HEAVENLY INCLINED...: O HOLY STAR(s)...

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...

O HOLY STAR(s)...

And 'the star' shone from on HIGH, where the infant, CHRIST JESUS, our SAVIOUR, in swaddling clothes, did lie---

As CHRISTmas winds down, we recall the Magi, who followed a star, after being enlightened by angels, to the manger of CHRIST JESUS---

They brought gifts, and were REALLY excited to be included in the birth of THE KING OF KINGS, our SAVIOUR, CHRIST JESUS. To Joseph, Mary, and others, they told of their experience with the angels, and how the star led them, which Mary took to heart, and all were 'touched' deeply by...

Of course, danger was nearby, it always is on this Earth, but they were warned! Herod was devastated that THE MESSIAH had been born, and plotted to rid of HIM, but was not able to, despite his having ordered the death of all male Children two and under; he was furious that the Magi had duped him, and feared the results of the TRUTH of THE KING OF KINGS appearing in the world. Joseph was also warned, and fled to Egypt, to fulfill prophecy, and to bide until Herod died...

Many believe the tradition of giving gifts on CHRISTmas began with the 3 Wise Men; although gifts had been given to earthly kings all along, but because this was CHRIST JESUS, LORD *GOD*, and SAVIOUR, for sure, it had more purpose, and sincerity! Regardless of where the tradition began, it is felt that the Wise Men gave according to the procedures they were familiar with; this in gladness, and joy...

We, HIS Children, ARE like the star which led the Magi TO CHRIST JESUS; we SHINE OF HIM IN us, FOR the world to take note of, to be inspired by, and to adapt to; such is one of the gifts we offer unto HIM, and to others; such is the standard of 'giving' which is PLEASING TO THE LORD *GOD*, and which spans forth of our goodness, which arises of us, the closer we are TO HIM, know of HIM, the more we LOVE HIM, and the more we become LIKE HIM! Earthly gifts are extras, but the spiritual, and HOLY gifts are those whose worth are immeasurable, AND which aid in bringing those lost, or downtrodden, TO THE LORD, and THE KINGDOM! Also, these gifts of righteousness, lend to the world the inclination to exist in LOVE, in PEACE, in HOPE, in KINDNESS, in GENEROSITY OF SPIRIT, COMPASSION, and on the benefits go, which therefore, CAN manifest an existence such as Eden, if, and when, all are found, and enlightened! In these gifts which we possess, but might not be aware of, there CAN be an end to poverty, suffering, and all that invites evil, and wickedness to prevail, and hinder...

May we, whom ARE OF THE LORD *GOD*, in this New Year, SHINE OF HIM, and REFLECT HIM in all our ways. Let our thoughts, words, actions, and reactions REVEAL HIM to the world, FOR HIS GLORY, and for the sake of those lost, confused, unsure, and so very distracted. Let us exist in TRUTH, and SPIRIT, and let LOVE BE as our character, our mood, our overall ambience, regardless of the constant, and ever increasing hostility surrounding us! Let us BE BLESSINGS where there are none; let us POINT TO HIM, TO HOPE, TO PEACE, and TO ALL which is right, good, and just IN our ways, words, and offerings! IF we ARE OF HIM, it is fitting that we step into our roles, and duties, which includes SHINING OF HIM THAT more can notice HIM, see HIM, and desire for more OF HIM! This year, let us HONESTLY, and FINALLY, begin to BE HIS CHURCH, FOR REAL, FOR the sake of souls, and betterment of existence for all...

Our work IS before us, in which there is NO ego, NO self, instead, the ever compassionate motive TO encourage, and provide for others, as well as to guide them TO THE LORD, THAT all is well with their souls! This time is NOT about us, it IS about THE LORD *GOD*, and HIS ETERNAL KINGDOM, in which all whom TURN TO HIM, are welcome, and belong!!!

CHRIST JESUS was THE JUST SERVANT, and our exemplar; despite HIS KINGSHIP, HE walked the Earth humbly, impoverished, and suffering FOR us! Something we NEED to be reminded about always, as too many ARE so wrapped up in 'the life' of the world, tending to forget the TRUTH OF LIFE, which is NOT about the flesh, or things, or riches, or pleasures, instead about ETERNITY, and the ENDLESS benefits of existing IN THE GLORY OF *GOD*, and HIS OPULENT KINGDOM! May we better heed OUR inclusion, and thus, our partnership WITH HIM, and THE COVENANT!!!

Let it be CHRISTmas EVERY day, IN our hearts, minds, and spirits, and may we extend it to all we cross paths with! PRAISE THE LORD ALWAYS! WORSHIP HIS HOLINESS! REJOICE IN HIS LOVE, and CARE for us! BE THANKFUL FOR HIS LOVE, and HIS GIFT OF LIFE, and all which flows forth from HIM! Let us HONOUR HIM IN our ways, all of our days, and let us REFLECT HIM as best as we are able to, for there IS a growing number of lost whom NEED HIM! HALLELUJAH, EMMANUEL; *GOD* IS WITH US!!!

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