HEAVENLY INCLINED...: HERE I AM, WISER FOR THE WEAR...

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...

HERE I AM, WISER FOR THE WEAR...

Where have I been? Ah, I got lost; lost in sorrows, in Family matters, and other such, plus, in obligations. Seriously, I got wrapped up in the trauma, drama, as well as there have been many obstacles lately which needed strong focus, and determination to overcome; I was affected, and I took much deeply---

While I RELIED on THE LORD, I was also, trying to figure out things about myself, and particular people. SO much has happened since February, and it took it's toll. I then realized my err in letting what is of the world get to me, which is to be expected, to a degree, as FAITH wills that we endure, and persevere, regardless. I am a sensitive being, so I feel much that many do not; sometimes to my own stumbling, though I get right back UP, and keep heading HOME...

REMAINING IN THE LORD, I FIGHT to continue on THE PATH, despite that which might make me trip, carefully laid before me, that I might weary to the point of no return. NOT gonna happen, but when I am over-ridden with this, or that, I DO take time to heal, reflect, rejuvenate, restore, and summon my will of FAITH, and FAITHFULNESS! Yah, I battle to retain strength, wholesomeness, and righteousness, no matter what tests, and tries me, BECAUSE I KNOW THE WAY, and though I might be sidetracked, now and again, it is merely a pause!!!

I tell you what, the closer we come to THE LORD, the more evil is hurled at us, in challenges of every sort! It is especially difficult when someone purely evil is part of your Family, or other close connections, which is doubly problematic when few others can see it, or detect it, know what I mean? Ah well, it ain't going away, and so, I have had to come to terms with it, and how to move forward IN THE LORD'S NAME...

There ARE lessons in EVERYTHING we experience on this Earth, and I strive to master as many as is feasible THAT next time, I am better prepared, and more upright in dealing with matters of this world, and hopefully, my example will be noted, to the GLORY OF *GOD*...

WISDOM over-rides foolishness, and brings us through many, many afflictions, for it IS OF *GOD*, and IS one of those provisions designated to aid us, and help us to REFLECT HIM throughout! IN HIS WISDOM, HE teaches us, chastises us, and all around bends us, and shapes us. In the WISDOM derived OF HIM, we learn, we grow, we thrive, and flourish, despite what affects us, though often, this takes time, and in that time, the desire to gain more WISDOM in the process...

Anyway, I am back on steady ground, and ready to move forward. I have a few more trials to encounter soon, but I am UP to it, thanks BE TO *GOD*, indeed!!!

WISDOM 7: 28-30...
For God loves nothing so much as the one who dwells with Wisdom.
For she is fairer than the sun
and surpasses every constellation of the stars.
Compared to light, she is found more radiant;
though night supplants light,
wickedness does not prevail over Wisdom.

LWINSOR © 2019
BIBLICAL, and/or other references marked BOLDLY IN COLOURS