Daily Devotional
How to Be Truly Successful
“There was a certain rich man who was clothed in purple and fine linen and fared sumptuously every day. But there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, full of sores, who was laid at his gate, desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table. Moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. So it was that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels to Abraham’s bosom. The rich man also died and was buried. And being in torments in Hades, he lifted up his eyes and saw Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. Then he cried and said, ‘Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.’”
Luke 16:19-24
June 4, 2024
Ponder This
Many successful people will miss Heaven. Can you imagine what it must have been like for this rich man? He was a great man in the eyes of people, but his soul was in Hell before the undertaker heard he was dead. Why? People like this are often victims of a cunning deception. They don’t realize how important it is to deal with their souls. They deal with their bank accounts. They deal with their golf games. They deal with their families. They deal with all these things, but they don’t deal with God.
Suppose there’s a house on fire. And in that house is a mother and her little baby in the crib. The mother smells the smoke. She knows the house is going to be consumed. So, she goes around and gets the pots and pans and carries them out. She goes and takes the pictures off the wall and carries them out. And so on with her things. And the whole time her baby is in the crib. You’d say she’s insane. We know that would be a terrible thing to do, but so many live this way. You are living for the trinkets of this world. Jesus said, “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” (Mark 8:36).
- What are some of the things of this world that distract you?
- How can we remember to live for more than just success in this world?
Practice This
Write down your definition of a successful life. Does that align with Scripture? What needs to change for you to make eternal investments?
FOR YOUR GIFT TO THE MINISTRY
Front Porch Moments by Gayle Foster
WITH KEY INSIGHTS FROM HER FATHER, ADRIAN ROGERS
I try to unplug each morning with Jesus with just my rocking chair, my Bible, and a pen.
Having a secret place is very important because I know that Jesus is always there waiting for me. I know where I can find Him! His presence is everywhere, but there are places where it is so thick you can cut it with a knife. You may not even have a front porch, but there is a secret place for you as well. God’s invitations are for anyone who will respond. There is no more important request than the one found in Psalm 27:8: “My heart has heard You say, ‘Come and talk with Me.’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming.’”
