...seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.
Matthew 6:33-34
Do not be afraid...for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. See your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there you heart will be also.The top life challenges for our culture come about as a result of our fears (two totally different lists). The top life challenges we face (according to www.wanttoknow.info) are abandonment, arrogance, feeling damaged, inferiority, rejection, and shame. The top ten fears are failure, death, rejection, ridicule, loneliness, misery, disappointment, pain, uncertainty (fear of the unknown), and the loss of freedom.
Luke 12:32-34
Our challenges often become obstacles that keep us from doing the right thing, or moving forward, or getting ahead. We can become so focused on what challenges us that we lose sight of our goals. Consciously choosing to live a Love First life, which is God’s vision for us, means we must be prepared for the challenges that life (and Satan) will put in front of us. Worrying about them only takes up energy that is better used to love God and others.
As we enter this section of challenges, I wonder what stories in Scripture Jesus used to instruct his disciples in these issues. Because he did. We have the same Old Testament that they had to draw from as well as stories Jesus used in the New Testament. How might Jesus have used these stories?
Challenges may come in the form of people, circumstances, feelings, events, and even our own minds. Challenges require action on our part. Can you think about some challenges you may have already faced or that you can anticipate facing when you choose to live your life Love First? Perhaps those challenges go right along with the top life challenges we all face.
Choosing to Love First may require you to face those challenges and make some changes, but there will be benefits. Benefits that may well change your life forever.
Your Mission
What obstacles stand between you and God? Try to remove one issue, but be sure to replace it with something beneficial.
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