The reading for Wednesday is Mark Chapter 6.
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 I am thrilled to feature a guest SOAP from Monica, who was one of my first followers on MomsToolbox. I have really enjoyed getting to know Monica in cyberspace as well as a bit in ‘real’ life. Here is what she heard in the reading:
Scripture: Mark 6:34
When he went ashore he saw a great crowd, and he had compassion on them, because they were like a sheep without a shepherd. And he began to teach them many things.
Observation:
Jesus had other plans here. His disciples had just returned from teaching, casting out demons, anointing the sick with oil, and healing them. They were tired. They were hungry. Jesus was taking them away from the crowds to rest…until he saw this great crowd. He had compassion and he stayed to teach them.
Application:
As I read this passage, I am forced to consider my own actions and attitudes when I have to change my plans. There are many times when I am tired and worn from my work as a wife, mother and homemaker. I am tired of giving of myself. Not only do I desire rest, but I really need it.
Many times when I am at this point, I am faced with another need to fill. It can be a ministry need, or the need of my husband, one (or all) of my children, or a friend.
In that moment I have a choice of how I am going to respond. I can ignore the need and continue on with my plans or I can have compassion as Christ did. I can follow his example and put myself aside and minister to the need that is before me.
Prayer:
Lord, I thank you for the compassion that you show to your sheep. Thank you for Christ’s example of looking on the crowds that so needed him with a spirit of compassion.
I pray for that same spirit of compassion in my own life. I pray that you would fill me with compassion for my husband, my children, my friends, and the lost world. Help me, in this spirit of compassion, to put aside my own needs and desires to faithfully serve those who need me.
Monica is the wife of an Army chaplain and stay at home, homeschooling mother to four blessings. She blogs at DailyDwelling where she is striving to “dwell” on those things of true importance.
What about you? What did you see and hear in your reading of Mark 6? 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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