Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | December 23, 2011

The Heart of Christmas

“The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.  We have seen His glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” John 1:14 (NIV)

Christmas is here – I’ve experienced it waiting in long lines at Target.  I’ve seen the lights in my neighborhood and streaming traffic on the interstate.  I’ve smelt the cookies baking and tasted the goodies that arrive daily in our office.  I’ve felt the brush of shoppers searching for the best gift, and I’ve heard the ringing of the bell on the side of the street.  I’ve watched a dozen movies, some I’ve seen over and over again.  Yes Virginia, Christmas is here or perhaps just maybe it never left?  I’ve experienced the wait for a miracle and watched, as God amazed me.   I’ve seen the lights of hope dancing in weary eyes tired from fighting disease eager to go home.  I’ve smelt the fragrance of worship as a mom lifted her hands in praise proclaiming God’s greatness while surrounded by her three children displayed in caskets.  I’ve tasted the goodness of God among His people in utter desperation, brokenness, sorrow and defeat.  I’ve felt the brush of angel wings drawing the weary under the shadow of the Almighty. I’ve heard the sound of His voice whispering, speaking hope to when a year of loss unfolded over and over again.  And in the midst of it all I’ve seen Christmas sprinkled over all of my days.  Yes Virginia, Christmas is here – He has always been here.  Jesus the Christ child sitting at the right hand of the Father –  ever present,  interceding,   always loving.  With arms stretched wide,  He’s the gift  you can’t wait to unwrap – the true Heart of Christmas.

“Father, how sweet to know that Jesus is Christmas, and He lives within the heart of each of Your children. “

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Coffee Break

Wishing you and your family a Merry Christmas as

celebrate the birth of our Savior.

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Posted in Faith, Hope, Worship

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | December 22, 2011

Surrendered To His Will

“For nothing is impossible with God.  I am the Lord’s servant,”  Mary answered.  “May it be to me as you have said….”  Luke 1:37-38a (NIV)

Stepping out of her comfort zone into the unknown, everything Mary was told by the angel went against what she was taught and had believed in.  How easy it would have been for her to think she was having hallucinations and dismissed the very words she heard.  However, her heart and mind was prepared to accept God’s message to her. Just to make sure she understood how God could do the impossible, she was reminded of her relative Elizabeth.  Elizabeth had become pregnant with John the Baptist in her old age, which even Elizabeth’s husband didn’t believe was possible.  How many times have we felt led by God to do something that seemed impossible and impractical – perhaps a huge change in our life or something that pushes us out of our comfort zone.  Mary didn’t fret about the negative that could come with what the angel said would happen.  She left it in God’s hands and surrendered to His will for her life.  Although it can be scary to step into the great unknown, remember that it is not unknown to God. He is right there with you each step of the way.

“Dear God, how thankful we are that Mary accepted the unknown.  Help us to not over think the changes and challenges you bring into our lives, but repeat the words of Mary, “May it be to me as you have said.”

For His Glory

Katrina Redman
TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Attitude, Encouragement, Faith, Hope

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | December 21, 2011

The Wonder

 “…We saw his star when it rose and have come to worship him.”  Matthew 2:2b (NIV)

What is it about the Christmas season that makes all adults begin to act like children?  It just began to snow outside, and I could hear my coworkers squealing with joy at the first snow of the season.  As adults, we remember the excitement, suspense, guessing games, wonder and joy of Christmas that we experienced as a child.

Instead of looking at Christmas through the eyes of an adult, the long lines, the bills, the traffic, the busyness trying looking at it through the eyes of a child.  For seen through the eyes of a child it is pure wonder and joy at the first glimpse of Christmas lights, the carols we sing, and the cookies we can taste.

Is it possible for us as adults to come as children to the Christ of Christmas?  Yes, we can come to the manger as we bow down to worship the newborn King, to the Cross and to the empty tomb of our Savior and Risen Lord.  We need to come as children eager to learn, eager to laugh, eager to live, eager to serve, and eager to love.

“Lord, please never let me lose the wonder of a child at Christmas.  Renew within me the simplicity and purity of a childlike love and faith in You.  May I come to worship you with adoration this Christmas.  Remind me that I am Your child both now and for eternity.”

 

For His Glory

Melissa Tucker
TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Faith, Worship

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | December 20, 2011

God Is Our Guide

“For this God is our God for ever and ever he will be our guide even unto death.” Psalm 48:14 KJV

Have you ever watched a blind person with a guide dog? Have you watched how closely the dog guides them?  The dogs are trained to avoid things that are on the ground, stop at curbs and maintain a straight line for the owner. Without the dog, the blind person can fall and get hurt.  A guide dog can help a person to have independence and freedom to a certain extent. However, like us, they too need someone to guide them through all of life’s paths and that person is God. If we are not guided by the Word of God, we are like a blind person trying to make it without their guide dog. Have we stopped holding God’s hand? Are we trying to make it without our road map, God’s Word? If so, we will stumble, fall and hurt ourselves if we don’t depend on God’s Word to keep us on the straight path.

God wants us to put our total dependence and trust in Him.  If we are not in the Word of God, we are in danger. We can step out of the straight line and take the wrong path. It’s never too late to find our way back to God.  God sheds light on our path through His Word, and we don’t have to walk in darkness. Even a blind person can be physically blind but not spiritually blind. God gives light to all who seek Him. We have the comfort of knowing that He will guide us throughout the days of our lives and eternity.

“Father guide me through your Holy Scriptures. Light my path. Thank You that You will be my guide unto death.”

For His Glory,

Linda Reyes Shepherd
TRBC Mountain Blend

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Posted in Spiritual Growth, Wisdom

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | December 19, 2011

What Are You Missing?

“You shall do what is right and good in the sight of the LORD, that it may be well with you and that you may go in and possess the good land which the LORD swore to give your fathers.”  Deuteronomy 6:18 (NAS)

Have you ever felt invisible?  Sometimes we feel like all we’re doing at work, home, school, church, and with friends goes unnoticed.  Most of the time that’s a trap that Satan throws us in and lets us wallow; however, it could be God’s protection.   How proud would we be if we knew what people thought of us, or maybe we are protected from their ill thinking of us?    Who are we living our lives for?  Recognition?  Awards?  Money?  Fame?  It’s all temporary; yes it can be fun for the moment, but what happens when the moment is over? Heaven is the only thing eternal.

What would it like look like if we lived just for His Glory?   How much more would we give?  How much more would we do?  How much more would we stay in His word and on our faces in prayer?  I am blessed in having the ability to give time to others praying, encouraging , and touching their lives  in ways beyond my ability.  Because I said “Yes, Lord use me” and put myself out there to be used,  God opens the doors and He is willing to do the same for all His children.  What door is He waiting to open for you?

“Father, I want to be used by You.  I want to be open to Your will in my life, show me which door You want me to walk thru so that I can glorify You.”

For His Glory,

Debbie Struble
TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Spiritual Living, Worship

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | December 16, 2011

Cleansed

“He who has clean hands and a pure heart, who does not lift up his soul to an idol or swear by what is false. He will receive blessing from the LORD and vindication from God his Savior.”  Psalm 24:4-5 (NIV)

Engrained in my mind as a child, I wouldn’t even take a penny off the street unless I was certain it belonged to me.  In first grade, I lost my ice cream money at school and when the teacher found a quarter near my desk, I refused to accept it.    I was the only one missing out on a delicious treat and tears welled up in my eyes, but I wasn’t convinced it was mine for the taking.  While most of us wouldn’t  dare steal something that belongs to someone else – we still may harbor things in our lives.  How many times do we steal someone’s joy by sabotaging their victory?  How many times do we steal a  pen from work – innocently dropping it into our purse?  How much time do we waste – stealing from our employer?  Have we ever stolen someone’s idea to make us look good?  How much time, resources, or talents do we waste in our lives stealing away from the purpose God created for us?  Steal no way – but when we examine these traits, we might find we have hinged on the verge of taking some things that don’t belong to us.  Stealing is saying God hasn’t provided what I need and demonstrates a lack of trust in God.  It cheats us out of God’s best and leaves us wallowing in guilt with dirty hands.  Solution – simply accept what He has for us, seek His cleansing for wasted moments and lift clean hands in praise to our all Sufficient God.

“Father, purify our hearts and help us to examine our lives to ensure our trust is firmly planted in You.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | December 15, 2011

Heritage of Faith

“ …. we will tell the next generation the praiseworthy deeds of the LORD, his power, and the wonders he has done.” Psalm 78:4b (NIV)

I recently spent the day shopping and preparing for my first grandson. As I set up the room, I laid out a quilt and hung a wall hanging which was lovingly made by my grandmother. I couldn’t help but soak in the memories of twenty-three years ago when it was given to me for my son. However, there is something even more special in the room –  a Noah’s Ark Children’s Bible.  This was one of my son’s first Bibles and is now his step-son’s. I am thrilled to not only pass along a few baby items to my grandson but to see our family’s faith being passed on as well.

We are to share with our children the things God has done in our lives, especially the gift of salvation. In turn, they will pass their faith to their children. Some of us are first generation Christians and don’t have anything from previous generations to pass along. This gives us an opportunity to not only start the heritage of faith for our children, but we can pray and witness to the previous generations. God can and will do a mighty work in the lives of our family; we have to be steadfast in prayer and live by example.

“Father, May we be blessed to continue to see our heritage of faith passed on to future generations. Give us wisdom to witness to previous generations that still don’t know you.”

For His Glory

Katrina Redman
TRBC Coffee Break

If you haven’t had an opportunity to start your heritage of faith by accepting Christ, please respond to this email. We would love a chance to get you started on an amazing journey that leads to eternal life in heaven. No matter what stage of life you are in, it is never too late to accept Christ and pass that faith on to others.

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Posted in Encouragement, Faith

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | December 14, 2011

Contentment

“Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.” Philippians 4:11 (KJV)

Did you know we can be content no matter what we are going through? Paul admitted that he learned to be content. It was a process to be worked through and the same is true for us.   One of the first steps is to identify those things that are making us discontented and what God’s word says. How many of these things do we find ourselves doing, or not doing?

  1.  Allowing our peace to be robbed by comparing ourselves to someone else, desiring what they have or wanting to be like someone else. (2 Corinthians 10:12)
  2. Ungrateful for the blessings God has given. (1 Thessalonians 5:18)
  3. Self-absorbed instead of looking to God or thinking about Him. We should be God conscience not self-conscience. (Isaiah 26:3)
  4. Not reaching out to others. Reaching out to others brings joy, as we forget about our own problems. (Galatians 6:7)
  5. Complaining and feeding a critical spirit. (Philippians 2:14)
  6. Taking God’s Word for granted and not reading it. (Joshua 1:8)
  7. Not accepting who God has made us to be. (Psalms 139:14)
  8. Not using our talents and gifts for the Lord. (1 Corinthians 12:1-11)

We can choose today to be content in the state that we are in. It is a choice, and being in relationship with Him will bring contentment. Write a list of at least ten things you are grateful for, and you will begin to see how your attitude and behavior will change. Gratitude guarantees contentment. Have an attitude of gratefulness all day long, every day.

“Father I choose to be content and grateful today.”

For His Glory

Linda Reyes Shepherd
TRBC Mountain Blend

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Posted in Encouragement, Hope, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | December 13, 2011

He’s Waiting

“The marriage of the Lamb has come and His bride has made herself ready.”   Revelation 19:7b  NASB

Reading the book of Ezekiel, I came upon a passage that nearly took my breath away.  In Ezekiel 23, God tells the prophet about the consuming sorrow He felt because of the two women He loved and eventually lost.   As I read on, I learned that these “women” were none other than a metaphorically representation of Israel and Judah.  I started wondering why God would speak so vividly about this situation.  Couldn’t He have just called them “Israel & Judah” to begin with?   The more I thought about it, I realized that God chose this language because He did not approach these two people groups as a parent scolding wayward children.  He loved them the way a groom loves a bride.  And the fact that these “women” not only flirted with compromise, but repeatedly sinned must have been a slap in the face of their beckoning bridegroom.

As this unique passage reveals, God is not aloof, looking down upon us the way that we might look at tiny ants on the sidewalk.  He’s beside us and within us, longing to love us…and have us love Him in return.  And just as He abhorred the idea of a diluted romance with Israel, so He must also detest the idea of a limited, tainted relationship with us.  So, as ladies in waiting, we must do all we can to put aside distractions and draw near to our beckoning bridegroom.  He’s waiting!

“Lord, help us draw near and stay near to You today.  Infuse our hearts with an ever increasing love for You.  Help us to love You, as You long to be loved.”

For His Glory

Claudia Dempsey
TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Encouragement, Hope, Love

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | December 12, 2011

Empowered By His Strength

“She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.” Proverbs 31:17 (NIV)

Every day, I have my “to do list” ready to go so my day will be productive.  I can even hear the cheering of the crowd in my head as I put that check mark next to an accomplished task.  I want to be a productive person! I want my work to matter.   No matter how much planning or preparation, I will still have those days where things do not go quite as efficiently.

Overwhelmed by our to do list, we face constant demands that vie for our attention.  We sift through the essentials and then we go to bed overwhelmed and exhausted.  Next morning, we do it all over again. I’m so glad we don’t have to face our life lists alone!  God offers to come along side of us giving us strength, perspective, and wisdom as we need it.  That Proverbs 31 woman shows us that we need to face each of our tasks with God-power and a Godly-perspective.  Once you read verse 17 and keep on reading it just gets better.  Verse 31 shows us that she “…fears the Lord…”  Her source of strength is rooted in faith and her dependence on God.

Your life list looks different from mine.  We all have unique ministries, friendships, jobs,  and responsibilities.   No matter what you do, God can and will give you strength for each task when you prioritize Him and fear Him.

“Lord, I was created by You and for You.  Please remind me on a daily basis that You are my strength and that everything that I do is for your honor and glory.  Help me prioritize my life list today so I will glorify You!”

For His Glory

Melissa Tucker
TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Encouragement, Hope

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