Saturday’s Reading is Matthew Chapter 7.
I hope you are getting into the habit of prayer (by thanking then asking), reading with SOAP in mind, using SOAP and then listening. Just this week, I’ve noticed some changes in my prayer life as I’ve become more intentional about this time.
Please start as we have by thanking God for His gifts and provisions.
Next, ask Him about all the prayer requests you have for today. Feel free to ask about the tiniest thing, as well as the boldest.
Then ask His guidance in your reading, so that you will hear the message He has in mind for you today.
If you need to read the passage a few times to narrow it down to one or two verses, that is okay.
What are you hearing? Record it using SOAP.
Before I share what I heard, I have a disclaimer of sorts:
I am not a Biblical scholar. I have read the Bible through several times, but I am not a scholar. For my SOAP time I do not use commentaries, I just listen to what I hear. I am always a bit nervous when a more well-known verse sticks out to me, as I fear that someone somewhere is going to get on me for interpreting something incorrectly. If you ever see something you think I might have wrong, you are welcome to point that out to me, but please do so gently. I would like to think that we are all learning together and are teammates in growing in Christ. So, please, let’s remember that and be kind if someone needs correcting.
I first began posting my SOAP observations in 2008 so I could grow in understanding and faith. I am still on that journey.
Okay, on with today’s SOAP:
Scripture: Matthew 7: 8
For everyone who asks receives; he who seeks finds; and to him who knocks, the door will be opened.
Observation:
If you want something, you must ask and then pursue it and I will give it to you.
Application:
I think God is reminding me that just asking isn’t enough. I am not sure about how the semi-colons work and the original formation of this verse, but what I heard today is that you can’t just ask and expect that what you want will happen. If it is good, you still have to pursue it (seek).
This one is so easy for me to see when I talk to others about the Bible in 90 Days. So many people want to read the whole Bible, but the idea of putting in an hour each day to read is not something they are really willing to do for 90 days. But that is all it takes. They have to pursue Him to hear Him and stick with it. He will give them the time, but they have to pursue it.
I have been struggling with prioritizing lately. I keep asking God to show me, but perhaps I am not really pursuing His solution. I am just waiting for Him to clear it all up and make it obvious. I need to pursue that answer diligently and then He will give it to me.
Prayer:
Lord, I am so overwhelmed and scattered. I want to do way more than you want me to do. I want to please so many and not let anybody down and in the process I am probably letting those down whom I shouldn’t.
Please show me what to take off my task list. Show me what isn’t in your plan for me. Show me what is and how to modify things so that I am doing what YOU have in mind for me. You know what is best.
Forgive me for just asking this so many times and then not taking the time to listen and pursue your answer. I want to hear you. I will spend more time listening to you as I modify and build my to-do list each morning and night. Help me to slow down, ask, listen and hear.
Thank you so much for this reminder.
I already feel better because I know this good. This is what you want for me and you will help. I can’t wait to feel better after listening to you closer each and every day. Thank you!
Alright, fellow Blogging Through the Gospels readers… what did YOU hear today? Thank you for coming along on this journey. It’s so wonderful to have friends right alongside.
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