{"id":304266,"date":"2016-11-24T12:00:00","date_gmt":"2016-11-24T17:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/podcast\/%series%\/joyful-prayerful-and-thankful\/"},"modified":"2024-10-07T23:34:45","modified_gmt":"2024-10-08T03:34:45","slug":"joyful-prayerful-and-thankful","status":"publish","type":"podcast","link":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/podcast\/familylife-today\/joyful-prayerful-and-thankful\/","title":{"rendered":"Joyful, Prayerful, and Thankful"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>guest: Bob Lepine | As believers, we should be joyful, prayerful, and thankful. Bob Lepine expounds on some biblical directives from 1 Thessalonians 5.Show Notes &#038; ResourcesTwo Ways to Live: The Choice We All Face<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>As believers, we should be joyful, prayerful, and thankful. Bob Lepine expounds on some biblical directives from 1 Thessalonians 5.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":91,"featured_media":294104,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_seopress_robots_primary_cat":"","_seopress_titles_title":"","_seopress_titles_desc":"","_seopress_robots_index":"","inline_featured_image":false,"_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","episode_type":"","audio_file":"https:\/\/web.familylifetoday.com\/fl2016-11-24.mp3","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"00:","filesize":"28.21M","filesize_raw":"29576311","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":""},"categories":[2823],"tags":[6137,6138,4613,4792],"podcast_series":[],"cwp_profile":[3142],"series":[2101],"class_list":["post-304266","podcast","type-podcast","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-thanksgiving","tag-joyful","tag-prayerful","tag-thankful","tag-thanksgiving","cwp_profile-bob-lepine","series-familylife-today"],"acf":[],"episode_featured_image":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1001\/2024\/09\/FLT-Podcast-Cover-2-508x508-3.jpg?w=508","episode_player_image":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/1001\/2023\/02\/image-scaled.jpg","download_link":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/podcast-download\/304266\/joyful-prayerful-and-thankful","player_link":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/podcast-player\/304266\/joyful-prayerful-and-thankful","audio_player":null,"episode_data":{"playerMode":"light","subscribeUrls":{"apple_podcasts":{"key":"apple_podcasts","url":"https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/familylife-today\/id212174303?mt=2&app=podcast","label":"Apple Podcasts","class":"apple_podcasts","icon":"apple-podcasts.png"},"google_podcasts":{"key":"google_podcasts","url":"","label":"Google Podcasts","class":"google_podcasts","icon":"google-podcasts.png"},"spotify":{"key":"spotify","url":"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/show\/0j5UaKdQOHQCuo1bt0ebEm","label":"Spotify","class":"spotify","icon":"spotify.png"},"youtube":{"key":"youtube","url":"","label":"YouTube","class":"youtube","icon":"youtube.png"}},"rssFeedUrl":"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/feed\/podcast\/familylife-today","embedCode":"<blockquote class=\"wp-embedded-content\" data-secret=\"Gdxr8yUgaG\"><a href=\"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/podcast\/familylife-today\/joyful-prayerful-and-thankful\/\">Joyful, Prayerful, and Thankful<\/a><\/blockquote><iframe sandbox=\"allow-scripts\" security=\"restricted\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/podcast\/familylife-today\/joyful-prayerful-and-thankful\/embed\/#?secret=Gdxr8yUgaG\" width=\"500\" height=\"350\" title=\"&#8220;Joyful, Prayerful, and Thankful&#8221; &#8212; FamilyLife\u00ae - A Cru Ministry\" data-secret=\"Gdxr8yUgaG\" frameborder=\"0\" marginwidth=\"0\" marginheight=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\" class=\"wp-embedded-content\"><\/iframe><script>\n\/*! This file is auto-generated *\/\n!function(d,l){\"use strict\";l.querySelector&&d.addEventListener&&\"undefined\"!=typeof URL&&(d.wp=d.wp||{},d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage||(d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage=function(e){var t=e.data;if((t||t.secret||t.message||t.value)&&!\/[^a-zA-Z0-9]\/.test(t.secret)){for(var s,r,n,a=l.querySelectorAll('iframe[data-secret=\"'+t.secret+'\"]'),o=l.querySelectorAll('blockquote[data-secret=\"'+t.secret+'\"]'),c=new RegExp(\"^https?:$\",\"i\"),i=0;i<o.length;i++)o[i].style.display=\"none\";for(i=0;i<a.length;i++)s=a[i],e.source===s.contentWindow&&(s.removeAttribute(\"style\"),\"height\"===t.message?(1e3<(r=parseInt(t.value,10))?r=1e3:~~r<200&&(r=200),s.height=r):\"link\"===t.message&&(r=new URL(s.getAttribute(\"src\")),n=new URL(t.value),c.test(n.protocol))&&n.host===r.host&&l.activeElement===s&&(d.top.location.href=t.value))}},d.addEventListener(\"message\",d.wp.receiveEmbedMessage,!1),l.addEventListener(\"DOMContentLoaded\",function(){for(var e,t,s=l.querySelectorAll(\"iframe.wp-embedded-content\"),r=0;r<s.length;r++)(t=(e=s[r]).getAttribute(\"data-secret\"))||(t=Math.random().toString(36).substring(2,12),e.src+=\"#?secret=\"+t,e.setAttribute(\"data-secret\",t)),e.contentWindow.postMessage({message:\"ready\",secret:t},\"*\")},!1)))}(window,document);\n\/\/# sourceURL=https:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/wp-includes\/js\/wp-embed.min.js\n<\/script>\n"},"spectra_custom_meta":{"_wp_page_template":["default"],"transcript_url":["https:\/\/transcript.familylifetoday.com\/fl2016-11-24.pdf"],"audio_file":["https:\/\/web.familylifetoday.com\/fl2016-11-24.mp3"],"transcript_content":["<strong>Bob: <\/strong>Thanksgiving is a day when all of us ought to be joyful, prayerful, and grateful. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tAnd welcome to <em>FamilyLife Today<\/em>. Thanks for joining us on the Thursday edition, the Thanksgiving Day edition. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tI have to tell you a story as we start here. I was on an airplane recently; and I was talking to a woman, who lives in Connecticut. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>1:00<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tI forget what brought this up; but she said, \u201cDo you have Costco where you live?\u201d\u00a0 I said, \u201cWe don\u2019t, but I know what a Costco is.\u201d\u00a0 She said, \u201cWe have three kids at home.\u201d\u00a0 She said, \u201cSo, Saturdays, we go to Costco a lot.\u201d\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tShe said, \u201cWhenever we go to Costco, my husband always wants to check out in the same line with the same cashier; because, when we get up to him and my husband says, \u2018How are you doing?\u2019 he just looks up at us and he says, \u2018I\u2019m grateful.\u2019\u00a0 My husband will wait in the longest line in Costco just to hear somebody say they are grateful to have a job at Costco.\u201d\u00a0 I thought, \u201cThat\u2019s a good message for us to hear, particularly, on this day.\u201d\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Dennis: <\/strong>All of us need to be around people who are grateful\u2014\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Bob: <\/strong>That\u2019s right. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Dennis: <\/strong>\u2014not people who are griping, or people who are pessimistic or discouraged. We just need to pause and just say, \u201cGod, I want You to know I\u2019m grateful.\u201d \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>2:00<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tYou\u2019re going to hear an encouraging message today that will cause you to pause and be grateful. It\u2019s our co-host, Bob Lepine, speaking at a church, here locally, encouraging folks just to give thanks in all things. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Bob: <\/strong>Well, that\u2019s what the Bible tells us to do. This is from 1 Thessalonians, Chapter 5, verses 16 to 18. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t[Recorded Message]\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Bob: <\/strong>When we look at the verses that we\u2019re going to look at this morning\u2014verses 16, 17, and 18 of 1 Thessalonians, Chapter 5\u2014these verses ought to be true about us, individually; but they\u2019re true, as well, for how we, as a body, should be responding to challenging circumstances that we\u2019re going to face. What it tells us is that our lives ought to be characterized by joy, by prayer, and by thankfulness. To put it another way, we ought to be people who are joyful, prayerful, and thankful. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>3:00<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tThat\u2019s pretty simple. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tFirst Thessalonians, Chapter 5, beginning\u2014we\u2019ll begin at verse 11: \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tTherefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you\u2019re doing. We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and who are over you in the Lord and admonish you, to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, and be patient with them all. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tSee that no one repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>4:00<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tDo not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tNow, let me say just a word about this entire section of Scripture that we just read through before we get to the verses we want to focus on. If you\u2019ve read this carefully, you noticed there are 18 staccato instructions in this. I mean, it\u2019s just a checklist of \u201cDo this; do this; do this.\u201d\u00a0 Some of you read that and: \u201cNow, wait. I was told that Christianity is not a bunch of do\u2019s and don\u2019ts \/ it\u2019s not a list of instructions; it is a relationship with Christ.\u201d\u00a0 And that\u2019s true. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tIt\u2019s not the dos and don\u2019ts that make up our faith; but in the context of the relationship, there are some dos and don\u2019ts. Listen to the way that Ligon Duncan, who is a pastor in Jackson, Mississippi\u2014\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>5:00<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t\u2014listen to how he explains it\u2014he says:\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tChristianity is a message about what God has done for us in Christ, not about what we do to make ourselves right with Him, but about what He has already done to forgive us, and accept us, and to welcome us into His family. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tThat\u2019s the message of Christianity. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tBut it\u2019s not true that there are no commands in the Christian life\u2014that there are no dos and don\u2019ts to observe. When we find dos and don\u2019ts in the New Testament, it\u2019s not, \u201cDo this\u2026\u201d or \u201cDon\u2019t do that; and then, God will love you, and forgive you, and accept you; because you\u2019ve done this or not done that.\u201d\u00a0 No; it\u2019s actually the other way around: \u201cBecause God has loved, and forgiven, and saved you; therefore, do this and don\u2019t do that.\u201d\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<br>We\u2019re not saved by our doing or don\u2019t-ing. We\u2019re saved <em>to<\/em> a life of holiness, out of our rebellion against God and against His will. Ligon Duncan concludes by saying: \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tGod saves us in order for us to be what He made us to be. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>6:00<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tThese dos and don\u2019ts cease to be oppressive things that hang over our heads, condemning us. These are not rules that we look at and go: \u201cUh-oh. I\u2019m scared. If I don\u2019t behave, God\u2019s going to whack me.\u2019\u201d\u00a0 He says, \u201cThese serve as guides\/as standards for living the life that God has called us to live.\u201d\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tAnd I would say: \u201cMore than guides \/ more than standards\u2014they are <em>directives<\/em>. These are not, as he said, suggestions or good ideas.\u201d\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tSo, now, you look at verses 16, 17, and 18, which is: \u201cjoyful, prayerful, and thankful.\u201d\u00a0 You look at those three verses, and you see God directing us to a life of joy, and prayer, and gratitude, <em>even<\/em> in the midst of difficult circumstances. That\u2019s why you see words like \u201calways,\u201d \u201cwithout ceasing,\u201d \u201cin everything\u201d; because He\u2019s saying that we are, in good times or hard times, to respond to the circumstances of life with a confident joy, with regular prayer, and with an ongoing attitude of gratitude for the everyday blessings of life. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>7:00<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tDoes \u201crejoice always\u201d mean never weep about anything?\u00a0 Look back at verse 13\u2014Chapter 4, verse 13\u2014Paul says to the Thessalonians, who had friends who have died: \u201cI don\u2019t want you to grieve as those who have no hope.\u201d\u00a0 Now, what he doesn\u2019t say to those who have friends, who have died, is: \u201cYou shouldn\u2019t be grieving; you should be joyful.\u201d\u00a0 No; he says: \u201cYou\u2019re going to grieve. Life is going to include grief, but we embrace sorrow with joy.\u201d\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tNow, I think to understand that, we\u2019ve got to understand there is a difference between happiness and joy. You are happy if things are going well; you\u2019re unhappy if things are not going well. But joy and rejoicing are not rooted in circumstances. Joy and rejoicing are rooted in something deeper than that. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>8:00<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tThat\u2019s why we can grieve over circumstances and rejoice; because we trust, by faith, that in the midst of these circumstances, God is at work. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tOur joy is rooted in the gospel\u2014in the knowledge that God knows you, that He loves you, that He has redeemed you\u2014He\u2019s not only rescued from hell, but He has adopted you into His family. He loves you. That news \/ that reality trumps everything else. I\u2019m not saying that joy in the gospel erases pain, but it does put pain and sorrow in context\u2014so: \u201cBe sorrowful; yet, always rejoicing people.\u201d\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tWe\u2019re also to be prayerful people. That\u2019s what verse 17 says: \u201cPray without ceasing.\u201d\u00a0 I don\u2019t think this verse is saying, exclusively, be praying at all times without doing anything else. I think the verse is saying two things. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>9:00<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tFirst of all, it\u2019s saying, \u201cBe constantly aware of the presence of God, and the greatness of God, and your full dependence on Him.\u201d One commentator said, \u201cIt\u2019s to always have God in your spiritual peripheral vision so that you\u2019re always aware of His presence there.\u201d\u00a0 I also think this is saying, \u201cPray without giving up.\u201d\u00a0 I think this verse is telling you that, when you are taking a matter before the Lord\u2014and you don\u2019t see the answer you\u2019re asking for immediately, or in a month, or in a year\u2014don\u2019t just say, \u201cWell, that\u2019s not working.\u201d\u00a0 Pray without ceasing, I think, can mean pray without quitting\u2014you don\u2019t give up. You don\u2019t say, \u201cPraying a decade\u2014isn\u2019t that long enough?\u201d\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tJesus tells the parable of the persistent widow, who keeps knocking on the judge\u2019s door. That parable is designed to say: \u201cKeep knocking. Keep asking. Keep praying. Pray without ceasing.\u00a0 <br>\u00a0\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>10:00<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t\u201cPray continuously.\u201d\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<br>The Scriptures tell us about a man who was in the temple courtyard at the time that Jesus was born. This was shortly after Jesus\u2019 birth, when He was brought to the temple for His purification ceremony\u2014for His dedication\u2014Mary\u2019s purification \/ Jesus\u2019 dedication. They brought the baby into the temple courtyard, and there was man there whose name was Simeon. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tI <em>love<\/em> Simeon. We don\u2019t know exactly how old Simeon was, but there are ancient manuscripts that say Simeon was 113 years old\u2014now, that\u2019s not Scripture\u2014but that\u2019s what the manuscripts say. God had come to Simeon, prior to the birth of Jesus\u2014years before the birth of Jesus. He had given Simeon a promise of great hope. He had confirmed in Simeon\u2019s heart that Simeon would not die until he had seen the Lord\u2019s Messiah.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>11:00<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tAnd so, what did Simeon do?\u00a0 Every day, at 113, he went to the temple; and he prayed. He prayed, and he trusted God for this promise; and he continued to pray. One day, while he\u2019s there, praying, in walks Mary and, with their baby. The Spirit quickens in Simeon\u2019s heart: \u201cThat\u2019s Him.\u201d\u00a0 Simeon goes over and says, \u201cCan I pray a prayer of blessing for this child?\u201d\u00a0 The parents say, \u201cSure.\u201d\u00a0 He takes the baby, and he prays this beautiful prayer\u2014he says, \u201cLord,\u201d\u2014he says, basically\u2014\u201cI can die a happy man now.\u201d\u00a0 He said, \u201cLord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy word.\u201d\u00a0 In the King James, that\u2019s how he said it; okay? But he said, \u201cI can depart happy now, for my eyes have seen Your salvation, a light to enlighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Israel.\u201d \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>12:00<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tHe had seen the fulfillment of his prayer\u2014he prayed without ceasing. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tJoyful, prayerful\u2014what\u2019s the last one?\u2014thankful \/ joyful, prayerful, thankful. We are to be thankful people\u2014interesting\u2014that this is on the list with rejoicing and praying. Some people look at giving thanks as manners \/ being polite. Well, we\u2019re supposed to write thank-you notes \/ we\u2019re supposed to be thankful in that way. They don\u2019t see it as a <em>huge<\/em> grace. Being thankful is kind of one of those things that <em>some<\/em> people do. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tBut I want to draw on the wisdom of two people I really respect here\u2014speaking about the issue of thankfulness. One is Nancy Leigh DeMoss [Wolgemuth], and the other is Jerry Bridges. Nancy has written a book on the subject of thankfulness\u2014a book called <em>Gratitude<\/em>. In it, she says:\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tI think we tend to think of gratitude as an add-on or a second-tier grace, right up there with going to church on Sunday night, or cheerfulness, or hospitality. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>13:00<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tBut she said:\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tWhen I get into this subject, I realize it\u2019s foundational. We are always, always, always debtors. We owe God, and we owe others always. He doesn\u2019t owe us anything.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tThought about that?\u00a0 God doesn\u2019t owe you <em>anything<\/em>. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tYet, God has given us Christ. He\u2019s given us grace; He\u2019s lavished it on us. For us to be anything other than grateful for that,\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tNancy says, \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tit is really, really wicked. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tNow, does that sound like an overstatement to you?\u2014that to not be thankful is <em>wicked<\/em>? I mean, maybe, not polite \/ maybe, not the best way to act; but wicked?\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tWell, Jerry Bridges says: \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tTo fail to be thankful to God is a most grievous sin. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>14:00<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tWhen Paul talks about the moral downfall of mankind in Romans, Chapter 1, he begins with the statement, \u201cAlthough they knew God, they neither glorified Him nor gave thanks to Him.\u201d\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tThe moral downfall has, as its genesis, a failure to be grateful to God and to acknowledge His glory. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tIf a failure to give thanks\u2014\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tThis is Jerry Bridges:\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tIf a failure to give thanks is such a grievous sin, then, it behooves us to cultivate a spirit of thankfulness that permeates our lives. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tNow, the question is: \u201cHow do you do that?\u201d\u00a0 How do you cultivate, in your own heart, an attitude of thankfulness?\u00a0 Well, here\u2019s what Nancy DeMoss [Wolgemuth] said about how she has learned gratitude from watching Joni Eareckson Tada\u2014she says: \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tFor more than 40 years now, she\u2019s been a quadriplegic in a wheelchair with very limited physical capacity. Things that come easily for us\u2014like getting up, getting dressed, feeding ourselves\u2014\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>15:00<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t\u2014she can\u2019t do these things by herself. But anytime anyone is with her, you can\u2019t help but notice she has this effervescent, joyful, hymn-singing, praising thankful spirit. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tNancy says: \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tI was doing an interview with her, and I asked her in the interview: \u201cJoni, I noticed you\u2019re a joyful woman \/ you\u2019re a thankful woman. How do you maintain that spirit with the challenges you have in your life?\u201d\u00a0 She paused a minute; and she said, \u201cYou know, I think over these years, I\u2019ve so disciplined and trained myself to give thanks in all things, that it\u2019s become my reflex reaction.\u201d\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tShe cultivated it as a habit. Nancy says: \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tJoni said a lot of things that day; but I left with this lodged in my heart, and I pondered it after I left. I realized that the reflex reaction in my life was not to give thanks in all things; but to first, whine before I got to a place of gratitude. I usually get there, but what Joni had done was trained her heart to be thankful when the circumstance comes\u2014\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>16:00<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t\u2014to start by giving thanks in all things. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tNancy says: \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tYou realize that the happiness quotient \/ the joy quotient in your life is not determined by whether you are in a wheelchair or not\u2014not by your life circumstances\u2014but by that inner discipline, that choice to do what the Scriptures say and to give thanks in all things. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tShe also said this: \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tI have a friend, who thought one day, as he was brushing his teeth\u2014he was meditating on the verse, \u201cGive thanks in all things.\u201d\u00a0 And he realized that he never stopped to give thanks to the Lord for his healthy teeth. So, he said, \u201cI thought to myself: \u2018If I were only to have tomorrow what I thanked the Lord for today, what would I have tomorrow?\u00a0 If tomorrow\u2019s supply depended on today\u2019s thanksgiving, how much would I have tomorrow?\u2019\u201d\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tJerry Bridges says: \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tThe reason we need to be thankful people is because there is a tendency in a sinful, human heart\u2014even in a regenerated heart\u2014to usurp the credit that rightfully belongs to God. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>17:00<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tAnd by giving thanks, we give the credit back where it\u2019s due. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tSo, when we cultivate a habit of thanksgiving for God\u2019s past blessings, it stirs us to have faith in God for what\u2019s ahead. Thankfulness exercises faith. Thankfulness helps you have faith. And when you cultivate the habit of thanksgiving, you learn how to focus on the blessings you have and cultivates contentment in your life rather than discontentedness for what you don\u2019t have. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tOur lives, as sons and daughters of God, should be characterized by joy, and prayer, and thanksgiving. In fact, if I were going to paraphrase these verses, I would say this: \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tRejoice when there\u2019s reason to rejoice; and when there doesn\u2019t seem to be any reason to rejoice\u2014remember God loves you; He saved you; He\u2019s at work; He\u2019s going to make all things right\u2014and rejoice\u2014\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>18:00<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t\u2014and pray, and pray, and pray, and pray\u2014and never quit, and never give up, and never imagine that God doesn\u2019t hear you \/ that He doesn\u2019t care about what you\u2019re saying. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tPray always and remind yourself, regularly, of just how much you have to be thankful for in life. Then, give thanks to God, who blesses you with every good gift, whether it\u2019s the daily blessings that we tend to take for granted or the extravagant blessings that often come our way. Give thanks for them <em>all<\/em>. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tWhen this is happening in your life\u2014when you are joyful even in the midst of sorrow, when you\u2019re faithful in praying \/ you don\u2019t quit, when you are perpetually thankful\u2014here is what happens: \u201cPeople who see you, who don\u2019t know Jesus, get really confused\/ they get really curious.\u201d \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tJohn Piper has said: \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tNobody is drawn to Christ when good things happen to Christians and Christians say, \u201cWell, praise the Lord!\u201d\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>19:00<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tNobody goes: \u201cOh, wow!\u00a0 They say, \u2018Praise the Lord when good things happen. I want to know more about Jesus.\u2019\u201d\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tBut when circumstances and trials come your way, and you respond with rejoicing, and prayer, and thanksgiving, in the midst of that\u2014not denying the sorrow \/ not denying the pain, but coming back to the bedrock\u2014and people see that in your life\u2014they go: \u201cHow do you do that?\u00a0 Where does that come from?\u00a0 There is something different about you than about me.\u201d\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tBeing joyful, prayerful, thankful is a part of how we put the gospel on display for people around us. And the truth is\u2014it is not natural, because of our fallen nature, for us to rejoice always, or to pray without ceasing, or to give thanks in all things. This takes a supernatural work of the Spirit of God in your life. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>20:00<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tGod has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing; therefore, we ought to, at all times, be joyful, prayerful, grateful men and women. Those things ought to be characteristic of us, as children. That\u2019s His expectation of us. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tSo, how are you doing with this?\u00a0 Good diagnostic here: \u201cIs God perpetually in your spiritual peripheral vision?\u00a0 Are you joyful in the midst of hard things?\u00a0 Are you prayerful?\u00a0 Are you thankful?\u201d\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tI\u2019ve had circumstances this week\u2014it\u2019s been good for me to be in these verses \/ to have this rolling around in my head so that, when I step into hard circumstances that have been painful in my own heart and life\u2014to say, not \u201cThat doesn\u2019t hurt,\u201d\u2014not put on a phony smile and have everybody think you\u2019re okay\u2014but remember: \u201cGod\u2019s doing bigger things. Be joyful, be prayerful, and be thankful.\u201d\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t[Studio]\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>21:00<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Dennis: <\/strong>Okay, Bob; we\u2019ve been listening to you preach. Get off my toes!\u00a0 [Laughter]\u00a0 You\u2019ve been stepping on them, and I don\u2019t appreciate it one bit. On a one-to-ten point scale, you\u2014\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Bob: <\/strong>I had to get stepped on before you got stepped on\u2014just know. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Dennis: <\/strong>Yes; preparing the message\u2014\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Bob: <\/strong>Yes. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Dennis: <\/strong>\u2014no doubt about it. So, on a one-to-ten point scale, how are you doing on giving thanks?\u2014ten being: \u201cI am unequivocally giving thanks. I\u2019m moving on. I\u2019m grateful, like the guy in line at Costco.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Bob: <\/strong>At Costco\u2014why don\u2019t you ask me after the turkey and pecan pie later today? [Laughter]\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Dennis: <\/strong>Is there a chance it\u2019ll be bad?\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Bob: <\/strong>No; no chance it\u2019ll be bad; but I\u2019ll be more grateful then than I am right now. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Dennis: <\/strong>Oh; okay. You know, I\u2019m just thinking\u2014in my own life, I\u2019m a seven or an eight. The reason is\u2014it is kind of how you unpacked it\u2014it\u2019s not that I don\u2019t have some hard things in my life that are very real \/ that don\u2019t sometimes take my breath away\u2014\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>22:00<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t\u2014but I\u2019m really working on, by faith, truly giving thanks to God, and not grousing, and griping, and complaining. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tI think it\u2019s important for all of us to just do what you suggested\u2014have a little diagnostic test on your heart: \u201cHow are you doing on a one-to-ten point scale?\u201d\u00a0 If it\u2019s below a six or a seven, ask God to breathe some fresh joy and thanksgiving into your soul. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Bob: <\/strong>Well, and to remember where the source of being prayerful, and joyful, and thankful comes from. You talked about it earlier\u2014it comes from the fact that we have a relationship with our Heavenly Father, that we\u2019ve been adopted by Him into His family. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tIt occurs to me\u2014we may have some listeners who are tuned in today, and that\u2019s not the case for them. You\u2019re listening to this program; but if you stopped and asked: \u201cAm I a part of the family of God?\u00a0 Has God ever brought me into His family?\u201d you\u2019d have to say, \u201cI don\u2019t know that that\u2019s true for me.\u201d\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>23:00<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Dennis: <\/strong>And if you died right now, would you be confident of where you\u2019d spend eternity?\u00a0 And if you aren\u2019t, then, this is the perfect day, indeed\u2014a day to declare thanksgiving to Almighty God for providing for your redemption \/ for your forgiveness of sins\u2014<em>all<\/em> your sins. That\u2019s what Jesus Christ came to do. We\u2019re about to celebrate His first advent here, as we move toward Christmas. Why not celebrate His advent in your life today by receiving Him and His forgiveness for your sins?\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tRight now, pray a prayer: \u201cLord, be merciful to me, a sinner.\u201d\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Bob: <\/strong>On our website at FamilyLifeToday.com, there\u2019s a link that talks about two ways to live\u2014living a self-directed life versus a God-directed life. I\u2019d encourage listeners\u2014go to FamilyLifeToday.com and find out more about what it means to give your life to Christ and to follow Him as your Lord. Again, our website is FamilyLfieToday.com. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>24:00<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tNow, tomorrow, we want to encourage you to tune in to hear a great story of how God worked through one man\/one family to do a miracle in a little town in Texas called\u2014believe it or not\u2014Possum Trot. We\u2019ll hear about the miracle in Possum Trot tomorrow. I hope you can tune in as we talk to Bishop W.C. Martin. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tI want to thank our engineer today, Keith Lynch, along with our entire broadcast production team. On behalf of our host, Dennis Rainey, I\u2019m Bob Lepine. We will see you back next time for another edition of <em>FamilyLife Today<\/em>. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<em>FamilyLife Today<\/em> is a production of FamilyLife of Little Rock, Arkansas. Help for today. Hope for tomorrow.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tWe are so happy to provide these transcripts to you. However, there is a cost to produce them for our website. If you\u2019ve benefited from the broadcast transcripts, would you consider <a href=\"http:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/donate\">donating today<\/a> to help defray the costs?\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tCopyright <sup>\u00a9<\/sup> 2016 FamilyLife. All rights reserved.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<a href=\"http:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/\">www.FamilyLife.com<\/a>\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t\t1\n\t\t\t\t<\/p>"],"_seopress_titles_title":[""],"_seopress_titles_desc":[""],"_seopress_robots_index":[""],"duration":["00:"],"show_notes":[""],"_thumbnail_id":["294104"],"filesize":["28.21M"],"filesize_raw":["29576311"],"_uag_css_file_name":["uag-css-304266.css"],"_uag_js_file_name":["uag-js-304266.js"],"_uag_page_assets":["a:9:{s:3:\"css\";s:82560:\".wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-e11dbe9f .uagb-container__shape-top svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-e11dbe9f .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-top .uagb-container__shape-fill{fill: rgba(51,51,51,1);}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-e11dbe9f .uagb-container__shape-bottom svg{width: calc( 100% + 1.3px );}.wp-block-uagb-container.uagb-block-e11dbe9f .uagb-container__shape.uagb-container__shape-bottom 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believers, we should be joyful, prayerful, and thankful. Bob Lepine expounds on some biblical directives from 1 Thessalonians 5.","meta_box":{"show_notes":"","transcript_url":"https:\/\/transcript.familylifetoday.com\/fl2016-11-24.pdf","transcript_content":"<strong>Bob: <\/strong>Thanksgiving is a day when all of us ought to be joyful, prayerful, and grateful. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tAnd welcome to <em>FamilyLife Today<\/em>. Thanks for joining us on the Thursday edition, the Thanksgiving Day edition. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tI have to tell you a story as we start here. I was on an airplane recently; and I was talking to a woman, who lives in Connecticut. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>1:00<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tI forget what brought this up; but she said, \u201cDo you have Costco where you live?\u201d\u00a0 I said, \u201cWe don\u2019t, but I know what a Costco is.\u201d\u00a0 She said, \u201cWe have three kids at home.\u201d\u00a0 She said, \u201cSo, Saturdays, we go to Costco a lot.\u201d\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tShe said, \u201cWhenever we go to Costco, my husband always wants to check out in the same line with the same cashier; because, when we get up to him and my husband says, \u2018How are you doing?\u2019 he just looks up at us and he says, \u2018I\u2019m grateful.\u2019\u00a0 My husband will wait in the longest line in Costco just to hear somebody say they are grateful to have a job at Costco.\u201d\u00a0 I thought, \u201cThat\u2019s a good message for us to hear, particularly, on this day.\u201d\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Dennis: <\/strong>All of us need to be around people who are grateful\u2014\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Bob: <\/strong>That\u2019s right. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Dennis: <\/strong>\u2014not people who are griping, or people who are pessimistic or discouraged. We just need to pause and just say, \u201cGod, I want You to know I\u2019m grateful.\u201d \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>2:00<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tYou\u2019re going to hear an encouraging message today that will cause you to pause and be grateful. It\u2019s our co-host, Bob Lepine, speaking at a church, here locally, encouraging folks just to give thanks in all things. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Bob: <\/strong>Well, that\u2019s what the Bible tells us to do. This is from 1 Thessalonians, Chapter 5, verses 16 to 18. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t[Recorded Message]\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Bob: <\/strong>When we look at the verses that we\u2019re going to look at this morning\u2014verses 16, 17, and 18 of 1 Thessalonians, Chapter 5\u2014these verses ought to be true about us, individually; but they\u2019re true, as well, for how we, as a body, should be responding to challenging circumstances that we\u2019re going to face. What it tells us is that our lives ought to be characterized by joy, by prayer, and by thankfulness. To put it another way, we ought to be people who are joyful, prayerful, and thankful. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>3:00<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tThat\u2019s pretty simple. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tFirst Thessalonians, Chapter 5, beginning\u2014we\u2019ll begin at verse 11: \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tTherefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you\u2019re doing. We ask you, brothers, to respect those who labor among you and who are over you in the Lord and admonish you, to esteem them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. And we urge you, brothers, admonish the idle, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, and be patient with them all. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tSee that no one repays evil for evil, but always seek to do good to one another and to everyone. Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, and give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>4:00<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tDo not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies, but test everything; hold fast what is good. Abstain from every form of evil. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tNow, let me say just a word about this entire section of Scripture that we just read through before we get to the verses we want to focus on. If you\u2019ve read this carefully, you noticed there are 18 staccato instructions in this. I mean, it\u2019s just a checklist of \u201cDo this; do this; do this.\u201d\u00a0 Some of you read that and: \u201cNow, wait. I was told that Christianity is not a bunch of do\u2019s and don\u2019ts \/ it\u2019s not a list of instructions; it is a relationship with Christ.\u201d\u00a0 And that\u2019s true. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tIt\u2019s not the dos and don\u2019ts that make up our faith; but in the context of the relationship, there are some dos and don\u2019ts. Listen to the way that Ligon Duncan, who is a pastor in Jackson, Mississippi\u2014\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>5:00<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t\u2014listen to how he explains it\u2014he says:\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tChristianity is a message about what God has done for us in Christ, not about what we do to make ourselves right with Him, but about what He has already done to forgive us, and accept us, and to welcome us into His family. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tThat\u2019s the message of Christianity. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tBut it\u2019s not true that there are no commands in the Christian life\u2014that there are no dos and don\u2019ts to observe. When we find dos and don\u2019ts in the New Testament, it\u2019s not, \u201cDo this\u2026\u201d or \u201cDon\u2019t do that; and then, God will love you, and forgive you, and accept you; because you\u2019ve done this or not done that.\u201d\u00a0 No; it\u2019s actually the other way around: \u201cBecause God has loved, and forgiven, and saved you; therefore, do this and don\u2019t do that.\u201d\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<br>We\u2019re not saved by our doing or don\u2019t-ing. We\u2019re saved <em>to<\/em> a life of holiness, out of our rebellion against God and against His will. Ligon Duncan concludes by saying: \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tGod saves us in order for us to be what He made us to be. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>6:00<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tThese dos and don\u2019ts cease to be oppressive things that hang over our heads, condemning us. These are not rules that we look at and go: \u201cUh-oh. I\u2019m scared. If I don\u2019t behave, God\u2019s going to whack me.\u2019\u201d\u00a0 He says, \u201cThese serve as guides\/as standards for living the life that God has called us to live.\u201d\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tAnd I would say: \u201cMore than guides \/ more than standards\u2014they are <em>directives<\/em>. These are not, as he said, suggestions or good ideas.\u201d\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tSo, now, you look at verses 16, 17, and 18, which is: \u201cjoyful, prayerful, and thankful.\u201d\u00a0 You look at those three verses, and you see God directing us to a life of joy, and prayer, and gratitude, <em>even<\/em> in the midst of difficult circumstances. That\u2019s why you see words like \u201calways,\u201d \u201cwithout ceasing,\u201d \u201cin everything\u201d; because He\u2019s saying that we are, in good times or hard times, to respond to the circumstances of life with a confident joy, with regular prayer, and with an ongoing attitude of gratitude for the everyday blessings of life. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>7:00<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tDoes \u201crejoice always\u201d mean never weep about anything?\u00a0 Look back at verse 13\u2014Chapter 4, verse 13\u2014Paul says to the Thessalonians, who had friends who have died: \u201cI don\u2019t want you to grieve as those who have no hope.\u201d\u00a0 Now, what he doesn\u2019t say to those who have friends, who have died, is: \u201cYou shouldn\u2019t be grieving; you should be joyful.\u201d\u00a0 No; he says: \u201cYou\u2019re going to grieve. Life is going to include grief, but we embrace sorrow with joy.\u201d\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tNow, I think to understand that, we\u2019ve got to understand there is a difference between happiness and joy. You are happy if things are going well; you\u2019re unhappy if things are not going well. But joy and rejoicing are not rooted in circumstances. Joy and rejoicing are rooted in something deeper than that. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>8:00<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tThat\u2019s why we can grieve over circumstances and rejoice; because we trust, by faith, that in the midst of these circumstances, God is at work. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tOur joy is rooted in the gospel\u2014in the knowledge that God knows you, that He loves you, that He has redeemed you\u2014He\u2019s not only rescued from hell, but He has adopted you into His family. He loves you. That news \/ that reality trumps everything else. I\u2019m not saying that joy in the gospel erases pain, but it does put pain and sorrow in context\u2014so: \u201cBe sorrowful; yet, always rejoicing people.\u201d\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tWe\u2019re also to be prayerful people. That\u2019s what verse 17 says: \u201cPray without ceasing.\u201d\u00a0 I don\u2019t think this verse is saying, exclusively, be praying at all times without doing anything else. I think the verse is saying two things. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>9:00<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tFirst of all, it\u2019s saying, \u201cBe constantly aware of the presence of God, and the greatness of God, and your full dependence on Him.\u201d One commentator said, \u201cIt\u2019s to always have God in your spiritual peripheral vision so that you\u2019re always aware of His presence there.\u201d\u00a0 I also think this is saying, \u201cPray without giving up.\u201d\u00a0 I think this verse is telling you that, when you are taking a matter before the Lord\u2014and you don\u2019t see the answer you\u2019re asking for immediately, or in a month, or in a year\u2014don\u2019t just say, \u201cWell, that\u2019s not working.\u201d\u00a0 Pray without ceasing, I think, can mean pray without quitting\u2014you don\u2019t give up. You don\u2019t say, \u201cPraying a decade\u2014isn\u2019t that long enough?\u201d\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tJesus tells the parable of the persistent widow, who keeps knocking on the judge\u2019s door. That parable is designed to say: \u201cKeep knocking. Keep asking. Keep praying. Pray without ceasing.\u00a0 <br>\u00a0\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>10:00<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t\u201cPray continuously.\u201d\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<br>The Scriptures tell us about a man who was in the temple courtyard at the time that Jesus was born. This was shortly after Jesus\u2019 birth, when He was brought to the temple for His purification ceremony\u2014for His dedication\u2014Mary\u2019s purification \/ Jesus\u2019 dedication. They brought the baby into the temple courtyard, and there was man there whose name was Simeon. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tI <em>love<\/em> Simeon. We don\u2019t know exactly how old Simeon was, but there are ancient manuscripts that say Simeon was 113 years old\u2014now, that\u2019s not Scripture\u2014but that\u2019s what the manuscripts say. God had come to Simeon, prior to the birth of Jesus\u2014years before the birth of Jesus. He had given Simeon a promise of great hope. He had confirmed in Simeon\u2019s heart that Simeon would not die until he had seen the Lord\u2019s Messiah.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>11:00<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tAnd so, what did Simeon do?\u00a0 Every day, at 113, he went to the temple; and he prayed. He prayed, and he trusted God for this promise; and he continued to pray. One day, while he\u2019s there, praying, in walks Mary and, with their baby. The Spirit quickens in Simeon\u2019s heart: \u201cThat\u2019s Him.\u201d\u00a0 Simeon goes over and says, \u201cCan I pray a prayer of blessing for this child?\u201d\u00a0 The parents say, \u201cSure.\u201d\u00a0 He takes the baby, and he prays this beautiful prayer\u2014he says, \u201cLord,\u201d\u2014he says, basically\u2014\u201cI can die a happy man now.\u201d\u00a0 He said, \u201cLord, now lettest Thou Thy servant depart in peace, according to Thy word.\u201d\u00a0 In the King James, that\u2019s how he said it; okay? But he said, \u201cI can depart happy now, for my eyes have seen Your salvation, a light to enlighten the Gentiles, and the glory of Israel.\u201d \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>12:00<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tHe had seen the fulfillment of his prayer\u2014he prayed without ceasing. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tJoyful, prayerful\u2014what\u2019s the last one?\u2014thankful \/ joyful, prayerful, thankful. We are to be thankful people\u2014interesting\u2014that this is on the list with rejoicing and praying. Some people look at giving thanks as manners \/ being polite. Well, we\u2019re supposed to write thank-you notes \/ we\u2019re supposed to be thankful in that way. They don\u2019t see it as a <em>huge<\/em> grace. Being thankful is kind of one of those things that <em>some<\/em> people do. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tBut I want to draw on the wisdom of two people I really respect here\u2014speaking about the issue of thankfulness. One is Nancy Leigh DeMoss [Wolgemuth], and the other is Jerry Bridges. Nancy has written a book on the subject of thankfulness\u2014a book called <em>Gratitude<\/em>. In it, she says:\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tI think we tend to think of gratitude as an add-on or a second-tier grace, right up there with going to church on Sunday night, or cheerfulness, or hospitality. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>13:00<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tBut she said:\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tWhen I get into this subject, I realize it\u2019s foundational. We are always, always, always debtors. We owe God, and we owe others always. He doesn\u2019t owe us anything.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tThought about that?\u00a0 God doesn\u2019t owe you <em>anything<\/em>. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tYet, God has given us Christ. He\u2019s given us grace; He\u2019s lavished it on us. For us to be anything other than grateful for that,\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tNancy says, \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tit is really, really wicked. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tNow, does that sound like an overstatement to you?\u2014that to not be thankful is <em>wicked<\/em>? I mean, maybe, not polite \/ maybe, not the best way to act; but wicked?\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tWell, Jerry Bridges says: \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tTo fail to be thankful to God is a most grievous sin. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>14:00<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tWhen Paul talks about the moral downfall of mankind in Romans, Chapter 1, he begins with the statement, \u201cAlthough they knew God, they neither glorified Him nor gave thanks to Him.\u201d\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tThe moral downfall has, as its genesis, a failure to be grateful to God and to acknowledge His glory. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tIf a failure to give thanks\u2014\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tThis is Jerry Bridges:\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tIf a failure to give thanks is such a grievous sin, then, it behooves us to cultivate a spirit of thankfulness that permeates our lives. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tNow, the question is: \u201cHow do you do that?\u201d\u00a0 How do you cultivate, in your own heart, an attitude of thankfulness?\u00a0 Well, here\u2019s what Nancy DeMoss [Wolgemuth] said about how she has learned gratitude from watching Joni Eareckson Tada\u2014she says: \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tFor more than 40 years now, she\u2019s been a quadriplegic in a wheelchair with very limited physical capacity. Things that come easily for us\u2014like getting up, getting dressed, feeding ourselves\u2014\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>15:00<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t\u2014she can\u2019t do these things by herself. But anytime anyone is with her, you can\u2019t help but notice she has this effervescent, joyful, hymn-singing, praising thankful spirit. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tNancy says: \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tI was doing an interview with her, and I asked her in the interview: \u201cJoni, I noticed you\u2019re a joyful woman \/ you\u2019re a thankful woman. How do you maintain that spirit with the challenges you have in your life?\u201d\u00a0 She paused a minute; and she said, \u201cYou know, I think over these years, I\u2019ve so disciplined and trained myself to give thanks in all things, that it\u2019s become my reflex reaction.\u201d\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tShe cultivated it as a habit. Nancy says: \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tJoni said a lot of things that day; but I left with this lodged in my heart, and I pondered it after I left. I realized that the reflex reaction in my life was not to give thanks in all things; but to first, whine before I got to a place of gratitude. I usually get there, but what Joni had done was trained her heart to be thankful when the circumstance comes\u2014\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>16:00<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t\u2014to start by giving thanks in all things. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tNancy says: \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tYou realize that the happiness quotient \/ the joy quotient in your life is not determined by whether you are in a wheelchair or not\u2014not by your life circumstances\u2014but by that inner discipline, that choice to do what the Scriptures say and to give thanks in all things. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tShe also said this: \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tI have a friend, who thought one day, as he was brushing his teeth\u2014he was meditating on the verse, \u201cGive thanks in all things.\u201d\u00a0 And he realized that he never stopped to give thanks to the Lord for his healthy teeth. So, he said, \u201cI thought to myself: \u2018If I were only to have tomorrow what I thanked the Lord for today, what would I have tomorrow?\u00a0 If tomorrow\u2019s supply depended on today\u2019s thanksgiving, how much would I have tomorrow?\u2019\u201d\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tJerry Bridges says: \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tThe reason we need to be thankful people is because there is a tendency in a sinful, human heart\u2014even in a regenerated heart\u2014to usurp the credit that rightfully belongs to God. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>17:00<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tAnd by giving thanks, we give the credit back where it\u2019s due. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tSo, when we cultivate a habit of thanksgiving for God\u2019s past blessings, it stirs us to have faith in God for what\u2019s ahead. Thankfulness exercises faith. Thankfulness helps you have faith. And when you cultivate the habit of thanksgiving, you learn how to focus on the blessings you have and cultivates contentment in your life rather than discontentedness for what you don\u2019t have. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tOur lives, as sons and daughters of God, should be characterized by joy, and prayer, and thanksgiving. In fact, if I were going to paraphrase these verses, I would say this: \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tRejoice when there\u2019s reason to rejoice; and when there doesn\u2019t seem to be any reason to rejoice\u2014remember God loves you; He saved you; He\u2019s at work; He\u2019s going to make all things right\u2014and rejoice\u2014\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>18:00<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t\u2014and pray, and pray, and pray, and pray\u2014and never quit, and never give up, and never imagine that God doesn\u2019t hear you \/ that He doesn\u2019t care about what you\u2019re saying. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tPray always and remind yourself, regularly, of just how much you have to be thankful for in life. Then, give thanks to God, who blesses you with every good gift, whether it\u2019s the daily blessings that we tend to take for granted or the extravagant blessings that often come our way. Give thanks for them <em>all<\/em>. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tWhen this is happening in your life\u2014when you are joyful even in the midst of sorrow, when you\u2019re faithful in praying \/ you don\u2019t quit, when you are perpetually thankful\u2014here is what happens: \u201cPeople who see you, who don\u2019t know Jesus, get really confused\/ they get really curious.\u201d \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tJohn Piper has said: \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tNobody is drawn to Christ when good things happen to Christians and Christians say, \u201cWell, praise the Lord!\u201d\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>19:00<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tNobody goes: \u201cOh, wow!\u00a0 They say, \u2018Praise the Lord when good things happen. I want to know more about Jesus.\u2019\u201d\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tBut when circumstances and trials come your way, and you respond with rejoicing, and prayer, and thanksgiving, in the midst of that\u2014not denying the sorrow \/ not denying the pain, but coming back to the bedrock\u2014and people see that in your life\u2014they go: \u201cHow do you do that?\u00a0 Where does that come from?\u00a0 There is something different about you than about me.\u201d\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tBeing joyful, prayerful, thankful is a part of how we put the gospel on display for people around us. And the truth is\u2014it is not natural, because of our fallen nature, for us to rejoice always, or to pray without ceasing, or to give thanks in all things. This takes a supernatural work of the Spirit of God in your life. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>20:00<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tGod has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing; therefore, we ought to, at all times, be joyful, prayerful, grateful men and women. Those things ought to be characteristic of us, as children. That\u2019s His expectation of us. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tSo, how are you doing with this?\u00a0 Good diagnostic here: \u201cIs God perpetually in your spiritual peripheral vision?\u00a0 Are you joyful in the midst of hard things?\u00a0 Are you prayerful?\u00a0 Are you thankful?\u201d\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tI\u2019ve had circumstances this week\u2014it\u2019s been good for me to be in these verses \/ to have this rolling around in my head so that, when I step into hard circumstances that have been painful in my own heart and life\u2014to say, not \u201cThat doesn\u2019t hurt,\u201d\u2014not put on a phony smile and have everybody think you\u2019re okay\u2014but remember: \u201cGod\u2019s doing bigger things. Be joyful, be prayerful, and be thankful.\u201d\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t[Studio]\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>21:00<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Dennis: <\/strong>Okay, Bob; we\u2019ve been listening to you preach. Get off my toes!\u00a0 [Laughter]\u00a0 You\u2019ve been stepping on them, and I don\u2019t appreciate it one bit. On a one-to-ten point scale, you\u2014\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Bob: <\/strong>I had to get stepped on before you got stepped on\u2014just know. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Dennis: <\/strong>Yes; preparing the message\u2014\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Bob: <\/strong>Yes. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Dennis: <\/strong>\u2014no doubt about it. So, on a one-to-ten point scale, how are you doing on giving thanks?\u2014ten being: \u201cI am unequivocally giving thanks. I\u2019m moving on. I\u2019m grateful, like the guy in line at Costco.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Bob: <\/strong>At Costco\u2014why don\u2019t you ask me after the turkey and pecan pie later today? [Laughter]\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Dennis: <\/strong>Is there a chance it\u2019ll be bad?\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Bob: <\/strong>No; no chance it\u2019ll be bad; but I\u2019ll be more grateful then than I am right now. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Dennis: <\/strong>Oh; okay. You know, I\u2019m just thinking\u2014in my own life, I\u2019m a seven or an eight. The reason is\u2014it is kind of how you unpacked it\u2014it\u2019s not that I don\u2019t have some hard things in my life that are very real \/ that don\u2019t sometimes take my breath away\u2014\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>22:00<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t\u2014but I\u2019m really working on, by faith, truly giving thanks to God, and not grousing, and griping, and complaining. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tI think it\u2019s important for all of us to just do what you suggested\u2014have a little diagnostic test on your heart: \u201cHow are you doing on a one-to-ten point scale?\u201d\u00a0 If it\u2019s below a six or a seven, ask God to breathe some fresh joy and thanksgiving into your soul. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Bob: <\/strong>Well, and to remember where the source of being prayerful, and joyful, and thankful comes from. You talked about it earlier\u2014it comes from the fact that we have a relationship with our Heavenly Father, that we\u2019ve been adopted by Him into His family. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tIt occurs to me\u2014we may have some listeners who are tuned in today, and that\u2019s not the case for them. You\u2019re listening to this program; but if you stopped and asked: \u201cAm I a part of the family of God?\u00a0 Has God ever brought me into His family?\u201d you\u2019d have to say, \u201cI don\u2019t know that that\u2019s true for me.\u201d\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>23:00<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Dennis: <\/strong>And if you died right now, would you be confident of where you\u2019d spend eternity?\u00a0 And if you aren\u2019t, then, this is the perfect day, indeed\u2014a day to declare thanksgiving to Almighty God for providing for your redemption \/ for your forgiveness of sins\u2014<em>all<\/em> your sins. That\u2019s what Jesus Christ came to do. We\u2019re about to celebrate His first advent here, as we move toward Christmas. Why not celebrate His advent in your life today by receiving Him and His forgiveness for your sins?\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tRight now, pray a prayer: \u201cLord, be merciful to me, a sinner.\u201d\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>Bob: <\/strong>On our website at FamilyLifeToday.com, there\u2019s a link that talks about two ways to live\u2014living a self-directed life versus a God-directed life. I\u2019d encourage listeners\u2014go to FamilyLifeToday.com and find out more about what it means to give your life to Christ and to follow Him as your Lord. Again, our website is FamilyLfieToday.com. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>24:00<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tNow, tomorrow, we want to encourage you to tune in to hear a great story of how God worked through one man\/one family to do a miracle in a little town in Texas called\u2014believe it or not\u2014Possum Trot. We\u2019ll hear about the miracle in Possum Trot tomorrow. I hope you can tune in as we talk to Bishop W.C. Martin. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tI want to thank our engineer today, Keith Lynch, along with our entire broadcast production team. On behalf of our host, Dennis Rainey, I\u2019m Bob Lepine. We will see you back next time for another edition of <em>FamilyLife Today<\/em>. \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<em>FamilyLife Today<\/em> is a production of FamilyLife of Little Rock, Arkansas. Help for today. Hope for tomorrow.\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\t<strong>\u00a0<\/strong>\n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tWe are so happy to provide these transcripts to you. However, there is a cost to produce them for our website. If you\u2019ve benefited from the broadcast transcripts, would you consider <a href=\"http:\/\/wp-stage.familylife.com\/www\/donate\">donating today<\/a> to help defray the costs?\u00a0 \n\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t<p>\n\t\t\t\tCopyright <sup>\u00a9<\/sup> 2016 FamilyLife. 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