Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | July 22, 2025

Do Tell

“I will exalt You, my God, the King, And I will bless Your name forever and ever. Every day I will bless You, And I will praise Your name forever and ever. Great is the Lord, and highly to be praised; And His greatness is unsearchable. One generation will praise Your works to another, And will declare Your mighty acts. On the glorious splendor of Your majesty And on Your wonderful works, I will meditate. People will speak of the power of Your awesome acts, And I will tell of Your greatness.” Psalm 145:1-6

In my church, we have this thing we do whenever we gather in small groups, whether huddling before Sunday serving, at the start of disciple group gathering, or even when two or three are gathered for almost any reason. A simple request is made of one another: Let’s hear some wins. For context, a “win” is wherever you have seen the Lord work in a big way in your life. This could entail an invitation to church given to a shoe salesperson—and accepted. It could be the experience of unreasonable peace through a very challenging workday. Or it may be a step of obedience taken in following after Jesus.

It appears obvious that in thinking back over the past days or week, we’d all have 400 ways in which the Lord showed Himself awesome to us…so sharing a win seems like a no-brainer, doesn’t it? Yet, I’ve noticed that when the question is asked in these gatherings of the saints, crickets fill the air instead of glorious praises. All too often, I even rack my own brain in search of something to share. Where, I ask myself, did I see God show up?

Beloved, for every follower of Jesus, this should not be something to grasp for! Every breath is an awesome gift of God. The mounting glow of the morning sky at sunrise, the belly laughter of a child, the food satisfying our belly, the sincere eye-to-eye welcoming of another that says, “I see you and love you.” The joy of reading the very Words of God, praying with friends, sharing burdens with a brother or sister to shed light on a darkness of the soul. All these reflect the Lord’s hand in our life, glorifying His greatness. The key, sweet friend, is to be intentional—look for, acknowledge, be awed.

King David was particularly good at sharing wins—recognizing and declaring the awesomeness of God. So, his Psalms are a fantastic place to go when we’re struggling to see the Lord’s mighty hand in our lives. (I realize this seems like an odd thing to say to believers…but, let’s be honest, some days we get up and go, go, go just to fall into bed at night with perhaps some faint prayer of thanks or a last-minute supplication for a family member or friend.) Psalm 145, for example, is a wonderful go-to for inspiring the exaltation of the Lord. As the great John MacArthur (who now glories in the very presence of Jesus) said of this poem of praise: “Here, the king of Israel extols and celebrates the King of Eternity for who His is, what He has done, and what He has promised.” There is a beautiful flow that starts and ends with a commitment to praise God. And in between, the Psalm moves from God’s awesome greatness to His great grace to His unfailing faithfulness to His unblemished righteousness.

So, let’s encourage one another, as long as it is called today, to intentionally look for God’s greatness, grace, faithfulness, and righteousness. In the big things and small details. Because it all is miraculous, and it’s meant to glorify the Lord—they’re all wins. Then, do tell.

“Lord, may I never cease to be in awe of You—Your steadfast faithfulness, the gift of salvation through Jesus, my ability to know you through Your Word. May I daily look for—and tell of—every win.”

 

For His Glory

Julianne Winkler Smith ( encouragedbygrace.org )
TRBC Women’s Life

 

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Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Gratitude, Hope, Worship

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | July 21, 2025

In Pursuit Of The Best Prize Ever

 

“Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me His own.”  Philippians 3:12 (ESV)

Their performance was short but impactful.  Their chance at a Gold medal brief. The hopeful Olympian competitors make all the right moves look effortless and simple.   Perfect rotations on the parallel bars.  Amazing strokes rowing across the water.  Incredible dives in sync not missing a beat.  And that’s just a few of the highlights.  Each one desiring the Gold dangling before their eyes.

Absolutely love the moment when one who has tried so hard realizes the Gold is insight.  Witnessed the tears flowing when Hidilyn Diaz won the Philippines’ first medal ever.  For over 100 years, the teams trained, competed and went home without the Gold.  Not anymore.  Competing in the women’s weightlifting, Hidilyn made history.   Serving in her country’s air force, Hidilyn celebrated with her coaches before the award of her Gold.

Hidilyn commented to the Philippian Daily Inquirer:  “I sacrificed a lot.  I wasn’t able to be with my mother and father for many months and years.  Training was excruciating.  But God had a plan.”

Rising out of childhood poverty, Hildilyn pursued her dreams with devotion, hard work, discipline and dedication. A true athlete who knows the pursuit of the Gold comes with a price.  A true athlete who knows the pure joy of earning the Gold.

While we may never attain a Gold medal or stand on a platform representing our country,  we can be  devoted athletes seeking the highest prize of all time pleasing our God.    We’re all running our race, and just like those competing in the Olympics it will require hard work and sacrifice – a lifelong pursuit of holiness.

The key element is discipline….training which corrects, molds and perfects us. What needs to be corrected (Romans 8:5)? Mindless chatter  – allowing our thoughts to erupt into actions which dishonor God. Resistance to obeying His word.  Impure motives centered on what we deem is best.  What needs to be molded (Isaiah 64:8)? Our flawed, imperfect character which seeks its own glory.  Spiritual immaturity which settles for less.   What needs to be perfected (Ephesians 5:2)? Loveless, surface relationships with God and people. Divided devotion caught up in the cares of this world.

Sweet friends, we need to embrace discipline and welcome God’s correcting, molding and perfecting.  He alone knows exactly the transformation needed in us.  The race we are running is worth the  excruciating pain of surrender and obedience. The exhilarating joy found in the pursuit of pleasing God is absolutely worth it.  Best prize we could ever win is to hear God said, “Well done good and faithful servant  – welcome home!”

 

“Father,  one day I will stand in your presence.   Your face I know I will see.  Give me a holy devotion to following hard after You and empower me to finish my race well.

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

 

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Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Hope, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | July 18, 2025

When Our Spirit Is In Sync With His

“Abram believed the LORD, and He credited it to him as righteousness.” Genesis 15:6 (ESV)

Ever wondered what life will be like as we age? Have to admit aging isn’t something I look forward to. If I’m totally honest, I try to resist it..yes, like I can really do that. Probably the main reason I love exercising; I want to keep this body in motion. It’s a constant challenge to keep moving but if we don’t our muscles begin to waste away and become more prone to injury. We get weaker, more tired, lose strength…..the list is endless. So when I dread a workout day, my mind fast forwards and decides for me to keep moving, because a body in motion – stays in motion.

Wonder what happens if we let our Spirit get out of sync with God’s? If we choose to avoid obedience, we set ourselves up for failure. Actively choosing familiar instead of beyond our comfort zone opportunities robs us of faith stretching growth spurts. Very quickly, we will begin to settle for less than He ever designed us for. Without even thinking twice, we will neglect His voice for the sake of easy, comfortable strides. Our once strong faith will begin to shrink, weaken and leave us vulnerable to the attacks of the enemy. And when our foundation is shaken, we will falter rather than keep pressing on.

While aging is totally out of my hands, spiritual maturing is ours for the taking. God delights in seeing His children grow, stretch, learn and embrace steps of faith. He longs for them to reach beyond their comfort level. Even in the depths of difficult circumstances, God births life lessons guaranteed to position us for growth. Failures reinvent themselves. Discouragement readjusts itself. Trust runs deep and builds muscles of endurance, perseverance and strength. When our Spirit is in sync with His Spirit, growth is a natural byproduct.

So sweet friend let’s stay in constant motion with God drawing deep from His word. Let’s venture out into the unknown He’s called us to and embrace His leading. Let’s not sit still and avoid go. Let’s partner together to cheer each other on even when fear seeks to derail us. Why? Because nothing is more sacred and powerful than God’s girls staying in sync with our Divine Creator.

“Father, we miss out when we choose to avoid growth for the sake of familiar. Help us to build strong muscles of faith as we stay in sync with You.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

 

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Posted in Spiritual Growth

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | July 17, 2025

When Sleep Isn’t Our Friend

“Keep a cool head. Stay alert.” 1 Peter 5:8 (NIV)

Healthy sleep is something everyone needs in order to live a healthy, productive life. Sleep helps the body get invigorated and balanced. Lack of sleep, on the other hand, is something that can jeopardize one’s ability to function properly and be alert.

I recently watched a funny video that was forwarded to me, in which people of all ages were falling asleep in all kinds of awkward positions. Children and adults alike would succumb to sleep in the middle of regular activities, such as while eating, studying, and even standing up. While watching that video made me laugh, it also made me think of the consequences of falling asleep during something more dangerous, such as while driving. Falling asleep at the wheel is one of the biggest causes of automobile accidents. As a matter of fact, The Gallup Organization, a statistics company, surveyed 4,000 drivers in the U.S. in 2002 and 37 percent of those drivers admitted to having dozed off while driving at least one time.

The Bible tells us about a time when Jesus was at the Garden of Gethsemane with His disciples to pray, and they kept on falling asleep. That was a really crucial time for Jesus and He really needed their prayers, but they could not keep their eyes open. (Matthew 26).

Sometimes in life, we go through situations that can exhaust our capacity to function and to stay focused on what is important. During those times, we must persist and stay focused, so we don’t end up weak and unable to keep faith alive. God is by our side, and He will help us; all we need is to call out to Him.

“Dear Lord, You are our strength and our shield. Please help us to stay focused and to believe that all things are possible through You.”

For His Glory

Luska Natali
TRBC Women’s Life

 

 

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Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Hope, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | July 16, 2025

The Waves

“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.” Deuteronomy 31:6 (ESV)

Last week I had one of the highlight weeks of my life-I was at the beach with all of my children, spouses, and the two most perfect grandsons ever:)! It was wonderful to be with everyone and just relax watching the waves roll in. You know, the weeks you try to remember every detail and soak in the moments. It fed my soul and reminded me of what is important in life.

My three year old grandson was all about the sand-building castles and moats, burying anyone who would let him, and bulldozing and dumping wherever he could. It was so fun to watch him. His parents tried to take him in the ocean, but he would run from it each time. He did not even like the water to get too close to his castles, yet he loved playing on the beach!

We arrived on Saturday and on Thursday he, my sweet grandson,  decided he may want to try the water. He was carried into the ocean very slowly and with great care. Every step was discussed and measured before moving forward. He held onto his Daddy’s neck for dear life, and he would peek out at the ocean and then turn and bury his head on his Daddy’s shoulder. After several attempts, he was ready to go in a little deeper. As the waves came his Daddy would lift him up over the waves, smile at him, and remind him that he was safe. He told him he would be okay because he (his Dad) would never leave him out there alone.

As I sat and watched, and took pictures and videos of course, I was overwhelmed with God’s goodness to me. This may seem like an idyllic beach trip we have done forever, but it is a gift. It was less than ten years ago that I was a single mom juggling three jobs and four children. Life seemed to be only one wave after another, and I felt as if I was being pulled under and barely gasping for breath to survive. But God. He was always in the waves with me, and He never left my side. I was never out there alone.

I could not always see it then because the waves were so strong and I was so scared, but I know I was never left alone, not for a second.

Wherever you are in life right now, I want to remind you of two things. One is that God is a good, good Father, and the second is that you can trust Him to never leave you no matter how deep and how strong the waves are coming in.

“Father, please help us to know you are our good Father and hold tight to You no matter what life brings our way.”

 

For His Glory

 

Terrie Tollerson
TRBC Women’s Life

 

 

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Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Hope, Love

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | July 15, 2025

Excel Even More

“Finally then, brothers and sisters, we request and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received instruction from us as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you excel even more. For this is the will of God, your sanctification.” 1 Thessalonians 4:1; 3a

If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, there was a time—whether a lightning-bolt instance or a gradual unveiling—when you proclaimed Jesus as your Lord and Savior. Once surrendered, you were justified. God sees you as holy and perfect because your life is hidden in Christ (Colossians 3:3). And, by definition of being a follower, you began following after Him with a desire to become more and more like Him. I mean, we were dead in our sins! But God, in His great love, kindness, and mercy, made us alive together with Christ (Ephesians 2:1-10)!

It’s in response to this rescue out of darkness into marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9), that we pursue obedience and holiness. Hear me on this: We don’t “do” to earn a right relationship with God. We think, say, and do righteously because we’re already in a right relationship with Him. We do this until we’re face to face with our Lord…this is called “sanctification,” which literally means being set apart from sin to holiness. And it is the will of God (1 Thessalonians 4:1).

And friend, whether you were saved by grace through faith yesterday or five decades ago, this process of setting ourselves apart is hard. Shoot, even the Apostle Paul—GOAT Christian—struggled with this! He didn’t do the things he wanted to and did the very thing he hated (Romans 7:15). But I love Paul’s exhortation to the Thessalonians in this: Wherever we are on this journey, we’re to “excel even more” (1 Thessalonians 4:1; 3a). Beloved, by the Holy Spirit, we’re being transformed into the image of Christ (2 Corinthians 3:18). He started this work in us, and He will complete it (Philippians 1:6)!

Thankfully, there’s no guessing needed! God’s Word is chock full of direction, encouragement, and warnings for us as we walk this walk. Here are just a few (on the positive side), but I urge you to search the Scriptures for yourself in this. (Hint: Because Jesus is written into each book of the Bible, you’ll find instructions wherever you look.)

Finally, pray!! My sweet friend, Jerri, boiled this sanctification journey down to a simple daily plea: “Lord, change me.” So, let’s join together in this! Study the Word and let it transform you. Abide in Christ. And pray fervently that the Holy Spirit living in you will empower you to become more and more like Jesus. (Or, as John the Baptist so eloquently put it: “He must increase, I must decrease” (John 3:30). Wherever you are, take your next step to follow Jesus…and excel even more.

“Lord, I want to be more and more like You. Change me.”

For His Glory

Julianne Winkler Smith
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | July 14, 2025

When Hard Births Beauty

 “He has made everything beautiful in its time. He has also set eternity in the human heart; yet no one can fathom what God has done from beginning to end.” Ecclesiastes 3:11 (NIV)

Hot, hotter and hottest is how we might describe the summer of 2025. And right along with the heat, we’ve reaped the grueling, steamy humidity. Does absolutely nothing for my struggling flower garden. A few days of neglected watering left the soil hard and my blooms, well let’s just say they weren’t happy. Lesson learned, I now water faithfully even if a storm colors the sky. It took some good soaking, but it appears my consistent nurturing is paying off. What was once dead and lifeless is now bursting with vibrant pinks, oranges and purples.

Wonder if the hard places in our lives have the same potential to birth beauty? 2025 has definitely ushered in some of the hardest seasons I’ve ever experienced. Many days, I have felt like that hard soil totally depleted, lifeless and thirsty for relief. Perhaps you have been there too – wondering when the intense heat of life will ease up. Maybe you’ve felt neglected, tired and longing for just someone to ease the pain of your broken heart.

Sweet friend, I’m right there with you. Hard places are excruciating, and they don’t usually leave us quickly. Yet right in the midst of what shakes us to the core, God sees, hears and knows the ache of our souls. He is fully aware of everything that touches our lives; nothing is a surprise to Him. Fully acquainted with our suffering, God comforts and strengthens us as we navigate the unthinkable. He knows exactly what we need at just the moment we need it, and we can count on His promises to sustain us even when life slays us.

Paul David Tripp puts it this way:  “No matter what you are facing and no matter how hard it is, you are never without divine grace to help you and divine love to comfort you (Hebrews 4:16).”

The sheer beauty of God’s presence, grace and love surrounding us in our hard places is priceless. He breaks through even to the most broken soul and refreshes our spirit. And sweet friends, we get the joy of watching Him and joining Him. As we glimpse His restorative work within us, then we can be His hands and feet in the lives of others navigating their hard places. – a full circle moment when God births beauty within us.

Sweet friend if you find yourself in this season of hardness, welcome God’s healing. Cherish the body of Christ, dear brothers and sisters, who pray, care for and encourage our hearts during the hardest seasons. Phone calls, meals, prayers, scripture, presence – they all demonstrate to us we are not alone. And when the veil of grief and despair lifts, we will find ourselves still standing  – a monument not to our strength but to God’s. A ravishing beauty despite the hardest journey.

“Father, we never know what a day will bring, but we can confidently trust that You are always with us. Whatever seems to slay us will unveil Your radiant beauty when we choose to run to You.”

 

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

 

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Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Hope

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | July 11, 2025

When God Moves

“The Sovereign Lord is my strength; He makes my feet like the feet of a deer, He enables me to go on the heights.” Habakkuk 3:19 (NIV)

Abraham embarked on the journey of a lifetime when He left the familiar and moved with God. Ruth experienced a love she could have never imagined when grief moved her toward God. Moses witnessed the magnitude of God’s power when he finally chose to move in sync with God’s footsteps.

Esther demonstrated extreme courage as she moved in the strength of Her God. Job thrived in the midst of utter despair as he moved closer to the heartbeat of God. Captivated by the Holiness of his Lord, Isaiah moved and responded to His calling. Young, intimidated and full of questions, Jeremiah moved beyond excuses and trusted in the Sovereign One.

Mary exchanged her heart’s desire for the rhythms of her Father’s grace moving within her body. John moved towards decrease so that the true Son of God would be magnified. Peter instinctively lifted one foot out of the boat as he moved atop the waves to meet His Lord. Jesus surrendered His will, embraced the cross and defeated death moving us closer to the fullness of God’s presence.

Has God been moving in your life?

It’s the journey of a lifetime – a love unimaginable! Moving in sync with God guarantees a vision of His glory and the magnitude of His power. Courageous strength follows those who move to the beat of His heart’s desire. Captivated by His faithfulness and love, we can respond to His call. Glorifying God by stepping out into the deep, we will find the fullness and joy of His presence. Moving with God lifts us higher than we ever dreamed!

“Father, transplant our feet from the land of familiar to the uncharted path of pure obedience as we move with You.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Faith, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | July 10, 2025

How Great He Is

“For He whom God has sent [Jesus] speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure.” (John 3:34 NKJV)

Aren’t there some conversations you just want to share with someone? Recently in our life group, we were discussing a headline. One of us had read that we generally feel closest to one person of the Trinity: Father, Son or Holy Spirit. Upon reflection, several expressed feeling closest to Jesus. In fact, for one, tears flowed effortlessly as precise details were given of each miracle performed, teaching offered and sacrifice made. God felt a bit elusive for some. Difficult to comprehend. And the Holy Spirit, a mystery and not well understood. Misunderstandings and misuses represented reasons to forego exploration. We were all left wondering if we were missing out on something. Of our own doing, not God’s.

God can be difficult to grasp or define. He transcends anything the human mind can conceive. Out of reverence, in Jewish tradition, one does not pronounce aloud any of the names for God except when reading the Torah or in prayers. And, once having written the Name of God, Jewish law prohibits the erasing or defacing of any name for God. God has been given many names throughout the Old Testament that show indeed, there is no one like Him!

And because of Jesus’ sacrifice, we can access this very same God. Through Jesus, we see the character of God. Jesus is the Good Shepherd who came to earth with the mission to restore our relationship to God. Jesus is the author and perfecter of our faith and as such, is the head of the church. Knowing His time on earth was limited, Jesus assures his disciples that “Unless I go away, the Counselor will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.” (John 16:7b NIV)

Amongst many gifts Jesus has given us, one is the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit is the witness that we are God’s children. The Holy Spirit dwells in us and is our counselor, teacher, guide into all truth and giver of new life.

And so, my encouragement is that each of us who bears the name Christian may reflect on the role of each person of the Trinity. Let us come to more fully know the character and role of each. In so doing, may we claim the richness and inheritance that is ours to powerfully declare His name to a world longing for truth and direction.

“Father, Son and Holy Spirit, I need You. All of You. May Your greatness be revealed through me so that others might see your Glory and turn their hearts to You.”

For His Glory

Kathryn Hayman
TRBC Women’s Life

 

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Posted in Faith, Spiritual Growth, Wisdom, Worship

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | July 9, 2025

Idols Of Our Own Invention

“Who but a fool would make his own god—an idol that cannot help him one bit? Isaiah 44:10 (NLT)

Recently, I heard of a mother who suffered the loss of her daughter due to a drug overdose. Having lost my son in a motorcycle accident several years back, my heart went out to her. I can relate to her grief. I recall the initial shock and disbelief, followed by a whole range of wild emotions that knocked me off my feet temporarily. Then, as a child of God, I went running to Him. I’ll always be grateful for the healing and peace He brought to my heart in the midst of my crisis.

But this mother was not a believer. She didn’t know God personally or understand His ways. In her agony, her reaction was to say that God doesn’t exist, because if He did, He wouldn’t have allowed her beautiful daughter to die so young.

Haven’t you heard other people in crisis deny God’s existence? Their lives were thrown into turmoil, and if God existed, so they say, He wouldn’t have allowed that to happen.

I can’t imagine going through a tragedy like a child’s death without God. I can’t imagine the emotional devastation of such a loss, with no anchor to cling to, no comfort from a loving, all-powerful God. And no hope of ever seeing that child again in heaven.

So, if I could speak to her personally, what would I say?

I would say this: The god in your mind—the god who “owes” us —the god who shouldn’t allow disaster or hardship—the god who should give us everything we want if we’re good—the god who should let us do anything we feel like without consequences—you’re right. He doesn’t exist. He’s only a shadow in your imagination. He’s the equivalent of the idols created by human hands and worshipped as if they were real. He’s dead. Lifeless. Useless.

But there is a God who is alive.

He’s the God who created the universe, who created you and me. In His love, He gave us the Bible to guide us safely through life. He loves us so much that He gave up His son to lift us out of our sin. He’s faithful to be with those who trust Him through trials and temptations. He provides and protects. That God is very much alive and well.

He wants you to get to know Him as He is, not as you wish Him to be. You’ll find out He’s much better than any god you can invent in your mind.

That’s what I would say to that grieving mom. I pray she finds Him.

“Heavenly Father, we want to know You as You are, without being blinded by our own ignorance or wishful thinking. As we search the scriptures and spend time in prayer, please open our eyes and reveal Yourself to us just as You are.”

For His Glory

Cherie Harbridge Williams
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Faith, Wisdom, Worship

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