Mentoring Ministry - Dr. Bob Abramson » Faith

Until You are no longer Afraid: Part Two

bob — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 14:40:03 +0000

I want to finish the thoughts from my previous Mentoring Minute. If you will recall, I shared some thoughts from what my Pastor, Dr. Tom Peters said concerning fear. I have one additional thought about fear that I want to share with you. Here it is. In any situation you face, it is never really about your strength or weakness, but about the strength of God. Multiple times in the Bible, the Word tells us to be “Be strong and of good courage…” My pastor, Dr. Tom Peters also says, “Courage is the muscle that makes your faith work. It activates your set of beliefs.” That is worth thinking about. In Deuteronomy 31:6 (NKJV) says “Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the LORD your God, He is the One who goes with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you.” Deuteronomy 7:21 (NKJV), says, “You shall not be terrified of them; for the LORD your God, the great and awesome God, is among you.

Dr. Peters also said, “God is greater than anything you will face this year.” We can take this to heart because God is not only with us by the presence of the Holy Spirit, but He is still on His throne of omnipotent stewardship of our lives. This is a constant condition in heaven. It continually operates in the believer’s life. Here is one more thing. In the previous Mentoring Minute, I quoted Dr. Peters as saying, “Courage is not the absence of fear. It is the conquest of it. Courage may mean doing it afraid – until you’re no longer afraid.” Well, it is worth repeating. In fact, keep repeating it until it becomes part of your victory walk on the way to your

Until You are no longer Afraid-Part Two

Until You are no longer Afraid: Part One

bob — Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:22:06 +0000

Here is some wisdom from my pastor, Dr. Tom Peters. His words can be a tremendous encouragement in the face of trouble. He said, “Courage is not the absence of fear, it is the conquest of it. Courage may mean doing it afraid – until you’re no longer afraid.” This profound piece of guidance can become a standard for your life. Just trust the Lord and wade into your fears. I know this seems beyond what you think your emotions may allow. However, your big Brother Jesus will wade in with you. This may not seem to be sufficient for your emotions to accept. However, it certainly will work for every situation you face. If you need another boost in your courage, remember the assurance Jesus gave His disciples, concerning what could be possible. Matthew 19:26 (NKJV) says, “With men this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” It comes down to a simple exercise of your faith that says, “This is too big for me, but with God, all things are possible and nothing is impossible.”

It is true that it may appear to be impossible for you to step into troubled waters on your own. I recommend that instead of stepping into them; try stepping onto them – with your eyes fixed on Jesus. You will walk on the waters of your trouble, as your faith becomes the bridge to your victory. I’m Dr. Bob. Become the winner and champion for Jesus that God has enabled you to be.

Until You are no longer Afraid – Part One

Where’s the Line to see Jesus?

bob — Tue, 24 Jan 2012 15:57:58 +0000

I want to share a beautiful moment I experienced in a Christmas morning service at my church. We were shown a video in which a young woman walked past the line of youngsters waiting to see Santa. As she did, she began to sing, “Where’s the line to see Jesus?” As I was watching, the Holy Spirit reminded me of my dear friend, Dr. Jide Olutamyin. In 1997, he was an elder in my church in the Fiji islands. He has since gone to be with the Lord. Some years ago, God gave me a vision that Jide and I one day would dance together before the Lord. We would be rejoicing in the presence of Jesus.

Psalms 150 (NKJV) says, “Praise the LORD! Praise God in His sanctuary; Praise Him in His mighty firmament! {2} Praise Him for His mighty acts; Praise Him according to His excellent greatness! {3} Praise Him with the sound of the trumpet; Praise Him with the lute and harp! {4} Praise Him with the timbrel and dance; Praise Him with stringed instruments and flutes! {5} Praise Him with loud cymbals; Praise Him with clashing cymbals! {6} Let everything that has breath praise the LORD. Praise the LORD!” As the video was playing in church that Christmas morning, I had another vision. In it I was with Jide in heaven. We were in an unending line of people dancing before Jesus, as He sat upon His throne. We were celebrating our eternal life. We were filled with such joy, that all we wanted to do was dance and then fall down before His feet and cry “holy.” Then we would get back up and dance before Him a while longer, and again, fall down and cry “holy.” We never tired of this. Now, that is a line of which I want to be part. It is going to be a wonderful way to spend eternity. The beautiful thing about serving Christ now is that we do not have to wait until we get to heaven to dance before Him. You and I can start dancing… right now. Well, don’t just stand there. Start dancing!

Where is the Line to see Jesus

On Time and On Purpose

bob — Thu, 05 Jan 2012 13:30:44 +0000

I want to remind you of your true identity. Galatians 4:4 (NKJV) says, “But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law,” Now listen to what that means for you. Galatians 4:7 (NKJV) says, “Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.” Verse 7 finishes the thought from Verse 4: The Son of God came so that you would no longer be a slave. Now you are a child of God, with all the privileges it holds. Take comfort and assurance in the reality that there are no surprises, confusion or uncertainties in heaven. Everything in God’s plan for you has been established from eternity past. His timing is perfect, even in the midst of what you might see as random or unpredictable circumstances. You can always trust that God is never surprised or loses control. Another thing you can always trust in is that God has purpose waiting within the potential of every circumstance you face, even the bad ones. Romans 8:28-31 (NKJV) says, “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. {29} For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. {30} Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. {31} What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?” I’m Dr. Bob. Trust is the engine that drives a believer’s determination to move confidently ahead. I suggest you move closer to God and as you do, go with high expectations for something good.

On Time and On Purpose

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.

look-beyond-what-you-see-12-20-11

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

Immune and Capable of Resistance

bob — Thu, 01 Dec 2011 12:53:04 +0000

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.1 Peter 5:8-9 (AMP) say, “Be well balanced (temperate, sober of mind), be vigilant and cautious at all times; for that enemy of yours, the devil, roams around like a lion roaring [in fierce hunger], seeking someone to seize upon and devour. {9} Withstand him; be firm in faith [against his onset--rooted, established, strong, immovable, and determined], knowing that the same (identical) sufferings are appointed to your brotherhood (the whole body of Christians) throughout the world.”

The Apostle Peter teaches us that, when threatened by the devil and his evil schemes, we are to “Withstand him” and “be firm in faith.” Think about how a lion hunts for prey. The lion will bypass the strong ones in the herd to identify and hunt down the weak ones. The principle is the same when the devil comes after us like a roaring lion. To be immune from the jaws of Satan, we need to become an elusive and difficult target, filled with a strong, supernaturally sourced, immune system and capable of resistance. We do this by believing God and living according to His Word. I’m Dr. Bob. What will you choose to be, easy prey or too strong to be devoured? You can listen to additional Mentoring Minutes at www.mentoringministry.com.

Immune and Capable of Resistance

“Light Be!”

bob — Tue, 29 Nov 2011 13:40:41 +0000

I must share with you what I heard at a Tuesday night prayer meeting. The worship team was singing a song, “At the sound of Your great name.” I heard the Holy Spirit say, “This song speaks of a sound that commands and everything obeys.” The sound of Jesus’ great name has the same effect today as the first sound ever uttered at the creation of the universe. In Hebrew, this first sound was, “ye-he or,” which is most accurately translated into English as, “Light be!” When God spoke these divine words, light was. Genesis 1:3 (NKJV) says, “Then God said, “Let there be light” and there was light.”

If you are in darkness today, and you have given your life faithfully to Christ, you can speak with God’s authority. You only need to speak two things. First, say, “Jesus, at the sound of your great name, darkness has to go.” Now combine that with, “In the name of Jesus, Light be.” Darkness will flee. Light will come. Then, the glory of the Lord will flood your situation with grace. Try it. Here, I will give it to you again. Say, “Jesus, at the sound of your great name, darkness has to go… In the name of Jesus, Light be… ye-he-or.” That winning sound that commands the very creative power of God. I’m Dr. Bob. What sounds have you been making. Have they had the same assurance and authority as “Light be?” Reflect on what should change so they did have it. You can listen to additional Mentoring Minutes at www.mentoringministry.com.

Light Be

Your Best …parent: Transparent

bob — Tue, 22 Nov 2011 13:08:56 +0000

I’m Dr. Bob and for just a mentoring Minute, I want to ask you what it is that people see in you? Do they see a person filled with insecurity and self-protective tendencies that darken and hide what is really inside? Or, do they see someone filled with light and transparency? Darkness can signify many things. It can mean insecurity and failure to understand that the God of light lives in us. Darkness in us can also mean a desire to hide the reality of a hidden sin. Is your life transparent because you are a son or daughter of light? The Bible says, in 1 John 1:5 (NKJV) that, “…God is light and in Him there is no darkness.” 1 Thessalonians 5:4-5 (NKJV) says, “But you, brethren, are not in darkness, so that this Day should overtake you as a thief. {5} You are all sons of light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of darkness.”

It is often tempting to allow deception and darkness to have a home to inside your heart. The beautiful thing about the new birth in Christ is that you are now a son or daughter of light and transparency. Be what God says you are. When people look at you, all they will see is the winner and champion you really are… a son or daughter of the light. There will be nothing dark manipulating or clouding their vision. I’m Dr. Bob. Listen to additional Mentoring Minutes at www.mentoringministry.com

Your Best …parent: Transparent

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