Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | September 3, 2021

Because Sometimes, Remembering Is Easy To Forget

“I have hidden Your word in my heart that I might not sin against You.” Psalm 119:11 (NIV)

I am a somewhat organized individual and oftentimes, in order to get things done, I make lists. It is always satisfying to me when I can put a check mark beside an item on a list. Job done; completed; fulfilled and out of the way.

If I don’t make a list when I go to the grocery store, I end up coming home with various bags of unneeded items that will, most likely, sit in my cupboard for a while before getting consumed, or I will forget the very item – or items I drove to the store for, and be frustrated with myself.

Then, there is that trip we take and think we packed all we needed but did not make a list and ended up (like me on my latest trip) having to go to the local CVS Pharmacy to purchase a toothbrush. Who has never sent their children to school on their first day of classes without all their school supplies because they shopped for the supplies without the list of needed items with them?

How about important appointments? A visit to the doctor, a job interview, a music lesson, someone’s birthday party, a special dinner or anything that should have gone on your calendar, and you neglected to do so, and it fell into the land of forgetfulness. It happens to the best of us!

We forget. Period.

My point in all of this is: we all need reminders. We are all prone to be easily diverted and unless we set reminders for ourselves, we are likely to forget something important. The Bible is filled with reminders for us to stay on the path of righteousness; to do good; to help others; to be generous, and so much more.

A word with our Heavenly Father is sine qua non (absolutely indispensable) to our livelihood, but we often forget to keep our communication with Him flowing. If your Bible has been sitting idle for a few days, place it in an obvious location where you cannot miss it. Remember your source.

“Dear Lord, You never forget us, May we never forget You.”

 

For His Glory

 

Luska Natali
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | September 2, 2021

In The Direction of Obedience

“This is love, that we walk according to His commandments.” 2 John 6

As Christians, we are called to obey God’s Word—the Bible. The whole thing. “That’s a lot of stuff,” you’re probably thinking. But, during His earthly ministry, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ summed up everything into two rules: Love the Lord God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind; and love your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:34-40). On one hand, there are just two “simple” commandments…but on the other hand, they truly do encompass the rest of the Bible—and it’s a definite challenge to stay on track.

But there’s very good news: First, when we choose to surrender our lives to Jesus, accepting His free gift of salvation by grace, we are immediately given the Holy Spirit to live in us, empowering us to walk the walk of obedience. We’re not traveling alone, in our own effort!

Second, we are called to step-by-step faith. Sometimes, when we have our eye on the long game, the thought of traveling there in perfect stride the whole way can be really overwhelming. Plus, most times, God doesn’t necessarily give us the “big picture” of His will—but He will give us the first step…and this is where we can have confidence. The first step of faith is what He wants of us. Look at Abraham. He was called to go. He was promised an inheritance, but wasn’t told where to go. God told him to step out in faith, and he did (Hebrews 11:8-10).

Finally, as long as we’re living in this broken world, housed in our decaying body, we will not—cannot—be perfectly obedient. We will sin and fall short. I always get encouraged by the Apostle Paul. His transformation after his encounter with Jesus was amazing. He went from persecuting and overseeing the death of Christians to being the evangelist of all evangelists (and being persecuted himself). He was brilliant and passionate and dedicated to bringing as many people to Jesus as he could. He set a very high bar. But even Paul wrote about how he did what he didn’t want to do (sin) and didn’t do what he knew he should (Romans 7:14-25).

Picture obedience to God’s Word as walking on a stone path (a path laid upon the narrow road we first stepped upon at salvation). As we walk toward our eternal Home, we will trip up. We’ll place our foot to the right or the left of the stones. We may even meander or backtrack a bit. But, dear sister, we must keep putting one foot in front of the other, with love of God and love for others as our guide. Let’s keep moving in the direction of obedience.

 

“Lord, obedience to You is love. As I make my way Home, thank You for the Holy Spirit and Your Word to help me walk in a way that glorifies You.”

 

For His Glory

Julianne Winkler Smith
TRBC Women’s Life

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

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | September 1, 2021

Broken & Redeemed

“Jesus said to her, “Mary”.  She turned and said to him in Aramaic, Rabboni! (which means teacher).” John 20:17 (ESV)

Mary Magdalene, a woman from Magdala associated with brokenness.  Also, she was a controversial woman in the Bible.  When we’re first introduced to Mary, Luke shares with us that Jesus had healed her from seven demons.  Commentaries speculate she had experienced sexual abuse in her past.  Words like prostitution and mental illness surrounded her.  She was an outcast.

I love the way The Chosen series depicts Mary’s “salvation experience.”  She shares with Nicodemus – “I was one way before and now I’m another and the thing that happened in the middle was Him.”

Jesus had touched her broken life and mind and redeemed her in a way only He could.  The change was evident to all who knew her.

When Jesus died on the cross, Mary was one of the few followers who stayed near him.  Others had scattered for fear but not her.  It’s easy to imagine her devastation when the only one who had saw value in her was now dead and gone. Without Jesus what would become of her now?

When she arrived at the tomb that morning, she was in search of his body to anoint it with oils for a proper burial.

Completely focused on her grief – she didn’t notice Him.  But then He spoke.  He only said one word.  Her name.  In Aramaic, the language spoken by Jesus, Mary is called “Maryam.”

He didn’t reveal Himself to her by telling her who He was. He revealed himself by telling her who she was.

One word – her name – spoken with an intonation of love, grace and mercy that only Jesus can utter. Her soul knew it was her Lord, her Redeemer.

This broken and redeemed woman became the first witness to Jesus’ resurrection, the cornerstone of Christianity. She would be the one to go and tell the disciples.

Whatever your past holds dear sister, it cannot keep you from redemption in Jesus.  No matter how broken you may feel – it’s never too late to bring it to the feet of Jesus.  Allow Him to heal and redeem those broken areas.  Then watch how He will use you for the Kingdom.

The enemy knows your name – but he calls you by your past – your brokenness. If you allow him, he will continue to lie to you. To haunt you with memories and thoughts that you’re not good enough.

But Jesus knows your sin – your past – your brokenness – and He calls you by your name  “a redeemed child of God” – his daughter.

Let that be the voice you hear above all others today.

“The Lord redeems the life of his servants; none of those who take refuge in Him will be condemned”. (Psalms 34:22, ESV)

“Jesus, we bring our brokenness to You, teach us to hear Your voice above all others -redeem us for Your glory.”

  

For His Glory

Laura Holmes (www.ephraimministries.org)
TRBC Women’s life

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Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Hope

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | August 31, 2021

The Time Is Now

“But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God—having a form of godliness but denying its power.”
2 Timothy 3:1-5

The “end times” began the moment Jesus ascended into heaven, right after He gave His disciples the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19-20). And it has lasted over 2000 years, with each generation believing that the Lord would soon return. This is a good thing, as this anticipation has motivated Christians to live as if Christ will come back at any moment—an attitude that keeps us focused on the things of heaven. But now, as my pastor says often, “we are at the end of the end times.”

Is this the “worst” things have been since Jesus walked this earth? Well, I can confidently say that it’s most certainly more terrible than I’ve ever seen in my lifetime. As a U.S. citizen who has been relatively aware through my teen years and adulthood of national and global goings on, I believe that the list in 2 Timothy 3:1-5 is clearly manifest. Just looking at America through the lens of those verses (“lovers of self, lovers of money, abusive, ungrateful slanderous, without self-control, brutal, treacherous, lovers of pleasure…”), I see a very different country than the one I grew up in.

If there was a coin that was, on one side, printed with “The end is near,” what would be on the flip side? For believers and unbelievers alike, it would clearly be inscribed: “The time is now.”

For believers: The time is now to focus on the Gospel truth. With cultural “realities” now arguable on every side and “truth” having become relative and individualized, we must know God’s Word (the Bible) and stand firm on it. To know the absolute Truth of God means we are less likely to be deceived by the lies of the enemy. The time is now to be faithful in word and action, living out God’s Truth to be a light in the ever-growing darkness. And the time is now to share God’s Truth with others. With illness and death in the forefront each day, people are thinking more and more about what will happen to them after death. We, sisters, have the answer.

For unbelievers: The time is now to trust in Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord. No one denies that we live in a broken world full of broken people. That brokenness (sin) separates us from a relationship with God. But God sent His Son into the world to live the perfect life we cannot live, die on the cross to pay the penalty we deserve, and rise victorious over sin and death. Accepting this gift of grace restores our relationship with God, so we will live forever with Him in heaven.

Friend, we don’t know exactly when the “end times” will end. But whether Jesus comes back for His followers today, next year, or 1000 years from now, the “end is near” because our own end is near—the death rate for humanity is 100%. So, if you know the Truth, live it and share. But if you’re unsure what death will bring, accept the Truth of Jesus Christ. The time is now.

“Lord, the global situation seems to be pointing to your imminent return. May I be bold and unashamed to share Your Truth with others.”

For His Glory

Julianne Winkler Smith
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Hope

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | August 30, 2021

Best Followers Ever

“And if you faithfully obey the voice of the Lord your God being careful to do His commandments that I command you today, the Lord your God will set you high above all the nations of the earth.”  Deuteronomy 28:1 (ESV)

Following is so easy, isn’t it?  After all it takes out the element of deciding what to do – we just simply follow someone else.  Slide right into place with what our tribe is doing.  Releasing the burden of choosing for self.  No decision to make.  No second guessing. Just fall in line and move in sync with everyone else.

Take it a step further and social media introduced us to the term “followers” to define those who read what we post and stay tuned to see what we tweet or post next.  Takes little effort to click, scroll and read what magically appears on our screen.  Following grants us access to a mirage of thoughts, agendas and personalities.

One seemingly slight yet significant problem here with following…. If we’re not careful us “followers” can be quietly led and influenced in directions we never intended.  Happens ever so easily –  everyone has an audience these days.  Guarding our ears and mind has never been so crucial.  Lots of opinions and preferences seeking to gain our attention and following.

Flip back through the pages of the Old Testament and we are reacquainted with a group of “followers” better known as the Children of Israel – God’s chosen people.  Moses had quite a time getting these wanderers to “follow” God’s commands.  Perhaps it was their tendency to grumble and complain which resulted in impatience.  Maybe they were actually choosing to follow each other’s actions rather than being set apart and obeying God.  Could it be these followers were actually following the wrong one?

We can find ourselves entrapped as well – wandering aimlessly following whoever steps into our path.  Giving our attention and time to the voice of those whose agenda doesn’t’ serve us well.  Before we know it, we find ourselves sounding just like the ones we follow.

God’s idea – follow me.  Simple and concise.  We are to follow God’s commands, listen intently for His voice and conform to His will – not our own.  Guarding our heart and mind from the wrong and often popular voice. And yes we will find ourselves facing many crossroads – intersections where we will have to choose which way to go.  Moments when we would rather move in sync with our friends than move in sync with God.

Obedience isn’t easy but it is worth it.  God’s promise to the Israelites were blessings and protection if they chose to obey.  Their faithfulness to Him would provide a protective hedge not exempting them from trials or challenges but delivering them from their enemies.  Don’t know about you, but I need God’s protection over my life, my thoughts and the voices attempting to overshadow His will.

Following is effortless – obeying is strategic, intentional and courageous.  It’s our choice – let’s choose well.

“Father, help us to listen attentively to Your voice and to submit to your authority in our lives. Help us to resist the urge to rebel and dismiss your commands.  Give us a determination and boldness to only follow You.”

 

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Faith, Spiritual Living, Wisdom

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | August 27, 2021

Enemies, Forgiveness & Love

“But I say unto you, love your enemies.” Matthew 5:44a (NIV)

So, Jesus did say we should love our enemies. I mean, not to love those who love us, but rather love those who hate us. I confess that this is not an easy thing for me to do; it does not come naturally; instead, it takes effort. I have to really make an effort to love and not hate someone who does things to hurt me.

I watched a movie recently that left my chin hanging. The movie was called The Railway Man and it is based on the true story of Eric Sutherland Lomax, a British Army soldier who was taken prisoner to a Japanese camp during World War II. While at the prisoner-of-war camp, Lomax was unjustly tortured and beaten, almost to the point of death, by a Japanese soldier whose face haunted him for many years in his post-war nightmares.

Lomax had desired to meet that Japanese soldier again one day and kill him. So, when the opportunity presented itself many years later, he came close to doing just that, but something stirred up inside of Lomax and he actually forgave his former captor and torturer. Not only that, the two men came to be very good friends until the death of the Japanese man.

That movie made me think a lot about life. We read the Bible and we pray to God, but oftentimes we do not practice what it tells us, because we consider it “too tough.” We do nice things for people who do nice things for us in return. We love who loves us in return. We help those who help us in return. What about the unlovable? Who will love them? Who will help them? Who will tell them about a God who can deliver them, love them unconditionally and help them to love back?

The friendship between Lomax and his former torturer was only made possible when Lomax realized that killing the man who once almost killed him was not the answer to his emotional struggles and that forgiving him could open the door for him to feel released from the burdens of the war that stayed so far behind in years. Forgiveness yields love.

“Dear Lord, the improbable, unimaginable and unbelievable are possible through You.”

 For His Glory

Luska Natali
TRBC Women’s Life

 

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Posted in Attitude, Love, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | August 26, 2021

Unself

“Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me.”  Matthew 16:24

Back in the 1970s and 80s, the lemon-lime soda brand 7UP had a very popular tagline that immediately boosted sales of the fledgling pop: The uncola. The marketing firm that came up with the campaign pitted its light flavor and lack of caffeine against the opposing qualities of the very popular cola brands. Coke and Pepsi were the standard—still are, really. (In fact, 7UP has all but faded away to its lemon-lime competitors like Sprite.)

This fun fact came to mind when I was thinking about Jesus’ words to His disciples, found in three of the four Gospels: “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me” (Matthew 16:24, Luke 9:23; Mark 8:34). Can there be any stronger words than these in direct contradiction to our “me” culture?  From the self-love (self-esteem) movement to ubiquitous social media selfies, “What’s in it for me?” seems to be the bottom-line modus operandi for most people these days. But, here, Jesus is exhorting us to “unself” living.

Did you know, sister, that love of self is the first rule of Satan? When we seek to fill our lives with pleasures of the flesh and earthly pursuits, our focus will remain on ourselves. Our enemy loves that. And self-obsession makes a natural progression to pride, which precariously teeters on the edge of a big fall—Satan knows that, because he lived that outcome. (Self-obsession can also take a darker turn into depression—either way, Satan will be doing a happy dance.) I can almost see his mouth drooling as he watches us stomp our feet to get things “our way” and, to that end, turn to people, things, social media, and substances (and even to hatred and vitriolic divisiveness) to attempt to meet that need.

But when we accept the free gift of salvation—the finished work of Jesus that paid the full price for our redemption—it’s not about us anymore. We no longer live in the flesh, for ourselves. We live, by faith, for the Son of God who loved us so much that He gave Himself for us, dying and rising again in victory on our behalf (2 Corinthians 5:15; Galatians 2:20; John 3:16). In response to being made a new creation, completely righteous in God’s eyes, we surrender to His will for our lives. (Note, sweet friends, that pursuing God’s will versus our wants is not to “earn” God’s love—it’s our response to being made His child.)

When we are emptied of self, we can be filled with (surrendered to) the Holy Spirit, Who is given to us at the moment of salvation to live in us as our promise, counselor, and guide. This results in a fruity life (check out Galatians 5:22-23)! And when we come to the end of ourselves, our precious Lord can use us in big ways to serve others for His glory and be a light pointing to Him. And our dark, selfish world can definitely use more “unself” right now.

“Lord, help me to daily empty myself of “me-ness” and surrender more fully to You. Let my life reflect less of me and more of You.”

For His Glory

Julianne Winkler Smith
TRBC Women’s Life

 

 

 

 

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Posted in Attitude, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | August 25, 2021

Broken & Beautiful

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord  plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.”   Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV)

“Broken, useless, an eyesore taking up space.”

Some of the thoughts that went through my mind regarding the pieces of wood that sat in my yard.  My husband – the “inventor”- that he is, had saved them from being thrown in the dumpster. I thought maybe he brought them home to put in our burn pile for nights around the firepit.  However, he shared with me that he had an idea of something he was going to create.

Fast forward over a year later and in my yard there’s a beautiful area to sit and spend time with family and friends.  It has become one of my favorite spots in our yard. I’m looking forward to cooler temperatures to spend even more time in this place made completely from broken pieces of wood.

My husband took time to design his creation on the computer. Then he staked it out in the yard with his laser. He spent numerous hours measuring wood, and re-measuring comparing his plans to the layout in the yard.  Once he established a strong foundation for the posts he started cutting/then hammering.  Continually stabilizing his work along the way.  Eventually a couple coats of paint were added for the finishing touch and voila! A pergola was created.

In the hands of a skillful carpenter scattered pieces of wood can be made into something beautiful. A creator can envision beautiful things out of broken pieces.

God, the author of all creation, does that with us.  He has a vision of our lives, long before our earthly birth.

Sometimes He takes us through broken seasons.  Conditions that leave us wondering what good could ever come from the destruction that ravaged us.  Devastation that leaves us so wounded we are certain that we will never be put back together.  But God can take those broken seasons and fashion us into a beautiful new creation.  Filling us with a wholeness that makes us better than we were before.  As part of His plan our brokenness serves a purpose.

We’ve had people ask us where we purchased the pergola.  The pieces look as if they were always meant to go together – like it came as a kit.  But it didn’t.  Our pergola is a bunch of broken pieces.  Our pergola is also beautiful.  One statement doesn’t negate the other.  In fact, I think knowing what it came from makes me appreciate its’ beauty even more.

Precious friend rest assured you can be both broken and beautiful through the blood of Jesus.

“Break us, dear Father so that you can mold us into your image and likeness. We trust you today to complete the plans you have designed for us.  Plans that will be for our eternal good and your eternal glory.”

 

For His Glory,

Laura Holmes  (www.ephraimministries.org)
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Hope, Spiritual Growth

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | August 24, 2021

A Chin Repositioning

“But You, O LORD are a shield about me, my glory, and the One who lifts up my head.” Psalm 3:3

I don’t know about you, but it’s really easy (albeit, somewhat necessary) for me to keep my head down and just move forward through each day. I stay focused on the task at hand, from when my eyes open until they close again at night. And if I have no task, per se, my intentional efforts are to find distracting activity or amusement. (Picture those three monkeys, one covering its eyes, one its ears, and one its mouth…that about sums it all up.)

Because when I look around these days, I’m bombarded by fear mongering, mental and emotional assaults, unconscionable lies, and ludicrous irrationality—not to mention vitriolic hatred and divisiveness that is being purposefully generated.

The problem, though, with keeping our heads down in focused diversion, avoidance, and self-protection is that it can eventually lead to head-hanging discouragement. As believers, we know we are to keep our eyes on the Lord, acknowledging we are not of this world—we are citizens of heaven through the gracious gift of salvation through Jesus Christ. We know this, but oh, how challenging it can be sometimes to lift our eyes to the Father.

Praise God that He is the lifter of our heads when our chins seem heavily weighed down! When we are pressed in on every side and feeling stuck in the mire dredged up by the enemy, the Lord is our shield and rescuer! Psalm 3 is just one of the beautiful prayer-songs written by David eloquently expressing what we may not be able to—but need so desperately.

We can cry out to the Lord, as David does in this Psalm (and many others), saying, “Lord, enemies are rising up, surrounding me, telling me all is lost. But You, Lord, protect me. You lift my head, so I can keep my eyes on You. You give me peace, so I can rest at night. Each day, I know you’ll sustain me—I don’t have to fear men…what can they do to me, anyway? You are the Righteous Judge of all, my God, and You will strike down Your enemies. Salvation is of You, as well…and blessed are those who run to you for safety.”

Sisters, let’s not allow the enemy to discourage us. It’s his favorite and most effective tool, really. Remember, moment by moment, that the Lord is on His throne. Nothing is taking Him by surprise. Yes, our eyes must remain on Him—our Hope. But when you (and I) are so burdened and heavy-ladened that your view consists of dirt and rocks, cling to the Truth that God is the lifter of your head.

“Lord, You are the King of kings. Although the battle rages, You have won the war. Thank You for being the Strong Tower into which we can run and be safe. Thank You for keeping my chin up when, in my own power, I cannot.”

For His Glory

Julianne Winkler Smith
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Encouragement, Hope, Spiritual Growth

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | August 23, 2021

Daily Food For The Soul

“I will delight in your statutes; I will not forget your word. Psalm 119:16 (ESV)

Nestled back in the darkest corner of my pantry is a tiny sweet little basket I absolutely love.  It’s ordinary, nothing special really.  But to me it’s priceless.  Why?  Because it’s the holder of all my fave recipes.  Now I totally get it that I can find any recipe online; however, I want the exact one I’ve made over and over again and loved.  I like tucking them away in my basket for safekeeping so I can easily pull them out when my tummy craves a delicious casserole or sweet treat. Keeping my fave comfort recipes close by reassures me I won’t be disappointed.   Nothing tastes better!

Tucked away deep in my heart, soul and mind are my fave verses. Sweet words of God reassuring my soul of the hope and comfort found in His word.  I cherish verses God has illuminated and used to teach me powerful lessons.  Hope infused scriptures lifting me up out of deep pits planting my feet on solid ground.  Convicting truths leading me to repentance, change and growth at pivot moments.  Guidance, wisdom and discernment lighting my path each step of the way.

Isaiah 48:17 is one I cling to most often: “This is what the Lord says, your Redeemer, the Holy One of Israel, I am the Lord your God, who teaches you what is best for you, who directs you in the way you should go.”

Worn and weary in the battles of life, I gain strength from Psalm 41:11 – “By this I know that You delight in me:  my enemy will not shout in triumph over me.”

Burdens wearing me down, my head is lifted from Psalm 94:19 – “When I am filled with cares, Your comfort brings me joy.

In dark valley days, Job 6:10 reminds me, “It would still bring me comfort and I would leap for joy in unrelenting pain that I have not denied the words of the Holy One.”

When weakness overtakes me, I cherish the words of Ephesians 6:10 “Finally, my brethren be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might.”

An endless list of faves and new scriptures God draws to my attention at just the right moment when I need them the most.  Tucked away in my heart so I can stand firm even in the toughest battle and resist the attack of the enemy.  I absolutely love having His sweet words before my eyes and on my lips speaking them out loud so I can zero in on His truths. Nothing is better than God’s words washing over my heart, mind and soul directing, encouraging, and filling me.  Sweet reminders of His presence walking with me every step of the way.

What’s in your basket?  Carve in some time this week to collect verses which inspire and challenge you.  Put them in a safe place where they are readily available when you need them. Add to them….memorize them and watch as God uses them to draw your heart closer to His.

“Father, nothing taste sweeter than Your words…. blest to rest in the truth found only in You.  Grateful for my Bible, my journals and notecards beautifully scripted with Your words – daily food for my soul.”

 

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Spiritual Living

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