HEAVENLY INCLINED...: AS SUMMER TAPERS OFF...

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...

AS SUMMER TAPERS OFF...

As the warm season tapers off, and the last vacation of the Summer begins, my mind is busily planning all I have to do in the next few weeks, and months, THE LORD willing! I need to get back to my lifelong studies, finish putting together a book, get back to work, and on it goes! I have taken enough time to heal, to contemplate, to open UP to allowing *GOD* to lead me, and I am almost ready to get back into the groove...

It has been an interesting season, during which, I have learned a few things, so, that is good! I was able to get many things in my life in order, and I discovered some more of myself! I gathered strength, and understanding, and became more calm than ever, I think! I have cried, I have laughed, I have been through the spectrum of emotions, openly, and healthily, as I near the threshold of what THE LORD has, next, in store for me! I am feeling comfortable at this point, because mostly, I have been given a PEACE which carries me in all times, and all matters, and which increases with my growth; THANK YOU LORD!!!

I learned about idle time, and the necessity of keeping busy, even though I busy myself each day, it is not the same as when you have a full schedule! I now understand HOW being idle can interfere with our spiritual growth, unless the mind is rock solid focused; part of the human condition:)))

Also, I learned more about LOVE, from the lack of it I witness many days, and from the negative effects that too little LOVE has! LOVE is spread, and taught by us BEING LOVE, in our thoughts, actions, and reactions, REGARDLESS! It DOESN'T matter if the one on the receiving end receives it willingly, LOVE HAS to be forwarded, and given, always; that's what LOVE is for! It doesn't matter if it's effects show at the time of giving it, there WILL be effects; POSITIVE effects, beneficial effects, lasting effects, and *GODLY* effects, indeed! LOVE in example, is LOVE in action...

We can SO easily embrace things which are contrary to *GOD*, yet, the things HE bids of us, we struggle with; this has to be the cause, and effect of the world, still, it CAN be changed! IF we ACTUALLY lived as HE WILLS it, HEAVEN would be right here, right now, that is how PERFECT LOVE, and GOODNESS ARE!!!

I wonder why we are satisfied with human LOVE, which has conditions, fickleness, and other hindrances, but we are perplexed, and unsure of the kind of LOVE that comes from, and of *GOD*, and IS the OPTIMAL state for our existence, now, and forever?!? IF we COULD just take on DIVINE LOVE, the world, and everything in it, would change for the better...

Anyway, I am on vacation, though it is mostly, a sta-cation, I will not be posting regularly! The weather is supposed to be beautiful, though, I am not holding this as fact, because it changes all the while! Time for some long, leisurely walks in the parks, on the waterfronts, and day trips to various places! Time to absorb the abundance of Nature, and place it inside, because all will be changing soon! Time to just enjoy what there is to enjoy; pick, and choose!!!

In just a few weeks, I will be heading back into a more structured, scheduled, and detailed life, which honestly, I miss in some ways, but not completely:))) I am grateful for the time I have had to do what I might, and with that gratitude, and renewed strength, I will move forward, with THE LORD *GOD* at the helm! As Summer changes into Autumn, I too, will be metamorphosing in the WILL of THE LORD! I can't help but think ahead, and wonder what is in store for me, but, I guess that is part of HIS PLAN, so that we always have more to look forward to:)))

MUCH LOVE, *GOD* BLESS, and BE with us ALL! PRAISE HIS HOLY name, WORSHIP HIM, REJOICE IN HIM, GIVE HIM THANKS, and HONOUR HIM with ALL the GOOD we can bring forth! OXOXOXO

REV. LWINSOR © 2013