"Fear God Or Man?"

"His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies." Psalm 112:8

The first verse of the chapter describes the person that this verse is talking about-- "Praise ye the Lord. Blessed is the man that feareth the Lord, that delighteth greatly in his commandments." It is the person who fears the Lord and delights in His commandments.

When we "fear" the Lord, then we don't have to be afraid of people. The fear of the Lord outweighs the fear of others. Our desire to please Him becomes greater than our desire to please someone else. It is greater than the temptation to compromise in order to get into the "good graces" of another person.

The Bible says that the "fear of man works a snare". But the "fear of the Lord" liberates us from the fear of man and the snare that is associated with it.

Who are you "fearing" this morning? Are you afraid of people, of those in power? Are you afraid to go against the flow? Are you afraid of being rejected by people? Are you afraid of the hurt and misery that they can inflict upon your life? Or do you fear the Lord? Do you honor Him and His word above everyone else? Is it what motivates you? Is it what gives you courage to stand even in times when you feel as though you are standing alone?

As we said already, the fear of man brings a snare, but the fear of the Lord brings a blessing. Do you want to be "snared" or do you want to be 'blessed"? It will depend on who you fear as to which one you get.

Have a great day. Do you fear God or man more?

For further reading:

Hebrews 13:6
Psalm 118:6
Proverbs 29:25

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Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell

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

About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.

Please feel free to

call (601) 833-5278 or

Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net

Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

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.

"No Roots - part 2"

"They on the rock are they, which, when they hear, receive the word with joy; and these have no root, which for a while believe, and in time of temptation fall away." Luke 8:13

Yesterday we talked about having full churches but many of the individuals who sit in the pews don't have a spiritual root system. They are "surface" Christians. There is no evidence of the born-again, surrender life. This morning I want to talk about developing a strong root system.

Temptations, offenses, trials and persecution will come and if we don't have a root system, if it is not a strong one, if we do not protect it, we will fall.

We have planted a garden again this year so I would like to use it as an analogy for what I am saying. Every plant has some sort of root but it won't thrive and grow if it is not planted in the right soil. Our lives are already "planted" in the soil of sin when we are born, but that soil will bring death. We have to be planted in "life". We must be born-again and planted in Jesus. When we are, He gives us a new root system.

We have to have a strong root system. In my garden I give the plants water and fertilizer (plant food) to help make them strong and healthy. We have to feed and water our spirits if we are going to have strong, healthy roots. We feed and water them through God's word. This is done by hiding it in our hearts, by meditating on it, by being a doer and not hearer only.

In our garden we have to protect not only the plant but the roots also. We are experiencing something this year that we have never had happen before. Healthy looking plants are just dying. We are watering, fertilizing and keeping plenty of dirt around them. We discovered after pulling a few of the dead ones up that they have no roots. We also discovered a little bug that is going in the ground and eating the roots. So we are on the attack against it. We have an enemy (the devil) who is out to destroy our root system. If he can weaken us in our faith he can destroy our lives. Through times of testing, temptation and tribulation he is working at destroying your roots so that you have nothing to hold you up and keep you alive. We have discovered a product that will kill these insects that are attacking our garden. There is something that will defeat the enemy that is attacking our lives-- it is the Blood of Jesus and the power of His Word. When satan attacks, you have to continually apply the Word of God to the situation. You have to pull out your weapon-- the Sword of the Spirit, the Word of God- and combat him with it. It will defeat him and protect your roots at the same time.

Are your roots planted in Jesus the life giver? Are you feeding and watering them with His Word? Are you protecting those roots by using the weapon of God's word against the enemy that is trying to destroy them?

Have a great day. How is your root system?

For further reading:

Romans 3:23; 6:23
John 3:3-5
Revelation 12:11
2 Corinthians 5:17
Ephesians 6:17

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Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell

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

About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.

Please feel free to

call (601) 833-5278 or

Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net

Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org

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.

"No Roots"

"And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when affliction or persecution ariseth for the word's sake, immediately they are offended." Mark 4:17

I am concerned about what I see happening in the church now days. "Mega" churches are on the rise; congregations are growing; people are filling up the churches, and this concerns me. Don't misunderstand, I would love to see each and every church filled to running over all the time. The thing that concerns me is that we have "full" pews and "empty" people.

As you look at the congregations you see people, but do they have a "root system"? Are they rooted and grounded in faith? Are they just "superficial"? Do they look good on the outside but have nothing underneath them giving them support? In some of the neighborhoods where I live, there are these majestic oak trees. They are magnificent looking. They look strong and stable. But when a storm or strong wind comes many have fallen. From their appearance you would think that they would be able to withstand whatever nature threw their way. But they don't. The reason is because they don't have a very good root system. There aren't enough roots to hold them up and the roots that are there are shallow and not very deep at all-- they are too close to the surface.

This is why I am concerned. The crowds are there. They look the part. They seem to be spiritually all right. But what about their root system? Is it even there? Do they even have one? You can't help but wonder when you see them so easily shaken by even the slightest trial. You can't help but wonder when the Bible is not an important part of their daily routine. You can't help but be concerned if they have any roots when there is no application of the Word of God in their lives, there is no sign of repentance, holiness, discipline, the Fruit of the Spirit, prayerlessness and there is no seeking of the Kingdom of God. You can't help but be concerned when the lifestyle they portray is immoral, ungodly, self-centered, unholy, lovers of pleasure more than lovers of God and they are following after their own lusts, desires and ambitions. You can't help but be concerned when there is no evidence of the surrender of their lives to the Lordship of Jesus, and when they prefer what they want over the teachings of God's Word.

A tree or plant may look good, but without a root system, it won't last. Large congregations and lots of church-goers may look good, but if they don't have roots, they won't last.

 

Have a great day. Has the church become like a forest that has lots of trees, but those trees have no roots.

For further reading:

Matthew 13:6; 15:13
Mark 4:6
Luke 8:13
Ephesians 3:17
Colossians 2:6-8

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

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 Power Of One"

"For by thee I have run through a troop; and by my God have I leaped over a wall." Psalm 18:29

The Christian life consist of unity. We are joined together with other Christians as one body-- individuals that make up the whole Body of Christ. Each of us supply to the other. None of us is an island. We need each other. We are part of each other. We accomplish more when we work together.

Having said that, let me move on to address being "alone". While it is true that two can put to flight more than one, a two-fold cord is not easily broken, two coming into agreement can see greater answers to prayers, and two are better than one if you get weary and fall because you can help each other up. But just because you may not be part of "two" does not mean that you have no power. I am addressing those this morning who feel they can't do anything because they are only "one" person.

It was one young man, David, who killed the giant while a whole army watched in fear. It was one little boy's lunch that fed thousands. It was one man, Moses, who lead the Israelites out of captivity and through the wilderness. It was one man, Abraham, that God created a whole nation from. One man, Noah, built a boat that saved his whole family and preserved creation. One prophet, Elijah, withstood King Ahab and Jezebel. It was one man, Nehemiah, who had the burden and vision to rebuild the walls of Jerusalem. It was one virgin, Mary, that gave birth to the Messiah and Savior of the world. It was one man's sacrifice, Jesus the Son of God, who provided the only way that leads to eternal life.

God's plan for us is to be "part of the whole", and we get more accomplished for His Kingdom together than by ourselves, but that does not mean that God won't use each of us as well- individually, one on one- to accomplish His plan and purpose. Don't feel like you can't do anything because you are "only" one person. When God created the whole human race, He started with only one person.

Have a great day. While there may be more power in numbers, don't discount the power of one-- God doesn't.

For further reading:

Ephesians 4:16
Psalm 68:11
Philippians 4:13
Romans 5:15
1 Corinthians 12:21

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

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.

"The Specialist - part 2"

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

Yesterday we talked about God being a "specialist". This morning I want to continue talking about some areas that He specializes in.

He specializes in strength.

He specializes in grace.
He specializes in mercy.
He specializes in meeting all your need.
He specializes in giving wisdom.
He specializes in giving peace, joy, and love.
He specializes in giving guidance and direction.
He specializes in salvation, deliverance, healing, restoration and reconciliation.
He specializes in doing the impossible.

I could continue to go on and on listing all that He specializes in, but the bottom line is that whatever you have need of, He specializes in it. Whether your need is a spiritual, physical, emotional or material one- if it affects you- He specializes in it.

Are you suffering today? Do you have a need? Then go to the specialist about it. I didn't say go to "a" specialist, I said go to "the" specialist. The One who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all you can ask or think, because He specializes in it.

Have a great day. Whatever the area of your need is, God specializes in it.

For further reading:

2 Corinthians 12:9
James 1:5
Proverbs 3:5,6
Luke 1:37
Exodus 15:26
Ephesians 3:20

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

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.