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.

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,