S. O. A. P.

Here’s Your 90 second AM Devotional!

S-cripture:

1 Thessalonians 4:11

O-bservation:

The Thessalonian church had fallen prey to false prophets who had convinced them that Jesus was coming back immediately and that they should watch for Him. There was another faction that taught that He’d already returned. Paul said they needed to “Quietly Get To Work.”

A-pplication:

Can you imagine genuinely believing that Jesus would return within the month and trying to continue on with the way you’re presently living? Most of us would probably quit our jobs and risk persecution while we abandon reason and beg people to get right with God now! There’s another group that would quit everything and sit and wait. While sitting, they’d probably get on the phone and call others who were sitting and waiting, at which point the gossip would escalate. In much more primitive times that is what was happening in Thessaloniki. Christians had quit working and were gossiping while they waited for the coming of the Lord. The world of social media today has turned otherwise normal people into ranters who beat the drum for all kinds of things that pull away from the gospel. They aren’t unlike the Thessalonians, except that today’s bunch aren’t motivated by the coming of the Lord. St. Paul said it then and he still says it today, “Quietly Get To Work.”

P-rayer:

Dear Jesus,

I’m asking You to help me stay out of other peoples’ business and mind my own. Help me to stay passionate about Your imminent return while I keep working. Amen