Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | November 4, 2024

Trusting Completely

“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. Taking what’s not ours is simply saying God hasn’t provided what we need. It screams, “I’m not waiting; I’m taking control.” Not a good thing – never had a moment of my control that served me well. In fact, those times usually end up leaving me wishing I’d waited and demonstrated trust in my God. Stealing definitely cheats us out of God’s best and leaves us wallowing in guilt with dirty hands.

Solution – accept what God has for us, seek His cleansing for wasted moments and lift clean hands in praise to our all Sufficient God. Walk away confident that the One who began a good work in us will complete it. Realize there is nothing we need that our God hasn’t provided and then release our grip on those things we think are ours for the taking. Sounds like a great place to land – faithfully trusting what we can’t see.

“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 Women’s Life

1 Comment

Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Hope, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | November 1, 2024

A Multitude of Sins

“Above all maintain an intense love for each other since love covers a multitude of sins.” I Peter 4:8 (HCSB)

Ever find yourself running for cover? It’s kind of how we’ve all felt – like Eve we instinctively know when we have done something wrong. A stirring in our hearts, a sorrow in our soul. Maybe, just maybe we could run and hide. Cover it all up for no one to see. Or better yet, just pretend it never happened. Has that one ever served us well? Pretending is simply denial and denial always rises back up to the surface just when we least expect it.

Hiding isn’t really hiding – we all know that right? We may think we’ve got them fooled, but the people who know us the best usually see right through our ugly places. And if they really, really love us then they ask those hard questions. Takes courage to love like that. Takes boldness to love like that. Takes humility to love like that. Why? Because we’ve all been there. We’ve all fallen short. We’ve all desperately needed washing from head to toe. We’ve all landed outside the boundaries of obedience and attempted to excuse our way back in.

Praising Jesus for those who roped me back in. Thankful for love that propels hard words that soften my dead heart. Grateful for do-overs and grace that covers exposed, forgiven places. Remembering that intense love hanging on the cross covers all our sin – past, present and future.

Ready to stop running? Tired of trying to cover it all up? Pretending getting old and burdensome? Listen intently to the people who love enough, who care enough to not give up. Then gather at the feet of Jesus, confess what He already knows and allow His love to cover the wrongs we’ve been hiding too long.

“Father, Your love runs deep and wide washing over all our sins – our chains are gone we’ve been set free.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

Leave a Comment

Posted in Hope, Spiritual Growth

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | October 31, 2024

Restoration’s Gift

“What shall we say about such wonderful things as these? If God is for us, who can ever be against us?  Since He did not spare even His own Son but gave Him up for us all, won’t He also give us everything else?”  Roman 8:31&32 (NLT)

She holds on to the phone waiting for the call that never comes. She determines she must not matter. Another waits by the window sure that he said he’d stop by today. Moved down the list again, she never was a priority. A stranger in her own house, there but unnoticed, nothing special about her. No cries, no arguments, no resistance but somewhere in the depth of her soul is edged a pit that labels her unlovable, damaged and unwanted. And her heavenly Father cries.

Our Father in heaven has given a remarkable responsibility to each earthly father. His assignment is to love and nurture his children into the full will of God. Through compassion and instruction, love and kind discipline, wisdom and patience the father is to lead his children from infancy to adulthood preparing them physically, emotionally and spiritually to blaze paths of light in the world and illuminate Jesus in its darkness. Many fathers strive towards this task. What happens when they don’t?

The unassuming girl sees her father as distant, unavailable and uncaring. For starters. How she sees her earthly father is how she sees her heavenly Father. And of equally tragic consequences, she believes her heavenly Father views her just as her earthly father. I didn’t matter to my earthly father so I must not matter to my heavenly Father. And the sin is passed to the third and fourth generations.

Fortunately, the Lord’s compassion is greater than His curse. And so, sweet daughter of the Most High God, without even knowing you, I can assure you of this:  your heavenly Father longs to hold you close; to protect you, to be near always. He desires to give you the love for which you hunger. He delights to give you every good gift that you’ve inherited for which Jesus died. He thinks of you always. You have great worth, great purpose. He sees you as beautiful. Cherished. Valued. Favored. And you know what? I am too.

“Heavenly Father, thank You for healing the broken places of my heart that only You can heal. Jesus, thank You for enduring death and the cross so that what was withheld can be restored. I love You, my Abba, Father”

For His Glory

Kathryn Hayman
TRBC Women’s Life

 

Leave a Comment

Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Hope, Love

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | October 30, 2024

Stay On Course

“Mark out a straight path for your feet; stay on the safe path. Don’t get sidetracked. Keep Your feet from following evil.”  Proverbs 4:26-27(NLT)

My husband and I have very different personalities, especially when it comes to driving!  Anyone relate??!!

I am from New Jersey and when I get into a vehicle it is to go to a destination, while spending the least amount of time in the car as possible, in traffic, or at lights. My husband is from Georgia and when he gets into a vehicle it is to head to a destination, enjoy the time together in the car, not rushing past anyone and waiting for everyone!

As you can imagine, this has created some fun memories, ugly arguments, and a lot of recognition of our differences! For the most part, we have finally come to a place where I can settle down and let him drive, and he does not get offended if I simply cannot resist offering my advice!!  To his credit, he will pull out a bit sooner now:)!

This was actually a very big deal when we first were married because I was impatient and wanted to get “there”, wherever there was!  Funny thing is, we arrived “there” every time, no matter who drove.

One of the reasons that this has settled down for us is because I finally recognized a few things:

  • We always got where we needed to be.
  • We arrived safely.
  • We stayed on course, and I was never fearful.
  • My husband never looks at his phone. He stays completely focused on driving.

I was reminded of our driving debacles when reading through Proverbs this month. I need to remember to stay on course with Jesus. I need to not get ahead of Him or push my own way or complain when the traffic of life piles up and it was not my plan. Jesus wouldn’t. He knew each part of the journey was where God wanted Him to be at that time.

I know when this journey ends, I will see Jesus, because I belong to Him. I want to get there knowing I have given my all to Him, while staying on course and remaining completely focused on Him, not getting sidetracked or caught off course.

It will be worth it!

“Heavenly Father, help us to stay on the straight and narrow path and not be deceived by all this world has to offer. We love you.”

For His Glory

Terrie Tollerson
TRBC Women’s Life

 

 

 

Leave a Comment

Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | October 29, 2024

Same As It Ever Was

“Therefore God gave them up in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, to the dishonoring of their bodies among themselves, because they exchanged the truth about God for a lie and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever! Amen.”  Romans 1:24-25

As you read through the Bible—and I hope you do regularly—there are some events that can be hard to relate to in our modern world. Especially in the Old Testament. I think of Korah and his fellow power-mongers rebelling against God only to be swallowed up alive by the ground (Numbers 16). Or a talking donkey setting straight a man of God gone astray (Numbers 22). Then there’s Jonah getting swallowed by a huge fish so he would repent of his disobedience to evangelize his enemies (Jonah). Then, when we get to the New Testament and the letters to the first-century Church, it’s easy to compartmentalize the events and messages into, “Well, that was a long time ago—this stuff’s not relevant in 2024.”

Friend, all we have to do is read any letter from the Apostle Paul to see that nothing has changed in human society. Not sure if they were having parades or not, but people were giving in to sexual passions contrary to God’s order (Romans 1:26-27). Unwanted babies were being killed for convenience and prosperity’s sake, whether sacrificed to the fiery arms of a false god or abandoned to die. Romans 1:28-32 is one of many succinct lists of depravity “back then”: wickedness, greed, envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice, gossip, slander, haters of God, insolent, arrogant, boastful, disobedient to parents, untrustworthy, unfeeling, unmerciful, and inventors of evil. That about covers it—and we’re all listed in there somewhere.

Humanity’s bottom-line sin thinking is this: “I don’t need to worship God. I’m in charge of my own life.” But then—and now—something will always be placed on the personal altar of worship—the earth, the stars, sex, money…sports, alcohol, climate change…self. From the beginning, we were made to worship God. But it didn’t take long for us to want to put ourselves in the place of God (um, just ask Adam and Eve). And as soon as we believe this hissed lie that “you can be like God,” it’s so easy to give in to the lust of the eyes, the lust of the flesh, and the pride of life (1 John 2:15-17). It’s been happening since the dawn of Man and continues through today. There’s no sin or false god or temptation that’s new. And we all sin (whether gossip or adultery, drunkenness or greed, slander or murder) and fall short of the perfect worship and living that God requires (Romans 3:23).

And praise the Lord, just as throughout the New Testament, the message of hope has not changed either: But God, rich in mercy, sent Jesus to live the perfect life we could not, pay the penalty we deserve, and rise again in victory over sin and death. He traded our sin for His perfect righteousness, so we don’t have to be slaves to sin anymore (Isaiah 53:5; John 3:16; Romans 5:8; 1 Peter 3:18). In surrender to God (through Jesus and in the power of the Holy Spirit) as the sole recipient of our worship, the lies of the enemy fall apart. The Lord then and now is patient for our repentance—He is still the same as He ever was. His kindness leads us to Him, and His grace is freely offered. Won’t you too give up the gods and ways of this broken world and give yourself over to Him?

“Lord, thank You for Your kindness, patience, and grace. Although sin has been present since the garden, Your victory gives us power over it—and one day, we’ll be completely free of it. May those who are shackled by the lies of the enemy surrender to Jesus now…so they’ll never be the same.

For His Glory

Julianne Winkler Smith
TRBC Women’s Life

Leave a Comment

Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Spiritual Living, Wisdom

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | October 28, 2024

Transforming Weakness to Strength

feb-13“He gives power to the faint, and to him who has no might He increases strength.”  Isaiah 40:2 (ESV)

Love the fact that God didn’t sugarcoat scriptures.  He didn’t give us the happy ending without the rough beginnings and all the inbetweens.  Love the way God interacts with His people personally, conversationally and relationally. I especially love the conversation between Moses and God – it’s one we all know well.  God tells Moses – I see, I hear, I know what your people are going through, and you are the one I am going to use to set them free. Moses, however, unloads a ton of baggage and excuses of why he is no longer the one – send someone else.  As the dialogue continues to bounce back and forth, God doesn’t allow Moses’ excuses to excuse him from obedience.

Attempting to opt out of his God ordained destiny, Moses highlights his lack of speech and inability to influence his people or the mighty Pharaoh.  God offers Plan B – your brother, Aaron, is on his way to meet you – I will help you both and teach you what to do.  Moses finally surrenders and God continuously brings him back to the microphone and gives him the exact words to say.  Speak is the common act that God instructs Moses to do time and time again. And through every step of obedience, God does the amazing, unthinkable in transforming Moses’ weaknesses into strengths and delivering the Children of Israel out of bondage.

What weaknesses are we holding onto? Do we really want God’s strength to empower us and move us past the excuses we so easily offer Him?  If Moses had ended His conversation with God rather than wrestled through, he would have missed an amazing opportunity to see God’s power demonstrated in His life.  Perhaps it’s time we brought our perceived weaknesses to God. He already knows what they are but God is eagerly waiting for us to engage with Him and then trust Him to work.  Don’t know about you, but I want that kind of empowerment in my life and it will require that I acknowledge and release my weaknesses so that God can transform them with His strength.  Can’t think of a better way to move forward.

“Father, the enemy wins every time we deny Your power is greater than our weaknesses.  Empower us to trust You completely and walk boldly in obedience.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

Leave a Comment

Posted in Faith, Spiritual Living, Success

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | October 25, 2024

Beauty Designed By God

“But let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit which in God’s sight is very precious.”  I Peter 3:4

I saw the most beautiful, fully red tree near our Target today – can’t even describe the deep hue of red. It’s been quite a few years since we had a perfect Fall.  Now, I know you girls know I’m not a fan of Fall. I’m a Spring/Summer girl all the way.  However, I do enjoy the vibrant colors dressing the trees.

As Summer came to an end, we had a wide spectrum of weather.  We had brutally hot days, drenching rain and cool days.  All perfectly orchestrated by our Creator God to paint the gorgeous pallet we are seeing right now.

Isn’t that how it works in our lives?

We go through some really hot, dry times. The constant pressure and sweat of just trying to make it through another week’s demands can be exhausting.  Dealing with fiery tempers can leave us scrambling for cover. Trying to meet others’ expectations can make us a hot mess.

Then the rains come…..yes those downpours that leave us drenched, soaked and uncomfortable. Navigating through our day with umbrella in hand as the wind flips it right side out. Our days can feel the same – nothing is going the way we planned, and the harder we try the more things seem to blow away in the wind.  All our efforts evaporating right before our eyes.

Just when we thought we couldn’t make it through another day, cool refreshing breezes cover us. Reminders that change is about to happen. Relief is on the way. We will make it through with God by our side, and oh the lessons we will learn along the way.

I love the way our Creator God orchestrates magnificent beauty in our lives. Moments full of growth potential, frustrations that mold and shape our character, and joys that rise to the surface just when we need them the most. Every day is a beautiful work of art God is crafting in our souls.

When we resist the urge to react and respond based on what we are feeling in the moment, we realize the value of surrendering to the Spirit’s control. When we endure life’s storms, we recognize the specific, personal lessons God is divinely teaching us. When we receive the rest He cultivates, we are amazed to see the beauty He is cultivating within us.

The best part….the beauty God creates within us never fades it simply gets more gorgeous as our inner soul is transformed to reflect God’s character. Simply ageless shining in His glorious splendor. More vibrant than we ever imagined possible. A true masterpiece molded and shaped by our Creator who delights in His creation.

“Father, You sculpt our rough edges and misshaped attempts to create beauty within ourselves. And what an exquisite Creator you are – chiseling our inner souls so we can reflect You to our world.”

 

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

Leave a Comment

Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Hope, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | October 24, 2024

My Help Comes From the Lord

Woman Placing Palms Together“God is our refuge and strength; a very present help in trouble! Psalm 46:1 (NKJV)

“Help is on the way!” All of us watching the man pinned beneath the Jeep knew it would not be fast enough. The Jeep weighed hundreds of pounds and he began turning blue as oxygen could not get into his lungs. There were only a handful of people on the country road, but the men grabbed onto the Jeep. As they lifted, it miraculously moved up. We women pulled from under his arms, and his diaphragm was exposed. Not the end of the story, but it meant the difference between life and death for this man.

“Help is on the way!” How wonderful it would be to hear Michael, the Archangel, say, “God has heard your prayer!” We know He hears all of them, but sometimes we want immediate “fixes!” Would you ever confess to a life of doubt? Not many of us would! We don’t want friends to see that we have anything except complete confidence that God will “work all things for good” (Rom. 8:28).  Yet as we anxiously wait for God to act, millions of thoughts cross our minds: He may say no, He may say wait… and we torment ourselves. But help is on the way! He heard and He began—even possibly long before your prayer—to act. “Rest in the Lord, and wait patiently for Him!” (Psalm 37:7). He hears us when we call, and He will answer in His time. Rest in those promises!

“Oh, God! Please give us the faith to know that You are loving, good, and true! You are so powerful that we can’t comprehend Your power, so holy we can’t imagine such holiness, and so perfect we can’t conceive of Your perfection! Increase our faith as we wrestle with daily living, trying to carry our cross in this world!”

 

For His Glory

Sandy Day
TRBC Women’s Life

 

 

1 Comment

Posted in Encouragement, Hope, Prayer

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | October 23, 2024

The Perfect Excuse

“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men”. Matthew 5:13 (NIV)

Lying comfortably in the TV room watching a movie, I suddenly noticed my ironing board, which had been hidden – by me – behind the door.  In fact, I haven’t unfolded that ironing board in a long time. I used to iron virtually everything, but now I don’t iron anything.  Excuses started to pour out of my mind like cereal falling out of a box. “I am a very busy person and don’t have time to iron.” Another good one was, “Who needs an ironing board and an iron when we have the convenience of Cleaners?” I knew that ironing board had been resting behind the door; I just purposely ignored it.

Do we ever create excuses about anything in life that we may be doing, or in this case not doing? We are called to be salt and light to a world that needs the Lord.  If we don’t fulfill our responsibilities, we immediately spill out an excuse for it.  Whatever the topic,  we always come up with the perfect excuse and those excuses can create very unpleasant situations. We’re not perfect, but with God’s help we can be diligent and careful with how we handle our responsibilities.

“Lord, as I look at my life, I can see many ways in which I could improve.  I want to live a life that reflects You, and I pray that Your Spirit guides me and leads me as I walk the path You have set before me.”

For His Glory

Luska Natali
TRBC Women’s Life

 

Leave a Comment

Posted in Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Living, Wisdom

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | October 22, 2024

Malnourished

“If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions.” 1 Timothy 6:3-4

By and large, U.S. citizens have more access to food than most people around the world. There are grocery stores, specialty stores, and/or convenience stores within a stone’s throw of most of us—not to mention fast-food restaurants on every other (sometimes every) corner. Our country has a robust “food stamp” program (SNAP), spending over $112 billion per year1, and public schools serve on average 42 million2 meals per school day. And yet, according to the CDC, over 40% of adults and 20% of children are obese. (Not to mention that over 60% of Americans have a food-related chronic disease, despite the $4.3 trillion spend on U.S. healthcare.)

There is ample food being eaten, yet we are severely malnourished. The food is made to taste delicious, but it is, in fact, ultimately poisoning us to death.

Similarly, as you drive through U.S. cities and even small towns, there are churches of every denomination (and non) dotting the main streets. There are big fancy churches, quaint high-steepled chapels, and congregations that meet in converted strip-mall spaces. And yet—even among self-proclaiming “evangelicals”—almost half say that Jesus was a great teacher, but He was not God3. And although a whopping 70% of the U.S. population claims to be “Christian”, only 9% say they have a Biblical worldview, and 58% believe that if a person is good enough or does enough good things, they can earn their way into Heaven.4.

There is ample “faith food” being eaten (online, via podcasts, and in buildings), yet we are severely malnourished. Christians are being served up tasty morsels by pulpit chefs—food that tastes sweet when being consumed but has no Biblical value. We are being bloated with empty calories of cultural lies, while we’re starved of the sustenance of the Gospel—ultimately poisoning us to death.

What about you, friend? What faith food are you consuming? Is it the pure, undefiled Word of God? Or are your itching ears being scratched with Sunday-morning Ted Talks and feel-good gatherings from which you walk away with a confident “I’m-in-control” attitude (2 Timothy 4:3-4)? There is so much delicious spiritual junk food out there. It’s hard today to stand firm on Truth—and it will get harder. But we must (Ephesians 6:10-20).

So, what does a healthy Christian diet consist of, one that nourishes our spirit? Our Bibles have all the right recipes! It’s imperative that believers know God’s Word and its power (Proverbs 30:5; Psalm 119; 2 Timothy 3:16; Hebrews 4:12), so we can recognize the lies (from YouTube and church’s pulpit). We must meet together so we’re not that straggler ripe for the enemy’s attack (Hebrews 10:24-25). We must recognize that all the little-g gods of our life will never fill the God-shaped hole in our soul. And that it’s only through the work of Jesus—not our own—that we are reconciled with God, made righteous in His sight, and have the hope of Heaven (Romans 5; Colossians 1:19-20; Ephesians 2:1-10). And we must daily surrender to the Holy Spirit, acknowledging that we are not, in fact, God (1 Corinthians 2:1-16).

Although there is constant controversy and contradiction in dietary recommendations that can be overwhelming, spiritual nutrition is simple and undisputed: Worship in a church that stands firmly on God’s Word (all of it—no additions or redactions). Read the Bible for yourself, every day. Yield to the Holy Spirit living in you. Stay connected with fellow believers. So, let’s step out in Truth and be nourished.

“Lord, may we walk in Your Truth, being fully satisfied with Your glorious food for our souls.”

For His Glory

Julianne Winkler Smith
TRBC Women’s Life

Leave a Comment

Posted in Faith, Spiritual Growth, Wisdom

« Newer Posts - Older Posts »

Categories