Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | January 23, 2023

Why Prayer Outlives Us

“Pray without ceasing.” I Thessalonians 5:17 (ESV)

What is it about January that sends us decluttering and cleaning?  Perhaps it’s the thought of a fresh new start – out with the old and in with the new.  For me, I just simply love the feeling of clean and organized.    November through December is such a crazy busy time.  My cabinets definitely reflected my sense of hurry and carelessness in not putting things in their proper place. So I spent hours cleaning out clutter.  And my amazing find was a lot of expired, outdated cold meds, food items, coffee, etc.  You name it – I found it and into the trash it went. Never to be seen again.

While almost everything has an expiration date, I’m so thankful our God doesn’t. We miss the mark daily, yet His grace and mercy never run out.  God’s love is in abundance; we never experience a supply shortage. His patience is long and far exceeds our perceived impatience.  God’s justice happens even if we feel it’s delayed.

Let’s keep it real here – when it comes to prayer, we often allow our previously determined date of when and how God should answer to influence our persistence.   We prayed fervently for years, and no answer came.  We bowed down and lifted up our prodigals only to see them wander further away from God.  We sought God’s direction in financial decisions which didn’t deliver.  Our perceived delays can leave us instinctively abandoning our requests. When we buy into the enemy’s mode of thinking, we give up because we didn’t get what we wanted when we wanted it.

Sound familiar?  I remember a sweet lady praying for her husband from the time they met until her death.  Her heart longed for him to follow God, yet she never experienced the answer she wanted on this earth.  Months after her death, her husband lying on his death bed confirmed his faith.  Months of fasting for the salvation of a family member left me frustrated and giving up. Yet in God’s timing, He knew this one would believe years later.  My sweet grandmother saturated her family in prayer, and today we all are walking with the Lord faithfully serving Him.

Mark Batterson states it simply, “There is no expiration date on prayer.”  God is working even when we don’t see it.  He is orchestrating all things in accordance with His will, which often doesn’t equate to our timetable.  God views all aspects and pieces of this puzzle called life, and then divinely orchestrates answers even if we forgot the request.   The prayers we offer up for our children, grandchildren, friends, etc. don’t end the moment we stop praying or take our final breath.  Our prayers never expire; they simply outlive us.

Sweet friends, we are tempted to cease praying in the face of seeming inactivity.  Rather than give up, let’s press through and trust our God. Let’s lean into His wisdom and silence the enemy’s discouragement.  Praying without ceasing always serves us well.

“Father, our prayers have fallen on Your ears, and you have heard us. You will never forget a single word poured out at your feet.  So we hold on to hope, hope in Your love to do what is best.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

 

 

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Posted in Encouragement, Prayer

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | January 18, 2023

How Big Is Your Faith

“And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 4:19, ESV)

 “What am I going to do? Obadiah is dead.  He was a good man.  You know he served the Lord. But he didn’t leave me enough money to live on and support the boys.  I can’t pay my bills and now they’re going to take my children from me.  You must help me.”

Imagine the desperation in her voice as she pleaded with the prophet Elisha for help (2 Kings 4:1-7). The legal system in Israel does not allow a person to file for bankruptcy. She would have to give up her sons as indentured servants to her creditor as payment.

Elisha inquires about what she has of value in her house.  She responded, “nothing in the house but a jar of oil.”  Elisha gives her specific instructions to borrow vessels from everywhere.  Then once she has the vessels safely in her home, behind closed doors, she was to start pouring out what little oil she had into the vessels.

It most likely wasn’t the response she wanted to hear. But it didn’t diminish her faith.

Once the vessels were gathered, she poured out the olive oil. Imagine the fear she must have felt.

“Lord, I’m pouring out the only thing I have of value.”

As she poured from her little jar something supernatural took place.  The oil kept flowing until all the vessels were full.

In the end, she had enough jars of olive oil that she was able to sell them and pay off her debts.  It also provided enough income for her to support herself and her sons – keeping them from slavery.

In this situation, the amount of work she did in obedience determined the amount of blessing and provision she received from the miracle.  If she had only collected a small number of jars, there might not have been enough to meet her financial need.

Have you ever had a need you didn’t have the resources to meet?  And this lack was threatening to take away what little you did have? Immediately fear starts to grip us and all we can focus on is what we don’t have.  We forget that God will always meet our needs.  But He won’t always drop manna from heaven like he did for the Israelites. (Exodus 16) His desire is for us to exercise our faith.

It was her great faith in the Lord that led to freedom – a new life for her and her children.

Instead of letting fear paralyze you, let me encourage you today to seek the Lord first and then get busy growing your faith. Little is much with God.

“Father thank you for always providing for us.  Help us to remember that you will always meet our needs.  Teach us to exercise our faith as we trust in you.”

 For His Glory

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

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Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Hope

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | January 17, 2023

Sent

“For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not turn your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love. For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, in the statement, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” Galatians 5:13-14

If you’ve been walking with Lord for any amount of time, you’ve probably had seasons of wrestling—times when the Holy Spirit is working on some attitude, situation, or direction. For me, it usually starts with that Still Small Voice (which I tend not to hear in my uber-busyness and constant “get-er-done” mode). Then, His voice gets a bit louder, and I do start wondering what He’s up to. I pray and journal but continue my “busyness as usual”—I’m hearing, but still trying to figure stuff out myself. Finally, the Lord will shout so that I’ll simply stop, shut up, and listen (and if you’ve been here, you’ll know exactly what I’m talking about).

Although I am getting better at being a Mary, my Martha still dominates (see Luke 10:38-42), so this pattern has occurred quite a bit over my 25 years of being a Christian. In fact, over the past several months, the Lord has been revealing some things to me through Bible study, quiet time, and conversations with my husband. But without (what I deemed as) clarity, I pondered, journaled, and talked…but kept on going and doing. Until I had eye surgery a couple of weeks ago, after which I could not read, be on the computer, or look at my phone for one week. (Think about this friends, how much through the day are your eyes on your phone or other screen? Yeah, now don’t do that for 7 days.)

Needless to say, the Lord had hours and hours and hours of my time and attention. The funny thing is, He wanted even more than my mere daylight hours—He wanted this time to be a crash course in listening. So, I spent much of the first five days awake through most of the nights as well. Wrestling, talking, and yes, listening. And He made it very clear to me that, although I have been doing very Good Things for Him, it’s time to Go.

It’s time for me to Do for Him in different ways. He is sending me. Not to the jungles of Africa or the sandy streets of the Middle East, but into my own city—where there is ample brokenness, poverty, and hurt. Where babies are being murdered, children are being trafficked, families are being shattered, and elderly are being forgotten. Yes, I am being called to the mission field in my own backyard. A rescue mission, to be the hands and feet of Jesus and proclaim the love, freedom, and hope of a surrendered life to Him. And I’m so excited!

What about you? If you are a follower of Jesus Christ, how is the Lord using you? How are you serving—and who are you serving? Is it only the person in the mirror? Are you going to church every Sunday (and maybe on Wednesdays) to feed on God’s Word and maybe to get a little spiritual bump, but the rest of your week is business (busyness) as usual? Maybe you’re serving your church body on Sundays, greeting or even teaching a Bible study. This is awesome! But are you also reaching out into the lost and broken world to reveal Who Jesus is through meeting practical, real needs—caring for others so they want to know the Reason behind your unreasonable love?

Friend, upon salvation, each of us is rescued—from sin, death, and eternal separation from God. While we were still sinners, enemies of God, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). So, because He first loved us, we are to love others in the same sacrificial way (1 John 4:19). We are to serve, love, and share the Good News. Once rescued, we’re to join the rescue mission. We are all SENT. And you don’t even have to wait for your own wrestling match to …. just go!

“Lord, thank You for rescuing me! Now, help me be bold in word, action, and grace as I step out into the world to be part of Your rescue mission.”

For His Glory

Julianne Winkler Smith
TRBC Women’s Life

 

 

 

 

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Posted in Faith, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | January 16, 2023

Why “Keep” Is Crucial

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

What’s your inspiration for the new year?  Are you a resolutions/goals kind of girl?  Perhaps you’re one who selects a special word as your focal point.  We’re halfway through the first month and it’s the time when people are tempted to let their yearly inspiration deflate.  Why?  Because it takes courage, discipline, hard work and consistency to row forward day by day.

Ushering in new habits isn’t easy.  We’re so accustomed to “same” us that the possibility of “new” us derails us.  Far easier to slip back into our norm than press forward.  But if we are keeping it real here, settling for anything less than our inspiration leaves us facing regret.

Several goals hit my list for 2023 so I wasn’t even thinking of or considering a special word.  Can’t say the same for God. He knew exactly where I needed to focus. He’d seen my list because we’d had a long prayer session, and it wasn’t that God didn’t approve – He just had something better in mind.

What’s my word?  “Keep.”  You got it. Right in the midst of decluttering and throwing things away, God redirects my attention to “Keep.”  Confusion was definitely written across my face until I remembered where my Bible study had taken me.  Settling into Psalm 119 for the last few weeks, I’d read the word “Keep”  twenty-six times (ESV).

When I think of “Keep,” I naturally default to saving, holding on to and definitely not throwing away.  Webster even gives us a look into the depth of “Keep” such as retain, take notice of, faithful, maintain, preserve, stay in accord and watch over – the list was endless.  All great descriptions especially since Psalm 119 zeros in on the importance of God’s word.

As much as I love Webster’s thoughts, the Hebrew for “Keep” is what mesmerized me.  “Keep” means simply to conform.  The Psalmist’s references to “Keep” were strategically placed to compel us to be doers of the word and not just hearers.  To allow God’s words to shape, mold and transform us.  Yes, we should cling to, memorize and meditate on His words, but all of that is in vain if we don’t let them change us.

2023 – another year of old me or a new year of a changed me?

I think God’s best far outweighs any goals or resolutions I could ever attain.  He knows that when my ways align with His ways then everything else will fit together.  When my heart and soul reflect His then the changing of me will be absolutely beautiful.

“Father, 2023 will unfold one day at a time offering us glorious opportunities to seize those moments to treasure, know and keep (conform to) Your words. Praising You for teaching us to welcome Your transforming work in our lives.”

 

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | January 12, 2023

Different But Equally Important

“There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens.” Ecclesiastes 3:1 (NIV)

I was talking to a childhood friend of mine on the phone this evening, and while reminiscing with her, we both agreed that there is definitely a time and season for everything in our lives. We laughed hard at some of my failed attempts at keeping youthful. Here between us, I’ve tried to keep up with my grandchildren by playing catch and soccer, as well as racing and climbing on playground toys.

While I do feel young and youthful, my body is no longer that of a teenager.  It has let me know by some scrapes, bruises and breaks while playing with children who were below the age of ten.

My friend and I have also decided that God does not give babies to women over a certain age group because we must bear children while our bodies are strong and able to not just carry babies to term but also deal with the needs of raising them.

I am thankful for the three sons God has given me and beyond elated for the ten grandsons I have. I am also very much aware that raising those children is a task that belongs to my sons and their spouses, who are young, strong and very capable of raising them, as I was when I raised my own.

I am at the stage called grandparenthood, to love on, to be a role model to, and to spoil (why not?) my grandchildren. I love that I can be a part of their lives, and I hope that I can positively impact their lives for Jesus. I want them to love Jesus as I do, to know Him as their Lord and Savior, and to be conduits of His love to anyone in need of it.

I want to be a woman who can be a mentor and a guide to younger generations, to encourage them and to help them to find their strength and purpose; to spur them on as they follow their path in life and become their best for the Lord.

Each life stage is an opportunity – a gift to show the world the love of God. The seasons may vary, but we remain God’s children and He will always be our Abba, our Father.

“Abba, thank You for the seasons of life and for each opportunity You give to us to shine Your light. Each stage is treasured and equally important. We are grateful.”

 

For His Glory

Luska Natali
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Encouragement, Hope, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | January 11, 2023

What Is Real

“…we look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen. For the things that are seen are transient, but the things that are unseen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:18
Don’t you love old photos? I have photos from my mother’s album that are 70 and 80 years old. To me, they are priceless.

My late husband, who had children from a previous marriage, was a camera nut. He loved to snap photos of his children and told me a story about when they were small. He was having financial difficulties, and while he stretched his budget to buy film (remember film?), he couldn’t afford to have it processed. So he had eight or nine rolls of exposed film in a box, waiting until his financial situation improved.

One day his younger daughter found the box and wondered what was inside those little canisters. Looking for some privacy to explore this treasure, she took the box behind the couch and pried the film rolls open, one by one, pulling out the film in long, curly black strips, exposing them to the light that destroyed the pictures. When she was finished without finding anything that interested her, she left them all behind the couch and went about her playtime.

Of course, when her daddy discovered what had happened, he was grieved that all those memories had been lost forever.

Fast forward about fifteen years, to the year 1995. By this time, he had married me and we owned a photography business. Digital cameras were on the market. At that time, it wasn’t a “real” camera for professionals, of course, because it held no film, but it was the wave of the future, and my husband acquired his first digital camera. He took photos everywhere, of his kids, his mission trips to South America, the beach, the theme parks, and eventually for paying customers. The volume of photos overwhelmed our computers back then, so we transferred them all to CDs and external hard drives.

He passed away suddenly in 2001.

For the past few days, I have been going through all the old CDs trying to find photos for his children, and to my grief, the CDs have deteriorated until most of them are too corrupted to let me open them. My computer doesn’t read the old external hard drives. All those thousands of photos are lost forever.

Isn’t this a picture of our lives? We spend time and energy earning money to buy the latest stuff that won’t last when the things that are real—the things that last – seem old-fashioned and out of date. Things like the Bible, salvation, forgiveness, and love. In the meantime, everything we are striving for and lavishing our energy on, like the latest model car, the newest smartphone or up-to-the-minute fashions (and there’s nothing wrong with those things) – they last only a short time, then deteriorate and decay.

To what, then, should we devote ourselves?

“Dear Lord, open my eyes to what is eternal, and help me to realign my heart and mind to the values you would like me to live out. Show me where I am coming short of Your best for me and help me to follow Your leading.”

For His Glory

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

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Posted in Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Living, Wisdom

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | January 10, 2023

A Reminder From A Reluctant Prophet

“The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9

Like smoke from a smoldering campfire, hate seems to be rising to permeate the air. The media message repeats, “division, division, division,” generating an underlying drumbeat to inflame anger where there once was peace. We’re being relentlessly pitted against each other—black versus white, woman versus man, left versus right. The list is seemingly endless today.

Although I stay far away from the news, I’m not completely ignorant of what’s going on—especially in my own state. See, while our attention has been focused on the fires (figurative and literal), my governor has been plotting and scheming for fundamental shifts in the landscape of morality and liberty.  And, although I usually give a nod of acknowledgment to what’s going on “out there,” and then quickly turn back to God’s Sovereignty and His Truth, I’m finding it harder and harder to do so.

I’m feeling upset and angry—dare I say it: hateful.

But, as I sat down this morning to read the Bible, Jonah’s saga read me. As usual, God’s Word is active, sharp, and heart-judging (Hebrews 4:12). See, the Ninevites were brutal—torturing and murdering Jonah’s people in unimaginable ways. And Jonah wanted God to take them out—not redeem them.

Much like Jonah’s aggravation at God’s desire to deliver Israel’s merciless enemy, I had to reflect on how obstinate I’m being about my own antagonist. This wild adventure of a reluctant prophet piercingly reminds me of a few key Truths:

  1. I was once an enemy of God.
  2. God was patient with me (for 30 years), extending mercy, grace, and forgiveness for my salvation.
  3. He’s still patient with me and still extends mercy, grace, and forgiveness every day—because I sin and fail Him. Every. Single. Day.

And these Truths beg one big question: How dare I think that God’s grace, mercy, and forgiveness stop at me and “my people” (whatever that means)?

God’s lesson to Jonah reminds me (again) that instead of anger toward my perceived enemies, I need to pray for them. (And that means praying for them to turn to the Lord—not for the Lord to turn on them!) I need to stand firm on God’s Word, speaking Truth in love, despite how counter-cultural (or counter-state-law) it may be.

I was once lost, but now I’m found. “They” (pick your “they” here) are no different. Thanks for the reminder, Jonah.

“Lord, remind me daily to replace anger with prayer, division with peace, fear with love.”

For His Glory

Julianne Winkler Smith
TRBC Women’s Ministry

 

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Posted in Attitude, Hope, Spiritual Living, Wisdom

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | January 9, 2023

Glimpses of His Love & Kindness

“A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.” John 13:34 (ESV)

Glitter, glitter, glitter – there’s a little bit of glitter everywhere even though Christmas has been packed up and put away.   Who knew that glitter sticks so easily?  Regardless of my efforts to vacuum, sweep and dust it away, I’m still seeing glitter.  Just a little bit of Christmas lingering in the air.

While none of us want to find those tiny little slivers of shiny pieces after December, it would definitely be great to have some Christmas throughout our year. Now I’m not suggesting Christmas carols or holiday movies 365 days of the year.  I’m an after-Thanksgiving girl who doesn’t want to hear Jingle Bells until shopping on Black Friday.  What I do mean is I love the holiday spirit – every inch of it.

Amazing how kindness appears during those days.  Holding the door for someone whose hands are full of packages.  Baking a loaf of yummy bread for a neighbor.  Reaching out to those in need.  Wishing Merry Christmas to total strangers.  Paying in forward in the Starbucks line.

Wonder what our 2023 would look like if we were more intentional in caring about others?

Like those tiny slivers of shiny glitter, our human touch would stick everywhere reminding others they are seen by their Creator God.  Glimpses of His love and kindness would illuminate even the darkest of days.  Dismissing distractions and busyness for the sake of reaching out to those in need would be commonplace. The good news birthed in Bethlehem would become a reality to a world desperately in need of daily hope.

Sweet friends, what are we waiting for?

We have plenty of days in 2023 to really make a difference.  To leave an imprint on the lives of those God brings into our path. Our own agendas may sideline us if we aren’t intentional, therefore, we must seize divine appointments as gifts from our God to be stewarded. We will have incredible opportunities to introduce those we meet to the hope of Jesus which lives within us. It may be while we are serving in a homeless shelter. It may be while we are standing in line at Target. It could be while we are doing our normal eight to five.  It possibly might be while we are standing with hands raised in worship.  It even could be a moment when we are at our lowest.  Whatever the circumstances or timing, our reaching out and sharing at pivotal moments could draw someone’s heart to God.  What a joy it would be to play a part in seeing someone’s prayers answered.

The flipping of the calendar goes ever so quickly.  The moments of our lives evaporate fast.  Let’s choose to intentionally be the hands and feet of Jesus to our world.  Let’s sprinkle the glitter of God’s love all around us – leaving no one out.

“Father, help us to reflect Your love to our world.  Show us how to seize opportunities to serve others.

For His Glory

 

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Encouragement, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | January 6, 2023

When Weak Invites Strong

“Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9b-10 (NIV)

Don’t know about you but there are lots of moments in my day when I feel utterly powerless. Life gets crazy, chaotic and overwhelming. We get out of bed ready to conquer our day and within moments it all swirls out of control. Our superwoman cape slips off, and the reality of our vulnerable weaknesses hits us square in the face. Emotional eating doesn’t fix it. Crying doesn’t solve it. Outrage only makes it worse. And wallowing in self-pity pretty much stinks. Just keeping it real here – pride would easily slip in if we thought we had it all covered all the time.

So what’s a girl to do when authentic self unveils her weaknesses? We could just keep pressing thru relying on self but eventually, burnout will win and exhaustion will seep in. Perhaps we might consider hiding behind our weak spots allowing them to sideline us and cower in intimidation. Shrinking back rather than stretching forward.

Not quite the solution for brave, courageous women of God. Absolutely love these words from the Apostle Paul reminding us that weakness isn’t to be ignored or dreaded. Delight and joy should rise within us when we allow God to transform our weaknesses into strengths. He is our true power source, and we can depend on Him to empower us to do what only He can do.

We all have weaknesses and like Paul, those rough spots are what keep us humbly dependent on our mighty, gracious God. We can resist the independence urge and allow His strength to enable us to do more than we dared imagine. So glad, God sets us up to need Him more and more each day – the perfect place for His glory to shine through us. For when we are weak then we are strong in Him alone.

“Father, too often we run from our weaknesses or attempt to outplay our own strength. Teach us the value of viewing our lack from your perspective and reap the benefits of Your strength.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

 

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

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | January 5, 2023

Historic Moments

“It is He who changes the times and the epochs.” Daniel 2:21 (NIV)

 

To make history is to do something that is remembered in or influences the course of history. People can make history. Since October 30, 2022, the people of Brazil have been in the streets to bring awareness about the corruption that has been eating away at not just the monies of the treasury, but (even more worrisome and dangerous), the freedom of the people. The colors of the flag, green, yellow, blue, and white have been worn in what seems to be a sea of patriotism. People kneeled in the streets and prayed together for justice and for the right to keep their nation free from corruption and robbery.

Sometimes, nature makes history as well. This holiday season, I drove to Buffalo, NY, to spend Christmas and New Year’s with my youngest son and his family. Little did I know I would be part of a historical time in Western New York, as a severe blizzard blasted Buffalo and its adjacent towns with snow and ice, while also blowing 50 to 60 MPH winds. While snow is beautiful, too much of it at any given time, especially when accompanied by harsh winds, can become a dangerous thing.  Fortunately, the winds are dying down and the temperatures are not so low in the negatives starting tonight. It seems like the worse is over and the clean-up is going to start.

As for the people of my native Brazil, faith has been the foundation for their strength to remain in the streets for nearly two months, accompanied by the elderly and young children. We pray justice will prevail and corruption will be brought down.

Two very different places; two very different demonstrations of history being made. The strength of the people of both places is shown by how they react to adversity. In both cases, clean-up is necessary. In both cases, the community needs to stick together. And in both cases, God is their source.

“Father, Your people cry out to You. We believe in You. Always. Thank You.”

For His Glory

 

Luska Natali
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Faith, Hope, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Living

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