Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | February 20, 2011

Sense of Wonder

“That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:10-11 (NIV)

I remember when my husband and I first started dating, whenever he would say my name I would get butterflies in my stomach! My daydreams would create doodles of “Carson loves Rachel” on every page of my class notes. His name represented so much to me. After we got married, I loved being able to write “Mrs. Rachel Wagner”, sharing his last name was a dream come true!

I also remember hearing the name “Jesus” right after I accepted Christ. My heart would swell with pride knowing that I was a child of God. I talked about Him all the time, and when I overheard someone taking His name in vain it broke my heart.  But what about now? Has the name of Jesus become just another name? Has the name of Jesus become overshadowed by the distractions of our every day life? God’s Word says that at the mere mention of the name of Jesus “every knee should bow…and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord.” What an incredibly powerful statement. We need to be living a life conscious of the power of the name of Jesus!

“Oh God, give us the passion to live a life of reverence to You. Remind us of Your power. Help us to live every day aware of Your Holiness.”

For His Glory

Rachel Wagner
TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Worship

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | February 11, 2011

A Love Like Christ’s

“Wife you don’t know; maybe you will save your husband.”  I Corinthians 7:16a (NCV)

As Christians, the responsibility is ours to live a life of love like Christ’s example.  Sometimes, the hardest person to live that out with is our spouse.  They see us daily, they know our moods, they know our thoughts, and secrets.  It is important to show them respect, honor and love in all things, even when we disagree.  Submission to their leadership can at times be challenging, however, obediently demonstrating the love of God speaks volumes.  God created love, and I find it ironic that Eve was made from Adam’s rib, not from dirt like Adam.  We came from God thru man’s rib, and the rib protects the heart in the body.  We as women have an incredible opportunity to be protector’s of our husband’s heart.  By demonstrating God’s love to them in our responses and actions, we can draw our husband’s heart to God.  As they see Christ working in us, they will be challenged to follow God as well.   Sounds like the perfect formula for a successful marriage – however, Satan loves to create discord and disunity in our families. Raging hormones, exhaustion and demanding our own way will rob our homes of God’s divine purpose.  Only when we are willing to live Christ’s example out will we draw our husband’s to God and a closer relationship with Him.

“Father, help me to love my husband as You love me.  Thank You for the love You share with us and how You grow our relationship in You.”
For His Glory

Debbie Struble
TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Love

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | February 11, 2011

A Taste of His Beauty

“To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified.” Isaiah 61:3 (KJV)

There it was – black smoke seeping out around the stove. To my disappointment, the burnt aroma of the overflowing cake smelled more like a fireplace than a warm bakery.  Failure consumed my heart.   What went wrong, and how did this horrible mess happen?  There was no ‘fixing’ it now the damage was done.

In retrospect, the pan was too small and choosing the right one would have alleviated so much. Truthfully, it was all about making a right choice.  Isn’t life the same?   Like the cake, bad choices begin to overflow their way into our lives.   Unfortunately, no amount of fixing will undo the damage.  Disappointment and failure become our companions.

The great news  – surprisingly when the cake was turned onto a platter it was absolutely beautiful and no one would have ever known its horrific journey.  Only God can change sinful lives into beautiful masterpieces.   Change occurs from the inside out; obvious to others something supernatural happened.   Only you and God will remember the messy time!!

“Thank You Jesus.  When I make wrong choices, You are there to make beauty from ashes –  changing me from the inside out.

For His Glory

Patsy Sanders
TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | February 11, 2011

Stumbling in the Dark

“But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” I John 1:7 (NIV)

Stumbling around in the dark is no picnic.  Even though we’ve been in a room a thousand times, darkness creates a sense of uncertainty.  We know there’s a sofa in there, we know there’s a coffee table and we know there’s a table with a lamp on it.  Oops – there used to be a lamp on it. The crash that just hit the floor tells me the table was closer than I thought.  Reaching down, I find the lamp, push the button and “then there was light!”  I can know walk freely through the room without fear of stumbling or landing in the wrong place.  Have you ever wandered about in darkness?  We will avoid dark alleys, dark parking lots, dark rooms, etc., but we will carelessly allow ourselves to drift into spiritual darkness.  Even in the midst of uncertainty, we will press through determined to make our own choices.  Stumbling around in the dark, we find ourselves immersed in Satan’s lies. Even though we have maneuvered this path many times, we will continue full speed ahead throwing caution to the wind.  We know the consequences, we know the devastation and yet we continue without the light of God’s presence.  And when we crash, we finally reach for the truth of His light to illuminate our way.   Stumbling around in the dark?  Reach out and grab the hand of God – He’s closer than you think!

“Father, Your Word is a lamp unto our feet and a light unto our path – keep us moving in the right direction.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | February 10, 2011

Soul Refreshment

“They will neither hunger nor thirst, nor will the desert heat or the sun beat down on them. He who has compassion on them will guide them and lead them beside springs of water.” Isaiah 49:10 (NIV)

Have you ever experienced a time in your spiritual walk that everything just seemed dry?  No matter how much time you spent in the word or in prayer, you just didn’t feel refreshed. Sometimes it’s in those dry, desert periods that God teaches us the most. Just like when the Children of Israel spent time in the desert learning to depend on God, we have to do the same. It’s in those dry moments that we feel desperate to connect with God. When we come to the end of our resources and realize that we need God, He provides soothing refreshment to our soul. It could be a verse that hits just the area we are struggling with, a prayer from a friend, a song on the radio, or just knowing God’s presence is there.  Just as God was compassionate to take care of the Children of Israel in the desert, He will take care of us during our desert moments.

“Dear God, Refresh our souls when we have reached the desperate, dry moments of our lives. Give us the strength to reach out and seek You when we’ve reached the end of our resources.”

For His Glory

Katrina Redman
TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Encouragement

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | February 10, 2011

Recipe for Happiness

The person that is not ashamed of Me, and does not turn away from Me is happy.  Luke 7:23 (NLV)

Are cookbooks really necessary or is baking just a creation from the start with no guidelines?  Without the basic guidelines it is easy to get sidetracked and have unexpected results, possibly not very pleasurable.   Baking is something that gives pleasure to us by meeting a physical need.  We need spiritual recipes in life as well.  Without spiritual nourishment, we are left desolate and empty.  When we feel empty it is extremely hard to choose joy.  Our soul craves God’s Word and time spent with Him in prayer and reflection.  Just as not satisfying our physical need of hunger can leave us cranky, tired and empty, the same is true when we deprive our soul of God’s time and Word.  We often try to create our own recipe for happiness by things, people, work, etc.  However when we pull out the cookbook, the recipe for happiness is God, plain and simple.   Happiness is a choice we make, but without the correct recipe it is extremely hard to get the desired result.   Spending time with God is a key part of the recipe, but it takes time and effort.  We have 24 hours in a day, 60 minutes in an hour –  for a total of 1,440 minutes in a day.  How many minutes will we give to God?  How many minutes will be full of happiness, when pulling the day out of the oven – the choice is up to us.

“Father, thank You for happiness.  Help me plan my 1,440 minutes maximizing my time and relationship growth with You.”

For His Glory,

Debbie Struble
TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Attitude

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | February 10, 2011

Abundant Mercy

“For You, Lord, are good and ready to forgive, and abundant in mercy to all those who call upon you.”  Psalm 86:5 (NKJV)

With a long list of “Things To Do” and non-stop interruptions, my multi-tasking kicked in full speed. For two days, I didn’t realize a major deadline was missed.  The most important task had been shuffled from one pile on my desk to another, and when it resurfaced I felt an overwhelming sense of panic.  This deadline was established by a potential client, and now I had missed the mark.  My gut reaction was terror; I’m sure my face was ashen white.   All I could do was utter a prayer of desperation that my late proposal would be accepted.  Once I calmed down enough to speak,  I called our client and  explained my oversight.  After consulting with his boss and others involved, he called back and gave me another chance to email him the proposal.  Whew, email sent I could now breathe a huge sigh of relief. Second chances are not common in the business world, but they are with God!  While we do reap consequences from our misplaced actions, God specializes in extending mercy.  From the moment God formed man, He has known our weaknesses and tendencies to have to learn things the hard way.  However, we won’t find God rubbing our nose in our mess or pushing us further down into the pit.  Instead He lovingly stands, reaches and bends down to lift us back up on our feet.

“Father,  I have never deserved Your mercy, yet You have restored my soul over and over again – Praise the Name of the Lord!”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Mercy

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | February 10, 2011

Journey of Faith

“Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Hebrews 11:1 (KJV)

I moved my regular six-week adjustment with my chiropractor ahead due to increased pain.  During the examination, he noted I have been under a lot of stress!  What an understatement!! While the past weeks have been difficult, I am convinced God is in control and His promises are true.  The Holy Spirit drew me to His Word, birthing an assessment of Biblical characters who understood stress.   David fled for his life, Paul feared for his, Esther gambled hers, Mary submitted hers, and Jesus offered his.   What carried these individuals through the stressfulness of everyday living?

The answer: faith strengthened by a God who repetitively has proven Himself.   They simply believed His promises.  Why do we feel our lives are more stressful?   We have an awareness of the outcome of their lives through reading the Bible, but somehow we fail to acknowledge reaching the victorious end required a walk of faith. Appearing to be an easy journey, we cannot disregard the fact that every step of the way involved a confrontation of fear, anxiousness, uncertainty, worry, etc.  They were exactly like us.  Thankfully, at their weakest moments God’s strength was made perfect and His Word was manifested.

So, the next time stress becomes overwhelming try claiming the promises of God.  Pray them out loud.  Personalize them.  The scriptures will bring comfort, reassurance, encouragement, and strength.   Confidence will build in an all caring God.   The great news:  one day there will be a victorious end to your walk of faith too!

“Lord, please help me to believe your promises.  Teach my heart to trust in You during stressful times and claim victory in spite of my circumstances.”

For His Glory

Patsy Sanders
TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Faith

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | February 10, 2011

Reinventing Attitude

“Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips.” Proverbs 4:24

Starring at my computer screen, I bit my upper lip and attempted to navigate through our new email system.  Reluctant to give it a try, I finally succumbed when I learned our IT guys were making the old system obsolete.  Too slow.  Too many steps involved.  No training provided.  Didn’t take long for my attitude to lose altitude.  Co-workers were frustrated, and I was too glad to offer my low opinion of our experts’ choice.  As I heard my own negativity – the only thing I could whisper was,  “Help me Jesus.”  What happened to “embracing change”?  I loved trying new things.  I didn’t really like our old email system, but it was comfortable.  Taking in a deep breath, I confessed my spiraling attitude and grabbed a notepad.  Determined, I spent hours creating emails, folders, addresslists, calendars, etc and made notes as I unraveled these mysteries.  Didn’t take long for my attitude to start regaining altitude. The new system did have some cool new options, and I could finally see them when I kept my attitude in check.  Losing altitude in your attitude?  When we zero in on the negatives, we miss any chance of seeing the possibilities.   By asking God to give us a clear perspective – one that is balanced – we can clearly evaluate and embrace change. My email challenge was conquered and my co-workers loved my notes. But more importantly, God reinvented my attitude –  “Thank you Jesus.”

“Father, it is so easy to join the chorus of negativity.  Fill my lips with a sweet song that creates a beautiful harmony.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Attitude

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | February 10, 2011

Speaking God’s Word

“Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage with great patience and careful instruction.”  2 Timothy 4:2

Have you ever found yourself quick to correct or rebuke someone?  After all, its our Christian duty to keep our sisters in line even if we don’t know all of the circumstances – right?  A quick surface view and some little stewing quickly thrusts us on a pedestal overlooking innocent bystanders trying to do life the best they can.  Whether they are new Christians learning the ropes or seasoned believers worn out and tired – we would be wise to heed Paul’s advice to young Timothy.  When we preach the Word (and not our own words), our message is seasoned with truth and grace.  When we are prepared in season and out of season, our motives are God centered bathed in prayer.  And if God leads us to correct or rebuke, then our hearts will be filled with humility seeking to encourage and restore others.  I love the fact that Paul knows our tendencies and tags onto this verse two ways to preach the incredible truths of God’s Word.  With great patience and careful instruction, we will draw others to our loving Heavenly Father.  Lasting growth takes time and perseverance.  Instruction that is given carefully will be tailored to where the person is at rather than where we feel they should be.  Being open about our own mistakes and how God has shaped our lives will encourage others to fully embrace God’s forgiveness and restoration.

“Father,  Your grace is more than enough  – help me to never forget where I’ve been and what You have done for me.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Coffee Break

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Posted in Spiritual Living

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