Simply Because…
I’m Dr. Bob and for just a Mentoring Minute, I want to ask you this question. Have you looked past your problems lately and focused on your blessings? I would like to remind you that God has blessed you simply because He can, and is motivated to do so simply because… He loves you. Furthermore, you have an eternal destiny simply because… Jesus died for you on the cross. Why have I written this for you to read? Simply because… I have been thinking about all these things as they apply to my own life, and I am grateful that I could bring them up to you. Let’s face it; God thinks you are somebody special. As a result, He has poured out His grace and loving concern upon you. Now, you have a life filled with the power of opportunity. All this happened simply because… Jesus was raised from the grave, is alive and functioning with all the authority of heaven. God sees you as a winner and a champion, someone who is the devil’s worst nightmare. He celebrates the reality that you are a miracle waiting to explode on the scene – simply because… you have surrendered your life to the Lord Jesus Christ. I’m Dr. Bob and that is a Mentoring Minute you can shout about. You can listen to my previous Mentoring Minutes at www.mentoringministry.com/blogs simply because… you can.
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Love is Grace Released
I’m Dr. Bob and for just a Mentoring Minute, I want to point out to you that it is easy to recognize genuine love. A great deal of the trouble in our lives comes from failing to recognize and understand the life-changing, life-saving value of love. This value is clear to see in love’s simplest, focused definition, which is that “love is grace released.” I want to assure you that if you think you love or are loved, but the love is defined by feelings alone, or driven by selfish motivations, it is not love. It cannot meet the definition. It is just a counterfeit that will disappoint, damage and possibly even destroy you or someone else involved with it. To decide whether love is real, ask if, when released, it becomes the delivery vehicle of God’s grace. When you demonstrate unselfish love toward others, your actions release a divinely designed dose of God’s grace into their lives. Most of the time, this release of His grace depends on your willingness to provide it, even knowing it might cost you. If you hold love back, or selfishly substitute something you deliberately disguise as love, someone will miss the grace. However, as you release a demonstration of real Christian love, God’s grace lands squarely on the need it has been designed by heaven to fill… only because you cared enough to love enough. I’m Dr. Bob and that’s a Mentoring Minute. You can listen to previous Mentoring Minutes at http://www.mentoringministry.com/blog/.
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His Banner Over Me Is Love
I’m Dr. Bob and for just a Mentoring Minute, I want to share my excitement with you. I could not help reminding myself that Song of Songs 2:4 (NKJV) says, “He brought me to the banqueting house and His banner over me is love.” In all my imperfections, all my weaknesses, all my failures and even in my sins, His banner over me always says, “love.” I know there is a reserved seat for me at banqueting table in God’s house. It has my name on it. It waits for me until that glorious day when I will come before Him and begin the first day of a new eternity of worship at the throne of His loving grace. What a blessed hope. I’m Dr. Bob. Is that your hope and expectation for yourself? Write me at Dr.Bob@mentoringministry.com and share your vision of that banqueting table with me, so we can both be encouraged by God’s loving faithfulness.
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Lighten the Load
I’m Dr. Bob and for just a mentoring minute, I want to ask if you ever have that sinking feeling? If so, you may need to lighten your load. Are you ready and willing to do so? I am reminded of the lesson from Acts, Chapter 27, when the Apostle Paul was shipwrecked. When the ship was sinking in the storm, sailors threw stuff overboard. They knew that if the ship was burdened with too much stuff, it was destined to sink. It is a timeless lesson. What stuff are you carrying around in your heart that gives you that sinking feeling? It can be like an anchor chained to your soul. Here is the good news. It is not too late to surrender it to God. Give it to Him and trust Him to carry the burdens for you. In Matthew 11:28-30 (NKJV) Jesus said, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. {29} Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. {30} For My yoke is easy and My burden is light.” If you will make the exchange today, you will feel like your load is so light that you can walk on the water all the way to your destiny. I’m Dr. Bob. Contact me at www.mentoringministry.com and let me know how it feels to be free of that sinking feeling.
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Where Are You?
I’m Dr. Bob and for just a mentoring minute, I want you to consider three questions. Here’s the first question. It was God’s question to Adam. He asked, “Where are you?” We know God knew Adam’s location. There was a deeper meaning. The question exposed the problem. Adam had sinned and now his relationship with God was changed. He no longer enjoyed close fellowship with the Lord. Sin destroyed it.
Here is the second question. It’s found in Matthew 2:2. When the wise men from the East heard of Jesus’ birth, they asked, “Where is He?” They were guided to a lowly a manger by a heavenly star in the sky. They found the Savior. He was the answer to sin. He who knew no sin would become sin, so we could escape its grip and get back to God.
Now, consider a final question. It is just like the first. God, in all His loving grace, will ask it of you. “Where are you?” Yes, you! I’m Dr. Bob. Stop for a moment, consider this question and then, contact me at www.mentoringministry.com and tell me where you could be, if you just accept Christ’s loving sacrifice and then, draw near to God.
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Wet Water Walker
I’m Dr. Bob and for just a mentoring minute, I’d like to encourage you to get out of the boat and follow your faith. Until and unless you do, you will never realize the fullness of your life’s possibilities. Go ahead, get your feet wet! Yes, you will begin to sink from time to time. However, when you do, you will find Jesus’ outstretched hand is always there to keep you afloat. Yes, when you have that sinking feeling, you will discover His absolutely dependable touch. He will lift you up and you can continue your journey to your destiny. Go ahead. Walk on the water with Jesus. You can declare to the world, “Watch out! Here I come. Get yourself ready to walk with me so you can get wet too.” I’m Dr. Bob. Contact me at www.mentoringministry.com and let’s talk and let’s walk on the water.
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Spiritual Junkyard
I’m Dr. Bob and for just a mentoring minute I want to talk a little trash with you. I recently heard someone’s life described as a spiritual junkyard. It was a life tragically used up and rejected because of sinful, destructive behaviors and habits. The person’s life was trashed, seemingly destined for a forgotten, wasted ending. But, even in a junkyard, someone will come looking for just the right thing and buy, repair and restore it. God is always looking for someone to redeem, restore and renew. He will turn yesterday’s carnal trash into tomorrow’s spiritual treasure. I’m Dr. Bob. Luke 1:68 in the Amplified Bible says, “Blessed (praised and extolled and thanked) be the Lord, the God of Israel, because He has come and brought deliverance and redemption to His people!” Contact me at www.mentoringministry.com and let me know what you think.
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Buy One, Get One Free
I’m Dr. Bob. For just a mentoring minute, I want to admit to you that I love to shop. When I see an ad offering a “Buy one – Get one free” sale, I am easily attracted to it. However, I discovered an even better deal in the Bible! It is found in Isaiah 55:1, in which God says, “Ho! Everyone who thirsts, Come to the waters; And you who have no money, Come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk Without money and without price.” God is advertising that in His economy, you can buy an abundance of what will spiritually and eternally satisfy you, without spending any money. It is like an offer of a divine unlimited debit card from your heavenly Father. What it buys is far better than all the earthly goods you could accumulate. All it requires is your love for Him and your faithful commitment to Him.
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My Best Shoes
I’m Dr. Bob and for just a mentoring minute, I want to tell you about my best pair of shoes. I was out walking this morning. The rain had just stopped, there was a cool breeze and the Florida sun was shining. What a beautiful morning to be wearing my new walking shoes. They are the most comfortable walking shoes I have ever had. As I was walking, I could not help but be reminded that so many people in the world have no shoes… and what about those who have no feet? I realized I was not just walking in the s.u.n.shine; I was walking in the S.O.N.shine – which I call the favor of God. As I continued to walk, I heard the still, small voice of the Holy Spirit say to me, “Remember the best shoes I ever gave you? I spoke of them through Paul’s words in Ephesians, Chapter 6. They are the shoes of peace! If you will trust in Me, they will never wear out and will always fit you.” Why don’t you exercise with God’s walking shoes, the shoes of peace? I’m Dr. Bob. Ephesians 6:15, the International Children’s Bible says, “And on your feet wear the Good News of peace to help you stand strong.” Share this with someone who is need of these shoes. They are freely given to those who believe. Contact me at www.mentoringministry.com and let me know what you think.
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Highway to Heaven
I’m Dr. Bob and for just a mentoring minute I want challenge you to consider eight words that can change your circumstances, even as they change your life. In Acts, Chapter 9, Saul was on a road to destruction. There, in a blinding flash of glory, he met the King of Kings. All he could do was surrender to eight life-giving words. He asked, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” As he received his answer, the dark fog of sin lifted. With darkened eyes and an enlightened heart, Saul saw the way. Now love would light the journey to his destiny. He found his highway to heaven. Speak those same eight words, “Lord, what do you want me to do?” Watch the darkness lift, and take a walk with Jesus! I’m Dr. Bob. Contact me at www.mentoringministry.com and let me know how the journey is going.
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