Devotional for the Week 8 May 2005

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Devotional For the Week 8 May 2005

CREATED TO BECOME LIKE CHRIST — The Purpose Driven Life – Part 4

“From the very beginning God decided that those who came to Him - and He knew who would - should become like His Son...” Rom 8:29 (LB)

“God wants us to grow up ... like Christ in everything.” Eph. 4:15 (Msg)

MY 3rd PURPOSE IN LIFE IS TO BECOME LIKE CHRIST

“Discipleship”

“In all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” Rom. 8:28 (NIV)

THREE UNEXPECTED TOOLS

1. GOD USES TROUBLE TO TEACH US TO TRUST HIM.

“...troubles produce patience. And patience produces character, and character produces hope.” Rom 5:3-4 (NCV)

“They came to a garden called Gethsemane and Jesus said to His disciples, ‘Sit here while I pray.’ ... Distress and anguish came over Him, and He said, "The sorrow in My heart is so great that it almost crushes Me." Mark 14:32-34 (TEV)

"Father," He said, "everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from Me. Yet I want your will, not mine!" Mark 14:36 (NLT)

Keep a spiritual journal
“At the Lord's direction, Moses kept a written record of their progress.” Num. 33:2 (NLT)

Remember the reward
“Our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” 2 Cor. 4:17 (NIV)

2. GOD USES TEMPTATION TO TEACH US TO OBEY.

“Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil.” Matt. 4:1 (NIV)

"’Get out of here, Satan’ Jesus told him. ‘The Scriptures say, Worship only the Lord God. Obey only Him.'" Matt. 4:10 (LB)

Keep focused on good thoughts
“Fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right.” Phil. 4:8a (LB)

Get a spiritual partner
“You’re better off to have a friend than to be all alone... If you fall, your friend can help you up.” Eccl. 4:9-10 (CEV)

3. GOD USES TRESPASSES TO TEACH US TO FORGIVE.

“People passing by shook their heads and hurled insults at Jesus ... and the elders made fun of Him... Even the bandits who had been crucified with Him insulted Him in the same way.” Matt. 27:39-44 (TEV)

“Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive these people, because they don't know what they are doing.’" Luke 23:34 (NLT)

Remember God has forgiven me
“Forgive others, just as God forgave you because of Christ.” Eph. 4:32 (CEV)

Remember God is in control
“You meant to hurt me, but God turned your evil into good to save the lives of many people, which is being done.” Gen. 50:20 (NCV)

“We go through exactly what Christ goes through. If we go through the hard times with Him, then we're certainly going to go through the good times with Him.” Rom. 8:17 (Msg)

“Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.” Phil. 2:5 (NIV)

Prayer Response

Dear God, I want to grow in character. I want to become who You made me to be. Thank you for the model of Jesus. I want to become more like Jesus in the way I think and the way I feel and the way I act. And if that means taking me through troubled times, then I say, “I want Your will for my life”. And if that means going through a wilderness of temptation, please give me the strength to make the right choices. And if that means I must endure the hurts of other people, then teach me to forgive as much as You have forgiven me.

If you’ve never opened your life to Jesus Christ, say, “Jesus, I can’t live like you unless I know you. So I want to get to know You today. As much as I know how, I want to ask You to come into my life and heart. In Your name I pray, Amen.”

Pastor Rick Warren, Saddleback Church – Lake Forest, Calif

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This Week's Devotional \| 2004 Devotionals \| 2005 Devotionals Devotional For the Week 8 May 2005 *CREATED TO BECOME LIKE CHRIST — The Purpose Driven Life – Part 4* “From the very beginning God decided that those who came to Him - and He knew who would - should become like His Son...” Rom 8:29 (LB) “God wants us to grow up ... like Christ in everything.” Eph. 4:15 (Msg) MY 3rd PURPOSE IN LIFE IS TO BECOME LIKE CHRIST “Discipleship” “In all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.” Rom. 8:28 (NIV) THREE UNEXPECTED TOOLS 1. GOD USES TROUBLE TO TEACH US TO TRUST HIM. “...troubles produce patience. And patience produces character, and character produces hope.” Rom 5:3-4 (NCV) “They came to a garden called Gethsemane and Jesus said to His disciples, ‘Sit here while I pray.’ ... Distress and anguish came over Him, and He said, "The sorrow in My heart is so great that it almost crushes Me." Mark 14:32-34 (TEV) "Father," He said, "everything is possible for you. Please take this cup of suffering away from Me. Yet I want your will, not mine!" Mark 14:36 (NLT) Keep a spiritual journal “At the Lord's direction, Moses kept a written record of their progress.” Num. 33:2 (NLT) Remember the reward “Our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” 2 Cor. 4:17 (NIV) 2. GOD USES TEMPTATION TO TEACH US TO OBEY. “Then Jesus was led by the Spirit into the desert to be tempted by the devil.” Matt. 4:1 (NIV) "’Get out of here, Satan’ Jesus told him. ‘The Scriptures say, Worship only the Lord God. Obey only Him.'" Matt. 4:10 (LB) Keep focused on good thoughts “Fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right.” Phil. 4:8a (LB) Get a spiritual partner “You’re better off to have a friend than to be all alone... If you fall, your friend can help you up.” Eccl. 4:9-10 (CEV) 3. GOD USES TRESPASSES TO TEACH US TO FORGIVE. “People passing by shook their heads and hurled insults at Jesus ... and the elders made fun of Him... Even the bandits who had been crucified with Him insulted Him in the same way.” Matt. 27:39-44 (TEV) “Jesus said, ‘Father, forgive these people, because they don't know what they are doing.’" Luke 23:34 (NLT) *Remember God has forgiven me* “Forgive others, just as God forgave you because of Christ.” Eph. 4:32 (CEV) *Remember God is in control* “You meant to hurt me, but God turned your evil into good to save the lives of many people, which is being done.” Gen. 50:20 (NCV) “We go through exactly what Christ goes through. If we go through the hard times with Him, then we're certainly going to go through the good times with Him.” Rom. 8:17 (Msg) “Your attitude should be the same as that of Christ Jesus.” Phil. 2:5 (NIV) Prayer Response Dear God, I want to grow in character. I want to become who You made me to be. Thank you for the model of Jesus. I want to become more like Jesus in the way I think and the way I feel and the way I act. And if that means taking me through troubled times, then I say, “I want Your will for my life”. And if that means going through a wilderness of temptation, please give me the strength to make the right choices. And if that means I must endure the hurts of other people, then teach me to forgive as much as You have forgiven me. If you’ve never opened your life to Jesus Christ, say, “Jesus, I can’t live like you unless I know you. So I want to get to know You today. As much as I know how, I want to ask You to come into my life and heart. In Your name I pray, Amen.” Pastor *Rick Warren*, Saddleback Church – Lake Forest, Calif
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