Derek looks at four main areas in our thought life that needs to change if we are to bring our ways in line with God’s ways and God’s thoughts. These four areas are: objectives, priorities, attitudes, and categories. The first objective in living should be to aim for God’s glory and His satisfaction. For all things are from Him, and through Him, and to Him.

In this study, Derek looks at what it means to change our minds—another way of understanding repentance. He shows us through Scripture how repentance precedes forgiveness. Derek then explains the benefits of meditation on God’s Word and how this process of renewing our mind will cause us to prosper.

Derek returns today to Isaiah 55 to examine how we can receive God’s ways and thoughts. As rain, it immediately soaks in. But as snow, it is sometimes a hard saying. The temperature has to change, we need time to let it melt. If we respond rightly, it ultimately brings God’s ways and thoughts to us.

Today Derek begins a study on agreeing with God. To agree means to harmonize our ways and thoughts to God’s. God has said in His Word that His thoughts are not ours and His ways are higher than ours. Since God does not change, then it is up to us to agree or harmonize with God. We need to line up our ways and thoughts to His.

Finishing this study on the make-up of a patriot, Derek challenges us to be as Elisha was in his day—a center of heaven’s attention. In his service to God, Elisha developed a place of spiritual importance where, when threatened, he was surrounded by the hosts of heaven. As children of God we need to realize that we, too, are important, and we have our Father’s undivided attention.

On this Thanksgiving Day, Derek looks at scriptural examples of men who have interceded for their people before God. There was a time when God could find no one to stand before Him. We are in need of intercessors today and Derek challenges us to become men and women who will stand in the gap.

Derek’s teaching today reveals the need for believers to explain what God may be saying in situations that confront humanity. This may be for an individual person or for country, but we need to be open to hear and proclaim the spiritual perspective of what is happening around us.

Today Derek takes the words of Jesus and applies them to us as Christians. He suggests the three functions of salt are to disinfect, to hold back corruption, and to give flavor. We are to keep Spiritual and moral “germs” and “infection” away, hold back the corruption of sin, and give flavor to our surroundings. This will make them acceptable to God.

This week Derek continues to look at what goes into the make-up of a patriot. Today he stresses the importance of being a realist, particularly in moral and spiritual issues. Remember that righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a disgrace to any people. Disobedience to God brings judgment, but obedience brings blessings.

Derek looks at the importance of being appreciative, showing appreciation in everyday life and its effects. One of the marks of being filled with the Holy Spirit is that you will be a thankful person; thankful to God for all He has done and is doing in your life, and thankful to other people.