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.