Today’s Coffee Break devotion from Lorraine Ezell is very simple, but very powerful and an important message for everyone standing for marriage restoration, so I wanted to share it here in hopes that everyone will be blessed and encouraged by it!

“And now ye know what withholdeth that he might be revealed in his time.” 2 Thessalonians 2:6

I want to look at God’s timing this morning. He is never late, or early. His timing is perfect and always on time. He moves within the council of His own will and His ways are perfect. The Messiah was not born in the Book of Genesis when the first prophecy came about Him. But He was born in the “fullness of time”- in God’s perfect time. David did not take the throne when Samuel anointed Him as king over Israel-it was years later. Joseph was not exalted to the place of ruler over Egypt when he had the dreams- it too was years later. Abraham did not have Isaac when God first promised him an heir, it was many years later.

Five times the scriptures use the phrase: “And it came to pass in process of time”. That means that there is a process of time that has to take place for some things to occur. We want God to give us everything now– or yesterday. If He doesn’t fulfill and do what He says at the moment He said it, we get discouraged, lose hope, and stop walking in faith. “Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” (Hebrews 11:1) Just because I don’t see it at the moment He makes the promise doesn’t mean that He isn’t going to do it. If He said it- if He told me this was going to happen- then it will… it just won’t be in my timing but it will be according to His timing… which is perfect.

If He has spoken to you. If HE has spoken to you– not man, not your own wishes and desires, not some idea that you have- then He will bring it about. Sometimes what we believe for was not actually spoken to us by God- it was the desire of our own heart. But when it is God, you can “bank” on it happening. You just don’t always have the luxury of knowing when it might be.

Have a great day. Don’t get discouraged by time- God isn’t on our calendar or clock. He has His own and He looks at it when He moves on our behalf.

Coffee Break is a morning devotional written by Lorraine Ezell and it’s sent by email free of charge for the asking from About the Master’s Business Ministry, Inc.

So please feel free to call Lorraine at (601) 833-5278 or E-mail her at mastersbusiness@bellsouth.net.
And you can visit her on the web at MastersBusiness.org.

Bayless Conley recently delivered a message about faith, which I want to summarize and consider how it applies as we stand for the restoration of our marriages and families. He presented the three postures of faith; standing, walking, and running. Faith is the major component, not only in standing for our marriages, but also in all aspects of our lives as Christians.

For some of us, our posture in faith at this particular time is to “stand.” Standing may be the posture of faith we take for a single event or a one-time circumstance that confronts us in our life, such as standing for the restoration of our marriages. And it is in standing that we realize that we are not alone and truly understand that God is with us. In fact, He has already taken up our cause and is orchestrating the necessary events to complete His plans, although they may be unseen by the natural eye. So as we stand still, God is positioning and repositioning things for us.

But standing does not necessarily mean that we don’t do anything else, because God often leads us to do something very specific as we stand in faith. For example, 2 Chronicles 20:21-22 obviously encourages us to praise God; to sing His praises and watch for the amazing things He will do when we praise Him. And Habakkuk 2:1 tells us to listen; God has instructions for us so we need to be aware and listen to His directions. In Job 37:14 God tells Job to stand still and consider His wondrous works. And as Job did that, remembering the wondrous works of God became an important matter in his rescue. If Job was able to look past his problems and troubles and give God glory for His wondrous works, surely we can. Regardless of how big our problems are, they are very, very small to our God.

God has led us to the point we are right now, and we are praying, believing and trusting Him in our situations. And since there is often nothing more we can do to cooperate with Him, we have to stand our ground with quiet confidence that He will indeed rescue us and perform and perfect all of His promises in our lives.

Walking in faith is something we must do every day. We must conduct our lives by what we believe, and not by what we see. Most of us struggle because of what we see going on with our spouses instead of walking in the faith we have in what we don’t yet see taking place. In Hebrews 11 we see Abraham walking in faith. He had no map, and no details; he was just called to go so he went. God has led us to where we are right now in our stand for marriage restoration, and we don’t know what is coming next or when the next step will come. So all we can do is continue to walk in faith, knowing that God will direct us according to His plan. And we must obey in faith because there are always blessings on the other side of our obedience. We have to walk in faith daily, because faith demands that we live our life in such a way that it reflects the knowledge we have of God from His Word. And we must maintain that faith in every aspect of our lives.

God often tests our faith by asking us to give up things that are precious to us. However, everything we offer God, He resurrects. So offering Him our marriages in a step of faith allows Him to resurrect our marriages into the God-centered relationship He desires for us and wanted us to have in the first place. Letting our spouses and marriages go to Him is a difficult task, but that’s what we MUST do in faith, confidently knowing and believing that God will do what He promises.

The third posture of faith is running. Running takes into account the big picture. We keep running the race for a lifetime; going the full distance. We have to continue running in faith through times of confusion, frustration, disappointment, and even in times of darkness. We can’t stop the race if things don’t turn out or haven’t gone the way we wanted them to that day, that week or even that year. The race is longer than a day, week, or year. Those are seasons and every season comes to an end. The race does not end unless we quit! And as we go the full distance of the race, we need to see the purpose, have patience and realize there is a prize at the end.

Our purpose is to give God glory by giving Him every area of our lives and surrendering to Him in total obedience to His will. As we grow in the knowledge and understanding of His Word, He will grant us the wisdom and discernment we need to make the choices that are pleasing and glorifying to Him. The people whose lives and achievements stand as solid examples and shine for the Lord’s glory, are those who endured and patiently stood, walked and ran their race out to the end. They are people who did not give up, who stuck with the race until they crossed the finish line. The race will be worth it all! The prize is all of the blessings and great rewards God will pour out over us. And of course, the grand finale is the gift of eternal life with the One who died for our sins in our place.

So as we demonstrate our faith, we need to stand and wait; not stressing, but waiting quietly and confidently for God to complete His plan. And while we wait, we are called to offer praise and worship to Him and consider the wondrous works He has already done in the world and in our individual lives.

So we need to continue our walk in faith every single day, as God opens doors for us, turning around when He closes doors and giving Him sacrifices when He speaks to our hearts to do so. And in obedience, we need to trust that God will resurrect EVERYTHING we sacrifice to Him and bring it all back into our lives far better than we could have imagined.

The race is on. We may have heavy things on our hearts that we are carrying; a bad day, a string of bad days, or maybe an entire season of awful things, but we must keep running and not quit. The finish line is where the prize is! God is waiting for you and for me! So don’t give up!

The following scriptures were used for the above text:

1 Corinthians 16:13 (NASB) – Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.

2 Chronicles 20:17 (NASB) – ’You need not fight in this battle; station yourselves, stand and see the salvation of the LORD on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out to face them, for the LORD is with you.

2 Chronicles 20:21-22 (NASB) – When he had consulted with the people, he appointed those who sang to the LORD and those who praised Him in holy attire, as they went out before the army and said, Give thanks to the LORD, for His loving kindness is everlasting.” When they began singing and praising, the LORD set ambushes against the sons of Ammon, Moab and Mount Seir, who had come against Judah; so they were routed.

Habakkuk 2:1 (NASB) – I will stand on my guard post And station myself on the rampart; And I will keep watch to see what He will speak to me, And how I may reply when I am reproved.

Job 37:14 (NASB) – “Listen to this, O Job, Stand and consider the wonders of God.

Ephesians 6:13-14 (NASB) – Therefore, take up the full armor of God, so that you will be able to resist in the evil day, and having done everything, to stand firm. Stand firm therefore, HAVING GIRDED YOUR LOINS WITH TRUTH, and HAVING PUT ON THE BREASTPLATE OF RIGHTEOUSNESS,

2 Corinthians 5:7 (NASB) – for we walk by faith, not by sight–

Hebrews 11:1-17(NASB)
The Triumphs of Faith
1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
2 For by it the men of old gained approval.
3 By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible.
4 By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks.
5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death; AND HE WAS NOT FOUND BECAUSE GOD TOOK HIM UP; for he obtained the witness that before his being taken up he was pleasing to God.
6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him.
7 By faith Noah, being warned by God about things not yet seen, in reverence prepared an ark for the salvation of his household, by which he condemned the world, and became an heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.
8 By faith Abraham, when he was called, obeyed by going out to a place which he was to receive for an inheritance; and he went out, not knowing where he was going.
9 By faith he lived as an alien in the land of promise, as in a foreign land, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, fellow heirs of the same promise;
10 for he was looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.
11 By faith even Sarah herself received ability to conceive, even beyond the proper time of life, since she considered Him faithful who had promised.
12 Therefore there was born even of one man, and him as good as dead at that, as many descendants AS THE STARS OF HEAVEN IN NUMBER, AND INNUMERABLE AS THE SAND WHICH IS BY THE SEASHORE.
13 All these died in faith, without receiving the promises, but having seen them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having confessed that they were strangers and exiles on the earth.
14 For those who say such things make it clear that they are seeking a country of their own.
15 And indeed if they had been thinking of that country from which they went out, they would have had opportunity to return.
16 But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God; for He has prepared a city for them.
17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises was offering up his only begotten son;

2 Corinthians 4:6-7 (NASB) – For God, who said, “Light shall shine out of darkness,” is the One who has shone in our hearts to give the Light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, so that the surpassing greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves;

Hebrews 12:1 (NASB) – Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us,

Philippians 3:14 (NASB) – I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.

Romans 4:12 (NASB) – and the father of circumcision to those who not only are of the circumcision, but who also follow in the steps of the faith of our father Abraham which he had while uncircumcised.

Sinvce everyone standing for marriage restoration already knows that we just couldn’t do it without walking by faith instead of looking at and falling for every trap and lie the devil sends to deceive and discourage us, I want to share the following message posted on the private website about faith. It’s very simple; yet very powerful! And I thank Dave for allowing me to share it here. So, if you remember 2 Corinthians 5:7, which says For we walk by faith, not by sight., YOU WILL BE BLESSED AND ENCOURAGED!

Hello all…

This is a passage from my reading of a daily devotional taken from a sermon on faith by Smith Wigglesworth, who was an extraordinary faith healer during the early to mid twentieth century. Since the biggest problem in my developing walk with Christ is unbelief, this sermon really hit home with me. And it’s not as if I haven’t heard/read this message on faith before, especially the always excellent and spiritually-gifted SOF posts by Linda and Dan. But for whatever reason, God has decided that for me, this is the message on faith and prayer that I absolutely needed to have. Hopefully, it will speak mightily in the heart of anyone else who is struggling with their faith as well.

There is only one way to all the treasures of God, and that is the way of faith. All things are possible, even the fulfilling of promises is possible, to him who believes (Mark 9:23).
There will be failure in our lives if we do not build on the base, the Rock Christ Jesus. He is the only way; He is the truth; He is the life (John 14:6). And the Word He gives us is life-giving. As we receive the Word of Life, it quickens, it opens, it fills us, it moves us, it changes us, and it brings us into a place where we dare to say amen to all God has said. Beloved, there is a lot in an “amen”. You never get any place until you have the “amen” inside of you. That was the difference between Zacharias and Mary. When the Word came to Zacharias, he was filled with unbelief until the angel said, “You will be mute… because you did not believe my words” (Luke 1:20). Mary said, “Let it be me according to your word” (Luke 1:38). The LORD was pleased that Mary believed what He had spoken. When we believe what God has said, there will be results.
We may do much praying and groaning, but we do not receive from God because of that; we receive because we believe. Yet sometimes it takes God a long time to bring us through the groaning and the crying before we can believe.
I know that no man by his praying can change God, for you cannot change Him. Charles Finney said, “Can a man who is full of sin and all kinds of ruin in his life change God when he starts to pray? No, it is impossible”. But when a man labors in prayer, he groans and travails because his tremendous sin and circumstances are weighing him down, and that’s when he becomes broken in the presence of God. When properly broken, he comes into perfect harmony with the divine plan of God, and that’s when God can work on that clay. He could not before. Prayer changes hearts, but it never changes God. He is the same yesterday, today, and forever: full of love, full of compassion, full of mercy, full of grace, and ready to bestow these gifts and communicate to us as we come to Him in faith.
Believe that when you come into the presence of God you can have all you came for. You can take it away, and you can use it, for all the power of God is at your disposal in response to your faith. The price for all was paid by the blood of Jesus Christ at Calvary. Oh, He is the living God, the One who has the power to change us! “It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves” (Psalm 100:3). And it is He who purposes to transform us so that the greatness of His power May work through us. Oh, beloved, God delights in us, and when a man’s ways pleases the LORD, then He makes ALL things move according to His own blessed purpose.

From: Smith Wigglesworth Daily Devotional (Whitaker House Publishing, 1999).

The following message was Marsha Burns “Small Straws in a Soft Wind” email message for December 31, and since it’s such a powerful message for every Christian; particularly for men and women standing for marriage restoration, I hope everyone will be blessed and encouraged by it as we begin the NEW Year! You can sign up to receive Bill and Marsha burns’ wonderfully anointed messages by email on their Spirit of Prophecy website, where you can also read this message and many others from gifted men and women, along with years of archived messages.

Revelation That Overcomes
You will arise to a new level of overcoming. You have already begun to see patterns in your life that have consistently opened the door to the enemy’s work against you. These patterns will become increasingly apparent as you progress and punish disobedience with your obedience. Rejoice in this process. Your struggle is not over, but if you look back you can see that victory has come more speedily than in times past. This is because you have learned to release your anger and bitterness and have refused the victim position. You will continue to rise up to defeat the enemy more effectively as you choose to exercise your faith in Me to bring you through. Do not be afraid of unknown challenges that lie ahead. You cannot fight the battle until you see the enemy and discover his method of attack. Rest in the assurance that My grace is sufficient, and that I will bring you through to victory as you yield to the leading of My Spirit, says the Lord.
Luke 12:11-12 “Now when they bring you to the synagogues and magistrates and authorities, do not worry about how or what you should answer, or what you should say. For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”
This indeed is a season when you discover in greater dimension the power to overcome every obstacle. Old mindsets that bring defeat to you will become crystal clear. It will be like suddenly awakening from a dream to see the absolute reality of your existence and spiritual dominance.

High Place of Discernment
I am lifting you up to a high place spiritually where you can see the valley below with great clarity. You will no longer see the world and people around you with natural eyes, but you will see through eyes of discernment that penetrate through the veil that separates flesh and spirit. Be prepared to have the eyes of your understanding enlightened. I will cause you to grasp the wisdom of things you have not been able to comprehend. This will enable you to overcome obstacles and walk in confidence and victory. You have already had significant breakthroughs in understanding how the spirit realm affects your body and soul, but I tell you honestly that your level of comprehension is not even half of what you will come to know and grasp. Every new revelation will become your possession and strengthen you. If you ask anything in My name, according to My will. I will do it. I will teach you and show you by My Spirit the difference between what you want according to your carnal nature and what My will is. It will be a divine separation of soul and spirit. Yield yourself completely to this process.
Hebrews 4:12 “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”

I Am Your Pilot:You’ve Come A Long Way, Baby!
You’ve come a long way, baby, but you have not yet gone as far as you can go. The possibilities for your life have not been exhausted. On the contrary, you will be surprised and delighted at what I have in store for you. But, you will have to hold your own dreams and desires loosely to allow My will to manifest so that you can receive the best that I have for you, says the Lord. Trust Me! Prepare to be stretched. But, know that you will not be challenged beyond your ability to accomplish what is set before you. Trust Me for strength to overcome and endure. It is true that you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. Those things in your life that seem to have been fragmented or left undone will now be brought to a conclusion as the door to the past is shut and a new and exciting door is opening before you. Rejoice in this time of new life and hope.

Breaking The Chains
I am taking you step by step through the things that have consistently made you stumble and lose heart. It will be like breaking the chains one link at a time so that you can see clearly the nature of the bondage, and you will never again be ensnared as in days gone by. Rejoice in a new level of liberty, says the Lord. There have been times in your life when you have swung between two poles, one of ultra hope and blessing and the other abject poverty and hopelessness. If you will yield to the work of My Spirit along these lines, I will bring you from extreme ups and downs to a plateau of spiritual reality and faith. For, certainly I am the Author and Finisher of your faith, and I will establish you on this level ground. Refuse to allow the enemy to use condemnation to remove you from the flow of revelation by the Spirit. His tactics won’t be anything new. Expect the same old lies that bring guilt, shame, and rejection. But, now I will give you greater capacity to see quickly and deal with the attacks, so that your times of oppression will be immediately cut off like awakening from a bad dream. I am releasing healing in you that will wash away the rejection and failures from the past and equip you to go forth with wisdom and endurance. Let go of the labels that have been assigned to you by various people and circumstances, for I call you My beloved.

Open Doors
Prepare to make some of the most important decisions of your life as I present opportunities that you could never have imagined. You are Mine, and My plan is to establish you and bless you in ways that will remove even the vaguest remembrance of past disappointments and struggles. I will open doors before you, and you will behold new vistas and prospects for the future that you really never dreamed of. And, I will bring you by a way that you have not known and make your feet like hinds’ feet that will enable you to negotiate even the most difficult of paths. You will scramble up the craggiest places as though it were level ground because I am with you to make the crooked places straight and the rough places smooth. You will have choices to make in the days ahead that have the potential to change the landscape of your life forever. Seek Me for wisdom, and choose wisely. If you ask for wisdom, I will certainly give it to you. In this season you must recapture the gifting and flow that you once embraced. In the passage of time and circumstances you lost confidence, but now is the time when you can reclaim what was rightfully yours from the beginning. You cannot go back to the old manifestation of your gift because it had to become like a seed that fell to the ground and died in order to take root and grow up in you to produce fruit for this time. Be open and yielded, says the Lord.