Actually Give Thanks

"In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you." - 1st Thessalonians 5:18

It's easy to think we are thankful, until we try to nail down specifics.

Here is a revealing exercise - Write down ten (10) things you are, specifically, thankful for, and don't get "churchy" (we all know you are thankful for God, Jesus, etc.). Try it, you may be surprised.

Put that list where you normally stop to pray, it will be a blessing.

Here is my list, in no particular order after the first item:
1. My wife, children, and family
2. A good job
3. A good vehicle
4. Lack of pain
5. A CPAP machine and the ability to sleep
6. Air conditioning
7. A good home
8. My orange tree
9. Our friends (remember, I said in no particular order)
10. Freedom to Worship.

- fritz

A Whole Person

[T]he very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." - 1st Thessalonians 5:23

It is a mistake to believe God is only interested in our "soul".

God created us spirit, soul, and body¹ in his image² and for a reason. One should presume the original intent has not been changed, only delayed, by humanity's obstinance.

Jesus came to preserve the whole person and fulfill God's design in us. Submitted to God, our bodies are holy and pleasing³ to him and he has a divine purpose for them.

Take care of your body, God has a use for it.

- fritz

^{1 - Genesis 2:7 - "breath" and "spirit" are the word in Hebrew
2 - Genesis 1:26
3 - Romans 12:1}

God Is Not the only Trinity we know...

"And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." - 1^st Thessalonians 5:23 (KJV)

We are more than just a body, soul, or spirit, but all three (3) at the same time; God is not the only trinity we interact with on a daily basis.

Two (2) additional things to note:

1) God doesn't just "Save my soul" but is interested in me as a whole person.

2) God's preservation begins before the return of Christ, not just in the "sweet bye-and-bye".

I think this means that, though God sometimes allows me to experience suffering for my overall good (Romans 8:28) as any good parent would, all things being equal, God wants me healthy in my body, happy in my soul, and strong in my spirit beginning now and extending through the coming of Christ and into Eternity.