Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | March 24, 2020

Best Read Ever

“For the word of the Lord is right and true; He is faithful in all He does.” Psalm 33:4 (NIV)

Need help with a recipe – just ask goggle? Looking for fresh ways to decorate your home simply check out Pinterest. Searching for the best deal on those cute shoes why waste time at the store when you have Amazon at your fingertips. And when it comes to special gifts Etsy’s got exactly what you need. Everything a girl could want just a click or scroll, and she’s got more choices than she ever imagined.

Boredom is definitely not a given when browsing the internet. We can find more articles than we will ever have time to read. Podcasts and YouTube offer us a wide selection of speakers, singers, you name it they’ve got it. And I love all the resources, encouragement and tips for making my life easier. But can we really trust everything we read?

Have to admit a resounding no when it comes to info, facts and tweets seeking to grab our attention. But when it comes to the word of God, we don’t have to wonder or doubt. Every single word is packed full of truth. Every story unraveling on the pages of scripture. Every promise. Every warning. Every prayer answered and every faith step taken. Every failure and every sin covered by the blood of Jesus. Every drama unfolding right before our eyes. Every miracle drawing our hearts closer and closer to His. Totally captivated by His compassionate acts and loving kindness.

God’s word is the best read ever. He is forever faithful, and we can anchor our souls on His truths. Don’t know about you but I desperately need that in this crazy, shifting world. Can’t imagine life without His words sustaining me or His psalms lifting me. Yet if I’m really honest…my love for His word is often in direct competition with everything else going on around me. I can easily get sidetracked and waste a lot of quiet solitude rather than stealing away to spend time with God. Maybe it’s because I know He will always be there. Just being real – maybe it’s the temptation to glamorize the words I long to hear versus the truth I need so desperately.

Praying we all cling to God’s amazing truths, cherish them, hold on to them and embrace the transformation He longs to birth. Never forgetting how much sweet they are to our souls.

“Father, we need your truth to saturate our minds and strengthen our souls. Your word is all we truly need.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Encouragement, Hope, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | March 23, 2020

Confident Hope

“I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in Him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.” Romans 15:13

Do we trust Him? In the midst of the panic and chaos around COVID-19, do we trust Him? When we look ahead and see only uncertainty—do we really trust Him?

It’s a fearful time in our world. This newly created virus has been unleashed, creating havoc and producing anxiety. We’re worried about the health and safety of our loved ones, and we dread the personal results of the national economic fallout. This is a scenario most of us have not experienced—and many of us could not have imagined.

But God.

Sisters, we must hold fast to the confident hope we have in our heavenly Father. As we wake up each day to a new normal, let’s lean into the Truths of His precious Word.

  • God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging. Psalm 46:1-3
  • The name of the Lord is a strong tower; the righteous run into it and are safe. Proverbs 18:10
  •  Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength. Nehemiah 8:10
  •  So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with My righteous right hand. Isaiah 41:10
  •  The Lord is my strength and my song; He has given me victory. This is my God, and I will praise Him, my father’s God, and I will exalt him! Exodus 15:2
  •  The Lord is a refuge for the oppressed, a stronghold in times of trouble. Psalm 9:9-10

These verses are not trite words to toss around. They’re not just the fodder to a pithy social media post. These are God’s promises to us. His Word is a light unto our path, it gives us wisdom, it endures forever. And when we hide His Word in our hearts, our minds will be renewed by His Truth.

There may be a lot of unknowns today. But, as a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, we can rest in confident hope—in the certainty—of His power, sovereignty, and love.

“Lord, thank You that You are in control when everything seems out of control. Thank You that, in a world of uncertainty, I can have hope.”

For His Glory

Julianne Winkler Smith
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Attitude, Encouragement, Faith, Hope

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | March 20, 2020

Avoiding Falls

“Whoever loves his brother abides in the light, and in him there is no cause for stumbling.” I John 2:10 (ESV)

Who would have thought a simple puddle of water could create such havoc? My husband has been on crutches the last few weeks and even the smallest splash of water resulted in an almost mishap. Yes, we definitely don’t want to see him fall or hit the floor. So, nurse Janet has been on her knees a lot lately – seems every time I fill up his water bottle, change his ice pack, etc., some residue of water ends up on the floor. Desperately trying to prevent any falls.

Wonder if I take the same precautions to cultivate an environment to prevent spiritual falls? So easy to justify what I want to do and how it’s so okay and not a stumbling block for me, but what about my brothers and sisters in Christ? We can rationalize our life away, excuse choices and claim its not hurting anyone but us. The truth is, as believers, we are the body of Christ – we are one. Whatever we do or fail to do affects the entire body of Christ.

If I take that thought outside the realm of my spiritual family, my choices can also create a huge barrier to those who don’t know Christ. Joining in on things I know don’t serve me well creates a double standard – one I tell others and the one I live. Compromises which don’t seem to phase us can be the last straw for someone else’s struggle with sin (Romans 14:13).

Our world desperately longs for authentic, true living. If we’re aligning ourselves with God, then we need to make sure we represent Him well. We’re His team, His ambassadors – the ones He entrusted with the gospel. Allowing our mishaps to spill over and cause others to tumble never pleases our Father. While we can’t control what others do, we can make sure we are anchored in His truth so our life choices won’t cause others to stumble. And when temptation arises, pause and reconsider is the pleasure of a moment worth the potential downfall of many. Simple answer – no. We were created to be light drawing others to the Father not entertaining darkness.

“Father, the ones who abide, linger and stay close to You keep their feet from stumbling and dragging others with them. Help us to stay far from the edge and resist compromise.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Hope, Spiritual Growth

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | March 19, 2020

Staying In Awe of The Wounding

“But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities. The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed.” -Isaiah 53:10

Do you get this? Really? If you’re a new Christian, the astounding fact of Jesus’ sacrifice may be fresh in your mind and heart. But, maybe, if you’re older in the faith, you’ve let this Truth settle in under layers of (worthwhile) Bible study, years of Christian serving, and a certain “comfort” in your salvation.

Sisters, this was me several years ago. My walk of 16 years had been filled with the fires of refinement, and the Lord was constantly teaching me through trial after trial. But it wasn’t until my son was brutally attacked that Isaiah’s prophetic words became palpable.

One day in math class, my son was talking and laughing with his friend about some shared experience in another class. A girl seated across the room, who felt like she was being mocked, somehow perceived my son’s laughter to be directed at her—which it was not. She stood up, walked to his desk, picked up his half-full CamelBak water bottle…and proceeded to strike him in the head several times. As his blood streamed down his face onto his crisp ROTC uniform, she ran out.

When I got to the school minutes later, my only concern was for my son’s condition. My emotions were all over the place—shock, fear, anger. But once we got him home from the hospital (after multiple staples placed in his head), my husband and I met with the school’s police officer and learned the girl had just transferred to this high school from another city, where she’d been relentlessly bullied. She was deeply hurting. The next day, we met with her mom (and the officer) and shared that we (and our son) forgave her daughter and were not pressing assault charges. We talked about the Lord and prayed with her and the officer for her daughter’s emotional healing and salvation.

Days later, while I was walking the dog and talking with the Lord about the incident, He brought Isaiah 53 to my mind. And I literally fell to my knees on the street with the revelation: My son was wounded for someone else’s transgression, beaten so another person could know salvation and be free. But my son, unlike God’s Son, was not maimed beyond recognition…and He was not hung on a tree to die. As I sat there in the street, tears streamed down my face in thanksgiving for the infinitesimal taste I’d been given of the Father’s sacrifice—how God had to silently watch His Son suffer and die for someone else. For me.

“Father God, may I never get comfortable with what Jesus did on the cross. That I constantly stay in awe of His sacrifice—and Yours—for my healing.”

For His Glory

Julianne Winkler Smith
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Encouragement, Hope, Worship

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | March 17, 2020

Finding God’s Will

“Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18.

If you’re like me, part of your daily prayers may include something like, “Lord, show me Your will for this situation.” It may be about a choice we’re facing—a potential job change, what school to attend, or how to handle a relationship. Or, it could be a life-altering situation involving a move, a marriage, or a mission.

Most of the time, we’re not fighting against God’s will or direction, we just want Him to show us exactly what to do and where to do. We crave clarity, certainty. My mind typically goes to Moses…where is my burning bush?

Ladies, did you know that the Bible tells us very clearly what God’s will is for our lives? His Word may not name names or geographic locations, but it does provide specific guidance to be in the will of God.

1 Thessalonians 4:3 tells us that it’s God will for us to be sanctified (holy). We are also to do good (1 Peter 2:15). And God’s will, according to 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18, is for His people is to rejoice always, pray continually, and give thanks in all circumstances. In other words, we are to pursue a life worthy of the salvation we’ve freely received—to live with the righteousness Jesus has bestowed on us through His sacrifice. And while we keep our eyes on this high calling, we must rejoice, pray and have a grateful heart.

This is what pleases God. This is what He wants from our lives. See, we do have a burning bush! The Bible has given us our life map. When we look at our decisions through the lens of God’s Word and our holiness, our desires will align, and choices can become clearer.

Which house should you buy? Do you go back to work? Should you change jobs? Don’t be paralyzed, sisters! If it allows you to be holy and good and on the path of righteousness, then it’s a God-will choice. Then, once you make the choice, keep praying, rejoicing and thanking. Whatever we do, His will is for us to “seek first His kingdom and His righteousness” (Matthew 6:33). The rest is just details.

“Lord, help me keep my eyes on You, seeking You and pursuing holiness for my life…and let me rest in the knowledge of Your sovereignty in everything else.”

For His Glory

Julianne Winkler Smith
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Hope, Spiritual Growth

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | March 16, 2020

Where Grace Lives

“Jesus answered him, “If anyone loves me, he will keep my word, and my Father will love him, and we will come to him and make our home with him.” John 14:23 (ESV)

Home…where love grows, grace is extended and God is praised! Beautiful slogan don’t you think? Sounds incredibly inviting – who wouldn’t want to experience a home filled with love? Sounds too good to be true – who wouldn’t want to feel the warmth of grace in their failed places? Sounds beyond belief – who wouldn’t want to stay where worship is lived out in the ordinary moments?

Home… it’s supposed to be our safe haven – a place of acceptance without reservation. Home… it was designed to be the place where we love one another so that others will see Jesus in us. Home… it’s supposed to be the place where forgiveness reigns. Home….it’s supposed to be the place where God is known, worshipped and exalted.

So how’s our home? What’s life look like behind those doors? Would our husband, children, extended family or roommates find love, grace and praise under our roofs?

Harvesting love requires planting give and take – compromise without attitude. Especially when love must be tough but seasoned with grace. Receiving grace requires forgiveness – seeing others clothed in His righteousness. Especially when grace means letting go of our expectations in exchange for God’s.

The reality is if we all gave what we really wanted then home would be that safe haven – the place where love grows, grace is extended and God is praised! A place we’d all feel accepted, loved and valued. A place where peace, rest and comfort are found. A place where failures can be transformed into deep wells of growth. The place like no other place – home.

“Father, help me to be a planter of love, an extender of grace and a voice that never ceases to praise You.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Encouragement, Hope, Love, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | March 11, 2020

Love Isn’t Selfish

“Love isn’t selfish.” 1 Corinthians 13:5 (ESV)

I was recently talking with someone who is coming up on a special date regarding their son’s death. Their eyes filled with tears as they talked about their son and how much they miss him. I appreciated their honesty and vulnerability with me. And I understood where they were coming from. But then, just as they started to share their heart – they stopped. The next words they uttered were – “I shouldn’t say that, it’s selfish to miss him and want him back, because he’s in a better place.”

While there’s truth in the fact our saved loved ones who are deceased are in a better place, it’s not selfish for us to miss them. Shutting down our emotions will not help us process our grief. People often throw around the phrase “I love you to death”. But if their loved ended at death, then grief would be easy. What makes grief so difficult to process is the simple fact that your heart still loves the person who has been taken from you. You miss the relationship, the conversations, the hugs, their voice, their little quirky ways. Your heart doesn’t stop loving them just because they’ve been removed from your life. You’re left with all these emotions for the person, but they’re not here to share them with.

Grief is a lifelong process of learning how to handle the emotions regarding the person you are missing.

If you’ve spent any time reading the Bible, then you know God loves people and He values relationships. He values them so much that relationships will be the only thing that will continue in Heaven. The fact that there will be accountability for our life lived on this earth stands as proof we will be ourselves in eternity.

Scripture tells us that “Jesus wept” when he heard of the news of the death of his friend Lazarus. The tears that Jesus shed were an outward sign of the love He felt for his friend and the family grieving.

Grief is the cost of loving someone. 1 Corinthians 13:5 states “love isn’t selfish”. It’s not selfish to miss the ones you love. Until we take our last breath on this earth, we will miss our loved ones. We will grieve them.
Our sovereign God is in control of everything. We can find comfort knowing that the same sovereign God is the same One who has experienced the pain we face daily.

By holding onto our hope of our future reunion with them, we can find healthy ways to grieve the rest of our days.

“Father, we thank you that you are not aloof from our loss, our pain, and our sense of anger. You value relationships and we ask that you hear our hearts’ cry as we grieve the loved ones no longer with us.”

For His Glory

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

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Posted in Encouragement, Hope, Love, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | March 10, 2020

Hunting Wolves

“Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.” Matthew 7:15

Throughout the Bible—in both the Old and New Testaments—we are warned about false teachers and deceptive teaching. For example, Ezekiel and Jeremiah cautioned the Israelites of “prophets” going around proclaiming that their words were from God. But these charlatans were merely speaking messages and visions of their own imaginations (Ezekiel 13:9 and Jeremiah 23:16). To the early Church, Peter, John, and Paul all warned believers to be aware that false doctrines were spreading among them. And even from our very origin in the Garden, the slithering Enemy twisted God’s word to entice Adam and Eve away from life-giving Truth.

Today, dear sisters, it is no different.

All you have to do is turn on the TV or listen to radio and podcast programming, and you’ll find “Christian” teachers, often with Bible in hand, making pronouncements that suit our first-world desires. Out-of-context Scripture verses are peppered throughout the message, splashed up on jumbotron screens for emphasis. Passionate words and songs create frenzied emotions that bring listeners to a place where the message makes sense to itchy ears and inherently wicked hearts (Jeremiah 17:9). Surely, those stadium-size crowds of hand-raising, fervent listeners—with their own Bibles in hand—can’t all be wrong, can they?

During Jesus’ own ministry, He told His disciples to watch out for false teachers, emphasizing how, despite the way they seem, they are ravenous wolves in sheep’s clothing (Matthew 7:15). And, right now, they still are among us in many of the most popular ministries around our country. So, how do we know the true teachers from the false? How can we pull off the wool to reveal the fangs?

The good news is that we don’t have to familiarize ourselves with every onscreen teacher or popular cult. Just like those professionals who specialize in identifying counterfeit money, to recognize the fake, we must simply know the real. We must, as Peter wrote in 2 Peter 3:17-18: be on guard and grow in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Read, study, and meditate on God’s Word. Understand who Jesus is—the second Person of the Triune God who came to earth as 100% God and 100% man—and what He did on the cross for our salvation.

Don’t accept the counterfeit—no matter how good it may feel. Know the Truth. Stand firm. And let’s keep the wool from being pulled over our eyes.

“Lord, You are the Way, the Truth, and the Life. Help me know Your Word to be discerning of false teaching.”

For His Glory

Julianne Winkler Smith
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Faith, Spiritual Living, Wisdom

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | March 9, 2020

When Yield Invites Abundance

“Wait for the LORD; be strong, and let your heart take courage; wait for the LORD!” Psalm 27:14 (ESV)

Driver’s education class was my fave in school, and I couldn’t wait to finish the course, take my test and sit behind the wheel all alone. Driving in the city was a little more challenging. I completely got what red stop signs or lights meant. I totally didn’t get what those yellow yield signs and caution lights meant. Unfortunately, I usually ignored them – not a good thing.

Yield is definitely not our usual go to thing, which is exactly the reason these yellow signs and lights were created. Dangerous intersections were common place. Arguments arose over who was at fault when accidents happened. So a police officer came up with the right solution – yield signs could cause drivers to slow down and prevent tragic accidents. One year after the first yield sign was put into place and the results were amazing. Not only did it lessen accidents but it blocked dangerous areas.

Who would have though yellow could do so much? If you’re like me, you probably enjoy go much better. If I’m really honest, I’d say I don’t like red at all. I’d much rather keeping moving forward despite the protection that can be unveiled in slow down, danger is ahead and somethings about to change.

Rather than avoid yellow let’s learn to embrace yield. Let’s not run ahead when God is saying “proceed with caution.” Let’s slow down and examine what’s going on around us before we plunge forward. Let’s not get hung up on surrender and relinquish when yield can be more fruitful.

Deep lessons are learned in the wait and caution. Incredible truths we would have missed had we kept pressing on. God desires for us to avoid dangerous intersections that cross our journey in life. He wants us to avoid the devastation of tragic consequences. Takes courage, discipline and awareness to unpack the obvious right before our eyes. Requires unshakeable trust to allow God to move us instead of self.

Yellow never looked so good to this God loving girl who has struggled through but found He is faithful and true. Gotta love His divine protection even when we tune out the danger. Grateful for His wisdom and discernment. Cherishing His grace for moments when my persistence overrides what God knows is best. Learning not to ignore the prompting in my Spirt that births His goodness.

“Sweet Jesus, we are truly independent beings – bent on going our own way – sheep wandering off. Praising You for being my good Shepherd who protects me from self.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Attitude, Encouragement, Hope, Spiritual Growth

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | March 6, 2020

Weaknesses Reinvented

“Seek the LORD and His strength; seek His presence continually!” Psalm 105:4 (ESV)

Out of the corner of my eye, I glimpsed the swerve. Yes, a car slid right in front of my SUV barely missing my front bumper. Caught totally off guard, I slammed on the brakes. Not even sure where that car came from, and the driver was oblivious to the near hit. Didn’t even seem to send their heart racing like mine. Note to self: You never know what’s coming at you – stay focused.

Great advice for driving even better advice for life. How many times have we been blindsided by a weakness we hadn’t seen resurface in a long time? Without announcement or notice, we find ourselves face to face with our inadequacies and insecurities swerving right at us. All our confidence halting in the anticipation of what’s been conquered and defeated slaying us once again.

Love the reminders from God’s word compelling us to guard our way (Proverbs 16:17), guard our heart (Proverbs 4:23) and embrace His strength in our weaknesses (2 Corinthians 12:9). The face staring us in the mirror is ours with all its imperfections, yet it is beauty redefined by our Creator God. Despite our landing on familiar places again and again, God promises to transform our weaknesses laid down at His feet.

Best defensive move ever is found in our daily relationship with God. When we commit ourselves to feasting on His word and connecting with Him in prayer, we build a strong foundation. One that won’t be easily shaken or moved. One that will withstand the storms of life and the temptations surprising us. One guaranteed success formula to silence inadequacies and anchor our souls securely to His.

We can’t predict the moment or occasion when our “less than” seeks to raise its ugly head and detour us from the path God designed. Self will always attempt to take center stage, but if we keep our eyes focused on Him then we will be victorious over our weaknesses.

Sweet friends what’s the one weakness seeking to derail God’s best in your life? Pull yourself away from the noise and distractions. Settle down at His feet and trust your loving, gracious Father to show you a better way. He already knows what’s swerving in your direction, and He is completely capable to alleviate your fears and fill you with a godly confidence. Despite your past defeats, God will lift you back up and turn those weaknesses into His glorious strength.

“Father, we desperate need Your strength to transform us from the inside out. Help us to lean into You and resist the pull of our weaknesses.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

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

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