Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | April 27, 2012

What Will You Share?

“But this will give you an opportunity to tell about me.” Luke 21:13  (NCV)

The door opened, she looked and saw the people standing waiting.  The crowd waiting was in the hundreds.  She could have talked about the struggles, the diagnosis, the anticipated outcome, or the financial strain involved.  Instead when she spoke it was about her faith, her beliefs, and how she was standing firm on God’s promises.  She shared how when fear came, she prayed and offered it up to God to handle. She shared how Christ came and gave His life so that she and everyone there with her could have life.  She shared how she had fallen short on what was expected, but God’s grace covered her faults.  She shared how God gives her hope when physicians do not.  She radiated God’s grace, forgiveness, and love.  She offered an option to focusing on the struggles of life.  She offered hope and eternal life.  She reminded us that sometimes the center of God’s will isn’t always the safest but sometimes the most dangerous.  She shared how even though it’s the most dangerous –  it is good.  When faced with adversity in life what will we share?  How tough life is right now or how great our God is and how He can help the one we are sharing with?  It’s a choice we face daily when talking to others.  We can radiate God or indulge in self-misery and missed opportunities.  What will we chose?

“Father, open my eyes to opportunities to share You, help remind me not to dwell in self-pity but to dwell in You.”

For His Glory,

Debbie Struble
TRBC Coffee Break

Leave a Comment

Posted in Encouragement, Hope, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | April 26, 2012

Facing Your Giants

“That roused the Philistine, and he started toward David. David took off from the front line, running toward the Philistine.” I Samuel 17:48 (MSG)

I’m so thankful tears are a language God understands because I’ve definitely shed my share!!  For example, I love the worship song, ‘Never Once Did I Ever Walk Alone.’ Inevitably, the tears come overwhelmed God has never once asked me to walk alone or left me on my own during so many battles.  He has been and continues to be so faithful.

In I Samuel 17, David was confronted with his own giant and battle.   Verse 48 teaches he took off from the front line and ran TOWARD the giant, fully confident he would deliver his people that day.  He also chose to come in the NAME of the Lord, not with sword or warrior apparel but robed in humility, dependent on a mighty God, and courageously confident.

It made me contemplate how many times I haven’t ran toward my personal giant/battles, because I have tried praying for a way out or a perhaps a way around it.   When I have done this, I have prolonged the victory.  Regardless of the outcome running toward the battlefield with confidence and faith in God ensures my deliverance. Running toward our battles enables us to tearfully sense God’s presence and power.  It is then, we can joyfully proclaim we never once walked alone nor He left us on our own.

Thought for the Day:  “It brings comfort to know God never leaves or forsakes us.”

“Lord, please give me strength to run TOWARD my battles knowing You are with me.”

For His Glory

Patsy Sanders
TRBC Coffee Break

Leave a Comment

Posted in Encouragement, Hope

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | April 25, 2012

Teachable Moments

“Again Jesus began to teach by the lake. The crowd that gathered around him was so large that he got into a boat and sat in it out on the lake, while all the people were along the shore at the water’s edge.” Mark 4:1 (NIV)

As a parent, I loved to seize teachable moments.  Whether I was planting, cooking, cleaning or playing every moment could quickly turn into a classroom if I was intentional.   Fun times and laughter taught my son that God wants us to enjoy life.  Cooking was always an adventure, and following a recipe demonstrated the importance of obeying God’s commands.  Planting flowers often left us covered with dirt from tiny fingers to sweet little toes – special moments that taught my son the value of growth and blooming where we are planted.

God, as my Heavenly Father, loves to seize teachable moments.  No matter what I am doing or where I am.  Every moment, I am a student in His classroom if I am intentional in looking, searching and seeking Him out.  The key is to follow those moments full circle.  To discipline my mind to grasp the lesson,  apply His wisdom  and to follow His lead.  Jesus was the greatest painter of pictures, yet He never used a brush or paint – His canvas was life. He used whatever was real and vivid in that person’s life to lead them to the truth and the principle He was teaching.  Few words, great examples – teachable moments that left a lasting impression in the mind of those who gathered at His feet.   What has God been teaching us lately?  Have we treasured those moments or ignored them without even a thought that He has something new just for us?

“Father, how sweet to sit at Your feet, to learn from Your heart and to follow in Your footsteps as we journey through life together.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Coffee Break

Leave a Comment

Posted in Spiritual Growth, Wisdom

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | April 24, 2012

Resting in God’s Goodness

“For the Lord God is a Sun and Shield: the Lord will give Grace and Glory; no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly.” Psalm 84:11 (KJV)

We can have confidence that God will not withhold any good thing from us when we are following in obedience to His Word.   He promises to be our sun, shield and light our path. He will protect us. He will also give us grace and glory. God promises to work all things out for good to those that love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28). The key word is love. If we love God, we will keep His commandments and that puts us in right relationship with Him.

Even if things don’t seem to be working out the way we planned, we can trust that God is all knowing.  He is our Sovereign God who sees and knows the future.  As we learn to wait on Him, in His timing all things are made beautiful. As we pray not my will but thine be done, we are putting God’s will and  desires above ours.  Soon we will begin to see the light. What we can’t see with the natural eye, we will then be able to see with the spiritual eye. We can rest assured that He will see us through, and we can be at peace; the sun will be shining again. Remember, no good thing will God withhold from us if we are in walking in obedience with Him.

“Father, as I choose to be in right standing with You, I thank You that You will shine on me, You will shield me, You will give grace and glory to me, and You will not withhold any good thing from me.”

For His Glory,

Linda Reyes Shepherd
TRBC  Mountain Blend

Leave a Comment

Posted in Love, Spiritual Living, Success

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | April 23, 2012

I’m Just Not Feeling It

“But I trust in you, O LORD; I say, “You are my God.”   Psalm 31:14  (NIV)

Looking out my car window, I saw a sign on the side of the road which read, “No Matter What, Trust God.”  I had to laugh because the last few months have paved the way for our family to learn more about what it means to truly trust God.  Between broken appliances, challenging neighbors, leaky pipes, a taxing tax season, failed business deals, hurtful relationships and some health issues, it has truly felt like the canvas of our lives has been converted into a boxing ring.

My initial reaction to this well-placed sign was… “Yes, Lord!  But HOW?”   I knew trusting God in the midst of our challenges was necessary.  But, I could not settle my anxious thoughts and scrambled emotions long enough to feel a sense of trust.  Then it hit me.  TRUST is not a feeling!  We do not trust God because He soothes our tangled emotions or solves our problems.  We trust Him because He is GOD.  After all, God does not ask us to trust Him so that He can calm our stormy seas.  He asks us to trust Him despite our stormy seas.

So if your trust in God has been challenged by life’s circumstances, remember trust is not something we must feel before engaging.  It is something we must choose NO MATTER WHAT.   Who knows, God may swoop down and completely resolve your pressing concerns…OR…He may take this opportunity to allow you to get to know Him more in the midst of the storm.

“Father, I pray that you would draw us into a posture of determined trust.  Help us to move beyond our feelings that we may understand faith is not something which is based on what we see, but rather on the God unseen.  You are holy and we choose you today…NO MATTER WHAT!”

For His Glory,

Claudia Dempsey
TRBC Coffee Break

Leave a Comment

Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Hope

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | April 20, 2012

Standing Together

“Then as I looked over the situation, I called together the leaders and the people and said to them,  Don’t be afraid of the enemy!  Remember the Lord who is great and glorious and fight for your friends, your families and your homes.”  Nehemiah 4:14 (NLT)

Controversy and criticism are Satan’s most effective tools in rendering us vulnerable and helpless.  Nehemiah and the Jewish people were diligently rebuilding the walls of protection around Jerusalem and right in their midst stood a few who were just as eager to see them fail.  As the leader, Nehemiah saw the effects this criticism was having, and he reminded the people that there is no enemy that can defeat the work of the Lord.  Focusing on God’s greatness and glory, Nehemiah challenged his people to hold on and fight for what they believed in.

What do you believe for your family – for yourself?  As  co-leaders in our homes, we can choose to boldly face our enemies knowing that our mighty God goes before us.  We can be free from bondage, insecurities, fear and lukewarm faith as we embark on a building project that lays the foundation for our families to succeed.  We can fight for our beliefs, values and morals with the Word of God and the power of prayer.  And by positioning our children to live out their faith, we can beat the odds and erect a protective hedge that no enemy dare penetrate.  The God of Nehemiah is the same powerful and mighty God we serve.  He stands ready to defend us,  He kneels to hear us, He reaches down to touch our lives – Accept His presence and watch in amazement as He builds our families.

“Father help us to consistently live out our faith so our children will see how awesome You are.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Coffee Break

Leave a Comment

Posted in Faith, Success, Wisdom

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | April 19, 2012

Identifying With Christ’s Sufferings

“That I may know Him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being made conformable unto his death.”  Philippians 3:10  KJV

It’s easy to quit a job, run from a town or give up on something God has called us to do. However, we must learn to endure in our trials in order to identify with Christ. We are called to live in a world where things are going to come against us, but we must do all to stand and be longsuffering. We must pay the price of suffering and learn to rejoice in our sufferings. This can only be done if we are standing on His promises and are full of God’s power. Resisting the urge to reject difficulties, become bitter, negative, or critical isn’t easy.  However, we can use those opportunities to praise God for the chance to know Him in the power of His resurrection and fellowship of His sufferings.  If we resist the sufferings, we will become superficial and our Christian walk will become stunted. If we embrace our sufferings there will be depth in our Christian walk. Dying to self daily, we can accept whatever challenges God brings our way. We will be people of character and made more into His image. Whatever sufferings we are going through it gives us an opportunity to identify with Christ and share His comfort with others. Give God thanks for the trials He has entrusted to you; they are making you more like Christ each day.

“Father, thank You for the trials You have entrusted  to me. Thank You that I can know You, Your power, and the fellowship of Your sufferings.”

For His Glory

Linda Reyes Shepherd
TRBC Mountain Blend

Leave a Comment

Posted in Faith, Hope

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | April 18, 2012

Every Moment

“The King is enthralled by your beauty; honor Him for He is your Lord.” Psalm 45:11 (NIV)

We’ve all faced moments of desperation.  You know, those times when we’ve fallen on our face before Almighty God, because life is out of our control.  Our minds can no longer comprehend the threat of the unknowns.  Our hearts can no longer contain the pain coursing through our veins ripping us apart. We’re quick to fall on our knees, and we’re eager to be in His presence listening carefully for every word when our world is falling apart. Promises slide carelessly from our mouths to God when our heart is breaking.

Wonder how God feels when we cry out to Him in the midst of a crisis but fail to recognize how much we need Him every waking moment?  Does He look down in disgust shaking His head remembering when we were too busy to even spend a few moments in His presence?  Does He recall our previous actions that were contrary to His Word?  Does He reflect on our self-reliance and determination to need no one?  Does He struggle in His heart to love us or walk away giving us what we deserve?  Despite our independence and neglect, God is eager to meet our every need gently and quietly.  No questions asked, no lengthy parental speech just love poured out so that we might see Him in all of His glory.  Opening our eyes, enlarging our view, revealing more and more of Himself to us so that we can soar in the power of His love.

“Father, we are so undeserving of Your attention and yet we are always on Your mind. From morning to night, You wait to hear our voice calling out to You.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Coffee Break

Leave a Comment

Posted in Encouragement, Hope, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | April 16, 2012

Turning A Mess Into A Blessing

“I have no husband,” she replied. Jesus said to her, “You are right when you say you have no husband.  The fact is, you have had five husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband. What you have just said is quite true.  Many of the Samaritans from that town believed in him because of the woman’s testimony…” John 4:17-18, 39a (NIV)

Things that used to stress me out when my kids were little now make me smile. After my grandkids leave, I start cleaning up toys, baby stuff, and even the occasional Smores left on my coffee table. This mess is now a blessing because it is the remnant of fun and memories.

We all have gone through various messes and stresses in our lives. Things that we would rather not remember; however, God can use our messy lives to turn someone else’s around. Such is the case of the Samaritan woman at the well. God knew she was living an ungodly lifestyle: many marriages and living in sin with another man. However, that particular day wasn’t a coincidence; it was an appointment with God to use her mess to change lives. Not only did she receive the gift of eternal life, she got a new outlook on her earthly life. As she went back to the village, her testimony led others to salvation and gave her a new standing in her village.  God knows our messes before they happen, and He already has a clean up plan in place. Everything we go through in life can be used for His glory, if we are willing to share our messes with others.

“Dear God, Thank You for accepting us as we are messes and all. Open our eyes to ways we can minister through the mess. May all things be used for Your honor and glory.”

For His Glory

Katrina Redman
TRBC Coffee Break

1 Comment

Posted in Encouragement, Hope

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | April 13, 2012

Hope With Expectation

“Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.” John 11:25 (KJV)

While Easter is anticipated as a family holiday for many, it remains bittersweet to mine.    What began as a beautiful Spring day tragically ended in indescribable, horrific heartbreak.   Nothing could have prepared our family or altered God’s unfolding and unpredictable plan that Good Friday afternoon.   Though time has elapsed since my only brother was tragically killed, people continue to question the bearableness of that day; heart wrenching grief capable of causing physical and emotional pain.  Has life moved on?  It has; however recovery has been ongoing – it’s been said that we will learn more in ten days of agony than in ten years of contentment.

Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection are why we celebrate the Easter season; however, it was also bittersweet for God the Father to witness the torture, betrayal, verbal accusations, unbelief, and death of His only Son.   This supernatural love willingly withstood pain and gave sacrificially.  Christ’s death brought new life – His resurrection new hope.  The ‘ole saying:  Earth’s loss -Heaven’s gain could be revised Heaven’s loss – Earth’s gain.

Hope will always outweigh the heaviness of reminiscing!   Strong and confident hope gives peace, strength, endurance, and comfort.  During the Easter season memories surface, but lingering isn’t an option.    Concentrating on the awesomeness of Christ and the privilege of serving Him solidifies purpose today, anticipation for Heaven one day, and assurance I will see my brother again.

Thought for the Day:  Hope gives purpose today and anticipation for tomorrow.

“Lord, please allow hope and purpose to fill my life.”

For His Glory

Patsy Sanders
TRBC Coffee Break

Leave a Comment

Posted in Encouragement, Gratitude, Hope

« Newer Posts - Older Posts »

Categories