Mentoring Matters

“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.

“That I may know him, and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death.” Philippians 3:10

That verse presents the highs and lows of our walk here on earth. Parts sound good and parts are so scary and perplexing on how to achieve. KNOWING Jesus Christ is first and many spend their whole lives just getting to know Him, which extends way beyond salvation.

Knowing HIM and the power of a resurrected life comes before the hard sayings of sharing in the fellowship of HIS suffering. Let’s study today the mind of Christ in understanding His method of preparation so we may run the race as He has equipped us to do and obtain the prize that is waiting for those living by faith.

“My little children for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you.” Galatians 4:19

For this verse to be fulfilled we will begin by making sure that we have taken the first step in salvation, a new birth. Then we must move forward in knowing and abiding in fulfilling our purpose for why we are created.

As children grow and mature their “mission” in life broadens. Many choices change as they seek PURPOSE.

Most start off with a purpose totally satisfying self and this needs a renewing of the mind for realizing purpose in living. Many today are bewildered as to how to discern their reason for existing.

The Lord Jesus knew His purpose from the beginning and always followed His Father’s purpose as His own. This week let’s examine the Scriptures to know what can hinder and what can confirm God’s Purpose for each of us in living at this particular time in history.

“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” Romans 5:8

Knowing who we are and our worth in life is usually determined by outside influences. With divided hearts, and differing opinions that result in confusion most are tossed back and forth in finding some form of acceptance according to performance in relationships and positive circumstances.

If our performance does not solve the problem, we are unsure of what to do next. We succumb to ever-changing conditions. Should repeated failures occur we lose all sense of being stabilized and question how to fix the wrongs or just blame someone else.

If we will consent to being loved and accepted by the Author of love WHO provides assurance of worth to our souls, then the comfort we need is ours, IN CHRIST. Today, we will uncover the reality of facts so our faith can grow.

“Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.” Ephesians 1:3

Many people are burdened in knowing if they are accepted in society, home relationships, church fellowships, and workplace surroundings. All of life holds people in tension and insecurity with doubting. Since they have no apparent solution, they create their own false security.

What does the Creator of all people say about who they are and what is their identify. There is good news for those overwhelmed with questioning God according to His mind and heart. Does God Accept Me and if so, on what basis?

“I found it necessary to write to you exhorting you to contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints.” Jude 3b

Each of us have been given a measure of faith. Salvation is a one-time transformation by the grace and power of our Lord Jesus Christ. The Spirit then goes about making all the truth of salvation and beyond reality in the newness of life.

We can really slow down or even mess up His sovereign work toward maturity by centering on serving ourselves; many times without realizing where and why we no longer “lie down in green pastures so He can restore our soul.” Psalms 23:2-3

It is sobering and saddening when we have Light and do not walk in it.

So join in the conversation as we talk about the character choices that cause FAITH to Grow.

“Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.” I Timothy 3:9

The unity of the Spirit is firmly based on the unity of the faith. Modern efforts of organizational unity are based on compromise and a watered-down definition of faith.

Faith must be tested to prove if it will pass the circumstances when we have no solution of our own. Faith that grows stronger must be Divine faith, as soulish man-made faith will fail.

We are discussing how to discern lasting faith that comes from a pure heart of love and a good conscience.  This is the real mark or target at which to aim. Some miss the mark because they aim at the wrong target.  Do you know the difference? Join us.

“The gospel was preached to us as well as to them; but the word which they heard did not profit them, not being mixed with FAITH in those who heard it.” Hebrews 4:2

The message was proclaimed but it did no good because they only heard and did not believe as well. It is only as a result of our faith and trust that we experience the life of rest that we have been commanded to live.

There are conditions for our faith in the PERSON of Jesus Christ to produce a life of trust and do the will of our Father.  How do we live the 24/7 life pleasing unto the Lord Jesus? Today, we will share the stabilizing Facts of Faith for our daily walk.

“Without faith, it is impossible to please Him.” Hebrews 11:6

Faith is vital in beginning a new life in Christ and continues with that essential practice during our entire life.

When things are running smooth, we can let our faith relax, and then our guard slips and we get careless. Then, when a trial lands on our doorstep and opens the door for all types of half-truths, mixed truths of heavenly living being invaded by earthy thinking, that raises doubts in our beliefs.

“The just shall live by faith, but if anyone draws back, My soul has no pleasure in him.” Let’s get to know the PERSON of Christ with whom our faith must live in a close relationship.

“As newborn babes, desire the pure milk of the word, that you may grow thereby.” I Peter 2:2

The Gospel is preached, – the heart, soul, and spirit are awakened – a new life is born.

New life must have nourishment to grow. What are the problems that keep a little one from growing? Without the proper nutrients a baby can develop issues in their organs and even die of malnourishment. The same is true for newborn babes in Christ - issues from malnourishment leads to sin. It is the pure milk of the Word of God that gives us the proper nutrients that we may grow up into maturity.

The discussion today will give us direction on what is needed for newborn babes in Christ.