4/16 SOAP

Lord, speak to me today as I read your Word. Let your Holy Spirit open my eyes so I may see.

S - Matthew 3 "Produce fruit in keeping with repentance." Matt. 3:8

O -
*It is amazing how God fulfills prophecy directly from the Old Testament. It is so clear and unmistakable that He FULFILLS his promises and He CONTROLS time. John baptized with water for repentance. Jesus baptizes with the Holy Spirit and with fire. "His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire." Matt. 3: 11-12 Wow!

*The Pharisees were only concerned with appearing to be good. But they were rebuked by John.

*When Jesus was baptized, heaven was opened and he saw the Spirit of God, descending like a dove and lighting on him. Wow! Amazing Scene! :17 "And a voice from heaven said, 'This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.'" That would have been an amazing sight to witness.

A -
*Jesus is God, and He will come back as the one who judges and sifts. This is a clear picture of who he is in the future. May I be a faithful servant.

*Don't desire appearances... to appear to be good. Make my aim to please God and to have FAITH in Him... to follow Him and not look around at others or be concerned with what others think of me.

*The baptism of Christ was obviously exceptional; however, he calls us to be baptized and follow Him. There must be a heavenly dynamic involved even in our baptisms.

P- God, thank you for your word. There is so much to devour. Forgive me for neglecting it. Thank you for this time with you. May I learn and grow and be a more devout follower of you. I don't want to be lukewarm, Lord, and have you spit me from your mouth. When you sift, I want to be your wheat and not chaff. Help my life count for you, Lord. Amen