Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | November 2, 2026

Vibrant In A Season Of Drought

“You will seek Me and find Me when you seek Me with all your heart.” Jeremiah 29:13 (ESV)  “Whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:14 (ESV)

No better way to unwind after a busy day than a brisk walk. Releasing a little stress, breathing in the cool air of autumn and being mesmerized by a beautiful array of orange, yellow and red trees. Yes it’s fall in our part of the world and its absolutely gorgeous outside. Who would have ever thought after the worst drought our state has seen in nearly twenty years, we have a picture perfect fall.

Flip the calendar back to early October and we thought we would miss beauty this year. Dry leaves were hitting the ground even in September, and the stress of a drought totally impacts the production of color pigments making fall foliage very minimal if not nonexistent. Only God could orchestrate just enough rain and the right temps to burst forth the most vibrant trees while we are still in a drought.

Ever experienced a drought of your soul? A dry spell. Moments when emptiness looms large. Our once enthusiastic desire for prayer and time spent in His Word evades us. Growth becomes stagnant to the point of nonexistence. Nothing appears to be working….even God feels distant.

A drought is considered a creeping phenomenon because its impact develops slowly and can persist long after rainfall returns. The same is true in our spiritual lives. We can easily slip into a rut of meaningless disciplines we simply check off the list. Our hearts’ desires slowly transition to other more seemingly important pursuits. Allowing busyness or boredom to rule over our time with God.

Now, sweet friends we’ve probably all experienced moments when life dictated a quick prayer and a few scriptures to get us through the day. And in those seasons, God meets us right where we are, yet He longs for us to have a healthy, vibrant relationship with Him. He knows that apart from Him we can do absolutely nothing. And if we excuse away time in prayer, worship, Bible reading, and fellowship then God knows the drought will silently creep in.

So if we find ourselves parched, barren, distant from God then the best solution is to prayerfully uncover the root of how we landed in this place. Here’s just a few to consider:

  • How much intentional time are we spending with God in His Word and prayer?
  • Have hard seasons of trials and challenges clouded our perspective of God’s character?
  • Has ease shifted us from God dependence to self-dependence?
  • Are there any areas of unconfessed sin that we are clinging to rather than confessing?
  • Does our friend group draw us closer to God or further away?
  • Have our boundaries slipped to the point of sheer exhaustion?
  • What is consuming our energy, focus and devotion?

Lots to think about and pray over as we open our hearts before our God and seek His guidance in revealing where we went off course. And the sweetest thing about our God is that when we draw near to Him with sincere hearts, He is full of mercy, love and compassion. What was once dry, parched and barren can be restored to fullness and joy when we intentionally seek His guidance in examining our hearts.

Can  glorious beauty really burst forth after a season of drought? Just look around you, sweet friends, the beauty of creation is on full display. And if our God takes such delight in adorning the trees this fall then we can count on Him to restore, renew and refresh our souls – we too can be a display of His beauty.

“Father, You paint the most vibrant seasons in our lives. Ease or challenge – You use them all to strengthen us, teach us and grow us so we will reflect Your beauty to our world.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | October 30, 2026

Why Clear Vision Is Essential

“Open my eyes that I may behold wondrous things out of your law.”  Psalm 119:18 (ESV)

Blurry, distorted and tired.  Those words describe my vision two months ago.  It started simply as an itchy eye.  One that I supposed was due to warming temperatures and early pollen. The more I rubbed my eye, the worse it felt.  Attempting to treat it myself with warm compresses and gentle washing, I found nothing truly was working.  Weeks later, I woke up with not only a very sore, red eye but there was major swelling in my sinuses.  One look in the mirror and I was finally convinced I needed to call my eye doctor.

Antibiotics and eye cream were prescribed, and I was wondering why I delayed.  Not sure how I thought my eye and vision would improve without some intervention.  What seemed insignificant ultimately resulted in a nasty infection not only to my eye but to my sinuses as well.  An ignored issue never usually resolves itself – it simply spreads.

Clear vision is essential especially when it comes to spiritual growth.  Wonder how many times we have overlooked  what God was clearly attempting to show us?  Or worse, how many times have we distorted God’s truth because we didn’t want to see what He was revealing?  Just keeping it real here but we probably could all relate to moments when we were blinded to our sins.  Failing to remove the scales of excuse and denial so we could see what God sees. One intentional, honest look into the mirror and we’d realize how much we need to behold God’s truth.

Have to admit it’s much easier for us to quick read our devotions rather than let God’s word sink deep into our soul.  Busyness, distractions and avoidance keep us from lingering long at His feet.  And sweet friends when we choose to dismiss or minimize His words it will never serve us well.

Totally love the psalmist’s words asking God for open eyes to behold the wonders in His word.  To examine closely with perfect vision and clarity what God’s truth teaches.  To lean in and slow the pace so He can lead us as we unpack the meaning, instruction and guidance found throughout the scriptures. Uncovering hidden nuggets just waiting to be discovered. Incredible faith journeys longing for us to glimpse how God worked in the lives of His people. No wonder the psalmist desired open eyes.

Blurry, distorted or clear and focused – the choice is up to us.  The next time we open God’s word, let’s determine to truly seek Him. Let’s ask Him for open eyes to see His truth. Let’s ask God to remove the blinders and enable us to see what He has for us.  Let’s ask Him to unveil the wonders of His words leaping off the page.  Can’t think of a better way to approach God’s word than asking for His help.

“Father, You desire to show us incredible wonders from Your word.  Slow our pace and teach us to gather at Your feet with open eyes – not missing a single truth.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

 

 

 

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | October 29, 2026

Rest In Him

 

“Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.” (Matthew 11:29 NIV)

God doesn’t waste anything, and so I began to write. My journey had taken me to a two-year time out. Life had fallen apart and just when I thought it could get no worse, it did. In the midst of this, it was as though God knew the heart of His daughter, had orchestrated her return and was providing every resource to clean her up and reflect His glory once again. What’s a girl to do but to put pen to paper and let others know what He taught her, how He healed her with the hopes to encourage others to draw close to Him when life withdraws its kindness. And so with list in hand, in strategic format, I have written. Sharing with others spiritual lessons taught to me. With each stroke remembering who shared with me her wisdom, the one who confronted my misguided mind or the author long-ago with Jesus.

With learnings in hand, I move forward. It doesn’t take long to be inundated with pressures. Pressures that come from all sides in an attempt to extinguish the Spirit at work. Rejection, my constant companion it seems, returns to visit. I scurry to recite the lessons learned, and return to prayer for comfort. At the end of worship, repentance and surrender, one word is heard: rest. The Lord encouraging me to rest in Him. To allow Him to hold my heart, keep it in one piece. In His hands it is sheltered, protected, healthy. I quiet myself as He works all things for His good. Trust that which is and that which isn’t. Only as Solomon found rest from battle could a temple for the Name of the Lord be built. With the Lord’s presence comes rest; we learn as Moses is unwilling to move without the Lord’s presence to accompany. The world works in a frenzy to heal and restore but the Lord says rest.

Rest knowing that I am His daughter. His beloved. Chosen. Forgiven. Redeemed. He paid the ultimate price to have me. Nothing and no one can take me from His embrace. May this fury and fire that taunts my freedom serve to refine this creation in the now. But as for eternity, may what defines me be His love and the masterpiece He has formed through sanctification.

“Father, for complete healing and wholeness, may I rest in You, safe in the center of the storm.”

For His Glory

Kathryn Hayman
TRBC Women’s Life

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | October 28, 2026

Your Story Isn’t Over

“But forget all that— it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new.  See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland. Isaiah 43:18-19 (NLT)

Your story may have taken a road you never planned, but God isn’t finished writing it.

Do you believe that?

It may be the end of a chapter, but the story is not over. You may be in the beginning of a new chapter, and you are unsure of what is ahead or you may be in the middle of a chapter that does not seem to have an ending. Consider this your reminder that He is already working ahead on your behalf.

Many times we refer to Jeremiah 29:11 as the quintessential verse to remind us of the amazing future God has for us. This is true-He does. But we need to remember that the book of Jeremiah was written to the Jewish people who had been taken captive to Babylon. They were prisoners in a foreign land. They were not experiencing the promise yet.

I want to remind you of three truths today:

  1.  God sees you in your present circumstances.

You may feel forgotten, overwhelmed, or overlooked. But your current season is not hidden from God. He sees the late nights, the difficult decisions, the tears you wipe away before your children see them, and the strength it takes to keep going. You are not forgotten by God.

  1. Your story is not over.

Jeremiah spoke these words to God’s people while they were living in exile. God was giving them hope while they waited through a difficult season. He wasn’t promising an immediate escape from their circumstances. In the same way, this verse isn’t a promise that life will suddenly become easy. It reminds us that we can trust God’s faithfulness even when we cannot see what comes next. This chapter may be hard, but it is not the whole story.

  1. Hope is still possible for your future.

Maybe you are rebuilding financially, emotionally, spiritually, or relationally. Perhaps you’re trying to discover who you are outside of the relationship you lost. God can meet you in this season and lead you forward one step at a time. Your identity is not limited to someone whose life didn’t go as planned. You are still God’s beloved daughter, with a future worth living.

God promises us He can create “rivers in the dry wasteland.”  No matter how you are feeling today, you can believe and hold onto the Truth of God’s Word. Notice the line before it states, “He has already begun(!)”  Can we live in the Truth that He is already working on your behalf and for your good even if you cannot see it or feel it today?

What would it look like to trust God with the next chapter rather than trying to control the entire story?

“Father, help us to trust you and know you have not forgotten us, even when it feels like it.”

For His Glory

Terrie Tollerson (www.TerrieTollerson.com)
TRBC Women’s Ministry

 

 

 

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | October 27, 2026

Shifting Blame

And He said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree from which I commanded you not to eat?” The man said, “The woman whom You gave to be with me, she gave me some of the fruit of the tree, and I ate.” Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this that you have done?” And the woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate.” Genesis 3:11-13

In diving back into the Origin of Life events of Genesis, it was so interesting to once more observe and listen in on the events of the Fall. It was obviously a terrible moment for humanity, one that set a course of our pursuit to be like God.

God absolutely knew what happened—He knows everything, sees everything. But when the couple hid in their newly experienced shame (as if they could really hide, Psalm 139:1-2; 7-10), God gave them a chance to come clean. The rebellious action was done, and the consequences in play, but would there be ownership and repentance? Although the wife initiated the disobedience, the first question from God was directed at the husband. (There’s a whole conversation that could be had here about Adam’s failure to protect his wife—after all, he “was there” when the serpent slithered up—but we’ll forego that for now.)

Adam, he’s sly. In answer to God’s question, he managed the double-blame-game in one statement: “The woman You gave me—it’s all her doing!” Yep, Adam laid the blame on the woman and on God at the same time. “She did it, God…and if You didn’t create her in the first place, we wouldn’t be in this mess.” Eve was no better. When the Lord confronted her with what she had done, she likely clutched her proverbial pearls with one hand while pointing into the garden and dramatically saying, “It’s not my fault! That talking serpent lied to me!”

It got me thinking of my own sanctification journey of playing the “blame game” and making excuses for my sinful choices. Praise the Lord, He has refined me through my nearly 30 years of following Him. But in my sin fleshly proclivities, it’s still easy to point a finger and shriek, “Look what you made me do!” Or “I was lied to!” Or even, “Their incompetence was unacceptable—I had no choice but to let them have it!” Just being real here, but can you relate? Thankfully, as our maturity in Christ progresses, the recognition of our sin—and of our blame shifting—gets quicker. Conviction by the Holy Spirit—and the need to repent and apologize—deepens the more we’re surrendered to (controlled by) Him (Romans 8:5-6; Galatians 5:16-17).

Beloved, our sin is our responsibility. When we find ourselves shifting the blame and making excuses like our first parents in the garden, there’s a beautiful truth to hold onto: Our sin is paid for in full by our Savior Jesus Christ. We don’t have to make excuses, especially since the Lord sees and knows. And although we never find out if Adam and Eve repented or asked God for forgiveness, we can be confident that “if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).

“Lord, forgive me for shifting the blame for my sin, for making excuses when I disobey Your commands. May I become quick to recognize my sin, repent, and continue to walk in the freedom You paid for.”

 

For His Glory

Julianne Winkler Smith
TRBC Women’s Life

 

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | October 26, 2026

Best Teacher Ever

“Behold God is exalted in His power who is a teacher like Him.”  Job 36:22

Growing up, I always had a “pretend” classroom. Even in my small bedroom there was always room for my desk, as I thrived in teaching my “pretend” students. Now a ten year old probably doesn’t have a wealth of knowledge, yet my students were always attentive and quiet. No one ever got sent to the office. No one bothered another student. No one came to class late. It was the perfect “pretend” classroom.

Did you notice the reoccurring phrase? Pretend completely characterized my classroom. Nothing real just a silly girl having the time of her life. Don’t remember but my students just may have been a group of dolls lined up in chairs which definitely explains their perfect behavior.

Pretend teaching can be fun, but when it comes to life’s classroom, we desire the real deal. We want the most experiential wisdom. We want to know what works and what doesn’t so we can avoid mistakes. We want to make wise daily decisions and not be emotional responders. We desire to gain knowledge both intellectually and spiritually. Bottom line, we want the best teacher ever – one who will never lead us astray and always has our best interest at heart.

Who is the perfect teacher you might ask?

The only one who sees all, knows all and hears all is none other than our Lord God. He possesses all knowledge and has never been taught by anyone. He alone is true wisdom, and we can trust Him to always guide us to truth. And if you even had a seed of doubt about His credentials, all you need to do is walk outside and glimpse God’s creation. Perfectly orchestrated. Divinely planned. Everything He created was meant and  intended to live in perfection and beauty. No one else could ever compare to His power or majesty. And that’s just when we look at one element of His glory.

Now one might consider if God is all wise and sovereign then does He even have time for me. My little world seems so insignificant in comparison to what it takes to keep the world operating and moving. Too many gigantic problems and challenges in the day to day for God to even have the time to enter my small sphere. Yet our God is fully capable of interacting with each of us at any given moment – He is forever present. He is never overloaded or burned out – our God is capable of handling it all perfectly and with complete orchestration to hold it all together according to His divine purposes (Colossians 1:17).

Best advice is to prioritize our relationship with the Wisdom Giver, our God. Intentionally gather at His feet. Drink deep of His wisdom found in His Words. Listen with ears void of distracting other voices. Ask God to help us to see clearly the principles and guidance He has for each day. Open up our hearts to receive His teaching and apply pivotal truths to our lives.

Giving God our full attention positions us to receive wisdom, apply truth and then cement His principles in our minds. A surefire plan for growth, knowledge and protection against the lies of our enemy. The perfect teacher is found in Him alone – may we avoid pretension and welcome real interaction with the One who always knows what is best (Isaiah 48:17).

“Father, Your wisdom is so much higher and grander than we could ever imagine. Help us to release self-dependence and daily seek Your guidance in all areas of our lives.”

 

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | October 23, 2026

The Good Fight

sept-23“I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”  2 Timothy 4:7 (NIV)

Out of the corner of my eye, I could see him.  Slowly he edged around the corner of his car, feet dragging to the tune of his walker.  Captivated, I slowed my pace as I watched him grab a bucket out of his trunk that he used as a stool. Sitting down, he reached for his wheelchair and attached the wheels.  Struggle edged the roughness of his tired face, but it didn’t deter him.  Rising with the support of the walker, he flung himself onto the wheelchair and maneuvered toward the entrance to the gym.

Who are you picturing in your mind – who do you envision this man to be?  I would probably surprise you if I told you he was a man in his late 30s or perhaps early 40s.  I’ve seen him in the gym diligently working his arms, strengthening and improving what he has left despite his obvious limitations.  Not caving in or giving up, but rather pressing through the overwhelming workout it took just to get him in the front door.

How often do we persevere and press through challenges?  Do we simply accept where we are – perhaps giving up expecting nothing more because of our perceived limitations?  Or like this man, do we become creative and more determined?

Whether we are facing physical, emotional, spiritual or financial challenges we can choose to invest in strengthening our faith. Circumstances surrounding us may dance and shout defeat, but we can choose to take what’s left and entrust it to God.  With His help, we can rise above the challenges we face. God’s Word is full of examples of ordinary people who, despite their circumstances, remained faithful to Him.  They fought the good fight, they kept the faith and received the prize – isn’t that what we want?

“Father, I entrust all the uncertainties of my life into Your sovereign hands – enable me to finish well, to press through and honor You.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | October 22, 2026

Up, Please!

cb devo mar 24“Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” I Thessalonians 5:11 (NIV)

There is something about entering an elevator and finding someone courteous to share the ride. Someone kind enough to ask what floor we are heading to and pushing the button for us. The kindness of a stranger in an elevator makes the ride so much more pleasant.

I have learned there are no strangers in the family of God. No matter what denomination we visit or region of the country we find ourselves in, we will always be surrounded by family when we are in His house, by brothers and sisters in Him.

Back in 1987, I visited a church in Paris, France, and I did not know anyone there before I walked through the doors. The service was preached in French, and the church was packed. The love of Christ was bubbling in that place like a bottle of soda. When you shake the soda and then the cap comes off, there is no way to stay dry, because it will come out in an explosion of fizz that is virtually uncontrollable. When we surround ourselves with our Christian family, the love and joy we feel is just like that soda explosion; we all experience the flow. We will not even consider leaving anyone behind or outside, because we want to share what the Lord gives us with them. And because we want to share our blessings with others, we become encouragers and motivators.

Do you know anyone going through life’s struggles? Is your neighbor going through a phase and needs someone to stand in the gap with her in prayer? Fear not, because that which you do in His name, you do as unto Him. Keep the ride moving upwardly!

“Father, it is sweet to be a part of Your family. May we honor You as we love one another in You.”

For His Glory

Luska Natali
TRBC Women’s Life

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | October 21, 2026

When We Have An Issue

“Behold, you delight in truth in the inward being, and you teach me wisdom in the secret heart.” Psalm 51:6 (ESV)

Dinner was being put away and the picnic table cleared. The children were enjoying the last few moments of daylight as we talked on the deck. The older one started extinguishing the tiki torches as we relished the last moments of conversation. Like a movie in slow motion, I witnessed out the corner of my eye the youngest one reaching to mimic his brother and put out the torch. Unfortunately, his height didn’t work to his advantage as the tiki torch tumbled into the flower bed. It only took a few minutes before the unthinkable happened.

“We have a little issue here,” spewed from my lips. I moved toward the edge of the deck and yes, we truly had an issue. The tiki torch was planted into the bed of flowers and burning. Desiring to not freak everyone out, I calmly kept saying we have an issue. Little ones doused the flame with water from the deck, but the kerosene kept it burning. Mom came to the rescue and carefully retrieved the torch now separated and then extinguished it. One would say we definitely had an issue….issue was now resolved….thank you Jesus!

Doubtless to say, we all have “a little issue” sometimes don’t we?

Sometimes ownership of the issue belongs to us. Something we’ve nursed for too long has reared its ugly head. Wounds from our past being rebirthed in our future. Wrongs we chose not to confess now leaking bitterness and unforgiveness. Attitudes and words spewing out effortlessly.

Sometimes ownership of the issue belongs to someone else. And we have chosen to ignore its potential destructive power for the sake of not alarming or offending. We don’t want to upset or freak out anyone, so we calmly avoid the issue. Let’s not rock the boat even though it has a slow leak.

Regardless of who’s got the “issue,” we’ve probably all been there.  And the reality of “a little issue” is it doesn’t extinguish itself. Left unattended it spreads like wildfire into “a bigger issue.”

We can’t resolve what we won’t admit. We can’t move forward if we’re still dragging baggage along. We can’t help someone if we’re unwilling to open dialogue about an issue.

Best solution is to never ignore an issue. If I had simply excused away what I saw happening on the deck, we could have had a serious fire going. The decision to calmly admit an issue sets the stage for interaction and resolution. Choosing to not look the other way and ignore what is happening invites resolution and minimizes damage. Prayerfully seeking God’s guidance and wisdom strategically enables us to face our issues. Intentionally covering others in prayer and gaining clarity on when to engage in conversations with them about their issue can foster growth and uncover blind spots.

It’s a win – win when we trust God to extinguish and handle issues we’d much rather avoid.  He will guide us each step of the way, if we choose to lean into His wisdom, discernment and timing.

“Father, remove the blinders and help me to see the “little issues” in me that need to be dealt with. Help me to be courageous and determined in following Your lead.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

 

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | October 20, 2026

What Are You Doing?

“Blessed is the man who trusts in the Lord, whose trust is the Lord. He is like a tree planted by water, that sends out its roots by the stream, and does not fear when heat comes, for its leaves remain green, and is not anxious in the year of drought, for it does not cease to bear fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7-8

Get ready for an “interactive devo” with this one. First, pause reading to simply speak aloud the title, “What are you doing?” Now, say it with an emphasis on “doing”…and now, say it again, but add a bit of your best frustrated tone, like when you catch your child (or spouse) in the midst of some questionable act. Can’t we hear ourselves speaking this very thing to the Lord when our circumstances are painful, frightening, and ostensibly unwarranted in relation to our faithfulness to Him? We protest, “Why are they prospering, when they hate You, God?” Or “Why can’t we get pregnant, when our desire is to raise up godly children…yet hundreds of women kill their unwanted babies every day?” We pray and declare our trust in Him, but then we snatch back control because He’s not doing what we deem to be the best course of action.

In this singular statement, we question not only our negative conditions, but also His motives—sometimes, doubting His love for us or even His very existence.

OK, say it again—out loud—but this time put the emphasis on “You” (that is, on God). Once more. Now note the natural tonal shift from frustration to genuine inquiry. The entire meaning of the phrase changes, doesn’t it? It moves from questioning the activity, circumstances, even the grief and pain to seeking God’s purpose in it all. By turning our attention to Him, the spotlight we had on our surroundings dims in His Light. We can abandon the struggle to blame, control, and understand from our limited perspective…and surrender it all to the One whose thoughts are not our thoughts and ways are higher than ours (Isaiah 55:8-9).

Same question, different outcome.

In fact, centering on the “You”—as with our very breath—our intention evolves. We no longer chase the “why” or even the “how long” like a person on the edge of madness. As with many of the Psalms David penned, we can certainly start with, “What are you DOING, Lord!?” It’s only natural to think this way (the questioning and doubting, complaining and arguing). But, like David, we can conclude with the YOU. See, as believers we have the mind of Christ, so that we don’t have to think like the world (1 Corinthians 2:12-16). We can resolve (like David) to trust in the Lord and praise His Providence (Psalm 13; 31; 42-43). His way is perfect (Psalm 18:30). Whatever He is doing, it is for His flawless purpose—and it will stand (Proverbs 19:21). And, although we may not see it clearly until we are with Jesus, face to face, the doing is in His Sovereignty, and it is for our good (Romans 8:28). And, beloved, the pain, the waiting, the loss, the incomprehensible circumstance…it is always for His glory (Isaiah 42:8; Revelation 4:11).

“Lord, may my complaining and questioning of You be transformed into trust and praise. Because You are Trustworthy, Sovereign, and so, so Good.”

 

For His Glory

Julianne Winkler Smith
TRBC Women’s Life

 

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