We Shall Be Like Him: Christlikeness

By Marielyn Todman-McDowall

Have you ever found yourself in a debate with God? Well, if you have, you know that God always wins. Take heart; we are in good company. Job did, and God answered him with a series of questions. Job’s end result was full restoration. I tried it, and He answered me with a question: “What does my likeness look like? And what does it me

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trilogy Christian Publishing
• Release date: Sep 17, 2019
• ISBN: 9781640884243

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We Shall Be Like Him

CHRISTLIKENESS

Marielyn Todman-McDowall

Trilogy Christian Publishers

TUSTIN, CA

Trilogy Christian Publishers

A Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Trinity Broadcasting Network

2442 Michelle Drive

Tustin, CA 92780

Copyright © 2019 by Marielyn Todman-McDowall

All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise noted, taken from THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture quotations marked (KJV) taken from The Holy Bible, King James Version. Cambridge Edition: 1769.

All rights reserved, including the right to reproduce this book or portions thereof in any form whatsoever.

For information, address Trilogy Christian Publishing

Rights Department, 2442 Michelle Drive, Tustin, Ca 92780.

Trilogy Christian Publishing/ TBN and colophon are trademarks of Trinity Broadcasting Network.

For information about special discounts for bulk purchases, please contact Trilogy Christian Publishing.

Manufactured in the United States of America

Trilogy Disclaimer: The views and content expressed in this book are those of the author and may not necessarily reflect the views and doctrine of Trilogy Christian Publishing or the Trinity Broadcasting Network.

Cover image: Photo by Andrew Neel from Pexels

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Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available.

ISBN 978-1-64088-423-6

ISBN 978-1-64088-424-3 (ebook)

Contents

Introduction v

Chapter 1. The Final Debate 1

Chapter 2. Christ’s Supernatural Birth 9

Chapter 3. Christ’s Birth Celebrated 15

Chapter 4. Christ Was Protected 19

Chapter 5. Christ Was Chosen 23

Chapter 6. Christ Was Tested 31

Chapter 7. Christ Was Rejected 37

Chapter 8. Christ Was Falsely Accused 41

Chapter 9. Christ Was Reproached 47

Chapter 10. Christ Was Obedient 51

Chapter 11. Christ Was Compassionate 57

Chapter 12. Christ Suffered 65

Chapter 13. Christ Forgives 73

Chapter 14. Christ Is the Prince of Peace 75

Chapter 15. Christ Is Love 79

Chapter 16. Christ Prayed 85

Chapter 17. Christ Carried His Cross 91

Chapter 18. Christ Was Crucified 95

Chapter 19. Christ Died 99

Chapter 20. Christ Was Rejected 103

Introduction

This book was born out of a debate that I had with my Heavenly Father on July 10, 2014.

After I had poured out my argument to God, this was the last statement of my argument: All I want to do is to please you and to be changed into your likeness. This statement led to a question that I had never thought about before. He gently asked me, What does my likeness look like? And what does it mean to be changed into my likeness?

In order for you to make sense of this question, I will have to let you in on the conversation.

As I was walking and reflecting on life in general, I felt a heaviness from the day before. There was an unrest in my spirit that I just could not shake. It was nothing that I could see with the natural eye, but it was a war raging in the spiritual realms. Ephesians 6:12 (KJV) says: We wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Well, that Wednesday night I felt the peace and rest that I had been experiencing were being gnawed away. I went to church that night praying, Lord, please send your Holy Spirit down on us in this service tonight.

As I began to worship, I felt His presence and a fresh outpouring of His peace and love. I got home and fell into a peaceful rest.

Chapter 1

The Final Debate

On the following morning, as I set out for my usual early morning walk, I fell into a debate with God. You don’t want to try that; you will soon find out that you will not win. I had just joined an amazing church and had begun to get involved. The commute was one hour and forty-five minutes one way. I began to look for an apartment closer to the church, but that did not work out.

I felt that it was time for me to see a change in the condition of my life.

My big question to God was this: Lord, why am I going through all this? As far as I am concerned, I have done all that you required of me. I have already put the past behind me, and by your grace I was able to forgive those who had a part in trying to ruin my life and my ministry. I am grateful for the peace, love, and healing which that decision brought to my life; but at the same time, it seems as if Pharaoh and his army are still pursuing me. If I only knew the source, or the force behind all that I am experiencing, I could confront it and bring it to a blunt stop. Instead, I felt defenseless being placed in such an undesirable situation—not knowing how, why, or when all this had started, and wondering when it would all end.

Because I couldn’t identify with most of what was happening, I had a hard time trying to manage my response and to keep a good attitude on a daily basis.

I said, "Lord, after all that you have brought me through, and after all that I