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

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Posted in Faith, Spiritual Growth, Wisdom

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

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Posted in Encouragement, Hope, Spiritual Growth

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

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Posted in Attitude, Encouragement, Hope, Spiritual Living

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

 

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Posted in Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Living, Wisdom

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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Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Hope

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | October 19, 2026

Living In A Noise Driven World

“My sheep hear my voice and I know them and they follow Me.” John 10:27 (ESV)

The view out my window definitely defies the fact that I live in the city. Target, Walmart, Old Navy – they are simply five minutes from my home. Yet bordering my property is an expansive farm nestled in the heart of the city. Beautiful, rich green meadows are the feeding ground for a dozen cows. Yes, it’s not unusual for me to gaze out my window and be mesmerized by cows slowly moving around the farm. They never get in a hurry…or so I thought.

A few weeks ago, I was totally caught off guard when I glimpsed my fave cows running. Perhaps it was really more like a jog, but they were definitely on the move. And what was the inspiration for their faster than usual slow gait? The farmer was driving onto the property to give them more feed. Just the familiar sight of his truck and the known sound of the engine sent their feet into motion headed to the barn where their needs would be met.

Oh sweet friends does this not remind us of our shepherd  who feeds and nourishes our souls. As His sheep, we know His voice, yet the real question is do we follow after Him?

During any given day, we can experience lots of distractions and noises attempting to drown out the voice of God. Because we live in a noise driven world, silence feels unwelcomed and unwanted.  We’ve grown so accustomed to unsilence that we’ve lost the intentional art of simply sitting at the feet of Jesus and listening to what He is speaking into our hearts. Void of distractions and competing noises.

Hearing and listening are two totally different  processes. If we are blessed with the gift of sound, then we hear voices, music and noise all day long while not requiring a conscious effort on our part. It’s ever so simple. Yet listening is an intentional, active process which requires focus and concentrated effort. And this is where the hearing versus listening really makes the difference.

Unlike the cows that came running to the sound of the farmer’s presence, Genesis 3 reveals the opposite. Adam and Eve ran away from the sound of the ultimate Gardner, our Heavenly Father. Sin sent them into hiding and it can be our biggest obstacle as well. If our ears are tuned to the sound of our own desires then our hearts will quickly follow ushering in disobedience.

Better solution – just like those cows welcomed the sound of the farmer, we too should welcome the sound of our Heavenly Father. With great eagerness, we should run to His voice confident of His desire to feed our souls with the truth of His word. And if we are listening then we will be positioned for obedience. We will heed His warnings. We will follow His ways. We will desire to know God more intimately day by day, and we will cherish the relationship we have with Him.

Nothing is sweeter or more impactful in our lives than choosing to embrace silence and tune our ears to the sound of our shepherd who longs to lead us. Eagerly anticipating His wisdom and guidance. Running toward Him with excitement because we are confident He knows what is best for us and He alone truly satisfies our soul.

“Father what a blessing to hear Your voice, to draw near to You and lean into Your wisdom.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Spiritual Living, Wisdom

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | October 16, 2026

Sharing His Amazing Story

feb-27

“So is my (God’s) word that goes out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I sent it.”  Isaiah 55:11 (NIV)

We were sitting on the edge of our seats.  Captivated by the story line in a movie and then….the unthinkable happened.  A power surge at the mall resulted in an evacuation, and we missed the ending. Remember it’s the one that kept us sitting on the edge of our seats – caught up in a story that now we don’t know what happened next.  Two days later, I’m still wondering but not enough to go buy the book and read the rest of the story.

Wonder how many times we leave others hanging without the whole story of Jesus?  Do we give them a watered down version of the truth – what we think they will understand?  Perhaps we leave out some really important details like grace, mercy and forgiveness.  Could it be the story we’re telling focuses on rules, don’ts and warnings rather than sharing about the woman at the well, Jonah in the belly of the fish, the thief hanging next to Jesus, etc.  Maybe we don’t share at all because we’re not really captivated by His message.  Our enthusiasm and passion have faded.  Or maybe we don’t even have an audience to hear what we have to say because they didn’t even know we knew Jesus.

Let’s give them something to talk about. Let’s share the whole truth – the amazing message of God’s love.  Let’s keep them sitting on the edge of their seat captivated rather than bored or skeptical.  Let’s lead them to His Book – the rest of the story.

“Father, give us a hunger to know every detail of Your story – help us to share the whole truth – knowing that You Word does not return void.”

 

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Encouragement, Spiritual Living, Wisdom

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | October 15, 2026

Cats or Daughters

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding. Acknowledge him in all your ways, and he will make your paths straight.”  Proverbs 3:5-6  (NET)

We inherited a long-haired orange tabby cat from the previous owner of our house, who abandoned her when he moved out. Although we didn’t want the responsibility of a pet, there she was, and we couldn’t let her starve. That was five years ago, and Buttercup is still hanging around. Actually, she thinks she owns us.

She is happiest outside where she can scratch trees and roam where she pleases. She also prefers to eat her food outside on the back deck, so like inexperienced fools, we were putting her food dish out for her. Then we had neighborhood dogs coming onto the deck, followed later by a skunk and a big, aggressive raccoon. Our next-door neighbor also says there was a bear “as big as a Volkswagen” wandering through her yard recently, which means he was likely in our yard, too. I hope she was exaggerating his size. Either way, putting cat food outside in a dish is obviously a bad idea, a magnet for all kinds of critters.

Now we are trying to get Buttercup to come into the laundry room to eat, but she refuses until she is practically starving. She doesn’t understand why we have suddenly changed her routine. She is clearly irritated and resisting as hard as she can. But if we give into her and put her food outside where she likes it, animals of all descriptions will be on our back deck.

Buttercup is relying on her own understanding. She doesn’t know what we know, because she isn’t capable of reasoning as we do. We know there are dangers she doesn’t comprehend.

Don’t we act the same way when God changes our circumstances, or when He requires us to take on a new, unwelcomed responsibility? We don’t understand His ways, which are higher than our ways. Our limited human brains can’t comprehend what He knows. We have a choice. We can act like Buttercup and fight the change, or we can trust Him and submit to His will like the daughters we are.

Isn’t our best, wisest option to follow His leading?

“Father, when the unpleasant changes come in our lives, remind us of who You are and who we are. Help us to trust you more perfectly and acknowledge You in all our ways.”

For His Glory

Cherie Harbridge Williams
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Attitude, Encouragement, Faith, Hope, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | October 14, 2026

Disappointment’s Hope

“When He (Jesus) was at the table with them, He took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him.” (Luke 24:30&31a NIV)

Another opportunity to respond to a situation with grace, maturity and acceptance, and I …. crumble. Oh, to anyone looking on, I took the news rather well. Said little, maintained stoic facial composure and continued doing what I had always done. But, inside and alone, hours spent trying to understand the mysterious sting felt. I swore I wouldn’t let this get to me again. And yet, here it is. Present day event that uncovers past tense wounding. The hidden places of my soul that are bruised yet again.

In these moments, I must choose. I can allow the puss to spread and infect my attitude towards other areas. Sidetracked with self, a root of bitterness forms without even trying. In time, walls of isolation develop and anger mounts. Forgiveness not even the slightest consideration. Disappointment appears to win.

How disappointed were Cleopas and his companion? In chapter 24 of Luke, we follow the story. Jesus of Nazareth, the one who was to redeem Israel, had been crucified. Sure, these men had heard rumors of angels and a missing body, but without seeing Jesus they didn’t believe He was alive. The miracle in the moment was not seen. Nor did these men recall the Scriptures of promise or the character of their God. Disappointment and unfulfilled expectations flooded their reality.

Then Jesus revealed Himself.

In our moments of disappointment do we allow Jesus to reveal Himself? The Word of God displays the mind of Christ. God’s covenant of love is written on our hearts. The Holy Spirit is close at hand to comfort. I must surrender my self-will to God and trust His sovereignty in all situations. Determined to respond in a way pleasing to Christ, I allow God to hallow the cavity of infection and fill it with the healing power of the Holy Spirit. When disappointment reveals my heart, may it expose my love for an Almighty God who wants only the best for me. And so, I repent for the root of bitterness and replace it with a spirit of trust.

“Father, it is so easy to get caught up in self, in position, in esteem and miss the mark on what really matters. In those moments, thank you for lovingly revealing Yourself, Your Truth and Your Ways.”

For His Glory

Kathryn Hayman
TRBC Women’s Life

 

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Posted in Encouragement, Hope, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | October 13, 2026

Being Reflective

“The heavens are telling of the glory of God; And the expanse is declaring the work of His hands. Day to day pours forth speech, And night to night reveals knowledge.” Psalm 19:1-2  “But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:18

As I was sitting on my back patio as the sun began rising above the horizon, the underbelly of the clouds began to glow pink. Brighter and brighter, the sky exploded in color. In praising God for another day, my thoughts meandered to the miraculous daily variations of each sunrise and sunset. As our earth turns, the sun “rises” and “sets” (not really, but you know…), shifting slightly north to south with the seasons. But it’s the same ball of fire—up and down, up and down, day after day. So, I thought, why is the canvas of morning and evening skies painted so uniquely each day?

Well, it completely depends on how the sun is being reflected. The cloud formations might generate streaks of heavenly beams, refracting the light to unveil awe-inspiring spectrum. The air quality and density, the humidity, and the temperature all impact how colorful or purely white the sky will be. But it’s all due to the sun—all that magnificence is a reflective response to the greater light (Genesis 1:14-19).

Then there’s the moon. Its phases help distinguish the times and seasons—and it also illuminates dark nights. But it only serves humanity in this way because it is reflecting the sun. It has no source of light on its own—it shines on us in reflection of its source.

And what about the flowers? Think of beautiful blossoms and their intricate array of colors and forms (Luke 12:27). They all bring glory to God—and joy to us. How? Because they soak in the light and heat of the sun (photosynthesis)! Their splendor is a reflection of the sun. Oh yeah, we also savor the food we eat (at least “real” food) because the rhythms of the sun draw out this bounty from the ground or trees. It wouldn’t be so without the sun.

Each of these glories and gifts are distinct and splendid reflections of the sun.

Oh beloved, do you see it—is your spirit soaring at the thought? The same is true of the Son. As believers, we are each made to reflect our Source. With a unique color palette, distinct expressions, and perfectly knit-together characteristics, we are meant to reflect Jesus. Like the starry host flung across the sky or a field of wildflowers, our diverse beauty is designed to declare the glory of God. Ah, but there is a difference. Creation reflects the sun—a source of light. We are made in God’s image—with His very breath in our lungs—to reflect the Son. The Light of the world (John 8:12). And we, “beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:18). See, the more we follow after Him, becoming more and more like Him, that mirror—our glorious reflection of Him—gets less foggy, until the day we see Him clearly face to face (1 Corinthians 13:12) when we move into Glory ourselves. For His glory, and as we move to our final glorification.

So, let’s consider our thoughts, words, actions today. Are they reflecting selfishness, pride, anger, ego? Or are our eyes so fixed on the Lord so that, like Moses, our faces shine at the reflection? Let us gaze, sweet friend, at His lovely face. And like the sky, moon, and flowers, let’s become a beautiful reflection of the glorious Son.

“Oh, Lord, You are glorious! May I keep my eyes only on You as I walk through this world toward Home, so that I can both reflect Your beauty to others…and be constantly transformed into Your likeness.”

For His Glory

Julianne Winkler Smith
TRBC Women’s Life

 

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Posted in Faith, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Living

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