Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | July 4, 2022

Choosing Freedom

“And God spoke all these words: I am the Lord your God who brought you out of Egypt, out of the land of slavery.” Exodus 20:1 (NIV)

A personal God who intervenes on behalf of His people – who could ask for more? His desire is release, freedom and deliverance so that we can enjoy the abundant life. Who wouldn’t be empowered to seize their Promised Land? Yet the Children of Israel seemed reluctant to embrace the road to freedom. God alone was the One who knew every detail of their past. He saw them getting caught in the snare; He witnessed their wanderings, bargainings, and complainings– yet God excused none of it. They didn’t move out of their bondage due to a twelve-step program, diligence, or discipline. They moved out because God’s mighty hand led them out.

Even on the freedom road, the Israelites often cherished the memory of the very life that kept them enslaved. Selective memory erased oppression when traveling in the wilderness became hard. Despite God’s daily provisions, they always wanted what they had left behind. Perhaps the fear of tasting and walking in true freedom was more than they could even imagine.

Sound familiar? Aren’t we guilty of looking back and seeing the good, while God looks back and sees the path to destruction? We feel more comfortable with our norm bondage than the release of those chains holding us back. We stay stuck, unmovable because fear keeps us locked in place. The fear of experiencing something so much bigger and grander than we could have ever imagined. The fear of letting go of what doesn’t serve us well for what will serve us greater. The fear of having to do the hard work of trusting and obeying as God transforms us one step at a time.

Redeeming His relationship with us, God proves His power to lift us up and beyond the remnants of our sinful past; however, God isn’t just the God of the past. He is in our present and our future. He knows what it will take for us to reach our Promised Land and some of us won’t pay the price. We will settle for Egypt and choose slavery to past sins, habits, devastation, heartbreak, etc. And when we do, we will miss the opportunity of a lifetime.

“Father, transforming our lives is the goal of Your deliverance. Teach us to grab a hold of Your hand and cherish the freedom You offer.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

 

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Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Hope

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | June 29, 2022

Have You Prayed About It

“The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” (James 5:16, ESV)

“He is so stubborn. Doesn’t he see what he’s doing to himself? Why does he refuse to eat healthy?”

Just some of the thoughts that were racing through my head as I tried to make sense of the lifestyle choices my husband was making – especially after having had a heart attack. The more I tried to encourage healthy choices the more frustrated he became with me and I with him.

After trying to “change” him on my own, I resorted to doing the thing I should have done in the first place. I started praying very specifically about his health. Asking God to give him a desire to eat healthier,  exercise more and take better care of his body. I quit saying anything to him about what he ate. I made healthy choices for myself and just prayed for him.

Then one day he asked me to purchase some workout clothes for him the next time I went to the store. He shared that he had decided to join the gym. He wanted to get in better shape. Did you catch that – he decided.

 “Thank you Holy Spirit, he thinks it’s his idea.”

That was a few years ago. There have been numerous lifestyle changes since. We love cooking and hosting things at our home. My husband enjoys finding healthy, new recipes for us to try. He’s even working to eliminate sugar completely.

As women it’s hard to watch people we love make bad decisions – especially our husbands or our children. We may feel like we “need” to step in and take control of the situation. However, that person is also God’s creation. As hard as it may be for us to believe, the truth is God loves them even more than we do. He desires the best for them.

We show God that we trust Him when we submit our loved ones to Him in prayer. Deciding to not take matters into our own hands and “work out a solution.” Our prayers become effective and powerful when we chose to wait on the Lord. While we are waiting, we continue to live righteously. Living by faith, fully trusting that the prayer will be answered in God’s timing.

Every year we set goals. When we were discussing our goals at the beginning of this year, my husband shared one he wanted us as a couple to focus on – he wants us to be able to bike ride a forty-mile trail this summer. The Holy Spirit can change the heart of a person better than we ever could dream or imagine. (Romans 8:26-27)

“Lord help us to be still and know that you are God. Remind us to pray over the things that hurt our hearts and trust you to answer in ways that exceed our expectations.”

For His Glory

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

 

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Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Hope, Prayer

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | June 27, 2022

Never Alone

“The Lord was with him (Joseph); He showed him kindness and granted him favor in the eyes of the prison warden.  The Lord was with Joseph and gave him success in whatever he did.”  (Genesis 39: 21, 23b) ESV

Time out is never fun. Being grounded less fun. As a single parent, I remember several occasions when my son was grounded and so was I. His grounding resulted in long, exhausting weekends for both of us.  No Friday movies with friends. No watching my fave show – no, no and no. I was so glad to see Monday arrive even if it meant getting up early and heading back to work.

The book of Genesis unveils Joseph’s time outs, not because of what he did but at the mercy of what others did.  Seemingly alone in dark, depressing places. Rescued from a deep pit. Sold into slavery. Confined in a dark, prison. Just when Joseph thought things were about to turn it got worse. Gotta be real here, Joseph landed in some really hard places.

Resonating throughout the lifetime of Joseph, we repeatedly hear this phrase:  “The Lord was with him.”  Never once was Joseph alone. God’s presence and favor positioned Joseph to succeed even in the most unlikely places. And the sweetest part is that others noticed. Yes, you got it. Joseph’s Egyptian master saw how God prospered Joseph and put him in charge of all he owned.  End result, the Lord blessed the Egyptian’s household because of Joseph (Genesis 39:2-5). When false accusations landed Joseph in prison, scripture reminds us the Lord was with him. Not only was He Joseph’s constant companion, but God showed kindness to him and granted him favor with the prison warden. Joseph was successful in whatever he did (Genesis 39:23)

Even when everyone else forgot and overlooked Joseph, God didn’t. The Psalmist David puts it this way:  “Where can I go from Your Spirit? Or where can I flee from Your presence.”  Love these words from Psalm 139 – sweet assurances that God is always with us.

Don’t know about you, but I need those words on a daily basis. I desperately need God’s presence, kindness and favor. Life is simply too hard to assume we can make it on our own. Even when surrounded by tons of noise and people – there is simply nothing more precious than our God. He is our Hope Giver, Waymaker, and Everlasting Father who never leaves us alone.

Sweet friend if you’re parenting on your own, God is with you. If you’re single navigating life in a married culture, God is with you. If you find yourself as a caregiver and sitting at the bedside of a loved one, God is with you. If you’re facing the brink of financial devastation, God is with you. If you’re battling disease and heaven seems closer than you imagined, God is with you. Whatever you’re facing, you can be confident God is with you and will never leave your side.

“Father, thank You for Your reassuring presence. From the moment we took our first breath until we stand face to face, we are never alone.”

 

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Hope

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | June 23, 2022

More Than Conquerors

“Some of the spoils won in battles they dedicated to maintain the house of the Lord.” I Chronicles 26:27 (NKJV)

We will have battles! Children of God are not exempt from conflict. Why does God allow us to go through spiritual warfare?

When we fight battles, God doesn’t want us to come out just a survivor. He wants us to come out with spoils, loot, stuff because we are MORE than conquerors!

God will never allow battles He knows we cannot win. The warfare is maintenance for the house of God, you and I, when we need some repair from time to time. If we don’t have something to reach into…a storehouse of resources, the house will go into disrepair. We don’t come out of battles scarred and bloody saying, “glad I survived!” We come out victorious in the Lord with spoils, plunder and loot taken from the enemy.

Right now, maybe you’re going through “something.” The Lord did not allow the conflict to spiritually keep you where you were before the battle. God wants you to come out changed, victorious, full of faith in the power of God. We become who we are today because of what we went through yesterday. All the battles, conflict, warfare whether it’s health, financial, relational. We come out not who we were going in.

You will not come out talking like you used to talk but speaking dynamic faith. Praying like you used to pray but praying by the power of the Holy Ghost. Reading the Bible isn’t humdrum…the words leap off the page. All because of the spoils God allowed us to obtain during life’s battles.

Do not throw in the towel. Do not say, “devil you win.” Stand! Plant your feet in God. We may not understand how or when the battle will end, but know this, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; for You are with me…”

“Father, You built the church from flesh and bone. It’s our responsibility to maintain it using our battle spoils. We’re not asking You to bring us out of the battle, but do not let us come out like we went in.”

 

For His Glory

 

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

 

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Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Hope

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | June 22, 2022

Count It All Joy

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness, have its full effect,  that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 2-4 (ESV)

Many years ago, I had a pastor make a decision concerning me that was hurtful. It was so devastating, there was no way I could stay at that church and sit under his teaching. I left and went to another church. For years I replayed conversations in my head of things I would say to him if I ever saw him again. I had been wronged. I wanted to be vindicated for what he had done. Then one day many years later, I received a phone call from this pastor’s wife. She and her husband both wanted to apologize.

For a year prior to this hurtful thing happening, the Holy Spirit had been prompting me to leave. My husband and sons wanted to leave. We talked, prayed and debated over it for a year. But the hold up was me. Simply because this little church was my “comfort zone.” The people in this church had been more like family to me than my own biological family. This was all I knew. Fear kept me stuck in what was comfortable. Then this thing happened and leaving was the only option. When we started at our new church, my sons and husband fit in immediately. It took me a little longer to adapt. I felt so broken. I didn’t want new relationships I wanted to go back to my old friends and way of doing things

By the time the apology phone call came, I had already made peace with what had been done. An apology wasn’t necessary. While my heart hurt deeply over what had happened, the steadfastness of my walk with Jesus had produced a peace in the pain. In time, I found the strength to reach out to others and start over.

I had come to understand what James was saying.

At the time it wasn’t joyful. My heart broke, and I cried for a long time over it. But years later I could see how I could count that trial as joy because it propelled me to move out of my comfort zone. And once I embraced that trial and significant change in my life, my life changed for the better in ways far too numerous to share. It was a catalyst for growth and a whole new life.

When God tells me to do something now, I do not allow fear to hold me back.

“Father, Your Word tells us our trials have a purpose. Help us to expect trials and when they come to not give up. Remind us that it is okay if we don’t know all the answers because You do. Help us to seek You for wisdom to handle the trials that come our way.” 

For His Glory

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

 

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Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Hope, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | June 21, 2022

The Battle’s On

“I felt the necessity to write to you appealing that you contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints.” Jude 1:3

War. Depending on your age, you have certain perceptions of this concept. You could be a history buff and think of the amazing, world-changing, freedom-initiating battles for U.S. independence. Maybe your mind goes to WWII and its patriotic response and unifying efforts. Or the far-off (and misunderstood) jungle battles of Korea or Viet Nam. For most readers, war likely brings to mind the 20-year desert entanglement that was a “given” thread of American life—and one that recently ended in great calamity. Regardless of which war or when, to all those men and women who fought the good fight for our nation—thank you.

Friend, there’s another war that’s been raging for millennia. Since humanity began, actually. The first proverbial shot was fired in the Garden when Satan hissed his original lie to humanity, twisting the Truth of God and instilling the idea that we don’t need God—and that we can be like Him. (Although, when Satan himself acted on that belief, he was thrown out of Heaven.)

Since then, regardless of the historic era, global geography, or cultural realities, the battle between Truth and Lies has been fought. God’s Word versus Satan’s deceptions. Worship of God the Creator versus worship of the created (animals, stars, self). Surrender to Jesus as Lord and Savior versus clutching onto self-as-savior (being/doing “good” enough).

If you’ve read the Bible from “In the beginning God created” in Genesis to the final “Amen” of Revelation, you’re familiar with how this war has manifested through the centuries. (If you haven’t ever read the full His-Story of it all, I highly recommend it!) Bottom line of every battle: God would declare Truth/His way, and then man would doubt, disobey, and go his/her own way. Eventually, God sent His Son, Jesus, to become the Way, Truth, and Life—to make a way of once-and-for-all reconciliation to God. The Ultimate Peace Treaty.

Today, we are privileged to have the complete, inspired, inerrant Word of God in Scripture—and we know how the Story ends. But the spiritual war still wages. And, sadly, just as it was when Christianity began, the battle even infiltrates the Church. The Apostles Paul, Peter, and John, as well as Jesus’s half-brother Jude, warned of false teachers, heretics, and apostates creeping in among believers. Wolves in sheep’s clothing. Like their forefather, Satan, they twist the Truth and ask, “Did God really say?” Or, in a more modern vernacular, “Would a good God really do…?”

And just as those God-inspired letters exhort their original readers, we must “contend earnestly for the faith” (Jude 1:3). As believers, we are called to know sound doctrine (Ephesians 4:14, Colossians 3:16, 1 Peter 2:2). We must be able to discern Truth from error (1 Thessalonians 5:21-22). And (this is the really hard part), we have to be willing to confront and attack error (Philippians 1:7,27; 1 Timothy 4:7-8; Titus 1:13).

The war of Truth will continue to wage until Jesus Christ makes His final, successful advance on His enemies. Until then, friend, we need to put on our battle armor (Ephesians 6) and ready ourselves for the fight. We must study the Truth of God’s Word. Share it with others. And contend for its preservation.

“Lord, I recognize that I am in Your army. Give me the strength and courage to hold fast to the Truth and fight the good fight.”

For His Glory

Julianne Winkler Smith
TRBC Women’s Life

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Posted in Faith, Hope, Spiritual Living, Wisdom

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | June 17, 2022

Aiming For The Prize

“Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward.” 2 John 1:8(ESV)

Years of practice…hard work…dedication…. sacrifice and it all culminates within a two week period. I’ve always enjoyed watching the Olympics –  sitting on edge to see how our fave athletes will do – cheering the USA Team on to victory in pursuit of the gold. We love the inside story of those who have beat the odds, overcome obstacles and tragedies. And with today’s technology, we can read posts, tweets and replays instantly. We know who won the medals without even watching the event.

In this thing called life – we put in a lot of hard work, dedication and sacrifice. We give it our best shot. And as children of God, we press on for a far greater prize than the gold. But it doesn’t usually culminate within a two week period – it’s a lifetime, a journey from our first cry to our final breath. All the gaps in between – extraordinary moments to beat the odds, overcome obstacles and tragedies.

Aiming for the reward? How’s your prayer life? The Father rewards those who pray authentic prayers from a genuinely humble heart. Not for show but for relationship. Ever fasted? The Father rewards those who don’t draw attention to their sacrifices, yet quietly cleanse their hearts and seek His face in secret. Ever given to the poor or served the broken-hearted? The Father rewards those whose service to Him isn’t motivated by the praise of man.

Doubt that any of the athletes competing in an Olympics aim for second place or strive to fail? The same should be true of us – our settling for less will never reap the reward God delights in giving. We must diligently seek Him, faithfully serve Him and humbly walk after our God. Like the Olympic athletes it will require some no’s in order to seek the “greater yes” that positions for victory. It will require denial of self, discipline, perseverance and empty praise. But when we stand before our Father and lay our crowns down at His feet it will be worth it all.

“Father, the things of this world will fade away but only what is done in Your name will last. Help us to remain faithful to the high calling of serving You.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

 

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Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | June 16, 2022

Avoiding Quarrels

“Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels.”  2 Timothy 2:23

Had any quarrels lately? I have…and they leave me feeling tied up in knots. Entangled. Caught in a net of feelings and emotions.

God’s Word speaks to the heart of every problem. 2 Timothy 2:4 tells us that, “No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.”  I don’t think this means that we don’t engage with the world, but rather we remember that God is our authority, and we aim to please Him. He is the one who enlisted us, and we should march to His orders.

Our marching orders in 2 Timothy 2:23 caution us to “Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies.”  Clearly, some things don’t merit discourse. When there is an issue worthy of discussion, 2 Timothy 2:24-25 provides instructions telling us: “And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth.”

How often am I more focused on making my point than on gently communicating in a way that aligns with God’s heart to grant repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth? Sadly, I know the answer to that question. When I take my eyes off my commanding officer, I am all too easily swept up in civilian concerns forgetting that through grace I have been enlisted to represent Jesus. Forgetting that I was forgiven so that I could be salt and light…not so that I could be always right!

“Lord, forgive me when I focus on winning arguments rather than serving You. May the words of my mouth and the meditations of my heart be acceptable to You. May this be truer tomorrow than it was yesterday.”

For His Glory,

Ann Skalaski
TRBC Women’s Life

 

 

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Posted in Attitude, Encouragement, Love, Mercy, Spiritual Living

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | June 15, 2022

No Going Back

“The righteous keep moving forward, and those with clean hands become stronger and stronger.” Job 17:9 (NLT)

The Israelites spent over 400 years in Egypt before the Exodus.  They started out welcomed as the family of Joseph. But as government rulers changed, so did their status. Once free men, they became slaves with no control of any aspect of their lives. Everything was dictated to them. Their children could be taken from them in a moment and sold and they could do nothing about it. It was the “normal” that they lived with.

Understanding that makes it even harder to fathom how only two months after gaining their freedom they started complaining to Moses. They wanted to go back to Egypt – back to their normal. They were so far out of their comfort zones that they missed the bigger picture of what God was doing in their lives.

Despite the fact they were beaten, half-starved and made to endure inhumane work and life conditions, they had developed a routine of “normalcy” to adapt to the abuse over the generations. When they were taken out of their comfort zone – the fear of the unknown was too much for them. They didn’t want change – even though that change meant a new way of life for them and their children.

In my profession, I spend a lot of time talking with people. One common theme I hear a lot is the desire “to go back to normal.”  A wish to return to pre-pandemic life. No masks. No social distancing. I’m an extrovert – I love people and I’m a hugger. I can relate to their sentiments.

While there’s nothing wrong with wanting to be able to connect with friends and family without fear of a virus – the truth is nowhere in the Bible do we ever read that going backward resulted in something good.

There is a purpose for every season in our lives. And my own experience has taught me that when God moves us into another season; He very seldom lets us go back and pick and choose the things we want to take with us. This world is not our home. And until we either leave this life through rapture or the grave – things will continue to change.

In Job 17:9 we read that “the righteous keep moving forward, and those with clean hands become stronger and stronger.” (NLT)

Our lives before the pandemic might not have been as horrific as the Israelites. But perhaps God was trying to get our attention – to get us out of our “comfort zones.”  To get us out of the “normal” of full schedules overloaded with no time to read the Word of God or pray.

“Father help us to not be like the Israelites and miss the bigger picture. Open our eyes to see that we must keep moving forward adapting to the changes of the season – fully trusting in the fact that you are our El Shaddai.”

 

For His Glory

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

 

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Posted in Encouragement, Faith, Hope, Wisdom

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | June 13, 2022

The View

“For how great is His goodness, and how great His beauty!” Zechariah 9:17a

We had this like really big, yellowish green bush that for the past few years had grown into an even bigger ugly bush. There were two of them actually located on each end of our garage building. For years, I’ve wanted these monstrous bushes gone. Why? They were overtaking my other flowers and towered all the way up to the gutters on our garage. We did absolutely nothing to foster this growth, yet these bushes thrived all on their own.

Memorial Day weekend, my sweet husband got out the power saw (yes it took the power saw) to finally cut them down. The pile of branches and debris was huge, heavy and messy. Most amazing thing is now I have a totally unobstructed view of my coral bells in full bloom right out of my kitchen window. Never knew that view was possible, but I love it.

Lots of things can obstruct our view of the beauty lying all around us. Challenges often cloud our view.  Consuming our thoughts and draining our energy. Disappointments can extinguish our view. Zeroing us in on regrets, missed opportunities and eliminating the possibilities. Busyness can attempt to dismiss our view. Creativity doesn’t even get a chance to bloom in the whirlwind of continuous activity.  And the longer we entertain those challenges, disappointments and busyness, the bigger they get and the smaller our view gets. Only when we intentionally determine to move what’s obstructing our view can we see the beauty that was already there – God’s daily provisions to encourage our souls.

Flip through the pages of the Old Testament, and we’ll find the Children of Israel released from slavery – freed at last from the bondage of Egypt. Yet ever so quickly their eyes were consumed with what they lacked to the point they couldn’t see all God was providing for them. Hadn’t He already guaranteed their deliverance? Didn’t He bypass their homes when the infants were slaughtered? And then there’s the miraculous parting of the Red Sea – every one of them marched through dry as the waves stood back.  The challenge of going through the wilderness obstructed their view of all God had done and was continuing to do on their behalf. All they needed was provided for them and the beauty of the Lord surrounded them to ensure their safety. Yet complaining and accusations quickly echoed from their lips. This is exactly where we can land if we allow challenges, disappointments and busy to obstruct our view.

Life will never be challenge free, disappointment free or busy free – it’s the normal occurrence in our everyday world. But when we choose to not allow things and situations to obstruct our view then we can maneuver through them while enjoying the daily beauty lying all around us. Simple pleasures we would have otherwise overlooked. God’s protection. God’s presence. God’s breathtaking creation rising up to praise Him even when our voices are silenced.  Best view in the house is the view that chooses to embrace God’s beauty in everyday life regardless of our circumstances.

“Father, how blessed we would truly be if we chose to see Your beauty rather than zero in on our everchanging world. Help us to remove the obstacles and strategically chose to open our eyes to the beauty You have orchestrated all around us.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

 

 

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Posted in Encouragement, Hope, Spiritual Growth

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