Chats with Chaplain Anthony

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 people fainting with fear and with foreboding of what is coming on the world. For the powers of the heavens will be shaken. 27 And then they will see the Son of Man coming in a cloud with power and great glory. 28 Now when these things begin to take place, straighten up and raise your heads, because your redemption is 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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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 14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. 15 The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. 16 “For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ

Following Jesus and enjoying life are not opposite ends of the spectrum. Let's connect to learn more about how that can look in your own life.

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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 about how that can look in your own life.

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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 also to the Greek. 17 For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, “The righteous shall live by faith.”

Following Jesus and enjoying life are not opposite ends of the spectrum. Let's connect to learn more about how that can look in your own life.

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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 of God our Savior appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by his grace we might become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8 The saying is trustworthy, and I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed in God may be careful to devote themselves to good works. These things are excellent and profitable for people.

Following Jesus and enjoying life are not opposite ends of the spectrum. Let's connect to learn more about how that can look in your own life.

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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, and turns to you seven times, saying, ‘I repent,’ you must forgive him.” 5 The apostles said to the Lord, "Increase our faith!"

Following Jesus and enjoying life are not opposite ends of the spectrum. Let's connect to learn more about how that can look in your own life.

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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, whether good or evil.

Following Jesus and enjoying life are not opposite ends of the spectrum. Let's connect to learn more about how that can look in your own life.

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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 18:31-34 31 And taking the twelve, he said to them, “See, we are going up to Jerusalem, and everything that is written about the Son of Man by the prophets will be accomplished. 32 For he will be delivered over to the Gentiles and will be mocked and shamefully treated and spit upon. 33 And after flogging him, they will kill him, and on the third day he will rise.” 34 But they understood none of these things. This saying was hidden from them, and they did not grasp what was said.

Following Jesus and enjoying life are not opposite ends of the spectrum. Let's connect to learn more about how that can look in your own life.

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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 short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am—except for these chains.”

Following Jesus and enjoying life are not opposite ends of the spectrum. Let's connect to learn more about how that can look in your own life.

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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 with lofty speech or wisdom. 2 For I decided to know nothing among you except Jesus Christ and him crucified.

Following Jesus and enjoying life are not opposite ends of the spectrum. Let's connect to learn more about how that can look in your own life.

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