So You Want To Be Like Jesus

Posted on August 19, 2015 by America's Keswick in Freedom Fighters

So You Want To Be Like Jesus?

Romans 8:28-30; Philippians 3:10; Romans 8:16,17; 1 John 3:1–3 

I don’t like to be uncomfortable: not mentally, not emotionally, not physically, not socially and definitely not spiritually. I’d rather bathe in God’s Love. So the temptation is not to consider things which sink the boat in my bath. If I don’t read all of Romans 8:28 and include versus 29 and 30, my thinking will start stinking and my spiritual life will start sinking.Like Jesus

God’s definition of good and ours is not always in alignment because his purpose is to shape us to be conformed to the image of Christ. Sometimes I do a King Saul, partially obey, (1 Samuel 15) which leads to my correction and suffering (Hebrews 12:5-13). But I am encouraged even Jesus learned obedience by the things he suffered and He didn’t disobey (Hebrews 5:7-10). If you look in the gospels Jesus made submissive requests to God, The Father. Our desire and the reality of God’s purpose are not always aligned. It is why the Holy Spirit intercedes on our behalf according to God’s will (Romans 8:27).

God has called me to salvation. He determined to save me before creation and purposed to conform me to the image of Christ.  Because of that all-knowing and all-powerful decision, the conformity to the image of Christ includes the sharing in his suffering If I want to share in his glory.

In my 30s, a friend of mine was hospitalized with cancer. We prayed to God he would get well. So we cheered God on, reminding him he could do it! He didn’t. As my friend was dying he remained positive, cheerful and It gave him opportunity to point others to the Lord. Meanwhile, our prayer started to change from the natural human desire for him to live, to the supernatural desire for him to glorify Christ in the life he still had. At his funeral, many doctors, nurses and hospital workers, who found Christ, showed up; it was the result of my friend being conformed to the image of the Lord Jesus Christ. Gods purpose.

Will you join me, as I align myself with God’s purpose for me today?

Today’s Affirmation:I will be thankful for my circumstances because God is shaping me to be like Jesus. —  Pastor Bob Wood is a seasonal camper at America’s Keswick and a mentor/disciple. You can email him a Dgtbob@aol.com

Daily Bible Reading: Psalm 103-104; Galatians 4

Think About This: If you are a wanderer I tell you that the Good Shepherd will bring you back the moment you have given up trying to save yourself and are willing to let Him save you His own way. D. L. Moody

This Week’s Verse to Memorize: Cause me to hear Your lovingkindness in the morning, For in You do I trust; Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, For I lift up my soul to You. Psalm 143:8

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