HEAVENLY INCLINED...: HAPPY FAT TUESDAY!!!

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...

HAPPY FAT TUESDAY!!!

Fat Tuesday, Paczki Day, Shrove Tuesday! A day of indulgence before 40 days of repenting, fasting, or sacrificing, and reflecting! Not everyone participates in the Lenten rites, but it is good for all; spiritually, mentally, and physically! It is a time for going deeper into knowing, and understanding CHRIST JESUS, and THE GIFT HE GAVE in GIVING HIMSELF for us! It is a season of spiritual renewal, or awakening; of coming ever closer to HIM, and our TRUTH---

Sacrifice is not a welcomed, or popular state; many rebel against the idea of abstaining, or doing without, which is magnified when it is compulsory; it becomes like that forbidden fruit, ya know?! However, there IS good to be derived from purposeful disciplines, all of which makes us stronger, wiser, and more connected to our LORD...

I give up several things, including sugar; I lose some weight in the process, and cleanse out my system, SO, I have that to look forward to as a reward for enduring the lack of sweetness for a while! It makes my Spring workouts all the easier:))) I am not required to observe Lent, I do so to HONOUR THE LORD, as well as for the benefits, body, mind, and spirit, though I begin to wonder WHY after a few short weeks:)))

See, the thought process of the world discourages that of what is of *GOD*, and *GODLINESS*; so much so that we actually, feel deprived when we partake in matters which are contrary to our day to day existence, and worldly comforts, so, we resist, or rebel, and IF we do so, well, there is no sense in partaking anyway, because the heart isn't it, which makes it false, and unworthy...

We ARE prone to carnal desires over what is spiritual, and so, we have difficulty denying the self, YET, IF we ARE OF CHRIST, we have denied the flesh, and have taken on THE SPIRIT! This has MANY layers, tiers, and levels, both in obtaining knowledge, and understanding; in mentality; in acting, and reacting; and in utilization OF what we are learning, and becoming! It IS a process, and we are NOT going to simply meld into it, as we ARE humans in a human world, with human disadvantages, and misguidance, THOUGH we continue onward IN HIM, and each time we falter, fall, or fail, get right back into it! Lent HELPS us to gain discipline enough to always be improving, and advancing, despite what the world puts in the way!!!

CHRIST JESUS GAVE HIS LIFE FOR us! HE endured a LOT of troubles on this Earth FOR our sake, and NEVER did HE falter, fall, or fail, BECAUSE IT WAS NECESSARY THAT HE GIVE HIMSELF UP FOR our sins, THAT we have LIFE ETERNAL! Therefore, in this time, we study, and take to heart HIS SACRIFICE, as we learn to do likewise, in the least sense! We REFLECT, and ponder the absolute SELFLESSNESS of our BEAUTIFUL, and WONDROUS LORD, WHILE adapting more, more, and more TO HIS WILL, and WAYS...

Instead of viewing this season as one of dread, may we view in the PROPER context of it's beauty, and be brought even closer TO HIM, and our TRUTH! May we NOT be overpowered by the lack we endure, but look forward to the ETERNAL benevolence in doing so! May we SINCERELY SHARE in HIS NATURE, and thus, THRIVE for the involvement! ALL FOR HIS GLORY!!!

Off to have a sweet, sweet big cup of coffee!!!

LWINSOR © 2020