Pathway to Victory offers a practical application of God’s Word to everyday life through the clear, biblical teaching of Pastor Jeffress.
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Dr. Robert Jeffress | Robert Jeffress - Choosing Purpose Over Aimlessness | February 28, 2026
- Experience a journey that will refresh your spirit,
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- And renew your faith
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- On the "pathway to victory: cruise to alaska,"
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- June 13th through 20, 2026.
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- To the charming frontier towns
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- Of juneau, ketchikan, and skagway,
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- Imagine standing on deck surrounded by towering glaciers,
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- And snow-capped mountains
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- While enjoying powerful bible teaching from dr. jeffress.
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- Then enjoy spirit-lifting worship led by michael o'brien,
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- And share plenty of laughter with dennis swanberg,
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- America's minister of encouragement.
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- This is more than just a vacation,
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- It's a sacred pause to reconnect with the lord.
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- To reserve your cabin
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- On the 2026 "pathway to victory: cruise to alaska,"
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- Call 888-280-6747 or visit ptv.org.
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- ♪ music ♪
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- From the pulpit of the first baptist church
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- Of dallas, texas,
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- This is "pathway to victory" with dr. robert jeffress.
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- Hi, i am robert jeffress,
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- And welcome again to "pathway to victory."
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- At some point in life,
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- All of us eventually comes to the question,
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- "why am i here?"
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- Some decide that life is all about having fun,
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- Others make it their goal to accumulate things
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- Or to chase after fame or power.
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- And while there's nothing inherently wrong
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- With these pursuits,
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- They're very shortsighted when compared to eternity.
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- You and i were created for a much bigger reason.
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- My message is titled,
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- "choosing purpose over aimlessness"
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- On today's edition of "pathway to victory."
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- ♪ music ♪
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- ♪ all creatures of our god and king ♪
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- ♪ lift up your voice and with us sing ♪
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- ♪ alleluia ♪
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- ♪ thou rushing winds that art so strong ♪
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- ♪ ye clouds that sail in heaven along ♪
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- ♪ o praise him ♪
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- ♪ alleluia ♪
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- ♪ thou burning sun with golden beam ♪
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- ♪ thou silver moon with softer gleam ♪
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- ♪ o praise him ♪
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- ♪ alleluia ♪
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- ♪ thou rising morn, in praise rejoice ♪
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- ♪ ye lights of evening, find a voice ♪
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- ♪ o praise him ♪
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- ♪ alleluia ♪
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- ♪ praise god from whom all blessings flow ♪
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- ♪ praise him, all creatures here below ♪
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- ♪ o praise him ♪
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- ♪ alleluia ♪
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- ♪ amen ♪
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- (applause)
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- Life doesn't always go the way we plan.
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- But here's the good news.
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- We get to choose how we respond.
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- In "choose your attitudes, change your life,"
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- Dr. robert jeffress shares 11 biblical attitude choices
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- That can transform your health,
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- Your relationships, and even your eternity.
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- You may not be able to control what happens to you,
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- But you can learn
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- How to make your circumstances strengthen you,
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- Rather than destroy you.
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- Request "choose your attitudes, change your life"
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- When you give a generous gift to "pathway to victory."
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- ♪ music ♪
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- Thomas chalmers once said,
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- "the grand essentials for happiness
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- Are something to love,
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- Something to do,
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- And something to hope for."
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- What chalmers is talking about
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- Is the importance of having a purpose in life.
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- Purpose is the foundation upon which we build our actions,
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- Our affections, our aspirations.
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- Having a purpose is like having an engine
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- That drives our life.
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- A purpose is like a beacon in the darkness
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- That gives our lives direction in times of uncertainty.
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- And yet, as important as it is to have a purpose,
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- Studies have shown that less than 3% of americans
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- Have a clearly-defined purpose in life
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- Or the goals and objectives to meet that purpose.
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- In our series, "choose your attitudes, change your life,"
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- We're talking about 11 biblical attitude choices
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- That are essential for living the life
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- God wants us to experience.
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- And i could certainly make an argument
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- About why each one of these choices
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- Is the most important one.
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- But if i were going to say which attitude choice
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- Is the most essential,
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- Certainly the one we're talking about today
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- Would be close to, if not at the top, of the list.
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- And that is the choice of how we go through life.
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- How do we spend the limited time
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- God has given us here on earth?
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- We can do so aimlessly
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- And just simply reacting to whatever comes our way each day,
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- Or we can choose to live our life with purpose.
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- And today, we're going to talk about the importance
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- Of choosing purpose over aimlessness in life.
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- Without a clearly-defined purpose for living,
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- We are doomed to live lives that thoreau talked about,
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- Lives of quiet desperation.
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- If you think that's an overstatement,
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- Consider this very real experience
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- That the late charles colson talks about in his book,
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- "kingdoms in conflict."
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- In that book, colson recounts the story,
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- The true story of a group of jewish prisoners
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- In a nazi concentration camp
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- Who suddenly found that the factory they had been working in
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- Had been bombed out by allied aircraft.
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- Colson writes, "the next morning,
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- Several hundred inmates were herded to one end
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- Of the charred remains of the factory.
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- Expecting orders to begin rebuilding,
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- They were startled when the nazi officer
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- Commanded them to shovel sand into the carts
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- And drag it to the other end of the plant.
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- The next day, the process was repeated in reverse.
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- They were ordered to move that huge pile of sand back
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- To the other end of the compound.
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- 'a mistake had been made,' the prisoners thought.
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- 'stupid swine.'
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- But day after day, they hauled the same pile of sand
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- From one end of the camp to the other.
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- And then it began to happen.
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- One old man began crying uncontrollably.
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- The guards hauled him away.
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- Another prisoner screamed until he was beaten into silence.
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- Then, a young man,
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- Who had survived three years in that concentration camp,
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- Darted away from the group.
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- The guard shouted for him to stop
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- As he ran toward the electrified fence.
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- The other prisoners cried out, but it was too late.
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- There was a blinding flash
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- And a terrible sizzling noise,
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- A smoke puffed from his smoldering flesh.
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- In the days that followed,
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- Dozens of prisoners went mad and ran from their work,
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- Only to be shot by the guards or electrocuted by the fence.
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- The commandant smugly remarked that, soon,
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- There would be no more need to use the crematoria."
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- "the gruesome lesson is plain," colson writes.
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- "men will clinging the life with dogged resolve
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- While working meaningfully,
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- Even if that work supports their hated captors.
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- But purposeless labor soon snaps the mind."
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- What is true in that nazi concentration camp
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- Is true in your life as well.
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- Purposeless labor soon snaps the mind and the spirit.
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- Today, we're going to talk about how to discover
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- Your god-given purpose in life.
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- Now, when we talk about your purpose,
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- It's important to clarify the difference between a purpose,
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- Objectives, and goals in your life.
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- Let's look, first of all, at purpose.
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- A purpose statement simply answers the question,
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- "why do i exist?"
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- It doesn't have to be a long treatise.
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- It can be a simple statement
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- About your unique purpose in life.
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- Why did god create you?
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- Why are you occupying real estate on planet earth?
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- You know, organizations have purpose statements, hopefully.
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- Many businesses have a purpose statement.
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- You know, the general motors corporation
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- Might say that their purpose,
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- Their reason for existing is to generate a healthy profit
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- By manufacturing the finest automobiles in the world.
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- And that statement gives that company direction.
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- You know, suppose a vice president comes into the ceo
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- And says, "you know, i had an idea.
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- I think there's a lot of money
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- To be made in pharmaceuticals."
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- And the ceo, if he's worth his weight, in salt, would say,
- 00:11:16.198 --> 00:11:19.802
- "well, that's a great idea,
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- But that's not the purpose of our company.
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- Our company exists to make money
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- By manufacturing fine automobiles."
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- Not only do businesses have purpose,
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- Hopefully, a church has a clearly-defined purpose.
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- You know, in our church,
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- We understand and believe the great commission jesus gave,
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- To go into all the world and make disciples,
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- Baptizing them
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- In the name of the father, son, and holy spirit,
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- Teaching them to observe whatsoever things
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- I have commanded you.
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- And from that great commission,
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- First baptist dallas has developed a mission statement.
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- Our purpose is to transform the world with god's word,
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- One life at a time.
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- And that means everything we do as a church
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- Is directed toward either winning people to christ,
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- Baptizing them
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- In the name of the father, son, and holy spirit,
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- Or once they become christians,
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- Developing them into disciples,
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- Teaching them to observe all things christ has commanded us.
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- And anything that doesn't contribute
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- To either evangelism or discipleship
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- May be a nice thing to do.
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- It may be a good thing to do,
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- But it's not what we're called to do.
- 00:12:32.942 --> 00:12:34.743
- You know, somebody might say,
- 00:12:34.743 --> 00:12:36.145
- "you know, i think it would be helpful to our people
- 00:12:36.145 --> 00:12:39.081
- If we held a seminar on real estate investing
- 00:12:39.081 --> 00:12:42.084
- For our people."
- 00:12:42.084 --> 00:12:43.319
- Well, that may be a nice thing to do,
- 00:12:43.319 --> 00:12:45.387
- But that's not our purpose.
- 00:12:45.387 --> 00:12:46.989
- A purpose statement gives us, as a church, direction.
- 00:12:46.989 --> 00:12:50.593
- And what's true about organizations, businesses,
- 00:12:50.593 --> 00:12:54.196
- And churches is true about individuals as well.
- 00:12:54.196 --> 00:12:57.800
- We need to have a clearly-defined purpose statement.
- 00:12:57.800 --> 00:13:01.704
- And there are two keys, the bible says,
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- To discovering your unique purpose.
- 00:13:04.540 --> 00:13:07.943
- The answer to the question, "why do you exist?"
- 00:13:07.943 --> 00:13:12.014
- And those two keys are both found in philippians 2:13.
- 00:13:12.014 --> 00:13:16.852
- I like the way j.b. phillips paraphrases this verse.
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- For it is god, who is at work within you,
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- Giving you the will
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- And the power to achieve his purpose.
- 00:13:28.330 --> 00:13:33.602
- God has given you, first of all, a will, a desire,
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- A passion, if you will, to accomplish your purpose.
- 00:13:39.842 --> 00:13:43.045
- And so the first key to discovering that unique purpose
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- Is to identify your passion.
- 00:13:45.981 --> 00:13:49.885
- What is it that you see
- 00:13:49.885 --> 00:13:51.787
- That causes you concern in the world today?
- 00:13:51.787 --> 00:13:55.591
- One way god reveals his purpose for your life
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- Is by the unique passion,
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- The desire he has given you.
- 00:14:01.530 --> 00:14:03.899
- But there's a second key in that verse,
- 00:14:03.899 --> 00:14:06.201
- And that is he gives you both the will and the power.
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- That is the ability,
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- The giftedness to achieve your unique purpose.
- 00:14:11.040 --> 00:14:15.010
- If god has called you to do something,
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- He's not only going to give you a passion for it,
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- He's going to give you a special gift
- 00:14:19.548 --> 00:14:21.617
- In order to fulfill that passion.
- 00:14:21.617 --> 00:14:23.953
- And that's why the second key in discovering your purpose
- 00:14:23.953 --> 00:14:26.889
- Is identifying your gifts and your abilities.
- 00:14:26.889 --> 00:14:30.125
- It is god giving you the will
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- And the power to achieve his purpose.
- 00:14:31.560 --> 00:14:34.096
- Many years ago, back in 1984,
- 00:14:34.730 --> 00:14:38.267
- I remember sitting in the coffee shop
- 00:14:38.267 --> 00:14:40.235
- At the houston intercontinental airport,
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- Had my yellow legal tablet out.
- 00:14:42.638 --> 00:14:44.406
- I had a few hours to wait for a flight,
- 00:14:44.406 --> 00:14:46.875
- And i really asked god to give me discernment
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- In writing down a clear purpose statement
- 00:14:49.545 --> 00:14:52.781
- That would guide the rest of my life.
- 00:14:52.781 --> 00:14:55.184
- And i wrote this simple statement,
- 00:14:55.184 --> 00:14:56.719
- "my purpose is to be an effective communicator
- 00:14:56.719 --> 00:15:01.357
- Of god's word."
- 00:15:01.357 --> 00:15:03.225
- I remember the words of my old seminary professor
- 00:15:03.225 --> 00:15:05.728
- Who used to say, "men, it is a sin to bore people
- 00:15:05.728 --> 00:15:10.666
- With the word of god."
- 00:15:10.666 --> 00:15:12.067
- (congregation laughing)
- 00:15:12.067 --> 00:15:13.902
- I hear an, "amen," on that somewhere.
- 00:15:13.902 --> 00:15:16.105
- Don't hurt my feelings, but that is true.
- 00:15:16.972 --> 00:15:19.541
- And so i wanted to devote my life
- 00:15:19.541 --> 00:15:21.443
- To clearly communicating god's word.
- 00:15:21.443 --> 00:15:23.846
- Now, suppose i had that passion,
- 00:15:23.846 --> 00:15:25.714
- But i had no communication skill whatsoever.
- 00:15:25.714 --> 00:15:28.751
- Every time i stood up, i stuttered and stammered.
- 00:15:28.751 --> 00:15:31.587
- Or when i sat down to try to ride,
- 00:15:31.587 --> 00:15:33.255
- I couldn't write a cohesive sentence that made sense.
- 00:15:33.255 --> 00:15:37.893
- That's probably not my calling
- 00:15:37.893 --> 00:15:40.529
- If i don't have the gifts to go along with that.
- 00:15:40.529 --> 00:15:43.132
- And i know some of you, bible students,
- 00:15:43.132 --> 00:15:45.267
- You're already objecting.
- 00:15:45.267 --> 00:15:46.769
- You say, "oh, wait a minute, pastor, what about moses?
- 00:15:46.769 --> 00:15:50.172
- He stuttered, he stammered,
- 00:15:50.172 --> 00:15:52.241
- But god used him supernaturally."
- 00:15:52.241 --> 00:15:55.144
- Well, that's true,
- 00:15:55.144 --> 00:15:55.978
- But moses' major calling
- 00:15:55.978 --> 00:15:58.447
- Was not to be a communicator of god's word.
- 00:15:58.447 --> 00:16:01.083
- It was to be a leader of god's people.
- 00:16:01.083 --> 00:16:03.819
- And moses had tremendous leadership abilities
- 00:16:03.819 --> 00:16:07.022
- From the very beginning
- 00:16:07.022 --> 00:16:08.323
- As a child growing up in pharaoh's palace
- 00:16:08.323 --> 00:16:10.626
- That were exhibited throughout the rest of his life.
- 00:16:10.626 --> 00:16:13.562
- If god has called you to do something,
- 00:16:13.562 --> 00:16:15.564
- He will give you the gifts to do that.
- 00:16:15.564 --> 00:16:18.033
- Now, remember, we all have a general purpose in life.
- 00:16:18.033 --> 00:16:20.436
- Jesus said that in john 4:34.
- 00:16:20.436 --> 00:16:22.938
- Jesus said, "my food, that is my purpose,
- 00:16:22.938 --> 00:16:26.008
- Is to do the will of him who sent me
- 00:16:26.008 --> 00:16:28.844
- And to accomplish his work."
- 00:16:28.844 --> 00:16:31.180
- That ought to be the purpose statement of every christian.
- 00:16:31.180 --> 00:16:33.816
- But jesus also understood he had a unique purpose
- 00:16:33.816 --> 00:16:36.718
- In coming to earth that nobody else could fulfill.
- 00:16:36.718 --> 00:16:39.855
- In matthew 20:28, he said,
- 00:16:39.855 --> 00:16:41.857
- "just as the son of man did not come to be served,
- 00:16:41.857 --> 00:16:45.961
- But to serve and to give his life as a ransom for many."
- 00:16:45.961 --> 00:16:51.300
- Once we define our god-given purpose in life,
- 00:16:52.234 --> 00:16:56.505
- It's important to connect every part of our life
- 00:16:56.505 --> 00:17:00.476
- To that overarching purpose statement.
- 00:17:00.476 --> 00:17:03.345
- And that's where objectives come in.
- 00:17:03.345 --> 00:17:06.415
- A definition of an objective
- 00:17:06.415 --> 00:17:08.117
- Is an objective is a simple statement,
- 00:17:08.117 --> 00:17:10.719
- Expressing desires for specific areas of our life.
- 00:17:10.719 --> 00:17:15.057
- No matter what your purpose is,
- 00:17:15.057 --> 00:17:16.592
- You've got to be able to connect that
- 00:17:16.592 --> 00:17:18.460
- To every part of your life,
- 00:17:18.460 --> 00:17:19.962
- Your spiritual life, your family relationships, your work,
- 00:17:19.962 --> 00:17:23.532
- Every part of your life,
- 00:17:23.532 --> 00:17:25.400
- And objectives are the way to do that.
- 00:17:25.400 --> 00:17:28.237
- Let me show you how to develop the objectives
- 00:17:28.237 --> 00:17:30.739
- For the seven major areas of your life.
- 00:17:30.739 --> 00:17:33.308
- I've put on your outline a grid
- 00:17:33.308 --> 00:17:35.844
- Showing the seven major life areas:
- 00:17:35.844 --> 00:17:38.247
- Spiritual, physical, that is your health,
- 00:17:38.247 --> 00:17:41.350
- Family, vocational, personal growth,
- 00:17:41.350 --> 00:17:44.720
- Social, financial.
- 00:17:44.720 --> 00:17:47.122
- What i want to ask you to do, perhaps not right now,
- 00:17:47.122 --> 00:17:49.658
- But sometime as you work through this material,
- 00:17:49.658 --> 00:17:52.561
- Give yourself a grade on a scale of 1 to 10
- 00:17:52.561 --> 00:17:55.264
- About how you think you're doing in each of these areas.
- 00:17:55.264 --> 00:17:58.066
- How are you doing in your spiritual relationship with god?
- 00:17:58.066 --> 00:18:01.503
- How's your health doing?
- 00:18:01.503 --> 00:18:02.738
- How are you doing with your finances?
- 00:18:02.738 --> 00:18:04.806
- How are you doing in every area of life?
- 00:18:04.806 --> 00:18:08.110
- Now,
- 00:18:08.110 --> 00:18:09.711
- 1 would be the least,
- 00:18:09.711 --> 00:18:11.113
- 10 would be you're knocking it out of the park.
- 00:18:11.113 --> 00:18:13.549
- You know, in some of those areas,
- 00:18:13.549 --> 00:18:14.816
- You may feel like you're doing great.
- 00:18:14.816 --> 00:18:16.251
- You'd give yourself a 7, 8, 9, 10.
- 00:18:16.251 --> 00:18:19.021
- If that's true in those areas, your objective would be,
- 00:18:20.088 --> 00:18:22.791
- "i want to keep doing whatever it is
- 00:18:22.791 --> 00:18:24.927
- That's giving you success in that area."
- 00:18:24.927 --> 00:18:27.629
- However, if it's less than a 7,
- 00:18:27.629 --> 00:18:29.531
- It might help you formulate some things
- 00:18:29.531 --> 00:18:31.600
- Of what you would like to do in those areas to improve.
- 00:18:31.600 --> 00:18:36.038
- Remember, a purpose statement completes the sentence,
- 00:18:36.038 --> 00:18:38.941
- "my reason for living is to..."
- 00:18:38.941 --> 00:18:41.877
- But an objective statement completes the sentence,
- 00:18:41.877 --> 00:18:44.980
- "i want to..."
- 00:18:44.980 --> 00:18:46.248
- Or, "i want to continue doing whatever
- 00:18:46.248 --> 00:18:49.084
- For each of these areas."
- 00:18:49.084 --> 00:18:50.385
- Let me show you how that works.
- 00:18:50.385 --> 00:18:51.753
- Let's just say you happen to be
- 00:18:51.753 --> 00:18:53.121
- That christian business person, a man or a woman,
- 00:18:53.121 --> 00:18:55.557
- And you really want to show other people
- 00:18:55.557 --> 00:18:59.461
- How the bible has principles that will help you in business.
- 00:18:59.461 --> 00:19:02.898
- You want to integrate your business
- 00:19:02.898 --> 00:19:04.766
- With your christian faith.
- 00:19:04.766 --> 00:19:07.402
- So, how would that affect all these areas of your life?
- 00:19:07.402 --> 00:19:10.272
- What about your spiritual life?
- 00:19:10.272 --> 00:19:12.274
- Well, wouldn't you agree with me?
- 00:19:12.274 --> 00:19:13.875
- If you are going to operate your business
- 00:19:13.875 --> 00:19:15.811
- By biblical principles,
- 00:19:15.811 --> 00:19:17.145
- You have to know what those principles are.
- 00:19:17.145 --> 00:19:18.680
- And so maybe you say, "i want to know the bible better.
- 00:19:18.680 --> 00:19:22.251
- That's a goal i have, i want to know the bible better."
- 00:19:22.251 --> 00:19:26.321
- You see your objectives all ought to tie
- 00:19:26.321 --> 00:19:29.324
- Into the purpose that god has given you.
- 00:19:29.324 --> 00:19:32.861
- You identify what your purpose is, discover your purpose,
- 00:19:32.861 --> 00:19:37.699
- Your reason for living, why god created you.
- 00:19:37.699 --> 00:19:41.136
- Then, you develop objectives
- 00:19:41.136 --> 00:19:45.107
- That will help you meet that overall purpose statement.
- 00:19:45.107 --> 00:19:48.277
- And that leads to the third word, goals.
- 00:19:48.277 --> 00:19:51.413
- Formulating specific goals.
- 00:19:51.413 --> 00:19:54.516
- Goals are the vehicles
- 00:19:54.516 --> 00:19:56.618
- By which we transform our objectives
- 00:19:56.618 --> 00:20:00.289
- Into reality.
- 00:20:00.289 --> 00:20:02.424
- Now, this is where a lot of people get mixed up,
- 00:20:02.424 --> 00:20:04.960
- And quite frankly,
- 00:20:04.960 --> 00:20:06.328
- It's the reason so many people live aimless lives.
- 00:20:06.328 --> 00:20:09.364
- They don't have clearly-defined goals.
- 00:20:09.364 --> 00:20:12.501
- Let me give you a definition of a goal.
- 00:20:12.501 --> 00:20:14.236
- A goal is a desired accomplishment
- 00:20:14.236 --> 00:20:17.472
- That is easily measured by time and performance.
- 00:20:17.472 --> 00:20:22.744
- It's a desired accomplishment
- 00:20:23.378 --> 00:20:24.680
- That can be measured by time and performance.
- 00:20:24.680 --> 00:20:26.615
- For example here, i say,
- 00:20:26.615 --> 00:20:28.383
- "well, i want to know the bible better."
- 00:20:28.383 --> 00:20:31.053
- Is that a goal?
- 00:20:31.053 --> 00:20:32.788
- No.
- 00:20:32.788 --> 00:20:34.156
- That's an objective, but it's not a goal.
- 00:20:34.156 --> 00:20:36.525
- I mean, just to say, "i want to know my bible better."
- 00:20:36.525 --> 00:20:38.593
- Well, how will you know when you know it better?
- 00:20:38.593 --> 00:20:40.896
- No, a goal would be specific.
- 00:20:40.896 --> 00:20:43.498
- "i want to read one chapter of the bible every day
- 00:20:43.498 --> 00:20:48.403
- Beginning today."
- 00:20:48.403 --> 00:20:50.772
- The accomplishment is clear,
- 00:20:50.772 --> 00:20:52.374
- A chapter of the bible every day.
- 00:20:52.374 --> 00:20:54.743
- And there's a time attached to it,
- 00:20:54.743 --> 00:20:56.712
- A start time or a finish time, starting today.
- 00:20:56.712 --> 00:21:01.616
- Or maybe you would say, "you know, i want to be thinner."
- 00:21:01.616 --> 00:21:06.488
- We all had that goal, most of us.
- 00:21:06.488 --> 00:21:09.224
- Is that a goal?
- 00:21:09.224 --> 00:21:10.492
- No, that's an objective, "i want to be thinner."
- 00:21:10.492 --> 00:21:13.028
- A goal would be a specific accomplishment.
- 00:21:13.028 --> 00:21:15.163
- "i want to lose five pounds."
- 00:21:15.163 --> 00:21:16.932
- That's the accomplishment.
- 00:21:16.932 --> 00:21:18.433
- And i want to attach a date to it, by april the 30th.
- 00:21:18.433 --> 00:21:22.504
- Anytime you're formulating a goal,
- 00:21:22.504 --> 00:21:24.673
- Remember, a goal answers the question:
- 00:21:24.673 --> 00:21:27.776
- What do i want to happen?
- 00:21:27.776 --> 00:21:29.277
- That's the accomplishment.
- 00:21:29.277 --> 00:21:30.979
- Secondly, how will i know it happened?
- 00:21:30.979 --> 00:21:32.948
- What's the measurement?
- 00:21:32.948 --> 00:21:34.316
- And when do i want this to happen?
- 00:21:34.316 --> 00:21:36.284
- The starting date or the completion date.
- 00:21:36.284 --> 00:21:39.688
- There is no more effective way
- 00:21:39.688 --> 00:21:42.224
- To be a disciple of jesus christ
- 00:21:42.224 --> 00:21:44.760
- Than by discovering his unique purpose for your life
- 00:21:44.760 --> 00:21:48.530
- And living out that purpose.
- 00:21:48.530 --> 00:21:51.099
- That is why god left us here
- 00:21:51.099 --> 00:21:53.568
- To fulfill his unique purpose for us.
- 00:21:53.568 --> 00:21:57.672
- I love the way ephesians 5:15-17
- 00:21:57.672 --> 00:22:01.843
- Reads again in the j.b. phillips paraphrase.
- 00:22:01.843 --> 00:22:04.880
- Let me read this to you from the phillips paraphrase.
- 00:22:04.880 --> 00:22:07.916
- Paul writes, "live life, then,
- 00:22:07.916 --> 00:22:11.219
- With a due sense of responsibility.
- 00:22:11.219 --> 00:22:14.456
- Not as men who don't know the meaning and purpose of life,
- 00:22:14.456 --> 00:22:18.593
- But as those who do.
- 00:22:18.593 --> 00:22:20.662
- Make the best use of your time,
- 00:22:20.662 --> 00:22:22.898
- Despite all the evils of these days.
- 00:22:22.898 --> 00:22:26.301
- Don't be vague,
- 00:22:26.301 --> 00:22:28.270
- But grasp firmly what you know to be the will of the lord."
- 00:22:28.270 --> 00:22:33.608
- What paul is talking about is know your purpose.
- 00:22:34.609 --> 00:22:38.847
- In his book, "the deeper life," daniel henderson writes,
- 00:22:38.847 --> 00:22:43.452
- "i've heard it said many times.
- 00:22:43.452 --> 00:22:46.154
- You're not really ready to live
- 00:22:46.154 --> 00:22:49.057
- Until you know what you want written on your tombstone."
- 00:22:49.057 --> 00:22:53.295
- If you were to die today,
- 00:22:53.862 --> 00:22:56.164
- Would those who know you the best be able to say,
- 00:22:56.164 --> 00:23:00.035
- "this is why you lived."
- 00:23:00.035 --> 00:23:03.505
- That's a profound question.
- 00:23:04.105 --> 00:23:06.074
- Would those who know you the very best, at your funeral,
- 00:23:06.074 --> 00:23:09.411
- Be able to stand up and say,
- 00:23:09.411 --> 00:23:10.712
- "this is the purpose for which you lived."
- 00:23:10.712 --> 00:23:13.982
- Is it clear to you why you're here?
- 00:23:13.982 --> 00:23:16.685
- When this life comes to an end,
- 00:23:16.685 --> 00:23:18.954
- Will you look back and conclude that you have lived well
- 00:23:18.954 --> 00:23:23.291
- And significantly?
- 00:23:23.291 --> 00:23:24.593
- Now, get this.
- 00:23:24.593 --> 00:23:26.328
- The great tragedy in life is not death.
- 00:23:26.328 --> 00:23:30.332
- ♪ music ♪
- 00:23:30.332 --> 00:23:32.033
- The great tragedy in life
- 00:23:32.033 --> 00:23:34.369
- Is life without purpose.
- 00:23:34.369 --> 00:23:37.472
- ♪ music ♪
- 00:23:37.472 --> 00:23:42.310
- God has gifted you with special talents and abilities,
- 00:23:43.378 --> 00:23:46.948
- And all of them culminate in the central purpose
- 00:23:46.948 --> 00:23:50.085
- Of accomplishing his plan.
- 00:23:50.085 --> 00:23:52.120
- My prayer is that today's message
- 00:23:52.120 --> 00:23:53.922
- Will help you determine your unique role
- 00:23:53.922 --> 00:23:56.458
- In fulfilling god's will.
- 00:23:56.458 --> 00:23:58.727
- Well, i'm pleased to report
- 00:23:58.727 --> 00:24:00.161
- That our television and radio programs,
- 00:24:00.161 --> 00:24:02.531
- Combined with our presence on the internet,
- 00:24:02.531 --> 00:24:05.000
- Are reaching more people than we ever dreamed possible.
- 00:24:05.000 --> 00:24:08.503
- And we're asking god to allow us to expand
- 00:24:08.503 --> 00:24:11.506
- For his glory in the coming year.
- 00:24:11.506 --> 00:24:13.842
- None of us needs convincing
- 00:24:13.842 --> 00:24:15.310
- That our nation is deeply divided and confused.
- 00:24:15.310 --> 00:24:18.547
- And through our ministry, together,
- 00:24:18.547 --> 00:24:21.216
- We are shining light in the dark places of our country
- 00:24:21.216 --> 00:24:24.519
- And bringing god's message of hope and unity
- 00:24:24.519 --> 00:24:26.922
- To people who are craving for the truth.
- 00:24:26.922 --> 00:24:29.858
- Thank you so much for your continued support
- 00:24:29.858 --> 00:24:32.427
- Of "pathway to victory."
- 00:24:32.427 --> 00:24:34.296
- And stay right there,
- 00:24:34.296 --> 00:24:35.597
- I'll be back with more "pathway to victory"
- 00:24:35.597 --> 00:24:37.866
- In just a moment.
- 00:24:37.866 --> 00:24:39.734
- When unexpected challenges hit,
- 00:24:39.734 --> 00:24:41.970
- It's easy to feel defeated and robbed of joy.
- 00:24:41.970 --> 00:24:45.006
- But while we can't always choose our circumstances,
- 00:24:45.006 --> 00:24:47.809
- We can always choose how we respond to them.
- 00:24:47.809 --> 00:24:50.712
- In "choose your attitudes, change your life,"
- 00:24:50.712 --> 00:24:53.181
- Dr. robert jeffress shares 11 proven attitude choices
- 00:24:53.181 --> 00:24:56.585
- That will help you experience the abundant life
- 00:24:56.585 --> 00:24:59.020
- God desires for you.
- 00:24:59.020 --> 00:25:00.622
- The bible tells us that as a person thinks within himself,
- 00:25:00.622 --> 00:25:04.426
- So is he.
- 00:25:04.426 --> 00:25:05.727
- Our attitudes impact everything:
- 00:25:05.727 --> 00:25:07.929
- Our health, our relationships, our work,
- 00:25:07.929 --> 00:25:10.365
- And even our eternity.
- 00:25:10.365 --> 00:25:12.334
- In my book, "choose your attitudes, change your life,"
- 00:25:12.334 --> 00:25:15.437
- I walk you through 11 essential choices,
- 00:25:15.437 --> 00:25:18.640
- Like purpose over aimlessness,
- 00:25:18.640 --> 00:25:20.809
- Perseverance over defeat, and faith over worry.
- 00:25:20.809 --> 00:25:24.980
- These biblical principles have transformed countless lives
- 00:25:24.980 --> 00:25:28.550
- And they can transform yours as well.
- 00:25:28.550 --> 00:25:31.086
- Request your copy
- 00:25:31.086 --> 00:25:32.420
- Of "choose your attitudes, change your life"
- 00:25:32.420 --> 00:25:34.422
- When you give a generous gift
- 00:25:34.422 --> 00:25:35.724
- To support "pathway to victory."
- 00:25:35.724 --> 00:25:37.759
- And when your ministry gift is $75 or more,
- 00:25:37.759 --> 00:25:40.929
- We'll also send you the companion study guide,
- 00:25:40.929 --> 00:25:43.531
- Along with the complete teaching series on cd and dvd.
- 00:25:43.531 --> 00:25:47.369
- Our attitude determines our destiny.
- 00:25:47.369 --> 00:25:50.338
- Attitudes profoundly impact our life, our death,
- 00:25:50.338 --> 00:25:55.276
- And our eternal destiny.
- 00:25:55.276 --> 00:25:57.212
- Thank you for your generous support
- 00:25:57.212 --> 00:25:58.947
- Of "pathway to victory."
- 00:25:58.947 --> 00:26:00.448
- Your partnership helps us bring practical,
- 00:26:00.448 --> 00:26:02.784
- Life-changing biblical truth into homes across the nation
- 00:26:02.784 --> 00:26:06.421
- And around the world.
- 00:26:06.421 --> 00:26:07.756
- ♪ music ♪
- 00:26:07.756 --> 00:26:10.625
- Discovering god's unique purpose for your life
- 00:26:10.625 --> 00:26:13.461
- Sounds like a daunting task, i know.
- 00:26:13.461 --> 00:26:16.197
- But if you follow these three very specific
- 00:26:16.197 --> 00:26:18.900
- And practical steps,
- 00:26:18.900 --> 00:26:20.502
- I'm confident they will steer you in the right direction.
- 00:26:20.502 --> 00:26:24.305
- Well, every single one of us
- 00:26:24.305 --> 00:26:25.974
- Is in the middle of an invisible war.
- 00:26:25.974 --> 00:26:28.877
- Satan and his demons are doing overtime
- 00:26:28.877 --> 00:26:31.813
- To destroy everything important to you.
- 00:26:31.813 --> 00:26:34.649
- But god has equipped us with powerful weapons
- 00:26:34.649 --> 00:26:37.352
- To defeat the enemies' schemes.
- 00:26:37.352 --> 00:26:39.521
- So stay tuned for a preview of my newly updated series,
- 00:26:39.521 --> 00:26:43.291
- "the divine defense,"
- 00:26:43.291 --> 00:26:44.726
- Coming up next time on "pathway to victory."
- 00:26:44.726 --> 00:26:47.729
- ♪ music ♪
- 00:26:47.729 --> 00:26:49.064
- Your mind is the devil's playground.
- 00:26:49.064 --> 00:26:54.502
- More accurately,
- 00:26:54.869 --> 00:26:56.471
- Your mind is the devil's battlefield,
- 00:26:56.471 --> 00:27:00.375
- On which he is warring against everything important to you.
- 00:27:00.375 --> 00:27:05.680
- It is a battle that seeks to destroy your faith,
- 00:27:06.648 --> 00:27:09.851
- Your family, and your future.
- 00:27:09.851 --> 00:27:12.420
- Set your dvr and join us next time for the message,
- 00:27:12.420 --> 00:27:15.557
- "when satan comes knocking,"
- 00:27:15.557 --> 00:27:17.726
- Part of the new series, "the divine defense,"
- 00:27:17.726 --> 00:27:20.361
- Here on "pathway to victory."
- 00:27:20.361 --> 00:27:20.361