So, on my journey of bees......it's amazing to me How God could use anything {including these tiny little creatures} to minister and speak to my heart.
Bees: Bees are flying insects closely related to wasps and ants, and are known for their role in pollination and for producing honey and beeswax. Bees are a monophyletic lineage within the superfamily Apoidea, presently classified by the unranked taxon name Anthophila. There are nearly 20,000 known species of bees in seven to nine recognized families,[1] though many are undescribed and the actual number is probably higher. They are found on every continent except Antarctica, in every habitat on the planet that contains insect-pollinated flowering plants. Source Wikipedia.com . So wow! that's pretty cool we all pretty much knew what they do, pollenate.
Importance of Bees: Honey bees have become the primary source of pollination for approximately one-fourth of all crops produced in the United States and some other countries. The value of the crops that rely on such pollination has been estimated as high as $10 billion annually in the United States. Examples of fruit crops that rely on honey bees are almonds, apples, apricots, avocados, blackberries, blueberries, cantaloupes, cherries, cranberries, cucumbers, pears, raspberries, strawberries and watermelons. The seeds of many vegetables are also produced with honey bee pollination; examples include alfalfa, asparagus, broccoli, brussel sprouts, cabbage, carrots, clover, cotton, cucumbers, onions, radishes, squash, sweet clover, and turnips.
Many species of wild pollinators have disappeared from the land as their habitats have been destroyed or altered by humans. The honey bee has taken over as pollinator of many of the wild plants that remain; its ecological value in this regard is tremendous
Source: Evrything about Bees
So they are the ones that make our fruits and vegtables grow. Amazing little guys!! But in recent years, maybe since 2000, Bees have been disappearing. Which got me to thinking?? Lord is this a sign of the time and the end of the age??? Matt 24:3-8 says
Now as He sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to Him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will these things be? And what will be the sign of Your coming, and of the end of the age?"And Jesus answered and said to them: "Take heed that no one deceives you.For many will come in My name, saying, 'I am the Christ,' and will deceive many.And you will hear of wars and rumors of wars. See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet.For nation will rise against nation, and kingdom against kingdom. And there will be famines, pestilences, and earthquakes in various places. All these are the beginning of sorrows. Hmmm...I thought famines...is this one of them.
Recent studies have shown that An ominous phenomenon has baffled beekeepers and scientists alike: across the U.S., honey bees have been disappearing from their colonies. They aren’t just dying—they’re disappearing en masse. In 2006, U.S. beekeepers lost a third of their 2.4 million colonies,Bee Culture and 35 percent of the remaining colonies vanished the following year.Federation of American Scientists
The problem is known as Colony Collapse Disorder (CCD), and scientists suspect a combination of causes: pesticides, environmental stresses, pests such as the varroa mite, and pathogens such as the Israeli acute paralysis virus (IAPV)—which has been found in 96.1 percent of affected hives.USDA Awaiting answers, the agricultural industry is on edge: honey bees pollinate an estimated $15 billion in U.S. crops each year.USDA
Source: Takepart.com
Sorry I jumped the gun, on posting this without the 2 videos I wanted to share as well. At first, I have to be honest fear washed over me. But then I remembered in Matt 24:3-8 said...See that you are not troubled; for all these things must come to pass, but the end is not yet. So whew...my fear was immediately replaced with amazement. How God would give us these signs...in Bees. AMAZING!!! I just thought I'd share that with you all. God is amazing, I can not say that enough. God Bless you!!
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Saved By Grace Blog
That's just awesome and fascinating. I love how God continues to reveal His truths, never a dull moment. I loved reading this. I too have always been fearful of bees so I thought it was quite funny when the Lord instructed me to name my class the Busy Bees! God bless sis, I love your posts, you rock and are a blessing.
ReplyDeleteI find those facts fascinating. I too feel that about these times and my first reaction is fear but God tells us not to Fear and that is reasurring. His design is perfect. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteTami
Awesome!! Isn't it amazing how he could use bees to reveal himself to us. I thought it was fascinating too!! He seizes to amaze me everyday!!!
ReplyDelete