Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | March 10, 2023

A Radical Change

“They only were hearing it said, “He (Paul) who used to persecute us is now preaching the faith he once tried to destroy.” Galatians 1:23 (ESV)

“You look amazing,” isn’t that what we would love to hear? Especially after the past few years of limited gym use and a lot of sitting at home. Our covid transformation leaves a lot to be desired. Those extra pounds came on quickly – absolute proof binge watching our fave show didn’t serve us well. Nor did all the baking and snacking. Definitely time for a radical change.

Revealing a new us is easier said than done. Changing our routines, setting boundaries, embracing new behaviors and enduring restrictions are hard. We’ve all been there when the momentum dies down and the plateau settles in – transformation seemingly slipping through our fingers. Perhaps the culprit lies in relying on self instead of God’s power to revolutionize us from the inside out.

Nothing more beautiful than the transformation of a soul. The book of Acts details the conversion of Paul (Saul) who violently persecuted the church. A Hebrew from the tribe of Benjamin, trained in the law and living righteously according to the law. Paul passionately pursued the destruction of those who believed in Jesus. Without even a trace of remorse, he watched as Stephen was martyred. On the day of his conversion (Acts 9), Paul was headed to Damascus ready to bind any believers and bring them back to Jerusalem.

A direct, personal encounter with Jesus radically changed Paul’s heart. The transformation totally restructured Paul’s agenda. The one who once was persecuting was now preaching the faith he tried to destroy. The change was evident to all.

Wonder if people notice the radical difference in us as believers. Is there a definitive change in us since we accepted Christ or do we act, respond and live the same?

The Greek word for transform is metamorphoo’ which simply means changing into another form. The moment we accepted Jesus, the process of being changed began. As we surrender our will and embrace the leading of the Holy Spirit in our lives, the old us begins to disappear. When we read, study and obey God’s word transformation happens on a daily basis. It’s an ongoing process and will continue until the day we meet our Savior face to face. Our metamorphoo’ will be noticed not for our glory but for His.

We will never look more amazing than when we reflect the heart of our God. A soul transformed will draw others in revealing the source of the new us – a personal relationship with our God. We should be the talk of the town…. “the one who was_____________________ is now preaching the faith they once tried to destroy.”

“Father, You are the Redeemer of our stories – help us to surrender to Your Spirit and embrace Your amazing metamorphoo in us.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Faith, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | March 9, 2023

On Mission With Jesus

“This is my request. I will ask one of them for a drink. If she says, “Yes, certainly, and I will water your camels, too!” –  Let her be the one you have appointed as Isaac’s wife…” Genesis 24:14 (NLT)

What an important mission! Abraham’s servant was given the authority of selecting just the right woman to be Isaac’s wife. Imagine choosing the spouse for your children. Even though it’s customary in some cultures around the world, I personally would never want the responsibility of such a major assignment.  Envision the marriage going awry and the blame is directed toward you…what a liability!  Instead, I’ll keep praying for the Lord to bring the right person for my last child to marry; and that is exactly what Abraham’s servant did…he prayed.

The servant was aware the future of a whole nation populated with Abraham’s descendants was at stake. He prayed asking the Lord for success, kindness and accomplishment. Then he devised a plan to stand near the spring where the young women of the village came to draw water. His request of the Lord was not only would the right woman give him a drink but offer to water his camels too. Then he would know which lady the Lord had chosen to be Isaac’s wife.

Have you ever wondered why the servant put a clause in his request about watering both him and his camels?

By Abraham’s servant’s request, he wasn’t looking for just any girl. He was looking for a kind, giving, caring and compassionate woman. A lady who puts others before herself. Most of the girls would have offered the servant a drink, but which girl would realize the camels need to drink too?  Because Rebekah put others’ needs before herself the servant knew she would make a wonderful helpmate for Isaac.

“Father, like Rebekah, we pray to be sensitive to the needs and feelings of others; always being compassionate and understanding with a heart that mimics Your loving kindness.”

For His Glory

Kim Lacey Schock (www.KimLaceySchock.com)
TRBC Women’s Life

 

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Posted in Attitude, Encouragement, Faith, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | March 8, 2023

Being Fruitful In Suffering

“The name of the second he called Ephraim, “For God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.” (Genesis 41:52, ESV)

The Bible reading plan I’m following this year recently led me to Genesis and the story of Joseph. Joseph had endured years of heartache. The unimaginable had happened. He was betrayed by his own family. Abandoned. Alone. He was falsely accused, imprisoned and left for dead.

Despite what was going on in Joseph’s life, he stayed connected to God. He didn’t let the circumstances change that.  Sometimes when life is hard it seems all we can do is just survive it – by any means. But God wants us to do more than survive – he wants us to thrive. He wants us to bear fruit in all seasons.

Later in life, Joseph had two sons.  The oldest he named Manasseh. Manasseh means, “It is because God has made me forget all my trouble and all my father’s household.” (Gen.  41:51) The youngest was named – Ephraim “For God has made me fruitful in the land of my affliction.” (Gen. 41:52)

Being a “Manasseh” a survivor and getting over a painful past or personal trauma is a wonderful accomplishment. It brings glory to the person.

But the message of Ephraim, “being fruitful in suffering” is that it brings glory to GOD—WHO ALONE can give the grace-filled capacity to face the unimaginable and be fruitful in the unimaginable. An even greater glory is to never forget and to let the suffering become the platform for the display of God’s glory. Producing fruit through pain and heartache is a miraculous occurrence.

It is clear from studying the life of Joseph that God gave him Manasseh.  God gave him the ability to forget the pain, to move past it.  Otherwise, he would have been a bitter, closed off person.

We never read where Joseph gave up and became bitter. God didn’t keep Joseph from enduring a lot of hard things “But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him steadfast love and gave him favor.”  God honored Joseph and opened a lot of doors for Joseph to bless others.

Joseph went from being sold as a slave to the second most powerful person in Egypt. None of us want to go through hard times and suffer great loss. But one thing I’ve learned in my own life- if I keep my eyes on Jesus and allow Him to use me – even when I’m in a situation I don’t want to be in – – He will bring good from it. He will take my emptiness and fill it to overflowing.

“Father, Life is not going as planned.  I am so grateful that You are not caught off guard.  I choose to cast my cares on You.  I can rejoice in my sufferings because I know You will use it for Your glory.

For His Glory

Laura Holmes (www.EphraimMinistries.org)
TRBC Women’s Life

 

 

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

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | March 7, 2023

How Dare You?

“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32

The Bible says a lot about forgiveness. Throughout the New Testament, Jesus and the Epistle writers command believers to forgive. But often, we believe that “forgiving” equates with “condoning”—and that forgiveness negates the associated pain of the wrong. But that’s not the case.

The thing is forgiveness is a choice—not a feeling. And true forgiveness, although it is a gift to the other person, frees our own soul from the destructive burden of bitterness and anger.

About a decade ago, a virtual bomb was dropped in my life—a revelation of truth that devastated my very soul. I was more hurt and angrier than I thought possible. And no one would have faulted me for wrapping a firm grip around bitterness, never to let go.

Instead, within a matter of hours—in the midst of the shock, horror, pain, and disbelief—I did something unexpected. I chose to forgive.

Please know this was not of my own power—it was not humanly possible. It was the Holy Spirit, living in me, that gave me the supernatural ability to make that decision. In the middle of my pain, He convicted my spirit with five simple words that still burn within today: “How dare you not forgive?”

See, my life is daily filled with sin. I am a sinner. But Jesus stretched out His arms on that cross to pay the penalty I owe. Yesterday’s, today’s, and tomorrow’s sins are all forgiven and thrown into the sea of forgetfulness. We who accept the precious gift of salvation are made white as snow even though our sins are as scarlet. (Isaiah 1:18)

When you consider people in your life who have wronged you, you may think, “But that person’s sin is way worse than mine—they hurt me!” But in God’s economy, every sin is an imperfection that stains the perfect righteousness required by a perfect God. And every sin hurts Him too.

We are forgiven. Because of what Jesus accomplished—His pain and suffering on our behalf, His amazing mercy and grace—how can we not extend that same grace, mercy, and forgiveness to another?

Because we are forgiven through Christ, let’s choose to be forgiving through Christ.

“Lord, thank You for forgiving me and making me righteous in God’s eyes. Because of Your grace, empower me to choose forgiveness daily.”

 

For His Glory

Julianne Winkler Smith
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Encouragement, Love, Mercy, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | March 6, 2023

When We Overlook The Obvious

“Hear instruction and be wise, and do not neglect it.” Proverbs 8:33 (ESV)

Hate to admit it, but I just spent days trying to figure out why I had no audio for anything on my computer. I tried every solution possible. I increased the sound 100% yet could only hear a tiny whisper. Ready to give up, I looked over to where my Bible was on my desk and found the culprit for my sound loss…my headphones were still plugged in. Total frustration wiped out by my own laughter – how could I have overlooked the obvious?

Quite the funny story? Yes. But not so funny if we find our lack of hearing obstructed not by a device but our choice to let selective hearing reign. Bet we’ve all been there when deliberate blockage of what we needed to hear felt better than the sound of truth. Ouch! Yes, moments occur when we choose to ignore, dismiss and turn from the voice we need to heed.

Wonder what God’s been speaking into our hearts lately? Has the truth of His words stirred us toward obedience or have we denied what we didn’t want to do?

Easy to judge others’ obstructions when the finger pointed out should be pointed in. Failing to admit, we attempt to blame anyone and anything for poor choices when we’ve overlooked the obvious – silencing the voice of God removes His blessings.

Yes, we’re all about the benefits and awesomeness of hearing what aligns with our agenda. Obedience isn’t a challenge when it moves us in sync with our plans. But when what we hear seems hard, difficult and contradictory to our perceived “best,” we simply extinguish the sound.

Sweet friend if we truly want His direction, guidance and protection, we must pray for ears that hear, eyes that see and a heart that is willing to be molded towards His ultimate true best. How does our sovereign God speak? Through the unfolding of His word, through godly counsel, through life experiences – God will use whatever it takes to realign our hearing so He can open us up to the divine orchestration of His will.

Whose voice are you listening to? Is it serving you well or placing you in a posture destined for failure, regrets and consequences? Draw near to the One who is already calling your name.

“Father, it so easy to drown out Your voice – to simply unplug from the narrow way when wide seems much better. Help us to cease blocking and tune into Your truth.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

 

 

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Posted in Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | March 3, 2023

Yielded To His Wisdom

“Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives to all generously and without criticizing, and it will be given to him.” James 1:5 (HCSB)

How often do we dismiss the persistent feeling we have that something isn’t quite right? We slide back and forth between something is wrong to it’s probably nothing to worry about. Like a pendulum swinging carelessly wherever our thoughts land for the day. Eventually, we rationalize our concerns or dive in deeper to uncover whatever doesn’t feel or look right.

Takes courage to face the truth especially if that truth unveils a dreaded conclusion. No one wants to admit they’re struggling just to get up and face another day. No one wants to share the devastating loss of a job, home or finances. No one shouts through a crowd that their marriage is falling apart. No one longs to disclose their child is behind bars. No one dances for joy when the doctor reveals a cancer diagnosis.

Tough truths that confirm our nagging feeling that something isn’t right. Moments where we might be tempted to wonder if we’d paid closer attention to the warning signs would the results be the same?

When normal no longer looks or feels normal early detection is crucial. In the medical field it broadens our options and increases our chances of survival. In the emotional realm it positions us to seek help before depression and anxiety overwhelm us. And when it comes to matters of the heart and soul, early detection minimizes the aftermath of sinful actions. By confessing disobedience quickly, the barriers to God’s wisdom and blessings are removed.

God has given each of His children the gift of the Holy Spirit which leads and guides us to truth. Positioning us to heed the warning signs and proactively respond to what doesn’t seem quite right. Wisdom is ours for the taking – we just simply need to seek Him and He will show us the way to respond.

“Father, Your wisdom is without judgment and offered freely to those who come seeking Your will.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

 

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Posted in Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Living, Success, Wisdom

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | March 2, 2023

About Our Father’s Business

“Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” Luke 2:49 (NIV)

I have seen many-a-t-shirt and many-a-hat with the words “Gone Fishing” printed on them. While these two words are there as a simple joke to let others know of one’s love of fishing, they also serve as a reminder to the people wearing them that they have a love for the sport. They will make time and find a way to go fishing as often as they possibly can. While I have not fished more than a handful of times, I do have a couple of passions of my own, which include, of course, writing. Give me pen and paper or a laptop, and I am a happy camper! Filling blank pages with words is something that I would not trade for just any other activity. While I can write about anything; however, I choose to use my gift of writing to tell Bible stories from my own perspective, with the intent of bringing my readers into the stories with me.

The Lord Jesus was such a wonderful role model of ministry to others; He was passionate about His Father’s business and would pass up anything else He could be doing just to be with people, teaching them, loving them, praying with them, and healing them.

We are all important parts of the body of Christ, aka His church. There are no “unimportant” persons in the church, just as there are no “unimportant” parts in the human body system. We all play a significant role in keeping the body healthy and strong. Your area of giftedness may be working with children, youth, or adults; it may be teaching, or doing “fun” things such as plays, musicals, vacation Bible school, and so forth. It may be mentoring young Christians, or leading Bible study groups. It may be praying for others or visiting those who cannot leave their homes. Whatever your area of giftedness is, wear it proudly. Do it often. Be excited about it. Hone your skills so you can do it well. We don’t need a special t-shirt, hat, or sign over our door, but our modus operandi should always reflect the love of God.

“Father God, You are so good to us. Please help us to reflect Your goodness to those around us, especially those who need to know You.”

For His Glory

Luska Natali
TRBC Women’s Life

 

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Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Gratitude, Hope, Spiritual Living, Success

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | March 1, 2023

White Stones & Tattoos

“Let anyone who has ears to hear listen to what the Spirit says to the churches. To the one who conquers…I will also give him a white stone, and on the stone a new name is inscribed that no one knows except the one who receives it.” Revelation 2:17  (CSB)

A new name. The first thing parents do when a child is born (and sometimes before) is name the baby, giving him an identity. After that, whenever that name is spoken in the family’s circle of friends, an image of the child’s face forms in their minds. They know who he is by his name.

When I meet someone, I first want to know their name and tell them mine. If someone uses my name when they talk to me, I feel connected, knowing I matter to them enough that they remember me. Using a name is a step toward forming a friendship, a form of intimacy humans crave.

In the Book of Revelation, Jesus sends messages to each of the seven churches in Asia. Each message tells the church what they are doing right, where they are missing the mark, and what will be the reward for the person who perseveres to the end. There are many rewards listed, each one amazing, but I want to talk about two specific rewards involving names:

Revelation 2:17 says that those who conquer will be given a white stone with their new name inscribed on it, a name no one will know except the person receiving it. What a form of intimacy with our Lord! My husband gave me a ring with a white stone when we married, and I expect I’ll receive the promised white stone when I meet Jesus. Only this symbol of intimacy will be even more wondrous – Jesus will give me a new name inscribed on the stone that only He and I will know. I wonder if it will be given to each of us as jewelry to wear with our new white clothes. Or will it be a stone we keep hidden away in a special spot where we meet with our Lord? However we receive it, I can’t imagine a more personal reward than a name that only Jesus and I know.

The second one is in Revelation 3:12: For the one who perseveres, “I will write on him the name of my God and the name of the city of my God – the new Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from my God – and my new name.” There’s that tattoo. He will write on His children the name of God, the name of His city, and Jesus’ new name. I have allowed myself to wonder how that inscription will appear, if perhaps it will be on our foreheads or arms where everyone can see it, maybe shimmering in a graceful, flowing font. In my flights of imagination, I see people who have been friends on earth, meeting again for the first time in heaven, saying, “You were a good-looking person on earth, but with that tattoo, you look more beautiful and complete!”

According to God’s great wisdom, we cannot know in advance. All we can do is live lives of worship and obedience, enjoying the anticipation of one day being in the presence of Jesus. There we will enter into the kind of intimacy we can never know on earth.

“Heavenly Father, we thank you for the brief glimpses You have given of what heaven will be like. We ask for the strength to persevere to the end, living lives worthy of the new names You will give us when we meet You face to face.”

 

For His Glory

 

Cherie Williams (cherieharbridgewilliams.com)
TRBC Women’s Life

 

 

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

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | February 23, 2023

Fight Fear By Renewing Your Mind

“Do not conform to the pattern of this world but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is-his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2

As I watched the news, anxious thoughts formed. Seeing all the suffering and hearing countless experts talk about possible future scenarios felt overwhelming. Will this ever end? Will things ever be normal again? How do I control these anxious thoughts?

Controlling anxious thoughts requires renewing your mind. That takes diligence. Diligently spending time in Scripture, where transforming truth can be found. Intentionally reframing unhealthy thoughts using that truth. And deliberately limiting exposure to the things that promote the patterns of this world—things like news channels, social media and even certain movies and television shows.

Starting each day by reading God’s Word and talking to Him helps align our hearts and minds with his perspective. As we are reminded of his goodness and his sovereignty, we can rest in our circumstances without succumbing to fear.

When anxiety-producing thoughts do come, how can we take control of them rather than letting them run amok? Try asking these questions: Why is the thought making me anxious? What possible outcome do I fear? What evidence can I find for and against that outcome? In other words, how real is the threat? Finally, what does God say about my security and my future?

When Paul encountered a storm at sea on his way to Rome, going down with the ship was certainly a potential outcome. But God had already told Paul that he would testify in Rome, so he remained confidently calm in the face of dire circumstances. Our ultimate destination is no less secure.

If you are like me and watching the news makes you more anxious, limit your exposure. Or you may find that staying informed reduces your anxiety. Either way, it is important for us to remember that not everything we hear or read apart from Scripture is true.  However much time we choose to spend engaging with news, we should balance it with time spent reading God’s Word, praying and enjoying the beauty of His creation.

Daily choices made to renew our minds. Daily practice taking every thought captive to what the Bible says is true. Daily worship leading to a life of trusting God and His perfect will.

“Lord, thank You for Your Word. Help us to put our trust in Your truth rather than what the world says so that we can look more like you and less like the world.”

For His Glory

Ann Skalaski
TRBC Women’s Life

 

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Posted in Faith, Hope, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | February 21, 2023

We All Need A Scapegoat

“Then Aaron shall lay both of his hands on the head of the live goat, and confess over it all the wrongdoings of the sons of Israel and all their unlawful acts regarding all their sins; and he shall place them on the head of the goat and send it away into the wilderness by the hand of a man who stands ready. Then the goat shall carry on itself all their wrongdoings to an isolated territory; he shall release the goat in the wilderness.” Leviticus 16:21-22

I’m not going to lie. When reading through the Bible cover to cover, getting through Leviticus and Numbers can be a tough thing—all those very detailed laws and name lists. As a believer, I know that it all points to Jesus, but sometimes I just want to skip to some action. You know, the good stuff.

But as I was spending time in the sixteenth chapter of Leviticus during my morning quiet time, I came across a seemingly nominal part of the Lord’s sacrificial laws for Israel that sent my spirit soaring. The verses above also sent me scouring the New Testament to find the Scriptural counterparts to those Old Testament instructions. This is what was made clear: We all need a scapegoat. Let me explain.

We’ve all probably heard the term, “scapegoat”— it’s defined as “a person who is blamed for the wrongdoings, mistakes, or faults of others, especially for reasons of expediency.” If you grew up with siblings, there were likely plenty of scapegoat moments. As the baby and only girl among my group of three siblings, I definitely used my brothers as scapegoats for things I did wrong…usually to get out of being punished myself. Maybe you’ve been a scapegoat at work, the one who simply had to take the blame (and consequences) for the team’s mistakes and failures.

Well, shortly after the Lord led the Israelites out of Egypt, He gave them—through Moses—very specific instructions on how to make sacrifices to the Lord for the atonement and forgiveness of their sins. These offerings happened regularly and had to be carried out exactly as God instructed. These laws, as well as lots of rules to keep them separate from (and healthier than) the pagan, self-worshipping peoples around them, were initially received with great enthusiasm, but suffice it to say, the Israelites didn’t have the best follow-through. (I can relate.)

In addition to the (very bloody) sacrificial rituals, once a year the High Priest also made atonement for the people by metaphorically placing all their sins onto a goat who would then serve to take all the blame. It would be sent into the wilderness, separating the people from their sins. This scapegoat, along with the blood offerings, would temporality satisfy the requirements of a righteous God. The key word being “temporarily.” The priests had to continually offer these sacrifices because no one could keep the Law—not one (Romans 3:10).

There is much more theological Truth in these chapters of Leviticus than I can possibly get into now. But suffice it to say that all those Old Testament sacrifices were pointing to the ultimate, once-and-for-all Sacrificial Lamb, Jesus Christ. (Check out Hebrews 10:1-18!) Jesus was the substitution for us, bearing our sin and removing it as far as the east is from the west. By His death on the cross, Jesus satisfied the holy and just requirements of God—taking on God’s full wrath. And by His resurrection, He once-and-for-all defeated sin and death, making a way—The Way—for us to be reconciled with the Father.

Friend, Jesus is our Scapegoat. He not only took the blame for every wrongdoing, fault, and mistake, He did so willingly and gladly to pardon us and justify us before God. And this offer is for everyone (1 John 2:2)! To receive this gift of grace, you just have to believe on the Lord and accept it. Are you burdened by your sins and mistakes? Cast them on Jesus—He’ll take them from you, forgive you, and set you free.

“Lord, thank You for taking on my sin—and taking on God’s full wrath to pay the penalty I owed. Thank You for freeing me from the bondage of sin and self, giving me a desire to serve and glorify You.”

For His Glory

 

Julianne Winkler Smith
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Faith, Gratitude

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