HEAVENLY INCLINED...: 'TIS TIME TO SHOW US WHAT YOU ARE MADE OF...

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...

'TIS TIME TO SHOW US WHAT YOU ARE MADE OF...

OK, I have to comment on the Presidential race in America, though it goes against the gist of this site---

I said I wasn't going to watch the debate last night, but I did, and I came away more appalled than I was previously, for a few reasons, one of the major ones being that I am TIRED of the immature egg in the face sort of dialogue which this campaign has brought forth! It IS ridiculous, and actually, kind of scary to know that 'the people' of this country have lowered the standard to this, and that too many actually enjoy the offensive tactics used!!!

It IS embarrassing, to say the least! Doesn't anyone THINK about the far reaching effects this has? I mean, the whole world is watching, and unfortunately, judging all Americans by the voices, and actions of the Presidential hopefuls! Neither reflects me, or anyone I know!!!

WHEN did it become like this, and WHAT is the sense in this? The IMPERATIVE ISSUES are barely discussed, and then, are done so repetitiously, in favour of who can sling the worst insults at the other! NO ONE in the entire world could run for leadership, or the Presidency without having flaws, faults, or troubles, and so, the battle to expose each other is futile, and also, is absolutely boring because it is the same stuff time, after time!!!

LORD guide the voters in this race for the White House; we REALLY NEED YOUR guidance! HOW do we vote proper when the candidates are not exactly what we are hoping for? There IS SO much on the line here, so LORD PLEASE help us, and especially help those who are running for office, and touch their hearts with YOUR WAYS!!!

I WISH this was a less messy race, and that the Childish bullying, and assaults would stop, so that those running could be more transparent; that is from the inside out! The bickering, bantering, and so forth only MASKS their truths as they vie to retain some dignity as they defend themselves; know what I mean?!!

I just don't understand WHY grown people have to act so immaturely! IF they understood THE WAY OF *GOD*, this would NOT be the case, because those OF HIM are WISE, UNDERSTANDING, TOLERANT, KIND, and ALL which is right, just, and good, AS a practice, not only for show! Surely each of us have moments when we are not aligned, but as much as is feasible, we AIM to REFLECT *GOD* first, and foremost, sincerely, and honest in doing so!!!

IS it fair that the world holds me, or any American responsible for our leaders? I don't think so, because it is NOT cut and dry, and as you can surely see, sometimes there ISN'T much of a choice in the matter, because MANY things are NOT within our control, EVEN though it might seem to be!!!

EACH of this race's candidates SHOULD focus on imperative issues, AND bring to light their deepest STRENGTHS, which does NOT include who can sling the most rotten egg at the other! I, for one, was taxed by it early on, and it is NOT helping me to even WANT to vote now!!!

Politics ARE a part of our lives, and yet, many of us could do without the whole charade! What this has made me aware of is that maturity IS rare, and IS valuable!!!

Leaders who can't resist demeaning, slandering, and exposing one another, yet have lessons to learn! Ethics alone would find each acting virtuously, with integrity, and nobility! ANY person who chooses to lead OUGHT to be upstanding, and certainly, just!!!

The best lesson I ever learned in managing others is to lead by example, and it rarely failed me! It holds great sense, and sensibility, since people who look to someone to lead them NEED an HONEST guideline by which to function optimally! If one who is leading doesn't perform properly, or adequately, by default they are setting up others to act the same way! See what this means???

We are caught up in a time of many woes, many trials, many tests, and if our leaders can't put aside their opinions, or RISE above themselves long enough to concentrate on crucial matters, we are going to be facing even more!!!

It IS time candidates, to BE the kind of leader others are longing for, and to RESIST what doesn't serve that purpose! My opinion might not matter to anyone, but my vote seems to matter a lot, and so I say, "SHOW me what you are made of"!!!

LWINSOR © 2016