Tag Archives: God’s Gift

Green-tailed Sunbird – Wordless Bird

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Green-tailed Sunbird (Aethopyga nipalensis) by Peter Ericsson

The green-tailed sunbird (Aethopyga nipalensis) or Nepal yellow-backed sunbird is a species of bird in the family Nectariniidae.

It is found in the northern regions of the Indian subcontinent, stretching eastwards into parts of Southeast Asia.

Its natural habitats are temperate forests and subtropical or tropical moist montane forests. In southeast Szechwan and Yunnan, it lives in open mountain woods with moss-covered trees, from 1825 to 3350 meters elevation.

When viewing this bird, the Wordless Book/Wordless Birds came to mind. Let’s see if we can find all the colors need.

There is definitely Gold/yellow on this beautifully created Sunbird from our Creator.

Green-tailed Sunbird (Aethopyga nipalensis) ©WikiC male

“This GOLD bird reminds us of Heaven. The Bible tells us Heaven has a street of gold! But the best part about Heaven is that God, who created you and me, lives there. The Bible, God’s Word, says: “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” — John 3:16 Jesus, God the Son, is in Heaven preparing a place for all who put their trust in Him. (John 14:2-3) God is holy and perfect. He cannot allow anything in Heaven that is less than perfect, so there’s one thing that can never be in Heaven. Can you think of what that might be?”

Black/Dark is the next color in the Wordless Book/Birds

Green-tailed Sunbird (Aethopyga nipalensis) ©WikiC male

It is sin! That is what this DARK bird reminds us of. Sin is anything you think, say, or do that does not please God, like lying, cheating, being selfish, or hurting others. The Bible says: “All have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” — Romans 3:23 That means everyone, big or little, young or old! No matter where you live or who you are, you have sinned. Everyone is born with a “want to” to do wrong. God says that sin must be punished (Romans 6:23), and the punishment for sin is to be separated from God forever in a place of suffering….a place called Hell. But God has a wonderful plan so that you will not have to be punished for your sin!

Red is next which stands for Sin

Green-tailed Sunbird (Aethopyga nipalensis) by Peter Ericsson

God sent Jesus Christ, His perfect Son, to be born as a little baby. Jesus lived a perfect life….He never sinned. When He was grown, wicked men nailed Him to a cross. This bird is RED reminding us of Jesus’ blood. The Bible says that without the giving of blood there can be no forgiveness of sin (Hebrews 9:22). So Jesus Christ willingly died to take your sin punishment. “…Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day, according to the Scriptures.“— 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 Now, because of what Jesus has done for you, you can have your sins forgiven. Read on to see how!

White is a little harder to find on the Green-backed Sunbird, but this Lovely Sunbird has plenty of white. It is in the same family.

Lovely Sunbird (Aethopyga shelleyi) ©WikiC

The Bible says: “As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believed on His name.” — John 1:12 The WHITE bird reminds us of a CLEAN heart. How can you have a clean heart? A = Admit to God you are a sinner and want to turn away from those sins. B = Believe in Jesus Christ, that He is God’s perfect Son who died for your sin, was buried, and rose again. C = Call on Him to save you from your sin. Would you like to do that right now? He has promised to hear, and once you are His child, He will never leave you (Hebrews 13:5). Take a moment and talk to God right now. It will change your life forever. Only one more color! What can it mean?

Green is for Growth after you accept the Lord as your personal Savior.

Green-tailed Sunbird (Aethopyga nipalensis) by Peter Ericsson

The GREEN bird stands for things that grow. When you ask God to forgive you and save you, you become His child. God wants you to get to know Him better and to grow to become more like Him. These four things will help you grow:

1. PRAY (talk to God every day)
2. READ & OBEY THE BIBLE (to know what He says, then do it)
3. TELL OTHERS ABOUT JESUS
4. GO TO A BIBLE-BELIEVING CHURCH (where you can learn more about pleasing Him)

As a child of God, if you should sin again, stop and tell Him about it. He promises in His Word… “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” — 1 John 1:9 Ask God to help you live a life to please Him! Share the Good News of this story with someone else.

The Wordless Book has been used for many years by CEF (Child Evangelism Fellowship). These words are from CEF.

See more Wordless Birds

Lee’s Three Word Wednesday – 5/3/17

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Firey-throated and Volcano Hummingbird ©Raymond Barlow

GIFT OF GOD

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“And also that every man should eat and drink, and enjoy the good of all his labour, it is the gift of God.” (Ecclesiastes 3:13 KJV)

Firey-throated and Volcano Hummingbird ©Raymond Barlow

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More Daily Devotionals

What A Wonderful Savior

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He is Risen from an e-mail

Tomorrow is Easter and many will attend church for many reasons. Some will go to show off a new outfit, some will go because it is the one time a year they always go, and many of us will go because it is our normal Sunday habit. Whatever the reason, it is a celebration of the resurrection of Our Savior. Yesterday, Good Friday, His death on the cross was commemorated.

Many of us have the knowledge of the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Knowledge is one thing, belief is another. Many can quote John 3:16, even those who do not believe in Christ as their Savior:

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:16-18 KJV)

I like Easter and like many, I used to attend church once a year, no matter where I went to church; Catholic, Luther, Methodist, Baptist. Then in 1959, my sister’s father-in-law, Dulin, accepted the Lord as his personal Savior. He accepted the Gift that is offered by Christ’s sacrifice for our sins. He then started telling my sister and her husband, Sharry and Joe, about the Lord and so in February 1960 they were saved, by accepting the Lord. You guessed it, they started telling me about how Christ died for me and that I could be saved by believing in the Lord and accepting His gift of salvation.

So on March 20, 1960, after being invited to church with them, I decided to break a record and go to church two times in one year. Not having been raised in a Christian home, I wasn’t perfect, neither was I bad, but as I listened to Pastor Charlie Kittrell preach, I realized that I WAS a SINNER and I need Christ as my Savior. It finally clicked. The knowledge finally got from my head down to my heart. Praise the Lord I was led to the Lord that morning. My life has forever been changed.

Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV)

So this Easter is my 53rd as a new creature in Christ. Praise the Lord, what a Wonder Savior He has been to me these many years. Am I prefect? No way, but I am forgiven and when I do mess up, I John 1:9 is always there to remind me to ask forgiveness. That is not to be saved again, but to return to fellowship with the Lord.

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9 KJV)

I was 16 then and this year I’ll turn 70. What a wonderful life the Lord has given me. He provided a super Christian husband that has put up with me all these years. We will be celebrating our 50th in July this year. Blessings and challenges, but Christ has always been there as we have tried to live for Him. We both had the privilege of graduating from Bob Jones University, though it took me 16 years to get through. (Speak of a slow learner :) ) We also have a fantastic church with a great Pastor and staff. Plus, He has given me an enjoyment of His creation, especially His birds. On and on I could go, but it all is from the Lord.

What about you? I trust you know Him also. If not, please consider what this weekend is all about. It is a celebration of God’s Son coming to earth and paying for our sins by His death on the cross. (short version) Best of all, it doesn’t end there. He is Risen! Death could not keep Him because  He was God in the Flesh. He loves you enough that He died for your sins. Won’t you accept His gift of salvation?

Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life. (Romans 5:18 KJV)

For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 6:23 KJV)

Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift. (2 Corinthians 9:15 KJV)

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (Ephesians 2:8 KJV)

Sharing The Gospel

Gospel Presentation is narrated by Pastor Nathan Osborne III and music is by Sean Fielder from Gospel Presentation