I took this photograph of an Eastern Black Swallowtail Caterpillar out front in the parsley patch of my garden. I thought, "Lord, wouldn't it be great if I were able to see this very caterpillar change, or at least catch a glimpse of him as he flies away?"
Then, about a week later My children ran into the house screaming , "Mom! Mom! Come look!! It's the butterfly, he is out there on your parsley! Hurry hurry, MOM!" I said, "Wow, Lord you are so awesome!" I ran out with my camera and was able to snap a picture just before he flew away to his new freedom....
As I merged the photos I took, I began to reflect upon what he would become, and on the experience of being born again in Christ...
(Webmaster note* Picture on right side to get a better view of picture run your mouse to the picture and right click for the zoom in option. To return to full screen repeat right click and choose Select All)
Many metaphors are used to help us to relate to this, however the process of the transformation of the butterfly is one of the most enlightening revelations to me. In recent years I have come to understand and relate what I believe God to be saying in order to see the Truth in detail. In comparison to the butterfly, how do you see yourself?
If the caterpillar were capable at any point to refuse to become a butterfly, it wouldn't happen for him. Thankfully it is not in the caterpillar to choose, or we would never see what genuine faith does in a creature whose will is completely in the hand of God . This creature goes from one that eats and tastes with his mouth to tasting with his feet, and drinking through a straw. If we did that people would call us invalids.
In much the same way, we become invalid to the old way and means we used before. If a new person in Christ tries to eat the same way they did before they choke them self and others around them, I imagine. It is my hope that this will provoke your thoughts, and I request any input YOU may have. This is because it can go on endlessly with relation to angles and a personal perception to the transformation we take on as believers in Jesus.
Relating to a process like this one was the way the Lord preferred with me, and I trust with others as well. Believing the reason may be this; God gives revelation through illustration. They can remind us of personal failures without humiliation when we are with God in our most private moments. Compassion takes route within the heart, which comes from personal revelation and desire that God alone planted.
I know this; that He who had begun a good work, will be faithful to complete it in ME!! and in YOU!!! And I am an eager witness to this process. A work which frees us to be loved intimately by God and know it with such certainty that we are not afraid of allowing Him to finish his plan. From the womb, He knew me so perfectly, he knew my helplessness and had a plan for every detail of our lives.
..These are verses Ive found to be most inspirational:
Romans 8:19-21 "For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected [the same] in hope, Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God."
What is YOUR understanding of these verses? Do you understand mine?
A dear sister of mine wrote me a letter after traveling to Aruba and visiting a butterfly farm there. They explained and demonstrated the whole process of metamorphosis the creature takes on, and my friend, being a believer could not help but relate all of the information to herself in a profoundly similar light as that butterfly... This is part of Mary's letter, "Red-Rider", (hope ya don't mind Mary, I can't imagine not adding this.) I love it!!
She wrote:
This summer, my husband and I went to Aruba for a week. One of the things that had the greatest impact on me was visiting a butterfly farm there. It reminded me of a story I'd so often heard in reference to being a 'new creation' once we are born into God's family. In listening to the owner of the farm explain about the life of this caterpillar/butterfly, I now understand my life better, especially now.
After the caterpillar lives it's life and it's time for it's transformation, it spins itself a cocoon. Nothing more than God's design lets it know the proper time and way to do this. Within this cocoon, the caterpillar is completely liquefied!! That's what amazed me the most. Complete liquidation of the previous creature. It has no shape, no form, no choice, NO CONTROL! The caterpillar either changes or it dies. There is no in-between. The Master's Hands REFORM what once was one creature, and creates a new and different one. The butterfly.
Spiritually speaking, the same principle applies to us. The only choice we truly have is to die, (or rather stay dead) or to live. No in-between. It takes place in the way and time the Master designs, or it doesn't take place at all. For those who become a 'new creation in Christ', we are born anew. However the 'liquidation' process takes place over and over again. It takes place SLOWLY and REPEATEDLY! First, the heart is changed. The core place in us where God's life resides. That in of itself is permanent and instant. The rest of the transformation is a slower more arduous process. The new creature is developed and molded, while at the same time the old one which still exists is disintegrated and destroyed little by little over time.
I must say when Jesus saved me, I had no idea what He had in store for me.....
Ever since this writing, I have seen SO much change in both of us and in all of us who come to the City of Refuge frequently. I am no less amazed at what is going on in the City, as with the butterfly. A wonderful venue where our prayers call out to people who have been wounded and condemned, to come and witness faith in action and be encouraged and not judged.
For me personally, it has been a long time vision to see people from all walks of life come together and have discussions about faith in Jesus without any arguing or debating; a place where people can gather and enjoy the liberty in Christ and learn from one another. Freely give and receive ideas; to unblock what has been hindering the body of Christ. Its a place where the one and only thing that drives us is the love we have for one another and I KNEW it could be done!
I'm not here to focus on any one person, however I am anxious to see what faith produces in each one of us individually. It's been a struggle along the way for many of us, yes we relate! Yet without the struggle, how can we develop the spiritual strength it takes to become what God intended us to be? So friends, if you have confessed Christ as Lord and Savior on or before today, I hope you all approve of my admiration and participation in seeing the joy of our finishing, and that no one remains discouraged by temporary set backs. Remember, God sees us NOW as we are GOING to be; uniquely transformed to Christs image, attitude and character!
One brother in the room said today, keeping the focus on Jesus is what makes things work so well...amen Ray!
Another brother said, "It's not how perfect someone is; it is how perfectly we see them."
and amen John!
In this orderly counsel there is so much wisdom from the Lord. In the Liberty He gives, we are responsible to the needs of others, for we can fully trust in Him and learn to put each other before ourselves. We are known, we are loved, and we claim the liberty that Christ Jesus paid for us with His own blood. Don't forget what He said, " But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, [even] the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:" The comforter is with us now on this earth to complete His exact plan for whoever will call on Jesus as Lord, no matter who you are or what you have done!
May He richly bless you and encourage you in these things, past, today and forever!
All Glory to God Our Father!!
If this got you to thinking please write me a note or respond in e-mail to: CityOfRefuge@moonfruit.com with the subject of "insights". They will be reviewed and posted for others to read on approval. We Love YOUR input HERE, we all count on it!!
One heart
One body
One mind
One Lord Jesus!!
deborahsongs
(Webmaster note* Email for Deborahsongs was not included. Will add if gave permission from Deborahsongs herself)
Then, about a week later My children ran into the house screaming , "Mom! Mom! Come look!! It's the butterfly, he is out there on your parsley! Hurry hurry, MOM!" I said, "Wow, Lord you are so awesome!" I ran out with my camera and was able to snap a picture just before he flew away to his new freedom....
As I merged the photos I took, I began to reflect upon what he would become, and on the experience of being born again in Christ...
(Webmaster note* Picture on right side to get a better view of picture run your mouse to the picture and right click for the zoom in option. To return to full screen repeat right click and choose Select All)
Many metaphors are used to help us to relate to this, however the process of the transformation of the butterfly is one of the most enlightening revelations to me. In recent years I have come to understand and relate what I believe God to be saying in order to see the Truth in detail. In comparison to the butterfly, how do you see yourself?
If the caterpillar were capable at any point to refuse to become a butterfly, it wouldn't happen for him. Thankfully it is not in the caterpillar to choose, or we would never see what genuine faith does in a creature whose will is completely in the hand of God . This creature goes from one that eats and tastes with his mouth to tasting with his feet, and drinking through a straw. If we did that people would call us invalids.
In much the same way, we become invalid to the old way and means we used before. If a new person in Christ tries to eat the same way they did before they choke them self and others around them, I imagine. It is my hope that this will provoke your thoughts, and I request any input YOU may have. This is because it can go on endlessly with relation to angles and a personal perception to the transformation we take on as believers in Jesus.
Relating to a process like this one was the way the Lord preferred with me, and I trust with others as well. Believing the reason may be this; God gives revelation through illustration. They can remind us of personal failures without humiliation when we are with God in our most private moments. Compassion takes route within the heart, which comes from personal revelation and desire that God alone planted.
I know this; that He who had begun a good work, will be faithful to complete it in ME!! and in YOU!!! And I am an eager witness to this process. A work which frees us to be loved intimately by God and know it with such certainty that we are not afraid of allowing Him to finish his plan. From the womb, He knew me so perfectly, he knew my helplessness and had a plan for every detail of our lives.
..These are verses Ive found to be most inspirational:
Romans 8:19-21 "For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected [the same] in hope, Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God."
What is YOUR understanding of these verses? Do you understand mine?
A dear sister of mine wrote me a letter after traveling to Aruba and visiting a butterfly farm there. They explained and demonstrated the whole process of metamorphosis the creature takes on, and my friend, being a believer could not help but relate all of the information to herself in a profoundly similar light as that butterfly... This is part of Mary's letter, "Red-Rider", (hope ya don't mind Mary, I can't imagine not adding this.) I love it!!
She wrote:
This summer, my husband and I went to Aruba for a week. One of the things that had the greatest impact on me was visiting a butterfly farm there. It reminded me of a story I'd so often heard in reference to being a 'new creation' once we are born into God's family. In listening to the owner of the farm explain about the life of this caterpillar/butterfly, I now understand my life better, especially now.
After the caterpillar lives it's life and it's time for it's transformation, it spins itself a cocoon. Nothing more than God's design lets it know the proper time and way to do this. Within this cocoon, the caterpillar is completely liquefied!! That's what amazed me the most. Complete liquidation of the previous creature. It has no shape, no form, no choice, NO CONTROL! The caterpillar either changes or it dies. There is no in-between. The Master's Hands REFORM what once was one creature, and creates a new and different one. The butterfly.
Spiritually speaking, the same principle applies to us. The only choice we truly have is to die, (or rather stay dead) or to live. No in-between. It takes place in the way and time the Master designs, or it doesn't take place at all. For those who become a 'new creation in Christ', we are born anew. However the 'liquidation' process takes place over and over again. It takes place SLOWLY and REPEATEDLY! First, the heart is changed. The core place in us where God's life resides. That in of itself is permanent and instant. The rest of the transformation is a slower more arduous process. The new creature is developed and molded, while at the same time the old one which still exists is disintegrated and destroyed little by little over time.
I must say when Jesus saved me, I had no idea what He had in store for me.....
Ever since this writing, I have seen SO much change in both of us and in all of us who come to the City of Refuge frequently. I am no less amazed at what is going on in the City, as with the butterfly. A wonderful venue where our prayers call out to people who have been wounded and condemned, to come and witness faith in action and be encouraged and not judged.
For me personally, it has been a long time vision to see people from all walks of life come together and have discussions about faith in Jesus without any arguing or debating; a place where people can gather and enjoy the liberty in Christ and learn from one another. Freely give and receive ideas; to unblock what has been hindering the body of Christ. Its a place where the one and only thing that drives us is the love we have for one another and I KNEW it could be done!
I'm not here to focus on any one person, however I am anxious to see what faith produces in each one of us individually. It's been a struggle along the way for many of us, yes we relate! Yet without the struggle, how can we develop the spiritual strength it takes to become what God intended us to be? So friends, if you have confessed Christ as Lord and Savior on or before today, I hope you all approve of my admiration and participation in seeing the joy of our finishing, and that no one remains discouraged by temporary set backs. Remember, God sees us NOW as we are GOING to be; uniquely transformed to Christs image, attitude and character!
One brother in the room said today, keeping the focus on Jesus is what makes things work so well...amen Ray!
Another brother said, "It's not how perfect someone is; it is how perfectly we see them."
and amen John!
In this orderly counsel there is so much wisdom from the Lord. In the Liberty He gives, we are responsible to the needs of others, for we can fully trust in Him and learn to put each other before ourselves. We are known, we are loved, and we claim the liberty that Christ Jesus paid for us with His own blood. Don't forget what He said, " But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, [even] the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the Father, he shall testify of me:" The comforter is with us now on this earth to complete His exact plan for whoever will call on Jesus as Lord, no matter who you are or what you have done!
May He richly bless you and encourage you in these things, past, today and forever!
All Glory to God Our Father!!
If this got you to thinking please write me a note or respond in e-mail to: CityOfRefuge@moonfruit.com with the subject of "insights". They will be reviewed and posted for others to read on approval. We Love YOUR input HERE, we all count on it!!
One heart
One body
One mind
One Lord Jesus!!
deborahsongs
(Webmaster note* Email for Deborahsongs was not included. Will add if gave permission from Deborahsongs herself)
