Good morning! The Lord remains faithful in His love for us. Enjoy this one of a two part review of the parable of the Rich and the Kingdom of God. 

BIBLE VERSE – Matthew 19:16-20 NLT
“16 Someone came to Jesus with this question: “Teacher,what good deed must I do to have eternal life?”

17 “Why ask me about what is good?” Jesus replied. “There is only One who is good. But to answer your question—if you want to receive eternal life, keep the commandments.”

18 “Which ones?” the man asked.

And Jesus replied: “‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. 19 Honor your father and mother. Love your neighbor as yourself.’ [Exodus 20:12-16, Deuteronomy 5:16-20, Leviticus 19:18]”

20 “I’ve obeyed all these commandments,” the young man replied. “What else must I do?””

REFLECTION
Let’s trace this question and answer session:

• The first question: “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?” and Jesus’ response was to keep the commandments.

• The second question: “Which ones?” and. Jesus replied with commandments 5-9.

• The third question: “What else must I do?”

This parable has at least two titles, “instructions for the rich”, “the rich man” and maybe one more. However, the main concern, this man had was, “what must I do (works) to have eternal life?”. Of course there is more to this parable that we will finish on Monday, but for now I want us to ponder on the question “what good deed must I do to have eternal life?”

From my view point, this rich man may have had many things, but the one thing that he knew he needed and did not have was the assurance (or insurance) of eternal life.

Today, if you are questioning ‘what you must do to have eternal life,’ then let me share Romans chapter 3:10-20 NLT.

As the Scriptures say, “No one is righteous— not even one.
11 No one is truly wise;  no one is seeking God.
12 All have turned away; all have become useless. No one does good, not a single one.”
13 “Their talk is foul, like the stench from an open grave. Their tongues are filled with lies.”
“Snake venom drips from their lips.”
14“Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.”
15 “They rush to commit murder.
16 Destruction and misery always follow them.
17 They don’t know where to find peace.”
18 “They have no fear of God at all.”
19 Obviously, the law applies to those to whom it was given, for its purpose is to keep people from having excuses, and to show that the entire world is guilty before God. 20 For no one can ever be made right with God by doing what the law commands. The law simply shows us how sinful we are.”

Here’s the glorious party of Romans chapter 3.

21 But now God has shown us a way to be made right with him without keeping the requirements of the law, as was promised in the writings of Moses and the prophets long ago. 22 We are made right with God by placing our faith in Jesus Christ. And this is true for everyone who believes, no matter who we are.

23 For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. 24 Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. 25 For God presented Jesus as the sacrifice for sin. People are made right with God when they believe that Jesus sacrificed his life, shedding his blood. This sacrifice shows that God was being fair when he held back and did not punish those who sinned in times past, 26 for he was looking ahead and including them in what he would do in this present time. God did this to demonstrate his righteousness, for he himself is fair and just, and he makes sinners right in his sight when they believe in Jesus.”

What the rich man didn’t know is that He was standing in the presence of God. He didn’t know that Jesus was the key to his eternal life. Brothers and sisters, Jesus Christ is the key to our eternal life. He came for us. Do you believe this?

PRAYER
Father God, in the name of Jesus we come in prayer asking for forgiveness of our sins. Lord, we believe you came and died on the cross for our sins, so that we may have eternal life. Lord, we accept and receive you as the Lord of our lives. Lord, work in us and change us to be more like you. Lord, remove the doubts and bitter roots in our heart so that we may fully serve you. Lord, whatever is holding us back from living an abundant life in you, release it from our grip and show us how to live a life in You. Lord, remove our fears and set us free from the things that try to take Your place in our lives. Build us up and show us how to follow you with all our heart.

Lord, we lift up the family who recently lost their mom, aunt, and uncle. Lord, we pray for their children who are left behind to grieve. Lord, comfort them and give them peace in their heart, calm their thoughts, and help them through this difficult time. Lord, we pray for the woman who was diagnosed with a lump in her breast and we pray that it is not cancerous. Lord, heal her body and give her emotional support as she goes in for a biopsy. Lord, send the right providers to care for her.

Lord, we pray for the man who has been denied an alternative program vs. prison time. Lord, we thank you for his praying mom who has been in prayer for him for years. Lord, you have been faithful to her prayers and we know you still have plans for her family, and her son. Lord, work in a mighty way in this time of uncertainty and through the court system. Lord, we pray for all the prisoners who have been falsely accused and/or convicted and we ask that you remove them from prison and help their lives to be restored and healed.

Lord, we continue to pray for our sister in Christ who lost her child. Lord, we pray that you help her to navigate through the challenges of dealing with medical examiners, police investigators, closing out the situation outside of the state, and bringing her daughter back to California to rest in peace. Lord, we pray for her grandchildren who will grow up without their mom and we ask that you help them adjust to their new living situation, while adjusting to a life without their mother to guide them.

Lord, we pray for the women who are in recovery homes, and domestic violence and human trafficking survivors. Lord, help them to find peace and healing from their prior trauma and renewed peace as they seek you. Lord, provide organizations with what they need to help women, men, and children to start over again.

Lord, we lift up every reader and we pray that You will answer their prayers. Lord, give them peace and strengthen them today. Guide them as they navigate putting you first, following you with their whole heart, while navigating through this difficult and complex world.

In Jesus name, amen.

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BIBLE STUDY 

Beginning Thursday, August 14, 2025, we will start a new Bible study series on the Armor of God. Study will be over Zoom and it will begin at 6:30 p.m. and end at 8:00 p.m. To join the study, send an email to contactus@maryewhiteministries.com.

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