S. O. A. P.
Here’s your 90 second AM devotional!
S-cripture:
Matthew 4:1
Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil.
O-bservation:
Following His public baptism by His cousin, John the Baptist, Jesus was led by the Holy Spirit into a barren place to be tempted by the devil. The earliest renderings of the term “To Be Tempted” happens to be … “The War Is On.”
A-pplication:
The parallels to our own acceptance of Jesus as Lord and Savior and our public baptism cannot be lost in this passage. Like Jesus, there is a public scene where we make a confession of our faith before friends and family, by the act of water baptism. At first, everyone is happy for our obedience. And oftentimes our family is approving, like the “Heavenly Father” approved of His son Jesus. But right after the feelings of exhilaration and euphoria, there comes an immediate trial that we have to face. It’s always God’s way of saying … “The War Is On.” Our walk with Christ is a continual series of battles in order to advance in ranking as a “Follower of Jesus.” We all start out as a “Private First Class” in God’s army, but it’s His desire that we finish someday as “5 Star Generals.” Let it never be said about any of us that when the battle was engaged, he or she was AWOL. No! We don’t have time for that, because … “The War Is On.”
P-rayer:
Dear Jesus,
Let me be a good soldier in the Lord’s Army today. With Your help I will respond with love and not hate … forgiveness not bitterness … and kindness rather than cruelty. Amen
LEAVE A COMMENT