HEAVENLY INCLINED...: DAILY STRENGTHENING OF FAITH...

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...

DAILY STRENGTHENING OF FAITH...

We don't often, realize how much we are capable of until we are tested, or tried: for instance, we may not realize how skilled we really are when we take on a new job, but as said skills are tested, we discover just how strong we are, or where we lack...

The same is true with FAITH, and FAITHFULNESS, the measure of each is shown, and proven, through trials, tests, and tribulations, which ARE part of the whole of our time on this planet, and which HAVE the power to increase, as we are led through, and overcome...

As we survive, and succeed in our FAITH, and FAITHFULNESS, we become more SURE of our ability to withstand what the world hurls our way. We are able to test each based upon our having withstood! It is optimal to check our FAITH, and FAITHFULNESS daily, because there is MUCH to come, and IF we should be in the last times, it will be like nothing we have been tried, and tested with this far. We should examine, search and try our OWN ways, that we are EVER ridding of that which weakens our relationship with THE LORD, and invites err! WHEN we KNOW for sure the areas which NEED strengthening, we can then, attend to such matters, while RELYING ON THE LORD to aid us as is necessary...

*GOD* LOVES us as we are, yet HE desires to make us ever better! WE can't, without HIM, do much, yet, we have to open UP to RECEIVING ALL HE has to offer, and be willing to undergo the refining HE DOES in HIS own! We might be a worthy lump of silver, or gold, but ONLY AFTER the refiner's fire, is either one perfected! It is unlikely for us to remain the same when we are IN HIM, and ONE with HIM, because there is SO much more to us that we don't know, or see, but HE DOES, and HAS CREATED us to be! It is NATURAL to a relationship with HIM to flourish, and as our FAITH, and FAITHFULNESS increases, we thrive of HIS tireless work IN us. HE WANTS to strengthen us, that we are able to trample underfoot, ALL obstacles in our lives, in which case, FAITH, and FAITHFULNESS, along with LOVE, see this manifesting!!!

Too often, when life hits the fan, and things come undone around us, we waiver in our FAITH, which affects our FAITHFULNESS! RELY ON *GOD*, ALWAYS, and in ALL circumstances; STAND STRONG, PRAY, and TRUST HIM, while moving forward with that certain PEACE HE has instilled in each of HIS own, which accompanies FAITH, and FAITHFULNESS! THINK; IF we waiver, how little our FAITH! Sure, it gets downright difficult at times, but you see, SUCH IS WHAT PROVES, and REFLECTS our FAITH, and FAITHFULNESS IF we REMAIN intact, and thus, SHINES OF HIS GLORY, WHILE ENCOURAGING, and INSPIRING others...

HE says---
1 CORINTHIANS 10: 13...
No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

Carnal desires gain strength by indulgence, therefore should be checked in their first rise. Let us fear the sins of Israel, if we would shun their plagues. And it is but just to fear, that such as tempt Christ, will be left by him in the power of the old serpent.

Murmuring against God's disposals and commands, greatly provokes him. Nothing in Scripture is written in vain; and it is our wisdom and duty to learn from it.

Others have fallen, and so may we. The Christian's security against sin is distrust of himself. God has not promised to keep us from falling, if we do not look to ourselves. To this word of caution, a word of comfort is added. Others have the like burdens, and the like temptations: what they bear up under, and break through, we may also.

God is wise as well as faithful, and will make our burdens according to our strength. He knows what we can bear. He will make a way to escape; he will deliver either from the trial itself, or at least the mischief of it. We have full encouragement to flee from sin, and to be faithful to God. We cannot fall by temptation, if we cleave fast to him. Whether the world smiles or frowns, it is an enemy; but believers shall be strengthened to overcome it, with all its terrors and enticements. The fear of the Lord, put into their hearts, will be the great means of safety.

THE LORD IS FAITHFUL, and so should we be! If you think it is easy for HIM to remain FAITHFUL to us at ALL times, consider the very world we live in; the endless rebellion, denial, and ignoring of HIS WILL! HE HAS given us a spirit of strength, and we CAN we remain in FAITH, and BE FAITHFUL no matter what has the power to shake us! Understand, to shake us senseless, and loose from THE LORD IS the enemy's greatest intention, BECAUSE when FAITH, and FAITHFULNESS cease to exist, we ARE separated from THE LORD *GOD*, whom ALONE, HAS the POWER to SAVE us from the deviate aspirations of the enemy...

Let us CHECK our FAITH, and FAITHFULNESS, and let us SUSTAIN them, ESPECIALLY when they are weakened by what is of the world; let us HONOUR THE LORD BY becoming as SOLID IN HIM as is feasible; RELYING ON HIM, PRAYING TO HIM, PRAISING HIM, WORSHIPING HIM, and REJOICING THAT HE LOVES, and CARES for us enough to BRING us through what would otherwise, take us eternally away from HIM! Let us be THANKFUL, and GRATEFUL, and ATTENTIVE TO HIS WILL, and HIS MOVEMENT in our lives! Let us EXALT HIM BY EXEMPLIFYING HIM, and HIS WILL! GLORY BE TO *GOD* for HE ALONE, IS WORTHY, RIGHT, JUST, GOOD, and LOVE!!!

REV. LWINSOR © 2014
BIBLICAL, and/or other references marked BOLDLY IN COLOURS

TRUST HIM TOTALLY!!!
When it comes down to it, what alternative is there, considering that ONLY HE IS TRUSTWORTHY, WISE, RIGHT, JUST, GOOD, HOLY, and LOVES PURELY?!!