Mentoring Ministry - Dr. Bob Abramson » temptation http://www.mentoringministry.com Committed to caring, coaching, consulting & counsel Tue, 07 Feb 2012 12:58:47 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 Committed to caring, coaching, consulting & counsel Dr. Bob Abramson clean Dr. Bob Abramson smueller@alphabet-garten.com smueller@alphabet-garten.com (Dr. Bob Abramson) Committed to caring, coaching, consulting & counsel Mentoring Ministry - Dr. Bob Abramson » temptation http://www.mentoringministry.com/system/wp-content/plugins/powerpress/rss_default.jpg http://www.mentoringministry.com/category/temptation/ TV-G One Potato Leads to Two http://www.mentoringministry.com/2012/01/one-potato-leads-to-two/ http://www.mentoringministry.com/2012/01/one-potato-leads-to-two/#comments Thu, 12 Jan 2012 13:10:32 +0000 bob http://www.mentoringministry.com/?p=6385 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

]]> http://www.mentoringministry.com/2012/01/one-potato-leads-to-two/feed/ 0 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 ... 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 Dr. Bob Abramson clean Your Best …parent: Transparent http://www.mentoringministry.com/2011/11/your-best-parent-transparent/ http://www.mentoringministry.com/2011/11/your-best-parent-transparent/#comments Tue, 22 Nov 2011 13:08:56 +0000 bob http://www.mentoringministry.com/?p=5930 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

]]> http://www.mentoringministry.com/2011/11/your-best-parent-transparent/feed/ 0 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, 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 Dr. Bob Abramson clean Snake Talk http://www.mentoringministry.com/2010/11/snake-talk/ http://www.mentoringministry.com/2010/11/snake-talk/#comments Mon, 08 Nov 2010 12:00:16 +0000 Dr. Bob http://www.mentoringministry.com/?p=3143 I’m Dr. Bob and for just a Mentoring Minute, let me warn you about “snake talk.” In Genesis, Chapter 3, the serpent deceived Eve. She joined with him in “snake talk,” allowing the snake to call God a liar. This put doubt in Eve’s heart. She opened herself up to the deception and the deception opened up her (and Adam… and all of us) to sin, death and broken fellowship with God. Once the snake got away with this, he had entrance to say anything, and Eve would entertain his words. We still listen to far too much “snake talk” today. What can we do about this? In Matthew 11:15, Jesus said, “He who has ears, let him hear.” He referred to hearing His words, not some snake’s lies. Here is the point. Never listen to any snake who wants you to doubt or water down the absolute truth of God’s Word. Use the discernment God has given you, coupled with the knowledge you have of God, to reject words that would cause doubt or compromise. Write this expression in the depths of your heart; “No snake talk!” Always stand on the foundational truth that “snake talk” is exactly what it always has been – a deathblow from the devil. Remember, God’s Word is truth, and brings abundant life forever more. I’m Dr. Bob. Contact me at www.mentoringministry.com and let’s agree that snakes are liars and God is always true!

Snake Talk

]]> http://www.mentoringministry.com/2010/11/snake-talk/feed/ 0 I’m Dr. Bob and for just a Mentoring Minute, let me warn you about “snake talk.” In Genesis, Chapter 3, the serpent deceived Eve. She joined with him in “snake talk,” allowing the snake to call God a liar. This put doubt in Eve's heart. I’m Dr. Bob and for just a Mentoring Minute, let me warn you about “snake talk.” In Genesis, Chapter 3, the serpent deceived Eve. She joined with him in “snake talk,” allowing the snake to call God a liar. This put doubt in Eve's heart. She opened herself up to the deception and the deception opened up her (and Adam… and all of us) to sin, death and broken fellowship with God. Once the snake got away with this, he had entrance to say anything, and Eve would entertain his words. We still listen to far too much “snake talk” today. What can we do about this? In Matthew 11:15, Jesus said, “He who has ears, let him hear.” He referred to hearing His words, not some snake’s lies. Here is the point. Never listen to any snake who wants you to doubt or water down the absolute truth of God's Word. Use the discernment God has given you, coupled with the knowledge you have of God, to reject words that would cause doubt or compromise. Write this expression in the depths of your heart; “No snake talk!” Always stand on the foundational truth that “snake talk” is exactly what it always has been - a deathblow from the devil. Remember, God’s Word is truth, and brings abundant life forever more. I'm Dr. Bob. Contact me at www.mentoringministry.com and let's agree that snakes are liars and God is always true! Snake Talk Dr. Bob Abramson clean Don’t Surrender Your Honor http://www.mentoringministry.com/2010/10/dont-surrender-your-honor/ http://www.mentoringministry.com/2010/10/dont-surrender-your-honor/#comments Mon, 18 Oct 2010 12:28:04 +0000 Dr. Bob http://www.mentoringministry.com/?p=3094 I’m Dr. Bob, and for just a Mentoring Minute, I want to caution young people who might be listening. Actually, it’s good for old guys like me too. Proverbs 5:8-9 warns us not to surrender our honor. If you do, three things will happen. First, you will fight a sense of guilt and shame for years to come. Second, you will fight a sense sorrow, and third, you will fight a sense of bitterness, because of what happened through your own bad judgment. It’s not easy to win these fights. If you give your honor away, you will discover how precious it was when you had it, and how sad it is now that you lost it. Here is a teachable truth. There are no refunds for spent honor. There is, however, a way for you to turn from all the bitterness and rebuild your life. It will take an effort for you to journey back to wholeness, but if you are willing, it’s one in which God will order your steps and walk with you. I’m Dr. Bob. Write me at Dr.Bob@mentoringministry.com and tell me about the joy of your new start with our forever-faithful God.

Don’t Surrender Your Honor

]]> http://www.mentoringministry.com/2010/10/dont-surrender-your-honor/feed/ 0 I'm Dr. Bob, and for just a Mentoring Minute, I want to caution young people who might be listening. Actually, it’s good for old guys like me too. Proverbs 5:8-9 warns us not to surrender our honor. If you do, three things will happen. First, I'm Dr. Bob, and for just a Mentoring Minute, I want to caution young people who might be listening. Actually, it’s good for old guys like me too. Proverbs 5:8-9 warns us not to surrender our honor. If you do, three things will happen. First, you will fight a sense of guilt and shame for years to come. Second, you will fight a sense sorrow, and third, you will fight a sense of bitterness, because of what happened through your own bad judgment. It’s not easy to win these fights. If you give your honor away, you will discover how precious it was when you had it, and how sad it is now that you lost it. Here is a teachable truth. There are no refunds for spent honor. There is, however, a way for you to turn from all the bitterness and rebuild your life. It will take an effort for you to journey back to wholeness, but if you are willing, it's one in which God will order your steps and walk with you. I'm Dr. Bob. Write me at Dr.Bob@mentoringministry.com and tell me about the joy of your new start with our forever-faithful God. Don't Surrender Your Honor Dr. Bob Abramson clean Candy Wrappers http://www.mentoringministry.com/2010/10/candy-wrappers/ http://www.mentoringministry.com/2010/10/candy-wrappers/#comments Fri, 15 Oct 2010 13:29:05 +0000 Dr. Bob http://www.mentoringministry.com/?p=3092 I’m Dr. Bob and for just a Mentoring Minute, I want to talk to you about candy wrappers… yes, candy wrappers. Candy makers spare no expense to create the most enticing wrappers possible for their candies. They do this so you will so greatly desire what’s hidden inside the package, that you will purchase it before you ever know what it really will taste like. Temptation operates just like that. The devil cleverly wraps sin in the most attractive of temptations to try to make you hunger for what’s hidden in the package. Here is my advice. Check the devil’s tempting wrapper that hides the sin against God’s word. It will be like putting it under a three dimensional, full color X-Ray. You will see through to the truth, and will not be deceived into biting into something that wants to poison your life, your reputation and your future. I’m Dr. Bob. Write me at Dr. Bob@mentoringministry.com and share with me a good story about a particularly deceptive wrapper that was hiding something you refused to bite into.

Candy Wrappers

]]> http://www.mentoringministry.com/2010/10/candy-wrappers/feed/ 0 I'm Dr. Bob and for just a Mentoring Minute, I want to talk to you about candy wrappers... yes, candy wrappers. Candy makers spare no expense to create the most enticing wrappers possible for their candies. I'm Dr. Bob and for just a Mentoring Minute, I want to talk to you about candy wrappers... yes, candy wrappers. Candy makers spare no expense to create the most enticing wrappers possible for their candies. They do this so you will so greatly desire what's hidden inside the package, that you will purchase it before you ever know what it really will taste like. Temptation operates just like that. The devil cleverly wraps sin in the most attractive of temptations to try to make you hunger for what's hidden in the package. Here is my advice. Check the devil’s tempting wrapper that hides the sin against God's word. It will be like putting it under a three dimensional, full color X-Ray. You will see through to the truth, and will not be deceived into biting into something that wants to poison your life, your reputation and your future. I'm Dr. Bob. Write me at Dr. Bob@mentoringministry.com and share with me a good story about a particularly deceptive wrapper that was hiding something you refused to bite into. Candy Wrappers Dr. Bob Abramson clean Just a Little bit Less http://www.mentoringministry.com/2010/08/just-a-little-bit-less/ http://www.mentoringministry.com/2010/08/just-a-little-bit-less/#comments Thu, 19 Aug 2010 11:01:58 +0000 Dr. Bob http://www.mentoringministry.com/?p=2809 I’m Dr. Bob and for just a mentoring minute, I want to encourage you to ask God to help you allow just a little bit less of those things He finds offensive into your life. What am I saying? Well, make your prayers specific. Ask Him to help you put off, or remove those things that hinder or prevent you from being just a little bit more like Him, every day, in every way. Start with this advice from the Apostle Paul. In Colossians 3:8 (NKJV), he wrote, “But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.” That is good, basic instruction to make some changes, so you can begin to experience a decrease in those things that have consistently been barriers to your blessings. I’m Dr. Bob. Write me at www.mentoringministry.com and let me know if I have encouraged you to grow, just a little bit less like the world and a little bit more like Jesus.

Just a Little Bit Less

]]> http://www.mentoringministry.com/2010/08/just-a-little-bit-less/feed/ 0 I'm Dr. Bob and for just a mentoring minute, I want to encourage you to ask God to help you allow just a little bit less of those things He finds offensive into your life. What am I saying? Well, make your prayers specific. Ask Him to help you put off, I'm Dr. Bob and for just a mentoring minute, I want to encourage you to ask God to help you allow just a little bit less of those things He finds offensive into your life. What am I saying? Well, make your prayers specific. Ask Him to help you put off, or remove those things that hinder or prevent you from being just a little bit more like Him, every day, in every way. Start with this advice from the Apostle Paul. In Colossians 3:8 (NKJV), he wrote, “But now you yourselves are to put off all these: anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language out of your mouth.” That is good, basic instruction to make some changes, so you can begin to experience a decrease in those things that have consistently been barriers to your blessings. I'm Dr. Bob. Write me at www.mentoringministry.com and let me know if I have encouraged you to grow, just a little bit less like the world and a little bit more like Jesus. Just a Little Bit Less Dr. Bob Abramson clean Where Are You? http://www.mentoringministry.com/2010/07/where-are-you/ http://www.mentoringministry.com/2010/07/where-are-you/#comments Wed, 28 Jul 2010 10:47:19 +0000 Dr. Bob http://www.mentoringministry.com/?p=2815 I’m Dr. Bob and for just a mentoring minute, I want you to consider three questions. Here’s the first question. It was God’s question to Adam. He asked, “Where are you?” We know God knew Adam’s location. There was a deeper meaning. The question exposed the problem. Adam had sinned and now his relationship with God was changed. He no longer enjoyed close fellowship with the Lord. Sin destroyed it.

Here is the second question. It’s found in Matthew 2:2. When the wise men from the East heard of Jesus’ birth, they asked, “Where is He?” They were guided to a lowly a manger by a heavenly star in the sky. They found the Savior. He was the answer to sin. He who knew no sin would become sin, so we could escape its grip and get back to God.

Now, consider a final question. It is just like the first. God, in all His loving grace, will ask it of you. “Where are you?” Yes, you! I’m Dr. Bob. Stop for a moment, consider this question and then, contact me at www.mentoringministry.com and tell me where you could be, if you just accept Christ’s loving sacrifice and then, draw near to God.

Where Are You?

]]> http://www.mentoringministry.com/2010/07/where-are-you/feed/ 0 I'm Dr. Bob and for just a mentoring minute, I want you to consider three questions. Here's the first question. It was God’s question to Adam. He asked, “Where are you?” We know God knew Adam’s location. There was a deeper meaning. I'm Dr. Bob and for just a mentoring minute, I want you to consider three questions. Here's the first question. It was God’s question to Adam. He asked, “Where are you?” We know God knew Adam’s location. There was a deeper meaning. The question exposed the problem. Adam had sinned and now his relationship with God was changed. He no longer enjoyed close fellowship with the Lord. Sin destroyed it. Here is the second question. It’s found in Matthew 2:2. When the wise men from the East heard of Jesus’ birth, they asked, “Where is He?” They were guided to a lowly a manger by a heavenly star in the sky. They found the Savior. He was the answer to sin. He who knew no sin would become sin, so we could escape its grip and get back to God. Now, consider a final question. It is just like the first. God, in all His loving grace, will ask it of you. “Where are you?” Yes, you! I'm Dr. Bob. Stop for a moment, consider this question and then, contact me at www.mentoringministry.com and tell me where you could be, if you just accept Christ’s loving sacrifice and then, draw near to God. Where Are You? Dr. Bob Abramson clean Ugly ain’t Pretty! http://www.mentoringministry.com/2010/06/ugly-aint-pretty/ http://www.mentoringministry.com/2010/06/ugly-aint-pretty/#comments Wed, 02 Jun 2010 11:25:07 +0000 Dr. Bob http://www.mentoringministry.com/?p=2576 I’m Dr. Bob and for just a mentoring minute I want to speak of something really ugly – something called temptation. Unlike a natural battle, the best way to win the fight with temptation is to flee. That’s right. Temptation may seem to be pretty attractive, like Potifar’s wife must have been, but it’s really Ugly as sin – Ugly with a capital “U!” Be like Joseph, who, in the face of Potifar’s wife, knew the embrace of temptation was nothing attractive. It was just an ugly sin against God. When temptation pops up, do not hesitate. Run from its ugly face! As you do, you will be running to the beauty of God, and to the best of His blessings. I’m Dr. Bob. Contact me at www.mentoringministry.com and let me know what you think.

Ugly ain’t Pretty!

]]> http://www.mentoringministry.com/2010/06/ugly-aint-pretty/feed/ 0 I’m Dr. Bob and for just a mentoring minute I want to speak of something really ugly - something called temptation. Unlike a natural battle, the best way to win the fight with temptation is to flee. That's right. I’m Dr. Bob and for just a mentoring minute I want to speak of something really ugly - something called temptation. Unlike a natural battle, the best way to win the fight with temptation is to flee. That's right. Temptation may seem to be pretty attractive, like Potifar's wife must have been, but it's really Ugly as sin - Ugly with a capital "U!" Be like Joseph, who, in the face of Potifar's wife, knew the embrace of temptation was nothing attractive. It was just an ugly sin against God. When temptation pops up, do not hesitate. Run from its ugly face! As you do, you will be running to the beauty of God, and to the best of His blessings. I’m Dr. Bob. Contact me at www.mentoringministry.com and let me know what you think. Ugly ain't Pretty! Dr. Bob Abramson clean