Tag: hopeforthesoul

Obedience

Be Prompt to Be Quiet

The Kedge Anchor
Photo by Magda Ehlers on Pexels.com

Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.

James 1:19 NLT

It’s hard to be a good listener. Someone says something that triggers us. We want to stop someone in their train of thought, in their tracks to either correct them, express our disdain or just force our opinion on them. When that’s not what the Bible is telling us. Not letting someone speak and interrupting is just, well, it’s rude. Sometimes we do it because we don’t want to forget what we want to say. Well, if you happen to forget, maybe it’s for a reason. Has that happened to you then later, it comes back to you. That can be a good thing, now you have the chance to evaluate what was said and your response. Now maybe if it is something critical and ground breaking you have the opportunity to sort it out for yourself before you go spewing out words that you either regret or at this point irrelevant.

You’ve heard it before, “God gave us two ears and one mouth” for a reason. He wants us to listen more, to Him and others. “Quick to listen.” The word quick in the original Greek, ταχύς tachus takh-oos’ means; of uncertain affinity; fleet, i.e. (figuratively) prompt or ready:–swift. The word prompt stuck out to me. Prompt – being on time, punctual (Wordnik). So once again I began to think. When we are listening and the other person says something that triggers us to interrupt that should be a prompt. Just as the definition says “on time”, like an actor has a cue to deliver a line or an action, we need to be prompt in delivering silence.

This gives us the opportunity for the next part, to be slow to speak and slow to anger. What’s more important to have your opinion expressed or to just let the other person have their say regardless if it triggers something in you? When the other person is talking you then have the opportunity to ask questions. Try asking a question about that trigger. Ask why they feel that way, what lead to that conclusion, maybe the other person has a valid point, maybe they can give you more information to form your own opinion. If the other person is a good listener he or she will give you the opportunity to respond.

If the trigger is something that really rubs you the wrong way, pray about it. Ask God how you should respond. Pray for the other person. This can be a hard thing to do but it’s what God asks us to do, James 1:19. He also tells us to Pray about everything, Philippians 4:6 -“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.” And as hard as it can be to keep our mouths shut and our ears open, Philippians 4:13 “I can do all things through Christ which strengthens me.” And this can be applied to James 1:19 because it’s what God is asking us to do.

Uncategorized

A Healthy Perspective on Evil

The Kedge Anchor

Photo by cottonbro on Pexels.com

Are we giving the devil too much credit? When things go sideways who is to blame? Some people blame God, some people blame the devil, do we blame ourselves? Are we owning up to our sin? Or are we saying “the devil made me do it”? Sometimes it’s our own fault, our bad decisions, others throwing us in a pit, poor choices that cause us to fall in a pit. Who do we need to blame? Maybe we need a healthy perspective on evil?

The devil is the father of evil. He is the father of all lies. Evil entered this world with a thought that was a lie. Actually it was a half truth.. Half truths are a dangerous trap. It causes us to doubt God and it’s because it is not an out and out lie, it’s harder to identify. Read Genesis 3.

1 Peter 5:8 – “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.” Adam and Eve were all that the devil had to seek at the time. (how hard was that?) He told Eve a lie. Lies are a trap that leads to all kinds of sin. Lies can cause us to doubt, like Eve in the Garden. She doubted what God said, that they would die if they ate from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. We know now that we don’t need an explanation from God as to why we need to obey, just obey. We know now that after Eve ate of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil that they would die spiritually immediately (separation from God) and a slow human death. So when God gives us an directive, we need to trust Him and obey Him. He may or may not tell us afterwards why. He is God, He can do anything He wants.

Sinning began with a lie and it still holds true today. The devil may have dominion over the world and is the father of all lies, John 8:44, but he has no place in the world or mind or life of a Christian and sometimes we open that door and let him in renting space in our minds. How many times does a thought enter our minds, one that can cause us to doubt, one that causes us to believe something suspicious about someone, or a fearful thought? Our minds are a battlefield. It’s the devil’s primary way to attack us. We need to put on the full armor of God, Ephesians 6:11, we need to protect our minds with the Belt of Truth. We need to filter each thought through God’s word. 2 Corinthians 10:5 – “We are destroying arguments and all arrogance raised against the knowledge of God, and we are taking every thought captive to the obedience of Christ,” (NASB). Especially the thoughts that cause doubt, a fearful thought should be a warning. 2 Timothy 1:7 – “for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” (ESV). We do not have to give in to fearful thoughts. They are not from God.

The Bible tells us in Romans 12:2 – “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.” I may not know the exact specifications of God’s will for me, BUT I know this, I can discern what is fear, I can discern what is not good and what is not pleasing to God and all that is not from God. So how do we renew our minds? By reading the God’s word daily, by praying through everything at all times without ceasing, (emphasis mine)Ephesians 6:18 and 1 Thessalonians 5:17. (Just as side note here about God’s plan, He may not reveal the specifics of that plan because HE IS the plan, the Way, the Truth and the Life and while I make plans He directs my steps – Proverbs 16:9).

Look at Job. The devil had to go to God first before attacking God’s servant. Though there may not be a specific verse saying that the devil has to go to God first, I do believe that God is ultimately in control, Satan is limited right now. Satan is NOT omniscient, God has no equal, God has no rival, God’s name is above all names. Colossians 1:17 – “He is before ALL things, and in Him ALL things hold together.” (emphasis mine) God goes before us in in the valleys and on the mountain tops. Isaiah 41:10- He upholds us with His righteous right hand. Philippians 2:9-11 – “Therefore God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

So though God may allow an attack from the devil, rest assured it is part of God’s plan and He is still with us through the fire and the flood. Proverbs 15:3 – “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, keeping watch on the evil and the good.” Job 28:24 – “For he looks to the ends of the earth and sees everything under the heavens.” Jeremiah 23:24 – “Can a man hide himself in secret places so that I cannot see him? declares the Lord. Do I not fill heaven and earth? declares the Lord.” Here is a link to some more verses to read, for the sake of the length of this post.

The devil isn’t behind every seemingly bad situation. Sometimes it’s just our own dumb fault. Sometimes it’s just a bad choice The trial or test that comes along that appears to have the devils signature on it… have you considered that God is allowing it? The devil can meet us in the valley or the mountain top waiting for us to be find ourselves in another valley. Our Christian walk are the roads to and from the valleys and the mountain tops. We are either traveling through a valley or sitting on a mountain top. God works together all things for our good and His glory- Romans 8:28. We need to remind ourselves that if we are followers of Jesus, we are going to be attacked. Jesus said that we would have trouble in this world but He has overcome the world – John 16:33. So the devil may be behind it but God is still in control, which brings me far greater comfort than hearing someone say “Oh it’s just Satan. He knows his time is limited and he’s doing all he can.” While that may be true, personally, and I don’t know about you, but that isn’t helping me, how is that comforting? This is where, I believe we are giving the devil too much credit. It may explain a few things, but not everything. To me that statement could be a half truth. And half truths cause us to doubt. It’s not explaining that God may be allowing this trial or unpleasant circumstance to grow us. Perhaps if we are going to use that statement we need to follow it up with John 16:33 and Romans 8:28. Satan may behind something gone sideways BUT (be careful where you put your but) the more important part about this is GOD IS IN CONTROL! He will never leave us or forsake us.

Someone once told me that “God grows us through what we grow through.” So is it safe to say; we need to look for God working in every situation, not the devil’s doing? We need to own up to our sin and wrong doings and stop giving the devil credit for what God may be allowing.

scripture

Fruitful in Affliction

The Kedge Anchor
Photo by Tim Mossholder on Pexels.com

“And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.”

Genesis 41:52 (KJV)

The story of Joseph is one of favorite Bible stories. Who can’t relate to someone throwing you in a pit? We can do that to ourselves by the poor choices we make. But when someone else throws you in a pit… I mean come on, how unfair is that? Which makes me want to be more aware of how I treat others.

If you aren’t familiar with Joseph’s story it can be found in Genesis 37- 47. Here is a quick synopsis. Joseph had eleven brothers who were jealous of him because his father Jacob, loved him best. Jacob had made Joseph a bright coat of many colors that didn’t sit well with his brothers and to make matters worse, Joseph had a dream that he would rule over his family one day. (Joseph was only seventeen at the time.) This angered his brothers even more.
So the brothers decided strip Joseph of his coat and throw him in a pit and kill him. But his brother Judah convinced his brothers to sell him to slavery. They killed a goat, dipped it in the goat’s blood and went to their father and lied saying that Joseph was killed by a wild beast.

Joseph was sold to Potiphar, an officer of Pharaoh. Potiphar’s wife was trying to get Joseph to sleep with her, Joseph refused to sleep with the Potiphar’s wife, Potiphar’s wife accused Joseph of rape. When he escaped Potiphar’s wife held on to his coat to “prove” he was with her. And once again, Joseph was thrown into prison. But the Lord was with Joseph. While in prison the prison keeper found favor in Joseph and put him in charge of other prisoners.

You really have to read this for yourself. Eventually Joseph was second to the Pharaoh. Joseph knew a famine was coming and began to store grain for the famine that would last seven years. Joseph’s family would need to go to Joseph for food, but when they see Joesph they don’t recognize him, BUT Joseph recognizes his brothers.

The point here is despite being thrown in multiple pits, the Lord was with Joseph and made him fruitful in his afflictions. There are a few things I have learned about Joseph. One, if you have something to share that God has given you, such as a vision like Joseph, be careful who you tell it to. Joseph was young and his father’s favorite. He probably may or may have not picked up on his brothers’ dislike for him. So being immature telling his dream about him ruling over them wasn’t going to be well received. A mature person would have been sensitive to this.

Another thing I have learned; there is going to be a time here on earth when God’s Word is going to be scarce, whether or not we will see this happen I don’t know. “Give us this day our daily bread …” Matthew 6:5-15. Just as Joseph stored up food for a famine perhaps the “food” could be applied today as God’s Word. Matthew 6:19 – 21 – “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Perhaps we need to store spiritual food in our hearts and minds for days of “famine.” Treasures in this case being the Word of God. Having scripture tuck away in your heart can help you in any situation, not just a famine of God’s Word. It could be a time when you are thrown into a pit or going through a hardship.

The third thing I have learned is that since God asks us to come to Him with prayers and petitions, Philippians 4:6 – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Why can’t we ask God to allow us to be fruitful in our affliction? We may not be rulers over people like Joseph but we can be fruitful in ways that we may never have imagined. Ephesians 3:20-21 “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, 21 to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen.” Romans 12:12 says – “Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer.”

This could give us a new perspective on our afflictions or trials, to allow God to grow us, to use us to help someone else, to use us for His glory. The Kedge Anchor offers Memorize Monday to help with memorizing scripture with coloring pages. Perhaps there is another method or an app to help with scripture memorization share it here in the comments.

Coloring Page

August 29, 2022 Pslam 146:5

The Kedge Anchor

Today’s coloring page and Psalm 146:5 made me think of the Israelites wondering in the wilderness. Their grumbling and complaining caused them to doubt and disobey God. And it’s really easy to do. How often do you find yourself complaining? It can appear that we are ungrateful for what God has provided. Like a child who doesn’t appreciate the amount of cookies the parent allows him or her to eat and can throw a tantrum because more was expected.

God always provides what we need. We just aren’t always expecting what He gives us, be it more or less, we always have an idea of the outcome we want whilst God has His own plan and purpose. We need to have open minds to what God has for us.

The remedy for this is to recall how God has provided in the past and be thankful for His provisions. Being joyful and thankful, recalling God’s goodness is hope to those who have the Lord their God as their helper

August-29-2022
Evil

What was Meant for Evil, God Means for Good.

The Kedge Anchor
Photo by cottonbro on Pexels.com

A while back, I was working in South Florida during Hurricane Andrew. After the storm, a co-worker was sharing a report of a church in the area that had been flattened. Bibles and hymnals strewn all over the neighborhood. Papers, bulletins everything that was inside was now outside. Down the street was an adult store, what appeared to be untouched by the storm.

Many people were asking “why”? Why would God allow the church to be destroyed and the adult store untouched? Some would see it as evil. But what was meant for evil, God meant for good. Think about it for a second if the scenario was reversed. What if the adult store was demolished and the church was unscathed? Think about all the pornographic magazines and books strewn about the neighborhood for anyone to see. Now I don’t know if there was any internal damage, which very well may have happened, but God was protecting the neighborhood.

The church could and would rebuild. As far as the adult store, I don’t know. But the point here is God is in control. God was actually protecting the neighborhood from the pornography being exposed. One can definitely say the word of God was spread that day. God’s creation may be suffering from the effects of sin, such as enduring storms, decay, etc. but God is still in control. Like the disciples in the boat with Jesus, Matthew 8:23-27. The disciples freaked, Jesus slept, the storm raged. One thing the disciples did,(even though they were freaking out) they did seek Jesus in the storm, (isn’t that what we should do when we are freaking out?) even though He was right there, they were frightened, so they called on Him. Except now we don’t have to wake Him, He is available 24/7!!

Maybe we should be looking more for God’s work in what seems to be the work of evil. Was it bad that the church was destroyed? Jesus said the temple would be restored in three days, John 2:19. His blood was strewn all over the day He sacrificed His life for us. Evil may have been done to Him, but what He did for us was far from evil. His sacrifice ordained by His Father, Jesus’ willingness to go to the cross, was grace, mercy, and love for us all!

No matter the storm, seek Jesus, look for the good He means.

Coloring Page

August 15, 2022 Isaiah 6:3

The Kedge Anchor

Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty;...

august-15-22-1
Obedience

Back to School – Part 1

The Kedge Anchor
Photo by Zen Chung on Pexels.com

There was always a feeling of anxiousness going back to school. That first day was always rough. Sometimes I’d hear rumors of how hard my homeroom teacher was going to be and stories from other students the nightmare that homeroom class was for them the year before.

It was always nice to be a little early and see some old friends and kids I hadn’t seen all summer, for a brief moment I would forget about being anxious. Then the bell would ring and all the students would walk into their classrooms. I’d be anticipating the teacher walking in or if the teacher was already there, I’d be accessing his or her mood.

I’d was always afraid that I would accidentally break a rule, make the teacher mad and send me to the principal’s office get detention and then when I got home, be reprimanded again. But isn’t that just like us humans to catastrophize everything, even as kids.

My goal was to do well in school, make my teacher and parents happy, make some friends and have some fun. But I still had this fear and worry I would do something wrong. I didn’t want to make my teacher mad or break a rule. I lived in fear those first few days of a new school year.

As a Christian, now, all I want to do is love God and obey His word. But I have to admit if I have the wrong perspective, I can live in fear of God. We are to have a reverent fear, an awe of God. Proverbs 1:7 – “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.” I do have a reverent fear of God. He is in control, He is omniscient, omnipotent, and omnipresent. He is sovereign and righteous. Jeremiah 32:17 – “Ah, Sovereign LORD, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you.”

All I want to do is please God, every day. But I know I am a sinner and I can’t be perfect. God sacrificed His Son to die for us and pay the penalty of sin, so that we can live with Him forever in eternity. Now if someone saved me from a burning building, rescued my from a sinking ship, whatever, I would be forever grateful to that person. I would welcome that person into my life as part of my family, I would stay in contact and give back however I could. The same is for me with God. He saved me from death and gave me eternal life and all I had to do was accept Him and receive the gift of salvation. He is my life, I stay in constant contact and try to give back when I can however I can.

So how do I please God? What can I do to make Him happy? After all it’s only His approval I seek. It’s only His approval that matters. Like the first day of school, I live in awe of God and sovereignty. Unlike the first day of school, I don’t have any anxiety about making a mistake or making God mad. But I began to think, what does make God happy? What do I do to please Him?

I want to obey His word, His commandments. God gave us His word, the Bible. It contains everything we need to know about Him and how to live for Him. But what is that exactly?

The Ten Commandments were the first set of guidelines to live by. After Jesus came to the earth, He narrowed those down to two. Matthew 22:37-40, “Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.“ Ok so there’s two. That’s not all.
Here are some other things I have found.

Philippians 4:6-7 – “Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. Outside of the fact God is telling us not to be anxious (Do not be anxious, I believe that is in command form, He’s not suggesting, He’s telling us not to be anxious. Easier said than done, that’s a discussion for another time). So God wants us to communicate with Him about everything always.

Hebrews 11:6 – “ And it is impossible to please God without faith. Anyone who wants to come to him must believe that God exists and that he rewards those who sincerely seek him.” and faith cometh by hearing and hearing the word of God, Romans 10:17

1 Thessalonians 5:17 – “Pray without ceasing.” Just exactly what that means. But prayer and talking to God isn’t always bowing our heads and folding our hands. (Another discussion for anther time).

1 Peter 4:9 – “Be hospitable to one another without complaint.” Being hospitable, that’s easy, without complaint, not always easy.

Proverbs 3:9 – “Honor the LORD with your wealth, with the firstfruits of all your crops;” Your wealth may not be thousands of dollars in the bank. God just wants you give back and mange what He has given you.

James 4:8 – “Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”

Romans 14:17-18 – “for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he who in this way serves Christ is acceptable to God and approved by men.

There are sooooo many more ways in which we can please God and this post is getting long. What other ways, things can you find in the Bible that make God happy? Leave a comment. To be continued.

Coloring Page

August 8, 2022 – Nehemiah 8:10

The Kedge Anchor

” … the joy of the Lord is your strength.” Have you ever wondered exactly what that meant or means for us today? Click here to read a recent post about the joy of the Lord.



August-8-2022
Coloring Page

July 25, 2022 – 2 Corinthians 12:9

The Kedge Anchor

Happy Monday! Where is the month of July going? I cannot believe it’s almost August. As time continues to fly, I can’t help but be reminded how urgent it is for us to draw nearer to God every day. We can do that my memorizing scripture.

If these free downloadable coloring pages are helping you memorize scripture, please like and share.

July-25