What’s Cooking?

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Dr. Marsha Deveaux Johnson

“…whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.” Philippians 4:8

Life serves us what we cook and bring to the table.  We are fearfully and wonderfully made by God (Psalms 139:14).  We are created in His image and likeness (Genesis 1:26).  God exists in three parts, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

We are put together and exist in three parts, spirit, soul, and body.  Our spirits consist of who we really are. The human spirit is the very breath of God in us that lives forever and ever and communicates with Him.  The soul which God has given to us and we possess consists of the mind (intellect), the will (decision-making ability), and the emotions (feelings).  The body consists of flesh, blood, and bones.

So then, how are the good things Of God produced in  us?  How do we succeed in life?  How do we prosper?  How do we begin and maintain good relationships?

The answer to these questions and many more are found in the observation of ingredients you put in a “pot” for cooking.  It is true that whatever you put in a pot to cook will get “done” and eventually be served at the table.  Cooking allows the contents of a pot to blend flavors, come to tenderness, and form a gentle mellowing that makes ingredients palatable.  Time is also a factor.  The contents must be given time to blend, mellow, and become delicious.

So then, how does this observation affect me?  Well an analogy must prevail!  The “pot” is your human spirit (who you really are way down deep).  Whatever you hear, read, and absorb into your mind, will, and emotions (soul) does not remain there.  Like vegetables or meat, all thoughts, ideas, and principles come to the cutting board (soul).  Those that are acceptable for the “pot”  (spirit) find their final resting place in the “pot” (spirit).   There without much notice from the chef, all ingredients begin to cook.  When the pot is “done”, the ingredients emerge in a changed form but nevertheless exactly what was placed into the pot. 

Are you getting the picture?  What goes into your soul (mind, will, and emotions) finds its resting place in your human spirit.  There it is nurtured, absorbed, and changed into a final outcome.  The final outcome always is exactly what was put in, however, sometimes in a different form. 

If we meditate upon the good word of God, we will create faith, love, success, prosperity and wholeness in our spirits.  Our mind, will, and emotions will begin to receive that which is good from God out of our spirit.  We will enter the “rest” that God has prepared for us according to Hebrews Chapter 4.

If we do not meditate upon God’s good word, we will create doubt,  unbelief, fear, hatred, failure, and alienation from God in our spirits.  Our mind, will, and emotions will begin to receive that which is not good out of our spirit and we will fail the Christian life miserably.

What’s Cooking?

The choice is yours.  What you put into the “pot” (your spirit) is what you will get out.  You will then understand that whatever you have put in your human spirit and allowed to   “cook” will be served on the table of your life.  The choice is yours.

What’s Cooking?