Coffee Break

Coffee Break
"They Are Looking"

"Then Nebuchadnezzar the king was astonished, and rose up in haste, and spake, and said unto his counsellors, Did not we cast three men bound into the midst of the fire? They answered and said unto the king, True, O king." Daniel 3:24

Why was the king looking into the furnace? Why didn't he just give the order to throw the three men in and leave it at that? After all, when something is thrown into a fire, what do you expect to see? I have a fireplace and I can tell you what we see each and every time we put wood into it-- it is consumed, there is nothing left to look at but ashes.

Being the king he should have just given the order and gone on with the business of ruling, but he didn't, he checked the furnace. He checked the furnace to see what would happen to the men because of the "testimony" they had given-- "Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, answered and said to the king, O Nebuchadnezzar, we are not careful to answer thee in this matter. If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up." (vv. 16-18)

Why? Because they had testified to him about God's saving, delivering power. They had showed unwavering faith to their God even under the threat of death. They did not recant, they did not compromise, they did not cower back in fear, they didn't beg for their lives, they stood firm. The king heard their words and waited to see what would happen. Would their God deliver them? Would He abandon them in the furnace? Was He even real? Were they worshipping a false God?

If you are professing to be a Christian, then you too have a testimony about the Lord that others are seeing through your life. Like the king, these family members, friends, coworkers, fellow students and acquaintances are listening, they are watching, they want to know if what you have is real. They want to know if your God/Jesus is who you say He is.

When the king looked into the furnace, he saw Jesus in there with them. "He answered and said, Lo, I see four men loose, walking in the midst of the fire, and they have no hurt; and the form of the fourth is like the Son of God." (verse 25) So what are they seeing when they look at your life? Do they see Him with you when you are walking through difficulties? Do they see joy and peace when you are in a fiery furnace trial? Do they see Him through the steadfast faith you posses when you are facing persecution or the opportunity to compromise? They are listening, they are watching and they are waiting to see if He is who you say He is and will do what you say He can do.

Have a great day. You are being watched to see if Jesus is who you say He is and can do what you say He can do.

For further reading:
Daniel 3

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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
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.

Coffee Break
"The True Source"

"Behold, as the eyes of servants look unto the hand of their masters, and as the eyes of a maiden unto the hand of her mistress; so our eyes wait upon the Lord our God, until that he have mercy upon us." Psalm 123:2

Where are you looking? Who are you looking to? Are you looking to man to meet your need? Are you looking to some person to supply your lack? Are you expecting the arm of flesh to give you your provision? They are only vessels and instruments, and, yes, God does often use them. But our real source, our true helper, our provider is not found on earth, not found in mankind, not found in government, not found in even our own abilities. Our help and provision is found in the Lord Himself. He is the Way and Source behind the means.

If we lose sight of the fact that He is the provider, then if we lose our job we become anxious and fearful. If we lose sight of the fact that He is the one who gives us our strength, then when it fails we become discouraged and depressed. All that we have and all that we receive is given to us by God through His wonderful grace and goodness. Without Him we have nothing and are nothing. Every good and perfect gift comes from Him. He daily loads us with benefits. He supplies all our needs. He gives strength to the weak. He gives peace to the confused. He gives wisdom to those who need it. He does not withhold any good thing from those who walk uprightly before Him. He feeds the sparrows and clothes the lilies, and us as well.

So stay focused on where your help lies. Don't forget who is the real source of your supply. Remember who the One is that meets your need and keep looking to Him.

Have a great day.. Are your eyes looking to men to meet your need? They are just an instrument. Look to the Lord who is the Source.

For further reading:
Psalm 68:19; 121:1; 84:11
James 1:17
Philippians 4:13

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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.mastersbusi ness.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.

Coffee Break
"Just Like We Are?"
"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new." 2 Corinthians 5:17

We have heard it said that God loves us just like we are. Perhaps it would be more accurate to say that God loves us in spite of how we are. Have you ever seen something and your opinion of it was-- I love it, I wouldn't change a thing. This is not the same way that God looks at us. If He loves us just like we are then He would leave us just like we are and not change a thing about us.

He loves us but He doesn't love "how we are". He loves us even though we are sinners but He does not love our sin nor does He desire to leave us sinners. It was sin that separated us from Him in the first place. Sin didn't stop Him from loving us- nothing separates us from His love- but just because He loves us doesn't mean He "accepts" our sins. No, it has to go. He doesn't like how we are-- rebellious, unkind, cruel, selfish, etc.

His love keeps Him from turning us away when we come to Him in repentance. At that point He begins a process of change in us. He changed us from sinners to righteous. He took us from being children of darkness and made us children of light. He changed us at salvation and made us a new creation. And from that moment on we are in a constant process of change.

God loves us and didn't leave us in sin. God loves us and doesn't leave us like we are. He has a greater plan for us. He is taking us from glory to glory and transforming who we are, or were, along the way. He is changing us to fit into His plan for us. He is changing us according to His purpose for us. He is the Master Potter who is making us into a vessel of His choosing. He is the Refiner who sits over our lives changing us into a pure vessel. He is transforming us to look like His Son Jesus so that we can be a true representation of who He is in the earth.

Have a great day. God doesn't love us just like we are, or else He would never change a thing about us. He loves us in spite of how we are. And His love is always working in our lives to change us into who He has planned for us to be.

For further reading:
2 Corinthians 3:18; 5:21
Jeremiah 29:11
Romans 8:35-39
Isaiah 59:2
Ephesians 5:8

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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.
Coffee Break
"Where You Listening?"

"And the same day, when the even was come, he saith unto them, Let us pass over unto the other side." Mark 35:4

Let's read a few more verses from this story. "And there arose a great storm of wind, and the waves beat into the ship, so that it was now full. And he was in the hinder part of the ship, asleep on a pillow: and they awake him, and say unto him, Master, carest thou not that we perish? And he arose, and rebuked the wind, and said unto the sea, Peace, be still. And the wind ceased, and there was a great calm. And he said unto them, Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?" (vv. 37-40)

Why were they so fearful? How was it that they had no faith? I believe it is because they did not "listen" and "take to heart" Jesus' words. Had they, their reaction to the storm would have been different. Jesus had said to them when they first set sail for the other side-- "Let us pass over to the other side". He didn't say, "Let' s start heading toward the other side and drown on the way". He didn't say, "Let' s try to make it to the other side". No, He told them they were going to go to the other side. Had they been listening to what He said, had they remembered His words, when the storm hit the boat, they would not have given into the fear. They would have had peace. They would have stood firm. Perhaps they would have been the ones rebuking the storm and speaking peace into the situation.

Storms of life come, we face difficulties, trying times attack us, fear tries to grip us, doubt and worry try to attach themselves to us, but if we will listen, heed and remember the words our Master has spoken to us we will be able to stand and withstand in those times. The word of God is more powerful than anything. It dispels fear and produces faith. It drives back darkness and brings forth light. It speaks to storms instead of succumbing to them. It brings peace and cast out confusion.

Are you struggling in the storm? Are you fearful of "drowning" ;? What has the Lord said to you? Has He already said you were "going to the other side"? When Jesus rebuked the storm, God's Word spoke-- Jesus is THE WORD. You need to follow Jesus' lead and speak the word that He has given you to the storm and to the fear that is coming against you.

Have a great day. We need to listen, heed and remember what the Lord has said to us because it will keep us from fear and produce faith in us when the storms come.

For further reading:
Romans 10:17
Psalm 119:130
John 1:1,14

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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.

Coffee Break

"Riding On A Donkey"

"Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass." Zechariah 9:9

A king riding on a donkey's colt? Shouldn' t He have been riding on a white stallion? Shouldn' t He have come another way? "And the disciples went, and did as Jesus commanded them, and brought the ass, and the colt, and put on them their clothes, and they set him thereon." (Matthew 21:6,7)

Jesus made His triumphant entry into Jerusalem riding on a donkey's colt. He didn't make it on some grand animal or being carried on a throne by men. He came in the way He chose according to His own plan and wisdom. We tend to think that the Lord should "show up" in our situation in a certain way. As a matter of fact, we try to tell Him exactly how He should do it. But the way in which He chooses is up to Him, not us. His ways are perfect and He knows exactly what to do and how to do it. His ways often seem foolish to us. For example, He uses the "foolishness of preaching to save the lost". It may seem foolish but it is the power of God that brings salvation.

So whatever you are going through, whatever you are facing, just know that He will show up, He will be there, He will come into your situation, it just may not be in the way that you think He should. He just might come to your rescue riding on a donkey instead of a white horse.

Have a great day. The Lord may not show up in your situation as a knight in shining armor riding a white horse, He might show up riding on a donkey. Whichever way He comes is up to Him, not you.

For further reading:
Isaiah 55:8,9
1 Corinthians 1:18-25

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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.

Coffee Break
"Fallen Vessels"

"But go your way, tell his disciples and Peter that he goeth before you into Galilee: there shall ye see him, as he said unto you." Mark 16:7

Stop beating yourself up. But you don't know what I did. You don't know how I messed up. You don't know how I failed the Lord. Does all this sound familiar? I have heard it from countless numbers of people-- I have said it myself, perhaps you have too. We all make mistakes, we all fail, we all have moments of weakness when we give into a temptation and do the wrong thing. We are on a journey to perfection/maturity but we haven't arrived yet.

When we come to Christ and He becomes our Savior and Lord, we start on a journey of spiritual growth. A small child learning to walk or develop its "legs" to stand often falls, we too may fall down. But we don't stay there. We get up. We ask for forgiveness. We accept His grace and we go on and continue until we finish our course and the race/journey that is set before us.

You may be a "fallen vessel" . You may have missed it. You may have, like Peter, even denied your Lord. But like Peter, Jesus wants you to come to Him. He told Peter he would deny Him three times- and Peter did. But after His resurrection He sent word for Peter to come and see Him. Jesus completely forgave Peter, restored him, filled him with His Spirit and used him mightily to preach the gospel.

You haven't fallen so far, you haven't been so bad, you haven't messed up to the point where He will not restore you as well if you desire for Him to. After all, we were all fallen vessels because of Adam- all have sinned- and He was willing to provide us with forgiveness, reconciliation, restoration and eternal life. The Bible is full of "fallen vessels" - people who failed and who missed it, yet the grace and love of God put them back on their feet when they failed and used them in mighty ways for His glory. He wants to do the same for you today, and will if you will but ask Him to.

Have a great day. Stop beating yourself up because you failed the Lord, He wants to forgive you and set you back upon your feet.

For further reading:
1 John 1:9
Psalm 37:24
Mark 16:1-7
John 18:27; 21:15-18

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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.

Coffee Break
"Fallen, Fallen"

"Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down: for the Lord upholdeth him with his hand." Psalm 37:24

Mankind fell in Adam as far as he could fall. He fell as low and as far away from God as he could. "All have sinned and come (fallen) short of the glory of God". (Romans 3:23) Yet, we had not fallen so far that we were past the reach of God's ability to save us. "The hand of the Lord is not short that it cannot save". (Isaiah 59:1) He reached us though His Son Jesus when He died on the cross.

God did not even spare His One and Only Son, but freely gave Him up as the ransom for our sins. He put the punishment of our sins upon Him. He was bruised, beaten, mocked, ridiculed and crucified for us. He took our place. He bore the judgment that we rightfully deserved in order to reach us and pull us out of the pit of sin and death.

If God went to such great lengths to save us while we were yet sinners, dying in trespasses in sin, had the penalty of death upon us, enemies of His, rebels fighting against Him, why would you think that He would not forgive you now when you fall or make a mistake. Why would you think that He would be done with you because you fell into temptation and committed a sin in a moment of weakness?

David committed adultery and tried to hide it through murder and God forgave him and did not take the kingdom from him. Moses killed an Egyptian in anger but God still raised him up to lead His people out of Egypt. If these fell and were restored and used by God, why would you think that God would not do the same for you? These men lived in the time of the Old Testament and God lifted them up when they were cast down. Today there is a New Testament, a better Covenant, that we have through Jesus. If God would do it for them then, how much more will He do it for us now because of Jesus.

Have you fallen? Have you sinned? Are you cast down? Don't stay there. The Lord is reaching out His hand of mercy, grace and forgiveness. Grab hold of it, confess what you did from a repentant heart, receive His forgiveness and go forth free from guilt and condemnation.

Have a great day. If God reached down to you when you were a sinner and had fallen as far as you could fall, why wouldn't He reach down to you now that you belong to Him when you make a mistake and lift you up.

For further reading:
Romans 8:1,32; 6:23; 5:8
Isaiah 53

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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.

Coffee Break
"His Name Is"
"...and his name shall be called Wonderful... "

The word "wonder" in this verse means: extraordinary, hard to understand thing. This verse is specifically talking about Jesus. He is extraordinary. He is beyond our ability to fully understand-- who can understand all there is to know about God but God. He is so vast even His name Wonderful encompasses some of that vastness and gives a little more understanding to just how extraordinary He is.

W - He is the Way.
O - He is Omnipotent
N - He is the Name above all names
D - He is the Door
E - He is Eternal
R - He is the Ruler
F - He is Faithful
U - He is the Unlimited One
L - He is Love

Jesus is Wonderful, extraordinary, above and beyond what we can comprehend. But He desires to make Himself known to us, therefore, He gives us His name and in His name we not only gain a little more understanding of who He is, but we also discover that He truly is extraordinary.

Have a great day. His name is Wonderful-- and in His name we discover just how extraordinary He is.

For further reading:
Philippians 2:9
Psalm 124:8
Proverbs 18:10

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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.
Coffee Break
"He Is The King"

"And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King Of Kings, And Lord Of Lords." Revelation 19:16

When we think about Jesus, we mostly think about Jesus the man. The one who came and walked the earth, who humbled Himself and lived among us as one of us. We see Him as the crucified one hanging on a cross, the miracle worker, the Savior of the world. We think about Him as the one who is with us always as our friend and confidant. When we go before Him in prayer and petition, and when we call upon His name, even then this is the image we have of Him.

May I remind you that though He became a man and took away our sins, and though He is a friend who sticks close to us, and while we can share a relationship with Him, He is a King. And not just another king but the King of kings. He is seated at the right hand of majesty on high. He occupies the throne in Heaven. He is clothed in majesty and wears a crown. He holds a mighty scepter. He has a vesture that says, "King of kings and Lord of lords".

Angels bow before Him. He is to held in awe and revered. He is glorified. One day every knee will bow before Him and confess that He is Lord. It won't be the God-man Jesus we are bowing before, it will be the God-King Jesus.

We need to stop seeing Him only in His humanity and see Him in His Deity. And when we approach Him, approach Him as the King who has all dominion, all authority, and all power. He makes all the final decisions, pronounces judgment, gives decrees and does what He wills. He rules and reigns over all the universe and His ruling stands forever. This is the One we are approaching in prayer and worship.

Have a great day. He was Jesus the God-man when He walked the earth, now He is seated on the throne of Heaven as the King of kings and Lord of lords.

For further reading:
Hebrews 1:3; 8:1
Revelation 3:21; 17:14
Psalm 24:7-10
Matthew 28:18
Romans 14:11
2 Timothy 4:1
Luke 1:33

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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.

Coffee Break

"Fuel For The Tongue"

"Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;" 2 Corinthians 10:5

It has often been said that our tongue is our biggest problem and if we can learn to control it we would be a lot better off. True, the tongue is an unruly member and what it says has the potential to get us into a lot of trouble, but our tongue is not the root of the problem. Our problem lies within our thoughts. The tongue is only an instrument that repeats what it "hears" -- hears from our thoughts/mind.

Bitterness doesn't start in the tongue, it starts in the thoughts. Anger doesn't start in the tongue, it starts in our thoughts. Every word, whether it edifies or tears down, starts in our thoughts. Our thoughts get into our heart and out of the abundance of our hearts the mouth speaks. If the thoughts aren't in our mind then they will never come out of our mouth. Our tongue has no mind of its own.

So how do we keep our "tongues" from getting us in trouble? When I have weeds in my garden, I don't just clip them down I pull up the roots that feed those weeds. I have to do the same thing where my tongue is concerned so that those "weeds" of critical, hurtful, selfish and mean words aren't being "fed" . Although there is discipline involved in choosing what to say and what to refrain from saying, we don't just keep our mouths shut, we work on the source-- the mind/thoughts. So the key is to "capture the thoughts and renew the mind".

Capturing our thoughts and renewing our mind is a one step process. They are both done through God's word. As I capture them with His word, I am also renewing my mind with His word at the same time. His word takes care of both at once. But it is not a one time thing. Our thoughts have to be captured and our minds renewed daily and every time an untrue, dishonest, unjust, impure and unlovely thought crosses our minds.

The Bible says that no man can "tame the tongue and it is full of deadly poison" , but God came tame it. He can tame it though His word as we capture the thoughts and renew our mind. That is the only "antidote" ; for its deadly poison getting us into trouble.

Have a great day. Our tongue is not our biggest problem, what fuels it is.

For further reading:
James 3:2-12
Matthew 12:34
Philippians 4:8

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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.

NOTE: In the further reading part of the CB yesterday (Evidence of His Presence), the scripture reference should have been John 16:33. Sorry about the mistake.

Coffee Break

"With Them And With Us"

"My tears have been my meat day and night, while they continually say unto me, Where is thy God?" Psalm 42:3

It seems as though most of the Coffee Break devotionals for the past several weeks have a recurring theme-- the presence of the Lord being with us. I personally believe that He is trying to remind us that regardless of what we face- and we do face many different kinds of situations while living here on earth- He will always be with us.

He has shown us over and over again in the scriptures how He was with His people in good times and bad times, in times of peace and times of war, in times of plenty and times of lack, in times of prosperity and times of poverty. He has been with them in the storms, in the fire, in the lion's den, in the wilderness, on the mountain top, in the pit, in the prison, in the palace, and in the valley. In every place He has always made provision for His people by sending water from a rock, manna from heaven, stones for a sling shot to bring down a giant, a raven to feed a prophet, a pillar of fire by night and cloud by day to lead the way, an opened sea and an ark.

In each example and in every situation the Lord as with His people, sending provisions and making a way for all their needs. It mattered not where they were or what they needed He was always there working on their behalf. He didn't shut His ears to their cries, He didn't close His eyes to their needs, He didn't turn His back on them, He didn't leave them or abandon them.

These examples were given for our benefit, they reveal not only who God is but how He interacts with His people. They show us and remind us of the faithfulness of God and how trustworthy He is so that we too can place our hope and trust in Him that He will never leave us nor forsake us and that He will meet all our needs, make a way and work on our behalf. Be encouraged by that as you face the trials of life that tempt you to say- "Where are you God?". Just rest assured that He is right there.

Have a great day. The Lord has not changed- He is still right there, He is still hearing, answering, watching over and meeting your need.

For further reading:
Romans 15:4
1 Corinthians 10:11
Malachi 3:6
Joshua 1:5

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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.

Coffee Break
"Evidence Of His Presence"

"And now I exhort you to be of good cheer: for there shall be no loss of any man's life among you, but of the ship. For there stood by me this night the angel of God, whose I am, and whom I serve." Acts 27:22,23

There are those who think that just because God is with them nothing bad should ever happen in their lives. They say that if He is there then why did this bad thing happen. The presence of bad things, loss, tribulation, testing, pain, etc. is not because of the absence of God. He is present even when difficulties come, when hardship grips you, and when you are in the midst of trial and storm.

Paul was in a ship in a storm being tossed to and fro in fear of losing his life. Daniel was in a lion's den facing man-eating hungry lions. The three Hebrews were in a furnace heated seven times hotter. David stood before a giant who was much stronger than he was. The presence of the storm, the lions, the fire, and the giant was not an indication of the absence of God. Instead it was a testimony to His presence.

Even though the ship was destroyed Paul was saved. Even though the lions roared Daniel came out without even a scratch. Even though the furnace was so hot that it killed the ones who threw the Hebrews in it, they came out of it and didn't even smell like smoke. Even though the giant was bigger, stronger, and more skilled in fighting than David was, David killed him and made a trophy out of his head. Though each one went through trying situations, they each experienced victory. Why is that? Because the presence of the Lord had not abandoned them, He was with them each one through it all.

Remember this-- bad situations are not an indication that God is not there. We will all face trials, hardships and times that try our souls-- Jesus Himself said that in this world we would have tribulation- - but rest assured that the Lord is with you standing beside you and walking with you through it.

Have a great day. The presence of bad situations is not an indication of the absence of God. The fact that the situation has not destroyed you is a testimony to His presence.

For further reading:
John 15:33
Psalm 34:19; 23:4

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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.

Coffee Break

"The Real Proof"

"Jesus saith unto him, Thomas, because thou hast seen me, thou hast believed: blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed." John 20:19

Yesterday we talked about looking for some spectacular, supernatural sign as proof of God's presence. This morning I want to talk about what the real proof is. The real proof is God's word. He was with the prophet because He said He would be, not because He tore the mountains in half, or manifested an earthquake or any other great sign.

God's word is His proof to us today also. He may not be showing us some visible, physical, supernatural evidence but we have His word on the matter. His word is His promise. His word is His "bond" . He is not a man, He does not lie. What He says is pure truth and only truth.

I may not see Him, I may not seen any visible sign that He is there, I may not see any great miracle, I may not see anything at all that gives me any hope or assurance that He is there, but I don't have to have that because I have His word. His word is all we need, it is enough because it is not the word of just anyone, it is the word of God Himself.

Have a great day. Our evidence is God's word. It is so just because He said it.

For further reading:
Matthew 28:6
Numbers 23:19
John 17:17

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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.

Coffee Break
"The Sign Of His Presence"

"And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the Lord. And, behold, the Lord passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the Lord; but the Lord was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the Lord was not in the earthquake:. " 1 Kings 19:11

The scripture said that the Lord was not in the wind or in the earthquake, it did not say that He wasn't there. He was there. "And, behold, the Lord passed by." He was with the prophet. He was watching his every move. He was listening to his complaint. He had not left him.

We tend to look for God in big, supernatural ways. When He doesn't show up or move like we think He should, or want Him to, we think that He is not there or that He has left us. God doesn't always, although at times He does, show up in grandeur ways, but He is there nevertheless.

Just because you may not be seeing God's presence in some "spectacular&q uot; way; just because He isn't moving heaven and earth; just because He isn't shouting loudly; just because He isn't "rending" the mountains does not mean that His presence is not there with you. It is. His presence was with Elijah at Mt. Carrmel when He was displaying His power by sending fire down from heaven to consume a wet sacrifice. And His presence was with Elijah at the cave in a small, still voice.

So don't put your faith in some supernatural manifestation as an indication that God's presence is with you, God's presence is with you when you see nothing, feel nothing or even hear nothing.

Have a great day. God's presence does not always show up in some big, supernatural manifestation, but it is there nevertheless.

For further reading:
1 Kings 18,19
Matthew 28:20

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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.

Coffee Break
"New Year's Goal"

"When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek." Psalm 27:8

As we have entered into a new year many are making resolutions, setting new goals, reevaluating their lives and developing plans to make some changes. There is nothing wrong with this, in fact we should judge ourselves to see where we are, what we are doing and if our lives are being productive. But as we are doing that we need to consider-- are our goals and changes focused on the eternal or the temporary.

Are we just focused on "self-improvement" ? Are we focused on achieving some material gain? Are we focused on things that are good but have no eternal value? For example, almost everyone, at the beginning of the year, has a goal to get better in shape physically. That is good, we need to, I plan on doing better in this area myself- after all, our bodies are the temple of the Lord. But the Bible says that "bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable in all things". (1 Timothy 4:8) Don't neglect to take care of your body, but make it the "little" not the "major" part of your focus- spiritual things should be your primary focus and goal (godliness has more profit to it).

If we truly want to be successful, productive and make the most out of our lives, we must set a goal to achieve greater spiritual depths. And having said that, let me go one step further and say that it is not just about being focused on some "spiritual thing" like reading the Bible through in a year, doing more ministry, doing more for God, stepping into God's destiny, no, it is about being focused on God Himself. HE should be our goal. He should be the mark that we are pressing toward. Seeking Him, setting our affections on Him, drawing closer to Him, getting to know Him in more intimate ways should be our "new year's" commitment and goal. I am not saying that we should not strive to do those things, but knowing Him should be our first goal. Seeking Him produces the greatest profit- in the here and now and in eternity. It also puts you in a position for those "physical" and "temporary" things to get in line and in their proper place in your life, and will cause you to be more productive in them because as you "seek HIM first" all these things will be added unto you.

Have a great day. Our New Year's goal should be God Himself.

For further reading:
Matthew 6:33
Philippians 3:10
Psalm 119:10; 24:6

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email: mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org
You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

Coffee Break
"Thou Art The Same"

"But thou art the same, and thy years shall have no end." Psalm 102:27

As we are on the eve of another year, I would like to take this opportunity to wish you all a happy, prosperous, God filled New Year. None of us know what to expect from this year. We don't know what the future holds. Perhaps it will be your best year yet, or your worst, there are no guarantees. But regardless, there will be one thing you can count on-- the Lord.

You can rest assured that this year He will be just as faithful as He has always been. He will be just as loving, compassionate, gracious, caring, and forgiving as He has been in the past. He does not change. He will be the same this year as He was last year and the year before and the year before that one.

He will still be the shade upon your right hand. He will still be a present help in time of trouble. He will still answer when you call. He will still command His blessings upon you. He will still be with you. He will still guide you when you acknowledge Him. He will still meet all your need. His goodness will still be there for you.

So remember in the days ahead that while bad things may happen, the unexpected may come, the blessings may seem to cease, His presence may seem for away, circumstances may change and uncertainty may stare you in the face, of this one thing you can be certain-- God will always be who He is and He will never change. Therefore, you can go into and throughout this New Year with peace in your heart.

Have a great day. Things change but God will stay the same.

For further reading:
Hebrews 13:8
Proverbs 3:5,6
Psalm 23:4

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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.

Coffee Break

"Asking Or Not?"

"Call unto me, and I will answer thee." Jeremiah 33:3a

If God is not answering, perhaps it is because you aren't "calling"? Sometimes we don't call because we assume we know the answer already. Sometimes we are trying to figure out the answer for ourselves. Sometimes we think we know what to do and act accordingly. But have we really "called unto the Lord"? Have we really sought Him until we have heard? And if we are calling, are we really listening to what He is saying?

Never assume, ask-- call on Him. Never try to figure it out yourself-- call on Him. Never think you can solve it by yourself-- call on Him. Never call on Him as a last resort, after you have tried everything else-- call on Him first. Never get in a hurry and become impatient if He doesn't answer you the instant you call. Be still, wait patiently in faith for Him to answer-- He will answer.

Have a great day. If you will call on the Lord, He will answer. Are you calling?

For further reading:
Matthew 6:33
Psalm 91:15
James 4:2

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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.

Coffee Break
"Evidence Of Mercy"

"It is of the Lord's mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. " Lamentations 3:22,23

You may have fallen yesterday. You may have failed God. You may have missed the mark. But you aren't by yourself. Countless numbers of other people have- even in the Bible. Abraham missed it when he and his wife tried to help God out by devising their own plan to produce a son. David sinned when he committed adultery and tried to cover it up through murder. Elijah ran from Jezebel. The worst one I can think of was Peter when he denied Jesus.

But as you look at each of their lives, you will see that they weren't "consumed"- God didn't destroy them for their faults, failures or mistakes. Why? Because of His mercy. Like we said yesterday, "He is out to get us"- not to destroy us, but because He loves us and wants us. Jesus told the story of a prodigal son that beautifully illustrated this point. What mercy, what compassion, what forgiveness, what love this father showed to his wayward son. The son had rebelled, had messed up, had rejected the father, had shamed him, he squandered what he had, had gone his own way, yet when he turned in repentance from going his way and turned toward his father, the father received him, embraced him and rejoiced over him. This was not just a story that Jesus told to get a point across, this was the picture of the Heavenly Father and His love for us- even when we are the ones who fail and rebel.

Not only did Jesus tell the story to help us better understand the love and mercy of the Heavenly Father, but He Himself was the evidence that this is so through His death. The death of Jesus was all about the love, mercy, grace and compassion of the Heavenly Father toward mankind. It was all about His desire to have us as His own children. It was about making a way for us to be able to come back to Him when we sinned and when we fail. Evidently, the prodigal hoped that there would be a door of entrance that he could go through to get back to his father- and it was. There is a "door" that is opened to us through which we can get to the Father when we fail-- that door is Jesus. When we come in repentance, the door is wide open to us and we may enter in.

Have a great day. Jesus is the evidence of God's mercy and the door by which we can enter into it.

For further reading:
John 1:12; 10:7,9
Luke 15:11-32

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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.

Coffee Break

"He Is Out To Get You"

"For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved." John 3:17

So many people have the idea that God is "out to get them". Well, He is... but in a good way, not in the way that most people think. They think that He is sitting up in heaven just waiting for them to "mess up". They think He sits there with some sort of club, or stick, hoping that they will make a mistake so He can let them have it by hitting them with it. They act so though He wants them to do something wrong and that He looks for opportunity to "get them". This just is simply no so.

He really does want to "get you", but in such a good and wonderful way. He is out to get you all right, but so that He can make you His own-- His own child, His own beloved. He is out to get you so that He can lavish His love on you. He is out to get you so that He can bless you, so that He can show you great and mighty things that you don't know. He wants to reveal Himself to you and show you how great the depth, breathe, length and height of His love for you is.

So when someone says that "God is out to get you", in one sense, and only one sense are they right. If they mean He is out to condemn you, to destroy you, to harm you, etc., they are totally wrong. But if they mean that He is out to get you so that He can love on you, minister to you, encourage you, provide for you, be with you, show you wonderful things, etc., then they are totally right.

Have a great day. God is out to get you, but in such a good way.

For further reading:
John 1:12; 3:16
Romans 5:8
Ephesians 3:17-19

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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.

Coffee Break
"The Most Value"

"Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:" Matthew 6:19,20

At no other time of the year is it so easy to become material minded. People make wish lists of things they want, are compelled to buy gifts, are bombarded with advertisement by stores and manufacturers to buy and are presented with sales to make it easier to get the things that are desired. It is easy to turn your attention and affection to "things" and the having of "things".

But lest we get trapped, or consumed, by materialism let us continually remind ourselves to set our affection on things above. On things that are eternal. On things that will never pass away. We brought nothing into this world and it is sure that we will not take anything out of it with us when we leave it. We should not be seeking earthly things, but seeking God's kingdom first and far most above anything else.

Where is your affection? What are you placing the most value on? The material items that line the shelves at the store? The presents that are wrapped under the tree? On temporary things? On eternal things? On those things that are treasures in heaven? Or the treasures on earth? Are you like the rich young ruler who came to Jesus wanting to have eternal life but his possessions got in the way? His love for them was greater than his love for the Lord. What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and losses his soul? Are you preparing for eternity by laying up treasures in heaven? Or are you laying up your treasures here on earth? Those who lay them up here, have their reward, this is all they get. Those who lay them up in heaven enjoy blessings, benefits and rewards that will never end.

Have a great day. Don't get caught in the trap of materialism- - for where your treasure is that is where your heart is also. Put the most value on eternal things.

For further reading:
Colossians 3:2
1 Timothy 6:7
Matthew 6:33
Mark 8:36,38
Luke 12:15-21

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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.

"My Miracle Testimony"

"I will sing of the mercies of the LORD for ever: with my mouth will I make known thy faithfulness to all generations. " Psalm 89:1

When the Lord does something good for you, you should testify of it-- especially when He gives you a miracle. This morning that is what I am going to do. What He did for me yesterday, I consider nothing short of a miracle.

I went to Wal-Mart yesterday. Because people are gearing up for Christmas, you know how busy the store is. You have to drive around for what seems like forever just to get a parking place-- people, people everywhere and lots of activity. I did my shopping, loaded my items into my vehicle to go home and put my shopping cart in the cart return and left. When I got home, I was unloading my vehicle and started to grab my purse but could not find it. I searched my vehicle, my husband searched my vehicle, but no purse. I know I had it when I put my cart up because it was in the top section of it. Evidently, I had left it in the cart. I called Wal-Mart to see if it had been turned in-- no it hadn't. So I go in my vehicle and headed back there-- praying the whole way. (Lord, put your angels around it. Let it be there still in the cart or let it have been turned in. If someone finds it, don't allow them to have any evil intent and steal it. Please let it be there, please let it be there.) I remembered the lane number I had parked on. When I pulled into the parking lot, because of the flow of traffic I had to go down the lane next to the one I was in earlier. The traffic was so bad I was having to wait and inch through it. As I got even with the lane where I had been, I looked across at the cart return and there was my purse! I parked in the middle of the lane (blocking another woman in who was trying to get out) and ran across the lanes and retrieved my purse-- thanking God with every breath!!!

When I got back to my vehicle, I went to the lady whom I had blocked and the first thing I said was, "God answers prayer!", then apologized for making her wait, and told her what happened. She rejoiced with me in the goodness of God and said that He had done it, because she had seen about five or six people walk past it.

The miracle is this- the place was more crowded than usual. I live on the other side of town. From the time I left until I arrived back to get my purse was at least thirty minutes. Surely dozens of people had passed by it. The cart pushers had not come to take the carts in yet but were on the lane beside it. There have been robberies around here lately. People are getting desperate to get money and here was a purse laying in front of them. The purse was completely undisturbed- exactly how I left it, nothing was missing. No other carts had even been added to the return where it was. It was the first one and my purse was completely exposed-- I saw it from one lane away. It was as if the Lord did send an angel to cover it from view.

So this morning, I just wanted to publicly give Him the glory for this wonderful thing He did for me. Even though it was my negligence that caused it, He was still looking out for me. I praise Him for His great goodness to me.

Have a great day. The Lord is always watching out for us!

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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.
Coffee Break
"God's Ways"

"Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice." John 18:37

What if Jesus had come in a way that the people were expecting? They were expecting their Messiah to come as a king and deliver them from Roman oppression and set up a kingdom here on earth. Had He come in that fashion would they had accepted Him? Would the ones who cried for His crucifixion done otherwise? Would they have "fought for their king" instead?

How do we react when the Lord doesn't come in the way that we think He should? What about when He answers our prayers in a different way than we wanted? God doesn't always do things the way we want Him to do them or the way we think He should. He does them the way He has chosen according to His own wisdom, plan and will. Martha and Mary discovered this when their brother Lazarus had died. The first thing both of them said to Jesus upon His arrival was, "Lord, if You had been here my brother would not have died". Jesus came into their situation but not in the way they had expected or hoped. They wanted Him to come heal Lazarus of his illness. God's plan was to do a greater miracle and raise him from the dead.

God's ways are not our ways. When He shows up, He has a far better way of doing things in mind. When He came to earth, His plan was not reach only those who were there and restore a physical kingdom. When He came, He came to redeem all of mankind from the curse of sin and give them the hope of eternal life. There were those at the cross who tried to get Jesus to prove who He was by coming down from the cross. He didn't answer them in their way. He answered them His way and proved who He was by staying on the cross and dying for our sins so that we- thousands of years- and all mankind could receive the benefits of salvation.

When God doesn't show up the way you want Him to or do things the way you think He should, just trust Him and know that He is moving on your behalf in a far greater way.

Have a great day. The Lord will come into your situation, it just might not be in the way you think He should.

For further reading:
Matthew 27:42
John 11:21,32
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.

Coffee Break
"Your Gift"

"And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh." Matthew 2:11

The gifts that the wise men gave to Jesus were not cheap gifts that were an after thought. They were very costly and the best. What gift are you giving to Jesus? There is only one gift that He desires. It is not some material possession that you have. It is not your earthly treasures- He already owns everything. The greatest gift you can give Him is the gift of yourself. That is the one that He wants. That is what He died for-- so that He might have you, your love from your heart, soul and mind.

You may think that "you" aren't much of a gift. Surely, there is something better you could give Him. You may feel as though you are valueless and "cheap". You may feel unworthy of being an appropriate gift. But He thinks you are the most valuable thing there is. It has been said that the value of something is determined by the price that someone is willing to pay for it. That being the case, God was willing to pay His own Son for you. Jesus was the ransom price that was paid in order for you to be able to present yourself as a gift to Him.

This morning, bring Him your gifts-- your offerings, your alms-- but remember that there is only one gift that He is hoping for-- you.

Have a great day. Don't bring God just any "gift", give Him the gift of yourself.

For further reading:
Matthew 22:37; 20:28
Romans 12:1
John 3:16
1 Timothy 2:6

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell
and is sent to you free of charge for the asking from
About the Master's Business Ministry, Inc.
Please feel free to
call (601) 833-5278 or
Email:mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net
Visit us on the web: www.mastersbusiness.org
You are welcomed to make copies and distribute them free of charge.
You may also forward them via e-mail or post them to your website - leaving the whole message in tact unless permission is granted to do otherwise. Please remember to give credit to About the Master's Business Ministry.

Coffee Break

"Using The Blessings"

"And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense and myrrh." Matthew 2:11

Immediately after the presentation of the wise men's gifts to the Christ child we see Joseph, Mary and Jesus having to flee into Egypt for the child's protection. God's timing is always perfect. He knew what was coming. He knew that this family would have to relocate. He knew the move would be costly. He knew that Joseph would be leaving an established business as a carpenter and have to seek out new employment in a strange place where no one knew him or of his skills. He knew he would have to become reestablished in business to make a living to support his family. The gifts the wise men brought would help to fund this transition, provide for their needs and take care of the child.

God always sends what we need when we need it, but what do we do with it when He does? Living in a material society, such as we do here, it is easy for Christians to develop the mindset that everything God gives us is meant to be spent on us alone. We often think that He has given it to us so that we can buy some new material thing that we have wanted.

Is this what you do with what God has given you? Are you spending it solely on selfish material desires? Or are you spending it on Him? Joseph and Mary could have gone out and bought many luxuries for themselves with these treasures they had just received. But in their case it was sent to meet a need that God saw was coming, it was sent to use to take care of Jesus and accomplish the work that God had given them to do. When God sends extra blessings our way, it is so easy for us to want to spend it selfishly and foolishly. It is not wrong to enjoy what you have labored hard for, but just remember that when God gives you anything it is intended to meet your need and to use to "take care of Jesus and His work". We are blessed to be a blessing and not to consume it upon our own lusts.

Have a great day. When God sends material blessings your way, do you use them solely on selfish wants, or do you use them on Him and His work?

For further reading:
Matthew 6:19,20
James 4:3
1 John 3:17
Luke 12:15-31

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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.

Coffee Break

"Key To Asking, Seeking And Knocking"

"And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you." Luke 11:9

They key to receiving what is asked depends on who you ask. The key to finding when you seek depends on where you are seeking. The key to having an opened door depends upon what door you are knocking on. 

You can ask people for things or assistance but it may be outside of their ability to grant what you need. But if you ask the right one, which is Jesus, you shall receive (it will be given) because with Him nothing is impossible. 

You can seek answers or help from the world but they aren't always able to give it to you because they too are needy and fall short. But if you seek the right one in those time, which again is Jesus, you will receive (find) because He is able to do exceeding abundantly above all we can ask or think. 

You can knock on any door but it won't always be opened to you. People don't tend to open doors to strangers, sometimes the person behind the door is not home, or at times they just simply don't even hear the knock. But if you knock on the right door, again this is Jesus, the door will open to you. It will open because Jesus Himself is the door and He has promised that the person who comes to Him He will in no way turn away. 

If you want to receive when you ask, you have to ask the right one. If you want to find when you seek, you have to seek in the right place. If you want to have the door opened to you, you have to knock on the right one. The one we ask is Jesus. The one we seek is Jesus. The door we knock upon is Jesus. When we ask, seek and knock to Jesus we are assured that we will receive, find and have an opening.

Have a great day. Ask who? Jesus if you want to receive. Seek where? Jesus if you want to find. Knock where? On the right door, which is Jesus and it shall be opened. 

For further reading:
John 10:7,9; 6:37
Luke 1:37
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.

Coffee Break
"Denying The Power"

"Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away." 2 Timothy 3:5

There are a lot of people who have a "form of godliness". They look and act religious. They talk about God. They do religious things but they deny the power of God. These are people who are putting their faith in their works. They believe they are right with God, are a Christian and are going to heaven because they have joined a church once upon a time. They believe they are saved because they believe God exist. They are basing their whole eternity on the fact that they do religious things-- go to church, give offerings, sing in the choir, etc.

When you put your faith in your religious works to save you, you are denying the power of God-- the real hope of salvation. What is the "power" it is talking about? "For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God." (1 Corinthians 1:18) The cross is the power of God to save the lost. It was at the cross where the price was paid and atonement made for our sins. When a person is depending on their good/religious works to save them, they have denied the power of the cross and the power that was in the shed blood of Jesus to save them.

Without the shedding of blood there is no remission of sin. (Hebrews 9:22) All the good deeds one can do, all the religious acts one can perform, all the offerings you could give, all the church service you do will never save you. Good works have no "power" to save or deliver us from the hold of sin or its penalty. All have sinned, and there is only one thing that can wash our sins away-- and it is not church attendance, giving to the poor, paying tithes, teaching Sunday School, etc. The only thing that has the power to save us is the blood of Jesus that was shed on the cross.

If you are placing your hope of eternal life, forgiveness of sin and a home in heaven on your good works or even on your knowledge that God is real, and your faith is not in what Jesus did at the cross as the only means of salvation then you are denying the power thereof. If you deny the power of the cross to save you and put your trust in religious "forms" to save you, one day when you stand before God He will deny you. You will not enter into heaven, and instead of recognizing your good deeds, He will call you a worker of iniquity (a worker of evil).

Have a great day. If your trust is in your good deeds and religious acts to save you, you are denying the only true power to save you, and that is the cross.

For further reading:
Romans 3:23
Ephesians 2:8,9
Titus 3:5
Matthew 7:23

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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.

Coffee Break
"A Sign To You"

"And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger." Luke 2:12

What an appalling thought, a new born baby in a stable, in a manger, surrounded by animals--- germs, nasty, smelly! Babies are suppose to be in clean, lovely, pleasant environment. But don't forget, this was no ordinary baby. This baby was the Lamb of God that would take away the sins of the world. What better place for a lamb to be born than in a stable.

"And this shall be a sign unto you". The angel was speaking specifically to the shepherds that night and told them how they would know that this was indeed the Christ child when they saw Him. Today the swaddling clothes, the stable, the manger, are all signs to us that this was the Lamb of God, the Christ child, the Savior and that we don't have to continue to go from place to place looking for another one.

"And this shall be a sign unto you". There have many signs throughout time concerning the Savior of the world. There was a sign that was given in the garden when Adam sinned-- God killed an animal and made clothes with it to cover their nakedness. There was a sign when Abraham saw the ram in the thicket that became the sacrifice instead of Isaac. There was sign when the blood was applied to the doorposts in Egypt on the first Passover. There was sign when a baby wrapped in swaddling clothes was placed in a manger. All these signs led up to one final sign-- the cross upon which Jesus the Lamb of God was sacrificed for the sins of mankind.

The shepherds at His birth saw the sign of the Lamb wrapped in swaddling clothes and declared that this was the Christ. The centurion at His death saw the sign of the cross, the earthquake and all that had been done and declared that this was the Son of God. They each saw a sign and believed. Jesus said blessed are those who believe having not seen. We may not have been there beholding the Christ in the manger, we may not have been there looking upon Jesus on the cross, but we have a sign as well that causes us to declare that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, the Lamb that was slain to take away our sins. That sign is His word and His love. His word is a greater evidence and His love is a stronger witness than these even had. Will you believe this "sign" if you have not already done so?

Have a great day. God's word and love is the greatest sign.

For further reading:
Genesis 3:21
Matthew 27:54
John 20:29; 1:29,36

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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.

Coffee Break

"Why Did God Do It That Way?"

"And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid." Luke 2:8,9

Because of their position, wealth and title you would have thought that the wise men would have been the first ones to have the honor of seeing the newborn Christ child. But they weren't. The first ones were some of the lowest class of people- shepherds. You would have also thought that the wise men would have had the glorious angelic visitation announcing the birth to them. They had the sign of a star, the shepherds were the ones who received the message given by a host of angels. It seems as though the Lord respected the shepherds over the wise men. We would have done the opposite- put the wise men above the shepherds simply because of who they were.

Why did God do it that way? Why didn't angels appear to the wise men instead of a star? Why were the shepherds the first ones to receive the invitation to see the child? There are many reasons we can derive from it, spiritual parallels that we can see, analogies, fulfillment of prophecies, and spiritual significance, but the bottom line as to why God does what He does and chooses whom He chooses is because He is a Sovereign God and does everything after the counsel of His own will.

He picks, He does, He chooses, He sets up, He pulls down, He allows according to His plan and purposes. While there are times He allows us to understand His ways, He doesn't always do things in a manner in which we understand. He doesn't do things the way we would do them, He doesn't do them the way we think they should be done. His ways are higher then our ways and His thoughts are past finding out.

While we may not always understand what He is doing, we can rest assured that everything He does is done perfectly and He knows exactly what He is doing and why He is doing it. He makes no mistakes. He orchestrates all things well.

Have a great day. When God doesn't do things the way we think He should do them, and when we don't always understand His ways, we can have assurance that He does everything perfectly after the counsel of His own will and plan.

For further reading:
Psalm 103:7
Romans 11:33
Isaiah 55:9
Ephesians 1:11

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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.

Coffee Break

"Steps of Light"

"Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid." Matthew 5:14

My little granddaughter has a pair of shoes that have lights in the soles. Each time she makes a step the light shines. Jesus called us "the light of the world" if we have His light in us. As lights in the world, we should be like her shoes-- shining with each step we make.

The lights in her shoes shine regardless of where she is and what she is doing. If she is in church they light up. If she is at home they light up. If she is walking around the grocery store, they light up there too. When she is playing, they shine. No matter where we go or what we do our lights should be shining. Is your light shining as you are "walking around" this world? Is it shining in each place you go? Is it shining in your home; on your job; around town? Is it shining even though you may be walking through the valley, through the fire, through a storm? Is it shining so that all can see?

It is extremely hard to keep those shoes from shining- I really don't know what you would have to do to stop them from doing so. it should be hard to keep our lights from shining-- actually, it should be impossible. Wicked men tried to stop the light of Christ from shining in the early church but the more they tried, the brighter it shone in the lives of the apostles and followers of Christ. Threats could not stop it from shining. Persecution could not stop it. Imprisonment didn't stop their lights from shining. On the contrary, the more the light was tried to be destroyed the brighter it shined. Are you letting things-- rejection from others, the cares of this life, persecution, etc.-- stop your light from shining? Or is it shining brighter in spite of what you are facing?

Have a great day. Our lights should be shining no matter where we are or what we are going through. And it should be impossible for anything to stop them from shining.

For further reading:
Matthew 5:13-15
John 8:12
Acts 13:47-52
Philippians 2:15
Luke 12:35

<>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <>< <><
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.