1 00:00:01,160 --> 00:00:02,759 Speaker 1: Hope you're having a great summer. 2 00:00:02,920 --> 00:00:05,200 Speaker 2: Know that we're praying for you, and we know God 3 00:00:05,240 --> 00:00:06,960 Speaker 2: has awesome things in store. 4 00:00:07,280 --> 00:00:10,000 Speaker 1: So great having you with us. Enjoy the message today? 5 00:00:10,840 --> 00:00:12,000 Speaker 1: Will God bless you. 6 00:00:12,320 --> 00:00:14,560 Speaker 2: It is always a joy to come into your homes 7 00:00:14,600 --> 00:00:15,160 Speaker 2: each week. 8 00:00:15,480 --> 00:00:16,319 Speaker 1: We love you. 9 00:00:16,520 --> 00:00:18,880 Speaker 2: I know God's got a great plan for your life. 10 00:00:19,239 --> 00:00:22,000 Speaker 2: God rewards the people that seek after Him, and I 11 00:00:22,079 --> 00:00:24,400 Speaker 2: believe that's you. Or you wouldn't be tuning in today. 12 00:00:24,720 --> 00:00:27,000 Speaker 2: You guys wouldn't be here today. If you're ever in 13 00:00:27,000 --> 00:00:29,040 Speaker 2: our area, come out and see us. I promise you 14 00:00:29,080 --> 00:00:30,680 Speaker 2: we'll make you feel right at home. But we'd love 15 00:00:30,720 --> 00:00:32,720 Speaker 2: to have you be a part of one of our services. 16 00:00:33,120 --> 00:00:35,040 Speaker 2: I'd like to get started each week with something kind 17 00:00:35,080 --> 00:00:37,960 Speaker 2: of funny. And I heard about this minister. He noticed 18 00:00:38,000 --> 00:00:38,599 Speaker 2: a dead. 19 00:00:38,479 --> 00:00:40,959 Speaker 1: Mule on the church grounds, and so he. 20 00:00:40,920 --> 00:00:42,959 Speaker 2: Called the health department and they said they couldn't pick 21 00:00:42,960 --> 00:00:46,520 Speaker 2: it up without authorization from the mayor. Well, this mayor 22 00:00:46,720 --> 00:00:49,239 Speaker 2: was known to be rude and hard to get along with, 23 00:00:49,800 --> 00:00:52,560 Speaker 2: and when the minister called, he didn't disappoint. He began 24 00:00:52,640 --> 00:00:55,080 Speaker 2: to rent and rave, and finally he said, why are 25 00:00:55,120 --> 00:00:56,120 Speaker 2: you even bothering me? 26 00:00:56,400 --> 00:00:59,520 Speaker 1: Isn't it your job? To bury the dead. The minister 27 00:00:59,600 --> 00:01:01,200 Speaker 1: asked God to give him the right response. 28 00:01:01,240 --> 00:01:03,640 Speaker 2: He said, yes, Mayor, it is my job to bury 29 00:01:03,640 --> 00:01:06,600 Speaker 2: the dead, but I always like to notify the next 30 00:01:06,640 --> 00:01:12,040 Speaker 2: of ken first. All right, hold up your bivals. Say 31 00:01:12,080 --> 00:01:15,039 Speaker 2: it like you mean it. This is my Bible. I 32 00:01:15,080 --> 00:01:15,880 Speaker 2: am what it says. 33 00:01:15,959 --> 00:01:16,280 Speaker 1: I am. 34 00:01:16,959 --> 00:01:19,520 Speaker 2: I have what it says I have. I can do 35 00:01:19,600 --> 00:01:22,240 Speaker 2: what it says I can do. Today I will be 36 00:01:22,280 --> 00:01:26,440 Speaker 2: taught the word of God. I boldly confess my mind 37 00:01:26,560 --> 00:01:30,200 Speaker 2: is alert, my heart is receptive. I will never be 38 00:01:30,319 --> 00:01:35,119 Speaker 2: the same. In Jesus' name, God bless you. We've been 39 00:01:35,160 --> 00:01:39,320 Speaker 2: talking about developing a habit of happiness and how important 40 00:01:39,319 --> 00:01:42,120 Speaker 2: it is that we train our mind to see the good. 41 00:01:42,920 --> 00:01:47,800 Speaker 2: This doesn't happen automatically. We have to discipline ourselves to focus. 42 00:01:47,400 --> 00:01:48,200 Speaker 1: On the positive. 43 00:01:48,920 --> 00:01:52,240 Speaker 2: Many people don't realize the reason they're not happy, the 44 00:01:52,320 --> 00:01:56,040 Speaker 2: reason they're not enjoying their life, is simply because they've 45 00:01:56,040 --> 00:01:59,680 Speaker 2: trained their mind to worry. They've trained their mind to complain, 46 00:02:00,120 --> 00:02:01,360 Speaker 2: they've trained their mind. 47 00:02:01,160 --> 00:02:02,040 Speaker 1: To see the negative. 48 00:02:02,560 --> 00:02:05,760 Speaker 2: But just as we can form these negative mindsets, we 49 00:02:05,840 --> 00:02:09,760 Speaker 2: can form positive mindsets. And one of the main keys 50 00:02:09,800 --> 00:02:13,320 Speaker 2: to developing this habit of happiness is. We have to 51 00:02:13,400 --> 00:02:16,760 Speaker 2: learn how to stay grateful. We have to learn to 52 00:02:16,840 --> 00:02:21,200 Speaker 2: focus on what's right rather than what's wrong. Now, understand, 53 00:02:21,480 --> 00:02:24,560 Speaker 2: the seeds of discouragement cannot take. 54 00:02:24,480 --> 00:02:25,760 Speaker 1: Root in a grateful heart. 55 00:02:26,480 --> 00:02:29,680 Speaker 2: If you're not happy today, if you're down, or when 56 00:02:29,720 --> 00:02:32,920 Speaker 2: you're tempted to get discouraged, the quickest way out of 57 00:02:32,960 --> 00:02:35,840 Speaker 2: that is to stop focusing on what you don't have 58 00:02:36,360 --> 00:02:39,120 Speaker 2: and start thanking God for what you do have. Find 59 00:02:39,280 --> 00:02:43,360 Speaker 2: some reason to be grateful. Being grateful will lift you 60 00:02:43,480 --> 00:02:47,760 Speaker 2: out of depression and discouragement. Being grateful can help turn 61 00:02:47,840 --> 00:02:49,080 Speaker 2: a relationship around. 62 00:02:49,480 --> 00:02:52,320 Speaker 1: It can save a marriage. It's amazing what. 63 00:02:52,400 --> 00:02:56,320 Speaker 2: Happens when we stop focusing on somebody's faults and we 64 00:02:56,400 --> 00:02:59,520 Speaker 2: stop complaining about what they're doing wrong, and instead we 65 00:02:59,560 --> 00:03:00,600 Speaker 2: start seeing and the good. 66 00:03:01,000 --> 00:03:02,079 Speaker 1: We start showing. 67 00:03:01,800 --> 00:03:07,480 Speaker 2: Appreciation, being grateful at the office, expressing gratitude to your employer, 68 00:03:07,600 --> 00:03:11,240 Speaker 2: to your supervisor. That can help save your job during 69 00:03:11,240 --> 00:03:13,880 Speaker 2: a time of layoffs. That can help you get a promotion. 70 00:03:14,600 --> 00:03:18,480 Speaker 2: People like to be around grateful people. They're drawn to 71 00:03:18,600 --> 00:03:22,600 Speaker 2: people that are appreciative and thankful. When we get up 72 00:03:22,639 --> 00:03:26,000 Speaker 2: in the morning, before we read the newspaper, before we 73 00:03:26,040 --> 00:03:28,560 Speaker 2: turn on the TV. Before we think about our problems. 74 00:03:28,760 --> 00:03:31,600 Speaker 2: The first thing we should do is thank God that 75 00:03:31,639 --> 00:03:34,639 Speaker 2: we're alive, thank God that we're healthy, thank God for 76 00:03:34,720 --> 00:03:35,800 Speaker 2: our job, thank. 77 00:03:35,600 --> 00:03:38,000 Speaker 1: God for our friends and our family. 78 00:03:39,200 --> 00:03:42,560 Speaker 2: We need to start the day off in a grateful attitude. 79 00:03:43,040 --> 00:03:45,920 Speaker 2: I found you cannot go through the day negative and 80 00:03:46,000 --> 00:03:49,360 Speaker 2: depressed as long as you have a spirit of thanksgiving 81 00:03:49,400 --> 00:03:52,040 Speaker 2: in your heart. Well, hell, Joel, I do that. But 82 00:03:52,120 --> 00:03:54,480 Speaker 2: I got this old rattle trap of a car, barely 83 00:03:54,520 --> 00:03:57,920 Speaker 2: has air condition, it's hot outside. No, be grateful for 84 00:03:58,000 --> 00:03:59,800 Speaker 2: what you do have. Some people would love to have 85 00:03:59,840 --> 00:04:02,120 Speaker 2: you car. Well, if I had more money, I'm sure 86 00:04:02,120 --> 00:04:02,720 Speaker 2: i'd be happy. 87 00:04:02,800 --> 00:04:04,800 Speaker 1: Joel. Now you got to change your perspective. 88 00:04:05,160 --> 00:04:06,960 Speaker 2: You may not have all the money you would like, 89 00:04:07,240 --> 00:04:09,280 Speaker 2: but you do have your health. Let me tell you 90 00:04:09,360 --> 00:04:12,120 Speaker 2: that's worth a whole lot. I was reading about this gentleman, 91 00:04:12,400 --> 00:04:14,920 Speaker 2: one of the wealthiest men in the United States, worth 92 00:04:14,960 --> 00:04:17,520 Speaker 2: well over a billion dollars, had more money than any 93 00:04:17,560 --> 00:04:20,320 Speaker 2: of us could spend. But the problem was he didn't 94 00:04:20,360 --> 00:04:24,200 Speaker 2: have his health. He spent years going from hospital to 95 00:04:24,240 --> 00:04:27,760 Speaker 2: hospital trying all this different kind of treatment. Do you 96 00:04:27,800 --> 00:04:30,680 Speaker 2: know how much he would have given to be well 97 00:04:30,760 --> 00:04:33,359 Speaker 2: and healthy like most of us today, he would have 98 00:04:33,360 --> 00:04:36,479 Speaker 2: given it all. You may not have everything you would like, 99 00:04:36,680 --> 00:04:38,080 Speaker 2: but keep it in perspective. 100 00:04:38,360 --> 00:04:41,320 Speaker 1: If you have your health, you're extremely wealthy. If you 101 00:04:41,360 --> 00:04:44,360 Speaker 1: can walk, you can talk, you can think, you can see, 102 00:04:44,520 --> 00:04:47,719 Speaker 1: you have something that a billion dollars couldn't even buy. 103 00:04:48,360 --> 00:04:50,560 Speaker 2: Don't take for granted the fact that you were able 104 00:04:50,600 --> 00:04:53,000 Speaker 2: to get out of bed this morning without any assistance. 105 00:04:53,600 --> 00:04:56,080 Speaker 2: When you opened your eyes, you were able to see. 106 00:04:56,320 --> 00:04:57,920 Speaker 2: When you told your legs. 107 00:04:57,560 --> 00:04:58,680 Speaker 1: To walk, they obeyed. 108 00:04:59,000 --> 00:05:00,920 Speaker 2: When you went to the kitchen and you had food 109 00:05:00,960 --> 00:05:03,520 Speaker 2: to eat, some of you had too much of it. 110 00:05:05,640 --> 00:05:10,040 Speaker 2: Don't take your health for granted. Be grateful that you 111 00:05:10,040 --> 00:05:13,719 Speaker 2: can breathe without any problem. I walked by somebody the 112 00:05:13,760 --> 00:05:16,560 Speaker 2: other day that had real bad asthma. They were hooked 113 00:05:16,640 --> 00:05:19,440 Speaker 2: up to oxygen and they were struggling to breathe. And 114 00:05:19,600 --> 00:05:21,560 Speaker 2: after we prayed for them, I went back to my 115 00:05:21,640 --> 00:05:23,640 Speaker 2: seat and I just said, Father, thank you that I 116 00:05:23,680 --> 00:05:26,360 Speaker 2: can breathe. Think you that my lungs are clear, Thank 117 00:05:26,360 --> 00:05:29,280 Speaker 2: you that I'm strong and healthy. You see somebody out 118 00:05:29,279 --> 00:05:32,160 Speaker 2: here living on the street, somebody homeless, pray for them, 119 00:05:32,480 --> 00:05:34,320 Speaker 2: and then learn to say, Father, thank you that I 120 00:05:34,360 --> 00:05:34,960 Speaker 2: have a home. 121 00:05:35,560 --> 00:05:38,719 Speaker 1: You see somebody in a wheelchair, bless them. Then say Father, 122 00:05:38,800 --> 00:05:40,159 Speaker 1: thank you that I'm able to walk. 123 00:05:40,800 --> 00:05:42,960 Speaker 2: You may be in a wheelchair, you may not be 124 00:05:43,000 --> 00:05:44,680 Speaker 2: able to walk, but you can thank God that you 125 00:05:44,720 --> 00:05:46,920 Speaker 2: can see. You may not have legs, but you can 126 00:05:46,960 --> 00:05:50,279 Speaker 2: thank God you have arms. Find some reason to be grateful. 127 00:05:51,120 --> 00:05:54,280 Speaker 1: If you have a hard time tonight getting to sleep. 128 00:05:54,720 --> 00:05:58,200 Speaker 2: Instead of just lying there frustrated in your bed, think 129 00:05:58,240 --> 00:06:01,040 Speaker 2: about the people that don't even have a bed. If 130 00:06:01,040 --> 00:06:04,200 Speaker 2: you get stuck in traffic tomorrow, instead of getting upset, 131 00:06:04,520 --> 00:06:07,039 Speaker 2: think about the people that don't have a car. Or 132 00:06:07,080 --> 00:06:09,440 Speaker 2: maybe you have a tough day at the office next week. 133 00:06:09,839 --> 00:06:11,880 Speaker 2: Instead of letting it ruin the rest of your week, 134 00:06:12,200 --> 00:06:15,760 Speaker 2: think about the people that don't even have a job. Well, Joel, 135 00:06:15,800 --> 00:06:17,800 Speaker 2: I had to park three blocks away just to come 136 00:06:17,800 --> 00:06:18,560 Speaker 2: to church today. 137 00:06:19,040 --> 00:06:19,960 Speaker 1: I prayed for favor. 138 00:06:20,000 --> 00:06:23,560 Speaker 2: It never works for me. No, Instead of getting sour, 139 00:06:23,640 --> 00:06:25,599 Speaker 2: you know what you should do With every step you take. 140 00:06:25,640 --> 00:06:28,000 Speaker 2: You should say Father, thank you that I'm able to walk, 141 00:06:28,240 --> 00:06:31,440 Speaker 2: thank you that I'm strong, thank you that I'm healthy. 142 00:06:32,520 --> 00:06:35,440 Speaker 2: Instead of complaining that your hair is turning gray, you 143 00:06:35,440 --> 00:06:40,760 Speaker 2: should be grateful that it's not turning loose. Some of it, 144 00:06:40,760 --> 00:06:49,159 Speaker 2: it's too late, or maybe somebody's rude to you, they're spiteful, jealous, angry. Well, 145 00:06:49,240 --> 00:06:50,839 Speaker 2: just remember it could be worse. 146 00:06:51,080 --> 00:06:51,880 Speaker 1: You could be then. 147 00:06:53,040 --> 00:06:55,800 Speaker 2: And sometimes the only way to be grateful is to 148 00:06:55,800 --> 00:06:56,760 Speaker 2: just say thank God. 149 00:06:56,880 --> 00:07:00,320 Speaker 1: I'm not like you. Just don't do it to the. 150 00:07:02,000 --> 00:07:05,000 Speaker 2: But we can all find some reason to give thanks, 151 00:07:05,440 --> 00:07:09,039 Speaker 2: and being grateful is the key to living a happy life. 152 00:07:09,240 --> 00:07:13,440 Speaker 1: Our circumstances are up and down. People don't always do 153 00:07:13,520 --> 00:07:16,520 Speaker 1: what's right, disappointments come. This is just a part of life. 154 00:07:16,920 --> 00:07:19,080 Speaker 2: But if we can train our minds to see the 155 00:07:19,120 --> 00:07:22,560 Speaker 2: good and always find some reason to be grateful, then 156 00:07:22,560 --> 00:07:25,160 Speaker 2: we're gonna live life happy. We're gonna enjoy our lives. 157 00:07:25,680 --> 00:07:27,800 Speaker 2: A couple of weeks ago, we had one of our 158 00:07:27,840 --> 00:07:31,160 Speaker 2: teenagers here at the church killed in an automobile accident. 159 00:07:31,400 --> 00:07:35,040 Speaker 2: It's very sad, but I love that his parents' attitude. 160 00:07:35,320 --> 00:07:38,080 Speaker 2: They stood right here at the altar and they said, Joel, 161 00:07:38,320 --> 00:07:40,720 Speaker 2: we just want to thank God that we had him 162 00:07:40,720 --> 00:07:41,880 Speaker 2: as long as we did. 163 00:07:42,440 --> 00:07:44,400 Speaker 1: And I thought, man, that's a mature. 164 00:07:44,120 --> 00:07:47,080 Speaker 2: Attitude, because a lot of people in that situation they 165 00:07:47,080 --> 00:07:50,080 Speaker 2: get negative, they get bitter, they blame God, they drop 166 00:07:50,080 --> 00:07:52,280 Speaker 2: out of church, but not these parents. 167 00:07:52,560 --> 00:07:55,040 Speaker 1: They found something to be grateful for. 168 00:07:55,880 --> 00:08:01,600 Speaker 2: The Scripture tells us in First Thessalonians, it says, in everything, 169 00:08:02,080 --> 00:08:06,240 Speaker 2: give thanks. Notice it doesn't say to give thanks for everything. 170 00:08:06,520 --> 00:08:07,920 Speaker 1: It says in everything. 171 00:08:08,360 --> 00:08:12,080 Speaker 2: In other words, God, in spite of what's happened, I'm 172 00:08:12,080 --> 00:08:14,680 Speaker 2: gonna choose to be grateful. I'm not gonna focus on 173 00:08:14,720 --> 00:08:18,200 Speaker 2: what's wrong. I'm gonna find something positive in my life. 174 00:08:18,400 --> 00:08:20,680 Speaker 2: I may be sick, but Father, I just want to 175 00:08:20,680 --> 00:08:23,320 Speaker 2: thank you today for giving me a great family. I 176 00:08:23,400 --> 00:08:25,640 Speaker 2: may be struggling in my marriage, but God, thank you 177 00:08:25,680 --> 00:08:28,040 Speaker 2: for giving me a good job. I may not have 178 00:08:28,040 --> 00:08:30,320 Speaker 2: gotten the position I wanted, but God, I want to 179 00:08:30,360 --> 00:08:32,440 Speaker 2: thank you that I was able to see another sunrise, 180 00:08:32,840 --> 00:08:34,960 Speaker 2: that I could hear the birds singing this morning, that 181 00:08:35,040 --> 00:08:39,040 Speaker 2: I could smell the flowers. See, we all have difficult situations, 182 00:08:39,280 --> 00:08:42,320 Speaker 2: but we have to discipline ourselves to not stay focused 183 00:08:42,520 --> 00:08:45,800 Speaker 2: on the negative. That's where our mind naturally wants to go. 184 00:08:46,440 --> 00:08:47,079 Speaker 1: I was talking to. 185 00:08:47,040 --> 00:08:49,360 Speaker 2: A young lady the other day. She was very down 186 00:08:49,400 --> 00:08:54,160 Speaker 2: and discouraged. She'd gone through a troubling relationship. She said, jel, 187 00:08:54,280 --> 00:08:57,120 Speaker 2: nothing's going right in my life. And she explained how 188 00:08:57,120 --> 00:09:00,280 Speaker 2: the last two years, she's just been so depressed. And 189 00:09:00,320 --> 00:09:02,560 Speaker 2: I told her what I'm telling you today. You've got 190 00:09:02,600 --> 00:09:05,760 Speaker 2: to change your focus. I said, look at you. You're beautiful, 191 00:09:06,080 --> 00:09:09,160 Speaker 2: you've got a great personality, you've got family that loves you, 192 00:09:09,160 --> 00:09:12,880 Speaker 2: you're healthy, and yet you're allowing this one circumstance, this 193 00:09:13,040 --> 00:09:16,360 Speaker 2: one person, to steal your joy week after week, month 194 00:09:16,400 --> 00:09:20,199 Speaker 2: after month. The fact is, there are some things in 195 00:09:20,240 --> 00:09:21,800 Speaker 2: life that we cannot change. 196 00:09:22,160 --> 00:09:24,960 Speaker 1: We can't change people, we can't make them do what's right. 197 00:09:25,520 --> 00:09:29,200 Speaker 2: And if you're constantly trying, that's only going to frustrate you. 198 00:09:29,200 --> 00:09:31,559 Speaker 1: You've got to turn the situation over to God. 199 00:09:32,200 --> 00:09:35,120 Speaker 2: Do your part and then trust God to do his part. 200 00:09:35,360 --> 00:09:38,520 Speaker 2: But don't allow that to keep stealing your joy. And 201 00:09:38,559 --> 00:09:40,439 Speaker 2: I know in my own life, when I'm tempted to 202 00:09:40,480 --> 00:09:44,040 Speaker 2: get down, tempted to get discouraged, I've learned Number One, 203 00:09:44,440 --> 00:09:46,959 Speaker 2: I've got to get my mind off of my own problems. 204 00:09:47,200 --> 00:09:49,440 Speaker 1: I got to quit focusing on what's wrong in my 205 00:09:49,640 --> 00:09:50,960 Speaker 1: life and what I don't have. 206 00:09:51,679 --> 00:09:54,280 Speaker 2: And number two, I've got to find some reason to 207 00:09:54,280 --> 00:09:54,920 Speaker 2: be grateful. 208 00:09:55,160 --> 00:09:57,640 Speaker 1: I've got to look at what's right rather than what's wrong. 209 00:09:58,240 --> 00:10:00,560 Speaker 2: A lot of times I'll go find my children and 210 00:10:00,600 --> 00:10:04,600 Speaker 2: I think, look at them. They're strong, they're healthy, they're enthusiastic, 211 00:10:04,640 --> 00:10:07,920 Speaker 2: they're beautiful. That helps to keep it all in perspective. 212 00:10:08,679 --> 00:10:11,960 Speaker 2: We have to realize that every day is a gift 213 00:10:12,000 --> 00:10:15,120 Speaker 2: from God. Once this day is gone, we can never 214 00:10:15,200 --> 00:10:17,560 Speaker 2: get it back. How are you going to choose to 215 00:10:17,600 --> 00:10:22,640 Speaker 2: live it happy, grateful, enthusiastic, or are you going to 216 00:10:22,679 --> 00:10:26,200 Speaker 2: go through the day negative, discouraged. 217 00:10:25,679 --> 00:10:28,240 Speaker 1: Focused on your problems, what you don't have, and who 218 00:10:28,360 --> 00:10:29,240 Speaker 1: hurts you. 219 00:10:29,320 --> 00:10:32,200 Speaker 2: Now get away from that junk and find some reason 220 00:10:32,280 --> 00:10:36,200 Speaker 2: to be grateful. And too often we're not grateful for 221 00:10:36,320 --> 00:10:40,240 Speaker 2: something until it's almost taken away. Then when we get 222 00:10:40,240 --> 00:10:42,240 Speaker 2: it back, we have a new appreciation for it. It 223 00:10:42,360 --> 00:10:45,800 Speaker 2: changes our perspective. Now, I was reading about this young man. 224 00:10:46,000 --> 00:10:48,400 Speaker 2: He was a star running back on his high school 225 00:10:48,440 --> 00:10:52,600 Speaker 2: football team. He'd broken all these records, been recruited by 226 00:10:52,600 --> 00:10:53,560 Speaker 2: the major colleges. 227 00:10:53,840 --> 00:10:55,240 Speaker 1: His future looked very bright. 228 00:10:55,800 --> 00:10:58,920 Speaker 2: But one day he started complaining about some pain in 229 00:10:59,000 --> 00:11:01,520 Speaker 2: his right knee, and after he went to the doctor 230 00:11:01,520 --> 00:11:04,040 Speaker 2: and had several weeks of test, they gave him some 231 00:11:04,200 --> 00:11:09,080 Speaker 2: very discouraging news. He had something called osteo sarcoma. And 232 00:11:09,120 --> 00:11:11,520 Speaker 2: the surgeon said, this is really one of the worst 233 00:11:11,640 --> 00:11:15,280 Speaker 2: kinds of cancer. It's eating into your bones and if 234 00:11:15,320 --> 00:11:18,320 Speaker 2: we don't remove your leg, it's gonna spread throughout your 235 00:11:18,320 --> 00:11:20,720 Speaker 2: whole body and it'll kill you. And of course this 236 00:11:20,840 --> 00:11:24,160 Speaker 2: young man was devastated. His dream was to play in 237 00:11:24,200 --> 00:11:27,440 Speaker 2: the NFL, and how that was shattered and he just 238 00:11:27,480 --> 00:11:30,400 Speaker 2: sunk into that dark hold of depression like so many 239 00:11:30,440 --> 00:11:33,760 Speaker 2: people do. But long story short, they did the operation. 240 00:11:34,360 --> 00:11:38,000 Speaker 2: When the surgeons got in there, they realized it wasn't 241 00:11:38,080 --> 00:11:41,280 Speaker 2: what they thought. It was just an unusual bone cyst, 242 00:11:41,720 --> 00:11:44,280 Speaker 2: and they were able to remove it and spare his leg. 243 00:11:45,000 --> 00:11:47,520 Speaker 2: And when he woke up from that operation and he 244 00:11:47,559 --> 00:11:49,880 Speaker 2: got the good news that his leg was still there 245 00:11:49,920 --> 00:11:51,680 Speaker 2: and he was going to be able to play ball 246 00:11:51,760 --> 00:11:55,160 Speaker 2: and still be strong and healthy, he wept and wept and. 247 00:11:55,120 --> 00:11:56,440 Speaker 1: Wept, just like a little baby. 248 00:11:57,040 --> 00:11:59,400 Speaker 2: You know what he does every morning now when he 249 00:11:59,440 --> 00:12:01,959 Speaker 2: gets up his this a teenager. First thing he does, 250 00:12:02,280 --> 00:12:04,880 Speaker 2: thank your Lord from my leadings, Thank you Lord that 251 00:12:04,960 --> 00:12:07,400 Speaker 2: I can run, Thank you Lord that I'm healthy, Thank 252 00:12:07,440 --> 00:12:08,600 Speaker 2: you Lord that I'm strong. 253 00:12:09,760 --> 00:12:12,160 Speaker 1: He has a whole new perspective. 254 00:12:12,720 --> 00:12:15,920 Speaker 2: And I'm asking us today to not let something have 255 00:12:16,040 --> 00:12:18,199 Speaker 2: to be taken away or almost taken. 256 00:12:17,960 --> 00:12:20,840 Speaker 1: Away before we really appreciate what we have. 257 00:12:21,640 --> 00:12:24,680 Speaker 2: Don't take your health for granted, don't take your job 258 00:12:24,760 --> 00:12:27,880 Speaker 2: for granted. And let's make sure that we don't take 259 00:12:27,960 --> 00:12:31,800 Speaker 2: the people in our lives for granted. Husbands, don't take 260 00:12:31,840 --> 00:12:35,560 Speaker 2: your wife for granted. Recognize that lady is a gift 261 00:12:35,640 --> 00:12:39,360 Speaker 2: that God has given you. Quit being critical, quit finding 262 00:12:39,440 --> 00:12:42,720 Speaker 2: fault and complaining about what she's doing wrong, and start 263 00:12:42,720 --> 00:12:43,880 Speaker 2: being grateful. 264 00:12:43,480 --> 00:12:45,560 Speaker 1: That you have somebody in your life to love. 265 00:12:46,240 --> 00:12:49,480 Speaker 2: Start focusing on what she's doing right rather than what 266 00:12:49,559 --> 00:12:53,200 Speaker 2: she's doing wrong. Let's learn to overlook some things. Let's 267 00:12:53,240 --> 00:12:55,640 Speaker 2: realize that every person has weaknesses. 268 00:12:56,120 --> 00:12:57,720 Speaker 1: I heard somebody put it like this. 269 00:12:58,120 --> 00:13:01,240 Speaker 2: When you're tempted to be critical of your wife's faults, 270 00:13:01,679 --> 00:13:04,600 Speaker 2: just remember it was those very faults that kept her 271 00:13:04,640 --> 00:13:05,880 Speaker 2: from getting a better husband. 272 00:13:08,440 --> 00:13:11,600 Speaker 1: But the fact is we all have room to improve. 273 00:13:12,160 --> 00:13:13,320 Speaker 1: Let's focus on the good. 274 00:13:14,520 --> 00:13:18,160 Speaker 2: Says in Proverbs eighteen twenty two, he who finds a 275 00:13:18,240 --> 00:13:21,839 Speaker 2: wife finds favor from the Lord me. And you need 276 00:13:21,880 --> 00:13:24,720 Speaker 2: to realize your wife is bringing you favor from the Lord. 277 00:13:25,200 --> 00:13:28,360 Speaker 2: Victoria never lets me forget that. She'll go through the 278 00:13:28,360 --> 00:13:31,160 Speaker 2: house and listen, Joel. When you got me, you got favor. 279 00:13:32,679 --> 00:13:34,319 Speaker 2: Now I think, yeah, I got a whole lot of 280 00:13:34,320 --> 00:13:40,000 Speaker 2: other things. Women all good, but be grateful for their personality, 281 00:13:40,840 --> 00:13:43,640 Speaker 2: be grateful for their gifts and talents, and let's give 282 00:13:43,640 --> 00:13:44,200 Speaker 2: each other. 283 00:13:44,200 --> 00:13:46,720 Speaker 1: Room to not be perfect husbands. 284 00:13:46,760 --> 00:13:49,040 Speaker 2: Your wife may not be the greatest cook, but at 285 00:13:49,120 --> 00:13:51,360 Speaker 2: least you can be grateful that she keeps a fresh 286 00:13:51,400 --> 00:13:55,439 Speaker 2: supply of rolaids up in the cabinet. Eat the food 287 00:13:55,480 --> 00:14:00,280 Speaker 2: and pray the little digest. Listen, ladies. The Scriptures says 288 00:14:00,280 --> 00:14:03,960 Speaker 2: in one Peter that you are to enjoy your husband. 289 00:14:04,520 --> 00:14:07,080 Speaker 2: It does not say that you are to remodel that man. 290 00:14:08,000 --> 00:14:10,120 Speaker 2: It doesn't say that you're to try to change him 291 00:14:10,160 --> 00:14:12,760 Speaker 2: and try to make him fit into your little mold. Now, 292 00:14:12,880 --> 00:14:15,280 Speaker 2: let him be who God made him to be, and 293 00:14:15,360 --> 00:14:19,600 Speaker 2: learn to enjoy him. He may have weaknesses, he may 294 00:14:19,640 --> 00:14:22,360 Speaker 2: do things that you don't particularly care for, but don't 295 00:14:22,400 --> 00:14:23,240 Speaker 2: focus on that. 296 00:14:23,600 --> 00:14:27,000 Speaker 1: Focus on his good qualities. And you should never compare 297 00:14:27,080 --> 00:14:29,320 Speaker 1: your husband to somebody else's husband. 298 00:14:29,920 --> 00:14:33,120 Speaker 2: Well, my husband never brings me flowers like Susie's husband. 299 00:14:33,600 --> 00:14:36,000 Speaker 2: They go out on a candlelight dinner every weekend. Don't 300 00:14:36,000 --> 00:14:38,920 Speaker 2: know what's wrong, with my husband. Now, quit comparing your 301 00:14:39,000 --> 00:14:43,440 Speaker 2: husband to Romeo over there, and just be grateful for 302 00:14:43,520 --> 00:14:45,160 Speaker 2: the man that God has given you. 303 00:14:45,920 --> 00:14:49,400 Speaker 1: Too many people today are just enduring their marriage. 304 00:14:50,200 --> 00:14:53,600 Speaker 2: They let these little things build up, they get resentful, 305 00:14:53,960 --> 00:14:56,440 Speaker 2: and before long they're hard to get along with. They're 306 00:14:56,440 --> 00:15:00,000 Speaker 2: at odds, they're arguing, they're fighting. No, change your perspective. 307 00:15:00,720 --> 00:15:04,480 Speaker 2: I challenge you to find something good, one great quality 308 00:15:04,560 --> 00:15:07,600 Speaker 2: about your husband or wife, and then begin to magnify it. 309 00:15:08,200 --> 00:15:10,760 Speaker 2: Your husband may not be the most romantic man. He 310 00:15:10,840 --> 00:15:13,760 Speaker 2: may not be the best communicator, but maybe he is 311 00:15:13,800 --> 00:15:17,440 Speaker 2: a hard worker. Maybe he provides a great living. You 312 00:15:17,480 --> 00:15:19,640 Speaker 2: never have to think about paying the bills. Well, why 313 00:15:19,640 --> 00:15:22,520 Speaker 2: don't you start telling him, hey, I appreciate you being 314 00:15:22,560 --> 00:15:25,840 Speaker 2: such a great provider for our family. If you will 315 00:15:25,880 --> 00:15:29,920 Speaker 2: magnify the good, not only will you be happier, but 316 00:15:29,960 --> 00:15:33,120 Speaker 2: you'll see that man come up higher in other areas. 317 00:15:33,720 --> 00:15:36,480 Speaker 2: Maybe you're here today and your husband doesn't come to 318 00:15:36,560 --> 00:15:37,680 Speaker 2: church with you. 319 00:15:37,680 --> 00:15:40,119 Speaker 1: You've tried and tried, but he's just not interested. 320 00:15:40,480 --> 00:15:44,920 Speaker 2: Well, don't nag him, don't try to beg him into coming, 321 00:15:45,200 --> 00:15:46,320 Speaker 2: don't just love the man. 322 00:15:46,960 --> 00:15:48,640 Speaker 1: I see too many ladies they're. 323 00:15:48,480 --> 00:15:51,440 Speaker 2: Trying to shove the scripture down their husband's throat. They're 324 00:15:51,480 --> 00:15:54,160 Speaker 2: always preaching in the sermon, telling him what he's doing wrong. 325 00:15:54,600 --> 00:15:56,840 Speaker 1: But really, I believe a better approach is. 326 00:15:56,800 --> 00:15:59,560 Speaker 2: To just be your husband's best friend, just be fun, 327 00:15:59,560 --> 00:16:02,160 Speaker 2: to be a and just love him. That's going to 328 00:16:02,240 --> 00:16:04,680 Speaker 2: draw him in quicker than any of that other And 329 00:16:04,720 --> 00:16:06,320 Speaker 2: as I said, you can't change him. 330 00:16:06,600 --> 00:16:08,760 Speaker 1: You just pray for him. You'd be a good example 331 00:16:08,880 --> 00:16:10,160 Speaker 1: and let God do the rest. 332 00:16:10,720 --> 00:16:12,560 Speaker 2: But don't use the excuse Well, I don't have to 333 00:16:12,600 --> 00:16:14,880 Speaker 2: treat my husband good, Joe, he doesn't come to church, 334 00:16:14,920 --> 00:16:18,040 Speaker 2: he's not as spiritual as me. No, we all have 335 00:16:18,120 --> 00:16:21,760 Speaker 2: a responsibility to treat our spouse with respect and honor. 336 00:16:22,000 --> 00:16:23,600 Speaker 1: Don't take that person for granted. 337 00:16:24,840 --> 00:16:29,680 Speaker 2: We need to realize life is very short. That other 338 00:16:29,720 --> 00:16:33,200 Speaker 2: person may not always be here. Have you told your 339 00:16:33,240 --> 00:16:36,600 Speaker 2: spouse you love them lately? Have you hugged that man? 340 00:16:36,720 --> 00:16:37,880 Speaker 2: Have you kissed that woman? 341 00:16:38,200 --> 00:16:40,680 Speaker 1: Oh? No, Joel, we're at odds. We're mad at each other. 342 00:16:40,760 --> 00:16:42,640 Speaker 1: We're arguing he did this, she did that. 343 00:16:43,360 --> 00:16:45,800 Speaker 2: Let me ask you, if you found out you only 344 00:16:45,800 --> 00:16:48,160 Speaker 2: had a couple weeks to live, how long would you 345 00:16:48,200 --> 00:16:51,320 Speaker 2: stay upset? Better yet, if you found out that other 346 00:16:51,360 --> 00:16:53,680 Speaker 2: person was only going to be here another month or two, 347 00:16:54,200 --> 00:16:57,080 Speaker 2: how would you treat them? We need to learn to 348 00:16:57,160 --> 00:16:59,880 Speaker 2: live each day as if it could be our last, 349 00:17:00,680 --> 00:17:04,280 Speaker 2: David said here in Psalm ninety, verse twelve. God teach 350 00:17:04,440 --> 00:17:07,960 Speaker 2: us to number our days. He was saying, God, help 351 00:17:08,000 --> 00:17:11,240 Speaker 2: me to remember that every day is a gift from 352 00:17:11,320 --> 00:17:14,119 Speaker 2: you when I get up in the morning. Help me 353 00:17:14,200 --> 00:17:17,200 Speaker 2: to realize that I may not always be here. Help 354 00:17:17,240 --> 00:17:19,240 Speaker 2: me to be kind to the people in my life. 355 00:17:19,760 --> 00:17:22,199 Speaker 2: Help me to focus on the good. Help me to 356 00:17:22,240 --> 00:17:25,439 Speaker 2: not take things for granted. I heard somebody put it 357 00:17:25,520 --> 00:17:30,320 Speaker 2: like this. We forget how fragile life really is. We 358 00:17:30,400 --> 00:17:34,359 Speaker 2: wait for Thanksgiving to give thanks. We wait for Christmas 359 00:17:34,400 --> 00:17:38,320 Speaker 2: to give gifts. We wait for Valentine's Day to express 360 00:17:38,400 --> 00:17:40,960 Speaker 2: love to the people that we hold dear. We say 361 00:17:40,960 --> 00:17:44,960 Speaker 2: to ourselves, today is just an ordinary day, and we wait. 362 00:17:45,640 --> 00:17:50,000 Speaker 2: And while we wait, the clock ticks, precious moments pass by. 363 00:17:50,720 --> 00:17:53,879 Speaker 2: But in reality, there is no such thing as an 364 00:17:54,000 --> 00:17:59,600 Speaker 2: ordinary day. Every day is a gift. It's unique and irreplaceable. 365 00:18:00,200 --> 00:18:04,600 Speaker 2: It's ours can be used or misused, invested or wasted. 366 00:18:05,240 --> 00:18:07,600 Speaker 1: God teach us to number our days. 367 00:18:08,320 --> 00:18:10,920 Speaker 2: What are you focused on today? What's right or what's wrong? 368 00:18:11,440 --> 00:18:13,800 Speaker 2: Is there peace in your home, peace in your life? 369 00:18:14,200 --> 00:18:18,000 Speaker 1: Are you happy? At rest? Enjoy and life? We need 370 00:18:18,000 --> 00:18:21,520 Speaker 1: to realize this day is a special day. It's not 371 00:18:21,600 --> 00:18:25,640 Speaker 1: an ordinary day. It's unique, it's irreplaceable. 372 00:18:26,200 --> 00:18:30,080 Speaker 2: The scripture tells us to make the most of every day. 373 00:18:30,400 --> 00:18:32,560 Speaker 2: We need to learn to live like it could be 374 00:18:32,600 --> 00:18:36,640 Speaker 2: our last. Growing up, we knew this older couple. They 375 00:18:36,640 --> 00:18:41,359 Speaker 2: were very fine people, and the lady especially was very loving, caring, 376 00:18:41,480 --> 00:18:44,400 Speaker 2: fun to be around. In fact, I never saw her 377 00:18:44,840 --> 00:18:46,840 Speaker 2: where she did not have a smile on her face. 378 00:18:47,119 --> 00:18:50,800 Speaker 2: She was always encouraging somebody. People loved her, especially the 379 00:18:50,840 --> 00:18:54,000 Speaker 2: young people. But late last fall she went home to 380 00:18:54,040 --> 00:18:56,840 Speaker 2: be with the Lord. At her funeral, the husband said 381 00:18:56,840 --> 00:19:00,639 Speaker 2: something interesting about fifteen years ago had a heart attack. 382 00:19:01,240 --> 00:19:04,439 Speaker 2: She came to the hospital. She said, honey, this just 383 00:19:04,520 --> 00:19:07,439 Speaker 2: shows us how fragile life really is. You could have 384 00:19:07,480 --> 00:19:09,720 Speaker 2: been gone, this could have been it. But she said, 385 00:19:09,720 --> 00:19:12,440 Speaker 2: from now on, I want us to start doing something. 386 00:19:12,119 --> 00:19:15,200 Speaker 1: Special every night before we go to bed. 387 00:19:15,720 --> 00:19:19,480 Speaker 2: I want us to kiss seven times, just to show 388 00:19:19,680 --> 00:19:21,439 Speaker 2: how much we love each other, just to show that 389 00:19:21,480 --> 00:19:23,719 Speaker 2: we're not taking each other for granted. She came up 390 00:19:23,760 --> 00:19:26,440 Speaker 2: with that number seven and so for these last fifteen 391 00:19:26,440 --> 00:19:29,600 Speaker 2: to twenty years, way up into their eighties, they never 392 00:19:29,680 --> 00:19:33,919 Speaker 2: went to bed without first kissing seven times. Well, one day, 393 00:19:34,000 --> 00:19:37,600 Speaker 2: last fall, she got up just like normal, happy, loving, peaceful. 394 00:19:38,080 --> 00:19:41,639 Speaker 2: She was walking to a doctor's appointment, accidentally fell and 395 00:19:41,800 --> 00:19:44,359 Speaker 2: hit her head on the concrete. Her brain hemorrhage, and 396 00:19:44,440 --> 00:19:46,399 Speaker 2: she went to be with the Lord. But what I 397 00:19:46,480 --> 00:19:49,639 Speaker 2: love about the way this lady lived is she lived 398 00:19:49,640 --> 00:19:52,960 Speaker 2: every day like it could be her last. She went 399 00:19:53,000 --> 00:19:55,640 Speaker 2: to be with the Lord on Tuesday. But Monday night 400 00:19:55,760 --> 00:19:59,280 Speaker 2: she kissed her husband seven times. Monday night she told 401 00:19:59,280 --> 00:20:02,200 Speaker 2: her husband how much she loved him. She didn't live 402 00:20:02,280 --> 00:20:06,120 Speaker 2: in regrets. She wasn't too busy, she wasn't too lazy, 403 00:20:06,240 --> 00:20:09,880 Speaker 2: she wasn't upset. She made every day a special day. 404 00:20:10,400 --> 00:20:13,680 Speaker 2: She realized there's no such thing as an ordinary day. 405 00:20:14,280 --> 00:20:17,880 Speaker 2: The last day of her life, she lived at loving, caring, 406 00:20:18,280 --> 00:20:19,200 Speaker 2: at peace. 407 00:20:19,160 --> 00:20:19,719 Speaker 1: Enjoying it. 408 00:20:20,359 --> 00:20:22,920 Speaker 2: That's the way I want to live. Friends, You never 409 00:20:23,040 --> 00:20:26,080 Speaker 2: know how long we're going to be here. This day 410 00:20:26,359 --> 00:20:29,200 Speaker 2: is a gift. It's a special day. It's not ordinary. 411 00:20:29,760 --> 00:20:34,040 Speaker 1: Make the most of it. Don't go through it complaining, negative, 412 00:20:34,320 --> 00:20:35,440 Speaker 1: holding a grudge. 413 00:20:35,720 --> 00:20:39,080 Speaker 2: When Joel, they did me wrong. I'm not speaking to them. No, 414 00:20:39,240 --> 00:20:42,560 Speaker 2: be the bigger person. They may be at fault, but 415 00:20:42,680 --> 00:20:43,960 Speaker 2: swallow your pride and. 416 00:20:43,960 --> 00:20:47,040 Speaker 1: Make things right. Do you know how many people live 417 00:20:47,119 --> 00:20:48,159 Speaker 1: in regrets today? 418 00:20:48,840 --> 00:20:51,520 Speaker 2: How many times have I heard people say, Joel, if 419 00:20:51,520 --> 00:20:54,160 Speaker 2: I could just tell them how much I really loved them, 420 00:20:54,560 --> 00:20:59,320 Speaker 2: if I only had another chance. Friends, life is very fragile. 421 00:21:00,160 --> 00:21:03,360 Speaker 2: To number our days. We have to realize people are 422 00:21:03,359 --> 00:21:06,280 Speaker 2: not going to be here forever. Have you told your 423 00:21:06,280 --> 00:21:09,640 Speaker 2: parents you love them lately? Have you told your spouse, 424 00:21:10,080 --> 00:21:13,040 Speaker 2: your children how great it is to have them in 425 00:21:13,080 --> 00:21:17,040 Speaker 2: your life? Do it often? Every day is a special day. 426 00:21:17,560 --> 00:21:21,000 Speaker 2: And I know sometimes when we face difficulties, it's hard 427 00:21:21,040 --> 00:21:24,480 Speaker 2: to stay grateful, it's hard to stay positive. But you 428 00:21:24,520 --> 00:21:26,919 Speaker 2: know the alternative is to come to the end of 429 00:21:26,960 --> 00:21:29,040 Speaker 2: our lives and have to say, you know what, I 430 00:21:29,080 --> 00:21:33,119 Speaker 2: spent most of my life negative, depressed, discouraged. No, let's 431 00:21:33,160 --> 00:21:36,720 Speaker 2: develop some of these new mindsets. Things may not be 432 00:21:36,800 --> 00:21:40,280 Speaker 2: perfect in your life, but the fact is this is 433 00:21:40,359 --> 00:21:41,080 Speaker 2: the day. 434 00:21:41,000 --> 00:21:42,200 Speaker 1: The Lord has made. 435 00:21:42,640 --> 00:21:45,720 Speaker 2: You are not on planet Earth by accident. There is 436 00:21:45,800 --> 00:21:48,480 Speaker 2: nothing that you are going through that God is not 437 00:21:48,600 --> 00:21:49,000 Speaker 2: aware of. 438 00:21:49,560 --> 00:21:51,399 Speaker 1: There is no situation in your. 439 00:21:51,280 --> 00:21:54,960 Speaker 2: Life that's too difficult for him. But God works where 440 00:21:54,960 --> 00:21:58,120 Speaker 2: there's an attitude of faith. You've got to give him something. 441 00:21:57,840 --> 00:22:00,919 Speaker 1: To work with. Be grateful, stay at. 442 00:22:00,800 --> 00:22:03,919 Speaker 2: Peace, and no matter what comes against you, learn to 443 00:22:03,960 --> 00:22:04,679 Speaker 2: find the good. 444 00:22:05,440 --> 00:22:07,399 Speaker 1: I was reading about a man by the name of 445 00:22:07,400 --> 00:22:08,040 Speaker 1: Bill Bright. 446 00:22:08,520 --> 00:22:11,280 Speaker 2: He was a founder of Campus Crusade for Christ and 447 00:22:11,480 --> 00:22:15,000 Speaker 2: a very fine gentleman, a well respected leader. But toward 448 00:22:15,040 --> 00:22:18,600 Speaker 2: the end of his life he developed an incurable lung disease. 449 00:22:18,920 --> 00:22:19,800 Speaker 1: Was very painful. 450 00:22:19,840 --> 00:22:22,199 Speaker 2: There was nothing that they could treat it with, was 451 00:22:22,240 --> 00:22:24,960 Speaker 2: eating away the lining of his lungs, and it got 452 00:22:25,040 --> 00:22:27,240 Speaker 2: so bad that he became bedridden. 453 00:22:27,280 --> 00:22:28,560 Speaker 1: He couldn't go out anymore. 454 00:22:29,040 --> 00:22:31,040 Speaker 2: And here he had spent the last sixty or so 455 00:22:31,160 --> 00:22:33,560 Speaker 2: years traveling all over the world, doing so much good, 456 00:22:34,080 --> 00:22:36,200 Speaker 2: and when it came down to the end, it seemed 457 00:22:36,280 --> 00:22:40,240 Speaker 2: kind of anticlimactic, kind of unfair. And just a few 458 00:22:40,280 --> 00:22:42,840 Speaker 2: days before he died, a friend of mine went to 459 00:22:42,920 --> 00:22:46,280 Speaker 2: visit him and he said, doctor Bright, I'm so sorry 460 00:22:46,320 --> 00:22:48,760 Speaker 2: to see you in this condition. I'm so sorry to 461 00:22:48,800 --> 00:22:52,520 Speaker 2: see you suffering. He said, no, no, I'm not suffering. 462 00:22:52,960 --> 00:22:56,240 Speaker 2: I'm in an air conditioned room, I'm in a comfortable bed. 463 00:22:56,680 --> 00:22:59,080 Speaker 2: I've got my family around me. I've got the best 464 00:22:59,080 --> 00:23:02,200 Speaker 2: medical care in the world. See a lot of people 465 00:23:02,240 --> 00:23:07,000 Speaker 2: in that situation would have been complaining, negative, discouraged, but 466 00:23:07,160 --> 00:23:08,879 Speaker 2: he chose to be grateful. 467 00:23:09,200 --> 00:23:11,240 Speaker 1: He chose to focus on the positive. 468 00:23:11,600 --> 00:23:15,159 Speaker 2: He realized every day was a special day, and his 469 00:23:15,240 --> 00:23:18,679 Speaker 2: attitude was as long as I'm breathing that, I'm going 470 00:23:18,760 --> 00:23:19,800 Speaker 2: to enjoy this day. 471 00:23:20,280 --> 00:23:22,040 Speaker 1: That's the attitude we need to have. 472 00:23:22,800 --> 00:23:25,199 Speaker 2: I think about our friend Freddie Lamb here on the 473 00:23:25,240 --> 00:23:25,760 Speaker 2: front road. 474 00:23:26,480 --> 00:23:29,760 Speaker 1: A few years ago. He lost his legs in an accident. 475 00:23:30,240 --> 00:23:32,600 Speaker 2: He was out on the freeway changing a flat tire 476 00:23:32,920 --> 00:23:35,240 Speaker 2: and a drunk driver came along and ran into him, 477 00:23:35,520 --> 00:23:37,840 Speaker 2: crushed growth of his legs right underneath the knee. 478 00:23:38,119 --> 00:23:41,560 Speaker 1: They had to be amputated. A few days after the accident. 479 00:23:41,840 --> 00:23:44,199 Speaker 2: My parents went up to the hospital thinking that they 480 00:23:44,200 --> 00:23:45,960 Speaker 2: were going to cheer him up and encourage him. 481 00:23:46,280 --> 00:23:48,879 Speaker 1: But they got there. You gotta know Freddy, he had 482 00:23:48,880 --> 00:23:50,159 Speaker 1: a big smile on his face. 483 00:23:50,520 --> 00:23:52,840 Speaker 2: He said, Hey, don't feel sorry for me. I know 484 00:23:52,960 --> 00:23:56,000 Speaker 2: I'm not a victim. I'm a victor, he said. 485 00:23:56,040 --> 00:23:59,320 Speaker 1: Pastor. He said, in effect, Pastor. 486 00:23:58,960 --> 00:24:01,160 Speaker 2: I may have lost my legs, but I haven't lost 487 00:24:01,240 --> 00:24:03,639 Speaker 2: my joy. I know if it was not for the 488 00:24:03,680 --> 00:24:06,679 Speaker 2: grace of God, I wouldn't even be here today. And 489 00:24:06,760 --> 00:24:09,800 Speaker 2: some of you today you're sitting around in self pity, 490 00:24:10,000 --> 00:24:12,800 Speaker 2: focused on what you've lost. But you need to do 491 00:24:12,960 --> 00:24:15,720 Speaker 2: like Freddy and start thanking God for what you have 492 00:24:15,880 --> 00:24:18,520 Speaker 2: left over. You may have lost a lot, but if 493 00:24:18,600 --> 00:24:21,440 Speaker 2: God had not shown up, if God had not intervened, 494 00:24:21,680 --> 00:24:23,880 Speaker 2: you could have lost it all. Why don't you shake 495 00:24:23,920 --> 00:24:27,159 Speaker 2: off that self pity, shake off the discouragement, find some 496 00:24:27,400 --> 00:24:28,639 Speaker 2: reason to be grateful. 497 00:24:29,960 --> 00:24:33,760 Speaker 1: And really, it's all in how we choose to see it. 498 00:24:34,480 --> 00:24:36,400 Speaker 2: I heard a story about these two men that were 499 00:24:36,400 --> 00:24:39,520 Speaker 2: in the hospital that were sharing a room together, and 500 00:24:39,640 --> 00:24:43,160 Speaker 2: every day the man closest to the window would tell 501 00:24:43,200 --> 00:24:45,280 Speaker 2: his friend what he saw outside. 502 00:24:45,680 --> 00:24:48,240 Speaker 1: He would describe it in great detail, things. 503 00:24:48,040 --> 00:24:51,159 Speaker 2: Like today, I see a beautiful sunrise, the kids are 504 00:24:51,200 --> 00:24:54,000 Speaker 2: out there playing, the trees are blooming, on and on 505 00:24:54,520 --> 00:24:57,399 Speaker 2: and every day this friend, who was not able to 506 00:24:57,440 --> 00:24:59,400 Speaker 2: get out of bed, couldn't. 507 00:24:59,080 --> 00:25:01,199 Speaker 1: Wait to hear what he saw outside. 508 00:25:01,280 --> 00:25:03,720 Speaker 2: It was the highlight of his day. One time he 509 00:25:03,800 --> 00:25:07,679 Speaker 2: told how he saw a parade coming by marching band, 510 00:25:08,040 --> 00:25:11,879 Speaker 2: kids and people playing, just celebrating having such a good time. 511 00:25:12,400 --> 00:25:14,800 Speaker 2: This went on for several weeks. But one day this 512 00:25:14,920 --> 00:25:17,159 Speaker 2: man died went to be with the Lord, and his 513 00:25:17,320 --> 00:25:19,920 Speaker 2: friend asked the nurse if he could have the bed 514 00:25:20,000 --> 00:25:23,160 Speaker 2: by the window so he could see all these great scenes, 515 00:25:23,160 --> 00:25:25,560 Speaker 2: and so she moved him over there. But when he 516 00:25:25,600 --> 00:25:28,439 Speaker 2: looked out the window, much to his surprise, all he 517 00:25:28,440 --> 00:25:31,440 Speaker 2: could see was a brick wall. Ten or fifteen feet 518 00:25:31,440 --> 00:25:34,320 Speaker 2: away was the other wing of the hospital. He called 519 00:25:34,320 --> 00:25:36,640 Speaker 2: the nurse back in and said, Hey, wait a minute, 520 00:25:36,760 --> 00:25:40,040 Speaker 2: what's going on. My friend has described all these beautiful 521 00:25:40,080 --> 00:25:41,159 Speaker 2: scenes for several. 522 00:25:40,920 --> 00:25:42,640 Speaker 1: Weeks and I can't see anything. 523 00:25:43,280 --> 00:25:46,679 Speaker 2: The nurse smiled and said, sir, didn't you realize your. 524 00:25:46,560 --> 00:25:50,800 Speaker 1: Friend was blind? He was seeing it all on the inside. 525 00:25:50,960 --> 00:25:53,360 Speaker 2: Now I believe in the same way, no matter what 526 00:25:53,480 --> 00:25:56,320 Speaker 2: life deals us we have the right attitude. 527 00:25:56,560 --> 00:26:00,240 Speaker 1: We can find the good. If we have the right attitude. Dude, 528 00:26:00,920 --> 00:26:01,680 Speaker 1: we can see. 529 00:26:01,440 --> 00:26:04,240 Speaker 2: The sunshine even when it's cloudy. We can stay full 530 00:26:04,240 --> 00:26:05,720 Speaker 2: of joy even when things. 531 00:26:05,480 --> 00:26:06,320 Speaker 1: Don't go our way. 532 00:26:07,200 --> 00:26:09,520 Speaker 2: My prayer is that God would give us a spirit 533 00:26:09,560 --> 00:26:12,639 Speaker 2: of gratitude, that we'd always focus on the good, that 534 00:26:12,680 --> 00:26:15,200 Speaker 2: we wouldn't take things for granted, and that we would 535 00:26:15,240 --> 00:26:19,960 Speaker 2: treat each day as unique and irreplaceable. Friends, life is fragile. 536 00:26:20,280 --> 00:26:23,120 Speaker 2: This day is a gift. Make the most of it. 537 00:26:23,640 --> 00:26:26,840 Speaker 2: Don't take people for granted. Don't go around focused on 538 00:26:26,920 --> 00:26:30,800 Speaker 2: what's wrong. Find some reason to be grateful. Remember, the 539 00:26:30,920 --> 00:26:35,000 Speaker 2: seeds of discouragement cannot take root in a grateful heart. 540 00:26:35,400 --> 00:26:38,159 Speaker 2: If you'll get up every morning and thank God for 541 00:26:38,280 --> 00:26:40,879 Speaker 2: that day, and then go through the day in that 542 00:26:41,000 --> 00:26:43,920 Speaker 2: grateful latitude, always focused on the good, and I can 543 00:26:43,960 --> 00:26:47,480 Speaker 2: promise you this, You'll be happier, you'll rise higher, and 544 00:26:47,520 --> 00:26:50,160 Speaker 2: you'll live that life of victory that God has in store. 545 00:26:50,240 --> 00:26:51,639 Speaker 1: Amen. Do you receive it today? 546 00:26:52,440 --> 00:26:54,560 Speaker 2: I know you do it. We've ever like to propose 547 00:26:54,640 --> 00:26:58,120 Speaker 2: our broadcast without giving you an opportunity to make Jesus 548 00:26:58,160 --> 00:27:00,439 Speaker 2: the lord of your life. Would you pray with me, 549 00:27:00,880 --> 00:27:06,160 Speaker 2: say Lord Jesus, I'll repent of my sins. Come into 550 00:27:06,240 --> 00:27:11,200 Speaker 2: my heart. I make you my Lord and savior. Friends, 551 00:27:11,240 --> 00:27:13,720 Speaker 2: if you prayed that simple prayer, we believe you got 552 00:27:13,760 --> 00:27:16,840 Speaker 2: born again. Get in a good Bible based church. Keep 553 00:27:16,880 --> 00:27:19,359 Speaker 2: God first place. He's going to take you places that 554 00:27:19,440 --> 00:27:20,280 Speaker 2: you've never dreamed of. 555 00:27:21,760 --> 00:27:25,400 Speaker 3: Our negative thinking can short circuit God's power and blessing 556 00:27:25,440 --> 00:27:28,879 Speaker 3: in our lives. When you say I always seem to worry. 557 00:27:29,800 --> 00:27:32,600 Speaker 3: I can't forgive what was done to me. I pray, 558 00:27:32,760 --> 00:27:35,679 Speaker 3: but it feels like God doesn't hear. I won't have 559 00:27:35,800 --> 00:27:38,720 Speaker 3: enough to provide for me and my family. How do 560 00:27:38,760 --> 00:27:41,560 Speaker 3: you overcome this type of negative thinking that limits you 561 00:27:41,640 --> 00:27:42,560 Speaker 3: from God's best? 562 00:27:43,720 --> 00:27:47,359 Speaker 2: Our thinking sets the limits for our life. Every morning, 563 00:27:47,440 --> 00:27:49,880 Speaker 2: you have to power up your mind, get it going 564 00:27:49,920 --> 00:27:52,760 Speaker 2: in the right direction, but dwelling on what God says 565 00:27:52,800 --> 00:27:56,840 Speaker 2: about you. When you think thoughts of faith, hope, and victory, 566 00:27:57,200 --> 00:28:00,480 Speaker 2: you'll tap into blessing and favor that belongs to you. 567 00:28:01,000 --> 00:28:03,120 Speaker 1: I'd love to send you my newest book. It's called 568 00:28:03,160 --> 00:28:03,840 Speaker 1: Power Up. 569 00:28:04,280 --> 00:28:07,159 Speaker 2: I'll show you how to delete negative thoughts and focus 570 00:28:07,200 --> 00:28:09,560 Speaker 2: on the promises rather than the problems. 571 00:28:10,280 --> 00:28:13,560 Speaker 3: You can discover God's unprecedented power in your life. 572 00:28:13,960 --> 00:28:14,800 Speaker 1: As our way of. 573 00:28:14,760 --> 00:28:17,280 Speaker 3: Saying thank you for your gift of any amount to 574 00:28:17,320 --> 00:28:20,359 Speaker 3: the ministry, this month, Joel and Victoria would like to 575 00:28:20,400 --> 00:28:24,080 Speaker 3: send you this life altering resource, power Up, a twenty 576 00:28:24,119 --> 00:28:28,000 Speaker 3: one day action plan to transformative thinking. God wants to 577 00:28:28,080 --> 00:28:33,840 Speaker 3: power up every area of your life, your relationships, career, finances, health. 578 00:28:34,119 --> 00:28:37,479 Speaker 3: He wants to bless it all. But sometimes negative thinking 579 00:28:37,560 --> 00:28:42,040 Speaker 3: can short circuit the truth. This resource reconnects those power lines, 580 00:28:42,240 --> 00:28:47,000 Speaker 3: providing the free flow of God's eternal promises. Remember, wherever 581 00:28:47,040 --> 00:28:50,160 Speaker 3: you're at, whatever you're facing, you can make the choice 582 00:28:50,200 --> 00:28:52,880 Speaker 3: to power up and access God's promises. 583 00:28:53,840 --> 00:28:56,560 Speaker 2: When your mind is going in the right direction, your 584 00:28:56,640 --> 00:28:58,240 Speaker 2: life will go in the right direction. 585 00:28:58,840 --> 00:29:02,120 Speaker 1: Start powering up each day and watch what God will do. 586 00:29:02,840 --> 00:29:04,880 Speaker 1: Victory and I want you to know that we pray 587 00:29:04,960 --> 00:29:08,600 Speaker 1: for you and your family. We appreciate your prayer and support. 588 00:29:09,040 --> 00:29:13,440 Speaker 2: Your generosity is impacting so many lines. Remember you can 589 00:29:13,520 --> 00:29:17,640 Speaker 2: watch the services live online every Sunday morning, download our 590 00:29:17,680 --> 00:29:22,520 Speaker 2: daily podcast, watch our YouTube channel, listen on Serrious exem 591 00:29:22,560 --> 00:29:25,440 Speaker 2: But until we meet again, may the Lord bless you 592 00:29:25,560 --> 00:29:26,240 Speaker 2: and keep you. 593 00:29:27,240 --> 00:29:29,920 Speaker 3: Be sure to request your copy of power Up, a 594 00:29:29,960 --> 00:29:33,840 Speaker 3: twenty one day action plan to transformative thinking today. Visit 595 00:29:33,920 --> 00:29:42,520 Speaker 3: Joeloustein dot com or call us tool free