Shannon Chapman

19 days and counting

We are 19 days away from launching our new group model, service times, kids programing and soooooo much more.   I can't explain it but the energy level of the ENTIRE staff is amazing right now.  At staff meeting yesterday besides being hungry lol everyone was ready for FEB 1 to get here.

The future of our church is going to be amazing.  Our numbers were up this past Sunday in EVERY area.  Our finances were the best they had been in weeks.  The reality is TOGETHER we are going to keep moving forward to advance the mission of Christ.  Ok I have to get back to work now, but wanted to let everyone know that I am pumped about Feb 1.  The best is yet to come!!!!!!!!  Believe it!!!!

Together Devotional - wk2

Click here to get a copy of the Together devotional - wk 2.  

Day Five and Six - Together Journey

/DAY FIVE

Friday, January 9

Christian Unity Is of Ultimate Importance

Jesus prayed, “I pray that they will all be one, just as you and I are one—as you are in me, Father, and I am in you. And may they be in us so that the world will believe you sent me. May they experience such perfect unity that the world will know that you sent me and that you love them as much as you love me.” (John 17:21, 23 NIV)

POINT TO PONDER:  Unity among Christians brings a witness of Jesus to the world.

QUESTION TO CONSIDER: How do factions and divisions between churches and among Christians hinder the spread of the Gospel?

PRAYER:  Lord Jesus, bring unity to your Body so that your name will be made famous.  Let our light shine brightly so that people will see your love in us and be drawn to you.

/DAY SIX

Saturday, January 10

God Sees Us All The Same In Christ

You were all baptized into Christ, and so you were all clothed with Christ. This means that you are all children of God through faith in Christ Jesus. In Christ, there is no difference between Jew and Greek, slave and free person, male and female.  You are all the same in Christ Jesus. (Galatians 3:26-28, NCV)

POINT TO PONDER:  The world and our flesh would cause us to value people differently, but God says there is “no difference.”  Christ followers are all inthe same in Him.

QUESTION TO CONSIDER:  Why is it so easy for us to esteem some of our brothers and sister higher than others?  

PRAYER:  Dear Father, give me your eyes to see the beauty of your Church and the value of each of my brothers and sister in Christ.  Help me to express this in my words and actions.

Day Three - Together Journey

/DAY THREE

Wednesday, January 7

Unity in Diversity

Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function, so it is with Christ’s body. We are many parts of one body, and we all belong to each other. (Romans 12:5-6 NLT)

POINT TO PONDER:  Unity is not the absence of diversity.  It is oneness of purpose and mission that expresses itself in the diversity of gifts and functions.  The Church functioning as a body with many parts is the most powerful force one earth.

QUESTION TO CONSIDER: Are you using your gifts, abilities, and talents so that the church is strengthen in unity and its message is made stronger and clearer?

PRAYER:  Holy Spirit, it is by your power that the church is formed as a dynamic force.  We are Christ’s Body.  Help me to celebrate this diversity and see it as a great gift from you.

Day Two - Together Journey

I have no idea why I forgot to post this today, but here is the study for day two of our together journey.

/DAY TWO

Tuesday, January 6

One Voice and One Heart

May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 15:5-6 NIV)

POINT TO PONDER:  Unity…one heart…one voice…glorifying God the Father!  Wow!

QUESTION TO CONSIDER:  What does it mean for a church to have one heart and one voice?  Would this not be a real threat to our enemy, Satan?

PRAYER:  God, you gave me my voice and I am to use it for your glory.  But my voice alone is not all that matters.  It’s my voice as a part of a chorus of voices.  Give us one song and one message in our hearts, and let us declare it with one voice.

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For those of you who are looking for a great online study Bible try this one out - YouVersion.

Day One - Together Journey

This morning I was so excited to start the day.  Why you might ask?  Because I have a crazy passion about doing things TOGETHER with other people.  I love the fact that today hundreds of people are reading God scriptures, I love the fact that hundreds are fasting TOGETHER today, and I love the fact that hundreds are coming TOGETHER to advance the mission of Christ.  

Remember Unity is not just the goal.  The goal is that our unity will advance the mission of Christ.  I have been around church long enough to see some communities that are unified but could careless about reaching the lost.   Unity has to push us to crucify our pride - so that the gospel can go forth.  

Here are a couple of highlights from Eph 1 and 2 so far today...

1:4For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight.

1:17I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know him better.

2:8For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—

Week one Devotion Guide

I know some of you don't want to admit it but I know you left your devotion guide for this week at church today.  Click the link and print one out or just check back here every day to get the current info.

Download TOGETHER Week 1 guide 

/DAY ONE

Monday, January 5

Today we will all read the book of Ephesians together. It is a letter written by Paul in about 62 AD to the church in Ephesus, which was a large seaport city on western coast of Asia Minor (modern day Turkey). Paul is writing while he is under house arrest in Rome, awaiting trial before Nero, the Roman Emperor.