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!

What did Jesus teach concerning being great in the kingdom? Derek looks at the position of the Holy Spirit and then that of Jesus, both being that of serving. Jesus was very direct in his teaching; if you want to be great in the kingdom, learn to be the servant of all.

Part of the curse that Jesus bore for us has to do with mental and physical sickness. Since He bore these things in His body, physical healing has been obtained for us. The fact that “we were healed” is always in the past tense. It has already happened.

Derek relates his own testimony: how he was saved in an army barracks by a personal encounter with the Lord Jesus and the immediate effects that event had on his life. He then tells of how the Lord trained him to take the Word and use it to bring about change—specifically the healing of his body.

Today we look at the process of restoration for Israel. We see how biblical prophecy not only predicts the re-gathering of Israel, but it also gives very accurate pictures of how that re-gathering will be accomplished. What a tremendous teaching.

Today Derek tells about his journey into learning about God’s provision for healing and how it can be obtained through faith in the Word and its promises. He was then transferred to Israel where he met a Danish lady who had an orphanage, and who later became his wife, another adventure.

The wisdom of this world, as Derek well knows, will never take the place of the hidden wisdom of God, which will only come when one becomes a new creation in Christ Jesus. Then the door will open up for us to search out this hidden wisdom.

The fruit of patience includes two distinct, but related aspects of character. These are: steadfastness in enduring troubles and also slowness in avenging wrongs. Without both of these aspects, patience is incomplete. To have true, scriptural patience, you must combine both of these.

Christians often have an incorrect view of poverty. Derek shows us that poverty is part of the curse. In fact, on the cross Jesus experienced absolute poverty: He was hungry, thirsty, naked and in want of all things. His suffering made way for us to receive the abundance that was due to Him.

The absolute heart of the gospel is this: First, Christ died; second, He was buried; and third, He was raised on the third day. There is one outward act required by God that enables us to be identified with Jesus in these three phases: the act of baptism in water. Have you been baptized?