The Right Stuff - "Is It In You?"

Pastor Steve began a new series yesterday on being thankful. Texts: Gen. 3:1-7, Psalm 100:4, Col. 3:15.

How do we approach the Lord? Do we come into his presence griping? Since he's God, maybe we'd better heed his instructions. Psalm 100:4 and Colossians 3:15 tell us to come before him with thanksgiving and praise. Gratitude is high on God's priority list when it comes to our relationship with him.

One popular sports drink says, "what's in you is going to come out." Another says it has, "good stuff." What's in our hearts will come out when someone pushes our buttons, ramps up the emotional pressure, or hurts us. What kind of "good stuff" do we want to come out of us in difficult situations?

1. Love

2. Thankfulness

3. Patience

4. Kindness

5. Humility

6. Faithfulness

These are just a few positive qualities we want to exhibit in stressful situations.

In order to get a picture of a grateful person, sometimes we need to define the characteristics of someone who lacks thankfulness.

1. Focuses on what's lacking - what they don't have.

2. Looks at what others have not done.

3. Focuses on what could be better.

4. Feels angry and cheated.

On the other hand, a grateful person:

1. Counts their blessings.

2. Assists and helps others.

3. Thanks God for all they've been spared.

4. They feel joy, gladness, and blessing.

Pastor also gave examples of how a lack of thankfulness affected Adam and Eve, Jeroboam, and others in Scripture. This message was chockfull of practical and thought-provoking nuggets on how thankfulness can protect us from temptation.

Check out our website for the rest of the message. You can download it FREE to your MP3 player, podcast, or listen via the sermon player.