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It is our responsibility to stimulate one another to love and good deeds. We should think of way to bring out the best in each other. Let’s begin to look out for the needs of others, too, placing our self-interests in the background. Jesus was a “servant of all”; let us also consider how we can reflect His attitude.

The word confession is described by Derek as meaning “saying the same thing as God has said in His Word.” We make the words of our mouth agree with what God has said in His Word. And not only do we say it, but we say it boldly.

Today Derek finishes this study on the topic of love by using the active definition and command Jesus gave to His disciples. “Love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.” By this we know that we are to prefer others before ourselves. This is love taking on flesh.

In today’s session, Derek provides Scriptures that address God’s ability to bring healing to hearts wounded by rejection. There are wounds of feeling unwanted, unloved, uncared for, unappreciated, or losing God’s perspective of one’s own value. Derek especially looks at two primary areas where rejection occurs—between a husband and wife, and that of a child from his or her parents.

Derek’s study today goes into more detail regarding agape love. Agape love is self-giving, it goes the second mile, it is unconditional, and it is perfectly demonstrated in Jesus. Finally, we must see that love proceeds out of faith. The death of Christ would accomplish God’s purposes, based on both God’s faith and Christ’s faith.

Derek finishes this study of agreeing with God by looking at opposites in God’s categorization of morality. A matter is either in the light or in darkness—there are no gray areas. Is something a lie or is it the truth? Is it sin or is it righteousness? Do you love God or the world? You can’t have it both ways. If you love God, you will change your thinking to align with God’s thoughts and ways.

Today Derek presents the second objective of God to our thought life: that is, the need for excellence. Derek uses creation as his example. All that God created was counted as “good.” But when all of creation is taken as a whole, it was considered “very good,” or excellent. God wants excellence in every area. That was His standard at creation, and He’s never lowered it.

Finishing this study on the make-up of a patriot, Derek challenges us to be as Elisha was in his day—a center of heaven’s attention. In his service to God, Elisha developed a place of spiritual importance where, when threatened, he was surrounded by the hosts of heaven. As children of God we need to realize that we, too, are important, and we have our Father’s undivided attention.

Derek looks at the importance of being appreciative, showing appreciation in everyday life and its effects. One of the marks of being filled with the Holy Spirit is that you will be a thankful person; thankful to God for all He has done and is doing in your life, and thankful to other people.

Derek closes this week’s study with the assurance that if we have given all we have to the Lord, He will share all that is His with us. We are joint heirs with Jesus, and have the Holy Spirit within us testifying that we are God’s children. As we share in Christ’s sufferings, as well as His glory, we know He will be with us through it all.