GROWING THROUGH ADVERSITY

Devotional for Sunday February 13, 2022

Morning James 1:2-4

Noon Psalm 2

Evening Romans 5:1-5

One of the most fascinating events of nature is that of the caterpillar struggling to emerge from its cocoon as a butterfly. Often, we hear the story of someone watching a caterpillar struggle and then trying to help it. The person wanting to assist doesn’t understand the “necessity of this struggle.” On one occasion, while helping the butterfly during the struggle to break out of the cocoon, they broke the cover of the cocoon. Soon, the new butterfly emerged with its wings weakened and wrinkled. The butterfly, which would have unfurled it’s wings ready to fly, was now doomed to crawl on the ground for the remainder of its short life. What this person also failed to understand is that the struggle to get out of the cocoon was an essential part of the development of the caterpillar's muscular system, but by trying – mistakenly – to shorten its struggle, the observer harmed it, ruining the butterfly’s future & existence. Life’s adversities are very similar to the butterfly’s struggle in the cocoon. God uses adversities to develop the spiritual muscle system of our existence. God also uses conflict to reveal to us the need to grow, so that we would draw closer to Him, and then He can change us more into the likeness of His Son.

Written by Juan Daniel de la Vega,

Translated by Maria Elena Cardona

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Morning James 1:2-4

2 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

3 Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

Noon Psalm 2

1 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?

2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying,

3 Let us break their bands asunder, and cast away their cords from us.

4 He that sitteth in the heavens shall laugh: the LORD shall have them in derision.

5 Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.

6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.

7 I will declare the decree: the LORD hath said unto me, Thou art my Son; this day have I begotten thee.

8 Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession.

9 Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.

10 Be wise now therefore, O ye kings: be instructed, ye judges of the earth.

11 Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.

12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.

Evening Romans 5:1-5

1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

2 By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

3 And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

4 And patience, experience; and experience, hope:

5 And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.

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Prayer Guide: [Ecuador-Guayaquil] and [Panamá-El Calvario]

February's challenge: Show love, not only with words but with deeds, to your relatives, to your spiritual brothers and the neighbors. Give them flowers, make a donation when needed, write something special to them, help the needy, feed the hungry, etc. Pray for this daily.

Annual Bible reading: Numbers 27, 28, 29