Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | June 10, 2022

A Forever Invitation

“How long O Lord will you forget me forever? How long will you hide your face from me?” Psalm 13:1 (ESV)

We don’t have to endure anything uncomfortable for long before the words “How long Lord?” echoes from our lips. We love comfort and ease, so when hard and waiting rise to the surface we want relief and a quick resolve.

The Psalmist David in Psalm 13 opens up with a huge lament; “How long O Lord will you forget me forever?” Scholars don’t attribute this Psalm to any specific period of David’s life although we know he spent a lot of time running and hiding from King Saul who sought his life. David’s desperate plea for resolution resonated, “I need You Lord to intervene on my behalf.” I’m sure we’ve all found ourselves there eager for God to come to our rescue.

During challenging periods in our lives, I wonder if God is asking us to remember Him rather than zeroing in on our relief. Throughout the Bible God allowed devastating circumstances in the lives of His children to draw their hearts back to Him. The challenges we face today are no different. It’s so easy to desire a solution versus press into the Solution Giver. It’s simpler to focus on what we want and need versus zero in on what He may want to accomplish in us. It’s often our default response to forget relationship with God trumps ease, comfort and resolve.

So the deep question I ask myself is how long will we continue to forget God? Am I pursuing Him and waiting to hear and know Him more? Am I hiding His word away in my heart and reciting it back to Him in full confidence that He is in control? Am I missing out on a chance to zero my focus and attention on Him?

Out of His steadfast and enduring love God is calling the world to engage intimately with Him. The choice is up to us – He is patiently waiting eager to welcome us into His presence. Let’s not forget Him!

“Sweet Jesus I confess our world seeks comfort and pleasure and when it evaporates, we still don’t turn our hearts back to You. Help us to not get absorbed in doing or simply wasting precious moments You have ordained for us. Help us each to evaluate how our hearts are remembering and focusing on You. Give us consistency and intentionality in redeeming the time You have given us.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

 

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | June 9, 2022

Next Appointment: ME Time

“Be still and know that I am God.” Psalm 46:10 (NIV)

There is so much going on in the world these days. There seems to be a need for us to be busy all the time. People cram their schedules with so many appointments, that they often spend almost every waking hour in meetings. Oh, yes, and the so-called cell phones have become babysitters to children and bosses of adults.

We seem to always be racing against the clock, running from one appointment to another, reminding ourselves we are going to be late if we do not rush. And then, once the day is over and we get to bed, we lie down pre-planning what will be on our schedule for the next day. It is a vicious cycle, like a hamster wheel, and most of us are guilty of it.

Have you noticed how everything needs a resting time, though? Babies need naps; machines need to be oiled and turned off from time to time to not overheat; and even the land needs to rest between harvests. If you take a historical voyage through the Bible, you will find that REST was something ordained by God, so that man would not feel exhausted and struggle to function. God Himself took a day off after He spent six days working on His creation. On that seventh day, He rested.

There are a few accounts of the word Sabbath in the Bible. Sabbath means to rest, to pull away, to unplug from one’s responsibilities, so body, mind and soul can be renewed. Research proves that rest does wonders for our physical and emotional health.

Are you feeling tired and struggling to get from one day to another? Perhaps this is a good time for you to put aside all your gadgets and busy schedule, and plan some “me time” for yourself – a time to just let your body recover from all the busyness you submit it through daily. Remember how precious you are to God and that He wants the best for you. In turn, when you are fully rested, you will also be able to give Him your best by offering Him praise and worship with a clear mind: your utmost for His glory. Sometimes, our best comes out of our rest.

“Dear Lord, we want to offer You our very best. Help us to rest in You.”

 

For His Glory

 
Luska Natali
TRBC Women’s Life

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | June 7, 2022

Girl Power

“There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:28

Those outside the Christian faith (especially those hostile toward it) are often heard saying that the Bible holds women in an inferior view, which plays into the “patriarchy” that currently holds women under the thumbs of men. But this is pure ignorance, as nothing could be further from the truth.

In fact, God makes it clear from Genesis to Revelation, women are valuable and valued. The Bible is filled with strong heroines. And, contrary to the norms of society back then—and no doubt shocking to the original readers and hearers—God’s Words elevate women, show them as positive examples, and give their words and actions credence. This topic could (and does) fill volumes of study material. But here’s just a handful of Biblical truths to remind us how much our amazing God loves us all.

  • Men and women are both created in God’s image. See Genesis 1:27.
  • The Old Testament tells the amazing story of two different women—neither of whom are Jews, and one who was a prostitute—to beautifully illustrate God’s redemptive plan for all people. Not only that, but both these women are listed in the New Testament as being in the direct genealogy of Jesus. That’s pretty astounding. Check out Joshua 2-6 and the book of Ruth.
  • Twice the Bible tells of women who fully understood who Jesus was (even when His closest buddies were still clueless), each one anointing Him with oil and tears of appreciation of His forgiveness, grace, and mercy. Read of the unnamed sinful woman in Luke 7:36-50, as well as Mary of Bethany in Matthew 26:6-13; Mark 14:3-9; John 12:1-8.
  • Jesus was close friends with Mary and Martha, and their faith is given as an example to us, which you can read about in Luke 10:38-42 and John 11.
  • The Bible tells us that women were part of Jesus’ closest circle, supporting and taking care of Him and His 12 disciples during Jesus’ earthly ministry. See Luke 8:1-3.
  • The Bible records that the women who loved Jesus stayed for his execution when His disciples fled. See Matthew 27:55-56.
  • It was a group of faithful women who first arrived at the tomb of Jesus and were the first to be witnesses to His resurrection. In and of itself, this gives historicity and veracity to this account, because at that time, women were not considered credible witnesses in court—so if someone wanted to fabricate Jesus’ resurrection from the dead, they certainly would not have recorded women as the first witnesses. See Luke 24:1-12; Mark 16:1-11; John 20:1-18.

Sadly, some religions view women as less than men and of little more value than cattle. The world’s narrative about God’s view of women is pervasive and damaging. But it is based on lies, because Satan is the god of this world—and he is the father of lies. The True and Living God, however, loves and values men and women, having sacrificed His Son to redeem us all.

 

“Lord, thank You that I am precious in Your sight. I am made in Your image and have been made heir to Your kingdom by the blood of Jesus.

For His Glory

Julianne Winkler Smith
TRBC Women’s Life

 

 

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | June 6, 2022

Why Slippage Doesn’t Serve Us Well

“Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. James 4:8a(ESV)

Exercising is one of those things I just love to do. Rarely do I miss a beat. Lunchtime at the gym has been my norm for years and energizes my afternoon. So one would think I never miss a workout. Not the case. I ended 2021 with covid and exercise was definitely not doable. While I had a very mild case, tiredness kept me out of the gym for six weeks.

When our bodies are used to exercising there is this weird dynamic that takes place when we halt. It takes about two – three  weeks (depending on your fitness level) of no use for our muscles to atrophy – in other words, they start to shrink. Lack of use causes our bodies to break the muscles down decreasing them in size and strength. Malnutrition, a sedentary lifestyle or sitting at a desk all day can fuel this process. Not exactly where we want to land. Good news is we can recover by resuming exercise and eating a healthy diet. It may take a little longer to rebuild those muscles, but it is absolutely doable.

Sound familiar –  whether you exercise or not, we all can easily get off track with what’s truly important for our physical and spiritual health. Warm weather, fun activities, weekends traveling – I’m sure we’ve all been there when prioritizing time with God slid to the bottom of the list. And if we’re keeping it real here, we’ve even allowed God to not make the list at all.  Crazy thing is slippage happens without a lot of effort and maybe that’s the real point – our efforts took a short break which slowly evolved into a prolonged absence. Not exactly where we planned to land.

What happens when those spiritual muscles are weakened?

  • We are vulnerable to the enemy’s attacks
  • Our tendency is to rely on self versus turning to God
  • Self-control quickly slides out the window
  • Doubts resurface
  • Excuses multiply

I think we all get the picture – dismissing our connection with God never serves us well.  It leaves us feeling empty even if our life is swirling with the fullness of distractions and activity. We simply can’t satisfy the longing in our souls with anything except God. Good news is we can recover by simply drawing our hearts back to God.

Even if life is totally out of control, we can avoid the disconnect by:

 

  • Seizing moments to focus our thoughts on God
  • Breathing prayers throughout our day
  • Meditating on one verse – allowing God’s Word to saturate our thoughts
  • Listening to worship music as we clean, work, travel, etc.
  • Listening to an inspirational podcast while doing dishes, laundry or waiting in the carpool line

Simple little ways to ensure slippage in this season doesn’t create disconnect in the future. God is always near, eager and ready to connect with us. The daily choice is up to us.

“Father, even in the midst of crazy busy and lots of challenges help us to keep our hearts connected and aligned with Yours.”

 

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | June 1, 2022

Genuine Versus Knock-Off

“Don’t just pretend to love others. Really love them. Hate what is wrong. Hold tightly to what is good. Love each other with genuine affection, and take delight in honoring each other.” Romans 12:9-10 (NLT)

We didn’t have much money when I was growing up. Instead of Trix, we ate Circus Balls cereal. Instead of Rice Krispies, we ate Crispy Rice. Instead of Apple Jacks, we ate Apple O’s. When we visited my aunt and uncle, they served us name-brand soda, cereal, chips … even real Oreos, not Hydrox. On those trips, I was confronted with the truth: genuine beats knock-off every time.

Our key verse delivers the same truth. As believers in Christ, Paul tells us to “really love” others, not just fake it. Easy to talk about, but tricky to live out. In this upcoming season of holiday parties and get-togethers, what are some practical ways we can “really love” others?

Show interest: How did you meet your husband? What led you to your current job? What do you like to do for fun? When you were young, what did you want to be when you grew up? If you could visit anywhere in the world, where would it be? Asking an open-ended question (not a yes or no answer) is a great way to show others we care.

Listen: We’ve all been there. Someone asks you a question but their attention wanders before you can fully answer the question. In that moment, do you feel loved? Let’s make the effort to listen without preparing the next comment or question in our heads.

Pray: How can I pray for you? The ultimate act of service is bringing another’s requests before the Lord. Praying for others may lead us to action, but the service of prayer is so valuable all on its own. Just as a seed planted in the ground—watered and soaking up the sun—grows, so prayer offered on behalf of another grows a seed of love for that person in us.

Remember: The next time you see that person you have shown an interest in, listened to, and prayed for, ask about something they shared with you. Committing something of the previous conversation to memory speaks volumes of the honor and value you place on that person.

Putting these principles into action will not be easy, but genuine beats knock-off every time. Are you ready to challenge yourself to “really love” others?

“Especially during the holidays when we are surrounded by friends, family, and coworkers at parties and get-togethers, Lord, guide us in how we can “really love” others.”

For His Glory

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

 

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | May 31, 2022

Preparing For The Prince

“Wash yourself, therefore, and anoint yourself, and put on your best clothes, and go down to the threshing floor.” Ruth 3:3

As I continue to study the book of Ruth in the Old Testament, this inspiring and dramatic love story never ceases to amaze me. As the writer shares the true account of how King David’s grandparents met and were married, we are also shown several parallels to our own relationship with Jesus Christ. Like a real Prince Charming, Boaz rescues Ruth (and her mother-in-law, Naomi), from poverty and sorrow. Per a somewhat strange Jewish law, Ruth could propose to Boaz, a close relative of her late husband, and he would redeem her (pay the owed family debt), forever changing her future.

This is the primary parallel in the story: Jesus Christ is our Kinsman Redeemer, coming to our rescue and paying the impossible debt we owe in order to redeem us…forever changing our future.

But there are a handful of verses in chapter 3 of Ruth that describe the pre-proposal interaction between Ruth and her mother-in-law that are a bit comical on the surface. Because Ruth is a foreigner and probably doesn’t know this odd kinsman-redeemer law, Naomi has to give her a little push to go get her man. (This is where Naomi’s Cinderella character parallel goes from a wicked stepsister to those cute, enlivened animals that get Cindy ready for the ball. But I digress.) To help ensure the plan will work, Naomi gives Ruth four instructions (v3): (1) Wash yourself, (2) anoint yourself, (3) put on your best clothes, and (4) go (tell him). When you’re in the midst of the saga, it’s funny to picture this because Naomi is telling Ruth to get ready as if for a fancy ball, and then she sends her to the threshing floor—think dirty, smelly, crowded-with-sweaty-guys factory floor.

The really cool aspect of these four steps that Naomi gave Ruth is how they correspond to the steps taken for our own rescue and redemption in Jesus.

  • Wash yourself: We have to recognize that we are filthy and stinky in our sin (Isaiah 64:6). But the precious blood of Jesus washes us as white as snow, cleansing us of all unrighteousness (Isaiah 1:18; 1 John 1:9; Revelation 1:5).
  • Anoint yourself: The moment we accept the free gift of salvation through Jesus Christ, we are anointed with the Holy Spirit, who seals us as a child of God and abides in us so we can understand the things of God.
  • Put on your best clothes: Amazingly, when we surrender to Jesus, He takes our raggedy, nasty clothes and gives us His robe of righteousness to wear (Isaiah 61:10; 2 Corinthians 5:21), so when the Father looks at us, He only sees the righteousness of Christ.
  • Go (and tell him): Like Boaz, the Great Redeemer will not force Himself on us. We must take action. Like Ruth, we must tell Jesus that we need Him, want Him, and trust Him for our rescue.

Friend, are you in need of rescue today? Are you sitting in the poverty and sorrow of your sin? There is a Redeemer—the Prince of Peace—who will sweep you up in His arms…and change your future, both in this world and for eternity. All you have to do is tell Him.

 

“Lord, if there is just one reading these words right now who has not run into the loving arms of our Savior Jesus Christ, let today be the day of their rescue.”

 

For His Glory

Julianne Winkler Smith
TRBC Women’s Life

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | May 30, 2022

Thriving In The Midst of Hard

“Through Him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. Romans 5:2 (ESV)

What does one do when bad things happen? How do we maneuver the bad which evolves into terrible, then the worst we could have ever imagined? The progression of bad into our worst moments can land us flat on our face, totally overwhelmed by our circumstances. And what we do in those moments is crucial to our sustained recovery.

As a child, I loved the story of Joseph and his coat of many colors. Joseph’s life seemed ideal; he was the favorite son with an amazing color drenched coat. Who could ask for more? Not me. My child mind idealized that coat and forgot all about the horror of being thrown into a pit and sold as a slave.

Isolated from his entire family at age 17, Joseph was in a strange land living in a stranger’s palace. Nothing was familiar. Yet as Joseph’s story unfolds chapter by chapter, we hear a reoccurring theme:  “The Lord was with him.” Success and blessings followed Joseph and ultimately impacted his master, Potiphar, as well.

One would think it was smooth sailing from this point on. Living in a palace – gaining responsibility – flourishing. But Joseph’s story was really just beginning. Seduced by Potiphar’s wife, Joseph landed in prison despite his innocence. Elevated to a position of authority over the other prisoners, Joseph interprets the dreams of the baker and butler. “Remember me,” echoed from Joseph’s lips. Yet he remained in prison for two more years.

Injustices, false accusations and then being forgotten  – transitioning from bad to terrible to the worst. Regardless of how bleak, hard and empty his circumstances got, Joseph’s eyes never lost sight of his God. His personal decision to do the right thing out of devotion to his God, even in the face of compelling temptation, defined Joseph’s integrity.

Keeping it real here  – doing right when others are doing wrong isn’t easy. The temptation to retaliate, seek revenge and get even creates a false sense of satisfaction. Giving up when triggers of past pain rise to the surface is not a healthy option either. We must, like Joseph, allow the challenges of our lives to draw us into a deeper dependence on our God. By trusting Him to right our wrongs and fight our battles, we can zero in on the personal growth He longs to develop in us. Every step of Joseph’s journey, God was transforming him from the inside out. Building godly character. Sustaining him with wisdom and discernment. Taking what Joseph’s brothers meant for evil against him and turning it into good to save the lives of many people (Genesis 50: 19).

Sweet friends, the depths of God’s work on Joseph’s behalf required a surrendered heart. Don’t know where we all land here, but I do know God is with us right in the midst of our challenges. He is the God who sees, knows and will work through every struggle to cultivate a greater glory than we dared imagine. I still love the story of Joseph; I just see it in a deeper light than I did as a child. No longer am I caught up in the wonder of his coat; I’m captivated by his love for God and desire to please Him even when bad things happen.

“Father, help us to flourish even in the midst of hard places and reflect You to our world.  Give us the courage and boldness to surrender to Your plan and watch with anticipation as You work for our good.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

 

 

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | May 27, 2022

When Silence Wins

“Therefore, consider carefully how you listen. Whoever has will be given more; whoever does not have, even what they think they have will be taken from them.” Luke 8:18 (ESV)

Ever heard loud and still didn’t hear? You know like a distracting noise was so loud you didn’t understand a single word spoken. My husband has this wonderful device; I’m sure you’ve seen it. A tiny little piece perched in his ear picks up his voice and everything else. His Bluetooth enables him to communicate when he’s driving or working – great. No not so great. Despite the many variations he has owned, the background noise often drowns out his sweet voice. The jingle and screeching noise is not music to my ears. Humor works to soothe my otherwise irritated soul. So despite our efforts to stay connected, I remain clueless until I only hear his voice.

Amazing how much distracting noise feeds my day. Until we sit in the silence, we don’t even recognize the loud stealing away thoughts and interrupting peace. And if I dare be honest, my own distracting voice often overrides God’s still small voice whispering to my soul. Clarity, depth and understanding are often exchanged in the chatter of everything else.

Wonder what would happen if we rid ourselves of noise and breathed in deep of God’s presence? Instead of reading His words with the tv buzzing in the background, we would create silence. Ridding ourselves of the endless self-talk rummaging through our minds even in the silence. Disconnecting from everyone and everything so we can re-connect with the One who speaks life, hope and peace. An open invitation to glean insight. A clean slate to welcome an authentic, engaging conversation with our Creator – the One who knows us inside and out.

Maybe it simply sounds too good to be true. Could we really let go of all the distractions, lists, and preconceived ideas to come away with God to a deeper place? One that promises to fill our empty souls and refresh our tired minds. One who has always been available 24/7 before the cliché was spoken. One who hears words we haven’t even spoken. An audience with our King who rules the world, holds it all together and gathers His children. Why? Because out of His great love, God longs to speak, whisper and draw us close.

“Father help us to not drop the connection and to choose silence. To simply sit in Your presence and only listen in the quiet for Your still small voice.”

For His Glory

Janet Martin
TRBC Women’s Life

 

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | May 26, 2022

Unfathomable Distance

“For as high as the heavens are above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him. As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our wrongdoings from us”   Psalm 103:11-12

If you set out to go north from Lynchburg, Virginia, you can travel exactly 3,641 miles until you start going south. Or you can head south from here, but once you’ve gone 8,789 miles, you will—as you’ve probably guessed—turn northward.

But how far can you travel west until you’re going east? Or, likewise, how many miles would you have to go east until you’re heading west? That’s kind of a trick question because the answer is: you don’t. When you turn and move east from anywhere and keep going eastward, no matter how far you go, you’ll never run out of east. Same thing going the other way: You cannot go to the end of “west.” It’s hard to wrap your head around, isn’t it?

This fact makes God’s promise to us in Psalm 103 even more astounding. In verse 12, we’re told He has removed our transgressions from us “as far as the east is from the west.”. Through His amazing grace and the work of Jesus on the Cross, our sins are forgiven—we are made righteous in the sight of God. And at that moment, He casts our sins—past, present, and future—into the depths of the sea (Micah 7:19), never to be brought up again (Hebrews 8:12).

Sisters, please let this sink in. When we accept Jesus as our Savior and ask for forgiveness, He forgives us. And He does not keep bringing up our wrongdoings. So, when your mind and heart are being pummeled with disgrace, or if you’re dragging around heavy shackles of shame wherever you go (think Marley in “A Christmas Carol”), know this is not of your heavenly Father! This is a tool of your enemy whose goal is your discouragement. He wants you to doubt how wide, how long, how high, and how deep the love of Christ is toward you (Ephesians 3:18). He wants you to look in the mirror each day and see filthy stains of your sin, not the cleansed, white-as-snow vision of beauty you are through Jesus (1 John 1:9, Psalm 51:7).

Certainly, we may have to live out the consequences of our sinful choices and carry the scars. But I pray these serve as reminders of God’s love and forgiveness toward us—not the constant condemnation your enemy would prefer. And may we use them as a means to share the Truth of the Gospel with others.

“Lord, I am so thankful for Your forgiveness—and Providential forgetfulness. Help me walk in the freedom of this Truth and share it unreservedly with others.”

 

For His Glory

Julianne Winkler Smith
TRBC Women’s Ministry

 

Posted by: trbccoffeebreak | May 24, 2022

Written Repentance

“Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.”  Matthew 7:3-5

I was literally sitting at a well-represented coffee shop (because there is no other option at the moment), writing a blog message early in the morning about how awesome Jesus is…but the sinning hypocrite in me had to stop and repent before I got past the third sentence. And, because this is a real sanctification moment, I thought I’d transparently share it with you.

It’s Sunday, and the weekend has been pretty awesome so far. We traveled from Florida to North Carolina to see our younger son—pick him up, really, on our way to Virginia for a family wedding on Saturday. This was wonderful, as both my boys and daughter-in-love were able to make the event. And I was able to see my brother, his wife, my stepmother, as well as a ton of family we’ve not seen for years. Like I said, it’s been a great couple of days.

Let me share my morning, however, that sent me into a self-righteous spiral of frustration and anger (told you I was going to get painfully real). Here is the series of events that has happened to the point of me typing these words:

  • I went to the hotel gym, and (for a very expensive hotel), it was filthy. But I did my thing anyway.
  • Because my husband and son were sleeping, I planned to finish at the gym and sit in the lobby sipping coffee and writing. After walking around on the hunt for those familiar dispensers, I asked the desk person. “The restaurant doesn’t open until 7:00.” In other words, “There is no coffee until you can pay an exorbitant price for it at the restaurant.” I mildly lost it and responded that I couldn’t believe there was no coffee…and, by the way, “Your gym is absolutely filthy!”
  • So, given that I can’t go back to my room, I go to said popular coffee shop. No customers are there (inside or in the drive-through). Takes a while for me to be acknowledged. Then I order. After 15 minutes, I ask about my drink. “We just got an order for 10 drinks.” (The unspoken part, “And they were more important than you, so you can wait.”) When I did get my coffee, the order was wrong. I won’t elaborate on what transpired next, but it ended with me being given what I need to fix my own order, only to spill steamed milk all over my phone and computer.

When I finally got to the place of starting my “Jesus is awesome—are you saved?” blogpost, the Holy Spirit was all over me: “Um, Julianne, you are seriously going to write to others about the Christian walk when you are sitting in disobedience at this very moment?” I paused to realize that the computer screen was blurry not because of the spilled milk, but because of the plank sticking out of my eyeballs (Matthew 73:3-5).

So, what was going to be a blog about Jesus being the Great Physician, has turned into a lesson for myself (and hopefully you, dear friend), about how our sanctification walk with the Lord is a journey in the direction of obedience. It’s about getting better and better about recognizing my sin, being quicker and quicker to repent, and then stepping back onto the narrow road to holiness. Won’t you join me on this road today?

“Heavenly Father, forgive me for my self-righteous anger and unkind words. And thank You that as soon as I recognize my failure and repent, You are quick to forgive.”

For His Glory

Julianne Winkler Smith
TRBC Women’s Life

 

 

 

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