HEAVENLY INCLINED...: A TIME FOR CHANGE, INDEED!!!

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...

A TIME FOR CHANGE, INDEED!!!

WHY do SO many people WANT to stand in negativity? WHAT will be gained in doing so? HOW much bitterness can one have inside? WHERE did this all begin for such people? In REALITY, there IS a BETTER way, which IS easier to exist in than all this nastiness, and acrimony, INDEED---

Cast aside ARE the principles, and standards which MAKE time sweeter, safer, and more enjoyable! WHY? WHAT IS the purpose of choosing to be stuck in hostility? I just don't get it, and would never opt to be part of it; not that I can fully escape it, especially since the times are FILLED with venom, and malevolence, but I also, don't HAVE to be drawn in to it, nor will I contribute to it! There IS a WAY better way to exist, and I WILL ever impart the wisdom in doing so; individually, and for all!!!

Today there is little tolerance, let alone compassion, and so, it is like viewing an angry bunch of hornets, while trying to avoid the sting! It is increasing difficult to bite my tongue as I witness the corrupting forces at work in societies everywhere! WHO WANTS to live on edge, and in such a state where hissing is more common than respect, and regard for our fellow beings? NOT ME! NOT NOW, NOR EVER!!!

Hate IS sucking humans in like a vacuum, and IS wreaking havoc! There is NOTHING meaningful in hatred, save for pointing the way to LOVE! Hatred IS oppressive, poisonous, and NOT worth ANY THING! It IS farcical, it is evil, it is wicked, AND it makes our days TOTALLY unfavourable! SO, WHY the inclination to be bound in, and by it???

People are cocky, rude, insolent, mean, abusive, vulgar, uncivil, inconsiderate, brutish, eager to vilify, and just downright boorish these days! Not nearly all, but more, and more ARE falling into the traps of agitation, AS IF it will bring us ANY good whatsoever!!!

Take a GOOD look at yourself, and be honest about your behaviours! Consider whether or not you are biting into the poisoned fruits of the hour, and IF there is reason for doing so! THINK about the LONG term effects of a world gone amok, and violent, and WHAT irreparable damage IS being done! EACH person contributes TO the whole, be that good, or bad!!!

ISN'T anyone else appalled BY the current words, acts, and reactions? ISN'T anyone else concerned for the near future???

Without compassion there is NO HOPE for dialogue, nor advancement! Without basic civility, there is NO HOPE for a PEACEFUL existence! Without respect for each other, there is NO HOPE for co-existence, and so, if it gets worse than it already is, the days ahead WILL be most difficult FOR ALL of us!!!

Mentality is something that, like our bodies, should grow, and develop! MOSTLY EVERY person has as much good within, at the very least, as they do the not so good, but not everyone has the desire to embrace, and use the good for the good of self, and others! Some people have no inclination towards justice, or rights, yet, these are NOT the majority, although they might have influence on others! It SEEMS that right now, there are minions galore...

SELF CONTROL IS CRUCIAL to overall well-being! It might not seem like it in the moment, but mastering it, TRULY aids in comfort, content, and happiness! NOT the fleeting happiness found in satiating the flesh, but the lasting happiness which enriches the WHOLE being, from the spirit out! SELF RESTRAINT SERVES us well! WHEN we THINK before we speak, act, or react, we often find that good judgement, and practicality WORK POSITIVELY, while NOT doing so, works against us, and others! It appears that self control, and restraint are no longer embraced by far too many, but perhaps they just don't understand or realize the rationality involved in doing so; maybe they were never taught! Whatever the case, as long as there is this hour, THERE IS HOPE, but someone HAS to be INDIVIDUAL enough, and CARE enough to help those who are lost, or confused, or just don't 'get it'! ONE person with LOVE in their heart, compassion and kindness in their demeanor, and TRUTH in their spirit, CAN begin a process towards change, and betterment FOR ALL, INDEED!!!

Each day as I am out, and about, I witness a world which is WAY different than it was less than a decade ago! It is a world of contention, of bitterness, of scorn, of scowls, of indifference, of MANY negative behaviours, and IF we are complacent about this, it is only going to worsen, and ALL of us WILL suffer of it...

Christians SURELY OUGHT to BE EXEMPLIFYING CHRIST JESUS, and existing AS HIS WILL would have us to! All others MIGHT just be touched, and reached IF we would do so!!!

GALATIANS 5: 16-25... (See also EPHESIANS 2: 3; 1 PETER 2: 11; GALATIANS 6: 8; ROMANS 6: 12; ROMANS 13: 13-14)
16+++But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh.
17+++For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please.
18+++But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.
19+++Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality,
20+++idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions,
21+++envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22+++But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness,
23+++gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law.
24+++Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
25+++If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.

If it be our care to act under the guidance and power of the blessed Spirit, though we may not be freed from the stirrings and oppositions of the corrupt nature which remains in us, it shall not have dominion over us. Believers are engaged in a conflict, in which they earnestly desire that grace may obtain full and speedy victory. And those who desire thus to give themselves up to be led by the Holy Spirit, are not under the law as a covenant of works, nor exposed to its awful curse. Their hatred of sin, and desires after holiness, show that they have a part in the salvation of the gospel. The works of the flesh are many and manifest. And these sins will shut men out of heaven. Yet what numbers, calling themselves Christians, live in these, and say they hope for heaven!

The fruits of the Spirit, or of the renewed nature, which we are to do, are named. And as the apostle had chiefly named works of the flesh, not only hurtful to men themselves, but tending to make them so to one another, so here he chiefly notices the fruits of the Spirit, which tend to make Christians agreeable one to another, as well as to make them happy. The fruits of the Spirit plainly show, that such are led by the Spirit. By describing the works of the flesh and fruits of the Spirit, we are told what to avoid and oppose, and what we are to cherish and cultivate; and this is the sincere care and endeavour of all real Christians. Sin does not now reign in their mortal bodies, so that they obey it, Ro 6:12, for they seek to destroy it.

Christ never will own those who yield themselves up to be the servants of sin. And it is not enough that we cease to do evil, but we must learn to do well. Our conversation will always be answerable to the principle which guides and governs us, Ro 8:5. We must set ourselves in earnest to mortify the deeds of the body, and to walk in newness of life. Not being desirous of vain-glory, or unduly wishing for the esteem and applause of men, not provoking or envying one another, but seeking to bring forth more abundantly those good fruits, which are, through Jesus Christ, to the praise and glory of God.

EVERY day IS an opportunity TO grow, change, and BECOME bearers of fruits worthy of THE VINE! It begins with CONSCIOUS appraisal of oneself, acknowledgement of the NEED to improve, and the DESIRE to SECURE LASTING PEACE, HOPE, and JOY! As the world darkens, and is led into disorder, malice, and dissension, those whom CHOOSE ARIGHT WILL find solace, relief, safety, and alleviation, FOR REAL!!!

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

Let us PRAISE, WORSHIP, REJOICE, and HONOR THE LORD *GOD* ALMIGHTY, and let us PRAY, PRAY, PRAY! Let us DO GOOD, and BE GOOD, for this IS how they SEE *GOD* in us...