Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | March 17, 2011

Bittersweet Revelation

“For the vision is yet for the appointed time; it hastens toward the goal and it will not fail.  Though it tarries, wait for it; for it will certainly come, it will not delay.” Habakkuk 2:3 (NIV)

Dark chocolate is incredibly delicious.    It has a texture all its own and that tinge of bitter dark chocolate mingled with the overriding sweetness causes me to grab one more piece savoring every bite.  While bittersweet chocolate is a favorite treat, I don’t particularly enjoy bittersweet moments. Exchanging our plans and time table for God’s often leaves us questioning “why” rather than savoring the bittersweet.   Why doesn’t God intervene?  Why did God allow this to happen?  Why do I have to wait?   And the list goes on and on……  Nestled in the middle of all our questions lies a bittersweet revelation – God is ultimately in control and knows what is best.  It doesn’t erase our heartache and it doesn’t mean we will enjoy every moment, but it does remind us to taste and see that the Lord is Good!  And as we do, the “bitter” of our situation turns to sweetness when we focus on His loving kindness.  He who collects our tears in a bottle – He who knows every hair on our head – He who has etched our names in the palms of His hands – He is the overriding sweetness that causes us to draw closer and savor every moment.  Life will undoubtedly challenge our perception of who God is, but the one who seeks out His character will find He can be trusted to turn our bitter moments into sweetness.

“Father, when we are blinded to the depths of Your love, help our hearts to trust in the glory of Your name – You are the Great I Am!”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Faith, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | March 16, 2011

Living Life to the Fullest

“If we live, we are living for the Lord and if we die, we are dying for the Lord.   So living or dying, we belong to the Lord.”   Romans 14:8 (NCV)

As a child we dreamed of growing up, getting married and having children.  As adults, we have dreams of what our children will be like as adults.  Who will they marry and what will our future grandchildren look like.  Sometimes dreams are halted by reality.  Reality of illness hits home far too soon in many families.  Cancer is real, cancer is close, and cancer hurts.  Not just those affected but the family, friends, coworkers, and all we do life around.  Cancer has hit close lately.  Recently watching others battle cancer, my eyes have been opened to finding out how to live completely with a great attitude when deaths door may be knocking.  It’s important to live for Christ in sickness and health.  The lives we affect are countless.  Some we may never know that we have touched.  Attitude is essential.  We can sulk or we can go out joyfully living for God every minute of every day.  We can focus on reaching those who may not yet know Him thru our walk, attitude, talk, and just the way we live every day to the fullest.  Praising God for who He is and what He has done and will do even in the midst of our darkest night draws others to the source of our strength.  In sickness or health, we must use our time wisely living for God every day.

“Father, thank You for those in our lives who open our eyes to You.  Remind us daily to keep our attitude and joy in You in all things.”

For His Glory

Debbie Struble
TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Attitude, Encouragement

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | March 15, 2011

Beef Tips & Gravy

“Let him who walks in the dark and has no light, trust in the name of the Lord and rely on His God.” Isaiah 50:10b (NIV)

Many years ago, I had a strange experience while making dinner.   As I stood by the stove preparing my meal, I was struck with an overwhelming sense of discouragement.  I had longed for a life of purpose, a meaningful job, a blossoming ministry and a chance to make a difference in the world.  But in that very moment, it seemed that all I had to show for my life, my efforts, and my dreams were…Beef Tips and Gravy.

How could this be?  I had prayed, worked and prepared for so much more.   But here I was, parked in a kitchen, just waiting for gravy to thicken.  I could not help but wonder if God had forgotten me or if I had done something wrong to deserve being benched like this.  There were, after all, so many more important things I could be doing with my life.   (And wasn’t this June Cleaver’s job anyway?!)

Now, in the decade that has passed since that memorable meal, I have learned the value of trusting in God’s plans rather than my own.  I have embraced the words of Isaiah 50:10 which say it is better to walk in darkness sometimes than to walk by the light of one’s own efforts.  I certainly did not want to be in the kitchen stirring gravy that night.  But I have learned that Beef Tips and Gravy served with a portion of patience and a side of faith make a great meal in the waiting.

“Father, help us to trust in Your name and to stand in faith when life brings challenges, disappointments, unexpected delays and closed doors.  Help us to leave the reigns of our lives in Your hands rather than trying to work out our own plans in our own timing.”

For His Glory

Claudia Dempsey
TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Encouragement, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | March 15, 2011

Sharing Life

“So we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.” 1 Thessalonians 2:8 (NIV)

Have you ever had someone come into your life and you have no idea why? Perhaps it’s easy to see that they need God and that you need to share the gift of eternal life with them. Other times you soon learn that you need to share your life with them. For some of us it comes natural to invite people into our homes and lives. For others it’s a little scary to open up to others and let them into our lives. Sometimes, we might feel like our life is too messy to have anything to offer to others. That’s what makes it even more important to open up and share with others. Through God’s love, we can give each other the support we need to clean up the messy parts of our life.

Inviting others into my life actually brings out the best in me. It gets me motivated to make sure my house is completely clean and looking it’s best. Emotionally it allows me to love others through serving and taking care of them. Spiritually it gives me a chance to share what God is doing in my life and to see what I can do to support others through prayer and sharing the word of God. While sharing life with others might be a new and scary thing for some of us, the rewards of new friendships, encouragement and sharing God are worth it.

“Dear God, Give us the courage to invite others to share our lives. Show us those who need eternal life shared with them and how we can love and care for people you place in our lives.”
For His Glory

Katrina Redman
TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Encouragement, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | March 11, 2011

What Mess?

“So then, do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.”  Ephesians 5:17 (NAS)

One day, my four year old son took the liberty of digging out a few movies.  When I came into the room, I howled, “Aidan! Look at all these DVD’s, what a mess!”  He surveyed the damage, and then quipped: “But Mom, it’s not a mess—it’s a STRAIGHT line!”   To my surprise, he was right.  The DVD’s were all lined up in a perfect row.    I had viewed his labor as an irritation, whereas he was proud of his work.  All I needed was a little adjustment on my perspective.

I wonder sometimes if we aren’t that way with God.  When things are “out of line” in our lives, it’s easy to feel like we can’t possibly be in the center of His will.  But being in God’s will doesn’t mean that life will be perfect—God often uses those rocky roads as a way to draw us closer to Him.  We will have trials and tribulations in this life, there’s no doubt about it.  But when they happen, what are we going to do, gripe —or ask God for a new perspective?   That “mess” in our lives is not really a mess!   It’s a straight line that leads right to the Kingdom of Heaven.   And sometimes understanding the will of the Lord is as simple as just submitting to His sovereignty when the road of life gets rough and wearisome.

“Lord, please help us all to see our muddled lives as a straight path into Your perfect will.”

For His Glory

Ruby Sand
TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Faith, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | March 10, 2011

Resting In Him

“Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him.” Psalm 37:7 (NKJV)

I love to go home. I live in Virginia,  but my family,  dad, sister,  etc. are all in Kentucky. When I need a pick me up or a long weekend, I like to hit the road and head to Kentucky. It is an eight hour drive from here, and many times I get home and realize I didn’t turn the radio on one time. If you ever see me coming down the road, I am usually singing or talking. I like to talk to God and spend time with Him during my drive. Why? Because it is quiet…there is nothing that distracts me, and I can just listen.

Sometimes we look for God in the wrong places. We assume there has to be a huge choir singing or we look for God in thunder,  lightning, trumpets and billowing smoke. That is not always God’s way. God can speak anyway He chooses, but sometimes He wants us to stop and really listen so He will whisper.  But don’t you find that the hardest thing to do is to be quiet and listen. We don’t like silence. We’d rather be doing anything than sitting still, so we immerse ourselves in noise and activity and wonder why we didn’t hear from God. God should not have to shout to be heard.

King David, who is known as a man after God’s own heart, knew the secret of silence. As a boy, he spent many hours in solitude, listening to God’s voice, while the sheep grazed in the meadows. His advice –  “Be still before the Lord and wait patiently for Him.”  (Psalm 37:7)

“Lord, help me to stay still and listen to what You are trying to tell me.   Thank You for always speaking and leading me in Your path. “

For His Glory

Melissa Tucker
TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Spiritual Living, Worship

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | March 9, 2011

Jars of Clay

“But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.” 2 Corinthians 4:7 (NIV)

I have always loved the analogy of being a piece of clay that has been molded by the potter’s hand (God). He molds us and shapes us into the image that He deems best, which means we are made in all shapes, sizes, and colors. Even though we are made differently, we are all used for His purposes.  Filled with the Spirit of God, we can be poured into the lives of others to do His will.

For this to be successful, we must be completely empty to our selfish desires. A song that portrays this beautifully is “Empty Me” by Chris Sligh. The chorus could be used as a simple prayer to God showing our desire to be emptied out for Him.

Empty me
Of the selfishness inside
Every vain ambition
And the poison of my pride
And any foolish thing my heart holds to
Lord empty me of me
So I can be
Filled with you

“Dear God, Help us to be completely emptied, so we can be vessels used for Your purpose. Fill us with Your spirit and will only.”

For His Glory

Katrina Redman
TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | March 8, 2011

Faithful One

“What I feared has come upon me; what I dreaded has happened to me.”  Job 3:25 (NIV)

Deep within our souls is a secret place –  the place where no one enters where our hearts are tender and vulnerable.  Uncovered that place reveals the longings of our heart and the fears seeking to overwhelm us.  And it is in that secret place we sense the dread, the caution of the road that lies ahead.  Fear – just four letters tied together – yet powerful enough to impact our decisions and short circuit our joy.  Many navigate this path each waking moment; the undying dread of things to come.  Fear of letting go, fear of familiarity, fear of failure, fear of not hearing God’s voice, fear of hearing yet running away, and fear of losing it all.  It was those words that Job uttered when his fingers were loosed of everything in His life.  Total devastation stood at his doorstep and lingered for more than a day.  And as Job navigated those deep waters swelling well above his own understanding, God saw the deep secret places of his soul.  God knew the place where Job’s heart was tender and as fear overwhelmed him, God proved Himself to be the Faithful One.  What Job had heard and known for years became alive and vibrant before his eyes.  Our lives today are no different; we navigate deep waters, gasping for just a breath of air.  We ride the winds of uncertainty dreading what lies around the next turn.  But when we exchange fear for trust, we realize we are never alone.   Uncovered in that secret place is a soul desperately clinging, forever hoping in her Faithful One!

“Father, when fear assaults us may You find us faithfully trust in You – You are more than enough for all that we need!”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Faith, Hope

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | March 7, 2011

Soul to Soul

“And never stop praying.”  I Thess. 5:17 (CEV)

Is there an ongoing conversation with God throughout your day?  When asked about  your personal prayer life, what comes to mind?  Communication with God is based around our prayer life.  Think about a best friend –  is there daily communication, weekly, monthly with that person?  How about with God?  The more time we spend sharing and talking with someone, the stronger the relationship.  When struggles come, we all have prayer warriors who we call for prayer.  What a blessing it is to be our own prayer warrior or to be the one called.  One word at a time, one sentence –  right now we can whisper it to Him; He is listening.  Prayer doesn’t have to only happen in a quiet still place.  It can be in the car during the commute to work or picking up the kids from school.  It can be while walking down the grocery isle or while waiting in the drive thru for breakfast, lunch, and/or dinner.  God is always there, and He can’t wait to hear about our day good or bad.  He wants to laugh with us and hold us while we cry.  It’s an ongoing conversation that never ends.

“Father thank You for always being available.  Thank You for never screening Your calls.  Teach me to have more consistent conversations with You.

For His Glory

Debbie Struble
TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | March 4, 2011

Lukewarm..

“So, because you are lukewarm—neither hot nor cold—I am about to spit you out of my mouth.” Revelation 3:16 (NIV)

If I’m drinking water it has to be ice cold. I cannot stand lukewarm water, and if I drink it my stomach will complain. Likewise, God doesn’t want us to be lukewarm Christians.  Settling into a comfortable spiritual life, we can find ourselves losing the love and joy of our salvation. It’s very easy to settle into one set routine for our quite time or get settled into one type of Bible study. When we do this, we are in danger of getting bored and not wanting to do anything at all. The other danger is we are missing out on how God wants to grow our spiritual life and how He wants to use us. Rather than be satisfied with the same old same old, we need to seek new excitement each day in our walk with God. The change God has made in our lives was life changing, but it wasn’t just a one time event. It’s a new lifestyle that will constantly change and get even better. We just have to be willing to up our spiritual temperature from lukewarm to hot.

“Dear God, Show us how to increase the temperature of our walk with You. Give us a new desire each day to know You more in a different way.”

For His Glory

Katrina Redman
TRBC Coffee Break

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