Jun 10 2019
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Everything is waiting…

By Sodwana Bay

. . . and he will give you the desires of your heart—Psalm 37:4 When the Apostle Paul wrote the word “good” in the passage below, what did he mean? “For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them” (Ephesians 2:10). He certainly meant the works—the things we are to do, the ways we are to serve—are good things, in and of themselves. And, of course, he meant the works are good for others, good for those people we are meant to serve. Going a bit further, though, could it be he also meant the things we are to do, the ways we are to serve . . . are good for us, too? Of course he did; of course they are. That’s precisely what Jesus was getting at when he said it’s “more blessed to give than to receive” (Acts 20:35) . . . or, as Eugene Peterson translates: “You’re far happier giving than getting” (Acts 20:35 MSG). It’s been nearly two thousand years and that notion is still counterculture. But the truth is . . . to give, to serve, to notice, to care, to love, to offer our strength to others, to live for others, is actually what brings purpose, fulfillment, joy to our lives. It’s how we men actually get to fully-alive and what-you’ve-always-dreamed-of kind of stuff. It’s one important reason why King David sang, “Delight yourself in the Lord; and he will give you the desires of your heart” (Psalm 37:4). Okay, so what do we do? It’s simple. The only way to figure out whether Jesus was right on this or not, is to test it—personally. Someone needs you today. Someone needs you, right now. Look around. Who is it? Reach out. Go ahead and help him or her . . . and then, examine the state of your heart after you do.

Mar 15 2019
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Jesus, the Messiah

By Sodwana Bay

With the arrival of Jesus, the Messiah, that fateful dilemma is resolved. Those who enter into Christ’s being-here-for-us no longer have to live under a continuous, low-lying black cloud. A new power is in operation. The Spirit of life in Christ, like a strong wind, has magnificently cleared the air, freeing you from a fated lifetime of brutal tyranny at the hands of sin and death. Romans 8:2 MSG

Mar 07 2019
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Ready to Go? Let’s Go.

By Sodwana Bay

Be ready for it! For I am ready . . . even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus—Acts 21:13 When we follow him, God will—sooner or later—ask us to do something we don’t want to do, to go someplace we don’t want to go. Maybe his “ask” will come through a nudge or as a thought in prayer. Maybe it will come as a prompt while reading Scripture. Maybe through the encouraging or challenging words of a friend. However it comes, it will come. After visiting Ephesus and Macedonia, the Apostle Paul got an “ask” from God the Holy Spirit to go on to Jerusalem (Acts 19:21). The Spirit warned him, however: if he went there, he’d be arrested. Paul’s friends begged him not to go. Paul answered: “What are you doing, weeping and breaking my heart? For I am ready not only to be imprisoned but even to die in Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus” (Acts 21:13). For us to become the men we were created to become, for us to become the men the world needs us to become, we must act with the same boldness and confidence. Paul was bold and confident because he trusted two things: God’s in charge and God’s good. We must trust those too. For they allow us, like Paul, to trust one thing more: our affirmative answers to God’s “asks” are ultimately good for us, good for others, and good for God’s Kingdom . . . and will very likely become the proudest moments of our lives. Indeed, these “asks” lead us into the very adventures for which we were created. Okay, so what do we do? What do you feel God might be asking of you, right now? Is there anything you just know he’s prompting you, quietly, to do? If so, resolve to trust him. And today take a practical and measurable step—bold and confident—toward that thing.

Feb 28 2019
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Begin to Pull it All Together

By Sodwana Bay

. . . ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you—Luke 11:9 You can move, brother, into “an entirely new way of life—a God-fashioned life, a life renewed from the inside and working itself into your conduct as God accurately reproduces his character in you” (Ephesians 4:20-24 MSG). We can all be remade into new selves, true selves—but God won’t force change upon us. He wants us to ask and listen and learn and work with him. He wants us to do so continually, because he also won’t reveal those true selves all at once. Rather, he’ll teach. He’ll guide. And he’ll reveal identity iteratively, in a progression, in a process that builds on itself throughout our lives. How this actually happens will be different for each of us. We’re new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17). But, we’re unique creations too (1 Corinthians 12:14-26). So, when God gives us something, just for us, when he allows us to discover something about ourselves, we’ve got to treat those things with extraordinary care. We mustn’t allow them to be lost or forgotten in the rush and charge of life. We must collect and revisit them—so we can always have the best, most complete picture possible of who we really are and whom we’re really meant to become. Okay, so what do we do? Get a notebook or create a document, one dedicated to this purpose. Record what God’s revealed already. Recall moments when you just knew he was speaking—maybe a trusted friend pointed out something true about you; or the story of a particular person in the Bible stood out from all the rest; or you sensed God showing you something about yourself, in prayer. Collect and compile these things. Add more as you get more. Protect and preserve them, so you can return to them . . . and return and return and return. If these words impacted you today, send them on! Share them below:

Oct 09 2018
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Daily Devotional – The Refreshing Relief of Rejoicing

By Sodwana Bay

TODAY’S BIBLE VERSE Always be full of joy in the Lord. I say it again — rejoice! Philippians 4:4 During the six years I spent raising my son alone, both my parents died of cancer, my divorce became final, and my brother had a brain tumor removed. I prayed, worked, cared for my family, and went to church, all while trying to make my son’s world seem as normal as possible. Every morning the sun came up and I did what needed to be done. It seemed no one noticed the heavy burdens I carried. At times, the pressure built to where I thought the world was crushing me as it rested on my shoulders. Through those difficult years, I learned, like the Apostle Paul, to be content and face each day with renewed strength. I may fail from time to time, but I soon regroup and regain the victory through Jesus. Today, are you bearing life-altering burdens? Are you afraid one more struggle — one more small-hair of a problem — will break you? Do you feel buried beneath the load wondering if anyone cares or even notices? Take courage, Dear One, Jesus knows and Jesus cares. He holds the power to ease your burdens. He holds the key to your strength during difficult days. You can rely on Him when troubles come. Paul, writing to the church at Philippi, said he overcame the sufferings he experienced because of Christ’s strength fortifying his will to trust and endure. This strength and trust rose up in the heart of the Apostle and shouted, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13 (KJV) But how do we access Christ’s strength when we face hardships? The same way Paul did. We access Christ’s strength through rejoicing. Chained in a dark prison cell, Paul and Silas began to sing and thank God after being beaten and battered. As praise rose in their hearts and rejoicing flowed from their lips, Christ released His strength into their wills. God worked a miracle and many were saved because what went on in Paul and Silas’ hearts proved more powerful than their bonds. In the middle of our struggles, it is easy to forget our Christian experience has more to do with what is going on inside us than what is going on around us. Christ’s strength is released when we stop and rejoice in Him. As we rejoice, we are refreshed and relieved during times of hardships. Rejoicing refreshes us because it shifts our focus from our difficulties and places it on Jesus — the One who walks above the raging sea of life. Rejoicing relieves us because it substantiates our faith by shouting to our burdens, “I have faith in God, Who is good and Who is good to me, no matter what difficulties may come. I am and will be victorious through Him.” When we rejoice, we are showing those around us God is faithful, and we trust Him. Through rejoicing in Jesus, I stand victorious over those difficult years. Through rejoicing in Jesus, I greet the morning with a song of praise to my God. Through rejoicing, I face each day with renewed hope and trust in God’s promises. This same strength is available to you. What has God promised you? Has He promised you deliverance? Or victory? Has He promised you ministry? Or healing? Has He promised you forgiveness? Or security? God is willing and able to keep His word regardless of your circumstances. Continue to hold fast to His promise because what God has promised He will fulfill. In fact, “… all the promises of God in Him are Yes, and in Him Amen, …” 2 Corinthians 1:20(NKJV) And that, Dear One, is something to rejoice about. Through rejoicing, you can experience Christ’s strength and the refreshing relief of trusting Him Who is able to guide you safely through life’s gravest difficulties. “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.” Philippians 4:4 (KJV) Copyright © January 2018. Used by permission.