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BECAUSE OF THE STRUGGLE Romans 4 and 5 "He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform. And therefore “it was accounted to him for righteousness.” Now it was not written for his sake alone that it was imputed to him, but also for us. It shall be imputed to us who believe in Him who raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead, who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification. (Romans 4:20-25) "Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God. And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us." (Romans 5:1-5) THE BUTTERFLY The beginning to end of a butterfly’s life is one of beauty and yet involved in it is a struggle that is hard to believe its even possible. A butterfly developes in four stages, we can compare these stages to a human being, we also develope in four stages. Egg, (Conception) larva (caterpillar -9 months in the womb), pupa (chrysalis) teen or young adult, and adult (18 and up). This life cycle of the butterfly, from egg to death can take anywhere from 2 weeks to a year. Where we as humans span from conception to 8--100 years today. Lets look at a comparision 1. The Egg (Beginning) - The conceltion How it happens - An adult female butterfly lays eggs on a leaf that will serve as food for the larvae. - a egg is planted inside a womans womb by adult physical relationship. Butterfty Egg -hatches in 3–5 days, though some can take up to three weeks. A human egg, birth happens in around 9 months give or take the struggle. Inside, a tiny caterpillar grows by consuming and eating the leaf and consumes its own eggshell upon hatching. This can be a struggle depending on the weather conditions. Inside a human woman - the baby is fed by what the mother consums for those 9 months before the birth happens. It can be a struggle depending on the conditions and decissions the mother makes. 2. The Larva (Caterpillar) – The Eating Stage Human after birth- is also the eating and growing stage. What is the purpose of the larva: The primary goal of the caterpillar is to eat and grow rapidly. Same with a new born - They eat and grow fast for the next 18 years. Growth: As they eat leaves, they grow so fast that they outgrow their skin, shedding it (molting) roughly 4 or 5 times. As we see our children grow, it seems like no time at all and they have out grown the child and teenage stage Appearance: Larvae can grow up to 100 times their original size during this stage, which lasts 2–5 weeks. In those first 18 years, a child goes from a helpless baby to making and doing things on their own. 3. The Pupa (Chrysalis) – The Transformation Stage, when the pupa is fully grown, the caterpillar finds a secure spot and forms a protective casing called a chrysalis. Inside, the caterpillar’s tissues break down and reorganize into the adult butterfly structure—a "tissue cell soup" transforming into wings, legs, and antennae. This stage usually lasts 1–2 weeks, but some species hibernate or overwinter as a pupa. for humans - Something happens around 13-14 years, where the development springs forward and something happens as they walk into becoming an adult. It can be the biggest time of struggle for both child/teen and their parents. 4. The Adult (Butterfly) – The Reproductive Stage (End/Restart) Emergence; when the butterfly breaks forth from the cacoon, its free.. The adult butterfly emerges, resting while it pumps fluid (hemolymph) into its wings to dry and straighten them. We as parents need to allow our young adults to spread their wings, while still at home, to strengthen them for when they are free from their cacoon. And ready to create a life of their own. The main goal of the adult butterfly is to find a mate, reproduce, and lay eggs to start the cycle again. Lifespan: Most adult butterflies live for only 1–2 weeks, though some species (like migrating Monarchs) can live up to 9 months. As in humans, once leaving the home, a young adults main goal often is to find a help mate, make a home and start a family. And so the cycle of generations continue, and the natural progression goes on and on. These are both designed by God, that through discipline and struggle, makes a strong spicy that will carry on the cycle of life. The Apostle Paul talks about that. He speaks often about it throughout the book of Romans, there’s a reason that the book forms the foundation of the salvation of our souls. it is interesting that as a physical being, we do not become a human on our own, but God creates us, and brings us into this world. As we look at Chapter 5 of Romans we will comes to the conclusion, that no one is justified, made right, with God on their own. Oh, we all will try, and just as the people of the bible all failed at keeping God's laws, so will we. Romans tells us that only through faith (like Abrahams as Paul points out, it is through that kind of faith that we can enter into a right relationship with God. As a believer and follower of God, I can tell you that my faith and relationship with God does not come easy, it is not a bed of roses, most natural roses, do not come without thornes. The results of our faith and our relationship with Jesus Christ,is more than just hope, it’s also in an experienced struggle in being tried by fire. We undergo and experience discipline, trials and a struggle that makes us tough. And in so doing we become stronger as a believer as we trust Jesus more and more and we become more like Him. As we grow in both character and faith in the midst of our struggles. We as the bitterfly are freed from oour struggle with sin, buy having a relationship with out perfect saviour who gives us a new life in Christ as we are born again. Sometimes young people, like the butterfly falls to the ground and dies without ever flying. often that happens because they left home before they were ready, or the yhad not been prepared for going out into the world. As believers we need to be prepared by being taight how to put on the armour of God, in order to stand against the whils of the devil. This all affirms that saturating our children with biblical truth will prepare them and make them strong to be set free into a worlsd that is not easy. When facing tough times believers in Jesus in Rome said, “We also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope” (Romans 5:3-4). Friends, listen, Paul is not saying we should celebrate pain, nor deny the fact that these trials and struggles and set backs hurt. He actually confirms that they do hurt, but God will be there with you, and will use life’s troubles to build our character, growing our hope in Him, and in so doing make us strong in the Lord. We can face the trials that will come because of the strength God has given us over the years as we developed. Yes my friends it is in His strength that God develops our trust in His all powerful existance. Sometimes we are cheated in our developement stages, but in Christ we have a chance, a choice, to be born again,and given a new life where we can rejoice in the struggles that lifted us from the pit of darkness into the light and has given us a strong character because of God our deliverer. Loed Jesus, as I face struggles today, help me to look to you. As in my struggle you are strong. Lord Jesus, I thank You for building my character and trust in You. Help me to stand strong in you, as I face the struggle I will face in my future. It will not be me, but you that will stand. In your name I pray. AMEN