Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | December 5, 2012

Steps of Faith

devo de 5“He replied, “Because your faith is much too small. What I’m about to tell you is true. If you have faith as small as a mustard seed, it is enough. You can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there.’ And it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.” Matthew 17:20-21 (NIRV)

 I think the scariest steps to take are when we are in the dark. We don’t know what we may trip over and even the most familiar path seems different when we can’t see it. To me that’s what steps of faith are like; God points us in a direction that we can’t see completely. We have to have faith and believe He will guide our footsteps until He lifts the darkness. When we allow unbelief to creep in, our steps get shaky and unsure. That is when we trip over whatever obstacle the devil puts in our way. Another thing that makes our steps shaky is when we try to see further ahead than God intends. When we stop and overthink the next step because we aren’t quite sure where we are going that’s unbelief in God’s plan. God isn’t asking us to take giant steps and cover a lot of ground at one time. He is asking us to be faithful in little amounts to take one step at a time. It’s not the great leaps that get us the farthest; it’s the small but steady one step at a time.

 “Heavenly Father, Thank You for showing us the path You have planned for us. Give us the courage and strength to focus on the small, steady steps of faith it takes to follow Your path.”

For His Glory

Katrina Redman
TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Living, Wisdom

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | December 4, 2012

Believing The Impossible

Young Woman Facing the Sky“Continue in prayer, and watch in it with thanksgiving;” Colossians 4:2 (KJV)

Have you ever prayed for many weeks, months or years only to become weary and lose hope? I was so grateful to God that after praying for my sister for about 30 years to move to Lynchburg, God brought her and her family here. During those years I was inconsistent with my prayers, but I never gave up hope. I can’t say that about every prayer I’ve prayed. We all have been discouraged and doubted God at times. It is exciting when God answers prayer, especially after so many years of praying; however, we must not lose hope. When I pray I try to see things happening that I am praying for, and I also begin to thank God for the answer that is on its way. This strengthens my faith. I also take scripture and stand on it. Scripture builds my faith. I read the scripture back to God and am reminded of His promises. Faith rises up within me when I do this.  God wants us all to grow in our faith. Without faith it’s impossible to please Him. Praying scriptures is a great way for us to grow in faith. When I pray scriptures it reaffirms to me what God says He will do. Pray with expectation. Pray with confidence. Pray with hope. Pray with faith, and pray with thanksgiving. Let’s not forget to thank God for hearing our prayers and answering them the way He knows is best.

“Father, thank You for Your Word that reminds us that You can do the impossible. Help us not to get weary in our prayer life. Thank You that You incline your ear to us. We thank You for the answers that are on the way.”

For His Glory

Linda Reyes Shepherd
TRBC Mountain Blend

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Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Prayer

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | December 3, 2012

Unexplainable Joy

devo dec 3“And He (Jesus) will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6b (NIV)

Brokenhearted over a lost love,  young Ebenezer Scrooge allowed bitterness to penetrate deep.  A Christmas Carol details Scrooge’s struggle from Christmas Past,  Christmas Present and the Christmas Yet To Be.   He not only extinguished joy in his own life, but Scrooge was determined to do the same to those around him.   As he sees his life unfold, Scrooge realizes that he allowed the loss of one love to rob him of the love of many people.  Wonder if we unpacked our lives if we would find the same?  Broken relationships can often close our hearts to loving others.  Our disappointments can mount and especially during the holidays, we can find ourselves avoiding another Christmas season.  From the age of six, my son’s holidays were spent being transported from one parent to the other. An empty parking lot was often the meet and drop off spot. While his friends played with their toys, he left his gifts behind and headed to the other parent’s house.  I’m sure there were moments when he was greatly disappointed and brokenhearted over his “imperfect family,” yet I never saw his joy escape him.  There were no complaints or grumbling, instead he’d give me a hug and say, “Merry Christmas Mom.”  Amazing how resilient we were when our bodies were small and our hearts were large. We didn’t seem to hold grudges as long, and we definitely found it easier to forgive.   Instead of letting broken relationships  extinguish our joy this holiday season, let’s seize the moment to bless all the people God has brought into our lives.

“Father, You are the keeper of our hearts – help us to love large and extend grace reflecting Your heart to our world.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Attitude, Faith, Hope, Love, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | November 30, 2012

Releasing Forgiveness

“And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses.”  Mark 11:25 (KJV)

Do we ever find ourselves holding unforgiveness in our hearts? Do you know that if we don’t forgive others neither will God forgive us? A thought may go through our minds, but look at what that person did to me? What about what we have done to others? We all have fallen short of God’s glory, yet He lovingly extends grace and lifts us back up. A lack of unforgiveness towards someone else quickly becomes a hindrance to our prayer life. If we are not seeing answers to our prayers maybe it’s time that we check to see whether we have any unforgiveness in our hearts towards anyone. Unforgiveness also ties us to a deep wound that can’t begin to heal until we release the other person. Do you know that God forgave the murderers, the rapists, the sex offenders, the most detestable acts we can imagine? God also forgives the Pharisees of their pride, judgmental spirit, self-righteousness, etc. These things too are detestable to God, yet He forgives any sin that we confess and repent of. We must have the same mercy and grace on others as God has for us. When we come to God in prayer, we must come to God humbly asking Him to forgive us of our sins and forgiving others also, as we remember that we too have offended others.

“Lord, I choose to walk in forgiveness that You too may forgive me for my sins. Thank You that my sins are forgiven the moment I repent.”

For His Glory

Linda Reyes Shepherd
TRBC Mountain Blend

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Posted in Encouragement, Freedom, Hope, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | November 29, 2012

Impacting Our Heritage

“The family tree of Jesus Christ, David’s son, Abraham’s son:”  Matthew 1:1 (MSG)

I never knew one of my grandfathers.  My Dad’s father walked out one day and never returned abandoning  a wife and two small children.    Even though he is a missing piece in our family line; I have often wondered what kind of man he was. Sure I can sum him up by his actions as a young father who left his family, but I wonder if he ever met Jesus?  Maybe somewhere along the line, someone told him about the One who could forgive all his mistakes. Maybe some day he knelt and prayed. Regardless, my grandfather is still a part of our family history.  Just like all those listed in the lineage of Jesus, we have some unfavorable and colorful people in our past.  Kings, commoners, deceivers, adulterers, murderers, ordinary unknowns – all fill in the lines of Jesus’ family tree.  Each one playing a divine role.  Each one destined to be linked to the other.  Each one not fully recognizing the impact One would make to secure their heavenly future.  Regardless of what limbs are missing or have fallen off our family tree, we like Christ can choose to impact our lineage for eternity.  The holidays offer us awesome opportunities to share the difference Jesus has made in our lives.  Sprinkled with grace and flavored with love, our life pages of answered prayers and encouragement can light a spark in even the darkest soul.  And just when we thought they had tuned us out – we might be surprised to learn that those seeds are being planted deep and nurtured by God.

“Father, the holiday season is fast approaching and will slip away with the blink of an eye.  Help us to seize every opportunity to share the hope we’ve found in You.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Hope, Spiritual Living, Wisdom

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | November 28, 2012

Communing With God

“The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” 2 Corinthians 13:14 (ESV)

Have you ever been rudely interrupted in the middle of a conversation where you had something really good to share? Sometimes we do that in our prayer life with God. We can be in a hurry to get things done and abruptly cut off communication from our Heavenly Father.  In our prayers, we need to have moments of silence and meditate on God’s holiness. We must believe that He hears our prayers. When we do, we will not be in a rush to commune with God. We don’t want to miss out on His words to us or even how He can comfort us. We need to stay in His presence until we have truly felt comforted by God’s love. Sometimes we don’t allow our tears to flow. Sometimes God wants to break down our walls, but we don’t give Him a chance. When we’re in the presence of God, our hearts can be truly tender before Him. It is beautiful when we come to Him with burdens or a broken heart, and we allow the tears to flow. God is so ready to comfort us. He is so ready to show His love and speak to us tenderly. He is so ready to heal our hurts and wounds. Don’t walk away from God – stay until you have peace and know you have spent quality time with Him. Let’s make sure we are not interrupting God in our prayers. Let’s give Him a chance to minister to us.

“Father, thank you that you are so patient with us and that you love us so much that you are willing to minister to us. Help us to wait on You until we know that You have truly communed with us, and we with You.”

For His Glory

Linda Reyes Shepherd
TRBC Mountain Blend

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Posted in Attitude, Prayer, Spiritual Growth, Wisdom

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | November 27, 2012

Prayers For Our Country

“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people—  for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.  This is good, and pleases God our Savior.” 1 Timothy 2:1-3 (NIV)

I’ve never been a huge fan of politics. By the time an election comes around I’m really annoyed and want it over with. However, the recent Presidential election and reactions afterwards made me stop and think. We spend a lot of time, effort, and prayers to get the person we want in office. If that doesn’t happen, we blame everyone and everything for it. We focus on what we think is best and don’t take into consideration what God is doing. Ultimately He is in control no matter how many votes, speeches, or promises are made. What we should be doing is praying for our President and the decisions he has to make. It doesn’t work to pull out the Hail Mary prayers during the final days of an election expecting to get what we want.  We need to pray and be thankful for all people who are in authority over us and our fellow Americans. We need to focus on the one thing that we can do, ask God to guide our President and leaders to make the right decisions for our country. We need to look around us and find ways we can help one another out on a daily basis. We need to be thankful for what we have and that God is still in control.

“Father God, Forgive us for praying with our selfish desires in mind. Help us to pray according to Your instructions and to accept Your answers. We thank You that Your hand is on our country, and we ask for guidance for our leaders.”

For His Glory

Katrina Redman
TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Attitude, Prayer

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | November 26, 2012

Divinely Prepared

“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies, you anoint my head with oil my cup overflows.”  Psalm 23:5 (NIV)

Have you ever noticed that when preparation meets action amazing things happen?  Noah prepared for a flood, built an ark and yet had never seen a drop of rain.  His preparation kept his family safe despite the raging flood.  Abraham traveled to the mountains of Moriah with firewood and his only son prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice. His preparation paved the way for God’s miraculous intervention. Ruth prepared her heart to care for her bitter mother-in-law working in the fields with no hope insight.  Her preparation placed her in the fields of her future husband. Esther asked her people to fast and pray as she prepared for an audience with the King.  Her preparation saved the Jewish nation.  Daniel bowed his knees and prayed with opened windows even when the King’s law forbade him.  His soul preparation preserved his life from the den of hungry lions.  Amazing things happen when we position our lives to hear and follow God’s instructions.  Sometimes we may question or wonder if we’ve heard correctly. Sometimes we entertain doubts.  Sometimes preparation means letting go of ease and comfort.  Sometimes preparation involves enlisting others to intercede. Sometimes preparation unveils who we really are in the face of impending danger.  Regardless, God uses His preparation well in advance to position us for seeing His glory.  Noah’s rainbow in the sky was evidence of God’s promise.  Abraham’s lamb in the bush was evidence of God’s provision.  Ruth’s husband was evidence of God’s faithfulness.   Esther’s deliverance was evidence of God’s sovereignty.  Daniel’s rescue was evidence of God’s power.  Have you noticed God’s preparation in your life?  Listen closely, act when prompted and witness the amazing glory of God.

“Father, You consistently prepare us for acts of obedience that lie ahead – help us to faithfully follow after You each and every day.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Spiritual Growth, Wisdom

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | November 21, 2012

Thanks Living

“O Lord You are my God, I will exalt You and praise Your name; for in perfect faithfulness You have done marvelous things, things planned long ago.”  Isaiah 25:1 (NIV)

It’s easy to offer thanks in the getting – you know when our cup is full to overflowing. When blessings abound and life is good.  Thanks spills out when getting empties our wants and exceeds our needs.  Praise is unceasing where joy resides and faithfulness follows with eager steps. Wonder what would happen if thanks was birthed from giving rather than receiving?  If instead of wanting and needing, we found our hearts searching and seeking. If instead of gathering up more, we released. If instead of accepting familiar, we longed to be more like Him and less of us.  Wonder what would happen if praise of One was lived out in us?  Instead of envy and strife, we offered grace and love.  Instead of yours and mine, we offered ours.  Because thanks living is  knit to the heart that serves.  Thanks  living hugs the hands extended.  Thanks  living welcomes the feet that go, even when going is hard.  Thanks  living clothes the voice that lifts and the written verse that speaks.  Thanks  living thrives in the midst of knowing God’s voice….obeying God’s lead…..seeing God smile.  We gather, we praise, we eat, we shop, we enjoy, we receive –and then with humble hearts we live thanks reflecting the image of One who planned it all long ago.

“Father, how sweet to be Your hands, Your feet – to show Your love and realize thanks living far outweighs the words that flow from our lips.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Coffee Break

Wishing you and your family a Blessed Thanksgiving!
Coffee Break Devotionals will resume on Monday.

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Posted in Attitude, Gratitude, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | November 20, 2012

Inspired to Love

“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God!” 2 Timothy 3:16a (KJV)

Have you ever questioned how deep your love for God really is?  I do!  I ask myself, “Am I loving Him with my WHOLE heart, soul, mind and spirit?”  What am I, that He would want fellowship with me?  And what can I do to give Him anything except a life full of past mistakes?

In my own devotions, I was getting to the middle of the Psalms when I read my own thoughts (Psalm 116:12, 13 NKJV) “What shall I render to the LORD, for all His benefits toward me?  I will take up the cup of salvation, and call upon the name of the LORD!”  There was my question and my answer! What can I do for Him for all the things He does for me moment by moment? I can honor Him by accepting His gift of salvation and talk to Him!  This is so beautifully sung in the hymn by the Brooklyn Tabernacle Choir: “What can I give Him, poor as I am? If I were a shepherd, I would bring Him a lamb….If I were a wise man, I’d sure do my part; so what can I give Him? I’ll give Him my heart!”  We can all do this–nothing is stopping us from interrupting our day at this moment and praying:  “Lord, here is my heart.  I offer it to You with all of its flaws, and I accept Your salvation.”

“O God, my Father, You give and give, while I seem to ask, to take, and to ask more.  Here is my heart, Lord; make it Yours, and Yours alone.  In love I pray.”

For His Glory

Sandy Day
TRBC Mountain Blend

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Posted in Faith, Freedom, Love, Uncategorized

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