Tag: anchorofhope

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My Five Favorite Bible Apps

The Kedge Anchor

If you’re like me you like apps that make your life easier. Banking is easier, scheduling appointments is easier, shopping, entertainment, even reading the Bible has become easier and really we can carry the Bible in our back pockets everywhere we go.

There are there Bible apps that I use regularly that I’d like to share and you have probably hear of them all or at least one.

The most used Bible app on my devices is YouVersion. And with recently achieving over 500,000,000 installs, I don’t know how anyone hasn’t heard of it. But I really enjoy the verse of the day videos that help set my mind for the day. There sometimes is an excerpt from a devotional plan that ends up in my list and I have quite a long list. But from these excerpts I have come to follow some really interesting people that have deepened my knowledge of God and expanded my thoughts. I’ll share those people in another post. YouVersion is free and you can connect with friends and family like with any social media app. With YouVersion, you’re not only carrying the Bible in your back pocket wherever you go, you are carrying multiple versions of scripture. You can even earn badges to help motivate you.

Abide is next on my list and I use this a lot. This app has a free trial version and you can still use it but to gain the full benefit from it is worth the $39.99/yr for the Premium version. With the Premium Abide app it gives you the options to listen to the meditation for 2, 5, 10, or 15 minutes. Abide offers meditations on just about any struggle or emotion you may be dealing with, grief, anxiety, healing, marriage, growing spiritually. There are meditations on love, money, forgiveness, blessing and my favorite is the sleep meditations. These sleep meditations put me to sleep and I usually have a hard time falling asleep. Abide offers options for these sleep meditations to run for 15, 30, 1 hour or 8 hours! I have a few people who have really soothing voices to whom I am partial. But now that I think about it, what’s it like to have a voice that puts people to sleep? LOL. Abide also has a place where you can journal your thoughts, you can add meditations to your favorites list, it keeps track of you history and you have the option to download as well.

FIrst 15 is another one that I found myself going to a lot as well. This daily devotional app starts with option to listen to the entire devotional or read it. They include a song that goes along with the devotional and of course scripture. A few months ago I realized that music wasn’t a part of my life like it was a few years ago. What I really like about First 15, is it introduces me to new artists and songs that I probably wouldn’t have picked up on just listening to the radio, which by the way, I don’t like like listening to, I find myself tuning it out. Too many commercials. There is a section that provides questions where you can meditate on the scripture and like most of these apps there is a community where you can leave comments, share thoughts and ask for prayer.

Christian Art is different. If you are into art this website or app connects a painting with scripture. This helps me since I lean on the visual side and visuals help me remember. You can subscribe and receive daily emails or download the app. Christian Art is based in the UK and is translated in Spanish and Dutch. And there is a section for you to comment and connect with a community.

Ok this last one isn’t really a devotional app, but it is one of my favorites, The Chosen. If you haven’t seen this yet, you gotta see it. The Chosen is a television series that is designed to bring viewers closer to God, “Come and See!” The app is free, to watch is free it’s all free. The series is created and directed by Dallas Jenkins and if you get the chance to listen to his testimony, it’s pretty amazing. This show isn’t to replace the Bible or it’s stories. There are some gaps in the Bible and Dallas has a team of people who help to keep the show true to the scriptures and historically factual to fill in the gaps. There have been some creative liberties taken, which are either humorous or very plausible as to what the times were like and how the disciples interacted with Jesus. Essentially the Bible is brought to life. For me it has caused me to read my Bible more and reread the stories. Jonathan Roumie who portrays Jesus, I have to remind myself, this is just an actor. But I can’t help but think this is how Jesus was here on earth. He was fully human and fully God, he laughed, he cried, he had struggles, he was human but God at the same time and Jonathan Roumie does an excellent job of communicating that. The cool part about the app is you can stream it to your TV with a streaming stick or you can watch it on any device, phone, tablet, laptop. Check it out if you haven’t already.

So if you haven’t heard of these five apps check ’em out. Share you favorite apps in the comments below. And as always if you like this post please like an share.

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November 8, 2021 – Psalm 31:24

The Kedge Anchor

Memorize Monday, free coloring page – Psalm 31:24 -“Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.” The key word in this verse for me is HOPE. That is what the Kedge Anchor is about, hope. There is hope, Jesus is our only hope in this world. Hope gives encouragement. Anchor yourself in God’s word today, He will give you the strength you need if you place your hope in Him.

If today’s post has given you hope, please like and share. Perhaps you will be encouraging someone today.

Nov 8Download

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Do You Think About What You Think About?

The Kedge Anchor

Photo by Pixabay on Pexels.com

Why is it by three o’clock in the afternoon I can’t remember what I read in my devotional in the morning? I barely can remember what I ate for breakfast or dinner the night before. Has that thought ever crossed your mind, that you can’t remember what you read in your devotional? Is it just me? James 1:23-24 says, “For anyone who hears the word but does not carry it out is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror,  24 and after observing himself goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. Ok, if I get like that… please someone help me. If I can’t remember what I read in God’s word, I am not going to carry it out.

Do you ever think about what you are thinking about at any given moment? Have you ever traced your thoughts? I could be in the middle something like sweeping the floor then the next thing I know I am thinking about something that happened in the fourth grade. Has that happened to you? Sometimes that initial thought can change my mood and remind me of something that made me mad and then I get mad and irritable for the rest of the day. I found that happening a lot. So I stop and trace my thoughts, what was I thinking about prior to that angry thought? Most of the time it’s so unrelated. But isn’t that how the enemy likes to work? He throws out the fiery darts. Sometimes the innocent of thoughts that lead to the most angry thoughts and emotions. Subtle, huh? Sneaky right? That’s how the enemy likes to trip us up.

2 Corinthians 10:5 says, “We demolish arguments and every pretension that sets itself up against the knowledge of God, and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” I know that can be hard sometimes. Thoughts can grab hold of us and fester and we can’t let go. But once again, that’s how the enemy works. Sometimes we are good at blocking out certain things, events, people. But sometimes unconsciously we aren’t even aware of our thoughts. There are times I have to stop myself from thinking about past events or people that have hurt me. Then I am either asking for forgiveness or forgiving someone and letting go of the hurt of old wounds.

So why is it by mid afternoon I’m thinking about what I read in my devotional? Is like a spiritual hunger? There have been times I have been so busy and so engulfed in what I am doing either my stomach reminds me it’s time to eat or if I am working with others, someone will ask “what’s for lunch?” Perhaps that thought about my morning devotional is a spiritual hunger pang, God gently reminding me of His presence. And what would it take to just stop for 5 minutes and give God a thank you, or simply opening a Bible app or listen to some worship and praise music? Maybe it’s just God tugging at my heart to let Him in for a tick and hear what He has to say.

Think about what you think about. Maybe start a journal to trace your thoughts. Take notes of what you read in your devotional. Share what you read and hear from God with someone, it will help you remember. Deuteronomy 11:18 “Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads.” I guess those would be ways to take captive every thought.

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November 1, 2021 – Psalm 27:14

The Kedge Anchor

Memorize Monday – free coloring page – Psalm 27:14 – “Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.” I can be hard waiting. Sometimes God can feel like God is silent. So if you are waiting on God, and don’t know what to do, serve. You just may hear God speak to you in the middle of serving.

If you are enjoying these coloring pages, please like and share. Thank you.

Nov 1Download

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Surrendering

The Kedge Anchor
Photo by Ayyub Yahaya on Pexels.com

What is it you are struggling with today? Has it been for a while? I am sure you are tired and exhausted and just want the whole thing to just go away. I can guarantee that you have asked God to remove it. And I bet it seems like nothing is changing your situation. In our reality it can seem that way but in God’s reality everything is right on time. I know those are likely the words you did not want to hear. But, that is the truth. It’s hard for me to accept sometimes.

The Bible says in Proverbs 5:21 – “The Lord sees everything you do. Wherever you go, he is watching.” Nothing gets past Him. Ecclesiastes 3:11 – “He has made everything appropriate in its time. He has also set eternity in their heart, yet so that man will not find out the work which God has done from the beginning even to the end.” Isaiah 55:8, the NLT versions says, “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine.”

Every time those verses are brought to my mind, my reaction; ugh! It means if I love God and am choosing to follow Him, then it’s His will on earth as it is in Heaven, as the Lords’ prayer states in Matthew 6:7-15. At this point I have to surrender if I am choosing to follow Him. Is can be easy, sometimes, if we are trusting God, but most of the time I want something done and immediately. I am sure Jesus felt the same way in the Garden the night before being nailed to the cross.

I need to rely on what I know, not what I think, not what I speculate, not what I guess, not on someone else’s opinion, not what I feel, but on what I know to be true of God and what He says in His Word. So I know that He sees me and nothing goes unnoticed. I know that He is sovereign, I Colossians 1:16-17 – “For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things were created through him and for him. And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” Job 42:2 – “I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted.” Our country’s current state of confusion, division, and unrest, God is aware of it and has His reasons for it happening. In John 16:33 Jesus says, “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.”

It can be so hard to let go and surrender all to God. And you can choose to hold on to whatever it is that you are struggling with. God is waiting patiently for you to give it to Him, when you are ready. He will not force you to do anything, He’s not that kind of God. God will work things out, Romans 8:28 – ‘And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.” After you choose to hand over your struggles, keep an opened mind to how God works things out. The outcome is most likely going to be different than you expected but still right on time.

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October 25, 2021 – Psalm 16:11

The Kedge Anchor

Memorize Monday – free coloring page – Psalm 16:11 “You will show me the path of life; In Your presence is fullness of joy; At Your right hand are pleasures forevermore.” KJV

Relax and meditate on God’s Word as you color this week’s coloring page. In His presence is the fullness of joy. Read that again. Although at times we may not feel God’s presence, we can know that we are for God says “I will never leave you or forsake you.” Hebrews 13:5. Multiple times in the Bible does God reassure us of His being near us.” God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble,” Psalm 46:1. While our circumstances around us may be troubling and trying we can KNOW that God is near and what joy that can bring us if we choose to trust Him.

Oct 25Download

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GRACE

The Kedge Anchor
Grace – 1918

In the small mining town of Bovey Minnesota, Charles Wilden approached Eric Enstrom to take a photograph of him. Charles Wilden, was just a salesman selling foot scrapers at the time. Perhaps this encounter was more than just a hapenstance. Enstrom was getting ready to attend a convention of the Minnesota Photographer’s Association at the time and was compiling a portfolio to take with him. This photograph dates back to 1918 and has been shared all over for many decades.

“I wanted to take a picture that would show people that even though they had to do without many things because of the war they still had much to be thankful for”

For years I thought the book on the table was a Bible. I guess it could be but, according to Enstrom it is just a family book. To complete the composition he added glasses resting on the top of the book, a knife, a bowl of gruel, and a loaf of bread. He then had Wilden bow his head and fold his hands in prayer. It is often said “a picture is worth a thousand words and this photograph seemed to say a lot. This gentleman didn’t have much to speak of but he had a grateful heart. I know it can be hard to be thankful for somethings. But the Bible says to be thankful IN all things, 1 Thessalonians 5:18 – “In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you” (KJV). God’s not asking us to be thankful for all things but in all things. This is also God’s will for us. If you’re struggling to be obedient to God, here’s a simple way to start. Just be thankful. There are so many blessings that come from being obedient to God.

For over 100 years this photograph has been hung in homes, churches and restaurants across America reminding us to give thanks and with a grateful heart. With Thanksgiving quickly approaching why should we wait or limit ourselves to just one day of being grateful for all that God has given us? If you have or had this photo or painting hanging in your home be reminded to be thankful to God. He loves you and has given His all for us.

To read more of the history of this photograph follow the link . Please like and share, thank you.

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October 18, 2021 – Matthew 9:35

The Kedge Anchor

Memorize Monday – free coloring page – Matthew 9:35, ““The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few” there are many people hurting out in the world today. Many people need to know about the love of God and His salvation. One of the goals here at the Kedge Anchor is to perhaps reach that one soul that is seeking God here on the internet. Never limit yourself in whatever capacity God has you. He is a big God and He can use anything to point to Him.

October 18Download

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Oh Lord Our Lord How Majestic is Your Name!

The Kedge Anchor
Photo by Jess Loiterton on Pexels.com

PSALM 8

Lord, our Lord,
    how majestic is your name in all the earth!

You have set your glory
    in the heavens.
2 Through the praise of children and infants
    you have established a stronghold against your enemies,
    to silence the foe and the avenger.
3 When I consider your heavens,
    the work of your fingers,
the moon and the stars,
    which you have set in place,
4 what is mankind that you are mindful of them,
    human beings that you care for them?

5 You have made the a little lower than the angels
    and crowned them with glory and honor.
6 You made them rulers over the works of your hands;
    you put everything under their feet:
7 all flocks and herds,
    and the animals of the wild,
8 the birds in the sky,
    and the fish in the sea,
    all that swim the paths of the seas.

9 Lord, our Lord,
    how majestic is your name in all the earth! (NIV)

After reading Psalm 8 I saw something in a new way. God created us in His image. He created us out of nothing. Only God can create something out of nothing. Just as He created the mountains and the ocean out nothing, just by speaking with His breath He created!! We can create things but we always start with something, something God created. He is the God of all creation. He is also the God of re-creation.

2 Corinthians 5:17 – “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” (NIV) God recreates His creation! God created us out of the ground which He created out of nothing. We all know what happened in the Garden, sin entered God’s creation resulting in death.

But God. God transforms us. He re-creates His creation making us new again!!! Oh Lord Oh Lord how majestic is your name!!!

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October 11, 2021 – 1 Corinthians 16:13

The Kedge Anchor

Memorize Monday – free coloring page – 1 Corinthians 16:13 “Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong.”

We need to be alert to what is happening around us, in our immediate surroundings, our neighborhoods, our communities, our churches and in the world. With so much going on we all need to be firm in what we believe in the Bible, standing firm in our faith in God all the while being strong and courageous. Text a friend, a family member, a neighbor and let them know you are praying for them. Encourage someone today be stand firm in God.

Added coloring page bonus today. If you want a different look and enough black ink in your printer or maybe your boss will be generous enough for you to print these coloring pages at work. Fall is a such a pretty time of year. Bright reds, yellows and oranges grace the trees creating breathtaking scenery. Today, there are two coloring pages, one with a black background. Loved to see how these pages are colored. You can post on the The Kedge Anchor Facebook page. Hope to see you there.

Please like and share these coloring pages and hope you are encouraged today.

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