Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | February 7, 2017

No More Pretending

feb-7“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. Point out anything in me that offends you, and lead me along the path of everlasting life. “ Psalm 139:23-24 (NLT)

 

My 8 year-old loves to dress up. When my sister gave him a mustache tattoo from a Grad night goody bag, he wore it proudly all day.

He loved to pretend that it was a real mustache … but let’s face it; he wasn’t fooling anyone. Anyone could see that he was still an 8 year-old boy.

I have to admit that even I like to pretend once in a while. I like to dress up for a fun costume party, to wear silly outfits with my kids, or to act sophisticated in a formal dress on a date with my husband. (Yes, I have to pretend to be sophisticated.)

I believe these are all appropriate ways for an adult to pretend. The danger comes when I pretend with God. I may be able to fool my friends and acquaintances–acting like I have it all together. I may say the right things, quote the right verses, sing the right songs, know all of the Bible stories…but I cannot fool God.

Psalm 139 tells me that God sees me for who I am, He knows my every action and behavior, He discerns my thoughts (verses 1-4 and 13-18). This would be incredibly overwhelming and downright scary if I left out verse 5: “You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head.”

In verse 24, at the end of the chapter, the psalmist comes to the conclusion of the matter: “Point out anything in me that offends you…” (verse 24a). This request leads to the greatest reward of all: “and lead me along the path of everlasting life.” (verse 24b)

Realizing that God knows me so well (better than I know myself), I should want to be honest with God so that He can lead me to repentance. I mean, who doesn’t want everlasting life, right?

While playing dress-up is fun on occasion, let’s stop pretending with God. He can see through our mask anyway.

“God, show me when I am not being real with You and others. Lead me to repentance and everlasting life.”

 

For His Glory

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

 

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Posted in Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | February 6, 2017

When The Enemy Strikes

feb-6 “Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert in this with all perseverance and intercession for all the saints.”  Ephesians 6:18 (HCSB)

Never been fond of a fight- I‘ve always been a peacekeeper.  Never enjoyed a confrontation or argument; I’d much rather settle.  I’m a go with the flow kind a girl. But there’s some things you just can’t give up.

When the enemy strikes, he comes with a raging force and we can’t give up the fight.  Brave girls push through, cling to and raise their sword (God’s word).  Wise women recognize that the real enemy is not the one stirring up trouble.  Satan loves to divide and conquer.  If he can get a wedge of discontent in the mix, he will use it, grow it, nurture it and enlarge it.

God’s word reminds us that Satan is the great deceiver and father of lies (John 8:48), so wonder why we buy in to and get led astray so easily?

Perhaps our exhaustion and busyness pulls us away from our defense line (prayer) and opens us up to attack.  Perhaps we slowly drift away from the truth (God’s word)– little compromises along the way.  Maybe we just simply allow our emotions and thoughts to run freely without guarding our minds. Could it be that we lose sight of all that God has done, His power, strength and faithfulness?  Whatever leaves us vulnerable, exposed and unprotected will not serve us well.

Let’s not give up the fight. When the enemy sneaks in, let’s partner together in prayer.  Let’s cling to God’s truths and remind each other of who He is – our mighty warrior!  Let’s forego the visible battle and determine to eliminate the invisible enemy.  Let’s stay alert to Satan’s tactics and persevere taking our stand against him.  And in all things let’s praise the name of Jesus and we will watch the enemy slither away.

“Father, You have equipped us for battle.  You have given us everything we need to be victorious. Help us to ready to defeat the enemy in Your strength at all times.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Prayer, Spiritual Growth

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | February 3, 2017

Altered

feb-3“He bound his son Isaac and laid him on the altar…”  (Gen 22:9b  NIV)

Wonder what it was like for Isaac when his father, Abraham, was willing to sacrifice his only son in obedience to God?  One minute Issac’s out for a walk with Dad, and the next he’s being bound and tied to an altar.   Scripture doesn’t tell us what he felt in that moment or whether this strange event left behind a long trail of dysfunction or deep scars of betrayal.  But, it is certain that this experience had to affect him deeply.

Unlike other Biblical patriarchs, Isaac never experienced a name change (…that sovereign moment when a servant of God was given a new name to reflect a new identity or calling).  Coincidence??  Or could it be that he learned something through that life-changing event which defined him and, therefore, eliminated the need for a change to his identity?

Since Isaac is presented as a “type” and foreshadow of Christ, I cannot help but wonder if he learned something that many of us still struggle with:  Our truest identity is found in complete submission to the will of the Father, despite what we see, feel and think in the midst of life’s most trying moments.  Isaac’s greatest hardship became a prophetic picture of a Perfect Son’s willingness to lay down his life in obedience to the will of His Father.  It’s easy to feel like life’s victim at times, but the reality is the circumstances at work in our lives are often the channel through which God is choosing to unveil and refine our true identity.

“Lord, please help us trust in your love and goodness even when we do not understand how You are working through our circumstances.   And please continue to refine us so that our true identity would be a reflection of Your holy work.”

For His Glory

Claudia Dempsey
TRBC Women’s Life

 

 

 

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Posted in Attitude, Freedom, Spiritual Growth, Wisdom

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | February 2, 2017

Matching Scars

feb-2“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you! Trust in the LORD always, for the LORD GOD is the eternal Rock.” Isaiah 26:3,4 (NLT)

My sons have matching scars across the left side of their foreheads.

When Hunter was about one and a half years old, my mom and sister rode with us on a commuter train. We had a wonderful lunch followed by a stroll around the shops and park. Unfortunately, the return train was late, causing us to wait on the platform for a long time. Hunter had just learned to walk a couple of weeks before and was still wobbly. My mom and I were keeping a close eye on him while he was exploring the platform, but still, he fell. No, he did not fall off the platform. He did, however, fall into a planter. I will never understand why, but this planter was filled with railroad rocks. As I lifted him up to brush him off, his face was covered in blood. Thankfully, my mom was there to help stop the bleeding and get him to a clinic to get stitched up since I was completely useless–frozen in fear.

When Kaden was about two and a half years old, Scott was outside pushing him on our new swing set. Scott tickled his feet and played peekaboo as Kaden swung toward him and away from him. Suddenly, Kaden’s hand slipped from the chain. He fell forward out of the swing and did a face plant into the ground. I heard the high-pitched scream as they came in the house. This time it was my turn to stop the bleeding while Scott watched in panicked silence. We headed off yet again to get stitches at a clinic.

As we are now navigating the waters of raising a high schooler, I am concerned about more than my sons’ physical safety. I desperately want them to grow into men who honor God with their lives, think clearly, and have healthy relationships. My husband and I have proven that we cannot keep them from injury even when we are closely watching them. God has protected my boys in the past. I choose to trust Him to protect them now. And I choose to trust Him to protect them in the future, no matter what that future holds.

“Lord, thank You for Your peace when we choose to trust in You, our Rock.”

For His Glory

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

 

 

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Posted in Faith, Spiritual Living, Wisdom

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | February 1, 2017

A Way of Escape

feb-1“All this I will give you (Jesus), he said, if you will bow down and worship me (Satan).”  Matthew 3:9 (NIV)

Hunger always leaves us seeking.   You know like in the middle of the night when tummy growls and your search for sweetness overwhelms you.  Or midday when stress robs our energy and hunger screams loud.  Or stretching and reaching, we begin our day starved and empty from the lack of yesterday.  Desperation loves to reign where hunger and lack camouflage plenty.  And if we’re not careful, we’ll bow down to hunger and worship the falseness of more.

What are we hungry for?  A quick fix to soothe the ache of emptiness?  A flashy demonstration of what we can do to quench our insecurities?  A wide open canvas – everything we ever dreamed of – easily within our grasp? Jesus listening, hearing the beckoning call to compromise for the sake of it all. And the price tag – simply bow down and worship “me.”  Hunger now cleverly disguised as control, power and position.  Standing at the top, the love of His life  – the world staring back –  the reason He came.  And His resounding answer – “It is written.”

Jesus met the temptation to satisfy, press the limits and seek His own agenda with the words of His Father.  His desperate, hungry places were feasting on the food of the Father’s will.  What appeared to be all that Jesus could have ever wanted was simply a mirage created by the one whose hunger couldn’t be quenched.  An illusion designed to steal away the reason He came.

How are we handling our hunger – with compromise or conviction? Love the abundance found in the truths of His word. Love the empowerment gained from trusting in Him.  Love the sweet taste of victory won with armor on.  Hungry places fully satisfied at His table – feasting on the Father’s will.

“Father, empower us to resist the enticement to take what You have promised into our own hands.  Help us to know Your words and use them in moments of weakness.  Thank You for making a way of escape that leads to abundant life.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Faith, Hope, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | January 31, 2017

Our Obstacles – His Victory

jan-31“There was a man named Job who lived in the land of Uz. He was blameless, a man of complete integrity. He feared God and stayed away from evil.” Job 1:1 (NLT)

Moran Samuel began her athletic career on the basketball court while enlisted in the Israeli Air Force. After her military service, she was recruited to play on Israel’s national team earning the unique accolade of being the only woman on Tel Aviv’s all-men basketball roster. In 2013, she was voted as one of the best players in all of Europe.

In 2010, Moran added “rower” to her sports credentials; and in 2012, she won her event at the games hosted in Italy. Moran has gone on to win competition after competition year after year, which secured her place to compete in the 2016 Summer Games in Rio de Janeiro.

However, it was Moran’s gold medal win in 2012 that made her country proud. The “Hatikvah” is Israel’s national anthem, which the event organizers realized they did not have a recording of when Moran’s came forward to accept her award. Moran asked for the microphone and acapella she sang Israel’s anthem. Afterwards, while being interviewed, she said, “If you look at an obstacle as an obstacle, there’s a good chance it will knock you down. If you look at an obstacle as a challenge, then you’ll do the maximum to overcome it. There can be small challenges, like the anthem and my taking the mic and singing and there can be bigger challenges.” If anyone knows about overcoming challenges it would be Moran because in 2006 she was paralyzed due to a spinal stroke at the age of 26.

During our lifetimes we will endure challenges, but it’s our viewpoint that makes all the difference. There’s no debate, Job in one day’s time went from top of the mountain to the rut of the valley.  Instead of Job and his friends asking “why” with the mindset of Job being punished what if they asked “what” knowing Job was blameless. The Bible is clear, Satan accused Job and in doing so God had complete confidence in Job to allow the devil to test him.

When God allows us to be tested if we tackle the suffering with humility, composure and faith knowing that God is in control with our best interests at heart then the physicalness of the pain and distress will not leave us feeling helpless, hopeless and abandoned. We can put one foot in front of the other with each step declaring, “I trust and believe You, Lord.”

“Father, we are humbled knowing You would trust us, like You did Job, when we’re tested having all certainty we’ll glorify Your name knowing You work all things for our good because You love us.”

For His Glory

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

 

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Posted in Faith, Hope, Spiritual Growth

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | January 27, 2017

Missing Peace

jan-27“…tell me what it means, for none of the wise men in my kingdom can interpret it for me.  But you (Daniel) can, because the spirit of the holy gods is in you.”  Daniel  4:18b (NIV)

Contented and prosperous – loving life where he was.  No drama in his kingdom.  No enemy lurching outside the palace gates. Nebuchadnezzar didn’t have a care in the world.  Everything at his fingertips.  Wealth beyond our imagination.  Ruling with authority, prideful and arrogant.  Yet this king found himself missing peace – fearful over a dream.  What would cause one who perceived his rule as superior, unquestionable to lack?  The smartest, wisest at his disposal  – Nebuchadnezzar’s world still lacked truth.  And those missing pieces stole his peace and led him straight to Daniel.  Why?  God’s spirit was upon him.

Where do we turn when life throws us a curve ball?  Who do we run to when truth seems distant and wisdom unattainable?  Mother, teacher, lawyer, ministry leader, administrator, nurse…….regardless of our title, position or paycheck – we all need God’s wisdom.  And if we aren’t positioning ourselves to humbly seek His face each day, fear will steal in and rob us of peace.  We might appear like we’ve got it all together.  We might be the one in our office who always gets the job done.  We might think we don’t need anything or anyone.  Amazing how quickly a dream, an interruption, an unsettling can send us questioning, doubting and fearful.

Praying we all have those around us who are filled with God’s spirit to speak into our lives.  Praying we all become that person who doesn’t settle for “me wisdom” but reaches deep for “His truth.”  Praying others will see His wisdom in us freely given to those who ask.

“Father, there is no substitute for Your words illuminating our way.  There is no one like You – the Holy One – who pours out His Spirit to those who humbly seek His Face.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Encouragement, Spiritual Living, Wisdom

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | January 26, 2017

Perfectly Imperfect

jan-27“But He said to me, My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 2 Corinthians 12:9a (NIV)

Years ago, I started a crochet afghan using scraps of leftover yarn.  It  ended up a hodgepodge of different types of yarns and mismatched colors. Recently, I noticed a few places where the stitches are unraveling, creating these big holes.  There are also a few loose strings hanging that I’ve neglected to tuck in and hide. When you hold it up, it is anything but beautiful and it doesn’t look like it would be worth trying to use. But you know what? When I lay on the couch covered in that afghan, I am as warm as I could be with any other blanket. It is just as useful in its current state as if it were perfect.

Do you long to be used by God, but feel worthless? Like you have too many issues, or “holes” to ever be used for anything?

Consider this list:

Jacob was a cheater
Peter had a temper
David had an affair
Noah got drunk
Jonah ran from God
Gideon was insecure
Miriam was a gossip
Martha was a worrier
Thomas was a doubter
Sara was impatient
Rahab was a prostitute

Every one of these people from the Bible had issues, flaws, and holes. And every one of these people have their place in the greatest story ever told. You can be right there with them. Jesus came to this earth for the imperfect, the broken, filled with holes and “loose strings” kind of people. We don’t need to be perfect, just willing. God will do the rest. Our job is to let Him.

“Heavenly Father, thank You for working within us and with us no matter how imperfect we are.  Help us to remember that You are all we need to be sufficient for the task. Your power is greater than any weakness.”

For His Glory,

Josey Bozzo
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Attitude, Encouragement, Hope, Wisdom

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | January 25, 2017

Beyond Fear

jan-25“He (God) will be the sure foundation for your times, a rich store of salvation and wisdom and knowledge; the fear of the LORD is the key to this treasure.”  Isaiah 33:6 (NIV)

Four letters packed with power – f – e – a –r , but not the kind of power we’re looking for.  Fear has the power to derail our dreams and sabotage our future.  Fear has the power to keep us safe, predictable and far from taking faith steps that will transform our lives.  Instead fear lands us on the sidelines watching everyone else moving forward.  It fuels regret because we long for what we are afraid to seize.

I glimpsed this first-hand in the life of a friend.  Her life had been characterized by bouts of fear that kept her captive looking out the window yet bound within the safety of her self-imposed prison.  How did she land in this place?  Fear was a trait her mother taught her well.  Every opportunity for something new turned into a list of don’ts because of a tragedy that “could” happen.  To this day she still hides behind the drawn blinds of what “could” happen.  Disillusioned and unsatisfied,  her life is drenched in regret of what “could” have been .

Sadly too often we exchange the all consuming peace that God offers for generational fears that leave us locked into safe rather than victorious.  God’s formula for power leaves no room for the chains that fear generates.  Instead, He offers us the opportunity to trust Him in all things – even the unsettled, unpredictable, and at times risky moves of transformational belief.

Are we allowing fear to dominate our response to God’s instructions?   Are we imprisoned by what “could” happen rather than capitalizing on the “fear nots” that God promises?  Real empowerment only comes when we trust and believe that God is the ordainer of our days.

“Father, trusting You will always position us to move past fear into victory.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

 

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Posted in Attitude, Encouragement, Hope, Spiritual Growth

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | January 24, 2017

Search My Heart

jan-24“Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.” Psalm 139:23 (NLT)

One of the scariest things to do as a Christian and a person in ministry is be transparent. However, if you want to be effective it’s necessary to show you have areas that need improvement. It’s also vital to your own spiritual growth to search your heart. Sometimes it’s a sermon or devotional that hits a certain area and other times it comes from a friend with gentle criticism. A friend recently showed me a problem area in my life with having a judgmental spirit. It wasn’t pleasant reading their thoughts but that opened my eyes to see that I get caught up with other people’s thoughts about others and continue it. I also have an issue of judging people with a critical eye and ignoring my own faults.

None of this is anything new to God. He already knows those areas hidden in my heart and mind. Now I have to give those areas to Him and leave them there. The hardest part is definitely going back to friends that have been hurt and mending those relationships. While these speed bumps in my spiritual life aren’t pleasant, the freedom I get from releasing the anxious and negative areas of my life is worth it.

“Dear God, Search our hearts and reveal areas that are not pleasing to You. Replace our anxious thoughts, negativity, and sin with forgiveness and peace. Guide us as we mend relationships with gentle, healing words.”

 

For His Glory

Katrina Redman
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Freedom, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Living

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