Wheels of Change

By Sodwana Bay

Live now – it is time! In the hope of getting a solution for our “bad “circumstances, we constantly unknowingly try to take back the reigns from our loving Father; and in doing so just making things worst. Not understanding that the place you find yourself in now is not a test, but growing grounds. Like any good Father you only want the best for your child, you want them to be the best possible version they possibly can be. So, you let them experience life, you let them touch, feel and sometimes even let them get hurt. What, how can you let your child willingly get hurt, that is just so cruel? For example: I remember my first Red bicycle with white wheels… I can remember how my parents rolled out our first bicycles and saying that Father Christmas left it in our rooms. At first the training wheels were sufficient and I became real good at peddling, but my father took them off and I really did not like that new idea… Yes, he knew what was most likely going to happen, but he had to take me to the next level of riding… our driveway had a slight downhill and my dad was behind me telling me “ I am here” – “I won’t let go”, obviously he lied. I trusted him, I started to peddle and the next moment I was going very fast – it was amazing; it was then when it dawned on me that something was amiss. My father was missing in the equation! He let go!?! Sadly,  we all know what happened – I made a big crash – got a fresh new scrape/bruise because I was not focusing on what my father tried to teach/show me, but instead on my fear of doing it all by myself and falling. I was real angry at my father but when he made me see that I was actually riding all by myself and how proud he was of me;  it was an all together new ball game. So, it’s the same with our God. If he shelters us for everything we are we are just going to become big and fat, constantly, being pampered and spoon fed. What if your destiny is to be the most feared warrior; do you think by not understanding how things work in this world makes you a warrior? Sadly no! You must learn the art of combat. That in turn means you need to be attacked – be in life threatening environments – learn how to kill! Just like a seed that was planted and unfortunately to become a sprout it needs to burrow/push its way to the earth’s surface. For the sprout to be strong and make it in the harsh world outside it had to go through the push. It is just the way things go…Life is hard – people are estranged and hateful toward each other, but GOD IS ALWAYS GOOD! God, made all you can see and what is not seen for his hidden amazing purpose. If Gods purpose for you is to be a great Leader – you will have to go through the steps. If God wants you to be a successful business person – you will need to learn how to take loss and fail more than what you would like to… DO NOT PANIC when it feels that God has abandoned you – He is letting you LIVE!    


Get through it the right way.

By Sodwana Bay

It so important to understand why God has chosen this path for you, and not too get stuck with the circumstances around you. Like when Peter was called to step out of the boat – true to his character Peter responded to the call. So, with us we also sometime unwilling sign up for life’s challenges; simply by just being willing to live. When God moves – we need to learn how to follow. Although, we do not know where – why and how; we need to comprehend Gods extreme obsession with us. Like a good Father our God will not take us into harm; if He knows we can’t handle it, he won’t take us there. So, if you in it – You will get through it! The Israelite’s had a 40 Day journey from Egypt to paradise which turned into a 40 year roaming nightmare. I don’t think that was Gods intention or dream for his people. The same with us – God only wants the best… We might not understand things now; when we are in the crux of things it’s not so easy to be happy or smile. It sucks! Why do you think God had the Cloud and Fire? Firstly, the Cloud and Fire was there to show His people His physical nearness. These two signs represented God as whole… Secondly, the Fire and Cloud taught them to blindly follow without any questions – no matter what. When the Cloud or Fire moved they had to blindly pack up camp and move. They did not know where to next or for how long. All they knew was – We must Go!   [embedyt] https://www.youtube.com/embed?listType=playlist&list=PLXQ9CQLR4uYtVqU1TnevAGCh2YUtgBnFb&layout=gallery[/embedyt]   It is in these troubled times of uprooting us when our dear Father wants to teach us the most important lesson of all… God is always Good and God will never leave us! He is crazy in love with us… Our God is faithful till the end!!!  


Lets get you some Peace!

By Sodwana Bay

When you think of peace, what comes to mind? ________________________________________ Peace may mean many things, but if the definition isn’t rooted in God’s Word, then the peace we long for is only a shadow of the peace God longs to give us. Right now, let’s ask for God’s peace to fill our lives and our world by praying these two prayers.   Experience God’s Peace Oh God, my life is filled with trials and hardships. Sometimes, I feel overwhelmed and grieved. Nevertheless, I’m grateful that in every situation You are with me. In You, I can have peace. No matter what I face, today I chose to not let my heart be troubled or afraid. My mind is fixed on You and I trust in You. Fill me with joy and peace so that by the power of Your Holy Spirit, I may abound with hope. Guard my heart and give me the strength to live a life marked by Your peace. Amen. Peace for Our World Dear God, thank You for overcoming the world. Thank You that in all things we are more than conquerors because of You and Your love for us. Today and every day, help us to “turn away from evil and do good; to seek peace and pursue it.” Make us eager to maintain unity, and slow to become angry. Let the words of our mouths and the meditations of our hearts be pleasing to You. Guide our feet in the way of peace and teach us to number our days so that we may gain a heart of wisdom. Heal our lands Lord, and bless Your people with peace. Amen.


Take the LEAP!

By Sodwana Bay

Got Risk . . . Discomfort? [ 1 min read ★ ] For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere—Psalm 84:10 Years spent in luxury and comfort can’t compare to one day spent with God—in his presence; experiencing his love; living his truth; doing his work. And, astonishingly, God doesn’t offer us just single days . . . mere glimpses, fleeting encounters. He offers himself “more abundantly than all that we ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20-21). He offers all of himself, all the time—as much as we want, as much as we choose. One proven method of choosing him is to strip away worldly comfort, strip away predictability and self-sufficiency . . . and intentionally move into situations we can’t handle on our own. Jesus sent his disciples into such situations: “I am sending you out as lambs in the midst of wolves” (Luke 10:3). He told them to travel light and resist taking anything that could provide comfort, predictability, self-sufficiency: money, extra clothing, extra stuff (Luke 10:4). They had to rely on him. And they returned full of joy (Luke 10:17). Because they’d been willing to move, in faith, into risk and discomfort, they got to spend precious days with God. Jesus told them: “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see! For I tell you that many prophets and kings desired to see what you see, and did not see it, and to hear what you hear, and did not hear it.” (Luke 10:23-24).


BE YOU – all the time!

By Sodwana Bay

May the Force . . . Be You [ 1 min read ★ ] . . . what I want mostly is for men to pray—1 Timothy 2:8-10 There are many forces at work in this world—forces colliding, reacting to each other, influencing one another. And you, brother, are one of them. Each of us is. The question is, though, what kind? Are we forces for goodness and generosity? I mean, is this broken, evil world better because of us? Or are we forces that are simply neutral? Or are we forces for ‘me’—for selfishness, for stockpiling, for negativity, or depravity even? These questions matter to God (Galatians 5:13-26). They should matter to us. And if we want to change our kind—or just intensify the positive force we already are—here’s a place to start: intercessory prayer. “Pray every way you know how, for everyone you know” (1 Timothy 2:1-3 MSG). God certainly wants us to use our hands to help people in need, and he wants us to use our voices to reach people who’re lost. But, since “prayer is at the bottom of all this,” wrote the Apostle Paul, what we mostly need to do is pray (1 Timothy 2:2-10 MSG). You see, intercessory prayer—praying on behalf of other people—is the most powerful thing we can do (James 5:16-18). When we do it, we lay aside our own meager strength and call upon the awesome strength of Almighty God. When we do it, we call forth the most powerful force in the universe and focus its goodness and generosity right onto other people and right into their circumstances.   Okay, so what do we do? Take a simple prayer walk—around your neighborhood, praying over each house; around your kids’ schools, praying over each locker; around your workplace, praying over each office and cube. Pray against pain, fear, and darkness. Pray for healing, peace, and light, all in the name of our King, Jesus Christ.    


Caring for Yourself

By Sodwana Bay

Stewardship: 3 Inspirational Thoughts to Make the Most of What God Has Given August 31, 2020 Caring for Yourself I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Romans 12:1 Paul was like a father to his protégé, Timothy. And one of the things that concerned him most was that he look after himself. With safe drinking water difficult to find, Paul urged the young pastor to drink some wine to keep himself in decent shape (see 1 Timothy 5:23). He didn’t think that caring for our physical bodies was a waste of time or a vanity. On the contrary, maintaining our physical health is an important part of maintaining our spiritual health. Paul wanted to see Timothy flourish, and in flourishing, to serve others more effectively. How would you rate yourself at taking care of your body? READ MORE