Guest SOAP post from Lisa of Simply Things Family.
The reading for Thursday is Luke Chapter 3.
I am so thankful Lisa asked if she could share her SOAP observations. Here is what she heard:
Prepare Yourself
Scripture: Luke 3:10-11
10 And the crowds were questioning him, saying, “Then what shall we do?” 11 And he would answer and say to them, “The man who has two tunics is to share with him who has none; and he who has food is to do likewise.”
Observation:
John the Baptist has the ear of the crowd on this day. He is preparing them for the coming of Christ.
You can only wear one tunic at a time. So, why would you need 2? He is showing them not only who he is, but how they need to live.
The people felt they knew what to do until listening to John. Maybe that is what drew them to him. They wanted to be baptized and have forgiveness of sins. How wonderful it would have been to hear him speak!
Application:
How many times have I asked, “What can I do?” Have I not been listening to the word of God?
I am listening, but not always hearing. How funny to say that, but it is true. I need to not only open my ears, but my heart. I can imagine how those people felt when their hearts were opened to hear what John was saying. When I consistently read the Word, I feel such open-hearted and more giving in my life. When I fall out of practice, I don’t feel this as much.
I am to give freely of myself and my things. There are many ways to “hoard.” We can hoard our things, our money or our time.
John spoke and ministered to many that day (His words are still ministering). Words are powerful. And these words hit me as a reminder of how God wants me to live my life. Although they were spoken many years ago, I still need to listen to this life-changing message and prepare myself for Jesus.
Prayer:
Dear God:
The people asked, “What can I do?” that day to John. I ask today. Please help me to prepare and live my life according to your plan for me.
Help me and listen as I struggle with daily questions and challenges.
I want to be prepared. I can learn from your Word.
Prepare me for you.
Amen
Lisa and her husband keep busy keeping up with their 3 children, 1 son (8) and 2 daughters (11, 5). She loves to volunteer at church and school, and she blogs at Simply Things Family.
What about you? What did you see and hear in your reading of Luke 3?
Be sure to record your own SOAP observations and feel free share your own thoughts or a link to your thoughts, here, too.
Didn’t start reading or Blogging Through the Gospels with us? That’s okay, join in anytime. Each Sunday evening I post the reading schedule for the week ahead and each evening I post the next day’s reading assignment and devotional. Feel free to jump in where we are anytime and blog or journal along using the SOAP format. Feel free to share your thoughts on Twitter using the #Gospels hashtag, too.
If you would be interested in sharing your own SOAP observations on MomsToolbox as a guest SOAP’er, please send me an email using the contact button on the top right. I’ll be in touch soon to discuss the details.
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