Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | June 3, 2025

Beloved

“But God shows His love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”  Romans 5:8

Do you ever have those days when you feel unlovable? Like you can’t do anything right or say anything right. (You know this because others get irritated with you, and you’re not sure why exactly.) Maybe you feel unlovable because when you look in the mirror and see only ugliness—despite your inherent beauty, based on both objective reality and the fact that you are created in the image of God. This sense of “unlovableness” may also result from sheer fatigue. Being battered daily by work, lack of sleep, physical pain, even the bad news blaring from whatever screen you spend time watching, colors our self-perception in myriad ways (and never for good).

What about unlovable’s cousin, unloved? This one probably warrants an astounding “yes” from us all—feeling unloved is sadly quite prevalent. (Especially in today’s world digital connectedness that creates only shallow relationships and false community. Especially for young people. But that’s another rant—I mean, story.) You may feel unloved because you’ve not found the spouse you’ve been praying for. Or you’ve lost your spouse—through death, divorce, or emotional abandonment. Moms and dads can feel unloved when children don’t answer their calls or tell them the truth about their lives. And when a friend betrays us (in real or imagined ways), the accusations of “You’re so unlovable!” peck at our minds like unyielding buzzards on a dead possum. (Sorry for the specific imagery there, but that’s something I see quite frequently in my ‘hood.)

Friend, know this: You are beloved by God (Jude 1-2). God’s love is unconditional, unending, unrelenting. It’s who He is (1 John 4:8,16). And it’s because of this love for us—His best creation, modeled after Himself—God sent His Son to pay the penalty for our sin and unrighteousness. (Because, although God created Man perfectly for a perfect relationship with Him, Man blew it, severing that relationship. And although God loves all people with general love and provides general grace to all, we are not all in right relationship with God.) Jesus lived a perfect life and died the death we deserve, defeating death and rebuilding the bridge to the Father. If God loves you that much, then, sweet friend, how can you possibly consider yourself unloved?

This amazing love—underserved and unearned—converts us from dark to light. Transforms us from unrighteous to righteous. Washes us white as snow when our sin made us crimson-stained. God’s love through Christ Jesus makes us holy in God’s sight. So, no matter what image you see reflected in the mirror, God sees a reflection of His perfect Son! You are lovable!

That sense of unlovedness and unloveableness comes from the pit of hell. It’s the enemy of our soul who sends those vultures to peck away at our true self-image in God. (Remember, Satan was the first creature to break a perfect relationship with God…and he wants us all in his camp.) Don’t believe the lie or give in to the devil’s trickery. God loves you! Accept His Son, Jesus, and be accepted in the Beloved (Ephesians 1:5-7). Experience the amazing love, grace, and mercy of our Lord. And know you are beloved in Him.

“Father, help me recognize the lies of the enemy that tell me I’m not loved. You love me with an everlasting, unrelenting love—may I hold fast to that Truth.

For His Glory

Julianne Winkler Smith
TRBC Women’s Life

 

 

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Posted in Encouragement, Hope, Love

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | June 2, 2025

Tending To Our Souls

“Then they sent the tunic of many colors and they brought it to their father (Jacob) and said, “We have found this. Do you know whether it is your son’s tunic or not?”  Genesis 37:32 (NKJV)

Wounded hearts speak a language all their own.  We don’t often know the who, what or why but we feel the angst and bitterness which spews off their lips.  We witness the arched brows, the face twisted at the very mention of someone’s name.  We glimpse the avoidance and denial.  And while we are void of details, we realize the collateral wounds seeping deep into their heart.

Scripture reminds us of this downward spiral and the devastation found when one lives with this all consuming fire burning within them. Genesis 37 unfolds a familiar story – one we probably all loved hearing about as kids.  The giving of the coat of many colors to Joseph resonates with us all doesn’t it?  We would love to be the favorite, the chosen one.  Yet there’s a big problem with this picture.  Joseph was one of twelve brothers.  None of his other brothers received a special coat from their dad, Jacob.

Jacob’s favoritism drove a deep wedge among Joseph’s siblings. The evidence of their father’s devoted love to one versus all of his sons wounded their hearts.  Rather than confront their father, the excluded others allowed hatred to take root.  No kind words did they have for Jacob’s favorite.   And then Joseph chooses to tell his brothers about not only one dream but two dreams where they are bowing down to him.  Not exactly perfect timing on Joseph’s part. Deep seeds of hatred flourished as envy rose to the surface.

Fast forward to Joseph’s brothers tending their father’s flock in Shechem, and the spiraling hatred intensifies until they sell him off to the Ishmaelites.  Returning home, this band of brothers deceived their father into thinking Joseph had been killed by a wild beast.  Only his blood-stained coat of many colors remained.

How could a family become so unloving and distanced?  We find a clue in Genesis 37:32. Unresolved hatred, anger, bitterness and envy opened wide the door for wounded brothers to wound their own. No longer did they refer to Joseph as their brother; he was their father’s son.  Sharp words echoing in the overwhelming grief.

Quite easy to judge the response of Joseph’s brothers.  Bet we would never have hated, envied or disowned one of our own.  Yet we’d better unveil our eyes and reexamine the dynamics within our own relationships. Whether it’s family or not, deep wounds can separate the closest of bonds.  And once distance takes root it’s easy to write off, dismiss and leave them behind.

Love these reminders from God’s word on how we should build healthy relationships:

Be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to anger (James 1:19-20)
Be humble, gentle, patient  and full of peace (Ephesians 4:2-3)
Avoid the worldly draw to envy and jealousy (I Corinthians 3:3; Galatians 5:20)
Don’t be easily provoked (Ephesians 7:9)
Face your anger but sin not (Ephesians 4:26)
Love God and love others (Matthew 22:36-40)

Just  a sampling of the wisdom of God who knows and has seen the devastating impact of wounded hearts who wound others.  Sweet friends, let’s choose today to tend to our souls.  Heal our wounds and walk in obedience with the One (Jesus) who by His wounds we are healed (Isaiah 53:5).

“Father, help us to truly love others the way You have chosen to love us. Heal our wounded souls so we can love and not wound the people you bring into our life.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Encouragement, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | May 30, 2025

Tangible Results of A Surrendered Life

“For this very reason, make every effort to supplement your faith with virtue, and virtue with knowledge, and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with steadfastness, and steadfastness with godliness, and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love.” 2 Peter 1:5-7 (ESV)

If you looked in my cabinets, you would think I had a side business – vitamins and supplements line my shelves. Jokingly, I used to tease my husband about all his nutrients filling up my space. But let’s just keep it real here – our food is so stripped of the nutrients we need, one has to do something. So in the Martin house our something is staring me in the face every time I open my pantry doors. And I have to admit adding supplements to my diet has been very beneficial. I definitely don’t get sick very often (even during flu season), and I feel much better. Laughter aside, my husband was on the right track.

Absolutely love the way the Apostle Paul emphasizes supplementing our faith with the tangible results of a life surrendered to God. Stacking the building blocks of our faith one upon the other, Paul lays out a plan guaranteed to please our Heavenly Father. Best part – we don’t have to rely on self. God has equipped us and filled us with the Holy Spirit which empowers and strengthens us to walk in excellence.

Sure there will be hiccups along the way; definitely no perfection sealed up here on this earth. We maneuver this world warring within ourselves, desiring to do life God’s way and yet giving into our own selfish desires. Paul knew this struggle well: “I have the desire to do what is right, but I do the very thing I hate (Romans 7:15-17).” Gotta love his honesty – we’re all there. Probably the exact reason Paul spurs us on to moral excellence (virtue), wisdom (knowledge), self control bridged with unmoveable feet keeping in step with God’s integrity. End result, we pour out deep affection and love for one another clear examples, living proof of the faith within us.

Keeping it real sweet friends; God’s grace covered Paul in those not so good moments and He does the same for us. But it sure does make Jesus smile when we hit the mark. Adding one upon another exemplifying Him in all we do – partakers of God’s divine power – claiming His promise to help us escape the corruption of this world and glorify Him.

“Father, so blessed by your grace and mercy. Forever grateful for endless days when You picked me up, wiped me off and set my feet to dancing. Love you always.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Faith, Hope, Spiritual Growth

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | May 29, 2025

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 Natali
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Hope, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | May 28, 2025

Car Wash Theology

“And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.” Isaiah 30:21 (ESV)

We have a fancy new car wash in our town. My daughter enrolled us in the family plan, which means she pays one amount per month and we can get car washes as often as we want. What a gift! Since we live on a gravel road where the dust coats everything, the privilege of on-demand car washes makes me feel absolutely wealthy.

I was running errands this afternoon and decided to duck into the car wash. Two young men approached me with mops and went over my hubcaps and windshield. They directed me to roll to a spot where my wheels were between rails. Once there, they told me to put the car in neutral and relax. Then the magic happened: They pushed a button on a keyboard, and my car moved forward automatically, staying safely inside the rails. I moved into the shower of soapy water, rinse water, and various polishes. I didn’t have to worry about getting off course to the right or the left, because I was inside the rails under someone else’s power.

Did you ever wonder if you’re where God wants you? Have you listened for His voice to give you direction? I have, but sometimes in my human weakness I’ve wondered—did I hear Him right? What if I make a mistake?

We have that beautiful promise in Isaiah 30:21: Your ears will hear a word behind you…whenever you turn to the right or to the left. “This is the way, walk in it.” And if I misunderstand and get outside the rails, if I make a mistake, I can count on His faithfulness. He is watching me and will correct me like a GPS. “Recalculating. This is the way.” And I can do what He asks of me under His mighty power, not my weakness.

What a wonderful gift of peace, to know that the Lord is shepherding me, ready to correct my path. It’s like being in the car wash. Impossible to go in the wrong direction if I don’t rebel and try to jump the rails.

“Lord, we thank You for Your guidance and direction. Help us to submit to Your voice and enjoy the peace of knowing that we are in Your hands.

 For His Glory

 

Cherie Williams (www.cherieharbridgewilliams.com)
TRBC Women’s Life

 

 

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Posted in Encouragement, Hope, Success, Wisdom

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | May 27, 2025

Prove Yourself

“Do all things without complaining or arguments; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world.”  Philippians 2:14-15

My husband and I are huge fans of the “Great British Baking Show”—we’ve watched every season (and some more than once). We love the premise and the competition…and, of course, the end-product baked goods. The only problem with our bingeing this particular show is that it leads to another sort of bingeing in that we tend to start baking delicious treats. One of our favorite weeks of the show is “Bread Week,” when the participants craft mouth-watering bread creations. Since Paul Hollywood is the master of all-things-bread, it’s a tough week for the competitors. The surface crust must be just-so, and the inside the perfect aerated texture. With each fail, it’s usually the result of not being “proved” enough—or, in other words, the dough needed to grow more.

In his letter to the Philippians, the Apostle Paul uses this concept of “proving”—the process of growth—to make a point to the believers in Philippi (and to us) that our salvation is also a process. We’re to “work it out with fear and trembling” (Philippians 2:12). Now, please note that we are saved into new life the moment we surrender to Jesus as our Lord and Savior by grace through faith. That said, the rest of our life until we are in glory with the Lord is a process of becoming more and more like Christ (also called “sanctification”). And we are only able to do this through the power of the Holy Spirit living in us.

Paul exhorts us in all his epistles as to the “how’s” of sanctification, and it’s true within Philippians as well. In chapter 1, Paul reminds us that God, who began a good work in us through salvation will complete it (1:6). He then goes on to encourage us to love others more and more through continuing to know the Word and seek discernment, which will help us live fruity lives (1:9-11). We’re reminded to be bold for the gospel and stand firm against false teachers and persecutors, even unto death (1:16-30). Then, Paul goes on to urge us to maintain unity in the church body, humbling ourselves to put others first as Christ did for us (2:1-11). What’s more (and what’s super-difficult), we’re to “do all things without complaining or arguing” (2:14). We don’t live this way to earn anything! We live this way in response to our salvation and to continually grow in our faith.

As Paul says in verse 15 of chapter 2, this is how the “proving”—or growth—happens. Not only are we becoming more and more like Jesus as we walk out our lives as children of God, but we become beacons of light in this dark world. We’re not needing to “prove ourselves blameless and pure”—we’re clearly not in this life! We live in a fallen body in a fallen world operated by our enemy. This “proving” is simply continuing the process God started in us to become more and more blameless and pure, standing out from the perverse culture around us. We’re to be a beacon of light drawing others into its warmth, security, and hope.

So, friend, let’s prove ourselves. Not in the way our world uses this phrase—we don’t have to prove anything because we didn’t earn our salvation—it was a gift. Like that “scrummy” loaf of delectable bread, we must allow for the process of growth, rising up toward our ultimate glory when we’re Home with the Lord.

“Father God, thank You for the gift of salvation! Through the power of the Holy Spirit living in me, help me grow to be more and more like Jesus, and shine like a light in darkness around me.”

For His Glory

Julianne Winkler Smith
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Spiritual Growth

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | May 26, 2025

When God Answers The Unspoken

“Praise be to God, who has not rejected my prayer or withheld his love from me!”  Psalm 66:20 (ESV)

Rain, rain and drenching rain characterized our weather over the last few weeks. During one of those pour down weeks, I had to make an unexpected trip to Duke with my brother due to a serious eye condition. His appointment was at 8:15 in the morning – and yes, that was really early. So Monday night, I was hustling to get things done and around 8:30 pm opened my front door to see what the temp was outside. When I glanced down at the black mulch in my flower beds, I saw my car key.  It must have fallen out of my purse when I came into the house from work.

Earlier that night, I had been praying for our trip to Duke. The forecast was for fog and heavy rain. And I failed to mention, I had two slick tires on the front of my car. I didn’t realize they were so bad until Monday, but the tire repair store couldn’t get my new tires until Friday. So, my focus was zeroed in on safety as we traveled because we would be leaving at 4:30 in the morning.

I say all of that because at 4:30 in the morning, I would have realized my key was missing – I was already on a tight time frame. With the dark early morning and rain pouring down, I don’t know if I would have seen my black key in that bed of mulch….but God knew. He provided for something I didn’t even ask for,,,,because He knew what I needed.

Sometimes, we ask God for one thing and we zero in on that one thing, yet He knows all the things we need especially those things we are totally unaware of. My heart was immediately filled with gratitude when I realized God had me open that door so I would see my key and our trip wouldn’t be delayed. Also, He got us there safely and on time despite the treacherous weather and bad tires. With all the recent car accidents in our family – we are forever grateful for His loving protection.

We all have lots of things we’re praying for – urgent needs we are bringing before our God. Most days, I’m constantly breathing out prayers just to survive, yet I know my God is going before me, beside me and behind me covering me every step of the way. Out of His lavish love for me, I can rest in His sovereignty confidently aware that my prayers are reaching His ears. He welcomes each word breathed out, and the best part is the Holy Spirit intercedes on my behalf when my voice is silent.

Sweet friends, the enemy wants us to believe our prayers fall on deaf ears. Yet, we can rest assured our God never rejects our prayers. He eagerly longs to hear our voice and sees beyond what we perceive we need in the moment. God’s  loving kindness and divine wisdom will move into action on behalf of His daughters to accomplish His purposes. We simply need to persist in coming to His throne and trust Him to do exceedingly, abundantly more than we dare ask.

“Father, thank You for hearing my prayers and revealing to me exactly what I needed and didn’t even ask for. Your love surpasses all of my expectations and reminds me that You are actively working to provide what I need.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

 

 

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Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Hope, Prayer

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | May 23, 2025

When Forgetting Takes Root

“After them another generation rose up who did not know the Lord or the works He had done for Israel.” Judges 2:10b (HCSB)

How could something so right go so wrong? Isn’t that what we always wonder? Don’t know about you but I thought the Children Of Israel had finally gotten it right. Into their Promised Land they arrived. Totally free, unencumbered – nothing holding them back. Joshua’s generation faithfully worshipped the Lord during his lifetime and even during the life of the elders who came after him. Sounds like the perfect ending to a long awaited journey.

But then a new generation arrived on the scene and these people didn’t know the Lord. They didn’t endure the injustice and slavery of Egypt. They didn’t witness the Red Sea parting. They didn’t know the wonder of watching miracle after miracle happen. They didn’t step foot into the Promised Land and realize their shoes and clothes had not worn out after 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. They didn’t witness the walls of Jericho crumbling down. They didn’t fight off the enemies and claim their inheritance. But their parents, grandparents – the generation before them did.

So what went wrong……..somewhere down the generational line a forgetting took root. A failure to remember God’s goodness in a land of desperation. A slipping away from re-telling the amazing departure from slavery and the God who stayed before them and behind them all the way. Somewhere down that line an incredible heritage rich in God’s mercies didn’t fall on their ears.

This promising generation – the one who came after reaping the bounty and reward of those who went before them. Blessed beyond all measure yet found themselves wandering not in a desert but abandoning the one true God.

Let’s not repeat this same mistake. Tell them, sweet friend tell them the old, old story of Jesus and His love. Don’t let our faith end with us. Invest, teach, share, repeat, disciple and then keep walking forward. Ensure they know about our God so that when the enemy raises his head, they won’t mistake him for the truth. Instill deep faith by living our faith out loud. Invite conversations where God is lifted up and worship flows. Make sure those who come behind us have no excuse to not fall absolutely in love with our Jesus.

“Father, we know You and we want to tell our world all about You. Remove forgetting – don’t let it take root – help to never lose sight of how glorious You are.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Faith, Spiritual Living, Wisdom

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | May 22, 2025

A Puff Of Dust

“He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels.”   Revelation 3:5  (NKJV)

When my husband and I moved from Florida to Virginia, we bought a little retirement home on ten acres on the slope of a hill. It’s so unlike our sunbaked house in the Sunshine State. Our land sits in the foothills of the Blue Ridge and has hundreds of trees on it. We’re at an elevation that seems like a lofty mountaintop to a long-time Florida flatlander. We often sit outside and listen to the birds chirping and the wind whispering through the tops of the trees. We love living here.

The only disadvantage that came with this little spot of heaven is the dusty unpaved road. From the road, the driveway slopes downhill to the house. With every passing vehicle, clouds of dust whoosh up, filling the air, then filter down toward us. We can sit in our deck chairs and watch the gray-brown cloud slowly float down and dissipate, eventually coating our cars and outdoor furniture. Thank God for water hoses.

Look at what the prophet had to say about dust. Jeremiah 17:13 says, “…Those who turn away from you will be written in the dust because they have forsaken the Lord…”

Imagine taking a stick and writing someone’s name on our road. The first puff of wind would blow that name away, to be seen no more. If there were no wind, the first car that came along would obliterate the name. And if there were no cars, the first passing dog would leave tracks, making the name impossible to read. That’s a pretty good illustration of having your name written in the dust. That name wouldn’t stand a chance.

Don’t we want to be among the overcomers whose names are in the Book of Life, not in the dust? I want to wear those white garments we’re promised in Revelation and not be concerned with a gust of wind that would take away my name. Thank God for the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross, giving us that assurance that, as overcomers, our names are safely inscribed in the Book of Life.

“Heavenly Father, we thank you that your love and protection are everlasting for those of us who have turned to you as our Savior and Lord. We thank you that we can know our names are in the Book of Life not to be erased, and that we belong to You.”

 

For His Glory

 

Cherie Harbridge Williams
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Hope

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | May 21, 2025

Our Absolute Need For Jesus

“God blesses those who are poor and realize their need for him, for the Kingdom of Heaven is theirs.” Matthew 5:3 (NLT)

Introduction to motherhood can be a hard pill to swallow. Who knew a tiny baby could produce so much waste … and spread that waste in unexpected places? Babies can survive on short naps for what seems like forever, a full night’s sleep taunting moms like an illusion. “Sleeping like a baby” should never mean that a person is sleeping soundly. Babies have no clue what time of day it is. Even a knowledgeable, well-prepared Mom can struggle to train a baby to sleep when the sun goes down instead of whenever the baby feels like it.

When a baby is hungry, he cries. When his diaper is wet or dirty, he cries. When a baby is out of sorts for any reason, or just wants to be held, he cries. Babies cannot feed, change, or take care of themselves … they are helpless.

In our key verse, the word “poor” (or “poor in spirit” in other translations) means a person who realizes they are spiritually helpless. Helplessness is not an attractive quality in our society. We present ourselves to others as strong, in control, happy, and maybe even perfect. As parents, we take care of our helpless newborns, fully expecting our babies to grow into fully functioning adults during the next 18 years.

Jesus, on the other hand, is laying out a new goal to strive toward as he teaches his disciples and the crowd gathered on the mountainside. Rather than being strong, we will be blessed if we realize our complete weakness without God. We will be blessed when we acknowledge His sovereignty and utter control over our lives. We will never find true happiness until we recognize our complete dependence on God. We have no hope of perfection without putting on His perfection through the sacrifice of Jesus.

“But Jesus said, ‘Let the children come to me. Don’t stop them! For the Kingdom of Heaven belongs to those who are like these children.’” Matthew 19:14 (NLT)

Three Gospel accounts record Jesus calling the children to Himself (Matthew 19:14, Mark 10:14, and Luke 18:16). The lesson in all of these verses cannot be overlooked. We cannot spiritually feed, change, or take care of ourselves. We are helpless. Jesus calls us to Him as children, recognizing our absolute need for Him. Will you come to Him?

“We recognize our absolute helplessness, Lord, and come to You as children, asking You to feed us with Your Word, change us to be more like You, and take care of us. Thank You for Your unconditional love.”

For His Glory

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

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Posted in Faith, Hope

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