1. Change Your Attitude

2. What is an Attitude? “An Attitude is a Pattern of thinking formed over a long period of time” Attitude We bring/use an Attitude in most situations. Romans 12:2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. … 2

3. 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 3

4. Two Important Attitudes Attitude of Thanksgiving Complaining Attitude for an Attitude of Thanksgiving Attitude of Faith Doubting Attitude for an Attitude of Faith 4

5. 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” 5

6. Why did Israel Fail? 1. Unthankful to God for Blessings ◦W◦W elcomed the blessing ◦B◦B ut the Giver went thankless. 2. Hyper-Focus on the Obstacles ◦F◦F orces out any memory of past victories. 3. Listening to Bad Advice and Bad Company (Rabble) ◦N◦N umbers 11:1-4 Result = Attitude of Complaining Result = Attitude of Fear and Doubt 6

7. Why did Israel Fail? “Destructive Rumination” Ruminate - to replay a situation in your mind repeatedly and slowly Destructive Rumination - Modify scenarios pessimistically and replay them repeatedly and slowly Destructive Rumination transforms thoughts into 7

8. The Faithful Attitude Faithful Decision TrustExpectancyPeace Knowing God’s Promises Ruminate on past Deliverance Practice Thanksgiving Focus on Christ Preemptive Strike Tools Caleb Good Company 8

9. Replacing a Complaining Attitude… “Complaining is an attitude choice that if left unchallenged will wither your capacity to experience joy and genuine thankfulness.” 9

10. 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. 10

11. A Thankful Attitude is… A Thankful Attitude perfectly displaces our sinful tendency to complain and releases Joy and Grace into our lives 1 How well will you do on the “Sunday Test?” 1. Lord Change my Attitude, James MacDonald 11

12. The Sunday Test It’s all about MeIt’s all about God I can’t wait to thank God in Song Focus away from what we could receive and give (thankful) towards what we want (complain.) 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! Man is this study going slow! I will take away some things from this study to change my thinking. I doubt God even cares about me.I know he will bless me today. Is Worship going to be any good today? 12

13. Pivot Point in Choosing Attitude Challenging Situation Thought Attitude Engaged Consequence Pivot Point Engage Past Thinking Stop & Think Quick!!! 13

14. Preemptive Strike Tools Choosing Thankfulness A Conscious Thankful Decision FaithJoyPeace Positive Biblical Promises Ruminate on past Blessings Practice Thanksgiving Focus on Christ Good Company 14

15. Preemptive Strike Tools Positive Biblical Promises Ruminate on past Blessings Practice Thanksgiving Focus on Christ Good Company 15

16. Preemptive Strike Tools 1. Incorporating God’s Promises ◦ Taking the Intimidating out of Meditating ◦ John 14:27 Peace 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 let it be fearful. ◦ Gift of Peace ◦ It’s a really GOOD gift ◦ Choose in faith 16

17. 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 17

18. 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. 18

19. Paul’s Attitude by Example Others Preach Christ to Afflict Thought Attitude Engaged Rejoicing Pivot Point Stops to Think What Good can I find in this? What are the Facts? Christ is Preached It’s my goal Chooses to be Thankful 19

20. 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 20