Fresh Start Daily

Devo: Mark 10:17-22

The rich young ruler came to Jesus and asked Him what he could do to be saved.

“What shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?” V. 17

Jesus answered his question and said,

“You know the commandments: ‘Do not commit adultery,’ ‘Do not murder,’ ‘Do not bear false witness,’ ‘Do not defraud,’ ‘Honor your father and your mother.'” V. 19

The rich young ruler told Jesus that he observed all those things.

“Teacher, all these things I have kept from my youth.” V. 20

“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; and come, take up the cross, and follow Me.” V. 21

“But he was sad at this word, and went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.” V. 22

This is a sad story. He wanted to be saved but on his own terms. He didn’t really want to follow Jesus. He wanted to fit Jesus in his plans.

“…what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?”

His question focused on works to earn salvation. He thought that we could work our way to heaven, but nothing could be further from the truth. We cannot inherit eternal life by good works.

“One thing you lack…”

Since the man said that he obeyed all the commandments, that he did all the works to be perfect, Jesus showed him that salvation is not earned or deserved. It is not by works but by grace.

“Go your way, sell whatever you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven…”

Jesus said that he would have treasure in heaven if he did those things. However, the man left sorrowful. He didn’t like what Jesus told him to do. He couldn’t give up his possessions. Earthly possessions mattered more to him than heavenly treasures.

It’s in contrast to the story of Zacchaeus, who, despite all the money he amassed from overcharging people’s taxes, decided to give them all back to the people. He climbed a sycamore tree despite the crowd that became an obstacle for him to see Jesus because of his small stature. He looked for a way so he could see Jesus because he believed in him. His giving up of riches shows humility and obedience to God.

Jesus, in spite of the crowd and Zacchaeus’ location, saw him. I believe an ordinary human being wouldn’t see Zacchaeus up in the tree because of the crowd gathered around him. He probably wouldn’t bother looking up. Jesus, even without seeing Zacchaeus in the tree, would still know his heart.

A lot of people nowadays are so hungry for success. I see many people on social media flexing their hard work and achievements. There is nothing wrong with working hard and wanting to succeed. God wants us to work hard. However, if our focus is material wealth, other things will be set aside, such as our spiritual health.

If we were in the shoes of the rich young ruler, would we also walk away? Will we be able to give up all of our possessions to follow Jesus knowing that we will let go of everything we worked hard for? My prayer is that I will never fall in love with this world. That despite the blessings that the Lord gives, He will always be my greatest blessing and my sweetest gift.

Devo: Mark 9:2-13

Jesus took three of His disciples, Peter, James, and John and led them to a high mountain.

“Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John and led them up on a high mountain apart by themselves; and He was transfigured before them.” V. 2

According to Oxford English Dictionary, the word “transfigure” means “to alter the figure or appearance of; to change in outward appearance; to transform.”

“His clothes became shining, exceedingly white, like snow, such as no launderer on earth can whiten them.” V. 3

Before the transfiguration of Jesus, He told His disciples that He must suffer many things.

“And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.” Mark 8:31

Jesus’ disciples were probably disheartened after hearing those words. Peter even rebuked Jesus for what He said. However, Jesus rebuked him as well for what he said. Witnessing Jesus’ transfiguration helped His disciples realize that Jesus, being the Son of God, is sovereign. Though He mentioned about the sufferings that He had to experience, He was still in control.

I love what I read from enduringword.com:

“Jesus also dramatically showed that cross bearers would be glory receivers. The goal isn’t the cross. The cross is the path to the goal, and the goal is the glory of God.”

Sometimes we forget that there is an end to our sufferings. We become so focused on the pain that we forget that God allows it for a purpose and that we should focus our gaze on Jesus.

“And Elijah appeared to them with Moses, and they were talking with Jesus.” V. 4

When I read this, my thought was, Moses didn’t make it to the Promised Land but he made it to heaven. Moses died and was buried while Elijah was caught up to heaven. It’s an assurance for us who believe that there is life after death. It also shows us that those who believe in God will end up in heaven, like Moses and Elijah.

“It gave them confidence in Jesus’ claim to resurrection.” enduringword.com

I’m grateful for the good weather today. I’m grateful for the sunshine. I’m grateful for another day. Every gising is indeed a blessing!

I got sick in 2020 and the doctor asked me to get a chest X-ray. The doctor saw that there’s a small lump outside my heart in the X-ray. He asked me if I exercise and I said “no”. After that, I started exercising once a week. I don’t really have time to do it during the work week but I do intense workout on weekends, usually on Saturdays. Exercise isn’t easy, but it is rewarding. I feel so much better after. I feel lighter. I don’t feel bloated. I don’t run out of breath too easily when I climb the stairs or do other strenuous activities.

It has physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual benefits. It helps clear the mind. When we go out and see other people and things, our perspective changes. It helps deviate our negative thoughts to other things. I am an introvert and I do enjoy my “me” time. I always find something to do at home, but it’s also important for me to go out.

Some people say that we’re going to die anyway so there’s no point in watching our diet and in exercising. There are people who take good care of their health but still get sick, and there are those who seem not to care about their lifestyle but live long lives. I know that our time on earth is in God’s hand. I remember our pastor saying that as long as we have a mission, we are immortals. I believe in that.

However, those people who say that we’re going to die anyway seek medical help for their illnesses. It doesn’t make sense because if they want nature to take its course, they shouldn’t bother getting treated. I just find that illogical.

It’s not an excuse to abuse our bodies. It says in the Bible that our body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. Therefore, we have to take care of it. Just because we believe that our time is in God’s hand, it doesn’t mean that we can eat whatever we want, not exercise, and not get enough sleep.

“Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.” 1 Corinthians 6:19-20

One of the fruits of the Holy Spirit is self-control. We cannot give in to every desire. Plus, greed is a sin, and sin has consequences. If we are not disciplined with our lifestyle, we will definitely reap the consequences. God may allow us to live long in spite of neglecting our wellbeing, but we will not be efficient because of an illness.

I’m not an expert. I exercise not necessarily to look a certain way. I do it more for health reasons. I understand that it’s hard when we don’t feel motivated. There are also times when I don’t feel like doing it. However, because I know that it’s important for our wellbeing, I drag my feet to do it. One of the pastors in our church always say that if there’s no one to motivate us, we have to motivate ourselves.

Laziness is also a sin. God doesn’t want us to be lazy. I know that it’s easier to sleep in when I don’t have work. However, we have to keep showing up even when we don’t feel like it. By continuously doing it, we form a habit, and eventually, that habit becomes a discipline.

If we truly care about our loved ones, we will take good care of ourselves first. We cannot help others if we ourselves need help. Also, I want to be healthy so I can do God’s mission in my life. I want to be able to go where God leads me to fulfill my purpose. I want to be able to do the task that God has given me.