HEAVENLY INCLINED...: THANKSGIVING THOUGHTS...

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...

THANKSGIVING THOUGHTS...

As with all Holidays, Thanksgiving has been commercialized; even worse, yet, that shouldn't hinder us in giving *GOD* THE GLORY for ALL, and EVERYTHING---

THE LORD *GOD* GAVE people seeking freedom from oppression, this fine, and beautiful country; the United States of America! Those whom first arrived in this land, KNEW to PRAISE, and WORSHIP THE LORD, and to give HIM THANKS, then, they built on their gratitude to make this a nation which fears HIM, reveres HIM, LOVES HIM, and appreciates ALL HE IS, DOES, and WILL DO! *GOD* IS the foundation on which they laid their expectations, their aspirations, their TRUST, and their RELIANCE! Simply said, they PUT HIM in proper perspective, and well, BLESSINGS upon BLESSINGS saw the USA flourish, and blossom! Note that this did NOT happen without their devotion, their hard labor, and their diligence...

The Thanksgiving gathering SHOULD be used to reiterate the humble beginnings on which this country was founded, and built! We OUGHT to be PRAYING, PRAISING, WORSHIPING, and REJOICING as we gather together, and celebrate the BOUNTIES WHICH *GOD* HAS BESTOWED UPON us! HE, ALONE HAS GIVEN us ALL we have, and the opportunities to thrive in what we have, and so, our thanks goes to HIM OVER everything!!!

In EVERYTHING we think, say, or do, HUMILITY needs to be preeminent! Without humility, well, we are existing against all THE LORD IS, and COMMANDS of us! Humility keeps us IN THE SPIRIT. Thus, despite the worldly celebrations of time, we RAISE our hearts, PRAYERS, and gratitude TO THE LORD, who SURELY, brought us to this hour, and this far! The food, the drinks, football, and whatever else makes our Thanksgiving complete, can wait until HE IS GLORIFIED, and thanked proper!!!

I don't know how many people even have an inkling of how BLESSED they are, but it IS time to consider it! Happiness is fleeting, but contentment, and appreciation linger on, and on, as they remind us of our fortunate state! One day is NOT enough to count your BLESSINGS, though it is a starting point to teach the Children, and some Adults the necessity in doing so! When we are thankful, grateful, and appreciative, then contentment is possible, which IS a very great BLESSING, indeed!!!

FROM gratitude comes generosity of spirit, in which are diverse layers, and levels which FORWARD from us TO all others, in various means, and ways! Our LORD *GOD* IS THE EPITOME OF GENEROSITY; IN HIS SPIRIT OF LOVE, HE HAS GIVEN, and TO this very moment, DOES GIVE! Since we are to become more LIKE CHRIST JESUS, generosity of spirit IS inclusive! Generosity of spirit finds us being, and doing that which REVEALS HIM IN US! It is not only for our own good, but for the overall good of others, as what is right, just, and good, IS the ULTIMATE, and FINAL state into which we are CALLED, and which the FAITHFUL shall exist in forever! When we take on the nature of our LORD, then what is negative, bad, wrong, unjust, and so forth, IS diminished, bit by bit, through individual to individual, THEN THE CHURCH itself IS HONOURING *GOD*, accordingly!!!

Thanksgiving, like other Holidays HAS been hijacked, as some have pointed out, but I say it is NEVER too late for us to change our ways! Yah, I know, when we bring *GOD* into the celebrations of time, there are not so receptive responses, even from close Family members, and Friends, but need that stop us? NO WAY! GIVE *GOD* HIS GLORY FOREMOST, then it will be well, and the pleasures of time will mean all the much more!!!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING WITH MY LOVE; may we HONOUR THE GOOD LORD WHOM HAS GIVEN us BOUNTIFUL BLESSINGS, tangible, or otherwise, and may we THANK HIM WITH our hearts for the HARVEST of GOOD HE HAS BESTOWED UPON HIS people! PRAISE &; WORSHIP THE LORD *GOD* ALMIGHTY, for it IS HE WHOM IS WORTHY, for HE IS 'THE' HORN OF PLENTY!!!

LWINSOR © 2017
BIBLICAL, and/or other references marked BOLDLY IN COLOURS

PSALM 116: 12...
What shall I render to the Lord for all his benefits to me?

PSALM 100: 1-5...
A Psalm for giving thanks. Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth! Serve the Lord with gladness! Come into his presence with singing! Know that the Lord, he is God! It is he who made us, and we are his; we are his people, and the sheep of his pasture. Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.

EPHESIANS 5: 20...
Giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ,

2 CORINTHIANS 9: 10-15...
He who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God. By their approval of this service, they will glorify God because of your submission flowing from your confession of the gospel of Christ, and the generosity of your contribution for them and for all others, while they long for you and pray for you, because of the surpassing grace of God upon you. ...

HEBREWS 12: 28...
Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe,