Podcast Summary: The Daily Blade with Joby Martin & Kyle Thompson

Episode #252 – Joby Martin // Turns Out The Best Gift Isn’t On Sale
December 18, 2025

Episode Overview

In this special Christmas edition of The Daily Blade, Pastor Joby Martin focuses on the powerful, countercultural gift of gratitude. Drawing from both Scripture and his personal experiences, Joby challenges listeners to resist entitlement and instead cultivate an attitude of gratitude as the best way to “win at Christmas.” He shares practical advice—most notably his personal tradition of keeping a gratitude list—and encourages everyone to create their own.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Gratitude-Entitlement Spectrum

• Main message: “Every single one of us live on a continuum between gratitude and entitlement.” (00:34)
• Joby notes that today’s culture, amplified by screens and media, constantly promotes entitlement—urging us to focus on what we “deserve.”
• In contrast, the Bible calls for a posture of thankfulness, even when surrounded by unfulfilled desires.

2. The Story of the Ten Lepers (Luke 17:11-19)

• Joby reads and reflects on the story where Jesus heals ten lepers, but only one—a Samaritan—returns to give thanks.
• Reflection:
  • “Was no one found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?” (Joby, quoting Jesus, 01:39)
  • Joby highlights that gratitude isn’t just a moral add-on but a faithful response to God’s work in our lives.

3. The Gratitude List Practice

• Practical Takeaway:
  • Joby introduces the concept of a “gratitude list”: For every year of your life, write down one thing you’re grateful for.
  • “For every year you have been alive, you should write down one thing to God that you are grateful for now. … I just kind of made it up.” (Joby, 02:29)
• He describes how this practice emerged from a season of personal struggle and self-pity, feeling a “check in my spirit” that shifted his focus back to God’s blessings.
• Tip: Use your gratitude list especially when feeling entitled, envious, or sorry for yourself.

4. Joby’s Personal Gratitude List

• Joby shares all 52 items (one per year of life), highlighting a mix of spiritual, relational, and ordinary blessings—from his salvation and family members to tacos and “back to back national champions of the Georgia Bulldogs.”
• “Some of you are not going to like my list. I don’t really care. It’s not your list.” (Joby, 03:34)
• He emphasizes that a gratitude list is personal—it doesn’t need to impress anyone else but is meant to direct our attention to God.
• Memorable Quote:
  • “Just counting the blessings of God in my life gets my attitude off of me and onto Him.” (Joby, 06:06)

5. Final Encouragement

• “You want to win this year at Christmas? Have an attitude of gratitude. … Write a gratitude list.” (Joby, 06:16)
• Joby closes by reiterating how the simple act of writing down and reviewing blessings can radically transform your perspective, especially during seasons of cultural busyness and comparison.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On screens and entitlement:
  • “You hardly look at a screen that does not scream entitlement. It tells you what you deserve. The Bible says this…” (Joby, 00:36)
• On the impact of gratitude:
  • “It’s amazing. I rarely have to go through all 52 before it completely changes my attitude.” (Joby, 03:15)
• On being honest with gratitude:
  • “Some of these things are very, very important. And some of these things you might think are silly. That’s okay. … Give thanks to God in all circumstances.” (Joby, 03:32)

Important Timestamps

• 00:20 – Introduction of the Christmas theme: win at Christmas by being grateful
• 01:07 – Reading and reflection on Luke 17:11–19, the ten lepers
• 02:20 – Introduction to the gratitude list practice and Joby’s personal experience
• 03:35 – Joby shares his 52-point gratitude list
• 06:06 – The effect of gratitude: “Counting the blessings gets my attitude onto Him”
• 06:16 – Final challenge: “Write a gratitude list”

Summary Flow

With a warm, straightforward, and somewhat playful tone, Pastor Joby moves seamlessly from biblical teaching, to real-life vulnerability, to a practical holiday challenge. He models what he teaches, sharing both deep and lighthearted items on his gratitude list, and makes it easy for listeners to adopt the practice themselves.

Action Step:
If you want to “win” at Christmas—or at life—Joby invites you to write your gratitude list, and see how God transforms your attitude from self-focus to worship.

End of Summary.