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Dr. Robert Jeffress

Robert Jeffress - Say Goodbye To Marital Regrets

August 26, 2025 | S25 E408 | 29:0

Robert Jeffress - Say Goodbye To Marital Regrets
Pathway to Victory offers a practical application of God’s Word to everyday life through the clear, biblical teaching of Pastor Jeffress.
#inActive #Marriage #Regret #Mistakes #Husband #Wife #Divorce #Relationships #RelationshipwithGod #HandofGod #Plan

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Dr. Robert Jeffress | Robert Jeffress - Say Goodbye To Marital Regrets | August 26, 2025
  • ...
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • Male announcer: from the pulpit of the first baptist church of
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  • Dallas, texas, this is "pathway to victory"
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  • With dr. robert jeffress.
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  • Dr. robert jeffress: hi, i'm robert jeffress and welcome
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  • Again to "pathway to victory."
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  • No relationship is more intimate and more sacred than the
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  • Lifelong commitment to your mate.
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  • And while weddings are filled with joy and celebration, most
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  • Couples find the day to day realities to be more
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  • Challenging than they anticipated.
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  • Today, i'm going to outline four decisions you can make right now
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  • To help rekindle the flame in your marriage.
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  • My message is titled, "say goodbye to marital regrets" on
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  • Today's edition of "pathway to victory."
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • Announcer: god doesn't want you to carry around the weight of
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  • Sins he's already forgiven.
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  • In his bestselling book, "say goodbye to regret," dr. robert
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  • Jeffress helps you live beyond the would-haves, could-haves,
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  • And should-haves to embrace the future god has planned for you.
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  • You can't undo the past, but there's plenty you can do to
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  • Reshape tomorrow and eternity.
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  • Discover the biblical secrets for regret-free living when you
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  • Request the book, "say goodbye to regret."
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  • Thank you for giving generously to "pathway to victory."
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  • ♪♪♪
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  • Jeffress: i wanna ask you who are married a very personal and
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  • Revealing question.
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  • If you were to lose your mate suddenly through divorce or
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  • Through death, would you have any regrets about your marriage?
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  • Perhaps you would look back on a heated argument you had with
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  • Your mate and, trying to gain the upper hand, you grabbed that
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  • Dagger, that insult, that criticism that you knew would
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  • Cut deepest into your mate's heart.
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  • And though you would try to apologize later for that
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  • Comment, your marriage was never the same after it.
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  • Maybe, as you think about regrets, you would think about
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  • That quality in your mate that first drew you to him or her,
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  • But you spent the rest of your marriage trying to fix--always
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  • Trying to fix your mate.
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  • Maybe you would think about missed opportunities you had to
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  • Spend together.
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  • "we were having such a great time in the mountains,
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  • Why did we feel like we had to rush home?
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  • Or why did we think it was necessary to have every dish
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  • Cleaned before we could take a walk after supper together?"
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  • Maybe for some of you, you would think back on an extramarital
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  • Relationship that changed the dynamics of your
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  • Marriage forever.
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  • Any kind of separation--the separation from a mate because
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  • Of death or divorce always causes grief.
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  • But that grief is compounded when it's mixed with regrets.
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  • I think about the story of abraham and the death of his
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  • Wife, sarah.
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  • It's recorded in genesis 23, verses 1 and 2, "now sarah lived
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  • 127 years; these were the years of the life of sarah.
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  • Sarah died in hebron in the land of canaan; and abraham went into
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  • The sepulcher," the grave, "to mourn for sarah and to weep
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  • For her."
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  • He wept because of the death of his wife, certainly because they
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  • Had been married together for 60 years, but i think part of his
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  • Grief was because of regrets he felt about the relationship.
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  • He remembered that situation with hagar that destroyed the
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  • Spirit of their marriage.
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  • He thought about, not just once but twice, that he had placed
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  • His own welfare, his own safety above the safety of sarah.
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  • You know, the fact is we cannot eliminate grief that comes from
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  • The death or divorce of a mate, but we can diminish that grief
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  • By committing to four decisions that lead to what i call a
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  • Regret-free marriage and that's what we're going to look
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  • At today.
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  • As we continue our series, "say goodbye to regret," we're going
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  • To talk about how to say goodbye to regrets about our most
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  • Important relationship in life, the relationship with our mate.
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  • If you have your bibles, turn to genesis chapter 2.
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  • Genesis chapter 2
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  • And then be ready to turn to matthew chapter 19.
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  • Of the most foundational decision we can make to
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  • Eliminate regrets in our marriage--the most foundational
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  • Decision is this: i will not divorce my mate.
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  • I will not divorce my mate.
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  • Let me tell you from the perspective of a pastor of more
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  • Than 40 years what i've seen about divorce and remarriage.
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  • I've seen that divorce and remarriage do not
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  • Eliminate problems.
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  • Why is that such an important decision?
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  • Why does god place an emphasis on that commitment to
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  • Remain married?
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  • Well, jesus explained why in the passage we read from in
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  • Matthew 19.
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  • In verse 3, matthew records, "some pharisees came to jesus,
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  • Testing him and asking, 'is it lawful for a man to divorce his
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  • Wife for any reason at all?'"
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  • Divorce was a hot topic of debate in jesus's day.
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  • Half of the jews followed a rabbi named hillel who said you
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  • Can divorce for any reason, whatever.
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  • Your wife burns the toast?
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  • Get rid of her, you don't have to put up with that.
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  • Any reason at all, divorce your mate.
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  • Another half of the jews followed after another rabbi
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  • Named shammai who said you can't divorce for any reason
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  • Except adultery.
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  • So, the pharisees, wanting to discredit jesus, said, "okay,
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  • Which one do you choose, jesus?
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  • Which rabbi do you choose?"
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  • "and jesus answered and said,
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  • 'have you not read,'" you pharisees claim to know the
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  • Scriptures backwards and forwards, let's see what the
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  • Scripture says.
  • 00:06:32.548 --> 00:06:33.916
  • "'have you not read that he who created them from the beginning
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  • Made them male and female,' and said, 'for this reason a man
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  • Shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his
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  • Wife, and the two shall become one flesh'?"
  • 00:06:43.159 --> 00:06:45.995
  • That was a quotation from genesis 2 and jesus concluded,
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  • "so they are no longer two but one flesh.
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  • What god has joined together, let no man separate."
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  • Notice the three principles about marriage that explain why
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  • Jesus is against divorce.
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  • First of all, marriage is uniquely designed by god.
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  • That is, each person in a marriage relationship is
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  • Tailor-made, custom-made, by god to perfectly fit the
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  • Other partner.
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  • That's what verse 4 is about.
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  • "and jesus answered and said, 'have you not read that he who
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  • Created them from the beginning made them male and female?'"
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  • And that helps answer the divorce question, do
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  • You understand?
  • 00:07:30.540 --> 00:07:31.874
  • First of all, marriage is uniquely designed by god, every
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  • Mate is custom-made for the other one.
  • 00:07:34.744 --> 00:07:37.013
  • "secondly," jesus said, "marriage creates an
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  • Unbreakable bond."
  • 00:07:39.849 --> 00:07:42.184
  • When you marry, you create an unbreakable bond with the
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  • Other person.
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  • Verse 5, matthew 19, "for this reason a man shall leave his
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  • Father and mother and be joined together to his wife, and the
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  • Two shall become one flesh."
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  • There's the word, cleave.
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  • A man shall leave his father and mother.
  • 00:08:01.771 --> 00:08:04.106
  • He wasn't just talking about adam and eve.
  • 00:08:04.106 --> 00:08:06.275
  • In fact, adam and eve didn't have a father and mother
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  • To leave.
  • 00:08:08.010 --> 00:08:09.378
  • This is a principle for all of us, moses said and jesus
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  • Repeated, we shall leave our mother and father and cleave to
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  • One another.
  • 00:08:16.218 --> 00:08:17.587
  • That word cleave means to create an unbreakable bond.
  • 00:08:17.587 --> 00:08:21.023
  • Interestingly, it's the same word that is used in ruth
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  • Chapter 1.
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  • Remember in the old testament, the story of ruth and
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  • Her mother-in-law, naomi?
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  • Both naomi and ruth lost their husbands and so naomi said to
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  • Her newly widowed daughter-in-law ruth and another
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  • Daughter-in-law orpah, naomi said to them,
  • 00:08:43.145 --> 00:08:46.415
  • "now that you're widowed, go back and
  • 00:08:46.415 --> 00:08:50.252
  • Find another mate in your home country.
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  • Our relationship is over."
  • 00:08:52.321 --> 00:08:54.924
  • Verse 14 of ruth 1, "and they lifted up their voices and wept
  • 00:08:54.924 --> 00:08:59.528
  • Again and orpah kissed her mother-in-law."
  • 00:08:59.528 --> 00:09:03.566
  • In other words, she was saying, "i'm out of here, i'm gone."
  • 00:09:03.566 --> 00:09:06.535
  • But ruth clung to her mother-in-law.
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  • There's that word cleave, there was an unbreakable bond.
  • 00:09:10.439 --> 00:09:14.110
  • And ruth said, "'do not urge me to leave you or to turn back
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  • From following you; for where you go, i will go and
  • 00:09:18.614 --> 00:09:22.051
  • Where you lodge, i will lodge.
  • 00:09:22.051 --> 00:09:23.853
  • And your people shall be my people, and your god, my god.
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  • When you die, i will die, and there i will be buried.
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  • Thus, may the lord do to me, and worse, if anything but death
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  • Parts you and me."
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  • Those of us in the room who were married by dr. criswell
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  • Remember these words.
  • 00:09:41.704 --> 00:09:43.539
  • He would use it in every wedding ceremony because it was a
  • 00:09:43.539 --> 00:09:46.842
  • Picture of the commitment that a husband and wife make, that
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  • Unbreakable bond, that cleaving.
  • 00:09:50.246 --> 00:09:53.382
  • And, unfortunately, today many people don't understand that
  • 00:09:53.382 --> 00:09:56.152
  • Unbreakable bond.
  • 00:09:56.152 --> 00:09:59.455
  • The husband gets an offer of a new job.
  • 00:09:59.455 --> 00:10:01.857
  • He says, "family, i think it's god's will for me to move and us
  • 00:10:01.857 --> 00:10:06.328
  • To move."
  • 00:10:06.328 --> 00:10:07.663
  • And the wife says, "well, you can move if you want to, but i'm
  • 00:10:07.663 --> 00:10:09.532
  • Not about to uproot our family and put them in a new school, a
  • 00:10:09.532 --> 00:10:12.601
  • New city we don't know about."
  • 00:10:12.601 --> 00:10:15.738
  • What a different spirit that is than, "wherever you go, i will
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  • Go, wherever you lodge, i will lodge."
  • 00:10:20.042 --> 00:10:23.479
  • Or a wife says, "i just can't stand your in-laws any longer."
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  • Her husband says, "i can't stand your parents any longer," and
  • 00:10:28.617 --> 00:10:31.921
  • They separate over in-law conflicts.
  • 00:10:31.921 --> 00:10:35.191
  • Again, what a far cry that is from the pledge, "your people
  • 00:10:35.191 --> 00:10:39.161
  • Shall be my people, your god shall be my god."
  • 00:10:39.161 --> 00:10:43.466
  • This word, cleave, means to have an unbreakable bond with
  • 00:10:43.466 --> 00:10:47.069
  • Another person.
  • 00:10:47.069 --> 00:10:48.404
  • Interestingly, in hebrew it's the same word that describes our
  • 00:10:48.404 --> 00:10:51.607
  • Relationship with god.
  • 00:10:51.607 --> 00:10:53.409
  • In deuteronomy 10:20 god said, "you shall fear the lord, your
  • 00:10:53.409 --> 00:10:57.847
  • God; you shall serve him, and you shall cleave to him, and you
  • 00:10:57.847 --> 00:11:03.185
  • Shall swear by his name."
  • 00:11:03.185 --> 00:11:05.387
  • We are to cleave to god.
  • 00:11:05.387 --> 00:11:07.022
  • Does god say to us, "i want you to serve me with all of your
  • 00:11:07.022 --> 00:11:09.925
  • Heart, but if you find another god you love more than you love
  • 00:11:09.925 --> 00:11:13.429
  • Me, you're free to serve that god as well"?
  • 00:11:13.429 --> 00:11:15.931
  • No, you are to serve god and no others.
  • 00:11:15.931 --> 00:11:19.401
  • You're to cleave to him and him alone.
  • 00:11:19.401 --> 00:11:22.071
  • Jesus said that is the same kind of bond in a
  • 00:11:22.071 --> 00:11:25.274
  • Marriage relationship.
  • 00:11:25.274 --> 00:11:27.376
  • Every marriage is designed by god, our mates are custom-made
  • 00:11:27.376 --> 00:11:31.280
  • By god.
  • 00:11:31.280 --> 00:11:32.615
  • Not only that, marriage creates an unbreakable bond.
  • 00:11:32.615 --> 00:11:35.751
  • And then he gives a third reason: we're not to divorce.
  • 00:11:35.751 --> 00:11:41.023
  • Every marriage is orchestrated by god.
  • 00:11:41.023 --> 00:11:43.859
  • Look at verse 6, "so they are no longer two, but one flesh.
  • 00:11:43.859 --> 00:11:49.131
  • What therefore god has joined together, let no man separate."
  • 00:11:49.131 --> 00:11:54.537
  • Did you know god is the divine matchmaker?
  • 00:11:54.537 --> 00:11:57.139
  • He's the one who designed and orchestrated that
  • 00:11:57.139 --> 00:12:00.409
  • First marriage.
  • 00:12:00.409 --> 00:12:01.744
  • Genesis 2:22 says after he built eve, he brought the woman to
  • 00:12:01.744 --> 00:12:08.517
  • The man.
  • 00:12:08.517 --> 00:12:09.852
  • He's the one who brought them together.
  • 00:12:09.852 --> 00:12:13.122
  • Number two, what are the decisions that lead
  • 00:12:13.122 --> 00:12:16.458
  • To a marriage without regrets?
  • 00:12:16.458 --> 00:12:18.727
  • Number two, i will make my mate's happiness a priority.
  • 00:12:18.727 --> 00:12:23.532
  • I will make my mate's happiness a priority.
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  • I read somewhere that only 17% of marriages can be classified
  • 00:12:27.469 --> 00:12:32.575
  • As truly happy marriages.
  • 00:12:32.575 --> 00:12:35.911
  • What's the root cause of unhappiness in marriage?
  • 00:12:35.911 --> 00:12:39.548
  • In a word, selfishness.
  • 00:12:39.548 --> 00:12:43.085
  • Whenever you have people in a relationship and both are intent
  • 00:12:43.085 --> 00:12:48.390
  • On getting their way every time, you're gonna have friction in
  • 00:12:48.390 --> 00:12:52.862
  • That relationship.
  • 00:12:52.862 --> 00:12:54.630
  • By the way, that's the cause of conflicts in churches.
  • 00:12:54.630 --> 00:12:57.666
  • It doesn't have anything to do with theology with
  • 00:12:57.666 --> 00:12:59.702
  • Most churches.
  • 00:12:59.702 --> 00:13:01.036
  • It's selfishness.
  • 00:13:01.036 --> 00:13:02.938
  • One group likes contemporary music, the other group likes
  • 00:13:02.938 --> 00:13:06.942
  • Traditional music.
  • 00:13:06.942 --> 00:13:08.878
  • Some people think the pastor ought to preach doctrinal
  • 00:13:08.878 --> 00:13:11.580
  • Messages only, other people think he ought to preach
  • 00:13:11.580 --> 00:13:14.550
  • Application-oriented messages.
  • 00:13:14.550 --> 00:13:16.952
  • One group thinks the sanctuary is too hot, others think it is
  • 00:13:16.952 --> 00:13:20.890
  • Too cold, and everybody wants his or her own way.
  • 00:13:20.890 --> 00:13:25.027
  • Whenever you have that, you're going to have friction in a
  • 00:13:25.027 --> 00:13:29.565
  • Marriage or a church.
  • 00:13:29.565 --> 00:13:32.067
  • In james 4:1, james says, "what is the source of quarrels and
  • 00:13:32.067 --> 00:13:35.971
  • Conflicts among you?
  • 00:13:35.971 --> 00:13:37.373
  • Is not the source your own pleasures, your desires, that
  • 00:13:37.373 --> 00:13:41.210
  • Wage war in your members?"
  • 00:13:41.210 --> 00:13:43.913
  • What's the antidote to selfishness?
  • 00:13:43.913 --> 00:13:46.415
  • It's putting other people's interest ahead of your own.
  • 00:13:46.415 --> 00:13:50.786
  • Remember what paul said in philippians 2, verses 3 and 4,
  • 00:13:50.786 --> 00:13:54.590
  • "do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility
  • 00:13:54.590 --> 00:13:59.295
  • Of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves;
  • 00:13:59.295 --> 00:14:03.832
  • Do not merely look out for your own interest, but the interest
  • 00:14:03.832 --> 00:14:07.269
  • Of others as well."
  • 00:14:07.269 --> 00:14:08.837
  • And then he goes on to say, "have this attitude in
  • 00:14:08.837 --> 00:14:11.573
  • Yourselves that was in christ jesus, who although he existed
  • 00:14:11.573 --> 00:14:15.678
  • In the form of god, he did regard his equality with god a
  • 00:14:15.678 --> 00:14:19.648
  • Thing to be grasped, held on to, but he emptied himself, he
  • 00:14:19.648 --> 00:14:23.285
  • Became obedient to the point of death, even death on the cross."
  • 00:14:23.285 --> 00:14:26.622
  • Why did jesus leave the throne room of heaven and come
  • 00:14:26.622 --> 00:14:30.159
  • To earth?
  • 00:14:30.159 --> 00:14:31.493
  • It's not to meet his needs.
  • 00:14:31.493 --> 00:14:32.995
  • His needs were being met in heaven.
  • 00:14:32.995 --> 00:14:34.797
  • He had it all, but he was willing to give it all up to
  • 00:14:34.797 --> 00:14:39.001
  • Come and meet the needs we have.
  • 00:14:39.001 --> 00:14:40.869
  • He put our interests above his own and we're to carry that same
  • 00:14:40.869 --> 00:14:46.442
  • Attitude into the church.
  • 00:14:46.442 --> 00:14:48.043
  • That's the context of philippians 2, there was a
  • 00:14:48.043 --> 00:14:51.213
  • Schism going on in the philippian church.
  • 00:14:51.213 --> 00:14:53.949
  • You know what the ironic thing is?
  • 00:14:53.949 --> 00:14:55.818
  • When we decide we're gonna have our way or the highway,
  • 00:14:55.818 --> 00:14:59.388
  • It doesn't make us happy,
  • 00:14:59.388 --> 00:15:00.889
  • It just creates conflict that makes both parties miserable.
  • 00:15:00.889 --> 00:15:05.094
  • But when you put the interest of your mate, your mate's
  • 00:15:05.094 --> 00:15:08.497
  • Happiness, above your own, it not only creates happiness in
  • 00:15:08.497 --> 00:15:12.801
  • Them, it makes for a pleasant marriage as well.
  • 00:15:12.801 --> 00:15:15.871
  • One key for a regret-free marriage is making your mate's
  • 00:15:15.871 --> 00:15:19.908
  • Happiness a priority.
  • 00:15:19.908 --> 00:15:22.311
  • Decision number three, and this is so important, i will refrain
  • 00:15:22.311 --> 00:15:27.149
  • From using hurtful words with my mate.
  • 00:15:27.149 --> 00:15:31.553
  • I read somewhere that for every negative comment you make to a
  • 00:15:31.553 --> 00:15:36.525
  • Family member, it takes four positive comments to reverse the
  • 00:15:36.525 --> 00:15:40.996
  • Effects of that one negative comment.
  • 00:15:40.996 --> 00:15:44.066
  • I don't believe that.
  • 00:15:44.066 --> 00:15:46.935
  • I don't believe you ever reverse the effects of hurtful speech.
  • 00:15:46.935 --> 00:15:52.307
  • Hurtful speech, those daggers that you know hurt your mate,
  • 00:15:52.307 --> 00:15:57.780
  • It's like putting a nail in a wall.
  • 00:15:57.780 --> 00:16:01.183
  • You can remove the nail, but the hole remains and that's the same
  • 00:16:01.183 --> 00:16:06.355
  • With hurtful words that we speak.
  • 00:16:06.355 --> 00:16:08.757
  • That's why we need to be very careful about the things we say
  • 00:16:08.757 --> 00:16:12.795
  • To our mate.
  • 00:16:12.795 --> 00:16:14.163
  • In james 3:6, the writer says, "the tongue is a fire, the very
  • 00:16:14.163 --> 00:16:17.966
  • World of iniquity; the tongue is set among our members as that
  • 00:16:17.966 --> 00:16:22.237
  • Which defiles the entire body and sets on fire the course of
  • 00:16:22.237 --> 00:16:26.608
  • Our life and is set on fire by hell."
  • 00:16:26.608 --> 00:16:29.845
  • Just as one spark can destroy an entire forest, so one hurtful
  • 00:16:29.845 --> 00:16:34.783
  • Word can destroy the spirit of a marriage.
  • 00:16:34.783 --> 00:16:39.521
  • How do you keep from doing that?
  • 00:16:39.521 --> 00:16:41.523
  • Use a filter.
  • 00:16:41.523 --> 00:16:43.392
  • Use a filter through which to think through what you're going
  • 00:16:43.392 --> 00:16:47.062
  • To say to your mate before you say it.
  • 00:16:47.062 --> 00:16:49.031
  • You can never retrieve something that you've said.
  • 00:16:49.031 --> 00:16:52.167
  • The filter is found in ephesians 4:29.
  • 00:16:52.167 --> 00:16:55.671
  • Paul wrote, "let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth,
  • 00:16:55.671 --> 00:17:00.109
  • But only such a word as is good for edification according to the
  • 00:17:00.109 --> 00:17:04.246
  • Need of the moment, that it will give grace to those who
  • 00:17:04.246 --> 00:17:07.983
  • Hear it."
  • 00:17:07.983 --> 00:17:09.351
  • Think before you speak.
  • 00:17:09.351 --> 00:17:12.488
  • The great bible teacher alan j. redpath uses that word, think,
  • 00:17:12.488 --> 00:17:17.059
  • As an acrostic for five questions to ask before you say
  • 00:17:17.059 --> 00:17:22.264
  • Anything, especially to your mate.
  • 00:17:22.264 --> 00:17:24.700
  • The t in think stands for true.
  • 00:17:24.700 --> 00:17:28.036
  • Is what you're saying true?
  • 00:17:28.036 --> 00:17:30.005
  • In ephesians 4, paul said, "lay aside all falsehood."
  • 00:17:30.005 --> 00:17:33.509
  • That means also things you say to your mate.
  • 00:17:33.509 --> 00:17:36.311
  • Is it true that you never do anything to help me around
  • 00:17:36.311 --> 00:17:40.349
  • The house?
  • 00:17:40.349 --> 00:17:42.251
  • Is it true to say you always have something negative to say
  • 00:17:42.251 --> 00:17:46.221
  • To me?
  • 00:17:46.221 --> 00:17:47.556
  • Words that begin with always and never are usually false.
  • 00:17:47.556 --> 00:17:52.127
  • It's not accurate.
  • 00:17:52.127 --> 00:17:53.595
  • Be sure what you're saying is true.
  • 00:17:53.595 --> 00:17:55.898
  • The h stands for helpful.
  • 00:17:55.898 --> 00:17:57.966
  • Our goal ought to be to help our mate, not to hinder him or her.
  • 00:17:57.966 --> 00:18:02.804
  • Number three, the i stands for inspiring.
  • 00:18:02.804 --> 00:18:05.841
  • Paul says our word should edify the other person.
  • 00:18:05.841 --> 00:18:09.044
  • That word, edify, oikodomé, means to build up.
  • 00:18:09.044 --> 00:18:13.649
  • Is what you're saying something that is building up your mate or
  • 00:18:13.649 --> 00:18:17.319
  • Tearing him or her down?
  • 00:18:17.319 --> 00:18:19.588
  • The n in think stands for necessary.
  • 00:18:19.588 --> 00:18:22.591
  • Paul says, "only speak according to the need of the moment."
  • 00:18:22.591 --> 00:18:27.863
  • Let me tell you a simple truth that i'm learning--trying to
  • 00:18:27.863 --> 00:18:31.700
  • Learn more and more.
  • 00:18:31.700 --> 00:18:33.068
  • Not every thought has to be expressed.
  • 00:18:33.068 --> 00:18:37.139
  • You know, everything that comes into your mind doesn't need to
  • 00:18:37.139 --> 00:18:40.042
  • Be verbalized, necessarily.
  • 00:18:40.042 --> 00:18:42.277
  • That's what paul says, "only speak according to the need of
  • 00:18:42.277 --> 00:18:46.515
  • The moment necessary."
  • 00:18:46.515 --> 00:18:48.283
  • And k stands for kind.
  • 00:18:48.283 --> 00:18:50.352
  • Is what you're saying kind?
  • 00:18:50.352 --> 00:18:53.255
  • That is, even if it's a confrontation that's necessary,
  • 00:18:53.255 --> 00:18:57.125
  • Is it in the spirit of grace and kindness?
  • 00:18:57.125 --> 00:19:00.128
  • Ephesians 4:32 says, "be kind to one another, tenderhearted,
  • 00:19:00.128 --> 00:19:05.834
  • Forgiving one another just as god in christ has forgiven you."
  • 00:19:05.834 --> 00:19:10.939
  • And then decision number four to build a regret-free marriage: i
  • 00:19:10.939 --> 00:19:16.078
  • Will build memories, pleasant memories, with my mate.
  • 00:19:16.078 --> 00:19:20.782
  • I will build memories with my mate.
  • 00:19:20.782 --> 00:19:22.417
  • A happily married couple was once asked the secret of their
  • 00:19:22.417 --> 00:19:25.988
  • Happiness in marriage.
  • 00:19:25.988 --> 00:19:27.356
  • The husband spoke up quickly.
  • 00:19:27.356 --> 00:19:28.690
  • He said, "i'll tell you the secret to happiness.
  • 00:19:28.690 --> 00:19:31.260
  • We dine out twice a week.
  • 00:19:31.260 --> 00:19:33.595
  • Champagne, violins, candlelight.
  • 00:19:33.595 --> 00:19:38.734
  • Her night is tuesday, mine is thursday."
  • 00:19:38.734 --> 00:19:44.806
  • Now, a lot of couples live that way.
  • 00:19:44.806 --> 00:19:48.043
  • They just live separate lives.
  • 00:19:48.043 --> 00:19:49.778
  • That was never god's plan.
  • 00:19:49.778 --> 00:19:51.713
  • Now, that doesn't mean you have to do everything together.
  • 00:19:51.713 --> 00:19:53.882
  • Remember, your mate's opposite you, they're not to be like you.
  • 00:19:53.882 --> 00:19:57.252
  • Just because you enjoy playing golf doesn't mean your mate
  • 00:19:57.252 --> 00:20:00.088
  • Wants to swing a 9 iron.
  • 00:20:00.088 --> 00:20:02.457
  • They may enjoy opera, doesn't mean you have to salivate over
  • 00:20:02.457 --> 00:20:07.462
  • "madame butterfly."
  • 00:20:07.462 --> 00:20:08.797
  • You don't need to be alike in everything, but you've got to
  • 00:20:08.797 --> 00:20:12.000
  • Spend some time together.
  • 00:20:12.000 --> 00:20:14.036
  • That's why god made marriage, for companionship.
  • 00:20:14.036 --> 00:20:18.073
  • And yet, many people miss that point.
  • 00:20:18.073 --> 00:20:20.542
  • In ecclesiastes 9, verse 9, solomon spoke wise words when he
  • 00:20:20.542 --> 00:20:24.846
  • Said, "enjoy life with the woman whom you love all the days of
  • 00:20:24.846 --> 00:20:30.419
  • Your fleeting life which he has given to you under the sun, for
  • 00:20:30.419 --> 00:20:35.057
  • This is your reward in life and in your toil in which you have
  • 00:20:35.057 --> 00:20:39.194
  • Labored under the sun."
  • 00:20:39.194 --> 00:20:41.930
  • I see so many couples that are just marking time, waiting for
  • 00:20:41.930 --> 00:20:48.670
  • Their child to get out of diapers, waiting for their
  • 00:20:48.670 --> 00:20:51.139
  • Children to get out of school, waiting for their children to
  • 00:20:51.139 --> 00:20:53.775
  • Graduate, waiting for the mortgage to be paid off, waiting
  • 00:20:53.775 --> 00:20:58.447
  • For the retirement years to come, waiting, waiting,
  • 00:20:58.447 --> 00:21:01.817
  • Waiting, waiting.
  • 00:21:01.817 --> 00:21:03.618
  • And one day, they awaken and realize most of their life is
  • 00:21:03.618 --> 00:21:07.189
  • Already gone, or there's a tragedy they experience the loss
  • 00:21:07.189 --> 00:21:11.393
  • Of their mate and they are filled with regrets.
  • 00:21:11.393 --> 00:21:15.497
  • Solomon says don't make that mistake.
  • 00:21:15.497 --> 00:21:18.700
  • Is there a hobby you'd like to do with your mate?
  • 00:21:18.700 --> 00:21:20.635
  • Start it today.
  • 00:21:20.635 --> 00:21:22.237
  • Is there a trip you've been dreaming of taking together?
  • 00:21:22.237 --> 00:21:24.940
  • Go ahead and go today while you're still able.
  • 00:21:24.940 --> 00:21:27.376
  • If you have to borrow the money, do so.
  • 00:21:27.376 --> 00:21:29.144
  • There is no promise that you're going to have a tomorrow.
  • 00:21:29.144 --> 00:21:34.516
  • I've dealt with lots of people.
  • 00:21:34.516 --> 00:21:37.552
  • I've tried to minister to people, some of you who have
  • 00:21:37.552 --> 00:21:40.021
  • Lost their mate, and there's nothing, nothing that can erase
  • 00:21:40.021 --> 00:21:45.160
  • The grief you feel when you lose a life partner.
  • 00:21:45.160 --> 00:21:49.131
  • But i've seen that those who deal best with grief are those
  • 00:21:49.131 --> 00:21:53.969
  • Who have a storehouse, a museum of memories they can draw from,
  • 00:21:53.969 --> 00:21:58.373
  • With their mate.
  • 00:21:58.373 --> 00:22:00.475
  • Not long ago, i conducted a funeral service for a man who
  • 00:22:00.475 --> 00:22:03.612
  • Had suddenly dropped dead of a heart attack.
  • 00:22:03.612 --> 00:22:07.416
  • And, as i usually do, i stood at the head of the casket as people
  • 00:22:07.416 --> 00:22:12.354
  • Passed by to pay their respects.
  • 00:22:12.354 --> 00:22:14.956
  • And as usual, the wife, the mate, was the last person to
  • 00:22:14.956 --> 00:22:19.361
  • Pass by and she looked into the face of the person to whom she
  • 00:22:19.361 --> 00:22:23.365
  • Had loved for more than 50 years and she began to
  • 00:22:23.365 --> 00:22:28.770
  • Sob uncontrollably.
  • 00:22:28.770 --> 00:22:32.240
  • And, you know, i should have been thinking just about that
  • 00:22:32.240 --> 00:22:35.977
  • Woman, but i couldn't help but ask myself the question, if i
  • 00:22:35.977 --> 00:22:41.016
  • Face that same circumstance, and there's a 50/50 chance i'll
  • 00:22:41.016 --> 00:22:44.886
  • Outlive my mate, if i face that same situation, how am i
  • 00:22:44.886 --> 00:22:50.459
  • Gonna feel?
  • 00:22:50.459 --> 00:22:52.828
  • How are you going to feel if you face that situation?
  • 00:22:52.828 --> 00:22:57.766
  • You know, nothing will erase the pain of the loss of a mate, but
  • 00:22:57.766 --> 00:23:01.203
  • I've committed, and i hope you'll join me in committing, to
  • 00:23:01.203 --> 00:23:04.406
  • Making these four biblical commitments that will ensure
  • 00:23:04.406 --> 00:23:09.611
  • A marriage without regret.
  • 00:23:09.611 --> 00:23:13.448
  • Jeffress: these four biblical commitments will transform
  • 00:23:17.619 --> 00:23:20.655
  • Any marriage.
  • 00:23:20.655 --> 00:23:22.891
  • Well, i'm pleased to tell you that this has been another
  • 00:23:22.891 --> 00:23:26.228
  • Record-setting season of growth for "pathway to victory."
  • 00:23:26.228 --> 00:23:30.065
  • In fact, in recent months, we've expanded our television coverage
  • 00:23:30.065 --> 00:23:34.236
  • In 50 new cities including boston, cleveland, detroit,
  • 00:23:34.236 --> 00:23:39.074
  • Minneapolis, saint paul, seattle, anchorage, and
  • 00:23:39.074 --> 00:23:42.210
  • Las vegas.
  • 00:23:42.210 --> 00:23:43.645
  • Our goal through all this growth is not to lift up the
  • 00:23:43.645 --> 00:23:46.281
  • Name of "pathway to victory" or robert jeffress, but to bring
  • 00:23:46.281 --> 00:23:50.318
  • Biblical hope and truth to a world that desperately needs it.
  • 00:23:50.318 --> 00:23:55.390
  • So please, keep up the good work so that we can continue to
  • 00:23:55.390 --> 00:23:59.628
  • Pierce the darkness with the light of god's word.
  • 00:23:59.628 --> 00:24:02.898
  • Now, please stay right there, i'll be back with more "pathway
  • 00:24:02.898 --> 00:24:06.001
  • To victory" in just a moment.
  • 00:24:06.001 --> 00:24:09.070
  • Male announcer: what if your doctor were to say you had only
  • 00:24:09.137 --> 00:24:11.673
  • Six months left to live?
  • 00:24:11.673 --> 00:24:13.375
  • Would you have any regrets in your life?
  • 00:24:13.375 --> 00:24:15.510
  • In his best selling book, "say goodbye to regret," dr.
  • 00:24:15.510 --> 00:24:18.647
  • Robert jeffress shares biblical principles for dealing with
  • 00:24:18.647 --> 00:24:21.583
  • Regrets from your past and preventing regrets in
  • 00:24:21.583 --> 00:24:24.319
  • The future.
  • 00:24:24.319 --> 00:24:25.687
  • Jeffress: regret is one of life's most painful and
  • 00:24:25.687 --> 00:24:28.690
  • Unnecessary emotions.
  • 00:24:28.690 --> 00:24:30.559
  • And in my best selling book, "say goodbye to regret," i'll
  • 00:24:30.559 --> 00:24:33.828
  • Help you turn those if-onlys into successful lessons
  • 00:24:33.828 --> 00:24:37.933
  • In living.
  • 00:24:37.933 --> 00:24:39.301
  • Announcer: it's time to move forward satisfied with
  • 00:24:39.301 --> 00:24:42.070
  • The life you're living.
  • 00:24:42.070 --> 00:24:43.438
  • Request your copy of "say goodbye to regret" when you give
  • 00:24:43.438 --> 00:24:45.840
  • A generous gift to "pathway to victory."
  • 00:24:45.840 --> 00:24:48.443
  • In the pages of this highly practical book, you'll discover
  • 00:24:48.443 --> 00:24:51.746
  • The biblical keys to leaving behind regrets about
  • 00:24:51.746 --> 00:24:54.416
  • Relationships, your marriage, finances, and more.
  • 00:24:54.416 --> 00:24:58.019
  • And when you give $75 or more, we'll also send you the complete
  • 00:24:58.019 --> 00:25:03.291
  • "say goodbye to regret" teaching series
  • 00:25:03.291 --> 00:25:05.393
  • On dvd video and mp3 format audio disc.
  • 00:25:05.393 --> 00:25:09.598
  • Jeffress: one of the heaviest weights other than sin
  • 00:25:09.664 --> 00:25:12.801
  • Is regret.
  • 00:25:12.801 --> 00:25:14.302
  • Regrets are not the problem in and of themselves.
  • 00:25:14.302 --> 00:25:16.938
  • They are an indicator of a problem that needs to be
  • 00:25:16.938 --> 00:25:20.442
  • Dealt with.
  • 00:25:20.442 --> 00:25:22.010
  • Announcer: thank you for helping "pathway to victory"
  • 00:25:22.010 --> 00:25:24.179
  • Proclaim the redemptive power of jesus christ to a world in need.
  • 00:25:24.179 --> 00:25:28.383
  • Together, we are broadcasting the message of god's love
  • 00:25:28.383 --> 00:25:31.553
  • And forgiveness, biblical hope, and life transforming power
  • 00:25:31.553 --> 00:25:35.056
  • Across the country and around the world.
  • 00:25:35.056 --> 00:25:37.659
  • Jeffress: maybe i've spoken to someone today who needs to make
  • 00:25:39.494 --> 00:25:42.430
  • Some, or all, of these four commitments.
  • 00:25:42.430 --> 00:25:45.667
  • Don't let another day pass without making a resolve
  • 00:25:45.667 --> 00:25:49.204
  • To change.
  • 00:25:49.204 --> 00:25:50.538
  • You will never regret investing more time and effort into
  • 00:25:50.538 --> 00:25:54.743
  • Your marriage.
  • 00:25:54.743 --> 00:25:56.311
  • Well, few topics are more practical than the issue
  • 00:25:56.311 --> 00:25:59.247
  • Of forgiveness.
  • 00:25:59.247 --> 00:26:00.649
  • And next time i'm going to share three principles to help you
  • 00:26:00.649 --> 00:26:03.718
  • Exercise genuine biblical forgiveness in your life.
  • 00:26:03.718 --> 00:26:08.890
  • Stay tuned for a preview of what's coming up next in our
  • 00:26:08.890 --> 00:26:11.359
  • Series, "say goodbye to regret."
  • 00:26:11.359 --> 00:26:15.730
  • Jeffress: earning forgiveness is really impossible when you think
  • 00:26:15.797 --> 00:26:18.633
  • About it.
  • 00:26:18.633 --> 00:26:20.001
  • Remember what jesus said in the sermon on the mount?
  • 00:26:20.001 --> 00:26:22.504
  • "you've heard it say, "an eye for an eye and a tooth for a
  • 00:26:22.504 --> 00:26:25.807
  • Tooth," but i say to you, don't resist the one who does evil,"
  • 00:26:25.807 --> 00:26:29.244
  • And so forth.
  • 00:26:29.244 --> 00:26:30.578
  • You know, we think of that as a barbaric rule, an eye for an
  • 00:26:30.578 --> 00:26:33.982
  • Eye, a tooth for a tooth, but really, it was a law.
  • 00:26:33.982 --> 00:26:37.986
  • We call it lex talionis, the law of retribution, that was given
  • 00:26:37.986 --> 00:26:42.490
  • To keep order in society.
  • 00:26:42.490 --> 00:26:45.593
  • Male announcer: set your dvr and join us next time for the
  • 00:26:45.593 --> 00:26:48.063
  • Message, "say goodbye to relationship regrets" here on
  • 00:26:48.063 --> 00:26:52.033
  • "pathway to victory."
  • 00:26:52.033 --> 00:26:54.469
  • Announcer: take a journey through alaska's awe inspiring
  • 00:26:56.171 --> 00:26:58.640
  • Wilderness on the 2026 "pathway to victory" cruise to alaska.
  • 00:26:58.640 --> 00:27:02.577
  • ♪♪♪
  • 00:27:02.577 --> 00:27:13.988
  • Announcer: make plans to set sail for an
  • 00:27:10.585 --> 00:27:15.623
  • Unforgettable week of adventure, june 13 through 20, 2026.
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  • Call...
  • 00:27:20.195 --> 00:27:23.298
  • Or visit ptv.org.
  • 00:27:23.298 --> 00:27:23.298