Dr. Robert Jeffress shares a powerful message on "Choosing Contentment Over Comparison" on his "Pathway to Victory" broadcast. Through personal anecdotes and Biblical teachings, he highlights the dangers of comparison and the importance of finding contentment in God's provisions. He urges listeners to trust in God's sovereignty, manage their expectations, and focus on God's unique plan for their lives. This thought-provoking sermon challenges individuals to break free from the trap of comparison and embrace a life of gratitude and contentment.
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Dr. Robert Jeffress | Robert Jeffress - Choosing Contentment Over Comparison | February 1, 2026
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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'm robert jeffress and welcome again
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- To "pathway to victory."
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- What do people want more than anything else in the world?
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- Money, health, comfort?
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- Well, all of those things are just a means
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- To achieve happiness, or so we think.
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- We've been conditioned to believe
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- That contentment comes from our external circumstances.
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- But in truth,
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- Contentment has nothing to do
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- With what you have or you don't have.
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- It all comes down to how you think.
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- My message is titled "choosing contentment over comparison"
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- On today's edition of "pathway to victory."
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- ♪ music ♪
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- ♪ there is power in the name of jesus ♪
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- ♪ to break every chain ♪
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- ♪ break every chain, break every chain ♪
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- ♪ there is power ♪
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- -♪ in the name of jesus ♪ -♪ strong, jesus ♪
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- ♪ to break every chain ♪
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- ♪ break every chain, break every chain ♪
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- ♪ there's an army rising up ♪
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- ♪ to break every chain ♪
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- ♪ break every chain, break every chain ♪
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- ♪ break every chain ♪
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- ♪ there's an army rising up ♪
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- ♪ his name is jesus ♪
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- -♪ there's an army ♪ -♪ come, lord ♪
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- -♪ rising up ♪ -♪ come, lord ♪
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- ♪ come, lord, we need you today ♪
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- ♪ to break every chain ♪
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- ♪ break every chain, break every chain ♪
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- ♪ come on, lord, we need you right now ♪
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- ♪ right here, right now ♪
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- ♪ break every chain ♪
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- ♪ to break every chain ♪
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- ♪ oh lord ♪
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- ♪ hallelujah ♪
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- (applause)
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- We all want to live a life of meaning and significance,
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- But we often dream too small.
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- My friends david green, founder and ceo of hobby lobby,
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- And bill high, ceo of legacy stone,
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- Have written a brand new book called "the legacy life."
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- You've said it in this book several times.
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- Legacy is not what you leave behind,
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- It's what you set in motion for the future.
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- This book will challenge you to point your life heavenward
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- And set in motion a legacy of eternal significance.
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- Bill, i found that it's much easier to run a business,
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- But having a family, a wife,
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- Children that serve the lord is much, much more difficult.
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- And that's who we are.
- 00:04:03.733 --> 00:04:04.667
- We're not about hobby lobby,
- 00:04:04.667 --> 00:04:06.035
- We're about mission, vision, and values,
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- And it's all based on god's word
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- And that's what we're excited about.
- 00:04:09.939 --> 00:04:11.374
- No matter what stage of life you're in,
- 00:04:11.374 --> 00:04:13.343
- "the legacy life" will help you understand
- 00:04:13.343 --> 00:04:16.746
- How to apply god's word and set in motion a great legacy.
- 00:04:16.746 --> 00:04:21.584
- Request "the legacy life"
- 00:04:21.584 --> 00:04:23.152
- When you give a generous gift to "pathway to victory"
- 00:04:23.152 --> 00:04:25.855
- Or when you become a pathway partner.
- 00:04:25.855 --> 00:04:27.790
- You'll also receive the powerful book by dr. jeffress,
- 00:04:27.790 --> 00:04:30.760
- "choose your attitudes, change your life."
- 00:04:30.760 --> 00:04:33.329
- And when your ministry gift is $100 or more,
- 00:04:33.329 --> 00:04:36.366
- We'll also send you
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- The "choose your attitudes, change your life"
- 00:04:37.734 --> 00:04:39.702
- Personal and group study guide,
- 00:04:39.702 --> 00:04:41.571
- Plus the complete teaching series on cd and dvd
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- And a set of attitude booster cards for your encouragement.
- 00:04:45.375 --> 00:04:49.245
- Thank you for supporting "pathway to victory."
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- ♪ music ♪
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- Years ago, i learned about the futility
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- Of comparing yourself to other people
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- From a most unlikely source.
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- It was the summer of 1984
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- And amy and i went with our good friends, the lovorns,
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- On a vacation to california.
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- And one evening we heard that the next day
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- They were going to be taping the game show
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- "let's make a deal" with monty hall.
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- How many of you remember "let's make a deal"?
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- I know i'm dating myself and we thought, you know,
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- It might be fun to try to get on that game show.
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- And so the next morning we got up early
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- And we drove to a local costume shop in downtown los angeles
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- 'cause they would only pick people in outlandish costumes,
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- And so we each rented a costume.
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- Mark and patty had a raggedy ann and andy costume
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- With the hair, the wig, the whole bit.
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- Amy got a convict outfit.
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- She had stripes on her
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- And she had the ball and chain and all of that.
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- And i saw the perfect costume, a giant banana,
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- And it had a little hole that i could stick my face out of
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- But the rest of it was a full-length banana.
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- So we got our costumes, got in the car,
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- I was the driver, i was in my full-length banana suit
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- Driving down the freeway of california,
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- And we got to the studio in hollywood
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- And there were hundreds of people in the parking lot
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- Trying to get one of the 50 spots on the trading floor
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- To actually be on the show.
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- And to our amazement and pleasure,
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- We were actually chosen to be on the trading floor,
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- Those 50 people from whom monty hall
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- Would select a few people.
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- We thought, "this is great."
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- And if that were not enough,
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- Finally the show started
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- And monty hall came down the aisle toward me and he said,
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- "my first deal of the day is for robert jeffress."
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- And so we traded and i won $350.
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- A little bit later, monty went over to mark and patty.
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- They won $1,200.
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- They always win more than i do, in every way.
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- But anyway, after the show, we went to the little room
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- Where we were filling out these release forms
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- And i was seated next to a woman and she had won a piano
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- But traded it away for something else
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- And i'd begin to think, you know,
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- "if only i had been in her seat on the trading floor,
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- I could have won that piano.
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- We really would've liked a new piano."
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- So i'm kind of, you know, lamenting about that.
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- Then mark and patty kind of started second guessing,
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- They won $1,200 but they wondered,
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- "maybe we should have gone for the big deal of the day."
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- And finally, the woman who won the big showcase,
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- The big deal of the day,
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- She was complaining that the furniture didn't match
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- The decor of her living room.
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- (congregation laughs)
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- And above all of this moaning and lamenting there,
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- One woman said, "you know what?
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- I wasn't even expecting to win anything,
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- I'm just glad i got on the show."
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- And i immediately thought of that comment
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- Of benjamin franklin's.
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- He said, "who is it that is truly rich?
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- He who is content.
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- And who is that?
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- No one."
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- Today we're going to talk about the attitude choice
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- That perhaps more than any other
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- Determines your level of happiness in life.
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- It's choosing contentment over comparison.
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- Nothing will rob you of joy in life anymore
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- Than comparing yourself to other people.
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- And yet we do it all the time, don't we?
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- We compare ourself to other people.
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- Now, when i talk about comparing yourself with other people,
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- I'm not talking about noticing
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- That people have more or different than you have.
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- I mean obviously that's true.
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- There are people with bigger homes, larger salaries,
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- Finer automobiles than we have.
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- I'm not talking about noticing that,
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- Nor am i talking about trying to quench that desire,
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- A god-given desire that we all have to excel in life.
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- But here's what i'm talking about
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- When i talk about comparison.
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- Comparison, write this down,
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- Is an attitude of dissatisfaction
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- With god's provisions for my life
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- That leads to an obsession with having more.
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- Let me say it again.
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- Comparison is an attitude of dissatisfaction
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- With god's provisions for my life
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- That leads to an obsession with having more.
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- In the old testament,
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- The word for comparison was covetousness.
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- Covetousness.
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- And it's interesting that the climactic command
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- Of the 10 commandments in exodus 20
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- Is not thou shall not commit murder or adultery or lie.
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- You know what the climax of the 10 commandments is?
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- Thou shalt not covet.
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- After god casts satan down to earth,
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- It is no accident that satan chose
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- To use as his basis for tempting the first couple
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- That dissatisfaction that had formed in his own heart
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- With god's provision.
- 00:10:26.916 --> 00:10:28.451
- Remember, god said to the first couple,
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- "i've created this beautiful garden
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- And of any tree you can eat, except one."
- 00:10:32.121 --> 00:10:36.959
- And what did satan do when he talked to eve in genesis 3?
- 00:10:36.959 --> 00:10:41.263
- Instead of reminding eve of all of god's provisions,
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- He instead pointed her attention to one prohibition.
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- God said, "do not eat of this tree."
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- He does the same thing in our life.
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- Satan wants to distract us from thinking and thanking god
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- For all of the provisions he's given us
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- Into the things that are forbidden.
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- He did that with eve and he said in genesis 3:5,
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- "the reason god doesn't want you to eat of that tree
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- For he knows that in the day you eat of it,
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- Your eyes will be opened and you will be like god,
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- Knowing good and evil."
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- Covetousness,
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- A dissatisfaction with what god has already provided us.
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- And you look in human history,
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- It is that desire for more or different
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- That leads to all sin and rebellion against god
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- And it produces continual chaos in our lives.
- 00:11:32.615 --> 00:11:36.318
- The bible says in john 8:44,
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- "satan is a liar, he is the father of all lies."
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- Let me share with you two myths
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- That we often buy into that fuel our desire for more.
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- Myth number one, i can have it all.
- 00:11:53.269 --> 00:11:56.672
- That's particularly popular in our american culture.
- 00:11:56.672 --> 00:12:00.242
- Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve.
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- That is, if you work hard enough,
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- There is absolutely no limit to what you can achieve,
- 00:12:06.682 --> 00:12:10.352
- You can have it all.
- 00:12:10.352 --> 00:12:12.688
- No, you really can't.
- 00:12:12.688 --> 00:12:14.790
- The fact is there will always be somebody
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- Who has more than you have.
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- It just will.
- 00:12:20.696 --> 00:12:22.398
- You know, i remember reading
- 00:12:22.398 --> 00:12:25.100
- A passage from a sermon preached by bill hybels entitled,
- 00:12:26.168 --> 00:12:30.673
- "rare and remarkable virtues,"
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- And he was recounting the tragic story
- 00:12:33.275 --> 00:12:36.278
- Of the late billionaire howard hughes.
- 00:12:36.278 --> 00:12:39.882
- He says, "all howard hughes ever really wanted in life
- 00:12:39.882 --> 00:12:44.119
- Was more.
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- He wanted more money,
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- So he parlayed inherited wealth
- 00:12:46.689 --> 00:12:48.858
- Into a billion-dollar pile of assets.
- 00:12:48.858 --> 00:12:51.660
- He wanted more fame,
- 00:12:51.660 --> 00:12:53.362
- So he broke into the hollywood scene
- 00:12:53.362 --> 00:12:55.364
- And soon became a filmmaker and a star.
- 00:12:55.364 --> 00:12:58.067
- He wanted more sensual pleasures,
- 00:12:58.067 --> 00:13:00.302
- So he paid handsome sums to indulge his every sexual urge.
- 00:13:00.302 --> 00:13:05.374
- He wanted more thrills,
- 00:13:05.875 --> 00:13:07.076
- So he designed, built, and piloted
- 00:13:07.076 --> 00:13:09.511
- The fastest aircraft in the world.
- 00:13:09.511 --> 00:13:12.248
- He wanted more power,
- 00:13:12.248 --> 00:13:13.782
- So he secretly dealt political favors so skillfully
- 00:13:13.782 --> 00:13:17.920
- That two us presidents became his pawns.
- 00:13:17.920 --> 00:13:21.223
- All he ever wanted was more,
- 00:13:21.223 --> 00:13:24.860
- And yet he died emaciated, colorless,
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- With his fingernails in grotesque, inches-long corkscrews,
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- With rotting black teeth,
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- Tumors and innumerable needle marks from his drug addiction.
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- Howard hughes died believing the myth of more."
- 00:13:41.010 --> 00:13:46.315
- Myth number two that fuels our dissatisfaction,
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- I could be happy if only i had blank.
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- I could be really happy if only i had blank.
- 00:13:57.459 --> 00:13:59.929
- There's something out there
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- That could fill the hole in my heart.
- 00:14:02.598 --> 00:14:05.367
- Some people fill in that blank with a different job,
- 00:14:05.367 --> 00:14:09.438
- A bigger house, more time off on a vacation,
- 00:14:09.438 --> 00:14:12.841
- Perhaps a different mate.
- 00:14:12.841 --> 00:14:14.209
- We all think there's something out there
- 00:14:14.209 --> 00:14:16.645
- That would really make us happy.
- 00:14:16.645 --> 00:14:18.580
- But you know how most people fill in that blank?
- 00:14:18.580 --> 00:14:21.717
- I could really be happy if only i had more money.
- 00:14:21.717 --> 00:14:27.489
- For us, money is a passport
- 00:14:28.090 --> 00:14:32.161
- That allows us to experience
- 00:14:32.161 --> 00:14:33.729
- The things we truly think will make us happy.
- 00:14:33.729 --> 00:14:36.332
- And that's why there's so many warnings in scripture
- 00:14:36.332 --> 00:14:39.134
- Against the love of money.
- 00:14:39.134 --> 00:14:41.370
- We read one of them just a few moments ago
- 00:14:41.370 --> 00:14:43.372
- In 1 timothy 6:10.
- 00:14:43.372 --> 00:14:45.040
- Paul said, "for the love of money
- 00:14:45.040 --> 00:14:46.809
- Is a root of all sorts of evil,
- 00:14:46.809 --> 00:14:48.877
- And some, by longing for it,
- 00:14:48.877 --> 00:14:51.280
- Have wandered away from the faith
- 00:14:51.280 --> 00:14:53.782
- And have pierced themselves with many a pain."
- 00:14:53.782 --> 00:14:56.719
- You know, jesus said,
- 00:14:56.719 --> 00:14:57.987
- "it is impossible
- 00:14:57.987 --> 00:14:59.755
- To serve god and money."
- 00:14:59.755 --> 00:15:03.726
- It's interesting, he didn't say it's impossible
- 00:15:04.693 --> 00:15:06.261
- To serve god and sex,
- 00:15:06.261 --> 00:15:08.297
- Or god and your job,
- 00:15:08.297 --> 00:15:09.665
- Or god and recreational activities.
- 00:15:09.665 --> 00:15:14.103
- All of those things can become idols, no doubt about it.
- 00:15:14.103 --> 00:15:17.906
- But there's something unique about the allure of money.
- 00:15:17.906 --> 00:15:21.276
- And again, what it is, is money is the passport, the key,
- 00:15:21.276 --> 00:15:25.114
- To purchasing the things we think
- 00:15:25.114 --> 00:15:26.849
- Will make us happy in life.
- 00:15:26.849 --> 00:15:28.484
- But it's all an illusion.
- 00:15:28.484 --> 00:15:31.120
- You know, the fact is you came into this world with nothing
- 00:15:31.120 --> 00:15:34.256
- And you and i will leave it with nothing.
- 00:15:34.256 --> 00:15:37.192
- There are no u-hauls in heaven.
- 00:15:37.192 --> 00:15:40.596
- Everything we have, we leave behind.
- 00:15:40.596 --> 00:15:44.400
- I saw a great illustration of that years ago
- 00:15:45.334 --> 00:15:48.270
- From the advice columnist from the newspapers, ann landers.
- 00:15:48.270 --> 00:15:53.609
- How many of you remember ann landers, advice columnist?
- 00:15:54.710 --> 00:15:57.012
- How many of you remember newspapers?
- 00:15:57.012 --> 00:15:59.148
- -(congregation laughs) -remember those?
- 00:15:59.148 --> 00:16:02.684
- I remember clipping this column out,
- 00:16:03.485 --> 00:16:05.054
- It made such an impression on me.
- 00:16:05.054 --> 00:16:07.456
- The title of the article from ann landers was,
- 00:16:07.456 --> 00:16:10.359
- "you can't take it with you."
- 00:16:10.359 --> 00:16:13.162
- She writes, "aunt emma was married
- 00:16:13.162 --> 00:16:16.365
- To a tightwad, uncle ollie,
- 00:16:16.365 --> 00:16:18.534
- Who was also a little strange.
- 00:16:18.534 --> 00:16:20.636
- Uncle ollie made a good salary but they lived frugally
- 00:16:20.636 --> 00:16:23.806
- Because he insisted on putting 20% of his paycheck
- 00:16:23.806 --> 00:16:27.309
- Under the mattress.
- 00:16:27.309 --> 00:16:28.777
- The money, he said, was going to come in handy
- 00:16:28.777 --> 00:16:31.413
- In their old age.
- 00:16:31.413 --> 00:16:33.082
- When uncle ollie was 60, he was stricken with cancer.
- 00:16:33.082 --> 00:16:37.252
- Toward the end, he made aunt emma promise
- 00:16:37.252 --> 00:16:39.955
- In the presence of his brothers
- 00:16:39.955 --> 00:16:42.224
- That she would put the money he had stashed away
- 00:16:42.224 --> 00:16:45.060
- In his coffin
- 00:16:45.060 --> 00:16:46.428
- So he could buy his way into heaven if he had to.
- 00:16:46.428 --> 00:16:49.865
- They all knew uncle ollie was a little odd,
- 00:16:50.766 --> 00:16:52.734
- But this was clearly a crazy request.
- 00:16:52.734 --> 00:16:55.971
- But aunt emma did promise and assured uncle ollie's brothers
- 00:16:55.971 --> 00:17:00.042
- That she was a woman of her word and would do as he asked.
- 00:17:00.042 --> 00:17:04.046
- The following morning, after uncle ollie died,
- 00:17:04.046 --> 00:17:07.149
- She took the money, about $26,000,
- 00:17:07.149 --> 00:17:09.918
- From under the mattress to the bank and deposited it.
- 00:17:09.918 --> 00:17:13.455
- She then wrote a check to uncle ollie
- 00:17:13.455 --> 00:17:15.524
- And put it in his coffin."
- 00:17:15.524 --> 00:17:17.126
- (congregation laughs)
- 00:17:17.126 --> 00:17:21.130
- Money is temporal.
- 00:17:21.130 --> 00:17:25.134
- You know, the fact is you can't take it with you.
- 00:17:25.134 --> 00:17:28.904
- But you can do something else if you're a christian.
- 00:17:28.904 --> 00:17:31.974
- You can't take it with you,
- 00:17:31.974 --> 00:17:33.408
- But you can send it on ahead of you if you want to.
- 00:17:33.408 --> 00:17:36.745
- And that's what so many of you do
- 00:17:36.745 --> 00:17:38.981
- So faithfully every week,
- 00:17:38.981 --> 00:17:40.415
- Giving of your resources to god's work
- 00:17:40.415 --> 00:17:42.818
- To make all of this possible,
- 00:17:42.818 --> 00:17:44.486
- The outreach of our church.
- 00:17:44.486 --> 00:17:46.155
- That's what jesus talked about in luke 16,
- 00:17:46.155 --> 00:17:48.090
- About making friends for yourselves by money.
- 00:17:48.090 --> 00:17:52.094
- That when you get to heaven,
- 00:17:52.094 --> 00:17:53.495
- There will be people who will be there to greet you,
- 00:17:53.495 --> 00:17:55.831
- People you have won to christ or played a role in
- 00:17:55.831 --> 00:17:58.333
- Because of you're giving,
- 00:17:58.333 --> 00:17:59.735
- Many of you are going to have a whole welcoming crew
- 00:17:59.735 --> 00:18:01.937
- Who are going to be there to say,
- 00:18:01.937 --> 00:18:03.238
- "thank you for what you gave to the church
- 00:18:03.238 --> 00:18:05.774
- That allowed me to know christ as savior."
- 00:18:05.774 --> 00:18:08.243
- Remember, we're going to leave it all behind.
- 00:18:08.243 --> 00:18:12.681
- There is nothing that will rob happiness and life from you
- 00:18:12.681 --> 00:18:17.586
- More than comparing ourselves with other people,
- 00:18:17.586 --> 00:18:20.856
- Falling under the myth of more,
- 00:18:20.856 --> 00:18:22.524
- That there's something in life that could make us happier.
- 00:18:22.524 --> 00:18:26.461
- Well, what is the alternative to covetousness, comparison?
- 00:18:26.461 --> 00:18:30.866
- In a word, it is contentment.
- 00:18:30.866 --> 00:18:34.636
- Paul said in his letter of the philippians, philippians 4,
- 00:18:34.636 --> 00:18:38.740
- "i have learned to be content
- 00:18:38.740 --> 00:18:41.677
- In whatever circumstance i'm in."
- 00:18:41.677 --> 00:18:44.546
- Now, this word content
- 00:18:44.546 --> 00:18:46.782
- Is not a synonym for lazy or couch potato,
- 00:18:46.782 --> 00:18:50.886
- And so let me give you a definition of contentment.
- 00:18:50.886 --> 00:18:53.989
- Contentment means being at peace
- 00:18:53.989 --> 00:18:56.692
- With the unchangeable circumstances, choices,
- 00:18:56.692 --> 00:19:00.796
- And even mistakes that shape our destiny.
- 00:19:00.796 --> 00:19:04.132
- Let me say it again.
- 00:19:04.132 --> 00:19:05.067
- Contentment means being at peace
- 00:19:05.067 --> 00:19:07.069
- With the unchangeable circumstances, choices,
- 00:19:07.069 --> 00:19:10.138
- And even mistakes that shape our destiny.
- 00:19:10.138 --> 00:19:13.175
- Contentment is the attitude that says,
- 00:19:13.175 --> 00:19:15.077
- "i'm going to be satisfied with what god has given me."
- 00:19:15.077 --> 00:19:18.480
- Contentment doesn't come naturally,
- 00:19:18.480 --> 00:19:20.115
- Certainly not in our culture.
- 00:19:20.115 --> 00:19:21.750
- It's something we have to learn.
- 00:19:21.750 --> 00:19:25.020
- How do you learn how to be content,
- 00:19:25.020 --> 00:19:27.956
- How to be satisfied with what god has given you?
- 00:19:27.956 --> 00:19:31.426
- Very quickly, let me share with you three secrets
- 00:19:31.426 --> 00:19:34.363
- For learning contentment.
- 00:19:34.363 --> 00:19:36.398
- Number one, compare yourself to god's standard of success
- 00:19:36.398 --> 00:19:41.737
- Rather than human standards of success.
- 00:19:42.604 --> 00:19:45.707
- Compare yourself to god's standard of success
- 00:19:45.707 --> 00:19:48.143
- Rather than human standards of success.
- 00:19:48.143 --> 00:19:50.412
- You know, for 50 years,
- 00:19:50.412 --> 00:19:51.780
- Dr. george w. truett was pastor of this church.
- 00:19:51.780 --> 00:19:55.617
- He had a great definition of success, i've never forgotten.
- 00:19:55.617 --> 00:19:59.554
- He said, "success
- 00:19:59.554 --> 00:20:01.757
- Is knowing the will of god
- 00:20:02.324 --> 00:20:05.160
- And doing it."
- 00:20:05.527 --> 00:20:06.962
- Success is knowing the will of god and doing it.
- 00:20:07.929 --> 00:20:12.000
- God has a unique plan for your life and my life.
- 00:20:12.000 --> 00:20:15.804
- True success is knowing what that purpose is
- 00:20:15.804 --> 00:20:19.541
- And fulfilling that purpose.
- 00:20:19.541 --> 00:20:21.343
- Number two, to experience satisfaction in life,
- 00:20:21.343 --> 00:20:25.013
- Trust in god's sovereign plan in your life.
- 00:20:25.013 --> 00:20:32.087
- Do you realize that the most important parts of your life
- 00:20:29.518 --> 00:20:35.257
- Were all part of god's sovereign plan for you?
- 00:20:36.158 --> 00:20:39.227
- It ought to be a great source of comfort to you
- 00:20:39.227 --> 00:20:41.363
- To think that every part of you was predetermined by god.
- 00:20:41.363 --> 00:20:45.500
- Finally, a key to contentment
- 00:20:45.500 --> 00:20:47.969
- Is learning to manage your expectations.
- 00:20:47.969 --> 00:20:51.006
- Manage your expectations.
- 00:20:51.006 --> 00:20:52.407
- You know, there's a story about a guy
- 00:20:52.407 --> 00:20:54.042
- Who for no reason other than his generosity
- 00:20:54.042 --> 00:20:57.245
- Every day went to every house on his block
- 00:20:58.113 --> 00:21:01.750
- And gave the occupant $100.
- 00:21:01.750 --> 00:21:04.286
- Every day, did it for 30 days.
- 00:21:04.286 --> 00:21:06.588
- On the 31st day,
- 00:21:06.588 --> 00:21:08.156
- He went to every house but he accidentally missed a house.
- 00:21:08.156 --> 00:21:12.327
- He missed a house,
- 00:21:12.327 --> 00:21:13.929
- The guy opened his window and stuck his head out the window
- 00:21:13.929 --> 00:21:16.732
- And started cursing the man, saying,
- 00:21:16.732 --> 00:21:18.266
- "where is my $100?"
- 00:21:18.266 --> 00:21:20.702
- You know, we're like that with god.
- 00:21:20.702 --> 00:21:22.637
- We think god owes us certain things
- 00:21:22.637 --> 00:21:25.207
- Simply because he's given them to us in the past.
- 00:21:25.207 --> 00:21:28.276
- The fact is god owes us nothing.
- 00:21:28.276 --> 00:21:31.279
- We need to manage our expectations.
- 00:21:32.080 --> 00:21:34.416
- Paul had a good way of doing that.
- 00:21:34.416 --> 00:21:36.351
- In 1 timothy 6:7-8, he said,
- 00:21:36.351 --> 00:21:38.587
- "for we have brought nothing into this world,
- 00:21:38.587 --> 00:21:40.956
- So we cannot take anything out of it either.
- 00:21:40.956 --> 00:21:43.692
- If we have food and covering,
- 00:21:43.692 --> 00:21:47.562
- With these we shall be content."
- 00:21:47.562 --> 00:21:51.733
- Those are powerful words.
- 00:21:52.300 --> 00:21:54.369
- If you know where your next meal is coming from,
- 00:21:54.369 --> 00:21:57.105
- If you have a place to sleep tonight
- 00:21:57.906 --> 00:21:59.708
- That's inside instead of outside in the elements,
- 00:21:59.708 --> 00:22:03.678
- You and i should be satisfied.
- 00:22:04.312 --> 00:22:05.781
- Anything we have above that
- 00:22:05.781 --> 00:22:08.417
- Is purely by the grace of god.
- 00:22:08.417 --> 00:22:11.453
- God owes us nothing.
- 00:22:11.920 --> 00:22:14.256
- "if we have food and covering,
- 00:22:14.256 --> 00:22:15.690
- With these we shall be content."
- 00:22:15.690 --> 00:22:18.693
- Let me close by having you write down three statements
- 00:22:18.693 --> 00:22:21.696
- That will help you learn contentment.
- 00:22:21.696 --> 00:22:23.999
- Three reminders.
- 00:22:23.999 --> 00:22:25.534
- Reminder number one, god's plan for your life is unique,
- 00:22:25.534 --> 00:22:30.872
- Therefore refuse to compare yourself with others.
- 00:22:31.907 --> 00:22:33.708
- God's plan for your life is unique,
- 00:22:33.708 --> 00:22:35.911
- Therefore refuse to compare yourself with others.
- 00:22:35.911 --> 00:22:39.548
- Secondly, god's purpose for your life
- 00:22:39.548 --> 00:22:43.051
- Is based on his elective will,
- 00:22:43.051 --> 00:22:46.655
- Therefore trust in his sovereignty.
- 00:22:46.655 --> 00:22:49.858
- God's purpose for your life is based on his elective will,
- 00:22:49.858 --> 00:22:53.128
- Therefore trust in his sovereignty.
- 00:22:53.128 --> 00:22:55.230
- And finally, god's provisions for your life
- 00:22:55.230 --> 00:22:59.434
- Come from his goodness,
- 00:22:59.434 --> 00:23:01.803
- Therefore be grateful for what he has already provided.
- 00:23:01.803 --> 00:23:07.108
- God's provisions for your life come from his goodness,
- 00:23:08.210 --> 00:23:10.245
- Therefore be grateful for what he has already provided.
- 00:23:10.245 --> 00:23:12.781
- You know what, it is impossible
- 00:23:12.781 --> 00:23:15.350
- For gratitude and discontent to exist in the same heart.
- 00:23:16.485 --> 00:23:21.423
- "if we have food and covering,
- 00:23:22.057 --> 00:23:23.525
- With these we shall be content."
- 00:23:23.525 --> 00:23:27.662
- ♪ music ♪
- 00:23:27.662 --> 00:23:31.433
- This is the perfect way to conclude this study together.
- 00:23:32.567 --> 00:23:36.137
- Even amidst the uncertainty of our times,
- 00:23:36.137 --> 00:23:38.907
- We can rest in god's certain provision.
- 00:23:38.907 --> 00:23:42.410
- He is the sole source of our contentment.
- 00:23:42.410 --> 00:23:45.514
- Now, in closing today let me share a note
- 00:23:45.514 --> 00:23:47.682
- From a public school teacher in los angeles.
- 00:23:47.682 --> 00:23:50.585
- Julie wrote and said,
- 00:23:50.585 --> 00:23:52.254
- "i'm surrounded by people every day who are not christians.
- 00:23:52.254 --> 00:23:56.424
- I feel so alone at school.
- 00:23:56.424 --> 00:23:58.627
- And when i found 'pathway to victory' on the radio,
- 00:23:58.627 --> 00:24:01.563
- I was thrilled to hear you preach the truth.
- 00:24:01.563 --> 00:24:04.733
- It's so comforting to know that i'm not alone."
- 00:24:04.733 --> 00:24:08.370
- Well, julie, you're right, you aren't alone.
- 00:24:08.370 --> 00:24:11.306
- There are christians all across our nation
- 00:24:11.306 --> 00:24:13.375
- Who believe the truth of god's word,
- 00:24:13.375 --> 00:24:16.011
- And many of them are partnering with "pathway to victory"
- 00:24:16.011 --> 00:24:19.180
- To pierce the darkness with the light of god's word.
- 00:24:19.180 --> 00:24:22.484
- So let me say thank you to our many faithful supporters
- 00:24:22.484 --> 00:24:26.688
- Who make this program available
- 00:24:26.688 --> 00:24:28.356
- To countless people across america and around the world.
- 00:24:28.356 --> 00:24:32.360
- You are truly making a difference.
- 00:24:32.360 --> 00:24:35.196
- Now stay right there,
- 00:24:35.196 --> 00:24:36.498
- I'll be back with more "pathway to victory"
- 00:24:36.498 --> 00:24:39.067
- In just a moment.
- 00:24:39.067 --> 00:24:41.002
- Each day, millions of lost people
- 00:24:41.002 --> 00:24:43.038
- Are searching for hope and truth.
- 00:24:43.038 --> 00:24:45.273
- Through "pathway to victory,"
- 00:24:45.273 --> 00:24:46.708
- God's word is reaching into homes across america
- 00:24:46.708 --> 00:24:49.544
- And around the world.
- 00:24:49.544 --> 00:24:50.879
- But there are still so many who haven't heard
- 00:24:50.879 --> 00:24:53.114
- The saving message of jesus christ.
- 00:24:53.114 --> 00:24:55.350
- You can help change that by becoming a pathway partner.
- 00:24:55.350 --> 00:24:58.720
- You'll join a dedicated team of broadcast missionaries
- 00:24:58.720 --> 00:25:01.623
- Who are sharing the gospel through television and radio.
- 00:25:01.623 --> 00:25:04.492
- Your monthly support will help reach people worldwide
- 00:25:04.492 --> 00:25:07.762
- With the life-changing power of the cross.
- 00:25:07.762 --> 00:25:11.299
- Contentment doesn't come naturally to us.
- 00:25:12.200 --> 00:25:15.303
- For generations, families have tried desperately
- 00:25:15.303 --> 00:25:18.039
- To keep up with the joneses.
- 00:25:18.039 --> 00:25:20.342
- More recently, people measure their value
- 00:25:20.342 --> 00:25:22.777
- By comparing posts on social media.
- 00:25:22.777 --> 00:25:26.247
- But regardless of what form it takes,
- 00:25:26.247 --> 00:25:28.817
- Comparison is guaranteed to rob us of joy.
- 00:25:28.817 --> 00:25:32.921
- With god's help, we can be at peace with our circumstances.
- 00:25:32.921 --> 00:25:37.792
- Well, next time we'll venture into the next key
- 00:25:37.792 --> 00:25:40.328
- For changing your life
- 00:25:40.328 --> 00:25:42.530
- As i share from scripture
- 00:25:42.530 --> 00:25:43.999
- How choose forgiveness over bitterness.
- 00:25:43.999 --> 00:25:47.535
- Stay tuned for a preview of what's coming up next
- 00:25:47.535 --> 00:25:50.005
- In our series "choose your attitudes, change your life."
- 00:25:50.005 --> 00:25:54.309
- At some point in your life,
- 00:25:54.909 --> 00:25:56.978
- You're going to be hurt, and hurt deeply, by another person.
- 00:25:56.978 --> 00:26:00.949
- Have you discovered that you can't control
- 00:26:00.949 --> 00:26:02.684
- What other people do to you?
- 00:26:02.684 --> 00:26:04.953
- But we do have control over how we respond
- 00:26:04.953 --> 00:26:07.989
- To those hurts in life.
- 00:26:07.989 --> 00:26:10.091
- We can hold on to them, and that's what bitterness is.
- 00:26:10.091 --> 00:26:13.495
- Set your dvr and join us next time for the message
- 00:26:13.495 --> 00:26:16.765
- "choosing forgiveness over bitterness"
- 00:26:16.765 --> 00:26:19.534
- Here on "pathway to victory."
- 00:26:19.534 --> 00:26:22.370
- Experience a journey that will refresh your spirit
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- And renew your faith
- 00:26:26.374 --> 00:26:27.842
- On the "pathway to victory" cruise to alaska,
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- June 13th through 20, 2026.
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- 00:26:40.188 --> 00:26:42.891
- To the charming frontier towns of juno,
- 00:26:42.891 --> 00:26:45.493
- Ketchikan and skagway,
- 00:26:45.493 --> 00:26:47.662
- You'll witness god's handiwork on full display.
- 00:26:47.662 --> 00:26:51.299
- Imagine standing on deck
- 00:26:51.299 --> 00:26:52.801
- Surrounded by towering glaciers and snow-capped mountains
- 00:26:52.801 --> 00:26:55.870
- While enjoying powerful bible teaching from dr. jeffress.
- 00:26:55.870 --> 00:26:59.340
- Then enjoy spirit-lifting worship led by michael o'brien
- 00:26:59.340 --> 00:27:03.144
- And share plenty of laughter with dennis swanberg,
- 00:27:03.144 --> 00:27:05.747
- America's minister of encouragement.
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- This is more than just a vacation.
- 00:27:07.982 --> 00:27:10.151
- It's a sacred pause to reconnect with the lord.
- 00:27:10.151 --> 00:27:13.688
- 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
- 00:27:17.826 --> 00:27:21.062
- Or visit ptv.org.
- 00:27:21.062 --> 00:27:21.062
