Thanksgiving

And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to the which also ye were called in one body; and be ye thankful. Col 3:15

Like Martha who stated to Jesus when her brother, Lazarus had died, "I know that whatever You ask of God, God will give You," (John 11:22)  I too realize the benefits of an earthly relationship with the Father and the Son. Therefore, I am thankful that the natural death will never destroy our spiritual life. For this knowledge, comes the PEACE of GOD despite the current situation in ones' life. 

Exception to the Rule

 It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life. (John 6:63 KJV)

Although, we live in a physical cosmos, our spiritual connection produces perpetual relationships compared to relying on our physical abilities. Yet, Scripture reinforces this notion as demonstrated when the Savior fed five thousand men from a boy’s meal of three fish and barley bread. This miracle quickly shifted from physical foods to spiritual enlightenment, which caused His followers to become disgruntle. This disgruntlement led the Savior to say twice, “No man can come to me, except the Father which has sent me draw him.” (John 6:44, 65 KJV) Such a saying creates an exceptional rule. An exception usually occurs outside the norm. Therefore, this exception created a misapprehension, which caused five thousand men to deny what the Savior was actually trying to teach them. Remember, humans possess a spiritual presence along with their natural state. Therefore, the spirit of humans becomes inactive when focus shifts to selfish consideration. As demonstrated in this setting, the multitude received physical gratification from eating fish and bread, so the next day they wanted to locate Jesus to gain more satisfaction physically instead of spiritually.

Even today, we seek blessings from God for physical gratification. Yet, if our intentions for wanting things focus on selfish consideration, our lives will become unprofitable. For this reason, Jesus stated, “It is the spirit that quickeneth; the flesh profiteth nothing: the words that I speak unto you, they are spirit, and they are life.” (John 6:63 KJV) The Savior speaks frankly to our natural state; since, it exists purely for selfishness. Our physical being lacks the ability to profit from life. Thus, our spiritual being must acknowledge that only GOD’s Words can produce life. Subsequently, we should seek GOD while embracing the exceptional rule that only GOD’s grace will allow us to understand and accept HIS Words as the true essence of life that creates perpetual relationships.

My Prayer for You.

Dearest heavenly Father, we tend to respond selfish when relating to others. Yet, your Scripture reminds us to  petition you continuously on behalf of others.  Therefore, give us the wisdom to seek your will instead of ours. Give us the understanding to interpret your will instead of selfish intention. Give us that yelding spirit to recognize the leading of the Holy Spirit. Finally, give us the spiritual insightfulness of recognizing others the way you see them. In Jesus' name I pray.

Colossians 1:9 
For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you. We continually ask God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all the wisdom and understanding that the Spirit gives.

One-Minute Lesson

Check out the lessons from the YPWW series on Christian Concepts for Victorious Living of the Church of God in Christ. Here is a synopsis of the lesson in one minute so you can explore the details later. Click and enjoy: