“What must I do to inherit eternal life?” the rich man asked. (Matthew 10: 17-30)

Jesus was trying to give the rich man “a secret”- Follow me, trust me, let go of what you are trusting in. The man was trusting in his wealth (v24).

Jesus was not saying he should be poor. He, out of love (v 21) said sell everything and give to the poor, follow me (follow my lead).

                                           Place your trust in me and I will take care of you.

In verse 29 it goes on to say that anyone who gives up the things they are trusting in and follows me and the gospel will receive back, a hundred fold!! God wants our heart to be directed to Him. We are His agents on this earth to do His kingdom work.  The whole passage is about trusting Him and putting Him first; not being poor. Some people believe we should live in lack. But God sent Jesus so that we could have a life of abundance (John10: 10) and be blessed TO BE A BLESSING!

What are you trusting in more than God? 
Let it GO! Give it to God and He will give it back or something greater. That is how you enter into eternal life, by letting go and receiving all God has for you. It’s a free gift. Don ‘t miss it by holding onto something that could hinder your understanding and relationship with Him.

By giving away his wealth, the man would have removed the obstacle that kept him from trusting in Jesus.

God wants our heart; He wants us to put our complete trust in Him.

Where is your trust?
What are you trusting in more than God?

Prayer:
Father, I let go of: _________________________________________.
I choose to trust and depend on you.

Do you find yourself constantly thinking,  “What if” this happens or “what if” that happens?

Daily I coach people, including myself, on: how to stop worrying. 

6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think about such things. 9 Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. Philippians 4:6-9(NIV)                                                                                               

We get caught up in our circumstances and before we know it, the “what If’s” have taken over the “what is.”
Scripture says, “In every situation, don’t be anxious” and then Paul directs us on how to do that.

Lets break down the Word:
STEP 1-Present your requests to God.
·      Ask in prayer
·      WITH thanksgiving (Thanksgiving is a key because in redirects our heart and aligns it with God’s heart and allows the Holy Spirit to move in the situation.)

After asking with thanksgiving, THEN, the peace of God will guard your heart and mind. Next, move on to step 2, so that your mind will not race with the fear of “what if’s” and obsess on the negative.

STEP 2-Think about whatever is:   
True, Noble, Right, Pure, Lovely, Admirable, Excellent & Praiseworthy

God’s Word is true. It’s imperative that we focus on His Word instead of our circumstances. This scripture teaches us to:

                                          Bring our circumstances to Him – Then focus on Who He is.

What we focus on expands. If the circumstance is not good and we rehearse that over and over in our minds, it expands. So focus on a promise in His Word for that particular situation; to counter-act the “what if’s” from bad to the “what if’s of God.”

 
For example, If I am worrying about not having health insurance in two months and I start thinking, Oh my goodness what if I lose my insurance? What if I get sick? What if I lose my car and then my job?

It sounds crazy, but ask yourself :  Where in my life am I doing this same thing?

Then turn it around to “What if God” shows up and makes a way?
What if He does more than I can ask or imagine?
What if God gives me peace and takes care of this for me. “What if” God’s Word is true?

                                 Change your thinking and focus on the “What if’s” of God.

Prayer:
Father,
I bring this (situation) to you with a thankful heart. I thank you for your help. Your Word promises that you will give me peace. I thank you that you are with me and will make a way. I trust and rest in you.  Help me to think about things that are true, lovely, admirable and praiseworthy. Amen.

Jesus loves me, this I KNOW!

There I was, 25, with a brand new baby, a thriving career and not feeling real good about “me”.
I remember like yesterday my mom saying to me, ”you need some self- esteem.”
I thought to myself, “Where do I get that from?”

Some 25 years later, I know the answer: Finding my identity “In Christ.”

As I counsel and coach people, I see more and more that a persons self worth is directly connected to how much they feel loved by God and others; especially significant people in their lives.

God is a God of order and He gives us simple instructions. (Matthew 22:38)
      #1 Love Him first
      #2 Love others, as you love yourself.
So, how do I love others, if I don’t love myself very much? That measure, is what I potentially have to give or love them with.

God actually gives us the love to love with. But to believe and receive that love, we must get to know Him. In that relationship, we gain understanding of who we are in Him and receive the love for ourselves and others.


….And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. Romans 5:5 ESV

Prayer:
Father,
I want to know you more. Give me an understanding of how much you love me. Help me to love others, like you love me. Amen.

 

 

As she stood there in line waiting for her food, she suddenly heard a lady barge back up to the front of the counter; “Excuse me, excuse me”. Does this meal come with bread?
The young man replied, ”Oh, yes mam”.

Had she not known, she would have missed out on the benefit of the bread. She had to go back and get it. It took knowing and then going.

God does not want you just to be saved and slide into Heaven when he returns to get us, He wants you to live now……with His benefits!
                                 Praise the LORD, my soul, and forget not all his benefits—Psalms 103:2-

What benefits?

As you read on in the scriptures, He lists them:

• He pardons all your iniquities,
         
• Heals all your diseases;
• Redeems your life from the pit,
         
• Crowns you with loving kindness and compassion;
  
• Satisfies your years with good things & Renews your youth like an eagle.
  
• Performs righteous deeds and judgements for all who are oppressed.
  
• Makes known His ways.
  
• He is compassionate, gracious and
 slow to anger and abounding in loving kindness.
  

As you read on, in (v 11-18), The key to these benefits is to fear him and obey Him, Good fear or reverential fear and obedience comes from knowing Him......... No other way.

17But the loving kindness of the LORD is from everlasting to everlasting on those who fear Him,
  And His righteousness to children’s children,
18To those who keep His covenant
 And remember His precepts to do them.
Is there an area in your life where you’re not receiving His benefits?
Learn what they are and do what it takes, “Go get them!”

Prayer:
Teach me your benefits through your Word. Help me to do what it takes to receive them. I want more of what you have for me.  Amen.

For more understanding on: God’s Kind of Fear, check out Aimee Poche's blog (Feb 18-2015) @    http://www.aimeepoche.com/blog/gods-kind-of-fear