HEAVENLY INCLINED...: 2ND WEEK OF LENT: ADVANCING OUR TRUE NATURE...

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...

2ND WEEK OF LENT: ADVANCING OUR TRUE NATURE...

Lent is a season of grief that necessarily ends with a great celebration of Easter. Since we are co-partners to CHRIST JESUS, this grief is not only for HIS GIFT on the cross, but for our errs/sins---

There are traditionally 40 days in Lent; these are marked by fasting, both from foods and festivities, and by other acts of penance. The three traditional practices to be taken up with renewed vigour during Lent are prayer (justice towards God), fasting (justice towards self), and almsgiving (justice towards neighbours); these are known as the three pillars of Lent. Self-reflection, simplicity and sincerity (honesty) are emphasized during the Lenten season. Also, giving up personal luxuries, and using the money saved from this abstinence given as alms...

As CHRIST JESUS was TRANSFIGURED, so must we be, in heart, THAT our TRUE nature is exhibited to the world, and celebrated by THE LORD! We PREPARE FOR HIM by preparing our natures to affiliate WITH HIM!!!

At any rate, Lent is one of those important times when we seek to be closer to THE LORD *GOD* ALMIGHTY, and to strengthen our allegiance to HIM, and HIS WILL. We take time to reflect upon ourselves, and how the world has influenced us, or has shown us more clearly, our NEED for HIM! We rue our errs, and dig deeper for the will to improve ourselves, as we PRAY for greater resistance to temptation, and more resolve to avoid it, and too, we PRAY for others! We consider our role in HIS PLAN, our partnership with HIM, and our duties, and responsibilities TO HIM, to others, and THE CHURCH. We reiterate that we are NOT of the world, and so, seek to be more honest as citizens of THE KINGDOM. Not that our efforts are for show, or for gain, instead because they verify our ONENESS WITH HIM, as we bear fruit worthy...

We HUMBLE ourselves before THE LORD *GOD*, as we atone for our errs, and ask for guidance, direction, and protection forevermore! We realize we are vulnerable to the ways of the world, so, we aim to become better prepared to withstand the onslaught directed at us! We strive to overcome, even when it is harder than we imagined. In short, we CLING TO *GOD*, as we adapt more to THE PATH OF RIGHTEOUS, paved by CHRIST JESUS! Our ultimate goal is to more readily BE LIKE HIM, and TO REFLECT HIM THAT the world might see HIM, and seek HIM. THIS IS our foundation:

MATTHEW 5: 13-16...

13+++“You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt has become tasteless, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men.

14+++“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden;

15+++nor does anyone light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on the lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house.

16+++“Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.

Ye are the salt of the earth. Mankind, lying in ignorance and wickedness, were as a vast heap, ready to putrify; but Christ sent forth his disciples, by their lives and doctrines to season it with knowledge and grace. If they are not such as they should be, they are as salt that has lost its savour. If a man can take up the profession of Christ, and yet remain graceless, no other doctrine, no other means, can make him profitable. Our light must shine, by doing such good works as men may see. What is between God and our souls, must be kept to ourselves; but that which is of itself open to the sight of men, we must study to make suitable to our profession, and praiseworthy. We must aim at the glory of God.

BE HOLY AS I AM HOLY (1 PETER 1: 16), IS our aspiration, that *GOD* IS VISIBLE to all, through HIS Chosen! Now, we CANNOT become HOLY on our own, so our intent is not human, instead OF THE SPIRIT, and PERFECTED BY THE SPIRIT, HOWEVER, we HAVE to be open, and participate IN THIS PROCESS which IS ONGOING! In other words, we COMMIT TO HOLINESS, while tripping, stumbling, and otherwise struggling, KNOWING OUR HEART FOR HIM WILL continue HIS WORK IN us, and THROUGH us...

As the traveller, the racer, the warrior, and the labourer, gathered in their long and loose garments, that they might be ready in their business, so let Christians do by their minds and affections. Be sober, be watchful against all spiritual dangers and enemies, and be temperate in all behaviour. Be sober-minded in opinion, as well as in practice, and humble in your judgment of yourselves. A strong and perfect trust in the grace of God, is agreeable with best endeavours in our duty. Holiness is the desire and duty of every Christian. It must be in all affairs, in every condition, and towards all people. We must especially watch and pray against the sins to which we are inclined. The written word of God is the surest rule of a Christian's life, and by this rule we are commanded to be holy every way. God makes those holy whom he saves. THIS IS PREPARING FOR HIM, and what is to come!!!

You know, and I know, the very matters that PROVE us IN HIM, ARE THE most difficult to adapt to, and to get accustomed to, BECAUSE we have been raised in a world that ignores, and defies what IS OF HIM, and we are easily swayed by the enemy(ies), perception, and other criteria of the human condition, THOUGH, REALLY, IF we are NOW OF CHRIST JESUS, we have left the world behind, YET, we are still IN it, while LEARNING to NOT be part of it, which tosses us about, albeit, the more we adhere TO HIM, and TRUST HIM, the less we are!!!

We ARE SO BLESSED to HAVE BEEN Chosen as HIS people, though it doesn't truly seem to sink in, thus, we go through phases, changes, trials, tribulations, and other challenges TO drive it home! In which case, EVERY experience SHOULD be taken to heart, and studied for the purpose of further coming around to our TRUTH, FOR HIS GLORY, and the greater good of others!!!

Let us ponder HIM, and our role IN HIM to the degree of discovering the absolute GENIUS OF HIS PLAN, and of our being grafted in! Let us PRAISE HIM ALWAYS, WORSHIP HIS HOLINESS, REJOICE IN HIS LOVING CARE, and LOVING KINDNESS FOR us, let us HONOUR HIM IN ALL our ways, ALL of our days, let us be thankful, grateful, and appreciative, let us DO GOOD, and BE GOOD, let us SHINE, SHINE, SHINE OF HIM that all those lost in the darkness NOTICE HIM, seek HIM, find HIM, and FOLLOW HIM! Let us GIVE HIM GLORY in EVERY way feasible, for HE IS THE LORD *GOD* ALMIGHTY, our FATHER, our CREATOR, our SAVIOUR, our KING, our HOLY SPIRIT, AND our EVERYTHING! HALLELUJAH, AMEN!!!

BIBLICAL, and/or other references marked BOLDLY IN COLOURS