Making A Difference Through Mentorship: Recent Episodes
Dr. Gregory L. Cruell
A mentor can be anyone who has a positive, guiding influence on another person’s life; a trusted friend or advisor, those who help other people succeed and to become the best version of themselves.
Ethnos (people-centered) Leadership, Overcoming Negative Thoughts--Think Like God Thinks, are the primary platforms by which we help those that are determined to continue growing as leaders to impact their work environments and the communities in which they live. As we apply the principles discovered in these teachings we authentically change lives "making a difference" one life at a time. Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/dr-gregory-l-cruell/support
Jesus says in John 13:12-17, in the Message Bible,“Do you understand what I have done to you? You address me as ‘Teacher’ and ‘Master,’ and rightly so. That is what I am. So, if I, the Master and Teacher, washed your feet, you must now wash each other’s feet. I’ve laid down a pattern for you. What I’ve done, you do. I’m only pointing out the obvious. A servant is not ranked above his master; an employee doesn’t give orders to the employer. If you understand what I’m telling you, act like it—and live a blessed life.”
If we are to be servant leaders, our minds, thoughts, emotions, designs and desires for life and ministry must be immersed in Jesus’ example. “In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus” Philippians 2: 5; (NIV). The word mind in the original Greek carries the meaning of that part of the human system that initiates “thoughts, emotions, designs, and desires; to set the mind upon.”
The principles of John chapter 13 are a platform that Jesus used to develop His disciples into servant leaders by “serving one another.” Jesus further says in Matthew chapter 20, verses 26-28, in the New Century Version. “Whoever wants to become great among you must serve the rest of you like a servant. 27 Whoever wants to become first among you must serve the rest of you like a slave. 28 In the same way, the Son of Man did not come to be served. He came to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many people.
As servant leaders, this is the place of beginning for us and the truth of John 13:17 being seen in our lives. If you understand what I’m telling you, act like it—and live a blessed life.”
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One of the greatest military leaders in history, Napoléon Bonaparte, once said that a leader is a dealer in hope. I have modified Napoleon a little by saying a “servant leader is a dealer of hope.”
As one of the greatest and most famous military leaders and rulers in the history of France, I believe what Napoleon is saying is through a time of war, chaos, hardship, and uncertainty, how important it is for us as servant leaders to generate hope and motivation through the most difficult of circumstances.
Being inspirational and emotionally stable through hardships and in the midst of trouble, dealing out, passing out hope or in the relationships all around us, create feelings of, expectation, joy, relief, a sort of light at the end of the tunnel. Hope can mean dealing out, passing out little nuggets of life, wisdom, and encouragement when everything else and everyone else is falling apart. As a dealer of hope, our actions or words can mean the difference between hanging on or giving up for a person.
Even something as simple as a smile can deal hope. Smiling is one of the only universal physical, unspoken facial languages I know of that means the same to everyone. Kindness, delight, joy, happiness, and can say quietly to a person, "everything's going to be alright."
The Apostle Paul as a servant leader was a dealer of hope. In Romans 5:2-5, he declares, we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”
The word hope in Romans 5 carries the meaning of “expectation and anticipation, with pleasure, solid assurance, confidence and faith.”
In the first month of 2023, there have been 1,124 deaths by guns. which tragically means the deaths by gun violence can only increase. No matter how a person may look on the outside, the world and everyone in it needs hope. Yet we have the solution. It is "Christ in you the hope of glory" (Colossians 1:27).
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Psalm 102: 13, “Thou shalt arise, and have mercy upon Zion: for the time to favor her, yea, the set time, is come.”Time is generally defined in the original Greek as “Chronos” and “Kairos”. Chronos represents a chronological time calculated in seconds, minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, and years.
“Kairos” represents a God-appointed time when something is to occur. “Kairos” generally denotes God’s divine intervention in your life to accelerate or bring to pass some occurrence or event on your behalf. It is an unplanned, unexpected, and unscheduled moment in your life when God decides to bless or favor you according to His sovereign will.
Favor is an uncommon blessing or breakthrough God Himself has orchestrated and ordained for your life. The set time of God’s favor positions us for success and transcends any and all barriers erected by people. Whether they may be racial, social, cultural, financial, relational or even generational barriers. God’s favor rises above them all. The Set Time of Favor has come for us as God's people!
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This podcast was previously recorded in January 2021. On New Year's Eve I shared with you a podcast entitled In 2023 The Key is God's Sovereignty and it's your faith that unlocks the door. As we begin 2023 part of God's sovereignty includes overcoming all of the things that would try and hinder us from receiving God's favor and blessings on our lives this year.
God says in Jeremiah 29: 11, “I know the thoughts that I think towards you, thoughts of peace and not of evil to give you hope and unexpected end.” God's expected end for you and for me is we think more like God thinks and that we develop the mindset of an overcomer knowing that our sovereign God’s will covers us every day of our lives and we are more than conquerors!
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God’s sovereignty is the perfect exercise of his power, wisdom, and goodness in all things and for all time. The Common English Bible Version of 1 Chronicles 29:11 speaking of God’s sovereignty David declares, “Your power is great, and your glory is seen everywhere in heaven and on earth. You are the king of the entire world.”
To say that God is sovereign we mean the supremacy of God, the kingship of God further to declare that God is sovereign is to say as Daniel declared in the 4th chapter and 35th verse in the Common English Bible, “All of earth’s inhabitants are nothing in comparison. The Most High does whatever he wants with heaven’s forces and with earth’s inhabitants. No one can contain his power or say to him, ‘What do you think you are doing?”
Psalm 115:3 further declares, “our God is in heaven, and He does whatever He pleases.”Job says in chapter 42 and the 2nd verse, “I know that you can do all things and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.”
Although there were hardships, difficulties, uncertainties, heartache, and heartbreak in 2022 you're still here. You're still standing! And "The Key in 2023 is God's Sovereignty!"
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Christmas is the celebration and beginning of new life, a spiritual life for mankind born of the prophecy of Isaiah 7:14 and Matthew 1:22-23. “Therefore the Lord himself will give you a sign: The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and will call him Immanuel.”
The name Immanuel speaks to the fact that God has established His guiding and protecting presence with us as His people. Matthew, understanding the fulfillment of Isaiah’s prophecy, writes and delivers his inspired revelation: “All this took place to fulfill what the Lord had said through the prophet: ‘The virgin will conceive and give birth to a son, and they will call him Immanuel’ (which means ‘God with us’)” (Matthew 1:22–23).
In Jesus, as Immanuel, God walked with us and talked with us as He did with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. Christ’s arrival showed all humanity that God is faithful to fulfill His promises.
Jesus is Immanuel. He is not a partial revelation of God with us; Jesus is God with us in all His fullness: ” (Colossians 2:9, NLT). “For in Christ lives all the fullness of God in a human body Jesus left the glories of heaven and took on the form of a servant so that He could identify with us in our day-to-day human struggles.”
Our fellowship with Immanuel, God with us grants us the ability to relate to Him and talk and share with Him. Knowing that as Immanuel, God with us, He walks with us throughout the day, looking after and caring for us where we can cast all our cares and our problems upon Him. Trusting Him as Immanuel, God with us to help us in meeting our needs. Asking him for strength to conquer the trials and temptations of life. Further knowing that as Immanuel, God with us, He constantly gives us life. A life that is full of love, joy, and peace (John 10:10).
In good times and bad, in tragedy and triumph, the Purpose of Christmas is for Immanuel, God to be with us!
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Jesus sets an example for us by Living An Uncomplicated Life. In fact, in Matthew 22, Jesus provides us with the most important aspects of life when he says that we are to “love God and love our neighbor as ourselves” (verses 37-39).
Over the course of Jesus’ ministry in the Gospels, Jesus travels. A lot! As he traveled to spread the gospel, to teach and heal, he lived a very uncomplicated lifestyle. He ate and stayed at other people’s homes and didn’t take much with him.
The life that Jesus lived focused on his ministry, relationships with others, sharing the good news, serving others, taking care of his health by resting when necessary, and spending time in prayer. All of these things have come together to form the bedrock of Living an Uncomplicated Life.
Dr. Gregory L. Cruell
God Thinkers (Isaiah 55:8-9)
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Throughout the course of our day, we listen to a lot of things. We listen to the radio, we watch and listen to videos we listen to the requests of our families and friends, and yet with all that we listen to, we must listen to our King, Jesus. Listening to, inclining our ears to hear the directives, proclamations, ordinances, laws, and commands of the King must hold the preeminence in our lives for Kingdom Living and a Kingdom mindset.
As we shared in last week’s podcast, in accordance with Luke 17:21, Jesus says the "Kingdom of God is within you."With Jesus as our King of kings and Lord of Lords, as citizens of His Kingdom. In the government of His Kingdom, Wisdom is always present to assist.
In the Good News Translation of Proverbs 1:20-21, the Bible says, "Listen! Wisdom is calling out in the streets and marketplaces, calling loudly at the city gates and wherever people come together."
Proverbs 4:7 in the Amplified Bible declares, “The beginning of wisdom is: Get [skillful and godly] wisdom [it is preeminent]! And with all your acquiring, get understanding [actively seek spiritual discernment, mature comprehension, and logical interpretation]. It is Wisdom's advice, counsel, and sound judgment that guides us through life and ministry as we listen to the voice of God through His Wisdom.
Invite a friend, a family member, or a co-worker as we continue to learn to "Think Like God Thinks" as we adhere to the principles and precepts of "Wisdom: the Call to Listen Part 2."
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Throughout the course of our day, we listen to a lot of things. We listen to family members and co-workers. We listen to the sounds of busy traffic on the highway. We listen to the news and our favorite social media outlets. There is a lot for us to listen or to hear throughout our day.
In Proverbs chapter 8, verses 17-18, the NIV, Wisdom says in essence listen to me, “I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me. 18 With me are riches and honor, enduring wealth and prosperity.” Wisdom is saying this: when you make a commitment to her, she makes a commitment to you. We will receive the full and faithful benefit of her devotion. She will not leave you; she will not let you down. Wisdom loves those who love her.
Wisdom is constant, never changing, and dependable. If we always love and seek wisdom—we will receive the very best, experience the very best, and be empowered by Wisdom to live our best life and live it now! Join us on today's podcast as we share principles and precepts from God's Word as we listen to "The Call of Wisdom."
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Kingdom living is a life lived under the authority of a king. For us that King is Jesus. His commands are not for our consideration but for our obedience in harmony with His will and His way. The basic meaning of the word Kingdom in the Bible is “reign.” God’s Kingly rule and reign include His actions, His Lordship, and His Sovereign governance (Isaiah 9: 6- 7).
Philippians 3: 20, in the Amplified Bible, reminds us that we have dual citizenship. We are citizens of our country of origin and we are citizens of heaven. “But we are different because our citizenship is in heaven and from there, we eagerly await the coming of the savior the Lord Jesus Christ.”
Luke 17:20-21, in the Living Bible, declares, “One day the Pharisees asked Jesus, "When will the Kingdom of God begin?" Jesus replied, "The Kingdom of God isn’t ushered in with visible signs. 21 You won’t be able to say, ’It has begun here in this place or there in that part of the country.’ For the Kingdom of God is within you."
In Psalm 23:3, KJV), David says, “He restores my soul…” Restoration denotes giving or receiving something back that was taken or lost; experiencing something again. Restore further means, "to bring back from a state of ruin, decay, or disease, to renew; to recover.
In Psalm 51:12, David the man after God's own heart says, “restore unto me the joy of thy salvation, and uphold me with thy free spirit.” Therefore, for Kingdom Living to become a reality in our churches and community, we must restore God’s Kingly rule and reign. His actions, His Lordship, and His Sovereign governance in the minds and hearts of God’s people (Matthew 22:37-39). Invite a friend or co-worker to join us as we continue to learn to "Think Like God Thinks," Restoring Kingdom Living.
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In a natural sense, to be strong means to be able to do it all by yourself, without help. To be always in control of one’s emotions. Yet, the Bible is full of language about strength in weakness. Paul wrote to the church at Corinth in the Amplified Version of 2 Corinthians 12:10: “For the sake of Christ, I am well pleased and take pleasure in infirmities, insults, hardships, persecutions, perplexities and distresses; for when I am weak [in human strength], then am I [truly] strong (able, powerful in divine strength).”
The word weak refers to that which lacks strength or intensity. It is the opposite of power and vitality. Weakness in the flesh or in self is overcome by strength in the Spirit. Only in Christianity does the idea exist that someone is strongest in their weakness.
When people are weak, if they submit to God, that is when God can take over and use His full strength. When a person is at their weakest, they are most dependent on the Lord, who is unimaginably and infinitely stronger than we are in our humanness. The writer of Hebrews chapter 4, verses 14-16, declares “Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”
Join us on today's podcast as we continue to "Think More Like God Thinks," as He helps us to discover principles and precepts giving us the insight to know that, "When I'm weak, That’s When I'm Strong."
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The basic meaning of the word kingdom in the Bible is reign. God’s reign is His Kingly rule — His reign, His actions, His Lordship, and His sovereign governance (Isaiah 9:6-7). The ESV version of Psalm 103:19 declares, “The Lord has established his throne in the heavens, and His Kingdom rules over all.” God’s Kingly rule is a saving and a redeeming grace for fallen humanity (Ephesians 2:8/Romans 10:9-10).
Our mindset is a set of beliefs that shape how you make sense of the world and yourself. It influences how you think, feel, and behave in any given situation. It further means that what you believe about yourself impacts your success or failure in life. as we encounter different situations, our minds trigger a specific mindset that then directly impacts our behavior in that situation. In other words, a mindset is a mind that is set. Winning the battle for a Kingdom Mindset has 3 essential components:
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A kingdom mindset is a mind that is ruled by God, governed by His perspective, will, purposes, plans, and desires.
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A kingdom mindset is a fixed mental attitude (emotions, beliefs, and behavior).
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A kingdom mindset is a person’s predetermined response to life’s situations based on the rule and authority of the King.
Join us and invite a friend or family as we discuss God's perspective on Winning the Battle For A Kingdom Mindset.
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Former 1st Lady of the United States Eleanor Roosevelt once stated, "You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You are able to say to yourself, 'I have lived through this horror. I can take the next thing that comes along.' You must do the thing you think you cannot do."
While combating apartheid in South Africa, Nelson Mandela once said, "The brave man is not he who does not feel afraid, but he who conquers that fear."
Faith is not the absence of fear but rather the ability to face and overcome fear. Fear can take many forms. Fear of losing money. Fear of being ridiculed. Fear of failure. Fear of responsibility. Fear of sickness or death. There are many things in life that cause fear to arise. How we face fear is always a matter of faith.
1st John the 5th chapter, verses 4-5, in the Passion Translation of the Bible declares, “You see, every child of God overcomes the world, for our faith is the victorious power that triumphs over the world. So who are the world conquerors, defeating its power? Those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.”
As world conquerors, we conquer and overcome the plots, ploys, and plans of the enemy designed to steal your peace, kill your dreams, and destroy your future through fear.
Fear of failure. Fear of rejection. Fear of lack. Fear of tomorrow and the parent of all fear, the fear of death. In whatever shape or form fear may take, in the power of God’s word we subdue and overcome them all. "For our faith is the victorious power that triumphs over the world and our fears."
Join us and invite a friend to listen to principles and precepts from God's word, "Faith That Overcomes Fear."
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In Genesis 15:1 and 6, the AMPC version, the Bible says, “After these things, the word of the Lord came to Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram, I am your Shield, your abundant compensation, and your reward shall be exceedingly great. Verse 6 And he [Abram] believed in (trusted in, relied on, remained steadfast to) the Lord, and He counted it to him as righteousness (right standing with God).”
Some researchers have said that the most repeated phrase in the Bible is, “Do not be afraid” mentioned in some form over 350 times. It was never God’s will for mankind to be fearful. It wasn’t until sin came in that fear became a problem for mankind. In Genesis 3, when Adam committed sin, a new word came into his vocabulary. In speaking to God, Adam said, “I was afraid so I hid.”
Mankind now struggles with fear. We struggle with fear about the past, present, and future, anxiety disorders, phobias, etc. Fear has now become a natural aspect of our human existence, even though, it was never God’s will for us to be afraid.
1 John 4:18 says, “Perfect love casteth out fear. He who fears has not been made perfect in love.” For those who know God and are born again, we can experience a love that when perfected in us, can wipe away all our fears!
While Abram struggles with the reality of his fears, God reveals Himself to Abram in Genesis 15:1 to calm his fears. What we learn from Abram is that as we seek God more, we will "fear less" and not be fearful. Join us on today's podcast as we continue to learn to Think Like God Thinks, granting us the ability and authority for Overcoming Fear: The Challenger and Opponent of our Faith Part 2.
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The Modern English Version of Joshua 1:9 declares, “Have not I commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.” Fear is a reality of our human experience that may include a fear of rejection, fear of failure, fear of people and the list goes on and on. The reality of fear is that it is a powerful human emotion that alerts us to the presence of danger.
The Amplified Version of 2 Timothy 1:7 proclaims, “For God did not give us a spirit of timidity or cowardice or fear, but [He has given us a spirit] of power and of love and of sound judgment and personal discipline [abilities that result in a calm, well-balanced mind and self-control].”
No matter what fears we face, we can overcome them all because of the power and love of a sound mind, established in God’s word, knowing that as God said to Joshua in chapter 1, verse 9, “Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with you wherever you go.” And because God is with us we can face fear, the challenger and opponent of our faith and in the end, we always win.
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The latter portion of Philippians 2:12 teaches us that we are responsible for "working out our own salvation with fear and trembling.” This means that we are responsible for our own spiritual progress and maturity, by practicing a life of salvation and respecting in reverence the holiness of God.
This further means we take the spiritual and make it practical so that it's natural for us to live spiritually. The Apostle Paul says in Romans 7:15, "I don’t understand what I am doing. I don’t practice what I want to do, but instead, I do what I hate."
Then Paul says in the 18th verse, "For I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my flesh. For I have the desire to do what is right, but I cannot carry it out."
As spiritual beings having a human encounter, it is essential to know that there is no such thing as perfection. We will never get everything right. This is the place of God's grace that is always sufficient (2 Corinthians 12:9).
The legendary coach of the Green Bay Packers, Vince Lombardi, back in the late 1960s, once declared to his team “there is no such thing as perfection. But, if you chase perfection, you can catch excellence.”
Excellence is the quality of excelling and being the best at something. 1 Corinthians 10:31 in TPT teaches us, “Whether you eat or drink, live your life in a way that glorifies and honors God.”
One definition of glorify that I discovered means "feeling and thinking and acting in ways that reflect and give evidence of the supreme greatness of God’s attributes operating in and through us."
Join us on today's podcast as we discuss and discover principles from God's word of the necessity of Saving Ourselves From Ourselves that reflect and give evidence of God's attributes operating in and through our lives for His own glory.
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Paul confesses to the church at Rome in the 7th chapter beginning at the 15th verse in the Living Bible…“I don’t understand myself at all, for I really want to do what is right, but I can’t. I do what I don’t want to, but what I hate. Verse 16, I know perfectly well that what I am doing is wrong, and my bad conscience proves that I agree with these laws I am breaking. Verse 17 But I can’t help myself because I’m no longer doing it. It is sin inside me that is stronger than I am that makes me do these evil things.
Jesus told Nicodemus in John chapter 3, “You must be born again.” To be born again is a spiritual act of God’s power to deliver us from sin when we confess with our mouth and believe with our hearts that God has raised Jesus from the dead we shall be saved.
In essence, Jesus says everyone needs to have two birthdays, and the second birthday is just as important as the first. The first birthday determines when you are born on this earth through our natural parents. Jesus said to Nicodemus that we need a second birth, we must be born again — a spiritual birth — if we were going to become a part of God’s family, if we are going to live a saved life, being spiritually reborn.
Now in the NKJV of Philippians 2:12-13, Paul says to us, “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.”
Working out salvation does not mean "working for" salvation but making salvation functional and practicable and progressing in spiritual maturity. James 2, beginning at the 17thverse declares, “So faith by itself if it has no works, is dead. Verse 18: A man may say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.” By what I do, how I function and practice.
Collegiate or professional athletes, whatever the sport may be function and practice their sport daily…. hours and hours, months and months years and years of practice in order to progressively become more proficient or get better. One that is always determined to win.
And in the end, every day and in every way, you and I always win because we have been born again, and as Paul declares in the Amplified Version of Philippians 2:12-13, “continuing to work out our salvation [that is, cultivate it, bring it to full effect, actively pursuing spiritual maturity] with awe-inspired fear and trembling [using serious caution and critical self-evaluation to avoid anything that might offend God or discredit the name of Christ].” This is how we Save Ourselves From Ourselves.
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The Christian Standard Bible version of 1 Samuel 30:8 declares...“and David asked the Lord, “Should I pursue these raiders? Will I overtake them? ”The Lord replied to him, “Pursue them, for you will certainly overtake them and rescue the people.”
The ASV of 1 Samuel chapter 30 verse 8, says…“David inquired of Jehovah, saying, If I pursue after this troop, shall I overtake them? And He, God answered him, Pursue; for thou shalt surely overtake them, and shall without fail recover all.”
Our English definitions of the word recover mean to get back, to regain. Or when you recover from an illness or an injury, you become well again. The word recover in the original Hebrew means “rebuild, repair or restore.”
Encourage means to put or add courage in. As seen in 1 Samuel 30:6, one of the passages for this revival, “David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.” This word encourage in the original Hebrew can be translated as prevail, to be recovered, repaired, strengthened, and conquered.
There are those in your family, possibly on your job or even in your church that have never learned how to encourage themselves in the Lord and is held captives of their own minds.
As it was with David, so it is with you and I. God has commissioned us to pursue those that have been taken captive by the enemy and as God said to David, we shall recover all.
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It's easy to talk about our strengths, but not so easy to talk about our weaknesses, which we all have because none of us are perfect! Someone once stated, “the largest room in the world is the room for improvement.”
For life and ministry to be most effective, there must be balance. Everything in the world is balanced. For every weakness we have, we have a strength that explains or provides context for that weakness.
The context of Paul’s thorn in the flesh reminds us that it was due to the great revelations that he received in 2 Corinthians chapter 12. Paul asked God to remove his thorn three times and God did not remove it. But God responded by saying to him, “ My grace is sufficient for you.”
Paul still had the thorn in his flesh, but because of God's grace, he could say in 2 Corinthians 12: 9, "when I'm weak that's when I'm strong.”
Invite a friend or family member as discuss principles and precepts from God's word as we continue to learn to "Think Like God Thinks", further understanding that when "we are weak, that is when we are strong (2 Corinthians 12:9).
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Weakness is a defining feature of our humanity but we seldom, if ever, acknowledge or recognize this reality. The Apostle Paul recognized this when he stated in 2 Corinthians 12:9…" when I’m weak, that’s when I’m strong."
The answer in the Bible for our weaknesses is to call on the Lord for strength, and there are reminders all over His Word to do just that. The book of Psalms is one of the best sources of biblical encouragement and calls for divine help.
Join us as we journey with David, the man after God's heart, as we discover principles and precepts from his life in the book of Psalms obtaining " Strength for Our Weakness."
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In the church world, mentoring or mentorship is a topic that is not discussed very often. However, Jesus Himself created a mentoring culture that was against the norm of society as He was training and developing the disciples for their future assignments in ministry.
In the Message Bible, John 15:13, Jesus says, “This is my command: Love one another the way I loved you. This is the very best way to love. Put your life on the line for your friends. You are my friends when you do the things I command you. I’m no longer calling you servants because servants don’t understand what their master is thinking and planning. No, I’ve named you friends because I’ve let you in on everything I’ve heard from the Father.”
In the last few hours prior to the crucifixion, Jesus is further solidifying a mentoring culture for His disciples where their love should be of the nature that they would be willing to die for one another.
People who are willing to do this, do not fight with each other as they had done earlier that evening, asking Jesus who’s the greatest (Matthew 18:1-5). Jesus adds that the greatest example of love for a man is to die for his friends.
The mentoring culture that Jesus established with the disciples includes His desire for them noted in John 17:21 where Jesus says, “My prayer for all of them is that they will be of one heart and mind, just as you and I are, Father—that, just as you are in me and I am in you…”
After washing the disciple's feet in John chapter 13, Jesus says in the 15th verse of the Common English Version, “I have set the example, and you should do for each other exactly what I have done for you.” Mentoring is about learning and we never stop learning in God's classroom of ministry.
Setting the example was a means or method that Jesus used to encourage the disciples to learn His heart and mind for ministry. For us as the people of God, as leaders in our respective places of service in the Kingdom, everybody needs a mentor in order to learn how to love and to live like Jesus.
Invite a friend, family member or co-worker to join us as we discuss principles and precepts from God's word in today's podcast, "Why Everybody Needs A Mentor."
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Our primary passage of scripture for today's podcast is 1 Samuel chapter 18, verse 3, The KJV tells us, “Then Jonathan and David made a covenant because he loved him as his own soul.” A covenant is a relationship between two people who make binding promises to each other.
Covenant relationships are not a casual, “if it’s convenient, it’ll happen”-type promise, but an “I’m going to do whatever it takes to make this happen”-type of promise.
A covenant relationship is a promise that you make for the benefit of someone else. It’s a choice that you make to benefit someone else. God Himself is the original promise maker and promise keeper…establishing covenant relationships with us through Jesus Christ.
The Strength of A Covenant Relationship carries the attributes of love and loyalty and the responsibility of accountability that are core elements, supporting the strength of a covenant relationship.
Invite a friend and family member, co-worker, or neighbor to join us as we discuss principles and precepts from God's Word concerning The Strength of A Covenant Relationship for life and ministrythat lasts a lifetime.
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In this fast-paced information world and age in which we live it can be easy to sometimes forget what really matters and is important. Due to this pace in life, sometimes we simply forget some things. To forget is to lose (facts, knowledge, etc.) from the mind; failure to recall. To lose the remembrance of. To be unable to think of.
To remember is to recall to the mind by an act or effort of memory; to think of it again, to remain aware of. To have (something) arise in one's memory; become aware of (something) suddenly or spontaneously. I suddenly remembered that today is your birthday.
"Don’t Forget To Remember" is further connected to how we think. Over the last 6 weeks, we have discussed from Matthew chapter 5, the 9 Beatitudes, or the attitudes that we are to be, which is connected to how we think.
Jesus says 9 times in the Beatitudes, “Blessed are…” The word “blessed” in each verse simply means happy. And in some translations, it actually says, “Happy are you…”Attitudes refer to a set of emotions, beliefs, and behaviors toward a particular object, person, thing, or event.
Don’t Forget To Remember the truth of Ephesians 4:23-24, in the Amplified version of the Bible which declares, “be constantly renewed in the spirit of your mind [having a fresh mental and spiritual attitude], And put on the new nature (the regenerate self) created in God's image, [Godlike] in true righteousness and holiness.”
A completely new attitude of mind can be defined from this passage as a certain perspective or state of mind. A way of feeling or acting towards a person, thing or situation that includes our emotional and spiritual mindset that focuses on and expects nothing but the best out of life.
The moral (knowing right and wrong), and the self-activity of Christian life made new in the way that we think. The new nature of verse 24 speaks of inward renewal that produces an exterior renovation.
After renovation, things look new and improved. Created in God’s image is the inward renewal and outward renovation of the God kind of life—the principles, precepts, habits, of being made new, being conformed to Christ, who gave us life, and Who is your life.
Invite a friend or family member to join us for today's podcast. "Don't Forget To Remember."
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Today's podcast is the 6th and final of our series discussing the Beatitudes of Matthew chapter 5. The Bible measures blessedness differently from how people of the world measure it. James 1:12 says, “Blessed (happy), which isthe same word that Jesus uses’ 9 times in the Beatitudes or the attitudes that we are to be in Matthew chapter 5.
James says “Blessed, happy is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.”
To those who rest…rest is another word for trust in God, He grants an inner state of joy that is unaffected by external trials. What is this promised “crown of life?”
It is a never-ending, victorious life in our present circumstances and in the world to come, where all trials will end.
The Beatitudes or the attitudes that we ought to be, in Matthew chapter 5 speak of an inner state of well-being, the prosperity of our souls in Christ. Blessedness comes from unhindered fellowship with God the Father through our Lord Jesus. To be blessed is to experience the full impact of God’s presence in our lives now and for all eternity.
In the NKJV of Psalm 16:11, David says, “You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy- a synonym for happiness; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.”
Join us today, and invite a friend or family member for this final podcast of the series, God Wants You To Be Happy!
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In today’s podcast, we want to continue with the Beatitudes or the attitudes that we are to be beginning in verse 9, where Jesus declares, "Blessed (enjoying enviable happiness, spiritually prosperous—with life-joy and satisfaction in God's favor and salvation, regardless of their outward conditions) are the makers and maintainers of peace, for they shall be called the sons of God!"
The KJV of Matthew 5:9 says, "Blessed are the peacemakers." The word peacemaker in the original Greek means to bring men together; to make peace between men and God; to solve disputes and erase divisions; to reconcile differences and eliminate strife; and the building of right relationships.
Zephaniah got a revelation of living a blessed, happy, spiritually prosperous life with joy and satisfaction when he declared in the Living Bible, of Zephaniah 3:17, “For the Lord your God has arrived to live among you. He is a mighty Savior. He will give you victory. He will rejoice over you with great gladness; he will love you and not accuse you.” Is that a joyous choir I hear? No, it is the Lord himself exulting over you in happy song."
God Himself sings a happy song over you and me! So now in John 13:17 in the Amplified Bible, at the Last Supper in His final few hours before His crucifixion, Jesus says to His disciples, “If you know these things, blessed and happy and to be envied, are you if you practice them [if you act accordingly and really do them].
Invite a friend, a family member, or a co-worker to learn to "Think More Like God Thinks" by listening to today's podcast, God Wants You to Be Happy: Part 5.
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This is part 4 of our series of podcasts entitled God Wants you To Be Happy from the Beatitudes or the attitudes that we are to be in Matthew chapter 5. Research shows the average person speaks at least 7,000 words a day, with many speaking much more than that.
Those 7,000 words (at least) you and I speak each day are your imprint on the world. They dictate how people may perceive you – and largely define how you think that potentially influences your behavior, mood or conduct.
Can you remember the last time somebody asked you if were happy? Or what makes you happy? How did you respond to the question if you can remember someone even asking you the question !?
If a person, thing or set of circumstances brings you happiness, then for some, happiness dissipates when those things, people or circumstances are no longer present. For some, happiness seems like something that’s temporary or even elusive, because some people just can not find happiness.
A friend or a loved one may say, “I just want you to be happy” after knowing about your struggles. yet, Jesus says 9 times in the Beatitudes or the attitudes that we are to be, “Blessed are…” The word “blessed” in each verse simply means happy. And in some translations, it actually says, “Happy are you…”God Wants Us To Be Happy and our happiness is found and revealed in Him.
The Passion Translation of 1 Peter 1:13 declares, “Prepare your hearts and minds for action! Stay alert and fix your hope firmly on the marvelous grace that is coming to you. For when Jesus Christ is unveiled, a greater measure of grace will be released to you.”
This greater measure of grace is further revealed by the truth of Matthew 5:8, in the Amplified Bible, “Blessed (happy, fortunate, and spiritually prosperous—possessing the happiness produced by the experience of God's favor and especially conditioned by the revelation of His grace, regardless of their outward conditions) are the pure in heart, for they shall see God!”
Invite a friend, family member or co-worker to join us as we continue to learn To "Think Like God Thinks" as we focus on the fact that "God Wants You To Be Happy Part 4."
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Happiness can be defined as an emotional state characterized by feelings of joy, satisfaction, contentment, fulfillment, and satisfaction in life. In parts one and two of this series of podcasts, we talked about the reality that Jesus was the happiest person to ever live based on the authority of God’s Word.
Proverbs chapter 8, verses 30-31, speaking of Jesus as Wisdom in TLB further supports the fact of Jesus’ happiness as He teaches us, "I was the craftsman at His side. I was His constant delight, always rejoicing in his presence. And how happy I was with what He created—His wide world and all his family of mankind! And so, young men, listen to me, for how happy are all who follow my (wisdom’s) instructions."
Each of the 9 Beatitudes of attitudes that we are to be in Matthew chapter 5 begins with “Blessed are…” The word “blessed” in each verse simply means happy. And in some translations, it actually says, “Happy are you…”
The Bible says in Matthew 5:2, that Jesus opened His mouth and taught them, saying, in other words, what is implied in this passage by Jesus is that we have to be taught to be happy.
In these challenging days that we are confronted with, someone may wonder how can I be happy? When we cooperate with God’s plan for our lives in accordance with the Beatitudes of Matthew chapter 5, Jesus says the same thing 9 different times, "Blessed, happy, and spiritually prosperous" are those that follow what I’m teaching.
In the latter portion of Matthew 5:6, Jesus says they shall be completely satisfied! Stay with us for the next several weeks as we continue to learn to "Think Like God Thinks" and the reality that God Wants You To Be Happy!
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In today’s podcast, we begin in Matthew chapter 5 in the Amplified version of the Beatitudes, where there are a total of 10 attitudes that we are to be. In psychology, an attitude refers to a set of emotions, beliefs, and behaviors toward a particular object, person, thing, or event.
Attitudes are often the result of experience or the way a person was raised, and our attitudes have a powerful influence over behavior. Attitudes can also be defined as a certain perspective or state of mind.
Each of the attitudes that we are to be begins with “Blessed are…” The word “blessed” in each verse simply means happy. And in some translations, it actually says, “Happy are you…”
In Matthew 5:2, The Bible says, "Jesus opened His mouth and taught them, saying..." In other words, what is implied in this passage by Jesus is that we have to be taught to be happy.
Invite a friend or family member to join us as we learn the reality of "God Wants You To Be Happy Part 2."
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One dictionary defines the word happy as, showing, or marked by pleasure, contentment, satisfaction, or joy. One question to be answered is who was the happiest person who ever lived? I submit to you that Jesus was the happiest person to ever live! Even through the rejection, lies, hatred, and hardships, He endured at the hands of the religious leaders that led to His crucifixion.
To be happy in this toxic, sin-sick, secular society in which we live, you and I must live by the fact that we are "accepted in the beloved" (Ephesians 1:6).
Furthermore, our identity is in His Divinity. We are created in His image and likeness to have dominion and not be dominated (Genesis 1:26-28) by our emotions or the people, pain, and pressures of life.
The Good News Translation of Psalm 92:10 becomes reality in the life of the believing believer. The writer of this Psalm declares, “You (God) have made me as strong as a wild ox; you have blessed me with happiness.” God wants you happy!
The Good News Translation of Proverbs 8:30, speaking of Wisdom, who is Jesus, says, “I was his daily source of joy, always happy in his presence."
Psalm 16:11 declares in the Easy To Read Version says, “You will teach me the right way to live. Just being with you will bring complete happiness. Being at your right side will make me happy forever.”
Invite a friend or co-worker to join us for principles and precepts from God's word as we continue to learn to Think Like God Thinks and the fact that "God Wants You to Be Happy!"
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The Apostle Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 15:46, “the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual.” Our primary passage from last week’s and today’s podcast is Romans chapter 8, verses, 5-6 in TPT, “Those who are motivated by the flesh only pursue what benefits themselves. But those who live by the impulses of the Holy Spirit are motivated to pursue spiritual realities. Verse 6, For the mind-set of the flesh is death, but the mind-set controlled by the Spirit finds life and peace.
The KJV of Romans 8, verse 5-6 declares, “they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.” Verse 6, “For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”
By flesh, Paul means the entirety of our humanness viewed as corrupt and unredeemed, ‘our fallen, egocentric human nature in Adam’, or our sin-dominated self’. By Spirit in this passage, Paul means the personal Holy Spirit Himself who now not only redeems us through Christ but also indwells the people of God (Romans 8:14). This tension between ‘flesh’ and ‘Spirit’ speaks to the irreconcilable, never-ending conflict with each other.
Join us and invite a friend or family member as we learn from the Apostle Paul, the converted murderer and slanderer, and persecutor of the Lord, who provides us with principles and precepts to this conflict concerning "Life in The Middle--Balancing the Natural and the Spiritual."
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It has often been said that we are spiritual beings having a human encounter. The Apostle Paul reminds us in 1 Corinthians 15:46, “the spiritual is not first, but the natural, and afterward the spiritual.” The Common English Bible version of 1st Corinthians 14:40 teaches us that “Everything should be done with dignity and in proper order.” Paul says in verse 33 of this 14th chapter "God is not the author of confusion.” Where there is chaos and confusion, God is not there. Where there is stress, struggle, and strain God is not there. Living life in this present day and age is full of stress, struggle, and strain naturally for many.
Yet with Jesus as Lord of our lives, spiritually He provides balance to our lives and the world in which we live for those that make Him Lord of their lives. There's no question that the world in which we live is out of balance.
The war in Ukraine is ongoing, and people dying needlessly. Political infighting between Republicans and Democrats in our nation’s capital. Over 140 mass shootings and 5 mass murders according to Business standard.com, in 2022 so far. According to the US State Department, 15,000 and 50,000 women and girls are victims of human and sex trafficking or modern-day slavery each year in the United States.
The KJV of Romans 8: 6 says, “to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.” To have a worldly, carnal, fleshly, mind and thoughts; means that person’s life is controlled by their own sinful desires; to be unspiritual. The carnal or natural mind is out of balance with the ways of the Lord. And it is important to know that you cannot balance what is out of order.
This is why Paul says in the Amplified Version of Romans 12:2, “Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].”
This is how we Balance The Natural and The Spiritual; Life In the Middle.
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There will always be times in life when we simply don't know what to do. After all the knowledge that we have acquired in life and ministry through elementary, junior high and high school, college, graduate school, postgraduate school and our professions, the knowledge that we have acquired….after all the many things that we know to be true, our names, who we are married to, the dates that our children were born, where we live, what we know to be true about ourselves, what still remains true for you and me is what do we do when we don't know what to do? Some of us have excelled academically, professionally, and financially... But what remains true for all of us is the question of What Do We Do When We Don't Know What to Do? Join us on today's for biblical principles and precepts that help us to answer this life-changing question.
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In Matthew 22:37, the Bible instructs us to "love the Lord, thy God, with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind." The word mind in this passage is the Greek word dianoia, which is more precisely translated as willpower or volition.
Romans 12:2 says, “Be not conformed to this world, but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God." Here, the original Greek word for mind is translated as nous, defined as “the seat of reflective consciousness, comprising the faculties of perception, understanding, feeling, judging and determining.”
The Amplified Version of 1 Corinthians 2:16b declares, “But we have the mind of Christ (the Messiah) and do hold the thoughts (feelings and purposes) of His heart.” The mind is also “that part of a person that makes it possible for him or her to think, feel, and understand things. The mental ability of knowing, understanding and moral reflection; the seat or place of emotions.”
According to the Amplified Version of Proverbs 20:27, “the spirit (conscience) of man is the lamp of the Lord, searching and examining all the innermost parts of his being.”
To ensure that we maintain the mind of Christ, there are days and circumstances that will require us to cleanse the clutter, chaos, and confusion of the world in which we live. In other words, we need to detox our minds. Invite a friend or family member to join us to discuss biblical principles and precepts on today's podcast, "A Detox of Your Mind To Renew Your Mind."
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A mentor can be anyone who has a positive, guiding influence on another person’s life; a trusted friend or advisor, those who help other people succeed and to become the best version of themselves. Ethnos (people-centered) Leadership, Overcoming Negative Thoughts--Think Like God Thinks, are the primary platforms by which we help those that are determined to continue growing as leaders to impact their work environments and the communities in which they live. As we apply the principles discovered in these teachings we authentically change lives "making a difference" one life at a time making our world a better place.
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One study by the National Organization for Women Foundation reports that at age thirteen, 53% of American girls are “unhappy with their bodies.” This grows to 78% by the time girls reach seventeen.
The study further reports that 50% of teens are “self-conscious” about their bodies; 26.2% report being “dissatisfied”. By age 60, 28.7% of women feel “dissatisfied” and 32.6% feel “self-conscious” about their bodies.
Studies at Stanford University and the University of Massachusetts found that 70% of college women say they feel worse about their own looks after reading women’s magazines.
And one of the greatest tragedies concerning these statistics is that many of these young teenage girls and women of all ages are in our families, churches and communities. But they suffer in silence with invisible pain. Uncertain as to how to heal themselves from the pain, because who can they trust with the silent and secret pain where people will not judge them or criticize them for their current position in life.
And it is important to note that for centuries, across the world, it has been a common assumption that women are more emotional than men; this is simply not true. The majority of men grow up from the time that we were little boys and if we fall down and scrape our knees, somebody would say get up from there and don't you cry... because big boys don't cry.
Therefore, this same mindset accompanies a young boy into adolescence and on into adulthood, where men internalize the struggles and emotional dilemmas and problems that they experience rather than express them. Therefore, men and women need to know that they matter and that there are answers from God in His word.
David declares in Psalm 46:1, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore, we will not fear”…1 John 4:18 teaches us that, “perfect love casts out fear.”
Join us and invite a friend as we discuss biblical principles and precepts that help us to know that "Because You Matter," no weapon that is formed against you shall be able to prosper (Isaiah 54:17).
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Last week was Palm Sunday, Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem and in just a couple of days, Christians all around the world will celebrate Resurrection Sunday!
This is the day that we celebrate the death, burial, and resurrection of the Lord Jesus Christ. In John’s Gospel chapter 12:13, the people, “took palm branches and went out to meet Him, and cried out: “Hosanna! ‘Blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord!’ The King of Israel!”
"Hosanna" is a term of praise that also carries with it a cry for salvation or help. The rule of the Romans had made life stifling and oppressive. As the people were shouting Hosanna in John 12:13, they were saying Lord help us, save us. The people looked at Jesus riding into Jerusalem on that Palm Sunday and saw the fulfillment of Psalm 118:24-26.
"This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it. Save now, I pray, O Lord; O Lord, I pray, send now prosperity. Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!"
Prosperity in this passage means to succeed, to be profitable, to push forward. As the people were shouting Hosanna on Palm Sunday in Jerusalem that day they were, in essence, saying you have come to help us, save us, and prosper usso Blessings on the king of Israel!”
Because of His great love for us God the Father sent His son Jesus to save us, help us, and to prosper us as his people. Therefore, we can shout for the victory and shout because we have been set free! “He whom the Son has set free, is free indeed” (John 8:32).
Invite a family or friend to join us for today's podcast, “The Strength and Purpose of Hosanna!”
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Not too long ago, I received a phone call from a person and that person was stressed, distressed, and upset! And after just a few minutes of conversation, after hanging up the phone with this person, who was obviously stressed, distressed and upset, somebody that I know loves God, had been robbed of their peace. There was no peace in this person's mind.
In the conversation that I had with this person, the cause of their stress and distress was rooted in people. No matter where we go or what we do, people always factor into our daily routine.
As we consider a factor or factors for the purpose of this podcast, it can be defined as circumstances, or conditions, that brings about a result or outcome. A factor can also be an element or something that makes a thing what it is. Factors can be positive or negative. It depends on the circumstances of the elements that produce the result or outcome, which can be negative or positive.
In Job chapter 32 we have 4 people that factor into or are central to today’s podcast. There is a question that was being discussed by Job and his 3 friends and the question, in essence, was why would God allow so much suffering?
Join us and invite a friend or family member as we look to God's word as we continue to learn how to Think More Like God Thinks!
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A mindset is simply a mind that is set. Our minds can be set in the past and the most important thing to understand and remember about the past is just that, it's in the past. There is nothing that we can do about yesterday. Yesterday has gone on into history with its memories, successes, and yes, even our failures.
Vince Lombardi, the former coach of the NFL’s Green Bay Packers in the late 1960's once told his team, “Perfection is not attainable, but if we chase perfection, we can catch excellence.” Lombardi also told his team that “the difference between a successful person and others is not a lack of strength, not a lack of knowledge, but rather a lack of will.
To reset our minds is a matter of our will. To reset our minds is to also refresh our minds, which means “to be made new, renewed, readjusted, changed, or turned around” in the original Greek. In addition, to refresh is “to give intermission from labor, to give rest, to cause to cease.”
Jesus renewed, refreshed, and changed the mind (thoughts) of a man that was possessed in the town of Gadara. The demon-possessed man went from dwelling in tombs, naked, cutting himself, and constantly crying out to sitting and clothed in his right mind (Mark 5:1-13).
This man in Mark's gospel was given rest from demonic, negative thoughts because Jesus reset His mind and clothed him with the right mind, the right way of thinking.
Does your mind need to be reset? Invite a friend or family member to join us as we continue to learn to "Think Like God Thinks" with principles and precepts from God's word in today's podcast, "A Mindset of Reset-Part 1."
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Today's podcast, "Guarding The Gate of The Heart Part 2," begins with the ICB translation of Proverbs 4:23, “Be very careful about what you think. Your thoughts run your life.” In this context, the word run carries the meaning of governor or in control.
As Christians, this is a place where we do not want to be where our thoughts govern or are in control of our lives. Neuroscientists and neuropsychologists tell us that we have anywhere from 60 to 80,000 thoughts a day and half of them are negative.
Our thoughts are connected to our emotions and our emotions are connected to our actions therefore we do not want our negative thoughts or emotions to run, govern or control our lives. Romans 8: 14 reminds us, "they that are led by the Spirit they are the sons of God."
Proverbs 23:7a states, “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” The word think here in Proverbs 23:7 means “to act as a gatekeeper” in the original Hebrew. A gate is an entryway designed to let things in or keep things out. Our eyes and ears act as gates or entryways to our entire body.
What the eyes see, and the ears hear affect our thinking and then impact our entire being. Many believe that the primary entryway to our soul (mind, emotions, and will) is through the eye-gate and the ear-gate.
Naturally, character can be defined as the stuff that makes something what it is. If you're currently sitting in a chair or driving in your car, the character of your seat may include wood, metal, a foam cushion, screws and perhaps plastic. The stuff that makes the chair a chair. When a person is said to have good character, it all comes down to a person’s core values and to their motivations for acting as they do.
When we talk about the character of God we are speaking of the supernatural nature and substance of God that becomes the gate guard to our thinking. God‘s character is the foundation for us to live and become the very nature of Hebrews 1:3 where the writer says of Jesus, “Who being the brightness of his glory, and the "express image"(character) of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power”…
By the presence and power of the Holy Spirit abiding with us, we become more than conquerors all the days of our lives. Invite a friend or family member to join us as we discuss principles and precepts of "Character: The Gate Guard of The Heart Part 2."
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“Be very careful about what you think. Your thoughts run your life” (Proverbs 4:23, ICB)
Proverbs 23:7a states, “As a man thinks in his heart, so is he.” Think can mean “to act as a gatekeeper” in the original Hebrew. A gate is an entry way designed to let things in or keeps things out. Our eyes and ears act as gates or entry ways to our entire body.
What the eyes see, and the ears hear affect our thinking and then impact our entire being. Many believe that the primary entryway to our soul (mind, emotions, and will) is through the eye-gate and the ear-gate.
Which are two of our primary senses as human being. The other three being touch, smell and taste. Our five senses gather information that is interpreted by our brains that provide mental images of what we experience with any of the senses.
Where again many believe that the eye gate and the ear-gate serves as the primary pathway to our, mind (thinking), emotions, and will. It is important that we guard these gates because they impact us significantly daily. Invite a friend or family member to join us for our discussion of "Guarding the Gate Of Your Heart Part 1."
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Jesus said to His disciples in John 13:17 “If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them." This statement is made by Jesus to His disciples after He taught them how to serve people by "washing their feet." In other words, do what I have shown you and told you to do and you will be happy!
The word happy in John 13:17 can also be translated as blessed, or one who is privileged or favored because divine favor has been bestowed on him or her.
The Founding Fathers of our nation were not perfect men, but I believe they were inspired, men. And it was God that inspired them to write our Declaration of Independence which is the foundation of our nation with certain unalienable, undeniable, irrevocable rights that include, life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.
In a world deeply fragmented by religious beliefs, ethnicity, racial tensions, class distinctions, unequal access to education, and basic health care for many, what everybody wants is to be happy. Everybody, whether they believe in God or not, seek to live out the idea of happiness. It was Benjamin Franklin that said, “The Constitution only guarantees the American people the right to pursue happiness,” but then Franklin added, “you have to catch it yourself.”
Child of God, If you are not happy as Jesus said in John 13:17, the question then becomes, why are you not happy? Join us and invite a friend as we discuss principles and precepts from God's word that carry us to the state and condition in life and ministry that Jesus said we should be. And that is to be happy!
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The Evangelical Dictionary of Biblical Theology defines joy as “happiness over an unanticipated or present good.” The Dictionary of Bible Themes defines happiness as “a state of pleasure or joy experienced both by people and by God.” Happiness is joy and joy is happiness.
Depending on the translation, the Bible uses the words happy and happiness about 30 times, while joy and rejoice appear over 300 times. Jesus told His disciples in John 13:17, “If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.”
This statement is made by Jesus to His disciples after He taught them how to serve people by "washing their feet." In other words, do what I have shown you and told you to do and you will be happy!
If God's desire is for us to be happy, why are there so many unhappy people in the church? The answer is if we "Think Like God Thinks," we will experience the happiness in life and ministry that the Lord desires for us by serving others.
Invite a friend or family member to join us as we discuss: "The Pursuit of Happiness ."
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Marcus Aurelius, Roman Emperor, 161-180 A.D. “The things you think about determine the quality of your mind. Your soul takes on the color of your thoughts.” David, the man after God's own heart one day spotted Bathsheba bathing while walking upon his rooftop and then summoned her to his palace to sleep with her although she was married to Uriah, one of his soldiers. David then had Uriah killed in battle to cover his sins (1 Samuel 13:14; 2 Samuel 11:2; 2 Samuel 23:39). The color of David’s thoughts and soul was the catalyst for his sin.
A precept or life lesson that we learn from David is that if we allow our soul to be in control, then our soul will negatively influence our thoughts. In turn, negative thoughts will color our actions and conduct with potentially devastating consequences.
It is also important to note that David repented and declared, “Create in me a new, clean heart, O God, filled with clean thoughts and right desires” (Psalm 51:10, TLB). At this point, the color of David’s thoughts and the pattern of his thinking were reshaped by repentance and accountability so that he was brought back to the attributes of quality thinking. The quality or color of our thoughts also reflects our values.
When we are determined to Think Like God Thinks, we are better able to defeat and overcome negative thoughts that have the potential of destroying our witness of righteousness in representation of the Lord Himself.
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In the latter portion of Luke 17:21, Jesus says “behold, the kingdom of God is within you.” Knowing that the Kingdom of God is within us is knowing that the Lord has granted us Kingdom authority and dominion.
The word dominion means “rule or power over.” David reinforces this truth in the CSB version of Psalms 8:6 where he declares, “You made him (man) ruler over the works of your hands; you put everything under his feet."
A Kingdom mindset is a mind that is set, fixed, or established in the Kingdom of God. We set and fix our minds on the Kingdom by operating in the authority given to us, utilizing the keys.
Jesus says to Peter in Matthew 16:18, "I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock (The Rock is His Kingdom) I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.”
Join us and invite a friend as we continue in "The Battle For A Kingdom Mindset," which is the authority and dominion of God operating in and through our lives.
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A kingdom mindset is a mind that is ruled by God, governed by His perspective, will, purposes, plans, and desires.
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A kingdom mindset is also a fixed mental attitude that includes our emotions, beliefs, and behavior.
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A kingdom mindset is also a person’s predetermined response to life’s situations based on the rule and authority of the King.
A mindset may be simply defined as a mind that is set or fixed on. The Apostle Paul declares in Romans 7:25, "a renewed mind that is fixed on, set on and submitted to God’s righteous principles.” This is a mindset.
A mindset may be further defined as our collection of thoughts and beliefs that shape us. How we think, what we feel, and what we do is really who we are. Therefore, Proverbs 23:7 reminds us, "as a man or a woman thinks, that is who we really are."
To "Think Like God Thinks" is a battle that, with the help of the Lord, we can win every day of our lives! Invite a friend, a family member, or a co-worker to join us for principles and precepts from God's word that help us to win "The Battle for A Kingdom Mindset."
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Jesus said in John 6:35 in the Message Bible, “I am the Bread of Life. The person who aligns with me hungers no more and thirsts no more, ever.
Just as your car runs more smoothly and requires less energy to go faster and farther when the wheels are in perfect alignment, you and I live better when our thoughts, feelings, emotions, and values are in balance or in alignment. An out-of-balance life is a life that invites stress, struggle and strain.
So Jesus tells us in John 6:35, in the MSG Bible, "The person who aligns with me hungers no more and thirst no more ever." The hunger and the thirst within us all is a balanced life or alignment for our God-given assignment.
Alignment for our assignment means that God wants to change the pattern of our thinking by realigning our thought life. If our thinking is straight, our life and ministry will be straightened out.
Invite and share with a friend or family member today's podcast, "Alignment For Our Assignment", as we continue to learn to "Think Like God Thinks."
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Virtues can be defined as “conformity of life and conduct with the principles of morality.” When Paul said in Philippians 4:8, “if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” The word virtue in this passage means moral goodness, uprightness. Walking in and practicing a virtuous mindset is the platform for praise that we are to think on.
We are often not what we think we are, but we are always what we think. We are the product of our thoughts. "As he thinketh in his heart, so is he"(Proverbs 23:7). If we do not control our thought life, our life is out of control.
Someone has said, "Sow a thought, reap an act; sow an act, reap a habit; sow a habit, reap a destiny." It all begins with the way that we think (Isaiah 55:8-9). The word "think” means to consider, reflect, reason, meditate and ponder. The idea is to focus our thoughts until they shape our behavior, by learning to “Think More Like God Thinks ”and become more like God in His character and virtue.
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Paul says in the AMP version of Ephesians 4:1, “So I, the prisoner for the Lord, appeal to you to live a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called [that is, to live a life that exhibits godly character, moral courage, personal integrity, and mature behavior—a life that expresses gratitude to God for your salvation].”
To live a life that exhibits godly character, moral courage, personal integrity, and mature behavior is a roadmap, a compass for living a carefree life in obedience to the call of God that further answers and defines Paul's why. Why am I here? Why did God call me to ministry?
The answer from Ephesians 4:1 is to live a life that exhibits godly character, moral courage, personal integrity, and mature behavior as a prisoner of the Lord. The word prisoner means a captive, one who has been arrested and held in custody.
When you become focused on your call as Paul expressed in Ephesians 4:1, you will have no question about why you are getting up each day and what needs to be accomplished today because you are a captive and held in the custody of your purpose...further answering your why.
Dr. Myles Monroe, in his book on Becoming Leader, states that “sleep becomes almost an interruption of your purpose.” Without knowing your purpose, without knowing your why, a person will be unclear about what they want out of life and become prone to wasting time on futile endeavors.
This can leave a person confused and cause a lack of confidence in their decisions and choices in life and in ministry, wasting time, energy, and effort, because they have not clearly defined their why that prohibits that person from living a carefree life.
Invite a friend to join us in today's podcast entitled, "Living A Carefree Life Part 3--Defining Your Why."
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The pathway to taking your life back, living a carefree life, includes Paul’s admonition to the church at Corinth. He states in the NLT, of 2 Cor. 13:5, “Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith."
Where there is separation and disconnection, you will find confusion and deception. This includes examining the warehouse of our minds that is cluttered with toxic, negative thoughts and experiences that have been stored for decades dripping and leaking into your day-to-day life. We must examine ourselves.
Many of those toxic negative thoughts and experiences are designed to pull us down in life like quicksand. Living authentically, deciding to take your life back includes identifying those things, those people, those thoughts with the help of the Holy Spirit to eliminate that which holds you back and holds you down.
Therefore, God says in the Message Bible of Romans 12:1-2, “Take your everyday, ordinary life—your sleeping, eating, going-to-work, and walking-around life—and place it before God as an offering. Embracing what God does for you is the best thing you can do for him. Don’t become so well-adjusted to your culture that you fit into it without even thinking. Instead, fix your attention on God. You’ll be changed from the inside out. Readily recognize what he wants from you, and quickly respond to it. Unlike the culture around you, always dragging you down to its level of immaturity, God brings the best out of you, develops well-formed maturity in you.”
Invite a friend or co-worker as we continue to learn to "Think More Like God Thinks," by casting all of our cares upon Him, because He cares for us (1 Peter 5:7).
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The Apostle Peter says to us in 1 Peter 5:7 in the NIV, "Cast all your cares on him because he cares for you."
The NIV version of 1 Peter 5:5 teaches us, “you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because, God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.”
Humility as a virtue is rarely discussed in our society or even many churches as being valuable to life and ministry. Virtues are qualities of moral goodness and excellence, qualities that we aspire to.
Virtues are further regarded as qualities of the mind, the will, and the heart that instill strength of character and stability of personality, assisting us to Think More Like God Thinks.
This 4 part series began with Psalm 91:1, which declares, “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty." A secret is that which is concealed, unrevealed, known only to a few.
In this podcast, we discuss principles and precepts that reveal a path to living a "Carefree Life by Dwelling in The Secret Place of Psalm 91." Invite a friend or family member to follow God's desire for us to live a carefree life because He cares for us.
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The world seen through the eyes of faith is a world in which each one of us — along with everything that happens to us — has meaning. The Message Bible version of Jeremiah 29:11 God says, “I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.”
The dictionary defines expectancy as the state of thinking or hoping, a strong belief that something will happen in the future. Jesus said in Matthew 9:29, “According to your faith, so be it unto you.” Jesus was saying that you and I shall receive from God in direct proportion to the level of our expectancy.
Synergy is two or more things working together in order to create something that is bigger or greater than the sum of their individual efforts. The synergy of expectancy and faith, dwelling in the secret place of Psalm 91 enables us to "Think Like God Thinks." Positioning us to overcome the challenges of people, pain, pressure and problems of the present year as we go intothe New Year (Isaiah 55:8-9).
Invite a friend, family member or co-worker to join us for "The Synergy of Expectancy and Faith--Dwelling In the Secret Place Part 3."
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Our primary passage for today's podcast is Psalm 91: 1, “He that abides in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty."
In the 13th verse, of Jeremiah 29, God says, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart." The "a" portion of verse 14 declares," I will be found by you, declares the LORD.”
To dwell in the secret place means that we have discovered what David declares in Psalm 32:7 in the Common English Bible, speaking of his relationship with God, David says, “You are my secret hideout! You protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of rescue! Selah”
A secret is something not revealed, or understood. That which is concealed or known by only a few. The Amplified Version of Psalm 27:5 declares, “For in the day of trouble He will hide me in His shelter; In the secret place of His tent He will hide me; He will lift me up on a rock.”
Dwelling in the secret place of the Most High abiding under the shadow of the Almighty, is where the blueprints of living a successful human life are discovered.
And one path that we have to discover and dwell in the Secret Place of the Most High is through the truth of Proverbs 21:21 in the NIV, which declares, “He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.”
Invite a friend, a family member, or coworker to join us for Part 2 of Dwelling In The Secret Place.
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God extends an invitation to us in Psalm 91:1. "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty." Notice that God does not invite us to visit. The promise is to those who “dwell” there. To “dwell” means we live there. The secret place is to become our permanent address.
In today's podcast, we suggest that a roadmap for dwelling in the secret place is Proverbs 21:21 in the New International Version. “He who pursues righteousness and love finds life, prosperity and honor.” Pursuing and living the truths of Proverbs 21:21, is further seen as the will and ways of God for us means to run after; to seek eagerly and earnestly. In Jeremiah 29:13-14a inthe New International Version,God says, “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart and I will be found by you," declares the LORD.”
To pursue also carries the idea of aiming at and never giving up until the goal has been reached or obtained. In the Common English Bible translation of Philippians 3:12, the Apostle Paul says, “It’s not that I have already reached this goal or have already been perfected, but I pursue it, so that I may grab hold of it because Christ grabbed hold of me for just this purpose.”
Psalm 32:7 in the Common English Bible declares, “You are my secret hideout! You protect me from trouble. You surround me with songs of rescue! Selah” MSG Bible version of Psalm 32:7 says, “God’s my island hideaway, keeps danger far from the shore, throws garlands of hosannas around my neck!
The Amplified Version of Psalm 27:5 declares, “For in the day of trouble He will hide me in His shelter; In the secret place of His tent He will hide me; He will lift me up on a rock.”
In other words, God invites each of us to join Him in, to dwell in the secret place for the rest of our lives.
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Proverbs 23: 7 declares, “that as a man or woman thinks, that is who we really are.” Our thought life, the way that we think, is an inseparable aspect of our human existence. Neuroscientists and neuropsychologists tell us that we have anywhere from 60 to 80,000 thoughts a day and half of those thoughts are negative.
And as we stated in last week's podcast, you don't have to be a negative person to have negative thoughts. Negative experiences with people, negative experiences on the job, even negative experiences with family members will produce negative thoughts.
Our lives move in the direction of our thoughts, like a current in a river, moving us either closer or farther away from becoming the best version of you that God has desired you to be. If you want to change your life, you and I must begin by changing our thoughts.
Our primary focus for today’s podcast is a portion of what Paul taught Timothy as his son in the faith and as a young pastor of the church at Ephesus.
In 2nd Timothy 1:5 in the NLT, Paul says of Timothy, “I remember your genuine faith, for you share the faith that first filled your grandmother, Lois, and your mother, Eunice. And I know that same faith continues strong in you.”
However, and whatever Timothy thought about himself, Paul now reminds him in 1 Timothy 6:11, "you are a man of God." And the man or woman of God is to pursue 6 things: righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness." (1 Timothy 6:11)
You and I can do all things through Christ that strengthens us in righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness (meekness). Thinking from this perspective influences our living that makes a difference in the lives of others for the glory of God.
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Proverbs 23: 7 states that "as a man or woman thinks, that is who we really are." Our thought life, the way that we think, is an inseparable component of our existence. Neuroscientists and neuropsychologists tell us that we have anywhere from 60 to 80,000 thoughts a day and half of those thoughts are negative!
You don't have to be a negative person to have negative thoughts. Negative experiences with people, negative experiences on the job, even negative experiences with family members will produce negative thoughts.
As powerful as our thoughts are, changing our lives includes changing our thinking, which can be extremely difficult. Our lives move in the direction of our thoughts, like a current in a river; moving us either closer or farther away from becoming the best version of us that God has desired us to be.
If you want to change your life, "To Think More Like God Thinks," you and I must begin by changing our thoughts. To do so, the process begins in Philippians 2:5, the New Century Version, “In your lives, you must think and act like Christ Jesus.”
Henry Ford once stated, "if you think you can or you think you can't--you're right." All things are possible if you only believe (Mark 9:23).
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Our primary passage of Scripture for today’s podcast of Harnessing Hope is centered upon Hebrews 10:23-25 (AMP) “So let us seize and hold fast and retain, without wavering, the hope we cherish and confess and our acknowledgment of it, for He Who promised is reliable (sure) and faithful to His word. And let us consider and give attentive, continuous care to watching over one another, studying how we may stir up (stimulate and incite) to love and helpful deeds and noble activities….”
In today’s podcast, we want to focus on seizing and holding fast and retaining without wavering the hope we cherish and confess. To seize is to grasp suddenly and forcibly, to take possession of. To hold fast carries the meaning of being diligent, to cling to. Holding fast is a non-compromising conscientiousness in grasping a thing. To retain is to keep and maintain possession of something, and for us today it is hope.
Our hope in God is the anchor for our soul. The word "anchor” refers to the anchor used by ships to hold the ship in a certain place. The anchor keeps it from floating aimlessly about and being damaged or sunk by floating upon the rocks.
What an anchor provides for a ship, hope provides for the soul. Hope believes in a future that is greater, or better, than what is currently seen. It is the possibility of “that which is to come” that harnessed hope holds on to.
Harnessed hope, the ability to use the power of hope (strength/ability) given to us by God, cannot slip and hope cannot be broken when we hold onto the promise of God’s word.
Dr. Gregory L. Cruell
God Thinkers (Isaiah 55:8-9)
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As we speak of Harnessing Hope, what this means for us as God’s people, is that we have the ability to gain control, to use the power of hope (strength/ability) given to us by the promises of God’s Word.
Our primary passage of scripture for today’s podcast of Harnessing Hope is centered in the AMP version of Hebrews 6:19 where the Bible declares, “This hope [this confident assurance] we have as an anchor of the soul [it cannot slip and it cannot break down under whatever pressure bears upon it]—a safe and steadfast hope that enters within the veil [of the heavenly temple, that most Holy Place in which the very presence of God dwells].”
Hope is absolutely essential for human beings to have a meaningful life, enjoying life and not simply enduring life. This hope [this confident assurance] we have as an anchor of the soul that cannot slip and it cannot break down under whatever pressures of life arise.
As you and I harness this hope, there is nothing that we cannot do. Nothing that we cannot overcome, because like love, hope never fails.
Dr. Gregory L. Cruell
God Thinkers (Isaiah 55:8-9)
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In 1 Timothy 4: 6-8, in the Living Bible, The Apostle Paul says, “Don’t waste time arguing over foolish ideas and silly myths and legends. Spend your time and energy in the exercise of keeping spiritually fit. Bodily exercise is all right, but spiritual exercise is much more important and is a tonic for all you do. So exercise yourself spiritually, and practice being a better Christian, because that will help you not only now in this life, but in the next life too.”
Exercising ourselves to be spiritually fit means that we train to respond, and not react to problems or circumstances that we are confronted with. Many act out of our emotions without the benefit of the mind of Christ.
In so doing, due to our emotions, we potentially react negatively, rather than respond spiritually by exercising the mind of Christ. The word exercise in the original Greek is gym-na-zō, which means to train the body or the mind. Gym-na-zo is where we get our English word gymnastics; or, bodily exercise.
Bodily exercise Paul says is all right, but what he is teaching here is that we need to learn how to exercise ourselves in spiritual matters. Paul further says Philippians 3:12, “I’m trying to apprehend that which has apprehended me.”
In the Living Bible translation of Philippians 3:12, Paul says, “I don’t mean to say I am perfect. I haven’t learned all I should even yet, but I keep working toward that day when I will finally be all that Christ saved me for and wants me to be.”
Exercising ourselves in godliness prepares us to respond and not react to people, pain, pressure, or problems that confront us. We can live a healthy, spiritually fit life in this world, becoming all that the Lord wants us to be. This is what assures us of living our best life now because we are spiritually fit!
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The Voice Translation of Ecclesiastes 3:1 declares, “For everything that happens in life—there is a season, a right time for everything under heaven.”
Solomon begins this chapter by stating a very basic fact that many of us do not consider: There is a time or season for everything, and also a time for every purpose or activity in our lives on the earth.
Think about this statement for a moment; it is one that is often quoted, but seldom fully understood. First, he was saying that our lives include a variety of activities and experiences.
Our time on earth is marked by diversity and change. Second, Solomon was emphasizing that the variety of events and experiences in life are ordered and appointed by God. A person’s life is a variety of experiences, activities, and events controlled by God. Good, bad, and sometimes ugly.
In Jeremiah 29:11, the Message Bible God says, “I know what I’m doing. I have it all planned out—plans to take care of you, not abandon you, plans to give you the future you hope for.”
Things do not happen by chance. Fate does not determine the days of our lives or what occurs in those days. God has a specific purpose and plan, to give you the future you hope for and the events of our lives are in accordance with that plan.
Invite a friend or family member as we share principles and precepts about "The Value of Our Time."
Dr. Gregory L. Cruell
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To have the time of your life, Psalm 90:12 declares, “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.” Psalm 90:12 can also be translated, “make us know the number of our days, giving us a heart of wisdom. We all know a lot of things, but we don’t know the number of our days.
If we knew that we had 7 days, 5 days, or 1 day left to live, what would we do differently? Would we spend more time with our family and friends? Would we treat people differently if we knew the number of our days?
Moses prayed to God for help, to gain a heart of wisdom, this literally means to “be skillful and practical, mastering the art of living” …
Living the life I love and loving the life that I live. This is mastering the art of living, numbering our days by a vision of our lives from God. Proverbs 29:18 says, “Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he.” The word law parallels vision. In other words, the vision that God gives is an intended blessing to you if you keep it hold onto it, and believe in it.
Life, the God kind of life is intended to be enjoyed, not endured. The Lord reminds us in the Passion Translation of John 10:10, “A thief has only one thing in mind—he wants to steal, slaughter, and destroy. But I have come to give you everything in abundance, more than you expect —life in its fullness until you overflow!”
This is the time of your life. Living life in all of its fullness through Jesus Christ until you overflow.
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Our lives are governed by time. This is the reason why we're surrounded by clocks and calendars that help us to know where we are going and what we are doing on any given day or time. When responsibilities and pressures mount, many become frustrated by the pressures of life and proclaim, "I just don't have time to get it all done!"
As the minutes, hours, days, weeks, months, and years of life tick by, we may wonder what happened to the last 10, 20, or 30 years? And in a sense, our life on earth is like a ticking clock, but our new life in Christ will never stop, never end, because we live in eternity (John 3:16).
God has given us enough time to do exactly what He's planned for our lives here on earth (Jeremiah 29:11). Perhaps the bigger issue is whether we are using our time to do our will or the Lord's will?
Time is a gift from God, and He has allotted each of us the means in which to live and accomplish His purposes. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 reminds us, “There is a time for everything and a season for every activity under the heavens."
Since time can never be retrieved or reversed, it's critical that we make the most of every opportunity the Lord provides. Jesus was given just thirty-three years of life on earth, but only the last three were invested in fulfilling His ministry.
Yet Jesus accomplished everything His Father gave Him to do in the time that he had in life on the earth. That's why on the cross He could say, "It is finished" (John 19:30). Jesus did not manage His time, He fulfilled the purpose of His time.
Invite a friend or family member to join us for today's podcast, " Your Life Is Your Time."
Dr. Gregory L Cruell
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In Matthew chapter 11, the Message Bible, the 28th through the 30th verse, Jesus asks the crowd 3 questions. “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it.
Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”Within the invitation of Matthew 11 that Jesus gave to the crowd that day to learn the unforced rhythms of grace, there was then, as it is now, a cadence to life and ministry, a pattern for life in Him.
A cadence is a rhythmic sequence or flow of sounds in language or communication. Rhythm may also be defined as a regular, repeated pattern of events or activities. Unforced can be defined as free-flowing, deliberately designed, unconstrained, free. Life is best lived in the right "rhythm" of God's grace.
Invite a friend or family member to join in for today's podcast as we continue to learn how to "THINK LIKE GOD THINKS" by learning the "Unforced Rhythms of Grace."
Dr.Gregory L. Cruell
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In the Living Bible version of 1 Timothy 4:8, Paul says to his son in the faith Timothy, "Bodily exercise is all right, but spiritual exercise is much more important and is a tonic for all you do. So exercise yourself spiritually, and practice being a better Christian, because that will help you not only now in this life, but in the next life too.”
Athletics or sports have always been an important aspect of ancient and modern-day society. So Paul says to Timothy in the 8th verse, Bodily exercise is all right, but spiritual exercise is much more important and is a tonic for all you do. So exercise yourself spiritually, and practice being a better Christian. This further means that as we practice being better Christians, we train to respond spiritually and not react emotionally.
Naturally, many of us act out of our emotions without the benefit of the mind of Christ. In so doing, due to our emotions, we react naturally, rather than respond spiritually by exercising the mind of Christ.
The word exercise is the Greek word, "gym-na-zō," which means to train the body or the mind. Gym-na-zo is where we get our English word gymnastics; or, bodily exercise. Bodily exercise, Paul says, is all right, profits a little, but what Paul is teaching here is that we need to learn how to exercise ourselves, to respond to life’s matters spiritually rather than react naturally or emotionally.
Invite a family member or friend to listen to today's podcast, "Pressing Towards Spiritual Maturity," as we continue to learn to THINK LIKE GOD THINKS.
Dr. Gregory L. Cruell
God Thinkers (Isaiah 55:8-9)
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In the Message Bible, Matthew 11:28-30, Jesus asks 3 questions. “Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it.
Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.”
In this passage of Scripture, Jesus provides us a cadence to life and ministry, a pattern for successful living. A cadence is a rhythmic sequence or flow of sounds in language or communication. A cadence is also the beat, time, or measurement of rhythmical motion or activity.
Rhythm may also be defined as a regular, repeated pattern of events, activities, or music’s pattern in time. In music theory, rhythm refers to the recurrence of notes and rests (silences) in time. When a series of notes and rests repeats, it forms a rhythmic pattern.
Unforced can be defined as free-flowing, deliberately designed, unconstrained; free. As God's people, if we are not in the Unforced Rhythms of Grace, we are out of alignment and need realignment.
When we live in the Unforced Rhythms of His Grace, this is where we get away with Him to "recover our lives and learn how to take a real rest" (Matthew 11:29). To recover is to return to a normal state of health, mind, or strength.
Most of us have learned that life is not a playground but a battleground. Invite a family member or friend to listen as we learn how to walk in the Unforced Rhythms of God's Grace for successful living and ministry.
Dr. Gregory L. Cruell
God Thinkers (Isaiah 55:8-9)
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Ephesians 4:23 says to us, “And be renewed in the spirit of your mind.” To be renewed means to be made new, readjusted, changed, turned around, and regenerated. It is a process of spiritual renewal. In Ephesians 4:23, Paul is saying to the church that the mind of man has been infected by the world’s way of thinking and conduct and needs to be made new.
We live in a very troubled world. Acts of violence and crime are commonplace and we live in a society full of toxic people and toxic experiences that impact and influence our minds by the trauma and drama of these realities.
Paul reminds the church that the mind is far from perfect. The Living Bible translation of Ephesians 4:23 says, “Now your attitudes and thoughts must all be constantly changing for the better. In verse 24 the Bible then says, “You must be a new and different person, holy and good. Clothe yourself with this new nature” (character).
Jesus tells us in the NIV of John 8:12, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life.” Light always dispels darkness. Darkness is also a sign and symbol of uncertainty, unawareness, unclearness, what we cannot see.
In the ESV of John 1:5, Jesus further declares that as the light He
“shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.” Light is always stronger than darkness. And Jesus reminds us as His people, when you don’t know the way, in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.”
As God Thinkers, the Lord always shows us the way because He is the truth and He gives us life and that more abundantly (John 10:10). Others will see our light and by letting our light shine, we help others to come out of their darkness.
Dr. Gregory L. Cruell
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Failure is simply not an easy topic of discussion in our success-oriented society. It may be due to one’s own emotional experiences (not easy to talk about) embarrassment and perceived perceptions of others that make this topic difficult to discuss.
Dictionary.com defines failure as “a lack of success; a subnormal quantity or quality; an insufficiency.” People, companies, and organizations of all types, athletes, professional sports teams, Hollywood, musicians, recording stars, all and rightly so, focus attention on success and not failure.
In 1711 it was Alexander Pope in An Essay on Criticism that stated: “to error is human; to forgive is divine.” Herbert V. Prochnow quoted Pope slightly differently. Prochnow said, “to error may be human, but to admit it isn’t."
What do we do when we fail? Invite a friend to listen to today's podcast: The Other Side of Failure for principles and precepts that will help us to make a difference in someone's life; answering the question of what to do not if we fail, but when we fail.
Dr. Gregory L. Cruell
God Thinkers (Isaiah 55:8-9)
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The Apostle Paul says to the church at Corinth in 2 Cor. 13:5, RSV--“Examine yourselves, to see whether you are holding to your faith. Test yourselves. Do you not realize that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!”
No matter your age or occupation, it seems like we will always be confronted with unexpected challenges or tests in life. You receive an audit notice from the IRS—a test of trust or lack of trust in the government. You misplace your keys---a test of patience.
Your neighbor is blasting music so loud it is shaking your dishes in the kitchen---a test of community relations. You receive a mediocre performance review on your job—a test of believing in yourself and loyalty. It never ends.
Although we cannot choose most of the tests we face in life, we can choose how we’re going to face them. Examine yourselves, to see whether you are holding to your faith. Test yourselves. Do you not realize that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!”
No matter the test that we face or encounter, Jesus as the Person in our Personality says to us today as He said to the Apostle Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you.”
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This is Part 2 of a four-part series entitled The Person In our Personality. When we peel back the outer layer of an orange or banana, what we are really after is what's on the inside. When we consider what is on the inside of us all, there is a unique person with a unique personality made in the image of God.
It is important to note that there is no right or wrong personality. No personality is better than any other. We are spiritual beings having a human encounter. Therefore, it is important that we understand our natural personality as well as the personality of Christ within us.
Where Jesus sits on the throne of our lives displaying His character, His personality having the preeminence…governing our lives in all things, and at all times. Which includes our thinking, our speech, conduct, and our behavior.
The Passion Translation of Colossians 1:27 declares, “Living within you is the Christ who floods you with the expectation of glory! This mystery of Christ, embedded within us, becomes a heavenly treasure chest of hope filled with the riches of glory for his people, and God wants everyone to know it!”
When we allow Jesus to be the Person in our personality, we receive a rich inheritance and legacy. He made us the way that we are with our unique personality, to carry a treasure chest of hope filled with the riches of glory for His people wherever we go.
Dr. Gregory L. Cruell, God Thinkers (Isaiah 55:8-9)
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Today’s podcast is part 1 of The Person in Our Personality. Paul says to the church at Corinth in 2 Cor. 13:5, RSV-- “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are holding to your faith. Test yourselves. Do you not realize that Jesus Christ is in you?—unless indeed you fail to meet the test!”
To get to the fruit of an orange, or tangerine, we have to first peel back what is on the outside to get to what is on the inside. When it comes to that orange or tangerine, most of us are not even concerned about the outside, because what we want is underneath that outer layer.
So Paul says to the church at Corinth, test yourselves, peel back the outside of self and find out if you really are true to the faith that we confess is on the inside.
In other words, the person in your personality, in my personality, after we peel back the outer layer of who we are, we ought to see Christ; ensuring that the personality of Christ is on a page all by Himself.
Where Jesus sits on the throne of our lives displaying His character, His personality having the preeminence…governing our lives in all things, at all times. Which includes our thinking, our speech, conduct and our behavior.
TPT of Colossians 1:27 declares, “Living within you is the Christ who floods you with the expectation of glory! This mystery of Christ, embedded within us, becomes a heavenly treasure chest of hope filled with the riches of glory for his people, and God wants everyone to know it!”
When we allowed Jesus to be the person in our personality, we receive a rich inheritance and legacy. He made us the way that we are with our unique personality traits.
But every day of our lives we must allow Jesus as the person of our personality to be the center and circumference, the base and the boundary, the beauty and the balance, the sum and the substance of all that we are... in other words, It’s All About Jesus, that's what it's all about!
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Today's podcast, How To Reach Across the Racial Divide Part 2 continues with Jesus and the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4:7. In a simple statement of 4 words, “Give me a drink,” Jesus reached across the racial divide that had existed for hundreds of years between Jews and Samaritans.
Segregation and separation between Jews and Samaritans was the norm. Which the Samaritan woman reminded Jesus of when she said to Him in John 4:9, “Jews have no dealings or contact with Samaritans.”
The disciples were shocked that Jesus even spoke to her in Jn. 4:27, and yet because Jesus reached across the racial divide to share living water, the life of God with her, a two-day revival broke out in Samaria (Jn. 4:39-42). All because Jesus reached across the racial divide.
The racial divide is not a new problem, but it is still a problem. One definition of a problem that I came across is “something that has to be solved or an unpleasant or undesirable condition that needs to be corrected; a hindrance an obstacle.”
The aim of making a difference through mentorship is to provide principles and precepts, that have the potential of solving problems, making a difference in the world in which we live. It is important for us to always remember that nothing changes until some things change.
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President Biden recently stated in a USA TODAY article a couple days ago that "America is as divided today as it was during the Civil War era." The actor Tom Hanks has been criticized for his recent article in the NY Times that sums up his thoughts entitled "You Should Learn the Truth About the Tulsa Race Massacre."
Hanks discusses in his article that despite his many years of education and interest in American history he did not learn about the Tulsa massacre until last year when he read a New York Times article about that horrific day .
Hanks further states in his article, "I never read a page of any school history book about how, in 1921, a mob of white people burned down a place called Black Wall Street, killed as many as 300 of its Black citizens and displaced thousands of Black Americans who lived in Tulsa, Okla."
Hanks’s article goes on to say, "History was mostly written by white people about white people like me, while the history of Black people — including the horrors of Tulsa — was too often left out." There is no question that there remains today a racial divide in the US.
In this podcast my special guests Dr. Michele Neely and Dr. Melissa Gonzalez we want to discuss “How To Reach Across the Racial Divide. The foundation of our discussion begins with Jesus as He reached across the racial divide with the Samaritan woman at the well in John 4 and specifically verse 7.
In a simple statement of 4 words, “Give me a drink,” Jesus reached across a racial divide that had existed for hundreds of years between Jews and Samaritans. Most Jews went around Samaria just to avoid them. There was absolute and total segregation and separation between them which theSamaritan woman reiterated in John 4:9 when she said, “Jews have no dealings or contact with Samaritans.”
The disciples were shocked that Jesus even spoke to her in Jn. 4:27, and yet because Jesus reached across the racial divide to share living water, the life of God with her, a two-day revival broke out in Samaria (Jn. 4:39-42). All because Jesus reached across the racial divide. As Jesus reached across the racial divide to share life with the Samaritan woman, so must you and I reach across the racial divide that exists in our country today.
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Art, in its broadest sense, is a form of communication. This form of communication is shaped by the materials, techniques, and various forms it makes use of, as well as the ideas and feelings it creates in its viewers. Additionally, art is an act of expressing feelings, thoughts, and observations of the preceding.
I recently read a portion of an article about a young leader that complained that his generation seemed to lack any causes to be passionate about. As I reflected on this statement from this young leader, it undergirds the challenge of helping us and those around us to develop the art of waking people up; to open their eyes.
In 1999, Hollywood released the movie “Eyes Wide Shut”, starring Tom Cruise and Nicole Kidman. The title of the movie gets your attention because when you think about it, you wonder how is it possible to have your eyes wide shut!?
Our young leader that I mentioned is an example of someone with his eyes wide shut. You can have your eyes wide shut by not paying attention or observing what’s happening around you when your eyes are wide open.
All of us have some sort of daily routine when we wake up. We get dressed, we get our morning coffee, we get in our cars, and head to the office to accomplish the day's tasks. This is a routine that we all have more or less. And yet the question that we must ask ourselves as leaders, is that it? Is that all that there is to my responsibility as a leader?
There's no question that our daily routine is necessary as a means to take care of our families and our job responsibilities, but the question remains are my “eyes wide shut?” As you listen to this podcast consider our aim for today; which is as leaders to practice "The Art of Waking People Up."
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This is the 5th and final podcast in the series entitled, Factors For A Peace--Filled Mind. I shared with you a few weeks ago I received a phone call from a particular person and this person was stressed, distressed, and upset; their mind was not at peace. Which is a plot, ploy and plan of the enemy.
One reason as to why many may not be at peace in their minds is because of what they are in pursuit of. The word pursuit or pursue maybe defined as a chase or a quest for something or a particular goal. Most of us, if not all of us have engaged in this concept of pursuit of something or a particular goal.
It may be a certain educational goal, financial goal, or career goal; or relationship that one has been in pursuit of. At some point, all of us have engaged in this concept of pursuit.Whatever we are in pursuit of requires a consistent and constant effort to obtain.
In the Common English Bible translation of Philippians 3:12 the Apostle Paul gives us an example of his pursuit of the Lord.
Paul says, “It’s not that I have already reached this goal or have already been perfected, but I pursue it, so that I may grab hold of it because Christ grabbed hold of me for just this purpose.” Purpose is the reason for which something is done or created or for which something exists.
In Matthew chapter 5, the Message Bible, beginning at the 13th verse Jesus defines a believer’s purpose, the reason why disciples and believers were created, the reason for our existence, beginning at the 13th verse Jesus says, “Let me tell you why you are here.You’re here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth.
You and I have been created to "make a difference, and you make a difference one life at a time." We do so by being salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. This is a core Factor For A Peace--Filled Mind.
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Today's podcast is part 4 of this five-part series where we have selected a particular word that provides the "factors" or circumstances and conditions, elements which make a thing what it is, including results and outcomes.
Today’s word concerning the reason why a person’s mind may not be filled with peace is procrastination. Procrastination is the act of delaying or postponing something. Procrastination maybe further defined as difficulty persuading yourself to do the things you know that you should do.
When you procrastinate, instead of working on important, meaningful tasks, you find yourself doing things that are trivial and not very productive which unconsciously ignores the value of time. Seneca an ancient Roman philosopher once stated, "While we waste our time hesitating and postponing, life is slipping away." We were all born and at some point, will all die as well. The time we spend on Earth is both limited and finite.
Considering this reality, time is the most valuable commodity that we have. It’s not money; unlike time, you can borrow money, save, or earn more. You can’t do that with time. Every single second that we waste is gone forever.
Our power source for constantly maintaining a peace filled mind is Paul's declaration noted n Philippians 4:8-9 in in the Living Bible where we, “Fix our thoughts on what is true and good and right. Think about things that are pure and lovely, and dwell on the fine, good things in others. Think about all you can praise God for and be glad about. Keep putting into practice all you learned from me and saw me doing, and the God of peace will be with you.”
Life is short, and we do not know what will happen tomorrow. to have a peace-filled mind is obey and pray Moses prayer in Psalm 90:12,“Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.”The later portion of this text may also be translated, to live a successful human life.
If you knew how many days you had left to live, what would you do differently with your life? What would you do differently if you knew you had 30 days, one week or one day left to live? What would you do?
We live in a world where people feel they have plenty of time to live. There is no man or not anything that has the authority to guarantee how long we will live. Therefore, God want us to live your best life now (John 10:10) These are Factors of A Peace-Filled Mind.
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As we have discussed in the previous two podcasts, today's podcast is part three of five parts with the title or theme---Factors For A Peace Filled Mind.
As we consider a factor, or factors for the purpose of this podcast, factors can be defined as circumstances, or conditions, that bring about a result or outcome.
A factor can also be an element or something that makes a thing what it is. Factors can be positive or negative. It depends on our viewpoint of the circumstances of the elements that can produce negative or positive results or outcomes.
Each week in this five part series we will use a particular word that provides the circumstances and conditions, the elements of which make a thing what it is , or simply the factors of a matter.
Today’s word concerning the reason why a person’s mind may not be filled with peace is perception.
Perception includes the five senses: touch, sight, sound, smell, and taste providing us with awareness of a thing. This concept also includes our ability by which we see, view and decide what we identify about our environment, people and relationships, or how we view the world.
In 2nd Kings the 6th chapter, the King of Syria is looking for Elisha. It has been discovered that Elisha is in the city of Dothan. The king sends troops, and they surround the entire city of Dothan.
Elisha's servant looks out the window and sees that they are surrounded, and they are in trouble. This was the servant's perception of the situation.
Elisha looks out the same window but does not see or does not perceive what his servant perceived. Elisha saw the same thing, but he did not see it the same way. Elisha's mind was at peace because of his perception of the situation.
Elisha says to his servant in 2 Kings 6:16-17. "Do not be afraid. For those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, I pray, open his eyes, that he may see.”
And the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he saw. What Elisha’s servant saw (his perception was changed) that the mountain was full of horses and war-wagons of fire all around Elisha."
No matter what the circumstance or situation we encounter in life and ministry, as we place our faith and hope in God, He will change our perception and "open our eyes that we may see that there are more with us."
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Today's podcast is part two of five parts with the title or theme---Factors For A Peace Filled Mind. As we consider a factor, or factors for the purpose of this podcast, factors can be defined as circumstances, or conditions, that bring about a result or outcome.
A factor can also be an element or something that makes a thing what it is. Factors can be positive or negative. It depends on our viewpoint of the circumstances of the elements that can produce negative or positive results or outcomes.
Each week in this five part series we will use a particular word that provides the circumstances and conditions, the elements of which make a thing what it is , or simply the factors of a matter.
Today’s word concerning the reason why a person’s mind is not filled with peace is pain, and that pain many times is the pain of not trusting God. There are some matters in life that are self-inflicted wounds.
The reality of pain includes the place of stress, distress and being upset…. all begins with how we think.
Isaiah 26:3 in the Amplified Version says “God will keep in perfect and constant peace the one whose mind is steadfast [that is, committed and focused on You—in both inclination and character],Because he trusts and takes refuge in You [with hope and confident expectation].
Although there will always be troubling life circumstances, situations and factors that attempt to rob us of peace, Jesus as our Prince of Peace, will always increase peace because our minds are stayed on Him.
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Today's podcast is part one of five parts with the title or theme--- Factors For A Peace--Filled Mind. As we consider a factor, or factors for the purpose of this podcast, factors can be defined as circumstances, or conditions, that bring about a result or outcome. A factor can also be an element or something that makes a thing what it is. Factors can be positive or negative. It depends on our viewpoint of the circumstances of the elements that can produce negative or positive results or outcomes.
Each week in this five part series we will use a particular word that provides the circumstances and conditions, the elements of which make a thing what it is , or simply the factors of a matter. Today's word as the core factor as to why a person's mind may not be filled with peace is people.
The reason why there are those among us, that love God, faithfully attending church, joyfully serving Him, but their minds are not filled with peace is because of people. No matter where we go or what we do, people will always be a factor in our daily routine. Yet, when we engage the faith factor, we are empowered to conquer the people, pain, pressure or problems of life. Simply because as our Prince of Peace, Jesus, we walk in peace because of Him that gives us peace. These are Factors For A Peace-Filled Mind.
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This is part 2 of last week’s podcast You Are What You Think. And what we think influences and impacts our emotions and what we do. When someone is rude or disrespectful and treats us badly, our response or thoughts may not always be to THINK LIKE GOD THINKS.
What is equally important for us to note is that you don't have to be a negative person to have negative thoughts. When there is an argument with a neighbor, a coworker or your husband or wife, these are negative experiences.
Negative experiences will always bring along with the experience a negative thought. Although the negative experience may have just occurred or is real, we don't have to take the negative thought.
In Matthew chapter 6, verses 25 through 31, Jesus is teaching His disciples about the problem of thoughts or how we think. The word thought is used 6 times in verses 25-31. The meaning of the word translated "thought"means worry or anxiousness.
The intent of today's podcast is to provide truth that will transform our thinking. Psychologist William James said in the late 1800's, "if you alter your thinking, you alter your life."
When we THINK LIKE GOD THINKS, we believe and receive the promise of John 10:10 in The Passion Translation of the Bible, “A thief has only one thing in mind—he wants to steal, slaughter, and destroy. But I have come to give you everything in abundance, more than you expect —life in its fullness until you overflow!”
What does life in its fullness until you overflow look like? It looks like the life that Jesus said He had come to give. In other words, Jesus has come to empower us to live our best life and to live it now. YOU ARE WHAT YOU THINK.
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At some time in your life, you have undoubtedly heard the theme of today's podcast. However, I would like to add to today's theme that most of us don't even think about how we think or what we think because we simply think! And what we think influences and impacts our emotions and what we do.
The Bible reminds us in Proverbs 23:7, "As a man or a woman thinks, that is who we really are...” In addition to Proverbs 23:7, God says, in essence, to Isaiah, we've got a problem. You don't think like I think.
“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55:8-9)
Neuroscientists and neuropsychologists tell us that we have anywhere from 60,000 to 80,000 thoughts a day and half of them are negative. It is important to know and understand you don't have to be a negative person to have negative thoughts.
Negative experiences are going to produce negative thoughts. relationship struggles, the death of a loved one, a business that you created and established that fails, money issues, family issues, and the list goes on and on.
The aim of today's podcast is to review principles and precepts of how we can learn to THINK MORE LIKE GOD THINKS.
As we do so, God equips us to overcome negative thoughts that only come to hinder, harm, harass and keep us from God's promise of John 10:10 in the Passion Translation. "But I have come to give you everything in abundance, more than you expect--life in its fullness until you overflow!" YOU ARE WHAT YOU THINK.
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The concept of trust is as old as recorded history. Trust was present in the garden with Adam and Eve that was broken by failure to abide by God’s organizational structure for their lives.
Trust is a value that is intrinsically embedded in any organization. Google defines trust as, "a firm belief in the reliability, truth, ability, or strength of someone or something.
Psychologist Nan Russell says, we don’t trust each other because words don't agree with actions. As a means of tearing down mistrust and distrust what we suggest in this podcast is creating and establishing "trust accounts" with those that we work with or worship with.
I have suggested and recommended as a place of how to begin building trust, the following four principles and precepts:
- Always leave the right impression
- Demonstrate Respect
- Right Wrongs
- Get Better
Trust is truth that transforms. Trust for us, is also--Total Reliance Upon Spiritual Truth. As we rely on Him, establishing trust accounts in our relationships wherever we go, God will use us to make the world better, one life at a time.
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We are living in unprecedented times. We are adjusting to the impact of various challenges and problems in our society. A global pandemic, affordable health care, immigration, gun violence and the reality of racism, to name a few.
1 Chronicles 12:32, says to us, "And of the children of Issachar, which were men that had an understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do..."Knowing what to do always give a person confidence. Not knowing what to do can leave a person anxious and uncertain.
The word understanding that we read in our text means "to have insight or to act with prudence, providing practical, wise, responses." The Sons of Issachar had analyzed their times and had perceived correctly what those times were all about. They knew what to do because they understood what was happening.
As God Thinkers, analyzing a matter through the lenses of God's Word, we are granted insight and the ability to act with prudence by virtue of God's character and ability as "sons and daughters of Issachar." Operating, living, and leading in the principles and precepts of this teaching, God gives us the insight to understand the times, knowing what to do.
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Henry Ford is often quoted as saying, “whether you think you can or think you can't, you're right.” From Henry Ford's perspective I have amended his statement slightly providing us the theme of today’s podcast. If You Think You Can You Will.
Proverbs 23: 7 tell us, “as a man old woman thinks that's who we really are.” It was psychologist James Allen that stated in the late 1800s that, “if we alter our thinking, we alter our lives.”Most of us don't really think about how we think… we just think without thinking.
Whatever we think and dwell on is going to be playing on the movie screen of our mind. So let me ask you… what kind of movies have you been playing in your mind?
Are they movies and scenes that includes thoughts of depression, negativity, grief, worry, despair and hopelessness, sorrow, anger, bitterness and resentment? What we think on repeatedly is going to determine our mindset and how we view ourselves, others and the situations in our lives.“If we alter our thinking, we alter our lives.”
Philippians 4: 8-9, in the Amplified Version gives us instruction as to what we are to think about and imagine. “Finally, believers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable and worthy of respect, whatever is right and confirmed by God’s word, whatever is pure and wholesome,
Whatever is lovely and brings peace, whatever is admirable and of good repute; if there is any excellence, if there is anything worthy of praise, think continually on these things [center your mind on them, and implant them in your heart].9 The things which you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things [in daily life], and the God [who is the source] of peace and well-being will be with you.”
God gives clear instructions about what we are to think about. In order that we live in peace and prosper in our lives. If You Think You Can-You Will. You will experience the promise of Isaiah 43:19…”Behold, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs forth; do you not perceive and know it and will you not give heed to it? I will even make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”
“THINK LIKE GOD THINKS” (ISAIAH 55:8-9)
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The cycle of hope is always a choice. I am reminded of former 1st Lady Eleanor Roosevelt as she stated… "I am today, a result of the choices I made yesterday.” To hope is always a choice established in the four core beliefs of the hope cycle which are:
1. The future will be better than the present. (Je.29:11-13)
2. I have the power to make it so (Luke 10:19).
3. There are many paths to my goals (Psalm 109:105).
4. None of them is free of obstacles (John 16:33).
We defined a cycle as a period of time or a complete set of actions or events that repeat. A process that returns to its beginning and then repeats itself in the same manner.
Therefore, the cycle of hope says to us, in Philippians 2:5, "Let this mind be in you which is also in Christ Jesus.” In other words, Paul is saying to think like Christ thinks or let the thoughts of Christ be in you.
A person with high hope has thoughts that are positive and embodies the principle of Mark 10:27, "all things are possible." It is in the light of this truth that helps us to help others to find and discover that no matter how hopeless things may seem, hope always finds a way.
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A cycle is a period of time or a complete set of events that repeat. A process that returns to its beginning and then repeats itself in the same sequence or manner.
A portion of the cycle of hope is as Isaiah 40:31 declares, “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.”
Biblical hope, rooted in our confidence for the future has as its foundation faith, trust, reliance, and confidence in God. In both the OT and NT, Biblical hope is a confident expectation or assurance based upon the sure foundation of God Himself for which we wait with full expectation and confidence that it shall be done.
Therefore, Biblical hope is a concrete reality and not a feeling. Biblical hope carries no doubt. Biblical hope is a sure foundation upon which we base our lives, believing that God always keeps His promises.
Faith and hope as partners in the cycle of hope for believers like you and I create the reality within us that if God said it, it shall be done! In other words, it is "help to open people's eyes" as established in 2 Kings 6:16-17.
"Do not be afraid. For those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” Then Elisha prayed and said, “O Lord, I pray, open his eyes, that he may see.” And the Lord opened the servant’s eyes, and he saw. He saw that the mountain was full of horses and war-wagons of fire all around Elisha."
No matter what the circumstance or situation we encounter in life and ministry, as we place our faith and hope in God, He will "open our eyes that we may see that there are more with us." And as Paul declares in Romans 8:31, "What, then, shall we say in response to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us?"
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In the New Living Translation of 2 Corinthians 12:8-10, the Bible gives us a snapshot of a very difficult time in Paul's life. Paul prays in the 8th verse, "Three different times I begged the Lord to take it away (his thorn). Each time he said, “My grace is all you need. My power works best in weakness.” Paul then says, So now I am glad to boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ can work through me."
For today’s podcast we define purpose as “the reason for which something exists or is done, the end result or desired intention.” If you describe someone or something as a thorn in your side or a thorn in your flesh, what this means is that there is a continuous, consistent, persistent problem, a constant source of irritation and most likely vexation of the mind that impacts us, spirit, soul and body.
Paul learned that no matter what he encountered and endured in his life for the cause of Christ….God’s grace was sufficient for him.
When you discover what the thorn in your flesh is and surrender to God’s plan and will for your life in humility and integrity, for your ministry God will always reply, My grace is sufficient for you.
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In this podcast my special guests, Pastor Robert Poole of Destiny Christian Center, Las Vegas, Nevada and Pastor James Williams of Life More Abundantly Island Church, Oahu, Hawaii, and I discuss the Leaders Responsibility of Accountability in part 2 of this 3-part series.
The Department of Defense Dictionary of Military and Associated Terms defines responsibility as, “the obligation to carry forward an assigned task to a successful conclusion. With responsibility comes authority to direct and take the necessary action to ensure success.”
A very strong definition of accountability that I discovered states, “accountability is the readiness to have one’s actions, judgments, and failures to act to be questioned by others when errors in behavior or judgment have been detected. Accountability is also a critical component of leadership that is closely related to the principles of morality, and ethics.”
Concerning responsibility and accountability, the Bible tells us in 1 Samuel 18:1-3, “After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. 2 From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return to his father's house. 3 And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself.”
When I reflect on a passage like this my mind asks the question, why don’t we as leaders today have what Jonathan and David had in responsibility and accountability to one another? What this uncommon relationship suggests between Jonathan and David is the commonality of their faith and trust in God and I dare say the faith and trust that they had in each other.
Responsible and accountable leaders understand that we are to be “salt and light, a city that sits on a hill whose light cannot be hidden”(Matthew 5:13-16). Responsible and accountable leaders desire to do good as shown to us by God in His word as recorded in the Amplified Version of Micah 6:8, “He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the Lord require of you except to be just, and to love [and to diligently practice] kindness (compassion), and to walk humbly with your God [setting aside any overblown sense of importance or self-righteousness].”
Responsible and accountable leaders are required to be just, even when others are not. Responsible and accountable leaders are to be kind even when others are not. Responsible and accountable leaders are to walk humbly with God even when others do not.
When we are committed and determined to live by these principles and precepts, we eventually create a culture of change around us that makes the world a better place and we make the world a better place one life at a time.
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The theme or topic of today’s podcast is "Light In Dark Places" and our primary scripture reference is John 8:12. In the ISV of the Bible, Jesus declares “I am the light of the world. The one who follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
Darkness is an absence of light in a location often associated with that which is negative; related to chaos, evil, mischief, and wickedness. Darkness or dark places can also be connected to sin, despair, and despondency because there is no light by which to see.
When we come into our homes at night the first thing that we do is turn on the lights. We turn on the lights because we cannot see clearly or well in the dark. And yet our hope even in dark times and places of life is the reality that El-Roi--- the God who sees and watches over you and me, is a present help in the time of darkness; supplying all of our needs (Philippians 4:19).
No matter how difficult or trying the circumstance may be, we have hope in dark times or places because our God is El-Roi, the God who sees and enables us to see Him… even in the dark.
Dr. Gregory L. Cruell
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Today's podcast is entitled The Foundation of Accountability: Covenant Relationships. Our primary scripture reference and our platform for today is the covenant in 1 Samuel 18:1-3 established between Jonathan and David. We talked a little bit about Jonathan and David last week but today we want to go a little bit deeper with this theme.
A foundation may be defined as a stone or concrete structure that supports a building from underneath. The same is true for an idea, a principle, or a fact that is supported by what is underneath the idea, principle, or fact.
A Biblical covenant such as Jonathan and David made is a strong, solemn lifelong agreement between two parties. This type of covenant was intended to last for generations where those who are a part of the covenant know that they are safe, secure, and confident throughout their lives.
If we cannot depend on anyone else, we can depend on and count on each other as the fulfillment of covenant relationships. This is how we make the world a better place and you make the world a better place one life at a time.
Dr. Gregory L. Cruell
Making A Difference Through Mentorship
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The Revised Standard Version of Micah 6:8 summarizes the intent of today's podcast. “He has shown you, O man what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness and to walk humbly with your God?”
Responsible and accountable leaders desire to do good as shown to us by God in His word. Responsible and accountable leaders are required to be just, even when others are not. Responsible and accountable leaders are to be kind even when others are not. Responsible and accountable leaders are to walk humbly with God even when others do not.
When we are committed and determined to live by these principles and precepts, we eventually create a culture of change around us that makes the world a better place and we make the world a better place one life at a time.
Dr. Gregory L. Cruell
God Thinkers (Isaiah 55:8-9)
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The focus of today’s podcast is The Strength of Servant Leadership. In Romans 15:1-3 in the MSG Bible, the Apostle Paul says to the church at Rome, “Those of us who are strong and able in the faith need to step in and lend a hand to those who falter, and not just do what is most convenient for us. Strength is for service, not status. Each one of us needs to look after the good of the people around us, asking ourselves, “How can I help?” That’s exactly what Jesus did...”
Martin Luther King once stated, "Life's most persistent and urgent question is, 'What are you doing for others?" We help by serving people love. This is The Strength of Servant Leadership.
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God tells us in Isaiah 55:8-9, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts."
Learning to Think Like God Thinks is a lifelong journey. This doesn't mean that we don't ever Think like God Thinks, but when we are honest with ourselves, we know that we don't always Think Like God Thinks.
The mind can be likened to a warehouse of our imagination, recognition, perception, memory, judgment, and consciousness. This includes the good, the bad, and the ugly times of life. Our predominant thoughts influence our behavior and attitudes which further influence our actions and reactions.
Another way to view this point is that our thoughts are like a video that plays on the screen of our minds. To make changes in our lives, we must play a different video, a video that lines up with cultivating the ability to Think Like God Thinks throughout life.
How do we "think the thoughts of God?" It is the practical application of the word of God on and in our lives, which is having the "mind of Christ" (Phillippians 2:5).
Dr. Gregory L. Cruell
God Thinkers (Isaiah 55:8-9)
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The title of today’s podcast is Detox Your Mind. To detoxify refers to the removal of poison or toxic substances from something contaminated. For the purposes of this podcast, detoxifying means to counteract the activity or effect of toxic thoughts that contaminate our thinking. Paul tells us in the New Life Version of 2 Corinthians 10:5, "We break down every thought and proud thing that puts itself up against the wisdom of God. We take hold of every thought and make it obey Christ."
Paul understood the war that takes place in our thoughts, how our circumstances and imaginations can become weapons that undermine our faith and hope. Knowing the truth of Romans 8:14… “They that are led by the Spirit, they are the sons of God.” The word led in this passage is translated as “ago.” Detoxing our mind begins with being determined to be led by the ago of the Spirit and not our ego.
Being led, the ago of the Spirit makes us to be, causes us to be, declares us to be the sons of God! Where our ego, rooted in our souls (emotions, intellect and will) has the potential and ability to cause our thoughts and emotions to run or govern our lives rather than our lives being governed or led by the Spirit.
As you listen to today's podcast God will provide you with principles and precepts enabling you to Detox Your Mind which further helps us to win the battle for your mind (Romans 12:2).
Dr. Gregory L. Cruell, "God Thinkers" (Isaiah 55:8-9)
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In 2 Corinthians 12:9, Paul declares, “And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for My strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly, therefore, will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.”
In this passage, Paul had received a thorn in his flesh because of the abundance of revelation that he had received. Paul asked God three times to take the thorn out and God said in essence….no! And the reason that God said no is because He wanted Paul to know that His grace is sufficient for him; a testamentof God's perfect strength.
In the Amplified Version of Exodus 3:14, God says to Moses, “I AM WHO I AM and WHAT I AM, and I WILL BE WHAT I WILL BE; and He said, You shall say this to the Israelites: I AM has sent me to you!” At this point in human history, this name I AM THAT I AM for God is new to mankind. For the first time, God identifies Himself using His name that will be crucial in both Jewish and Christian understanding of His character and nature, or that which makes Him God. An example of God's perfect strength.
The entire theme of today's podcast is for us to see that God's perfect strength is in His name! Proverbs 18:10, “The name of the LORD is a strong tower: the righteous run into it and are safe.” As you listen to today's podcast, there are principles and precepts discussed that will empower you for the rest of your life and ministry to live in The Perfect Strength of God!
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In today’s podcast, we want to discuss principles and precepts for Battling Your Mind. There is a series of video games entitled Battlefield. In this game, there are tanks, battleships, and airplanes. Rockets and bombs exploding, machine guns firing, hand-to-hand combat… the game was created to simulate the realities of a battlefield where you must fight for your survival against a host of enemy soldiers.
Battling your mind is not a game. It is a reality that all of us are confronted with. Jesus himself in the garden of Gethsemane had to battle with His mind. The night before Jesus Christ was crucified, He prayed in the Garden of Gethsemane. Luke, a physician, recorded that Jesus’ sweat was like drops of blood: “And being in agony, He prayed more earnestly. Then His sweat became like great drops of blood falling down to the ground” (Luke 22:44).
Agony is defined as a violent, intense, extreme struggle displaying both physical or emotional pain. The human experience consists of our thoughts and emotions that influence our behavior. There will always be some things that cause us to struggle or cause some sort of emotional distress, this is all a part of the battle for our minds. Jesus, the Son of God was battling His mind; which consisted of His thoughts and emotions that influenced the reality of agony that He experienced in Gethsemane. The struggle is real.
The key to Jesus victory over His thoughts and emotions that impacted and influenced His body (sweat like great drops of blood) was His prayer...."Not my will, but Thy will be done." This is how we gain victory in Battling Our Mind.
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Leadership many times is like a game of chess that requires strategic thinking and moves to defeat your opponent. In today's podcast, the strategy that we want to employ includes understanding purpose and meaning. When we consider purpose, we must also consider meaning. Meaning enhances and points to what is significant and beneficial.
Purpose is related to meaning and meaning to a purpose or they are the opposite side of the same coin which can be summarized with the following three components: 1. Purpose 2. Beneficiaries of the purpose. 3. Meaning of the purpose. Accountability simply defined means that you and I have the ability to count, making a difference in the lives of people everywhere we go.
Principles and precepts of "Thinking Like God Thinks" grant us insight into the purpose and meaning of leadership which many times includes solving problems. What problems and leadership will always have in common are people.
Cultivating, developing, and growing in emotional intelligence, recognizing being aware of, knowing, and controlling our own emotions, enables us to be aware of other people’s emotions that further enhances our ability to solve problems. How is this accomplished?
One path is the establishment of "purposeful relationships, authentic accountability" that becomes our "professional and spiritual responsibility." It has often been said, "people don't care how much you know until they know how much you care."
The strategy is the intentional pursuit of a mindset where we further discover purpose and meaning for the benefit of others and ourselves because we are made better leaders as we serve as Jesus served. This helps people to know how much we care (John 13:12-17). Making A Difference Through Mentorship.
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Our primary Scripture reference for today's podcast is Romans 1:17 where Paul declares, “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.”
To cultivate is to nurture and help grow. When you cultivate something, you work to make it better. To improve by care, training, or study. A person that is determined, or wants more of God is the one that is spiritually growing, cultivating their faith.
Moses wanted more of God so he says is Exodus 33: 18, “Lord show me your glory.” God responds to Moses request in verse 19, “I will make all my goodness pass before thee, and I will proclaim the name of the LORD before thee; and will be gracious to whom I will be gracious and will shew mercy on whom I will shew mercy.” Then in verse 21 God says to Moses, “Behold, there is a place by me, and thou shalt stand upon a rock.
As we grow spiritually, cultivating our faith we discover principles and precepts for standing on the Rock, a place by God Himself and "the just shall live by faith" (Romans 1:17).
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A crisis may also be viewed as a turning point or a difficult or dark times when disasters are happening involving immediate, sudden and abrupt change. A crisis happens quickly, many times without warning, and leaders must be prepared to take steps to mitigate the possible consequences.
In his article dated October 7, 2020, Anthony Pahnke an assistant Professor of International Relations at San Francisco State University states that the US is in the grips of a leadership crisis. The list of national crises is long: from racial injustice and climate change-induced disasters to a healthcare system in tatters and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic that has sent shockwaves through the country’s economy.
In sum, crises are the combined products of unusual events and shared perceptions that something is seriously wrong. A crisis further has the potential to cause anxiety, anxiousness and worry. A crisis can arise in financial matters. A crisis can arise within a marriage or a family. A crisis is that which you and I have little or no power to control.
What is important to note is that when the crises fade, people always remain. Therefore, overcoming a crisis requires believing and trusting God which means as Paul stated in Romans 1:17, “the just shall live by faith.”Nowhere in the Bible does God tell us that life will be easy. This further speaks to what Jesus declares in TPT of John 16:33….
“And everything I’ve taught you is so that the peace which is in me will be in you and will give you great confidence as you rest in me. For in this unbelieving world you will experience trouble and sorrows, but you must be courageous, for I have conquered or I have power over the world!”
It does not matter if it is a crisis in our national leadership, a crisis in our workplace, a crisis in our home or family, a financial crisis or health crisis, the just shall live by faith trusting and knowing that God gives us the ability to overcome as we continue to learn to "THINK LIKE GOD THINKS! (Isaiah 55:8-9)
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We're certainly living in in a day and age with there are lot of questions that we have. We have questions about the stock market or where to invest our money. We have questions about retirement. We have questions about the current climate of our nation. We have questions about the Corona Virus and the safety of the vaccine. We have questions about when we will return to some sense of normalcy. And the list goes on and on and on about the questions that we have.
In today's podcast the answer to all of our questions no matter what the question may be… the answer is have faith in God or possessing a mindset of faith. Romans 1:16-17, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” All things are possible if you only believe. This is a mindset of faith, the answer to all of your questions.
Even in dark times, even in difficult times, challenges in our bodies physically, challenges financially, challenges relationally, in my home, in my marriage, with my children, a mindset of faith shifts to the principle of Psalm 91, "He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty. I will say of the Lord, He is my refuge and my fortress: my God; in him will I trust." This a mindset of faith, the answer to all of your questions.
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In Luke chapter 17, the Pharisees or the religious leaders asked Jesus a question, when would the Kingdom of God come? Jesus answered in verses 20-21 (AMP), “The kingdom of God does not come with signs to be observed or with visible display, 21 Nor will people say, Look! Here [it is]! or, See, [it is] there! For behold, the kingdom of God is within you [in your hearts] and among you [surrounding you].”Therefore, as servants of our King, people ought to be able to read our lives and see the heart of the King, the character of the King established in our hearts and lives reflected in our character as servants of the King.
The word heart in both the Old Testament and New Testament is synonymous with a person’s character and the way that we think, or our mindset. Therefore, as servants of our King, people ought to be able to read our lives and see the heart of the King, the character of the King established in our hearts and lives reflected in our character as servants of the King. When we talk about a mindset, we can simply define it as a mind that is set on what the mind believes.
A Kingdom Mindset realigns our minds that even in dark, difficult days, there is hope and healing. The pain that we feel is always the pain that God can heal encouraging all that we meet to“Lift up your heads, O ye gates; and be ye lift up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.“8 Who is this King of glory? The Lord strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle.9 Lift up your heads, O ye gates; be ye lifted up, ye everlasting doors; and the King of glory shall come in.” This A Kingdom Mindset!
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The theme for today’s podcast is, "Taking the Spiritual, Making it Practical, So That It’s Natural, to Live Spiritual." We also see this theme in the mindset of Pierre Chardin French philosopher and theologian that is credited with the declaration that, “we are not human beings having a spiritual encounter, but rather we are spiritual beings having a human encounter.”
In the Voice translation of 1 Thessalonians 5:23, the Apostle Paul further undergirds today’s theme by declaring, “May the God of peace make you His own completely and set you apart from the rest. May your spirit, soul, and body be preserved, kept intact, and wholly free from any sort of blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus the Anointed.”
Taking the Spiritual, Making it Practical, So That It’s Natural, to Live Spiritual, may also be seen in Paul’s instructions to Titus in chapter 2, verse 7 in the Passion Translation. “Above all, set yourself apart as a model of a life nobly lived. With dignity, demonstrate integrity in all that you teach.”
There is no question that these are unprecedented times in our nation's history. We will never forget the year 2020 and the global impact of COVID-19. We will never forget weeks and weeks of protests around our nation due to the deaths of George Floyd, Brianna Taylor, and so many others, sparking once again the consistent undercurrent of racial insensitivity and racial inequality in our nation.
We will never forget hundreds and hundreds of Americans storming the very foundation of American democracy and values in an act of vandalism and domestic terrorism on January 6th of 2021.
Yet you and I as spiritual beings have the capacity to become an irresistible, compelling force that affects the actions behavior, and conduct of others, empowered by the presence of the Holy Spirit functioning and operating in and through us, we can make a difference in the world in which you and I live. And you and I can never give up, and we can never give in. Simply because we are called to be "the light of the world" (Mt. 5:14).
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Humility and Integrity: The Foundation of Authentic Leadership. A foundation is the basis on which a thing stands or is supported. The base on which something rests. Fundamental principles on which something is established.
Authentic carries the meaning of not fraudulent or counterfeit. Conforming to fact or that which can be believed or accepted; trustworthy; reliable and true. Merriam-Webster's dictionary defines humility as "freedom from pride or lack of arrogance, a modest view of one’s self. Humility is further defined as reflecting or expressing a spirit of deference or submission. However, the Biblical definition of humility goes beyond this. Humility is an attribute and continuous emphasis of godliness.
Biblical humility is grounded in the character and nature of Jesus Christ. Jesus manifests humility from His birth until His crucifixion. (Philippians 2:3-5, 8) “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of others. In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus. Verse 8, And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to death— even death on a cross!”
The Passion Translation of Titus 2:7 tells us, “Above all, set yourself apart as a model of a life nobly lived. With dignity, demonstrate integrity in all that you teach.”
This kind of integrity and humility earns you and I the right to be heard as we "set ourselves apart as a model of a life nobly lived. With dignity, demonstrating humility and integrity in all that we say and do." Sharing these principles of humility and integrity helps us to make a difference in the world in which we live and you make a difference, one life at a time.
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Overcomer's are Kingdom minded people who successfully resist the power, temptation and struggles of the world’s system as followers of our King, Christ the Lord. An overcomer further is one that has overcome the people, pain pressure and problems of life. The Greek word most often translated “overcomer” stems from the word "nike" which, according to Strong’s Concordance, means “to carry off the victory, implying a battle.” The Bible teaches us as Christians to recognize that the world is a battleground, not a playground. And God does not leave us defenseless in the battle. So Jesus says in the Message Bible, chapter 11, beginning at the 28th verse, Are you tired? Worn out? Burned out on religion? Come to me. Get away with me and you’ll recover your life. I’ll show you how to take a real rest. Walk with me and work with me—watch how I do it. Learn the unforced rhythms of grace. I won’t lay anything heavy or ill-fitting on you. Keep company with me and you’ll learn to live freely and lightly.” When we say an overcomer's mindset, that simply means that we have come over some things. Because we have learned the unforced rhythm of God's grace. How so? The day that we received Jesus Christ, the day that we invited Him to be Lord of our lives is the day we received an infusion of an overcomer’s mindset because the word of the Lord in Ephesians 2:8 came alive in us, “For by grace are you saved through faith; and not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.” As you listen to this podcast know that you are an overcomer!
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As we begin this New Year as “God Thinkers,” those that are determined to continually learn to think more like God thinks, 2020 Vision in 2021 is the presence and reality of God as El Roi. El refers to God. But Roi brings another attribute of our Lord to the equation. Roi in the original Hebrew can be translated as "shepherd, looking, or gazing." El Roi means “The God who sees me.”
In addition, 2020 Vision in 2021 is the promise of 1 Corinthians 2:9 “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him. As El Roi, the God who sees, Jesus further reminds us this year in Mark 11: 22-24, Have faith in God. For verily I say unto you, That whosoever shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; and shall not doubt in his heart, but shall believe that those things which he saith shall come to pass; he shall have whatsoever he saith. Whatever things you desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them.”
We know that God “saw” us in the past. And because He doesn’t change, He “see’s” us now. If you can conceive it and believe it, you shall receive it in 2021 because of El Roi the “The God who sees and watches over me. “
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In English the word cause maybe defined as “the reason why something happens. Anyone or anything that brings about a result. Any objective or movement that a person or group is interested in and supports, esp. one involving some type of reform. A reason for a choice made or action taken.”
All that we do—every decision, every action, with every person is to live the cause, serving people everywhere, living what you believe and hope for. As you and I think about cause driven leadership, I further suggest that a cause driven leader is simply being a mom or dad, neighbor, co-worker…fighting for something…fighting for your cause. Whatever your cause maybe. That begins with your family community. Encouraging our sons and daughters, our co-workers and neighbors to dream and to dream big (Joel 2:28-29).
Where are the dreamers of today? The Wright brothers had a dream (cause) and now you and I can literally fly around the world. Alexander Graham Bell had a dream (cause) and from that dream you and I have a cell phone that can reach around the globe. The cause of making our communities, our cities, states and countries better is in our assignment from God. Cause Driven Leadership is another tool to help usmake a difference and we make a difference one life at a time.
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There is a war going on and the battlefield is your mind. Romans 12:2 says, Do not be conformed to this world...but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind... (AMPC). We are in a spiritual battle, and we must fight with spiritual weapons. God has given us His Word as our main line of defense against the lies of the enemy. Jesus tell's us in Matthew chapter 6...."take no thought." In other words, I don't have to take the negative thoughts that arise in my mind because those thoughts did not originate with me! When we do not take the thoughts, this is the path to "Winning The Battle of The Mind."
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Romans 12:1-2, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind.....
The word transformed in verse 2 is translated as "metamorphosis" in the original Greek. Morphe is the root word that carries the meaning of a person’s being or character.
Therefore, we can rightly conclude that a metamorphosis of a person is a change in being or character. In conjunction with the mind, the metamorphosis is a new way of thinking embedded in our character. A change of character produces a change in our condition. Therefore,a renewed mind, a metamorphosis of the mind, is fully capable of overcoming negative thoughts of the past and the present because we have a new way of thinking. A Transformed Mind!
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The Father’s Kiss of Luke 15:20 restores what has been lost. Reconciliation exchanges wrong for right and brings back together that which has been separated. After living his life for a season in self-centered indulgences, the Bible says that when the prodigal came to himself, he went back to his father’s house (Luke 15:17).
Through all that had transpired in his life, the good the bad, and the ugly, when he got back to his father’s house by the endowment and impartation of The Father’s Kiss, there was grace, restoration, reconciliation, validation, and affirmation for the son by the love of his father that changed him forever (Luke 15: 22-24).
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If our world and society ever needed effective, people-centered leaders, that time is now. The word ethnos in the original Greek is defined as "nation" or "people." The Ethnos Leadership Process (ELP) is a model of character development and reinforcement that is established in Purposeful Relationships, and Authentic Accountability that becomes the leader's Professional and Spiritual Responsibility.
The ELP is further designed to balance and reinforce the importance of balancing our positions of leadership while simultaneously focusing on the diversity of the people that we lead. To assist in this process of balance, leader learners write a Personal Leadership Character Story (PLCS) or what we call an ethnography which is the end state of the 40-hour ELP. The ethnography is a living, continually evolving mindset and leadership philosophy that is centered on mentorship.
Additionally, the ethnography is a research project about self. Sources for the ethnography may include defining moments in life. It may also mistakes, failures, and uncertainties from which you have learned. The ethnography further answers questions like what and who have helped make and shape you a leader, including past and present lessons learned (good/bad) over the course of life's experiences.
The aim of the final ethnography is developing the mindset, and skill set of an ethnos (people) focused leader. Writing the Personal Leadership Character Story (ethnography) rooted in the self-evaluating, self-reflective process of the ELP includes a personal perspective of leadership that begins with leading self; further enhancing personal and organizational effectiveness, credibility, and trust with others. Further making a difference in the world in which we live.
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The Father’s Kiss is a passionate, earnest love for us as God's people that validates the fact that there is nothing that we could ever do to make God love us, and there is nothing that we can ever do to make God not love us! As the people of God, we have been robbed of receiving and experiencing The Father’s Kiss as the prodigal son did, and many are not even aware that the crime has occurred! The Father’s Kiss series of podcasts is to provide principles of Biblical truth that validates, confirms, reconciles, restores, and renews God’s passionate, earnest love for us! If you have ever been the victim of bad choices, or hurt from the past, The Father's Kiss is the catalyst for turning tragedy into triumph. As we learn to receive the embrace of His grace the impact of The Father's Kiss will change your life and those around you forever.
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Joseph in his lifetime went from the Pit-To the Prison-To the Palace. Even though Joseph's brothers threw him in a pit, the pit could not stop Joseph from a demonstration of visualization in his life because in Genesis 37 we see that Joseph had a vision of his future!
Visualization can be described as the process of using our thoughts to consciously imagine (see) and create that which you intend and desire to experience in your life.
Joseph operating in the principle of a demonstration of visualization saw what didn't even exist yet (Romans 4:17).Yet, through visualization Joseph activated the God-given ability within us to harness the creative power of the mind to change our circumstances and consciously choose the life we desire by the way we think, which includes imagining (thinking), feeling (emotions), and believing (faith). What You See Is What You Get!
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When we talk about a study, it is the act of making an effort to learn. Investing time discovering information about a particular thing or investigating a subject. The Living Bible translates 2 Timothy 2:15 as, “Work hard so God can say to you, "Well done." Be a good workman, one who does not need to be ashamed when God examines your work. Know what His Word says and means.”
Even as positive, Christ centered people, it is inevitable that negative experiences producing negative thoughts are going to occur. We cannot stop negative thoughts from coming into our minds, but we can overcome them. Overcome may be defined as the ability “to rise above a conflict; to defeat or prevail over, “to gain control of consistently. When we say something is negative it is characterized by “having the quality of something harmful, damaging, and unfavorable.” The term negative also carries the meaning of “being pessimistic; that which hinders and neutralizes progress.”
John 10:10, Jesus tells us in the Passion Translation of this passage…“The thief has only one thing in mind—he wants to steal, slaughter, and destroy. But I have come to give you everything in abundance, more than you expect—life in its fullness until you overflow! This is God's desire for us. To live life until life itself overflows! In this study, let's "work hard knowing what God's Word says" (2 Timothy 2:15) and means as we overcome negative thoughts and experiences!
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In today's session of Overcoming Negative Thoughts, we want to answer the question, What Makes A Dream? The main point or principle we want to discuss is the fact that the Maker of any Dream is God…He is the Dream Maker and the Dream giver.
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Everyone experiences fear in their life. There are big fears we are very aware of and little ones we may not even realize we have. Overcoming fear is an essential step in achieving our goals and dreams. We fear failure, or rejection, or being embarrassed, or disappointing or angering other people, or getting hurt. As you study the Bible and meditate on what God says about you, you will be able to recognize the fears in your life that are holding you back and overcome them by seeing yourself in Christ. Simply because "God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind" (2 Timothy 1:7).
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In life there will always be challenges, highs and lows. There are some things that we have no control over. However, a balanced mind assists us to overcome, and walk in victory through it all.
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To be sober minded means to be possess good judgement, wisdom, and the ability to be level-headed in times of stress or difficulties. A sober mind also means "a sound mind and a sane mind" in a sometimes insane world! This podcast focuses on practical principles that empower us to have and keep a sober mind, no matter what we may encounter.
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Science tell us that the mind thinks between 60,000 – 80,000 thoughts a day. That's an average of 2500 – 3,300 thoughts per hour. Other experts estimate a smaller number, of 50,000 thoughts per day, which means about 2100 thoughts per hour and most agree that over half of our thoughts are negative. this series of podcasts will focus on two main principles:
- Think like God thinks
- When we think like God thinks, His thoughts will change our lives
How do we " Think Like God Thinks?" It is the practical application of the Word of God on our lives, which is having the mind of Christ. Join us every Friday at 12 PM CST for Overcoming Negative Thoughts-Think Like God Thinks.
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