Saw this interesting video the other night about hummingbirds as we were interested in how and where they place their nests. We see many hummingbirds in this area, and the feeder is always very low or out of the nectar.
In this video we saw, the nest was only about the size of your 1/2 (cup) measuring tool for the dry items.
The woman recording the episode showed two newly living babies. They were not really anything to look at, but their size was so awesome. And she would record as much as she could each day on the growth of the two hummingbirds. As they began to grow, they could move but with no room other than the ledge of the the tiny nest, they each took a turn to move into the others former position. She showed their eating habits. There was also the moments they would excrete or make their poop deposit on the side of the nest but not in it. Seriously they had really no room at all to fit comfortably. Then as quickly as the black colored pebble looking object left their body from the rear, there was a shot of excrement from their mouth. Not sure what that was all about, but did not think they were throwing up.
After the 24 days, one ventures to stand on the edge of the tiny nest, stretches his wings and flaps violently a couple times for the test, and swoosh he is off on his first adventure. She takes shots of him down in a flower bed, and then over to another higher place within just a few feet, then after another moment, he flies off.
The woman recording returns to the nest to watch and record the other little bird. Although this one is bigger in size, he seems more nervous about moving out of that tiny sanctuary. After several hours and high winds, he makes his attempt, and then flies away.
If you have seen one of those little birds, you can certainly appreciate the beauty that God captured in that little bird. The colors of their bodies are awesome. We have three different families of them here in this area. One we call "Green", one is "Red", and the other well, we mention that "Yellow" has returned. Each of them is a different size indeed!
My husband captured this little fellow with his camera here on this page about a week ago.
When we had first tuned in to the video, the "poop deposit" was the first thing I noticed. I was trying to figure out what it was and how it laid on the outside of the tiny nest. I could not imagine putting berries into their nest making, but was surprised when she had videoed the event happening.
The devil is always trying to make a "poop deposit" into their our lives. He surely thinks if we compromise, he will win. And I know in his thinking, he believes if he can get everyone to fall like he did, then God may perhaps change His mind and let the devil be.
Ah, but that is not what we read in the
book of Revelation.
Colossians 2:18-23
18 Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19 and not holding fast to the Head, from whom all the body,
nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God. 20 Therefore, if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world, why, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations-- 21 Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle," 22 which all concern things which perish with the using--according to the commandments and doctrines of men? 23 These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh. NKJV
Not holding fast to the Head,
JESUS, from whom the whole body, nourished and knitted together by joints and ligaments,
grows with the increase that is from God.
Therefore if you died with Christ from the basic principles of the world," why"........as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations-- 21 Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle," 22 which all concern things which perish with the using--according to the commandments and doctrines of men? 23 These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh. NKJV
Staying in that place
"connected" to God, we grow with increase. We do not diminish when we stay with God!
In self-righteousness, one is bent toward the self-imposed religion (their own) they have a false humility and neglect the body ( the body of believer's) and are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.
They can horde things. "Oh, I might need that for me."
But in receiving Jesus and standing with Him, we are the delivered from any yoke of bondage. We became free in Jesus. So any appointment from man will not stand, and is contrary to what God has purposed. Standing firm is adhering to him, and to trust in His Words of wisdom, not the wisdom of this world.
The true wisdom of Him always keeps to that given in the gospels. And it is the entire body subject to Jesus Christ.
From verse 23, there is no honor to satisfying the flesh creature. The only thing "the world" gives is to honor the flesh or to man's own pride.
It is seen from the Philip's translation that it is an asceticism practice. The word "asceticism is from the Greek...as to training or exercise in a life style. It also looks like the absence of worldly pleasures, seeking a
spiritual one.
One teaching is:
They will go so far as to move into what many know as a "frugal lifestyle". And they turn to time concentrating on religion or spiritual matters. Some will stay in the "humble abode" to show they are frugal, but all the while carry on taking many things they love to their bosom. It is like for those who desire to sleep on a bed of nails. They are punishing themselves, because they know not God. For if they knew Him, they would know His love!
I always hear today, for those to be themselves! Yikes! If they are doing it in themselves. For without God we can do nothing. It is an everyday, moving forward with God and not a one time a week thing.
Heard this testimony of man ( a pastor ) today originally from Australia who was raised in church from an early age. His relatives and grandparents were as missionaries and pastors. He went through all the things he needed to lead others. And he said one day, after being married for a short time, he had gotten upset with his wife, in their bedroom, he literally picked her straight up with his hands and told her that she made him angry and then out of anger, he tossed her to the bed. Even while this was going on, he told God in the same breath how she had angered him. Yet, God told him, she did not give you the anger, you have anger in your heart. The man asked his wife for forgiveness and asked God to show him where he held anger in his heart. Today he lives in South America today. He has a church of 35 thousand people. And he has influence with many people of many nationalities.
Although raised in a Christian home, his heart issues had not been dealt with. And in some short time he learned and gained God's wisdom on that "anger" issue.
Wisdom of the world is false. It is not profitable to anyone or anything!
But being tuned into God and speaking His words into our lives, we gain His wisdom and not the world's. wisdom. If we refuse God and His teachings, then we choose to live in
fantasy land. In that place there would be not brightness as the noonday. We are to go from glory to glory not from one tiny candle light to another similar light of same caliber. To me, that would be like those glow "Stick" lights on wrist bands or necklaces. They shine really pretty for a short while and then they fade away.
If we are chained into certain behavior, then we are choosing a life of the absurdity and many times in that of cruelty to others. God is mercy. His mercies are new everyday, but are we too busy to glean from those treasures He has for us to learn from and really live?
So living in Fantasy Land, one will have poop deposits within their own "land". Where they abide in themselves and call it religion, will be just that, "another religion" based on me, myself and I.
But to those who hear God's call, will certainly call others what God calls them. When applying God and His Word to our lives, He is our Shield. He is life and abundance. And it is that anointing to which we fulfill what He has asked us to do in this life right now. And if they be the "Teacher", the Deacon". "Evangelist" they will operate in that gifting like in the book of Acts! They flourish in that gifting God has placed in them. And to do anything else is contrary to what God purposed.
Our grand-daughter spent some time with us over the weekend. And she was helping to make some Oatmeal Scotchies. And when mixing the "sugars" together and adding the eggs, she mentioned she had the fruit of patience. So true when we abide in Jesus and His words. ( she is memorizing scripture and is doing really well)
Galatians 5:16-26
16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. 19 Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ's have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another. NKJV
Jesus walked in the Spirit and did not fullfil the lust of the flesh. Being faithful is important to fulfilling what God has asked you or I to do for His kingdom. In His goodness, we remain in His peace, and we see where we need the extra work in our lives. It is to be a love walk with others. BUT like the passage reveals, those with the workings of the flesh toward sorcery, hatred, contentions and jealousies will create a provoking atmosphere. Those who "hate" never leave. They stay. They like to complain, but explain it away. They can become critical especially of those younger ones. They are intent of keeping their ground although God is not there with them. With contempt for others, they are allowing the devil to help them make another "poop deposit"
in their land.
In the cities today, there are many crises going on. There are the homeless, those with mental issues walking the streets, and the young cast away like garbage.
Nurturing is an important part of people growing up. In that respect, we are all growing, and are suppose to be changing from glory to glory. Everyone needs Jesus to live and flourish!
2 Corinthians 3:10-18
10 For even what was made glorious had no glory in this respect, because of the glory that excels. 11 For if what is passing away was glorious, what remains is much more glorious. 12 Therefore, since we have such hope, we use great boldness of speech-- 13 unlike Moses, who put a veil over his face so that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the end of what was passing away. 14 But their minds were blinded. For until this day the same veil remains unlifted in the reading of the Old Testament, because the veil is taken away in Christ. 15 But even to this day, when Moses is read, a veil lies on their heart. 16 Nevertheless when one 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 liberty. 18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord. NKJV
Our liberty is in Jesus and through Jesus. It is not in Facebook or in man.
For our grand-daughter, she has so grown in the Lord to be the accomplished by the Holy Spirit. She is well on her way to mirroring the glory of the Lord as she is being transformed into that glory by the Spirit of the Lord. If we do not allow the Holy Spirit in, and ask for help in heart issues, then we live in fantasy land. Being nurtured by God Himself will bring a life of increase.
If it is in preaching, there is increase. If it is in writing, there should be increase. If in teaching others, it is seen as to be increasing in God. If you are challenged in a new job, God will increase you when you add Him to your day. If you are making a move, make sure God is in the equation of your life.
From Colossians 2:19...we are being nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, grows with the increase that is from God.
If it is not increasing, move. If you see you are in a place that is diminishing, that is not of God. For it is the devil who came to steal, kill and destroy, but Jesus came to give us life in abundance. There is no subtraction in HIS kingdom!
Move out of "poop deposit" land...heed God's wisdom and His warnings. If you are just looking for comfortable, "good luck in fantasy land" but if you really want to live as Jesus did, you will have ups and downs, but always rise in His strength, taking hold of His life to live for His kingdom that spells out victory every time. It is not over. but Jesus is returning soon. Let's keep looking up, and flourish in God. Amen.
The Voice of Prayer has a new teaching published:
