HEAVENLY INCLINED...: DEVELOPING MERCY, THROUGH MERCILESS PEOPLE...

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...

DEVELOPING MERCY, THROUGH MERCILESS PEOPLE...

We are funny people; we hurt badly, when we are judged, hated, condemned, rejected, and, other such, but, we do the same exact thing, especially, towards those that cause us grief, remorse, pain, and, anguish...

This is probably, one of the most vicious cycles of human nature; definitely, one of the most difficult to correct! We are, as if, so set in our ways, and, prone to reacting negatively, towards the negative!!!

Sometimes, *GOD* is TEACHING us through having to endure the disdain of others! And, HE will repeat the lessons until they take! When we are sensitive to the opinions, or, judgements of others, we are weakened, then, prone to err! We are then, placing value on acceptance of humanity, over CHRIST! Kind of cut, and, dry, but truly, the way it is!!!

We NEED to always remember, NO ONE on this planet, is without err, or sin; NONE, NOT ONE is better than the other! One might have more materially, or, one might be more intelligent, or, one might seem to have it all, but, believe it, NO ONE is without their own set of issues, and, flaws, THEREFORE, WHY do we allow people to bring us down to the world???

Yes indeed, a vicious cycle we are caught up in! We HAVE to REALLY study this area of improving the spirit, because it IS vital!!!

I trip on those Christians who KNOW that when they gossip, slander, libel, judge, and, condemn, are placing a stumbling block before their Brothers, and, Sisters! So I, in turn, am brought down to the world! It just frustrates the heck outta me that informed people can be so harsh, cruel, calloused, and, selfish! They KNOW better! But alas, so many self-righteous people do not spend much time in THE WORD, nor, in improvement of the spirit, because, after all, they are righteous:)))

ROMANS 2: 1-8...
1/ Therefore, you are without excuse, every one of you who passes judgment. For by the standard by which you judge another you condemn yourself, since you, the judge, do the very same things.

2/ We know that the judgment of God on those who do such things is true.

3/ Do you suppose, then, you who judge those who engage in such things and yet do them yourself, that you will escape the judgment of God?

4/ Or do you hold his priceless kindness, forbearance, and patience in low esteem, unaware that the kindness of God would lead you to repentance?

5/ By your stubbornness and impenitent heart, you are storing up wrath for yourself for the day of wrath and revelation of the just judgment of God,

6/ who will repay everyone according to his works:

7/ eternal life to those who seek glory, honor, and immortality through perseverance in good works,

8/ but wrath and fury to those who selfishly disobey the truth and obey wickedness.

I attended a Wedding over the weekend, which, was beautiful, and, the ceremony was phenomenal, yet, there was an strong underlying buzz of busy, judging lips, haughty eyes, coldness, and, total disrespect towards some! At least one girl was crying because of those who assume they are more righteous than others! This handful of people ruined a celebration of a Marriage TOTALLY consecrated in Heaven, for many, although, the very Happy Couple remained on cloud 9! I am appalled at their behaviours; more than a few of them are older, thus, SHOULD be above such! So, I am diligently seeking THE LORD, for resolve...

It is interesting, that we LEARN through these experiences; we learn HOW to forgive, to have mercy, and, to toughen up! Therefore, I am convinced that we are often, being taught by HIM, through such people, so that, our spirit becomes more understanding, compassionate, and, merciful, just as is HIS! We DON'T realize that we are learning, or, developing, but, over time, we will notice the ability to withstand these senseless afflictions!!!

JAMES 4: 12...
There is one lawgiver and judge who is able to save or to destroy. Who then are you to judge your neighbor?

There are at least, 103 references in THE WORD, to this matter, so, we know it is a common issue! An issue which, makes people suffer greatly, though, we should NOT be pulled down by such! Again, there are great lessons to be learned from such matters, but, first, we have to seek HIM, pray for those who are afflicting suffering, BLESS them, forgive them, and, remain in THE WORD, that, we remain in HIM, and, the spirit!!!

We are to BE HOLY BECAUSE HE IS HOLY, and, we are to IMITATE CHRIST, our LORD! HE, who said, whoever is without sin, let him be the first to cast their stone! WHY is it SO difficult for those who are informed to overcome the pettiness of human nature? WHAT does it take for them to TRULY walk IN THE SPIRIT???

TRUE knowledge, understanding, and, utilization of LOVE IS the antidote!!!

Oh, the stories from that Wedding; they are burned into my being! I am so upset, but, I stand in LOVE, mercy, and, forgiveness! I will pray for them, and, hope for their growth, LOVE them, and, wish the best for them! May *GOD* BE with them, and, guide them to THE TRUTH of HIS LOVE, MERCY, and, GRACE!!!