HEAVENLY INCLINED...: SUNDAY'S SACRED SCRIPTURES: CONDUCT YOURSELVES IN A MANNER WORTHY OF THE THE LORD...

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...

SUNDAY'S SACRED SCRIPTURES: CONDUCT YOURSELVES IN A MANNER WORTHY OF THE THE LORD...

THE BIBLE TEACHES us how to exist; it teaches us how to behave, to have manners, common courtesy, to be gentle, kind, tolerant, understanding, merciful, gracious, and much more! It also teaches us that IF we spend time biting, and devouring each other, beware of being consumed---

We are taught to NOT be the kind of people whom exist in vain glory, envy, rage, anger, hostility, divisions, rivalry, constantly provoking one another, and factions; all this is whom we WERE BEFORE receiving CHRIST JESUS, but NOT now; for we are NEW beings, and expected to REFLECT HIM in all we think, say, and do! It IS a PROCESS, but one that REQUIRES OUR participation, and effort; in other words, it won't be overnight that we SHINE OF HIM, but we SHOULD be practicing, AS HE IS WORKING IN us, THAT THROUGH us, HIS WILL IS FULFILLED!!!

A big problem IS that a great number of people were Baptized when they were babies, or quite young, and were taught to a point, then, not so much as they grew, because, in the first place, one has to WANT to be devout, and to learn more, but, the world carries us away in the enticements, and falsehoods, plus, we imagine having LOTS of time to catch up, as if! Water is the INITIAL Baptismal ritual, but the FINISHER IS THE HOLY SPIRIT, THAT we conform to the image of CHRIST JESUS, and SHINE OF HIM, FOR HIS GLORY, and the good of others! This is a complex matter which not so many have taken to heart, or do not understand, but IF one TRULY LOVES *GOD*, and HIS GIFT OF LIFE, they STRIVE to! If one is NOT spiritual, THE HOLY SPIRIT is NOT with them, and too, many GRIEVE THE HOLY SPIRIT in their non-conformity TO HIM, and HIS WILL, AS they CHOOSE to be one with the world as long as they might...

Quite a bit these days, one is hard pressed to determine who the Christian might be in the crowds, as they are NOT REFLECTING HIM and ARE engaged in the chaotic dissension of the worldly! IF Christians WERE to BE as HE BIDS us to be, we WOULD BE SHINING like the brightest star of the universe! Of course, to do so comes with controversy as the world shuns those who do not think, speak, and act as they do, HOWEVER, THAT IS the point OF our BEING CHOSEN, THAT *GOD* IS SEEN, and KNOWN THROUGH us; THAT like a beacon, we inspire others TO KNOW HIM, and in the very least, to stoke their curiosity! We ARE A CHOSEN people, unique, and peculiar TO the world! We ARE a PRIESTHOOD REPRESENTING HIS MAJESTY, THE SOVEREIGN LORD *GOD*! And so, HOW can we continue being like those who are NOT of HIM, or whom reject, or refute HIM???

IT IS PAST TIME TO GET REAL, and TO ENJOIN in our PARTNERSHIP WITH HIM, HIS WILL, and HIS COVENANT OF PEACE! This involves study, learning, understanding, practicing, effort, diligence, PRAYER, PRAISE, WORSHIP, REJOICING, THANKS, GRATITUDE, MERCY, GRACE, and all sorts of characteristics, and behaviours which KEEP us BUSY enough TO keep us from melding into the ways of the world! We ARE citizens OF HEAVEN, NOT of the Earth, thus, our FOCUS IS ON THAT ABOVE, NOT on the world!!

HOW can we NOT 'get it', when it IS SO plainly taught to us? Because we listen to listen to philosophies, and empty deceptions which are based upon human tradition, and the forces of this world, INSTEAD OF ON CHRIST JESUS???

What you reap on Earth, you will sow; and this means WAY more than tithing; it involves the thoughts, words, actions, and reactions of the entire being, our whole time in this realm! Therefore, if your time is spent unwisely, arguing, fighting, harming others, nit-picking, fussing, in jealousy, in animosity, hating, and other worldly ways, you HAVE made it clear where your heart really lies...

Ethics, integrity, civility, steadfastness, self-control, conscientiousness, and much more, UPHOLD us, and increase our grace, keeping us IN HIS PRESENCE, now, and forever! ALL which is right, good, and just IS within us, and IS what would make this Earth into 'the garden' it was intended to be...

2 CORINTHIANS 8: 21...
for we have regard for what is honorable, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.

It is the duty of all Christians to act prudently; to hinder, as far as we can, all unjust suspicions. It is needful, in the first place, to act uprightly in the sight of God, but things honest in the sight of men should also be attended to. A clear character, as well as a pure conscience, is requisite for usefulness. They brought glory to Christ as instruments, and had obtained honour from Christ to be counted faithful, and employed in his service. The good opinion others have of us, should be an argument with us to do well.

1 PETER 2: 12...
Conduct yourselves with such honor among the Gentiles that, though they slander you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day He visits us.

Even the best of men, the chosen generation, the people of God, need to be exhorted to keep from the worst sins. And fleshly lusts are most destructive to man's soul. It is a sore judgment to be given up to them. There is a day of visitation coming, wherein God may call to repentance by his word and his grace; then many will glorify God, and the holy lives of his people will have promoted the happy change.

GOOD CONDUCT IS crucial in this confused, deluded, and troubled world, for all, but especially for those OF THE LORD *GOD*! We lead by example, in the very LOVING attributes of our LORD, which means we lend insight, HOPE, and THE WAY, THAT even more shall turn to HIM. Let us consider the fullness of our profession of HIM, and let us BE GOOD, and DO GOOD, regardless of the tumult of this world! HOW fortunate we ARE to be CALLED into oneness with THE LORD, and then, provided for in EVERY way, in order FOR HIS GLORY to SHINE through us, and to bring us through the valley into THE KINGDOM! Let us PRAISE HIM ALWAYS, WORSHIP HIS HOLINESS, HONOUR HIM in every way, every day, and REJOICE that HE GAVE HIS LOVE unto us, that we might know LOVE, and forward it!!!

LWINSOR © 2019
BIBLICAL, and/or other references marked BOLDLY IN COLOURS