Monarchs & Miracles
Message by: Loni Briner
Over the past few years, Loni and her mom have been blessed to be two of many helpers who do their best to help bring back an endangered species - the monarch butterfly.
During their time in this “farming” adventure, God has shown Loni and Kim a LOT about His design.
But, Loni prefaced all of this with a reminder...
Matthew 6:26-34
[26] Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? [27] Can all your worries add a single moment to your life? [28] And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, [29] yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. [30] And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith? [31] So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ [32] These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. [33] Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need. [34] So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today.
Perfectly Placed Eggs - Perfect Care and Perfect Plans
Female monarchs who are laying eggs, ONLY lay eggs on native milkweed plants. This is critical.
Philippians 1:6
Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.
Monarch caterpillars eat only milkweed. The leaves provide the nutrients they need to grow through their five larval stages. Milkweed also contains cardenolides (cardiac glycosides), and they store some of these chemicals in their bodies, making monarchs distasteful or toxic to many predators.
Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
Caterpillar Poop & Constant Cleaning - How much more do we need?
After the eggs hatch, they spend the next two weeks keeping these poor, itty, bitty, little creatures in a safe and sanitary environment.
All the caterpillars do is eat and poop; this requires a LOT of replacing the paper towels and making sure the paper towels stay moist (but not too wet to create mold or drown the poor creatures), and providing fresh, safe leaves.
How like that is us and our walk? We feed on the Word, and we fall into our own messes. We fall back into old habits. BUT, how great is it that we have a perfect care-giver who will clean up after us time, and time again. We don’t deserve this kind of care, or love, but HE loves us to much, HE freely gives it.
Never stop asking…
Psalm 51:10-11
[10] Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. [11] Cast me not away from your presence, and take not your Holy Spirit from me.
Groups - Being Together Matters
As these creatures grow, they have a tendency of wanting to stay together. They can provide a bucket of fresh leaves, but the caterpillars will all go together to the same one (even if it is the grossest leaf in the bucket). Even monarchs understand the importance of not isolating ourselves. They show this longing and desire at all ages.
Even when they prepare for going into chrysalis, they keep together.
Hebrews 10:23-25
[23] Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. [24] And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, [25] not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.
Transformation - Even When it Doesn’t Make Sense
Romans 12:2
Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is - His good, pleasing and perfect will.
Two weeks after hatching out of their egg, the monarch caterpillar creates a silk (from its butt) to hang and prepare for the next big adventure. Their insides are liquefying as they hang, and when their bodies are ready, they shed off their old skin. If they don't rid of that old structure, they die. If they don’t rid of their old self, there is no hope for the new, bigger, better self to emerge.
How much truer is that for us?!?!
Ephesians 4:22-24
[22] to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, [23] and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, [24] and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
We HAVE to rid of our old selves. Our old habits. Our old tendencies. Our old desires. Our old pride. Whatever is covering the new you and keeping you from the new, better plans HE has for you - it has GOT to go!
You know… they also have to shed more than once in their life. The first time they lose their skin isn’t the only time they lose it. As they continue to grow, they continue to grow out of their old skin.
As we grow closer to Jesus and allow the Holy Spirit to rule in our lives, the more we will rid of our old selves!
Ephesians 4:25-32
[25] Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. [26] Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, [27] and give no opportunity to the devil. [28] Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. [29] Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. [30] And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. [31] Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. [32] Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
In Ephesians, the very next verse tells us how we can gauge if we have really ripped that old self off…
Ephesians 5:1-2
[1] Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children. [2] And walk in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.
When we look at the injustice in this world, and the pure evil that surrounds us, we should not become mean and bitter. We should not get righteously indignant - which would be easy to do… Our hearts should absolutely break. People who are doing evil are weak victims of demonic forces. They don’t have the strength to stand against the forces of the enemy. It is not our place to condemn them. It is our place to show them a way out of their circumstances. It is OUR JOB to show them Jesus!!!
We need to love them, pray for them, and pray with them. This is how we 1) most quickly and effectively destroy the works of the enemy, but also 2) prove that we ARE that new creation.
2 Corinthians 5:17
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.
Here in Ephesians, we are told to walk in love. How did Jesus walk? How did He treat others? What did He do for the worst of us? What did He do for us?
Does it make sense for a 12, stubby-legged creature to hang from its butt, form in a beautiful chrysalis made of a second layer of its old skin - for another couple weeks only to emerge as a completely different being - now having four stick-like legs; two small legs that curl up at its tiny, little face; long, curly straws to use for now eating nectar instead of milkweed leaves; and big, beautiful, giant leaf-like things hanging off its back that can flap up and down to make it fly? Does any of that make sense? No!
Does the love and grace of Christ make sense? No!
Christ loved us so much, He chose to die a brutal, awful death on the cross for OUR sins… that level of love does not make sense, yet - that is the same level of love we are supposed to strive to have and hold. Will we ever achieve Christ-level love? No. But, the Bible tells us that we are supposed to imitate God and walk in love, as Christ did. This becomes easier if you wake up each day with a Romans 12:2 mindset.
Romans 12:2
Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
So, proof of our transformation, proof of our being born-again, will not just be by the way we live, but by the way we love.
The Bible tells talks about “love” about 500 times. 500!!! If God brings this up in His holy word, that many times, we should be taking it very seriously.
The second we accept Christ, God gets to work.
Philippians 1:6
And I am sure of this, that He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.
Don’t let His work be in vain. We need to do our part in this transformation. We have to make the right decisions. We are not robots or puppets. It is up to us to put in the effort to live and love the way God calls us to.
The Great Migration - Following the Light
Now, being in Pennsylvania, we are positioned well-north of the equator. In the 1980’s, scientists learned that the North American monarchs were making a migration to the same exact location, in Mexico, each year. The monarchs that Loni and Kim release are a part of the super generation that make this journey. Scientists still do not know exactly why, but here are some theories:
Temperature and survival
Earth's magnetic field
Genetic programming
Day length
The sun as a compass
Regardless, we know what the Monarch’s migration looks like. What does our migration look like? Are we following after the Son?
John 8:12
Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.”
John 10:27
My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.
Miracles - Yesterday, Today, Forever
How can ANYONE look at the life and journey of the monarch butterfly and NOT believe in miracles?!
Over the years, Satan has put the power of God - the power of the Holy Spirit and in Jesus’ Name - in a tiny box. This is done through doubt and through man-written religious doctrines.
Loni recently learned about a tragic, but apparently common, religious doctrine that stifles the Holy Spirit - Cessationism.
Cessationism is the belief that certain miraculous spiritual gifts, such as prophecy, tongues, and miraculous healing, were given primarily to establish the early Church and ceased, or largely ceased, after the apostles died. This religious doctrine (or really, microdemonination - emphasis on demon) adds words to scripture to cripple the Holy Spirit.
Cessationism sometimes allows for the belief that God can still perform healing, but says that miracles are no more. Somewhere in the past 2,000 years, a false teacher convinced unwitting believers that only some of the Spiritual gifts are still alive today.
How sad is this?
People who believe this, and don't believe in the gifts of the Spirit, are missing out on the big, powerful, fullness of God - that He wants for us to intimately know and experience!
For a while, we were hearing the same theme from many of the speakers here at River’s Edge. They all talked about the Holy Spirit and how the Holy Spirit uses us by imparting spiritual gifts.
Galatians 5 lists the Fruits of the Spirit…
Galatians 5:22-23
[22] But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.
These are the FRUITS. All born-again believers should be reflecting these characteristics - that is how the world will know who is, and is not, filled with the Holy Spirit. These are the attributes that prove we have accepted Jesus, and that we are living like the following scriptures….
Luke 6:39-40
[39] He also told them this parable: “Can the blind lead the blind? Will they not both fall into a pit? [40] The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher.
Y’all…. Isn’t that where we are at? Are we not studying and trying to be like our Lord and Savior Jesus?
Romans 8:28-30
[28] And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose. [29] For those God foreknew He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. [30] And those He predestined, He also called; those He called, He also justified; those He justified, He also glorified.
The image of His son? That is a really high standard, but that is the standard we are supposed to be working towards each and every day. We are supposed to be raising ourselves to this standard - not bringing that standard down to a worldly, lesser level.
2 Corinthians 3:12-18
[12] Therefore, since we have such a hope, we are very bold. [13] We are not like Moses, who would put a veil over his face to prevent the Israelites from seeing the end of what was passing away. [14] But their minds were made dull, for to this day the same veil remains when the old covenant is read. It has not been removed, because only in Christ is it taken away. [15] Even to this day when Moses is read, a veil covers their hearts. [16] But whenever anyone turns to the Lord, the veil is taken away. [17] Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. [18] And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into His image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit.
Are you following along here? We are not supposed to re-write who Jesus or the Holy Spirit are. We are not supposed to transform them into an image that suits what the world says they are or what the world says they can do. We are supposed to be transformed into HIS image. HIS image was full of love and grace, and He performed miracles at every step of His ministry. As He handed-off His ministry to his disciples, they were transformed into His image. As those they preached to and reached were also filled with the Spirit, they too were transformed into His image. The Holy Spirit was never meant to be put in a box. It was meant to be spread - like fire!
Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.
We are supposed to be striving to be more like HIM… not making HIM more like us. That is why it is so critical that we are using the gifts He gives us.
OK, so now that we know we are not confusing the FRUITS with the GIFTS of the Spirit, let’s get into the gifts. But, before we get into the gifts, please note it imperative for the Church to be using these gifts. The Bible tells us the Holy Spirit wants born-again believers to come together and use their gifts. Paul actually lays this out before talking about the gifts…
1 Corinthians 12:1-6
[1] Now about the gifts of the Spirit, brothers and sisters, I do not want you to be uninformed. [2] You know that when you were pagans, somehow or other you were influenced and led astray to mute idols. [3] Therefore I want you to know that no one who is speaking by the Spirit of God says, “Jesus be cursed,” and no one can say, “Jesus is Lord,” except by the Holy Spirit. [4] There are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit distributes them. [5] There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord. [6] There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work.
Our bodies have different parts. That is how it is with the Church too. Not everyone has every gift. Paul continues…
1 Corinthians 12:7
Now to each one the manifestation of the Spirit is given for the common good.
This verse does not read: “Now, to only my disciples…”
This verse does not read: “Now to each of only a select few of my followers…”
This verse does not read: “Now to each one, except the next generation of Christ-followers and beyond…”
The Greek word for “each one,” here is:
ἕκαστος
hekastos: each, every, every one
We are a part of the EACH ONE!
This is the same “each one” Jesus uses in Matthew 18:35 when He commands us to forgive each other.
This is the same “each one” Jesus uses in John 16:32 when He says His followers will be scattered and that we need to use His name in prayer.
Ya’ll - This is the same “each one” used in Acts 2:6 and Acts 2:8, when the Holy Spirit came over the believers “like a violent wind” and had everyone in that household speaking in tongues.
The gifts are not for some. They are for EACH ONE who is filled with the Holy Spirit!
Let’s continue in 1 Corinthians to read what the gifts of the Spirit are..
1 Corinthians 12:8-11
[8] To one there is given through the Spirit a message of wisdom, to another a message of knowledge by means of the same Spirit, [9] to another faith by the same Spirit, to another gifts of healing by that one Spirit, [10] to another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues. [11] All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.
So, to summarize, here is the list:
word of wisdom
word of knowledge
faith
gifts of healing
working of miracles
prophecy
discerning of spirits
divers kinds of tongues
interpretation of tongues
Society and religious limitations have alienated some of the gifts of the Spirit. Some of them are easier for this world to digest, and some are not.
Another reason that people are hesitant to believe in the gifts of the spirit is because of false prophets. Unfortunately, over the generations, false prophets have given this gift a bad reputation. But, we should not be surprised that there have been so many successful false prophets. The Bible warns us about them.
Matthew 24:24
For false messiahs and false prophets will appear and perform great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect.
Look at the Muslim cult. Islam was born almost 600 years after Christ came to earth… They have 1.8 billion followers who fell for a false prophet who also skewed the Bible in obedience to the angel of light… that angel being Lucifer, or satan.
The book of Jude even calls it that the Church will be split on this issue and note that there are people who will not have the Spirit.
Jude 19-21
[19] These are the people who divide you, who follow mere natural instincts and do not have the Spirit. [20] But you, dear friends, by building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, [21] keep yourselves in God’s love as you wait for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ to bring you to eternal life.
Do you want to be one of those who do NOT have the Spirit….
We are not given ALL of these gifts, but we are ALL given gifts from this list! Now, for the sake of time, I am just diving into the gift the Monarchs remind me of the gift - WORKING OF MIRACLES.
Everyone believes in healing. However, healing is not the same as miracles.
What did Jesus have to say about all of this?
Mark 16:17-18
[17] And these signs will accompany those who believe: In my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; [18] they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well.”
John 14:12-14
[12] Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father. [13] And I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. [14] You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
Miracles are still very real! Testimonies are everywhere… you just have to look!
WE are called step out, in faith, and call for miracles in Jesus’ name and let HIM be glorified through it.
Again, fake “healers” from over the years have turned people from believing in miracles. Do not let liars and thieves turn you from God’s word and purpose!
Cessationism perverts Scripture in an effort to confine the Holy Spirit to only exist as a Jiminy Cricket being. This is very scary considering that Jesus said,
Mark 3:29
Whoever blasphemes against the Holy Spirit never has forgiveness, but is guilty of an eternal sin.
Instead, we are given the Spirit and told NOT to quench the Spirit …
1 Thessalonians 5:19-21
[19] Do not quench the Spirit. [20] Do not treat prophecies with contempt [21] but test them all; hold on to what is good.
God has not changed.
Hebrews 13:8
Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.
What has changed is our willingness to step out in faith and embrace these gifts that the Church needs to be using in anticipation of Christ’s return! …..
1 Corinthians 1:7-8
[7] Therefore you do not lack any spiritual gift as you eagerly wait for our Lord Jesus Christ to be revealed. [8] He will also keep you firm to the end, so that you will be blameless on the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Acts 2:17-18
[17] “‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. [18] Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days, and they will prophesy.”
This is directly from the book of Joel.
Joel 2:28-29
[28] “And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. [29] Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days.”
Do you believe we are in the last days? Then, these verses should tell you how important it is to learn what your spiritual gift (or gifts) are, and use them for His Kingdom!
So, yes… monarch butterflies are a reminder to me of what a living, brilliant, creative, sovereign God we serve. But, they remind (and show) us that miracles are real. They remind us God can do whatever He wants.
God is waiting for obedient followers who are ready to be used in His powerful ways.
Will you step out and step up? Will you find your spiritual gift and let God use you?
Will you show the world love while you show the world His power? Rise up, Church!
