S. O. A. P.

Here’s Your 90 second AM Devotional!

S-cripture:

1 Thessalonians 2:4b

We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts.

O-bservation:

So often the Apostle Paul had to defend his ministry in one way or another to the churches he had planted throughout Asia Minor. Sometimes he defended his authority as an Apostle. Other times he defended his work ethic when questioned about whether or not he was working hard enough. Here, in this letter to the Thessalonians, he said with emphasis, “We’re not here to please people, we’re here to please the Lord who tests the heart!”

A-pplication:

The question all of us must come to grips with is, will we yield to the pressure of people or will we follow hard after the Word of God? In the final analysis, one day we will stand before the God we say we serve. On that day we won’t be saying, “Where’s so and so? They’re the one that made me do it.” And even if we lived a perfect life (in our own eyes), God tests the HEART of each and every one of us. He looks beyond the surface. He probes deep into our very heart. He knows what we’re thinking before the words spring from our lips. That’s why the scripture says, “Man looks on the outward appearance but God looks on the heart.” Remember, don’t be impressed by other people, find your security and joy in Jesus. He’s … “The HEART Tester!”

P-rayer:

Dear Jesus,

I ask You to search my heart today. I don’t want to be a people pleaser. I’m really concerned however, about pleasing YOU! I realize … You’re “The Heart Tester!”