Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | December 14, 2016

Inspired To Love

dec-14“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God!” 2 Timothy 3:16a (KJV)

Have you ever questioned how deep your love for God really is?  I do!  I ask myself, “Am I loving Him with my WHOLE heart, soul, mind and spirit?”  What am I, that He would want fellowship with me?  And what can I do to give Him anything except a life full of past mistakes?

In my own devotions, I was getting to the middle of the Psalms when I read my own thoughts (Psalm 116:12, 13 NKJV) “What shall I render to the LORD, for all His benefits toward me?  I will take up the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD!”  There was my question and my answer!

What can I do for Him for all the things He does for me moment by moment? I can honor Him by accepting His gift of salvation and talk to Him!  This is so beautifully sung in the hymn by the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir: “What can I give Him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring Him a lamb….If I were a wise man, I’d sure do my part; so what can I give Him? I’ll give Him my heart!”

We can all do this–nothing is stopping us from interrupting our day at this moment and praying:  “Lord, here is my heart.  I offer it to You with all of its flaws, and I accept Your salvation.”

“O God, my Father, You give and give, while I seem to ask, to take, and to ask more.  Here is my heart, Lord; make it Yours, and Yours alone.  In love I pray.”

For His Glory

Sandy Day
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Encouragement, Prayer, Worship

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | December 13, 2016

Beautiful Feet

dec-13“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!”  Isaiah 52:7 (NIV)

I love shoes. Also, I think it is somewhat safe for me to say that most girls have a platonic relationship with footwear. Shoes come in so many styles and colors that if one is not careful, she may end up like Joseph and his coat of many colors, except in a shoe collection version. And by the way, shoes can serve as the perfect icebreaker at times.

I am from Brazil and Brazilian women absolutely l-o-v-e their high heels! Also, being the frugal señorita that I am, I constantly hunt for bargains so I can keep on adding to my collection that got depleted after a severe ankle break led to a sad conversation with my surgeon and his staff back in the fall of 2014. According to them, I would likely never get into high heels again! Fast forward two years and lo and behold, the much appreciated, fervent, frequent, powerful and effective prayer of many righteous folks (James 5:16) went straight from their lips into God’s ears and here I am, back in my heels!

Nonetheless, there is way more to me than the shoes that I wear. I am human, and above all else, I am a child of God. And I strive to be salt and light in this world. I will use anything and everything – including shoes – as an icebreaker to start a conversation with others, especially if that conversation might comfort them and show them God’s love, or ultimately lead to prayer for their salvation.

What’s your favorite icebreaker? Is it a favorite, colorful outfit? A purse? A pair of shoes? Jewelry? It doesn’t really matter what it is. What truly matters is that wherever you plant your feet, wherever you stay a while, that you use that opportunity to show others how beautiful God 

“Lord, thank You for helping us be creative with our time and resources to help brighten someone else’s day.”

For His Glory

Luska Suzano
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | December 12, 2016

Trusting What God Knows

dec-12“But honor the Messiah as Lord in your hearts. Always be ready to give a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you.” I Peter 3:15 (HCSB)

Assumptions have never served me well – how about you?  Just because someone looks like they know Jesus doesn’t mean they do.  Even when I doubt someone ever heard His name – I am amazed at the depth of their love for Him.  The eyes are always assuming – granting what it perceives – rather than trusting what God knows. Not exactly the right way.  God’s way is always looking into the heart instead of gazing outward.  We could all benefit from His wisdom, His grace and His eyes.

Maybe you’re like me and you’ve assumed too much for too long.  I’m learning ever so slowly that the person next to me may not know how much God loves them. We may sing in perfect harmony.  We may talk the “church” talk and still never experience who He really is.  We can’t for a moment glimpse away because of rehearsed words that flowed from lips.  Because too many times, we’ve believed they knew Jesus and we simply walked away. Never sharing.  Never telling.  Just simply assuming they are His.

Missed opportunities don’t guarantee repeat performances.  Life is short and the circle of people in our path changes.  Assuming they will always be there might cause us to excuse away open doors.  The one who talks too much may be just longing for someone to share that God is more than enough for all she needs.  The one who appears to have it all together may be afraid to admit how desperately she needs Jesus.  And the one who quotes scripture, serves sacrificially and gives generously may be the very one caught up in tradition versus a personal relationship with God.

Assuming we don’t know a person’s heart will always serve us well.  Removing the label  and inviting conversation may open doors that have remained closed and distant for too long.  Our sharing could be the answering of someone’s prayer.  Our willingness to move past surface to deeper could be the unveiling of something so much bigger than words could say.

“Father You alone see the heart…..help us to lay down our assumptions and share Your story with everyone we meet.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Hope, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | December 9, 2016

His Dwelling Place

dec-9“How lovely is Your dwelling place, O Lord Almighty.” Psalm 84:1 (NIV)

Don’t you just love the holidays?  Gathering with friends and family – schedules pushed aside – we linger longer,  share deeper and reluctantly leave the kitchen table.  Fullness realized – joy complete.  Kodak moments etched in our minds and displayed on our Facebook pages.  Memories that carry us through the year connecting our hearts despite miles that separate our lives.

Don’t you just love being with Jesus?   Pushing our busy schedules aside to linger longer in His presence and share deeper reluctant to leave.  Jesus loves our gathering, our curling up at His feet.  He adores our reaching, stretching as our hearts unfold.  Picture perfect moments etched in His mind and displayed on His heart.  Breathing in deep of grace – resting in His arms. Jesus draws us to come away with Him – to stay longer – to enjoy the fullness and experience His joy complete.  Memories of His faithfulness and love carry us through each day connecting our hearts to His.

Who wouldn’t want to enjoy the feast rather than settle for a snack or crumbs?  Who would excuse themselves from His table, gather what we want and flee rather than accept what He has prepared for us?  We can survive on the crumbs, but I want more.  Surviving isn’t enough, I long to thrive in the presence of Jesus drenched in His love and nourished in His grace.

What about you?  Don’t miss His invitation – He has the table spread before you.  A place reserved just for you.  He’s waiting ever patiently not demanding yet longing.  He’s dreaming of the moment when you finally realize that He is all that you need and more.  God’s counting down the days until you join Him and choose to never leave.

“Father, my heart is satisfied only in Your presence – how lovely is Your dwelling place.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Spiritual Growth

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | December 8, 2016

Unwavering Faith

dec-8“Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.” Hebrews 10:23 (NIV)

There is a TV show in Brazil that brings children on stage to sing popular songs to a fake plant. If the plant dances and blooms while the child sings, he or she gets points.  If the plant dislikes the song, it slowly goes down and hides inside the pot.

In one episode, a little boy would only sing songs by his favorite group.  Each time he sang the songs by that group, the plant went down into the pot, which would be reason enough to make others change their song choices. That boy would go from sobbing in disappointment to singing from the top of his lungs in hope to try and make that plant dance.

The TV show host told the boy to sing something by another group, and he refused. Somehow – coincidence or not – that group was backstage as the game was taking place. The boy was losing, and the TV show host finally decided to end the game and give the boy a chance to go home without feeling like a loser. He asked the boy if he would like to take home $500 or have his photo taken with the group whose songs he’d been singing. Without hesitation, that boy answered he wanted his picture taken with the singing group. The TV show host asked him a second and then a third time.   Unwaveringly, the little boy answered he wanted his photo with the group.

As that conversation took place, the TV show host told the little boy to turn and look behind him; his singing group was standing right there.  Upon seeing them, the boy shouted their name and hugged its leader really tight. What happened next was priceless: the group performed the boy’s favorite song while he was in the arms of the group’s lead singer, singing along with them.

Memories were made on that day that $500 would never be able to buy. When I saw that video, I immediately thought how wonderful it would be if we were as committed to our faith as that little boy was to his musical taste. He knew what he wanted, and he stood by it. He asked what he wanted, and he got it. He believed it and it came to pass.

“Father, may our faith in You always be unwavering and committed.”

 

For His Glory

Luska Suzano
TRBC Women’s Life

 

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Posted in Faith, Hope

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | December 7, 2016

Restoring Beauty

dec-7“Then shall your light break forth like the dawn, and your healing shall spring up speedily; your righteousness shall go before you; the glory of the LORD shall be your rear guard.” Isaiah 58:8 (ESV)

It’s the most wonderful time of the year!  Can’t you just hear those Christmas favs playing on the radio?  Perfect setting to pull out decorations from the garage on a surprisingly warm Sunday afternoon. Red and green plastic bins quickly covered my living room floor.  Carefully, I began unwrapping each ornament – what incredible memories I found.  Tissue paper and wrap piled high, I reached deep inside the last bin and found quite the mess.  One of my snow globes was shattered.  Worst part was the moisture from the broken globe destroyed everything it touched.  What was once beautiful, silver and red ornaments was now covered in dark, yucky mold.

Wonder if shattered and brokenness stored up inside us removes beautiful?  Ever meet someone who has hidden away the hurt yet their pain leaks out on others?  Silence and seclusion become their best friends.  Clinging to past wounds wins over healing.  Revenge closes the door to restoration and anger shouts loud.  Simply put dark, yucky covers the one who allows pain to cover up true beauty hidden underneath.

What are we storing up this Christmas?  Was 2016 unkind, harsh, difficult or challenging?  Did we entertain doubts that the goodness of our God would allow the deepest wounds?  Are we consumed with self while lashing out at the ones who love us the most?

Don’t wait until it is too late – welcome and release the broken shattered places.  Experience the comfort found in the Savior who came with healing in His wings.

“Father, unwrapping the ugly in our lives is hard – give us the courage to release the darkness and be transformed in the light of Your love.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Encouragement, Hope, Love

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | December 6, 2016

Do You Hear What I Hear?

dec-6“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6 (NIV)

Picture this: an 8-year-old girl laying on her belly on the floor of her bedroom in front of the tape recorder. Yes, that was me. before CD’s were “a thing”, I would lay on the floor for hours waiting to hear my favorite Christmas song so that I could record it on my cassette tape. As soon as I heard Do you hear what I hear? come on the radio, I would press record and hold my breath for fear my breathing would make it on the recording. I remember taking the tape I made to mom’s car, and everywhere we went I would beg her to play my tape, even long after the Christmas season was over.

The song is about the night wind who told the little lamb who told the star who told the shepherd boy who told the king that a child was born who will “bring us goodness and light.” Jesus was born to give me goodness when I surely don’t deserve it. I am so very thankful that God chooses to give me not what I deserve, but what He has gifted to me. He was born to give me light in my darkest of times.

Ask yourself, do others see what I see? Do I see the beauty in all things and do I encourage others to see the same? Do others hear what I hear? What do I truly hear in the hustle and bustle of everyday life? Do others know what I know? Am I spreading God’s love and God’s word so that others have the opportunity to know what I know?

The song also says, “Pray for peace, people everywhere!” It does not say pray for peace people in my church, but pray for people everywhere! As we come upon this Christmas season, I pray not only for my family and friends closest to me, but I also pray for those who don’t yet know you, Lord, however near and far they may be.

“Father, we need to so reflect You to our world that they will experience Christ in us every day.”

For His Glory

Denise Crouse
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Faith, Gratitude, Spiritual Living, Worship

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | December 5, 2016

The List

dec-5“Even if these forget, yet I will not forget you.  Look I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands.” Isaiah 49:15b-16a (HCSB)

Got your Christmas list?  Have you been checking it once, twice to make sure you don’t miss anyone?  Can’t leave someone off.  Don’t want to skip over anyone.  Clinging to that list with tight fist and two copies on my desk.  Would be lost without out one.  How about you?

Love the way God promises to never forget us – to never overlook us – to never skip past us.  Isaiah 49:15-16  reminds us His list is engraved in the open palms of His hands.  Sweet revelation before the babe even arrived.  A list unveiling the reason why He came – to redeem all of us.

The world may remove us from its list.  We may be looked over, scratched off.  Our sins may cause us to believe we didn’t make the list.  Guilt overriding freedom. We may even ignore the invitation. Not extended to people like us.   But the truth of Christmas is that we’ve always been on God’s heart.  He longs for us to receive the gift of His Son – the Christ child born in the manger.

Sounds amazing so why do we choose to distance ourselves from the One who draws near?   Hard to imagine why we would reject the Christ Child who came to save us from our long list of wrongs.  Unconceivable to understand why we would resist His power to set us free.  Yet so many times we do.  We believe the lie that He really didn’t come for us.  We distort the truth of who we are and who He is because believing the impossible would mean He can do the impossible for us.

Wonderful Counselor the answer to all we need.  Mighty God powerful enough to solve our biggest stressors. Eternal Father loving enough to choose us and sweep us off our feet. Prince of Peace reconciling our hearts with God. An incredible list that never ends – His greatness entering our world. The miracle of Christmas  – God’s love unwrapped in swaddling clothes lying in the manger – living, breathing proof that we are on His list.

“Father, Your love for us is far greater than we can ever imagined.  The gift of Your Son taking our place. The promise of life with You forever – our joy unspeakable.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
Women’s Life Devotional

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Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Hope

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | December 2, 2016

Our God Of Rich Supply

dec-2“But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19 (HCSB)

Have you ever heard, “God only supplies our needs, not our wants.” As my walk with Christ flourished into a relationship, I realized Jesus not only wants to meet our needs, but He wants to give us our wants!

If an unsaved person who does not acknowledge God has their needs met and they live comfortably day to day, how much more does our Father want to supply and meet His children‘s needs. We are different than the world, we are His heirs. Be thankful that our supply doesn’t come from our riches, but God’s riches…what He is capable of and not from our capability.

The “Shepherd’s Psalm”, Psalm 23 begins “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” Be encouraged, if the Good Shepherd is our Lord we will have no want. Also, in Luke 5, Jesus tells Peter in verse 4 to “…let down your nets for a catch.” Notice the word “nets” is plural and not singular. The catch filled two boats at the verge of sinking. Rejoice and be glad our God is not a singular as in “rich” God, but plural in “riches” God! His supply is never ending. In other words, He will never run out of riches to supply His many children with.

Do you need a job? Don’t be surprised when you receive a position. Have you struggled with infertility? Don’t be surprised if your quiver is full. Is your checking account penniless? Tomorrow may be the day you receive an unexpected check. You may have started out following God jobless, childless, penniless, etc.; however, you cannot remain where you started! Be expectant of where your Father is taking you.

“Father, thank You for supplying more than enough to meet our needs according to Your endless riches in glory.”

For His Glory

Kim Lacey Schock
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Attitude, Encouragement, Faith, Hope

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | December 1, 2016

His Grace Is Greater Than Our Sin

dec-1“Your word I have treasured in my heart, that I may not sin against You.” Psalm 119:11 (NIV)

The wound almost cost him his life. It started halfway down his inner thigh and sliced his leg all the way to his lower sheen. Billy was lucky to survive, as he had three very quick and wise men to grab him, wrap him in a towel and rush him to the hospital before he lost consciousness. One of those three men was Billy’s daddy, the other two were my daddy and one of Billy’s uncles.

The men were playing a game of cards on the porch while the women brewed tea and talked about their neighbors in the kitchen and all the children played outside. The girls were playing jump rope, and the boys were playing a game of street soccer. The soccer game was going well until one of the boys performed a high kick, and the ball landed over the neighbor’s house, which had a tall wall with broken glass bottles on top to keep the burglars away (that is standard practice in third-world countries). Anyway, as the neighbors were not at home and Billy and the boys did not want to stop their game, Billy decided to jump that wall and ignore the glass spears.

Bad choice! Billy tripped and fell, but not before getting his leg sliced by the glass and falling down, unable to get up. The adults took the children inside, as the sight of Billy’s leg was too gory for women and children to witness. His father was crying and begging God to save Billy and enable him to keep his leg. The women were screaming inside and someone said one of them fainted.

Billy could have died that day, but God spared him. The nasty scar that covered most of his leg would be a constant reminder for the rest of his life that sin comes at a cost. He should not have trespassed the neighbor’s property.  God gives us free will and allows us to make our own choices. Sometimes our choices land us in the hands of danger and sometimes death. By His grace, and His grace only, can we receive forgiveness of sin and the gift of eternal life.

“Lord, thank You for redeeming us to Yourself even when we do not deserve it.”

For His Glory

Luska Suzano
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Encouragement, Gratitude, Hope, Spiritual Living

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