Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | November 9, 2022

Want To Refresh? Part 1

Join us for a 3 part series on God’s refreshment for our souls before we head into the busy holiday season. Today features Part 1, Thursday Part 2 and we will conclude on Friday with Part 3. Enjoy!

“As the deer pants for the water brooks, So my soul pants for You, God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.” Psalm 42:1-2

It used to be when you asked someone how they were doing, the pat answer was, “fine”—no matter what was going on. The past few years, however, that standard go-to answer seems to have changed. There are two versions I hear a lot…and I bet you hear them too. (I bet, like me, you SAY them!) What are they? (1) “Tired” and (2) “Busy”.

Maybe you’re a wife and mom managing a frenetic household; a single woman juggling crazy work pressures, friendships, and a desire to serve the Lord; a daughter caring for an aging parent; a new mom…newly single…newly widowed…newlywed.

The craziness of life can be overwhelming (whether the craziness is around us—or in us)! We are busy, and we are tired. We long to refresh. Some of us choose a hot bubble bath soak. For others, it’s a quiet walk on the beach—or a hardcore workout. Maybe you’re a spa girl. Regardless of our go-to activity, we all have our ideal ways to refresh (even if this “refreshing” doesn’t make your to-do list very often). These can be good. But none will last.

Do you want to find a deep, truly soul-level restoration? I want to share three ways to do just that. To get refreshment that goes deeper than a two-hour massage, that’s richer than the most decadent chocolate cake, that’s more nourishing than that succulent hydro facial.

  1. QUENCH YOUR THIRSTY SOUL WITH THE LORD.

Friend, God created us with a thirst for Him—a God-shaped craving.

Psalm 42:1-2  As the deer pants for the water brooks,So my soul pants for You, God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God;

Oh, and we try so desperately to quench that craving with things of this world, don’t we? Relationships, buying stuff, busyness, sex, alcohol, drugs…maybe even Christian service (um, that’s for us Marthas out there). But although there may be a temporary satisfaction, it never lasts. In fact, often the result is a frenzied greed for more and more in efforts to fill up…while the actual void remains. Our soul and flesh yearn for GOD.

 Psalm 63:1   God, You are my God; I shall seek You earnestly; My soul thirsts for You, my flesh yearns for You, In a dry and exhausted land where there is no water.

And because He created us with this thirst, this God-shaped vessel, He made a way of quenching and satisfaction. He gave us Living Water—Jesus.

As Jesus told the Samaritan woman at the well, He tells us: “Ask Me, and I will give you Living Water. Whoever drinks of the water that I will give shall never be thirsty; but the water that I will give will become a fountain of water springing up to eternal life.” (John 4:14)

Jesus is Life—He is life-giving. Accepting this invitation to drink of Him is the only way to quench our deep thirst. And like a cold glass of water on a hot day, there is a refreshing…but more than that, there is total renewal and true satisfaction. Not just at salvation, but ongoing through our lives as Christians. We must intentionally partake of Jesus! Martha’s sister, Mary, understood this, didn’t she? She sat at the feet of Jesus and drank in His presence and His words. And although Martha was running around serving Jesus and His people, it was Mary, Jesus said, who chose the better thing (Luke 10).

“I am so thirsty, Lord. May I sit at Your feet to be filled and satisfied by You alone.”

For His Glory

Julianne Winkler Smith
TRBC Women’s Life

 

 

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | November 8, 2022

Swallowed Up By Life

“For we know that when this earthly tent we live in is taken down (that is, when we die and leave this earthly body), we will have a house in heaven, an eternal body made for us by God himself and not by human hands. We grow weary in our present bodies…but it’s not that we want to die and get rid of these bodies that clothe us. Rather, we want to put on our new bodies so that these dying bodies will be swallowed up by life.”     2 Corinthians 5:1-4  (NLT)

When you were a child, did you ever consider getting old? Did you ever look in the mirror and imagine yourself being fifty, sixty, seventy, or even older? I didn’t, and I’ll bet you didn’t, either. But here I am, a great-grandmother. Would someone tell me how I got so old when I wasn’t paying attention?

Looking back on an active life, even ten years ago, I had plenty of energy to go to work all day, come home and cook dinner, clean the kitchen, do the laundry, and take care of other household chores. In addition, I led a weekly Bible study in my home and studied for that most every evening. Then on Saturdays, we often went boating or camping. Of course, I was tired by day’s end, but I somehow found the strength to keep going as long as I had to.

Now, facing my 76th birthday, I find that life has turned a corner. I no longer go to work every day and no longer participate in weekend recreational activities. Over the years, I have had some troublesome internal organs removed, and I’ve broken several bones in auto accidents and falls. I long to take an afternoon nap – and sometimes do. This earthly “tent” is wearing out. I’m not the girl I used to be.

So do I consider myself to be dying? Not even close! And neither did Paul when he wrote his second letter to the Corinthians. As he said in  an earlier chapter, “Though our bodies are dying, our spirits are being renewed every day.” A thumbs-up to that!

Paul, a tentmaker by trade, refers to the human body as an earthly tent, and compares death to the tent being taken down. He knew that the death of the body was the beginning of new life. I love it when he says these dying bodies “will be swallowed up by life.”

Swallowed up by life! What a glorious concept. The leaves on my family tree are getting fewer and fewer. Many of my relatives have gone on to be with Jesus. Several of our acquaintances succumbed to Covid, but we don’t have to think of them as “gone.” Instead, we can think of ourselves as temporarily “left behind,” and they – those who had been saved from the penalty of their sins by the sacrifice of Jesus – have been swallowed up by life!

Praise God!

“Dear Father, thank you for the gift of a forever life! Thank you for preparing a place for us, and for the guarantee of your Spirit, keeping us safe in Your care until we join You at home in heaven.”

For His Glory

Cherie Harbridge Williams
TRBC Women’s Life

 

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | November 3, 2022

Count Them One By One

“I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.” Psalm 34:1

Why is it that parents try to instill a sense of gratitude in their children from a very young age? Based on my own experience as a parent, I would say that my children’s gratitude warms my heart. A simple ‘thank you’ when you give them food or buy them a new toy, shoes or clothing can go a long way. However, it is not the words that matter, but the action. When a child expresses gratitude from the heart, it penetrates the heart of a parent like the sweet aroma of heavenly roses. In some instances, it even encourages the parent to do more than what the child has asked just to reward the good behavior.

Have you stopped to think how much more would God bless you for your simple expression of gratitude? Take a look around you! How many blessings can you count with just one glance? Are you like the child who joyfully thanks her parents for something she just received or are you like the one who grabs that gift and walks away as if nothing has happened?

The Bible spurs us to thank the Lord in the good and in the bad times (1 Thess. 5:18). Why? Because God delights Himself in our praises; this is His will for us. Do you remember a man named Job, who had it all and saw it all taken from him, and yet he remained in God and praised God for ALL of it (meaning the good and the bad)? If you check out Job 1:21-22, you will see that Job recognized that God was sovereign over all areas of his life and he trusted God to get him out of the misfortunes he had been facing.

Take a moment to talk to God one-on-one. Think of some things for which you are thankful. Praise Him. Thank Him. Bless Him. Allow yourself to be enveloped by His presence, and you will see how good it feels to be there, just you alone with Him, letting Him know you are thankful for all your blessings, counting them one by one…

“Dear Lord, we could never name each and every one of the blessings You bestow upon us, as they are many, but know that we rejoice in all that You do. Thank you!”

For His Glory

Luska Natali
TRBC Women’s Life

 

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | November 2, 2022

Diffuse Don’t Ignite

“A gentle answer deflects anger, but harsh words make tempers flare.” Proverbs 15:1 (NLT)

Like many couples, a division of labor at our house creates a sense of harmony. Some couples decide ahead of time who will be cooking the meals for the week. Others may plan who is saddled with the icky jobs like cleaning toilets or taking the trash out. While I would prefer never taking the trash out or going to the grocery store, there is one job I dread above all others which my husband has so graciously taken responsibility for. My love for my husband increases exponentially when he performs this task, allowing me to avoid it entirely.

I despise making phone calls. Don’t get me wrong, I enjoy catching up with family and friends on the phone on occasion. However, I would rather clean a toilet than call Direct TV to try to get a better deal. I prefer doing dishes (every single dish in the house) over calling the insurance company to clear up a procedure they failed to cover. Presented with the choice of dusting or calling a credit card company to cancel our account, I will choose dusting every time.

My husband has a way with customer service representatives that eludes me. I get frustrated too easily with what feels like their unwillingness to help me. My conversations with customer service representatives end in a stalemate, leaving me fuming in anger. My husband, on the other hand, speaks with kindness and clarity. He asks the representative’s name and how his/her day is going. He is so kind that generally he ends the call with more than we were asking for.

As followers of Christ, we do not have the option to avoid distasteful activities. We may be confronted with angry people. Angry, hurt, disgruntled people may present logical or illogical claims against us. Anger or hostility may be directed at our friends, our church, and/or our families.

Our key verse calls us to calm the situation, as much as it depends on us. We can choose to speak with words that honor and bring glory to God. These may not be the first words that pop into our minds. Those negative words would probably be better off swallowed and consumed in the acid of our stomachs. Our key verse directs us to take a deep breath, exhaling words that bring life and not death, words that restore and not destroy, words that extend grace and not condemnation.

“Lord, may we seek to speak Your words of love and grace in every situation. May we lead others to the cross for restoration and healing. Thank You for Your grace in our own lives.”

For His Glory

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

 

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | October 31, 2022

A Seed Planted

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”  John 3:16

“I know exactly what we should do,” flowed from my lips. Faced with a challenging situation, we brainstormed for hours  Mentally exhausted, we were ready to call it a day. Until those words echoed from my mouth declaring I had the best solution. Hate to admit it but I was the only one who thought it was the perfect answer.

Rejection is not our fave place. No one wants to think they’ve got it all figured out only to find others don’t agree. No one wants to experience the pain of not being accepted. No one wants to be ignored, cast aside or silenced. No one wants to hear that what they are doing doesn’t measure up. Yet it happens every day.

While rejection is an unavoidable occurrence, we can learn to navigate it well. One of those ways is to realize not everyone will agree with us or like our ideas  – simply put don’t take it personally. While someone may bomb on our suggestion, it could spark a solution they hadn’t even entertained.

Let’s take it a little deeper….I recently watched a characterization of Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews  In this pivotal scene, Nicodemus comes face to face with the Messiah – Jesus.

“Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with Him,” echoed from Nicodemus’ lips (John 3:”2b).

Curiosity and intrigue drew Nicodemus into an intimate conversation as Jesus welcomed every question (John 3). As this scene played out, Nicodemus wrestled with his desire to follow Jesus versus remaining comfortable as a prestigious Pharisee. So many seeds planted, yet the story ends and we are left wondering if Nicodemus rejected the gospel or eventually accepted Jesus as his Savior.

Rejection, yes it’s a heavy word…..but even in the midst of rejection, we don’t know what God is doing underneath the surface. Some scholars believe that Nicodemus was “a secret disciple whose faith grew slowly.”  He also defended Jesus when other Pharisees spoke against Him and sought to have Jesus arrested (John 7:50-52). And the final mention of Nicodemus is found in John 19 after the death of Jesus.  Nicodemus brought about 75 pounds of myrrh and aloes to prepare Jesus’ body for burial – enough to bury a king royally. Such an extravagant expression of spices showed Nicodemus’ great appreciation of Jesus.

All the wrestling, questioning and pondering of one prestigious man reminds us that even in the face of rejection seeds are planted. Wow …..totally gives me a renewed compassion for those who don’t know Jesus yet but are contemplating and searching. The war within – flesh and spirit, dark and light. Thousands of reasons never to stop praying and to patiently entertain open dialogue even if it appears rejection is staring us in the face.

Sweet friends, who in your sphere of influence has totally rejected the God you love and serve? Don’t lose heart…..they may be one more step closer to faith than you ever imagined.

“Father help us to share Your love consistently with others and never give up. Rejection may be what we hear, but it doesn’t have to be the end of their story.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | October 27, 2022

What You See Is Not What You Get

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”  2 Corinthians 5:17   NIV

As I was driving down the road the other day, the car ahead of me caught my attention. It was what Dave Ramsey calls a “beater.” The plain old car was never glamorous, even off the assembly line. It was never sleek and racy. It had been built to appeal to cost-conscious buyers. Then, at some point over the years, it had suffered the indignity of having been in an accident and not repaired. There were creases around its boo-boo that were covered in rust.

There was one thing that stood out about that humble little car. Above the manufacturer’s emblem on the back was a second emblem – a shiny one that had been attached recently. It was from a Ford Mustang – that magnificent, silver racing horse. You know the one. I had a good chuckle; then I realized the life lesson.

My first thought was that it was parallel to the old adage about putting lipstick on a pig. But no, this was different. This was about a tired-looking little car with the heart of a racing machine. Kind of like me, and maybe you, too.

I could be compared to that little economy car. I grew up rather average with certain goals. I succeeded at some, failed at some, and got into some “accidents” of my own making along the way. I still carry the signs of dents and rust with me. But when I turned to God with my whole heart, He lifted me out of that life, dusted me off, and gave me the heart of a mustang. I can never praise Him enough for how He has transformed my life, restored my self-respect, and made me useful for His service.

How about you? If you are still in need of a transformation, my prayer is that you will stop right now and yield your heart and life to the One who can remake you.

“Father, we are so grateful that You can take us as we are, often tired and worn, and give us hearts that beat with passion and purpose. We pray that our lives will stand in witness to those who still need You.”

 

For His Glory

 

Cherie Harbridge Williams
TRBC Women’s Life

 

 

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | October 25, 2022

Isolation Kills

“And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”  Hebrews 10:24-25

Some of you may recall watching a fascinating show called “Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom”—I remember being a small child, enthralled by this groundbreaking documentary about the behavior of wild animals around the globe. Even if your memory doesn’t go back that far, you’ve probably seen a video of a lion tracking a group of gazelles on some African plain. The lion crouches, watching and waiting. As soon as the pack of prey senses the lion—or the lion makes its move—panicked fleeing ensues. But then you see it. That one straggler…the one who’d wandered off alone to do his own thing, separated from the others. The lion sees that one too. Without the protection of the pack, the isolated gazelle soon becomes dinner.

Fast forward to 2022. Over the past few years, it has become sadly evident that isolation is causing a new level of deadliness among human beings. Even before COVID-19, ample psychological studies were done on social isolation, showing that it significantly increases a person’s risk of premature death from all causes—rivaling risks from smoking, obesity, and physical inactivity (50% increased risk of dementia, 29% increased risk of heart disease, and 32% increased risk of stroke). Loneliness is also associated with higher rates of depression, anxiety, and suicide—which we’re seeing among the breathtaking stats of amplified alcohol and drug abuse, overdose deaths, and suicide due to the forced isolation since early 2020.

One way or another, isolation causes death.

This concept is just as relevant for the follower of Jesus Christ. Believers need each other! Yes, we must be in God’s Word daily—to know the Truth, understand our calling as light in a dark world and grow in a deeper relationship with the Lord. But we are also exhorted to support and encourage one another—today—keeping each other accountable to walk in righteousness (Hebrews 3:13). We are to speak the truth in love to one another, so we can help spur each other on to maturity (Ephesians 4:15).

Friend, we need community. The writer of Hebrews makes it abundantly clear: As the return of Christ gets nearer (and, if you ask me, that day is approaching quickly), and the world gets darker and darker, we can’t stop meeting together. We have to spur one another on, encouraging each other to love and serve and keep our eyes on the Lord.

Why? Because the Bible is also abundantly clear that, like those gazelles in Africa, a lion is watching us, roaming around, crouching in the tall grass of culture (1 Peter 5:8). He waits for that self-imposed isolation… “I don’t need to go to church today, I’ll just go for a walk and appreciate God’s beautiful creation.” Or “No Bible study for me tonight—I just can’t be around those people right now.” Friend, when we isolate ourselves from our brothers and sisters in Christ—our “spiritual pack”—we put ourselves at risk. Our enemy is watching for those opportunities to devour us. And he will strike when given the chance.

But we can stand firm against him when we stay connected and engaged with a community of believers. It’s so vital, especially in today’s inherently isolating world (whether a result of a digital lifestyle, social-media separation, or media-narrated fears). On our own, it’s way too easy to be lulled away from others or enticed by some shiny thing “over there” that takes us off the narrow path.

All Christians are part of the Body of Christ—family united through salvation and citizens of heaven. But, brothers and sisters, if you are not part of a Bible-believing church body, please make this a priority. The enemy knows his time is short. And his mouth is watering to destroy whomever he can (John 10:10)…starting with the easy prey of those standing alone.

“Lord, let us not fail to meet together as believers, keeping each other encouraged and accountable until Your return.”

For His Glory

 

Julianne Winkler Smith
TRBC Women’s Life

 

 

 

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | October 18, 2022

“Mindfields”

“But I am afraid that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his trickery, your minds will be led astray from sincere and pure devotion to Christ.” 2 Corinthians 11:3

Land mines have a long history in global wartimes. Starting in ancient Rome, when spikes were buried to thwart forward movement by the enemy, through the Ming dynasty and the American Civil War, when explosives were concealed to trap—and destroy—enemy troops. In modern warfare, explosive mines have become quite “effective” in conflicts. Traversing minefields—even when soldiers know they could be there—is always dangerous and deadly. What’s worse, minefields often remain active well after the war-du-jour is over, sadly taking the lives of children and other civilians for years to come.

When we recognize that we are far from God, separated by the chasm of sin, and accept the gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, we are fully redeemed—transformed into a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). But although our inner man (our spiritual self) is made new, we still have to live in the flesh, our fallen body. And our enemy, Satan, never ceases to pursue us—not to steal our salvation, because he cannot—but to keep us from glorifying God and serving and loving others. So, until we are out of this body and present with the Lord (2 Corinthians 5:8), the battle against sin rages on.

And, as with human warfare, these spiritual battles in the life of every believer are also fraught with concealed traps—dangerous and even deadly. We may know they are there, even expect them, but the threat still remains as we move forward toward ultimate victory.

These dangers, friend, are “mindfields.”

The battle with sin always starts in the mind, with our thoughts. We may be exposed to a lie (on social media, talking with a friend, watching a show) and think, “Well, that doesn’t seem so bad—I can do/say/be that.” Our thoughts deceive us, feeding our emotions to rile us up to accept the sin with fervor. Then, once our minds and hearts are bought in, we wholeheartedly take action. And danger—sometimes even death—results.

How do we effectively clear our mindfields? Thankfully, it’s much simpler than removing the mines of human warfare. First, we must fill our minds with the Truth of God’s Word, setting our thoughts on things above (Colossians 3:2). When we know the Truth, we can destroy the hissing lies of the enemy and other crafty deceptions (2 Corinthians 10:5). Second, we must think about better things—better than what, you ask? Better than the junk being relentlessly hurled at us by the world (divisiveness, hatred, anger, lies, smut, selfishness, etc.). In fact, God, through the Apostle Paul, gives us a nice list of things to think about in Philippians 4:8: “Whatever is true, honorable, just, pure, lovely, commendable, excellent, and praiseworthy.”

So, let’s keep our minds swept of nasty spikes and explosives meant to turn us away from our good and God’s glory. Read the Bible and think about godly things. Simple, but not simplistic…and certainly not easy. But, sweet friend, your life depends on it.

“Lord, may my thoughts be on You, Your Word, and things that glorify You so that my mind will be protected…which will protect my heart and my very life.”

 

For His Glory

 

Julianne Winkler Smith
TRBC Women’s Life

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | October 14, 2022

Authentic Faith

“They said, “Though John never performed a miraculous sign, all that John said about this man (Jesus) was true.” John 10:41b(NIV)

The tangible, the visible – always looking for a sign. Isn’t that where we often find ourselves? Longing for confirmation. Waiting it out to see what takes place. Questioning, analyzing – even attempting to discredit. So how does believing in what we can’t see (faith) fit into our agenda?

Enter John the Baptist – the forerunner of Christ – preparing the way. Preaching repentance. And then as quickly as Jesus came on the scene, John faded into the distance. Amazing that John was remembered not because of what he did but because he spoke the truth. Incredible how John could fade and pull away from the crowds because Jesus was the One they should follow. Everything John had said about Jesus was trustworthy and true. Without a moment’s hesitation, he quietly and graciously moved to second and Jesus became first.

Wonder if we’ve been looking for tangible proof? Wonder if we’ve exchanged authentic faith for a cheap visible replica? It’s so easy to base what we believe on what we see rather than what we have heard. It’s challenging to trust what we can’t see rather than believe what others tell us. Satan loves to swirl our thoughts, curiosity and insecurities into doubts. He loves to discredit the reality of God’s presence. But he, the evil one, does not speak truth. His lies may paralyze and discourage, but the truth of God exposes all Satan’s tricks.

Still looking for the tangible, the visible – the beauty of creation cries out the truth of our amazing Creator. Longing for confirmation – search deep into His Words, and we will find God to be faithful and true!

“Father, help us to believe, speak and live out the truth of who You are – our incredible God!”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

 

 

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | October 13, 2022

Hungering For More

“God blesses those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied.” Matthew 5:6 (NLT)

“Do you want another kid’s meal?” Grandma asked Kaden, my 6-year-old.

“Yes, please!” Kaden replied between mouthfuls of silver dollar pancakes, bacon, and eggs. The boy loves pancakes and bacon. Two plates already lay clean at the side of the table, every morsel consumed by my growing boy. He had inhaled bacon offered from adult plates at the table as well. He finally sat back in the booth after cleaning another plate and declared, “I think I want more pancakes and bacon but I better not. Sadly, I don’t think I have any more room.”

In our key verse, a “hunger and thirst for righteousness” refers to a continual fulfillment of God’s righteousness. Kaden’s hunger for bacon and pancakes was eventually satisfied. The idea here is that we, as believers, hunger and thirst for more righteousness as we are filled with righteousness … causing us to hunger for more … and on and on the cycle continues. As we are satisfied with more of God, we hunger for even more.

What is this righteousness for which we hunger and thirst? It isn’t a full belly, but a heart that is right with God. Righteousness is a gift we receive through the sacrifice of Christ. “…But even greater is God’s wonderful grace and his gift of righteousness, for all who receive it will live in triumph over sin and death through this one man, Jesus Christ…Christ’s one act of righteousness brings a right relationship with God and new life for everyone.” (Romans 5:17-18)

Kaden’s full belly only satisfied his physical hunger for food. Our satisfaction stems from being filled to overflowing with spiritual blessings. The well never runs dry. The plates of bacon and pancakes never stop coming. God desires to fill our plates with spiritual blessings when we continually hunger for more of Him, for more of His righteousness. Our filling will lead to more hunger. We may not be able (or even want to) eat mounds of bacon and pancakes, but do we want more of Him? Let’s hold out our plates, saying, “Yes, please!” to more of God.

“Father, I come to You, asking You to continually fill my plate with more of You. Thank You for Your promise to fill us to overflowing with Your spiritual blessings when we hunger and thirst for a right relationship with You.”

For His Glory

Tammy Randlett

TRBC Women’s Life

 

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