Bird Brains

JUL 02  / Sunday – Read Matthew 6:26

Overview: Bird have tiny brains, but are smarter than we think. One of their gifts is that they don’t overthink things, simply trusting their creator to supply their needs. Now that’s genius.

03 / Mon – Bird-watching  |  Read Matt 6:25-26 / Luke 12:6-7

Being labeled bird-brained is not usually a compliment. But birds are smarter than you might think. They find food, build nests, protect their young, even fly south for the winter. Many will mate for life. Some, like ravens, have remarkable memories and exhibit problem-solving skills. But there is one thing birds don’t do: worry. Do you have a problem with anxiety? If so, do some bird-watching this week and remember that your God cares for you in even greater ways. You can trust Him.

04 / Tue – Ravens  |  Read 1 Kings 17:1-6

God not only feeds the birds but also His people. Just as He took care of the Israelites by giving them manna and quail in the desert, the Lord provided Elijah with bread and meat during a severe famine. He used ravens to deliver two meals each day. Now food was just as scarce for the animals as it was for people, yet the birds did not eat what was reserved for Elijah. What are some unusual ways God has provided for you in the past? Will you let Him use you to feed others?

05 / Wed – Eagles  |  Read Isaiah 40:27-31

Eagles are known for several things. Their keen eyesight is four times stronger than 20/20 human vision. They have powerful wings which allow them to fly at high altitudes (over 10,000 ft above sea level) with speeds up to 150 mph. Eagles are one of the rare bird species that does not take shelter during a storm. They use the strong wind drafts to fly higher. In verse 31, the Lord promises you this kind of strength. What is the key? What will you do today to tap into that strength?

06 / Thu – Doves  |  Read Gen 8:6-12 / Luke 3:21-22 / Matt 10:16

Many people consider doves as symbols of peace, possibly because of their gentle manner and soft cooing. The dove Noah sent out brought back evidence that God had not abandoned them but was fulfilling the promises He had made. At Jesus’ baptism, the Holy Spirit appeared as a dove as the Father audibly declared him to be the Son of God. When sending out his disciples, Jesus told them to be wise but also to be innocent as doves. What insights do these verses give you? How could you be more dove-like in your everyday life?

07 / Fri – Hens  |  Read Luke 13:34

Have you ever seen newly hatched chicks? Those little balls of fluff are extremely vulnerable, especially when out in an open field. Predators can lurk nearby but the mother hen protects her chicks by hiding them under her wings. Jesus was grieving over Jerusalem. The people were rejecting him and the salvation he offered. (He also knew that 40 years later, Jerusalem would be destroyed and Israel would cease to exist as a nation for nearly 2000 years.) So where do you run when danger is on the horizon? Will you let the Lord be your security in fearful times?

08 / Sat – Takeaways  |  Read Psalm 19:1-4a / Job 12:7-10 / Rom 1:20

Although sin has left its mark, you can still learn much about God through His creation. The beauty of the skies, the variety of vegetation, the characteristics of different animals and the human body’s incredible design. What have you learned this week about God’s care of the birds He has created? Do you understand how much more valued you are? Will you allow yourself to give up the habit of worry? You can, if you believe God is who He says He is and what He says about you…precious, valued, loved, and cared for. This is who you are in His eyes.