Thursday’s Reading is Matthew Chapter 5.
I hope your listening and prayer times are going well each day you read with us. It is my prayer that this will help you to set a routine to not only read God’s Word, but also enter into conversation with Him, sharing and really listening.
Let’s begin.
Just like the past few days, start by thanking God for some of His gifts to you from the day before and today, as well as anything else that comes to mind. Share a reason why you love Him.
Next, present your requests to Him, remembering that He does want to hear them all, big and small.
If you would like to write down any of your thanks or prayer requests, feel free to do that. Don’t worry about making your notes look pretty, just jot your thoughts down.
Now ask Him to guide you through today’s reading and then read. After you have read through the passage once, think about your SOAP for the day. If you have to read it a few more times, that’s okay.
Here’s my confession for today:
Today’s reading was tough for me!
There is so much said in Chapter 5 that is was really hard for me to narrow it down to one verse for SOAP. I read it several times and then decided to “think about it,” which led me to fall asleep snuggled under a soft blanket on the couch. Oops.
And then when I woke, I tried again.
Here’s what I heard:
Scripture: Matthew 5:13
“You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.
Observation:
Don’t lose your saltiness or love of Christ. If you do let that slip away, then what good are you?
Application:
As a follower of Christ, I need to keep my love of Him strong and my study ongoing. Otherwise, I am at risk of losing Him and becoming useless.
Prayer:
Lord, thank you for this reminder to keep you in my life, front and center. Help me to retain my saltiness, my love and wonder of you. Also, please guide me as I season the lives around me with you. Help me to share in the ways you know best and guide me in always being your disciple. Help me to keep my saltiness. I want you.
After your SOAP time, sit quietly and listen to what else God may have for you today. Set a timer for three minutes and try to just listen. Don’t ask. Don’t praise. Just listen for three whole minutes. And if you don’t hear anything, that is okay. You are learning how to listen.
After that if you’d like to pray some more, feel free to do that. But only after you listen quietly for three minutes. (Hiding in your bathroom or your closet often works if the kids are up. Well, sometimes, at least. :) )
Would you like to share any of your observations from today? Please do!
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