Reset Devotionals
John 21:22
January 5, 2024 • Pastor Josh Lewis • John 21:22
Have you ever watched a race where the runners are making their way down the final stretch, and it's neck and neck. As they approach the finish line, the person in the lead looks around to see where the competition is. This slight break in form causes him to slow down and leaves room for the second place runner to take the lead and win the race. When we take our focus off of our intended purpose, we will not be operating at our best. God designed each of us with a unique set of giftings and abilities, and His plan for each of us will look different. Instead of seeking to obtain what others have been designed for, seek to understand God's purpose He uniquely made you for! PASSAGE: John 21:22 - "Jesus said to him, “If it is my will that he remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow me!” PAUSE: Jesus wants us to keep our eyes focused on him and him alone. Too often we as humans compare our lives to others, Jesus told Peter not to compare ourselves to others, but to follow the path that he has for our lives. PRAYER: Heavenly Father, be glorified in my life in 2024. Forgive me for falling into the comparison trap. Help me to embrace your will for my life.
Proverbs 3:5-6
January 4, 2024 • Pastor Josh Lewis • Proverbs 3:5–6
There's a big difference to what this verse really says, versus how we so often live it out. It does NOT say: "Trust in the Lord with some things, and lean mostly on your own understanding. Lean on Him sometimes..." We often set goals and make our plans for the future without consulting God, and then we turn to him with the big stuff when we're in a crisis. Let's begin this year by trusting ALL things to Him, not just the big stuff. Not just when we remember. Not just what we think we can't handle ourselves. Trust Him with all things, and He will make our paths straight. A straight path doesn't mean an easy one, but it means a path that's clearly the right one. You know you're headed in the right direction when you allow Him to lead the way. PASSAGE: Proverbs 3:5-6 - "Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths." PAUSE: The Lord desires to direct our steps for 2024, but it requires our submission to his plans. When it comes to goal setting, too many of us leave God out of the process. If we want him to direct our steps, then we need to trust in the Lord with all our heart and soul. Invite the Lord into your plans. PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I trust in you. Lead my life in the direction that you want it to go, today, I lean into you and to your purpose for my life.
John 21:17
January 3, 2024 • Pastor Mike Fanning • John 21:17
Our love for Jesus cannot be separated from our obedience and service to Jesus! You do not need to be a bible scholar to share the love and truth of Jesus with others. Yes, we need to be people of the Word, to be feeding ourselves regularly on it. And then we need to be willing to share with others what the Lord is teaching us, what the Lord is doing in our lives. Even though our world is growing more secular, studies indicate that there is still a huge spiritual hunger in people’s lives. Many are looking for Jesus but need a faithful friend to model a real faith and to share what it means to have a relationship with Jesus Christ. A relationship that is by grace and through faith! PASSAGE: John 21:17 - "The third time he said to him, “Simon son of John, do you love me?” Peter was hurt because Jesus asked him the third time, “Do you love me?” He said, “Lord, you know all things; you know that I love you.” Jesus said, “Feed my sheep.” PAUSE: Chik-fil-A has made billions by marketing the phrase “Eat Mor Chikin.” Jesus gave a similar mission, “feed my sheep.” Jesus gave Peter a mission statement “Feed My Sheep” literally “Teach the Word.” As disciples, we are commanded to be in the Word of God and to share the Word with others. PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I want 2024 to be the year that I stay committed to being in the Word and teaching others the Word of God.
Matthew 4:19-20
January 2, 2024 • Pastor Mike Fanning • Matthew 4:19–20
Do you have a burden in your heart for people who are far from God? I’m convinced that we will not share Christ with others if there is no burden! So, if it’s missing, pray for God to increase your burden, to give you His own heart for the lost! I recently read the William Wilberforce, the great abolitionist, kept a list in his pocket of all of his lost friends along with some notes of ways he could uniquely turn the conversation to spiritual things with each of them. And then he did it. Occasionally someone will initiate a spiritual conversation with us, but most of the time the ball is in our court to initiate. Paul prayed for opportunity and courage and clear words. Let’s pray the same, and then do it! PASSAGE: Matthew 4:19-20 - “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.” At once they left their nets and followed him." PAUSE: Following Jesus is ultimately about fishing for men and women. Discipleship is about following Christ, learning from Christ, and perhaps most importantly leading others to Christ. As we reset, we need to develop a mindset that sees sharing Christ with our friends and family as our priority. PRAYER: Father, forgive me for being a silent Christian. I want to reset and become more intentional and vocal about sharing my faith with others.
Matthew 11:28-30
January 1, 2024 • Pastor Mike Fanning • Matthew 11:28–30
Life is often brutally hard! Jesus is our hope, our help, and our refuge! I firmly believe that the invitation of Jesus to the crowd in Matthew 11, the invitation to “come to Jesus all who are weary & burdened”, is His continuous invitation to all of His followers for all time. Will you take this invitation seriously? It is an invitation that requires a response. The yoke of the Pharisees was heavy and burdensome. It required keeping God’s laws plus many of their own to earn a right relationship with God. Jesus’ yoke is based on His blood bought grace and it is an invitation to a grace filled relationship with God. And there we will find God’s forgiveness and strength and new life. Lean into Jesus! PASSAGE: Matthew 11:28-30 - "Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. 29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light." PAUSE: Resetting our lives requires three important steps. The first step is to follow Jesus, the second step is to take his yoke of discipleship, and the final step is to learn from Jesus. Following Jesus requires a heart of surrender. PRAYER: Heavenly Father, I lay down my yoke of shame and guilt. This year, I want to reset by following you and learning from my relationship with you.
Devotional Plan
Join us each day for a devotional based on the "Need to Reset?" message. Sign up for “Devotional Reminders” in The Chapel app’s notification settings. January 1 - Matthew 11:28-30 January 2 - Matthew 4:19-20 January 3 - John 21:17 January 4 - Proverbs 3:5-6 January 5 - John 21:22