Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | December 9, 2013

Overshadowed By “Us”

Beautiful Woman with Pencil and Folder Isolated on White.“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

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Posted in Spiritual Growth, Success, Wisdom

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | December 6, 2013

Dazzling Light

Christmas Table Decoration“Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” John 8:12 (NIV)

 Living yet cut down…how could that be? Yet it’s the story of “real, authentic” Christmas trees – sawed off at the base, wrapped and sold.  Steady hands trim it off and align it in a stand.  Nurturing hands fill the base with fresh water.  Eager hands string lights covering every branch.  Loving hands hang memories – ornaments filling in the gaps.  And then the moment everyone is waiting for – as one light goes out another light dazzles life from within.  It’s the amazing reality of living yet cut down. Haven’t we all been there?  One event, one challenge or one person squeezes the life right out of us.  It happens so quickly and then we find ourselves dead on the inside yet struggling to breath out. Real authentic life in need of divine intervention.  Unexpected grace reaches out and claims us as His own.  Steady hands  prune off the rough edges and places us on the solid rock where we can stand.  Nurturing hands refresh our spirit and nourish our souls with the Bread of Life.  Eager hands draw us close covering all our wrongs. Loving nail pierced hands fill in the gaps where we fall so short.  And then the moment we’ve waited for  – as our light is extinguished, the Light of the world dazzles true life from within us.  It’s the amazing miracle of cut down yet living – shining in the light of His glory.

 “Father, Your light shines deep within the heart and soul of all Your children transforming our dead places into beacons of hope.”

For His Glory

 Janet Martin
TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Hope, Mercy, Spiritual Growth

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | December 5, 2013

Loving God With Everything

Bible“And thou shalt love the Lord thy God will all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment.” Mark 12:30 (KJV)

 How do we love God with all our heart? As God cleanses us and we have a right spirit then we can begin to love Him with all our heart (Psalm 51:10).  How do we love God with all our soul? By making sure our emotions are under the control of the Holy Spirit (I Thessalonians 5:23). When we worship God it encompasses our soul and emotions. Sometimes that might mean weeping before God as we pray, when we hear a gospel song, or when we are adoring and praising God. Sometimes shouting praises to God, sometimes allowing a heartfelt emotion of love to pour out before God.  How do we love God with all our mind? Romans 12:2 remind us that our mind is renewed through God’s Word. Are our thoughts pleasing to God? What we think is the outcome of our love for God (Philippians 4:6-8).  Are we attacking worry with prayer and praise? Are we thinking on good things and meditating on God’s Word? And lastly how do we love God with all our strength?  Nehemiah reminds us that the joy of the Lord is our strength.  Are we choosing joy or murmuring and complaining? Joy is an assurance that God is with us and a confidence in God that He will see us through. It’s a calm delight accompanied with peace.  Even if we are suffering and have tears, we can still have joy inside of us, a strength knowing that God is upholding us. No matter what we are facing we can love God with all strength.

 “Lord thank you for teaching me how to love you with all my heart, soul, mind and strength.”

 For His Glory

 Linda Reyes Shepherd
TRBC Mountain Blend

 

    

 

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Posted in Attitude, Encouragement, Hope, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | December 4, 2013

The Heart of the Matter

CB Devo Apr 1“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.  For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16-17 (NIV)

 Thanksgiving is a time to stop and express appreciation to our Heavenly Father for all of our blessings. But shouldn’t Christians be most thankful for salvation? And shouldn’t we set aside more time than just Thanksgiving or even the entire month of November to express our gratitude for this gift and all others we receive?

 The fact is, that salvation would not have meaning without the One who came to save us. That is why Christmas is so important. Now, listen, I love Santa Claus, Christmas Trees, gift giving, and stocking stuffers. But, for today, in this moment,  let’s focus on the “reason for the season.”

 Jesus.

 The most well known verse in the Bible is John 3:16. But I also love John 3:17:

He did not come to condemn the world but to SAVE the world.

Now that is the meaning of Christmas. Jesus was born so that He could take on our sins on the cross so that He could overcome death and come back to life. Anyone who confesses with their mouth that Jesus is Lord and believes in their heart that God raised Him from the dead…WILL. BE. SAVED. That’s the promise of Romans 10:9.

 Before this holiday season is over, why not make sure that YOU know that promise for yourself. If you do not know the Lord as your savior, take this moment to accept Him now. Ask for forgiveness. Accept His forgiveness. Rest knowing you will live forever.

 

“Dear God, Thank You for sending Your son to be our savior. We are so thankful for You!”


For His Glory,

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

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Posted in Faith, Gratitude

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | December 3, 2013

Clarifying My View

cb dev dec 3“And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.”  2 Corinthians 9:8 (NIV)

 A purse, baby rattle and the Bible – three pieces that survived a devastating tornado in the mid-west.  When a mom returned to the site of her scattered home she clutched her purse, her baby’s rattle and the ravaged Bible close to her chest.  And the words that uttered from her lips were “The holidays will be different this year…we’ve been blessed…we have each other.”  Puts everything into perspective doesn’t it?  Inexpensive belongings yet in the aftermath of a tornado they’ve become priceless.  Linking this family to each other and connecting them to our hearts.

 I’ve never experienced a tornado, but I’ve walked the path of clarifying.  You know the kind that reveals what’s not important and what is truly priceless.  In the single breath of a moment life can change and priorities are shifted.  What seemed urgent or a “must have” now fades to unveil what’s really needed. Contentment takes on a new face and blessed – well it’s no longer viewed by the depth of our wallet. Like this mom standing in a heap of rubble –  we know that having each other  is truly enough.  And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. So what’s the three clutched to our chest? What would happen if they slipped out of our grip? Would we  still be “blessed” or would we become “distressed” because life is devastating without them?

 “Sweet Jesus, how blessed we are when we look at life through your eyes of wisdom and love.  You are more than enough for all we need.”

 For His Glory

 Janet Martin
TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Encouragement, Hope, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | December 2, 2013

Pray & Wait On God

cb devo dec 2“This, then, is how you should pray “‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name, your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.  Give us today our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.And lead us not into temptation,but deliver us from the evil one.” Matthew 6:9-13 (NIV)

The Lord’s Prayer has been recited, memorized, and used in many ways. When was the last time we thought about the words in the prayer? Mainly “Your will be done.” Do we quote this as a quick prayer and not actually mean what we are saying? If we mean these words, we are asking for GOD’S will to be done. Not our will, but God’s will  –  can we say that?  We often get frustrated with God because “our” prayers aren’t being answered or the answer isn’t what we wanted.  When we truly take our desires out of the equation and rely on God to answer our prayers in His way and timing, we invite God to bless us. My mom has often quoted the three ways God answers prayer, “Delayed, Denied, and Delivered.” God has a plan and a purpose for our lives; sometimes it is to give us the desires of our heart right away. Other times He says no because He has something better planned. The hardest is when He delays the answer because the timing isn’t right. Even Jesus followed the model for prayer while on the cross. God didn’t deliver him from the cross because God had something better in mind for US. We can trust that God has something better planned for our lives and wait for His answers.

 

“Father God, How thankful we are that we can come to You with the biggest to the smallest prayer request. Give us the strength to leave our requests at Your feet. Thank You in advance for the answers to our prayers.”

 

 For His Glory,

 Katrina Redman
TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Prayer, Wisdom

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | November 27, 2013

Thanking God For Who He Is

j0255382“O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.”  Psalm 136:1 (KJV)

 Have we made it a habit in our prayer life to thank God? I have made it a habit to take time in my prayer life not only to thank Him for His many blessings but also to thank Him for who He is. Doesn’t it make us feel good when people acknowledge and thank us for things they like about us? Take a moment to think how much more it pleases God when we thank Him for who He is. This really pleases God, and we can thank God because He is:

 1.     A Holy God (Revelation 4:8)

2.     The God Who Answers Prayer (Isaiah 65:24)

3.     Merciful God (Nehemiah 9:31)

4.     God of Joy (Psalm 21:6)

5.     Loving God Our Father  (John 3:16)

6.     Deliverer (Psalm 70:5)

7.     God of Peace (Romans 16:20)

8.     Provider (Philippians 4:19)

9.     Faithful God (Lamentation 3:23)

10.  Forgiving God (Nehemiah 9:17)

 Here are some more things to praise God for:

 Thank You God that You are Almighty, all knowing. Thank You God that You are the Bread of Life and Breastplate of Righteousness.  You are caring, compassionate, comforter and a counselor. Thank You Lord that You are divine, defender, deserving of all honor and a disciplinarian. Thank You that You are an enabler, encourager, enlightener, equipper, examiner of hearts, excellent, extender of mercy. Thank You God that You are faithful.  You are gracious, glorious, good, great, gentle, healer, honorable, and hope. You are kind, light of the world, love, majestic, nurturing, omniscient, omnipresent, omnipotent, powerful, Prince of Peace, trustworthy, truth, unchangeable, unfailing, upright, understanding, victorious, vindicator, and valiant.

 “Lord, thank You for who You are. Thank You that You are my all in all.”

 For His Glory,

 Linda Reyes Shepherd
TRBC Mountain Blend

 cb devo nov 27Wishing you and your family a sweet time of fellowship mingled with gratitude during this Thanksgiving season.  Coffee Break Devotionals will resume on Monday, December 2.

 

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Posted in Encouragement, Gratitude, Hope, Prayer

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | November 26, 2013

Simple Blessings

Young Woman Sitting and Holding a Cup of Coffee“But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” John 6:33 (KJV)

For years I have been a huge advocate of simple pleasures.  A roof over my head, food on the table, lifelong friends, a loving family, and good health (though, albeit, with a few age-related kinks in the system) but for the most part, in good shape.  As I moved cross country, to encounter new people and fresh places, of course, I again evaluate what those of my new found land seem to value.

Without a doubt, church plays a huge role in my latest location.  And, yes, I too, treasure the opportunity to gather with God’s people.  The ability to find common ground in a seemingly remote place serves as a core connection for every traveler, even the most seasoned pilgrim.

Yet, amidst all of the great people and good works, we must not forget to come back to our sacred sanctuary.  In other words, to take time out from our busyness and business to just enjoy being in the secret place of the Most High.  Foremost, to say, “Thank you,” for that which we possess and to express gratefulness for this grand adventure.

Many times, when the holidays approach, rather than attitudes of gratitude we get the blues and blahs.  We focus on what we don’t have, rather than happen upon a perfect cup of cappuccino that warms our soul or a hearty hug that somehow seems to hold our spirit.  Hence, the delight we can find when we slow down and experience our ever present portion.  As we approach this Thanksgiving, remember to have a feast as you find the simple but breathtaking beauty in each day.

 “Lord, in the midst of my holiday busyness, remind me to enjoy quite moments with You.  As I go about each day, remind me to say, ‘Thank You’ for my bounty found in my daily blessings.  Let peace guide my soul and the reason for this season be my true goal.”

For His Glory

 Eileen Hegel (higherways.com)
TRBC Coffee Break

 

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Posted in Attitude, Encouragement, Gratitude, Hope

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | November 22, 2013

Managing Holiday Stress Part II

Family Praying Before Dinner“Cast your cares on the LORD and he will sustain you….” Psalm 55:22a (NIV)

 More holiday stress tips to finish out our week:

  • Don’t over-do. Focus on a few areas that we can really enjoy. For example, it’s likely that most churches in our area will have Christmas events. Don’t try and go to all of them. Instead, choose one or two and plan on attending those. Same with gift gifting and charity work. We can’t do it all or give it all, so decide now what is most important and focus our time and attention on those things.
  • Schedule down time – nights where we have no plans except to spend time at home with family. Maybe that will involve sitting in front of a fire drinking hot cocoa, watching a Christmas movie, decorating cookies or a tree, or simply sitting quietly while listening to our favorite Christmas tunes or reading that cherished Christmas book. Whether or not we live alone, we can benefit from time alone. If we live alone and feel lonely during this time of year, intentionally plan to spend time with others. Even if we are away from family and/or friends, we can get involved in a local church or volunteer to surround ourselves with others.

 

And, above all, spend time focusing on what really matters this season. We will talk more about family (and dealing with that stress) and “the reason for the season” over the next couple of weeks. By the way, all of these tips can also help with managing holiday blues. If you find that your feelings seem more severe consider seeking out professional counseling. Find someone local here: http://www.aacc.net/resources/find-a-counselor/

 “Father, help us to remember that You are the reason for the season and everything else will fall into place.”

 For His Glory,

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

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Posted in Attitude, Encouragement, Spiritual Living, Success

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | November 21, 2013

A Good Word

cb devo aug 19“Heaviness in the heart of a man maketh it stoop: but a good word maketh it glad.” Proverbs 12:25 (KJV)

Have you ever had a heavy heart and someone came along and said something kind to cheer you up? Have you ever had a heavy heart and someone came and made you feel worse? We can either weigh people down or make them glad. Anxiety in a person’s heart can weigh them down, but words can literally change the way one is feeling. We never know what others are going through.  Being sensitive to others can make a difference to one that is hurting, to one whose spirit is heavy. It’s amazing how kind words can encourage, comfort, and give hope. We must always be filled with goodness so we can spread joy and uplift someone who might feel like giving up. It’s amazing how God wants to use us daily to make a big impact in other people’s lives if we are but just sensitive to the Holy Spirit.  With just a few kind words, we can bring healing to someone’s heart. With just a few kind words someone’s life could be saved.

 

“Lord, I choose to be an encourager. Help me to be sensitive to your Spirit so I will know what to say and when to say it. May I see the opportunities that come my way to cheer others up. Help me to have healing words, kind words, comforting words, and hopeful words.”

 

For His Glory

 

Linda Reyes Shepherd
TRBC Mountain Blend

 

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Posted in Attitude, Encouragement, Hope, Spiritual Living, Wisdom

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