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Written by Lisa Harper, a contemporary author, speaker, and teacher.

When you encounter God’s tangible presence and compassion in thin places— those moments when you feel like your heart’s running out of breath… when your soul’s so threadbare, it hurts…and when you can’t quite carry the weight of your own life anymore— it changes everything. I’ve walked through several seasons of what an ancient church father, Saint John of the Cross, called a “dark night of the soul.” There’ve been seasons when my head held onto cognitive information about our Redeemer, but my heart was limping far behind my confessed theology. Thankfully, Jesus sat with me in the sad. He softened the hard places, strengthened the broken ones, and whispered throughout those long, dark nights…When I finally began to realize that spiritual maturity is less about accumulating knowledge about God and more about intimacy with Jesus, it radically transformed my faith and can transform yours, too…Perfection is so not a prerequisite for Christlikeness…but honesty is. 

And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. [Romans 8:28]

Written by Richard Foster, a contemporary theologian and author.

The truth of the matter is, we all come to prayer with a tangled mass of motives—altruistic and selfish, merciful and hateful, loving and bitter. Frankly, this side of eternity we will never unravel the good from the bad, the pure from the impure. But what I have come to see is that God is big enough to receive us with all our mixture. We do not have to be bright, or pure, or filled with faith, or anything. That is what grace means, and not only are we saved by grace, we live by it as well. And we pray by it.

And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. [2 Corinthians 9:8]

Written by Skye Jethani, a contemporary author, speaker, and pastor. This is an excerpt from his book “What if Jesus Was Serious about Prayer?”

The person who learns to commune deeply with God in prayer, however, will open her eyes to see a world bathed in His presence. She will recognize God’s image in her neighbor and in her enemy, in the sacred and the ordinary, in the intimate and the immense, in the natural and the architectural. Prayer is on our knees but also walking the dog. Prayer is spreading peanut butter and jelly and remembering that Christ was broken and healed for the little mouths that will eat those sandwiches. Prayer can be in a beautiful sanctuary or at the kitchen sink. Prayer is in the music that brings us to tears and in gazing into the eyes of a newborn baby. Prayer is also in the pain and struggles we face throughout our lives and when we cry out in frustration or anger. Prayer can be in a scream of help or the clenching of a jaw. Prayer is all of this and more if we just invite it to be a part of everyday life and recognize it as so much more than heads bowed, eyes closed.

And they devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and the fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. [Acts 2:42]

Written by Zach Windahl, a contemporary author. This is an excerpt from his book “The Bible Simplified.”

Jesus did not come to earth to start a new religion called Christianity. He came to earth to expand upon an old religion and show its followers how He was the fulfillment of all they had been waiting for…Everything Jesus did and said had to do with the Kingdom of God (or Kingdom of Heaven, as the Gospel of Matthew says it)…The Kingdom of God wasn’t taking over the old one with force and violence, but with peace and love and joy and an emphasis on holiness. This Kingdom was the exact opposite of the kingdom of the world. The Kingdom of God cared for the poor and sick and hurting and defenseless; it wouldn’t take over in a military fashion like the powers of the world always did. Jesus taught believers how to handle anger and lust and divorce and enemies. He taught them how to pray and fast and handle money and deal with anxiety. He went on and on, teaching about this new Kingdom that had come near — God’s Kingdom. This “Kingdom lifestyle” is how God planned to partner with humans to rescue and redeem the world. If people were willing to obey His teachings, the world would slowly become what God had intended it to be…When we accept Jesus as our King and Lord, He invites us to participate in the Kingdom of God, bringing Heaven to earth in the present, and boosting our hope for the future where He reigns for the rest of eternity.

The Kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news! [Mark 1:15]

Written by Megan Conner, a contemporary writer.

We all know the legends in which a nod of the head, a rub of the lamp, or a drink of fantastic waters will allow someone’s greatest wishes to come true. While these stories are fiction rather than fact, in many ways, we yearn for such a reality.  We think that if we could just receive what we are longing for, our hearts would finally be satisfied…It is so easy to believe tangible items or outcomes will ease our angst. We project, if my children would just find the right spouse, then I would have peace.  If my parents’ health would improve, then I will stop worrying.  If I could just obtain that perfect job, then I would be happy. The list can go on and on. However, what we are really seeking is our version of what we think we want. Thankfully, our Heavenly Father sees far beyond our momentary light afflictions and into the deep crevices of our souls. He, and He alone, understands the true desires of our hearts when we may not know them ourselves.

Our troubles are small. They last only for a short time. But they are earning for us a glory that will last forever. It is greater than all our troubles. [2 Corinthians 4:17]

Written by Uli Chi, a contemporary business leader, writer, teacher, and mentor.

To believe that Jesus is God is a challenge for those who are not Christians, but not so much for Christians; it’s a given. But coming to terms with Jesus being fully human has always been a stretch, even for believers.  Of course, Jesus is sinless. He is God, after all. Could Jesus walk on water? Of course, he could; he is God, after all. Could Jesus really have failed at the temptations in the desert? Of course not! He is God, after all. And so it goes.  Of course, Jesus is God, but how human is he really? So, perhaps like me, you wonder about Jesus’ humanity more than you do about his divinity…[In the Gospels,]  Jesus becomes the kind of human being God always intended. In that sense, Jesus becomes the new “Adam.” Jesus isn’t just perfect because he didn’t break God’s law—although He didn’t, of course. Jesus is perfect in a larger sense because he is precisely the kind of human being God imagined when God created humanity. Jesus becomes the mature human being that God had in mind from the beginning… God, through Jesus and by the Holy Spirit, intends the same for us: To become the mature human beings that God had in mind from the beginning…Each of us as individual Christians – and indeed our Christian community as a whole – is to grow up and become fully human, as God originally intended. To reiterate, becoming a mature Christian means becoming fully human, just as Jesus was. That’s a helpful reminder for those of us who tend to think of Christian maturity as merely becoming more “spiritual.” Growing up with Jesus means discovering and developing all aspects of our humanity. Just like Jesus. 

When Joseph and Mary had done everything required by the Law of the Lord, they returned to Galilee to their own town of Nazareth. And the child grew and became strong; he was filled with wisdom, and the grace of God was on him. [Luke 2:39-40]

Written by William Kynes, a contemporary pastor and senior fellow at the C.S. Lewis Institute.

Why would a good God allow so much suffering in the world? … The Bible declares that evil is far worse than we realize. Evil is an invader, a parasite, a rot. It’s a malignant cancer that has spread, a rupture in the cosmic order. Evil is so real that it has a personal focus — a focus in the one Jesus called the Devil — the one who stands opposed to the purposes of God and all that is good, true, and beautiful. The good material world God created has been corrupted. The root of evil in this world is not material, it is moral. It is found in rebellion against God’s good rule. And from the beginning of humanity we have all participated in that rebellion and evil is embodied in our own hearts. At the same time, the Bible affirms that God is far more loving than we could ever hope. Though God could rightly do away with us all, in His love and mercy, He seeks us out to save us from the evil in this world and from the evil in ourselves. And in the gospel, we see that God shares in our suffering even as He acts to bring victory over evil. The cross and resurrection of Jesus become God’s own response to evil in this world. God works in mysterious ways to work out His good purpose, but there is one thing He wants us to understand clearly. The struggle with evil and suffering in this fallen world is only temporary. For God has already won the decisive battle in this war, and His ultimate and complete victory is absolutely certain. And if the cross of Jesus Christ shows us that our God shares in our suffering, then the resurrection of Jesus Christ demonstrates that God’s triumph over evil is assured. Though we can never give a full explanation of evil in this world, we do have God’s response to it. At the end of this age, when Jesus comes again in glory, our God will show Himself to be fully and completely just. The Bible reveals a God Who is worthy of our trust even in the midst of our pain.

He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away (Revelation 21:4)

Written by Sarah Young, a contemporary author. This is an excerpt from her book “Jesus Listens.”

Sovereign God, help me to lead the life that You have assigned to me— and to be content. I need to beware of comparing my situation with someone else’s, feeling dissatisfied because of the comparison. I realize it’s also hurtful to compare my current circumstances with how things used to be or with fantasies that bear little resemblance to reality. Instead, I must make every effort to accept as my calling the life You have assigned to me. This perspective takes the sting out of painful, difficult circumstances. If You have called me to a situation, I know You’ll give me everything I need to endure it — and even to find some Joy in the midst of it. Please train my mind to trust Your sovereign ways with me — bowing before Your mysterious, infinite intelligence. I need to search for You in the details of my day, all the while looking expectantly for good to emerge from trouble. I’m learning to accept things the way they are, without losing hope for a better future. And I rejoice in the hope of Heaven, knowing that indescribably joyful Life is my ultimatecalling! In Your supremely wise Name, Jesus, Amen.

Let each person lead the life that the Lord has assigned to him, and to which God has called him. [1 Corinthians 7:17]

Written by Jennifer Slattery, a contemporary writer and speaker.

[Jesus]  didn’t want [the Apostles]  to ruminate on any rejection they experienced or all the ways they’d “failed.” That doesn’t mean the disciples fulfilled their mission perfectly. Nothing in Scripture indicates that was even a remote possibility. The Bible demonstrates, in numerous places, that they were often faithless, at times prideful and focused on elevating themselves rather than Almighty God.  They were about as perfect, or rather, imperfect, as me and you. Yet, again, He told them to “shake off the dust.” To not let the reactions of equally imperfect humans hinder their confidence or mission. Instead, they were to embrace every encounter as chosen, called and empowered children of God who carried the authority of Christ. Imagine what our lives, ministries, and impact might look like if we lived anchored in those same truths. When God presents us with a new assignment, we experience setbacks, or people don’t respond to us and our efforts as we’d hoped, what if we honestly acknowledged our errors, but did so with our souls filled with the Lord’s grace?  In other words, what if we gave God’s power and presence at work within us more emphasis than our weaknesses and mistakes? That’s not to say we shouldn’t address and learn from our blunders and flaws, but that we view them from a growth mindset and refused to carry the figurative “dust” of yesterday to thwart our obedience and calling.  

As you enter the home, give it your greeting. If the home is deserving, let your peace rest on it; if it is not, let your peace return to you. If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, leave that home or town and shake the dust off your feet. Truly I tell you, it will be more bearable for Sodom and Gomorrah on the day of judgment than for that town. “I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore, be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. [Matthew 10:12-16]

Written by Lisa Harper, a contemporary author. This is an excerpt from her book “A Jesus Shaped Life.”

Think of one of the most beautiful places you can imagine. Maybe it’s a snow-covered forest. Maybe it’s the beach. Maybe it’s a bustling city with a magnificent skyline. Now, imagine you are inside, looking out of a window at that beautiful place. If you’re in the forest, maybe you’re in a cabin, peering out at the beautiful pine trees. The window is ornate with clear glass that lets you look at every angle of that view. When you lean up against the window, you can see your soft breath on it. But the view is the breathtaking, captivating part of this experience. The view is what you’re there for. The Scriptures are like that window. They allow us to see the character and magnificence of God. They reveal to us the image of Christ. We glimpse the beauty and majesty of God, His whole heart for us, and we are compelled to seek His face. Notice, however, that the Scriptures are not in themselves God! The Scriptures illuminate Jesus for us, but they are not Jesus. They are the miraculous window through which we come to know Him more truly.

Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path [Psalm 119:105]