Wood Duck by Dan at Lake Hollingsworth
Wood Duck (Aix sponsa) by Dan
Out of the ground the LORD God formed every beast of the field and every bird of the air, and brought them to Adam to see what he would call them. And whatever Adam called each living creature, that was its name. (Genesis 2:19 NKJV)
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Gallic Chicken (Gallus gallus domesticus) ©WikiC
The Olivet Discourse concludes with Christ prophetically announcing His own crucifixion at the upcoming Passover festival (Matthew 26:2). Obviously the Passover feast (which the ritualistic Jews had culturally transformed into a religious festival) is a Messianic type that foreshadowed Jesus the Christ (1st Corinthians 5:7), the unique Lamb of God [23] Who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29). The Passover continues to be mentioned by Matthew, from its celebration by Christ, in the “upper room” (Matthew 26:20-29), through the events of Christ’s crucifixion, which was the ultimate Passover, teleologically speaking.
Again, Christ is the great Shepherd of the “sheep” (i.e., believers, called “the flock of God” in 1st Peter 5:2), and He refers to His disciples as His “sheep” (Matthew 26:31) which He protects, redemptively, as He satisfies the prophecy of Zechariah 13:7.
The Matthew reports a disappointing incident in the life of the usually bold apostle Peter: Peter’s betrayal of Christ, as predicted by Christ.
Of course, this is the famous tattle-tale rooster, Gallus gallus domesticus — featured within Flag That Bird! – (Part 1)
This display of Peter’s imperfect courage and loyalty (even though his inward belief never failed) is linked to the thrice-crowing of a “cock” [alektôr], i.e., a rooster (Matthew 26:34), the last allusion to an animal in Matthew’s Gospel. What a sad note to end with!
Peter’s Denial
Yet, dispensationally speaking (i.e., in light of Romans chapters 9-11), the temporary failure of Peter, then, illustrates how the Jewish nation temporally failed to courageously and loyally endorse its Messiah, when He first came to them (John 1:10-11). But God’s rejection of unbelieving Israel is only temporary, as Romans chapter 11 indicates (see especially Romans 11:25).
Matthew’s Gospel documents who the Jewish nation failed her Messiah, so the newly promised “Church”-building (Matthew 16:17-18) program was established by God, as He put His workings through Israel on “hold”.
But the predicted thrice-crowing of the rooster [24] is not the last animal lesson in Christ’s cosmic curriculum. While we serve our Lord, daily (by His grace), we know and await that glorious day when He shall return to His own creation, not meekly riding a donkey with its colt, but triumphantly and powerfully galloping—on a white “horse” [hippos]—to Earth as Kings of kings and Lord of lords (Revelation 19:11-16)!
After the rooster crowed thrice (Matthew 26:69-75)—showing Peter’s moral weakness and Christ’s prophetic foreknowledge,–Christ offered Himself up, for our sins, as the true Lamb of God (Matthew chapter 27). After He fulfilled the “sign of Jonah”—rising from the dead (!) triumphing over death itself (Matthew chapter 28),—Christ visited His disciples and charged them (and us in their wake) with the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20).
Meanwhile, as we await the eschatological consummation of God’s foreordained plan for Earth history (which always fits His divine foreknowledge and decision-making – 1st Peter 1:2-4 & Romans 8:18-30), we are equipped by His indwelling Spirit (Romans 8:9-1), and by His holy Scriptures (2nd Peter 2:16-21), which provide us with revealed truth even more sure than the miraculous experience that Peter had, seeing Christ’s glory, when Peter was an eye-witness on the Mount of Transfiguration (2nd Peter 1:16-19).
May we appreciate Christ’s glory and truth as we treasure that “more sure word of prophecy”, the written Word of God which reveals to us the living Word of God!
<> JJSJ
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And they clothed Him with purple, and platted a crown of thorns, and put it about His head. (Mark 15:17)
Purple Glossy Starling of Tanzania aka Purple Starling ©s-media-cashe.
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Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of Me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad. (Matthew 26:31)
The Nat’l Geo photograph is identified as being from Vashlovani National Park in eastern Georgia (i.e., former Soviet Union “Georgia”, not the one that produces peaches in America!).
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And when they had platted a crown of thorns, they put it upon his head, and a reed in his right hand: and they bowed the knee before him, and mocked him, saying, Hail, King of the Jews! (Matthew 27:29 KJV)
Southern Grey Shrike (Lanius meridionalis) in thorns ©WikiC
The idea for using a bird in thorns came from Living In The Thorns
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“And when the disciples saw it, they marvelled, saying, How soon is the fig tree withered away! Jesus answered and said unto them, Verily I say unto you, If ye have faith, and doubt not, ye shall not only do this which is done to the fig tree, but also if ye shall say unto this mountain, Be thou removed, and be thou cast into the sea; it shall be done. And all things, whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.” (Matthew 21:20-22 KJV)
Double-eyed Fig Parrot (Cyclopsitta diophthalma) by Ian
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The high priest then asked Jesus of his disciples, and of his doctrine. Jesus answered him, I spake openly to the world; I ever taught in the synagogue, and in the temple, whither the Jews always resort; and in secret have I said nothing. Why askest thou me? ask them which heard me, what I have said unto them: behold, they know what I said. (John 18:19-21 KJV)
Red-billed Oxpecker on equid “neighbor”
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House Sparrows at National Aviary by Lee
“Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.” (Matthew 10:29)
Russet Sparrow (Passer rutilans) by Nikhil Devasar
And yet the Lord Jesus said that God knows and cares about every single sparrow! God had a reason for everything He created; each kind of animal has its own unique design for its own intended purpose. Modern biologists continue to waste time and talent developing imaginary tales about how all these multitudes of different kinds of creatures might have evolved from some common ancestor. Even some evolutionists have started calling these whimsical tales “just so” stories. They would really be better scientists if they would seek to understand the creative purpose of each creature rather than speculating on its imaginary evolution.
Sparrows in snow ©©Bing
The better we comprehend the amazing complexity and purposive design of each creature, the better we realize the infinite wisdom and power of their Creator. Then, all the more wonderful it is to learn that their Creator is our Father! He has placed them all under our dominion, and we need to learn to see them through His eyes if we would be good stewards of the world He has committed to us. We can also thank our heavenly Father that we “are of more value than many sparrows” (Matthew 10:31). HMM
The Price Of Sparrows – ©Institute For Creation Research (March 20, 2016)
Lee’s Addition:
“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16 NKJV)
I trust you enjoyed this article. Today, instead of the Seven Word Sunday, this devotional is being shared. Today, is my 56th Spiritual Birthday. On March 20, 1960, I accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as my Savior. What a day, the best day of my life; marrying Dan, the second.
Just like the Sparrows, my Father in Heaven, didn’t forget about me, but put those in my path to show me why I needed the Lord as my Savior. In my case, my sister and her husband had accepted Christ the month before. They started telling me about the Lord and invited me to church on the 20th of March. That morning I was shown the plan of salvation and after accepting the free gift of salvation, I left church a new creation.
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” (2 Corinthians 5:17 NKJV)
PRAISE THE LORD FOR HIS PLAN OF SALVATION
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House Finch (Haemorhous mexicanus) by Ian
Also he spoke of trees, from the cedar tree of Lebanon even to the hyssop that springs out of the wall; he spoke also of animals, of birds, of creeping things, and of fish. (1 Kings 4:33 NKJV)
Well, we are still working our way through the large Fringillidae – Finches family. Today, Part III, we will begin with the genus Haemorhous (various shades of red are characteristic plumage colors of this group) which is more familiar to us in the U.S. Those are our Purple, Cassin’s, and House Finches.
Yellow-breasted Greenfinch (Chloris spinoides) ©WikiC
After them the Greenfinches of the Chloris genus and the lone Desert Finch (Rhodospiza obsoleta), three Golden-winged Grosbeak (Rhynchostus) and an Oriole Finch (Linurgus olivaceus)
Yellow Canary (Crithagra flaviventris) Male ©WikiC
The next genus – Crithagra has 37 species which include Seedeaters, Citril, Canary, Serin, Siskin, and Grosbeak-Canary. With those, will end Finches III and save the rest of the family for Finches IV. Maybe with the DNA testing going on, some of this family may be split off to other families in the future and won’t be so large.
In case you missed the first two parts, you can click these links. Sunday Inspiration – Finches I and Sunday Inspiration – Finches II
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By them the birds of the heavens have their home; They sing among the branches. He waters the hills from His upper chambers; The earth is satisfied with the fruit of Your works. (Psalms 104:12-13 NKJV)
“Shout To The North and the South” ~ by Faith Baptist Church Choir
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Sunday Inspiration – Finches I
Sunday Inspiration – Finches II
Fringillid Finches & Allies – Ian’s Birdway
Finch – Wikipedia
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“As for us, our eyes as yet failed for our vain help: in our watching we have watched for a nation that could not save us.” (Lamentations 4:17)
Inca Terns ©Idiotphotographer.WordPress
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“And when Pharaoh drew nigh, the children of Israel lifted up their eyes, and, behold, the Egyptians marched after them; and they were sore afraid: and the children of Israel cried out unto the Lord.” (Exodus 14:10)
Puffin Marching ©Noupe.com
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On our last trip to Gatorland a few weeks ago, one of the Wood Storks became almost a pest. Dan caught me leaning on the rail taking photos of the Wood Stork as he walked toward me.
Wood Stork at Gatorland Walking Toward Me by Dan
Apparently, I was in the way, because,
Wood Stork walking on rail toward me.
Coming closer. Now you can see Dan taking the top photo.
Wood Stork walking on rail Coming toward me.
He is so close here, I could hardly focus on him. He then jumped-fly over my head. He almost knocked my cap off as I felt his feet on my cap.
Wood Stork walking on rail toward me.
He wanted on the other side and I WAS IN HIS WAY!!
Later, we came back past here, sure enough, our “over-friendly” Wood Stork was still hanging out for whatever hand out he might get.
Here are some more of Dan’s photos. Because of his long lens, either the Wood Stork or I was in focus.
Wood Stork at Gatorland Walking Past Me
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Wood Stork at Gatorland Walking Past Me
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Wood Stork at Gatorland Walking Past Me
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Now You Know Why He Was Walking Past Me
For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: (James 3:7 KJV)
This bird was used to being around people and enjoyed being “hand-fed.”
Here are a few more of my photos of this “Close Encounter With the Over-Friendly Wood Stork.”
“The wings of the ostrich wave proudly, But are her wings and pinions like the kindly stork’s? (Job 39:13 NKJV)
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