S. O. A. P.

Here’s Your 90 second AM Devotional!

S-cripture:

2 Corinthians 12:7a

Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me.

O-bservation:

Previously in this chapter, St. Paul talked about inexpressible and glorious events that God had given him early on in his Christian walk. These events had to do with what he describes as, him being caught up in the spirit into the third heaven. He wasn’t sure if he was in the body or out of the body. However, his experience was so magnificent that he was sent “A Thorn,” in the flesh by way of a messenger of Satan in order to uphold him humble and not boastful. He implored on three different occasions for God to remove this painful thorn. Instead, God said to him, “My grace is sufficient for you!”

A-pplication:

Over and over in my life, such marvelous things had occurred in prayer and in my Christian faith that I’ve been on the brink of sharing them, when out of nowhere came, “A Thorn!” That’s right! In no way am I saying that I have a walk similar to the Apostle Paul, but what I am saying is that all of us who are daily pursuing a closer walk with Jesus will have unusual experiences in our faith through prayer and devotion. In such cases, we will be tempted as was Paul, to boast about them. Yet, these experiences are intimate with our God, and they are implied to deepen our faith. Paul was tempted to share his experiences in depth but was held back by “A Thorn.” Please testify of God’s grace in your life today, but keep those intimate moments to yourself in order to gain a closer walk with Jesus.

P-rayer:

Dear Jesus,

I am determined this AM to gain a more intimate walk with you. I love you, my Lord, and want nothing in the way of pride or boasting to drive your presence from my life. Thank you for “my thorns” along the way. Amen

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