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

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | August 8, 2024

Divine Blessings

 

“Jonadab the son of Rechab shall not lack a man to stand before Me always.” Jeremiah 35:19b (NASB)

In the book of Jeremiah there is a story told of a godly man named Jonadab, who taught his children to live in holiness and purity. His children were so affected by his example and teachings that they boldly refused to compromise or give into temptation. In fact, their unwavering commitment to their father’s standard was so impressive that God presented this family before the nation of Israel as an object lesson on obedience. Then, in recognition of their uncompromising stance, God decided to bless this family.

To my surprise, however, God did not offer wealth, health or prominence to Jonadab or his crew. Actually, He never mentioned any temporal rewards at all. His blessing was simply this: Jonadab would always have descendants dwelling in the presence of God. On the surface it seems as though God looked past all the “good stuff” when digging through His proverbial “bag of blessings,” but God did not shortchange Jonadab. Instead, He chose to give Jonadab and his children something more valuable than gold, more lasting than health and more impactful than power and prominence. He offered them Himself…and the gift of worshipping and serving Him!

As a mom, I cannot imagine a better gift I would want for my children than God’s presence. Earthly treasures are fleeting, but if my children could dwell in God’s presence, then they would experience the very essence of their eternal design and purpose. And what treasure on earth can compare to that?

“Lord, draw us to You today that we would not only know about You, but that we would know how to worship You and dwell in Your presence? Help us set time with You above all other earthly treasures.”

For His Glory

Claudia Dempsey
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Encouragement, Hope, Worship

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | August 6, 2024

Let’s Be Weirdos

“If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, because of this the world hates you.” John 15:19

You may not follow the news, but with legacy media there are waves of party-line mantras. It’s like the talking heads of the standard channels are given the same script from which to read. And it all becomes way too reminiscent of George Orwell’s “1984” to believe. Most recently, if you’ve been paying attention—which in many ways, I kinda hope you’re not—you’ve been bombarded with a word in the mainstream media that you probably haven’t heard used this much since you were in the 8th grade: weird. It’s more of the same name-calling-fest that one side loves to use against the other…but this one is just plain, well, weird.

Anyway, it got me thinking about the spiritual parallels—especially as I’m in the midst of studying 1 Peter. In the first few chapters, Peter reminds us of who we are in Christ, thanks to the grace and mercy of our Lord and His payment on our behalf. He warns us of trials we’ll face in this world and gives us direction on godly attitudes toward the government, our spouse, employers, and our church family. Peter is also very clear on how believers are to walk through this dark world with our eyes set on Christ. In 1 Peter 2:11-12, he exhorts us to live as foreigners, as strangers, not giving in to all the fleshly lusts the world dangles in our face as “good”. And, friend, Peter makes it clear: Because we live differently, we will be slandered. For not living like the culture, we’ll be called “weirdos.”

This isn’t just for all those Christians who grew up in the church, were homeschooled, and never left the proverbial porch of the Father’s house. Peter notes that this name-calling and mocking will also be directed at us Christians who spent some time in the pigsty…those of us who spent sufficient time pursuing indecent behavior, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties, and wanton idolatries. For me, every one of those boxes was checked. So, when I surrendered to Jesus as Savior and Lord, and my life was radically transformed, Peter’s warning about how my friends (and even some family) would react to me: they were surprised (and even uneasy) that I no longer wanted to join them in the same excesses, and they slandered me (1 Peter 4:4). I became the weirdo.

Throughout the New Testament, from the words of Jesus to the letters from Paul, John, and James, believers are reminded that we are not of this world (John 15:19). Our citizenship is in heaven (Philippians 3:20), and we are to represent our King and country (2 Corinthians 5:20)…and we’re to be ambassadors when we’re being persecuted or even in chains (Ephesians 6:19-20). This world, which is temporarily under the general management of our enemy, Satan, has nothing to offer but the desires of the flesh, the desires of the eyes, and the pride of life—none of which is of God (1 John 2:15-17). In fact, James gets right to the point (gotta love James’s style): You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore, whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God (James 4:4). Yikes.

If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, you are not an enemy of God—you are His beloved child and a fellow heir with Christ (John 1:12; Romans 8:17). Instead of being a friend to this world, you are called His friend (John 15:15). When we are crucified with Christ, we are a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17), a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation—called out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9). We are God’s masterpiece (Ephesians 2:10), and Christ lives in us (Galatians 2:20)!

The world is ever-increasingly belligerent and intolerant of Jesus and His followers (Did you catch the opening of the 2024 Olympics?). The divide is wider than I’ve seen in my lifetime. But we know who we are in Christ. We have a confident hope for our future. We are called to be set apart from this dark world. So, what do you say? Let’s be weirdos.

“Lord, thank You for rescuing me from the darkness of this world, for defeating the enemy so I can live from a place of victory. Empower me to live as a stranger in this world—a weirdo—as I walk toward my heavenly home.”

 

For His Glory

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

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Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Hope, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | August 2, 2024

Best Solution Ever

“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.” I Peter 5:8 (ESV)

Out my kitchen window, I watched her staring, fixed and motionless. Her head was perfectly perched. I couldn’t quite figure it out. Mesmerized, this grey kitty had never been so still. And then if on cue, she slumped down and slithered around my bush – her target was a tiny bird who barely escaped her grasp.

Needless to say, this picture while ever so true, set my mind to racing. This strategic prowling and fixed gaze so mimics exactly how Satan operates. Watching and waiting for just the perfect time to devour us, he creeps up on us when we least expect it.

The sweet little bird in the bush was totally clueless about the impending danger lurking around the corner. And haven’t we all found ourselves there – unaware our enemy, Satan, is strategically setting us up for failure. We buy into his lies. We entertain his compromises. We settle for less. We lower our standards. We allow counterfeits to steal away our focus. The list is limitless. A distracted and undisciplined mind never serves us well, and Satan loves to watch us self-destruct.

Temptation will always rise to the surface disguised as “it’s really not that bad” or “everyone else is doing it.” Our days are filled with moments when Satan can discredit and divide families and friends. The hectic schedule. The unperfect gift. The wounded heart forgotten. The wayward child pulling parents apart. The office party we should have avoided. The conversation that left us discouraged, defeated and alone. The response we desperately long to reverse.

As the bird in the bush confidently flew to higher ground, I was reminded we too need to flee the presence of our enemy and keep our eyes focused on God. He has providentially given us everything we need to triumph over Satan. We are mighty conquerors through Christ Jesus; there’s no room for wimpy choices or lame excuses. We are equipped, dressed and positioned for victory clothed in the mighty armor of our God. (Ephesians 6:10-20).

Preparation + awareness will equip us for the attacks of our enemy. Like a moving target, Satan seeks to kill, steal and destroy us, but Christ came so we may have the abundant life. Choose today to resist and God promises he (Satan) will leave. Best solution ever to trust in His battle plan rather than our own.

“Father, You are fully aware of Satan’s game plan – teach us to cling to Your truth and boldly confront His lies.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

 

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Posted in Faith, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Living, Success, Wisdom

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | August 1, 2024

God’s Perfect Plan

“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11(NIV)

 Do we truly believe God has a plan for our lives? Do we stay out of the way and let His plan unfold? Often we say the words but don’t feel them or mean them, so let’s take a closer look.

“I know the plans I have for you”-Only God knows what plans have been made for us. He doesn’t run the same mold through a machine, but rather lovingly created us uniquely with a purpose at conception. Our life purpose is the design plan God uses for each of us. He knows what we will encounter and puts into us what we need to get through every situation.

“Plans to prosper you”- Our version of prosper isn’t always in line with God’s version. God gives us what we need to make a living to take care of our needs. Sometimes being prosperous isn’t about monetary things; it’s about things that make memories, moments, and ministry.

“Not to harm you”-  When the trials of life hit, it’s no surprise to God.  He has a built in plan for growth as we navigate through the storm.

“To give you hope and a future”- Our hope and future is our eternal life in heaven; earth isn’t our final destination. This is not going to be a perfect world because it’s not our home. God has prepared a place for us in heaven; we have to let him take the lead in guiding us there.

“Heavenly Father, We are so thankful that You have a plan for our lives. No matter what is going on, You are never changing and neither is Your plan for us. Help us to see when we are trying to lead rather than following.”

For His Glory

Katrina Redman
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Encouragement, Hope, Spiritual Growth

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | July 31, 2024

Believing Together

“And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.” Colossians 4:3-4 (NIV)

The Bible constantly reminds us to pray, to cry out to God, to seek His face. Prayer is very much like a key that can open doors, even when nothing else seems to work. The apostle Paul knew that, and he was not afraid to let others know.

Paul also had a stirring desire to proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ, the message of redemption that he came to know in a very upclose and personal way, and he wanted to share that message with as many as would lend him an ear. And as he would travel and profess the Lord in public locations, many times he would be considered a nuisance and ultimately end up in jail.

When Paul found himself in prison, instead of feeling sorry for himself and giving way to depression and discouragement, he set out to write letters to the churches.  He encouraged, exhorted, and disciplined them, as well as reminded them of the importance of remaining focused on God as well as practicing prayer for one another.
The book of Colossians does a great job of showing the paternalistic characteristics of Paul, a father (in faith) to so many.  He would not stop, even in a very uncomfortable jail cell, his work of evangelizing the lost and encouraging the ones who had already found the Lord but were in danger of straying away.

Because Paul knew what prayer could do, he specifically asked the Colossians to pray so doors for the Gospel message to be disseminated through him, even from his jail cell, could be opened.

Sister, the Lord is always at work. If you feel like you are in a situation that seems unsolvable, unite your faith with others who believe as you do, and ask the Lord to work in your favor. Whatever we commit to Him that is in His plan for us, He will do!
 

“Father God, we believe in Your power to do the impossible. Yours is the key.”

For His Glory

 

Luska Natali
TRBC Women’s Life

 

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Posted in Faith, Prayer, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | July 30, 2024

God Glorifying Goals

“Whoever speaks is to do so as one who is speaking actual words of God; whoever serves is to do so as one who is serving by the strength which God supplies; so that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs the glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” 1 Peter 4:11

Goals. We’ve all got them. Maybe you’re starting on a career path and have that metaphorical “corner office” in view. Or perhaps your current season is about how you can strategically exit the workforce sooner than later to put your time and energy into grandkids and travel. Some aspirations are physical—weight loss, eating better, race prep. Others are more nebulous: be kinder, serve at church more, pray more fervently. Sometimes, goal setting is much more granular: a work project complete, laundry folded, a whole book read, or ensuring you and your children make it through the day without too much screaming, crying, or blood (wait, maybe that was just me).

At any and all levels, goals are good. But did you know that—for believers—every goal in this life is meant to be undergirded by one primary purpose? We are to glorify God in all things! All things. From our eating (1 Corinthians 10:31) to our suffering (1 Peter 4:16). Let’s explore God’s Word to discover how every goal must be a God-glorifying goal.

Let’s glorify God…

  • In our words and actions (Colossians 3:17; 1 Peter 4:11; 2:12)
  • In our service to others (Matthew 5:16; 1 Peter 4:11)
  • In our eating and drinking (1 Corinthians 10:31)
  • In the way we use our body (1 Corinthians 6:20)
  • In our work (Colossians 3:23)
  • In our giving (2 Corinthians 9:13; Hebrews 13:15-16)
  • In observing creation (Psalm 19:1; Psalm 115:1; Romans 11:36; Revelation 4:11)
  • In seeing other image-bearers of God—including the one in the mirror (Isaiah 43:7; John 13:34-35)
  • In our blessings (Psalm 86:12; Philippians 4:19; James 1:7)
  • In our suffering and trials (Psalm 50: 15; 1 Peter 4:16; James 5:13)
  • In the fruit we bear through the power of the Holy Spirit (John 15:8; Ephesians 3:20-21; Philippians 1:11)
  • In our rescue and the amazing grace of our salvation (2 Timothy 4:18; Revelation 1:4-6)
  • In knowing the Lamb who was slain on our behalf (2 Peter 3:18; Revelation 5:12-13)
  • In God’s coming judgment (Revelation 11:13; 14:7)

So, friend, what are your plans, desires, and ambitions—for this year, this day, this hour? Whatever they are, at its ultimate achievement, will it be God-glorifying? Worth a gut-check, don’t you think? Also, the really cool thing is that placing God’s glory at the center—the foundation—of our goals gives us a deep and beautiful motivation to bring them to fruition. Doing all things for God’s glory may not make said goals easier…but we can step into each of them with a newfound joy of bringing delight and exaltation to our Maker and Redeemer.

“Lord, please forgive me for grieving You in my pursuits of self or things of this world. May all my thoughts, words, and actions bring glory to You!”

For Your Glory

Julianne Winkler Smith
TRBC Women’s Life

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

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | July 29, 2024

Halfway or Total Surrender

“Blessed are those who keep his testimonies, who seek him with their whole heart,” Psalm 119:2 (ESV)

A drenching, rainy Saturday kept me inside doing the things I had put off all summer. Necessary things I’d dismissed for the sake of being outside absorbing some warm sunshine. Chores I had moved down the list because I’d rather enjoy some chill time and a great read. Yet this day, this weekend, the rains poured.

Ever the list maker, I was moving at a fast speed to get the most accomplished and almost missed it. I just happened to look out my kitchen window when the big, orange FedEx truck rolled into our driveway. Just as the downpour really began to pour down, I grabbed my umbrella and met this bigger than life dude to get our package. With rain dripping off his face, he said, “Thanks for meeting me halfway – have a great day.”

Halfway  – a phrase stuck in my mind. How many things do we undertake in a given day that fall into this category of halfway? It serves us well in the aftermath of disagreements – the perfect compromise each one meeting the other halfway.  A grand gesture when meeting someone for dinner choosing a location convenient to both. Halfway isn’t half bad unless you were created to go all the way.

Sweet friends, we can shortchange spiritual growth when we choose to go halfway. You got it, simply doing enough to get by, checking off our list and meeting our standards. When a task is not what we feel we should be doing, we are tempted to complete it halfway since it was obviously below our pay grade. If serving in the soup kitchen garners no accolades, we might choose to skimp, serve halfheartedly. After all, no one is watching, right?

Don’t know about you, but I’m so thankful our God doesn’t do anything halfway. Every word He spoke in creation was good and when He got to us, well that was very good!!!  And we the very ones formed in His image have often settled for less. Regardless, God pursues us wholeheartedly. He never gives up. The work He began in us, He promises to bring to completion. The moments when we run as far away as we can from Him, God chooses to pursue us with an everlasting love. He doesn’t stop simply because we aren’t moving towards Him. God’s love never ceases even when we dismiss His presence.

Flip through the pages of the New Testament and we’ll find that Jesus (Son of God) perfectly exemplifies His Father’s heart. When faced with temptation in the wilderness. Jesus went all the way defying Satan’s plan. When the crowds ridiculed and questioned His authority, Jesus never cowered but stood steadfast on the truth of God’s word. As the hardest moments of His time on earth drew near, Jesus went all the way to the cross laying down His life to redeem our souls. And on Easter morning, the empty tomb unveiled our Risen Savior who went all the way just for you and me.

What is God asking us to do today? Are we tempted to minimize the journey and only go halfway or are we all in totally surrendered to the Father’s plan? The choice is up to us. Halfway can birth regret, yet all the way invites an amazing journey we will never forget.

“Father, the temptation is to do just enough, to love just enough to obey just enough and to settle for less. Help us to wholeheartedly serve and obey You regardless of who is watching.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

 

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Posted in Encouragement, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | July 26, 2024

Avoiding Repeat…Offering A New Song

“He put a new song in my mouth a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear and put their trust in the Lord.” Psalm 40:3 (ESV)

I could recite those words perfectly. Why? They had been blaring out my car stereo for weeks. Ever been there when your fave song hits the air? Yes, I can totally surround my ears with the sound of the same – familiar fits for quite a while but eventually, I’m ready for another beat.

Wonder if the song we’ve been singing to God needs a refreshing uplift? Easy to zone into the same “Woe is me” tune. Don’t even have to concentrate to blare out the “Why me, Lord” discourse. And what about those moments when we stay on repeat for days, weeks, or months settling for “What’s in it for me” or “Do You really love me?” An old song left in the past, lost in the present or overwhelmed by the future – not exactly what God longs to hear.

Psalm 40 echoes sweet words from a shepherd boy who became King. David’s heart of worship desired to offer God a new song not simply a repeat. Lyrics richly embedded in thankfulness and gratitude. Rhythmic beats from a heart of devotion. Tunes God hadn’t heard before but definitely ones He passionately loved.

So what’s the song we’ve been singing? Are we stuck on repeat totally satisfied with the melody flowing from our hearts? Don’t know about you, but I can hum that “Woe is me” tune nonstop. And when life gets tough, challenging and hard, we are definitely tempted to resound “Do You really love me?”

What’s a girl to do?

Cultivating a heart of gratitude and contentment with our God’s sovereign plan naturally orchestrates the most glorious song. The One who loves to hear our voice equally loves new. Flourishing, growing, deepening our relationship with Him guarantees our song won’t be the same old tune we’ve sung time and time again. Newness is His signature trademark – stagnant repeat isn’t. With our eyes fixed on the inexhaustible character of our God, our song will ignite our deepest melody. And for those who are blessed to hear about our incredible God, they will desire to know the One whose praise is forever on our lips.

“Father, I’m coming back to a heart of worship – bringing a new song I’ve never sung before and it’s all about You.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

 

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Posted in Attitude, Encouragement, Faith, Gratitude, Hope, Worship

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