In this Thanksgiving message, John Lassiter from Open Door Church's teaching team teaches about the spiritual discipline of remembering God's faithfulness. Drawing from Deuteronomy 8, John challenges us to slow down in our busy season and resist the cultural trap of comparison and entitlement.

Through vulnerable personal stories—from his journey as a school principal to watching his daughters get baptized—John illustrates the critical difference between pride that says "look what I did" and gratitude that says "look what God has accomplished through me." He reminds us that gratitude fades when memory fails, and that the greatest danger to our faith isn't trouble or hardship, but the forgetfulness that comes with comfort and success.

IN THIS EPISODE:

• Why gratitude doesn't come naturally and must be intentional
• The dangerous exchange: replacing dependency on God with confidence in self
• How blessings can make you forget the Blesser
• The reality that self-made faith and self-earned salvation don't exist
• Choosing between being the main character in your own story vs. an important character in God's eternal story
• Practical challenges for cultivating a lifestyle of gratitude

KEY SCRIPTURE: Deuteronomy 8:10-18

THREE THANKSGIVING CHALLENGES:

1. Make a list of blessings money cannot buy and praise God for them daily
2. Tell one person each day how God has been good to you
3. Give back where you have been blessed—ask God where He can use you

Whether you're lost in the wilderness or comfortable in your blessings, this message will recalibrate your perspective and inspire you to live with intentional gratitude this Thanksgiving season and beyond.