HEAVENLY INCLINED...: WHEN *GOD* IS THE FOCUS, SELF-MASTERY ENSUES...

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...

WHEN GOD IS THE FOCUS, SELF-MASTERY ENSUES...

When *GOD* is the focus of a life, of a mind, of a heart, of a spirit, it is natural to rework the being, especially the egocentric being, the emotions, the desires, and the body, that they more readily align to what is different than what they grew up in, are used to, or understand. It is to HONOUR HIM, that we begin to develop into our TRUE selves, the spirit that BELONGS TO HIM, and WAS CREATED FOR HIM, and HIS GLORY!!!

We are in the middle of a GREAT battle for our spirit, our soul, which belongs to *GOD*, but which, HIS enemy wishes to steal away from HIM! TRUE, the battle is NOT ours, though, we, AS HIS OWN, have allegiance TO HIM, thus, the more we tap into the HOLINESS HE COMMANDS of us, the less we are thrashed around, and the greater our over-all security in our journey home!!!

If we are HIS instruments, like all instruments, we need to be effective, maintained, and kept useful! If any instrument is in bad condition, what good is it???

We HAVE been given the opportunity of knowledge, understanding, wisdom, and certain tools that KEEP US IN TOP FORM FOR HIS USE, and NOT for the enemy's use! If we DON'T take what HE HAS GIVEN us to remain as worthy instruments, we are subject to abuse by the enemy, as he tries to toss us into the pit...

Self-mastery IS crucial to our safety, health, and well-being, and IS as intended, as we IMITATE, then perfect the example of our LORD, CHRIST JESUS, whom spent HIS entire short life on Earth, DOING THE WILL OF *GOD*, being a most PERFECT instrument for that WILL TO BE DONE! CHRIST IS our role model, and it IS our work to pattern our beings, after HIM! Since HE IS SO HIGHLY ELEVATED OVER us, it is NOT an easy task to do so, but, thanks BE to HIM, that HE left us an ADVANTAGE, THE HOLY SPIRIT, IF we are willing to remain CENTERED on what is right, just, and good, and NOT grieve HIM...

Without self-mastery, we are vulnerable, we are prone to wrongs, we are weakened, we are enticed, we are OUT THERE, as targets for the oppressor, and his endless attempts to TAKE us from our rightful inheritance!!!

Mastery is comprised of disciplines, of self-control, of CONSCIOUS, and CONSCIENTIOUS characteristics, and behaviours; it is taking what we have to work with by measures of the world, and MAKING it into THE TRUTH, an incontestable evidence of *GOD*!!!

Self-mastery is self-government or self-control, the foundation of a strong godly life, growth, and producing fruit. If a person cannot govern himself, if he cannot master his passions, he will certainly not have a good relationship with his fellowman or God. His life will likely be marked by major excesses.

The biblical writers use this word in various ways: to behave in an orderly manner, to be sober, serious, sane, sound-minded, discreet, self-disciplined, prudent, and moderate. In context of a person controlling himself, Paul writes, "For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith" (Romans 12:3; see Titus 2:6; I Peter 4:7).

A person who has self-mastery is even-handed, and his passions are under control. He makes proper use of his drives and desires, and his manner of life is not one of extremes. A person reflecting this quality will be making steady progress in growing into the perfectly balanced character of Jesus Christ.

At first, it seems unlikely, even impossible, but as understanding, and effort increase, and take root, we realize that *GOD'S* own hand is moving in our lives, and WITH HIM, NOTHING IS IMPOSSIBLE! You see, the enemy constantly sends out messages that it IS impossible, along with other falsehoods that confuse us, and create delusion!!!

Self-mastery IS a desirable reflection OF THE LORD, and as it becomes more intrinsic in us, we SHINE for those who are lost, trapped, uninformed, and unsure! We ARE instruments OF THE LORD *GOD* ALMIGHTY, and thus, HAVE to be in PRIME condition, in order for our usefulness to work according TO HIS WILL, FOR HIS GLORY, and for the safety of others, as well as ourselves!!!

REV. LWINSOR © 2013
BIBLICAL, and/or other references marked BOLDLY IN COLOURS