Messages of God's Love: 1983

Johnny and his sister Susan went to live on the farm with their grandparents after their parents were killed in a car accident. Feeding the animals and helping with chores seemed like a lot of fun, and soon they were adjusting to their great loss. Johnny liked the open country where he would sometimes amuse himself by throng stones at real and pretend targets.

One day, he was throwing stones at different objects, trying to get as close as possible without actually hitting the targets. “Hey, Johnny,” called his sister, “see how close you can get to Grandma’s pet goose without hitting it!”

Johnny took aim and threw a large stone. Just then the goose took a step forward into the path of the stone. It struck the goose on the head and she rolled over—DEAD!

Grandma’s favorite pet, “Mollie,” was dead! Johnny’s face turned white as he thought of how badly Grandma would feel. In panic he grabbed a shovel, dug a hole behind the barn, and quickly buried the dead goose.

That evening just before supper Grandma asked Susan to walk out to the mailbox to get the newspaper. As soon as Susan got out of Grandma’s hearing, she turned to Johnny and ordered, with new-found authority, “Go get the paper.”

“Hey, that’s your job!” he complained.

“Well...how about Grandma’s goose?” she asked with a sneer. “Should I tell her...?”

Johnny was already on his way to the mailbox.

After supper Grandma asked Susan to sweep the front porch. Knowing what was coming next, Johnny tried to hide, but Susan was right behind him.

“Grandma wants you to sweep the front porch,” she said in mock sweetness.

“No way!” he snorted.

“How about Grandma’s goose?” she nagged. She had the upper hand and Johnny knew it.

For several days Susan ordered Johnny around, enjoying every minute of it.

Each time Grandma asked about the goose they both would act innocent—Johnny because of his guilt and fear, and Susan because of the power it gave her over Johnny.

On Saturday Grandpa announced that he was going into town and asked if they would like to join him. Susan quickly accepted, but Johnny decided to stay at home. By now his guilt hung over him like a thunder cloud and he wanted to be alone for a while.

After thinking about it Johnny decided to confess it all to Grandma. He found her in the sewing room in her favorite rocking chair. With eyes already filling with tears, he walked slowly up to her.

“Grandma...I...I...I have something to t-t-tell you,” he mumbled.

Peering at him over her glasses, she could tell that something was wrong. “Johnny, what is it?”

“Grandma, I didn’t tell you the truth about Mollie.” His tears were rolling now. There was no turning back as he blurted out his confession.

“I was throwing a rock near Mollie last Friday, and she walked right in front of it. I didn’t mean to kill her. I was so scared...I buried her behind the barn. Grandma, I’m sorry... please forgive me,” he sobbed.

Grandma put her sewing down, removed her glasses and, putting her arm around Johnny, pulled him close. “I saw it all from the window. I know it was an accident. I’m so glad you finally told me all about it. Of course Grandma forgives you. I love you very much. We’ll get another goose, okay?”

She wiped his tears and gave him a big hug and a kiss. He heaved a big sigh of relief, and it was a different boy who bounded out the door with new-found happiness.

Grandpa’s pickup truck pulled into the driveway, and Susan came running up the steps and into the house. A few minutes later she came out looking for Johnny.

“You need to do the dishes for Grandma!” she announced to Johnny.

“Oh no I don’t,” he answered, “she asked you!”

“Johnny,” she whined threateningly, “how about Grandma’s goose?”

Johnny stood tall with a smile of triumph. His confession and Grana’s forgiveness had removed the weight of that guilt from him. He was no longer a slave to anyone.

Looking boldly into Susan’s eyes, he repeated her question, “HOW ABOUT GRANDMA’S GOOSE?” He was free at last!

‘This little story is a picture of Romans 8:1. “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”

We have all sinned, but trying to “work off” the guilt as Johnny tried will not free us of its slavery. There is only one way to be free, the way Johnny finally found freedom. Let us confess our sin and receive forgiveness from the Lord Jesus who already knows about it and is just waiting for us to come to Him. We must believe that the Lord Jesus Christ is our only hope, and that He died on the cross for sinners.

If you believe that He died for your sins, He promises you everlasting life. Won’t you accept Him as your Saviour now?

“All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23.

ML-01/02/1983

Tammy's Doll

Tammy used to pass a store that had a beautiful doll in the window. One day when she and her brother Tim were passing the store, Tammy said, “I would just love to have that doll!”

What a surprise Tammy had a few weeks later! Her brother gave her a box, and what do you think was in it? It was that very same doll she had seen in the window. How she thanked Tim over and over again for such a wonderful gift.

Do you think Tammy paid her brother for the doll? Oh no! She just accepted it and thanked him for it. And that is what God wants us to do with His wonderful offer of salvation—just take it as a free gift. He has sent His beloved Son, the Lord Jesus, to die for you. If you ask Jesus to be your Saviour and thank Him for dying for you, God will make you one of His own children. Why not come to Him today? God’s gift of salvation is the best of all gifts.

“Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift.” 2 Corinthians 9:15.

“The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23.

ML-01/02/1983

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Pesky Mosquito

“And unto Adam He said, Because thou hast hearkened unto rue voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake; in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life.” Genesis 3:17.

The week of rain has formed pools of water in low spots. It has filled the bottom of an old tire leaning against a tree and collected in empty cans along the roadside. What does this have to do with mosquitos? Simply that these places make excellent spots for mosquitos to lay their eggs.

It only takes a day or two for mosquito eggs to hatch into “wrigglers.” They have a head on one end and tubes for breathing and feeding on the other. They immediately begin their odd wriggle from the bottom of their water home to the top. There they gulp air and take in microscopic food, then drop back to the bottom and repeat this cycle over and over again.

After a week or so the wriggler changes into a hard-covered pupa, now called a “tumbler,” because it continues this up-and-down cycle in spite of this change. In just a few days, however, it is ready to shed its skin and become a fully developed adult. But this does not happen quickly. While in the pupa stage it has developed a breathing system, looking like tiny portholes along its body.

Rising to the surface for the last time, the skin on its back breaks open. It then pumps air into its body through the portholes. This causes it to expand, making the opening wider, although still attached to its old skin. In this position it frees its wings, beak, six legs and antennae. The veins of its wings expand and open as air is pumped into them. It rests for a day on its floating shell, allowing its newly exposed body to harden. Then it takes off with the familiar hum of its wings. Another marvel of God’s creation has been completed!

But not all eggs become mosquitos. In swamps, ponds and streams the wrigglers become food for fish, ducks, frogs and others. In Alaska young salmon eat them by the millions.

The male mosquito lives on nectar, fruit juices or sap. It is only the female that seeks the blood of humans and animals. Her dagger-like beak forms a protecting and strengthening sheath for six hidden, sharp “stingers.” These slice through the skin, searching out a blood vessel from which to pump blood to satisfy her appetite.

Certainly mosquitos are not liked by man or beast, but God has provided these remarkable little creatures to fulfill a place in the chain of life. The pain of a mosquito bite is a reminder that sin has left its mark on all creation (as indicated in our opening verse), marring it in many ways. Its loveliness will not be restored until a time to come when the Bible tells us the Lord Jesus Christ shall be owned as “the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords.” 1 Timothy 6:15.

Before that time all who have accepted Him as their Lord and Saviour will be called to heaven where He dwells and where no sin will ever mar its unspeakable glory or the joy of those who are there. Will you be among that number?

ML-01/02/1983

A Dog Called Missy

Memory Verse: “Seek ye the Lord while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near.” Isaiah 55:6

Mr. and Mrs. Jacob Zanger and their children lived on a farm in California. They had to leave the farm and move to Kansas. They had a dog named Missy which they all loved, but Mr. Zanger explained to the children that they could not afford to keep Missy any longer. Leaving the dog with a kind neighbor, the Zanger family drove away one morning.

At first Missy refused to stay with her new owner, returning each night to the empty Zanger farmhouse. Finally, after a week of disappointed waiting, the dog disappeared.

Ten months passed. The Zangers were now settled in their new home in Kansas where the father had gotten a job.

But even though the parents had said they could now afford to have a dog, the children still loved Missy and refused to get another dog.

One day, as the youngest boy was walking home from school, a dirty-looking dog came rushing toward him. The little boy was frightened by the scraggly, skinny animal bounding toward him. He turned to run, but the dog was jumping up on him with her tail wagging and her tongue kissing him all over his face! It was Missy, who somehow had traveled more than 1,500 miles from California to Kansas! The story of her ten-month journey will never be known, but Missy had searched until she found her “family.”

What a story about the devotion of a dog to the family she loved! Surely, it was love that carried her on and on, over those endless miles, until she found herself “home” at last. She found the “home” which she searched for in the midst of her family circle, loved and cared for by the children especially. But as happy as Missy was to be home, the happiness of the children in having her home was greater.

Well, this happy picture makes us think of the more wonderful story of a much longer journey, and of a much greater love. The Lord Jesus Christ left His home in heaven and came down to this world to find and save lost sinners, so that He might have them in heaven with Himself. But how different His welcome was from Missy’s! Except for a few poor people whose hearts God had prepared to receive Him, there was no welcome for Him in this sin-filled world. “He came unto His own, and His own received Him not.” John 1:11. He had to say, “They have rewarded Me evil for good, and hatred for My love.” Psalms 109:5.

But the Father who sent Him loves us anyway, even though there was no love in our hearts for His Son. He is going to fill heaven with those who accept His Son, the Lord Jesus as their Saviour. It was on the cross that the Lord Jesus suffered the punishment for all those who believe in Him. His blood shed there washes all our sins away. We will be welcome in heaven, because of what the Lord Jesus has done for us.

Now, those of us who know Him as our Saviour are all on a journey traveling on to eternity to be united with loved ones gone before, to be forever with Jesus in the love and happiness of His home.

But for those who won’t have the Saviour and refuse His love, to leave this world will be to pass into the darkness, misery and despair of hell, where there will be no love or comfort of friends—only “weeping and gnashing of teeth.” Matthew 8:12.

ML-01/09/1983

Ian's Snowy Ride

Four-year-old Ian was bouncing with excitement as he peered out the front window of the car. This ride was turning out to be more fun than he had expected.

It had been snowing for several days, and although the plows had cleared the roads and pushed the snow back into huge snowbanks, the road was still slippery. Now it was snowing again, and our car was slipping and sliding up the hill on our way to Sunday school.

Ian’s eyes were sparkling. He enjoyed the snow and had no thought of danger, but I was getting worried.

Finally I said, “Ian, I’m afraid we may not get to Sunday school. We may end up stuck in a snowbank.”

Ian sat up straight in his seat and, trying to sound as grown-up as possible, said, “Don’t worry! If our car gets stuck I’ll push it out.”

I thanked him for offering to help, but I was very glad when we arrived safely at Sunday school without getting stuck since I did not have much faith in Ian’s promise. He was ready to help and he was willing to help, but he was just not able.

The Bible tells us that we need to be saved from a danger far greater than being stuck in a snowbank. We read that “all have sinned” (Rom. 3:23), that “the wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23), and that “after this (death) the judgment” (Heb. 9:27). There is no way that we can escape this danger by ourselves. Ian was ready and willing to help push a stuck car, but he was not able to do it. The Lord Jesus Christ is not only ready and willing to save us from our sins, but He tells us that He is “able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him.” Hebrews 7:25.

Won’t you come to Him today?

ML-01/09/1983

"Big Fin"

Big Fin was the name given to a very special 21-inch rainbow trout. I’m sure Big Fin looked like any other rainbow trout—brightly cored with a brilliant rosy band along each side of his body. Last summer Big Fin was thrown into Lake Michigan. He probably was the only rainbow trout in Lake Michigan, since they are not found in that lake. But what made Big Fin so special was the award of one million dollars to be given to anyone who caught him!

Did you know that every Christian is a “fisherman"? In Matthew 4:19 the Lord Jesus tells His disciples, “Follow Me, and I will make you fishers of men.” And then in Luke 5:10 He says, “From henceforth thou shalt catch men (people).” Are we who love the Lord Jesus really “fishing” for people? Are we telling others about God’s way of salvation? People came from all over the country to fish for Big Fin, because he was worth one million dollars. As Christians we are “fishing” for something worth far more than one million dollars. We are “fishing” for men’s souls, and God’s Word, the Bible, tells us in Mark 8:36 that the soul of a man is worth more than the whole world. What value God places upon one soul! Are we concerned enough about souls who are lost in sin to realize that one of them is worth more than all the riches in the whole world? If we are we will be “fishing” for men at every opportunity.

The deadline came and passed for catching Big Fin, and no one had caught him to earn the million dollars. Big Fin was still out there swimming around in Lake Michigan! The Lord Jesus tells us in Revelation 22:20, “Surely I come quickly.” That will be the “deadline” for Christians who are “fishing” for lost souls. The fishermen who fished for Big Fin worked hard, because they knew the exact day and hour of the deadline. We know from things that are happening in this world that the Lord’s return is VERY near. Are we busy “fishermen” knowing that the “deadline” will soon be here? Are we working hard to tell others God’s plan of how to be saved? “What must I do to be saved?... Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” Acts 16:30,31.

ML-01/09/1983

The Wonders of God's Creation: Lions' Teeth Are Not for You

“All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds.” 1 Corinthians 15:39.

Man’s 32 enamel-coated teeth are marvelous structures. They are arranged so the surfaces of the upper and lower teeth correspond to work together in eating and speaking. Have you ever considered how each one is different? In front are the incisors, or cutting teeth, remarkably shaped for taking a bite from an apple or a sandwich, or snipping a celery stalk in two. Behind these are the cuspids (called canines or dogteeth), used for tearing off bites too tough for the front teeth. Then comes the two-pointed bicuspids, and finally the broad, flat molars to which all food goes for grinding before going to the stomach. All these teeth are especially designed for man’s needs.

The mouths of animals are different. A lion’s set of teeth would certainly not be useful to you. The Creator has provided for each one’s particular need. For instance, gnawing animals, such as rats, mice, horses, rabbits and others, have incisors but no canines, since these are not needed for cutting off grass or gathering grains or the other items in their diet. Because these incisors wear down from constant use, God has wisely arranged that they never stop growing during the animal’s life. Isn’t that a wonderful provision?

All flesh-eating animals have canine teeth made strong enough for tearing flesh. You can easily see these in the mouth of a dog, a lion, a cat or a tiger. These “fangs” are used not only for preparing food, but also in catching and killing it. Most of these animals have rough tongues which act like rasps for removing flesh from bones. The teeth of hyenas are anchored in big, strong jaws, enabling them to break and crush the largest of bones. Their molars have three cutting edges to help break up the skeletons of dead animals on which they feed. All these carnivorous (flesh-eating) animals bolt their food down without chewing it and do not use their molars for grinding food as we do.

Insect-eaters have cone-shaped teeth which crush hard-shelled insects. Cud-chewers—cows, deer, camels, etc.—have no upper incisors at all. Instead, they have a hard pad which forms the food into a cud before going on to the stomach.

The next time you brush your teeth see how wisely God has arranged them for your use. What He has done both for mankind as well as His other creatures reminds us of the wonders of His creation, and that His eye is on all to whom He has given life.

His Word, the Bible, is also likened to food... not for our bodies, but for our souls. “Thy words were found, and I did eat them; and Thy Word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart: for I am called by Thy name, O Lord God of hosts.” Jeremiah 15:16. It is certainly right for us to give thanks to the Lord for each meal set before us. Let us also thank Him for our Saviour, “the Bread that came down from heaven,” of whom it is said: “I am the bread of life: he that cometh to Me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst.” John 6:35. Have you thanked Him?

ML-01/09/1983

The Snake in the Bottle

Memory Verse: “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up.” John 3:14

Dr. Freitos was a professor of Immunology at the University of Sao Paulo, Brazil. His father was a specialist on snakes and worked at the Butantan Institute in the same city. Here they made a serum for poisonous snake bites from the two thousand different snakes under study.

There are two snakes in Brazil that look almost identical. They are both called coral snakes. But to an experienced teacher like Dr. Freitos, who had studied snakes all his life, telling the difference was fairly easy. One is the real coral snake and it is very poisonous. The other is called the false coral snake. It looks just like the real coral snake, but its fangs are pointed so far back in its mouth that it cannot bite its prey. Occasionally, however, there is an exception to the rule, and one in a thousand false coral snakes will be able to inflict a fatal bite.

It was the “Carnival Holiday” time in the Sao Paulo area, and Dr, Freitos was spending the morning on the beach by himself. This beach was close to Santos, a large seaport of Sao Paulo and also near his home. On the beach near some trees he found a false coral snake. He examined it carefully. Yes, it was a false one all right. It was almost noon, and he was on his way to buy something to eat when he found the snake. A discarded bottle was lying nearby, so Dr. Freitos slipped the snake into the bottle and hurried on his way, taking the snake with him. At the sandwich counter some friends saw the snake in the bottle and began asking questions about it. Dr. Freitos took it out of the bottle and began to give a “classroom lecture” about the false coral snake and its characteristics. He showed them how to tell its age and other things of interest.

Suddenly, the snake whipped around and bit him on the arm! It hurt badly and the skin started to turn red. With a fearful feeling Dr. Freitos realized that this false coral was the “one in a thousand"— the one that could make its fangs’ penetrate! And the bite from those fangs meant death...unless the one bitten could get an antivenin injection.

There is a story in the Old Testament in the Bible where God sent poisonous snakes into the camp of Israel to punish them for their evil ways. All those who were bitten died. Only one thing would keep them from dying; they had to look at a brass replica of a snake that their leader Moses had made and hung up on a pole in the middle of the camp. God had instructed Moses to do this.

Each one of us has been bitten by the poisonous snake of sin which will cause death, unless we look to the Lord Jesus Christ. It was He who hung on the cross and died in our place to take away our sin, if we believe in Him. The Lord Jesus said in John 3:14 and 15, “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man (the Lord Jesus Christ) be lifted up: that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.”

Dr. Freitos went quickly to his home, which was 400 yards or so across the beach. His wife was at home, and he called for her to come help him. He knew that he had to inject the antivenin serum quickly to stop the effect of the snake bite.

He remembered that he had two vials of serum in his home, but neither of these was for the coral’s bite. However, he was beginning to get dizzy and knew that even the wrong serum would help a little until he could get to a hospital. His wife was very nervous, but she managed to inject one of the vials. Still, they needed help, so together they hurried to their car to go to the hospital in Santos.

But now a new problem faced them—the carnival. Everybody was out in their cars wanting to go to the main downtown beach. To get there all the cars had to go over a one-lane bridge. This required cars going in opposite directions to take turns with one car at a time crossing the bridge. The Freitos had to wait their turn and so were delayed in this huge traffic jam.

There is only one bridge to heaven, and that is the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. How Satan tries to bring a traffic jam into our lives to stop us from crossing this “bridge"!

Time was getting shorter, but Mrs. Freitos was doing everything she could do to get her sick husband to the place where help was available. When they finally reached the hospital, Dr. Freitos, who by this time was not able to think at all, passed into unconsciousness. At the hospital they were given more bad news— “no serum in Santos!” He would have to be taken by helicopter to the main hospital in Sao Paulo.

Up they went in the helicopter toward the coastal range of mountains that separated them from the mainland. Only 15 minutes to the hospital, serum would be waiting, and all would be well. But as the helicopter approached the mountains a thick fog had settled in, and the pilot had to turn back—back to the place where there was no serum available—away from the only place where Dr. Freitos’s life could be saved.

And so after almost two hours with Mrs. Freitos doing everything she could to save her husband’s life, the poison from the bite of the false coral snake did its evil work and claimed the life of Dr. Freitos.

Do not forget, each of you who have read this story, that the bite of sin is also a deadly poison. Wouldn’t it be sad to spend all your energy trying to cure yourself only to find that you did not go to the only Source that has the “antidote” for sin? The Lord Jesus Christ, God’s Son, gave Himself for our sins that we might have eternal life.

“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man; but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Proverbs 14:12.

“They do always err in their heart; and they have not known My ways.” Hebrews 3:10.

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” John 14:6.

ML-01/16/1983

Skipper the Hero

Jimmy was spending a day at Muskrat Lake, north of Grand Rapids, Michigan. He brought his dog Skipper along, since the two of them went everywhere together and enjoyed being outside.

They were having a good time when suddenly Jimmy and Skipper saw a rattlesnake in the grass. It was ready to strike at Jimmy! Before Jimmy could think of what to do, Skipper attacked the snake. Instead of biting Jimmy, the snake bit Skipper. The snake was later killed, but Skipper’s life was in danger.

Jimmy’s family rushed the dog to a vet, who helped him recover from his wound. Skipper is fine now, and no one is more pleased with his brave dog than Jimmy. Skipper even had his picture in the newspaper with Jimmy beside him. How thankful Jimmy was that Skipper had saved his life.

How thankful we should be, too, that the Lord Jesus took our punishment on the cross. He suffered there for us so that we wouldn’t have to bear our own punishment in hell. What a wonderful Saviour He is! “Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.” 1 Peter 2:24.

We hope that everyone reading this story can say, “The Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20.

ML-01/16/1983

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Restless Caribou

“God Himself that formed the earth and made it; He hath established it.” Isaiah 45:18.

With temperatures going to 80° below zero, the frozen regions of Alaska, the Yukon and many other northern areas are often thought of as wastelands where nothing can live. But actually many creatures, including the Caribou, make it their home.

A full-grown Caribou weighs about 400 pounds and is nearly four feet tall and six feet long from nose to stubby tail. The Creator has provided them with all they need to survive in the cold, including soft, thick fur insulated by hollow hairs. They require much food, yet they live in regions where grass and leaves are not plentiful. The Lord God, of whom the Psalmist says, “He causeth the grass to grow for the cattle,” has created a special food for them known as reindeer moss or lichen (pronounced ly-ken). This grows rapidly in the summer months, covering the ground and clinging to trunks and branches of trees. It is a rich food and can be eaten year-round in deep snow where there are no trees from which the lichen can be eaten, a God-given instinct tells them to search below. The Caribou have sharp hoofs that dig through snow and ice to this ever-ready meal. Most of their wakeful time in winter is spent digging and eating.

Caribou are about the most restless of all animals. They roam in large herds numbering in the thousands. These large herds devour all food wherever they stop, and they must move on each day to find more. During their migrations they travel at least 600 miles northward in the summer, where the little ones are born, and then return in the winter. Nothing stops these migrations. If mountains are too high to cross, the Caribou go around them. If lakes and rivers are not frozen, they swim through them.

All Caribou have antlers, and the male’s main prongs, or racks, often grow five feet long. Two smaller prongs grow forward, with palm leaf endings, while the two main ones, shaped like huge cradles, grow flat over the back before curving upwards to a great height. These, together with their strong legs and sharp hoofs, make dangerous weapons. Many a wolf, thinking it could overcome a Caribou, has learned too late that it is no match against a strong, healthy Caribou. Yet wolves do follow herds, and if they discover a calf separated from the others, or a crippled adult, they will successfully attack and kill it. This reminds us of Satan, the evil one who, we are warned, “walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Peter 5:8.

Boys and girls need the protection of their parents. A godly family will ask the Lord each day to help guide and preserve them from Satan’s attacks. All the members of the family, young and old alike, need to feed continually on the Bible, the living Word, so they do not become weak, or then the enemy can harm them, too. Let us thank God for His wonderful promise: “But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength... they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.” Isaiah 40:31. Are you trusting in Him?

ML-01/16/1983

The Trapper's Story

Memory Verse: “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us.” Titus 3:5

We sat in the trapper’s cabin that day listening to his stories. He trapped in the winter and was a fishing and hunting guide the rest of the year. He was very familiar with a large area of northern Ontario. He told the following story.

“Three years ago I was working my trap line far to the north. The snow was very deep that winter. The only mark of man in all the area was my own, as I traveled on my snowshoes from trap to trap. Coming over the crest of a hill, I saw a thin wisp of smoke rising straight up in the still, cold air. I knew of no other trappers in the area, so I wondered what would have caused a fire in this part of the bush. There were no cabins of any kind in this area, and yet the smoke was a definite sign of man; but who could it be? It was late afternoon, night was coming on, and with a long way back to camp I could not risk going further to find out.

“Three days later the wisp of smoke was still on my mind, so I decided to go back to see what had caused it. Fresh snow had fallen, and walking was difficult. After searching for many hours and finding nothing, I was tired and about to turn back. A hill was ahead, and I knew a small lake was on the other side of the hill. I decided to go as far as the frozen lake and then return home.

“I will never forget what I saw on the other side of that hill. There on the ice was a military aircraft, which I learned later was an F-101 fighter jet. It sat on the ice on the far side of the lake and looked to be undamaged.

“Crossing the ice to the other shore, I found the pilot. He lay in a shallow hole scooped out in the snow. There were branches broken from nearby trees pulled over his body. Beside the place where he lay, covered with snow, were the charred remains of a fire. This had been the cause of the smoke I had seen. Placing my head against his chest, I heard a faint heartbeat. He was still alive!

“I made a sled out of branches and parts of the plane and brought him out and got him into town. The Provincial police helped me get him to a hospital. He had been injured in the crash landing of his jet and had suffered severe frostbite in the days following. But he lived. He told of three weeks of struggling to stay alive in the bitter cold. Emergency rations on board the plane kept him alive, and he waited hoping to be rescued. But as the time dragged by, his hope began to fade. The cold numbed him, and he was afraid to lie down to sleep. With great difficulty, because of his injury, he managed to keep a fire burning until his strength failed. When the last flickering flame died his hope died with it. The place he hollowed out in the snow was a grave where he expected to die. He had reached the end of his strength, the end of his hope; there would be no rescue, he would die alone.”

This story shows us exactly where a person is when he sees that he is a sinner and needs to be saved. He has tried everything; works, prayers and feelings have all ended with no help. He is lost; he cannot do a thing to save himself. Then and only then does the Saviour do His mighty work of saving the lost sinner.

“The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10.

Christ is the only hope for a poor helpless sinner. Notice that He does not help to save, nor does He save any but lost sinners. Have you ever been really lost? He goes “after that which is lost, until He find it.” Luke 15:4.

ML-01/23/1983

The Bolivian Bible Man

Angel Apala, a native from the village of Llica in Bolivia, had gone to the town of Uyuni to look for work. He was not disappointed since soon he had a job with the railroad there. However, while in Uyuni he heard something that sent him on a different kind of search. For the first time he heard some of the wonderful “good news” found in God’s Word, the Bible.

When Angel saw a copy of the Bible, he wanted very much to get one for himself. One day a short time later, he and his wife traveled 200 miles on the train to the larger town of Oruro. There they searched the stores and shops for two or three days looking for a Bible. But the shops in Oruro did not have Bibles then. So no matter how long Angel and his wife looked they would not have been able to find one. Disappointed after their useless search, they were walking back to the train station when they met a peddler selling things on the sidewalk. They stopped to look at the goods that he had: bright dyes and mirrors, needles and combs, etc. Angel noticed a book near the back of the table that looked like a Bible. He asked the peddler if it was a Bible, and he was so happy when the peddler said, “Yes, it is.” He then found out that the money he had saved to buy a Bible was exactly the amount the peddler wanted, so he quickly bought it.

Back home in Uyuni he was able to read for himself the wonderful words that he had heard. He and his wife were poor and did not have very much education, but they could read God’s wonderful Book.

One day while Angel and his wife were away from home, someone slipped a gospel tract under their door. In the tract Angel found not only the same wonderful message that he had been reading in the Bible, but also the name and address of the person who had left it. Missionaries had recently come to town and were having special gospel meetings in a small room.

Angel and his wife found the room and listened as the Word of God was preached.

There Angel and his wife saw that they were sinners and needed a Saviour. How happy they were when they heard that the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ could wash all their sins away. They both accepted the Lord Jesus as their Saviour that very evening. Their desire to know more of the truth from God’s Book, along with the gospel tract and help from the Lord’s servants, were all links in the chain that brought joy and peace into the lives of Angel and his wife.

Angel and his wife returned to their native village of Llica to tell their own people what they had learned from the Word of God, “which liveth and abideth forever.” Angel walks many miles and faces many problems and dangers so that others might hear the good news, too.

What about you? Is the Lord Jesus your Saviour, too?

“If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ.” 2 Corinthians 5:17,18.

ML-01/23/1983

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Human Brain - Part 1

“Who hath put wisdom in the inward parts? or who hath given understanding to the heart?” Job 38:36.

Every part of the human body is a remarkable example of God’s handiwork, and the most outstanding part is the brain, a three-pound marvel. Because the brain is so important the Creator arranged a watery cushion around it and further protected it by a strong, one-quarter-inch-thick skull. Our brain is the most amazing of all the wonders of the world. There is nothing like it in all creation, and no one really understands how it performs. It can hold within its small space more information than all the volumes of books in the largest library in the world.

Just about every action of the body is connected with the brain. You cannot wiggle your toe until the nerve center in your brain sends out the right signal, nor can you read this article unless your brain provides the ability. The brain is something like an electrical control center with various parts of the body continually sending information to it. There the proper hookups are made, and messages are sent to the brain cells responsible for that particular duty. Then that section of the brain picks out from the 200 million tiny nerve fibers the right ones to do whatever is required.

For instance, suppose your eye is irritated by a speck of dust. Immediately the message is sent to the brain. There are about 15 billion cells there, but there is no confusion as to which ones get the message. The part of the brain that controls the eyes is in the back of the head, and this part immediately takes over. At terrific speed electrical messages are sent to the proper nerve fibers. These send instructions to the tear glands of the eye to supply moisture for washing out the dust, and another message goes to the eyelid to blink when the tears come.

Let us look at another example: when a plate of food is placed in front of you, certain cells in your brain send a message for your eyes to focus on it. Another group of cells instructs you to pick up a knife and fork. Others cause your arm to carry the food to your mouth, and still others instruct your mouth to accept the food and chew it. There is no delay about this—it is all done in an instant, and you don’t even have to think about it!

As mentioned, there are about 15 billion cells in the brain (about as many stars as there are in the Milky Way, or five to six times as many cells in every brain as there are people in the world, and all these cells were given to you at your birth!). Each cell is constantly in touch with about 100 others, and so all are interconnected to take care of every part of the body on an instant’s notice.

Only God could put all this equipment into such a small space and arrange for its performance throughout a person’s lifetime. Shouldn’t we be thanking Him for providing for us in this way? The words of David are good words for us to express as well: “Thy hands have made me and fashioned me: give me understanding, that I may learn Thy commandments.” Psalms 119:73.

ML-01/23/1983

The Stubborn Turtle

Memory Verse: “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.” John 3:16

I looked at my watch, and it was only three o’clock. It seemed like we had been traveling for such a long time. We had been having trouble with the car, and it just kept going slower and slower. In fact, it was going so slowly that Dad decided to stop at a service station to see what was wrong. As we drove up the ramp to the service station, I saw something crossing the road. I looked closer and discovered that it was a turtle heading straight across the four-lane highway! Dad pulled over, hopped out of the car, and picked up the turtle just before it started to cross the highway. He carried it safely back to the field and pointed it in the direction from which it had come. We all sighed, relieved.

When we arrived at the service station, Dad found a mechanic who was able to repair the car. As we were starting off again, I looked back to see if I could find the turtle. Sure enough, there it was crawling towards the highway again, determined to cross it!

Many people are just like that turtle. They are determined to go their own way, not paying attention to the danger ahead. They refuse the goodness and love of God, who wants everyone to be saved from their sins and from the danger ahead. The Bible clearly tells us that a person who is following his own way will be led to destruction. “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man; but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Proverbs 14:12. But the Lord Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” John 14:6.

Once more, Dad stopped and picked up the turtle, but this time he carried it across the highway and put it down in the field on the other side, towards which it was heading. This time we waited to make sure it stayed in its place of safety before we went on our way.

By ourselves, we are just as helpless as that turtle, and we need to let the Lord Jesus carry us in the right way, the way that leads to heaven. We must choose between the path of death and the path of everlasting life. Believe that the Lord Jesus died and shed His blood for your sins, and you are forgiven. From the moment you do, you will be on the path of safety and everlasting happiness. “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.” John 3:16.

ML-01/30/1983

Fulor's New Weapon

Fulor was a criminal in the town of Iramble, Brazil. He was dishonest and mean and carried two revolvers in his belt. Most of the townspeople were terrified of him, and even the police were afraid of him. He did as he liked, and no one dared challenge him.

One day a gospel preacher arrived in Iramble to visit relatives. One of the relatives knew Fulor and told the preacher about the gunman.

“I would like to see him,” said the preacher, “and tell him about the Saviour.”

Finding Fulor, the preacher told him of the love of God for sinners. Fulor listened to every word the preacher said, and at the end of their conversation he accepted a New Testament.

The next day the preacher was holding a gospel meeting in his niece’s home. Just before the meeting began there was a stir among those present. Murmurs went around the room. Fulor had just come in! He sat quietly and listened closely to the preacher. Afterward Fulor spoke to the preacher about his sins.

“Will God forgive even me?” he asked. The preacher assured Fulor that if he was sorry for his sinful life and took Christ as his Saviour, he would be saved for all eternity. Fulor did receive the Lord Jesus and was saved that day.

The following day the chief of police was looking out of his office window. “Surely that could not be Fulor coming toward my office!” he thought. But a few moments later there was a knock at the door, and in walked Fulor. In his hands were two revolvers. The police chief gasped. “This gunman has actually dared to walk into the police station and hold me up!” he concluded.

But Fulor placed the revolvers on the desk. “Chief,” he said, “please sell these two guns and buy something for your family. I now belong to Jesus, and my weapon is this.” Fulor took out of his pocket the New Testament that the preacher had given to him two days earlier. “I have been a terrible sinner,” said Fulor, “but thank God, Jesus has taken my sins away.”

When we come to the Lord Jesus and accept Him as our Saviour, we become a new creature (or a new person). The Bible says, “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.

“Wherefore He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him.” Hebrews 7:25.

ML-01/30/1983

Jack and Jill

These two little dogs, Jack and Jill, have a very comfortable home, and a nice owner named Sue, who takes good care of them. She brushes their coats and takes them outside for walks every day. But before Jill came to live at Sue’s house, nobody loved her or took care of her.

Sue first saw Jill when she was taking Jack for a walk on a busy street near her house. They came across this poor, stray dog that looked just like Jack. She was dirty and thin, and several times she almost got run over by cars. Sue coaxed the little dog off the street and onto the sidewalk. She was a lively, friendly dog and she followed Sue and Jack as they continued walking. She followed them for a while, and then Sue stooped down and picked up the little stray dog in her arms. She took her to the police station first, and since there was no license listed for her and she had no collar, the police told Sue that she could take the little dog home. After a warm bath and a good meal, the stray dog was a very different-looking dog. In fact, she looked so much like Jack that Sue decided her name should be Jill.

Jill reminds me of lonely boys and girls, and older ones too, who need the Saviour, though they do not always realize how great their need is. What did Jill do to find a kind owner like Sue and a comfortable home? Nothing! Sue saw Jill’s need as a stray dog in danger, and this drew out the kindness that was in her heart.

The little dog simply let Sue pick her up and carry her home. The Lord Jesus wants to save lost sinners and carry them home to heaven.

How clean and happy Jill must have felt after her bath and meal. The Lord Jesus must first wash away our sins to make us fit for His presence in heaven, that home of love and happiness above. This is just what He does for each one who trusts Him as his or her Saviour. We belong to Him, and He feeds and takes care of us all along the way to heaven. Oh how wonderful it is to have Him as our Saviour and Friend!

Did Jill deserve the kindness shown to her? No, and neither did we. As sinners we had wandered away from God. We deserved nothing but death and judgment for our sins against God. But Jesus loved us just the same, and went to Calvary’s cross to die and shed His precious blood which washes us whiter than snow.

Jack and Jill get along fine, and they have happy times together. And those who take the Lord Jesus as their Saviour find themselves in the company of God’s dear people, who have joys and pleasures this world cannot give.

Sue says she will never sell Jill, although some have wanted to buy her. The Lord Jesus will never give up a boy or girl who trust in Him, for He says, “I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand.” John 10:28. He also says, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Hebrews 13:5.

ML-01/30/1983

The Wonders of God's Creation: More About the Brain - Part 2

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7.

The brain has three main parts. The cerebrum is the principal one which is divided in two halves and connected by some 200 million nerve fibers. Most of its surface is deeply folded so that its 400 square inches can fit into a small space at the top of the head. The cerebrum contains what is commonly called “gray matter.” This is where the brain receives messages from various parts of the body and distributes them to the proper cells, as we discussed last week. Actually, the electrical circuits and controls in the brain are more numerous than those in all the broadcasting stations of the world combined.

There are “silent” areas in the front part of the brain which do not connect to body parts. In this place activities of thinking, affection, pity, knowledge, memory, etc. are developed.

Another part of the brain is the cerebellum, which is under the back part of the cerebrum. Here control is maintained over the body’s muscles. Also from this part of the brain the skills of a musician, doctor, artist, athlete, etc. originate.

The third section is known as the medulla oblongata. This is shaped like a bulb at the top of the spinal column. Here control is maintained over “automatic” things, such as breathing, heartbeat, blood circulation, performance of the stomach, liver, etc. This, too, is the area that regulates emergency action in case of fright, running, fighting, or anything that puts a strain on the heart or lungs. If you are to stay alive, these things must always be controlled this way.

The brain is connected to the all-important spinal cord and is protected by the skull. The skull has been designed with a large hole at its base which fits snugly to the top of the spine. Through this hole the nerve cord descends from the brain to reach all vital parts of the body. The Creator has seen to it that they are all well protected.

How does the brain produce thoughts? What actually is the mind? No one knows except the One who has created us. All in all, the brain is indeed a superb product of His creation, with no supervision needed on our part to keep it in order.

But, sad to say, we do not always use our brain and mind as we should. The prophet Jeremiah declared: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9. However, if we know the Lord Jesus as our Saviour, He has given us a new nature and delights to see our hearts and minds using that nature to please Him by walking in right paths.

A good prayer to express every day is, “Teach me Thy way, O Lord; I will walk in Thy truth: unite my heart to fear Thy name.” Psalms 86:11.

ML-01/30/1983

The Safety Booklet

Memory Verse: “The entrance of Thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.” Psalm 119:130

It was stuck in the door—a booklet on safety. I found it when I returned home from the store. Carrying it into the house, I laid it on the table along with the other mail.

Later, looking through the mail, I noticed the booklet again. It was all about downed powerlines and what to do and what not to do if you should be near one. I read it from cover to cover and then set it aside with the other mail for my husband. I remember thinking to myself that there was a lot of good information packed into that little booklet. However, I soon forgot about it.

The booklet was found a few days later by my husband when he went through the stack of mail. He also read it and remarked about how well-written it was.

After that the booklet would be found in most any room of the house. Each member of the family who read it thought it was too good to throw away, so they would set it somewhere else. Then another person would pick it up and read it.

Sometime later our son Rick, who was 17 at the time, was driving on the main street of town during a heavy rainstorm. The winds gusted to hurricane force. Rick was following a bus that had stopped for a passenger. He was waiting for the bus to move on so he could make a right turn.

All of a sudden several live powerlines fell across Rick’s car, snapping, buzzing and shooting fire! Rick didn’t move, Rick didn’t panic—he waited for help. After several minutes many people gathered nearby, shouting advice to Rick about what he should do. Most of what they told him was wrong, and he would have been killed if he had followed their advice. Rick calmly sat still and waited.

Thirty-five minutes passed before the power was finally turned off and Rick was told that it was safe to move the car.

Later I asked him how he had known what to do. Without a word, he led me to his car. Opening the door, he pointed to the booklet that had been around the house for several weeks and somehow had ended up on the front seat of his car.

Yes, Rick had been in real danger. But by acting correctly and not listening to bad advice, he escaped injury and possible death. How many of you reading this account are not acting wisely about eternal life? Do you know the danger you are in if you are not saved? Each of us as sinners is on a dangerous road that leads to hell. But God in His love for us has provided a way of escape. He tells us about it in His Word, the Bible, where we find exact instructions on how to be saved from our sins and receive everlasting life. Read them for yourself: “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” John 14:6. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8,9. “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7.

Be careful! There are people who are giving wrong instructions. They have their own ideas. Don’t be misled by what they say. Read what God says in the Bible, and then do what He tells you. If you have a Bible in your home, have you read it? Rick would not have known what to do if he had not read the safety booklet. God shows us plainly the way to heaven, but we must go His way, or not at all.

“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Matthew 7:13,14.

ML-02/06/1983

"Do You Know Jesus?"

Patty sat quietly on her chair listening closely to the preacher. Tonight it seemed as though there were just the two of them in the room. He was speaking on John 4, where Jesus met the woman at the well. Suddenly, pointing his finger in her direction, he quoted verse 26, “I that speak unto thee am He.” For a moment Patty felt uneasy. Was he really pointing at her? What if it were God speaking to her? She was again occupied with the message.

She enjoyed hearing this man preach, though at times he could look as fierce as a lion. But what she did not like was when he would ask the young people after the meeting if they knew the Lord Jesus as their Saviour. Tonight Patty felt uneasy. After the meeting was over she waited for a chance to slip out the door unnoticed.

As she reached the door to leave, the familiar voice of the preacher startled her. “Good evening. I’m so glad to see you tonight.” She hesitated and then turned, afraid that now he would ask her if she were saved. She knew that she could not say “yes,” but she did not want to say “no.” Before he could say anything else she turned back and hurried out the door and down the steps.

For days and nights those words kept coming back to her, “I that speak unto thee am He.” Was God really speaking to her? She thought about all the times she had gone to Sunday school and of all the verses, and even chapters, she had memorized. When she was alone and honest with herself, she knew she was a sinner. God was stirring her to want the peace that He alone can give, that well of water that springs into everlasting life. He was truly speaking to her, and now she was ready to listen, just like the woman at the well. She was ready to have the drink that would quench her thirst for peace forever.

Sometime later she was at a meeting when the same preacher spoke, but this time she waited for him at the door. Shaking hands with him, she felt suddenly shy. But when he asked if she had peace with God about her sins, her answer tumbled out happily, “Oh, yes, now I am saved.”

God had done the work, and it was settled forever. Her faith was grounded on the One who would never let her down. He had given His very life on Calvary’s cross and shed His blood for her sins. She belonged to Him, and He promised never to let her go.

If you have any doubts, get them settled now. Satan will whisper many things to make you feel good about yourself and tell you everything is all right—you’re not a sinner. But God says, “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves” (1 John 1:8), and “the soul that sinneth, it shall die” (Ezek. 18:20). What about your sins? Come now and find peace. It’s yours, if you will listen and believe.

“The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7.

ML-02/06/1983

Robby's Seed

On the last day of school in June, Robby’s teacher gave each child a different kind of seed to plant in his yard at home. Robby went home and planted his, but it was a long time before he knew what kind of a plant grew from his seed. In September the children brought what they had grown to school with them. Tracy had a big red flower. Mike had a tomato. But Robby told his teacher that his plant was still growing in his yard, and he still didn’t know just what it was.

“Wait a few more weeks,” his teacher said, “and you will soon find out.”

How happy Robby was a few weeks later to discover that it was a pumpkin vine! His mother made some delicious pumpkin pies out of the pumpkins.

Every Christian boy and girl is planting seeds during his life. I don’t mean real seeds like Robby planted. We are planting seeds of love, kindness, hate, lying or unkindness. What kind of seeds are you planting? What you plant in your “garden” you will harvest later. If you have accepted Christ as your Saviour, ask Him to help you plant seeds of love and kindness. You will collect love and kindness in return, and He will give you a reward in heaven, too.

“Whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” Galatians 6:7.

“Let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.” Galatians 6:9.

ML-02/06/1983

The Wonders of God's Creation: That Strange Bird, the Hornbill - Part 1

“And God created...every living creature...and every winged fowl after his kind: and God saw that it was good.” Genesis 1:21

There are about 44 varieties of hornbills living in the jungles of several southern countries. If you saw one in the jungle, you would be amazed at this colorful, strange bird. It is the size of a goose with a large yellow or red saw-toothed, curved bill. On top of this bill is a reddish bony armor piece which looks like a helmet. Each variety of hornbill has its own special headpiece lying flat over the beak, looking something like a banana. One species, the rhino hornbill, has a cap pointing forward like the horn on a rhinoceros.

These unusual beaks and helmets result in the death of many hornbills, since the natives kill them to get these bony pieces. The natives carve many kinds of knickknacks from them, including handles for knives and daggers, buckles and even small idols and tourist souvenirs. We cannot say that the hornbills are proud of their attractive beaks, but we are reminded that the Bible says: “Woe to the crown of pride...whose glorious beauty is a fading flower... the Lord of hosts (shall) be for a crown of glory, and for a diadem of beauty.” Isaiah 28:1,5. Pride and the beauty of everything on earth will fade and pass away, but the Lord and His Word will endure forever.

The hornbills have black and white feathers on their backs and orange feathers on their breasts, throats and heads. To support their heavy bodies they have strong legs with tough, claw-like toes on their feet with which they grip the branches of trees.

These birds have loud calls that carry long distances through the jungles. The calls sound like a combination of a racing car, a woman’s scream, and idiotic laughter. Their wings also produce loud booms as the birds fly slowly through the trees. Orangutans and other apes are attracted by these noises and will swing through the trees, following the birds. They seem to know that the hornbills like wild fruits and berries to eat, and they do too. Hornbills and apes both love wild figs, too.

Strange as the hornbill may seem to us, it is part of God’s creation, and He carefully watches over every one of them. We are told, “All things were created by Him, and for Him: and He is before all things, and by Him all things consist (continue to exist).” Colossians 1:16,17. Each man, woman, boy and girl is part of His creation too, but, sad to say, all have sinned (disobeyed God), and God cannot accept us in our sins. Each must first turn to the Lord and thank Him for dying on the cross to wash away those sins. Then we are told, “Therefore if any man be in Christ (saved by faith in Him), he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17. Have you asked Him to wash away your sins?

(In the next issue we will look more into the peculiar ways of the hornbill.)

ML-02/06/1983

Attacked by an Octopus!

Memory Verse: “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:13

The storm was finally over. It had almost been a hurricane; the wind and waves had caused much damage in the harbor. The most serious damage appeared to be to the ship, the S.S. Dunvegan Castle which had collided with the pier. There had been damage to both the ship and the pier, but it was hard to tell how bad the damage really was.

To learn how much damage had been done to the ship, an underwater diving company was hired. John Palmer was sent to make the inspection dive. With him was his support crew which stayed on the ship to assist him during the dive. John reviewed with his crew the signals he would use during the dive, especially in an emergency.

John went overboard in his diving suit with attached air lines and with ropes to pull him back to the boat. The sea was calm, and John was able to make a good inspection of both the ship and the pier. He was about to signal his crew to pull him back to the surface, when suddenly something darted out from a crevice in the rocks and gripped his arm as if it were in a vise. In a moment of appalling horror, John realized that he was in the grip of an octopus! Then another tentacle flashed around his chest, and he was held in a deadly embrace!

John was helpless. There was nothing he could do to get free. He knew his only chance was to get help from above!

Are you still being held captive by your sins? Sin is deadly! Only the Lord Jesus Christ can save you and break you free from its tentacles of power. If you have never come to the Lord Jesus in all your sins and asked Him to be your Saviour, you have no more power to free yourself than John had. Signal to the One above, the Lord Jesus Christ, and He will set you free. “Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Acts 2:21.

Up on deck lay John’s only hope to get out of this alive! With all his might he desperately pulled the emergency signal. Almost immediately John felt himself rising...they had gotten his signal and were pulling him up. But his enemy, the octopus, was going up with him! Still, he didn’t lose hope—he would soon reach help. Up, up, up he went. It seemed to take forever, but finally he could see daylight. He soon reached the surface of the water.

“An octopus!” yelled the first man to see John. “Quick! Get a knife!” Using the knife and a small ax, they worked at releasing John. It was not an easy job since octopus tentacles are lined with hundreds of tiny suckers. But at last John stood free—no longer the captive of an octopus. What a relief!

Would you like relief from your sins? Jesus is able and willing to save anyone who comes to Him. “He sent from above, He took me; He drew me out of many waters.” 2 Samuel 22:17.

ML-02/13/1983

Jungle Password

During World War II Lieutenant Jack Richards was shot down in the southwestern Pacific. His plane sank almost as soon as it hit the water. Rolling over on his back, he floated for some time in his rubber suit, thankful that he had escaped without being injured. But for all he knew, he might be in enemy territory. Anyway, he knew he was stranded.

Darkness began to creep over the ocean, and Jack could just make out the wooded outlines of an island. He decided to swim to it. But distances were confusing, and he wondered if he could swim that far. Overhead he could see the star of the Southern Cross. Thoughts of home raced through his mind as he swam on. Ahead he could see the island dimly outlined by the moonlight. Jack prayed for strength and help, talking to that blessed One who was his Saviour and Lord.

It was after midnight when he reached the shore. He crawled into a cave and thanked God for helping him. Exhausted and hungry, he soon fell asleep.

In the morning he awakened to see the sun through the fringe of bushes. What would he find on the island? Well, he would soon know! Emerging from his “hotel room,” he looked around. Everything was still; the island was thick with trees and other brush.

Carefully, he slipped along through the cover of the brush, feeling that he was being watched, but seeing no one. Toward noon he saw an open space ahead and approached more slowly. Then a bend in the path exposed a little building that looked like a little church. Throwing caution to the wind, Jack broke from cover and ran. He lifted the latch, and the door swung open. Sure enough, it was a little gospel hall. Kneeling down, he gave thanks to God for saving his life and asked Him for help and safety. Rising, he went back outside, closing the door behind him. He was startled to see at the edge of the clearing a large group of natives—men, women and children.

Connecting them in his mind with the gospel hall, Jack began to greet them with words and smiles and motions, only to be met with a stony silence. Puzzled to know what else to do, he began to sing. He first tried “Amazing Grace,” but there was no response from the natives. He tried another, “What a Friend We Have in Jesus,” but the result was the same. Again he spoke to them, but there was not the slightest response. The natives watched every move he made. They did not seem to be hostile, just curious.

He decided to try one more song. He began a favorite childhood hymn that everyone knows, “Jesus Loves Me.” Instantly those faces came to life, rippling with smiles. By the time the first verse was finished Jack was almost overwhelmed by their friendliness. They brought him food and drink, and the next day helped him to return to his camp.

God’s care of Jack brought him to a place where he could be rescued by those who also loved his Saviour. Although they could not speak the same language, their hearts were the same, because of the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ.

“I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.” Romans 1:16.

ML-02/13/1983

Who Am I?

The sun shone bright o’er hill and dale,

The sheep content to eat;

When sudden stealth among the rocks

Brought the shepherd to his feet.

With cunning strength he met the foe,

Though roared the mighty beast;

Those helpless sheep were in his care,

And save he must e’en the least!

Another battle came his way,

A mightier foe than a’fore;

God’s very name was challenged,

And His people frightened sore.

The’ the towering enemy laughed at him,

He had no fears or dread,

But with confidence in Jehovah said,

“Today I shall take your head.”

This boy learned young in whom to trust,

Though he suffered many things;

He became a mighty warrior,

Was feared of many kings.

His line goes on forever

And is spoken of this day;

His very name was well-beloved,

For his enemies he did pray.

ML-02/13/1983

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Strange Bird, the Hornbill - Part 2

“And [Solomon] spake...of beasts and of fowl.” 1 Kings 4:33.

Solomon, the wisest man, enjoyed God’s creation, including the wonders of some birds. Perhaps he knew about the hornbill.

The hornbill’s head with its big beak and helmet (which we talked about last week) looks far too heavy to be held upright. But actually, it is quite light since the beak and helmet have very lightweight bones. They are covered with a thin sheath, and the inside is composed of a perforated, sponge-like material. This sponge-like material acts like a “cooling system” for the hornbill in its hot jungle home. The blood circulating through these bones carries away body heat and provides cooling comfort. In addition to its unusual head structures, the hornbill also has a strange way of building its nest. The female finds a hollow tree trunk with a hole in it. She stuffs the hole with sticks and other objects, filling it up, until its depth is just right. Then she makes a nest, lining it with feathers which she plucks from herself. She and her mate plaster mud around the hole until it is just large enough for her to crawl through. After she crawls inside they continue plastering the hole until only a slit remains that is large enough for her beak to get through.

Remaining in her “house,” the female hornbill lays several eggs and incubates them. Her mate faithfully brings food to her, as often as 100 times a day, placing it into her beak which she sticks out through the mud slit. When the chicks hatch the mother stays with them for several weeks (the father feeding them all) until the nest is too crowded. Meanwhile, new feathers have grown back on the mother. She and her mate peck at the hardened mud plaster until the hole is large enough for her to get out. However, the youngsters are not ready to come out, so the hole is closed up again for a few more weeks, leaving a slit for the parents to bring food to them every day. Eventually the youngsters break out and fly away.

The building of the nest reminds us of the words of Jesus when He was here on earth: “The birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay His head.” Matthew 8:20. How good of the Lord of all creation to provide homes for the birds and other creatures while He Himself did not have a place to lay His head!

The mother and father hornbill provide everything for the care of their young. It is good to think of God’s care and kindness to us, too. When Paul and Barnabas spoke to the people of Lystra, they said, “The living God, which made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all things that are therein... did good... filling our hearts with joy and gladness.” Acts 14:15-17.

Have you ever thanked Him for all the good things you enjoy? Most important of all, say from your heart, “Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift.” 2 Corinthians 9:15. Have you accepted that most wonderful of all gifts, His beloved Son as your Saviour? It was the Lord Jesus Christ “who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world.” Galatians 1:4. If you have not done this, won’t you accept Him as your own Saviour now?

ML-02/13/1983

The Warning!

Memory Verse: “He hath appointed a day, in the which He will judge the world in righteousness by that Man whom He hath ordained; whereof He hath given assurance unto all men, in that He hath raised Him from the dead.” Acts 17:31

Rain had been falling for the past several days, but this afternoon it seemed even heavier. Traffic was light on the British Columbia highway that went around Howe Sound. The north-south highway made its way over bridges crossing small creeks and scenic gorges that fell away to the Sound below. Today, the tall evergreens were partially hidden in mist, and clouds blocked the canyons. By now the rains had become so heavy that the normally small creeks had become raging torrents, and the canyons were funneling mud and debris into the water below. One lone car traveled the highway through the heavy rain, its wipers sweeping steadily against the constant downpour, with the driver, no doubt, wishing he were at home.

Soon, in his rearview mirror he saw another car overtaking him, and with a flying splash of spray it went on by. He watched it for a moment, and then it disappeared. Disappeared?...WAIT A MINUTE! Quickly his foot hit the brake, which sent his car into a shivering skid! He suddenly suspected... if that car had dropped out of sight, then that must mean the bridge ahead was out! His car was sliding sideways as he fought for control, but he had to stop! It seemed like forever until it finally did stop, and his suspicion was indeed confirmed —the bridge had washed away!

For a moment he felt weak with relief and thankfulness. Then a thought struck him—he must warn others of the danger! Quickly he jumped out and ran back through the rain.

When he saw another car coming he began to wave his arms and shouted, “STOP! STOP! THE BRIDGE IS OUT! STOP!” Without even slowing down the car went on around him and off into the mist.

Surely that next car would stop, so on he ran, waving his arms and shouting again, “STOP! STOP! STOP!” In utter disbelief he watched as, with horn blaring, the car went on around him and disappeared!

We are told that “He (God) hath appointed a day, in the which He will judge the world in righteousness by that Man whom He hath ordained.” Acts 17:31. Men, women and children are being warned to flee the wrath of God. Are you listening to that warning, or are you speeding on to everlasting judgment? God offers you safety and forgiveness through His Son Jesus Christ, by that great work on Calvary’s cross where He shed His blood for any who believe in Him. Stop and seriously think it over; eternity is forever!

As another car came into view the man increased his frantic efforts. By now he was soaked to the skin, but he hardly knew it; he was so intent on stopping another car from plunging into the canyon. This time his efforts were rewarded... the car stopped, and a road block was quickly set up.

Though God is patient and not willing that anyone should be lost, we have no guarantee on our life here. Not one of us can be sure we will be here for another year, another day, another hour or even the next minute. The cross of Christ is the roadblock between time and eternity.

Stop, my friend. Do not go another step without Christ as your Saviour, for without Him you face the blackness of darkness FOREVER.

“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.” John 3:16.

ML-02/20/1983

Ryan's Friend

Ryan sat on the front steps of his home petting Lady, his dog, thinking sadly of how she was the only friend he had in this small town. Since moving from the city, he had never really made friends with any of the boys at school.

It was then that he noticed some boys about his age running down the street. In a few minutes a boy he recognized, named Kevin, came running by, and seeing Ryan sitting on the steps stopped and called, “Hi, Ryan. How come you’re staying at home on a day off school?”

Ryan didn’t answer, but he did walk down to the gate where Kevin was standing. “Boy, I’d sure like to have him for a friend,” Ryan thought. Kevin was smart and popular.

“Why don’t you come with us? Scott, Chuck, Todd and me are goin’ out to Cairn Creek be fun.”

“Wait and I’ll ask my mom,” he answered excitedly. Ryan was overjoyed when his mom said, “Yes.”

While she quickly packed him a lunch she said, “Ryan, I know that you want to make friends here, but don’t forget the ‘Friend that sticketh closer than a brother.’ Don’t do anything that would not please Him.”

Kevin and Ryan had to hurry to catch up to the other three boys, who seemed a little surprised to see Ryan. But since he came with Kevin, they did not say anything.

The morning passed quickly because they were having fun. About lunch time Scott said, “Hey, you guys, it’s time to make that raid for our lunch.”

“Let’s send Ryan,” said Chuck. They all thought that was a good idea, so Ryan was told to go to Mr. Wilson’s orchard and pick ten apples.

Ryan looked around the group. “Hey, did he say we could have the apples?” he asked.

" Did he say we could have them? How could he when he doesn’t even know?” laughed Chuck.

“Do you think old Wilson would give anything away?” sneered Todd. “Just go and help yourself.”

“Not me,” said Ryan firmly.

“Don’t be afraid. We’ll be your lookouts,” encouraged Scott.

Ryan was silent for a moment. He belonged to the Lord Jesus, and he knew that stealing was wrong...and yet he did want friends, too. But Jesus was the best Friend he could ever have, and so he quickly asked, “Lord Jesus, help me.”

“I’m not goin',” he said flatly. “That’s stealing, and I’m not stealing for anyone. I belong to Jesus.”

“Aw, com’on,” said Kevin, “he’ll never miss a few apples.”

Ryan shook his head. “Those apples don’t mean much to you, but they still don’t belong to us. If we take some, it’s stealing—just like stealing money. I wouldn’t take Mr. Wilson’s money, would you?”

Ryan picked up his lunch and headed back to the road. He felt sad at losing his new friends, but then he thought of Jesus, the “Friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” The Lord Jesus wouldn’t leave him!

He hadn’t gotten to the road when he heard someone running up behind him. “Hey, Ry, wait up.” It was Kevin calling him.

“Ry, what you say is right,” he puffed. “I never thought about it like that. It didn’t seem wrong to take apples, but I know it’s not right to steal!”

Kevin and Ryan became good friends. But better than that, Kevin soon learned about Jesus and His love and asked Him to be his Saviour, and together the two boys tried to please Him in everything they did.

Best of all, how happy the Lord must have been to see this loyalty in His young believer! And what a reward Ryan got in winning Kevin, not only as his friend, but also to the Lord Jesus.

May this story help each one of us always to remember: “Thou God seest me” (Gen. 16:13); “A true witness delivereth souls” (Prov. 14:25); “The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe” (Prov. 29:25).

ML-02/20/1983

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Musical Cricket

“And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and everything that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good.” Genesis 1:25.

For its size the male cricket is a noisy insect whose chirps can be heard a mile away on a quiet night. Throughout North America, as well as in other parts of the world, the nightly serenades are a familiar sound. These sounds are made in much the same way as a musician plays a violin. The upper surface of each wing is equipped with a scraper. This is drawn over the lower part of the wing which has 100 or so rough, file-like places on it. By moving its wings the chirp is made. This “music” is the way the Creator arranged for crickets to “talk” with one another in their own special language.

Toward the end of summer the female cricket makes a hole in the soil about an inch deep and deposits about 300 little banana-shaped eggs. In the following springtime young crickets hatch and immediately begin searching for dead insects or tender plants to eat.

As the young cricket grows, its outer skeleton splits open and drops off. This is called moulting, and it is repeated as much as a dozen times. When the final moult takes place the wings and other parts of the body are fully developed. When it emerges from the final moult, the common Black Field cricket is nearly an inch long, with two long antennae at the front of its head that act as feelers. Two hairy growths, called cerci, extend from its back. These are part of its hearing equipment, although the main “ears” are in openings below the knees of the front legs.

The cricket is able to fly, but seldom does, preferring to move over the ground in great jumps like its cousin, the grasshopper. The mature crickets (which do not live through the winter) live a short but busy life, eating a variety of things. They prefer tender, juicy plants, often doing great damage to farmers’ crops. However, they also move into houses, barns, etc. In some Oriental homes crickets are kept in cages to amuse people with their chirping.

In cold weather the chirps slow down, and in hot weather they increase. Do you want to know what the temperature is? They say that if you count the chirps for 15 seconds, then add 40, you will have the temperature in Fahrenheit. Try it sometime.

Crickets represent part of God’s creation and have their place among all the things He has made. He has not only provided special features for their way of life, but watches over them, too, providing for their every need.

What does Scripture say about His care over you? In Acts 17:24 and 25 we read: “God that made the world and all things therein... giveth to all (people) life, and breath, and all things.” And in Romans 8:31 and 32 These wonderful words appear: “If God be for us, who can be against us? He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” Have you ever thanked Him for His wonderful gifts to you?

ML-02/20/1983

The Runaway

Memory Verse: “All we like sheep have gone astray: we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” Isaiah 53:6

The morning sun was climbing over the hilltop, sending its golden rays across the stubble fields and into the shadowy canyons. The children were up early, eager to have breakfast and be off to play with the new lamb.

Suddenly, a shout brought everyone to the window— “Betsy’s gone! There she goes running up the hill towards the canyon!” Sure enough, we could see the little white lamb frisking up the hillside, enjoying the fresh, morning air, completely unaware that she was heading for danger—for the canyon was where the coyotes lived!

Now this little lamb was an orphan, just a few weeks old, and was being taken to a new home about 700 miles away. The family had stopped overnight at a friend’s farm where Betsy was carefully penned up for the night. Now, she had somehow gotten out, and being just a baby lamb she wanted to run and play. Poor little lamb, she would soon get lost in the canyon not having a shepherd to guide her, since sheep get lost so easily if they are left alone.

The Bible tells us that we are just like sheep when it says, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way.” Isaiah 53:6.

Breakfast was forgotten as coats and boots were quickly put on, and two daddies and a trail of children started across the fields and up the hillside.

The children worried about what might happen to their little runaway lamb if she wasn’t found. On through the stubble fields and up the rocky canyon, they picked their way stopping at times to call, “Here, Betsy; come, Betsy.” But there was no answering “baaa"— only the sound of the wind.

“Here, little lamb, come here.”

Then there was a shout as one of the children caught sight of the lamb. “There she is!” But Betsy, not knowing that she was lost, did not care about being found, so off she scrambled over the rocks...poor, little wayward lamb. However, baby lambs soon get tired, and it was not long before one of the daddies overtook Betsy, and what do you think he did? Why, he just did what a loving shepherd would do—he lifted her carefully up onto his shoulders where she was safe and could rest. Betsy lay quietly, feeling quite safe and secure, and perhaps feeling very tired, too.

In the Bible we read about a shepherd who lost one sheep and left all the others to go look for that one sheep. When he found it, he laid it on his shoulders and carried it home. Then he called all his friends and neighbors to rejoice with him that he had found his sheep that was lost. The Lord Jesus is that kind and loving Shepherd. He has bought every one of His sheep with His own precious blood by dying on the cross for their sins. He will carry all of His lambs safely home to heaven. Will you trust Him and be one of His lambs?

Betsy lay quietly as she was carried home, and the children were glad as they skipped along, so happy to have found their little lost lamb. I’m sure that when they got home their mothers heard all about it and were glad with them, too.

Can you say with the Psalmist David, “The Lord is my shepherd... He leadeth me"?

Like a little wand’ring lamb,

Lost upon the hills I am;

Like a shepherd Jesus stands,

Holding out His blessed hands.

“Come,” He says, “Come back to Me;

Little lamb, I died for thee;

I will take thee to My home,

Little lamb, I pray thee, come.”

ML-02/27/1983

Fire!

A friend of mine was awakened in the middle of the night by the cry of “FIRE!” Running to the window, he saw that it was the house across the street. He quickly dressed and ran out to help.

He found that all the people who lived in the house had gotten out safely, except for one little girl. She was still asleep in her bedroom on the second floor. The mother was panic-stricken, not knowing what to do.

My friend decided to try to save her, even though flames and smoke were pouring from the house. He rushed up the burning steps to the second floor, through the heat and smoke.

The child was still sleeping and did not know she was in any danger. My friend quickly picked her up, wrapped her in a blanket, then made a dash down the stairs. About five minutes after he handed the little girl to her mother, the roof fell in with a crash! She was saved just in time!

Although the little girl was not hurt, my friend suffered much to save her. The fire burned his arm and hand badly, leaving one of his fingers permanently scarred and twisted because of the burns. Whenever I shake hands with him, the twisted finger seems to whisper over again the story of the house on fire.

Perhaps you, like that little girl, do not realize that you are in danger! You are sleeping on in sin, not thinking that at any moment you might die, and your soul would be lost forever. Listen now to the good news that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” He let cruel men who hated Him nail Him to a cross, hammering nails through His hands and feet. He suffered and died on that cross, because He loves you and me. One of those men thrust a spear into His side, and blood and water flowed out. God tells us this blood from the Lord Jesus can wash away sins, yours and mine, if we will just ask Him. (This is called being “saved.") When those of us who are saved are in heaven with the Lord Jesus, we will see the nail marks in His hands and feet and the spear mark in His side from His suffering on the cross for us. They will always remind us of how much He loved us and what He went through to save us.

“This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” 1 Timothy 1:15.

ML-02/27/1983

Who Am I?

A Man was coming down the road

The crowds were waiting there;

They’d heard that He could heal the sick,

For blind ones He did care.

Among the crowds a little man

So rich and very just,

From his lofty perch his eyes did search

To see this Man he must!

The procession stopped; the Man looked up;

He called him by his name—

“Come down,” He said, “I’ve come to dine;

At your house I’ll remain.”

Oh, what joy as he hurried down

To receive Him to his home,

Questions he had, and thoughts in his heart,

Perhaps He would make them known.

Though half his goods he gave to the poor,

And wrongs were four times repaid,

His heart was searched as he thought on this,

And he pondered what was said.

The light broke through as the answer came

“This day is Salvation come,”

For the Son of man had sought him out,

And had found another lost one.

ML-02/27/1983

The Wonders of God's Creation: The White-Tailed Ground Squirrel

“Thou hast made...the earth, and all things that are therein.. and Thou preservest them all.” Nehemiah 9:6.

Many kinds of ground squirrels are found in the desert. Most of them are harmless and curious and fun to watch. One of these is called the “white tail,” or “antelope chipmunk” and is often mistaken for a true chipmunk. But its black and white stripes go only to its shoulders, whereas the chipmunk’s stripes go to the tip of its nose.

The white tail is easily identified as it scampers along with its white-backed tail held over its back. It spends all its time gathering seeds and nuts, stuffing them into its cheek pouches and then carrying this food to store in its den. It also eats parts of cactus and yucca plants, as well as beetles, crickets and other insects.

It is amazing to see the white tail climb a spine-covered cactus, stuff its pouches with seeds, turn around, and go back down head-first to the ground, never getting a scratch or prick from the sharp needles. How can it possibly do this? This ability is, of course, one of the special features given to it by its Creator, who wisely provides for every need of all and who “doeth great things and unsearchable; marvelous things without number.” Job 5:9. Whenever we see the things He has created we must agree that they are “unsearchable and marvelous.”

Like most other ground squirrels the white tail lives in the rocky foothills. It enjoys a happy family life and seems to be one of the truly happy desert residents. The entrance to its den is kept clean, and the well-shaped hole is always hidden under a boulder or the covering branches of a bush. It has other entrances, too, hidden and ready for any emergency, since rattlers, coyotes, hawks and many other enemies are constant threats to them.

In its underground den it builds a nest lined with feathers, grass and other soft materials. There are normally at least six babies and usually a dozen or more born each spring. These are nursed by their mother until they are strong enough for the outside world. Once outside, the little ones are great fun to watch...so full of life and games as they play together. But their mother keeps a sharp eye on them to see that they do not wander from her hidden shelter. The family stays together until the young ones are big enough to care for themselves. Then they soon make nests of their own where they have new families.

As part of the wonders of God’s creation, these little animals remind us that “the earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.” Psalms 33:5. Speaking of that goodness the Psalmist also said: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalms 23:6.

Have you thanked Him for His goodness to you? He has promised that you, too, may live in His heavenly home for all eternity if you admit that you are a needy sinner and accept Him as your Saviour.

ML-02/27/1983

"Let Go!"

Memory Verse: “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” Matthew 6:19, 20

What a fine day for fishing! Two brothers, George and Tom, waited patiently for a bite as they stood and fished on the shore of Grigg’s Dam in Columbus, Ohio. Both were policemen, and this was their day off. They were enjoying the warm sun on their backs and the relaxation of the sport, but neither of them had caught a fish. George suggested they try moving to the rocks above the falls. Fish were known to be more plentiful in that area, so they moved up to the new spot and cast out their lines once again.

Tom, the younger of the two, had an expensive new fishing rod which he had just purchased the day before. Today he was using it for the first time, and he expected to be able to pull up the largest fish with it. Tom was quite proud of his new rod.

Ask yourself this question: What do you value most in life? Are you working only for yourself and for things that money can buy? Everything that can be bought with money will be destroyed. God says in the Bible that “heaven and earth shall pass away,” and this includes everything that you can see or touch. The Lord Jesus Christ said, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt (destroy), and where thieves break through and steal.” Matthew 6:19. He told His followers to store up treasures for themselves in heaven. How do we do that? We shall see, but first let us continue our story.

Just as they had hoped, George and Tom started catching fish in the new spot on the rocks. They fished for about an hour and then noticed that the water level was rising. George packed up his fishing gear to leave, but Tom decided to stay a little longer. George warned Tom about the rising water, but it did not change Tom’s mind. He was enjoying using his new rod so much that he simply did not want to stop fishing! Worried, but knowing how stubborn his brother could be, George climbed back up from the rocks and returned to shore.

It wasn’t too much longer until Tom realized the water was now up to the level of the rocks! He could not climb back the way George had gone, because the water was now all around him. He was on an island of rocks in the middle of the river.

Suddenly, he heard someone shouting from the shore. It was George who, having seen that Tom’s return route was cut off, had gone for help. The fire department had answered the emergency call. One of the men threw a rope across the now rushing water to the rocks where Tom was trapped.

“Quick! Grab the rope!” Tom was told.

Tom reached out using the hand that was not clutching the fishing rod, but he missed. Again the rope was thrown to him... this time he caught it.

“Now let go of your rod, tie the rope around your waist, and we’ll pull you in!” was the next command.

Tom knew he was in danger, but he would not let go of his new fishing rod. Instead, he just grabbed the rope with one hand, still clutching his “treasure” with his other hand.

Is there something you are clutching that keeps you from trusting in the Lord Jesus? Is it sports, or getting good grades, or your friends at school? You must let go before it is too late, or you will never be saved.

For Tom is was too late. He could not hold the rope tightly enough with only one hand, and as they pulled him in through the fast-moving water, he went under once... twice... and finally lost the rope altogether. The third time Tom disappeared under the surface he did not come up again. It was too late!

We hope you won’t be like poor Tom who wouldn’t let go. The Lord Jesus is calling to you to depend upon Him for your salvation. He came to this earth and died on the cross for your sins. He shed His blood to save you. Now He is a risen Saviour, waiting to take each boy and girl who trusts Him to be with Him forever in heaven. This is the real treasure. Won’t you take it now?

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth...but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven...for where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Matthew 6:19-21.

ML-03/06/1983

Who Am I?

The lovely maidens had gathered there, and each one knew her duty,

Their loveliness for the eyes of the king, to choose a queen for her beauty.

Her beauty was far beyond compare, the royal palace her home,

But the one who had loved and cared for her, sat at the gate alone.

Despised and hated, a plot was laid for her people’s sudden end!

The king knew it not and He thought his man a true and faithful friend.

Unafraid she stood in the royal court, awaiting his Majesty’s pleasure;

The golden scepter was held out to her as he offered her half of his treasure.

The plot made known, the king rose up in all his royal fury—

“Hang that man on the gallows he made!” The decree carried out in a hurry,

Her people saved, they all rejoiced and laid aside their fears.

The kingdom was at peace again and free from cries and tears.

Though orphaned young, she’d had the care of one who loved her dear,

And in a firm but kindly way had taught her Whom to fear.

She may have been born for just that time and for that place prepared,

And she the one that God had used as He for His own had cared.

ML-03/06/1983

The Deep Mire

Judy could almost taste those plump, juicy raspberries. How she loved them! There they were, dead ripe, just a few feet away in the family garden, and she could not pick them! Her father had told her that the ground was too soaked from the long rainy spell, and that she would “sink to China” if she tried to pick them. “Stay out of that garden,” he had warned.

“They’ll all fall off and just be wasted,” she grumbled. “There has to be a way to get them. I’ve just got to figure out how!” she thought.

It wasn’t long before she had figured out a plan. Once she was sure that her father was not around, she put on her boots to go outside. Awkwardly holding two flat boards (each about two feet wide by three feet long) and her bucket, she snuck into the garden. Her idea was that the boards would act like little rafts on top of the mud, and she would move them forward as needed. They worked fairly well, but it was hard to pry them up from the mud. As she struggled along she began to wonder if the berries were really worth all this. And then some troublesome thoughts kept coming into her mind. She remembered Bible verses her parents would often repeat, such as, “the way of transgressors (sinners) is hard” (Prov. 13:15) and something about the wicked “set in slippery places” (Psa. 73:18).

Suddenly, Judy lost her balance from a too-long reach. Oh! Oh! To keep from falling, she had planted one foot firmly in the ooze...and it sank to the top of her boot and was still sinking! Again, a Bible verse flashed across her mind, “I sink in deep mire, where there is no standing” (Psa. 69:2). Judy knew these Bible verses were referring to the Lord Jesus’ feelings on Calvary’s cross while He was suffering for the sins of those who trust in Him.

But right at the moment she had to get out of this mire. Her one foot that was still on the board saved the day. Quickly slipping out of her buried boot, she squatted on her board to dig it out. At last she was able to back up to firm ground.

Judy thought and thought about the mire. “To the Lord Jesus, what was the mire? All the awful filth and badness of our sins—my sins!” she answered herself. “And here I am, sinning some more! Oh, how awful!” Thinking further she murmured, “It really is best to obey. Will I ever learn? Anyway, I think I’ll always remember this miry experience. It’s really something the way those Psalms tell the story of my Lord’s suffering on the cross. There is also that one that says, ‘All Thy waves and Thy billows are gone over Me? (Psa. 42:7). To think He went through it all for a sinner like me!”

Later in her warm, clean room Judy kneeled down to thank the Lord Jesus for three things: sinking beneath the deep mire of her sins and bearing the punishment for them; rising in complete victory from the dead; and forgiving her disobedience that very day.

Have you realized these same things and thanked Him?

“He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5.

ML-03/06/1983

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Clever Road Runner

“I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are Mine.” Psalms 50:11.

The road runner, also known as she chaparral cock or hen, is a strange American bird full of comical manners and mischief. Almost three feet long, including a one-foot tail, it blends into the desert countryside in its drab white and olive feathers. Year after year it lives in the same nest made of sticks and lined with snake skins.

When chased, the male road runner allows its pursuer almost to catch it, then leaps into the brush and disappears. If an intruder comes the female remains quietly on her nest until the unwelcome visitor is almost upon her before flying away. If she has chicks she hops away from the nest and pretends to have a broken leg, limping along just beyond reach of her enemy, leading it away from her chicks a safe distance until finally she flies off. How did she learn to do this? It was built in by the Creator when He placed the first road runner on the earth. He did not leave them to “discover” it by themselves.

This bird prefers to walk, having long legs and strong feet, but will fly occasionally. It is interesting to watch it strutting through the desert, neck and head stretched out, stopping often, with its tail feathers and bristly topknot bobbing up and down for no apparent reason. Its shoe-button black eyes are always alert for a careless lizard, gopher or other prey. After spotting one, it catches it in its long beak.

This bird’s life seems to be full of fun. If a horseback rider appears it is quite ready to run in front of him, challenging the horse to a race. After tiring of the game, it disappears off the side of the road. Golfers on desert golf courses, however, are not amused by its habit of snatching golf balls and running off with them.

It likes to frighten cats by rushing toward them with its wings spread, head stretched out and beak open, making odd noises. Most cats will make a quick getaway, but a cat that has seen this trick before will hold its ground and even strike at the bird with its paws. However, since no real harm results to either of them, it seems as if they both arrange these meetings just for the fun of it.

The road runner is not afraid of rattlesnakes. Coming upon one the road runner will circle the snake and tease it to strike. When the snake strikes, the road runner jumps in the air or hops aside where the snake cannot reach it. The moment the snake’s body is straightened out the bird quickly pecks it with its sharp beak. The angry snake coils and strikes again and again, but always with the same result. Finally tired out, the snake cannot continue the fight, and the bird finishes it off.

God has given special abilities to each of His creatures, and He takes pleasure in caring for them. He cares for you, too, but more than that, He loves you and invites you to be His son or daughter. How can this be? The Bible makes it plain: “For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.” Galatians 3:26. Are you part of His happy family?

ML-03/06/1983

The Flight

Memory Verse: “I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on Me should not abide in darkness.” John 12:46

Two wide-eyed boys, Jeremy and Tim, peered out the window of the airplane, trying to see if anything below would give them a clue as to where they were. What must be a highway looked like a thin wire strung with tiny beads that moved along the wire. It made Jeremy’s stomach feel sort of “crawly” to think how high up they really were. Thinking about this trip from the east coast to the west coast with their parents had been so exciting that they had hardly slept a wink the night before. They both were still wide awake.

Tim saw some blue blobs underneath that puzzled him. He thought a minute and then took out his pencil and writing pad and wrote a short message. When the stewardess came around with some pop to drink, he handed the note to her and asked if she would please take it to the pilot. Tim explained that he would like to know what states they were flying over and if there were landmarks that could be pointed out.

The stewardess hesitated, “I don’t know if he will have time for this, but I’ll give it to him,” she said smiling.

Sure enough, before long a voice came over the loudspeaker, “We are now crossing into Michigan. The bodies of water below us are the Great Lakes. The largest one is Lake Superior.” The pilot had made this flight many times and was well acquainted with the route. He also was a friendly person and wanted to make it interesting for the passengers. Tim adjusted his camera lens and took a few shots as they flew over the lakes.

Jeremy was glad they had a good pilot, but he was even more thankful that the Pilot in charge of his life ruled the universe. He knew for sure that if the plane should go down he would go up—into the everlasting arms of God who says, “I am God, and there is none like Me, declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all My pleasure...I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it.” Isaiah 46:9-11. All this He gives us, like a map of earth’s history to hold in our hands and read in His wonderful book, the Bible.

Tim studied the rough terrain far below. He was trying to figure out what it might be when the voice over the loudspeaker announced, “We are now in North Dakota, and you may be able to see the Bad Lands, there to the right of the plane.”

Tim quickly cocked his camera that direction and pressed the button. “I hope these pictures turn out well so I can show them to my class at school,” he said as he wound the film and clicked it again.

The time passed so fast. Every so often the pilot announced that they were entering a new time zone, so they should set their watches back an hour.

“If you look down to the left of the plane, you may see steam from some of the geysers in Yellowstone National Park as we cross Wyoming,” the pilot announced.

Sure enough, they could see steam, like from a tiny teakettle, boiling up over there.

“I think it might be Old Faithful,” someone remarked.

“Oh, if only they could dip down real close,” thought Jeremy, but he knew they had a schedule to keep, and no time could be wasted for sight-seeing. There were friends who would be waiting for them at the airport in Washington state. He was getting anxious to see his old playmate, David. He had not seen him since they had moved out west a few years before.

The next thing he knew the stewardess was wheeling out trays with supper. He hadn’t realized how hungry he was ‘till he got a whiff of that good roast beef and gravy. Jeremy could hardly wait ‘till it was their turn to be served. When he uncovered the things on his tray, he discovered he liked everything on it! What an adventure this whole day had been, but the best was still ahead.

They were now losing altitude, coming closer, ever closer to the airport. “Fasten seat belts for the landing everyone.” The lights of the big city twinkled below as they circled the airport.

Over the loudspeaker came instructions from the pilot to stay in their seats until the plane stopped. He then asked that the boy who wrote the note to the pilot should come down to the cabin, please. “He means you, Tim! You’re s’posed to go down there to the cockpit of the plane,” said Jeremy excitedly. After landing, while the passengers were hurriedly leaving the plane, Tim went down to the cockpit where the pilot waited. He stood up and extended his hand to Tim.

“Now you sit here in my seat while we take your picture,” he said smiling.

Tim sat down in front of all the lights and levers and buttons on the control panel. “How could anyone ever learn to manage so many gadgets?” wondered Tim. The light flashed and the camera clicked, and then it was time to say. “Thanks very much” and “Good-bye.”

God has taken your picture, too. You can see it in Romans 3:23— “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Not a very good picture is it? Well, study that chapter and see if it seems like you are going through the security gate before you get on the plane to make sure there are no hidden weapons being carried aboard. Purses, luggage and yourself all pass through an x-ray machine that sees the hidden things. This is just like the Bible which searches your heart and sees the lies, stubbornness, the schemes that you cover up with a smile while the camera clicks. None of these things can enter heaven. They are all sin and must be confessed and washed away by the precious blood of Christ who suffered our punishment for them. “There shall in no wise enter into it (heaven) anything that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life.” Revelation 21:27.

Out of the milling crowds in that big airport, Jeremy suddenly spied a familiar face that had a big smile and then a high wave in a happy greeting. Finally, after picking up their luggage they were free to join these good friends who had come to welcome them.

Jeremy thought that they had reached their goal, and it was like a dream come true—everything he had ever hoped for. But after a day or so he heard his father talking to his mother of more plans. They would drive their friends’ car across the state to a big wheat farm where they could visit other friends there. More excitement followed, and soon they were driving along through beautiful mountains, the Snoqualmie Pass and past Cheheelus Lake. He wondered if he had ever seen such high mountain peaks. Later they drove down through almost desert country along the Columbia River.

By this time the sun was setting and they had arrived at the farm. The first thing the boys did was explore the great big barns and ride the trucks and tractors. They were so glad their friend Brian had come along with them, too. There seemed no end of things to do here.

That night some pretty weary boys climbed up the stairs of the old farm house to find where they were going to sleep. They were tired alright, but they still had things to talk about, and they wanted to thank the Lord for all the good things and His care over them. The shutters on the windows were closed, and the light from the old candle that hung from the ceiling flickered on the walls, making it kind of spooky. It made them think about light and darkness.

“I’m going to write a poem about ‘light,’ " announced Tim.

“Alright, then, I’ll write one about ‘dark,’ " said Brian.

They thought awhile, and scribbled a bit, and thought some more, and erased, and scribbled some more. This is what they each wrote:

Light

There’s a rumor gone astray,

It’s been going many a day.

People think they’re in the light;

They think their path is straight and right.

They’re having pleasure in their sin.

It’s not for long they wear a grin,

Because the pleasure had from sin

Is not what fills a man within.

The soul with God It must be right.

So God sent down His own delight—

His only Son. He fought the fight

So all mankind can have that Light!

Dark

Men love the dark rather than light.

We love to kill, we love to fight.

We speak of peace, we speak of love,

We speak of peace, just like a dove.

But in our mind, deep inside,

It’s full of hate, lies and pride.

There is a way to kill that pride.

There is a place where you don’t hide.

If we’d just listen to Jesus

He would cleanse and heal us.

If we’d give Him a chance to clean us up

We wouldn’t go ‘round like a poor, whipped pup.

It’s heaven or hell; it’s turn or burn;

Whichever you choose, one you will spurn.

Turn to the Lord, hear His voice.

Dark or light...it’s your choice.

The choice is yours to make. Will you choose the light, the Lord Jesus Christ, or will you refuse Him and spend eternity in the darkness of hell?

ML-03/13/1983

The Wonders of God's Creation: Persistent Sagebrush

“The Lord’s portion is His people....He found him in a desert land, and in the waste howling wilderness; He led him about, He instructed him, He kept him as the apple of His eye.” Deuteronomy 32:9,10.

This verse speaks of the Lord’s kindness to His people Israel as they went through the wilderness—the same kindness that He shows toward His people today. Not many of us actually live in a wilderness (although this evil world is like a desert to those whose true home is in heaven), but some have been through deserts in the western United States. Seeing the desert we might ask, “Can anything good be said about sagebrush?”

Travelers through the western parts of North America and Mexico are often amazed at the seemingly endless miles of land covered by this desert plant. In dry soil where nothing else will grow, under hot summer sun and cold winter snow, these plants are often the only living things to be seen. Many people think they are ugly and worthless.

But we should not be too quick to find fault with this small gray-green shrub which covers millions of acres. It is part of God’s creation and not as useless as we might think. For one thing, it provides a home for a great number of animals, birds and insects. Many of these, such as the beautiful pronghorn antelope and some other species of deer, eat sagebrush as their main food source. Many other living things are under the cover of the sagebrush and are hidden. If we would sit quietly and watch closely, we would soon discover that it is home to jackrabbits and smaller animals, such as the kangaroo rat, gophers and many kinds of mice. Coyotes live in many parts of the country where sagebrush grows, catching the rodents that make their homes in this miniature forest. We might see a fox once in a while, too.

Many birds also make their home here. Sagebrush supplies both food and shelter for grouse, pretty pheasants and many small birds, which add to the charm of the desert with their songs. Snakes and lizards also live here along with many kinds of insects, both above and below ground. Late in summer this plant’s pleasant-smelling, yellow blossoms attract bees, and the honey produced by them has an excellent flavor. Farmers who understand sagebrush know that where it grows big and tall the soil is good, and that there is moisture in the ground, making the location a good place to raise crops.

All things considered, this plant, though disliked by many, is actually another gift of the Creator and is needed for the lives of many of His creatures. As the Bible verse reminds us: “The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth.” Proverbs 3:19. It is only through His wisdom and care that the needs of all living things are provided for.

We ourselves really have no wisdom unless it is given to us by God. Moses, who thought about this and knew a great deal about the foolishness of mankind, exclaimed, “O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end!” Deuteronomy 32:29. Have you made sure of your “latter end” (eternity), by accepting the Lord Jesus as your Saviour?

ML-03/13/1983

"Treasure"

Memory Verse: “God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8

It was such a sad day for Steve. His dad had just told him that he would not allow any dogs in the house. Steve loved his dog very much...and now she had four newborn puppies that he loved, too. But Steve knew that he had to obey his dad, so he would have to find a new home for the dogs.

The next morning Steve placed the puppies and their mother in a basket in his wagon and walked down to the animal clinic. He waited at the door until Carol, the lady who worked there, drove up.

By then he was crying with big tears running down his face. The minute Steve saw Carol coming to unlock the door, he ordered his dog not to follow him, and then he ran off down the sidewalk.

On the doorstep Carol found a yellow plastic laundry basket. Inside, wrapped in an old blanket was a small black dog with shaggy hair and a turned-up nose. Snuggled against her were four newborn puppies. Tucked inside the basket Carol found this note:

Steve was completely helpless. He could not do anything to keep his dog even though he loved her very much. How different is the love of the Lord Jesus for us. By His death on the cross, He is able to save us from our sins if we will just ask Him. And then He will be with us all through our lives. “Our help is in the name of the Lord, who made heaven and earth.” Psalms 124:8. Then in Psalms 46:1 God tells us He will be “a very present help in trouble.” How good to know that His love for those of us who know Him as our Saviour goes on forever. “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Hebrews 13:5.

The animal clinic did find new owners for the dogs. After reading Steve’s note the new owner is calling the mother “Treasure.” What an interesting name to give a dog! “Treasure” makes us think of something we really love and value. I’m sure Steve was very happy to know that the new owner loved his dog enough to name her “Treasure.”

The Lord Jesus loves each one of us so very much that in Malachi 3:17 He calls us jewels, or special treasure. Are you one of His treasures?

Little children, little children

Who love their Redeemer

Are the jewels, precious jewels

His loved and His own.

ML-03/20/1983

A Stray Kitten

The other day a stray kitten came to our house. It decided to stay, and it has grown to love us already. All we did was give him something to eat, and show him some kindness. Now he comes and rubs against our legs, purring all the while. Just a little stray kitten, but how the children love him!

Doesn’t this remind us of the Lord Jesus? He picks up poor stray sinners like us and brings us to Himself. He shows us His loving kindness and supplies everything we need. By dying on the cross for sinners, He has shown us the greatest love there is. We are just wanderers in this world, but when we come to the Lord Jesus we find a home, because His love has prepared it for us.

I came to Jesus as I was,

Weary and worn and sad;

I found in Him a resting place,

And He has made me glad.

“God setteth the solitary in families...but the rebellious dwell in a dry land.” Psalms 68:6.

“Blessed are they that dwell in Thy house: they will be still praising Thee.” Psalms 84:4.

How His heart must rejoice when we thank Him for all that He has done and when we tell others of His love!

ML-03/20/1983

Little Rebel

Teena was a lively two-year-old girl who was always running. She was not, however, quick to obey. A command to “stop” or “come here” was more often a challenge to do just the opposite with a teasing laugh.

One day a friend of the family took her to a beautiful hotel which had a lovely fountain inside that changed colors. There were many other interesting things to see, too.

It was an exciting new world to the little girl. Teena ran here and there, and seeing a lovely patio outside, she made a dash for it. Her friend, realizing that the little girl might not be acquainted with sparkling-clean, sliding glass doors (which were closed), called, “Teena, stop! Stop right now!” But Teena only laughed and ran faster. Thud! Down she went! Oh, how her head hurt! Now all her fun was ruined, and she had an ugly bump rising on her head to show for failing to obey. At least her lesson was learned with a glass door and not a speeding car.

Are you thinking, “foolish Tea"? Are you any wiser? Do you laugh when you hear warnings about Satan’s lies and the punishment ahead for sinners? “The soul that sinneth, it shall die,” we read in Ezekiel 18:4. “The wages of sin is death.” Romans 6:23. “Turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die?” Ezekiel 33:11.

Naturally, none of us likes to obey. But a person who fails to obey will always have trouble. It is only when we listen to God’s command to repent of our sins and turn to Him that we can be forgiven. And oh, how He longs to do us good! He is a loving, giving, gracious God who punished His precious Son, Jesus, so that He might be able to wipe our awful record of sins clean. “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.” Isaiah 1:18.

ML-03/20/1983

The Wonders of God's Creation: Snails Can Be Beautiful

“He hath made everything beautiful in His time.” Ecclesiastes 3:11.

Most of us do not think of snails as being beautiful but only a pest in our gardens. It is true that many things in God’s creation outwardly appear ugly to us, but God sees an inward beauty in them, sometimes visible to us only under a microscope.

Even the common garden snail has a rather pretty spiraled house on its back. The outside of its shell is skin-like, the middle is much thicker, and the inside is coated with a thin, smooth, shiny surface. It has been designed by the Creator to provide a secure, comfortable home.

Among the thousands of kinds of snails in the world, some live on land, others live in water, and many others spend their lives in trees. A number have very beautiful, valuable shells which some people collect. These include shells from some marine species with beautiful knobs, ridges, and spirals. Among these beauties, the cowrie and olive varieties are common in southern waters. In Hawaii and other Pacific islands, tree snails abound with very pretty markings.

When the common garden snail hatches from its underground egg, it is fully formed, complete with a paper-thin tiny shell. It must immediately find food. Although it has poor eyesight the Creator gave it a keen sense of smell which it uses to find what it needs. This is one of the bad things about this snail. Working usually at night, its tiny tongue, which is covered with thousands of little hooks and sharp teeth, makes quick work of destroying tender plants and flowers.

Another objection to snails is that they leave sticky and unsightly trails behind them. This trail, made by mucus from glands in their bodies, makes a soft cushion which is elastic, moist and so tough that they can crawl over the sharp edge of a razor blade and not be cut! It has been supplied by the Creator to protect the soft, tender underparts of the snail from the dry, rough surfaces it crawls over.

But not everything about snails is bad. Some people consider certain kinds as very good food. The shells of brightly colored snails are made into jewelry, buttons and other decorative objects. Also, there is one called the decollete which, instead of eating plants, kills and eats garden snails, so is a real friend to farmers and gardeners.

Can it be that the Lord cares about little creatures like these? We are sure He does, for the Bible tells us, “The Lord is good to all: and His tender mercies are over all His works. All Thy works shall praise Thee, O Lord.” Psalms 145:9,10.

But more than this, He has a special care for each person who has accepted Him as Lord and Saviour and has trusted in His work on Calvary’s cross to take away his or her sins. Of these He says, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish.” John 10:27,28. Is He your Good Shepherd?

ML-03/20/1983

Just in Time!

Memory Verse: “Your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Peter 5:8

The beautiful campgrounds in the California mountains were closed for the season and the summer’s visitors were gone. Only the ranger and his young family remained. He was still working on the trees, trimming and cutting them, and getting the area ready for winter.

The weather was still warm, and the ranger was off working. His wife and two small children were sitting in the bright sunshine, enjoying the beautiful day. It was a full-time job for the mother keeping two-year-old Jimmy out of trouble and danger. Fearless, he would dart about, usually followed by big Sheba, the family’s German shepherd dog. She was their guard by day and night. There were many coyotes in the area, and even by five o’clock in the afternoon they could be seen slinking through the bushes. Perhaps only Sheba knew just how much she was needed.

One afternoon Jimmy ran off toward a small rise which had a sharp drop into a dry wash. His mother quickly jumped up to go after him, only to freeze with sudden fear. A mean, gray coyote had shot out from the brush in a hurtling charge at Jimmy. In an instant it would be too late! But it was not too late for Sheba! With magnificent strength and speed she cut off the coyote, and the two rolled in a snarling fight. Quickly, the coyote ran off...for that time. Perhaps he was old and needed an easy victim.

Yes, he would wait and watch for another chance, and to the patient hunter the chance comes. Satan, our powerful enemy, also waits with tricks and snares that can lure boys and girls into his trap. But the Lord Jesus loves you and wants to give you joy, peace and the blessings of your sins forgiven and a home in heaven. Satan, like the coyote, would like to drag you away into his evil world to crush and ruin you forever.

A day or two later Jimmy and Sheba were playing in and out of a large dry culvert that carried rain water under the road. Sheba streaked through the culvert with Jimmy chasing her. He had not come out on the other side yet when his mother saw, again too late to help, the same gray ball of fur hurtling for her son! Would Sheba see? Could she possibly cut off the coyote this time?

Sheba did see the coyote! Just like our blessed Lord Jesus not only sees and knows our need, but “in due time” (at just the right time) He came down to save us from sin and Satan. Sheba whirled and leaped!

Again the fangs of Sheba and the enemy clashed, and not an instant too soon! Jimmy was safe.

Are you frightened to know that you are hunted by the most deadly enemy in the entire universe? Except for the power and work of the blessed Lord Jesus who loves you, you cannot escape from Satan. You and I have our own wills that love to sin and do just what Satan wants us to do. Now Sheba had to rescue Jimmy twice. But by one complete work, the Lord Jesus broke Satan’s power over us. That power is sin. “The wages of sin is death.” Romans 6:23. God will send those who die in their sins to the lake of fire with the devil and his angels (Rev. 20:15). Oh, pray that urgent prayer—“God be merciful to me a sinner"! Luke 18:13. Then believe that “faithful saying...Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” 1 Timothy 1:15.

ML-03/27/1983

A Sunbeam

We called her “Bunny.” She was different from most girls and boys, because she could not run and play like most children do. She also did not have parents who were able to care for her. An uncle and aunt adopted her and loved her just as if she were born into their family. They became her daddy and mommy. In spite of being crippled she was a very happy little girl. The Lord had given her a sweet voice, and she would happily sing her favorite chorus:

“A sunbeam, a sunbeam,

Jesus wants me for a sunbeam,

A sunbeam, a sunbeam,

I’ll be a sunbeam for Him.”

Bunny could sing this truthfully, because she belonged to the Lord Jesus. A gospel preacher once asked her, “Are you saved, Bunny?”

She answered, “Yes!”

“How do you know?” he asked.

“Because the Bible says, ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved’ (Acts 16:31). I believe, and so I’m saved.”

Bunny enjoyed playing school. She would get out her Bible verse cards and pretend she was teaching a reading class. One day a neighbor was visiting in her home and saw her playing. Bunny said to the neighbor, “It’s your turn to read now,” as she handed him some cards.

She listened while he obediently read the three cards: "For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?’ Mark 8:36; ‘He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.’ Proverbs 29:1; ‘Because there is wrath, beware lest He take thee away with His stroke: then a great ransom cannot deliver thee.’ Job 36:18.” These verses may have been used by God to cause the neighbor to think about his sins and God, for we learned that he was saved soon afterward.

The time came when it was the Lord’s will to take Bunny to be with Himself in heaven. On the way to the hospital, she began thinking that she would be lonely there, but immediately the thought came to her that her daddy and mommy would be lonely without her. She chose seven Bible verses from her collection of cards and told her parents, “Read these, and you will be happy.” After the Lord took her to heaven, these verses were a real comfort to them.

The Lord Jesus also comforted them in another way. Like Abram and Sarah in the Old Testament, they had waited many years to have a child of their own. Not long after the Lord Jesus took Bunny to Himself, He gave them a baby boy to take the place of their little “Sunbeam.”

ML-03/27/1983

Who Am I?

The garden was fresh with the morning dew, the fragrance lingered still

As flowers turned faces to greet the sun and shake the evening chill.

Droplets flashed on the firm, ripe fruit, the mists of dawn fled away,

Feathery clouds graced a golden-pink sky, heralding a perfect new day.

The man was alone tho’ his Friend was near, and their company much enjoyed,

In the cool and breezy afternoons they were daily thus employed,

But he longed for one to share with him, and God was good in giving

An help meet to complete him; her name means “mother of all living.”

But the sweetness was soon broken as they listened “hath God said?”

Not believing God they believed a lie, and sin raised its ugly head.

From the garden they now were driven, flaming swords to bar their return

Their fall was complete, and judgment was mete as their lives took a different turn.

God’s rest was so sadly broken, His lovely creation now marred,

The one He created in likeness by sin was ruined and scarred.

His wonderful plan of redemption, e’en before eternities past,

Would now look ahead to fulfillment in glories forever to last.

ML-03/27/1983

The Wonders of God's Creation: A Lovely Snail - The Conch

“Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in His sight.” Hebrews 4:13.

Perhaps the most beautiful of all snails is one that is not usually thought of as being a snail. It is the queen conch, whose shell is a valued prize. You possibly have one in your home. It is marvelously shaped and beautifully colored in creamy pink, mixed with rose or tan. The wide end of the main shell is worth examining, too. It has large, star-shaped spikes circling it, followed to a point by smaller ones. And the fan-like “lip” is lovely with its pretty colors.

No one but the Lord God, the Creator of all, could design such a beautiful home for such a lowly creature. The shell is secreted from a part of the conch’s body that forms calcium carbonate. The conch, however, does not need to know how it does this, nor is it concerned about forming its own house. The Creator has taken care of all this for it.

Many conches live off Caribbean shores where they eat plants and grasses that grow in shallow water. Their diet also includes algae secured by licking it from small rocks. Conches lie flat on the ocean floor, withdrawn into their shell, except when traveling or eating. When coming out they still remain attached to their shell. Two long antennae-like stalks appear first, with an eye on the tip of each. Beneath these stalks a snout-like mouth protrudes. Finally its “foot” touches bottom by which it pushes itself along in short hops.

The queen conch lays many eggs in long strings. About a week later little ones, called “veligers,” hatch already equipped with miniature shells. They swim in the ocean for about three weeks before settling to the bottom to develop mature bodies. Most will grow to be about a foot long and weigh about five pounds.

An interesting thing in the conch’s life is its friendship with the little conchfish that swims right into its shell in the daytime and then leaves at night. Another resident is a small crab that clings to the conch’s lip and remains there, gathering food that floats by.

The Bible tells us, “Thou (the Lord) hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created.” Revelation 4:11. It is not difficult for us to understand His pleasure in these creatures and the beautiful homes He has given them. But did you know He has taken pleasure in creating you, too? We know this is true because He has said, “My delights were with the sons of men.” Proverbs 8:31.

It is also His desire that we find our delight in Him, the One who is so loving to us and died to save us from our sins. Have you answered the wonderful invitation of God: “Delight thyself also in the Lord; and He shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him"? Psalms 37:4,5. There is no true happiness without knowing Him as your Saviour.

ML-03/27/1983

The "Indian Way"

Memory Verse: “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” John 14:6

The summer sun shone brightly on the raven-black hair of the Cree Indian. He turned his wrinkled, brown face tard the two white men approaching the reservation from the road. The men were nicely dressed and they each carried a black book. The Indian knew that these men wanted to talk to him about religion. Others like them had come bore with strange, new ideas about God. But he was old and wise, and he had his answer ready for them.

Before the visitors could begin talking, the old Indian spoke politely but firmly, “I don’t want to hear what you have to say. I believe in the ‘Indian way.’ The ‘Indian way’ was good enough for my grandfather, it was good enough for my father, and it is good enough for me. I’ll stay with the old way—the ‘Indian way.’ "

“Well,” answered one of the men when he saw that the old Indian was not willing to listen, “Tell me about the ‘Indian way.’ "

The old Indian began to tell them about how God sent His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ to be punished and to die on the cross for sinners. Then after being buried for three days He rose again from the dead and now He lives in heaven. Now anyone who admits that he is a sinner can be saved from the punishment for his sins by accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as his Saviour. The Indian had heard about the Lord Jesus from his father, who heard it from his father, who must have heard it from a missionary who had preached Christ to the Cree Indians long ago. Because of this there were still those accepting the Lord Jesus as their Saviour many years later.

This was the “Indian way.” It had given him peace and had made him happy, so he wanted nothing more.

The men were so happy to hear this because they were Christians, and the old Indian’s way was their way, too.

If you have not settled the question about your sins with God, do not wait any longer. This Indian’s way was the same as God’s way. It is the only way for Indians or anyone else to have their sins forgiven. The Lord Jesus died for you and wants you to trust in Him. Come to Him today.

“For there is no difference... for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him. For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:12,13.

ML-04/03/1983

The Children's Walk

Daddy, Mommy and their two little girls, 18-month-old Ann and 3-month-old Susan, were staying with another young family for a few days. This family had twin boys who were two years old and a baby boy. After carrying the luggage into the house, the fathers left to go somewhere, and the mothers went inside to visit. Ann and the twin boys were left to play in the front yard with a small red wagon.

A little while later Ann’s mother walked outside with Susan in her arms to check on the children. They were gone! She quickly looked around the back of the house, but they were not there either. She called them, but no one answered. Then she saw them up the road, just going around the bend. Ann, the twins and the red wagon had gone for a walk.

Running into the house, she laid Susan on the floor and called to Lynn, the twins’ mother, “The children are up the road, going around the bend!” Then she ran back out the door and up the road. She knew that at the end of their road was a wider, busier road. Lynn came running as fast as she could, too.

They ran around the bend and found the children standing in the middle of the busy road. They were talking to a man who had stopped his car. Behind him two other cars were also stopped. The man picked up Ann and handed her to her mother as she ran up. All her mother could whisper was, “Thanks,” because she was so frightened and out of breath.

It was a very quiet group that walked back to the house, Lynn with her twins pulling their red wagon and Mother carrying Ann. How close they had come to tragedy. Both mothers were thankful to the Lord for sparing the children.

Because the mothers were not watching, they almost lost their children. For those of us who know the Lord Jesus as our Saviour, it is wonderful to know that He is always watching out for us, and our salvation is secure. He holds us tightly in His hand so that we cannot wander off and be lost.

But what about you? Wouldn’t you like to know that your sins are forgiven and washed away in His precious blood? Simply admit that you are a sinner and need to be saved. Then accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your own Saviour. He promises that “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Hebrews 13:5.

ML-04/03/1983

A Little Extra Kindness

Long ago in the old city of Jerusalem, underneath the king’s palace was a storeroom where all sorts of old clothes and junk were kept. God was going to use some of those old rags to help His prophet.

It so happened that at this time the prophet Jeremiah was being held in an old, dirty dungeon. He had faithfully delivered God’s message to the king and his people. But they refused God’s message, and some of them persecuted Jeremiah. God, however, was watching over him, as He always does for those who trust Him. Jeremiah had a friend in Ebedmelech, one of the king’s servants, and God was going to use him to get Jeremiah out of the dungeon.

“The king’s heart is in the hand of the Lord, as the rivers of water: He turneth it whithersoever He will,” we read in Proverbs 21:1. The king told Ebed-melech to take thirty men and go get Jeremiah up out of the dungeon before he died. Ebedmelech took a bundle of old rags with him from the storeroom.

Someone might have asked Ebedmelech, “What do you need those old rags for? All you need is the rope.” But we can picture the tender look on the old servant’s face as he might have answered, “My old friend has suffered so much, and he is very weak and thin. I want to make it a little less painful for him when we pull him up.”

So he took the rope and the soft rags to the smelly, dirty dungeon in the prison where Jeremiah was kept. He told Jeremiah to put the rags under his arms and under the ropes. Jeremiah did as he was told, and was pulled up out of the dungeon into the daylight. From then on he remained in the prison court.

This is a lovely story, and God recorded Ebed-melech’s kindness in His Book. He records any kindness done for His own people. You can read this story for yourself in Jeremiah 38. Then in Jeremiah 39:15-18 you can read of God’s promise to care for and bless Ebedmelech. “For I will surely deliver thee... because thou hast put thy trust in Me, saith the Lord.”

“Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these My brethren, ye have done it unto Me.” Matthew 25:40.

ML-04/03/1983

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Miracle of Springtime

“While the earth remaineth... cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.” Genesis 8:22.

Persons who enjoy the pleasure of springtime most are those who live in areas where the climate is cold with harsh winter days and lots of snow and ice. Springtime seems a long way off when the long, sharp icicles are hanging down from the houses and barns, and the trees (except evergreens) are standing bare and skeleton-like. Many other shrubs and bushes appear to be completely dead.

But what is the new sound that we hear this morning? There must be water dripping somewhere outside. Searching for this dripping water, we find the rooftop snow has begun to melt and is running down the gutters of the house. Drops of water are forming on the icicles and are dripping to the ground. Oh, it’s going to be hard to take the time to dress, pull on boots, and put on a jacket and hat before going outdoors to look for other signs of spring.

What a pleasant surprise when we finally get outside and find the snow and ice are slowly melting from the warm wind that has been blowing from the south during the night. Later in the day the nearby frozen stream will also begin to melt. Water from the melting snow, seeping around the edges of the ice, will break it away from the shore. Soon a jumble of small icebergs will crash along, rushing faster and faster downstream.

But most signs of spring are silent. One of the first is the skunk cabbage. As far back as January its roots started growing again, and before the snow has all melted its yellow blossom and leaves appear. Many insects that are coming out of hiding are attracted to it. In the flower garden crocus plants push their blossoms right through the snow. Pussy willows display their soft pillows. Many birds soon appear, returning from the south, and all nature seems to come back to life.

Sap rises in the stems and branches of bushes and shrubs, producing new bud life. Trees of the orchard and forest burst forth with leaves and perfumed blossoms. Farmers start preparing the soil for planting, and the newly exposed earth smells so good.

What a wonderful miracle springtime is! It is God’s way of reminding us that in His power life can come from death. It is a beautiful picture of the change in every person’s life who has accepted the Lord Jesus as his Saviour. The Bible assures us, “He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” John 5:24.

Have you found this “newness of life"? Will you answer the Saviour’s call when He returns to take all who love Him to His heavenly home? In Song of Solomon 2:10-12, His promise is expressed this way: “Rise up, My love, My fair one, and come away. For, lo, the winter is past, the rain is over and gone; the flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come, and the voice of the turtle [turtledove] is heard in our land.” Are you looking forward to this invitation?

ML-04/03/1983

The Canceled Picnic

Memory Verse: “Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.” Proverbs 27:1

It was a perfect day for the Sunday school picnic. The sun was shining brightly as a group of children came running to be the first children to the meeting room. They did not expect the news they heard. “I’m sorry,” we told them, “there will be no picnic today. One of your classmates, Dean Olivares, died on Thursday, and his funeral is today.”

It was a more serious group of children that went back home. A picnic had been planned “Lord willing,” and the Lord had changed their plans suddenly. We knew that Dean’s heart was not as healthy as the other children’s. He ran out of breath more quickly, but who expects a six-year-old to die?

Dean had been in my Sunday school class for about a year. He told me that he had asked the Lord Jesus Christ to be his Saviour, and that his sins were washed away. He loved to stand up in Sunday school and say the verse from the Sunday school paper, and he listened well to the stories we told. Once he went with his mother, who also loves the Lord Jesus, to the park to pass out tracts and tell people, “Jesus loves you.” When he was in the hospital, he liked his mother to read the Bible to him and sing hymns.

Thursday morning his mother called me from the hospital and asked me to come as fast as I could, because she was afraid Dean was dying. When I arrived she was praying for her son and placing him in God’s loving hands. Dean was fighting for every breath, and it was not long before his tired little heart gave up, and he went to be with the Lord Jesus. The 16 doctors and nurses who quickly came into the hospital room could not hold him back. “And he said unto her, Give me thy son. And he took him out of her bosom, and carried him up.” 1 Kings 17:19. Dean was in heaven with his Saviour.

That Saturday some of the children who planned to spend the day picnicking and playing games, found themselves instead at the graveside of a friend. There everyone was reminded to be sure they were ready to meet God. No one goes to heaven because they are good. The only way to heaven is to “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.” Acts 16:31. Then “the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7. Many of those who were there were not ready to die, yet no one knew when his turn would come. One of Dean’s friends stood beside the open grave and said, “I know I should be saved, but I’m not yet.”

Are you ready to die? Dean was only six years old. We thank God that Dean knew the Lord Jesus Christ as his own Saviour. If he had not accepted the Lord Jesus, his last chance would be gone, and he would be in everlasting darkness today. Dean will never read the Sunday school paper again. You are reading it today, and you still have the opportunity to believe. Are you saying, like Dean’s friend, “I know I should be saved, but not yet,” or will you decide today for the Lord Jesus Christ?

“Boast not thyself of to-morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.” Proverbs 27:1.

ML-04/10/1983

"Come in Anytime"

The children were putting up signs on their bedroom doors. One was a printed sign from the dime store. It was made of red cardboard and said: “PRIVATE PROPERTY. KEEP OUT!” Another sign was written with pencil on white paper, and it said: “DO NOT ENTER WITHOUT KNOCKING.” Another sign simply said: “THE GIRLS’ ROOM.”

When little Joe saw the other children making their signs, he said, “Mommy, I want to make a sign, too.”

“What do you want your sign to say?” she asked.

“I want it to say, ‘YOU MAY COME IN ANYTIME YOU WANT TO.’ "

that a nice, friendly sign? Signs like these show us the feelings that different boys and girls (and adults, too) have toward others and toward God. Some people seem to be wearing a sign that says, “KEEP OUT. PRIVATE. MY HEART IS MY OWN TO DO WITH AS I PLEASE.” They forget that God made them and that they must answer to Him for everything they think and do.

Others keep the Lord Jesus knocking on their door while they are trying to clean things up inside. They forget that to be happy in God’s presence their sins must be washed away. Only God’s Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, can do that. If any one will come to Him as a sinner, He will wash all their sins away. The blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, which was shed on the cross, can make all who believe in Him clean and white.

He is knocking at your heart’s door right now. Won’t you let Him in? He loves you and would like you to answer His knock with little Joe’s sign— “COME IN ANYTIME!”

“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me.” Revelation 3:20.

ML-04/10/1983

Mtoto's Trouble

Rain had been falling for days, and the three elephants at the zoo, Affie, Mame and Mtoto, had been kept inside. But today was different. The sun was out, and the zoo keepers decided to give their three African elephants some fresh air outside. The keepers did not realize, however, the trouble that several inches of rain could bring to a 3,000-pound elephant.

The zoo keepers opened the door of the elephant house, and Affie and Mame walked outside, stepping around a huge puddle in the muddy yard. But poor Mtoto walked straight into the puddle and immediately began to sink into the sticky mud. Although she tried to struggle out, it was no use. She soon sank into the mud until it reached her huge stomach.

As a sinner without Christ as your Saviour, you are sinking into the horrible pit of sin, just like Mtoto was sinking in the mud. Psalms 40:2 Says that your sins have you trapped in “an horrible pit and miry clay.” This is the trouble you are in if you have not accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour.

What a hard job it was to rescue a 3,000-pound elephant from the mud! The zoo keepers decided to use Affie to help. They put a harness on Affie and then tied a rope from her to Mtoto stuck in the mud. As Affie pulled, the keepers stuffed sand and hay underneath Mtoto. Finally, after an hour of hard work she was freed from the mud. They were very relieved to have Mtoto safely inside again.

The zoo keepers not only freed Mtoto from the mud, but they took her completely away from it. The rest of Psalms 40:2 Says that the Lord has set our feet upon a rock and established our goings if we have accepted Him as our Saviour. The Lord Jesus Christ not only saves us from our sins, but He will guide us and keep us if we trust Him.

Are you still sinking in the miry clay of your sins, or are you safely on the Rock?

“Deliver him from going down to the pit: I have found a ransom.” Job 33:24.

ML-04/10/1983

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Thrill of a Shooting Star

“Ah Lord God! behold, Thou hast made the heaven and the earth by Thy great power... there is nothing too hard for Thee.” Jeremiah 32:17.

It is quite possible that you were hit today by a piece of a star falling from the sky! But it would have been so tiny that you probably would not have been aware of it. It is estimated that about 10,000 tons of “star dust” from outer space comes to the earth every year! Although this is a lot of weight, in comparison to the weight of the earth, 600 quintillion tons (600,000,000,000,000, 000,000 tons), it isn’t much at all.

Shooting stars! How thrilling to be looking into the night sky and see a bright streak of light falling toward the earth. These are called “shooting” or “falling stars.” Sometimes showers of these stars are visible. It is a wonderful sight, and yet to some people it is a frightening one. A person not knowing what they were might think the very stars of heaven were falling.

Actually, most shooting stars are just little pieces of material no bigger than a grain of sand. They have traveled millions of miles through space until, attracted by earth’s gravity, they turn toward it. Traveling many times faster than a bullet, they enter our atmosphere, and the friction from the air makes them white hot. They burn up in the flash that you see in just a moment or two. All that remains is a speck of ash or rocky mineral that turns to dust, eventually falling to the ground or into lakes or oceans. Isn’t it the goodness of God that provides the earth’s protecting atmosphere so these do not harm us?

These shooting stars are actually meteorites, and countless billions of them are believed to be racing through space all the time. On a few occasions over the centuries, larger ones have fallen all the way to the earth without being burned up and destroyed. In Africa one has been found that has been estimated to weigh 60 tons. In the Museum of Natural History in Washington, DC, another meteorite weighing 31 tons is on display which is only part of a 200-ton meteorite found in Greenland.

Where do they come from? No one really knows, but it is thought they may be parts of a comet’s tail sweeping the sky, or particles that escaped from the “Asteroid Belt” that travels in a great orbit between Jupiter and Mars. But no one can explain how they were formed.

However, we can be sure that God knows all about meteorites, and perhaps He directs some of them our way to remind us that our world is just a speck in His vast creation. But what an important speck it is! It was only on this earth that He created and placed man. It was only to this world that He sent His Son, the Lord Jesus, to provide a way for us who were far from Him because of sin to be saved now from those sins. It was the death of Jesus on Calvary’s cross that paid the debt of sin of all who accept Him as their Saviour and Lord. It is written, “Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, being dead to sins, should live unto righteousness: by whose stripes ye were healed.” 1 Peter 2:24.

Thus the way to heaven is provided for all who confess themselves to God as lost and helpless sinners and who through faith accept the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour and Lord. Are you one of these?

ML-04/10/1983

Timber Rattler

Memory Verse: “Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.” Proverbs 4:14, 15

Judd climbed up the steep embankment. Climbing like this on a warm spring day was hard work, but to be able to fish in mountain streams made it worth all the effort. He knew about the danger of timber rattlers and had seen some, but he had never been frightened enough to take them very seriously.

Struggling upward, he heard a sound like the shaking of the small lead line sinkers that he carried in a metal can in his pocket. It sounded as if a hand had reached into his pocket and were rattling that little box. “What gives here?” he thought to himself. He stopped climbing and looked around. There it was... only an arm’s length away! The large blackish timber rattlesnake had reared its head, and its cold, beady eyes were staring straight at Judd. Partly coiled, it was angrily saying with its rattling tail, “One more step, young man, and you’re asking for it!”

Well, it did not take very long for Judd to make a decision and quickly retreat by sliding back down the hill. A bite from that rattler out in the wilderness would have been very serious. He knew that it could easily have killed him. Slowly the reptile unwound and slithered off the rock where it had been sunbathing.

Snakes make us think of the devil, for God even calls him “that old serpent.” He is our most deadly enemy. However, the devil doesn’t give a warning like Judd got from the rattlesnake. The devil lures us into traps by whispering things like, “Be your own boss and don’t obey. Have your fun. Don’t listen to that old-fashioned Bible teaching.” His list goes on and on. Now the Lord Jesus Himself says in John 8:44 that “he (the devil) is a liar, and the father of it.” Are you listening to lies? Listen to God’s warning! “By the words of Thy lips I have kept me from the paths of the destroyer.” Psa. 17:4. Satan, or the devil, is the destroyer. His power over us is sin—those awful sins you love. You must repent, or turn around, and ask the Lord Jesus Christ for the cleansing He gives. “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7. Then Satan, the old serpent, will be a defeated enemy for you.

ML-04/17/1983

The Voice of the Tempter

Early one spring morning Julie said “good-bye” to her mother and started walking to school.

“Don’t go on the ice, Julie,” her mother called to her. “It’s not safe after that warm spell this week.”

Julie nodded her head and waved and hurried on her way. The road to school passed a small lake, and Julie could see several of her school friends sliding on the ice.

“Come on, Julie,” shouted one of her girl friends. But Julie remembered her mother’s warning and shook her head.

“Don’t be afraid: the ice won’t break,” yelled another girl. “If it holds us, it will hold you!”

This was the voice of the tempter, and if Julie had been wise she would not have listened but would have just gone on to school. Instead, to show that she was not afraid, she jumped on the ice and felt pretty brave for doing it.

Her triumph didn’t last for long. As she was showing off by sliding along in front of her friends, she did not notice the thin ice ahead. A moment later the ice broke underneath her, and Julie fell into the freezing water. Her cries for help brought three men who were working nearby, hurrying to her rescue. With great difficulty they got her out, but she was soaked and shivering with cold. They wrapped her in one of their overcoats and drove her home.

Julie will never forget that morning. She learned what unhappiness can come from listening to the tempter’s voice and disobeying her mother. Since then she has trusted the Lord Jesus as her Saviour; she now has a new life. She has power to overcome temptation and a desire to please her Saviour. Still, she often remembers that day in her childhood. It warns her that taking one step off the narrow pathway of obedience to the Lord, onto other paths which may seem pleasant, only ends in unhappiness and dishonor.

By making promises and by fear of what others will say, Satan tries to lead the sinner down to death and hell and the Christian to sorrow and shame. Be careful that he does not tempt you to be disobedient to God’s Word.

“The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.” Prov. 29:25.

ML-04/17/1983

Who Am I?

The camp was spread on the desert sands,

The people in thousands were numbered;

Each tribe had a spot for their camping place,

And a captain that bore their standard.

Fourteen-thousand, six-hundred and sixty souls

Of the tribe of Judah alone,

Kept rank in the march behind this man

Whose name joins a list of renown.

His sister was wife to Aaron the priest

(Try Num. 2 and 3),

And in case you still don’t know his name,

Matthew 1 and 4 you may see.

ML-04/17/1983

The Gathering of the Clans

As we were traveling in Nova Scotia, Canada, one day on our summer vacation, we saw an interesting sign beside the road. An invitation was written in big letters to all Scotchmen to come to the “Gathering of the Clans.”

Each summer everyone in that area who was of Scottish ancestry came together for a grand celebration. The one thing necessary was to have a Scottish family name. If your name was MacGregor, or MacIntosh, or MacTavish or some other Scottish family name, you were invited to attend. If you were not Scottish you were not invited. Even if you were invited you would not fit in, and you would feel out of place.

Very soon now there is going to be a gathering in heaven. God is going to call all of His family to be with Him forever. If you do not belong to God’s family, you will be left out when the call comes. If it were possible for you to be included, you would be most uncomfortable in heaven in God’s holy, pure presence. You would see just how dirty with sin your heart is, and so you would not enjoy it at all.

The way to become one of God’s children is through faith in Christ. You must believe that you cannot get into God’s family by anything that you can do. As a sinner you must be cleansed of your sins before you can be a part of His family. The Lord Jesus suffered and died on the cross for sinners. Those who believe that Christ died for their sins become one of His children and are a part of God’s family.

When God calls His own children home will you be there? Are you part of God’s family?

“Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.” 1 John 3:1.

ML-04/17/1983

The Wonders of God's Creation: Had Your Copper Today?

“Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits... who satisfieth thy mouth with good things.” Psalms 103:2, 5.

Did you know that your body contains many substances such as elements and minerals, and that you would not live long if they were missing? The Bible tells us God “formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life.” Genesis 2:7. In doing so He provided man with a wonderful body, perfectly balanced with the elements and minerals that the earth contains. Not only that, but He also made food containing these substances in just the right amounts, so that the needed levels in our bodies can be maintained.

One of the most important elements is iron, which helps carry oxygen in the blood to the cells of your body. Certain kinds of meat provide iron, as do eggs, fish and some vegetables. But iron needs copper to help in its work, and this is supplied in shell fish, nuts, dried peas and beans, etc.

Everyone must have calcium to stay alive. Your bones and teeth contain more than two pounds of calcium, and it is an important ingredient in your nervous system, too. God has put this important substance in many foods, especially in dairy products such as milk and cheese.

Salt is another necessity. It is a mineral made up of the two elements sodium and chloride. Although it is essential, many people use too much. Most natural foods contain low, but adequate, levels of salt. We should be careful how much we add with the salt shaker since too much can be harmful. Phosphorus, magnesium, potassium and sulfur are all elements your body needs. Almost all foods have these items in them.

Then there is zinc which helps to make strong bones that form the red blood cells and produces substances that heal injured skin and flesh. Chromium, selenium, manganese, iodine and many others must find their way into your body systems if you are to stay alive.

Isn’t it wonderful that the Lord God, our Creator, had plants and other foods with these minerals in them ready for Adam and Eve and all of us ever since then? He created these plants so that they would absorb these substances from the soil and water, and then pass them on to us. This is part of His loving care to keep us healthy and strong.

Not only has He provided the right earthly foods, but more importantly, He has given us “the true bread from heaven.” The Lord Jesus said, “I am the bread of life: he that cometh to Me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst.” John 6:35. By this He meant that by believing on Him our hearts should never be hungry again for the empty things of this world or thirsty for its temptations. It also says in the Bible, “He satisfieth the longing soul, and filleth the hungry soul with goodness.” Psalms 107:9.

Do you know this wonderful One as your own personal Saviour?

ML-04/17/1983

The Search

Memory Verse: “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23

Hugh Murphy examined the ice on the lake. “Will it hold my truck?” he asked himself. Guessing that the ice was a good eight to ten inches thick, he climbed back into his new four-wheel-drive truck and pulled onto the frozen surface. “This will be the easiest way to search for those heifers,” he told himself. “I can see lots more of the country out here.”

Hugh and his brother Jack owned a large ranch in the Badlands of North Dakota. Hugh had left that morning to look for cattle in one of the back areas of the ranch. It was a cold day late in winter with a temperature of eight degrees below zero and a strong north wind blowing.

“It’s hard to believe that spring is on its way,” thought Hugh as his truck rumbled across the ice. “I’ll be glad to get rid of this snow.”

He drove about five miles over the ice looking for the missing cattle. He would stop to check the hills and canyons with his binoculars. It sure was a lot easier driving on the ice than bouncing along the rutted ranch trails. He thought back to earlier in the day when even his four-wheel-drive truck had gotten stuck in a gully. He had to dig with a pick and shovel to free it before he could go on.

“I’ll just go on down the Short Coulee ridge. If I can’t find those cattle there, then I’ll turn back. They must not be on this side of the ranch,” he decided.

Suddenly, he felt a jolt as the front wheels of his truck broke through a thin spot in the ice. The rear wheels caught and held on the edge of the ice. Acting quickly, Hugh tried to open the door on his side. It wouldn’t budge. He tried the other door, but it also was frozen tight, as were the two sliding windows. There was only one thing left to do if he were going to get out. He had to kick out the windshield of his new truck.

As he frantically kicked at the windshield, the ice broke underneath the rear wheels, and the truck began to sink into the 12-foot-deep lake. Down, down, down it slowly sank, the daylight fading as the murky, icy water covered over the top of the cab. “Will it ever stop sinking?” wondered Hugh. He could hear precious air bubbling out of the cab as the icy water poured in. “Is this the end?” he wondered fearfully.

Hugh Murphy was in a very dangerous spot! He was far away from help on a bitter cold day in a truck that was sinking to the bottom of an icy lake. As bad as Hugh’s situation might seem, there are people all over the world who are in a similar situation, and they don’t even know it! Hugh knew that he was in real trouble. But there are those who are trapped in their sins and on their way to hell, and they have no idea! The Bible describes these people in 2 Corinthians 4:4: “The god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ... should shine unto them.” Yes, Satan is keeping some children and men and women in the dark (blinding their minds) to prevent them from believing the truth—that the Lord Jesus loves them and died for them. Satan is whispering, “Don’t worry about a little lie; you’re not very bad; lots of people are much worse than you are; besides, there is plenty of time.” These are Satan’s lies!

The truth is found in God’s Word, the Bible. It tells us that “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23. That means everyone, young or old, is a sinner, and sinners cannot come into God’s presence.

“So what happens to sinners?” you may ask.

The Bible gives us the answer: “Whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:15. To be saved from being cast into the lake of fire (hell), we must realize that we are helpless sinners and need to be saved. Then God will show us His love in the gift of His only Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, who died for sinners just like us. On the cross He took all the punishment for the sins of those who would believe in Him. All we have to do is accept this free gift of salvation that God is offering to us, and we will be free of Satan’s blinding power over us. “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.” John 3:16.

Hugh kicked desperately at the windshield again. As it shattered he took a deep breath of air and squeezed out through the jagged windshield opening. He kicked to the surface, but came up under the ice. Seeing light through the broken ice about five feet away, he swam to it. Surfacing, he gasped for air.

Grasping the edge of the ice, he tried to crawl out on top. His coat kept freezing to the ice. Slowly, he pulled himself up out of the water and crawled away from the hole. Standing up he yelled, “I’m alive!” but then he wondered for how long. He knew he could freeze to death quickly. Even if they missed him at home, nobody had any idea where he was. The only shelter around was a small cabin six or seven miles away where one of the hired men lived. He knew he had to try to reach it.

The wind and cold tore at his body, and his clothes froze. Ice formed in his hair, eyelashes and eyebrows. He tried to walk along the shore of the lake, but found it was too rough to make good progress. Moving to higher ground, he found a trail that led in the direction he wanted to go. For more than an hour he struggled against the wind, freezing cold and deep snow. He had never felt such piercing pain before.

About three miles from the cabin he came to the top of a hill. There the full force of the north wind slammed into him, nearly freezing his bare hands and face. Gradually a numbness crept over him, making it harder to walk. About a mile from the cabin he stumbled and fell into the snow. Straining, he got halfway to his feet, slipped and fell again. He couldn’t move. He relaxed and almost passed out. Then, realizing that if he didn’t get up he would freeze to death right there, he crawled along a few feet. Then stumbling to his feet he tried to walk. His legs and feet just wouldn’t work right. Finally, he could see the cabin in the distance. “If I can just hang on a little longer,” he gasped.

Reaching the cabin, he thumped on the door, but nobody was there. Smoke was still coming from the chimney, so he knew that warmth was just on the other side of the door. He tried to turn the door knob, but couldn’t because his hands were so numb. Finally it opened, and he fell into the warm cabin. He was safe!

As unbelievable as it may seem, Hugh Murphy had walked nearly seven miles in deep snow, over hilly country, in bitter wind at eight degrees below zero. It had taken over five hours!

Hugh rescued himself, but we know from the Bible that we cannot save ourselves from our sins. Only the Lord Jesus can save us. “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” John 14:6. Many people are trying to work their way to heaven. They are trying to do things they think might help and hope they will get there. There was only one Person who had a perfect life in this world, and that was God’s Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. Everyone else has “come short” (sinned and made mistakes). Why continue trying your own ideas when God says they won’t work? The Lord Jesus is the only answer, and He is waiting to save you if you will just ask Him.

“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man; but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Proverbs 14:12.

“Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.” John 6:37.

ML-04/24/1983

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Strange Kiwi

“But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased Him.... All flesh is not the same flesh.” 1 Corinthians 15:38,39.

A strange bird called the kiwi is found only in New Zealand. Many people living there have never seen one since it hides in its burrow until late evening or night time. Its name comes from its call, “kee wee,” as it moves about in the darkness.

This is the smallest of all the birds that cannot fly; the ostrich is the largest. Although it is a true bird, it looks something like an animal without a tail and even has cat-like whiskers. It is about the size of a chicken and is covered with pretty, soft, gray and brown feathers. (Some people used to make beautiful robes from these feathers, but this is now outlawed.) It has strong legs and feet and can run through the undergrowth rapidly. It moves silently, except for a little hissing noise when hunting and occasionally giving its piercing cry, “kee wee, kee wee.”

The Creator did not forget to give the kiwi the ability to fly. Instead, as mentioned in the opening verse, He took pleasure in forming it just the way it is and gave it special ability to live on the ground. Since worms and underground insects are its main food, it has been given an unusually long, tough bill to dig with. It hunts mostly in moist or swampy ground where the digging is easiest. Every other bird has nostrils at the base of its bill, but the kiwi’s nostrils are out on the end of its bill. What do you think is the reason for this? Those who have studied this bird believe it smells the food for which it is searching through these openings on its bill. Its small eyes do not see much in the dark, but its keen sense of smell enables it to find all its food, including berries, snails and certain vegetation.

If the kiwi were capable of thinking and talking, it would tell us, “No, God did not leave out any necessary thing. He has given me all I need to thrive and prosper.” And it does prosper. Burrowing under the roots of a tree, it builds a nest lined with leaves and grass. It usually lays just one very large white egg which weighs one-fourth as much as the kiwi itself! The kiwi egg is the largest in proportion to its size of any bird on earth.

After laying her egg the female lets the male incubate it. For over two months he stays on the nest, only eating and drinking on quick trips outside, while waiting for the chick to hatch. The hatched chick is covered with soft, dark fuzz called “down.” After only a few days the chick wanders off to make its own way, and the parents forget all about it.

God watches over these strange birds, just as He does over all His creatures. We are also part of His wonderful creation, but unlike the birds and animals, we have a responsibility to Him as to what we do with our lives. To stir us up, His Word says, “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth.” Ecclesiastes 12:1. Also, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:5,6. Are you doing these things?

ML-04/24/1983

Ten Million Bees!

Memory Verse: “The sting of death is sin.” 1 Corinthians 15:56

Last fall, in the town of Lansing, Illinois, there was quite a disturbance. It was about 11:45 p.m. on a Thursday evening when the Lansing police dispatcher got the first call reporting, “A truckload of beans has tipped over.” The policemen reporting to the scene discovered that it was not beans, instead it was a truckload of bees that had tipped over—ten million honeybees!

Melvin Oakes, of North Dakota, was trucking 500 hives of bees to Georgia where they were going to be kept for the winter. The truck had tipped over, spilling the hives onto the roadway and breaking 50 of them. The bees were upset and flying all around, stinging everyone who came near.

The police were completely unprepared for what they found. “When we got to the scene, we didn’t know what to do first,” said Lansing Police Sgt. Keith Smith. “We looked in our list of emergency phone numbers and found a number for ‘beekeepers.’ " A few calls soon brought volunteer helpers from several beekeeper groups.

Although all of the volunteers were stung more than once (one of them was stung 20 times on the neck and arms), they worked all through the night trying to repair the hives. They had been given a deadline to meet. They knew that once daylight arrived, about 5:30 a.m., there would be lots more traffic on the highway, and the warming temperature would make the bees much more active. The police and volunteers worked hard trying to meet the deadline.

Bees and their sting suggest a verse in the Bible that speaks about the “sting of death” (1 Cor. 15:56). We know that death is all around us in this world. Sometimes it is boys and girls who die. Other times it is fathers and mothers or other people we love. Everyone knows what we mean when we say, “He died.”

As you think about death, does it worry you? Are you afraid to die? I am sure you are if you are not a Christian. If you have not accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour, the Bible tells us that you are still lost in your sins and on your way to hell. There you will be punished forever because of your sins. That is why you should be afraid of the “sting of death.”

A Christian is not afraid of death. To him God’s Word says, “O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory?” 1 Corinthians 15:55. A boy or girl, or anyone, who has asked the Lord Jesus Christ to be his Saviour knows that he will not be punished for his sins. Why? Because he knows and believes that the Lord Jesus was his substitute and was punished for his sins on the cross. The Lord Jesus bore the punishment for all who have trusted in Him. His blood that was shed on the cross has washed each one clean of any trace of sin. Each of them can say, “Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:57.

The beekeepers continued to work toward the 5:30 a.m. deadline. That was the time set by the mayor of Lansing. If the bees could not be captured and returned to their hives by that time, they were to be destroyed.

The beekeepers hoped that the bees and hives could be saved. “We know how much money they cost,” one of them said. The truck driver said they were worth almost $100,000.

The beekeepers worked as hard as they could, but could not get enough of the hives repaired. Finally, just as it was starting to get light, the mayor gave the order to destroy the bees. The hives were all piled up and firefighters set fire to them, destroying all of the bees.

What a loss! But for any of you who are still lost in your sins, the loss of your soul in hell is far, far worse. You still have the opportunity to be saved. Tomorrow it may be too late. Right now, as you read this, ask the Lord Jesus Christ to save you. Tell Him that you are a sinner and cannot save yourself.

The deadline is coming very soon, and after it comes it will be too late to be saved. That deadline is the coming of the Lord Jesus for those who believe on Him. The Bible says of His coming that it will happen in the “twinkling of an eye” (1 Cor. 15:52). In that short instant all who know Him as their Saviour will be taken from this world to be with Him. Those who are left behind will have missed their last opportunity to be saved.

“God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8.

ML-05/01/1983

The Bottle of Acid

Iyengar was an Indian living in the Kerala District of India. He was also a communist. He had given everything he had to the communistic cause and was convinced that it held the answer to the world’s problems. How many there are in the world today who will believe in anything but God’s “way, [His] truth, and [His] life.” John 14:6. As a young, energetic communist Iyengar could face anything. But now that he was in his 50's, he was no longer sure. He had doubts as to what communism could do for the world. The more the doubts grew, the more unhappy he became. Under terrible stress Iyengar slowly began to realize that what he had given his best years to had not given him peace. He knew that there was something beyond death, which he was not ready to face. He also knew now, bitterly, that communism did not have the answer. He knew that it could not save him; he knew that he could not save himself. Iyengar grew more and more depressed. (Oh, that men in this condition would listen to the loving call of the Lord Jesus: “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28.)

But Iyengar had never heard of Jesus, and so he decided to take things into his own hands. In great anguish of mind, Iyengar decided to end his life by suicide.

He decided that since he could not swim, the best way would be to jump off a high bridge and drown. He chose to jump from the Mattaherry Channel bridge, about 75 feet above the water. On the fateful day he clambered up onto the railings and stood looking at the rushing water below. Then, closing his eyes, he jumped off!

Iyengar expected to drown, but he didn’t even get wet. In fact, he really didn’t go anywhere. His shirt, which always hung out over his trousers, caught on the railing as he went past and suspended him—helplessly—75 feet above the water.

Now what?

The fire brigade was called, and after getting him off the railing they gave him a stern warning and let him go.

But the future looked just as black now as it ever had been, so Iyengar decided to complete his suicide attempt by jumping off the jetty at the opposite end of the bridge. As he made his way along the jetty, a bottle flying through the air, thrown by some unknown hand, hit him in the forehead. It broke and spilled its contents down his face. Oh, the burning pain he felt as he fell down clutching his face. “My eyes! Where am I? I can’t see—I’m blinded! Oh, the pain!”

Iyengar was taken to a hospital where he was treated for terrible acid burns. But his sight was gone! What a hopeless situation. He had no spiritual sight, and now he had no physical sight.

But God had His eye on Iyengar and sent one of His servants to that hospital. For the first time Iyengar heard the good news of salvation. He heard the story of God’s love in sending His Son Jesus to die on the cross of Calvary to take away sin, making man fit for God’s presence. Iyengar believed, and at last he had what he had been searching for. He had lost his physical sight, but he had found spiritual sight. And now as a happy believer, Iyengar loves to tell others of God’s love for lost sinners. He loves to tell how God stopped him from committing suicide, by having a bottle of acid hit him on the head.

We may not have anything quite so dramatic happen as Iyengar did, but eternal issues are just as serious. There are many people whose hearts are “failing them for fear.” There is only one answer for all the problems of the world. There is only one answer for the sin-sick soul. That answer is the Lord Jesus Christ. He alone can save you now and forever. Won’t you trust Him today?

“Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.” Romans 5:20.

“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:1.

ML-05/01/1983

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Merry Rock Wren

“Who is like unto the Lord our God, who dwelleth on high, who humbleth Himself to behold the things that are in heaven, and in the earth!” Psalms 113:5, 6.

In the deserts of the United States, Mexico and Canada the sweet song of the rock wren is often heard. Its brown colors blend in closely with the rocks of its desert home, helping to hide it among the boulders, sandstone cliffs and rocky hills.

What an interesting home the rock wren has! Their small nest is made of twigs, grass and plant stems, lined with shredded bark, dry grass, pieces of fur, etc. There is nothing unusual about its nest; it is the wall that is built beside its nest that is unusual. After the nest is built in a crevice or under a big rock, the mated birds gather small pebbles and rock chips. They use these to make a stone wall in front of the nest, leaving only a small entrance way. No doubt the Creator gave the wren this skill to help protect its nest from snakes, rats and birds of prey which would eat their eggs. Nearly always, they use the extra stones to make a paved pathway to the entrance, or they just pile them in a neat mound.

About six white eggs, speckled brown on one end, are laid twice a year, and in two weeks the chicks hatch out. The parents are attentive and protective, staying close by and bringing moths, spiders and other insects as food to the young chicks. An observer once counted over a thousand food trips in one day made by a mother wren for her little ones! Before they are big enough to fly, the parents lead them out on the rocks for exercise. If danger appears they immediately obey their parents’ signals to “freeze” or find a hiding place. Isn’t it interesting to see how God has put such wisdom in the parents?

The rock wren (the earliest bird out in the morning and the last one in at evening) has been given a long bill to reach food in cracks and under boulders. Its short legs have sharp-clawed toes, allowing it to cling upside down to overhanging rocks. Although it does drink water when it is available, it can get along without it, getting moisture from what it eats.

The rock wren is another excellent example of how the Lord God, the Creator, has supplied everything His creatures need. The Bible reminds us: “Thou openest Thine hand, and satisfiest the desire [needs] of every living thing.” Psalms 145:16.

The same One who watches over the little rock wren has His eye on you, too. In a special way His “delights [are] with the sons of men,” and He says: “Now therefore hearken unto Me, O ye children.... Blessed is the man that heareth Me.... For whoso findeth Me findeth life.... But he that sinneth against Me wrongeth his own soul.” Proverbs 8:31-36. These are serious, but wonderful words. The Lord wants you to know Him, not only as the provider and preserver of your life, but as the One to whom you may go as a needy sinner. He wants you to thank Him for taking the punishment for your sins on the cross, and accept Him as your own Saviour. Have you done this? “To-day if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts.” Hebrews 4:7.

ML-05/01/1983

The Runaway Gerbil

Memory Verse: “The Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10

Kristen and Johnny had two gerbils named Arnold and Bucky. They were both active little animals, as most gerbils are, but Bucky was especially adventuresome. He was always exploring everywhere he could when he was allowed out of his cage.

Kristen and Johnny went to visit their grandmother for a week. Their parents stayed at home while they were away. Early in the week Daddy noticed that Bucky was not in the cage. The lid had not been closed tightly and was slightly ajar. If you’ve ever had a gerbil for a pet, you know a gerbil doesn’t need much room to squeeze through. Bucky had gotten out!

Every night after Daddy came home from work, he went “gerbil hunting.” The cage had been kept in the basement, so that is where Daddy searched. Although he spent many hours trying to catch Bucky, there were too many hiding places. He saw Bucky several times, but could never catch him.

When the children came home a few days later, Bucky was still loose in the basement. Kristen thought that since Bucky was her pet she could easily catch him, but she found that she couldn’t. Johnny tried everything he could think of, too. They even put food out by the cage and then waited quietly for Bucky to come and get it. However, when Bucky did come and the children tried to catch him, he would scoot away out of their grasp.

One day Kristen prayed, asking the Lord Jesus to help them catch Bucky. Now, you may think that catching a gerbil is not very important to the Lord Jesus and that we should not bother Him about such little things. But in the Bible the Lord says, “Ye have not, because ye ask not.” James 4:2. There is no problem too small to bring to the Lord Jesus. He never gets upset about our asking for anything that He would like us to have. “If we ask anything according to His will, He heareth us.” 1 John 5:14. Also, James 1:5 tells us, “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally [generously], and upbraideth [scolds] not; and it shall be given him.”

Later that same day as Kristen looked for Bucky, the quick-moving little gerbil ran behind an old bookcase that was being stored in the basement. Scooting behind the bookcase was easy, but Bucky soon discovered that there was no other way out. The bookcase sat in the corner of the basement. Bucky could run behind the bookcase until he reached the corner. But then he could not go around the corner, because the bookcase was pushed tightly against the wall. He could not go under it, either. The only way out was the same way he had gotten in. By then Kristen was guarding that end to keep Bucky from getting out. He was trapped!

Kristen called for Daddy to bring the cage quickly. Carefully, they worked together to get Bucky back into the cage.

The Lord had answered Kristen’s prayer, and so easily, too. I’m sure the family must have thought, “If we had prayed about it sooner, we could have saved ourselves a lot of trouble.” How often we all forget to pray, or we think that something is not important enough to bring to the Lord. Let’s remember that the Lord does hear and will answer our prayers. Sometimes the answer will not be what we were hoping it would be, but it still is an answer. Let’s always thank the Lord for answering our prayers.

It was not long until Bucky settled down to his normal caged life. But about two days later Kristen noticed that Bucky seemed sick. He only got worse over the next two days. On the fourth day after being caught, Bucky died.

Kristen and Johnny’s parents wondered if he had eaten some poison or something else that was not good for him, while he was out of the cage. Bucky might have thought he was having a good time while he was loose. It seems, though, that his good time was harmful to him and even caused his death.

Some boys and girls are so busy having good times that they don’t bother to think about God. Sometimes even children who love the Lord Jesus Christ and know Him as their Saviour want to “run away"—do things that are not pleasing to Him. But each of us must remember that “the wages of sin is death.” Romans 6:23. Your “good times” will only last a short time, but your soul lives forever. If you are not trusting in the Lord Jesus and are “running away” from Him, why not allow yourself to be “caught.” He wants to “catch” you in His love. He loves you so much that He has already taken the punishment for all your sins if you will only believe Him. He shed His precious blood on Calvary’s cross for any who accept Him as their Saviour. Tell Him that you believe that He died for you. He has promised to save you. “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.” John 6:37. Then you will want to thank Him for saving you, and tell others about Him. Don’t be unwise and run away from the Lord Jesus like Bucky ran away from Kristen’s family. He loves you. Accept Him as your Saviour today.

“The Lord is... not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9.

ML-05/08/1983

Safety in a Tree

Near our apartment building live three lively little squirrels. The lady living upstairs named them and feeds them nuts every morning. Their names are Tom, Mike and Sally. Throughout the seasons I have watched these three frisky playmates and have enjoyed their antics. Once in a while I leave them leftover cranberry bread or some other choice snack on my windowsill. Often they will leap right over and help themselves, even before I have a chance to close the window. Needless to say, they have become quite bold, having received only good things to eat from people.

Are you like these squirrels? Are you tasting the good things of today without any thought as to the future? Have you ever thought about your soul’s need? Or, like these squirrels, are you just going through life unaware of the danger that lies ahead?

One bright, cold morning I stepped outside and was about to get into our car when I noticed something that made me stop still! Across the road was one of the squirrels (whether Tom, Mike or Sally, I couldn’t be sure). It was sitting on its haunches busily nibbling on a large walnut. What it didn’t know was that a fat, gray cat was only a few feet behind it, inching closer every second with every hair bristling.

The Bible warns us that “the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Peter 5:8. Just as the squirrel was unaware of the cat, perhaps you have no idea that Satan has you in his power if you have not trusted in the Lord Jesus as your Saviour. Satan is very real, and you have no power in yourself to fight him.

I knew in a flash how I could save the life of that unsuspecting squirrel. With a roar, I lunged at the cat, waving my arms like a wild bear. The cat, once so fierce, scampered off. It was one frightened puss. The squirrel, of course, was also startled at the hubbub, and it darted up a nearby tree.

It found safety in the tree.

You, too, can find safety in a tree. I did. Once I, too, was in great danger and didn’t know it. I was lost in my sins, and Satan had me in his power. The Lord Jesus saved me by dying on the cross for my sins. That cross was the tree in which I found safety, and you can, too.

“Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree.” 1 Peter 2:24.

ML-05/08/1983

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Tough Sea Gull

“God... teacheth us more than the beasts of the earth, and maketh us wiser than the fowls of heaven.” Job 35:10,11.

Part of the fun of being at the seashore is watching the sea gulls. They can be seen soaring high in the sky, perched on a post, or just resting on the water. Their high-pitched “meews” are loud enough to be heard above the noise of the waves. Occasionally they will give harsh squawks as fights take place. There are many varieties of sea gulls, but the herring gull is the most common. Its head and underside are white, with partly black wings, and its beak and web-footed legs are orange.

Although they are pretty and fun to watch, they often show bad manners by fighting among themselves. Most are bullies and get into fights with each other by a rough push with a stiff half-open wing or a nasty peck with their sharp beak. But they are part of God’s creation in spite of this, and He has made them strong, swift and wise in many ways. He has also given them great skill in using air-currents (thermals) or the air rising from a large ship, to glide along tirelessly with their four-foot-wide wings outstretched. Frequently they will stay with a ship for many miles, watching for food scraps. Although mostly scavengers, they like fresh fish, clams and oysters just as well. Unable to break the shell of a clam or oyster, a gull will carry it high in the air and drop it on a rock to break it open. They have also been seen sitting on the beak of a floating pelican and grabbing fish from it.

These birds live in large groups, making nests on the ground, where their eggs and chicks attract many enemies. When a gull discovers an enemy it gives a loud shriek, and the whole colony comes rushing at the thief with sharp beaks and club-like wings. It takes a bold intruder to risk these attacks. When very small, a hungry baby taps a red spot on the underside of its parent’s beak. The parent then coughs up food for the baby to eat. Later, when they are given more solid food, they fight among themselves for the best parts.

In some ways sea gulls remind us of Satan by seeming to be so charming, but actually being fierce and aggressive to one another. Satan makes himself very attractive in the things that he may offer us, but he is actually cruel and vicious. He tries to bring evil into the life of every boy and girl. He is a deceiver, and the Bible says this about him: “Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.” 2 Corinthians 11:14. Another important warning is given: “Be sober, be vigilant [watchful]; because your adversary [enemy] the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour [destroy].” 1 Peter 5:8.

How good it is to know, as our opening verse expresses, that God has made us wiser than the fowls. This God-given wisdom tells us that there is a place of safety from the devil, as the Bible states: “The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.” Proverbs 18:10. Have you made Him your place of safety?

ML-05/08/1983

Randy and Gwen's Secret

Memory Verse: “Without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” Hebrews 11:6

“Let’s do something different today,” Randy said to his sister Gwen. “Everything is so boring, and I want to do something exciting.”

“Me, too,” said Gwen. “Do you have any ideas?”

It was spring vacation for Randy and Gwen. School had been out for several days, and the children were tired of playing the same old games. They sat thinking about what they could do that would be different.

“I have a good idea,” Randy announced after a few minutes of deep thinking. “Let’s form a club. We’ll call it ‘The Surprise Club!’ I’ll be the president, and you can be the vice-president.”

“Okay,” said Gwen, willing to do anything her older brother suggested, “but what are we going to do?”

“Well, we’ll give people surprises,” answered Randy.

“What kind of surprises?” asked Gwen.

“Oh, only good ones, of course,” answered Randy. “We’ll find people who need things done for them. Then we’ll help them or give them something without letting them know who did it. It will make them wonder who did it. I think we’ll have lots of fun, too.”

“So do I,” said Gwen. “What are we going to do first?”

“Well,” answered Randy, picking up a pencil, “I’ll make a list of things, and then we can decide what to do first. But remember, don’t tell anybody what our plans are. It’s a secret!”

The Surprise Club makes me think of something that should not be a surprise to boys and girls. I know there are many children who do not know that God loves them. We know from what the Lord Jesus said that God loves every one of us. In the Bible we read, “For God so loved the world [everyone in it], that He gave His only begotten Son [the Lord Jesus Christ], that whosoever [anyone] believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.

Is it a surprise that God loves you? Let me tell you just how much he loves us. God’s only Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, died on Calvary’s cross, taking the punishment that I deserved for my sins. Was He punished for your sins? Yes, He was, if you admit that you are a sinner and accept Him as your Saviour. The Bible says in Galatians 2:20, “The Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.” Can you say that? If you accept Him as your Saviour, God promises you everlasting life. “He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life.” John 5:24. Don’t push His love aside any longer. Why not accept Him right now?

The first surprise on their list was to help their mother. She had gone to the store, leaving the lunch dishes in the sink. Quickly, the two children did the dishes and put them all away. Then they taped a note on the kitchen door.

Later, when Mother returned from shopping, she carried the bags of groceries into the kitchen. Then she noticed the clean kitchen. “How did this happen?” she wondered out loud. She listened, but the house was quiet. Randy and Gwen were not around. She opened the note she saw taped to the door. It read, “The Surprise Club was here this afternoon.” Mother smiled and thought, “I wonder what’s going on? It must be a game that Randy and Gwen are playing. They can play that game any time they want. I’d like to thank them, but I’ll play along with their game.”

During the next few days some other notes appeared. She found one by the flower beds that had just been weeded. Then she found another one by the bookcase that had been straightened up and the books neatly arranged. Both of them were signed, “From the Surprise Club.”

Randy and Gwen didn’t give surprises only to their mother. Their cousin Ricky was sick in bed with the mumps. Sitting up in bed, Ricky could see the backyard from his window.

One afternoon, something moving in the backyard caught his attention. A white box was coming over the top of their back fence and was being lowered to the grass by a string that disappeared over the fence.

“Mom, come here, quick!” Ricky called. Pointing out the window, he told her, “That box just came over the fence. Please go see what it is!”

She went out and picked up the box. It had Ricky’s name on it. She looked around, but could not see who had left it, so she brought it in for Ricky to open. Inside he found three small packages with a note on each. The first one said, “Open Monday"; the second one said, “Open Wednesday"; and the third one said, “Open Friday.”

Since it was Monday Ricky opened the first package. Inside he found a box of crayons and a coloring book with a note saying, “From the Surprise Club.”

“Hey, this is a neat coloring book, but who’s it from?” Ricky asked his mother.

“I sure don’t know,” she answered, shaking her head.

The next morning Ricky’s mother was telling Randy and Gwen’s mother about the surprise package. Randy’s mother said she had also been finding surprises with notes signed the same way.

“I think it’s Randy and Gwen,” their mother said, “but I think they want it to be a mystery.”

“Well, I think I’ll play the game, too,” said Ricky’s mother laughing.

Several days later a letter came to Randy and Gwen’s house addressed to “The Surprise Club.” Inside were two gift certificates for hamburgers, french fries and milkshakes at their favorite restaurant. Also enclosed was a thank-you note for cheering up Ricky.

They had been discovered! The children didn’t know how anyone had found out about their secret, but it didn’t really matter. They were still as happy as they could be. Spring vacation had been a lot of fun.

God is still offering the wonderful gift of everlasting life to anyone who will accept it. The gifts given by the Surprise Club would not have been gifts if they had not been accepted. Won’t you accept the gift that is being offered to you? All you need to do is believe what the Bible says. In Acts 16:30 a question is asked—“What must I do to be saved?” The answer is very simple — “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” Acts 16:31. Simply believing on the Lord Jesus Christ is the only way that you can be saved. Why not do this right now and accept Him as your Saviour?

ML-05/15/1983

The Well-Protected Armadillo

“But let all those that put their trust in Thee rejoice: let them ever shout for joy, because Thou defendest them.” Psalms 5:11.

In God’s creation no two creatures are ever exactly alike, and they all follow the original pattern given them by God. Each species has been provided with distinctive features best suited for its manner of life. The armadillo is an outstanding example, because it is so different from all other animals. Its name comes from a South American Indian word meaning “armor.” This “armor” covers the armadillo from the tip of its pointed snout to the end of its long tail, including its short legs and feet. Flexible and tough, this armor crosses the back of the armadillo in bands connected by bony rings. The parts over its shoulders and head, lower back and tail, are separate pieces. It looks something like an old-time soldier ready for battle, but it is actually a peaceful animal.

The underpart of its body is not shielded, but has a thick, tough skin. This all-over protection is not only helpful against attacks by large animals, but enables it to travel through thorny, sharp undergrowth without harm, where most other animals cannot go. It has been given other means of defense, too. Where the soil is soft it escapes by burrowing rapidly with its long claws. Once it is underground it is almost impossible to pull out. Some varieties can roll into a tight ball so they are completely protected by their armor.

Although toothless, like the anteater (to which they are related) they have long, sticky tongues which they use to catch great quantities of ants, termites, beetles and other insects. The fangs of snakes cannot pierce their armor, so all reptiles fear them since the armadillo can kill them by pressing its armor’s sharp edges into them. Besides killing and eating snakes, they eat birds and vegetation, but their main food is destructive insects, including fire ants. So they are a real help to farmers.

The way they cross a stream is interesting. Since they are able to hold their breath for as long as five or six minutes, they will walk along the bottom of the stream to reach the other side. The weight of their armor keeps them from floating away. But if they decide to swim across, they first swallow lots of air, which keeps them on the surface while they paddle along. However, they cannot go very far either way.

Females of the nine-banded species almost always bear quadruplets (four), and they are either all males or all females—never mixed. Their armor is soft when they are born, but it soon toughens and hardens as they get older.

We can see that the Creator was very thorough in providing the armadillo with such protection, but did you know that God offers you armor, too? In Romans 13:12 it is called “the armor of light,” and in Ephesians 6:11-17 we learn that faith in the Lord Jesus as our Saviour provides armor to protect us from any attack of our wicked enemy, Satan. In this scripture it is referred to as “the whole armor of God,” and everyone is invited to put it on.

Are you wearing this shelter and protection?

ML-05/15/1983

The Shipwreck

Memory Verse: “Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me.” Psalm 50:15

“SOS... SOS... SOS,” the radio operator sent out his call for help. “Help! We are sinking!” was his call. Far out on the Pacific Ocean a little ship, the Helen B. Sterling, was fighting to stay afloat in a terrible storm. Mountain-high waves were sweeping over her decks. Again and again they crashed over the ship. Water was pouring in through several damaged areas, and it seemed that it would be impossible to keep the vessel afloat much longer.

Going again to the radio cabin, the captain told the operator to continue sending out the SOS call. Maybe someone somewhere would pick it up, although the captain knew there was little hope of another ship being close enough.

Do you know that you need help? Do you realize that you are in danger because you have sinned—and that you cannot help yourself? Or are you still looking around to see if there is something you can do to please God? We know from the Bible that there is only one way to be saved from our sins, and that is through the Lord Jesus Christ. “Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” John 14:6.

The Lord Jesus is waiting for your SOS call for help. Do not be afraid, like the captain, that no one will hear. “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither His ear heavy, that it cannot hear.” Isaiah 59:1. He is waiting and wants to save you. He shed His blood on the cross so that sinners just like you and me can be saved.

All that you have to do is believe that He died for your sins.

The storm grew worse, and the brave sailors realized that they could not last much longer. The ship was beginning to break apart from the constant pounding of the waves. Again and again the radio message went out “SOS... SOS... SOS.” Would anyone hear?

Many miles away the Australian battleship Melbourne was steaming toward home. Suddenly the SOS call from the Helen B. Sterling was received on the radio, and the message was quickly sent to the captain. Immediately the great battleship changed her course and at full speed headed toward the sinking ship.

As the hours passed, the Sterling, battered by the mighty waves, was slowly filling up with water. Could the Melbourne reach her in time? It seemed impossible.

Going to the radio cabin again, the captain had the following message sent out: “Can’t last another hour. Waterlogged. Sea sweeping right over us. Clearing boats, but impossible to survive in these seas. Good-bye.”

Is this the call of your heart and life? I hope that it is! As sad as it may seem, it is only when we know that there is nothing we can do to help ourselves that we will turn to God, who has been waiting to save us. He is willing, able and wants to save us. We only need to ask Him.

Although the message from the Sterling was sent without any hope of reply, the answer from the Melbourne was “music” to their ears— “We are certain to reach you. Keep heart!”

The captain of the Melbourne kept his word. Just before the Sterling sank, the great battleship came alongside. With much difficulty the crew of the sinking ship was brought on board to safety.

Sometimes boys and girls don’t really understand that they cannot get to heaven while they still have their sins. To be rescued from their sins, they must first call for help. The battleship Melbourne would not have even known about the Sterling if the call for help had not been sent. But God knows all about you, and He is just waiting for your call to be saved.

“Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me.” Psalms 50:15.

ML-05/22/1983

How Much Love?

Daddy and Timmy were playing a little game after dinner one evening. Daddy kept asking Timmy how much he loved him, and Timmy would answer, “A whole bunch,” or “Lots and lots,” or “Bushels and bushels.”

Just to tease him Daddy would say, “But that isn’t enough.”

Finally, Timmy threw his arms around Daddy’s neck, squeezed him as hard as he could and said, “I love you that much!”

Their fun over, Daddy sat down in a chair to read a book, and Timmy went into another room to play.

A few minutes later Timmy called, “Come here please, Daddy. I want to show you something.”

“Maybe later, Timmy. I’m busy reading.”

“Oh, please come,” urged Timmy. “It’s something special.”

“Can’t you bring it here and show me?” asked Daddy. “Then I won’t have to get up.”

“No, I can’t ‘cause it’s spread out all over the floor in here,” answered Timmy.

“Okay, I’m coming,” Daddy said, laying down his book. “Now what is it that you wanted to show me?” he asked as he walked into the room where Timmy sat on the floor.

Timmy had a big map spread out on the floor in front of him. It was a big wall map that he had gotten out of the atlas.

“Say there, Timmy, you be careful with that map,” Daddy remarked when he saw it.

“I will,” answered Timmy. “Is this a map of the United States?”

“Yes, it’s a road map,” answered Daddy. “It shows the main roads and highways all over the country.”

“That’s what I thought,” said Timmy. “Now which road did we go on when we went to California last year?”

Daddy was a little impatient, thinking about the book he had put down when he answered, “Lots of roads, but mostly Interstate 80—that red line that goes all the way across.”

“How long is it?” asked Timmy. “Oh, about three thousand miles. Maybe even more than that.”

“And Daddy, what are all these other lines that are red and black? Are they roads, too?”

“Yes they are,” Daddy answered. “And where do they go?”

“Every place, I suppose.”

“And how long are they?”

Timmy looked up at his daddy who was trying his best to come up with an answer. “I don’t suppose anybody really knows,” he said. “I would guess maybe thousands and thousands of miles.”

“Maybe millions and millions, Daddy?”

“I guess so, maybe,” answered Daddy wearily.

“Well then, Daddy, that’s how much I love you—all that lots!”

“Oh, Timmy!” Daddy exclaimed, forgetting all about the book as he picked Timmy up. “So all this time you’ve been trying to find some way to tell me how much you love me!”

Timmy just smiled at his daddy and gave him another bear hug.

Somebody else has been trying to tell us how much He loves us. The little hymn that we often sing says:

“Wide, wide as the ocean,

High as the heavens above,

Deep, deep as the deepest sea,

Is my Saviour’s love.”

Yes, this Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, loves boys and girls and older people, too. He loved us so much that He died on the cross. There He was punished for the sins of all who would believe in Him.

What about you? Do you know anything about the love of the Lord Jesus? His love for you is far greater than any love that you will receive from anyone else. Timmy’s love for his daddy was “all that lots.” Daddy’s love for Timmy was even more. But the love of the Lord Jesus for you is so much greater than this that it cannot even be compared to human love. Won’t you respond to this love and accept Him as your Saviour right now?

“Can a woman forget her... child... yea, they may forget, yet will I not forget thee.” Isaiah 49:15.

“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.” John 3:16.

ML-05/22/1983

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Beautiful Oriole

“All the earth shall worship Thee, and shall sing unto Thee; they shall sing to Thy name.” Psalms 66:4.

The lovely oriole has always been a favorite bird with Europeans, with its musical flute-like songs sung from the treetops. When the Europeans migrated to North America, they were happy to find orioles here, too. Five or six species of orioles live throughout the United States and Canada, some as far north as Nova Scotia. Most migrate to southern Mexico or Colombia for the winter.

East of the Rocky Mountains the Baltimore oriole is the most common species, and in the west it is the Bullocks and Scott’s oriole with which people are most familiar. All of these robin-sized birds are examples of the wonders of God’s creation. The males are a striking combination of black and orange or deep yellow. The females are not as brightly colored. This is a wise plan of the Creator, because it helps them to remain hidden when hatching their eggs.

The oriole is interesting not only because of its beauty and song, but also because of its unusual nest. It is usually built as a deep pouch hanging from a fork of a tree. A favorite building material is orange milkweed which is stripped into long fibers. The female weaves these strips into a basket nest with her beak. Long strands of grass may also be used, or fibers and leaves from trees or desert plants. Whatever the material, their complicated, hanging nest is made by intricate stitching, tying of loops and knots, and perfect shuttle-like weaving. A soft lining such as wool, fine grass or even horse hairs is added. The nest is open at the top but hidden underneath large leaves or branches, concealing it from enemies. These happy birds seem to enjoy the swinging motion of their suspended nests.

Orioles need no lessons on how to build such strong, wonderful homes. The Lord God has given them this ability to make a nest just like their ancestors made hundreds of years ago. The oriole was given its skill by the One who delights in all His creation. None of us could make one so perfectly, even with a model to copy from and unlimited time to practice.

Few birds sing as often as the oriole. The melodies of various species differ from each other, but are always pleasant. They seem to be saying that this bird is very happy and content with the way God has provided for it. When we think of all that He has done for us, shouldn’t we be happy, too? Yes, and we should also be thankful as the Bible verse tells us: “Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift.” 2 Corinthians 9:15.

The “unspeakable gift” was the giving of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to be the Saviour of all who will put their trust in Him. Have you done this, and can you join in the song of our opening verse?

ML-05/22/1983

"Chad, Can You Hear Me?"

Memory Verse: “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” John 5:24

“Just lean back and gun it for all you’re worth, and it’ll make it up and over the jump... c’mon, you can do it!”

Such a challenge, such excitement! He leaned back and gunned it hard. The cycle roared up the sand ramp... but his timing was off. The motorcycle went straight up... and then flipped over backward. His helmet flew off. In landing, his head took the full force of the crash! Time came to a sudden halt for Chad. He had been having such fun on his motorcycle.

The sad, loving eyes of his father studied the young face, so still, with no expression, there on the hospital bed. His eyelids remained closed, never flickering, almost as if he had died. “Chad, Chad, my boy,” he groaned. “Oh, Chad, can you hear me? Say something, son. Do you hurt? I’m praying; we are all praying.”

But there was no answer, no movement.

Many tubes were connected to Chad—lifelines which had been applied so hopefully by doctors and nurses. “He is young... he may survive... or....” The doctor’s words hung unfinished. Why should he add more anguish to the parents’ hearts by predicting the future of this young man.

All the money, all the skill of doctors, and time, and equipment were nothing compared with the love of those who cared and prayed for Chad.

There is Someone who loves us very much, too. “For God so loved the world [you and me], that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16. He is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9.

Death-like, Chad slept on. All mankind is dead in trespasses and sin. How can we awaken you, lost one, to your danger—eternity is just ahead! You have no promise of tomorrow. “Wherefore He saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light.” Ephesians 5:14. He waits. He waits for you to say, as did Saul of Tarsus that day when the Light shone into his heart, “Who art Thou, Lord?” and, “What wilt Thou have me to do?” Acts 9:5,6. The answer: “Seek ye the Lord while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near.” Isaiah 55:6.

Nurses continued working over Chad day and night, frequently checking the life-support systems that were keeping him alive. There was no change—he slept on.

“Chad, Chad, this is Tim... do you know me? I’m your brother,” sobbed the young man who had encouraged him to make the jump. The only answer was the throb of the equipment that kept Chad breathing.

While there is life, there is hope. The many people praying for Chad never stopped, but after eight weeks his life seemed to be slipping away. Friends and relatives came and went. Neighbors spoke encouraging words.

One morning his mother walked down the now familiar hallway in the hospital. She paused at the door and prayed a silent prayer—“Oh, Lord, give me courage, give me strength.” She walked quickly into the room and went straight to Chad’s bedside. Taking his hand, she studied the quiet form of her boy... no change. The sight of the tube in his throat and tubes in his nose and arms was still hard to handle. But even as she looked, she saw a slight movement of his lips. Quickly she bent down in time to hear his faint “Hi, Mom.”

Oh joy! Those words were the sweetest music in all the world to her at that moment. “Yes, Chad, this is Mom. Oh, thank God you are better this morning!”

The extreme effort to speak had exhausted him; he was “out” again. But it was the start to recovery. Although Chad still had a long road ahead, he had come out of the coma. How thankful they all were!

What a comfort it was to his parents to know their son Chad had accepted Christ as his Saviour early in life. If he didn’t make it, they knew he would be in heaven with his Lord and Saviour.

But if it were you in that hospital bed, could your parents be as sure about you? Do not put off accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour. Time is so short, and accidents can happen so quickly. The Bible says, “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation?” Hebrews 2:3. “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7. “Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3.

ML-05/29/1983

Who Am I?

She came from afar and left it all—

The native land of her birth;

But what had been promised was greater far

Than all the treasures of earth.

She was lovely and fair and had much to learn,

As she walked by her husband’s side.

Behind the tent door she had laughed at God,

And then greatly afraid she lied.

Full of bountiful mercy, God blessed her there

When she bore the long-promised son,

And the blessings that one day would fill the earth,

Were only just now begun.

The meaning of her name is “princess";

Full of years, she drew her last breath,

A cave at Mamre, her burying place,

And a husband and son mourned her death.

ML-05/29/1983

Tony's Silver Dollar

Tony lived in the middle of a big city. His family was poor, but they were a happy family. They were happy because each one in the family, including Tony, had accepted the Lord Jesus as his Saviour. Even though Tony was only eight years old, he knew he was a sinner and had asked the Lord Jesus to wash away his sins. Because he believed what the Bible says, he knew for sure that he would be in heaven with the Lord Jesus someday. Anyone who knows this is happy.

One day Tony’s grandfather was visiting them and he gave Tony a silver dollar. Tony had never had a silver dollar before. He was so pleased with it that he kept looking at it, turning it over and over. He would put it in his pocket and then take it out to look at it again. How shiny and bright it was. He thought of many things he could buy with it.

Later that afternoon Tony reached into his pocket to take out his silver dollar again. It wasn’t there! Where did it go? He turned all four of his pockets inside out, but it wasn’t in any of them. He looked everywhere he remembered being that day, starting in the house. He even checked down the basement. Then he ran outside where he had been playing games on the sidewalk, but he couldn’t find it. Tony felt so badly he began to cry.

When he still had not found it by evening, he was so “down in the dumps” he just went to bed. He was so unhappy that he didn’t even take the time to pray.

As he tried to go to sleep, a small, still voice seemed to say, “Tony, you didn’t pray.” He would turn over and try to forget about it, but pretty soon the same small, still voice would remind him again.

Tony tossed and turned for quite a while. Each time he was about to fall asleep, he would hear the voice in his mind saying, “But, Tony, you haven’t prayed.”

Finally, he sat up in bed and said to himself, “Maybe I had better pray after all.”

Tony climbed out of bed and knelt down on the floor beside his bed. “Ouch! What’s that?” His knee was pressing down on something cold and hard.

It was his silver dollar!

Do you think that the Lord Jesus in heaven really listens to children’s prayers? Yes, He certainly does, and don’t let anyone try to tell you that He doesn’t. Don’t be afraid or get discouraged when things seem to be going all wrong. Talk to the Lord Jesus about it, and ask Him for help. Tony would have found his silver dollar much sooner if he had knelt down to pray when he first went to bed. We will get help and guidance from the Lord much sooner if we take our troubles to Him right away.

“Call unto Me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.” Jeremiah 33:3.

ML-05/29/1983

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Playful Prairie Dog

“God that made the world and all things therein... giveth to all life, and breath, and all things.” Acts 17:24,25.

The prairie dog, which lives in the prairies of the United States, is not actually a dog at all, but is related to chipmunks and squirrels. It is a plump little animal, about a foot long, having reddish-brown fur mixed with some gray or black. It has teeth like a beaver’s to help it gather grass, its principal food. Yes, these little prairie residents are included in the “all things” mentioned in the above verse, created and cared for by God.

Early pioneers found millions of prairie dogs in the western states. But so many have been killed since then that there are only a few left today, and these live only in protected areas.

The early cattlemen did not like prairie dogs because of their burrows (holes and tunnels in the ground). Actually, these tunnels were a great benefit, allowing moisture to penetrate the soil. This prevented floods and water runoff that would otherwise wash good topsoil away. It was all part of God’s design in providing harmony in the things of His creation.

Prairie dogs are sociable and like to live in colonies, burrowing family homes next to one another in a very organized way. Their tunnels, which are about four inches in diameter, go down as far as twenty feet before leveling off for living quarters where rooms are made. An emergency exit is always provided, with another tunnel slanting upward to within a few inches of the surface. This is their “escape hatch.” If an enemy gets into their home, they scamper up this tunnel and quickly dig through the remaining few inches to the surface and get away.

In the northern part of the prairies, these animals hibernate after fattening up during the fall, but in the south they remain active all year round. In the springtime the little pups are born, which in about a month are the size of chipmunks and by the end of summer are full-grown.

The entrance to each burrow is topped with a mound of dirt from six to twenty inches high. The animals love to sit upright on these mounds, yipping back and forth to their neighbors and enjoying sun-baths. At times they join in games and, like monkeys, like to be groomed by one another. When outside of the burrow, one member is always “watchdog,” and when he sees anything alarming he gives two sharp barks. All of the colony members immediately dash to their holes and disappear—all, that is, except the male of each family. He sits with his head sticking out so he can see what’s going on. In this position he barks continuously. When the whole colony is barking like this, it creates an unforgettable chorus.

The burrows and dens of prairie dogs are strongholds (safe places) for them. There is a better stronghold provided by God for those who accept Him as their Saviour, putting their trust in Him. The Bible tells us, “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knoweth them that trust in Him.” Nahum 1:7. Is He your stronghold?

ML-05/29/1983

Open the Door!

Memory Verse: “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.” John 6:37

“Help! Help! Somebody, help me!”

Awakening out of a deep sleep, I suddenly sat straight up, eyes wide open, trying to clear my mind. Where was I?

“Help, oh please, somebody help me!” I heard again. No, I was not dreaming. My heart was pounding as I climbed out of bed. If only my husband were home. He always knew just what to do. The hands of the clock pointed to 3:15 a.m. I ran quickly downstairs. Did I hear knocking at the back door?

If only I were very brave, I would open the door and call, “What do you need?” Now the knocking was at the front door. I hurried through the kitchen and rushed to the front door. The frantic crying continued—“Oh, please help me... let me in!”

I parted the curtains and strained to see out into the darkness. Yes, there was someone on the porch. Switching on the light, I found myself peering into the eyes of a strange woman.

“Please let me in,” was her distressed plea.

“W.. w.. what happened?” I stammered through the door.

“My car went off the road and I’m hurt.”

On this lonely country road, ten miles from town, houses are far apart. She must have walked some distance. “I’ll call the sheriff’s office. They will be able to help you,” I said.

“No, don’t do that,” she cried.

I still did not open the door. Running to the telephone, I was soon talking to the sheriff who said he’d send someone right out. He added that if I were alone, not to open the door, and to stay on the line until the patrol car arrived. This was not easy as she continually pleaded, “Oh, please let me in... I’m so cold... let me call my husband.”

The sheriff said, “Ask her for her husband’s telephone number, and we’ll put the call through for her, but do not hang up your receiver.” She gave a number through tight, white lips which I repeated to them. The sheriff used another telephone in his office to call the number she had given me.

They told her husband about the accident and where his wife was. He said he was only about five miles away and would come right over. When I heard they lived in the area, I quickly went and unlocked the door. The poor woman staggered in.

Do you realize someone is knocking at your door? This is no ordinary person who says in Revelation 3:20, “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him.”

Perhaps you feel you have good reason for not opening your heart’s door to the Lord Jesus Christ... you are too busy right now to think about these things. Maybe you are afraid to open the door... are there things in your life that you feel He would not approve of? Perhaps you do not recognize His voice... He speaks in a still, small voice—sometimes while we’re in bed, in the quiet hours of the night. Or, sometimes He speaks through an incident that makes us feel our need for help. If we ignore His small voice He may have to speak louder—by a tragedy or accident that makes us realize we are completely helpless. Even then we are not left without hope. He tells us in Psalms 50:15, “Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee.”

The patrolmen arrived and then called for the paramedics. The woman’s arm was broken in five places. She was in a state of shock, and needed to be taken to the hospital for immediate treatment. I was sorry I had not opened the door for her right away. Poor thing, in such need of help, yet the door stayed shut.

Whether you realize it or not, your need is even greater—because we are at the very door of eternity. You have an important decision to make. Are you going to choose to go to heaven, or hell? If the Lord Jesus came today do you realize that the door to heaven would be closed forever? “When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and He shall answer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are.” Luke 13:25.

Can you see that this is the most important decision of your life? “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.” John 6:37.

ML-06/05/1983

Whew!

Katy lived on a dairy farm. She had just finished helping her daddy and brothers with the evening chores. It was dark outside as she carried a jug of milk down to the house for her mother.

Nearing the house, she could see two small animals coming toward her.

“Hello, Nip and Tuck,” she called. “How are my two kitties?” She knelt down and with her free hand scooped up the first kitten to reach her. “How’s Nip?” she asked, holding the half-grown cat snugly against her. “It’s sure good to see you. Have you been a good kitty today?”

Katy stopped walking as the second animal came up. “How am I going to pick you up, Tuck, with my hands full?” she said as she set down the jug and reached out to scoop up the second “kitten” with her free hand.

Suddenly, Katy noticed something was different. Even in the dark the little animal did not act like Tuck. Katy pulled her hand back and looked at the animal carefully. It was almost beside her now. In the dim light that shone from the kitchen window, Katy saw that this “kitten” had a bushy tail and white stripes down its back!

“Oh, a skunk!” she quietly exclaimed, standing up very slowly. “Please be kind.” She held her breath as she backed up a few steps. Then she walked in a wide circle around that “kitten.”

Looking back, Katy saw that the skunk had disappeared off in the darkness. She slowly walked back and picked up the jug of milk, and then hurried into the house and told her mother what had happened.

“What a mistake I made! I thought a skunk out there was Tuck! Just think what would have happened if I had picked him up!”

We could often make a similar mistake by looking at boys and girls and mistaking them for Christians, just because they act like Christians. They may go to Sunday school regularly. Perhaps they obey their parents and try to be nice to their brothers and sisters. They fool almost everyone into thinking that they are really saved. But God cannot be fooled; He sees those “stripes of sin.”

How important it is for each of us to ask the Lord Jesus to forgive our sins. If we do, He has promised to be with us and guide us all through our lives until we are safely in heaven with Him.

“Man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart.” 1 Samuel 16:7.

ML-06/05/1983

Branded

Years ago in the western states cattle roamed on the open range. There were few roads and no fences. Early spring was branding time—when the calves would be marked with a brand so that anyone could tell to which ranch they belonged.

One year around this time one rancher said to the other, “You just put your brand on my calf.”

“No, we didn’t,” replied the other.

“Yes, you did,” insisted the first rancher. “The calf’s mother has my brand on it.”

Sure enough, the little calf was standing close to its mother, so there was no doubt to whom the calf belonged. They changed the brand without any further argument.

To whom do you belong? Is it Christ, or the world and Satan? The Lord Jesus died to purchase you with His own precious blood. But if you have not yet come to Him and accepted Him as your Lord and Saviour, Satan and the world will brand you. You will carry the brand-marks of sin. The Apostle Paul could say, “I bear in my body the (brand) marks of the Lord Jesus.” Galatians 6:17.

“If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” Romans 10:9.

May each one of us who believe keep close to our Saviour, so that others will know to whom we belong.

ML-06/05/1983

The Pronghorn Antelope

“Turn not from it [God’s Word] to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest.” Joshua 1:7.

The pronghorn antelope, with its pretty horns, is found only in the western United States and Mexico. It is the size of a small deer, buff-colored, except for white patches on its face and stomach and in back. This coloring allows it to blend in with the prairie colors, so it is hidden from its enemies.

A mother (doe) will use her sharp hoofs to beat off a coyote threatening her young, but otherwise the pronghorn has no real means of defense. However, God has given it strong muscles, enabling it to run 40 miles an hour or more. In fact, the Creator has given it many special features.

Its eyes, which are as large as a horse’s, are far back on the side of its head, which gives it a great circle of sharp vision. When it sees something threatening it raises up the white patch around its tail. This is a warning signal to its companions, and they all run away. The Creator gave them the instinct to have one of their group always stand watch. Even when they lie down they face in different directions, so a coyote, bobcat or dog cannot take them by surprise. Their soft hair contains a great number of air cells, insulating their bodies from the cold. In hot weather special skin muscles make their hair “stand up,” so the circulation of air can cool their bodies. All of these unusual provisions remind us of the wonders of God’s creation in the great variety of things He has placed on the earth.

Twins, or sometimes just one (called kids), are born in the springtime. Their eyes are already open, and they are able to stand on their little legs right away. Prowling animals cannot easily find them, because they give off no scent at this time. At ten months they are fully grown, and by the end of a year they join the parents as the fastest long-distance runners in America.

What gets the pronghorn into trouble is its curiosity about things it cannot identify. For instance, hunters will tie a piece of cloth to a stick and wave it in the air while remaining hidden. The animal comes toward it to see what it’s all about, and the hunter shoots it. This is just like the person who knows that the Bible teaches the way “which leadeth unto life” (Matt. 7:14), but who is tempted to investigate the things Satan and the world offer. Satan is always ready to deceive all who will be attracted by these temptations, leading them into tragedy and sorrow.

The Bible says: “Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls.” Jeremiah 6:16. As the opening verse advises, do not be like the foolish pronghorn, getting into trouble by leaving the right path. The Lord will give you the strength to stand firm and show you the right way. His invitation is: “Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee.” Psalms 50:15.

ML-06/05/1983

Tinker

Memory Verse: “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation.” Hebrews 2:3

“Daddy, come see what we found!” exclaimed both children as they burst into the living room. Daddy was sitting in his big chair reading. He looked up with a questioning look on his face.

“What have you found?” he asked.

“Come outside and see. It’s in the backyard,” answered Leslie.

Leslie and Roger almost dragged Daddy out to the backyard. There on the patio was the strangest-looking little puppy, but it was very cute. It was wiggling all over and running around Mother as she watched, with her hands on her hips.

“We found him on the road,” declared Leslie. “Isn’t he cute? We’ve already named him Tinker.”

“Wait a minute,” said

Daddy. “Who said we were going to keep him?”

“Oh, please,” pleaded Leslie. “He’s just a poor, little, stray puppy, and he doesn’t have a mommy. Can’t we keep him?”

“I already have you two ‘little puppies,’" said Daddy, looking at his two children, “and I don’t think we want to feed any more.”

“Oh, please, Daddy! He won’t eat much!” begged Leslie.

“Maybe somebody already owns him,” said Daddy, who really didn’t think they needed a puppy.

“Oh, no, we’ve checked around and talked to the neighbors, and nobody knows anything about him. Mrs. Murry thinks somebody driving by must have dropped him off beside the road,” answered Leslie, now holding both of Daddy’s hands.

Daddy looked down at Leslie’s pleading eyes, then over at Roger who had been playing with Tinker the whole time. Then he caught Mother’s eye. She had been watching Roger and Tinker playing together. She had a half-smile on her face.

Looking at Daddy, she smiled saying, “You decide, dear, but it’s fine with me.”

Three pair of eyes looked at Daddy. “Okay, we’ll see how it goes for a week,” he said finally.

“Yippee!” cried Leslie, hugging her daddy. “You’re the nicest daddy in the whole world!”

Just then Tinker ran into the patio table—CRASH! A pitcher of milk, which the children had brought out, had been sitting on the table. The half-full pitcher tipped over, and milk poured out across the table and down onto the patio. In just a second or two Tinker was standing in the milk, licking it up as fast as his little pink tongue could lick.

“Oh, my,” said Leslie, looking up at Daddy with a worried look on her face. “Just a little accident... I’m sure it won’t happen again.”

Daddy turned and walked back into the house wondering what he had gotten himself into.

Even though there were other little accidents that week, everyone seemed to forget about the one-week trial period. Tinker was becoming another loved member of the family —to everyone, that is, except Daddy. He still was not sure about having a dog in the family.

Many weeks later Tinker suddenly started barking excitedly in the middle of the night. He slept in the basement.

“Quiet, Tinker!” yelled Daddy as he rolled over in bed. But Tinker kept on barking.

Climbing out of bed, Daddy went into the kitchen and opened the door to the basement. “Tinker, stop...” and then Daddy smelled the smoke. Turning on the light, he could see wisps of smoke coming up from the basement. Tinker scampered upstairs.

“FIRE!” Daddy called, running back to the bedrooms. “Everyone get up! Grab your bathrobes and slippers and go out the front door, and hurry!”

As the family scurried around, Daddy quickly called the fire department, and then the whole family, including Tinker, went outside.

In about five minutes the first fire truck arrived. The firemen found a small fire in the furnace motor and quickly put it out. Thanks to Tinker’s barking alarm, there was little damage.

The next morning Daddy thought Tinker should have a reward. He was given the biggest breakfast he had ever had. Daddy said he was sure that Tinker’s alarm had saved them from having a more serious fire. He even thought they could have lost their home and possibly their lives, if it hadn’t been for Tinker. Leslie and Roger loved Tinker all the more.

Yes, Tinker was a hero, because he barked a warning. His barking told Daddy that something was wrong. The gospel story is both a warning and good news to anyone who will listen. In the Bible God warns us that there is danger ahead because we are sinners, and that we cannot go to heaven with our sins. God loves sinners, but He hates their sins, so He has provided an escape. He sent His only Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to suffer the punishment for the sins of anyone who will believe Him. Since the Lord Jesus paid the punishment, God sees the believer as being clean and can then bring him to heaven.

Do you think Leslie and Roger just rolled over and went back to sleep when their Daddy yelled “FIRE"? No, I’m sure they didn’t. They jumped out of bed, grabbed their robes and slippers, and hurried outside. They did exactly what he told them to do.

The Bible tells us in Hebrews 2:3, “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation.” The salvation offered to you is from God Himself. We know that the door of escape is wide open now. It is open for anyone who will accept the Lord Jesus as their Saviour. Listen to God’s warning and run to that open door. It may close soon, and then there will be no escape! “Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:2.

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” John 14:6.

ML-06/12/1983

"Deeper Than That!"

Fridtjof Nansen was a famous explorer from Norway who lived around the year 1900. He became famous for his explorations of the Arctic Ocean. He and another explorer came to within about 300 miles of the North Pole, which was closer than anyone else had gotten.

While exploring the Arctic Ocean, Nansen tried to measure how deep it was. He took a long, weighted measuring line and threw it overboard. He discovered that his line did not reach the bottom. He wrote in his log book, “Deeper than that!” The next day he tried a longer line and still could not reach the bottom. Again he wrote, “Deeper than that!”

Finally, he tied all his lines together and let them down, but again he wrote in his log book, “Deeper than that!” He never found out how deep the ocean was at that point. He only knew that it was deeper than the length of his tied-together lines.

Yes, Nansen could not measure how deep the ocean was. Do you know that God’s love is so wide and so deep that it cannot be measured either? His love is so great that He sent His only Son, the Lord Jesus, to die for sinners. Christ did not die for good people; He died for sinners. Are you a sinner? The Bible says that we are all sinners (Rom. 3:23). Yet the love of God is so great that even though we are sinners, He still loves us. “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because He laid down His life for us.” 1 John 3:16. He died on the cross for sinners like you and me.

“Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood... to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” Revelation 1:5,6.

ML-06/12/1983

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Durable Coyote

“He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry.” Psalms 147:9.

Coyotes are often mistaken for wolves or large dogs. Although weighing only about 30 pounds, their long, thick, yellowish fur makes them appear larger. At times they are noisy, and if you hear a pack of them in chorus on a moonlit night, it is something you will always remember.

Coyotes live throughout the United States, Mexico and southern Canada. Some make their home on the prairies where they enjoy a good supply of gophers, field mice, ground squirrels, small birds and insects. But they are also plentiful in most deserts, as well as by seashores, in forested hills, and even close to cities. Besides being meat eaters, they enjoy berries and fruits—a great favorite being dates that have dropped from date palm trees.

The Creator has made the coyotes very clever. Trappers are amazed at their ability to steal bait from their traps without getting caught. They will also quietly watch other animals or large birds hunting... then steal the food from them. When chasing rabbits they work cleverly in teams. One chases a rabbit until it tires, then another takes over, and sometimes a third helps out. The rabbit can outrun them, but becomes exhausted in this kind of race and is finally captured.

Unfortunately, coyotes do kill sheep and chickens and are hunted and poisoned for this reason. But it is usually discovered that when no coyotes are present packrats, mice, gophers and other rodents multiply and do serious damage to crops and other property. As a result, it has been decided that coyotes do more good than harm, and they are no longer completely killed off.

A pair of coyotes is usually loyal to each other for a lifetime. Once a year they raise from five or six to as many as fifteen little ones. These are hidden in a den on a hillside, under a big rock, or underneath a stump. The puppies are playful, but trained to obey their parents instantly. They are taught to stay close to the den under their parents’ watchful care until, when about two months old, they are given hunting lessons.

These interesting animals usually hunt at night and hide in daylight in places where they are almost impossible to find. Campers and hikers are often watched by them without being aware of it. Normally they do not bother humans, but try to avoid them.

Many of God’s creatures live by their superior strength or swiftness, but He has enabled this animal to survive and prosper by giving it a sharp intellect and cleverness. If He cares for the coyote this much, don’t you think He cares for you even more? The Bible invites us to experience this: “Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.” 1 Peter 5:7. Also in Jeremiah 31:3 the Lord graciously declares: “I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee.”

Have you accepted the Saviour’s love and care?

ML-06/12/1983

Gerald and Rinao

Memory Verse: “In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.” 1 John 4:9

Gerald and Ringo were quite a pair. Gerald was three years old, and Ringo was his pet dog... actually, he was more like a big puppy. These two buddies spent lots of time playing together. They were always ready for new games, new adventures.

One day last October, Mother decided that it was time to dig the potatoes from the garden. The colorful, falling leaves and the crisp, cool air told that snowfall was not far off.

Like many other families who live at the edge of town, Gerald and Ringo had a big yard to play in. There was also a big garden. This year, since he was three, Gerald had been able to help a little. When Mother told him that they were going to dig potatoes after lunch, he thought that would be fun.

After a bowl of homemade soup, Mother and Gerald put on their jackets, found the shovel and buckets in the garage, and headed for the potato patch.

Little boys and frisky dogs make a good team, and Mother got lots of potatoes dug. Gerald was busy for a while, picking up the potatoes as mother dug them. One at a time he placed them in the bucket. It was fun for a while, but Gerald soon got tired. He decided that there were more interesting things that he and Ringo could do.

One of the potatoes soon became a ball, and since Ringo was a good retriever, they played happily for quite a while. The happy yells and barks were pleasant sounds to Mother while she worked on. There were lots of potatoes, and soon the buckets were full. Still she dug, and the potato pile grew larger.

Mother was so busy digging that she did not notice that Gerald and Ringo no longer were playing ball and had wandered away. When she did miss them they were nowhere in sight. “Where have they gone,” she wondered out loud. “Gerald, Gerald, where are you?” she called. “Come home right now, if you can hear me.”

She listened, but there was no answer. Now she began to worry. Where could they have gone—in the house? down to the creek? into the woods?

The potato harvest was no longer important. Where was Gerald? His worried mother wanted to go three different directions at the same time. The house was checked, but he was not there. The name “Gerald” rang through the air louder with each call. She hurried down to the creek, but found no sign of them. They must have gone into the woods, thought Mother. The thought of them in that large, dark woods frightened her. The woods were big, but they had always been a friend to the family with the birds, chipmunks and the occasional bear and moose. But now, the thought of her little boy in there frightened her.

She went to the edge of the woods and called for Gerald as loudly as she could. There was no reply, except for the echo of her own voice. With a sinking feeling she ran back to the house and called the police for help. Soon there was a large group of friends, neighbors and relatives to help the police in the search.

The search began quickly, because it was now late afternoon. Darkness would come early to this eastern Canadian town. Although the search involved many people, the woods were large, and Gerald was not found. A misty rain with spits of snow began to fall as night brought cold and gloom to the woods. Many more people joined in the search, using lanterns and lights. They searched on through the night, never stopping to rest or sleep.

Meanwhile, deep in the woods a cold, tired Gerald sat down to rest. It had all started as a game he was playing with Ringo. “Let’s go catch a bear,” he had said to his puppy. Trying to keep up with Ringo had taken them deep into the woods, and now it was dark. Oh, how cold and hungry he was.

Doesn’t this remind you of a sinner trying to find his own way to heaven without God’s help. He thinks that if he does as many good things as he can, and goes to Sunday school or church, these will help him earn a place in heaven. Since these ideas do not agree with what God’s Word, the Bible, tells us, they are wrong.

What these people need to understand is that they are “lost” in their sins. No one can enter heaven until all their sins are gone out of God’s sight. They need to be “saved” from their sins, and nothing they can do is going to help save them. When they realize this, they will turn to the only One who can help them. Who is this? It is the Lord Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, who came into this world right to where sinners are. He says in the Bible, “The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10. He died on the cross and shed His blood to wash away sins. Yes, He has already done everything that is needed for you to be saved from your sins. If you will believe Him and accept Him, then you can be sure He died for your sins.

Gerald wrapped his arms around Ringo and tried to keep warm. It was a long, cold night, and Gerald cried himself to sleep.

When morning came the town of Mt. Moriah was full of cars and people. The word had spread, and now many more had come to join the search.

Through the morning the search continued. Then... good news! The CB radio of one of the search teams announced, “We’ve found him, and he’s alive!”

Quickly, Gerald was wrapped in blankets and he and Ringo were carried back to the ambulance which took him to the hospital. Oh, how happy everyone was, but especially his parents. They rode in the ambulance with him, so happy and relieved that their son was found, and hoping he would be okay.

At the hospital they found Gerald’s body temperature had dropped dangerously low. If it had not been for Ringo’s warmth, or if he had been lost just a few hours longer, it probably would have been too late. But he was found in time.

It’s not too late for you. The Lord Jesus is still looking for you. He is coming very soon to take to heaven all who have accepted Him as their Saviour. We plead with you not to wait any longer. Accept Him as your Saviour before it is too late.

“When he hath found it, he layeth it on his shoulders, rejoicing. And when he cometh home, he calleth together his friends and neighbors, saying unto them, Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost. I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth.” Luke 15:5-7.

ML-06/19/1983

All She Needed

An old lady who had accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her Saviour when she was a child could repeat many verses from the Bible. She had memorized them when she was a child and continued memorizing more verses all her life. She would often say that of all the verses she knew, her favorite was 2 Timothy 1:12: “I know whom I have believed, and am persuaded that He is able to keep that which I have committed unto Him against that day.”

In the last years of her life, her memory began to fail. Many of the things she used to remember clearly were now all confused. Even her favorite verse slipped from her memory. Finally, the only part of it she could remember was, “that which I have committed unto Him.”

Just before the Lord took her home to heaven, her loved ones noticed her lips moving. They bent down to hear what she was saying, and she was repeating what she could remember of her verse„ which was only the last word, and she kept repeating, “Him, Him, Him.” That one word was all she needed, for in Him we have everlasting life.

“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Romans 8:38,39.

ML-06/19/1983

The Wonders of God's Creation: The World of Insects - Part 1

“Hear now this, O foolish people, and without understanding; which have eyes, and see not; which have ears, and hear not: Fear ye not Me? saith the Lord.” Jeremiah 5:21,22.

Do you know how to tell if something you see crawling or flying is really an insect? One quick way is to count its legs, because insects always have six legs, no more and no less. Spiders are not true insects, because they have eight legs. Centipedes and millipedes have many legs. The word insecta means “in sections,” and this is also true of them. All true insects have three body sections joined together—the head, thorax and abdomen. The legs and wings are supported by the middle thorax section. Most insects have four wings, but some have only two and some don’t have any.

When the Lord God created the world and everything in it, He surely must have had much pleasure in arranging for the insects. They represent the largest group of visible forms of life. There are three times as many kinds of insects as there are kinds of animals—actually over 600,000 species. Some are so small they can only be seen through a microscope, and others can easily crawl through the eye of a needle. The fairy fly, for instance, is only 1/100 of an inch from head to tail, but is perfect in all its parts. At the other end of the line are the 15-inch insects called walking sticks, which are found in New Guinea.

In proportion to their size, insects are the strongest creatures on earth. In experiments, a bumble bee was able to pull more than 300 times its weight, and a beetle carried more than 800 times its weight! When insects walk, their front and back legs on one side and their middle leg on the other side move together. The Creator arranged this so they keep their balance and are always firmly attached to the surface.

Most insects begin life as eggs, hatch out as larvae or nymphs, then change to pupae, and finally appear as fully-formed adults. Having no skeleton or bones, they have been given an armor-like skin for protection. When they increase in size, this splits open and drops off, with a new “armor” soon replacing it. This happens several times as the insect matures. Sometimes the old skin doesn’t want to let go, so the growing insect swallows lots of air and water, swelling itself so much that the outer shell finally splits. Sometimes, too, it will inflate itself with air and water after the skin has dropped off, in order to take all the wrinkles out of its body and make a smooth new surface.

Insects breathe, yet they have no lungs; they hear, but they have no ears; they smell, but they have no noses. They have eyes, but they cannot close them, even when they are asleep. Their hearts can pump blood backward or forward. These peculiar things about insects remind us of the opening verse of this article... the Lord scolded those people who refused to use their eyes to see His ways, or to use their ears to hear His word. No wonder He called them “foolish people, and without understanding.” We hope none of you will be so foolish! “Today if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts.” Hebrews 4:7.

ML-06/19/1983

Conkers and Conquerors

Memory Verse: “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me: and I give unto them eternal life.” John 10:27, 28

How many of you have ever played the game “conkers"? It is an old-time game that your fathers and grandfathers may have played. Your grandfather probably played it with chestnuts. But it can also be played with any kind of a nut—walnut, almond, or even a buckeye or a horse chestnut.

To play the game you look for the biggest, hardest nut you can find. Then you drill a small hole through it, pass a string through the hole, and tie a knot at the end so the nut doesn’t slip off. The string should be about two feet long and is used to swing the nut. The object of the game is to hit someone else’s nut a good “conk” to see if you can break it. If you can, then your “conker” is the winner.

Freddy loved to play conkers. He was always looking for the biggest, strongest horse chestnut he could find. He had one old “toughie” which had won many games of conkers. He always carried that one with him, especially when he went to school.

Freddy was a Christian and knew he should have been paying attention to what the teacher was saying, but he wasn’t. Instead, he was thinking about conkers. Every chance he got, when the teacher wasn’t looking, Freddy was challenging all the boys within whispering distance to a battle of conkers after school.

A message was delivered to their teacher, Mr. Parker, asking him to come to the office for a few minutes. As he left he instructed the class to continue working on their math problems until he came back.

The door had barely closed behind Mr. Parker before a dozen conkers were taken out of a dozen different pockets, all on strings, ready for action.

Whack, whack, crack! Freddy’s “toughie” was more than a match for the others, and pieces of chestnuts soon were flying all over the room.

“Psssst!” someone warned. Conkers and strings disappeared into pockets, and a dive was made for the broken pieces. Then all heads were bent over math books again as Mr. Parker walked back in.

Walking up to the front of the room, Mr. Parker noticed a broken horse chestnut on the floor that had not been picked up. Looking around the class, he asked, “Did any of you play conkers while I was gone? You know there is a school rule that doesn’t allow that game to be played at school, inside or out. It can be a dangerous game, because flying pieces of nuts can easily put out someone’s eye.”

Freddy had not thought about that before. They really did swing their conkers hard. Sometimes they would get hit on the hand, and he knew how much that hurt. But he never thought about getting hit in the eye.

No one answered the teacher’s question; everyone just kept quiet.

Freddy was fighting a battle in his mind. He knew that it was wrong not to admit that he had been playing. But he also knew what the other boys would think, and he didn’t want to “squeal” on them either. Freddy had become a Christian when he made the decision to follow Jesus and had accepted Him as his Saviour. The battle that was going on inside of him was between “old Freddy” who said, “Don’t admit anything,” and “new Freddy” who said, “Keeping quiet is the same as telling a lie.” Every Christian has been through this battle between their “old nature,” which Satan rules, and their “new nature” which God rules. The “old nature,” tells us to forget about God and His Son, the Lord Jesus, and what pleases Him, and the “new nature,” which each person receives the moment he becomes a Christian, tells us to do what is right and honest and would please God.

Satan had won when he had gotten Freddy not to pay attention in class. And, as usually happens, one sin leads to another, and Satan had a second victory when Freddy played conkers during school, breaking the rule. Now Satan was trying for a third victory by making him want to tell a lie.

Mr. Parker had been a schoolboy himself once. They weren’t fooling him. Without saying another word he went to the blackboard and wrote:

conker

conquer

conqueror

Then turning around, he asked, “Are any of you going to let yourself be beaten by a little chestnut?”

Freddy knew what Mr. Parker meant... was a chestnut going to make him tell a lie? He knew deep inside that all the games he had won with his winner conker were not worth displeasing God by not telling the truth. He would probably lose his conker, but he didn’t want to tell a lie by keeping quiet.

“Mr. Parker,” he said, raising his hand and at the same time feeling his face turning red, “I played with my conker while you were gone.”

“Bring me your conker,” Mr. Parker said firmly.

Freddy sadly obeyed, handing over his winner with its string.

“Thank you,” said the teacher, “but the game of conkers is not played by only one person. Some of you other boys were also playing in here this afternoon, but none of you have the courage to admit it. All the boys in this class, except Frederick, will get extra homework tonight!”

Even though Freddy knew he was going to “hear plenty” from the other boys, he was relieved that he had spoken up, not only because he wouldn’t have extra homework, but mostly because he had told the truth. He had obeyed his “new nature” and had been honest.

How happy you will be if you admit to God that you are a sinner, and ask Him to save you from your sins. He has said in the Bible: “If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” Romans 10:9. God has provided a way for each of us to be saved from our sins. Freddy had accepted that way, and God had helped him win his battle.

You can have that help too, if you accept the Lord Jesus as your Saviour. You will know also that your sins are forgiven, and you are on your way to heaven.

“My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish.” John 10:27,28.

ML-06/26/1983

Julie's Mistake

“Jesus loves me! this I know,

For the Bible tells me so....”

Julie was singing this song as she played in the backyard. Suddenly, she stopped singing and just sat thinking for a minute or two. Then running into the kitchen, she asked, “Mommy, may I please have a needle and some thread?”

“Why yes, dear, you can. But what for?”

“Oh, I have to sew!” Julie answered.

A little later Mother peeked at Julie who was busy with her sewing, her fingers clumsily trying to sew two pieces of scrap cloth together. As she worked she was still singing her song to herself:

“Jesus loves me! this I know,

For the Bible tells me so....”

“You are such a busy little girl today,” Mother said, smiling.

“I’m supposed to be busy,” answered Julie. “I have to sew, because the Bible tells me sew,” and she sang the line of the song to explain it to her mother.

Are you smiling as you think about Julie’s mistake? I wonder if each of us is as anxious to do what the Bible tells us to do as Julie was, even though she was mistaken.

“The Bible tells me so!”

What are some of the things the Bible tells me? “Seek ye the Lord while He may be found.” Isaiah 55:6. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” Acts 16:31.

For boys and girls who are saved it says many things too: “Draw nigh unto God,” “Keep thyself pure,” “Children, obey your parents in the Lord,” “In everything give thanks,” and many other things.

When you sing “Jesus loves me” the next time, remember how much Julie wanted to do what the Bible told her to do.

“Jesus loves me! this I know,

For the Bible tells me so;

Little ones to Him belong;

They are weak, but He is strong.

Yes, Jesus loves me!

The Bible tells me so!”

ML-06/26/1983

The Wonders of God's Creation: The World of Insects - Part 2

“God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty.” 1 Corinthians 1:27.

There are so many unusual things about the world’s 600,000 varieties of insects that many books have been written about them. Approximately a third of the insects are beetles, some of which have appeared in our earlier articles—the living bomb, the sexton that buries dead animals, the ladybug, etc. Other unusual beetles are the cigarette beetle, that considers tobacco to be a great treat, and the drugstore beetle, that likes to live where it can eat cork, glue, mustard plasters and certain medicines.

But there are other unusual insects besides beetles. One of the most beautiful insects is the morpho butterfly which is covered with a million tiny, colored scales on each wing. Who do you think gave it such wonderful colors? Another unusual insect is the water strider that skims over water; its middle legs work like oars; the hind ones act like rudders, and the front ones are free to catch its prey. It has been created with air-filled “shoes” made of hair that allow it to float.

Another resident of ponds is the brown water bug. This one grasps other water insects in a hug of death while its sharp beak draws out the victim’s blood. When the female is ready to lay her eggs, she grips her mate tightly and glues the eggs onto his back. Then she leaves him to incubate them in the sun for many days, until the young hatch.

God has made some insects experts at camouflage. The ambush bug is so well hidden by its green and yellow colors that it cannot be seen until it moves. The dead-leaf butterfly is easily seen when flying, but looks like a dead leaf when resting. The long-horned grasshopper has wings which look like leaves that have been partly eaten away. There is one variety of the walking stick which has a green-brown body decorated with red, thorn-like growths so it looks like part of a brambly bush. Do you think they had to practice this camouflage? If we had space we could write about many more of these amazing creatures.

Certainly insects are among “the weak things of the world” that confound “the mighty.” They are not, as some teach, the result of a long evolution. The Bible plainly says: “God made... everything that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good.” Genesis 1:25. Each one He created was given every perfect detail at that moment.

He had a much greater joy when He brought mankind into the world, for He had His heart of love set on each of us even before the world was made. How sad that many have not responded to that love, nor realized that their sins made it necessary for the Saviour to die on Calvary. There He bore the sins of all who will admit their guilt and put their trust in Him. How wonderful of God to provide such a way of salvation! Have you accepted His Son, the Lord Jesus, as your Saviour?

ML-06/26/1983

Wrong Flight!

Memory Verse: “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the fate; and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat.” Matthew 7:13

Thirteen-year-old Brian buckled his seat belt and settled back as the plane left the terminal on the trip from Salt Lake City to San Diego. This was the second part of his trip today. The first part had been flying from Chicago to Salt Lake City, where he had just changed planes.

Brian was looking forward to spending the next two weeks with his grandparents. As the plane taxied toward the end of the runway to take off, the stewardess announced their flight number and where they would land.

Suddenly realizing what she had just announced, Brian sat bolt upright in his seat! Had he heard correctly? She did not say they would land at the San Diego Airport; she had said, “Orange County Airport"! Surely they would not have allowed him to get on the plane if it were not the right one. What should he do? How would he ever let his grandparents know that he was not landing in San Diego, but would arrive at the Orange County Airport instead, about 80 miles away. But because the plane was now racing down the runway, he settled back, realizing there was nothing he could do about it.

In San Diego Brian’s grandparents were standing at the airport gate, waiting for the flight from Salt Lake City. They were really looking forward to Brian’s visit. As the plane landed and the passengers began to get off, Brian’s grandparents watched for him. One by one the passengers got off, until finally the plane was empty. Where was Brian? He was supposed to be on that flight. What had happened?

Quickly they went to the ticket counter to question the ticket agent. He checked the flight log and passengers’ names listed for that flight. Brian’s name was not on the list nor on any other list of names of people flying from Salt Lake City to San Diego that day. The ticket agent called the airline in Salt Lake City and asked about Brian, but he could not find out anything from them. Finally, Brian’s grandparents went home, knowing that they now could only pray for Brian and ask their Saviour, the Lord Jesus, to help them with their problem.

Yes, Brian was on the wrong flight. He did not know how it had happened, but he now was flying to an airport where there would be no one to meet him. He knew that his grandparents would be waiting for him at the airport in San Diego. They would be worried when he did not arrive. What should he do? Brian decided to wait until after the plane landed and then try to contact them.

Each of us is traveling along one of two roads. One road leads to happiness in heaven; the other road leads to sadness in hell. The Bible tells us something about these two roads: “Broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction... and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life.” Matthew 7:13,14.

Have you ever stopped to think about which road you are traveling? If you have not accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour, you are on the road that leads to destruction (hell). If this is the direction you are headed you should ask yourself the same question Brian asked himself— “What should I do?” Brian decided to wait until the flight landed and then find out what to do. If you want to reach heaven, you had better not wait until the end of your life to make a decision. Brian could not get off the plane to change direction until it landed, but you may change your direction right now. If you wait until the end of your life, it may be too late. God warns us, “Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:2. You must believe that you are a sinner on your way to destruction, with no way to help yourself, and you need to realize that God loves you. The Lord Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” John 14:6.

As the plane landed at the Orange County Airport, Brian decided he would pick up his suitcase first and then go to the ticket counter to see if they would page his grandparents at the San Diego Airport. When he told the ticket agent his name the agent looked relieved and said, “We’ve been looking for you!”

When Brian’s grandparents did not answer when they were paged at the San Diego Airport, they were called at home. How happy and relieved they were to learn that Brian was safe. In just a few minutes Brian was in a taxicab, on his way to a joyful reunion with his grandparents.

Brian’s grandparents were so happy and thankful to find out where he was and that he was safe. They knelt down to thank the Lord Jesus for taking care of him. We read in the Bible that “there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.” Luke 15:10. Won’t you make those who have been praying for you happy by accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour right now?

“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man; but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Proverbs 14:12.

ML-07/03/1983

The Birthday Surprise

Ruthie’s birthday was such a happy day from beginning to end! She was turning four years old, and Mother had planned a birthday party for her—the first real birthday party she had ever had.

Eight little friends arrived, all dressed in their best clothes and with big smiles on their faces. They played games, sang songs and just had a wonderful time.

Later on there were presents for Ruthie to open. Before they all went home, Mother served ice cream, chocolate milk and a big cake with four lighted candles on it. When the children saw the cake they sang “Happy Birthday” to Ruthie.

“Did you have a nice birthday, Ruthie?” Mother asked as Ruthie was getting ready for bed that night.

“Oh yes, Mommy!” Ruthie answered. “I want to have another birthday again real soon.”

Mother laughed as she said, “You’ll have to wait another whole year for one, Ruthie.”

“When is Daddy coming home?” Ruthie asked. “I wanted him to be here for my birthday too.”

“I know you did, dear,” Mother answered, “and I know Daddy would like to have been here too. He didn’t want to take that business trip this week, but he had to. I’m sure he has been thinking about your birthday today and wishing that he could be here.”

Just then the telephone rang, and Mother ran downstairs to answer it. A couple of minutes later she called back up to Ruthie, “Somebody wants to talk to you on the phone.”

“Talk to me?” Ruthie asked as she ran down the stairs. “I wonder who wants to talk to me.”

“Hello? Daddy, it’s you!” she exclaimed.

There was Daddy talking to her, just as though he were right beside her instead of hundreds of miles away. Ruthie was so happy and excited that her voice just wouldn’t work right. It made funny little squeaky sounds when she tried to tell Daddy all about her birthday. After Daddy finally said, “good-bye,” Ruthie threw her arms around her mother’s neck and gave her two hugs—one for herself and one for Daddy.

As Ruthie was tucked into bed she felt happy all over because Daddy’s phone call had been a happy surprise to end a happy day. It had almost made it seem as if Daddy were home after all.

Boys and girls, there is Someone who loves you even more than your father and mother. He is the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Bible tells us, “hereby perceive [know] we the love of God, because He laid down His life for us.” 1 John 3:16.

Do you know that God loves to talk to us, too? He doesn’t talk to us on the telephone, He talks to us through a book He has written, the Bible. The whole Bible is filled with wonderful things God has to say to us. Let us not forget to take some time every day to read our Bibles, for in that way we will be listening to God’s voice.

“Thy Word was unto me the joy and rejoicing of mine heart.” Jeremiah 15:16.

ML-07/03/1983

The Wonders of God's Creation: Three Little Fish

“Thou [the Lord] host made... the seas, and all that is therein, and Thou preservest them all.” Nehemiah 9:6.

There are some 20,000 kinds of fish throughout the world, and to write about all of them would fill many bookshelves. Here are some interesting facts about three kinds.

The archer fish is a six-inch resident of the East Indian waters and is very clever at catching its food. This little fish waits near the surface of the water until a low-flying insect appears. It then shoots drops of water out of its round mouth at the insect, like a person shooting arrows at a bird. If the water hits the insect its wings become wet, so it cannot fly. When it falls into the water, it is eaten by the archer fish. How did these fish learn to do this? No practice was necessary, for the Creator gave them this skill way back on the fifth day of creation when He created the very first archer fish.

Instead of laying eggs at the bottom of a marshy pond where it lives, the egg hanger fish hangs them on sticky threads suspended from underwater plants. The female produces one string of this sticky thread for each egg she lays. With the egg firmly stuck to one end, she attaches the other end over the plant so it can hang down freely. She continues until there are about 150 of them, all hanging separately in the swampy water. Then she swims away and does not return.

But don’t worry about them. They don’t need her care, for the One “upholding all things by the word of His power” (Heb. 1:3) watches over them just as He does when they hatch and swim away.

The splashing tetra is a three-inch fish found in Brazil and Venezuela. When the female is ready to lay her eggs, she searches for a bush with leaves hanging over, but not in, the water. Then she jumps up and lays the eggs on a big leaf before dropping back to the water. Doesn’t this seem strange? Wouldn’t you expect the eggs to dry out and die? That would certainly be true, except that we can see it is another of the wonders of the Lord God who made such interesting varieties in His many creatures.

The eggs don’t die, because both parents stay in the water under the leaf and, with flips of their tails, continually splash water on them. After three or four days the little ones hatch and drop into the water, and the parents swim away.

These unusual fish are not able to think of the One who made them and provides for them. But you can, and God has given you the responsibility to acknowledge Him and thank Him for supplying all your needs. What is more important, He invites us in His Word, the Bible, to accept the everlasting life He offers. This can only be had through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, who died on Calvary’s cross to put away the sins of all who trust in Him. His Word tells us “The eternal God is thy refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms.” Deuteronomy 33:27. Have you realized that you are a lost sinner and accepted Him as your Saviour and so come under His loving care?

ML-07/03/1983

Runaway Robert

Memory Verse: “Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Isaiah 1:18

It was late in the evening when I climbed back into my car in the parking lot to go home. Leaving town, I had driven several miles out in lonesome country when I saw a hitchhiker wanting to go my way. He looked rather young, and he had a backpack on his back. I figured he must be trying to get to the campground just beyond the next town, so I stopped to pick him up.

“Where are you heading?” I asked as he settled in the seat next to me. I could see now that he was quite young.

He was quiet for a moment and then said,. “I don’t know... I’m running away from home.”

That answer scared me! What should I do with a runaway who was just a little boy. I decided to find out more about why he was running away.

“I believe in the Bible and know the Lord Jesus Christ as my Saviour,” I said to him. “If you are in some kind of trouble, I’m going to take you right back home.”

Then he told me his name was Robert and that he was 12 years old. He went on to tell me how mean his Dad was and that he beat him and his mother. Both he and his mother had been planning to run away for a long time. Today when they were both gone he had packed his backpack and left, riding his bike. It had broken down before he got very far away from their apartment.

So Robert came to my house to spend the night. He first called his mother and told her where he was. She told him that she couldn’t come right then, because his dad was home, but she would come the next morning. She would take his dad to work, go home, pack her things, and come pick up Robert. Then they would both run away together. At least this is what Robert told me his mother had said.

Sure enough, the next morning about ten o’clock a car pulled into my driveway. However, much to my surprise and Robert’s too, both his mother and dad got out of the car!

Based upon what Robert had said about his dad, I expected he would really be upset. Instead, I found them both to be gentle, considerate, and kind. I did not get the feeling that either one of them was thinking, “Just wait until you get home! Boy, are you going to get it!” Instead, his dad told me that Robert was having some problems, and they were having difficulty talking to each other.

“I think we need to talk, Robert,” he said. “Would you like to stay here, or would you like to come home and we’ll talk?”

Robert agreed to go home, so he got into the family car with his sleeping bag, small cast-iron skillet, hunting knife, fishing gear and hiking boots. As they went out the door his mother said to me, “I can’t understand why Robert would want to run away. He has his own room, his own bunk beds, his own stereo, and we love him very much.”

There was no doubt that Robert was having problems. He thought his biggest problem was his dad and that running away would solve that problem. Well, it didn’t. It only gave him more problems—a broken bike on a dark, lonely highway and no place to go. Maybe the problem was not Robert’s dad at all. Maybe the problem was with Robert himself. Perhaps he needed someone else to blame, and that someone was his dad.

Let me ask you a question—“What do you think of God?”

Some people will answer that He is a far-away, hard-to-please God who is just waiting for us to do something wrong so He can punish us.

Is this what you think He is like? If it is, then how can you explain a verse like John 3:16: “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.” Does this sound like a God who is angry with the people of this world and is just waiting to punish them and send them to hell? No, these are happy words that tell of His wonderful love to this world. How great was His love? Great enough to send the Lord Jesus Christ, His only Son, into this world to die for sinners. We could not ask for greater love than this. “But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8.

This is the kind and loving God that we have for you—a God who loves you so much He wants you to spend eternity with Him in heaven. But since all of us are sinners, and since sin cannot be in God’s presence, we must have our sins washed away. And that is what God’s love provided—a Saviour—the Lord Jesus Christ who was punished for the sins of all who will believe in Him. His blood shed on the cross has washed away all trace of sin from the record that God keeps. Because we are cleansed, we can spend eternity with our Saviour in heaven. Won’t you accept Him as your own Saviour now?

“Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool.” Isaiah 1:18.

ML-07/10/1983

Thirteen Years Old

There he lay in a casket in the funeral home. His parents and his brothers stood beside the crushed body of 13-year-old Art, hardly able to believe what had happened. Yesterday he had been a happy, active boy, but today his body was lifeless. How quickly death sometimes comes. We usually think of old people dying, but not a 13-yeald boy. However, we know from the Bible, God’s Word, that none of us can be sure about even tomorrow, for we read, “Boast not thyself of to-morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.” Proverbs 27:1.

Art’s family was sorrowing over the loss of their son and brother. Yet, at the same time they were being comforted. You might wonder how this could possibly be. The reason was that they knew Art was now in heaven with his Lord and Saviour. Art had accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his own Saviour, realizing he was a sinner and on his way to hell. He had learned from reading his Bible and from his parents that he needed to be saved. He had read that God’s Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, suffered on the cross for sinners. Not only had he read and heard this, but more important, he believed it.

Art’s friend Jimmy stood in front of the funeral home. He was shaking, because he was scared. He did not want to go in. Art had been one of his best friends, but now Art was dead, and Jimmy knew that it was his fault. They had been playing beside the busy, four-lane highway where they should not have been. Jimmy had crossed the highway, but Art was scared to try it.

“Come on, you can make it,” Jimmy called.

Twice Art started to cross, but stopped. The third time he made a dash... but he did not make it. He ran right in front of a big trailer truck and was killed instantly!

“You must go in,” urged Jimmy’s mother.

Jimmy slowly walked into the funeral home. Art’s parents and brothers were standing near the casket. Oh, what could he say?

“I... I’m sorry... for m... murdering Art,” he stammered, breaking into tears.

Art’s mother put her arm around Jimmy and told him that Art was in heaven with the Lord Jesus. She gently explained that his body in the casket was just an empty shell, and that Art’s spirit and soul, that part of each of us that will never die, was safe with the Lord Jesus. She told him about God’s love in sending the Lord Jesus to die, so that sinners could be saved. She tried to help him understand that he needed to be saved too, by trusting in the Lord Jesus, or he would never be in heaven where Art was.

What love and grace was shown by Art’s mother in speaking so kindly to Jimmy, the one who was responsible for her son’s death. Yet, it was a much greater love for all of us that caused God to send His only Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to die for sinners. “But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8.

Don’t put off accepting the Lord Jesus as your Saviour. If Art would have waited until he was 14 to make his decision, it would have been too late. Or if it had been Jimmy that had been hit by the truck, it would have been too late for him. God loves us and wants each one of us to be saved, because He wants to have us in heaven with Himself. Won’t you say “yes” to the Saviour right now?

“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” John 3:36.

ML-07/10/1983

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Adaptable Lizard

“These also shall be unclean unto you among the creeping things... the chameleon, and the lizard.” Leviticus 11:29, 30.

Although declared by God in the Old Testament of the Bible as “unclean” and not to be eaten, the 3000 varieties of lizards are very much a part of God’s creation and care. They are found just about everywhere in the world except the Antarctic. They usually make their homes in warm, rocky spots, but sometimes in trees or in water.

The chameleon and most other lizards can actually change the color of their leathery skin when they want to, even showing stripes like a zebra or sometimes mixing colors like an autumn leaf. They can also shed their entire tail when attacked. The wriggling, separated section attracts the enemy’s attention while its owner escapes. Soon a new tail grows back. Every lizard has a long, sticky tongue for catching flies and other insects.

Each lizard has been especially designed by the Creator to fit into its surroundings. Those on rocky cliffs have needle-sharp claws and hang onto rocks so tightly, that if forced off, their claws remain behind. They also have special scales under their tails to help them cling to steep surfaces. Tree-climbing monitors and iguanas, which have special toes for climbing, also use monkey tricks, like climbing and swinging by grasping tree limbs with their tails. These lizards also are well hidden, being colored like bark or leaves.

Those species that live in the desert are colored like the sand or rocks and often change color as they move about. Burrowing species have wedge-shaped heads, and their ears and nostrils are protected from the sand by clever shields. They have tough scales on their feet to help dig, and some even have shovel-shaped feet for this purpose. Some of these can “swim” through sand as fast as a fish swims through water.

Flying lizards glide from tree to tree. They are provided with webs of skin, like flying squirrels. One, the flying dragon, looks like a colored leaf traveling through the air. Another, the gecko, can shed its skin to escape an attacker, and it also makes long leaps through the air.

Many lizards can make short runs at more than 15 miles per hour and sometimes rise on their hind legs when running. Several species easily adapt themselves to mankind and often scamper over the walls, ceilings and floors of houses.

The ability of all these little creatures to do these things is another example of the wonders of God’s creation, yet not one of them is able to think about the Lord God who created it and takes care of it “by the word of His power.”

While the Lord God cares for all His creation, it is only to man that He has said, “I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee.” Jeremiah 31:3. Have you responded to that loving-kindness that wants you to come to Him? He wants to forgive all your sins. All you have to do is come in faith and accept Him as your Saviour.

ML-07/10/1983

Out of the Mud

Memory Verse: “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” John 8:36

Cindy and her parents were going on their first vacation with their new trailer. Oh, what fun it was going to be visiting the national parks out West. On the way they were going to spend a weekend with relatives in Iowa who lived on a farm. Seeing all the animals would be fun, too.

While they traveled along the highway, five-year-old Cindy thought about all the exciting things ahead. Her parents had been talking for a long time about their “big vacation trip.”

Cindy looked out the back window at the shiny trailer they were pulling. “It will be fun sleeping in the trailer, too,” she thought. Cindy settled back down on the seat with her collection of dolls that were also going on vacation.

Everything went well for the first two days of the trip. They had spent two nights at campgrounds along the way. Cindy had even gone swimming at a lake with a sandy beach. Tonight they planned to be at the farm.

Daddy was using a map to guide them to the farm. They had gotten off the highway and were now traveling along country roads. Now the signs telling them which way to turn were not nearly as good as they were on the highway. Several times Daddy stopped so that he and Mother could study the map.

They turned onto a narrow, paved road that from the map looked like it should lead to the town that was near the farm. After several miles this road turned into a dirt road. Traveling on this was fun at first, while the sun was shining and the road was still dry. But when dark clouds gathered and the rain began to pour, then it wasn’t so much fun.

How it rained! It came down so hard that soon all the fields on both sides of the road were becoming little lakes, and the road was a sea of mud. Daddy drove more and more slowly as it continued to pour. He was having trouble seeing the road and wanted to pull off, but couldn’t. Finally, seeing a place that looked wide enough for both the car and trailer, he pulled off the road to wait for the rain to stop.

As soon as Daddy pulled off he knew that they were in trouble. The big, heavy trailer sank down in the soft mud, and the car couldn’t pull it out.

He got out of the car to see if he could do anything, but the mud covered his shoes and the rain soaked him to the skin.

“It’s pretty bad,” he said as he got back in the car again. “I’m afraid we are going to be stuck here for awhile.”

He was right. It continued to rain, and gradually the light began to fade as night came creeping on.

Poor Cindy began to get frightened, and nothing her parents said seemed to help. They told her that there was nothing to worry about, because they could easily spend the night in the trailer. But Cindy could not be comforted. She did not like the idea of staying out there on that narrow dirt road where something might come along in the dark and run into them. She wanted to get to the farm, or at least to a campground.

“Let’s pray about it,” suggested Daddy. So they bowed their heads and Daddy asked the Lord Jesus to help them get out of the mud. After he finished Cindy spoke up with such a simple little prayer; it was so straightforward—“Please, Lord Jus, push us out of the mud.”

How wonderful to be able to talk to the Lord Jesus in prayer. We can pray anytime, not only when we are in trouble. Can you pray knowing He will hear you? You can if you have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour. To you who have done this He has promised, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Hebrews 13:5.

With His promise to be with us all the time, we can talk to Him in prayer anytime we want. When He becomes our Saviour, we become one of His sons or daughters. We can talk to Him just like a child talks to its father. But first we must become part of His family. We must be saved from the sinful condition that each of us is in without the Lord Jesus. We must realize that as lost sinners we cannot help ourselves. It is only the Lord Jesus who can save us. On the cross He was punished and died for sinners. All who believe in Him know that their sins are washed away in His precious blood. Then as His children we can ask for help anytime because “salvation... is of the Lord: He is their [our] strength in the time of trouble.” Psalms 37:39.

Soon after they finished praying the rain stopped, and Daddy got out of the car again. He found a shovel in the trailer and began to dig the soft, oozy mud away from the wheels. While he was digging Cindy was still in the car quietly repeating her prayer, “Please, Lord Jesus, push us out of the mud.” In between prayers she would watch Daddy through the window.

After much digging Daddy was able to clear most of the mud out from around the wheels. Then a farmer on a big green tractor came down the road. He had been caught out in the rain too and had waited until it stopped. He pulled in front of the car, fastened a chain underneath the car, and then slowly pulled both the car and trailer back onto the road.

Oh, how relieved they were. Cindy and her parents thanked the farmer. Daddy tried to pay him for his trouble, but he would not take any money. He smiled and said, “Glad to help,” and then climbed back onto the tractor and headed down the road.

Cindy and her parents got back in their car. First, they thanked the Lord Jesus for sending a farmer who could help them. Then they started on their way again and were soon at the farm.

What an exciting story they had to tell. Cindy felt that the farmer came as an answer to her prayer. For many days after that, when she prayed before going to bed, she thanked the Lord Jesus for helping them. She always said the very same words— “Thank you, Lord Jesus, for pushing us out of the mud.”

“Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me.” Psalms 50:15.

ML-07/17/1983

Lost and Found

“Scoot... go outside!”

Hearing that angry voice and with a little help out the door, Nipper seemed to know that he was not wanted in that house. Down the back porch steps and out into the cold rain the little brown and white dog was led to the cold garage.

Poor Nipper was lost. He had followed a little girl home from school who had petted him and seemed friendly. But her mother had not seemed so friendly. They had found out from his collar tag that his name was Nipper, but he was not welcome in their house.

He must have wandered away from his home and gotten lost. For two days he had roamed around looking for his home. No one seemed to care about a little lost dog, and he had not found very much to eat. He would not have known that there were four children at home crying for him, and that they had been hunting and calling for him during those two days.

That evening the friendly little girl told her daddy about the nice little dog that had followed her home from school. Later, as he was reading the paper, he suddenly asked her, “Was that little dog brown and white?”

“Yes, he is.”

“Wasn’t the name on his tag Nipper?”

“Yes it is, Daddy.”

“It says here in the ‘Lost and Found’ column that someone has lost a little brown and white dog with that name. Is he still around?”

“I think he’s out by the garage, trying to keep dry,” his daughter answered, relieved. “Want me to check?”

Nipper was still there, and after a telephone call Nipper heard the familiar voices of four children calling him. They had driven over to pick up their lost pet.

I wonder if any lost boys or girls are reading this story today. Do you know that in the Bible God talks about “lost” and “found” people? Some boys and girls are “lost,” but some have been “found,” and they are so happy!

God describes the lost ones very carefully. He says they have sinned and cannot go to heaven. The name that they carry is “sinner.” They cannot find their way to heaven by themselves.

Someone is searching for lost boys and girls like you. “The Son of man [the Lord Jesus Christ] is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10. He loves you very much. If you will let Him find you and save you, you will no longer be “LOST,” instead you will be “FOUND.” Then someday He will welcome you into His home called heaven.

“All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” Isaiah 53:6.

ML-07/17/1983

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Beautiful Darters

“Thou hast made... the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and Thou preservest them all.” Nehemiah 9:6.

Darter fish, which are from two to five inches long, are called this because of their swift swimming movements when frightened, which last until the danger has passed. Many live in a number of streams throughout the United States, but they are best known and appear in largest numbers in the Ozark Mountains of the south-central United States. That is because they seem to favor those clean mountain streams and the shallow, but cold, swift water that races over the rocky bottoms.

There are many species of darters, each with its own distinctive coloring. The stippled darter is one of the prettiest. Throughout most of the year it is pretty enough with its olive-brown body with dark stripes on top and transparent blue fins and tail. But in the spawning season of April and May, the male makes an amazing change. Its fins and tail become bright blue with a fringe of deep orange. The body loses its olive color, and the upper half becomes a pretty mottled blue, silver and gray. The underside of the body, from tip of head to tail, turns a brilliant crimson, as bright as any rainbow.

Another good example is the male Missouri saddled darter, which loses its olive-brown coloring and changes to a brilliant green with bright orange bands. These changes take place only in the male fish. When the spawning season is over they gradually go back to their original colors until the next year.

While the darters are putting on this lovely display, other little fish (about minnow size) that share their streams go through similar changes. The hornyhead chub turns deep yellow, the bleeding shiner becomes crimson, and the red-belly dace turns from silver to bright red with two black stripes on it.

In many ways these brightly colored fish look like tropical fish seen in aquariums, but they are not at all related. The tropical fish keep their colors permanently, while these display them only in the spring. The tropicals are rather slow moving and used to comfortably warm water. The northern species are active and hardy, the result of living in swift waters that are often icy cold. The Creator has made each species to fit in perfectly with its surroundings.

What a lovely display this is of the Creator’s purposes in adding beauty and variety to all His creation. Those who teach evolution have difficulty explaining how any fish could make such wonderful changes “by chance” or by practicing over untold years of time. We know each creature was a complete work when the Lord God made it, and when He did so He “saw that it was good.”

Let us never forget that “All things were made by Him; and without Him was not anything made that was made.” John 1:3. Nor should we neglect the Bible’s good instruction: “Remember now thy creator in the days of thy youth.” Ecclesiastes 12:1.

ML-07/17/1983

"Lassie, Lassie"

Memory Verse: “By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8, 9

How many of you have a dog at your house that is a pet? I had one when I was growing up, a collie named Lassie. She was a real friend and companion, and we had lots of fun together. Once I read a story about another dog named Lassie. Let me tell it to you.

Jane Austin lived on a farm and grew up with her pet collie dog named Lassie. She was a beautiful, big dog that had been given to Jane as a birthday present. When Lassie first came to Jane’s house, she was only a puppy. At the time of this story Lassie was about two years old, so she was full-grown and already very smart.

Jane loved Lassie very much, and I’m sure Lassie loved Jane, too. Sometimes Jane would pretend Lassie was sick. Then she would dress up like a nurse and try to give Lassie “medicine” out of a doll’s baby bottle. But Lassie was too smart for that. She did not care if Jane tied her up in bandages, but she did not like taking the “medicine” out of a bottle... unless it was something that had lots of sugar in it.

One summer morning Jane carried some food out to Lassie’s dog house. Lassie never was tied up, because she was an obedient dog and usually stayed close to home. However, this morning Lassie was not in her dog house or anywhere in the yard. All day Jane watched for her and called for her, but Lassie did not come home.

“Mother,” Jane said after supper, “I’m getting worried about Lassie.

She must be getting awfully hungry by now. What if she’s hurt?”

Mother tried to comfort Jane and told her to wait until morning to see if she would come back.

Morning came, and still there was no sign of Lassie. They spent most of the morning calling other farms in the area, and even the sheriff’s office, to ask if anyone had seen her. But no one had.

“I’m going to check the woods, Mother, okay?” Jane called to her mother that afternoon. She knew that Lassie liked to roam in the nearby fields and woods on their farm. Jane thought that Lassie might have gone there to chase rabbits and might have had an accident.

“That’s a good idea,” replied Mother, “but don’t be gone long.”

Jane walked back on the lane toward the woods. She carried some dog biscuits with her. Every few minutes she would call, “Lassie, here Lassie.” But there was no happy barking from Lassie in answer to Jane’s call.

After walking for about half an hour, she began to get a little discouraged and wondered if it were really worth going farther into the woods. Then she decided that she would walk 300 more steps before turning back.

“One, two, three...” she counted. Every 25 steps she would call out again, “Lassie, here Lassie.” One hundred, then two hundred and finally three hundred steps passed, and Jane stopped. She decided to turn back.

Has anyone ever told you that you are lost and that someone is looking for you? We read in the Bible: “For the Son of man [the Lord Jesus] is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10. Each of us is “lost” in our sins and on our way to hell. Although God loves us more than we will ever understand, He hates sin, so He cannot accept us into heaven with our sins. The Bible says it this way: “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23.

Being lost in our sins is a very serious matter. There is nothing any of us can do to get rid of them. We need help! God in His love for us has provided that help. He sent the Lord Jesus Christ into this world to die for sinners. Isn’t that wonderful love! Jane loved Lassie very much and searched and searched for her. But God’s love for us is so much greater that He sent His only Son into this world to “find” us.

The Lord Jesus not only came to “find” us, He also provided the way for us to be saved. On the cross He was punished for the sins of all who will believe in Him. Now, those who accept Him as their Saviour can know that their sins are completely washed away. “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7.

Won’t you let Him find you? You must see that you are lost and cannot help yourself. By turning to the Saviour, who is waiting, you can be saved. “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” John 14:6.

Turning around to go back home, Jane heard a faint animal cry somewhere on her right. It frightened her a little to hear something like that in the woods. Then she heard it again, a little different this time. It sounded somewhat like the whine Lassie sometimes made in the middle of the night when she was lonesome.

Hearing it again, Jane called, “Lassie!” and got an answering yelp. She ran toward the sound, through the trees and bushes. As she ran she kept calling “Lassie, Lassie,” and the answering barks and yelps directed her. Finally, breaking through the underbrush into a small clearing, she found Lassie lying on the ground with her front paw caught in a steel trap!

If you are still lost in your sins, Satan has caught you in his trap—a trap from which you cannot escape by yourself. Lassie could not escape from the trap that had caught her.

She would have died there unless someone had found her and set her free.

The Lord Jesus Christ is the only One who can release you from Satan’s trap. But just as Lassie answered Jane’s call, you must answer the Lord’s call. Confess to the Lord Jesus that you are a sinner, and ask Him to save you. “For... Christ Jesus hath made me free from... sin and death.” Romans 8:2. “But now being made free from sin... ye have... everlasting life.” Romans 6:22.

“Oh, my poor Lassie,” Jane cried, kneeling down beside her. “Somehow I’ve got to get you out of this awful thing!”

Jane had not seen a trap like this before, but she worked with it until she finally got the teeth open wide enough to let Lassie pull her foot out. Lassie licked Jane’s hand and wagged her tail weakly to thank her. Jane fed Lassie the few dog biscuits that she had with her. Lassie was very hungry, because she had not had anything to eat for two days.

Slowly Lassie got up and they started to walk home. She couldn’t walk on her injured foot and had to limp all the way back on three legs. It took them a long time. Jane wished she could carry Lassie, but Lassie was too heavy for her.

At last they reached home, and how happy everyone was to have Lassie at home. After a visit to the vet, Jane was a real nurse for Lassie. She took good care of Lassie until her foot had healed and she could walk without limping.

Lassie seemed to love Jane even more than before and didn’t roam around as much. In her own way she seemed to be trying to show Jane how much she loved her by never letting her get very far out of her sight.

If you have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour, are you keeping close to Him, remembering what He has saved you from? Lassie wanted to stay close to Jane because of what she had done. It cost the Lord Jesus His life to save us. Shouldn’t we be trying to please Him in everything that we do? By reading the Bible and asking His help in prayer, we can please Him. Are you doing this?

“If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” John 8:36.

ML-07/24/1983

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Tricky Coati

“My help cometh from the Lord, which made heaven and earth. He will not suffer thy foot to be moved: He that keepeth thee will not slumber.” Psalms 121:2,3.

The coati and its close relative, the coatimundi, are happy animals that look very much like raccoons. They are usually reddish-brown in color with white throats, and their mask-like faces are spotted black and white. Their long tails have eight pretty, black rings, and their snouts are long and flexible—just right for rooting in the soil for grubs and worms. They have long legs equipped with sharp, strong claws, which allow them to dig in soil too tough for their snouts and to tear apart decayed logs to reach insects that live inside them.

All of these features were given to the coatis by the Lord God at the time He created them. He designed them, as He has all living things, in ways just exactly right to meet their needs. The creator made all things perfect the first time and left nothing to develop gradually by itself. “And God saw everything that He had made, and, behold, it was very good.” Genesis 1:31.

Coatis enjoy the high, forested mountains of Central and South America, Mexico and a few areas of southern United States. They live in rough nests in tree branches or in small caves. Living in family groups, the little ones, although playful and curious, are watched carefully by their mothers.

As they hunt for food they travel in groups, led by a mother. Behind her come the children, and at the end of the line another mother follows. Should a youngster wander away, an adult immediately hauls it back in line. If an adult senses danger, a warning is given quickly to freeze, scramble up a tree, or hide in the bushes, depending on the danger. These cute animals make many different kinds of sounds, such as growling, barking, hissing, etc. These sounds, along with body movements, all have their own meaning and are their way of talking to each other.

Although some coatis do hunt in the daylight, most are active only at night and hide during the day. One thing is certain; no matter when they hide during the day or night, they are always under the watchful care of their Creator, of whom it is written: “The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth.” 2 Chronicles 16:9.

Are you happy to know He is watching you, too? Job asked, “Doth not He see my ways, and count all my steps?” Job 31:4. He certainly does, as we read in Proverbs 15:3, “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.” He delights to care for and watch over those who love Him, and He enjoys finding them walking in ways that are pleasing to Him.

ML-07/24/1983

Lassie Returns the Favor

Memory Verse: “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither His ear heavy, that it cannot hear.” Isaiah 59:1

Last week we told a story about Jane Austin and her collie dog Lassie. Lassie had gone into the woods to chase rabbits and had gotten her leg caught in a steel trap. She was caught in the trap for two days before Jane found her and set her free. This week let’s finish the story and see how Lassie repays the kindness to Jane.

It is now the following summer and Lassie is three years old. Her leg has completely recovered from the injury of last summer. She still does not seem to have forgotten about it, though, as she stays close to Jane and does not wander off to chase rabbits anymore.

It is a hot summer day on the farm, the kind of day when the sun just beats down and there isn’t any breeze blowing. It is a perfect day to spend playing in the river. But Mother has already said, “Not today, Jane. You’ve still got a cold.”

However, she did tell Jane that she could go for a walk down by the river or in the woods where it was cooler, but she was not to go wading or swimming in the “swimming hole” with the other children.

Jane and Lassie headed down the river to watch her brothers and the neighbor children swimming and playing. The river made a wide turn at this spot, and at one point there was a large area of cool, quiet water. The river itself was wide, deep and fast-moving, but this part had been a safe “swimming hole” for children for many years.

Jane sat watching the activity for a while. Even Lassie went in for a swim. Jane soon found it wasn’t fun just sitting watching. So she decided to follow the path along the river bank. Shaking off the water, Lassie quickly followed Jane as she started down the path. Lassie liked this path, because she always found bushes, rocks and holes to check and sniff out. It was a pretty walk, one they had often taken together. Mother, of course, had told Jane that she must never leave the path, which was high above the river. At this point the river was not safe because of the current.

Looking down at the river, Jane saw some pretty wild flowers growing on the bank near the water. She forgot her mother’s warning about leaving the path and scrambled down the bank to pick the flowers. The bank was slippery and much steeper than Jane realized. She stumbled on a tree root and fell forward, rolling over and over down the bank until she splashed into the river. She was caught by the fast current, and before she could grab hold of anything, she was carried out into the river.

“Help!” she screamed.

Do you think that Jane really needed help, or was she just pretending? No, she wasn’t pretending; she really needed help! She had learned how to swim in quiet water, not in a strong current like this part of the river. As she struggled to swim, she screamed again and again for help!

Have you ever looked at yourself the way God sees you? You really can’t, but if you could, you would see yourself struggling against the current of sin and losing the fight. If you do see yourself like this, what should you do? Should you just try harder to fight against the weight of your sins and hope that everything will turn out all right? No, that is not the answer. The answer is to do just what Jane did—call for help. Tell the Lord Jesus that you know that you are a sinner and you need His help. The Bible says that “He will be very gracious unto thee at the voice of thy cry; when He shall hear it, He will answer thee.” Isaiah 30:19.

God is anxious to save you. The Lord Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, suffered and died on the cross for sinners who will trust and believe in Him. Don’t try to struggle with your sins. The blood of the Lord Jesus Christ was shed so that all those sins could be washed away. He loved us so much that “He laid down His life for us.” 1 John 3:16. He died so that we might live. Call to Him now to save you, and you will find that “The Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither His ear heavy, that it cannot hear.” Isaiah 59:1.

“Help!” Jane screamed again. But she was too far downstream for her brothers to hear her cries for help. There was no one around but Lassie. Hearing Jane’s screams brought Lassie running back from her exploring. Like a flash she ran down the bank and into the water with a splash and swam as hard as she could for struggling, sputtering Jane.

Now it was Lassie’s turn to help Jane. The brave dog put every ounce of her strength into the race to save Jane. On and on she swam until, finally reaching Jane, she caught her clothes in her teeth. Jane quickly threw her arms around Lassie’s neck and hung on while Lassie struggled back to shore. As they neared the bank Jane caught hold of an overhanging tree stump, which helped them get their footing.

When at last the two soaked friends reached home, Jane told the whole story of her fall into the river and Lassie’s brave rescue. Jane’s parents were so thankful that Lassie had been there and that Jane’s disobeying had not taken her life.

For those of us who have been rescued from our sins, are we thanking and praising the Lord Jesus for saving us? Jane could not stop talking about Lassie and told anyone who would listen about what her beloved Lassie had done. Are we telling our friends how the Lord Jesus loves us and has saved us? Do we see the people around us who are struggling just like we were? They need our loving Saviour. Won’t you tell them about Him?

“Call unto Me, and I will answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.” Jeremiah 33:3.

ML-07/31/1983

Favorite Toys

Most little boys and girls have a favorite toy. It might be a truck, or an airplane, or a doll, or something else. I’m sure if you would ask your daddy or mommy if they can remember their favorite toys, they would say, “yes.”

Most of us have favorite things or favorite friends. Sometimes school teachers have favorite students. And some parents even have a favorite son or daughter. However, God does not have favorites like we do. He does not love some of us a little more than others. He loves each one of us so much that He sent His own Son to die for our sins, if we will accept His love.

Have you ever tried to count the grains of sand at the beach? Well, God’s thoughts about you are a higher number than all the grains of sand on all the beaches of this world added together! The Bible tells us this in Psalms 139:17,18: “How precious also are Thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they are more in number than the sand.”

ML-07/31/1983

The Wonders of God's Creation: A Few Strange Fish

“Lord, Thou art God, which hast made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and all that in them is.” Acts 4:24.

Among the fish of the world, God has created some interesting varieties. For instance, did you ever hear of the kissing gourami? When they aren’t busy feeding, they seem to enjoy swimming up to another gourami, planting a kiss on its lips, and moving on to kiss another. Why do they do this? No one knows, except the One who made them.

Then there is the brightly colored butterfly fish. It has broad, wing-like fins that enable it to come out of the water, spread its wings like a butterfly, and skim over the surface of the water, searching for food.

In parts of South America and Africa, during the rainy seasons small lakes form where there had been only dry ground or swampy marsh before. Miraculously, small fish often “suddenly” appear in these waters, swimming around until the ponds evaporate in the hot sun. Then they die, but meanwhile they have laid eggs in the muddy bottom. The eggs partially incubate in these muddy nests before the mud dries. When the rains return, these eggs finish incubating and hatch into a new generation of fish. It would seem that the Lord God, the Creator, wants to keep this strange fish as an example of the marvels of His works.

Another interesting species which is preserved in a different way is the large African lungfish. These fish, which actually look more like eels, live in seasonal ponds and bury themselves in the mud when the water has almost completely evaporated. There they form a cocoon to protect themselves during the long hibernation, curling up with their tails over their eyes to protect themselves and preserve moisture.

This fish is able to breathe either air or water; tiny holes in its cocoon admit enough air to keep it alive while hibernating. Of course, its body activities almost stop during this time, and it looks like it is dead. It actually can stay alive for as long as four years this way, living off its fat and muscle tissues until rains come to fill the pond again. Then it breaks out of the cocoon and takes up a normal fish’s way of life. An unusual thing about this lungfish is that even when it is living in water it must occasionally rise to the surface to gulp air.

In some ways this is a picture to us of death and resurrection which are mentioned so often in the Bible. When the Lord Jesus was on the earth He said, “The hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear [My] voice, and shall come forth.” John 5:28,29. He further explained that those who have faith in Him will come forth to everlasting life with Him in heaven, but those who die in their sins will come forth to judgment and be sent into everlasting darkness. How important it is, while we are still alive, to obey God’s Word: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” Acts 16:31.

ML-07/31/1983

Two Brave Firemen

Memory Verse: “When we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” Romans 5:6

The trouble could not have come at a worse time for the Patterson family. Mr. Patterson was away from the farm. Mrs. Patterson was still on crutches with a broken leg that she had gotten in a car accident a month before. Eleven-year-old David and nine-year-old Gordon were both just getting over the flu, and Judy, their older sister, was working in town.

Suddenly, as David looked out the kitchen window, he saw smoke in the pasture between the barn and the road that passed their farm.

“Mom, look! Something’s burning in the pasture!” yelled David.

“What’s on fire?” called Mother from the next room as she hobbled out on her crutches.

“Hey, the grass is on fire near the road,” cried David, “and it’s burning toward the barn! Look at all the smoke! Oh, it’s going to burn down the barn!”

“Quick, David, get some buckets from the shed and go get water to throw on the fire!” directed Mrs. Patterson. “You can get water from the trough by the barn. I’ll call the fire department.”

“I’m coming, too,” yelled Gordon, following his brother out the door.

“Oh, do be careful!” called Mother anxiously as she dialed the fire department. She had never felt so helpless in all her life. Everything they owned was in danger, but with her leg in a cast there was nothing she could do but call for help.

Each one of us as sinners cannot do anything about our sins. We might be in good health with no broken bones, and work as hard as we can to earn our way to heaven.

What do you think the result will be? The Bible plainly tells us, “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23. Each of us is a sinner. We might try to do good things that we think will help us get to heaven. But what does God say about those “good things"? “We are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.” Isaiah 64:6. There is an answer, though; there is help. Although Mrs. Patterson could not fight the fire herself, there were others she could go to for help. While she was dialing the fire department, her two young “firemen” were fighting the blaze.

The help for sinners is the Lord Jesus Christ. It was He who in His great love for sinners was punished on the cross for the sins of all who would believe in Him. If you realize that you are a helpless sinner, on your way to that awful place called hell, then turn right now to the only Person who can help you. The Lord Jesus says, “Come unto Me.” Matthew 11:28. In Isaiah 43:11 we read, “I, even I, am the Lord; and beside Me there is no saviour.” This is the answer for your helpless condition. The Lord Jesus has already done everything that is needed for you to be saved. All you have to do is accept His offer of freedom from your sins.

Gordon and David grabbed buckets from the shed and filled them from the water trough. They ran to the burning grass closest to the barn and threw the water on the flames. Then they ran back for more water and back again to the fire.

Back and forth they ran, but it looked like they were losing the fight. After all, how could two boys with buckets put out a big brush fire?

“Keep at it, boys!” called their mother. “The fire department is on the way.”

The boys worked harder. They were keeping the fire from moving so fast toward the barn, tractors and animals. But it was still creeping closer. They were not going to be able to stop it. The buckets were heavy, and they were getting so tired. Still, they worked as hard as they could.

Just as the fire reached the corner of the barn, a fire engine roared into the driveway. In no time the firemen with their hoses and shovels were working beside them. It was not long until the fire was completely out. They had won—the barn, animals and equipment were saved!

The boys were brave firemen! Do you think their mother was pleased with them? I’m sure she was, and so was their father when he got back and heard all about what they had done.

Yes, David and Gordon had kept back the fire until the firemen got there to put it out. They kept it back, but they could not stop it by themselves. They needed the firemen to do the job.

There is nothing you can do to save yourself from the punishment your sins require. The Lord Jesus Christ is the only One who can wash away those sins and save you from that punishment. He is waiting for you to call for His help. Won’t you come to Him right now? Then you can claim this verse for yourself: “God is my salvation and my glory: the rock of my strength, and my refuge.” Psalms 62:7.

ML-08/07/1983

Mike's Secret

“Daddy,” called four-year-old Mike from his bedroom. He was supposed to be getting ready for bed, but it sure was taking him a long time.

“Yes, Mike,” answered Daddy from the living room where he was reading. “What is it now?”

“I have a secret to tell you.”

“That’s nice, but are you getting ready for bed?” Daddy asked, still reading his book.

“Yes I am, but can I tell you the secret right now?” asked Mike.

“Not right now, Mike. Tell it to your Teddy first,” said Daddy wearily. He could hear some whispering in Mike’s room, but couldn’t hear what was being said.

“Daddy?”

“Yes, Mike.”

“I told Teddy. Can I tell you now?”

“Tell Lion now,” said Daddy, almost ready to put his book down, but hoping to get to the end of the chapter.

“Okay, Daddy.”

So now the secret was quietly whispered to the toy lion that shared the bed with Mike and Teddy.

“Daddy?”

“Yes, Mike.”

“I’ve told Teddy and Lion. Now can I tell you?”

“Tell your fish, and then you can tell me,” answered Daddy as a last resort.

The secret was passed on now to the fish in the fish bowl. Mike was getting practice by repeating the secret, and it took him less time to tell the fish than it did to tell Teddy or Lion.

“Daddy?”

“Yes, Mike.”

“I’ve told my secret to Teddy and to Lion and to the fish. Now can I tell you?”

“All right,” said Daddy. “Come on down and tell me.”

“But, Daddy, you have to put your book down,” insisted Mike as he ran into the living room.

“Okay, I will,” said Daddy, closing the book and setting it aside.

“It’s a secret, Daddy, and so you won’t tell anyone, will you?”

“No, I won’t tell anyone. I promise.”

“Are you listening?”

“Of course! What’s your secret, Mike? Whisper it in my ear.”

There was a pause, then, “I love you, Daddy.”

“Is that the secret, Mike?” asked Daddy with a big smile on his face. “Oh, Mike,” said Daddy, lifting him onto his lap, “thank you for telling me, and Daddy loves you, too, very much.”

There is One who is not keeping it a secret that He loves us. He is the Lord Jesus Christ, and in His Word, the Bible, we read, “Hereby perceive we the love of God, because He [the Lord Jesus Christ] laid down His life for us.” 1 John 3:16.

The Lord Jesus Christ longs to show you His love. He is trying to get your attention. “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him.” Revelation 3:20. He wants you to listen to Him. He has a wonderful story to tell you about the love that brought Him to this world to die for sinners. He will tell you of His love that made Him stay on the cross. There He was punished for the sins of anyone who will accept Him as his or her Saviour. He wants to tell you of His blood which He shed on the cross. It has the power to wash all your sins away. If you trust in Him, then He will show you the love that He has for you day after day after day, until He has you with Himself in heaven. All of this He has for you, if you will only listen.

“God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8.

ML-08/07/1983

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Chinch Bug

“For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible.” Colossians 1:16.

The black and white chinch bug, with its reddish-yellow legs, is so tiny that when it hatches from its egg it is almost impossible to see without the help of a microscope. Although tiny, the little ones immediately start searching for food. Their little legs have enough strength for crawling and clinging to plants. They quickly find their way to stalks of wheat, oats, hay, etc., where they become destructive and costly to many farmers. Armed with sharp, sucking beaks, they attach themselves to these stalks, drawing out the sap until the stalk dies. Then they simply move on to another one, while growing bigger and hungrier.

In about a month they grow to full size, having moulted (shed their outer skins) frequently while growing. At the last moult, wings appear, usually about the time corn is beginning to ripen in the fields. Then they fly to the good-tasting corn to continue their destructive work.

At the end of summer they search out places in which to hibernate—cracks in wooden fences, a snug place under a pile of hay, the bark of dead trees, roof beams and shingles, or other places. In the spring when temperatures return to around 70°, they come out to continue their hungry ways again.

We may not find anything good to say about chinch bugs, but they form part of God’s creation, and He has marvelously adapted them to their way of life. Perhaps He allows their destructive work to remind us that sin has come into the world and marred the perfection of His creation. In Romans 8:22 This is spoken of, saying, “We know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.” This means that sin has brought unpleasantness and suffering to all creatures, including even the chinch bugs which often are the victims of such enemies as birds, frogs, spiders and many others that search them out and eat them.

The Bible also tells of a coming time (known as the Millennium), when all creation will again be in perfect harmony. Isn’t it cheering to know it will be restored? But before that takes place those who know the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour will be called up into heaven. Then soon after, severe punishment is going to fall on this evil world. His promise to those who believe in Him is, “The dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16,17.

Will you be included with those called into heaven’s glory, or will you be among those left behind for punishment? Be sure your decision is right!

ML-08/07/1983

The Little White Pigeon

Memory Verse: “All we like sheep have gone astray: we have turned every one to his own way: and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” Isaiah 53:6

Monica was walking along a tree-lined lane that led from their little farm out to the main road. She was deep in thought and not really watching where she was going. Suddenly she stopped. There at her feet was a small white bundle of feathers. She almost had stepped on it. She wondered if it were dead or alive. Stooping down to look closer, Monica saw the little bundle move, and out of the ruffled feathers popped a small head with two very frightened eyes peeking out. It was a little white pigeon that had fallen out of its nest high up in one of the trees.

Just why it had fallen out Monica could not tell. She looked up in the trees for a nest, but could not see any. She looked around for the worried parents who often are fluttering around when a baby bird falls out of its nest. There was no sign of them either.

Monica gently picked up the quivering, fluffy little bird and cradled it in her hands. She was excited as she carefully carried it home.

“Hey, everyone!” she called, coming into the house. “Look, I’ve just found a baby pigeon!”

The whole family crowded around Monica as she opened her hands to show them the frightened little bird. Everyone was interested, and soon her mother and brother were looking for a box to make a nest for the young bird.

A few days after the little white pigeon had joined the family, Mother asked Monica if she could understand how the pigeon was like a child who accepts the Lord Jesus Christ as her Saviour.

Monica thought for a minute and then said, “I think so, but maybe you had better explain it to me.”

Mother told her that while the baby pigeon was in the nest it was safe and protected by its parents. But it had fallen out of the nest, and when Monica found it the little pigeon was lost and helpless. It could not fly back up to where it would be safe. It was lying in the dusty lane where it would die, unless someone helped it.

“Oh, I see,” said Monica. “That’s like what we hear in Sunday school. Our sins have taken us away from God, and we can’t get rid of them all by ourselves. Jesus has to do it for us.”

“That’s right,” Mother went on. “Each of us has sinned many times. It is these sins that will keep us out of heaven where God lives. Although we try our best to do good things, those sins that we have done are still there. Monica, can you remember the verse that you memorized in Isaiah 53 about sheep going astray?”

Monica thought a minute and then repeated, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all. Isaiah 53, verse 6.”

“That’s very good,” said Mother. “Remember, that word ‘iniquities’ means those sins that we have been talking about. We have all gone astray or wandered away from God and sinned. That’s why we need the Lord Jesus to save us.”

“I know,” said Monica. “It’s just like I saved the pigeon and brought it into the house, and the Lord Jesus can save sinners and take them to heaven.”

“But there is a big difference,” explained Mother. “You showed love to the pigeon, and the Lord Jesus has shown His great love to the sinner. But you didn’t have to do anything to save the pigeon from dying except pick it up. The Lord Jesus had to be punished and die on the cross for the sins of all sinners who are saved. Isn’t He a wonderful Saviour? Aren’t you glad you are saved?”

“I sure am,” answered Monica.

Each day the little white pigeon became more beautiful and unusually tame. Then one day something awful happened!

There had been more hawks than normal that summer. They would swoop down and carry away baby chickens that got too far away from the coop.

Monica had been afraid that a hawk might come get her pigeon and carry it away someday. She tried not to think about it.

Then one morning her brother came rushing into the house yelling, “Monica! Monica! Come quick! A hawk just got your pigeon!”

Terrified, Monica dropped what she was doing and rushed out of the house looking up into the sky. Yes, what she feared had actually happened! There was a hawk gripping her pigeon in its powerful claws and flying away!

Monica ran down the road crying and yelling at the hawk, “Drop my pigeon! Drop my pigeon, you awful hawk!”

But the hawk flew on.

Then remembering what she had often heard about the power of prayer, she stopped, knelt down and tearfully prayed, “Lord Jesus, you know how much I love my pigeon. Please make that hawk drop it so he can’t kill it.”

Tears were streaming down her face as she got up from her knees, opening her eyes again. The hawk was still plainly in sight in the clear air.

She stared—her eyes growing wide with amazement. Her little white pigeon was no longer in the hawk’s claws!

“He’s dropped it! He’s dropped it!” she cried, running across the field as fast as she could. Suddenly, looking down in the dust beside her, Monica’s quick eyes noticed pigeon tracks. Following them, she found her pigeon hiding under a small bush. Oh, she was so glad to find her pet unharmed!

Picking up the frightened bird, which seemed too scared to move, she ran home with a very thankful heart. She told Mother exactly what had happened... how she had knelt down and prayed, how the hawk had somehow dropped the pigeon, and how she had found the bush under which the pigeon was hiding.

Gratefully, they both knelt down right there in the kitchen and thanked God for His goodness in answering a little girl’s prayer so wonderfully.

“Whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” John 14:13.

“Ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.” John 16:24.

“Trust ye in the Lord forever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength.” Isaiah 26:4.

ML-08/14/1983

A Trip to the Zoo

Uncle Tom planned to take little Donna to the zoo on Saturday. “Be sure to be ready at one o’clock sharp!” he told her. “I’ll come by in my car then and pick you up.”

Donna woke up very early Saturday morning and asked her mother, “Is it time to go to the zoo yet?”

“Oh no!” said Mother, “It’s only eight o’clock.”

Donna waited on the front porch all morning, because she wanted to be sure to be ready on time. How happy she was when one o’clock finally came! Uncle Tom took her to the zoo, and what a good time she had watching the lions, the tigers, the elephants and many other animals and birds.

For those who love the Lord Jesus a happy time is coming, too. It will be much happier than a trip to the zoo, because we are going to heaven to be with our Lord and Saviour forever.

Maybe even today all those who have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour will hear the shout that will call them away to be with Him. Would you be ready to meet Him if He were to come today? Have your sins been washed away in His precious blood?

How sad it would be if you were left behind, because terrible judgments are going to come on this world after the Lord Jesus has taken His people out of it! Run to the Saviour today for refuge and safety.

“Watch therefore; for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come.” Matthew 24:42.

“Therefore be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh.” Matthew 24:44.

ML-08/14/1983

The Sea Horse

“Sing unto the Lord, all the earth.... Declare His glory among the heathen; His marvelous works among all nations. For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised.” 1 Chronicles 16:23-25.

The oceans contain strange creatures, many of them frightening, weird and ugly. But the sea horse is a fish that doesn’t look or act like a fish. It is quite common along the coasts of North and South America, as well as in Hawaii, Tahiti and other south-sea islands. Among the 40 species there are some as long as two feet, but the more common ones are only about three inches long. Most are dark gray or black, but some are a pretty pink, red, yellow, blue or white. All are able to change their color to that of their surroundings if they wish.

The sea horse is well-named since its head and the top of its body look surprisingly like a miniature horse. Instead of scales it is covered with rough, bony plates. Its curved tail enables it to anchor onto sea grass or, hooked to a companion, to have a playful tug-of-war contest. Each eye pivots separately, and it can look toward the surface with one eye while searching underwater with the other.

The sea horse is always upright—head up, tail down. In this position it keeps itself balanced and moves by means of a fan-like fin on its back, looking similar to the small propeller that whirls on the tail of a helicopter. This enables it to swim forward, backward, up or down.

Another unusual thing about this ocean resident is the manner in which little ones are born. When the female is about to lay her eggs, she swims to her male companion and they engage in a lively dance, gracefully circling around each other. Then she transfers about 300 eggs into a pouch on his body. He incubates these for a month or more, until they hatch. Then, held in bubbles containing 50 to 100 eggs each, he releases them out into the water. As the bubbles burst, the tiny, transparent, comma-size babies separate, and each one begins a life on its own.

God has been pleased to make the sea horse very different from its neighbors, not only in appearance, but also in its peaceful habits. It has no enemies, because its hard, bony plates make it unappetizing no matter how hungry they are. Its own diet is limited to tiny particles of food passing through the water. It does not attack other small fish.

The wonderful works of the Lord surely deserve the highest praise, as quoted in our opening verse, and should cause every boy and girl to seek Him. The Psalmist said: “The Lord is nigh [near] unto all them that call upon Him, to all that call upon Him in truth.” Psalms 145:18. If you have not done this yet, call on Him today. He will hear and answer you.

ML-08/14/1983

The Deadly Viper

Memory Verse: “Be sure your sin will find you out.” Numbers 32:23

Louis always had a real interest in different kinds of animals, but his favorite pets were snakes. This might seem strange to many of you, that someone could really like snakes. It was his keen interest in snakes that almost cost Louis his life.

I’m sure that Louis knew exactly what he wanted when he smashed the display case glass at the zoo. In this display case there were two five-foot-long Gaboon vipers. Reaching through the broken glass, Louis quickly grabbed the vipers and stuffed them into a black plastic bag.

I’m not sure if Louis really knew how poisonous the Gaboon viper is, but he was soon to find out. It is one of the most poisonous species of snakes in the world. What a foolish thing Louis had done!

It was almost midnight when Louis climbed onto a city bus, still carrying the black plastic bag with his new “pets.” He sat down for the ride back to his home, carefully guarding the bag he had set down beside him. As he peeked into the bag, he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his right shoulder. One of the snakes had bitten him! Blood started running down his arm and soaked through his shirt. Louis did not know what to do.

The Bible tells us, “Be sure your sin will find you out.” Numbers 32:23. After the snake bit Louis his sin was quickly “found out.” Not only had he sinned when he broke the window and stole the snakes, he now was facing death. Louis was in very serious trouble and needed help, and fast!

The others on the bus soon realized that Louis needed help. The driver quickly stopped the bus and called the police.

Louis was taken by ambulance to the nearest hospital. When the doctors at the hospital discovered what had bitten Louis, they immediately sent out an emergency call for antivenin to the Gaboon viper poison. They knew this was the only remedy that could save his life.

How thankful each of us should be that there is a remedy for sin. Even though each of us has been “bitten” by sin, for God says “all have sinned” (Rom. 3:23), God has a remedy for those sins. His remedy is the blood that His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, shed on the cross. “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7. To be given the remedy for sin, all we have to do is ask for it and accept it. We need to ask the Lord Jesus Christ to be our Saviour. Louis would not have the help of the antivenin if he refused to take it. You, too, cannot have the help of what the Lord Jesus has done for you unless you accept it for yourself.

For Louis an antivenin was found that would neutralize the viper’s poison. It was rushed to the hospital where Louis lay, close to death. It had to be given quickly to save his life. There was no time to waste!

Are you willing to accept the only remedy for your sins, right now? How foolish it would have been for the doctors to have waited for several hours to give Louis the antivenin after they had gotten it. Yet many boys and girls are doing just that—they are putting off accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour. In 2 Corinthians 6:2 we read, “Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”

The antivenin that Louis received saved his life. It was exactly what he needed; nothing else would have worked. The blood of the Lord Jesus Christ is the only remedy for sin; there is no other cure, and nothing else will work.

Although Louis’s life was saved, he still had to be punished for breaking the display case and stealing the vipers. How thankful we who have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour can be, because we know for sure that all our sins have been washed away and that we will never have to be punished for them. “Their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.” Hebrews 8:12.

ML-08/21/1983

The Missed Flight

Recently I was standing at the counter at one of the gates at O’Hare International Airport in Chicago, Illinois asking for some information from the agent. While I was waiting for him to get the answer for me, an older, well-dressed man came up to the counter. He asked one of the other agents when he and his wife could board flight 700 for Miami, Florida. The agent’s mouth dropped open in surprise. She turned around to point out the window behind her.

“Sir, flight 700 is that plane just backing away from the gate,” she said. “There is no way that you can get on that flight now. I started announcing it was time to board that flight over half an hour ago, and I made several announcements telling people to get on the plane.”

The man and his wife evidently had sat through all of the boarding announcements and for some reason either had not heard or responded to a single one of them. The agent told them that the only thing they could do now was to go to the ticket counter and try to get a new reservation for the next flight to Miami, later in the day.

That man and his wife thought they were all ready for their trip. They had checked in and received their seat assignments, they had all their luggage with them, and they were very close to the door of the plane they wanted to take. But because they did not actually go through the door and get on the plane, all their preparation was useless. They were told by the agent, not just once but many times, to board the plane, but still it did them no good.

This reminded me of many boys and girls and men and women in this world today. They know that there is judgment ahead for every lost soul. They know how to be saved from that judgment. They may think that they are very close to being saved by going to Sunday school, memorizing Bible verses, and living good and honest lives (which are all good things). And yet, if they do not put their faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour, they are still lost; they are still in their sins, heading for the judgment. In that condition they can never get to heaven, where they would like to go.

God has warned you many, many times to “flee from the wrath to come.” Luke 3:7. God commends His love to you “in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8. God invites you to accept His beloved Son as your Saviour today while there is still time. Some day very soon the door of His mercy will be shut forever, and then you will never have another chance to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved. That man and woman probably were able to get on another plane in a couple of hours to go to Miami. But if the Lord Jesus comes, or if you die, and you have not accepted Him as your Saviour, you will be lost forever. There will be no second chance for you. “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:2.

ML-08/21/1983

The Wonders of God's Creation: Is It Really Sunrise?

“By the word of the Lord were the heavens made; and all the host of them by the breath of His mouth.” Psalms 33:6.

We speak of the sun rising and setting, but is this really correct? It wasn’t so far back in history when people thought the world was flat, and they were afraid to go in boats on the ocean for fear they would fall off the edge! Many considered the earth to be the center of the universe and that all the stars, including the sun, traveled around it.

Now we know that the earth is round, and by its revolving every 24 hours the sun comes into view in the morning and disappears at night. So actually, it isn’t sunrise and sunset after all, but what we might call “earthrise” and “earthset.” We also now know the earth is not the center of everything, but just a speck in God’s universe.

Perhaps you have thought that the stars only “come out” at night. Actually they are there day and night and don’t “come out” at all. Of course, we only see them at night when the brightness of the sun and city lights are gone and when there are no clouds to block the view.

When looking into a starry sky, you might think that they are very close together. Yet, astronomers know that most of them are trillions of miles apart. No one but the Creator knows the actual number of stars, but it is estimated there are more than 100 billion, billion (100, 000,000,000,000,000,000) of them! Man’s mind cannot begin to understand such numbers, but the Bible tells us “He [the Lord] telleth the number of the stars; He calleth them all by their names.” Psalms 147:4. Among the untold billions our earth is very small. By comparison, the diameter of the sun is 100 times greater than the earth, and yet one of the really great stars, Antares, is 330 times greater than the sun! It is so huge that, if it were hollow, most of our solar system (the sun and the planets and their moons which orbit around them) could orbit inside of it! The sun is the nearest star to us — 93 million miles away. The next nearest is Proxima Centauri, 25 trillion miles away, and if you could travel 1000 miles per second it would take 790 years to reach it.

Yet, in spite of our smallness in God’s vast creation, it was on this world that we call Earth, and in no other place, that He placed man and other forms of life to accompany him. And it was to this world, when men rebelled against their Creator, that God sent His beloved Son to die on Calvary’s cross. There He was punished for the sins of those who would accept Him as their Saviour. Now, because of what He has done, those who know Him as their Saviour have forgiveness of their sins and the wonderful gift of everlasting life in the glories of heaven.

The Bible asks a very serious question: “Despisest thou the riches of His goodness... and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance?” Romans 2:4. For you to be saved, you must accept His simple and wonderful way of salvation this very day with “repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” Acts 20:21.

ML-08/21/1983

Saved by His Horse

Memory Verse: “Jesus stood and cried, saying, If any man thirst, let him come unto Me and drink.” John 7:37

I remember a story about a man who was traveling on horseback across the desert near the Rio Grande River in New Mexico. He had lost his way and wandered about in the burning heat of the sun, searching for water. He thought that both he and his horse were going to die from lack of water. Oh, how thirsty he was!

Most of us do not know what real thirst is—when the throat becomes dry and hot and the lips are cracked and burning. Those who have experienced this kind of thirst say that they would have given all they owned for just a drop of water to moisten their lips and cool their tongue.

As the hot day dragged by the rider urged his weary horse on, still hoping to reach a stream or a pool before they died.

It was late in the afternoon when they reached the top of a ridge. The man looked down into a little canyon and saw grass growing thick and long. That meant water. That was what he was looking for—a spring that would have good water. It seemed to come from nowhere, but there was a little trickle of water coming out of the side of the canyon. It was almost too good to be true.

Climbing down from Lady, his horse, he led her down the steep slope. He let her go to the grass and water while he waded through the small, marshy bog to get right where the water trickled out of the canyon wall. He stayed there a long time, his feet deep in the cool mud of the bog, drinking and cooling himself in the cool spring water.

Finally getting his fill, he tried to pull his feet out of the mud. But they would not come out. He tried pulling one out at a time, but the more he struggled the deeper he seemed to sink in the bog. He was stuck and could not move, and he knew it. He had been spared from dying of thirst only to die in a bog.

Then suddenly he thought of Lady who was grazing downstream. “Lady!” he called, “Lady, come!” She seemed to sense something was wrong and came close to where he was caught in the bog. “Come closer, Lady,” he commanded. She moved close enough so that he could catch hold of the saddle straps. It was his only hope, so grasping the straps, he hung on.

“Now, Lady, pull,” he said firmly, “let’s go!” The horse seemed to understand, and for the next few moments she pulled and strained. The man hung on tightly, knowing that this was his only hope of getting out of the bog. It felt like his arms and legs were being pulled out of their sockets, but still he hung on.

Finally, the bog lost its grip on his legs and feet, and Lady dragged him to firmer ground. The man fell to the ground, exhausted but saved.

This story gives us two pictures of a sinner. The first picture is of a sinner who, sooner or later, discovers that this world is nothing but a dry desert. Nothing keeps him happy for very long. There is nothing to satisfy what his heart and soul need. If he goes on like this he will die in his sins and be lost in hell forever. But the Lord Jesus Christ lovingly calls to each one, “If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink.” John 7:37. He is the fountain of life and gives the living water. If a sinner will take a “drink” from Him, he will live forever.

The man helpless in the bog is our second picture of a sinner. He is stuck in the bog of sin, sinking down to death and hell. Can you see yourself in this picture? Can you see that, like the man in the story, you cannot help yourself? But there is a Saviour and a Friend, the Lord Jesus Christ who loves you. If you will call to Him, He will come and lift you out of the bog of sin. He will wash away all your sins and start you on your way to heaven. He also will keep you happy and satisfied all along the way. You can depend on Him! Why not trust Him today?

“I am the door: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved.” John 10:9.

ML-08/28/1983

The Broken Ladder

Grandpa Tom was so happy to be retired from his job. For many years he had gone to the office where he worked hard every day. Now he could stay at home and enjoy doing the things he had always wanted to do. He started each day off by reading two chapters in his Bible. Then he usually spent several hours working in his yard and cleaning up things in his garage. Grandpa Tom liked to keep anything that he thought he might need someday.

One day, his daughter Debbie noticed that he had a ladder with several cracks and a broken step. She knew this was very unsafe, so she carried it out to the trash. Now, what did Grandpa Tom do but go out and carry the old ladder right back into the garage!

Grandpa thought that throwing the ladder away was wasteful; he planned to repair it and make it as good as new. But his daughter knew that the ladder should be thrown away or be repaired immediately, because it was dangerous to use.

Grandpa had a good plan in saving the ladder, but he forgot about safety. We often think our thoughts are right and forget to consider God’s view of our thoughts. The Bible tells us in Isaiah 55:8, “My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord.” How important it is to have the Lord’s thoughts as found in His Word, the Bible, and to walk in His ways. If we think our own thoughts and walk in our own way, it will lead to everlasting death. “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man; but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Proverbs 14:12. But God has a much better way for us and that is the way of salvation through accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” Acts 16:31.

One day in the fall, Grandpa Tom was out puttering around in the garage while Debbie was fixing lunch. Because he did not come in when she called him for lunch, she walked out to the garage to call again.

What a sad sight met Debbie’s eyes! The old, cracked ladder was in broken pieces, and Grandpa Tom was beside it on the floor.

Debbie quickly ran to get help from a neighbor, who then called for an ambulance to come. In just a short time Grandpa Tom was in the hospital where the doctors and nurses worked hard to save his life.

It was several months before Grandpa Tom was able to come home from the hospital. Even though he is at home now, he will never be well enough to do any of the things he once loved to do.

If only Grandpa Tom had left that old ladder in the trash where it belonged, he would not have had the terrible accident—an accident he will suffer from as long as he lives. Grandpa Tom’s thoughts of saving the old ladder were really not wrong, but he will suffer from the results of those thoughts the rest of his life.

Are your thoughts about God and His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, right thoughts? Do you know the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour? If you do not, you will suffer forever in that awful place called hell. “Whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:15. For those who have right thoughts about God, who have accepted the Lord Jesus as their Saviour, eternity will be “fullness of joy” and “pleasures for evermore.” Psalms 16:11.

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword... and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12.

ML-08/28/1983

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Desert Tortoise Takes Its House With It

“And God made the beast of the earth... and everything that creepeth upon the earth after his kind.” Genesis 1:25.

The desert tortoise, with its 12-inch-diameter arched shell, elephant-like hind legs, flat feet and short tail, lives in the deserts of California, Nevada, Utah and Arizona. It is an expert at digging, often digging burrows up to 30 feet long where it can hibernate for six months or more during the winter.

Some of these tortoises have been known to live well over 50 years. How do they find enough food to stay alive year after year in this harsh climate? We might not find much to eat in the desert, but the tortoises feed on the plants that grow there—grass, flowers, wild fruit, certain shrubs and even the prickly desert cactus. Sometimes snails and insects are a part of their diet, too. But if food is scarce they can fast (not eat) for a mon without harm. They hunt for food only in the cool hours of the morning and evening, crawling into their burrows or resting in the shade at other times.

The tortoise, though wondrously designed by the Creator to withstand fierce desert heat, does need water, which is a scarce item in the desert. God has given their bodies the ability to get all the water they need from the vegetation they eat. Of course, they drink water whenever they find it, usually from pools left by rainstorms, but that does not happen very often.

Early in June the female digs a dirt burrow nest several inches deep, making a cavern under the hard surface soil. Her eggs (about 10 of them) look like Ping-Pong balls. As each one drops into the nest, she packs dirt around it. Then she fills the whole nest with dirt, tamping it down and smoothing it over so it is cleverly concealed. From then on the eggs are “on their own,” as are the young tortoises which hatch about 100 days later. It is amazing how they can hatch underground and stay alive as they dig their way to the surface. The Creator, whose eye is on every living thing, takes care of them even though we do not understand how He does it.

The newly hatched tortoises are exact miniatures of their parents and are about the size of a half-dollar. They have soft shells and need to hide or run quickly to avoid being eaten by vultures, coyotes and snakes. As their shells harden they become like a piece of armor. They soon learn that they have no need to fear harm from their enemies, and so they just go about the desert slowly and peacefully.

The world in which we live is often compared to a desert, too, in spite of all its glamour and attractions. God’s enemies, encouraged by Satan, seem to be increasing daily. Yet, for those who love Him and know His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, as their own Saviour, He has provided an armor to protect from all evil. (See Ephesians 6:10-17.) The important thing is not, just to know that the armor is provided, but as it says, “Put on the whole armor of God” (vs. 11). Are you doing this?

ML-08/28/1983

Amy's Swim

Memory Verse: “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” 1 Timothy 1:15

Amy had a happy smile on her face as she skipped along holding her mother’s hand. It had been a hot August week. Every day Amy had begged, “Mother, can’t I please go swimming?” Every day the answer had been the same: “Wait until Daddy has a day off work so that he can stay with the baby, and then I’ll take you.”

Now at last the day had arrived, and Mother and Amy were on their way to the pool. Amy had learned to swim the summer before. Now that she was seven years old she felt sure she was big enough to swim in the deep end of the pool with the older children.

When they arrived at the pool, they found it crowded with children. They all were laughing, splashing and shouting as they enjoyed the cool water. Amy was quick to join in and soon was running out to the end of the diving board, jumping off and paddling back to the side of the pool. Mother sat near the side of the pool and looked up from her knitting with a smile each time Amy shouted, “Watch me this time, Mother!”

After a while Amy began to get tired, but she did not want to quit just yet. “Just a few more times,” she promised herself, “and then I’ll quit.”

At last she realized she would have to stop and rest for a while, but first she wanted one last jump. Out to the end of the diving board she trotted, took a big jump, splashed into the water, and began paddling very slowly to the side.

Suddenly, Amy knew she was in danger. She was just too tired to swim any longer, and she began to sink. She knew what she should do; she should call for help. Mother was sitting right by the side of the pool, and the life guard with his whistle around his neck was sitting up on his platform, ready to help anyone in trouble. Still, Amy did not call for help. Do you know why? She was afraid that if she called for help her mother or the life guard would pull her out of the water and say: “You’re too little to be in this deep water! Go back to the shallow end of the pool with the little children.” She was afraid they would laugh at her and spoil her fun, so she struggled and thrashed around in the water until she began to sink down, down, down to the bottom of the pool.

Boys and girls, would you be as foolish as Amy was? I hope you would be wise enough to call for help if you were drowning. Hover, you might be even more foolish than Amy for another reason.

The Bible tells us that “All have sinned” (Rom. 3:23) and that “The wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23). You know that you are sinking deeper and deeper in sin, but you are still struggling to save yourself, not willing to call for help to the only One who is able to save you. The Bible tells us, too, that “Christ died for our sins” (1 Cor. 15:3) and that “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Rom. 10:13). Have you called upon His name? Have you told the Lord Jesus that you know you are a sinner and asked Him to save you? Or, like Amy, are you afraid that your friends, or even your family, might laugh at you or make fun of you? Do not put it off. Call upon the Lord Jesus today while you still have the chance.

Amy slowly rose to the surface again, still struggling and still stubbornly refusing to call for help... but someone was watching. Mother looked over to see what Amy was doing and saw her head and thrashing arms just above the surface of the water. Dropping her knitting, Mother shouted to a big girl who was in the water near Amy, “Please! Grab that little girl and bring her over here!” Quickly the big girl grabbed Amy by her hair and towed her over to where Mother was waiting. Mother thanked the big girl very much as she pulled Amy out of the water and hugged her tightly. Mother’s watchful care and the strong arm of the older girl had saved Amy’s life.

Amy nearly lost her life because she would not admit she needed help. I hope you boys and girls will not be that foolish. Admit that you are a sinner, and call on the Lord Jesus today. He promises, “Call upon Me... I will deliver thee.” Psalms 50:15.

ML-09/04/1983

A New Heart

How exciting it is to get something new—a new sweater, a new bicycle or a new book—something that has never been used before. Almost a year ago now, Mr. Clark was given a new heart—something that no one else had ever received before.

We don’t very often think about our heart, and yet without it we could not live. The heart is a half-pound of muscular tissue about the size of a man’s fist. It is the most marvelous pump in the world—much more efficient than anything made by man. The heart pumps about 40,000,000 times a year, sending blood to all parts of the body.

Mr. Clark’s own heart just would not work right; it was wearing out. He was a very sick man when the doctors offered him a “new heart"—one that men had designed and made, not God. Mr. Clark said that if the only other choice were to die, then he would take the “new heart.”

Doctors worked for many hours until finally they had the “new heart” working on Mr. Clark. It was a 375-pound piece of machinery that cost about $18,000.

Have you ever thought about your need for a “new heart"—a heart that is clean from sin in God’s sight? Ezekiel 18:31 tells us to “Cast away from you all your transgressions [sins], whereby ye have transgressed [sinned]; and make you a new heart.” Do you have a “new heart"? Has your heart been washed as white as snow? “Though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.” Isaiah 1:18.

Although Mr. Clark had a “new heart” he lived 112 days after receiving it. When we accept the Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour and receive our “new heart,” it will last forever. Mr. Clark’s “new heart” cost thousands of dollars during the 112 days. But those who receive their “new heart” from the Lord Jesus receive it as a gift from God. The full cost was paid by the Lord Jesus when He died on the Cross.

Have you ever thanked Him for your “new heart"? “Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift.” 2 Corinthians 9:15.

ML-09/04/1983

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Round-Tailed Ground Squirrel

“The eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth.” 2 Chronicles 16:9.

Almost everyone likes squirrels for they are lively, busy and entertaining. There are over 80 varieties throughout the world, mostly tree-dwellers. But for now let’s look at just one—the round-tailed ground squirrel.

These are quiet little animals, about six inches long, that live in the hot, dry deserts where few other animals can live. Unlike their bushy-tailed cousins that live in trees, they are plain looking with long, round tails. Their fur is light brown, soft and smooth and kept clean by frequent licking, just like cats clean their fur.

As the Lord God has done for all His creatures, the ground squirrels are well-fitted to get along in their surroundings. Their legs are long with broad feet ending in sharp, tough claws. Special hairy soles help them move over loose sand. Equipped like this their front feet can dig tunnels rapidly, about a foot deep, with their back feet kicking out the sand or soil that accumulates.

When an enemy appears, such as a hawk, coyote, fox or snake, our little friend scurries into the nearest available hole, even if it belongs to another animal. As it scurries it lets out sharp squeals, and the whole colony takes shelter.

Little ones (sometimes a dozen of them) are born in March or April. Growing rapidly, they soon leave the underground nest to live their own life in the desert, just as the Creator has provided for them.

At the start of winter, the fat, plump round-tailed ground squirrel hibernates in its underground home, curling itself into a ball with its rope-like tail curled over its body. If you could see this you might think it was dead. But this winter sleep of several months, without needing food or water, is the Creator’s way of taking care of it when it would otherwise die from the cold and lack of food. In the spring they awaken and soon pop up from their burrows. Now thin and hungry, their main interest is to find food, and they soon fatten up on new plant growth. In fact, they often eat so much that they can barely get back into their burrows.

The Bible tells us we can learn from the animals (see Job 12:7). The lesson we can learn from this squirrel is to get away quickly from danger and into a hiding place. The Psalmist said: “Thou [the Lord] art my hiding place.” Psalms 32:7. Yes, He is a secure place of safety from the attacks of Satan, who wants to get us into danger and trouble by tempting us with things that are not pleasing to God. The wise instruction of the Bible is, “Enter not into the path of the wicked, and go not in the way of evil men. Avoid it, pass not by it, turn from it, and pass away.” Proverbs 4:14,15.

The only way we can do this is by knowing the Lord Jesus as our Saviour, and looking to Him for help. Is He your hiding place?

ML-09/04/1983

Lost in the Rain

Memory Verse: “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12

Have you ever been lost? If not, you probably do not know how scary it can be.

Perhaps you have wondered just what you would do if you were ever lost. Well, Amy and her sister Paula did get lost one day. I am sure you will want to know what happened to them.

I do not know for sure just how old they were at the time. I would guess that Amy was about eight years old, and Paula was about five. Of course, Amy being three years older than Paula felt that she was nearly grown-up and well able to take care of her little sister.

One day, both of the girls decided to pick a bouquet of flowers for their mother. They knew that there were wild flowers in the woods, so that is where they went.

Since the woods were near their house they thought they would not be gone long. Because the bouquet was going to be a surprise for their mother, they did not tell her where they were going. So off they went, hand in hand.

Soon they were walking happily along, but as the undergrowth became thicker they had to walk single file along the narrow, winding path. On and on they went, looking for the nice patches of wild flowers in bloom. They found only a few single flowers, so they continued to walk farther and farther into the woods looking for more.

Some of you boys and girls reading this story may be lost right now and not even know it. Amy and Paula were lost and did not know it. They had wandered so far into the woods that they did not know where they were. But since they had not tried to find their way home as yet, they did not know they were lost.

In the Bible we read, “If our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost.” 2 Corinthians 4:3. What this means is that Satan has fooled many people into thinking that they are not lost when they really are. He has hid the good news (the gospel) from them, because if these people discover they are lost, they might look for the way to be found.

When we were born we were already away from God. We are sinners without any hope of finding our way back to Him again by ourselves. Because we have all sinned, and since every sin must be punished, even one sin will keep us out of heaven. “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23.

The good news of the gospel is that there is hope for sinners like us. The Lord Jesus Christ said, “The Son of man is come to save that which was lost.” Matthew 18:11. God says you are lost even if you do not know it. If you see that you are a sinner lost and away from God, then turn to Him and be saved. He is waiting to save you. He is waiting for you to see that you are lost; then He will show you the way. The Way is the Lord Jesus Christ: “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” John 14:6. These words of the Saviour provide the way to heaven. The Lord Jesus Christ has already been punished by God on the cross for the sins of any who will believe in Him. There He opened the door for us to share heaven with Him forever. The blood that He shed there has washed all our sins away. Now there is nothing to keep us out of heaven. Won’t you accept Him as your own Saviour now and be included with those who will be in heaven?

Amy and Paula were still picking flowers when they heard the first rumble of thunder. They had been so busy picking flowers and looking for more that they did not know how far they had gone or that it was getting late.

Are you so busy with the pretty things around you that you are not aware that you are in danger? If you are not saved and you die, or if the Lord Jesus Christ comes back (He is coming very soon) then it will be too late to be saved. Amy and Paula were warned by the thunder that a storm was coming. The storm of punishment that is going to fall on this world, because of sin, is very close. Turn to the Saviour while there is still time.

“Look how dark it’s getting,” said Amy. “We had better hurry home before it starts to rain!”

Just then there was a bright flash of lightning followed by a loud clap of thunder.

“Oh,” they both cried, “here it comes now.”

“I don’t like lightning and thunder,” cried Paula. “They make me afraid.”

There was another bright flash and another clap of thunder. Then it began to rain very hard.

“Come on, Paula, run!” cried Amy, very much frightened herself.

They ran as fast as they could, splashing through the puddles. In less than five minutes their hair, clothes and shoes were soaking wet.

Suddenly Amy stopped. “Where are we? I’m not sure which way to go.. I think we’re lost! Oh, Paula, what should we do?”

Yes, they were lost—lost in the woods in a rain storm and not knowing which way to turn. If this is the way you are right now as you think about your sins, then turn to God. He can save you.

Paula turned to Amy and said, “Remember what Mommy once said, that if we ever got into trouble we should tell Jesus about it, and ask Him to help us.”

“Okay,” said Amy, “let’s tell Him we’re lost, and maybe He will show us what to do.”

Right away the two girls closed their eyes and asked Jesus to help them get back home real fast.

“Amy, Paula... where are you? Amy, Paula... can you hear me?”

It was Daddy calling! “Here, Daddy, we’re over here.”

Daddy quickly found them. He had brought their raincoats and had them put them on over their wet clothes. “These will keep you warm until we get home,” he told them.

Thirty minutes later they were home, and then into dry, warm clothes and drinking some hot chocolate.

“I’m sure glad Daddy decided to look in the woods when we couldn’t find you,” Mother said, pouring more hot chocolate into their cups.

“We are, too,” said Amy. “We were so glad to hear Daddy calling. And you know what? We had just told Jesus we were lost and didn’t know how to get home. Then we heard Daddy calling, That was Jesus taking care of us, wasn’t it?”

“Yes, dear. He is always watching over those who have trusted in Him.”

Will you be glad to hear the voice of the Lord Jesus? If you have accepted Him as your Saviour, you certainly will be. But if you are not saved, then the next time you hear His voice you will be standing before Him still in your sins. Is that what you want? We plead with you now; accept Him as your Saviour before it is too late.

“The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10.

ML-09/11/1983

"Don't Let Anything Bite Daddy"

It was almost bedtime. Daddy was away from home on a business trip, and Mother was reading a Bible story to her children. Little Andy listened carefully to the story of Daniel. Mother read how he was thrown into the lions’ den and how God had shut the lions’ mouths so they could not bite him.

A little later as Andy knelt beside his bed praying, his mother heard him say, “And don’t let anything bite Daddy.”

No doubt Andy knew that God, who had kept Daniel from harm, could take care of his daddy, too. And he was right.

In this same simple way shouldn’t each of us be asking God to keep us and those we love from harm and from sin? The Bible tells us God does hear our prayers and cries, and He promises to help those who trust in Him.

“They cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and He saveth them out of their distresses.” Psalms 107:19.

ML-09/11/1983

The Wonders of God's Creation: About Human Hair

“But the very hairs of your head are all numbered.” Matthew 10:30.

This verse reminds us that God knows not only our hearts and thoughts, but everything else about us as well. How many hairs do you think you have? You probably have about 100,000 although each of us does not have the same number. Blond people usually have more, and redheads have less.

If you could look at a strand of hair under a strong microscope, it would look like a tightly packed tiny rope covered with fish-like scales. A cross section of the hair would show two layers surrounding a central core. The outside layer is called the cuticle. The second layer, making up 85% of the thickness, is called the cortex and is made up of the cells that provide color and sheen. The inner core is called the medulla. The whole hair structure that we see is called the shaft.

This shaft starts to grow in a bulb-like growth, known as a follicle, just underneath the skin of the scalp. The bottom part of the follicle holds the papilla which contains an artery that nourishes the root of the hair.

As the shaft grows it pushes upward. It is made up of dead cells which are forced up as new, living cells are formed in the follicle. In about ten weeks an inch of this hair appears, and in an average lifetime about 25 feet of hair will have grown. Even though it is dead, each shaft (strand) keeps its shape and luster and is helped in this by an oily lubricant secreted by the follicle.

Nutritious food helps your hair, but worry, stress and strain hurt it and may cause some hair loss. It is quite normal to lose as many as 75 to 100 hairs a day. They have served their purpose, and the follicles will send out new replacements.

Analysis of hair can show whether the body is getting the right amount of minerals, such as iron, copper, chromium, zinc, etc., which God has wisely provided in certain foods. Laboratory tests show how much of each mineral is present, although, because of the hair’s slow growth only the condition of a few months back will be revealed. Aside from this, most medical authorities question whether any disease can be determined through the hair.

How about baldness? Basically it, as well as graying, is the result of aging. But hair does not turn white (called gray) overnight as some claim. High fever, drugs or serious illness may cause baldness, but most bald people inherit the tendency from their parents, and there is no way to help this.

Now, how about straight or curly hair? Round strands make straight locks; oval strands become wavy; flat strands make kinky hair. But there are many variations of this as well.

Like all parts of the body, the hair that adorns our heads is one more wonderful work of God’s creation. Incidentally, the Bible approves of long hair for a girl or a woman, but speaks of long hair on a boy or a man as “a shame unto him.” 1 Corinthians 11:14,15. It’s something to think about if we wish to please the Lord, don’t you agree? A good verse to remember is, “Them that honor Me I will honor.” 1 Samuel 2:30.

ML-09/11/1983

Hidden Treasures

Memory Verse: “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

“The kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field.” Mother was reading from Matthew 13:44. She explained to her children its lovely meaning—that the Lord Jesus had considered us as “treasure” even though we were sinners. He gave His life so He could “purchase” the world and save His people. The story, she explained, could be easily understood by the Jews of that day, for there was a real chance of finding treasure buried years before by men who had gone off to wars and had not returned to claim them.

Casey, age seven, opened his eyes wide as the word “treasure” was discussed. Instead of listening to the story’s meaning, he began wondering... could there possibly be some treasure buried in his own backyard? He decided to find out!

Now, do you think he found any buried treasure in his backyard? Of course not! Poor Casey! He was setting his heart on foolish things—buried coins—to buy toys, maybe, but especially those luscious fat donuts from the bakery wagon.

The next morning everyone was hurrying to get off to school. Suddenly Mother cried out, “My change! Children, I had plenty of coins in my purse for your lunch money, and it’s all gone! Come here, every one of you!”

Casey was the last to appear and just did not act quite right. After a few straightforward questions he wilted into Mother’s apron. “I only wanted to dig up buried treasure!” he cried. Sadly, he led her to the backyard where all of the money was found neatly buried.

“Oh, Casey,” Mother said softly. “Do you realize you have acted out a true saying from the Bible, God’s Word? ‘The love of money is the root of all evil’ (1 Tim. 6:10). It caused you to ‘covet’ or want what you had no right to take, and to sin further by taking it and then trying to hide your sin. We must talk later about real treasure, the kind that won’t get you into trouble. Now quickly run to your room and confess this to the Lord Jesus.” ("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.)

The treasures of earth lead many to the lake of fire. Make sure that you have found the Source of the real riches—Jesus, the Son of God. “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” Mark 8:36. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” Acts 16:31. “Nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.” 1 Timothy 6:17. Then you can begin to lay up treasure in heaven. Every kindness or service for Jesus’ sake will be added to your account there. Best of all, you will be happy in the joy of giving, just like the Lord Jesus said, “It is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35.

ML-09/18/1983

A Bible City

It was once a city great and high,

Against which a prophet of God did cry.

Its people on hearing his solemn word,

Repented of sin and turned to the Lord.

(Jonah 3)

ML-09/18/1983

Blind Bartimaeus

Suppose you were to lose your eyesight and be blind. Wouldn’t that be terrible? Close your eyes tightly and walk slowly around in your house or in your yard. Then think of being like that for the rest of your life. You would not be able to see your parents, brothers or sisters, friends, anything inside your house, or any of God’s beautiful creation. All of us take our eyesight for granted most of the time. How often do we thank our loving Saviour for giving us eyesight?

In the Bible we often read of blind people. A wonderful little story about a blind man named Bartimaeus is found in Mark chapter 10, verse 46 through 52.

Bartimaeus lived outside the village of Jericho in Palestine. He was a beggar who sat beside the road calling to people who passed by to give him money. This is how he got the money to buy what he needed to live.

I am sure that Bartimaeus did not have a very nice house to live in, nor all the food to eat that he wanted, nor nice clothes to wear. But what he probably wanted more than any of these things was to be able to see. Then he would not have to beg for money. He could work and earn money to buy the things he needed. But there was no hope for a blind person in those days. Who could give sight to a blind man?

One day he heard, probably from a traveler on the highway, that there was a special Person living in the town of Nazareth who was healing all the sick people in the villages around. It had even been reported that He had made blind people to see!

Can you imagine what Bartimaeus must have thought when he heard that good news? Oh, how he must have wanted to go to Nazareth right away to visit this wonderful Person. However, not only was Nazareth 60 miles away, but the road was rough and dangerous, and there was no one to lead him there. He could only hope that this wonderful Person might come to Jericho where he lived. I’m sure he must have asked many questions of the travelers that passed by him each day. He eagerly listened to everything that was said about this special Person.

Then one day he heard the noise of many people coming out of Jericho. What did it mean? Who was coming? It must be someone important, because the people were so excited.

“Who is coming? What’s going on?” called Bartimaeus, hoping someone would hear him and answer his questions.

“It’s Jesus of Nazareth,” someone answered him.

Jesus of Nazareth! He was the Person he had heard about, the One who could give him his eyesight!

Soon Jesus was walking right near him. Would Jesus heal him? Bartimaeus knew that Jesus could, but would Jesus know he was beside the road?

The crowd was moving past. What could a blind man do? He could not see where Jesus was and walk up to Him. It was impossible to move through that crowd of people. Soon Jesus would be gone and might never come this way again. There was only one thing for Bartimaeus to do.

“Jesus!” cried Bartimaeus as loudly as he could. “Jesus, Thou Son of David, have mercy on me!”

“Be quiet!” shouted some unkind people in the crowd. “Don’t bother Him. He is not interested in you.”

But Bartimaeus knew that this was the opportunity that he had been waiting for. This was that wonderful Person who could give sight to his eyes.

“Thou Son of David, have mercy on me,” he cried again!

“And Jesus stood still.” Above the shouting and noise of the crowd, He had heard the voice of blind Bartimaeus. It was the call of faith of someone who recognized who He was and that He could heal.

Jesus commanded that Bartimaeus be brought to Him. While the crowd watched, someone helped Bartimaeus to reach Jesus. Bartimaeus had quickly thrown off his old, tattered clothes and stood trembling in front of Jesus.

“What do you want Me to do for you?” Jesus asked kindly.

“Lord, that I might receive my sight.”

Jesus, who knew all about Bartimaeus, said to him, “Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole.”

Immediately the blind eyes of Bartimaeus were opened. He looked up into the face of the One who had opened them—the Lord Jesus Christ! Bartimaeus was so thankful to the Lord Jesus for healing his eyes that he became a follower of Jesus.

This wonderful story from the Bible teaches us what a loving Saviour we have and how He is willing and able to save any who come to Him in faith. We read in Hebrews 7:25 that “He [the Lord Jesus] is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him.” Won’t you call to the Saviour right now to save you, just like Bartimaeus did? He is passing by, but He will stop at any simple call of faith.

“Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither His ear heavy, that it cannot hear.” Isaiah 59:1.

ML-09/18/1983

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Great Bustard

“God that made the world and all things therein, seeing that He is Lord of heaven and earth... giveth to all life, and breath, and all things.” Acts 17:24,25.

The bustard is an unusual example of God’s creation and is found in many parts of the world. Although there are about 22 species of this bird, the great bustard is best known. The great bustard male weighs about 30 pounds, stands three to four feet high, and has an eight-foot wingspread. Its head is grayish-white, the pretty top plumage of its body is chestnut and black, and the lower part is mostly white. Tufts of white hair, like whiskers, are on the sides of its chin. Its small head sits on top of a long, swan-like neck and has big round eyes, a razor-sharp beak, and a vicious-looking mouth. The males sometimes bite people with their beaks, causing severe pain.

Another bustard, called the kori, is interesting because it almost always has a beautiful bee-eater bird perched on its back. From this viewpoint the bee-eater bird can see bees and insects that are disturbed by the kori’s feet as it walks through the grass, and swoops down to catch them.

All bustards are shy and wary and are difficult to approach. They prefer living on open plains where their sharp eyes can quickly spot motion. The great bustard, with its long, three-toed legs, is a fast runner, and although it can fly it prefers to run from danger or hide in the tall grass where is it well camouflaged.

These strange birds have no song. Instead they bark, grunt, hiss or make a whistling sound. When searching for food they may wander several miles in a day, but have no trouble finding enough as they eat grain and seeds, insects, lizards, frogs, small snakes, etc.

When seeking a companion the male stands on top of a mound of dirt and makes a show of his feathers by turning up his tail and spreading his big wings over his back. At the same time he lays his head between his shoulders, puffs up a pouch on his neck so that only the top of his head and the proud whiskers show.

This is really a pretty display, and an impressed female soon joins him. Together they get busy making a one-foot hole in the ground for a nest. There she lays two or three speckled, greenish eggs, and in three weeks the chicks hatch out after a hard struggle. The young often eat too much and look quite funny wobbling around, for their legs are not yet strong enough to carry the extra load.

It is not known if this odd bird serves a special purpose, but it pleased the Lord God to create it, and so it fulfills a part in the balance of His entire creation. Furthermore, we know He does not neglect it, for the Bible tells us: “In whose hand is the soul [life] of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.” Job 12:10.

This verse reminds us of His goodness to each of us personally. Our response to this goodness should be the same as the one who wrote, “O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good: for His mercy endureth forever.” Psalms 107:1. Also, in Psalms 92:1 and 2 we read, “It is a good thing to give thanks unto the Lord... to show forth Thy loving-kindness in the morning, and Thy faithfulness every night.” Do you give Him thanks?

ML-09/18/1983

The Boy With a Light

Memory Verse: “Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” John 8:12

One night I was driving alone on a lonely highway beside a large lake. It had been a clear night with good visibility until I ran into a thick bank of fog that was drifting in off the water.

The fog was so thick that I could not see a thing, not even the white line down the middle of the road. There were no other cars on the road ahead of me to follow. My headlights only made it worse, because the fog reflected the light right back into my eyes. I was driving very slowly since I was not sure where I was going.

Suddenly I felt the car go off the edge of the road onto the gravel. I stopped, got out and discovered that I was right at the edge of a steep embankment. If I had gone any farther my front wheels would have gone over the edge, and I would not have been able to get out.

Getting back into the car, I wondered what I should do. If I stayed where I was I could easily be hit by another car. Yet, if I went on I might not see any danger in front of me in time. Either way, it looked like I was going to have to spend a long time getting out of the fog.

There are so many people today who are walking around as if they were in a thick fog. They think they know where they are going, but they really do not. They think that everything is all right between them and God, but they are actually on their way to an eternity away from God in that awful place called hell. These people are described in the Bible as those “In whom the god of this world [Satan] hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” 2 Corinthians 4:4.

“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, 1 am the light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” John 8:12

Are you wandering around in this fog? You are if the “light of the glorious gospel of Christ” has not shone on you. The gospel is the good news that the Lord Jesus Christ died on the cross for sinners. It is the good news that all who believe in Him can know that their sins are washed away in His precious blood. There on the cross He was punished by God for the sins of all who will accept Him as their Saviour. That blood which flowed out of His side when pierced by a spear can wash us clean. “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7. Won’t you accept Him as your Saviour now so that you also can be turned from darkness to light.

As I sat in my car, I asked the Lord Jesus to guide me as to what I should do. I did not know where I was; I did not want to stay there until the fog lifted, but I could not see to go ahead.

Suddenly a strange thing happened. Through the window beside me peered the face of a young boy. He was holding a flashlight in his hand.

“May I help you?” he asked politely.

“Help me?” I questioned. “How can you help me? The fog is too bad.”

“Oh, I think I can,” he said. “We can see using my flashlight.”

I looked at his flashlight and wondered. It was just a small light with a very faint beam.

“My big headlights don’t do any good,” I explained, “so how can you help me with your little light?”

“You just follow me,” he said. “I’ll follow the edge of the road using my light, and you can shine your headlights on my back and follow me. I think we’ll make it.”

“Well, I’m not sure it will work,” I said, “but I’m willing to give it a try.”

He walked ahead with his light, and I followed him. Straining my eyes as hard as I could, I kept them focused on the jacket of that boy as he slowly followed the edge of the road, shining his flashlight ahead of him.

On and on we traveled slowly together. I don’t know how far it was, but it may have been more than a mile. Then suddenly the air cleared. We had left the worst of the fog bank behind.

Stopping the car, I rolled down the window to thank the boy and to offer him some money for helping me. But he was not there—he had disappeared! I wondered if maybe he had gone back to help someone else through the fog.

Since then I have thought about this boy, and thanked God for helping me through the fog in such an unexpected way.

The Lord Jesus said of Himself, “I am the light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” John 8:12. If I had refused the help of the boy’s light, I could not have made it through the fog by myself. If you refuse the “light” of the Lord Jesus Christ, you will be lost in your sins forever without any way of escape.

The light of the gospel may not seem like a very bright light, but it is the Person, the Lord Jesus, who is important. He has already done all that is needed for you to be saved. All you have to do is believe. Admit to yourself and to God that you are a helpless sinner and need a Saviour. Then accept Him as the One who has “come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on Me should not abide in darkness.” John 12:46.

I had kept my eyes focused on the boy who guided me through the fog. If we keep our eyes focused on the Lord Jesus Christ and His Word, the Bible, He will guide us through the fog of this world to His home above. Accept Him now as your Saviour and Guide.

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psalms 119:105.

ML-09/25/1983

New Clothes for Old

When you see a flock of sheep grazing peacefully in a field, you probably think, “What a pretty sight.” Few of us look at those peaceful animals and think about how hard it is sometimes to take care of them through the cold winter.

At this time of year, sheep are growing long, thick wool coats to keep them cozy and warm through the winter. In the spring when the lambs are born in the fields, they sometimes die because it is still too cold. They do not have warm, woolly coats when they are born. So if they arrive while there is still snow on the ground, some usually die.

Sometimes a mother sheep will die, leaving a little lamb without a mother to nurse it. The shepherd then has to find a way to save the little lamb so it will not die, too. He can either try to feed it himself, or find another mother sheep to take care of it. However, usually no other sheep will accept the lamb, because it is not her own.

Now what do you suppose the shepherd does? He looks over his flock to see if there is a mother sheep whose own baby lamb has died. He finds her poor dead lamb, removes its skin, and carefully places it over the body of the living lamb that has lost its mother. It is just like putting on a coat. The shepherd then takes the poor little orphan lamb to the mother sheep that has just lost her own baby. She sniffs the lamb all over, smelling mostly the coat of her own dead lamb. She decides that it must be her lamb and “adopts” (accepts) it as her own.

This gives us such a good example of what the Lord Jesus Christ has done for those of us who have accepted Him as our Saviour. The Lord Jesus is that Lamb who died on Calvary’s cross for us. Because of all that He did there for us, we can read in Isaiah 61:10, “He hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, He hath covered me with the robe of righteousness.” God the Father accepts us, not because there is anything good in us, but because He sees us wearing the “coat of salvation” that the Lord Jesus has given to us. What a wonderful Saviour we have! Have you thanked Him today for dying on the cross so you could be saved and can live with Him in heaven?

“Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood... to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” Revelation 1:5,6.

ML-09/25/1983

Three Precious Promises

Take an A and a K.

Put an S in between

And a marvelous blessing at once will be seen;

For ’tis “Ask, and it shall be given unto you;”

’Tis thus, Jesus speaks, and His Word’s always true.

Between an S and a K.

Put two E’s straight away,

And a wonderful promise you’ll have for today;

For the Lord is so kind,

He says “Seek, and you’ll find;”

And the blessing He’ll give is what just suits His mind.

Between two lovely K’s,

Place an N, O, and C,

And a rich mine of wealth at once you will see;

For the Saviour says “Knock,”

and the Door opens wide;

Faith’s key does unlock, and

Christ’s word must abide.

Then “Ask,” “Seek,” and “Knock,”

For this is God’s way;

And sure are His blessings, which ne’er pass away.

ML-09/25/1983

The Wonders of God's Creation: Four-Legged Battering Rams

“The high hills are a refuge for the wild goats; and the rocks for the conies.” Psalms 104:18.

Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep, both rams and ewes, are majestic, sharp-sighted animals that are often seen standing on top of a boulder or at the edge of a deep precipice in the mountains. Their beautiful amber-colored corkscrew horns, spreading up to four feet across with loops more than a foot in diameter, are a pretty sight. Both rams and ewes have thick, brown wool with a patch of white around their stubby tails and white muzzles up front. The rams often weigh up to 400 pounds.

Living above the timberline throughout the year, bighorns only go down to lower grassy slopes when food is scarce. The Creator designed them to live where other animals (except the little cony) cannot survive. An advantage of the high sub-zero climate in these mountains is that strong winds sweep the snow away from the high meadows, leaving grass and shrubs exposed. The bighorns’ God-given, special digestive systems were designed to handle this frozen but nourishing food.

Familiar with every foot of the rocky slopes and cliffs, these animals run and play on them as surefooted as an athlete on a baseball diamond. For this exciting life the Lord God provided them with insulated coats, shock-proof legs, as well as hooves that hold firmly on the rocky ledges. It is a treat to see them playing in these surroundings. Young bighorns (kids) like to play “King of the Castle” and also playfully copy the fights of the adults. Both young and old enjoy sitting on their back haunches at the top of a snowy slope, sliding down swiftly, then returning for a repeat performance... just like boys and girls with their sleds.

The rams live peacefully except when seeking mates among the ewes. Then they batter each other without mercy. Two rams standing several feet apart will suddenly, as if on signal, rise on their hind legs, dash forward at a terrific speed, then drop to all fours and clash together with horns and heads in crashes that can be heard a mile away. This stuns them for a few moments, but soon they go at it again until one finally leaves. Serious injury seldom results, for the Creator has provided them with an inch-thick, honeycomb “sandwich” in their two-layered skull, plus an inch of tough outer skin—all helping to absorb these shocks.

These animals give the appearance of pride in their beauty. This might be all right in animals, but the Bible warns that it is not right for boys and girls, or grown-ups either. It says, “A man’s pride shall bring him low: but honor shall uphold the humble in spirit.” Proverbs 29:23. Instead of pride Colossians 3:12 tells us to have “kindness, humbleness of mind, meekness.” But this attitude, so pleasing to the Lord, can only fully show itself when we have asked Him to be our personal Saviour and are depending on His strength to walk in His ways.

ML-09/25/1983

What Andy Heard on the Street Corner

Memory Verse: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” Acts 16:31

Andy had gone to the store to buy a loaf of bread for his mother. As he returned home he heard someone speaking loudly. There on the corner was a small group of people gathered around a man who was standing on a small platform.

Andy walked up to the group of people and, because he was not very big and could not see over the people, he pushed through the crowd to get as close to the platform as he could.

He listened to the man for a few seconds and then turned to leave. He did not want to hear about “church stuff.” After all, it was Saturday, not Sunday.

But the crowd had gotten larger, and Andy could not get out. People had gathered all around so that he could not move.

Since he could not get out through the crowd, Andy could only listen. He had heard of some of the things before, from going to Sunday school with his parents. They went every week, but Andy never liked it and never listened very well.

The speaker on the street corner was different. He was talking about something that made Andy think. It was a verse from the Bible which said, “If thou save not thy life to-night, to-morrow thou shalt be slain.” 1 Samuel 19:11. Andy did know that the Bible was God’s very own words and that everything in the Bible was positively true. So he wondered, what did that verse mean?

All the way home Andy thought about those words. They worried him, and he could not get them out of his mind. Even after he went to bed that night, those same words kept racing through his mind: “If thou save not thy life to-night, to-morrow thou shalt be slain.”

“Mom?” he called to his mother who was still downstairs.

“Go to sleep, Andy,” answered his mother. “You should have been asleep long ago.”

“But I’m scared,” said Andy.

She came into Andy’s room and sat down on the bed. She could see that he had been crying.

“What’s wrong, Andy?” she asked softly.

“I heard a man preaching on the street corner this afternoon when I went to the store for you. He said that if I didn’t save my life tonight, tomorrow might be too late, and I might be killed.”

“I’m sure he didn’t mean it just like that,” assured his mother.

“Yes, he did,” said Andy with a new seriousness in his voice. “How can I save my life tonight? What did he mean?”

Andy wanted to talk about it right then. His parents had talked to him before about the Lord Jesus and about his need to be saved, but Andy had never seemed to pay much attention. His mother realized that this was what they had been praying for—that Andy might see his need to be saved and be willing to take that step.

His mother started right from the beginning and told Andy how that long, long ago the Lord Jesus Christ had made all the stars in heaven, the earth that we live on, and all that is on the earth. She told him about our first parents, Adam and Eve and the beautiful Garden of Eden, how they disobeyed God, and how their children became more and more wicked as the years went by, until He had to punish them with a flood.

“But God still loved them,” his mother continued, “and He sent many messengers to tell them about His love and to ask them to come back to Him. They did not obey the messengers, and at last, after a long time, the Lord Jesus Himself came down from heaven to show how real His love was for man.

“So leaving behind Him all the wonderful things that were His in heaven, He became a little child, being born of Mary, and grew up on earth. When He grew to manhood, He went around telling people of His love for them, all the while healing their sicknesses and helping them in many ways.

“He told them, too, that if only they would believe in Him and accept Him as their Saviour, He would forgive them for all the wrong things (sins) they had done and save them from the punishment that would otherwise certainly come to them.” She also told Andy about God’s promise in the Bible to give them everlasting life and to come back for them someday, or to raise them from their graves, and take them to live with Him in heaven forever.

“These were wonderful promises to make, especially to people who had been so unkind to Him,” his mother went on, “and you would think that everybody then, as well as now, would have gladly accepted Him as their Saviour. But no, instead they took Him and nailed Him to a big wooden cross. It was an awful thing to do to the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God! I wonder sometimes why God didn’t punish all those people right then for what they were doing. His love is so wonderful that our poor hearts and minds cannot understand it.

“It was on that cross that His love was displayed the most. There for three hours, while everything was in total darkness, He was punished for my sins and for the sins of all who have and will accept Him as their Saviour. Even though it was during the middle of the day, God hid that awful punishment that had to be borne by the Lord Jesus so that sinners like us could be saved.

“Then at the end of those three hours, we read that a soldier thrust a spear into the side of the Lord Jesus. The blood that flowed from that wound is the blood that can wash all our sins away and makes us clean before God. The Bible says, ‘The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.’ 1 John 1:7.

“A few of His disciples, or followers, buried the Lord Jesus in a tomb. But after three days He came to life again—just like He said He would! After that He met with those who had believed in Him, and told them He was now going back to heaven, but that He would keep His promise to come again. Today He is still in heaven, but very soon now He will come back and take to heaven everyone who knows Him as Saviour.”

“But how can I be sure He will take me?” asked Andy.

His mother answered, “The Bible says ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved’ (Acts 16:31). That is what the man on the street corner meant when he talked about saving your life tonight. He wanted you and all the other people who were listening to accept the Lord Jesus as their Saviour right today. If you do that then you don’t need to worry about what might happen to you tonight, tomorrow or in years to come. You will belong to the Lord Jesus, and He will take care of you until He comes, or for the rest of your life.”

Andy said, “I want to take Him as my Saviour right now.” Then kneeling down with his mother, Andy in a simple way confessed he needed to be saved from his sins and asked the Lord Jesus Christ to be his Saviour.

How happy they both were, and how happy his daddy was when he heard, too. But as his daddy said, “Even though we are so happy, there is even greater happiness in heaven, because you accepted the Lord Jesus as your Saviour.”

“There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.” Luke 15:10.

ML-10/02/1983

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Giant Panda

“Known unto God are all His works from the beginning of the world.” Acts 15:18.

There are two varieties of panda, but they are very different from each other. The lesser panda is small and raccoon-like with long reddish-brown fur and a long, ringed tail. Its home is in the Himalaya Mountains near India. The more interesting panda that looks like a big stuffed toy and seems like a cross between a bear and a raccoon is the giant or great panda. It also lives in the high Himalayas along the border of China and Tibet.

The giant panda has a round white head, charmingly set off with jet-black ears and nose and black circles around its eyes which look like they are painted on. This unusual black and white animal is loved by animal lovers everywhere. When fully grown it is almost five feet long and two feet high at the shoulder—about the size of a small bear, with just a stump of a tail. The cubs are especially cute and cuddly, and they are carefully watched by their mothers.

About 20 kinds of bamboo can serve as food for them, but they are choosy and prefer just five of them. They seem to know which parts of these plants have the most food value. At certain times of the year they eat just the leaves and stalks and at other seasons only the plant stems. Having big appetites, they munch on about 100 pounds of bamboo every day. The Creator has given them big, strong jaws and huge molar teeth especially adapted for this kind of food.

Living in such a small area in this remote part of the world and always hiding when people approach, these panda are not seen in the wild very often. The Chinese people love them and are concerned because they may soon become extinct, since the forests are being thinned out by people moving into them as well as by plant diseases killing many of the trees.

In 1972 when the Chinese wanted to send a complimentary gift to the President of the United States, they selected a pair of these animals, which are now living in the Washington, D.C. zoo. To help preserve these lovable animals, arrangements are being made to place more of them in zoos in other cities as well, where it is hoped they will multiply and so add to their numbers.

Although most people did not know about the great panda until recently, it has always been under the watchful care of its Creator, as the opening verse of this article tells us. Another Bible verse says: “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest [displayed] in His sight.” Hebrews 4:13.

If God thinks about and cares for animals far off in remote mountains, just think how much more He must care for you. This care is included in His great love to this world in sending His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, into the world to “give His life a ransom for many.” Matthew 20:28. All who come to Him as needy sinners, sorry for their sins, and accept Him as their Saviour are made His very own forever. If you have not done this yet, He invites you to come to Him today.

ML-10/02/1983

Help From Above

Memory Verse: “The Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.” 1 John 4:14

The station wagon filled with happy youngsters bound for a late fall outing labored carefully up the mountain curves. “Dear me!” exclaimed their young driver, “I think I’ve missed my turn for the lunch spot I had planned. How about the wide place in the road ahead? Anybody hungry?”

The response was a deafening “YES!” City dwellers, all of them, these children rarely came to the beautiful mountain heights, and the car could hardly contain their excitement. No sooner had the wheels stopped than four boys, three in their early teen years, burst out into the crisp sunshine, adventure bound.

“Hey. Mickey, look at that waterfall down there!” yelled Bud. “Let’s go!”

Ignoring the calls to wait, they foolishly plunged down the bank for a closer look. How like some of the boys and girls of today they were, who think only of pleasure for the moment and don’t pay attention to warnings. “Live for NOW,” they say. “Have your fun and worry later!”

Our boys, skidding recklessly down the steep bank, realized too late that there was a sharp drop below... the bottom being the rocks and icy waters and the “neat” waterfall. Furthermore, it was a long way down. They clawed in vain for something to grab that might stop their plunge. “My whole life—my sins anyway—flashed to my mind, and I really prayed,” Bud confided later. Two of the boys managed to slide in a curve, helping to slow themselves, but that was not the case with Mickey and Scott.

The other boys and the leader were still back at the car fixing lunch. They were not aware of the trouble that Mickey, Scott, Bud and Joe had gotten themselves into. It was decided to eat without them.

Not until lunch things were being packed away did Bud and Joe appear. White-faced and solemn, they reported their fall. “Mickey,” they said, “can’t seem to walk, and Scott is groggy, but maybe a sandwich might help....”

It was then that our friend in charge looked over the bank—and gasped. “I think I’d better call the fire department. There’s no way I could go down there!”

The fire department soon arrived. Excited but relieved, the boys thought the problem was solved. However, the firemen soon returned. “The one boy has a broken leg, and it’s too steep for us to bring him out. We’ll just have to lift him from above,” was the fireman’s serious report. They radioed for a “chopper.”

The little troop of boys and their leader grouped together for prayer. Never were they all so much in earnest. Again we are reminded of those who madly rush after sinful pleasures... until perhaps they run into serious trouble. Maybe they make some promises to God and try to be “good” for a while, but then soon forget them. The sinner is helpless to get free from Satan’s grasp by his own power. No, help must come from above. How good it is to read in the Bible that God’s ears are open unto our cries for mercy. “God be merciful to me a sinner.” Luke 18:13. “When we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” Romans 5:6. God, looking down, saw our desperate need and sent His own beloved Son to lift us from the pit of sin. Just as the helicopter later carefully lifted our suffering friend Mickey from the dangerous rocks, our blessed Saviour made Himself fully responsible to lift us up and away from Satan’s grasp. He did this by taking the punishment for our guilty sins upon His own pure self and enduring God’s wrath against them. Therefore, the saved sinner can say, “He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay.” Psalms 40:2.

Are you on that fatal slide to the pit of hell, or have you taken the lifeline from above—Jesus, the Son of God?

ML-10/09/1983

How Not to Help Mother

Julie was looking around for something to do while her mother was busy fixing dinner. She was trying to be good and helpful to her mother. She had already done some dusting and set the table for dinner. Now she was all nice and clean, having just had a bath and gotten a clean dress on. Daddy would be home from work soon, and then they would be eating dinner.

Walking out into the backyard, Julie saw that the birdbath had nearly dried up.

“I know,” she thought, “I’ll fill up the birdbath so the birdies can have a drink.”

As she ran to get the watering can, she remembered what Mother had said to her after she had gotten cleaned up for dinner: “Don’t play in water, because you always get wet.”

“I’m sure Mother won’t call this playing in water,” she thought to herself. “This is really helping.”

She put as much water in the watering can as she could carry, then poured it into the birdbath. She had to stand on an old wooden box to pour the water.

She made another trip to the faucet to fill the can. This time she got a little more water. Slowly she poured it into the shallow bath.

“I think one more can will fill it,” she said to herself as she ran back to the garden faucet again. Soon she returned and, climbing back up on the box, she began to empty the can one last time.

But there was one important thing that she had not noticed. The birdbath was not sitting evenly on its stand. It was slightly tipped to one side, so that while on the opposite side it looked like it was only partly full, the side closest to her was nearly spilling over. As Julie poured in that last can of water, the water poured over the full side, right down the front of her clean dress. It surprised her so much that she stepped back suddenly off the box, losing her balance and falling right into the flower bed!

“Oh dear, now what will Mother say?” she said out loud, picking herself up and looking at her wet, mud-splashed dress and dirty shoes.

“What do you think I’m going to say, Julie?” said her mother who had come outside just then.

“I was trying to help you by filling the birdbath,” explained Julie, nearly in tears. “I didn’t mean to make all this mess.”

“You never mean to make messes,” answered Mother, “but when will you remember that the best way to help me is always to do what I tell you? Come on in now, and change your dress.”

Julie was only trying to help, but she really was disobeying her mother. Are you doing the very same thing to God? Are you trying to do your very best to please Him, but are actually disobeying Him instead? Some folks think they can earn their way to heaven by doing good deeds. But the Bible explains what God says about this idea: “All [your] righteousnesses [good things you do] are as filthy rags.” Isaiah 64:6.

What God asks us to do is to accept the Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour. If even the best things that we do are looked at by God as “filthy rags,” how can we ever expect to please Him? We can’t, unless we follow His instructions given to us in the Bible. There He tells us that the Lord Jesus Christ already has done everything that’s needed for us to be accepted into heaven. The Lord Jesus loved us so much that He went to the cross to be punished for sinners like us. To obey Him we must admit that we are sinners and cannot please Him, then accept what He has already done for us. If we believe that He was punished there for our sins, then we can know for sure that we are saved. “To obey is better than sacrifice [to suffer loss].” 1 Samuel 15:22.

ML-10/09/1983

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Pack Rat

“Thou, even Thou, art Lord alone; Thou hast made... the earth, and all things that are therein... and Thou preservest them.” Nehemiah 9:6.

Pack rats are found mostly in the wooded areas of western United States and Canada. They are not at all like their cousins, the filthy and mean city rats, (except in appearance). Pack rats are clean and tidy. Being mischievous, they are also called “trade rats,” and here’s the reason why.

When one of these rats sees anything bright or shiny and small enough to carry, it immediately wants it. As a result its nest becomes full of unusual things—pieces of glass, aluminum foil, bottle caps, shotgun shells, etc. But it doesn’t take these things without paying for them in a trade. So if it is prowling in someone’s house and finds a loose wristwatch, piece of jewelry, silver coin, etc., it runs to its nest, picks up something it has been saving, takes it back to the house, and exchanges it for the new treasure. They have been known to chew a bright buckle off a shoe or a pretty pin from a dress, taking them and leaving something in exchange.

When the owner finds a bit of worthless glass, a piece of bark, or perhaps a stone where something valuable had been, what a shock it must be! But it does seem like the pack rat was trying to be honest and fair in making a trade, doesn’t it?

Sometimes they do bring back an item more valuable than what they are taking.

Pack rats build strong nests with two or three rooms, often in trash piles, a deserted barn or cabin, or in trees. These nests are added to each year and may become five or six feet wide and just as high. If available, needle-pointed prickers from cactus are woven into these nests as a defense against coyotes, foxes, dogs and other enemies. Although their feet are bare and their mouths are tender, they never seem to stick themselves when climbing cactus plants or carrying the cactus parts in their mouths. Additional safety is insured by building underground tunnels between rocks or tree roots for a quick escape if threatened while away from home. In these examples we are reminded of the Creator’s special provisions for every one of His creatures, as our opening verse tells us.

Perhaps some of our readers are a little like pack rats, always trying something new in exchange for something they have become tired of. The Lord invites us to just rest in Him and not to keep searching for satisfaction and happiness in the attractive things of this world. In the 28th chapter of the book of Job it says of such searching: “But where shall wisdom be found? and where is the place of understanding?” verse 12. “The exchange of it shall not be for jewels of fine gold.” verse 17. “God understandeth the way thereof, and He knoweth the place thereof.” verse 23. “And unto man He said, Behold, the fear of the Lord, that is wisdom; and to depart from evil is understanding.” verse 28. How wise it is to follow His way and not our own!

ML-10/09/1983

Ryan's Walk to the Beach

Memory Verse: “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Proverbs 14:12

Ryan was in his backyard playing in the sandbox that his daddy had built for him. It was a warm fall day, and the leaves were just beginning to turn different colors. Ryan’s brother and two sisters had gone back to school. Ryan was only four years old, so he could not go to school for another year.

While he built roads and tunnels in the sand, Ryan remembered the big sand castles they had built at the beach that summer. There sure was a lot more sand at the beach than in his little sandbox. He did not think the beach was very far away, because it did not take them long to get there in the car. In fact, he thought he remembered the way to the beach.

As Ryan thought about it he decided that he would take a walk to the beach to play in the sand. Carrying his bucket and shovel, he started down the sidewalk.

What he did not know was that the ocean was five miles away. It took Ryan quite a while to pass by all the houses in his neighborhood. Then he came to the shopping center with all its interesting stores. Each store window was different, and he almost forgot that he was going to the beach.

Ryan was taking a little trip that he could never finish. Besides being too far away for a four-year-old to walk, there were dangers along the way because of cars and trucks and other things to be careful of. And then there were interesting things that distracted him and made it hard to keep going.

Ryan’s trying to walk to the beach without knowing the way or how far it was makes us think of the verse which says, “broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction.” Matthew 7:13. The Lord Jesus Christ warns those that were with Him that the road that leads to eternal destruction (hell) is very easy to find and travel on. However, the people on this road do not realize what waits at its end. Their eyes have been blinded by Satan, or he has distracted them along the way. You are also on that “broad road” if you have not accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour. He is the only One who can open your eyes so that you will see what waits at the end of the “broad road.” He has also provided a way of escape. He has opened the way for all to escape to the “narrow... way, which leadeth unto life.” Matthew 7:14. On the cross He was punished for the sins of all who would believe Him and accept Him as their Saviour. His blood shed there will cleanse all who come to Him. Won’t you take His offer of love and mercy right now and escape to the road that “leadeth unto life?”

Ryan finally reached the edge of town, tired but still looking for the ocean. Meanwhile, his mother had called the police when she missed Ryan and then could not find him. All of the police cars in their town had been alerted to be watching for Ryan.

Ryan soon came upon some sand: piles of sand, right beside the road. But it was not the ocean; it was a quarry where they dig sand. There Ryan found lots of sand to play in.

Are you so happy, so content with your life now that you are not worried about what is ahead? Ryan only cared that he had found a big pile of sand to play in. What is your “pile of sand"? It could be anything that is keeping you from thinking about God and eternity. Each of us has a soul, that part of us which will never die but will spend eternity either in heaven or hell. If you accept the Lord Jesus as your Saviour, He will take you to heaven one day soon. But if you reject Him, you will have to be punished for your own sins in that awful place called hell. The choice is yours.

As the afternoon shadows got longer Ryan started to get cold. He decided that maybe he had better go back home. Standing up, he looked around. There was no one around, and he did not know which way to go to get back home. He began to cry. How he wished someone would come take him home.

“Hello, Ryan,” said a man’s voice behind him. “Do you want to go home?”

Ryan turned around to see a smiling policeman. He nodded his head “yes,” and between sniffs he asked, “Do you know where I live?”

“Yes, Ryan, I do,” answered the policeman. “I know where you live, I know your mommy and daddy’s name, and I even knew what color clothes you are wearing today, even before I saw you. Here, let me carry your bucket and shovel,” he said, taking Ryan gently by the hand. “Have you ever ridden in a police car?”

“No, but I don’t want to go to jail,” cried Ryan, pulling back.

“Oh no, I won’t take you to jail,” assured the policeman kindly. “I’m going to take you back home where your mommy and daddy are waiting for you.”

There is Someone waiting for you to come home, too. God has sent His Son the Lord Jesus Christ to find you. He loves you so much that He sent His only Son to die so that sinners just like you and me can be saved. “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10. He is offering to save you and then He will guide you through your life. Ryan had the policeman to help him. You can have God’s presence with you all the time, if you will accept His Son as your own Saviour. Won’t you do it right now?

“The Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.” 1 John 4:14.

ML-10/16/1983

"Can't You Talk?"

I remember seeing a picture of a little girl and her duck. The duck was looking right into the face of the little girl. The little girl was looking directly at him with her lips open as if she were talking to her friend. The title underneath the picture was, “Can’t You Talk?”

I can imagine that the little girl had been talking away to her little duck, but, of course, he never answered her. We all know why—a duck can quack, but it cannot talk and it never will. It was born a duck, and it will never be anything else.

I sometimes think of this when we try to speak to boys and girls about the Lord Jesus. If we talk about games, pets or school there is lots of chatter. But somehow when we begin to speak about the Lord Jesus, the Bible and heaven, they do not have much to say and want to change the subject. Why is this?

You and I were born sinners, and we need to be saved (born again). In John’s gospel in the third chapter, the Lord Jesus says to Nicodemus, “Ye must be born again.” I did not want to talk to anyone about the Lord Jesus either, until I was born again. When the Lord Jesus saved me and washed away my sins, I found that I wanted to be with others who also trusted my Saviour. Together we could talk about His love.

What do you do when someone wants to talk with you about the Lord Jesus? Can you join in the conversation, or do you want to change the subject?

“Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it.” Malachi 3:16.

ML-10/16/1983

Peace

Peace! as the morning breaketh—

Peace! as the hours flow on—

Peace! when the day is brightest—

Peace! when the shadows come.

Peace! as we toil and labor

Throughout life’s busy day—

Peace! as we tread in patience,

Some lonely tearful way.

Peace! as we wait Christ’s coming—

Peace!—till we reach that shore

Where God Himself shall greet us—

Then—Peace for evermore!

ML-10/16/1983

The Wonders of God's Creation: Birds That Build Playhouses - Part 1

“And out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air.” Genesis 2:19.

In Australia and New Guinea there are 18 known varieties of bowerbirds. Some have descriptive names such as the stagemaker, the spotted, the satin and the gardener and range in size from the nine-inch golden bower to the fifteen-inch Archbold’s variety.

Many of them are very pretty with bright feathers of green, orange or other bold colors. The satin bower is one of these, as is the regent with its bright golden-yellow head, neck and wing patches offsetting a velvety black body. Others are plain gray or brown. All nest either in bushes or in holes of tree trunks where four or five eggs are laid. These hatch in about two weeks, and the little ones soon learn to find their food, which includes fruits, seeds, lizards, frogs, spiders, numerous insects and even small snakes.

The outstanding thing about these birds is the way the males build elaborate playhouses (called bowers). The most common type is located in bushy areas. The male first finds bushes where there are two straight rows of bare bush stalks that run parallel for several feet, a foot or more apart. The male busily covers these rows by attaching long twigs and grass, arched to make a dome overhead, then cleaning out the walkway beneath to provide a smooth “run.” If really ambitious he may build more than one run and room of this kind, all connected together.

His next activity is to beautify these walls and coverings with brightly colored objects such as shells, bright feathers, flowers, colored leaves, pretty stones and anything else he can find. Some of these items will also be spread on the walkway underneath. The final touch is provided by bringing juicy berries, smashing them into pulp, and then with his beak painting it on the bare upright stalks. Each male decorates his bower with items of one color. The Australian varieties prefer blue, but they will use another color if necessary.

Since these unique birds do not learn how to make bowers from their parents, how do they learn to build and decorate them so cleverly? Of course they have to “figure it out,” for the instinct that prompts them to do this was given by God when He created the bower bird and placed it on the earth.

Considering how obedient they are to these instincts, perhaps we, too, should consider whether we are equally obedient to God’s instructions to us. One of these tells us, "[God] now commandeth all men every where to repent: because He hath appointed a day, in the which He will judge the world in righteousness.” Acts 17:30,31. Another Bible verse gives us this happy promise: “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. Have you repented, confessed that you are a sinner, and accepted His wonderful salvation?

ML-10/16/1983

A Short Walk to the Store

Memory Verse: “In the day of my trouble I will call upon Thee: for Thou wilt answer me.” Psalm 86:7

Although she was only seven years old Barbara already was a big help to her mother. She could dry dishes, clean up her room, dust furniture and even take care of her little baby brother Stephen—that is, when he was good. But most of all she loved to run errands.

Of course, Mother did not let her go very far from home... just down the street and around the corner to the grocery store or to the neighbors’ houses on their side of the street.

All the neighbors on that street in Pensacola, Florida knew Barbara. She was friendly to everyone she met. At the store there was always someone to help her with the list that Mother sent along with her.

One late afternoon Mother discovered that she was out of the cheese that she needed to make the evening meal. Not wanting to waken Stephen from his nap to go herself, she asked Barbara to run down to the store for her. The days were getting dark earlier at this time of year, but Mother was sure Barbara could easily run to the store and get back before dark. She gave Barbara the money and a note with the name of the cheese she needed, reminded her to come back quickly, and sent her off. “You can also buy a box of your favorite cookies,” she told Barbara as she hurried on her way.

Barbara, like many other boys and girls, was really trying to be good and be a help to her mother and father. We’re glad for anyone who really tries to be helpful and obeys their parents. But just because children, older boys and girls and adults are helpful and obedient, it does not mean that in God’s sight their lives are fine.

Although Barbara and others like her tried to be good and helpful, she would have to admit that sometimes she has done things that were unkind or wrong. In the eyes of God this is sin, and each of us has sinned many times. The Bible says, “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23. This means that each of us is a sinner, and sinners cannot enter into God’s home of glory (heaven). God cannot have sin in His presence and those who die without having their sins forgiven will be punished forever in the lake of fire.

Yet God in His great love for sinners like you and me has provided a way for us to share heaven with Him. It was not by excusing sinners or overlooking our sins, but by providing a substitute, the Lord Jesus Christ, to be punished in our place. None of us could stand the punishment God requires for our sins. Even the smallest sin is a terrible thing in God’s eyes. But the Lord Jesus Christ was punished on the cross for all the sins of all who will accept Him as Saviour. There He satisfied God concerning the sins of all who will trust Him. The blood that flowed from His side when pierced by the soldier’s spear can wash away all your sins. “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7.

I’m happy to say that Barbara had accepted the Lord Jesus as her own Saviour. Even though she was only seven years old she understood that she sometimes disobeyed, and that this was sin. When she learned about the Lord Jesus from her parents, she asked Him to wash away her sins in His blood. Now she tried to be good because she wanted to please her Saviour.

Barbara soon reached the store, and it was not long before she had bought the things for her mother and was on her way home again. She had not gone very far when she noticed three dogs following her. They must have smelled the cookies or the cheese, because they came closer and closer. Soon they were sniffing the bag that Barbara carried.

“Go away, doggies!” she ordered, holding the bag high above her head. She was not afraid of dogs because she had one at home. But she had never seen these dogs before.

“Go away!” she said again sternly. But instead of going away the dogs began jumping up at the bag.

“Go away, go away, you bad dogs!” she cried.

Barbara became frightened as the dogs continued to jump, so she began to run. But the dogs ran after her, and she could not get rid of them. They were barking now, and that made her even more frightened.

The street Barbara lived on had a big curve in it. She could take a shortcut to her house by following a path that crossed an empty lot. Barbara ran down to the path only to find several more dogs in the empty lot. They also started to bark and chase her. By the time she reached the center of the empty lot she was surrounded by seven or eight dogs. They were all barking and trying to reach the good smelling things in her bag.

Then Barbara remembered what her mother had told her to do if she ever got into any trouble. Her mother had explained that the Lord Jesus was always ready to help her if she would just ask Him. With all those yapping, yelping dogs around her, and still holding the bag high above her head, she shut her eyes and asked the Lord Jesus to make the dogs go away and help her get home., How many times we all forget to just stop for a moment to ask the Lord Jesus to help us with a problem. Instead, we often try to solve it alone, forgetting that the Lord Jesus will solve not only our big problems, but our little ones, too. Barbara’s problem was a pretty big one, and the Lord Jesus solved it pretty fast for her, too.

Suddenly all the barking stopped, and the dogs were all slinking away with their tails between their legs, just as though someone had commanded them to go.

By the time Barbara got home her mother was beginning to wonder why it was taking her so long. Barbara burst into the house and started talking as fast as she could. Mother quieted her down and then listened to Barbara’s story. They both thanked the Lord Jesus for answering Barbara’s simple prayer. For Barbara it was something very wonderful which she will never forget.

“In the day of my trouble I will call upon Thee: for Thou wilt answer me.” Psalms 86:7.

ML-10/23/1983

He Died for Sinners

Marie was talking to her mother about what she had learned in Sunday school. She told her mother that she was not afraid to die.

“Why not?” her mother asked.

“Because the Lord Jesus died for me,” answered Marie.

“Yes, isn’t that wonderful,” commented her mother, “that He would die for sinners like us?”

Marie looked up at her mother and said, “Oh yes! And He forgives sinners, too, doesn’t He?”

Yes, Marie was right. The Lord Jesus is able, ready and willing to save anyone who will come to Him. Yet it is very important that we each admit that we are a sinner—a lost sinner on our way to hell. By admitting, or confessing, that we are a sinner, then we can turn to the One who died in our place when He was punished on the cross for our sins.

Have you made it a personal matter between you and God? It is not enough to believe about the Lord Jesus Christ. If you are to be saved, you need to accept Him as your very own Saviour.

“As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.” John 1:12.

ML-10/23/1983

The Wonders of God's Creation: Birds That Build Playhouses - Part 2

“I know all the fowls of the mountains.... The world is Mine, and the fullness thereof.” Psalms 50:11,12.

Last week we learned about the God-given ability of bowerbirds to build dome-shaped playhouses, or bowers. But other types of bowers are made by other species of bowerbirds. For instance, the one called the golden finds a dead stalk out in the open that is six or seven feet high. To its sides he adds twigs and sticks decorated with colored objects. No walkways (runs) are involved, but he may add shorter towers close by, carefully clearing the ground around all of them.

The MacGregor also makes his bower around an upright stick, but his is more elaborate than the golden’s. He adds a patio at the base enclosed by a circle of pebbles in which he displays additional bright items. Another species, the gardener, builds a cone-shaped playhouse with a moss-covered court on which he places flowers and fruits, which he replaces daily.

Another species, the golden-crested, finds a tree fern with its nice umbrella top. He interlaces sticks several feet high around this fern, forming a fence. Attractive objects are attached to its whole length, and a patio goes with this model as well. On it he usually places three neat mounds of fruit, each pile a different color.

Why do the bowerbirds build these strange playhouses? For one purpose only—each wants to show his work of art to a female bird, hoping she will be attracted to it and agree to be his mate. So, having completed his project, he flies to a nearby limb and pours forth song after song, hoping a curious female will come to investigate. When one does come he becomes greatly excited, flies to the ground, perhaps picking up a berry and offering it to her. Then to attract her to the bower, he struts proudly through the run or around the patio, wings outstretched to show off his bright colors. Outside the run he hops around and sometimes jumps clear over his bower to impress her. But, in spite of this display, if she isn’t charmed she flies away, and he returns to the tree limb to invite another female. Strangely, when the builder has finally attracted a mate, they both abandon the playhouse and build a nest elsewhere to raise their family.

How great a variety of birds there is! Each one displays the wonderful creation of God. The Bible says of His creation, “Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created.” Revelation 4:11. As we view any part of His creation, it is plain that it is only He alone who could produce these many wonders, and that not one of them “evolved” over millions of years. At His word all were instantly created and given ability to “bring forth after its kind.” Thus the bower birds today are the same as the ones the Lord God placed on the earth many centuries ago. God’s Word, the Bible, is true; do not listen to the false teachings of others.

ML-10/23/1983

On Galilee - Part 1

Memory Verse: “What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?” Mark 4:41

Most children who have read the Bible or had it read to them have heard of the Sea of Galilee. It is not actually a “sea,” but it is a lake about 13 miles long and 7 miles wide. The River Jordan supplies its water, flowing into the north end and flowing out the south end of the lake on its way to the Dead Sea.

The Sea of Galilee is said to be one of the most beautiful places in the world. It was by this lake and the countryside near it that the Lord Jesus lived and performed many of the wonderful miracles we read about in the Bible.

From His earliest years Jesus was familiar with the lake. Nazareth, the town where the Lord Jesus lived as a boy, was only a few miles away. It was on the hillside overlooking this lake that He fed the five thousand men plus all the women and children (Matt. 14:15-21). It was in this same lake that the two thousand swine drowned after the evil spirits had been commanded to leave the man and they entered the swine (Mark 5:1-20). And it was also here that Jesus found Peter and his brother Andrew fishing and called them to be “fishers of men” (Mark 1:17).

Although the Sea of Galilee is very beautiful when the sun is shining, it is not always calm and quiet. It is a very shallow lake, so that when the wind blows the waves come up quickly. Strong gusts of wind can sweep down from the surrounding mountains and cause waves as high as those on a real sea. There are two storms on this lake recorded in the Bible.

We read about one of these storms in Mark 4. There the Lord Jesus had been teaching many people. When evening came He told His disciples to cross over to the other side of the lake. As they rowed across, the Lord Jesus lay down in the back of the little ship on a pillow and went to sleep.

While they were crossing the lake a big storm came up, quickly blowing the water into huge waves that beat against the little ship. It began to fill with water even though the disciples probably tried to bail it out. In just a short time the boat was full of water. The disciples were sure they would all drown, knowing what had happened to others on this lake during bad storms. And during all this time Jesus was still sleeping in the back part of the ship.

They were so afraid of the ship sinking that they wakened the Lord Jesus and asked, “Master, carest Thou not that we perish?” They had forgotten who He was—that He was the One who had made the wind and the waves. They were soon to learn that not only had He made them, but He had control over them as well.

The Lord Jesus got up and commanded the wind to stop blowing, and then He calmed the waves with these lovely words, “Peace, be still.” Mark 4:39.

Immediately the wind stopped blowing. This was truly amazing. But not only did the wind stop blowing, the waves also disappeared and the water became calm. This was truly a miracle, because waves always continue to roll long after the wind has died down. They gradually become smaller until the water is calm. So the waves on the Sea of Galilee disappearing immediately after the wind stopped blowing was not natural. The Creator had commanded this, and it says in the same verse, “and there was a great calm.” The water had become quiet and smooth.

Turning to His disciples, the Lord Jesus said, “Why are ye so fearful? how is it that ye have no faith?” Mark 4:40. They all were afraid and did not seem to understand who this Person was, because they talked among themselves asking, “What manner of man is this, that even the wind and the sea obey Him?” Mark 4:41.

How many of us—boys, girls, men or women—get upset and disturbed like the disciples did when the waves got rough! If we know the Lord Jesus as our Saviour, then we have Him “on board our ship"—He is with us, so shouldn’t we trust Him to work everything out? He has promised, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Hebrews 13:5. Remember what He said to the sea that was splashing and pounding all around them— “Peace, be still.” If He can control the waves with just a word, can He not be trusted to take care of all our cares and troubles?

Next week, Lord willing, we will look at the other storm on the Sea of Galilee. It is recorded in Matthew 14. Can you find it?

ML-10/30/1983

"David, I Want You"

Walking down the street one October afternoon, I saw a group of boys playing football in the field by the school. Some of them had on helmets, shoulder pads and jerseys. Others did not have this equipment, but that did not seem to make much difference. It was a rough game of tackle, and they sure seemed to be having fun.

I stopped to watch, wishing I could join them, but knowing they did not need me. It did look pretty rough. While watching, I heard someone’s mother calling from the back door of one of the houses near the field. The voice called, “David, I want you.”

I wondered which one of the boys was David, but none of the boys seemed to pay attention to the voice.

“David, I want you, right now!” the voice called again a little louder.

“What do you want?” one of the boys finally answered, taking a few steps toward the house.

“I want you, right now, I said,” the voice at the door spoke sternly.

“Oh, all right,” answered David, walking slowly away from the group of boys and the game.

It was obvious that David was having a good time and did not want to go home. He did not know why he was wanted at home. What he did know was that he was having fun. How many of us can remember times like that—when we did not answer a call or a question because we did not want to hear. The call was loud enough for David to have heard it the first time. He just did not want to listen. It was only when the call was repeated that he finally obeyed.

Have you heard the Lord Jesus Christ calling you? “Jesus stood still, and called them.” Matthew 20:32. Each time you hear the Bible read or read it yourself it is the Lord Jesus talking to you. He is saying, “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28.

I remember when I heard Him calling me. He called because He loved me and wanted me to be one of His children. I am so glad that I listened and came to Him. He washed away all my sins and gave me everlasting life. Now He is close by me all the time, because He wants me to be happy.

He will do the same for you, but you must obey His voice. If you do not pay attention to Him, you cannot be saved. Do not get so involved in your “games” that you do not want to listen to the voice of the Lord Jesus. When you know He is calling listen to His voice, obey Him, and you will be happy forever.

“I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee.” Jeremiah 31:3.

ML-10/30/1983

The Father's Care

Oh, wonderful story of deathless love,

Each child is dear to that heart above!

He fights for me when I cannot fight;

He comforts me in the gloom of night;

He lifts the burden, for He is strong;

He stills the sigh and awakes the song;

The sorrows that bear me down He shares,

And loves and pardons because He cares.

ML-10/30/1983

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Spine - An Engineering Marvel

“And God said, Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness: and let them have dominion over... all the earth.” Genesis 1:26.

“In Our image” and “after Our likeness” does not mean man looks like God, but he is the representative of God on earth. He has an everlasting soul and intellect and authority over all earthly creation. Man, in this honored place, is set apart from all else by his upright body—something no other earthly creature ever had or will have.

It is the spine (backbone) that gives man this character. It is a remarkable column of vertebrae which provides a flexible and strong support for the body. If it were one solid bone a person would be as rigid as a toy soldier. That is why God provided 36 separate vertebrae, reaching from the base of the skull to the hips. The spine is also formed in curves to act as a shock absorber and provide maximum strength. Cervical vertebrae support the head; thoracic (chest) vertebrae have the 12 pairs of ribs hooked to them; and the lumbar vertebrae near the bottom of the spine carry most of the load.

The vertebrae are held together by discs (or pads) which look something like washers on a garden hose. The top and bottom surfaces of these are cemented to the bones above and below them. Their centers are filled with jelly-like material, allowing the spine to move this way or that and yet retain proper form. The edges of the disc are made of tough layers of strong elastic gristle to keep the “jelly” from leaking out.

The whole column of the spine is hollow, to accommodate a one-half-inch thick spinal cord running through it. This cord connects 31 pairs of nerves from the brain to various parts of the body, carrying nerve impulses (messages) back and forth. Many things that go on in our bodies between our necks and the soles of our feet are controlled by the brain through the nerves coming down the spinal column. The skull, at the top of the spine, has an opening for the spinal cord and is so placed that it does not interfere with man’s erect posture. Now this is different in an ape, whose cord passes through an opening that forces its head forward and overbalances him. Because of this, it cannot stand erect (except very briefly) and must go on all fours or use its arms for support. This is another evidence that men and apes are not related—regardless of what-some teach.

The Bible tells us, “But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased Him.” 1 Corinthians 12:18. The design and actions of every part of the body are marvelous to consider. How wisely the Creator arranged all parts to have their individual functions, yet to be dependent on one another. The backbone is just one example of this display.

No wonder David could exclaim, “I will praise Thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are Thy works.” Psalms 139:14. And as he thought on this he added, “How precious also are Thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!” Psalms 139:17. Have you also praised and thanked Him for His thoughts toward you?

ML-10/30/1983

On Galilee - Part 2

Memory Verse: “Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.” Matthew 14:27

Last week we talked about the Lord Jesus Christ calming the fierce storm that was about to sink the little ship that He and His disciples were in. Another time the disciples were caught in a storm on the Sea of Galilee, but this time the Lord Jesus was not in the boat with them. Let’s see what happened in this storm. It is recorded in the Bible in Matthew 14:22-23 and in Mark 6:45-51.

It was the night after the miracle of the Lord’s feeding the five thousand men and many other women and children. He had sent His disciples on ahead in the boat while He sent the people back to their homes. After they left He went up into a mountain by Himself to pray. Evening came and He was still praying, and He continued praying for most of the night.

This should be an example for us, shouldn’t it? The Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the One who instantly quieted the wind and waves, the One who fed perhaps ten thousand people with five loaves of bread and two fishes, was in prayer for many hours. How much time do we spend in prayer? We who know the Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour are walking through a stormy world. Do we spend time in prayer before Him, asking for His help and guidance each day?

It was now between 3:00 and 6:00 in the morning, and the disciples were struggling to control the boat. It does not say that it was a storm, but that the winds were contrary. The winds were probably coming from different directions, which made rowing very difficult. They had been out on the lake for about 12 hours and still had not reached the other side.

As the disciples struggled with the boat against the wind, they must have been thinking of the time, perhaps just a few nights earlier, when the Lord had quieted the wind. That surely would help them now, but He was not with them.

Suddenly through the mist and darkness of the night the disciples saw the figure of someone walking on the water. They forgot about the problems they were having with the boat in the wind. They sat with their eyes fastened on the form that was moving slowly across the rolling waves. They were frightened and cried out, since they thought it was a ghost.

They did not know it was the Lord Jesus. Yet, as they watched they heard His familiar voice say, “Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.” Matthew 14:27.

Peter, one of the disciples who was in the boat, was so relieved when he heard the Lord’s voice that he called to Him saying, “Lord, if it be Thou, bid me come unto Thee on the water.” verse 28. He remembered what the Lord Jesus had done to the wind and waves. He had seen the other miracles the Lord had done, so he knew that if it were the Lord He could enable him to walk on the surface of the water, just as the Lord was doing.

The Lord’s answer was “Come.” Isn’t this the same word that He says to each of us? He says in Isaiah 55:1, “Come ye to the waters.” In John 7:37 His word is, “If any man thirst, let him come unto Me, and drink.” Then again in Revelation 22:17 He says, “Let him that is athirst come.” Yes, for the thirsty soul the Lord Jesus Christ is the only One who can satisfy. Whether it is to a lost sinner in need of a Saviour, or for a troubled Christian with problems, the Lord Jesus lovingly tells us, “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28.

At the Lord’s invitation Peter climbed over the side of the boat. The Lord had said “Come,” and in faith Peter stepped out onto the water. Trusting the Lord to uphold him using the mighty power that only He has, Peter began to walk across the rolling waves. Can you imagine what Peter must have felt like?

Yet Peter had not gone very far when he took his eyes off the Lord and began looking around. When he saw the wind and the waves, he was afraid. Then doubts came into his mind. He must have thought, “What am I doing?” He forgot that it was the Lord who was upholding him, and he began to sink. He must have thought he was going to drown, so he called, “Lord, save me.” verse 30.

Immediately the Lord was by his side, lifting him from the water and leading him back to the boat.

“O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?” the Lord says to him, verse 31. Do we have doubts that the Lord is going to do everything for us that is for our good? Yes, I’m afraid that each of us does. We take a step in faith, and then begin to look around and have doubts. We take our eyes off the Lord and soon step off the path He wants us to take.

As soon as the Lord and Peter reached the boat, again the wind stopped blowing.

The disciples thought about all that had happened the day before—the healing of the sick, the feeding of the many thousands of people, and now the Lord Himself walking on the water. When they thought also about His allowing Peter to walk on the water and then saving him, and then again calming the storm, the disciples “were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered.” Mark 6:51. There in the darkness of the boat they gathered around the Lord Jesus and worshipped Him, saying, “Of a truth Thou art the Son of God.” Matthew 14:33. Can you say that?

ML-11/06/1983

Merci Beaucoup!

While traveling through France toward the city of Cannes, we passed through the old city of Nimes. We did not know anyone there, but we stopped awhile to look at some of the historical old buildings. I think most boys and girls reading this would have enjoyed the visit, too. First we came to an old coliseum, built by the Romans about 2000 years ago. Such a huge structure it was! The thousands of stones that were used to build it were still standing firmly.

We climbed up to the top of the coliseum and looked down into the arena. As we looked around we talked about the many Christian men, women, boys and girls who had been put to death there because they had the courage to confess the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour. Each of us visitors wondered out loud if we would have been faithful enough to have gone through the torture that they had suffered.

Leaving the coliseum, we began to give French gospel tracts to everyone we met. One dear old lady, sitting alone on a bench, took the tract with a happy smile and said, “Merci beaucoup, Monsieur. J’aime le Sauveur.” This means, “Thank you very much, sir. I love the Saviour.”

We stopped and visited with her and learned that she had known the Lord Jesus as her Saviour since she was a little girl. Here was an old lady living in a city which generally would have nothing to do with the Lord Jesus and where they used to put Christians to death. Yet she loved the Lord Jesus and was so very happy to talk about Him. Best of all, she had known Him since she was very young.

For those of you who are young, we hope that you, too, will accept the Lord Jesus as your Saviour while you are still young. We must warn you that if you decide to wait until you are older, you may never have another chance. The Lord Jesus said, “Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto Me; for of such is the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 19:14.

ML-11/06/1983

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Persistent Flea

“But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise... that no flesh should glory in His presence.” 1 Corinthians 1:27,29.

Perhaps the flea is one of the “foolish things” referred to in this verse, for it certainly does “confound” the wisest of men. The flea sometimes has caused the wisest of men to feel quite humble because they cannot cope with such a small creature.

Why is a flea so hard to get rid of? There are several reasons. For one, when you try to kill a flea by pinching or pressing it, it relaxes its body to absorb the pressure and then hops safely away. Another reason is its reproductive ability. Including all the offspring produced by one pair, as many as 6000 can hatch in a little over a month. Eggs the size of a large grain of sand are laid in the fur of an animal. These roll off to the ground where they hatch in just a few days. The blind babies look like tiny white threads and immediately begin searching for food. They are not yet interested in blood, but eat decayed plant life.

A flea’s eyes are very simple, and some species don’t even have any. Within the first two weeks of its life, it moults (sheds) twice and greatly increases in size. It pupates by wrapping itself in a sticky silken cocoon in which its six legs, antennae and mandibles (jaws) develop. It comes from the cocoon as a full-size adult with a hard, flat body.

Strong legs allow this adult flea to jump on a passing animal where it works its way through the fur to the animal’s skin. Its sharp mandibles, thinner than a human hair, pierce the animal’s skin searching for a blood vessel. Then within its mouth two tubes are formed—one to draw out blood and the other to pump in saliva to keep the blood from clotting. The animal tries to relieve the pain by scratching the wound, which only produces more blood, to the pleasure of the flea.

An amazing ability given to fleas is that, although they have no wings, their strong legs allow them to jump a foot into the air and cover two feet between hops. A man in proportion to the size of a flea and with the same ability could jump to the top of a skyscraper or hop over two football fields at once!

Incidentally, there are about 1100 species of fleas throughout the world, including mouse fleas, rat fleas, bird and bat fleas, cat and dog fleas, etc.

Why did the Creator make fleas? It is well to remember that all things were created by Him in perfection, and fleas were not originally a nuisance but part of His overall creation. Sin soon marred the world, bringing death, pain, sickness and sorrow with it. The present character of such insects as flies, mosquitos and fleas is the result of sin. Whenever they annoy us it should cause us to be humble and realize our own wisdom amounts to little.

Undoubtedly God would have all of us listen to His Word: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” Proverbs 9:10. Turn to Him and learn of His wisdom. You will find that it leads to everlasting life through trusting in the Saviour “who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity.” Titus 2:14. Have you done this?

ML-11/06/1983

Alexander's Answer

Memory Verse: “The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23

Alexander Brown was a mischievous little six-year-old boy whose adventures really got him into trouble. But Alexander found out one thing for sure—God still answers prayer.

Several times Grandmother had warned Alexander not to go into the river nearby. But one day he did, and he almost drowned.

As Grandmother tells it, “He had gone to mail a letter for me and then wandered down to the river. Soon after some of his little pals came banging on my door shouting that he had fallen into the river. I rushed down, but I could not see him. I thought he must be dead; the water was so high and the current was really strong.”

Alexander had decided to paddle his little raft across the river. He thought that if he stayed close to the wooden footbridge that crossed the river he would be safe. He told himself that he could hang onto it if he ran into trouble.

He was halfway across the river when a flash flood swept him away. A wall of water, caused by a heavy rain farther up the river, turned Alexander’s “play river” into a raging torrent.

Alexander was not a very good swimmer. Even if he were, the current was too strong to swim against. He found himself tossed like a piece of driftwood in the swirling current. Using his doggie-paddle stroke, he fought to keep his head above water.

Alexander was in trouble! But how many children today are in trouble much the same. They find themselves caught in the flash flood called “sin,” being swept down-river toward death! Remember, the Bible says, “The wages of sin is death.” Romans 6:23. God says we have all been caught by sin for “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23.

For a while Alexander was able to keep his head above water. Then, “I just went down,” he explained later. “I was frightened and shouted for Mummy to help me.” But Mummy could not help him—she was miles away.

“Then I shouted for God to help me,” he said. “All at once there was a branch hanging down in the water. I grabbed it and pulled myself out.”

Soon he was safe on the river bank. God answered a six-year-old boy’s prayer! And He saved him from certain death in the flash flood. But what about those boys and girls who are still caught in the river of their sins? Will God hear them shout for help? And will He supply a branch to pull them safely out of sin? Oh yes, He certainly will!

Jesus is called “The Branch” in several places in the Bible (Isa. 4:2, Jer. 23:5, Zech. 3:8). He is the One who will pull you safely out of your sins. “Christ died for our sins.” 1 Corinthians 15:3. “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:13. Just ask the Lord Jesus to save you, and you will find that you are safe—just like Alexander found himself safe on the river bank.

ML-11/13/1983

Guaranteed

A little while ago I was talking to a friend about some plastic kitchen items she had bought a number of years ago. They were starting to wear out, and she was complaining about how disappointed she was that they had not lasted as long as she had expected. I tried to explain to her that the products she had bought came with a life-time guarantee—a promise that at any time all she had to do was return the item that was wearing out and she would receive a new one completely free. As long as the wearing out was caused by normal use, the guarantee (or promise) was good for as long as she owned the item. But she would not believe that the promise applied to her items.

“Oh, that can’t possibly apply to me,” she said. “That guarantee may be all right for other people if it breaks right after they buy it, but they certainly won’t give me new ones free. These things are over ten years old.”

I explained to her that the guarantee did not have a time limit, so she could have a free replacement if she would just turn in the worn-out items. Still she would not believe me. So she is stuck with some worn-out things that she will probably have to throw out before long.

You know, as I spoke with her, I thought of how some boys and girls (and men and women, too) treat God’s free offer of salvation. God has provided the salvation at such a high cost to Himself for every lost, guilty sinner. The Lord Jesus Christ, God’s Son, died on the cross and there bore God’s just punishment against sin. Now, because of the high cost of that perfect Sacrifice, God can and does offer to forgive the sins of every one who will believe in His beloved Son. “Through this Man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins.” Acts 13:38. And yet many people still say, “God can’t possibly mean that He can save me. His salvation and forgiveness may work for other people who don’t have a very big pile of sins against them, but He certainly can’t forgive as big a sinner as I am.” And yet, when God says “WHOSOEVER believeth in Him [the Lord Jesus Christ] should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16), doesn’t that include every single person in this world? Are you doubting or ignoring God’s free offer of mercy and forgiveness simply because Satan (the devil) has convinced you that it really does not apply to you? God cannot lie, and when He says His salvation is for WHOSOEVER, that means YOU. “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:13.

ML-11/13/1983

Snooky's Escape

What a sad day it was for Snooky’s family! Their three-year-old German shepherd-collie dog was sentenced to die. Snooky was a big dog, but she was friendly. She even liked to stand up on her hind legs and greet their neighbors with a loving lick. But one day someone left the front door of the house open just as the mailman walked past. That’s when Snooky’s troubles started.

The proof was strong—teeth marks in two mailbags and one shredded pair of trousers. Biting the mailman was what brought Snooky’s sentence of death.

Snooky’s owners, their lawyer and several neighbors came to the dog’s defense. They went to the judge and insisted that Snooky was not a mean dog. “It was her first time, her first offense, and we don’t think she should die,” they elained to the judge.

The judge thought about it, and then he changed his mind saying that Snooky could stay with her family. What a relief!

The judge was able to save Snooky from death even though she deserved punishment. Each one of us also deserves punishment because we are sinners. The Bible says that all have sinned (Rom. 3:23), and we each deserve to be punished for those sins. Revelation 20:15 tells us that our punishment will be the lake of fire (hell), and that will be forever. But when we believe on the Lord Jesus Christ we are saved (Acts 16:31), because the Lord Jesus was punished for those sins. “Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree.” 1 Peter 2:24. The judge could remove Snooky’s punishment and save her from death, but he could not be punished for her. The Lord Jesus Christ is the only One who could be punished for our sins so that we can be saved. Have you asked Him to be your Saviour—to take away your sentence of death?

ML-11/13/1983

The Wonders of God's Creation: Beautiful Autumn Leaves

“Then shall the trees of the wood sing out at the presence of the Lord.” 1 Chronicles 16:33.

These words were spoken by King David as he encouraged God’s people to praise the Lord for all His wonderful works. It seems so fitting that he used trees as an example, for they are an important part of God’s creation and in their beauty seem to “sing out” to their Creator. Beautiful autumn leaves plainly show this.

Although many trees keep their leaves or needles year-round, there are many species in areas north and south of the Canadian border which drop their leaves in the fall. But before they fall there is usually a brilliant and varied display of color in these leaves. Red and sugar maples, along with oaks, blaze up with fiery red, orange and gold; dogwoods turn a shade of purple; sassafras take on scarlet and orange; poplars and aspens become golden yellow, and many others with them make the forests almost appear to be on fire.

Leaves are to a tree what lungs are to a man, controlling the passage of air and moisture to the tree. The chlorophyll in the leaves is like blood to humans, converting the water and air into living tissue. Sunlight provides the energy for this process.

Under the guidance of the Creator, every leaf is a miniature chemical factory, performing simply and efficiently in supplying sugar and oxygen as part of the tree’s food (the rest comes from the roots). Leaves continually give off moisture which, together with its shade, provide coolness on a hot day. The leaf’s chemical activity absorbs carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and in exchange exhales oxygen, so vital to air-breathing animals, birds, insects and man. Without the forests and other plants of the world, there would not be sufficient oxygen to sustain all this life.

As fall approaches a small ring of tissue begins to dry up where the leaf stem is attached to the tree. It is at this point, called the abscission layer, where the leaf will separate from the tree. Bit by bit this layer interferes with the leaf’s processes, and soon the green color fades away as its chlorophyll is cut off. Then the spectacular colors appear— red, orange, pink, gold, yellow, etc. These colors have been in the leaf all along, but the green chlorophyll has kept them from being seen. Finally the leaves are forced off by wind and rain, and a corky seal closes off the base of the stem. A large maple tree will drop about a million leaves which, returning to the soil, enrich it for use by the roots.

What a treat it is to be present when this wonderful change takes place in these trees. The Bible tells us “The Lord hath made all things for Himself” (Prov. 16:4), and He surely has great pleasure in seeing this lovely display. However, this beauty is only temporary, but we are assured “The glory of the Lord shall endure forever.” Psalms 104:31. All who know Him as their Saviour will be in the presence of His glory and beauty for all eternity. Will you be there?

ML-11/13/1983

Lost in the Mountains - Part 1

Memory Verse: “Seek ye the Lord while He may be found, call ye upon Him while He is near.” Isaiah 55:6

Daddy was feeling his age as he and eleven-year-old Peggy labored up the final half mile of the difficult trail on Ampersand mountain. Fred and Lyn, who had gone on ahead, were already enjoying the view at the top. They were sure they could see Mother in a boat far below on Lower Saranac Lake and were waiting breathlessly to tell Daddy about the various things they recognized on the lake.

Finally, with a weary sigh, Daddy appeared on the barren rocks at the top. How good it felt to lie down on the rocks and enjoy the breeze that swept over the peak! It was a superb afternoon. Long Lake, some 14 miles to the southwest, was clearly visible. It seemed as if the climbers had reached the top of the world!

Fred and Lyn decided to begin the walk back down.

Daddy reminded everyone how important it was to stay together, especially on the trip down the mountain. He looked at his watch and told Peggy to hurry with putting on her socks and sneakers that had been drying on a rock so they could start down. Naturally, it would not take as long to cover the three-mile trail to the parking lot on Tupper Lake Road as it had to climb up when Daddy had to rest every so often. But darkness came quickly on the slopes of the almost mile-high mountain, and Daddy felt they should start back as soon as possible.

Finally Peggy was ready, and she and Daddy hurried down the trail to catch up to Fred and Lyn, who already had scampered on ahead and were out of sight. As the trail wound its way down the mountain, they suddenly came to a place where the path seemed to branch. Daddy looked for the bright-red trail markers which show the right way, but could not find any. He called to the others, but there was no answer. Apparently, they were already out of earshot. After studying both paths, Daddy and Peggy chose the left fork and started downward again.

Each of us faces decisions every day of our lives, but not one of them is as important as the decision we must make concerning the Lord Jesus Christ. Have you made that decision yet? Don’t put it off. Actually, it is a matter of life and death! If you stay on the same course you are on, it will lead to death and everlasting punishment in hell. But God is offering you a choice. He has a Way that leads to everlasting life. That Way is the Lord Jesus Christ. If you confess that you are a sinner and cannot help yourself, and believe that the Lord Jesus died for your sins, then God says you are saved. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” Acts 16:31. Make that decision now, and accept Him as your Saviour.

Down they went, still hurrying to catch up with the others. Suddenly the trail seemed to vanish. Daddy looked around for trail markers or something familiar to reassure him, but even the path they had just come on seemed to have disappeared. “Peggy,” said Daddy, “I think we took the wrong turn back there.” Daddy again shouted as loudly as he could for the others, but the only answer was the echo of his own voice... and the bark of a far-off coyote.

Again Daddy shouted, “We’re lost!” But no human voice answered. Daddy thought about that solemn verse found in both Proverbs 14:12 and 16:25, “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man; but the end thereof are the ways of death.” When he and Peggy had started out on the wrong path, it seemed the right way to them, but now they were lost in the wild forest of the Adirondack Mountains. There was no question of turning back; Daddy could not even find the path they had come on, and besides, it was getting gloomy as the late afternoon sun was fast sinking behind the mountains.

Daddy and Peggy were lost and they knew it. It is frightening to be lost, but it is worse to be lost and not know it. If you don’t know that you are lost then you aren’t looking for someone to help you find the right way. You just continue on... until it is too late!

There might be some reading this story who are “lost" in their sins and do not know it. Even though they do not think they are lost, God says they are. The Bible plainly states that “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23. Each of us as sinners is lost and God cannot accept us into heaven with our sins. Everything that we try will “come short.” Yet God in His love has provided a Saviour, the Lord Jesus who, when He saw our great need, willingly went to the cross and “sold all that He had” (Matt. 13:46) so that we could be saved.

There on the cross He was punished for my sins. The blood which came from His side has washed all my sins away. Now because of what the Lord Jesus has done for me, I can stand in the presence of God. All my sins are gone.

Are your sins gone? They can be if you will accept the Lord Jesus as your Saviour. Do not wait any longer; there is not much time left! The Lord Jesus is coming very soon to take to heaven all who have been saved. Those who will be left behind will be “lost” forever. The last opportunity to be saved will have passed.

Next week we will find out what happened to Daddy and Peggy. But don’t wait until next week to be saved. By then your opportunity to be saved might be gone, and for you it would be too late.

“Boast not thyself of to-morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.” Proverbs 27:1.

ML-11/20/1983

Am I Too Little?

“Am I too little?” asked little Deena after the talk to the hobby class children was over. Most of the children had gone into the next room for cookies and juice, but Deena stood right in front of me. She looked at me, waiting for me to answer.

“Too little for what?” I asked, not knowing just what she meant by her question.

Her head dropped, and she looked down at the floor. I continued since she seemed too shy to answer my question, “You’re not too little to come to the hobby class. We like to have little girls here.”

Deena still stood looking down as if her question had not been answered. Then as she raised her head I could see that her eyes were filled with tears. She asked, “But am I too little to be saved?”

I picked her up and wiped her tears. Then we sat down on some nearby chairs.

“No, Deena,” I answered, “you are not too little to be saved. It was about children just your age that the Lord Jesus said, ‘Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of God’ " (Mark 10:14). Then I slowly and simply explained to her the story of the love of Jesus and how gladly He receives and saves anyone, even little children, who will accept Him as Saviour.

When we finished talking and praying, she was a happy little girl. She had some juice and cookies and said to me as she left the room, “I’m going to tell Mommy that Jesus died for me, and I can go to heaven now because I’m saved!”

Wasn’t that a nice confession? But there is more. The next week she came to the hobby class bringing another little girl with her. Deena brought her friend right up to me and said, “Ann wants to be saved, too.” Yes, Deena had both believed in her heart and confessed with her mouth (Rom. 10:9) that the Lord Jesus had saved her. Her joy was so great that it attracted others, just like a magnet, to the Saviour.

“If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” Romans 10:9.

ML-11/20/1983

The Best Book

The Bible is the best Book,

The Book we hold so dear;

A Story Book, a Picture Book,

A Book of Songs to cheer.

The Bible tells of Jesus,

Now in His home above;

The Bible brings the message sweet,

THAT GOD IS LOVE.

ML-11/20/1983

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Big Gobbler

“I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are Mine.” Psalms 50:11.

The Thanksgiving holiday is “Turkey Day” in many homes—a custom started over 200 years ago when the Pilgrims made a feast to thank God for their bountiful crops. Indians who were invited brought wild turkeys, and this tasty meat proved so popular that the annual feast including a turkey became a national practice.

The wild turkey that lives throughout the United States is one of the craftiest of creatures. It has excellent sight and can spot intruders before they can come near. Its bronze colors help it to blend into the brush. It can run from danger at speeds of 15 miles an hour or take to the air at more than 50 miles an hour!

A wild big tom (male) is an interesting sight, particularly when he is seeking a mate. Seeing a hen, a tom approaches her with loud gobbles coming from his bald head, which is brightly colored blue and orange. His shaking wattles (skin that hangs down from his neck and head) become brilliant red. With breast and body feathers puffed out he spreads his wings to the ground and fans out his multi-colored tail. Strutting around in a lordly manner on powerful coral-pink legs, he seems to be saying, “Better not pass me up. Just see how grand I am!”

The hen makes her nest in dry leaves for the four-week incubation of a dozen eggs. Almost immediately after hatching, the little ones can feed themselves, and she trains them to find nuts, berries, fruit, seeds and insects. They are not aware of it, but we know it is the Creator’s care that provides for them. The Bible says, “Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap... yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?” Matthew 6:26. He certainly does count us “much better than they” and wants us to know His love and His desire that we come to His heavenly home.

As soon as the chicks can fly they leave the nest and roost at night in the trees, which is a much safer place. Female chicks stay with their mother about a year, but the young toms stay just a few months. In about two years they are full grown, weighing from 20 to 30 pounds.

If a rattlesnake appears the hens puff out their feathers and with loud hissing usually frighten it away. But if it continues to threaten them, a tom soon shows up and the snake is doomed. Striking the tom, all it gets is a mouthful of feathers. The tom’s sharp beak soon kills this enemy.

These birds of the forest are clever, but the Bible tells us God has made us wiser than they (Job 35:11). That wisdom is given so that we might seek the Lord in our lives and answer to His promise: “I love them that love Me; and those that seek Me early shall find Me.” Proverbs 8:17. Are you wise enough to follow His instruction?

ML-11/20/1983

Lost in the Mountains - Part 2

Memory Verse: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1

Last week we began the story about Daddy and Peggy who had gotten lost on a trail in the Adirondack Mountains with night coming on. They had suddenly realized that they had taken a wrong turn on the trail, and it was too late to turn back. Let’s pick up on the story at that point.

Daddy and Peggy prayed together that God would help them find the way. “Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me.” Psalms 50:15. Then they looked for a stream to follow. Daddy explained that following a stream would prevent them from wandering in circles and would bring them to the bottom of the mountain or to a larger river or lake where help could be found.

They followed along a gurgling mountain brook for a while, but soon the underbrush became so thick that the only possible way to follow the stream was to walk right in it, as it became larger and tumbled down its rocky bed. Daddy was very tired, and his footsteps, already shaky because of weariness, were even more unsteady as he picked his way among the slippery rocks in the stream. Several times he fell, and Peggy began to wonder if he would make it.

Daddy didn’t tell Peggy, but he was becoming worried as darkness began to creep over the forest. What if he were to twist an ankle or break some bone on the slippery rocks? How could Peggy ever find help? And what about the chill of the night, when temperatures dip down into the forties or lower?

The brush on the side of the stream began to thin out. Daddy staggered out of the rushing stream and wearily sat down on a log. Taking each other’s hand they again told the Lord of the trouble they were in. While he was praying out loud, Daddy dozed off, and Peggy had to shake him awake. Suddenly Peggy realized the seriousness of the situation, and she began to cry. Daddy tried to assure her that the Lord would take care of them, even if they had to sleep in the open, but the lonesome howls of coyotes and the increasing darkness were not very comforting.

Just then Daddy was startled to see, about 100 yards away, what looked like a metal roof reflecting the last rays of twilight through the trees. Was it the ranger’s cabin at the halfway mark on the Ampersand trail? Gathering the last bit of strength he could muster up, Daddy took Peggy by the hand, and they headed for the building they had seen. No, it was not the ranger’s cabin, but it was a very securely locked hunter’s cabin, and with it came the hope of shelter for the night... if they could somehow get inside.

Daddy tried the windows and doors, but everything was tightly locked. Finally, he kicked out a lower panel of the front door, and Peggy was able to wiggle through and unlock the door from the inside. In the cabin was a pot-bellied stove, mattresses and some propane gas in a lamp. Daddy had no idea where this cabin was, but he was sure the Lord had led them to it.

Rummaging around, he found some matches and lit the lamp. Then he lit a roaring fire in the potbellied stove and arranged the mattresses for whatever sleep they could get. There were no blankets, but there was a pile of old newspapers which they used to cover themselves. Daddy decided to leave the propane lamp on in case a search party would be looking for them.

Sleep was fitful, and with the first glimmer of morning light Daddy went down to the stream for a bucket of pure mountain water. He found some instant coffee and sugar left from last fall’s hunting season and prepared a strong cup of coffee with sugar for each of them to give them something to go on. Then he and Peggy straightened up the cabin as best they could and set out on their journey again, after thanking the Lord for the shelter He had so lovingly provided for them.

Several paths led from the cabin, but each one seemed to disappear about 50 yards from the place. Then they heard the distant sound of trucks on a highway. Daddy knew the only highway near the mountain was State Highway 3, but there was no trail to follow. The stream led off in a different direction, so they had to decide whether to strike off toward the sound of the trucks, or follow the stream to where it would join the Saranac River.

Peggy chose the welcome sound of the trucks to follow, and Daddy agreed. His bones were still sore from yesterday’s falls on the slippery rocks. So after praying for the Lord’s protection they set out across the clearing, into the woods, through a swamp, and finally came to a trail that led out of the forest to the welcome sight of a highway. It had taken them about two hours to reach the road.

Daddy was a frightful sight. His unshaven face, his unkempt hair, his ripped clothes, and his bruised and scratched face made it unlikely that anyone but a policeman would stop for him. He was glad Peggy was with him. As the sound of a truck came closer, Daddy hopefully put up his thumb, but the driver roared right by. Next came a car with a lady driver. Daddy was hesitant even to put up his thumb, but the kind lady stopped. After they were in the car, Daddy explained how they had been lost all night on Ampersand mountain. “You must be the ones the State Police are organizing a search party for!” she exclaimed. Not far down the road Daddy spotted a ranger’s pickup truck. They thanked the lady for stopping and then told the forest ranger their story.

In a few minutes he was able to get a radio message to the State Police, and the search was called off just before they were to set off up the mountain. Soon Daddy and Peggy were joyfully reunited with Mother and the rest of the family who had spent an anxious night. How glad they all were to hear of how the Lord had helped Daddy and Peggy. And you may be sure they joined their happy hearts together to thank Him and to glorify Him.

Isn’t it wonderful the way God takes care of His people? Even though Daddy and Peggy were lost in the forest, God showed them a cabin where they could find shelter and then led them to safety. You also can have God as your Guide if you will first accept Him as your own Saviour. He has promised to “never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Hebrews 13:5. He will be with us every moment in our pathway down here. Isn’t He a wonderful Saviour?

“Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood... to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever. Amen.” Revelation 1:5,6.

ML-11/27/1983

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Lofty Giraffe - Part 1

“O Lord, how great are Thy works! and Thy thoughts are very deep.” Psalms 92:5.

Some people become scared when they are up as high as 18 to 20 feet off the ground, yet this is the height from which large giraffes view their surroundings. Giraffes are the world’s tallest animals, and about half their height is in their long neck that has a lush mane (so neat that it looks as if it were trimmed with clippers) and a pretty head with two short horns standing straight up. Its large deer-like eyes, behind long black lashes, reveal its normally gentle character. High in the air its eyes can see in almost every direction without turning its head.

The long neck has only seven vertebrae (the same as people), but these are large, strong and quite flexible. The neck’s exposed surface serves as a cooling tower in the hot African climate, and the largest windpipe in nature exhales stale air from the lungs. Then with great force it inhales, bringing in a fresh supply of air which also helps cool it.

God has placed a wide and interesting variety of animals throughout the world, and He has adapted each one to its own particular surroundings. In East Africa there are a dozen species of the giraffe, all pale fawn or cream colored with large reddish, yellow or brown spots over its entire body. No two have exactly the same pattern. Perhaps the natives originally called them “zarafa” (meaning “swift creature") because they did not know what else to name a beast that looked something like a cross between a leopard and a camel!

The high, bobbing head of a running giraffe is an immediate signal of danger to its companions, and they promptly join in the running. Actually, they have very few enemies, except that lions and hyenas will kill the calves if the parents are not close by to defend them with their sharp, powerful hooves which can kick in all directions. These 12-inch hooves, on the ends of seven or eight-foot leg bones having long, strong muscles, can easily kill a lion. Lions avoid attacking adult giraffes unless they are injured or sick. When there is need to defend their young, or when fights occur between jealous males, the necks of giraffes topped with the tough, horned skull, also make vicious weapons when slammed against an opponent.

When the Psalmist thought of the marvelous things of the Creator, he declared, “Let all the earth fear the Lord: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him. For He spake, and it was done; He commanded, and it stood fast.” Psalms 33:8,9. As we consider the many ways He has provided for all living creatures, we also should “stand in awe of Him” and thankfully accept His loving offer to be not only our Creator, but our Saviour as well.

(to be continued)

ML-11/27/1983

A Dog Named "Happy"

Memory Verse: “I am poor and needy; yet the Lord thinketh upon me.” Psalm 40:17

One spring day as Alice was driving her car along a busy road, she noticed a small group of people huddled around something lying at the side of the road. Passing by, she could see it was a dog. She quickly slowed down and stopped on the shoulder of the road.

As she walked back to the group, some of the people moved aside so that she could see. Lying there was a medium-sized brown and white dog, very thin and bleeding from a hip wound. It was obvious she had been hit by a car. She had no collar, no tags, and no one in the group had ever seen her before. One woman finally spoke up saying that there was a vet’s office about eight blocks away.

Alice carefully picked up the limp, unresisting dog and carried her to the car. When Alice arrived at the vet’s office, he examined the dog right away.

“This dog is badly injured and needs surgery,” he explained. “Will you be able to pay for this?” he asked.

Alice had a sinking feeling since she only had a few dollars with her and knew she could not possibly afford all the care the poor, injured stray dog needed.

Without the money to pay, Alice gently gathered up the dog and walked back through the waiting room. Just as Alice was leaving, a man in the waiting room told her that there was a free clinic in the city that might be able to help her. Alice gently laid the dog down on the front seat of the car and hurried on to the city. Later she said, “I remember her lying there with her head in my lap. Even though she had this hurt look in her eyes, she gave herself into my care with complete trust.”

Have you given yourself to the Lord Jesus Christ? Have you completely trusted Him for your salvation? Without Alice the dog probably would have died as she would have been unable to do a thing for herself. Without the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour, you will die in your sins... and after death there is the judgment (Heb. 9:27)—punishment for the sins you have committed.

Alice finally found the clinic—the place where she hoped the injured dog could receive free care. The lady at the desk explained to Alice that at least a small amount of money was required to see the vet, but Alice did not even have that much. Poor Alice—there she stood holding the 30-pound dog she had rescued from the side of the road. Alice suddenly burst into tears. “This dog will die if she isn’t treated right away,” she tried to explain. The dog turned her head and weakly licked Alice’s cheek.

How discouraged Alice was as she just did not have enough money to pay a vet. Just then a lady walked into the waiting room and quickly figured out the situation. “Come with me,” she said. “I am Ginny, the manager of this clinic. We’ll do our best to save her.” What a relief it was to Alice finally to find someone interested in saving the dog’s life.

The Lord Jesus Christ offers salvation free to anyone who will accept it. He does not want our money (or anything else from us). God’s free gift is eternal life which we can have because of the death of the Lord Jesus Christ. Ginny was not sure they could save the injured brown and white dog. How thankful we can be that there is no question if the Lord Jesus can save us—we know for sure, through God’s Word, that He can.

Dr. Frank, the vet, worked on the dog for several hours. Even then he still was not sure she would live.

Ginny checked on the dog a few hours after surgery. She opened her eyes, thumped her tail feebly and then went back to sleep. “You should be a happy dog,” remarked Ginny, and right then the stray dog had a name—“Happy.”

If you have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour, are you happy? We sometimes sing a little song:

Happy is the boy (or girl) who believes in Him.

Happy is the boy (or girl) who is cleansed from sin.

But do we really act as though we are happy? Psalms 144:15 tells us, “Happy is that people whose God is the Lord.” If we really belong to the Lord Jesus, His Word tells us we should be happy.

Alice returned twice to visit Happy. Each time she brought a little money to help pay for Happy’s care. Although she was not able to pay the whole cost, she did what she could. Without Dr. Frank, the dog would have died. How Alice thanked him for all his work and for his interest in the dog. Have you ever thanked the Lord Jesus for saving you from your sins—thanked Him for making you ready to go to heaven? “Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift.” 2 Corinthians 9:15.

Happy slowly recovered, first hobbling around on her three good legs and finally on all four. Annie, one of the workers at the clinic who cared for Happy, soon loved the good-natured dog. It wasn’t long before Annie had a shadow, because dogs can sense love and kindness. Annie was very glad when she was able to take Happy home. The sad, injured dog whose life had once hung by a thread now had a home to go to and someone to really love and care for her.

The Lord Jesus not only saves us from our sins and loves and cares for us here in this world, but very soon He is coming to take to heaven all who have accepted Him as their Saviour. In John 14:3 the Lord says, “I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself.” Are your sins gone so that you are ready to go with the Lord Jesus to His home in heaven?

ML-12/04/1983

There Is No "If"

Tommy and his mother were looking at a children’s book of Bible stories. The story about Noah had a big picture called, “Noah entering the ark,” which was very interesting to Tommy. He could see the animals, birds and Noah and his family going into the ark, all escaping to safety from the flood that God was going to use to punish the people on the earth.

“What if the ark had wrecked and sunk?” asked Tommy. “Then everybody in the world would have been drowned!”

“There was no fear of that, because God was in control,” his mother answered. Then putting her arm around Tommy she added, “There is no IF, Tommy, when God says ‘should not perish’ in the Bible verse John 3:16 that you know.”

Tommy repeated the verse slowly, “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.”

“God means what He says in that verse, Tommy,” Mother continued. “If you trust in the Lord Jesus Christ and take Him as your Saviour, you will be safe, just like Noah, his family and all the animals that were in the ark. There is no IF, Tommy.”

How true this is! God says to all who trust in Him that they shall have “everlasting life,” or as it says in another verse—they “shall be saved.” It is also true the opposite way. To those who choose not to believe, Psalms 1:6 says they shall perish. There is no IF about that either.

“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” Acts 16:31.

ML-12/04/1983

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Lofty Giraffe - Part 2

“The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein. His work is honorable and glorious.” Psalms 111:2,3.

Female giraffes (cows) weigh 1000 to 1500 pounds, compared with bulls which reach a ton (2000 pounds) or more. Both males and females have short horns which are covered with skin, and all are quite able to take care of themselves.

Mothers show tender, loving care to their calves for several months, until they grow big enough to join the adults. During the early morning daylight a mother will hide her calf under a bush or in tall grass. Lying with its neck and head curled over its back, it blends in with the coloring around it and is not easily seen. Meanwhile the mother is busy finding her food, returning about noontime and again at night to nurse her baby.

Frequently several mothers with babies form a group. At night one stands guard while the others sleep with their own calves. Then in the morning when it is time to go searching for food, one or two of the adults remain behind to “baby-sit” all the little ones. If lions or hyenas come near, the “nurse” bellows loudly. All the mothers and fathers who hear the bellow come running to attack or chase away the intruders. These are God-given instincts that show His care over them.

Giraffes can live on grass and surface plants, but it is much easier to reach the leaves and tender twigs of trees and tall bushes when eating their daily requirement of 100 pounds or more—pulling it all into their mouths with tongues a foot and a half long. The leaves and blossoms of acacia trees that grow plentifully in their homeland are favorite foods. Acacias have sharp thorns, but lips as tough as shoe leather take care of that problem. It is interesting to see how God gave them this eating habit to enable certain acacia trees to reproduce themselves. It has been discovered that the seeds of many of these trees will not germinate until they have been treated by passing through the four stomachs of a giraffe and then discarded.

Getting a drink is not an easy job for this animal. Beside a lake or watering hole it must lower its head to suck in the water and raise its head to swallow the water. This raising and lowering of its head about 20 feet would normally cause such a rush of blood that the giraffe would black out, faint and fall over. But the Creator planned for this, too. Within its veins and arteries a system of valves keeps the blood flowing evenly, no matter what movement may be made. Also, at the base of its brain, blood vessels automatically expand when its head is lowered and contract when suddenly raised. What a marvelous Creator we have! God’s creation worked right the first time. There was no problem here for so wise a Creator.

An animal this big needs lots of blood, and so it has been given a large heart, weighing about 25 pounds, which pumps blood through its body at the rate of 15 gallons a minute.

The next time you see one of these interesting animals in the zoo, think how wisely the Lord God, the Creator, has provided for all its needs.

ML-12/04/1983

Caesar

Memory Verse: “In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” Ephesians 1:7

One summer day our family received a very nice surprise. It was a Saint Bernard puppy. That was a happy day for us children and the very best gift we had ever had.

It happened this way. Mr. Holtzhauer, who raised pedigreed dogs, owed Father some money. He was not able to pay the bill with money, so Father settled the bill by getting a puppy instead.

We named him Caesar, and it was not long before he grew up to be a fine, big, good-looking dog. It was lots of fun romping and playing games with him. He had a heavy coat of hair which we enjoyed combing. He liked being combed, except when we got to his tail. There his hair was long, and it hurt Caesar when we tried to comb out the matted hair.

What an appetite Caesar had! A big bowl of potatoes with gravy and meat was gobbled down in no time. But he earned his food, because he was a help around the farm. He was always willing to do things for us. His first chore in the morning was to bring in the mail. He watched for Mr. Kenicott who came with his covered wagon drawn by a horse and put the mail wrapped in the morning paper in Caesar’s mouth. Then he always brought it right to one of us.

Mother had a garden in which she grew different kinds of vegetables. In the morning she would get a basket and go to the garden to pick fresh vegetables for the noon-day meal. Caesar always would go with her. After Mother filled the basket she would give it to Caesar to carry for her. Carrying the full basket was not an easy job for him, but he managed to bring it right into the kitchen. Then the cook stove had to be lit. (There were no gas or electric stoves in those days.) A big pile of wood and kindling was kept in a dry location near the house. When we children carried some of this wood into the house, Caesar was not happy unless he carried a couple of pieces, too.

As we got a little older my brother and I had to walk a mile to the railroad station to take a train to a Chicago high school. Our faithful, devoted dog knew when it was time for us to arrive home in the afternoon. Even though he might have been with Father who was working in the field, Caesar would go lie on the back porch until he saw us coming. Then he would bound up to meet us and carry some of our books strapped together back to the house.

Caesar was also an excellent watchdog. Late one afternoon he saw a stranger go into the basement of our house. He knew just how to handle that situation. Instead of following the stranger into the basement, he stood at the entrance of the door growling, as if to say, “You stay there until my master gets home; he’ll take care of you!” Father did just that, and then Caesar got extra food for his supper as a reward.

How many of you boys and girls are as obedient to your father and mother as Caesar was to his family? God’s Word, the Bible, says, “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.” Ephesians 6:1. To obey is one of the greatest acts we can do as Christians. Why was it that Caesar was so obedient? It was because he loved his master and wanted to please him. These are the same reasons for us to obey, too. Our Master, the Lord Jesus Christ, loves us very much and wants us to be obedient children. If we really love Him and want to please Him, then we will try to please Him in everything we do and say. By reading the Bible we can learn how He wants us to act, because the Bible is His instructions to us. When Caesar was told to do something, he did it. If we read in the Bible that the Lord Jesus wants us to do something, then we should do it. By being obedient to God and to His Son the Lord Jesus, we as His children can live a life pleasing to Him down here.

First though, each of us must become one of God’s family. Caesar was not born into his family. He had to be bought. We also must be brought into God’s family, but we cannot pay money to get in. The price has already been paid. The Lord Jesus Christ went to the cross and there He was punished for the sins of all who would believe in Him. Those who are saved become part of His family. Won’t you accept Him as your Saviour now and become a member of His family?

“Now therefore hearken unto Me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep My ways.” Proverbs 8:32.

ML-12/11/1983

A Gift for Daddy

One night little Jenny whispered to her mother, “I’m going to buy Daddy a present for his birthday.”

Her mother smiled and said, “That’s fine, Jenny, but where will you get the money to buy it?”

“Oh, I know Daddy will give it to me,” Jenny answered.

Wasn’t that a good answer? Jenny knew that she had to go to her father for the money and that he would love to get a gift from her. This is also true of us as God’s children. Everything we have is what God our Father has given to us. He knows that what we give back to Him in love is what we have first received from Him. He thinks of the love behind the gift, just like Jenny’s father would.

“For all things come of [from] Thee, and of Thine own have we given [to] Thee.” 1 Chronicles 29:14.

ML-12/11/1983

A Refuge Refused

Bright streaks of lightning slashed across the sky, and thunder crashed loudly. The two men in the little rowboat could not hear each other even when they shouted. Torrents of rain soaked their clothing and nearly blinded them. Waves more than twenty feet high threatened to swamp their small boat and send them to the bottom of the ocean.

Several days earlier, on June 4th, 1966, these two men, John Ridgway and Chay Blyth, had started out from Orleans, Massachusetts to row their small boat, English Rose III, across the Atlantic Ocean to England. Now the storm was threatening to make their plans end in disaster.

Finally the storm died down, and then fog rolled in. As they rowed wearily on through the fog, a small yellow bird suddenly appeared out of the fog, flying strangely and looking very tired. Chay whistled to it, and John held out scraps of food to try to encourage the little bird to land on their boat where it could rest and be safe. Although it hovered over their boat for a few moments, it turned its back on the refuge they offered and struggled on alone in the fog.

Are you as foolish as this little yellow bird? Perhaps you realize you are a sinner and know you cannot get rid of your sins by yourself. Still, you struggle and work hard. You try to make yourself good enough for God instead of letting go and accepting the salvation God offers you through the death and shed blood of His Son, Jesus Christ. The bird was offered a free refuge in the boat, and God offers you a free refuge also. “In God is my salvation... and my refuge, is in God.” Psalms 62:7. The Bible says about the Lord Jesus Christ that “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other Name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12.

The little bird refused the salvation that was offered to it, and as it flew away from the only place of safety, the two men were saddened. Chay later wrote in his diary: “It upset us both to think that the bird would probably be dead within a few minutes.”

Won’t you be wiser than the little bird? Accept God’s offer today. “The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23.

ML-12/11/1983

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Tough Grizzly

“And David said... there came a lion, and a bear, and took a lamb out of [my father’s] flock: and I went out... and... slew both the lion and the bear.” 1 Samuel 17:34-36

What a good shepherd David was to risk his life for a lamb! This reminds us of the Lord Jesus who said, “I am the Good Shepherd: the Good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep.” John 10:11. David was spared from being killed, but the Lord Jesus willingly gave His life for His sheep (those who know Him as their Saviour).

An 800-pound, 8-foot grizzly bear is a vicious animal. It is found mostly in Montana’s Glacier National Park, Wyoming’s Yellowstone Park, western Canada and Alaska. Its large body and head, six-inch claws at the end of short, strong legs, and sharp teeth all make it an animal to stay far away from. But it does not start life that way. Born while its mother is hibernating, it weighs less than a pound and is hairless and blind. Two or three months later, leaving the winter den with its mother, it will be about the size of a raccoon. By the end of summer it will be about as big as a collie dog.

Once they are old enough to go outside the den, cubs are full of fun, wrestling with each other, sliding in the snow, and climbing slender trees until they bend or break with their weight. But it is not only the cubs that like to play. Big grizzlies will also slide down snow slopes, climb back up and slide down again, just for the fun of it. Sometimes they tumble and roll down grassy hillsides in the same way.

By the end of summer the grizzlies are fat and lazy, but not too lazy to prepare a den in a rocky hillside or under the roots of a big tree. There they make a bed of soft tree branches, which they have brought in with their mouths, sometimes lining the den with grass as well. All grizzlies in a given area enter their dens on the same day, and all dens face toward the north. Do you suppose they get together and plan this? No, of course not. These are God-given instincts. He knows just when they should retire for the winter. He also knows that before winter is actually over there will be short warm spells, causing the snow on southern slopes to melt a little. A bear waking up and hearing this trickle of water would leave its den too soon and be in difficulty with no food ready for it. But the short warm spells do not affect the cold northern slopes, and the bears remain undisturbed. How wisely the Creator takes care of even grizzlies!

Coming out after five months’ sleep, thin and hungry, they immediately search for food. This first meal might be a large animal that died during the winter, its body preserved by the cold. But they are not particular. Small rodents, fish, ants, berries, etc. are welcome. Cow parsnips are a favorite, and hikers are warned to stay away from mountain slopes where these grow... grizzlies do not like intruders!

The Lord Jesus, as Creator, never neglects any of His creatures, small or great. But His special care over men, women, boys and girls includes this promise to those who love Him: “I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish.” John 10:28. Why would anyone turn away from such love?

ML-12/11/1983

Mercy!

Memory Verse: “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us.” Titus 3:5

It was early in the morning when Daddy drove the car over the back roads between Bedford, New York and Torrington, Connecticut. He and Mother and their children were looking forward to visiting with some friends who lived in Torrington. Most of the way the speed limit was 50 miles per hour, and Daddy kept the car right at that speed as they did not have any time to spare if they were going to get there on time.

Suddenly, just as they entered the outskirts of a little town in Connecticut, Daddy saw flashing red lights behind them. He pulled over to the side of the road to let the car with the red lights pass, but instead it stopped right behind him. “Looks like he’s after me,” said Daddy as a very stern-looking policeman came up to the car window.

“Let’s see your driver’s license and registration card,” ordered the policeman. Three-year-old Kip stared wide-eyed at the policeman’s bright badge and the revolver in his holster. He had never seen anything like this, and here it was happening to his Daddy! Lana, who was almost five, watched soberly as the officer took Daddy’s papers and looked them over. The policeman told Daddy that he had been traveling 50 miles an hour in a 35 mile-per-hour zone, and he reached into his pocket for a book of tickets and his pen. (A person who is given a speeding ticket has to pay a fine for his punishment.)

This was too much for little Lana. A flood of tears ran down her cheeks as she looked up into the face of the stern policeman and sobbed, “Please don’t put my daddy in jail!” The officer’s stern look melted immediately into a smile. He put away His ticket book and only warned Daddy to be more careful in the future. So Daddy did not have to pay a fine.

Lana’s tearful plea brought mercy to Daddy from the policeman. Mercy means not getting what we deserve to get. Daddy was guilty of going faster than the speed limit, and he deserved a ticket. The policeman showed mercy to him for Lana’s sake.

It made Daddy think of the far greater mercy that God has shown us. Everyone of us is a sinner and deserves to be shut out from the presence of God forever and punished for our sins. But God in mercy sent His beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to take the punishment we deserved on the cross of Calvary. Have you ever admitted to God that you are a sinner and deserve everlasting punishment for your sins? Have you ever accepted the Lord Jesus as your Saviour?

“God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins.” Ephesians 2:4,5.

ML-12/18/1983

Avalanche!

The sky was dark and stormy-looking when a man set out on a snowmobile to go to the next town in Switzerland where he lived. Soon after starting it began to snow, and then it turned into a real blizzard. The snow fell so heavily that it quickly covered the road in front of him.

“It’s too late now to turn back,” thought the man as he continued pushing ahead. What worried him more was the area through which he was traveling was known to have avalanches. The snow continued to fall fast and heavily.

He had only gone a little farther when he heard the roar—the unmistakable sound of an avalanche! Before he could do a thing he was engulfed in a swirling, rushing mountain of snow. It knocked him unconscious and he was soon buried in three feet of snow and ice.

When he did not arrive at his destination, a search party was organized. Accompanying them in their search was a specially trained dog who could detect by smell those who were buried in the snow. For some time they searched the mountain roads without success.

Then the dog, unnoticed by the rest of the party, turned off the path and wandered off a little distance by himself. Suddenly he stopped and with his nose deep in the snow he sniffed. Then he began to dig down into the snow with his paws.

Down under the drifts the man became conscious of something digging down through the snow toward him. What could it be? Perhaps some wild, hungry animal hunting for his dinner had discovered him. He must act quickly to save himself, he thought. With difficulty he drew his pistol from its holster, and pointing it upward at the dark form above him, he pulled the trigger. There was a loud shot, a yelp of pain, a dull thud as the animal fell, and then all was still.

The search party heard the shot and hurried to the spot. There they found the dog lying dead on the snow. The half-frozen man under the snow heard voices. He was soon pulled to safety and lived to tell the story of his rescue.

How sorry that man must have been when he saw the dog lying dead on the snow. It had been killed in the very act of rescuing him from certain death.

The dog has been often called man’s best friend. And yet man, who is a sinner, has a better Friend still. “There is a Friend that sticketh closer than a brother.”

Proverbs 18:24. Jesus the Saviour of sinners is the best Friend of all. He has done for us what neither man nor creature could ever do. He knew that we were hopelessly lost in our sins, and He came to seek and to save us. “The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10.

On the cross of Calvary He bore God’s punishment for sin, and He gave His life so that sinners could be brought back to God and safely home to heaven. He came from heaven into this world to save sinful men, and men killed Him. Yet God turned this terrible act into the means of man’s salvation, for God now offers pardon to all who will believe in Jesus as their Saviour through the blood Jesus shed there. Won’t you accept Him right now as your Saviour?

“How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation.” Hebrews 2:3.

ML-12/18/1983

The Wonders of God's Creation: Beware the Shark

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Peter 5:8.

In this verse Satan is described as a lion prowling through the earth. A similar example could be a vicious shark in the ocean. About 350 varieties of sharks are found throughout the world. The smallest is the 10-inch dwarf; the largest is the 40-foot whale shark, weighing 15 tons or more. In spite of their frightening looks, most are harmless, living on fish, squid and shellfish. Two huge species, the basking shark and the whale shark, have such small teeth that they can only eat tiny drifting sea life and small fish.

The hammerhead is the oddest looking of the sharks with its head extending out two feet or more on each side of its body—like the rudder of an airplane. A large eye is on each end, and its mouth is underneath on the body. The ugliest shark is the horn, or pig shark, with its jaws and teeth at the front of its pig-like snout. These lay eggs in tough capsules shaped like big screws, working them into rocky places where they remain until the little ones hatch out.

Many people consider the blue shark to be the most beautiful, with its bluish tint which is dark on top and light underneath. Its huge eyes and a small mouth give it a smiling appearance, and it shows only curiosity toward swimmers. Thresher sharks, which often work in pairs, beat the water with their tails. This causes small fish to group together, and then they move in for the kill.

The most dangerous of all sharks is the great white shark with its huge jaws and dagger-like teeth. Although often ignoring swimmers, it sometimes will attack them. The injuries from their bites are severe, sometimes resulting in death. Tiger sharks which are 15 to 30 feet long, with rows of long, sharp teeth, are also vicious and also have been known to attack people.

Small fish, such as pilot fish and remoras, often swim beside sharks, not actually guiding them, but staying nearby to get stray pieces of food dropped from the sharks’ meals.

In spite of the shark’s bad reputation, God has a place for them in His creation. As scavengers they help keep the ocean clean. They are valuable to man directly in that valuable medicines and vitamins are extracted from various parts of their bodies, and millions of pounds of shark meat are eaten as food every year.

Although some sharks are harmless, few of us would trust these creatures since at best they are unpredictable. And so it is with mankind, too. How careful we should be in any relationship with ungodly people, for many of them are used by Satan to lead others to do evil things. Scripture speaks concerning this: “Ponder the path of thy feet, and let all thy ways be established.” Proverbs 4:26.

In Psalms 118:8 we read, “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.” And in Proverbs 3:5,6 the right way to go is explained: “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.” This is excellent advice for each one of us to follow.

ML-12/18/1983

Hippo Hunt

Memory Verse: “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.” John 3:16

The men on the mission station in Africa were planning to go on a hippo hunt. They asked us women if we would like to join them. A couple of us said, “Oh, yes, we certainly would.”

We were to be gone several days, since the hippos lived by a river quite a distance away. That meant men had to be hired to carry the equipment needed for the trip—tents, folding cots, chairs, tables, food, cooking pots, etc. It was to be a journey through the jungle on a narrow, dusty path, single file. We ladies rode bikes. We had to get off now and then to lift them over tree trunks that lay across the path.

After reaching the river we selected a site not too far from where the hippos were supposed to be living. We set up camp, got the tents all arranged and ate supper. Then, because everyone was tired, we went to bed.

Early the next morning we started off, the men with guns and the carriers with spears. We were quite a large group of people, and each person had to walk very cautiously, trying to hide ourselves so the hippos would not see us. It wasn’t too long until a hippo was spotted.

If you have ever seen a hippopotamus in the zoo, you know how very large they are. Only the elephant and rhinoceros are larger land animals. A full-grown hippo may weigh as much as five thousand pounds. Its legs are short, but it can run as fast as a person. Each foot has four webbed toes for swimming. It has a huge head and an enormous mouth —enough to frighten not only people, but its wild beast enemies, too.

One of the men got close enough to the hippo in the water and shot it with his rifle. After it was shot a native tied a rope to one of its legs, and they all pulled the hippo up the river right to the camp where we had stayed the night before.

A very busy day followed. Many sharp knives removed the skin and cut up the meat. We had never seen such a pile of meat! There was enough to give to the people living in nearby villages. They came with knives to help and were given their portions. All were happy and thankful.

That provided another opportunity to witness for the Lord—to tell them that the God who sends the sunshine and rain to make their crops grow also sent His Son to save them from their sins.

The next day when the luggage was packed, we started back home, glad to tell of His great love and kindness in helping to supply their bodily needs.

Even though very few of us have to hunt for our food, we should still be thankful for all that God provides for us. We sometimes forget that all the blessings we have have been supplied by a God who loves us. His love is so great that it sent His only Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for sinners like you and me. On the cross the Lord Jesus was punished so that those of us who believe in Him can be forgiven and go to heaven. He died so that we can have everlasting life. His blood can wash us clean from every stain of sin if we accept Him as our Saviour. Is He your Saviour? Won’t you accept Him now?

“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.” John 3:16.

ML-12/25/1983

Detour From Death

Daddy, Mother and their six children were on their way to Lauropoli in southern Italy to visit some friends for their end-of-the-year vacation. As their well-loaded Volkswagen van reached the outskirts of Milan, the fog became so thick that Daddy had to slow the van almost to a crawl. Just as they reached the spot where the superhighway to Rome began, a policeman put up a barricade. This meant they had to go over local streets through the city of Milan, which made the trip longer. Daddy was very discouraged with both the heavy fog and the detour. The fog got so bad that they had to pull off the road for a while at a rest area.

Finally they reached Rome and found a nice place to stay overnight. The next morning, as they were getting ready to do some sightseeing in Rome, they heard people talking about a terrible accident that had happened in Milan involving over a hundred cars and a gasoline truck. Many people had been killed. Now Daddy and Mother knew why the policeman had put up the barricade. If they had come to that spot a few minutes earlier, they, no doubt, would have turned on that same highway and been involved in that terrible accident.

They realized with thankfulness that the detour that had made their trip longer was really a detour from death in the awful flaming wreckage on the superhighway. The family thanked God together for preserving them from unseen danger.

In the book of Job, chapter 33, we are reminded by Elihu that God keeps us back from going on to certain judgment, even using pain and sickness to detour us from the road to hell. God would deliver us from going down to the pit; He has found a Ransom (vs. 24). The Lord Jesus gave Himself as a ransom for all who will believe. Have you received Him as your Saviour? Can you say, “I am redeemed with His precious blood"?

“For there is one God, and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus; who gave Himself a ransom for all.” 1 Timothy 2:5,6.

ML-12/25/1983

Evelyn's Worry

The Colosseum in Rome is a gloomy place even in daylight. Daddy, Mother and their six children were vacationing in Italy in December. It was already dark when the Volkswagen van pulled up to the Colosseum. The children piled out and began exploring the ruins, except for three-year-old Evelyn, who was not her usual happy self. She stuck close to Mother, and her wide eyes kept peering into the poorly-lit ruins.

Suddenly she looked up earnestly at Mother and asked, “Do they still throw Christians to the lions here?”

Mother gathered her worried little girl into her arms and assured her that believers in the Lord Jesus were no longer thrown to the lions here in Rome. Still, God’s Word, the Bible, reminds us that our “adversary [one who is against us] the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Peter 5:8. It is good to remember that in many places around the world Christians are still feeling the bite of the roaring lion, the devil. Some are even paying with their lives for confessing that they belong to the Lord Jesus.

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Romans 10:9,10.

ML-12/25/1983

The Wonders of God's Creation: What Would We Do Without Wheat?

“For the Lord will do great things. .. And [your] floors shall be full of wheat.” Joel 2:21,24.

God promised to supply plenty of wheat to the children of Israel in Old Testament days when they obeyed Him. No gift among His promises of food was more valuable. Wheat was used by the Lord Jesus as an example when He spoke of Himself saying, “Except a corn [kernel] of wheat fall into the ground and die, it abideth alone: but if it die, it bringeth forth much fruit.” John 12:24. By this He meant that His death on Calvary’s cross would be the means of giving everlasting life to the great number of people who would believe on Him.

A wheat plant starts with a single stalk, then it “tillers” and sends out a whole cluster of stalks. At the top of each shaft as many as 100 new grains form, and when ready for harvest, a field of wheat is a beautiful sight. As the life-sustaining food for millions of people throughout the world, we can see how suitably He, the Everlasting One, used wheat as an example of Himself, “the Bread of Life.” Kernels of wheat have been found in ancient Egyptian tombs, still edible and capable of sprouting to “bring forth much fruit.”

Examined under a microscope a grain is seen to be composed of three parts. Bran forms the outer covering. Many breakfast foods contain bran, and bran muffins are delicious, too, aren’t they?

At the base of each grain is a small but important part of the kernel. It is the wheat germ which is full of nutrients—the basis of new life. This is where the kernel sprouts when planted. When bakers make white bread they first remove the wheat germ, and in doing so valuable vitamins and oils are lost. Wheat germ is packaged and sold for a topping to salads, or for sprinkling over various foods to make them more tasty and healthful.

The larger section of the kernel is called the endosperm, providing the bulk of the flour that comes when the wheat is ground in a mill. Starch and gluten, the things that hold bread together, are found here. The baking quality of any flour depends on the amount of gluten in it. Only wheat contains this important item. When other grains (such as oats or rye) are used by the baker, he will often blend wheat flour with them for this purpose.

When we think of this important source of food providing life to millions of people, let us remember that its life-giving qualities are a reminder of God’s Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. It was He who proclaimed, “I am the good Shepherd: the good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep.” John 10:11. In another Bible verse He said, “I am the Bread of Life: he that cometh to Me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst.” John 6:35.

Aren’t these lovely illustrations? Do you believe them?

ML-12/25/1983

Messages of God's Love: 1983

Table of Contents

How About Grandma's Goose?

Tammy's Doll

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Pesky Mosquito

A Dog Called Missy

Ian's Snowy Ride

"Big Fin"

The Wonders of God's Creation: Lions' Teeth Are Not for You

The Snake in the Bottle

Skipper the Hero

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Restless Caribou

The Trapper's Story

The Bolivian Bible Man

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Human Brain - Part 1

The Stubborn Turtle

Fulor's New Weapon

Jack and Jill

The Wonders of God's Creation: More About the Brain - Part 2

The Safety Booklet

"Do You Know Jesus?"

Robby's Seed

The Wonders of God's Creation: That Strange Bird, the Hornbill - Part 1

Attacked by an Octopus!

Jungle Password

Who Am I?

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Strange Bird, the Hornbill - Part 2

The Warning!

Ryan's Friend

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Musical Cricket

The Runaway

Fire!

Who Am I?

The Wonders of God's Creation: The White-Tailed Ground Squirrel

"Let Go!"

Who Am I?

The Deep Mire

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Clever Road Runner

The Flight

The Wonders of God's Creation: Persistent Sagebrush

"Treasure"

A Stray Kitten

Little Rebel

The Wonders of God's Creation: Snails Can Be Beautiful

Just in Time!

A Sunbeam

Who Am I?

The Wonders of God's Creation: A Lovely Snail - The Conch

The "Indian Way"

The Children's Walk

A Little Extra Kindness

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Miracle of Springtime

The Canceled Picnic

"Come in Anytime"

Mtoto's Trouble

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Thrill of a Shooting Star

Timber Rattler

The Voice of the Tempter

Who Am I?

The Gathering of the Clans

The Wonders of God's Creation: Had Your Copper Today?

The Search

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Strange Kiwi

Ten Million Bees!

The Bottle of Acid

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Merry Rock Wren

The Runaway Gerbil

Safety in a Tree

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Tough Sea Gull

Randy and Gwen's Secret

The Well-Protected Armadillo

The Shipwreck

How Much Love?

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Beautiful Oriole

"Chad, Can You Hear Me?"

Who Am I?

Tony's Silver Dollar

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Playful Prairie Dog

Open the Door!

Whew!