The reading for Thursday is Matthew 24.
We are adding a new step, so if you haven’t been using a notebook or recording your thoughts somewhere, please consider starting that now. When you record your thoughts, you will begin to hear more and you can reflect back on what you have heard.
Okay, now that your notebook or computer or whatever is ready, let’s move on…
When it is time to read, please start first by praying and thanking God for His many blessings. Be specific.
Record your thank you’s on paper or on the computer.
Next present your requests to Him. Ask Him for whatever you want and need. As you do, record your requests and questions on paper or on the computer.
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.)
Today we have another Bible in 90 Days grad as our guest SOAP’er. Here is what Daenel heard in the reading:
Scripture: Matthew 24:36
But about that day or hour no one knows, not even the angels in heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father.
Observation:
Although Jesus gives his disciples all the signs that point to His return, He warns that no one knows the exact date so we are to always be ready.
Application:
I love reading about the return of Christ because it gives me hope for the future and it reinforces my belief that better things are yet to come. However, it’s hard not to get wrapped up in the here and now and focus on “worldly” things.
Sometimes during my day, there are shows that come on television or songs that come on the radio and I have to stop and think, would I want to share this experience with Christ? Would I be comfortable having this conversation with Jesus at the table? If Jesus was in my Twitter stream would I retweet that comment or “Like” that status if he were my friend on Facebook? I know these sound like silly, maybe even extreme examples, but I think this is how God wants us to live. We are to be Christ-like in all things…
We “know” he’s always there but do we always act as if we know? Do we behave and speak as if he could show up at any moment?
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for your love and grace. Thank you for your word that guides me in my day-to-day living. Help me to keep my focus on you and to live my life as if you may come at any moment. Help me to keep my conversation pure. I don’t want to be caught unaware, but I want to be found walking in your perfect will and according to the example that you’ve set. Amen.
Daenel T is a married mother of five who blogs about faith, family, books and shopping at Living Outside the Stacks. You can find her on Twitter ~@DaenelT or Facebook ~ Facebook.com/LivingOutsidetheStacks.
What about you? What did you see and hear in your reading of Matthew 24? 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. 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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