Mentoring Matters

"Test all things; hold fast what is good." 1 Thessalonians 2:21

 

This mandate is in a list of requirements for being set apart to discern the current “teaching” of the day. They were to discern what was written and spoken was the truth or popular opinion, just words of men.

We still battle that same problem today with volumes of information coming out each day to “better ourselves” but may not be according to Scripture. Many apply their testing of all things according to logic, reason, history, or worldly opinions. 

Our review today offers guidance in checking matters out from the ability to discern right from wrong. Join us!

“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.

“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.”

“As a prisoner of the Lord, I beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called.” Ephesians 4:1

Many have read this scripture numerous times not taking into consideration that

a calling is a part of your job, perhaps in ministry, or perhaps in different areas but

it is what you do. The request is to know what your calling is and then how to

perform with lowliness and gentleness. There is a strong outline here for how we

are to think. Our calling will involve some type of service for others.

Let’s evaluate the highs and lows in how to discover where our focus is to be

centered and make sure our heart attitude is in alignment with our calling, that

we may be well-pleasing unto Jesus Christ.

“I, therefore, a prisoner of the Lord, beseech you to walk worthy of the calling with which you were called.” Ephesians 4:1

 

Life is not to be lived in a sloppy casual indifference of selfish indulgence. This

approach is not limited to any age group. We do expect, as growth and training

take place, to see a maturity in thinking and knowing how to make good

decisions.

The calling is already given to us and now, own up to the appointment in being

faithful. Chapter 4 suggest the manner in making known to others what is real in

us. Check it out!

“If anyone does not come to ME and does not hate this father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.” Luke 14:26

 

Now that is really a hard saying about what love is all about. Words have meanings and without hearing the heart of the speaker we can certainly come to the wrong conclusions.

we all like to hear soft sayings that bring comfort and make the heart happy, but we draw back when tough words are spoken. How can we find joy and purpose in hard sayings? Let’s talk!

“The sheep hear His voice; and He calls His own sheep by name and leads them out.” John 10:3

 

The Shepherd’s Voice brings assurance and security when we hear Him speak.

There are times in our walk where certain unknowns produce uncertain emotions

that confuse hearing. Fear will slip in and replace the sheep’s ability to listen to

the Shepherd.

Fear has many entanglements, and we get caught up in confusion, never realizing

fear has replaced faith. Today there is a way to keep this from happening. Let's

prepare to repair the damage fear does when it controls our hearts.

“With my whole heart I have sought You; Oh, let me not wander from Your commandments! Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.” Psalms 119: 10-11

 

How do you hide something in the heart? Romans 12 give us a clue – Renew your

mind in the mind of God – His word.

Why? Because only there can we find our purpose in life as we have been made

and how He wants to fashion us into being a part of His family. Our lives need to

be programmed for acts of being set apart serving while living here.

John 17 tells the purpose of our being a family in prayer between God the

Father and God the Son. Join us as we discuss their conversation.

“If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.” 2 Timothy 2:13

 

In the season we are living, having a powerful authority you can depend on for

wisdom, in walking through the waters of uncertainty every day, is a tremendous

gift to each one that wants to be a part of God’s family.

God is love and wants those desiring to accept His gift to also accept His purpose

in offering -- “all that God is available every man, woman, boy, or girl that is

available to all that God is.”

Knowing His attributes and allowing the Scriptures to mold our thinking prepares

our minds to be transformed into Christ-like character, which is pleasing to the

Father. Let’s take a look at the riches of Christ’s character.

“If indeed you have heard Him and have been taught by Him, as the Truth is in Jesus.” Ephesians 4:21

 

How we live is determined by what we believe. If Truth is in Jesus, then why do

we have such corruption in our lives? Why do the daily struggles far out way the

confident victories that are said to be ours?”

There is a saying, “There must be a cross before there can be a crown.” The cross

we need to embrace includes giving up our plans for the greater plans of the

Savior, bringing our opinions, priorities and thoughts into alignment with the

bigger picture and knowing what that picture is.

The Bible has not left us overwhelm as to how this is to be accomplished. There

are really no excuses for believing a lie as truth when Jesus is our Truth. Study

with us today as we see the provisions we have in exchanging the old for the new.