The Gift of Distribution
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. (more…)
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An Amazing Life
I’m Dr. Bob and for just a Mentoring Minute, I want to invite you to expect an amazing life. I am not talking about riches or fame, though they may be your portion. I am not talking about places to which you travel or people you may meet, though all this may be part of your life’s experiences. What I am saying is that at the end of your days, the most amazing thing about your life will be only one thing. It will that you were eternally fruitful among the people God gave you. You touched them with your amazing life, in a most amazing way. Let me be clear. I am talking about living life in a way that reflects the most amazing thing there is, was or ever will be – the grace of God. Unless you shine with God’s grace, you will only live an ordinary life. Why not brighten up your world with the extraordinary, the grace of God. Why not let your light so shine before men that they will see your good and grace-filled works and glorify your Father in Heaven. I’m Dr. Bob, and that is Matthew 5:16. Put it to work in your life. Watch in amazement how God does something far beyond special. Go ahead, put it to work today. You can listen to additional Mentoring Minutes at www.mentoringministry.com/blogs. Always remember, amazing grace brings amazing opportunities that result in amazing fruitfulness.
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Love is a Principled Commitment
I’m Dr. Bob and for just a Mentoring Minute I want to remind you that these days, the world’s perception of love has gone completely away from what God designed it to be – and from what is really is. So let me give you a simple, accurate picture of love, according to God. It is your uncompromising, deeply principled commitment to value and care for somebody. That seems simple enough. However, there is more, and this tends to be the complicated part. God’s definition of love always includes the following. It is sacrificial in its foundations and character. There is yet another and most important part of the definition. Listen carefully. God’s kind of love leaves no room for an exit strategy. (Repeat) It carries your personal commitment for permanence, regardless of what life brings. It refuses to devalue its commitment by refusing to devalue the ones to whom it is committed. Love is a reflection of the heart of God. It is the platform upon which God’s abundant blessings for you and the others you love will stand. These blessings are designed to be shared. They are not available in a vacuum. They cannot be experienced alone. God’s kind of love brings blessings that will multiply themselves only in the midst of your loving action toward those you have committed to love. I’m Dr. Bob. Be true to your commitments and expect to bless and be a blessing. You can listen to additional Mentoring Minutes at www.mentoringministry.com/blogs.
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You will Never Know
You’ll never know if you never go.
I’m Dr. Bob and for just a mentoring minute, I want to ask if you were called to go, but have insisted that it had to fit into what you established as your convenient, self-serving, self-assuring timetable. I know that sounds harsh, but is it possible you might find you waited too long and required too much? Many are called and wait to long. They never realize the great gift of destiny that God had prepared for them. If you are reluctant to go, you will never know what could have been your destiny. You will only wonder at what might have been and should have been. I’m Dr. Bob. If you want to know, you’ve got to go. Contact me at Dr.Bob@mentoringministry.com and we can talk about all you can know, if only you’ll go.
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Fruit that bears Fruit
I’m Dr. Bob, and for just a mentoring minute I want to share a thought with an eternal perspective. In John 15:16 (NKJV), Jesus said, “You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit, and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask the Father in My name He may give you.” Jesus spoke of fruit should remain. Take it up a notch and consider the value of “fruit that remains… and becomes fruitful.” Consider the fruit tree that drops its fruit and the seeds become more fruit trees, that drop more fruit, as they continue the pattern, producing even more fruit trees. I once visited a pastor I had trained. When he introduced me to his congregation of new believers, he said, “Pastor Bob, I want to introduce you to your spiritual grandchildren.” Do you see my point? What a feeling it was to see the fruit of my earlier efforts produce more fruit into the next generations! I’m Dr. Bob. Write me at Dr.Bob@mentoringministry.com and let me know that what I shared is fruitful for your future.
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Just a Little Bit More
I’m Dr. Bob and for just a mentoring minute, I want to encourage you to ask God for just a little bit more – to be just a little bit more like Him, and to have just a little bit more of Him. Yes, He has no problem with your asking. It is as good a prayer as there is, because His desire is that you be as much like Him as possible. Here is my suggestion. Let your request be focused on the things that will give you more of God, more godly discernment, more spiritual understanding and more knowledge of His will for your life. It is a simple, yet incredibly mature, profound prayer. The Apostle Paul prayed it for his Colossian friends in Colossians 1:9-10. Take the time to study it. Pray it over yourself. You and those you love are the reason the Holy Spirit made sure this prayer made it into the Bible. It is a prayer worth praying. Make it a habit, every day, to pray it over yourself and those you love. I’m Dr. Bob. Contact me at www.mentoringministry.com and I will agree with your prayer.
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Just Because
I’m Dr. Bob and for just a mentoring minute, I have a question. Have you ever been asked why you do what you do? I have and there have been many times my answer to this question was, “Just because!” I am guessing you have said the same thing. When anyone asks you why you follow Christ, and why you are so committed to Him (and they will), you do not have to say, “Just because.” You have a far more significant answer. You can say, “Just because of who He is.” Or… how about adding, “and just because of what He has done for me.” Both of these answers are awesome door openers to help someone else turn and follow Him. I’m Dr. Bob. Write me at www.mentoringministry.com and share your testimony… just because it would be wonderful to hear from you.
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Fourth Thought: David Understood His Responsibilities
This final blog of the four again deals with situational awareness and the discernment necessary for success in ministry and leadership, but centers on the issue of personal responsibility. Again, I want to turn to David to glean a final principle – that we can understand and accept our responsibilities, in the face of our obstacles and opportunities.
David understood his challenges and opportunities. He relied on his faith and his God-given abilities. As David stood, looking into the face of his fierce adversary, Goliath, he determined he would accept his personal responsibility. Others stood paralyzed with fear, choosing not to enter into the fray; not so David. He realized he had a responsibility to stand up and fight for God. In 1 Samuel 17:32, David said to Saul, “Let no man’s heart fail because of him; your servant will go and fight with this Philistine.”
David fulfilled a second personal responsibility. This was to those the battle would affect who were not even there that day. If the Philistines won, they would have plundered the Israelite cities. Many innocent women and children would suffer gravely. David saw this bigger picture. He saw it as his responsibility. He came against the giant and a giant disaster was averted! Here is the point. When we accept our responsibilities to engage in the challenge, there are many waiting on the other side of our obedience. I know it is not always easy to face our giants. I have been there, as I am sure you have. Understand, however, there is always a ripple effect to what we do or neglect to do. We need to look beyond the immediate battle and discern the larger consequences, both positive and negative. This means we will often make the hard choice and be responsible, at whatever the cost. We will march into the valley, face our giant and walk out with victory firmly in our grasp.