Thank You God For All You Have Made!!!

The unique ability of the monarch butterfly to tolerate the toxins of the milkweed plant provides a picture of the need for Christians to endure the bitterness of discipline, trial, and persecution.

The monarch butterfly absorbs bitter toxins during
its early development, which protects its life when it
matures. Similarly, God allows harsh experiences in
our youth. " It is good for a man that he bear the
yoke in his youth... He giveth his cheek to him that
smiteth him... For the Lord will not cast off for ever"
(Lamentations 3:27,30-31).

"But the God of all grace, who hath called us unto his
eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after that ye have
suffered a while, you perfect, stablish, strengthen,
settle you" (I Peter 5:10).

More importantly, bitter experiences help to conform
us to the image of Christ. "And we know that all things
work together for good to them that love God, to
them who are the called according to his purpose.
For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate
to be conformed to the image of his Son..." (Romans 8:28-29).

Perhaps the most spectacular characteristic of the
butterfly that illustrates conformity to Christ is its
transformation from caterpiller to butterfly. In going
through its metamorphosis, it not only illustrates
the truth of Christ's resurrection, but also the
principle of the birth, death, and fulfillment of a vision.
"So also is the resurretion of the dead. It is sown in
corruption; it is raisd in incorruption: It is sown in
dishonour; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness;
it is raised in power: It is sown a natural body; it is
raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and
there is a spiritual body." (I Corinthians 15:42-44).