Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | November 8, 2019

A Clean Sweep

“Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean; wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” Psalm 51:7 (ESV)

Clean out the fridge. Sweets eliminated. Clothes to the Goodwill. Closet clean. Papers shredded. It’s the acts of a clean sweep. Getting rid of stuff that accumulates or attempts to sabotage what serves us best. Putting away the past and pushing forward to the new. Dumping excess in exchange for simpler less complicated.

Wonder if we need anything cleaned out of our lives? What do we need to eliminate emotionally? Is there anything cluttering up our minds? What has crept in while we were busy or distracted? Maybe it’s time we got rid of the stuff that hasn’t served us well. The very things we are holding onto may be the exact things that God wants us to release, eliminate and put away.

Facing the reality of what needs to be changed takes honesty and courage. If we want revival in our hearts and the lives of those around us, then we must humbly admit what needs changing and confessing. It so easy to slide through a year with the anticipation of new, better and great – but if we remain the same we will only reap the same.

Personal revival only comes after deep cleansing. Love the tender mercies of God and welcome His grace in our places that need His washing. Cherish the tears that lead to repentance and the sorrows that drive sin away. Love the arms spread wide drawing us close to His heart filled with compassion. Cling to the joy restored when whiter than snow covers us. Sing His praises in the breaking of another dawn knowing new, better and great awaits those who obey God’s commands.

“Sweet Jesus, You have covered all our sins so that we can experience the freedom of walking in your truth and grace – we praise Your holy name!”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Attitude, Encouragement, Spiritual Living, Wisdom

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | November 7, 2019

Waiting

“For since the world began, no ear has heard and no eye has seen a God like you, who works for those who wait for him!” Isaiah 64:4 (NLT)

I did not date in college; I went on interviews. I was one of very few females working towards a degree in Religion at Liberty University. Fellow Religion students asked me out, but a romantic evening was not on the agenda. These future pastors were looking for a coworker in the faith, a wife who could minister alongside them. From the moment we ordered our entrees, the interview questions flowed.

“How has God gifted you? Can you sing?” (Every good pastor’s wife can sing, right? Not in my case.)

“Where do you fit on the Armenian to Calvinist side? What is your theology on the 2nd coming of Christ?”

“How many kids do you want? What is your theory on disciplining children properly?”

“Would you be willing to direct children’s ministry if we started a church?” (I haven’t even decided to go out with you again!)

Every date ended with me either failing the interview or deciding I wasn’t interested in this particular job after all. Graduation was looming ever closer. All of my friends were designing their perfect weddings. I felt like the only one who hadn’t snagged a MRS degree along with my BS in Religion.

Then I came across our key verse in a devotional I was studying. I surrendered my future to God, setting aside my dream of a husband and family. I researched job opportunities. I waited on God to show me what to do. That’s when God brought Scott to the office I worked in. I could have fun with this one. I didn’t feel any pressure to measure up to a job application process. We loved spending time together and wanted to extend the date until death do us part.

What is it you desperately want God to do? What have you been asking God to provide, heal, or change? There is no other like our God. He works on our behalf when we choose to wait for Him. Running ahead and making our own plans is so tempting. Do we want our plan or God’s plan? I choose to wait for Him.

“Lord, I choose to wait on You. You alone are God and are worthy of our trust.”

For His Glory

Tammy Randlett (http://staletoast.com)
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Attitude, Encouragement, Faith, Hope

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | November 6, 2019

When Desperation Calls

“Out of the midst of the most severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity.” 2 Corinthians 8:2 (NIV)

Desperation always takes us to a deeper place. For some it turns their hearts away from the only One who can transform their emptiness. Cheap imitations are ready and poised to fill us with temporary hope that washes away in the rain. Led down unknown paths, we easily find ourselves deeper down rather than rising up. Bound and chained by our own failed solutions, desperation’s cry for deliverance fades in the distance.
Those who seek God allow desperation to draw their hearts closer to His – the One who overflows emptiness with joy. Leaping over puddles of discontent and raw emotion, desperation finds its home nestled under the shadow of God’s wings. Protected. Covered. Nourished. A mind fixed not distracted or wandering. Hopeful and trusting despite the inevitable circumstances.

So how does severe trial and extreme poverty well up into rich generosity – a reaching out when the inner soul is vulnerable, exposed and broken?

Under the umbrella of God’s love, desperation births generosity – the moving of one’s focus from self and lack to glimpsing the world through His eyes. That’s exactly where we find the Macedonian church. Faced with severe trials, persecution and poverty, their spirits soared up and out. The secret ingredient – an unwavering trust in the One who conquered death with resurrecting hope. Remove the essence of hope and you lose the fragrance of joy. The sweet aroma of one being lifted up in the midst of desperation, clinging to God’s promises and nestled in His arms produces a generous offering that amazes our King. A brokenness He will not deny.

Desperation offers a choice – to pull away or draw closer. The temptation will be strong and convincing to deny the goodness of our God. The questions will loom larger than life. But if we choose to stay immersed in His word then we can’t help but see His loving kindness, patience, power, strength, justice, wisdom – everything and more than enough for all we need. The God of our Bible is the God who hovers close and delights in surprising us with His greater glory.

“Father, take us to a deeper place – a closer walk. Lift our spirits as we dance around your throne praising Your name – Your grace is enough.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Hope, Spiritual Growth

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | November 5, 2019

Like A Babe

“And He said, “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3 (NIV).

My daughter-in-love, Jesie, recently posted a video on Instagram of baby Kylar, 10 months old, and his papa Darren, where Darren would do a pretend cough and Kylar would imitate him. It was cute to watch the munchkin doing what his grandfather was doing.

Children often copy the actions of their elders. In some instances, it is something innocent, like a cough, but sometimes it may be some kind of behavior that may become harmful to the child or those around them.. There is potential in each child to be good and it is the responsibility of the adults to stimulate that potential in young minds.

I am blessed to be the vovó (Portuguese word for grandma) of eight beautiful, intelligent, fun and smart boys. I am very proud of my sons and daughters-in-love for raising their children with love, respect, and for instilling a good sense of self-esteem in them which encourages them to know they are in a place where they are loved and cared about.

Unfortunately, however, not every child in the world is given the opportunity to be children and to live in innocence. The reality of today’s society is such that often abuses small children and takes from them their innocence and sense of self-esteem. These children grow up in poverty, lacking the basic things they need for survival, such as food, clothing, and a home where they feel protected from external danger.

More children in the world deserve to be in the arms of someone who loves them and whose actions they can innocently emulate. More children deserve to be treated with kindness, love, respect, generosity and care so they can grow up to become loving parents to other children. The world is a mission field and out there, there are little ones who could use a little TLC, and you may just be the person to provide that for them.

“Thank You, Lord, for loving us and for loving others through us. Help us to be good role models for those who come after us.”

For His Glory

Luska Natali
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Faith, Spiritual Living, Success, Wisdom

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | November 1, 2019

A Better Deal

“Only be careful and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live.” Deuteronomy 4:9a (NIV)

Wrong size, wrong color, doesn’t work or just plain don’t like it – so we head to the store and wait in line. Like we didn’t wait in line long enough to buy it in the first place. I don’t know about you but I hate to exchange or return anything, but my co-worker is a return Queen. The back seat of her car is proof a return is on the way back to the store and it doesn’t bother her one bit.

Wouldn’t it be great if we could rewind the clock and make a few personal returns?

We could gather up all our don’t likes or things that just didn’t work the way we envisioned and exchange them for a better deal. If so, that line would probably be very long. Unfortunately, that’s not how life works. Once words slip off our tongue or reactions hit us square in the face, the recall button is nonexistent.

Difficult choices made without consulting God first can land us deep in unknown consequences. Maybe that’s why God warns us to keep a guard over our lives. Maybe that’s why we should carefully watch how we make decisions. Maybe that’s why scripture reminds us to remember what we have read in His Word and how we have seen Him work. Consistency is God’s trademark, and He has given us all the guidelines we need to be successful – we just need to hide them deep in our hearts so that they impact all our choices.

“Father, You have shown us how to live and the consequences of moving outside your protection – help us to stay within the boundaries of Your perfect will.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

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

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | October 31, 2019

Blessed Obedience

“Bring all the tithes into the storehouse so there will be enough food in my Temple. If you do, says the Lord Almighty, “I will open the windows of heaven for you. I will pour out a blessing so great you won’t have enough room to take it in! Try it! Let me prove it to you!” Malachi 3:10 (NLT)

God is a gracious God and if you are not a tither it is never too late to begin. Phew! Thank goodness God does not look at our arrearages, He meets us right where we are in our first steps of obedience. So let’s not miss the blessings specifically attached to tithing. At the same time, He is a God of justice, order and principle. God has a special blessing in store for the tither.

Ten percent of increase no matter the amount is equal at the feet of Jesus. If you make $10 a week than your tithe is $1. If your neighbor makes $1000 a week than their tithe is $100. The tithe may be more or less than your neighbor, but the obedience of giving the tithe is the same. I learned many years ago that God owns the cattle on a thousand hills, and He doesn’t need our money; He wants our obedience.

God says, “I WILL open the windows of heaven for YOU”. “I will” is a promise. He continues and says, “I WILL (another promise) pour out a great blessing.” “A” blessing…meaning it’s only going to take “one blessing” to overtake you. The King James version of the Bible has 31,102 verses and this is the only verse that God specifically says to test Him (exclamation point)! Meaning God feels strongly about His statement. Then He says, “let me prove it to you (exclamation point)!” Another feel strongly statement.

God tells us to test Him! and try Him! because He wants to prove! His promise to us. Be a tither and put God to the test.

“Father, we can never out give your love and blessings – teach us to be cheerful, obedient givers.”

For His Glory

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

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Posted in Faith, Gratitude, Spiritual Growth

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | October 30, 2019

When Avoidance Doesn’t Serve Us Well

“Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.” Ephesians 4:25 (ESV)

There are just some conversations we avoid. Like tough face to face interactions over areas of our lives we’d rather excuse away. Conflicts we don’t want to revisit. Sensitive issues which carry a heavy weight in our heart. The avoidables we dismiss at all cost. Subjects which stir within us a defensive spirit before a single word is spoken. Or ones we don’t want to start because we might offend.

Wouldn’t it be great if we authentically approached the unwanted discussion with a renewed sense of confidence, openness, clarity and kindness? Too often we stuff until the stuffing can’t go any deeper. The end result is an erupting volcano of delayed conversations spewing over anything in its path. What we avoided now staring us in the face. Or what about those talks we regret never having with ones we love headed down a destructive path? So many “if onlys” flooded our mind when the consequences swirled around them.

Scripture gives us an inside view of challenging conversations Jesus wasn’t afraid to begin. He confronted issues head on – no dancing around the subject. Creative word pictures (parables) flowed effortlessly from His lips. Whether He was entertaining the criticism of the Pharisees and Sadducees or casting moneychangers out of the temple, Jesus never backed down or compromised. He spoke pivot questions to the woman at the well. No condemnation or shame – just truth which needed to be spoken. He met questions with questions, “Who do you say that I am?” He searched out motives. Every conversation was an opportunity to draw others to the Father and away from the lies of the enemy.

Perhaps there’s some conversations we need to prayerfully consider having. Maybe we need to quiet our voice and listen for God to speak to us about the things we avoid or the fear that silences our voice when He’d rather we speak truth and grace.

Looking for a place to dive in deep this week – carve out some time to read the gospels and watch, learn and imitate Jesus’ conversations. Learn from the One who showed no favoritism, who loved big and who always carried out the Father’s will in the Father’s timing. Just might open up the door to the greatest conversation we’ve ever had.

“Father, You have blessed us with the privilege of voice – audible words spoken with the potential to reflect Your character. Erase our excuses and open our eyes to the best way to handle challenging conversations.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Encouragement, Spiritual Growth, Wisdom

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | October 29, 2019

My Source Is Faithful

“The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing.” Psalm 23:1 (NIV).

Tonight, I opened my Bible and proceeded to peruse its pages. I was not looking for a specific passage to read, but was rather trying to locate a piece of paper where I had written prayer requests for this year. This is a tradition I’ve had since the year 1982 when I gave my heart to Christ. On the last day of each year, just before the clock strikes midnight, I get on my knees to pray and thank God for a good year and also to place my prayer requests for the new year before Him. Then I keep the list in my Bible as I pray for each item throughout the year.

The prayer request list for 2019 was rather long but as I read through it, I couldn’t stop smiling as I saw that multiple items on my list had been met and I could mentally check them off.

God is faithful to do immeasurably more than we ask, think, pray and wish for. He is willing to bless us as we seek Him. I find that having a list written up each year helps me to remember how faithful God has been to me over the years. When I need to be reminded of His provision over my life, I can pull out my lists from years past and know for sure that I have not been alone during my journey.

Not all the items on my list have been fulfilled and perhaps not all of them will be. It will be up to God to decide. Nonetheless, I rest assured that if I remain in Him and Him in me, I will not lack for anything, because He will see that I am well taken care of and provided for with the abundance that comes from His throne.

The same is true for you, friend. Times may get tough and you may wonder how you will make it through another day. But if you trust your life and your care to the Lord, He will take care of you.

“Dear Lord: Thank You for being my source daily. My lips sing praise to You, my Lord, for You are good, always.”

For His Glory

Luska Natali
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Attitude, Encouragement, Hope, Prayer

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | October 28, 2019

Best Monday Ever

“My soul longs, yes, faints for the courts of the LORD; my heart and flesh sing for joy to the living God.” Psalm 84:2 (ESV)

Nothing more fun than a special date with your spouse or dinner with a dear friend. Quality time carved into an already packed week. No children to feed. No homework to do. No tv screen blaring in the backdrop. No social media interruptions. Just one on one time – adult talk at its finest. Catching up on all the things we didn’t have time to share. Simply enjoying the conversation.

Ever had a date night with God? You know just pulling ourselves away from everything else on our agenda. Blocking out our calendar and allowing no excuses to happen. Preferring His presence over everything else.

During my single years, God sweetly invited me to leave margin in my every Monday for just Him. No tv. No dinner. No phone calls or texts. No activities stealing away our time. The perfect start to my week – a fasting away from anything other than the One who sought my undivided attention.

Now I must admit those first few Mondays seemed awkward and long. The tempting excuses usually occurred – an invite for dinner or an event I really didn’t want to miss. Perfectly scheduled on Mondays. Yes, it was challenging to release my desires to be present in all things so I could receive the gift of His presence above all else. Reluctantly, I would decline and sulk through the evening. Fasting my Mondays didn’t seem to be working for me. Too hard and too much too give up.

Ever been there when God called you away from something so He could give you more of Him? His intentional pursuing may be challenging, hard and uncomfortable at first. But I learned after many Mondays to press through and lean into God’s wisdom and clarity. Listening became an art I’d never attained and seeking became a gift I would forever cherish. He had my undivided attention and together we simply enjoyed the pleasure of conversation.

Wouldn’t dare trade those years of Mondays fasting. Pivot season in my life where I needed God more than I even dared to think. Blessed in silent reflection and sweet fellowship. Through laughter and tears, I drank deep of His guidance, holiness and grace – best Mondays of my life.

“Father, You invite us to draw close – to leave everything and come sit at Your feet. Broken, tired, defiant, sin covered, distracted – we are all welcomed in Your presence.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Encouragement, Spiritual Living, Wisdom

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | October 25, 2019

Reflectors of Him

“For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of light is found in all that is good and right and true.” Ephesians 5:8-9 (ESV)

Even from a distance, the glare of the sun was bouncing off the car across the street and hitting my computer screen. At first, I wasn’t sure where the glare was coming from. It was so bright; I couldn’t see anything else on the screen. My eyes attempted to refocus but all I could see was reflections of the light.

Don’t know about you, but I love bright sunshine. Only exception is when those rays are hitting me in the eye and my sunglasses are no where to be found. Squinting does not serve my face well. Interesting how a ray of light could reach so far.

Wonder if the light of Jesus in us far extends our reach? As imitators of Christ (Ephesians 5:1), we should be reflectors of His deep love to all we meet. Our obedience to His word should illuminate the path for others to follow. An abiding closeness to our God should penetrate deep within us and enlighten others to His truth. Yes, our light should bounce all over everyone we meet giving them a reason to flee darkness and bask in the light of His word.

Flip side, if we are not allowing His light to transform us from the inside out then our brightness will quickly fade and dull will not serve us well. Reactions and responses will be “me” driven and not “God” driven. We will get caught up in the creeping edge of darkness which slowly sweeps in, sidelines and distracts. What was once radiant, glowing from walking with God will become barely visible.

The choice is really up to us. We can read God’s word and know His word but if we are not putting it into practice we are missing out. There’s absolutely nothing more beautiful than the pure radiance of God’s light beaming through us so no one sees us but Him.

“Father, the reflection of Your character, integrity and holiness in us outshines anything we could say or do. There is no limit to how far Your light will reach.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

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

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