HEAVENLY INCLINED...: BY THE GRACE OF *GOD*, STILL MYSELF, ONLY BETTER...

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...

BY THE GRACE OF GOD, STILL MYSELF, ONLY BETTER...

*GOD* LOVES me; HE LOVES us all; even as we are at this moment, for HE cannot help HIMSELF, because HE IS LOVE---

Yet, in HIS LOVE HE encourages us to become whom HE CREATED us to be, and towards being more than what we THINK we are according to our worldly upbringing, and assumptions! Our REALITY IS FAR greater than the limits we set for ourselves on this Earth, which has come by way of HIS enemy who, for sure, does NOT want us to thrive, flourish, and bear fruit worthy of THE LORD *GOD*!!!

There are over 30 BIBLE references to growth, specifically, which as always, spans forth into other areas of understanding; all intended to shed LIGHT on our worldly adapted limitations!!!

By human precepts Adults are grown, by *GODLY* ones we are as babies, because our worldly upbringing, unless rooted in *GOD*, is not grounded in TRUTH! Believe me, it doesn't matter how old you are when you turn to, or accept THE LORD as your *GOD*, and SAVIOUR, you will be as needy as a newborn, because HIS WAY is not only different than the ways of the world, but exceeding SUPERIOR, and so, growth, along with development takes place! It is a whole new horizon, in total contrast with the world, and IS THE TRUTH OF OUR REALITY...

MATTHEW 18: 3...
Truly I tell you, He said, “unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.

Our Lord set a little child before them, solemnly assuring them, that unless they were converted and made like little children, they could not enter his kingdom. Children, when very young, do not desire authority, do not regard outward distinctions, are free from malice, are teachable, and willingly dependent on their parents. It is true that they soon begin to show other dispositions, and other ideas are taught them at an early age; but these are marks of childhood, and render them proper emblems of the lowly minds of true Christians. Surely we need to be daily renewed in the spirit of our minds, that we may become simple and humble, as little children, and willing to be the least of all. Let us daily study this subject, and examine our own spirits.

1 PETER 2: 2-3...
2+++like newborn babies, long for the pure milk of the word, so that by it you may grow in respect to salvation,
3+++if you have tasted the kindness of the Lord.

A new life needs suitable food. Infants desire milk, and make the best endeavours for it which they are able to do; such must be a Christian's desires after the word of God.

As we then, begin to grow into HIS WILL, and HIS GRACE, HE begins to SHINE in us, through us, and around us; in other words, HE IS evident in all we think, say, or do! We become awake, aware, and conscious of our role in HIS PLAN, thus existing in a more conscientious, and self-controlled way, which is NOT free of struggle, but which we manage WITH HIM, and our heart-felt intent to becoming who we really are! We grow UP IN THE LORD'S example, and we adhere to it, and HIM, always, in the best of our understanding, and capacity; none of which we can do without HIM!!!

EPHESIANS 4: 13-16...
11+++So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers,
12+++to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up
13+++until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.
14+++Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming.
15+++Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.
16+++From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.

Unto every believer is given some gift of grace, for their mutual help. All is given as seems best to Christ to bestow upon every one. He received for them, that he might give to them, a large measure of gifts and graces; particularly the gift of the Holy Ghost. Not a mere head knowledge, or bare acknowledging Christ to be the Son of God, but such as brings trust and obedience. There is a fullness in Christ, and a measure of that fullness given in the counsel of God to every believer; but we never come to the perfect measure till we come to heaven. God's children are growing, as long as they are in this world; and the Christian's growth tends to the glory of Christ. The more a man finds himself drawn out to improve in his station, and according to his measure, all that he has received, to the spiritual good of others, he may the more certainly believe that he has the grace of sincere love and charity rooted in his heart.

1 TIMOTHY 4: 15...
Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all

Those who teach by their doctrine, must teach by their life. Their discourse must be edifying; their conversation must be holy; they must be examples of love to God and all good men, examples of spiritual-mindedness. Ministers must mind these things as their principal work and business. By this means their profiting will appear in all things, as well as to all persons; this is the way to profit in knowledge and grace, and also to profit others. The doctrine of a minister of Christ must be scriptural, clear, evangelical, and practical; well stated, explained, defended, and applied. But these duties leave no leisure for wordly pleasures, trifling visits, or idle conversation, and but little for what is mere amusement, and only ornamental. May every believer be enabled to let his profiting appear unto all men; seeking to experience the power of the gospel in his own soul, and to bring forth its fruits in his life.

As HIS maturing Children, we ARE as reflections of our FATHER, THE LORD *GOD* in this dark, and distressed world, FOR the purpose of ALL being able to SEE HIM, and to RECEIVE HIM! We ARE like the audio of THE WORD, formed and shaped BY THE LIVING WORD, CHRIST JESUS, in every aspect of our existence (our TRUTH speaks loudly), FOR HIS GLORY, and the Salvation of as many as are willing to receive HIM! We ARE PARTNERS TO LOVE, TO GRACE, TO MERCY, TO ALL WHICH IS THE LORD *GOD* ALMIGHTY! We are BEING made HOLY, AND thus, we are WILLING, and OPEN TO HIS MIGHTY WORKS in us, EVIDENCED BY our growth, and development, which others WILL be able to notice, FOR HIS GLORY, and the sake of their souls, should they choose HIM OVER this world!!!

EPHESIANS 2: 10...
For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance as our way of life.

EPHESIANS 4: 1...
Therefore I, the prisoner of the Lord, implore you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling with which you have been called,

PHILIPPIANS 1: 27...
Only conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ, so that whether I come and see you or remain absent, I will hear of you that you are standing firm in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel;

COLOSSIANS 1: 10...
so that you may walk in a manner worthy of the Lord and may please Him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God,

1 THESSALONIANS 2: 12...
We encouraged you and comforted you as we urged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into His kingdom and glory.

Our great gospel privilege is, that God has called us to his kingdom and glory. The great gospel duty is, that we walk worthy of God. We should live as becomes those called with such a high and holy calling. Our great business is to honour, serve, and please God, and to seek to be worthy of him.

LWINSOR © 2016
BIBLICAL, and/or other references marked BOLDLY IN COLOURS