S. O. A. P.
Here’s your 90 second AM devotional!
S-cripture:
Acts 23:11
The following night the Lord stood near Paul and said, Take Courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome.
O-bservation:
A prophet named Agabus had warned the Apostle Paul earlier not to go to Jerusalem. But Paul felt compelled by the Lord to go there. As soon as he arrived in Jerusalem, threats of death and mistreatment by religious authorities came upon him. One night, in the middle of this terrible peril, the Lord appeared to Paul and said, “Take Courage, for I want you to go to Rome and preach the Good News.”
A-pplication:
The crazy thing about this “Heavenly Appearance” from Jesus is that Paul was being held captive in the Roman barracks of Jerusalem. Remember, Jerusalem at this time was under Roman occupation. So I’m sure Paul was thinking … “Ok but You will have to get me out of here first.” Please hear this one thought this AM. The devil can’t take you out until Jesus is ready to call you home. As “Followers of Jesus,” our lives are not really our own anymore. When we yield our lives wholeheartedly to the Lord, He in turn sets us on a divine course and calling that is anything short of boring. In the scariest times of life always remember … You are under divine mandate, direction, and protection. So remember today, if God has to provide 200 Soldiers, 70 Horseman, and 200 Spearman to deliver you to safety He Will! (vs. 23–25) So … “Take Courage.” You’re always on God’s radar. 🙂
P-rayer:
Dear Jesus,
Don’t let me ever be ruled by fear, but let my heart be filled with faith for the journey ahead. Amen
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