What are we thankful for today? We should remember that we are to be thankful in any circumstances, even when we are not thankful for every event. There is an importance difference. And when we consider what Christ did on our behalf we should be thankful always, for 'this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you."

Our culture is obsessed with identities. We all want to choose our identity as it suites us and only include people like us while shunning those outside our group. But, how should a Christian identify? Christ gave us a new commandment, that we are to love has he loved and then told us that the world will identify us by our love for one another. We need to live into this new command and ensure we are loving our brothers and sisters so the world will know who we are and say, "see how these Christians love one another."

What are you looking at? Is it the author and finishers of our faith; Jesus Christ? Where we focus indicates what we are paying attention to and what we look at is the direction we go. Just as Christ had to look at the Father and do his will, so we today must stare at our Father and do his will in full obedience.

The fruit of the Spirit is the good work that the Holy Spirit grows and cultivates inside of us. When we yield to the Spirit we will bring forth- love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Does your character reflect these fruits-- If not, what is standing in the way-- Are you obedient to Him-- How can you submit to the Spirit and allow Him to produce these spiritual fruits in you--

My father owns the cattle on a thousand hills, says the Psalm. How wonderful it is to know my father owns it all, I don't own anything. It is not my car, house, job, money, family, not even myself- We are not called to heatless worship and routinely giving away what isn't ours. But to to be thankful, repay my vows, and to acknowledge my dependence on him. God wants the only thing he has given us control over, ourselves- Obedience is what he desires and deserves.

We all know the idiom, 'You Reap what you Sow' commonly called the Law of the Harvest. Often it has a negative connotation, but it is also positive. If you need more patience, peace, love, prayer, help, encouragement, joy, blessings in your life- then, you should give those things to others as much as Christ has given you. And never grow wearing in doing good, but look to the Lord who supplies every need.

We consider the Parable of the Unmerciful Servant today. He received forgiveness of a debt the could never pay, yet was unmerciful to someone's who owed him very little. We are reminded both of the penalty that Christ paid for us, and warned to forgive our brothers and sisters.

Did Moses wear a veil to conceal the fading glory of the Lord- We explore this and inquire of the veil of false pretense Christians wear the the veil of sin that keeps nonbelievers from the Lord.

Reading the Philippian letter we are reminded to think about what is true, honest, just, pure, lovely, of good report, virtuous, and praiseworthy. By focusing on these things, we can stand, rejoice, not be anxious, have the peace of God that passes all understanding, and know his will.

King Manasseh, one of the most horrible and evil men to ever live, experienced an extraordinary turn to God after he humbled himself and repented. He then removed the sin in his life and the land, sacrificed and worshiped God, lead the people back to God and was happy.