The reading for Saturday is Matthew 26: 1-35.
We have added 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.)
Here is what I heard in the reading:
Scripture: Matthew 26: 31-32
31Then Jesus told them, “This very night you will all fall away on account of me, for it is written:
” ‘I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.’ ”
32But after I have risen, I will go ahead of you into Galilee.”
Observation:
Tonight you will be scared and each of you will disown me. But I will still come back for you and see you in Galilee.
Application:
It amazes me that He could tell them that they would fall away and then tell them that He would still be there for each of them. He understands what is coming… both for this specific situation and his small circle of disciples, and for each of us now.
He knows what trials we face. He knows the tough decisions we make. And he will always be there, reaching out to us after our mistakes.
That is a very, very strong love!
Prayer:
Thank you, Father, for your unending love and amazing forgiveness. You know what it is to come with each of us, you know what mistakes are ahead, and yet you go before us and accept us and wrap your love around us. Thank you, Lord, for welcoming us, for guiding us and most of all, for forgiving us.
I love you and am continually amazed by you.
Thank you.
What about you? What did you see and hear in your reading of Matthew 26: 1-35? 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. 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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