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.

When you are in the midst of people who are tired and discouraged and defeated, you are there to lift them up. This is Derek’s commentary on how our attitude as Christians should be wherever we go. We are to be encouragers, not discouragers. See the good and God’s ability in every situation.

Today Derek stresses the need for us to learn to be servants, putting the needs of others before ours. The decline of our country is in part because the nation has forsaken this attitude for a “me” mentality. We must be willing to follow Jesus’ example of serving and doing what we can to help and lift others up.

Derek begins looking at some practical applications of being a patriot and today talks about what he has has coined as being relatable; the kind of person that others can relate to and can relate to others. In speaking of our country and its Constitution, we are a covenant nation and need to understand what covenant means.

Derek begins this two week study into what a patriot is by defining it, but looks more at the implications scripturally of the patriot’s role in life. You are not just a single entity here living for your own self. Your life affects others whether you realize it or not. A patriot is one who fulfills his allotted role in the nation in which God has placed him.

Derek closes this week’s study with the assurance that if we have given all we have to the Lord, He will share all that is His with us. We are joint heirs with Jesus, and have the Holy Spirit within us testifying that we are God’s children. As we share in Christ’s sufferings, as well as His glory, we know He will be with us through it all.

In today’s study Derek looks at the story of Elijah and the widow who was called upon to bake him a cake using all the meal and oil that she had left. As she did so, her provision was miraculously multiplied. In this illustration, we can see that as we give up all we have to the Lord in faith, He will return back to us far more than we had.

Derek explains just what opening the door means. When you hear Jesus knocking, you must respond in some way. To not respond is to leave the door closed to Him. Derek shares with us how to respond—to receive and open the door for the new birth.

Today Derek looks at ways God speaks to us—whether it comes by the voice of the Holy Spirit, an illumination of Scripture, through other people, or through God’s creation. God is not limited in how He speaks to us, we just need to have our senses tuned to hear Him.