HEAVENLY INCLINED...: MEMORIAL WEEKEND 2021...

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...

MEMORIAL WEEKEND 2021...

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It is Memorial weekend here in the 'States; a time to remember those who gave of their time, with their lives for our freedoms, and that we might exist more abundantly---

Great numbers of Men, and Women have sacrificed their lives FOR others, and their country, and while they are honoured, and remembered for this, we must also reflect on their courage and bravery in deciding to do so, because a whole LOT of people AREN'T willing! CHRIST JESUS, OUT OF LOVE, LAY down HIS earthly life FOR us; HE SACRIFICED FOR us in a way few are able to exemplify, yet, these have done so, in whatever capacity, and understanding...

While this holiday is representative of the Military, both the fallen, and the injured, and their Families, this past year, we have also, witnessed a remarkable number of heroic people who were WILLING to put their lives on the line for humanity, and some of them DID, thus, I believe all of these should be included in this Memorial Day/weekend. It is awesome to note just how many continued to serve others without letting their fear, or thoughts hinder them! I acknowledge, and appreciate each of you, and thank you for setting an example for all of us; it DOES, and DID matter, and counts, as we battle this invisible enemy, indeed!!!

Death IS our enemy on Earth, but IS our LIFE IN THE LORD, IF we are OF HIM, still, we dread it, and we are not mature enough despite all the lessons HE left us, to simply, accept it! SO, when someone SELFLESSLY GIVES themselves to death, we are left to ponder, wonder, and hopefully, be reminded by such remarkable acts! We KNOW, and we understand, but we cling to time just a bit too much, and so, when one dies for another, we are moved, grieved, and left to consider their willingness...

Then we have the Families, Friends, and other close ones who survived them, and those who are dealing with an altered existence because of the badly injured! For these we feel deeply, and quite often, we offer what we may, but their pain, and suffering lingers on for the rest of their days. THEY are also, heroic, and worthy of observance for it IS with great difficulty that they forge forward, and often, that is because they were encouraged by their LOVED one to do so, even if that were by mere standard...

Our country is in a chaotic turmoil, and also, we have endured a year of uncertainty because of Covid19, so, now more than ever, we NEED TO pause, and THINK about the fragility of time, and the bravery of those who were taken from us! We SHOULD have learned a LOT through this past year, though it doesn't seem like it, but I PRAY enough of us DID pay attention, and gather from it...

Anyway, THANK YOU to those who gave their lives for my freedom, and those who continue to put theirs on the line! I am ever indebted, and appreciative; I truly am! May *GOD* BLESS and BE with you, and yours, and may your fellow Americans EVER BE just that, as they too, step UP to the plate for those you left behind, and everyone else as well!!!

*GOD* BLESS AMERICA, and LET us BLESS HIM FIRST and FOREMOST, THAT HE REMAINS WITH us, for we NEED HIM MORE than we might know, or understand, as the darkness IS setting in as we wander FAR from our foundation, and standard!!!