Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | June 6, 2017

Perspectives

“O Lord, You took up my case; You redeemed my life.”  Lamentations 3:58 (NIV)

I was out behind my apartment complex a few days ago, when I spotted a dandelion, which immediately reminded me of my grandsons.   Those little boys love to blow on dandelions to see all the little fuzzy parts break away into a crazy flight. I grabbed my phone to take a photo of the dandelion and noticed that from the angle where I stood, my building and its twin did not seem so big. If I knelt down to take the photo, the dandelion would look just as big as those two buildings.

This is what perspective does to us! I have mentioned on previous writings that I am a person who loves analogies. So, think with me here. If I looked at that dandelion sitting there in the wild, a little weed all by itself, surrounded by a whole bunch of grass.  I would see a small plant of no significant consequence, unlike an oak tree, or a willow tree or something that exhibited a large trunk and implied sturdiness, or anything else that the dandelion does not. Instead, in my adventurous and creative perception, I chose to find ways to make the dandelion seem bigger than it really was, and I did.

Friends, have you ever faced a problem in your life that was blown way out of proportion when it could have remained something small? Say, for example, an argument you had with someone else, which could have ended with a kind word and instead was ended in an inflammatory manner because neither one of you wanted to yield? There are many examples I could list here to show you how, at times, we make something so large out of something that could remain near to insignificant. We end up making a storm out of a drop of water (Brazilian saying).

God can handle problems of any size, but He also expects His children to be wise. If you could sympathize with my example above, perhaps this is time to change your perspective and keep your dandelion small, as it should be.

“Dear Lord, so many times we fear our problem is too big to be handled and we don’t realize that we are viewing it by the wrong perspective. Open our eyes, Jesus.”

For His Glory

Luska Suzano
TRBC Women’s Life

 

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Posted in Attitude, Encouragement, Hope, Spiritual Growth

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | June 5, 2017

Jesus Life Coach Extraordinaire

“Teach me to do Your will for You are my God; may Your good Spirit lead me on level ground.” Psalm 143:10 (NIV)

Looking for the next best career move?  What about the second fastest growing industry in the world?  Promising to get us out of the rut, unstuck and propelled forward to reach our potential, life coaching is quickly becoming the buzz word of the century.  Trained professionals help clients put their plans into motion, tackle challenges and develop strategies to maximize their results.

Sounds like the perfect way to awaken our deepest passions and achieve the best life ever!  While life coaching may be a new and flourishing profession, it’s a concept created by God Himself.  Empowerment, wisdom, direction and guidance all compose facets of God’s divine connection to the heart of His creation.  From the moment we breathed our first breath, God has been our personal coach inviting us to join His team.  And for those who accept Christ as Savior, we get the privilege of His daily inspiration and leading as we run the race of a lifetime.

No matter what our challenge – professional, personal, spiritual, financial, relational – our life coach has all the answers.  He specializes in moving us out of the rut and positioning us for the best life ever!  Guaranteed to deliver on His promises, God – our life coach – extends this invitation to each of us.

Stuck in a rut – reach for His outstretched nail pierced hands.  Looking for clear direction – fall down at His feet.  Frustrated by unfulfilled dreams – climb up in His lap.  Unsettled about tomorrow – trust His Spirit to lead you.  Guaranteed to not disappoint.

“Father, You are my God, my teacher and my life coach – how sweet it is to follow Your voice.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

 

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Posted in Encouragement, Hope, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | June 2, 2017

Frazzled

“But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won your fight with these false prophets, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world.” I John 4:4 (NLT)

Feel like everything you try to do keeps getting shut down?   You wake up realizing you set your alarm for PM instead of AM.   Heading to work, your car battery dies.  Finally at work and the phone rings.  It’s the nurse at school, your child is sick. Off to the doctor we go only to find out that it’s allergies, but he thinks your child should see a specialist.  We stop at McDonald’s for a treat, but they are out of chocolate chip cookies and sweet tea.  All this before noon – it’s a good day.

Don’t give up faith, or let that smile turn upside down –  remember God has this.  It might seem like your world is crazy, but really it’s a hiccup in what the plan was supposed to look like.  In God’s eye’s it’s a great redirection of your eyes.

Satan tries to divert our attention by raining on our parade, and believe me it can be a torrential storm but he has no hold.  I know friends who are fighting battles I can’t comprehend; I can only lift them up in prayer.  God is always going to come out on top; He’s already conquered this world.  The bigger the challenge – the greater the growth potential.  Painful?  Yes, but the reward is more that we can imagine. Which will you choose in your rain storm – to dance or to retreat?

“Father, You are the great conqueror.  I have nothing to fear or to feel as though my parade has been rained out.  Thank You for Your subtle reminders.”

For His Glory,

Debbie Struble
TRBC Women’s Life

 

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Posted in Encouragement, Hope, Spiritual Growth

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | June 1, 2017

Celebrating Transformation

“Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 2:5 (NKJV)

Morning is my favorite time of day.  Fresh-brewed coffee, the quiet sunrise…the time of day when I read my Bible and pray.  Hoping to enter my day equipped to handle whatever comes my way.  But, still there are so many days when I stumble.  So little evidence of transformation.  Some days it can be downright discouraging.

After reading the Bible and praying, I often go to my favorite devos or blogs for further encouragement.  Some of my favorites are My Utmost for His Highest and desiringgod.org (in addition to TRBC Women’s Life, of course!).  Saturday morning is a great time for reading a little extra…so today I was perusing articles to choose another to read.  I came across an article about how to live a happier life…for years this has been my goal…to be happier. Not just for myself, but for those who have to live with me!  But this morning, another article captured my attention…how to live a holier life.  Without giving it much thought, I eagerly dove in to that article…and as I was reading it, the Lord revealed that this was the transformation He was cultivating through my daily prayers and Bible reading.  In my inner life, I am beginning to choose holiness over happiness.  And, realizing this made me…happy! Still patiently waiting for this transformation to exhibit itself more in my outer life, but choosing to celebrate what I see the Lord doing in my heart.

Sweet friends, if you are like me and struggle to see the ways God is transforming you, I pray that He will show you.  When you catch a glimpse of how your heart and mind are being transformed, celebrate…be glad and rejoice before God; be happy and joyful. (Psalm 68:3)

“Lord, thank you that you are always at work redeeming and transforming those who love You. As we seek more of You, help us to see and celebrate the ways that You are transforming us.”

For His Glory,

Ann Skalaski
Women’s Life Devotional

 

 

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Posted in Attitude, Faith, Spiritual Growth

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | May 31, 2017

Our Guide & Protector

“You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head.” Psalm 139:5 (NLT)

Driving to a hotel in the middle of nowhere … in a torrential downpour … in the dark, I was stressed. I could barely see the lines on the road in order to stay in my own lane. I could picture the tragic wreck of our vehicle if I couldn’t pull myself together. My two children were passengers; I had my motivation to arrive safely at our destination, even with frayed nerves.

Our key verse reminds us that even in the most stressful, dangerous moments, God goes before us and follows behind us. A picture of the Israelites of the Old Testament being led through the desert fills my mind. When Moses led the children of Israel out of Egypt, He didn’t just leave them to their own devices. “The Lord went ahead of them. He guided them during the day with a pillar of cloud, and He provided light at night with a pillar of fire. This allowed them to travel by day or by night.” Exodus 13:21 (NLT)

Not only did God provide daily guidance, but when the Egyptian army began to pursue the Israelites, God protected His children with a rear guard. “Then the angel of God, who had been leading the people of Israel, moved to the rear of the camp. The pillar of cloud also moved from the front and stood behind them.” Exodus 14:19 (NLT) God goes before us, guiding us. He follows after us, protecting us. And if that isn’t enough, our key verse settles any lingering anxiety: He lays His hand of blessing upon us. When the Bible speaks of the hand of blessing, it means that God is taking personal action on our behalf in whatever situation or circumstances are in need of His attention–whatever needs can only be met by God.

 

When my children were little, terrible nightmares would awaken them from time to time. As many parents do, we consoled their fears with a hug. We spoke soothing words, including a prayer, and wiped away any remaining tears. As adults, we may be living in the center of a very real nightmare of uncertainty, pain, and grief. God places His hand of blessing on our heads … taking action on our behalf. He is truly all we need.
“Thank You, Lord, for guiding us and protecting us, as well as placing Your hand upon us. We surrender our lives to You day by day, moment by moment.”

 

For His Glory

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

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Posted in Encouragement, Spiritual Living, Wisdom

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | May 30, 2017

Anytime, Anywhere

When Jesus saw her, He called her forward and said to her, “Woman, you are set free from your infirmity.”  Luke 13:3 (NIV)

 

I love stories that show how God is not bound by rules and regulations, or the so-called “red tape” as we know it. When God decides to act, He acts, and that is it. Period. No questioning. So, allow me to share this one true story with you. The Lord Jesus was teaching in a synagogue on a Sabbath, surrounded by Pharisees. If you know anything about Pharisees, you also know how defiant they were; their title and position among the Jewish leaders imposed a certain ‘aura’ of unrelenting pride. Those gents would demand the rest of the people to strictly observe and follow written, traditional Jewish laws, thus giving themselves the right to judge whoever would not do just that. Well, the Son of God was not just anyone, and He certainly did not refrain from blessing people when the Spirit led Him to a person in need, whomever that person may be and regardless of where He may be, including a synagogue!

 

Per the story, on that Sabbath day, as Jesus taught the people, a woman who had been crippled for 18 years showed up in the crowd, and as she did, the Lord Jesus noticed her. She did not have to say anything – anything, at all! He called to her and out He cast her infirmity. The watchdogs, I mean, the Pharisees immediately pointed their finger and their disgust to the Lord, telling the crowd that if they needed healing or anything else, they should return to seek it on another day that was not the Sabbath.

 

Can you believe such a thing? Instead of praising God for the evidence of His power in their midst, they rebuked the people for seeking their healing, and rebuked Jesus for giving it.

Friends, let us never turn into such people. Let us seek to be more like Jesus and to never forfeit an opportunity to bless those in need, worrying that others may judge us. An opportunity missed may be an opportunity forever gone. Don’t miss it.

 

“Lord, we want to be your hands and feet to this world of need, seeking out opportunities to bless others. Help us, Lord, to stay faithful.”

 

For His Glory

Luska Suzano
Women’s Life Devotional

 

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Posted in Faith, Freedom, Hope

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | May 26, 2017

Follow Me To Jesus

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.”    Matthew 28:19 (NIV)

Taking down a 250 year old tree wasn’t an easy task, but what became more challenging was the hive of bees embedded within the tree.  As my husband and his brothers tackled the task, the rest of us watched at a distance.  And might I add a safe distance.  Using smoke and a trained beekeeper, we discovered that when the Queen Bee came out, the rest swarmed right behind her.  Like soldiers marching with their leader, the bees were committed to following the Queen even if it meant leaving their hive behind – that’s true loyalty.

Wonder if we have anyone following us?  Now I’m definitely not advocating striving for Queen or idol status.  Rather as devoted followers of Christ are we living in a way that others would be impassioned to follow Him?  Would they want to follow us as we are following hard after Christ with all our heart, mind, and soul?

I don’t know about you, but there are many times when I doubt my ability to even lead myself, and the very thought of someone else walking in my footsteps is scary.  You know what, the disciples felt the same way.  Even after seeing, talking, touching and worshipping the Risen Christ, some of those eleven still doubted.    How sweet of Christ to meet them (and us) with their doubts and yet proclaim, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  Therefore go and make disciples of all nations.”    Sweet friends , we’ve been commissioned to go out into our world and make disciples – now let’s give them a reason to follow us as we follow Christ.

“Father, every day we are presented with opportunities to influence our world – help our loyalty and devotion to You to draw others to follow in our footsteps.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

 

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Posted in Faith, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | May 25, 2017

How Job Learned To See

“My ears had heard of you but now my eyes have seen you.”  Job 42:5 (NIV)

Well-known for his staunch belief in God, Job suffered indescribable hardships.  One of his most commendable traits was that he never denied his belief in God; even when he experienced great pain, loss and despair.  God did not run to Job’s side to comfort him, alleviate his pain or answer his many nagging questions.  Our mighty God, who proclaims to be “near to the brokenhearted,” (Ps 34:18) chose instead “not to draw near” to His suffering servant so he might come to “see and know” God rather than just believe He exists.

Rather than responding to our urgent S.O.S. signals and prayers of desperation, God often chooses to veil His glory and remain silent so that we can gain something greater than our healing…an insight into the power and grandeur of our mighty Savior.  Consequently, God may often withhold what we desire most because there is more at stake than an answer to prayer.  However, God’s silence is never an indicator of neglect.  Despite our dark nights and painful seasons, we can trust that the same God who laid the foundations of the earth is near and does care, even when we feel as though He has left us alone.  And although we do not always understand His ways, it may just be that He is postponing his work on the external aspects of our lives so that a far greater work can be accomplished internally.

“Father, please help us to trust in You, even when we cannot see You, make sense of our hardships or even feel Your presence.  As Job learned, help us to trust that you are all-powerful, purposeful and worthy of our trust.”

 
For His Glory

Claudia Dempsey
TRBC Women’s Life

 

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Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Prayer

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | May 24, 2017

Eternal Benefits

“Slaves, obey your earthly masters in everything; and do it not only when their eye is on you and to win their favor, but with sincerity of heart and reverence for the Lord.”  Colossians 3:22 (NIV)

Why is control always an elusive dream?  We entertain, for a brief moment, the concept that obedience strips us of control.  We think that submitting is outdated and unconventional.  We maintain that only “we” know what is best – yet from 8:00 to 5:00 we serve for the sake of a paycheck.  Or is that really why we are doing what we are doing every day?  Did God really place us in the world just to pay the rent, feed our families, etc.,  or was there a broader scheme –  a greater vision  that we could make a difference.

Office politics have often cast us as skeptics just doing what it takes to keep our job and no more.  But God never intended our lives to be about the fringe benefits the world offers. Instead, He offers us eternal benefits that are a direct result of doing what we do because it honors Him.  When we release control and obey, even a difficult boss, we are responding out of respect to the One who placed that authority in our lives.  Now don’t get me wrong, I’m not advocating that we compromise our character or do anything illegal.  What I am suggesting is rather than just meeting the quota for the day – might we find a way to be an agent of change.  Might we consider praying for our bosses, supervisors and co-workers.  Might we allow God to mold and shape our character right in the midst of 8:00 to 5:00.  Might we stand out from the rest, because we’re giving our best  because  it’s all for Him.

“Father, You have placed us in this world to make a difference – help us to never lose sight of what that looks like day by day.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

 

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Posted in Attitude, Spiritual Living, Wisdom

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | May 23, 2017

Joy Even In The Rain

“I will shout for joy when I sing praises to you. You have saved me.” Psalm 71:23 (NCV)

What happens when it rains?  Do you pull out the umbrella, an upside down smile and just be blah since it is raining?  What if when it rains it brings a smile and a song to your heart?  Is that even possible?

Personally, I love the rain.  No, let me rephrase that I absolutely LOVE the rain.  Ok, not a hard-torrential down pour, but a gentle steady rain.  Years ago, I was at an outdoor concert of Michael W. Smith’s, and he shared with the audience a new song he wanted to play for us.  Just when he started singing and playing that song a soft gentle rain started falling on us. Michael told us to enjoy the rain and listen to the song – it was “Healing Rain.”  He told us to feel the rain, bask in God’s goodness and feel the healing drops from God.

It’s all in perspective, how we react to something.  I have chosen to enjoy the rain and bask in it since that day.  I walk into the rain, stand, raise my hands and just spin and bask in it – I take that time to praise the Lord.  Did you know if a raindrop lands on your smart phone screen, then you walk under florescent lights and when you look at the drop of water it will sparkle like a diamond?  One of those precious gifts God has given me for having joy in the rain.  Next time it rains, raise your hands and enjoy the healing raindrops God is choosing to give you as a blessing, and shout a praise to Him for the gift.

“Father, thank You for the rain, and the healing drops to remind us of Your love and healing power.  I pray I never grow out of my love of the healing raindrops and spinning in the rain with childlike love.” 

 

For His Glory,

Debbie Struble
TRBC Women’s Life

 

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Posted in Encouragement, Hope, Wisdom

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