Jack Hibbs & Sharon Jaynes: Cultivating an Attitude of Gratitude | Takeaways with Kirk Cameron

November 25, 2024 | 52:59

Kirk Cameron is joined by Pastor Jack Hibbs, along with author and speaker Sharon Jaynes, to discuss a biblical perspective on thanksgiving and choosing to see life’s circumstances through a lens of gratitude.

#Salvation #Author #RelationshipwithGod #Praise #Bible #Religion #PromisesofGod #Truth #Attitude #Thankfulness #TalkShow #Gratitude #Complaining #KirkCameron #TakeawaysWithKirkCameron #JackHibbs #SharonJaynes

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Takeaways with Kirk Cameron | Jack Hibbs & Sharon Jaynes: Cultivating an Attitude of Gratitude | Takeaways with Kirk Cameron | November 25, 2024

Kirk cameron: what does it look like to live out the biblical
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Call to be thankful in all circumstances?
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And how would making time to give thanks to god each day
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Change us.
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We're gonna answer all these questions and more as we dive
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Into the topics of gratitude and thanksgiving with pastor jack
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Hibbs and author and speaker sharon jaynes.
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Let's talk about it all right now on "takeaways."
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Jack hibbs: i always stake my flag of thankfulness in the fact
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That he is our immovable god.
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The god of jacob, the scripture says in psalm 47, is our refuge.
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Every day i rejoice in his steadfastness.
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Sharon jaynes: when we have that attitude of complaining and
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Grumbling, it is like we are looking at life through the
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Wrong lens.
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So when you look at life through the sovereignty of god rather
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Than the selfishness of man, everything becomes more clear.
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♪♪♪
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Kirk: hey, everybody, we're kicking off today's
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Conversations with jack hibbs, the senior and founding pastor
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Of calvary chapel chino hills.
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Jack, thank you so much for joining us on "takeaways."
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Jack: listen, kirk, thank you for having me.
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Thrilled to be with you again always.
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Kirk: you know, you're doing such amazing
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Things in chino hills.
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I love coming to your church, my kids love coming to your church,
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And i love the way that you have just obliterated this lie of the
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Separation of church and state, understood wrongly, and you're
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Getting christians to permeate every aspect of local government
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And school boards and everything else.
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And you're seeing wins everywhere
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After this last election, right?
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Aren't there christians who are now hugely influential
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As salt and light?
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Jack: thirty-five years, kirk, of doing this.
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We've always been engaged in the culture.
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We have always had our heartbeat, as it were, or our
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Pulse on the community.
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We believe that that's what a real new testament church is, to
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Be that--of salt and light.
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And now after all these years, the rewards the lord blessed
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With in this last election from local school boards, mayor
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Races, city council, county, and then of course, in california
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The data is overwhelmingly that the church got up and voted
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In california.
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Kirk: wow, this is so exciting.
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Well, jack, we're moving into the holiday season with
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Thanksgiving and christmas.
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What's something that you're particularly thankful for
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Right now?
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Jack: i'm thankful for this, no matter how the election goes and
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No matter how my health might be, no matter what the economy
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Looks like, no matter what, this is what i'm always thankful for.
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This is where i stake my flag, kirk, and that is in the fact
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That our lord never changes.
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He's not subject to elections.
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He's not subject to the weather.
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He's not subject to seasons.
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I always take my flag of thankfulness in the fact that he
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Is our immovable god.
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The god of jacob, the scripture says in psalm 47, is our refuge.
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And i revel in that every day.
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I'm thankful for him and his immovable attributes.
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Every day i rejoice in his steadfastness.
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Kirk: yes, well, jack, as you're teaching your flock there at
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Calvary chapel chino hills, what scriptures do you like to point
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Your congregation to, to get them thinking about gratitude?
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Jack: there's so many.
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Obviously, the go-to: jeremiah 29:11, god knows the thoughts
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That he thinks towards us regarding our future, and that
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Is for us to have a hope and to have a full and complete
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Fulfilled life.
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I--we always talk about titus 2:13, i wiggle that into every
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Sermon as much as possible, that "while we wait for the blessed
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Hope and the glorious appearing of our great god and savior,
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Jesus christ."
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That gets me excited because we don't know when he's coming
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Back, so i wanna live every day as though it's so urgent.
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And then of course, i revel in the fact that "as far as the
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East is from the west, so far the lord has removed our sins
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From us."
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He's gonna complete the work that he started within us.
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I mean, it's endless.
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And so i wanna hide these promises of his in my heart and
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That's what fires up my life, yeah, totally.
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Kirk: so, jack, is there a difference, do you think, about
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The gratitude that the sons of disobedience, those who are
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Wrapped up and enslaved to this godless world system that we see
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Around us, and the gratitude in the heart of a believer?
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Because the secular culture can say, "yeah, i'm thankful.
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I'm thankful for a lot of things."
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But what's the difference between that and being thankful
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To god?
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Jack: the difference is infinite for this reason, number one,
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Let's say my neighbor's really happy because he just got a
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Brand-new corvette, okay?
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And he's so happy.
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He doesn't want anything to do with god because he, listen,
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He's got the wealth right now, kirk,
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I'm being kind of sarcastic.
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He's got the wealth of being very healthy.
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He's got the wealth of being able to make money.
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He's got the wealth that his family's okay.
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Everything's fine.
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But the difference happens is when the job is gone, the car is
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Repossessed, or he's got a lump, you know, in his chest or in his
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Liver, then his world falls apart because he's got
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No foundation.
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And for me, on the other hand, they can take away this--they
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Can come and steal my '67 volkswagen that i have.
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You know what, it's just a piece of metal.
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It was cool, but i can live without it.
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My house could burn down.
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That's okay.
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The place where lisa and i are heading is eternal.
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Do i thank god for the things that he has given us?
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Absolutely.
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But i thank him for these things.
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These things are not the things that determine my thankfulness.
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It's him that determines my thankfulness.
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Everything i have, the health that i have at this moment,
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Kirk, to be speaking with you, i owe that to him, and my body
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Belongs to him.
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If he decides to do other things with my body, i rejoice.
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I'm here to serve him in life and in death.
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Kirk: well, that just brings a consistency to your emotions.
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It takes you off the roller coaster ride of, now we're up
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And now we're down, and it gives you this peace.
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I have a wise old owl in my life who likes to remind me, i
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Believe it's of psalm 73, wherein it says, "the goodness
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Of the lord"--i'm sorry, "the nearness of the lord is
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My good."
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And we're always thankful for the good
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Things, not for the bad things.
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But if the epitome of my good is the nearness of god, well, he's
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Told me he's never gonna leave me, he's never gonna forsake me.
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The lord is near to me always.
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That means it's always a good day.
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It means i can always be thankful no matter what's
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Happening circumstantially.
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Jack: so powerful what you just said.
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I hope everyone grasped what you just announced because as soon
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As you said that, kirk, my mind went to matthew 6:33: "seek
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First the kingdom of god, and all these other
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Things will be added to you."
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We don't need to worry. we don't need to sweat.
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We don't need to panic.
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We need to present ourselves to the lord and, listen, like keith
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Green used to say way back in the '70s, he would say this--oh
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Yeah, i got--listen, i got saved at a church event at calvary
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Costa mesa where greg laurie was preaching the gospel, i didn't
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Even know who he was, and keith green was playing the piano and
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Worship, i didn't know who he was.
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But keith green used to say, "listen, commit ourselves to the
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Lord, do our best, and he'll take care of the rest."
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And i love that. it's simple, i'm simple.
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It's what i need, it's what i do.
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I revel in him, not in my circumstances.
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That those change all the time, but he never changes.
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Kirk: when we understand the sovereignty of god and the
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Character, his faithfulness, his love for us, his promises that
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He's working all things together for good, that changes
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Everything because, you know, sometimes, i don't know about
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You, jack, but sometimes i'm looking forward and i say,
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"well, how could that be a good thing?
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How can i be thankful for that?
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How can i be thankful that," you know, let's just say--i was
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Thinking about this this morning, about the assassination
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Attempt of ronald reagan back in the day, and in the
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Assassination attempt of donald trump more recently, and yet i
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Remember ronald reagan essentially pointed out that it
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Was that very event where he referred to it almost as though
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God had shot him and to woke him up so that he would understand
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Why he put him there in the white house.
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And essentially, president-elect trump is saying the same thing.
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I mean, he's saying, "i know why god saved me."
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I mean, he was this close from it being all over.
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And you know what, i think that the united states of america was
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Also this close for it being all over.
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We dodged a bullet collectively as a nation and narrowly escaped
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50 years of marxism and socialism in america.
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And i can turn around now and say, "thank you, god.
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Thank you for this."
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This is like a great movie where things seem like they're going
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Bad, and then it turns out that these are the plot points that
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Make the heroic ending so exciting.
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Jack: okay, listen.
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Yes to everything you just said, and this: and maybe, maybe
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God moved.
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From chino hills to knoxville, tennessee--i know this 'cause
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We linked up with calvary chapel knoxville, calvary chapel chino
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Hills, people were joining us from vietnam, canada, england,
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Australia, new zealand.
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We fasted and prayed for 21 days regarding god's will to be done
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For the election.
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Every day, three times a day we gathered, remarkably, and we
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Weren't the only ones, kirk.
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There were people praying all over for this election.
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We know for a fact, kirk, we have friends in israel who were
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Praying in prayer groups in israel for this election.
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Listen, bottom line is this: i believe that god heard the
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Prayer of the remnant of his people, and
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What you said is so true.
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I have to confess,
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Everybody was asking me, "who's gonna win the election?
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Who's gonna win the election?"
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I actually felt that it would be right for god to give us kamala
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Harris because we deserve that, because we've treated god so
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Terribly as a nation.
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I'm not talking about you or me.
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I'm talking about as a nation.
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But god heard the cry of his people, he spared us by giving
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Us--yes, trump's imperfect; so am i.
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But god raises up, daniel
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Chapter 2, god raises up kings and he takes kings down.
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Boy, friends, listen, this overwhelming victory for donald
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Trump has more to do with god being merciful than
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Donald trump.
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It has more about god being good to us even when we don't deserve
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It than it has to do with the republican party.
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Forget--don't get bogged down in that's--in the side issues.
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God moved, and, kirk, here's the thing.
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What are we gonna do with that act of grace and mercy?
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You and i need to run the race like we've never run it before.
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We've been given a reprieve.
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What are we gonna do with it?
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It's an end of the moment.
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God stayed the hand of judgment.
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Justifiably, he could have just fried us.
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We've been murdering babies, we've been mocking god, we've
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Been allowing satanism and all kinds of things to
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Be represented.
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God could have just flicked us on into space.
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He could have. he didn't.
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Why didn't he?
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Because "if my people, who are called by my name, will pray,
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Humble themselves, seek their--seek my face, repent of
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Their sins, i'll hear
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From heaven and i'll heal their land."
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I believe god did that because he's merciful.
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Now, what are we gonna do about this reprieve?
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We've got a little window to do righteousness.
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Let's do it.
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Kirk: and there's no better fuel to fill our veins
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Than gratitude.
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After the break, we're gonna talk with jack about what it
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Really looks like to be thankful in every season.
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♪♪♪
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♪♪♪
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Kirk: hey, everybody, we're back with pastor jack hibbs,
00:12:38.382 --> 00:12:40.851
Talking about the biblical case for thanksgiving and gratitude.
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I have a friend, jack, who likes to say that gratitude is the
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Attitude that determines the altitude for living.
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And i just love that, i can't think of anything that makes me
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A happier person, a kinder person, a more forgiving and
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Jesus-like person than if i can be thankful in all situations.
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How do you get angry when you're actually feeling grateful?
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Jack: you know, it's amazing.
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You just made me have a little epiphany.
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I just realized with what you just said that the people i
00:13:13.684 --> 00:13:16.953
Enjoy being around the most just happen to be people who are
00:13:16.953 --> 00:13:21.625
Very thankful.
00:13:21.625 --> 00:13:23.193
I'm seeing them right now in my mind, kirk.
00:13:23.193 --> 00:13:26.029
I know them by name, i see them by face, i talk to them, we go
00:13:26.029 --> 00:13:29.366
Out to dinner, we have events together.
00:13:29.366 --> 00:13:32.302
And what has caused them to be so attractive to me and
00:13:32.302 --> 00:13:36.206
To lisa in our lives?
00:13:36.206 --> 00:13:37.541
They are a grateful people, incredible, thankful all
00:13:37.541 --> 00:13:40.510
The time.
00:13:40.510 --> 00:13:41.845
And that causes me--you know, when somebody's thankful it
00:13:41.845 --> 00:13:43.480
Causes me to take stock of my own life.
00:13:43.480 --> 00:13:46.149
And for crying out loud, living in america, we've got shoes on
00:13:46.149 --> 00:13:49.786
Our feet, we've got clothes on our body.
00:13:49.786 --> 00:13:52.989
We should be so thankful.
00:13:52.989 --> 00:13:54.658
The greatest cacophony of praise, worship, and
00:13:54.658 --> 00:13:57.894
Thanksgiving should be rising up from the nation of america.
00:13:57.894 --> 00:14:02.265
We should be a witness to the world of being thankful.
00:14:02.265 --> 00:14:06.636
And--but, yeah, i just love it.
00:14:06.636 --> 00:14:10.107
I love how it--your friend is right.
00:14:10.107 --> 00:14:12.008
It totally changes your attitude.
00:14:12.008 --> 00:14:13.877
Because if you're not thankful to god in the midst of difficult
00:14:13.877 --> 00:14:17.614
Times, here's the sad thing, you'll become angry,
00:14:17.614 --> 00:14:21.752
Questioning, bitter.
00:14:21.752 --> 00:14:23.754
You'll accuse god of why things are wrong, and that's a
00:14:23.754 --> 00:14:28.258
Dangerous, dark place to be.
00:14:28.258 --> 00:14:30.794
Because the bottom line, my goodness, when the things shake
00:14:30.794 --> 00:14:33.997
And when things are burning and everything else is looking wrong
00:14:33.997 --> 00:14:37.601
In the world, even those things, kirk, the bible announces that
00:14:37.601 --> 00:14:42.139
He's in control, he's got you, you don't need to worry, just
00:14:42.139 --> 00:14:46.576
Keep giving it to him.
00:14:46.576 --> 00:14:48.578
And listen, praise and worship is the most precious to him when
00:14:48.578 --> 00:14:53.450
The times in our lives are most difficult.
00:14:53.450 --> 00:14:56.086
Kirk: yeah, and it makes me think about how god is able to
00:14:56.086 --> 00:14:58.855
Govern his world because he's not caught in the trees.
00:14:58.855 --> 00:15:02.092
He's up high, he sees the forest, you know, through the
00:15:02.092 --> 00:15:05.962
Trees--or for the trees.
00:15:05.962 --> 00:15:07.497
And if that gratitude really is the attitude that determines the
00:15:07.497 --> 00:15:11.101
Altitude for us, we wanna get up as high as we can above the
00:15:11.101 --> 00:15:14.471
Clouds so that we can step back, see the big picture, and go,
00:15:14.471 --> 00:15:17.374
"oh, wait a minute, now i get it.
00:15:17.374 --> 00:15:19.075
God's in charge of all of this.
00:15:19.075 --> 00:15:20.677
He's working all things together for good."
00:15:20.677 --> 00:15:22.779
That's how it's done.
00:15:22.779 --> 00:15:24.281
Here's a lesson: god knows best, not me.
00:15:24.281 --> 00:15:27.017
How does gratitude help me learn that god knows best, not me?
00:15:27.017 --> 00:15:31.855
Jack: gratitude puts you in the position of being able to
00:15:31.855 --> 00:15:34.925
Receive from god.
00:15:34.925 --> 00:15:36.660
Think about it, do i have reception?
00:15:36.660 --> 00:15:39.529
Do you have a signal?
00:15:39.529 --> 00:15:41.164
Let's stand over here.
00:15:41.164 --> 00:15:42.532
What about here?
00:15:42.532 --> 00:15:43.867
Wait a minute.
00:15:43.867 --> 00:15:45.235
When we determine "i'm gonna be grateful, i'm gonna express
00:15:45.235 --> 00:15:47.871
Gratitude toward god," that changes, listen, it changes the
00:15:47.871 --> 00:15:53.243
Entire view that is being processed out of my eyes and my
00:15:53.243 --> 00:15:57.481
Ears and my mind.
00:15:57.481 --> 00:15:59.483
What i see, what i hear, what goes around in my life
00:15:59.483 --> 00:16:03.220
Externally is first, now, processed with a thankful heart.
00:16:03.220 --> 00:16:07.958
My god--and i like to put it this way, kirk.
00:16:07.958 --> 00:16:11.061
In the morning when i get up, i literally do this, i say,
00:16:11.061 --> 00:16:14.364
"lord," before my feet hit the earth, 'cause i'm getting out of
00:16:14.364 --> 00:16:17.567
Bed, my feet not been on earth, "this is your day.
00:16:17.567 --> 00:16:21.037
Fill me with your holy spirit and cause me to walk in your
00:16:21.037 --> 00:16:24.508
Way, that whatever happens today i will give you praise and honor
00:16:24.508 --> 00:16:28.311
For it because you are sovereign, and i follow you now
00:16:28.311 --> 00:16:30.981
In jesus's name."
00:16:30.981 --> 00:16:32.349
I get out of bed, and from that moment on, kirk, i promise you,
00:16:32.349 --> 00:16:35.652
I do not look back.
00:16:35.652 --> 00:16:37.153
I look for him, i search for him, i'm expecting to hear
00:16:37.153 --> 00:16:41.658
From him.
00:16:41.658 --> 00:16:42.993
I live a very, very pregnant life of hope.
00:16:42.993 --> 00:16:48.031
My life is full of expectation.
00:16:48.031 --> 00:16:51.601
The god of the bible spoke to elijah, he spoke to john
00:16:51.601 --> 00:16:54.638
The baptist.
00:16:54.638 --> 00:16:56.006
He says he's not a respecter of persons, so i am so ready for
00:16:56.006 --> 00:16:59.809
Him to speak to me that it causes me to mitigate the things
00:16:59.809 --> 00:17:03.380
Of life every day.
00:17:03.380 --> 00:17:04.848
And that gratitude is--it's--it determines everything.
00:17:04.848 --> 00:17:09.786
Trajectory, it sets it straight every time.
00:17:09.786 --> 00:17:12.689
Kirk: jack, how does gratitude help the person that says, "life
00:17:12.689 --> 00:17:18.695
Isn't fair," and they need to understand that we actually
00:17:18.695 --> 00:17:22.933
Don't want life to be fair, and that it's good that life is not
00:17:22.933 --> 00:17:27.470
Always fair?
00:17:27.470 --> 00:17:28.905
Jack: yeah, first of all, there's nothing fair about god
00:17:28.905 --> 00:17:33.577
Coming to earth and being born as a baby and then being
00:17:33.577 --> 00:17:37.280
Mistreated and rejected and crucified, beaten.
00:17:37.280 --> 00:17:41.952
There's nothing fair--listen, salvation, redemption,
00:17:41.952 --> 00:17:45.155
The cross?
00:17:45.155 --> 00:17:46.523
There's nothing fair about that.
00:17:46.523 --> 00:17:47.857
But god doesn't operate in the area of fairness.
00:17:47.857 --> 00:17:50.427
If you think about it, you say "well, my--you know, that
00:17:50.427 --> 00:17:52.495
Wasn't fair.
00:17:52.495 --> 00:17:53.830
I lost my job or my car got stolen or my dog died."
00:17:53.830 --> 00:17:56.733
Listen, this life is brutal.
00:17:56.733 --> 00:17:59.069
Jesus christ came to save us from it.
00:17:59.069 --> 00:18:01.871
But for the believer, the moment i come to christ, here's what's
00:18:01.871 --> 00:18:05.976
Cool: all this stuff makes sense.
00:18:05.976 --> 00:18:08.845
I'm not exempt from hardship, pain, and sorrow, but my bible
00:18:08.845 --> 00:18:13.283
Promises me that god walks with me through these things.
00:18:13.283 --> 00:18:17.454
And here's the big difference, and i'm grateful for this, what
00:18:17.454 --> 00:18:20.924
Might destroy the nonbeliever causes the believer to be
00:18:20.924 --> 00:18:24.494
Galvanized and equipped and matured so that we, with god,
00:18:24.494 --> 00:18:29.966
Can survive anything.
00:18:29.966 --> 00:18:31.568
We can survive any imprisonment, any hatred, any rejection, any
00:18:31.568 --> 00:18:36.673
Illness, any situation.
00:18:36.673 --> 00:18:38.742
I know he's with me.
00:18:38.742 --> 00:18:40.410
Jesus said this world--satan has come to rob us, to kill us, and
00:18:40.410 --> 00:18:43.813
Destroy us, "but i have come to give you eternal life,"
00:18:43.813 --> 00:18:46.716
Abounding life.
00:18:46.716 --> 00:18:48.151
And i believe that because i've seen it true in my life.
00:18:48.151 --> 00:18:51.955
And so, that's what i think people need to do, is realize,
00:18:51.955 --> 00:18:55.125
Wait a minute, what's going on, god knew about it before he hung
00:18:55.125 --> 00:18:59.195
The moon out into space.
00:18:59.195 --> 00:19:00.964
He knew that i was here at this moment before i was ever born.
00:19:00.964 --> 00:19:04.901
So, god, show me the answer in this situation right now.
00:19:04.901 --> 00:19:08.672
Cause me not to panic, just have me be still and discover to know
00:19:08.672 --> 00:19:14.244
That you are god in this situation.
00:19:14.244 --> 00:19:16.446
Kirk: jack, i--don't you just love charles spurgeon?
00:19:16.446 --> 00:19:20.784
Now, there's a guy that i just can't--i can't help but think
00:19:20.784 --> 00:19:22.886
He--he was probably quotable when he was talking in
00:19:22.886 --> 00:19:25.755
His sleep.
00:19:25.755 --> 00:19:27.123
I mean, the things that come out of his mouth were just always
00:19:27.123 --> 00:19:29.426
Worth writing down.
00:19:29.426 --> 00:19:30.760
And i love how he says in one of his writings that "in the
00:19:30.760 --> 00:19:33.963
Strictest sense of the word, no evil can come to the christian."
00:19:33.963 --> 00:19:37.967
And of course, he's not saying that bad things don't happen.
00:19:37.967 --> 00:19:39.936
But what he's saying is that everything that comes to the
00:19:39.936 --> 00:19:42.338
Christian is coming from the hand of god and that it is good
00:19:42.338 --> 00:19:46.676
In a mysterious form.
00:19:46.676 --> 00:19:48.445
And so everything from sickness to financial loss to everything
00:19:48.445 --> 00:19:51.581
Else that could possibly happen, while he doesn't endorse sin,
00:19:51.581 --> 00:19:54.417
He's not the author of sin, he sinlessly weaves all things,
00:19:54.417 --> 00:19:59.322
Including sinful things, together to bring about his
00:19:59.322 --> 00:20:02.392
Purposes in the life of a believer.
00:20:02.392 --> 00:20:04.728
And so it only draws us closer to him.
00:20:04.728 --> 00:20:07.630
It only sanctifies us and it only--even death quickens us to
00:20:07.630 --> 00:20:12.869
The final redemptive act where we get to see him face-to-face.
00:20:12.869 --> 00:20:16.573
I mean, it's like there's no worst-case scenario for a
00:20:16.573 --> 00:20:19.476
Christian, only best-case scenarios.
00:20:19.476 --> 00:20:21.845
Jack: with what you just said, that's not hyperbole, that's
00:20:21.845 --> 00:20:24.748
Not exaggeration.
00:20:24.748 --> 00:20:26.116
You're 100% correct.
00:20:26.116 --> 00:20:27.484
Listen, every--first of all, everybody should own, "morning
00:20:27.484 --> 00:20:30.487
And evening," by charles spurgeon.
00:20:30.487 --> 00:20:32.555
But what people don't realize is charles spurgeon fought with
00:20:32.555 --> 00:20:36.693
Bouts of depression.
00:20:36.693 --> 00:20:38.027
He had severe gout in his feet.
00:20:38.027 --> 00:20:40.697
He had severe allergies.
00:20:40.697 --> 00:20:42.632
His lungs would often--that's right.
00:20:42.632 --> 00:20:45.535
And he would often have lung infections because of the london
00:20:45.535 --> 00:20:50.140
Soot and the smoke from the furnaces.
00:20:50.140 --> 00:20:53.910
He suffered so much, but when you read him, it's like, how
00:20:53.910 --> 00:20:57.981
Could this guy think so deep?
00:20:57.981 --> 00:20:59.783
Oh my goodness, the depth of that man's spirituality came out
00:20:59.783 --> 00:21:03.486
Of great suffering.
00:21:03.486 --> 00:21:05.155
But, you know, it's amazing because--i'm thrilled about what
00:21:05.155 --> 00:21:09.125
You're saying because nothing can come to us but that which
00:21:09.125 --> 00:21:14.731
Has been father-filtered.
00:21:14.731 --> 00:21:16.332
Christian, listen, in your life, nothing can come to you unless
00:21:16.332 --> 00:21:19.836
It's been filtered by the father.
00:21:19.836 --> 00:21:21.704
Job, we learned this from job, that satan couldn't touch job
00:21:21.704 --> 00:21:26.409
Unless he got permission from god.
00:21:26.409 --> 00:21:28.578
We know this about peter.
00:21:28.578 --> 00:21:30.313
The bible says that satan came to jesus and asked for peter
00:21:30.313 --> 00:21:34.184
By name.
00:21:34.184 --> 00:21:36.052
He wanted to destroy peter.
00:21:36.052 --> 00:21:38.221
And i wish i was there at that moment, kirk.
00:21:38.221 --> 00:21:40.423
Can you imagine?
00:21:40.423 --> 00:21:41.791
Jesus tells peter, "hey, peter,
00:21:41.791 --> 00:21:43.126
Satan came to me last night and he asked me
00:21:43.126 --> 00:21:45.161
If he could have you."
00:21:45.161 --> 00:21:46.496
And you can almost see peter like, "yeah,
00:21:46.496 --> 00:21:48.331
Well, wow, that's heavy.
00:21:48.331 --> 00:21:49.666
You told him no, right?"
00:21:49.666 --> 00:21:51.301
And jesus said, "well, actually, when you return from your trial,
00:21:51.301 --> 00:21:56.506
Strengthen your brothers."
00:21:56.506 --> 00:21:58.541
You and i go through difficulties to strengthen our
00:21:58.541 --> 00:22:00.977
Families, to strengthen our churches, to strengthen
00:22:00.977 --> 00:22:03.947
Our brothers.
00:22:03.947 --> 00:22:05.315
Satan--listen, in god, he'll use satan as a tool to perfect
00:22:05.315 --> 00:22:11.754
My sanctification.
00:22:11.754 --> 00:22:13.556
Satan becomes a tool.
00:22:13.556 --> 00:22:15.992
Kirk: that's right, isn't that amazing?
00:22:15.992 --> 00:22:17.727
God can use anything.
00:22:17.727 --> 00:22:19.495
Jack, how about the other--the ditch on the other side
00:22:19.495 --> 00:22:23.533
Of gratitude?
00:22:23.533 --> 00:22:25.101
You know, we've talked about how to give thanks to god even when
00:22:25.101 --> 00:22:28.104
Challenging, difficult things happen, but how when things are
00:22:28.104 --> 00:22:31.975
Going well?
00:22:31.975 --> 00:22:33.309
Let's say i did a great job at work and i just got a raise.
00:22:33.309 --> 00:22:36.179
Let's just say that everything is going my way.
00:22:36.179 --> 00:22:39.716
That might be a time where pride could well up and i'm not
00:22:39.716 --> 00:22:45.688
Thanking god, i'm just proud of myself.
00:22:45.688 --> 00:22:47.957
Why is it important to thank god even in those times?
00:22:47.957 --> 00:22:51.361
Jack: you know, listen, absolutely.
00:22:51.361 --> 00:22:52.996
I'm gonna give you one reporter's opinion.
00:22:52.996 --> 00:22:55.298
It's my opinion because this is what i can report to you because
00:22:55.298 --> 00:23:00.603
This is what's happened and happens in my life.
00:23:00.603 --> 00:23:03.406
When everything's going great, you know what keeps my heart in
00:23:03.406 --> 00:23:07.944
The right place, kirk?
00:23:07.944 --> 00:23:09.312
Is ministering to other people.
00:23:09.312 --> 00:23:11.948
I may be doing fine, my kids may be fine, my grandchildren may be
00:23:11.948 --> 00:23:16.619
Fine, lisa and i are both on top of the world, things are
00:23:16.619 --> 00:23:19.389
Going fine.
00:23:19.389 --> 00:23:20.723
But, kirk, here's the--in my opinion, this is the secret
00:23:20.723 --> 00:23:23.927
Weapon to christianity and the success of the believer.
00:23:23.927 --> 00:23:27.597
When you're doing fine, keep going, make yourself available
00:23:27.597 --> 00:23:32.335
To serve other people who are hurting and injured and sick and
00:23:32.335 --> 00:23:36.606
Wounded because it causes you, in your high point, when
00:23:36.606 --> 00:23:41.878
Everything's going great, it causes you to remember, lord,
00:23:41.878 --> 00:23:46.182
Thank you as i pray for mike and all of his situations that i
00:23:46.182 --> 00:23:50.453
Just saw him going through, and i visited him at the hospital,
00:23:50.453 --> 00:23:53.589
Or he's--whatever it might--god, thank you for this food we
00:23:53.589 --> 00:23:57.460
Have tonight.
00:23:57.460 --> 00:23:58.828
Thank you, lord god, that we're here around our table and we're
00:23:58.828 --> 00:24:01.464
Not plugged into a machine at the hospital.
00:24:01.464 --> 00:24:04.534
Thank you, god, that we're able to be together as a family this
00:24:04.534 --> 00:24:08.371
One night because, lord, that family that has been broken up
00:24:08.371 --> 00:24:12.041
By this horrible situation.
00:24:12.041 --> 00:24:13.810
Christian, be a servant and you'll always be thankful no
00:24:13.810 --> 00:24:18.047
Matter how smooth things are going in your life.
00:24:18.047 --> 00:24:20.383
When we stop serving, that's when we get big headed, we
00:24:20.383 --> 00:24:24.120
Lose sight.
00:24:24.120 --> 00:24:25.455
We think it's somehow our doing.
00:24:25.455 --> 00:24:28.057
That's not good.
00:24:28.057 --> 00:24:29.492
Stay in the ministry, christian, and you'll be thankful because
00:24:29.492 --> 00:24:33.730
You'll see what good you have in your own life.
00:24:33.730 --> 00:24:36.432
Kirk: yeah, jack, right now you're making me think of jesus
00:24:36.432 --> 00:24:39.335
Who said, "i thank you, father, that you've hidden this from the
00:24:39.335 --> 00:24:43.873
Wise and the prudent but you've revealed this to babes."
00:24:43.873 --> 00:24:47.477
Jesus had a thankful heart and he was the ultimate servant who
00:24:47.477 --> 00:24:52.448
Didn't come for other people to take care of his needs but he
00:24:52.448 --> 00:24:55.518
Came to wash their feet and he came to give them what
00:24:55.518 --> 00:24:58.755
They needed.
00:24:58.755 --> 00:25:00.289
And i think you're right, gratitude is the fuel that
00:25:00.289 --> 00:25:04.293
Keeps us serving other people.
00:25:04.293 --> 00:25:05.628
Jack, i'm so, so thankful for you.
00:25:05.628 --> 00:25:07.797
I'm so thankful that god has given you the microphone and
00:25:07.797 --> 00:25:10.900
Platform that you have to get out to all of us.
00:25:10.900 --> 00:25:13.469
You're filling me with gratitude and, man, happy thanksgiving,
00:25:13.469 --> 00:25:17.807
Merry christmas, happy new year.
00:25:17.807 --> 00:25:19.709
And i can't wait to see all that's gonna take place this
00:25:19.709 --> 00:25:23.212
Coming year.
00:25:23.212 --> 00:25:24.547
Jack: brother, the same back to you.
00:25:24.547 --> 00:25:26.082
So grateful for your witness.
00:25:26.082 --> 00:25:28.084
I love you, you already know that, and i look forward to
00:25:28.084 --> 00:25:30.953
Whenever we get together again.
00:25:30.953 --> 00:25:32.955
It's not soon enough.
00:25:32.955 --> 00:25:34.791
Kirk: when we come back, we're going to be joined by returning
00:25:34.791 --> 00:25:37.226
Guest sharon jaynes to talk about the enemies of gratitude
00:25:37.226 --> 00:25:40.463
And thanksgiving.
00:25:40.463 --> 00:25:41.831
Entitlement, grumbling, and complaining.
00:25:41.831 --> 00:25:44.067
How do we stop these habits in their tracks and work to stay
00:25:44.067 --> 00:25:47.637
Thankful in our everyday lives?
00:25:47.637 --> 00:25:49.772
Sharon has a lot of practical tips for us, so stay right here.
00:25:49.772 --> 00:25:52.708
♪♪♪
00:25:52.708 --> 00:25:57.113
♪♪♪
00:25:57.131 --> 00:26:01.201
Kirk: it's great to have best-selling author
00:26:04.004 --> 00:26:05.339
And women's conference and event speaker sharon jaynes
00:26:05.339 --> 00:26:08.208
Joining us again on "takeaways."
00:26:08.208 --> 00:26:10.144
Sharon, thanks so much for being here.
00:26:10.144 --> 00:26:11.779
Sharon: thanks for having me back.
00:26:11.779 --> 00:26:13.113
Kirk: well, i wish you were here in person, but we'll take you
00:26:13.113 --> 00:26:16.683
Any way that we can get you.
00:26:16.683 --> 00:26:18.318
And this is the time of year where, i don't know about you,
00:26:18.318 --> 00:26:23.090
But i just find people are a little nicer, they're a little
00:26:23.090 --> 00:26:25.526
More grateful.
00:26:25.526 --> 00:26:26.894
The food just smells so good coming out of everybody's
00:26:26.894 --> 00:26:29.463
Kitchen, the music starts to turn toward christmas, and i
00:26:29.463 --> 00:26:32.666
Absolutely love it.
00:26:32.666 --> 00:26:35.169
How about you?
00:26:35.169 --> 00:26:36.637
Sharon: me too.
00:26:36.637 --> 00:26:38.038
I do too, i do, too.
00:26:38.038 --> 00:26:39.606
And i love the fall colors, and now you're in tennessee and
00:26:39.606 --> 00:26:42.910
You're getting to see the beautiful fall foliage in the
00:26:42.910 --> 00:26:45.579
Carolinas and tennessee.
00:26:45.579 --> 00:26:47.181
Isn't it great?
00:26:47.181 --> 00:26:48.549
Kirk: it's just beautiful.
00:26:48.549 --> 00:26:49.883
I was just up in black mountain and i had just a great time over
00:26:49.883 --> 00:26:52.519
The weekend.
00:26:52.519 --> 00:26:53.887
Well, we're talking about thanksgiving, we're talking
00:26:53.887 --> 00:26:55.522
About giving thanks, and the power and importance of
00:26:55.522 --> 00:26:58.859
Gratitude this time of year.
00:26:58.859 --> 00:27:00.928
It's important, god tells us in the bible, and i've experienced
00:27:00.928 --> 00:27:03.997
It myself.
00:27:03.997 --> 00:27:05.365
Sharon, talk to us a little bit about how an attitude of
00:27:05.365 --> 00:27:09.036
Gratitude has impacted your life.
00:27:09.036 --> 00:27:12.706
Sharon: you know, what i've come to find out over the past
00:27:12.706 --> 00:27:15.509
Several years is that we live in a very ungrateful culture,
00:27:15.509 --> 00:27:19.546
Don't we?
00:27:19.546 --> 00:27:20.881
I mean, there's just complaining everywhere we turn.
00:27:20.881 --> 00:27:22.716
But when we start giving thanks and having that attitude of
00:27:22.716 --> 00:27:26.086
Gratitude that you just mentioned, everything begins
00:27:26.086 --> 00:27:29.489
To change.
00:27:29.489 --> 00:27:30.824
We start to hear from god, we start to sense his presence.
00:27:30.824 --> 00:27:34.962
And you know, right smack-dab in the middle of my bible, psalm
00:27:34.962 --> 00:27:38.365
100 says, "enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts
00:27:38.365 --> 00:27:41.268
With praise."
00:27:41.268 --> 00:27:42.636
And i think many times we feel like we're far away from god.
00:27:42.636 --> 00:27:45.839
I mean, it says in the bible that he's always with us, he's
00:27:45.839 --> 00:27:48.508
Omnipresent, that's for sure.
00:27:48.508 --> 00:27:50.143
He'll never leave us or forsake us.
00:27:50.143 --> 00:27:51.778
But we can feel far away from god, and right the middle of our
00:27:51.778 --> 00:27:55.649
Bible it tells us how to feel close to him.
00:27:55.649 --> 00:27:57.951
We enter his gates with thanksgiving, we enter his
00:27:57.951 --> 00:28:00.954
Courts with praise; be thankful to him, bless his holy name.
00:28:00.954 --> 00:28:04.224
It really helps us to feel closer to god and to sense his
00:28:04.224 --> 00:28:07.160
Presence in our lives.
00:28:07.160 --> 00:28:08.595
Kirk: i have a friend who likes to say that gratitude is the
00:28:08.595 --> 00:28:12.399
Attitude that determines the altitude for living.
00:28:12.399 --> 00:28:16.904
And i--isn't that great?
00:28:16.904 --> 00:28:20.240
It really is true.
00:28:20.240 --> 00:28:21.608
I mean, when i'm filled with gratitude, it's like jet fuel
00:28:21.608 --> 00:28:25.545
That allows me to climb up over and transcend the gravity of,
00:28:25.545 --> 00:28:31.318
And the downward drag, of whiners and complainers and
00:28:31.318 --> 00:28:35.689
Critics, and get up above the clouds where, you know, the air
00:28:35.689 --> 00:28:39.526
Is fresh, the sun is shining, and the future looks bright.
00:28:39.526 --> 00:28:42.996
Sharon: and we see that with david in the psalms, don't we?
00:28:42.996 --> 00:28:45.565
Many times in the psalms he'll start out and he'll be in a bad
00:28:45.565 --> 00:28:48.669
Situation, he'll be complaining.
00:28:48.669 --> 00:28:51.238
"oh lord, i feel like i'm just drying up.
00:28:51.238 --> 00:28:53.573
Where are you, lord?"
00:28:53.573 --> 00:28:55.008
And then he says, you know, "awake, my soul," wait a minute.
00:28:55.008 --> 00:28:58.745
Then he starts praising god for who he is and what he's done,
00:28:58.745 --> 00:29:02.316
And everything changes.
00:29:02.316 --> 00:29:03.817
I mean, his circumstances don't change, but his attitude changes
00:29:03.817 --> 00:29:08.555
Because his problems start to grow smaller and his lord begins
00:29:08.555 --> 00:29:13.160
To--his vision of the lord begins to grow larger.
00:29:13.160 --> 00:29:15.996
So that's what happens when we have gratitude.
00:29:15.996 --> 00:29:18.098
And i love that--i looked at the hebrew word for gratitude
00:29:18.098 --> 00:29:21.168
Actually means recognizing the good.
00:29:21.168 --> 00:29:25.372
Don't you love that?
00:29:25.372 --> 00:29:26.707
So when we're having that attitude of gratitude, we're
00:29:26.707 --> 00:29:29.376
Recognizing the good that is in our lives, the good that god has
00:29:29.376 --> 00:29:33.714
Given us.
00:29:33.714 --> 00:29:35.048
Kirk: i really think that gratitude is a superpower.
00:29:35.048 --> 00:29:38.051
I mean, if you and i can learn to be grateful in all
00:29:38.051 --> 00:29:42.122
Circumstances, like the scripture tells us to do, give
00:29:42.122 --> 00:29:44.925
Thanks in all circumstances and in all things give thanks to the
00:29:44.925 --> 00:29:48.528
Lord, if i can learn how to do that, it really transforms
00:29:48.528 --> 00:29:53.066
Everything that you're looking at, whether it's something that
00:29:53.066 --> 00:29:56.737
Is easy to be grateful for or it's something that is a hard
00:29:56.737 --> 00:30:00.574
Thing and a difficult thing.
00:30:00.574 --> 00:30:02.576
So, sharon, why do you think it's so difficult for us to feel
00:30:02.576 --> 00:30:05.445
Gratitude, or at least, to say thanks when we know it is the
00:30:05.445 --> 00:30:10.183
Very thing that changes everything?
00:30:10.183 --> 00:30:12.152
Why do we struggle?
00:30:12.152 --> 00:30:13.520
Sharon: well, i think, you know, some people would say that the
00:30:13.520 --> 00:30:15.689
Opposite of gratitude is ingratitude, but i think the
00:30:15.689 --> 00:30:19.259
Opposite of gratitude is entitlement because we think
00:30:19.259 --> 00:30:23.463
We're entitled for something more.
00:30:23.463 --> 00:30:25.932
And you know, we can go back and look in the bible, and i love
00:30:25.932 --> 00:30:28.668
Looking at the story of how moses brought the israelites out
00:30:28.668 --> 00:30:33.540
Of egypt, and they were so thankful.
00:30:33.540 --> 00:30:36.043
Remember when they crossed the red sea on dry land, and then
00:30:36.043 --> 00:30:38.678
The enemies came, and god brought the water back and they
00:30:38.678 --> 00:30:42.015
All drowned, and they had the big praise party afterwards?
00:30:42.015 --> 00:30:45.452
And they were so thankful for about a minute, and then they
00:30:45.452 --> 00:30:48.922
Got to a place, and it says they grumbled because the water
00:30:48.922 --> 00:30:51.625
Was bitter.
00:30:51.625 --> 00:30:52.993
God told moses to put that stick in the water, it made it sweet,
00:30:52.993 --> 00:30:55.862
And they were so happy for about a minute.
00:30:55.862 --> 00:30:58.732
And as they go through that journey to the promised land,
00:30:58.732 --> 00:31:01.568
They grumbled and they grumbled.
00:31:01.568 --> 00:31:03.103
They grumbled because there wasn't food.
00:31:03.103 --> 00:31:04.905
They grumbled because they were tired of manna.
00:31:04.905 --> 00:31:07.207
They grumbled because, again, there wasn't water, and the
00:31:07.207 --> 00:31:10.243
Water came from the rock.
00:31:10.243 --> 00:31:11.678
And they grumbled again about the water.
00:31:11.678 --> 00:31:13.947
And then they got to the promised land, and god sent in
00:31:13.947 --> 00:31:16.950
The 12 spies, and they came back out and ten said, "we can't go
00:31:16.950 --> 00:31:21.121
In because there are giants in the land and we look like
00:31:21.121 --> 00:31:23.557
Grasshoppers to ourselves and to them."
00:31:23.557 --> 00:31:25.692
But two said, "we can go in because god's
00:31:25.692 --> 00:31:28.829
Already given it to us."
00:31:28.829 --> 00:31:30.163
You know, when i've--i've read that story for so long and i
00:31:30.163 --> 00:31:32.866
Thought, yep, they didn't get in because of unbelief, and that is
00:31:32.866 --> 00:31:35.902
True, but what is so poignant there, kirk, is that it says god
00:31:35.902 --> 00:31:40.340
Said to them, "all of you who have grumbled against me will
00:31:40.340 --> 00:31:44.945
Not go in."
00:31:44.945 --> 00:31:46.279
So the generation didn't go into the promised land because of
00:31:46.279 --> 00:31:50.283
Their grumbling, and that can keep us from our personal
00:31:50.283 --> 00:31:53.320
Promised land, keep us from seeing what god wants us to see,
00:31:53.320 --> 00:31:57.224
From hearing what god wants to hear.
00:31:57.224 --> 00:31:59.392
And it just is really a block in our relationship with the lord.
00:31:59.392 --> 00:32:03.396
And it's so contagious.
00:32:03.396 --> 00:32:05.398
I think about when they started grumbling, i don't know how it
00:32:05.398 --> 00:32:09.069
Went, but i imagine it was something like this.
00:32:09.069 --> 00:32:11.238
Someone walked out of their tent one morning and said, "you know,
00:32:11.238 --> 00:32:13.874
I am sick of this manna."
00:32:13.874 --> 00:32:15.675
And then the neighbor said, "you know what, i'm sick of it too."
00:32:15.675 --> 00:32:18.645
And then the next person and the next person, and it
00:32:18.645 --> 00:32:20.780
Just spreads.
00:32:20.780 --> 00:32:22.149
And we have social media to do that today, but that negativity
00:32:22.149 --> 00:32:25.519
Just spreads and spreads, and it's so contagious.
00:32:25.519 --> 00:32:28.355
But here's the good news: just as ingratitude and grumbling is
00:32:28.355 --> 00:32:32.459
Contagious, so is gratitude.
00:32:32.459 --> 00:32:35.595
Kirk: yes, i think you're right.
00:32:35.595 --> 00:32:37.597
And thank you for spelling that out for us and reminding us that
00:32:37.597 --> 00:32:41.601
The enemy of gratitude is entitlement.
00:32:41.601 --> 00:32:45.572
And i can't think of a better word to describe the way so many
00:32:45.572 --> 00:32:49.376
People feel today after being fed the message that, "you
00:32:49.376 --> 00:32:54.915
Deserve this, you ought to have this.
00:32:54.915 --> 00:32:56.917
Don't let anybody tell you that you can't do what you want.
00:32:56.917 --> 00:33:00.187
You ought to have--" and people just have this idea that they
00:33:00.187 --> 00:33:05.992
Deserve all good all the time, the way that they want it, when
00:33:05.992 --> 00:33:12.065
In truth, we don't want what we are entitled to.
00:33:12.065 --> 00:33:15.001
I mean, as a christian we understand that the only thing
00:33:15.001 --> 00:33:17.771
God is entitled to give us is not his love, it's not his
00:33:17.771 --> 00:33:22.342
Mercy, it's not his grace.
00:33:22.342 --> 00:33:24.644
These things are lavish gifts that we do not deserve.
00:33:24.644 --> 00:33:29.049
If he was entitled to give us anything, it would be that which
00:33:29.049 --> 00:33:32.352
Falls in accordance to his justice, and that would be his
00:33:32.352 --> 00:33:36.690
Wrath because of my sin, because of my selfishness and my pride.
00:33:36.690 --> 00:33:41.094
So i don't want entitlement.
00:33:41.094 --> 00:33:43.096
Being an entitled person is the awfullest thing you could be.
00:33:43.096 --> 00:33:46.933
I wanna be a grateful person because he offers me something
00:33:46.933 --> 00:33:50.971
That i'm not entitled to.
00:33:50.971 --> 00:33:52.339
Right, that's the message of the gospel.
00:33:52.339 --> 00:33:54.441
Sharon: and when you think about it, when we are grumbling and
00:33:54.441 --> 00:33:56.643
Complaining, it is a casual despising of the sovereignty
00:33:56.643 --> 00:34:00.413
Of god.
00:34:00.413 --> 00:34:01.748
And that's what we see with the people of israel, and that's
00:34:01.748 --> 00:34:04.918
What we see with us today.
00:34:04.918 --> 00:34:06.620
When we are complaining and grumbling, it's like we think we
00:34:06.620 --> 00:34:09.623
Deserve better and we think we can do it better.
00:34:09.623 --> 00:34:12.892
So that's what--we're kind of despising god's sovereignty and
00:34:12.892 --> 00:34:15.528
Saying, "you know what, let me handle this.
00:34:15.528 --> 00:34:17.163
I can do it."
00:34:17.163 --> 00:34:18.531
Kirk: yeah, it's almost like saying, "you know, god, if i
00:34:18.531 --> 00:34:20.066
Were on the throne, i wouldn't have gone--let it go down
00:34:20.066 --> 00:34:22.636
That way."
00:34:22.636 --> 00:34:23.970
Now, we don't think we're saying that, but essentially we are
00:34:23.970 --> 00:34:25.572
Because we're getting frustrated, we're bowing up
00:34:25.572 --> 00:34:29.676
Against the sovereign decrees and ordinances of god, who in
00:34:29.676 --> 00:34:34.347
His wisdom and providence decreed that things would go
00:34:34.347 --> 00:34:36.916
Down this way.
00:34:36.916 --> 00:34:38.251
And we've got to remember that he's working all things together
00:34:38.251 --> 00:34:42.055
For good and that trials and challenges are actually brought
00:34:42.055 --> 00:34:45.692
To us on purpose to train within us the kind of character
00:34:45.692 --> 00:34:51.131
Qualities that will conform us more to the image of his son.
00:34:51.131 --> 00:34:55.535
So if we don't get gratitude right, we are--we're not going
00:34:55.535 --> 00:35:00.507
To get there.
00:35:00.507 --> 00:35:01.875
We're just going to stay in kindergarten christianity.
00:35:01.875 --> 00:35:04.711
Sharon: and honestly, it's like, you know, when you go to get
00:35:04.711 --> 00:35:07.047
Your eyes examined and they bring down the lens, which do
00:35:07.047 --> 00:35:10.083
You see better, lens one, or lens two?
00:35:10.083 --> 00:35:12.085
Lens three, or lens four?
00:35:12.085 --> 00:35:13.887
And when we have that attitude of complaining and grumbling, it
00:35:13.887 --> 00:35:17.691
Is like we are looking at life through the wrong lens.
00:35:17.691 --> 00:35:21.027
So when you look at life through the sovereignty of god rather
00:35:21.027 --> 00:35:23.897
Than the selfishness of man, we are looking through a very
00:35:23.897 --> 00:35:27.600
Blurry lens.
00:35:27.600 --> 00:35:28.968
But when we look at life through the sovereignty of god and
00:35:28.968 --> 00:35:31.971
The--and gratitude and thanksgiving, everything becomes
00:35:31.971 --> 00:35:35.475
More clear.
00:35:35.475 --> 00:35:36.810
We can see it better.
00:35:36.810 --> 00:35:38.178
And the thing is, god is always working behind the scenes to
00:35:38.178 --> 00:35:41.514
Bring about our better good.
00:35:41.514 --> 00:35:42.849
As you just mentioned, we have trials in our life, we
00:35:42.849 --> 00:35:45.151
Have troubles.
00:35:45.151 --> 00:35:46.519
But where we see trials, god sees training.
00:35:46.519 --> 00:35:49.556
So you got trials and training.
00:35:49.556 --> 00:35:51.291
Which lens are we looking at the situation through?
00:35:51.291 --> 00:35:54.828
And when we look at it through the right lens, then we will be
00:35:54.828 --> 00:35:58.098
Grateful, even in the struggles that we have.
00:35:58.098 --> 00:36:00.967
Kirk: how do we go to god with specific requests?
00:36:00.967 --> 00:36:04.104
He tells us in his word, "rejoice in the lord always.
00:36:04.104 --> 00:36:08.408
Don't worry about anything, but in all things be grateful, be
00:36:08.408 --> 00:36:11.644
Thankful, and bring your requests to the lord with a
00:36:11.644 --> 00:36:15.382
Thankful heart."
00:36:15.382 --> 00:36:17.016
How do i go to god with the--with my requests and not
00:36:17.016 --> 00:36:21.654
Become filled with a spirit of entitlement?
00:36:21.654 --> 00:36:25.392
Because he says whatever i ask in his
00:36:25.392 --> 00:36:28.027
Name he's gonna give it to me.
00:36:28.027 --> 00:36:29.362
So what if god doesn't give that to me?
00:36:29.362 --> 00:36:31.698
Should i stop asking him for things and just be content and
00:36:31.698 --> 00:36:34.234
Grateful for what i have, or can i come to him with requests and
00:36:34.234 --> 00:36:37.670
Still be content?
00:36:37.670 --> 00:36:39.038
Sharon: well, the bible does tell us when we pray to knock
00:36:39.038 --> 00:36:40.940
And keep knocking.
00:36:40.940 --> 00:36:42.308
So we--don't say anything in scripture that tells us to stop
00:36:42.308 --> 00:36:45.578
Praying a certain prayer.
00:36:45.578 --> 00:36:47.547
However, there comes a point where we get an answer and, you
00:36:47.547 --> 00:36:50.884
Know what, kirk, the answer might be no.
00:36:50.884 --> 00:36:53.019
And if we get that answer that is no, then we're still going to
00:36:53.019 --> 00:36:56.189
Thank god for that.
00:36:56.189 --> 00:36:57.557
We're going to thank him because we know that he's got a better
00:36:57.557 --> 00:37:00.059
Plan, something that we can't see, and we might never know why
00:37:00.059 --> 00:37:04.931
That answer was no, but no is an answer.
00:37:04.931 --> 00:37:08.268
Kirk: we're gonna talk more with sharon about the importance of a
00:37:08.268 --> 00:37:10.937
Biblical attitude of gratitude and how to avoid the habit of a
00:37:10.937 --> 00:37:15.575
Grumbling and complaining spirit that robs us of
00:37:15.575 --> 00:37:19.279
Joy, so stay with us.
00:37:19.279 --> 00:37:21.080
♪♪♪
00:37:21.080 --> 00:37:25.418
♪♪♪
00:37:26.053 --> 00:37:30.190
Kirk: we're back with author and women speaker sharon jaynes.
00:37:32.926 --> 00:37:36.029
Sharon, we've been talking all about gratitude and having a
00:37:36.029 --> 00:37:38.465
Heart full of thanks even for things that are difficult.
00:37:38.465 --> 00:37:41.502
And i loved how you talked about the different lenses.
00:37:41.502 --> 00:37:43.437
You know, lens number one, or lens number two?
00:37:43.437 --> 00:37:45.539
Lens number three, or lens--what--at what point does
00:37:45.539 --> 00:37:48.108
It come clear?
00:37:48.108 --> 00:37:49.443
And you say that the lens of gratitude changes everything.
00:37:49.443 --> 00:37:52.880
Can you just unpack that for us a little bit more?
00:37:52.880 --> 00:37:56.283
Sharon: you know, i love that illustration because, first of
00:37:56.283 --> 00:37:59.253
All, i just had an eye exam and just brought it all back to me.
00:37:59.253 --> 00:38:02.289
But when i wrote the book, "when you don't like your story: what
00:38:02.289 --> 00:38:05.526
If your worst chapters could become your greatest victories?"
00:38:05.526 --> 00:38:08.495
One thing that i realized as i was talking to different people
00:38:08.495 --> 00:38:11.999
About their difficult stories and what they learned from them,
00:38:11.999 --> 00:38:15.102
That the people who looked at their stories, the difficult
00:38:15.102 --> 00:38:18.372
Parts of their lives through that lens of gratitude and what
00:38:18.372 --> 00:38:21.875
They learned from it and what they got from it, they had an
00:38:21.875 --> 00:38:25.045
Entirely different perspective.
00:38:25.045 --> 00:38:27.047
Now, one gal that i talked to had a very difficult marriage,
00:38:27.047 --> 00:38:30.918
But she said, "i am so thankful for the three children that i
00:38:30.918 --> 00:38:34.788
Have and i am so thankful for the way my faith
00:38:34.788 --> 00:38:38.125
Grew during that time."
00:38:38.125 --> 00:38:39.459
She said, "if i hadn't gone through that struggle, i would
00:38:39.459 --> 00:38:41.862
Have had a very lazy, simple faith.
00:38:41.862 --> 00:38:44.731
But because of those struggles, i know what it means to depend
00:38:44.731 --> 00:38:48.402
On jesus when you can't depend on anybody else.
00:38:48.402 --> 00:38:50.871
I know what it means to have jesus as my rock and my savior.
00:38:50.871 --> 00:38:54.541
I know what it means to have jesus as my provider when i
00:38:54.541 --> 00:38:57.611
Didn't have anyone else providing for me."
00:38:57.611 --> 00:38:59.813
And you see what she's doing there, kirk.
00:38:59.813 --> 00:39:01.448
She's looking at her difficult chapter through that lens of
00:39:01.448 --> 00:39:05.686
Gratitude, of what god did for me to get me
00:39:05.686 --> 00:39:09.122
On the other side of it.
00:39:09.122 --> 00:39:10.457
And something you mentioned in the first segment about how when
00:39:10.457 --> 00:39:13.660
We go through difficulties, we can then use what we've gone
00:39:13.660 --> 00:39:16.830
Through to help other people.
00:39:16.830 --> 00:39:19.199
What a praise and thankful heart we can have to do that.
00:39:19.199 --> 00:39:23.070
You know, it tells us in 1 corinthians that god comforts us
00:39:23.070 --> 00:39:26.139
In all of our struggle so that we can comfort others with the
00:39:26.139 --> 00:39:30.644
Struggles we've gone through as well.
00:39:30.644 --> 00:39:33.046
And that's basically saying that god doesn't comfort us just to
00:39:33.046 --> 00:39:36.183
Make us comfortable, but god comforts us to make us
00:39:36.183 --> 00:39:39.186
Comfort-able so we can then use what we've gone through to help
00:39:39.186 --> 00:39:43.123
Someone else.
00:39:43.123 --> 00:39:44.491
And that is wonderful, that's the power of our story.
00:39:44.491 --> 00:39:46.927
And we can be so grateful that god has allowed us to go through
00:39:46.927 --> 00:39:50.664
Those difficulties.
00:39:50.664 --> 00:39:52.032
And in my own life, just being raised in a home with an
00:39:52.032 --> 00:39:54.368
Alcoholic father, difficulties there, and i now use all of that
00:39:54.368 --> 00:39:58.372
To help other women who are going through difficulties
00:39:58.372 --> 00:40:01.041
As well.
00:40:01.041 --> 00:40:02.376
And i just praise god for that.
00:40:02.376 --> 00:40:04.011
I don't look back on the difficulties and i'm not bitter
00:40:04.011 --> 00:40:06.747
Or resentful about it.
00:40:06.747 --> 00:40:08.081
I'm praising god for it, and we can praise god for those
00:40:08.081 --> 00:40:11.218
Difficulties, how he got us through it, how he got us over
00:40:11.218 --> 00:40:13.954
It so then that we can still, now, use that to help
00:40:13.954 --> 00:40:17.124
Other people.
00:40:17.124 --> 00:40:18.492
And that is so much joy, to be able to do that.
00:40:18.492 --> 00:40:20.928
Kirk: that's it, i love it, that god's not looking to make us
00:40:20.928 --> 00:40:22.996
Comfortable, he's looking to make us more comfort-able, to
00:40:22.996 --> 00:40:27.768
Comfort those--and gratitude is the key.
00:40:27.768 --> 00:40:30.537
We've got to grab ahold of gratitude.
00:40:30.537 --> 00:40:32.372
You know, and--you say, you know what, it--we can't say, you
00:40:32.372 --> 00:40:37.644
Know, "i don't like my annoying mother-in-law," or, "i'm
00:40:37.644 --> 00:40:43.216
Just--god, why did you give me an alcoholic father?"
00:40:43.216 --> 00:40:45.686
We need to be able to say, "i'm thankful for my
00:40:45.686 --> 00:40:48.088
Alcoholic father.
00:40:48.088 --> 00:40:49.423
I'm not thankful that he is involved in alcoholism, but,
00:40:49.423 --> 00:40:52.592
God, you have something very important in the story that
00:40:52.592 --> 00:40:56.396
People are reading about my life and his life," or, "i'm grateful
00:40:56.396 --> 00:41:00.600
For my annoying mother-in-law and i'm so thankful for what
00:41:00.600 --> 00:41:05.072
You're going to teach me through this.
00:41:05.072 --> 00:41:06.707
Maybe i need to learn how to love my enemies.
00:41:06.707 --> 00:41:09.409
Maybe i need to learn how to be more patient and kind with those
00:41:09.409 --> 00:41:13.914
Who are irritating, and maybe i'm able to help bring that
00:41:13.914 --> 00:41:18.685
Person some comfort with my patience that's going to change
00:41:18.685 --> 00:41:23.724
Their life, and love and care for them the way, god, that
00:41:23.724 --> 00:41:26.626
You've cared for me when i was your enemy
00:41:26.626 --> 00:41:29.029
And when i was annoying."
00:41:29.029 --> 00:41:30.831
All of these things are part of the process that make us into
00:41:30.831 --> 00:41:33.834
The people he wants us to be, aren't they?
00:41:33.834 --> 00:41:35.602
Sharon: right, and you know, that's how i became a christian
00:41:35.602 --> 00:41:38.071
As a teenager, through a woman in my neighborhood.
00:41:38.071 --> 00:41:40.340
Then three years later my mom came to christ.
00:41:40.340 --> 00:41:43.343
But my father, that mean alcoholic man, he did come to
00:41:43.343 --> 00:41:48.248
Christ, too, but the way he came to christ was that he met a man
00:41:48.248 --> 00:41:52.652
In pennsylvania.
00:41:52.652 --> 00:41:53.987
I'm in north carolina, he went to pennsylvania, he met a man
00:41:53.987 --> 00:41:57.624
And he asked this man to pray for him, and the man said,
00:41:57.624 --> 00:42:00.460
"well, tell me your story."
00:42:00.460 --> 00:42:01.862
And then what my father told me, this man who happened to be a
00:42:01.862 --> 00:42:04.831
Pastor, he said, "after i told this man everything i've done,
00:42:04.831 --> 00:42:08.235
That pastor told me his story.
00:42:08.235 --> 00:42:10.203
He had done everything i had done.
00:42:10.203 --> 00:42:12.272
And i knew that if god could forgive him, that he could
00:42:12.272 --> 00:42:15.342
Forgive me too."
00:42:15.342 --> 00:42:16.777
And see, that's the joy of it, isn't it?
00:42:16.777 --> 00:42:19.046
God--this a man that's not ashamed to tell what he's gone
00:42:19.046 --> 00:42:21.915
Through, told what god had done for him, and my father saw jesus
00:42:21.915 --> 00:42:25.719
In that man.
00:42:25.719 --> 00:42:27.054
So it's so important that we use what we've gone through, and be
00:42:27.054 --> 00:42:29.423
Thankful for it, because there's somebody that needs to hear
00:42:29.423 --> 00:42:32.826
That story.
00:42:32.826 --> 00:42:34.194
But i would love to go back to that whole lens thing a minute.
00:42:34.194 --> 00:42:36.430
I want to go back to that because i think when we look at
00:42:36.430 --> 00:42:39.232
Life through the lens of gratitude, we do see
00:42:39.232 --> 00:42:41.868
Things differently.
00:42:41.868 --> 00:42:43.236
And i was so convicted of this one day when i was traveling
00:42:43.236 --> 00:42:46.573
From pennsylvania back to north carolina.
00:42:46.573 --> 00:42:50.544
I had done a speaking thing on a christmas--i mean, on a--it was
00:42:50.544 --> 00:42:54.214
A good friday easter service.
00:42:54.214 --> 00:42:56.283
And when i was traveling back, it was supposed to be quick
00:42:56.283 --> 00:42:58.985
Flight, and there were storms and it was delayed and delayed
00:42:58.985 --> 00:43:02.322
And delayed.
00:43:02.322 --> 00:43:03.690
Flights were canceled.
00:43:03.690 --> 00:43:05.025
And finally, about 12 hours after i was supposed to get on
00:43:05.025 --> 00:43:08.128
The plane, we finally got on the plane, got to north carolina,
00:43:08.128 --> 00:43:11.731
And then we were--couldn't land because of a storm.
00:43:11.731 --> 00:43:16.269
We had to land 90 miles away, and then the time timed out for
00:43:16.269 --> 00:43:21.441
The crew and they couldn't fly anymore.
00:43:21.441 --> 00:43:23.710
So then they put us on these eight vans to drive us the rest
00:43:23.710 --> 00:43:28.348
Of the way home, an hour and a half, and there was a woman and
00:43:28.348 --> 00:43:31.585
Her daughter sitting in front of me.
00:43:31.585 --> 00:43:33.086
And i'll be honest with you, kirk, i was not praising
00:43:33.086 --> 00:43:36.289
The lord.
00:43:36.289 --> 00:43:37.624
I was grumbling, i was mad about it, and i was saying, "lord,
00:43:37.624 --> 00:43:41.661
What are you doing here?"
00:43:41.661 --> 00:43:43.230
I was not happy.
00:43:43.230 --> 00:43:44.564
I had a bad attitude of ingratitude and entitlement, i
00:43:44.564 --> 00:43:48.268
Might add.
00:43:48.268 --> 00:43:49.669
But as we were coming towards charlotte, the heater was
00:43:49.669 --> 00:43:54.441
Broken, it was really hot, the woman in front of me drew a
00:43:54.441 --> 00:43:57.377
Smiley face on the glass.
00:43:57.377 --> 00:44:00.413
And i thought to myself, what does she have to be
00:44:00.413 --> 00:44:03.116
Smiling about?
00:44:03.116 --> 00:44:04.484
There is nothing smily about this situation.
00:44:04.484 --> 00:44:07.287
Well, i had gotten to know them a little bit, and when we
00:44:07.287 --> 00:44:10.056
Finally got to charlotte and they--we got out of the van
00:44:10.056 --> 00:44:12.859
About midnight.
00:44:12.859 --> 00:44:14.528
I turned to the girl, her name was beth, and it was beth and
00:44:14.528 --> 00:44:18.331
Her mom and they were coming to visit the second daughter.
00:44:18.331 --> 00:44:22.169
I said, "beth, y'all have a great time visiting with
00:44:22.169 --> 00:44:25.071
Your sister."
00:44:25.071 --> 00:44:26.406
And she said, "oh, we will.
00:44:26.406 --> 00:44:28.074
My mom just found out she has cancer for the second time and
00:44:28.074 --> 00:44:32.679
It looks like she's not gonna make it this time, so we're
00:44:32.679 --> 00:44:36.283
Gonna have one more girls weekend together and it might be
00:44:36.283 --> 00:44:40.153
Our last."
00:44:40.153 --> 00:44:41.521
And, kirk, then i looked back at that van with a smiley face
00:44:41.521 --> 00:44:46.193
Drawn on the window by a dying woman and i was so convicted
00:44:46.193 --> 00:44:52.699
About how i had been so ungrateful all day because i
00:44:52.699 --> 00:44:56.836
Was inconvenienced.
00:44:56.836 --> 00:44:58.838
But this woman was grateful because she had another day
00:44:58.838 --> 00:45:02.976
Of life.
00:45:02.976 --> 00:45:04.678
You see, that's the difference when we look through--are we
00:45:04.678 --> 00:45:08.582
Looking through the right lens?
00:45:08.582 --> 00:45:09.950
Am i looking through the lens of the selfishness of sharon who
00:45:09.950 --> 00:45:13.019
Wants it to go my way all the time, or am i looking at it
00:45:13.019 --> 00:45:16.590
Through the lens of just being grateful that i have
00:45:16.590 --> 00:45:19.192
Another day?
00:45:19.192 --> 00:45:20.827
And you see those two women, me and that woman, and the
00:45:20.827 --> 00:45:24.030
Difference it made in our attitude that day.
00:45:24.030 --> 00:45:26.866
Kirk: attitude is everything, it changes the way that we live.
00:45:26.866 --> 00:45:30.971
Sharon, talk with us about how, in practical terms, we can cast
00:45:30.971 --> 00:45:35.875
Our cares upon the lord, that's what scriptures say, because he
00:45:35.875 --> 00:45:39.279
Cares for us, and not have that be a backdoor into complaining?
00:45:39.279 --> 00:45:45.418
"lord, these are my cares.
00:45:45.418 --> 00:45:47.020
Oh god, why are these things happening to me?
00:45:47.020 --> 00:45:48.989
I want to cast my cares upon you without complaining about
00:45:48.989 --> 00:45:52.826
Those cares."
00:45:52.826 --> 00:45:54.261
You see what i'm saying?
00:45:54.261 --> 00:45:55.895
Sharon: well, you mentioned a--yes, you mentioned a
00:45:55.895 --> 00:45:58.832
Verse in the first segment.
00:45:58.832 --> 00:46:00.166
It says to give--pray about everything with thanksgiving,
00:46:00.166 --> 00:46:06.206
And i think that's it right there.
00:46:06.206 --> 00:46:08.041
It's you're praying about everything, but you're doing it
00:46:08.041 --> 00:46:10.377
With thanksgiving.
00:46:10.377 --> 00:46:11.778
So it's not just--we're not just giving a list of all our
00:46:11.778 --> 00:46:15.482
Complaints and our ailments.
00:46:15.482 --> 00:46:16.816
And if we are, we need to rethink that.
00:46:16.816 --> 00:46:19.386
Yes, we do cast all our cares upon the lord.
00:46:19.386 --> 00:46:22.255
And i love that word "cast," it really means throw.
00:46:22.255 --> 00:46:24.591
Throw them, throw them at, you know, just throw them
00:46:24.591 --> 00:46:27.327
Jesus's feet.
00:46:27.327 --> 00:46:28.695
And we're not meant to carry those, but we're still--we have
00:46:28.695 --> 00:46:31.231
A--still have an attitude of thanksgiving, because if the
00:46:31.231 --> 00:46:34.134
Answer is no, if we're going back to that, you know, that is
00:46:34.134 --> 00:46:37.304
An answer, and praising god, again, for that as well.
00:46:37.304 --> 00:46:40.407
But i think that we tend to have the prayer list with everything
00:46:40.407 --> 00:46:45.679
That we want and all of our needs, but we're forgetting that
00:46:45.679 --> 00:46:48.448
Very first part.
00:46:48.448 --> 00:46:49.783
And for me, when i pray, i always spend the first part of
00:46:49.783 --> 00:46:53.586
It in--doing what it says in psalm 100.
00:46:53.586 --> 00:46:57.057
Says, "enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts
00:46:57.057 --> 00:46:59.492
With praise."
00:46:59.492 --> 00:47:00.827
So i begin by praising god for who he is and then thanking god
00:47:00.827 --> 00:47:05.131
For what he does.
00:47:05.131 --> 00:47:07.200
And then i have my list of prayer requests and then i close
00:47:07.200 --> 00:47:10.970
It back up and i end, again, with thanking god for what he
00:47:10.970 --> 00:47:14.941
Does and praising him for who he is.
00:47:14.941 --> 00:47:17.243
So it's a sandwich, basically a sandwich.
00:47:17.243 --> 00:47:20.246
We've got the praise and thanksgiving on the beginning
00:47:20.246 --> 00:47:22.549
And the end.
00:47:22.549 --> 00:47:23.883
And i think when we do that, it helps us remind us, again, of
00:47:23.883 --> 00:47:26.553
The sovereignty of god.
00:47:26.553 --> 00:47:28.021
Yes, we've got our needs and we've got our desires in there,
00:47:28.021 --> 00:47:31.858
But still, god's in control, god is in his throne--on his throne,
00:47:31.858 --> 00:47:36.763
And he is gonna do--do what is best, whether we think it's best
00:47:36.763 --> 00:47:41.067
For us or not.
00:47:41.067 --> 00:47:42.435
Kirk: that's right, and if we think about it, it's not like he
00:47:42.435 --> 00:47:46.239
Hasn't taken care of us in the past.
00:47:46.239 --> 00:47:48.675
If i've got a memory of the things he's done for me in the
00:47:48.675 --> 00:47:51.544
Past, that's gonna help me to be thankful now.
00:47:51.544 --> 00:47:53.313
Not just because of his sovereignty, although
00:47:53.313 --> 00:47:55.248
That's--that is enough.
00:47:55.248 --> 00:47:57.384
Not just because he's faithful and kind, in theory, but because
00:47:57.384 --> 00:48:01.921
He's demonstrated his kindness and his faithfulness to me in
00:48:01.921 --> 00:48:05.158
The past.
00:48:05.158 --> 00:48:06.493
He saved me, he found me when i wasn't looking for him.
00:48:06.493 --> 00:48:08.928
He has gotten me this far in my life.
00:48:08.928 --> 00:48:11.498
He has given me promises that i can stand on.
00:48:11.498 --> 00:48:14.134
He's granted me with friends and family and he's taken hard
00:48:14.134 --> 00:48:18.037
Things and turned it into the best things in the past.
00:48:18.037 --> 00:48:20.740
Why wouldn't he do it again in this thing now?
00:48:20.740 --> 00:48:24.344
Isn't that a good reason to be grateful?
00:48:24.344 --> 00:48:26.546
Sharon: absolutely, and you mentioned, what are some
00:48:26.546 --> 00:48:28.515
Practical things that we can do?
00:48:28.515 --> 00:48:30.483
What you just said right there, that list, that's a great list.
00:48:30.483 --> 00:48:33.353
But you know what?
00:48:33.353 --> 00:48:34.687
We have a very short memory.
00:48:34.687 --> 00:48:36.055
And when you go through and you read in exodus about how they
00:48:36.055 --> 00:48:38.725
Were grateful and then they complained, how they were
00:48:38.725 --> 00:48:40.727
Grateful and then they complained?
00:48:40.727 --> 00:48:42.095
They had a very short memory, and we have a very short memory.
00:48:42.095 --> 00:48:45.532
So what do you do about that?
00:48:45.532 --> 00:48:46.866
I think we write it down.
00:48:46.866 --> 00:48:48.368
And people have been doing this for years and years and years,
00:48:48.368 --> 00:48:51.438
But have a gratitude journal, or have something that you write
00:48:51.438 --> 00:48:55.041
Down something every day that you're grateful for, or with
00:48:55.041 --> 00:48:57.844
Your family as you come together at the dinner table and you say
00:48:57.844 --> 00:49:00.814
Your blessing over your food, have each one say
00:49:00.814 --> 00:49:04.317
That--something that you're grateful for that day.
00:49:04.317 --> 00:49:06.619
You know, we're getting ready to go into thanksgiving.
00:49:06.619 --> 00:49:08.855
Have people go around the table, say what they're thankful for,
00:49:08.855 --> 00:49:12.025
Make a list of what you're thankful for.
00:49:12.025 --> 00:49:14.093
And--but i think that journal thing is such a good idea.
00:49:14.093 --> 00:49:17.330
You can just jot down what you're thankful for that day and
00:49:17.330 --> 00:49:20.934
It's a great way to help us to remember and not forget all the
00:49:20.934 --> 00:49:26.506
Ways that god has blessed us and all that we have to be
00:49:26.506 --> 00:49:29.409
Thankful for.
00:49:29.409 --> 00:49:30.777
Kirk: sharon, thank you so much for joining us.
00:49:30.777 --> 00:49:32.545
I'm thankful for you.
00:49:32.545 --> 00:49:34.314
We all have so much to be thankful for this year.
00:49:34.314 --> 00:49:37.650
After the break we'll review some of our takeaways from our
00:49:37.650 --> 00:49:40.520
Conversations with sharon and jack hibbs, so don't go away.
00:49:40.520 --> 00:49:43.590
♪♪♪
00:49:43.590 --> 00:49:47.894
♪♪♪
00:49:48.706 --> 00:49:52.743
Kirk: i really appreciated hearing more about the
00:49:55.946 --> 00:49:57.948
Importance of gratitude from pastor jack and sharon today.
00:49:57.948 --> 00:50:01.418
Let's review our takeaways.
00:50:01.418 --> 00:50:03.387
Gratitude positions us.
00:50:03.387 --> 00:50:06.190
Pastor jack shared such a great insight.
00:50:06.190 --> 00:50:08.025
He said that gratitude puts us in a position to receive
00:50:08.025 --> 00:50:11.695
From god.
00:50:11.695 --> 00:50:13.030
That's because expressing gratitude changes the view of
00:50:13.030 --> 00:50:16.400
What's being processed through our senses.
00:50:16.400 --> 00:50:18.369
We actually see, hear, and experience life differently.
00:50:18.369 --> 00:50:22.139
If we understand that nothing comes to us that hasn't been
00:50:22.139 --> 00:50:25.542
Father-filtered, then we have the right view every time.
00:50:25.542 --> 00:50:30.647
Serving others is a pathway to gratitude.
00:50:30.647 --> 00:50:34.451
It's easy to be thankful when everything is going our way, but
00:50:34.451 --> 00:50:37.688
The way to stay thankful is to serve others.
00:50:37.688 --> 00:50:40.557
Pastor jack said that being a servant to those who are
00:50:40.557 --> 00:50:43.494
Suffering is what keeps his heart right.
00:50:43.494 --> 00:50:45.763
Serving others reminds us that life can be difficult but god
00:50:45.763 --> 00:50:49.933
Walks with us through it all, and that allows us to be
00:50:49.933 --> 00:50:53.637
Grateful no matter the circumstances.
00:50:53.637 --> 00:50:57.608
Gratitude is a superpower.
00:50:57.608 --> 00:51:00.878
My friend likes to say gratitude is the attitude that determines
00:51:00.878 --> 00:51:04.882
The altitude for living.
00:51:04.882 --> 00:51:07.384
Sharon reminded us that we need to see all of life through the
00:51:07.384 --> 00:51:11.021
Lens of gratitude.
00:51:11.021 --> 00:51:12.689
So if gratitude is a superpower, that also means that grumbling
00:51:12.689 --> 00:51:16.960
Is kryptonite.
00:51:16.960 --> 00:51:18.462
Grumbling kept the children of israel out of the promised land,
00:51:18.462 --> 00:51:21.799
And it keeps us out from our personal promised lands.
00:51:21.799 --> 00:51:26.570
Choosing gratitude is choosing life.
00:51:26.570 --> 00:51:30.307
Make gratitude your bookends, sharon shared that the way to
00:51:30.307 --> 00:51:34.278
Feel close to god during tough times is to enter his gates with
00:51:34.278 --> 00:51:38.082
Thanksgiving, like it says in psalm 100.
00:51:38.082 --> 00:51:40.584
But she also encouraged us to exit his gates the same way.
00:51:40.584 --> 00:51:43.987
We first thank god for his goodness, and then we bring our
00:51:43.987 --> 00:51:47.424
Very real cares and concerns to him, casting our cares upon the
00:51:47.424 --> 00:51:51.662
Lord, then we end the prayer the same way we entered,
00:51:51.662 --> 00:51:55.365
With gratitude.
00:51:55.365 --> 00:51:56.800
So even in difficult times, it's important to remember that god
00:51:56.800 --> 00:52:00.270
Doesn't comfort us to make us comfortable, but to make
00:52:00.270 --> 00:52:04.241
Us comfort-able.
00:52:04.241 --> 00:52:05.576
That is, more able to offer comfort to others.
00:52:05.576 --> 00:52:10.180
That's all for this episode of "takeaways."
00:52:10.180 --> 00:52:12.149
Thanks for watching.
00:52:12.149 --> 00:52:13.484
And if you've enjoyed this show, don't forget to set your dvr so
00:52:13.484 --> 00:52:16.653
You never miss an episode.
00:52:16.653 --> 00:52:18.388
And of course, you can always catch up on past episodes by
00:52:18.388 --> 00:52:21.191
Searching for "takeaways" on tbn+, or by visiting the "kirk
00:52:21.191 --> 00:52:25.529
Cameron on tbn" youtube channel.
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We'll see you here next time for more great conversations.
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Jack Hibbs & Sharon Jaynes: Cultivating an Attitude of Gratitude | Takeaways with Kirk Cameron

November 25, 2024 | 52:59

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