Mentoring Ministry - Dr. Bob Abramson » Overcoming

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

One Potato Leads to Two

bob — Thu, 12 Jan 2012 13:10:32 +0000

I’m Dr. Bob and for just a Mentoring Minute, I want to share a conversation a person had at lunch. He happens to be diabetic. He was served a deliciously smelling stew and noticed it had potatoes in it. Potatoes turn from starch into sugar as they are digested. He declined his host’s well-meaning offer to have “just one potato.” When his host replied, “It’s only one potato,” he said to her, “one potato leads to two.” You see, he knew that to ignore small temptations would open doors to bigger ones. Then, the bigger temptations would bring damaging consequences, in this case, to his health. 1 Corinthians 10:13 (NKJV) says, “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.”

Here is the lesson to be learned. Never underestimate the damage today’s small temptation brings to your tomorrows. Be a person of absolutely no compromise in your integrity. Desire always and in all ways to be well pleasing to God. …We all could apply that to our diets. I’m Dr. Bob. Perhaps you did not know it, but what I told you actually happened to me. You see, I am diabetic. I understand the value of this lesson. My decision was there would be no potatoes for me at lunch. I also do my best every day to see that there are no temptations in other areas of my life that could grow like the “one potato that leads to two.” Reflect on what “small potatoes” are in your life. How could you change so they would not open doors to something far bigger and more damaging? You can listen to additional Mentoring Minutes at www.mentoringministry.com.

One Potato Leads to Two

Luggage in Your Lap

bob — Tue, 10 Jan 2012 13:36:32 +0000

I would like you to consider what a trip on an airplane would be like if you had to fly with your check-in luggage on your lap instead of it being stored in the bottom of the airplane? Can you imagine the discomfort? There would be this crushing weight constantly on you. You could not even find room to fold down your tray table. You would have a particularly difficult time if you had to get up in the middle of the flight to let the person next to you out of his or her seat. Then, imagine trying to get off the plane with a hundred and fifty others who were carrying their luggage too. Matthew 11:28-30 (NKJV) says, “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.”

Flying already has its discomforts. With luggage was on your lap, flying would be so uncomfortable that it would become an impossibility. Can you relate this to trying to go through life with the heaviness Hebrews 12:1 says can “so easily ensnares you.” We all take too much baggage, emotional and spiritual, with us through life. What has weighted you down that you know you could give to Jesus? Be honest and transparent with your answer. Trade your heavy baggage for something far lighter. Let Jesus have your baggage and He will give you something far lighter to carry. In fact, He will be your traveling companion and the journey will be a blessing.

Luggage in Your Lap

Keep Your Hands Out of the Press.

bob — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 14:11:20 +0000

Here is an account of something amazing that happened many years ago in our church in the Fiji Islands. It was in a Sunday service that the Lord gave me a word of wisdom, which I spoke to the congregation. It was a specific warning that someone was to be careful not to put his or her hand inside a piece of machinery. It would be a dangerous thing to do. There was a young woman attending services that day, who heard the warning. She later testified that this word of wisdom came at such a timely moment. She said she worked in a print shop and the next morning, she was operating a large printing press when it became jammed. As she put her hand in the press to release the mechanism, she remembered the word of wisdom. She quickly pulled her hand back. At that very moment, the printing press cleared itself and came crashing down where her hand had been just a moment earlier. It would have crushed it. Psalms 18:30 (NKJV) says, “As for God, His way is perfect; The word of the LORD is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him.”

Our circumstances, desires and others’ expectations can press upon us greatly, bring potentially damaging pressure. In addition, there is always the press of temptation. I’m Dr. Bob. Keep your hands, and your thoughts, out of the press. Instead, place them safely in God’s grip. That’s what I call pressing advice to eliminate the press of life. So, here is the question. Have you neglected to heed what God has spoken to you, whether through a spiritual gift of someone else or in your private moments with the Lord? Think carefully. Then reflect on any adjustments you need to make. You can listen to additional Mentoring Minutes at www.mentoringminutes.com.

Keep Your Hands Out of the Press

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

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

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