Chats with Chaplain Anthony

Jonah shows us that our call for justice can be even greater than God's. God is ready to forgive at the point of repentance, but we want to see justice paid. But justice was paid on a cross for them and us. Keep this story in mind the next time you're bitter at someone walking in God's grace and mercy before you think they deserve it. Jonah 3:10  When God saw what they did, how they tu...

July 19, 2008. I surrendered my life to Christ. A few months later, I was at a crossroads about how confident I was in my faith in Jesus and the Bible. After this listen, you'll understand why I have remained in Christ since taking my doubts to God. John 20:24-29 24  Now Thomas, one of the twelve, called the Twin, was not with them when Jesus came.  25  So the other disciples told him, “We hav...

Even King David wasn't perfect. He had a major public failure but God still forgave Him. There were consequences but there was still grace. But make sure when we think someone else needs to learn a lesson, stop and look in the mirror first. 2 Samuel 12:1-14  1 And the Lord sent Nathan to David. He came to him and said to him, “There were two men in a certain city, the one rich and the other po...

Temptation is real. Life is hard. But God hears and God sees. We can turn and ask Him for the strength we need. And even if we fail or it breaks us, our trust is ultimately in God. He will restore us, either on this side of eternity or the other. Praise God all the more. 1 Peter 5:6-11  6  Humble yourselves, therefore, under the mighty hand of God so that at the proper time he may exalt you,  7  c...

Praying is a cornerstone in your relationship with God. Making your needs, requests, praises, and more known will foster a healthy spiritual dependence on Him. He is there and wants to listen. Any good relationship will thrive when open and effective communication takes place. Lean into God today. Matthew 6:9-13  9  Pray then like this: “Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 10  Your kingdo...

Wars, crimes, uncertainty, and fear are riddling our timelines. Don't fall into the abyss of hopelessness. Cling closer to God and look up. Christ will return. We will be restored. Hold on with hope. Remember what He told us. Luke 21:25-28  25  “And there will be signs in sun and moon and stars, and on the earth distress of nations in perplexity because of the roaring of the sea and the waves,  26...

God is moving in your life, but you need to see and feel His Spirit moving before you. When you're able to see and give Him the praise for it, it bolsters your faith and becomes a story to share with others. These moments are necessary for you and helpful for others. Look for God to move today and share the news with someone. Don't be discouraged if they don't yet understand. 1 Corinthians 2:14-16...

It's not a doctrinal idea to build a theology on, however, the idea of sowing and reaping is riddled throughout Scripture and should drive us to desire to sow better and trust God with the reaping. Galatians 6:7 Do not be deccieved: God is not mocked, for whatever done sows, that will he also reap. Following Jesus and enjoying life are not opposite ends of the spectrum. Let's connect to learn more...

The Gospel is good news and God's power for our salvation. With that root and foundation we're able to live a life full of faith and righteousness. God's gift is not merely a promise of eternity with Him but an empowerment to live for Him here on Earth too. Romans 1:16-17 16  For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and...

What do we make of life? Sometimes we lose our true north or think the journey will save us. As Christians, our hope is in the work of the cross alone. God's gift of his Son and Spirit is what has saved us. Now, we work to reflect the good work that He has already done. Give out of a place of wholeness and not seeking to create a wholeness. Titus 3:4-8 4  But when the goodness and loving kindness...

Forgiveness is hard, but it is necessary to living freely in Christ. He forgave, and we should too. But often the amount of forgiveness we need will require even more faith in the ONE who forgives it all. Turn to God and ask Him to help. Luke 17:3-5 3 Pay attention to yourselves! If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him,  4  and if he sins against you seven times in the day...

What is the chief end of man? How can we live a fulfilled and purposeful life? Listen today to find the simple yet challenging truth on how we can best live the life God has gifted us. Ecclesiastes 12:13-14 13  The end of the matter; all has been heard. Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man.  14  For God will bring every deed into judgment, with every secret thing,...

So much of life is stuck between that hindsight 20/20 moment and the next. We don't see the whole picture, but God is constantly dropping little nuggets of things that are to come. If you've ever had that realization months later, I ask you to listen a little harder today. And when you see it come into focus, take the opportunity to praise God, repent, act in the Spirit, or do all three! Lukek 18:...

Are you willing to be in it for the long haul? Serving and loving our neighbors isn't a one and done event. We have to be willing to wait seasons and seasons to share God's love with people. Acts 26:27-29 ESV 27  King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.”  28  And Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?”  29  And Paul said, “Whether...

There are many approaches to sharing Jesus with people but Paul decided to abandon what people wanted and made it about what it is. There is a time and a place to be wise but the most important thing we can do is remind people the simplicity and splendor of what Jesus did for us. 1 Corinthians 2:1-2 ESV 1 And I, when I came to you, brothers, did not come proclaiming to you the testimony of God wit...

This moment of prayer between Jesus and his Father are a perfect picture of how transparent we should be in our communication with God. He knows every detail of our lives, let's go to Him with an open heart but ready to say, "; not my will, but yours be done." Luke 22:42 NIV 42  “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.” Following Jesus and enjoying li...

Today is a special day because it is "today". There will never be another March 22, 2024. It's a good time to share God's love with other people. Life has a funny way of bearing us under the mundane. Today's Scripture reminds us that we can be deceived by sin and have our hearts hardened towards God. Fight against this urger with prayer and the faithful exhortation of fellow believers. Hebrews 3:1...

Traveling the world makes us feel safe because our passport will get us home. Your citizenship while in a foreign land will be respected and honored when you want to return home. Now imagine if we carried ourselves in life as citizens of heaven, rather than our physical nation. Although we've never seen the gates we can still live and claim identity as one of God's own. Philippians 3:20- ESV 20  B...

The storms of life can be daunting. But when you look out you might see God isn't as concerned or afraid as you are. That's okay. Take heart. He is strong and with you, even when he's going on His walkabout. Ask God to soften your heart daily. No matter the amount of time spent following Him, there is more to see and more to learn. Mark 6:48-52 ESV 48  He saw the disciples straining at the oars, b...

Hoping against hope can sound impossible but that is the goodness of living a live with Christ within us. You have the ability, promise, and assurance to reach for something higher than yourself. I pray you hope against hope today. Surrender to God's love for you today. Romans 4:18 ESV 18  In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, “So...

It's hard to not be anxious these days. However, the Bible already knew this. God spoke through Luke, the physician, to remind us what God thinks of us and along with how he cares for all of His creation. Take a baby step to release your anxiety and trust God with the finer details of your life. Luke 12:22-26 ESV 22  And he said to his disciples, “Therefore I tell you, do not be anxious about your...

Today is the day to lift someone else up. Look out for your neighbors and friends. Seek new and creative ways to build them up in their faith, resilience, and trust in the Lord Jesus. 1 Thessalonians 5:11 ESV 11  Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing. Following Jesus and enjoying life are not opposite ends of the spectrum. Let's connect to learn more about...

Our faith was not created by an entrepreneur during the Industrial Revolution, a thinker of the Renaissance, or any one person of the Greco-Roman time period. Our faith was built upon the words and works of Old Testament prophets and New Testament apostles; Christ himself is the very cornerstone of those two. Today, you're a part of God's dwelling place. Your faith does not exist in a vacuum. Ephe...

Jesus foretells difficult trials for those who are his followers. But the foretelling is less about the specific things that will happen and more about the opportunities it will afford those who trust Him. Even in the midst of hard seasons and conversations, are we missing a chance to share Christ? Be bold, confident, and assured that God is with you in those rooms and spaces.  Luke 21:10-15 ESV 1...

Time is one of the most precious assets we are afforded. The more we spend it on ourselves, the more selfishly we see the world and want the world to be. Our desires will shift from us to Him as we spend more time with God in word, prayer, song, and fellowship. Delight in Him today.  Psalms 37:4 ESV 4  Delight yourself in the Lord, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Following Jesus an...