Making A Difference Through Mentorship

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.” --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dr-gregory-l-cruell/support

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). --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dr-gregory-l-cruell/support

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! --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/dr-gregory-l-cruell/support

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! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/dr-gregory-l-cruell/support

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!" --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/dr-gregory-l-cruell/support

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! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/dr-gregory-l-cruell/support

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) --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/dr-gregory-l-cruell/support

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." --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/dr-gregory-l-cruell/support

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." --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/dr-gregory-l-cruell/support

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. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/dr-gregory-l-cruell/support

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." --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/dr-gregory-l-cruell/support

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: 1. A kingdom mindset is a mind that is ruled by God, governed by His perspective, will, purposes, plans, and desires. 2. A kingdom mindset is a fixed mental attitude (emotions, beliefs, and behavior). 3. 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. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/dr-gregory-l-cruell/support

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." --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/dr-gregory-l-cruell/support

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. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/dr-gregory-l-cruell/support

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. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/dr-gregory-l-cruell/support

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. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/dr-gregory-l-cruell/support

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. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/dr-gregory-l-cruell/support

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. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/dr-gregory-l-cruell/support

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). --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/dr-gregory-l-cruell/support

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." --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/dr-gregory-l-cruell/support

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." --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/dr-gregory-l-cruell/support

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 ministry that lasts a lifetime. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/dr-gregory-l-cruell/support

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." --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/dr-gregory-l-cruell/support

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 is the 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! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/dr-gregory-l-cruell/support

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. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/dr-gregory-l-cruell/support

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." --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/dr-gregory-l-cruell/support

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! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/dr-gregory-l-cruell/support

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." --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/dr-gregory-l-cruell/support

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!" --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/dr-gregory-l-cruell/support

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." --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/dr-gregory-l-cruell/support

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. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/dr-gregory-l-cruell/support

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. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/dr-gregory-l-cruell/support

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." --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/dr-gregory-l-cruell/support

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. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/dr-gregory-l-cruell/support

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). --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/dr-gregory-l-cruell/support

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!” --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/dr-gregory-l-cruell/support

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! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/dr-gregory-l-cruell/support

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." --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/dr-gregory-l-cruell/support

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." --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/dr-gregory-l-cruell/support

“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." --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/dr-gregory-l-cruell/support

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! --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/dr-gregory-l-cruell/support

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 ." --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/dr-gregory-l-cruell/support

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. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/dr-gregory-l-cruell/support

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. --- This episode is sponsored by · Anchor: The easiest way to make a podcast. https://anchor.fm/app Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/dr-gregory-l-cruell/support

1. A kingdom mindset is a mind that is ruled by God, governed by His perspective, will, purposes, plans, and desires. 2. A kingdom mindset is also a fixed mental attitude that includes our emotions, beliefs, and behavior. 3. 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." --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/dr-gregory-l-cruell/support

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." --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/dr-gregory-l-cruell/support

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. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/dr-gregory-l-cruell/support

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." --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/dr-gregory-l-cruell/support

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). --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/dr-gregory-l-cruell/support

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. --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/dr-gregory-l-cruell/support

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 into the 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." --- Support this podcast: https://anchor.fm/dr-gregory-l-cruell/support