Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | August 23, 2022

Salty or Sweet?

“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.” Matthew 5:13

What do you prefer—chips or candy? Popcorn or cake? Doritos or Nestle Toll House? In other words, would you gravitate toward something salty or something sweet? This is always an interesting insight into someone’s preferences, and it’s often used as a big group icebreaker question. Regardless, there seems to be a definitive response every time.

When we look at the elements themselves—salt and sugar—we discover unique attributes of both. Salt is used to preserve food, as well as bringing out flavors. Salt also makes us thirsty. Sugar, interestingly, is also used to preserve some foods…and, of course, it makes food sweet.

During Jesus’ earthly ministry, He called His followers to be salt of the earth. What does that mean exactly? We are to influence the world—unbelievers—by adding the flavor of holiness. We’re to represent the Lord, His will, and His ways to others. We’re also to preserve His Word in a time when the enemy is working diligently (in and out of the Church) to water it down, make it seem irrelevant, and use it to divide. And we’re to make others thirsty for God—when they see our joy and experience our grace and mercy, they should want what we have.

Jesus did not call us to be sugar. We are not to only invite others to Him using sweet-tasting morsels—or, worse, entice with cloying syrupiness that sickens. Think of churches today that put on smoke-machine praise performances, affirm all-things-worldly, and assure congregants that wealth and health is one prayer away. Like ingesting too much sugar, such indulgence in so-called “Christianity” will not only make a person sick, it will ultimately lead to death. Sugar may be a temporary preservative, but rot doesn’t take long.

The thing about salt, you see, is that it also purifies and cleanses. These are vital actions for the Church today—not to do the cleansing, but to share the Good News about the One who can. The fallen world is defiled, in need of purification. So are fallen, broken people. We all fall short—all of us. We all sin because we’re all sinners. (We’re not sinners because we sin.) And because we are unrighteous and unholy, we are separated from God—and we can’t work our way back to Him. But Jesus died on the cross, redeeming us from our sin and paying the debt we owe. Jesus cleanses us from all our unrighteousness (1 John 1:9), washing us as pure and white as snow (Isaiah 1:18; Psalm 51:7), so we can stand before God holy and unashamed.

Another thing about salt is that when used to clean and treat physical ailments, it stings. A lot. Same with being salt to the world. It’s good, useful, helpful, tasty. But sharing Jesus in a world that hates Him—because it does—can cause significant distaste in the hearer. It’s our task, though, to make people thirsty for the Truth that preserves them for eternity.

“Lord, may I be salt to our lost world, making them thirsty for the Living Water.”

For His Glory

Julianne Winkler Smith
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Faith, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | August 22, 2022

Why Love

“No one has seen God at any time. If we love one another, God abides in us and His love has been perfected in us.”  I John 4:12 (ESV)

Absolutely love this quote from Max Lucado: “Every person you see was created by God to be His image and deserves to be treated with dignity and respect. High IQ or low standing, first string or cut from the squad – doesn’t matter. Every human being is God’s idea, and He has no bad ideas.”

Wow this quote really hits home especially when we think of those people who are challenging to work with, those people in our lives who push our buttons and those people we don’t even know who bump into our happy. From the nicest to the cruelest, we all started out the same – a human being created in God’s image.

Convicts me to the core – do I treat others with dignity and respect even if they are my biggest irritation? Had to really dig deep on that one. Work or ministry is one of those places where we are forced into community with lots of different personalities, egos, backgrounds, etc. Makes it ever so easy to excuse myself away from the respect issue. However, God doesn’t release me that easily. Throughout scripture He instructs us to love others  – yes even those created in His image who are difficult, irritating and rude. Now loving others doesn’t mean we accept disrespectful behavior, abuse, etc. It simply means we realize they were created in God’s image, and we respond with respect by speaking truth in love.

So easy to say – hard to put into practice. Last week, I was faced with a situation where I could have ignored a person who was struggling to get something done – did I mention their personality drives me crazy? This individual needed help in figuring out what was going wrong – I knew what was going wrong. It was so tempting to simply let them struggle, but God kept bringing me back to the “love others” factor. While it was hard, I surrendered to God’s desire rather than treating them the way I desired. One victory propels another – I won’t get this right all the time, but it definitely reminded me it’s truly not about that person or me – it’s about honoring God by loving those created in His image.

Sweet friends is there a person in your path who is challenging? One way we can grow God’s love in our hearts is to plant prayer seeds for that individual. Yes, you got it! Simply praying for the one pushing those buttons helps us see the person from God’s perspective. One prayer at a time, we will witness a change within us as those love seeds blossom and flourish. Let’s determine to glorify God by respecting and loving others the way God intended.

“Father thank You for challenging us in our interactions with others. Thank You for reminding us that we are all created in Your image. Help us as we navigate another week to pause before we react to others whether they are a co-worker, spouse, family or strangers. And enable us to treat them with respect and dignity.”

 

For His Glory

 

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Faith, Hope, Love, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | August 19, 2022

A Better Deal

“Only be careful and watch yourselves closely so that you do not forget the things your eyes have seen or let them slip from your heart as long as you live.” Deuteronomy 4:9a (NIV)

Wrong size, wrong color, doesn’t work or just plain don’t like it – so we head to the store and wait in line. Like we didn’t wait in line long enough to buy it in the first place. I don’t know about you but I hate to exchange or return anything, but my co-worker is a return Queen. The back seat of her car is proof a return is on the way back to the store and it doesn’t bother her one bit.

Wouldn’t it be great if we could rewind the clock and make a few personal returns?

We could gather up all our don’t likes or things that just didn’t work the way we envisioned and exchange them for a better deal. If so, that line would probably be very long. Unfortunately, that’s not how life works. Once words slip off our tongue or reactions hit us square in the face, the recall button is nonexistent.

Difficult choices made without consulting God first can land us deep in unknown consequences. Maybe that’s why God warns us to keep a guard over our lives. Maybe that’s why we should carefully watch how we make decisions. Maybe that’s why scripture reminds us to remember what we have read in His Word and how we have seen Him work. Consistency is God’s trademark, and He has given us all the guidelines we need to be successful – we just need to hide them deep in our hearts so that they impact all our choices.

“Father, You have shown us how to live and the consequences of moving outside your protection – help us to stay within the boundaries of Your perfect will.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

 

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Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Gratitude, Hope, Mercy, Spiritual Growth

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | August 18, 2022

Home Sweet Aroma

“…But as for me and my house we will serve the Lord.” Joshua 24:15 (NKJV)

Certain memories of home seem to never fade away. They live in our hearts forever. For instance, the distinct scent unique to your childhood home. Maybe it’s the sound of the screen porch door when it slammed shut. Or the experience of spectacular sunsets while sitting in a barn loft as the sun disappeared behind a mountain ridge.

Perhaps you have fond memories of Sunday lunch at grandma’s house after church or the security of nightly routines of being tucked into bed safe and sound.

The homes we create often give a visual sense of our lives. Visitors and guests get a view and feel of who we are by our keepsakes, pictures and even our home decor, etc. Our homes tell a lot about who we are, what we like and how we live.

We live in an imperfect world and our homes can at times be chaotic; however, even in the midst of chaos there still can be a sweet aroma of Christ (2 Cor. 2:15). The way we handle the woes of this world will determine the fragrance, whether it’s a sweet perfume or unpleasant stench.

When family, friends and guests come to visit and fellowship, may our homes permeate a recognizable difference. A homey refuge where God is welcome and celebrated but the world is not.

From the beginning of time and before the creation of mankind, God’s purpose was for us to live in constant fellowship with Him. The Lord wants us to be so at home with Him that our lives radiate a wonderful glimpse of what it means to be His child in a lost and dying world.

“Lord, we pray our homes are beacons of light that shine brightly into a dark world illuminating Your glory and Your love for us.”

For His Glory

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

 

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Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Hope, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | August 16, 2022

Lavish Grace

“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us.” Ephesians 1:7-8a

Grace is an amazing concept. It’s defined simply as getting what we don’t deserve. And it’s especially astounding in the context of God’s grace toward us. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). We don’t deserve it; we can’t earn it. It’s a free gift for the taking. The Apostle Paul talks a lot in all his epistles about grace—he knows it well, after all. The man was overseeing the murder of Christ-followers, only to have his life turned upside down by the very One he was persecuting, becoming a great evangelist—steadfast through beatings, imprisonment, hunger, and ultimate martyrdom.

His letter to the Ephesians is deep and rich. In fact, we can dive into each verse for hours, relishing in the doctrinal Truths and wading through centuries-old theological debates. But let’s camp out on one sentence from the very first chapter: “In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us “ (Ephesians 1:7-8a). Friend, in these 25 words (at least in the NASB it’s 25 words), there is enough encouragement and fodder for joy to lift us out of the darkest slump.

So, let’s unpack a few of these reassuring points from Paul. First, “In Him we have redemption through His blood.” Now, “in Him” is a book-long study in itself, so we’re going to jump to the overall message of this phrase: In Jesus Christ, we are redeemed—He paid the price to ransom us out of the bondage of sin and rescue us from its penalty. His sacrifice was a Great Exchange of His righteousness for our unrighteousness. And when we accept this gift, through faith, and surrender to Him, our sin debt is paid in full. We are redeemed, transformed, a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17).

Next, we have “the forgiveness of our trespasses.” When we confess and repent, God forgives us. It’s really that simple (1 John 1:9). Upon salvation (acceptance of His free gift), all our sins are paid for—all of them. Yesterday’s, today’s, and tomorrow’s. And once forgiven, God does not bring them up again (Isaiah 43:25, Psalm 103:12)—Satan will and you will, but God won’t. And because we are forgiven, we can (and must) forgive others. How can we not after being forgiven of so much ourselves?

Finally, there’s that last marvelous phrase: “…according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us.” God’s grace is not only amazing, it’s extravagant. He lavishes it on us—pours it out without end. We cannot “out-sin” God’s grace (Romans 5:20)! We do not deserve grace…again, that’s inherent to the definition. But He extends it to us—lavishly! Let that sink in. Let this Truth pour over your thirsty soul, refreshing your spirit.

So, when our enemy, the evil one, is hissing all kinds of lies about us in our ears (because he will), and we feel discouraged, let’s throw these 25 words of God in his face. Bask in your identity in Christ—your redemption, your forgiveness, and His lavish grace.

“Lord, Your grace is amazing—a sweet sound to my soul. Let me not get caught up in the world, my sin, or the lies of the enemy and forget the Truth of who I am in Christ.”

For His Glory

Julianne Winkler Smith
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Hope

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | August 15, 2022

At His Table

“How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” Psalm 119:103 (ESV)

Cookouts are the best part of summer.  Love gathering with friends around the pool and savoring all the delish food cooked on the grill. Who wouldn’t want to gather at the table to sample all those homemade sides and churned ice cream? Greatest compliment ever is when someone says, “Text me that recipe.”  Bet no one wants to hear, “What store did you get that at?”  Keeping it real here friends – arriving with my store-bought goods when everyone else fills the table with grandma’s famous recipe isn’t my fave thing to do.

When it comes to God’s table – what am I bringing? Do I bring an open mind? Am I stopping in for a brief visit? Am I seeking deep truths or am I settling for a routine? Do I leave others desiring more of Jesus?

It’s easy to slide up to the table, soak in what others are sharing and then move on to the next thing on our list. Not exactly a recipe that serves us well. Failing to go deep, to seek and search out God’s truths positions us to settle for less.

What robs us of the most important relationship in our life? What keeps us from engaging with others as we study and live out critical truths?

Don’t know about you, but often we feel inadequate and uneducated. Past sins or lack of knowledge convince us we don’t deserve a seat. Intimidated, we slink back. Worst yet is we’re so busy – no time in  our schedule, so we glance and grab the easiest scripture marking it off our list.

Regardless, there’s a place for everyone at God’s table. For the one who is weary and tired, you can find rest. For the one who struggles constantly, you can find love and mercy. For the one who has just embarked on their faith journey, He’s been waiting for you to draw close. For the one who is running further and further away, you can find exactly what you need. For the one who’s hungry for more, God will quench their hunger and thirst. For the one whose appetite has settled for less, He will truly satisfy. For the one who has been absent for a long time, His arms are open wide. For the one who feels unworthy, He clothes in righteousness. For the one who thinks they know it all, He illuminates mystery. For the one who’s never met Jesus, there’s always room for one more.

When it comes to God’s table all are welcome. So let’s make sure we come desiring to go deeper. Let’s prepare our heart, mind and soul to receive and be transformed feasting on the truths of His word. Let’s make sure we engage with others sharing truths we would have otherwise missed. Greatest compliment ever is when someone says, “I want the Jesus you know.”

“Father, thank you for inviting us to Your table – to engage with You and grow in our faith as we do life together.”

 

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | August 11, 2022

Seek Truth

“Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.” John 8:23

It was early morning, and all was quiet. Reading through the passages of scripture in my one-year reading plan and meditating on God’s Word, I jotted down passages that seemed to jump off the page.

Leviticus seemed reminiscent of our current times, “if you spurn my statutes, and if your soul abhors my rules, so that you will not do all my commandments, but break my covenant, then I will do this to you: I will visit you with panic, with wasting disease and fever that consume the eyes and make the heartache.” (Lev. 26:15-16).

Psalm 33:10-11 proclaims God’s sovereign control: “The LORD brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; he frustrates the plans of the peoples. The counsel of the LORD stands forever, the plans of his heart to all generations.”

Ecclesiastes 9:3 reminds us that ultimately death comes to everyone, our earthly bodies are all subject to the same fate: “This is an evil in all that is done under the sun, that the same event happens to all.”

Titus 1:1-2 tells us that as servants of Jesus Christ we have the knowledge of the truth and the hope of eternal life. “ Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness, in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began.

Our world is filled with panic and wasting disease right now, isn’t it? How comforting to be reminded of God’s absolute and sovereign control over nations, peoples and disease. His plans stand firm. Yes, we are all subject to death and decay in this broken world, but because of Jesus that is not our ultimate future. We have the knowledge of the truth and the hope of eternal life which God, who never lies, promises to those who put their faith in His Son.

This is truth. In a world filled with faux news, political spinning, half-truths, and fearmongering we have a God who never lies. We have a book that tells a story of his past faithfulness and provides wisdom for today and promises for tomorrow. Reading His Word, it occurred to me that this might be the only truth I read or hear today. So I linger a bit longer taking in the nourishment I need to fight the battle we are all in right now. Charles Stanley says it this way, “Seek understanding from Him about what’s happening in our life. This is why time with the Lord in His Word and prayer is a top priority. That’s where we discover His purposes and come away emotionally settled.”

“Lord, helps us to seek the truth found in your Word so that we can live emotionally settled lives, pointing others to you, in a world that has come undone.”

For His Glory

Ann Skalaski
TRBC Women’s Life

 

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Posted in Faith, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Living, Wisdom

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | August 10, 2022

Write It Down

“And now, go, write it before them on a tablet   and inscribe it in a book, that it may be for the time to come   as a witness forever.” Isaiah 30:8 (ESV)

“I have enough on my plate to do every day. Why in the world would I want to sit down and write about it? Living through it is hard enough – you want me to write about it?”

I had attended a women’s conference and heard several of the speakers talk about the importance of journaling. Those were the words I mumbled to myself over thirty years ago. A young mother of two little boys – I had no time to write.

However, I did have a lot of stress and felt convicted by the Holy Spirit to try.

Once a prayer is answered we think we’ll never forget. But we do. Remember how quickly the Israelites forgot all the miracles God had performed for them. We are the same way.

Why do we forget? Everyday stressors and traumatic events affect the neural processing of the brain, causing our brains to get stuck in replaying the bad memories. Ultimately shutting down our ability to think clearly/calmly.

While it may be more convenient to type on laptops/tablets – typing doesn’t stimulate the brain like handwriting.

In fact, the act of writing by hand engages the left brain – stimulating the Reticular Activating System. The RAS categorizes what must have immediate focus and filters out the rest. While the left side is engaged, the right brain becomes free to create and feel again. Basically, writing removes the mental blocks hindering you from utilizing your full brain power. When both sides of your brain are fully engaged, you are more capable of understanding yourself, others and the world around you.

When we heed the words of Habakkuk 2:2 to “write it down” – we not only see spiritual, but mental, emotional and physical benefits.

In addition to helping us sort out our thoughts, find control and clarity; did you know that regular journaling also –

  • Strengthens your immune cells – T-lymphocytes
  • Decreases symptoms of asthma and rheumatoid arthritis
  • Reduces stress – writing about painful emotions helps release their intensity

Science is now catching up with what the Bible has told us for years – handwriting (journaling) has positive impacts on our bodies.

In my home office, I have a credenza filled with journals that contain over thirty years of prayers. I’ve referred back to them as a “witness” of God’s faithfulness over the years. At times, encouraging myself as David often did – to keep moving forward. (Psalm 42)

If you have never tried journaling, let me encourage you today to start.

God has given you access to a powerful tool dear sister – don’t waste it!

“Father, thank You for our brain’s unique design. Teach us to be more disciplined to utilize this precious gift You’ve given us – the ability to write and its many benefits.

For His Glory

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

 

 

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Posted in Encouragement, Gratitude, Prayer, Spiritual Growth

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | August 9, 2022

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 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, 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 Faith, Spiritual Growth, Spiritual Living, Wisdom

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | August 4, 2022

When Comparisons Steal Life’s Gifts

“Pay careful attention to your own work, for then you will get the satisfaction of a job well done, and you won’t need to compare yourself to anyone else.” (Galatians 6:4 NLT)

Where did this all begin? Comparisons. We compare our looks, and when that fails, our intelligence, our position, our influence, our wealth or lack thereof, our age, our skin color and even our marital status. Is there anything we won’t compare in an attempt to measure up, matter more and feel content with our constant efforts to achieve? We know it’s wrong, but just as we overcome one area of insecurity another pops up to remind us of our sinful condition exemplified in one of the earliest sins committed; Cain’s comparison that eventually led to Abel’s murder. Perhaps this is why God despises comparison so.

Miriam arrives on the scene in 1 Chronicles 6:1, “The children of Amram were Aaron, Moses, and Miriam.” That’s some family lineage. Exodus 15 describes her as a prophetess and worship leader. Miriam led the celebratory procession following the Red Sea waters that separated Israel from its captivity. She was a leader within the Israelite community, gifted and well respected. And you did note that she was a woman! Even with her advanced position, she compared what God had allowed Moses to do with her own situation. God summoned. Seven days of leprosy, and of even greater consequence, temporarily ushered outside of God’s presence. The next mention of Miriam is five chapters later at her passing.

God has given us amazing gifts, custom-designed for each of us, to be used for His glory. He longs to see His gifts used in the manner intended. Not for us to masquerade as someone we’re not, not for us to bury as though they don’t exist, or to distort and become what isn’t intended. When I am focused on what another has been given, I tend to not take care of the gifts I have been given. My place and potential are overlooked and underdeveloped. I fail to enjoy the gifts given to me and fail to acknowledge and appreciate the provisions of God, His supremacy and care. God is in complete control of my life, and He knows precisely what I need, who I need and where I need to be in order to most effectively glorify Him and serve His people.

“Father, may I enter Your throne room, accessible only through the blood of Jesus. May I repent for my fleshly fearful focus and allow You to transform my gaze to Your generous gifts crafted just for me, knowing that You and they are fully enough. May this please and glorify You, my Creator.”

For His Glory

Kathryn Hayman
TRBC Women’s Life

 

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Posted in Attitude, Encouragement, Hope, Spiritual Growth

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