Daily Devotional
You Are Not as Good as You Think
“Then Jesus, looking at him, loved him, and said to him, “One thing you lack: Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in Heaven…”
Mark 10:21
September 15, 2020
Ponder This
As Jesus was talking with the young man known as “the rich young ruler,” He brought him to the place where he had to make a decision. Jesus challenged him, “Why do you call me good? There is none good but God.”
Was Jesus saying He wasn’t good? No, He was asking, “Do you understand the source of My goodness and what drew you to Me? The goodness I have is inherently Mine as God. Do you understand that I am God?” This young man with prestige and possessions had to choose. No more fence-sitting.
The young ruler didn't realize the depth of sinfulness and wickedness in the human heart—even His own. “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; Who can know it?” (Jeremiah 17:9)
We don't think our heart is wicked—not us, our heart is pretty good—but what about all these other people? Oh, how our hearts can deceive us!
Practice This
If you think you can go to Heaven without being born again, you're ignorant of two things: how wicked your heart is and how holy God is. Have you stopped recently to examine the condition of your heart? Even those who are saved need a check-up. Are you counting on the goodness of your heart or on His saving grace?
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.’”
