HEAVENLY INCLINED...: SHARING IN THE SUFFERINGS OF CHRIST

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...

SHARING IN THE SUFFERINGS OF CHRIST

1 PETER 4: 12-19...
12/ Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you;
13/ but to the degree that you share the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation.
14/ If you are reviled for the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you.
15/ Make sure that none of you suffers as a murderer, or thief, or evildoer, or a troublesome meddler;
16/ but if anyone suffers as a Christian, he is not to be ashamed, but is to glorify God in this name.
17/ For it is time for judgment to begin with the household of God; and if it begins with us first, what will be the outcome for those who do not obey the gospel of God?
18/ AND IF IT IS WITH DIFFICULTY THAT THE RIGHTEOUS IS SAVED, WHAT WILL BECOME OF THE GODLESS MAN AND THE SINNER?
19/ Therefore, those also who suffer according to the will of God shall entrust their souls to a faithful Creator in doing what is right.

By patience and fortitude in suffering, by dependence on the promises of God, and keeping to the word the Holy Spirit hath revealed, the Holy Spirit is glorified; but by the contempt and reproaches cast upon believers, he is evil spoken of, and is blasphemed.

One would think such cautions as these were needless to Christians. But their enemies falsely charged them with foul crimes. And even the best of men need to be warned against the worst of sins. There is no comfort in sufferings, when we bring them upon ourselves by our own sin and folly. A time of universal calamity was at hand, as foretold by our Saviour, Mt 24:9,10. And if such things befall in this life, how awful will the day of judgment be!

It is true that the righteous are scarcely saved; even those who endeavour to walk uprightly in the ways of God. This does not mean that the purpose and performance of God are uncertain, but only the great difficulties and hard encounters in the way; that they go through so many temptations and tribulations, so many fightings without and fears within.

Yet all outward difficulties would be as nothing, were it not for lusts and corruptions within. These are the worst clogs and troubles. And if the way of the righteous be so hard, then how hard shall be the end of the ungodly sinner, who walks in sin with delight, and thinks the righteous is a fool for all his pains! The only way to keep the soul well, is, to commit it to God by prayer, and patient perseverance in well-doing. He will overrule all to the final advantage of the believer.

Today, Christians are facing loss of liberty, we are seeing persecution, cross-examination, challenges, ridicule, hostility and much more, even in countries where Christianity is the foundation for said countries! We are being tossed about by every faction on Earth; we are being tested, tried, and worse!!!

It IS imperative to understand that in the face of such adversity, many face the likelihood of falling into sin, as they rely on themselves to fight for their right as Christians! Many will be shaken from their FAITH, many will become ashamed, and hide the truth of their belief in CHRIST! Many will fall away, because the pressure is too great to handle, and even more!!!

This is WHY our FAITH MUST be as strong as a fortress, as sure as IS THE LORD, and WHY we MUST KEEP our sights, our thoughts, and our focus upon HIM!!!

Also, we must realize that MUCH of oppression is coming from WITHIN the FAITH, as well as without, which will prove to be the MOST difficult to withstand, and to counter, because we don't quite understand that the enemy IS within THE CHURCH, and IS using diverse means, and people to destroy THE CHURCH! Our HOPE REMAINS IN THE LORD, and IN UNITY of INTEGRITY, and INCREASED agreement ALIGNED to THE WORD, not to the world, nor worldly responses!!!

Yes, the fiery trials are with us, and so, it is time to assess from the core of the FAITH, and to renew our commitment to THE LORD, HIS WILL, and HIS WAYS, and to LIVE accordingly, NOT being swayed, taken aback, deceived, and confused! It is time to KNOW HIM, HIS WILL, HIS WAYS, and to STAND STRONG IN HIM, while eradicating what is NOT of HIM! It is time to put on the ARMOR OF *GOD*, and RESIST the menacing arrows being fired at us!!!

Each day, something arises to alert us of the diminishing acceptance of Christianity, and so, being aware, and remaining intact, is imperative, as well as a shifting towards TOTAL solidarity within our comm'UNITY'! While we shouldn't allow ourselves to be overwhelmed by the resistance, the trials, the tests, we SHOULD RELY ON THE LORD, PRAY as one, and combine our many branches of allegiance with HIM, that our strength is FORTIFIED, and effectively realized. We have an opportunity to provide a portal into the POWERS OF THE ALMIGHTY LORD *GOD*, for all the world to witness, as we, as ONE, call upon HIM to lead us, deliver us, and reiterate the FACT that HE IS OUR CHAMPION!!!