SOAP - August 9

Scripture
Mark 10:50 Throwing off his coat, he was on his feet at once and came to Jesus.

Observation
It's the story of a blind man in Mark 10 that contains this verse. Take a minute to put yourself in his shoes (if indeed he had any)...

- his blindness: would almost certainly have made him poor, what few possessions he had would be precious

- his blindness: meant if he lost something, he was unlikely to get it back, doubly so in a crowd

- his coat: may well have been his bed & almost certainly his major source of warmth

A couple of verses on, we are told your faith has saved and healed you (v.52). Given the potential ramifications, how would my faith have held up? Do I trust Jesus enough for these considerations to not even be a factor?

Application
I believe I'm a generous person but alongside this, it is certainly the case that I have restricted faith, putting too much onus on 'my' gift & 'my' material blessings to see me through.

I need to not hold on tight to a lot of things (v.22).

Prayer
Father, help me to embrace again today that You are God & all that 'I am' comes from you being the I Am. That when it comes to eternal matters, I have as Jesus put it "No chance at all if you think you can pull it off by yourself. Every chance in the world if you let God do it."

Ummm, it's good to feel your smile - Jonathan