Experiencing God - Day 25
Day 25 - Friday, March 08
Read Mark 10:17-31
Highlight
We are wrapping up our final day reflecting on the truth that “God's invitation for you to work with Him always leads you to a crisis of belief that requires faith and action”. We’ve been reminded of the great heroes of the faith in Hebrews 11, reflected on the incredible victories of flawed, but faithful followers like Moses and Gideon, and looked to Jesus as our ultimate example of faith that endures. Here Jesus reminds us that a crisis of faith often also comes in the form of letting go.
The rich man is asking the right question, he longs to be with God in eternity, but he’s caught off guard when Jesus confronts him with the reality of the Kingdom in his life now. Jesus, loving him (v. 21), confronts his flawed belief that he can put his faith in his own ability to do good by keeping the law and therefore hold on to his comfort. The underlying question is, do I really have to act on my faith? For the rich man it’s money, but we all have something we’re treasuring that will require faith to let go. What treasure do you have that will take faith let go so you can truly follow Jesus? Your family? Your job? Your pride?
Blackaby says it this way, “God has planned something far better for people of faith than the world has to offer”. A crisis of faith is a turning point, and for many of us it may not mean doing miraculous work in the name of God. For most of us the miracle is our own transformation, letting go of the comfortable life we’ve built and following Jesus on an adventure of faith that leads us to make a difference in our world.
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying? About God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? A promise to receive? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. This is a way to turn God’s Word to you back to Him. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers. (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8)
Read Mark 10:17-31
Highlight
We are wrapping up our final day reflecting on the truth that “God's invitation for you to work with Him always leads you to a crisis of belief that requires faith and action”. We’ve been reminded of the great heroes of the faith in Hebrews 11, reflected on the incredible victories of flawed, but faithful followers like Moses and Gideon, and looked to Jesus as our ultimate example of faith that endures. Here Jesus reminds us that a crisis of faith often also comes in the form of letting go.
The rich man is asking the right question, he longs to be with God in eternity, but he’s caught off guard when Jesus confronts him with the reality of the Kingdom in his life now. Jesus, loving him (v. 21), confronts his flawed belief that he can put his faith in his own ability to do good by keeping the law and therefore hold on to his comfort. The underlying question is, do I really have to act on my faith? For the rich man it’s money, but we all have something we’re treasuring that will require faith to let go. What treasure do you have that will take faith let go so you can truly follow Jesus? Your family? Your job? Your pride?
Blackaby says it this way, “God has planned something far better for people of faith than the world has to offer”. A crisis of faith is a turning point, and for many of us it may not mean doing miraculous work in the name of God. For most of us the miracle is our own transformation, letting go of the comfortable life we’ve built and following Jesus on an adventure of faith that leads us to make a difference in our world.
Reflection & Prayer
For this reading plan we will be using a tool to guide our study of Scripture that’s called the S.O.A.P. Method. It stands for Scripture, Observation, Application, and Prayer. We recommend you use a journal with this method and write out your thoughts on each of these areas for each day of reading. It doesn’t have to be long-winded and you don’t need a fancy journal. But for anyone that has not journaled before, the benefit is that it often helps us focus and avoid distractions during prayer and Bible study.
S.O.A.P. Method
Scripture - Pick a verse or two that stood out to you and write it in your journal. Be looking for a “Holy Spirit Highlight.” What did you read and think “I needed to hear that” or felt like it was written just for you?
Observation - Now write some observations about the verse(s) or passage. What is this passage or verse saying? About God? About people? How is Jesus revealed in these verses?
Application - Now write a few sentences on how this passage applies to your life. Is there truth about God that you are to believe? A promise to receive? Is the Holy Spirit convicting you of something you need to do or stop doing in light of God’s truth?
Prayer - Now write out a prayer to God in response to this Scripture. This is a way to turn God’s Word to you back to Him. Be honest and express your heart to Him. God always listens and He delights in your prayers. (Psalm 34:15; Proverbs 15:8)
Posted in Experiencing God