Category: Mentoring Matters

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 12:30 — 28.6MB)

“Count it all joy when you fall into various trials” James 1:2

Now, where is the logic and wisdom from rational thinking with this verse? Normally we avoid trials at all costs,s not with all joy. We look for the quickest escape route to return to “normal.” We fail to reflect on the wisdom of the Word that tells us many times that the JOY of the Lord is your strength, which is exactly what you need when in over your head with testing and temptations. Fear and anxiety take over our brainwaves as we look to our own abilities to solve the problem.

We are blessed with Biblical wisdom as the only means that teaches us how to pass through a crisis, become stronger, and actually profit from the challenges. Encountering unknowns in life develops character, if knowing the facts, we choose faith over fear. Unknowns are a course in the school of life that we must all attend. Today, how do we respond to these words of wisdom?

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 12:30 — 28.6MB)

“Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves.” 2 Corinthians 13:5 

When we are fretful, full of anger, anxiety, withdrawn, isolated by choice, and no hunger for God’s Word, it is time to stop, examine and evaluate:

Are the facts based on the Bible or my opinions of what I think is true?

Are the facts being lived out, by faith, in trusting the Lord as my FINAL AUTHORITY, and is He the FOCUS of my Faith?

Are my feelings operating true to THE FAITH that controls my daily choices?

TODAY, listen to biblical wisdom on why examining your thinking “heart” will keep your life from spiraling out of control.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 12:30 — 22.9MB)

“When all that generation had been gathered to their fathers, another generation arose after them who did not know the Lord nor the work He did for Israel.” Judges 2:10

Bridges connect us with where we have been and where we are going. This is true
in the physical world, so it is true in the spiritual eternal world. Without bridges
connecting the history of the past, we do not know how to learn from the past
and repeat the blunders of bad choices.
In Judges 2:10-11 we are told that a new generation arose who did not know the
Lord nor the work which He had done for Israel. There was no one that cared
enough to be a “bridge” to mentor and educate. The result was ruin to individuals
and a nation. Are we walking in those same blind paths?
Stop and pause with us as we examine the consequences of neglect to DO as God
commanded, especially since he provided the means and provisions to fulfill His
calling. We have been given an eternal mission for here and now. Be a bridge
builder.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 12:30 — 22.9MB)

“The days are coming when I will send a famine in the land, not of bread, nor thirst of water, but of hearing the words of the Lord.” Amos 8:11

Why would God want to make hearing the Word a famine?

Perhaps we no longer desire TRUTH as spiritual food, or we only want “food” that satisfies, tastes good, and comforts us without nourishing and healing.

Today, information alone is being called truth, but who can trust the truth that can change? The Word of God is being discredited by many as the real source of “TRUTH FOOD.” Only God’s Truth does not change and is the sole source that we can trust. However, it is even being rejected as having correct information.

Follow along with us as we look into the famine in our hearts and understand the famine in our land.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 12:30 — 22.9MB)

“Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavily laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

To labor and be heavy burdened are two descriptions of our conditions that most are facing in one area or another. This can be applied to the physical, emotional, and soul – influencing our spirits.

Culture is telling us to have third-party encounters with one another through some device that offers opinions and information for man-made solutions. My question is – “Would Jesus walking on earth advise people to learn of Him through someone else, no matter how sincere?”

He wants direct communion with each of us, whether as His children needing His comfort and care or as a person controlled by fears needing Him for life itself.

In both cases, there is only one judge to know how to offer rest to our souls that are seeking a reliable source – God himself. The first step – is to come.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 12:30 — 22.9MB)

“Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test Yourselves.” 1 Corinthians 13:5

We have an age-old problem – a portion of the Christian community lacks the
discipline to look at our lives with discernment. We want to be given the Truth in
ways that do not cause upset to our current way of thinking. If that be the case,
then how do we “gear up” to grow in grace and knowledge? How do we learn to
love? As we examine our hearts today, will you do the same that we will be able
to stand aright and tight in these difficult days?

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 12:30 — 22.9MB)

“Exercise yourself toward godliness” 1 Timothy 4:7-10

Godliness can begin with physically taking care of the body through exercise. Our bodies are temporal temples and exercise does require discipline, training, being faithful, and even requires some sweat. Those same qualities are also needed in knowing and understanding the wisdom the Lord Jesus taught for living a life of godliness. 

Let’s compare how the short-term examples of exercise are a long-term guide to the benefits of godliness.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 12:30 — 22.9MB)

“Judge not that you be not judged” Matthew 7:1

Word matter and the way you use them can change a whole conversation.  We can never “judge” the person for condemnation, that belongs to God alone.

We are commanded to discern a person’s behavior, words, actions. We are exhorted to discern and deal with obvious sinful lifestyles.

Today’s conversation will help decipher when to discern, but not Judge. 

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 12:30 — 22.9MB)

“For he who lacks these things is shortsighted, even to blindness, and has forgotten that he was cleansed from his old sins.” 2 Peter 1:9

Life can start with wonderful words of wisdom and affirmation that the God we
have trusted is giving us grace and peace. His divine power is drawing our hearts
to be conformed to His image.
He supplies us with an outline of what is needed, step by step, in case we forget
our provisions and remain as “newborns.” We will grow like a weaned child with
his mother so our soul will be calmed and quieted so that God’s true love will
govern our lives.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 12:30 — 22.9MB)

“Giving all diligence add to your faith virtue, to virtue knowledge” 2 Peter 1:5

This little nugget of truth tucked away in the progressive path of growth is a command to be fully committed to faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; for without faith, it is impossible to please God. Once our faith is established the first attribute is to add Virtue, even before knowledge. 

Now, why should we acquire the quality of virtue before adding knowledge? Seems like the opposite would be true. Join our discussion today to see the importance of knowing:

 What virtue is,

 How to recognize if we understand the characteristics,

If we are applying or just sliding by the best we can with the “facts.”