What Does this Year Hold for You?

by | Jan 28, 2025 | Articles, Mentors Corner

“From the days of John the Baptist until now the kingdom of heaven suffers violence, and violent men take it by force” (Matthew 11:12). For many of us, this time of year is an activity for remembrance of last year and what God has orchestrated, what He might have planned for this New Year–and what would be a faithful response. Regardless of the anticipation of future events, a few perspectives have come to mind that are imperatives: “Therefore I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been established in the truth which is present with you” (2Peter 1:12). “But one thing I do: Forgetting what lies behind and reaching forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal to for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13). Eternity is for the taking!   The future is ours to capture today.  Finish the race strong; burst into heaven at a full gallop!  Put the pedal to the metal! God promises to provide on the path:  acceptance, forgiveness, fellowship, food, shelter, clothing, significance, purpose, love, joy peace patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.  When I look back and review, He has provided all this and more, abundantly! If then, my needs are met, what is there to fear?  Therefore, empty myself, take on boldness with confidence in fulfilling the upward calling! Not much time left on this earth—it is passing rapidly.  Fear Him, for the time is near!  The blessed hope of eternity is with us and no time like right now to...

Promises

by | Sep 24, 2024 | Articles, Mentors Corner

We all lean on promises.  They fuel our hope.  Without the promises we embrace, we would be lost, void of hope and aimlessly wandering. Consider the promise of a raise or promotion at work or the promise of a potential marriage.  These give encouragement, a path to a vision, a provider of hope. Without promises, we would have no encouragement or anchor to give assurance of our path.  Consider this promise of God:   “Never will I desert you, nor will I ever forsake you” (Hebrews 13:5).  Who among us would consider this not a fundamental but critical promise in our lives? Of course, the legitimacy of the promise is dependent on the integrity of the promise maker.  We lose hope if the promise we are depending does not come to fruition.   And consequently, lose trust in the one making the promise. Consider:  “The gifts and calling of God are irrevocable” (Romans 11:29) and: “For when God made the promise to Abraham, since He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself” (Hebrews 6:13). Some of His promises, like the one to Abraham (Genesis 12) are non-conditional, meaning God promises without requirement or expectation. Others are conditional, meaning receiving the promise is dependent upon our obedience to a specific command, usually identified with the promise. Others are to the nation of Israel, others to His church or His individual believers.  Some are to be realized in the temporal, others not until eternity.  In any event, the purposes of the promises are to provide hope, to increase our faith and develop godliness.  “For by these He has granted to...

His Inheritance

by | Dec 5, 2023 | Articles, Mentors Corner

We look forward with eagerness of our inheritance as believers in Jesus Christ.  It is the ultimate hope that we will spend our eternity in heaven, out of this world and with the Savior.  Any temporal inheritance, riches or reward pales in comparison. We obtain this inheritance only by the gift of the perfect sacrifice by Jesus for our past and future sins as propitiation for God’s required justice.  It is this promise that leads us to dependence on Him as none of us can obtain the inheritance by any self-effort or merit. “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Romans 5:8). As we contemplate what lies ahead in wonder and anticipation, it would stand to reason that this knowledge  should impact our behavior today.  Gratefulness for His gift of mercy and grace, fear toward His holiness, majesty and power and urgency in response in obedience to One so faithful and loving in providing hope for us, would be logical responses to what He has done on our behalf. That is why we relate to one another in love: “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God” (1John 4:7).    It is our common inheritance! Have you considered that God is looking forward to His inheritance?    His inheritance is us, the saints!  Consider:  “I pray that  the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of...

First Love

by | Aug 15, 2023 | Articles, Mentors Corner

In chapters 2 and 3 of the Book of Revelation, The apostle John quotes Jesus’ observations and commands from the Spirit toward seven churches.  The first of the seven is to the Church in Ephesus. “But I have this against you, that you have left your first love.” (Revelation 2:4). Jesus says in this message (Revelation 2:1-7) that He knows their deeds of toil, perseverance, the intolerance of evil, the vetting of the veracity of those calling themselves apostles and yet, have not grown weary. These activities, at least outwardly, would seem to be indicative  of men on the right path, walking closely with their Lord with legitimate Christian motives and actions in service to Christ.  Perhaps they were even involved in the ministry of men, evangelism of the lost and edification of the believers.  Perhaps they are leaders and are respected by men seeking the things of God. But Jesus says they left their first love. He has that against them. Obviously He is referring to the relationship with Jesus Christ.  He is addressing the believer who is perhaps finding his significance in his works over his dependence on God.  Or possibly looking to the approval and glory from men:  “How can you believe, when you receive glory from one another and you do not see the glory that is from the one and only God?” (John 5:44). Whatever the motive, He says they left.  This implies an intention to leave, maybe out of neglect or embracing the things of the world, but not something that was imposed upon them.  It also implies that a decision of repentance...

Are You Listening?

by | May 9, 2023 | Articles, Mentors Corner

Listening seems to be a simple enough concept.  We have ears to facilitate one of our senses — we use them regularly.  We know all about it.  Hear and respond with our mouth.  It is important in our everyday activity.  We converse with others and realize that without hearing our ability to communicate is severely diminished.  So it is with God. But the scripture takes us to a different understanding.  James writes, “Be quick to listen, slow to speak” (James 1:19). God said, “This is my beloved Son, listen to Him.”  (Luke 9:35). The relationship with God is rooted in listening to Him through His Word. Listening is a significant concept in the scriptures.  As a verb, “hearing” or “listening” appears over 1600 times in the Bible! It means to receive or hear and understand a reported noise.  It implies a silence and stillness in order to hear.   It has a responsibility component, implying obedience to what is understood. So, how to listen?  The Psalmist writes:  “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalms 46:10). Listening is the quiet, still activity of intent fully slowing ourselves down, closing off the outside distractions and pressures and being still before God and His word and then applying. The culture values business, action and running.  But listening requires silence and stillness.  How?  It must be intentful.  Jesus went to a quiet place to pray and listen in the morning to get perspective.  He provides the example worth emulating. Men in the marketplace, caught up in the pace of life, in order to survive the chaos and gain the perspective only the...