 11:29
Psalm 38:4; 118:24

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"The Second Step To Success"

2011-11-08T04:40:00.000-06:00

"Then Gideon took ten men of his servants, and did as the Lord had said unto him..." Judges 6:27a

Yesterday we talked about the difference in assuming we have heard from God and praying to see if it was Him. Just because we "assume" it is God, doesn't mean that it is. Therefore, we need to pray and seek Him for His will and plan. Perhaps what we are assuming truly is Him, but perhaps it is not.

Once we have sought the Lord and heard from Him on the matter, that is not the end of it, that is just the first step. The next step is to do what He has told you. When Gideon was met by the angel's salutation, "The Lord is with thee, thou mighty man of valor" and he told him that he was going to save Israel from the Midianites, Gideon made no assumptions. He "tried the spirits" to see if this was God. Some may say that Gideon was acting in unbelief-- maybe so-- but at least he made sure so that all room for doubt was removed. Perhaps what we consider lack of faith in praying about what we believe may be God is wisdom instead.

Gideon discovered that it was indeed God and His plan. But there was more to fulfilling God's plan that just being reassured that it was God. There was obedience that had to be walked out. The first step to success is knowing that you have truly heard from the Lord. The second step is doing what He tells you to do. You can be convinced (by an angel or God Himself) that what you have heard is definitely God, but if you don't act upon it you will not succeed.

God removed all Gideon's doubts and fears that this was Him, but Gideon had to then act on what God told him to do if the Midianites were going to be defeated. Once you discover that this is not just an assumption, but truly God, then you are going to have to get up and act on what He has told you. Once you do, success will follow.

Have a great day. Discovering that what you heard is from God is only the first step. You then have to act upon what He has spoken. Then success will come.

For further reading:
Judges 6 and 7
1 John 4:1

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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.

"Prayer or Assumption"

2011-11-07T06:38:00.001-06:00

"And he sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God: and as long as he sought the Lord, God made him to prosper." 2 Chronicles 26:5

Many confuse prayer with assumption. They assume this or that is the will of the Lord without ever seeking Him on the matter to find out if it truly is His will or not. They reason within themselves that this thing is a "good" thing, therefore, it must be a "God" thing. Or because whatever it is appeals to them, so it has to be from God. Some assume that it is God's plan because it came across their path- surely if this wasn't God this "door" never would have opened.

There is one sure way in which to know the will and plan of God-- it is called prayer! If we aren't seeking God in prayer concerning a matter then we really have no assurance that it is God. And we have no guarantee that we will prosper in it. We talk about the importance of prayer, yet we neglect it much of the time- and on some of the most important matters.

A couple of familiar verses are Proverbs 3:5,6- "Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths." These verses are not just guidelines to making sure we are in the will and plan of God, but I see a warning here also. "Don't lean to your own understanding". Why? Let's face it, we aren't as smart as we would like to think we are. We don't know everything. We don't know the future- we can't see the outcome of our decisions before we ever make them. We tend to judge things after appearance. But just because it looks good doesn't mean it is good- a beautifully decorated cake may look appealing, but if it has poison baked into it, it is deadly; one bite can kill you. There is a way that seems right to us, but the end leads to death. (Proverbs 16:25)

True success comes as a result of seeking the Lord- "as long as he sought the Lord, God made him to prosper." Just because we "assume", doesn't mean we have "sought". And if we have not "sought", we will not have success.

Have a great day. Prayer and assumption are not the same thing.

For further reading:
Philippians 4:6,7
James 4:2
1 Samuel 10:22; 16:7
Matthew 7:7; 6:6
John 7:24

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"Footprints To Victory"

2011-11-04T07:59:00.001-05:00

"When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost." John 19:30

Yesterday we talked about how Jesus is touched by the feelings of our infirmities because He faced everything while He was on earth that we face. He suffered. He was rejected. He was hungry, etc. We discussed the fact that He left His footprints on the road of suffering for us to follow.

This morning I want us to take note that His footprints lead to victory. He was victorious in every trial and the suffering that He went through. Because He was victorious we can be too.

I want to zero in on this word "victorious". Our definition of victory and God's definition of victory are not always the same. We view victory as escaping the trial, as a healing from an illness, as a restoration of a broken relationship, as a check in the mail that pays off our debt. Jesus' greatest victory was in His "death". It was when He bowed His head and gave up the ghost that the final victory was won.

Victory doesn't always mean deliverance or escape from the suffering. Victory doesn't necessarily mean a favorable outcome, but rather what is accomplished through the suffering. The end result may not be what you want or expect, but if God is glorified through it and His purpose is accomplished then we are truly victorious.

When my attitude is one that does not return evil for evil when I am persecuted; when I can stand in the face of my enemy and truly love him; when my faith is not shaken though calamity is present; when my light is still shining no matter how dense the darkness-- then I am victorious. Joseph was tempted by Potiphar's wife and even though it got him thrown into prison, he was victorious because he still maintained his integrity. Daniel was tempted with the king's meat then put to a test, yet he did not defile himself. Jesus did not revile or threaten when He was being falsely accused and crucified, yet He did not falter from the Father's plan. Their lives is a true definition and picture of victory.

Have a great day. Victory does not always mean deliverance from the trial or the outcome you desire. Victory is when what is accomplished in you brings God glory.

For Further reading:

Hebrews 11:35
2 Corinthians 4:17
1 Peter 2:23; 3:17,18

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"Follow His Footprints"

2011-11-03T07:03:00.001-05:00

"For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." Hebrews 4:15

We have been studying the book of 1 Peter on Wednesday nights at church and one thing I noticed is that each time Peter talks about the things they were suffering, he then reminds them that Jesus suffered too. Jesus went through the same things they were going through. He went through the slander, the reproach, the lies and false accusations. He was beaten. He was rejected. He was tempted. He was acquainted with their suffering because He went through it Himself. This is why the verse above tells us that He is "touched with the feeling of our infirmities". He knows what it is like- He went through it all when He was on earth.

Jesus knows what you are going through today. He has already walked that path before you. And now, may I say, He is walking it again-- this time with you. You are not walking it alone, He is right there with you. And not only is He with you, He is shining a light on the dark path which reveals His very own footprints so you can see how to walk through this. You have His presence to comfort you, His footprints to follow, and His word to light up the way. You can make it through this and come out victorious-- because He did.

Have a great day. Jesus knows what you are going through, He's been down that same path and left His footprints to lead the way through it.

For further reading:
1 Peter 2:20-23; 4:1
Hebrews 2:18; 5:8

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"The Unchangng Love of God"

2011-11-02T07:12:00.000-05:00

Coffee Break

"The Unchanging Love of God"

"Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?" Romans 8:35

In this ever changing world, it is comforting to know that there is one thing that never changes-- the love of God. We see a beautiful illustration of this in the story of the prodigal son. When the son finally repents and makes his way home, the father is waiting for him. He runs out to embrace his son and receive him back into the family.

This father could have rejected the son. He could have turned his back on him. He could have sent him away. He could have had him put to death. He could have made him a servant. But he didn't. He rejoiced and planned a big celebration for his son. He put the family ring on his finger and robe on his back. Why did the father do this? The son had shamed him, had shamed the family name, had dishonored him, had hurt him deeply, had disappointed him, had rebelled against him, yet we see his treatment of him was with such extreme kindness. It was because of love! The father never stopped loving his son. His love was the open door for his return.

Perhaps you have turned from the Heavenly Father. Perhaps you have been rebellious against Him- turned your back on Him, left that relationship you once shared with Him, went out into the world and did your own thing and told Him you didn't want to have anything to do with Him. Perhaps now you have come to the place where you see the error of your way and desire to return to Him. If that is you, rest assured that you can return. He is waiting for you. He is longing for you to come back "home". He will gladly receive you with out stretched arms. Why? Because His love for you has never stopped. Even when you were in the "pig pen", He never quit loving you. His love for you has not changed- He loved you at the beginning, He loves you now. So get up today and begin making that step toward Him. You will find that as you do, you won't have to make it very far before He runs out to meet you.

Have a great day. God's love for us never changes, even when we turn away our love from Him.

For further reading:
Malachi 3:6
Luke 15
John 3:16,17
Romans 5:8; 8:35-39
1 John 1:9

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"Famine Of Hearing"

2011-11-01T07:18:00.001-05:00

"Behold, the days come, saith the Lord GOD, that I will send a famine in the land, not a famine of bread, nor a thirst for water, but of hearing the words of the LORD." Amos 8:11

I was thinking about how gracious the Lord is to speak to us the way He does. He is constantly speaking. There is no shortage of His word. He speaks to us through His written word (the Bible). Each day I receive close to a dozen different email devotionals. I have numerous books that have been inspired by Him which expound His word to me. Then there are Christian programs on television and radio, church services during the week, not to mention the conversations that I have during the day with other believers- all avenues through which He speaks to me. When you think about it, it seems as if He is never really silent because there is always some sort of "preaching" of His word going forth.

He is speaking, but the problem is-- are we listening? The prophet didn't say there was a famine of the word, but of the "hearing" of the words of the Lord. If we are listening, then why aren't we being transformed? Why aren't we any different? Why are we still living in bondage as slaves to besetting sins? If we are hearing His word, why aren't we treating each other with more kindness? Why aren't we loving our enemies and blessing those who curse us? Why are we becoming more materialistic and less self denying? Why aren't we sharing the good news of salvation through Jesus with the lost?

When I send out the Coffee Break devotional, I always pray that the Lord would give those who receive it an "ear to hear what the Spirit is saying" though it. I pray that He would help each one to be a "doer and not a hearer only". (I pray this for myself as well.) God's word has been given to us for more than to just have some good "reading material" available to us. It was given to us for many reasons, but mainly to reveal who He is and for application. Are you applying it to your life? Are you living by it? Does it govern your actions, speech and attitudes? Are you really hearing it? If you are, then it will have an affect on you, that affect is a transformed life.

Have a great day. Did you hear what the Word said?

For further reading:
James 1:22-25
Luke 6:49; 8:5-15
1 Peter 2:2

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"His Word Is Enough"

2011-10-28T07:35:00.000-05:00

"Saying, The Son of man must be delivered into the hands of sinful men, and be crucified, and the third day rise again." Luke 24:7

Jesus told His disciples that He was going to be crucified but that He would rise again. They saw Him being arrested. They saw Him beaten. They saw Him die on the cross. They saw all their hopes and dreams and all they had believed vanish before them. All they had was Jesus' word- "I will rise again on the third day".

"And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side." (Mark 4:35) While they were in the boat all the disciples could see was a violent storm, the seas roaring and the wind blowing. They could see the water in the boat. They could see the helplessness of the situation. It did not look good for them at all. All they had was Jesus' word- "Let us pass over to the other side".

In both cases the disciples saw nothing encouraging, nothing hopeful, nothing but darkness and death. All they had was Jesus' word to hold on to, but that was enough.

When you face the storms and trials of life, when you go through difficulties, when all looks hopeless, when there is nothing around you but despair, and all you have is God's word about the situation, then that is enough.

All the disciples saw was death, but Jesus said they would see Him raised from the dead--- and they did! All the disciples saw was a storm that was about to destroy them, but Jesus said they were going to the other side--- and they did!

Things may not look good, but we don't walk by sight, we walk by faith-- faith in what Jesus has said. It is not about what we see, but about what we hear. It doesn't matter how dark it may look, if Jesus said the light is coming, then it is. It may look like you are going to drown, but if Jesus said you are going to survive, you will. If whatever you face is saying one thing, but Jesus is saying another-- then what Jesus said is what you can count on.

Have a great day. If all you have is God's word about the situation- no matter how it looks- His word is enough.

For Further reading:
Mark 4:35-41
Romans 1:17
Hebrews 11:1
2 Corinthians 5:7

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"I'll Be Back"

2011-10-27T07:24:00.001-05:00

"And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also." John 14:3

Jesus had spent the last three years with His disciples- day in and day out- and now He tells them that He will be going away. Jesus knew this would be troubling news to them so He begins by telling them not to let what He is about to say trouble their hearts. Then He tells them- "I will come again." He was saying, "You haven't seen the last of Me. I may be absent for a little while, it may look like I am gone for good, but I am not, I will be back." ("Yet a little while." John 14:19a)

There are times when we feel as if we have seen the last of Jesus. You were walking with Him so closely- hearing His words guiding you, feeling His arms of love around you, knowing every move you made He was making it with you. But all of a sudden it appears as if He has left you. You can't feel His presence. It doesn't look like He is anywhere in sight. You can't hear His sweet voice directing you in which way to go. You seek for Him, but He must be hiding because you can't seem to find Him.

Are you feeling like that? During the period of time that He "left" the disciples He had not forgotten them. He was working on their behalf to fulfill the plan of their redemption. He was making preparation for their eternity. He was, as a high priest, presenting His blood on the mercy seat in heaven. They were still on His mind. Though it may seem as if He has "left" you, He has not. He is still making intercession on your behalf. He is still going before the Father on your behalf. Take heart! You haven't seen the last of Him. He has not left you. His eyes are still on you. He is still there.

So this morning, "Let not your heart be troubled. I will come again." You will sense His presence again. You will feel the warm of His presence. You will hear His voice again. You will see His hand working on your behalf. You have not seen the last of Him.

Have a great day. While it seems as if He has left you, He hasn't, He is working on your behalf.

For further reading:
John 14:1-3
Hebrews 8:1; 9:24; 7:25

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"He Won't Put Up With It"

2011-10-26T06:57:00.000-05:00

"And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?" Luke 6:46

What do you think would happen if on your job you decided to set your own hours- you would come in and leave when you wanted to? What if you decided that you wouldn't go to work at all this week- just because you didn't feel like it? What if when you got to work you only did the job that you wanted to do? What do you think your employer would say about that? Do you think he would continue to allow you to work there? If you were an employer with an employee like that, would you allow him to remain or would you fire him?

What if when you got married you told your husband- I will wear your ring and take on your name, but I will continue to see my old boy friends. I will be at home during the week but on the weekends I am going out with the girls. Suppose you told your husband that you were not going to cook his meals or wash his clothes- except when you felt like it. Wives, suppose your husband told you that he was not going to work and make a living, you would have to take care of everything that needed doing, and he would not be home but one night a week because he plans on spending the other nights with his buddies or seeing a girl friend. If that was you, how would you feel? What would you do about it? Would you put up with that type of "relationship"?

In both examples neither would put up with it. Your employer would fire you. Your spouse would never agree to such an arrangement. So, let me ask you a question-- why do we think that Jesus will put up with it? Why do we say we are saved and not act like it? Why do we continue to do the things we want to do and think that it is all right with Him? Why is it that we think He will overlook the fact that we never go to His house, we never read His word, we never talk to Him (except when we are in trouble) and think that He'll "understand". We don't get by with it in our earthly relationships with other people, yet, we think we will get by with it where Jesus is concerned.

An employer wants an employee that he can count on, that is faithful to his position and that will actually work for his pay check. A husband/wife wants their spouse to love them, spend time with them, choose them above others and be there with and for them. What do you think Jesus wants? He wants someone to love Him- not with "lip service" but with lifestyle. He wants someone who desires to be with Him, who will follow Him and will listen to His voice. We give that respect to others, why is He any different?

Your employer would not put up with your lack of commitment. Your spouse would not put up with your lack of love and respect. And contrary to popular opinion, Jesus won't put up with your taking Him for granted. One day He will tell you, "Depart, I never knew you."

Have a great day. If our boss and spouse won't put up with our lack of commitment, why do we think Jesus will put up with it?

For further reading:
Matthew 7:21,23; 16:24; 22:37

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"The Outdated Bible"

2011-10-25T06:48:00.000-05:00

"And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock." Matthew 7:25

"And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew." The scripture said that the storms came. It didn't say, "If the storms come". Storms are a given in life-- they come. So what do we do when they come?

Some seek the advice of others. Some try to solve the problems themselves. Some think they can throw enough money at it and it will calm down. Others think that they can ignore it and it will go away. There is only one sure solution- the Word of God.

Sadly, we aren't taught how to hold fast to and stand upon God's word much any more. Instead we are taught that God's word is outdated and old fashioned- it was all right for men in the old days but not for today. We live in a modern society- the Word of God is "old school". Then we are taught that the Word of God is a crutch for the weak minded, uneducated and poor. We have "evolved" our thinking past what the Bible says- we are living in the "Age of Enlightenment". The Bible was good for the "dark ages" but not for today.

Let me go on record as saying that the Bible never has been and never will be outdated!! You can believe what you want to believe about it. You can believe that it does not apply to your life or situation. You can believe that there are more effective ways of dealing with your problems/storms. You can believe that it has run its course and is no longer relevant. But just because you believe it doesn't mean that your belief is right.

I choose to believe what God says. He says His Word is eternal- heaven and earth will pass away but His Word will remain forever. In the beginning was the Word and at the end the Word will still be there. His Word is the only true source of strength, healing, light and life. I choose to believe what Jesus said, "Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock." (Matthew 7:24) Truly wise people build their lives on God's Word.

Jesus also said something else, "And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand." (verse 26) We may think we are so smart and have outgrown the Word of God, but Jesus Himself said that you are "foolish" to think that without His Word you can make it through this life. There is a verse that sums up pretty well those who think that the Word of God is irrelevant, outdated and not necessary-- "Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools." (Romans 1:22)

Have a great day. Wise men believe that the Word of God is relevant and necessary. Foolish men believe that God's Word is outdated and unnecessary.

For further reading:
John 1:1
Matthew 24:35
Psalm 119:105
James 1:22
2 Timothy 1:13; 3:15-17; 4:2-4

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"Lifestyle Adjustment"

2011-10-24T06:55:00.001-05:00

"By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season." Hebrews 1:24,25

When Moses was a baby, he was not only rescued from death but he was raised in the palace as the grandson of Pharaoh. He could have lived the rest of his life in comfort and ease. He had everything that a person could ever hope for- position, power, education, wealth, servants at his disposal, pleasures, etc. He would never have to work to make a living. He would never have to struggle. Everything would come to him on a "silver platter". He had it made by our estimation. His life was a true "rags to riches" story. Yet Moses gave it all up.

He refused to associate with those who were enjoying this lifestyle. He chose a life of suffering instead. He turned away from worldly pleasure, ease and comfort. It seems foolish. There are those who would say he was crazy. Why would he do that? He had everything that others so desperately desire and work to achieve?

The answer is found in the next verse- "Considering the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures of Egypt; for he was looking to the reward." (NAS) Moses knew that to be identified with Christ was greater than to be identified with Pharaoh. He knew who the real King was- kings/Pharaohs come and go with the passing of time. He also knew that kingdoms rise and fall, but Christ is the Eternal King who has an eternal kingdom. He knew the riches of Pharaoh's palace were only temporary- moths and rust would destroy them, and thieves could steal them- but the riches of Christ are eternal. As far as Moses was concerned, there was no comparison of the earthly riches and the heavenly ones. He knew that there is a reward that can never be taken away, that will never fade away, that will last forever. He was looking for the crown of life which was so much more valuable than some sort of gold crown fashioned by the hands of man. He knew that a relationship with the Heavenly King was far greater and more wonderful.

What about you? Are you choosing the riches of this world above eternal riches? Are you choosing the temporary pleasures of this world above the eternal rewards that await those who choose to be identified with Christ? There is no comparison and Moses knew this, therefore, he adjusted his life accordingly. And in the end, there was no doubt he made the better choice. Are you adjusting your life accordingly? In eternity, you will be so glad that you chose Christ instead of all this world has to offer.

Have a great day. Our belief in Jesus will often cause an adjustment to be made in our lifestyles, but it will be worth it all in eternity when it really counts.

For further reading:
Mark 10:28-30
Matthew 6:19,20
Romans 8:18
2 Timothy 4:8
James 1:12

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"Capturing The Enemy - Part 5"

2011-10-21T07:38:00.001-05:00

"And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you." 1 Corinthians 12:21

All week we have been talking about the things that I have learned from a dream I had earlier in the week. This morning we are going wrap it up- although there are many lessons still yet that we can learn from it.

In the dream the others- who were my allies- would not come and help in the capture of the enemy. What we see from this is that when someone doesn't do their part, it makes it harder on the others. It is just like our physical body. When one part isn't functioning properly another part has to compensate and work harder to make up for what is lacking. For example, when a person is visually impaired, their hearing has to go into "double-duty" to make up the difference. Everything would be so much easier for them if their eyes functioned at full capacity. If these allies had been doing their part the task before us would have been easier, quicker and we would not have had to stretch ourselves as far.

Capturing the enemy was as much for their benefit as it was for mine. They should have joined the battle for their own sakes- they had as much to gain. When the enemy was captured, they were able to enjoy the freedom that came through his defeat, they just weren't able to share in the joy of being the victor. Reminds me of the story of Barak. He enjoyed the freedom that came from the destruction of Israel's enemy Sisera, but the honor of the victory did not go to him it went to a woman- Jael.

The last thing I want to say is something that a friend pointed out to me. When these people weren't willing to help, when they did not join us at all, we did not get discouraged and give up. We did what we needed to do and captured them. So many times it feels like we are the only ones who are willing to do anything. So many times it feels as if we are all alone- even among those who profess to be our brothers and sisters in Christ. But we cannot be discouraged by that. We must go on. It is like the chorus says, "Though none go with me, still I will follow. No turning back." That must be our theme song. Our motto must be: "I have decided to follow Jesus. No turning back." We must daily determine that we are going to do what we have to do even if no one else does. We must work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. We must keep pressing for the mark. We must keep our eyes on the prize. We must continue pursuing. We can't quit or give up, and we can't let the fact that they have, influence us to do the same.

Not everyone is going to go with you- even those who seem the most spiritual, but we must continue on. All the disciples but one forsook Jesus in His most trying time, but He continued to follow the plan and will of His Father and went to the cross. His example is the one we must follow.

Have a great day. You must continue to go on with the Lord whether anyone else does or not.

For further reading:
1 Corinthians 12:20-22
Judges 4
Philippians 2:12
2 Timothy 4:12

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"Capturing The Enemy - Part 4"

2011-10-20T06:52:00.001-05:00

"Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." Matthew 16:24

All week I have been sharing some insights the Lord showed me through a dream I had a few days ago. This morning I would like to share something else with you. In the dream the people on the other couch would not lift even one finger to do anything about capturing the enemy that was in their midst. They would not get up off the couch. They just sat there. They were even given instructions on how to capture and defeat him. We, myself and the person with me, were going to help them so that they could be victorious in capturing the enemy. But never once did they even make any effort do get up off the couch.

If you are going to live this life of faith, if you are going to walk in the victory that Jesus provided for you, if you are going to reach the lost for Christ, if you are going to help advance the Kingdom of God in the earth, if you are going to grow in your faith, then you are going to have to get out of your "comfort zone". That couch was pretty comfortable so they didn't leave it. Because they didn't, they did not enjoy the victory that was awaiting them.

The Lord never called us to "comfort zone" Christianity. Most of the teachings of the Bible involve an action and are represented by action verbs: go ye, study to show yourself approved, work out, mortify the deeds of the flesh, renew your mind, fight the good fight of faith, etc.

No one who accomplished great things for the Lord's glory did it by staying in a nice, soft and easy place. Moses got out of his comfort zone by going back to Egypt to face Pharaoh. David got out of his comfort zone when he ran to meet the giant on the battlefield. Gideon left the winepress. Mary, the mother of Jesus, got out of her comfort zone when she said yes to the will of God and became the vessel through which the Messiah would be born into the world. And Jesus Himself, our beloved Savior, certainly got out of His comfort zone- first, to put on the likeness of human flesh and leave the splendor of heaven to come and live among us; and also when He submitted Himself to the will of the Father by dying on the cross for our sins.

If we are going to fulfill God's purpose and plan for our lives, we are going to have to step out in faith and that means getting "off the couch"- out of our comfort zones.

Have a great day. God never called us to be "couch potatoes" living in "comfort zones".

For further reading:
Luke 1:38; 18:28
John 15:8
Mark 16:15

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"Capturing The Enemy - Part 3"

2011-10-19T07:17:00.000-05:00

"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places." Ephesians 6:12

We are still talking about the dream I had the other night. Yesterday we talked about the enemy. We said that when we take a closer look at the enemy, he isn't at all as he appears. If you will remember I said that in the dream the enemy looked like a person but upon closer inspection it looked more like a couple of small infants sitting together. We said that even though the enemy looks stronger, more powerful, more intimidating, we don't have to fear him because He is not bigger than Jesus and Jesus has already defeated him.

I want to look at the enemy again this morning. It is so easy for us to mistake who the enemy really is. I told you that in my dream there were two couches- the enemy was on one and there were some people sitting on the other one. Those other people were my allies. Yet when it came time to capture the enemy, they did nothing to help. They did not move- they just sat there. They did not come to my aid, they did not lift a finger, they gave me no words of encouragement- nothing. The only one who helped me was the one person who was standing on my side of the couch.

At that point it would have been easy for me to look at my allies now as foes. I could have decided that since they did not help, they were now my enemies as well. We must guard against making "people" our enemies. They are not- even if they don't come to your aid; even if they don't help you or support you; even if they fail you; even if they oppose you, or even if they are attacking you. They are not the real enemy. I didn't say they might not be used by the enemy, but they are not the enemy. Our real enemy is revealed through the verse above.

If we don't correctly define who the real enemy is, then we will wind up fighting the perceived enemy and not him. In my dream if I had turned to fight those people, I would not have captured the real enemy and he would have gotten away free to attack me another day.

Have a great day. We must know who the true enemy is- and it is not flesh and blood.

For further reading:
1 Peter 5:8
Colossians 2:15
Revelation 12:10
John 10:10

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"Capturing The Enemy - Part 2"

2011-10-18T06:55:00.001-05:00

"Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour." 1 Peter 5:8

Yesterday I shared a dream that I had. The dream took place during a time of war. In the dream I was in a room which had two couches in it. On one couch was the enemy. When I looked at this enemy closer, it looked more like two babies instead of a full size adult.

What I wanted to share with you this morning is: when we take a closer look at the enemy, we will find that he isn't at all as he appears. He isn't as fearful, as powerful, as strong, or as intimidating as he seems. The scripture above says that our enemy, the devil, goes about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. It said, "like/as" a roaring lion. He is not a lion. He goes about like one roaring (threatening) to try to intimidate you with fear and confusion. There is only one "real" lion-- Jesus, the Lion of the tribe of Judah.

When Goliath would come out each day and taunt the armies of Israel they feared him because of his size. But upon further inspection we discover that he wasn't so big after all- a rock in a teenager's sling shot brought him down. (He wasn't too big for God to handle.)

The enemy often appears one way in order to make us feel defeated before we even get into the battle- like the Israelite army. But when you really take a good look at him, you will see that he is no one you need to fear because you will discover that Jesus is bigger, wiser, more powerful, greater and the Conqueror. He is no match for Jesus. Jesus already defeated him once (once and for all that is) at the cross. So do not fear the enemy. In the dream when I followed the Lord's instructions, the enemy was so easy to capture. It barely took any effort at all. Why was that? Because Jesus has already rendered him defeated!!

Have a great day. Your adversary is not as powerful as he may appear to be.

For further reading:
Psalm 98:1
Colossians 2:15
John 19:30
1 John 3:8
1 Samuel 17

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"Capturing The Enemy"

2011-10-17T08:12:00.000-05:00

"This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success." Joshua 1:8

I overslept this morning because I was dreaming-- seems like all night. I feel the need to share one of the dreams with you.

I was in a room. The room was dimly lit and there were two couches in it (one on one wall and the other on the wall beside it). On the first couch which was closest to where I and one other person were standing, was a person (actually, it looked like two people who looked more like babies than full size adults). On the other couch were sitting several people. In the dream I knew that the person on the couch closest to me was the enemy (the dream was taking place during war time). The people on the other couch were my allies. As I stood there looking at the enemy a word came to me (I thought it was a scripture, but I knew it was from the Lord). The word was "encircle the enemy and you will have victory".

I looked at my allies on the other couch and told them, "Encircle the enemy. We (referring to me and that other person) will get at this side of the couch arm and you get on the other side and then come connect in a circle with us around them." The enemy would have been hemmed in, with no way of escape, we outnumbered them and could have easily overpowered them, and we would have the victory over them. The other person and I got into position, but the ones on the other couch did not. They would not move. Victory was so close and so easy to obtain yet they would not get off the couch to do it. The person who was with me and I stretched ourselves around the couch and captured the enemy. We tied them up and took them as prisoner.

(There is so much to share from this dream that it will be the topic of the Coffee Break devotionals for the next few days.) What I want to share this morning is this: obedience to the Word of God is what brings victory. "If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land." (Isaiah 1:19) A lot of people are willing (they want to have the victory over the enemies in their lives), but it's the obedience that they don't want to do. They want it, they just don't want to have to do anything to obtain it. You can't have victory though without it- they go hand in hand. Perhaps you are not walking in victory in a certain area and can't understand why. May I suggest that you check and see if it is because you have not obeyed what the Lord has told you to do. (Who knows, it might be??)

Have a great day. Obedience and victory go hand in hand.

For further reading:
Luke 6:46-48

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"A Word Painting"

2011-10-14T06:56:00.001-05:00

"A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver. " Proverbs 25:11

This is an interesting word picture to describe our words when they are spoken at the right time. They are compared to "apples of gold in pictures of silver".

Let's break it down this morning to grasp the meaning.

There is an old saying- "An apple a day keeps the doctor away". A word spoken correctly will bring "health" to the hearer. Our words either build up or tear down. So we want to speak words that bring health and healing to the hearts and minds of others.

Gold is one of the precious metals. It is highly valued and has an expensive price. It represents the divine nature of God. His words are always precious and should be valued. When we use our words wisely, we are reflecting His nature.

Pictures has the translation of more than just an object hanging on a wall to look at. It is also an image, a show piece, figure, even an idol. When we speak to others, we are leaving an "image" with them. (Our words truly do paint pictures.) It is either an image of defeat and discouragement, or its an image that builds faith, hope and encouragement. When we speak to others, we want to leave them with a "show piece"- something they can go back to and "look" at over and over again, and each time be encouraged.

Silver is another precious metal- right up there at the top. It symbolizes redemption. Our words have a redeeming power about them- if they are used correctly. They can deliver someone who is feeling weak, unloved, worthless, no good, forgotten. How amazing, just one word can completely change a person's life. A word is all it takes sometimes for someone to change- a word of kindness, a word of compassion, a word of mercy, a word of grace, a word of encouragement or even a word of correction that is spoken in love.

Did you "get the picture"? Seeing the beautiful picture that our words can paint should cause us to consider what we say, how we say it and when it say it.

Have a great day. Our words are painting a picture. The question is, "What kind of picture are they painting?"

For further reading:
Psalm 19:14
James 3:5
Proverbs 18:21; 15:4
1 Timothy 6:3,4

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"Scattered Paper"

2011-10-13T06:58:00.000-05:00

"From the end of the earth will I cry unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I." Psalm 61:2

A friend and I were praying recently for a mutual friend of ours who was going through a very difficult time. They were being pressed on every side. Their job was getting overwhelming. They were under a heavy burden and lots of pressure. In short, they were being bombarded in every area with chaos and confusion. As my friend and I were praying, I saw a picture in my mind. I feel the need to share it with you this morning.

I saw a floor that was covered with paper. It looked as if someone had taken a stack of copy paper and tossed it up in the air and it all fell scattered on the floor. I knew these scattered papers represented all the chaos that our friend was going through. Each piece was symbolic of an area of their life- family, job, demands, health, etc. It was just a mess of paper all over the floor. But then I saw something else. I saw the loving hand of our Heavenly Father reach down and begin to pick up each piece of paper and put them in a nice neat stack. As He did I saw Him begin to reorganize them. He would pick up one and put it in the stack, then He would pick up another one and throw it out because it was unnecessary and not important. Pretty soon the floor was cleared and there was a small neat stack of organized, prioritized papers.

Do you feel as if your life is a bunch of scattered papers on the floor? Does it feel like there is no order to your life, only chaos? Does it look hopeless as you look at the mess of papers laying on the floor? Are there things in your life that need to be discarded but you can't seem to decide exactly which ones? If this represents your life, then there is hope. What I saw was not for our friend only, but for all of us whose lives feel the same way. The focus of what I saw was not the scattered, disorganized paper all over the floor, the focus was the hand of God reaching into the mess and bringing peace, order, clarity and help.

You may be having a hard time with what is happening in your life- not knowing what to keep and what to discard, how to organize it, how to clean it up, how to have some peace through it- but the Lord doesn't have a hard time with it. He knows what to do with what is "scattered on the floor" and how to clean it up. Look to Him this morning and ask Him to help get your life back in order.

Have a great day. Your life may feel like a stack of scattered paper on the floor, but the Lord wants to help you pick them up.

For further reading:
Psalm 121:1
Mark 4:39
Matthew 6:33

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"Drastic Measures - Part 2"

2011-10-12T06:50:00.000-05:00

"For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed." Malachi 3:6

Yesterday we talked about the drastic measures that the Lord went through to get Jonah's attention and cause him to stop running from God and His call. This morning I want to ask the question, "Why did God do that? Why didn't He just let Jonah drown? Why didn't He just forget about Nineveh since Jonah didn't want to go there?"

The reason is simple-- God is a God of love and mercy. He is not willing that any should perish. He showed Jonah mercy by sparing him. He showed Nineveh mercy by not changing His plan to send them a warning.

Nineveh and Israel were enemies. Jonah didn't want to see his nation's enemies spared. He wanted judgment to fall on them. He wanted God to destroy them. And Jonah knew that if they repented, God would forgive them and they would continue to cause trouble from his people. Listen to Jonah's words to God when they did repent and God spared them. Let me read it out of the New Living Translation because it puts it so plainly-- "So he complained to the Lord about it: “Didn’t I say before I left home that you would do this, Lord? That is why I ran away to Tarshish! I knew that you are a merciful and compassionate God, slow to get angry and filled with unfailing love. You are eager to turn back from destroying people." (Jonah 4:2) First, it seems to me that Jonah should have been thankful that the Lord is so gracious and merciful because had He not been, Jonah would have drowned in the sea- there would have been no fish story, that would have been the end for Jonah. (How is it that we want mercy and forgiveness for ourselves, but not necessarily for everyone else.) Secondly, because Jonah knew God he knew He does not change. He expected God to be no less than He is. He knew God would be faithful to His own nature. Therefore, He knew God would show mercy to even his enemies if they repented.

Are we like Jonah in these two areas? Do we want mercy for ourselves, but there is someone that we have dealings with that we don't want the Lord to show mercy to? Instead, we want Him to "get them"? We want His vengeance to fall on them? We don't want Him to bless their lives in any way? Do we expect God to do what He says He will do? Do we know Him so well that we know we can count on Him to always work according to His own nature? Do we expect the Lord to be who is His and no less?

Have a great day. We can expect God to be just who He is.

For further reading:
2 Peter 3:9
Psalm 86:5, 15; 103:8

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell

and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"Drastic Measures"

2011-10-11T06:40:00.001-05:00

"But the Lord sent out a great wind into the sea, and there was a mighty tempest in the sea, so that the ship was like to be broken. Then the mariners were afraid, and cried every man unto his god, and cast forth the wares that were in the ship into the sea, to lighten it of them. But Jonah was gone down into the sides of the ship; and he lay, and was fast asleep." Jonah 1:4,5

Jonah received the word from the Lord to go preach to Nineveh that they repent or He would destroy them. But instead of obeying, Jonah rebelled and tried to run from the Lord. He boarded a ship heading in the opposite direction of Nineveh. While he was on the ship a storm arose. The storm was so bad that the sailors were afraid, they cried out to their gods, they threw their cargo overboard, they bailed water out of the ship and were preparing themselves to die. The whole time this was taking place Jonah was sound asleep in the bottom of the boat. Jonah must have been pretty comfortable to be able to sleep through such a storm.

The Lord will send/allow a storm to come into our lives if we have reached a place where we are comfortable in our rebellion and disobedience to Him. When we get comfortable in our sins, He will cause a storm to begin to wake us up out of our comfort zone.

Does He do this for our destruction? Never. He does it because of His great love. Whom the Father loves He chastens. He knows that if we go in the wrong direction and we get comfortable there, it will lead to our harm. He sends it as a "wake up call" so that we will get up, face the truth and turn back in His direction.

Even though the Lord sent the storm to wake Jonah up, He also sent a big fish to save Jonah and keep him from being destroyed. The Lord is never out to harm us. He loves us so much that if He needs to, He will go to drastic measures to save us- save us from our rebellion, save us from sin, save us from destruction. The storm and the whale were drastic measures to reach this rebellious prophet, but they can never compare with the drastic measure the Lord went to when He sent His only begotten Son Jesus to die on the cross to save us and turn us to Him.

Have a great day. The Lord loves us so much that He will go to whatever measure He has to to wake us up when we have become comfortable going in the wrong direction.

For further reading:
Jonah 1
Hebrews 12:5-10
John 3:16
Romans 5:8

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"The Vision- Ministry Update"

2011-10-10T06:51:00.001-05:00

Dear All,

"And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it." Habakkuk 2:2

This morning instead of the Coffee Break devotional, if you will allow me, I want to give you an update on what is going on in the ministry. The Lord has been opening more and more doors lately. He is truly enlarging my tents, and I believe that this is only the beginning.

For those of you who aren't familiar with what this ministry does I want to take this opportunity to share a little with you. (Please continue reading- I have a reason for sharing this.)

In addition to the email devotions, monthly newsletter, conferences, preaching ministry, drug and alcohol recovery center ministry and nursing home ministry we also have an outreach to help meet people's physical needs. The Lord has truly blessed us to be able to help many people in many different ways. We have paid people's rent, bought medicine, paid light bills, bought gas, furnished Bibles, helped orphanages, supported missionaries, etc. Many people have been so gracious to donate items to us so that we have been able to help those who have been burned out, or need help with clothes and other items. The Lord has opened the door for me to have two storage buildings at my home to house the donated items, and a storage unit where I am free to hold yard sales to help with the financial support of the ministry.

But there is another burden on my heart- it is for the homeless. I have a vision that I believe is from the Lord and I believe the timing to pursue it is now. I am in the process of looking for a ministry center where we can feed the hungry, clothe the naked and provide shelter for the homeless. I am looking into purchasing some sort of apartment complex or multi-family dwelling. Over the past several weeks I have received numerous calls from people who were burned out and had no place to go or who were living on the streets and needed a place to stay. All I have been able to do was put them up in a hotel, which gets expensive... but the Lord has graciously provided.

I have never asked for financial support, the Lord has always supplied the need and always will. But I believe the Lord has instructed me to put the vision before you to give you the opportunity to partner with me on a monthly basis to see this vision became a reality. I believe there are some of you out there who have been wanting to partner with something like this but haven't known where or how. All I am asking is that you pray about it and see if the Lord would have you to give into this ministry. If not, then I ask for your prayer support as we help advance the Kingdom of God in the earth.

Thank you so much for allowing me to have this personal time with you and share what the Lord has laid on my heart to do. There are so many hurting people. We must reach them while we can. Thank you for prayerful consideration of this matter.

In Christ's Service,
Lorraine Ezell

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About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc. (501c non-profit incorporation; all gifts are tax deductable)
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

"He Is Wonderful"

2011-10-07T07:09:00.001-05:00

"...and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counselor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6b

This morning I woke up with the words of a song repeating over and over again in my thoughts. I felt impressed to share the song with you- you will find it below. The song is, "Wonderful, Merciful Savior".

There is nothing about the Lord that is not wonderful. And how wonderful it is that He desires to have a relationship with us. Though the shed blood of Jesus- the "Lamb of God"; the eternal sacrifice- we have been adopted into His family and are now His children.

How wonderful it is that He calls us His friends- we who were once His enemies. It is wonderful to know that when we need guidance, comfort and strength He gives it to us and in such generous measures. The depth of His love for us is too wonderful for us to comprehend. It is wonderful to know that He allows us to come before Him and one day we will be with Him forever.

I could go on all morning declaring how wonderful He is in so many ways. But I will leave that for you to do. Take time today to meditate on just how truly wonderful He is and all the wonderful things He has done for you. Thank Him for the wonderful gift of salvation that He so freely has given you through Jesus. Then rejoice as well that He still has wonderful things in store for you in the future.

Have a great day. He is Wonderful!!!

For further reading:
Psalm 40:5; 107:8; 111:4
Isaiah 25:1

"Wonderful, Merciful Savior"

Wonderful merciful Savior
Precious redeemer and friend
Who would have thought that a lamb could
Rescue the souls of men, Oh You rescue the souls of men.

Counselor, comforter, keeper
Spirit we long to embrace
You offer hope when our hearts have
Hopelessly lost the way, Oh we hopelessly lost the way.

You are the One that we praise
You are the One we adore
You give the healing and grace our
Hearts always hunger for, Oh our hearts always hunger for.

Almighty infinite father
Faithfully loving Your own
Herein our weakness You find us
Falling before Your throne, Oh we're falling before Your throne.

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell

and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"Praise Without Seeing The Answer"

2011-10-06T06:50:00.000-05:00

"I will praise thee: for thou hast heard me, and art become my salvation." Psalm 118:21

When is the Psalmist offering praise to the Lord? After the Lord answered him? After he saw the manifestation of what he was praying for? After the answer was in his hands? That isn't what it says. He praised the Lord for hearing him.

Why is it that we don't think about praising the Lord until after we see the answer? The very fact that this wonderful God, the Creator of the universe, the One who is so great that there are not even words in our vocabulary to describe Him, the One who rules from heaven and all creation trembles at His voice, the One before whom every person will stand and give an account, that this awesome God would even allow us to come anywhere near Him much less make our request known to Him should give us plenty of reason to praise Him. Whether He ever answered any of my prayers or not, I have more than enough reason to praise Him all the days, and every day, of my life.

Why is it that when He doesn't answer our prayers in the way we wanted Him to, we don't praise Him? His praise should continually be in our mouths- and not only when we receive the things we desire for from Him. Is He not worthy of praise- period! Or is He only worthy of our praise after He gives us what we want?

If our praise is only based on His answer to our prayers, or because He gives us something, or because we see His hand moving in our lives, then we don't really understand what it means to give Him praise. Do I praise Him for the answer when I see it? Yes, I do. But do I praise Him when I don't see it? Yes, I do. Because with or without the answer-- He is still worthy to be praised because of Who He is.

Have a great day. Don't wait to praise Him only after He has answered your prayer.

For further reading:
Psalm 34:1; 113:1; 135:1; 147:1

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"Our Conversation"

2011-10-05T06:35:00.001-05:00

"For our conversation is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ." Philippians 3:20

"Our conversation." I am going to get straight to the point this morning by asking you a question-- what do you spend your time talking about? What does your usual conversation consist of? Is your conversation centered around worldly things or godly things? Is your conversation always negative? Are you always murmuring and complaining, belittling, criticizing and gossiping about someone else? Does your conversation encourage or discourage others? Do the things that others hear you say relay a message of defeat or victory to them? Do your words inspire those who hear them? Do they bring them hope? Is it easy or hard for others to tell that you are a follower of Jesus by the conversations they hear you engaged in?

We may not think that our conversation has much of an influence on others but it does. The things we say can either build up or destroy; bring life or death; bring hurt or healing. Perhaps you haven't been giving much thought to the things that you say, or to the things that others hear you say. Often, those who don't know Christ as Savior are turned off and don't want Him for two reasons- 1) they don't see Him in those who profess to be Christians- instead they see hypocrisy; 2) they don't hear the things coming from our mouths that would give them a reason to desire to know Him.

It's time that we start becoming more aware of what we are saying. Our speech should always be "seasoned with grace"- pleasant and wholesome. Kindness should always be in our mouths. Words of faith should be at the center of our conversations. Praise for the Lord should be continually in our mouths. Our words should always edify and never pull someone else down. They should be full of wisdom. They should never speak that which is evil. Our words should be truthful and not deceitful.

There is far too much to say about our words and conversations than I can write this morning, but the Bible puts great importance upon them. My primary focus was on how our conversations either help bring someone to Christ because they hear uplifting words that glorify Him, or they turn them away because they hear the opposite coming from someone who professes to know Him. If God uses preaching- that's our words- to spread His gospel, then by the same token, our words can also hinder the spreading of the gospel if they are not the right kind of words.

Have a great day. What is the topic of most of your conversations, and what kind of words are always coming out of your mouth?

For further reading:
Colossians 4:5
Proverbs 3126; 10:20; 18:21; 15:2
Romans 10:8
Psalms 34:13
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell

and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"My Daddy"

2011-10-04T06:44:00.000-05:00

"If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him?" Matthew 7:11

Saturday I had a yard sale for the ministry. At the end of the day, I went to get in my vehicle and noticed that my key was on. I tried to crank it but it was dead. The battery was completely drained. I was going to need some help.

My first thought for help was my husband but he wasn't at home and I didn't want to call him because he was an hour away fishing. My brother in law who lives in town was with him, so I couldn't call him. I thought about my son in law, but he was too far away also. I thought about asking a stranger where I was having the yard sale, but wasn't sure if any of them would have jumper cables. Wondering what I was going to do, I finally thought about my daddy. He was only a couple of minutes away, had all the equipment that was needed to crank my vehicle, he was available and had the know how to get my vehicle running again.

Looking back over that situation I can see several spiritual parallels, and lessons, that I want to share with you.
1) The first one I thought about was the fact that when there was no one else around to call- there was my daddy. All were gone and unable to help me, but he was there. Our Heavenly Father is always there. We can always call on Him and He will be there for us. We can't always depend on people, they may not be there, but He will be. They may let us down, but He won't.

2) My daddy had everything that was needed to change my situation and put me back on the road again. I wasn't sure if those strangers who were already there had what was needed to help me, but I knew my daddy did. My Heavenly Father has everything that I need too. There is nothing that I need that He doesn't have. I may need peace, joy, strength, wisdom, finances, a healing-- He has it all no matter what my need may be.

3) When I called my daddy, I was confident that he would come and help me because in all my life he has never let me down. He has always been there when I needed him. When I need my Heavenly Father, I know I can call on Him with confidence that He will be there for me-- He always has, He has never let me down, He has never forsaken me in my time of need. Each and every time I have called on Him He has answered me-- and always will.

4) When I called my dad for help, he did not hesitate to come to my aid. He didn't put me on hold, or act like he was too busy, or tell me to call someone else. He dropped everything he was doing and came to my aid. (He literally dropped what he was doing and denied himself, because I discovered after it was all over that he was in the middle of eating his dinner when I called. He left his plate half-eaten to come help me.) My Heavenly Father doesn't hesitate to come to my aid either. He "drops" everything else to reach out to me whenever I need Him. He never turns me away. He is never too busy for me. I am His child and He does not hesitate to help me when I call Him.

5) When I needed the help, I don't know why I didn't immediately think about my daddy. I should have. He should have been on the top of my list. The parallel here also is that when we have a need, or are going through some difficulty, we often think about everyone else's help except our Heavenly Father. Why do we put Him at the "bottom of the list"? Why do we think we can do it ourselves, or turn to other men- who are just as weak and unwise as we are- when we are in need? Like my daddy in this case, our Heavenly Daddy should be at the very top of our list.

6) The last point is this-- why did my daddy do that? Why did he leave his dinner plate unfinished? Why didn't he turn me away when I was in need? Why did he come and help me? Why did I feel confident that if I called him he would come? The reason is simple-- I know my daddy loves me! Our Heavenly Father loves us too. Because of His love for us, He will not leave us nor forsake us, nor abandon us in our time of need. His love for us will always reach down to us when we call upon Him. He loves us and will be there to meet each and every need we have.

Have a great day. Our Heavenly Father loves us so much and will never abandon us in our time of need, but come to our aid.

For further reading:
Psalm 103:13
Matthew 6:32
Hebrews 13:5
1 John 3:1

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

"Rejoice In The Lord"

2011-10-03T06:52:00.000-05:00

"This is the day which the LORD hath made; we will rejoice and be glad in it." Psalm 118:24

Not everything that happens to us each day causes us to "rejoice". There are situations that arise, events that take place, circumstances that occur that we can't rejoice over. Today we might get a bad report from the doctor- that is nothing to rejoice over. Our teenage daughter might tell us she is pregnant out of wedlock- we can't rejoice over that. We might find out our spouse has been cheating on us- no one can rejoice over that. The boss might give us the pink slip and tell us to pack up our things we no longer work for them- that is not something we can rejoice over either.

The scripture doesn't tell us to rejoice about the bad things that come our way. It doesn't mean we are to rejoice because some bad or evil thing happened. The rejoicing that it is talking about is in the Lord. In the Book of Philippians we are told to, "Rejoice in the Lord always", and it is even repeated, "And again I say, rejoice".

The rejoicing is not in the thing that happened but in the Lord. I will rejoice because even though this or that happened it can't separate me from the love of God- He will continue to love me. I will rejoice because, even though it was bad, the Lord will make all things work together for my good. I will rejoice because even though some terrible thing has formed against me, the Lord will see to it that it does not prosper. I can't rejoice when evil comes, but I can rejoice in the Lord who will deliver me from evil. I can't rejoice about the battles that rage against me, but I can rejoice in the Lord because He fights my battles for me. I will rejoice in the fact that the Lord is still in control- not my circumstances. I will rejoice in the Lord because I know He sees what is happening and will not leave me nor forsake me but will make a way for me.

While I can't rejoice about a bad thing that may happen in my life today, I can rejoice in the Lord who does not change and who is with me always. Therefore, I will rejoice in the Lord today even when bad things come my way.

Have a great day. Our rejoicing is in the faithfulness, goodness, tender mercies and grace of God- not in the bad things that happen.

For further reading:
Philippians 4:4
Isaiah 61:10
Psalm 97:12; 34:1,2
Habakkuk 3:17-19

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell

and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.