GRATITUDE Programming

The Challenge… Programming

Review  The point of the blessing is not the blessing- it's a closer relationship with the Blesser  It's not about how much God has done for me, but recognizing that it all comes from him Programming

An attitude of gratefulness:  Pleases God- closer relationship  Remembers all he has done- strengthens our faith Programming Review

An attitude of gratefulness:  Recognizes God as the Source- kills pride  Moves us into worship- deeper connection daily  Gives great joy and is a witness to the reality of our faith Programming Review

Scariest Movie Ever? Programming

A Battle Exists for our Thoughts and Affections:  Actions begin with thoughts  Temptations and praises both begin with affections Programming

A Battle Exists for our Thoughts and Affections: 3 Enemies…  World  Flesh  Devil Programming

“What comes out of a person is what defiles them. For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come- sexual immorality, theft, murder… Programming

“…adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly. All these evils come from inside and defile a person”-Jesus, Mark 7:20-23 Programming

Actions- both good and evil- come from thoughts Therefore, behavior modification is never the goal Programming

3 Enemies:  World  Flesh  Devil Programming

Humble yourselves…under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you… Humility…anxiety= heart attitudes Programming

Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour - 1 Peter 5:6-8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour - 1 Peter 5:6-8 Context: Persecution Programming

The enemy's strategies for attack involve:  Pride  Anxiety  Inattention  Not understanding the battle/ not taking it seriously Programming

Engages the flesh and the enemy  If I give way to pride and anxiety, I give the enemy room to influence me Programming

Behavior born out of pride and anxiety never lead to godliness Behavior born out of humility and faith in God never fail to keep our hearts safe Programming

The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons - 1 Timothy 4:1 Programming

 False teaching has it's root in that which is evil Programming

 What we believe affects how we behave. If the enemy can get us to believe lies, he can change how we live Programming

 Pretty good person= entitlement  Jesus was a good teacher= morals without transformation Programming

Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men" - Matthew 16:23 Programming

"Satan…have in mind the things of men" When my agendas include God's plans as a priority, I keep myself from enemy territory Programming

3 Enemies  World  Flesh  Devil Flesh= fallen and subject to influence of devil and world Programming

…each one is tempted when, by his own evil desire, he is dragged away and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death - James 1:14 Programming

Change temptation= change desires Programming

Do your best to come to me quickly, for Demas, because he loved this world, has deserted me and has gone to Thessalonica - 2 Timothy 4:0-10 Programming

Engages: the flesh (affections) and the pull of the world One of the primary ways to deal with temptation is to cultivate the right affections Programming

Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them… Programming

For everything in the world- the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life- comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever - 1 John 2:15-17 Programming

The influence of the world system always leads away from what God wants for us  Who are my advisors?  What do I really believe about God? Programming

3 Enemies  World  Flesh  Devil Programming

The Choice: Programming

Those who live according to the flesh have their minds set on what the flesh desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit have their minds set on what the Spirit desires… Programming

The mind governed by the flesh is death, but the mind governed by the Spirit is life and peace - Romans 8:5-6 Programming

If I want to make a change in my life, I first have to change what I "set my mind" on Programming

New Year's resolutions rarely work. New Life resolutions begin with a change of focus and desire Programming

Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. Programming

For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Programming

Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Programming

…And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him- Col. 3:1-5,17 Programming

As I set my heart on the Kingdom ways, I continually crucify that which is opposed to the things of God Set your heart…set your mind…in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks Programming

How? Programming

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy- think about such things. Programming

Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me- put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you- Philippians 4:8-9 Programming

Where do I get those things? Programming

 Word  Prayer  Fellowship  Worship Programming

…Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word- Ephesians 5:26  Word Programming

The Word of God illuminates and washes us from the thoughts and affections of the world, the flesh and the Enemy Programming

"Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done"- Luke 22:42  In prayer, Christ made his affections the Father's affections Programming

Big Rock Programming

But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness - Hebrews 3:13 One of the purposes of church fellowship= encouragement Programming

…Speaking to one another with psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit. Sing and make music from your heart to the Lord, always giving thanks to God the Father for everything, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ- Eph. 5:19-20 Programming

 We encourage by directing focus to God in worship Programming

We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ- 1 Cor. 10:5 Programming

Bought to Set Free 1800's California, New Orleans Programming