Dear Friends,
Soon we’ll celebrate Easter.
Perhaps you, like many, have grown up hearing the Easter narrative. It is familiar and we quickly jump to Easter Sunday and the resurrection. We might forget that on Good Friday, Jesus looked vanquished, more like an abject failure or a village idiot. A criminal cursed and punished by God. Abandoned by all His friends.
When Jesus looked cursed, shamed, despised, humiliated and impotent, He was actually being “pierced for our rebellion, crushed for our sins. He was beaten so we could be whole. He was whipped so we could be healed.” Isaiah 53:4-6
Who would want to follow in His footsteps?
Jesus invites us to share in His sufferings and receive the power of His resurrection simultaneously. Like a train, we need to be on both rails, in parallel. Jesus said if we are to follow Him, we must give up our way and take up our cross. Mark 8:34-37
To share in His sufferings includes being in sorrow with people suffering in Ukraine, Russia, Yemen, Somalia, North Korea and anyone around us facing adversity. When we go through affliction and distress, we might feel forgotten by God. Let’s remember God demonstrated His perfect love by His suffering in sacrificing His Son. Unlike Jesus’ friends, God never abandons us.
How can we experience more of Christ’s power as we endure adversity, abandonment, ridicule and weakness?
The apostle Paul reframed his torment and imprisonment as opportunities to share in Christ’s sufferings and simultaneously receive the power of His resurrection. Philippians 3:7-10 Thus, chained in a dirty, damp dungeon, he could sing praises to God and dictate life-giving letters. That’s redefining what the world calls failure!
Let’s follow Paul’s example as he walked in the footsteps of Jesus.
More resources on YouTube and redefiningsuccess.com.au
Listen to gifted Kenyan Pastors preach on Redefining Success according to Jesus
Starting soon!
Redefining Success according to Jesus Online Course
Saturdays, 14th May to 25th June 2022
3:30 – 5 PM Sydney time (AEST)
Maybe you’ve read the book but struggling to make lasting change. DON’T try to refute worldly success and the ‘never enough syndrome’ on your own. It takes a lot of support and encouragement to redefine success. Join people from different nations to connect with the real Jesus of the Bible and be transformed. Progress from good intentions to action. Experience mutual support and accountability.
50% early bird discount until 30th April 2022 – AU $199 AU $99 (individual)
Price hike soon!
In my enthusiasm to avail the paperback to as many people as possible, I have under-priced it at $19. It might have given a false impression that it’s not a significant work? I have heeded advice to increase RRP to $24.99 after Easter.
If you act now, you can still buy the book for $15 per book and receive discounts on bulk purchases.
Easter Blessings to you and your family,
Omar
Notes: the picture above is a painting by our friend, Albert Mutiganda | Facebook: Giftcards Home Africa
