Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | January 3, 2023

His-Story

“In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth (Genesis 1:1). He who testifies to these things says, “Yes, I am coming quickly.” Amen. Come, Lord Jesus. The grace of the Lord Jesus be with all. Amen.” (Revelation 22:20-21)

As 2023 kicks off, you may have decided on a few resolutions—bad habits you’d like to stop or new ones you’d like to start. It may only take a few days for you to have broken one or two. But that’s ok. Just get back on the horse, so to speak, forgive yourself, and start fresh again now (not “tomorrow,” mind you, but right now). You can do it!

Regardless of how long you have been a follower of Christ, here is a New Year’s question for you: What is your Bible-reading habit—is it a habit at all? Maybe you read a verse or two from an emailed devotion each morning, or you open the Bible and randomly choose a couple of verses to read. Once you spend those 5 minutes with the Word, you call it “good” and get on with your day. Maybe you have go-to verses you like to lean into, like a particular Psalm or passage from one of Paul’s letters—going to Leviticus or one of the minor prophets seems, well, “unprophetible” (lol).

But friend, “all Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man (and woman) of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (2 timothy 3:16-17). It is Truth, living and active. Every word of God’s Word—not just the pillow-stitching verses. The Bible is His-Story (Jesus) and our story.

Have you ever challenged yourself to read the whole Word of God, from Genesis to Revelation? How about doing it in one year? Why not make 2023 the year to do so? It may require getting out of bed a few minutes earlier, taking your Bible to work and reading on your lunch break or turning off the TV sooner than usual to spend time in the Word with your spouse or kids. But you can do it! This is one habit—I promise—that may require discipline at first…but soon it will be the desire of your mind and heart. And you won’t want to miss a single day.

One approach that’s really cool is to read through the Bible in chronological order—the order in which Biblical events happened. There are lots of websites and apps out there to help you find a plan, but here is one for you now! So, get your copy of the Bible now, opening up to Genesis 1:1. You may have a few days of catchup to do, but you’ve got this! This will be the best investment you’ll make this year…the best habit you’ll form—in fact, it will no doubt positively impact all your other resolutions and habits.

“Lord, You promise that Your Word will not return void (Isaiah 55:11). May I diligently seek You in the Bible each day, learning more about Your love for me and growing deeper in love with You.”

For His Glory

Julianne Winkler Smith
TRBC Women’s Life

 

 

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

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | December 30, 2022

Thankful For The Littles In Our Lives

“And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3 (NIV)

The blue-eyed 4-year-old approaches the area where I stand and announces to me that when we get ready to eat dinner, he will be the one sitting beside me. With much delight, I nod a ‘yes’ and smile at him. He is wearing a red Power Ranger costume, which has stuffed cotton sewn into the sleeves to give an impression of large muscles. He flexes his arm as if to say, “I’ve got the power,” and exits the area smiling.

That little guy’s name is Kylar Beckham, and he is my grandson. No need to say how special he made me feel with his affirmation that my presence at the dining table is wanted. I live in another state and don’t get to visit too often.   When I am here, I try to savor each moment I have with my son Lukas, daughter-in-love Jesie, and their three munchkins, my grandsons Tristan, Kylar and Adriel.

This Christmas season, mother nature chose to dump an obscene amount of snow in WNY, and here in the outskirts of Buffalo, we are snowed in and unable to leave home, as we have been assigned code red for this area concerning the danger due to ice, harsh winds and zero visibility.

It may be windy and cold outside, but no one in this family is complaining. We have each other, and we have what we need to feel contentment.

Life is full of choices, and we are given opportunities to choose between one thing and another; we are given opportunities to feel joy or to focus on misfortune. We can look out the window and feel bad because we cannot go outside or we can focus on what is inside and feel blessed that we have people we love around us.

My little Power Ranger has reminded me that the most precious things are not those that money can buy. Oftentimes, they come in a costume worn by a small child who thinks he has superpowers. Ahhh…. If we only were more like the little ones!

“Father God, thank You for the innocent minds of little children with big hearts.”

 For His Glory

 

Luska Natali
TRBC Women’s Life

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

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | December 29, 2022

Beating The Winter Blues

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

If you are like me, once the holidays are over, you are ready for Spring. But why would we want to skip over a quarter of our lives! God made this time of year just like He made the rest of the year, and I want to find joy in this season too.

What can we do to feel better when dealing with winter blues? Here are a few tips:

1)     Plan something to look forward to. Perhaps something in the near future and something farther away. Our plans don’t have to cost a whole lot of money. Planning will keep us busy, and we will have something on our calendar.

2)     Do something “spur of the moment” when we are feeling kind of “blah.” Visit the library. Rent a movie. Get some cleaning around the house done. (It’s amazing how accomplishment can cheer us up!) Bundle up and go for a walk. Call a friend. Visit a family member. Read some Scripture. Pray. Journal. Volunteer. Do something that will help us feel better…and do what we can to encourage others who are struggling too.

3)     Focus on doing things we can only do in the colder weather and enjoy those moments. Build a fire and drink hot chocolate. Snuggle under a heated blanket. Take a long bubble bath. There is a lot to do in the winter! We just have to get creative…and search the internet.

This day, this week, this month, this season will all too soon come to an end. Why don’t we all try to enjoy it? Enjoy God’s creation. Enjoy time with one another. Relish in it until the days get longer and the sun gets warmer….and then relish those days too!

“Dear Lord, Thank You for this season. Help me to appreciate the beauty and serenity…and to find JOY in each and every day You have given me.”

For His Glory,

Laurel Shaler(www.drlaurelshaler.com)
TRBC Women’s Life

 

 

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Posted in Attitude, Encouragement, Hope, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | December 27, 2022

New Year’s Evolution

“The Law of the Lord is perfect, restoring the soul; The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple.” Psalm 19:7

If you’re a New Year’s Resolution kind of person, then during this week between Christmas and New Year’s Day you may be mulling over the changes you’d like to make in 2023 (still hard to believe another year has come and gone!). Perhaps you’ll write a list to post on your fridge or tuck away in a drawer. Maybe you’ve purchased a fresh journal in which you’ll decree your “to-dos” and “not-to-dos” for the year, with the intention to fill its pages with your 365-day journey. Or maybe you’re a “word-of-the-year” person—choosing a single word for 2023 to intentionally drive your thoughts, words, and actions.

Maybe, though, you think New Year’s Resolutions are for the birds, and January 1 is simply a flip of the digital calendar page.

Whatever your perspective on one year’s end and another’s beginning, time is undeniably ticking for all of us—whether you’re 18 or 88. And life’s passage, dear friend, requires growth and development. In fact, as followers of Jesus Christ, we Christians are made to be transformed. At the moment of salvation (surrender to the work of Jesus on our behalf), we are made new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17)—the old nature passes away as we are forgiven and set free from the shackles of sin. Then, our life task is to be continually conformed into the image of Christ, day by day. To progress in holiness and righteousness, through the power of the Holy Spirit living in us, as we walk through this life toward heavenly glory (Colossians 3:10; Romans 8:29; 2 Corinthians 3:18). We are called to spiritual evolution.

But how do we accomplish this? We have all the instructions we need in the Bible! God’s Word is a light to our path (Psalm 119:106), the bread of life (Matthew 4:4), the truth (John 17:7), purposeful (Isaiah 55:11), and eternal (Matthew 24:35; Isaiah 40:8). God’s Word teaches, corrects, and equips us (2 Timothy 3:16-17; Hebrews 4:12). And that’s just the start. For a full description of the power of God’s Word, check out Psalm 119!

Reading and meditating on God’s Word keeps us focused on truth—it informs us who we are in Christ, what is right amid this upside-down world, and how to keep from falling prey to the enemy’s schemes. God’s Word is powerful—in fact, “by the Word of the Lord the heavens were made” (Psalm 33:6). And it will convert, convict, console, and conform us. Most importantly, God’s Word keeps us from believing the pervasive cultural lies that constantly bombard us. Through reading and studying the Bible, our minds are renewed daily and stay clear, rather than being dulled and lulled into succumbing to the wide path of worldly ways. It’s so much easier to go with the flow than to swim upstream. But God’s Word roots us in truth, strengthening us to stand firm and walk in wisdom, not as a fool.

So, for 2023, consider making a New Year’s evolution—a commitment to grow deeper in your faith and knowledge of God through the study of His Word. Day by day, plunge into the amazing Truths laid out for us from Genesis to Revelation. I promise, friend, whatever your personal vision for next year may be (or if you don’t do resolutions at all), if you consume the Daily Bread of the Bible each day, you will be changed for the better. And, if you haven’t yet experienced the freedom offered by Jesus Christ—reconciliation with God, forgiveness, and new life—why not make today that day? There’s no better way to kick off the New Year than with an entirely new you.

“Lord, Your Word is a lamp unto my feet and light unto my path. Thank You for clearly providing Your pure and powerful Truths so I can walk in wisdom, live with righteousness, and experience Your peace.”

 

For His Glory

Julianne Winkler Smith
TRBC Women’s Life

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

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | December 26, 2022

2023 Best Year Ever

“But they could not find a way to do it, because all the people were captivated by what they heard.” Luke 19:48 (HCSB)

Smooth talk .. persuasive words – we’ve all heard them. Sometimes it’s the caller asking for a donation or a salesman trying to convince us their product is the one we can’t do without. Regardless, they attempt to move us toward belief in what they have or motivate us to give to what they need. Words that seek to birth their desired reaction.

Flip back through the pages of scripture and we find One who didn’t need smooth talk or persuasive words. Jesus, the living Son of God, spoke only the truth and the people were captivated. They listened and hung on His every word as He taught in the temple.

The Chief Priests, Scribes and leaders didn’t like the appearance of Jesus in their space. When He came on the scene and threw out the sellers cleansing was not an element they desired. Monetary gain and control were their driving force and now the center of attention was clearly focused on someone else. Jesus’ captive audience was temporarily derailing their plan to destroy Him.

Wonder what impact God’s word has on our lives? Are we captivated, motivated and inspired to obey His truths? Do we cling to every word seeking to understand His message? Or perhaps we are more interested in what makes us feel good. As seasoned believers, do we long for the spotlight of self-righteousness wrapped up in our hidden agendas and the message we long to convey? Or do we simply embrace familiarity while excusing our response?

Threatened by Jesus’ appearance and His words, these religious leaders missed the blessing found in embracing the truth. Let’s not join them. Let’s determine in 2017 to be captivated by God’s word. Let’s commit to being doers of the word and not just hearers. Let’s be intentional about obedience and promoters of His agenda and not our own. Let’s approach His words with awe and anticipation. Let’s welcome transformation and never forget the power of His words to birth change and holiness in our lives. Let’s pray His words, hold them tight to our hearts and be amazed, captivated and challenged by the very words of One who loves us more than we could ever imagine.

“Father there will be many things to keep us from Your word…distractions…. pursuits…many other things to do – empower us to choose the best – to gather at Your feet and listen closely to Your words.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

 

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Posted in Faith, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | December 23, 2022

Tracing His Story

“And Jacob fathered Joseph the husband of Mary, who gave birth to Jesus who is called the Messiah.” Mathew 1:16 (HCSB)

Oil painting was ever my fave in high school, but that sweet friends was decades ago. Not too many occasions to grab a brush and let my creative side emerge in this adult life. So when a chance to gather with friends for a paint night was an option, I seized the moment. And let me just say it didn’t disappoint – I absolutely loved it. We painted on wood pallets -a first for me – totally fun. My masterpiece was Frosty surrounded with fluffy snowflakes on a golden brown backdrop. Ever so pretty and the best part was the white lights shining through my snowflakes making them twinkle bright. Now before you become too impressed and think I’m quite the artist, the real trick was the stencils we used to trace the outline before a drop of paint hit the pallet. Painting was a whole easier than freestyling it.

Reminds me of the way we can trace Christ’s entrance into this world. From the very moment when sin was birthed in the garden, Christ’s redemptive story began. A long awaited Messiah. The One anticipated to come and set His people free. The very Son of God walking and talking with us. Isaiah 9 foretells His coming most beautifully. A child will be born, and He will be named Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, and Prince of Peace. Matthew & Luke perfectly trace His genealogy through the imperfect people, like us, to His arrival on earth in the manger. Eye witness accounts – not mere speculation. Makes believing a whole lot easier.

We are blessed with the Word of God which gives us an inside look at Christ’s birth and life. And as believers, we can trace His entrance into our life as well. Christmas is a wonderful time to reflect and trace the moment we accepted Christ and how that one tracing has birthed change in us. It’s also an incredible time to remember the greatest gift we can give Him is to share His story with others. Someone really needs to hear and see the masterpiece God has been painting in our lives. Makes this little light of ours shine the brightest when we are sharing His story in us.

“Father, You willingly gave Your Son to us – a babe born in a manger – a Savior for all people. May this Christmas be a time when we seize open doors and share Your story.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

 

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Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Gratitude, Hope, Worship

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | December 22, 2022

What Really Matters

“And while they were there, the time came for her baby to be born. She gave birth to her firstborn son. She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger, because there was no lodging available for them.” Luke 2:6-7 (NLT)

We investigated options. We researched available amenities at each facility. We took tours before making a final decision. We filled out the paperwork. We planned a date for admittance. None of that mattered in the end.

The hospital was beautiful with spacious rooms, kind nurses, and pampering services for new moms. The doctor planned to deliver our baby the next afternoon whether he was ready or not. My bag for the hospital was packed. Our three-year-old was headed for a sleepover at Grammy and Poppy’s house.

Until our baby decided he was ready to make his appearance six hours early. The beautiful hospital had no rooms available. We grudgingly checked into the hospital we had decided against. The room was stark and cold. The nurses were efficient but not very friendly. The birth did not go at all like we planned. Then we met our second son. The room no longer mattered. We suddenly appreciated how the nurses cared for us but allowed us the privacy to bond with our new bundle of joy. Ultimately, all that mattered was Kaden.

Mary gave birth to the Son of God in a manger—no beautiful room. She was surrounded by animals and hay—no doting nurses. The gospels do not record specifics, but I imagine pampering services were not part of the birthing package.

How did Mary handle the less than ideal circumstances for the birth of the Messiah? “She wrapped him snugly in strips of cloth and laid him in a manger.” The surroundings didn’t matter; the birth is what matters. Looking into the eyes of the Son of the Most High, Mary was holding the One who would be the salvation of all mankind. Before she even met her bundle of joy, she praised the Lord for him: “Oh, how my soul praises the Lord. How my spirit rejoices in God my Savior!” Luke 1:46b-47 (NLT)
As we approach Christmas, may we see what really matters—not the gifts, decorations, or parties. Ultimately, the birth of our Savior is all that matters.

“Thank You, Lord, for working in the life of a humble girl to provide the way of salvation. May we not be distracted by our surroundings but focus on the gift that is Your Son as we celebrate Christmas.”

For His Glory

 

Tammy Randlett (http://staletoast.com)
TRBC Women’s Life

 

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Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Hope

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | December 21, 2022

The Wondrous Gift Of Salvation

“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10)

The pressure of Christmas is reaching a peak in these few days before December 25th. Time is short. Last-minute shopping is being done; the necessity of wrapping all of those gifts is nagging at us. And in between, we take time to watch iconic Christmas movies. Depending on your generation, it’s not really Christmas without “It’s a Wonderful Life,” “Home Alone,” “A Christmas Story,” “Elf,” or “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” You may also be planning to carve out time to enjoy a Christmas party with friends or travel to see relatives for the holiday.

A lot of hullabaloos, isn’t it? Yet at the center of it is a quiet, vulnerable baby in a feeding trough, having given up the glory of heaven to seek and save that which was lost. Did He know in advance that He would temporarily give up the knowledge of why He had come in order to occupy the body of a helpless infant? Surely the knowledge of His divine purpose didn’t occur to Him until He was old enough to understand. Can you imagine the boy’s shock when He realized He was here for a special purpose, unlike like other boys – unlike his brothers, or any of His friends? Can you imagine the shock of realizing He was going to die a painful death to save from sin those who believed on Him? Don’t you know He had to struggle with human emotions before He could accept His Father’s sovereignty in the matter?

We have so much to be grateful for, much more than we can fully grasp until He comes for us again. During the madness of this final week before Christmas, we need to take time to reflect on the wondrous miracle of salvation, and the gift that was given to us, wrapped in swaddling clothes.

“Father, thank you for that incredible gift of salvation, which cost You so much. We ask that You help us quiet our spirits to worship You.”

For His Glory

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

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Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Gratitude, Hope

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | December 20, 2022

Carol Theology

“Glory to God in the highest, And on earth peace among people with whom He is pleased.” Luke 2:14

I can say with confidence that everyone who loves Christmas also loves Christmas carols. Don’t get me wrong, there are different levels of carol loving. Some of my friends literally start cranking holiday tunes in October. (These are the same friends who are ecstatic when carols start playing at Home Depot and Big Lots around the same time, while the rest of us roll our eyes.) My dad would, without fail, start every day after Thanksgiving with classic carols beckoning us out of bed for tree trimming. Others don’t care to hear these familiar tunes until Christmas Day is a just few days away—you know when they’re scrambling to “get into the Christmas spirit” with last-minute shopping and decorating.

And when thinking of those classic carols, who doesn’t love “Hark! The herald angels sing?” Written by Charles Wesley in 1739 and becoming a standard carol about 100 years later (1857), this popular carol is featured in “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” No matter your age, its triumphant melody is one of the prevailing undercurrents of this season.

But, friend, did you realize that this song is more than its familiar tune and well-known verses? “Hark! The herald angels sing” is rock-solid theological truth—it is prophecy revealed, from Genesis to Revelation. It is the Biblically sound description of the Person and work of Jesus Christ, and clearly lays out the why behind His birth. If you want to know the real reason for the season, all you have to do is study this amazing hymn. Although I could spend thousands of words underscoring Biblical theology in each turn of phrase, I’ll just give some overview—but I hope it piques your interest to dive into your Bible and drink in the amazing truths in this song. (You’ll see “homework” Scripture for you to reference with each verse!)

The overarching theme of Wesley’s “Hymn for Christmas Day” (its original name) is simple: The redemption of mankind to glorify God. In the Garden, from Genesis 3, God declared His plan to reconcile us back to Him through a God-Man who would declare victory over Satan and death. God gave us clues (prophecy) throughout the Old Testament pointing to Jesus’s birth, life, sacrificial death, and saving resurrection…and Wesley points to many of these while he praises God for it all—and bids us to join along.

Again, there’s so much packed in each verse! But here are some highlights:

  • Verse 1: Praise God with all of heaven—everyone—because Christ has been born in Bethlehem (Micah 5:2) to reconcile God and sinners! (Luke 2:14)
  • Verse 2: Jesus came to earth, fully God and fully Man, to dwell with us. He was, as Isaiah prophesied, born to a virgin. (Isaiah 7:14; John 1:14)
  • Verse 3: Jesus, the Prince of Peace, was born to remove the curse of death, to raise us to new life in Him, to transform and renew us. (Isaiah 9:6; Malachi 4:2; John 1:4; Psalm 27:1; Philippians 2:7; Romans 6:4)
  • Verse 4: This verse combines Garden prophesy of Christ’s birth (Gen 3:15) with Isaiah-to-Revelation prophecy when the time comes for all nations to bow, every tongue to confess, and the fallen world/nature to be perfected. (Haggai 2:7; John 14:23; 1 Corinthians 3:16; Ephesians 3:17; Isaiah 65:25; Revelation 21-22; 2 Peter 3:13; Galatians 2:20; 1 John 4:13)
  • Verse 5: We are all born into sin, but through Jesus we are transformed—from glory to glory—into the image of Christ. We are lost but are found in Jesus. (1 Corinthians 15:45; Romans 5:12-18; John 3:16)

And, of course, there is every refrain that is shouted with joy between each verse—a beckoning for us to join all of heaven in celebrating God with us, the King of kings, our Savior: “Hark! The herald angels sing! Glory to the newborn King!”

“Father God, may we never cease to focus on You this Christmas, giving glory and praise for the way of reconciliation You made through Jesus Christ—our Emmanuel.”

For His Glory

Julianne Winkler Smith
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Faith, Hope, Spiritual Living, Wisdom

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | December 19, 2022

Unexplainable Joy

“And He (Jesus) will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6b (NIV)

Brokenhearted over a lost love, young Ebenezer Scrooge allowed bitterness to penetrate deep.  A Christmas Carol details Scrooge’s struggle from Christmas Past, Christmas Present and the Christmas Yet To Be.   He not only extinguished joy in his own life, but Scrooge was determined to do the same to those around him.   As he sees his life unfold, Scrooge realizes that he allowed the loss of one love to rob him of the love of many people.

Wonder if we unpacked our lives if we would find the same?

Broken relationships can often close our hearts to loving others.  Our disappointments can mount and especially during the holidays, we can find ourselves avoiding another Christmas season. Excusing ourselves from gatherings.  Allowing our wounds to take center stage.

From the age of six, my son’s holidays were spent being transported from one parent to the other. An empty parking lot was often the meet and drop off spot. While his friends played with their toys, he left his gifts behind and headed to the other parent’s house.  I’m sure there were moments when he was greatly disappointed and brokenhearted over his “imperfect family,” yet I never saw his joy escape him.  There were no complaints or grumbling, instead he’d give me a hug and say, “Merry Christmas Mom.”

Amazing how resilient we were when our bodies were small and our hearts were large. We didn’t seem to hold grudges as long, and we definitely found it easier to forgive.   Instead of letting broken relationships extinguish our joy this holiday season, let’s seize the moment to bless the people God has brought into our lives.  Let’s share the reason for the joy residing within us.  Even if we are the only ones, let’s intentionally choose His peace over our feelings.

“Father, You are the keeper of our hearts – help us to love large and extend grace reflecting Your heart to our world.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

 

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Posted in Attitude, Encouragement, Hope

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