S. O. A. P.

Here’s Your 90 second AM Devotional!

S-cripture:

1 Corinthians 1:31

Therefore, as it is written: “Let the one who boasts boast in the Lord.”

O-bservation:

Earlier in this chapter, St. Paul acknowledged that “Jesus Followers” in Corinth were breaking into “Personal Minister Preference” groups. There was a “Paul Group,” an “Apollos Group,” and a “St. Peter (Cephas) Group.” It was probably the first look at denominationalism in the New Testament. Paul did not like it and said, “If you’re going to boast, boast about Jesus!”

A-pplication:

You can never escape this one line in life … “Different Strokes for Different Folks.”  Even in the church, not everyone likes everything. When you’re talking about different “FLAGS” that people fly under … Peter was a radical Pentecostal. Whether it was speaking out of turn on the Mount of Transfiguration, jumping naked into the sea and swimming to meet Jesus on the shore, or preaching the house down on the day of Pentecost, you never knew which way the wind was blowing with Peter. Paul on the other hand was a Baptist or Presbyterian or Lutheran in style. He came from a life of strict categories; when he found Grace, he presented Grace in very strict categories in all of his writings and was very predictable! Apollos was a modern day Charismatic. He was cool, debonair, and very eloquent in speech. He could go Baptist, Pentecostal, or whatever you needed him to be. And each of these approaches work for people who like that approach, even today. However, St. Paul said, “If you’re going to brag about someone, only Jesus has earned all of the ‘Bragging Rights.’”

P-rayer:

Dear Jesus,

Early this AM I want to say to the whole world … “My Hope Is In YOU and YOU alone. Amen