HEAVENLY INCLINED...: A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A CHRIST 'FOLLOWER'...

Thanksgiving for the LORD's Favor

Psalms 138 (A Psalm of David)
1/ I will praise thee with my whole heart: before the gods will I sing praise unto thee.
2/ I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy loving-kindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name.
3/ In the day when I cried thou answeredst me, and strengthenedst me with strength in my soul.
4/ All the kings of the earth shall praise thee, O LORD, when they hear the words of thy mouth.
5/ Yea, they shall sing in the ways of the LORD: for great is the glory of the LORD.
6/ Though the LORD be high, yet hath he respect unto the lowly: but the proud he knoweth afar off.
7/ Though I walk in the midst of trouble, thou wilt revive me: thou shalt stretch forth thine hand against the wrath of mine enemies, and thy right hand shall save me.
8/ The LORD will perfect that which concerneth me:
thy mercy, O LORD, endureth for ever: forsake not the works of thine own hands... AMEN!!!

One CANNOT earn GRACE, it is HIS own ESSENCE; a gift, still, IF one claims to be IN HIS GRACE, we ARE to, or, OUGHT to, be reflections of that GRACE! 2 CORINTHIANS 6:1, tells us not to take HIS GRACE in vain! This means, living in LOVE, morality, ethics, virtue, righteousness, and, spiritual improvement, TOWARDS, spiritual maturity, WHILE, visibly BEING as LIGHTS, beaming OF *GOD*, beckoning the world, TO THE LIGHT! Righteousness MEANS, conduct in conformity with *GOD'S* WILL, and, "Be HOLY because I AM HOLY!", therefore, indicating that knowledge, wisdom, and, effort, DO, apply TO the righteous!!! NEVER forget, we were grafted in, and, if we do not bear fruit, as a dead branch, we will be pruned out, just as were, the natural branches!!!

We are not saved by works, instead, works PROVE HIM in us: they identify HIS own...

IF I claim ONENESS with *GOD*, through CHRIST JESUS, I am DEAD TO THE WORLD, THUS, LIVING as HIM, which is, hopefully, witnessed IN, and, THROUGH, my every thought, action, and, reaction; MEANING, I am, THROUGH CONSCIOUS application OF THE WORD, HIS COMMANDS, HIS WILL, REFLECTING righteousness, not, merely, FAITH! I become, the TRULY FRUITFUL branch, of THE VINE, the TRUE member of THE BODY/THE CHURCH, CHRIST JESUS, and, TESTIFY, then, GLORIFY, BOLDLY, BY my thoughts, actions, and, reactions, HIS name, because, HE IS WORTHY, and, IN HIS LOVE, has SHOWN me, how I OUGHT to exist, to which, I eagerly, adapt, and, comply!!!

MATTHEW 5:48...
So be perfect, just as your heavenly Father is perfect

1 PETER 1:14-16...
14/ Like obedient children, do not act in compliance with the desires of your former ignorance
15/ but, as he who called you is holy, be holy yourselves in every aspect of your conduct,
16/ for it is written, "Be holy because I (am) holy."

ROMANS 12:2...
Do not conform yourselves to this age but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and pleasing and perfect.

Conduct, in conformity to *GOD'S* WILL, marks the righteous; it is NOT because of guilt, or, ancient Laws, but, because of LOVE; LOVE for *GOD*, self, then, others! CHRIST JESUS gave us Commandments to live by, of which, the first is to LOVE *GOD*, with all of your mind, heart, and, soul; the second is, to LOVE one another!

LOVE COMPELS us to LIVE IN HIM, through conduct which conforms to *GOD*; in other words, morality, ethics, doing good, and, being good, and, ever striving to improve the spirit! It is about REFLECTING THE TRUTH, for ALL to bear witness to, FOR, and, TO HIS GLORY, RADIANTLY SHINING OF HIS POWER, GRACE, and, MERCIES!!!

It IS ALL ABOUT LOVE, baby, all about LOVE!!!

MATTHEW 4: 17...From that time on, Jesus began to preach and say, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand."

JOHN 14:15..."If you love me, you will keep my commandments.

NOTE: I do not intend to preach, rather to reach; to stir up, awaken, to inspire, and, bring forth, in discussion, that which is, perhaps, dormantly existing in the heart of hearts, thus, little, or, no, sugar coatings, just THE WORD of *GOD*, the TRUTH, along with some of my thoughts. And truth is, I am reminding myself always, as I practice these reminders, in the best of my abilities, and capacities, while RELYING on THE LORD to lead me on that narrow PATH---> MATTHEW 7: 14: "For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it... TO *GOD* BE ALL GLORY...

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF A CHRIST 'FOLLOWER'...

A day in the life of a CHRIST 'follower', is as the day of anyone else! Things happen, sometimes, affecting future days, weeks, and, months, even, years! 'Followers' of CHRIST, are MORE likely, to have their FAITH, and, FAITHFULNESS tested, than, are most people, but, we have the KNOWLEDGE of *GOD'S* own WISDOM, to strengthen our resolve to endure, persevere, and, live in the HOPE of HIS promises;
plus, we KNOW we must go through MANY hardships, to enter the KINGDOM of *GOD* (ACTS 14:22)!!!

MATTHEW 11:29...Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for your selves.

1 PETER 4:1...Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin.

1 PETER 4:13...But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.

NOTHING is easy, and, as I have said many times, *GOD* IS NOT a genie, a magician, nor, a wish factory, HIS WILL SHALL be done, and, YOU ARE subject unto HIS WILL, before all else!!!

MATTHEW 16:24...
Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

KEY: we MUST DENY ourselves! WE NO LONGER exist, for SELF, but, FOR *GOD*, for LOVE, for others! UNTIL we begin to embrace this, we WILL most certainly, face various trials, that, we OPEN up to the sensibilities IN negating the self, in LIGHT of HIM, and, others! Believe it, when you have lessons to perfect, you WILL face that, which, has the power to teach you!!!

Anytime something shows up to try you, go, sincerely, TO *GOD*/CHRIST, and, ask for HIS guidance through this time, WITH THE FAITH of a fortress, and, begin to work past it! HE IS THERE, for the FAITHFUL, always, and, willingly!!!

Below are some PSALMS, or, prayers of David, which, I believe have SUPERNATURAL empowerment within their words...

PSALM 86...
A prayer of David.
1/ Hear me, LORD, and answer me, for I am poor and oppressed.
2/ Preserve my life, for I am loyal; save your servant who trusts in you.
3/ You are my God; pity me, Lord; to you I call all the day.
4/ Gladden the soul of your servant; to you, Lord, I lift up my soul.
5/ Lord, you are kind and forgiving, most loving to all who call on you.
6/ LORD, hear my prayer; listen to my cry for help.
7/ In this time of trouble I call, for you will answer me.
8/ None among the gods can equal you, O Lord; nor can their deeds compare to yours.
9/ All the nations you have made shall come to bow before you, Lord, and give honor to your name.
10/ For you are great and do wondrous deeds; and you alone are God.
11/ Teach me, LORD, your way that I may walk in your truth, single-hearted and revering your name.
12/ I will praise you with all my heart, glorify your name forever, Lord my God.
13/ Your love for me is great; you have rescued me from the depths of Sheol.
14/ O God, the arrogant have risen against me; a ruthless band has sought my life; to you they pay no heed.
15/ But you, Lord, are a merciful and gracious God, slow to anger, most loving and true.
16/ Turn to me, have pity on me; give your strength to your servant; save this child of your handmaid.
17/ Give me a sign of your favor: make my enemies see, to their confusion, that you, LORD, help and comfort me.

PSALM 70...
1/ For the leader; of David. For remembrance.
2/ Graciously rescue me, God! Come quickly to help me, LORD!
3/ Confound and put to shame those who seek my life. Turn back in disgrace those who desire my ruin.
4/ Let those who say "Aha!" turn back in their shame.
5/ But may all who seek you rejoice and be glad in you. May those who long for your help always say, "God be glorified!"
6/ Here I am, afflicted and poor. God, come quickly! You are my help and deliverer. LORD, do not delay!

PSALM 91...
1/ You who dwell in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty,
2/ Say to the LORD, "My refuge and fortress, my God in whom I trust."
3/ God will rescue you from the fowler's snare, from the destroying plague,
4/ Will shelter you with pinions, spread wings that you may take refuge; God's faithfulness is a protecting shield.
5/ You shall not fear the terror of the night nor the arrow that flies by day,
6/ Nor the pestilence that roams in darkness, nor the plague that ravages at noon.
7/ Though a thousand fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, near you it shall not come.
8/ You need simply watch; the punishment of the wicked you will see.
9/ You have the LORD for your refuge; you have made the Most High your stronghold.
10/ No evil shall befall you, no affliction come near your tent.
11/ For God commands the angels to guard you in all your ways.
12/ With their hands they shall support you, lest you strike your foot against a stone.
13/ You shall tread upon the asp and the viper, trample the lion and the dragon.
14/ Whoever clings to me I will deliver; whoever knows my name I will set on high.
15/ All who call upon me I will answer; I will be with them in distress; I will deliver them and give them honor.
16/ With length of days I will satisfy them and show them my saving power.

These are but a few of the MIGHTY prayers of David, though, I must say, that the REASON his prayers were effective is that, his FAITH was rock solid, unwavering, constant, consistent, and, without fail, NO MATTER what he suffered, and, suffer, he DID!!!

Developing FAITH strong enough to, YET, FLOURISH, under the onslaught of woes, IS like, opening up a secret hatch to HEAVEN! Such FAITH pleases the LORD, our *GOD*, immensely, though, it will have been tried, tried, and, tried, BEFORE HE is sure of your FAITH, and, you are, as well!!!

You should ALWAYS KNOW, and, BELIEVE, that *GOD* IS YOUR FORTRESS, YOUR ROCK, YOUR DELIVERER, YOUR MOST PRESENT ALLY, and, YOUR FORTRESS OF DEFENSES, against what this life hurls at you! It should be AUTOMATIC in your response, and, thoughts! This is what FAITH IS! TOTAL, IRREVOCABLE, UNSHAKABLE, UNDAUNTED, BELIEF IN *GOD*, DESPITE what is coming at you!!!

David was a great example of FAITHFULNESS; ALL of HIS work, PROVES that he was FIRMLY planted in *GOD*, and, even through tears of the worst anguish, he was PRAISEFUL, REJOICEFUL, and, SURE!!!

A day in the life of a CHRIST 'follower' (you might be asking, "You mean, a Christian?", but, not all Christians, 'follow' CHRIST, as they should), is TIME to PROVE our FAITH, FAITHFULNESS, LOVE, OBEDIENCE, and, UNDERSTANDING OF, and, TO *GOD*! What comes our way, IS that, which, holds the power to bend us, shape us, INTO MIGHTY representations OF *GOD*!!!

Life happens, things are going to knock you for a loop, now, and, again, but, REMEMBER, *GOD* IS YOUR RESOURCE, YOUR SOURCE, YOUR HOPE, and, YOUR RESOLVE! There is PEACE in FAITH, PRAYER, and, PRAISE! AMEN!!!

REV. LWINSOR © 2012
BIBLICAL, and/or, other references marked BOLDLY IN COLOURS