trbccoffeebreak

“By faith, Abraham when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.”  Hebrews 11:8 (NIV)

While I’ve never been guilty of purposely neglecting my family, I have on many occasions excused my plant duty.  Having neglected my inside plants, I wasn’t shocked to find them limp.  So this weekend, I showered them with water, fresh air and sunshine. Mission accomplished – my plants were once again revived.  Two days later, I had to recount that statement.  My favorite plant was wilting.   Even with some special attention it was no longer thriving. My neglect hadn’t only withered its leaves, but had also stunted its growth.  My plant had become root bound and the confines of its small container left no room for its roots as they twisted around themselves.  Easy solution –  transplant my dying plant into a bigger container.  Sound familiar – do we every stunt our own growth?  Do we ever settle for “this is all there is” instead of following God’s transplanting into “unknown territory?” Finding comfort in our contained world, we often want to stay where we are.  The Christian life becomes easy and uncomplicated; we could do life on auto-pilot.  But God’s desire is that we flourish, grow and stretch outside ourselves to produce vibrant, transforming growth.   Complacency is the great enemy to business success and it is no different in our spiritual lives.  If we want to fulfill God’s calling, then we must be willing to exchange our comfortable surroundings for a divine transplanting.  .

“Father, the road ahead my be full of surprising twists and turns, but in the end it will yield a life thriving in the midst of your presence.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Coffee Break

“Don’t be afraid,” David said to him, “for I will surely show you kindness for the sake of your father Jonathan. I will restore to you all the land that belonged to your grandfather Saul, and you will always eat at my table.”  2 Samuel 9:7  (NIV)

Position, power, fame, royalty – all arenas of notoriety.  Ever wonder what happens when a person is removed from one or all?  Mephibosheth was.  Jonathan and David were very good friends – so much so that Jonathan paved the way for David to become king by sacrificing his life.  As a result, Jonathan’s son, Mephibosheth was instantly stripped of his royal position, power, and fame.  For years he lived as a commoner – crippled through an accident trying to flee threats on his life.

Years later King David requested Mephibosheth to come before him.  Frightened for his life, Mephibosheth never anticipated King David would restore to a cripple like him everything he had lost, plus reposition him at his royal table. Why did David do this?  Because many years before he had made a commitment with Jonathan never forgetting his monumental sacrifice.   Any great leader never forgets what and whom it took to provide opportunities for advancement.   Leaders why not be like David by responding with kindness and keeping your word.   Others will view a better supervisor, co-worker, mother, friend, and most of all a better person.  Our actions will speak louder than words.

Dear Father, please help me to lead with kindness and consideration remembering those who paved a way for me to serve in leadership.

For His Glory

Patsy Sanders
TRBC Coffee Break