As we await our LORD *GOD*, we prepare for HIM, and THE WAY FOR HIM; we adjust, adhere, advance, all IN HIS NAME, and FOR HIS GLORY, as well as for the ability to draw attention TO HIM IN us, that we inspire others to seek, and find HIM. We study HIM, and get to know HIM all the better, as we grow into our relationship with HIM, and our duties therein! We go deeper into HIS WILL, WAYS, and WORD, pondering the wonders OF HIM, OF HIS LOVE, OF HIS GRACE, OF HIS MERCY, and OF HIS PROMISES for us; we examine ourselves, our FAITH, our FAITHFULNESS, our humility, our overall commitment TO HIM, and TO HIS HOLY WAYS. We check on our growth, and reflect upon how we have matured since we accepted HIM honestly, and willingly. We renew our bond with HIM, along with our vows, pledges, and other assurances of our ONENESS IN HIM, and HIS COVENANT, in which we ARE co-partners, thus, actively involved, practicing, and performing ACCORDINGLY; we are NOT passively sidelined!!!
With great rejoicing, we anticipate what lies ahead, as well as the noting of how HIS HOLY SPIRIT has worked in us, through us, and around us! We PRAISE, WORSHIP, and PRAY JOYOUSLY because of HIM, and HIS UNDYING, EMPOWERING LOVE, which HAS brought us INTO HIS LIGHT, HIS GLORY! Ah, we revel, jubilantly, in knowledge that HE IS WITH US, and HAS brought us through the valley onto THE PATH which leads to THE KINGDOM of HIS MAJESTY, THE LORD *GOD*!!!
LAMENTATIONS 3: 22...
Because of the LORD’s loving devotion we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail.
Bad as things are, it is owing to the mercy of God that they are not worse. We should observe what makes for us, as well as what is against us. God's compassions fail not; of this we have fresh instances every morning. Portions on earth are perishing things, but God is a portion for ever. It is our duty, and will be our comfort and satisfaction, to hope and quietly to wait for the salvation of the Lord. Afflictions do and will work very much for good: many have found it good to bear this yoke in their youth; it has made many humble and serious, and has weaned them from the world, who otherwise would have been proud and unruly. If tribulation work patience, that patience will work experience, and that experience a hope that makes not ashamed. Due thoughts of the evil of sin, and of our own sinfulness, will convince us that it is of the Lord's mercies we are not consumed. If we cannot say with unwavering voice, The Lord is my portion; may we not say, I desire to have Him for my portion and salvation, and in his word do I hope? Happy shall we be, if we learn to receive affliction as laid upon us by the hand of God.
PSALM 103: 10...
He has not dealt with us according to our sins or repaid us according to our iniquities.
Truly God is good to all: he is in a special manner good to Israel. He has revealed himself and his grace to them. By his ways we may understand his precepts, the ways he requires us to walk in; and his promises and purposes. He always has been full of compassion. How unlike are those to God, who take every occasion to chide, and never know when to cease! What would become of us, if God should deal so with us? The Scripture says a great deal of the mercy of God, and we all have experienced it. The father pities his children that are weak in knowledge, and teaches them; pities them when they are froward, and bears with them; pities them when they are sick, and comforts them; pities them when they are fallen, and helps them to rise; pities them when they have offended, and, upon their submission, forgives them; pities them when wronged, and rights them: thus the Lord pities those that fear him. See why he pities. He considers the frailty of our bodies, and the folly of our souls, how little we can do, how little we can bear; in all which his compassion appears.
LOVE IS THE REASON we are here, and have the opportunity to exist forever, and ever IN HIS HOUSE, IN HIS PRESENCE, and IN HIS ABUNDANT GLORY! HIS LOVE IS UNCHANGING, ETERNAL, and PURE; ours is well, it is in need of improvement, knowledge, understanding, and adaption TO HIS LOVE, then, utilization OF it, which eventually, becomes characteristic, and common for us, though, this happens with increased ONENESS with HIM, HIS WILL, HIS WAYS, and HIS WORD!!!
“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.
Here is gospel, good news indeed. Here is God's love in giving his Son for the world. God so loved the world; so really, so richly. Behold and wonder, that the great God should love such a worthless world! Here, also, is the great gospel duty, to believe in Jesus Christ. God having given him to be our Prophet, Priest, and King, we must give up ourselves to be ruled, and taught, and saved by him. And here is the great gospel benefit, that whoever believes in Christ, shall not perish, but shall have everlasting life. God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself, and so saving it. It could not be saved, but through him; there is no salvation in any other. From all this is shown the happiness of true believers; he that believeth in Christ is not condemned. Though he has been a great sinner, yet he is not dealt with according to what his sins deserve. How great is the sin of unbelievers! God sent One to save us, that was dearest to himself; and shall he not be dearest to us?
1 JOHN 2: 3-6...
3+++By this we know that we have come to know Him, if we keep His commandments.
4+++The one who says, “I have come to know Him,” and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him;
5+++but whoever keeps His word, in him the love of God has truly been perfected. By this we know that we are in Him:
6+++the one who says he abides in Him ought himself to walk in the same manner as He walked.
What knowledge of Christ can that be, which sees not that he is most worthy of our entire obedience? And a disobedient life shows there is neither religion nor honesty in the professor. The love of God is perfected in him that keeps his commandments. God's grace in him attains its true mark, and produces its sovereign effect as far as may be in this world, and this is man's regeneration; though never absolutely perfect here. Yet this observing Christ's commands, has holiness and excellency which, if universal, would make the earth resemble heaven itself. The command to love one another had been in force from the beginning of the world; but it might be called a new command as given to Christians. It was new in them, as their situation was new in respect of its motives, rules, and obligations. And those who walk in hatred and enmity to believers, remain in a dark state. Christian love teaches us to value our brother's soul, and to dread every thing hurtful to his purity and peace. Where spiritual darkness dwells, in mind, the judgment, and the conscience will be darkened, and will mistake the way to heavenly life. These things demand serious self-examination; and earnest prayer, that God would show us what we are, and whither we are going.
LOVE covers a multitude of sins, it perfects us, and IS evidence of HIM in us, as we ARE being made whole, which therefore, shows through our thoughts, speech, acts, and our entire existence. NOTE this IS a process, which becomes more natural the more HE, and HIS LOVE ARE adapted to, and taken to the depths of our beings...
In all of this, we find the PEACE which ONLY CHRIST JESUS provides, and in this PEACE, we ARE JOYOUS! Yah, HIS people, despite the woes of the world, ARE ever REJOICING, PRAISING, WORSHIPING, and HONOURING THE LORD *GOD*, for LIFE IS THEIRS, now, and evermore!!!
Let us LIGHT Advent, not with only the candles, but with THE HOLY SPIRIT, whom IS perfecting us, for ALL the world to see, to notice, to bear witness to, FOR HIS GLORY, and the safety of souls...
LWINSOR © 2018
BIBLICAL, and/or other references marked BOLDLY IN COLOURS
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