Dr. Bob’s Sermon Notes on “Unity” in Mandarin Chinese
On October 25th, 2015, Dr. Bob preached a sermon on Unity at the Living Streams Christian Church in Brooklyn, NY. It was translated into Mandarin Chinese. Here is the link.
Asking the Right Questions – Sarah Mueller
Sarah Mueller is Dr. Abramson’s daughter. Here’s her Mentoring Minute:
My husband and I like to joke around about what our neighbors might think of us. Do they think we are strange for having 4 kids (yes, really – 4 boys!) ? Do they think we are over-protective because we homeschool? Do they automatically think we are judgmental because we are Christians? When my boys are being much too loud outside, I wonder if the neighbors are rolling their eyes about “all those noisy Mueller boys.”
Today I realized these are the wrong questions to ask myself. I shouldn’t worry about whether someone else thinks I’m strange, judgmental, or over-protective. In Romans 12:2 ESV, Paul said, “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.” This means we are set-apart. I’m supposed to be different!
What I should ask myself is whether my neighbors see Jesus in my actions. When my son does something wrong, does she see me patiently correcting him in love? Does my neighbor see me loving and respecting my husband when others may be complaining about theirs? Am I welcoming and helpful, loving my neighbor as myself?
Once I redirect myself and focus on sharing and showing God’s love for others, I stop worrying about what others think. The negative impressions may or may not be there, but it doesn’t really matter. The kids are going to be too loud (they are sinners in need of grace just like the rest of us). I’m probably going to mess up and need to ask forgiveness. But I believe it’s in those moments when God’s grace shows through and He is glorified. So what do the neighbors think of us? I still don’t know, but now I realize that I don’t really mind, as long as I’m asking myself the right questions What kind of questions do you ask yourself? Do you need to redirect your focus?
Asking the Right Questions- Sarah Mueller-06-18-14
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“New Beginnings” is now on the website.
Divorced or broken relationship? We have now provided Dr. Bob’s teaching on “New Beginnings.” The classes have helped thousands of people to recover and move ahead with life. Here is the link.
Brick or Stone?
I’m Dr. Bob and for just a Mentoring Minute, I’d like to tell you about the two materials that were used to build walls in ancient Egypt. One of these was bricks and the other, stones. The bricks were man-made by Israeli slaves. These bricks were identical to each other. When finished, they were taken from the ovens and stacked in neat rows to make up the walls. Stones, however, were quarried and then piled up, as the wall builders made them suitable for their purposes. They did this by chiseling them into shapes that formed the necessary fit. Unlike mass-produced bricks, stones are unique creations of God. Unlike bricks, stones are a unique creations of God. The Bible says in 1 Peter 2:5 (NKJV), “…you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.” I want to encourage you that you are uniquely made. You are one of a kind, and a necessary part of God’s spiritual house. Nobody else can fill your place. Without you, there would be an irreplaceable void in God’s house. You are important and valuable to God, His purposes and the unity He calls for in His people. Take advantage of the fruitful opportunity to take your place and enjoy your blessings. I’m Dr. Bob. I invite you to listen to my previous Mentoring Minutes at www.mentoringministry.com/blogs.
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Unwrap the Package
I’m Dr. Bob and for just a Mentoring Minute, I want to ask if you ever received a gift and tried to guess what it was before you unwrapped it, only to find out your guess was way off? I want to encourage you to take the wrappings off the package before you make any judgments. Perhaps you guessed that I am not talking about your next birthday present. I am talking about not judging people by what you first see. Make it your habit to spend enough time to learn what is inside a person. Otherwise, you will misjudge many who you meet. You will certainly miss out on those who might have become your very good friends. Some might even be holding the keys to your success within the character of their hearts, and the opportunities within their sphere of influence. I’m Dr. Bob. Be like the prophet Samuel. First Samuel 16:7 tells us the Lord does not see as we do, but He looks within the heart. Samuel understood this and passed by all the tall, strong, good-looking brothers finally to find David, who appeared to be the least probable, but was actually the best of bunch. Write me at Dr. Bob@mentoringministry.com and let me know what you think.
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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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Flower Gardens
I’m Dr. Bob and for just a mentoring minute I want to talk to you about flower gardens. A flower garden will only reach its potential when it is nourished, cared for and kept free from the damaging intrusion of things that should not be growing there. Your marriage is very much like a flower garden. For it to reach the fullness of its beauty, you must nourish and care for it, while protecting it from what has no place growing in it. Look for my new book, “Growing Together – Marriage Enrichment for Every Culture.” It will be on my website bookstore in May. I’m Dr. Bob. Contact me at www.mentoringministry.com and let me know what you think… and if you have any questions about marriage, or enriching your marriage, I will be happy to try to answer them for you.
Flower Gardens
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Love is what?
I’m Dr. Bob and for just a mentoring minute I want to ask if you understand what love is? Have you ever said, “I love movies” or “I love pizza” or “I love my car”? What is love? Let me suggest a definition of love, according to how God sees it. Here it is: Love is your deliberate effort to bring as much of God’ goodness and grace to someone as you can, at whatever the cost to you might be. Think about it. Share the thought with a friend. I’m Dr. Bob. Contact me at www.mentoringministry.com and let me know what you think.
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