HEAVENLY INCLINED...: THE WAY OF THE CROSS...

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...

THE WAY OF THE CROSS...

The way of the cross, was not easy for CHRIST JESUS, nor for us, in HIS footsteps, will it be,
As we make a pilgrimage, in exodus, to THE KINGDOM, we know of, but cannot yet see,
Whereupon THE PATH leading there, are evils of every kind,
Working against us, body, heart, soul, and mind...

CHRIST suffered in many ways, as HE fulfilled THE FATHER'S WILL,
HE was scoffed at, rebuked, scorned, and denied, to this day still!
It wasn't enough that HE was put to death, HE was badly abused before,
Yet, HE kept HIS thoughts, and focus on what was in store...

Like HIM, our mentalities are to rest on what is ABOVE,
That we are ever, protected, comforted, and guided by LOVE!
Nothing of this world has power over what THE LORD accomplished for HIS own,
Through HIM, the seeds of WISDOM which strengthen us, have been sown...

Our SAVIOUR IS the navigational tool to reaching our reality,
Within HIS example ARE the principles which lead us safely;
No matter how tough it gets in this realm,
We KNOW that our LORD, is at the helm...

Instead of wasting time, doing this, or that, we should concentrate on HIM,
That HIS SPIRIT is free to move us past every temptation, suffering, or whim,
Keeping our steps steady, and sure, as we also, take up our cross, and travel THE WAY,
Which is a challenge, day by day...

There is none more worthy to follow, only CHRIST JESUS' footprints are SUPERNATURALLY empowered,
In them, we find liberty from the wicked beasts of this plane, which has too many souls, devoured;
Each of HIS steps is enlightened, enabling, enriching, endowing, and encouraging too,
Because HE knows well, the adversity, and the hardships we must endure, and be brought through...

Thus, we are bid to closely, walk in HIS AUTHORITY,
To KNOW HIM, through HIS WORD, in diligent study,
Never looking back, nor to the left, or the right,
Instead, always training on HIM, our every sight...

It isn't easy, it wasn't intended to be; HE suffered for us, and in HIS suffering, we have a share,
Such is the indicator of those who belong here, or UP THERE!
Still, HE IS with us, HIS POWERS STRONG, and SURE,
HE PROMISES us victory, and this, HE WILL secure...

Take up that daily cross, and head towards that GLORIOUS destination called home,
Forget the silly notion to, in this world, chase, and to roam!
Let LOVE be as your pulse, it will ensure you to the end,
For therewithin, lies benevolence, such as is nearly impossible to comprehend!!!

REV. LWINSOR © 2014
ALL RIGHTS RETAINED/RESERVED IN AUTHORSHIP

O, PRAISE THE LORD, WORSHIP HIS HOLINESS, and REJOICE IN HIS OBVIOUS LOVE, and CARE for us! BE THANKFUL, and GRATEFUL, and HONOUR HIM BY TAKING ON HIS example, and REFLECTING HIM, in thought, action, and reaction!!!