Feb 12 2026
0

This is the way God put it

By Sodwana Bay

This is the way God put it: “They found grace out in the desert, these people who survived the killing. Israel, out looking for a place to rest, met God out looking for them!” God told them, “I’ve never quit loving you and never will. Expect love, love, and more love! And so now I’ll start over with you and build you up again, dear virgin Israel. You’ll resume your singing, grabbing tambourines and joining the dance. You’ll go back to your old work of planting vineyards on the Samaritan hillsides, And sit back and enjoy the fruit— oh, how you’ll enjoy those harvests! The time’s coming when watchmen will call out from the hilltops of Ephraim: ‘On your feet! Let’s go to Zion, go to meet our God !’” Jeremiah 31:3 MSG Originally posted 2015-09-07 11:18:29.

Feb 11 2026
0

MANNING THE WALLS WITH THE LORD

By Sodwana Bay

MANNING THE WALLS WITH THE LORD “The weapons we fight with are not the weapons of the world. On the contrary, they have divine power to demolish strongholds…and we take captive every thought to make it obedient to Christ.” (2 Corinthians 10:4-5) Nehemiah faced tremendous opposition to rebuilding the wall, but he knew that their God would fight for them (see v. 20). This didn’t mean that he didn’t take all possible action (v. 13, 18) to ensure success. And it certainly didn’t stop him from exhorting his fellow builders (v. 14). Very often I ask God to do something in my life but neglect to take steps to accomplish the objective. The Ephesians passage tells us to be “strong in the Lord” by “putting on the full armor of God” (vv. 10-11). It is God’s armor, but we do have to put it on. This is spiritual warfare against the forces of evil which would have us neglect our God-given means of defense. Some have found it helpful to consciously put on each piece of armor in our minds, taking up the sword of the Spirit which is the Word of God. We then find that the Spirit brings relevant verses into our minds through the day. As with Nehemiah, we don’t know where the enemy will strike next. But we do know and affirm what Nehemiah declared: the Lord is great and awesome (v.14)! Source: Anchor Devotional – Manning the Walls with the Lord Originally posted 2015-09-07 08:43:22.

Feb 10 2026
0

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
Off

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
Off

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
Off

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.