Chats with Chaplain Anthony

Stop comparing yourself to your pastor. Their gift and timing allow for them to play their role, and the same goes for your time and gift. Seek to grow and honor God in your given reality. You need to be the light and salt that you are where you are. 1 Corinthians 12:12-20 12  For just as the body is one and has many members, and all the members of the body, though many, are one body, so it is wit...

Take it back to the beginning, Jesus was there from Genesis to today. John 1 mirrors the opening lines of Genesis 1 and this is not an accident. The Word is God and was made flesh...Jesus. John 1:1-2, 14 1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.  2  He was in the beginning with God. 14  And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory...

A life built upon a foundation of riches is not a guarantee that we are in the blessings of God. A life built upon wealth will not pave the path to heaven. The most important thing is to lay all things down at the feet of Jesus. Don't let possessions possess you here on this Earth. Matthew 19:16-29 16  And behold, a man came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal...

Our lives are full of moments and seasons where we feel that God must be far. But the Truth is, there is nothing in this life can come between us and the love that the Lord has for us. Take this Truth to heart today. Romans 8:38-39  38  For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers,  39  nor height nor depth, nor anything else i...

Thanks for allowing me to take a little break! I hope todays Word encourages you to see that Jesus was long, long foretold to be the Messiah and is well qualified to forgive us of all of our sins. Romans 1:1-6  Paul, a servant of Christ Jesus, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God,  2  which he promised beforehand through his prophets in the holy Scriptures,  3  concerning his S...

Sorry for the clickbait, but it's true. The word trinity will not be found in the Bible. There are a few terms we use today that are not found in the text, verbatim, however, they fully exist by the idea that branches from OT to NT and through the early church fathers. Again, the heart for today is to remind YOU to go to God's Word today. Matthew 3:13-17 13  Then Jesus came from Galilee to...

Hope in the Lord, even when times are darkest. I feel a younger and EMO version of me would have eaten this Scritpure up. But even for today, this portion of the Word can feel relevant to how life can make us feel at time. Take heart and take hope in the Lord. Lamentations 3:19-24 19  Remember my affliction and my wanderings,     the wormwood and the gall! 20  My soul continually remembers it     ...

The heart will slowly harden if we're not on our guard. If you feel pessimism and the wonder of salvation leaving you over the seasons, then I pray that this is your prayer for that moment. Ask the Lord to bring you back to that first love and reason for why you His son or daughter. Psalm 51:10-12 10  Create in me a clean heart, O God,     and renew a right spirit within me. 11  Cast me not aw...

The way of righteousness begins every day and every night. Take time to sit and meditate on God's Word. Allow it to seep into your life and give you the true fruit that will not pass away. Psalm 1 Blessed is the man     who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners,     nor sits in the seat of scoffers; 2  but his delight is in the law of the Lord,     and on his...

Even when God seems to be asleep and aloof to what is going on in your life, remind yourself that you followed Him to this point. He won't leave you dead in the water. Wake Him up and ask for help or weather it with the one who created it all anyway. Matthew 8:23-27  23  And when he got into the boat, his disciples followed him.  24  And behold, there arose a great storm on the sea, so that th...

Take Heart. John 16:33 33  I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.” Matthew 28:17-20 17  And when they saw him they worshiped him, but some doubted.  18  And Jesus came and said to them, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me.  19  Go therefore and make disciples of all na...

God has constantly used the lesser to do great things. Even in the person of Christ, the world did not think of Him as a messiah. Yet the entire concept was flipped on its' head because God was in control and He gets the glory. I pray you look at your weaknesses today as not your weakness but God's space to be the strong one. 2 Corinthians 12:9-10 "But he said to me, “My grace is suff...

Before anything was created in this world, He was our source of hope and rest. Remember today that His love is older than the dirt we walk on every day. The dirt we cleanse our home of does not stand against how stable His support has been. Take rest in our good God today. Psalms 90:1-2 Lord, you have been our dwelling place     in all generations. 2  Before the mountains were brought forth,     o...

Imitating good will show you are from God. But be encouraged that this is a daily process that begins with being Beloved. You're not earning that title or place. God has done the work, and now we work out of who God has already called us to be. 3 John 11 Beloved, do not imitate evil but imitate good. Whoever does good is from God; whoever does evil has not seen God. Following Jesus and enjoyin...

Job's life is marked by the question "why." Many times, our circumstances lead us to wonder what is going on. These three verses reflect a new mindset and understanding from Job. He realizes God has both the answers and our heart. Therefore, we can trust and know that He is God. Job 42:1-3 Then Job replied to the Lord: 2  “I know that you can do all things;     no purpose of yours ca...

Life can get heavy but we're never lifting at it alone. God is literally the best spotter we could ever ask for. He is more than able to help us with any large or light burden. Don't be afraid to cast your worries on Him today. Psalm 55:22 Cast your burden on the Lord,     and he will sustain you; he will never permit     the righteous to be moved. Following Jesus and enjoying life are not...

The resurrection. Words that were spoken to Jesus' disciples, and they forgot. In their heartache and loss, they forget some of the greatest words He spoke. What words are we forgetting daily? Press back in and remind yourself to remember what He has already spoken. Luke 24:1-9 1 But on the first day of the week, at early dawn, they went to the tomb, taking the spices they had prepared.  2  An...

Let the lamp do lamp things. My negative self-talk can be like me taking myself out of the game before God meant for it. Let the lamp do lamp things. Live to the call that God has for you, even when it doesn't appear in front of you as quickly as you think it should. Live to God and let the world learn along the way. Mark 4:21-25 21  And he said to them, “Is a lamp brought in to be put under a...

Learning to trust Jesus is most realized when we stop asking for more signs. We don't need more signs. We need to trust what God has already done. Mark 8:11-13 11  The Pharisees came and began to argue with him, seeking from him a sign from heaven to test him.  12  And he sighed deeply in his spirit and said, “Why does this generation seek a sign? Truly, I say to you, no sign will be given to...

The Lord is always with us and fighting for us. No trial or trouble is faced alone. Take heart that God is always, always with you. He is the one who helps. Isaiah 41:11-13 11  Behold, all who are incensed against you     shall be put to shame and confounded; those who strive against you     shall be as nothing and shall perish. 12  You shall seek those who contend with you,     but you shall not...

When we find ourselves alone, it's a perfect time to turn to the one who feeds our souls. Don't look for passive entertainment. See those times as a chance to get closer to God. Sing hymns and pray prayers today. Acts 16:25  About midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the other prisoners were listening to them. Following Jesus and enjoying life are not mutually...

Sometimes we run away from our talents because we think God wants us to become a hermit version of ourselves. However, the truth is that God may wish to us to lean into the gifts He has given for His glory. We see the lives of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego use their talents to take a stand for God and give Him glory. Daniel 1:17  As for these four youths, God gave them learning and skill...

Times have been especially hard across the world. Now is the time to press further into God. And it's a good time to remember that God will never leave us nor forsake us. He is near. Psalms 38:18  The Lord is near to the brokenhearted     and saves the crushed in spirit. Following Jesus and enjoying life are not mutually exclusive. Let's connect to learn more about how that can look in you...

Jesus is a better high priest than has ever existed. He stepped out of heaven and did all the work for us. He paid the price. Therefore, our hope is assured because of Him and not because of us. Trust in Him and give all that you can today to glorify Him. Hebrews 10:23-25 23  Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful.  24  And let us consider how...

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. Mark 6:35-38 35  And when it grew late, his discipl...