Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | April 10, 2013

God Whispers

Young Businesswoman with Her Finger on Her Lips“While you were doing all these things, declares the LORD, I spoke to you again and again, but you did not listen; I called you, but you did not answer.”  Jeremiah 7:13 (NIV)

TV going in the background, radio blaring downstairs, and did I fail to mention the washer and dryer were vying for their spot in the orchestra?  Whoever said silence is golden was right.  Noise surrounds us both at work and home.  Love opening up the door to an empty house and just taking in the quiet, but it doesn’t take long before conversation, music or cooking steal my solitude.  And my little piece of stillness evaporates leaving me longing for more. Wonder if God ever feels like He’s competing with all that chatter, activity or busyness in my brain?  Wonder how many times I miss His whispers because I avoid silencing my voice so He has a chance to be heard?  As a child, I remember my Mom pulling me close and whispering in my ear.  I loved hearing her hushed voice as she spoke whispers into my soul – reminding me I was loved or telling me how proud she was of me – sweet words of affirmation.  I also remember moments when I was disobeying, and she drew me up in her arms and whispered words of warning so I wouldn’t be embarrassed in front of my friends – sweet words of discipline.  Wonder if God does the same?  Wonder if He draws me close so only I can hear the hush of His voice telling me I’m His girl.  Wonder if He draws me close so only I can hear the things that need to change before I land flat on my face?    One things for sure if He draws me close, God’s whispers are worthy of my undivided attention.
“Father, teach me to draw near and hear Your whispers guiding me each day.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Spiritual Growth, Wisdom

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | April 9, 2013

Drawing From His Well

Drop Falling into Water“But whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” John 4:14 (NIV)

Making a pit stop in Samaria as He traveled from Judea to Galilee, Jesus met a woman who was drawing up water from a well. Preparing for a deeper conversation about eternity, Jesus asked her for a drink. Now why would a Jew ask a Samaritan for a drink?  Jews and Samaritans don’t get along; however, Jesus response goes deeper than the bucket she threw in the well. The water He has to offer her (the Holy Spirit) will quench way more than physical thirst, and suddenly she finds herself needing a drink!

Reminds me of my battery-operated mini fountain on my desk at work. Everyone sitting near my desk enjoys the sound of the running water and misses it when the batteries are dead.  If I don’t replenish the water in the fountain, it would be useless to even have batteries to operate it, because without the water, the fountain simply will not turn on. Likewise, Jesus says in John 7:38, “Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.” What a wonderful promise! Jesus promises us that the Holy Spirit will indwell in us and keep on flowing through us if we believe in Him. And for us to partake in this promise, we simply need to surrender our life and our needs to Him and remain in Him through His Word. No batteries required!

“Lord, we are often thirsty because we don’t remain at the well of eternal life. We pray that Your living water will always flow through us and within us. Quench our thirst, Father, by filling us with Your Word.”

 

For His Glory

Luska Suzano
TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Hope

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | April 8, 2013

A Heart of Unbelief

Suspicious Woman“Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.” Hebrews 3:12 (KJV)

Have you ever found yourself cowering in unbelief?   Unbelief can creep up on us gradually until we become totally faithless and blinded.  Like trying to maneuver in darkness, we will stumble and fall because we can’t trust the one leading us.  When we stop meditating on God’s Word, we are positioning ourselves to lose faith and inviting unbelief to creep in.  When we don’t allow the scriptures to minister to us, we lose hope. A heart of unbelief always begins by not putting our trust in God. When we become anxious and take things in our own hands rather than attacking worry with prayer and the word of God, we begin to lose faith. This does not please God as God says without faith it is impossible to please Him. We must check our hearts to see if we have allowed unbelief to get a hold on us. Have we broken fellowship with Him through the sin of unbelief or by not praying?  Do we fail to fellowship with believers so we can build each other up in our faith? Are we putting our trust in man rather than God? Where do we stand with God? Is our faith weakening? If so, we must get back in fellowship with God by taking Him at His word and  communing with Him daily.

“Father, help me to guard my heart from unbelief that I not depart from You. I choose to have communion with You. I reject an evil heart of unbelief. I choose to guard my heart and renew my mind with Your Word.”

For His Glory

Linda Reyes Shepherd
TRBC Mountain Blend

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Posted in Attitude, Encouragement, Faith, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | April 5, 2013

Embracing Different

Smiling Woman with Stack of Books“The LORD does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” I Samuel 16:7b (NIV)

Woman in car merges into my lane and waves – thank you; man squeezes his car into my lane and never looks back.   Two totally different responses.  Teaching a computer class at work – the younger team members catch on quick; the seasoned workers stumble through in disgust.  Two totally different reactions.  Gathered around my life group – one lady marked the pages in her studybook with highlighters, underlines and side notes; another didn’t even answer the questions.  Two totally different  approaches.  Wonder what makes the difference?  Regardless of the reason when we expect others to respond, react and approach life the way we do, we are setting ourselves up for disappointment.  In fact, when we demand that others respond and react in our mold of thinking, we can actually stifle their God given personalities.  God created each of us uniquely – there are no two DNA’s that are the exact same.  No two individuals always respond, react and approach situations the exact same.  And when we embrace our differences and release our expectations, we find surprising results.  That man who squeezed in my lane of traffic and never looked back – well a deed done in kindness doesn’t need acknowledgement to glorify the Father.  That group of co-workers struggling to embrace new technology – well they gained tips from their younger team members  and bridged the generation gap.  That lifegrouper who seems disenchanted and noncommittal  – well she opened up during discussion time and shared incredible insights on a life redeemed.  Things are not always as they seem, maybe that’s why God looks at the heart.  Wouldn’t we be wise to do the same?

“Father, help us to remove our critical eye and embrace others even if they are totally different.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Encouragement, Hope, Spiritual Growth, Wisdom

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | April 4, 2013

Before GPS

Driver Using On-Board GPS Computer“Leave your country and your people,” God said, “and go to the land I will show you.”  Acts 7:3  (NIV)

Long before MapQuest, GPS…and those old-timey paper maps from days gone past, if someone wanted to travel, they set their course in the “general direction” of their destination and made adjustments along the way.  Although using a GPS sounds much more appealing to my taste, the concept of traveling in a “general direction” actually seems more in line with the way God leads.

Think about it…when was the last time God provided a travel itinerary which mapped out the exact roads, turns and distance between travel points?   No, God seems to employ the more cryptic method of assigning a “general direction” and then inviting us to travel by faith.

In fact, this seems very much like the experience of Mother Teresa as revealed in the book, Come Be My Light.  This book, which records decades of her writings and correspondence, reveals the pain she often felt because God was strangely silent and absent throughout seasons of her ministry.  While I certainly cannot relate to her remarkable experiences, I can relate to the  notion of “wanting a bit more God” in the everyday moments of my life. But, the reality is that God often calls us to walk by faith in the direction of a promise or a destination because He wants to do something miraculous in our lives.

As in the life of Abraham, who was called to leave home and “go to the land I will show you,” God may never provide a clear and specific itinerary for our lives.  But, we can trust that He will carry us as we carry out that which we have been called to in faith!

“Lord, grant us the faith to trust You, even when we do not see the path ahead or hear Your voice in the moment.”

For His Glory

Claudia Dempsey
TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Faith, Spiritual Living, Success, Wisdom

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | April 3, 2013

Fulfilling The Call

MP900309143[1]“As for you, always be steady, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil your ministry.” 2 Timothy 4:5 (RSV)

When was the last time we witnessed to someone?  We don’t have to follow a “formula”; we can simply share a blessing God has done in our life to strike up a conversation. We can say God is good, He has……, and then say whatever He has done.  Each individual is unique, and we must be sensitive to the Holy Spirit by showing love and not be pushy. We must let God do the witnessing through us. We may face rejection, but we must be steady and endure suffering. I love to go witnessing every Friday at Pittman Plaza. A Korean Church sets up a tent there and gives out free food and water. Their English is broken, yet they are fulfilling the call to evangelism. I so admire them.  People come to their tent and listen to what they have to say. I often start my conversations by asking people if they have a home church and then invite them to church if they don’t have one. I show them the love of God by showing that I care for them. I truly love people and want them to spend eternity with God. As God leads me, He gives me supernatural boldness and puts the words in my mouth. It is such a joy to see a soul come to the Lord or a backslidder get right with the Lord. We must never forget the price God paid on Calvary for us. We must tell others. We must remember resurrection day every day. Time is short. Lives are at stake. Won’t you tell someone about Jesus?

“Lord, help me to always be steady and diligent enduring suffering. Empower me to witness Lord. May I do the work of an evangelist and fulfill ministry.”

For His Glory

Linda Reyes Shepherd
TRBC Mountain Blend

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Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | April 2, 2013

Unexpected Grace

cb devo apr 2“….Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.” Isaiah 1:18b (NIV)

Bright yellow daffodils raised their head above the ground in my neighbor’s yard.  Winter had been long, cold and dreary, but now it’s late March.  The week before Easter.   Robins have greeted me in the morning.  Daylight creeps slowly out in the evening. Spring is edging it’s way in; I can just feel it.  And then God did something unexpected and breathtaking.  Palm Sunday arrived  with a blanket of snow. As tiny flakes of white fell from the sky, my heart soared.  With every huge flake that danced in the air, my eyes swelled. And when I walked out in the midst of drenching snow, my soul breathed in deep of God’s grace.  Incredible timing….amazing reminder that sin’s debt has been paid.  Utter joy as we realize that those once lost have been found.  Indescribable hope because those who were blind now can see. Exhilarating sound as chains are released and captives set free.  Unending peace as grace covers all our sins – past and present.   It’s the week before Easter….when the world stood still, the thunder clapped and darkness fell.  The earth quaked, tombs awakened and the temple curtain ripped.  And centurions spoke, “Surely He was the Son of God.”  Unexpected and breathtaking – isn’t that God’s signature trademark?  Surprising those laden with guilt.  Isn’t that God’s character to forget wrongs casting them into the depths of the sea.  Isn’t that just like God to invite the scarred, the flawed and the wretched  (like me) to breathe in deep of His loving kindness.  Won’t you join me?

“Father, how sweet to dance in the downpour of Your grace – my scarlet sins transformed to white – come and cleanse me.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Freedom, Gratitude, Mercy

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | April 1, 2013

A Crown of Betrayal

CB Devo Apr 1“When they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand. And they bowed the knee before Him and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!”  Matthew 27:29 (NKJV)

The scene is hard to imagine. Jesus, the Son of God, the One who had lived amongst His people teaching them, healing them, and delivering them from spiritual bondage has just been betrayed by one of His trusted ministry partners. What a disappointment! What great pain from such betrayal!

Jesus, being who He was – and is – could have made a choice to not go through physical torture and death on the cross.  It was the most humiliating and painful type of death an innocent man could endure, but He did not defend Himself to anyone. He didn’t point fingers at anyone. And He didn’t curse anyone. He remained silent, instead. I can only imagine the turmoil in His head, knowing what was coming to Him and not getting out of it even though He had the power to do so.

The Son of God was mocked by the very people He defended. And what did He do when He was betrayed and mocked by those people? He endured. He allowed His Father’s plan to unveil.

And thank God that He did! Because Jesus willingly took upon Himself our sins on that cross, we can have hope of eternity in heaven with Him.

“Lord, so much pain and sorrow came to You before the world saw You fulfill Your Father’s plan for You and mankind. Still this day we suffer with betrayal and mockery, but through You we overcome the pain they cause us. Thank You for the cross. Thank you for the blood that was shed for us.”

 

For His Glory

Luska Suzano
TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Faith, Freedom, Gratitude, Hope

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | March 29, 2013

Walking In His Steps

CB Devo March 29“Then He (Jesus) said to them all, If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow.”  Luke 9:23 (NIV)

Wounded beyond recognition, broken from the weight of our sin, surrendered completely to the Father’s will – a Holy sacrifice to cover all of our past, present and future.  No greater love has ever been shown. No price has ever been higher. No sorrow has ever been deeper.  The world saw a rugged, blood stained cross  – God saw our Savior, Redeemer and the Holy Lamb of God.

Broken, crushed and wounded – we all find ourselves in desperate need of a Savior.  We embrace His gift of salvation.  We enjoy the peace of eternity; but do we emulate His life, His choices or His sacrifice?  Do we seek to be changed so that we are more like Him?  We can cherish the cross, we can admire the cross; but we will miss the mark if we don’t allow the cross to transform who we are.  Change for someone else is great, but changing ourselves that’s another story.  We get comfortable with who we are – our attitudes, actions, decisions and thoughts. Changing ourselves means allowing God’s will to dictate our lives, even to the point of drinking a bitter cup of suffering.  Changing ourselves requires desiring Jesus more than anything else the world has to offer.  If the cruelest of deaths on the cross could bring the greatest of joy, then how amazed we will truly be as the cross changes us.  It won’t be easy or painless – but it will make us more like Jesus – true followers walking in His steps.

“Father, we are so unworthy of Your incredible sacrifice.  The depths of Your love far surpasses our understanding, the greatness of Your mercy far exceeds anything we’ve ever known and the riches of your grace frees us!”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Freedom, Hope

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | March 28, 2013

His Seamless Garment

devo mar 28“This garment was seamless, woven in one piece from top to bottom.”  John 19:23b (NIV)

Not long ago, I ran across an unusual passage in scripture that I never noticed before.   The Apostle John told his readers that Jesus wore a seamless garment. Honestly, this random statement seems oddly out of place because in the verses preceding this statement, John is carefully retelling God’s miraculous redemption story.   So, why in the world would he pause for a brief commentary on Christ’s wardrobe?   However, knowing that ALL of scripture is God-breathed, I decided to do some digging.  I learned that this unusual garment not only symbolized Christ’s seamless perfection, purity and incorruptible nature, but also his position as a high priest (since all Old Testament priests wore something of this nature).

What initially seemed like a strange, out-of-place statement suddenly began to look like a work of great symbolism!  For it certainly appears as though God strategically placed a seamless representation of Christ’s holiness at the foot of the cross as a symbol of the perfection and righteousness He would use to one day clothe us.   Incredible isn’t it?

Scripture tells us that the only way to come to the Father is through the redemptive perfection of Christ.  Christ (who became sin while on the cross) made that redemptive option available to us when He laid down His own righteousness so that it could be used as a “spiritual garment” to

“Jesus, how blessed we are to be covered by Your grace and righteousness.  We are Your redeemed – the Ones etched in the palms of Your hands.”
For His Glory

Claudia Dempsey
TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Faith, Hope, Wisdom

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