Aug 21 2026
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Top evangelical Christian website lambasts Trump, calls him ‘misogynist and philanderer’

By Sodwana Bay

Donald Trump has been lambasted by the senior editors of The Christian Post in an unusual move to “encourage our readers to back away” from the Republican frontrunner. An opinion piece for the popular Christian news website said it does not usually take political positions but was making an exception “because Trump is exceptionally bad”. The Republican candidate, who is favourite to win the nomination in most of the 12 Super Tuesday states, “claims to speak for and represent the interests of evangelicals”, according to the piece. It reads: “We feel compelled by our moral responsibility to our readers to make clear that Donald Trump does not represent the interests of evangelicals and would be a dangerous leader for our country.” One of the editors’ main gripes with Trump is that he “has never asked for forgiveness”. “There are certain non-negotiable actions needed to become a Christian: One must repent of their sins and follow Christ as Lord and Savior. Trump doesn’t talk this way, even when urged to,” they wrote. However the article did not stop there. The authors went on an extraordinary all-out assault against the presidential candidate and New York billionaire. “Trump is a misogynist and philanderer,” they wrote. “He demeans women and minorities. His preferred forms of communication are insults, obscenities and untruths. While Christians have been guilty of all of these, we, unlike Trump, acknowledge our sins, ask for forgiveness and seek restitution with the aid of the Holy Spirit and our community of believers.” They continued: “Trump is promising many things that he cannot possibly deliver, but the most frightening part is Trump’s stated willingness to ignore the authority of the Supreme Court, Congress and the U.S. Constitution if he were to become president.” The article also takes a swipe at Trump’s previous career in business saying he has been “surrounded by controversy for decades because of his untruthfulness, questionable business practices, reported association with organized crime, and abrupt changes in fundamental positions.” It concludes: “This is a critical time in American history and we call on all Christians to pray for personal repentance, divine forgiveness and spiritual awakening for our nation. It is not the time for Donald Trump.” Originally posted 2016-03-02 08:25:48.

Aug 20 2026
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The best gift God gives us — suffering

By Sodwana Bay

Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us Romans 5:3-5 In the years that I have been in ministry, I have had the great privilege to pray for the members of our congregation on a regular basis. As I sift through prayer requests and intercede with them, I notice one thing about people’s prayer requests — that they could be broken down into three different categories. These categories are provision, protection and providence. Our members, and most likely every Christian, will often find themselves praying for material and financial provision, God’s hedge of protection from sickness and harm, and providence in their work, studies or family. Never have I seen anyone pray for more suffering and challenges. And who would? We don’t like the idea of challenges and suffering. In fact, many of us will pray for deliverance from suffering and challenges the moment they come. However, the Bible makes it clear that suffering is actually good, and as absurd as the concept may seem, the apostle Paul encourages us to rejoice in suffering. God wants us to throw parties and jump around in joy because of our sufferings! After all, that was always what the context of rejoicing was in Hebrew and Greek culture. The Bible implies that we are to be excited about sufferings because of the good that it brings to us. Romans 5:3-5 tells us that suffering produces endurance, character and hope. I am also not suggesting that praying for blessing and prosperity is bad. God also instructs us to pray for our daily bread and for his joy and goodness. God wants us to be blessed, but He also wants us to suffer. It doesn’t mean that God wants us to be sad and depressed. In fact, God calls us to “rejoice in suffering” because of the great things that suffering produces. Sure we can pray for more success and finances but when God offers to us suffering — whether we pray for it or not — it produces endurance, character and hope, which will always leads to more success and finances. We don’t have to ask our pastors to pray that we suffer. In fact, I urge you not to, but that’s the beauty of God’s grace: He gives us what we need and what makes us better even when we don’t want it. That’s what it means for God to make all things work together for our good. Suffering is a gift from God, and one that we must rejoice in and maximize. If you are suffering today, continue to allow God to grow perseverance, character and hope in you. Originally posted 2016-03-02 08:06:10.

Aug 19 2026
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Ministry distributing tens of thousands of Bibles in China where there’s a ‘thirst to learn more about Jesus’

By Sodwana Bay

Even though Christians are heavily persecuted in China, there has been a steady increase of Christianity in the country over the years. In fact, the ministry Bibles for China believes China is slowly shaping up to be one of the world’s most Christian nations. Bibles for China has been distributing Bibles in the Asian country for almost five years now, and they have already handed out tens of thousands of Bibles. Just last December, they were able to distribute 10,000 Bibles. “Constantly, we hear (the people) say to us, ‘This Bible will touch a generation for Christ because it will be shared with family and their families,’” Bibles for China’s Wendell Rovenstine told Mission News Network. “We feel sowing God’s Word in the interior part of China opens up a great opportunity for God to move.” Bibles for China plans to expand its mission by training local pastors to help spread God’s Good News. During their upcoming mission trip to China, the ministry’s representatives will be staying “one day longer with a pastor that is prepared and equipped.” “We have power point presentations that they can work from. The pastor is spending a day of just giving leadership principles from God’s Word,” shared Rovenstine. Bibles for China says there is a “thirst among the Chinese to learn more about Jesus Christ and develop a deeper relationship with Him.” This is why the ministry’s leaders are planning to raise enough funds to enable them to distribute Bibles written in China’s primary language, Mandarin. They said they have already partnered with 28 ministry organisations from different countries to achieve this goal. “He’s provided. We just thank Him and thank our partners that are going to Bibles for China’s website and accepting the leadership of the Lord to do what He calls them to do,” said Rovenstine. Originally posted 2016-03-01 12:37:16.

Aug 18 2026
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Live a happy life!

By Sodwana Bay

Hallelujah! Thank GOD! Pray to him by name! Tell everyone you meet what he has done! Sing him songs, belt out hymns, translate his wonders into music! Honor his holy name with Hallelujahs, you who seek GOD. Live a happy life! Keep your eyes open for GOD, watch for his works; be alert for signs of his presence. Remember the world of wonders he has made, his miracles, and the verdicts he’s rendered— O seed of Abraham, his servant, O child of Jacob, his chosen. Psalm 105:1 MSG Originally posted 2016-03-01 11:55:32.

Aug 17 2026
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Live creatively, friends.

By Sodwana Bay

Live creatively, friends. If someone falls into sin, forgivingly restore him, saving your critical comments for yourself. You might be needing forgiveness before the day’s out. Stoop down and reach out to those who are oppressed. Share their burdens, and so complete Christ’s law. If you think you are too good for that, you are badly deceived. Galatians 6:2 MSG Originally posted 2016-02-24 18:07:17.

Aug 16 2026
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THE REFINER’S FIRE

By Sodwana Bay

“He shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver; and He shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver.” — Mal 3:3. “That the trial of your faith, being much more precious than of gold that perisheth, though it be tried with fire, might be found unto praise and honour and glory at the appearing of Jesus Christ.” — 1Pe 1:7. NOTHING IS harder to bear than the apparent aimlessness of suffering. They say that what breaks a convict’s heart in gaol is to set him to say carry stones from one side of the prison to the other, and then back again! But we must never look upon the trials of life as punishments, because all penalty was borne by our Lord Himself. They are intended to destroy the weeds and rubbish of our natures, as the bonfires do in the gardens. Christ regards us in the light of our eternal interests, of which He alone can judge. If you and I knew what sphere we were to fulfil in the other world, we should understand the significance of His dealings with us, as now we cannot do. The Refiner has a purpose in view, of which those who stand beside Him are ignorant, and, therefore, they are unable to judge the process which He is employing. Dare to believe that Christ is working to a plan in your life. He loves you, so be patient! He would not take so much trouble unless He knew that it was worth while. “We do not prune brambles, or cast common stones into the crucible or plough sea-sands!” You must be capable of some special service, which can only be done by a carefully-prepared instrument, and so Christ sits beside you as the Refiner, year after year, that you may miss nothing. Whilst the Fire is hot keep conversing with the Refiner. Ponder these words: “He shall sit as a Refiner and Purifier of silver.” The thought is specially suitable for those who cannot make long prayers, but they can talk to Christ as He sits beside them. Nicholas Hermann tells us that, as he could not concentrate his mind on prolonged prayer, he gave up set times of prayer and sought constant conversations with Christ. Speak to Him, then, in the midst of your daily toil. He hears the unspoken prayer, and catches your whispers. Talk to Christ about your trials, sorrows, and anxieties! Make Him your Confidant in your joy and happiness! Nothing makes Him so real as to talk to Him aloud about everything! PRAYER Let the Fire of Thy Love consume in me all sinful desires of the flesh and of the mind, that I may henceforth continually abide in Jesus Christ my Lord, and seek the things where He sits at Thy right hand. AMEN. Originally posted 2016-02-22 17:01:44.