Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | July 3, 2013

Will You Trust Me?

cb devo july3“Depend on the Lord;    trust him, and he will take care of you.” Psalm 37:5 (NCV)

 Will you trust me with your child?  The time I never thought would arrive is here. My son turned 16; he has his license and my old car.  He has driven us from VA to SC, and FL; he is a wonderful driver.  When the time came for him to pick up the keys, get in the car without us, and head off to the YMCA, my heart skipped a beat.  What if started in my mind.  God gently reminded me that he has given us the freedom of choice to obey or not obey His commandments.  I just have to trust and he will take care of me and my son.   He whispers in my ear “How much do you trust me?”  I want to trust completely, but, it’s my boy; I birthed him.  God again gently reminds me “I gave you him as a miracle, remember how you almost lost him in labor?”  Yes, Lord I remember.  He is a gift from you, I will trust you.  My husband and I headed out the house to run a few errands and gave that first drive out of the driveway for our son to God.  

 What are you holding onto with clasped hands saying this is mine? God wants you to let go of and trust Him to handle it.  Is it a relationship, a child, a bill, job, or something else?   Enjoy the freedom of releasing it over to God to handle.

 

“Father, thank You for taking care of my family.  I give them to You for Your protection.  Help me to continue to open my hands and give You everything.” 

 

For His Glory,

 

Debbie Struble
TRBC Coffee Break

 

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Posted in Faith, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | July 2, 2013

Bloom Where Planted

Cb devo july jb“He will be like a tree firmly planted by streams of water, Which yields its fruit in its season And its leaf does not wither; And in whatever he does, he prospers.” Psalm 1:3 (NASB)

Daffodils are my favorite flower. When I was a little girl every spring I would pick them whenever I saw them growing somewhere wild. There was one particular bunch that grew in the woods behind my grandmother’s house. It always surprised me to see this little bunch of sunny flowers growing amongst the dead leaves and fallen branches. I just loved that they were there every year blooming in such an unusual spot.

Do you feel like you are in a place that you don’t want to do be? Or are you in a situation that is uncomfortable? Are you just plain unhappy about what is happening in your life right now?

No matter where we are planted in life, keeping our focus on God can make all the difference.  We can always make a bad situation better if we are rooted in the promises of our Heavenly Father.

·         He loves us (Romans 8:35)

·         He supplies all we need (Philippians 4:19)

·         He will never leave us alone (John 14:16)

·         His timing is always perfect (1Peter 5:6)

·         His guidance invaluable (Joshua 1:7)

Ultimately if turn to Him and surrender all that we are going through to Him, He will supply all we need to work through it and prosper. Remembering God’s promises, can make the difference between a beautiful bloom and a withered stalk whether you are in a pile of dead leaves, or a beautiful garden.

“Father, You have positioned each of us in just the right spot to flourish and grow. Help us to seize every opportunity to trust in Your unfailing Word.

For His Glory

Josey Bozzo
TRBC Coffee Break

 

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Posted in Attitude, Encouragement, Gratitude, Hope, Spiritual Growth

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | July 1, 2013

Peace Like A River

??????????????????????????????????????????????????????????????“O that thou hadst hearkened to my commandments!  then had thy peace been as a river, and thy righteousness as the waves of the sea.” Isaiah 48:18( KJV)

 

When was the last time you went to the river and watched the current?  I am an ocean and river lover.There is something about the water that brings me calmness of mind and keeps me in a meditation mode. It makes me aware of what an awesome God we have, it keeps me aware of his holiness, His power, His creation, His wonders, and so much more.  Today, I was meditating on this verse and thinking of the difference between a river and the ocean.  The river is gentle and calmer.  The ocean comes roaring with its waves.  As I thought about when we obey His commandments, how God gives us peace like a river, and I thought about His righteousness as the waves of the sea.  Another translation (NIRV) reads:  “Holiness would sweep over you like the waves of the ocean.”  In other words, God wants to overwhelm us with his presence (His holiness).  When we spend time with Him daily, we stay in His presence and He overflows us with His peace.   Today, I asked my husband to go with me to the river.  I sat down and prayed this scripture.  I took time to meditate on this scripture and what an awesome God we have.  I was reminded how much God wants to bless us and extend His blessings to others through us on a daily basis.  As we bask in His presence, we have more to offer others.

 “Lord, I choose to hearken to Your commandments.  Thank You for the peace that has been like a river, and thank You for overwhelming me with Your presence.

 

For His Glory,

 Linda Reyes Shepherd
TRBC Mountain Blend

 

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Posted in Encouragement, Hope

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | June 28, 2013

Enjoying The Rain

cb devo june 28“I will shout for joy when I sing praises to you. You have saved me.” Psalm 71:23 (NCV)

  What happens when it rains?  Do you pull out the umbrella, an upside down smile and just be blah since it is raining?  What if when it rains it brings a smile and a song to your heart?  Is that even possible?  Personally, I love the rain.  No, let me rephrase that I absolutely LOVE the rain.  Ok, not a hard torrential down pour, but a gentle steady rain.  Years ago, I was at an outdoor concert of Michael W. Smith’s, and he shared with the audience a new song he wanted to play for us.  Just when he started singing and playing that song a soft gentle rain started falling on us. Michael told us to enjoy the rain and listen to the song – it was “Healing Rain.”  He told us to feel the rain, bask in God’s goodness and feel the healing drops from God.  It’s all in perspective, how we react to something.  I have chosen to enjoy the rain and bask in it since that day.  I walk into the rain, stand, raise my hands and just spin and bask in it – I take that time to praise the Lord.  Did you know if a raindrop lands on your smart phone screen, then you walk under florescent lights and when you look at the drop of water it will sparkle like a diamond?  One of those precious gifts God has given me for having joy in the rain.  Next time it rains, raise your hands and enjoy the healing raindrops God is choosing to give you as a blessing, and shout a praise to Him for the gift.


“Father, thank You for the rain, and the healing drops to remind us of Your love and healing power.  I pray I never grow out of my love of the healing raindrops and spinning in the rain with childlike love.” 

 

For His Glory,

 

Debbie Struble
TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Encouragement, Hope, Spiritual Living, Wisdom

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | June 27, 2013

Releasing My Expectations

MP900443495[1]“My soul, wait silently for God alone, for my expectation is from Him.” Psalm 62:5 (NIV)

Expectations….we all have them. Recently, I met mine face to face. My Mom and I traveled to the Charlotte Airport to see my son and his wife between lay overs on their way back to Phoenix.  When we got to the airport (3 1/2 hours of drive time) at 4:45 pm,  we anxiously stood by the international gate waiting. At 6:45 pm, they finally made it through customs and we met face to face. Our visit was 20 minutes long because their rescheduled flight was taking off and they had to get to their gate plus get food….what a saga. So we hugged, spent 20 minutes trying to get back to our car and headed home (3 ½ hours)  – not at all what we expected.

When expectations don’t pan out discouragement loves to walk in. All the way home, I festered over wasting my whole day. I looked back and wondered if all this was worth it. A phone call from my son, who I saw for 20 minutes and drove round trip 7 hours to see, answered that question. Over and over, he talked about how glad he was to see us. Was the trip worth it….yes even if it didn’t meet my expectations. Is your journey worth it? Yes even when it doesn’t meet your expectations. Maybe it’s time to thank God for the journey and lay our expectations on Him. After all, I’m sure He would say, “sweet girl of mine – it’s been worth it all along the way just trust me and place your expectations in Me – you won’t be disappointed.”


“Father, so many times we derive a plan, we put action into place and still end up not where we intended. I am so glad that our expectations can be firmly planted in the One who exceeds expectations.”

 

For His Glory

 

Janet Martin
TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Attitude, Encouragement, Hope

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | June 26, 2013

Jesus – The Only Way

Sunbeams Backlighting Cross “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”  John 10:10 (KJV)

Is there a “thief” in your life?  Stealing your joy? Killing your happiness? Destroying your relationships? Causing your mind to be distracted and focused on negativity?  Jesus said, “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”  Nothing will shock God – He forgives all.  He will set you free and begin to restore what has been stolen by the enemy. Whether you’re struggling with an eating disorder, your past, insecurities, or simply holding onto a lifestyle that you know you should let go of, Jesus is the way.  He is the first decision in your life that will empower the change you are so desperately looking for.  You might know about Him or learned some stories involving Him.  You might have Him  in your head,  but truly search your heart. Is Jesus there?  He promises many things to us in His Word, we must believe and trust Him – taking Him at His Word and accepting His promises.

John 10 reminds us that Jesus is the good Shepherd giving His life for His sheep.  He is the only door that leads us to eternal life.  He is the only one that gave His life for that one lost sheep to be redeemed.  Jesus has proven His love for us, and in Him there is true peace and contentment for our soul. He is knocking, won’t you let him in?

“Father help us to open our hearts so that You can restore and redeem our lives.”

For His Glory,

Julia Forystek Bergstrom

TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Encouragement, Freedom, Hope, Spiritual Living, Success

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | June 25, 2013

The Best Protection

 cb devo june 25“No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.” Hebrews 12:11 (NLT)

 

Recently, I suffered one of the worst sunburns of my entire life. For four days I couldn’t have anything touching the affected areas. I took ibuprofen around the clock and slathered on aloe gel to ease the pain.  Normally I wear sunblock, but that day I had been in a hurry before heading out to my son’s baseball game and decided to take my chances.  Most of my life, I have been blessed with skin that rarely burned and tanned easily.  Turns out, the medication I was taking had a side effect – sensitivity to sun. Coupled with skin that hadn’t yet been exposed to the sun this season equaled one painful lesson I won’t easily forget.

 

Wonder how many life lessons I’ve forgotten because I focused on the discipline I didn’t enjoy rather than embracing the potential for growth? God has given us instructions about our lives, and He expects us to listen and obey Him.  When we don’t, we risk troublesome, inconvenient, even painful consequences. He doesn’t do this to harm us or to get even; it’s for our own good.  It’s about learning to see that disobedience in any form is destructive.  Out of love for us, He sets boundaries and allows us to learn to stay within them. The safest place for us to be, always, in any situation is with the One whose love for us is the best protection we could ever have. Following God will always keep us from getting burned.

 

“Heavenly Father, thank You for loving us so much that You take time to teach and instruct us on how we are to live our lives. Forgive us for stepping out of those boundaries and trying to go our own way. Help us to see that Your ways are always better and safer than ours.

 

For His Glory,

 

Josey Bozzo
TRBC Coffee Break

 

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Posted in Attitude, Encouragement, Hope, Spiritual Growth

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | June 24, 2013

Giver Of All Things

devo mar 18“And I say unto you, ask and it shall be given unto you; seek and ye shall find; knock and it shall be opened unto you.” Luke 11:9 (KJV)

 

Threatened by collectors, a widow was told to pay her debts or they would take her two sons and sell them into slavery. The drama unfolds in 2 Kings Chapter four, as the woman runs to the prophet Elisha desperate for his help. Elisha asked,   “What can I do for you. What do you have in your house?” Her response – a small pot of oil. He tells her to gather up a lot of pots and then pour the oil into the pots. Now here is where her faith is tested. She was in control of how many pots she brought home. Can you imagine knocking on people’s doors asking to borrow their pots?  Did she go to strangers or just stick with the people she knew? Next the widow took her two sons home and poured the oil into the pots. The oil flowed until there were no more pots left. The widow goes back to the prophet, and he tells her to pay off the debt and live off the rest. Now she had money left over to provide for the future.

 

Sometimes we doubt that God has great things waiting for us. We think that God will only give us just enough to get by. Yet, we can see by this story that God wants to give us all that we need and more! So don’t be afraid to ask our Father for what you need. You may be surprised at how much He wants to give you.

 

“Father help us never to be afraid to come to You for You are a gracious and loving Father who wants to meet our needs and bless us with all good things. We love You and praise You for all You have planned for us.”

 

For His Glory

 

Anice Pruitt
TRBC Coffee Break

 

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Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | June 21, 2013

Faith Drenched Prayers

Young Woman Facing the Sky“But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.”  James 1:6-7 (KJV)

 

Don’t you just love getting your prayers answered?  If we expect to receive from the Lord, then we need to please Him with our faith. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. When I have my devotions, I love to read and meditate on the Word of God before I go into prayer. This way I know I am praying in the will of God. My faith rises, and I can pray with confidence. I want God to hear my prayers, and I want him to answer them. To stay balanced it is good not only to pray but to also read and meditate on God’s Word.   When we read His promises, we can stand on them as we pray and soon we will be full of faith.   Take it a step  further and visualize what faith can do. See those things that aren’t as though they were. In other words see what you are praying for with a spiritual eye. For example if you are praying for a lost soul, visualize them going to church, reading their Bible, being on fire for God. Don’t wonder if God is going to save them or not. Pray boldly knowing that the prayer of faith is bathed in the confidence of who God is and trust Him to do the impossible.

 

“Father, I choose to be single-minded full of faith, and stand on Your promises. Thank You that You hear and answer my prayers.”

 

For His Glory

 

Linda Reyes Shepherd
TRBC Mountain Blend

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Posted in Encouragement, Hope, Prayer, Spiritual Growth

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | June 20, 2013

The God of Daniel – He Is Our God too!

devo feb 18]“Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.”Daniel 6:10 (NIV).

 Daniel was doing fine in Jerusalem until king Nebuchadnezzar besieged it and took everyone into exile, including him.   Then Daniel  and some others were trained to serve the king in his court. While there, Daniel’s three friends were thrown into a fiery furnace. And what happened? They prayed to their God, the Lord Almighty, and nothing happened to them!!! They came out without wounds or burns.

 Daniel kept his allegiance to the Lord, and he developed a gift for interpreting dreams. In all the troubles Daniel faced, God honored His faithfulness.  Because the people were envious about his gifts and the fact that the king liked Daniel, some guys plotted against him. What’s next… right? He got sent to the lion’s den.  All night long Daniel was shut in the den with those lions and not one of them harmed him. Daniel came out without scratches or bruises.

 Get the picture? Daniel remained faithful to the Lord, and God honored him. He got into trouble, and God saw that he came out unharmed. Trials will always come, but if we remain faithful, God will see us through. Let’s look to Him; let’s seek Him; let’s be like Daniel, and not be ashamed to get down on our knees when trouble comes.

 

“Lord, sometimes we just get too scared about the lions and forget that You can shut their mouths and make them look like small kittens. Help us to trust in You like Daniel did and to not be afraid of fire or beasts, because we serve a God for whom nothing is impossible.”

 For His Glory

 Luska Suzano
TRBC Coffee Break

 

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Posted in Attitude, Encouragement, Faith, Spiritual Living

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