Day 5 of 35 Inclination of Heart

Psalm 119:112
I have inclined my heart to perform Thy statutes always, even unto the end.

 

As a bride takes her vows, so too does the Christian. Before Christ ever walked this earth in the flesh, King David made this promise to The Lord God.

Throughout The Book of Psalms we see every emotion we go through expressed by David and a few others, who contributed to the writing of this Book.

Especially where we promise, vow, to stay with God.

It is a vow made from a heart of love,

expressed with calm joy, and perhaps a smile,

like the one I am wearing even now.

 

I have inclined my heart. I have turned my heart towards God.

to perform Thy statutes. To do Your laws, commandments, ways.

Always. For ever.

Even unto the end. Regardless of what or who may come against me.

 

In verse 108, just prior to this, he states that the words he speaks are 'free will offerings' from his mouth; no one forced him to speak these words. Nobody twisted his arm, no one made him say such.

 

I have inclined my heart. I did this. I chose to turn my heart towards The God Who Loves Me.

I choose to be with, for all eternity, The God Who Loves Me Always.

His heart is inclined to mine. And now, my heart is inclined to His.

We are one. As the Bride inclines her heart to The Groom,

The Head of The Church. For The Church is The Body of Christ.

And where the Head goes, does not the Body go also?

When Christ speaks to the Bride, it is with Words of Love and Tenderness,

Come, Follow Me. Let us go into the fields and into the valleys..

There is much work to do and very little time to do it.

Guard your heart and your mind, that the thief does not steal you away.

Set your heart on things above, place your treasures in heaven.

Give thanks in all things. Rejoice always.

Whatever you ask in My Name, you will receive.

Come, My Love; Come with Me......

 

I have inclined my heart unto The Lord.

Have you? You, after all, are my treasure. If I could place you in heaven myself, I would,

for then I would have full knowledge of where you are and never lose you.

But this decision must be yours. Only you can choose where your heart rests.

 

Be Thou My Vision by Alison Krauss

 

Without Love

What is Love?

     How does your marriage work? Is it 50/50 or 100/100? Does one of you do all the work and one of you do nothing but play all day? It doesn't work that way in ours. We work together for what's best in our relationship. We did not get married so one of us could slide while the other worked his butt off.
     Maybe you aren't married, but in a gf and bf relationship. Does one of you pay for everything on every date? Or do you each pay your own way? Who decides what is best for the both of you? Is there equal say in every decision, married or single?
     When we first got married, Steve and I were both working outside and inside the home. We both had jobs that paid for our services outside the house. We both took care of the home maintenance, sharing the work. Working together to bring about an increase in our assets and a decrease in our liabilities.
     Then I got sick and couldn't work. Did the relationship suffer? Yes. On every level. Especially the finances got hit hard. And then Steve got laid off and was laid off for nine months. The only income coming into the house was his unemployment. My disability had not yet been approved. Every bill was paid on time. We had groceries. We paid our tithes into the church. We had gas in the car. And even the dog had her needs met. We were clothed, fed and nurtured while neither of us was working.
    Because the relationship we have with Christ is 100/100. He gave His all. So we gave Him our all, too. Individually, Steve and I both were able to reach a level in our walk with God where we were each able to surrender what we want out of life and turn it over to God. We are able because God is able. God's Word is faithful. Every promise He makes, He keeps.
     All He wants us to do is obey. If we are only hearing the Word of God preached and doing nothing with it, the Word has fallen on deaf ears. And the hearer has disobeyed God. It is not enough just to go to church. If you claim to do the works of God, but refuse to hear the Word of God spoken, you are disobeying God. It is not enough to do just the good works, the good deeds. If songs of praise are coming out of your mouth, but your heart is filled with unforgiveness and hate, not only are you disobeying God, but your voice is not being heard. Without love, you are just noise. 1 Corinthians 13:1 "Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity(love), I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal."
     It is not enough to open your mouth, if you refuse to open your heart. It is not enough to put your body in motion, if you are lacking in spirit. You will never be good enough on your own. Without Jesus, you are just a shell of who you really could be. Without submitting to God and without surrendering your heart and your life to Christ, you are not even giving God anything. There is no relationship. There is no 50/50. A half-hearted attempt on your part will not be met with a half-hearted reciprocation on God's part. HE ALREADY GAVE ALL. He can't give you half of nothing.
      And He is still giving to us. Every time we are faithful to our Lord and Savior, He continues to give and give and give. He already gave till it hurt; and then some. Now it's our turn to give till it hurts; and then some. Do you really think you are living the life God wants you to have? the life God wants to give you? Can you love like Jesus loves?

     Luke 6: 27 "But I say to you which hear, Love your enemies, do good to them which hate you.." Are you loving the people you consider your enemies? Are you being good or doing good things for the people who hate you? Luke 6:28 "Bless them that curse you, and pray for them which despitefully use you." So, the last time someone swore at you, what did you do? Luke 6:29 "And to him that hits you on one cheek, offer him the other; and to him that steals your coat, give him your shirt." There's a rare sight. Or maybe not so rare. I have been accused of being a doormat, but I have only "turned the other cheek."
     Luke 6:30 "Give to every man (or woman) that asks of you; and of him that takes away your goods ask them not again." If someone asks you for something that is rightfully yours, can you give it to them in love? If a thief or a friend takes something that belongs to you, do you try to get it back?
     Luke 6:31 "And as you would that men (and women) should do to you, do you also to them likewise." Treat others how you want to be treated. When we bless people, regardless of how we have been treated, they will respond in kind. Luke 6:32 "For if you love only those who love you, what good does it do you? For sinners also love those that love them." You are not getting any credits built up in heaven if you only love the people who love you back. We must love everyone the same; treat everyone the same.
     Luke 6:33 "And if you do good to them who do good to you, what good does it do you? for sinners are also good to they who are good to them."  Are you being good to your enemies? Do you share what you have with someone you don't like?
     Luke 6:34 "And if you lend to someone hoping to receive something back, what good does that do to you? for sinners lend to sinner, expecting to receive as much back again." We are to give without expecting compensation back from anyone we give to. Therefore it is not a loan that we are giving them; it is a gift.
     Luke 6:35 "But love you your enemies, and do good, and lend, hoping for nothing again; and your reward shall be great, and you shall be the children of the Highest: for He is kind to the unthankful and to the evil." We are to (1) Love our enemies; (2) Do good to all; (3) Lend to all; (4) Hope for nothing in return. Why? For great is our reward AND we will be the children of the Highest, He who gives gifts to everyone. He who shows kindness to the ungrateful and thankless people.
     Luke 6:36 "Be merciful, as your Father also is merciful." As Christians, we are to show mercy to all, not expecting a recompense of anything. We who have answered the call to salvation are Christians; therefore, we have become the sons of God also and can call Him Father. Because our Father has shown mercy to us, forgiving all sins and transgressions on our part, we are to show mercy to all on their part. We are His people, and He is our God. Psalm 100:3 "Know you that the LORD He is GOD: it is He that has made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people, and the sheep of His pasture."
     Luke 6:37 "Judge not, and you will not be judged: condemn not, and you will not be condemned: forgive, and you will be forgiven: Give, and it shall be given to you; good measure, pressed down, and shaken together, and running over, shall men give to you. For with the same measure that you mete out, it shall be measured to you again." If you turn on the television, not too many Prime Time shows are advocating mercy or forgiveness or love. Most shows and movies have swearing, mild nudity and/or someone gets hurt or killed. People in general do not want to change for the better; only the worse. Sometimes this can happen to Christians, too. We start running with the pack and we will behave like the pack.
     But when we walk with God and behave like Christ, we get separated from the pack mentality. By advocating love and mercy, we show that we are different; that this difference is a good thing. An example to be emulated and not treated like dung. Without love, the true love of Christ, that changes a person from the inside out, we are just like everyone else. "But, Mom, EVERYBODY'S DOING IT!" is a lie. That is the pack mentality creeping into the situation.
     As Christians today, especially in this crumbling immoral world we live in, we now more than ever need the love of God in us. And we need to show it and share it with the rest of the world: one person at a time, if we have to. You want to see the world become a better place? You who advocate change for the better instead of for the worst, are you willing to make the sacrifice it will require for you to love your enemies and bless those who mock you, imprison you, torture you or kill you? Without love, it is impossible to change anyone, even yourself. But with love...hm. 

Just you watch. I'm gonna change the world.

    

    

The Generation of The Lord

The Generation of the Lord

• A chosen generation: 1 Peter 2:9
• Who shall declare His generation? : Isaiah 53:8 & Acts 8:33
• His mercy is on them that fear Him from generation to generation: Luke 1:50
• Generation of light: Luke 11:29-36 & Luke 16:8
• God is in the generation of the righteous: Psalm 14:5
• A generation of service by the will of God: Acts 13:36
• Generation that fears the Lord: Psalm 22:23-31
• Generation that is accounted to the Lord: Psalm 22:30
• The generation that seeks Him, seeks His face: Psalm 24:6
• We are the generation to come: Psalm 78:4, 6

~The word given me while praying after I read the Book of Ezra:

There is one generation and it is the generation of them who seek the Lord. Who seek Him, His laws and His statutes; that the Word of the Lord would be known and taught to those who do not know Him.

It is the generation of those who love the Lord; who love His Word and seek to do His will accordingly. We are that generation.

Not chronological, a generation of years; but spiritual, a generation of belief. Not calculated by time, but by faith: faith in the power of the Word of God.

It is the generation of them who seek His face; who desire to be in his presence. It is the generation of they who desire to obey His Word; who have counted the cost and are willing to pay it.

It is the generation of repentant hearts; those who humble themselves before God.

It is the generation of submission and surrender: submitting to God's Word and surrendering to God's will. For God is holy and nothing unholy can be in His presence. Darkness flees; for the light of God's glory fills our hearts and our minds. We submit our hearts to obedience, we obey His Word. We surrender our will and our desire to His will and His desire. Why? Because we are the generation of them who seek His face. ~

     And, as I study after receiving this, I am made aware that this generation began in the beginning and will not cease until the end. It is the generation of believers in the Almighty God, who created the heavens and the earth in six days. He Who wrote the laws and desires our obedience in love.

     This generation is a righteous generation, not of ourselves, but of the righteousness of Christ which is upon us. We wear Him like armor. We clothe ourselves in Him, for Christ is our Righteousness.

      We are the generation that fear Him: revere and respect Him. He is Faithful and True; Redeemer and Friend. His love for His people shines through us: our eyes see Him and magnify Him to nations who do not know Him. We are the light that shines in the darkness: declaring the Word of the Lord to those who are hungry to hear and receive it.

     This generation is a generation of servitude, not only to God and for God, but to God's people for God's glory. We do not seek to raise ourselves up, but to raise up the name of Jesus Christ, that the salvation of the Lord is at hand and reaching out to all. We praise the name of the Lord for He is gracious and slow to anger, longsuffering and merciful to those who call on His name. This generation works in the field of the Lord. His servants are few, but the work is great. Our hands are busy doing what needs to be done; our hearts are busy, seeking the salvation of the lost souls, in constant prayer for them.

     We are the generation that loves with the love of the Lord. It is a love that transcends time and space. This love, the love of the Lord Jesus Christ, is for all people. With a love that shows mercy to all, regardless of ethnicity or generation of life. It is a love that forgives and forgives and forgives without number. God is righteous and just; His mercy endures forever. We exhibit that mercy; we forgive without number; we love without prejudice.

     This generation is the Lord's generation. We are accounted to Him and accountable to Him. We are of Abraham's seed: we believe that what God says He will do He does. We believe God's Word is holy. We believe God's Word is true. We believe God's Word is faithful: time and time again He has proven just how much He loves us. This generation multiplies to the number of the stars and the sands of the sea shore (Genesis 22:17).

     We are the chosen generation. We are called out of darkness into His marvelous light (1 Peter 2:9); to shine forth the Light of Christ. He designates us a royal priesthood: serving Him in His house, breaking bread with His people, worshiping wholeheartedly and with great joy. Praying for the needs of His people and the salvation of the lost souls.

     As His chosen generation, we are a holy nation. And as such, we are to live a life of abstinence from lust (v. 11), speak honestly (v. 12), submit to the laws of the land (v. 13,14) for the Lord's sake. Living freely in God's service (v. 16). Honor all men. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king (authority) (v. 17).

     This generation is called to suffer (18-25). With Christ as our example, this generation is to be obedient unto God by following Jesus' attitude when it came to being obedient unto death (1 Corinthians 4:10-14; 2 Corinthians 1:5; Philippians 1:5). Happy is the generation that partakes of the sufferings of Christ (1 Peter 4:13, 14). Blessed are the persecuted for His sake: great is their reward (Matthew 5:10-12). The entire chapter of 1 Peter 4 emphasizes what has been laid out in this message: in order to be named in this generation, the generation of the Lord, we are to live the life Christ lived: follow in His way and obey His Word, choosing to suffer for His sake and reaping the glory which God will reveal in His time.

     We are a generation of prophets, teachers, evangelists, preachers, apostles;miracle-workers, healers, governments, tongues and interpreters, helpers (1 Corinthians 12:28). We are a generation of servant leaders. We follow Jesus Christ and we lead people to Christ, which makes us both followers and leaders. This is my generation.

Even Now

Ain't no baby in the manger

Ain't no Jesus on the cross

Ain't no body in the graveyard

Even now, He isn't there.

There's only Faith Hope and Glory

There's only Peace Joy and Love

There's only Jesus in this place now

Even now, there's only Jesus

Even now, even now.

There's only Faith in the manger

There's only Hope on the cross

There's only Glory in the graveyard

Even now, there's only Jesus

Even now, even now.

There's only Peace in the manger

 There's only Joy on the cross

There's only Love in the graveyard

Even now, there's only Jesus

Even now, even now.

There's only Jesus in this place now

There's only Jesus in my heart

There's only Jesus in this room now

Only Jesus

Even now

There's only Jesus

Even now

Even now

reference: the 4 Gospels

Love Letter From God

Have you ever received a love letter from God? Are you sure? Our Bible is an open letter from God to His children. His salutation is "In the beginning" and His sign off is "The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen." Isn't that lovely? We know that "Amen" does not mean the end, but "And so shall it ever be". There's more this love letter than what is presented, but we won't get to read the rest until we are with Jesus in glory. 


We all enjoy receiving personalized mail. Our mailboxes are usually filled with junk mail from businesses wanting us to spend our money there; we get bills demanding we send our money there. How wonderful it is to find cards and letters in our mailbox addressed to us! Someone has acknowledged our existence as an individual. Someone has taken time out of their day to bring joy into my day. Somebody loves me!

We feel sooooo special. But how often do we reciprocate the love? Do we pick up the phone right away and call to say "Thank you!"? Or do we just accept the card as something we deserve without saying anything. 


God has feelings, too. We are, after all created in His image. God is love and has a great love for us. God has sent us a hand-written love letter, signed, sealed, delivered. Some have tossed it aside, as if to say, "It's just an old book, full of lies, violence and intolerance. I want nothing to do with it." Some have read it and view it as "Unrealistic, a fairy tale." Some have read this letter from God with anticipation, "Eagerly devouring every word, every line." Some have read only part of the letter, they highlight the sentences that make them feel good and disregard the ones that make them feel bad. Some hate the letter from God and destroy it on sight, burning every letter they can find so no one has the chance to read it. 


But God's love letter cannot be destroyed. Neither hate, nor fear, nor dark of night will prevent God's love letter from being delivered. Neither ignorance, nor apathy, nor lack of light will prevent God's love letter from being received. 


Somebody loves you. And He waits patiently for you to rescind His love. Don't you think it's about time you did?

Crown Him with Many Crowns

CROWN HIM with MANY CROWNS

CROWN of LIFE

Revelation 2:10  Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer : behold , the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried ; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.

James 1:12  Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried , he shall receive the crown of life, which The Lord hath promised to them that love Him. 

2 Timothy 2;12  If we suffer , we shall also reign with Him: if we deny Him, He also will deny us:

CROWN of LOVING-KINDNESS

Psalm 103:4 Who redeemeth thy life from destruction; who crowneth thee with loving-kindness and tender mercies;

Psalm 63:3 Because thy loving kindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish , but have everlasting life.

Hosea 2:19 And I will betroth thee unto me for ever; yea, I will betroth thee unto me in righteousness, and in judgment, and in loving-kindness, and in mercies.

Jeremiah 32:17-19 Ah Lord GOD! behold, thou hast made the heaven and the earth by thy great power and stretched out arm, and there is nothing too hard for thee:Thou shewest loving-kindness unto thousands, and recompensest the iniquity of the fathers into the bosom of their children after them: the Great, the Mighty God, the LORD of hosts, is his name, Great in counsel, and mighty in work: for thine eyes are open upon all the ways of the sons of men: to give every one according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings:

CROWN of GLORY & HONOR

Psalm 8:4,5  What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him?  For thou hast made him a little lower than the angels, and hast crowned him with glory and honor.

CROWN of ANOINTING OIL

Leviticus 21:12  Neither shall he go out of the sanctuary, nor profane the sanctuary of his God; for the crown of the anointing oil of his God is upon him: I am the LORD. (regarding the high priest)

CROWN of KNOWLEDGE

Proverbs 14:18 The simple inherit folly: but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. (all of Proverbs is a discourse on wisdom, defining what is wise and what is foolish. Prudent means "mentally putting together". [love that], which is the definition of learning. Therefore, the prudent person is the one who learns wisdom and puts it into action)

CROWN of RIGHTEOUSNESS

2 Timothy 4:8  Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which The Lord, The Righteous Judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love His appearing.

CROWN of ROYALTY (Grace & Favor)

Esther 2:17  And the king loved Esther above all the women, and she obtained grace and favor in his sight more than all the virgins; so that he set the royal crown upon her head, and made her queen instead of Vashti. 

CROWN of GLORY (the LORD IS)

Isaiah 28:5  In that day shall The LORD of hosts be for a Crown of Glory, and for a Diadem of Beauty, unto the residue of his people. (The Lord is our Crown of Glory. How cool is that?)

CROWN of SOUL WINNER

Philippians 4:1 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved.

Proverbs 11:30  The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.

("dearly" implies at great cost) Jude 3 says we are to 'earnestly contend' Ephesians 6:12 we 'wrestle against' 

We are not passive Christians. We are fighters. We fight for the salvation of  our families and friends. They are our crown, also. Our knees bow only to The Most High God and none other. We fight our battles on our knees with our hands clenched in prayer; our hearts are set on the deliverance of our moms and dads, sisters and brothers; strangers, friends and enemies. We are immovable in our desire to see the Salvation of the Lord reach those who are lost and wandering in the darkness of sin. And we encourage each other in this goal. 

At great cost. What is it worth to you to see someone saved? It cost Jesus His will and His life. He surrendered His will and His life, that we might have salvation. How much are you willing to give up? With Jesus it was 

                                                           ALL OR NOTHING