The Chaplain's Message

Episode Notes: In this episode we discuss marriage, commitment, and how we can use the context of today's reading from Genesis chapter 2 to take a closer look at how we enter into this sacred union.TAKEAWAYS:1. Even the disciples struggled with Jesus' difficult teachings2. When we struggle with Jesus' teachings, we need to refocus our perspective using God's love as a lens to view the lesson3. When we use love as the lens we look through, we see that even Jesus' most difficult teachings come from a place of love, to save us from the hurt of our lives.RESOURCES:Gen 2:23Mark 10:2-16

Episode Notes: In this episode we talk about being prepared, whatever the circumstances may be, to take on the full armor of God and be ambassadors for the Gospel in the world.TAKEAWAYS:1. Once you make a decision to follow Jesus, it can be easy to lose momentum if we are not prepared2. Abide in Christ, and he will abide in you, filling you with the strength to persevere3. Maintain an eternal perspective, recognizing that all that troubles us is temporary, and there's an eternity waiting for us afterward.RESOURCES:Joshua 24:15Psalm 34Ephesians 6:10-20John 6

Even if we are filled with the Holy Spirit, we are still human, with free will and subject to temptation. This fruit of the spirit is the focus of this week's message.TAKEAWAYS:1. God is working with us, not against us2. If we keep our focus on that relationship with God, it becomes natural to display the fruits of the spirit3. Even when we fail, God will take us back, so keep tryingRESOURCES:Proverbs 25:28Romans 6:21John 10:10Galatians 5:19Romans 82 Samuel 11Run On

Episode Notes: In this episode we look at the practical day-to-day application of some very sound advice from the letter of James – that we need to keep a mindful watch over the words we use and the way that we communicate with each other.TAKEAWAYS:1. Bad communication can cause us a lot of grief2. Embrace the situation that you're in so you can form your responses carefully3. If you're still struggling in a conflict, a face-to face discussion can make all the differenceRESOURCES:James 3:1-12Mark 8:27-38Proverbs 18:21

Episode Notes: in this episode we look at how God shines a light to show the way for our moral behavior. When we follow this light and keep ourselves “unstained by the world”, our light shines out for all to see.TAKEAWAYS:1. Even though we are all of a fallen nature, and will always fall short. Our strength comes from striving for the example of Jesus2. To build our own character further, it's best to quiet ourselves and focus on listening to God and letting the hearing influence our actions.3. The grace in the situation is that no matter how many times we fail, God will always give us another chance.RESOURCES:Luke 8:16Deuteronomy 4Mark 9:7

Episode Notes: in this episode, we discuss how to stay connected with God - and each other, through all the tough times.TAKEAWAYS:1. Jesus – as a human – has experienced all that we go through. He is connected to us.2. Surrendering to Christ isn't necessarily about submission as it is about commission.3. Don't only stay connected with other Christians – remember that all people are God's children and need grace and compassion too.RESOURCES:John 6:51-58John 15:5John 8:31Rev 3:20John 3:6-9AGLOW InternationalFaith Family Worship Center

Episode Notes: In this episode, we learn a little about Ephasus and why Paul planted a church there. We look at what we might misunderstand about whether or not there are any prerequisites to come into a relationship with God, and explore the idea of the power of life and death being in the tongue.TAKEAWAYS:1. You don't need to be “fixed” to get right with God.2. Your past doesn't define your future.3. Strive to be Christ-like, and you'll renew your mind, build your faith and be a blessing in the world.RESOURCES:Ephesians 4James 4:7-8

Episode Notes: in this episode, we explore some of the greatest examples of God's compassion and faithfulness to his people and think about ways that we can pay that compassion forward in our daily walk.TAKEAWAYS:1. In Love, he gave his most precious one2. God shows compassion and sets an exampleRESOURCES:Romans 12:15Psalms 45:8-9Luke 22:39-44FeedMyStarvingChildrenStory of the Three Trees

In this episode, we take a look at some of the different ways that God has shown his faithfulness not only in the Bible, but in our everyday lives as well. Keeping in mind the lengths that God has gone through to be a part of our lives can be an amazing help in the harvesting of the fruits of the spirit. TAKEAWAYS:1. God's gifts are often shown as food and basic resources in the Bible2. Remembering that God wants all of us to have our basic needs met is a great way to start thinking about ministry and our life in Christ.3. When we give, it should be a grateful act for us.RESOURCES:Ephesians 4:1-16The Lord Has Heard Your Complaining

TAKEAWAYS:1. Be patient and keep an eternal perspective.2. Perseverance in our times of trial is key to maintaining connection with God3. Jesus is the source of all the fruits of the spirit, and we have constant access to Him through the Holy SpiritRESOURCES:John 6:1-211 Samuel 8The Story of LegionGod's Armor Bearer Volumes 1 & 2: Serving God's Leaders

TAKEAWAYS:How do we measure up to these criteria laid out in 1 John:1. Have love for fellow believers?2. Be obedient to God's commands?3. Believe Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God?It seems so simple, but there really is depth to it for you to meditate on.RESOURCES:1 John 3:21 John 1:1-4Luke 24:36-49The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel

TAKEAWAYS:1. If Jesus is the vine and we are the branches, how can we use that relationship to pass along the nourishment from God's word along beyond ourselves, to the leaves and offshoots we may be responsible for?2. Take the "love test" by replacing the word "love" with your name in 1 Corinthians 13:4-11RESOURCES:John 15:1-81 Corinthians 13:4-11

TAKEAWAYS:1. Faith and character are the real driving forces in this story. We never fight our giants alone, rather by allowing ourselves to be vessels for the Holy Spirit.2. Time and again throughout scripture God uses "the least of these" to show his own power in our world. Where have you received grace or wisdom from a source that you didn't expect?RESOURCES:1 Samuel 17Moody Bible Commentary

TAKEAWAYS:1. Learning the history of God's people through scripture can teach us all a lot about ourselves.2. Whatever tradition we follow, the fact remains that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit are one God, and we are to receive him always.RESOURCES:Mark 1:9-11Todd Wagner, Watermark ChurchCharles Stanley Life Principle BibleHolman Illustrated Bible Dictionary

TAKEAWAYS:1. When we enter into relationship with God we need to act, not just listen.2. Ministry takes many different forms. When we discover our own real calling, we can joyfully engage our work as our ministry.Resources1 Samuel 3:1-20Here I Am, Lord

TAKEAWAYS:1. You are a child of God and a sibling to Christ. You have been specifically chosen by God. What do you do differently, knowing this?2. If we can remember that through the sacrifice of Christ and the gift of the Holy Spirit we have become one family under God. If we can remember that we are all one family, why would we hurt each other? How could we help but love one another?RESOURCES:Romans 8:12-17John 3:16-17John 15Sundays and Seasons

TAKEAWAYS:1. Be bold in your faith and don't let negative thoughts and feelings have the final say.2. We were given the Holy Spirit at Pentecost so we have a permanent connection directly to God. If we can keep this close to our hearts, we can move forward in our lives with boldness in our actions.RESOURCES:Mark 1:21-28Mark 11:22-24

TAKEAWAYS:1.Society and community bullied Herod into doing what he knew was the wrong thing. We need to be ever diligent in recognizing factors that try to stand in God's way.2. We can be enslaved to many things, but if we invite the Holy Spirit into our lives, we can change anything.ResourcesMark 6:14-282 Chronicles 7:141 John 1:9The Moody Bible Commentary

TAKEAWAYS:1. Never give up hope. God does not let us down, even when things don't happen on a timeline that we would have it happen.2. Even John the Baptist had his faith tested. If even he can have doubt, never feel down about your own faith.RESOURCES:Mark 5:21-43Faith confession from Bill Winston Ministries

TAKEAWAYS:1. In the Gospel of Mark, pay attention to Mark's use of the word "immediately" - as you read this gospel, notice how everything seems to happen so quickly.2. We need to do the will of God with focus and urgency.RESOURCES:Mark 1:14-20Matthew 7:21Jesus, CEO

TAKEAWAYS:1. Don't get so comfortable that you become vulnerable to dark forces around you.RESOURCES:Mark 3:1-35

TAKEAWAYS:1: How often do we want to contain the Holy Spirit and the work of God to only one place, like when Peter tries to convince Jesus to stay on the mountain?2. How often do we fail to remember the great things that God has done for us and end up in a "what have you done for me lately" relationship with Jesus? Can we add a time of gratitude to our prayer life, so that we can stay aligned with God's desire for our lives?RESOURCES:Mark 9:2-9Mark 8:11-21Matthew 7:211 Corinthians 2:16

TAKEAWAYS:1. Martin Luther said "Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree."We have been born again into the promise of an eternal life. How will we live it?2. In Galatians 5, the fruits of the spirit are listed. How can we use those to guide our lives?RESOURCES:2 Cor 5:6-17John 3:1-21Galatians 5:19-23

TAKEAWAYS:1. John Maxwell said, "If you want to see how the leader is doing, look at the followers." What do we want Christ's followers to show the world about Christ's leadership?2. What does the state of your followers (children, spouse, coworkers) say about you?RESOURCES:2 Corinthians: 4:5-122 Corinthians 3Billy Graham's two personal cars were a Volvo and a Jeep.Holman Christian Bible