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Romans 5:3-5 - Turning Trials Into Treasures.

Romans 5:3-5 (NLT) We can rejoice, too, when 
we run into problems and trials, for we know 
that they are good for us - they help us learn to 
endure. 4 And endurance develops strength of 
character in us, and character strengthens our 
confident expectation of salvation. 5 And this 
expectation will not disappoint us. For we know how 
dearly God loves us, because he has given us the 
Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. 

COMMENTARY PEARL

Strength through Struggle
   On a trip to a local butterfly garden, my 
two granddaughters and I followed instructions 
and stayed on the paths, didn't pick plants, and 
refrained from picking up caterpillars. As we strolled 
among the butterfly bushes, verbena, pincushion 
flowers and asters, the plantain, grasses, and 
milkweeds, we spotted a "mock" monarch, a pipevine 
swallowtail, a cabbage white, a yellow-and-black western 
tiger swallowtail, and a dozen or more 
black-and-orange swallowtail caterpillars dining on the 
Dutchman's-pipe vine. 
   I had a lot to learn about these 
beautiful insects. Some interesting tidbits about 
butterfly behavior: They go "nectaring," dipping their 
long tubular tongues into a flower to eat. They 
also dine on rotten fruit and animal droppings, 
and they "puddle," or sip, dissolved minerals 
and salts from wet earth. The males "hilltop" by 
finding a high spot where they patrol and defend 
their territory while seeking a mate. Females 
oviposit, or lay eggs singly or in clutches on 
specific host plants (like the Dutchman's-pipe vine). 
Butterflies also bask in the sunshine to warm their 
cold-blooded bodies. 
   Maybe you've heard the story about a 
child who thought he was helping a butterfly by 
splitting open its cocoon so the creature could escape 
more easily. Without the struggle to get out, 
though, the butterfly's wings didn't develop the 
strength needed to fly. 
   Sometimes an act of mercy can get in the 
way of God's blessings. Whether I want to jump 
in and help someone else, or I want someone to 
rescue me, I've learned the hard way this can cause 
more harm than good. The uncomfortable truth is 
that trials and tribulations are often training 
grounds for great growth in character and in faith. 
Romans 5 tells us that problems build our ability 
to persevere through struggle, even if we can't 
see the end point. That endurance in turn 
develops our character, which is the core of who we 
are even when no one is observing us, and then 
"strengthens our confident hope of salvation." And that's 
really the key, isn't it? That kind of hope - 
trusting that God really is redeeming us, that He 
really has a glorious eternal future planned for us 
- changes everything. 
   Sometimes God does step in and rescue us. 
But often it's when we struggle that we turn to 
Him for help and discover the immensity and 
beauty of His tender care. Only then can we mount 
up on wings of faith and fly. 
   Lord, often I just want my troubles to go 
away. But I know that You are sovereign, and You 
have a purpose for what I experience. Please 
don't let these struggles be wasted. May my trials 
create in me endurance, character, faith, and an 
unshakable hope in the salvation that comes only from 
You. [Earth Psalms by Francine Rivers] 

LINK FOR FURTHER STUDY ON THIS PASSAGE


http://www.abible.com/devotions/2019/20191110-1009.html 

YOUR COMMENTS

If anyone has a paraphrase, commentary or 
testimony on this passage of Scripture, either 
personal or otherwise, I would be interested in 
hearing from you.  Thanks in advance and let's keep 
uplifting Jesus that all might be drawn to Him. Fred 
Gibbs  

LINKS WORTH CHECKING OUT

Most Important Decision in Life: 
http://www.youtube.com/embed/WGnEuGwvXqU?rel=0 

A Man without Equal by Bill Bright: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NiVa7UoruIo 

Seeking God Made Real: 
http://vimeo.com/31489782 

Prayer Made Real: 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tc8VdMV26VE 

Importance of Choice: 
http://creationhealth.com/CREATION-Health/Choice [click on video]  

Medical Seminar on Healthful Living by David 
DeRose, MD, MPH: 
https://www.smartlifestyletv.com/lifestart 

LINKS FOR BIBLE STUDIES 

Lifting Up Jesus Bible Studies: 
http://www.liftingupjesus.net/ 

Amazing Facts Bible Studies: 
http://www.amazingfacts.org/bible-study/bible-study-guides.aspx  

Glow Tract Video Bible Studies: 
http://www.bibleresearch.info/ 

LINKS FOR BIBLE PROPHECY SEMINARS

The Last Day of Prophecy by Pastor Doug 
Batchelor: 
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLmGvdtMCf1aJTiC59-lPtuUMEq_uEn0BK 

Prophecies Decoded by Pastor Ron Clouzet: 
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1A435C5373550657