HEAVENLY INCLINED...: THE LORD *GOD* IS YOUR REFUGE, YOUR STRONGHOLD, THEREFORE, BE EVER ENCOURAGED!!!

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...

THE LORD GOD IS YOUR REFUGE, YOUR STRONGHOLD, THEREFORE, BE EVER ENCOURAGED!!!

JOSHUA 1: 9...
I command you: be firm and steadfast! Do not fear nor be dismayed, for the LORD, your God, is with you wherever you go."

Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary:
Joshua is to make the law of God his rule. He is charged to meditate therein day and night, that he might understand it.

Whatever affairs of this world we have to mind, we must not neglect the one thing needful. (COLOSSIANS 3) All his orders to the people, and his judgments, must be according to the law of God.

Joshua must himself be under command; no man's dignity or dominion sets him above the law of God.

He is to encourage himself with the promise and presence of God. Let not the sense of thine own infirmities dishearten thee; God is all-sufficient. I have commanded, called, and commissioned thee to do it, and will be sure to bear thee out in it.

When we are in the way of duty, we have reason to be strong and very bold. Our Lord Jesus, as Joshua here, was borne up under his sufferings by a regard to the will of God, and the commandment from his Father.

DEUTERONOMY 31: 8...
It is the LORD who marches before you; he will be with you and will never fail you or forsake you. So do not fear or be dismayed."

ISAIAH 41:10...
Fear not, I am with you; be not dismayed; I am your God. I will strengthen you, and help you, and uphold you with my right hand of justice.

2 CHRONICLES 15: 2 & 7...
2/ He went forth to meet Asa and said to him: "Hear me, Asa and all Judah and Benjamin! The LORD is with you when you are with him, and if you seek him he will be present to you; but if you abandon him, he will abandon you.
7/ But as for you, be strong and do not relax, for your work shall be rewarded."

PSALM 91...
1/ You who dwell in the shelter of the Most High, who abide in the shadow of the Almighty,
2/ Say to the LORD, "My refuge and fortress, my God in whom I trust."
3/ God will rescue you from the fowler's snare, from the destroying plague,
4/ Will shelter you with pinions, spread wings that you may take refuge; God's faithfulness is a protecting shield.
5/ You shall not fear the terror of the night nor the arrow that flies by day,
6/ Nor the pestilence that roams in darkness, nor the plague that ravages at noon.
7/ Though a thousand fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, near you it shall not come.
8/ You need simply watch; the punishment of the wicked you will see.

9/ You have the LORD for your refuge; you have made the Most High your stronghold.
10/ No evil shall befall you, no affliction come near your tent.
11/ For God commands the angels to guard you in all your ways.
12/ With their hands they shall support you, lest you strike your foot against a stone.
13/ You shall tread upon the asp and the viper, trample the lion and the dragon.
14/ Whoever clings to me I will deliver; whoever knows my name I will set on high.
15/ All who call upon me I will answer; I will be with them in distress; I will deliver them and give them honor.
16/ With length of days I will satisfy them and show them my saving power.

2 comments:

Lynda said...: CHRIST said, JOHN 14: 15..."If you love me, you will keep my commandments.; December 3, 2012 at 9:52 AM
Lynda said...: MATTHEW 11: 29-30...
28/ "Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest.
29/ Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am meek and humble of heart; and you will find rest for your selves.
30/ For my yoke is easy, and my burden light."; December 3, 2012 at 10:10 AM