HEAVENLY INCLINED...: WEDNESDAY'S WISDOM...

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...

WEDNESDAY'S WISDOM...

WISDOM which is of THE LORD *GOD*, is vital to our relationship with HIM, and to all it involves---

Fleshy wisdom is far removed from *GODLY* WISDOM, and can lead one falsely, dangerously. WISDOM to those who seek HIM, and ask HIM to teach them, is as a life breath, and as imperative...

WISDOM derived of *GOD* aids us in maturing into the spirit over the flesh, as we learn to consider knowledge before we speak, act, or react; in other words, wisdom helps us to act according to THE WILL of *GOD* instead of in the human, fleshy condition! It doesn't happen quickly that we take on the WISDOM of *GOD*, and surely, it only serves us according to our allegiance to HIM, meaning, it never serves as reason to boast, or be inflated by what HE has taught, and given us, yet, used properly enables, enriches, endows, enlightens, empowers, and encourages us to REMAIN IN HIM, despite even the world being shaken off it's axis! It KEEPS us anchored to THE TRUTH no matter what, and causes us to react with *GODLY* sense even when we are taken to extremes by tests, trials, and tribulations!!!

I have probably shared the following before, but if I have, it was some time ago, and so, because I LOVE the GREAT messages within, I share it again. I feel it is an important mindset for these times, and can strength FAITH, and FAITHFULNESS, as well as the entire being despite the increase of evil, wickedness, and negativity found in this troubled realm...

THE WISDOM OF BEN SIRA Chapter 2 (THE WISDOM OF SIRACH; THE WISDOM OF JESUS SON OF SIRACH)...
1+++My child, when you come to serve the Lord,
prepare yourself for trials.

2+++Be sincere of heart and steadfast,
and do not be impetuous in time of adversity.

3+++Cling to him, do not leave him,
that you may prosper in your last days.

4+++Accept whatever happens to you;
in periods of humiliation be patient.

5+++For in fire gold is tested,
and the chosen, in the crucible of humiliation.

6+++Trust in God, and he will help you;
make your ways straight and hope in him.

7+++You that fear the Lord, wait for his mercy,
do not stray lest you fall.

8+++You that fear the Lord, trust in him,
and your reward will not be lost.

9+++You that fear the LORD, hope for good things,
for lasting joy and mercy.

10+++Consider the generations long past and see:
has anyone trusted in the Lord and been disappointed?
Has anyone persevered in his fear and been forsaken?
has anyone called upon him and been ignored?

11+++For the Lord is compassionate and merciful;
forgives sins and saves in time of trouble.

12+++Woe to timid hearts and drooping hands,
to the sinner who walks a double path!

13+++Woe to the faint of heart! For they do not trust,
and therefore have no shelter!

14+++Woe to you that have lost hope!
what will you do at the Lord’s visitation?

15+++Those who fear the Lord do not disobey his words;
those who love him keep his ways.

16+++Those who fear the Lord seek to please him;
those who love him are filled with his law.

17+++Those who fear the Lord prepare their hearts
and humble themselves before him.

18+++Let us fall into the hands of the Lord
and not into the hands of mortals,
For equal to his majesty is his mercy;
and equal to his name are his works.

[2:1–11] Serving the Lord is not without its trials; but no matter what happens, the genuine believer will remain sincere, steadfast, and faithful. Misfortune and humiliation are means of purification to prove one’s worth. Ben Sira believed that patience and unwavering trust in God are ultimately rewarded with the benefits of God’s mercy and of lasting joy.

[2:12–18] A stern warning to those who compromise their faith in time of affliction; they fail in courage and trust and therefore have no security. But those who fear the Lord through obedience, reverence, love, and humility find his “mercy equal to his majesty”.
[2:1] 2 Tm 3:10–12.
[2:5] Prv 17:3; Wis 3:6; Is 48:10; 1 Pt 1:7.
[2:10] Ps 31:2; 145:18–20.
[2:15] Jn 14:23.

PRAISE THE LORD *GOD* ALWAYS, and in ALL ways! WORSHIP HIM, and REJOICE IN HIS LOVING CARE for us, with a THANKFUL, GRATEFUL heart, while HONOURING HIM through utilization of ALL good HE HAS bestowed upon us!!!