Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | September 9, 2019

When Shallow Defines Us

 

“Seek the LORD and his strength; seek his presence continually!” I Chronicles 16:11 (ESV)

We scroll through our Facebook feed and see lots of familiar faces – friends we call them. We share Tweets and comment on Instagrams of those we follow. Lots of people composing our tribe, but how well do they really know us? How well do we really know them? Good question – one we probably don’t even consider since we’re perfectly fine with our shallow status.

Lacking in depth of knowledge, thought or feeling that’s how Webster defines shallow. A surface knowing of those who check in and out of our feeds catching a glimpse of the highlights of our perfect and sometimes very personal moments.

Sad reality – our okayness with shallow isn’t just regulated to posts or tweets. Could it be our shallowness with others leaks over into our relationship with God? So easy to regulate God to certain areas of our lives. When busy consumes us so simple to grab grace and push God aside until another day. Skimming over His words rather than diving deep seems to be acceptable. Choosing to spend our time on other pursuits instead of passionately pursuing our Creator appears optional. Relying on the rehearsed description of God’s character as defined by others seems like enough.

Real problem here – God is a personal God. He knows each of His children intimately. Every hair on our head, God has numbered (Psalm 139). Not a single detail about us goes unnoticed. He has witnessed every single day of our life and longs for us to pursue Him the way He pursues us. Shallow isn’t part of God’s DNA; He has the inside scoop on everything related to us. If One could know all, doesn’t it make since that all should seek to know One.

Bottom line shallow just doesn’t cut it in our relationship with God. Scripture warns us of the danger of false teachers masquerading as truth (2 Peter 2). Our greatest protection is anchored in a deep knowledge of God’s word. Casual feelings and careless emotions tend to leave us unstable, but an abiding love for God stabilizes our actions. As we develop an ongoing understanding of who God is and the way He relates to His people, we gain clarity in living the life which glories Him. Fruit in abundance will be the direct result of those who don’t settle for shallow.

“Sweet Jesus, ignite within us a deep, burning passion to know You, love You and obey You – best relationship ever.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Faith, Spiritual Growth, Wisdom

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | September 5, 2019

When I Don’t Want To Be Me

“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives and release from darkness for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.” Isaiah 61:1-3 (NIV)

“I wish I could be just about anyone other than me.” When a friend told me this, it broke my heart.

Her despair was understandable. She had been emotionally abused or neglected her entire life–by her father, mother, stepfather, boyfriends, friends, siblings. She was broken and tired.

She had been plodding along the road to healing and wholeness but the pathway was full of pits, wrong turns, and steep inclines. The more she understood and dealt with her past hurts, the more she felt defeated. Maybe there was no light at the end of the tunnel. She certainly couldn’t see it.

I have been there–where the struggle to remember past hurts, forgive those who’ve hurt me or ask forgiveness from those I’ve hurt, and then surrender to God so that He can heal the hurts is overwhelming. Isaiah 61:1-3 has come to my rescue during times of despair.

We are not used up rags after life beats us up. Our brokenness becomes a way for us to glorify God … if we’ll let it.

Being broken is something I wouldn’t wish on my worst enemy, but if it means I get to be a display of God’s splendor, bring it on! So if you’re not sure you even like who you are … if you wish you could be anyone but you, stand up tall in all your brokenness and be a display of God’s splendor.

“Lord, I come to You in my brokenness asking You to free me from the past, to heal me in my mourning and despair. Plant me as a display for Your splendor.”

For His Glory

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

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Posted in Attitude, Encouragement, Hope

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | September 4, 2019

Charting My Own Course

“They make their hearts like a rock so as not to obey the law or the words that the Lord of Hosts had sent by His Spirit through the earlier prophets. Therefore, great anger came from the Lord of Hosts.” Zechariah 7:10 (HCSB)

Nothing uglier than a defiant spirit. One bent on doing life its own way. Determined to chart its course the way known only to them. Postured for “my way” is the best way. Unwilling to be changed, deterred or re-routed. No ones’ opinion or view has merit.

Wish those words described others, but I can remember clearly when they were mine. You see, as a young teen, I thought I had all the answers. And my parents, well they were holding back, restraining me from best. Too old fashioned, overbearing and set in their ways to know what was cool.

Interesting how quickly a soft heart can grow cold and hard. Set in stone – carved out to prove it’s right. Decision after decision, compromise after compromise building a mighty fortress barricading truth from edging in. Ignoring the obvious staring us straight in the face.

One huge issue with defiant – it comes with an overwhelming set of consequences. Resisting God’s truth will always land us on the short end of the stick. We will reap whatever we sow, even if we thought our crop was ours to plant. As a young teen, I learned some pivotal lessons. Some of those reckonings were doable, yet uncomfortable. Some of the repercussions were difficult, costly and excruciatingly painful to bear. And some unfortunately left scars deep within that hard, calloused heart.

Best solution – resist the proud road! Yes, pride convinces us we have all the answers. Pride opens wide the door to block God’s best and it masquerades as, “I know exactly what to do.” Said those lines too many times. Digested those words and spit them out too in the stark reality of “ I didn’t know what to do.” Cultivate a soft heart, a tender heart bent towards God’s commands. Resist the tendency to exclude godly wisdom and discernment. Admit our lack of and rely totally on God. Heed His warnings and desperately cling to His ways. Now that’s truly the best way to do life.

“Father, You loving and patient guide us – help us to resist the urge to demand our own way.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Attitude, Spiritual Living, Wisdom

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | September 3, 2019

If I Only Had The Nerve

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” II Timothy 1:7 (KJV)

Many of us are familiar with the Cowardly Lion from the Wizard of Oz. He had issues with being courageous. He let fear stop him from being victorious. Many of us also find ourselves being intimidated by fear, which we see in scripture, is not given by God.

What leap of faith does God want us to take today? Is it starting a ministry, leading a Bible study group, perhaps giving the gospel to a friend, family member, or co-worker? Fears and worries increase when we become focused on the things of this world. We are reminded in Psalm 27:1 that, “The LORD is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?”
What big idea are we holding on to? We need to pray about it and seek God. Psalm 34:4 says, “I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.”

Let’s take that leap of faith into the territory that has been tugging on our hearts for some time. God will equip us to do the work He’s called us do, without fear, and with that dunamis gk – dynamite, explosive power that only He gives. “For God is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him.” (Phil.2:13 NLT). The best part about it, if it’s God will, it’s going to be great. But we’ll never find out, until we lose the fear and doubt and get the nerve. Even the cowardly lion stated when he received his courage that, he was afraid of “nothing and nobody.” Remember, WE have the VICTORY!

“Father, help us to remember that You are our light and our salvation and because of that we have nothing to fear. Please help us focus on the promises of Your word so that we can live in victory and bring glory and honor to Your name.

For His Glory

Cynthia J. McCoy (strengthandhonorministries.org)
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Faith, Spiritual Growth, Success

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | September 2, 2019

When The Unexpected Hits

“Dear friends, don’t be surprised when the fiery ordeal comes among you to test you as if something unusual were happening to you. Instead, rejoice as you share in the sufferings of the Messiah so that you may also rejoice with great joy at the revelation of His glory.” I Peter 4:12 (ESV)

Sitting at my desk, I heard a noise and turned to look out my window. Rain was pouring down. The sun was shining bright but it was like buckets from heaven dumping. No thunder. No lightning. The usual signs of a storm were nowhere to be found. But the downpour was real and the fact my windows were completely down in my car was a reality which sent me running out into the rain. Umbrella in hand, I attempted to get my windows closed as the winds blew against me. While my hands were fumbling with the window button, my Fitbit watch vibrates and a huge smiling sun face appears on the screen – “You’re doing a great job.” “Keep up the great work.” Just what I wanted to hear right? Evidently, my heart was racing and I’d achieve all my steps for the day; health watch was happy.

The sun can be shining and all can appear to be at its finest and then life downpours. Without warning, we can find ourselves face to face with a torrential storm. The unexpected, unannounced drenches us from head to toe. Deadlines popping up right before vacation. Financial strain creating havoc in our marriage. The dreaded diagnosis we thought we’d never hear. A heart breaking from the prospect of a prodigal far from God. Whatever the storm, we can draw strength from God’s presence. He is right there alongside us encouraging us each step of the way.

We may not feel like we’re doing a great job. We may feel beaten, shaken and unstable, but our God is rock solid and ready to come to our rescue – cheering us on with each step we take in courageous faith. Yes, storms challenge us to the core, but they deepen our relationship with God in a way we would have never imagined. And despite the puddles surrounding us, God’s smiling face brings joy to our weary soul. The One who holds the world in the palm of His hands is fully accessible to those who call upon His name.

“Father, how I love the way You encourage us especially when we feel like we are sinking in the deep well of the unexpected. You are our ever present help.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Hope

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | August 30, 2019

Embracing Different

“The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” I Samuel 16:7b (NIV)

Woman in car merges into my lane and waves – thank you; man squeezes his car into my lane and never looks back. Two totally different responses. Teaching a computer class at work – the younger team members catch on quick; the seasoned workers stumble through in disgust. Two totally different reactions. Gathered around my life group – one lady marked the pages in her studybook with highlighters, underlines and side notes; another didn’t even answer the questions. Two totally different approaches.

Wonder what makes the difference? Regardless of the reason when we expect others to respond, react and approach life the way we do, we are setting ourselves up for disappointment. In fact, when we demand that others respond and react in our mold of thinking, we can actually stifle their God given personalities. God created each of us uniquely – there are no two DNA’s that are the exact same. No two individuals always respond, react and approach situations the exact same. And when we embrace our differences and release our expectations, we find surprising results.

The man who squeezed in my lane of traffic and never looked back – well a deed done in kindness doesn’t need acknowledgement to glorify the Father. The group of co-workers struggling to embrace new technology – well they gained tips from their younger team members and bridged the generation gap. The lifegrouper who seems disenchanted and noncommittal – well she opened up during discussion time and shared incredible insights on a life redeemed.

Things are not always as they seem, maybe that’s why God looks at the heart. Wouldn’t we be wise to do the same?

“Father, help us to remove our critical eye and embrace others even if they are totally different.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Attitude, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | August 29, 2019

Strong Enough To Believe

“Then Jesus shouted, “Lazarus, come out!” John 11:43 (NIV)

Jesus had been on the other side of the river, going about His Father’s work, even though He knew one of His very favorite people, a man named Lazarus, had fallen deathly ill. His sisters had sent word to Him that Lazarus was very ill, but Jesus continued on with His plan, before heading back to Bethany to see His friend.

If you are anything like me, and Lazarus’ sisters, Mary and Martha, when faced with a life-and-death situation, you would expect your loved ones to gather around the afflicted one for comfort. So, when Jesus kept on His journey before heading to Bethany, I imagine people were beginning to wonder whether Jesus really loved Lazarus, to say the least.

But the story does not end here. You see, according to Jewish belief, there is a timeline for one’s spirit to leave the body after one has been declared dead. According to that belief, Jesus had three days to get His awesome self to Bethany to try and do something, in the event Lazarus did expire. And expire is exactly what Lazarus did. And a day went by; and a second day went by… and a third day also went by. Then, on the fourth day, Jesus reached Bethany from Judea.

When Jesus got to Bethany, He found mourners there crying with Mary and Martha. Though He told those there that Lazarus would rise again, they did not understand Him, because, after all, by now Lazarus’ spirit had indeed left the area. Jesus, however, walked over to the grave, prayed to the Father, and shouted to Lazarus, “Lazarus, come out!”

Friend, Lazarus, the man who had been in the grave for four days, got up and lived again. My question for you today is, “is your faith strong enough to believe and shout that your victory has come in the name of Jesus Christ, the same One who resurrected a dead Lazarus?” If you do, you will see your long-lost dreams being realized through Him; therefore, just like Jesus, pray to the Father and believe that your victory has come.

“Father, awaken our belief, Lord, so we, too, can see the dead rise again. ”

For His Glory

Luska Natali
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Faith, Hope, Wisdom

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | August 28, 2019

Releasing Regrets

“When Simon Peter heard that it was the Lord, he tied his outer garment around him (for he was stripped) and plunged into the sea.” John 21:7b (HCSB)

Who would have ever thought a fisherman would be a world changer? Definitely not those who cast their nets with him day after day after day. Who would have thought one whose irrational behavior would be the very rock Christ would build His church upon? Probably not those who watched him betray the very One who would restore His soul. Who would have dreamed this beaten up disciple would be the motivating voice and encourager to early Christians suffering persecution? When Peter was at his absolute worst, God saw the potential hidden deep within him.

Regardless of our past, God’s vision is not limited to our list of wrongs, failures and utter flops. While He is fully aware of our choices, thoughts, actions and motives (Psalm 139), God doesn’t simply erase us off the list. Instead He specializes in using all of our moments to chisel away, sharpen and refine our character. Now that’s quite a lot of love, patience, longsuffering and grace to cover all of us.

Despite the overflowing compassion of our God, we often get trapped, enslaved and lost in our past. Perhaps that’s how Peter felt. Flashbacks of his words of denial probably plagued him– I know they would me. Regret over fleeing instead of staying by his Savior would mostly likely consume him – I know they would me. Resuming his former vocation of fishing, Peter probably thought his chances of glorifying God were extinguished – I would too.

And isn’t it just like our Jesus to show up when we feel like all is lost. Daybreak comes and Peter’s night of fishing has failed miserably. A boat load of disciples and an empty net. A voice from shore compelled them to cast their nets on the right side of the boat and wow, did they ever catch a load of fish. John recognized his Lord’s voice and Peter abandons all, jumps in the water and runs to shore. It was the sweetest reunion ever. One who thought his past had consumed him experienced the reassuring presence of Jesus (John 21).

Sweet friends, my soul echos hope as I read those words. An overwhelming past doesn’t have to consume us or chain us to yesterday. Our Restorer eagerly waits for us to release regrets and run to Him. We have absolutely nothing to lose except the chance of a lifetime to finish our race redeemed and glorifying God.

“Father, You are the ultimate chain breaker – setting free those who thought their past defined their future. Praising You for restoring our lives and birthing hope deep in our souls.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Encouragement, Hope, Mercy, Spiritual Growth

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | August 27, 2019

Sharing The Good News

“This is the beginning of the Good News about Jesus Christ, the Son of God as the prophet Isaiah wrote.” Mark 1:1 (NCV)

John the Baptist was sent before Jesus to share the Good News that was prophesied in the Old Testament. We are here to share the Good News of what has happened and of what is yet to come when Jesus takes His bride to Heaven.

Those living in Old Testament times probably had a hard time wrapping their minds around Jesus coming to live on earth. They didn’t have a full grasp of the miracles that would be performed or how brutally He would suffer for us.

Likewise, we have a hard time wrapping our minds around Jesus coming on a White Horse from Heaven. Capturing His bride, He will take us as Christians to live forever with Him in Heaven. We don’t have a full grasp of the mansions and just exactly what streets of gold will look like. What will it be like to sit at His feet, sing praises and worship Him forever? What awe this brings to my mind – such beauty and magnificence.

As we truly focus on the things to come it brings such an urgency to share with others. How can we let our family, friends, neighbors, co-workers miss out? Why aren’t we shouting off the rooftops of our houses the joy that is to come? We should be sharing the Good News with all we come in contact with that our Savior is Christ the Lord. Let’s live our lives differently; let’s shout the joy we have.

“Father, thank You for sending Your Son for me. Give me the courage to live my life boldly shouting from the rooftops about You.”

For His Glory

Debbie Struble
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Faith, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | August 26, 2019

Choosing Well

“Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead.” Philippians 3:13 (ESV)

Find myself reciting these words a lot lately, “I used to…” Seems like I used to do a lot of stuff, I no longer entertain. I used to play tennis until rotator surgery sidelined me. I used to jog through my neighborhood but now I settle for the treadmill. I used to eat chips, lots of chocolate and any sweet thing in sight but now I avoid them like the plague in pursuit of healthier me. I used to ……please feel free to fill in your blank with your “I used to.” I’m sure you’ve got a few too.

Now there’s definitely some things worth giving up. Like leaving unhealthy behind and aiming for better choices. Like resisting the urge to blend in with the crowd when your crowd isn’t blending the right way. Like choosing to avoid a debate guaranteed to lead to division and opinions totally degrading one another. All great reasons to say, “I used to…but now I’ve learned a better way.” No regrets tied to things we leave behind that never served us well.

Totally convinced there’s some things on my “I used to” list that needed to stay. I used to memorize scripture but now I rationalize my choice due to my distracted mind. I used to be more compassionate, but my hectic schedule convinces me I don’t have time. I used to keep long lists of prayers I’m offering but now I rely on memory which leaves me wondering if God hears me. I used to ……Wow our list could go on and on until we eventually land on too many I used to’s.

Don’t know about you but I don’t want to land on regret because of what I no longer choose to do. I want to feed a deep passion for God’s word. I want to respond to conviction rather than dismiss His warnings. I want to leave conviction in God’s hands and resist the urge to point fingers. I want to love others more than self. I want to be changed not entertained. I want to cherish His presence. I want to live worship from deep in my heart and not just in front of the crowd. I want to accept His grace when my “used to’s” get off balanced. I want to choose well because His way is so much better than my own.

“Father, I used to keep a long record of sin but I’m learning daily to desire clean so all my choices will align with Your will. Teach us to how to avoid regret by keeping the right “used to” active in our life.

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Encouragement, Hope, Spiritual Living

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