by Pete Wood | Mar 16, 2025 | Articles, Mentors Corner
Did our God have a weakness? Jesus was crucified through weakness and it became foolishness to the perishing world. Jesus took upon himself our weak and infirm nature. His weakness and foolishness of ours was imputed to him so that we might live. Our Heavenly Father took this on out of His love for us. Jesus was made capable of suffering, and of laying down willingly his life for us on the cross. But, he was raised from the grave, He is alive and He lives again by the divine power of God. This Spirit who raised Christ Jesus from the dead dwells in each of us. But, we are to be strong in our weakness. As we are to be weak in him, like Him, being liable to sufferings, undergoing sufferings by his example; but we shall live with him by the power of God, of which also we have living within us. And we have access to the mind of Christ, in our soul. The apostle Paul taught us, how to look at being strong and to understand it as part of our spiritual life. “And He has said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you for power is perfected in weakness.’ Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ’s sake; or when I am weak, then I am strong” (2Corinthains 12:9-10). Paul learned that God’s grace is sufficient for each and every one of us, for...
by Pete Wood | Feb 25, 2025 | Articles, Mentors Corner
When studying this verse, 1 Corinthians 13:16, in capturing the essence of this scripture, it should produce a new understanding, a new vision, a new anchor in the chamber of your heart. “BE” is a word that should not be taking lightly. First we need to understand that the word BE is considered a linking verb that is called “substantive.” Most importantly we need to carefully dig deep and look at the meaning of substantive, and specifically how it relates when using the word “BE” in 1 Corinthians 16:13. Substantive: It means to have a firm basis in reality and therefore important or meaningful, to be fixed; to exist; to have a real state or existence, to be made, to be, to become. to remain. This is forming a particular future tense and expresses a duty, a necessity or a purpose. What makes this so important is that this understanding should ignite a passion and our desire to Be alert, stand firm in our faith, act like men and Be strong. So now let’s combine the word “BE with STRONG”, and take a fresh look at what it means to “BE STRONG”, To “BE STRONG”: Being Strong should have a firm basis in everyday life and is important and meaningful. We are called to be fixed in a position of strength. This is a state we are to exist in, now and in the future, out of a necessity and with purpose. Specifically as a member of the family of God, this is our duty. So with this new insight take a glance at a portion of the way...
by Jim Gustafson | 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...
by Jerry Bangert | Dec 17, 2024 | Articles, Mentors Corner
“For through the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think; but to think so as to have sound judgment, as God has allotted to each a measure of faith.” Romans 12:3 How does one make such an evaluation and what constitutes sound judgment? Paul reveals his candid evaluation of himself at three different times in his life. He first calls himself “the least of the apostles” (1 Corinthians 15:9 NASB); then “the very least of all saints” (Ephesians 3:8 NASB); and finally the chief sinner (1 Timothy 1:15 KJV). This is the chronological order in which these letters were written. But how does this help me in my own self-inspection, if none of these descriptors are my own honest judgment? Since Jeremiah says the “heart is more deceitful than all else and is desperately sick; who can understand it?”, then my own “honest” judgment cannot be trusted. But the Bible’s judgment can be. What else does it say about me? Ecclesiastes 9:3 states, “the hearts of the sons of men are full of evil and insanity is in their hearts throughout their lives.” Lamentations 3:39 asks, “Why should in any living mortal or any man offer complaint in view of his sins?” Romans 3:10-18 indicts the entire human race with among other things, “there is none who does good, there is not even one.” And finally Paul says of himself “nothing good dwells in me” (Romans 7:18). If this is true of the man who says he was blameless with respect to the Law...
by Ed Allen | Dec 16, 2024 | Articles, Mentors Corner
“Therefore, since we have so great a cloud of witnesses surrounding us, let us also lay aside every encumbrance and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who has endured such hostility by sinners against Himself, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” (Hebrews 12:1-3). The verses above follow the examples of the “witnesses” of faith given us by those who acted on their faith in preceding chapter 11 of the book of Hebrews. Now we each run our own “race that is set before us.” What do you think? The exhortation here is to follow the examples identified and placing our eyes, i.e. our hope and future on Jesus while setting aside the enticement and distraction of sin. Ought we as Christ followers today, be praying for “endurance” and casting aside “encumbrances” as we pursue our own faith during our own short stay here on earth? If so, why? if not, why not? Read More Articles By This...
by Mitch Hershey | Dec 3, 2024 | Articles, Mentors Corner
Recently I was having a conversation with a friend about some of the challenges he was facing. Whether it’s business, health, financial, or anything else we hold dear, when we face challenges it is easy to ask the question – why is this HAPPENING?! (emphasis on happening, in the way you would hear a 4 year old lament when their juice box spills). As I pondered this more, I was reminded that a proper response would be to ask God – WHY is this happening? (emphasis on why) I crave peace and comfort. My temporal self tells me that the definition of peace is the absence of conflict. When adverse circumstances come into my life, my initial reaction is to try and get rid of them as quickly as possible. The Bible, however, reminds us that trials and tribulations are brought into our lives for our good and for God’s glory. Joseph had a clear understanding of this principle. Even though he had been betrayed by his brothers, even though he had been falsely accused, even though he was forgotten by men, he understood that God was at work in the circumstances of his life, whether they seemed favorable or unfavorable. Instead of focusing on the circumstances themselves, Joseph chose to focus on how God was at work – his mind was on the why. In Genesis 50:20, when his brothers are fearful that vengeance is finally coming their way, Joseph tells them, “As for you, you meant evil against me, but God meant it for good.” Joseph’s heart was set on God’s purposes, not his circumstances. The New...
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