Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | October 10, 2012

Sifted For His Glory

Saying, “…Blessing and glory and wisdom and thanksgiving and honor and power and might be to our God forever and ever! Amen.”  Revelation 7:12 (ESV)

The Lord miraculously called me out of the spiritual darkness I grew up in, and into the light of His salvation.  I have seen His hand upon my life: His provision, love, and guidance in times of trial.  It pains me to think of my sin and my failures—but I know that God has forgiven me and washed me clean with the blood of Christ.

I also know that I have held tightly to my own dreams and expectations.  I have had one hand on His Word and one hand on the world.  I often  think more about things like, “how to get out of debt” than I do about the debt He paid for me on the cross. My new prayer is this: “Lord, I offer up my life to You as a living sacrifice: my hopes, dreams, expectations, wants, wishes, and deepest desires.  The rest of my life is an open book for you to write, Lord.”

I am nothing without God, and He is everything to me. With trembling hands and humble heart, I ask that He sift me for His glory! That every trial and triumph in my life would serve to bring Him glory!  That I would let go of my “self” and allow His Spirit to sanctify me for His glory!   “Lord You are GOOD, You are HOLY, You are AWESOME in power!”  I’m ready to take the plunge – won’t you join me – to TRUST God with our entire lives, front to back.  “Lord, please leave no stone unturned!  Cleanse us of sin and fill us with Your Spirit!”

“Lord I humble myself under Your mighty hand, and I cast all my cares upon You!  May blessing,  glory, wisdom, thanksgiving, honor, power and might be to You oh Lord my God forever and ever.”

For His Glory

Ruby Sand
TRBC Mountain Blend

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

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | October 9, 2012

Unveiling Hidden Sins

“Be holy, for I am holy!”  1 Peter 1:16b (NKJV)

Can you imagine God tolerating our hidden sins? Sometimes we are unaware that we have them, but with His admonition to be holy,  He goes to the closet and opens boxes taped up for years!  Recently, I received an obituary sent to my old school classmates on the death of a former “beloved” teacher. Beautiful words of eulogy flowed from those who wanted to enshrine his life. Immediately my mind went back to how this man had found in me one so innocent that he took advantage of it. Anger swept over me; I wanted to write back and relay the sins he had committed against me and other young girls. He had been fired, but no one ever knew why so there was never ‘closure.’  Seeing his picture for the first time in many years, it all came flooding back.  I felt glad thinking of him getting his ‘just due’ from God. My husband suggested he may have gotten saved, but I rebelled at the thought! It took all of the next day to work through the smog to repentance and give it to God in exchange for peace! Locked away in a hidden chamber of my heart, I never realized the hurt was still an issue and was keeping my life from being all it could be.  When God tells us to be holy, He means completely!  He is always ready to clean out hidden sins, wash the vessel clean and give us the peace that passes understanding in every facet of our life!

“Father, thank you for bringing our hidden or forgotten sins to light, so that we can repent and have freedom! We know our sins hung on Your cross, Lord, but we desire that You cleanse every area of our lives, so we may be pleasing to You!”

For His Glory

Sandy Day
TRBC Mountain Blend

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Posted in Freedom, Hope, Spiritual Growth, Wisdom

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | October 8, 2012

Its Really Not About Me

“For you have said in your heart, I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God.” Isaiah 14:13a (NIV)

Recited those words many times, yet they keep coming back at me.  Wonder why?  Don’t you just love the way God gently whispers when the “I” seems to take center stage.  Without even recognizing it, we often find ourselves scrambling for attention.  Talking with a group of friends, we somehow draw the conversation back to ourselves.   Embarking on a ministry endeavor, we quickly realize that our way is the best way and did we fail to mention that it was the only way.  Seizing an attitude that we quickly dismiss as hormonal, we rant and rave as though the world revolves around us, our agenda, our plans.  But then again it’s really not about me! Or have we made it that way?  Wasn’t that the problem from the very beginning?  Satan slithered right into our paradise.  Tricked us into thinking it was all about us.  Entertained and enticed us with words that questioned God’s authority.  Promised us wisdom and superiority – the knowledge of good and evil – just like God.  We tasted the lie and then he slithered away for the moment.  We hid in shame, we cast blame and then we attempted to re-make it all about Him, but God knew.  He had heard those words before; the lies that whispered “It’s all about You.”  He had watched a fallen angel descend and destroy.  Yet God prepared a plan and even though we attempted to take center stage; He showed up in all His glory.  Called by name, restored by grace – we worshipped His covering and realized why it’s really all about Him.

“Father, You are the Only One worthy of praise – keep us off the stage, humbling surrendered to You.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Attitude, Spiritual Living, Worship

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | October 5, 2012

Sharing Hope

“But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” I Peter 3:15 (NIV)

H – O – P – E .  Four simple letters packed with the stuff we need to make it every day.  Four letters that transform despair into possibility. Four letters that bring smiles back to weary faces.  Four letters that remind us that following Jesus ensures we are never without hope. He is the Hope Giver – the only One we can truly trust to meet every need that we have today and tomorrow.  So why are we keeping this secret to ourselves?  Why do we hide away the one elusive thing that the world craves.  Sharing the hope that lives within us takes courage and boldness.  It takes an investment in developing relationships with others to earn the right to be heard.  It requires knowing the scriptures and being able to give an answer when others ask questions about our faith and the hope that sustains us. If we don’t intimately know the Hope Giver, then we won’t have the passionate connection with our Creator that empowers us to live out the hope within us.   It requires intentionally praying and seeking God’s direction to know what to say, when to say it, how to say it and who to approach.  Without that sensitivity, we may push ahead of His timing or push others further away.   Four simple letters packed with amazing possibility – don’t miss out on the glorious H – O – P – E that God has for your life.

“Father, teach us to cling to Your hope and reap the rewards of trusting in You. Compel us to share with others the hope that You have entrusted to us.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Hope, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | October 4, 2012

Extending Grace

“Satan has asked to test you men like a farmer tests his wheat. O Simon, Simon (Peter), I have prayed that you will not lose your faith! Help your brothers be stronger when you come back to me.”  Luke 22:31-32 (ERV)

Fear and confusion may have been the culprits that caused Peter to deny Christ; however, because he humbled himself God was able to use him in mighty ways. God can still do the same thing today. We should never judge a brother or sister when they fall. When we see someone who is discouraged, we can remind them of times we have fallen or backslidden and how we repented. If we see a brother or sister fall into sin and we judge them, scripture reminds us that the same judgment will come back to us. Never judge someone when they have fallen short of God’s glory. Instead we can console, encourage, confront in love, pray, and bring them back to God. If they do not take heed, keep praying and never give up. Don’t get discouraged, keep looking to God and keep praying no matter if the situation seems hopeless. With God all things are possible. He likes to take the weak and show His mighty strength through them. We all need to be encouraged at times. When we encourage others, we will be encouraged ourselves. Ask God to show you who around you needs strengthening. Perhaps you already know of someone. Pray for them and don’t get weary in well doing for in due season we shall reap if we faint not.

“Father, give me the opportunity today to strengthen someone. Help me not to judge my fallen brother and sister, but to help pick them up.”

For His Glory

Linda Reyes Shepherd
TRBC Mountain Blend

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

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | October 3, 2012

Releasing Pain

“Beloved, if our heart does not condemn us we have confidence before God; and whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we…do the things that are pleasing in His sight.”  I John 3:21-22 (NAS)

Just now, I received a small blessing that made me smile, cry, and whoop with joy like an Indian at a powwow.   Back in January, I accidentally broke a glass and a splinter shot like a bullet into the pad of my thumb, just under the skin.  For the next eight months—it festered, turned all kinds of colors (green, purple, yellow), and never let me forget it was there, just waiting to cause me irritation or pain.  This morning it finally broke through the skin, and I was able to pull it out with tweezers!  Hallelujah!

One day, back in the spring of this year, I was lamenting over my “thumb situation” and wishing I could do something about it when God gently spoke to my heart.  He showed me that the emotional pain from my past was festering inside me like that piece of glass.  It was irritating me, turning many shades of anger, frustration, bitterness, resentment and… sin.  Yes, the Lord was asking me to cry out to Him for help.

A friend told me about a 12-step Christian program called “Celebrate Recovery” that is based on eight principles from the Beatitudes.  I am now working on Principle Four—I’m on the road to healing!  What about you?  Do you have any hurts, habits or hang-ups that you need to submit to the Lord? Cry out to Him for help and He WILL bring healing in your life!

“Dear Lord, help us to please You by allowing You to heal us from our past wounds so that they don’t rob us of the joy and blessings we can receive by forgiving those who have trespassed against us.”

For His Glory,

Ruby Sand
TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Encouragement, Hope, Spiritual Growth, Wisdom

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | October 2, 2012

Claiming Joy

“Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing that ye may abound in hope through the power of the Holy Ghost.” Romans 15:13 (KJV)

Are we allowing someone or circumstances to steal our joy? No one can steal our joy unless we give them permission. We often allow the enemy to rob us of our joy by:

1.  Failing to rejoice in God
2.  Ungratefulness
3.  Quenching the Spirit of God
4.  Allowing fear to come into our lives
5.  Unforgiveness towards someone
6.  Not being in God’s Word
7.  Failing to pray
8.  Unwholesome talk
9.  Allowing a root of bitterness
10. Losing faith
Do not give someone the power to steal your joy. God does not want us to walk around defeated.  When we allow someone or circumstances to rob us of our joy, our peace will be gone too. Joy and peace go hand in hand. We cannot have joy without peace, nor peace without joy. Take time to pray and ask God what is keeping you from having joy. Maybe you already know. If you are walking in joy then continue to be a light and spread your joy to others.

“Father, help me not to be ruled by circumstances nor allow the enemy or people to rob my joy. I choose to walk in joy and rejoice in You today.”

For His Glory

Linda Reyes Shepherd
TRBC Mountain Blend

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Posted in Attitude, Encouragement, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | October 1, 2012

Driven To Obey

“The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature will reap destruction; the one who sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.” Galatians 6:8 (NIV)

The siren didn’t have to alert me that a cop was trailing behind me. I had already glimpsed him out my rear view mirror.  Guilty as charged, I pulled off the Interstate  and found my license – let’s just get this over was my mindset.  Going 87 miles per hour in a 70 zone isn’t a good thing.  I was laughing, talking and zooming along with the flow of traffic.  Totally oblivious to the speed, I ignored the warning signs.  The speed limits were posted; I had passed several cops already – braking just in time to miss their radar.  But this time, I wasn’t so lucky.  Wonder how many times, we have zoomed passed God’s warning signs?  Oblivious to His commands, we ignore the truths of His word and settle in for what the crowd is doing.  After all everyone else is doing the same right?  The cop that pulled me over wasn’t interested in what others were doing;  I was in his radar and he caught me.  Our Holy God is interested in our lives. He knows that when one of His children slips outside the limits of His protection others will be affected.  Casualties fall in the aftermath of our disobedience sometimes right along with us and other times the damage occurs later.  Regardless we reap what we sow – even if the reaping is further down the road.  And unfortunately, the price for not heeding God’s warnings is much higher than the ticket I’ll receive.  Next time, I will heed the warning signs and avoid the consequences – how about you?

“Father, help us to stay within the loving limits of Your word and avoid reaping devastating consequences.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Spiritual Growth, Wisdom

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | September 28, 2012

Filled With His Spirit

“I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.”  John 15:5 (NIV)

Ripe, juicy fruit – can’t get enough berries, banana, apples and oranges.  What’s your favorite ?  I love them all . Warm berries over waffles, apple pie smothered in vanilla bean ice cream and of course, can’t forget banana pudding.  Mmmm.. makes me drool  thinking about that sweet taste.  Love fresh fruit – but there’s  nothing worse than biting into a bad apple or the smell of rotting fruit.   A bag of pears sitting in my kitchen  was neglected for days.  Unfortunately, the warm summer heat and the closed bag created quite an odor.  Wonder if that ever happens to the luscious fruit that God desires to be in our lives.  The fruit of God’s Spirit in our lives produces an abundance of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control.  Ripe, fresh fruit guaranteed to draw others to the heart of God – a sweet aroma and taste of God’s character flowing through His children.  But wait – what happens if we are not filled with His Spirit?  Do we allow self to rule rotting away the relationships we desire to influence?  Have we neglected or ignored His Spirit to the point that we do life our way?  We all want the abundant life that God desires for us, and the only way we will receive His best is to do life God’s way.  It’s a daily question – a daily choice, but the sweet taste of the Spirit filled life lingers long after we leave the room.

“Father, You are the vine and we are the branches – help us to stay connected to You.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Attitude, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Living, Wisdom

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | September 27, 2012

Our Awesome God

“Publish His glorious deeds among the nations. Tell everyone about the amazing things He does.” Psalm 96:3 (NLT)

What has He done for you lately? What do you talk about in your conversations? Are you boasting on the Lord? God showers us with blessings every day, whether we acknowledge them or not.  When we are Christ-centered we see His blessings being bestowed upon us, we see answers to prayer, and we will know his right hand is upholding us. We must publish His glorious deeds everywhere and tell everyone about the amazing things He does for us. I love to write on Facebook of the great things God does for me, how I love Him so, and how He answers prayer. God wants us to magnify Him, to glorify Him, to exalt Him, to adore Him, and to tell others about His wondrous works. He gives us the opportunity to do so every day. If we are going to do any bragging, let’s brag on the Lord. He is worthy of praise. The more we tell everyone about the amazing things He has done for us, the more fired up we’ll get others about the Lord. The more we tell about His glorious deeds, the more we’ll encourage others. Let the world know what God is doing in your life. Let’s not be ashamed, let’s be bold for Christ. May He be glorified.

“Lord, I will publish your glorious deeds among the nations. I will tell everyone about the amazing things you do. I will boast on you all day long, for you have done great things in my life.”

For His Glory

Linda Reyes Shepherd
TRBC Mountain blend

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Posted in Attitude, Encouragement, Gratitude, Hope

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