. . . but our flesh is weak (Matthew 26:41)! Humanly speaking, no matter how hard we try not to, we still sin.

God addresses this inherent weakness of humanity in Deuteronomy 5:29: "Oh, that they had such a heart in them that they would fear Me and always keep all My commandments that it might be well with them and with their children forever!"

In the Bible we see that human beings have a heart problem. Becoming godly in our thoughts, attitudes and actions is beyond the comprehension and ability of men and women without an additional ingredient – God's Spirit.

The coming of the holy spirit dramatically changed the lives of the early Christians. The same spirit is available to us today.

God's spirit combines with our human spirit and provides an additional dimension of knowledge and strength that we do not have on our own.

"The spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God. For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the spirit of God" (1 Corinthians 2:10-11).

What change does that spirit make possible in our thinking? "We have the mind of Christ" (verse 16).

God's way of thinking produces peace, happiness and concern for others. Jesus complimented a lawyer who correctly quoted the essence of God's law: "You shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your strength, and with all your mind" and "[love] your neighbor as yourself" (Luke 10:27).

God's gift of the holy spirit on Pentecost makes it possible for the church to express God's commandments of love..

With these thoughts I wish us all a wonderful Feast of Pentecost!