Mar 21 2016
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Verse of the Day: Philippians 3:17

By Sodwana Bay

Date published: 17-03-2016 Join with others in following my example, brothers, and take note of those who live according to the pattern we gave you. — Philippians 3:17 Thoughts on Today’s Verse…. “I would rather see a sermon any day, than hear one.” I’m not distressed because people want to “see a sermon,” but because so many of us don’t “practice what we preach.” As leaders — whether as friends, parents, or in positions of authority — our primary tool of influence is our life of character (or lack of it). Do you practice what you “preach”? All of us who seek to influence others redemptively, MUST! Why? Because most folks need to both hear and see the message before it becomes a part of them. My Prayer… Lord God Almighty, please forgive me, equip me, and make me fit for your service. Please help me, dear Father, as I try to live a life worth imitating and to lead others to Jesus. I know I can’t do either of those without your power and grace transforming my life. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.  

Mar 21 2016
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Verse of the Day: 2 Corinthians 3:18

By Sodwana Bay

Date Published: 18-03-2016 And we, who with unveiled faces all [contemplate and] reflect the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his likeness with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit. — 2 Corinthians 3:18 Thoughts on Today’s Verse…. “Transformed … with ever-increasing glory.” In other words, it’s an ongoing process, but with the continual help of the Spirit, we’re going to arrive at our goal — to be like Jesus! The point is not to give up on our journey. Let’s keep looking to Jesus and keep trusting that the Holy Spirit is doing God’s work in us, making us more and more like Jesus each day. My Prayer… Father, please forgive me for the times when I’ve let my faith grow complacent and I’ve lost my focus on Jesus. Please bless me as I try to be more intentional in my plans, especially my spiritual maturity. Please make me more like Jesus each day. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.

Mar 21 2016
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Verse of the Day: Acts 3:19-20

By Sodwana Bay

Date published: 19-03-2016 Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord, and that he may send the Christ, who has been appointed for you — even Jesus. — Acts 3:19-20 Thoughts on Today’s Verse…. When was the last time that you caught yourself straying from a passionate walk with the Lord? Refreshing times come when we change our hearts and lives to live for God and with God in our everyday lives! In fact, Jesus has told us that he will reveal himself to us as we live obediently for him (see John 14:15-21). His home will be in us until he returns for us and we get to enjoy the ultimate refreshment — going home to be with him forever. My Prayer… Abba Father, I am consciously turning my life over to you today. I ask for your forgiveness for any sin that I have committed. Please refresh me through a deeper awareness of Jesus’ lordship and presence in my life today. In Jesus’ name I pray. Amen.  

Mar 21 2016
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Verse of the Day: Ephesians 3:20-21

By Sodwana Bay

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen. — Ephesians 3:20-21 Thoughts on Today’s Verse…. We have far greater power than we often realize. That incredible power is at work within us (see Ephesians 1:18-19). This promise of power, however, is tied to two opportunities God gives us daily. First, it is based on actively asking for God to do great things based upon a holy charged imagination. Second, it is based on our living to bring God glory. So let’s ask, imagine, and give God glory; then let’s praise him for doing far greater things than what we ask or even imagine! My Prayer… Dear Father in heaven, forgive me for my pedestrian dreams, my selfish prayers, and my short-sighted goals. Awaken my heart to your will and open my eyes to your plans by the power of your Holy Spirit. As you do this, dear Father, please do it to your glory and praise. In Jesus’ name I ask this. Amen.

Mar 21 2016
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Easter Baskets or Empty Tombs

By Sodwana Bay

Date published: 21-03-2016 I was living up North several years ago when I first heard the phrase, “He Is Risen; He Is Risen Indeed!” The pastor loved to say the first part, He Is Risen, and wait with a big smile on his face for the congregation to finish the statement. (He Is Risen Indeed.) This was a favorite ritual every Easter Sunday morning. Why did the pastor like saying it? I guess He knew it would fit with the sermon that day. He was sort of priming the pump, so to speak, for what was to come. Then a wonderfully, well organized, properly prepared sermon on the death and resurrection of Christ would soon follow. Previous to this were three or four songs from the hymnal such as He Lives, He Arose, At Calvary, and At The Cross. It was the only Sunday we would sing these songs, so sing we did. We sang loudly and with a lot of heart. I remember as a child that everyone wore fancy clothes on that day. It was the only Sunday that all the kids had new white shoes and pretty hats. Some of the girls even wore white gloves. Several of the moms and dads had a flower on their suits or dresses. An excitement was in the atmosphere. We knew an Easter egg hunt for all the children would begin after the service. There would be lots of beautifully colored hard boiled eggs, jelly beans inside plastic eggs, hard candy coated marshmallow eggs, and a very special large chocolate covered candy egg. At home I had a wonderful Easter basket filled with lots of candy and gum waiting for me too. It marked the coming of spring. Pastel colors were everywhere. Flowers were blooming and the air was much warmer than a few weeks ago. It was such a happy time. Now, I am older and I know Easter Sunday in a much different way. I now realize Easter is about death, burial, and resurrection. Jesus the Son of God was born so that one day He would die. He chose to become the sacrifice for your sins and mine. The Bible says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16 NIV). “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God…” (Romans 3:23 NIV). “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23 NIV). “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness” (I John 1:9 NIV). It’s so wonderful. By faith we simply believe in the great price that was paid for us. We sinned, Jesus died on a cross to pay for our sins, and on the third day rose from the grave. He is seated at the right hand of God making intercession for us. He paid a very high price. He gave His life. He suffered so that we can live forever with God. If we believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, we are saved. There is no condemnation for the things we have done. And with each mistake we now make, forgiveness is still ours to receive. The tomb where Jesus was buried and from where He rose was left empty. Only the grave clothes were left behind. Because of His great love for us, and the power of God living in us, we too will one day be caught up with Him in the air. “After that, we who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will be with the Lord forever” (1 Thessalonians 4: 17). Jesus is coming again for those of us who have asked Him to forgive us our sins. We are waiting for that day when the heavens will open and we will meet Him in the skies. So you see, Easter isn’t at all about Easter baskets full of candy, pretty clothes, or spring flowers. It’s about an empty tomb. He is Risen, He is Risen Indeed!

Mar 21 2016
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Faith like Peter: do we deny Christ even as we claim to believe in Him?

By Sodwana Bay

At a time when Christians all over the world are openly and unapologetically making it clear that they accept Jesus as their saviour, we’re also reminded of how one of Jesus’ followers denied him just before his death. During yesterday’s Palm Sunday Masses and church services, congregations would have been retold the story of the Passion, which includes Jesus foretelling that Peter would deny him three times before the rooster crowed (Luke 22:36). For Christians who are committed to their faith and actively taking part in Holy Week, at this moment, the thought of denying Christ would likely result in a reaction very similar to Peter’s initial response to Jesus – a firm disbelief that they would ever do it (Matthew 26:35). But the reality is, even if we feel we have a strong faith, there can be times when we indirectly deny Jesus. Last week, I was in a bar and the topic of Christianity came up and I was asked if I was a Christian. I answered yes without hesitation. There’s a high probability that we’ll respond in the same way when questions about our faith are asked this directly. But denying Christ can be a lot more complex than Peter’s example, and the circumstances of the denial can occur in a much more veiled way than mine. Not talking about your faith. We talk about the things we love, that excite us and that mean a lot to us – our faith should be no different. Jesus told his disciples, “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven,” (Matthew 10:32-33). Just because we might have never vocally renounced our beliefs, doesn’t mean that we’ve never denied Jesus. Not speaking out can be just as much a form of denial. Not defending or believing elements of your faith because you’re afraid of people’s reactions. When we’re put in a position where we have to defend certain controversial elements of our faith, a refusal to do so can be a form of indirect denial. Peter denied Jesus because he was afraid to be associated with him at a time when Jesus was in danger and close to death. He was afraid of what people might have said about him or done to him if he admitted that he was one of Jesus’ disciples. Just like Peter, we can also avoid associating ourselves with particular aspects of our faith in situations where we’re faced with unfavourable consequences. Do you really believe in the Holy Spirit? Do you really believe in the virgin birth? It’s a lot easier to refute particular elements but doing so leads us to deny Christ. Denying Christ through our acts. Our lives should reflect the impact Jesus has had on them. This doesn’t mean that everything is perfect or that we need to be, but it does mean that our actions should imitate his. Essentially, we need to walk the walk as well as talk the talk. “They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good,” (Titus 1:16). Do your actions match up with Jesus’ teaching? Do you love your neighbour? If our outward behaviour is the complete polar opposite to how Jesus lived and how he taught his followers to live, then we’re denying him through our behaviour. Our faith can recover from the instances in which we fail to acknowledge Christ, just as Peter’s did. But we need to identify what constitutes indirect denial if we have any hope of avoiding it in future.