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

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

My third purpose in life is to become like Christ.

“In all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose.  Romans 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."  Romans 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 (NLT)

“‘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)


2:  God uses temptations to teach us to obey him.

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

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

• Keep focused on good thoughts.

     “Fix your thoughts on what is true and good and right.”  Philippians 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.”  Ecclesiastes 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.”  Matthew 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.”  Ephesians 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.”  Genesis 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.”  Romans 8:17 (MSG)

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