Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | June 28, 2016

Who’s Your Daddy?

june 28“Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old, he will not depart from it.”  Proverbs 22:6 (KJV)

 

There is something about children mimicking adults that has always amused me. When my boys were little, it was not uncommon to find them walking around the house in their daddy’s shoes. They would also put on his suit jacket as they took turns pretending they were the daddy.  They played “family” with one another and changed their voices to sound more adult-ish. In sum, they wanted to be like him.

 

In the Jewish culture children are exposed to the word of God at a very young age, and are expected to learn and memorize Scripture on a daily basis. Because a lot of the stories shared in the Jewish culture are not written down in any books,  spending time together sharing and learning is very important.  The patriarchs of each family passes on to their progeny important details about their heritage that those children will someday pass on to their own offspring. The Jewish culture is kept alive by the commitment each household leader has in modeling their beliefs to their children.

 

Children are God’s way of reminding us that we should use wisdom in what we say and do, because – more often than not – they will emulate our actions, good or bad. A child who is exposed to love, patience, kindness, generosity, and compassion will also practice those things.  If we raise them thinking that the lack of those things is the norm, they will grow to lack in those areas, too. Children are teachable, and they will be eager to follow in their parents’ footsteps, because their mommies and daddies are their heroes.

 

My boys are now men with their own families; they get to watch their own children walk around in their shoes and they get to share their own life stories with them. As their mother and grandmother, my heart yearns nothing different for my grandchildren than it did when raising my own sons: to model Jesus to them. It will give me no greater pleasure than to be remembered by my progeny as a child of the King of Kings, whose love I always hope to emulate to anyone with whom I cross paths.

 

“Lord Jesus, You always modeled the Father to us. Please help us to model You to those around us, especially our own heritage.”

 

 

For His Glory

Luska Suzano
TRBC Women’s Life

 

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Posted in Encouragement, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | June 27, 2016

Handling Truth…When We Don’t Understand

june 27“They kept this word to themselves, discussing what “rising from the dead meant.”  Mark 9:10 (HCSB)

Ever been there when despite our closeness to God, we just don’t get it?  We hear His words, we’re listening and we obey what He tells us to do – but we just don’t get it.  We call or text our circle of friends and attempt to figure it out, but our minds just can’t wrap around the truth sitting right before us.

Flip through the pages of Mark and you will find Peter, James and John climbing a high mountain with Jesus and feeling the same. Mark 9 unveils the riveting story of Jesus in all His glory revealing Himself to these men alone.  It was the “awe” moment of their lives.   And then Jesus asks them not to share their experience until He would rise from the grave.

The trio of disciples were the closest to Jesus – His inner circle, yet those words “rise from the dead” were foreign to their thinking.  They just didn’t get it.  Confusion circled their minds because what Jesus was saying was beyond even the miracles they had witnessed.  What they had experienced in the past, where they had walked with Jesus and all they had listened to Him say now hinged on them trusting Him enough to believe in what they couldn’t understand. Despite seeing Jesus in all His glory, the three came down off that mountain with their lips sealed.  They obeyed Jesus command to not share what they had seen until He rose from the dead.

I love the way scripture assures us that they didn’t leak the story.  No tweets, no posts, no Instagrams……they kept silent until God said it was okay.  I love the fact that Jesus called all three to share in that moment.  I love the way He knew they would need each other to confide in, to discuss what they couldn’t get and how He knew they could be entrusted with the truth.

So what do we do with those “I don’t get it” moments?  Do we run to social media and seek everyone’s comments?  Do we allow doubt to overwhelm the truth?  Or perhaps, like Peter, James and John we prove that we can trust Jesus with the things too glorious for us to understand.

 

“Father, Your ways are so much higher than we could ever imagine – help us to lean into You and accept what we don’t understand.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Faith, Hope, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | June 24, 2016

Remember…..

june 24“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.”  Matthew 5:14 (NIV)

Remember your favorite doll? How about your favorite birthday?   Would we dare forget the moment we transitioned from childhood to womanhood?  Or best friends who stuck with us through many boyfriends and crazy pizza nights.

Remember your first Bible?  I sure do.  It was my first Sunday at a new church.  Drizzling, cold rain made the walkway slippery.  And regardless of my father’s attempt to catch me, I kissed the sidewalk unpretty style.  My Bible, well it was quite a mess, but I reached for it. Daddy helped me up, and we headed into my classroom blood stained knees, tears and all.  I’m sure that sweet Sunday School lady never forgot me – I never forgot her.  She was the one who prayed with me when I invited Jesus into my heart.    And that torn Bible , well it had this ugly green hardback cover, but was it ever sweet. I held it really close after that fall, and it held me close many times.

I remember verses I learned – God  spoke them back to me.  I remember stories on flannelgraph; they seemed alive and real just the way God wrote them.  Most of all, I recall this bigger than life man who spoke with a strong voice and a big smile – my Daddy said he was destined to change the world.  You know what, he did – Jerry Falwell changed the world. And this little girl with scuffed up knees and lost promises found hope, encouragement and determination in a spiritual legacy I experienced every time I went to his church.

Do you remember who introduced you to Jesus?  How about the person whose spiritual legacy impacted you?  Amazing, ordinary people – just like you and me who were crazy in love with their God.

“Father, I want to be a person whose ordinary life yields an extraordinary legacy – drawing others to Your throne.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

 

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Posted in Faith, Hope, Love

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | June 23, 2016

Trusting Others Into God’s Hands

june 23“ In God is my salvation and my glory; the rock of my strength, and my refuge, is in God. Trust in Him at all times, you people; pour out your heart before Him; God is a refuge for us Selah.” Psalm 62:7-8 (NKJV)

I sat stunned as someone dear shared things happening within the lives of those whom I love. My heart broke as I listened to details. I asked the age-old question: “Why didn’t you tell me?” And, of course, received the age-old answer: “I didn’t want you to worry.”

I not only wanted to lash out at those involved, but also wanted to confront and threaten, so I devised plans to carry out the next day. As I lay in bed pondering what would be the end results, I was overwhelmed that some could be so sweet around me and another way somewhere else! My trust was betrayed, my emotions torn, and there was only one desire: fix this!

Suddenly it was as though I could hear God saying, “Do not carry out your plans, you will get in My way. I can handle this.” In the flesh, that was so unsatisfactory! I had a choice: either let God do it (the right way) or do it myself, and He would let me make a bigger mess. He is the only One who is truly trustworthy, so I could choose to let Him to take care of this. I couldn’t fix the problems, but I could give them to the Master! Have my problems gone away? Not yet, but I am trusting Him to do what is right!

“Father, it hurts so badly knowing some we love are making wrong choices! Please give all of us who are going through issues we can’t fix the strength to endure, the wisdom to give them to You, and the ability to choose to leave them at the foot of the Cross. Thank You for that Cross, Lord!”

 

For His Glory

Sandy Day
TRBC Women’s Life

 

 

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Posted in Faith, Success, Wisdom

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | June 22, 2016

Beyond Rejection…Totally Accepted

june 22“I am as likely to reject my people Israel as I am to abolish the laws of nature!” Jeremiah 31:36 (NLT)

“Oh Rhett, if you leave where shall I go, what shall I do?”

“Frankly my dear”………well, you know the rest.  In the final scene of the movie Gone With the Wind, Scarlet O’Hara realizes she loves Rhett Butler. But it’s too late. He has waited for her to come to her senses for a long time and now instead of accepting her love, he rejects and abandons her; not really the “happy ending” you would expect.

Can you imagine the sadness Scarlet felt, professing her love, only to be rejected? Unfortunately, in this world there are no guarantees. We may love, but there is always a chance our Rhett Butler will not love us in return.  Thankfully, God is not Rhett Butler.  In fact He is just the opposite. God will never tire of waiting for us to turn to Him. We may drag our feet or reason that we don’t need Him. We may even take the attitude of “someday I’ll get around to God.” None of that matters.  His love for us is capable of withstanding our indecision, reasoning, and procrastination.  He will never reject us. The day we finally realize that He is all we need will be one of rejoicing, not sadness. When we profess our love for Him, He will welcome us into His loving embrace with open arms.  Unlike what happened to Scarlet, our story will have a happy ending.

“Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us without time limit or boundaries. What a blessing that there is no fear of rejection from You, ever.”

 

For His Glory,

Josey Bozzo
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Hope

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | June 21, 2016

He Sees You

june 21“He wanted to see who Jesus was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way.”  Luke 3:4 (NIV)

 

This morning in church I was seated beside a couple with their little girl of about seven years old. The little girl changed places during the service a couple of times because at her height she was unable to see the stage and the lyrics on the big screen. At some point, her daddy strategically placed his right foot sideways and elevated the toes, and told his baby girl to climb on his foot so she could see better. The child was so happy that she was then able to see what she could not see before. Her eyes lit up, and a smile decorated her chubby cheeks as she smiled at her dad.

 

As I witnessed this scene, I immediately thought of Zacchaeus, the tax collector from Luke 19. Zacchaeus was said to be a wealthy man, a tax collector. Yet, as Jesus passed through the town of Jericho, the man of short stature could not see Him through the crowd, so he ran and climbed a tree in order to see the Lord. And the story gets better! Jesus, upon reaching that spot, looked up and said to Zacchaeus, “Come down from there, Zacchaeus, because today I am going to your house!”

 

On that day, Zacchaeus was blessed not only by having Jesus call out to him, but he also experienced salvation. Notorious for extorting people, that man confessed right there and then that he was in the wrong and immediately proposed a solution to the Lord. He offered to give half of his possessions to the poor and to return to people fourfold what he had taken from them.

 

A sinner repenting; a wrongdoer confessing his wrong actions and turning to the Lord. Zacchaeus, the shorty, now stands tall beside the Savior, with his heart and his hands clean from the sin that had been binding him.

 

Are you struggling to see the Lord through your little faith? Fear not! He sees you!

 

“Abba, Your presence is always with us. You are all-knowing. And you care. Thank You, Lord.”

 

For His Glory
Luska Suzano
TRBC Women’s Life

 

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Posted in Faith, Hope, Mercy

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | June 20, 2016

It’s Really Not About Me

june 20“For you have said in your heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God.” Isaiah 14:13a (NIV)

Recited those words many times, yet they keep coming back at me.  Wonder why?  Don’t you just love the way God gently whispers when the “I” seems to take center stage.  Without even recognizing it, we often find ourselves scrambling for attention.  Talking with a group of friends, we somehow draw the conversation back to ourselves.   Embarking on a ministry endeavor, we quickly realize that our way is the best way and did we fail to mention that it was the only way.  Seizing an attitude that we quickly dismiss as hormonal, we rant and rave as though the world revolves around us, our agenda, our plans.  But then again it’s really not about me! Or have we made it that way?

Wasn’t that the problem from the very beginning?  Satan slithered right into our paradise.  Tricked us into thinking it was all about us.  Entertained and enticed us with words that questioned God’s authority.  Promised us wisdom and superiority – the knowledge of good and evil – just like God.  We tasted the lie and then he slithered away for the moment.  We hid in shame, we cast blame and then we attempted to re-make it all about Him, but God knew.  He had heard those words before; the lies that whispered “It’s all about You.”  He had watched a fallen angel descend and destroy.  Yet God prepared a plan and even though we attempted to take center stage; He showed up in all His glory.  Called by name, restored by grace – we worshipped His covering and realized why it’s really all about Him.

“Father, You are the Only One worthy of praise – keep us off the stage, humbling surrendered to You.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Wisdom, Worship

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | June 17, 2016

Take Off Your Sandals

cb devo aug12 “Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.” Exodus 3:5 (NIV)

Seriously, could this really be happening?  I couldn’t see Jesus, but I felt Him.  During a writer’s critique session at a  women’s conference, we were grouped with several strangers.  Unbeknown to them, I had been praying alongside my daughter concerning a hometown Bible study.  Though she had located one via google; unfamiliarity prompted further information.

During my critiquing curiosity prompted me to ask the meaning of an abbreviation on one of the ladies’ papers. She explained ‘back home’ she was involved in a community Bible study – not just a participator but also one of the leaders/facilitators!!  Further conversation revealed this was not only the study my daughter had googled but also ten minutes from her home!   An added bonus – they offer a great children’s program for her toddler!!  Was this not the hand of God?  My heart leapt with joy, I had been on holy ground!!

Throughout our day, how many times does Jesus pass by placing us on holy ground?  Remember Moses?  In Exodus 3:5 – “Do not come any closer,” God said. “Take off your sandals, for the place where you are standing is holy ground.”  Like Moses we figure our day will be like any other ordinary day never anticipating when and how God will show up.  If God hadn’t provided Moses with a miracle it wouldn’t have been a miracle.  God orchestrates ‘miracle moments’ in our lives as well.  Stop, take off your sandals, and bow right where you are – Jesus passes by when you least expect it!!

“Dear Father, please make us aware when you pass by.”

 

For His Glory

Patsy Sanders
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Encouragement, Hope, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | June 16, 2016

Treasuring His Words

Woman Reading a Diary“I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.” Job 23:12 (NKJV)

Who doesn’t love the luscious taste of ice cream piled high with favorite toppings, their favorite entrée, or munchies? Some eat only what is healthy for them, while others have a tendency to over-indulge on anything that brings satisfaction to their hunger pangs.  Some desire just to have that tasty morsel that looks so good! Unless we go on missions trips often, we have a hard time identifying with those who never have enough to eat.

Do we desire God’s Word more than the food we eat? Job stated that he did, and he was one of the few people whom God pronounced as blameless in His sight! Oh, how I wish that were me! Can you imagine what it would be like to have on your tombstone, “Blameless In the Eyes of God?” Job may sound proud as he lists his life actions prior to the days of mourning over the many crises he was enduring, but if we could have seen his ‘body language’ and heard his tone of voice, perhaps he was actually doing a self-examination. He listed all the things he had done—feeding the poor, clothing them,  and good works—trying to discover why God seemed to have turned His back on him. We, like Job, ask that eternal “why” often when we are in the midst of heavy, dark trials.  However, we need to rest in God’s promise that if we hunger and thirst after righteousness as we do our food, we will be filled. That should bless our hearts each day!

“Father, thank You for filling us with everything we need! Create in us a hunger for Your Word so that it becomes the very first necessity of our lives each day. Teach us to love You more and more!”

 

For His Glory

Sandy Day
TRBC Women’s Life

 

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Posted in Spiritual Growth, Wisdom

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | June 15, 2016

Sweet Redeemer

may 17“Who redeems your life from the pit, Who crowns you (lavishly) with lovingkindness and tender mercy…” Psalm 103:4 (AMP)

 

Are you someone who was NOT raised by Christian parents in a Christian home standing on biblical standards and principles? Rules were absent and boundaries nonexistent. The house motto was “live and let live.” Or where you raised totally different? At the opposite end of the spectrum along the short and narrow. Only to take a path contrary to your Christian upbringing. Whichever the case, your choices resulted in what some would label as having a “checkered past.” However, one day all that changed when you met Jesus. The day you received Jesus as your personal Savior your life was instantly changed. The old you passed away and the new you emerged (2 Cor. 5:17).  What was once old was made new by the love and blood of Jesus.

 

Are there people in your life, because of your past, that have discounted or disqualified you? Even after many years of living for Jesus. Shake it off! Do not fret! Don’t let another day pass caring what others may think. God does our qualifying. God qualifies the disqualified and recognizes the discounted.

In Matthew 1:1-16 Jesus’ lineage lists four women, but they are not Sarah, Rebekah, Leah or Rachel. The women the world would consider up standing citizens. The women on Jesus’ family tree is Tamar the prostitute. However, her lineage produced the tribe of Judah by which the Messiah came. Rahab a Gentile and Jericho’s harlot who was instrumental in helping the Israelites defeat Jericho. Ruth, a Moabite viewed as unclean, but would become the great grandmother of King David. And Bathsheba the adulteress, who gave birth to King Solomon by whose lineage Jesus derived.

God purposefully chose women who the world would discount or disqualify because His grace is greater than all our sins. He is the God of the second, third, fourth and one thousandth chances. Even when by our own actions we wreak havoc into our lives. God lavishes upon us His gracious forgiveness, love and mercy. Supernaturally intervening in our lives no matter what the natural may look like and turns our bondage into blessings.

“Thank You Father, we have nothing to prove because through You our qualifications have been met. You have redeemed us from the mire and muck of the pit.”

For His Glory

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

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Posted in Encouragement, Hope

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