HEAVENLY INCLINED...: MONDAY: THE MIGHT OF MENTALITY: STILL WE PRAISE!!!

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...

MONDAY: THE MIGHT OF MENTALITY: STILL WE PRAISE!!!

PRAISE and EXULT THE LORD *GOD* ALMIGHTY for this beautiful GIFT of time, as well as for ALL HE IS, and DOES! In ALL things HE IS PRESENT, and IS WORTHY of our PRAISE, WORSHIP, and GLADNESS, indeed! HE ALONE, IS CREATOR OF ALL, and EVERYTHING, and IS THE source for our breath, food, water, and all which sustains us, and causes us to grow, develop, and flourish! WITHOUT HIM there is NOTHING, and NO HOPE---

In tough times, in easier times, in good times, in ALL times, HE IS WITH us, and SHOULD be foremost in our thoughts, words, actions, and reactions! REJOICING while PRAYING, and while existing KEEPS us close to HIM, which aids us as we face the roughness of this world, and it's woes! ONLY HE, FOR REAL, IS our rock, our fortress, our sure, and present help! ONLY HE can lift us, heal us, provide for us, and comfort us in ways which allow us to go forward, and to mature accordingly! ONLY HE LOVES us in TRUTH, and FOREVER, and so, remains nearby IF we remain in HIM!!!

We have had another grim diagnosis this week, and on top of the two whom have breast cancer, we now have more medical problems to deal with, plus, other major problems to work through! Both Women whom have breast cancer have to have mastectomies, which one is about to go through, and the other, after her chemo, and radiation! And now, in this household, we are facing dealing with colon surgery, along with all the other ongoing troubles of our people! We are tired, we are weary, we are worried, it would be a lie to say we are not, YET, FAITH, AND FAITHFULNESS SHALL PREVAIL, and LEAD us, AND we WILL PRAISE, WORSHIP, and REJOICE IN TRUST OF THE LORD, as we RELY ON HIM! You know, Billy Graham suffered for many years with Parkinson's disease, but found it to be a perfect time for *GOD'S* GRACE to work, and shine in him! He made it to 99 years old; FAITH and FAITHFULNESS intact!!!

The world is NOT a haven of ease, HOWEVER we FIND that haven IN THE LORD *GOD*! HE IS THE ONE WHOM HAS THE POWERS TO guide us past, and through whatever this old world afflicts us with, and IF it is HIS WILL that we go home to HIM, HE helps us to find the strength, and peace to do so! YES, we CAN get lost in the trials, and tribulations of this realm IF we DON'T RELY ON HIM, and step away from HIS PROTECTIVE LOVE, but HE AIDS THE FAITHFUL, no matter what! THE enemy KNOWS that many, when facing harsh troubles, MIGHT just lose sight of THE LORD, and doubt HIM; thus, they place themselves in danger as their FAITH, and FAITHFULNESS are tested, and/or falter!!!

HIS GRACE IS SUFFICIENT, and SHOULD BE as an anchor to the being!
Habakkuk 3: 17-19...
17+++Though the fig tree should not blossom
And there be no fruit on the vines,
Though the yield of the olive should fail
And the fields produce no food,
Though the flock should be cut off from the fold
And there be no cattle in the stalls,

18+++Yet I will exult in the LORD,
I will rejoice in the God of my salvation.

19+++The Lord GOD is my strength,
And He has made my feet like hinds’ feet,
And makes me walk on my high places.

When we see a day of trouble approach, it concerns us to prepare. A good hope through grace is founded in holy fear. The prophet looked back upon the experiences of the church in former ages, and observed what great things God had done for them, and so was not only recovered, but filled with holy joy. He resolved to delight and triumph in the Lord; for when all is gone, his God is not gone. Destroy the vines and the fig-trees, and you make all the mirth of a carnal heart to cease. But those who, when full, enjoyed God in all, when emptied and poor, can enjoy all in God. They can sit down upon the heap of the ruins of their creature-comforts, and even then praise the Lord, as the God of their salvation, the salvation of the soul, and rejoice in him as such, in their greatest distresses.

Joy in the Lord is especially seasonable when we meet with losses and crosses in the world. Even when provisions are cut off, to make it appear that man lives not by bread alone, we may be supplied by the graces and comforts of God's Spirit. Then we shall be strong for spiritual warfare and work, and with enlargement of heart may run the way of his commandments, and outrun our troubles. And we shall be successful in spiritual undertakings.

Thus the prophet, who began his prayer with fear and trembling, ends it with joy and triumph. And thus faith in Christ prepares for every event. The name of Jesus, when we can speak of Him as ours, is balm for every wound, a cordial for every care. It is as ointment poured forth, shedding fragrance through the whole soul. In the hope of a heavenly crown, let us sit loose to earthly possessions and comforts, and cheerfully bear up under crosses. Yet a little while, and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry; and where he is, we shall be also.

We are to exist in PATIENT ENDURANCE, which we find difficult to do in the toughest of times, STILL, IN TRUSTING THE LORD, and RELYING ON HIM, let us do so, AS we PRAY, and ask for courage, strength, guidance, and direction, WHILE REMAINING IN HIM, and not being tossed about or overcome, THAT HE REMAINS IN us! Woes and sorrows ARE one with this world, and CAN rob us of our FAITH, BUT THE FAITHFUL, the BELIEVER is to venture or suffer any thing in OBEYING the COMMANDMENTS OF *GOD*, and professing the FAITH of CHRIST JESUS...

Affliction, conflict, and all sorts of negativity comes by way of the world; of the enemy; but we don't have to be overtaken by such, and led into behaviours which are contrary to our FAITH! Some things are soul shaking to deal with, yet, we hold onto THE LORD, and PRAY, while ever devouring the knowledge HE has left for us, that we are led past, and through...

Today IS a GIFT from *GOD*, and though it may be riddled with trials, tests, and tribulations, we CLING TO HIM in these hours, and BELIEVE HE IS FAITHFUL TO THE FAITHFUL, as we work through whatever! Once again I say, we find it SO easy to give in to the pressures of what is adverse, and find it SO difficult to, instead, hold fast to what is favourable!!!

I WILL PRAISE THE LORD *GOD* ALMIGHTY EVEN as the waters of time's storms reach their peak, BECAUSE there is NO alternative, nor does any worldly means compare! WHY should I be lost to them WHEN I CAN survive them IN HIS NAME?!!

I wish you a beautiful, pleasant, optimal week; filled with LOVE, HOPE, PEACE, and the knowledge which strengthens the will! May we all BLESS HIM BY BLESSING others, in any way we might! Be steadfast, and DO ALL for HIS GLORY, and the greater good of others...

LWINSOR © 2018
BIBLICAL, and/or other references marked BOLDLY IN COLOURS