Immune and Capable of Resistance
I want to share some thoughts on how we can position ourselves to overcome the attack of every Christian’s age-old enemy, the devil. They can be found in the Apostle Peter’s words in his first epistle. (more…)
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Revelation, Inspiration, Activation
I’m Dr. Bob and for just a Mentoring Minute, I want to share an interesting thought. Why don’t you pray and ask God to make this season of your life one of revelation, inspiration and activation. He loves to answer this particular prayer. What you are asking is that He would open your spiritual ears to something fresh from the throne. Then what you hear will carry within it the inspiration to fill you with a fresh zeal and determination for the things of God. Finally, He will activate within you the power to do what has inspired you. Philippians 4:13 (NKJV) says, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” As you listen to these words, let the Holy Spirit rekindle that special fire within you that characterized your beginning walk with God. Fan the flames of zeal for the Lord of Hosts. This can be your earth shaking, devil-breaking season. God will make the way and you will make the difference. Go ahead, become the devil’s worst nightmare. You can, you know. You are fully capable, because you “can do all things through Christ.” Remember, “all” means all, everything and anything that pleases the Father. You can listen to my previous minutes at www.mentoringminutes/blogs. While you’re there, check out all the free resources.
Revelation, Inspiration, Application
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Is there Significance?
I have thought long and hard about what I would say to those of us who labor so faithfully, yet see so few results. Is there significance to a ministry that seems so lacking in significance. The answer is really very simple! It has everything to do with the fact that God is always watching over who He calls and what He calls them to do. Knowing this brings the inspiration and courage to do what we would otherwise choose not to do. It is a key part of defeating discouragement. So, we have a loving, caring God watching over us all the way! Take heart in that. Let Him be the judge. He will judge you on what was in your heart, not the apparent outcomes.
Third Thought: David Understood His Abilities
One of my favorite expressions is, “There are no surprises in heaven.”
If you could spend time around me, you would know that I regularly remind myself of this when I have a need to place pressures and unexpected circumstances in their proper perspective. Like most of us, I tend to underestimate my own gifts and abilities. God has highly gifted each of us. We have a reservoir of God-given and God-supported capacity for handling the challenges and opportunities of the ministry He entrusted to us. However, we often fail to recognize our own potential. We neglect to look back on our past successes when they can offer us assurance that we are well able. David did just this when confronting his giant. 1 Samuel 17:34-36, He said to Saul, “Your servant used to keep his father’s sheep, and when a lion or a bear came and took a lamb out of the flock, I went out after it and struck it, and delivered the lamb from its mouth; and when it arose against me, I caught it by its beard, and struck and killed it. Your servant has killed both lion and bear; and this uncircumcised Philistine will be like one of them, seeing he has defied the armies of the living God.”
Now that is a winner’s attitude! David knew that with God’s help, he had the abilities necessary to win the battle before and he would now win this battle. Our attitudes and the ways we approach our giants is in our control, not in the control of what opposes us. In Verse 37 David declares, “The LORD, who delivered me from the paw of the lion and from the paw of the bear, He will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine.” David understood he could recall his experiences, remembering the faithfulness of God. In those times, when he faced seemingly impossible odds, God
enabled him to do what did not seem possible. When I think back on the difficult issues of my life and ministry, I find many instances when the grace and faithfulness of God gave me the ability to do what I should not have been able to do.
As you face your inevitable giants, you must look to the God-given abilities inherent within your own salvation. Christianity is a “can-do relationship.” The Apostle Paul said it best in Philippians 4:13, when he wrote, “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” You can too! You serve the same God. You are a “can-do” Christian!