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

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | August 19, 2024

When Roles Are Reversed

“And being in torment in Hades, he looked up and saw Abraham, a long way off, with Lazarus at his side.” Luke 16:23 (ESV)

Money wasn’t an issue – he had the best of anything he could have ever wanted. Doing without didn’t even enter his line of thinking. Spoiled and living it up was more attuned to his lifestyle. Never missed a meal – always indulging in the most delicious food. Clothed in the finest purple and linen. Rich, extravagant and totally unaware of the needs surrounding him.

Begging for just a crumb from the Rich Man’s table is where you find Lazarus. Stomach empty and probably aching. Head throbbing and covered in sores. Humility long gone as dogs licked his sores. Dirty, smelly clothes tattered and worn day after day. Poor, needy and totally aware of those around him.

Jesus speaks this parable to a captive audience (Luke 16:19). Teaching them the appearance of happiness, success and riches in this world doesn’t equate to the eternal joy of living in His presence. Enlightening them to the proper attitude toward wealth. Demonstrating how quickly roles can be reversed. One who was never without, never in desperation finds himself in torment begging for relief. Where is the one who begged outside his gates? Lazarus is enjoying the bounty, freedom and beauty of Heaven. Totally healed – all pain and sorrow erased. Full to overflowing – never again in need.

Rich or poor – we will one day face eternity. Our wealth or lack of will not decide our fate. Our status will hold no influence; there’s no favoritism with God. The good we did on this earth isn’t enough to secure our place. Who was in our tribe won’t dictate our future. Only those who place their trust and faith in the Lord Jesus Christ will experience life everlasting. The old will pass away; all things will become new. Our future will be sealed…..roles will be reversed…..the first will be last and the last will be first. God’s divine order will reign, and we who believe in Him will spend eternity with our Savior.

Sweet friend put your faith in the One who sent His Only Son to this darkened world so we could one day live with Him forever. No one knows the hour…no one knows the day when our life on this earth will end – don’t excuse away God’s invitation. It’s the most important decision you will ever make – choose well.

“Father, we eagerly anticipate Your return, we long for Your presence and dream of the moment we will finally see You face to face.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

 

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Posted in Faith, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | August 16, 2024

When Wait Invites Disappointment

“Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long.” Psalm 25:5 (ESV)

For months, our living room was bare – no sofa, no place to sit. We gave our old sectional away and went in pursuit of a replacement. When we finally found “the one,” we were anxious to get the order placed. Problem was it would take several weeks to get it. No problem we thought, we can make do with no furniture. And then COVID happened, manufacturers were closed and our furniture was on permanent hold.

Four months later, the long anticipated delivery was on its way to our house. The delivery team was professional, courteous and carefully assembled our furniture. And that’s when we noticed two pieces of the sectional weren’t correct. Luckily, they let us keep the sofa while we waited for the manufacturer to correct the error.

Nothing drowns out our excitement and joy more than realizing what we’ve been waiting for turns out to not be quite what we expected. We’ve all probably experienced those moments of letdown, disappointment and frustration. And if we’re not careful, we can zero in on what didn’t happen and forget God’s goodness sprinkled over a lifetime of His faithfulness to us.

During my single parenting years, I often felt overlooked, misplaced and lacking. The life I had dreamed of didn’t happen, and the things I never wanted to happen loomed large. Prayer time was strained on many occasions because my focus drifted from what God was graciously providing to what I felt He wasn’t giving me. My waiting for the long anticipated happy ending was too far in the distance.

Sweet friends, I’m so glad my perspective evolved, and I learned to trust in God’s timing and His provision. What seems like an endless wait in our eyes is simply seconds in view of God’s timetable. Those years of waiting, trusting and at times doubting and giving up weren’t wasted. God orchestrated deep lessons in my wait and purified my motives and desires ultimately aligning me to His will. And He will do the same for you.

The unexpected will always catch us off guard and seek to deflate our joy. If we remember God’s track record of loving us deeply and doing what is best, then we won’t allow disappointments to thrust us into manipulating our own perceived happy endings. We will be satisfied in Him. We will trust Him. We will claim His promises when our waits overextend. We will patiently pursue Him and obey His commands not because of what we will receive but because of His deep love for us.

“Father, You will never disappoint those who put their faith and trust in You alone. Thank You for teaching us to wait on Your leading and guidance for our lives.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

 

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Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Hope

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | August 15, 2024

When The Going Gets Tough – Stick To Your Faith

sept 8“But Ruth replied, ‘Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely, if anything but death separates you and me’.” Ruth 1:16-17 (NIV)

When all you have is stripped from you, like Naomi, it’s easy to turn bitter and think God has forgotten you or has decided to punish you. After losing her husband and two sons, Naomi left the country of Moab and returned to her people. She had two Moabite daughters-in-law, and she told them to go back to their people. One of the daughters-in-law, Ruth, saw Naomi as her own family.  She wasn’t about to leave her; Ruth was going to be stuck on her like a Band-Aid.

Today a lot of things are disposable and the things that used to be valued are mere trial-and-error opportunities. If Naomi lived today chances are her daughters-in-law wouldn’t consider following her to the next town. Women are often abandoned by husbands who vowed to love and protect them, children are left in orphanages by their parents and the love that once seemed to be stronger than death simply disappears.  Too often, we are no longer setting our roots on the Rock, on the One who can help us, but rather on utopian realities that do nothing but devastate our faith. If we wish to be blessed like Ruth, we must deny self and follow after God regardless the cost.

 “Father, one young woman with such a strong faith and love that allowed her to leave father and mother and follow her mother-in-law to a new country shows us that You honor our faithfulness. Please help us to have faith like Ruth.”

For His Glory

Luska Natali
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Faith, Spiritual Living, Success, Wisdom

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | August 14, 2024

Best Conversation We’ll Ever Have

“But as for me, my prayer is to you, O LORD. At an acceptable time, O God, in the abundance of your steadfast love answer me in your saving faithfulness.” Psalm 69:13 (ESV)

The list seems endless. The requests repetitive, and it often feels like they evaporate into thin air. Whispered needs. Shouts of desperation. Simple daily wonderings looking deep for answers. Searching in hope for the One who moves heaven and earth at the very sound of His voice.

Don’t know if you are like me but prayer can feel complicated sometimes. Am I asking for the right things? Am I using the right words? Prayer also seems empty on days when we are looking more for the answer than for the One who holds it all together. You’ve probably been there too when no audible words echoed from empty lips – the silence of our souls unable and unaware of what to say or ask.

Absolutely love the fact that prayer is simply God’s invitation for ongoing conversation. So grateful for the way our God is completely in tune with us. Things we can’t put voice to He already knows. Requests not aligned with His will – God totally trumps. Lists we’ve brought to Him for years and years, He gladly welcomes one more time. Our sovereign God is fully capable of orchestrating and solving the most complex or simplistic issues in His timing. And the sweetest part is we grow deeper and deeper in love with the One we talk to every day.

I’m just crazy about my God and His unending faithfulness to me and those I love. Right in the midst of lots of requests the other day, I found myself squeezing in more and more gratitude, remembrances and reflections on how He has always been actively working in and through my life. Lots of little things I was tempted to just attribute to self-accomplishment rather than praise my God. And the more I channeled my thoughts toward God’s unending love, the more I cherished His goodness. Yes, there have been lots of waits and no’s characterizing this journey. Yes, there have been multitudes of motives that needed to be realigned to match His. And I’m sure there were moments when God wasn’t the One I sought, yet He sought me.

Complicated? Yes, I am complicated, but prayer really isn’t. The One who formed me in my mother’s womb created my voice and heart to seek after Him. And when I simply come to God with endless lists, repeat requests and lingering doubts, He invites me to draw close.

“Father, the best conversation of my day is the one I have with You. Blessed to enjoy the sweetness of Your presence.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

 

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Posted in Prayer

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | August 13, 2024

War And Peace. And War

“Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:1

My church is in a series on spiritual warfare. If you have ever studied the armor of God and examined the schemes of the enemy—either individually or as a church body—you’ll understand what I’m about to say. This pursuit is akin to poking a bear. Or kicking a ferocious lion, which is actually a better analogy per 1 Peter 5:8. In speaking with my church fam, this ramped-up battle with Satan (the accuser) is clearly evident. People are being pummeled—psychologically, emotionally, physically—all as a result of this spiritual war we are in as followers of Jesus Christ (who is the devil’s real enemy). See, Satan hates God. God loves us. Ergo, Satan hates us.

But let’s back up for a minute (or millennia) to address the first war we, as humans, are part of: our war with God. It’s right here where we could open our Bibles to Genesis 3 when Satan slithered into the Garden and lied to Adam and Eve. We can then read straight through to the gospel accounts of Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection to get the full story of this war—what God required for peace, and how we humans constantly went from wanting God and His way to “No thanks, God, we got this” and back and forth and back and forth. It was only when (unlike every other world religion and false idolatry) God sent His Son, Jesus (also God), on a peace-making mission to us. He lived a perfectly righteous life (which, as sinners, we could not), paid our penalty with His brutal death (for the wages of sin is death), and rose from the dead in victory over sin, death (2 Timothy 1:10; …and Satan (Hebrews 2:14).

So, by putting our faith in Jesus and surrendering to Him as Lord and Savior, we who are enemies of God are reconciled with God (Romans 5:10-11). We are justified—a once-and-for-all legal declaration of our pardon from the guilt and penalty of sin and the imputation (crediting) of Christ’s righteousness to our account. And through this, we enter into the Greatest Peace Deal Ever. Peace with God. This is a gift of grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone—not by anything we do or don’t do (Romans 3:21-26).

Alas, one war ends and another begins.

Some preachers shout from the pulpit that once you’re a Christian, life is full of rainbows and butterflies. And fat bank accounts and healthy bodies. I’m not so sure they’ve actually read the Bible. See, once we’re on Team Jesus, we immediately become the enemy of His enemy. And as much as Satan and his slimeball minions work to keep people from making peace with God in the first place, I believe they work much harder to keep Christians from (a) experiencing the abundant life Jesus promises (John 10:10) and (b) being effective God-glorifiers—that is, as ambassadors of our new citizenship, ministers of reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:20), and light in the dark world (Matthew 5:14-16).

We are in a new war. But beloved, this war is fought FROM victory, not FOR it. Satan has already been defeated. Yes, we will experience the flaming arrows of his lies and condemnation, but we have been clothed with the armor to stand firm (Ephesians 6:10-20). Our enemy tosses hand grenades of doubt. He sets IEDs of accusation—both to accuse us to God and God to us. And he absolutely loathes our victorious walking-in-freedom life and God-glorifying endeavors. He hates us.

We are at war. But take heart! Satan may be the god of this world, but Jesus has overcome the world (John 16:33)—and Satan (Colossians 2:15). Walking through this battlefield of life is hard. We just have to hold fast to two truths: (1) We have everything we need for combat (see again Ephesians 6:10-20), and (2) We’re fighting a battle that’s already been won (1 John 4:4; 1 Corinthians 15:57).

“Lord, may I wake up each day ready for battle, putting on the armor of God, and fight the Good Fight from the victory You’ve given me in Jesus.”

For His Glory

 

Julianne Winkler Smith
TRBC Women’s Life

 

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Posted in Faith, Freedom, Spiritual Growth, Wisdom

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | August 12, 2024

Best Influencer Ever

“Neither  before nor after Josiah was there a king like him who turned to the Lord as he did – with all his heart and with all his soul and with all his strength in accordance with the Law of Moses.”  2 Kings 23:25 (ESV)

Getting what God didn’t have for us always brings less joy than we imagined and more consequences we hadn’t envisioned. It’s the proverbial cycle of following after the wrong things or people who lead us down a path God never intended. We’ve all been there when the temptation to do life our way tasted so good but unfortunately was short lived. Easy to get caught up in the moments without seeing the influence we’re leaving behind.

A journey through I & II Kings and I & II Chronicles echoes influencers of not good. King after king used their power and influence to create ungodly agendas without even a thought of those being led astray. “He did evil in the eyes of the Lord” was a common descriptor of kings who worshipped idols and aroused the anger of our God. Caught up in their glory, these kings did not turn away from the sins of their fathers, were not careful to keep the law, and led Israel to sin. Precisely not the kind of influencer one would desire to follow, yet the Children of Israel were followers regardless of whether the one leading was good or evil.

And then there was Josiah, the fifteenth king of Judah. Despite becoming king at age eight, Josiah’s heart was devoted to the One true God. He did what was right in the Lord’s eyes and walked in the ways of King David, a man after God’s own heart. Setting a godly example was paramount for Josiah as he purged and cleansed the land from idol worship.

During a pivotal moment in Josiah’s reign, the priest Hilkiah found the book of the law given by God to Moses. When Josiah heard the reading of the law, his heart was grieved by how far God’s people had turned from obedience and clung to sin. Deeply convicted, Josiah led a covenant renewal ceremony pledging to follow the Lord wholeheartedly and compelled the people of Judah to join him.  And in his eighteenth year as King, Josiah celebrated a grand Passover to the Lord unlike any other celebrated during the days of the kings of Israel and kings of Judah. One man, Josiah,  chose to follow hard after God, and his faithfulness was contagious.

Influencers in our world today are multiplying faster than we could ever imagine. Social media offers a platform where anyone can say anything and influence others in a myriad of ways. Ever so easy to follow cultural trends and settle for the flashy, compelling influencer who sounds convincing and knowledgeable. Yet, we would be wise to carefully guard our minds from those whose aim is to draw us away from our God. Anything and everything can sound like truth but the twisting of those truths which tingle our ears ultimately never serves us well.

As daughters of the Most High God, we must be rooted in the truth of His word so we won’t fall prey to the wrong influencers.  Only way to ensure we are covered by His truth is to immerse ourselves daily into the study and application of God’s word. Our God is the best influencer of all time, and He will always lead us towards goodness and righteousness. We can trust Him completely without a shadow of doubt – His influence will always serve us well.

“Father, help us to be influencers for Your glory drawing others to Your heart.”

For His Glory

 

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Living, Wisdom

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | August 9, 2024

When Voices Stunt Our Growth

“But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To Him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.” 2 Peter 3:18 (ESV)

Squished, confined and begging for room – that’s the voice of my flower attempting to bloom on my patio. We transplanted it a few weeks ago to a larger pot and envisioned all the beauty that would burst forth. Perfectly placed where delicate petals would be drenched by lots of sunshine with a little shade. Strategically at eye level next to our fence where I could witness this glorious beauty every day, unfortunately this was the culprit of my flower’s lack of potential. Restricted by the fence, the petals flourished on one side while growth was hindered by the boards.

Undaunting how this can so be the story of our lives – squished, confined and begging for room to grow yet held captive. Limits imposed by others and ourselves rob us of the beauty God desires to cultivate. Boundary lines drawn in the sand can limit growth and extinguish the joy of one designed to be balanced and flourishing as they reap the benefits of God’s strategic placement.

Wonder what voices are stunting our potential? Whether they are audibly spoken over us, behind us or lurking in the deep-seeded crevices of our minds, God delights in watching beauty rise to the surface in His girls. He has cultivated fertile soil for extraordinary blooms birthed in the rays of His Sonshine. God takes great pleasure in transplanting and perfectly placing us where the greatest growth can overflow. Unhindered and free to experience the depths of His truth, love and grace fostering one transformed into a glorious display of His splendor (Ephesians 5:26-27).

Breathtaking isn’t it – when one leans towards the wisdom of God, allows His truth to fertilize our hearts, and then denies the voices attempting to stunt His design. Takes courage, strength and captive thoughts to align our voices with His. Requires consistent diligence in resisting the enemy’s tactics to restrict, confine and squelch our potential.

Vibrant and fragrant are those women who chose to accept God’s work in their lives. Don’t know about you but I want to be one of those who embrace His tender mercies and welcome His plan. Releasing my limits and in awe of all God bursts forth – now that’s truly more than I could ever envision.

“Father, You speak words of hope, truth, love and encouragement over Your children desiring to see them flourish and grow. Extinguish the voices which seek to confine us to lesser than what You desire.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

 

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Posted in Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Living

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