Chats with Chaplain Anthony

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 exclusive. Let's connect to learn more about how that can look in your own life.

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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 in all literature and wisdom, and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.

Following Jesus and enjoying life are not mutually exclusive. Let's connect to learn more about how that can look in your own life.

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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 your own life.

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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 to stir up one another to love and good works, 25 not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.

Following Jesus and enjoying life are not mutually exclusive. Let's connect to learn more about how that can look in your own life.

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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 disciples came to him and said, “This is a desolate place, and the hour is now late. 36 Send them away to go into the surrounding countryside and villages and buy themselves something to eat.” 37 But he answered them, “You give them something to eat.” And they said to him, “Shall we go and buy two hundred denarii[a] worth of bread and give it to them to eat?” 38 And he said to them, “How many loaves do you have? Go and see.” And when they had found out, they said, “Five, and two fish.”

Following Jesus and enjoying life are not mutually exclusive. Let's connect to learn more about how that can look in your own life.

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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 turned from their evil way, God relented of the disaster that he had said he would do to them, and he did not do it. 4:1 But it displeased Jonah exceedingly, and he was angry.

Following Jesus and enjoying life are not mutually exclusive. Let's connect to learn more about how that can look in your own life.

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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 have seen the Lord.” But he said to them, “Unless I see in his hands the mark of the nails, and place my finger into the mark of the nails, and place my hand into his side, I will never believe.”

26 Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” 27 Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” 28 Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” 29 Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Following Jesus and enjoying life are not mutually exclusive. Let's connect to learn more about how that can look in your own life.

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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 poor. 2 The rich man had very many flocks and herds, 3 but the poor man had nothing but one little ewe lamb, which he had bought. And he brought it up, and it grew up with him and with his children. It used to eat of his morsel and drink from his cup and lie in his arms,[a] and it was like a daughter to him. 4 Now there came a traveler to the rich man, and he was unwilling to take one of his own flock or herd to prepare for the guest who had come to him, but he took the poor man's lamb and prepared it for the man who had come to him.” 5 Then David's anger was greatly kindled against the man, and he said to Nathan, “As the Lord lives, the man who has done this deserves to die, 6 and he shall restore the lamb fourfold, because he did this thing, and because he had no pity.”

7 Nathan said to David, “You are the man! Thus says the Lord, the God of Israel, ‘I anointed you king over Israel, and I delivered you out of the hand of Saul. 8 And I gave you your master's house and your master's wives into your arms and gave you the house of Israel and of Judah. And if this were too little, I would add to you as much more. 9 Why have you despised the word of the Lord, to do what is evil in his sight? You have struck down Uriah the Hittite with the sword and have taken his wife to be your wife and have killed him with the sword of the Ammonites. 10 Now therefore the sword shall never depart from your house, because you have despised me and have taken the wife of Uriah the Hittite to be your wife.’ 11 Thus says the Lord, ‘Behold, I will raise up evil against you out of your own house. And I will take your wives before your eyes and give them to your neighbor, and he shall lie with your wives in the sight of this sun. 12 For you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel and before the sun.’” 13 David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die. 14 Nevertheless, because by this deed you have utterly scorned the Lord,[b] the child who is born to you shall die.”

Following Jesus and enjoying life are not mutually exclusive. Let's connect to learn more about how that can look in your own life.

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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 casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. 8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ, will himself restore, confirm, strengthen, and establish you. 11 To him be the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

Following Jesus and enjoying life are not mutually exclusive. Let's connect to learn more about how that can look in your own life.

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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 kingdom come,
your will be done,
    on earth as it is in heaven.
11 Give us this day our daily bread,
12 and forgive us our debts,
    as we also have forgiven our debtors.
13 And lead us not into temptation,
    but deliver us from evil.

Following Jesus and enjoying life are not mutually exclusive. Let's connect to learn more about how that can look in your own life.

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