Mentoring Ministry - Dr. Bob Abramson » Advice

The Heart of the Wise

bob — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 14:36:06 +0000

I want to look into an extraordinary statement of truth with you. I discovered it as I was doing my devotions this morning in the Book of Proverbs. As I came across Proverbs 16:23, it stopped me from going any further. It spoke to me about how vital it is for every one of us to be aware of the influence our words have on others. Proverbs 16:23 (NKJV) says, “The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, And adds learning to his lips.” I hope this catches your attention as strongly as it did mine. It caused me to think about those times, and there have been far too many, when I said something I later regretted. This happened because I failed to let my heart teach my mouth to say what would edify the person to whom I spoke. Here is my point. Please remember to listen to your heart before you say something hurtful, ignorant or devaluing to someone. If you will, your words will make your life and theirs better; and what you say will be well pleasing to God. I’m Dr. Bob. Today would be an excellent day to bless someone with your words, with the express purpose of bringing joy and peace to their hearts. The beautiful thing is that when you do this, joy and peace will flood your heart too. Now, wouldn’t this be an appropriate time to listen to the heart of the Holy Spirit about this matter and obey His wise counsel?

The Heart of the Wise

Look at What You Don’t See.

bob — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 14:31:52 +0000

What it is that you have been seeing? Your answer could be that you see the obvious facts of what is going on all around you. I invite you to look beyond what you have been seeing with your eyes. Look through the lens of faith. If you will, your faith will show you that a great many things you held to be facts are subject to change. This is because faith sees beyond the natural circumstances into the supernatural potential held within God’s provision, presence and promises. When you use your faith lens to see with the eyes of faith, you will see that the natural facts are subject to change. This is because faith sees the potential held within God’s provision, presence and promises. 2 Corinthians 4:17-18 (NIV) teaches us that, “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. {18} So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” Now, listen to Hebrews 11:1, in the (NLT). “What is faith? It is the confident assurance that what we hope for is going to happen. It is the evidence of things we cannot yet see.” If you will train your eyes to see the realities of your highly favored standing with God, you will see what you have not allowed yourself to see. I’m Dr. Bob. You will see that God is for you, and He is providing something far better than what you have been seeing. Now, listen with your spiritual ears to additional Mentoring Minutes at www.mentoringministry.com.

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Five “K,” Ten “K”… All the Way

bob — Tue, 13 Dec 2011 18:08:52 +0000

Here are some thoughts about the Christian race we run. There is a long-term goal for all of us, which is eternity with Christ. The way we get there is to take it one step at a time. Each of our steps turns into many. It’s like a person who runs a marathon. The idea is to set goals or milestones. The runner sets his or her goal to get to 5 kilometers, then 10, 15, 20 and finally to the finish line. This is a runner’s formula for endurance to complete the race. Hebrews 12:1-2 (NKJV) says, “Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, {2} looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” if you want a formula for success to complete in your walk with God, step into life each day with a goal in mind. Let your days turn into seasons. Take life one season at a time. Then let each season join with the next. Along the way, you will pass the milestones you have set for yourself. One day you will find that you made the finish line and did it in excellent form. I’m Dr. Bob. Regardless of what you might face, just keep the race going until you make it home. You can listen to additional Mentoring Minutes at www.mentoringministry.com.

Five “K” Ten “K” … All the Way

Look Ahead. Walk on Solid Ground.

bob — Tue, 06 Dec 2011 13:10:40 +0000

I want share the key to staying on track in your walk with God. It is a two-part formula and it will work every day of your life. It is found in Proverbs 4: 25-26. The NIV version says, “Let your eyes look straight ahead, fix your gaze directly before you. {26} Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm.” According to Verse 25, the first instruction is to look straight ahead at what is before you. Fix your gaze on what God has placed in your heart, as you go through your daily encounters with life. Do not be distracted by anything life offers, whether good or not so good. Stay focused on what God has promised. If you make the Holy Spirit your walking partner, you will make the day’s issues stepping-stones to your success. Now, Part Two of the formula, in Verse 26, says to “Make level paths for your feet and take only ways that are firm.” This implies that the wisdom within your decisions will affect the paths you take. Consider carefully before you choose the path your daily walk today. What a combination for success those two parts make. That is a word to plant in your heart. It will lead to a path that grows brighter each day. That’s Proverbs 4:18 (NIV). Listen to it as I end this Mentoring Minute. “The path of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, shining ever brighter till the full light of day.” Can you see the promises that Verses 25 and 26 add to Verse 18? Reflect on how this affects you. Now, you can listen to additional Mentoring Minutes at www.mentoringministry.com.

Look Ahead. Walk on Solid Ground

Possible Impossibilities

bob — Thu, 17 Nov 2011 14:05:52 +0000

I’m Dr. Bob and for just a Mentoring Minute, I want to remind you that there is nothing too difficult for God. Jesus said it and that is enough for me. Regardless of the particular situation you may find yourself in, with God, all things are possible. In Mark, Chapter 10, when Jesus said it was easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to be saved (Verse 24), the disciples were astonished. Mark 10:27 (NKJV) records Jesus’ answer for their confusion and lack of understanding. He said, “With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible.” The importance of this exchange between Jesus and His disciples goes far beyond the issue of the moment, which was how a sinner could be saved, rich or poor. Jesus’ words underscored the principle of divine omnipotence, which states that God has the power to do anything He desires. He can even make of no consequence the rules of nature. After all, He established them. By His power, He now maintains them, and can even change them. That is what we call a miracle. The lesson here is that no matter how big and threatening your situation may be, God is bigger. He is the God who makes impossibilities possible. Never doubt that He is always well able to do so… and because He loves you, He desires to do so. I’m Dr. Bob. You can listen to additional Mentoring Minutes at www.mentoringministry.com/blogs.

Possible Impossibilities

A Brand New End

bob — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 13:27:26 +0000

I’m Dr. Bob and for just a Mentoring Minute I want to share something someone special to me said. He is a Fijian whose name is Naca and he is like a son to me. He said, “You may not be able to go back to the past to make a brand new beginning, but you can start today and make a brand new end. So, quit whining and start walking.” His message certainly spoke to me, and most likely will to you. 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NKJV) says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” Listen to the New Living Translation. It says, “…those who become Christians become new persons. They are not the same anymore, for the old life is gone. A new life has begun!” I have often said that the past is not qualified to determine your future. This is a liberating truth. Your old life left you when you accepted Christ as Lord and Savior. Some of your past has hung on when it had no right to do so. Now, shake it off because “A new life has begun.” I can tell you from my own experience, one thing is certain. Whining is a waste of energy and time. I’m Dr. Bob. Stop whining and start winning. Your beginnings no longer have any right to determine your end. You have a brand new end. You can listen to additional Mentoring Minutes at www.mentoringministry.com.

A Brand New End

Halloween

bob — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 12:30:37 +0000

I’m Dr. Bob and for just a Mentoring Minute, I would like to share a revealing statistic with you about an American holiday, which is called Halloween. I have heard that 68% of Americans celebrate Halloween. This holiday’s origin is ungodly and it celebrates all things demonic. It packages these celebrations in ways that appeal to little children and portrays Halloween as harmless fun. It makes you wonder how many of those who celebrate the holiday understand what it is they “hallow” or call holy? On the surface, the fun seems harmless enough, until you face the question I just asked. What is to be understood as hallowed and honored as holy? Proverbs 14:12 and 16:25 (NKJV) says, “There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death.” Matthew 6:9 (NKJV) says, “In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name.”

Satan is expert on laying the snare for us by disguising this holiday and so many other things to look like harmless fun. Like every deception, Halloween is a devilish trap. It is designed to present a lie that invites participation in something that offends God and leads people deeper into a pit from which escape becomes progressively more difficult. I’m Dr. Bob, and this is something to which you should give considerable thought. You can listen to additional Mentoring Minutes at www.mentoringministrycom.

Halloween

More thoughts on Patterns

bob — Tue, 18 Oct 2011 13:24:04 +0000

I’m Dr. Bob and for just a Mentoring Minute, I would like to ask you to think about the habits that rule your daily life. We all have them. Some are good, others not so good. They form the patterns that dictate our successes and failures. They are foundations to our actions and reactions. That makes them extremely important. I would like to remind you of a few patterns found on the Bible. Let’s begin with the Apostle Paul’s words in Philippians 3:17 (NLT). He wrote, “Dear friends, pattern your lives after mine, and learn from those who follow our example.” Then, there were these words from Daniel 1:8 (NKJV): “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies…” Now that is a worthy and profitable pattern. Finally, there were David’s words, that he wrote in Psalms 19:14 (NKJV). He said, “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart Be acceptable in Your sight, O LORD, my strength and my Redeemer.” Once again, that’s another fine thought with which to pattern your life. My advice is to take these, and so many other patterns in the Bible, and let them become guidelines for your daily living. I’m Dr. Bob and that’s a Mentoring Minute you by which you can live a successful and significant life. You can listen to additional Mentoring Minutes at www.mentoringministry.com.

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Just as He says it will be

bob — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 12:30:31 +0000

I’m Dr. Bob and for just a Mentoring Minute, I want to speak about those times when you find yourself totally in the dark, without a clue about what is coming next. This will be the case when trouble comes and you have no answer for it. However, it can also be true when opportunity shows itself to you. Life will bring both kinds of circumstance. I am reminded of young King Solomon’s reply when God invited him to ask anything. Solomon asked for wisdom. 1 Kings 4:29 (NKJV) says, “And God gave Solomon wisdom and exceedingly great understanding, and largeness of heart like the sand on the seashore.” It is unfortunate that Solomon soon forgot to use what he asked for.

When you find yourself in the dark, without any answers, the Holy Spirit is the one completely dependable source to whom you can turn. Ask for wisdom and understanding. He will provide it and you can proceed with confidence. Make Him your companion through all the journeys of your life. He will show you the truths you need and illuminate the paths you travel. With the Holy Spirit as your guide, you can expect the journey will be just as He says it will be. I strongly encourage you to let total dependence on God find its way into your life. You will move ahead in the light of His glory, because you chose to walk a path of obedience and faith. Then, you will see His glory released, as He leads and guides you to your destiny. Finally, you will gain the opportunity to let His glory be seen by others, because your fruitfulness will demonstrate His faithfulness. I’m Dr. Bob. Ask yourself how diligent you are to include the Holy Spirit in your daily walk through life. What could you change to allow more of His wisdom and understanding to influence you? You can listen to additional Mentoring Minutes at www.mentoringministry.com.

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The Gift of Distribution

bob — Thu, 29 Sep 2011 12:00:59 +0000

I’m Dr. Bob, and for just a Mentoring Minute, I want to speak of a biblical principle that never grows obsolete or loses its power. It’s called the principle of distribution. This principle says the ability to give is given by God, and contains within it the promise to return to the giver so much more than he or she can give. Luke 6:38 (ICB) says, “Give, and you will receive. You will be given much. It will be poured into your hands–more than you can hold. You will be given so much that it will spill into your lap. The way you give to others is the way God will give to you.” This principle always works because of another principle, which says you will never out-give God. He always returns more to you than you give. This may happen in ways that seemingly have no relationship to what you give. However, God sees the divine connection and puts His purposes and blessings into it. The result is that you will enjoy prosperity and blessings that come because you gave. I’m Dr. Bob. Here is one more principle to add to the two you just heard. Giving is a natural choice that births a supernatural gift from God, as He proves the truth of His Word in and through your life. It is His good pleasure to do so. He knows that if He can get it through you, He will get more to you. You can listen to additional Mentoring Minutes at www.mentoringministry.com/blogs.

the Gift of Distribution