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Change Your Attitude. What is an Attitude?. “An Attitude is a Pattern of thinking formed over a long period of time” We bring/use an Attitude in most situations.
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What is an Attitude? • “An Attitude is a Pattern of thinking formed over a long period of time” • We bring/use an Attitude in most situations. • Romans 12:2Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. …
Many Attitudes to Change • Critical Attitude for a Loving Attitude • Rebellious Attitude for a Submissive Attitude • Proud Attitude for a Humble Attitude • Unsatisfied Attitude for an Attitude of Contentment
Two Important Attitudes • Complaining Attitude for an Attitude of Thanksgiving • Doubting Attitude for anAttitude of Faith
Examples NOT to follow • 1 Corinthians 10:1-13 • “happened as a warning to us” • “God was not pleased with most of them” • “Nor should we put Christ to the test” • “and don’t grumble” • “These things happens as examples” • “temptations in your life are no different”
Why did Israel Fail? • Unthankful to God for Blessings • Welcomed the blessing • But the Giver went thankless. • Hyper-Focus on the Obstacles • Forces out any memory of past victories. • Listening to Bad Advice and Bad Company (Rabble) • Numbers 11:1-4 Result = Attitude of Complaining Result = Attitude of Fear and Doubt
Why did Israel Fail? • “Destructive Rumination” • Ruminate - to replay asituation in your mind repeatedly and slowly • Destructive Rumination - Modify scenarios pessimistically and replay them repeatedly and slowly • Destructive Rumination transforms thoughts into
The Faithful Attitude Preemptive Strike Tools Practice Thanksgiving Knowing God’s Promises Ruminate on past Deliverance Focus on Christ Good Company Caleb
Replacing a Complaining Attitude… • “Complaining is an attitude choice that if left unchallenged will wither your capacity to experience joy and genuine thankfulness.” Yuk!
Thanksgiving Commanded! • Ephesians 5:4 Let there be no obscene stories, foolish talk, and coarse jokes—these are not for you. Instead, let there be thankfulness to God. • Hebrews 13:15 Through Him then, let us continually offer up a sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of lips that give thanks to His name. • 1 Thessalonians 5:18 in everything give thanks; for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
A Thankful Attitude is… • A Thankful Attitude perfectly displaces our sinful tendency to complain and releases Joy and Grace into our lives1 • How well will you do on the “Sunday Test?” 1.Lord Change my Attitude, James MacDonald
The Sunday Test Is Worship going to be any good today? I wonder who the Praise Singers are today? I will join in praise even if the singing is not excellent. (Adopt God’s View) I hope the Sermon will be interesting today. I’m thank God for the time put into the Sermon and I am determined to take something good away. It’s 10:00… I closing my bible and disengaging my brain. Wow! It’s 10:05? That went fast! I will take away some things from this study to change my thinking. Man is this study going slow! I doubt God even cares about me. I know he will bless me today. Focus away from what we could receive and give (thankful) towards what we want (complain.)
Pivot Point in Choosing Attitude Quick!!! Pivot Point Stop & Think Engage PastThinking
Choosing Thankfulness Preemptive Strike Tools Practice Thanksgiving Positive Biblical Promises Ruminate on past Blessings Focus on Christ Good Company
Preemptive Strike Tools Preemptive Strike Tools Practice Thanksgiving Optimistic Attitude Positive Biblical Promises Ruminate on past Blessings Focus on Christ Good Company
Preemptive Strike Tools • Incorporating God’s Promises • Taking the Intimidating out of Meditating • John 14:27Peace I leave with you; My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor letit be fearful. • Gift of Peace • It’s a really GOOD gift • Choose in faith
2. Ruminate on Past Blessings • Our older Servants consistently tell us… • John Maurelli • Thanksgiving • Laurie Iannaccone • Ruminate on Past Blessings • Write them down • Ask God to Remind of forgotten Blessings
Paul’s Attitude by Example • Philippians 1:14-18 And because of my imprisonment… It’s true that some are preaching out of jealousy and rivalry. These do not have pure motives as they preach about Christ. They preach with selfish ambition, not sincerely, intending to make my chains more painful to me. But that doesn’t matter. Whether their motives are false or genuine, the message about Christ is being preached either way, so I rejoice. And I will continue to rejoice.
Paul’s Attitude by Example Pivot Point • Chooses to be Thankful • Stops to Think • What Good can I find in this? • What are the Facts? • Christ is Preached • It’s my goal
Let’s Give Thanks • “The Attitude of Thanksgiving is the garden out of which the Fruit of the Spirit will grow.” • Workshop • Practicing Thanksgiving • Practicing with the Preemptive Strike Tools • Retraining the way you think • Using Preemptive Strike Tools • Interrupting the Reaction (Pivot Point) • Recovering from Failures