The Great Writer

The Great Writer

There was once a young man who, in his youth, professed his desire to become a great writer.

When asked to define "great" he said, "I want to write stuff that the whole world will read, stuff that people will react to on a truly emotional level, stuff that will make them scream, cry, howl in pain and anger!"

He now works for Microsoft, writing error messages.

Surrendering All

Surrendering All

by Andy Stanley

Discovering the will of your parents or a friend or a coworker is one thing. But discovering God's will is completely different. First of all, God is not in the advice business. He's in the Lordship business. So if you really want to get personal and get God's take on your situation, you'll discover that He requires something up front first: control. More than He wants people who make good decisions, God wants hearts that are surrendered to Him.

God has an uncanny way of knowing where we stand on this issue. And often, He will withhold information about His will until He detects a willingness on our part to follow through on what He says regardless.

So do you really want to know God's will? Are you truly ready for what He'll say? Or are you just looking for another angle on your situation, another opinion to consider before you make up your mind? Your answer may determine how well you hear His.

Excerpted from "Discovering God's Will" by Andy Stanley

God Has Two Questions for You

God Has Two Questions for You

by Artie Davis

As we learn what it means to truly follow God, there are 2 questions I feel He wants to ask us everyday.

What are you hearing Me say?

Everyday is a new day, filled with opportunities to impact the Kingdom. It is vital we hear God and understand His desires for us on such things as...

• Go see this person
• Don't go to that meeting
• Call your neighbor
• Be patient
• Do all things in love
• Make a date with your wife

These are the kinds of things we need to hear from God everyday. We hear these from His Word and what He speaks to us. Hearing what God is saying to us puts us on the same page with His will and the work He has for us.

What are you doing to obey?

God has no desire to waste His breath or cast His pearls before swine! When He speaks, He expects us to obey. That is the second half of a powerful faith-filled walk with God. Not just hearing, but also obeying.

We find too many excuses not to obey what we hear God say.

• It doesn't make any sense
• It's in direct opposition to what I see
• That is way too hard, and nobody else is doing it
• I don't like that place
• If I do that, I may lose some friends
• I can't afford it

The things God wants us to do will always require faith. Faith is what we are called to walk in daily; it's the only way to please God, and whatever is not of faith is sin! So...it's pretty important that all we do is in faith. And "faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." (Romans 10:17)

Since that's the way God wants us to walk everyday, I can understand His questions:

1. What are you hearing Me say?
2. What are you doing to obey?

Pretty heavy questions. What say you?

You can visit Artie Davis at www.artiedavis.com As seen at www.churchleaders.com

The Harvest

The Harvest

There was once a spider who lived in a cornfield. He was a big spider and he had spun a beautiful web between the corn stalks. He got fat eating all the bugs that would get caught in his web. He liked his home and planned to stay there for the rest of his life.

One day the spider caught a little bug in his web, and just as the spider was about to eat him, the bug said, "If you let me go I will tell you something important that will save your life." The spider paused for a moment and listened because he was amused. "You better get out of this cornfield," the little bug said, "The harvest is coming!"

The spider smiled and said, "What is this harvest you are talking about? I think you are just telling me a story." But the little bug said, "Oh no, it is true. The owner of this field is coming to harvest it soon. All the stalks will be knocked down and the corn will be gathered up. You will be killed by the giant machines if you stay here."

The spider said, "I don't believe in harvests and giant machines that knock down corn stalks. How can you prove this?" The little bug continued, "Just look at the corn. See how it is planted in rows? It proves this field was created by an intelligent designer." The spider laughed and mockingly said, "This field has evolved and has nothing to do with a creator. Corn always grows that way."

The bug went on to explain, "Oh no. This field belongs to the owner who planted it, and the harvest is coming soon." The spider grinned and said to the little bug, "I don't believe you," and then the spider ate the little bug for lunch.

A few days later, the spider was laughing about the story the little bug had told him. He thought to himself, "A harvest! What a silly idea. I have lived here all of my life and nothing has ever disturbed me. I have been here since these stalks were just a foot off the ground, and I'll be here for the rest of my life, because nothing is ever going to change in this field. Life is good, and I have it made."

The next day was a beautiful sunny day in the cornfield. The sky above was clear and there was no wind at all. That afternoon as the spider was about to take a nap, he noticed some thick dusty clouds moving toward him. He could hear the roar of a great engine and he said to himself, "I wonder what that could be?"

Every promise God has ever made has and will come to pass. Eight hundred years before Jesus was born the prophet Isaiah wrote of the coming of the Lord Jesus Christ (Isaiah 53:3-12). He wrote in detail of all that would happen to the Lord and it did come to pass just as he had written. Read Matthew 27 and John 19. Just as the past prophecies have all come true, so will all of the future prophecies. Jesus is coming again (Revelation 1:9) and will take all of those who have put their trust in Him (1 Thessalonians 4:16-18).

I encourage you to make Jesus the Lord of your life if you have never done so before. He promised to forgive your every sin and make you a child of God. (Isaiah 1:18) (2 Corinthians 5:17) God in His everlasting mercy wants no one to perish, but has made a way for every human being to have eternal life with Him in Heaven. It is then up to us to accept or reject this free gift. The Bible declares in Acts 4:12 "Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." Jesus is the only way to have eternal life and anyone can have this gift by opening their heart to Him and confessing Jesus as their Lord and Savior. (Romans 10:9-13)

I encourage you to study the scriptures and invite the Lord speak to your heart as you read and learn.

From firstIMPRESSIONS Vol. 11.38

"Two Reasons For Destruction"

"Two Reasons For Destruction"

"My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children." Hosea 4:6

There were two reasons why the Lord had a controversy with His people; these two reasons would bring their destruction. 1) Their lack of knowledge. The priest were not teaching them God's word or commandments, therefore, they were ignorant of God. Ignorance, especially of the Lord, His will and His ways, will lead to destruction. 2) The word that they did have, they rejected. This second one is the one I want to address this morning.

When we reject God's word, it will lead to destruction. One way is that it will open the door to the enemy of fear, doubt, confusion and unbelief. Without the word of God you have nothing to "fight" the enemy with so you fall prey to it by believing what it says. (Believing the lies of the enemy will destroy you.) Rejection of God's word also shows lack of faith- without faith it is impossible to please God and faith is the very foundation upon which we build our lives (we walk by faith, and the just shall live by faith).

How do we reject His word? Primarily by not believing what He says. But also we reject it when we don't heed it, obey it, pattern our lives after it and live by it. When we turn from God's word to our own ways, from following it and following our own desires, when we take it for granted as if it doesn't matter or apply to us, then we are rejecting it.

Jesus addressed this in the Sermon on the Mount in His story of the wise man who built his house upon the rock and foolish man who built his house upon the sand. The wise man was the one who had God's word as the foundation of his life and lived according to it. (This man was living by faith.) The wise man did not reject God's word, therefore, when the storms (the enemy) came he was not destroyed. His acceptance of God's word (faith) and application of it in his life kept him from destruction.

What are you doing with God's word? Are you rejecting it? Or are you living your life by it, making it the very foundation upon which your life is built?

Have a great day. When we accept and live by God's word, we will not be destroyed.

For further reading:

Habakkuk 2:4

Romans 1:17

Galatians 3:11

Hebrews 10:38

2 Corinthians 5:7

Matthew 7:24-27

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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.

"How To Glorify God"

"How To Glorify God?"

"I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do." John 17:4

I was recently asked, "How do you glorify God?" This person was referring to doing some sort of work or service for the Lord. The Bible tells us that when Jesus healed the sick, cast out devils and raised the dead that the people rejoiced and glorified God. It also tells us that when our lights are shining brightly, others will see our good works and glorify God. But what about the days when we don't do any "works"? Some days there are no opportunities for ministry. So does that mean that we have done nothing to glorify God that day? Working for the Lord is not the only way of glorifying God.

Another way we glorify God is by accepting His Son Jesus as our Savior. When we put our trust and faith in what He did for us at the cross, when we have surrendered our lives to Him, when we are following Him, He is being glorified in our lives. In Jesus' prayer in the garden before He was arrested and taken to the cross, He said His hour had come and asked for the Father to glorify Him with the same glory He had before and that what He was about to do would glorify the Father. What was He about to do and how would it glorify the Father? Jesus was talking about paying the price for the sins of mankind once and for all. And through His death on the cross the Father would receive glory because many sons and daughters could come into His Kingdom.

So, yes, the Father is glorified when we do the works that point others to Him, but the Father is also glorified because our faith is in His Son. He is glorified because we believe on and in what He did for us. So on those days when it seems as if I am doing "nothing" for Him, this new life that I have received through faith in Jesus glorifies Him because it is a testimony to what He did for me.

Have a great day. Your faith in Jesus brings glory to the Father.

For further reading:

Matthew 9:7

John 12:27,28; 13:31,32; 15:7-9; 17:1-6

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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.

"Why Is He Silent?"

"Why Is He Silent?"

"Now the Lord hath brought it, and done according as he hath said..." Jeremiah 40:3a

I was talking with someone the other day and they were concerned because the Lord was not speaking to them about a certain situation that they were going through. They were seeking Him for the truth so that they would know what they should do. But wasn't hearing from Him. The more I talked to this person I discovered that when the situation first started they went to the Lord about it and He gave them the answer and told them what to do. Now as they are seeking Him about it, He is being silent and not saying anything so they are disturbed by His silence on the matter.

As I told them, the Lord is silent because He has already told them what to do. They are seeking the answer and He has already given it to them. They are waiting for Him to speak and He already has, so He is not going to speak to them again about this matter. At this point whatever He would say would only be repeating Himself.

Like this precious person we don't always know how to interpret God's silence. But one interpretation is the same one as in this person's case- God is silent because He has already told them what to do. What is left is not for God to continually repeat Himself but for them to listen, believe Him and do what He has already said. Why should He tell us anything else, why should He continue to speak, what else is there for Him to say when He has already said it?

If the Lord is being silent to you about a situation, stop and think for a moment to see if He has already spoken to you about it. If He has, then there's the answer you have been waiting for and He is not going to keep telling you over and over again- or tell you something different. In His silence He is waiting for you to do, or believe and receive, what He has already said, then He will speak something else to you after that.

Have a great day. One interpretation of God's silence is-- He has already told you so He has nothing else to say and He is not going to keep repeating Himself.

For further reading:

James 1:22

Acts 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.

"I Understand"

"I Understand"

"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

When we know someone who is going through a trying time, a time of hardship, grief or a trial, in trying to help comfort that person we often say to them, "I understand". When we say we understand, we can mean it in one of two ways. First, we understand what they are going through because we have been through it too. We are acquainted through personal experience with what they are going through. We have walked in those same shoes. When we say, "I understand", but don't have a clue what it "feels" like, what we really mean is that we understand why this trial is so difficult, why you are hurting, why you feel as if you can't go on.

For example, I don't "understand" through experience what it is like to lose a child. But I do "understand" why someone who has would be devastated. It would have to be one of the greatest hurts you could experience. I don't understand "what" they are feeling, but I "understand" why.

I said all this to say that even though we may not "understand" through experience or have first "hand knowledge" of what someone else is suffering, there is one who does. He understands on a personal level. He understands it all. There is nothing that we will face or go through that He doesn't understand. His name is Jesus. Jesus is touched by the feelings of your weaknesses in a deep and personal way because He has more than just a "head knowledge understanding" of the hurt, the pain or the sorrow that you are experiencing.

You may be going through a grievous time this morning. There may be those who are trying to comfort and encourage you. Some of them understand because they have gone through the same thing, some of them have a sympatric understanding only, but remember there is one who has both- the understanding of where you are because He has been there and the understanding compassion of why this is not an easy thing for you. Look to Him this morning and let Him comfort you because He understands it all.

Have a great day. When Jesus says He understands- He understands personally from experience and from a sympatric understanding.

For further reading:

Isaiah 53

Psalm 103:13,14

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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.

"Pull Out Your Sword"

"Pull Out Your Sword"

"... and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God>" Ephesians 6:17b

My little granddaughter spent the night with me the night before last. When we got up yesterday morning, after we had a quiet moment to wake up and a time of prayer for our families, I decided to tell her about the armor of God (in three year old terms). So I told her that we are soldiers for Jesus and we needed to put on our armor. We physically went through the motions of putting on each piece. Afterwards, I told her that every time the devil tried to "make" her not mind her parents, or get angry, or be unkind for her to "hold" her sword out and tell him, "Devil, I am not going to disobey my mama; I am going to obey her". So all day long, each time I would see her doing any of those things, I told her, "Pull out your sword" and she would. After she did she would do the right thing.

I was thinking about that this morning, mostly thinking that there's a lot of Christians (and most of them adults) who need to be doing the same thing. They need to be pulling out their swords (the sword of the Spirit- the Word of God) and using it against the enemy. There are many of them who fall prey to his temptations.

We have been given spiritual weapons in which to fight against our enemy and not only fight him, but prevail. The Lord has provided the weapons. He even says that He will fight our battles for us. Jesus already got victory over him and has made us more than conquerors through His victory. And He left us an example of how to use the weapons that He has provided. Therefore, when we are in the time of temptation, we don't have to give in to it. And just like my granddaughter, after she pulled out her "sword", she did the right thing. So when the temptation to be angry, unkind, bitter, unforgiving, to cheat, to lie or steal, or whatever the temptation is- you need to "pull out your sword" and say... "It is written".

Have a great day. Don't forget about your weapons and use them.

For further reading:

Ephesians 6:10-20

Romans 8:37

Matthew 4:3-11

2 Corinthians 10:4

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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.

"Take A Bath"

"Take A Bath"

"That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word." Ephesians 5:26

Hopefully, every person who is a born again believer reads their Bible every day- at least once. But I wonder if that is all we do-- just read it? That is all some people do. Some see reading their Bible as just part of some religious duty they must do because they are a Christian and that's what Christians do. They read it thinking they are going to get some sort of "spiritual brownie points" with God. Some read it because they enjoy reading its stories in the same way they enjoy any "good book" they pick up to read. God's Word is so much more than just a book we read because we are Christians. It's a cleansing agent.

God's Word is like "soap". It has the ability to wash and cleanse our spirits, minds, souls and heart. It can was away negative and erroneous thinking. It can wash away guilt and condemnation. It can wash away bitterness, unforgiveness, anger and hate. It can wash away doubt, fear and unbelief. And it will if we do more than just read it as black words on white paper. It will as we take it to heart, meditate upon its teachings and promises, and apply it to our lives by putting it into practice. It will wash away the spiritual dirt and grime-- the worldly influences, the lusts of the flesh, the devil's accusations.

You may read the Word (even daily), but are you taking a bath in it? Are you letting it wash and renew your mind? Are you letting it soften your heart? When you are hot and sweaty, there is something so refreshing about a bath. God's Word washes away the "dirt" that attaches itself to our lives as we walk through this world and it also brings refreshing- faith, hope and love.

Have a great day. Are you reading the Bible or taking a bath in it?

For further reading:

James 1:22

John 17:17

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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.

"Get Understanding"

"Get Understanding"

"Understanding is a wellspring of life unto him that hath it: but the instruction of fools is folly." Proverbs 16:22

There will always be things that we don't understand. Even Solomon with all his wisdom did not understand some things. (Proverbs 30:18,19) But having an understanding of the things of God and spiritual principles is necessary to our spiritual growth and well-being. The Book of Proverbs is full of admonishment, commands and instruction concerning the importance of having understanding.

Some Christians believe that it is not meant for us to understand the things of God. Granted, there are some "mysteries" that we won't understand until this corruptible flesh puts on incorruption and this mortality puts on immortality. And until then there will always be some things that we know only "in part" because the understanding that we have is still like looking through a dark glass. Jesus addressed this subject with His disciples. In Matthew 13 He talked to them about spiritual things and Kingdom principles, then He asked them if they understood what He said. "Jesus saith unto them, Have ye understood all these things? They say unto him, Yea, Lord." (verse 51) In the same chapter Jesus told His disciples that they have been given the understanding to know these things, but the world hasn't been given that understanding. So, yes, He does want us to understand spiritual things.

So, what do we do if we don't understand; how do we get the understanding? The first thing you do is continue reading God's word. Don't get discouraged and put it down just because you don't understand it. Unless you continue reading it, you will never understand it. Also, you pray. You pray for the Lord to enlighten the eyes of your understanding. You pray for the spirit of wisdom and revelation. You ask the Holy Spirit to make your understanding fruitful and trust that He will lead you into the truth- because He will; He is the Spirit of Truth. Also, don't get impatient. Sometimes the understanding comes line upon line, precept upon precept, here a little and there a little- and eventually you will get the full "picture" of what the Lord is saying.

The Lord doesn't want us ignorant. He intends for us to understand spiritual things. And even though there will be some things that we don't understand until we see Him face to face, we have the promise that if we seek an understanding of spiritual things we will find it.

Have a great day. If you don't understand spiritual truths just ask... the Holy Spirit will help you to understand.

For further reading:

Matthew 13:10-12

1 John 3:2

Psalms 103:7

John 16:13

1 Corinthians 2:9-11; 13:9,12

Colossians 1:9

Ephesians 1:18

Isaiah 28:10,13

Proverbs 4:5,7; 16:16

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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.

"Jesus"

Dear All,

The website has been updated. June, July and August newsletters have been added.

___________________

"Jesus"

"For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." Isaiah 9:6

This morning I just want to talk about Jesus. He should be our main theme. He should be our focus. He should be the topic and subject of our conversations. He should be the sum of our thoughts and the foundation of our vocabulary. We should wake up with our minds on Him, and go to bed with the same. He should be our reason for doing what we do. "In Him we live, and move and have our being." (Acts 17:28)

He is the lover of our souls. The captain of our salvation. Our redeemer who lives. He is the risen Lord. The King of kings and Lord of lords; the King of glory. The beginning and the end. The starting point and the ending point. Without Him we can do nothing, but through Him we can do all things. He is our strength and song and has become our salvation. He is the glory and lifter of our heads. He will never leave us, nor forsake us. He will be with us always, even guiding us when death comes to take us. We will not have to fear evil because His rod and staff comfort us. He is our Good Shepherd who gave His life for the sheep. He is the conquering king. The Lion of Judah and the Lamb of God. He forgives all our sins and heals all our diseases.

With Him nothing is impossible, or too difficult. He is able to do exceeding, abundantly above all we can ask or think. He is able to keep what we commit to Him. His ways are not our ways, neither are His thoughts our thoughts, but they are higher than the heavens are above the earth.

I could go on. Talking about Him- who He is and what He does- could go on forever because He is the eternal one. But I will stop here and leave you with this: take time each and every day to meditate upon this great, wonderful, all-powerful and glorious Lord we have the privilege of knowing and you will fall in love with Him all over again each time you do.

Have a great day. Is Jesus the focus of your life?

For further reading:

Revelation 19:16; 5:5

Ephesians 3:20

Psalm 118:14

Luke 1:37

Isaiah 55:8,9

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

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.

"Stop, Stop, Stop"

"Stop, Stop, Stop"

"Yet if thou warn the wicked, and he turn not from his wickedness, nor from his wicked way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul." Ezekiel 3:19

The other morning I was at Wal-Mart. I had just left the store and as I was headed across the parking lot to get in my vehicle I had to stop and wait because the vehicle in front of me was backing out of its parking spot. Just as it started backing out, I noticed another vehicle that was parked directly behind it started backing out too. They were both about to rear-end each other. I started waving my arms and yelling at the driver-- "STOP! STOP! STOP!" Thankfully, he heard me, stopped and pulled forward avoiding a crash.

The odd thing about the whole situation was that the exact same thing had just happened the week before. As I was walking across this same parking lot two vehicles in front of me started backing out of their parking spots at the same time about to back into each other. Since I was witnessing a crash in the making, I yelled for them to stop while waving my hands to get their attention. Their crash was avoided also.

As I got to my vehicle I pondered the fact that this was twice in two weeks that the same thing happened and asked the Lord if there was anything "significant" about it. Yes, it was. I want to share with you what He spoke to me.

Mankind without Christ is lost. They are heading for a "crash" (death- eternal separation from God). Because they are in darkness they don't see what awaits them (like the driver's of the vehicles- they couldn't see the crash that was about to happen to them.) I was in a perfect position to see what was about to happen to these vehicles, therefore, I was able to warn them. (Because I know Christ and am walking in the light, I am in a position where I see the truth about what will happen to those who are lost without Christ.)

We see people around us all the time who are heading for a "crash" spiritually/eternally, but what are we doing about it? I could have kept my mouth shut, gone on about my own business and not tried to warn these people that they were going to have an accident. But I didn't. I stood in a parking lot full of people yelling and waving my arms like a "crazy" person. I let pride go in order to warn them. As a result the accident was avoided, and the man in the first vehicle turned to thank me.

Because we see the truth, and those who are in darkness don't, we must lay aside all pride, all prejudice, all self-absorption, all dignity, anything that would keep us from warning the lost about what awaits him. I didn't care how I looked, what people thought or said, I just knew that something bad was about to happen and I was in a position to stop it. Something "bad" (that's an understatement) will happen to those who die without Christ and you and I who know Him are in a position to warn them so that it doesn't happen. Are we warning them to "stop" and turn to Christ?

Have a great day. When we see people heading into eternity lost without Christ, are we warning them?

For further reading:

Romans 6:23

Isaiah 43:12

Mark 16:15

Acts 1:8

Proverbs 11:30

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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.

"Nursing The Enemy"

"Nursing The Enemy"

"And they utterly destroyed all that was in the city, both man and woman, young and old, and ox, and sheep, and ass, with the edge of the sword." Joshua 6:21

When the children of Israel came out of Egypt on their way to the land that the Lord had promised them, we read that they had to fight many battles against the inhabitants in the wilderness and in the promise land. The command that the Lord gave them was to utterly destroy them all- the kings, every man, woman, boy and girl. They were not to take any captives. When you first read this it sounds very cruel and unloving, especially the part about killing even the children and babies. I am not going to address whether it was cruel or not, I want us to look at it from a spiritual point of view this morning. There is a spiritual parallel to this command to "utterly destroy all" that we need to heed.

I was thinking about this the other day and wondering about not taking the babies captive. After all, they were little tiny babies- what threat could they possibly be. They were helpless, defenseless, weak and unable to do any harm. But the more I thought about it I realized that someone would have to "nurse" those babies. Those nursing babies were not just babies- they were enemies, and they wouldn't stay little long. They wouldn't always be those "cute" little babies that they could "carry" around in their arms. They would grow up and get stronger and stronger. Therefore, they had to be destroyed.

The spiritual parallel that I see here is that if we allow even the "smallest" sin to remain in our lives, even though it may seem "innocent", little and unthreatening at the time, and don't "drive it out" and "utterly destroy" it, eventually we will begin to "nurse" it and it won't stay little long. Once you start "nursing" it, that "small" sin will begin to grow and become a greater enemy in your life.

We need to learn a lesson from what was commanded to them in the natural and apply it to our lives when dealing with the enemy of sin and not be sympatric with sin- no matter how small and unthreatening it may look because one day it will be a bigger enemy.

Have a great day. Sin is our enemy and once we start nursing even a small sin, it will turn it into a bigger, stronger enemy.

For further reading:

1 Corinthians 5:6

Galatians 5:9

Song of Solomon 2:15

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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.

"Selah Moments"

"Selah Moments"

"Thou art my hiding place; thou shalt preserve me from trouble; thou shalt compass me about with songs of deliverance. Selah." Psalm 32:7

Often while reading the Psalms we come upon this word- Selah. As I looked up its meaning, I discovered that the meaning wasn't too certain. The definition I did find was that it was a technical musical term probably showing accentuation, pause, interruption. Let me give you my definition (what it means to me). My definition is- pause, stop and ponder what has been said or what has been done.

There are what I call "Selah" moments in our lives- times when we need to take some time to stop and ponder what the Lord is saying to us. Sometimes we get so busy that we don't stop long enough to actually listen to what He is saying. We usually "assume" we know what He said and meant. We need to take a "Selah" moment and be quiet and listen to everything He is saying so we get the full meaning.

Other "Selah" moments are those times when we need to stop and ponder what He has done for us. It's those times when instead of just talking about what the Lord has done, we stop and think about what that really means. When I talk about what a beautiful day it might be, I find myself taking a "Selah" moment by pausing to thank the Lord for allowing me to see it.

More "Selah" times come when I am reading the Bible. There will be times when I am reading and a particular verse will speak to my heart. I just have to stop and ponder what He is saying to me through the verse. I sit there "chewing" the word and giving it time to "digest" in my spirit before I continue. In that "Selah" moment the scales are removed from my mind and heart and I am enlighten and encouraged.

Do you have those "Selah" moments? Are there times you just stop and think about what the Lord has done? Do you pause to give Him praise? Are you taking time to ponder what He may be saying to you? "Selah" moments tend to keep me from taking things for granted- like His goodness, His blessings, His word, His love and His faithfulness.

Have a great day. You need to take "Selah" moments everyday.

For further reading:

Psalm 24:10; 46:10

Luke 10:39-44

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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.

"Questioning His Faithfulness"

"Questioning His Faithfulness"

"Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died." John 11:21

For the last couple of days we have been talking about the faithfulness of God. I have reminded you that He is faithful no matter what we are going through and He is faithful to keep His word no matter what tries to stand in His way and keep Him from fulfilling it. This morning I want to talk about "questioning" His faithfulness.

There are situations we go through that cause us to question the faithfulness of God. There are situations that cause us to wonder if He really cares and really loves us. When I read the verse above, I can hear Martha's questions behind her comment. I hear her heart saying, "If you really loved my brother, if you really cared about him, if you really are who you say you are, and we believe you are, then why didn't you come sooner? Why weren't you here for us in our time of need? Where were you when we called for you? Why did you wait? Why did you let this happen?". If we are honest we have to admit that there are times when we have wondered the same thing.

There are situations that we face that cause us to question the Lord's faithfulness and love. There are times when it looks as though He has let us down. There are times when it looks as if He has not been faithful to keep His promise. My answer for those times is that we get our eyes off of the situation and off of what we are going through and turn our focus on the cross.

If you ever doubt, or question, His love for you, His concern, His faithfulness, then look at the cross. Once you do all questioning has to vanish. We can't look at the cross and not know that He loves us and cares about us. We can't look at the cross and continue to question. The cross is the proof of His love, concern and faithfulness. The cross is where He demonstrated all three-- and there is no greater demonstration. Your situation will show you otherwise, but if you will get your eyes off of it and place them on the cross you will see that He truly is faithful. Your situation will also speak to you, It will tell you that the Lord is not faithful and that He does not love you or care about you. You can't listen to your situation, you have to listen to what the cross is saying- it says,"I love you; I care; I am faithful."

Have a great day. If you are questioning the Lord's faithfulness and love look at the cross, not your situation, and you will see that He really does love and care about you and that He is faithful.

For further reading:

John 11

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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.

"Faithful To His Promises"

"Faithful To His Promises"

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

Yesterday we talked about the faithfulness of God. This morning I want to remind you that He is faithful to His promises- He will do what He has said He will do.

He is not like we are when it comes to keeping His word. Some people will tell you that they are going to do something and know that they are lying to your face- they never intend to do it. The Lord is not like that- He does not lie.

Sometimes people will tell you what you want to hear in an effort to appease you but really don't mean what they are saying, or promising. The Lord never does that- He always says what He means and means what He says.

Then you have those who make promises in the "heat of the moment". They really think they are going to fulfill their word but never seem to get around to it. The Lord never does, or says, anything in haste. Everything He says is perfectly thought out through the counsel of His own will. He knows if He says it, He will do it.

You also have those who will make you a promise with all intentions of fulfilling it but circumstances arise that prevent them from doing so. They get hindered by things that get in the way. The Lord never gets hindered. If anything gets in His way, He just moves it out of the way. God made a promise to the children of Israel to deliver them out of Egypt and into the land of promise. As they were making their way out of Egypt they came upon the Red Sea. It stood between them and the fulfillment of His promise. Did the Lord say, "Oh, no, sorry guys, I didn't think about this sea. It is standing in the way so it looks like I won't be able to keep my word to deliver you."? No, He just "moved" the hindrance out of the way. He parted the sea so that it no longer stood in the way of Him fulfilling His word.

May I also remind you this morning that He is the same yesterday, today and forever- He does not change. He does not change in His faithfulness to keep His word and make good His promises. So the bottom line is this: if He has said it, if He has made the promise, He will keep it and nothing can stand in His way.... not even a sea.

Have a great day. Hindrances don't stop the Lord from keeping His promise... He just moves them out of the way.

For further reading:

Exodus 14

Numbers 23:19

Ephesians 1:11

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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.

"He's Forever faithful"

Coffee Break

"He's Forever Faithful"

"If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself." 2 Timothy 2:13

I woke up this morning thinking about the Lord's faithfulness. How grateful I am that He does not change and is always faithful. He remains faithful even when we aren't. Our inconsistencies, our failures, our shortcomings, our mistakes, our sins, our unbelief, our ups and downs, highs and lows don't change His faithfulness. I can't even count the number of times I have failed and fallen short, but through all of them He has not failed to show me His faithfulness.

He is faithful to meet and supply all my need. He is faithful to give me the victory over my enemies. He is faithful to bless me with peace, joy, grace and every good and perfect gift. He is faithful to lead me, guide me and direct me. And even though there are times when I do not listen to His voice leading me in the way I should go but choose to go my own way instead, He still remains faithful and the next time I call upon Him for guidance He so graciously gives it to me.

He is faithful no matter where I am or what I am going through. He is faithful to walk with me when I go through the fire, when I go through the storm, when I face the valley of the shadow of death, when I am on the mountaintop or in the wilderness, when I face giants or the cares of this life try to consume me. What else can I say... He is just FAITHFUL!

When was the last time you pondered the Lord's faithfulness? Why not take time today to think about all the ways and times that He has been faithful to you... and thank Him for it while you are at it.

Have a great day. He is faithful.... period!

For further reading:

Hebrews 10:23

1 Peter 4:19

1 John 1:9

Revelation 19:11

1 Thessalonians 5:24

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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.