Making A Difference Through Mentorship

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.

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!”

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!

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."

“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."

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!

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 ."

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.

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."

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.