"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
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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.
Wednesday, November 23, 2011
Tuesday, November 22, 2011
"Lifted Up"
"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.
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.
Monday, November 21, 2011
"The Greater Reward"
"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.
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.
Friday, November 18, 2011
"The Wedding Dress"
"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.
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.
Thursday, November 17, 2011
"Lower Than Dirt"
"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.
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.
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