Faithful scribes recorded some of My words and parts of My life story, but because you are My friend, I want to tell you more about My life (John 20:30-31; 15:15).

So much happened during My time on earth. I had trials and tests, happy times and sad times. I faced battles and had lessons to learn, just like you do. I learned to obey My Father through the things I experienced. Because I was in human flesh, I had to learn how to yield and obey and follow My Father's will, the same way you do. Your life is full of choices and decisions, and so was Mine. I had to choose to do the right thing, just like you do.

I know that's hard for you to grasp because you think, "You're God's Son, part of God Himself, so of course You could make it!" But flesh is flesh, and all those who are in the flesh are men and women of like passions. As I've told you before, I was tempted in all the ways you are. I had to pass My tests, just like you. Otherwise I wouldn't be able to be your intercessor today, the One who understands you and knows exactly what you go through (Hebrews 4:15; 5:8).

* * *

I confronted a lot of tough situations, and there were plenty of obstacles I had to overcome. One of My biggest lessons was learning not to lean on My own fleshly abilities, but to lean on God, My Father. I had become a man so I could feel like you feel, hurt like you hurt, laugh like you laugh, and experience life as you do (Hebrews 2:10). I became flesh--only to discover that one of the most important things I would have to learn as a man of flesh was to lean on the spirit. (John 6:63.)

Every time I was faced with a needy situation, I had to make a decision. I had to choose whether I would try to solve the problem on My own or acknowledge that I needed help from Heaven, ask My Father, and get My power from on high (John 5:30; 8:28).

Just as your life is made up of constant choices, so was Mine. I had to make choices every day, and all of My choices involved whether I was going to get explicit directions from My Father in Heaven, or try to solve the problems in My own fleshly strength and wisdom.

I learned that I had something far superior to fleshly wisdom. I had a connection with Heaven, and because I kept that connection strong and heard from Heaven rather than leaning on My fleshly wisdom, I succeeded.

The plan My Father gave Me was simple. If I was going to be successful, if I was going to have the strength and stamina and faith and wisdom to accomplish My mission, I would have to take time with Him every day. I would have to get away from not only the crowds, but also My closest friends in order to have time alone with My Father. This is why I got up early and went out to pray before the busy day began, or went out to the hills--so I could have this time to look to Heaven and get My direction for the day.

Because I was in human flesh, I had to learn how to yield and obey and follow My Father's will, the same way you do. I had to choose to do the right thing, just like you do.

This is how I was able to have the strength to carry out My ministry; this is how I was able to work miracles; this is how I was able to wisely answer those who asked Me questions--because I got My directions from My Father. My flesh was just like everyone else's, but My wisdom far surpassed any wisdom, power, or strength on earth, because I listened to Heaven. Heaven was in Me, and the proof was in the results.

* * *

Another great test I had to pass was the test of pride. The temptation to yield to the pride of life is the great test of all mankind, and I was not exempt. Even though I was born the son of a lowly carpenter, even though I didn't have much to be proud of in the way of worldly riches or education, as I grew and became strong in spirit (Luke 2:52; John 7:15), Satan tempted Me with pride in other ways.

Just as I was about to launch out into My public ministry, the Devil tempted Me with riches, power, and glory when he offered Me the kingdoms of the world (Matthew 4:1-11; Luke 4:1-13). But what you don't know is that when the Devil saw that that didn't work, as I ventured out in My work among the public, he was always on the lookout for ways he could tempt Me with pride.

Had I yielded to pride, I easily could have taken the credit to Myself for the mighty things My Father did for Me. The only way I was able to resist this temptation was to look constantly to My Father in Heaven and call on Him for help. When I did this, He gave Me a plan--the humility plan. He said that whenever I was tempted with pride, the way to combat it was to openly give Him all the credit and glory (John 5:19).

This is why I regularly reminded My disciples and those around Me that I couldn't do anything Myself and that I knew nothing except what the Father showed Me. I was the living Word to the people (John 1:14); I couldn't merely preach humility and love, I had to be humble and give love.

As My Father worked great miracles by My hand and the news spread abroad, crowds followed Me everywhere I went (Matthew 4:23-25). This could have easily gone to My head. I found I had to always point to My Father and give Him all the honor and glory. As I told people then, if I had honored Myself, it would have meant nothing. It was My Father who honored Me (John 8:54).

When I was taken prisoner in the Garden of Gethsemane and later stood before Pontius Pilate, part of Me wanted to call down the legions of Heaven and show My power. But My Father knew a better way, the humble way, and so I replied, "My kingdom is not of this world. If My kingdom were of this world, My servants would fight." (Matthew 26:53; John 18:36.) Through humility, by standing back and letting My Father work in the way He knew best, the victory came and all glory was given to Him.

* * *

I worked many obvious, visible miracles, but these were not as great as the miracles I worked in the hearts of men. Walking on the water, raising the dead, turning water into wine, multiplying a little food to feed multitudes, healing bodies, and calming the angry sea were all supernatural manifestations of My power. But the miracle of changing a hardened heart was a far greater wonder and proof of My divinity (Colossians 1:12-13; Ezekiel 36:26).

Modern science appears to also work wonders, but only I can change a heart. As King Solomon asked, "Who can bear a broken spirit (Proverbs 18:14)?" Only My miracle-working power can touch and heal a wounded spirit. I worked many miracles in the hearts and spirits of men, women, and children when I walked on earth, and I still do today. These truly are My favorite miracles.