Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | April 17, 2013

When The Going Gets Touch – Stick to Your Faith

Bible“But Ruth replied, ‘Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me’.” Ruth 1:16-17 (NIV)

When all you have is stripped from you, like Naomi, it’s easy to turn bitter and think God has forgotten you or has decided to punish you. After losing her husband and two sons, Naomi left the country of Moab and returned to her people. She had two Moabite daughters-in-law, and she told them to go back to their people. One of the daughters-in-law, Ruth, saw Naomi as her own family.  She wasn’t about to leave her; Ruth was going to be stuck on her like a Band-Aid.

 Today a lot of things are disposable and the things that used to be valued are mere trial-and-error opportunities. If Naomi lived today chances are her daughters-in-law wouldn’t consider following her to the next town. Women are often abandoned by husbands who vowed to love and protect them, children are left in orphanages by their parents and the love that once seemed to be stronger than death simply disappears.  Too often, we are no longer setting our roots on the Rock, on the One who can help us, but rather on utopian realities that do nothing but devastate our faith. If we wish to be blessed like Ruth, we must deny self and follow after God regardless the cost.

 “Father, one young woman with such a strong faith and love that allowed her to leave father and mother and follow her mother-in-law to a new country shows us that You honor our faithfulness. Please help us to have faith like Ruth.”

 

For His Glory

 Luska Suzano

TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Hope

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | April 16, 2013

Reaching Out

Y“Do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others.” Philippians 2:4 (NAS)

 How many times in one day are we presented with opportunities to help others?  It is so easy to become  self-centered and  miss out on chances to help.  Recently, I visited a lady and handed her a paper full of scriptures to encourage her.  She told me she needed reading glasses because she couldn’t see well. I thought about it, and God prompted me go to the Dollar Store and get her some reading glasses. She was so happy and grateful that I got her the glasses. I could have ignored that need, but because God prompted me to go a need was met. Even with limited resources, God can give us ideas and help us meet other people’s needs. How do we uncover those needs?  Sometimes it comes from just being attentive to the conversations we have with them. What are they telling us? Are there needs we can meet? If we are self-centered or too busy, we will never hear or see the needs of others. Sometimes we have to cancel our plans and go out of our way to do things for others. Scripture reminds us to consider the needs of others above our own. When we are consumed with ourselves, we will miss out on great opportunities.  When we are consumed with others, we will find many opportunities to bless others and in return we will receive a blessing – it is better to give than to receive.


“Father, help me see the opportunities that You present to me to help others. I choose not to be consumed with myself but to reach out to others as You guide me. Thank You for the opportunities.”

 

For His Glory

Linda Reyes Shepherd

TRBC Mountain Blend

 

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Posted in Encouragement, Love, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | April 15, 2013

Seizing The Moment

Businesswoman in Front of Doors“So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.” Psalm 90:12 (NIV)

Deadlines – don’t you just hate  them.  They creep up on us so quickly. We scheduled April 15 into our phone and when that reminder went off weeks ago, we thought we had plenty of time.  Piles of receipts and tax forms decorated the corner of my desk, but I was confident we’d be ready.  Funny how easy it was to overlook that stack and do something else.  Amazing how many times, I simply ignored that task because I hate accounting.   Despite the reminders and the obvious, April 15 arrived  today and I’m filing an extension.  And did I mention that I’m praying desperately that we don’t owe Uncle Sam a dime, because if we do penalties and fines will also be attached to my late return.  Now I’m not an avid procrastinator – just one that finds excuses to delay doing those things I dislike.  Wonder if we ever approach God that way?  God’s Word reminds us that only He knows the number of our days.  Jesus compelled us to be ready because no man knows the hour of His return.  All unknown deadlines that lurk ahead of us.   Reminders and warnings that life is short and only what we do for Christ will last.  Like my taxes, we often buy into Satan’s illusion that we have plenty of time.  We find it easy to overlook what God wants us to do because we’d rather do something else.  Or perhaps, we simply ignore His leading because we feel inadequate or out of our comfort zone.  Unfortunately, we can’t file an extension when we our days on earth are over.  And while God will welcome us with open arms, we don’t want disobedience to steal away the crowns we’d gladly lay at His feet.

“Father, help us to seize each opportunity to obey Your voice.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin

TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Encouragement, Spiritual Growth, Wisdom

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | April 12, 2013

Pressing On

Beautiful Woman with Pencil and Folder Isolated on White.“Not as though I have already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.”  Philippians 3:17 (KJV)

Do you ever feel like you’re striving for perfection but never arrive?  God’s word reminds us that we are always growing and maturing as we go along, but perfection is for eternity. The good thing is we should keep working toward that day when we will be like Christ Jesus. How do we press on?  Simply by setting God goals and accomplishing them.  God’s word proclaims that without a vision the people perish. We must be aiming for something or we won’t aim for anything. It is sad when we don’t use our talents and gifts for the glory of God. We must follow hard after God and be diligent.   How are we doing the things that God has called us to do? Are we putting our every effort into it? Are we feeling a sense of fulfillment? Is it bringing joy to us? Is it bringing God the glory?  We must never give up. If we fail, we must try again. We can get up and keep pressing on until we meet the goals God has ordained. When we get up in the morning, we can know that we have purpose. We have a destiny. We can do all to accomplish our purpose. What goals are you setting as you face the day? Fulfill the dreams that God has given you. Dream big. Think big. Pray big.

“Father, help me to follow hard after You. Help me to press on and not give up. Help me to never stop growing and maturing. Help me to strive to do my very best.”

For His Glory

Linda Reyes Shepherd
TRBC Mountain Blend

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Posted in Encouragement, Hope, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | April 11, 2013

Breathing In God’s Presence

A Middle Eastern woman lying down reading“May Your unfailing love be with us Lord, even as we put our hope in you.”  Psalm 33:22 (TNIV)

“I just want this to be over.” Have you heard those words from someone or said them yourself? I have uttered those words myself in the darkest time of my life and heard them come from more than one friend. I thought I was the only one to groan those words during heart wrenching crisis, however I am not. When dealing with challenging times such as unpaid bills, an unfaithful spouse, ailing parent or sick child; we all are begging for it to be over and our life back to normal. Yet it is in this time that we experience God’s presence like never before. If things had gone back to the “normal” I was crying out for, my faith would not have grown as God provided for my emotional, physical and spiritual needs. During the times I was so ready for things to go back to the way they were, I was able to see God’s love as I drew my hope and strength from Him. Isn’t it encouraging to know that whatever trials we go through, our Heavenly Father has the perfect timing for it to all be over.  And when it is over, we will be reminded of His unending love for us.

“Dear Sovereign Lord, please be with me as I face situations that are stressful, painful and test my trust in You. I pray I would place my hope in You and Your love for me because I know that Your plan is better than the best plan I can dream for myself.”

For His Glory

Melissa Hester
TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Hope, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Living, Wisdom

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

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