CURRENT RADIO SERIES Breaking Free   CURRENT TV SERIES Unchained

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.  -–Romans 8:18 Most of us have an innate sense of justice and fairness within us, don’t we? We have the idea, and it’s a good idea, that when we do the right thing that good results will follow. Now, you and I may also have the idea that if someone does the wrong thing then failure or punishment will follow. But things don’t always work that way do they? It certainly didn’t work that way in the life of Joseph. In the Old Testament we read that he was mistreated and misrepresented and even sent to prison, but not for doing the wrong thing, but because he did the right thing. Joseph is an extraordinary example of someone who responded with faithfulness to God and to his convictions in spite of unfair circumstances. Whether he was going through adversity or prosperity, Joseph responded with faithfulness toward God. Can you say that? Well, no doubt most of us would choose to avoid adversity if given the choice. But it’s precisely these moments that draw us closer to God. Difficult times have a way of focusing our need for God like no other time can. If you’re going through adversity follow Joseph’s example. Call on the name of the Lord! Don’t focus on the problem but turn your eyes upon him and he will give you the strength to endure and to glorify him! DIFFICULT TIMES HAVE A WAY OF FOCUSING ON OUR NEED FOR GOD THAT NO OTHER TIMES CAN.

A Desire to Be Like Jesus

by Dr. Paul Chappell

“Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith: That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.”
Philippians 3:8–11

Though Ulysses S. Grant received a Congressional appointment to West Point, he was far from a model student. Grant did not like the classes, preferring to read adventure stories from authors like James Fenimore Cooper to studying. As a result, his grades suffered, and he frequently considered dropping out of school. Then General Winfield Scott, a hero from both the War of 1812 and the Mexican-American War, visited the campus. Grant was struck by Scott's personal appearance and his bearing, and determined that he would stay in the military and one day be a great general as well. Eventually Grant would be placed in overall command of the Union Army and win the Civil War.
The model that we should be following every day of our lives is the example of Jesus Christ. He is the pattern for each of us. The highest aspiration we should have is to live in His power so that we become more like Him. “I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).
 

Today’s Growth Principle: 

The more we read and study the life of Christ from the Bible, the more His image will be impressed on us.