Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | September 11, 2012

Where I Belong

 “But our citizenship is in heaven.  And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ, who by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control; will transform our lowly bodies so that they will be like His glorious body.” Philippians 3:20-21 (NIV)

After living in Moscow for two years, I thought I was pretty good at understanding the Russian language. One time, I was visiting a different city where the dialect was a bit different.  While staying there, a neighbor frantically tried to tell me something; however,  I couldn’t understand what she was saying.  We played the usual charades, but she and I both walked away very defeated because I was still in foreign territory.

Sometimes I even feel like a foreigner in the United States.  I don’t understand the cruelty I hear on the news.  I am confused listening to parents scream obscenities at their children.  I shrug my shoulders while reading news articles.  I walk away feeling defeated,  but God reminds me I will never feel at home  on earth because I am an alien –  a foreigner. The Bible tells us that we are citizens of heaven.   Our lives may be grand on earth, but there will always be a longing that goes unmet while our feet are on this ground.  One day we will be completely at home, at rest and at peace.  Until then, just remember, we are aliens and strangers in this world, because we were made for heaven.

“Dear Lord:  I long for heaven! I love my life here, and I am so thankful for all the blessings You provide every day.  My life is but a breath, and I am thankful that my true citizenship is in heaven with You!”

For His Glory

Melissa Tucker
TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Hope

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | September 10, 2012

Weathering The Storm

“He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.” Psalm 107:29 (KJV)

Striking suddenly without warning, the extremely high winds rose within minutes accompanied by spraying rain and lightning from all directions.  Fear gripped hearts as darkness draped the skies with an unimaginable furry.  The aftermath of damage was mind boggling.  What I had considered a typical spring thunderstorm would actually be later described as a derecho – a storm known to arrive without warning empowered by a force equal to a land falling hurricane.  Sometimes life’s unanticipated storms arrive as a derecho don’t they?   Recently, helplessness seized our family’s hearts when our 4 month-old grandson was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer.  Arriving without warning, the shock and disbelief were overwhelming, pain indescribable, and uncertainty insurmountable.

One of God’s specialties is calming His child’s heart with peace that surpasses all understanding and as we navigate the furry of life’s storms, we learn and grow.  God never promised our cross would not get heavy or the hill wouldn’t be hard to climb.  He did promise to go with us – sustaining and encouraging along the way. There’s comfort in awareness ‘this too will pass’ as each new day becomes yesterday’s tomorrow embracing new dimensions, goals, direction and purposes in life.

What storm are you facing?  Don’t attempt to understand – cling to the One who gives the empowerment of courage, strength and grace by taking one day at a time.  It has been said faith is full assurance in the heart – assurance He is in control and sees, cares, and comforts.  The result: living by faith allows believers to experience God’s sustaining peace when life falls to pieces.

“Dear Father:  May Your peace be evident in my daily faith walk with You.”

For His Glory

Patsy Sanders
TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Encouragement, Hope, Spiritual Living, Wisdom

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | September 7, 2012

Redemption’s Song

“Then he said, Jesus, remember me when you come into your kingdom.  Jesus answered him, I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise.”  Luke 23:42-43 (NIV)

It’s the stuff dreams are made of – the elusive one more chance.  The sequel that is never ending.  The Bible is filled with stories of men and women whose label disqualified them.  Where pasts reeked of unworthiness and missed potential.  Yet redemption granted rose up within them and propelled them to dispel the common theory – once a loser always a loser.  They released the strings of those names tied tightly suffocating their voice and grasped a hold of God’s gift  – another chance.

How often do we squeal “no more” and stifle the joy that one more chance brings?  Within the realm of healthy boundaries do we seek to restore or do we watch silently as hope fades?  Or do we ourselves long for another chance and yet allow pride, fear and insecurity rob us of the exhilarating ride one chance grants?   Rahab the prostitute,  Jonah the runner, Thomas the doubter, Paul the murderer and yes, my name is on that list of disqualified and unworthy. We all are if we’re truly honest, and yet God gives us another chance – forever rewriting the sequel to our lives.  Unworthy yes.  Undeserving yes.  Disqualified – aren’t we all.  Yet open hands nailed to a cross granted redemption’s song, and His quivering lips offered another chance even in His dying moments.  The elusive one more chance to turn and run towards God.

“Father, the amazing gift of starting over is more than we deserve – thank You for seeking lost and weary sheep.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Attitude, Encouragement, Hope, Mercy

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | September 6, 2012

Filled By His Grace

“Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but tremble.” Romans 11:20 (TNIV)

 A friend recently shared that she had been feeling down and unhappy.  She was totally unaware of why she felt the way she did. Gently, God reminded her that she was allowing her family and friends to fill her instead of God. End result, she was drained from the emptiness she had allowed.  I sat back in awe as I too had felt that way many times, as I’m sure many women feel.  Why is it so hard to spend time in the Word, in prayer and let God overflow us?  Why do we tend to let our spouses, children and friends be the center of our lives?  Disobedience on our part is why.  I’m reminded daily  – God is God and I am not!  If I don’t place Him at the center of my morning, day, afternoon and evening, I slip into depression.  I get weak, lonely and feel out of sorts.   Perhaps you’ve felt that way too, but we are never alone on this journey – God is our hope. We need to stand in faith and run to Him for fulfillment.  We need not be arrogant but tremble at His feet as we realize He alone can fill us, overflow us, and give us what those around us are unable to give.  Let’s together fall back down at His feet and fill back up so that we too can overflow with His grace.

“Father, thank You for girlfriends and for life lessons.  Prune us in Your image and overflow us with Your grace and mercy.”

For His Glory,

Debbie Struble
TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Attitude, Faith, Spiritual Growth

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | September 5, 2012

Live & Keep His Word

“Deal bountifully with thy servant, that I may live and keep thy Word.” Psalm 119:17 (KJV)

The God of love and grace longs to deal with us bountifully and give to us freely.  God’s resources are not limited but rather are plentiful and producing in abundance.  He is liberal in bestowing gifts, favors and generosity.  One of the things God wants to produce in our lives is the fruit of the Spirit. Another thing He wants to give us liberally is wisdom to live the abundant life. God never wants us to be mediocre. He wants to give us favor with God and man. His salvation is free to us, but He paid it with a price.  There is nothing we can do to earn it; however, we do have to receive salvation by faith. He has given us gifts of the Spirit. He wants to extend his mercy to us.   All this bounty, abundance is available through Christ Jesus when we accept a relationship with Him. When we realize how much He has given to us it makes us want to keep His Word. If we keep His Word, we will live, not just mediocre lives but amazing lives. There are many people that are living but are not alive in Christ. His Word keeps us alive. Are you alive in Christ today or do you feel like you are just existing? Be encouraged, the Word of God will revive you.

“Thank You Father that You deal bountifully with me. Help me to keep Your Word and be revived through Your Word that I might live an abundant life.”

For His Glory

Linda Reyes Shepherd
TRBC Mountain Blend

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Posted in Encouragement, Hope, Love, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | September 4, 2012

God’s Bucket List

“And you will joyfully give thanks to the Father who has made you able to have a share in all that he has prepared for his people in the kingdom of light.” Colossians 1:12 (NIV)

My niece has already made her Christmas list.  Every time we go in a store and she sees something, she informs me that it is on her list.   As adults, don’t we all have our own wish list?  It is filled with dreams we aspire to come true,  places we want to go, and milestones we want to reach in our lifetime – our bucket list.  I wonder if God has wish lists for us?  Have you ever thought that every time we receive and obey a truth, pass a test, or grow in His likeness that perhaps He checks these off His list.  As I read through the Bible, I can see God’s wish list for me – things He wants me to receive or accomplish like:

  1. Receive the gift of salvation (John 3:16)
  2. Seek Me in Prayer (Ephesians 6:18)
  3. Meditate on My word (Psalm 1)
  4. Seek first My kingdom and righteousness (Matthew 6:33)
  5. Put on the whole armor of God (Ephesians 6:13-17)
  6. Will receive crowns ( I Corinthians 25, 2 Timothy 4:8)

Just imagine God smiling each time He witnesses our spiritual growth and “checks” an item off our list.  Our Lord wants us to grow in His likeness while on earth.  As we have our own lists, let us make sure we are seeking God’s insight.  How surprised we might be at how different our lists look when we seek to include Him in our wishes and desires.

“Dear Lord, I wish to grow in Your ways.  May I not be selfish in seeking my own desires, but seek to obtain and accomplish only those things that pleases You.”

For His Glory

Melissa Tucker
TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Encouragement, Gratitude, Spiritual Living, Wisdom

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | September 3, 2012

Pray & Walk Away

“Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they? Who of you by worrying can add a single hour to his life?”  Matthew 6:26-27(NIV)

While I can quote all kinds of catchy, spiritual phrases about not worrying; I rarely ever stick to them. I’ve tried the “Let Go – Let God” and “It’s in God’s Hands.”  My newest one is “Pray and Walk Away.” Easier said than done.  My natural instinct is to be concerned – translated worry – but the Bible calls it a waste of time.  And the reward for worrying: stress, frustration, disappointment and usually more trouble.

If God takes care of the birds, then we know He has even better things planned for us. One of the things my Granny always did was to lay things at the feet of Jesus. If your name was on her prayer list, you were prepared for God to shake things up. God expects us to bring our burdens (big, small, silly, serious, life or death) to Him because He has the answers. When we pray and leave our burdens at His feet, we need to walk away and wait until He answers in whatever manner Hechooses. Instantly our burden is lifted off of us and more blessings follow as we watch God’s answer unfold.

“Dear Jesus, Help us to lay our burdens at Your feet then walk away and let You take care of them. Give us the strength and peace of mind to wait patiently for Your answers. May we enjoy the freedom of not carrying the burden that we don’t want to pick it back up.”

For His Glory

Katrina Redman
TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Encouragement, Hope, Prayer

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | August 31, 2012

My Hiding Place

“For he will hide me in his shelter in the day of trouble; he will conceal me under the cover of his tent; he will lift me high upon a rock. And now my head shall be lifted up above my enemies all around me, and I will offer in his tent sacrifices with shouts of joy; I will sing and make melody to the LORD.”  Psalm 27:5-6(ESV)

Hidden in the day of trouble – that’s where we want to be – how beautiful that God would hide us away in His shelter where we are safe.  Concealed under the cover of His tent, God lifts us high upon a rock. When our heads are bowed down, He lifts us up even above our enemies. What battles are we facing today? Who are our enemies? God knows what we are going through, and He will take care of us as we walk in love and faith.  He is our refuge and strength – a very present help in trouble (Psalm 46:1).

We don’t need to worry or fret. God has promised to be there with us; we are never alone. It is so wonderful to receive his Word mixed with faith (Hebrews 4:2). If God is for who can be against us? (Romans 8:31). What beautiful promises God has given us!  If we trust, believe and act on His promises, we will have victory.

“Lord, thank you for concealing me under the cover of Your tent and lifting me high upon a rock. I shout for joy and make melody to You.”
For His Glory

Linda Reyes Shepherd
TRBC Mountain Blend

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Posted in Encouragement, Gratitude, Hope, Love

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | August 30, 2012

The Time Is Now

“Whoever is not willing to carry his cross and follow me cannot be my follower.” Luke 14:27 (NCV)

 Living life our way, living on the edge – a fun way to live life and a great motto for our society –  selfish, full of greed, and “It’s about me” mode.  It’s hard not to fall into that category.  Problem is a life full of fortune, ease, and freedom is not the life we committed to when we said yes to Christ.  Being a follower of Christ means daily taking up one’s own cross and dying daily to self.  It means raging through the rapids of trials.  Dealing with sorrow and loss – being watched as we endure the cross for His glory not ours.  How many times have we started through the valley and given up only to later see the impact it could have made. It means risking our pride and sharing with co-workers, neighbors, and friends about our relationship with Christ and how He has changed our life.  It means missing out on some of the fun, bucket lists and wants so we can serve in local shelters, host a life group, or give of our precious time to listen to a hurting friend.  Not always what we want  – but what He requires.

Are we willing to die to self and carry the cross?  Are we willing to say yes to God and no to self?  It’s not an easy thing to do, but God never promised us a land of milk and honey on earth – our reward is in heaven.  Will you commit to being His follower today?

“Father, thank you for the opportunity to carry the cross for Your glory.  Give me strength as I rage the rapids and fight the battles of self.”

For His Glory,

Debbie Struble
TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Hope, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | August 29, 2012

His Verdict

“The LORD rewards everyone for their righteousness and faithfulness. The LORD delivered you into my hands today, but I would not lay a hand on the LORD’s anointed.” 1 Samuel 26:23 (NIV)

Devoted even when the cost is high.  Faithful even though others are not.  Yielded and submissive even against our best judgment.  Not quite common traits of those who seek their own justice, but David’s determination to be righteous and faithful to the Lord shouts his integrity. Three thousand chosen men joined Saul in his attempt to find David, yet God delivered this king right into the hands of a shepherd boy.   Even though the world would have rightly justified David defending himself.  Even though he was justified in his own mind, David chose to be different – his integrity kept him on the right path.  Hearing the  advice of a friend and confidant – “Today God has delivered your enemy into your hands” -sounded good. However, integrity is never measured in black and white but rather shades of gray.   Moments when the temptation unveils a perceived right in justifying a wrong. An attitude ruled by resentment camouflaged as vindicating  unfairness. Regardless of the unfolding invitation, God is the only justifier of our lives.   There is no relief in our getting even, but peace adorns those who humbly submit and totally surrender to God’s authority.   Ultimately, God rewarded David by sparing his life on many occasions and ensured his destiny as Israel’s king.  Releasing our defense – not the popular vote.  Relinquishing our rights – not a common trait.  Accepting God’s verdict – shouts integrity – and that’s what He desires.

“Father, when our wounds yell justice may our hearts whisper Your name.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Coffee Break

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

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