Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | January 31, 2025

When The Answer To Why Isn’t Enough

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3 (ESV)

As children “whys” seemed huge as we grasped for a reply. Any answer would do; we just wanted to be heard and understood to know there was some explanation for what our minds couldn’t wrap themselves around. And we would relentlessly ask the same question until someone gave voice to our search.

Not quite so simple as adults. Our whys are really huge, and we won’t settle for just any reply. We want truth even if the depth of it drowns us. And sometimes what we didn’t want to hear does drench us head to toe.

Ever been there when totally comprehending the why just isn’t enough? Believing something else seems better, prettier, softer, and easier to manage. Accepting the illusion is more comforting and less exhausting. We don’t want the truth, yet reality keeps stealing away our dream, and the answered why unveils a darkness we never dreamed.

So what’s a girl to do when the answer to why isn’t enough? Won’t deny there may be tears, frustration or denial; normal responses to hard places. Our God is big enough to handle all our emotions. Yet it won’t excuse away the chaos that may follow. Our God is big enough to handle all the drama. He understands our longing for a different chapter and a happy ending. Yet, despite what we want, He allows the unthinkables to touch our lives.

In those moments when the truth is more than we can take, we learn to treasure deep His abiding presence. We sit in silence knowing that He hears our heartbeat and feels our heartaches. We drench the pages of our worn out Bibles with fresh tears and cling to His promises. We trust what God has allowed and steward what He has entrusted to us. For His glory alone, we release the brokenness and allow God to use it to make us more like Him. And one day, we will meet someone else whose answers to why are more than they can bear. Arm in arm, prayer by prayer, truth by truth we will walk them through reminding them that God’s faithfulness always supersedes the answers to why.

“Father, Your light shines brightest in our darkest moments – teach us to trust in You alone and not our circumstances.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

 

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Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Hope, Spiritual Growth

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | January 30, 2025

Time Out -The Ego Fight

“Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.” Proverbs 12:18 (NIV)

If you have siblings, you’ve probably engaged in a word fight with them at some point. When children fight, they go back and forth saying things to one another until one of them tires and the fight ends, though sometimes someone will be crying inconsolably because she ended up in the losing end of the fight.

Sometimes, we adults engage in word fights with one another as well. The big difference between children’s arguments and adults’ arguments, however, is that we seem to find strength in digging up dirt that we know will place the other person in a defensive position and often coward away. Imagine two cats fighting and hissing at each other. That is all fine and dandy; until one of them decides to get its claws out and scratch her opponent right in the eye.

Some people will, during an altercation, use the very things they know about, which have caused the other a lot of pain and hurt.  They will vomit them out in a way to make it sound like that person deserved all the suffering she has gone through in life, even knowing it has taken a long while for that person to heal.

Now, that is simply evil, wouldn’t you agree? But that stuff does happen. People do those things out of spite in the heat of the moment and do not even blink between sentences.  When they are done, the other person is broken, depressed and vulnerable all over again.

Let us ask the Holy Spirit to guard our mouths and our hearts against hurting someone in such a manner. Words can be tough and once they are out, they cannot be taken back.

It is best, during a heated discussion, to take a “me break” and go find a spot where we can regroup.  Let’s talk to the Holy Father and ask for discernment about how to deal with the situation, hopefully, to encourage and edify instead of tearing down.

 

“Dear Lord, we are human, and we do things we come to regret. Please help us to not hurt others out of spite when our ego feels poked.”

 

For His Glory
 

Luska Natali
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Encouragement, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | January 29, 2025

Do Our Thoughts Matter?

Here we are at the end of January and so many of us wanted to have a new year, a new you, a new beginning, a new anything…!!!!  We wanted the chance to start over or try again, but we just find ourselves doing the same thing over and over without any real changes. We are a month in, and can you honestly say what has changed?  Can you see what you are doing differently? It is not lost on me that there are only 11 months left of this year, and I need to get moving. But what am I moving toward? I  can get frustrated and overwhelmed and then I end up staying the same and another year goes by. Let’s not allow that to happen in 2025. How can we really change then?

As always, there’s a verse for that:)

Romans 12:2(NIV)  tells us, “ Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but  be transformed by the renewing of your mind…”

There it is-the key that we are looking for! We need to allow God to use His power to change us through our thought life. Not only to change it or just use willpower to think positive thoughts, but to truly renew or transform our thoughts.  That we will not think as we did before. Verse 2 continues, “Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—His good, pleasing and perfect will.”

This is more than just thinking positive thoughts.

This is a picture of the caterpillar who goes into the cocoon and while he is there, he is changed. Not because of anything the caterpillar did, but because of the way God designed the cocoon. Being transformed is going into our cocoon of prayer, Bible study, worship, meditating on Who He is, and allowing God to change us, to transform us. As our insides are changed, others will notice it from the outside, just as we see the caterpillar is no longer a caterpillar, but a beautiful butterfly. As Moses looked after he spent time with The Almighty, our outside will show it and be a testimony to others to “prove” Who He is. (Exodus 34:29-30)

Whatever area you are wanting to change or move forward in, God can renew our minds when we allow Him to, and we choose to spend our time in the cocoon with Him.

“Lord, help us depend on You and Your strength to renew our minds. Please keep us from falling back into patterns of this world, but let our thoughts align with Yours.”

For His Glory

Terrie Tollerson
TRBC Women’s Life

 

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Posted in Encouragement, Hope, Spiritual Growth, Wisdom

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | January 28, 2025

Justice Is Served

“(The Lord) will judge the world with righteousness and the peoples with fairness.”  Psalm 98:9

There’s a lot of talk these days about justice…and pardons. In fact, until recent months (and days) the concept of pardoning probably didn’t cross our minds. Then, rather suddenly, they’re flying around like those old Oprah days when she had her big giveaway shows: “You get a pardon! And you get a pardon! And you get a pardon!” (And I won’t even go into that whole “pre-emptive pardon”—how is that even a thing?)

Before I digress, let’s establish some legal definitions in order to get to some spiritual implications.

  1. Justice: “The ethical, philosophical idea that people are to be treated impartially, fairly, properly, and reasonably by the law and by arbiters of the law.” Another simple explanation is “getting what one deserves.”
  2. Pardon: “To use the executive power of a Governor or President to forgive a person convicted of a crime, thus removing any remaining penalties or punishments and preventing any new prosecution of the person for the crime for which the pardon was given. A pardon strikes the conviction from the books as if it had never occurred, and the convicted person is treated as innocent.”

We all pine for justice, don’t we? When we witness a person, group, or even community of people being mistreated or victimized, something rises up within us—payment must be made, the wrong made right! (This is especially if we’re the one who was wronged.) We stand firm on our sense of righteousness, and shout, “That person/group/government” has fallen short!”

Ah, but this is where things get tricky when we shift our perspective to the heavenlies. See, the only reason we—or anyone in the world—has any sense of moral “right” or “wrong” is because God instilled it in us (Romans 1:19-20). We want to see justice because God is just—His perfect, holy righteousness is the ultimate standard (Deuteronomy 32:3-4). Yup…He is just. And we all fall short (Romans 3:23). One little lie or angry thought toward another….mark missed. So, what happens when we cannot meet the righteous requirements of our perfect and Holy God? Well, there is the penalty of His wrath to be paid (Romans 1:18; Romans 2:5). Uh oh. Is “justice” what we really want now?

God is just, we’re easily convicted, and the sentence is definitive. But praise God that He is also merciful! Jesus has stepped up to the Judge’s proverbial bench and said, “I will take the punishment (your name here) deserves.” And He did. Jesus came to earth, fully God and fully man, to live a perfect, sinless life we could not and take the wrath meant for us. Then, He rose victorious over sin and death.

And, friend, guess what we get when we accept for ourselves what Jesus did on the cross? A pardon! Look at the elements of the legal definition again: 1) a person convicted of a crime is forgiven (Ephesians 1:7); 2) any penalties or punishments are removed (Psalm 103:10-12); 3) any new prosecution is prevented (John 10:27-30); and 4) (this is the best, most amazing part) the conviction is stricken from the books as if it had never occurred, and the convicted person is treated as innocent (2 Corinthians 5:21). The church word for this is actually “justification”—we are made righteous by the blood of Jesus, so that God upon His Judgment seat looks upon us as completely innocent…as if we’ve never sinned at all (Romans 3:21-26).

Someday soon, you’ll likely find yourself in a political conversation about those recent pardons—around which there is much vitriol one way or another. So, join the discussion! Share how you are a BIG FAN of pardons…then tell them the story of your own.

“Lord, thank You for your grace and compassion. And thank You, Jesus, for being the Just and the Justifier.”

For His Glory

Julianne Winkler Smith
TRBC Women’s Life

 

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Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Hope, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | January 27, 2025

Why Watching Our Step Is Critical

“The one whose walk is blameless is kept safe, but the one whose ways are perverse will fall into the pit.” Proverbs 28:18 ESV)

“Watch your step.”  How many times have I heard those words this winter? The snow and ice mix we had earlier this month made for some tricky commutes and slippery walks across parking lots. Even I uttered those words to my nephew, who is recovering from a serious car accident.  He’s a huge fall risk navigating a walker without being able to put much weight on either foot. And then there’s my mom who shuffles her precious feet across the floor with cane in hand. Yes, no one wants to fall regardless of their age.

Falling is one of the most common accidents that cause a loss in the quality of life for older adults. Believe it or not,  some of us are in that category.  So what’s the main culprit? Carelessness, obstacles in our path, distractions, weak muscles, etc. are all at the top of the list. Most of which could be prevented with a little intentional intervention.

You may be wondering why all this talk about falling? Well, sweet friends, we all fall. Now we may not hit the ground literally, but we’ve all fallen spiritually. We live in a broken world with broken people and no matter how hard we try, God’s word reminds us none are righteous (Romans 3:11). We miss the mark daily  – we fall short of God’s design (Romans 3:23). Repetitive sin makes us unstable, and it’s amazing how the same obstacles keep tripping us up time and time again.

To prevent physical falls, we must identify the cause and create strategies to avoid another unwanted hit to the floor. We often need the assistance of others or at least walkers and canes to stabilize us. To prevent spiritual falls, we must do the same. By identifying those repetitive temptations and sins, we can with God’s help develop strategies to eliminate their occurrence. And we, too, need assistance – the Holy Spirit strengthening us and godly counsel to keep us stable and free from stumbling.

Confession isn’t optional when we unveil the source of our falls, and our gracious God stands with open arms full of mercy offering us forgiveness. Accountability is critical if we want to avoid the devastating effects of stumbling in the darkness. We need those who will walk alongside us, cautioning us (watch your step) when we entertain another fall. We need those who will speak truth over us and share their faith journey so together we can be victorious over the attacks of our enemy.

Bottom line – falling is no fun whether it’s physically or spiritually. Both involve pain and healing. So if we find ourselves face planted to the ground with sin crouching at our door, let’s take the way of escape (I Corinthians 10:13).  Let’s purposefully choose to stay clear of any obstacle in our path and strategically determine that 2025 is the year we avoid the devastating consequences of another fall. Our God is our ever present help committed to positioning us for His best if we choose to heed His voice and follow after His heart.

“Father, clear our pathways so we can avoid stumbling into darkness. Remind us that prayer and the power of Your word are our greatest weapons against the enemy’s attacks. We can be victorious if we cling to and obey Your truth.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Encouragement, Freedom, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | January 24, 2025

Creating Space

“So then, there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God, for whoever has entered God’s rest has also rested from his works as God did from his.” Hebrews 4:9-10 (ESV)

Us Martins are terrible packers. Going on a road trip looks more like we are leaving home forever. By the time we pack for every conceivable weather condition, the car is begging for relief. Then we squeeze one more little thing in that tiny little space and slam the trunk shut before something falls out. Now we’re ready to go and attempt to enjoy our vacation.

Some days feel like a road trip even if we’re still at home. We load up our schedules with every possible event. We attempt to accomplish everything on our list. Prioritizing goes out the window as distractions surface. And at the end of the work day, we squeeze in just one more thing and pray we don’t have a heart attack. Exhaustion and anxiousness follow closely behind us. The important things we really needed to do somehow got shuffled to the bottom of our list. And as we sit around the dinner table irritability, frustration and weariness spill over into our plate. The edge of night finds us lying across the bed still dressed and makeup on drifting off to sleep.

Tomorrow always arrives sooner than we think. And the repeat of yesterday’s cramming will eventually zap us of wisdom, patience and peace. Juggling priorities isn’t an easy task. Saying no takes courage and sacrifice. Laying down our burdens and accepting what God wants us to accomplish requires discipline and submission. But the reward far outweighs the thrill and challenge of busy.

Instead of squeezing one more thing into our day, perhaps we could release some things and enjoy the space. Our souls would be refreshed and those around us would be blessed in the absence of our weary.

“Father, show us what is truly important and help us release our schedules into Your hands.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Encouragement, Freedom, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | January 23, 2025

A Life Redeemed

“The book of the genealogy of Jesus Christ, the Son of David, the Son of Abraham:”
Matthew 1:1 (ESV)

Have you ever come across the chapters in the Bible with the genealogies and read that 40 verse chapter in 10.2 seconds because you are doing nothing more than scanning?  This morning when I started Matthew chapter 1, I thought about it, but I began to read it more slowly and think a bit more about it.  When I read David’s name it made me think about his life.  The life of David, the greatest King in Israel’s history, a man after God’s own heart, could be summed up with two names:  Bathsheba and Goliath.  The greatest victory in David’s life, of course, was when he killed Goliath.  Not one man in the Israeli army could be found who was willing to face off with this 9’ – 6” wall of muscle except for young David who loaded his sling and Goliath fell.  But then on the other side of the coin there was Bathsheba.  Bathsheba, the wife of Uriah, and David slept together and conceived a child.  David attempted to cover up this sin, and ultimately had Uriah sent into a battle that killed him.

Amazing as all this was, David made it into the most exclusive family tree in history.  When Jesus walked on the earth, He was called the “Son of David.”  David’s name was redeemed, despite his shortcomings.  David did suffer the consequences of his sin, but God brought the good out of the bad. And you know what I thought about; He will do the same thing for us!

“Lord, thank you for looking beyond my shortcomings and being willing to use even me.  Allow me to be used even today by YOU, so that I can be a light to this dark world.”
For His Glory

Melissa Tucker
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Hope, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | January 22, 2025

In The Words of Dr. Seuss….

Dr. Seuss said it…do we believe it? Should we want to steer ourselves in any direction we choose?!

Let’s break it down-

Whoever is doing the steering is going to be the driver, the one who determines the destination.

It depends on who is at the wheel where you are heading.

Are you heading the right direction?

Do you need a course correction?

Maybe it is because of the one who is the one steering you-

whether you or someone else?

Carrie Underwood belts out, “Jesus take the wheel…” implying she had it,  but she is ready to pass it on to Him.

Do we even want Jesus to take the wheel from us?

We have a decision to make.

What if  we  decide we want Jesus to drive, to lead, to be in control.

What does that look like on a day to day basis?

 How do we really hand the keys over and let Him?

How about this?

We have brains in our head

We have feet in our shoes

We can let Jesus steer us any direction He choose(s)!

How do we consistently hand the keys over to Him each day or even each moment?

Proverbs 3:5-6 states: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding.

Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take.”

 

King Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived, reminded us not to listen to ourselves, but to seek Him and trust He will steer us right every time. We can count on Him. We only need to surrender our will to His, knowing and trusting that His plans are far greater than anything we could even imagine!

 

“Lord, please help me to give you the keys and trust your plan for me each day.”

 

Each day I hand God the keys

And I beg and I say Please,

Lord Jesus, lead me, guide me,

Direct me, and help me to see

That no matter how hard to believe,

I know Your ways are always best for me.

For His Glory

Terrie Tollerson
TRBC Women’s Life

 

 

 

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Posted in Encouragement, Spiritual Growth, Success, Wisdom

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | January 21, 2025

Go To Extremes

“And if your hand or your foot is causing you to sin, cut it off and throw it away from you; it is better for you to enter life maimed or without a foot, than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into the eternal fire. And if your eye is causing you to sin, tear it out and throw it away from you. It is better for you to enter life with one eye, than to have two eyes and be thrown into the fiery hell” Matthew 18:8-9

Before I get started, I want to be absolutely clear: Salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone—“not by works so that no one may boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9). We do not earn our right relationship with God; it is a gift. Once justified (that is, having our penalty for sin paid in full by Jesus), we do work—we make an effort to be holy as Christ is holy (1 Peter 1:13-16). The entire New Testament is our manual for righteous living as ambassadors of Jesus and citizens of Heaven. This is sanctification, and we’re on this path until we’re glorified at death or when Jesus comes back.

OK, now that we’ve got all that straight, let’s talk about righteous living. Friend, whether we’ve been saved for 50 years or 5 minutes, the rest of our lives will be a battle against sin. Although we’re made new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17) and we’ve got the Holy Spirit living in us, we’ve got our pesky flesh to contend with. Oh, and the world system, which is undeniably upside down and pummeling us from every media angle. Then there’s the enemy of our soul, Satan, who prowls around us, hissing lies and condemnation in our ears, wanting only to kill, steal, and destroy us (John 10:10). Fun times.

That’s why the God-inspired epistle writers give us lots of advice…we must put on the armor of God (Ephesians 6:10-18). We renew our mind (verse). We give thanks and keep our minds focused on Godly things (Philippians 4:4-9). I could go on and on at all the positive things to do, as we’re directed in the Bible.

And, although we are told to stand firm on our faith and the Truth of Jesus, there are also ample exhortations to flee—to do what it takes to simply get out of the proverbial trap you may be in (or just inching toward). We’re to flee from false teachers and the love of money (1 Timothy 6:3-16). We must flee youthful desires (2 Timothy 2:22). We also have to flee from sexual immorality (1 Corinthians 6:18) and idolatry (1 Corinthians 10:14). That’s a lot of running! (Too bad it doesn’t count toward our daily step count.)

Jesus Himself is also very clear about doing whatever it takes for the sake of righteous living. Once in Mark’s gospel (9:43-48) and twice in Matthew’s (5:27-30; 18:8-9), Jesus uses intense hyperbole to warn His listeners that if, for example, your hand is causing you to sin, cut it off. Same with your eye. The point is not to literally cut off your hand or pluck out your eye, but rather to go to extremes for purity. What would be our modern equivalents? Does your computer entice you to visit porn sites? Get rid of it. (Or at least add some serious firewalls that only allow for the most basic of searches.) Spending hours every day scrolling your socials only to go down black holes of comparison, self-beratement, or social/political vitriol? Close your accounts. Hanging out with buddies who lure you to go to your pre-Jesus haunts and do pre-Jesus activities? Or maybe your friend group just loves juicy gossip sessions whenever you’re all together. Stop hanging out with those people. Full transparency here: If you’re obsessed with body image, and your day is either “OK” or “ruined” by a digital reading, throw out your scale.

Although we all have different sin temptations, there are no “levels” of sin in God’s economy. From porn to drunkenness to gossip to idolatry to lies—it’s all an equal playing field of sin. So, beloved, let’s do some serious soul-searching about where we stand on temptation. From what do you need to flee? And where in your life do you need to go to extremes for righteousness?

“Lord, search me and know my heart. Reveal to me my idolatry, immorality, impurity—and show me what to do to fully surrender it all to You.”

For His Glory

Julianne Winkler Smith
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Living, Wisdom

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | January 20, 2025

When Stretched Reveals His Glory

“And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.” 2 Corinthians 3:18 (ESV)

Runners, football players, tennis stars, ballerinas, and vocalists all share one thing in common – the importance of warmup and stretching.  You got it – all kinds of deep reaches yet gently invigorating those muscles we need to perform. Glimpsed these awkward moves the other night as football players hit the field and began their routine of prep for the big game.   Whether its arms extending into the air or soft tones resonating in our throat, the benefits of warmup are essential preparation for all those who want to shine in the main event.

While I’m not hitting the courts of the Australian Open or singing at Carnegie Hall, preparation is still crucial.  Every day, I move closer to the main event – the moment I step into eternity and meet my Jesus face to face.  All my days in-betweens from the day I invited Jesus into my life to my final breath on this earth are stretching and preparing me for the day He calls me home.

What does stretching look like in the life of a Jesus follower?

  • Leaning in deep to what we believe when doubts surround us
  • Taking small steps of faith when we don’t know what to do or where God is leading.
  • Trusting in the promises of God instead of placing our trust in the visible, tangible things of this world.
  • Laboring in prayer rather than manipulating circumstances to get what we want.
  • Unapplauded serving when we desire a different path.
  • Steady, consistent time in God’s word even when distractions and busyness entice us.
  • Welcoming hard lessons instead of seeking a quick fix.
  • Obeying instead of delaying.
  • Choosing surrender over demanding our way.
  • Inviting accountability instead of avoiding our blind spots.
  • Giving generously to others

Whoever thought stretching was optional totally missed the mark.  Athletes need stretching to warm up muscles and prevent injury, and we sweet friends are no different when it comes to stretching our faith.

When we embrace the sanctifying process, the transforming of the old us into the reflection of our God, stretching is part of the plan.   We need spiritual stretching to lay a strong foundation to  navigate through life on this earth.  God ordained stretching postures us for victory over sin and the enemy’s attacks. Biblical stretching builds spiritual resilience and perseverance –  destined to glorify God with heart, soul, mind and strength.

While most resolutions are centered around improving health (which is a good pursuit), let’s zero in on 2025 as the year we welcomed and embraced God’s spiritual stretching.  Let’s not look for a way out but a way through. Leaning, reaching and stretching toward the One who created us in His own image will serve us well.

“Father as we move into 2025, help us to cooperate with Your work in us.  Guide us through the hard places so we will truly radiate Your glory shining in us.”

 

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Living

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