HEAVENLY INCLINED...: SUNDAY'S SACRED SCRIPTURE: THE TEACHER OF THE HEART, WISDOM

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...

SUNDAY'S SACRED SCRIPTURE: THE TEACHER OF THE HEART, WISDOM

PROVERB 4...
1/ Hear, O children, a father's instruction, be attentive, that you may gain understanding!
2/ Yes, excellent advice I give you; my teaching do not forsake.
3/ When I was my father's child, frail, yet the darling of my mother,
4/ He taught me, and said to me: "Let your heart hold fast my words: keep my commands, that you may live!
5/ "Get wisdom, get understanding! Do not forget or turn aside from the words I utter.
6/ Forsake her not, and she will preserve you; love her, and she will safeguard you;
7/ The beginning of wisdom is: get wisdom; at the cost of all you have, get understanding.
8/ Extol her, and she will exalt you; she will bring you honors if you embrace her;
9/ She will put on your head a graceful diadem; a glorious crown will she bestow on you."
10/ Hear, my son, and receive my words, and the years of your life shall be many.
11/ On the way of wisdom I direct you, I lead you on straightforward paths.
12/ When you walk, your step will not be impeded, and should you run, you will not stumble.
13/ Hold fast to instruction, never let her go; keep her, for she is your life.

14/ The path of the wicked enter not, walk not on the way of evil men;
15/ Shun it, cross it not, turn aside from it, and pass on.
16/ For they cannot rest unless they have done evil; to have made no one stumble steals away their sleep.
17/ For they eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.
19/ The way of the wicked is like darkness; they know not on what they stumble.

18/ But the path of the just is like shining light, that grows in brilliance till perfect day.
20/ My son, to my words be attentive, to my sayings incline your ear;
21/ Let them not slip out of your sight, keep them within your heart;
22/ For they are life to those who find them, to man's whole being they are health.

23/ With closest custody, guard your heart, for in it are the sources of life.

24 / Put away from you dishonest talk, deceitful speech put far from you.
25/ Let your eyes look straight ahead and your glance be directly forward.
26/ Survey the path for your feet, and let all your ways be sure.
27/ Turn neither to right nor to left, keep your foot far from evil.

The way of wisdom leads directly to life (Proverb 4:10-13); it is a light that grows brighter (Proverb 4:19[18]). The wise man is bound to shun (Proverb 4:14-17) the dark and violent path of the wicked (Proverb 4:18[19]). Singleness of purpose and right conduct proceed from the heart of a wise man as from the source of life Prov (4:23-26); they save him from destruction on evil paths (Proverb 4:27; 5:21-23).

Get wisdom, take pains for it. Get the rule over thy corruptions; take more pains to get this than the wealth of this world.

An interest in Christ's salvation is necessary. This wisdom is the one thing needful. A soul without true wisdom and grace is a dead soul.

How poor, contemptible, and wretched are those, who, with all their wealth and power, die without getting understanding, without Christ, without hope, and without God!

Let us give heed to the sayings of Him who has the words of eternal life. Thus our path will be plain before us: by taking, and keeping fast hold of instruction, we shall avoid being straitened or stumbling.

The way of evil men may seem pleasant, and the nearest way to compass some end; but it is an evil way, and will end ill; if thou love thy God and thy soul, avoid it. It is not said, Keep at a due distance, but at a great distance; never think you can get far enough from it.

The way of the righteous is light; Christ is their Way, and he is the Light. The saints will not be perfect till they reach heaven, but there they shall shine as the sun in his strength.

The way of sin is as darkness. The way of the wicked is dark, therefore dangerous; they fall into sin, but know not how to avoid it. They fall into trouble, but never seek to know wherefore God contends with them, nor what will be in the end of it. This is the way we are bid to shun.

Attentive hearing the word of God, is a good sign of a work of grace begun in the heart, and a good means of carrying it on. There is in the word of God a proper remedy for all diseases of the soul.

Keep thy heart with all diligence. We must set a strict guard upon our souls; keep our hearts from doing hurt, and getting hurt. A good reason is given; because out of it are the issues of life.

Above all, we should seek from the Lord Jesus that living water, the sanctifying Spirit, issuing forth unto everlasting life. Thus we shall be enabled to put away a froward mouth and perverse lips; our eyes will be turned from beholding vanity, looking straight forward, and walking by the rule of God's word, treading in the steps of our Lord and Master. Lord, forgive the past, and enable us to follow thee more closely for the time to come.

Baptism of the FAITHFUL is perpetual, ongoing, ever cleansing the being as they come closer to their reality, THE LORD *GOD*! It is through THE HOLY SPIRIT, and through diligent acquisition found in HIS WILL, and WORD, that CHRIST JESUS cleanses us, Sanctifies us, and Consecrates us! Let us then ALWAYS be open to receiving, that THE LIGHT, THE WAY, and THE TRUTH provides for us, protects us, guides us, and fills us with LIFE!!!

BLESS, and PRAISE THE LORD, WORSHIP HIS HOLY name, REJOICE IN HIS LOVE for us, and HIS care for us which ever grants us more advantage OVER what is of the world, and let us HONOUR HIM by taking what HE offers, and placing it in the heart, that all is well with us!!!