November 10th, 2025 Devotional

💧 Living Water Vineyard

Monday Devotional — “You Lack One Thing”

📖 Mark 10:17–22 • Matthew 19:16–22 • Luke 18:18–23

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🕊 Scripture Focus

“Jesus looked at him and loved him. ‘One thing you lack,’ He said. ‘Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow Me.’”

— Mark 10:21

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💬 Devotion: My Story and the Rich Young Ruler

There’s a man in the Gospels I can’t help but see myself in — the rich young ruler.

He came to Jesus sincerely, asking,

“Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”

He’d done all the right things — moral, disciplined, successful, respected. Yet Jesus looked into his heart and saw what was missing.

“One thing you lack.”

The man had wealth, but wealth had him. His possessions weren’t the problem — his priorities were. When Jesus invited him to trade temporary comfort for eternal treasure, he walked away sad.

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🧭 My Own Rich Young Ruler Moment

Over twenty years ago, I found myself living that same story.

I was working as a pharmaceutical representative, enjoying the rewards of a successful career — good income, family vacations, stock options, and a bright future ahead. I had a wonderful wife, three amazing kids, and a full life. I was serving at church, leading the men’s group, attending Bible studies, and giving faithfully. From the outside, everything looked solid.

But Jesus began whispering to my heart:

“Will you follow Me — completely?”

He was asking for the one thing I hadn’t surrendered: my career. It had become my source of identity, stability, and pride.

When the invitation came to leave it behind and follow Him into ministry, I hesitated. Like that rich young ruler, I told Him, “I’ll serve You, Lord — but not there.”

For about a year, I tried to walk my own way. I worked harder than ever — longer hours, greater effort, trying to hold it all together. But everything started to unravel. What seemed secure wasn’t secure at all. Within a year, I was let go from my job.

And that’s when I learned something I’ll never forget:

You can’t succeed when God’s hand is against you, and you can’t fail when His hand is upon you.

That year broke me — but it also freed me. I finally said yes to God’s call to become a pastor. And I realized what I thought I was losing was nothing compared to what I gained. I found peace, purpose, and a joy that no paycheck could ever provide.

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🕯 The Man Who Said Yes: C.T. Studd

History gives us another glimpse of what the rich young ruler could have been — through a man named C.T. Studd.

Born into wealth in 1860, Studd was one of England’s brightest stars — a world-class cricket player, educated at Eton and Cambridge, admired across the nation. His father had been converted under D.L. Moody, and that same gospel fire eventually captured C.T.’s heart.

At the height of his fame, he heard missionary Hudson Taylor speak about the millions in China who had never heard of Jesus. Convicted to his core, Studd joined six others — “The Cambridge Seven” — and left everything to take the gospel to the nations.

Before leaving, he inherited a fortune (worth several million dollars today). Instead of holding onto it, he gave it all away — to ministries like Moody’s evangelism, George Müller’s orphanages, and the Salvation Army.

Later, at age 50, Studd left for Africa, where he spent the rest of his life preaching in the Congo. When people called him reckless, he replied,

“Some wish to live within the sound of church or chapel bell;

I want to run a rescue shop within a yard of hell.”

His surrender birthed a global mission organization — WEC International, which still sends missionaries around the world today.

Studd’s life proved the truth of his own words:

“If Jesus Christ be God and died for me, then no sacrifice can be too great for me to make for Him.”

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❤️ Reflection Questions

1. What “one thing” might Jesus be asking you to surrender today?

2. How does comfort compete with calling in your life?

3. What could God do through your obedience that might outlast your lifetime?

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🙏 Prayer

Lord Jesus,

Thank You for loving me enough to confront what I hold too tightly.

Forgive me for walking my own way and trusting in things that cannot last.

Teach me to live with open hands, to care for the poor,

and to find my true treasure in following You.

Use my life, like C.T. Studd’s, to reach those still far from You.

Amen.

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🎵 Worship Song

🎶 “I Surrender” — Hillsong Worship

“Here I am, down on my knees again,

surrendering all, surrendering all…”

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🌍 Challenge This Week

Ask Jesus to show you one area of your life where comfort has replaced calling.

Then take one deliberate step toward obedience — give generously, serve someone unseen, or pause long enough to truly listen to His voice.

Because when you release what’s temporary,

you make room for what’s eternal.