Why did the Pilgrims take that long, arduous journey, face all those risks and hardships? To fully understand why we celebrate Thanksgiving in America, we must first understand the historical background of the Pilgrims. As you listen today to this message taken from the series, “Let’s Show Our Gratitude,” you will discover some important facts about the Pilgrims and a miracle they received.

Today Derek finishes this study looking at various paths of righteousness we may take in our Christian walk. These are paths our Good Shepherd may lead us in that are for our good. Righteousness is a pathway. Keep in mind that there are ways we can take that may lead to destruction; but if we follow Jesus, He will lead us to our heavenly Father who is our final destination.

Derek explains how God sets before us mutually exclusive sets of alternatives and He requires us to choose: life or death, good or evil, blessing or curse. He explains what these various choices are and what they will mean in our lives and our future. Ultimately, the choice is between the Life-Giver, Jesus, or the life taker, Satan.

Derek’s study today goes into what will take place when Christians appear before the judgment seat of Christ to receive what is due them. It depends on what each person has done in this life with the Word and the will of God. What have you built your life upon? These are very sobering thoughts to consider.

Today Derek looks at the choices we have as to who we will serve and worship. Will it be God or mammon? Scripture tells us you will love one and hate the other; you can’t serve both. Do not be double-minded. Choose today to serve and worship the one true living God with all your spirit, soul, and body.

Derek begins this study by pointing out the difference between the kingdom of light and the kingdom of darkness. We cannot serve both and must decide which kingdom we will align ourselves with, using our time, our talents, or our physical strength. There is no room for compromise or neutrality.

Today Derek finishes this theme by addressing the need for believers to think and live under another government—the government of God. He challenges us, the church, to speak up in the midst of wrongs and present the truth of God's Word in every situation. Be a true representative, an ambassador of heaven.

Derek speaks about the need for a man to demonstrate love and discipline in order to raise successful children. He then goes into what it means to be a man of God by looking at elders in the New Testament church. For an elder to rule well, he must stand out in front of his family and his church. The concepts there are leadership and protection.

Derek today looks at God’s view of Abraham as a father who commanded his children. It is stressed in the book of Malachi that God hates divorce. Parents, especially fathers, need to be an example to their children, teaching them to be godly offspring, not children abandoned to the Destroyer.

Jesus went to the cross in obedience to His Father. Derek uses this progression to show the order of authority—coming down from God to Jesus, and then to the husband and father, and on to the wife and mother. The father is commissioned to be priest, prophet, and king in the family, fulfilling the responsibilities given to him.