S. O. A. P.

Here’s Your 90 second AM Devotional!

S-cripture:

James 5:11a

As you know, we count as blessed those who have persevered.

O-bservation:

The Apostle James makes it very clear that the original “Team of Apostles” who had walked with Jesus on earth believed in “Spiritual Blessings” from God. The people the Apostles singled out for unusual blessing were folks who had pushed through and overcome severe testing. In fact, James said at the outset of this letter that if PERSEVERANCE was allowed to complete its work in an individual, it would produce maturity, wholeness, and a sense of needing nothing (1:4).

A-pplication:

You and I both know friends and acquaintances who have not, for whatever reason, been able to persevere through hardships and trials. Whether it was a series of small things coupled together over the years, or a major “HIT” of some sort, they were broken by the ordeal(s). On the other hand, I know many fellow “Followers of Jesus” who through trials and testing turn to Jesus in order to survive the onslaught and come out worn and weary, yet VICTORIOUS. As I have observed these friends who persevered, there is a maturity and wholeness and sense of lacking nothing that they possess that transcends all of their stories. They PERSEVERED through TRIALS. We call them “The Blessed Ones!”

P-rayer:

Dear Jesus,

Whatever people call me I know that I am a “Blessed Servant of The Lord.” Because I’ve always had You to turn to, in my trials! Amen