Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | February 20, 2014

God Can Use It

Pretty woman portrait“Here I am, Lord, send me.” Isaiah 6:8b (NIV)

Sometimes in life we allow grief and disappointment to shift our focus from what is important and we end up missing out on what the Lord has to give us. This past Christmas holiday showed me that really well.   I was overcome by sadness over some wrong done to me, and I was convinced that I was supposed to have a pity party for myself and allow my family a happy holiday without me.  End result, I stayed in town on my own.

 Little did I know, but the Lord had other plans for me and His plan included turning my mourning into joy. On Christmas day, I ended up going to lunch at the house of friends of friends of mine. I had prepared some potato salad for a Christmas party that got cancelled the night before, so I took it to lunch with me. As it turned out, at the home where I was, there was a little lady who was about to breathe her last breath on this earth. The only thing she was willing to eat that day was my potato salad. That was such a humbling experience for me! I thought I had nothing to give to anyone during the holidays, and yet the Lord showed me that He could take away my grief if I was only willing to follow His lead. The sweet lady went to be with the Lord the next day, and I learned that sometimes we must take our eyes off our own hurts and pains and let Him use us to bless others.

 “Father God, we are so self-centered at times and as a consequence, we lose sight of what You have in store for us. Please help us to give our problems to You and trust that You have our best interest at hand.”

 For His Glory

 Luska Suzano
TRBC Coffee Break

 

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Posted in Attitude, Encouragement, Hope, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | February 19, 2014

Maximizing One Day

cb dev feb 4“Companions as we are in this work with you, we beg you, please don’t squander one bit of this marvelous life God has given us.”  2 Corinthians 6:1 (MSG)

 Ever make a list, a detailed plan and then wondered why the dream drifted off to sea?  Elusive dreams slip out the window as tomorrow settles in for the night.  Procrastination loves to rob us of our dreams and goals. If we allow ourselves to step into the quicksand of excuses and rationalizations, we will quickly bury our dreams.  Perhaps this is the year,  we actually unpack our “one days” and strategically take action to transition “one day” into today.  What would that look like?  Perhaps we’d start by examining why our dreams aren’t important enough to fuel us into action today.  Maybe we’d find that it’s too easy to push them off fearing failure.  Perhaps we’ve been too distracted by the demands of  others and the detours of the seemingly urgent for the moment.  Transforming “one days” requires a re-commitment to listening to God’s voice and allowing Him to sift through our priorities.  Igniting “one days” involves a renewed devotion and passion to the purpose God has for our lives. Seizing “one days” invites a refueled discipline to lift ourselves from sinking in excuses to empowered fulfillment.  Oh , just the sound of those words turns elusive dreams into sweet reality. Wouldn’t we love to take our list, our detailed plans and our dreams to the next level?  Wouldn’t we love to dance in the circle of few who partner hard work and determination to resurrect what was once dead into vibrant life? We can if we choose to unpack our “one days” and determine to leave excuses behind.

 “Father, one day we will stand before You and give an account of all our days.  Help us to use our time wisely and pursue only those things that truly glorify You.”

 For His Glory

 Janet Martin
TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Encouragement, Spiritual Living, Success, Wisdom

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | February 18, 2014

Marked By Love

Rose On Wood BW“It isn’t rude, it does not seek advantage, it isn’t irritable, it doesn’t keep a record of complaints.”  1 Corinthians 13:5 (CEB)

 So, what is love?  Love is not rude.  Have you ever had someone not even acknowledge you and just pass you by, knowing they had seen you?    What about pride?  Perhaps you passed over a person because you thought they weren’t “important” enough to speak to?  Perhaps they were not in your “circle of status.”  What is this thing called love?  Love does not seek advantage.  Perhaps there are wrong motives in meeting someone.  Thoughts such as, what can I gain from this person, what can I get from them for my own advantage.  We must not think of ourselves, but rather think of how we can advance others for the kingdom of God, how we can help others and reach out to them.  Love does not keep a record of complaints.  Love lets it go.  Love does not dwell on wrong doings that have been done to one.  Love does not easily get angered.  Love is to be self-controlled (controlled by the Holy Spirit).  Love does not insist on having its own way.  One who walks in love is a person with a teachable spirit who will say, I am sorry and I was wrong.  Love is not ill mannered, doesn’t behave inappropriate.  It takes no account of evil, does not behave dishonorably.  It does not take in account wrong suffered.    Let us be wrapped in love, walk in love, speak in love, act in love,  be bathed and showered in love.  Let’s put on love.

 “Father, help us to be love vessels.  Help us to love without having wrong motives.  Help our love to be pure, unselfish, always looking for the best for others.    Help us to be people marked by love.”

 For His Glory

 Linda Reyes Shepherd
TRBC Mountain Blend

 

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Posted in Hope, Love, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | February 17, 2014

How Can We Be Happy?

Smiling Woman“May the God of hope fill you with joy and peace as you trust in Him…”  Romans 15:13a (NIV)

 How can we be happy? Has that ever rung in our minds before? It has mine. It usually hits at times when I am feeling pretty good. And it doesn’t happen all the time. Far from it. But when it does happen, these are the types of questions I hear:

 “How can you be happy when you are not near your family?”

“How can you be happy when you haven’t yet accomplished everything you want?”

“How can you be happy when you don’t have children?”

“How can you be happy when people you know are struggling?”

“How can you be happy knowing there is serious suffering in the world?”

 And then I: Stop. Think. Answer. Hey, there is nothing wrong with talking to ourselves! So, here’s what we can say:

 “I can have JOY at all times. Regardless of who I am with. Regardless of what I am doing. Regardless of my circumstances or the circumstances of those around me. I can have JOY because of God.”

 Romans 15:13 tells us that we can be filled with JOY and PEACE because the God of HOPE can fill us up in that way. So, regardless of what the world, others, ourselves, or even Satan (yep, He’s real) tells us…don’t worry about happiness. Instead, choose joy.

 “Dear Lord, Thank You for this season. Help me to appreciate the beauty and serenity…and to find JOY in each and every day You have given me.”


For His Glory,

 Laurel Shaler (www.drlaurelshaler.com)
TRBC Coffee Break

 

 

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Posted in Attitude, Encouragement, Hope

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | February 14, 2014

Healer of My Heart

deb valentine pic“But Joseph said to them. Don’t be afraid.  Am I in the place of God?  You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.” Genesis 50:19 (NIV)

 Ever find ourselves moving in a direction that wasn’t intended – a space, a posture that wasn’t ours to take or own?  It’s a wide open road, the path most taken where unforgiveness digs deep.  Husband leaves, prodigals run, disease ravages or perhaps the crib is empty and the grave is fresh.  Friends betray, abusers steal, family divides, boss overlooks or maybe ministry hurts.  Got the picture?  Wounds run deep when pain steals joy.  The one thing we need that could soothe and move us towards healing – forgiveness – slips elusively away.  Peering up the murky, wet sides of a well Joseph felt the ache of betrayal.  Surveying the dark dungeon, Joseph knew the pain of mistaken justice.  Two years unnoticed, Joseph experienced the jolt of being totally forgotten. Yet, his heart healed.

 Wounds stay fresh when we don’t move forward. When we chose not to move forward because  sympathy feels good.  When we fail to move forward because we’re waiting for “I’m sorry, please forgive me.”  Scripture doesn’t reveal that Joseph ever heard those words from his brothers, the cup bearer or Pharaoh.  Yet despite the closed forgiveness chapter, Joseph flipped the pages forward and left what he needed in the hands of God.  Have a wound that runs deep?  Need forgiveness to soothe that ache?  Revenge sound sweet?  Bitterness tastes justified?  Arms wide open spread on a cross welcomes the wounded heart to receive love.  Our Jesus Healer promises to turn intended harm into purposeful good. Whose life can we save through the redemption of our broken hearts?

“Sweet Jesus mend our broken places and enable us to radiate Your beauty even in our woundedness.”

  For His Glory

 Janet Martin
TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Attitude, Hope, Love, Spiritual Growth

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | February 13, 2014

Seeing With God’s Eyes

MP900443495[1]“For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet.” James 2:2-3 (ESV)

You always hear people say if you dress for success you will feel better – perhaps there might be some truth to that.  However, if we know who we are in Christ, we won’t get caught up with the vanity of having to feel great with what we wear.  Wearing nice things is fine but, it shouldn’t define who we are.  Living in a nice place is fine, but it shouldn’t define who we are.  We should feel perfectly comfortable in our own skin regardless of what we are wearing.  When we know who we are in Christ, we will treat everyone with love and respect.  When we can be comfortable in our own skin, we will not show preference to people who are recognized by the world, people who have money and status in the world.  We should do as Jesus told us.  If a man wears a gold ring and fine clothing, we should treat them the same as a poor man in shabby clothing.  God doesn’t want us to be superficial.  He wants us to demonstrate humility and love like He loves.  We must reach out to all.  Let’s not judge by the outward appearance.  Appearances can fool us, but our actions can never fool God.    


“Lord, help us to look at the heart and see with Your eyes.  Help us not show preference by outward appearance but to show unconditional love to everyone, just as You have told us.  Lord help us not to overlook the person who is in the streets begging for food, may we show them compassion and treat them with dignity.”

  

For His Glory

 Linda Reyes Shepherd
TRBC Mountain Blend

 

 

 

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Posted in Attitude, Faith, Freedom, Spiritual Growth, Wisdom

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | February 12, 2014

Priceless Gifts

cb devo feb12“Children are a gift from the Lord; they are a reward from him.” Psalm 127:3 (NLT)

 The older I get the more priceless pictures and time with friends and family become. With two adult children, and the youngest living four hours away, we don’t get much family time together. So this past Christmas, the only thing I wanted was a family picture. It took some scrambling and my daughter was only able to come home for about 24 hours, but it was worth it. Seeing her interacting with her nephews and enjoying seeing not only my children but also my son’s children was such a blessing.

Not only are my children a gift from God but also the friends that He has brought into my life are priceless blessings. Everyone that is in our life is there for a purpose. I have prayer warriors, encouragers, life long friends, long time close friends, and some that I barely know yet bless me just the same.

 Each day we are given is a gift, and the most priceless gifts are in the little moments we sometimes get too busy to notice or the people we fail to value. Take the time to appreciate a sunset, laughter, good health, and God’s provision for your needs. Make time to spend priceless moments with your family and friends – it’s the one thing you’ll never regret.

 “Father God, Thank You for each moment You give us. Help us to notice and appreciate the gifts You give us on a daily basis. May we never grow tired of unwrapping a new day full of promise and blessings.”

 For His Glory

 Katrina Redman
TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Encouragement, Gratitude, Hope

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | February 11, 2014

Uncluttered

cb devo feb11“You know when I sit and when I arise, you perceive my thoughts from afar.” Psalm 139:2 (NIV)

Buried beneath a sea of papers, I retrieved my keys and headed out the door.  How could so much stuff accumulate so fast?  Hadn’t I just cleaned off the kitchen counter?  For some unknown reason, the kitchen attracts the stuff you walk in the door with.  It’s the perfect dropoff place – until it assumes permanent residency.  The last thing I want to see when I walk in the door is yesterday’s mess accompanied with this morning’s leftovers.  One glance around the room convinces me to tackle the clutter. 

 Wow, I wish clearing the clutter from my mind was that simple.  Unfortunately, our minds seem to attract all the stuff we experience throughout our day, yesterday and years ago.  It’s the perfect dropoff place for regrets, comparisons, failures and negative self-talk. Somehow, we even squeeze in doubts and fears accompanied with worries. Buried beneath our thoughts lie the seeds of God’s wisdom desperately trying to resurface for air.  Maybe it’s time we tackle the clutter by honestly examining our thoughts. Is there any leftover junk weighing us down?  Are we stuck in the mire of doubts unable to focus on the future God has in store?  Have we allowed our thoughts to accumulate to the point we don’t even recognize God’s wisdom?  Capturing our unhealthy thoughts requires hard work; but if we clear out the clutter one thought at a time, we will finally be free to move forward.

 “Father, You know every thought that has ever entered my mind.  There are no hidden secrets and yet You still love me.”

 For His Glory

 Janet Martin
TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Attitude, Hope, Success, Wisdom

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | February 7, 2014

Created For His Glory

CB Dev Feb7“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17 (KJV)

Gluing the last flower onto the yarn covered vase, I stood back in awe of my adorable craft. By taking two vases that I never used, I was able to turn them into something new.  Now I can proudly display them on my dresser. It struck me that God feels the same way about us. All that we are -the tiredness, worrying, fear, yelling, and well the list could go on.  God, however,  has used us just as we are to create something new. He no longer sees a dirty, broken vessel but a glorious Christ covered follower to use for His glory. God created us for a purpose and proclaimed His creation was good. We must give Him everything, our best and our worst, so that He can create something new for others to see. Then we can give Him the praise for what He has done.

“Dearest Creator God, Please use me to show others Your mighty work. You God are able to create, comfort, restore, and heal. Lord, may others see what You have done in my life and turn to You.”

 For His Glory
Melissa Hester

TRBC Coffee Break

 

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Posted in Encouragement, Hope

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | February 6, 2014

Sharing God’s Truth

cb devo feb6“We encourage you, brothers and sisters, to instruct those who are not living right, cheer up those who are discouraged, help the weak, and be patient with everyone.” 1 Thessalonians 5:14 (GW)

 How many times have we wanted others to be patient with us in our weaknesses? No one wants to feel judged. Do we have friends who tell us what to do and how to be without being understanding towards us? Do we end up feeling more discouraged and want to give up? We are all on this journey of growth in the Lord, and each of us are at different stages. Some may be struggling harder and are not yet at a level of maturity where they can be strong.  We need to extend grace and mercy towards others. Rather than preaching and judging, we must humbly encourage others remembering that we too were there at one point.  Being instruments of His love, patience, long-suffering, meekness, gentleness, self-control and mercy we can guide them back to God. Some believers are fragile, weak and need to know that we are standing by them with God’s love cheering them on. We must pray for wisdom in how to share God’s truth with them. We can turn someone away from the faith if we are not careful. Love wins people over, but a lack of love can destroy them. Some people are full of fear and desperately need encouragement. We must guide people towards God and not away from God. We must not stand in judgement but rather try to understand in love where someone is at spiritually and be very patient with a fragile person. Let’s encourage the weak and those who are not living right. Let’s cheer them on and draw them closer to God.

 “Lord help me to be an encourager to all. Help me to instruct those who are not living right with all humility. Help me to cheer up the discouraged, help the weak, and be patient with everyone.”

 For His Glory

Linda Reyes Shepherd
TRBC Mountain Blend

 

 

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