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<v Speaker 1>Hello, and welcome to Pastor Rick's Daily Hope, the Bible

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<v Speaker 1>teaching ministry of Rick Warren. You know, with Thanksgiving just

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<v Speaker 1>around the corner, we're pausing our current series to bring

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<v Speaker 1>you a special message from Pastor Rick, one that will

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<v Speaker 1>help you reflect on God's goodness and grow a heart

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<v Speaker 1>of gratitude. Okay, and now here's part two of a

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<v Speaker 1>moving message called being thankful even in bad times.

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<v Speaker 2>When tragedy strikes, when you hit the skids, when your

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<v Speaker 2>life falls apart, when everything goes wrong, the typical thing

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<v Speaker 2>we want to do is look for an explanation. That's dumb,

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<v Speaker 2>because explanations never ever comfort. They don't really help you

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<v Speaker 2>at all. I've told you many times that if my

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<v Speaker 2>wife k were to drop dead tomorrow and I were

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<v Speaker 2>to know the reason, it wouldn't make me any less sorrowful,

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<v Speaker 2>any less in pain. And so don't waste time always

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<v Speaker 2>trying to find out the why, why, why why? Because first,

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<v Speaker 2>my brain isn't big enough to understand all that happens

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<v Speaker 2>in the world, and neither is yours. It's like an

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<v Speaker 2>aunt trying to understand the Internet. And there are a

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<v Speaker 2>lot of things in your life you're just not gonna

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<v Speaker 2>know why they happen until you get to heaven. Then

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<v Speaker 2>it's all gonna make sense and you'll see it. What

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<v Speaker 2>you need when you're going through a tough time is

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<v Speaker 2>not an explanation. What you need is the presence of God.

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<v Speaker 2>Court's going to come and talk about that in just

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<v Speaker 2>a second. But one of the reasons that I can

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<v Speaker 2>always be thankful even in my darkest days is the

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<v Speaker 2>promise of Romans eight twenty eight. There in your outline.

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<v Speaker 2>We know that in all things, not some, In all

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<v Speaker 2>things God works. We know that in all things God

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<v Speaker 2>works for the good. It doesn't say everything's good. There's

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<v Speaker 2>a lot of bad in the world. We know that

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<v Speaker 2>even in the bad, God works for the good for everybody.

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<v Speaker 2>Know for those who love Him, who give him the

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<v Speaker 2>pieces and have been called according to His purpose. And

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<v Speaker 2>so I know that no matter what I go through,

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<v Speaker 2>if I will give those pieces to God, God's going

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<v Speaker 2>to bring good out of it. He loves to turn

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<v Speaker 2>crucifixions into resurrections and then bless the whole world by it.

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<v Speaker 2>Have you ever thought how God might want to bless

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<v Speaker 2>the world through your pain. I can be thankful to

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<v Speaker 2>God because I know, I'm always thankful for the grace

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<v Speaker 2>God shows me, and I'm always thankful for the plans

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<v Speaker 2>God has for me. Number three, I am always thankful,

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<v Speaker 2>no matter what happens in my life, for God's promise

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<v Speaker 2>to never leave me. God's promise to never leave me.

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<v Speaker 2>In pastor Kurt's going to come and talk about that.

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<v Speaker 3>I want you to think about this for just a second.

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<v Speaker 3>This truth that there is not a moment in your

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<v Speaker 3>life that God isn't with you. There's not a moment

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<v Speaker 3>in your life that God isn't with you. Now, for

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<v Speaker 3>some of us, that doesn't initially sound very good because

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<v Speaker 3>it's actually a scare tactic of parents worldwide, right. I mean,

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<v Speaker 3>we say that towards children. God's with you, he has

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<v Speaker 3>his eyes on you, He's watching you, and that is

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<v Speaker 3>actually based in a powerful, powerful truth. Look at what

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<v Speaker 3>God says to us in Hebrews thirteen, verse five. God

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<v Speaker 3>says this, I will never leave you, and I will

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<v Speaker 3>never abandon you. God will never leave us, He will

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<v Speaker 3>never abandon us. But here's the wonderful part of that promise.

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<v Speaker 3>That scripture isn't there to coerce us into staying out

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<v Speaker 3>of trouble. It's actually there to comfort us in times

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<v Speaker 3>of trouble. What a difference that there is not a

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<v Speaker 3>moment in your life, there's not a situation that you

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<v Speaker 3>find yourself in. There's not a depth of experience, a

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<v Speaker 3>sense of loss or loneliness that we can ever travel alone.

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<v Speaker 3>God's always with us. He never ever leaves us. And

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<v Speaker 3>there's no fine print. Sometimes when you read those verses

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<v Speaker 3>and we say, okay, where's the catch, Where's the hook?

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<v Speaker 3>Have you ever seen the commercials for drugs on television

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<v Speaker 3>these days? You know there might be a thirty second

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<v Speaker 3>drug commercial and about ten seconds is telling you the

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<v Speaker 3>good side of the drug, what the drug will do

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<v Speaker 3>for you, and then the next twenty seconds or all

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<v Speaker 3>the fine print right, all the explanations, the side effects.

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<v Speaker 3>There's no fine print in God's promise to always be

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<v Speaker 3>with us. He will never ever, ever, never ever never

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<v Speaker 3>leave us. Period. Look at this verse in Isaiah forty

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<v Speaker 3>three too. It says this, when you go through deep waters,

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<v Speaker 3>I will be with you. When you pass through rivers

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<v Speaker 3>of difficulty, you will not drown. When you walk through

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<v Speaker 3>the fire, you will not be burned up. It will

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<v Speaker 3>not consume you. I'm not sure what deep waters you've

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<v Speaker 3>gone through this year. I'm not through, not sure what

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<v Speaker 3>fires you felt have consumed you. My hunch is a

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<v Speaker 3>in a room this size, there's been a lot of loss,

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<v Speaker 3>a lot of feelings of abandonment. Maybe there's been a

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<v Speaker 3>husband or a wife, a mother or a father, a friend,

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<v Speaker 3>a coworker there's walked out on you and you've felt abandoned,

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<v Speaker 3>you felt alone. Maybe you've just gone through stuff as

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<v Speaker 3>a family where you felt like, God, are you really

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<v Speaker 3>with us now? Are we walking through this situation by ourselves?

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<v Speaker 3>And the answer is a resounding no. God promises us

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<v Speaker 3>that he'll never ever leave us. I'm not sure what

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<v Speaker 3>has you worried this Thanksgiving, but one of the best

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<v Speaker 3>ways for us to be thankful is to recognize God's

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<v Speaker 3>promise to never leave us and to actually pray a

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<v Speaker 3>prayer thanking God for his faithfulness. You see, we're talking

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<v Speaker 3>about four different ways we can give thanks, and we

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<v Speaker 3>said one of the ways we can give thanks is

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<v Speaker 3>through singing. Another powerful way we give thanks, even in

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<v Speaker 3>times where we're going through crisis and we're going through loss,

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<v Speaker 3>is to pray a prayer of thanksgiving. And that's what

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<v Speaker 3>I'd like to do. I'd like to just pray a

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<v Speaker 3>prayer of thanks to God. So as I do that,

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<v Speaker 3>here's what I'd like you to do. I'd like you

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<v Speaker 3>to think of a need you have of God today,

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<v Speaker 3>a spot in your life where you're going.

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<v Speaker 2>Man.

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<v Speaker 3>If I'm honest, God, I feel like you're not with

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<v Speaker 3>me on this one. I feel like you've abandoned me.

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<v Speaker 2>Here.

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<v Speaker 3>Let's pray together, Heavenly Father. As we head into Thanksgiving season,

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<v Speaker 3>there's times where God, if we're honest, there's aspects and

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<v Speaker 3>places in our lives that it's tough. It's tough to

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<v Speaker 3>say thanks because God, we feel alone. Father. I'm not

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<v Speaker 3>sure what those moments and what those areas are for

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<v Speaker 3>my friends this morning, but God, I pray that they

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<v Speaker 3>would sense your powerful presence in their lives. God, if

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<v Speaker 3>they feel alone in a relationship, God, if they feel

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<v Speaker 3>alone because things their plans for life have just begun

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<v Speaker 3>to fall apart or unravel. Father, whatever it is in

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<v Speaker 3>our life, whatever our need is this moment, Lord, I

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<v Speaker 3>pray that right now we would Since You're powerful, loving

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<v Speaker 3>and never wavering presence in our lives, in your name,

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<v Speaker 3>we pray.

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<v Speaker 1>Amen.

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<v Speaker 3>Look at this verse in Philippian's four to six just

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<v Speaker 3>as a reminder of the importance of prayer in our lives.

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<v Speaker 3>As we give thanks it says this, don't be anxious

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<v Speaker 3>or worried about every anything. Don't be anxious or worried

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<v Speaker 3>about anything. Instead, pray about everything, always making your request

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<v Speaker 3>known to God with thanksgiving. Do me a favor, just

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<v Speaker 3>circle with thanksgiving.

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<v Speaker 2>So that's the second way that we express our thanksgiving

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<v Speaker 2>to God. The first is by singing, and the second

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<v Speaker 2>is by praying. Now, no matter what happens in my life,

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<v Speaker 2>I can always thank God for the grace that God

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<v Speaker 2>shows me, for the plan that God has for me,

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<v Speaker 2>and for the promise that He'll never leave me. Number four,

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<v Speaker 2>I can always be thankful for the changes God is

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<v Speaker 2>making in me. I can be grateful for the changes

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<v Speaker 2>that God is making in me. And here's the good news.

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<v Speaker 2>No matter what I go through, God will use it

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<v Speaker 2>to change me for the better. That's part of the

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<v Speaker 2>Romans eight twenty eight. He's working inside me. He's not

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<v Speaker 2>just with me as Pastor Kurt talked about. He is

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<v Speaker 2>actually in me, and inside me he's making change. Roman

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<v Speaker 2>chapter five does this verse three and four. We can

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<v Speaker 2>have joy even in our troubles, because we know that

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<v Speaker 2>these troubles produce endurance, and endurance produces character, and character

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<v Speaker 2>produces hope. So why does that make me joyful? Why

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<v Speaker 2>is a God building character in my life such an

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<v Speaker 2>important thing? Because it's the only thing you're taking with

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<v Speaker 2>you to heaven is your character. You're not taking your career,

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<v Speaker 2>you're not taking your reputation, you're not taking your money,

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<v Speaker 2>you're not taking your hobbies. You're not taking your clothes

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<v Speaker 2>or your china or your car, but you are taking

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<v Speaker 2>your character. The only thing that's going to heaven is you.

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<v Speaker 2>So you ought to be working more on you, because

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<v Speaker 2>if you don't work on you, you're not taking much

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<v Speaker 2>to heaven. You could spend your whole life acquiring things

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<v Speaker 2>and building up a big stockpile of bizz ess on earth,

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<v Speaker 2>none of it's going to heaven, and you could have

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<v Speaker 2>all kinds of money and have a stunted soul that

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<v Speaker 2>goes to heaven. Stunted is that what you want to

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<v Speaker 2>live with for eternity. The only thing you're taking with

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<v Speaker 2>you to heaven is your character. And God says this

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<v Speaker 2>is so important. I will use everything, even the pain

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<v Speaker 2>in your life, to build your character, to make you

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<v Speaker 2>more patient, more loving, more secure, love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faithfulness,

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<v Speaker 2>making the self control. These are things God wants to

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<v Speaker 2>build in your life. Here's the good news. While circumstances

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<v Speaker 2>may be working against you, and while other people may

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<v Speaker 2>be working against you, the good news, and I can

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<v Speaker 2>be thankful for this. God is working in you. Look

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<v Speaker 2>at the next verse Philippians two thirteen. For God is

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<v Speaker 2>working in you, giving you the desire to obey Him

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<v Speaker 2>and the power to do what pleases him. Anthians chapter

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<v Speaker 2>three says, as the spirit of the Lord works within us,

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<v Speaker 2>so I can be grateful with this, we become more

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<v Speaker 2>and more like Him. That I can be grateful for

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<v Speaker 2>that that God knows that even the bad stuff that

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<v Speaker 2>happened in my life this year, He'll use it to

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<v Speaker 2>make me more like Jesus. I can be thankful in

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<v Speaker 2>that true confession. I'm not all I should be. I'm

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<v Speaker 2>not all I should be, but thank God He's changing me.

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<v Speaker 2>And if you don't like me right now, hang on,

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<v Speaker 2>I'm getting better. Okay, I'm getting better. And by the

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<v Speaker 2>grace of God, I can say three things, and you

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<v Speaker 2>can say these three things too. By the grace of God,

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<v Speaker 2>I'm not what I used to be. By the grace

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<v Speaker 2>of God, I am what I am by the grace

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<v Speaker 2>of God, I'm not what I'm going on be because

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<v Speaker 2>He is working in me now. During that time when

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<v Speaker 2>He's working on us and that pain comes in our lives,

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<v Speaker 2>we often feel weak, and we often feel defeated. That's okay,

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<v Speaker 2>That's when God's strength shows up best Tewod Corinthians twelve nine.

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<v Speaker 2>But God said to me, my grace is all you

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<v Speaker 2>need when you are weak. My power is made perfect

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<v Speaker 2>in you. So Paul says, I'm happy to break about

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<v Speaker 2>my weaknesses. Then christ power can live in me. You

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<v Speaker 2>don't know God is all you need until God is

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<v Speaker 2>all you got. And when you're out there and you

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<v Speaker 2>have no emotional support, and you have no financial support,

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<v Speaker 2>and you have no relational support, and you feel like

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<v Speaker 2>I'm in this by myself and I'm up to my

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<v Speaker 2>nose and I'm going under soon, I'm about ready to

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<v Speaker 2>throw in the towel. It is at that point you

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<v Speaker 2>don't know God that is all you need, until God's

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<v Speaker 2>all youth you've got. Have you ever thanked God for this?

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<v Speaker 2>The fact that while other people and circumstances are working

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<v Speaker 2>against you, that God is working in you and for

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<v Speaker 2>you to make you a better man, to make you

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<v Speaker 2>a better woman. Let's stop and let's thank God about that. Now.

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<v Speaker 2>One of the ways that God does this is causing

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<v Speaker 2>us to remember the things He's taken us through. The

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<v Speaker 2>Bible says in Psalm fifty twenty three, giving thanks is

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<v Speaker 2>a sacrifice that truly honors me. Did you know that?

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<v Speaker 2>The Bible says, would you pause to remember what God

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<v Speaker 2>has done in your life? That it's almost like it?

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<v Speaker 2>Not almost, he says, it is a sacrifice to God.

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<v Speaker 2>He says, it honors me when you stop and say

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<v Speaker 2>thank you. Have you done that for what He's done

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<v Speaker 2>in your life this year in spite of all the

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<v Speaker 2>bad things. Let me show you another verse. The Bible says,

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<v Speaker 2>and so ninety seven, verse twelve, remember what your Holy

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<v Speaker 2>God has done for you and give thanks to him. Now,

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<v Speaker 2>that's a command we are commanded to remember. And this

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<v Speaker 2>is the third way to give thanks at thanksgiving. I want,

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<v Speaker 2>the Bible says, honor the Lord and worship him. Remember,

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<v Speaker 2>remember all the great things He's done for you. Maybe

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<v Speaker 2>it was a worship experience that you remember. Go Man,

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<v Speaker 2>that was really moving to me and I took a

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<v Speaker 2>major life turn in that. Or maybe it was a

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<v Speaker 2>story from your small group or they showed up and

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<v Speaker 2>supported you, or you had a good time of fellowship

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<v Speaker 2>with your small group. Maybe you had a life changing

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<v Speaker 2>experience on a missions trip or a peace trip or

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<v Speaker 2>working in the peace center. Or maybe you had a

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<v Speaker 2>friend who came to Christ. Maybe a lesson learned or

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<v Speaker 2>personal change or personal growth a decision you made. So

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<v Speaker 2>I want you to take a minute and write down

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<v Speaker 2>a story, one a short story of something that you're

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<v Speaker 2>thankful to God for being a part of our church

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<v Speaker 2>family because of something that happened in your life. There's

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<v Speaker 2>one more reason why I can be grateful for God

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<v Speaker 2>no matter what happens in my life. And this year,

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<v Speaker 2>this reason has meant the most to me. I could

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<v Speaker 2>always be thankful for the home that God has prepared

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<v Speaker 2>for me. I'm talking about Heaven. I could always be

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<v Speaker 2>thankful no matter what I'm going through, no matter what

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<v Speaker 2>pain I'm experiencing, that the pain is not going to last,

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<v Speaker 2>that God has prepared a home for me in Heaven.

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<v Speaker 2>I am grateful that this life is not all there is.

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<v Speaker 2>If this life is all there is, I would be

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<v Speaker 2>in ultimate despair. If this life is all there is,

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<v Speaker 2>I wouldn't be standing here right now. I am grateful

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<v Speaker 2>that there's more to life than here and now. I

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<v Speaker 2>am grateful that this mess is not the end of

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<v Speaker 2>the story. I am grateful that one day God is

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<v Speaker 2>going to settle the score. One day, God is going

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<v Speaker 2>to balance the books. One day, God is going to

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<v Speaker 2>even the odds. One day God is going to right

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<v Speaker 2>the wrongs. And I see a lot of wrong in

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<v Speaker 2>the world. One day God justice will be served. This

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<v Speaker 2>is not the end of the story. And God is

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<v Speaker 2>going to close the bank accounts and wrap it all up,

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<v Speaker 2>and there is going to be a judgment day, and

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<v Speaker 2>there is going to be a day of heaven.

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<v Speaker 4>What a special message from Pastor Rick. And now let's

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<v Speaker 4>hear how lives are changing through Daily Hope. Here's Rick

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<v Speaker 4>with a letter from one of our listeners.

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<v Speaker 2>Today. I've got a quick note from a listener in Minneapolis.

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<v Speaker 2>His name is Bill, and Bill wrote to me Rick,

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<v Speaker 2>I want to let you know that I prayed with

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<v Speaker 2>you this morning, accepting God into my life. Wow, that's great.

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<v Speaker 2>Daily Hope has become the way that I start each

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<v Speaker 2>day listening to your podcast. So much has changed in

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<v Speaker 2>my life over the past year. I had a job loss,

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<v Speaker 2>I had a transition, I had a divorce, my dad

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<v Speaker 2>passed away, cancer, and my faith all in the same year.

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<v Speaker 2>I'm so thankful for all that you do well. Bill,

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<v Speaker 2>I want to tell you, I know you've been going

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<v Speaker 2>through some really tough times this past year, but there's

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<v Speaker 2>no greater news than hearing that you've accepted Jesus into

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<v Speaker 2>your life. And the fact that God used a Daily

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<v Speaker 2>Hope podcast to lead you to Him is such a blessing.

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<v Speaker 2>And I want you to know that as you continue

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<v Speaker 2>to study God's word every day, you're going to find

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<v Speaker 2>that your faith is growing and you'll see God actively

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<v Speaker 2>working in your life. And I really am as excited

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<v Speaker 2>to think about what the next year is going to bring.

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<v Speaker 2>Year two in your life will be very different than

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<v Speaker 2>the last year. And to the rest of you, all

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<v Speaker 2>of our Daily Hope listeners, I just want to thank

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<v Speaker 2>you because we're able to provide the Daily Hope podcast

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<v Speaker 2>to people like Bill because of your generous support. Thank you,

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<v Speaker 2>thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you.

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<v Speaker 2>For helping us share the good news all around the world.

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<v Speaker 2>We love you and imagine what it's going to be

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<v Speaker 2>to get to heaven and see all these people who

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<v Speaker 2>came to know Christ because of your giving. God bless you.

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<v Speaker 4>Be sure to join us next time as we look

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<v Speaker 4>into God's Word for our daily hope. This program is

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<v Speaker 4>sponsored by Pastor Rick's Daily Hope and your generous financial support.