"Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain." James 5:7
We have just planted a small garden-- now we wait for the plants to grow and turn into a harvest. Most of the days of our lives consist of periods of waiting. We wait for nine months after we find out we are pregnant for the birth of our child. We wait for spring to come and thaw us out after winter. We wait for the mail to come. Teens can't wait to get their driver's license. We wait for our wedding day to arrive after we become engaged. We wait for vacation time to come hoping the days pass by quickly. Children can't wait for Christmas because of the presents they will receive. Yes, life is all about waiting- waiting for certain events to come, waiting for Mr./Mrs. Right to come into our lives, waiting for things to change, waiting for the call from the doctor with the test results, waiting on others, waiting on a phone call, waiting on promises to be fulfilled, etc., etc., etc.-- waiting, waiting, waiting.
The question is not whether we have to wait, but how are we waiting. Abraham waited for years for the promised son. The children of Israel waited for forty years to get out of the wilderness. Caleb waited for forty years to claim his mountain. Mary waited for nine months after the enunciation of the angel before she held the Messiah in her arms. The world waited for three days after the cross for the resurrection of Jesus.
There are several ways to wait. Let's take a little test this morning. Choose which one, or ones, from among the ones that I list which best describes you. We can wait patiently, impatiently, anxiously, calmly, complaining, with hope, fearfully, faithfully, with confidence or with worry. So which one describes you? Do you think that is the way you should be spending your time, or the attitude you should exhibit, while you are in waiting?
Have a great day. Waiting is a part of life, How are you waiting?
For further reading:
Luke 21:19
Romans 8:25
1 Timothy 6:11
Hebrews 6:12; 10:36; 12:1
James 1:3,4
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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.
Tuesday, April 17, 2012
Monday, April 16, 2012
"I'm Trying"
"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God." Ephesians 2:8
When asking people about their relationship with the Lord, one answer I hear most often is, "I'm trying to get right with God". They talk about trying to do better. They talk about trying to get close to God. They talk about trying to be saved. Salvation is not something we "try" to do. We don't work at getting saved. Trying to do better is not good enough to be saved. Our good works won't get us closer to God. There is only one thing that we can do to get right with God, to get close to Him, to be saved- that is to put our faith in Jesus Christ as Savior.
Jesus said that He was the Way that leads to eternal life. The path of good works is not the way. Jesus also said that He was the Door that gave access to the Father. Trying to do our best does not get us close to Him, going through Jesus does.
We can try all we want but our own strength, works or good behavior will not make us right with God. When Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, they discovered that they were naked. They tried to cover their nakedness by sewing fig leaves together. That didn't work. God had to provide the proper clothing that would take care of their problem. God is still the One who can make the provision for the sin issue in our lives. What they created to cover themselves wouldn't work. The things that we try to use to cover ourselves will not work either. All your good works and deeds and trying to do better will not take care of it. Only God's provision will--- His Son.
So stop "trying" to get right with God through your own goodness, you can't. But you can get right with God if you will put your faith and trust in His Son Jesus as your Savior.
Have a great day. Trying to get right with God through doing better will not work. You get right with Him through faith in Jesus.
For further reading:
Ephesians 2:8,9
Titus 3:5
John 14:6; 10:9; 3:36
Isaiah 64:6
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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.
When asking people about their relationship with the Lord, one answer I hear most often is, "I'm trying to get right with God". They talk about trying to do better. They talk about trying to get close to God. They talk about trying to be saved. Salvation is not something we "try" to do. We don't work at getting saved. Trying to do better is not good enough to be saved. Our good works won't get us closer to God. There is only one thing that we can do to get right with God, to get close to Him, to be saved- that is to put our faith in Jesus Christ as Savior.
Jesus said that He was the Way that leads to eternal life. The path of good works is not the way. Jesus also said that He was the Door that gave access to the Father. Trying to do our best does not get us close to Him, going through Jesus does.
We can try all we want but our own strength, works or good behavior will not make us right with God. When Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, they discovered that they were naked. They tried to cover their nakedness by sewing fig leaves together. That didn't work. God had to provide the proper clothing that would take care of their problem. God is still the One who can make the provision for the sin issue in our lives. What they created to cover themselves wouldn't work. The things that we try to use to cover ourselves will not work either. All your good works and deeds and trying to do better will not take care of it. Only God's provision will--- His Son.
So stop "trying" to get right with God through your own goodness, you can't. But you can get right with God if you will put your faith and trust in His Son Jesus as your Savior.
Have a great day. Trying to get right with God through doing better will not work. You get right with Him through faith in Jesus.
For further reading:
Ephesians 2:8,9
Titus 3:5
John 14:6; 10:9; 3:36
Isaiah 64:6
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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.
Friday, April 13, 2012
"Pouting Children"
"Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." Philippians 4:11
My friend and I took our little granddaughters to the park yesterday. They each had a sand pail and shovel that they took with them. They were playing in the sandbox when another little girl came and wanted to join. She didn't have a pail and shovel so our girls shared with her. Only having two pails and two shovels among three children meant that someone couldn't have both and they would have to take turns. When this little girl couldn't have both, she started pouting. She wasn't happy with the fact that she couldn't have all she wanted and wasn't thankful that at least someone was sharing theirs with her.
It reminded me of how we are with our Heavenly Father sometimes. We have nothing! We came into this world naked and we will leave the same way- with nothing. But God is so gracious and kind to "share" and "give" us what we don't have in order to make it through this life. But sometimes we act like pouty children. What He does for us isn't good enough. We want more, we want it all, or we want something else altogether. We are seldom content and just grateful for what we do have.
These little girls did not have to share with this other little girl. The pails and shovels were theirs. They weren't obligated to share. We didn't make them share, they chose to. God doesn't have to do anything good for us. He doesn't have to show us any kindness. We don't deserve the blessings He sends our way. We rebelled against Him. We turned our backs on Him. We rejected Him. We disobeyed Him. Whatever He does for us is out of the goodness, love and mercy of His own heart.
He may not give you everything you want, every time you want it. He may not give you all you want. But are you going to be content with what He does give knowing that He knows exactly what you need? Are you going to be grateful for whatever He gives you? Are you going to be thankful with each of His blessings- regardless of how small or incomplete you may feel they are? Or are you going to pout?
Have a great day. Pouting children aren't grateful and content with what they do have-- are you one?
For further reading:
Hebrews 13:5
Job 1:21
Philippians 4:19
Numbers 11:1-9
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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.
My friend and I took our little granddaughters to the park yesterday. They each had a sand pail and shovel that they took with them. They were playing in the sandbox when another little girl came and wanted to join. She didn't have a pail and shovel so our girls shared with her. Only having two pails and two shovels among three children meant that someone couldn't have both and they would have to take turns. When this little girl couldn't have both, she started pouting. She wasn't happy with the fact that she couldn't have all she wanted and wasn't thankful that at least someone was sharing theirs with her.
It reminded me of how we are with our Heavenly Father sometimes. We have nothing! We came into this world naked and we will leave the same way- with nothing. But God is so gracious and kind to "share" and "give" us what we don't have in order to make it through this life. But sometimes we act like pouty children. What He does for us isn't good enough. We want more, we want it all, or we want something else altogether. We are seldom content and just grateful for what we do have.
These little girls did not have to share with this other little girl. The pails and shovels were theirs. They weren't obligated to share. We didn't make them share, they chose to. God doesn't have to do anything good for us. He doesn't have to show us any kindness. We don't deserve the blessings He sends our way. We rebelled against Him. We turned our backs on Him. We rejected Him. We disobeyed Him. Whatever He does for us is out of the goodness, love and mercy of His own heart.
He may not give you everything you want, every time you want it. He may not give you all you want. But are you going to be content with what He does give knowing that He knows exactly what you need? Are you going to be grateful for whatever He gives you? Are you going to be thankful with each of His blessings- regardless of how small or incomplete you may feel they are? Or are you going to pout?
Have a great day. Pouting children aren't grateful and content with what they do have-- are you one?
For further reading:
Hebrews 13:5
Job 1:21
Philippians 4:19
Numbers 11:1-9
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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.
Thursday, April 12, 2012
"What Does The Bible Say?"
"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." Psalm 119:105
Why is it a foreign concept to most professing Christians to live their lives according to what the Bible says? They live it according to popular opinion, worldly wisdom, the latest fad, tradition and human intellect. They try to figure out a course of action based on their abilities. They try to make decisions through education about the subject. They allow past experience to direct their steps.
Everything we need to know, every action we need to take, every direction we need to go, every decision that we face, the answer is found in the Bible. The scriptures give us direction. They give us wisdom. They give us insight, understanding and knowledge. There is nothing that you and I face that the Bible does not address.
God has been so gracious to give us this "road map" through life and it is always in our best interest to use it. When my husband and I travel, we still use a map. When we get off the main freeways and start driving the back roads, we can easily get lost and not know where we are or how to reach an intended destination. Once we were traveling and could not find our map. The first service station that we came to, we pulled in and purchased one. I know that now days the GPS is replacing the paper map. But they both do the same thing- one is just a little more updated than the other. The point is, whether you use a map or a GPS device, having it and following it makes the journey so much easier, takes away confusion about where you are, removes anxiety and the fear of getting lost and helps you reach your intended destination.
Why would anyone go into an unfamiliar area without some sort of guidance system- be it a map or a GPS? We wouldn't, or shouldn't do it. So why would any Christian go into the unfamiliar areas of life without a navigation system (God's Word) to guide them? Yet as we have already said many do. Are you one of them?
Have a great day. The Bible is the navigation system that makes the journey of life easier to travel through.
For further reading:
Psalm 119:45; 93; 130; 133; 169
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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.
Why is it a foreign concept to most professing Christians to live their lives according to what the Bible says? They live it according to popular opinion, worldly wisdom, the latest fad, tradition and human intellect. They try to figure out a course of action based on their abilities. They try to make decisions through education about the subject. They allow past experience to direct their steps.
Everything we need to know, every action we need to take, every direction we need to go, every decision that we face, the answer is found in the Bible. The scriptures give us direction. They give us wisdom. They give us insight, understanding and knowledge. There is nothing that you and I face that the Bible does not address.
God has been so gracious to give us this "road map" through life and it is always in our best interest to use it. When my husband and I travel, we still use a map. When we get off the main freeways and start driving the back roads, we can easily get lost and not know where we are or how to reach an intended destination. Once we were traveling and could not find our map. The first service station that we came to, we pulled in and purchased one. I know that now days the GPS is replacing the paper map. But they both do the same thing- one is just a little more updated than the other. The point is, whether you use a map or a GPS device, having it and following it makes the journey so much easier, takes away confusion about where you are, removes anxiety and the fear of getting lost and helps you reach your intended destination.
Why would anyone go into an unfamiliar area without some sort of guidance system- be it a map or a GPS? We wouldn't, or shouldn't do it. So why would any Christian go into the unfamiliar areas of life without a navigation system (God's Word) to guide them? Yet as we have already said many do. Are you one of them?
Have a great day. The Bible is the navigation system that makes the journey of life easier to travel through.
For further reading:
Psalm 119:45; 93; 130; 133; 169
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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.
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
"Resist Self-Pity"
"Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world." 1 Peter 5:9
I feel impressed to warn you to be on guard when you are going through difficult times and testing that you don't fall into the trap of self-pity. You must resist the temptation to feel sorry for yourself. It is a temptation that we can fall into no matter how "mature" or "spiritual" we may be- no one is exempt. Look at the great prophet Elijah.
Elijah was the prophet who called fire down from heaven, who prayed that it would not rain and it didn't for three years, then he prayed that it would start raining again and it did. Yet we see him later in a cave feeling sorry for himself.
As I said earlier, resist the temptation to feel sorry for yourself, to think that you are the only one who is suffering, to question why this is happening to you. True enough you may be suffering, things may not be going as planned, you may be in a bad situation, but don't give into self-pity. It will take you down into a pit of depression. It will make you resentful and bitter. It will make you fearful. It will swallow up your faith with confusion.
Instead, remember that you aren't the only one who has suffered or suffered wrongly- if you don't know anyone personally who has, just open your Bible, you will see that most of the characters within its pages have: Job, Paul, Joseph, the prophets, Jesus, etc.
Also remember that nothing happens to you that your Heavenly Father doesn't know about. He is watching over you. He is with you through these times. And remember also that all these things- the trials, the temptations, the difficulties, the false accusations, the burdens, the rejection- all work together for good in your life, somehow, someway.
Have a great day. Resist the temptation to feel sorry for yourself when things aren't going your way.
For further reading:
1 Kings 19
Romans 8:28
Genesis 45:1-8
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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.
I feel impressed to warn you to be on guard when you are going through difficult times and testing that you don't fall into the trap of self-pity. You must resist the temptation to feel sorry for yourself. It is a temptation that we can fall into no matter how "mature" or "spiritual" we may be- no one is exempt. Look at the great prophet Elijah.
Elijah was the prophet who called fire down from heaven, who prayed that it would not rain and it didn't for three years, then he prayed that it would start raining again and it did. Yet we see him later in a cave feeling sorry for himself.
As I said earlier, resist the temptation to feel sorry for yourself, to think that you are the only one who is suffering, to question why this is happening to you. True enough you may be suffering, things may not be going as planned, you may be in a bad situation, but don't give into self-pity. It will take you down into a pit of depression. It will make you resentful and bitter. It will make you fearful. It will swallow up your faith with confusion.
Instead, remember that you aren't the only one who has suffered or suffered wrongly- if you don't know anyone personally who has, just open your Bible, you will see that most of the characters within its pages have: Job, Paul, Joseph, the prophets, Jesus, etc.
Also remember that nothing happens to you that your Heavenly Father doesn't know about. He is watching over you. He is with you through these times. And remember also that all these things- the trials, the temptations, the difficulties, the false accusations, the burdens, the rejection- all work together for good in your life, somehow, someway.
Have a great day. Resist the temptation to feel sorry for yourself when things aren't going your way.
For further reading:
1 Kings 19
Romans 8:28
Genesis 45:1-8
<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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.
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