17 DEC 23 Sunday: Coffee with Chaps Devotional

 17 DEC 23 Sunday: Coffee with Chaps Devotional

SOAPS (Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer, Share) 

Reading Plan: Psalm 63:1-8, 98; Amos 9:11-15; 2 Thess. 2:1-3, 13-17; John 5:30-47

The third week of Advent 

Question of the day: Are you thankful for your fellow Christians?

S- “As for us, we can’t help but thank God for you, dear brothers and sisters loved by the Lord.  We are always thankful that God chose you to be among the first to experience salvation- a salvation that came through the Spirit who makes you holy and through your belief in the truth.”  2 Thess. 2:13

O- Paul knows a work of the Holy Spirit started this church, as it took only three to four ‘weeks’ to be established from his first conversations.  Paul sees this group of people as a blessing to him and the rest of Christendom because this church suffered great persecution and thrived in the midst of it.  He reminds them that God chose them out of everyone to be his people and in that he gives thanks and they should and we should too.

A- I will give thanks to the Lord for giving me hope claiming me has Christ’s own forever.  I will give thanks for those that God gives me to invest in and let them know how happy and thankful I am for them.

P- Lord God, thank you for blessing us and giving us eternal hope that never fades and cannot be snatched away.  Thank you for comforting us and strengthening us in every good thing you do and say to us.  Thank you for allowing us to invest deeply in the people you have given us and being able to see your work in and through their lives.  In Christ’s name, amen.

S- My Five (5 people God has given me to invest),  

14 DEC 23 Thursday: Coffee with Chaps Devotional

 14 DEC 23 Thursday: Coffee with Chaps Devotional

SOAPS (Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer, Share) 

Reading Plan: Psalm 37:1-18; Amos 9:1-10; Rev. 2:8-17; Matthew 23:13-26

The second week of Advent 

Question of the day: How are you dealing with evil people?

S- “Don’t worry about the wicked or envy those who do wrong.  For like grass, they soon fade away. Like spring flowers, they soon wither. Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act.  Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their schemes.” Psalm 37: 1-2, 7

O- David had real enemies that wanted to kill him.  He saw what we see in that evil people become successful and flaunt it around in our faces to make us angry.  The devil knows how to affect us mentally and even spiritually through people that he influences.  We need a reality check for ourselves as a reminder of who is actually in control, God.  He never lets anyone escape the judgment of sin that is why David can tell us to wait on God and not to fret.  We suffer for a little while and they do for eternity if they don’t repent.

A- I will wait patiently on the Lord and hand over to him my frustration, anger, and worry.  I will trust God to do as he will with evil people and rest in his goodness.

P- Heavenly Father, you have given us a real treasure in the words of David that is true for every generation.  We face evil people in our communities across our nation and the world.  They anger us for what they do, the success they have, and the flaunting of it in our faces.  We ask you, how long? How long must we endure these people? I hand those people over to you Lord and entrust you with the outcome because you are good and just.  Give me peace of mind in the meantime.  Amen.

S- My Five (5 people God has given me to invest in), BH, 

13 DEC 23 Wednesday: Coffee with Chaps Devotional

 13 DEC 23 Wednesday: Coffee with Chaps Devotional

SOAPS (Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer, Share) 

Reading Plan: Psalm 38; Amos 8:1-14; Rev. 1:17-2:7; Matthew 23:1-12

The second week of Advent 

Question of the day: Are you a disciple worth multiplying?

S- “So practice and obey whatever they tell you, but don’t follow their example.  For they don’t practice what they teach.” Matthew 23:3

O- In the story that Jesus tells, he is judging the religious leaders of the day and he is not happy with them.  They actually know the Scriptures but are not living them.  Their status has gained them favor, position, and wealth in their society, and it has caused a rot inside.  Jesus has a warning not to follow their example because their talk and walk don’t match.  This is also a warning or encouragement to us that we should make sure that we are doing what we say.  Our life needs to be an example to others, so they can see how to live out their faith.

A- I will seek out spiritual mentors who practice what they teach and ask them to examine my life to make sure that I am doing the same.  I desire to be an example for others to follow.

P- Lord God, to be in the crowd and hear Jesus say that our respected leaders are not worthy examples had to be shocking.  Your word sheds light on our need to examine the lives of those who are spiritual mentors and our own lives.  Am I a disciple worth multiplying? Am I an example to follow? Mold me and shape me Lord into the person that you want me to be and empower me to live that life. Amen.

S-My Five, Chris, 

12 DEC 23 Tuesday: Coffee with Chaps Devotional

 12 DEC 23 Tuesday: Coffee with Chaps Devotional

SOAPS (Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer, Share) 

Reading Plan: Psalm 26, 28; Amos 7:1-9; Rev. 1:1-8; Matthew 22:23-33

The second week of Advent 

Question of the day: Will you pass God’s plumb line test?

S- “Then he showed me another vision.  I saw the Lord standing beside a wall that had been built using a plumb line.  He was using a plumb line to see if it was still straight.  And the Lord said to me, Amos, what do you see? I answered, A plumb line.  And the Lord replied I will test my people with this plumb line.  I will no longer ignore all their sins.” Amos 7:7-8

O- Plumb lines are used in construction to make sure that the walls of buildings are straight.  If they are not the strength of the structure is degraded and will likely collapse under stress loads and weather events.  God uses his plumb line to measure a person to see if their lives are straight.  Sin will ultimately cause the destruction of our building, i.e. our life.

A- I will own up to my sin and repent of it.  I will seek the counsel of Godly men to examine my life and encourage me to live a life that is pleasing to God.

P- Lord, the words given to Amos are convicting, but I need to hear them.  Measure your plumb line against my life and expose where I need to surrender and embrace your ways.  Forgive me for sinning against you in thought, word, and deed, by what I have done, and by what I have left undone. I have not loved you with my whole heart or my neighbor as myself.  I am truly sorry and I humbly repent.  Amen

S-H, R, Bh, 

11 DEC 23 Monday: Coffee with Chaps Devotional

 11 DEC 23 Monday: Coffee with Chaps Devotional

SOAPS (Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer, Share) 

Reading Plan: Psalm 25; Amos 7:10-17; Rev. 1:9-16; Matthew 22:34-46

The second week of Advent 

Question of the day: Are you on the right path?

S- “Show me the right path, O Lord; point out the road for me to follow.  Lead me by your truth and teach me, for you are the God who saves me.  All day long I put my hope in you.” Psalm 25:4-5

O- This is a beautiful psalm of trust and surrender to God.  When we give our life to God, he will make a way for us and we will not be disgraced.  We have peace with God and we find happiness as we trust and obey his instruction daily.  The life he has given us to live is not complicated, it is putting one foot in front of the other every day by praying, reading, worshiping, serving, generosity, and sharing.  These rhythms reinforce the commitment we have made to follow Jesus and it makes us mentally, emotionally, and spiritually strong.

A- I will talk daily to the Lord asking for his direction and to empower me to do his will.  I will read, mark, and inwardly digest the Scriptures to feed my soul and hear from God.

P- Heavenly Father, your mercies are new every morning and you give me peace and power when I read your word.  Thank you for the life of David and how he testifies to his daily walk with you.  His life was not perfect, in fact, he was a hot mess at times like me.  Thank you for showing me the path to life and joy.  Help me this day to glorify you in my job, and relationships, and give me boldness to share with others. Amen. 

S- My Five. 

10 DEC 23 Sunday: Coffee with Chaps Devotional

 10 DEC 23 Sunday: Coffee with Chaps Devotional

SOAPS (Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer, Share) 

Reading Plan: Psalm 148, 149, 150; Amos 6:1-14; 2 Thess. 1:5-12; Luke 1:57-68

The second week of Advent 

Question of the day: Are you living a life worthy of God’s call?

S- “So we keep on praying for you, asking our God to enable you to live a life worthy of his call.  May he give you the power to accomplish all the good things your faith prompts you to do.  Then the name of our Lord Jesus will be honored because of the way you live, and you will be honored along with him.” 2 Thess. 1:11-12

O- When you realize that Paul is heaping praise and adoration on the church at Thessalonica because it has endured much suffering and persecution, it makes the weight of the verses above that more strong.  God’s call on our life can be lived out no matter the circumstance whether good or bad.  He gives us the power to live this life and accomplish everything he wants of us.  That is an encouraging word to strengthen our resolve.

A- I will pray for my fellow believers that God would enable them to live a life worthy of his call.  I will pray that for myself as well.

P- Lord, you are so good to us that you do not expect me to live this life in my own power.  You graciously give me the Holy Spirit to enable and empower me to live a life that will bring you honor and glory.  In that, I rejoice and give you praise.  Let your favor be upon me, and establish the work of my hands, yes, establish the work of my hands! Amen.

S- My Five. 

9 DEC 23 Saturday: Coffee with Chaps Devotional

 9 DEC 23 Saturday: Coffee with Chaps Devotional

SOAPS (Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer, Share) 

Reading Plan: Psalm 20, 21:1-7; Amos 5:18-27; Jude 17-25; Matthew 22:15-22

The first week of Advent 

Question of the day: Are you living faithfully and building up fellow believers?

S- “But you, dear friends, must build each other up in your most holy faith, pray in the Holy Spirit, and await the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ, who will bring you eternal life.  Rescue others by snatching them from the flames of judgment.  Show mercy to still others, but do so with great caution, hating the sins that contaminate their lives.” Jude 20-21, 23

O- As we await the return of Jesus we can be about the Father’s business and faithfully discharge the duties he has given us.  We can encourage and build up fellow believers by helping them to become more like Christ in their character, relationships, and mission.  We may have to rescue some from sins that have gained control over their lives.  We can also share the good news of Jesus with those who don’t know him.

A- (I will statements to commit to faithfulness) I will seek to encourage and build up my fellow Christians and mercifully help them to break the bondages of sin.  I will seek opportunities to share the good news with those who don’t know Jesus.

P- Lord God, sometimes I ponder your second coming and ask myself if I will be found faithful when you arrive.  I thank you for your word and the testimony of the apostles that we don’t have to wonder what to do but do what you have detailed.  Help me to faithfully live out the charge on my life to seek the lost and train the saved, in your great name I pray, amen.

S- My Five. Rose, Daron.

8 DEC 23 Friday: Coffee with Chaps Devotional

 8 DEC 23 Friday: Coffee with Chaps Devotional

SOAPS (Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer, Share) 

Reading Plan: Psalm 16, 17; Amos 5:1-17; Jude 1-16; Matthew 22:1-14

The first week of Advent 

Question of the day: What are you pouring your life into that is eternal?

S- “For you will not leave my soul among the dead or allow your holy one to rot in the grave.  You will show me the way of life, granting me the joy of your presence and the pleasures of living with you forever.” Psalm 16:10-11

O- Our future is set, is good, and beyond imagination for those in Christ.  We sometimes worry about the return of Jesus, for the wrong reasons because we are attached to this world and the things in it.  Everything you see before you is temporary and will come to an end.  Many of the people of this world are suffering or in poverty, so this is good news.  Those who are comfortable and have riches find it difficult to let go, but being with Jesus is greater than everything else.

A- I will reflect on my life this week and look at my family, career, and stuff, and compare it to being with Jesus. I will reset my daily rhythms to focus on eternal things versus the temporary.

P- Heavenly Father, as I read the passage from Psalm 16 today, it sparked feelings of thankfulness and joy that your Son Jesus’ future return.  It also made me feel like I have put things in my life that I don’t want to lose or let go of.  I know that in your presence everything else fades to black in comparison to the satisfaction that is found in you.  So help me Lord, to set the right perspectives now as I look to a future with you. Amen.

S- My Five.

7 DEC 23 Thursday: Coffee with Chaps Devotional

 7 DEC 23 Thursday: Coffee with Chaps Devotional

SOAPS (Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer, Share) 

Reading Plan: Psalm 18:1-20; Amos 4:6-13; 2 Peter  3:11-18; Matthew 21:33-46

The first week of Advent 

Question of the day: Are you and the people around you prepared to meet their maker?

S- “Therefore, I will bring upon you all the disasters I have announced.  Prepare to meet your God in judgment, you people of Israel!” Amos 4:12

O- Advent speaks to the anticipation of Jesus’ second coming which is a beautiful and wonderful thing for believers since we are in right standing with God. We look forward to it with joy, desiring to see Jesus in all of his glory and spend eternity in his presence.  It is not something that an unbeliever wants to see.  It is the end of mercy, grace, and love because God’s patience is completed and his justice is unleashed because they rejected Him. 

A- I will pray for those around me and share the good news of Jesus with them.  I will live my life in a manner that keeps the tension of Jesus’ return tight.  I will give thanks for Jesus saving me and forgiving me of my sins thereby making me right with God.

P- Heavenly Father, today I praise you for your goodness, love, and faithfulness to me and my family.  I look forward to seeing the return of your Son Jesus, but my heart breaks now for those who do not know you and are not saved.  So God, help all the believers, especially me, to be about sharing the good news and prepare the hearts of those who are to hear.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

S- Who will share the gospel? A, M

3 DEC 23 Sunday: A Closer Walk Devotional

 3 DEC 23 Sunday: A Closer Walk Devotional

“For you know quite well that the day of the Lord’s return will come unexpectedly, like a thief in the night.  So be on your guard, not asleep like the others.  Stay alert and be clearheaded.” 1 Thess. 5: 2, 6

Today marks the first Sunday of Advent, bringing excitement and joy as we prepare for Christmas.  As a child, I would start preparing my Christmas list for what I hoped Santa would bring me.  Taking the Sunday advertisements, the J. C. Penny, and Sears catalogs  I would highlight, and make a list of items wished for the jot them down on a piece of paper.  Anticipation was further fueled by all of the things that my family and church did in preparation.

It is a wonder that my head didn’t explode with all the stimulation of the season.  I love this time of year because it is about wonder excitement and joy.  It is not about the gifts, activities, or family, but Jesus.  Advent means coming and as we approach Christmas we remember the first coming of Christ, but also look forward to the second.  For hundreds of years, people expected and desired to see the coming Messiah who would be King.  They wanted to be a strong and independent Kingdom free of their oppressors.

When Jesus came though, they were surprised so much so that most didn’t recognize or rejected him because he didn’t meet their expectations.  Those who received him also received the best gift of all, God himself.  When we receive Jesus we are eternally connected in a relationship with God, the creator of all things.  Jesus stated that he would return to gather his people when both the time and the number were right.  We don’t know either of those factors.

What we do know is that Jesus will return like a thief in the night, in an instant, and at any time.  As we enter the Advent Season, it allows us to pause and look forward with great expectation and anticipation.  The times reveal the great possibility of his coming maybe sooner rather than later.  That being said, he tells us to be on guard, alert, and doing the Father’s business until he returns.  Don’t get caught asleep doing your own thing, but be ready!

Are you anticipating Jesus’ second coming?

Reading Plan: Psalm 146, 147; Amos 1:1-5, 13-2:8; 1 Thes. 5:1-11; Luke 21:5-19 

30 NOV 23 Thursday: A Closer Walk Devotional

 30 NOV 23 Thursday: A Closer Walk Devotional

“Be subject for the Lord’s sake to every human institution, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, or to governors as sent by him to punish those who do evil and to praise those who do good.  For this is the will of God, that by doing good you should put to silence the ignorance of foolish people.” 1 Peter 2:13-15

Do you ever find it difficult to live and work under leaders or authorities? Peter, Paul and Jesus, all tell us to submit to the authorities around us because it is God who places them there.  At any given time, God can raise a nation to predominate or take one down and destroy it.  Think about when they were writing and the governors and institutions that were in charge.  Those religious institutions and the government were brutal to Christians and often hunted them down, lit them on fire, or killed them in a horrid manner.

Yet, Peter, Paul, and Jesus say that we are to submit or be subject to these people.  Peter in the verses following the ones above, reminds us that we are ‘slaves’ to Jesus and his will for our lives is to submit.  We are no longer living for ourselves, but living for Jesus and in doing so we will face persecution and suffer because of his name.  Jesus also expects governments to do something, punish those who do evil, and praise those who do good.  When governments don’t fulfill their mandates, then God punishes them.

One thing we can consistently do no matter the institution or government is to do good and be torch-bearers of the gospel.  The Lord expects us to fulfill the mission mandated to us in Matthew 28:19 regardless.  Our good works will be the judge of wicked people, leaders, and rulers.  If they harm us, God will not let them off the hook but give them punishment.  Jesus himself warned the people that if anyone hurt one of his followers, it would be better to have a millstone tied around their neck and thrown into the sea.  God will deal with them.

Are you submitting to earthly authorities?

Reading Plan: Psalm 131, 132; Zeph. 3:1-13; 1 Peter 2:11-25; Matthew 20:1-16

29 NOV 23 Wednesday: A Closer Walk Devotional

 29 NOV 23 Wednesday: A Closer Walk Devotional

“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who call you out of darkness into his marvelous light.” 1 Peter 2:9

I often ponder the relationship that God has with Israel and why he is selective in choosing people to be his possession.  If you look back in the Old Testament, you find people who aren’t too smart or big, just nobodies in the world.  If there were a bunch of kids on the playground and you were choosing players for the team, they would not be on yours.  They didn’t bring anything to the table that would warrant attention from other nations or even God.

But God.  God has made plans so detailed that it will blow your mind.  Most of the world can’t deal with the fact that God created our world, the stars, the planets, the solar systems, and the universe.  He chose to put life on this planet and sustain it even putting a creature that is made in his image above all other creatures.  Humans are the only creatures on earth that can be in an eternal relationship with God.  That is being very selective and people even in the church get offended by this.

Israel was chosen by God to be his people, he will be their God, and he expanded that people group when Jesus came by adding Gentiles from every nation, tribe, and tongue.  God decided to do this before the world was created knowing that he would save some and not all.  The same way he chose Israel initially, is the same way he chooses who will be his today.  It is his secret will and no one comes to faith or is saved without him deciding who that is.  We do not bring anything to the table that will make his team better.

His mercy and grace are amazing; he would pull us out of darkness and into his marvelous light.  Peter says that knowing and understanding this will give a passion to worship him and share this good news with others.  While we do not know who his people will be, we do know his lost sheep are out there ready to be found.  We need to get busy doing search and rescue.

Have you been brought into the fold of the family of God?

Daily Reading:   Psalm 119: 145-176; Obadiah 15-21; 1 Peter 2:1-10; Matthew 19:23-30

28 NOV 23 Tuesday: A Closer Walk Devotional

 28 NOV 23 Tuesday: A Closer Walk Devotional

“So prepare your minds for action and exercise self-control.  But now you must be holy in everything that you do, jas as God who chose you is holy.” 1 Peter 1:13a, 15

There are so many times followers of Jesus will ask what is God’s will for their life and what should I be doing. The will of God is in two parts, revealed and secret.  Everything you need to know for your life here on earth is ‘revealed’ right in the Holy Scriptures.  Start applying the word to your life because there is more than enough there for an entire lifetime.  The secret will of God is just that, a secret.  It is not meant for you to know.

Peter tells his readers that there is a call on our lives to be holy people because God himself is holy.  This doesn’t come naturally to us because our human nature is unholy.  We sin in every part of our lives, so it will take real work on our part and the help of the Holy Spirit.  The action of holiness starts in the mind and it can be a battle.  Paul says that we have to let God transform our minds and change the way we think.

Again Paul states in his letter to the Galatians that our sinful nature wants to do evil, which is the opposite of what the Spirit wants.  These two forces are constantly fighting each other.  The Holy Spirit produces fruit in our lives, one of which is self-control.  It is the ability to override or overcome our own human nature and do the thing that is pleasing to God.  As it is exercised, it grows stronger and helps you to develop a holy and godly life.

Peter says the ultimate goal is to become holy in everything you do because it makes you more like God.  How are you doing with that? As you are doing life, you can put on the lenses of holiness and ask yourself how you are doing.  You must be intentional about applying the word and the standard of holiness in order to bring about real lasting change.  God the Holy Spirit is here to help you to see areas of need and the power to succeed in them.

Would people you know think you are holy?

Reading Plan: Psalm 121, 122, 123; Nahum 1:1-13; 1 Pet. 1:13-25; Matt. 19:13-22 

27 NOV 23 Monday: A Closer Walk Devotional

 27 NOV 23 Monday: A Closer Walk Devotional

“Now we live with great expectation, and we have a priceless inheritance-an inheritance that is kept in heaven for you, pure and undefiled, beyond the reach of change and decay.” 1 Pet. 1:3b-4

Typically, I look at life with low expectations so I am not disappointed.  Some people think that is a terrible way to look at life or your interaction with people.  The reason is people are not perfect, broken, and often oversell and underdeliver thereby leaving us disappointed.  I’m not saying you should have low standards, there is a difference.  Set standards high but keep expectations low and you will experience less disappointment.

Peter looks forward to Jesus and the next life with great expectation because God is perfect, holy, and never fails us.  He can be trusted to do what he promises and delivers to the uttermost.  Peter goes on to say that our inheritance is safe in heaven and it is pure, undefiled, and cannot change or even decay.  Everything on earth is impure, defiled, changes, and decays, but heaven is not the same.  His outlook on earthly temporary things is different from heavenly eternal things.

Jesus also chimes in on this and says that our treasure cannot be destroyed by moths, rust, or stolen because it is protected and secured by God himself. (Matt. 619-29)  This is great news that we can be fully assured and never be disappointed.  This is why Peter can have ‘great expectations’ for the future and so can we.  We can live this life for Christ in radical obedience without worrying about the future and expect God to do all that he intends through us.

When we fully trust in God and surrender our lives to him, we can have this kind of confidence now and in the life to come. 

Do you have great expectations for eternity?

Reading Plan: Psalm 106:1-18; Joel 3:1-2, 9-17; 1 Pet. 1:1-12; Matt. 19:1-12