Never Mess With Grace.
For just a Mentoring Minute, let’s talk about grace. How often do we witness someone who disregards the grace of God? It might be understandable, though not excusable if someone is not a Christian. However, for those who know the Lord, there can be no excuse. (more…)
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The Lie of Shame
Every one of us has experienced feelings of shame. It’s is a condition in which we feel dirty and polluted. Shame a consequence of our fallen human condition. It can infect us because (more…)
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One Little Word Makes One Big Difference.
Recently, I was reviewing one of the lessons I would be teaching on my next visit to the Chinese language ministry school in Brooklyn New York that I am working to establish. The translation of each lesson into Chinese is a lengthy process for them to do. One of these lessons I sent to them was, “Living a Transparent Life.” As I was reviewing the lesson that they had been translating to use when I arrive there, I realized I had left one little word out of a sentence. Here is how the sentence read on the copy I sent for translation: “You are obligated to show everybody everything that is going on inside you.” When I read it, I was horrified. I immediately called the pastor in New York and explained I had left one little word out of the sentence. It was the word, “NOT.” The sentence should have read, “You are NOT obligated to show everybody everything that is going on inside you.” The difference is enormous. Without this word, “NOT,” it could be devastating. I quickly contacted the translator and made sure the mistake was corrected.
Song of Songs 2: 15 (NKJV) says, “Catch us the foxes, The little foxes that spoil the vines, For our vines have tender grapes.” A little word that’s omitted or not spoken can turn into a very large problem. It can result in completely misunderstanding the intent of the thought and lead to actions or beliefs that may result in someone being hurt. Be careful to consider what you are going to say or write before it ends up going into someone’s heart like a dagger. There may not be a second chance. Thank the Lord I was able to correct the omission of the word, “NOT” before it was printed and handed out.
Be careful to take your time, to consider your words carefully, and think compassionately before you release them. Have you been too impulsive with what you say? Have you failed to consider the feelings of others before you say or write what’s on your mind? Reflect on this.
One Little Word Makes One Big Difference-03-28-14
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The Circus of Dysfunction
I was talking politics with my friend, Pastor David Briggs and he used the term “the circus of dysfunction” to paint an illuminating picture of (more…)
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Rocks on our Backs
I recently heard Mrs. Ann Romney speaking on TV about having to live with (more…)
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LIfe is full of Typos
My wife Nancy and I had diligently prepared for a mentoring seminar we were about to do. We produced a carefully crafted handout for the seminar participants, taking great care to (more…)
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The Safest Way To Hell
I’m Dr. Bob and for must a Mentoring Minute, I would like to tell you about the safest way to hell. Listen to what C. S. Lewis wrote. “The safest way to hell is a gradual slide.” These are extremely enlightening words for someone who once surrendered to Jesus Christ as personal Lord and Savior, but has slowly backed away from living a life that demonstrates what he or she originally professed. Hebrews 10:26-27 (NLT) warns us that, “…if we deliberately continue sinning after we have received a full knowledge of the truth, there is no other sacrifice that will cover these sins. {27} There will be nothing to look forward to but the terrible expectation of God’s judgment and the raging fire that will consume his enemies.”
That is an amazingly straight and indisputable warning. In today’s society, we find it too easy to let the world and its ways influence us to slowly slide away from God and redirect our paths straight into hell. We must be aware and full of care not to let our lifestyles slide away from how we felt when we first came to know Jesus. We must treasure and protect the personal changes we made from that point on. I’m Dr. Bob, and that is a word of wisdom that sounds a clear warning. It is entirely worth heeding. You can listen to additional Mentoring Minutes at www.mentoringministry.com/blogs.
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More of Who? Less of Who?
I’m Dr. Bob and for just a Mentoring Minute, I would like to ask you whether your attitudes are defined by what I call “more of me, and less of God.” In other words, are you someone who consistently and habitually relies more on the inherent weaknesses of your own instincts, or are you someone whose habit is to rely on the strength God give? (more…)
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Whoops
I’m Dr. Bob and for just a Mentoring Minute, I want to share an expression with you that I have used all too often. Perhaps you have said it, or something like it. The expression is “Whoops!” This spontaneous expression is a sure sign of our humanity. Many of us have all too often realized and reacted to our mistake by saying something like “Whoops.” What reassures me when I make a mistake is that the Holy Spirit never has to say “Whoops.” He is always perfect in all of His ways. Better than that, He is faithfully there to step in and sort things out when I make my mistakes. The Apostle Paul had it right when he wrote, in Romans 8:13-15 (NKJV), “For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. {14} For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. {15} For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, “Abba, Father.”” Whenever you make that inevitable mistake, turn to the Spirit of God. Ask Him to lead you in the ways of righteousness that will bring you safely to something good. That’s my advice for you today. It will help keep the “Whoops” out of your life, and when it comes, it will help you get past it with good success. I’m Dr. Bob and that’s a bit of Holy Ghost wisdom. You can listen to additional Mentoring Minutes at www.mentoringministry.com/blogs.
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He Looks at the Lamb
I’m Dr. Bob and for just a Mentoring Minute, I want to set things straight. If you have given your life to Christ, but have been living with condemnation because of your past, it’s time to change your focus, which will change your thinking. When you gave your life to Jesus, God changed His focus. He no longer looks at your sinful past. He now looks at you as a washed in the blood of the lamb, devil stomping son or daughter of God. He sees you as a winner and a champion. When God considers a believer’s value to Him, He looks to the Lamb, not at the sinner. Your performance is no longer the standard of God’s acceptance. Jesus took care of that. Your acceptance by God is complete because of the grace-filled sacrifice of the Lamb, the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the only spotless, sinless Person who could ever have met the standard of holiness in heaven. So, just relax. Do your best and let God’s view of the Lamb do the rest. That is the truth. It will set you free, and keep you free, as often as you need to remind yourself of it. I’m Dr. Bob. That’s the truth and you can hear more of my Mentoring Minutes at www.mentoringministry.com. I know they will bless you.
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