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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The Divine Silencer
I’m Dr. Bob and for just a Mentoring Minute I want to share a thought with you about those times when the pressures of life just won’t leave you alone. Think about those times. The pressures of life can make it appear as if you are living in the midst of a noisy, confusing place in which there seems to be no escape. Have you ever felt like you could not turn off the sound of your own thinking because of the busyness of your life? Zephaniah 3:17 (NKJV) says, “The LORD your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing.” When you put yourself under the loving touch of His gentle hand and allow Him to sing a lullaby to you, a supernatural calm will come upon you. Yes, I know you are not a baby, but you are still His child. Go ahead. Let yourself go to Him. You will feel the embrace of God’s perfect peace and can settle into a deep restful place in Jesus. I highly recommend you spend some time worshiping in the presence of God. I’m Dr. Bob. Spend some time worshiping in the presence of God. You will find all the noise you could not shut off will suddenly be quieted and replaced by a soft song from God. My voice is certainly no substitute, but you can listen to my other Mentoring Minutes at www.mentoringministry.com/blogs.
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A Bridge Whose Name Is “Worship”
I’m Dr. Bob and for just a Mentoring Minute, I want to ask you about a bridge I have crossed. Do you know that there is a particular bridge over which you can walk when you find yourself in danger of falling into troubled waters. It is a bridge whose name is “Worship.” There is a great example of this in the Bible. Matthew 8:2-3 (NKJV) says, “And behold, a leper came and worshiped Him, saying, “Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean.” {3} Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, “I am willing; be cleansed.” Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.” As you have heard, the leper did not go to Jesus begging because he was a leper. He went as a worshiper. He replaced begging with worship. Now, there’s a principle worth heeding. Jesus responded to the leper’s worship and healed him. The man’s worship was the door to his miracle. Be assured that there is never a lack of compassion in the Lord. Your worship will touch Him. He will transform His compassion into positive, life changing action. I know this is true because, years ago, he healed me of life-threatening cancer when I went to Him as a worshiper. That is a fact that will change what seems to be an inevitable defeat into a victory you cannot help but celebrate. I’m Dr. Bob. You can listen to my previous Mentoring Minutes at www.mentoringministry.com/blogs. While you are there, please look through the free resources. I know what you find will bless you.
A Bridge Whose Name Is Worship
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Sitting In The Sun
I’m Dr. Bob and for just a Mentoring Minute let me share one of my fondest memories with you. It began with a cold morning in New Zealand many years ago. It was one of those bone-chilling days that felt so cold, I could not get comfortable. At the time, we were staying in a home that had a big sliding doorwall just off the kitchen. I sat down in a chair next to that doorwall because the sun was shining through it. In a very short time, the sun began to warm me through and through. Even though it is many years later, I still recall how great it felt to feel the effects of the sun. Here is my point. If you have a cold feeling in your soul today, I heartily recommend you quietly sit with the Son, the S.O.N. of God. His loving presence will drive out the cold, warm your soul and fill your heart. I promise you that whatever feels cold and dark, or anything that burdens your heart, with will evaporate in the presence of Jesus’ loving warmth. Take time to sit with Him today. Oh, go ahead. Give it a try. I promise you it works. I’m Dr. Bob. This Mentoring Minute comes like a ray of sunshine, straight from God’s heart, through mine, to yours. You can listen to my previous Mentoring Minutes at www.mentoringministry.com/blogs. While you are there, find something in my Free Resources that will encourage you. Then, share it with someone else who needs a warm-up. These days, such people are not difficult to find.
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Too Big To Fix?
I’m Dr. Bob and for Just a Mentoring Minute, I want to ask if you are facing anything that looks to big to fix? We all have times and seasons in our life when circumstances seem overwhelming. It may seem as if there are no answers. These can be times of doubt and even desperation. I want to encourage you to let your doubts, or even desperation turn into a diligent determination to let God have control of it, whatever it might be. 2 Chronicles 15:4, in the Amplified Bible says, “But when they in their trouble turned to the Lord, the God of Israel, and [in desperation earnestly] sought Him, He was found by them.” When there seem to be no answers, there is always one thing you can do. Earnestly seek the Lord. This requires the exercise of a determined heart. You must commit yourself to be diligent. Keep knocking on the door, until you get your answer from the Lord. He is faithful. He will open the door and your diligence to pursue Him will bring His response. Even before He responds, as you pursue Him, let your heart be flooded with peace. Do not try to understand it. The Bible says it is “a peace that passes understanding” (Philippians 4:7). Just go with it. Then, you will move ahead in Christ all the way to your victory. After all, with God all good things are possible, especially peace. You can listen to my previous Mentoring Minutes at www.mentoringministry.com/blogs.
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A Rock-Solid Response
I’m Dr. Bob, and for just a Mentoring Minute, I want to call your attention to the book of Job, Chapter 1. Verses 20 and 21 record Job’s response to all his incredibly devastating circumstances. They tell us, “Then Job arose, tore his robe, and shaved his head; and he fell to the ground and worshiped. {21} And he said… “Blessed be the name of the LORD.”” This narrative teaches us the only logical response to real loss and pain. Though Job’s future seemed bleak at best, he did not once consider blaming God. Here is the lesson. When there was nowhere to turn, nowhere to go and nothing to do, Job did the one thing he could do. He fell to his knees and worshiped God. Worshiping God in the midst of whatever you face will drown your darkness in light. As dark as it may be, a response of worship will bring God’s compassionate, loving presence. As this happens, you can say “no” to what seemed like the end, and declare that something new and good will be birthed. If you are down, or know someone else who is down, worship God through the darkness. Testify to God about His lovingkindness. Speak it. Walk it out in faith, hope, obedience and trust. Then, begin to anticipate a new season, filled with His presence and faithfulness. I’m Dr. Bob and that’s a Mentoring Minute that is a truth-filled, rock solid formula for victory. You can listen to my previous Mentoring Minutes at www.mentoringministry.com/blogs. While you are there, click on “Faith Studies” in the left hand column of my homepage. There is a word waiting for you there.
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Fix Your Thoughts On Truth
I’m Dr. Bob and for just a Mentoring Minute, I’d like to give you the truth about anxiety. Anxiety seems to be a common affliction of us all in these days of uncertainty and in the midst of the worldly influences with which we all live. Would you like an unfailing formula for defeating anxiety, regardless of the cause, and regardless of how you feel about your own ability to be strong? This Teachable Truth will speak for itself and needs no further explanation. Let it touch your heart. As it does, it will kill your anxiety. The truth is straight from the Bible. It needs no further explanation. Just focus on the words. The New Living Translation of Philippians 4:6-9 says, “Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. {7} If you do this, you will experience God’s peace, which is far more wonderful than the human mind can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.” In Verse 8, The Scriptures then go on to say, “…Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely and admirable. Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.” Verse 9 says, “Keep putting into practice all you learned from me and heard from me and saw me doing, and the God of peace will be with you.” I’m Dr. Bob. That’s some advice you can live by. You can listen to my previous Mentoring Minutes at www.mentoringminutes.com/blogs.
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Adjust Your Sail
I’m Dr. Bob and for just a Mentoring Minute, I want to assure you that it’s your ship alone. Many years ago, I enjoyed a few hours as a guest on a small sailboat. I knew nothing about sailing. I was fascinated to watch how my host sailed the boat by repeatedly trimming the sail as she coordinated it with constant adjustments to the rudder. Thinking back on this reminded me of how we journey through life, with all kinds of winds to catch and seas to cross. It is a journey that requires constant adjustment to the conditions we face. I want to assure you that it’s your ship alone to steer. You may have to steer it through all kinds of waters, in all kinds of weather, with all kinds of advice, in every imaginable situation, but only you will set your own sail and manage your own rudder. Regardless of what life’s journey brings, you alone will make the choices that define who you are and where you are going, and along what route you will take to get there. If you make wise choices concerning how you set your sail and navigate the currents of your life, you will find yourself on a proper heading with a great destination. I’m Dr. Bob. Write me at www.mentoringministry.com and tell me how you set your sail and caught the wind of God’s will for your course through life.
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Why Faith Fails
I’m Dr. Bob and for just a Mentoring Minute, I would like to explain why your faith might sometimes fail you. Perhaps there have been times it has failed you, and you could not make sense out of it. You prayed in earnest. You stood on your faith. You believed it would come to pass. So, how could it fail? Too often, as people of God, we focus completely on having faith for something, and when it does not happen, we wonder why. This can shake us to the foundations of our belief system. Here is a principle worth remembering. Faith for something will sometimes fail you. Faith in Someone, whose name is Jesus, will never fail you. Make this simple prayer adjustment. Try setting your heart on Jesus. Make Him your heart’s desire. If you will, He will respond to your prayer for what you desire. It is great to believe as long as you set your faith on Christ and not what just on what you want… or not even on the process of praying. Make yourself a firm, uncompromising pledge that Jesus is always going to be the focus of your prayer life. He will never fail to respond to your focus. I am not saying you will always like the answer, but it will always be His best for you. I’m Dr. Bob. Contact me at www. Mentoringministry.com and let’s agree that Jesus is always going to be the focus of your prayer life and mine.
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Humble or Grumble?
I’m Dr. Bob and for just a Mentoring Minute, I would like to suggest that it is better to be humble than to grumble. Often we complain about something by saying, “It’s not fair;” or “I don’t deserve this?” Like me, you probably have said the same thing more than you would care to admit. I would like to suggest that it is better to be humble than to grumble. Why would I say that? Well, if you are in a conflict or have been treated unfairly, and allow pride with all the emotions that accompany it to take control, it means you have lost control. You will never win any situation in which you are out of control. Grumbling will not help. Be assured that in this life, you will find yourself in situations that are beyond your control. Here is what you do. Resist the impulse to grumble. Instead, humble yourself and give God control over your emotions, your thinking and especially the situation. When you do this, you enter into a safety zone God calls “the secret place of the Most High.” In that place, you cannot lose. You are guaranteed to win. Yes, conflict and unfairness is inevitable. Your response, however, is optional. I recommend you seek out the secret place of the Most High, but please, no grumbling. I’m Dr. Bob. Contact me at www.mentoringministry.com and let me know what you think… but please, no grumbling.
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