HEAVENLY INCLINED...: CHRISTMAS???

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...

CHRISTMAS???

There are many discussions about CHRISTmas! Should a Christian celebrate CHRISTmas?

This is an age old question, which has never been resolved! The arguments against celebrating it, stem from paganism, and idolatry! There is a message in JEREMIAH 10 stating that one should not cut down a tree, and chisel it into a idol, which many people apply to CHRISTmas trees! Personally, I believe the CHRISTmas tree was brought in as a reminder that our LORD appeared to die nailed to a tree/cross, and, I also believe that idolatry is individual, in that, the heart expresses the truth of a being; in other words, IF one worships a CHRISTmas tree, or the overall celebration MORE than CHRIST THE LORD *GOD*, then that person is guilty of idolatry! It is a thick subject matter, yea, or nay, but I believe it boils down to the HEART of a person!!!

Commercialism has LARGELY stained, and tainted this HOLY celebration, which has happened for many reasons, one of which is, worldly ways, and traditions, passed down through the generations, without much thought of their impact, or influence, REGARDING reverence, and solemnity! I don't believe it is sinful to celebrate CHRISTmas, though, I am SURE there are dangers for those who don't revere the HOLINESS therein!!!

CHRISTmas was slotted in December by the early Churches HOPING to lessen the revelry of the pagan customs, and celebrations of the Winter Solstice! As it is, the Church became more lenient, and allowed for particular customs to be incorporated into the HOLINESS of the season!!!

IF we are TRULY HONOURING THE GIFT OF LOVE, THE GIFT OF LIFE, CHRIST JESUS, SAVIOUR, LORD *GOD*, HOLY SPIRIT, and KING OF KINGS in this time, I don't believe we are unaligned, ALTHOUGH, because worldly ways have become the platform of this reverent time, we must guard our hearts, thoughts, actions, and reactions in this time, and remain IN HIM!!!

GIVING is a prominent tradition in this time, though, it SHOULD be that we are giving to those who need, and those who are suffering! We are to give of our time, our talents, and in whatever way we can to various groups/individuals who NEED! Unfortunately, in most instances, CHRISTmas depicts that we give to our own, and those close to us; this is an area which should be considered...

I LOVE CHRISTmas! I PRAY I am not sinning by celebrating THE GIFT OF LOVE, THE GIFT OF LIFE by participating in certain parts of this celebration, but, if I am, I TRUST THE LORD KNOWS my heart, and my desire to please HIM! Each year though, I become more AWARE of the excess in this HOLY time, and wish we could take it to the manger, where it belongs!!!

PRAISE THE LORD, WORSHIP HIS HOLY NAME, REJOICE IN HIS LOVE, and HONOUR HIM ALWAYS, but ESPECIALLY in this time, by BEING a BLESSING, and understanding HOW to BLESS others always! MUCH LOVE, and MERRY CHRISTMAS!!! OXOXOX

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

As MAJESTIC as THE *GODHEAD* IS, HIS PLAN for us, is simplified, and beautiful, yet, we always find ways to complicate what is clearly at our disposal! BLESSED IS THE LORD, BLESSED are HIS own, and BLESSED IS the heart of HIS LOVE...