It’s not the standard we set for ourselves but the standard God sets for us. Character assassination.
Lord, we repent, we come back into alignment with you, to purely worship you. Good news bearer and bad news breaker! Lord, change my expectation, let it be of you and you alone.
How many of you have admired the beauty of butterflies and identified with their transformation from a caterpillar? There, however, is a process that it must go through, before appearing as a butterfly. First, the caterpillar emerges from a tiny egg and eats the leaves on which it arises. It is very hungry and eats much, shedding its skin and growing up to 100 times its original size. Second, it forms a chrysalis, which hangs from a twig or the underside of a leaf and hardens.
Inside, the pupa begins to digest its whole body. Soon, only a nutrient rich liquid remains, instead of the caterpillar. The wings and the entire butterfly form, in this restrictive protective environment. Finally, the butterfly fights its way out of the chrysalis, after undergoing a metamorphosis. Cutting the cocoon open to help, will result in underdeveloped wings that will never fly. The struggle to emerge, makes the butterfly strong. The butterfly rests for hours, before flying. Then butterfly soars, in testimony of its Creator.
The ugly caterpillar, into a beautiful butterfly transformation is a picture of what God does with our lives. We feed and grow, as we are hungry for more of the Lord. We consume the Word of God, growing in fellowship with the Lord, praising, worshipping, listening and obeying. We desire nothing more than to become more like him. Then we undergo a process of transformation, in the dark restrictive protection of the chrysalis, with our flesh dying, as we become liquid. We cry out to God because we find the process painful. Our Creator’s beauty shines, in our metamorphosis from caterpillar to beautiful butterfly.
It is important not to resist the process but to submit fully to the Master’s hand, on our lives. Do not complain about the restrictions, on your life because they are your protection, during the process. At the set time, we struggle to cast off the last remnants of the old season. This struggle causes us to become God dependent, we need him. Then others will marvel at the beauty of Jesus, seen in the redeemed completely transformed life, as we soar in the light of God’s love. It will cost you everything but you will gain so much more!
“Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].” (Romans 12:2 AMPC)
God’s Love will change your heart. Loving others with His love will change your life. Jesus gave his life so you and I could live. Love is dying to ourselves so others can live.
Submit to God and acknowledge that he is has sovereign control. Although, we cannot control life, we can surrender and choose to trust him. He created us and wants the best for us. It is our choice to let him have his way in our lives.
We can know him by listening to him, reading the Bible, and asking Holy Spirit to make it come alive, and help us. As we study the Word of God, we learn how he speaks to us in a unique way, loves us, and his character.
Be still (let go and release) and know (recognize, acknowledge and have an intimate relationship) that I am God. I will be exalted (highly valued or glorified) among the nations. I will be exalted in the earth. (Psalm 46:10)
Don’t worry about it, pray about it. Whatever is anxiety on your mind, concern on your heart, happening or needed for your day, pray. Pray about everything. God will respond when you pray. Anxieties disappear when you pray. Concerns are perfected when you pray. Your daily bread is given when you pray.
Praying the Father’s heart, changes things, people, regions, nations, and generations. Prayer releases vision, power, and purpose. God says, “Call, cry out to me, and I will show you great and mighty things you’ve never dreamed.” Don’t worry about it, pray about it. (Jeremiah 33:3; Philippians 4:6)
Though you fall thousands of times, it is imperative to get back up and continue. The journey does not go to the fleet of feet but to those who do not give up. The roll call of those who are faithful to God is filled with diverse personalities and challenges. Perfection is not needed only to persevere despite difficulties.
Failures and sin call for repentance, getting back on course, putting all trust in Yahweh and fully relying on him for strength not your prowess.
Now’s not the time to throw a pity party and wallow in the failures of the past or the challenges you face today. Instead, it’s time to praise God, for his goodness and to move forward! Keep your focus on God! You are an Overcomer!
For the lovers of God may suffer adversity and stumble seven times, but they will continue to rise over and over again. But the unrighteous are brought down by just one calamity and will never be able to rise again. (Proverbs 24:16 TPT)
God has redeemed us and is redeeming our wrongs, rights, health, finances, and our very lives.
Redeem means to buy or pay off; clear by payment: to discharge or fulfill; to obtain the release or restoration of, as from captivity, by paying a ransom. Redeem and ransom both mean to buy back. Redeem is wider in its application than ransom, and means to buy back; To ransom is to redeem a person from captivity by paying a stipulated price, or to redeem from sin by sacrifice: to ransom a kidnapped child. free, liberate, rescue, save. To pay off; To set free; rescue or ransom. To save from a state of sinfulness and its consequences.
To restore the honor, worth, or reputation of: Yeshua did and is in the process of doing all this for you.
Pure Glory 