Prayer Practice
Prayer Journal – To begin
your daily worship today, grab a pen and paper and write out a prayer to God.
Not sure what to write? Try using ACTS to frame your prayer. Begin with
adoration for who God is. Then move on to confession – being real about where
you have fallen short in the last day or two. Give thanks to God for all that
He gives (including forgiveness for the sin you just confessed!). And then
finish with supplication – with your prayer requests to God. When you are done,
tuck this away somewhere (so you can read it later and see how God has answered
your prayers) and then move into hearing from God through His Word.
DAILY READING
REFLECTION
What Must I Do?
by Mary McGinnis
We all have asked this question at one time or another in our lives, either directly or indirectly.
“What must I do to
get an ‘A’ on this paper?”
“What must I do to get
this job?”
“What must I do to
get that promotion?”
“What must I do to attract
the right spouse?”
“What must I do to
raise my children right?”
“What must I do to be a good spouse or friend?”
Or maybe the more subtle questions of our hearts:
“What must I do to
belong?”
“What must I do to be
accepted?”
“What must I do to be
happy?”
“What must I do to be truly loved?”
That is where we find the “certain ruler” in today’s reading. He decides to ask Jesus the haunting question of his heart; “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
Do you suppose the ruler had just heard Jesus say, “Let the little children come to Me, for the kingdom of Heaven belongs to such as these?”
“Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.”
These infants, babes in arms, were welcomed, received warmly, granted access, and honored as those who belonged in God’s Kingdom and part of His family. They had done NOTHING to EARN it.
The “ruler” had already climbed the proverbial ladder of success. He had followed all the steps and done all the things necessary to gain influence and affluence. He had all the comforts that his wealth and power could buy. Yet, he still had this haunting feeling that something was missing. He knew that one day, when he drew his last breath and he stood before the judgement seat of God, he might fall short.
Perhaps he was thinking, “If little children can be a part of God’s Kingdom, what about me? What are the steps I need to take to get a portion of the inheritance - eternal life?”
In contrast to the children, the ruler foolishly relies upon his own ability to DO whatever is necessary to rescue himself, to gain access to God’s Kingdom and earn his spot in eternal life. “Good Teacher, just tell me what I need to DO!”
Mark 10:21 says, “Jesus looked at him and loved him.” In His love, Jesus makes a hard demand. He asks him to give up all he has, give it to the poor and come follow Him. How was this being loving? Jesus was stripping him naked, making this wealthy man stand before the mirror of God’s perfect law.
Romans 14:23 says, “everything that does not come from faith is sin.”
Without seeing his need, the ruler would never know his need for the Savior.
What is the haunting question of your heart? Where are you turning to your own efforts and resources instead of vulnerably crawling into the loving arms of Jesus?
Lord Jesus, forgive me when I foolishly think that I
can be “good” on my own. Only You, God, are completely good, perfect, and
without fault. When my longing heart asks, “What must I do to be . . . ,” help
me to crawl up into your lap and rest in Your unchanging GRACE, knowing YOU paid
it ALL for me!
