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Written by Christine Caine, a contemporary author. This is an excerpt from her book “Permission to Dream.”

When the unexpected strikes, we find ourselves perched on a thin precipice with an abyss on either side. That’s when we have a decision to make. We can choose to fall into the abyss of despair on one side or into the abyss of hope on the other. Both look like scary choices, but when we choose to fall into hope, we soon find ourselves wrapped in the arms of a loving God — a God who always catches us and always promises to carry us from the precipice of despair into the wide-open space of new life. That’s where we find the new opportunities and experiences that get us beyond our disappointments and disillusionments. It is a place of freedom where we let go of what we once wanted in exchange for what we never expected — a new adventure. But we can’t get there by ourselves.  Only God can catch and carry us into the new life we never imagined and take us to places we never considered going. 

Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you believe so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. [Romans 15:13]

Written by Michael Okuneye, a contemporary missionary and leadership trainer.

Learning to love ourselves is a journey that requires acceptance and embracing of who we are, just as God accepts and loves us. We must avoid comparing ourselves to others and hating ourselves for our weaknesses. Instead, we can work on changing and improving ourselves. The devil may try to convince us otherwise, but we must remember that God’s love for us is unconditional. We are new creations in Christ, forgiven and loved. By going back to God, we can find the strength to love ourselves and embrace our uniqueness.

For if a man belongs to Christ, he is a new person. The old life is gone. New life has begun. [2 Corinthians 5:17]

Written by Matthew Dickerson, a contemporary author.

Although our outer selves (our visible actions and audible words) reflect the reality of our (invisible) inner lives, our inner selves are not transformed simply by focusing on superficial appearances. Transformation requires getting at the heart, which only God can do. Yet, though the transformational work can only be done by God, and not by our own willpower, we are called both to surrender to that work and to participate in it, which may prove painful as well as joyful. In the imagery of C.S. Lewis, it took the claws of Aslan to remove Eustace’s dragon skin.

Search me, O God, and know my heart! Try me and know my thoughts! And see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting!  [Psalm 139:23-24]

Written by Daniel Maritz, a contemporary writer. This is an excerpt from his book “Bold Pursuit.”

Sin interferes with your relationship with God. It doesn’t change your status as His child. That’s important to understand. If you’ve accepted Christ as your Savior, you’ve been declared righteous… Being declared righteous isn’t the same as being perfect. You still have a sinful nature inside you. Sometimes that nature will get the better of you. Sometimes you’ll lose the battle against temptation. That doesn’t mean you have to become spiritually reborn again; it only happens once. Justification happens once. God put His Spirit in you… Sin does, however, create a wall between you and God, and keeps you from enjoying everything God has to offer. And it keeps you from living the life He intends for you. That’s why the Holy Spirit makes His grieving known. He acts stronger than your conscience. He lets you know when something’s not right inside you — when there’s a temporary blockage in your relationship with God. He makes you feel bad about what you’ve done — not to ruin your self-esteem but to compel you to take care of the problem. When the Holy Spirit convicts you of a sin, you should ask God’s forgiveness immediately—never put it aside until later. 

Let’s rid ourselves of every obstacle and the sin which so easily entangles us, and let’s run with endurance the race that is set before us. [Hebrews 12:1]

Written by Dallas Willard (1935-2013), an American philosopher and author on Christian spiritual formation.   This is an excerpt from his book “The Divine Conspiracy.”

We should, to begin with, think that God leads a very interesting life, and that he is full of joy. Undoubtedly, he is the most joyous being in the universe. The abundance of his love and generosity is inseparable from this infinite joy. All of the good and beautiful things from which we occasionally drink tiny droplets of soul-exhilarating joy, God continuously experience in all their breadth and depth and richness.

For the joy of the Lord is your strength [Nehemiah 8:10]

Henri J. M. Nouwen (1932-1996), a Dutch priest, professor, writer, and theologian.  This is an excerpt from his book “Way of the Heart.”

Solitude is the furnace of transformation. Without solitude we remain victims of our society and continue to be entangled in the illusions of the false self. Jesus himself entered into this furnace. There he was tempted with the three compulsions of the world: to be relevant (“turn stones into loaves”), to be spectacular (“throw yourself down”), and to be powerful (“I will give you all these kingdoms”). There he affirmed God as the only source of his identity (“You must worship the Lord your God and serve him alone”). Solitude is the place of the great struggle and the great encounter — the struggle against the compulsions of the false self, and the encounter with the loving God who offers himself as the substance of the new self.

After He had sent the crowds away, He went up on the mountain by Himself to pray; and when it was evening, He was there alone.  [Matthew 14:23]

Written by Brian Friedrich, a contemporary pastor and President of Concordia University.

That was different! Of burials I’ve attended, hurrying quickly away has not been the case. Lingering, longing, and lasting are the usual descriptors—one more tear, one more rose petal dropped, one more mourner’s hug, one more memory. One more. Even when the funeral directors announce it’s “time to leave and go to the luncheon,” some stay. But not so on the first Easter morning. When the angel announces to the women gathering at the grave site: “He is not here,” the faithful, believing women run, they hurry, they race! They have Good News! The Dead One is raised. Fear is gone. Hope is here. The resurrection is real. The time to tell is now. The victory to celebrate has dawned. Jesus is alive! The abundant joy of resurrection realized cannot be contained! The words “He is Risen” echo through time and eternity so that the first disciples would, and all people everywhere will know that death is done, sin is conquered, and the grave cannot hold us. Forever and for always resurrection power is ours because Jesus lives and He always will! Today, do as the women did on Easter morning: run; rejoice; retell. Jesus Christ is Risen! He is Risen Indeed! Alleluia!

The women ran quickly from the tomb!  [Matthew 28:1-10]

Written by Divinah Nyabera, a contemporary writer.  

After his fall from the Garden of Eden, man was condemned to death. God, in His fullness of love and mercy, set out a plan to save, redeem, and exalt the fallen humankind…Jesus left the glory of heaven to die so that man could be saved.  Jesus preached the gospel to the poor, healed the brokenhearted, set the captives free, and caused the blind to see and the lame to walk. Love, mercy, and compassion were His way of life. He became a man that He might reach man’s needs. Jesus on His earthly journey always spoke the truth, but in love. He was never rude, nor did He utter a severe word to a sensitive soul… It was in His mission to save humankind that Jesus lived, suffered, and died. God permitted His beloved son to come down from the Heavenly glory to a sinful world darkened with the shadow of death. The son of God took upon Himself the burden of sin. He felt a separation from His father in heaven. The burden of sin broke the heart of the son of God. God made this great sacrifice because of the great love for man. His begotten son was the medium through which He could pour His infinite love for fallen humankind … The agony of Gethsemane, the death on Calvary, the heart of infinite love, paid the price of salvation…What matchless love!

For God loved the world that He gave His only son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life [ John 3:16]

Written by Celeste Bailey, from the Village Church.

Last year, I had the opportunity to visit Israel with SAT-7. It was a lifetime experience that brought a renewed spiritual awakening in me. To visit actual places where many Biblical events took place brought a new meaning of Scripture – it became alive! One of the highlights of the trip was walking through Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem, which

represents the path that Jesus took to His crucifixion. Via Dolorosa means ‘sorrowful way’ in Latin or ‘way of suffering’. What struck me the most was the stone handprint at Station Five of the Via Dolorosa (photo above). Jesus may have stumbled and reached out His hand on the wall for support as He was carrying the heavy cross to a point that Simon of Cyrene had to help him. As it is written in Luke 23:26 “As they led Him away, they seized Simon from Cyrene, who was on his way in from the country, and put the cross on him and made him carry it behind Jesus.” As I placed my hand on the stone handprint, I was overwhelmed by grief for what Jesus had to endure because of His unconditional love for me and the world. My grief was followed by a quick prayer thanking Him for His sacrifice. As I recall that experience, I am reminded of Matthew 16:24 “Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” Jesus denied Himself for my sake. Am I ready to deny myself and share the burden of the cross for Him?

Carrying His own cross, He went out to the place of the skull [John 19:17]

Written by Victoria Riollano, a contemporary ministry leader and author.

One way to show Godly love is to pray for one another. Often, in the world of social media Christians may use the words “praying for you” out of habit. After doing so, many walk away from the screen and never pray or really think of the need brought forth. Yet, Christ prayed for His disciples (John 17:6-26). He also taught His disciples how to pray for one another and how to see God’s miracles take place. Prayer was not just a good idea, but we see Jesus praying for people throughout His ministry on earth. When we pray for others (intercession), we come into agreement for their healing, peace, and comfort. Is there any greater love than to seek the Father on someone else’s behalf? Again, this act of love is another opportunity to care about another person’s needs, even above our own. 

Therefore, confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. [James 5:16]