15May
14May
Trials Will Come
S. O. A. P.
Here’s Your 90 second AM Devotional!
S-cripture:
1 Thessalonians 3:3 So that no one would be unsettled by these trials. For you know quite well that we are destined for them.O-bservation:
Sometime earlier, St. Paul had planted the church for the Thessalonians. It had been such a long time since he had last seen them that his heart longed to be with them. Paul and his associates had been through so many trials during that time, and Paul told his young church that they were in fact destined for even more to come in the future.A-pplication:
The writer of the book of Hebrews tells us that Jesus put off the Joy that was set before Him in order to first of all, "ENDURE THE CROSS!" (Heb. 12:2, paraphrase). Make no mistake about it, all of us as "Followers of Jesus" have JOY to look forward to. However, we must first go through some trials to get to the joy. One of the young ladies in our mission work in Miami has just signed an 8-year contract with the U.S. Army for med school. After four years of medical school, she will be stationed in a "war zone" for another four years. She knows that "Trials Will Come." So she has set her eyes on the end of the 8 years, and the JOY that will follow. Remember ... YOUR "Trials Will Come," but Joy awaits you after the trial.P-rayer:
Dear Jesus, I'm so thankful that you put off the JOY in order to ensure the cross for me. Help me remember that after my trials the JOY will come. Amen
13May
A God PLEASER
S. O. A. P.
Here’s Your 90 second AM Devotional!
S-cripture:
1 Thessalonians 2:4 On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts.O-bservation:
Paul the Apostle affirmed his ministry to this young church in Thessalonica. He had reminded them earlier of the hard work in the face of impossible odds that he and his associates had led among them. Not only that, but he reminded them that they had had fabulous results with no impure motives or trickery on their part. The Apostle said, "We weren't "Pleasers of Men," instead, we only wanted to be ... 'God Pleasers!’"A-pplication:
All of us must check our Motives and our Agenda daily. The question must always be, "Is our mandate a heavenly one, and are our motives pure?" Never, ever will EVERYONE approve of your actions, whether you're wrong or right. Consequently, it's important that you and I operate to please the Lord. Men and women will judge you while they're shaking your hand with a smile. People refuse you, abuse you, and use you. However, I prophesy over you today that you will have incredible results in the face of "Impossible Challenge." There is one condition; this will come to pass only if You are ... "A God PLEASER!"P-rayer:
Dear Jesus, This AM I dedicate myself to forever be "A God PLEASER!" I love people, but I will live to worship You alone. Amen
29Nov
I Just Wanted To Build You Up Today!
S. O. A. P.
Here's your 90 second AM devotional!S-cripture:
1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.O-bservation:
This is a fantastic word from the Apostle Paul. He actually encouraged the young church at Thessalonica to keep on encouraging one another and to build each other up. He said, "You've been doing it ... so just keep on doing it!"A-pplication:
I want to build you up today. I'm sure you get torn down, ripped apart, and talked about like the rest of us. But in fact, that's just a part of life (Ref. John 16:33). But I'm not here for that. You're a wonderful person. How do I know that? Because you're reading a “Morning Devotional!!” Who does that? YOU DO! You're concerned about other people. How do I know that? Because you're reading a MORNING DEVOTIONAL! If you keep on reading these, and I'm sure you will ... you will begin to get a Morning nudge from the Holy Spirit about how you can help people even more. That's what the WORD does. I encourage you today ... keep loving God, keep loving yourself, and keep loving people. We have enough Haters out there, but you're not one of them. "I Just Wanted To Build You Up Today!"
Dear Jesus,
Right now I pray for my friend who is reading this AM Devo. Bless them and encourage them to keep on building others up! Amen
P-rayer:
28Nov
Hey Hey Rich
S. O. A. P.
Here's your 90 second AM devotional!S-cripture:
1 Thessalonians 2:11 For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children.O-bservation:
In addressing the young church at Thessalonica, Paul reminded them that as leaders they had cared for them as a father cares for his own children. It is insinuated that the father at that time in history was present, and that he guarded, disciplined, and loved his children whole-heartedly.A-pplication:
It's hard for me not to think of my dear father when I read this passage. From the earliest I can remember, my dad cared for me. When he would see me in the morning or at the end of his workday his first words were "Hey Hey Rich." He always had a smile. When he disciplined me at times, he cried. But dad always promoted me, was happy to see me grow, mature, and in time, take his place. Certainly we will never take God's place. Thank God! However, our loving Heavenly Father cares for us. We are the "apple of His eye." When He must correct us, and with me it's often ... He does so with care, maybe even a tear. When we acknowledge Him in worship, I know he must be saying, "Hey Hey Bill" or "Hey Hey Katarina." The last words I heard my father say on the phone to me the week he passed were, "Hey Hey Rich." That's the Father's love. It never ends.
Dear Jesus,
Thank You today for Your care over my life. Thank You most of all that Your love never ends. Amen