Becoming Christ-like Through Life's Tests | Apr 19, 2025 | PHB

Preparing His Bride | Apr 19, 2025
Life will test you. These tests aren't punishments but opportunities to demonstrate what you've learned and who you're becoming. Just as manufacturers thoroughly test products before release, your character develops through challenges.

Focus your vision on becoming like Christ. While worldly achievements—careers, possessions, status—eventually fade and lead to retirement, your spiritual growth as a son or daughter of God is eternal. You can never retire from being a child of your Father.

Watch where you fix your gaze. Social media, entertainment, and advertising constantly compete for your attention, pulling it away from spiritual growth. Make the deliberate choice to look to Jesus as your model.

Pride can be more dangerous than weakness. Religious sin stems from seeing yourself as superior, while sins of weakness come from human frailty. Both require humility to overcome.

Remember you're part of something larger. Don't pursue spiritual growth selfishly. You're a living stone in God's temple, a specific part of Christ's body. Your personal transformation contributes to the collective manifestation of God's family on earth.

Align yourself with God's pattern. The smallest deviation from His template can cause significant problems. Your spiritual alignment requires your soul (mind, will, emotions) and body to come into harmony with your renewed spirit, which is aligned with God.

The highest form of priesthood moves beyond religious obligation to loving service. Ask yourself if you serve God out of duty or delight.

Unity in the body of Christ isn't optional—it's essential. The less honorable parts need covering and support, not gossip or judgment. Remember, you weren't always honorable yourself.

Your transformation follows a pattern of testing, much like Christ's wilderness experience. Through these tests, you learn to overcome temptation by relying on God's word rather than your flesh.

Pursue this journey with complete dedication. Desire God's word as you would treasure, understanding its power to transform you into a representative of heaven on earth.