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Dr. Robert Jeffress | Robert Jeffress - Choosing Forgiveness Over Bitterness (Part 2) | March 17, 2026
- Alaska is unlike any other place on earth,
- 00:00:00.156 --> 00:00:03.193
- And this is your chance to witness god's masterpiece
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- And america's priceless treasure,
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- June 13 through 20, 2026.
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- You know i can hardly wait to show you alaska.
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- I've been there before
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- And every time i witnessed those massive glaciers
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- And towering mountains,
- 00:00:18.775 --> 00:00:20.343
- I'm reminded of how incredibly creative our god is.
- 00:00:20.343 --> 00:00:24.347
- Picture this, waking up to snow-capped peaks
- 00:00:24.347 --> 00:00:27.250
- Outside your window.
- 00:00:27.250 --> 00:00:28.685
- Then heading to your refreshing breakfast,
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- Knowing that all your meals are prepared for you.
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- The world class service means that you can truly relax.
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- We'll explore charming villages together.
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- We'll stroll alongside the still waters
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- Of the mountain stream.
- 00:00:41.364 --> 00:00:43.299
- And yes, we'll see god's artistry at every turn.
- 00:00:43.299 --> 00:00:47.237
- Reserve your spot
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- On the 2026 pathway to victory cruise to alaska
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- By calling 888-280-6747
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- Or visit ptv.org.
- 00:00:56.546 --> 00:00:59.149
- ♪ music ♪
- 00:00:59.149 --> 00:01:04.454
- From the pulpit of the first baptist church
- 00:01:05.355 --> 00:01:07.924
- Of dallas, texas,
- 00:01:07.924 --> 00:01:09.259
- This is "pathway to victory"
- 00:01:09.259 --> 00:01:10.560
- With dr. robert jeffress.
- 00:01:10.560 --> 00:01:13.296
- Hi, i am robert jeffress
- 00:01:13.796 --> 00:01:15.098
- And welcome again to "pathway to victory."
- 00:01:15.098 --> 00:01:17.967
- Unfortunately, none of us will escape
- 00:01:17.967 --> 00:01:19.936
- The occasional offenses
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- Delivered by a friend or family member.
- 00:01:21.771 --> 00:01:24.741
- As much as we try to cultivate healthy relationships,
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- We cannot control the behavior of those we love.
- 00:01:28.344 --> 00:01:31.881
- Sometimes, people disappoint us and even hurt us.
- 00:01:31.881 --> 00:01:35.685
- So today, i'm going to talk about god's plan
- 00:01:35.685 --> 00:01:38.188
- For resolving this universal problem.
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- My message is titled:
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- Choosing forgiveness over bitterness
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- On today's edition of "pathway to victory."
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- ("holy")
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- ♪ your voice is power ♪
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- ♪ god of thunders ♪
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- ♪ the sound of mighty waters ♪
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- ♪ echoes deep within my soul ♪
- 00:02:17.660 --> 00:02:29.739
- ♪ holy, you are holy ♪
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- ♪ all the glory to your name ♪
- 00:02:36.212 --> 00:02:43.853
- ♪ jesus, you are mighty ♪
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- ♪ strength and glory to your name ♪
- 00:02:50.727 --> 00:02:58.635
- ♪ holy, you are holy ♪
- 00:02:59.168 --> 00:03:03.873
- ♪ all the glory to your name ♪
- 00:03:03.873 --> 00:03:12.248
- ♪ jesus, you are mighty ♪
- 00:03:12.849 --> 00:03:18.187
- ♪ strength and glory to your name ♪
- 00:03:19.022 --> 00:03:26.629
- ♪ holy, you are holy ♪
- 00:03:27.163 --> 00:03:32.435
- ♪ all the glory to your name ♪
- 00:03:33.102 --> 00:03:40.777
- ♪ jesus, you are mighty ♪
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- ♪ strength and glory to your name ♪
- 00:03:47.550 --> 00:03:55.958
- ♪ glory to your name ♪
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- ♪ holy is your name ♪
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- ♪ your name ♪
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- (congregation applauding)
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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, your relationships,
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- And even your eternity.
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- You may not be able to control what happens to you,
- 00:04:43.873 --> 00:04:46.542
- But you can learn how to make your circumstances
- 00:04:46.542 --> 00:04:48.778
- Strengthen you rather than destroy you.
- 00:04:48.778 --> 00:04:51.414
- Request "choose your attitudes, change your life"
- 00:04:51.414 --> 00:04:53.750
- When you give a generous gift to "pathway to victory."
- 00:04:53.750 --> 00:04:57.019
- ♪ music ♪
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- Jesus said, "if he repents, forgive him."
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- Isn't that conditional forgiveness?
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- Notice what jesus didn't say.
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- Yes, jesus said, "if he repents, forgive him."
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- Jesus didn't say, "if he doesn't repent,
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- Don't forgive him."
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- He wasn't addressing that situation.
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- He was saying if somebody comes to you and ask forgiveness,
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- You are to grant it.
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- But what about the case
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- Where somebody doesn't ask your forgiveness?
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- Well, jesus answered that question
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- In mark chapter 11 verses 25 and 26.
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- He said, "and whenever you stand praying,
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- Forgive if you have something against anyone,
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- So that your father also who is in heaven
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- May forgive you your transgression;
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- But if you do not forgive,
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- Neither will your father who is in heaven
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- Forgive your transgressions."
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- Since the moment i begin this sermon,
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- There's a name,
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- A picture that has come in some of your minds
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- Of somebody you need to forgive.
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- You know what jesus is saying right now
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- Where you are in that pew?
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- You've got the ability to let go,
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- To release that hurt.
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- It doesn't matter if the other person is in the next city,
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- The next state or the cemetery.
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- It doesn't matter whether that person
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- Knows he's wronged you,
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- Cares that he's wronged you.
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- It doesn't matter.
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- Right now, you have the ability to forgive, jesus says.
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- Conditional forgiveness misinterpret scripture.
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- Secondly, conditional forgiveness
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- Makes us a prisoner of our offender.
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- It makes us a prisoner of our offender.
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- When you say, "i'm not going to forgive
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- Until this person does this or this or this or this,"
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- You are binding yourself to that other person emotionally.
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- That means you can go no further
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- In your christian experience
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- Than that person is willing to let you go.
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- You become their prisoner.
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- I've used this illustration before,
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- But it's such a good one,
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- I'm going to use it again.
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- You've been to those three-legged races
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- They used to have at old fashioned picnics?
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- You know what i'm talking about,
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- The three-legged races
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- And you bind your leg to your partner.
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- And as a couple, (chuckles)
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- You hobble down to the finish line
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- Trying to go as fast as you can.
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- And if you've ever been in that situation,
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- You know the first thought that goes through your mind is,
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- "if i could just get rid of this idiot,
- 00:07:32.341 --> 00:07:34.243
- -i could go a lot further." -(congregation laughing)
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- But you see,
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- Three-legged races don't allow for solo contenders.
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- You are bound to that person.
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- You can go no faster or farther
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- Than your partner is willing to go.
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- Now listen, when you say,
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- "i'm not going to forgive so and so
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- Until they do this, this and this,"
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- You are just wrapping yourself around that other person.
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- You're tying to yourself emotionally to that other person.
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- You can't go any farther or faster
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- Than he or she is willing to let you go.
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- But forgiveness is the process
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- By which i separate myself from my offender.
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- It's when i say:
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- What this person did to me is wrong.
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- They deserve to pay for it,
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- But you know what?
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- I'm going to leave that up to god.
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- I'm going to free myself of this person.
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- I'm going to give up my right to hurt them for hurting me.
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- I'm going to let go so i can be free
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- To move forward in the life god has for me.
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- That's the freedom that comes from forgiveness.
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- You say, "how do i do that?"
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- Probably the single best illustration,
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- I call it a case study in forgiveness,
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- Is found in the old testament story of joseph.
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- You remember the story, don't you?
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- Joseph was one of 12 sons of jacob.
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- He was the favored son.
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- And because his favored son's status,
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- His brothers were jealous of him
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- And decided to get rid of him at their first opportunity.
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- One day, the opportunity came
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- And they threw him in a pit,
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- Left him to be sold into slavery,
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- Told their father that joseph was dead.
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- But through a series of miraculous circumstances,
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- God took joseph out of that pit
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- And put him into pharaoh's palace in egypt.
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- He was pharaoh's right hand man.
- 00:09:19.882 --> 00:09:23.352
- Suddenly, there was a great famine that engulfed the land,
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- Not just of israel,
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- But of egypt as well.
- 00:09:28.624 --> 00:09:31.160
- And the remaining 11 brothers and their father jacob,
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- When they heard that there was food
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- That could be purchased in egypt,
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- They made the decision to send the brothers to egypt
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- To try to buy grain for their starving family.
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- Little did they know that the man
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- To whom they would be making their appeal to for food
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- Was in fact their own brother joseph,
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- Whom they presumed was dead by this time.
- 00:09:55.084 --> 00:09:57.953
- And, of course, in the great climactic scene,
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- Joseph calls for his brothers to come near.
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- And when they realize who it is,
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- You can feel the sweat coming down off their face
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- And dripping onto your bible
- 00:10:12.435 --> 00:10:13.803
- As you read that scene.
- 00:10:13.803 --> 00:10:15.771
- And then, you remember the great climactic scene,
- 00:10:15.771 --> 00:10:18.274
- Genesis 50:20, joseph said,
- 00:10:18.274 --> 00:10:21.077
- "as for you, you meant evil against me,
- 00:10:21.077 --> 00:10:24.914
- But god meant it for good
- 00:10:24.914 --> 00:10:28.050
- To bring about this present result
- 00:10:28.050 --> 00:10:30.653
- To preserve many people alive."
- 00:10:30.653 --> 00:10:33.956
- He goes on to say, "it was not you who sent me here.
- 00:10:33.956 --> 00:10:36.792
- It was god."
- 00:10:36.792 --> 00:10:38.127
- And the bible says,
- 00:10:38.127 --> 00:10:39.395
- "and he spoke kindly to his brothers."
- 00:10:39.395 --> 00:10:44.533
- In closing today,
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- Let me share with you the four principles of forgiveness
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- That you find in joseph's story,
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- Four steps to releasing yourself
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- From the prison of bitterness.
- 00:10:55.711 --> 00:10:57.580
- First of all, acknowledge that you have been wronged.
- 00:10:57.580 --> 00:11:02.718
- You know, forgiveness, don't be mistaken about this.
- 00:11:03.753 --> 00:11:06.422
- Forgiveness is not denial.
- 00:11:06.422 --> 00:11:08.324
- It's not sweeping under the rug
- 00:11:08.324 --> 00:11:10.426
- Something bad that has happened to you.
- 00:11:10.426 --> 00:11:12.094
- It's not like it never happened before.
- 00:11:12.094 --> 00:11:14.830
- Joseph was very honest.
- 00:11:14.830 --> 00:11:15.798
- He said to his brothers,
- 00:11:15.798 --> 00:11:17.366
- "you meant it for evil."
- 00:11:17.366 --> 00:11:20.970
- Somebody has said you cannot forgive
- 00:11:21.771 --> 00:11:23.873
- Those you're not willing to, first of all, blame.
- 00:11:23.873 --> 00:11:26.876
- You have to blame people before you can forgive people.
- 00:11:27.943 --> 00:11:31.113
- Remember, forgiveness is about a debt,
- 00:11:31.113 --> 00:11:33.516
- Releasing a debt,
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- Something somebody owes you
- 00:11:35.551 --> 00:11:37.386
- Literally or figuratively for what they've done to you.
- 00:11:37.386 --> 00:11:40.356
- But for you to release that debt,
- 00:11:40.356 --> 00:11:42.558
- You've got to acknowledge that debt exists.
- 00:11:42.558 --> 00:11:45.561
- Sometimes, you even have to calculate
- 00:11:45.561 --> 00:11:47.263
- What that person might owe you
- 00:11:47.263 --> 00:11:48.831
- For what they've done to you.
- 00:11:48.831 --> 00:11:50.166
- Might be a divorce.
- 00:11:50.166 --> 00:11:52.234
- They may deserve prison.
- 00:11:52.234 --> 00:11:53.803
- They may deserve the death penalty.
- 00:11:53.803 --> 00:11:56.672
- You need to acknowledge a debt,
- 00:11:56.672 --> 00:11:58.541
- Even calculate the debt before you can release the debt.
- 00:11:58.541 --> 00:12:02.444
- You know, doctors minirth and meier suggest
- 00:12:03.379 --> 00:12:06.515
- That you do an inventory of your own life
- 00:12:06.515 --> 00:12:08.984
- About those who may have wronged you
- 00:12:08.984 --> 00:12:10.686
- Who need your forgiveness.
- 00:12:10.686 --> 00:12:12.888
- They suggest now put it on your outlying your parents.
- 00:12:12.888 --> 00:12:16.759
- Maybe yourself, now,
- 00:12:17.226 --> 00:12:19.128
- I always have a little trouble with that.
- 00:12:19.128 --> 00:12:20.663
- You can't forgive yourself.
- 00:12:20.663 --> 00:12:22.698
- Trying to forgive yourself
- 00:12:22.698 --> 00:12:23.899
- Is like trying to play solo tennis.
- 00:12:23.899 --> 00:12:25.768
- You can't be on the serving
- 00:12:25.768 --> 00:12:27.203
- And the receiving end of the court at the same time.
- 00:12:27.203 --> 00:12:30.339
- You can't forgive yourself.
- 00:12:30.339 --> 00:12:31.640
- Only god can forgive,
- 00:12:31.640 --> 00:12:33.375
- Or others you've wrong can forgive,
- 00:12:33.375 --> 00:12:35.211
- But you can receive god's forgiveness.
- 00:12:35.211 --> 00:12:38.447
- That's what we need to receive, god's forgiveness,
- 00:12:38.447 --> 00:12:41.617
- Not grant it to ourselves.
- 00:12:41.617 --> 00:12:43.352
- Maybe a spouse who need your forgiveness.
- 00:12:43.352 --> 00:12:47.056
- Authority figures in your life.
- 00:12:47.056 --> 00:12:49.058
- Other people, some people talk about forgiving god.
- 00:12:49.058 --> 00:12:53.329
- Again, that technically is wrong.
- 00:12:53.329 --> 00:12:57.366
- You can't forgive god
- 00:12:57.366 --> 00:12:58.634
- Because god can't do anything wrong,
- 00:12:58.634 --> 00:13:01.337
- But at least looking at your hurt
- 00:13:01.337 --> 00:13:03.739
- From god's perspective,
- 00:13:03.739 --> 00:13:05.674
- And that is the second step of forgiveness.
- 00:13:05.674 --> 00:13:07.610
- Once you've acknowledged the offense that has occurred,
- 00:13:07.610 --> 00:13:11.247
- View your hurt from god's perspective.
- 00:13:11.247 --> 00:13:14.149
- Instead of asking the question,
- 00:13:14.149 --> 00:13:15.417
- Why did this person do this to me?
- 00:13:15.417 --> 00:13:17.753
- Ask, what is god trying to do in my life?
- 00:13:17.753 --> 00:13:23.092
- What is he trying to do in my life?
- 00:13:23.893 --> 00:13:26.161
- That's what joseph did.
- 00:13:26.161 --> 00:13:27.429
- He said to his brothers,
- 00:13:27.429 --> 00:13:28.430
- "you meant it for evil,"
- 00:13:28.430 --> 00:13:30.132
- But he goes on to say,
- 00:13:30.132 --> 00:13:31.367
- "but god used it for good.
- 00:13:31.367 --> 00:13:35.237
- To bring about this present circumstance,
- 00:13:35.237 --> 00:13:37.673
- To preserve many people alive."
- 00:13:37.673 --> 00:13:40.409
- You know what joseph was saying to his brothers?
- 00:13:40.409 --> 00:13:42.077
- He said, "what you did was rotten.
- 00:13:42.077 --> 00:13:44.647
- It was wrong!
- 00:13:44.647 --> 00:13:46.348
- But thankfully, i serve a god who is bigger than you are."
- 00:13:46.348 --> 00:13:50.319
- God was able to take your worst motivations,
- 00:13:50.319 --> 00:13:53.122
- Your worst intentions and use them
- 00:13:53.122 --> 00:13:56.058
- For my good and for his glory.
- 00:13:56.058 --> 00:13:58.394
- Do you believe in a god that powerful?
- 00:13:58.394 --> 00:14:00.696
- A god who is so big, so wise, so powerful
- 00:14:00.696 --> 00:14:04.366
- That he can take the worst things that happen to you
- 00:14:04.366 --> 00:14:07.569
- And use them for good.
- 00:14:07.569 --> 00:14:09.471
- Joseph got to see the result of that hurt
- 00:14:10.372 --> 00:14:13.075
- And how god used it for good,
- 00:14:13.075 --> 00:14:15.244
- Because joseph was sold into slavery,
- 00:14:15.244 --> 00:14:17.079
- Because he was in egypt,
- 00:14:17.079 --> 00:14:18.580
- Because he was pharaoh's right hand man,
- 00:14:18.580 --> 00:14:20.316
- He was in a position of influence.
- 00:14:20.316 --> 00:14:22.351
- It was joseph who suggested that pharaoh store up the grain
- 00:14:22.351 --> 00:14:25.788
- For the time of famine that was coming.
- 00:14:25.788 --> 00:14:28.090
- It was joseph who was in a place of privilege
- 00:14:28.090 --> 00:14:30.259
- To be able to sell food to his brother
- 00:14:30.259 --> 00:14:31.560
- And keep his whole family alive.
- 00:14:31.560 --> 00:14:34.330
- He believed in a god who was bigger than his offenders.
- 00:14:34.330 --> 00:14:38.233
- Now, sometimes god allows us
- 00:14:38.233 --> 00:14:40.002
- To see the good that comes from our hurt.
- 00:14:40.002 --> 00:14:43.472
- But sometimes, we go to our grave without ever seeing it.
- 00:14:43.472 --> 00:14:46.375
- We have to wait until heaven
- 00:14:46.375 --> 00:14:47.810
- To see how it all worked together.
- 00:14:47.810 --> 00:14:50.479
- But we can claim that great promise of romans 8:28,
- 00:14:50.479 --> 00:14:54.783
- "and we know that god causes all things
- 00:14:54.783 --> 00:14:59.989
- To work together for good
- 00:15:00.556 --> 00:15:01.690
- To those who love him
- 00:15:01.690 --> 00:15:03.258
- And are called according to his purpose."
- 00:15:03.258 --> 00:15:06.395
- Paul's not saying all things are good.
- 00:15:06.395 --> 00:15:08.797
- There's nothing good about abuse.
- 00:15:09.531 --> 00:15:12.868
- There's nothing good about divorce.
- 00:15:12.868 --> 00:15:16.372
- There's nothing good about adultery.
- 00:15:16.372 --> 00:15:19.208
- There's nothing good about murder.
- 00:15:19.208 --> 00:15:21.710
- There's nothing good about any of those things.
- 00:15:21.710 --> 00:15:24.279
- But god is so powerful,
- 00:15:24.279 --> 00:15:25.781
- He can take the worst things people want to do
- 00:15:25.781 --> 00:15:29.885
- And use them for his good and his glory.
- 00:15:29.885 --> 00:15:33.722
- Isn't that what peter said in acts chapter 2?
- 00:15:33.722 --> 00:15:36.291
- He said, "this man, jesus, was delivered up
- 00:15:36.291 --> 00:15:41.230
- By the predetermined plan of god
- 00:15:41.230 --> 00:15:43.999
- And you nailed him to the cross."
- 00:15:43.999 --> 00:15:46.935
- He said, "what you,"
- 00:15:46.935 --> 00:15:48.437
- And he was talking to the people who had crucified christ
- 00:15:48.437 --> 00:15:50.239
- Just 50 days earlier.
- 00:15:50.239 --> 00:15:51.473
- He said, "you did it for evil.
- 00:15:51.473 --> 00:15:53.642
- You were angry.
- 00:15:53.642 --> 00:15:54.576
- You nailed him to the cross,
- 00:15:54.576 --> 00:15:56.979
- But it was all according to the predetermined plan of god."
- 00:15:56.979 --> 00:16:01.316
- That's the kind of god we serve,
- 00:16:01.316 --> 00:16:03.085
- A god who can take the worst things that happen to you
- 00:16:03.085 --> 00:16:06.088
- And use them for good.
- 00:16:06.088 --> 00:16:08.824
- Romans 8:29 says, "for whom god, for knew he predestined
- 00:16:09.958 --> 00:16:13.862
- To be conformed to the image of his will."
- 00:16:13.862 --> 00:16:16.632
- Even if you go your entire life
- 00:16:16.632 --> 00:16:18.867
- Without seeing the good that comes,
- 00:16:18.867 --> 00:16:20.602
- You can know that that heartache you've experienced
- 00:16:20.602 --> 00:16:23.906
- Is making you more and more like jesus christ.
- 00:16:23.906 --> 00:16:26.842
- Hebrews 5:8 says,
- 00:16:26.842 --> 00:16:28.077
- "although jesus was the son,
- 00:16:28.077 --> 00:16:30.512
- He learned obedience by the things that he suffered."
- 00:16:30.512 --> 00:16:34.383
- God is at work.
- 00:16:34.383 --> 00:16:36.018
- Try to see what it is god is doing in your life.
- 00:16:36.018 --> 00:16:39.555
- View your hurt from god's perspective.
- 00:16:39.555 --> 00:16:41.890
- Thirdly, acknowledge your failure
- 00:16:41.890 --> 00:16:44.093
- And receive god's forgiveness.
- 00:16:44.093 --> 00:16:46.995
- Acknowledge your failure and receive god's forgiveness.
- 00:16:46.995 --> 00:16:52.334
- And i don't want you to misunderstand this.
- 00:16:53.235 --> 00:16:54.503
- I'm not engaging in victim blaming here,
- 00:16:54.503 --> 00:16:57.573
- But what i am saying is this:
- 00:16:57.573 --> 00:17:00.075
- You can never truly forgive other people
- 00:17:00.075 --> 00:17:03.011
- Until you have received god's forgiveness.
- 00:17:03.011 --> 00:17:07.816
- And you will never receive god's forgiveness
- 00:17:07.816 --> 00:17:10.519
- Until you understand
- 00:17:10.519 --> 00:17:13.489
- How desperately you need it.
- 00:17:14.089 --> 00:17:18.327
- Go back to that 42-year-old woman
- 00:17:19.061 --> 00:17:21.930
- Who was a victim of abuse.
- 00:17:21.930 --> 00:17:28.504
- "pastor, are you saying
- 00:17:29.004 --> 00:17:30.439
- She did something wrong
- 00:17:30.439 --> 00:17:31.673
- For what she needs to be forgiven?"
- 00:17:31.673 --> 00:17:34.576
- I'm not saying she did anything wrong
- 00:17:35.377 --> 00:17:37.012
- That caused that abuse,
- 00:17:37.012 --> 00:17:39.648
- But that 42-year-old woman
- 00:17:40.215 --> 00:17:41.650
- Has done other things that are wrong
- 00:17:41.650 --> 00:17:43.452
- For what she needs forgiveness.
- 00:17:43.452 --> 00:17:46.321
- You and i have done things that are wrong
- 00:17:46.321 --> 00:17:48.357
- For which we need forgiveness.
- 00:17:48.357 --> 00:17:51.827
- And she and you and i will never be in a position
- 00:17:51.827 --> 00:17:56.231
- To grant forgiveness to others until we realize
- 00:17:56.231 --> 00:17:59.468
- The $16 billion worth of forgiveness we need from god.
- 00:17:59.468 --> 00:18:04.072
- I found that those people who have a hard time forgiving
- 00:18:05.207 --> 00:18:08.677
- Really have an inflated view of their own righteousness.
- 00:18:08.677 --> 00:18:12.681
- They really don't understand in god's eyes
- 00:18:12.681 --> 00:18:16.251
- What sinners they are
- 00:18:16.251 --> 00:18:18.153
- And how much they need his grace and his mercy.
- 00:18:18.153 --> 00:18:21.957
- And that's why it's important,
- 00:18:21.957 --> 00:18:23.192
- If you're ever going to forgive others,
- 00:18:23.192 --> 00:18:24.960
- You receive god's forgiveness in your life.
- 00:18:24.960 --> 00:18:27.029
- Trying to forgive somebody without receiving forgiveness
- 00:18:27.029 --> 00:18:29.831
- Is like trying to write a check
- 00:18:29.831 --> 00:18:32.267
- On an account for which you have no money.
- 00:18:32.267 --> 00:18:34.970
- I mean, it just bounces from here to the moon,
- 00:18:34.970 --> 00:18:36.972
- The check does.
- 00:18:36.972 --> 00:18:38.273
- Same thing if you try to forgive somebody
- 00:18:38.273 --> 00:18:40.275
- Without having received god's forgiveness,
- 00:18:40.275 --> 00:18:43.212
- We forgive because we have been forgiven.
- 00:18:43.212 --> 00:18:47.716
- Fourth, finally, there comes a time
- 00:18:47.716 --> 00:18:51.019
- When we actually have to choose forgiveness over bitterness.
- 00:18:51.019 --> 00:18:54.690
- We can't choose what other people do to us,
- 00:18:54.690 --> 00:18:56.692
- But we can make the choice of letting go forgiving
- 00:18:56.692 --> 00:19:01.530
- Or holding on and being destroyed.
- 00:19:01.530 --> 00:19:07.202
- Just think for a moment,
- 00:19:07.703 --> 00:19:09.238
- What would've happened if joseph, instead of forgiving,
- 00:19:09.238 --> 00:19:11.873
- Would've held on to that bitterness?
- 00:19:11.873 --> 00:19:14.443
- What if he had said,
- 00:19:14.443 --> 00:19:15.344
- "here those brothers are,
- 00:19:15.344 --> 00:19:16.578
- This is my chance to get even with 'em.
- 00:19:16.578 --> 00:19:18.280
- I'm not going to sell them any grain
- 00:19:18.280 --> 00:19:19.781
- Or i'm going to execute them right here on the spot."
- 00:19:19.781 --> 00:19:22.784
- Just think about it.
- 00:19:22.784 --> 00:19:24.052
- If they had done that,
- 00:19:24.052 --> 00:19:25.821
- That would've wiped out not just joseph's family,
- 00:19:26.822 --> 00:19:28.957
- But those 12 sons were the nucleus,
- 00:19:28.957 --> 00:19:30.759
- The 12 tribes of israel.
- 00:19:30.759 --> 00:19:32.527
- There would've not only have been no family,
- 00:19:32.527 --> 00:19:34.196
- There would've been no israel.
- 00:19:34.196 --> 00:19:36.098
- And if there had been no israel,
- 00:19:36.732 --> 00:19:38.900
- There would've been no messiah.
- 00:19:38.900 --> 00:19:41.169
- And if there had been no messiah,
- 00:19:41.169 --> 00:19:43.572
- You and i would still be left
- 00:19:43.572 --> 00:19:45.173
- In the consequences of our sin for all eternity.
- 00:19:45.173 --> 00:19:48.677
- One man's decision to choose forgiveness over bitterness
- 00:19:49.811 --> 00:19:53.081
- Still reverberates today to your life and my life.
- 00:19:53.081 --> 00:19:57.352
- Why should i forgive?
- 00:19:57.853 --> 00:19:58.920
- Well, there's certainly
- 00:19:58.920 --> 00:20:00.188
- Some great spiritual reasons to forgive.
- 00:20:00.188 --> 00:20:01.790
- The best one is what jesus talked about
- 00:20:01.790 --> 00:20:03.992
- In this parable we looked at.
- 00:20:03.992 --> 00:20:05.427
- He said, "so shall my heavenly father do to you
- 00:20:05.427 --> 00:20:08.297
- If you do not forgive his brother from your heart."
- 00:20:08.297 --> 00:20:11.566
- Just as that slave was thrown into the prison
- 00:20:11.566 --> 00:20:14.503
- And tortured day and night,
- 00:20:14.503 --> 00:20:17.105
- So shall i, heavenly father do to you.
- 00:20:17.105 --> 00:20:19.007
- If you're not sure what he's talking about there,
- 00:20:19.007 --> 00:20:21.643
- Listen to his words in matthew 6:14 and 15.
- 00:20:21.643 --> 00:20:24.413
- Jesus said, "for if you forgive men
- 00:20:24.413 --> 00:20:26.848
- For their transgressions,
- 00:20:26.848 --> 00:20:28.617
- Your heavenly father will also forgive you.
- 00:20:28.617 --> 00:20:31.486
- But if you do not forgive others,
- 00:20:31.486 --> 00:20:36.191
- Then your father will not forgive your transgressions."
- 00:20:36.191 --> 00:20:41.963
- You know i hear people all the time
- 00:20:42.731 --> 00:20:44.299
- Trying to explain away those verses.
- 00:20:44.299 --> 00:20:46.368
- "well, what jesus meant was blah, blah, blah, blah, blah."
- 00:20:46.368 --> 00:20:49.338
- What jesus meant was what jesus said:
- 00:20:49.338 --> 00:20:52.507
- "if you do not forgive other people,
- 00:20:52.507 --> 00:20:55.243
- God will not forgive you
- 00:20:55.243 --> 00:20:57.779
- And you will die in your sins."
- 00:20:57.779 --> 00:21:00.916
- "pastor, you said i'm going to lose my salvation?"
- 00:21:01.917 --> 00:21:04.186
- No, i'm not saying you'll lose your salvation.
- 00:21:04.186 --> 00:21:06.154
- What i'm saying is if you find yourself
- 00:21:06.154 --> 00:21:09.424
- Saying over and over again like i hear some people say,
- 00:21:09.424 --> 00:21:12.594
- "i will not forgive,"
- 00:21:12.594 --> 00:21:15.130
- "i will not forgive,
- 00:21:15.130 --> 00:21:17.199
- I will not forgive this person."
- 00:21:17.199 --> 00:21:21.069
- It's not that you lose your salvation,
- 00:21:21.903 --> 00:21:24.339
- It means you never had it to begin with.
- 00:21:25.207 --> 00:21:27.809
- Because when you truly understand the great debt
- 00:21:28.777 --> 00:21:33.281
- From which god has forgiven you,
- 00:21:33.281 --> 00:21:35.584
- It's only natural that you would extend
- 00:21:36.451 --> 00:21:39.054
- That $16 worth of forgiveness to somebody else.
- 00:21:39.054 --> 00:21:43.692
- Forgiveness is the obligation
- 00:21:43.692 --> 00:21:45.794
- Of those who have been forgiven.
- 00:21:45.794 --> 00:21:47.996
- That's the spiritual reason for forgiving,
- 00:21:47.996 --> 00:21:50.532
- But there's a practical reason
- 00:21:51.166 --> 00:21:52.601
- That affects our life right now.
- 00:21:52.601 --> 00:21:54.836
- The fact is forgiveness leads to life.
- 00:21:55.604 --> 00:21:58.507
- Bitterness leads to emotional
- 00:21:58.507 --> 00:22:00.509
- And sometimes even physical death.
- 00:22:00.509 --> 00:22:04.312
- It is a poison that will destroy you
- 00:22:04.312 --> 00:22:07.115
- And everyone around you.
- 00:22:07.115 --> 00:22:09.418
- The great theologian frederick buechner
- 00:22:10.252 --> 00:22:12.821
- Once wrote with tongue firmly in cheek:
- 00:22:13.622 --> 00:22:17.826
- "of the seven deadly sins,
- 00:22:18.393 --> 00:22:20.295
- Anger is perhaps the most fun.
- 00:22:20.295 --> 00:22:23.598
- To lick your wounds,
- 00:22:23.598 --> 00:22:25.400
- To smack your lips over grievances long past,
- 00:22:25.400 --> 00:22:29.070
- To roll over your tongue
- 00:22:29.070 --> 00:22:30.806
- The prospect of bitter confrontations to come,
- 00:22:30.806 --> 00:22:34.342
- To savor to the last toothsome morsel
- 00:22:34.342 --> 00:22:38.146
- Both the pain you are giving others
- 00:22:38.146 --> 00:22:40.816
- And the pain you are receiving in return,
- 00:22:40.816 --> 00:22:43.351
- Why, in many ways, it's a feast fit for a king.
- 00:22:43.351 --> 00:22:48.623
- The chief drawback
- 00:22:49.057 --> 00:22:51.193
- Is that what you are wolfing down is yourself.
- 00:22:51.193 --> 00:22:55.964
- The skeleton at the feast is you."
- 00:22:56.698 --> 00:23:02.304
- Are there offenses in your life
- 00:23:02.938 --> 00:23:05.173
- That you need to acknowledge?
- 00:23:05.807 --> 00:23:08.210
- Are there hurts in your life
- 00:23:08.810 --> 00:23:12.113
- That you need to release?
- 00:23:12.113 --> 00:23:14.249
- Go ahead and acknowledge that hurt, release it,
- 00:23:15.183 --> 00:23:19.554
- And begin today to experience the freedom
- 00:23:20.422 --> 00:23:22.824
- That comes from choosing forgiveness over bitterness.
- 00:23:22.824 --> 00:23:27.128
- ♪ music ♪
- 00:23:27.128 --> 00:23:31.600
- If someone has popped into your mind today
- 00:23:32.501 --> 00:23:34.936
- And god's spirit is nudging you,
- 00:23:34.936 --> 00:23:37.372
- Please respond to god's call.
- 00:23:37.372 --> 00:23:39.608
- Don't allow the day to pass
- 00:23:39.608 --> 00:23:41.610
- Without contacting someone
- 00:23:41.610 --> 00:23:43.778
- Who needs your forgiveness.
- 00:23:43.778 --> 00:23:45.680
- You'll never regret extending god's grace to other people.
- 00:23:45.680 --> 00:23:51.019
- In closing, let me say a brief word of thanks
- 00:23:51.953 --> 00:23:53.889
- To those of you who have boldly supported the ministry
- 00:23:53.889 --> 00:23:57.125
- Of "pathway to victory."
- 00:23:57.125 --> 00:23:58.894
- I can assure you that your partnership is deeply appreciated
- 00:23:58.894 --> 00:24:02.464
- As we walk through this season of global uncertainty.
- 00:24:02.464 --> 00:24:06.535
- In these volatile days,
- 00:24:06.535 --> 00:24:07.636
- Men and women around the world
- 00:24:07.636 --> 00:24:09.604
- Are longing to hear the truth about jesus christ,
- 00:24:09.604 --> 00:24:12.807
- And we're taking advantage of every opportunity
- 00:24:12.807 --> 00:24:16.311
- To touch lives with the hope of the gospel.
- 00:24:16.311 --> 00:24:19.314
- Thank you for partnering with us during this critical time
- 00:24:19.314 --> 00:24:22.617
- As we pierce the darkness with the light of god's word.
- 00:24:22.617 --> 00:24:26.688
- Now, stay right there.
- 00:24:26.688 --> 00:24:27.989
- I'll be back with more "pathway to victory"
- 00:24:27.989 --> 00:24:30.425
- In just a moment.
- 00:24:30.425 --> 00:24:33.528
- When unexpected challenges hit,
- 00:24:34.162 --> 00:24:36.331
- It's easy to feel defeated and robbed of joy.
- 00:24:36.331 --> 00:24:39.401
- But while we can't always choose our circumstances,
- 00:24:39.401 --> 00:24:42.203
- We can always choose how we respond to them.
- 00:24:42.203 --> 00:24:45.106
- In "choose your attitudes, change your life,"
- 00:24:45.106 --> 00:24:47.576
- Dr. robert jeffress shares 11 proven attitude choices
- 00:24:47.576 --> 00:24:50.979
- That will help you experience the abundant life
- 00:24:50.979 --> 00:24:53.448
- God desires for you.
- 00:24:53.448 --> 00:24:55.016
- The bible tells us that as a person thinks within himself,
- 00:24:55.016 --> 00:24:58.853
- So is he.
- 00:24:58.853 --> 00:25:00.121
- Our attitudes impact everything, our health,
- 00:25:00.121 --> 00:25:02.891
- Our relationships, our work,
- 00:25:02.891 --> 00:25:04.793
- And even our eternity.
- 00:25:04.793 --> 00:25:06.695
- In my book, "choose your attitudes, change your life,"
- 00:25:06.695 --> 00:25:09.831
- I walk you through 11 essential choices
- 00:25:09.831 --> 00:25:12.601
- Like purpose over aimlessness,
- 00:25:12.601 --> 00:25:15.203
- Perseverance over defeat,
- 00:25:15.203 --> 00:25:17.339
- And faith over worry.
- 00:25:17.339 --> 00:25:19.374
- These biblical principles have transformed countless lives
- 00:25:19.374 --> 00:25:22.444
- And they can transform yours as well.
- 00:25:22.444 --> 00:25:25.513
- Request your copy
- 00:25:25.513 --> 00:25:26.848
- Of "choose your attitudes, change your life"
- 00:25:26.848 --> 00:25:28.817
- When you give a generous gift
- 00:25:28.817 --> 00:25:30.118
- To support "pathway to victory."
- 00:25:30.118 --> 00:25:32.153
- And when your ministry gift is $75 or more,
- 00:25:32.153 --> 00:25:35.290
- We'll also send you the companion study guide
- 00:25:35.290 --> 00:25:37.926
- Along with the complete teaching series on cd and dvd.
- 00:25:37.926 --> 00:25:41.763
- Our attitude determines our destiny.
- 00:25:41.763 --> 00:25:44.733
- Attitudes profoundly impact our life, our death,
- 00:25:44.733 --> 00:25:49.304
- And our eternal destiny.
- 00:25:49.304 --> 00:25:51.606
- Thank you for your generous support
- 00:25:51.606 --> 00:25:53.341
- Of "pathway to victory."
- 00:25:53.341 --> 00:25:54.843
- Your partnership helps us bring
- 00:25:54.843 --> 00:25:56.544
- Practical life-changing biblical truth
- 00:25:56.544 --> 00:25:58.913
- Into homes across the nation and around the world.
- 00:25:58.913 --> 00:26:03.752
- Few of us can imagine going through everything
- 00:26:04.686 --> 00:26:07.622
- That joseph endured
- 00:26:07.622 --> 00:26:09.024
- And forgiving his brothers for their wrongdoing,
- 00:26:09.024 --> 00:26:12.293
- But that's a testimony to the power of god.
- 00:26:12.293 --> 00:26:15.930
- God could take the worst things that happened to joseph
- 00:26:15.930 --> 00:26:19.267
- And use them for good,
- 00:26:19.267 --> 00:26:21.403
- And he can do the same for you as well.
- 00:26:21.403 --> 00:26:24.372
- Well, words like productive or lazy
- 00:26:24.372 --> 00:26:26.941
- Or more than just personality traits,
- 00:26:26.941 --> 00:26:29.844
- They represent basic attitude choices we make every day.
- 00:26:29.844 --> 00:26:33.748
- And next time, i'm going to show you the benefits
- 00:26:33.748 --> 00:26:36.818
- Of choosing productivity over laziness.
- 00:26:36.818 --> 00:26:40.455
- Stay tuned for a preview
- 00:26:40.455 --> 00:26:41.723
- Of what's coming up next in our series:
- 00:26:41.723 --> 00:26:44.059
- Choose your attitudes, change your life.
- 00:26:44.059 --> 00:26:47.629
- In a lot of ways,
- 00:26:48.063 --> 00:26:49.297
- Our life is like a gift card from god.
- 00:26:49.297 --> 00:26:53.902
- We can choose to spend it
- 00:26:53.902 --> 00:26:56.705
- On things infinitely more valuable
- 00:26:56.705 --> 00:26:59.107
- Than a meal at a restaurant,
- 00:26:59.107 --> 00:27:01.776
- We can choose to spend our life on trivial pursuits,
- 00:27:01.776 --> 00:27:05.547
- Or we can allow our lives to expire
- 00:27:05.547 --> 00:27:08.183
- Without really exchanging it for anything.
- 00:27:08.183 --> 00:27:12.087
- Set your dvr and join us next time for the message:
- 00:27:12.087 --> 00:27:15.256
- Choosing productivity over laziness
- 00:27:15.256 --> 00:27:18.159
- Here on "pathway to victory."
- 00:27:18.159 --> 00:27:19.828
- ♪ music ♪
- 00:27:19.828 --> 00:27:19.828
