During the beginning of every new year, most Christians wish to find something that will help them in their spiritual journeys all year long, something simple, powerful, and soulful. The Anchor Daily Devotional, published by the Nigeria Fellowship of Evangelical Students (NIFES) has remained a blessing to several individuals and especially students and young adults across Nigeria.
One of the best Christian devotionals I have ever used is the 2025 version titled as New Creation, A Chosen generation. It is not merely a book that can be read and forgotten every day. It is a book that touches the heart of the youth today and reminds us as to who we are in Christ and why we have been chosen by God.
Anchor Devotional 2025 is a 365 days Christian devotional starting with the month of January to December. This year its theme is centred on, New Creation: a chosen generation. The scripture of this theme is associated with biblical books such as 2 Corinthians 5:17 and 1 Peter 2:9 where the bible reminds us that a new creation of anyone in Christ is true and that we are the royal priesthood and the chosen generation.
Every day is accompanied by the following format such as a Bible verse to read, a key verse (memory verse), a brief devotion or reflection to which you will have a prayer point to pray on, a challenge or takeaway.
The devotionals are really short and simple to read and are written in common terms. The language is clear to the extent that a person in secondary school or one who is learning the bible can still understand.
The thing that I like most about this devotional is that it still reminds the reader that we are new creatures in Christ. It speaks on the need of being saved, leading a holy life and serving god diligently in the modern world. This theme was very beneficial to me because I am one who is attempting to grow with Christ. I had had days when I felt weak, disoriented, or mercilessly distant to God, and this devotional always worked to help me come back to the game. It is not blameworthy but it is right. It allows you to feel how special and loved you are by God.
The discussion on an Identity in Christ was one of the subjects that impacted me greatly on a single day. The devotion stated, before being a student, a worker, or whatever, one was a child of god. The phrase was very plain but it remained in my head the entire day.
Personally, working with this devotional on a daily basis was capable of teaching me a lot of new things. I would like to mention some of them. I learned with the help of the book that I should stop believing that I am not good enough or my previous life should determine my identity. It keeps repeating that when you are in Christ, you have a new life. God has a second chance for you.
The devotional puts it almost on a monthly basis that we were not created as an accident of God. We are selected and we perform some roles in our generation. This challenged me to begin praying more on my calling and how I can become a useful member in the kingdom of God. Others were discussing the existence of daily fellowship with the Holy Spirit as well as hearing the voice of God and obeying God. These were quite practical and real.
I would previously believe that spending quiet time was dull. However, I want to read this book every morning. I would even go back yet and read the devotion of the day again in the night time sometimes. It is apparent that this book is addressed specifically to the age group of young people, students, young adults and youth leaders. It does not have large grammar or lengthy stories. Rather, it presents real life examples upon which we can relate. That is to say, it addresses the topic of peer pressure, social media, addiction, purpose, relationships, academics, prayer, and fasting.
Among my favourites, there was the topic of Social Media and Distraction. It reads, do not allow phones to put you that distance away from God. Rather, use it to get spiritually integrated.” And so on that day; I decided to follow other Christian pages on the internet and clear out part of the stuff that was not assisting me.
The authors of this devotional did a great job. I can see they pay their time to pray and to hear God. All the devotions are short less than one page each and you will not feel fatigued or even bored reading it. It is simple in the way of writing even when the message is profound. You do not have to be a Bible scholar nor a pastor to know. The tone is friendly, motivating and truthful.
They have, at times, mission statements of NIFES along with testimonies and this helps to serve a reminder to the reader that we are not alone, we are part of a bigger picture; a movement of students all over Nigeria who are serious about God.
The other thing I like about this devotional is how it concludes every day with a brief prayer and an action point. This does not only enable you to read but also practice what you have already learnt.
Following a devotion on forgiveness the action point was to call or message one person they needed to forgive that day. The prayer after reading on evangelism was, the Lord gave me boldness to speak on Your behalf, and the action point was to share your testimony with somebody that day. This process assists you to nurture your religion gradually.
The devotional also has a monthly theme. The themes of some months are spiritual growth, others character, others service, leadership or witnessing. This adds change and makes you look forward to the next move.
It has actually been a blessing to have this book. The Anchor Daily Devotional 2025, makes a young Nigerian, Christian who desires to mature in her journey with God, to be more focused, inspired, and be full of faith. Anyone seeking a devotional that touches your heart, makes you forget your identity in Christ and challenges you to become a better Christian, then this is it.
In my conclusion, the title of New Creation, A Chosen Generation is not merely a title, it is a message which penetrates through the whole devotional of this book. I count it a privilege of being in this selected generation and I thank God that He has used NIFES to develop this strong instrument of growth in spiritual life. When you can get a copy, do not wait. It can only transform your life like it transformed mine.