Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | April 21, 2017

Drenched In His Glory

“Like the appearance of a rainbow in the clouds on a rainy day, so was the radiance around him. This was the appearance of the likeness of the glory of the Lord. When I saw it, I fell facedown, and I heard the voice of one speaking.” Ezekiel 1:28 (NIV)

Fresh smell of rain hitting dry ground. Lightning dancing through the sky. Wind swirling everything in sight. Yes, even in the midst of a storm, God’s power shines bright. He opens up the skies and replenishes the soul, the dust of His creation. And if that wasn’t enough, His fingertips paint the most brilliant, soft colors that melt into the heavens. Ever seen a rainbow that didn’t steal your breath away? Sweet reminder of God’s love, mercy and promises kept. Need those after the storm. Drenched and worn wondering – and then it appears – His glory filling up our sky. Our Keeper – the One who comes and calls us.

Love the way God calls Ezekiel. Mesmerized by God’s beauty, power and holiness, Ezekiel is face down and listening. Amazing how God hears Ezekiel’s trembling heart. Incredible the way He spelled out a journey layered with obstinate, rebellious Israelites. A prophet charged with speaking the words of the Almighty to those who discarded the very thought of Him. Fresh smell of God’s reign hitting deaf ears.
Our Keeper – the One who comes, calls, empowers and redeems.

Tough journey up ahead? Rain drenching down on our dreams? Obedience demanding our all? Embrace the Sovereign One – the Lord God Almighty whose glory cannot be contained. Who drops us to our knees so we can hear the voice of One speaking, whispering ever so sweetly – follow Me.

“Sweet Jesus, the awe of Your presence takes our breath away – help us to never lose sight of how majestic, holy and glorious You are.”
For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

 

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Posted in Faith, Hope, Spiritual Living, Worship

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | April 20, 2017

Embracing Jesus

“But let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.” I Peter 3:4 (ESV)

Love warm sunshiny days. Love my dark chocolate. Don’t love warm sunshine melting my dark chocolate. Equaled one big mess in my new white purse! My husband found this humorous when I reached in and found chocolate on my keys, on my phone, on my money, etc. I’m sure you get the picture if it was in my purse it was smeared with melted dark chocolate. The evidence was everywhere.

Ever have the evidence of your attitude smeared everywhere – obvious for all the world to see. I love those days when reflecting Jesus is simple, easy and carefree. Everything is going just perfect. Husbands great, children get up on time, work is easy and the pieces all fit together nicely. But there are those days when the darkness of our attitudes collides with His. Our feelings get hurt, and we are quick to respond. Nothing is going the way we planned, and we bail out. Or regret steals away our last ray of hope and discouragement overwhelms us.

End result one big mess smeared everywhere. Our dark smudges touch everyone in our path – an unsuspecting husband, children caught off guard, strangers standing next to us in line – do I need to go on? We can’t hide our dark smudges no matter how hard we try. Despite our imperfections, God specializes in cleaning us up and rinsing us off. When we embrace His thoughts, His responses and His reactions, we avoid a lot of messes and His beauty shines through. Isn’t that what we want the world to see?

“Father, perfection is far from our grasp – help us to reach out and trust You to guide us, lead us and direct our steps.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

 

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Posted in Attitude, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | April 19, 2017

Suddenly….

“As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart.” Proverbs 29:17 (NIV)

I always think I have more time than my calendar tells, and procrastination never serves me well.  But somehow, I often convince myself that tomorrow is a better day for what I’m not doing today.  I can wait until next week to call a friend for dinner.  Or sometimes I really don’t want to deal with a situation today, so let’s push it side to another time.  We have plenty of time to catch up  – right?

Time is elusive and if we aren’t intentional it slips through our fingers.  All those things we push aside open wide the door for potentials that never happen.  And before we even realize it, we’ve forgotten our “put off” to another day things because after all, we have plenty of time. Sounds good to my ears, but rarely flatters my heart.

Step inside my little world over the past few weeks and witness how quickly tomorrow fades.  A co-worker’s son has a massive heart attack and within moments he is gone.  A friend’s husband chats with his wife via facetime, signs off and within moments collapses to the floor leaving this world.   Early morning a friend’s father breathes his last breath.  One young man who worked in our office on Friday didn’t return on Monday – a fatal accident stole away his tomorrows.

Suddenly all of these left our world.  Without warning.  Without a chance to greet tomorrow.  Without one last glimpse in the face of eternity.

What God allows me to see in the midst of repetition beckons me to stop, listen  and draw near.  All these suddenlys never got a chance for one last hug, one more I forgive you, one more I’m sorry or one more……. you fill in the blank. What’s our one more we would want to right before leaving this world?

We don’t always get to clean up our messes. To tidy up our space for the ones we leave behind. We aren’t guaranteed advance notice of what tomorrows will or will not bring.  We aren’t privileged to stop time in its tracks and avoid the inevitable, but we can seize today making the most of every moment.  We can forgive big and extend grace wider.  We can release grudges, criticisms and complaints, because suddenly could be sooner than we think.

“Father, help us to live intentional lives –cherishing every moment – reflecting You in all we say and do.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Faith, Spiritual Living, Wisdom

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | April 18, 2017

Divine Intervention

“God is in the midst of her, she will not be moved; God will help her when morning dawns.” Psalm 46:5 (NASB)

 

No one is immune from life’s valley experiences. It’s easy to praise and worship God from the mountaintop, but what really counts is our faith during the journey between the rut to the top. Life is full of twists and turns; in an instant, life’s circumstances can bring us to our knees or catapult us to victory.

A dear family was in trial after trial. You name it and this family has endured it…addiction, divorce, finances, health, etc. This family reminded me of a modern day Job. In the midst of all the pain and suffering this family clung to Jesus believing and trusting He would heal, mend and supply. Over a course of time and to make a long story short, God did intervene. I am happy to report the addiction was overcome, the marriage restored and health healed. However, the family finances remained in shambles, cars were being repossessed, the mortgage was two months in arrears, the monthly living expenses behind and bank accounts were in the hole.They would wake up, go to work, tarry through the day’s routine and crawl in bed with the family finances heavy on the heart. Their hands were tied; God had to intervene. They knew God was their only hope.

Recently, one morning, God answered the prayers to their finances. With one knock at the door an “angel” appeared holding an envelope containing five figures in CASH to pay in advance for work this person wanted to have done. That night the family would go to bed with their debts paid in full. God did a new thing…a miracle…resulting in a divine intervention! When God is in the midst of our hope, we will never be helpless.

“Father, answer prayers of intervention where only a work of Your hand can deliver us from the snares of this world. Knowing Your resources are not limited to what our mere human minds can conceive. You have a miracle designed for each impossible situation. Grant peace through the process while waiting. Until that day of rescue give us the strength with confidence of believing and trusting in Your loving goodness.”

 

For His Glory,

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

 

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Posted in Encouragement, Prayer, Spiritual Living, Worship

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | April 17, 2017

He Is Alive & He Loves You

“Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here; He has risen!” Luke 24:5-6 (NIV)

I had the privilege to visit Israel a little over a year ago, and while there, I got to visit the Garden Tomb, the place where Jesus’ body was laid to rest after His death. Though Jesus’ body was not there, the mere idea that one day it had been there, keeps in that place an aura of reverence that can bring people to tears and to their knees; that is what happened to me.

To me, it was a reminder of all He had to endure – a death on the cross – to cover my multitude of sins; a painful reminder that I placed Him on that cross, and ultimately in that tomb. I drove the nails in my Lord’s hands.

Nonetheless, on the door of the tomb there was a sign. It read, “He is not here; He has risen!”  My heart rejoiced with the reminder that Jesus had fulfilled His Father’s plan and  just as He had promised, He rose from that grave three days later. That exclamation point after the word “risen” was there for a purpose. It was there to add emphasis to that word. Check it out in your Bibles! The angels were telling the women who showed up at the grave at the crack of dawn to bring spices to put on Jesus’ body that their Savior, their Lord, their Master, their Rabi, their friend – Jesus – was alive and the grave couldn’t hold Him down!

I would have added a couple more enthusiastic exclamation points to that phrase, and possibly even the word “rejoice.” Rejoice! Rejoice!! Jesus conquered death! He conquered the grave! He is A-L-I-V-E!

And do you know what else, my friends? He loves you!

 

“Dear Father: Your plan is always perfect. Though at times we don’t understand it and may struggle with the processes we need to go through, we overcome with You.”

 

For His Glory

Luska Suzano
TRBC Women’s Life

 

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Posted in Faith, Hope, Worship

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | April 14, 2017

Unexpected Grace

 “….Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” Isaiah 1:18b (NIV)

Bright yellow daffodils raised their head above the ground in my neighbor’s yard.  Winter had been long, cold and dreary that year, but  now it was early March.  The week before Easter.   Robins greeted me in the morning.  Daylight crept slowly out in the evening. Spring was edging it’s way in; I could just feel it.

And then God did something unexpected and breathtaking.

Palm Sunday 2013 arrived  with a blanket of snow. As tiny flakes of white fell from the sky, my heart soared.  With every huge flake that danced in the air, my eyes swelled. And when I walked out in the midst of drenching snow, my soul breathed in deep of God’s grace.  Incredible timing….amazing reminder that sin’s debt has been paid.  Utter joy as we realize that those once lost have been found.  Indescribable hope because those who were blind now can see. Exhilarating sound as chains are released and captives set free.  Unending peace as grace covers all our sins – past and present.

It’s the week before Easter….when the world stood still, the thunder clapped and darkness fell.  The earth quaked, tombs awakened and the temple curtain ripped.  And centurions spoke, “Surely He was the Son of God.”

Unexpected and breathtaking – isn’t that God’s signature trademark?  Surprising those laden with guilt.  Isn’t that God’s character to forget wrongs casting them into the depths of the sea.  Isn’t that just like God to invite the scarred, the flawed and the wretched  (like me) to breathe in deep of His loving kindness.  Won’t you join me?

“Father, how sweet to dance in the downpour of Your grace – my scarlet sins transformed to white – come and cleanse me.”

 

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Hope

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | April 13, 2017

Hope With Expectation

“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.” John 11:25 (KJV)

While Easter is anticipated as a family holiday for many, it remains bittersweet to mine.    What began as a beautiful Spring day tragically ended in indescribable, horrific heartbreak.   Nothing could have prepared our family or altered God’s unfolding and unpredictable plan that Good Friday afternoon.   Though time has elapsed since my only brother was tragically killed, people continue to question the bearableness of that day; heart wrenching grief capable of causing physical and emotional pain.  Has life moved on?  It has; however recovery has been ongoing – it’s been said that we will learn more in ten days of agony than in ten years of contentment.

Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection are why we celebrate the Easter season; however, it was also bittersweet for God the Father to witness the torture, betrayal, verbal accusations, unbelief, and death of His only Son.   This supernatural love willingly withstood pain and gave sacrificially.  Christ’s death brought new life – His resurrection new hope.  The ‘ole saying:  Earth’s loss -Heaven’s gain could be revised Heaven’s loss – Earth’s gain.

Hope will always outweigh the heaviness of reminiscing!   Strong and confident hope gives peace, strength, endurance, and comfort.  During the Easter season memories surface, but lingering isn’t an option.    Concentrating on the awesomeness of Christ and the privilege of serving Him solidifies purpose today, anticipation for Heaven one day, and assurance I will see my brother again. Hope gives purpose today and anticipation for tomorrow.

“Lord, please allow hope and purpose to fill my life.”

 

For His Glory

Patsy Sanders
TRBC Women’s Life

 

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Posted in Faith, Gratitude, Hope, Worship

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | April 12, 2017

Seeking Jesus

“As he (Jesus) approached Jerusalem and saw the city, he wept over it  and said, “If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace—but now it is hidden from your eyes.” Luke 19:41-42 (NIV)

I missed it – couldn’t believe I walked right by that bargain.   My heart sank as I reflected on how close I was to it and yet totally missed it.  What was I thinking – guess that was the problem.  I was searching too hard, looking everywhere and it was right under my nose.  I could have fallen over that display in the store, but instead I rushed past it giving up hope that I would find it.

If you’re a bargain shopper there’s nothing more frustrating than missing “the deal” especially if it is something you really want.  Blinded by my own preconceived idea of where I would logically find it, I walked out the store without the “special deal.”

Jerusalem was no different.  They had been looking for the Messiah – the answer to all they wanted and longed for.  Diligently they kept the law and expected everyone else to do likewise.  There were no margins for grace or mercy.  And they loved the superiority of being an authority on what people should or should not do.  Tradition and rituals didn’t serve them well.  Clinging tightly to their position, they missed the very One they were looking for.  They accused the One who came to save their souls.  They persecuted, mocked and crucified the very Son of God – all because they were looking somewhere else.

Sweet friends, how many times do we long for Jesus and yet look in all the wrong places.? We hold on to our positions, our rituals, our preferences and elusively miss the sweetness of Jesus right in front of us.  We anticipate His working in our way, in our favor.  We eagerly waiting for Him to accomplish His purposes all the while we are focusing our eyes on “me.”

Jerusalem is all around us.  Don’t miss out on our Messiah, Savior and Lord.  Let’s turn our eyes on Him, His words and His gift – salvation infused with grace.  Let’s not grieve the heart of God but rather bring joy and gladness to Him.  Let’s wrap our arms around who He says He is, fully trusting and believing. Now that will serve us well.

 

“Jesus please help us to fully grasp the wonder of who You are.  Reveal Yourself to us and guide us to Your amazing truth.”

 

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

 

 

 

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Posted in Faith, Hope, Mercy

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | April 11, 2017

Worship: Our Conduit to Heaven

“I will lift up mine eyes unto the hills, from whence cometh my help. My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth.”  Psalm 121:1-2 (KJV)

The Liberty University School of Music, under the leadership of Dr. Vernon Whaley, puts on a magnificent praise and worship annual event called the Night of Worship hosted at Thomas Road Baptist Church. I have been attending this event since I moved to Virginia.

This year, I was blessed with the opportunity to join a group of local females for a women’s retreat at the Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove, in North Carolina. The retreat ended on Sunday, and on my way back, I was reminded that it was the evening of the yearly LUSOM Night of Worship event. I literally drove straight to TRBC  The church was very full and the stage was equally populated by men and women in black and white, a rather beautiful sight.

The two large projecting screens on either side of the sanctuary highlighted portions of the singers and instrumentalists on the stage. Everyone that was projected on those screens, whatever their task at hand, depicted a joy on their faces that made me think they really enjoyed playing and singing praises to the Lord – true Levites!

What I experienced at TRBC last night was nothing short of angelical, heavenly, something so well-orchestrated and brought forth, that I couldn’t help but wonder what worship in heaven will be like. Dr. Whaley spoke before the last song, Total Praise, and as he called out the many roles and names of God, people in the audience worshipped in a loud noise and clapped enthusiastically, myself included. In that celebratory moment, I imagined what the angels sounded like once Jesus ascended from the grave and went to the Father. In the words of the last song of the evening, I humbly, yet boldly, did just as it said, “I lift my hands in total praise to You!”

“Lord, You created us for Your pleasure. And You take pleasure in our praises. Thank You, Father, for allowing us to experience true joy through our worship of You!”

For His Glory

Luska Suzano
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Encouragement, Gratitude, Worship

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | April 10, 2017

His Precious Blood

“…Christ, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed for us.” 1 Cor. 5:7 (NLT)

In Exodus chapter 12, God promised when He saw the blood of the lamb on the doorframes of a home; He would pass over sparing that family the plague of killing the firstborn sons and firstborn male animals in the land of Egypt. This disaster would be the LAST and FINAL plague needed for Pharaoh to surrender to the demand of God to let His people go. After 430 years of slavery, God’s people would finally know what it was like to be delivered from bondage, released from long days of unrealistic, hard manual labor and to experience freedom from the chains that had them bound.

In the original Passover, those Israelite’s sacrificing a lamb signified they would be spared God’s judgment…His promise in verse 13, “When I see the blood, I will pass over you…”

Some 1,500 years after the Israelite’s liberation from Pharaoh’s captivity, Paul used the same term to describe Christ as the sacrificial Passover Lamb.  He knew the events in Exodus foreshadowed the coming sacrifice of Jesus when he penned “…Christ, our Passover Lamb, has been sacrificed for us” in 1 Corinthians.

The Israelites needed a lamb without blemish to cover their homes to save them from death. Both stories parallel, nothing has changed, even now 2000 years later, humanity still needs a spotless Lamb to save us from the grave. Jesus became the spotless sacrificial Lamb. He took the place of the blood from bulls, goats and fowl.  He became the LAST and FINAL sacrifice good for all time.

Passover recognizes the defeat over death, the empty tomb and the victorious resurrection of our Lord and Savior.  Easter celebrates the new covenant; the better, perfect promise not chiseled in stone, but written with the precious blood of the Lamb.

Father, it’s Your unselfish love that freed Your people in Exodus and the same love throughout the span of time that continues saving us in 2017. Your shed blood is still covering our sins, freeing the captives and saving the lost.

For His Glory,

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

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Posted in Faith, Hope, Mercy

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