Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | June 22, 2012

Worship Loud

“The Lord is in His holy temple; the Lord is on His heavenly throne.   He observes the sons of men; His eyes examine them.”  Psalm 11:4 (NIV)

Morning sun rose, knees hit the floor and shower beckons me.  Dressed, lunch packed and my stuff gathers on the barstool.  Gym bag ready and the aroma of breakfast cooked by my honey leads me to the kitchen. It’s just another day as a smile and kiss greet my morning.  Clock ticks away, tv hums news in the backdrop and then we break bread – God’s Word.  Savored, chewed and digested before the world invades our space.  Covered by my husband’s prayer, we bow heads before feet go out the door.  Amazing the difference – when hearts are turned toward and lifted up before agenda’s steal us away.  Humbling the effect – when breaking bread and fervent prayers quiet angry words or frustrated souls.  Challenging to say the least – when cherishing the best takes precedence over all the rest. Incredible the feeling – when doors open and shut knowing love covers all.  Wonder if God smiles when morning worships loud before the rush begins?

Traffic whirls, people drift  –  same places and routines serenaded by tunes.  Just another day unfolding. Maneuvering between lanes, I remember His Words – to love my neighbors.  I reflect on His Words – to keep a tight rein on my tongue.  I pull into my parking spot and step out my car; I remember prayers to glorify Him in all I say, all I do – words my husband spoke over me.  Don’t have to wonder if God smiles when we worship loud .

“Father, let the world hear You in me, let the world see You in me and most of all let the world want You because they know You live in me.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Gratitude, Spiritual Living, Worship

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | June 21, 2012

Undeniable Faith

“And immediately Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, and said unto him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?”  Matthew 14:31 (KJV)

How scary can waves be? I was at the beach recently, and the first day there the beach was closed due to high wind, tides and waves.  When I looked at the waves by themselves, Wow were they overwhelming and scary.  But when I changed my perspective and looked at the entire horizon, sun, sky, birds, and waves, they didn’t look so fierce.  Reminds me of Peter when he began walking on water; he looked at the waves and began to sink. His faith slipped, and his doubt consumed him because he was looking at something that was doing exactly what it was created to do.  The waves were just doing their job, yet Peter lost faith in Jesus and doubted.

Mountain-moving faith, that allows us to trust God and call things to be even though we cannot see them, is powerful.  When our eyes are fixed on Jesus, trusting His call on our life and looking at Him mountains can be moved! Water can be walked on!   The error on our part comes when we look at our surroundings – other people, other circumstances.  While they may not be sinful, they are not OUR circumstance.  As women, we often look at what other women have: job, husband, car, children, and think “why don’t I have that?”  Doubting what God is doing in OUR life we lose faith, get discouraged and start to “sink.” But when we stop looking around and start looking up and ahead (towards Jesus), the doubt diminishes.  Once again, we take that faith walk, trusting God to fulfill His amazing plan for our life!

“Lord may we please stop looking at the waves around us.  May You help and encourage us in our walking on water, to stay focused on You, and walk on waters of faith.”

For His Glory,

Julia Forystek
TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Spiritual Growth

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | June 20, 2012

A Tool For God’s Kingdom

“I am the Lord, the God of all mankind. Is anything too hard for me?” Jeremiah 32:27 (NIV)

I have had a full plate in the past few years, including multiple geographical household moves (all while working on a Master’s degree) and the loss of jobs due to lack of funding in the school systems for which I worked.  Add to that the death of my beloved father, stress in my marriage, and the wedding of two sons in two different states.  Did I forget to mention the birth of four grandsons and a couple of surgeries? At times, it felt to me like it was impossible to keep my head above water. I would ask God why so many things would happen to any one person so closely together, but in spite of my whining and crying, the curve balls kept on coming in my direction.

I have learned a lot from the stressful situations with which I’ve been faced. I have learned that the Lord does sustain us. He cares enough to see us through each and every situation that He allows for us to get into. I have also learned that each situation that God allows us to endure, however tough it feels at the time, will serve as a learning tool for us to use when we encounter someone walking in our same shoes up ahead.  We will be able to comfort others based on how we overcame our own troubles in God’s strength.

 

“Dear Lord, please forgive my weak faith. Please help me to see that I am stronger for someone else today because I allowed You to prune and mold me into the tool YOU desire for me to be.”

For His Glory,

Luska Suzano
TRBC Mountain Blend

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Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Hope

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | June 19, 2012

Positive Transformation

“Do everything without grumbling or arguing.”  Philippians 2:14 (NIV)

How would someone describe you? Are you an optimistic person that people enjoy being around or do you tend to drift toward the negative?  People like to be with people that are encouraging, uplifting and have a good outlook on life no matter what they are going through. The Bible reminds us to do everything without grumbling or arguing because our attitudes can get unpleasant and drag somebody else down. Bad attitudes are infectious, but even having a bad day can be turned around to form a positive. When we have good attitudes, we can bring others who are down closer to God. Can you imagine how many opportunities we have in a day to build people up? We need to take advantage of those opportunities. Many time we miss those opportunities because we are being self-centered and ungrateful. When things don’t go our way, we can still take it as an opportunity to count our blessings. Our whole frame of mind will change as we begin thinking healthy thoughts.  Be grateful, be optimistic and full of faith. The more challenging our trials are, the greater an opportunity we have to bring glory to God. Let’s please God with good attitudes. Let’s make others comfortable around our presence as they sense God’s presence in us and turn the negatives into positives that bring Him glory.

“Father, I chose to not grumble and complain. I want Your presence in my life, and I want to bring glory to You in whatever I am going through, whatever I am saying and doing.”

For His Glory

Linda Reyes Shepherd
TRBC Mountain Blend

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Posted in Attitude, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | June 18, 2012

Facebook – Mess or Ministry

“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29  (NIV)

I first introduced this smile in 2010 when Maddie was battling cancer. Today, I show you another smile from Maddie, one that belongs to a cancer free, healthy, happy and active little girl. A journey that was bathed in prayer, and the blessing of the answer to those prayers is a joy to see. I have never met Maddie and we may never meet until we get to heaven; however, Facebook brought her into my life and she has been an inspiration to me.

Like everything else, Facebook can be positive or negative. It can be used for ministry,  prayers, encouraging words, scriptures, etc. or it can become a mess the devil uses to destroy families, lives and ministries. We can connect with extended family members and catch up on their lives. I have also seen people connect with the past or a very skewed present that ends up destroying them.

The key to making sure Facebook stays positive is direct communication with God. Through daily quite time and Bible reading, we connect with God to ensure our heart and mind is focused on the right things.  The longer we spend online, the quicker an addiction can begin and rob of us time in the “real world.” Looking at social media as a tool of ministry with limitations is the best way to use technology to further God’s kingdom. It’s up to us to make sure we don’t have a mess but a ministry.

“God, help us to keep our focus on You and let You guide our actions and time online. May we share in the blessings of answered prayers, support others during their trials, share life and love with others in ways that honor You.”

For His Glory

Katrina Redman
TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Encouragement, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | June 15, 2012

God’s View

“I (God) am angry with you and your two friends, because you have not spoken of me what is right, as my servant Job has.”  Job 42:7b (NIV)

Love my girlfriends – don’t you?  Nothing sweeter than the bond of friendship.   We facebook and tweet.  We laugh, shop, talk, pray and encourage.  And that’s where we find a trio of men doing life together with Job.  Their motive was simply to sympathize and comfort him in his darkest hour.  Leaving their worlds behind, they dropped everything  to come to his aid. When they saw him from a distance, they were shocked and wept bitterly.   Tragedy had changed him, stripped him bare of joy and left him on the ground mourning his losses.  Without uttering a word, they gathered at his feet; their quiet presence speaking volumes.  But seven days later as the pain intensified, the trio transitioned into condemners –  judges in disguise. Loyal, faithful to the end – not exactly how I would describe Job’s friends.  Convinced Job was wrong, they discredited his blamelessness with their own self-righteousness.  Wonder if we ever find ourselves doing the same thing?  Like Job’s so called loyal friends, we pounce to point the finger and cast blame  – or perhaps we just plain slip away because we don’t want to endure the pain. Rather than lovingly rebuke or waging war in prayer circles, we decide to condemn – sympathy and compassion thrown to the wind.  What if Job’s friends had remained silent in prayer?  What if they had brought hope and understanding rather than harsh condemning words?  Job 42 unveils God’s view – the truth – the friends were wrong.  Reprimanded by God and prayed for by Job – these friends became the recipients of God’s amazing grace – forgiven, redeemed and restored.

“Father, help us to be loyal, mature friends extending grace  and love to the circle of friends You bless us with.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Encouragement, Love, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | June 14, 2012

In My Weakness

“And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 (NKJ)

The state or quality of being weak; lack of strength, firmness, vigor – definitely not how we want to be described.  Webster goes on to define weakness as an inadequate or defective quality, as in a person’s character.  Weakness can also be self-indulgent or an object of special desire; something very difficult to resist.  Regardless of how Webster defines it – a weakness is a difficult thing to admit, even harder thing to allow God to use for His Glory.  We have to become vulnerable and allow our weakness to be exposed; however, we try to hide our weakness from those around us.  God’s strength is made perfect in weakness so why do we allow our insecurities to control us when we can bask in God’s strength?  Ever turned it around like that?  We can choose God’s strength or our own insecurity.  Hmm, doesn’t seem like that hard of a choice now does it?  God choose us, He created us and He takes pleasure in us, even when we do stupid things. He chooses to use our weakness to draw us closer to Him and others to Him as well.

“Father thank You for the reminder that You give us strength in our weakness; we can trust You in all things.”

For His Glory

Debbie Struble
TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Encouragement, Faith

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | June 13, 2012

Unmovable

“I have set the Lord always before me: because He is at my right hand, I shall not be moved.” Psalm 16:8 KJV

Are we putting anything before God? Is it television? Is it magazines or books? Are there any hobbies that take precedence over our time that should be spent with God? Has it become an idol? Is there anything that is coming in between us and God?  If we are paying attention to anything or anyone more than God, it has become an idol. The scripture says,” I have set the Lord always before me.” God’s Word does not say to set the Lord before us when it’s convenient. It says always. We must have a total surrender to God. We must want His will in our lives.

When we set God before us, we will never be moved. We can be like a tree that has deep roots only we are rooted deep in God. We can be like a house that has a strong foundation. We must be like a heavy rock that cannot be moved. When the storms of life come, we can stand when we set the Lord always before us. God will keep us firm, unmovable, and unshakable.  We don’t have to be like the waves of the ocean that are tossed to and fro. We do not have to waver. Are we easily moved? Do we have a firm foundation? Remember God is at our right hand. He is always with us. Are we following His ways? Have we set Him before us?

“Thank you Father that I do not have to be moved because I choose to put You first above anything, anyone or any hobby.”

For His Glory

Linda Reyes Shepherd
TRBC Mountain Blend

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Posted in Spiritual Living, Wisdom

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | June 12, 2012

Trusting God’s Agenda

“I waited patiently for the Lord; and He inclined to me, and heard my cry. He has put a new song in my mouth–praise to our God; many will see it and fear, and will trust in the Lord.”  Psalm 40: 1,3 (NKJV)

There are always so many things on our “to do” list, aren’t there? And it seems as though so often we are telling a family member, friend or co-worker, “I will do that!  I just have to wait until I know the time is right!”   Recently a friend said that very thing to a co-worker who had pushed her last button! This person was not letting up in her efforts to see the task done in her time frame.  Suddenly it was a light-bulb moment as my friend realized that she–and I, and possibly you–are like that with God!  We ask for something that we need Him to accomplish in our lives, then rather than turning it completely over to Him in perfect trust, we keep complaining because it was not done in our conception of the right time!  We need to give the situation to God, and as Psalm 37:7 says, “Wait patiently for the Lord!”  He knows what we need and more importantly, He knows exactly when the time is right.   Not only do we have to believe this, but we also have to put it into practice!

“Father, we thank You that we can give You the situations in our lives that are beyond our control, and know with certainty that You will get them accomplished in Your perfect timing.  Help us to trust You completely as we wait to see You work.”

For His Glory

Sandy Day
TRBC Mountain Blend

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Posted in Encouragement, Hope, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | June 11, 2012

The Big Picture

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Hebrews 12:2 (KJV)

Have you ever been to the beach, waves crashing around you? Beautiful! I was there this weekend, and there is nothing like taking a good beating from the waves.  It’s so fun embracing the crash, swimming through it, getting knocked over and rising back up! The key, when enjoying and battling the waves, is to keep your eyes on the shore.  If you don’t, before you know it, you’ll be drifting and end up far away from your starting point and group.  If you only look at the waves, you’ll get far off your beating path.

This is so true in life!  Waves can be life and circumstances in general.  Life can be fun, going through obstacles, getting victories, getting knocked down, and rising back up, what a rush!  But if we only look at circumstances and take our eyes off Jesus, we’ll get far off track.  Jesus keeps us in check and reminds us of the big picture!  Jesus keeps us grounded and close to the ones we love and the purpose for our life.  May we be reminded to keep our eyes on Him, seeking that eternal shore and seeing the big picture of our beautiful eternity!

“Lord please help us to keep our eyes on shore to what You have planned.  Help us to trust You, and not get distracted by the waves.”

For His Glory,

Julia Forystek
TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Faith, Hope, Wisdom

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