Feb 10 2026
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A PLACE PREPARED FOR US

By Sodwana Bay

A PLACE PREPARED FOR US “…they were longing for a better country – a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them.” (Hebrews 11:16) There is a golden thread running through the Bible promising that God has a place for us to live with Him. It runs from the Garden of Eden to the city of David and to the New Jerusalem which will come down from heaven one day. But until that time, God lives with us; the Spirit of Jesus is in our hearts. And He builds walls for us in the here and now. He is our “Fortress,” our guarantee of protection and safety. Because the original home of Adam and Eve was a garden, we have thought of it as very far from a city. But gardens in ancient times – like the Hanging Gardens of Babylon – were often walled. Also, we are told that the City of God will have a river and the tree of life. A recent author says, “The divine call for humanity was an urban mandate. Life in the Garden was always intended to grow into life in the city…The city is a larger version of the life, work and relationships found in the garden… an intended outgrowth of the flourishing community our God has always enjoyed with Himself as Father, Son and Spirit.” Source: Anchor Devotional – A Place Prepared for Us Originally posted 2015-09-05 06:31:27.

Feb 05 2026
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Time with Jesus

By Sodwana Bay

TIME WITH JESUS “Jesus did not want anyone to know where they were, because he was teaching his disciples… But they did not understand what he meant and were afraid to ask him about it.” (Mark 9:30b, 32) Jesus really wants to teach you about Himself. In quiet, one-on-one time with you, He will teach you who He is and who you are. He will teach you things you praise God for, and He will teach you things you don’t understand. At times, He will teach you the same lesson over and over until you understand it. Some lessons you’ll be afraid of because they are things you don’t want to hear. Some of the things you learn about Him may cause you to fear, but His perfect grace will wash over fear more and more as you come to know Him deeply. Jesus’ disciples who walked side by side with Him during His years of ministry were often confounded by Jesus’ words and ways. But as they continued faithfully with Him, they began to see that even in their doubts and fears, they had to remain with Him. Who else would they go to? For, as Peter said, “you have the words of eternal life” (John 6:68). Always tell Him your fears and concerns, revealing what is in your heart. When they are in the open, He will use them to teach you. Source: Anchor Devotional – Time with Jesus Originally posted 2015-08-21 08:10:01.

Feb 03 2026
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Your Purpose

By Sodwana Bay

YOUR PURPOSE? “For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.” (Matthew 16:25) Why do you go on living? At some point each one of us has considered and wondered about our purpose in life. Does my life even have purpose? And in that purpose, do I matter? On days when I feel my lowest, my thoughts wander, tempting me to think that I have no purpose at all. Yet, in Christ, we always have a purpose. There is always meaningfulness and excitement in one form or another when we follow Jesus. Left to our own desires, our purposes fail us. We may desire recognition, success, or popularity. Many of us are searching for acceptance. We find that even when achieved, the satisfaction we derive from these desires is hollow, and at best fleeting. There is only one true meaning and purpose in life, and His name is Jesus Christ. If you give your life to Him, you will find that He is your all in all, the very reason you can see His purposes in you even through the pains and agonies of this life. When you lose your life for Christ, you will indeed find it in Him, if not in this life, then surely in the next. Source: Anchor Devotional – Your Purpose Originally posted 2015-08-13 07:38:24.

Jan 28 2026
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Live for Christ

By Sodwana Bay

LIVE FOR CHRIST “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.” (Galatians 2:20) Paul’s life is an example to me; in this verse it shouts to me. “…it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me!” This statement is the essence of the “re-birth” our Lord spoke about to Nicodemus. A total “re-birth” – complete living for Christ and crucifixion of our lives – is not living for self, but living thoroughly and wholeheartedly for Him. Paul embraced Christ completely. I have to ask myself, Do I? Do you? Ask the Lord to help you live completely, utterly for Him today, tomorrow and forever. In your own strength and good intentions, you cannot. Our sinful hearts are always leaning towards evil. But leaning on Him, you can. Have faith in the Son of God who loves you and gave Himself for you. Embrace Him; He will embrace you and give you an abundant life in Him. It will be a life not exempt from the sorrows of this world, but one rich in Jesus as you face those trials. Paul was reborn, and you are, too. Our once self-centered lives are transformed into lives that reflect Jesus Christ. Source: Anchor Devotional – Live for Christ Originally posted 2015-08-04 08:25:52.

Jan 27 2026
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We Work for God

By Sodwana Bay

WE WORK FOR GOD “For we are God’s fellow workers…” (1 Corinthians 3:9) Making disciples is hard work. But we do not go it alone. Paul tells us we are co-laborers with Christ. To be an effective fellow worker with God, keep your focus on Him. Keep praying, keep reading, and mainly keep worshiping Him. Praise Him and bless Him for letting you be a part of His work. While we Christians may be Christ’s hands and feet on this earth, Christ’s Spirit is what moves us and carries us along. The Spirit of Christ has been breathed into you for His work. When you lose your focus on God, then you have become immediately ineffective for Christ. You may be able to do some “good” work for God for awhile in your own spirit, but in time you will burn out. Make all your efforts for His glory! The moment your pride is puffed up, be on guard, for now you are looking for personal glory. Only God knows how He will engineer your life and your work for Him. But whatever He calls you to do, pour out your life for Him in total devotion and love. After all, think how much more so He poured out His life for you!   About the writer:We welcome back Bill Evans, a seminary graduate and accountant working as a church Director of Finance in Southern California. Bill enjoys writing (he composes a daily “Word of Encouragement” for friends and family members), reading and teaching the Bible and participating in missions trips. A Tennessee native with trademark warm hospitality, he and his wife also enjoy spending time with their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren who live nearby. Source: Anchor Devotional – We Work for God Originally posted 2015-08-01 16:06:20.

Jan 24 2026
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A Challenging Love

By Sodwana Bay

A CHALLENGING LOVE”‘Lord, if it’s you,’ Peter replied, ‘tell me to come to you on the water.’ ‘Come,’ he said.” (Matthew 14:28-29) On the heels of the largest catered seafood picnic ever recorded, Jesus stepped back from busy ministry life for solitude and prayer. And He was at it a good long while. During the “fourth watch of the night” (v. 25), Jesus went out to them, walking on the water. The Jews of the time had adopted the Roman division of night watches into four segments, the final watch lasting from 3:00 to 6:00 a.m. The disciples were probably as spooked as they were groggy when they strained their eyes to comprehend this figure strolling through the waves in the wee hours of the morning. As one of C.S. Lewis’s characters says of Aslan the great lion, “Of course he isn’t safe. But he’s good.” Jesus isn’t “safe.” Sometimes His call involves risk. He tests the faith of those He loves, and this time it was Peter’s turn. “Come,” Jesus replies. I envision Jesus like the father of a one-year-old, encouraging the little one to test his legs and walk, “Come on, son. You can do it!” These are the words He lovingly challenges us with today….COME! Source: Anchor Devotional – A Challenging Love Originally posted 2015-07-21 08:28:34.