KEY PASSAGE
16 And someone came to Him and said, “Teacher, what [essentially] good thing shall I do to obtain eternal life [that is, eternal salvation in the Messiah’s kingdom]?” 17 Jesus answered, “Why are you asking Me about what is [essentially] good? There is only One who is [essentially] good; but if you wish to enter into eternal life, keep the commandments.” 18 He said to Jesus, “Which commandments?” And Jesus answered, “You shall not commit murder; You shall not commit adultery; You shall not steal; You shall not give false testimony; 19 Honor your father and mother; and love your neighbor as yourself” [that is, unselfishly seek the best or higher good for others]. 20 The young man said to Him, “I have kept all these things [from my youth]; what do I still lack?” 21 Jesus answered him, “If you wish to be perfect [that is, have the spiritual maturity that accompanies godly character with no moral or ethical deficiencies], go and sell what you have and give [the money] to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me [becoming My disciple, believing and trusting in Me and walking the same path of life that I walk].” 22 But when the young man heard this, he left grieving and distressed, for he owned much property and had many possessions [which he treasured more than his relationship with God].
– MATTHEW 19:16
GROWING SPIRITUAL CAPITAL FOR LIVIN’ THE GOOD LIFE IS INTENTIONAL
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places.
– EPHESIANS 6:12
12 Once more Jesus addressed the crowd. He said, “I am the Light of the world. He who follows Me will not walk in the darkness, but will have the Light of life.”
– JOHN 8:12
21 … and come, follow Me [becoming My disciple, believing and trusting in Me and walking the same path of life that I walk].”
– MATTHEW 19:21
26 And everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not do them, will be like a foolish (stupid) man who built his house on the sand.
– MATTHEW 7:26
8 For the one who sows to his flesh [his sinful capacity, his worldliness, his disgraceful impulses] will reap from the flesh ruin and destruction, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life.
– ROMANS 6:8
16 But I say, walk habitually in the [Holy] Spirit [seek Him and be responsive to His guidance], and then you will certainly not carry out the desire of the sinful nature [which responds impulsively without regard for God and His precepts].
– GALATIANS 5:16
GROWING SPIRITUAL CAPITAL FOR LIVIN’ THE GOOD LIFE IS THE PRACTICE OF A DISCIPLE
14 Now after John [the Baptist] was arrested and taken into custody, Jesus went to Galilee, preaching the good news of [the kingdom of] God, 15 and saying, “The [appointed period of] time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent [change your inner self—your old way of thinking, regret past sins, live your life in a way that proves repentance; seek God’s purpose for your life] and believe [with a deep, abiding trust] in the good news [regarding salvation].”
– MARK 1:14
24 “So everyone who hears these words of Mine and acts on them, will be like a wise man [a far-sighted, practical, and sensible man] who built his house on the rock. 25 And the rain fell, and the floods and torrents came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; yet it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. 26 And everyone who hears these words of Mine and does not do them, will be like a foolish (stupid) man who built his house on the sand. 27 And the rain fell, and the floods and torrents came, and the winds blew and slammed against that house; and it fell—and great and complete was its fall.”
– MATTHEW 7:24
THIS WEEK’S ACTIVATION:
THIS IS EVERYTHING
READ: MATTHEW 19:16-22
- GROWING SPIRITUAL CAPITAL FOR LIVIN’ THE GOOD LIFE IS INTENTIONAL
READ: EPHESIANS 6:12; JOHN 8:12; MATTHEW 7:26; ROMANS 6:8; GALATIANS 5:16
ASK:
Am I intentionally following Jesus? Following my own thoughts?
- GROWING SPIRITUAL CAPITAL FOR LIVIN’ THE GOOD LIFE IS THE PRACTICE OF A DISCIPLE
READ: MARK 1:14-15; MATTHEW 7:24-27
ASK:
What is your life being built on? How is it going? How healthy are you?
PRAY:
Jesus, thank you for giving me everything I need for Livin’ the Good Life. I know you want nothing more than for me to prosper in life and for others to prosper through me. Forgive me for thinking Livin’ the Good Life is all about me. Forgive me for building my life on other things than you. Today, I commit to making you my center and pursuing life with the passion only you can give me.
Amen!