HEAVENLY INCLINED...: TUESDAY'S THOUGHTS: LOVE IS A TOOL, USE IT...

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...

TUESDAY'S THOUGHTS: LOVE IS A TOOL, USE IT...

The Gospels record the constant failings, struggles, and doubts of these 12 Men who followed CHRIST JESUS. These were 12 very ordinary Men, whom the CREATOR *GOD* chose to do extraordinary things. Many, if not most, lived outside the realm of LOVE, until CHRIST JESUS, our LORD, and SAVIOUR, taught them of LOVE, and, most of their greatest work, which rocked the world, was done after CHRIST died on the cross...

I, for one, find it encouraging to know that the Disciples were ordinary Men, who had their share of falter, for this means, and proves, that despite our incapacity to live fully in the WORD, as we aspire to do so, we are accepted, forgiven, and even, uplifted by the CREATOR *GOD*, and the HOLY realm...

So many seek perfection in their advancement in life, which further debilitates, as there is only ONE perfection, and that is our LORD *GOD*, and SAVIOUR. AMEN...

1 JOHN 4: 16...

And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in him.

As I have been saying, *GOD* IS LOVE!!!

Nothing in life, not even LOVE, is going to come easily, although, as we experience, sometimes repeatedly, the lessons along the way, it becomes easier. Sometimes, through lack, we learn what is necessary to learn. Sometimes, an influence brings enlightenment, and answers. There are many ways to develop along the way, and it is different for each person, but, it is likely that most will have gathered some imperative characteristics, and wisdom before their demise, which includes the acceptance of the importance of LOVE, sweet LOVE...

Even the 12 Men whom *GOD* chose to spread the WORD, had to learn, and come to terms with LOVE, for LOVE is the answer to all discernment, all consternation, all procrastination, all dissension, and on, and on, and on. LOVE is the perfection of what life is, and always shall be, AMEN!!!

This is why it is important, imperative, to study the WORD, that you are enlightened to LOVE, which will lead to greater comprehension, understanding, and embracing of the most useful tool given to us by *GOD*. LOVE is immeasurable in its components, its facets, and its far-reaching effects, and, could heal the world once and for all. Yes, it is the power of CREATION, and the optimization of life...

Without LOVE you cannot be religiously bound; you must learn, and implement the tool of LOVE, as it will fulfill your life, and that around you, 100 fold, indeed!!!