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
*
*
“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
*
*
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”
*
*
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
*
*
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
*
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
*
Sunday Inspiration – Finches I
Sunday Inspiration – Finches II
Fringillid Finches & Allies – Ian’s Birdway
Finch – Wikipedia
*
I’ll give you 2 seconds to get off me or I’m calling Mom.
Just thought you might need a smile for today. Received this link for the video in an e-mail. The Lord sure created some of the neatest critters. How can you not love these Pandas.
“For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind.” (James 3:7 NKJV)
*
*
“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
*
*
“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
*
*
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
*
Wood Stork at Gatorland Walking Past Me
*
Wood Stork at Gatorland Walking Past Me
*
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)
*
*
One thousand shall flee at the rebuke of one; at the rebuke of five shall ye flee: till ye be left as a beacon upon the top of a mountain, and as an ensign on an hill. (Isaiah 30:17)
Killdeer – Perching Piggyback ©Cutestpaw.com
*
*
“And they laughed him to scorn, knowing that she was dead.” (Luke 8:53)
Happy Owl From Email
*
*
Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; (1 Corinthians 13:4 NKJV)
Black Vulture at Gatorland by Dan
*
*
