of hope and encouragement! This truly is a story of us -- the children of the Most High -- from start to finish! This is all so fresh in my mind, as Father has been prompting me with butterflies in so many ways in the last month -- too much to not notice! As a result, I have really dug in to see what He wanted to share! I have been so encouraged, because He has spoken to me personally through this, but I also knew it was for others as well. So as always, I am so prayerful that this little journey will glorify our Father immensely and encourage you deeply! Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? Isaiah 43:19 So how does our story start? It begins with the smallest deposit within our spirit... inspired by the Father and many times planted within us by the testimony of a loving servant. It would look something like this... the planting of a very small seed (egg) by someone (butterfly) who has already undergone the transformation... all in full alignment with the Creator's plan. So the seed is planted, and what happens next? Well, in the case of our caterpillar to butterfly story, this ugly little wormy-looking thing comes from the very tiny egg, and it has one mission... to eat! It is a newborn, and it is famished to receive nourishment and grow, so it eats and eats, even shedding its skin repeatedly as it grows. Does all of this sound familiar? Do you remember how much you craved and ate the Word immediately after you understood and received the salvation of the Most High? Do you remember how you were continually shedding off the old you to make room for new?! In this stage, it is as if nothing else exists except us and Yahusha (Jesus) and learning and growing in Him! And very important to note... the caterpillar eats from the very plant from which it was born, sometimes abiding there throughout the entire process! I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. John 15:5 So this ugly, but quite colorful, caterpillar is on its mission to eat until its reserves are filled and it can actually begin the transformation into its true identity. Once it stops eating, it goes into a short resting phase before it begins to go into its own little chamber of hiding. In its nature and obedience to its Creator, it submits to this isolation where it will actually begin to break down and transform into something completely different. Its Creator has provided it with all it needs to isolate itself; it just obeys and follows. This seems to be that moment of presenting itself as a living sacrifice to its Creator to do that which is required to bring about its full destiny. In the case of our journey, I can speak from experience that submitting to this part -- presenting our bodies as a living sacrifice to the Father for His glory -- can be very hard. But it is not only necessary but somewhat commanded in the Word, as Paul "beseeches" or pleads with the Romans to do so. It is only through this submission and abiding that the preparation for full transformation and emergence can be completed. What happens in this little chamber, called a pupa, is incredible and miraculous. It can only be attributed to the love and wisdom of the One who created it. I will share now the details of what happens at this stage, and as we go through, think of yourself and where you may be -- entering in, in the midst, or about to emerge. Know that the miraculous story of this delicate, beautiful creature is about you... There is nothing new under the sun, and as the Word says, the creation speaks of the greatness of the Father - to us - and therefore, we are without excuse in knowing Him. First, the caterpillar is completely alone in the pupa. It is confined without its own freedom... but only for a short time (usually two weeks). With us, our pupa stage will be as long as is needed, and unfortunately for some (like me!!), it can be much longer! And I use the word "unfortunately" only in part -- because no matter how short or long it takes, the result is quite fortunate with beauty, freedom, true identity, and so much more! Obviously, it is worth it, and our Father knows exactly what He is doing in this stage of our journey. Before the caterpillar begins to enclose and isolate itself, its behavior changes, it sheds its final skin, and purges itself of any excess waste as it begins to create its own enclosure. Once isolated inside, the intense changes begin as it lies still. As I read about this, the words "massive rearrangement" were used to describe what happens in the pupa during this time. It is so important to grasp that the most dramatic changes taking place in this stage are done in stillness and silence. Is it not during our own "pupa stage" that we finally begin to be still and know that He is the one true and living God? Is this not the time when drastic changes can come to fullness -- many times through pain and suffering in isolation and loneliness, where we surrender to the point that our flesh, our old body, begins to die and deteriorate? It is here in this isolation that we finally understand that that the absolute death of self must happen to bring about refreshing and restoration unto newness! For thus saith the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength... Isaiah 30:15 I would like to note here that only a butterfly pupa is called a "chrysalis". Although this chrysalis looks like a cocoon (or as my aunt and I like to say, a little green mini lantern), it is actually a living creature. Butterflies are set apart from moths and other related insects, because they become a pupa while exposed to the environment - they are visible to predators and the outside environment - but at the same time, they are typically protected through camoflage (they blend in with the leaves of the plant, which many times is the same plant as the place of their birth). And I must mention this wonderful nugget... the word "chrysalis" means gold! How perfect that the pupa/chrysalis or place of transformation and renewal is like gold! For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. 2 Corinthians 4:16 As the creature within the chrysalis lies still and quiet, the transformation begins, and it begins with a dying from within. The old body of the caterpillar begins to be attacked by new cells within the chrysalis, and old body breaks down. These new cells, called imaginal cells, were already there within the caterpillar, lying dormant until the appointed time. These cells are called "the seeds of future potential which contain the blueprint of a flying creature". In other words, they are the cells that will create new life and are even said to carry a different frequency! As the caterpillar's body recognizes these new cells, it begins to attack back; however, the imaginal cells are more powerful and persist and multiply, connecting and bonding with each other, ultimately winning the battle and forming the new, multi-cell creature that will emerge, leaving the old body dissolved. How amazing is this and such a reflection of the intense battle within us between flesh and Spirit?! And just as the imaginal cells, or "new life" cells, win the battle over the old, so will the Spirit within us ultimately conquer the flesh! And when this happens, authentic, pure beauty emerges! As I ponder this, I think of how my Father's "cells" were within me from the beginning... waiting to be birthed at the appointed time. Then once activated through repentance and faith in our Messiah and then nourished with the Word, the true transformation process began through sanctification. This sanctification, or isolation/intimacy, birthed a true surrender and submission of the flesh in willingness to be overcome by the powerful, persistent Spirit of the Living God! And this process still goes on today! He chose us, He purchased us, and He is faithful to finish His work in us in the fullness of Messiah Yahusha! We can rest with all assurance in this promise! Now the Lord is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is liberty. 2 Corinthians 3:17 As the transformation process within the chrysalis begins to cease, it will become somewhat transparent, and the new creature will become partially visible. At this point in time, the need for isolation and restriction is outgrown, and thus the struggle for emergence begins at its perfect "organic time". Notice the word "outgrown"... the time of isolation and restriction comes to an end as the creature is ready to emerge in its new identity! It is keenly aware of this timing as it begins to push against the lines inside the chrysalis by taking in air and pushing out with its abdomen. With much movement, which is absolutely necessary to exercise and strengthen itself, it pushes free from the chrysalis head-down, but once emerged, it immediately lifts its head upward where it sits perfectly still to allow its wings to expand and become firm. It is as if it says... I have emerged; I am here Father... now I wait on you to strengthen my wings! As it waits, it forms its own "proboscis" for drinking nectar and then pumps the fluid from its abdomen into its wings for firmness, lastly expelling anything extra from the abdomen to lighten the load for flight! It is now ready to fly!! There is no doubt that the transformation that takes place inside the chrysalis, worthy of the meaning "gold", reflects the same process that we go through as we begin to fully mature into the new creatures that will take flight, in the fullness of our identity in Yahusha, to soar above all that is below, all that is old, and all that earthly. It is a process of separation, isolation, stillness, death of flesh, and birth of the beauty of the Spirit of life. It simply must happen! It is also a process of finality -- it begins, it continues, and it ends in the fullness of the new creature. It is reflective of the promises of our Father that He will do all the work. He will draw us, He will plant the seed, He will nurture the seed, He will begin the sanctification process and set up all the needed circumstances along the way, He will provide all that is needed in us to complete this work, and He will ensure that at the perfect, "organic time" we are released to emerge into flight to soar in the calling He has determined for us. He will finish what He started in us, even if we feel stagnant, even if we feel tired, even if we feel we can't go on! I am amazed and encouraged by His creation and how He speaks through it, to show His endless and incredible love for us as well as His plans for each one individually! Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Yahusha ha Mashiach... Philippians 1:6 As I have gone through this journey over the last month or so, I have had the great pleasure of actually witnessing this process from the caterpillar stage to lift off! My aunt, completely engrossed in this, was gifted by our Father to allow her desire to watch the entire process become a reality. She was able to share pictures with me throughout the journey, along with all of her excitement and emotion up until "she", the new creation, flew away! Below is my aunt's new butterfly resting after emergence and then preparing to experience her new identity and freedom! As you now come to the conclusion of this post, stop and be still, and know.... Just as the caterpillar eats and grows and follows the lead of its nature into its own "sanctification" process; and without a care in the world rests until the proper time of emergence, so too will you under the faithful and careful leading and instructing of the Holy Spirit. And just as the Heavenly Father ensures with all certainty the emergence of the new and beautiful butterfly, how much more will He ensure this for you... His precious, blood-bought Bride?! There is no doubt that in your full submission in presenting yourself to Him, you will emerge and you will soar on eagles wings in your kingdom destiny as He has willed for you! Blessed be the name of Yahuah through His Son, Yahusha ha Mashiach! But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint. Isaiah 40:31
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Picture now the blast of the first light of the dawn through the thick darkness of night! What an explosion of power, might, and light! What an awesome fulfillment of the promises of mercy and joy, ours to behold and receive every single morning! This is only a small atom of the greatness of our God!! Can you imagine that we were created for such beautiful reasons -- to love, to be loved, and to worship the One who made us and redeemed us! The One who created the light and will always and forever triumph over darkness! The One who defines GREATNESS! Let this sink in! This people I have formed for Myself; they shall declare My praise! Isaiah 43:21 This post serves one purpose... to speak and shout of His glory and greatness! I am in awe when I read His word about Himself. I pray to know Him more and more, and this is how He shows me! How awesome and majestic is His greatness; how immeasurable is His faithfulness! Oh Yahuah, You are my God. I will exalt You; I will praise Your name, for You have done wonderful things. Your counsels of old are faithfulness and truth. Isaiah 25:1 Just allow the following scriptures to penetrate your physical body, then your soul, and then your spirit. Maybe consider listening to the audio of these scriptures, knowing that faith comes by hearing them (an audio link has been provided below): All scriptures in the section below are from Isaiah 40; click here for the audio link for the full chapter. Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand, and marked off the heavens with a span [of the hand], and calculated the dust of the earth with a measure, and weighed the mountains in a balance and the hills in a pair of scales? Who has directed the Spirit of the Lord, or has taught Him as His counselor? Isaiah 40:12-13 Have ye not known? have ye not heard? hath it not been told you from the beginning? Have ye not understood from the foundations of the earth? It is he that sitteth upon the circle of the earth, and the inhabitants thereof are as grasshoppers; that stretcheth out the heavens as a curtain, and spreadeth them out as a tent to dwell in: that bringeth the princes to nothing; he maketh the judges of the earth as vanity. Isaiah 40:21-23 To whom then will ye liken me, or shall I be equal? saith the Holy One. Lift up your eyes on high, and behold who hath created these things, that bringeth out their host by number: he calleth them all by names by the greatness of his might, for that he is strong in power; not one faileth. Isaiah 40:25-26 Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary? There is no searching of his understanding. He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength. Isaiah 40:28-29 Oh how He is fully worthy for our praise and worship! One day soon, all creation will praise Him together!! Have we praised Him today? I often wonder what our praise does for Him. Does it create a certain frequency that streams quickly through the heavens directly to His ears? Does it bring joy and happiness to His heart, making Him smile? Does it cause Him to then rain down His love upon us to fulfill our every need? Although the Bible does not say this specifically, I think so! If we know He is in the midst of these praises, then He must come to us in some way! We know from experience that our praise brings His presence, and in His presence is fullness of joy! And we know that joy is directly from Him.... isn't this exactly why Yahusha said He wanted His joy in us to be full? When I really ponder all of this, it fills my soul with such satisfaction! And it is in this satisfaction and joy that we praise all the more! For we are His witnesses!! Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. I, even I, am the Lord; and beside me there is no saviour. Isaiah 43:10-11 Because thy lovingkindness is better than life, my lips shall praise thee. Thus will I bless thee while I live: I will lift up my hands in thy name. My soul shall be satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth shall praise thee with joyful lips: Psalm 63:3-5 May your shalom be perfect and your joy be full as you praise our Almighty God and Savior this day, no matter what the circumstances, no matter how you feel, no matter where you are... for this is your purpose in this life and the one to come! Alleluyah!!
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Special NoteThese writings are written in love and a spirit of servitude. They are not designed to judge but make us think. We are all sinners in need of saving, and we all need encouragement and absolute truth to endure on the narrow road to sanctification and ultimately eternal life. Categories
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