"Love Him With Your Mouth"

"Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind." Matthew 22:37

 

Did you notice that Jesus didn't say to love the Lord thy God with thy mouth? Many people say they love Jesus but their heart isn't in it. Jesus said that there are those who "draw near Him with their lips but their hearts are far from Him."

 

They say they love Jesus but they don't keep His commandments. They don't do the things that please Him, they don't live according to His word, they don't follow His will, they don't serve Him. The true sign that we love Him is that we keep His commandments. "If a man love me, he will keep my words." (John 14:23) If we love Him we will live by His word and it will be evident in our lifestyle.

 

They say they love Him but they never commune with Him. They only go to Him in prayer when they have a problem, are in need, need His help or or facing a difficult situation that they can't solve. They don't talk to Him when things are good and all is well. They neglect the place of prayer day in and day out. They have no fellowship with Him. They don't enjoy spending time in His presence just because of who He is. 

 

They say they love Him but they rarely go to His house. They show up occasionally, when it is convenient for them. Going to God's house is not a priority for them. (I am not talking about those who can't go for one reason or other. I am talking about those who say they love Him but just don't go.) On the other hand, there are those who do go to His house out of religious duty, because it is the thing to do. They are there to make a "showing". They are there to fulfill some responsibility, but afterwards never give another thought about God.

 

They say they love Him, but they never read His word. The Bible lays on a table somewhere collecting dust-- if they even know where it is, or even have one. How can you say you love Him and not want to get to know more about Him? How can you say you love Him and not want to read His letters to you?

 

Jesus doesn't want your "lip service", He wants your heart. He wants what you say to line up with what is truly inside of you. If you love Him with all your heart, soul and mind, it will be evident in your life and it will come out of your mouth. And when you love Him from your heart, your life will back up what your mouth says.

 

Have a great day. Anybody can say they love Jesus, but if they do their life will back up what they say. 

 

For further reading:

John 14:15

Isaiah 29:13

Matthew 15:8

Mark 7:6

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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.

"Just Pray"

"Is any among you afflicted? let him pray." James 5:13a

 

Are you suffering hardship and trouble? Then pray. What? That's your answer to what I am going through? Don't tell me to pray, I need help, I need an answer. I have a problem and you tell me to pray! Prayer is such a novel idea. Prayer is too simple.

 

Isn't that how we often are? We want answers and help but we won't go to the place where we can get it. We will go to this person and that person. We will seek a word from someone. We will look to the arm of the flesh. We run here and there looking for our answer, but neglect to pray about it. I didn't tell you to pray-- God's word did. 

 

God gave us our answer-- pray. When we pray we are going to the One, and only One, who can give us an answer. When we pray, we are going to our true source of help. When we pray, the Lord steps into our situation and guides us through it. When we pray, we get the wisdom of heaven backing us up. When we pray, we are turning to God and as we gaze upon Him that thing that was so "monumental" pales in comparison to who God is. When we pray, the burden is lifted. 

 

We are looking for the answer, help and solution to our trouble but if we are neglecting to pray, we will continually struggle looking for the answer. If we neglect to pray it will only get worse because confusion will come in, frustration will come in, fear will come in and the problem will escalate like a snowball and pretty soon you don't only have your original problem but a bigger problem. The Bible says that you have not because you ask not. It also says to ask that you might receive. 

 

Do we really want an answer? Do we really want help? Do we think that God doesn't have an answer or that He can't help with this problem? Do we think that we are smart enough, wise enough, or strong enough to do it on our own? Do we save God as a "back up plan" if nothing else we try works? God has your answer, He knows how to solve the problem, He knows what you need in times of trouble and He has told you how to get it--- pray. Will you believe Him? Will you trust Him and do what He says or keep "beating your head up against a wall" looking for your own solution?

 

Have a great day. Pray may seem like too simple an answer, but it is the answer!

 

For further reading:

John 16:24

Matthew 7:7,8

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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.

"Rise Up Mighty Warrior"

"Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you." Luke 10:19

 

In my prayer time this morning I heard the Spirit say -- rise up mighty warrior-- over and over again. It is time we use the power and authority that the Lord has given us in the situations that we face. It is time to stop "rolling over and playing dead". It is time to stop wallowing in self-pity. It is time to stop throwing up our hands in defeat. It is time to stop murmuring and talking about the situations and problems, and start doing something about it. 

 

The Bible says that the kingdom of heaven suffers violence and the violent take it by force. It is not taken by whining and crying and complaining. It is taken by faith and boldness. It is taken by recognizing that you are a mighty warrior with God-given authority and the anointing to set captives free, to open prison doors to those who are bond, to turn the battle to the gates, it tread on serpents and scorpions, to thwart the plans of the enemy, and to see your King exalted. 

 

It is time to pick up your armor and put it on. It is time to take the sword of the Spirit- the Word of God- and use it. Stand on God's Word, hold fast to His promises, step out in faith, claim His truths, apply them to the situations. Then stand upon them. Dig your heels into the "ground" and declare, "No matter what comes I will not be moved, because God is for me so who can be against me". Greater is He that is in you than he that is in the world. You are already more than a conqueror. Jesus already defeated the devil and destroyed his works. Jesus has delegated His authority to you in the here and now to use while you are on earth. He has give you the keys of the kingdom-- authority. 

 

It is time the church stop acting like weaklings. It is time we stop living without power. It is time we stop caving in to every trial, test and temptation that comes our way. It is time we stand up, stand firm, be bold and trust in our Mighty Warrior King whose strong right arm has already won the victory. 

 

Have a great day. Rise up mighty warrior!

 

For further reading:

Matthew 11:12; 16:19

Ephesians 6:10-18

1 John 4:4

 

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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.

"Strength Through The Word"

"Now when he had left speaking, he said unto Simon, Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught. And Simon answering said unto him, Master, we have toiled all the night, and have taken nothing: nevertheless at thy word I will let down the net." Luke 5:4,5

 

When Jesus wanted to use Simon's boat to preach from, He found Simon washing his nets. When Jesus told him to launch out into the deep and let down his nets, Simon answered that they had been out there all night . Fishing in those days was very physical and tiring work. I am sure they were sleepy because they had been up all night and exhausted because of the work. When Jesus said to launch out into the deep waters, they didn't have motors on their boats, they had to grab the oars and row. 

 

When Jesus tells us to do something, it may be at a time when we are tired or weary. It may be at a time when our strength is gone. He doesn't always wait until we are refreshed and energetic. Some times we are called to go from one battle to another, from one work to another.

 

What gave Simon the strength to row out into the deep? "Nevertheless at thy word." It was the words of Jesus. When we are tired, when we feel we can't go on, when we feel that the task is just too great, we can gain renewed strength through God's word. His word brings strength and refreshing. It brings energy. It brings life. It wasn't Simon's strength, it was the strength he gained through Jesus' words. The Lord's strength is perfected in our weakness. He imparts His strength to us, which often comes through His word. 

 

You may be feeling tired and weary. You may feel you can't go on. You may feel as if you just can't do it. But listen to God's word-- listen to what He says to you. His word will empower you to do any task He calls you to do. Hold fast to His word-- it is your strength. And when His strength is imparted to you-- you can do all things through Christ which strengthens you.

 

Have a great day. Our strength and ability to do any task comes through the power of the Word of God. 

 

For further reading:

Philippians 4:13

2 Corinthians 12:9

Psalm 119:28

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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.

"Great Things"

"No weapon that is formed against thee shall prosper; and every tongue that shall rise against thee in judgment thou shalt condemn. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord, and their righteousness is of me, saith the Lord." Isaiah 54:17

 

I am expecting great things this year. I am expecting God to do some great and wonderful things in and through my life. But when we think about "great", that does not mean the absence of trouble and trials. Joseph had a dream- a great dream. He expected great things in his life, he expected God to take him into some great places, but look at what happened to him. His brothers betrayed him. He was sold into slavery. He was falsely accused and thrown into prison. 

 

"Great" doesn't mean there won't be weapons formed against you. Weapons of jealousy and betrayal, weapons of hate, weapons of violence, weapons of fear, weapons of lies, weapons of temptation, weapons of sickness and disease, weapons of a financial nature, and so on. But those weapons cannot prosper. God knows how to take what is meant for evil, and work it together in such a way where it will produce good, and bring about the "great". 

 

When you see a weapon forming, don't get discouraged, don't give up or give in. As in the case of Joseph it was the weapons that were formed against him that took him into his God given destiny. Each weapon he encountered took him one step closer. (They formed, but they did not prosper.) 

 

The enemy thinks he is holding the weapons. He thinks his weapons are more powerful. He thinks his weapons will destroy you. God has a weapon too and knows how to direct it in such a way where the enemy's weapons are rendered useless. Goliath had a weapon that looked mightier but God directed a small stone to bring him down. So don't fear the enemy's weapons, they will not prosper against you. Trust God and believe that He will destroy the enemy's weapons by causing them to bring about good instead of destruction. 

 

Have a great day. When weapons form against us, we do not have to fear them. God has a way of keeping them from destroying us and He knows how to cause them to bring about something great in our lives. 

 

For further reading:

Romans 8:28

Genesis 50:20

 

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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.