WHEN FOLLOWING JESUS COSTS EVERYTHING PART 7: WHAT IS YOUR “ONE THING”?

WHEN FOLLOWING JESUS COSTS EVERYTHING

PART 7: WHAT IS YOUR “ONE THING”?


Luke 18:22 (NIV)

When Jesus Christ heard this, he said to him, “You still lack one thing…”


In Part 6, we encountered the rich young ruler—a man who was disciplined, moral, and sincere, yet walked away from Jesus Christ because of one thing he could not surrender. He was close to Jesus—but not surrendered to Him.


Opening Thought 🌅

Sometimes, the greatest barrier between you and your next level in God is not many things—it is just one thing.

Not obvious.

Not loud.

But deeply rooted.


Key Phrase

“You still lack one thing…”


Insight 🔍

This statement is both simple and profound.

It means:

You can be doing many things right… and still miss one thing. You can be progressing… and still be held back. You can be committed… and still be divided.

The rich young ruler didn’t lack discipline. He lacked surrender in one area. And that one thing became everything.


Deeper Application 🔥

Your “one thing” may not be money—but it is whatever competes with God for your heart. It could be:

A relationship you know God is asking you to release. A habit you keep excusing. An ambition that is driving you more than God is leading you. A fear that keeps you from fully obeying

The danger is this:

You can justify it because everything else in your life looks right.


How To Identify Your “One Thing” 🧠

Your “one thing” is often:

What God has been consistently pointing at.

What you feel uncomfortable surrendering.

What you keep postponing (👀 Part 3)

What you run back to (👀 Part 4 & 5)

It is usually the area where you say:

“God, anything but this…”


Spiritual Warning 🚨

One unchecked attachment can limit your spiritual growth.

It may not stop you from:

going to church

praying

serving

But it can stop you from:

growing deeper

walking fully in purpose

experiencing total surrender


Powerful Truth 💡

God does not compete with what you refuse to surrender. If you hold onto it, He will not force it from you—but it may limit how far you go with Him.


Real-life Reflection 🧭

Many believers are:

strong in public

disciplined in visible areas

But quietly struggling with one hidden attachment.

And that one thing becomes:

a silent limitation

a private battle

a spiritual ceiling


Spiritual Lesson 📖

This passage teaches us that:

Total surrender is the goal of discipleship.

God is interested in the areas we hide, not just the ones we display. Growth in God often begins where surrender feels hardest.


Reflection Questions 🤔

What is the one thing I feel God is asking me to surrender?

Why have I been holding onto it?

What am I afraid will happen if I let it go?

Is this one thing limiting my walk with God?


Prayer 🙏

Lord Jesus, Reveal my “one thing.” The area I have avoided, excused, or hidden. Give me the grace to surrender it completely. Help me not to hold onto anything that competes with You. I choose full obedience over partial commitment. Amen.


Call To Action ✍️

Write down what you believe your “one thing” is. Take one practical step today toward surrendering it—no delay, no negotiation.


Next In The Series ⏭️

Part 8: When Love Does Not Lower The Standard

Jesus loved the rich young ruler—yet still challenged him to surrender everything. In the next devotional, we will explore why God’s love does not reduce His requirements, and how true love calls us higher, not lower.

God is speaking, are you listening?



Prince Julius Nenebi-Darkson 

(EL-PJ God's penman)

Comments

Post a Comment

We’d love to hear your thoughts! Share your reflections, testimonies, or questions below. Let’s grow together in faith!

Popular posts from this blog

THE LIFE CYCLE OF SIN AS CHILDBEARING PART 2: THE GROWTH AND DEATH OF SIN

Image
THE LIFE CYCLE OF SIN AS CHILDBEARING PART 2: THE GROWTH AND DEATH OF SIN  James 1:15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.  RECAP of Part 1 In the previous chapter, we explored how sin begins with Conception (desire) and grows when nurtured, much like a child in the womb. Today, we will continue with Maturity and Birth, where sin becomes visible through our actions, and finally Death, the ultimate consequence of unchecked sin. Let’s explore these final stages and understand the seriousness of allowing sin to grow unchecked in our lives. Then, after desire has conceived , it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown , gives birth to death . James 1:15 (NIV) 3. Maturity and Birth Sin gives birth to full-grown actions. Just as a child reaches full maturity in the womb before birth, sin, once nurtured, reaches its full stage and manifests as outward actions. What began as hidden desire now becomes v...
Read more

JUMPSTARTING YOUR LIFE—THE POWER OF DIVINE CONNECTIONS PART 8:WHEN IT’S TIME FOR AN UPGRADE—LETTING GO OF THE OLD TO EMBRACE THE NEW

Image
THE STORY: A FRIEND FACED WITH A HARD DECISION Romans 1:11-12 (NIV) "I long to see you so that I may impart to you some spiritual gift to make you strong—that is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith. Welcome to Part 8 of our Series, Jumpstarting Your Life: The Power of Divine Connection.  In Part 7 , we saw how my landlady’s son, who had once been stranded, later became a helper to another driver stuck in the mud . We learned that helping others after receiving help is a key principle of life , and sometimes, we must recognize when we need assistance instead of struggling alone. But what if the real issue isn’t about getting help but knowing when to move on? PART 8: WHEN IT’S TIME FOR AN UPGRADE—LETTING GO OF THE OLD TO EMBRACE THE NEW THE STORY: A FRIEND FACED WITH A HARD DECISION I have a friend named Kwame who had been driving an old car for years . It wasn’t just any car—it had been his first car, filled with memories. One day, after heavy rain, he...
Read more

WHEN THE ROBE COMES OFF: HONORING THE HUMANITY OF GOD’S SERVANTS PART 7: FINAL LAP: STANDING IN THE GAP — THE URGENCY OF INTERCESSION

Image
WHEN THE ROBE COMES OFF: HONORING THE HUMANITY OF GOD’S SERVANTS PART 7: FINAL LAP: STANDING IN THE GAP — THE URGENCY OF INTERCESSION  1 Kings 19:4 Ezekiel 22:30 “I searched for a man among them who would build up the wall and stand in the gap before Me for the sake of the land, that I would not destroy it, but I found no one [not even one].” (AMP) Becoming Watchmen Over God’s Servants Recap of Part 6: Yesterday, we exposed the reality that some ministers are hiding secret sins—not because they don’t love God, but because they don’t feel safe to confess. We were reminded to pray, not punish, and to cover, not cancel. Heaven is still searching. God is still looking. Not for another preacher. Not for another platform. But for a gap stander. An intercessor. A spiritual defender of those who are too exhausted to pray for themselves. Throughout this devotional, we've uncovered the hidden battles of pastors and ministers—the emotional lows, the secret temptations, the heavy loneliness, t...
Read more