Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | November 13, 2012

Tuned In To God

“Be still, and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth.” Psalm 46:10 (NIV)

Have we ever been too busy and in a hurry to let God speak to us? Sometimes God wants to speak to us loud and clear, but we don’t wait on Him to show up. Just yesterday, I was on the phone talking with my daughter who lives in Arkansas. As we continued talking on the phone, she suddenly came into my bedroom.  Still on the phone, she said, “Mommy, here I am.”  I could hear her loud and clear.  I looked up, threw the phone on the floor and screamed. I had no idea she was coming to visit me in Lynchburg. My husband and son kept this a surprise from me.

When we choose to listen to God, we will hear Him so clearly like I heard my daughter.  I was listening very attentively to her on the phone, and when she showed up I was elated. This is how our prayer life should be. God will surprise us in beautiful ways when we converse with Him. When my daughter walked into my room, I knew she was there because I was in her presence. Have we been in God’s presence lately? He wants to make Himself very real to us. Just as I received a blessing from my daughter’s presence, we can receive a greater blessing being in the presence of the Almighty God.

“Lord help me to be still before You so I can hear Your still small voice. I choose not to rush, but to seek You with all my heart, soul, mind, and strength. Thank You that You show up when I pray.”

For His Glory

Linda Reyes Shepherd
TRBC Mountain Blend

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Posted in Attitude, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Living, Wisdom

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | November 12, 2012

His Ultimate Plan

“Who else among the gods is like you, O LORD? Who is glorious in holiness like you — so awesome in splendor, performing such wonders?”  Exodus 15:11 (NLT)

Navigating around a large hospital or university is daunting, isn’t it?  Recently I was on a local campus, seeking someone with NO name, out of thousands!  In each building, I was referred to another.   At each stop, I had to explain my mission: God had impressed heavily upon my heart to give my almost-new keyboard to someone “who was praying for one!”   How can one know who is praying?  God, of course!  Don’t give me any praise; I resisted for months before obeying.  By the end of two hours, I was exhausted from walking and telling my story.  Finally a woman I talked with asked if I wanted to donate it to the university School of Music. Each semester, they would lend it to a student.  Maybe not what I had prayed for so fervently, but a good “Plan B.”

Three days later, I carried it to the campus. Two gentlemen helped me get the keyboard, stool and cords inside.  Suddenly one of them said, “Oh! Dr. W. heard of your request, and he knows someone who has been praying!”  Wow! What glory went to God!!  An unknown student praying and a faculty person whom I had NOT seen heard of each and was able to get the two together!  What a beautiful testimony to those who knew of my search. God plays a personal, intimate part in our lives, and He provides “miracles” that are affirmations of His great love for us!  Hallelujah!

“Father, help me never to forget that the smallest desires and prayers in our heart are heard by You!  Why would I be amazed that the God who created this beautiful world would orchestrate two of Your children’s lives to intersect? You are so awesome, God,–thank You for Your everlasting love!”

For His Glory

Sandy Day
TRBC Mountain Blend

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Posted in Encouragement, Hope, Prayer

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | November 9, 2012

Restoring Hope

“I cried out, I am slipping but your unfailing love O Lord supported me.  When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.”  Psalm 94:18-19 (NLT )

Have you ever stripped a piece of furniture?  Years ago, I attempted this task without a clue to the muscle it would take and time.  For weeks, I diligently prepped and scraped off the residue of age old stain on a solid oak dresser.  Not only were my arms and hands sore, but the smell of the stain remover gave me quite the headache.  I loved the finished product, but it was definitely more work than I bargained for.  While restoring furniture isn’t my thing, I’m glad that God specializes in restoring lives. Just when we feel like we’ve messed up again.  Just when we feel like we have no value.  Just at the very moment when we see nothing but the ugly stain of sin covering our lives, God hears our cries.  Like stripping old stain off of a piece of furniture – God strips away the messy residue of sin when we come to Him. It’s hard work;  and it requires confession, repentance and trust that God will complete the work He started in us.  Diligently He scraps off the self-imposed doubts and worries that surface when we focus on our inability to overcome versus God’s deliverance.     Gently, God renews the hope within us and lifts our spirit – redeeming our future.  Restored, renewed, refreshed – absolutely beautiful in God’s eyes.

“Father, before I even start to slip, please help me to cry out to You and to depend on You for support.  And when my thoughts cloud my view, refresh my eyes so that I can see You clearly.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Encouragement, Freedom, Hope, Mercy, Spiritual Growth

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | November 8, 2012

Reflecting God’s Word

“They that fear thee will be glad when they see me, because I have hoped in thy word.” Psalm 119:74 (KJV)

How do people feel when we enter the room?  Do they cringe or are they happy to see us? Are we impacting someone’s life through our testimony of loving God? Are we full of faith and hoping in God’s Word? Being in God’s Word gives us an opportunity to influence many people daily. It doesn’t always have to be through our talk, but also by our walk. People will know if we are one that spends time with God. Our attitude will be Christ-like; our conversations will be God honoring. Our countenance will even shine. Will people be glad when they see us? Are we uplifting others, or are we discouraging others by our attitude? We have a great opportunity to point others to Christ. We can actually bring God’s joy to people by our presence, if we are filled with God’s Spirit. We must challenge others to hope in God’s Word, however,  the greatest challenge will be the life we live. That life should be filled with love, joy and peace. When people see that we are filled with love, joy and peace, they will know that we have spent time with God. Where are we placing our hope today? Are we causing others to be glad when they see us?

“Father, may people always be glad when they see me because I hope in Your Word. May I be an influence to all that I meet. May You be glorified in my life.”

For His Glory

Linda Reyes Shepherd
TRBC Mountain Blend

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Posted in Attitude, Encouragement, Hope, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | November 7, 2012

Hearing God’s Voice

“Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice.” 1 Samuel 15:22b (KJV)

Many years ago, a father we knew was telling how hard he had tried to instill instant obedience in his children.  One day he was working on the roof and climbed down for a drink.  When he returned, his three-year old had climbed the ladder and was on the rooftop, where he could have fallen to his death any second. Though his heart was racing so hard he thought he could not do it, the father quietly told his little son to stop exactly where he was and stay still.  The child obeyed, and Daddy climbed the ladder and saved him.

I’ve never forgotten the story, nor the spiritual significance of how many times God might have to call me before I respond.  Do I cause myself to fall because I haven’t listened to His voice telling me to stay still?  Am I missing conversations with Him because I want to get on to the next thing?

I pray this lesson on listening for God’s voice does not leave me.  The Holy Spirit nudges our hearts in the right direction, but we have to train ourselves to be sensitive to His prodding.  The more often we obey, the more we will recognize His leading in our lives.  Let us work to get that obedience to instant submission!

“Father, sometimes I feel as though You have to yell at me in order to be heard above my busyness.  Please be patient with me as I strive to learn to obey at the first prompting.  Thank you for Your love, Lord, and thank You for the nail-pierced Hands!

For His Glory

Sandy Day
TRBC Mountain Blend

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Posted in Encouragement, Hope, Spiritual Living, Wisdom

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | November 6, 2012

Seeing God’s Beauty

“Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful.”  Hebrews 10:23 (NIV)

Blazing orange and fiery red – they caught my eye as I drove down the street. My mind was in a million places – ever been there – when you’re not sure how you got from Point A to Point B.  Distracted, yet completely aware of the weight bearing down on your shoulders.  And there they were – despite the dry, hot Fall temperatures. Despite the fact that the big tree out my window turned brown – depleted of its beauty.   Despite the bare limbs that stood beside them.  Lining the leaf covered sidewalks, these young trees displayed the essence of  beauty –  orange, red and gold – surviving even in the midst of ugly.  Amazing how God does the same in our lives.  Dry seasons leave us blown and tossed by uncertainty.   We find the bareness of our souls desperately longing for a ray of hope.  The future looks bleak, and  then right in the midst of our ugly, He reveals the essence of His beauty.  We hear God’s voice clearer.  We see God’s Word illuminated.  We feel God’s love surround us.  All because we kept looking.  We didn’t give up.  We didn’t stop praying.  We pressed through. We kept moving despite the predictions.  We kept our focus off the circumstances and firmly stood in the courts of praise.   And when desperation met our gaze, we claimed the goodness of our God.  When darkness settled in, we clung to His presence.  When happy evaporated, we chose His joy.  Even in the dry seasons, even in the loneliest hour – we can proclaim – It is Well With My Soul.

“Father, help us to hold on tightly to You even when everything else seems to be slipping away. You are the Faithful One.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Encouragement, Hope, Spiritual Growth

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | November 5, 2012

Storyteller vs. Story Keeper

“Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”  Philippians 4:8 (NIV)

Thinking before we speak would alleviate so much in our lives. Oddly, words often presented as a prayer request, ‘helpful’ information shared with your best friend, or sadly, details possibly capable of damaging someone’s character can be described as ‘godly’ gossip.  Depending on the person there is a tendency to have the heart of a storyteller or a story keeper.

God’s Word teaches storytellers are foolish, contentious, untrustworthy, devious, deceitful, destroyers, hypocrites, insecure and prideful – to name a few.   However, a godly story keeper will determine to say what brings forth that which pleases God.  How?

Many scriptures address this subject in God’s Word (Ephesians 5:26, I John 1:9, Proverbs 4:23, 21:23, Philippians 4:8) which highlight several questions we must ask ourselves:

  1. Is it true?
  2. Is it noble & will the reputation of the other person remain in tact?
  3. Is it right – did I add or take away from it?
  4. Is it pure & what motivation made it necessary to be repeated?
  5. Is it loving?
  6. Is it honorable – did I hurt the other person’s character?

Gossip is never healthy.   One guarantee words will not damage:  if something can’t be said edifying say nothing at all.

“Dear Father please help me to think before I speak and always seek to edify not tear others down.”

For His Glory

Patsy Sanders
TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Prayer, Spiritual Living, Wisdom

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | November 2, 2012

Undeniable Love

“Love and faithfulness meet together; righteousness and peace kiss each other.” Psalm 85:10 (NIV)

He loves me; He loves me not –swirled in the wind as petals hit the ground.  And when the answer wasn’t to our liking, we just picked another flower and started all over again.  Even from an early age, our hearts wonder if  love will find us. Maybe because we didn’t feel lovable.  Maybe because “love” had been flung carelessly or  withheld.  Whatever the reason, we long to be loved, cherished and adored.  God is no different; His perfect love is undeniable and evidenced in His actions toward us.  And His faithfulness is driven by a deep love that He longs to have returned.

The marriage between faithfulness and love is not easily broken.  We have no trouble being faithful when it comes to what or who we love.  We have no trouble loving when we know someone is faithful to us.  So if we find ourselves feeling less than loved, maybe we need to examine who we are being faithful to.  If we find ourselves being unfaithful to God then maybe we need to check our love meter. True love is actualized not in what we say but in what we do.  Sweet talk and promises are cheap when it’s not backed by actions.  And if we rely on feelings and careless words to dictate our love, we will always end up unfulfilled.  God longs to have a passionate, faithful love relationship with all of His creation; however, He will never force or dictate our response.  Do we love Him or do we love Him not – the choice is up to us.

“Father, we never need to wonder about the depth of Your love –  You are faithful and true, unrelenting in drawing our hearts.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Encouragement, Love

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | November 1, 2012

My Refuge

“But the LORD is my defense; and my God is the rock of my refuge.” Psalm 94:22 (KJV)

Do we ever try to take care of situations that are out of our control? Do we get frustrated, anxious, and worried? Were we trying to control the situation instead of giving it over to God and putting our trust in Him? God will entrust us with trials to see whether we are truly trusting in Him or whether we are going to look to our own worldly wisdom. When we do that, we will fail. God never intended for us to do things in our own strength. He has made his strength and wisdom available to us, and He wants us to place our trust in Him. When we take a situation in our own hands, we will only exhaust ourselves. God is our refuge, our protection, our shelter from danger or hardship. He is our relief and our comfort. We make things messy when we try to straighten them out instead of letting God be our defense. When we try to defend ourselves, we get in the way of letting God help us. Sometimes we just need to leave a situation alone and let God handle it. Some things can be very complicated, but not for God. If we get in there and try to straighten the mess out, we will miss out on God doing a work that only He can do well. Let’s trust Him today. Let us give up trying to control situations or people.

“Lord, thank You that You are my defense and my refuge. I choose to release control. I choose to put my trust in you today. Thank You that You are a very present help in trouble. Thank You for always coming through.”

For His Glory

Linda Reyes Shepherd
TRBC Mountain Blend

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Posted in Attitude, Spiritual Growth, Wisdom

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | October 31, 2012

God Moments

“Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.” Psalm 31:24 (KJV)

My attitude had left me sad and gloomy.   It was one of those lonely, physically under the weather, less than hopeful days.  To make matters worse it was Valentine’s Day!! My confident, aching heart knew the mail would surely deliver that special card.  Retrieving the mail revealed nothing; however, surprisingly I noticed something extraordinary – lying face-up in the gravel a perfectly heart shaped rock.   Beginning to weep, I gently removed the rock from the debris – humbled and joyfully mystified the Lord revealed His tenderness in such a specific way.  How sweet – a personal Valentine to His daughter from His heart to hers.  Immediately, I knew Jesus had passed by – a ‘God moment.’

As unique as it may be, every day thereafter I have received a heart from my heavenly Father in some unusual way.  Frequently it will be obvious, sometimes in odd unexpected ways, other times not so obvious.  However, the important thing  – noticing He is communicating His presence, thoughtfulness, and everlasting love to me.

Displayed in my home, this special rock serves as a reminder of a dreary, hopeless Valentine’s Day many years ago.  I remain determined to notice Jesus passing by.   Every ‘God moment’ provides my heart with courage, strength, and hope to endure whatever I am facing in life by changing my attitude to one that pleases Him.

“Dear Father, please open my eyes and heart to an awareness of You throughout my day.  Allow me to experience God Moments with You.”

For His Glory

Patsy Sanders
TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Gratitude, Wisdom

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