Pastor MarkSchwarzbauer

PhD

Choosing Your

Destiny through Thanks got thanks?

Pastor Mark Schwarzbauer PhDFamily Worship Center

Thanksliving (not a misprint).

I Thessalonians 5:12-22

16Rejoice always, 17pray without ceasing, 18in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

I Thessalonians 5:12-22

19Do not quench the Spirit. 20Do not despise prophecies. 21Test all things; hold fast what is good. 22Abstain from every form of evil.

Part One: Choosing

Your Destiny

Pastor MarkSchwarzbauer

PhD

Choosing Your

Destiny of Joy got joy?

Don’t Quench

The SpiritPastor Mark Schwarzbauer PhD

Family Worship Center

Pastor MarkSchwarzbauer

PhD

Choosing Your

Destiny through Thanks got thanks?

Choosing Your Destiny Through Thanks

Choose your destiny through thanks…

because it affects not only WHERE you arrive but

also HOW much you enjoy the journey.

Part Two: Choosing

Your Destiny Through Thanks

I Thessalonians 5:12-22

16Rejoice always, 17pray without ceasing, 18in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Choosing Your Destiny Through Thanks

• Secular studies show how an attitude of thanksgiving promotes personal success. (They are finally catching up to what the Bible has taught for millennia).

Choosing Your Destiny Through Thanks

• “Drs. Blaire and Rita Justice reported for the University of Texas Health Science Center, "a growing body of research shows that gratitude is truly amazing in its physical and psychosocial benefits." Ibid

Study on Gratitude• 1. Randomly assigned 3

tasks.• 2. Group 1 journaled 5

things they were thankful for that week (not daily).

• 3. Group 2 journaled 5 daily hassles that displeased them that week.

Study on Gratitude• 4. Group 3 (neutral)

journaled 5 events or circumstances that affected them but weren’t told whether to focus on positive or negative.

Study on Gratitude• “Ten weeks later, participants in

the gratitude group felt better about their lives as a whole and were a full 25 percent happier than the hassled group. They reported fewer health complaints, and exercised an average of 1.5 hours more.” Ibid

Study on Gratitude• Emmons did another study

showing DAILY journaling of thankfulness was even more effective reaping rewards of greater goodwill to others.

Gratitude study amongst adult onset

neuromuscular disorders. • Those who jotted down their

blessings nightly reported more hours of sleep, feeling more rested and more optimistic than the control group.

Gratitude study amongst adult onset

neuromuscular disorders. • Their spouses noticed the

differences too.• Their personal choice of

nurture overrode nature.

Old saying “If you've forgotten

the language of gratitude, you'll

never be on speaking terms with

happiness.”

Dr. John Gottman at the University of Washington

after two decades of studying marriage concluded “unless a couple is able to maintain a

high ratio of positive to negative encounters (5:1 or

greater), it is likely the marriage will end.”

The Most important

destination is your spiritual destination of

Christ likeness.

I Thessalonians 5:12-22

16Rejoice always, 17pray without ceasing, 18in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.