Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | November 16, 2022

Choosing To Spread Goodness

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up.” Galatians 6:9 (NIV)

“What goes around comes around,” says the popular proverb. Basically, what it means is that whatever it is that we sow, one day we will also reap; thus, if we do good, good will also be done to us.

You might say to me, “doing good even when things are tough, or even when others do us wrong is not a simple thing.” And I would say to you, “you are right. But the essence of faith is to believe that all things are possible with God and that if we persevere, we will reap the fruit of our faith.”

There once was a servant who owed his master a large sum of money (check out Matthew 18:21-35), and he could not pay him back. The master was going to throw the man in jail, but he pleaded with his master for mercy and his debt was forgiven. You would think that the man would’ve learned a lesson about forgiveness, right? Well, soon after he had his debt forgiven, that man went off to try to recover a much smaller amount of money owed to him by a fellow servant, who pled with him to let him work the debt off because he did not have the money. But the man was completely cold-hearted and instead, threw his fellow servant in jail. When the master found out what he had done to his fellow servant even after the master had forgiven his debt, he threw that man in jail until he could repay the debt that had already been forgiven. That man reaped what he sowed, and in his case, it wasn’t good.

Each day that we live we are faced with a myriad of decisions, and we must ask ourselves if the decisions we make are good not just for ourselves, but for all those involved. Whether it is money-related, as with those servants in Matthew 18, or an exchange of words or actions, the truth is that sometimes we are on the giving end, but at other times, we are on the receiving end, and we must remember that each time we lower the gavel on a decision.

If what goes around comes back around, let us choose to make a full circle with some good, because we can all benefit from it.

“Father, thank You for forgiving us every day that we live, even when we deserve it the least. Amen.”

For His Glory

Luska Natali
TRBC Women’s Life

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | November 15, 2022

Intimacy With God

“Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice.”  1 Chronicles 16:10  (NIV)

Thanksgiving is just about upon us this year. Our thoughts immediately go to how long it will take to thaw that turkey, how many relatives and friends will be at our table, where we will seat the young ones, who will make the green bean casserole, and a zillion other details.

We also think of the things we are thankful for. We’re grateful for God’s salvation, provision, protection, merciful kindness, family, Christian friendships, and on and on. But there is one thing I sometimes neglect to thank Him for: the intimacy He allows me to share with Him.

Intimacy is a relationship, the closest possible fellowship and unity. One of the distinguishing features of Christianity is that it is not a religion; it is a relationship with the Creator of the Universe. Of all the other gods that people worship, the only one offering a personal walk together is our living God, the great I AM. The very thought is breathtaking!

Can you know God intimately? Yes! First, you must trust Him, and believe that Jesus died for your sins and was raised again. There is no intimacy without trust. Then, you must repent and align yourself with His will. Receive Jesus as your Savior and Lord and commit to following Him.

Now that you have a restored relationship with Him, you can begin to grow closer. It doesn’t come all at once. The longer you are with Him, the deeper it grows. Learn to listen to His voice as you converse with Him, and as you go through your daily life. Study His Word, which is a love letter to you. Recognize His hand at work around you. He is always there with you, no matter where you are. It is so worth seeking Him with all your heart. He will teach you great and unsearchable things you don’t know (Jer. 33:3) and give you experiences you could never have apart from Him. Your life will slowly be transformed.

So spend time with Him, and listen eagerly for His still, small voice as He speaks to you privately. Observe what He is doing. Share Him with others.

My prayer for you this Thanksgiving is that you will know that deep, satisfying relationship with our Lord, that it will remain alive and active and fill your heart with joy. Never let the distractions of this world cause you to neglect it.

“Father, we long for a close, intimate relationship with You. Teach us Your ways, so we may know You more deeply than we have ever known You before.”

 For His Glory

 

Cherie Harbridge Williams
TRBC Women’s Life

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | November 14, 2022

Gratitude Focusing Outward

“I (Paul) never stop giving thanks for you as I remember you in my prayers.” Ephesians 1:16 (HCSB)

Sitting in a cold, dark prison thanking Jesus characterized Paul’s life. His situation wasn’t desirable or even thinkable, but Paul kept his mind focused. And that disciplined focus turned his attention outward rather than inward. Perhaps the secret to Paul’s survival in those dark places was found in his genuine love for God and others. Maybe the thing that kept him filled with gratitude was simply reflecting on how God had used others to minister to his life.

There’s not a day that goes by….or a moment that slips away…….that someone, that includes you and me, someone needs hope. And in the bleakness of a hard, dreary day there’s nothing more profound than hearing those words, “I’m praying for you.”

Paul knew that giving thanks and remembering others in prayer would be the catalyst for survival in his own soul. God’s faithfulness was sprinkled throughout the memory of those men and women who fed him, housed him, greeted him, prayed for him….an endless list of goodness from God through ordinary people. So, despite confinement and isolation, Paul’s heart wasn’t filled with “woe is me,” but rather “how rich I am.”

Genuine gratitude has a way of repositioning our human nature to see God’s loving kindness even in the most difficult places. Giving thanks reminds us that our lives are blessed and enriched by the people in our circle. Lifting others up in prayer reminds us of the sweet fellowship we share in the body of Christ, and every time Paul mentioned a name his heart was filled to overflowing.

Don’t know about you, but I can seriously get lost in my world.  I can easily get caught up in the day to day chaos and totally ignore God’s call to reach out and encourage someone else.  I can excuse away my absorption with busyness.  I can ignore those who desperately long for just one person to acknowledge their pain and loneliness. I can zero in on my struggles and trials rather than lift up others to the Lord. And if I continue down this road, I will miss the sweetest blessing ever – the joy of blessing others and being blessed by others.

Nothing sweeter dear friends than intentionally choosing to give thanks and remembering others in prayer.  Grab your calendar…..carve in some time this November to purposefully pray for others.  List those people who have invested in and touched your life.  Lift up your heart of gratitude to God for surrounding you with amazing people who have filled your cup to overflowing.  Ask God to enlarge your tent….be the reason someone else feels blessed this holiday season.

“Father, our lives are filled with gratitude for the sweet remembrance of Your people…… awesome friends who make this journey more enjoyable – we are truly blessed!”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

 

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | November 11, 2022

Want To Refresh Part 3

“Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will
find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”  Matthew 11:28-30

In your quest for true refreshment, here is part 3…

  1. UNBURDEN YOURSELF WITH JESUS.

Friend, the weight of the world is heavy. It’s so easy to be burdened by a to-do list and the daily demands on us. To be pressed by trying to do and be “good enough”—desiring the accolades and “atta girls” from others, and even from God.

Oh, trying to carry it all ourselves…the worry, the anxiety, the must-dos, the fears, the perfection…it is not only a burdensome yoke. It will ultimately crush us.

But Jesus beckons us…

Matthew 11:28-30  “Come to Me, all who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.”

Jesus invites us to come to Him for rest. He wants us to surrender our heavy burdens of this world and give them over to Him.

See, we do, and we try, and we strive…to earn our way to heaven, to save ourselves. But these efforts are endless, and they are fruitless. But there is respite. A way to throw off that yoke around our neck. Jesus invites us to make a trade—a Great Exchange. Our yoke for His. Shackles for freedom.

Jesus has done the work, sweet friend. He has suffered the penalty and paid the price of our sin, making a way of reconciliation with God. He has freed us from the endless self-effort of self-salvation that, despite it all, can never be enough, because God requires perfection.

But all we have to do is accept the Exchange.

Christmas is coming. When we get a gift that really stinks, but there’s a gift receipt with it…and we go to Kohl’s or wherever, and we use that receipt to exchange the stinky gift for something that we really love and need…this is kinda like that, only a gazillion times better.

Jesus has paid for this gift of salvation—of freedom from the burden of this world and of our sins. It’s a gift of grace—it doesn’t cost you anything. But you do have to make the exchange—returning, so to speak, what you’re holding onto. You’ve got to give HIM all your efforts, the sin, the world’s lies you’ve bought into.

Acts 3:19  “Therefore repent and return, so that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord.”

The grace of God through Jesus Christ is true refreshment. Maybe you’ve made this Great Exchange, accepting the gift of salvation…but, for whatever reason you’re still clinging to the old things as well—and it’s burdening you. Let go of that yoke—and stop trying to take it back from Him.

Or maybe you’re reading this, and you’re living under the crushing weight of a yoke, a burden that you didn’t know you could abandon. Oh, friend, you don’t have to carry it anymore. All you have to do is acknowledge that you want to make the Exchange…that you want to trade your burdens, your sin, and your unrighteousness for the freedom that Jesus offers. Give it to Him and accept the free gift of His righteousness, paid for in full, so you can be free and your soul can find rest.

Revelation 22:17  “The Spirit and the bride say, “Come.” And let the one who hears say, “Come.” And let the one who is thirsty come; let the one who desires, take the water of life without cost.”

“Lord, let there be just one who, right now, will surrender their heavy-laden burden for gift of freedom in Christ. Let them surrender and come to You.”

For His Glory

Julianne Winkler Smith
TRBC Women’s Life

 

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | November 10, 2022

Want To Refresh Part 2

Jesus answered, “It is written: ‘Man shall not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.” Matthew 4:4

Seeking true refreshment for your soul? Here is part 2 of the answer…

  1. NOURISH YOURSELF WITH GOD’S WORD.

Just as our physical body needs both water and food to survive and thrive, so does our spirit. Once we surrender to Jesus, accepting the free gift of salvation, we are made new in Him…but we’re still in this world and wrapped in this fallen, sinful body. And, friend, the world is continually force-feeding us some serious junk food…the lies of media, the perversion of culture, and the warped sense of “reality” through social media.

So, we must ingest the Truth of God on a regular basis—our daily bread. We don’t eat food just once a week, right? We need the Word every single day. Because I can guarantee that we don’t go a whole day without checking Instagram or Facebook or turning on the news—right? As we feed on those things of the world, they’re creating a famine in us—malnourishment!

But God’s Word truly nourishes—our mind, our heart, and our spirit.

Psalm 19:7-8     The law of the Lord is perfect, refreshing the soul.
The statutes of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple.
The precepts of the Lord are right, giving joy to the heart.
The commands of the Lord are radiant, giving light to the eyes.

His Word gives us life (Matthew 4:4). His Words are spirit and life (John 6:63).

Knowing and following God’s Word is the only way to navigate this world and walk in the direction of obedience toward eternity. God’s Word teaches us, corrects us, trains us and equips us (2 Timothy 3:16). Especially as the “norms” and “truths” of this world shift so quickly, and right becomes wrong and wrong is right. We have to stand firm on His Truth, or we will fall for anything. God’s Word is our light in an ever-darkening world. And, as Paul tells us in Ephesians, the Word is also our sword (our weapon) against the enemy and his hissing lies.

And as we nourish ourselves with God’s Word, spending intentional, daily time in it, we get to know the Lord better and better—and we come to a deeper and deeper understanding of His love for us. We are filled up by the Truth of who we are in Him, satisfied in this fact…and, like when you finish up an amazing meal and you’re completely happily stuffed, when we’re satiated with Truth, there’s no room for lies.

Lord, thank You for Your Word—a lamp unto my feet and a light unto my path. Nourishment for my soul.

For His Glory

Julianne Winkler Smith
TRBC Women’s Life

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

« Newer Posts - Older Posts »

Categories