HEAVENLY INCLINED...: HUMILITY INVOKES BLESSINGS AS ENDLESS AS THE SANDS OF TIME...

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...

HUMILITY INVOKES BLESSINGS AS ENDLESS AS THE SANDS OF TIME...

We are called to HUMBLE ourselves before THE LORD, thus, live in humility, a BLESSED, and beautiful state...

HUMILITY = Modest behavior, selflessness, and the giving of respect. Humility is not thinking less of yourself, it is thinking of yourself less. It is a spirit of self-examination; a hermeneutic of suspicion toward yourself and charity toward people you disagree with. The courage of the heart necessary to undertake tasks which are difficult, tedious or unglamorous, and to graciously accept the sacrifices involved. Reverence for those who have wisdom and those who selflessly teach in love. Giving credit where credit is due; not unfairly glorifying one's own self. Being faithful to promises, no matter how big or small they may be. Refraining from despair and the ability to confront fear and uncertainty, or intimidation. Being HUMBLE, or with humility, is a POSITIVE affirmation of the mature, and devout person, obedient in concordance TO HIS WILL, and ever growing towards the prize...

Humility is the antidote, and cure of Pride, which THE LORD detests in humans, because pride places the self BEFORE THE LORD, and CAN be the spark that opens up to more err, and more wrongs. The evil ruler of the world was cast out of HEAVEN because of his pride, and in that pride, belief that he was a contender with the power of *GOD*. Pride is self-LOVE, and according to THE LORD, our LOVE is to be HIS first, and foremost, then given to others. There are LOTS of arguments concerning pride; some say pride is a good, and useful emotion, yet, if we look to *GOD*, we KNOW HE detests the proud! Of pride comes vanity, selfishness, stubbornness, defiance, arrogance, excess, and all sorts of behaviours/characteristics against what is HOLY, what is right, what is just, what is good: pride is a negative influence, spanning through many areas of human behaviour...

There are at least 200 references to pride in THE WORD; strong passages that clearly speak of HIS disdain towards the proud, and pride, along with the damages that such behaviour incur. MOST of the things we consider right, are the very things that KEEP us unhappy, unhealthy, and ever troubled, and pride is often, at the root...

There are roughly 100 references to humility in THE WORD; passages that speak of HIS pleasure of those who have humbled themselves before HIM, and promises of HIS BLESSINGS, GRACE, MERCY, and MUCH more to those whom grasp, then remain in humility. Humility is the opening UP to an HONEST, and earnest relationship with THE LORD *GOD*, in acknowledgement that without HIM, we could not be, nor will arise...

Humility, meekness, modesty, gentleness, kindness, compassion, and all other good behaviours are synonymous with THE LORD'S OWN NATURE! All that is against HIM, is synonymous with HIS enemy, and so, if we live in behaviours against HIM, we are in enmity with HIM...

Our choices, and actions, speak louder than all the words we speak! If we speak about LOVING HIM, and others, but do NOT make the right choices, and act in rightful ways, we are giving lip-service only! Thus, deep knowledge is required, that understanding is ALWAYS in place, that we make the right choices, and act in the right ways, backing our words with TRUE conduct, HONOURING HIM, FOR, and TO HIS GLORY, which IS what it IS ALL about!!!

REV. LWINSOR © 2013
BIBLICAL, and/or other references marked BOLDLY IN COLOURS