S. O. A. P.

Here’s Your 90 second AM Devotional!

S-cripture:

Hosea 6:6

For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.

O-bservation:

The prophet Hosea speaks for God. The word “Mercy” is better translated as “Love.” The prophet said that what God really wants is for His people to love others all the time and not continually look to their burnt sacrifices as a scapegoat for their sins, which resulted from their hostility toward their fellow human beings. In other words, they were saying through their actions, “I know I’m going to sin. Let me get my sacrifice ready beforehand.”

A-pplication:

My third son, Graham, is the joy of our lives. At 6 months of age, he was stricken with spinal meningitis. He’s almost completely well but did suffer some amount of Brain Damage due to the infection. In his case, it means that he does a couple of things wrong that he knows are wrong, but he can’t seem to help himself. There appears to be almost an addiction to messing up in these one or two areas. He comes, he cries, he repents, and says, “Dad, I’ll never do it again!” I forgive him, we pray, and he goes and does it again. I’ve kind of chalked it up as Brain Damage. But what happens when God’s people do this? They mess up, they know it’s wrong, but there’s this feeling that if they can just get forgiven again and have a clean slate again, they will be able to go and do it again! Some would call that Brain Damage. But can you really call it that when God has given you and me authority over sin and darkness through the power of the Holy Spirit? I don’t think you can. I think what’s being spoken of here by the prophet Hosea is a people who have a “Heart Rebellion” against the one who loves them most.

P-rayer:

Dear Jesus,

Thank You this AM that when you forgave me and baptized me with the Holy Spirit. You gave me authority over sin and darkness. I never take that lightly. I’m blessed to be Your servant. Once again, I ask for strength to do Your will again today! Amen

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