3 APR 25 Thursday SOAPS Devotional

(Scripture, Observation, Apply, Pray, Share)

Reading Plan: Psalm 69:1-23; Jer. 22:13-23; Rom. 8:12-27; Jn. 6:41-51

S- “I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us.” Romans 8:18

O-  Paul begins this paragraph on the future glory that helps us to stay focused on what truly matters. Much of our suffering comes from our sinful lives, succumbing to temptation, bodily pains, diseases, stress, and failure, and is much less than what lies before us in the future. Knowing this can give us hope and resilience to endure, but also a chance to glorify God in it.

A- I will remember to look to the future in hope when the struggles of life increase. I will endure with God’s help and glorify him in good and bad times.

P- Heavenly Father, thank you for the hope we have in you. When we go through trials and suffer, it reminds us that the glory you have prepared outweighs our present pain. Strengthen us to endure, trusting in your promises and the joy that is to come. In Christ’s name, amen.

S- Jeremy, 

Prayer for someone considering abortion

Heavenly Father,

I lift up this woman before You, knowing that she is facing a difficult and deeply personal decision. You see her fears, her burdens, and the weight of this moment. Lord, I pray that she would feel Your presence surrounding her with love, peace, and wisdom.

Give her clarity, Lord, to see beyond the fear and uncertainty. Remind her that she is not alone, that You are with her, and that there are people who care for her and want to walk alongside her. Fill her heart with hope and courage to choose life, knowing that You have a purpose and plan for both her and her child.

If she feels overwhelmed, provide her with support, resources, and people who will encourage and uplift her. Surround her with voices that speak truth and love, not condemnation. And if she has already made a decision, Lord, let her know that Your grace is endless, that Your love is steadfast, and that healing is always found in You.

May Your will be done in her life, and may she experience Your peace that surpasses all understanding. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Prayer for those rebuilding trust

Heavenly Father,

We come before You, seeking Your grace and guidance for those who are working to rebuild trust in their relationships. Trust is fragile, and when it is broken, the pain runs deep. Yet we know that You are a God of restoration, redemption, and healing.

Lord, for those who have been hurt, grant them the courage to open their hearts again, not in blindness, but in wisdom and faith. Ease their fears and mend the wounds that betrayal has left behind. Fill them with Your peace and assurance, reminding them that true healing comes from You.

For those who have broken trust, give them humility to acknowledge their wrongs, patience to prove their sincerity, and consistency in their efforts to make things right. Teach them to love with actions that reflect repentance and a deep desire for restoration.

Lord, may both hearts be softened by Your love. Help them to communicate honestly, to forgive as You have forgiven, and to walk forward with a renewed commitment to grace and truth. Above all, may their journey toward healing glorify You, and may their relationship be a testimony of Your power to restore what was once lost.

In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

A prayer for employment

Heavenly Father,

You are my provider, the One who sustains me in every season. Today, I come before You, seeking Your guidance and provision as I search for employment. You know my needs, my worries, and the desires of my heart. Lord, open the right doors for me and lead me to the opportunity that aligns with Your will for my life.

Give me patience when the waiting feels long and perseverance when discouragement sets in. Strengthen my faith to trust that You are working even when I cannot see the way forward. Help me to use this time to grow, to seek You first, and to remain steadfast in hope.

Lord, bless the work of my hands and prepare me for the job You have for me. Grant me favor with employers, wisdom in my decisions, and confidence in the gifts and abilities You have given me. Provide for my needs and remind me that my worth is not in a title or paycheck but in being Your beloved child.

I trust You, Lord, and I place my future in Your hands. In Jesus’ name, I pray.

Amen.

A prayer for those with thoughts of suicide

Heavenly Father,

I lift up to You those who are overwhelmed by despair, feeling lost, alone, and without hope. Lord, You see their pain, their silent cries, and the weight they carry. You know their deepest wounds and fears. In this moment, I ask that You surround them with Your love and remind them that their life is precious.

Break through the darkness with Your light, O God. Speak truth into the lies that tell them they are worthless or beyond help. Fill their hearts with Your peace, their minds with Your hope, and their souls with the assurance that they are not alone. Send people to walk with them, to listen, to love, and to remind them that there is still purpose and meaning in their lives.

Lord, hold them close. Give them the strength to reach out, the courage to keep going, and the faith to believe that better days will come. Let them know that You are with them, that they are seen, known, and deeply loved.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

A prayer for depression

Heavenly Father,

I come before You, weary and burdened, struggling under the weight of this darkness. You are the God of all comfort, the One who sees every tear and knows every unspoken sorrow. Lord, in the midst of this heaviness, remind me that I am not alone.

Lift my spirit, O God, and fill my heart with Your peace. When my mind is clouded with despair, shine Your light into my soul. When hope feels distant, draw me close to You. Help me to rest in Your presence, knowing that You are my refuge and strength, even when I feel weak.

Give me the courage to reach out, the strength to hold on, and the faith to believe that joy will come again. Surround me with Your love and with people who will walk this journey with me. Let Your Word be my anchor, Your promises my foundation, and Your love my healing.

In the name of Jesus, who bore our sorrows and gives us peace, I pray.

Amen.

Prayer for When You’re Frustrated with Your Job

Lord, I come to You weary and frustrated, struggling with the challenges of my work. Help me to find patience in difficulty, wisdom in decision-making, and peace in the midst of stress. Remind me that I work not just for others, but ultimately for You. Give me the strength to persevere, the grace to handle frustrations well, and the faith to trust that You are guiding me through this season. Amen.

Psalm 145:8 prayer- When angry

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for being gracious and compassionate, slow to anger, and abounding in love. In moments when my heart is stirred with frustration or anger, help me to reflect Your patience and kindness. Teach me to be slow to anger, just as You are, responding with grace rather than wrath.

When I feel wronged, remind me of Your mercy. When I am tempted to react harshly, fill me with Your Spirit, that I may choose love over rage, peace over resentment. Let my words and actions reflect Your character, bringing healing instead of harm.

Lord, I surrender my emotions to You. Transform my heart so that even in difficult situations, I mirror Your grace and compassion. Thank You for Your unending love that covers my shortcomings and teaches me a better way.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Prayer when tempted

Heavenly Father,

Thank You for giving us Jesus, our great High Priest, who understands our weaknesses and was tempted in every way, yet without sin. In our struggles, we come boldly to Your throne of grace, knowing that in Christ, we find mercy and help in our time of need.

Lord, strengthen us to resist sin and lean wholly on Jesus. When we are weak, remind us that He intercedes for us, offering the grace we need to stand firm. Fill us with Your Spirit, renew our hearts, and lead us in righteousness, that we may walk in obedience and reflect Your glory.

In Jesus’ name, Amen

Praying the Psalms - Ps. 95

Heavenly Father,

We come before You with hearts full of praise and thanksgiving. You are the great God, the King above all gods. The depths of the earth and the heights of the mountains are in Your hands; the sea is Yours, for You made it, and Your hands formed the dry land.

Lord, we bow before You in worship and humility. You are our Maker, and we are the people of Your pasture, the sheep under Your care. Help us to hear Your voice today and not harden our hearts. Keep us from wandering in unbelief and lead us in the way of trust and obedience.

Fill us with joy as we sing to You, and strengthen our faith as we walk in Your ways. May our lives reflect the honor and glory due to Your name.

In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

Walking with the wise

“Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.” – Proverbs 13:20 (ESV)

The people we surround ourselves with have a profound impact on our character, decisions, and spiritual growth. When we walk with the wise—those who seek God, live with integrity, and make righteous choices—we gain wisdom ourselves. Their insights, habits, and faith inspire us to grow closer to God and walk in His ways.

On the other hand, keeping company with those who reject wisdom and make reckless choices can lead us down a dangerous path. Their influence can pull us away from God’s truth, leading to unnecessary struggles and harm.

Who are you walking with today? Are your relationships drawing you closer to God or leading you into foolishness? Seek out those who pursue wisdom, godliness, and truth, and let their influence sharpen your faith. Likewise, strive to be a source of wisdom for others, pointing them to Christ in all you do.

Prayer:

Lord, help me to surround myself with wise and godly influences. Give me discernment in my relationships, and let me be a source of wisdom and encouragement to others. Lead me in Your truth, that I may walk in wisdom all my days. Amen.

Prayer of the day

Prayer Based on Psalm 119:49-56

Heavenly Father,

I hold onto Your promises, for You have spoken them over my life. In my trials, Your Word gives me hope and sustains me. When the world mocks me, I will not turn from Your truth. Your commands are my comfort, and Your statutes are my song in the night.

Lord, keep my heart fixed on Your ways. Let me remember Your name and walk in obedience, for in You, I find my peace and refuge.

Amen.

Prayer - to model love

Gracious and merciful God, You have called us to love You with all that we are and to love our neighbors as ourselves. Yet too often, we pass by those in need, distracted by our own concerns. This morning, open our hearts to Your Word and our eyes to those who need Your love. Fill us with the compassion of Christ, that we may go and do likewise, reflecting Your mercy in all we say and do. Be present in our worship, and shape us into people who live out Your love. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

2 FEB 25 Coffee with Chaps Devotional

Seeking Wisdom Like Treasure

“If you seek her as silver, and search for her as for hidden treasures; Then you will understand the fear of the Lord, and find the knowledge of God.” — Proverbs 2:4-5

True wisdom isn’t gained casually; it requires diligent pursuit, like searching for hidden treasure. Just as people invest time and effort to find wealth, we must passionately seek God’s wisdom through prayer, Scripture, and obedience. When we prioritize His understanding above worldly gain, He reveals Himself to us. The fear of the Lord—reverence and awe—becomes the foundation of our knowledge. As we seek Him daily, He grants discernment, guiding our paths and enriching our lives with eternal riches. Pursue His wisdom wholeheartedly, and you will find the greatest treasure—God Himself.

Prayer for Wisdom

Heavenly Father,

Help me to seek Your wisdom as I would search for hidden treasure. Give me a heart that longs for Your understanding and a mind that desires Your truth. Open my eyes to see the riches of Your Word and guide me to walk in reverence and awe of You. Teach me to value Your knowledge above all else, that I may grow in faith and walk in Your ways.

In Jesus’ name, Amen.

1 FEB 25 Coffee with Chaps Devtional

The Fear of the Lord

“The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Proverbs 1:7

True wisdom starts with reverence for God. When we acknowledge Him as the source of all understanding, we open our hearts to His guidance. The world offers knowledge, but only God gives wisdom that leads to life. To fear the Lord is to grapple with his magnitude awesomeness and in light of that honor, trust, and obey Him. Those who reject His wisdom walk in darkness, but those who seek Him gain insight and discernment. Today, let us humbly submit to God’s wisdom, seeking His truth in every decision. In Him, we find the foundation for a life of purpose and peace.

Heavenly Father, you are an all consuming fire, holy, and we are not able to fully grasp who you are. In your mercy, you have revealed yourself through the prophets and your Son. As we surrender to you, may we trust and obey you, in Jesus name amen.

20 OCT 24 Coffee with Chaps Devotional: Walking through anxiety and worry Day 6

 Day 6: What now?

“I prayed to the Lord and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears.” Psalm 34:4 NLT

Fear is a very powerful emotion that can cause lots of anxiety and also can stop us from moving on. It can enter our lives at any point, whether young or old. For example, when we are younger, we feel invincible but as we age our mind says “yes” but our body says “no”. Or there might be an injury, illness, or the death of someone close to you that causes you to question just about everything. It strikes fear into the heart and expresses itself in a variety of emotions, whether sadness, anger, panic, or worry.

The psalmist shows his vulnerability by describing his inability to help himself. Some problems are too big for us which shifts the direction of our lives and fear steps in to cripple or paralyze our minds. You might be feeling this now and ask, what now?

The good news is that fear can change us for the better and strengthen our relationship with the Lord.  We need to talk to God about it and hand it over. God knows we will face challenges in life and desires to walk with you through them.  He can free you from the fears that weigh you down and give you the ability to be at peace and be strong.  

Merciful Father, I’m facing an uncertain time in my life which has changed my life and I don’t know what to do. I know that you hear my prayer and that you care for me. Free me from this fear and guide me to your will. Help me to trust in your goodness and comfort me in this difficult time. In Jesus’ name, amen.

30 SEP 24 Coffee with Chaps Devotional: Walking through axniety and worry Day 5

 Day 5: Does doubt create a noisy mind and a fear of the unknown?

“When doubts filled my mind, your comfort gave me renewed hope and cheer.” Psalm 94:19

From time to time when things don’t go our way, we can begin to doubt our future. Maybe you lost your job or got injured and cannot work. Bills and daily needs can cause you to spiral and get overwhelmed not knowing what to do. Others may be in that year of retirement and are looking ahead to what is next, but are fearful of embracing the unknown after years of job security. These fears are common for many people, but some may find they need a way to clear the fog of doubt that is creating a noisy mind.  

David had many challenges before becoming king, and even more so while he was king. He racked his brain to figure out what to do when the trials of life smacked him in the face. When you read the Psalms, you find accounts of his solution. He took his problems to the throne (God) before he took to the phone (other people). As he poured out his heart and mind to God, he experienced a clear mind, peace in his heart, and a renewed sense of hope and joy followed. If it seems simple and a bit mysterious, it is, but it works. I’m not asking you to trust me, I’m asking you to trust God and release your doubts over to him.  

Heavenly Father, you have known me from before the foundation of the world. You have made known in your word the reality of this life and the problems that will come my way. The fears and doubts I face can be overwhelming but help me to remember that I only have to turn to you for all that I need. Please take any worries that I have for tomorrow and give me the strength I need to endure today. Amen.

14 JUL 24 Sunday SOAPS Daily Office Devotional

 14 JUL 24 Sunday SOAPS Daily Office Devotional

Daily Office: Year 2 Week of the Eighth Sunday After Pentecost (Proper 10)

(Scripture, Observation, Apply, Pray, Share)

Reading Plan: Psalm 148, 149, 150; Joshua 1:1-18; Acts 21:3-15; Mark 1:21-27

Are you obeying Jesus?

S- “This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do according to all that is written in it.  For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success.” Joshua 1:8

O- The call and command on disciples of God has not changed from Genesis to Revelation and even today.  We are told to hear, obey, and give it away.  Many of those who claim to be believers do not obey the Lord.  Jesus said that if you do not obey what he says then you do not belong to him.  Sounds harsh? If he is Lord or Master of your life then you refuse to do what he tells you.  

A- I will obey Jesus as my Lord and Master of my life.  

P- Master, Savior, Jesus, my life belongs to you.  I am not my own and desire to do you will instead of my own.  Let my obedience be a demonstration of my love for you.  Empower me to follow you when it is not convenient, difficult, or costly.  Amen.

S- A, S, C

15 JUL 24 Monday SOAPS Daily Office Devotional

 15 JUL 24 Monday SOAPS Daily Office Devotional

Daily Office: Year 2 Week of the Eighth Sunday After Pentecost (Proper 10)

(Scripture, Observation, Apply, Pray, Share)

Reading Plan: Psalm 25; Joshua 2:1-14; Rom.  11:1-12; Matt. 25:1-13

S- “As it is written, God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that would not see and ears that would not hear, down to this very day.” Romans 11:8; “Ears to hear and eyes to see- both are gifts from the Lord.” Proverbs 20:12

O- Reading the passage from Romans speaks of God’s sovereignty in salvation in choosing who will be his and who will not, specifically the Jews.  The proverb, which is not part of today's reading, came to mind.  We do not have the ability to respond to the gospel message unless something happens on God’s end.  Being born again or from above is the transformation of our spirit from death to life and the opening of our spiritual eyes and ears.  This can spark a healthy fear of God and draw a deeper sense of gratitude in the believer.

A- I will give thanks and temper my frustration with those who are deaf to the good news.

P- Gracious and sovereign Lord, who am I that you are mindful of me?  I haven’t done anything to deserve your favor or your mercy.  Thank you for your loving kindness and making me your child.  I pray for those who have not heard the gospel yet or are not yet born again.  May the Holy Spirit move in their hearts today transforming them and giving them the ability to respond.

In Jesus name, amen.

S- dan, spencer, 

13 JUL 24 Saturday SOAPS Daily Office Devotional

 13 JUL 24 Saturday SOAPS Daily Office Devotional

Daily Office: Year 2 Week of the Seventh Sunday After Pentecost (Proper 8)

(Scripture, Observation, Apply, Pray, Share)

Reading Plan: Psalm 20, 21:1-7; Deut. 34:1-12; Romans 10:14-21; Matthew 24:32-51

Are you sharing the gospel?

S- “And how are they to hear without someone preaching? And how are they to preach unless they are sent? As it is written, “how beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!”” Romans 10:14-15

O- As you read this chapter, it comes to mind to command to go and tell the good news.  God chose the method that the world sees as foolishness to accomplish his will.  Preaching or sharing the gospel from person to person is necessary so that everyone at least hears the message and God will give the increase where he desires.

A- I will share the good news with others wherever I live. I will trust that God will save who he wants and remain faithful in spreading his message of hope.

P- Merciful Father, many people have never heard the gospel once and your children are not sharing the gospel.  Help us to reach all those that you have prepared to hear.  Give the increase as we plant seeds and care for those we contact.  Bless the work of our hands, Lord, bless the work of our hands. Amen.

S- C, 

12 JUL 24 Friday SOAPS Daily Office Devotional

 12 JUL 24 Friday SOAPS Daily Office Devotional

Daily Office: Year 2 Week of the Seventh Sunday After Pentecost (Proper 8)

(Scripture, Observation, Apply, Pray, Share)

Reading Plan: Psalm 16, 17; Deut. 31:7-13, 24-32:4; Romans 10:1-13; Matthew 24:15-31

Do you care if others are saved?

S- “Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved.” Rom. 10:1

O- The evidence that you are saved is that you desire for people to be saved and share your faith.  The opposite is true too.  If you don’t care that others are going to enter eternity without Jesus, you are not saved yourself, period.  The more I meet lost people the more focused I am on praying, caring, and sharing the good news of Jesus.

A- I will refresh my focus and intentionally reach out to those who don’t know Jesus.  I will pray for them regularly, care for them, and share the good news as the opportunity presents itself.

P- Gracious Lord, thank you for seeking me out and putting a Christian in my life to share the good news of Jesus.  Help me to reach those that don’t know you and I lift up their names to you now, __________.  Please draw them to yourself, change their heart and will, and save them.  In Christ’s name, amen.

S- G, J,