HEAVENLY INCLINED...: TRUTH IS, IN HIM IS OUR HAPPINESS!!!

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...

TRUTH IS, IN HIM IS OUR HAPPINESS!!!

Can we find happiness amidst the chaos of this world? FOR SURE, WE CAN! TRUE HAPPINESS derives from an honest, sincere relationship with THE LORD *GOD*, and holds powers such as we don't often consider!!!

Even CHRIST as HE walked this Earth, found pleasure, and happiness, despite the load HE chose to bear for our sakes, for HIS GLORY! HE was moved to tears by what HE experienced in this world, mostly in compassion for the people, yet, HE found happiness along the way. HIS happiness was found in doing *GOD'S* WILL, and sharing LOVE with HIS people! HE wanted for nothing, and all of HIS needs were met! HE enjoyed Wedding feasts, gatherings, and people, even while being in the presence of the enemy! HE KNEW that *GOD* was with HIM, in HIM, and all around HIM, thus, HE was enabled to take the good from the time HE was present in this life...

We only have to study HIM, then follow HIS example, and instructions! We only have to KEEP THE FAITH, LOVE, and the end goal, in mind, body, and spirit! We only have to TRUST HIM to guide us, protect us, comfort us, and deliver us from what happens in the course of any period of time, for HE IS FAITHFUL TO THE FAITHFUL!!!

Again, be reminded of 1 CORINTHIANS 10: 13...
No trial has come to you but what is human. God is faithful and will not let you be tried beyond your strength; but with the trial he will also provide a way out, so that you may be able to bear it.

2 CORINTHIANS 4: 8-10...
8/ We are afflicted in every way, but not constrained; perplexed, but not driven to despair;
9/ persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed;
10/ always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be manifested in our body.

LUKE 14: 27...
Whoever does not carry his own cross and come after me cannot be my disciple.

There is a common saying, [No cross, no crown], referring to our share in suffering in this world, in order to share HIS GLORY come that Day of Days! There is also sufficient reference to enduring, persevering, WHILE maintaining JOY, good cheer, and even happiness! This is for the purpose of KEEPING us ABOVE what HAS the power to shackle, chain, and overtake us; the negatives of this world! FAITH KEEPS US ABOVE these negatives, though SURELY, we experience them!!!

A walk with THE LORD sees many tears, but, amidst the tears, there REMAINS JOY, REJOICING, PRAISE, WORSHIP, and PRAYERS! Despite what hits us in the hours of the day, while we experience it, we RAISE this to HIM, thank HIM, and move on KNOWING HE IS working on our behalf; we RELY UPON HIM, while EXALTING in HIS ALMIGHTY LOVE, CARE, and POWERS for us, and our benefit!!!

Always, I can, in the worst of storms, SEE HIM, and FEEL HIM, and TRUST HIM to deliver me! While I might be overwhelmed by what comes my way, as I go through it, I BELIEVE that HE IS moving mountains FOR me, and IS WITH ME in EVERY way! YES, there IS happiness to be found, every single day, though KEY is to STOP being overtaken by what is wrong, and CLING TO WHAT IS RIGHT, THE LORD *GOD* ALMIGHTY!!!