“Our Daily Bread”   

http://odb.org/2012/10/17/before-the-beginning/

The Daily Devotions of Greg Laurie                                  

http://www.harvest.org/devotional/daily-devotions/home.ht

Romans 8:18…  For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.  (NKJV)

Christians are called to live lives as “Christ like” as possible…  We can in no way be perfect like Jesus, because He walked the earth without sinning… But willful sinning should never be part of a Christian’s make-up…

There is much scripture reminding the Christian about the way they should be living their life… Here are just a few verses that instruct the Christian to live like Christ…

1 John 2:6… He who says he abides in Him ought himself also to walk just as He walked.  (NKJV)

1 Peter 2:21… For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:  (NKJV)

John 14:15… “If you love Me, keep My commandments.”  (NKJV)

The opening scripture was written by the Apostle Paul…  The Apostle Paul was previously known as Saul, when he was struck down by Christ from heaven, and told by Christ that he would suffer much for Christ’s name sake…Acts 9:15-16…  The Bible reveals that the Apostle Paul suffered for Christ more than any other Apostle… We see this long list written by Paul revealing his suffering, in…2 Corinthians 11:22-29… Here is the link for those who want to read about the abuse Paul suffered in the 30+ years he spent teaching and preaching the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ…   http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2cor11:22-29&version=NKJV

With all of the Apostle Paul’s suffering, he still believed it was insignificant in comparison to the hope Paul had in his eternal future; when Paul would be finally conformed to the image of Christ when he died, and in glory with the Lord in heaven…

Romans 8:29-30… For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. ³⁰ Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.  (NKJV)

The Apostle Paul goes on to explain this hope of eternal life with the Lord this way, in…Romans 24… For we were saved in this hope, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one still hope for what he sees? ²⁵ But if we hope for what we do not see, we eagerly wait for it with perseverance.  (NKJV)

The Apostle Paul also wrote this scripture, in…Philippians 3:20-21… For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, ²¹ who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.  (NKJV)

In closing, here is one last piece of scripture written by the Apostle John, the last living disciple of Jesus… He wrote this scripture of hope for Christians near the end of his life, towards the end of the first century A.D.

1 John 3:2-3… Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. ³ And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.  (NKJV)

Heavenly Father, I thank You for the hope that I pray all Christians possess… Your Word reveals this truth…that as a Christian, our mortal body will be transformed into the image of Christ, when we come face to face with Your Son in glory…  I thank You and praise You now Father, for this glorious truth…in Jesus’ most precious name and for His sake…Amen…

written by bruce r mills