What Must I Do?
Mark 10:17-22 (NLT)
As Jesus was starting out on his way to Jerusalem, a man came running up to him, knelt down, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
“Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked. “Only God is truly good. But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. You must not cheat anyone. Honor your father and mother.’”
“Teacher,” the man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.”
Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
At this the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.
Reflection
What's the most challenging thing you would be willing to give up in order to improve your life?
Pop? Junk food? Alcohol? TV? Gossip?
For me, it was social media.
After my late wife passed away, I chose to stay in Michigan to be with her family. My own family had already moved away, and I didn't want to uproot Samuel, our son, and cause her family more pain by relocating. I sacrificed my own recovery for their sake, a decision that nearly cost me everything. Gradually, I descended into a deep depression, turning to alcohol and an unhealthy relationship to numb the loneliness. I started building a wall between myself and God, wondering how He could allow such suffering to befall me.
I allowed this painful cycle to persist for a couple of years until I realized that any more time in Michigan might permanently shatter my chances of recovery. So, I made the difficult decision to move to Ohio and embark on a fresh start. Once I relocated, The Tree Church provided me with the necessary counseling to begin the healing process I had avoided for so long. Unfortunately, I hadn't severed the unhealthy relationship in Michigan, which remained a major obstacle to my full recovery.
After listening to a sermon from my pastor, who also happens to be my brother, about the things in our lives that hold us captive, I came to the realization that social media was tethering me to my old life, preventing me from moving forward. I found myself unable to break free from social media on my own, however, so I asked my brother to assist me. He took the step of permanently deleting all my social media accounts, releasing me from their grip. From that moment onward, I was able to focus on my healing journey and reconnect with God.
God isn't calling us to sell all we have; He is calling us to relinquish that one thing that prevents us from wholeheartedly following Him. What that thing is may vary from person to person, but the grip it has on us is constant. It's only when we remove that obstacle from our lives that we can wholeheartedly devote ourselves to a life of following God.
Action Step
Take five to ten minutes to think about any obstacles in your life preventing you from fully following God. Think about things you have control over. Focus on things like poor diet, substance abuse, social media addiction, etc. Once you have identified the thing or things that are a hindrance, write them down on a piece of paper and ask God to help deliver you from their hold on your life. If you have a close friend who can be an accountability partner for you, I suggest bringing them in on your struggle so they can help keep you accountable.
Prayer
God, I am tired of the strongholds in my life that are stopping me from fully serving You. Help me tear them down. Give me strength every day to fight against the urges I have to keep these things a part of my life. Give me wisdom in how to fight them and open my heart to receive more of You. Thank You, God, for the healing You will do in my life. Amen.
As Jesus was starting out on his way to Jerusalem, a man came running up to him, knelt down, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
“Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked. “Only God is truly good. But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. You must not cheat anyone. Honor your father and mother.’”
“Teacher,” the man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.”
Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.”
At this the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions.
Reflection
What's the most challenging thing you would be willing to give up in order to improve your life?
Pop? Junk food? Alcohol? TV? Gossip?
For me, it was social media.
After my late wife passed away, I chose to stay in Michigan to be with her family. My own family had already moved away, and I didn't want to uproot Samuel, our son, and cause her family more pain by relocating. I sacrificed my own recovery for their sake, a decision that nearly cost me everything. Gradually, I descended into a deep depression, turning to alcohol and an unhealthy relationship to numb the loneliness. I started building a wall between myself and God, wondering how He could allow such suffering to befall me.
I allowed this painful cycle to persist for a couple of years until I realized that any more time in Michigan might permanently shatter my chances of recovery. So, I made the difficult decision to move to Ohio and embark on a fresh start. Once I relocated, The Tree Church provided me with the necessary counseling to begin the healing process I had avoided for so long. Unfortunately, I hadn't severed the unhealthy relationship in Michigan, which remained a major obstacle to my full recovery.
After listening to a sermon from my pastor, who also happens to be my brother, about the things in our lives that hold us captive, I came to the realization that social media was tethering me to my old life, preventing me from moving forward. I found myself unable to break free from social media on my own, however, so I asked my brother to assist me. He took the step of permanently deleting all my social media accounts, releasing me from their grip. From that moment onward, I was able to focus on my healing journey and reconnect with God.
God isn't calling us to sell all we have; He is calling us to relinquish that one thing that prevents us from wholeheartedly following Him. What that thing is may vary from person to person, but the grip it has on us is constant. It's only when we remove that obstacle from our lives that we can wholeheartedly devote ourselves to a life of following God.
Action Step
Take five to ten minutes to think about any obstacles in your life preventing you from fully following God. Think about things you have control over. Focus on things like poor diet, substance abuse, social media addiction, etc. Once you have identified the thing or things that are a hindrance, write them down on a piece of paper and ask God to help deliver you from their hold on your life. If you have a close friend who can be an accountability partner for you, I suggest bringing them in on your struggle so they can help keep you accountable.
Prayer
God, I am tired of the strongholds in my life that are stopping me from fully serving You. Help me tear them down. Give me strength every day to fight against the urges I have to keep these things a part of my life. Give me wisdom in how to fight them and open my heart to receive more of You. Thank You, God, for the healing You will do in my life. Amen.
Recent
Archive
2026
January
Don’t Stop Short of JesusThe Cross Is God’s Invitation to YouRemembering the OwnerThe OwnerThe Illusion of Self-Made SuccessActs 26:12–23 | Paul’s Encounter with JesusActs 26: 1–11 | Agrippa Grants PermissionInvited From The OutsideSurrender Creates PeaceWhen Blessing Becomes ForgetfulnessWhat A Pastor Means When They Say... | The Branch Living as Stewards, Not OwnersCreated for RelationshipThe Heart Behind the GiftSurrender GainsThe StewardFaithful StewardsOne Percent BetterEverything Belongs to GodThe Evaluation Is ComingActs 26:24-32 | Agrippa Parries Paul's ChallengeRedefining Success | The Branch The EvaluationHow You View God Determines EverythingThe Economy of Kingdom InvestmentChoose Your Category WiselyAnchored in Steadfast LoveActs 27:1-3 | Paul Sails for RomeDiscerning Between Good And Evil | The BranchLoved Enough to Be DisciplinedThe Steadfast Love of GodReturning to God’s WayCrying Out from the DepthsLiving with Wise Awareness
February
Partnering with God’s MissionBuilding Kingdom FruitTHE GIVER | PASTOR ANTHONY LOMBARDIWorship Through SacrificeNavigating God's Calling Within MarriageTrusting God’s ProvisionActs 27: 13-20 | The Storm at Sea | TCBSActs 27: 4-12 | From Caesarea to Fair HavensFrom Self-Focus to Kingdom-FocusFrom Death to LifeThe Answer Is a PersonEmpowered for MissionActs 27:21–26 | TCBSTHE CHURCH | PASTOR MATTHEW JOHNSONDesigned for CommunityAnger, Justice and Psalms of Judgment | The BranchHeaven Invading EarthBetter Together PURPOSED RELATIONSHIPS | PASTOR MATTHEW JOHNSONLifted When You FallWarmth in the ColdProtected by the CordWhen to Wait, When to Work | The BranchOne Body, One MissionWhere Your Treasure IsThe Antidote to AnxietyINVEST HEARTS AND FINANCES | PASTOR MATTHEW JOHNSONReturn to MeActs 27: 39-44 | The Shipwreck | TCBSTreasures That LastThe Heaps of Hezekiah
March
The Good News We Cannot Keep Silent EVANGELISM | PASTOR MARY JOHNSONEncountering Jesus Changes EverythingLove Compels Us to ShareActs 28:1-6 | Paul Ashore on Malta | TCBSPlaced with PurposeYour Story, His GloryThe Upside-Down KingdomEvangelism | The BranchThe Death of the Kingdom of SelfActs 28: 7-10 | Ministry in Malta | TCBSServing as Worship THE DETHRONING OF SELF | PASTOR MATTHEW JOHNSONNo Excuses, Only ObedienceThe Privilege of PartnershipDenying Self to Find Life
2025
January
A New Heart and SpiritSowing in Tears, Reaping in JoyFrom the Pit to a New SongNo Other God's Before MeSeek First the KingdomStoring Treasures in HeavenServing One MasterTrusting God with EverythingThe Power of InfluenceRelationships That InfluenceFinding Godly FriendsIron Sharpens IronSpeaking Truth In LovePrioritizing God's PresenceChoosing the Better PortionLiving With Eternal PerspectiveCreating Margin For God's PurposesBearing Fruit Through AbidingReleasing the Past, Embracing God's Future
No Comments