Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | February 5, 2021

Zeroed In On Results

“And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9 (ESV)

Don’t know if you are results driven, but when I do something I really want to see the culmination of my hard work and sacrifice.  Immediate gratification might better define it.  If I’m starting a healthy lifestyle and giving up my fave food then I want to see the numbers on my scale drop.  If I’m carving in time for exercise then I want see some tightening and toning.  If I’m decluttering then I want to quickly see some empty space.

One problem here – results aren’t usually instantaneously visible.  Exact reason why we so easily give up.  The lack of immediate trumps hard work and sacrifice.  We’re not evolving like we planned.  The scale seems stuck, broccoli loses its appeal and those muscles well let’s just say it’s slow going. The pile we moved yesterday seems to reappear and grow. Progress appears to be lacking.

Sweet friends, I hate to admit it but this need for immediate gratification spills over into our spiritual lives as well.  We tackle memorizing scripture yet we can’t recall the verse we thought we learned two weeks ago so we give up.  We devote time to studying God’s word yet we seem to continue to struggle to comprehend what we just read so we give up.  We pray fervently for a divine miracle and nothing happens so we give up.  And we land exactly where our enemy planned – discouraged and defeated.

If only we had just kept pressing through, we would have been amazed at how God multiplied the progress we couldn’t see in the moment. Underneath the surface of all our doing results are accumulating.  We are making progress – it’s just not visible in the moment.

Those verses we thought we didn’t retain, He brings to our mind at just the right moment to encourage us.  All those days of wrestling through passages, God pulls it altogether giving us clarity and discernment when we need it the most.  And those tear stained pillows and sleepless nights when we cried out for help, God heard and answered at just the right time.

Never late – no delays – just sovereignly orchestrated moments when God reveals what He was doing underneath the surface.  Where we thought growth was stalled, He unveils a faithful believer maturing and being transformed moment by moment. Where challenges appear out of control, He is not caught surprised – its all in His capable hands.

Immediate gratification may slay us, but our God will bring it all together if we simply keep pressing through.

“Father, giving up is far easier than digging in and pressing through.  Strengthen and empower us to stay on track despite delays.”

 

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Encouragement, Hope, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | February 4, 2021

On Mission With God

“This is my request. I will ask one of them for a drink. If she says, “Yes, certainly, and I will water your camels, too!” – Let her be the one you have appointed as Isaac’s wife…” Genesis 24:14 (NLT)

What an important mission! Abraham’s servant was given the authority of selecting just the right woman to be Isaac’s wife. Imagine choosing the spouse for your children? Even though it’s customary in some cultures around the world, I personally would never want the responsibility of such a major assignment. Envision the marriage going awry and the blame is directed towards you…what a liability! Instead, I’ll keep praying for the Lord to bring the right person for my last child to marry; and that is exactly what Abraham’s servant did…he prayed.

The servant was aware the future of a whole nation populated with Abraham’s descendants was at stake. He prayed asking the Lord for success, kindness and accomplishment. Then he devised a plan to stand near the spring where the young women of the village came to draw water. His request of the Lord was not only would the right woman give him a drink but offer to water his camels too. Then he would know which lady the Lord had chosen to be Isaac’s wife.

Have you ever wondered why the servant put a clause in his request about watering both him and his camels?

By Abraham servant’s request, he wasn’t looking for just any girl. He was looking for a kind, giving, caring and compassionate woman. A lady who puts others before herself. Most of the girls would have offered the servant a drink, but which girl would realize the camels need to drink too. Because Rebekah put others needs before herself the servant knew she would make a wonderful helpmate for Isaac.

“Father, like Rebekah, we pray to be sensitive to the needs and feelings of others; always being compassionate and understanding with a heart that mimics Your loving kindness.”

For His Glory

Kim Lacey Schock (www.KimLaceySchock.com)
TRBC Women’s Life

 

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Posted in Attitude, Faith, Hope, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | February 3, 2021

No Going Back

“The righteous keep moving forward, and those with clean hands become stronger and stronger.” Job 17:9 (NLT)

The Israelites spent over 400 years in Egypt before the Exodus.  They started out welcomed as family of Joseph. But as government rulers changed, so did their status.  Once free men, they became slaves with no control of any aspect of their lives. Everything was dictated to them.  Their children could be taken from them in a moment and sold and they could do nothing about it.  It was the “normal” that they lived with.

Understanding that makes it even harder to fathom how only two months after gaining their freedom they started complaining to Moses. They wanted to go back to Egypt – back to their normal. They were so far out of their comfort zones that they missed the bigger picture of what God was doing in their lives.

Despite the fact they were beaten, half-starved and made to endure inhumane work and life conditions, they had developed a routine of “normalcy” to adapt to the abuse over the generations.  When they were taken out of their comfort zone – the fear of the unknown was too much for them.  They didn’t want change – even though that change meant a new way of life for them and their children.

In my profession, I spend a lot of time talking with people.  One common theme I hear a lot is the desire “to go back to normal.”  A wish to return to pre-pandemic life. No masks. No social distancing. I’m an extrovert – I love people and I’m a hugger.  I can relate to their sentiments.

While there’s nothing wrong with wanting to be able to connect with friends and family without fear of a virus – the truth is nowhere in the Bible do we ever read that going backwards resulted in something good.

There is a purpose for every season in our lives. And my own personal experience has taught me that when God moves us into another season; He very seldom lets us go back and pick and choose the things we want to take with us. This world is not our home.  And until we either leave this life through rapture or the grave – things will continue to change.

In Job 17:9 we read that “the righteous keep moving forward, and those with clean hands become stronger and stronger.” (NLT)

Our lives before the pandemic might not have been as horrific as the Israelites.  But perhaps God was trying to get our attention – to get us out of our “comfort zones.”  To get us out of the “normal” of full schedules overloaded with no time to read the Word of God or pray.

“Father help us to not be like the Israelites and miss the bigger picture. Open our eyes to see that we must keep moving forward adapting to the changes of the season – fully trusting in the fact that you are our El Shaddai.”

 

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 | February 2, 2021

Think Before You Speak (or Post or Text of Email….)

“Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.” Colossians 4:6

“Speech” today is a hot topic, for sure. In fact, freedom to speak our minds—one of the key foundations of our great nation—is under fire and, as Christians, we must be in prayer for the preservation of this God-given right. And “speech” is no longer relegated to what comes out of the mouth (or to words written in the form of a letter—for all you over-40 girls who actually wrote letters with pen and paper). Much of today’s “speech” (too much, in truth) is thrown about like arrows through various social media platforms.

Let me ask this: How careful are we with our words?

Are they salty (Col 4:6)—in other words, do they serve to preserve the Truth and enhance good flavor in life? Salt was very valuable back in Jesus’ day, often used to pay salaries. (That’s where the phrase, “He’s worth his salt” came from.) So, are we vigilant to not be careless with what we say, considering the value of our words? And is our speech seasoned with grace? Do we reflect on the grace extended to us daily (let alone the miracle of saving grace) as we wag our tongue, type a post, text a response?

The Word has a lot to say about what we say—see 1 Peter 3:10, Proverbs 12:18, James 3:10; Proverbs 21:23; Psalm 34:13, and list goes on and on. With that, here is a simple acrostic to help us ensure our words (spoken, written, and digitally created) stay aligned with God’s will: THINK.

 

TRUE—Is it true, honest, and factual?

Helpful—Is it edifying and uplifting, helpful and not hurtful?

Inspiring—Does it serve to make people or situations better, not worse?

Necessary—Does it really matter if that point “gets across”? Will it make a positive impact?

Kind—Will it bring a smile (or reduce a grimace), calm a tumultuous soul, or ease a burden?

 

Jesus taught that our words are actually a reflection of what’s in our heart—ouch (Luke 6:45; Matthew 12:35). So, the best thing to do is fill our heart (and mind) with God’s Word and His Truths. This way, whatever form our speech takes, it will overflow with salt, grace, and glory to God.

“Father God, let my words—spoken or written—be a reflection of You, for the good of others and for Your glory.”

 

For His Glory

Julianne Winkler Smith
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Attitude, Encouragement, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | February 1, 2021

Welcoming Alarm

“But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things and bring to your remembrance all that I have said to you.” John 14:26 (ESV)

“All alarms off.” It’s my fave thing to see flashing across my phone.  Saturday mornings is one of those few days when I get the pleasure of no alarm.  I look forward to it every week.  Sleeping in, delish blueberry pancakes and a slow start to my day.  There’s something totally freeing about not hearing my alarm going off in the morning.

While I cherish “all alarms off” days, I have to admit the music on my phone telling me to get out of bed serves me well.  Without an alarm, I’d still be snoozing and late to work – not a good thing.  And on those days when I cut off the alarm and squeeze in a few more minutes of sleep….well let’s just say it doesn’t look pretty.  I’m running around attempting to get ready and my whole day is off.

Don’t know about you, but I actually need some alarms to keep me on track.  A warning on my phone alerts to me to the fact I’ve been sitting too long.  A glowing red light signals me to stop and not proceed through the intersection.  A loud squeal from my smoke alarm lets me know my battery needs to be replaced.

I think we get the picture – whether we like them or not alarms simply work. And the Holy Spirit living and breathing within us serves as a great alarm for when we veer off the right path.  Amazing how quickly we feel His nudge in our spirit when we are responding in a wrong way.  Interesting how we sense His presence strongly right in the midst of a poor decision.  Compelling how we instinctively hear His voice whispering to our soul in the face of temptation.

If we’re truly honest here, we’ve all probably experienced moments when we dismissed, ignored and rejected the Spirit’s alarm.  Why?  Because we desired our own way regardless of the visible consequences (James 1:14-15 ).  Our sowing and reaping was excused; all warning signals and alarms quieted while we squeezed in a little pleasure.

Sweet friends our loving, patient and ever faithful God knew exactly what He was doing when He sent us the Holy Spirit.  We so need His guidance (John 14:26), wisdom (I Corinthians 2:10-11), power (Acts 1:8) and deep conviction (John 16:8).  Without our internal alarm signaling us to pause and remember God’s truths, we would be forever entangled with the sins of our own choosing. The Holy Spirt is our welcomed alarm every moment of every day.

“Father, help us to heed the discernment and warnings Your Spirit gives us.  Align our desires with Yours and teach us to resist those things which never serve us well.”

 

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Faith, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | January 29, 2021

When Change Seems Impossible

“The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.” Psalm 28:7 (ESV)

Wow it’s the last Friday of January 2021!  Where did this month go?  All those goals and resolutions we set out to accomplish – I wonder how that’s going?  To be totally honest it’s a little slow to say the least.  Right in the middle of this wintry month, I realized all those things I desired to happen wouldn’t unless I made some intentional changes.

Wonder why change is so hard?  Perhaps it’s because we like the ease of familiar.  Maybe it’s a lack of discipline – ouch that one really hurts.  Could it be we’re afraid to let go of some things in order to embrace new?  Perhaps the reality is we simply don’t want to do the hard work required for radically different.

Regardless of our change phobias, the beauty unveiled when we resist staying the same and embark on a journey….shift…transformation…to what serves us best is worth it.  And that change happens ever so slowly moment by moment – day by day.  Putting one foot in front of another even when we can’t see the step in front of us while trusting our Creator to lead us.  Leaning into the power of His Spirit enabling us to defeat unhealthy habits,  repetitive sins, or complacent strides we’ve settled in for too long.

Sweet friends if the change we desire seems so hard and unattainable, could it be we’re relying on self?  The best gift we can give ourselves is the pure joy found in realizing our need for God. Depending on Him each step of the way instead of self.  Confident He will supply us with all we need if we tap into His resources.  And then doing our part to take the necessary action for change to occur.

Regardless of where we are today, tomorrow is a new beginning.  A place to release our tendency to walk the same path we always traveled expecting different.  An opportunity to release excuses rather than nurse limited perspectives.  The perfect time to draw courage, strength and wisdom from God’s word.  Fighting the good fight.  Persevering through.

The best way to welcome new is to simply begin and not give up.  January may be over, change may be lagging but we’ve got a lot of days left to make some intentional changes and end 2021 better than ever.  What are we waiting for?

“Father, change is never easy but with Your help we can leave those things behind which don’t serve us well.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

 

 

 

 

 

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Posted in Encouragement, Hope, Spiritual Growth

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | January 28, 2021

Loving Others – Hating Evil

“You who love the Lord, hate evil!”  Psalm 97:10

Hate. The word itself elicits emotions—particularly in our current raw and divisive world. In fact, the hate in our country is practically palpable. We hate a particular political platform, we hate the words and actions of others, and—dare I say—we hate one another, even those we don’t know anything about other than by their social media posts.

So, as Christians, what are we do think, feel, and do with “hate”? Are we to always hate “hate” and only love, regardless of the situation? Are we to be tolerant of evil, because to do otherwise would be “hateful”? The Word of God has a lot to say about it, guiding us to understand that there is “a time to love and a time to hate” (Ecclesiastes 3:8).

  1. God hates evil.

There are six things that the Lord hates, seven that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers. (Proverbs 6:16-19)

The Lord tests the righteous, but the wicked and the one who loves violence His soul hates. (Psalm 11:5)

 

  1. We are to hate evil.

You who love the Lord, hate evil! (Psalm 97:10)

Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. (Romans 12:9)

 

  1. The world will hate you.

“If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. (John 15:18-19)

Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. (2 Timothy 3:12)

 

  1. The Lord will avenge evil.

Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, “Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord.” (Romans 12:18)

For You are not a God who takes pleasure in wickedness, Nor shall evil dwell with You. The boastful shall not stand in Your sight; You hate all workers of iniquity. You shall destroy those who speak falsehood; The Lord abhors the bloodthirsty and deceitful man. (Psalm 5:4-6)

 

Sisters, we are to hate evil as the Lord does. But we are also to love our enemies and bless those who curse and hate us (Matthew 5:43-45). This precarious balance of love and hate is very hard—especially as the world’s hatred for the Truth (and believers) is deepening. But who ever said being a Christian was easy?

“Lord, it is so hard to look around at the evil in our culture and not be hateful to its perpetrators. Help me stand firm in hating evil but loving evildoers—and know that, ultimately, You will make all things right.”

For His Glory

 

Julianne Winkler Smith
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Attitude, Encouragement, Faith, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | January 27, 2021

Being Fruitful In Suffering

“The name of the second he called Ephraim, “For God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.” (Genesis 41:52, ESV)

The Bible reading plan I’m following this year recently led me to Genesis and the story of Joseph. Joseph had endured years of heartache. The unimaginable had happened. He was betrayed by his own family. Abandoned. Alone. He was falsely accused, imprisoned and left for dead.

Despite what was going on in Joseph’s life, he stayed connected to God. He didn’t let the circumstances change that.  Sometimes when life is hard it seems all we can do is just survive it – by any means. But God wants us to do more than survive – he wants us to thrive. He wants us to bear fruit in all seasons.

Later in life, Joseph had two sons.  The oldest he named Manasseh. Manasseh means, “It is because God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father’s household.” (Gen.  41:51) The youngest was named – Ephraim “For God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.” (Gen. 41:52)

Being a “Manasseh” a survivor and getting over a painful past or personal trauma is a wonderful accomplishment. It brings glory to the person.

But the message of Ephraim, “being fruitful in suffering” is that it brings glory to GOD—WHO ALONE can give the grace-filled capacity to face the unimaginable and be fruitful in the unimaginable. An even greater glory is to never forget and to let the suffering become the platform for the display of God’s glory. Producing fruit through pain and heartache is a miraculous occurrence.

It is clear from studying the life of Joseph that God gave him Manasseh.  God gave him the ability to forget the pain, to move past it.  Otherwise, he would have been a bitter, closed off person.

We never read where Joseph gave up and became bitter. God didn’t keep Joseph from enduring a lot of hard things “But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor”. God honored Joseph and opened a lot of doors for Joseph to bless others.

Joseph went from being sold as a slave to the second most powerful person in Egypt. None of us want to go through hard times and suffer great loss. But one thing I’ve learned in my own life- if I keep my eyes on Jesus and allow Him to use me – even when I’m in a situation I don’t want to be in – – He will bring good from it. He will take my emptiness and fill it to overflowing.

“Father, Life is not going as planned.  I am so grateful that You are not caught off guard.  I choose to cast my cares on You.  I can rejoice in my sufferings because I know You will use it 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 | January 26, 2021

What Kind Of Nametag Do You Wear?

“We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.”  2 Corinthians 5:20

It’s probably been a while since you went anywhere that necessitated a nametag. But think back to those good ol’ days (a year ago) when there were live conferences, work meetings, group service projects, etc.—any gathering where it was useful for you to know the names of people you haven’t met. Nametags allow us to know what company or organization others represent and allow for effective interaction with them.

Nametags also let us address others in a personal way, allowing us to initiate connection. If a cashier, for instance, wears a nametag, try to use their name when you thank them for helping you—it provides a bright “I-see-you” moment in their day’s monotony. Nametags can also have varied degrees of information on them: first name, full name, company name, some type of ID number, or even hometown. And they can be stick-on paper, laminated and on a lanyard, pinned on, or embroidered.

As followers of Jesus, we have a very special nametag: Christian. And our moniker is permanent—praise God, as He has sealed us with the Holy Spirit at the moment of salvation, so no one or nothing can snatch us from His hands (John 10:28-29). The question is, what kind of nametag do we choose to wear in order to represent Jesus, as well as to communicate and connect with others?

Is it peel-and-stick, perfect for Sunday mornings, but easily removable when we start the workday on Monday morning…or hit the bar on Friday night? Or is our nametag a nice engraved plastic or metal tag that pins to our shirt? Sure, it may show more solid commitment, but there’s the ease of unpinning when the situation requires—perhaps in that meeting when the joking is unsavory, but we laugh right along. Perhaps our nametag is sewn right onto our shirt, so whenever we’re out in public, it is clear to others that we belong to Christ. Plus, the embroidered nametag serves as a great impetus to live in a godly way that doesn’t undermine our testimony. But, in the privacy of our own home, when others aren’t looking, that shirt can be removed, and our words and actions (and the TV or computer screen) can reflect the god of this world—Satan—more than our Lord Jesus.

Now, I’m a big fan of tattoos (and I have quite a few myself). So, sisters, what if we think of our “Christian” nametag as a tattoo—permanently inked into our very being, not easily removed when our fleshly desires draw our minds and hearts away from our Namesake. A tattoo calls us to live every moment of our life—public and private—as a representative of Jesus. Because we can’t take it off, it can be a constant reminder for us to love, forgive, and extend grace to others in the same way the Lord has loved, forgiven, and extended grace to us.

Tattoos are certainly a commitment. And they can be uncomfortable, even painful. But as our world becomes more hostile to believers, it’s more vital than ever to remain steadfast to Jesus and His Word. So, let’s pick a color and font—and commit.

“Lord, help me stand firm in my identity as a follower of Jesus Christ, demonstrating Your love and light to others in this dark world.”

 

For His Glory

 

Julianne Winkler Smith
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Hope, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | January 22, 2021

A Simple Thanks

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.”  John 13:34 (ESV)

Easy to forget we all need “a good word.” Like the maid who cleans up our room at a hotel who’s picking up all the stuff that missed the trash can. Like the cashier who’s exhausted from standing on her feet and still smiles. Like the waitress whose children miss her because she’s working two jobs to pay the rent. Like the janitor at our kid’s school who picks up discarded books yet can’t read.

Do we ever really know the story behind the lives of those who serve us? Sadly, we often just think it’s their job to do what they do. Wonder what would happen if instead of ignoring their presence or rarely acknowledging they exist, we genuinely said, “Thank you.”

Sweet lady was cleaning the locker room the other day. While I was working out, she was scrubbing floors, washing toilets, cleaning mirrors – I think you get the picture. From a distance, she simply appeared to blend right in the room. Everyone busy to get their workout down, showered and back to work. Walking right in front of her at times, walking past her as if she didn’t exist. Been guilty of that myself – too absorbed in my world to notice her.

She was just doing her job. Showing up for her 9 to 5 every day. Cleaning up after others’ mess. Wiping everything down – doing exactly what she’d done a million times. Nothing extraordinary about this morning or at least that’s what she thought. But then when she least expected it, someone said, “Thank you – you’re doing a great job – thanks so much!” And in that moment a smile graced her weary face as though she’d never heard those words. Sweetest picture ever to witness the unnoticed relishing in a moment of joy.

Jesus didn’t have that hurried step we call busy and distracted. He wasn’t consumed with self or an agenda jam packed into three years of ministry. Jesus took the time to heal the sick, embrace the broken and wash the feet of those who’d later turn their backs and run. Humility defined Jesus’ every step – the Son of God walking among us, serving the very ones He came to save. Shouldn’t we be doing the same?

“Father, You sent Your Son to this world and He left us echoing the words, “Love one another.” Help us to show Your love to our world.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

 

 

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Posted in Encouragement, Love, Spiritual Living

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