What If You Missed Jesus Like You Miss Coffee?
There are two coffee shops in Loveland that I tend to frequent more than the rest — Colorado Coffee Company, which has amazing coffee and is owned by a good friend and former Loveland police officer. The second is Loveland Coffee Company, which is home to the White Rabbit.
The White Rabbit is a white mocha with hazelnut, and I get mine extra hot with an extra shot. It’s literally dessert in a cup and one of my guilty pleasures. If you haven’t figured it out by now, I love my coffee in the morning — and I definitely know it when I haven’t had it.
But what if the same could be said about my time with Jesus? Would I know it if I hadn’t had it? What if time with Jesus became just as important — or even more important — than your morning coffee, tea, gym workout, or whatever else your day almost always consists of?
I love sitting on the patio early in the morning with a hot cup of coffee and my Bible open. Coffee and Jesus… it really doesn’t get much better. Fascinating thing about both, if you don't consume it, it will never get inside of you. Drink it up folks... It will change your life!
Over the next few months, I want to share some practical tools that can help you spend more intentional time with Jesus. Chances are, you’ve heard of several of them before, and you may already practice one or two regularly. If so, keep it up!
One of my favorite methods for studying Scripture is called S.O.A.P., developed by Wayne Cordeiro, the founding pastor of New Hope Christian Fellowship in Honolulu, Hawaii.
S.O.A.P. is an acronym that provides a simple, step-by-step approach to studying God’s Word.
S – Scripture: Write down the scriptures that you are reading for this day.
O – OBSERVATION: Then write down the things that you observed the most in the passage. I find it best to read the scripture 3 times. For some reason, God speaks to me loudest after I have read it three times.
A – APPLICATION: Reflect on what God is saying to you and write down specific, actionable steps on how you can apply these lessons to your own life.
P – PRAYER: Write out a prayer to God giving thanks for His word and asking him to help you in the areas you need help.
Know that I am praying for you and am grateful that you are Serving the Shield.
Jeff A. Rosenberry
Spiritual Care Coordinator
