Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | April 11, 2012

Nourishing Our Soul

“Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.” Psalm 34:8 (NIV)

Good food is worth tasting. Have you ever eaten delicious food that was so good that you took your time eating it and enjoying every bite of it? It was so good you wanted more and couldn’t get enough of it? You even told people how good it tasted and how satisfying it was. The same is true with the Word of God. Even better, we don’t gain weight but we gain spiritual knowledge, wisdom, guidance and much more. Are you tasting His Word and finding out how good it is? To taste his Word, we must digest it slowly too as we meditate on it day and night. We must fill our mouths with His Word and be ready to share it with others. We must not be stingy with it or be spiritually obese. We must give out what we take in. Many times we sit under good preaching and teaching and just get spiritually fat. As we receive His Word, we must give it out too. Slow down when you read his Word and meditate upon it, pray that his Word will taste good. His Word is like honey to our mouth. His Word is so sweet – Take time to taste and see that the Lord is good.

“Father, Help me to take the time to taste Your Word. Help me to share it with others. I choose not to be spiritually obese and stingy with it.”

For His Glory

Linda Reyes Shepherd
TRBC Mountain Blend

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Posted in Spiritual Growth, Success, Wisdom

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | April 10, 2012

When The Fog Lifts

“He made darkness his shelter, surrounded by fog and clouds.” II Samuel 22:12 (NCV)

The other morning on our drive into work and school, the fog was so thick we could hardly see in front of us.  Then it happened – the fog lifted as we went over a knoll.  To the right and left we could still saw the fog in the valley, but ahead it was beautiful crisp and clear.  It was one of those moments that God just causes you to stop and thank Him for the clarity.

It made me think about the times of uncertainty in life whether illness, job, relationships, etc. and how we can feel so out of control.  Then suddenly the path is made clear, the weight falls off our shoulders and we move forward.  I had never thought about the fact that maybe God placed the fog there for our protection while He fought the battle for us as He did for David.   It was a battle only He could win, and David had to trust God in the middle of his fog.  Afterwards, David was able to praise God saying, “God delights in me.”  Are we willing to trust God’s protection while in the fog and enjoy the delight of God for our obedience?
 

“Father, thank You for the reminder that the fog is there for our protection, and that we can trust You even when we can’t see what is ahead.”

For His Glory,

Debbie Struble
TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | April 9, 2012

Rejoicing With The Father

“When He had led them out to the vicinity of Bethany, He lifted up His hands and blessed them. While He was blessing them, He left them and was taken up into heaven.” Luke 24:50-51 (NIV)

Four years ago on Easter Sunday, my Dad was called back home to Jesus. Though I was relieved that he was no longer suffering, I was also angry that a simple procedure like an MRI could have taken him from our family. Dad was the one who kept all of us connected; the glue that held us together and suddenly he was gone. I thought Easter would never be the same and that it would be impossible to see it as a celebratory time.  As the days went by, I saw that of all the days God could have picked to call my Daddy home Easter was the most precious one.

We celebrate Easter because Jesus overcame His suffering on this earth and ascended back to the Father. God called Daddy back home to Him that day. And as I look back on that Easter Sunday, I do not look at it with mourning and grieving.   I look at it with a heart of gratitude that God had given Daddy to our family for a season before He called him home to Himself. God’s love for my Dad was so great that He couldn’t wait any longer to bring him back to Him, and now I can look at this holiday with a smile on my heart. My Dad is rejoicing with his Father.



“Lord, please open our eyes that we may see Your glory; please open our hearts that we may receive understanding for the plan You have for our lives and rejoice in You at all times.”


For His Glory


Luska Suzano

TRBC Mountain Blend

					

					

						
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					Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | April 6, 2012 
					
Exhilarating Faith

				

				

					

					
 ‘So the women hurried away from the tomb, afraid yet filled with joy, and ran to tell his disciples.” Matthew 28:8 (NIV)


Fear blended with an edge of joy or was it joy blended with an edge of fear?  We’ve all been there when we walk the tightrope of exhilarating faith only to greet piercing doubt.  Our heart flutters at the concept that all we dreamed, hoped for and believed was true.  And then a sliver of doubt courses in bursting our bubble with a sharp needle of fear.  It’s a balancing act that requires careful precision or we cave in to fears and doubts missing the joy and faith.  Early in the dawn light, two women toggle on the edge of joy and fear as they seek their crucified Lord.  Heavy grieving hearts meet the revelation of an empty tomb.  Can you see the shimmer of hope in their eyes as they peeked inside?  Can you sense the tremble in their footsteps as they hurried away?  Fearful from what they had seen, yet filled with joy  – He is alive!  And within moments they find themselves worshiping at His feet.  Not fully understanding, yet totally overwhelmed.  I’ve been there – how about you?  When we exchange the dead places in our lives for a resurrected  new birth, we find ourselves on the edge of joy and fear.  Excited and clinging to hope yet fearful of the events unfolding before our eyes.   We’ve never felt so close to God and yet so unsure of ourselves.  We dangle on the tightrope of faith and doubt.  Yet when we cling to His name, His character and His promises, we find ourselves completely balanced.  And within moments we’re worshiping at His feet – all fear erased.


“Father, the empty tomb unveils the glory of Your resurrected body living, breathing  in the heart of your children.”


For His Glory


Janet Martin

TRBC Coffee Break

					

					

						
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					Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | April 5, 2012 
					
Working For God’s Purpose

				

				

					

					
“All who are skilled among you are to come and make everything the LORD has commanded:” Exodus 35:10 (NIV)


We all have various jobs, and the skills necessary to do those jobs may come from a natural skill God has given us or skills that we have learned. Either way each person’s job leads to a greater purpose for the company, project, or ministry we are working for. Just like the skilled workers who were called to make items for the tabernacle, we are called to work together for God’s purposes.


Not everyone can sing in the choir but there is someone who can play an instrument, write songs, or even make sure the music is printed on paper. We may not be able to give money to every charity, missionary, or worthy cause but we can volunteer our time and talents to support the greater purpose.  It is easy to get discouraged because we feel like we haven’t done or given enough, however, God only asks us to do the one particular part He has given us the skills to do. He places us in the right place at the right time for us to contribute our part to the His greater purpose and plan. We will never be happy trying to do more than God has planned for us to do or trying to complete a task that requires skills He hasn’t equipped us with. We have to be happy with where God has placed us and use the skills He gave us to achieve great things for His glory.


 


“Dear Lord, Forgive us when we try to do more than You have planned for us to do. Help us focus on the skills and jobs You have specifically created for us. May we seek to achieve great things for You and not glory for ourselves.”


For His Glory


Katrina Redman

TRBC Coffee Break

					

					

						
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					Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | April 4, 2012 
					
Whisper Sweet Nothings

				

				

					

					
“If your heart is broken, you’ll find God right there;   if you’re kicked in the gut, he’ll help you catch your breath”  Psalm 34:18(MSG)


Ever been brokenhearted?  Oh how I remember the days of young love and breakups.  I have to say I don’t miss them for a second.  The excitement of new love, then the realization of who that person really is or just a realization of the differences that are important.  Heartbreaking to say goodbye to who you thought could be the one.  Sometimes it even makes us feel like we can’t breathe or move forward.  It’s just too hard.


Most all young girls dream of love, laughter, and Prince Charming whisking her away to their very own fairy tale castle.  What we all have to grow up and realize is that our only true Prince Charming is God and God alone.  He is the one who gives us breath and joy.  He picks us up when we are down, listens to every whine and wipes every tear.  He whispers sweet nothings in our ears.  There is no one on this earth who is not going to at some point let us down or disappoint us –  that’s just our sinful nature.  Not one of us is perfect but God.  Will you give him your fears, your tears, and your heart today?  He will give you the ability to breathe again.


“Father, whisk me into your loving arms and hold me close.  Whisper the sweet nothings in my ear that I long to hear.”


For His Glory,


Debbie Struble

TRBC Coffee Break

					

					

						
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					Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | April 3, 2012 
					
Loving God – Loving People

				

				

					

					
“If ye fulfill the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, ye do well.” James 2:8 (KJV)


Loving ourselves as well as our neighbor – sounds great but how can we love others if we don’t love ourselves? I am not talking about being conceited or having a big ego, but rather a healthy love for ourselves. Love starts with a relationship with God, and then believing that we are fearfully and wonderfully made. Seeing our weaknesses and strengths through His eyes of mercy, we will be encouraged to change the things that we can and accept the things we cannot change. Embracing  our talents and giftings with a  thankful heart will cause us to celebrate what God has given us. Rather than being hard on ourselves and rigid, we should allow ourselves to try again if we make mistakes.  Resisting a tendency toward condemnation, we should be patient and gentle. If for example, we are dealing with an area of weakness in our life, are we getting frustrated or are we praying about the matter? Are we having loving thoughts towards ourselves? Are we taking the time to treat ourselves to things we like to do? Are we taking the time out to take care of ourselves? Are we giving everyone else advice and not taking our own advice? Are we nourishing ourselves with the Word of God? If we cannot love ourselves, neither can we love others. Where do you stand with God? He says if we love Him, we will obey his commandments. When we love God then we can love ourselves and truly love others.


“Father, Help me to love You the way I should. As I fall in love with You, may I love myself with a healthy love and love others with the love of God.”


For His Glory


Linda Reyes Shepherd

TRBC Mountain Blend

					

					

						
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					Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | March 29, 2012 
					
Seeing Spiritually – Not Socially

				

				

					

					
“Salmon fathered Boaz by Rahab, Boaz fathered Obed by Ruth, Obed fathered Jesse,” Matthew 1:5 (HCSB)


I have always been amazed that Rahab (a prostitute) was a direct descendant of Christ. However, I kind of skipped over the part that she also gave birth to Boaz, which led to the great love story of him and Ruth. Beth Moore puts it this way: “Because Rahab tried something new and believed God and acted on it, she set the example for Boaz and perhaps that’s where his compassion and willingness to see Ruth as more than a foreigner came from.” Rahab was an unlikely person to be used by God and was marked by society by her profession. Thankfully God saw more in her, and her obedience led directly to the birth of Christ.


How often do we feel marked by society?  Maybe it’s how much money we have, what kind of clothes we wear or the car we don’t drive. Even our job could be considered not desirable. God  created each of us as unique individuals with a specific purpose for our lives. When we focus on how God sees us and are obedient to Him, we are not only changed but future generations as well. Rahab didn’t pass along the legacy of her profession to Boaz, instead she passed along her faith and obedience in God. Let’s commit to rise above society and be the person God intends for us to be.


“Dear God, Thank You for seeing us for so much more and having something even better planned for our lives. Help us to not fall into the trap of what society thinks we should do but focus on what You want us to do. May we pass on our faith and obedience.”


For His Glory,


Katrina Redman

TRBC Coffee Break

					

					

						
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					Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | March 28, 2012 
					
Spiritual Blessings

				

				

					

					
“Blessed be the Lord, who daily loadeth us with benefits, even the God of our salvation. Selah.”  Psalm 68:19 (KJV)


How wonderful to know that God daily loads us with benefits. It’s not once a month, once a week, but daily. The word loadeth means to take up, to lift as a stone, to bear, or to carry. God will sustain us and enable us to bear whatever happens in our day. Be thankful that daily He comes to our aide. Are we taking His benefits for granted? Are we missing them? What are these benefits?  Because of the forgiveness of God and the redemption He gives us through Christ, we have become God’s adopted children – part of the family of God. We have redemption and forgiveness of our sins. We know the mystery of His will. We have obtained an inheritance. God owns everything, and we receive that inheritance. We are sealed by the Holy Spirit. Let’s not take for granted His benefits. He is a good God and has given us many blessings. Doesn’t that thought just make you want to shout!  God is worthy of our praise and thanksgiving; His generosity far exceeds our comprehension.


“Lord thank You that You daily load me with benefits. Thank You for the inheritance I have received. May I never take Your benefits for granted. I stop right now and thank You for Your many rich blessings.


For His Glory,


Linda Reyes Shepherd

TRBC Mountain Blend

					

					

						
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Posted in Attitude, Encouragement, Worship 

					

				

			


		
			

				

					Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | March 27, 2012 
					
Holding On

				

				

					

					
“Don’t forget what Amalek did to you on the road after you left Egypt, how he attacked you when you were tired, barely able to put one foot in front of another, mercilessly cut off your stragglers, and had no regard for God. When God, your God, gives you rest from all the enemies that surround you in the inheritance-land God, your God, is giving you to possess, you are to wipe the name of Amalek from off the Earth. Don’t forget!”  Deuteronomy 25:17-19 (MSG)


Ever feel like we are fighting an endless battle with ourself?  We want to do the right thing, but our sinful nature grabs hold and wins.  All the best intentions, yet life stressors overcome.  I love this example in Deuteronomy of how Amalek attacked the Israelites at their weakest, most tired moment and then God gave them rest and victory.


So many times that is true in our lives when we are tired, overburdened,  and full of stress.  We feel like giving up or forgetting He is there to hold us up.  Our soul requires rest, refreshment, and God’s own invigoration so that we too can claim the victory.  We won’t be able to wipe Satan off the Earth until God so decides to return and fight that battle for us.  But, we can hold close to God’s promises and His Word.  We can remember the victories He has given to us and never forget, as Satan would like us to do.  We can hold on to our Daddy and trust His master plan.


 


“Father, when I’m tired and weak, remind me of your victories in my life, give me rest and your strength to move forward.”


For His Glory,


Debbie Struble

TRBC Coffee Break

					

					

						
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Posted in Encouragement, Hope, Spiritual Living, Success 

					

				

			


					

				
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