3 JAN 24 Wednesday: Coffee with Chaps Devotional

 3 Jan 24 Wednesday: Coffee with Chaps Devotional

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

Reading Plan: Psalm 68; 1 Kings  19:9-18; Eph. 4:17-32; John 6:12-27

The week of the First Sunday after Christmas  

Question of the day: Do others see you as righteous and holy?

S- “Throw off your old sinful nature and your former way of life, which is corrupted by lust and deception.  Instead, let the Spirit renew your thoughts and attitudes.  Put on your new nature, created to be like God, truly righteous and holy.” Eph. 4:22-23

O- One of the functions of the church and every believer is to become more like Jesus.  Paul desires to help shape new believers by explaining to them the difference between their old life and the new life given to them by Jesus.  We have a new nature, purpose, and lifestyle that is to be marked by righteousness and holiness.  Paul wants us to be focused on this and strive with the Spirit’s help to this end.  How are you doing with this?

A-  I will seek the counsel of a spiritual mentor to help examine my life to see if I am truly pursuing the life God intends for me to live.  I will yield to the Holy Spirit as he exposes and renews my thoughts and attitudes to conform to his will.

P- Gracious Lord, thank you for saving me and giving me the opportunity to live for you and not myself.  Examine my life Lord, and help me to become righteous and holy.  In my old life, I followed my desires and much of it was sinful.  Help me to desire what you do and to live in a manner worthy of your name.  In Christ’s name, amen.

S- The seven people you have given me to care for and invest in.

2 Jan 24 Tuesday: Coffee with Chaps Devotional

 2 Jan 24 Tuesday: Coffee with Chaps Devotional

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

Reading Plan: Psalm 34; 1 Kings  19:1-8; Eph. 4:1-16; John 6:1-14

The week of the First Sunday after Christmas  

Question of the day: Are you becoming mature in the faith?

S- “Then we will no longer be immature like children.  We won’t be tossed and blown about by every wind of new teaching.  We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they sound like the truth.” Eph. 4” 14

O- Paul lets us know that there is a great purpose in being unified as the church.  We will become strong in the faith, reaching new maturity levels, and becoming all God wants us to be.  Then we will be able to stand against all of the false teachings and teachers that infiltrate the church.  We will know the truth and discern falsehoods.

A-  I will study the word, fellowship with believers, and help others to become who God desires them to be.  I will stand firm and expose the false teaching and teachers.

P- Lord God, you are the maker of heaven and earth and of all things seen and unseen.  You have blessed your people with gifted individuals who train and equip us to be all that you desire us to be.  I’m thankful for them and ask that you continue to develop your church so that we can face all the enemies of the cross.  Help me to train and equip others as well so they can grow into maturity.  In Jesus’ name amen.

S- The seven people you have given me to care for and invest in.

1 JAN 24 Monday: Coffee with Chaps Devotional

 1 Jan 24 Monday: Coffee with Chaps Devotional

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

Reading Plan: Psalm 103; Isa. 62:1-5, :10-12; Rev. 19:11-16; Matthew 1:18-25

The week of the First Sunday after Christmas  

Question of the day: Have you reflected on what God did last year? Do you look forward to what he will do this year?

S- “Let all that I am praise the Lord; with my whole heart, I will praise his holy name.  Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me.” Psalm 103:1-2

O- As we transition from one year to another, it always gives us time to reflect on what God has done for us.  It is wonderful when God shows us how he directs our steps and teaches us through good and difficult times.  Today we stand in a new day and year looking forward to what God will do this year with eager anticipation.  God is always working out his will and ways in the big picture but also has us in mind to be a part of that.  That is awesome!

A- I will give thanks and praise to the Lord for all that he has done in my life this past year.  I will worship in gladness for helping me day to day as I learn the easy way and even the hard way.  

P- Heavenly Father, you are wonderful to me and I don’t deserve it.  You show up in my weaknesses and in my mistakes to help me reset and understand how to be better.  I thank you for your continual guidance and care and for showing me all that you have done in my life this past year and the impact you had through me.  I look forward to experiencing more of you this new year.  Mold me and shape me into the man you want me to be, in Christ’s name amen.

S- The seven people you have given me to care for and invest in.

24 DEC 23 Sunday: Coffee with Chaps Devotional

 24 DEC 23 Sunday: Coffee with Chaps Devotional

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

Reading Plan: Psalm 24, 29; Gen. 3:8-15; Rev. 12:1-10; John 3:16-21

Christmas Eve (4th Sunday of Advent)

Question of the day: Do you believe in Jesus? Have you surrendered to Him?

S- “For God so loved the world: He gave his one and only Son so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

O- When you see or hear John 3:16, what do you think of? It might be some guy holding up a sign at a football game.  It is a sign that proclaims God’s intention to save some of the world’s population throughout all history.  His love is great for those who believe in the Son and put their trust in him.  He promises to return and bring his family of people with him to heaven and establish his kingdom.  On the last day of Advent, we look with great anticipation for Christ’s return and continue to share his message of hope to the nations.

 

A- Today I will give thanks and praise to the God who loved me, sent his Son to die for me, and yearn in my heart for his return.  I will tell others the meaning of Christmas and the reason Jesus came into this world.

P- Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace: You are worthy of praise.  Today Lord, we anticipate your Son’s return as we prepare to celebrate the birth of Jesus.  Thank you for loving us and making ‘the’ way for us to have the right relationship with you.  Thank you that Jesus didn’t come here just to visit, but came to save us and die in our place.  No greater love was demonstrated than Jesus giving his life to sinners.  We surrender again our lives this day, amen.

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

19 DEC 23 Tuesday: Coffee With Chaps Devotional

 19 DEC 23 Tuesday: Coffee with Chaps Devotional

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

Reading Plan: Psalm 45; Zech 2:1-13; Rev. 3:14-22; Matt. 24:32-44

The third week of Advent 

Question of the day: Have you checked your spiritual temperature?

S- “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth! Rev. 3:15-16 

O- Jesus is concerned with our entire life and our spiritual temperature is an indicator of how we live out our faith.  To be lukewarm is to be indifferent to the commands of Christ and his daily guidance.  He gives us a pretty nasty reaction to that, he spits or barfs.  Have you ever tasted something you expected to be hot and it is lukewarm? It is disgusting, right? Thankfully Jesus corrects and disciplines the ones he loves and he expects us to turn from our indifference.

 

A- I will take a fresh and honest look in the mirror to examine my spiritual life and how I live out my faith.  I will ask God and my spiritual mentor if I am lukewarm and seek to live in a manner pleasing to God.

P- Most gracious and loving Lord, thank you for correcting and disciplining me.  Help me to be the person you have created me to be and to bring you glory and honor.  I don’t want to be a lukewarm disciple, but one that is on fire for you.  I want to hear you say, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant’ and not be spit out of your mouth.  In Jesus’ name, amen.

S- My Five (5 people God has given me to invest),  my spiritual mentor.