Not Broken, Not Removed… Destroyed!
I want to make it perfectly clear that God will go far beyond breaking or simply removing whatever has you bound. He will utterly destroy it! (more…)
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Break the Power of the Devourer
Too often people are held captive by the power of the devil. In Malachi 3:11, the prophet Malachi called him “the devourer.” God said He would rebuke this devourer for your sake. Though Malachi spoke for God about the results of faithfully tithing, the same principle works for many faithful acts of God’s people.
The key to breaking the power of that despicable devourer, the devil, is simpler than you think. Exercise a steady, consistent, heart-filled diet of daily worship. Be sure you worship verbally. I recommend you turn your words into songs. Paul and Silas did and they walked free of their chains. Acts 16:25-26 (NKJV) tells us that, “…at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God… immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed.”
Singing to the Lord attracts angels and you become part of something supernatural. It breaks off the work of the devil. Give it a try. Then tell the devil good bye. While you are at it, remind him of where he is going, even as you declare that you will not be joining him. I’m Dr. Bob. What would be an excellent song with which you can worship God in the good times, so it would readily come to mind in the difficult ones? Now, listen to additional Mentoring Minutes at www.mentoringministry.com.
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Just as He says it will be
I’m Dr. Bob and for just a Mentoring Minute, I want to speak about those times when you find yourself totally in the dark, without a clue about what is coming next. This will be the case when trouble comes and you have no answer for it. However, it can also be true when opportunity shows itself to you. Life will bring both kinds of circumstance. I am reminded of young King Solomon’s reply when God invited him to ask anything. Solomon asked for wisdom. 1 Kings 4:29 (NKJV) says, “And God gave Solomon wisdom and exceedingly great understanding, and largeness of heart like the sand on the seashore.” It is unfortunate that Solomon soon forgot to use what he asked for.
When you find yourself in the dark, without any answers, the Holy Spirit is the one completely dependable source to whom you can turn. Ask for wisdom and understanding. He will provide it and you can proceed with confidence. Make Him your companion through all the journeys of your life. He will show you the truths you need and illuminate the paths you travel. With the Holy Spirit as your guide, you can expect the journey will be just as He says it will be. I strongly encourage you to let total dependence on God find its way into your life. You will move ahead in the light of His glory, because you chose to walk a path of obedience and faith. Then, you will see His glory released, as He leads and guides you to your destiny. Finally, you will gain the opportunity to let His glory be seen by others, because your fruitfulness will demonstrate His faithfulness. I’m Dr. Bob. Ask yourself how diligent you are to include the Holy Spirit in your daily walk through life. What could you change to allow more of His wisdom and understanding to influence you? You can listen to additional Mentoring Minutes at www.mentoringministry.com.
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God Can Steer a Moving Boat
I’m Dr. Bob, and for just a Mentoring Minute, I want you to think about how a boat has to be moving when it goes through a narrow channel. If it stops, it will be swept aside and hit the rocks. As long as it is moving forward, it stays under control. Then, it can be steered safely past the dangers of the shifting currents. You can be sure the boat has to navigate through some very tight spots. Its captain knows that as long as it continues to keep moving, everything will be all right. (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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A Trustworthy Fortress
I’m Dr. Bob and for just a Mentoring Minute, I want to suggest that in these present times, with all their troubles, there is one absolutely dependable, always present help, refuge and fortress for you. Now, that is worth knowing, is it not? You will find the description of this completely trustworthy refuge and fortress in Psalms 46 and 91. Psalms 46:1 (NKJV) says, “God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.” Now listen to Psalm 91:1-2 (NKJV). You are probably familiar with these verses. They are a wonderful truth for you today. “He who dwells in the secret place of the Most High Shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. {2} I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.” As you can see, this absolutely dependable refuge and fortress is not a place, but the Lord God Almighty, Himself. He can be so close to you that He overshadows and intimidates everything that would try to intimidate you. Under His shadow is the perfect place of refuge. It is an impenetrable fortress. My question to you is this. Where will you position yourself when trouble comes your way? Make the wise choice. Draw near to God. Position yourself under the shadow of the Almighty. Then stand still and see God move on your behalf. I’m Dr. Bob, and that is a Mentoring Minute that can last a lifetime. You can listen to additional Mentoring Minutes at www.mentoringministry.com/blogs.
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Today Could Be Your Day
I’m Dr. Bob and for just a Mentoring Minute, I want to encourage you with an old prophet’s words from thousands of years ago. Listen to Isaiah 43:18-19 in God’s Word Translation. “Forget what happened in the past, and do not dwell on events from long ago. {19} I am going to do something new. It is already happening. Don’t you recognize it? I will clear a way in the desert. I will make rivers on dry land.” With those words in mind, let me caution you. If you are not careful, you might miss what God is doing to reverse the conditions you are going through. He said He would make a way in your personal wilderness and release rivers of refreshing into what seems to be your personal very dry desert. Treat this as a promise… for you. Why? Because it is! In Isaiah 43:13, the Amplified Bible version, God said “I will work and who can hinder or reverse it?” Of course, the answer is nobody because He is God! I’m Dr. Bob. Today could be your day to receive something new. Well, go ahead. Receive it by faith. Encourage yourself in God’s promises. He never fails. You can listen to additional Mentoring Minutes at www.mentoringministry.com. Now remember, God is faithful to His Word. Just receive it and move ahead with your blessing.
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Sometimes You Need To Hear Yourself
I’m Dr. Bob and for just a Mentoring Minute, I want to share a piece of wisdom that God makes available, and is not very far from you. It has to do with a resource that is always effective and remains available to you anytime and anywhere. It is especially useful when you are experiencing tough, disappointing or troubling times. Here is the wisdom. Listen carefully and then be careful to do it. Just pick up your Bible and read a promise, a praise or a psalm. Yes, that is the wisdom. Now, be sure you read it aloud. Your own voice is your best resource. (repeat) Declare a thing and everyone around you will hear it. This includes your adversaries in the moment, and perhaps more importantly, yourself. Hey, even when you are in the midst of good times and times of opportunity, read a promise, a praise or a psalm. Again, be sure you read it aloud. Do you get the point? In Psalms 107:1-2 (NKJV) the psalmist declares, “Oh, give thanks to the LORD, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever. {2} Let the redeemed of the LORD say so, Whom He has redeemed from the hand of the enemy,” I’m Dr. Bob. Perhaps this would be an excellent time for you to rehearse what God said in His Word. Just be sure to say it aloud… and if necessary, make it known with a shout! You can listen to my previous Mentoring Minutes at www.mentoringministry.com/blogs.
Sometimes You Need To Hear Yourself
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When We Get Hurt
I’m Dr. Bob and for just a Mentoring Minute, I want to speak to you about when we get hurt, disappointed, or frustrated. Many times when this happens, we try to lower our expectations to fit our experiences. This is because we fail to understand the potential within the problem. It all depends on how you look at it. You can take the negative point of view, or, if you truly believe in God, you can see what looks like a problem as a waiting opportunity. Think of yourself as an answer to someone’s question and a solution to someone’s problem. Think of how you can turn your problem into someone else’s possibilities for great blessings. Well, I just shared a secret for success with you. God called you and created you to be the catalyst for someone else’s success and perhaps even their salvation. Never loose sight of the truth that in Christ, “all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” That’s Romans 8:28 (NKJV). Oh, one more thing, the Apostle Paul said it best when he wrote, in Philippians 4:13 (NKJV), “I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Oh yes you can! I’m Dr. Bob. Take hold of God’s Word as you take a positive approach to your opportunities… and even those that have looked like such negatives. You can listen to additional Mentoring Minutes at www.mentoringministry.com/blogs.
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Nine Characteristics
I’m Dr. Bob and for just a Mentoring Minute, I would like to invite you to make a checklist. It’s only nine lines long. It is found in Galatians 5:22-23 (NKJV) and it is a list of the nine gifts of the Spirit. It says, “But the fruit of the Spirit is (1) love, (2) joy, (3) peace, (4) longsuffering (or patience), (5) kindness, (6) goodness, (7) faithfulness, (8) gentleness, and (9) self-control.” Take the trouble to make your checklist. Put each of these on a line with a place for a check-mark. Then look at your list and ask yourself how many you can check that consistently describe your character. When you have completed your checklist, meditate on Galatians 5:24-25 (NKJV), which says, “And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. {25} If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” I just want to encourage you to do what he Scriptures say. Walk in the Spirit and you will be empowered to check off those remaining things you could not in good conscience check. I’m Dr. Bob and that’s a Mentoring Minute you can use to become all you can be, and all God desires you to be, in Christ. You can listen to additional Mentoring Minutes at www.mentoringministry.com/blogs.
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