“Invoke blessings upon and pray for the happiness of those who curse you, implore God’s blessing (favor) upon those who abuse you [who revile, reproach, disparage, and high-handedly misuse you]”. Bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. Can you do that? That’s a tall order if you try doing it without God’s input in your life. We mostly want to get even, according to our lower nature, like the animals. We are spirit beings, privy to the supernatural benefits God has given us. As we become more spirit led in our everyday lives we will learn the motivating force behind dealing with abusive people is love. It makes no sense for us to bless someone that mistreats us or even pray for those mistreating us. We can stay baby christians, and miss out on other promises from God, or grow into maturity by practicing the love walk. We know what goes around comes around. When people treat you wrong, especially for no apparent reason, their actions will come back to them, you reap what you sow. As we sow this kind of love seed to our enemies, that gets the Lord’s attention, He has been there and done that for us, when we were His enemies, on a scale unimaginable.

“The person who has My commands and keeps them is the one who [really] loves Me; and whoever [really] loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I [too] will love him and will show (reveal, manifest) Myself to him. [I will let Myself be clearly seen by him and make Myself real to him.]”. Jesus speaks here in regards to following His commands. Our children obey our commands as parents for two basic reasons, one, they know you’ll punish them for not obeying, and two, that one child that obeys out of genuine love for the parent. God’s looking for the child who obeys His commandments. His commandments are for our own safety. There are laws in place, natural, and spiritual. Learning the laws and rules first and then obeying them is what God expects. We can’t escape trouble or bad situations, so living above them is the way of the Lord, but you’ll need to equip yourself for this journey we are all on together. Sometimes it’s finding out what not to do in life that helps keep us safe.

“And nations shall come to your light, and kings to the brightness of your rising”. We are the light of the world as christians because of Jesus, and He lives in us. Now to the degree your light shines bright is an individual thing, based on the person’s fellowship level with God. The light of God’s word expels darkness from our bad situations and gives clarity to the believer. Nations are made of people that are attracted to the light. Light has always represented good while darkness has always stood for evil. Most people have a longing for the light by nature, but this fallen world has made many insensitive to the goodness behind the light. Our make-up was based on God’s image and likeness, God is light, and we are His children. All things positive and right, with integrity and good character come from the light, you are the light and are due to shine for the Lord as bright as you can. As light expels darkness, we should be able to walk into a room and brighten the atmosphere instantly.

“The Lord has established His throne in the heavens, and His kingdom rules over all”. The kingdom of God is upon us, whether you know it or not. That means, when we live according to the Kings system and not this world’s system, we can live above the evil in this world. Learning the ways of the King is first on the agenda to becoming free of this world’s oppression and demonic ways of life. There are new rules that supersede this world’s rules to be learned. As we become Kingdom minded in our everyday lives, there are many benefits and the favor of God becomes visible and attainable. God has limited access to running things here on earth, as the authority of rule was transferred over to the devil from Adam and Eve long ago. But since Jesus died and rose from the dead for our justification, rulership was regained. Rulership can only be exercised by christians who know their authority in Christ Jesus, otherwise Satan’s just hugging you a little tighter. Most of us live below our potential provided by Jesus our savior. The Kingdom is upon you, live according to the Master’s plan and free yourself from unnecessary drama, hurt, and possibly your demise. Walk with the King, and be a blessing.

“Do good and share with those in need”. In our everyday life we must be reminded to do kindness and good, being generous and distributing to those in need. This is most pleasing to God. Jesus said, you will always have the poor among you. Lending to the poor gets us a return on our giving from the Lord. We are His hands and feet and mouth piece in the earth. Man has been given the authority on earth to rule. God cannot come in and take over our rightful position of authority, He’d be no better than the devil if He did. He would be going against His own master plan for man having dominion on earth. So when it’s time for the Lord to use us to be a blessing to those in need, we should be available to do good works. When we put our hearts into helping others, there’s always a return harvest of someone helping you when you need it most, because you planted the seed of kindness and goodness.

“And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth”. We as Christians are sojourners here on planet earth. We are passing through, and along the way we must bring as many unsaved people with us as possible. That’d be setting our minds on things above not on earthly things. Since we are ambassadors for Christ, it is imperative that we are more concerned about God’s business than our earthly day to day business. Yes we must function in this world being in it, but we’re not to be of this world. God said in His word, we shall eat the good of the land, and He promises us abundant life here and now. But to get caught up with the things of this world that take you off your God given purpose and destiny, then, Houston we have a problem. We should be showing the world Jesus in our everyday lives, boldly declaring the gospel to any and everyone. If you’re still a closet christian it’s time to come out. If your acquaintances and friends can’t tell you’re about that Christian Life then you’re still in the closet. The renewal of our minds (with God’s word, the bible) is vital to keeping our thoughts on things above.

“As each of you has received a gift (a particular spiritual talent, a gracious divine endowment), employ it for one another as [befits] good trustees of God’s many-sided grace…..”. Each of us should use whatever gift we have received to serve others. Our gifts aren’t to show off how great we are, but to use our gifts and talents to be of assistance to others. And in return when others use their gifts and talents to help you and others, there’s an edification, a support system that would be unstoppable in fulfilling our purpose and God’s great commission. Being faithful to our calling and service to the Lord, is what matters most. We all have been given a gracious divine endowment from God, (special giftings designed for our specific personality and makeup), using it for the Lord opens up a whole new world of blessings and opportunities that would otherwise not be available. Getting on the straight and narrow of our purpose and destiny rids us of unnecessary drama and undesirable baggage. The agape love of God in us, wants to get on board in helping and serving others. Are you on board yet?

“I sought the Lord, and He answered me; He delivered me from all my fears”. Our fears are released from us as we seek God. Help awaits us if we go after it. Nothing of great value comes for free. There is a discipline involved seeking the Lord, and it requires the invoking of our will, we must purpose to do it regardless of how we feel. Most of us allow our feelings to dictate our behavior. When you are led by your spirit and not by your flesh (feelings), you have crossed over into the realm of faith’s endless possibilities. We make ourselves get up to go to work, it’s the same mentality and work ethic. It is perfect, (mature love) that drives out fear. Since God is love, it is the Lord in you, repelling the fear away from you. The more of God in your life, the less fear you’ll experience. He will answer you, and believing He will answer you, is over half the battle in receiving from God. When He knows you’re really trusting Him to come through for you, He will answer, but in His time not ours. Let patience have Its perfect work in you. It is through faith and patience we obtain the promises of God. Most of us have faith to believe but little patience to wait for the answer to manifest into our life. Seek Him, and get what’s yours.

“Above all things have intense and unfailing love for one another, for love covers a multitude of sins [forgives and disregards the offenses of others]”. Our normal way of being in character, and in our integrity, should be based on, and motivated by God’s love. We have in us the ability to love the unlovely and in our maturity this is possible. We are love children of a love God. Being like our Father God is the idea for our existence here and now. Our love for others can cover a multitude of sins, the bible says. Not sharing the business of someone who confided in you to get comfort from your words, even though they missed the mark. Tough love holds its ground when a friend or loved one can only understand their waywardness by separating yourself from them. Love has many facets and attributes of expression. We as Christians should on the regular, love each other deeply, as the bible subscribes. Smiling in your face and then talking about you like a dog behind your back isn’t love on any level, it’s straight up wrong. Most of us live by selfish love, I’ll do for you if you do for me, no sacrifice there. Only a committed lifestyle to God’s teachings and precepts can grasp the understanding of the agape love of God.

“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in you”. Our minds become steadfast because we trust in Him. He’s the anchor of our souls and the stability of our minds. Trust is the key that opens the storehouse of God’s provisions for His people. The inclinations and character of our minds must be glued to God and His ways. Every action starts with a thought first. Starve the negative thoughts by not yielding to them, do not speak them out of your mouth, because that is where the power of confession is released, and feed your faith by reading and hearing over and over the word of God. The seed of peace has been planted in our newly recreated human spirits at the new birth, but being a seed means it must grow. It grows by being watered, it’s watered by spending more and more time with the Prince of peace, Jesus Christ our Lord. Peace cannot thrive without trust. Perfect peace is mature peace, the kind that passes all understanding. Give the prince of peace place in your life, you’ll be glad you did.