Oct 08 2018
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Daily Devotional – Tell Me Again and Again

By Sodwana Bay

TODAY’S BIBLE VERSE Whatever happens, my dear brothers and sisters, rejoice in the Lord. I never get tired of telling you these things, and I do it to safeguard your faith. Philippians 3:1 Don’t be afraid of repetition. Paul said, “Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe.” Philippians 3:1(NKJV). The New Living Translation says, “I never get tired of telling you these things, and I do it to safeguard your faith.” Parents know this. Teachers know this. The Spirit of God knows this: repetition is good. I have a friend who has said to me on more than one occasion, “Faith comes by hearing, not by having heard.” This is true. Just this morning I opened a podcast to listen to a teaching I’ve listened to at least a couple of times already. Why? Because I need to strengthen my faith in a particular area. “Faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God.” Romans 10:17 (NKJV) Notice faith comes first by hearing, but not just any hearing, it must be the Word of God we’re hearing. I won’t ask if you are a stubborn person—but in the past, I have been. My point is you don’t have to be stubborn or hard-headed to need repetition. Paul felt it was important to remind the church in Philippi of things he had previously mentioned. First, he said, “Delight yourselves in the Lord and continue to rejoice that you are in Him.” Philippians 3:1 (AMP) I will add a hearty Amen! It’s no secret the times we live in are growing increasingly evil. We aren’t exempt from the pressures of life, the temptations to throw in the towel, or the heartaches of personal tragedies. Yet despite all of these, we can rejoice. Life may try to tell you otherwise, but the truth is believers have an unspeakable joy the world does not understand. Paul summed it up well in a later portion of this same letter: “I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content: I know how to be abased and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.” Philippians 4:11-13 (NKJV) Paul discovered a recipe for being happy. Whether he had much or little mattered not. He understood the joy and strength which came from who he was in Christ. Anything in addition to this was simply gravy. Paul said, “I never get tired of telling you these things, and I do it to safeguard your faith.” And then he said, “Beware of dogs, beware of evil workers, beware of the mutilation!” Philippians 3:2(NKJV) This is surprising, but if we continue reading we discover his statements are directed toward having a religious mindset. He felt it necessary to keep the church in remembrance of the deceptive spirit of religion that sneaks in only to steal, kill, and destroy. A spirit of religion convinces a person struggling with their worthiness before God that they must earn their salvation. The result of this belief is a strict regimen of religious activities and judgment toward those who do not follow such. Those who live in this atmosphere begin to breed religious pride. They reduce their faith in God into faith in their religion. God said, “My people perish for a lack of knowledge.” Hosea 4:6 (KJV) This word “perish” can be substituted with words like destroyed, cut down, or silenced. In other words, God’s children are destroyed, cut down and/or silenced by a simple lack of understanding of His truth. No wonder Paul said, “For me to write the same things to you is NOT tedious, but for you it is safe.” Paul understood the destruction which stems from simple ignorance. And the best weapon against ignorance is repetition! Say it once… say it again! Hear the truth, learn the truth, walk in the truth! But there are boundaries to our repetition. Franklin Roosevelt made a good point when he said, “Repetition does not transform a lie into truth.” God’s unfailing, reliable Word is our truth. No matter how long you and I have been in church, and no matter how many times we’ve heard a message on a certain set of scriptures, repetition of God’s Word is for our safety. Therefore, this truth remains: faith comes by hearing, not by having heard. Copyright © Daphne Delay. Used by permission.

Oct 08 2018
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Verse of the Day Image – Philippians 2:3-4 MSG

By Sodwana Bay

Philippians 2:3-4 MSG If you’ve gotten anything at all out of following Christ, if his love has made any difference in your life, if being in a community of the Spirit means anything to you, if you have a heart, if you care—then do me a favor: Agree with each other, love each other, be deep-spirited friends. Don’t push your way to the front; don’t sweet-talk your way to the top. Put yourself aside, and help others get ahead. Don’t be obsessed with getting your own advantage. Forget yourselves long enough to lend a helping hand. Philippians 2:3-4 MSG

Oct 02 2018
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Daily Devotional – Imitate God

By Sodwana Bay

TODAY’S BIBLE VERSE Imitate God, therefore, in everything you do, because you are his dear children. Ephesians 5:1 “Watch what God does, and then you do it, like children who learn proper behavior from their parents. Mostly what God does is love you. Keep company with him and learn a life of love. Observe how Christ loved us. His love was not cautious but extravagant. He didn’t love in order to get something from us but to give everything of himself to us. Love like that.” Ephesians 5:1-2, The Message In our world, there are many imitators, but few true leaders. Kids, even adults, want to “be somebody” so they follow the most prominent example they see: Hollywood stars, pro athletes, singers, etc. But unless these people are following a greater example themselves, they are doomed to fail and disappoint us someday. Those of us watching and imitating may go right along with them. For example, just a few months shy of my 30th birthday, my world came crashing down around me when my husband, one of the people I had looked up to and followed as an example, betrayed me. His betrayal shook my whole world. Until it happened, I hadn’t realized I had put him on a pedestal and was following his lead in regards to how I lived my life. It has been said that true character is revealed by what someone does even when no one is watching. I discovered he was leading a double life. Suddenly, I had no desire to be anywhere near him, let alone follow him. Thankfully, during that devastating time in my life, God stepped in and showed me His character through His Word. Over time, as I learned more about Him, I realized that He is the one I should be following, imitating, because His character is perfect. His love is perfect; so is His peace, His joy, and His compassion. The Bible is full of examples of Jesus’ character and how He lived: He always sought to do God’s will and not His own. (Luke 22:42) He did the work His Father gave Him to do. (John 17:4) He found time to be alone with God and pray. (Matthew 14:23) He used God’s Word as His authority and offensive weapon. (Matthew 4:1-11) He loved unconditionally. (Mark 10:21) He gave everything He had. (John 19:30) He didn’t retaliate, threaten, or seek His own justice. (1 Peter 2:23) He was humble, obedient and made Himself a servant. (Philippians 2:5-8) By imitating Jesus and not people, God changed my character. He did the same for my husband. Over time, we have learned to love each other sacrificially, just as Jesus does with us. I want to follow Jesus and let Him change me from the inside out to be more like Him. I’m tired of imitating people who are just fellow sinners like me. I want to set my sights high and strive to be more like the One who created me! Father, help me to look to Jesus as my example. Show me my sin and areas of my life and character that need improvement. Help me imitate You. Copyright © 2013, Amy Meyer Allen, used by permission.

Sep 17 2018
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Verse of the Day: Ephesians 5:8

By Sodwana Bay

Ephesians 5:8 You were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Ephesians 5:8 Thoughts on Today’s Verse…. Before and after — that’s the story of grace. “I once was lost but now I’m found, was blind but now I see.” If we could only fully grasp what we so easily sing then life would be filled with more grace and our churches with more confident servants of God. My Prayer… Lord God Almighty, by your grace I know today that I stand before you welcomed into your presence and received as a beloved child. Thank you for rescuing me from all the traps of the darkness and bringing me into your light. Guide my heart and my feet so they will walk your path and show forth your light. Through Jesus I pray. Amen.

Sep 17 2018
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Daily Devotional – It’s Just Too Much Fun!

By Sodwana Bay

TODAY’S BIBLE VERSE You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” 2 Corinthians 9:7 How would I know it could be so much fun!?! It seemed more like an obligation — a necessary action — a must-do kind of thing. After all, the Bible says I have to give. Of course, I don’t have to give, but if I want God’s favor and blessing, I have to give — or so I thought. When we were little kids trotting off to Sunday School with our parents, they gave my younger sister and me dimes to put in the offering. As we got older we gave quarters; then it was a dollar each. Back then, that was a lot of money. We had to do it because “God said so.” I was always told, “It is better to give than to receive.” I didn’t understand that we were receiving. After all, Dad was the church janitor. It was his full-time job (he had three or four side jobs.) We benefited directly from the offerings given each week. We had everything we needed. Our car was old but it got us from point A to point B, most of the time. When it didn’t, it wasn’t such a big deal. We rode our bikes or walked; after all, it was a tiny town. We had a house. Sure it was old. Cold air came in from the cracks in the floor and through the poor fitting windows and doors. But there was always plastic to put on the screens in the winter and fans for the summer. Sure there were mice and bugs. We got rid of them the best we could. Besides, there were some great climbing trees and lots of wild animals (squirrels, ‘possums, and an occasional garden snake or two). It wasn’t so bad. We had nice clothes. Mom was a terrific seamstress and could whip up more clothes in a week than most people could in a month. Every year, my younger sister and I earned our way to church camp. Mom made new summer wardrobes for us. Mom made everything from scratch. Her pies and cookies were the best! The fridge and the pantry weren’t bulging but we were never hungry (unless we elected to be, and that was our problem). So, how much does a person have to receive before they recognize it as a blessing? It took me a long time. There were times after I married that we couldn’t afford to purchase light bulbs. On more than one occasion, we had no heat, no water, or no electricity. We owned a house for a while but it went into foreclosure. When friends brought bags of groceries, I was ashamed instead of thankful. That generosity was a God thing. But I felt guilty that we weren’t supporting ourselves. Then the unthinkable happened. My marriage fell apart and I had two young children to support. Friends took us in until I could get work. My family saw to it that I had money for gasoline, insurance and to help our friends offset the cost of housing us. Still, I was miserable because I wasn’t taking care of my children and myself. I was far too dependent on others and felt ashamed. If I’d looked at it without the guilt and shame, I would have seen God’s blessings. God furnished our apartment. Sure it was with others’ old stuff, but I didn’t have to sleep on the floor any longer. When we were given clothing or the church gave us Thanksgiving food or Christmas gifts, He was blessing us. Our rent was paid on time every month. We had food, electricity, water, and a car that worked (well, most of the time). Is that God or what? I finally made a decision to give my tithe and some offerings, even if it meant I couldn’t pay my rent (always my biggest concern)! Something big was stirring in my heart. I held myself accountable to a good (and very confrontational) friend. If I wavered at all about fulfilling my promise, I called her. I’m glad I did. That’s when the cheerful heart began to surface. Now it is almost like a game between God and me. I am keeping score – tithes and offerings vs His blessing. So far, He’s ahead. I cannot begin to describe how good it is to give with a cheerful heart. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. 2 Corinthians 9:7 (NIV) Those years of dread and the sense of obligation have long since gone. Even when I think I am “low on dough” I give. The blessings come back to us in many forms, and we are continually being enriched. My heart’s desire has been to have a home of my own for my children and me. I can honestly say that if I have to stay in the apartment forever, I will do so gladly, as long as I can keep giving. It’s just too much fun! The blessing of the LORD brings wealth, and He adds no trouble to it. Proverbs 10:22 (NIV) Update: About 4 years after I wrote this article, I bought a home. Giving is still a joy. The score? God is WAY ahead!. Copyright 2003 Gail Casteen. Used by permission.