WEBVTT 00:00:00.000 --> 00:00:05.339 So, really today I want to talk about a secret ingredient, this next message. 00:00:05.560 --> 00:00:11.759 And so, in my family, a little bit more personal information, I'm actually one of four. 00:00:12.160 --> 00:00:16.339 I'm the oldest of four siblings, that's me and my sister, and then I have a brother and 00:00:16.339 --> 00:00:17.260 then I have another sister. 00:00:18.039 --> 00:00:22.859 And in the family, I'm the smallest and the shortest of the lot, they're all these giants 00:00:22.859 --> 00:00:23.359 over me. 00:00:24.019 --> 00:00:26.980 And they always used to call me the runt of the litter. 00:00:27.660 --> 00:00:29.640 So you know what the runt is actually. 00:00:29.640 --> 00:00:33.100 You know when a dog has a whole bunch of babies, the last one's always called the runt. 00:00:33.679 --> 00:00:36.960 But you know what, the runt's always the best dog, is what I say. 00:00:37.259 --> 00:00:40.320 So I always tell my family, you can call me the runt, but I'm the best dog. 00:00:40.679 --> 00:00:42.939 And it's the truth, I am the best dog, okay. 00:00:43.840 --> 00:00:49.400 So when I met my husband, my mother used to say this to him, he used to say, Sean, I feel 00:00:49.400 --> 00:00:50.299 so sorry for you. 00:00:50.880 --> 00:00:52.939 He says, this woman can't cook to save her life. 00:00:53.420 --> 00:00:54.340 This is what my mother used to do. 00:00:54.359 --> 00:00:57.560 I mean, you know, never mind trying to get rid of me, you know, like, yeah, she can cook, 00:00:57.679 --> 00:00:58.280 please take her. 00:00:58.280 --> 00:00:59.520 No, she can't cook. 00:00:59.679 --> 00:01:00.780 You're going to be really hungry. 00:01:01.320 --> 00:01:02.840 And I was, like, really offended, you know. 00:01:02.880 --> 00:01:05.180 I'm like, you know, what do they think I am? 00:01:05.180 --> 00:01:05.840 I can cook. 00:01:06.359 --> 00:01:09.439 Because I have my second sister, the one that I'm actually, her and I are like best friends. 00:01:09.540 --> 00:01:10.620 We've just been all our lives. 00:01:10.960 --> 00:01:12.379 They used to think we were twins, actually. 00:01:12.480 --> 00:01:14.280 When we used to go out in the shop, oh, you do twins. 00:01:14.359 --> 00:01:15.480 I mean, that's how close we are. 00:01:15.819 --> 00:01:17.159 We actually look really similar, too. 00:01:17.159 --> 00:01:20.920 And she went to become a home economics teacher in South Africa. 00:01:21.299 --> 00:01:22.519 So she can cook. 00:01:23.039 --> 00:01:24.319 She runs a hotel school. 00:01:24.640 --> 00:01:25.340 She can cook. 00:01:25.439 --> 00:01:29.000 So I mean, she used to always make all these fancy meals at home. 00:01:29.219 --> 00:01:31.599 And everyone used to rave about Tandy's cooking. 00:01:31.759 --> 00:01:33.060 And Tandy, Tandy, Tandy. 00:01:33.439 --> 00:01:36.259 And of course, when it came to me, I didn't get much chance, you see. 00:01:36.500 --> 00:01:37.500 So I couldn't cook. 00:01:38.359 --> 00:01:39.879 Anyway, so I thought, oh, well. 00:01:40.140 --> 00:01:41.060 So Sean says, that's okay. 00:01:41.120 --> 00:01:42.180 I don't love her for her cooking. 00:01:42.260 --> 00:01:43.060 I love her for her. 00:01:43.379 --> 00:01:44.599 Thank you, Lord, for a great man. 00:01:45.120 --> 00:01:47.879 Anyway, so now I've been married for nearly 30 years. 00:01:48.700 --> 00:01:49.900 And let me tell you something. 00:01:50.079 --> 00:01:53.420 I'm now the one that they phone and ask for recipes. 00:01:55.000 --> 00:01:58.620 And then they'll take the recipes that I make, because they've had my food. 00:01:58.920 --> 00:02:02.159 Then they'll phone me and they'll say, how do you make that pasta dish? 00:02:02.620 --> 00:02:03.579 Then I'll tell them. 00:02:03.920 --> 00:02:07.480 Then they eat it and they'll say to me, but it doesn't taste the same. 00:02:07.500 --> 00:02:13.419 So I thought, you know, God has an amazing way of turning things around, doesn't he? 00:02:13.759 --> 00:02:15.319 The one that doesn't have a cooking degree. 00:02:15.419 --> 00:02:17.800 He hasn't got a clue how to cook, apparently, according to my mom. 00:02:18.120 --> 00:02:21.319 Even my sister calls me and says, please send me that recipe. 00:02:21.439 --> 00:02:22.819 I really like what you made. 00:02:23.180 --> 00:02:25.659 And most of the stuff I cook, I make up anyway off the flyer. 00:02:25.699 --> 00:02:26.659 That's how I cook, you know. 00:02:27.300 --> 00:02:30.560 Anyway, so I wanted to tell you that, because sometimes there's a scripture. 00:02:31.939 --> 00:02:36.280 And when I was reading this particular scripture, it just jumped out at me. 00:02:36.280 --> 00:02:38.280 And I thought, you know, here we are today. 00:02:38.379 --> 00:02:41.419 We're talking about casting our cares, because we have them. 00:02:41.479 --> 00:02:44.080 And we're talking about a God who loves us, because he does. 00:02:44.539 --> 00:02:50.379 But then, you know, there's something else sometimes that we just need to add into the dynamic of this whole relationship. 00:02:51.319 --> 00:02:54.180 And this is kind of the secret ingredient. 00:02:54.180 --> 00:03:03.180 So when I began to do a bit of research, according to the data that's released by Amazon on the most highlighted passage in Kindle and e-books, 00:03:03.439 --> 00:03:09.140 the most popular passage from the Bible is the one on reducing anxiety and finding trust in God. 00:03:10.319 --> 00:03:11.580 Oh, that was very fascinating. 00:03:12.159 --> 00:03:14.020 And that just kind of settles the case today. 00:03:14.100 --> 00:03:14.939 I'm like, yeah, you know what? 00:03:14.960 --> 00:03:15.480 We're all there. 00:03:15.540 --> 00:03:16.620 We all experience things. 00:03:16.939 --> 00:03:18.600 And you want to know what that scripture is? 00:03:18.599 --> 00:03:24.719 Well, let's all turn together to Philippians chapter 4 and verse 6 and 7. 00:03:25.159 --> 00:03:26.400 And this is what it says. 00:03:26.479 --> 00:03:26.780 It says, 00:03:26.780 --> 00:03:49.259 Isn't that amazing? 00:03:49.259 --> 00:03:57.719 So what does that tell us today? 00:03:58.139 --> 00:04:00.379 Everybody is looking for a solution. 00:04:01.259 --> 00:04:05.599 Everybody is looking to a place or to someone that can help them. 00:04:05.599 --> 00:04:12.799 So when I was reading this scripture, and obviously the context of the Philippians is Paul was in prison. 00:04:14.219 --> 00:04:20.899 And actually, Philippi was a really difficult place for Paul because Paul was imprisoned there. 00:04:21.000 --> 00:04:21.860 He was beaten there. 00:04:21.939 --> 00:04:24.300 In fact, at one point, the elders even asked him to leave. 00:04:24.699 --> 00:04:27.279 So Philippi wasn't his most favorite city in the whole world. 00:04:27.680 --> 00:04:34.540 But the whole book of Philippians, when you read it, is based about joy, finding joy in God. 00:04:34.540 --> 00:04:37.160 In fact, in Philippians chapter 1 and verse 5, he says, 00:04:37.260 --> 00:04:39.860 And every time I think of you, I give thanks. 00:04:40.200 --> 00:04:45.379 And that must be really tough for Paul, considering they beat him, they put him in prison, they chucked him out the city. 00:04:45.460 --> 00:04:49.800 But when he speaks to them, he says, I give thanks to God for you. 00:04:50.439 --> 00:04:52.520 So here Paul is writing to these Philippians. 00:04:52.620 --> 00:04:54.160 They're not a very wealthy church either. 00:04:54.560 --> 00:04:58.640 And yet, sacrificially, they have given over and above to support Paul's ministry. 00:04:59.780 --> 00:05:01.980 And so he's writing to them, and he's saying to them, 00:05:01.980 --> 00:05:05.500 Listen, don't be anxious about the persecution and things that are going on. 00:05:05.819 --> 00:05:13.660 But continue to pray and bring your supplications, which is kind of what we saw Hannah doing in the previous text in 1 Samuel. 00:05:13.939 --> 00:05:19.600 She came and her supplication was that place of desperation of casting her things before the Lord. 00:05:20.020 --> 00:05:21.200 And he's saying, do that. 00:05:21.500 --> 00:05:23.920 And then suddenly, there's like a comma. 00:05:24.660 --> 00:05:26.840 And he says, with thanksgiving, comma. 00:05:26.839 --> 00:05:30.939 So now when you're reading that, you can almost kind of just gloss over that really quickly. 00:05:31.179 --> 00:05:32.699 Because you know what we want to get to? 00:05:32.899 --> 00:05:34.579 Let your request be made unto the Lord. 00:05:34.739 --> 00:05:37.739 And the peace of God, which surpasses all our, oh, I want the peace of God. 00:05:38.519 --> 00:05:44.399 But I kind of felt the Lord say to me, but Michelle, that with thanksgiving is like a little secret ingredient. 00:05:45.819 --> 00:05:48.519 It's almost like thrown in there, almost like an afterthought. 00:05:48.919 --> 00:05:53.159 It's like when you're cooking a really nice bolognese dish, you just chuck that extra little bit of herbs in it. 00:05:53.160 --> 00:05:55.680 And it'll be the best dish you've ever made. 00:05:55.760 --> 00:05:56.720 And so we say, how did you make that? 00:05:56.760 --> 00:05:57.540 Well, I know, it's what I did. 00:05:57.939 --> 00:05:59.160 But that little extra bit. 00:05:59.900 --> 00:06:01.240 And this is what the Lord showed me. 00:06:01.360 --> 00:06:04.400 He said, this with thanksgiving is our secret ingredient. 00:06:05.360 --> 00:06:06.560 And we need to exercise. 00:06:07.420 --> 00:06:07.700 Okay? 00:06:08.100 --> 00:06:10.040 So let's read this a little bit like this. 00:06:10.060 --> 00:06:11.040 If this was a recipe. 00:06:11.280 --> 00:06:12.360 I mean, who likes cooking here? 00:06:12.620 --> 00:06:13.240 Who likes baking? 00:06:13.760 --> 00:06:14.840 I mean, let's be honest. 00:06:14.840 --> 00:06:16.080 Well, not everybody does. 00:06:16.300 --> 00:06:18.840 But I have learned to love baking and cooking. 00:06:18.960 --> 00:06:19.660 I actually love it now. 00:06:20.160 --> 00:06:21.340 This is one of my favorite hobbies. 00:06:21.899 --> 00:06:26.500 One of my best things to do is to host a tea party or a dinner party and get everyone over to come for a meal. 00:06:26.579 --> 00:06:27.179 I just love that. 00:06:27.219 --> 00:06:27.979 It's my best thing to do. 00:06:28.319 --> 00:06:35.259 Anyway, so if we had to read this verse like a recipe, the first thing we need to do is there must be no anxiety. 00:06:36.179 --> 00:06:38.819 Number one, no anxiety in this recipe. 00:06:39.459 --> 00:06:39.719 Okay? 00:06:40.239 --> 00:06:42.359 Secondly, we need a few cups of prayer. 00:06:45.419 --> 00:06:46.699 A few cups of prayer. 00:06:46.699 --> 00:06:49.079 And maybe a liter of supplication. 00:06:50.800 --> 00:06:54.279 And then as a last measure, add in a little bit of thanksgiving. 00:06:55.159 --> 00:06:59.060 That's a really simple way of looking at a breakdown of that scripture. 00:06:59.579 --> 00:07:04.060 Now, the truth of it is, developing an attitude of gratitude is actually not the easiest thing to do. 00:07:04.500 --> 00:07:05.180 Let's be honest. 00:07:05.579 --> 00:07:10.339 It's really easy to moan and to complain and to find fault in a lot of things. 00:07:10.339 --> 00:07:12.099 It's easier to moan. 00:07:12.159 --> 00:07:13.899 Oh, the weather's so bad. 00:07:14.259 --> 00:07:17.099 I mean, I've lived in this country for 20 years and the weather is bad. 00:07:17.339 --> 00:07:18.000 I'm sorry. 00:07:18.139 --> 00:07:18.779 It's terrible. 00:07:19.159 --> 00:07:20.639 I still can't get used to the cold. 00:07:21.439 --> 00:07:22.620 The weather's so bad. 00:07:22.699 --> 00:07:24.000 Oh, it's gray again today. 00:07:24.159 --> 00:07:25.099 Oh, there's Brexit. 00:07:25.319 --> 00:07:26.239 They're on about Brexit. 00:07:26.399 --> 00:07:26.859 Oh, my goodness. 00:07:27.120 --> 00:07:27.819 There's a new one now. 00:07:27.859 --> 00:07:28.799 Now we've got Mexit. 00:07:29.279 --> 00:07:29.479 You know? 00:07:29.979 --> 00:07:31.139 Oh, on and on. 00:07:31.379 --> 00:07:35.699 You know, there's always something to complain about. 00:07:36.299 --> 00:07:36.599 You know? 00:07:37.180 --> 00:07:38.340 I'm the worst in the car. 00:07:38.580 --> 00:07:38.800 All right? 00:07:38.860 --> 00:07:40.879 The Bible says, confess your faults that you may be healed. 00:07:41.420 --> 00:07:45.180 I get very irritated in the car, especially when I get stuck behind a slow truck. 00:07:46.080 --> 00:07:51.540 I just whinge and complain and I have to watch my salvation at that point because I could get mean. 00:07:52.200 --> 00:07:53.340 I'm just being real here. 00:07:53.500 --> 00:07:54.160 I'm just being real. 00:07:54.680 --> 00:07:57.340 And then one day we were in the car and we pulled up at the robot. 00:07:58.160 --> 00:07:59.580 Sorry, the traffic lights. 00:08:00.180 --> 00:08:02.400 For the South Africans, they'll know the robot. 00:08:02.520 --> 00:08:03.700 Sorry, the traffic lights. 00:08:03.699 --> 00:08:06.599 And I stood there and there was this massive double deck. 00:08:06.779 --> 00:08:10.099 And I thought to myself, I am not getting stuck behind this bus. 00:08:10.519 --> 00:08:12.039 And I had my little one in the back. 00:08:12.779 --> 00:08:16.699 And I revved the engine and I went, as the light went green, I went, rawr! 00:08:16.740 --> 00:08:18.980 And I said, Mr. Bus, eat my dust. 00:08:19.579 --> 00:08:22.779 Well, to this day, my daughter never lets me forget that. 00:08:22.839 --> 00:08:29.240 She says, Mom, you need to submit your foot to Jesus because you still drive too fast at the traffic lights. 00:08:29.240 --> 00:08:31.160 Anyway, but that's my little vice. 00:08:31.259 --> 00:08:34.000 I can't stand driving behind big buses and things. 00:08:34.580 --> 00:08:37.200 So, it's so easy to become disgruntled. 00:08:38.200 --> 00:08:41.940 So, developing an attitude of gratitude is really not very easy. 00:08:42.100 --> 00:08:43.980 We are not, by nature, grateful people. 00:08:45.519 --> 00:08:47.840 You know, when we were born, we were born with this in nature. 00:08:48.019 --> 00:08:51.580 So, you know, your mother had to teach you, say thank you, say please. 00:08:51.940 --> 00:08:53.360 You know, some of us have got children. 00:08:53.519 --> 00:08:54.139 What are you doing? 00:08:54.419 --> 00:08:55.139 Say please. 00:08:55.360 --> 00:08:56.180 Say thank you. 00:08:56.179 --> 00:08:57.399 Now, you've got the grandchildren. 00:08:57.559 --> 00:08:58.059 Say please. 00:08:58.239 --> 00:08:58.659 Say thank you. 00:08:58.699 --> 00:09:01.579 Then you get married and say, say please and say thank you. 00:09:02.199 --> 00:09:02.419 You know? 00:09:02.699 --> 00:09:04.399 That's just the society we live in. 00:09:04.439 --> 00:09:05.639 There's no gratefulness. 00:09:06.779 --> 00:09:10.639 And so, this verse is actually giving us quite a big challenge. 00:09:11.279 --> 00:09:19.000 It's quite a big challenge to come to the Lord with our prayers, with our concerns, but with thanksgiving and to give thanks to God. 00:09:19.079 --> 00:09:22.659 So, this word thanksgiving is an act of giving thanks. 00:09:22.659 --> 00:09:27.779 It's a grateful acknowledgement of the benefits of favors, especially to God. 00:09:28.100 --> 00:09:31.799 An expression of thanks, especially to God. 00:09:32.079 --> 00:09:37.959 A public celebration in acknowledgement of divine favor or kindness. 00:09:38.459 --> 00:09:41.939 A day set apart for giving thanks to God. 00:09:42.399 --> 00:09:46.379 So, at the center of this thanksgiving is firstly, it is an action. 00:09:47.679 --> 00:09:50.919 You know, if I had to stand up here and try and talk with my lips shut, you wouldn't hear anything. 00:09:50.919 --> 00:09:53.240 Hmm, hmm, hmm, hmm. 00:09:53.620 --> 00:09:59.199 So, you see, when we give thanks to God, it requires us to open our mouths and to say thank you. 00:09:59.819 --> 00:10:05.039 To give thanks to God for what He's done in our lives. 00:10:05.839 --> 00:10:10.799 The problem is sometimes I think that we don't actually recognize and we don't see the hand of God. 00:10:10.799 --> 00:10:18.719 We're so busy looking inwardly, so concerned about all our cares, that we don't actually look beyond that realm. 00:10:19.559 --> 00:10:23.419 Remember I said to you in the first session that the cares and anxiety changes our perspective. 00:10:23.859 --> 00:10:30.399 We're so busy, for want of a better way of putting it, looking inwardly, that we don't look outwardly to see what God is doing. 00:10:30.579 --> 00:10:34.299 And to begin to develop that attitude of thankfulness. 00:10:34.299 --> 00:10:41.199 You know, even in modern psychology, I was reading an article in my preparation, have done studies on this whole thing of being thankful. 00:10:41.859 --> 00:10:44.240 And these are some of the points that they've come up with. 00:10:44.339 --> 00:10:47.539 Now, you know, you'll be surprised how similar it sounds to biblical teaching. 00:10:48.059 --> 00:10:59.279 Firstly, they say people that are thankful are happier by reducing depression and anxieties as well as phobias and there was a reduction in addictions. 00:10:59.979 --> 00:11:00.699 Isn't that interesting? 00:11:00.700 --> 00:11:05.100 Another thing is they also have improved relationships. 00:11:07.580 --> 00:11:08.700 Well, that was interesting. 00:11:09.720 --> 00:11:12.660 Thankful people have lower levels of narcissism. 00:11:13.280 --> 00:11:13.720 Wow. 00:11:14.280 --> 00:11:14.960 Big word. 00:11:15.040 --> 00:11:16.920 And that just really means you just love yourself too much. 00:11:17.100 --> 00:11:18.460 It's all about me, myself, and I. 00:11:18.960 --> 00:11:19.680 Isn't that interesting? 00:11:20.259 --> 00:11:21.740 And this is not even a biblical study. 00:11:21.820 --> 00:11:24.140 This is a worldly psychological study. 00:11:24.820 --> 00:11:24.980 Yeah? 00:11:25.200 --> 00:11:27.180 And they are more prone to forgive. 00:11:28.340 --> 00:11:29.340 I found that fascinating. 00:11:30.700 --> 00:11:32.460 They also have enhanced health. 00:11:33.060 --> 00:11:34.000 They sleep better. 00:11:34.400 --> 00:11:35.680 And they perform better. 00:11:37.580 --> 00:11:38.820 Isn't that fascinating? 00:11:39.360 --> 00:11:46.140 And this is a worldly study on someone, on people that have made a daily habit of just being thankful. 00:11:46.139 --> 00:11:55.399 In fact, in this article, he suggested to these people he was dealing with that all they had to do is every day is write down two or three things that they were thankful for every day. 00:11:56.159 --> 00:11:56.939 That's all they did. 00:11:57.299 --> 00:12:00.840 And through a period of time, they began to notice all these changes. 00:12:00.840 --> 00:12:07.899 So how much better, ladies, let me propose to you, if we take the word of God and begin to put that into practice. 00:12:10.680 --> 00:12:22.860 If we take the word that tells us, with thanks, be anxious for nothing, but in everything, through prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. 00:12:22.860 --> 00:12:34.500 And so what I'm going to do now is I'm going to talk to you about how the secret ingredient that we have will give us, bring a transformation into our lives. 00:12:34.840 --> 00:12:35.080 Okay. 00:12:35.159 --> 00:12:35.879 You all still with me? 00:12:36.419 --> 00:12:37.300 You all still doing okay? 00:12:38.000 --> 00:12:38.399 Excellent. 00:12:38.620 --> 00:12:38.759 Right. 00:12:38.759 --> 00:12:47.259 So, by adding our secret ingredient, that little bit of salt or that little bit of thanksgiving, there are three things I believe that God is going to do in our lives. 00:12:47.580 --> 00:12:52.639 The first thing is, and he says that in the X part of the scripture in verse 7, he says, 00:12:53.039 --> 00:12:54.799 And the peace of God. 00:12:57.100 --> 00:12:59.399 And the peace of God. 00:13:01.159 --> 00:13:04.159 You see, God's peace is a state of tranquility. 00:13:04.159 --> 00:13:10.459 It's a state of quietness that transcends upon us despite our circumstances. 00:13:12.159 --> 00:13:16.179 I know a few years ago we had to go back to South Africa to bury my father-in-law. 00:13:16.360 --> 00:13:16.939 He passed away. 00:13:17.500 --> 00:13:21.240 I mean, as you all know, having any funeral of any family member is never an easy time. 00:13:21.659 --> 00:13:24.519 And I actually asked my husband to do his own father's funeral. 00:13:25.219 --> 00:13:26.480 That was really tough for him. 00:13:26.779 --> 00:13:27.539 You know, it was tough. 00:13:27.659 --> 00:13:28.819 It was a tough thing to do. 00:13:29.639 --> 00:13:32.519 But, you know, the peace of God came. 00:13:32.519 --> 00:13:33.600 It was like tangible. 00:13:34.220 --> 00:13:35.379 Just came upon him. 00:13:35.840 --> 00:13:44.399 And despite the fact that in his self he was distraught that his father had died, he stood up there and he delivered the most amazing address to the people. 00:13:45.340 --> 00:13:47.319 And it was all people that didn't go to church. 00:13:47.419 --> 00:13:50.539 They were unsaved people because Sean's dad wasn't a Christian at the time. 00:13:50.759 --> 00:13:52.480 Well, we believe that he is. 00:13:52.620 --> 00:13:53.960 We've had testimony since then. 00:13:54.179 --> 00:13:55.419 But all the family aren't. 00:13:55.419 --> 00:13:59.899 And yet he stood up there with such peace and such tranquility. 00:14:00.240 --> 00:14:01.479 Despite the hardship. 00:14:01.919 --> 00:14:03.039 Despite the heartache. 00:14:03.199 --> 00:14:05.179 And he was able to be strong in the Lord. 00:14:06.360 --> 00:14:12.279 You see, this presence of God, this peace of God is a total absence of fear in your life. 00:14:13.459 --> 00:14:15.919 See, anxiety and worry are stemmed out of fear. 00:14:16.360 --> 00:14:17.199 Fear of not having. 00:14:17.360 --> 00:14:18.179 Fear of not knowing. 00:14:18.519 --> 00:14:20.759 Whereas the peace of God is a security. 00:14:20.759 --> 00:14:31.700 It's a knowledge that, you know what, doesn't matter what I'm facing right now, I know that God is with me, God is for me, and he's working all things together for good in my life. 00:14:32.580 --> 00:14:34.399 That's what the peace of God says. 00:14:37.679 --> 00:14:42.200 The peace of God helps you to smile when you should be crying. 00:14:43.539 --> 00:14:44.720 Really, that's what I see. 00:14:44.819 --> 00:14:45.580 That's what I know. 00:14:45.580 --> 00:14:48.259 It's a supernatural peace. 00:14:48.780 --> 00:14:50.300 You can't explain it to somebody. 00:14:51.220 --> 00:14:52.520 It can't be explained. 00:14:53.200 --> 00:14:53.980 It's just there. 00:14:55.360 --> 00:14:58.500 Chaos may be going on around you, but you are still okay. 00:14:58.920 --> 00:14:59.920 You're still smiling. 00:15:00.060 --> 00:15:00.820 You're still happy. 00:15:01.160 --> 00:15:10.259 I remember one day in our previous church, we'd been through a really bad, bad time with my daughter, and there was another lady that had been kind of praying with us and walking with us. 00:15:10.259 --> 00:15:17.620 And I just remember being at church the one day, and I just stood there, and I said, you know what, I don't know where this is going. 00:15:17.759 --> 00:15:21.379 I don't know what, I mean, we had massive meetings with doctors and all sorts of stuff. 00:15:21.679 --> 00:15:27.159 And I just stood in the church, and I lifted my hands, and I began to praise God like my daughter was healed. 00:15:29.779 --> 00:15:32.819 And this lady came up to me, and she just came. 00:15:32.879 --> 00:15:34.919 She says, you know, Michelle, I know your story. 00:15:35.019 --> 00:15:36.279 I know what you've been going through. 00:15:36.639 --> 00:15:38.019 She says, but I watched you today. 00:15:38.019 --> 00:15:43.659 She says, and you were just like, there was such peace on you, and it just spoke such volumes to me. 00:15:44.539 --> 00:15:51.460 Because you didn't allow that thing to come into church with the long face, hanging on the floor, crying all the time. 00:15:51.480 --> 00:15:54.179 And you know what, and I can appreciate there's time and place for that. 00:15:54.460 --> 00:16:00.639 But you allowed the peace of God to carry you and to be a testimony to somebody else. 00:16:01.259 --> 00:16:06.319 You see, when we begin to live a life of thankfulness, when we begin to thank God that, you know what, 00:16:06.320 --> 00:16:10.960 even though I'm in a tough spot right now, I can thank God that he's with me, guess what, 00:16:11.000 --> 00:16:13.240 it begins to speak volumes to other people. 00:16:13.900 --> 00:16:16.500 You begin to get strong on the inside. 00:16:17.780 --> 00:16:18.740 Strong inside. 00:16:19.060 --> 00:16:20.740 Because you know, it's like a knowledge. 00:16:20.840 --> 00:16:22.020 You know what, I'm okay. 00:16:22.820 --> 00:16:24.420 I mean, what's the worst thing that can happen? 00:16:24.879 --> 00:16:26.320 Well, if I die, I go to heaven. 00:16:26.480 --> 00:16:27.420 Praise the Lord. 00:16:27.800 --> 00:16:29.620 Absent from the body, present with the Lord. 00:16:29.620 --> 00:16:35.919 You see, but we can get our perspective so wrong sometimes about where we find ourselves. 00:16:37.060 --> 00:16:39.919 So thankfulness will produce the peace of God. 00:16:40.200 --> 00:16:44.279 The Bible says the peace of God that surpasses all understanding. 00:16:45.259 --> 00:16:46.519 All understanding. 00:16:47.200 --> 00:16:48.120 You can't make sense of it. 00:16:48.179 --> 00:16:50.440 God, why do I feel so good and everything's going wrong? 00:16:51.159 --> 00:16:52.600 Because you've got the peace of God. 00:16:53.139 --> 00:16:54.560 You've got the wellness of God. 00:16:55.320 --> 00:16:56.000 Isn't that amazing? 00:16:56.000 --> 00:17:02.080 The second thing I believe that thankfulness will produce in your life is protection. 00:17:03.299 --> 00:17:06.480 He says, and the peace of God will do what? 00:17:07.140 --> 00:17:10.380 Guard your heart and your mind through Christ Jesus. 00:17:10.900 --> 00:17:13.380 So that word guard for me is like a protection. 00:17:13.579 --> 00:17:16.319 It's like having a computer that has a virus protection. 00:17:17.180 --> 00:17:20.880 Anybody ever happen to them where they clicked on a link and the whole machine just shut down? 00:17:20.960 --> 00:17:21.660 It's happened to me. 00:17:22.099 --> 00:17:25.039 And I allowed a virus in that came and destroyed my computer. 00:17:25.960 --> 00:17:30.879 Well, you see, let me say to you this morning, I think, or this afternoon, this anxiety is like a virus. 00:17:31.960 --> 00:17:32.839 It is like that. 00:17:32.899 --> 00:17:38.019 The minute you allow yourself, your mind, you see, you are driven by the way you think. 00:17:39.159 --> 00:17:43.220 The thoughts that go on in your mind all day is actually how you're going to end up behaving. 00:17:43.980 --> 00:17:47.720 So if you're at work all day and your husband didn't pick his socks up before he went to work, 00:17:48.019 --> 00:17:50.960 and all you think about all day is I'm going to tell him off when I get home. 00:17:51.180 --> 00:17:53.460 I'm going to tell him about those stinky, smelly socks. 00:17:53.460 --> 00:17:55.720 I'm fed up of picking up his stinky, smelly socks. 00:17:55.900 --> 00:17:57.620 And you're just like stewing all day. 00:17:57.799 --> 00:18:02.360 By the time he gets home, oh my goodness, World War III is going to break out. 00:18:02.740 --> 00:18:04.460 You and your stinky, smelly socks. 00:18:04.559 --> 00:18:06.799 I'm fed up of your stinky, smelly socks. 00:18:07.360 --> 00:18:11.500 But you see, that came because the whole day all you did was think about the stinky, smelly socks. 00:18:12.960 --> 00:18:16.220 Instead, I'm only using this as an example because I've been there. 00:18:16.840 --> 00:18:18.559 It's actually the other way around in my house. 00:18:18.640 --> 00:18:20.319 Me and the toothpaste tube just don't work. 00:18:20.319 --> 00:18:21.720 I mean, I just squeeze it anywhere. 00:18:22.079 --> 00:18:25.179 And every morning I hear this, oh, toothpaste tube. 00:18:25.579 --> 00:18:28.000 Anyway, Lord help me about the toothpaste tube. 00:18:30.379 --> 00:18:31.399 The stinky, smelly socks. 00:18:31.480 --> 00:18:31.919 So you know what? 00:18:31.960 --> 00:18:36.399 If your mind, go back to that one, your mind is going to drive how you think. 00:18:36.480 --> 00:18:39.879 So when you start to worry over something, what does that mean? 00:18:39.899 --> 00:18:44.599 When you are constantly thinking about the same thing over and over and over, 00:18:44.759 --> 00:18:45.500 how am I going to cope? 00:18:45.639 --> 00:18:46.379 How am I going to cope? 00:18:46.579 --> 00:18:47.419 How are we going to pay this? 00:18:47.539 --> 00:18:48.399 How are we going to do this? 00:18:48.400 --> 00:18:49.640 What's going to happen with so-and-so? 00:18:49.759 --> 00:18:54.180 If you are constantly thinking and chewing over that all the time, 00:18:54.519 --> 00:18:56.580 guess what's going to come out in your behavior? 00:18:57.259 --> 00:18:58.519 You're going to walk in fear. 00:18:58.620 --> 00:18:59.740 You're going to be anxious. 00:19:00.200 --> 00:19:02.360 You're not going to be walking in the peace of God. 00:19:03.160 --> 00:19:07.080 But you see, when the peace of God comes in, it's like this virus protection. 00:19:07.740 --> 00:19:09.880 So it's sitting there and it's that knowledge. 00:19:09.980 --> 00:19:10.320 You know what? 00:19:10.380 --> 00:19:11.160 God is with me. 00:19:11.519 --> 00:19:12.400 God is for me. 00:19:12.680 --> 00:19:13.759 God is helping me. 00:19:14.040 --> 00:19:15.840 And then you start to think, oh, but how am I going to cope? 00:19:15.839 --> 00:19:16.639 Hang on a second. 00:19:16.759 --> 00:19:17.539 God is for me. 00:19:17.799 --> 00:19:18.619 God is with me. 00:19:18.879 --> 00:19:20.139 God is not against me. 00:19:20.459 --> 00:19:22.459 And then you start to worry about, oh, my husband's seeking. 00:19:22.759 --> 00:19:23.839 No, God is for me. 00:19:23.939 --> 00:19:26.699 And I'm going to thank God for this amazing husband that I have. 00:19:26.919 --> 00:19:29.419 Thank you that he loves me, even though he doesn't pick up his socks. 00:19:29.519 --> 00:19:33.399 I thank you that I can pick up his socks and I can serve him and love him. 00:19:34.039 --> 00:19:34.220 Woo! 00:19:34.579 --> 00:19:35.799 That's a big one for the change. 00:19:37.319 --> 00:19:38.099 It's the truth. 00:19:39.079 --> 00:19:40.899 This week we had an argument about the dishwasher. 00:19:41.599 --> 00:19:42.179 I was told. 00:19:42.639 --> 00:19:43.619 I said, I didn't do it. 00:19:43.659 --> 00:19:45.579 And then he said to me, your mother's always moaning. 00:19:45.619 --> 00:19:46.339 I was talking to my daughter. 00:19:46.419 --> 00:19:47.859 She's always moaning about the dishwasher. 00:19:47.980 --> 00:19:49.819 She doesn't realize how much I do it. 00:19:50.240 --> 00:19:51.699 I was like, oh, I was fuming. 00:19:52.459 --> 00:19:53.259 Can I be real? 00:19:53.359 --> 00:19:54.259 Am I allowed to be real? 00:19:54.500 --> 00:19:54.859 Okay. 00:19:55.219 --> 00:19:56.159 I was fuming. 00:19:56.619 --> 00:19:58.359 This mighty woman of God, I was fuming. 00:19:58.719 --> 00:19:59.480 And I sat there. 00:19:59.539 --> 00:20:02.699 So he says, yeah, your mom doesn't receive correction very well. 00:20:02.839 --> 00:20:03.519 I was like, oh. 00:20:04.139 --> 00:20:06.460 Anyway, so I thought I'm going to prove him wrong. 00:20:06.900 --> 00:20:08.400 And the whole week, guess who did the dishwasher? 00:20:08.720 --> 00:20:09.039 Me! 00:20:09.660 --> 00:20:11.299 He never did the dishwasher once. 00:20:11.779 --> 00:20:12.379 I told him. 00:20:12.819 --> 00:20:15.599 I said, by the way, Monday, guess who did the dishwasher? 00:20:16.160 --> 00:20:17.819 Tuesday, guess who did the dishwasher? 00:20:19.039 --> 00:20:22.299 And then the Lord said to me, and yes, Michelle, you were so loving, weren't you? 00:20:23.299 --> 00:20:30.420 See, we've got to learn to be thankful and to walk in those places where God wants us to be. 00:20:30.420 --> 00:20:36.100 So the peace of God is like this protection that guards our hearts and our mind. 00:20:36.160 --> 00:20:42.539 The Bible says as a man thinks in his heart, or as a woman, because we're speaking to ladies, so is he or she. 00:20:43.900 --> 00:20:50.700 So maybe a good point, maybe in the next week, just to go and have a little bit of quiet time with the Lord and say, Lord, how am I behaving? 00:20:51.800 --> 00:20:53.440 What do I think in my heart? 00:20:53.440 --> 00:20:59.880 And ask him and help him to begin to correct some of those things in your life. 00:21:00.400 --> 00:21:00.620 Amen. 00:21:01.340 --> 00:21:03.140 So thanksgiving brings that to us. 00:21:03.200 --> 00:21:07.559 So, you know, when you're so busy being thankful, you know what, you haven't got time to worry. 00:21:09.700 --> 00:21:18.580 When you are so busy being thankful for things that God is doing, even if it's just one thing, just one thing, you know what, you're not going to have the time to worry, 00:21:18.579 --> 00:21:22.639 because you're going to be so full of the peace and the joy of the Lord. 00:21:23.460 --> 00:21:26.619 And then the last thing I see is the thing of power. 00:21:27.000 --> 00:21:29.220 You know, it says, in Christ Jesus. 00:21:29.859 --> 00:21:30.299 All right? 00:21:30.299 --> 00:21:39.159 Be anxious for nothing, but in all things through serenity and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God, 00:21:39.240 --> 00:21:46.720 and the peace of God which surpasses all understanding will guard your heart, will guard your mind through Christ Jesus. 00:21:47.940 --> 00:21:49.200 Where does our power lie? 00:21:50.839 --> 00:21:52.059 Where does our power lie? 00:21:52.819 --> 00:21:57.899 Before you became a Christian, I don't think we had any power to do anything. 00:21:57.900 --> 00:22:03.780 But it was like taking a dead hoover, a hoover that's just taking the electric cord, sticking it in the wall, 00:22:04.180 --> 00:22:06.060 and you're connected to something supernatural. 00:22:07.480 --> 00:22:13.220 Now, we could get into the whole scientific lesson of electricity, but that's kind of how I see us with Christ. 00:22:13.600 --> 00:22:17.540 When we get born again, when we give our hearts to Jesus, we get connected into, 00:22:17.920 --> 00:22:22.100 and we get plugged into a power that is so much greater than what we have. 00:22:22.099 --> 00:22:29.219 I read to you from Hebrews that we have a high priest that is able, that understands where we've been. 00:22:29.859 --> 00:22:36.779 And so thankfulness helps us to tap in to that power, to plug in and say, by the Spirit of God, 00:22:37.099 --> 00:22:44.679 because I am a new creation in Christ Jesus, old things have passed away and new things have begun in my life. 00:22:44.680 --> 00:22:47.840 Therefore, I can develop an attitude of gratitude. 00:22:49.240 --> 00:22:54.240 I don't have to allow grumbling and complaining and complacency in my life. 00:22:54.680 --> 00:22:55.960 But I have Jesus. 00:22:56.920 --> 00:22:58.960 If I have Jesus, I have everything. 00:23:02.220 --> 00:23:03.820 That is so powerful, ladies. 00:23:04.380 --> 00:23:06.539 If we have Jesus, we have everything. 00:23:08.120 --> 00:23:09.900 Jesus is the source of our strength. 00:23:10.259 --> 00:23:11.080 He's our hope. 00:23:11.360 --> 00:23:13.279 He's the one who came and died for us. 00:23:13.279 --> 00:23:14.879 He shed his blood for us. 00:23:15.119 --> 00:23:19.319 The power of the blood of Jesus is the most powerful thing that was ever shed. 00:23:19.599 --> 00:23:20.759 It heals every sickness. 00:23:21.139 --> 00:23:22.339 It heals every disease. 00:23:22.639 --> 00:23:24.399 We just have to believe in it. 00:23:25.279 --> 00:23:29.740 Believe and have access to that power in our lives. 00:23:31.660 --> 00:23:35.940 Jesus says in John chapter 17, 27, he said to everybody, he said to his disciples, 00:23:36.460 --> 00:23:38.299 peace I leave with you. 00:23:40.480 --> 00:23:42.960 Not the world's peace, but his peace. 00:23:43.279 --> 00:23:45.660 Because Jesus is peace. 00:23:46.920 --> 00:23:50.039 Jesus is the prince of peace. 00:23:50.039 --> 00:23:55.960 And so I'm hoping this afternoon that I'm encouraging you. 00:23:55.960 --> 00:24:04.019 This attitude, this lifestyle of thankfulness can produce such a sweet fragrance of the Lord wherever we go. 00:24:04.019 --> 00:24:09.799 I remember once we went on holiday. 00:24:09.799 --> 00:24:12.919 And we were shopping, as us girls do. 00:24:12.919 --> 00:24:14.919 And my husband had the wallet, as he always does. 00:24:15.419 --> 00:24:17.079 And we went into a handbag shop. 00:24:17.379 --> 00:24:19.960 And yeah, what can I say? 00:24:20.000 --> 00:24:20.899 We were shopping there. 00:24:21.059 --> 00:24:23.859 And he was just strolling around and board as anything, as he always is. 00:24:24.259 --> 00:24:25.980 And he went to pay at the counter. 00:24:26.220 --> 00:24:27.659 And I don't know who this lady was. 00:24:27.700 --> 00:24:28.960 Never met her in my life before. 00:24:28.960 --> 00:24:34.160 But she stood there and she looked at my husband and she said to him, you are a man of God. 00:24:35.279 --> 00:24:37.120 Never knew this woman from a bar of soap. 00:24:38.140 --> 00:24:39.019 Honestly, didn't know. 00:24:39.100 --> 00:24:40.059 Still don't know who she is. 00:24:40.380 --> 00:24:44.480 It was one that was down there by Watermouth Valley, right there by the caravan. 00:24:44.579 --> 00:24:45.220 We love camping. 00:24:45.340 --> 00:24:45.980 We love tenting. 00:24:45.980 --> 00:24:49.259 And she just said to him, you are a real man of God. 00:24:49.319 --> 00:24:50.460 And he just said, wow, thank you. 00:24:50.940 --> 00:24:51.460 And that was it. 00:24:51.660 --> 00:24:52.799 I think she said something else. 00:24:52.900 --> 00:24:56.779 But what struck me was he carried such a presence of God. 00:24:56.860 --> 00:25:01.420 He carried such a peace of God that it was visible to people that didn't even know him. 00:25:03.240 --> 00:25:06.220 Now that, I believe, is what our secret ingredient is. 00:25:06.500 --> 00:25:09.559 When we take time every day, ladies, to be thankful. 00:25:10.059 --> 00:25:12.019 Thankful for the fact that we're just alive. 00:25:12.880 --> 00:25:15.900 Our bodies might not function that great, but we're still alive. 00:25:16.220 --> 00:25:19.980 I was telling my friend earlier on, I've been on a bit of a diet the last couple of weeks 00:25:19.980 --> 00:25:21.500 because I was struggling with my health. 00:25:21.860 --> 00:25:23.819 Get up in the morning, I couldn't walk. 00:25:23.920 --> 00:25:24.759 I was like, what's going on? 00:25:25.059 --> 00:25:26.360 I better sort myself out. 00:25:27.539 --> 00:25:30.200 And I stopped eating all the sugar and now I walk just fine. 00:25:31.640 --> 00:25:35.079 I walk just fine, but I had to, but I still, I practice every morning. 00:25:35.180 --> 00:25:38.279 I get out of bed and I say, first thing I do, thank you, Jesus. 00:25:39.039 --> 00:25:40.759 Father, I thank you for this day. 00:25:41.079 --> 00:25:44.420 This is a day you have made and I will rejoice in this day. 00:25:44.420 --> 00:25:48.019 And you know, some mornings it's really hard because some mornings I don't want to do it 00:25:48.019 --> 00:25:49.000 because it's been tough stuff. 00:25:49.200 --> 00:25:52.220 But I get up every morning and I say, Father, I thank you for this day. 00:25:52.360 --> 00:25:56.660 As I sit down and I read my word, I say, Lord, I read my word and I thank you that as I'm 00:25:56.660 --> 00:25:58.500 reading my word, you're going to speak to me today. 00:25:58.779 --> 00:26:02.480 And Lord, as I go to work today, Father, I thank you that there's going to be an opportunity 00:26:02.480 --> 00:26:03.720 for me to share. 00:26:03.720 --> 00:26:10.200 But I've had to practice that over years and years and years and years. 00:26:10.279 --> 00:26:12.640 I made a choice to be thankful. 00:26:13.920 --> 00:26:19.019 Be thankful for everything, even when it's been tough. 00:26:20.539 --> 00:26:21.779 Then I say, thank you, Lord. 00:26:21.860 --> 00:26:24.920 The only thing I can say right now is just thank you that you saved me. 00:26:25.360 --> 00:26:25.740 That's it. 00:26:26.140 --> 00:26:28.360 I might not be thankful about much else, but you know what? 00:26:28.400 --> 00:26:29.480 Thank you that you saved me. 00:26:29.819 --> 00:26:31.700 Thank you that you care about me. 00:26:31.700 --> 00:26:35.240 But it's an attitude that I've had to hear and hear and hear. 00:26:35.340 --> 00:26:38.000 And I know one year we also went through a really tough time. 00:26:38.500 --> 00:26:38.920 And I do. 00:26:38.920 --> 00:26:39.819 I do write songs. 00:26:39.960 --> 00:26:42.259 I haven't written for a while, but I do write songs. 00:26:42.480 --> 00:26:44.700 And I'm a real worshiper at heart. 00:26:45.840 --> 00:26:50.160 And the scriptures are full of things that can help you just to say thank you if you don't 00:26:50.160 --> 00:26:51.000 know the word yourself. 00:26:51.740 --> 00:26:54.960 And we were, financially, we were just really, really not in a good place. 00:26:55.039 --> 00:26:58.500 And God just said to me, I want you to get up every morning and I want you to thank 00:26:58.500 --> 00:26:59.700 me and I want you to dance. 00:27:00.559 --> 00:27:01.340 Mm, mm, mm. 00:27:01.700 --> 00:27:02.140 Dance. 00:27:02.660 --> 00:27:03.140 So I did. 00:27:03.799 --> 00:27:06.580 And my husband was like, what are you doing? 00:27:07.059 --> 00:27:10.059 Because you know, some of the houses are really hollow, you know, especially the new 00:27:10.059 --> 00:27:10.319 builds. 00:27:11.019 --> 00:27:14.340 And he's like, every morning, he just kept on hearing all this thumping going on. 00:27:15.000 --> 00:27:16.420 And he's like, what are you doing? 00:27:17.220 --> 00:27:19.500 I said, well, I don't really want to tell him what God told me to do. 00:27:19.559 --> 00:27:20.840 It's my personal time, you know. 00:27:20.880 --> 00:27:22.259 It's my quiet time place, Nat. 00:27:22.940 --> 00:27:26.480 Anyway, and I just kept on and I said, okay, well, God told me to dance. 00:27:26.519 --> 00:27:27.480 Is that okay with you? 00:27:28.340 --> 00:27:29.799 And he's like, yeah, yeah, no, that's fine. 00:27:29.799 --> 00:27:30.799 So that's how he knows me. 00:27:30.899 --> 00:27:32.919 And it's something I've done for many, many years. 00:27:33.440 --> 00:27:35.099 And I was just dancing before the Lord. 00:27:35.180 --> 00:27:36.639 I was doing ballet moves. 00:27:36.720 --> 00:27:38.119 I was doing breakdance moves. 00:27:38.200 --> 00:27:39.899 Whatever came to me, I just did them. 00:27:40.399 --> 00:27:40.579 Okay. 00:27:40.639 --> 00:27:42.740 And in that, I was doing it as unto the Lord. 00:27:42.759 --> 00:27:45.180 And I was thanking him for a breakthrough, for a strategy. 00:27:45.919 --> 00:27:48.919 Then my husband says to me, oh, I really feel God's calling me to a fast. 00:27:49.019 --> 00:27:50.779 I said, okay, it's fine. 00:27:51.159 --> 00:27:52.480 Now, my husband does a lot of fasting. 00:27:52.640 --> 00:27:54.339 He just seems to have a neck to do fasting. 00:27:54.440 --> 00:27:55.039 I can't fast. 00:27:55.440 --> 00:27:56.640 I struggle a bit with fasting. 00:27:56.779 --> 00:27:57.819 I think I like food too much. 00:27:58.620 --> 00:28:02.440 Anyway, so I said to him, well, my baby, you fast and I'll dance. 00:28:02.740 --> 00:28:04.940 And somewhere between the two, God will speak to us. 00:28:05.680 --> 00:28:06.279 And you know what? 00:28:06.640 --> 00:28:08.640 Ten days into his fast, God did speak. 00:28:09.339 --> 00:28:13.599 And God came through in the most amazing way and delivered us out of a situation that 00:28:13.599 --> 00:28:15.579 we were not able to get out of. 00:28:15.579 --> 00:28:21.839 And so I can only declare and I can only share from my own life that I have seen the peace 00:28:21.839 --> 00:28:27.339 of God when I've taken time to begin to thank God and I begin to put him first in all my 00:28:27.339 --> 00:28:30.519 decisions that firstly, I don't walk around with loads of anxiety. 00:28:31.099 --> 00:28:31.599 I don't. 00:28:31.799 --> 00:28:33.460 I'm not a fearful kind of person. 00:28:33.960 --> 00:28:39.019 I do get worries and I do get concerns, but I just go straight away back to that place, 00:28:39.740 --> 00:28:45.519 that place of just being thankful, getting it to change my perspective, getting to change 00:28:45.519 --> 00:28:46.240 my perspective. 00:28:46.779 --> 00:28:49.980 You know, we were sharing with Mandy early on, you know, sometimes we are believing God 00:28:49.980 --> 00:28:54.019 for things and we're waiting and we're waiting and they never happen and then they don't happen 00:28:54.019 --> 00:28:57.980 and suddenly we shrink back and we don't want to believe God for those things anymore. 00:28:57.980 --> 00:29:02.420 But the truth of it is, ladies, if we don't have God to trust in, who do we have? 00:29:03.519 --> 00:29:03.960 Nobody. 00:29:05.339 --> 00:29:11.079 So we can't allow our thankfulness and our faith in God to be determined by any experience 00:29:11.079 --> 00:29:12.859 or any place we've been before. 00:29:13.660 --> 00:29:14.819 God is faithful. 00:29:15.519 --> 00:29:19.900 God is faithful to do everything that he has promised. 00:29:21.480 --> 00:29:23.299 Jeremiah 29, 11 says, 00:29:23.440 --> 00:29:26.099 For I know the plans that I have for you, says the Lord. 00:29:26.379 --> 00:29:28.299 They are plans for prospering you. 00:29:28.400 --> 00:29:30.539 They are plans to give you peace. 00:29:30.539 --> 00:29:37.440 I find that incredibly encouraging this morning, this afternoon. 00:29:37.440 --> 00:29:41.860 That I can just know that God has got good plans for my life. 00:29:41.859 --> 00:29:45.579 And all I have to do is literally open my mouth and say, thank you, Lord. 00:29:46.679 --> 00:29:47.519 Thank you, Father. 00:29:47.519 --> 00:29:49.900 And I begin to see the peace of God come. 00:29:49.900 --> 00:29:52.339 I begin to see the power of God come. 00:29:52.339 --> 00:29:54.919 And I begin to see my attitude change. 00:29:54.919 --> 00:29:56.319 My heart is protected. 00:29:56.319 --> 00:29:57.919 My life is protected. 00:29:57.920 --> 00:30:01.440 There's nothing worse than being tormented by something. 00:30:01.440 --> 00:30:03.440 Nothing worse than being tormented by something. 00:30:03.440 --> 00:30:04.440 Nothing worse than being tormented by something. 00:30:04.440 --> 00:30:08.779 And the torment and the agony and the indecision. 00:30:09.220 --> 00:30:10.820 And you're on and on. 00:30:10.920 --> 00:30:12.500 And you can't sleep and you can't do this. 00:30:13.339 --> 00:30:14.640 Let me challenge you today. 00:30:15.039 --> 00:30:18.180 Just get into that place of just being thankful. 00:30:18.900 --> 00:30:19.740 As you pray. 00:30:20.480 --> 00:30:22.440 As you lift your issues to before the Lord. 00:30:22.799 --> 00:30:23.640 Say, Lord, now. 00:30:23.779 --> 00:30:24.440 They are yours. 00:30:24.859 --> 00:30:25.779 Now I'm going to thank you. 00:30:25.859 --> 00:30:26.720 You've got them, God. 00:30:27.220 --> 00:30:27.960 You've got them. 00:30:28.000 --> 00:30:31.960 And in your time and in your way, you're going to work them out for me. 00:30:32.859 --> 00:30:34.259 Let me just read you three more scriptures. 00:30:34.460 --> 00:30:36.539 And then I have a song that I'd love you. 00:30:36.640 --> 00:30:38.259 I'm going to ask them to play up there. 00:30:38.619 --> 00:30:39.960 And we're going to listen to the song. 00:30:39.960 --> 00:30:41.740 And then we're going to go into a time of communion. 00:30:41.740 --> 00:30:44.480 And we're just going to allow the Holy Spirit to continue. 00:30:44.660 --> 00:30:45.799 Just to minister to us. 00:30:46.960 --> 00:30:48.640 Psalm 107 verse 1 says, 00:30:48.839 --> 00:30:50.960 Give thanks to the Lord for he is good. 00:30:51.440 --> 00:30:53.440 His love endures forever. 00:30:54.019 --> 00:30:56.279 In 1 Thessalonians 5 verse 18. 00:30:56.720 --> 00:30:58.960 Give thanks in all circumstances. 00:30:59.460 --> 00:31:02.700 For this is God's will for you in Jesus Christ. 00:31:02.759 --> 00:31:03.480 Isn't that interesting? 00:31:03.940 --> 00:31:06.579 Give thanks in all circumstances. 00:31:08.579 --> 00:31:10.759 Give thanks in all circumstances. 00:31:11.740 --> 00:31:16.779 Even if your health is failing, I can still give thanks that God is with me. 00:31:17.519 --> 00:31:18.640 And he's helping me through. 00:31:19.880 --> 00:31:21.579 Colossians 4 verse 2 says, 00:31:21.700 --> 00:31:26.079 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 00:31:26.519 --> 00:31:27.980 Colossians 3 verse 15. 00:31:28.120 --> 00:31:30.180 Let the peace of God rule your hearts. 00:31:30.420 --> 00:31:33.059 As members of one body you were called to peace. 00:31:33.460 --> 00:31:35.019 And be thankful. 00:31:35.019 --> 00:31:37.200 Psalm 69 verse 30. 00:31:37.279 --> 00:31:43.539 And I will praise God's name in song and glorify him with thanksgiving. 00:31:44.339 --> 00:31:44.680 Amen. 00:31:45.079 --> 00:31:47.740 So, I want us to change our perspectives this afternoon. 00:31:48.200 --> 00:31:52.139 I want you to think about one thing. 00:31:52.799 --> 00:31:56.619 One thing that you can be thankful for this afternoon. 00:31:56.619 --> 00:32:01.799 And I want you to actually, out of your mouth, it doesn't have to be loud, it doesn't have to be a display. 00:32:02.159 --> 00:32:04.179 I want you to thank God for that one thing. 00:32:04.719 --> 00:32:06.599 And then I want you to think of one more thing. 00:32:06.659 --> 00:32:07.899 I want you to think of a person. 00:32:08.599 --> 00:32:12.559 A person in your life that has really made a difference in your life. 00:32:13.399 --> 00:32:15.379 Someone that you can be very thankful for. 00:32:16.240 --> 00:32:17.220 Maybe it is your husband. 00:32:17.380 --> 00:32:18.300 Maybe it is your children. 00:32:18.680 --> 00:32:20.300 Maybe it is your pastor. 00:32:20.460 --> 00:32:22.460 Maybe it is, I don't know who it is. 00:32:22.500 --> 00:32:23.460 Your home group leader. 00:32:23.560 --> 00:32:23.780 I don't know. 00:32:23.800 --> 00:32:24.720 Maybe it's just your friend. 00:32:25.060 --> 00:32:28.060 But I want us to really take time this afternoon. 00:32:28.320 --> 00:32:29.260 And just to, because you know what? 00:32:29.280 --> 00:32:31.200 I believe that the atmosphere will change. 00:32:32.200 --> 00:32:34.200 That with thankfulness we will receive peace. 00:32:34.560 --> 00:32:36.360 With thankfulness we will receive joy. 00:32:36.360 --> 00:32:41.080 And like Hannah, when she'd had that encounter with the priest, he'd given her a word. 00:32:41.400 --> 00:32:42.440 She went away. 00:32:42.840 --> 00:32:43.420 She ate. 00:32:44.019 --> 00:32:45.640 And her face was no longer sad. 00:32:46.120 --> 00:32:47.759 And that's my prayer this afternoon. 00:32:48.080 --> 00:32:50.700 That as we take time, just to be thankful to the Lord. 00:32:51.059 --> 00:32:52.600 And you're going to receive from the Lord. 00:32:52.680 --> 00:32:54.640 The peace of God will come upon your life. 00:32:54.960 --> 00:32:56.920 The joy of the Lord will be your strength. 00:32:57.140 --> 00:33:01.240 And when you leave this afternoon, your face will no longer be sad. 00:33:01.640 --> 00:33:06.120 And you'll go out of here and you'll say, man, I had such an incredible time today. 00:33:06.299 --> 00:33:08.440 And you'll go home and minister to your families. 00:33:08.640 --> 00:33:09.779 And minister to your friends. 00:33:09.779 --> 00:33:12.079 And God, many will see. 00:33:12.519 --> 00:33:16.079 And they will give God thanks for what's been done in your life today. 00:33:16.720 --> 00:33:16.980 Amen.