I want to spend my life
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Mending broken people
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I want to spend my life
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Removing pain
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Lord, let my words
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Heal a heart that hurts
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I want to spend my life
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Mending broken people
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I want to spend my life
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Mending broken people
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Hello, I'm Shelley Quinn.
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And we welcome you once again
to 3ABN Today Family Worship.
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How many of you
can say "It's Sabbath?"
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Amen. Praise the Lord.
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Amen. Amen.
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This has been a long
week, a very busy week,
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a very blessed week.
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But we are so glad
that you're joining us
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for family worship.
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This is such a special time
as we welcome in the Sabbath,
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get into the Word of God,
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and put our
focus entirely on Him.
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Honey, why don't you introduce
the family that's at the table?
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Well, I'll tell you,
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this is a
special, special group.
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I love each and
every one of you.
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We have Danny and Yvonne.
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Amen. Good to be here.
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This is wonderful.
We have Tim and Dee.
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Yeah. All right.
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And we're happy to be here.
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We're happy to be here.
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And I'm happy to be here.
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Shelley, what have we
got planned for this evening?
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Well, tonight,
we're going to talk
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about thanksgiving.
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And you know, in
James 1:17 it says that,
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"God is the giver of
every good and perfect gift."
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And let me ask
you this question.
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Have you ever and
I'm thinking of somebody
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within our immediate circle
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that we do
wonderful things for often
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sacrificially
giving to them often,
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and hardly ever
express gratitude.
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And have you ever
had somebody like that,
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that you're just constantly...
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How does it make you feel?
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Well, I'm the church treasurer,
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so I don't get upset for myself.
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Because sometimes I
do wonder it's like,
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well, your church
family has really helped you
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and down the line it's
like, you're not helping back.
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When there's no gratitude,
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does it ever make
you kind of feel like
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maybe you should
withhold from them
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just to kind of
teach them a lesson.
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That's the humanness in us.
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Isn't it?
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But, you know, it's interesting
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because in Luke 17:17 and18,
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Jesus is telling the
story of the 10 lepers
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or Luke is sharing the
story of the 10 lepers.
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And Jesus heals them,
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and they all go
off on their merry way.
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And only one
comes back to thanking
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and here's what
he says, Jesus asked,
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"Where they're not any found
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who returned to give glory
to God, except this foreigner?"
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And I've wondered
if for our own good
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and I mean, I don't
mean to put words in God's...
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I mean, this isn't in the Bible.
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But I've wondered,
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if sometime when we don't
show our thanksgiving to God,
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if He ever is kind of like,
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"Okay, let me stand
back here for just a minute"
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because it obviously
grieves the heart of the giver
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of every good and perfect gift
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when we don't
express thanksgiving.
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I wonder if He ever
stands back and just says,
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"All right, let me withhold this
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for a little bit until
they can appreciate it."
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I don't know.
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It's just a thought
provoking thing for me.
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Shelley, I was gonna say
that it reminded me this week
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that something I've
never had happened in my life,
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we say, ran into
this lady who is homeless,
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there's not that I know
are very many homeless people
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right here in this
area, but literally homeless.
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And I was able to
check it out later.
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And they said, "Oh, yeah,
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she just sleeps
wherever she can."
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And so we were able to help her.
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We said, "Well, we're
going to try to help you
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and do what we can for you."
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And she wasn't
asking, you know, but we said,
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we understand you need help,
and we're going to help you.
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So she said,
"Well, thank you so much.
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I appreciate it."
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She was walking away
and she said, by the way,
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I'm supposed to be coming
into some pretty big money.
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And when I do
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I'm going to
donate everything to 3ABN
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that my tithes, and offerings,
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and all this stuff I'm
going to donate to 3ABN."
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So I checked that out and
it really is a possibility
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that she has some
trust and some other things
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that, you know,
her grandfather died
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and left her some
money, but she didn't have it.
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But we didn't know
that when we told her
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but it's so
surprised me, "I'm like what,"
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she's like I'm
going to be coming in
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with some pretty big money,
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but when I do
3ABN is the first one
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I'm going to give to.
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You guys have been so
helpful, you know, to me.
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Well, you know, the thing
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that we want to
talk about tonight
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is what is thanksgiving?
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What is the personal...
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And we're not
talking about the holiday.
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You know,
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sometimes we've got a
holiday in United States
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and people it seems
like that's the only time
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they remember to give thanks.
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If they do, you
know, over their meal.
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But I think thanksgiving
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needs to be an important
part of our daily worship.
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And there are
definitely personal benefits.
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We're going to find out tonight,
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why God prescribes thanksgiving
for our own benefit.
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And then we will look at
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some difficult things
about thanksgiving as well.
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But first, we're
going to have a prayer.
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And then, Tim, we're
going to scoot you off
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to the piano so that we can...
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Why don't you stay
for the prayer though?
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And what I'd like
to do is just go around
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and let's each just thank God
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and give a short prayer
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of something you
want to thank God for.
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We'll begin with
you. Amen. Wonderful.
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Father God, what an
honor to come to You
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and just lay our
hearts before You,
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my goodness there's
not a moment goes by
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but that You don't bless
me perhaps with something,
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with the breath,
with water, with food.
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Just Lord, I'm grateful.
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I just truly am grateful
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and thank You for loving me
so much to meet my every need.
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Thank You, Lord. Yes.
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Oh, Father, thank You so much
that You do meet our every need
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that Father, I want
to thank You personally
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because You go so
far above and beyond,
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You give me a
blessed life, a life work,
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and more than just
a home and a place,
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You've given me a
place in Your heart, Father.
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And I just thank
You for the sacrifice
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that You've given to me
in the life You've given me.
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Dear Lord, I never
tire of thanking You
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for what You did for us.
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So I thank You Lord Jesus
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for becoming a man and
taking on our human flesh.
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I thank You
Lord, for dying for us.
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Father, thank You for
sending Your Holy Spirit.
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And we thank You for Your Word.
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Oh, how we praise
You, how we love You, Lord.
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Father, I just wanted
to just thank You so much
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as we come to You
in the name of Jesus
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for what You
offer each one of us,
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Lord, that we have
the freedom of choice.
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And, Father, that
I know me personally
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I choose to serve You.
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And so, Father, just continue
to be with us, take my hand,
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continue to be
a lamp to my feet.
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And I ask that for
each one of us here
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to type them for each one
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that's that
loves You, dear Father,
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we know that all
good and perfect things
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do come directly from You.
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So we thank
You, Lord. Thank you.
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Lord, I just
want to say thank You.
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Lord, thank You so much
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for the privilege of being
able to come to You at all.
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You are the
creator of the universe.
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You are the
sustainer of all life
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and yet You invite me,
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us to come and to
cast our cares at Your feet
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because You care about us.
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Thank You so much for Your love,
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and Your care and Your goodness
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and Your mercy
in our lives, Lord.
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We just praise
You and thank You.
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Amen.
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Lord, I just want to
thank You for life, for health,
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for strength, and
especially tonight, Lord,
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I'm just praying for those
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that are watching by
TV or listening by radio
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that maybe don't
have a thankful heart.
00:09:02.54\00:09:04.87
Maybe they're looking
at themselves and wondering
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why am I, where I
am, and who cares?
00:09:08.68\00:09:11.01
Does anybody really care?
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Tonight, I pray
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by the anointing
of the Holy Spirit
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that the love that is here,
00:09:15.92\00:09:17.65
that You have
put within our hearts
00:09:17.69\00:09:19.09
that we can share it
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with those literally
watching around the world
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or listening around the world
00:09:23.36\00:09:24.69
that we all can
leave this program
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with a thankful heart.
00:09:27.13\00:09:28.83
We give You honor, and glory,
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and praise in
Jesus' name, we pray.
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Amen, and amen.
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Thank you so much.
00:09:34.90\00:09:36.37
We are going to sing a
song that the only reason
00:09:36.40\00:09:39.77
we were brave enough to do it
00:09:39.81\00:09:41.54
is because we've got
Danny, and Yvonne, and Tim here.
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This psalm is not in
the Adventist hymnal.
00:09:47.58\00:09:52.72
But the words will be up
on the bottom of the screen.
00:09:52.75\00:09:56.42
So we ask you to
sing along with us.
00:09:56.46\00:09:58.79
Give thanks
with a grateful heart
00:10:07.57\00:10:12.31
Give thanks to the Holy One
00:10:12.34\00:10:16.91
Give thanks
00:10:16.95\00:10:19.01
Because He's given
Jesus Christ, His Son
00:10:19.05\00:10:26.22
Give thanks
with a grateful heart
00:10:26.25\00:10:31.13
Give thanks to the Holy One
00:10:31.16\00:10:35.80
Give thanks
00:10:35.83\00:10:37.83
Because He's given
Jesus Christ, His Son
00:10:37.87\00:10:45.67
And now let the
weak say, "I am strong"
00:10:45.71\00:10:52.91
Let the poor say, "I am rich
00:10:52.95\00:10:57.79
Because of what the
Lord has done for us"
00:10:57.82\00:11:05.09
And now let the
weak say, "I am strong"
00:11:05.13\00:11:12.43
Let the poor say, "I am rich
00:11:12.47\00:11:17.37
Because of what
00:11:17.41\00:11:19.14
The Lord has done for us"
00:11:19.17\00:11:25.48
Give thanks
00:11:25.51\00:11:30.32
Give thanks
00:11:30.35\00:11:34.32
Amen. Amen.
00:11:34.36\00:11:35.69
Amen. Amen.
00:11:35.72\00:11:37.23
Thank y'all. Thank you, Lord.
00:11:37.26\00:11:39.69
Thank you for Tim Parton. Amen.
00:11:39.73\00:11:43.03
I met a man, whatever
key, whatever you need,
00:11:43.06\00:11:45.73
it's been so blessed.
00:11:45.77\00:11:47.10
We appreciate our,
Brother Tim so much.
00:11:47.14\00:11:49.00
Absolutely.
00:11:49.04\00:11:50.37
All right, let's start off
00:11:50.41\00:11:52.27
and let's talk about
what is thanksgiving.
00:11:52.31\00:11:57.35
When we say give thanks,
what are we talking about?
00:11:57.38\00:12:00.95
Well, let's define thanksgiving.
00:12:00.98\00:12:03.45
Somebody jump in there.
00:12:03.49\00:12:05.29
I think of thanksgiving
is more of a state of mind
00:12:05.32\00:12:09.02
and how you think
and feel about things
00:12:09.06\00:12:10.86
more than an actual action.
00:12:10.89\00:12:13.06
It's just kind of who you
are, if you giving thanks is,
00:12:13.09\00:12:19.03
is a part of you.
00:12:19.07\00:12:20.40
I totally agree with that
because I think that leads back
00:12:20.44\00:12:23.47
to the question
that you mentioned
00:12:23.51\00:12:25.51
about not giving thanks.
00:12:25.54\00:12:28.08
You know, it rains on
the just and the unjust.
00:12:28.11\00:12:33.25
Food is provided for
the just and the unjust,
00:12:33.28\00:12:35.55
for those who are
saved, for the non Christian,
00:12:35.58\00:12:37.79
for the
believer, the unbeliever.
00:12:37.82\00:12:40.12
We all receive
gifts and, you know,
00:12:40.16\00:12:43.09
sometimes we're not grateful,
00:12:43.12\00:12:44.49
sometimes we forget
to give thanks for them.
00:12:44.53\00:12:47.03
But still, you know,
00:12:47.06\00:12:49.50
John 3:16 is
the greatest example
00:12:49.53\00:12:52.33
that God says, you know,
00:12:52.37\00:12:53.90
"For so loved the world
that I gave my only Son."
00:12:53.94\00:12:59.24
There was no
guarantee, you know,
00:12:59.27\00:13:01.28
that anybody would
be grateful for that.
00:13:01.31\00:13:04.11
But He gave until therefore
I think it is a character,
00:13:04.15\00:13:08.58
it's part of you, when
we have to develop that,
00:13:08.62\00:13:11.82
we have to work
on being grateful,
00:13:11.85\00:13:14.79
but it is
something, it's a trait.
00:13:14.82\00:13:19.23
What that means I'm not sure.
00:13:19.26\00:13:21.53
It says, we're not good.
00:13:21.56\00:13:23.47
I don't say I'm good.
00:13:23.50\00:13:25.80
Whenever I think
about thanksgiving,
00:13:25.83\00:13:27.30
I think of being appreciative,
and I think that is something
00:13:27.34\00:13:31.17
it's either in
you or not in you.
00:13:31.21\00:13:32.67
Does it mean that if
it doesn't come natural
00:13:32.71\00:13:34.84
that you can't work on it.
00:13:34.88\00:13:36.78
You know, that
may be a trait that,
00:13:36.81\00:13:38.38
Lord, please help me with that.
00:13:38.41\00:13:40.18
And others it just
seems like it's just easy.
00:13:40.22\00:13:42.82
So I mean it seems
like as I listen earlier
00:13:42.85\00:13:45.35
that was kind of an
agreement among all of us.
00:13:45.39\00:13:48.22
I mean, I think all
of us here are givers.
00:13:48.26\00:13:50.89
Now I don't know if
that's a genetic thing,
00:13:50.93\00:13:52.99
or if that's learned, or what?
00:13:53.03\00:13:54.86
But don't you
know that whenever...
00:13:54.90\00:13:56.23
Have you ever seen
around little children,
00:13:56.26\00:13:57.87
whenever like
their parents will say,
00:13:57.90\00:13:59.97
"Somebody give
that child something."
00:14:00.00\00:14:01.47
And the parent will
say, "What do you say?"
00:14:01.50\00:14:04.71
And there's so many
times that they're reluctant
00:14:04.74\00:14:06.91
to say, "Thank you."
00:14:06.94\00:14:08.28
So I don't know
whether it's out of shyness
00:14:08.31\00:14:10.55
or, but I don't
think, it's real natural
00:14:10.58\00:14:13.65
for people to be thankful.
00:14:13.68\00:14:15.38
You know, I
don't know, as a child,
00:14:15.42\00:14:17.62
I've seen that in children.
00:14:17.65\00:14:19.99
They don't want to...
00:14:20.02\00:14:21.36
I think it's
something you develop
00:14:21.39\00:14:22.72
because you choose to.
00:14:22.76\00:14:26.43
To your point, it's
like children expect,
00:14:26.46\00:14:29.53
I mean, their parents
are always giving something
00:14:29.56\00:14:31.33
so you give them
something and it's kind of like
00:14:31.37\00:14:33.30
there's that
attitude of expectation.
00:14:33.34\00:14:35.70
Like, I just expect
people to do good things for me.
00:14:35.74\00:14:38.91
And I think that
sometimes, you know,
00:14:38.94\00:14:41.81
there's things
over the last few years
00:14:41.84\00:14:43.98
that God has helped me
00:14:44.01\00:14:45.35
to recognize that
as I recognize them,
00:14:45.38\00:14:49.58
that thanksgiving
wells up in my heart.
00:14:49.62\00:14:52.12
Because it's
like, there are things
00:14:52.15\00:14:54.12
that even I'm a
very grateful person.
00:14:54.16\00:14:56.79
I mean, probably,
00:14:56.83\00:14:58.86
I think it's easy to
say 50% of my prayer or more
00:14:58.89\00:15:02.30
is thanksgiving.
00:15:02.33\00:15:04.30
I'm a very grateful person.
00:15:04.33\00:15:06.80
But as He's
showing me some things
00:15:06.84\00:15:08.80
that I really didn't
understand, it just, you know,
00:15:08.84\00:15:12.21
my heart just
overflows with thanksgivings.
00:15:12.24\00:15:15.08
I think of
thanksgiving is recognizing
00:15:15.11\00:15:17.88
what God has done,
00:15:17.91\00:15:19.25
remembering it,
acknowledging it,
00:15:19.28\00:15:22.05
and then
expressing your appreciation.
00:15:22.08\00:15:25.49
And it is a learned thing.
00:15:25.52\00:15:27.09
Say, is
thanksgiving good for us,
00:15:27.12\00:15:29.36
or do we have a God
00:15:29.39\00:15:31.19
who just wants everybody
to constantly bow down,
00:15:31.23\00:15:34.23
and worship Him, and praise Him,
00:15:34.26\00:15:35.86
and tell Him how
wonderfully He is,
00:15:35.90\00:15:38.13
because He's got some kind of
complexes and He doesn't know.
00:15:38.17\00:15:43.81
To me this whole, the
whole great controversy
00:15:43.84\00:15:48.54
between good and
evil comes over flesh,
00:15:48.58\00:15:51.31
comes over self.
00:15:51.35\00:15:52.91
When you're thankful
and you give thanks to God,
00:15:52.95\00:15:56.32
that benefits you
00:15:56.35\00:15:57.79
when you give
thanks to your family,
00:15:57.82\00:15:59.92
your wife, your husband,
00:15:59.95\00:16:01.32
your children, your
friends, your pastor
00:16:01.36\00:16:03.56
is taking your
eyes off of yourself
00:16:03.59\00:16:06.49
and putting them on someone else
00:16:06.53\00:16:08.60
to love one another.
00:16:08.63\00:16:10.07
And how can you
love one another,
00:16:10.10\00:16:11.90
if you're not thankful
for the friends and family,
00:16:11.93\00:16:14.37
and those around and
thankful for a God who saved us?
00:16:14.40\00:16:17.34
Because here we are living
a short time on earth history,
00:16:17.37\00:16:21.28
a short time and then we're dust
00:16:21.31\00:16:22.64
and that's it.
00:16:22.68\00:16:24.01
And there would be no hope.
00:16:24.05\00:16:25.38
So who wouldn't be thankful
for this plan of salvation
00:16:25.41\00:16:29.45
that Jesus did so,
00:16:29.48\00:16:30.82
to me thankfulness
is more for us than God
00:16:30.85\00:16:36.29
'cause I've heard people
say, "Well, If God just wants
00:16:36.32\00:16:38.56
somebody to serve Him and
do praise Him all the time.
00:16:38.59\00:16:41.60
You know, that's kind of,
that doesn't sound right."
00:16:41.63\00:16:43.87
I said, "No, we do
the praise for us."
00:16:43.90\00:16:46.97
It's like God
could save everybody
00:16:47.00\00:16:50.64
or take the
gospel just in our mind.
00:16:50.67\00:16:52.71
So Holy Spirit can
impress everybody on earth.
00:16:52.74\00:16:55.58
But why does He say,
"Go ye into all the world
00:16:55.61\00:16:59.21
when He could do it Himself?
00:16:59.25\00:17:00.68
And I've had people say,
00:17:00.72\00:17:02.05
"Well, you
know, God could do it,
00:17:02.08\00:17:04.02
so I don't have to do it."
00:17:04.05\00:17:05.49
No, He said, "Go
ye into all the world,
00:17:05.52\00:17:07.72
preach the
gospel to every nation,
00:17:07.76\00:17:09.29
kindred, tongue,
and people, for me."
00:17:09.32\00:17:11.53
Because in order
for me to be saved,
00:17:11.56\00:17:13.90
I have to care enough
to get out of my home,
00:17:13.93\00:17:16.83
and my comfortable spot,
00:17:16.87\00:17:18.43
and everything I like
to love someone else enough
00:17:18.47\00:17:22.00
to go out whether
it's a mission field,
00:17:22.04\00:17:23.87
or just add on to my
neighbors, out to my family,
00:17:23.91\00:17:27.14
to whomever is around
me, to love them, to go ye,
00:17:27.18\00:17:30.11
to take the gospel to
them for my own salvation.
00:17:30.15\00:17:33.95
So God could win
everybody without us.
00:17:33.98\00:17:37.19
And He chose not to force people
00:17:37.22\00:17:39.99
to serve Him,
00:17:40.02\00:17:41.36
but He could have saved
everybody, but witnessing,
00:17:41.39\00:17:45.53
giving thanks, giving honor,
giving glory, giving praise
00:17:45.56\00:17:49.13
is really for our salvation.
00:17:49.16\00:17:50.50
I agree.
00:17:50.53\00:17:51.87
Well, to expand
on that a little bit.
00:17:51.90\00:17:54.07
Even physiologically,
when we praise God,
00:17:54.10\00:17:57.67
when we have an attitude
of praise and thanksgiving,
00:17:57.71\00:18:00.24
our brains light
up in certain places
00:18:00.28\00:18:03.58
like they can measure that.
00:18:03.61\00:18:05.35
And so it's for us,
00:18:05.38\00:18:07.42
as you were saying, it's for us,
00:18:07.45\00:18:09.52
because it plugs
us in to the divine.
00:18:09.55\00:18:13.36
It gives us that power from God.
00:18:13.39\00:18:16.52
And so it's...
00:18:16.56\00:18:17.89
Electricity we
need to plug it in.
00:18:17.93\00:18:19.26
Yeah, plug it in.
00:18:19.29\00:18:20.63
We get that power from God.
00:18:20.66\00:18:23.30
So it's not God being
some kind of ego maniac
00:18:23.33\00:18:26.17
that He needs
our praise for Him.
00:18:26.20\00:18:29.27
No, it's because it
does something in us.
00:18:29.30\00:18:33.38
It brings us closer to Him.
00:18:33.41\00:18:35.78
And so it is a
physiological, and emotional,
00:18:35.81\00:18:40.55
and spiritual
experience as well.
00:18:40.58\00:18:42.62
Think about when
you're praising God,
00:18:42.65\00:18:45.82
what you're doing
and how you're feeling
00:18:45.85\00:18:48.02
because you're
right, it lifts us up
00:18:48.06\00:18:51.69
and when we think
about how you feel
00:18:51.73\00:18:53.06
when you're praising
the Lord and seem to enjoy.
00:18:53.09\00:18:55.36
It lifts you up, it gives
you a different way of thinking,
00:18:55.40\00:18:58.37
and it draws us closer to Him.
00:18:58.40\00:19:00.44
It doesn't draw Him down to us.
00:19:00.47\00:19:02.30
It draws us up to Him.
00:19:02.34\00:19:03.87
And it is very physical,
00:19:03.91\00:19:06.47
and emotionally,
mentally, and psychologically.
00:19:06.51\00:19:08.48
And Satan is so cunning,
00:19:08.51\00:19:10.38
because sometimes He wants
you to live on that emotion.
00:19:10.41\00:19:14.82
So you can get so much
out praising, and so happy,
00:19:14.85\00:19:17.99
and so excited, and
so doing all this stuff,
00:19:18.02\00:19:20.19
because it makes you feel good.
00:19:20.22\00:19:21.92
And so sometimes
I've been to place
00:19:21.96\00:19:24.66
where they put the Bible aside,
00:19:24.69\00:19:26.13
basically, to spend all the time
00:19:26.16\00:19:28.36
praise and worship.
00:19:28.40\00:19:29.73
But sometimes now, I
know everybody has their
00:19:29.76\00:19:32.90
differences of
opinion about this,
00:19:32.93\00:19:35.07
but praising the Lord is really
should be praising the Lord
00:19:35.10\00:19:38.44
for who He is and not
because, I hear people say,
00:19:38.47\00:19:41.64
well, thank the Lord.
00:19:41.68\00:19:43.01
In fact, somebody years ago
said, "Well, thank the Lord.
00:19:43.04\00:19:45.68
You know, my mother
sick, she's here another week,
00:19:45.71\00:19:47.65
God is great."
00:19:47.68\00:19:49.02
And week after week,
00:19:49.05\00:19:50.39
while we thought
mother's going to die,
00:19:50.42\00:19:51.75
she's, you know, still alive.
00:19:51.79\00:19:54.02
God is great.
00:19:54.06\00:19:55.39
So after one of the
times, we were around together,
00:19:55.42\00:19:58.39
having worship I said, "I
want to ask you a question,
00:19:58.43\00:20:00.63
what happens
when your mother dies?
00:20:00.66\00:20:02.03
Is God not great?
She's like, "What?
00:20:02.06\00:20:04.50
And I said, "We're so
God answered what we wanted.
00:20:04.53\00:20:08.44
So is He still great?"
00:20:08.47\00:20:10.64
And she goes, "Oh, well, yes."
00:20:10.67\00:20:12.57
And I said, "I don't
mean that in a bad way."
00:20:12.61\00:20:14.31
But I saw she was
putting so much on to that.
00:20:14.34\00:20:17.05
I thought she's going to
be so probably upset at God,
00:20:17.08\00:20:20.38
"God, My mother
died when she was 85."
00:20:20.42\00:20:22.65
You know, we're
only given 70 years
00:20:22.68\00:20:25.02
and some of us know about that.
00:20:25.05\00:20:26.82
And so anything extra is a gift.
00:20:26.86\00:20:29.22
And so we have to be careful
and that we are praising God
00:20:29.26\00:20:32.96
and not just
because He's giving us
00:20:32.99\00:20:35.23
or blessing us how
He makes us feel better.
00:20:35.26\00:20:39.13
JD? No, that's exactly right.
00:20:39.17\00:20:41.04
And you know,
there has to be some,
00:20:41.07\00:20:42.77
I think that Yvonne kind
of hit it physiologically,
00:20:42.80\00:20:45.84
how about spiritually.
00:20:45.87\00:20:47.58
How do we benefit spiritually
00:20:47.61\00:20:49.61
whenever we're
praising the Lord.
00:20:49.64\00:20:51.55
Number one, it
makes us feel good.
00:20:51.58\00:20:55.25
One little thing
that I really appreciate,
00:20:55.28\00:20:57.19
Shelley and I've
always come to work,
00:20:57.22\00:20:58.65
we live say 11 miles from 3ABN.
00:20:58.69\00:21:01.36
And one of our traits is
to come to work together,
00:21:01.39\00:21:03.76
to go home together.
00:21:03.79\00:21:05.36
And, lately our schedules
00:21:05.39\00:21:09.40
have been a
little bit differently.
00:21:09.43\00:21:11.33
And so I take one
car, Shelley takes one car,
00:21:11.37\00:21:13.74
and one thing that
I've always enjoyed.
00:21:13.77\00:21:16.37
And I can't carry a
tune and I'm the first
00:21:16.40\00:21:18.07
to say that I love to sing.
00:21:18.11\00:21:20.18
And it seems like
sometimes that the Lord
00:21:20.21\00:21:22.81
that day that I was
created, did not give me...
00:21:22.84\00:21:25.81
Anyway, I love singing
and so as I'm coming to work,
00:21:25.85\00:21:29.05
I just start singing,
she just start singing.
00:21:29.08\00:21:32.15
And I mean, it's amazing.
00:21:32.19\00:21:33.69
I thought the two
of you many times,
00:21:33.72\00:21:36.26
no worries Danny
and Tim, what I mean,
00:21:36.29\00:21:39.33
this needs to
be recorded though.
00:21:39.36\00:21:41.00
Oh, my goodness.
00:21:41.03\00:21:42.36
Seriously, you know,
00:21:42.40\00:21:43.87
because to me it
seems like he is ingenious.
00:21:43.90\00:21:47.14
And I'm sure that the
Lord probably sitting here,
00:21:47.17\00:21:50.11
"You are doing good, JD."
00:21:50.14\00:21:51.47
No, Again have him praises.
00:21:51.51\00:21:52.84
That's right. That's right.
00:21:52.87\00:21:54.88
But in doing that,
00:21:54.91\00:21:56.85
it just enhances
my faith with Him,
00:21:56.88\00:22:00.02
my walk with Him because,
you know, I just sense it.
00:22:00.05\00:22:04.55
I can tell you.
00:22:04.59\00:22:05.92
I mean, it took me a
while to realize that, you know,
00:22:05.95\00:22:08.39
praise doesn't
change God, it changes me.
00:22:08.42\00:22:10.83
That's right.
00:22:10.86\00:22:12.19
And when I start
thanking God for things,
00:22:12.23\00:22:15.23
it takes my eyes
off of my problems,
00:22:15.26\00:22:20.17
and I'll share story in
the later if we have time.
00:22:20.20\00:22:22.94
But sometimes,
you can get into that
00:22:22.97\00:22:26.01
anybody here ever get
00:22:26.04\00:22:27.38
into the poor
pitiful meat party, you know.
00:22:27.41\00:22:30.35
And you go before the
Lord, and instead of whining,
00:22:30.38\00:22:35.55
and murmuring, and complaining
about your circumstances,
00:22:35.58\00:22:39.15
if you start, if
you train your focus
00:22:39.19\00:22:42.62
to look at what God
has done in your life,
00:22:42.66\00:22:45.16
it's a faith builder.
00:22:45.19\00:22:46.70
You know, you may be
feeling down in the mouth,
00:22:46.73\00:22:49.66
poor pitiful pearl,
00:22:49.70\00:22:51.57
but all of a sudden
as you start thinking
00:22:51.60\00:22:54.40
about what He's done,
and you start thanking Him.
00:22:54.44\00:22:58.47
To me, it makes my faith sore.
00:22:58.51\00:23:01.24
And I realized everything
He's done in the past,
00:23:01.28\00:23:04.51
He can do again.
00:23:04.55\00:23:06.05
And I love Psalms 103,
00:23:06.08\00:23:10.39
Psalm 103:3-4.
00:23:10.42\00:23:15.19
Tim, you want
to read that? Do I?
00:23:15.22\00:23:17.59
King David exclaimed,
"Bless the Lord, O my soul,
00:23:17.63\00:23:20.50
and forget not all His benefits,
00:23:20.53\00:23:22.96
who forgives
all your iniquities,
00:23:23.00\00:23:25.03
who heals all your diseases,
00:23:25.07\00:23:26.90
who redeems your
life from destruction,
00:23:26.94\00:23:29.40
who crowns you
with loving kindness
00:23:29.44\00:23:31.27
and tender mercy.
00:23:31.31\00:23:32.64
Yes. Yes, He does.
00:23:32.67\00:23:34.14
He understood, didn't He?
00:23:34.18\00:23:35.94
'Cause we can
forget God's benefit.
00:23:35.98\00:23:38.61
Yes, that's very true.
00:23:38.65\00:23:40.85
And that's why I think
thanksgiving is important.
00:23:40.88\00:23:43.22
I think it's really good too...
00:23:43.25\00:23:45.79
Well, let me
back up for a second.
00:23:45.82\00:23:47.29
So one of the pastor's
came here to talk to us about,
00:23:47.32\00:23:53.26
just about His ministry,
00:23:53.29\00:23:54.76
and we were
talking about prayer.
00:23:54.80\00:23:56.83
And he suggested a notebook
00:23:56.87\00:23:59.27
where you write what
your petitions to God
00:23:59.30\00:24:03.27
and then when He
answers and then you have...
00:24:03.30\00:24:07.14
A lot of times we
forget what God has done.
00:24:07.18\00:24:09.74
But if we write it down,
00:24:09.78\00:24:11.11
if we write down
what we asked for,
00:24:11.15\00:24:13.01
and then write
down how He's answered.
00:24:13.05\00:24:15.58
I have a little...
00:24:15.62\00:24:17.12
There's an app on my
phone that's a prayer app.
00:24:17.15\00:24:20.32
And I write some things
down, and you can modify it,
00:24:20.36\00:24:23.83
and you can, you
know, edit it, and all that.
00:24:23.86\00:24:26.09
And I see how God has
answered all of these prayers.
00:24:26.13\00:24:30.97
And it's just, He's so amazing.
00:24:31.00\00:24:33.03
And it fills you
with thanksgiving
00:24:33.07\00:24:35.10
because you are like,
He's such a great God.
00:24:35.14\00:24:37.57
He answers my
prayers. He hears my prayers.
00:24:37.61\00:24:39.77
It's just like Shelley said that
00:24:39.81\00:24:41.51
that's what thanksgiving does.
00:24:41.54\00:24:42.88
It changes her.
00:24:42.91\00:24:45.05
It changes us.
Prayer does the same way.
00:24:45.08\00:24:47.58
Prayer is not so much about God
00:24:47.62\00:24:50.35
because like you said,
God already knows the need.
00:24:50.39\00:24:52.75
He knows how He could
save the world without us.
00:24:52.79\00:24:55.02
But prayer changes me.
00:24:55.06\00:24:56.39
Thanksgiving changes me.
00:24:56.42\00:24:57.76
You see a pattern of how
God does these things for us
00:24:57.79\00:25:01.90
because they affect us,
not so much that He needs it.
00:25:01.93\00:25:05.37
He's got the whole world.
00:25:05.40\00:25:07.34
That's right. That's beautiful.
00:25:07.37\00:25:09.07
In His hands.
00:25:09.10\00:25:10.44
In His hands. Right.
00:25:10.47\00:25:12.41
That sound likes a show.
00:25:12.44\00:25:14.44
Picked the whole
wide world in His hands.
00:25:14.48\00:25:16.61
JD, I know this
is your favorite,
00:25:16.64\00:25:19.21
Philippians 4:6-7.
00:25:19.25\00:25:21.28
Because to me, I think
the reason God prescribes
00:25:21.32\00:25:25.19
praise and thanksgiving.
00:25:25.22\00:25:26.55
Thanksgiving really does help us
00:25:26.59\00:25:29.22
keep a positive perspective.
00:25:29.26\00:25:32.19
Yes.
00:25:32.23\00:25:33.90
That's Philippians 4:6-7,
00:25:33.93\00:25:35.86
this is one of
my very favorites.
00:25:35.90\00:25:37.50
"Be anxious for nothing."
00:25:37.53\00:25:39.07
Wow. What a beginning.
00:25:39.10\00:25:41.87
"Be anxious for nothing,
00:25:41.90\00:25:43.24
but in everything by
prayer and supplications,
00:25:43.27\00:25:47.44
that particular need that
by prayer and supplication
00:25:47.48\00:25:51.35
with thanksgiving."
00:25:51.38\00:25:52.75
Wow.
00:25:52.78\00:25:54.28
"Let your requests
be made known to God
00:25:54.32\00:25:56.35
and the peace of
God that surpasses
00:25:56.38\00:25:59.09
all understanding will
guard your heart and your mind
00:25:59.12\00:26:01.42
through Christ Jesus."
00:26:01.46\00:26:03.12
Part of this was a formula,
00:26:03.16\00:26:05.69
a very important part
00:26:05.73\00:26:07.06
of this formula is thanksgiving.
00:26:07.10\00:26:08.86
That's a happy heart.
00:26:08.90\00:26:10.33
You know, that's
stepping forward.
00:26:10.37\00:26:12.30
If you're vulnerable
00:26:12.33\00:26:13.67
or whatever the situation may be
00:26:13.70\00:26:15.80
is, Lord, thank You
00:26:15.84\00:26:17.31
that I don't have
to have anxiety attacks
00:26:17.34\00:26:19.97
because I'm coming to
You with thanksgiving, Lord,
00:26:20.01\00:26:22.28
You're the one that
has the plan for my life.
00:26:22.31\00:26:24.15
Yes. Amen.
00:26:24.18\00:26:25.51
And if you truly and, boy,
00:26:25.55\00:26:27.08
this should be a
prayer for morning,
00:26:27.12\00:26:28.45
Lord, please
let me truly believe
00:26:28.48\00:26:33.12
that our relationship exist
00:26:33.15\00:26:35.69
because lot of people
go through the mechanisms
00:26:35.72\00:26:38.26
and everything.
00:26:38.29\00:26:39.63
And may keep one eye open,
00:26:39.66\00:26:41.20
their fingers crossed
behind their back, you know,
00:26:41.23\00:26:43.16
"I hope this works."
00:26:43.20\00:26:44.73
But if you truly believe,
00:26:44.77\00:26:47.10
you know, and
add a thanksgiving,
00:26:47.14\00:26:49.30
I think that your prayers
00:26:49.34\00:26:50.67
are going to be excitingly good.
00:26:50.71\00:26:52.87
This scripture for
me is the scripture
00:26:52.91\00:26:56.61
that actually was instrumental
00:26:56.64\00:26:58.28
in bringing me back to the Lord.
00:26:58.31\00:26:59.65
Amen.
00:26:59.68\00:27:01.02
A friend of mine sent me,
yes, and whenever I hear it,
00:27:01.05\00:27:03.49
it's just like, wow.
00:27:03.52\00:27:04.92
Because I was out of the church,
00:27:04.95\00:27:07.16
and I was going
through a bad time.
00:27:07.19\00:27:09.19
And a friend of mine
sent me this scripture
00:27:09.22\00:27:11.93
from the Living Bible.
00:27:11.96\00:27:13.40
And the Living Bible says,
"Don't worry about anything.
00:27:13.43\00:27:16.26
Instead, pray about everything.
00:27:16.30\00:27:18.33
Tell God your needs.
00:27:18.37\00:27:19.70
And don't forget to
thank Him for His answers."
00:27:19.73\00:27:22.27
And if you do this,
00:27:22.30\00:27:23.64
you will experience God's peace,
00:27:23.67\00:27:25.07
which is more wonderful
00:27:25.11\00:27:26.44
than the human
mind can understand.
00:27:26.47\00:27:28.18
And when I read
that, I was like,
00:27:28.21\00:27:30.51
"That's what I need.
00:27:30.55\00:27:32.25
That's what was missing.
00:27:32.28\00:27:33.62
I had the money, you know,
00:27:33.65\00:27:34.98
the show business
thing, I had that.
00:27:35.02\00:27:36.85
But I didn't have that peace
00:27:36.89\00:27:38.79
and that joy that goes
along with knowing Jesus.
00:27:38.82\00:27:42.06
And so this scripture
for me is so meaningful
00:27:42.09\00:27:45.23
because when you
tell God your needs
00:27:45.26\00:27:47.66
and you don't forget to
thank Him for His answers,
00:27:47.70\00:27:51.23
you do experience peace.
00:27:51.27\00:27:53.00
You know, I'm very
fortunate that I had a dad,
00:27:53.03\00:27:56.54
he was very
practical, and common sense,
00:27:56.57\00:27:59.31
and he had
eighth grade education.
00:27:59.34\00:28:01.34
But probably
now as I look at it,
00:28:01.38\00:28:03.51
one of the
smartest man I ever knew,
00:28:03.55\00:28:05.88
but you were saying,
00:28:05.91\00:28:07.25
"Well, do we ever
have pity parties?"
00:28:07.28\00:28:09.38
And it didn't occur to
me until several years ago,
00:28:09.42\00:28:13.25
'cause someone said to me,
"Don't you ever get depressed?"
00:28:13.29\00:28:17.13
And I said, "No.
Am I supposed to?"
00:28:17.16\00:28:19.73
And you know
what? What's going on?
00:28:19.76\00:28:21.53
Because my dad was
disabled at 36 years old,
00:28:21.56\00:28:24.27
but he always
had a good attitude.
00:28:24.30\00:28:25.93
He's always, you know,
when he was around people,
00:28:25.97\00:28:28.70
everybody really liked him.
00:28:28.74\00:28:30.07
He always, he seemed
00:28:30.11\00:28:31.44
in much better
health than he was.
00:28:31.47\00:28:32.81
But like, when
we were young, Tim,
00:28:32.84\00:28:35.31
something would happen to me.
00:28:35.34\00:28:36.88
And I'd say, "Why
has that happened to me.
00:28:36.91\00:28:38.75
Why don't..." He'd
say, "Son, why not you?"
00:28:38.78\00:28:42.12
And I look at him like what?
00:28:42.15\00:28:43.82
He'd say, "Why not you?"
00:28:43.85\00:28:45.19
There's about 5
billion people on earth.
00:28:45.22\00:28:47.32
Now you think you're going
to be exempt from everything.
00:28:47.36\00:28:49.79
Then he'd do me this.
00:28:49.82\00:28:51.16
The Bible says as Tim said,
00:28:51.19\00:28:52.89
"The rain falls on the
just as well as the unjust."
00:28:52.93\00:28:55.90
This world doesn't
revolve around you.
00:28:55.93\00:28:58.23
You're just a
grain of sand, you know.
00:28:58.27\00:29:00.90
But God loves
you. He created you.
00:29:00.94\00:29:03.07
He's coming back for you.
00:29:03.10\00:29:04.44
But don't expect things
are going to happen for you,
00:29:04.47\00:29:07.31
the life you're not
going to get anywhere in life,
00:29:07.34\00:29:09.08
if you concentrate on you,
00:29:09.11\00:29:11.31
when you concentrate on God
00:29:11.35\00:29:12.71
and you
concentrate doing His will,
00:29:12.75\00:29:14.92
then things will happen.
00:29:14.95\00:29:16.28
And besides, he
would always say,
00:29:16.32\00:29:17.89
"Gold is made when
it's tried in the fire."
00:29:17.92\00:29:20.32
Yeah.
00:29:20.36\00:29:21.69
So don't give me any this,
00:29:21.72\00:29:23.16
"Why me? Or why don't I get?"
00:29:23.19\00:29:25.53
And I always think
about there's been times
00:29:25.56\00:29:27.76
when I had this just
three and a half months
00:29:27.80\00:29:30.67
or so ago,
00:29:30.70\00:29:32.03
open heart
surgery that is no fun
00:29:32.07\00:29:33.77
for those that had it.
00:29:33.80\00:29:35.14
You know, the quadruple bypass,
00:29:35.17\00:29:37.91
it really didn't occur
to me to say, "Why me?"
00:29:37.94\00:29:40.78
You know, 'cause
I'm a vegetarian,
00:29:40.81\00:29:42.81
ate some fish.
00:29:42.84\00:29:44.18
But basically I
eat well, I exercised.
00:29:44.21\00:29:46.68
You eat a Christian diet.
00:29:46.72\00:29:48.12
I exercised a lot,
00:29:48.15\00:29:49.95
played basketball at 67
years old, run for court.
00:29:49.98\00:29:53.76
But it never occurred
to me to say, "Why me Lord?
00:29:53.79\00:29:57.63
I've tried to eat right,
00:29:57.66\00:29:58.99
I've tried to exercise, Why me?"
00:29:59.03\00:30:02.16
Honestly, I can raise
my hand before the Lord.
00:30:02.20\00:30:04.70
I thought, well, why not?
When I found out why not me?
00:30:04.73\00:30:07.80
We're here and God's blessings
whether I have this or not,
00:30:07.84\00:30:12.07
whether I go to
sleep during that,
00:30:12.11\00:30:14.24
I'm still blessed.
00:30:14.28\00:30:15.61
I'm still
thankful. I'm still grateful.
00:30:15.64\00:30:17.55
So when I never knew
what would it be like
00:30:17.58\00:30:20.15
if you really facing death.
00:30:20.18\00:30:22.02
I had a friend
two weeks after me,
00:30:22.05\00:30:23.65
same hospital,
knew him all my life.
00:30:23.69\00:30:26.35
He didn't come out of
it. He has same operation.
00:30:26.39\00:30:29.96
But when I was laying there,
and they were getting ready,
00:30:29.99\00:30:32.76
and a lot of folk
around, some of you were there,
00:30:32.79\00:30:34.73
and they were getting
ready to take me into surgery.
00:30:34.76\00:30:37.80
And I thought,
well, this is a win-win
00:30:37.83\00:30:41.70
because should
I live through it,
00:30:41.74\00:30:43.84
this is going to be great
00:30:43.87\00:30:45.21
because I want to
be here for family.
00:30:45.24\00:30:47.44
But if I don't, the
very next thing I will see
00:30:47.48\00:30:50.51
will be the face of
Jesus, Jesus coming back.
00:30:50.55\00:30:52.95
I mean, this is a win-win.
00:30:52.98\00:30:54.38
So I hadn't realized
what that, you know...
00:30:54.42\00:30:57.05
So it helps to get
our mind off ourselves
00:30:57.09\00:30:59.59
and thank the Lord
00:30:59.62\00:31:00.96
that He found a way
of a plan of salvation
00:31:00.99\00:31:04.19
for sinful human beings like us
00:31:04.23\00:31:06.83
who would otherwise go
to dust and never return,
00:31:06.86\00:31:10.40
go anywhere.
00:31:10.43\00:31:12.43
One thing that I've
noticed also about you, Danny,
00:31:12.47\00:31:15.10
is that practical
man of your father
00:31:15.14\00:31:17.94
is transferred to you.
00:31:17.97\00:31:19.51
You are a very
practical man. He does.
00:31:19.54\00:31:22.81
I mean, I just learned
a little bit about you've
00:31:22.84\00:31:24.41
just that...
00:31:24.45\00:31:25.78
And I've heard
that story before,
00:31:25.81\00:31:27.15
but I didn't connect the dots.
00:31:27.18\00:31:28.92
Why not? Yeah, yeah, why not?
00:31:28.95\00:31:30.79
You know that's a
big one right there.
00:31:30.82\00:31:33.29
In other words, be
count your blessings
00:31:33.32\00:31:34.96
even if it is,
00:31:34.99\00:31:36.32
you went something
you didn't like or want.
00:31:36.36\00:31:38.39
You still count your blessings
because you know Jesus,
00:31:38.43\00:31:41.80
you know, you've
given your life to Him,
00:31:41.83\00:31:44.33
so you win.
00:31:44.37\00:31:45.80
But let me ask you a question.
00:31:45.83\00:31:47.50
Do you wake up
after this surgery
00:31:47.54\00:31:50.11
when you're doing well now,
00:31:50.14\00:31:52.11
do you wake up
with a new thankfulness.
00:31:52.14\00:31:54.71
I mean, we all thank God
00:31:54.74\00:31:56.14
for thank you for
life today and everything,
00:31:56.18\00:31:58.75
but when you nearly lose
it and then you've got it.
00:31:58.78\00:32:01.78
Do you have a new
appreciation for it?
00:32:01.82\00:32:04.15
Well, especially when
I got off life support,
00:32:04.19\00:32:08.46
I didn't enjoy
that woke up to early,
00:32:08.49\00:32:10.39
so I was there and couldn't move
00:32:10.43\00:32:12.33
or make contact
to let them know.
00:32:12.36\00:32:14.23
But no, absolutely,
00:32:14.26\00:32:15.60
of course after that
everything is different now.
00:32:15.63\00:32:19.17
You look at things
because you're so much closer
00:32:19.20\00:32:21.47
and see where
you could have been,
00:32:21.50\00:32:23.20
so much more thankful for
00:32:23.24\00:32:25.21
not that it wasn't
already for my wife,
00:32:25.24\00:32:27.18
for our kids, for family,
00:32:27.21\00:32:28.74
the ministry God's
allowed us to be in,
00:32:28.78\00:32:30.95
for health.
00:32:30.98\00:32:32.71
I love playing balls,
00:32:32.75\00:32:34.08
I went out of
three, four weeks ago,
00:32:34.12\00:32:35.85
just by myself to shoot,
I could hardly do a layup.
00:32:35.88\00:32:40.02
Doctor said,
"Well, you can do some."
00:32:40.06\00:32:42.09
And so I did that.
00:32:42.12\00:32:43.99
And then pretty soon I got
far as the free throw line.
00:32:44.03\00:32:46.93
And, but that was
another trip or two.
00:32:46.96\00:32:49.03
So last Tuesday
night, I went out
00:32:49.06\00:32:51.07
and was able to finally
get some three pointers up
00:32:51.10\00:32:53.67
and I'm thinking,
00:32:53.70\00:32:55.04
"Wow, I've never really
appreciated that before."
00:32:55.07\00:32:57.17
But it's been such an
effort. Now, it's like "Wow.
00:32:57.21\00:33:00.01
Thank You, Lord,
You gave me the strength
00:33:00.04\00:33:01.54
to actually get
out here and do this."
00:33:01.58\00:33:03.71
You know, since my vocal fold
has been scarred by that virus,
00:33:03.75\00:33:10.42
I didn't
realize how much I miss.
00:33:10.45\00:33:13.82
I mean, how much I
appreciated singing
00:33:13.86\00:33:15.86
till is couldn't, you know?
00:33:15.89\00:33:17.29
Yes, yes.
00:33:17.33\00:33:18.66
And so there's sometimes we
just need to recognize that.
00:33:18.69\00:33:20.90
But I want to
take us a step further.
00:33:20.93\00:33:23.23
And, Dee, I want to ask
you to read Romans 1:20-21,
00:33:23.26\00:33:27.77
because in my viewpoint,
as I'm reading the Bible,
00:33:27.80\00:33:31.54
it seems that thanksgiving
00:33:31.57\00:33:33.41
is a very important
part of our prayer life.
00:33:33.44\00:33:36.18
It's a very
essential part of our worship.
00:33:36.21\00:33:40.15
And I think it comes down
to either unbelief or belief.
00:33:40.18\00:33:45.62
So if you read Romans 1:20-21.
00:33:45.65\00:33:49.56
"For since the
creation of the world,
00:33:49.59\00:33:51.56
his invisible
attributes are clearly seen,
00:33:51.59\00:33:54.56
being understood by
the things that are made,
00:33:54.60\00:33:57.27
even his eternal
power and Godhead,
00:33:57.30\00:34:00.07
so that they are without excuse
because although they knew God,
00:34:00.10\00:34:04.94
they did not glorify Him as God,
00:34:04.97\00:34:07.94
nor were thankful,
00:34:07.98\00:34:09.31
but became
futile in their thoughts
00:34:09.34\00:34:11.28
and their foolish
hearts were darkened."
00:34:11.31\00:34:14.05
Isn't that interesting.
Nor were they thankful.
00:34:14.08\00:34:16.65
So what is that saying to you?
00:34:16.69\00:34:18.05
Well, see, I remember,
when I wasn't even a Christian.
00:34:18.09\00:34:23.49
I've never really been
accused of being a pessimist.
00:34:23.53\00:34:25.69
So kind of an optimist,
00:34:25.73\00:34:27.26
but even when I
was in bad places,
00:34:27.30\00:34:30.80
and things were harder,
tough, I remember, I thought,
00:34:30.83\00:34:33.90
and I didn't have a dad
who pointed this out to me,
00:34:33.94\00:34:36.24
but thing, it would come to me.
00:34:36.27\00:34:38.14
Well, there's people
that got a lot worse,
00:34:38.17\00:34:39.91
and I would start thinking
I would think of what...
00:34:39.94\00:34:43.95
I'm better off because of this
00:34:43.98\00:34:45.41
or I'm better off
than the person that.
00:34:45.45\00:34:47.35
So I would think
more on the positive side
00:34:47.38\00:34:50.89
and be grateful
00:34:50.92\00:34:52.25
because I was in
church as a little girl.
00:34:52.29\00:34:55.79
So Vacation Bible School
00:34:55.82\00:34:58.03
and learning to pray
and be grateful there.
00:34:58.06\00:35:01.03
And I think it fed over.
00:35:01.06\00:35:03.26
And so when
you're being thankful
00:35:03.30\00:35:05.77
is not just being thankful
when God is blessing you.
00:35:05.80\00:35:09.97
It's being thankful when
you're in the hard places,
00:35:10.01\00:35:13.61
in the dark places,
and still being thankful,
00:35:13.64\00:35:16.28
and thinking of those things
00:35:16.31\00:35:18.11
that He's still
blessing you with.
00:35:18.15\00:35:20.18
If you start focusing
on the blessings you have,
00:35:20.22\00:35:24.09
just like Dan and
Yvonne, all of us have said,
00:35:24.12\00:35:27.42
it takes your eyes off of you,
00:35:27.46\00:35:30.39
and it puts them
on God and on others.
00:35:30.43\00:35:34.43
So that you don't have time
to wallow in that self pity.
00:35:34.46\00:35:40.64
I don't stay in
self pity very long.
00:35:40.67\00:35:43.34
I just can't because it
doesn't accomplish anything
00:35:43.37\00:35:46.81
and it just
makes you feel worse.
00:35:46.84\00:35:48.41
But if you start, if
you lay like you said,
00:35:48.44\00:35:52.31
"Tell the Lord
what the problem is."
00:35:52.35\00:35:54.98
But then you need
to start talking about,
00:35:55.02\00:35:57.75
"Thank You, Lord,
for being here for me.
00:35:57.79\00:36:00.02
I don't have to
walk through this alone."
00:36:00.06\00:36:02.42
Start talking and thanking
Him or the obvious stuff,
00:36:02.46\00:36:05.16
and then work up from there.
00:36:05.19\00:36:06.53
I love that app thing
because when you're there,
00:36:06.56\00:36:08.93
you can go, "Oh, Lord,
00:36:08.96\00:36:10.37
look what you've
done for me in the past.
00:36:10.40\00:36:12.00
I know You're with
me now." That's right.
00:36:12.03\00:36:15.37
So you know what
Romans 1:20 and 21 says to me,
00:36:15.40\00:36:19.31
he's talking about
the people of the world
00:36:19.34\00:36:21.88
and they don't know
God, they don't glorify God,
00:36:21.91\00:36:24.51
they're not thankful.
00:36:24.55\00:36:25.88
It's a sign of unbelief.
00:36:25.91\00:36:27.65
When a lack of
gratitude on our part is like,
00:36:27.68\00:36:33.05
we're not recognizing God
00:36:33.09\00:36:35.19
as the giver of every
good and perfect gift.
00:36:35.22\00:36:38.39
So if that's the sign
of unbelief, no faith,
00:36:38.43\00:36:44.43
what does Hebrews 11:6 say,
00:36:44.47\00:36:46.90
"Without faith, it's
impossible to please God,"
00:36:46.94\00:36:51.11
because we're
supposed to believe that He is
00:36:51.14\00:36:53.61
and that He rewards
those who earnestly seek Him.
00:36:53.64\00:36:57.25
So it's interesting to me.
00:36:57.28\00:37:00.02
I mean we can look
at this conversely.
00:37:00.05\00:37:02.95
If the lack of
gratitude is unbelief,
00:37:02.98\00:37:06.99
then suddenly as we are
giving our thanksgiving to God
00:37:07.02\00:37:11.26
is because we
believe in who He is
00:37:11.29\00:37:13.56
and what He's doing.
00:37:13.60\00:37:14.93
We see His hand moving.
00:37:14.96\00:37:16.83
And I think that
changes our prayer posture,
00:37:16.87\00:37:20.67
it changes everything.
00:37:20.70\00:37:22.04
When you come before the
Lord like you said, you know,
00:37:22.07\00:37:26.27
when I have my ankle surgery
and you can't walk around,
00:37:26.31\00:37:29.94
and I'm just going,
00:37:29.98\00:37:31.31
"Thank You God,
that I've still got foot.
00:37:31.35\00:37:32.68
Thank You God."
00:37:32.71\00:37:34.05
You know, you just go,
and you start thinking,
00:37:34.08\00:37:36.05
and you start
praying for other people
00:37:36.08\00:37:37.69
who are in a more
permanent situation,
00:37:37.72\00:37:41.42
but it get your
eyes off the problem
00:37:41.46\00:37:44.06
until your problem is solved.
00:37:44.09\00:37:46.33
But now, Yvonne,
read Psalms 100:4 and 5.
00:37:46.36\00:37:51.63
One thing where this has
became futile in their thoughts.
00:37:51.67\00:37:55.80
See, if you're not thankful.
00:37:55.84\00:37:58.44
This is saying, if
you not have faith,
00:37:58.47\00:38:01.04
if you don't have
belief, if you don't grow,
00:38:01.08\00:38:02.84
and you're not thankful,
00:38:02.88\00:38:04.21
you become more and more futile.
00:38:04.25\00:38:08.02
And you get more
and more foolish,
00:38:08.05\00:38:09.65
and you get in
darker, darker places.
00:38:09.68\00:38:12.19
So if you're not lifting
up, if you're not going up,
00:38:12.22\00:38:15.19
you are going down
00:38:15.22\00:38:16.56
and you're
getting darker and darker,
00:38:16.59\00:38:17.99
there's no... You
don't just stand still.
00:38:18.03\00:38:20.26
It gets worse. That's true.
00:38:20.30\00:38:22.00
Look at all of
our educational system
00:38:22.03\00:38:23.80
here in America and
in the United States,
00:38:23.83\00:38:26.10
and the people who
think professed to be smart,
00:38:26.13\00:38:29.87
really, you know,
00:38:29.90\00:38:31.57
just the
opposite to very foolish,
00:38:31.61\00:38:33.14
they ain't say
fool, but very foolish
00:38:33.17\00:38:35.14
because they
don't believe in God.
00:38:35.18\00:38:36.71
Many of these professors,
00:38:36.75\00:38:38.08
many of these what we consider
00:38:38.11\00:38:39.45
the smartest people
and scientists on earth
00:38:39.48\00:38:42.15
because they
don't really give God
00:38:42.18\00:38:44.05
and trust that there is a God.
00:38:44.09\00:38:46.32
They profess to be wise.
00:38:46.35\00:38:47.72
But yet, it's
really very foolish
00:38:47.76\00:38:50.83
if you don't know God,
00:38:50.86\00:38:52.19
because that's
really the only thing
00:38:52.23\00:38:53.56
that matters on this
earth is we know God,
00:38:53.60\00:38:55.93
we submit and
commit our lives to Him,
00:38:55.96\00:38:57.57
and we go and tell
what He's done for us.
00:38:57.60\00:39:00.37
What I see in this before we
go to the other with Shelley,
00:39:00.40\00:39:03.30
is in contrast,
without faith, it's impossible,
00:39:03.34\00:39:07.91
but with faith it is possible.
00:39:07.94\00:39:10.25
So if you are
walking down into that cellar
00:39:10.28\00:39:13.25
and getting darker and darker,
00:39:13.28\00:39:15.72
perhaps you need to ask
how to increase the faith.
00:39:15.75\00:39:19.95
So that I will be
able to light up the room,
00:39:19.99\00:39:22.92
so that I know that
there is someone above faith
00:39:22.96\00:39:25.26
that can take my hand.
00:39:25.29\00:39:27.10
Sure.
00:39:27.13\00:39:28.46
I don't know why, I
just feel this is important
00:39:28.50\00:39:30.23
to share what
you pray every day.
00:39:30.27\00:39:32.37
Lord, increase my...
00:39:32.40\00:39:35.44
I read this from one
of Miss White's books.
00:39:35.47\00:39:38.07
And I don't remember where
but, Lord, increase my humility.
00:39:38.11\00:39:41.44
Lord, increase my wisdom.
00:39:41.48\00:39:43.14
Lord, increase my courage,
and Lord increase my faith.
00:39:43.18\00:39:48.28
And you set a new
start dissecting everyone
00:39:48.32\00:39:51.85
and that's where we fall
into that category someplace.
00:39:51.89\00:39:55.49
And some days, you know,
you may feel a little prideful,
00:39:55.52\00:39:58.56
Lord, increase my humility.
00:39:58.59\00:40:01.33
I want that base covered.
That's a heavy prayer JD.
00:40:01.36\00:40:04.00
That is a heavy
prayer. Sometimes...
00:40:04.03\00:40:05.50
That is a heavy prayer.
00:40:05.53\00:40:07.27
But you've given Him permission,
00:40:07.30\00:40:09.87
like it's the first
thing that I'm learning,
00:40:09.90\00:40:11.67
I'm learning, I'm learning.
00:40:11.71\00:40:13.04
First thing I do
when I get out of bed,
00:40:13.07\00:40:14.41
Lord, "Fill me
with the Holy Spirit."
00:40:14.44\00:40:16.95
I mean, some days
00:40:16.98\00:40:18.31
you may stumble
going to the bathroom,
00:40:18.35\00:40:19.68
you know, but Lord, you know,
fill me with the Holy Spirit
00:40:19.71\00:40:23.95
because I'm just...
00:40:23.99\00:40:25.32
You're planting those
seeds and as each day goes by
00:40:25.35\00:40:28.52
and maybe you're going
to get a little water here,
00:40:28.56\00:40:30.66
little sunshine here.
00:40:30.69\00:40:32.19
And wow, I didn't
notice that before.
00:40:32.23\00:40:34.40
Thank You Jesus that now
I could connect that dot.
00:40:34.43\00:40:39.53
Glad, I just, I'm sitting here.
00:40:39.57\00:40:42.67
I just have to respond
to that about humility.
00:40:42.70\00:40:44.64
You respond, I don't
want you to have horrid time.
00:40:44.67\00:40:48.81
About the humility,
you know, true humility
00:40:48.84\00:40:52.21
is just to learn
absolute dependence upon God.
00:40:52.25\00:40:55.55
I mean, Philippians
2:5-8, when Paul said,
00:40:55.58\00:40:58.09
"Let this mind be in you.
00:40:58.12\00:40:59.45
That was in Christ
Jesus who humbled Himself
00:40:59.49\00:41:02.72
and became totally
dependent upon God.
00:41:02.76\00:41:05.06
And so what God has taught me
00:41:05.09\00:41:07.36
is humility is not like
going around and saying,
00:41:07.40\00:41:09.73
"No, well no, not me.
00:41:09.76\00:41:11.10
No, not me."
00:41:11.13\00:41:13.34
Lack of humility is when I
don't pray about something.
00:41:13.37\00:41:16.20
Lack of humility is when
00:41:16.24\00:41:18.11
I tried to do it
in my own strength.
00:41:18.14\00:41:20.48
So praying for humility
isn't really that frightening.
00:41:20.51\00:41:25.28
It's more what
you're praying is saying,
00:41:25.31\00:41:27.15
"Lord, thank You that
I can depend upon You,
00:41:27.18\00:41:29.22
teach me to depend upon You,
00:41:29.25\00:41:31.02
increase my dependence upon You,
00:41:31.05\00:41:33.05
increase my humility."
00:41:33.09\00:41:34.82
And it's counter cultural
00:41:34.86\00:41:36.96
because, you know, we're
taught to be self reliant
00:41:36.99\00:41:40.63
and to, you know, pull
up your own bootstraps,
00:41:40.66\00:41:43.77
now go for it.
00:41:43.80\00:41:45.13
And so we tend to not
pray about what we need to.
00:41:45.17\00:41:48.47
Sometimes, I'll get
into the day, and I think,
00:41:48.50\00:41:51.47
"Oh, I didn't pray
about this or you know,"
00:41:51.51\00:41:53.58
and it's...
00:41:53.61\00:41:54.94
The Holy Spirit will
remind you to pray, but it is,
00:41:54.98\00:41:58.21
it back you up
because if you don't,
00:41:58.25\00:42:01.58
we tend to think we
can do it on our own,
00:42:01.62\00:42:03.49
we tend to just
not think about it,
00:42:03.52\00:42:04.85
just go ahead and do it.
00:42:04.89\00:42:06.39
Lack of humility, yeah, yeah.
00:42:06.42\00:42:09.12
All right, so why does...
00:42:09.16\00:42:11.73
Read Psalm 100:4 and 5
00:42:11.76\00:42:14.56
'cause we're
actually commanded to praise.
00:42:14.60\00:42:20.00
Let me ask you a
question before you do that.
00:42:20.04\00:42:22.30
As I was reading through
this, that it says, "Command."
00:42:22.34\00:42:25.37
What does that mean?
00:42:25.41\00:42:26.74
Well, that's a word
that I need to understand.
00:42:26.78\00:42:30.81
It's not a suggestion,
00:42:30.85\00:42:32.18
it's something that
you are supposed to do...
00:42:32.21\00:42:34.62
It's an order. It's
an order, that's good.
00:42:34.65\00:42:37.79
Okay, so He's
ordering us to be thankful.
00:42:37.82\00:42:40.46
He's ordering us to
enter... Oh, let her read that.
00:42:40.49\00:42:43.36
Yeah, we keep jumping ahead.
00:42:43.39\00:42:45.79
Okay, Psalm 100:4 and 5.
00:42:45.83\00:42:49.33
"Enter into His
gates with thanksgiving
00:42:49.36\00:42:51.43
and into His courts with praise.
00:42:51.47\00:42:53.60
Be thankful to him
and bless his name.
00:42:53.64\00:42:56.24
For the Lord is good.
00:42:56.27\00:42:57.67
His mercy is everlasting
00:42:57.71\00:42:59.54
and his truth endures
through all generations."
00:42:59.57\00:43:02.34
Here it is, JD.
Here it is. Please.
00:43:02.38\00:43:05.08
Okay.
00:43:05.11\00:43:06.45
"For the Lord is good,
00:43:06.48\00:43:07.82
when you enter into His
courts with thanksgiving,
00:43:07.85\00:43:09.52
and in His courts with praise,
00:43:09.55\00:43:11.42
and you're thankful
and you bless His name,
00:43:11.45\00:43:13.59
He's gifting you,
He's promising you,
00:43:13.62\00:43:17.03
you're all of a sudden
experiencing His goodness,
00:43:17.06\00:43:20.20
His mercy, His everlasting,
00:43:20.23\00:43:21.96
His everlasting truth
endures to all generation."
00:43:22.00\00:43:24.80
So when you say
command, it sounds like,
00:43:24.83\00:43:27.34
"Oh, He's
making us go in there."
00:43:27.37\00:43:28.80
No, what He is saying is,
00:43:28.84\00:43:30.17
"You go in
here, and you do that,
00:43:30.21\00:43:31.71
and I'm going to bless you."
00:43:31.74\00:43:33.07
It's like you
say with its promise,
00:43:33.11\00:43:34.51
like the Ten
Commandments or not,
00:43:34.54\00:43:36.11
Ten Commandments
are ten promises.
00:43:36.14\00:43:38.38
And so, to me that command
again always when you say
00:43:38.41\00:43:42.98
command or do, God is not...
00:43:43.02\00:43:45.85
If He wanted to command us,
00:43:45.89\00:43:47.22
He could have just
forgot that and create a robot,
00:43:47.26\00:43:50.43
you know, but He didn't.
00:43:50.46\00:43:51.86
So when you read that,
00:43:51.89\00:43:53.23
I always have to
take that and say,
00:43:53.26\00:43:54.60
"Okay, now how
does this fit me?"
00:43:54.63\00:43:56.16
God's not just
saying, "You do this."
00:43:56.20\00:43:58.03
He's telling me to do
something for my benefit.
00:43:58.07\00:44:01.00
And for your eternal benefit.
00:44:01.04\00:44:02.37
Yes. Right.
00:44:02.40\00:44:03.74
Everything He does
is for eternal benefit.
00:44:03.77\00:44:05.11
That's right.
00:44:05.14\00:44:06.47
If you're drowning
00:44:06.51\00:44:07.84
and someone
reaches out and says,
00:44:07.88\00:44:09.21
"Take my hand,"
00:44:09.24\00:44:10.58
they're ordering
you, "Take my hand."
00:44:10.61\00:44:12.28
Is that a bad
thing? They're saving you.
00:44:12.31\00:44:17.59
And when the Lord
reaches down and says,
00:44:17.62\00:44:19.75
"Take my hand," is to
save you. That's good.
00:44:19.79\00:44:23.06
But you know what I
think is that when God really,
00:44:23.09\00:44:26.06
He changed about 2000, He
taught me about, you know,
00:44:26.09\00:44:30.97
how to press into His presence,
and I enter with thanksgiving.
00:44:31.00\00:44:35.77
And, boy, it just changed
your attitude in a hurry.
00:44:35.80\00:44:38.57
And then enter His
gates with thanksgiving,
00:44:38.61\00:44:41.24
enter His courts with praise.
00:44:41.28\00:44:43.14
And what I learned
was, it is for our benefit.
00:44:43.18\00:44:47.15
Suddenly, my
faith in His ability,
00:44:47.18\00:44:51.75
as I'm praising,
00:44:51.79\00:44:53.12
thanking Him,
recognizing this, praising Him,
00:44:53.15\00:44:56.49
my prayers got so bold
00:44:56.52\00:44:59.93
because it changes
your viewpoint of God.
00:44:59.96\00:45:05.30
You know, a lot of
people come before the Lord
00:45:05.33\00:45:07.77
and they've got
their little list
00:45:07.80\00:45:09.57
like He's some Santa Claus
00:45:09.60\00:45:11.01
up with vending machine
or something up in heaven.
00:45:11.04\00:45:14.08
But when you are thanking
Him for everything He has done,
00:45:14.11\00:45:18.08
acknowledging what
He's done and praising Him.
00:45:18.11\00:45:20.92
All of a sudden your
faith is just soaring.
00:45:20.95\00:45:23.95
And you get
bold in your prayers.
00:45:23.99\00:45:26.99
You have that assurance
of His love and salvation.
00:45:27.02\00:45:30.53
And you know His peace is.
00:45:30.56\00:45:31.99
Yeah. Okay.
00:45:32.03\00:45:33.36
Yeah. He is.
00:45:33.40\00:45:34.73
Yeah. It's good.
00:45:34.76\00:45:36.10
All right. Being grateful.
00:45:36.13\00:45:38.47
There's something,
00:45:38.50\00:45:39.83
there's a counter
addiction in my life,
00:45:39.87\00:45:41.20
the longer, being
grateful, and thanking Him.
00:45:41.24\00:45:44.44
And I remember just
recently I was outside
00:45:44.47\00:45:46.81
and it just
overcame me with like,
00:45:46.84\00:45:49.11
oh, thanking the Lord
for something very specific.
00:45:49.14\00:45:52.11
But the more I love the
Lord, the more I grow with Him,
00:45:52.15\00:45:56.55
and thank Him, and
the closer I get to Him,
00:45:56.58\00:46:00.12
I have a contradiction of
one, the more I feel unworthy.
00:46:00.16\00:46:03.73
Of course, that's natural.
00:46:03.76\00:46:05.09
But the more I feel loved.
00:46:05.13\00:46:09.96
Okay.
00:46:10.00\00:46:11.33
The closer you get to Him,
the more you feel that love
00:46:11.37\00:46:15.17
and acknowledge.
00:46:15.20\00:46:16.54
You feel unworthy,
00:46:16.57\00:46:17.91
but it's not a
self esteem thing.
00:46:17.94\00:46:19.31
It's you feel so loved and so...
00:46:19.34\00:46:23.85
And that light
just shining on you
00:46:23.88\00:46:25.75
and you began to recognize...
00:46:25.78\00:46:27.12
And then you want to
thank Him, even Lord...
00:46:27.15\00:46:28.48
Yeah. Amen. Amen.
00:46:28.52\00:46:29.85
It's like you are
ridding yourself of trash.
00:46:29.88\00:46:32.05
Yeah. What a
wonderful way to put it.
00:46:32.09\00:46:34.76
That's good. Yeah, yeah.
00:46:34.79\00:46:36.76
All right, we've only
got about 10 minutes left.
00:46:36.79\00:46:40.30
So there is
something I want to get to
00:46:40.33\00:46:43.23
because this is
such a difficult thing
00:46:43.26\00:46:45.67
for many people.
00:46:45.70\00:46:47.94
And JD... Well, why don't...
00:46:47.97\00:46:50.71
I'll have you read 1
Thessalonians 5:16-18
00:46:50.74\00:46:57.51
and then, JD, I'll let you read,
00:46:57.55\00:47:00.28
if you will, Ephesians...
00:47:00.32\00:47:04.19
What is that?
00:47:04.22\00:47:05.55
Ephesians 5:20.
00:47:05.59\00:47:09.02
Ephesians 5:20.
00:47:09.06\00:47:10.46
All right, and here's the point.
00:47:10.49\00:47:14.20
The point is, Paul says,
"Give thanks in everything."
00:47:14.23\00:47:21.04
And then there's
another place where it says,
00:47:21.07\00:47:22.80
"Give thanks for everything."
00:47:22.84\00:47:24.67
And there are some people
00:47:24.71\00:47:26.04
who are in such
horrible situations,
00:47:26.07\00:47:27.88
they're like,
00:47:27.91\00:47:29.24
"How could I give
thanks in a situation."
00:47:29.28\00:47:33.21
How could I give
thanks for this situation?
00:47:33.25\00:47:35.58
So, Dee?
00:47:35.62\00:47:37.19
I've been here, 1
Thessalonians 5:16-18.
00:47:37.22\00:47:42.52
"Rejoice always,
pray without ceasing,
00:47:42.56\00:47:47.26
and everything give thanks,
00:47:47.30\00:47:48.96
for this is the will of
God in Christ Jesus for you."
00:47:49.00\00:47:53.90
Even when I'm sitting there
00:47:53.94\00:47:56.97
and I've lost my
David, he's died.
00:47:57.01\00:48:00.44
And him and I were one,
00:48:00.48\00:48:04.45
I still remember...
00:48:04.48\00:48:07.58
I was grieving,
00:48:07.62\00:48:09.92
but God was
there with me grieving.
00:48:09.95\00:48:12.52
So He was with me.
00:48:12.55\00:48:14.42
He was going to
walk me through that.
00:48:14.46\00:48:16.19
He had a plan for me.
00:48:16.22\00:48:19.93
And so I don't
know how to explain
00:48:19.96\00:48:22.16
that you can be grieving
00:48:22.20\00:48:23.53
and still have
joy in your heart.
00:48:23.57\00:48:25.67
But that's where God takes you.
00:48:25.70\00:48:27.54
And that verse is
real and it is real,
00:48:27.57\00:48:31.07
if you will just
kind of fold into Him.
00:48:31.11\00:48:35.84
Nehemiah 18,
00:48:35.88\00:48:37.21
"The joy of the
Lord is your strength."
00:48:37.25\00:48:39.78
Have you ever been in a spot
00:48:39.81\00:48:41.62
where it was difficult to
feel thankful that like...
00:48:41.65\00:48:46.99
I'll give you an
example of something
00:48:47.02\00:48:48.76
and I've said
this before there's,
00:48:48.79\00:48:50.16
I could give many
examples, but this one's fast.
00:48:50.19\00:48:52.76
For one year...
I had vertigo 24\7.
00:48:52.79\00:48:56.03
I was like a
top. It never stopped.
00:48:56.06\00:48:59.17
My little pupils were
like little pinpoints.
00:48:59.20\00:49:02.20
I was nauseated all the time.
00:49:02.24\00:49:04.37
I couldn't read,
I couldn't watch TV.
00:49:04.41\00:49:06.64
I mean, and at the same time
00:49:06.68\00:49:08.28
I'm trying to take
care of my mother-in-law,
00:49:08.31\00:49:10.01
and father-in-law, and a niece.
00:49:10.05\00:49:12.81
But it was so horrible.
00:49:12.85\00:49:16.35
And God ended up,
00:49:16.38\00:49:19.52
that was the
worst year of my life,
00:49:19.55\00:49:20.99
but it was the
best year of my life.
00:49:21.02\00:49:23.22
That's when God
taught me to get in...
00:49:23.26\00:49:25.56
Did you know when you
were going through it or...?
00:49:25.59\00:49:28.00
Not for the first eight months.
00:49:28.03\00:49:29.60
I figured it out the
last four months because...
00:49:29.63\00:49:32.40
Now I had to figure
it out first two weeks,
00:49:32.43\00:49:34.30
you made only had for a week.
00:49:34.34\00:49:37.21
Well, God taught me
to get into His Word.
00:49:37.24\00:49:38.57
There is that practical side.
00:49:38.61\00:49:41.08
And return His word that
it wouldn't returned void
00:49:41.11\00:49:43.71
that He was watching
over His word to perform it.
00:49:43.75\00:49:46.38
And so, you know, at
the end of that year,
00:49:46.41\00:49:48.75
God healed me.
00:49:48.78\00:49:50.12
And it was a full year.
00:49:50.15\00:49:52.15
So I look back
and I can easily say
00:49:52.19\00:49:55.02
that the worst year of my life
was the best year of my life.
00:49:55.06\00:49:58.76
Okay.
00:49:58.79\00:50:00.36
And sometimes when
we're in circumstances
00:50:00.40\00:50:03.63
that we don't understand,
00:50:03.67\00:50:06.27
we can find a
reason to thank God.
00:50:06.30\00:50:10.44
Have you ever had
experience like that?
00:50:10.47\00:50:12.61
Let's say somebody's
lost a loved one like Dee.
00:50:20.08\00:50:23.65
She was thanking God
that she had David...
00:50:23.69\00:50:26.96
But I think that I'd had David,
but I also was thinking God
00:50:26.99\00:50:31.46
that He was there with
me to walk me through this
00:50:31.49\00:50:33.46
because I couldn't
get through it by myself.
00:50:33.50\00:50:36.43
So I was like, "Thank You, Lord,
00:50:36.46\00:50:37.80
for being here, lifting me up."
00:50:37.83\00:50:39.90
And I was thanking Him
that, "Okay, I'm Yours now.
00:50:39.93\00:50:42.90
I know You have a plan
and You will reveal it to me."
00:50:42.94\00:50:45.74
So there was a trust
there of leaning on to Him.
00:50:45.77\00:50:48.54
He didn't say,
00:50:48.58\00:50:49.91
"Oh, you're going
to go to work for 3ABN,
00:50:49.94\00:50:51.28
and everything's gonna be okay."
00:50:51.31\00:50:52.71
I did not know at that
time how I was going to survive.
00:50:52.75\00:50:57.09
I didn't know emotionally
more so than anything else.
00:50:57.12\00:51:00.26
But even financially,
David didn't have an insurance.
00:51:00.29\00:51:05.13
And so there's
many unknowns there.
00:51:05.16\00:51:07.60
But it was like
it was a surrender
00:51:07.63\00:51:10.27
of "Okay, I'm yours.
00:51:10.30\00:51:12.27
Thank You, Lord for the family
00:51:12.30\00:51:13.64
that I have
here surrounding me."
00:51:13.67\00:51:15.20
You find little
things that they...
00:51:15.24\00:51:18.31
Even being able to
grieve, you know, that you have.
00:51:18.34\00:51:21.41
There are some
people who can't grieve.
00:51:21.44\00:51:23.04
They just, they try to stone.
00:51:23.08\00:51:24.41
They don't have
the capacity to love.
00:51:24.45\00:51:25.78
Yeah, they just turn to
stone and they're just...
00:51:25.81\00:51:29.05
And so, but I chose to trust
in the Lord and to go forward.
00:51:29.08\00:51:35.72
So there are times,
00:51:35.76\00:51:38.46
there's been times here at 3ABN.
00:51:38.49\00:51:41.86
I went home one
time and started packing
00:51:41.90\00:51:43.60
'cause it's like,
"Lord, I'm leaving here
00:51:43.63\00:51:45.23
with or without
Your permission."
00:51:45.27\00:51:47.07
Because this is
not a perfect place.
00:51:47.10\00:51:50.04
People think
it's already paradise.
00:51:50.07\00:51:52.07
It's not quite
there's people that work here,
00:51:52.11\00:51:53.94
and we love each other,
00:51:53.98\00:51:55.31
and we forgive
each other quickly.
00:51:55.34\00:51:56.68
But somebody that I love dearly
had wounded me desperately.
00:51:56.71\00:52:00.55
So I went home and
start packing suitcase...
00:52:00.58\00:52:04.82
"I'm leaving."
00:52:04.85\00:52:07.19
So but, of course, I didn't
'cause God just laughed at me.
00:52:07.22\00:52:09.62
Was it Tim, was it?
00:52:09.66\00:52:11.09
No. No.
00:52:11.13\00:52:12.59
Many years ago.
00:52:12.63\00:52:13.96
Tim doesn't have
know, how he could.
00:52:14.00\00:52:17.07
But I started, "Okay, so,
Lord, You have to help me."
00:52:17.10\00:52:20.54
I am talking to the Lord
while I'm doing all this.
00:52:20.57\00:52:24.37
And He'll bring you
around to, "Okay, I'm sorry.
00:52:24.41\00:52:29.24
This is not the way
it's supposed to..."
00:52:29.28\00:52:32.05
You will calm down
00:52:32.08\00:52:33.42
if you will start
talking to the Lord
00:52:33.45\00:52:35.12
and in listening to Him,
00:52:35.15\00:52:37.32
He will get you back
to where you need to be.
00:52:37.35\00:52:41.32
And He will give you a piece
00:52:41.36\00:52:42.99
and you can start
thanking Him then.
00:52:43.02\00:52:45.16
Well, I was thinking
of what you were saying
00:52:45.19\00:52:47.23
when you thought
it could be the end
00:52:47.26\00:52:49.43
and you hear people
that are close to the end
00:52:49.46\00:52:53.07
and what they find
is they're thankful...
00:52:53.10\00:52:55.40
You know, sometimes
it's not just thanking God
00:52:55.44\00:52:58.71
for what He's done for us.
00:52:58.74\00:53:00.08
But thanking Him for who He is.
00:53:00.11\00:53:02.84
I mean, that should
be the number one thing.
00:53:02.88\00:53:05.28
But like, you know, I
remember what you said,
00:53:05.31\00:53:09.08
"If I go today,
I've had a good run."
00:53:09.12\00:53:12.65
That's right. You know?
00:53:12.69\00:53:14.42
And I remember
you're laying there,
00:53:14.46\00:53:16.56
and it was just
like, you were so peaceful,
00:53:16.59\00:53:18.96
you weren't worried,
you were thanking God,
00:53:18.99\00:53:21.36
'cause you were thanking
God for the blessed hope,
00:53:21.40\00:53:25.07
you knew that
you'd have eternity.
00:53:25.10\00:53:27.10
And even if you've lost someone,
00:53:27.14\00:53:29.04
you know, especially
if they are Christian,
00:53:29.07\00:53:30.87
at least you can
thank God for the eternity
00:53:30.91\00:53:34.14
that you have
to spend with them.
00:53:34.18\00:53:35.91
That's what I was
going to say that in 2009,
00:53:35.94\00:53:39.31
for me was just
across the board,
00:53:39.35\00:53:42.22
like it's such a
wilderness time for me
00:53:42.25\00:53:44.65
'cause I lost my sister
and my dad had a stroke,
00:53:44.69\00:53:48.09
then I gave up my career
00:53:48.12\00:53:49.92
because the Lord
brought me out of it.
00:53:49.96\00:53:51.96
And so all of these
things were going on,
00:53:51.99\00:53:55.40
but yet the Lord was
preparing me to be here.
00:53:55.43\00:53:59.93
I didn't, you know,
00:53:59.97\00:54:01.30
we don't know what God is doing.
00:54:01.34\00:54:02.94
We just know that
He is doing something.
00:54:02.97\00:54:05.77
He doesn't take you
out of one situation
00:54:05.81\00:54:08.61
and then say, "Okay,
now you're on your own,
00:54:08.64\00:54:10.91
you know, like,
do the best you can."
00:54:10.95\00:54:12.81
No, He brings you through
from situation to situation.
00:54:12.85\00:54:18.25
And so for me,
00:54:18.29\00:54:20.79
I felt the
support of the prayers
00:54:20.82\00:54:23.79
that were going on my behalf.
00:54:23.83\00:54:26.16
And I also realized
later in retrospect,
00:54:26.19\00:54:29.66
that God was
preparing me to come here
00:54:29.70\00:54:32.37
'cause everything was,
00:54:32.40\00:54:34.00
there was no reason for me to...
00:54:34.04\00:54:35.37
But even when they
were going through it,
00:54:35.40\00:54:39.34
weren't you thankful at...
00:54:39.37\00:54:40.74
Oh, I was.
00:54:40.78\00:54:42.11
I was thankful that my
sister went to sleep in Jesus.
00:54:42.14\00:54:45.35
I missed her desperately,
but I was so grateful
00:54:45.38\00:54:48.22
because she died in Him.
00:54:48.25\00:54:49.65
Okay, right down to the wire.
So let me say this. All right.
00:54:49.68\00:54:52.55
So we know that thanksgiving
is recognizing, remembering,
00:54:52.59\00:54:58.09
you know, realizing
what God's done or who He is.
00:54:58.13\00:55:01.46
We know that God prescribes
it because it changes us,
00:55:01.50\00:55:05.33
it increases our faith.
00:55:05.37\00:55:07.27
And we know that we can
really if you know the Lord,
00:55:07.30\00:55:10.47
you can find a
reason to be thankful
00:55:10.51\00:55:12.61
in all situations.
00:55:12.64\00:55:14.34
I would like to just
go around very quickly,
00:55:14.38\00:55:17.05
whoever wants to jump in here
00:55:17.08\00:55:19.05
tell me something
you're really thankful for.
00:55:19.08\00:55:21.62
I just want to say as
far as the commanding goes,
00:55:21.65\00:55:24.82
the doctor gave me
prescriptions and said,
00:55:24.85\00:55:27.26
"You go to the
drugstore and do it."
00:55:27.29\00:55:29.59
I didn't look at that.
00:55:29.62\00:55:30.96
I said, "Why is he
commanding me to do this?
00:55:30.99\00:55:33.03
Well, he just cut me
open, he knew me inside now.
00:55:33.06\00:55:36.43
So really it was a
blessing to me like,
00:55:36.46\00:55:39.00
oh, but anyway I'm
sorry I got off the topic.
00:55:39.03\00:55:41.64
But that hit me, you
know, that's how we are
00:55:41.67\00:55:44.97
when God commands us or
appears that He commands us.
00:55:45.01\00:55:49.31
He's doing it for our
benefit, for our own salvation.
00:55:49.34\00:55:52.81
And I'm so thankful for my wife.
00:55:52.85\00:55:54.52
I'm thankful for
the ministry of 3ABN.
00:55:54.55\00:55:56.92
And I'm thankful for the viewers
00:55:56.95\00:55:58.39
that have supported 34 years
00:55:58.42\00:56:01.06
and still yet we never
have money in the bank,
00:56:01.09\00:56:03.32
right now only by their
support where we end up,
00:56:03.36\00:56:07.16
and we go
financially in the black
00:56:07.20\00:56:09.33
by December 31 this year.
00:56:09.36\00:56:11.03
But somehow, I
just have to believe
00:56:11.07\00:56:13.40
we're going to be
there 'cause God is blessing.
00:56:13.44\00:56:15.37
So I'm thankful for not
only life, health, and strength,
00:56:15.40\00:56:18.47
but the ministry that God
has allowed me to be a part of
00:56:18.51\00:56:21.44
for all of these years.
00:56:21.48\00:56:22.81
Amen. I'm thankful...
00:56:22.84\00:56:25.01
You go ahead. Oh,
it's only right you go.
00:56:25.05\00:56:27.35
I'm thankful for my
family, for my husband,
00:56:27.38\00:56:29.62
and children and
for what God has done
00:56:29.65\00:56:32.09
by restoring my
husband from the surgery,
00:56:32.12\00:56:34.39
and also for what He's
doing with my children.
00:56:34.42\00:56:37.46
Amen. You should be.
00:56:37.49\00:56:39.16
Their goal. That's good.
00:56:39.19\00:56:40.53
Amen We have 20
seconds left. Twenty seconds.
00:56:40.56\00:56:42.36
I love each and
every one of you.
00:56:42.40\00:56:43.73
I'm thankful for you.
00:56:43.77\00:56:45.10
It's wonderful to
talk to you daily.
00:56:45.13\00:56:47.04
And I thank You
for my precious wife
00:56:47.07\00:56:49.84
and I thank You
for the opportunity
00:56:49.87\00:56:51.21
to work in God's vineyard.
00:56:51.24\00:56:52.67
Amen. And you know, quickly...
00:56:52.71\00:56:55.14
I'm thankful
for the Holy Spirit.
00:56:55.18\00:56:56.81
Amen. Praise the Lord.
00:56:56.85\00:56:58.65
I'm thankful that my work
00:56:58.68\00:57:00.45
makes a difference to
somebody else, other people.
00:57:00.48\00:57:02.72
That's good.
00:57:02.75\00:57:04.09
And I'm thankful for
the opportunity to be here.
00:57:04.12\00:57:05.99
We're thankful
for the opportunity
00:57:06.02\00:57:07.56
to connect with you.
00:57:07.59\00:57:08.92
And just for the privilege
00:57:08.96\00:57:11.49
of working in
God's harvest fields.
00:57:11.53\00:57:14.76
Thank you for
joining us tonight.
00:57:14.80\00:57:16.50
I'm thankful
for the grace of God
00:57:16.53\00:57:18.33
and our prayer is
that the grace of our Lord
00:57:18.37\00:57:21.60
and Savior Jesus Christ,
00:57:21.64\00:57:23.37
the love of the Father
00:57:23.41\00:57:24.91
and the
fellowship of the Holy Spirit
00:57:24.94\00:57:26.88
will be with you
today and always.
00:57:26.91\00:57:29.94
Happy Sabbath. Amen.
00:57:29.98\00:57:31.31
God bless you. Happy Sabbath.
00:57:31.35\00:57:32.68
Praise the Lord.
00:57:32.71\00:57:34.25
We had a wonderful
day. You're precious.
00:57:34.28\00:57:36.48