Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | September 2, 2024

Why Unity Is Crucial

“And all who believed were together and had all things in common.”  Acts 2:44 (ESV

Don’t know if your vacation is like ours, but the fridge is the happening place. As our group starts to arrive at our beach destination, the once empty fridge  is filled to overflowing. Community food it’s deemed – whether you brought it or not we share it all.  No this is mine and that is yours. We gladly share because it all belongs to all of us.

Wouldn’t it be absolutely wonderful if our world resembled the same mindset every day. Instead of clinging and claiming our stuff only, we’d be more other focused. Rather than seek what serves us best, we’d have a perspective of what serves us all better.

The followers of Jesus who comprised the early church, did this so well. All who placed their faith and trust in Jesus received the gift of the Holy Spirit. Their lives were forever changed, and what exactly did that look like?

  • The spiritual fruit produced in them was evident to all by their actions towards one another.
  • Their hearts were eager to learn pivotal truths from the word of God.
  • They desired to obey and grow in their faith.
  • Fellowship (community) quickly developed.
  • Believers worshipped together, broke bread together and prayed together.
  • Unity tied the knot and empowered them to live out their faith with one another all for the glory of God.

No “me” agenda defined this group of early followers. Those who had plenty willingly shared with those who were in need (Acts 2:45).  An attitude of thankfulness, gratitude and joy characterized their mindset and was reflected in their actions (Acts 2:47). And the beauty unfolded as they shared and demonstrated their faith with others – day by day souls were saved.

Sweet friends, we could really learn a lot by meditating on, praying over and exemplifying the early church in our world today. Disunity often defines us, especially as we approach an election year. Social media offers anyone a platform; we can choose to glorify self and our personal convictions or we can choose to glorify God and draw others to Him. Satan loves division and “self-focus” rather than “other focus.”  Speaking God’s truth with love, gentleness and grace always serves us and others well. How we love others will either draw them in or drive them away (John 13:34-35).

2024 church how are we doing? Do we eagerly seek out opportunities to gather together to learn, grow and worship together? Is our obedience dependent on what works for us or what God commands? Would we rather do life solo or experience the beauty of fellowship designed by our Creator God? What spiritual fruit is exhibited in our lives and evident to all?

Definitely thought provoking and convicting. Regardless of our answers to the above, we can all choose this day to pattern our lives after the early followers of Jesus. To be completely sold out to loving Him, obeying Him and surrendering our lives to the control of the Holy Spirit.

“Father, when we are tempted to be “self-consumed” remind us that You desire for us to be surrendered to the leading of the Holy Spirit who unifies the body of Christ.”

For His Glory

 

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

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

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | August 30, 2024

Avoiding The Sting of Regret

“My Father is glorified by this; that you produce much fruit and prove to be my disciples.” John 15:8 (HCSB)

Ever found yourself thrust into a pivot place of leadership? Perhaps we never desired nor envisioned this spot. Yet, we found ourselves left in charge because no one else would pick up the mantel. It’s an intimidating place to be, full of possibilities when we are totally out of our comfort zone.

Missing those opportunities to step out of the box have always left me with lots of what ifs and regrets. It is so easy to disqualify ourselves and sit this one out rather than trust the One who orchestrated this chapter of our life. Releasing the possibility of being stretched is comforting in the moment, until we look back and wonder “if only.”

Love the way scripture reminds us that great leaders didn’t always feel qualified to do the job. Love the call on Moses’ life to lead the Israelites into freedom (Exodus 3:11). Thankful for words recorded that reveal his doubts, fears and longing to resist. Compelled by Esther’s courage and strength to rise up and plead for the lives of her people (Esther 4:14). Intrigued with her wisdom, discernment and dependence on God. Challenged by David’s fearless and passionate desire to stand against Goliath who ridiculed his God. Convicted by his respect of a king who sought to take his own life (I Samuel 18:12). Despite who they thought they were not, these and many more chose to seize the opportunity, pick up the mantel and step out into the unknown.

Wonder what God is asking us to do? Is He desiring a season of stretching, depending and trusting that will significantly move us away from comfort? Is He offering us something we never desired or imagined would be possible? Don’t know about you sweet friend, but I don’t want to miss His callings. I don’t want to ignore His voice or excuse away my weaknesses. The land of regret is definitely not my happy place.

So, let’s lean in and linger longer. Tuning our ears to hear His voice takes practice – daily practice. It means quieting our voice so we can hear what He is saying. And then obeying even if it means we don’t feel qualified and we’re swimming in fear. Whatever God asks us to do, He has already equipped us to pursue. Let’s not cherish the land of regret simply because we’re zeroing in on us instead of Him.

“Sweet Jesus, You promise to complete Your work in each of us. Help us to boldly pursue Your calling on our lives and enjoy the thrill of obedience rather than the sting of regret.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

 

 

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Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | August 29, 2024

Train Them Well

feb-23“I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.”  Psalm 32:8 (NIV)

For the mommas out there: do you remember the first time your child climbed on the school bus to make the seemingly longest-trip-ever without you? If you were anything like me, you probably stood there watching your baby climb the steps and find her seat before the bus slowly took off. You tried to be brave enough to not run after that bus screaming for it to stop, while tears streamed down your face. And guess what? Your child was fine! She was not crying or scared because you prepared her for that day, by telling her the positive, fun and rewarding attributes of being in school, which included making new friends.

As I dust off the cobwebs from memories from nearly 30 years ago, I remember my son arriving at home at the end of the day waving a colorful red paper folder.  It would be filled with pictures he had colored at school, numbers he had traced, a personalized bus-shaped tag containing his bus number, to be used each time he climbed on the school bus, and a note from his teacher. He was overjoyed. Ecstatic. And he was absolutely excited about getting back on that school bus and heading back to his classroom, where his desk also displayed his name. I cried again (yes, you bet!). Our minds are so fruitful! From my baby’s report of how his FIRST day of school went, I could already envision his graduation day eighteen years later; my baby, the scholar!

The Lord promises to guide us and to teach us in the way we should go, and we are spurred on to train our children on the right path. If we do that – instruct them, train them in the way they should go – we have positioned them to be all right. And though our physical eyes may not always see where they plant their feet, our hearts will always be connected.

 

“Lord, may we never wander away from Your instruction or from Your path. And Father, please equip us to be good teachers and role models to our children.”

For His Glory

Luska Natali
TRBC Women’s Life

 

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Posted in Encouragement, Spiritual Living, Wisdom

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | August 28, 2024

My Friend, You are Seen & You Are Known

“Then she (Hagar) called the name of the Lord who spoke to her, You-Are-the-God-Who-Sees; for she said, “Have I also here seen Him who sees me?”  Genesis 16:13 (NJKV)

You may have heard of Abraham, the Father of Israel. He was married to Sarah, and Sarah had a slave from Egypt, named Hagar. As the story goes, God promised Abraham a son, an heir to his fortune and one that would bring about the nation of Israel. Abraham and Sarah waited…and waited…and waited. No son came and they were getting older. Sarah came up with a grand plan. She decided she would give Hagar, her slave, to her husband and she would act as a surrogate and have a baby for them. Which is exactly what ended up happening and Hagar did conceive.

After Hagar confirmed she was expecting, that pointed to the fact that Abraham could have children and Sarah could not. Hagar gloated, “looked down on her mistress” (Genesis 16:4 Message) and did not treat Sarah kindly. Sarah complained to Abraham and Abraham told Sarah to do what she wanted with Hagar. Scripture tells us that Sarah retaliated and treated Hagar with harshness. According to the Message, Genesis 16:6 states that, “Sarai was abusive to Hagar and Hagar ran away.”

Let’s pause and take a look at Hagar. She was an Egyptian slave, now living in the land of Canaan. She would have been bought or bartered for. She had no say in her own life. She was forced to sleep with an 84 year old man, and found herself pregnant and being mistreated. She had no power, no status, and nobody in her corner.

Genesis 16:7 states that after Hagar ran away, “The angel of the Lord found Hagar…. The angel said to her, “Hagar, Sarai’s servant, where have you come from and where are you going?”

Notice the angel of God called her by name. He saw her, He knew her despair and pain, and He spoke to her with kindness. Genesis 16:13 tells us that she answered God by name, praying to the God who spoke to her, “You’re the God who sees me! Yes, He saw me, and then I saw Him!”

Hagar was the first person to be visited by an angel, the only person to give God a name, and the first single mom (mentioned in scripture). And God saw her right where she was.

“My Heavenly Father, please help me not to accept the lies of this world, that I am unimportant or not known. Please help me to truly believe that You, The Only True God, created me, sees me, and knows me by name and rest in the fact that You adore me as Your precious creation.”

 

For His Glory

Terrie Tollerson
TRBC Women’s Life

 

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Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Hope

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | August 27, 2024

Losing Heart

“Therefore, we do not lose heart, but though our outer person is decaying, yet our inner person is being renewed day by day. For our momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison, while we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen; for the things which are seen are temporal, but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:16-18

In meditating on these verses from the Apostle Paul in his second letter to the Corinthians, I just love the way it speaks to those of us for whom “outer decay” is a real thing. As my fifth decade marches on (much to my chagrin), it’s actually easier to focus on my daily spiritual renewal—my sanctification journey toward home. When I reluctantly catch my reflection that does not match what my brain thinks I should see, the confident hope of my perfect heavenly body springs up. I can also look around at the utter madness of our clown world, where right is wrong, up is down, and brokenness seems to be the norm, and I know with certainty that all this is temporal. Eternal sin-free bliss awaits for those of us whose Savior and Lord is Jesus.

But in the past 48 hours of writing this, Paul’s words have been twisted for me in a way that—I hope and pray—will further deepen my faith. Especially as I anchor myself in the other promises of God written in His Word. Let me explain.

See, one of the persistent vulnerabilities through my life has been my weight/food/body. Throughout various seasons of the past, oh 40 years, I’ve been obsessed with eating “right” (i.e., to lose weight) and extremely rigid about exercise, and my day can be made or utterly ruined over the number on the scale. No matter what my husband says, my mirrors all shout, “You’re such a cow.” Again, I say all this to be really real.

When I surrendered to Jesus at age 30, He freed me from so much—many things markedly changed immediately, and other transformational refinements happened (and continue to) over time. Including this body dysmorphic, food/exercise idolatry of mine. I have had seasons of rest from this battle—usually when the Lord forces my hand (or a leg) with a reminder that He alone deserves the throne of my life. But the world, my own sinful flesh, and Satan find ways to hiss in my ear about it all…incessantly whispering that the outer-self matters, regardless of one’s inner sanctification or closeness to the Lord. So, like all of us, whatever our distinctive battlefront may be, I fight. I study God’s Word, I stay connected with my church family, and I serve.

But, given a recent (and truly ironic) diagnosis and lifelong pivot I’m facing, I sit here now losing heart. To Paul’s words in 2 Corinthians 4:16, I shake my head in doubt and discouragement. All my efforts to take care of my bodily health—no sugar, no processed foods, no alcohol, no smoking, etc.—have been revealed as irrelevant in many ways. See, my interior is literally decaying. There are immediate, short-term treatments I must do (which have their own additional problems), and then there will be long-term life-altering changes for me (which I cannot wrap my head around right now). Praise the Lord, these are not life-threatening—and I know those same scans could have found cancer but did not…however, in my decades-long battle-of-the-body, this new war zone seems paralyzing. Satan is pointing at my health disciplines with mocking laughter and condemnation. Much like Satan’s words to Eve in the Garden, “Did God really say…?”, as well as his maniacal effort to tempt Jesus in the desert by twisting Scripture (which Jesus wrote!), he’s pointing to God’s promises and hissing, “See, Julianne, God’s lying about your ‘inner person being renewed’—you’re decaying outside and inside! And the verses may say that your affliction is ‘light and momentary’, but you’re in pain now, and the suffering is just going to continue! Ha!” It’s so easy to listen and believe the lies, to give into despair. To lose heart.

So, I’m dragging this into the light. Right now. And, sweet friend, whatever Satan, this broken world, or your own fleshly patterns are dogging you about, join me in the confrontation—drag it into the light too. Let’s take out our Sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God (Ephesians 6:17), and start an offensive attack (I Peter 1:6-7, Romans 5:3-5, Isaiah 43:1-3 and Isaiah 26:3).

“Lord, You are always good, regardless of my circumstances. I cling to Your steadfast promises. I run into the shelter of Your love. And I grab the Truths of Your Word and fight…strengthen me in this battle. “

 For His Glory

Julianne Winkler Smith (encouragedbygrace.org)
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Freedom, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Living, Wisdom

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | August 26, 2024

Thirsty Souls Quenched In His Presence

“O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you; my flesh faints for you, as in a dry and weary land where there is no water.”  Psalm 63:1 (ESV)

While I’m an avid fan of summer,  2024 surpassed my tolerance of hot and humid. It has been the driest summer I remember in a long, long time. Prior to August, I spent my evenings watering thirsty flowers and maneuvering drooping plants into some shade. Probably not the best summer for gardens and tender plants; however, it didn’t stop me from planting a rose bush my mom gave us. Despite my continuous watering, an ugly stump stuck out of the ground  – growth was nowhere in sight.

The effects of our summer drought zapped the moisture right out of the ground leaving the soil, parched and thirsty. Grass crunched. Gardens suffered. Streams dried up. Water levels dropped. No lawn mowing was required. The sea of brown outside my kitchen window left me longing for the plush, green spring grass.

Sound familiar? We’ve probably all experienced seasons of drought in our souls. Moments when we’ve allowed other things to take priority over our relationship with God. Seasons when busy overrides nourishment from His words. Times when gathering with our sisters in Bible Study and prayer fell to the side. Just like the initial effects of a drought go unnoticed, we often fail to realize the impact of minimizing our relationship with God. Nothing else will satisfy like He does. Nothing else refreshes our soul like He does. Nothing else positions us to flourish and grow like He does.

Now, sweet friends, God gives us grace upon grace. He lavishes us with mercy and totally gets it when life demands caregiving, navigating illnesses, work overloads, etc. leave us overwhelmed. God is not about a checklist but rather a relationship. Even in those dry seasons, He draws us to life-sustaining snippets of nourishment. Our God is great at orchestrating exactly what we need at the exact moments we need it the most. A hope-filled card from a friend miles away arrives in the heat of the battle. We get in the car to run another errand and worship music fills the air. We make it to church (late) tired and exhausted only to leave from this place uplifted and strengthened.

God is continuously pursuing us even if we ignore Him – the receiving of daily spiritual watering is up to us to soak it in. Beauty from within and thirsty souls quenched are the byproducts of soaking in His nourishment – igniting our hearts back to a passionate relationship with our God.

The culmination of my efforts to nourish and tend to that ugly stump of a rose bush finally unveiled tiny green leaves that birthed the most beautiful rose. If I had left it to the drought, I would have missed the stunning aroma unfolding right before my eyes. Don’t settle for dry, parched and thirsty. Don’t miss out on the growth God longs to birth in our souls. Intentionally choose to absorb the life-giving transforming daily spiritual water from our God and watch as His beauty unfolds within us.

“Father, we allow ourselves to get so thirsty relying on other things to fill us. Plant within our hearts an unquenchable desire to stay deeply connected to You.”

 

For His Glory

 

Janet Martin

TRBC Women’s Life

 

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Posted in Encouragement, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | August 23, 2024

When Unrealistic Slays Us

“I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I hope.” Psalm 130:5 (ESV)

It wasn’t supposed to look like this – our expectations were totally off. We’d dreamed, planned and could even envision the perfect outcome. We prayed, waited and hoped. But when the moment arrived (the result we had so anticipated), our expectations screamed unrealistic. Discouragement quickly rose to the surface. Disillusionment seized us – did God hear our prayers? Was He truly interested in the desires of our heart?

Let’s be real here, we’ve all experienced moments which fell majorly short of our desired outcome. And it only takes a second of harsh reality seeping in to slay our spirit. The relationship dissolving right before our eyes. The job opportunity we just knew was ours for the taking goes to someone else. The repeat cancer diagnosis after months of laborious treatment. The prodigal taking one step forward and then ten steps back. Yes, disappointment hits us from all angles…unexpected and unwanted. Leaving us filled with “why” and totally consumed inward.

Now sweet friends, we can stay in this mode of disappointment cherishing our hopelessness indefinitely. Or, we can choose to release our agenda, plans and expectations for God’s greater glory. Scripture reminds us His ways our higher and far more grander than any we could ever imagine (Isaiah 55:9). Our limited perspective of best for us doesn’t even come close to the awesome ways He desires to bless our lives. If He closed the door and whispered no then we can count on Him to have our best interest in mind.

So while we simply readjust, wait and lean in close to our Creator, we purposefully choose to extinguish runaway thoughts attempting to sabotage our hope. We surround ourselves with those who speak truth and encouragement over us. We determine in our hearts to remain faithful even in the wake of whys. We claim His promises and draw strength from His words. We actively move forward in obedience keeping in step with the Father who loves us dearly. We examine our dreams and strive to realign our heart with His.

When life doesn’t look the way we intended, we keep our eyes on God and our heart filled with His truth. We wrestle through and never let go trusting in the One who specializes in birthing a greater glory than we could ever imagine.

“Father, when hope flees turn my eyes on You. Discipline my mind to settle for nothing less than Your very best.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

 

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Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Hope, Spiritual Growth

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | August 22, 2024

Being Salt

“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 underfoot.” Matthew 5:13 (NIV)

“Please pass the salt!” This is a very commonly used phrase, as salt is something that people enjoy adding to their food for flavor. As a matter of fact, some people are so addicted to the taste of salt, that they will add it to their food even before ever tasting the food. If a dish does not have just the right amount of salt in it, it will taste bland and somewhat “boring.”

I have met Christians who are just like food that needed a little kick, a little added hint of flavor to make them interesting and engaging… like food that needed salt! I have also met Christians who are so in tune with the Word of God, so in sync with the Holy Spirit, and have so much energy and charisma about them. They have a strong desire to share their faith with other people and no matter what they are doing, who they are with, or where they find themselves, they are always witnessing to others. Those are the people who are truly following the words of Jesus during His Sermon on the Mount, when He sat down with the people and taught them how they should live being salt and light.

Jesus used the analogy of salt to let people know how important salt can be to life. According to research, there are several benefits to the consumption of salt. It promotes insulin sensitivity and good digestion, improves metabolism, supports thyroid function, reduces stress hormones, helps with overall hormone balance and is a natural antihistamine. Sounds like life to me!

In everything I do, I try to keep in mind that if I do it as unto the Lord, I will strive to always do better. I don’t want to be compared to tasteless salt; the salt that is only good to be thrown away because it has quit serving its purpose. I hope that next time we are at the dinner table and we hear someone asking for the salt, instead of being offended that they want to add more salt to their food, we will be reminded that we have the opportunity to be like salt ourselves, adding flavor to the lives of others.

“Dear Jesus, Thank You for creating us to bring taste to a world that needs You.”

For His Glory

Luska Natali
TRBC Women’s Life

 

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Posted in Encouragement, Hope, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | August 21, 2024

Best Promise Ever

“Behold, I (God) establish my covenant with you (Noah) and your offspring after you, and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the livestock, and every beast of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark; it is for every beast of the earth.” Genesis 9:9-10 (ESV)

I’ve often wondered what it must have been like to rock in a big boat rain pouring down that they’d never seen before. Probably was scary to hear the screams of those drowning and the waters rising. Can’t say I haven’t tried to figure out what it was like with all those animals sharing a confined space. I imagine it got pretty loud, smelly and bothersome at times. Dare I mention my thoughts of needing solitude amongst so many. And where was God in the midst of this all – over 40 days of pure silence. Regardless of the challenges, cramped quarters, questions and doubts rising to the surface, Noah and his family were safe.

Love the way God sends the wind and dries up the earth. At just the right moment, He finally speaks, “Go out of the ark.” Don’t know about you but my feet would have been moving fast. Fresh air never felt so good. Bright skies were never sunnier. Firm land felt good to shaky feet. Yet Noah didn’t absorb the beauty around him without first building an altar to his God. “The Lord smelled a soothing aroma” – words pouring out of scripture for Noah’s sweet offering.

Despite my fascination and intrigue gotta admit my fave part of this amazing truth. Wonder what it was like gazing up in wonder as God splashed vibrant colors across the sky – first rainbow ever. Promises from God of a perfect covenant. Never again would there be a flood to destroy the whole earth, His people and every living creature. A promise we still see filling up the sky. A promise we can cling to even in the midst of our own drenching downpours. A covenant that extended from Noah to us.

Sweet reminder – our God is the keeper of His words. What He promises He will fulfill. What He says will happen. What He claims will come to pass. Jesus, the Son of God, is exactly like His Father. When He promised to come back for us, He meant it every word. He’s preparing a place for those who put their faith and trust in Him. A promise we can count on even on our hardest days.

“Father, life in this world never seems to get easier, so we cling to Your words that one day we will live with You forever – what a glorious day!”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Gratitude, Hope

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | August 20, 2024

Walking Along With Them

“They said to one another, “Were our hearts not burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?” Luke 24:32

It happened to me again. And if you are an enthusiast of God’s Word, I’m confident that it’s been your experience as well. You know, you’re reading a Bible event—verses you’ve studied once or 20 times before—only to have the Holy Spirit open your eyes to something completely new. This is what happened for me while going through Luke 24:13-35. It’s the account of post-resurrection Jesus appearing to two of His disciples as they were on the road to Emmaus, a town about seven miles from Jerusalem. He just shows up walking near them and casually asks what they’re talking about. He didn’t allow them to recognize Him at first but let them talk about what their experience had been, their perspective on things, and why they were upset.

These guys, you’ll read, were followers of Jesus, part of His Disciple Group. They were likely among one of the more inner circles, too, because earlier in the day they’d been with the “11 and those who were with them” when some of the women ran in reporting that Jesus had risen. They’d even stuck around to hear from Peter upon his return from the empty tomb with John. Yet, whether they couldn’t believe it, or they were just too upset to stick around to see what happened, they decided to walk away…things hadn’t turned out the way they hoped, so they were outta there.

Now, studying this pivotal event, we typically examine it in terms of (a) another proof-by-witness that Jesus was, fact, resurrected from the dead, and (b) how all the Old Testament Scriptures, “beginning with Moses and with all the Prophets”, are all about Jesus (this is what Jesus explained to them while strolling alongside them). Then, of course, we love how when they get to dinner and are reclined at the table, and Jesus blessed and broke the bread…and bam! They recognize Him and He vanishes.

Ah, but here’s what the Holy Spirit revealed anew to me: The guys were walking away from Jerusalem (and their fellow believers) when they encountered the Lord. They were sad and disappointed in their experience, expectations unmet. And you know what? Jesus walked with them even as they were walking the wrong direction! He met them right in their hurt and pain. He asked questions. He listened. Then He shared Truth with them—the hope, grace, and love of God—and how Jesus is who the Bible says He is. And this conversation continued still as they kept walking their own way. Remember, they still didn’t recognize Jesus at that point…but they liked this “random guy” after talking with him for a couple of hours, so they invited Him to stay with them because it was getting late. It was then that Jesus revealed Himself to them, their eyes were opened, He disappeared, and they ran back to Jerusalem.

As believers, we are called to share the good news of the Gospel. But, friend, we must meet people right where they are—even if they’re walking in the wrong direction at the moment. We listen to their hurt, disappointment, unmet expectations. How the pursuits of this world are unfulfilling and exhausting. And we share with them something better—Christ. We love them, care for them, hear them, and share the Truth. Then, as with the two guys on their way to Emmaus, we watch in joy as Jesus reveals Himself to them (1 Corinthians 3:6-9). And then we celebrate with them as they change direction and run toward Home.

“Lord, may I see lost people the way You see them—as image-bearers of God, blinded and heart-hardened by sin, this world, and our enemy. May I meet them where they are, accompany them on the road, and help them take their next step toward You.”

For His Glory

Julianne Winkler Smith
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Faith, Hope

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