Derek begins this week's message about knowing God as your Father. That entails not just knowing about Him, but actually knowing the reality of your relationship with Him. Jesus said no one could come to the Father except through Him. To illustrate this, Derek tells of his own experience in discovering this truth after he was saved.

Derek finishes this week's theme with a retelling of his adventure with God in the Sudan. Then he looks at the Parable of the Pearl of Great Price. Did you realize that you are that pearl to God? Out of the suffering of an oyster comes a pearl. Likewise, out of the suffering of Jesus, you came forth to be His. That is how valuable you are!

Derek looks at the Parable of the Treasure in the Field to confront you listeners with your importance in God's sight. You are not insignificant or worthless but a treasure to Him; and very valuable. You are the son or daughter that God wanted, and very special to Him. Derek then relates a story from his own life about digging the treasure out of someone he knew.

Examining the events of The Fall and Eve’s dialogue with the serpent, Derek points out that there are three downward steps Eve took concerning the Word of God. First, she doubted God's Word. Next, she disbelieved it. And, finally, she disobeyed it. But in God’s infinite mercy, He sent Jesus to bring us back to Himself.

Derek goes into detail of how a lump of clay was formed by God—a perfect sculpture. He breathed into that clay so that it became a living soul. We are the divine workmanship created for one supreme purpose—to have fellowship with God. Unfortunately, man fell, and this fellowship was separated. But that's not the end of the story!

Derek intends that we should learn to value ourselves and to see why we are valuable to God. Derek points out that Lucifer was created as "The Shining One," but pride developed in him and he fell. Man, on the other hand, was created in a humble state but made in the image and likeness of God. The purpose of man is to have dominion over all the earth. He is to rule on earth for God.

We can show our gratitude by speaking well of our country, the United States. What we say and our attitude toward our nation and leaders has a profound effect—for good or for evil. Derek explains, “I question whether the great majority of Americans have any concept of how much harm is brought to our nation by persistent, negative, critical talk.” You can listen to this insightful message and others from the series, “Let’s Show Our Gratitude.”

Christians bring flavor and God’s favor to the nation! And, as we stand up for righteousness, we also hold back corruption and judgment. In this message from the series, “Let’s Show Our Gratitude,” Derek explains how “our presence should be decisive in the destiny of our nation.”

America is a blessed nation. And praying for our country is not optional. It is something Scripture charges us to do. We need to be thankful for the benefits we enjoy and pray for “good government” that will support godly principles and religious freedom. Listen to this wonderful message taken from the series, “Let’s Show Our Gratitude” and you’ll hear Derek explain why.

Today’s message is from the series, “Let’s Show Our Gratitude.” You’ll enjoy not only hearing about why the Pilgrims came to America, but you’ll also get to hear Derek’s personal story. This is a time to remember with gratitude that we live in this nation!