Tag Archives: rich young ruler

Max Lucado

Max Lucado – God Has Done It

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The rich young ruler. He’s rich, powerful. Just ask him. He knows where he’s going. But today he has a question. Calling on this carpenter’s son for help must be awkward. “Teacher,” he asks, “what good thing must I do to get eternal life” (Matthew 19:16)?  How much do I need to invest to be certain of my return?

Jesus’ answer is intended to make the young man wince. “Obey the commandments.”

“Hey,” he grins, I’ve obeyed all of these.”

Jesus gets to the point. “If you want to be perfect, go sell your possessions, give to the poor and you’ll have treasures in heaven” (Matthew 19:21). The statement leaves the young man distraught. It wasn’t the money that hindered the rich man—it was the self-sufficiency. God does for his children what they can’t do for themselves. This was the message of Paul: “For what the law was powerless to do—God did” (Romans 8:3).

From The Applause of Heaven

Presidential Prayer Team

Presidential Prayer Team; A.W.- Don’t Let Up

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In 1722, Nicholas Ludwig von Zinzendorf, a rich young ruler in Saxony, Germany, was troubled over Moravian Christians being exiled by the Catholic Church. He established a community on his land known as Herrnhut, meaning “Under the Lord’s Watch,” where they could live. By August 1726, 300 Moravians lived there. In August 1727, 24 men and 24 women agreed to spend an hour each day praying around the clock. Others joined and a month passed, then a year, then a decade. The prayer continued for an entire century.

And so, from the day we heard, we have not ceased to pray for you.

Colossians 1:9

They prayed for specific needs, but also for revival and evangelism. In August 1732, they sent out their first missionaries. During the first two years, 22 missionaries perished and two were imprisoned, but others replaced them. The missionaries were fearful, but still they went. In all, 70 missionaries came from Herrnhut. Knowing they were surrounded by constant prayer, they were empowered to do God’s calling.

In today’s scripture, Paul tells the Colossians he hasn’t ceased praying for them. His prayers strengthened the church and allowed them overcome their problems. Are you facing a trial or fearful situation? Start praying now – and don’t let up. Also ask others to intercede for you and for the nation to experience revival.

Recommended Reading: Ephesians 3:14-20

Greg Laurie

Greg Laurie – Lord of All

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Whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.—Luke 14:33

It was George Bernard Shaw who said, “There are two sources of unhappiness in life. One is not getting what you want; the other is getting it.”

This statement reminds me of the account in Matthew 19 of the rich young ruler who came to Jesus seeking answers. Here was a man who, of all men, should have been content and fulfilled. He had great influence and affluence. Yet in spite of all his accomplishments, there was something missing in his life. He asked, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?”

Jesus told him, “If you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.” Jesus was not implying that by keeping the Ten Commandments, a person would be saved. Rather, Jesus held the Ten Commandments up as a mirror to show this man his sin.

The ruler replied, “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?”

I think Jesus probably smiled at this. He saw what this man was really all about. So He took it up a notch and said, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”

Jesus knew the problem with this young ruler was that possessions had possessed his soul. But Jesus just as easily could have said something completely different to someone else. What is really holding someone back from Christ and from further spiritual progress can vary from person to person.

We would do well to come before Jesus and ask, “Lord, is there anything in my life that is getting in the way of my relationship with You?”