Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | October 23, 2015

A Chance of a Lifetime

cb devo oct 23“Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great ; and thou shalt be a blessing.” Genesis 12:1-2 (NIV)

Genesis 12 introduces us to Lot, a man who held onto the curtails of his uncle, Abram’s, faith. Wealth, possessions and favor followed in Abram’s footsteps, so it’s a no brainer as to why Lot wouldn’t want to tag along. He was eager to follow and experience the benefits of Abram’s faith walk. Leaving his homeland of Ur for a great adventure

What about us? Have we found ourselves eager to grab a hold onto someone else’s faith because success characterized their journey? Anytime, we hold onto someone else’s faith walk, we will always shortchange our own. God has a unique growth plan for each of His children’s lives, and He desires to deepen our level of trust in Him. Basing our decisions on what God is leading in someone else’s life without His clear direction for us will land us outside the will of God. So whose curtails do we tend to hold onto? Maybe’s it’s our parent’s faith. Or perhaps we’ve placed our trust in results evidenced in the lives of others rather than the One who sovereignly orchestrates the events in our lives. God is the Rewarder of those who place their faith in Him – don’t miss out on the journey – embracing the life He has for us is more than we can ever imagine.

“Father, empower us to step out in faith and pursue the journey You have for us.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Faith, Spiritual Growth, Wisdom

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | October 22, 2015

Memories

cb devo oct 22“…He has told us that you always have pleasant memories of us and that you long to see us, just as we also long to see you.” 1 Thessalonians 3:6b (NIV)

Memories give us an instant connection to people, places, or events. It’s amazing how sometimes the simplest thing can trigger a memory. One of my favorite pieces of “jewelry” is a rubber flip flop on a string necklace that my hubby won playing skeet ball the first year we went to North Myrtle Beach. It makes me smile every time I see it because it brings back a fun night out with my husband.

In this verse Paul receives a good report from Timothy concerning the Thessalonians. Their pleasant memories of the Apostles made them long to see them again. It also helped them keep their faith going strong.

It’s tough to lose a loved one or even have one move away. However, having memories to look back on and remember the good times does help. Even memories of difficult times or poor choices are valuable. Those memories teach us lessons that once learned we can avoid in the future. No matter which direction memories take you, in the end they lead to various blessings.

“Father God, How thankful we are for the memories that are stored in our hearts and minds. May we use those memories to stay connected to what matters and learn to let go of ones that are holding us back.”

For His Glory,

Katrina Redman
TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Encouragement, Hope

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | October 20, 2015

Awesome

cb devo oct 20“All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” Acts 2:4 (NIV)

Awesome is a word that describes something or someone that causes feelings of wonder or awe. Something awesome can move us from the inside out and cause a thrill and joy that normal things just cannot achieve.

One of the things I characterize as awesome is worship, because something supernatural and unconventional happens during worship. When we alienate things around us and focus on our worship to God, chains are broken and walls fall down; barriers cease to exist, and we are all gathered as one. I recently had one of those awesome experiences while attending the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem (ICEJ) annual Feast of Tabernacles in Israel, along with thousands of people representing 95 nations from around the world. We were gathered in a large arena in Jerusalem called Payis Arena, with the capacity to hold over 15,000 people. Just before they announced the evening speaker, the praise band began to sing the old hymn How Great Thou Art. What began as an English-unison in the first stanza, soon became an audible break down of voices by different languages. All the nations represented in that arena were singing praise to the Lord in their own tongue, just as it had happened in the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2). The power of the Holy Spirit was so strong in the arena, that I, along with hundreds of other people, could not help but fall to our knees and worship the Lord.

Have you experienced something awesome lately? If not, I encourage you to let go of your normal routine for a bit and immerse yourself in praise and worship to the Lord. You will find that all those worries will seem obsolete in the presence of the King, because the Lord inhabits the praises of His people (Psalm 22:3).

“Dear Lord, You are amazing. We give You glory and honor and praise for You are worthy.”

For His Glory

Luska Suzano
TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Hope

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | October 19, 2015

Maneuvering The InBetweens

cb devo oct 19“But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently” Romans 8:25 (NIV)

Fall is definitely in the air, yet the temps have been all over the place. One days it’s high 70’s and the next it’s in the 50’s. I call it “transitional” time. The days get shorter, the darkness comes sooner and well, it’s quite the wardrobe challenge every morning. I’ve gone from boots and leggings to a short sleeve dress all in one week. My bedroom is quite the mess – winter clothes in one pile and summer clothes still on the hangers – just trying to navigate the inbetween.

Transitioning from one season to another can be challenging and even more so when it moves beyond our closets. Ever found yourself maneuvering between where you are and where you thought you should be? Everyone else’s life seems to be moving forward. Success follows every move they make. We frame their life with a seal of perfection and then wait, wait and wait hoping to claim our turn. Or we sulk, whine and attempt to manipulate where we thought we should be.

Love the way God meets us right in the middle of inbetween. Love the patient way He protects us and aligns our path to fit perfectly with His timing. Love the doors He opens wide to gather with others traveling the same. Love the reminder that obedience and contentment means we’re moving forward even if our feet are standing still.

Webster reminds us that transitioning is active, moving from one place to another. God’s word compels us to hold on and drink deep of the lessons now because “this too shall pass.” So while we’re waiting or enduring wouldn’t it be great if we locked arms with someone traveling our way. Nothing sweeter than a great friend to help us maneuver the in-betweens.

“Sweet Jesus, You are our constant companion, the One who leads us through, lifts us up and carries us across the winding paths called life. Ignite the hope within us that looks not around, but always up.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Encouragement, Gratitude, Hope

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | October 16, 2015

A Different Light

cb devo oct 16“So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it.” Hebrews 4:6 (NLT)

What do you do when someone is getting under your skin? Like they’re driving you crazy, and yet you sit there with your smile pasted on while your body is cringing in their presence. Usually it happens with someone you have to constantly have to connect with – a co-worker, family member or perhaps a close friend. Whether they realize it or not, they’re pushing your buttons.

Desperately trying to avoid an emotional outburst, we find ourselves hiding behind our feelings. And the closer the person is to us, the quicker we start stirring up our mind with negativity – building a list of all their wrongs. We see them in a different light or shall I say a different darkness. When my thinking chooses to maximize someone’s weakness, I lose sight of their strengths and my actions start to follow my thinking. Patience and grace slip under the table when I encounter this person. Responses spur out of my mouth and reactions follow leaving little for God to find pleasure in.

Wonder what would have happened if instead of scrutinizing them, I got down on my knees and began to pray? Wonder if my patience level would have increased or better yet I might have gained wisdom in uncovering why they were getting under my skin? Prayer has an incredible way of illuminating the truth and supplying us with God’s grace. When we bring all our relationships to Him, He reveals the true value of their soul. Gently, He reminds us that this one was worthy of the cross – shouldn’t we see them that way too?

“Father, help me to love others by choosing to focus on their strengths while leaving their weaknesses in Your hands.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Coffee Break

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TRBC will be hosting the I Still Do conference on Saturday, October 17th. I Still Do, a Family Life event, is designed for married couples to reconnect and strengthen their marriages. Dennis Rainey, Alistair Begg, and other speakers and entertainers will be sharing from the stage. The conference will be hosted live at the church and simulcast nationwide to thousands of churches! It’s an exciting event and we’d love to see the Worship Center filled with couples committed to their marriage, especially in light of the recent Supreme Court decision.

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Posted in Attitude, Love, Mercy, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | October 15, 2015

One Special Boat Ride

cb devo oct 15“Simon answered, “Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.” Luke 5:5 (NIV)

Over 2,000 years ago, Jesus had a conversation with some fishermen who were frustrated due the fact they had tried to catch fish all night, to no avail. He was actually there at the Sea of Galilee teaching when He noticed what was going on. That morning those men experienced something fantastic. The Lord Jesus told them to cast their nets yet again, and He actually told them where exactly to do so, and their obedience yielded a large amount of fish.

Last week, I had the privilege to cross the Sea of Galilee on a boat along with dozens of other people from my home country of Brazil. Everyone on the boat was in a joyful mood, singing, dancing, praying and fellowshipping with one another as we prayed for the nation of Israel. The most amazing thing happened when we were reminded that our Lord and Savior had once walked on water in that very place. Everyone on our boat began praying and worshipping the Lord, and praying for one another, as if anticipating a miracle that very moment. The mere mention of the Lord’s name brought an overall desire to be in His presence and show Him gratitude for all that He has done for us.
Though the Lord Jesus was not physically with us, He was very much there during that boat ride. Anyone witnessing the spiritual feast that took place on that boat would agree that something special, just as a magnificent fish catch or witnessing Jesus walking on water was taking place that day.

Life with Jesus is exactly like the boat ride I was on or the experience the disciples had on the day Jesus walked on the water or the time when the fishermen obeyed and cast their nets to the water. If we keep our focus on Him and allow ourselves to enjoy the ride, our boat will be filled with His presence and we may just catch a miracle.

“Father, thank You for Your ever-present supernatural intervention when we need it.”

For His Glory

Luska Suzano
TRBC Coffee Break

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TRBC will be hosting the I Still Do conference on Saturday, October 17th. I Still Do, a Family Life event, is designed for married couples to reconnect and strengthen their marriages. Dennis Rainey, Alistair Begg, and other speakers and entertainers will be sharing from the stage. The conference will be hosted live at the church and simulcast nationwide to thousands of churches! It’s an exciting event and we’d love to see the Worship Center filled with couples committed to their marriage, especially in light of the recent Supreme Court decision.

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Posted in Faith, Worship

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | October 14, 2015

Serving God In All Seasons

cb devo oct 14“It is a land the Lord your God cares for; the eyes of the Lord your God are continually on it from the beginning of the year to its end. So if you faithfully obey the commands I am giving you today—to love the Lord your God and to serve him with all your heart and with all your soul— then I will send rain on your land in its season, both autumn and spring rains, so that you may gather in your grain, new wine and olive oil.” Deuteronomy 11:12-14 (NIV)

I’ve been in a season of poor health and had to cut out working for over a year. Every now and then someone will ask what I’m doing and my answer is usually a flippant – surviving. Then God convicted me that He didn’t put me in this season to just survive, He has a purpose that includes me serving. I love how this verse in Deuteronomy reminds us that God has His eyes on the land for the entire year. He sees the bigger picture that we cannot see. We only have to be obedient, faithful to His commands and leading; He will provide what we need. Just like He provides the land with the appropriate rains to ensure the crops flourish and we can harvest them at the appointed time.

We have always heard God doesn’t give us more than we can handle and believe me there are times when I really question that. However, if you look at a glow stick you don’t see anything special at first. Once it’s bent and the inside is broken, it shines in the darkest places. That’s what God does – He brings us through the darkest times, gently bends us and breaks down the inner strongholds so God’s light and blessings shine through.

“Father, It is not easy to face difficult times and it’s our human nature to recoil and hide. To crawl in bed and just not want to face the day. Give us the strength to stand strong in the dark while you work to gently break strongholds and anything keeping us from serving you fully. Thank you for the blessings that will eventually shine through.”

For His Glory,

Katrina Redman
TRBC Coffee Break

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TRBC will be hosting the I Still Do conference on Saturday, October 17th. I Still Do, a Family Life event, is designed for married couples to reconnect and strengthen their marriages. Dennis Rainey, Alistair Begg, and other speakers and entertainers will be sharing from the stage. The conference will be hosted live at the church and simulcast nationwide to thousands of churches! It’s an exciting event and we’d love to see the Worship Center filled with couples committed to their marriage, especially in light of the recent Supreme Court decision.

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Posted in Encouragement, Hope, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | October 13, 2015

Home – A Sweet Aroma

cb devo oct 13“…But as for me and my house we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15 (NKJV)

Certain memories of home seem to never fade away. They live in our hearts forever. For instance, the distinct scent unique to your childhood home. Maybe it’s the sound of the screen porch door when it slammed shut. Or the experience of spectacular sunsets while sitting in a barn loft as the sun disappeared behind a mountain ridge.

Perhaps you have fond memories of Sunday lunch at grandma’s house after church or the security of nightly routines of being tucked into bed safe and sound.

The homes we create often give a visual sense into our lives. Visitors and guests get a view and feel of who we are by our keepsakes, pictures and even our home decor, etc. Our homes tell a lot about who we are, what we like and how we live.

We live in an imperfect world and our homes can at times be chaotic; however, even in the midst of chaos there still can be a sweet aroma of Christ (2 Cor. 2:15). The way we handle the woes of this world will determine the fragrance, whether it’s a sweet perfume or unpleasant stench.

When family, friends and guests come to visit and fellowship, may our homes permeate a recognizable difference. A homey refuge where God is welcome and celebrated but the world is not.

From the beginning of time and before the creation of mankind, God’s purpose was for us to live in constant fellowship with Him. The Lord wants us to be so at home with Him that our lives radiate a wonderful glimpse of what it means to be His child to a lost and dying world.

“Lord, we pray our homes are beacons of light that shine bright into a dark world illuminating Your glory and Your love for us.”
For His Glory

Kim Lacey Schock
TRBC Mountain Blend

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TRBC will be hosting the I Still Do conference on Saturday, October 17th. I Still Do, a Family Life event, is designed for married couples to reconnect and strengthen their marriages. Dennis Rainey, Alistair Begg, and other speakers and entertainers will be sharing from the stage. The conference will be hosted live at the church and simulcast nationwide to thousands of churches! It’s an exciting event and we’d love to see the Worship Center filled with couples committed to their marriage, especially in light of the recent Supreme Court decision.

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Posted in Attitude, Faith, Spiritual Living, Success, Worship

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | October 12, 2015

Fully Alive

cb devo oct 12“And the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.” I Peter 5:10 (ESV)

Who would have thought that October would bring May showers? Crunchy brown grass under my feet a few weeks ago is now a plush soft green – can’t help those feelings of Spring. What I thought was dead and ready to be discarded is now blooming, fully alive. Undisturbed by the drenching down pours. Unattended by me their keeper. My flowers are growing despite Fall is here and Winter is quickly approaching. I’m taking in every moment, totally breathless.

If God refreshes, replenishes, and restores the flowers in the field, He wouldn’t miss a chance to do the same for you and me.

Got any dead places? You know what I mean…those places in our lives that we’ve neglected, abandoned for way too long. Places we’ve given up on as time has slipped through our fingers. Hope that’s been extinguished crushing our spirits. Attitudes that color us negative and drab. Regrets that have settled in and stifled our dreams. Deadness that’s crept into our souls stealing away our passion for Jesus. Do I really need to go on?

Dead places convince us it’s time to discard, give up and forget ever being revived. But that, my sweet friend is where God steps in. He longs to shower us with His grace and love. He longs to refresh and invigorate our walk with Him. God delights in reaching down to lift us back up. He takes great pleasure in mending broken hearts and restoring lost dreams. What we left unattended, God will nurture back to health, if we embrace the sweet nourishment of His truth, grace and love.

Fully alive and blooming – amazing what God does with our dead places!

“Sweet Jesus revive those things in my life that are dead, lifeless and desperately in need of your nourishment.
For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Coffee Break

 

Add Clip

TRBC will be hosting the I Still Do conference on Saturday, October 17th. I Still Do, a Family Life event, is designed for married couples to reconnect and strengthen their marriages. Dennis Rainey, Alistair Begg, and other speakers and entertainers will be sharing from the stage. The conference will be hosted live at the church and simulcast nationwide to thousands of churches! It’s an exciting event and we’d love to see the Worship Center filled with couples committed to their marriage, especially in light of the recent Supreme Court decision.

 

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Posted in Encouragement, Hope, Spiritual Growth

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | October 9, 2015

Overshadowed By “Us”

cb devo oct9“Pray also for me, that the message may be given to me when I open my mouth to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel. For this I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I might be bold enough in Him to speak as I should.” Ephesians 6:19-20 (NIV)

Confident, bold, eloquent in speech – isn’t that what we’d love. However, sweaty palms and quaking voice accompany us before speaking to a group or on stage. Butterflies flipping in our tummy send us racing to the ladies’ room. And after a few bouts of this, we decide we just can’t do it. Our message, our testimony, gets overshadowed by “us.”

The self- absorption we sweetly call the fear of speaking in public consumes us squishing away His message. Yes, it’s our focus on “us” that steals away those moments of sharing our God story. We throw out our bag of excuses in the presence of even a small audience and chose to silence our voice. What if we say the wrong thing? What if they remember our past and discount what we’re saying about God now? And we didn’t even touch the lack of the right outfit or latest hairstyle to clinch the speaking in front of others deal.

Don’t you just love the way Paul left “us” out of his prayer to God. His focus wasn’t on how he looked or his past. Instead, the former arrogant persecutor of Christ followers simply asked for boldness in sharing the life changing gospel – the birth, life, death and resurrection of His Lord. Wouldn’t we be wise to do the same and release the chains holding us back from speaking boldly in His name?

“Father, help us to eliminate the “us” and focus our hearts on being ambassadors of your life transforming gospel.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Coffee Break

I Still Do, a Family Life event, is designed for married couples to reconnect and strengthen their marriages. Dennis Rainey, Alistair Begg, and other speakers and entertainers will be sharing from the stage. The conference will be hosted live at TRBC and simulcast nationwide to thousands of churches! It’s an exciting event and we’d love to see the Worship Center filled with couples committed to their marriage, especially in light of the recent Supreme Court decision.

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Posted in Attitude, Spiritual Living, Success, Wisdom

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