Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | January 22, 2013

Sweet Time Out

devo jan 22“Yet the Lord longs to be gracious to you; he rises to show you compassion. For the LORD is a God of justice. Blessed are all who wait for him!”  Isaiah 30:18 (NIV)

“You’re in time out.”  Oh those words sting.  I remember them well when my son was a runaway toddler.  Age two – four seemed like a long stride, especially to this working mom.  So the miniature rocking chair in our kitchen was often filled by that sweet little boy.  He twisted, wiggled and resisted every minute of it, but eventually he grabbed the lesson.  Sound familiar?  As adults we don’t like time out either, but sometimes it’s the only way God can get our attention.  Being sidelined definitely positions us in God’s classroom, but it doesn’t necessarily mean we were being disobedient.  Sometimes God pulls us out of the chaos, noise and distractions so that He can speak into our lives uninterrupted.  Sometimes He simply wants us to find rest for our tired souls – to climb up in His lap and seek refuge to avoid burnout.  Sometimes He re-focuses us for a greater work and that time out allows God to put everything into place for the next step. And yes, sometimes disobedience does land us in that chair – sidelined until repentance lifts us back up.  Regardless God intends for us to be learn and grow.  Unfortunately, we too often twist, wiggle and resist every minute. We fore go a temporary setback and plunge forward determined to do life our way.  And the end result – we will discover that time out will chase us until we surrender and grab the lesson.  “You’re in time out” may be the sweetest words we will ever hear.

“Father, help us to draw near to You even when doing so means letting everything else go.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Encouragement, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Living, Success

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | January 21, 2013

Inviting Hope

Young Woman Standing with Arms Stretched Out“For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 (NKJV)

“HOPE.” As I lay on the bed, the word felt branded across my forehead.  Are we steadfast in our hope? Do we really KNOW–that God has America, our town, our children, our life, under His control, or are we in despair?  Hope is a beautiful word when it surrounds us, but when we lose it – our joy, our peace and perhaps even our will to live flies out the window.  To have hope “in a future” is our motivation to get out of bed, go through the day, and endure for life.

Pilgrim, in the story by John Bunyan, lost hope and “wallowed in the Slough of Despond.” Do we do that? Our spirits droop, we know nothing except a miracle will bring about a change, and we’ve lost faith in a miracle.  That, my dear friend, is where God acts!  Turn your focus onto HIM, onto HIS abilities, HIS promises–get in HIS Word, and wallow there!  Write down each blessing today as it happens: I just took a breath; I had food; I have a job, etc.  You say, “there is nothing left in my marriage (or opportunity to change, or…)” .  Always remember: God took NOTHING and made the world!  Give Him your life for today and follow in His steps today, and let Him breathe new HOPE in you!

“Father, how we cling to Your promise that in You we have a future!  We muck it up so badly, but You, O God, can take the empty hands we extend to You, filled with “Nothing” and watch You do a miracle.  Increase our faith, Lord! And Lord, thank you for the cross.  We love You, Lord.”

 

For His Glory

 

Sandy Day
TRBC Mountain Blend

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Posted in Encouragement, Hope

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | January 18, 2013

Cleanse Me

devo jan 18“I, even I, am the one who wipes out your transgressions for My own sake, And I will not remember your sins.”  Isaiah 43:25 (NAS)

I have ministered to many people who cannot get rid of guilt and condemnation. I have ministered to a rapist, murderers, prostitutes, thieves, drunkards, adulterers, legalistic people, etc. Many who had a very hard time believing that God would forgive them of their sins. We all have committed horrible actions. Jeremiah 17:9 reminds us, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” We all have failed God and come short of His glory, but God doesn’t want us to stay condemned. Once we confess our sins, God says they are as far as the east is from the west. This is wonderful to know. When God wipes away our sins, they are remembered no more; they are washed by the blood. “But now Christ has come as the High Priest of the good things to come. He passed through the greater and more perfect tent not made with hands, that is not of this creation,  and He entered once and for all into the most Holy Place not by the blood of goats and calves but by His Own Blood, so He Himself secured eternal redemption by the blood of God.” (Hebrews 9:11-12)  We must receive God’s word that tells us that He wipes out our sins. When the evil one comes and tries to attack our mind with condemnation, we can stand on these scriptures. We can walk in freedom without guilt.

“Lord, thank You for Your blood that washes away my sins. Thank You that I don’t have to walk in condemnation. Thank You for forgiving me of my sins. Thank You for a clear conscience and Your sweet peace.”

For His Glory

Linda Reyes Shepherd
TRBC Mountain Blend

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Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Hope

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | January 17, 2013

Unpacking Wisdom

MP900178801[1]“The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:  for attaining wisdom and discipline; for understanding words of insight;”  Proverbs 1:1-2 (NIV)

Experience is a great teacher.  When I started working in an office, I joined a professional organization. I wanted to gain insight on how to be a strong team player.  I wanted to learn the ropes, so I surrounded my sphere of influence with professional women who had years of experience in my field.  As they shared their successes and mistakes, I listened and absorbed their knowledge.   End result – I gained wisdom because they were willing to unpack their business careers to a young inexperienced girl.   Wonder what would happen if we unpacked our spiritual lives and used that influence to impact the people in our lives?  Our world is complex, demanding and ever-changing.  A whole new era of family dynamics has resulted in single parents, step-parents and blended families. Economic challenges have forced tough financial decisions.  Violence has devastated our once peaceful neighborhoods.  Cancer strikes close, and empty chairs fill our homes.  Wouldn’t it be awesome to know that all the stuff that fills our bags could actually be used to encourage and inspire someone else?  Wouldn’t it be incredible if our mistakes prevented someone else from doing the same?  Solomon was the wisest man that ever lived.  Despite his title and wealth, Solomon didn’t hoard away the wisdom that God granted to him – it’s all unpacked in the book of Proverbs. A spiritual life lesson book that conveys the wisdom that God poured into him.  So what are we waiting for – let’s do some spiritual unpacking ourselves and watch to see how God works.

“Father, You have taught us many life lessons – help us to seize opportunities to share Your wisdom with others.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Spiritual Living, Wisdom

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | January 16, 2013

Getting Ahead of God

devo jan 16“Look here, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we are going to a certain town and will stay there a year. We will do business there and make a profit. How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow? Your life is like the morning fog—it’s here a little while, then it’s gone.  What you ought to say is, “If the Lord wants us to, we will live and do this or that.” James 4:13-15 (NLT)

Instead of resolutions for 2013, I am praying and seeking out personal challenges from God. I’m asking God to open my eyes to areas of my life that need improvement. It probably won’t be a pleasant road to travel; however, the benefits from being completely in step with God will be worth it.

One of the first areas I need to work on is my tendency to get ahead of God’s plans. Sometimes, we get so caught up in our dreams and plans that we don’t want to change when God steers us His direction. Then we get mad and frustrated when “our” plans don’t work out. James reminds us our life on earth is not guaranteed for a certain time frame. We have to see the bigger picture God has for us in even the littlest decisions. Through prayer, God’s Word and Godly counsel, we need to make sure each step we take is God honoring and eternal. Let’s take time each morning before we get out of bed and commit each day to God and ask Him to guide us through our decisions.

“Father, May we treat each day as a precious gift and live it to the fullest according to Your will. Give us guidance each day from the littlest to biggest decisions. Show us Your plans that will make an impact for eternity.”

For His Glory

Katrina Redman
TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Encouragement, Hope, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | January 15, 2013

Satisfied In Him

MP900400219[1]“Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am.”   Philippians 4:11 (NAS)

The sunrise brought with it yet another series of trials for me to face.   I can honestly say that I can’t remember a time that was “smooth sailing.”  When I share my story, the typical comments are:  “Wow, I have nothing to complain about” or, “I don’t know how you survived your first marriage” or even, “How in the world did you become a Christian with that kind of childhood?”   The story that lies behind my blue eyes and unruly hair is not what you’d expect.   On the other hand—I’ve heard worse.   Far worse.

There will always be someone who seems to have a life far easier than ours, and also someone who has it far more difficult than our wildest dreams could imagine.   What gives?  What gives is Paul’s testimony to all of us.   Paul had learned to be content in whatever circumstances he was in—and asks us to do the same!  Can you imagine?  Paul could.  He had learned the secret to being content.   He was just as satisfied with cozy comforts as he was with beatings and starvation.  This was his secret:  “I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.”    We can also learn to be content with things as they are right at this moment!  Jesus did.  Paul did.  Say it with me:  “I am content with my circumstances, whether they are difficult or easy, and I will praise the Lord and bring glory to His name in my attitude!”

“Dear Lord, please strengthen us to do all things, especially to embrace our trials.  Help us to understand that trials are a part of Your plan for our lives, and they will bring us sweetly closer to You if we allow them to.”

For His Glory,

Ruby Sands
TRBC Mountain Blend

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

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | January 14, 2013

Immersed In The Desert

devo jan 14“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert…” Matthew 4:1a (NIV)

Winter’s palette always leaves my heart yearning for more.  Naked trees and a brown stubbly lawn greet my view – a desert in my own mind.  Dry, bland, and desperately ugly – the thirst for life almost screams at me.  A far cry from the paradise of God’s creation.  Yet, He carved out  desert, barren places.  David found refuge from King Saul hiding out in the desert.  Caves and rocky cliffs protected him from the one who sought to extinguish his royal destiny.  John the Baptist  received his divine calling while living in the desert.  Isolated and undistracted, he had no problem understanding the message God entrusted to Him.   Rising up out of the baptismal Jordan River, Jesus was led to the desert.  Fasting for forty days, He was tempted by the one who sought to undermine His earthly ministry.  Do we find ourselves immersed in the desert?  Like David, the enemies of our soul may have sent us running into the desert desperate for relief.  Perhaps, isolation in the desert has prepared us like John the Baptist for a brief but powerful moment of ministry.  Like Jesus, we may be encountering Satan as our divine destiny begins to unfold. Transformation from barrenness to fruitfulness is God’s specialty in the desert. With our eyes focused on Him, with His Words flowing off our lips and His Holy Spirit living within us – we too can experience the incredible beauty that burst forth.   David became King, John drew many to redemption and Jesus became the Savior of the world.  What will God do with our desert places?

“Father,  Your hand has allowed and orchestrated all that we experience.  Help us to seek You in those dry places – knowing that You alone are all we need.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Encouragement, Hope, Spiritual Growth

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | January 11, 2013

The Perfect Ending

devo katria july“Then Jesus said, “Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?” John 11:40 (NIV)

Ever watch one of those feel good movies? You know the kind with the predictable ending where everything works out great!  The hero wins, the problem is solved and yes, the bad guys lose.   We knew it from the very beginning, but we still clung to the edge of our seat waiting for goodness to spill out everywhere.  Wonder if we view life that way?  After all, we are assured of an amazing ending – God triumphs over evil and everything works out beyond our imagination.    We’ve read Revelation and even though we don’t understand all of it – we do know we have an incredible future.  But it’s that space of time between now and then that often derails us.  Instead of trusting and resting in our Mighty God, we find ourselves locked into today and minimizing His power.  Hope fades when justice is blown out the window, and we forget God lifted Joseph out of prison to save a nation.  Joy evaporates when people don’t measure up to our expectations, so we forget that Christ built His church upon Peter, the one who denied His very existence.  Faith is challenged in the midst of overwhelming problems, and we forget at the sound of His voice the storm ceased.  Evil appears to deal us a bad hand, and we forget the grave could not hold Him.  Despite our doubts, God divinely intervenes in our lives longing to exceed our predictability and surprise us with the miraculous.  For those who choose to look beyond today and believe the rest of the story, they will find that our God is faithful and true.

“Father, Your goodness spills all around us – You are our Hope, and our future is secured in your promises.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Encouragement, Freedom, Hope, Worship

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | January 10, 2013

More Than Conquerors

MP910220848[1]“Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.” Romans 8:37  (ASV)

Every day is a good day with God on our side regardless of what we are going through. Every day is a good day because God made the day. He gave me another day of life. He’s given me joy, peace, and love. I am learning to be content in the state that I am in, and I choose to rejoice through all things. This is why it’s a good day. Circumstances around me might not always be the best, but I will find the best in them when I choose to learn from them. It’s all about how we choose to look at life, even when we’re going through crisis. God gives us the strength to face each day, if we only choose to receive His strength. He gives us a mouth to praise Him, if we choose to praise Him. He’s given us Philippians 4:8 to stand on, and we can choose to apply it. The Word of God is grand. With the Word of God, we can face anything.  We must put on the mind of Christ by renewing our mind with His Word.  When we put on the armour of God, we will be shielded from the enemy.  When faced with bad thoughts, we can defeat them with the Word of God. When we act like children of the Most High, He will truly receive the glory.  God has proclaimed that we are MORE than conquerors through Him that loved us.

“Thank you Lord that through You I am MORE than a conqueror.  Thank You for abundant life.  Thank You that in You I am victorious.”

For His Glory

Linda Reyes Shepherd
TRBC Mountain Blend

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Posted in Encouragement, Hope, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | January 9, 2013

Reflecting On 2012

MP900443660[1]“Let my teaching fall like rain and my words descend like dew, like showers on new grass, like abundant rain on tender plants.”  Deuteronomy 32:3 (NIV)

A new year, a new outlook, a new commitment, a new goal – amazing how the flipping of the calendar to January 2013 allows us to clear out the old and stretch for the new.  It’s invigorating to navigate new territory and to anticipate the days ahead.  But do we miss out when we move forward without first flipping those days back?  Like everyone else, I look forward to getting a do over every New Year’s Day. However, if I fail to examine what I did with 2012, I might tend to repeat some of those days I’d rather forget.  So, before I start making that list or setting new goals; I consciously make an effort to reflect on 2012 and prayerfully consider three things:

  • Did I bring glory to God or to myself?
  • Am I the same person or am I more like Him?
  • Was I a faithful steward of the gifts and abilities He has entrusted to me?

The calendar may offer us 365 days a year, but only God knows the potential to transform our ordinary life into extraordinary moments that glorify Him. Growth and intimacy with God are intentional.  It requires listening to His voice, applying His principles and stepping outside our comfort zone to pursue a deeper personal walk with our God.  It requires a submissive and surrendered heart that longs to reflect His ways versus our own.  Where will you be at the end of 2013?  It all begins with the choices we make after the clock strikes midnight.

“Father, give us the courage to honestly examine our hearts and to embrace Your grace as we begin a new year.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Encouragement, Hope, Spiritual Growth, Success, Wisdom

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