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