The reading for Saturday is Matthew 13:36-58.
When it is time to read, please start first by praying and thanking God for His many blessings. Be specific.
Next present your requests to Him. Ask Him for whatever you want and need.
Third, ask Him to guide you in your reading, so that you will hear his message for you today.
After you read, record your SOAP observations and then listen for three minutes. Set a timer and just listen to what he might be sharing. Don’t ask. Don’t thank. Just listen. (You can pray more after you listen, if you like.)
Here is what I heard in the reading:
Scripture: Matthew 13: 49
This is how it will be at the end of the age. The angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous
Observation:
At the end of the age, we will all be separated into two categories: wicked or righteous, or, in other words: toss or keep.
Application:
I definitely want to be in the right category!
The next verse talks about being in the wrong one and I know I don’t want to be there! Nor would I want any of God’s children to be there. I don’t think He does, either. He wants us to accept His love and be washed clean and enjoy eternity with Him.
Prayer:
Thank you, Lord, for loving me, caring for me and inviting me into the ‘righteous’ pile. I want to experience your love and not the gnashing of teeth. I want to be a good fish.
Often it is hard for me to grasp that I get to go into the ‘good’ pile just by confessing my need for you and accepting your gift of forgiveness. But I am still so very thankful that is all it takes.
This verse makes it pretty clear that there isn’t any middle ground. Thank you, Lord, for being so clear… and also for being so loving and willing to move us into the right pile, even with all of our mistakes.
I love you, Lord.
What about you? What did you see and hear in today’s reading? Please share with the rest of us, if you are comfortable doing so. Feel free to leave your thoughts, or a link to post with your thoughts, in the comments. If you do link a post, please include a link in your own post back to this post so your readers can see what others had to say, as well, and potentially join us.
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.
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