HEAVENLY INCLINED...: 1ST SUNDAY OF ADVENT: HOLY HOPE...

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...

1ST SUNDAY OF ADVENT: HOLY HOPE...

Advent 2020 begins today, and this particular season is perhaps, one of the most imperative ever, as we battle many evils in this old world, along with a trend which shuns, and spurns THE LORD *GOD* for increasing numbers of people---

I can't fathom time without *GOD*! It makes no sense to me that anyone might dismiss HIM, either before they know HIM, or after they do! We did NOT just appear on this beautiful planet, and there is ample indication from the far corners of the Earth that something greater than us exists! Some people reject *GOD* because they don't want to conform, or to control themselves; others actually believe themselves to be gods; still others don't see proof, so, it cannot be...

THE LORD *GOD* ALMIGHTY IS ALIVE, REAL, and EVER PRESENT, regardless of the insisting that HE is a myth, or a fantasy! The universe overall, speaks of HIM; everything in it, reveals HIS MIGHTY POWER, and HIS artistry; HE IS NEAR, and IS VISIBLE IN ALL HIS CREATION!!!

Without THE LORD where is HOPE? Hope is often all there is to cling to, and to still the being enough to patiently await HIM, HIS WILL, and whatever comes next! Hope IS central to FAITH, and to our very existence in this troubled realm! Hope is our motivation when it seems impossible to move forward; it IS our will to keep on keepin' on! Hope is a force of PROVIDENCE, DIVINITY, and NATURE, intended to propel us forward, and toughen our resolve; it is a MIGHTY matter, yet not always evident to us, nor it's results instant...

In these times, HOPE is necessary in so many areas, as we face, then endure the unknown, the evil, the wicked, and the dying moral foundations on which this day was founded, and built upon! We are witnessing the hand-basket being filled, we are bearing the results of degeneracy, we are feeling, and reeling from the effects of stepping too far away from *GOD*, LOVE, and TRUTH! And so hope IS what reminds us there is greater, and better than what is before us...

PSALM 147: 11...

The LORD is pleased with those who fear Him, who hope in His loving devotion.

We are not to be in doubt between hope and fear, but to act under the gracious influences of hope and fear united.

2 CORINTHIANS 3: 12...

Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold.

It is the duty of the ministers of the gospel to use great plainness, or clearness, of speech. The Old Testament believers had only cloudy and passing glimpses of that glorious Saviour, and unbelievers looked no further than to the outward institution. But the great precepts of the gospel, believe, love, obey, are truths stated as clearly as possible. And the whole doctrine of Christ crucified, is made as plain as human language can make it. Those who lived under the law, had a veil upon their hearts. This veil is taken away by the doctrines of the Bible about Christ. When any person is converted to God, then the veil of ignorance is taken away. The condition of those who enjoy and believe the gospel is happy, for the heart is set at liberty to run the ways of God's commandments. They have light, and with open face they behold the glory of the Lord. Christians should prize and improve these privileges. We should not rest contented without knowing the transforming power of the gospel, by the working of the Spirit, bringing us to seek to be like the temper and tendency of the glorious gospel of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, and into union with Him. We behold Christ, as in the glass of his word; and as the reflection from a mirror causes the face to shine, the faces of Christians shine also.

ROMANS 12: 12...

Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, persistent in prayer.

He is honoured by our hope and trust in him, especially when we rejoice in that hope. He is served, not only by working for him, but by sitting still quietly, when he calls us to suffer. Patience for God's sake, is true piety. Those that rejoice in hope, are likely to be patient in tribulation. We should not be cold in the duty of prayer, nor soon weary of it.

ROMANS 15: 13...

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Christ fulfilled the prophecies and promises relating to the Jews, and the Gentile converts could have no excuse for despising them. The Gentiles, being brought into the church, are companions in patience and tribulation. They should praise God. Calling upon all the nations to praise the Lord, shows that they shall have knowledge of him. We shall never seek to Christ till we trust in him. And the whole plan of redemption is suited to reconcile us to one another, as well as to our gracious God, so that an abiding hope of eternal life, through the sanctifying and comforting power of the Holy Spirit, may be attained. Our own power will never reach this; therefore where this hope is, and is abounding, the blessed Spirit must have all the glory. All joy and peace; all sorts of true joy and peace, so as to suppress doubts and fears, through the powerful working of the Holy Spirit.

THE LORD IS MY HOPE! ONLY HE CAN and WILL LEAD me through this valley, as well as perfect me, protect me, and uphold me! No matter what is happening around me, I can, and do look UP to my HOPE, PRAY, and wait on HIM, even though I am affected, and afflicted!!!

In this season, may we strive to come closer to THE LORD *GOD*, LOVE, TRUTH, and LIFE, by delving into HIM, HIS WILL, and HIS WORD, while preparing for HIS RETURN, and HIS GLORY which WILL be ours too! May we HONOUR HIM in our ways, ALL of our days, as we DO GOOD, and BE GOOD! May we EVER be connected TO HIM, and THROUGH HIM, may HIS CHURCH STAND STRONG! PRAISE THE LORD, WORSHIP HIS HOLY NAME, and REJOICE IN HIS LOVING CARE FOR US! AMEN!!!

BIBLICAL, and/or other references marked BOLDLY IN COLOURS