Are you ready to do the unexpected? Are you ready to live differently from social norms? Are you ready to raise the bar on how we should be living? Are you ready to help improve the average rather than being average and watching it continue downward?
Consider what Jesus had to say in the Amplified version:
‘ “But I say to you who hear [Me and pay attention to My words]: Love [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for] your enemies, [make it a practice to] do good to those who hate you, bless and show kindness to those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. Whoever strikes you on the cheek, offer him the other one also [simply ignore insignificant insults or losses and do not bother to retaliate—maintain your dignity]. Whoever takes away your coat, do not withhold your shirt from him either. Give to everyone who asks of you. Whoever takes away what is yours, do not demand it back. Treat others the same way you want them to treat you. If you [only] love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners love those who love them. If you do good to those who do good to you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners do the same. If you lend [money] to those from whom you expect to receive [it back], what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners expecting to receive back the same amount. But love [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for] your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return; for your reward will be great (rich, abundant), and you will be sons of the Most High; because He Himself is kind and gracious and good to the ungrateful and the wicked. Be merciful (responsive, compassionate, tender) just as your [heavenly] Father is merciful. “ Do not judge [others self-righteously], and you will not be judged; do not condemn [others when you are guilty and unrepentant], and you will not be condemned [for your hypocrisy]; pardon [others when they truly repent and change], and you will be pardoned [when you truly repent and change]. Give, and it will be given to you. They will pour into your lap a good measure—pressed down, shaken together, and running over [with no space left for more]. For with the standard of measurement you use [when you do good to others], it will be measured to you in return.” ‘
Luke 6:27-38
Let’s raise the bar when it comes to those who oppose, are against, and hate us as enemies and pick up the call of Jesus by loving, unselfishly seeking the best or higher good for our enemies! Let’s raise the bar when it comes to those who curse us by blessing them and showing them kindness! Let’s raise the bar when it comes to those who mistreat us by praying for them! Let’s raise the bar when it comes to those who attack and are violent towards us by turning the other cheek, ignoring the insignificant insults or losses, and don’t bother to retaliate and hence maintaining our dignity! Let’s raise the bar when it comes to those who rob or steal from us by not demanding it back! Let’s raise the bar by treating others how we would like to be treated! Let’s raise the bar by giving to the needy not expecting anything in return because we know we are lending to the Lord and He won’t be a debtor to any man! Let’s raise the bar by being merciful, responsive, compassionate, and tender to others just as God has been to us! Let’s raise the bar by not being judgemental so that we won’t be putting ourselves out there to be judged because we know that we will be judged using the same measure! Let’s raise the bar by loving others rather than condemning them because we know that we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God and the only thing that frees us is Jesus! Let’s raise the bar by forgiving others, pardoning them when they truly repent and change so that we will receive this same forgiveness from God, for as you forgive others, God will forgive you! Let’s raise the bar by showing compassion for the situation others are in! Let’s raise the bar by raising the standard by which we will be measured for the glory of God!
Are you ready? Are you ready to live unexpectedly? Are you ready to raise the bar and temperature in society so that the average is raised too? Will you be the catalyst this world needs you to be today?
Scripture for Today:
bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you.
https://www.bible.com/verse-of-the-day
LUKE 6:28 (NIV)
Psalm 145:3 – Great is the Lord! He is most worthy of praise! No one can measure his greatness. . . . #verse #dailyverse #hope #encouragement https://t.co/ISLI7NiIUF https://t.co/5s6yxE8qoo
https://www.spirit1053.com/daily-verse/#
Since we are receiving a Kingdom that is unshakable, let us be thankful and please God by worshiping Him with holy fear and awe.
https://www.klove.com/ministry/verse-of-the-day/
Hebrews 12:28 (NLT)
Because You are my helper, I sing for joy in the shadow of Your wings.
https://www.air1.com/ministry/verse-of-the-day
Psalm 63:7 (NLT)
Today’s Post from BeTheDads.com:
Where are you at? What are you going through? How are you dealing with it? Who is helping and who is hindering? Why? Choose today to invite Jesus into your heart! Choose today to invite Jesus into your life! Choose today to invite the Holy Spirit to be your comforter and your guide to help give you the wisdom and discernment you need for the day and help to correct and direct the path you are walking down today!
If you pray the following prayer with me feel free to let me know so I can pray with you and for you too. (If you don’t feel comfortable leaving a comment then you can always try email.
Let’s Pray!
God's story through my life from 2005 to eternity... 