Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | August 20, 2012

Embracing Our Faith Walk

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1 (NKJV)

It can be a little confusing trying to grasp something we can’t see, but that’s exactly what God asks us to do – believe in an unseen hope. It starts with a first step of faith when we begin a personal relationship with God.  We have to believe that everything we have tried to do in our own strength is not worth it and even though we can’t see it, what He offers is MUCH better.

While my husband was holding our grandson, he was also holding a cup of lemon sorbet. To a six month old it was bright yellow.  It looked inviting so he went for it, face first. Because it was lemon, his taste buds didn’t really care for it. As he gets exposed to more foods and flavors, he might like the lemon flavor. It just wasn’t the time for it right now.  Such is our experience with faith. It sounds good and inviting, but we really have to step out believing and trusting in God even when the journey isn’t sweet. We can be encouraged by other people’s experiences, but our faith walk is a personal journey. Once we take that first step, God matures us spiritually the more we exercise and embrace the faith walk He has for us.

“Dear Father, Help us to have the courage to take that first step towards faith in You. May we lay the burdens of life at Your feet and trade them for blessings only You can give. Thank You for loving us enough to give us a chance at the unseen hope of eternal life.”

For His Glory

Katrina Redman
TRBC Coffee Break

Leave a Comment

Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Hope

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | August 17, 2012

Living Water

“Jesus answered her, If you knew the gift of God and who it is that ask you for a drink, you would have asked Him and He would have given you living water.”  John 4:10 (NIV)

Tiny little feet hovered over the edge.  Desperate and thirsty, she lingered though parched lips tasted nothing.  Peering down, she dipped lower just in case the oasis existed – attempting to dance in the slightest puddle.    Dreaming of the possibility only to greet reality – what she longed for didn’t exist.  And then she flew away.  Didn’t she know I was watching out my window?  Didn’t she hear me open the door and move towards her?  Or maybe it was my closeness that sent her flying away.  Didn’t she know that I had what she longed for?  Even though she was gone, I filled the birdbath and slipped away anticipating her return.  Moments later, I could hear the splash of not one but many.  Looking out my window, I saw the glory – the glory God sees when we are quenched.  When parched lips that have tasted nothing peer over the edge hoping, dreaming, expecting, wanting.  I heard what God hears –the splash of laughter and feet dancing in the sheer joy of being refreshed, drenched in His love.  All we longed for and thought never existed.  All we searched for and attempted to fulfill.  All the wondering if God knew, if God heard, if God would move on our behalf splashes around us.  Living water quenching our thirst –  and God smiles as we bring others to taste His goodness.

“Father, I come to You for I know You satisfy.   I’m thirsty but I know Your love will not run dry – You’re all my heart is living for.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Coffee Break

Leave a Comment

Posted in Encouragement, Hope, Worship

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | August 16, 2012

Delivering The Message

“Then Haggai, God’s messenger, preached God’s Message to the people: “I am with you!” God’s Word.” Haggai 1:13 (The Message)

Messages, cards, gifts, and bills  – the mailman delivers them all.  I remember as a child anxiously awaiting the mail to come, and I would run to the box to check it.  Sometimes there was something for me and it was SO exciting.  It is still exciting to get a card or note in the mail.

Recently at a concert, the singer described himself as a mailman delivering God’s message working in the background.  What a great thought to think of ourselves as God’s messenger.  God has much to say and deliver, and we are his hand picked messengers.  What a blessing to be able to work in the background to deliver his messages.  What message does he want us to deliver today?  Spend some time at His feet asking for direction on how to deliver His message.

 “Father, thank You for allowing me to work in the background for You.  What messages can I deliver for You today?  Let me shine Your love!

For His Glory,

Debbie Struble
TRBC Coffee Break

Leave a Comment

Posted in Encouragement, Spiritual Growth, Wisdom

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | August 15, 2012

A New Creation

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”  2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)

I was at a friend’s house when they pulled out a game that I’ve played a dozen times.  It is the game when you are given a name of a famous person, you tape it to your forehead,  walk around the room and everyone gives you clues of “who you are.”  For example you might hear, “You are the queen of soul.” “You married the very first President.”  “You asked a mirror, Who is the fairest of them all?” The point of the game is to figure out your identity.

Wonder how many times we determine our identity by what others tell us?  For example, “You are so smart.”  “You are a loser.”  “You are so talented.”  “You are ugly because you are different.”  After a while, we might allow those messages to determine who we are, whether they are true or false.  I love the fact that when we accept Christ as Savior, we receive a new identity in Him.  When God touched lives in the Bible, He often changed the person’s name.  For example, Saul became Paul.  Abram became Abraham.  Sarai became Sarah.  Jacob became Israel.  Simon became Peter.  Just like these people, we have a new identity.  We only need to look as far as the Bible to tell us who we are.  We are the “salt of the earth” (Matthew 5:13).  We are the “light of the world” (Matthew 5:14).  We are “a new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17).

“Lord, Thank You that I am a new creation in Christ.  I admit that sometimes I feel just like the old me, but by faith I know I am brand new.  Thank you so much that my identity is based on my identity in Christ.”

For His Glory

Melissa Tucker
TRBC Coffee Break

Leave a Comment

Posted in Encouragement, Hope, Spiritual Growth

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | August 14, 2012

Just Give Me Mercy

“Let not mercy and truth forsake thee; bind them about thy neck, write them upon the table of thine heart.” Proverbs 3:3 (KJV)

Have you ever been driving and someone cut you off or “got in your way?”    When I first moved to Virginia in 2000, I was in awe how people let you over to change lanes and didn’t blow their horn  and swear at you in silly traffic.  I was getting used to the kindness until I traveled back to a frozen northern state this summer. My first day there, I had another female call me a curse word out her window for changing lanes in front of her. Yeah, welcome home right?  (I guess she was angry that she had to slow down to the speed limit.)  Just give me some mercy and grace.

My dad preached an awesome sermon last Sunday on mercy and grace.  God gave it to us.  We don’t get what we deserve, and He also rewards us with blessings we don’t deserve.  Mercy and grace –  Jesus is awesome!  I even dug deeper and studied numerous stories in the Old and New Testament, which illustrate God’s mercy and grace.  Wonder if we are showing that to people?  God gave it to us, yet we’re so quick to “get back” at people, and give them “what they deserve” in our opinion.  Why not show God’s mercy?  Why not show grace?  Let someone get a head of us or be merciful when they make a mistake.  God will continue to reward us for it, and we will encourage one another.

“Thank you for not giving us what we deserve.  Thank you for the gift of your Son, and giving us mercy and grace. Lord may we learn how to show mercy and grace to our family, co-workers, friends, and fellow citizens.”

For His Glory,

Julia Forystek
TRBC Coffee Break

1 Comment

Posted in Attitude, Encouragement, Mercy, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | August 13, 2012

Supernatural Strength

“He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength.”  Isaiah 40:29 (KJV)

Composed and strong, she stands by her son’s hospital bed.  I was amazed by the strength God was giving my friend whose son was hit by a car.  She cried very little in front of me, however,  I’m sure she had all kinds of feelings inside. The mother of three other younger children, she had to be strong for the rest of her family.  Only God could give her that kind of strength. She refused sleep because she wanted to be there for her son who was on a respirator patiently waiting until the time came for God to take him home.  She had even surrendered her son if it was God’s will to take him home. It takes strength and faith in God to surrender a son knowing that she’ll not see him until she goes to be with the Lord herself someday.  As I stood there ministering to her, I prayed for much strength, wisdom and love.  At times like this, we need supernatural strength from God.  God promises to give power to the faint and to them that have no might He increases their strength.  I marveled at the strength God gave my friend who had to witness her son dying, not sleeping for a day and a half and still holding up with God’s strength. Are you receiving God’s strength today?  It is available for us. We just need to trust, believe, and receive.

“Lord, thank You for the strength You give us when we are faint.  Thank You that You increase strength to them that have no might.  Thank you Lord for always coming through when we receive your strength.”

For His Glory

Linda Reyes Shepherd
TRBC Mountain Blend

Editors Note:  Since the writing of this devotional, this young boy was welcomed into the arms of Jesus.  Please keep their family in your prayers.

Leave a Comment

Posted in Encouragement, Hope, Spiritual Growth

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | August 10, 2012

Lightening Our Load

“They will know that I am the LORD, when I break the bars of their yoke and rescue them from the hands of those who enslaved them.” Ezekiel 34:27b (NIV)

Dragging my suitcase through the hotel lobby, I wondered how I could have packed so much for such a short trip.  Did I really need all this stuff?  Perhaps the real reason was my reluctance to leave some things behind.  Regardless it was quite a load, and when I returned home there were more things to hang back up than what landed in the laundry.  One thing I did learn – heavy baggage has a way of slowing us down and wearing us out.  True in traveling and true in life.  How often do we drag around the heaviness of hurt, pain, unhealthy relationships or self-defeating talk? Reluctant to let go of things that need to be left behind, we gladly carry our “cross” rather than walk in the freedom Christ desires.   Why?   We find comfort in the familiar wounds of our past.  Holding on tightly, we claim unresolved emotional baggage as our own rather than embracing God’s healing.   Unsure who to trust, what to believe or where to turn, we often end up relying on our track record of just stuff it down and pack deep instead of face it, work through it and let it go.  Maybe it’s time we lightened our load.  Maybe it’s time we reached out for help and experienced the wonders of His “cross.”  A resurrected body – unchained from the ravages of sin and death –  alive  to walk in the freedom Christ desires.

“Father, we waste so much time hiding behind and dragging along those things that hinder the grace filled abundant life.  Help us to embrace the healing transformation found when we surrender our lives to You.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin

TRBC Coffee Break

Leave a Comment

Posted in Encouragement, Freedom, Hope, Wisdom

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | August 9, 2012

Totally His

“Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright, for the end of that man is peace.” Psalm 37:37 (KJV)

Unbending, uncompromising that’s how the Greek signifies the upright person. They do not compromise the truth of God’s Word nor justify sin. (Isaiah 5:20, 26). The upright is one who does not have deceit in their spirit. They are sincere, approved by God and void of wrong motives. God thinks highly of the upright who is full of His character and one seeking after the heart of God. The upright honors God with their lips and heart. Are we honoring God with our lips and heart? (Isaiah 29:13.) The upright has a song in their heart for God. (Ephesians 5:19.) They have devoted their whole heart to the Lord – totally undivided devotion.  The upright person prays in faith (Psalms 51:7). How sweet to note that the end of that person is peace. When we walk uprightly before the Lord, we will walk in peace – without a guilty conscience. We will not walk in condemnation, but rather clothe ourselves in love. If we choose to live these scriptures out, we will have a heart after God’s. A perfect person is one who is complete, one who is mature. It does not mean one who is sinless. We should strive towards perfection which leads to maturity. We will grow spiritually and be upright when we apply God’s Word in our lives. There is nothing better than living with God’s peace. There is nothing sweeter to God than giving Him our whole heart.

“Lord, help me to walk with a pure heart, help me not to compromise Your word. Help me to have the right motives of heart. I want Your approval Lord, not man’s approval so that I can walk in peace.”

For His Glory

Linda Reyes Shepherd
TRBC Mountain Blend

Leave a Comment

Posted in Faith, Spiritual Growth, Success, Wisdom

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | August 8, 2012

Equipped To Serve

“So in Christ we, who are many form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.  We have different gifts, according to the grace given us.” Romans 12:5-6 (NIV)

Every year during Vacation Bible School, I am amazed at the creativity, hard work and team effort that goes into making it all happen.  Pictured above are over 1,200 stuffed animals donated by the children to Gleaning for the World’s Teddy Bear Brigade. Seeing the example of serving, our children eagerly gave their stuffed animals for children in Guatemala and Haiti.

When we serve in ministry, we cannot try to do someone else’s job because it’s not what we were equipped to do. Trust me, I wouldn’t even try to sing because I know I don’t have the talent or gift for it. I can feed you and encourage you because those are my gifts. If we all tried to do the same thing nothing would really get accomplished. It took effort from every facet of spiritual gifts, God given talent and sheer hard work to accomplish VBS. About 200 children prayed to receive Christ as Savior, and  2,000 children were exposed to a positive, fun experience in church. Every person that enters our church is not automatically going to make a profession of faith, but the experience they have brings them back and lets the Holy Spirit do its job. There is no “I” in team but there is AM for “am able to do my part.”

“Dear God, Thank You for equipping us to do our part in reaching the lost. Help us to focus on using the gifts You have given us to make a difference. Encourage us when we lose sight that we may not see the results here on earth but we will see it one day in heaven.”

 

For His Glory

Katrina Redman
TRBC Coffee Break

1 Comment

Posted in Attitude, Encouragement, Spiritual Growth, Wisdom

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | August 7, 2012

Facing The Waves

“The Lord’s voice is heard over the sea. The glorious God thunders; the Lord thunders over the ocean.” Psalm 29:3 (NCV)

Look at this picture, then close your eyes and envision standing there looking that wave in the face.  That’s exactly what a luncheon speaker asked us to do recently. Take a minute and think about it, you see this wave coming  – what will happen?  Are you scared looking at it in despair?  Does its gigantic size overwhelm you? Or, are you ready to tackle it and swim through it?  You can look at the tidal wave and give up or take a breath and swim through it.  Seems so simple to just swim through it once given that option.  But how often does the tidal wave come and we forget to take the breath and then swim.  It’s so much easier to stop, give up and drown in despair.  I’m so thankful God never gives up on us as the tidal waves approach. We often give up, yet He swoops in and rescues us over and over.  I want to swim.  I want to be an overcomer. I want to shine God’s testimony to those who watch me in the midst of the tidal waves. I’m choosing to swim through my next tidal wave, what will you choose?


“Father, what an example in the midst of the storm, we can give up or swim through it with You.  Give me strength to stop, breathe, and take it one stroke at a time.” 

For His Glory,

Debbie Struble
TRBC Coffee Break

1 Comment

Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Hope, Spiritual Growth

« Newer Posts - Older Posts »

Categories