Today Pastor Mike asks what it means to be thankful. All too often, we choose to dwell only on our troubles, forgetting all the blessings we do have. Take some time today to recognize the specific things the Lord has done in your life. It sounds simple, but an attitude of gratitude will lift your spirit. Look for the giving hand of God everywhere you go. Soon you'll be amazed by all the blessings He has provided. Focusing on the positive will make the negative seem less troublesome.

Receiving the Holy Spirit is not a one-time occurrence. There will be a first time, upon acceptance of Christ, that you receive the Holy Spirit. But as Pastor Mike shares, you should continue to be filled with His presence. Receiving the Spirit should not be saved for special occasions either. Another observation from today's message is that this filling is a passive action. You do not fill yourself, but allow yourself to be filled. There are actions you can take, such as prayer and scripture study, to facilitate the receiving of the Spirit, but it's not for the taking.

Today Pastor Mike will challenge you to stand up for what is right. The world has intimidated Christians into silence. You've been told you must be sensitive to others' beliefs. The reality is many of these people are living in sin. You don't have to put up with your foul-mouthed co-worker. You can ask that they not use offensive language around you. All this can be done with an attitude of love. If you are unsure how to speak without judgment, ask the Lord to convey it for you.

God has designed for sex to be enjoyed ONLY in marriage. However, society promotes sex outside of marriage as a perfectly normal endeavor. Pastor Mike shares the truth that anything done outside of God's original design is sin. Movies, public schools, and social media all show sex outside of marriage as healthy and acceptable. So much so that at some point, you might start to think God has it wrong. Use today's message to remind you of the truth and recognize the lie society has sold.

As a body of believers, we are not called to uniformity but rather unity. Every believer has different personalities, gifts, character traits that make each unique in their being. But as a group of like-minded individuals, the church should strive towards unity. As Pastor Mike shares in today's study, this takes some patience and grace. Unity doesn't happen naturally; it requires work. Unity in the church is a precious gift that, when in balance, that allows the work of Spirit to flourish.

Meekness and humility are not traits of weakness. Scripture teaches that you are to love Jesus and others first. Doing so doesn't mean you minimize your strengths or don't take care of yourself. It’s essential to know your gifts, abilities and accept who God has made you be. Pastor Mike encourages you to be the best you can be for His kingdom's sake in today’s lesson. Share the gifts the Lord has blessed you with, in a way that draws others to Him, not in a way that brings attention to you.

On the outside, Christianity looks like any old religion. Followers go to church, give their money, and celebrate holidays with their God. But the truth is much more than that, as Pastor Mike shares in today's lesson; Christianity is a relationship. You go to church to spend time with your family in Christ, you give money out of thanksgiving for what you've been blessed with, and you worship the life and death of our beloved. Is it time to change your thinking about this religion and make it a relationship?

Are you only filled with the Spirit if you can speak in tongues or perform healing miracles? In today's message with Pastor Mike, he addresses this question. To be filled with the Spirit means your soul is connected with the Trinity. You have access to the power to say no to fleshly desires. You are prompted and led by Him to share His kingdom. You are actively growing and producing the fruits of the Spirit. Are these items present in your life? If not, you'll learn how to move in the right direction.

There is a difference between an individual who intellectually understands Christ is the world’s Savior and a person who embraces this truth in their heart. Pastor Mike often sees the former individual in his office sharing their burdens, not understanding why the Lord hasn't delivered them. Also, it's the latter that is genuinely saved. Ask yourself, after hearing today's message, which camp are you in? Have you crossed the 12 inches difference with understanding in your head and accepting with your heart?

Once you've accepted Christ, you don't arrive as a Christian. You'll need to put in the time to develop long-lasting habits. As Pastor Mike presents in today's study, you have spiritual exercises that need to be completed. You must feed yourself with the word of the Lord and spend time in prayer to receive the power of the Holy Spirit. If you don't exercise these muscles, your faith will become weak and could fail. Don't be afraid to do the hard work; the results will be worth the work!