Messages of God's Love: 1986

Five-year-old Emma walked slowly along staring down at the sidewalk. Suddenly she stopped. What was that? Something bright and shiny had caught her eye! Kneeling down, she peered down through the metal grating along the curb. There, down in the hole underneath the grating, was a coin and Emma wanted it.

Working her small hand carefully through the grating, she stretched her arm as far as it would reach and was delighted to find she could just reach the coin. She grasped it firmly in her small fist and then tried to pull her arm back out. But that is when she found she was in trouble. She was stuck. Her hand just would not come back up through the grating.

Emma tugged and pulled as hard as she could, but the more she pulled the more the grating hurt her. She was worried now and began to call loudly for help.

Emma was in trouble, but if you have never accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour, you are in far worse trouble than she was. You are trapped in your sins, and there is no way you can free yourself. Proverbs 5:22 tells us that “His own iniquities shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden [or trapped] with the cords of his sins.”

A neighbor lady heard Emma’s calls for help and hurried over to find out what was wrong. When she saw how firmly Emma’s hand was stuck, she rushed home and came back with some butter. Smearing the butter all over her hand, she tried to make it slippery enough so Emma could slide it through the grate. But it didn’t work. She was still stuck. Another neighbor came out with some grease for her hand, and another tried pouring liquid laundry detergent over her hand, but nothing helped and Emma remained stuck.

Are you trying, like Emma, to get yourself out of the trouble you are in? Maybe you are trying to get rid of your sins by being good, or by going to Sunday school, or by reading your Bible; none of these things can ever take away one single sin. Only the Lord Jesus Christ can set us free from the sins that have trapped us. He loved us so much that He died on the cross and shed His blood so that you and I might be set free.

Emma’s neighbors finally called the fire department and the firemen, after much effort, managed to get her hand free from the grating. How glad she was to be able to stand up straight again and to run home to Mother.

The firemen, however, found something strange. They discovered that the reason Emma could not get her hand through the grating was because she was hanging on tightly to the coin she had found. If she had only let go of her treasure, she could have opened her hand and easily pulled it back through the grating, sparing herself all the fear and pain.

Are you hanging onto something that is keeping you trapped in your sins? Perhaps you have friends who would laugh at you if you came to Jesus, or maybe some bad habit that you don’t want to let go of is holding you back. Don’t let anything keep you from coming to Jesus. Let go. He wants you to come to Him right now, and He will forgive you and wash all your sins away. Won’t you accept Him today?

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

ML-01/05/1986

In Five Years …

I had just finished buckling my seat belt on a flight to Chicago when a businessman sat down beside me. As we talked during the flight I was able to guide the conversation to the things of God.

“Oh sure, I think religion is a good thing,” he told me. “When I was a child I went to Sunday school and church every Sunday morning.”

“Are you a Christian?” I asked.

“You couldn’t really say that, I guess.” He hesitated, shrugged; “I’m really too busy to think about religion.” He went on to tell me about the large company of which he was president, a company with offices in other countries.

“Do you feel business matters are more important than spiritual matters?” I asked.

A startled look came over his face. “Well, you know how those things go. The fact is....” He broke off and cleared his throat. “I do plan to get right with God when I retire in five years. Things would have to... well, sort of change in the company if I did it now.”

After landing at the Chicago airport we each went our separate way. My companion was going on to Los Angeles. It was less than an hour later that I heard of the crash of that flight which was taking off for Los Angeles. All aboard were instantly killed. What a tragedy! My companion had reservations on that flight.

“In five years”... he was going to wait five more years. What a short period of time compared with eternity! There is no comparison between the riches of salvation and the dollars and cents of five more years! How little this man realized that in just a short time he would be in eternity, and evidently he was not saved. What a warning this should be to anyone who does not know the Lord Jesus Christ as his Saviour. Every tick of the clock brings you nearer to eternity, and you could die at any moment even though you may think you have many years yet to live. “Boast not thyself of to-morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.” Proverbs 27:1.

God’s Son paid the price for your salvation. If you come to Him believing and accepting His work on Calvary’s cross for your sins, you will spend eternity in heaven.

“Behold, NOW is the accepted time; behold, NOW is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:2.

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

ML-01/05/1986

Queen Victoria's Dolls

Children of all ages love to play with dolls. Both boys and girls have played with and collected various kinds of dolls for thousands of years. Queen Victoria of England played with dolls until she was 14 years old. She owned dozens and dozens of dolls and had made clothes for more than thirty of them. She especially liked small wooden dolls, 1 to 12 inches high with jointed arms and legs, called “penny dolls.” She collected more than 100 of these. She also had a dollhouse where she kept many of the smaller ones.

Queen Victoria became queen at the age of 17, but she still loved her dolls and dollhouses. Since the queen was so fond of them, thousands of other people wanted dolls and dollhouses, too, and toymakers were kept busy making them. If the queen liked something, then other people liked it, too, and wanted it. It is strange, but true, that whatever a king or queen or any important person does, other people want to follow their example.

As a Christian boy or girl, are you setting a good example for others to follow? What we do and say affects others, even if we don’t realize it. We can’t try to please the Lord by ourselves; we must ask the Lord’s help each day to shine for Him. “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Philippians 4:13.

If you are not a Christian then you cannot please the Lord Jesus and set a good example. Have you come to the Lord Jesus as a poor, lost sinner and believed that His precious blood washes away all your sins? If you haven’t, do it today, and then with His help you can shine for Him in this dark world.

“That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world.” Philippians 2:15.

ML-01/05/1986

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Strong-Jawed Wolf

“I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth His life for the sheep. But he that is a hireling, and not the shepherd... seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth.” John 10:11,12.

Wolves make their homes in the forests, tundra and prairies of North America, Europe and Asia. They look much like a German shepherd dog. A big wolf will be more than six feet long and weigh 175 pounds. They have been equipped by the Creator with broad heads, powerful jaws and strong limbs. A pack of them can bring down an elk or a horse.

The gray and timber wolves are most common, often gray, brown or black in color, but in the far north their thick fur is usually white. The red wolf, smaller than the others, is not always red but sometimes tan or black. All live in groups of 6 to 20 and are loyal to each other, fiercely protecting their territory. One among them wins the place of leader by defeating the others, which sometimes show their respect by rolling over or crouching on the ground when he or she comes near. When a kill is made, all wait for their leader to eat first.

Wolves show much skill in hunting — two or three families often banding together. Finding a herd of caribou they seem to pick out which one to go after, usually a very old or very young one, or one that is injured or sick. When the herd panics, this weaker one drops behind and becomes an easy prey while the strong, healthy ones escape. This may seem cruel, but such sudden death is more merciful to the weaker ones than leading a sick and painful life and slowly dying.

Imagine the surprise of mountain sheep trying to escape a pack of wolves by climbing a steep, rocky cliff only to find some of the pack have circled around and are waiting at the top. Moose are tougher to fight, kicking the wolves with their hind feet and slashing with their sharp front hooves. But the wolves know this and try to make them run, for a moose can’t kick when running, and then they attack. Those most successful in resisting wolves are the musk-oxen. You may recall an earlier article telling how these defend themselves by forming a tight circle with lowered heads and horns facing out. The wolves can’t break this defense and will only attack a musk-ox when it is alone.

In spite of many stories about wolves stalking and attacking people, it is very unusual for them to do so, but they do go after farm animals with the result that they are hunted and killed by ranchers and others.

While we can see how these animals are given their skills and provisions by the Creator, we also see in them a picture of that which is evil, as expressed in the opening Bible verses. The Lord also said “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.” Matthew 7:15. We need to ask God to remind us of the truth of His Word and not pay any attention to the “false prophets” who do not speak the truth.

ML-01/05/1986

The Wrong 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

Lisa could hardly wait. It seemed like school would never end. The last day before summer vacation always seemed like such a long day. But at last it was over, and as she hurried home from school her eyes were sparkling with excitement.

Summer vacation always meant a trip to the cottage for Lisa and her family, and this year would be no exception. Mother had been working hard all week washing, ironing and packing for her large family, and tomorrow they would leave on the long drive to their cottage by the lake.

Lisa’s daddy and mother loved the Lord Jesus, and they often told their children of the love of God in sending His Son, Jesus, to die on the cross to shed His blood for their sins. They also frequently showed their love for the Lord Jesus by the kind things they did for others.

This year they had thoughtfully invited Aunt Ellen to go along with them to their cottage. Aunt Ellen had a married daughter who lived near their cottage, and they knew she would enjoy a visit with her daughter. So although Lisa’s family was large, they decided they could make room for one more in their van.

Very early the next morning the van loaded with the family plus Aunt Ellen, started out on the long drive. At first everyone was excited, but as hour after hour went by, the children and their parents became drowsy in the warm van. It was then that Aunt Ellen saw a way she could be helpful.

“Let me drive for a while,” she suggested, “while you get some sleep. Then when you’ve had a nap you can drive again.”

They pulled the van over to the side of the road and changed drivers, and soon they were on their way again. Aunt Ellen was a good driver, so it wasn’t long before Lisa’s parents were sound asleep.

Aunt Ellen smiled as she drove along. She was looking forward to seeing her daughter and son-in-law, and she was thankful to have the chance to help out a bit by driving.

Suddenly she frowned. The road signs showed that she would have to make a decision in a mile or two as to which highway she should take, and she just wasn’t sure which was the right road. She glanced at Lisa’s parents; they were both sound asleep. She hated to waken them. So she chose what she thought was the right road, and kept on driving.

God tells us in His Word, the Bible, that “there is a way which seemeth right unto a man; but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Proverbs 14:12. He also tells us in John 14:6, “Jesus saith... I am the way.” The way to what? The way to heaven. Aunt Ellen needed to know the way to the cottage, but even more importantly, we need to know the way to heaven.

Aunt Ellen kept on driving, glancing anxiously at the highway signs and hoping they were on the right road. On and on she went.

Finally Lisa’s daddy yawned, stretched and said, “Thanks, Ellen. That sleep felt good. Now I’m ready to drive again. By the way, just where are we?”

“I’m not sure,” she replied. “I think we’re on the right road, but I’m not positive.”

A quick check of the road map showed that not only were they on the wrong road, but they had gone miles and miles in the wrong direction. Now they would have to spend more hours getting back to the right road, and it would be late evening before they would reach the cottage. Poor Aunt Ellen. She had tried to be helpful, but she had delayed everyone by taking the wrong road.

Boys and girls, are you sure you are on your way to heaven? Maybe you’ve been given the wrong directions. Have you been told to “Be good,” or “Pray,” or “Go to church” to get to heaven? Those roads will never lead you to heaven.

Perhaps you think you know the right way and are trying with no map and no guide to get to heaven on your own. If so, you will only end up like Lisa’s family — on the wrong road.

The Bible, God’s Word, tells us there is only one way to heaven, and that is through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. He said “I am the way” (John 14:6), and His death on the cross and His blood shed there make the way to heaven open to all of us who will accept Him. Won’t you accept Him today? Then you will know for sure that your sins are forgiven and that you are on your way to heaven.

ML-01/12/1986

"Jump Out! We'll Catch You!"

The shrill siren on the fire engine broke up our ball game as the truck raced down the street. Then we noticed the billows of smoke coming from a building several blocks away. We jumped on our bikes and chased after the trucks.

As we came to the block, we could see that it was the small community hospital which was burning. Flames were shooting up from the center of the three-story building. As we arrived we could see the hospital staff taking some of the patients out of the building. The firemen were raising their ladders to rescue patients who were standing at the third-floor windows in the front of the hospital.

Suddenly we heard shouts from the back of the hospital. Four men were trapped in a room on the third floor. The room was on fire and they were yelling for help! All of the ladders were already in use. The fire was spreading, and something had to be done quickly if the men were to be saved.

A group of eight firemen brought a large, round net which they stretched out under the window. They braced themselves and called to the men, “Jump out one at a time! We’ll catch you!”

Three of the men jumped out safely into the net. The fourth man paused, looked down at the net and cried, “I can’t jump! Isn’t there any other way?”

The firemen yelled, “The ladders are all being used in the front of the building. There is no other escape. The net is safe! Jump out! We’ll catch you!”

The man would not jump. He was afraid to trust himself to the net and to the strong arms and backs of the firemen. He turned back into the burning building and disappeared in the smoke. Some hours later he was found dead in the burned-out building. He refused to take the only way of escape. Do you understand that you, like the man in the burning building, are in danger of death and the punishment for your sins? A way of escape has been made for you. There isn’t much time and the danger is very near. You must put yourself completely into the saving hands of the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the safe and only way. “There is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12.

“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 Christ died upon the cross. He paid the ransom for you and now is waiting for you to take Him as your Saviour. Jump into His outstretched arms today. He can and will save you now.

ML-01/12/1986

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Rabbit-Eared Bandicoot

“All things were made by Him; and without Him was not anything made that was made.” John 1:3.

The name bandicoot, or Indian mole rat or pig rat, seems to suit this strange animal quite well. If you saw one you would certainly use your camera, for it is one of the most interesting creatures you will ever see. It is rather cute with long silky hair, light gray on its back, red on its sides and white below. You can see one in a zoo, but otherwise you will have to go to Australia or some other South Pacific land to catch a glimpse of one since that is where they live.

Actually there are eight or nine species ranging in size from six inches plus a four-inch tail to about two feet long with a ten-inch tail. You would immediately notice its enormous ears (which give it is name) that are kept erect at all times. Perhaps next you would observe its long narrow head ending in a sharp, pointed snout.

Although it appears peculiar to us, it is one of God’s creatures with a purpose in His creation. Other features He has provided are an extra-long tail which helps support it when standing erect and legs which, like a kangaroo’s, are short in front but long in back, enabling it to hop as quickly as a jackrabbit. It also has sharp claws to scratch for insects and worms, and to dig a burrow home.

In fact, most seem to like digging extra burrows. In some of these they store quantities of seeds, rice, or other food for use in the seasons when food is not available. While the natives do not like the damage bandicoots do to their crops, there are times when they are thankful to find and rob these stores of grain to help out on a family’s food supply.

The bandicoot is like a miniature kangaroo in another way. They are both marsupials. This means that the females have a pouch in their bodies for carrying their young. The difference is that the kangaroo’s pouch is on the front of her body while the bandicoot’s is on her back. The Creator perhaps arranged this so that when the mother bandicoot is digging in the dirt and throwing it back with her partially-webbed feet, she will not be getting it into the pouch or on her five or six babies hidden in there.

Does God look upon bandicoots? We know He does, for the Bible plainly says, “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest [visible] in His sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.” Hebrews 4:13. And that includes each of us, too.

What does He see when He looks into your heart and thoughts? Does He see someone who knows His Son, the Lord Jesus, as Saviour and Lord? These are important questions. Do not fail to take care of them today.

ML-01/12/1986

The Dangerous Toy

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

Earl was playing in a field near his home one day when he found something interesting. It was a heavy metal cannister that looked like it would be a lot of fun to play with, so he tugged and rolled it home to his yard.

There, for the next four years, Earl enjoyed his new toy. When he played “Spacemen” it was his rocket ship. When “Cowboys and Indians” was the game, he rode the cannister as his horse. It got dragged here and there and was used in many different ways as he and his friends played together.

Then one day Earl’s mother got a surprise. She was reading the local newspaper, and a picture caught her eye. The object in the picture looked a lot like the cannister Earl so often played with, so she quickly read what the article had to say about it.

The more she read the more worried she got. She laid down the paper and went and looked out the window at Earl’s toy. The newspaper story described a live U.S. Army bomb that had recently been found nearby and told how the army had been called in to dispose of the bomb safely.

Earl’s toy wasn’t another bomb, was it? No; it couldn’t be. After all, he had played with it for four years, and nothing had happened. Just the same, the longer she looked at that toy, the more worried she got until finally, just to be on the safe side, she called the police.

The police came promptly to investigate, and after checking with the army they decided that what Earl had been playing with for the last four years was indeed another live bomb! Working very, very carefully they removed the bomb to a safe place for disposal.

Earl had been playing with death for four years without knowing it.

How about you? I know you aren’t sitting on a live bomb, but are you doing something just as foolish? Are you playing around with the serious matter of your soul’s salvation?

The Bible warns us that “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23) and that “the wages of sin is death.” (Romans 6:23). Have you taken that warning seriously? God’s Word is serious, and His warnings are plain and clear.

God does more in His Word than tell us of sin and its punishment. He also tells us lovingly of the way we can get rid of our sins and enjoy happiness instead of judgment. He tells us in Romans 6:23 that “the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” John 3:16 tells us that “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Don’t play around with something as serious as your soul’s salvation. Accept the Lord Jesus as your Saviour today.

ML-01/19/1986

Crafty Rags

A delicious dinner of fried chicken had been enjoyed by the family of dear old Rags. The children wiggled and shifted on their chairs. They, as well as Rags, knew the routine — Bible reading and prayer after the meal. Petted and spoiled as he was, Rags had some manners. He sat during the dinner fairly patiently, only now and then licking his chops and whining softly to make his presence known. After dinner the table was cleared, the chicken bones collected in a paper bag and everything taken into the kitchen.

At last the family kneeled down for prayer. In an instant Rags was heard padding across the kitchen floor right to the bag of bones. Rattle, rattle, crunch, crunch! Rags paused and scampered back into the dining room for a peek. Yes, still on their knees! He hurried back to the bones before prayer time (his “safe time”) was over. Naughty old Rags!

“He thinks he’s a person,” laughed one of the children. “He acts like a bad boy!” We smile at Rags’ sly trick which got him nothing but a good swat. But are not our own ways just as foolish? Can we hide a lie or naughty deed from God? “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.” Proverbs 15:3.

The family of Rags chuckled at his tricks, but does God think our sinful ways are funny? “Fools make a mock at sin.” Proverbs 14:9. There are no “cute little sins.” Our blessed Saviour had to bleed and die for every single sin. When this lesson was realized by a little girl we know, she exclaimed, “Oh, Mommy! Did He do that for ME?” Have you understood this wonderful truth and asked the Lord Jesus to wash your sins away?

ML-01/19/1986

From Darkness to Light

A missionary was translating the New Testament of the Bible into one of the forms of the Turkish language. He had been working with a group known as the Kirghizs who were Buddhists. He was able to get the help of two young natives from the tribe in the translation work. They were glad to help and asked many questions about the missionary’s family and country. This translating went on for many months. The missionary and the two natives each took a number of verses to translate. Every day they met to compare these translations together and decide which was the best. In the course of this work, the natives asked many questions about the Gospel which the missionary was always glad to answer.

Finally the translation was finished, and they met again for the last time. The finished translation lay on the table. Since their work was done, the missionary expected the natives to say “good-bye” and leave, but they didn’t. Instead they sat very quietly by the table looking serious and thoughtful. The missionary wondered what was bothering them and asked if they had any questions.

“No,” they answered, “but we have something to say.”

“Well, my friends, speak up,” replied the missionary. And then to his surprise and delight the older one pointed to the translation on the table and said, “I want to tell you that we are both converted to the religion of that book. We have been followers of the teachings of Buddha. We have studied the books closely which contain his teachings. The more we studied them the more confused we became, and our hearts remained empty. But in studying the truths of Jesus Christ, we have found it to be just the opposite. The more we study His words, the plainer they become to us.”

They had seen Jesus. They had found Him to be “a light to lighten the Gentiles.” Luke 2:32. And what a beautiful illustration this is of the truth and meaning of David’s words when he says, “The entrance of Thy words giveth light; it giveth understanding unto the simple.” Psalms 119:130.

ML-01/19/1986

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Kangaroo Rat - Part 1

“Fear not O land; be glad and rejoice: for the Lord will do great things. Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field: for the pastures of the wilderness do spring.” Joel 2:21,22.

This verse reminds us of the wonderful care of the Lord God for creatures everywhere and especially in the wilderness or desert areas where it would seem nothing could survive. But He has placed a variety of creatures in such places, and if they could read the above Bible verse it certainly would make them happy.

In last week’s issue we considered the bandicoot, a small, cute animal in Australia and neighboring South Pacific areas and were interested to find it had several features similar to a kangaroo. Today we will bring our study back to the warm western portion of the United States and Mexico where an entirely different little animal makes its home. However, this one, although not related to kangaroos at all, does share some of their features. In fact, it has been given the name kangaroo rat, although more technically known as a potoroo.

Over a dozen species of these little fellows, about the size of a guinea pig, live in the hot deserts of California, Nevada, Arizona and northern Mexico. One interesting type is called the bannertail, because of the white, hairy brush on the end of its tail.

Kangaroo rats can be detected by the large mounds of sun-baked earth which are present after they have finished digging a burrow. On the surface of these mounds many holes appear which are all entrances to their underground nests. These mounds are often several feet in diameter and two feet or more in height, full of twisting passageways that confuse an enemy trying to reach them. It is really amazing that so small an animal can produce such a big project.

The main feature of the kangaroo rat which is similar to Australia’s true kangaroos is that both their front and hind limbs are almost identical miniatures of the kangaroo’s. The long ones in back are used (just as are those of the kangaroo) for sitting upright on them when resting, or eating food they have picked, as well as moving about in long hops. The much shorter front ones are used mostly for digging and for getting food into cheek pouches. This food includes seeds and certain plants which they bring into special rooms in their burrows and store for winter use.

The above-ground tunnels eventually wind as much as two feet below ground level, with the dozen or so entrances winding around in various directions until they all meet at the nest and storage chambers. These very effectively confuse snakes or coyotes, and if they do persist in following one underground, the kangaroo rat can quickly escape by using a different tunnel.

The Lord God, the Creator of heaven and earth, has provided the instincts and activities by which kangaroo rats survive in their harsh areas. In next week’s issue we will consider some of His special provisions for them.

ML-01/19/1986

"Lonesome"

Memory Verse: “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

When Tommy’s pet poodle “Bongo” died Tommy was very sad. They had been such good friends and had played together for a long time. Tommy’s mother made him a promise to help him get over his painful loss. She said, “Tommy, I’ll let you pick out any dog you want that’s for sale and I’ll get it for you.”

Tommy didn’t have to think long about what kind of puppy he wanted. He already knew. He had written his sixth-grade term paper on “sled dogs.” He knew that he wanted to get a sled dog. Not only did he want a sled dog, but he wanted the largest type of sled dog there was — an Alaskan malamute.

Alaskan malamutes closely resemble wolves. They don’t know how to bark, but instead they howl just like wolves. Tommy was really interested in this breed of dog and convinced his mother that the switch from a poodle to a dog as big as a wolf was all right.

After looking around for a couple of weeks, they found an ad in the paper, “Alaskan malamute puppies for sale.” Tommy could hardly wait as they drove to where the puppies were for sale.

The kennel owner showed him the puppies. “You see this big one here,” he said, “we call her ‘Lonesome’ because when we leave her alone she cries and howls.” As soon as Tommy looked at Lonesome, he knew that was the dog he wanted. Her howling didn’t bother him in the least, but only fascinated him more. The other puppies just didn’t compare with this one. So Tommy and his mother bought Lonesome.

Lonesome whimpered all the way home! (It is hard for some puppies to leave their first home.) When Lonesome got to her new home, she cried and whined. Tommy tried to get her to go up the steps into the house, but she cried and ran the other way. When he brought out food and water, Lonesome wouldn’t come near it. When he tried to pet her, she would only whine and run away from him. Tommy was patient with his new puppy. He never once thought that maybe he had gotten the wrong dog.

Tommy’s mother boiled some chicken livers for Lonesome to eat, thinking that might be what she was used to eating, and that would make her feel at home. No, that didn’t work either. Lonesome just couldn’t get used to her new home and new owners.

All that afternoon and for most of the next day Tommy followed Lonesome around their large yard, pleading with her, “Lonesome, I love you,” and “Lonesome, I want to be your friend. Don’t you like me?” But all Lonesome would do was cry and whimper and run away from him.

Late in the afternoon of that second day, after a day and a half of pleading with the puppy with no success, an idea flashed across Tommy’s mind. He knew before he even tried it that it would work. He would pretend to cry. That seemed to be what Lonesome understood most. When Lonesome heard Tommy’s pretend crying, she came right over to him to try to comfort him. Tommy petted her for a good long time... until they were at last friends.

Tommy’s idea worked. Pretending to cry did the trick; he had won Lonesome for his friend.

Tommy won Lonesome’s heart after a long time of pleading. Perhaps the Lord Jesus has been pleading to be your friend for a long time, too. The Lord Jesus is the’ great winner of hearts. He knows each one of us better than we know ourselves. He knows also that we are all sinners and need a Saviour. To win our hearts He was nailed to Calvary’s cross and was punished by God for sin. You see, He had to be punished even though He had never sinned so He could open the way for sinners like you and me to be saved. Each of us is on our way to that awful place called hell an eternity of darkness — and there is only one way to escape. The only way is by accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as your own Saviour, believing that on the cross He suffered for your sins.

Every boy or girl or adult who trusts in Him as their Saviour will spend an eternity of happiness with Jesus in heaven. Just like Lonesome came to Tommy after he did so much to win her love, won’t you come to the Lord Jesus and trust Him to save you? Jesus said, “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 also said, “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.” John 6:37. Won’t you respond to the Lord Jesus’ love today?

ML-01/26/1986

The Secret of Secrets

Gretchen was me eight-year-old daughter of the printer in whose shop Martin Luther was having his German Bible printed. She spent a lot of time in the shop and was beginning to learn to spell.

One day while in the shop, she picked up a little piece of paper which had these words on it: “For God so loved the world, that He gave....” These were the only words on the paper, but they were happy words to her. She had been taught that God was a great and fearful judge. This thought scared her. But here on this paper it said that “God so loved the world, that He gave....” What a wonderful thing! She had never heard anything like that before. To think that God loved the world was something quite new to her. She had only thought of Him as being very angry with the people of this world and of wanting to judge them and send them to hell.

She hid the piece of paper in her dress, but during the days that followed she would read it again and again. “God so loved the world, that He gave....” She wondered what it was that He gave. She didn’t realize it, but just the thought that God did love changed her whole life.

One day her mother said to her, “Gretchen, what has happened to you? What makes you so happy, child? You are so happy and cheerful lately.”

Gretchen took out her little piece of paper and showed it to her mother. “It’s the words on this scrap of paper that have made me so happy,” she said.

Reading it she said to Gretchen, “I don’t understand. Gave what? What did God give? Where did you get this scrap of paper?”

“It’s from God’s book,” explained Gretchen.

“I still don’t understand,” said her mother. “I don’t see how you can be so happy with what’s written on that paper. You don’t know what God gave.”

“Oh, Mother,” said Gretchen, her face lighting up even more than before. “I don’t know what He gave, but if God so loved the world that He gave anything, I will never be afraid of Him again!”

Gretchen had discovered the secret of secrets, although she only knew about half of the story. I hope she soon learned to know what we know: that it was His Son that He gave. God so loved that He gave His only begotten Son, His well-beloved who took the punishment for all our sins. This is the way God loves you. Does it make you glad?

“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-01/26/1986

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Kangaroo Rat - Part 2

“In His hand are the deep places of the earth: the strength of the hills is His also.... and His hands formed the dry land. O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our Maker.” Psalms 95:4-6.

Last week we had an introduction to the interesting kangaroo rats of the western United States and Mexico, particularly one known as the bannertail. Now let’s consider some special provisions of the Creator for them.

In these desert areas, scorpions are numerous and their sting can kill little animals like bannertails, but the Creator has made them immune to the poison. Another provision for them in these places where water is seldom found has been to enable kangaroo rats to survive without drinking water. Instead, their water supply is in the seeds and vegetation they eat. In addition, they have been given a special nose so that very little moisture from their lungs passes out into the air when they breathe, as it does with other animals, but returns into their bodies. To further keep moisture from escaping, these little fellows close the entrances to their tunnels when underground in the daytime, which not only keeps cool air in but retains the moisture that does escape in their breathing — all helping to make their burrows more comfortable.

Their long, bare tail is not only useful in giving strength and maintaining balance as they hop about, but it acts as an efficient air conditioner as well. You see, they do not perspire from any part of their body except on the whole length of their tail. As they swing it rapidly from side to side, the perspiration evaporates and cools them.

In late summer our little friends are busy picking a variety of seeds, using their short front limbs and hands to stuff them int cheek pouches so they can be taken into the underground burrow for winter storage. The Creator has given them the ability to store this food so that it keeps perfectly until eaten.

Bannertails are certainly an interesting example of the wonders of God’s creation. However, a desert visitor might be disappointed by not seeing one. Their outside activities only take place during the night. On a bright moonlight night the visitor might, however, be rewarded when the bannertails come out, one by one, hopping about on their kangaroo-like hind legs. They put on a lively show at such times, but the visitor must remain perfectly still, for one movement or noise will send them scurrying back to their burrows.

Not many of us will have an opportunity to watch these desert animals, but as we look around us and remember that all things have come from a divine Creator, we will easily see His wisdom and loving care in providing for all.

David, the Psalmist, was often thinking about how wonderful are His ways with all His creation and wrote, “I will praise thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will show forth all Thy marvelous works.” Psalms 9:1. We can do the same!

ML-01/26/1986

The Locked Door

Memory Verse: “I am the door: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.” John 10:9

Mrs. Eastman and her two-year-old daughter, Shirley, were returning home from grocery shopping. When they pulled into the driveway, Mrs. Eastman saw that the garbage man had come while they were gone, and their garbage cans were lying at the end of the driveway near the street. She parked the car in the garage. As she unbuckled Shirley from her car seat, she told her that she was going to put the garbage cans away before carrying in their groceries. Shirley told her mommy that she wanted to wait in the car rather than walk with her to the end of the driveway and back.

Mrs. Eastman put the car keys in her purse and left it on the workbench in the garage as she went out to the street to get the cans.

Just as she was picking up the cans she heard the garage door coming down. Shirley had stood on the seat and pushed the button on the remote control device fastened on the sun visor.

Mrs. Eastman dropped the cans and ran back to the garage, but the door was closed before she got there. There she stood, locked out, and Shirley and her purse with the keys in it were locked inside.

“When once the master of the house is risen up, and path shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us... He shall answer and say unto you, I know you not.” Luke 13:25. This Bible verse is telling us about another door that will be closing very soon — the door to heaven.

And like Mrs. Eastman, someone will be locked out and unable to get in, even when they call. I don’t want to be locked out of heaven ... do you?

Mrs. Eastman wondered what she should do next. She checked all the other doors to the house, but they were locked tight, so she couldn’t open the garage door from the inside. She walked back to the garage trying to figure out what to do, when suddenly the door started to open.

She quickly ducked inside before Shirley pressed the button again. “Shirley, you scared me! Please don’t push that button again.” That was probably the last time she ever left Shirley alone in the car.

The door to heaven is open right now for any who want to enter. But only those whose sins are washed away may go in. Have your sins been washed away by the blood of Jesus when He died on the cross? If so, the door is open for you. However, if you have not yet been washed by Jesus’ blood and if you wait too long, then the door will be closed for you. Even if you call to Jesus to open the door and let you in, He will have to tell you He doesn’t know you. And then He will have to say, “Depart from Me, all ye workers of iniquity [sin].” Luke 13:27. Once the door to heaven is closed, it’s closed for good; there will be no way to duck inside.

Jesus loves you very much and He is anxious to wash your sins away. He says, “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden [with sins], and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28. Why not come to Him with your sins right now? He will gladly wash all your sins away, and then the door to heaven will be open for you to go inside.

ML-02/02/1986

A Crash Through the Ice

What was supposed to be just the end of another busy day for four businessmen and two pilots turned to terror and tragedy moments later.

Having climbed aboard the small jet airplane, Mr. Donald W. Andrews did not remove his topcoat because it was still cold in the cabin of the plane. He buckled his seatbelt and opened his briefcase. As he began reading reports, the jet began its takeoff down the runway through a snowstorm, heading back to Michigan. “It seemed like a normal takeoff,” he said later, “except we ended up in Lake Michigan!”

The small jet crashed through the ice about 80 yards south of the runway. “Suddenly I was aware that we were bouncing and sliding along the ice,” he said. “Then we came to a stop... in the water. I jumped up, stripped off my topcoat and suitcoat, because I’m a poor swimmer opened the emergency door and climbed onto the wing.”

As the plane slowly sank into the icy water, Mr. Andrews and three others had to hang onto the tail section. “I have never been in water so cold before,” he said. “Almost immediately my arms and legs became numb, and I knew I was in trouble.”

The four men who survived the crash of the plane were still in real difficulty. All of them were in water so cold that death could occur in minutes. The plane which was their only support was almost completely under water. Only part of the tail was still above water for them to grasp.

What a terrible position to be in! They knew that they were unable to do anything for themselves in that water. “It was the longest period of time I have ever spent in my life,” said Mr. Andrews. “It was so cold my arms and legs were completely numb with no strength in them.”

Those who are still lost in their sins, are like these four men. There is no way they can help themselves; they need the help of Another. God has said in the Bible, “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” Romans 5:6.

The Lord Jesus Christ has provided a way of escape for those who will trust in Him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” John 14:6. For those in the icy waters of Lake Michigan hanging onto a plane that was just about to sink, there was the need for help NOW For those still in their sins, God’s Word says, “Behold, NOW is the accepted time; behold, NOW is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:2.

“Just as the tail was going under and I was on my back floating, I saw the helicopter,” reported Mr. Andrews. “What a fantastic sight! It seemed like I was in the water a long time, but from the time we hit until the time the rescuers got there, it couldn’t have been more than 10 or 12 minutes.”

One of the rescuers in the helicopter remarked later, “We saw four of the six men in the water and we tossed a raft to them. Three of them managed to get in but the fourth began to sink. That’s when I jumped in to save him.”

The four men were finally rescued by a pontoon-equipped helicopter rescue squad which landed on the water beside the raft. Three of the survivors were able to climb onto the pontoon, and the one who had begun to sink was picked up in a harness as the helicopter hovered in the air. All were quickly flown to land to be attended by a team of fire department specialists and medics. They were all transferred to hospitals for treatment and eventually recovered.

Two of the six aboard the jet did not survive the crash. They did not live through the initial impact. One moment they were sitting in the plane looking forward to getting home, and the next moment they were in eternity. For those who have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as their own Saviour, this would be “absent from the body, and... present with the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 5:8. For those who have not accepted Him as their Saviour we know from God’s Word, the Bible, that “The wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23), and “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. Believe on Him now; accept Him as your own Saviour and know for sure that you are prepared “to meet thy God.” Amos 4:12.

ML-02/02/1986

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Long-Lived Orangutan

“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 14:39.

The rain forests of Sumatra and Borneo are the primary homelands of the big orangutans. When fully grown they may weigh as much as 200 pounds and stand over four feet tall. Known to live as long as 50 years, they are often called by the natives “the old man of the woods.” In fact their name in the Malay language means “person of the forest.” They are powerful and fierce fighters if attacked. However, in captivity young orangutans are easily tamed and taught tricks for performances in zoos and animal shows.

By man’s standards these are really ugly beasts, with their long, orange-colored hairy arms which almost reach to the ground even when they are standing upright. They also have large heads but very small ears and bare faces and hands. These apes are awkward when “walking,” often swinging along on their arms that are held like crutches with their knuckles on the ground. They are much more at home in trees, the style of life for which the Creator designed them. There the long arms are helpful in swinging from branch to branch, often for great distances. Actually most of their time is spent high in treetops.

Unlike some other apes, orangutans are not very friendly, preferring to be left alone and yet letting others know they are around by grumbling and bellowing loudly. However, family members are affectionate to one another and particularly to the one baby that is usually born each year. Entirely helpless when born, it is fondly cradled in its mother’s arms and for the first two years of its life clings to her back when traveling.

While keeping to themselves, they nonetheless maintain groups, spending most of the day gathering food to satisfy their big appetites. Every evening a new nest is made by bending branches together and adding leaves for a lining. The bent limbs are grasped with fingers and toes which hold on tightly even while sleeping. Some of these nests are as high as 40 feet above the ground and four feet across! The ability to do this is the result of God-given instincts. Additional nests for afternoon naps are often made, and they even pull big leaves over themselves if it is raining. Instinct has also taught them to hold leafy branches over their heads, like umbrellas, when in a rainstorm while away from their nests.

Because they look somewhat like humans and perform clever things, it is claimed by some people that mankind came from such apes in a process called “evolution.” But there are many differences. They are strictly of the ape family and all people are of the human family, just as God created them, separate and apart from each other. Look again at the opening Bible verse.

The Lord Jesus did not die for apes, but He did in great love die for the sins of all people who put their trust in Him as their Saviour. Have you done this?

ML-02/02/1986

One, Only One!

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

Marge zipped up her windbreaker and shivered a little. She was uncertain about sailboating that day. There were heavy clouds off to the west and the wind was rather gusty. When she questioned if they should be going out on the water, both Mark and Mike assured her they were good sailors, so all would be well. Only the presence of Mark, to whom she recently had become engaged, reassured her as she reluctantly got into the sailboat.

All week Marge and Mark had looked forward to spending Saturday sailing on Lake Michigan with their friend Mike in his sailboat. Their day of relaxation on the lake had finally arrived, and now the weather was gray and cool. But the three had headed out to the lake anyway, hoping the weather would change for the better.

Not one of them had bothered to listen to the weather forecast that morning. If they had they would have heard that a “small craft advisory” had been issued. It warned boaters to stay off the open water.

A sailboat properly handled is safer than a motorboat in rough water. The keel of a sailboat keeps it from tipping over. But sailing can be dangerous under certain conditions as there is no way to stop a boat under sail (no motor to cut and no brakes to put on), and it is also difficult to turn around.

The three friends guided the sailboat out of the harbor and out onto the open water. The brisk wind pushed the craft along at a good clip. They originally had planned to stay out all day and watch the sun set behind the Chicago skyline. Farther and farther they sailed out. The city’s tall buildings became tiny blocks on the horizon.

Then rather quickly those heavy clouds from the west were over the lake and the wind picked up, whipping up large waves with whitecaps. Realizing the lake now was in no condition for even good sailors to be out on, the two men tried to turn the boat back toward the harbor.

As they were turning, a sudden, violent gust of wind gave the boat an unexpected lurch. Marge was caught off guard and thrown into the water. When Mark saw her he dove in after her.

Mike, who was sailing the boat, was in an awful spot! He couldn’t stop the boat; he couldn’t even turn it around to come to the aid of his two friends. He quickly grabbed the life preservers hanging on the rail at the back of the boat and heaved them with all his might to the two struggling to stay above the surface of the rough water. Then all he could do was head for shore to send back help.

Mark grabbed one life preserver, but the other one was carried out of his reach by the rough water. One life preserver for two people! The boat had already disappeared out of their sight. No other help was near.

The water was cold and the waves were so high they washed over them. Mark knew one life preserver wouldn’t be able to support both of them very long. It would be a couple of hours before the help Mike would send out would reach them. What could they do?

Mark made up his mind... he gave the life preserver to Marge and let go of her. They drifted apart. She saw him struggling in the waves. He went under once and came back up.

He went under a second time, and she never saw him again. It was two long hours before the coast guard rescued the devastated girl from the stormy lake.

It was a tragic moment when Mark and Marge were in the rough water with only one life preserver between the two of them. Mark had it in his power to save his own life by keeping the life preserver, but had he done that it would have meant Marge’s death, the one whom he loved.

Most of us will never find ourselves facing such a decision. But will you permit me to tell you of One who has made that decision about you? He loves you so very much He gave up His life to make it possible for you to have everlasting life. This person is the Lord Jesus Christ. When He died on Calvary’s cross He received from God the punishment for the sins of those who would accept Him as their Saviour. He died so that these people would escape God’s punishment for their sins in hell.

He had it in His power to save Himself from the death of the cross, but because He loves us more than Mark could ever have loved Marge, He chose to die so that the way of salvation might be opened up to us. As a song writer beautifully wrote:

Himself He could not save,

He on the cross must die,

Or mercy cannot come

To ruined sinners nigh,

Yes, Christ, the Son of God, must bleed

That sinners might from sin be freed.

It is because of His Son’s death that God is able to offer everlasting life to all who will accept Jesus Christ as their Saviour. Romans 6:23 says, “The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”

Seeing what it cost God to be able to offer you the gift of everlasting life, don’t you think you should accept His gift at once?

ML-02/09/1986

Dandelions

“They’re for you!” said my six-year-old son, Mark, as he handed me a wilted bunch of dandelions.

“Why, thank you,” I said as he proudly gave them to me. “I think they need some water. Why don’t you get a glass for them.”

Mark quickly got a glass of water so the flowers could “have a drink,”

and we put them on the table for the whole family to see. Then Mark went back outside to play.

I was thinking of the bouquet of dandelions that Mark had given me. Dandelions were everywhere, in the city, in the country, and along the roadsides. I don’t think I’ve been any place where they didn’t grow. The yellow blossoms are so colorful and pretty; they attract our attention. Yet in just a few days the beauty is gone and is replaced with gray puffballs that children like to pick and blow. Isaiah writes in the Bible of the flower fading (Isa. 40:7). How important it is to have that new life in Christ “that fadeth not away.” 1 Peter 1:4.

The roots of the dandelion grow so very deep that they seem to be a part of the earth. If we know the Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour, we become “one with Him.” We cannot be separated from Him. The Lord said, “I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand.” John 10:28. Do you have that “new life"? Are your sins washed away? Time is short. The youthfulness of today will be gone so quickly. Don’t put it off. Accept Him as your own today. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” Acts 16:31.

ML-02/09/1986

The Wonders of God's Creation: Treasure in the Ocean

“The earth is full of the goodness of the Lord.... He gathereth the waters of the sea together as a heap: He layeth up the depth in storehouses.” Psalms 33:5,7.

We have previously considered some of the treasures of the oceans — fish, whales, shellfish, salt, minerals and much more. But there is another important treasure, billions of tons of it, and most people have never heard about it. It is a living material called krill, or plankton.

Without the immense supply of krill there would be no whales, porpoises, or some of the important fish that form part of man’s food supply. For all these and many others, krill is the main food. Whales are perhaps the largest feeders on krill. Swimming through a mass of krill with its mouth open, then closing it to squeeze out the water, the “krill soup” that remains is swallowed. It is estimated that a large whale may swallow over five tons of this a day, composed of trillions of krill.

Most krill is found in the icy waters of the Arctic and Antarctic oceans and is the real reason why whales, penguins and many kinds of fish are so plentiful in those areas. The name “plankton” means “wandering” and refers to that part of the krill composed of tiny plants and animals (also called diatoms), some so small that a teaspoonful of water could hold one million of them! These drift about in ocean currents, and if not devoured, their tiny skeletons eventually drop to the bottom, making, over the centuries, great deposits of “diatomaceous earth.” This material can be dredged out and used as filters for swimming pools, in sugar refineries, in paints and for many other purposes.

However, krill is made up of many things besides diatoms. Tiny, shrimp-like creatures often form part of it as well as others that look like miniature lobsters, shellfish about the size of a postage stamp, another shellfish called a copepod, great masses of algae and untold millions of microscopic plants and life forms. The lobster-like krill, whose eyes form the major part of their head, are a choice food of penguins along with a heavy diet of fish. Table-size shrimp are fond of krill also. All of these receive from it important vitamins and minerals which is part of the Creator’s way of providing strength and health for them and, in turn, on to others who eventually use them for food.

Sometimes called “the pasture of the sea,” krill is often found in great masses covering the ocean for several miles. It often glows with a soft but plainly visible light as ships pass through it at night.

While these creatures are unseen to most of us, we cannot help but consider how wonderful it is that the Lord God, their Creator, is always aware of all His creation and through krill provides for so many of them. “These all wait upon Thee; that Thou mayest give them their meat [food] in due season” Psalms 104:27.

ML-02/09/1986

The Cat Did It

Memory Verse: “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” Galatians 6:7

Tom ran into the house, slamming the door behind him, and called, “Hi, Mom. I’m home.” He “screeched on his brakes” when he saw his mother in the kitchen putting the finishing touches on the icing of a delicious-looking chocolate cake.

“Hey, Mom, I’m hungry! Can I have a piece?” he asked.

“No!” answered his mother emphatically. “This is for dessert tonight. Mr. Harrington is coming for dinner, and this cake must not be touched ‘till then. Here’s the icing knife and bowl that you may lick if you want.”

Tom soon had the knife and bowl licked clean. And it tasted like more as he looked at the cake longingly. His mother put it on the cupboard shelf and closed the door.

She turned to Tom and in a very firm voice said, “I have to go to the store for some things. You go out and play, and remember, that cake is not to be touched until dinner time. I mean it!”

Tom turned and went outside and soon forgot about the cake in a good game of hockey with his friends. After a while a couple of the boys were called in by their mother, and the game broke up.

With nothing to do, Tom decided to go in the house for a drink. The game had made him thirsty. As he got a glass out of the cupboard, he saw the chocolate cake sitting on the shelf, looking just as delicious as ever.

“Boy, does it look good!” thought Tom.

He kept looking at it, and as he looked, the cake became more and more tempting. His mouth watered, he wanted a taste so badly. He kept telling himself that Mom had said that he must not touch it. But his wanting a taste became greater and greater.

“I could just take a little snitch off the side there near the bottom, and nobody would know the difference,” he said to himself. “If I use a spoon instead of my dirty finger, it wouldn’t hurt the cake at all.”

Before he really knew what he was doing he had taken a spoon from the drawer and took a spoonful of cake. It was so good that he just had to take one more. Then he heard a car door slam. “Mom’s home! Now what do I do?”

Just then he saw Socks, the cat, walk into the kitchen. She was called Socks because she had four white feet. She was a bad cat and had often been caught up on the counter in the kitchen, and sometimes even on the table helping herself to food. Tom thought quickly. By the time his mother had the key in the front door, he had closed all the doors into the kitchen and was in his own room. Socks was left in the kitchen and could not get out. His mother would find her there.

Sometime later when his mother called him for dinner, Tom came running at once, making his best attempt to whistle. He stole a quick glance at his mother to see if she looked cross.

Had she noticed the piece out of the cake? he wondered. She looked all right. He went to wash his hands without even being told to do so. He was going to try to be as good as he knew how.

Before long he heard Mother calling him to come to the kitchen.

He went fearfully. His mother was standing in front of the cupboard looking at the cake.

“Tom,” she said in a stern voice, “you have disobeyed me. I told you not to touch that cake. I let you lick the bowl, and then you turned around and did what I told you not to do.”

“Me, Mom?” questioned Tom. “I’ve been out playing. It must have been Socks. That bad cat has been into the food again.”

His mother reached into the sink and picked up a spoon dirty with chocolate cake and icing. “Tom,” she said sternly, “cats don’t use spoons.”

Tom’s face got red and his eyes dropped. He couldn’t look at his mother. That verse from the Bible flashed into his mind — “Be sure your sin will find you out.” He couldn’t think of anything to say. The spoon proved that he was guilty.

When we do wrong, as Tom did, it is not just our parents or friends whom we hurt. We sin against God. God says, “The wages of sin is death.” Romans 6:23. Tom had to take his punishment before he could be forgiven. But God says that “Christ died for our sins.” 1 Corinthians 15:3. He bore our punishment that we might be forgiven.

ML-02/16/1986

"Help! I'm Stuck!"

Anita shuddered as she looked out the window at the cold, wet and windy fall day. Drifts of soggy leaves swirled down the street, and a sudden gust of wind caught a garbage pail lid and tossed it out onto the road. She wanted to stay indoors where it was warm, but her errand could not be put off any longer.

Belting her coat tightly around her and pulling up the hood, Anita ran to the car and drove to the store. Pulling into a parking space as near to the door as possible, she got out, slammed the door and turned to run through the rain into the store.

But something was wrong. She couldn’t move more than one step away from the car before something caught her and pulled her back. The wind had whipped the back of her coat into the car door just as she closed it, and now she was stuck.

At first it didn’t seem like a very big problem. All she needed to do was to open the door and she would be free. But no matter how hard she pulled and tugged, the door would not budge. It was not locked, but the material of her coat, caught in the door latch, had jammed it so tightly shut that the door simply would not open.

Using both hands, Anita yanked as hard as she could on the door. No success. Then she pulled so hard on her coat that she heard the fabric tear, but it still would not come loose. She was trapped.

Maybe you are trapped just as firmly as Anita was and you don’t even know it. If you have never admitted that you are a sinner, then you are trapped by your sins without realizing it. Perhaps it seems to you that you really haven’t been too bad, and that you have only a few sins that you hope to get rid of by yourself. You try hard to be good and kind and helpful, hoping that God will forget about your sins.

God reminds us in His Word, the Bible, that “all our righteousnesses [good deeds] are as filthy rags.” Isaiah 64:6. Just as a dirty rag can never make anyone clean, so all the good things you may do can never remove one sin.

“What can I do?” Anita wondered as she stood in the pouring rain. Just then a man appeared at the door of the store, hesitated a minute and then dashed through the rain toward his car which was parked nearby. Raising her voice so she could be heard over the noise of the storm, she called, “Sir, can you please help me? I’m stuck!”

The man came right over. Looking over the problem, he decided what to do. Opening the passenger door of Anita’s car, he climbed in and pushed on the stuck door from the inside while Anita pulled from the outside. Finally after much tugging and pushing, the door popped open and Anita was free. She thanked the man very much for his help as she pulled her coat free and hurried on into the store.

Anita couldn’t free herself, and you cannot get free from your sins without help either. The Lord Jesus Christ, God’s Son, is the only one who can free you from the trap of your sins. He tells us that “The blood of Jesus Christ His [God’s] Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7.

The kind man who helped Anita spent a few wet, uncomfortable minutes freeing her, but the Lord Jesus Christ gave His life so that you could be delivered from your sins. “The Son of God... loved me, and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20.

Won’t you accept the Lord Jesus as your Saviour today?

ML-02/16/1986

The Wonders of God's Creation: Hidden Beauty Spots - Northern Lights

“O Lord our Lord, how excellent is Thy name in all the earth! Who hast set Thy glory above the heavens.” Psalms 8:1.

Not many people travel to the deep northern parts of Canada, Greenland and the Yukon where forests suddenly end and tundra and ice begin. This area is cold and uninviting to all except the most adventuresome. Still, it is part of our world and God’s wonderful creation. To us it is a strange and mysterious region, but to Him it is a place of purpose for some life forms that are always under His watchful care.

Trees in this forest border are mostly small and weather-beaten, some barely rising above ground level, but they provide homes for hardy birds, animals and insects. Birds such as bluejays, grouse, owls, ptarmigan and others thrive on the insects, as well as the berries and seeds in the tundra. Here, too, can be found squirrels, martens and foxes. Other animals such as moose, caribou and musk-oxen prefer open tundra where there is good grazing, but they return to the shelter of the trees in winter.

Tundra in most places is covered with brush and grass, but just a few feet down, the ground is frozen hard, so is unsuitable for big trees. To the eye, this tundra appears as endless as the ocean — a lonely and rather frightening place. Its black, sticky soil, however, supports dense growths of low shrubs, moss, lichens and many kinds of berry bushes.

In late summer this great expanse exhibits beautiful colors. Blueberries, billberries and others, together with the leaves of their bushes, change to red, purple, blue and other colors, and the entire landscape is changed into a thing of beauty. At the same time, the birch, willow and aspen trees at the tundra’s edge add lovely yellows, reds and browns. Over it all at nighttime an added spectacle sweeps the sky — the amazing Northern Lights shimmering across the whole expanse, piercing the darkness with striking forms and colors.

But, with the exception of a few adventurers and some native Indians, only birds and animals see this beautiful part of God’s creation. However, when we remember that the Bible says of the Creator, “for Thy pleasure they are and were created” (Rev. 4:11), we see that this beauty is not wasted. The One who has included it in His creation has great pleasure in looking on it.

Don’t you wish you could see all this? We may never see anything like it on earth. But for those who love the Lord Jesus Christ and know Him as their Saviour, there is a promise that we will see and be part of the glories of heaven itself, which surpass the grandest of all earthly beauty. Will you be included with those who will enjoy that for all eternity in the presence of the Saviour who gave His life for all who trust in Him?

ML-02/16/1986

The Railroad Bridge

Memory Verse: “Whoso putteth his trust in the Lord shall be safe.” Proverbs 29:25

Amy tiptoed down the hall early in the morning and peeked into Grandpa’s bedroom. Seeing that Grandpa’s eyes were open, she climbed up on the end of his bed and said, “Grandpa, please take me fishing today.”

Every summer when Grandpa came to visit, Amy looked forward to going fishing with him. Grandpa loved to fish, and since Amy’s home was right near a river, they often went out together to catch fish for supper.

“Let’s try a new fishing spot today,”

Grandpa suggested.

“Why don’t we try fishing from the railroad bridge. That looks to me like it might be a good place.”

The morning train had already gone by, and no other train was scheduled until late at night, so they put their fishing rods over their shoulders and climbed the hill to the railroad tracks. Walking along the tracks they soon came to the railroad bridge. They walked out to the middle, baited their hooks and began to fish. Grandpa caught a nice, big sunfish while Amy waited patiently for something to nibble at her bait.

They were enjoying their peaceful, quiet spot, when suddenly they heard a sound that made them stare at one another in fear. A train was whistling for the railroad crossing less than a mile away. An unexpected freight train was approaching the bridge!

Grandpa didn’t know what to do. The railroad bridge was a long one, and he realized that if they tried to run back across the bridge to solid ground, the train would probably hit and kill them before they could get off the tracks.

By now they could see the train thundering toward them. Catching sight of them, the engineer knew instantly that he could not stop in time. In helpless frustration he pulled the train whistle again and again as the heavy freight train rushed on toward Grandpa and Amy.

Grandpa shouted at Amy, but the noise of the whistle combined with the roar of the train made it impossible for her to hear. Putting his mouth right down to her ear he yelled, “Drop your rod.” Then picking Amy up in his arms, he stepped off the tracks out onto the railroad ties which extended over the river.

Setting Amy down on the end of one of the ties, he put, her small hands on the bridge railing. Pressing close behind her, he put his arms around her, placed his hands on her hands and held on tightly.

The bridge shook as the train roared by three feet behind them. The noise was deafening, but Amy was completely safe in the shelter of Grandpa’s strong arms.

After the danger had passed and the noise had faded away, Amy held Grandpa’s hand as they walked back home.

“You know what, Grandpa?” Amy said, “I was really scared when I saw that train coming, but when you put your arms around me and held me tight, then I felt safe. Thank you for holding on to me.”

Are you safe in the strong arms of the Lord Jesus Christ, boys and girls? If you have accepted the Lord Jesus as your own personal Saviour and know that your sins are gone, then you are held safely and are secure forever. Satan may try to bother you and may trouble you and try to frighten you, but the Lord Jesus promises: “I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand. My Father, which gave them Me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.” John 10:28,29.

Amy’s ears hurt from the noise of the train, and the bridge shook under her feet, but she was safe and happy with Grandpa’s arms around her. And all of Satan’s attempts to bother and disturb you will never make you frightened or unhappy as long as you remember that the Lord Jesus is holding you tightly and will never let you go. “For He hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear.” Hebrews 13:5,6.

ML-02/23/1986

The Tree House That Fell

“Penny! Oh, Penny!”

The twelve-year-old girl put her book to one side and peered down through the leaves that hid her treehouse from view. It was Sally and Jim. “Wonder what they want me for?” Her book was interesting, so Penny decided not to answer, and soon they headed back toward their house.

Penny settled herself comfortably and went back to her book. Her tree house was just a platform built high up in three basswood trees that grew so closely together near the ground that they appeared to be one trunk. The big leaves formed shady walls and a roof. Just now the air was filled with the pleasant humming of bees and the scent of the basswood blossoms.

It was a great tree house. It was a place to run to and be alone. The gentle swaying of the trees was like the slight swinging of a hammock. Penny had built it all by herself. What a hard job it had been to make it good and strong because of working with three trees instead of just one. She had nailed “two-by-fours” from tree to tree to form a triangle, and then had nailed the floorboards in place.

Penny was a bookworm. She spent many happy hours in her tree house reading, the summer she was eleven. During the winter when the winds blew and the weather was stormy, the tree house rocked back and forth as the three trees bent this way and that. Somehow the little platform hung together.

When summer came again Penny couldn’t wait to use her tree house once more. She was twelve now, and a bigger, heavier girl than she had been the summer before. And the tree house was no longer quite as strong. The nails had twisted and loosened as the three trees bent with the winter wind. But Penny did not think of this.

One day she was settled snuggly with a good book high up in her tree house. As she became really interested in her story she didn’t notice the sky growing dark. The leafy roof kept the first few drops of rain from reaching her, but suddenly the wind set the little platform rocking.

A loud cracking noise beneath her startled Penny. What was happening? It felt like the platform was giving way! A stronger gust of wind... a louder cracking... and Penny was falling!

Just in time she caught the branch of the nearest tree and managed to leap to the ground, skinning her knees as she fell. Looking up into the trees she saw her tree house hanging sadly from just one corner.

“I guess I wasn’t very smart to build it in three trees,” Penny said to herself. “That made a poor foundation — as bad as the man who built his house upon the sand! I might have really gotten hurt falling out of that house. I’ll have to build a better one next time.”

Building a life can be very exciting. But it can also be very sad. It first has to have the right foundation. “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 3:11. Believing on the Lord Jesus Christ and accepting Him as your own Saviour is the only foundation that will stand. The Lord Jesus tells how necessary it is to build on a solid foundation in Matthew chapter 7 “Whosoever heareth these sayings of Mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock. And every one that heareth these sayings of Mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: and the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.” Matthew 7:24-27.

ML-02/23/1986

The Wonders of God's Creation: Some Shocking Fish

“God thundereth marvelously with His voice; great things doeth He, which we cannot comprehend.” Job 37:5.

It took mankind many centuries to discover electricity and many more years to put it to use. Even so, where it is available, elaborate wiring systems and power plants are required before a factory or home can use it, and then it’s not always dependable.

In contrast consider another wonder in God’s creation. He gave certain fish throughout the world the ability to make and use their own electricity. Deep in the Caribbean Sea there is a fish only three inches long named the flashlight fish having a light as strong as a small flashlight. Its electricity comes from pouches below its eyes and can be turned on and off at will. A large fish pursuing it in dark waters gives up when it swims swiftly in one direction all lit up, then turns the light off and swims in another direction.

There are some which have rows of lights along both sides of their bodies and in the dark look like toy ocean liners with lights shining through the windows. They can turn them on and off as they please. Others, such as the deep sea viper fish, dragonfish and more, carry torches on the end of fleshy rods which they can turn in any direction, and there are still others which have bright red taillights. The gulper eel, almost five feet long, is one of these. Still others have headlights sending out two beams with reflectors behind them, like a little car finding its way in the dark waters.

But not all use their electricity for lights. For some it is a weapon. Certain species of catfish use an electric shocking system to steal food from larger fish as well as to keep them away. Touching the stomach of a large fish with its fin is just like plugging in an electric cord. The bigger one is stunned or knocked out, and the catfish escapes or helps itself to the food the larger one had intended to eat.

Electric rays, torpedoes and numbfish can all give severe shocks many times a minute. The electric ray’s body gets this power from about 450 electric tubes, insulated inside its body so there are no short circuits. When it really turns on the power it can kill small creatures and can knock a man down. The marbled electric rays in the Mediterranean, Atlantic and Indian oceans are among this group.

The six-to-eight-foot electric eel of the Amazon River and other waters of Central and South America is the most powerful of all and can disable large animals with as much as 500 volts of electricity.

These amazing creatures remind us of the works of God and the wonders of His creation, as our opening verse states — beyond our comprehension. But more amazing yet is His wonderful love in giving His beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to die on Calvary’s cross. Is He your Saviour?

ML-02/23/1986

Where Was Larry?

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

“Hey, I found his toy truck,” yelled Terry to the mothers who were standing at the top of the ravine. Terry and two other Explorer Scouts had been searching the area along the railroad tracks at the bottom of the ravine.

“I think this is his hat,” called one of the other scouts who was searching a little farther down the tracks.

Among the small group of mothers watching and listening as the scouts searched the area below, stood the mother of four-year-old Larry. These reports brought a cry from Larry’s mother, who feared the worst.

It was one of those bright warm days of early spring when boys and girls like to play outside. Larry had been shut up inside the house for almost two weeks because of the cold, gray March Weather. Finally the clouds blew away and the temperature warmed up.

His mother had missed Larry about thirty minutes after he went out into the backyard to play. He had on his play clothes and his hat to cover his ears, but best of all he had a new toy truck that he could finally play with in the dirt. However, when Larry’s mother went to the door to check on him, he was nowhere in sight.

She quickly threw on her coat and went out to look for Larry. She first looked next door at the Jansens. He was probably there with his playmate, Scott. But no, they hadn’t seen him. Scott was inside with a cold. She continued to look farther and farther down both sides of the street. As she called Larry’s name with no response, she began to feel panicky. Where had Larry gone?

Each of us has been just like Larry. God’s Word compares us with sheep in Isaiah 53:6: “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way.” Many are still turning their back on God and His gentle calling “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28.

Terry and two other scouts were just returning from a meeting. By this time Larry’s mother and several other mothers were all looking for him.

“Can we help?” asked Terry.

“I’m frantic!” said Larry’s mother. “He’s been gone for almost two hours.”

“We’ll look down by the tracks,” said Terry. “Maybe you should call the police. They have dogs that are good at picking up a trail.”

“I’ll call them,” said Mrs. Jansen. “You go with the boys. I’ll also call my husband and see if he can come home quickly.”

“Please do, and hurry,” said Larry’s mother. “I’m so worried. I wish his father were home, but he’s in New York.”

Mrs. Jansen ran to her house while Larry’s mother and some of the other neighborhood people went with the scouts. After calling the police she nervously dialed her husband’s work number. “Henry,” she said when he answered, “come home quick! Little Larry next door has wandered off and we can’t find him anywhere!”

Ten minutes later everyone arrived. Two policemen in a police cruiser came with their lights flashing. Mr. Jansen raced down the street in his car and squealed to a stop. It was just then that the scouts found Larry’s toy truck and his hat.

As the police and the scouts organized into search parties to check the heavy-brush areas along the tracks, Mr. Jansen thought to himself, “Larry is fascinated with trucks, I wonder...?” He jumped into his car and called to his wife, “I’ll be back in a few minutes. I’ve got an idea.”

Mr. Jansen drove the four blocks down Railroad Street to the Meyer Sand and Gravel Company. As he drove into the yard he noticed a large gravel truck being loaded by a big chain conveyer belt. Dust and gravel were all over the place and there was lots of noisy equipment. And there sitting on the ground watching all this activity was Larry. His shoes were muddy, his hands and face were grimy from the flying dust, but he was happily watching the trucks and the other equipment.

“Hi, Mr. Jansen,” he said somewhat surprised. “What are you doing here?”

“Looking for you, Larry; you’d better come along with me,” was his reply.

“Oh, okay, but it sure is fun here,” exclaimed Larry.

As they drove back towards his house, Mr. Jansen explained to Larry how worried everyone had been when they couldn’t find him. “Don’t you know, Larry,” he said, “that you can’t go anywhere you want without telling your mother? Even the police are looking for you!”

As they neared Larry’s house, Mr. Jansen began honking his horn. Before the car had even stopped, Larry’s mother was there. She quickly opened the door and lifted out her dirty little son and hugged him tightly. The search was called off; Larry was now home.

That evening Scott Jansen, Larry’s friend, saw him playing quietly in his front yard.

“Hi, Larry,” he called. “Did you get spanked when you got home?”

“No,” said Larry, “Mommy didn’t spank me at all. She took me in the house and gave me a bath and clean clothes. Then she just sat and hugged and kissed me for an hour,” he said in disgust.

Larry had been received home with joy and happiness by his mother. We know that “there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.” Luke 15:10. Each of us as wandering sheep is away from God who sent His only Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to seek and to save us. Those of us who have been made clean through His precious blood by believing and receiving Christ as our personal Saviour are welcomed Home by the Father. “This thy brother was dead, and is alive again; and was lost, and is found.” Luke 15:32.

ML-03/02/1986

Joyful News: The Victory Is Ours

For nearly twenty years Napoleon I, Emperor of France, seemed an unconquerable general. His well-trained armies crushed one enemy after another, until Napoleon’s empire covered most of western and central Europe. But the great general was totally defeated at the Battle of Waterloo, and suffered such a devastating defeat at the hands of an army under the command of the Duke of Wellington, a British general known as “The Iron Duke,” that he never recovered. It was such a crushing defeat, in fact, that even today when one suffers an overwhelming setback it is said that “he has met his Waterloo.”

When the news of the great victory by the Duke of Wellington over Napoleon reached London in 1815, it was not sent by telegraph or radio, but the news then had to be brought to the southern coast of England by a sailing vessel. Then it was wigwagged over land toward London by means of signal flags. Finally, on top of Winchester Cathedral, the long-awaited message was spelled out by means of the signal flags: “W-e-1-l-i-n-g-t-o-n D-e-f-e-a-t-e-d..” At that moment a dense fog settled down over the area, and the signal flags could be seen no longer. Soon all of London was in great despair at such sad news, especially since it seemed that the last hope for the free world rested with the Duke of Wellington. But then the fog lifted just as quickly as it had come in, and the complete message was spelled out by the signal flags: “W-e-l-l-i-n-g-t-o-n D-e-f-e-a-t-e-d t-h-e E-n-e-m-y — t-h-e V-i-c-t-o-r-y i-s O-u-r-s!” The joyful news spread like wildfire, and soon all England was filled with rejoicing.

When the Lord Jesus Christ was taken down from the cross at Calvary and laid in a tomb, sadness filled the hearts of His disciples. It was as if Jesus, in whom had been all their hopes, had been defeated by death. But then the clouds of despair, gloom and darkness lifted, as had the thick fog in London in 1815, and the joyful news that Jesus Christ had risen from the grave filled and thrilled the hearts of His followers. The Lord Jesus Christ has defeated the enemy — death and Satan, too — and the victory is ours! “Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:57.

The devil was totally defeated at Calvary, and his power set aside by the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ and by the power of His precious blood shed on the cross. Now God offers that victory over Satan, sin and death to anyone who will accept His Son, Jesus Christ, as Saviour. Oh, how precious it is to be on the side of VICTORY! How wonderful to know that the enemy has been defeated on your behalf! Do not wait — but accept Jesus Christ now as your Lord and Saviour, and rejoice along with all others who have believed.

ML-03/02/1986

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Beautiful Grebes - Part 1

“I will remember the works of the Lord: surely I will remember Thy wonders of old.... Thou art the God that doest wonders.” Psalms 77:11,14.

This very interesting bird, about the size of a duck, is found in the warmer northern climates of many countries. Large numbers of grebes in many varieties live in the northwestern United States, Canada, Alaska and Iceland. Most of the species fly quite well, and some of them migrate to the Pacific and Atlantic coasts for the winter months and then return north in the spring. However, three species do not fly at all and the others fly only when necessary, preferring to remain near their nests in the marshy areas of ponds and lakes.

Although provided with strong legs, they do not walk well. They look like they are sliding along on their stomachs! In water, however, they are extremely graceful and wonderful swimmers. Although they are a rather large bird they can dive from the surface of the water without leaving even a ripple to show where they were or any indication as to where they will come up. They are excellent swimmers, both on the surface and underwater, and are much more at home there than on land.

The nest, which floats on the water, is built with weeds, sticks, reeds, etc., by the male and female together. It is tied to something solid or anchored underwater to keep it from drifting away. Isn’t it remarkable how the Creator taught them to do this?

Much time is spent “oiling” their feathers much like ducks do. This “water-proofing treatment” is done by rubbing their beaks against special glands on their bodies, then working the waxy deposit into all parts of the dense feathers.

Although they do not have webbed feet, the Creator has given them special fleshy edges on their long toes to aid in swimming. Their legs are not round like most birds, but pointed in front and back — a real help in moving swiftly through water and a help in catching fish which they spear with their long, sharp, pointed beaks.

An unusual thing about all grebes is that they eat great quantities of feathers, even feeding them to their little ones. No one is quite sure why they do this, but some think the feathers may act as strainers or cushions to keep fish bones and other sharp objects from piercing the inside of their bodies. Whatever the reason may be, it is part of God’s wonderful order.

There are about twenty species of grebes throughout the world, many of them strikingly pretty, such as the red-necked. It is brilliant red all along its long neck from its chest up to a soft-white head and a contrasting black cap. Descriptions of other species will be considered in the next issue.

ML-03/02/1986

Another Moment

Memory Verse: “Our Saviour Jesus Christ who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto Himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.” Titus 2:13, 14

“Strike three!” called the umpire as it started raining just enough to wet the dust on the base paths. It was getting windy and the leaves on the nearby trees rustled.

“Well,” the umpire said turning to the two coaches, “do we finish the game? It’s not raining very hard.”

Both coaches wanted to finish the game since the score was tied. They were hoping it wouldn’t rain any harder until they had a chance to break the tie score. The little leaguers on both sides were happy with the decision. A little rain wasn’t going to bother them.

“Uncle Peter, Uncle Peter,” called a little girl.

The coach of one of the teams walked over to where the spectators were seated and said, “Melissa honey, if you will just sit still until we finish the game, then we can go home.”

“But, Uncle Peter, my doll is getting wet, and if I don’t do something she’s going to catch cold,” Melissa replied obviously worried.

“I’ll tell you what to do. Run over to the car and put your doll in the back seat where she can keep dry.”

“Okay, Uncle Peter,” Melissa said and off she trotted.

Baseball games don’t usually interest little girls for very long, but most men and boys keep very interested. These two teams were trying so hard to break the tie score that no one seemed to notice the towering, dark thunderclouds forming on the horizon. They played a little while longer, until a gust of wind bent the surrounding trees way over and blew baseball caps across the field. No question about it, it was quitting time now. No one could play ball in wind like that.

Then they spotted it — a tall, dark funnel cloud, and it was swiftly moving their way. In a few seconds they could hear it, too, rumbling like a train, growing louder every moment as it got closer!

The faces of the boys grew pale. The coach’s voice was stern and nervous as he ordered the players, “I want everybody to run to the ditch as fast as you can and lie face down!” Then turning to the spectators he shouted, “Don’t go to your cars — they’re not safe. Go to the ditch! Go to the ditch!” he ordered.

The coach also ran to the ditch, glancing hurriedly over the field to make sure no one was left behind. Then scanning up and down the ditch he saw his son was there, but where was Melissa? Where did that little girl wander off to? He scanned the ditch a second time, but still he didn’t see her. Then he remembered where she was... in the car... she had gone to the car! He ran to the car as fast as he could. The wind tore at him as he ran. The sound was deafening as he reached the car. He grabbed the screaming child out of the car and holding her close, ran for the ditch. Pieces of grit and debris flew by him like bullets and stung him as he ran. He made it to the ditch and threw Melissa in. Melissa turned to see her uncle, but he wasn’t there! The tornado had swept him away before he could drop into the ditch himself. In another moment he would have been out of danger... but he wasn’t in time!

Melissa had been carried out of danger at the cost of her uncle’s life. Someone far greater than Melissa’s uncle died to provide a safe place for sinners. On the cross, Jesus shed His precious blood to make an “atonement” or covering for sin. God’s salvation is now free to all who will receive it by simply admitting they are sinners and believing that the Lord Jesus has suffered for their sins. If you haven’t believed on the Lord Jesus yet as your own Saviour, won’t you do this before another moment passes?

Be in time! Be in time!

While the voice of Jesus calls you,

Be in time!

If in sin you longer wait,

You may find no open gate,

And your cry be just too late,

Be in time!

“Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:2.

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

ML-03/09/1986

Traffic Lights

While driving a car, have you ever gone through a red light and been pulled over by the police? If so you know how frightening it is to have the policeman talk to you. He will give you a ticket no matter what excuse you give.

However, it is possible to drive through a red light without worrying about the police, but this happens only when you are in an ambulance. It happened to me once.

My friend and I had taken the private commuter bus to a shopping plaza where we planned to do some shopping. While getting on an escalator I missed the first step and fell. That caused my friend behind me to fall also, but she didn’t get hurt. I got a gash on my left leg between the ankle and knee. The cut bled and really made a mess. The store manager brought chairs for us to sit on and wrapped towels around my leg after calling an ambulance. Our bus driver found us sitting there, and it was he who told me, “You will have to go to the hospital to see if there might be a broken bone.” No one likes to go to a hospital, but like it or not, that is where they took me.

First the paramedics came. After putting on a temporary bandage, they slipped on a strange-looking plastic boot... it made us all laugh. Next they put me on a stretcher and carried me into the ambulance. What a loud screeching noise the siren made. All the cars on the street quickly turned off onto the shoulder. We had the right-of-way and only slowed down for the traffic signals, even the red ones, as we sped along.

Before long we arrived at the hospital. From the ambulance I was put in a wheelchair and then wheeled right into the emergency room.

The doctor’s words were comforting — “No bones broken, but I’ll have to put in some stitches. It won’t hurt because I’ll make it numb with a local first.” My friend stayed in another room. She couldn’t bear to see what the doctor might do. Our bus driver had said he would stop at the hospital a little later to pick us up. So it wasn’t long until we were back home.

The ambulance has every right to go through red lights and the driver won’t be punished. But the rest of us can’t! God has also put red lights in our lives to slow us down and to make us stop and think. He wants us to think about our sins and the punishment for them. You know, some people drive through red lights and don’t get stopped by the police — they “get away” with it. But we can never “get away” with our sins. Every one of them will be punished. God gives you a choice about the punishment for your sins. You can accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour, believing that He suffered the punishment for your sins on the cross, and you will go free. “Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God.” 1 Peter 3:18. Or you can refuse His loving offer of freedom and bear the punishment for your sins in hell forever. “Whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:15.

The choice isn’t very hard to make, is it? Why not settle the matter right now while you’re stopped at this red light by accepting the Lord Jesus as your own Saviour and be free!

ML-03/09/1986

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Beautiful Grebes - Part 2

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

Among the various species of grebes, one called the hooded, a native of the Andes mountains in Argentina, is one of the prettiest. From the top of its beak, pure-white feathers slope upward as far as the forehead where a red crest rises up beyond the top of its head like a hood, giving it its name. The rest of its head, back, sides and throat are deep-velvety black atop a long snowy-white neck. Its body is coal black on top and white speckled with gray underneath. Brilliant scarlet eyes add to a most beautiful picture of the Creator’s handiwork.

Another interesting species is known as the black necked, or eared, probably because of the group of yellow feathers pointing from its eyes to the back of its neck. Otherwise it is plain colored, grayish black above and orange and white below. One called the pied-billed grebe covers its half-dozen eggs with mud in the daytime throughout incubation. When little ones hatch they quickly take to the water, clinging tightly to the mother’s feathers and back. They don’t seem a bit afraid when she dives and swims, going right along with her. Traveling this way, the mother snatches food wherever possible, and then by twisting her long neck backward she feeds all those on board.

The western grebe is the one most familiar to Americans. It has a long body and thin neck with brown or black feathers on top of its head and neck, but white below and having a long yellow pointed bill, making it quite pretty. The western is noted for carrying on an unusual “water dance” when mates are being chosen. Both the male and female, while floating on the water, will suddenly rise up side by side and run swiftly on the surface of the water for quite a distance. They also both go through elaborate head-shaking exercises to impress one another.

After the western’s nests are built, from two to six eggs are laid, and about a month’s incubation is shared by both parents until the chicks are born. Even then both the mother and father continue to share in raising them for about three months, carrying them on their backs when out on the water.

The ways of these birds show again the care of God in giving them remarkable instincts. But He gave more than this to mankind. In the Bible the question is asked, “Who hath put wisdom in the inward parts? or who hath given understanding to the heart?” Job 38:36. The answer is that the Lord God, the Creator, has done this, and the Bible also tells us that “The fear of [reverence for and faith in] the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” Proverbs 9:10. Do you have that wisdom and understanding?

ML-03/09/1986

Favorite Cookies

Memory Verse: “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13

There was a certain kind of cookie that was Frances’s favorite. Her mother did not buy them very often, and when she did, the little girl was given only one each day so the sugar wouldn’t ruin her teeth.

One day Frances quietly opened the cookie drawer and quickly took the whole package out and went outside. The first cookie was delicious, not quite as good as usual, but delicious just the same. The second one was very good. She ate it more slowly. The third one wasn’t nearly so good, and she found she was too full to finish it. Sitting with the half-eaten cookie in her hand, she began to think. She realized she couldn’t undo what she had done. If she put the half-eaten cookie back, her mother would ask a lot of questions that she didn’t want to answer. She didn’t want to keep the smeary cookie package in her hand, so she decided she had better hide it somewhere outside, far away from the house. The farthest place she could think of was the mailbox out at the street. She stuffed the package of cookies and the half-eaten cookie in the mailbox and closed the door of the box without anyone seeing her. She ran off to play and forgot about the cookies. Now the Bible says, “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13.

The next day was sunny and bright, and Frances was playing happily when her mother came to her with a very sad face. She had a smeary cookie package with a half-eaten cookie in it in her hand, and there were ants all over the cookies. She asked Frances to tell her what she knew about the cookies. Frances told her mother the whole story because she was found out. She had hidden the cookies in the one place her mother was sure to look each day.

Of course she was found out. There were tears, and punishment, and forgiveness. It wasn’t just her mother whom Frances had sinned against, but God as well. Stealing is a sin, and she needed to ask God for forgiveness. Because Frances believed that God gave His Son to die for her sins she could be forgiven and say, “thank you” to Him. This is the Bible verse Frances’s mother taught her: “Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in Thy sight, O Lord, my strength, and my redeemer.” Psalms 19:14.

ML-03/16/1986

Prickers

After thirty years of cold winters, Father moved us all to the warm weather of southern California. He filled our yard with ferns and cactus plants. Our house had a flat roof with a wall around it, and there Father put most of the potted cactus plants. In this way they could be enjoyed, but no one would be hurt by their sharp prickers. But there was one little plant that looked perfectly safe since you could not see any prickers. It was a cactus just as much as the others. He planted it in a rock garden close to the house where people could see it since it was so pretty. It was a little plant with thick, round green leaves and nothing but yellow velvet-looking polka dots all over each leaf. The velvet spots looked so soft that they seemed to welcome your gentle touch. After you touched it you would discover that the little velvety hairs were actually fine, sharp needles that came off in your hand no matter how lightly you touched the plant. Once they were on your hand, you couldn’t see them to wipe them off, and the ones that stayed dug in, broke off in your skin when you tried to remove them, and later made a sore spot if left in. When you thought you had them all removed, a sharp little pain a few days later would remind you that there was still another one in there. People know to stay away from the regular cactus needles and their sharp points, but this little plant with its soft needles tempted many.

Father invited all the neighborhood children to come in on Friday nights to hear Bible stories, because children everywhere need to know that God loves each one of us. He would always warn the children NOT to touch the little cactus. He told them what would happen if they did. He used this to warn them about sins. No matter how much warning Father gave, there was always someone who would reach over and touch the little cactus. It is the same way with sins. We turn away from the obviously bad sins, but reach out to the pretty “little” ones. We don’t realize our danger until it is too late, and then the pain pricks us again and again.

To break the commandment, “Thou shalt not kill,” sounds much worse than to break the one that says, “Honor thy father and thy mother,” but each one is sin. The wages of sin is still death, but how happy we can be that the rest of that Bible verse says, “but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23. God knows how many sins each of us has. When we trust in Jesus, we learn that He was punished by God the amount that would pay for every one of those sins. Have you accepted the Lord Jesus as your own Saviour and thanked Him for dying to pay to remove each of your sins? God’s gift is eternal life. Won’t you accept this gift right now?

ML-03/16/1986

Ten Little Candles

Ten little candles, Jesus bade them shine,

Selfishness snuffed one right out, then there were nine.

Nine little candles, one without a mate,

Bad companions came along, then there were eight.

Eight little candles, doing work for heaven,

Laziness came over one, then there were seven.

Seven little candles, every one alive,

One got tired of trying hard, then there were five.

Five little candles, once there were far more,

One forgot to read God’s Word, then there were four.

Four little candles, bright as bright could be,

One didn’t have the time, then there were three.

Three little candles, was one of them you?

One gave up Sunday school, then there were two.

Two little candles, tale is almost done,

“I’m too small, no use,” sighed one, then there was one.

One little candle, left all alone,

Kept on burning by itself; oh, how bright it shone.

Brave and steady burned its light, till the other nine,

Fired by its example, once again began to shine.

ML-03/16/1986

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

“He left not Himself without witness, in that He did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness. “Acts 14:17.

If you have garden space in your yard, dig your spade into the soil, turn it up, smooth it out and plant some seeds. In doing this you will start the wonderful process of new life arranged by the Lord God when He created the world. Soon, when rain and sunshine have done their part, new plants will appear. With your care (but otherwise left to themselves), they will grow rapidly and be able to reproduce themselves many times over with their seeds. As far as earthly needs are concerned, this means of securing food out of the ground is one of God’s richest blessings, just as the above verse tells us.

The soil around us is indeed a miracle. It is full of life 24 hours a day, including billions of invisible microbes (bacteria, fungi, etc.) which give essential elements as well as producing nutrition on which plants depend.

There are visible helpers as well, though seldom seen because they work underground. Worms are one of the most important, munching their way through the ground, loosening and fertilizing it by pulling leaves and grass down and depositing mineral-rich “castings” on the surface in exchange. Moles and even ants do much the same, as do many insects. 1 he roots of grass, plants and trees all play their part, too. Everything has been arranged by the Creator to work together to replenish the richness put into the soil when He created it.

A very important need of soil is nitrogen, which is made available to plants by the activities of some of the microbes. Rain and lightning are also most important contributors of valuable nitrogen, carrying it right into the soil where it can be used. Aren’t the ways of the Creator wonderful?

We cannot fairly criticize farmers who are pressed to get more and more crops out of a piece of ground and are unable to give the land needed times of rest. But the result is that it loses important properties and can then only produce enough food if fertilizers and chemicals are added. But the Lord well knew land should not be overworked and instructed His people of old that every seventh year they should give it a “year of rest” so that its important qualities could be restored.

And on the subject of crops, the Bible speaks, of another kind of sowing to which careful attention should be given. It tells us “Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.” Galatians 6:7. This refers to our way of life that is always seen by God, and that whether we engage in bad things or good things, we will find them returning either to our sorrow or our happiness. This is important. Think about it.

ML-03/16/1986

Peace and Safety?

Memory Verse: “God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.” John 3:17

The fire was quietly burning in the fireplace. Sparks and cinders drifted up the chimney as Sunday dinner was being prepared. The smell of dinner filled the house with odors that only made the family more hungry. With the warmth from the fireplace and the smell of dinner on the stove, no one realized the danger that awaited them and their home.

There is danger ahead for this world too, and its so-called peace. Peace and safety seem so sure and endless, but God has condemned this world. All that are in the world — sinners such as ourselves — need a Saviour. There is only one Saviour for sinners, the Lord Jesus Christ.

“Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” 1 Timothy 1:15.

Four boys were walking home from Sunday school. As they came closer to the house, they saw that the roof was on fire. They were spell bound! They sat down across the street to watch the flames!

Inside, the family was enjoying their Sunday dinner unaware that the fire that was slowly burning in the fireplace had sent a spark up the chimney and had set their roof on fire! The harmless fire in the fireplace that sent sparks and cinders quietly up the chimney had turned their home into a burning torch! The fire on the roof grew larger, unnoticed by the family while the four boys across the street watched the fire rage. Finally one of the members of the family sensed something was wrong. He raced out of the house only to discover that their home was engulfed in flames.

Thankfully the family escaped safely and no one was hurt. But they lost their home and everything they had, while the four boys sat across the street watched the fire grow into a burning blaze and never warned the family!

Today there are sinners quietly going on to a lost eternity, not knowing that judgment is coming to this world and everyone in it lost in sin. “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation.” Hebrews 2:3. Right now the Lord Jesus is warning you to escape for your life! He loves you and does not want anyone to die in their sins. He is not sitting watching you head for eternal judgment. He shed His precious blood, died, and rose from the dead that we might not die in our sins, but have everlasting life. Won’t you accept Him as your Saviour right now?

ML-03/23/1986

The Phantom Flagman

Many years ago a British express train raced through the chilly darkness, but soon it had to slow down because of fog.

Now, being the engineer of a train isn’t easy at any time, but on this particular evening it was really hard work. Fog pressed in on the train from all sides like thick folds of heavy black velvet. Even with the powerful headlight stabbing the darkness ahead, the engineer had to strain his eyes to see the track.

The engineer wanted to be on time, because in addition to the several hundred passengers, Queen Victoria was also a passenger on this train.

Suddenly he shuddered. Dead ahead, and outlined in the brilliant beam of the engine’s headlight, stood a figure in a black cloak in the middle of the tracks waving his arms frantically! The engineer made a desperate grab for the emergency brakes and brought the express to a screeching halt.

After quieting the excited and frightened passengers the trainmen got out to investigate. They searched and called, but there was no sign of the mysterious figure who had flagged their train.

Who had he been, and why had he stopped the train?

The crewmen were puzzled. They decided someone had been playing a joke. Even the engineer was almost convinced that it had either been somebody’s poor idea of a joke or his imagination playing tricks. But he wasn’t absolutely sure.

Just to make sure, he climbed down from his cab and walked up the tracks. He stopped when the tracks suddenly ended. There, not even two hundred yards ahead of the stopped train, he found a washed-out bridge! The whole bridge had toppled into a swollen stream. If it hadn’t been for the mysterious flagman, the train would have plunged into the stream, killing many passengers and crew.

Before the train backed up to detour around the washed-out bridge, the train crew again looked for the mystery man who had saved the train. It wasn’t until the train reached London safely that the strange mystery was solved.

Lying at the base of the locomotive headlight, the engineer found a huge dead moth. Now, most people would have brushed the insect off and thought no more about it. But as he held the dead insect gently in his hand, he frowned thoughtfully.

Then he did a strange thing. He wet the wings of the moth and carefully pasted it to the glass of the headlight. Then he climbed back into the cab of his engine and switched on the light.

“Ah!” he cried triumphantly. “I thought so!” For as the bright beam stabbed ahead into the darkness, there appeared once again the “phantom” the engineer had seen earlier. But now the “arms” weren’t waving wildly. They were still.

Yes, the mysterious rescuer had been this huge moth! Somehow, in the few seconds before the train reached the wrecked bridge, it had flown into the beam of the headlight and had gotten stuck. In the dense fog the wriggling, trapped insect had resembled a cloaked figure waving his arms! An entire train and many lives had been saved by the projected shadow of a moth.

Later, when Queen Victoria was told of the strange incident she smiled and shook her head. “It was no accident, of that I am sure. It was God’s will.”

“We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.” Romans 8:28.

“Behold, I am with thee, and will keep thee in all places whither thou goest, and will bring thee again into this land; for I will not leave thee, until I have done that which I have spoken to thee of.” Genesis 28:15.

So if you’re ever in London, go to the Museum of Natural History and ask to see the “Victoria Moth.” You will be shown a huge moth enclosed in a glass case. That will be the life-saving messenger from God whom the grateful Britishers call... the Phantom Flagman!

ML-03/23/1986

The Wonders of God's Creation: Sweating Is Good for You - (Part 1)

“I will praise Thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are Thy works.... How precious also are Thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!” Psalms 139:14,17.

Sweating is something we don’t think much about unless to complain as it drips from our foreheads or soils a shirt or blouse. But we should be thankful for it as it is one of the marvels of the human body, designed by the Creator to add to the comfort and enjoyment of life.

Humans have a greater capacity to sweat than most other mammals. Elephants, for instance, can only hunt for shade, waggle their big ears like fans, or spray water over their bodies to keep cool. Hippos stay under water when it is hot, and even lions and tigers stay in the shade or jump into the water when too warm. Dogs that seem to be smiling are really cooling off by opening their mouths and letting their wet tongues hang out for relief.

The human body has about two million sweat glands, called pores, like tiny tubes coming from the lower part of the skin to the outside.

You may ask, “What’s the purpose of this sweat system?” Actually it is God’s kind thought in giving human beings a healthy and quick way to cool off in hot weather after playing or working hard or when excited by emotions. Sweating brings relief, and when the emotions are past, the skin returns to normal where at all times, awake or asleep, various parts of the body are sweating, usually so lightly that we are not aware of it.

Perspiration helps keep us cool by its evaporation, just as many air-conditioners do. Have you noticed a nice cool feeling while you’re dripping wet after a swim, but when dried off you get warm again? That’s just what sweating does for you. Being 99% water, it covers you with moisture that does the same thing, and largely because of its action, your body temperature of 98.6° (except when sick) is always the same, summer or winter. In addition to the cooling benefit of the moisture in sweat, some of the undesirable chemicals that get into our bodies from improper food or drinks and smoke and dust in the air we breathe, are removed by sweating and deposited on the outside where they can do no more harm.

The more we consider the bodies the Creator has given us, the more we are amazed at the wonders of every part of them and how they have been designed by His supreme wisdom. The praise and expressions of David in the 139th Psalm quoted above, and his recognition of the One who created him, are exactly the thoughts that each of us should have.

Have you ever praised and thanked the One who made and preserves you? (to be continued)

ML-03/23/1986

A Pony in the House

Memory Verse: “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.” Proverbs 15:3

Star was a brown Shetland pony with a long white mane and tail. But right in the middle of his forehead was a spot of white that looked like a star, and this is how he got his name.

Star lived on a farm with lots of bigger horses until one day a family, called the Trumaines, bought Star and took him to their house. They built a nice stable for Star that was just big enough for one pony. The Trumaine children, Elly and Sue and their little brother Stu, soon loved Star. They fed him and brushed him. To them Star was the best pony in the whole world. Soon Star loved them too, because of all the loving care they gave him.

Elly and Sue worked patiently with Star and trained him to do different tricks. They could make Star kneel on his front knees like he was taking a bow. They trained him to rear up on his hind legs and remain standing on his two hind feet. They could even stand on his back, balancing while he slowly walked.

Sometimes they treated Star almost as if he were a real person. One afternoon Elly thought Star needed a nap, so she did her best to make him comfortable. She brought out her own blanket and pillow and made Star lay down on his side. Then she put the pillow under his head and tucked the blanket in all around him. Star seemed to enjoy it even though ponies usually sleep standing up.

Another afternoon Elly came up with a strange idea. She decided Star should come into the house for a bowl of milk at the kitchen table! Sue didn’t think it was a good idea at all. “We’ll only get into trouble, Elly!” Sue said.

Elly answered, “We were never told not to bring Star in the house. And besides, don’t you think Star deserves the very best we have? Anyway, Mom and Dad will never know. They won’t be home for at least another hour.”

It didn’t take much convincing from Elly for Sue to change her mind.

They led Star up the steps of the back stairway and through the back door. First they gave Star a tour of the house, thinking that it was quite natural for the pony to be interested in the place where they lived.

Then they brought him into the kitchen where they poured milk into their mother’s favorite mixing bowl and set it on the table in front of Star. He was delighted and slurped it up with his long pony tongue. Star wasn’t very neat, so some of the milk splattered on the floor. Then when he was almost finished... he sneezed and knocked the bowl off the table! It landed on the floor and broke with a crash!

Now the girls were in trouble. They decided it was time to take Star out of the house. They led him to the back porch, but he would not go back down the steps. The girls tugged on his lead rope, but he wouldn’t budge! Going up the steps had been easy, but going back down was a different matter. They tried standing at the bottom of the steps and pleading with Star to come down, but he just stood still, blinking his eyes. Star must have been afraid of falling.

In thinking over their problem, Sue remembered that the steps to the front door were wider. She suggested to Elly that maybe Star would walk down those steps. So they led him to the front of the house. But no matter how hard they coaxed him, he would not go down those steps either.

The girls were almost in tears. They knew their parents would be home any minute, and they knew full well that they would be in more trouble than just over the broken bowl if their parents found Star in the house! They even tried coaxing Star with carrots and sugar cubes, but nothing worked. Star just would not go down the steps.

Just then the two girls saw their parents’ car pull into the driveway.

Let’s stop here for a moment and think how the girls got themselves into trouble. It was easy to get Star up the steps and into the house, and didn’t the girls have a good time!

But when it was time to take him back outside, they couldn’t get Star to go down the steps. It’s also easy for boys and girls to get into trouble, sin trouble. And how impossible it is for them to get out of it... unless God’s Son, the Lord Jesus, helps them.

In fact, every person on earth (except the Lord Jesus) has gotten into sin trouble. The Bible tells us “There is none righteous [good], no, not one” (Rom. 3:10), and “The soul that sinneth, it shall die” (Ezek. 18:20). When a person sins it’s just as if they got a stain on their heart and there is no way they can get rid of that ugly stain. But God has seen our need, and because He loves us so much, He sent His Son to die on the cross to bear the punishment for the sins of anyone who will believe that He died for them. That is why it is so important to believe in the Lord Jesus. When we believe in Jesus, His blood which He shed on the cross cleans us, once and for all, from every stain of sin and makes us ready for heaven.

It is very important to know this: one sin is enough to keep a boy or girl out of heaven, while a million sins will not keep a boy or girl out of heaven if they accept Jesus as their own Saviour. If you have not yet accepted Him, now is the very best time to settle the matter. After you become a believer, why don’t you tell someone, like a friend or your parents, how you have accepted Jesus as your Saviour.

Now it’s time to tell you what happened to Star and the girls. When Mr. Trumaine got to the house and heard the girls’ tearful story, he tied a blindfold over Star’s eyes. Then he carefully and slowly led him down the steps and then off to the stable where he belonged. Elly and Sue were so glad their Daddy was able to get Star safely back to his stable, but they both were punished and never again thought of bringing their pony into the house.

ML-03/30/1986

Grandma's Ducks

Grandma lived on a farm in Iowa, and she had a little flock of ducks. These ducks were supposed to stay in the backyard, away from the road, so that they would not wander off and get lost. But it seemed like the ducks didn’t remember very long, and soon they would come waddling around to the front yard.

“You ducks, get back in the backyard!” Grandma would order.

Then they would turn around and waddle back to the backyard where they belonged.

Pretty soon here they would come again, and Grandma would tell them again, “You ducks, get back in the backyard!”

Sometimes we are just like those ducks... we often forget. God has to show us again and again what is the right way for our feet. He knew we would forget easily, so He gave us His Word, the Bible, to read every day to show us the right path.

“Seek ye out of the book of the Lord, and read.” Isaiah 34:16.

“Ye shall lay up these My words in your heart and in your soul.” Deuteronomy 11:18.

ML-03/30/1986

The Wonders of God's Creation: Sweating Is Good for You - Part 2

“Thorns also and thistles shall it [the ground] bring forth to thee... In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread.” Genesis 3:18,19.

When Adam sinned and the Lord told him, “In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread,” he soon learned what that meant. Before disobeying God he had no cares or work, just the pleasure of walking through the garden God had provided, occasionally perhaps trimming a branch or picking the fruit.

Now that was changed. Thorns and thistles would grow, and the soil would not so easily give its nourishment, which meant hard work was going to be required, and his labor would produce the sweat of which the Lord God spoke. But, while this must have been hard for Adam to accept, it was actually one proof of God’s love for him that, in spite of the sin he and Eve had committed, he would enjoy the benefit of the very sweat that would always remind him of his sinful nature.

How does the body know when to send sweat to the skin? The Creator has made a most amazing provision that could never “just happen to come about” or take millions of years to develop, as some foolishly claim. A part of the body called the hypothalamus is what starts, stops and regulates it. This complicated organ, about the size of your thumb and located under the center of your brain, performs much like the control tower at an airport where pilots of airplanes are told when to come in, when to leave, which runway to use, and other instructions to insure their safety. Similarly the hypothalamus, among many other things, tells you when to eat, when to drink, when to put on or take off an overcoat, when to sleep, and when to wake up. These instructions, as well as the control of perspiration, are all functions of the hypothalamus.

It is there that the first step in sweating takes place as this little part of the brain sends a message to thousands of sweat glands to open up and pour out moisture. How does it know when to do this? Only the Creator who devised it knows exactly how it works, but its work is truly marvelous. Under hot conditions the sweat cools your skin and, controlled the same way, on a cold day it orders the same sweat glands to shut down and hold back the moisture so you can warm up. Isn’t this remarkable?

This wonderful provision of love for Adam and for all of us reminds us that although God hates sin, He does love sinners and offers the very best gift of all, in spite of our sinful nature. His Word, the Bible, tells us, “But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8), and that “whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life " (John 3:16).

Have you accepted this gift and believed on Him as your Saviour?

ML-03/30/1986

The Rescued Doll

Memory Verse: “We are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.” Isaiah 64:6

Mr. Dale was a grown-up. You would never think he’d be interested in dolls... he didn’t think he was either.

It was “junk-collection day.” As least once a year people could throw out trash from their basements, attics, yards or from anywhere. They would pile this junk near the curb, and big, city dump trucks would pick it up. The trucks carried away the old, worn-out, useless things and took them to the city dump.

My, what a lot of no-good things there were: pieces of old, rotten wood, broken chairs, torn and worn-out mattresses, old rugs, torn window shades, broken toys, and all kinds of dirty, broken things.

Mr. Dale was driving to work on the morning of junk collection. As he looked at all the piles of junk along the curbs, he suddenly saw a face looking out of one of these piles. It was a dirty face with studying to be a nurse. But when a mass of tangled, matted hair... she was a little girl she just loved some little girl’s old doll.

Suddenly Mr. Dale thought of his own daughter when she had been small. She was going to college now, studying to be a nurse. But when she was a little girl she just loved dolls. And here looking at Mr. Dale with sad, round eyes was something that once had been a lovely doll. She could be cleaned up and dressed with new clothes. He was sure some little girl would be happy to have her.

So Mr. Dale stopped the car and backed up. He pulled the doll out of the junk pile and put her in the trunk. Then off he went to work.

That night when he arrived home, Mr. Dale showed the doll to his wife.

“Poor thing!” Mrs. Dale exclaimed. “She sure is a mess. But nothing on her is broken and I think I could fix her up to be just as pretty as she once was.”

Yes, she was really dirty. Her hair was a mess and her 29-inch body hadn’t been washed for a very long time. But it wasn’t long before the doll was getting a good scrubbing and a shampoo.

After she was cleaned up, Mrs. Dale made her some new clothes. How pretty the doll was now! Then they had to decide what to do with her.

“I know what I’ll do with this doll,” said Mrs. Dale, “I think my cousin Marian might like to have her.” Miss Marian was a lady who lived thirty-five miles away. She had many little friends. These young friends came twice a week to Miss Marian’s house to hear stories about the Lord Jesus. They liked to hold something while they listened. How happy they would be to have this beautiful, clean, just-like-new doll to love and hold!

So that’s just what happened. The doll was named Barbara, which was Mrs. Dale’s first name, because she had helped to make the doll so beautiful.

Now the little girls take turns holding the doll when they listen to a story. Miss Marian never forgets to tell them how Barbara was once a poor, dirty, ruined doll going to the trash dump. But Mr. Dale found her and rescued her. Then she explains to her little friends how that’s just what the Lord Jesus does for us. Mr. Dale found Barbara the doll and saved her, and the Lord Jesus finds boys and girls and saves them from their sins if they will ask Him to. He washes away their sins in His own precious blood, and dresses them in His own spotless loveliness. Then He gives them His own name. Everyone who belongs to the Lord Jesus Christ is called a Christian and that means a “Christ One.”

Do you belong to Him? Are you a “Christ One”?

“For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly. For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die. But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.” Romans 5:6-9.

ML-04/06/1986

Are They Gone?

It was midnight. There wasn’t any sound in the house and it was so dark and quiet. Brian lay in his bed wide awake, but what had awakened him? Why was he so wide awake at midnight? Brian knew why.

He got out of bed, opened his bedroom door, and tiptoed down the hall. He stopped outside the door to his parents’ bedroom. He listened closely for a few seconds and then quietly returned to his own room. Relieved, he knelt down beside his bed for a few minutes and then climbed back into bed and was soon fast asleep.

What made Brian do this? Brian was not a Christian, but his parents were. He wanted to be saved, but he kept putting it off. Many times he had heard at Sunday school and gospel meetings about the Lord Jesus coming back. He knew that if the Lord Jesus came to take everyone who was saved to heaven, he would be left behind!

Yes, Brian was checking to see if his parents were in bed. The house had seemed so quiet. He kept thinking, “Has the Lord come? Has the Lord come?” When he listened at his parents’ door and heard their breathing, he knew that the Lord Jesus had not come yet.

This had happened several times before, and Brian had always gone right back to sleep. But this time he had done something else. He knelt down beside his bed and accepted the Lord Jesus as his Saviour. The next morning he told the whole story to his parents.

Are you like Brian? Have you been putting off accepting the Lord Jesus as your Saviour? Brian is now saved, and there is a time coming very soon when the Lord Jesus will come. It could even be today! Then it will be too late for anyone who has been putting it off. Don’t wait any longer! Accept the Lord Jesus as your Saviour right now.

“For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and 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.” l Thessalonians 4:16,17.

“Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:2.

ML-04/06/1986

The Wonders of God's Creation: Sweating Is Good for You - Part 3

“And being in an agony He [Jesus] prayed more earnestly: and His sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground.” Luke 22:44.

Sweat, 99% water, also contains sodium chloride (salt) and other elements. Under normal conditions your body loses about a quart of water a day through perspiring, but someone who is playing hard can sweat as much as two quarts in an hour. That’s why it is wise to drink lots of water to replace it.

Sometimes it is asked, “How come perspiration smells so bad?” Perhaps the Creator allows this as a reminder that sweat was not present until sin came into the world through Adam and that we are all sinners. But it is not always accompanied by bad odor. We sweat all the time when we are in good health, although we may not be aware of it. The occasional bad odor comes from bacteria acting on tiny bits of the impurities brought out with the sweat in places where moisture does not promptly evaporate — such as the armpits or feet. But when such spots are kept clean the odor usually is not so noticeable.

As mentioned earlier, one of the penalties placed on Adam because of his disobedience was that the labor that was necessary to maintain life would produce sweat — an ever-present reminder that he had sinned against his Creator.

Approximately 4000 years later, on the very night when the Lord Jesus was about to go to Calvary’s cross, we read that He went to the Garden of Gethsemane with some of His disciples. Withdrawing a short way from them, He engaged in prayer to His Father, saying, “O My Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from Me: nevertheless, not as I will, but as Thou wilt.” He then returned to the disciples, found them asleep, left them and once more prayed in the same manner, agonizing at the thought of the load of sin He was to bear. Once more He joined the still-sleeping disciples and then drew apart for a third prayer to His Father. It was on this third occasion that we read (as quoted above) that the agony of the thought of taking the sins of mankind on Himself caused Him to “sweat as it were great drops of blood.”

The very sins of the world, which had begun with Adam and caused him to sweat ordinary perspiration, were now as a terrible load to be borne by the loving Saviour who had never sinned. And in the terrible agony at the thought of bearing the sins of others, His sweat, unlike that of Adam, was mingled with great drops of blood!

He could have refused to go to Calvary and relieved Himself of that great burden, but instead He endured it, saying, “The cup which My Father hath given Me, shall I not drink it?” John 18:11. In this way His death provides salvation for every sinner who will trust in Him as Saviour. Have you trusted Him?

ML-04/06/1986

Pearl Harbor

Memory Verse: “Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine.” Isaiah 43:1

I had one of the best jobs that any 19-year-old young man could have — I was stationed in the Hawaiian Islands where I ran a motor launch, which is a 22-foot naval vessel. I made runs early in the morning from shore to the USS Solace, a hospital ship. I brought off-duty officers and enlisted men back to their assigned posts. These trips were so quiet and beautiful. It was a perfect way to start a new day.

It was a warm Sunday morning in December in Pearl Harbor. As I left the USS Solace the harbor was so peaceful and beautiful. I started crossing the harbor and was just enjoying the trip, lying on my back watching the clouds sweeping across the sky, when suddenly in the distance I noticed smoke. Smoke was rolling up from the oil tanks, billowing up like a tornado. As I watched the fire and smoke, a plane flew out of the smoke and rocketed straight up. I thought to myself, “That’s something new; we are fighting fire by plane now!” More and more planes came into the action and flew back into the clouds. As I got closer another plane rocketed out of the clouds. That’s when I noticed the wing markings ... an orange sun! The Japanese were attacking Pearl Harbor, and they were bombing our oil tanks!

Boys and girls, when I was younger I sat in Sunday school and heard how the Lord Jesus loved me. I heard how, because of my sins, He shed His precious blood and died on Calvary’s cross, and that He rose again from the dead. I sat in gospel meetings and heard that the Lord Jesus came to seek and to save those who are lost in their sins. I also heard about Jesus and His love from an old lady who took care of me one day. As she was ironing she explained to me how Jesus loved me and wanted to wash my sins away, if I would only ask Him to. I didn’t wait any longer. I asked Jesus to wash my sins away that same day before I went home.

Without a moment’s notice the ships that sat quietly at rest were being bombed. We raced to the aid of these ships that were hit with the deadly bombs, helping wounded men to safety. Oil had covered the water and caught on fire, taking precious lives. We couldn’t work fast enough! We then docked to the USS Arizona, and at that point a bomb made a direct hit. The blast shot over our heads and the ship rolled over with a gasp. Some of the men were able to swim to safety, but thousands lost their lives.

We had just made another run to the hospital ship with the wounded and were on our way back out when a Japanese Zero dropped out of the clouds and spotted our motor launch. My heart stood still!

At that instant across my mind flashed memories of sitting in Sunday school, gospel meetings, and listening to that dear old lady telling me how Jesus loved me and died for me. I was so thankful I had accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as my Saviour back then... I knew I was ready to die.

The pilot of the Zero released three bombs not more than 50 feet away! The plane came so close I could see the pilot....

I cried to the Lord Jesus to spare us, and He answered me, “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of My righteousness.” Isaiah 41:10.

I watched the place where the bombs had dropped, never moving my eyes. Not one bomb exploded! The Lord took those bombs to the bottom of the harbor and left them there!

All through those dark war days, the Lord repeated these comforting words to my heart, “Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art Mine.” Isaiah 43:1.

Boys and girls, have you heard the Lord Jesus calling you? He is. He is calling right now. Satan, the enemy of our souls, is trying to keep you from thinking about your sins and the punishment you will have to bear for them if you do not accept the Lord Jesus as your Saviour. He is your only escape. Trust Him right now and be saved.

“But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.” Romans 5:8,9.

ML-04/13/1986

The Stolen Pear

Do you like to eat pears? I do. There is nothing nicer than a ripe, juicy pear, and how good it tastes. Most of us like them.

A group of boys were walking along a road once when they found a pear tree. There were seven pears on this tree, and they looked so tempting and so good that the boys stopped to look at them. As they were standing there the owner of the property came walking across his land, enjoying all the good things he had growing there. When he saw the boys he stopped and talked with them. He asked them if they liked pears, and they answered that they certainly did. So he said to them, “Do you know what I will do? I will give you six of these ripe pears. There are only seven on the tree, so I will keep one for myself.”

Wasn’t that kind and generous of him to give away all his pears but one? You know, God has given us all things richly to enjoy, as He tells us in the Bible in 1 Timothy 6:17. And He has given us six days in the week in which we can have a good time and do our own work, but He has kept only one day for Himself — the Lord’s Day.

Well, these boys enjoyed eating the six pears that the kind man had given them. But as they went on their way, they thought about that one other pear that the man had kept for himself. They said to each other how nice it would be to have that other pear also. And so they went back and took the last pear and divided it up.

How ungrateful they were when the man was so kind to them, you’re thinking. But are we any better than those boys? Do we remember how much the Lord Jesus has done for us? And do we try to please Him and to do His work on His day? We should want to please Him every day of the week, of course, but especially on the Lord’s Day which He has kept for Himself.

ML-04/13/1986

The Wonders of God's Creation: Under Your Skin

“The Spirit of God hath made me, and the breath of the Almighty hath given me life.” Job 33:4.

The human body — all 30 trillion cells of it — is an amazing display of God’s creative power and wisdom, and the human brain is the outstanding feature that sets us above other creatures. Animals act out their interesting lives principally by God-given instincts. Only in a limited way can they learn tricks taught them by trainers and are never capable of passing these on to others of their kind. But man, “made in the image of God,” is easily able not only to learn and imitate, but to use his intellect to bring variety into his life, make changes in it, contribute to the welfare of others, and to consider the worth of all that comes to his attention.

This superiority is possible because of the remarkable capacity of the brain, with its complex parts and 200 million tiny nerve fibers that control every part of his body. It is the brain with its invisible mind that lets us enjoy quiet thoughts, a lovely melody or a beautiful scene. It allows us to invent and produce things of great variety, including today’s complicated computers, laser beams, etc. But most importantly our minds, by our inner spirits, are made to realize there is a life after this one, and that we need to prepare for it through faith in the Lord Jesus, according to the Bible message that God has given us.

Let’s consider another wonderful part of the body. Think of your eyes as two cameras, far superior to any ever made in a factory, that automatically focus for distance and motion and open or close just the right amount according to available light. The lenses of the eyes do this, adjusting to some 10,000 variations, depending on brightness or darkness surrounding the object being looked at. All the “pictures” taken by it are stored away in the brain for future reference. For instance, your thoughts may be on the first school you attended. Sure enough, a picture of it comes into your mind, clear as can be. Then when you turn to something else, the picture returns to its memory file until, perhaps many years later, you want to look at it again, and it will come forth just as fresh as ever!

If we weren’t limited in space, it would be interesting to explore the wonders of our hearts, lungs, ears, mouths, tongues, digestive systems and our all-important life-sustaining blood. (We have already had stories about some of these in earlier articles.)

As we think on these things we cannot help but share the Psalmist’s thoughts of God’s creation of man expressed in Psalms 139:14, “I will praise Thee; for I am fearfully and wonderfully made: marvelous are Thy works; and that my soul knoweth right well.”

ML-04/13/1986

Following Directions

Memory Verse: “What shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?” 1 Peter 4:17

Eight-year-old Larry asked his mother for permission to burn the papers in the trash can out in the backyard. Since it wasn’t windy his mother told him to go ahead. She knew his father had talked with him about fire hazards, and had taught him how to use matches safely.

Seeing his mother watching him from an upstairs window, Larry waved to her. As the trash started burning she went back to cleaning the bedroom.

Only a few minutes later his mother heard Larry screaming. She dashed back to the window and saw Larry rolling in the grass with his pant leg on fire. She raced downstairs and out to Larry. By the time she reached him the fire was out. He had followed the rules his father had taught him, and that may have saved his life.

God our Father has given us some “safety instructions” in the Bible because He loves us and wants you and me to spend eternity with Him in heaven. First off He warns us that we are sinners and cannot go to heaven if we still have our sins. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23. Then He explains how we cannot get rid of our sins by anything we try to do. “We are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags.” Isaiah 64:6. In other words we cannot settle this problem of our sins by ourselves. He also warns that all sin must be punished. “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment.” Hebrews 9:27. Each of us will be punished for our sins after we die unless God’s Substitute has already taken that punishment for us. Then He explains who that Substitute is. God sent His Son, the Lord Jesus, to take the punishment for our sins if we will accept Him as our Saviour. “Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many.” Hebrews 9:28.

Won’t you follow God’s safety instructions right now and be sure that you have everlasting life before it is too late?

ML-04/20/1986

The Magnet

One of the nicest things for a boy or girl to play with is a magnet. A magnet is able to attract to itself things like iron and steel. Other things such as wood and glass, or even other metals such as brass and aluminum are not affected by magnets.

The common straight pin used in sewing is made from either brass or steel. But just looking at the pins, it is very difficult to tell them apart. However, if you put some of both kinds in a bowl and bring a magnet close by, you can easily tell them apart. The pins made of steel will “jump” to the magnet. Those made of brass will be left behind. They are not made of the right material to be attracted by the magnet.

The Lord Jesus Christ is like a magnet to this world. The people are all mixed together, just like the two kinds of pins. They may all look about the same, but there are two kinds — those who love Christ and those who do not love Him.

The Bible tells us that the Lord Jesus Christ is going to return. All those who love Him and have their sins washed away by His precious blood will be caught up to be with Him. They are like the steel pins left in the bowl. Just as there was no attraction between them and the magnet, those who do not know the Lord Jesus as their Saviour will not be caught up when He comes. They will be left behind, shut out forever from heaven, never to be with the Lord Jesus.

From what kind of material are you made?

“The Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and 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: so shall we ever be with the Lord.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16,17.

ML-04/20/1986

Ducks and Chickens

Sharon was a little girl who lived on a large farm. Her mother had given her a hen and some eggs to be hatched. Sharon looked forward to the time when she would have some little chicks all her own.

But these eggs were not all the same size: seven of them were hen’s eggs and six were duck’s eggs. For many days the little mother hen patiently sat on the nest. After about three weeks, two distinct families of little, yellow, downy birds hatched. Sharon was very excited and decided to make a house for the new family.

One morning a few weeks later when she went to the chicken house to feed them, she discovered that all of the young ducklings were gone and only the chickens were left. She ran and told her mother the sad news. Her mother laughed and said to Sharon, “You go down to the pond in the field and see if you can find them there.” So Sharon hurried off to the pond. Sure enough, there were six little ducks having a wonderful time enjoying their first swim on the water. She tried to get them to come back to the shore, but no, they were too much at home on the water and having too good a time to leave. It was just as natural for them to be on the water as it was for the chicks to be on the land. Even though both were hatched in the same nest, the two families had different natures.

Mother used this little incident to teach Sharon a lesson she never forgot. She told Sharon that we all were born with a nature that is selfish, loves to sin, loves the world and its pleasures, and is against God. But when a person gets saved, he is “born again,” born of God. He receives a new nature that is holy, it cannot sin, and loves to obey and please the Lord Jesus. However, the old nature still remains in the Christian as long as he is alive. The believer is to keep this old nature in the place of death, through the power of the death of Christ. Sometimes though, we let it become very active.

The old nature can only sin; the new nature cannot sin. May the Lord help each of us who is saved, to walk in the power of that new life, so that Christ might shine forth in us.

“Therefore 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-04/20/1986

The Wonders of God's Creation: What Your Nose Knows

“In whose [God’s] hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.” Job 12:10.

Many think of the nose merely as a means of breathing and smelling, or as a nuisance at times. But it is much more than that. As one of the world’s best air-conditioners, it was an extremely important provision of God when He created man.

What is it that my nose knows? Among other things, it knows how to filter air, how to tell the difference between good and bad food, how to add moisture to dry air, how to make cold air warm, how to bring back memories, and how to make your voice sound good or bad. It knows many more things, too, that we do not have room to write down.

First, your nose filters all the air you breathe, doing this in two ways — by hairs in the nostrils catching impurities, and by sticky mucus secreted from tiny sinus tubes above it. The mucus, controlled by tiny “brooms” that sweep it into position, keeps the impurities from entering your lungs.

How does it know good food and bad food? By sensitive little bulbs that pick up the slightest odor. When something smells spoiled or sour, your nose sends a message to the brain which immediately tells you not to eat it. This is another safeguard the Creator has provided.

Why should moisture be added to dry air? Because your lungs and throat require controlled amounts of it. This, too, is supplied by the nose with just the right amount added to each breath. By the same token, cold air is also harmful to your tissues, and the Creator has placed automatic “warming ovens” at the top of each nostril. These are flat pieces of bone about the size of a postage stamp which warm the cold air before it is passed on.

What does your nose have to do with memories? The pleasant odors it detects often make us think of an event that took place long ago, just as an unpleasant smell will bring a not-so-welcome memory.

Finally, your nose has much to do with your voice, for as you speak, much of the tone passes through it. We become aware of this when the nose is stopped up with a cold and our speech and singing sound strange to others, as well as to ourselves.

The nose was given an important part when the Lord God formed man and “breathed into his nostrils the breath of life.” Genesis 2:7. This was not done to any other creature, and it is another example of God’s special interest in us. He provided us a life not only for this world, but for eternity, and has assured us that our eternity will be in heaven if we accept His Son, the Lord Jesus, as our Saviour. But the Bible faithfully tells us to do this right now, saying, “Behold, now is the accepted time, behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:2. If you have not yet done this, do it right now! Tomorrow may be too late.

ML-04/20/1986

Jake and Snowflake

Memory Verse: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Peter 5:8

Jake the dog and Snowflake the cat live on a small farm near Niagara Falls, Ontario. Jake lives in a nice, warm dog house. His duty is to bark or give warning to his master when strangers come near the house.

Snowflake, who is pure white, lives in the barn in a nice nest of straw up in the rafters. Her duty is to keep out the mice who like to eat the covering on electric wires in the barn which could then cause a fire.

Jake and Snowflake do not get along together at all. They both live outside winter and summer, so they know each others’ habits.

One day the barn door was left open while Snowflake was down on the floor. Jake spotted her!

Boys and girls, this reminds us of Satan. The Bible warns us in 1 Peter 5:8 to be very careful and watchful because our enemy Satan, or the devil, walks around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to destroy. The verse reads like this, “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.”

Snowflake knows it’s dangerous to come down during the day, because Jake is always loose.

Jake made a dash for Snowflake, but Snowflake spotted a ladder that was leaning against the wall of the barn, and she made a run for it. Whew! she just made it! Cats are not noted for climbing ladders, but Snowflake sure learned in a hurry that day. As she started to climb, Jake leaped up at her and just missed her tail.

When Snowflake got to the top of the ladder, she jumped over to her nest and looked down at Jake and gave a long yowl. Jake looked up at her and growled as if to say, “I’ll get you the next time!”

Boys and girls, the Lord Jesus Christ is a ladder to heaven for you and me! Satan would love to have us, but Christ has made the way to heaven for us through His own precious blood. “Not redeemed with... silver and gold... but with the precious blood of Christ.” 1 Peter 1:18,19.

Will you trust Him today?

ML-04/27/1986

Another Story About Jake

One mild day in March, even though snow was still on the ground, the ice on the pond was getting very soft and not at all safe. Our two grandchildren came to visit us, bringing two of their friends. We warned all of them not to go near the pond since the ice was very soft. They said, “Okay, Grandpa.”

The Lord Jesus has warned us of wrath to come. “Who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?” Matthew 3:7. God knows that judgment is not far away, and so He has given us a way to escape this “wrath” through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ.

We knew the ice was not safe, so we warned the children not to go near it. Well, the children took our dog Jake with them and were having a good time in the wet snow. They would make snowballs and throw them so Jake would chase them. Grandma and I were watching all this through the living room window.

Suddenly, one of them got the idea to throw snowballs out on the ice to see if Jake would go after them. But Jake knew the ice was unsafe and would not go out on the pond. (God has given some animals instincts that we humans do not understand.)

However, one boy decided to try the ice. He got out about two feet and broke through!

If they had obeyed us, this neve’ would have happened. “Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.” Ephesians 6:1. However, they knew to whom to turn, just like the Psalmist in Psalms 46:1, “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”

Straight to the house they came as fast as they could run. We were waiting for them at the door. Off came the water-filled boots and wet pants.

“What happened?” Grandma asked. (She knew all along what had happened. God knows all things, too. “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.” Proverbs 15:3.)

“Jake pushed me in,” answered the boy.

“Well,” Grandma said, “if Jake pushed you in, why isn’t Jake wet, too?”

Now what could he say? “Be sure your sin will find you out.” Numbers 32:23.

These boys finally very sheepishly admitted they had done wrong, and we immediately forgave them.

BUT... work had to be done to clean up their sin. Clothes had to be washed and dried. So our Lord Jesus Christ has completed the work for our salvation on the cross of Calvary through His own precious blood. He will wash your sins away if you just ask Him.

Will you trust in the finished work of Christ? “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.

ML-04/27/1986

Another Story About Snowflake

Snowflake the cat lives in our barn. She not only has a nice, comfortable nest in the rafters, but also a nice, warm place on my work bench by the window of the barn.

On nice, sunny days, Snowflake loves to lie by the window where she takes catnaps in the nice, warm sunshine.

One spring day, the barn door was left open, and in flew a number of birds. Snowflake woke right up at the sound of their chirping. Her eyes and ears became very alert.

The birds must have thought that this would be a nice shelter in which to make a nest for their eggs, little realizing that their most dreaded enemy lived there.

This makes me think of the devil who has put a lot of nice things in front of boys and girls and men and women to keep them from coming to Christ. They don’t realize that these “nice things” are called “the pleasures of sin” (Heb. 11:25), and end in death. “Rejoice, O young man, in thy youth; and let thy heart cheer thee in the days of thy youth, and walk in the ways of thine heart, and in the sight of thine eyes: but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.” Ecclesiastes 11:9.

When those poor birds spotted Snowflake, they were terrified! They started to fly all over the barn, looking for a way out! Finally, all but one found the open doorway. That little bird tried to fly through the closed window right where Snowflake had been sleeping and now was watching. When it hit the window, Snowflake reached up with her front paw, opened her claws, caught the bird, and within seconds it was dead.

Poor little bird!

It thought it had found the way out, but it had made a bad mistake and paid for it with its life. This reminds us of Proverbs 14:12, “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man; but the end thereof are the ways of death.”

We cannot enjoy the “pleasures of sin” and refuse to get saved and still expect to be in heaven. No sin will ever be in heaven. “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. Just as it was impossible for the little bird to fly through a closed window, so we must come to Christ who tells us, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” John 14:6.

Will you come to Him today, while the door to heaven is still open?

ML-04/27/1986

The Wonders of God's Creation: Beware the Puffer! - Part 1

“Thou art the God that doest wonders: Thou hast declared Thy strength among the people.” Psalms 77:14.

There are many strange things in the oceans. One of the most unusual is the puffer fish, of which there are some 100 species. It is given a variety of other names such as swellfish, sea porcupine, globefish, tiger puffer, etc. They are found in all the oceans, including several along the eastern and western shores of the United States.

Puffers are not pretty fish, except for a few of them such as the swellfish which is bright green above, and yellow on its sides and white underneath. The protruding eyes of most are unusual, sparkling green or blue and apparently able to see in just about every direction at once. But otherwise, these fish are not at all attractive, having bulging eyes, fat stomachs, rubbery fins and puckered mouths. Their skin is smooth and without scales.

The reason the title of this article says, “Beware the Puffer!” is because they are one of the most deadly fish in the seas — able to raise sharp spikes all over their bodies, able to bite with strong teeth, and, most importantly, able to kill with fits deadly poison, which will be discussed in next week’s issue.

Puffers, lacking a skeleton or ribs, can’t swim like other fish because their tails and fins are not able to propel them very well. Instead, they often just drift in the ocean with their fins not doing much good and their tails merely acting as rudders. Because of this, they do not like deep waters, but stay near shores where they find their food — clams, oysters, marine worms and even crabs and shrimp. The amazingly strong jaws and hard, sharp teeth the Creator has given them, easily crunch the toughest shellfish to get at the inner parts.

The name puffer describes them very well when they defend themselves. At the threat of danger, great amounts of water or air are gulped into their stomachs. Their tough, elastic skin stretches with each gulp until they are as round as a ball and two or three times their normal size. At such times, on most of them sharp spikes rise straight out of their bodies, and it is a rare thing for even a shark to tackle one. When the threat is over they return to normal size.

Do you think the Lord God, who created them, gives any thought to such strange fish? The Bible assures us that He does, telling us, “The Lord is good to all; and His tender mercies are over all His works.” Psalms 145:9. We may not understand why such unusual creatures were included in His creation, but we can be sure He had a purpose in creating them and now watches over them as He watches over each of us.

When we think of this we should remember another scripture, “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.” Proverbs 15:3.

ML-04/27/1986

A Priceless Newfoundland Dog

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 Ethie, like many ships, never sailed without her dog Tang on board. There was one day in the Ethie’s history when Tang was of more value than any of the crew.

Of all dogs, the breed which is most famous for saving lives at sea is the Newfoundland. It is an obedient, strong, hard-working dog, loyally pulling sleighs and dragging wood for its master. Above all its other traits, however, it is known for its natural love of water. Its waterproof coat, webbed feet and great strength make it more suited than any other animal to be the companion of the island’s fishermen. Many fishermen refuse to sail a boat unless their dog goes with them.

A terrible storm was pushing the Ethie toward the rocks near the shore of Bonnie Bay, Newfoundland. Bravely the Ethie struggled on. Her engines were pounding so hard that the whole ship was shaking. She fought the storm with all her strength trying to reach the open water, but lost and struck the rocks.

Like an angry child breaking a toy, the continual crashing of the waves started breaking the ship apart. Rockets were fired to call for help. Rescue parties formed by the villagers came running along the shore, but the waves were too high for the men on the shore to reach the Ethie with lifeboats.

A brave member of the Ethie’s crew attempted to swim to shore, pulling the end of the lifeline, but the cruel waves dashed him to his death against the rocks.

Fear filled the men on the Ethie. The ship was being torn apart under their feet. They knew that soon they would be in the water and hopelessly lost.

Then the captain had an idea. He placed the lifeline in Tang’s mouth. “To shore, Tang!” the captain commanded. Tang leaped into the water only to be spun over and over in the waves among the rocks. He finally swam clear of the deadly rocks and, looking like a tiny black speck among the whitecaps, he swam for the shore. When he reached the shore, the rescue party gladly took the end of the lifeline from his mouth. Using this lifeline, they managed to save everyone on board the ship.

The crew was unable to save itself as the ship was being broken up. Isn’t it sad that the sailor tried to swim for shore? If only he had waited and relied on the dog, he would not have lost his life. He thought he could make it to the shore by his own strength in the angry tossing waves, but he was wrong.

There is something even sadder. Many people think they can save themselves from hell by their own strength. God tells us we are without strength because of our sinful nature. That is why God gave His Son, “to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10. Do you realize you are lost and without strength? The Lord Jesus died on the cross at Calvary to save men and women from the awful penalty of their sin, eternal death. But the value of His death comes only to those who believe. “When we were... without strength... Christ died for the ungodly.” Romans 5:6.

ML-05/04/1986

Monsters

“Mommy, come quick! There’s a monster in my room!” cried Stevie. When his mother came she tried to tell Stevie that there wasn’t any such thing as a monster, even though his little friends seemed to think there was.

When Stevie still seemed a little afraid she said, “Stevie, Jesus is here with you. He won’t let anything hurt you. He loves you very much.

“Isn’t Jesus afraid of anything?” asked Stevie.

“Oh, no, Stevie. He doesn’t have to be afraid of anything. Don’t you remember when He told the big wind and the big waves to be still, and they became calm? They had to do what He said, because He is God. So you don’t have to be afraid of monsters or anything else with Jesus here to take care of you.”

“Okay, Mommy, you can go downstairs,” said Stevie. “Jesus will take care of me.” He snuggled down with his Teddy bear under the covers and went off to sleep.

Do you feel afraid sometimes? Just remember that Jesus is with you all the time, and He tells those who love Him, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” So we can say, “The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear.” Hebrews 13:5,6.

ML-05/04/1986

Terry Fox

In 1980 millions of people were touched by the courage and determination of a young Canadian man named Terry Fox who, although crippled by the terrible disease of cancer, was determined to run from St. John’s, Newfoundland to Vancouver, British Columbia to raise money for cancer research. A few miles east of Thunder Bay, Ontario there is a very impressive monument marking the end of Terry’s “Marathon of Hope.” Anyone traveling the thousands of miles of hilly country between that point and St. John’s cannot help but be amazed at the courage and determination of this boy with an artificial leg.

We can think back to others in the past who, through research and determination, conquered diseases such as tuberculosis, smallpox and polio. Although Terry was not able to finish what he set out to do, the millions of dollars that he raised will go far in helping to find a cure for this disease as well.

There is, however, a disease far worse than cancer for which man’s research will never find a cure. Everyone has this disease, and it is fatal. It is called sin. But there is a cure provided by a loving God for anyone who will take it. The determination of Terry Fox reminds us not only of the determination, but also of the deep love of the Lord Jesus Christ who died on the cross to provide a cure for the disease of sin. “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. A man would be foolish if a cure for cancer were found and he refused to accept it. But are you ignoring or refusing to accept God’s cure for the disease of sin? “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 accepted the cure?

ML-05/04/1986

The Wonders of God's Creation: Beware the Puffer! - Part 2

“Thou, even Thou, art Lord alone; Thou hast made... the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein.” Nehemiah 9:6.

In the preceding article it was mentioned that puffer fish are loaded with deadly poison. Let’s consider this and its special hazard to those who eat it. One known as the tiger puffer, found along the shores of Japan, provides a good illustration.

In spite of its deadly threat, many people consider a puffer dinner an outstanding treat. This is particularly true of some natives of Japan, where restaurants specializing in “fugu” (as they call it) make very elaborate dinners. High prices are charged, because the preparation can be done only by specially trained chefs who know how to remove the poison. They are also extremely clever in arranging paper-thin slices of the fish on platters so that they look like a sculptured bird, a tree, a flower, or many other designs.

Yet, when the Japanese order these meals, they are aware of the real danger, for no matter how careful the chef may be, it would take only the smallest speck of poison in one’s stomach to bring a rapid and horrifying death, or at the least a terribly painful experience. Why then do they do this at such great expense and danger? Whatever the answer, great amounts of puffer are eaten even though deaths sometimes do result.

Without in any way criticizing our Japanese friends who have their own reasons for this practice, the danger involved reminds us of Satan’s ways in tempting every boy and girl, as well as every grownup, with things in our lives — the things of this world — that are not for our good, but which he makes look appealing. His purpose is to turn us from the goodness and love of God and feed us his “poison,” represented by the world and its attractions. The Apostle John, guided by the Holy Spirit, wrote, “Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.” 1 John 2:15,16.

How important it is for us to pay attention to these warnings! The Bible also tells us something better, “The fear [reverence] of the Lord is clean, enduring forever: the judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold.... Moreover by them is Thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.” Psalms 19:9-11. The Lord is able to guide and protect each one of us and keep us from Satan’s poison.

ML-05/04/1986

Ruthie's Love Note

Memory Verse: “We love Him, because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:19

When Ruthie was a very little girl she could hardly wait to start school so she could learn to print like her older sister Beth. Finally the time came, and it was not long before she was able to print short sentences.

One day Ruthie was thinking about how good her mother was to her. Even though Ruthie was small she liked to do nice things for others, but somehow she could not think of a way to show her mother how much she loved her. Then she thought of a special surprise. Now that she could print, she would write her mother a note! Of course, like all of us when we were in first grade, there were some words that Ruthie had not learned to spell yet. So here is the note she gave her mother that day.

Mother was very pleased with Ruthie’s little love note, and she taped it up above the kitchen sink where she could see it and enjoy it every day. It stayed there a long time; in fact, it was still there long after Ruthie had learned how to spell “much.” But finally the little note actually did become “mushy” with soap and water splashes from the sink, and Ruthie’s mother rather sadly took it down. Even more sadly she threw it away.

Although it has been a long time since the day when Ruthie wrote that love note, do you think her mother has ever forgotten it? Of course not! It is clearly written down in her memory, and nothing has erased it. And did you know, children, that just as Ruthie’s mother stores things in her mind that she likes to remember (as each of us does), so God keeps a “remembrance book” where our loving thoughts and what we say about Him are being recorded every moment! He tells us so in the Bible: “Then they that feared the Lord spake often one to another: and the Lord hearkened, and heard it, and a book of remembrance was written before Him for them that feared the Lord, and that thought upon His name.” Malachi 3:16. The Lord does not just say to His angels, “Now you keep a record of everything Ruthie and Johnny and Gregg are thinking and saying about Me.” Oh, no! He is standing right there — it is being written “before Him.” The Lord wants to keep enjoying it like Ruthie’s mother did. But there is a difference. God’s records will never get “mushy” and have to be thrown away. For “whatsoever God doeth, it shall be forever!” Ecclesiastes 3:14.

Have you thought about our wonderful Saviour today? Have you thanked Him for dying for your sins? If we think about Him often, it will not be long before we will be talking about Him, too. For God’s Word assures us that “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh.” Matthew 12:34. We will be happy, and others will see our joy and want to know Him, too.

ML-05/11/1986

Road Signs

When we travel on the highways, it is interesting and also important to watch the road signs. Road signs are placed there to help us, and they are meant to be obeyed. Many times we would be in serious trouble if we did not do as we were told.

God’s Word, the Bible, is something like road signs. It is there to guide us each day. Do you read the Bible? Do you believe it? Just like missing one road sign can cause real problems, not paying attention to God’s Word will also give us serious problems.

Have you ever seen a sign that said “IMPORTANT INTERSECTION”? We usually think of all intersections on a road as places to be extra careful, but this one was especially important. There is one “intersection” in life that could be marked “Important Intersection.” It’s the intersection of the way to heaven or hell. Have you come to it yet? “Broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction [hell]... narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life [heaven].” Matthew 7:13,14. Which road are you on? The Lord Jesus says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” John 14:6. The only way you can get onto the “road” to heaven is by accepting Him as your Saviour. Have you done that?

In the mountains the sign “CHAIN-UP AREA AHEAD” is often seen. When the roads are icy in winter, you are supposed to stop right there and put chains on your tires. That would be a bad sign for you if you didn’t have any chains for your car with you. Someone had warned us about that sign, so we were prepared and had brought chains with us the first time we saw it. God wants to prepare us for all the difficult things we will come across in our life, so He has given us His Word. But, are you reading it? Have you memorized verses so you are prepared when the bad times come along? We are told to “study” the Bible in 2 Timothy 2:15, and that’s a good plan for every boy and girl.

If you saw a sign that said “DON’T EVEN THINK OF PARKING HERE” you certainly would be foolish to disobey. That sign on a street going up a very steep hill would certainly be a clear warning. God gives each of us who are Christians some very clear warnings, too. In 2 Timothy 2:22 we are told to flee youthful lusts — to run away from things that would cause us to sin. “Don’t even think of parking here.” A little Sunday school song we often sing says, “Yield not to temptation.” That means, don’t give in to things that are wrong. That is something we need to ask the Lord for help in doing each day of our lives.

Another sign that we have noticed several times is “ROAIDE TURNOUT.” Sometimes it was a place to stop for a good view of the countryside. Sometimes it was a place where there was a trash barrel, or even just a place to pull out of traffic. This is a sad sign when we think of some children. They accepted the Lord Jesus as their Saviour and so are saved, but they just got tired of following Him they have turned out of the way.

They stopped coming to Sunday school and even stopped reading their Bible and praying. Each of us should make this little song our prayer.

“Ask the Saviour to help you,

Comfort, strengthen and keep you;

He is willing to aid you,

He will carry you through.

ML-05/11/1986

The Wonders of God's Creation: Is It an Anteater or a Porcupine?

“Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the Lord hath wrought this? In whose hand is the soul [life] of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.” Job 12:9,10.

In many rocky and high areas of Australia and New Guinea lives an odd animal called an echidna or spiny anteater winch is about 18 inches long. Its roly-poly body is covered with sharp quills, almost hiding its black fur and making it look like a porcupine, which it is sometimes mistakenly called.

Its eyes are small, and it apparently has no ears and not much of a brain either. Its bare snout has a narrow mouth, but instead of teeth a long tongue with ridges on it crushes its prey. It is a slow animal that hunts at night and hides in the daytime. The only time it is not slow is when escaping enemies that would like to make a meal of it — which they can only do if they are able to get at its unprotected throat or stomach. When pursued, its rough, sharp claws rapidly dig a hole deep enough to get its head and legs into. It is not at all concerned about the rest of its body which is covered with needle-like quills, for no animal wants to get any of these in its mouth or paws. If there is not time to dig a hole, then it curls up in a ball, tucking its bare spots safely under the quills. If there is not time even to do this, then it fights with its sharp claws. Because of these instincts and safeguards provided by the Creator, an echidna is seldom captured.

There are two kinds — the long-nosed and the short-nosed. Except for this difference they are much the same, their snouts, short or long, searching through the soil, in rotten logs, or inside termite mounds for food. The short-nosed echidna hunts mostly termites, ants and other insects, but the long-nosed prefers worms of various kinds. Its longer tongue has tiny hooks on it that firmly hold onto its prey.

The mother echidna has a kangaroo-like pouch on her stomach in which, once a year, an egg is laid. When the baby hatches, the pouch becomes its home. But when only a few weeks old its barbs begin to grow, and the mother, finding this uncomfortable, puts it outside where it learns the ways of scaly anteater living.

These animals seem very strange to us, but they are part of the wonderful creation of His of whom our opening verse speaks. David, the Psalmist, in his writings often speaks of the wonders of God’s creation and gives Him thanks, as in these verses: “I will remember the works of the Lord: surely I will remember Thy wonders of old. I will meditate also of all Thy work, and talk of Thy doings. Thy way, O God, is in the sanctuary [place of worship]; who is so great a God as our God?” Psalms 77:11-13.

How good it is for each of us to have these same thoughts and to thank and praise the Lord God for all His care and love for us. We should especially thank Him for the love that has provided a Saviour for all who will put their trust in Him. Have you done this?

ML-05/11/1986

A Skunk in Trouble

Memory Verse: “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28

Most of us are not at all interested in coming anywhere near a skunk, unless it’s behind glass in a zoo. But what would you do if you came across a skunk in trouble outdoors? Would you try to help it? A few of us might, but a lot of us probably would not.

It was well known that Mr. Rood, a biology teacher, loved animals and all the things of nature. He was often called on to take care of injured creatures of one sort or another. This time the urgent telephone call was about a live skunk seen walking down the middle of the main street in the next town, and this skunk was in trouble.

Mr. Rood changed into old clothes, grabbed a pair of old gloves, then drove over to the town that had called.

It was still early in the day, so there wasn’t much traffic when he pulled onto Main Street. He had no difficulty spotting the skunk, and quickly parked.

In the wild, skunks are always searching for food. Often they’ll visit garbage dumps to search for food that people have thrown out. They will also walk along the roadside picking up food that has been carelessly thrown out of car windows.

That seemed to have been the case with this poor skunk. He had found an empty tin can and stuck his head inside to lick it out. When he was finished cleaning out the bottom of the can, he tried to back out. It didn’t work. The jagged edge of the can caught in his fur, and the poor skunk was stuck with a can on his head!

Mr. Rood had no trouble spotting the skunk because it was clattering along Main Street, bumping into parked cars and running into the curb.

Don’t you feel sorry for the poor skunk? He had a big problem that he couldn’t solve. Sometimes people have problems that they can’t solve, too. But the biggest problem that every one of us has can be solved, although we can’t solve it by ourselves. That problem is our sins.

We’ve all told lies, disobeyed our parents, cheated a little in school, or done other things that we know are wrong; every one of those is sin... and that means we are all guilty sinners. The Bible tells us this, too. “The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men.... There is none that doeth good, no, not one.” Psalms 14:2,3. But this sin problem can be solved, and the skunk soon had his problem solved, too.

This poor skunk couldn’t do a thing to free himself from that tin can. But Mr. Rood who loved all creatures, even skunks, came to his rescue.

As he walked up to the skunk, he began to talk to it in a soothing voice. The skunk must have heard him, because it stopped and turned toward him, can and all. Then, as Mr. Rood continued talking softly to the skunk, he scratched the pavement with his fingers so the skunk would hear him as he moved closer. He slowly placed his hand on the tin can and waited... but the skunk didn’t make a move or struggle. When Mr. Rood couldn’t find any ragged splinters of metal that might hurt the skunk, he gave the can a sudden yank! Off came the can and the skunk fell back, turning a backward somersault!

The skunk quickly got back on his feet, looked at Mr. Rood, then trotted off and disappeared under a hedge. The few people watching from a safe distance must have breathed a sigh of relief. I think Mr. Rood probably did also.

The skunk’s problem had been solved. Do you want to know how your sin problem can be solved?

God loves you and me more than we can understand... but He hates our sins. Because He loves us so very much, He planned a way to free us from our awful sins. His plan was very, very expensive. His only Son, Jesus Christ, would have to bear the punishment for sin and die, shedding His blood so that all those sins could be washed away forever.

The Lord Jesus also loves us more than we will ever understand, because He followed God’s plan exactly! He took the punishment for sin on Calvary’s cross and died. Then a soldier thrust a spear into His side. His precious blood shed there has the power to wash away your sins and mine forever, if we will only believe that it was for us.

You know, that skunk could have turned and run away when he heard Mr. Rood talking to him and moving closer. But the skunk must have sensed the kindness in Mr. Rood’s voice and trusted him. Have you heard the Lord Jesus’ loving voice saying to you; “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden [with sins], and I will give you rest”? Matthew 11:28. Won’t you trust Him?

ML-05/18/1986

Wasps Everywhere

Sam and his dad were looking forward to a few quiet days at their cottage, so they were both a little excited as they pulled their car up in front of the old place. Dad got his keys out to unlock the cottage door. Sam suddenly stepped back a little as he noticed wasps between the window shade, that had been pulled down, and the glass in the door. However... the real shock was ahead of them!

As Sam’s dad slowly opened the door they could not believe their eyes. There were wasps all over the floor and on the walls, even in the light sockets! As they walked across the floor, they made a crunching sound as their shoes squashed the wasps. Dad found a broom and began sweeping wasps out the door. They didn’t fly around as they appeared to be sleeping. It seemed he swept them out by the thousands!

Finally, Sam and his dad were ready to settle down for the night. But poor Sam just could not sleep as he kept hearing a strange buzzing in his ears. At last he turned on the light and they both looked under the mattress. Sure enough, there was another layer of wasps! Thankfully, neither Sam nor his dad was stung — the wasps seemed to be in a dormant state.

Often boys and girls try to treat sins the same way Sam and his dad treated the wasps — they think they can just sweep them away and that’s the end of them. They might try kind words or good deeds or even going to Sunday school as their way of sweeping their sins away. But it just doesn’t work! Just like more wasps kept turning up, so do more of our sins. There is only one way to get rid of our sins, “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7. Have you trusted the Lord Jesus Christ to wash away your sins with His blood? Have you accepted Him as your Saviour?

Sam and his dad were very glad they did not get stung by any of the wasps. Most of us know how much a wasp or bee sting can hurt. The Bible tells us that there is a sting to sin, and it is a serious sting... it is death. “The soul [person] that sinneth, it shall die.” Ezekiel 18:4. Accept the Lord Jesus as your Saviour right now. He is able to take away that sting.

“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” Acts 16:31.

ML-05/18/1986

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Goldenrod and the Gallfly

“The Lord is good to all: and His tender mercies are over all His works.” Psalms 145:9.

While most plants flower in the spring or early summer, the goldenrod doesn’t make its pretty display along America’s country roads, at the edge of farmer’s fields, in meadows or on hillsides until fall. Those who are fond of its yellow flowers are sorry that it has a bad name with many, because of hay fever problems experienced when the goldenrod is blooming. Some plant experts insist it is not so much the goldenrod that causes this discomfort, but rather the natural result of the change in weather which takes place at that time.

Actually, its technical name of solidago means “to heal or make well.” Perhaps it was given this name before present-day medicines were available and when bandages for cuts and injuries were frequently made by pressing its leaves against painful wounds. When early settlers couldn’t secure tea or coffee, it was handy to learn that goldenrod leaves made a pretty good substitute. As a further item of interest, both Kentucky and Nebraska have made it their state flower.

A principal benefit of this plant, as designed by the Creator, is to help many insects at a time when other flowers are no longer available. To some it is an important source of pollen, while to others the seeds and petals provide valuable food. Bees, butterflies, moths, etc. come to it, some even crawling into its flowers at nighttime to keep warm. Some lay their eggs in the blossoms.

One of the insects that finds a very special use for goldenrods is the gallfly. Females, ready to lay their eggs, repeatedly puncture some of its main stems, placing an egg in each hole, along with a fluid that causes a “gall” (a lump about the size of a cherry) to form. The egg inside this gall soon hatches into a larva and through the winter develops further into a pupa (chrysalis). In the spring this odd-appearing pupa sheds its cocoon, and, very hungry, chews on the nourishing gall. As its body develops, it gains enough strength to butt against the tough outer skin of its prison until it breaks through and flies away in mature form.

How interesting to see how the Creator has provided in such an unusual way for this little fly to start its life. It seems natural for us to be impressed with things of great splendor, but often the Lord speaks to us through little things such as this, as well.

As the Bible verse at the top of our page reminds us, the Lord is good to all His creatures, but His care goes out to mankind with a special love. This includes you and me, whether we are small or great. It is only through this care and love that “we live, and move, and have our being,” as we are told in Acts 17:28. Let us thank Him every day of our lives for this wonderful love and care.

ML-05/18/1986

"Stay With the Boat"

Memory Verse: “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

The blue waters of the bay glistened in the sunshine. Laughter and the hum of a motorboat could be heard as six young people took turns waterskiing around the cove. As he steered the boat, Paul looked to the western sky and saw that it promised to be a beautiful sunset. What better way to enjoy it than to water-ski beneath the flaming colors!

Noticing the gas gauge, however, Paul realized there was not enough fuel to last for the rest of the afternoon.

“No problem,” said his cousin Bill, “we’ll just drive her around the point to get more gas.” The two girls who had been skiing agreed, and they climbed into the boat, leaving their skis and life jackets on the beach.

“We won’t need the life jackets,” reasoned Gail; “we’ve got a few floats in the boat.” Off they roared out past the breakers, six young people and not a single life jacket on board.

This carelessness almost cost these young people their lives, but the Bible speaks of another way of being careless that is far worse. “How shall we escape, if we neglect [put off] so great salvation?”

Hebrews 2:3. And yet many people are passing by the only Safeguard against a lost eternity — that Safeguard is the Lord Jesus Christ.

After refueling the boat, Paul had not gone far when he noticed the tide had changed and the water had suddenly grown quite rough. He decided to go a mile farther out to bypass the waves, but as he turned around again a large wave broke over the boat, filling it in one terrifying second. Quickly, Paul gave orders, recognizing that some were good swimmers and some were not.

“Gail, Julia and Mark, you swim in with me — I think we can make it to shore if we take two floats and stay close together. Bill and Larry, maybe you both had better stay by the boat. We’ll get a rescue squad out as fast as we can. Stay with the boat, guys!”

Determined, the four set out for the long swim back to shore.

Two hours later, and every muscle aching, they reached shore to find Paul’s mother had already been anxiously scanning the water for them from the beach. A rescue squad had already been called, and was just setting out. By this time, the sun had nearly disappeared and darkness was moving in. The water was rougher than ever, and the four young people with the rest of Paul’s family stood quietly and anxiously on the point.

One man returned in a large boat. “I couldn’t find any boat,” he reported sadly, “I’m afraid it must have sunk.”

Paul’s heart sank as he remembered his last words to Bill and Larry — “Stay with the boat, guys.” The only float left must have been carried out of their reach by the strong tide.

Darkness settled over the point. Car headlights glared out into the dark water, lighting the way back to shore. The family and friends drew close in a circle and prayed earnestly together. Even the sunshiny day seemed now like a cruel memory. As it grew darker, they continued to pray.

Dimly, some splashing was heard, but no... it was only the breakers... or was it? Tears welled up into Julia’s eyes as she distinctly heard two faint voices out in the darkness... and they were tears of joy! Bill and Larry had seen the car lights, and were led to safety, in spite of being weary and waterlogged.

That scene of happiness on the point that night is just a faint picture of the scene of happiness in heaven when one lost sinner is found. The Lord Jesus is the Light that shines out to lead the way into everlasting light. Two thousand years ago He died on a cross to satisfy the punishment for your sins. Today He lives in heaven, risen from the dead, waiting for you to accept Him as your Saviour.

“Wherefore He saith, Awake thou that sleepest... and Christ shall give thee light.” Ephesians 5:14.

“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.

ML-05/26/1986

Christopher

Christopher was just a little boy, and he loved to go everywhere his father went. One day he went with his father to a gospel meeting — a meeting where his father preached to the people and told them about how the Lord Jesus loves them so much that He died on the cross so that any who will believe on Him will be saved.

He died to wash away the sins of everyone who will come to Him and ask Him to save them from their sins.

As they walked home from the meeting, little Christopher held his father’s hand tightly. His father was feeling a bit sad because no one had said they would come to the Lord Jesus that night and be saved.

All at once Christopher said to his father, “Daddy, I got saved tonight. I asked the Lord Jesus to wash away my sins, and He did!”

You can guess how happy Christopher’s father was to hear his little boy confess the name of the Lord Jesus. Romans 10:13 tells us, “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved,” and this is just what Christopher did.

One day soon after, little Christopher said, “Daddy, there’s an old man in that little house up on the hill, and he is very sick. Could you go and tell him about the Lord Jesus so that he can know how to be saved too?”

His father answered, “Why don’t you go yourself, Christopher, and tell him, now that you are saved.”

But Christopher said, “Oh no, Daddy, I couldn’t do that.”

But the more he thought about the old man so sick and lonely, the more he felt that he should go himself. So one day he went. It took a lot of courage for him to go, but the Lord Jesus helped him, and I’m sure he prayed about it, too.

He didn’t know what to say, but he thought of his memory verse, and so he quoted it to the poor sick man — “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” And, do you know, the old man did just that. He knew he needed help, and so he called on the name of the Lord Jesus and he was saved. How happy he was then, and how happy little Christopher was that he had gone and told him about the Lord Jesus.

If we know the Lord Jesus as our Saviour, He wants us to tell others about Him. He will give us the courage to do it if we ask Him.

ML-05/26/1986

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Lovely Fairy Tern

“This also cometh forth from the Lord of hosts, [who] is wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working.” Isaiah 28:29.

Yes, the lovely fairy tern “also cometh forth from the Lord,” as He, the Creator of all, delighted in every work of His hands. It is among birds that many of His most beautiful creatures are seen. Peacocks, cardinals, hummingbirds and many others have colorful feathers that draw our admiration. But the fairy tern is not among these, for it has no color except for a dark beak and black feathers around its soft, dark eyes. It is pure white and most attractive in its appearance, especially when in the air with outspread wings.

Fairy terns are natives of Hawaii, Midway and other Pacific islands and do not migrate as most other terns do. They are great fishers, gliding smoothly just above the waves to snatch fish without stopping. They continue fishing while holding each catch crosswise in their beaks and return to land with a dozen or so at a time.

This bird draws the attention of visitors to its home areas because of a most peculiar manner of laying eggs, incubating them and raising their young. They seem entirely disinterested in making nests, but deposit an egg on a rocky bluff or balance it on a bare branch, a piece of stranded driftwood, or almost any convenient, available spot. Surprisingly, these eggs that appear so carelessly placed and look as though they would fall at any moment, seldom do, and then only because of a strong wind or something meddling with them.

The parents themselves are quite careful about this, incubating the egg by settling very gently on it, covering it with soft underfeathers. Those who have watched this never fail to be surprised at the skill with which both parents take on this incubating responsibility, particularly since it takes a month for the egg to hatch.

Again, as the baby bird breaks out of its shell, an observer would think surely it would fall from its support, and the egg and chick would be smashed below. But no, this hardly ever happens. The little new-born one has been given a sense of balance that few creatures have so early in life, and has also been provided with strong, long claws to hold securely to its odd home right from the start.

Chicks are cared for by both parents for about two months, fed mostly on small fish which they swallow whole. After that time the instincts given by the Creator, and what they have learned by watching their parents, enable them to go about on their own.

Although it is not likely that the Psalmist ever saw the pure-white fairy tern, he no doubt observed the care other birds display for their little ones when he wrote: “He [the Lord God] shall cover thee with His feathers, and under His wings shalt thou trust.” Psalms 91:4. Have you put your trust in Him?

ML-05/26/1986

Great-Great-Great Grandpa John

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

Let’s turn our clocks back 180 years to a time when my great-great-great grandfather, John McGowan, was living. Grandpa John was a pioneer in Indiana in about 1800. He brought his family from Pennsylvania across the Appalachian Mountains by horseback in 1798 to a home near Vincennes, Indiana. He was a gunsmith and found plenty of work fixing the muskets of the local frontiersmen. Sometimes the Indians also came, and he fixed their guns, too.

In 1812 The area was greatly disturbed by war. Many of the men took warning and set up guards around their houses to protect them. Grandpa John knew he should set up a regular guard over his house at night, but he put it off. He had seven dogs and he thought they were enough to warn him against intruders.

One day a neighbor lady died, and Grandpa John went to work building a coffin in which to bury her. That same day a local man involved in the fighting brought his broken musket to Grandpa John to fix.

“No, I can’t fix it,” he said. “My poor neighbor’s wife has died, and I have to make a coffin to bury her.” The man was insulted and went away very angry. He felt it was just an excuse and was determined to “get even.”

That night Grandpa John was so tired he decided he would wait just one more night to set up a night guard. He felt his seven dogs were enough to warn him. But after nightfall the insulted man and some of his friends quietly approached Grandpa John’s house. They were too smart for the dogs. They approached downwind and the dogs never smelled their scent or heard them.

Are you putting off being saved for some reason? It may seem like a good reason to you, but what about tomorrow. Do you really know that you will be here tomorrow? There are two things that might happen today. The first is that the Lord Jesus Christ may return; “Behold, I come quickly.” Revelation 22:7. If He returns before you are saved, it will be too late. “The Bridegroom came; and they that were ready went in with Him to the marriage: and the door was shut.” Matthew 25:10.

The second thing that might happen is sad to even think about. You might die in your sins. The Bible warns us — “Boast not thyself of to-morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.” Proverbs 27:1.

The men looked through a small opening in the log cabin wall. They could barely see by the flickering light from the fireplace, but there asleep on the bed was Grandpa John. One of the men took careful aim — one shot — and Grandpa John was dead! The men ran to the door and tried to break it down. The family was awakened by the shot and the banging on the door. They quickly grabbed buckets of drinking water and milk and threw it on the fire to extinguish the light. Fortunately, the dogs were awakened by the noise and attacked the men. The family grabbed a musket and fired toward the barking dogs. To their relief the men ran away and were not seen again. But for Grandpa John it was too late. He had waited too long to post a guard. Don’t be like Grandpa John and wait until the last minute and hope to be saved. Accept Him now as your own personal Saviour. “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.

ML-06/01/1986

Who Protected Grandpa Walt?

Grandpa Walt had a busy day planned. He had just stepped out of the door of the bank and was walking briskly down the street to take care of some other errands, when a tall, young man suddenly fell in step beside him.

“Well, you’re lookin’ good!” the young man remarked breezily to Grandpa Walt. “Where are you goin’?”

Grandpa Walt was a Christian, and he seemed to feel the Spirit of God inside of him giving a warning signal. This man was up to no good, Grandpa Walt was sure.

Turning to the stranger with a quiet smile, but with true certainty, Grandpa Walt replied happily, “I’m going to heaven! Christ died on the cross for my sins, and one of these days He’s going to take me to heaven. I can hardly wait!”

Like a flash, the young man quickened his stride, and was soon lost in the crowd.

God’s Word, the Bible, says, “Surely He shall deliver thee from the snare of the fowler.... His truth shall be thy shield and buckler.” Psalms 91:3,4.

Have you learned the power of God’s Word in your life? It not only can save your soul for eternity, but it is able to protect you from harm during your lifetime. The Bible says, “Even to your old age... will I carry you... and will deliver you.” Isaiah 46:4.

ML-06/01/1986

Too Late

David and Michael were the first two boys to arrive at school that morning. They were anxious to play marbles, so while they waited for the bell to ring, they drew a chalk circle on the blacktop and crouched down to begin their game.

Soon the schoolyard began to fill with students, and the air rang with noisy shouts and laughter. The noise level rose until suddenly the bell rang and the students lined up and filed into their classrooms.

The sudden quiet made David and Michael jump up, scattering their marbles. Where had everybody gone? Quickly gathering up their marbles, they raced for the school door, but they were too late. They had arrived in the schoolyard in plenty of time and had intended to go in, but they were so absorbed in their marble game that they kept putting off going into school. Now they would get a scolding from the teacher and be marked tardy.

Are you, perhaps, doing just what David and Michael did? You know you are a sinner. You know the Lord Jesus died on the cross and shed His blood to save you from your sins. You know you need to accept Him as your Saviour, but you think, “There is still time left. I don’t want to stop what I’m doing right now. I’ll do it later.”

The Bible warns us that “they that were ready went in with Him... and the door was shut.” Matthew 25:10. Those who were left behind could never get in. The door was shut forever.

Of course, David and Michael got into school even though they were late, but if you put off accepting the Lord Jesus as your Saviour, you may be shut out of heaven forever.

When the Lord Jesus comes again to call all those who belong to Him to be with Him in heaven, the door to heaven will be permanently shut, No one will be able to quietly creep in later. It will be too late forever. You will be too late forever.

Won’t you accept the Lord Jesus today?

“Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:2.

ML-06/01/1986

The Wonders of God's Creation: Weaver Ants Are Fantastic - Part 1

“Go to the ant; thou sluggard, consider her ways, and be wise.” Proverbs 6:6.

Ants of all kinds (there are thousands of species) are among the most remarkable insects in the world in their organized way of life and cooperation with one another. Solomon, who wrote the above Bible verse, could not have used a better example of wisdom in action.

Scientists tell us their tiny brains contain half-a-million nerve endings that send messages to all parts of their bodies, instructing them what they are to do. When they are together they do not, of course, speak to one another as we do, but through body actions and by means of chemical odors, they seem to understand one another perfectly. God-given instincts enable them to perform in ways that seem to us almost impossible. Not one of them is selfishly inclined, but will even give its life for the good of the others.

Weaver ants live in Africa, Australia and Asia, and make leafy nests in tree tops. When selecting a new location, they in some way agree on the leaves best suited for this purpose, and often these are quite difficult to reach. To solve this problem, they form living ropes. One ant acts as an anchor on an overhead branch; then others, one by one, grab the one at the bottom around the waist with its legs and, hanging on, make the rope a little longer. This continues as far as necessary, until the chosen leaves are reached. The long chain of ants remains in place, perhaps for a whole day, while yet others use it to reach the new spot and work as a group, pulling the chosen leaves together and lifting the sides to form a tent, all of which require teamwork.

But how do they make two or three leaves stay together? You would hardly believe the method they use — a number of them, after helping pull the leaves into shape, return up the living chain to the home nest while the remaining ones stay on the job. At the home nest, each ant picks up a larva (an ant not yet fully formed) and carries it down the chain to the new location. In some way only the Creator could arrange, each larva is then told to produce a continuous, sticky, silk thread. While producing this thread, each larva is passed by the ants along the joined leaf edges and woven through them, until the whole new nest is sewed and glued together. Then each larva is taken back to the home nest while work on the new home continues. Isn’t that amazing?

The activities of these little creatures should turn our thoughts to the One who has made them and taught them their ways. A Bible verse says: “[God] doeth great things and unsearchable; marvelous things without number.” Job 5:9.

We will consider more of these amazing things in next week’s issue.

ML-06/01/1986

A Thief in the Chimney

Memory Verse: “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that he was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.” 1 Corinthians 15:3,4

Rich adults and rich children too, are sometimes the most unhappy people around. True happiness does not come with having lots of money. True happiness is knowing you are at peace with God. It is knowing your sins are forgiven and following the Lord Jesus through obeying His Word, the Bible.

Tony Subelvedo’s family was rich. They lived in a nice, big house in a well-to-do neighborhood. Ten-year-old Tony only had to ask his parents for anything he wanted, and chances were his parents would get it for him. Did the many things he received make Tony happy? No. In fact, Tony felt quite lonely and wasn’t even sure his parents loved him.

So one day Tony planned a prank. The real reason Tony planned it was because he wanted attention from those around him. The way he went about getting this attention was wrong, as we will see. A much better way for Tony to have felt loved (attention is really only one part of love) would have been to realize and admit he is a lost sinner, and accept the Lord Jesus who loves him as his own Saviour. Then Tony would never feel alone and unloved again. He who said, “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world” (Matt. 28:20), would always be his friend.

To get attention, Tony decided to become a thief and rob one of the houses on his block. He got his friend Mikey in on the idea, and together they made their plans.

First, they studied their neighborhood and watched to see which house might be empty and left unwatched.

The next step was to figure out a way to get into the house. Tony discovered a big tree next to the roof of the house, and that gave him an idea. He could climb up the tree to the roof, then slide down the chimney into the fireplace, and then go through the house so he could open a door to let Mikey in. While he was climbing down the chimney, Mikey could act as his lookout.

Great plan, they thought! It should work! It couldn’t go wrong!

The next day they put their plan into action. Mikey kept watch while Tony climbed the tree to the roof and then scrambled across to the chimney. So far everything was working. Looking down the chimney, Tony saw it was smaller, darker and dirtier than he had expected. He found that by scrunching his shoulders together he could just fit in. Down he went, feet first. Slowly, inch by inch he worked his way down, getting scratched and scraped with every inch that he moved. Then something unexpected happened. Tony’s feet touched bottom... but he wasn’t out of the chimney and into the fireplace yet.

“Oh no,” he said to himself, “they must have their chimney damper closed!” (A damper is a little door inside the chimney near the bottom that is opened from the inside when a fire is burning, and closed later to keep birds and animals from coming down the chimney into the house.) Tony was stuck! It was impossible for him to climb back up and out. He could barely move his arms. He yelled to Mikey, “Mikey, get me out of here, I’m stuck!” But when Mikey heard that, he decided that he had had enough of being a thief and left Tony to get out of his problem alone.

Wedged in that chimney with no way out, Tony must have wondered if he would die in there.

Hours passed.

Finally, he heard people inside the house; he knew there was no escaping, so he called out for help.

The people in the house were quite startled! They quickly called the police and fire departments. When they arrived they found that the damper opening was too small for Tony to squeeze through. The firemen worked for three hours taking the chimney and fireplace apart before they were able to free Tony. Just before he was set free, Tony said, “Please don’t tell my mother!” Then a fireman carried Tony in his arms to a waiting ambulance which drove him to the hospital where Tony could be checked by a doctor.

Do you think the firemen told Tony’s mother? Of course they did, and then she knew all about it. God knows all about us too. A verse in the Bible says, “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.” Proverbs 15:3. Knowing how bad we are, He still loves us and invites us to receive everlasting life by believing on His Son. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him could not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16. Even boys as bad as Tony are invited to receive this gift. That’s what “whosoever” means. Isn’t that wonderful? And that word “whosoever” includes you, too.

ML-06/08/1986

The Hole in the Wall

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Jonathan’s eyes got bigger and bigger with each blow of the hammer. He was standing at the top of the basement stairs looking down at his daddy who was pounding on the stairway wall.

Each time the hammer struck the wall, the plaster crumbled a little more, until soon there was a small hole in the wall. Then, as Jonathan watched in amazement, his daddy continued to work with his hammer and crowbar until the little hole became a big one!

Whatever was going on? Well, the old furnace in Jonathan’s house had broken down, and the repairman had said it could not be fixed. The family would have to have a new furnace put in. But they had a problem — the stairway to the basement was so narrow that the new furnace would not fit between its walls. The only way to get it in was to knock a hole in one wall and lower it into the basement though the hole.

When Daddy finished his pounding, he went down to the basement to clean up the plaster mess. Jonathan crept down the stairs and peered through the hole to watch his daddy. It looked like a long way down to where Daddy was sweeping, but Jonathan wanted to join him.

“Daddy,” he called through the hole, “can I come down?”

With a smile, Daddy looked up at his little son, and immediately setting his broom down, he held out his arms. “Sure, Jonny,” he answered. “Just jump and I’ll catch you.”

Without a moment’s waiting, Jonathan jumped right through the hole into his daddy’s arms.

What gave Jonathan the courage to jump? Do you suppose he worried that he might fall and break his leg on the cement basement floor? No, his daddy had said, “I’ll catch you,” and Jonathan believed him. He just jumped, and his daddy safely caught him.

Boys and girls, the Lord Jesus wants you to trust Him just as Jonathan trusted his daddy. The Lord Jesus loved you so much that He died on the cross and shed His blood so that you might have your sins forgiven. Now He says, “Come unto Me” (Matt. 11:28), and “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” Acts 16:31.

Just believe Him and thank Him for dying for you. He loves you and wants to save you. Won’t you accept Him right now?

ML-06/08/1986

The Wonders of God's Creation: Weaver Ants Are Fantastic - Part 2

“The ants are a people not strong, yet they prepare their meat in the summer.” Proverbs 30:25.

Brown-colored weaver ants are less than half-an-inch long, equipped with strong legs and two long antennae protruding below their black eyes. Connected behind the front section of their bodies by a small segment is their main and largest feature — the gaster. It contains their stomach and three glands, each of which, on command, puts out a special odor. One odor is a general alarm for all ants to come quickly, another odor calls for help from nearby workers, and the third odor is used to make a trail-marking smell.

Another ant, smelling either of the first two odors, immediately acts on it. If it’s a general alarm, it hurries back to the soldier ants that guard the colony and then on to others with the message. Meanwhile it has left its own trail-marking scent so that while it spreads the message, these can all hurry to the rescue without waiting to be shown the way. If the call is just for nearby help, then it stops telling others when enough are contacted. None ever refuse to go.

The weaver queen lays thousands of eggs throughout the year. She is many times larger than the others and requires lots of food, but never leaves the nest. Certain workers are assigned to feed and care for her, including a continual licking of her body to keep her clean and cool. Other inside workers feed and care for the eggs and the larvae that come from them. Still others are selected for outside work, including the soldiers mentioned above.

Some of the outside workers maintain “dairies” of aphids and other insects which, when gently licked, give off a sweet moisture. When the “milkers” stomachs are full of this tasty food, they pass it through their mouths to waiting workers who, in turn, take it back to the nest for the queen and workers there.

The food of the weaver ants is mostly insects and seeds, and certain members are given the job of finding it and storing some away, just as our opening verse indicates. Sometimes a worker will capture an insect too large to carry, so it passes the word along by one of its special odors, asking for help, which promptly comes. If the prize is still living, they spray it with acid until it no longer resists, then between them, they carry it to the nest. Aren’t these provisions of the wise Creator wonderful to think about? We must conclude that only the Lord God could make such creatures and keep them from the first day of their creation, which turns our thoughts to the Bible verse, “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. That statement includes you. Have you given Him the right place in your life?

ML-06/08/1986

The Adopted Kitten

Memory Verse: “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

“Mew, mew, mew, mew.” Tom and Lisa ran to the spot where the cries of a tiny kitten were heard. There, all alone, they found a tiny ball of gray and white fur with baby-blue eyes just beginning to open. The little kitten was very hungry, and LOST. Apparently the mother barn cat had moved her litter away from the curious eyes and hands of the children, but this little baby had been forgotten.

That night the little kitten traveled to the city home of the family and was fed with an eyedropper. It eagerly licked the milk from the dropper, but it was a very long job satisfying the kitten’s appetite, even with all the family taking turns. This little creature had one great need — a mother to feed and care for it.

Then Tom’s neighbor, Bob, came over and said their cat had a new litter of kittens and maybe, just maybe.... Across the street they ran with the mewing baby to see if the mother would accept a strange kitten in her box. The little kitten was placed on the floor where Mama Kitty was drinking a bowl of milk. She looked at the mewing kitten and moved right over and began licking it with her rough tongue. After this washing, the deserted kitten was put into the box with the other kittens and Mama Kitty climbed in and they all began to eat hungrily. The mother cat settled down to clean all her babies again, including her newly adopted one.

While watching Mama Kitty accept the lost kitten, I was thinking of what a perfect picture this was of how lost and helpless we are in our sins “having no hope, and without God.” Ephesians 2:12. When we cry, “I’m lost, I’m helpless,” no matter how weak our cry, God hears us. He reaches out in love and adopts us into His family, and makes us one of His very own children. “Behold, what manner of love the Father hath bestowed upon us, that we should be called the sons of God.” 1 John 3:1. Upon receiving Christ as our Saviour, we are “washed... from our sins in His own blood.” Revelation 1:5. “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7.

Just as the little kitten could not feed itself and could not save its own life, so we are not able to save our own souls. There is no list of good things that we can do to save ourselves. The little kitten could not pay for its adoption and neither can we. The kitten could only drink and live, and we can only believe and live. “God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet [helpless] sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8.

ML-06/15/1986

A Free Gift Offered

It wasn’t the kind of offer that comes every day. Dr. Staby, the college professor, said he would pay all the expenses for three of his students, Barry, John and Bill, to visit greenhouses in Cali, Colombia. Dr. Staby had made frequent trips to visit the greenhouses of Colombia, and he decided the three students would benefit from seeing the acres of flowers grown there.

Barry, John and Bill had about two months to prepare for the trip. Bill, who had known Dr. Staby for only about six months, obtained a passport and made other necessary preparations for the trip. John seemed to be planning the same way as Bill. Barry did nothing. He had worked for Dr. Staby for nearly five years, but he did not believe the offer.

God, also, is offering you a free gift. The price has already been paid by the Lord Jesus Christ when He died for you on Calvary’s cross. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23. The gift of eternal life that God is offering you, must be accepted now, for “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:2.

Less than two weeks before the planned trip, Dr. Staby passed out the tickets. Barry was shocked. He still had done nothing to get ready. He quickly tried to get a passport, but it was too late.

Many men, women, boys and girls have heard the gospel many times, but they have never accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour. They are like the foolish virgins who didn’t get oil for their lamps. Midnight came and “the door was shut.” They cried, “Lord, Lord, open to us,” but He answered, “I know you not.” Matthew 25:10-12. Don’t put it off until tomorrow, for the Lord Jesus may have already come, or you may have died and it will be too late.

Everyone thought John was ready; he seemed prepared. He flew from Ohio to Miami with Bill and Dr. Staby. At the airline counter in Miami the agent asked John for his passport before he could get on the plane for Colombia. He reached into his back pocket where he had placed it. It was gone! Lost, stolen or forgotten, it didn’t make any difference — it wasn’t there, and he could not go to Colombia without a passport.

Those of us who are Christians delight in knowing that once we are saved, we can never be lost. It is not enough, though, to act like you are saved. “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7. If your sins are not washed away when the Lord Jesus comes back, you will spend eternity in the lake of fire.

John said that night was the saddest he ever spent as he prepared to return on the next flight to Ohio.

Bill believed Dr. Staby’s offer. He applied for his passport right away, and then he kept it in a safe place. When the time came, he was ready to go, and he enjoyed the trip to Colombia with Dr. Staby.

The time for you to accept God’s offer and be saved is while you are still young. “Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift.” 2 Corinthians 9:15.

ML-06/15/1986

The Wonders of God's Creation: Two Creatures With Many Legs

“Every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth shall be an abomination... or whatsoever hath more feet among all creeping things... them ye shall not eat.” Leviticus 11:41,42.

The first of our two subjects is the centipede. This name means 100 legs, but is just a general term since not all of the 1500 centipede varieties have the same number of legs. The most common have only 30, but big tropical ones may have more than 300. The centipede suggests danger, for they are known to be poisonous. However, the common ones in America cannot pierce human skin, and their targets are only earthworms and small insects.

These long, thin, blind creatures are composed of many segments, each segment having one right and one left leg attached. Most centipedes are born with very few segments, but at each moulting, new segments and legs are added. It might be thought so many legs would get mixed up, but you’d be surprised how fast they can travel, all legs working in unison. Active at night, their days are spent underground, under stones or in a piece of rotten wood.

We might wonder why the Creator put these strange things on the earth, but they are all part of His divinely planned creation, and He gives them the ability to make out very well in their unusual lives.

Then there are the millipedes. This name means 1000 legs, but 200 would be more accurate. Their brown, cylindrical bodies are much like the centipedes’ except that each segment has four legs, and most varieties have only 30 or 40 segments. There are other differences, too. The millipede, without poisonous fangs, is entirely harmless. Rather than worms and other insects, this creature’s food is mostly decaying plants or moist vegetation, which is why so many appear in flower beds that are kept damp.

They are often a nuisance by damaging plants, but there is no need to be afraid of them. In fact, they themselves are afraid when exposed and immediately coil up in a tight little circle, their heads in the center and their legs all pulled under their bodies.

While both these creatures are part of God’s creation and under His care, we are reminded that in Old Testament days, under the law, God told His people not to eat them (see the opening verse above.) Instead, He named clean animals and birds that stand up or fly above the earth as their proper food.

We are not now under those laws, but we see an important lesson in them. God does not want any of us to find our pleasures in this wicked world (other than enjoying things of His creation), but He tells us: “Seek those things which are above.... not... things on the earth.” Colossians 3:1,2. That is the way of true happiness. You will see if you follow it.

ML-06/15/1986

The "Searcher"

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

When Raymond Slupik was three years old, his father, the captain of a fishing ship, took him on his first fishing trip. As Raymond grew up he spent a good part of his summers on fishing boats.

Twenty years after that first trip, Raymond became captain of his own ship, The Searcher. He was delighted that now he could take his father on board as his guest.

On the evening of December 26, 1985, The Searcher was returning to the harbor after a day of fishing in Lake Michigan. Raymond and his father were on the bridge of the ship steering, and the four crew members were in the galley relaxing and staying warm since it was bitter cold outside. Small chunks of ice were floating on the lake. The twenty mile-per-hour wind churned the water, making huge waves which splashed over The Searcher, coating it with heavy ice. The Searcher looked more like an iceberg than a ship.

The crew were supposed to walk around the ship now and then to check on things. But on this particular day it was so cold they all stayed inside the galley where it was warm.

When The Searcher was still 17 miles away from Chicago, the ship began leaning to one side. This alarmed the crew, and they went out to find out what was happening. What they found terrified them!

The large door at the back of the ship, through which the nets were hauled, had blown open, and the waves which were breaking against the ship had washed through the open door, filling the hold with water and chunks of ice.

Raymond knew they were in serious trouble. On his radio he quickly called, “Mayday! Mayday!”

Raymond recognized the seriousness of the problem and immediately called for help. Have you done that yet? Have you realized that you are a sinner and that you cannot get rid of those sins yourself? The Bible tells us that “all have sinned” (Rom. 3:23), and we know that not one sin can ever enter heaven. But the Lord Jesus died on the cross so that those sins could all be forgiven. Now He tells us, “whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:13.

When Raymond sent out his call for help from The Searcher, the coast guard answered almost immediately.

“Come in, Mayday. Who are you and what is your problem?”

“This is Raymond Slupik of The Searcher. Our ship is leaning over badly to one side, and I don’t know how long we can stay afloat.”

“Do you have your life jackets on?”

“Yes.”

“How many men do you have on board?”

“Five... no, wait... there’s six,” Raymond answered, forgetting to count himself at first.

“Can you give me your exact location?”

Raymond checked the navigational computer and reported their exact location.

They were told that three helicopters would leave immediately to rescue them.

The water in the hold and the heavy coating of ice on the topside of the ship were making it lean over to one side. They didn’t know how much time they had before the ship would completely roll over. The lake was so cold and icy that they knew they must stay on board as long as possible.

Finally, the boat came dangerously close to rolling over. It was time to abandon ship! The coast guard radio operator heard the captain’s order: “Abandon ship! Hurry up, guys! We’re going under!”

Fifteen minutes later the helicopters arrived and hovered over the area. There was no sign of The Searcher, but they did see a flare in the water. One of the helicopters lowered a steel basket into the water and scooped up one of the crew. He was barely alive, and his hair and clothing froze to the basket as it was lifted out of the water and up into the helicopter. A second time, then a third time the basket was lowered and lifted a man to safety. They searched for the other three crew members, but they were never able to find them.

Raymond and his father, sadly, were two of those who were never found.

Just as a ship travels across a lake or ocean to a distant seaport, so we are all traveling across the sea of life. All of us would like to reach the port called heaven safely. But we cannot sail our ship safely alone. We need a Guide. Raymond had a navigational computer on his ship to help him steer. You and I can ask the Lord Jesus to be our Saviour, and He will guide us home safely. He will steer us around the dangerous rocks and shoals and bring us safely into port. “For I will surely deliver thee... because thou hast put thy trust in Me, saith the Lord.” Jeremiah 39:18.

Raymond’s navigational computer couldn’t tell him that the door to the hold was open and water was rushing in. But once we ask the Lord Jesus to be the captain of our soul, we know we will reach the port of heaven safely, no matter what kind of storms we run into. “He maketh the storm a calm, so that the waves thereof are still.... He bringeth them unto their desired haven.” Psalms 107:29,30.

ML-06/22/1986

Following Instructions

Earl was on a business trip, and he was going to fly from one city to another in a small plane. He watched the pilot start the airplane and they took off. It was a clear day, a good day for flying.

Several hours later they flew into some clouds and they could not see where they were going. They were still in thick clouds as they reached the city where they wanted to land. They realized they needed help. The pilot had to land by instructions from the control tower.

Earl noticed that the pilot listened very carefully to what he was being told to do. He did not let anything take his mind off what he was doing. His whole attention was taken up with what the man in the control tower was telling him, and they soon landed safely on the runway.

We should be doing the same thing, if we belong to the Lord Jesus. He wants us to be happy while we wait for Him to come to take us out of the world to live with Him in heaven. He wants us to follow His instructions. He does not want us to be hurt by the enemy of our souls, Satan. Satan is watching closely, trying to do us harm and to lead us away from the safe path of following our Saviour. We need to be reading God’s Word, the Bible, every day and also praying to Him and listening to what the Lord Jesus has asked us to do. Then we will be happy and we will be kept safely from many things that would take our thoughts away from our precious Saviour who loved us so much that He gave His life for us on Calvary’s cross to save us from our sins.

“The Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20.

ML-06/22/1986

The Wonders of God's Creation: Iguanas Love the Heat - Part 1

“But ask now the beasts, and they shall teach thee.... Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the Lord hath wrought this? In whose hand is the soul [life] of every living thing.” Job 12:7-10.

In almost every place in the world (except in the Arctic and Antarctic) there are many varieties of lizards, iguanas, chameleons, geckos and others of their kind. In a previous article we considered the lizards and how the Creator cares for them. Now let’s take a look at a few more closely-related ones, including the iguana, which makes its home where sunshine is abundant, particularly in desert areas.

While lizards are rather drab and plain looking, iguanas are often quite pretty. One is the Fijian crested, a resident of the Fiji islands. It is large, being three feet long with its tail representing more than half of that length. It is colored in shades of green, usually banded, having white stripes around its body and tail, with amber eyes and a yellow snout blending nicely. It has long, spidery “fingers” on the ends of each limb; the two center ones are about twice as long as the other three, but all are equipped with sharp claws to help in climbing the trees in which it makes its home. Like many other iguanas, this one eats mostly leaves and flowers, but it is also fond of crickets and other insects.

Another, the desert iguana, is much smaller and is a native of the American deserts. It can stand hotter temperatures than most others, partly because it is a night worker and is seldom outside during the day. It nests under fallen branches of Joshua trees and yucca plants. Desert country is, of course, usually barren except for the Joshuas, yuccas, cacti, sagebrush, and creosote bushes. It is from the creosote bush that this little fellow gets most of his food, climbing into the bush to eat its flowers and foliage. Along with a quantity of insects, this represents its food supply, and the Creator has given it a digestive system that takes the moisture from this food to satisfy its thirst in a land where no water may be found.

As we see how these obscure animals are provided for, we recall how the Psalmist was impressed with God’s care over all His creatures, writing, “These wait all upon Thee; that Thou mayest give them their meat [food] in due season.” Psalms 104:27. And also, “He giveth to the beast his food.” Psalms 147:9.

Iguanas and lizards have no way of knowing their Creator is watching over them, but in the Bible we learn how much He loves and cares for every boy and girl. One such verse says, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights.” James 1:17. Have you ever thanked Him for His many gifts and especially the gift of His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to be your Saviour?

ML-06/22/1986

Do You Like Spiders?

Memory Verse: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” Acts 16:31

One time I was invited to a friend’s home for dinner. While we were eating, I happened to see a spider on the wall. I hoped my hostess would not notice it, or she might be upset.

Another time I was visiting friends for a weekend. The family’s three children and I took a walk. When we returned, we found a big spider on the floor of the entrance hall. The children made quite a commotion over it, and one of them quickly stomped on it and squashed it.

I’m sure you could find a spider in my home right now. And I think you might even be able to find one some place in a king’s palace, if you ever had the opportunity to visit one.

Some people are frightened of spiders and they won’t go near them; to others they are ugly creatures that make them shiver, so they kill them. But spiders are really very wonderful and clever, and if you look closely at their webs, you cannot help but be amazed.

I want to tell you about a spider that saved a man’s life. This happened during the terrible massacre on Saint Bartholomew’s Day in the year 1572. King Charles IX of France did not like the Huguenots (who were Christians). He ordered, “Kill them all so that not a single one be left to reproach me!” Thousands of Huguenots were killed before it all ended.

One man who was saved was a baker. King Charles’s wicked soldiers were hunting for him to kill him, because they knew he was a Christian.

The baker knew they were hunting for him, so he climbed into his big oven, which was not heated that day and closed the door on himself. As soon as he did, God sent a little spider along to help him. This little spider spun a web all over the oven door.

When the soldiers searched the bakehouse, one of them suggested that the baker might be hiding in the oven. But another soldier said, “No man, he is not there; don’t you see the spider’s web all over the door?”

So they went away without opening the oven door, and the baker escaped.

There is a verse in the Bible that says, “The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings’ palaces.” Proverbs 30:28. What do you think it means? I’m sure it wasn’t put in the Bible just to tell us what we already know — that a spider can be found in a fancy palace as well as a simple bakehouse. There must be a deeper meaning; God must have some lesson to teach us from this verse.

We know that a spider is little and weak, and perhaps rather ugly, and not of much value, but, it is wise and takes hold with its hands and climbs into a place of safety.

Let’s just change the spider to sinner and think about it for a minute. Isn’t the sinner little and weak? And in God’s sight there is nothing uglier than sin! Then think about this — why should God, the Creator of the whole universe, think we are worth anything or even notice us?

This is truly a miracle — in spite of how worthless we are, God loves us! His love for the sinner is so great that He sent His only Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to die on the cross and shed His blood to wash away all the sins of anyone who would believe Him. “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.

Let us be wise like the spider. Let us take hold of the Lord Jesus Christ with hands of faith, accepting His love. He promises a place of safety in heaven from the punishment that is coming soon for sin.

“God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.” Romans 5:8,9.

ML-06/29/1986

God's Workers

“Your Father knoweth what things ye have need of.” Matthew 6:8.

The old Chinese preacher Wang and his wife lived in a little mud house next to the chapel which was surrounded by a small courtyard.

When persecution against the Christians arose, the old couple was told not to leave the courtyard because they might be killed. They had enough rice and other grain in the house to last them, for a long time, and Christian friends brought them vegetables. But gradually the wood to cook their food was all used. Wood was hard to find in the countryside where they lived, especially now in the spring when people looked everywhere for dry sticks and grass with which to cook their rice. They could not expect any help from their friends, but they prayed to the Lord about their need.

One morning when they were completely out of firewood, Mrs. Wang went into the courtyard. There at her feet on the ground were some dry branches. She happily gathered them up and soon had a nice fire going, and she was able to cook their breakfast. The old couple ate their meal with thankful hearts.

But where did the branches come from? God has His workers. In the high tree, which was standing in the courtyard, crows were building their nest. As they gathered sticks, grass and branches, they dropped many into the courtyard. They continued to drop them day by day until the little shed was filled with fuel. There were also green twigs with tender leaves on which Wang’s little goat could feed. When the persecution was over, Mr. and Mrs. Wang told their friends how God had provided for their need.

“O give thanks unto the Lord, for He is good: for His mercy endureth forever. Let the redeemed of the Lord say so.” Psalms 107:1,2.

“But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:19.

ML-06/29/1986

Can You Write Your Name?

Danny is in kindergarten and he has just learned to write his name. Can you read it here? (You will have to hold it up to a mirror to see it correctly.) Danny writes his name on books, paper, or anything he can find; even on the wall, which, of course, he should not do. Little children love to write their names just after they have learned how to do it. When my little sister learned to write her name, she wrote “Anita, Anita, Anita” everywhere!

We like to be able to write our name, but it is far better to have our name written in heaven! If you have taken Jesus as your Saviour, then you can “Rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.” Luke 10:20.

Is YOUR name written in heaven?

ML-06/29/1986

Bible Acrostic

Who, by the preaching of Paul, knew the Lord, and with gladness His servants received? (Acts 16)

Who, taught of Christ, His apostle sought out, and in time of sore trouble relieved? (2 Tim. 1)

Who, in the service of Master above, learned his duty to master below? (Philemon)

Who against God and His high priest rebelled, and met death in confusion and woe? (Num. 16)

Who, in the years yet to come, saw his Lord as the Child unto us that is born? (Isa. 9)

Who came in secret to Jesus by Night, nor could meet the Jews’ hatred and scorn? (John 3)

Who, for the truth’s sake, in Christ was beloved by the apostle most dear to the Lord? (3 John)

Who, in the pride of his heart, forsook

God, and was smitten a leper abhorred? (2 Chron. 26)

Who, in his doubt, went to Jesus, and found that from Nazareth came Israel’s King? (John 1)

Who, as a brother beloved in the Lord, did from Paul news to Ephesus bring? (Eph. 6)

Who, in the fear of the Lord, hid His saints from the wrath of an impious Queen? (1 Kings 18)

Who from the mob to take Jesus drew near? In their front a lost traitor was seen. (Matt. 26)

Who, by the aid of his God restored health to a leper, reproving his pride? (2 Kings 5)

Who, bearing witness to Jesus, was stoned, and forgiving his enemies died? (Acts 7)

Whence came the patriarch faithful when tried, and the pattern of all who believe? (Gen. 11)

Whom did the Saviour forewarn of the sin over which he should bitterly grieve? (Luke 22)

Join the initials to all of these names,

And a motto they give for each year;

Which if we heed in our journey through life,

Will make our path bright, safe, and clear.

ML-06/29/1986

The Wonders of God's Creation: Iguanas Love the Heat - Part 2

“The mighty God, even the Lord, hath spoken, and called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof.” Psalms 50:1.

Last week we mentioned the contrasting beauty of iguanas compared with lizards, to which they are related. But while many of them are quite pretty, there are some that look like miniature dragons and scare people who do not know they are harmless.

One, the twenty-pound sea iguana, is frightening in appearance. A good swimmer, it lives near ocean water, and its food is almost entirely limited to seaweed. Another that prefers the dry desert country of Costa Rica is just as fierce looking, carrying a spiked crest of flesh all along the top of its back and neck. It lacks the pretty coloring of so many others and has just a plain, speckled-gray, armor-like skin.

Then there is the horned iguana of Haiti, with three horn-like scales erect on its head and a row of comb-like, high bristles along its back and part of its tail. A bag of loose skin hanging below its neck, together with the other strange features, gives it a frightening appearance. Yet it would never harm you.

The best-known iguana has the awkward name of tuberculate and makes its home in South and Central America and the West Indies. This one looks like a fierce dragon, growing to five or six feet long. Greenish with black speckles over most of its body, it carries a saw-like crest over its neck and back. But it also is harmless and lives entirely on plants, buds and flowers.

Others, somewhat similar, live in trees, near rivers and lakes. Their usual diet consists of leaves, fruit and flowers, but some include insects and small birds as well. It would take many pages to describe all varieties, so we can only consider these few.

We may wonder what part these odd creatures have in God’s creation, but we know He has placed them in each region to fill out His purposes. Among other things, we can see that in eating flowers and fruit, they carry seeds to spots where they eventually develop into additional plants to replace those that die out. Then, too, in eating insects they help control the damage the insects do to plant and animal life in those areas.

Though we may not understand, we know the Creator has adapted each to live comfortably in its surroundings, and they are part of His marvelous creation in which He takes pleasure. A Bible verse tells us, “Thou, even Thou, art Lord alone; Thou hast made... the earth, and all things that are therein... and Thou preservest them all.” Nehemiah 9:6.

Those who know the Lord Jesus as their Saviour can enjoy the Bible verses that tell us, “O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in Him. O fear [reverence] the Lord, ye His saints: for there is no want to them that fear Him.” Psalms 34:8,9. Are you one of those who trusts in Him?

ML-06/29/1986

Face to Face With Lions

Memory Verse: “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

“The lions, Bwana! They have killed and eaten two more people! Heh! That makes 20 of our Songo tribe those killers have destroyed. And who knows how many goats and how much cattle.” The boy who helped in the kitchen was very excited and upset.

The missionary looked out into the darkness of the African night. Was it his imagination, or was he really smelling the musky odor that meant a lion was nearby? The shadow of every moving bush looked like a lion about to leap. He did not blame the people for being afraid. Never had he known the lions to make such raids upon cattle corrals and villages as they were doing now. It was no longer safe to go outside at night.

In the bright sunlight of the next morning, lions were forgotten for the time being. There were the sick people waiting to be cared for, the morning Bible lesson to give, and school lessons soon to begin. The laughter of little boys and girls was in the air, and things did not seem nearly as frightening as the night before.

Glancing out a window, the missionary saw that some of the goats had gotten into his vegetable garden. He and his wife had worked hard on that precious patch of vegetables, and he knew it would take no time at all for those goats to do a lot of damage.

The missionary started toward the garden, stopping just long enough on the way to pick up a stick to chase the goats with. He had almost reached the goats when he stopped short in horror. He was face to face with three lions!

The lions were crouched with their eyes fixed on him. Their tails were switching back and forth, like those of great cats. The missionary gripped his useless stick as his heart cried to God for help. He did not dare to run — they would attack him in an instant.

Suddenly there was a frightened cry from one of the goats near him who had caught the scent of his dreaded enemy the lion. Seemingly in bewildered panic, the goat dashed between the missionary and the lions.

In a flash, the three lions were on the goat in a snarling, clawing heap. The missionary knew that this was God’s deliverance for him, and he raced back to the house while the lions’ attentions were taken up with the goat they were tearing apart.

As soon as the missionary had gasped out his story, he and several others armed with guns hurried cautiously back to the spot, but the huge beasts had already bounded away, dragging the goat with them, and were nowhere to be seen.

How would you like to come face to face with even one hungry lion, boys and girls? Did you know “your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour”? You can read this verse in 1 Peter 5:8. We cannot see this “lion,” but he is very real. It is his desire to destroy every one of us, but Someone saw our great danger and has come between us and the devil. It was the Lord Jesus!

The frightened goat made a fatal mistake when he dashed between the missionary and those three hungry lions. The Lord Jesus was not making a mistake, and He did not come between us and our “lion” — Satan — without thinking. He came on purpose because of His great love for us!

“He was cut off out of the land of the living: for the transgression of My people was He stricken.” Isaiah 53:8.

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

“For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” Romans 5:6.

ML-07/06/1986

Shining for Jesus

Caleb’s grandparents were vising their daughter’s home, and Caleb and his brothers loved to have them come. They had such good times together when Grandpa and Grandma came. Grandpa heard the children singing, “Jesus wants me for a sunbeam.” Do you know that song? It goes like this...

Jesus wants me for a sunbeam

To shine for Him each day.

In every way try to please Him,

At home, at school, at play.

And the chorus goes this way...

A sunbeam, a sunbeam,

Jesus wants me for a sunbeam.

A sunbeam, a sunbeam,

I’ll be a sunbeam for Him.

But one day Caleb was unhappy, and that day he was NOT a sunbeam. His Grandpa said, “Caleb, I promised the children a treat, but I can’t give a treat to you when I see you acting that way. I heard you singing, ‘I’ll be a sunbeam for Him.’ But you aren’t a sunbeam today.”

And, children, the Lord Jesus wants us to be sunbeams to shine for Him every day of our lives. How can we shine for Him? By being kind and loving in the things we do and say, just as He was kind and loving to everyone. That is just like a ray of sunshine on a dark, cloudy day. How glad we are to see the sunshine when it has been dark and gloomy. It cheers us up, doesn’t it? If you love the Lord Jesus, and He has washed your sins away, you can do this for Him because you love Him. Do you know why you love Him? The Bible tells us why — “We love Him, because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:19. And when we think about how much He has done for us, we will want to do all we can for Him and shine for Him. Then the Lord Jesus will be pleased, we will be happy, and others around us may want to know about Him.

Shine, shine, just where you are,

Send for the light

Into the night,

Shine for the Lord where you are.

ML-07/06/1986

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Changeable Chameleon - Part 3

“Know ye that the Lord He is God: it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves; we are His people.... Be thankful unto Him.” Psalms 100:3,4.

There are more than 80 species of chameleons, a lizard relative, ranging from three to twenty inches long. They live among the trees of Madagascar, Africa, India and southern Spain, as well as in desert areas. A Latin name meaning ground lion is sometimes given to them and seems appropriate as the males look ferocious, many of them having from one to four horns protruding forward from their large heads, as well as crests or loose flaps of skin over their short necks. However, they only look fierce and are entirely harmless.

With the exception of one called stump-tailed and a few others, all have long tails, curling at the end to grab a branch, just as many monkeys do. This is particularly important for the Madagascar giant which lives in treetops. Along with strong, sharp claws, this tail enables it to move quickly and safely from branch to branch as it hunts its food. How wisely the Lord God has provided for all their individual needs!

Unlike their cousins the geckos which have no eyelids at all, the chameleon’s protruding eyes are almost completely covered by eyelids, leaving only a narrow opening. But their eyes, which turn independently of each other, can look forward and backward at the same time — a great help in finding food and escaping from enemies. Incidentally, if an enemy grabs one by its tail, it just lets its tail drop loose and scoots away. After a while a new tail grows!

For the most part they are slow moving, but their long tongue, which is in many segments, unfolds out of a yellow mouth too quickly for flies, beetles and other insects to escape.

All chameleons can change their color instantly when frightened or wishing to conceal themselves. No one can really explain just how this is done, but it is a further provision of the Creator in His care over them. Color changes are usually in shades of green, yellow, brown, blue or may be mixed.

The many species of this little creature speak of God’s pleasure in making varieties different in appearance from one another and yet all remaining true chameleons. As the Bible verse says, “For Thy pleasure they are and were created.” Revelation 4:11. Lacking strength to either attack their enemies or defend themselves, we can also see how the Creator has wisely provided for their every need in securing food, as well as protecting themselves by wonderful disguises.

As our opening verse tells us, the Lord God has also created every one of us and wants us to be His special people in ways no animal could ever know. This can be done only when we admit to Him that we are sinners in need of a Saviour and accept by faith in our hearts the One who died on Calvary to take care of those sins. How about you? Do you know the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour?

ML-07/06/1986

The Tornado

Memory Verse: “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:2

One very warm day, Mark, Steve and Tim decided that they wanted to go fishing down by the lake. They scurried around and found their rods, then dug some worms to use for bait. Finally they headed down the road beside the lake to a place where there was a dock.

They had lots of fun fishing that day. We don’t know if they caught anything, but most boys love to fish even if they don’t always catch something. They sat on the dock for a long time, sometimes silently peering into the water, sometimes just quietly talking together. (Everyone knows that loud noises and shouting and laughing will scare away any fish that might be swimming past.)

After a while, the wind began to blow and dark clouds appeared in the sky. The boys soon realized that a storm was coming up and that they had better start for home. So they reeled in their fishing lines, gathered up their stuff, and hurried up the road. What they did not know was that they were in real danger — a tornado was heading their way!

Boys and girls, do you know that you are in danger — greater danger than being caught in a tornado? If you do not have the Lord Jesus as your Saviour, then your sins are not forgiven. The storm of God’s judgment on sin is coming soon, and you are not ready to meet God. Come to the Lord Jesus and admit to Him that you are a sinner. Ask Him to be your Saviour today, and He will wash away your sins. Then you will be ready to live with Him in heaven.

As the wind gusts grew stronger and stronger, the three boys ran faster toward home. But they soon saw that they would not be able to make it all the way home safely before the storm broke. Steve said, “There’s a house. Let’s go in there and wait till the storm is past.” Tim thought it was a good idea too. But Mark said, “No, I’m going home to my own house.”

How important it is to be saved right NOW. God’s Word, the Bible, says, “NOW is the accepted time... NOW is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:2. Take the only safe way — God’s way of salvation, and don’t waste time trying other ways. You may be too late if you do.

Steve and Tim ran to the safety of the closest house, but Mark ran on toward his own home. The tornado struck with terrific force, taking down huge trees and telephone poles and hurling large objects through the air. No one knows for sure what it was, but something flying through the air struck Mark and killed him before he ever reached home.

Oh, be warned in time and escape from the judgment that is coming soon. The Lord Jesus loves you and invites you to come to the safety of His arms. He says, “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28.

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

ML-07/13/1986

Brian

Mrs. Miles enjoyed teaching school and loved to see her students learning every day. She had a student, named Brian, in her fourth grade class who refused to pay attention. He was not learning and was in danger of not passing to the fifth grade. The problem was Brian felt hang a good time was more important than learning. The result was that he would not have his homework assignments done on time, and only once in a while did he answer questions correctly in class.

I wonder if there are any girls or boys reading this who are like Brian when it comes to the Word of God. Perhaps you have never paid enough attention to the Bible to find out that it is a message to you from God. When you read the Bible or listen to it read, do you learn what God wants you to know? God had the Bible written because He has a very important message for you.

One very important thing to learn is “All have sinned.” Romans 3:23. Even though we don’t feel that we are sinners, if we have displeased God even once we are a sinner. Every time we try to hide something we are doing or saying, we are hiding it because we know it is wrong. Hasn’t this happened to you? It proves that God is right when He says, “All have sinned.”

Another important thing to learn is that the result of sin is death. God explains that this death means to be put in a place of awful sorrow and suffering in complete darkness forever; never to be allowed into heaven. Just as Brian’s refusal to pay attention was about to result in his failure to pass into the fifth grade, so our refusal to pay attention to the Bible may result in our missing heaven.

Most important of all we learn that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” 1 Timothy 1:15. God loved us so much He gave His Son, Jesus, to die for sinners like us; that anyone who believes in Him will not perish but will have everlasting life. Have you ever admitted to God that you are a sinner? God is now willing to forgive anyone who will admit to Him that they are a sinner and will believe His Word, that Jesus died for sinners.

Are you wondering what the result was of Brian’s failure to pay attention in class? Well, because her class was ahead of schedule in their workbooks, Mrs. Miles arranged for them to have the first hour of each day, for a week, to play any game they chose in the gym. When she made the announcement Friday afternoon, Brian was reading a comic book which he had carefully hidden inside his school book. He was so interested in his book that he again failed to hear anything Mrs. Miles said.

Monday morning arrived and Brian found himself alone in the classroom, alone except for Mrs. Miles that is. Hoping to teach him a lesson she said, “Because you chose not to listen in class you are here by yourself and not in the gym with the rest of the class. Now you may come to class each morning the rest of this week and write for an hour, instead of going to the gym. It is important to pay attention.”

I only hope Brian learned a lesson from all that happened to him. His punishment only lasted for a week, but the punishment for sin is forever, never to end! So learn a lesson from Brian: pay attention to the Word of God that says, “Now is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:2. Confess to God that you are a sinner and that you want Jesus as your Saviour, and you will be saved from the results of sin and death. Romans 10:9-13. “The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23.

ML-07/13/1986

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Gecko Family - Part 4

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

We do not want to overlook geckos in this series, for they are the most interesting part of the lizard family.

In American deserts the pretty banded gecko is plentiful. It has soft, pliable skin, large eyes, a long tongue for snatching insects and makes its home in the rocks. Another, across the world from America, is the odd fat-tailed gecko of Pakistan, with leopard-like coloring on top and on its extra-fat tail, but a plain grayish color underneath.

One of the more interesting is found in an African desert. It is beautifully colored and has paddle-like, fleshy feet provided by the Creator to help it travel over sand and probe for insects. This contrasts with the feet of most others and is covered with millions of tiny bristles surrounding little suction cups, enabling them to travel on smooth walls and upside down on ceilings. Their grip is so tight they need to pull each foot loose before taking the next step.

Because they devour so many insects, in many countries geckos become real friends in people’s homes, even eating scraps at the table, as they wag their tails like a puppy in appreciation.

The chuckwalla is really a lizard that is over a foot long, similar to an iguana and, like them, is fond of the buds, flowers and foliage of creosote plants. At night all often share a creosote bush together. Their homes are in lava beds and in the rocks of American deserts.

The most interesting thing about them is the way they escape from their enemies. They crawl into a narrow rock crevice and then blow themselves up so tightly that they can’t be pulled out. Where do you think they learned to do this? They didn’t learn by themselves, but received this life-saving instinct from the Creator.

Covered with loose, sandpaper-like skin, chuckwallas look rather fierce, but really aren’t. Although they are night workers, they can often be spotted in daylight sunning themselves on a rock — just one more of God’s creatures quite satisfied with its life-style.

As we consider all these creatures, let us always remember the One of whom it is said, “For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth... and He is before all things, and by Him all things consist.” Colossians 1:16,17. Let us always turn away from the foolish and false teaching of evolution which is so dishonoring to God. The Bible, God’s account, is the only true one!

ML-07/13/1986

An Arm's Length From Death

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

A large daily newspaper recently had a nice picture of a hero, John Kohl, who had just received a medal and a plaque from the Federal Railway Administration.

Our hero, we were told, was a 42-year-old train engineer with many years of experience. One day last July he was at the throttle of a 62-car freight train, traveling about 20 to 25 miles per hour through a town in Pennsylvania. Always watchful, his keen eye spotted an object down the track. Immediately he sounded warning whistles and began an emergency stop. The crew gazed in speechless horror as it became clear that the “object” was a tiny two-year-old girl playing on the tracks.

Startled by the terrible screeching sounds of the train’s brakes, little Jeanne jumped up and began to run clumsily — not to safety, but down the tracks!

There was no time to lose since the train couldn’t possibly stop in time. John coolly clambered out of the cabin and quickly picked his way down the front of the engine onto the snowplow (or “cow catcher”) in front. Hanging on with one arm, he leaned dangerously forward. With his one free arm, just at the right moment, he roughly swept the little girl aside so that she sprawled on her tummy beside the tracks. She was safe, but very upset!

It was another 200 feet before the train finally came to a stop and brave John Kohl could get off the train and run back to comfort the little girl, who was sitting up by now crying pitifully.

Suppose someone who had seen the whole thing were to come along and scold John, bawling him out for swatting little Jeanne so roughly. You would certainly tell such a person to stop talking nonsense. You would say, “Why, didn’t you see how the rough swat saved her life?”

We who speak to children about God are sometimes told much the same thing. People will say, “Don’t frighten or upset children by telling them what the Bible says about sin and judgment to come.”

God’s book has told us about future events again and again, and when we read that there is punishment ahead for sinners (children and adults still in their sins), we had better tell the whole truth so that even children may “flee from the wrath [punishment] to come.” Matthew 3:7. We know that “all have sinned” (Rom. 3:23), and that “the wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23), as well as, “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Heb. 9:27). These truths are something like the rough slap Jeanne received. We need to know them in order to run to safety. Run where? And to whom? Why, to the arms of Jesus! John Kohl was told, “You can measure the distance between life and death by the length of your arm.” In the same way we can measure that distance between eternal life and eternal death by Jesus’ mighty arm to save. Won’t you come to Him, confessing that you are helpless to save yourself? That verse, “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:7), can then apply to you, and you can know the forgiveness and comfort of His arms of strength. “When we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” Romans 5:6.

ML-07/20/1986

Noah Webster

Noah Webster was the man who put together the first American dictionary. If it were not for him, we might be speaking an entirely different style of English in New York than our friends speak in California.

He was born in 1758 on a farm near West Hartford, Connecticut. As a boy he loved to read. It was all his father could do to get him away from his books long enough to help with the farm chores. Although his family did not have much money, Noah was able to earn enough money to go to college. After graduating he became a lawyer but practiced only for a short time, and then he started teaching.

While teaching school in the 1780’s, he wrote a beginner’s spelling book, a grammar book and then a reader for school children. Millions of copies of the speller were sold, which helped to standardize spelling and pronunciation in the United States. After this he spent most of his time working on his dictionary. It took more than thirty years to complete, because language was changing so fast with new discoveries in almost every area of life.

When he was about 40 years old, he began to wonder if all his work was what really mattered most in life. He wondered if he had been building his beliefs on what he had done, rather than on God’s mercy toward him. One day he told his wife and three children, “starting today, I’m going to study the Bible until I find out what really counts!”

This was the beginning of a very important time in Mr. Webster’s life. He studied the Bible as carefully as he had worked on his dictionary. God was working in him. The more he read the more he understood what a proud sinner he really was. Late one night he got down on his knees and asked God to forgive him. He confessed that he was a sinner and accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his Saviour. He saw that the work that the Lord Jesus had done on the cross was everything, and that his own life and work were nothing. “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 next morning Mr. Webster told his family about his Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. They began to read the Bible and pray together each day. Soon they also confessed the Lord Jesus as their Saviour.

Mr. Webster found out what many of us have learned, that we can’t trust ourselves or our own thoughts as to what is right or wrong. We need God’s thoughts as shown in the Bible. It is there we see what we are in God’s sight — “gone astray” and in need of help from Him. Have you accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour? “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-07/20/1986

A Child's Trust

“Why doesn’t Jesus visit us sometime, Mommy?” asked four-year-old Gail.

“Because Jesus is up in heaven,” answered her mother.

“Can’t Jesus fly in an airplane like Daddy does sometimes?”

“Jesus does not have to fly in an airplane, because even if His body is in heaven, He is also with us. Before He went back to heaven, He said that He would be with us all the time.”

“But, Mommy, I can’t see Jesus.”

“No, we can’t see Jesus, but we know that He loves us and is with us. Think of the wonderful things He does for us. There are many real things we can’t see with our eyes. You can’t see my love for you, but you know that I love you because of the many things I do for you.”

The next day Gail was sick. She said, “Mommy, I know Jesus is with us and I’m going to ask Him to make me well.” Then she knelt down beside her bed and prayed, “Dear Lord Jesus, please make me well. I know You love me, and I love You. Amen.”

God wants all of us to have a simple, childlike faith in Him. “Suffer the little children to come unto Me, and forbid them not; for of such is the kingdom of God.” Mark 10:14.

ML-07/20/1986

The Wonders of God's Creation: Multi-Colored Kingfishers

“And out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam.” Genesis 2:19.

There are about 100 species of kingfishers, ranging in size from six to eighteen inches and divided into two groups — the water and the forest types. Many of the forest types never go near water and live on insects, small rodents, snakes and lizards.

The water kingfishers, which are more often seen, make their homes in hollow trees or dig burrows in a bank where the little ones hatch and develop before going outside to learn to fish on their own. The parents stay together year after year. The Creator, watching over all His creation, has given these birds unusual coloring — many are strikingly pretty with high crests on their heads. For instance, the common, which is the smallest, has colors that change according to the angle of light reaching it. At times it appears sky blue, but as it turns on its perch it becomes a beautiful emerald green with a variety of colors on its head, throat and other places.

By contrast, the largest is the African giant which is not as brightly colored as the smaller ones — more of a speckled gray above and light brown beneath. One from Ethiopia, the malachite, is a small bird, its speckled-gray head topped with a crest of a dozen feathers. White patches behind its ears and on its neck blend with a rust-colored beak and legs. A soft orange breast and underparts, and pretty purple feathers on its back, wings and tail, top it all off.

In America the most commonly seen is the belted, about a foot long. You may have seen one on a bare branch near a stream, patiently waiting until suddenly it dives headfirst into the water and returns with a fish in its beak. Incidentally, kingfishers do not spear fish with their beaks as we might think, but grasp them with open mouths, then hold them tightly in their closed beaks.

Perhaps millions of these birds live in various parts of the world most of them never, or only occasionally, seen by people. But there is One who always watches over them. He has told about His care over lowly sparrows (true of kingfishers as well). In Luke 12:6 He said, “not one of them is forgotten before God.” Then He adds, “Ye are of more value than many sparrows.”

Now the reason the Lord spoke these things was to let everyone know of His love and care over every person in the world and to give His invitation, “Whosoever shall confess Me before men, him shall the Son of man [Himself] also confess before the angels of God.”

To “confess the Lord before men” means to confess Him as your Lord and Saviour. When this is done with a true heart, not only will He let the angels know you are His, but your name will also be written in the Book of Life and will never be removed. Have the angels been told your name? Is it written in the Book of Life?

ML-07/20/1986

The Broken Shingle

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

God often uses our everyday experiences to teach us important lessons. This was the case when I was a boy of 10 or 12 and had an afternoon paper route.

It was fun to be able to ride my bike up and down the streets near our home and deliver newspapers to the customers along my route. It was fun to have my own job and get a pay envelope once a month with a little spending money earned all by myself. But it was not fun to come home all soaking wet and have to wring water out of my clothes after delivering papers in the pouring rain. That didn’t happen too often, and plastic bags were always provided to keep the papers dry.

Some customers were fussy and had to have their paper always neatly placed on the top step near the door. Others were not so fussy, and I could just toss the paper from my bike as I continued down the street. Sometimes my aim was good, and the paper landed neatly near the door. But sometimes my aim was bad, and then I would have to get off my bike and undo what had happened, like digging the paper out of the bushes.

On one particular occasion I remember throwing the paper and hitting the side of a house... a house sided with asbestos shingles. You can probably guess what happened... I had a broken shingle to show for my carelessness. The problem now was, what should I do. I had no power to undo the damage. Instead, I carried the worry of that broken shingle as I finished my route and returned, home.

Perhaps this is a little like the burden of sin that we carry with us, as we are reminded of the many times we have gone our own way and it has gotten us into trouble. “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. This verse tells us that we don’t need to continue carrying our burden of sin, because God has made a way for our burden to be removed. God sent His Son, the Lord Jesus, into this world to die in our place and bear the punishment for our sins so that we can go free. What we are not able to do God has done for us. Now we can simply accept His free salvation and thank Him for it. “But 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.

I am happy to say that I didn’t have to continue carrying the burden of the broken shingle either.

As soon as I got home I told my dad what I had done. He collected a few tools, and together we went over to the house where I had broken the shingle. He was able to repair the damage so that all was made right once more.

How thankful I was each time I passed that house to see the shingle wasn’t still broken. How thankful you will be, too, if you’ll talk to the Lord Jesus about your sins; ask Him to remove your burden of sin and wash your heart clean with His precious blood. The work has all been done by Another. There at Calvary’s cross the Lord Jesus suffered, bled, and died to set you free. There’s nothing more for you to do.

ML-07/27/1986

Bushy Tail

Back and forth, back and forth ran Bushy Tail. Up and down the big oak tree he ran all day long. Then when the hickory nuts were ripe, what a mess he made! Who? Why, Bushy Tail, the squirrel. While up in the hickory tree he would chew off the outside shell, letting it fall to the ground so he could get to the nut. The shells were scattered all over the sidewalk. What a mess!

As Mark watched from the window of Grandma’s house he asked, “Grandma, why does Bushy Tail collect all those acorns and nuts?”

Grandma was stirring a batch of bubbling, boiling apple jelly. Mark watched her as she turned off the heat under the pan. One by one the hot jars were filled. Then she poured hot, melted wax on the top of each jar. All of the pans and jars sure made the kitchen a mess.

“You see, Mark,” said Grandma, “our friend Bushy Tail is doing just what I’m doing. Only he’s out gathering acorns and hickory nuts, and this morning I was out picking the apples. He’s storing his nuts in the old tree, and I’m storing the apples in these jars. Bushy Tail and your Grandma are both getting ready for the cold, winter months. And we are both making a mess!”

“But you feed Bushy Tail all winter long,” said Mark. “How come he needs all those acorns, too?”

“Well,” answered Grandma, “God has created something in that little squirrel that tells him to get ready for the winter, and nothing will stop him from doing it! The Bible tells us that, little animals like Bushy Tail can teach us a lesson. It tells us to study their ways and habits and to become wise.” Grandma then read the verses to Mark about the ants, the conies, locusts and spider which God says “are exceeding wise.” Proverbs 30:24-28.

“Remember, too,” she continued, “that other animals have their shelters to go to when danger is near. Have you ever watched our little friend Chippy the chipmunk that plays around in the front yard?

“Sure. When he hears a noise or when the dog comes out, he runs in that hole under the step.”

“That’s right,” said Grandma. “And what do you suppose can reach him in there?”

“Nothing, I guess,” replied Mark.

“That’s right. Not even the rain gets in there. That’s what the Lord Jesus means when He tells us to study these little animals to become wise. He tells people who are busy thinking, planning and doing things to beware of the judgment that is coming. And we must get ready now, or it will be to late.”

“How?” asked Mark.

“By trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ,” said Grandma. “He suffered on the cross for us. Now all those who trust in Him are covered by His blood. And God says, ‘When I see the blood, I will pass over you.’ Exodus 12:13. The punishment we deserve has already fallen on the Lord Jesus.”

“Then, once we are saved,” she continued, “nothing can separate us from His love and care. He is like the stone step that hides the chipmunk. The pouring rain hits the step, and the dog can sniff around it and bark all day, but the chipmunk is safe.”

Mark had nothing more to say, but he sure had lots to think about as he watched Bushy Tail wisely getting ready for winter. What about you? Are you prepared for the judgment that is coming on this world? If you have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as your own Saviour, then you are as safe as you can possibly be. The Lord Jesus is coming very soon. He is going to take out of this world all who have trusted in Him. Are you ready? The time is very short. Accept Him right now as your Saviour.

“Prepare to meet thy God.” Amos 4:12.

“I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish.” John 10:28.

ML-07/27/1986

The Wonders of God's Creation: You Are Something Special

“Sing forth the honor of His name: make His praise glorious.” Psalms 66:2.

We learn in the first chapter of the Bible that the Lord God didn’t make all living things at the same time, but that a six-day period was involved. First, light and darkness were divided into day and night. On the second day dry land and oceans were separated and the atmosphere prepared for living things to follow.

It was on the third day that grass, trees, flowers and vegetation appeared. How beautiful it must have been! With the appearance of the sun, moon and stars on the fourth day, all was ready for a great variety of living things, and on day five the birds, fish, whales and all water creatures were brought forth.

Then on the sixth day the great variety of animals and miscellaneous creatures was created. Man was given the last place on this final day. Was this because the Creator thought more highly of the others? No, man actually was given the highest place of all — which is one reason why you are “something special.” Adam and all after him were made God’s representatives on earth and put over every other living thing. Because of his importance before God, everything else had been arranged to be ready for his use, comfort and enjoyment.

Man, because of this high position, was responsible to give honor to his Creator. But when Adam sinned it spoiled that honor, and ever since then mankind in general has been more and more dishonoring to God. Yet, in His love and patience God makes it possible for all who confess Him as God and His Son as their Saviour to even now bring to Him a testimony of honor. Are you doing this?

You are “something special” in other ways as well. Of all earth’s creatures, man alone has been given an everlasting existence. How important it is to make sure that you will spend eternity in heaven and not in hell. An often-quoted Bible verse says, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish [in hell], but have everlasting life [in heaven].” John 3:16. Have you made Him your Saviour?

Then, too, every part of your body is a display of His special creation, including the inner parts of your body. All demonstrate the special provisions the Creator implanted in you.

Thinking on these things, we can see that each of us is a very special creature in God’s sight and in His love and care. Can you say with the Psalmist, “Praise ye the Lord.... Praise Him for His mighty acts; praise Him according to His excellent greatness”? Psalms 150:1,2.

ML-07/27/1986

Buttons and Brandon

Memory Verse: “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

Brandon was a brave boy, but there were two things that frightened him. One of them was their neighbor’s dogs, King and Spitz. They were always kept chained to their doghouses, but they growled and snarled whenever Brandon went near them. They weren’t nice like his own dogs. Brandon was afraid of what might happen if they ever got loose and chased him through the fields and caught him. Just thinking about it would send shivers of fright down his spine.

The other thing that scared Brandon was Buttons, the pony that belonged to his sisters.

If you didn’t know Buttons you would think he was the cutest, most adorable and gentle pony around. Little, shaggy old Buttons had lots of people fooled... but not Brandon. Buttons might have looked cute, but Brandon didn’t trust him. He wouldn’t get close to Buttons unless his father was with him. Buttons wouldn’t dare misbehave when his father was around, and Brandon knew this.

Sometimes when Brandon and his father were around Buttons, Brandon would see Buttons watching him, and he thought he knew what Buttons was thinking — “You wait, little boy, one of these times you’ll be all alone, and I’ll catch you and teach you a lesson for being smaller than I am.” Brandon’s sisters were all bigger and older than he was, and they always got along fine with Buttons.

One day when his father was in the house and his brother and sisters had gone shopping with their mother, Brandon was playing with his toy trucks in the backyard. Buttons had a fenced-in corral where he was kept. Brandon didn’t think he had anything to worry about, so he was busy playing.

Suddenly, Brandon got the feeling that someone was looking at him. Turning around he saw Buttons just a few feet behind him. Brandon was terrified! He quickly stood up and started walking backwards, never taking his eyes off Buttons who was walking steadily toward him.

Brandon tried to call for help, but his mouth was dry and words wouldn’t come out. He kept walking backwards, not daring to run for fear he would be trampled. Then he backed up smack against the fence. Buttons had him cornered!

Buttons walked right up to Brandon (who had never been so frightened in his life before), opened his mouth and bit Brandon right on the chest, ripping his shirt and scraping his skin. Then Buttons turned and walked away.

When Brandon’s father heard what had happened he gave Buttons a good clout on the nose and put him back in the corral, firmly closing the gate that had been left open.

Buttons reminds us of Satan. Satan, our enemy, is always waiting to corner us one way or another. He is just watching until we let our guard down. Brandon’s father wasn’t around when Buttons cornered him and bit him. But the Lord Jesus is always there to help us right away when we have a problem. If the Lord Jesus is your Saviour you only have to call Him and He will hear you, even if you are so scared you have lost your voice. In the Bible He tells us, “Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee.” Psalms 50:15.

Wouldn’t you like to have the Lord Jesus as your Saviour? You can; it’s easy. Just tell Him you know you are a sinner, and trust Him to forgive your sins. “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.

ML-08/03/1986

Button Gets Loose Again

One summer day Brandon was playing in the backyard with his younger brother Eric. One game they liked to play was “pirates.” Since Brandon was older he was in command. He gave the order to Eric, “Sailor, climb the mast and untie the rope!”

Eric asked, “What mast?”

Brandon pointed to the heavy pole that the clothes line was tied to and stated, “That mast, sailor.”

“But, Brandon, it’s too big for me.”

Brandon answered, “Okay, I’ll climb it myself and get the rope down... if you’ll let me tie you up like you’re my prisoner.”

Eric agreed.

Brandon got the clothesline down. Then, beginning at Eric’s feet he started coiling the rope around him. It was a long rope, and he kept wrapping it around Eric until it almost reached his head. Brandon had just finished tying the last knot when he noticed something scary... Buttons was loose again!

This time Buttons wasn’t very close, and Brandon had enough time to run to the house and up the back steps to the porch where Buttons couldn’t get him. But as soon as he got to the top of the steps, he remembered that he had left his little brother Eric lying on the grass tied up with all that rope, and Eric couldn’t move!

Brandon was terrified of Buttons. But the thought of what Buttons would do to Eric was too much for him. It didn’t matter if he died trying, he must save his brother!

Brandon ran back to the spot where Eric lay tied. At first he tried to untie him, but when that took too long Brandon picked up his brother with a strength that surprised him, and carried him on his shoulder to the porch. Buttons reached them just as Brandon hurried up the steps with Eric. They barely escaped, and Brandon felt like he had just done the bravest act in all his life.

Brandon had tied up Eric really well with lots of rope and lots of knots. It took a lot of work to get him untied, but at least they were safe. Boys and girls, do you know that when we sin, sin wraps itself around and around our hearts so that we never can get free from it by ourselves. Jesus the Saviour is the only one who can free us from our sins.

One time Jesus was in a house, and four men carried another man who was sick of the palsy to Jesus for help. There were so many people around the house that they couldn’t get through the door. So these men climbed up on top of the house, broke up the roof and let down their sick friend, bed and all, in front of Jesus.

Do you know what the Lord Jesus said to him? He said, “Son, thy sins be forgiven thee.... Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk.” Mark 2:3-12. And the man was healed, but more important than that, his sins were forgiven.

We each need our sins forgiven, too, just as that sick man in the Bible did. If you want your sins forgiven then come to Jesus by faith, believing that He shed His blood to wash your sins away.

“In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” Ephesians 1:7.

ML-08/03/1986

The Wonders of God's Creation: What's Under Our Feet? - Part 1

“For thus saith the Lord that created the heavens; God Himself that formed the earth and made it; He path established it, He created it not in vain.” Isaiah 45:18.

Busy with so many things, most of us don’t think much about what’s below the ground or under ocean waters, unless there is an earthquake or volcano that gets our attention. But there are many things down there known to man and other things that can only be guessed at. What we do know is that “In the beginning God created the heaven [atmosphere and starry skies] and the earth” (Gen. l:1), and that He had a purpose in it, not only for His own pleasure but for the benefit of mankind and of the other creatures He was to place on it.

We see in Genesis 1 a period of time arranged by God (and its length known only by Him) when the earth he had formed in perfection was allowed to become “without form, and void” Genesis 1:2. We are not told why this took place, but we believe that during this apparently long time such things as gold, silver and other minerals as well as coal, gas and oil, along with gems of all kinds, were forming under the surface for the later use of mankind when all was put back in order again. There are those who speak of this space of time as “evolution,” but we know nothing could have survived to “evolve” after the earth became without form and void. Creation took place exactly as the first two chapters of Genesis (and many other Bible references) state.

About 70% of the world’s surface is water, making a beautiful scene for astronauts in space. The greatest depth of 36,198 feet, is in the Pacific Ocean. Incidentally, the bottoms of the oceans are not flat, but have valleys and mountains, some higher than the tallest on land. Many islands of the seas are actually the tops of such peaks poking up through the ocean.

If you could bore a hole straight through the middle of the earth it would be almost 8,000 miles long, and to travel around the equator you would have to cover about 25,000 miles. The earth is not the biggest planet, but is the most important since it is the only one on which God has placed mankind and other forms of life. Here He provided just the right amount of heat and light from the sun, a perfect composition of air for sustaining life, ample water for every need, plus a balance of night and day to meet the requirements of everything. Consider, too, the benefit of gravity to hold things in place and yet allow them to be moved as needed. On any other planet lower gravity would make you too light, and higher gravity would make you uncomfortably heavy. These things are just a few of God’s benefits to us in His marvelous creation.

In the next issue we will consider what is under our feet in more detail.

ML-08/03/1986

Amy and the Watch

Memory Verse: “Be sure your sin will find you out.” Numbers 32:23

“Amy, I’m going to take some of these blueberry muffins next door to Mrs. Peters while they’re still hot. I’ll only be gone a few minutes.”

Amy was playing with her doll and would rather go on playing than stop to go see Mrs. Peters. She was the old lady who lived next door and was nearly blind.

After her mother left, Amy put her doll in the doll stroller and pushed her all around the house, pretending she was on a shopping trip. She decided to stop at the grocery store (which happened to be her parents’ bedroom). Looking around at all the “groceries,” Amy saw her mother’s wristwatch on the dresser. “She must have forgotten to put it on because she wears it every day,” Amy thought to herself.

Amy had been told she was not to touch anything on her mother’s dresser. She had accidently broken a little cut-glass bottle one time when she had picked it up to look at it. But all Amy was thinking about now was how much she wanted a gold wristwatch just like her mother’s. She decided just to try it on to see how it would look on her wrist.

She nearly dropped it several times while trying to fasten the little catch, but at last she got it on.

“Oh, it looks so pretty,” she said to herself, smiling. “I wish it were mine... I wonder how it winds up?” She found the little gold wheel on the side of the watch and began to turn it as she had seen her mother do. She turned and turned the little gold wheel, until it seemed to be stuck. No matter how hard she tried, it wouldn’t turn any more.

Just then she heard her mother unlocking the back door. Amy very quickly opened the catch on the watch band and carefully set the watch back on her mother’s dresser where she had found it. Then she pushed her doll stroller out into the hall so her mother wouldn’t even know she had been in her bedroom.

Amy knew she had done something wrong, but she thought maybe her mother would never find out, especially if she didn’t know Amy had been in her bedroom. But Amy must have forgotten that the Lord Jesus loved her so much that He couldn’t let her get away with that sin. That would only make her think she could get away with it again. One sin often leads to another, then another, and still another, as we shall see.

“Amy, I’m home,” called her mother.

Amy pushed her stroller into the kitchen where her mother was.

Looking at the clock, her mother said, “Oh dear, I hope you weren’t worried because I was gone a little longer than I expected. I forgot to put my watch on this morning and didn’t realize how long I had been talking to Mrs. Peters.”

Amy’s mother went right to her bedroom to get her wristwatch. As she put it on she noticed it had stopped running. That was unusual, so she decided to wind it so it would start again. Then she discovered her watch had already been wound. In fact, it had been wound so tightly that it had stopped working.

Amy’s mother knew she hadn’t wound the watch too tightly, so there was only one other person at home who could have.

“Amy, did you take my watch off the dresser?”

Amy didn’t want to look at her mother, so she turned her back, pushing the stroller away, and then quickly said, “No.”

“When I just now put it on I discovered it has stopped,” her mother said. “And when I tried to wind it I found it’s wound too tightly. Amy, are you sure you didn’t touch it while I was taking the muffins to Mrs. Peters?”

Amy kept fixing her doll in the stroller, never looking at her mother, and answered, “Yes, I’m sure.”

“Amy,” her mother continued, “I’m very sorry, but I don’t think you’re telling me the truth. Maybe you had better go to your room to think it over.”

A little later her mother went into Amy’s room to find a very unhappy little girl. When she asked Amy if she had thought over what she had told her, Amy burst into tears. Then the whole story of the watch came out.

Her mother reminded her of the verse in the Bible that says, “Be sure your sin will find you out.” Numbers 32:23. Then she explained that it is always best to tell the truth right away. “If you tell one lie, often you tell another one to cover up the first one, and then the problem grows bigger and bigger, and you become very unhappy. Telling the truth not only keeps you happy, but it is doing the right thing and it pleases the Lord Jesus.”

Amy had to be punished for what she had done. By suppertime she was again a happy little girl and could join the family at the dinner table. Have you ever told the Lord Jesus the truth about yourself, that you are a sinner and need His forgiveness? He loves you very much and He’s just waiting for you to come to Him.

“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13.

ML-08/10/1986

He Found a Bible

As he slowly pushed open the creaky old door, dust and dirt fell on him. Leoncio went in anyway. The old adobe hut had been empty for many years. He passed by it every day on his way to work in Tacabamba, Peru.

In one of the small rooms he found some old school books. Along with them he also found another old book. He brushed it off, but it was still musty smelling from being damp and old. He opened it up to the title page: Santa Biblia (Holy Bible).

Leoncio had never had a Bible of his own. He had never even read one. He sat down on an old wooden bench and began to read. This book was very interesting. Several hours went by. When he finally decided he’d better start for home, he took the Bible with him.

During the next few weeks, he spent every spare minute he had reading the old Bible. He soon saw that he was a sinner and needed a Saviour. Soon after, Leoncio accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as his own Saviour.

“You are foolish!” said his father when Leoncio first told him about his “new Friend.” But Leoncio went on reading his Bible anyway, and talked about it to his family.

One day one of his brothers also accepted Christ as his Saviour. After that, one by one, all of Leoncio’s brothers and sisters became Christians. But his father and mother would not accept “this new idea.” “How can you be saved when you haven’t gone to the church?” they would ask. Leoncio would explain that the Bible contained all of God’s words and that they could read it themselves.

After Leoncio had prayed for his parents and read the Bible out loud to them for many weeks, they also found peace through accepting the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour. They not only had heard God’s words, but they saw how it had changed the lives of their children.

It was an old and musty Bible, but God used it to bring new life to a family.

“For I have given unto them the words which Thou gavest Me; and they have received them... and they have believed that Thou didst send Me.” John 17:8.

ML-08/10/1986

The Wonders of God's Creation: What's Under Our Feet? - Part 2

“Happy is he... whose hope is in the Lord his God: which made [the heavens], and earth, the sea, and all that therein is.” Psalms 146:5,6.

We are naturally curious to know what’s underneath us, and some answers have been provided by scientific exploration. The outer crust of the earth, for instance, is not the same in every place, but in general is about 25 miles deep on land and only one-fourth that much under the ocean floors.

It’s the soil of this crust that the Creator prepared to nourish trees and other vegetation and in which vegetables, fruits, grains, etc. grow. At various depths, but still within the crust, coal, oil, minerals and gems are found in abundance, indicating how liberally He has provided for generations before us, ourselves and those generations that may come after us.

Below the crust is a layer about 2000 miles thick called the mantle. This is thought to be where big earthquakes start as well as volcanos that break right through the crust and release their fire, steam, smoke and ashes from mountain tops. Such forces have been known throughout history, and we are aware of them in our present time, too. Mount St. Helens in Washington State was a recent example, as well as constant eruptions on the Island of Hawaii. Frequently we hear of disastrous earthquakes in South America, Mexico, Asia and other places. There is no sure way to tell exactly where or when any of these things may take place again.

Finally, at the center of our earth is the core, thought by some to have a cover of molten metal over 1000 miles thick surrounding it, but they think the great core itself is made of solid iron or nickel or a mixture of both. However, this is just a guess and something only the Creator knows.

Volcanos, earthquakes, strong winds and rain do make some changes in the surface of the earth, but they are not of too much consequence. The world will remain essentially the same until, because of man’s sinful departure from God, His judgment will fall on it. That is the time the Bible speaks of: “But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.” 2 Peter 3:10.

Before that judgment comes, He will take to heaven all those who know the Lord Jesus as their Saviour, but the awfulness of hell will be the destiny of those who have refused His love. Later He will recreate the world in unspoiled beauty where sin will never mar it again, but those who have refused the Saviour’s love will never see this new beauty.

These are true and serious thoughts. Are you sure your eternity will be in heaven?

ML-08/10/1986

An Escape to Freedom

Memory Verse: “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” John 8:36

Freedom is very precious! How would you like to live your whole life without freedom? Peter Strelzyk and Gunter Wetzel were living in a country where they had no freedom. They were willing to risk almost everything to be free from the oppression of communism in East Germany. But the border between communist East Germany and free West Germany was carefully guard. To try to cross it was almost sure death. These two men wanted freedom for their families, but not death. They both were married, and they each had two children. They loved their families and often discussed how they could carry them to freedom.

One day Peter leaped up and shouted, “I’ve got it!” He slapped Gunter on the back. “We’ll go by balloon!”

Gunter looked at him in amazement. “Great, and where do we find a balloon?” “We don’t,” explained Peter.

“We build our own.”

Over the next eighteen months the two families built two large balloons. The first one was a complete failure because it was made of the wrong kind of fabric. The police almost caught them in the second one when it landed short of the border. But they were learning from their mistakes. They felt it was worth taking another chance. Carefully they built another balloon. They bought the material from a number of different stores to avoid suspicion. They designed an excellent propane burner system for their hot-air balloon. Now they were ready.

On the evening of September 15 there was a cloudless sky with a stiff wind blowing to the west. It was the night! The two families drove into a dense forest as near to the border as they dared to go. Soon their huge, home-made, hot-air balloon was sailing through the air with both families’ aboard. They watched in fear as search lights continually criss-crossed the sky where they sailed. Would they make it to freedom?

The oppression of communism is just like the oppression of sin. While it promises freedom, it really takes your freedom away. It is almost impossible to get through the “Iron Curtain” of communist countries. But it is completely impossible to get free from sin without help. Sin is like a wall that separates us from God. What we need is someone to come carry us to freedom from sin and its oppression. Only the Lord Jesus Christ can do that.

Peter and Gunter’s huge balloon was carrying them up and over the dreaded communist border. Yes, they did make it! In just 28 minutes their flight was over, and they were safe and free in West Germany. The balloon had carried them to freedom! And now, the Son of God, the Lord Jesus Christ, waits for you to “climb aboard” so that you can be carried to freedom from the oppression of sin. God says, “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” John 8:36. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” Acts 16:31.

ML-08/17/1986

Which Is the Best Cleanser?

There are many different kinds of soaps and cleansers in the stores today. There are kitchen soaps, detergents for clothes, cleansers for sinks, cleansers for floors, bath soaps, spray-on cleansers and on and on. How can we know which one is best? We could try each one, but that would take a long, long time. We can read what the different soapmakers say, but that won’t help much because each one says theirs is best. There is even one that says it is “99-44/100% pure.” That’s almost perfect.

Besides dirty hands, dirty clothes, dirty windows and dirty floors, there is something else that needs to be cleansed; it is our hearts. Do you believe that your heart is full of sin? Do you also know that unless your heart is washed from sin you cannot go to be with the Lord Jesus Christ in heaven? The Bible says, “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it.” Jeremiah 17:9

Although there are many cleansers we can use to wash our hands, clean our cars or wash our clothes, there is only one cleanser for the heart. It can wash away all our sins, and it is 100% perfect! It is the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ that He shed on Calvary’s cross for you and for me. Is your heart still dirty with sin, or have your sins been washed away by the blood of Jesus?

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

ML-08/17/1986

The Mouse and the Ring

As Mrs. VanArnem got ready for bed, she removed her watch, her brooch and her three rings. Then she carefully laid them all on the dresser.

During the night the house was quiet and no one entered or left Mrs. VanArnem’s bedroom. Still, when she got up the next morning and went to put on her jewelry, one of the rings had disappeared. The watch, the brooch and two of the rings were exactly where she had left them, but her valuable diamond ring was gone!

Mrs. VanArnem called her children and her servants together and told them about the missing ring. They searched all over the house. Every possible hiding place was examined carefully, but no one found the ring.

Three years later Mrs. VanArnem had workmen come to do some repair work on her house. Part of the floor was taken up, and there under the floorboards lay the skeleton of a mouse with the beautiful diamond ring around its neck. The poor little mouse must have been nosing around on top of Mrs. VanArnem’s dresser looking for something to eat and must have accidently stuck its head through her ring.

Since the ring was so smooth and round, it probably didn’t hurt the mouse very much at first. But as the mouse grew and its neck got larger, the ring probably began to pinch and to hurt. The workmen who examined the mouse’s bones said its neck bones had been bent by the pressure of the ring which had finally strangled it.

That poor little mouse didn’t intend to get trapped. He was just curious about something pretty and got caught.

The same type of thing can easily happen to any of us, too. Every time you sin it is as though a little wire is slipped around you. At first it doesn’t seem too bad, but those wires get tighter and tighter and stronger and stronger all the time. The Bible says that the sinner “shall be holden [held] with the cords of his sins.” Proverbs 5:22.

How could the mouse have gotten rid of the ring? No other mouse could have helped him, but some person could have slipped the ring off his head or could have cut through the ring and set the mouse free.

No boy or girl can get rid of his or her own sins, either. Only the Lord Jesus, through His death on the cross and His blood shed, can get rid of the sins that have trapped each one of us. “The blood of Jesus Christ His [God’s] Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7.

The little mouse couldn’t ask for help, but you can. Won’t you trust the Lord Jesus today? He loves you and says, “Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me.” Psalms 50:15.

ML-08/17/1986

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Tailless Chimpanzee

“The mighty God, even the Lord, hath spoken, and called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof.” Psalms 50:1

Chimpanzees (which are usually called chimps) are members of the ape family, which includes gorillas and orangutans, all living in central Africa. Almost all zoos keep some and often teach them clever tricks to amuse visitors.

In the rain forests they communicate by grunts, hoots and calls, sometimes so loud they can be heard more than a mile away. They usually band together in groups of 40 or more. Old males sleep alone at night, but join the groups in the daily search for fruit and other food. All like to groom one another, sometimes kissing and holding hands. When they are friendly they grin with their teeth covered by their lips, but when they are angry their lips are pressed tightly together.

Chimps have small, round heads topped with large ears. Faces, ears, hands and feet are a bare pink, but the rest of their body is covered with thick, dark-brown hair. Mature ones are two to four feet tall and weigh from 50 to well over 100 pounds. Some live as long as 40 years.

They can stand upright for only a very short time. When they walk they drop down on all fours, stooping over with their arms dropping to the ground with closed fists. This is in contrast to human beings with whom standing or walking in an erect, upright position was established when they were created by the Lord God. Chimps and gorillas may look somewhat like humans, but there is no relationship at all. Each was created in its own pattern. Mankind alone was given “a living soul,” extending life into eternity, compared with all other creatures for whom death means the final end. Any other teaching is incorrect.

Mother chimps have just one baby at a time, and so are able to give it lots of attention. While she moves from place to place, the baby clings to her back or sometimes hangs underneath, grasping the hair on her stomach. The little ones play, climb trees and wrestle with one another while the mothers are busy.

When large amounts of food are available, a group may invite others to join them by loud barking. Groups often work together, and farmers find it difficult to keep them out of their orchards because the chimps always post a sentry to warn when anyone approaches.

The loving care of the Creator for these and all creatures is so nicely stated in the Bible verses: “O Lord, Thou preservest man and beast. How excellent is Thy loving-kindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of Thy wings.” Psalms 36:6,7.

As these verses indicate, although He cares for all creatures, it is only mankind that can know His love and His goodness which not only provides for daily needs, but has given us a Saviour. If we place our trust in Him, we are assured of an eternity in heaven. Have you placed your trust in the Lord Jesus Christ?

ML-08/17/1986

A Hungry Grizzly

Memory Verse: “I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.” John 10:10

The headline in the newspaper article said, “CONDEMNED GRILY GIVEN A NEW LIFE.”

Most of us are aware that a grizzly bear can be a terribly dangerous animal to be near. It can turn vicious if it is hungry, especially if it is a mother with her cubs. The best thing to do with a grizzly bear is to stay far away from it.

The grizzly in this story lived in the state of Montana. In her search for food, she roamed along the edge of the Bob Marshall Wilderness Area.

People taking vacations sometimes camp in that wilderness area, and campers always carry food. It doesn’t take long for bears to smell it and find it. Smart campers keep their food in their cars or hang it up high between two trees out of the reach of bears. But not all campers follow these safety rules. Some of them leave food on the ground in canvas packs or in coolers. This is like sending the bears an invitation to dinner. After bears have found food in a camping area once, they will return night after night to search for more. All campers, even sleeping ones, are in danger when there is a grizzly bear around. A grizzly has a mean nature and will turn nasty, attacking people and sometimes killing them.

This 3-year-old Montana grizzly learned where the camping areas were, and she began raiding them each night. She soon became well known to the rangers who patrolled the area. They tried tranquilizing her and moving her a long way away while she was asleep, but she was smart and would always find her way back. The rangers fastened a collar radio around her neck to keep track of her.

She also was well known to ranchers living near the wilderness area for two reasons. She raided the beehives that some ranchers kept (honey is a bear’s favorite food), and she dug up cattle bones in fields where ranchers had buried them.

She soon got to be so troublesome that the rangers were ordered to capture her and get rid of her before she attacked a person. She was condemned.

All grizzly bears are born with a mean nature that wants to kill. Bears cannot change their nature. All people are born with a sinful nature that loves to sin. We cannot change our sinful nature either. Because of our sins we are condemned to die. “By one man [Adam] sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” Romans 5:12. But there is hope for us.

Zoo keepers in Detroit, Michigan heard about the grizzly bear’s death sentence. Because she was a young, healthy, good-looking animal, they offered to give her a permanent home in their zoo. They decided that she was worth keeping alive. Even though they couldn’t change the mean nature she was born with, she could have a happy life in the zoo where she would be fully cared for, and she would not be a danger to people.

We are glad the zoo keepers offered to care for the grizzly and give her a new life. But they would always have to be very careful around her because of her nature that loves to kill.

The Lord Jesus knows all about our sinful nature. Although He hates our sins, He loves us so much He is offering the gift of everlasting life to all sinners — including you and me. He has a happy home ready in heaven for anyone who will accept His offer of forgiveness for their sins. Those who will accept it are given a new nature that loves to please Him. “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away... all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17.

Using several dogs to track her, the rangers hoped to capture the grizzly alive. Her collar radio beeped a signal that told them she had moved outside the wilderness area in her search for food and was near one of the ranches. She finally was cornered by two of their dogs that chased her under the porch of a ranch house. She was captured alive.

The newspaper article says that after she was shipped to the Detroit Zoo, they gave her a special meal of herring and honey, to help her like her new life. She now is no longer a condemned grizzly.

If you have accepted the love of the Lord Jesus and His offer to forgive your sins, you can put your name in that headline and change it to read, “CONDEMNED — GIVEN A NEW LIFE AND A NEW NATURE.”

“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.

“There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1.

ML-08/24/1986

Copperheads

Mr. and Mrs. Cameron had been fishing all afternoon, and yet in spite of their different kinds of fishing tackle they had not caught a single fish. Over on the shore, though, a small boy seemed to be pulling in one fish after another. Finally the Camerons decided to go over and ask him what he was using for bait.

“There are lots of worms under there,” he explained, pointing to a rotten log nearby. “They make good bait, but they bite your hand a bit when you put them on the hook. Help yourself. There are plenty of them.”

Worms that bite? That just didn’t sound right, so Mrs. Cameron decided she had better check up on it. Going over to the log, she lifted it and found... a nest of poisonous baby copperhead snakes.

In alarm she called out, “Hey, boy! These aren’t worms. They’re copperhead snakes! Let me see your hands.”

Sure enough, the boy’s hands were covered with tiny bites and were beginning to swell up from the poison. They rushed him to a doctor who injected some antivenin to counteract the poison, and the boy’s life was saved. The doctor estimated that the tiny amounts of poison from the bites of those baby snakes would probably be the same as the bite of a full-grown copperhead. If they had waited another hour, the boy would have been dead.

Perhaps some of you are doing something just as dangerous as playing with poisonous snakes. The Bible tells us that: “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man; but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Proverbs 14:12.

The little, baby copperheads didn’t look dangerous. In fact, they even helped the boy to catch a lot of fish. But they were deadly.

So it is with sin. It may seem to be just a “little” sin, but in God’s sight it is so horrible that He sent His Son, the Lord Jesus, to die on the cross and shed His blood so that that sin could be forgiven. Even baby copperheads can kill, and even what may seem to you to be very small (not-very-bad) sins need to be washed away. “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7.

Suppose that the boy who was fishing with copperheads had decided he didn’t want to stop fishing and go to a doctor. Suppose he had said, “But I’m catching lots of fish. I don’t want to stop right now. I’ll go tomorrow.” What would have happened to him? He would have died, of course. He had to have the injection right away, or it would have been too late.

Don’t put off accepting the Lord Jesus as your Saviour. Tomorrow may be too late. “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:2.

ML-08/24/1986

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Tough Frigate Bird

“Great and marvelous are Thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are Thy ways.” Revelation 15:3.

The frigate, with a body about the size of a chicken, stands out from other seabirds in many ways. Considered by some to be the greatest flier of all birds, it can perform amazing tricks in the air that few birds can match; these include eating, drinking and even sleeping while airborn. It can fly 1000 miles without resting and has no problem rising as much as 4000 feet into the sky. The Creator has provided the means for such flights by giving it extremely light-weight bones, along with an eight-foot wingspread and strong, forked tail to act as a rudder and brake.

Another name for it is man-of-war, because of its bad habits. Sharing islands with great colonies of other birds, it robs them whenever there is opportunity. For instance, seeing a booby flying with a fish in its beak it goes after it, sometimes even grabbing the booby’s tail and shaking it until it drops its catch, which the frigate then claims for itself. At other times one will land on a pelican’s head and eat fish right out of its pouch.

This behavior seems strange, because it is quite capable of catching its own food when necessary. Spotting a fish while flying over water, it drops straight down as though headed for a crash landing, but just before hitting the water its tail and wings fan out to break the speed, and it snatches the fish without getting more than its large beak wet.

Frigates nest in many ocean places, including southern California, Mexico, the Gulf states and tropical islands. The female is a plain brown color, but the male has a jet-black body and bluish green head, plus a flap of red skin suspended from his breast which he can pump up with air to make a red balloon nearly as large as himself. This he does when seeking a mate, standing on his perch, throwing his head back and forth and with loud whoops seeming to say, “Don’t you think I’m beautiful? Let’s build a nest together.” Sure enough, some female responds to this invitation. Then, after he picks a spot for their nest, she takes over building it with sticks that he brings to her. Soon they settle down to raise just one chick, to which they give their careful attention for about a year.

Such birds remind us of the great variety to be found in God’s creation. And isn’t it nice that it is so, for we wouldn’t want every bird, every animal, or even every human to look alike, would we? And so it is with each of us; our way of life is different one from another, but the important thing is to let the Lord Jesus rule our lives, as the Bible verse says, “Seek the Lord and His strength, seek His face continually. Remember His marvelous works that He hath done.” 1 Chronicles 16:11,12. Do you do this? Is He your guide through life?

ML-08/24/1986

OPO

Memory Verse: “Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.” 1 John 4:15

It seemed as though Opo’s mother had been killed, and because she was so lonely the young dolphin turned to people for companionship. At first she followed boats, loving to have her back scratched with an oar or a broom. Then she began to swim around with people who were swimming at Opononi beach. No one knows for sure who first got the courage to touch the wild dolphin, but after Opo learned that swimmers wouldn’t hurt her, swimming among the folks at the beach became a daily habit.

She learned to enjoy the company of the swimmers, and they enjoyed the antics and games the dolphin would play. One of Opo’s favorite tricks was to find a bottle on the bottom of the ocean, toss it as far and as high as she could with her mouth, then swim “faster than lightening” to catch the falling bottle on her tail. Onlookers would cheer when Opo did such tricks, and she seemed to enjoy the applause.

It was Opo’s special delight to swim among groups of young people. Opo especially enjoyed it when the children of Opononi held their school picnic at the beach. The children all waded out chest deep into the water and formed a circle, holding hands. It seemed as though Opo understood what the children wanted her to do. She swam into the center of the circle to perform tricks with a beach ball.

Opo seemed to sense those children who were gentle and avoided those who played too roughly. Opo’s favorite swimming friend was 13-year-old Jill Baker, who often swam at that beach. “Whenever Opo saw me go into the water,” Jill said, “she would leave the other swimmers and come to me.” Opo would often dive between Jill’s legs and take her for a ride.

Soon Opo became very well known, and people traveled long distances to see and touch the friendly dolphin. The store owners near the beach noticed their business picked up. To honor the dolphin that attracted the visitors they set up a sign at the entrance of the village. It read “Welcome to Opononi. But please do not kill our happy dolphin.”

Opo won the love of so many people that they got together to pass a law forbidding any one to hunt, capture or hurt any dolphin in the bay.

Only a few days after this law was passed, Opo was missing. Volunteers went out to search for her, but they did not find her. Later a clam digger found Opo’s body on some rocks. Apparently she was the victim of an underwater explosion.

The townspeople buried Opo on their beach, setting up a monument over her grave in memory of their happy and lovable friend.

Among all of God’s creatures dolphins are some of the most friendly and sociable. When God made them He gave them a heart which needs others to make them happy. Opo, who had probably lost her mother, found companionship with the swimmers of Opononi beach.

When God made man He gave man a heart so large that only God is great enough to fill it. Even our best friends, the kindest of brothers and sisters, and the most loving parents, although wonderful in themselves, aren’t enough to fill a child’s or an adult’s heart. Only our Maker, the loving Lord Jesus, is able to satisfy our hearts.

“Abide in Me, and I in you” (John 15:4) are the words of the Lord Jesus. How do we abide in Him and He in us? First, we need to know Him as our Saviour. Once we admit that we are a sinner and accept the salvation He offers us, then the Lord Jesus is our Saviour. We then can enjoy loving Him, this Man who loved us so much that He died for us. A hymnwriter wrote, “Jesus! Thou art enough the mind and heart to fill.” What a wonderful truth this is!

“Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and He in God.... God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwelleth in God, and God in him.” 1 John 4:15,16.

ML-08/31/1986

Sweet Potatoes

Almost everyone likes sweet potatoes. However, they have to be grown in a warm climate. In some parts of Africa they thrive and are greatly appreciated, because white potatoes are scarce.

A missionary in Africa had an African boy plant and take care of a patch of sweet potatoes. It was a pretty sight to look at the many little hills all covered with long, green potato vines.

The missionary was longing for a meal of these potatoes baked with some wild honey, so she walked over to see if the ground on the little hills was cracked open. That is the way to find out if they are ready to eat.

Selecting one of the largest hills, she pushed aside the vines. Instead of cracked ground she was terrified to find a puff adder curled around the potato plant! Puff adders are very dangerous, poisonous snakes. Everybody in Africa is afraid of them.

This puff adder reminds us of Satan. In the Bible we read, “that old serpent, which is the Devil, and Satan.” Revelation 20:2.

We know that the Lord Jesus Christ was tempted in the wilderness by the Devil. Then the Devil again tempted Him three times. Each of the three times He answered by saying, “It is written,” and then quoted a verse of Scripture. After the third time of quoting Scripture, the Devil left Him.

When we are tempted to do wrong, may we follow the Lord’s example by quoting a verse of Scripture.

What a loving Saviour we have! It was He who protected the missiory from being bitten by the puff adder.

She screamed at the top of her voice, “Muroro!” (serpent) when she saw the puff adder. The garden boy heard the cry and came running with a big long stick and killed the snake. It never frightened or harmed anybody again.

The Lord Jesus is ready at all times to protect and care for all those who put their trust in Him. “Trust ye in the Lord forever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength.” Isaiah 26:4.

ML-08/31/1986

The Wonders of God's Creation: God Watches Over Fish, Too - Part 1

“For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is.” Exodus 20:11.

There are more than 20,000 kinds of fish, all designed by the Creator to fit right into the particular part of the ocean, lake or stream where He has placed them. Like birds, animals and humans they must have oxygen, and this they get from water which is composed of two parts hydrogen and one part oxygen. As it passes through their gills, the oxygen separates and is pumped by the heart (just beneath the gills) into the blood stream, while the hydrogen is discarded.

There are two principal kinds of fish. Most have bony skeletons supporting their bodies, but others, such as sharks and porpoises, have no bones (except in their jaws). Instead, their bodies are supported by a covering of tough, gristly, elastic cartilage. Fish are slim and streamlined, but there are interesting exceptions that do not resemble fish as we think of them. These may look like seaweed, rocks, the muddy bottom of their homes, or many other things. Thus they are hidden from enemies and also able to surprise unwary sealife that becomes their food. These camouflages did not come by chance. They were designed by their wise Creator.

Tails and fins are for swimming and guiding through the water. Most tails are vertical (up and down), divided into two parts and represent their source of power. But in a few the tail is flat and solid. Combined with the work of the tail are the fins, some behind the gills, some underside or on the back and some near the tail. Each species has its own arrangement — some with the “dorsal” fin running the full length of the back and others with very small dorsals.

Then there are the important scales, representing their armor. However, some, such as certain bullheads and most catfish, do not have scales and instead have smooth, slippery skins. Scales usually cover the fish from head to tail, much like shingles over the roof of a house, overlapping in rows. They are hard, made of bony tissue and provide good protection for the flesh underneath. A fish’s age can be determined by counting the yearly rings on a scale, the same as is done with the rings of tree trunks.

To most of us everything beneath the surface of oceans and deep lakes is mysterious, but nothing is hidden from the One of whom the Bible verse says, “Neither is there any creature that is not manifest [visible] in His sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.” Hebrews 4:13. This reminds us that not only does the Lord God see every fish, small or great, but also sees each one of us at all times and knows all about us. What a happy thing it is to trust in Him as our personal Saviour and know how real that watchful, loving care is!

ML-08/31/1986

Carmen's New Baby

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

Carmen the cat lived with the Mendez family in Arizona. She had a little family of kittens in a box in the corner of the kitchen.

One day young Juan came home with a tiny, little ground squirrel that lay limp in the palm of his hand. “Look, Mother,” he exclaimed. “I found it out under a bush, but it’s almost dead.”

“Poor thing,” his mother said sadly. “Something must have killed its mother, and now it is starving.”

Juan asked if he could keep it.

“But how?” said his mother. “It’s too little to eat lettuce, and how could we keep such a tiny thing alive?”

Just then Carmen their cat strolled in and walked toward her box. That gave Juan an idea.

“Mother, let’s give it to Carmen. Maybe she’ll raise it along with her babies.” “Cats are natural enemies of ground squirrels,” said Juan’s older brother. “Carmen will just kill it.”

However, Juan decided to give it a try. He put the little ground squirrel among the kittens in the box and watched to see what would happen. Carmen was purring contentedly. When she saw the little stranger she sniffed him all over, then, pushing him aside, she called her babies to dinner.

But the starved, little ground squirrel sensed that food was near and crawled over to the mother cat, hoping to get in on the feast. Again Carmen cuffed him away, but again, driven by hunger, the little fellow came back to try.

Finally, while Carmen was busy washing one of her kittens, the tiny stranger made contact and began to nurse. From then on Carmen accepted the new baby as one of her own.

The little fellow thrived on such good milk, and strangely enough he became Carmen’s favorite. He was much more active than her own babies and could climb in and out of the box long before her own could. Juan named him Frisky.

Frisky loved to jump on top of his big, white mother and ride around on her back. He would climb chairs and the family had to be careful not to sit on him. Sometimes when he was climbing a chair, Carmen would grab his tail and pull him down.

Juan and his brothers and sister loved to play with Frisky. He would climb up and sit on their shoulders, and when he scolded and chattered in his little squeaky voice he would make them all laugh.

Frisky was accepted as one of the family. When he grew older he made a tunnel in the back yard for his home. Then he found a mate and they had a little family of their own. Carmen often paid them a friendly visit.

The story of Carmen and Frisky reminds us of how God has taken poor, lost, helpless sinners into His family. Because of our sins we were enemies of God, and yet He loved us so much that He sent His Son, the Lord Jesus, to die on the cross for 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.

Every one who accepts the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour is born into the family of God. “As many as received Him [Jesus], to them gave He power to become the sons of God.” John 1:12.

Little Frisky was loved and cared for by Carmen the cat, but he could never become a cat. He always remained a ground squirrel. But when God takes us into His family and we become His children, He gives us a new life.

Soon the Lord Jesus is coming to take His family home to heaven to be with Himself forever. Do you belong to His family?

ML-09/07/1986

Too Late

Mr. Edwards was a happy Christian who lived on the beautiful island of St. Vincent in the West Indies. He lived in a little house on the side of a volcano called Soufriere. His job was to check on the volcano so he could warn people if he thought it was going to erupt.

Every day Mr. Edwards would climb up the side of the volcano and check the temperature of the water in the crater at the top. Then he would report to the authorities what he had found.

Not everyone liked hearing the reports Mr. Edwards gave. Some people grumbled that he was just trying to scare everyone. Others laughed and said that old Soufriere had been around a long time and had never done much damage.

Maybe you boys and girls feel the same way about what you hear in Sunday school. Perhaps you think you are just being told scary stories. But the warnings you have been given are all true.

The Bible has told us about the judgment that is coming on this earth. We have been warned to “flee from the wrath to come.” Matthew 3:7. We are also told that “the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night... the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.” 2 Peter 3:10.

Just as men could not predict exactly when Soufriere would erupt, so man cannot predict exactly when God’s judgment will fall on this sinful world. We need to pay attention to the warning in Matthew 25:13 which says: “Watch therefore; for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.”

One morning Mr. Edwards got up, read his Bible, and prayed for God’s help for the day as he usually did. He was just finishing his breakfast when he heard the first rumblings. Alarmed, he realized that Soufriere was about to erupt. Leaving his breakfast, he ran down the mountain shouting to all the villagers to run for their lives!

Some of them just laughed. “Mister,” they said, “we’ve heard those noises all our lives and nothing has ever happened.” Others said, “There’s still time... we’ll start getting our things together and soon we’ll leave.”

“No! No!” Mr. Edwards shouted. “Leave now! The volcano may erupt any minute!”

Some believed the warning and ran with Mr. Edwards down the mountainside to safety. But others weren’t in any hurry to leave, and some just decided to stay behind in their homes.

Suddenly the volcano erupted with a roar... and for those who had not paid attention to the warning, it was too late. More than 1000 people lost their lives.

God has warned you of judgment that’s coming. Do you believe His warnings? Put your trust in the Lord Jesus now before it is too late.

“Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:2.

ML-09/07/1986

The Wonders of God's Creation: God Watches Over Fish, Too - Part 2

“Thou, even Thou, art Lord alone; Thou hast made... the seas, and all that is therein, and Thou preservest them all.” Nehemiah 9:6.

The study of fish is very interesting, and if space allowed, we could consider thousands of them, but we’ll have to limit ourselves to just a few. One, the file fish, feeds on eelgrass which grows straight up from the ocean bottom. When the file fish is frightened it stands on its head among these grasses, waving with the current and is perfectly hidden.

Another salt-water fish, the porcupine, pumps itself up like a volleyball with dangerous-looking spikes (which actually only look sharp) all over its body, scaring off its enemy. A large fish of the Nile river, the birchir, is an odd one, with extra large scales and a big, single tail fanning out wider than its body. The strangest thing about it is its dorsal fins — twelve of them covering its entire back, making it look like an underwater sailboat.

The archer, a little fish of the East Indies, catches insects by firing well-aimed gobs of water at them, causing them to drop down and get devoured. Another, the angler, of both European and American waters, hides in deep, rocky places, putting out a fleshy “wand” on which a piece of its flesh looks like a good bite of food to others. When something comes to investigate, the angler grabs it in its big mouth and that’s the end of that!

Grunions, each year from March through July, in the third or fourth night of a full moon only, swim up on sandy California beaches when tides are highest, scoop a hole in the sand and lay hundreds of eggs, then wriggle back through the sand to the water. No such high waves come again until the eggs are ready to hatch. When they do come, the soaked eggs pop open, and tiny, new grunions are carried out to sea to start their lives and repeat what their parents have done before them. Who do you think arranged this schedule?

The well-named toadfish is one of the ugliest fish with a large, thick head, teeth sticking out from its wide mouth, and vicious-looking, extra-large fins running the whole length of its back as well as under its stomach, plus other shield-like fins sticking out of its neck. One look at it is enough to frighten anyone.

Flying fish, when pursued, leap great distances through the air, as much as six feet above the surface and sometimes land on boat decks. These fish make nests in seaweed, and their eggs, looking like parts of these plants, are quite safe from predators.

But space has run out. Not one of these, nor any one of the millions of others, is forgotten by its Creator, as the above verse tells us and of whom the Bible also says: “Thy way is in the sea, and Thy path in the great waters.” Psalms 77:19.

Wherever we look, we always see some wonder of God’s creation.

ML-09/07/1986

A Missing Bird

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

Tracy had a pet parrot named Wyler. Although Tracy’s family all lived in Illinois, she and her parrot lived in Colorado.

In April Tracy decided to take a little vacation and drive back to Illinois to visit her family. Since she had no one to take care of Wyler while she was gone, she decided to take him along with her on the trip. She would carry him in her car inside his cage, and he’d be right at home.

By Friday Tracy had gotten everything ready to go. Now all she had to do was pack her little car, set Wyler inside in his cage, and they’d be off. But there was one thing Tracy hadn’t thought about Wyler’s cage was so big it wouldn’t fit in her little car! Now what?

Tracy couldn’t leave Wylerbehind, so she’d have to find something else to carry him in. She scrambled around and found a cardboard box large enough for him but small enough to fit in her car. She cut out some breathing holes for him, put in some food, and then in went Wyler into the box for the thousand-mile trip to Chicago.

Saturday afternoon Tracy and Wyler arrived safely. Tracy carried Wyler’s box into her parents’ garage and set it down. Her family had heard her car drive in and came running out the door to greet her. While they were busy talking and laughing, Wyler decided he’d had enough of that box and started working on those breathing holes. In about 15 minutes’ time he gnawed his way out of the box, flew out of the garage and perched in a 40-foot tree, and then flew off into another tree just as high. Wyler was free!

Have you ever wanted to be free to do just as you please? Sometimes as children or teenagers we don’t like the rules our parents have made. Sometimes we don’t like the rules at school, either. And often we don’t like the rules that God has given us in the Bible. We feel “caged in,” and we’d rather be free to go our own way. “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way.” Isaiah 53:6.

Suddenly, Tracy and her family realized what had happened, but it was too late. Wyler was free, and nothing they did to lure him back worked. Tracy was upset, but hopeful that if they left some food outside in the box, maybe he would come back.

They waited all day Sunday, but no Wyler came back.

Monday morning came, and still there was no sign of Wyler. By then Tracy was afraid she might never get her bird back again. She called the Community Services at the police station to report “a missing bird.”

Late Monday afternoon several boys were sitting on the beach by Lake Michigan. It was a cold, windy April afternoon, and they were huddled in their winter jackets as they sat and watched the waves roll in. They heard a strange noise behind them in the bushes and decided to check it out. Much to their surprise they found a large, colorful parrot trying to work his way into the bush to stay out of the wind and keep warm. (Wyler was discovering that being free wasn’t such a good idea.) The boys decided this bird had to be somebody’s pet, so they contacted the nearest police station to report “a bird found.”

In Luke chapter 15 we read the story of the prodigal son who felt “caged in” and wanted to be free to go his own way. “And the younger of them said to his father, Father, give me the portion of goods that falleth to me.... And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.”

But in time he found that this freedom only brought him problems and sadness. Some of us have also learned that going our own way only brings problems and sadness. When we go our own way it is always away from God, and that is the way of sin.

Just as the prodigal son’s father never stopped loving his son and waiting for his return, God never stops loving us. He is patiently waiting for anyone who will return to Him. It doesn’t matter how ragged and sinful our life might be, God offers total forgiveness through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, for anyone who will return to Him.

Wyler was soon delivered to his relieved and happy owner and continued his vacation... in a bird cage where he was safe, warm and lovingly cared for.

When the prodigal son returned home, his father welcomed him with open arms. “But when he [the son] was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.... This my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.” Luke 15:20,24.

When you and I return to the Lord Jesus, He not only forgives our sins, but He promises that He will care for us and never leave us alone. “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee... The Lord is my helper.” Hebrews 13:5,6.

ML-09/14/1986

Rogilio

They called the little island “a tropical paradise” with sunshine, palm trees waving in the breezes, white sand and sparkling blue water. “Oh, it’s perfect, it’s perfect!” said visiting Mrs. James.

“Let’s wait and see,” said her husband.

There were soft breezes, beautiful flowers and sounds of guitar playing. “Oh, how happy everyone is here!” exclaimed Mrs. James.

“Are they really?” asked Mr. James. “Let’s find out.”

The chance to find out soon came. Rogilio, a boy about ten years old, knocked gently at their door looking for some business: shoes to shine, errands to run, anything that might bring him a few coins. They found some small jobs for him, and he began to tell them about his island. “Now this,” he would say, “is a jacaranda, and that bush that smells so sweet is jasmine, but that tree there is a mastic tree. It’s bad, very bad. Many bad spirits live there, and at night there are blue lights going up and down in it. Nobody, nobody goes by it at night! Sometimes I’m so scared!”

Here was Mr. James’s answer. It might be a tropical paradise, but the people lived in fear of evil spirits and black magic. Even a small boy said, “I’m so scared.”

But there was an answer for Rogilio’s troubles. Sitting down with him, Mr. James opened his Bible and told him how God loved him. He showed Rogilio in the Bible how God’s Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, had come down from heaven to die to take away all his sins. He told him that if he believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, then he would go to live with Him in heaven. He finished by giving Rogilio a little Testament of his own to read.

Would he understand? Could years of superstitious fear be erased so quickly? The answer came the next day. Down the street came Rogilio, straight past the mastic tree, eyes shining and grin flashing.

“Oh, Mr. James,” he called, “I read in the Book last night. I read all about the blood that washes away my sins. Oh, I’m so happy — I feel so good here!” and he placed his hand on his heart. He had no fear of evil spirits now.

ML-09/14/1986

The Wonders of God's Creation: Weasels Are Cute but Have Bad Tempers - Part 1

“Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in His sight: but all thing are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.” Hebrews 4:13.

As springtime comes to North America, thousands of baby weasels are born in underground dens, hollow logs and other hideaways. Each nest will have from three to ten or more, so tiny that two dozen altogether would scarcely weigh a pound.

The Creator has arranged their birth between winter and summer so they can learn to care for themselves during the warm days that follow. Before they can be independent they need the care of both parents, for it will be about a month before their eyes open. During this time the mother stays close by and nurses them. Then for another month both parents bring solid food and begin taking them outside to teach them how to survive in a harsh world. When they are about four months old the parents’ work is done and the little weasels are on their own.

There are many varieties of weasels throughout the world, inhabiting forests, meadows and grasslands. All have beautiful fur, but their nice looks conceal a fierce nature, making them a threat to small rodents and birds. Actually they are considered “cousins” of mink, otters and skunks and are provided with musk glands that spray an awful-smelling liquid, even worse than that of skunks.

Weasels are always on the go and full of curiosity, bounding over the ground with snarls, hisses and fearsome noises as they search for prey, often squeezing into burrows when their noses tell them there’s a tempting meal down there. Although they are small enough to hold in a man’s hand, they are not afraid of larger creatures, some going after marmots, woodchucks and even rabbits — all much larger than themselves. One of their worst offenses is breaking into chicken coops and killing chickens which, of course, makes them unpopular with many farmers.

But in spite of these practices they are a delightful example of the wonders of God’s creation with their pretty coloring, bright eyes, large ears and black noses. Because of the quality of their fur, people hunt them, especially in the winter when their fur is thick and bright. Most of them change color in the different seasons, particularly those living in the far north. These are an attractive brown in summer but turn pure white in winter — a provision of the Creator, camouflaging them from their enemies.

The verse at the opening of this article reminds us that God is always aware of all His creatures. We may be sure that if weasels knew this they would thank Him for such wonderful care. But God did not make us like weasels — we can read God’s Word, the Bible, and know His special care over us. Everyone is happy who can agree with the words of Psalms 33:21, “For our heart shall rejoice in Him, because we have trusted in His holy name.” Is that trust and happiness yours?

(to be continued)

ML-09/14/1986

Escape!

Memory Verse: “Flee from the wrath to come.” Matthew 3:7

This last day was the hardest.

Five years of planning had gone into this, three years of working silently in the night to make every detail perfect. Now the day was finally here. This time tomorrow we would be free — or dead! Tonight my family and four others would attempt to crash through the Iron Curtain from Czechoslovakia in a homemade tank.

Only one job remained — to get through this day, pretending that it was no different from any other. We could not say good-bye to anyone, for their own safety as well as ours. When meeting a neighbor in the street we would only pass him quickly and hope that the strain inside us did not show in our faces. We could not allow our eyes to betray the thought in our minds: “This is the last time I will ever see you.”

In my automobile-repair shop, I pretended to do my usual work. The day dragged so slowly, I thought it would never end. Darkness came at eight o’clock. Now there was nothing to do but wait through the hours until the last light went out in the village. There was no need to pack. We could take with us only the clothes we wore.

After supper I found it impossible to sit still. I moved restlessly about the house, looking at the tables, the chairs, the stove, all the things that would be left behind. At nine o’clock I looked into the bedroom where my wife Marta had gone to sleep with my two children. They were too young for this kind of danger. Eva was four, Vaclav was six and Marta herself was only twenty-six. Even the children were not aware as yet as to what would happen this night.

I crossed the yard into my shop. I did not need a light. After these months and years of preparation I could have found every piece that was hidden there in my sleep.

Anyone coming into my shop during the day would have seen only heaps of rusty scrap metal and the stripped chassis of an old British tank. I had fitted this tank with a flatbed to haul wood from the forest.

Anyone surprising us in the night would have seen a very different vehicle. For three years we had been building, piece by piece, a top for the chassis. Dismantled, it looked like a pile of discarded scrap. Assembled, it was transformed into something that looked, at least in outline, like one of the tanks used by the border patrol.

We hid each piece as it was finished. One was under some old burlap, another behind a cabinet, a third in the rafters, a fourth under some scrap iron. By practicing every night we were able to put our tank together in thirty-five minutes.

In the dark I climbed up behind the wheel of the stripped chassis and started the motor. It turned over immediately, its sound smooth and encouraging. But would it hold up at sixty miles per hour on that long, forty-mile run to the border?

The desire to escape from communism was very strong in Vaclav Uhlik and his friends. Communism is a terrible wall that separated them from freedom. Sin is also a wall. It separates the sinner from God. “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.”

Romans 3:23. To have freedom from our sins we need God’s help. Vaclav Uhlik and those with him worked hard to build something that would take them to freedom. For the sinner, the work has already been done. The Lord Jesus Christ took the punishment for our sins on the cross. God loved the sinner so much that He punished His Son instead. “God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8. If you will take Him as your Saviour, then you will be free from sin and its oppression. “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” John 8:36.

It was now past one o’clock in the morning. We began to dig out the hidden pieces of armor plate and bolt them into place.

At two o’clock I woke Marta. There was not much for her to do. There were no personal possessions to be packed. With eight people in the tank we could take only a feather mattress and a couple of blankets needed for padding the steel floor. All of us had never been in the tank together. Up to this time we dared not let the children see it. It was a tight squeeze now with each person jammed against the next. Sitting in the driver’s seat, I was the only one who could see out. When everyone was in place, I started the tank and turned it slowly into the sleeping street. I did not look back. The village was completely dark. We got through it without seeing anyone.

Once outside of town I increased the speed to forty. The bolted plates of the tank rattled and banged fearfully. We passed a car, then a milk truck. Then we passed two military policemen on foot. They waved a greeting to the tank, and I blinked the lights in reply. So far, so good! But it was still dark. I stepped up the speed to race the dawn.

Three miles before reaching the border we had to pass a large camp where five hundred border policemen lived and went on and off duty. I had never passed it at night. I did not know what time the shifts changed, nor what guards they had posted. I pushed the speed up to sixty miles per hour. We rattled and banged past the camp’s gate.

As we approached the fence that separated us from freedom, the road made a right-hand turn and ran parallel with the border. When we slowed to make the turn, my heart stood still. At the turn in the road stood a border guard!

I had to drive past him slowly, and he could not help getting a good look at us. The sky was growing light; dawn was creeping over the fields. In my mind’s eye I could see every mismatched bolt that would draw the guard’s attention.

I held my breath, expecting him to reach for his gun. He didn’t. It was still early, and he must have been half asleep. He waved me on.

The danger was still there. Three hundred yards from where he stood was the swampy place where I would have to make a full stop to raise the tires and lower the treads that would take us through the marsh.

I turned the steering wheel sharply toward the electric fence and came to a stop. With both hands I grabbed the lever that operated the treads and pulled with all my strength. Nothing moved. I pulled again frantically, and they still wouldn’t go down. I jerked and jerked again. Finally, with one last tremendous effort the treads went down.

I moved faster than I ever had before. I flung the tank into gear and floored the gas pedal. There was a bouncing jolt as we hit the wires and tore them loose. There were deafening roars as the land mines exploded and blinding flashes of light as the flares began to blaze all along the broken fence.

In the soft ground of the marsh, the tank wallowed and slowed to a crawl, but it did not stop. It slogged on through the swamp and finally plodded out on the other side on a road that led to a new life. We were out! We were free!

These brave people escaped from the slavery of communism. But there are many people still trapped in the slavery of sin who have heard there is a way of escape, but have not taken it. There is only one way, and it is very plain: it is through Christ and His death on the cross. Won’t you take Him as your Saviour today?

“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-09/21/1986

The Wonders of God's Creation: Weasels Are Cute but Have Bad Tempers - Part 2

“Great and marvelous are Thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are Thy ways.” Revelation 15:3.

The three most common weasels in North America are the least, the short-tailed and the long-tailed. The least is the smallest of all, weighing just a few ounces when fully grown and seldom more than six inches long, plus a one-inch stubby tail. It is quite pretty — its back a light brown, changing to white at its throat, stomach, the inside of its legs and its feet. During winter those in the far north turn completely white, but those in the south become a spotted brown mixed with the white. These are provisions of the Creator to conceal them from enemies.

This little one is a real help to mankind, because its appetite for mice and other small, destructive animals helps to keep these under control. Mice represent its favorite food and are easily caught since this weasel is so small it can follow them through any hole.

The short-tailed is often called an ermine. This one is twice the size of the least. During summer it is a soft brown along the back and sides, but creamy white underneath. Strangely, it is the only one with brown feet. When it turns all white in winter it is hunted for its pretty fur.

It also hunts mice, rats, moles, squirrels, birds and snakes. The Creator has given it instincts to arrange rooms in its burrow for storing food for cold winter days and to know how to prevent this food from spoiling.

The long-tailed is the largest of all, measuring up to 18 inches, plus a black-tipped tail about half that length. Even so the males weigh only about a pound and the females even less.

It makes its home throughout Canada and the United States, except for hot desert areas, and hunts day and night for its food. It is a great climber, often chasing its prey (which rarely gets away) out to the end of a tree limb. It is the fiercest of the three and will even attack a dog or a man if cornered.

Bold hunters themselves, all weasels have numerous enemies, including hawks, owls, foxes, wildcats and coyotes. But with their thin bodies and speed they usually escape by diving into a nearby burrow, a narrow crevice in a rock, or under a pile of brush.

All these animals are unaware of God’s care, and He does not hold them accountable, but provides for them as a gracious Creator. However, every human has been given an intellect and a conscience and God has given the Bible for a guide. We are told, “Let them... commit the keeping of their souls to Him in well doing, as unto a faithful Creator.” 1 Peter 4:19. This means we should not only trust our bodies to Him, but accept Him as our Saviour to be sure our eternal life is safe in Him. Have you done this?

ML-09/21/1986

Live Monkeys

Memory Verse: “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

Live monkeys in a cage attracted Frances’ attention as she and her father drove along the highway. She asked her father to stop so she could watch the interesting animals. Frances enjoyed the playful creatures as they walked back and forth with their tails curled over their backs. They hung by one hand or by their tails as they swung across the cage, entertaining Frances.

Mr. Brown, their owner, sold sandwiches and pop in the snack shop, attracting customers by having the monkeys in the nearby cage. His three little daughters amused themselves at the roadside near the monkeys. While Mr. Arthur and Frances were stopped to see the monkeys, they gave Sunday school papers to the three girls who were playing there. Mr. Arthur told them of the Saviour who died for sinners so they might go to heaven. The Brown girls showed such an interest in the Bible story that Mr. Arthur often came on Sunday afternoons to tell them and the neighborhood children of Jesus and His love for sinners. Sometimes he would bring a model of the tabernacle which was a picture of God’s house in Old Testament times so they could understand better what a wonderful home God had prepared in heaven for those who trusted in the Saviour.

Sometimes Mr. Arthur’s nephew Andrew would come to tell the Bible story to the children who gathered near the monkey cage. He taught them a verse from the Bible: “In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” Genesis 1:1. Rhoda Brown remembered this verse which she knew was God’s Word, and was therefore the truth, and it kept her from believing some lies which she was later told.

One day Andrew took a picture of the three Brown girls and gave them a copy to keep to remember their roadside Bible story class. When Rhoda grew up she heard that Mr. Arthur had gone to heaven, and she showed us the picture which Andrew had given her. She said that she and her sister Eva had accepted the work of Christ on the cross for their sins, and that they were praying for the salvation of their father. Later their prayers were answered when Mr. Brown accepted the finished work of Christ for his sins, only two weeks before he died. How happy Rhoda and Eva were that their father went to heaven to be with the Lord Jesus Christ in whom he trusted. Rhoda and Eva were thankful that they heard the Bible stories when they were young so they could believe God’s Word “for it is the power of God unto salvation.” Romans 1:16.

God cares about monkeys and about Rhoda and Eva, and He cares about you. “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.

“Thy Word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against Thee.” Psalms 119:11.

“Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psalms 119:105.

“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5.

ML-09/28/1986

The Birthday Party

Carol is a grown-up lady now, but she has never forgotten her exciting day.

Today was an exciting day for Carol. It was her 12Th birthday, and her mother had promised her a birthday party with some of her friends. Finally school was out, and she hurried home to greet her friends as they arrived. Soon everyone was there, and the party began. They played games in the basement, and everyone had a good time. It was almost time for cake and ice cream when her father came home, bringing a package beautifully wrapped with ribbon and bow. All of the children were anxious to see what was inside. But since it was time to eat, they all sat down quietly at the table while Carol’s father asked God’s blessing on the food.

When they had finished eating, everyone crowded around the package and tried to guess what Carol’s present was. Carol tried to guess, too, but her father kept saying every guess was wrong. All the children watched her unwrap it. None of them had ever seen anything quite like this present. It was a black box with levers and buttons. Her father explained that it was a tape recorder. When the levers were pressed, voices and all kinds of noises could be recorded on a plastic tape inside the machine. He also told them they would be able to hear what they had recorded if they played the tape back again.

Everyone listened carefully as the tape of their recorded voices was played. There was much laughter and excitement as each voice was heard and recognized. Each one got a turn to record their voice on the recorder. Tina was Carol’s best friend, and her message was last. Suddenly the room became very quiet as Tina’s voice was heard saying, “I’m glad that I’m Carol’s best friend, because she told me about God and how He loved me so much that He sent His Son, the Lord Jesus, down to earth to die for my sins. It says in the Bible that ‘the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin,’ and I believe what it says. Now I want to tell everyone how happy I am since I have taken Jesus as my Saviour.”

For several seconds there was complete silence in the room. Many of the girls realized that they also needed to have their sins forgiven. Then someone said, “Let’s finish that ping-pong game,” and they soon forgot what Tina had said.

Perhaps all the others quickly forgot, but Carol could not forget Tina’s words. She had told Tina about the Saviour, but she had never really believed it for herself. She had grown up in a Christian home and had told everyone that she was saved. It was all pretend, though, because she didn’t really believe it in her heart. She thought she would wait until later to be saved, maybe when she was a little older. As she went to bed that night she kept remembering what Tina had said about the Lord Jesus. It bothered her so much that she couldn’t sleep, so she got up and went into her parents’ room. She told them that she had been pretending all this time and was not really saved, and she wanted to be saved now and be happy like Tina. The three of them knelt down beside the bed and prayed. Carol thanked the Lord Jesus for dying for her. The happiness that filled her heart was impossible to describe. She saw that God had given His Son to die for her sins. She knew there was nothing she could do to take away her own sins so she could go to heaven. Now she understood that Jesus had died as her substitute, and all she had to do was to accept this wonderful gift.

How about you? Are you saved? Have you ever asked God to forgive you? Do you realize that your sins will shut you out of heaven forever? It is only the Lord Jesus Christ who can forgive your sins. It’s so easy to pretend, but it’s what is real that counts with God. Don’t wait any longer! Accept Him into your heart now. “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:2.

ML-09/28/1986

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Desert's Joshua Trees

“I will set in the desert the fir tree, and the pine, and the box tree together: that they may see... that the hand of the Lord hath done this.” Isaiah 41:19,20.

Joshua trees in American deserts have been planted by the Lord, too, and He has placed around them many living creatures. These trees are found only in the deserts of the United States from Utah to California and northern Mexico. A large display of them can be seen from your car in the Joshua Tree National Monument in southern California where soil and rainfall are just right.

Many grow as high as 40 feet with an assortment of odd-shaped branches, supported by a thick, woody trunk and ending in clusters of thick, dark-green leaves. In the center of these clusters of leaves, a pretty display of greenish-white flowers appears after the winter rains. When other desert plants spring to life at the same time, the desert looks like a beautiful flower garden.

The Creator has arranged that Joshua trees do not crowd one another, for each needs lots of space to benefit from scarce rain and nourishment from the poor desert soil. But they are there for a purpose; they are a shelter and life support for many animals, birds and other kinds of desert life, many never seen by human eyes but always under the Creator’s care.

For instance, many lizards live here including the zebra-tailed variety, scooting over the ground with its striped tail lifted over its body. Another is the long-nosed leopard lizard that always runs upright on its two hind legs, and the loose-skinned chuckwalla that never seems to be in a hurry, and many others.

Certain tortoises find a good life among the Joshua trees as do a variety of snakes, including some rattlers. Kangaroo rats make their homes here, too. Gophers are all around, and desert woodrats make nests underneath or up in the tree trunks. Mice, too, are plentiful and jackrabbits and cottontails represent part of the assortment, as do occasional coyotes, foxes and badgers.

Great numbers of birds abound here, including falcons, roadrunners, hawks, quail, ravens and owls. Many of them make nests in these trees and others locate on the ground underneath. Bats hide in the Joshuas in daylight and hunt desert insects at night.

Although people may drive by these trees and scarcely give them a glance, we see they are really another wonderful example of God’s creation and His constant care over it all. How happy those of us are who know this loving, caring, planning God. We can clearly see a master design and know that all things did not come into being “just by chance.” This is why the Bible says, “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth.” Ecclesiastes 12:1. And to remember our Creator means also to remember the love that brought Him from heaven to die on Calvary’s cross for all who will admit they are lost sinners and accept Him as their Saviour. Are you one of these happy people?

ML-09/28/1986

The Lions

Memory Verse: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Peter 5:8

John A. Hunter was one of the best-known hunters in British East Africa. He was called to that country by the Kenya Game Department. As a professional hunter, he was asked to rid the territory of a recently-increased lion population that was raiding the natives’ cattle and threatening their whole way of life. Many natives had been killed as they tried to protect their cattle, using spears, which were the only weapons they had.

At one of the camps where John was staying, a very strange thing happened. He had always thought that wild animals are afraid of fire. He and other hunters were sure lions would never approach a campfire.

One evening while camped at the Masai Reserve, John was sitting beside a big campfire. The natives that were helping him hunt the lions were curled up asleep in their blankets beside the fire. John was staring into the fire, his thoughts many miles away.

Suddenly, he realized he was looking into the faces of nine lions that had come out of the shadows and were standing facing him. They had been attracted by the body of a zebra, which had been killed and dragged near the campfire. The zebra was to be used the next day as bait for the lions. But now, as John sat staring at the lions, he didn’t know if he or the zebra was the bait!

He did not dare move. His rifle was in his tent. He could only sit motionless and watch them. The lions studied him carefully. Then they slowly walked around the sleeping natives to the other side of the campfire and attacked the dead zebra.

There are many people today who are fast asleep and don’t realize they are in danger. They are sinners, and Satan has “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. They are asleep in their sins and cannot do anything to help themselves. They need someone to help them. The Lord Jesus Christ is the only Person who can help sinners. He died on the cross for our sins and can wash them all away, if we will just ask Him. What about your sins? Have they been washed away in His precious blood? “Awake thou that sleepest... and Christ shall give thee light.” Ephesians 5:14.

The lions tore into the zebra carcass with growls and snarls, ripping off great strips of hide as though the thick skins were paper. As the lions were busy with the zebra, John slowly lifted off his camp seat and cautiously inched toward his tent, his flesh tingling with every move. The lions stopped eating to glare at him. He felt very small and helpless beside those great beasts. With just a couple of bounds they could have been on top of him. Meanwhile, the natives lay soundly sleeping only a few feet from them. John wanted to make a dash for the rifle, which was in his tent, but he was afraid that any sudden movement might bring on a charge. He waited until the lions had returned to their feeding and then moving slowly, foot by foot, he reached the tent and ducked inside.

John now had his rifle, but this didn’t solve his problem. If he fired, the natives would leap to their feet, placing themselves between him and the lions. He became aware of something else: the chain around the zebra’s neck, which had been used to drag it to camp, was making a clanking noise. As the lions fought over the carcass, they banged the chain up and down. John was afraid that this noise would waken the natives, and when they saw the lions they would panic. To have terror-stricken natives bolting about among nine lions was not a pleasant thought. He quickly decided it would be better to shoot. Taking careful aim at the largest lion he fired, hitting it squarely. At the sound of the shot the other lions drew back a few feet and then sprang again on the carcass. The natives continued to sleep.

John fired shot after shot at the lions. He killed three more before the rest of them ran off into the darkness. Although it seems impossible, the natives were still fast asleep! Neither the noise made by the lions nor the gun shots had disturbed them. Several times John had noted this trance-like sleep of the natives, but never before had he seen such a remarkable example of it.

John built up the fire, and then he went around kicking the soles of the natives’ feet. One of them awoke, stretched, and sat up. He yawned and then saw the four dead lions lying within a few feet of him. The poor man gave a wild yell and leaped straight up into the air! Shrieking, he ran into the tent with the rest of the natives right behind him! They sat in the tent shivering in fright while John explained what had happened. In a few minutes they were all asleep again, lying on the floor of the tent.

The natives had been saved from attack by the actions of John Hunter. They were helpless to defend themselves in the face of such strength. Before we are saved we, too, are helpless in the face of Satan’s power. It is only through the work of the Lord Jesus on the cross that Satan has been defeated. If you will take the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour, then you will have His strength and power to resist Satan. He has promised that “him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.” John 6:37. Then you will have “the whole armor of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil.” Ephesians 6:11. Won’t you accept Him right now as your Saviour? He is coming back very soon to take to heaven everyone who has put their trust in Him. If you are still “asleep in your sins” when He comes, it will be too late!

“Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when the Master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the cockcrowing, or in the morning: lest coming suddenly He find you sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch.” Mark 13:35-37.

ML-10/05/1986

A Child of the King

A missionary in India hired a young Hindu boy from a mountain village to help him in his home. The boy’s name was Burean, meaning “Evil One.” His mother had given him this name, hoping to keep away the evil spirits.

Every morning Burean was present at the family’s Bible reading in the missionary’s home. He listened to the reading of the Bible and the prayers.

One morning after they had finished reading, Burean exclaimed, “What wonderful things you read out of that Book! I’ve never heard such things before!”

The missionary asked, “Do you believe them, Burean? If you believe them, they will be yours.”

Burean replied, “They are wonderful things, but they are not for me. They are for you. You are a child of the King. You have white skin. I am only a poor, dark-skinned Indian.”

The missionary said, “Burean, I am a child of the King because I believe on Jesus Christ. My white skin does not make me a child of God. You can also be a child of God if you will believe on Jesus. Where you live, what you own, and the color of your skin makes no difference!”

Jesus loves the little children

All the children of the world,

Red and yellow, black and white

All are precious in His sight,

Jesus loves the little children of the world.

“Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:3.

ML-10/05/1986

The Wonders of God's Creation: Mule Deer - The Pride of the West

“Thou shalt not eat any abominable thing. These are the beasts which ye shall eat: the ox, the sheep, and the goat, the hart, and the roebuck, and the fallow deer.” Deuteronomy 14:3-5.

Mule deer are found from the states of Washington to Texas, from Manitoba and Alberta down through Montana to southern California, Arizona and on into Mexico. Tourists are often delighted to see them in the redwood groves of California, as well as at Yosemite, Yellowstone, the Grand Tetons and Glacier Park.

This is a majestic and pretty deer with soft eyes and velvety coat, so very impressive as it stands alert, head held high, with its grand spread of antlers. Its coat, brown in summer and gray in winter, has a white fur patch at the back from which a short, black-tipped white tail is used as a warning signal to others when danger is near. Pronged antlers, the pride of bucks (females rarely have them) are divided into two branches with short, sharp tines and are shed and renewed each year. Hunters consider them quite a trophy.

Weighing some 200 pounds, they are larger and more heavily built than most deer and often reach five feet in length and stand three feet high at the shoulders. As smart and wary as any animal, they have survived intense hunting over the years. Protected in many areas, there are probably over a million throughout the west. Rather than running as a horse does, they move in a series of stiff-legged leaps, landing back on all four sturdy legs after each jump and can keep going swiftly this way for a long time. Good swimmers, they do not hesitate to cross rivers and lakes when necessary.

Why are they called mule deer? Because of their large open ears that stand erect behind the horns. When the Lewis and Clark expedition, way back in 1804, first saw them they were reminded of mules back home and gave them this name, which still identifies them.

Fawns (often twins) are usually born in the spring and stay with the mother through the summer. They are prettily covered with white spots on reddish-brown bodies until about five months old. Mule deer like to stay in groups, and 300 to 400 may be seen at one time migrating to high altitudes in the summer and back to the valleys in the winter to fill their constant need of grass, shrubs and leaves, flavored whenever available with lots of acorns and nuts. Like all living things they are always under their Creator’s watchful care.

Our opening Bible verse is from the laws given to God’s Old Testament people and points out that fallow deer (related to the mule deer) were among the clean animals they could eat. Although we are not now under those laws, God does want us to avoid the unclean things of the world and follow the clean, pure ways given in His Word, the Bible. It is good for us to remember this in everything we do.

ML-10/05/1986

Trapped in Sand Cave

Memory Verse: “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man; but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Proverbs 16:25

Drops of cold, icy water dripped off the roof of the cave onto Floyd Collins. He was trapped in a cave 50 feet below the surface of the ground. Outside the sun shone brightly as rescuers dug desperately to tunnel down to him. Inside Sand Cave the only sounds that Floyd could hear were the dripping of water and the cold wind that blew through the black tunnels, where there had never been any sunlight.

The day before Floyd had inched his way through an 18-inch opening in one of the tunnels of Sand Cave. He was looking for an inner cave a huge, domed cathedral of rock he had heard about.

Floyd moved through the narrow tunnel slowly and cautiously. He was an experienced cave explorer who had spent most of his boyhood and adult life investigating caves and caverns beneath the earth’s surface. As he squirmed through the small opening he saw above him an enormous boulder, held in place by one small rock. He moved past the boulder, being careful not to bump the supporting rock.

He crawled from the tunnel and saw it — the cave of his dreams! He had come into a vast, inner chamber many feet below the surface. Stalactites, which came down from the ceiling, and stalagmites, which came up from the floor, were everywhere. Some were joined in immense, glittering columns of stone. The ceiling was a hundred feet high; the length and width were larger than he could estimate. He knew that at last he had discovered the cave for which he had been searching!

Full of excitement and anxious to tell others what he had found, Floyd began the return trip to the surface. Once again he wedged himself into the narrow opening of the tunnel, moving along on his knees and elbows. Then it happened!

In his excitement he had not moved carefully enough past the huge boulder. His foot brushed against the small rock that held it in place. The boulder shifted just a few inches, but it was enough to crush down on Floyd’s left ankle, pinning him there.

He twisted about frantically, pulling his leg up, trying to twist his ankle free. The huge boulder was immovable! Scraping moisture from the walls, he tried to wet his ankle. He hoped this would allow him to slip it out from under the terrible weight that pressed it down. This also failed. He grasped his left knee with both hands and tugged until he was sure his ankle was coming apart. It was of no use. He was caught — held captive in the deep earth he loved to explore! He lay back panting with the searing pain in his foot and tried to keep calm.

Floyd Collins was powerless. He had seen the danger, but thought he could avoid it. His search for something special had urged him on, but now he was caught. There are many people who have been warned about the dangers of sin, but they are not paying attention to the warnings. They continue to enjoy the “pleasures of sin” (Heb. 11:25), ignoring the warnings of God’s Word. The Bible warns us of punishment to come if we continue in sin. It tells us that the only hope for a sinner is the Lord Jesus Christ. His death on the cross was for those who would believe on Him. Knowing that we are sinners, we can turn to the work that the Lord Jesus Christ has already done for us. There on the cross He was punished for our sins. He had committed no sin Himself and was the only perfect Man, but He was punished for you and me. He is the only way of escape. Do not ignore the warnings — turn back! Accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your own Saviour and know that your sins are washed away in His precious blood. “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7.

As the hours passed, Floyd waited to be rescued. He knew that he would be missed and that rescuers would be searching for him.

Floyd kept thinking about what must be going on outside of Sand Cave. There was much activity. Earth-moving equipment, rescuers and many other emergency people had been called to the cave by Floyd’s brother. Three experienced cave-exploring teams were formed. Each team was to enter one of the three entrances to Sand Cave.

Inside the cave Floyd was beginning to feel panicky. He was cold from the continuously dripping water. His body and face were covered with sand and small rocks that had been loosened by his twisting and turning. As he lay there he could only hope, think and pray that help would come soon. It had to come!

Then he heard a scraping noise and voices. He saw a light. It was his brother and those with his rescue team. Floyd yelled frantically to them, begging them to hurry. They squeezed into the narrow tunnel and tried to move the boulder off Floyd’s ankle. It was impossible to move! Excited, tense, hungry and yet filled with hope, Floyd begged them to get more help and equipment and to get food. They left their lamp with Floyd and crawled out quickly to get more help.

Even though Floyd had been found, he still was not rescued. Teams of workers began digging another tunnel beside the one that Floyd was in. They planned to dig a connecting shaft to the tunnel where Floyd was trapped.

For 48 hours the men dug as hard as they could, but problems continued to hinder them. The tunnel would collapse after heavy rain. Often the sand walls would collapse as fast as they were dug. Each foot of the new tunnel had to be supported before they could go on.

Meanwhile, Floyd’s physical and mental condition were getting worse. The tunnel in which he was trapped had collapsed, cutting off the contact he had with those who were trying to reach him. They worked to establish contact, but the rain was causing problems in this tunnel also.

It was several days before the rescuers were able to reach Floyd again. When they did reach him, they found him dead! He had died of exposure and exhaustion.

The rescue of Floyd Collins had failed. Although many hundreds of people worked to save him, their efforts were of no use.

The rescue of a sinner is hopeless by any way other than by the Lord Jesus Christ. It is only by His death on the cross, where He suffered for our sins, that we can be rescued. The Bible tells us that “There is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12. This is the only hope for sinners. This is the only way to escape the punishment that each one of us deserves. We are all sinners, and we need a Saviour. The Lord Jesus Christ is that Saviour. Won’t you accept Him as your own personal Saviour today?

“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-10/12/1986

The Wonders of God's Creation: Tasty Shrimp

“Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.” Hebrews 11:3.

Most everyone likes shrimp, but not everyone knows that the tasty shrimp in salads and casseroles is just the underpart of their broad tails.

There are over 2000 varieties throughout the world, including tiny brine shrimp in Utah’s Great Salt Lake, an 18-inch, three-pound one in the Philippine islands, and skinny ghost shrimp found in the sand of some seashores. It is easy to confuse them with prawns. Although there are some large shrimp, the prawn is more than twice the size of the common kind and has a long saw-toothed beak compared with the sharp, short and smooth one of the shrimp.

The shrimp that finds its way to our tables inhabits America’s shores by the billions, mostly in the Gulf of Mexico, but similar numbers are also under the Arctic ice. More than 10,000 boats constantly engage in taking thousands of tons monthly from the Gulf of Mexico. It might be thought that this would soon wipe them all out, but not so. The Creator has given them an interesting life pattern, providing a sure place in their salt water homes.

Although they prefer shallow shore waters, three times a year, on a night when a full moon is shining, the adult shrimp leave the shore areas and ride on an outgoing tide into deep water. There, before returning to their base, each female releases about half a million eggs so tiny it takes a microscope to see one. The eggs not devoured by fish, hatch out in 24 hours and after a few weeks reach a visible size and allow incoming tides to carry them to shore waters where, in six months, they reach full size. Soon they do exactly as their parents did before them — swim out to deep waters on moonlit nights, lay untold millions of eggs, and the cycle starts all over again.

So many billions of these hatch out that it would seem the water would be saturated with them, as it indeed would be if most were not eaten by fish and birds, or taken by trawler boats. Similar quantities hatching out in Arctic waters form a supply of rich food for fish, whales, penguins, seals, etc.

This is another example of the way the Creator provides for His creatures, as the Bible verse says, “These wait all upon Thee; that Thou mayest give them their meat in due season. That Thou givest them they gather.” Psalms 104:27,28. And it is not only fish, birds and animals that He provides for. Another Bible verse, speaking of the Lord Jesus, says of Him, “Nevertheless He left not Himself without witness, in that He did good, and gave us rain from heaven, and fruitful seasons, filling our hearts with food and gladness.” Acts 14:17.

Have you ever thanked Him for His care over you? Do you really know this wonderful Provider as your very own Lord and Saviour?

ML-10/12/1986

Over the Fence

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

The boys in our story were “street kids” about whom no one cared. You don’t have to go very far in our big cities before you come across others just like these boys. Some of them might know who their mother is, but some don’t even know that. They have dropped out of school, have no real home, and are on their own.

Mr. Fegan found one of these boys and asked the question, “Where do you sleep?”

“In the boxcars... if we don’t get caught,” said little Willie.

Mr. Fegan, who knew the love and kindness of God toward himself, longed to show God’s love and kindness to others, so one night he set out in the cold November darkness to find the boys and bring them to his home.

The railroad yard had an eight-foot high fence all around it and was guarded by a watchdog and a watchman who did not hesitate to kick and cuff the boys and turn the watchdog on them whenever he found them in the yard. But on the night of our story, the watchman was probably having a nap in his nice, warm guardhouse.

Mr. Fegan brought a friendly policeman to the fence and whispered to him in the darkness, “If you don’t mind stooping down, I’ll put my handkerchief on your coat so it won’t get dirty, put one foot on your back, and I’ll be over the fence in a jiffy. I’m looking for some boys who might be sleeping in empty boxcars.”

“No boys over there,” smiled the policeman, but he cooperated. “All right,” he said, “over you go!”

Mr. Fegan quietly moved down the dark rows of empty boxcars, stopping beside each one to listen for the boys. He climbed up into one of the boxcars where he could hear the heavy breathing of the sleeping boys, and sometimes a gasping breath as they shuddered with cold in their sleep.

Why not leave them there? Mr. Fegan had a warm bed at home that cold night, but at the moment it was empty because he cared about the well-being of these boys with no home. And the God of heaven cares about your well-being, too. His care is not just a faraway pity, or caring just enough to give you money and health and let you go on your own sinful way. God sent His only Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, down here to give you the right to become one of His children — to have a special place in His home in heaven, because He loves you and wants you there. Will you accept His loving care and offer of sins forgiven, or will you pull away your shoulder and ask to be left alone?

Mr. Fegan gently wakened the nearest boy and, explaining that he was a friend who wanted to help them, led him to the fence and boosted him over into the arms of the friendly policeman. He was soon back with another and another... until the policeman was guarding 11 boys against the fence.

“How did you get over the fence in the first place?” he wanted to know.

“We didn’t get over, we got under, said one boy, and he led them to a spot where part of two boards had been broken away, leaving a small opening through which a skinny boy could just wiggle his way in by lying flat on the ground.

That’s the way this world is. It offers hard work for relief that doesn’t last. But the Lord Jesus has completed the work of payment for sin, and He offers you relief and peace that lasts forever, because He has taken the punishment for sin Himself. If you will accept His loving offer you will find that the One who has forgiven your sins is ready to be the burden-bearer for the remainder of your Christian life. His promise is, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Hebrews 13:5.

Mr. Fegan arranged transportation for them and took them all to his “Boys’ Home” where they were lovingly cared for and were trained in job skills so that they were able to find a job on their own. His heart was full of loving-kindness which won the love of a thousand boys who are now scattered all over the world.

Yes, scattered. God’s children are found in every country, anxious to tell of the Saviour’s power and of His redeeming love. We are not home in heaven yet. We have troubles now, but there are no troubles in the Father’s home where we will soon be. Will you choose to struggle for the world’s short-lived pleasures, or will you come to the Lord Jesus and let Him choose your pleasures for you?

“In Thy presence is fullness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” Psalms 16:11.

“In whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins.” Colossians 1:14.

ML-10/19/1986

The Old Shack

On the outskirts of New York City stood a little, old shack. The place was run-down with cracked windows, a leaky roof and a garden overgrown with weeds. There were, however, some beautiful old trees which shaded the shack and made the property attractive. Old Mr. Brooks, the owner, was a wrinkled and bent-over old man. He never moved very far from his fireside in winter or from his garden in summer.

In the busy city nearby, Mr. Parker a millionaire was making plans to build a new home. As he drove around searching for a nice piece of property on which to build a new house, he came across Mr. Brook’s property. The beautiful setting and the lovely old trees seemed like just what he wanted, so he sent his agent to see if the old man would sell his property.

Mr. Brooks was surprised and delighted with the agent’s offer to buy the property. He thought it was wonderful that a millionaire would want to buy his home. He agreed to sell it, and after the agent left he got to work quickly.

In an old cupboard in his basement, Mr. Brooks dug around and found a hammer, some nails and even some old paint and a brush. For almost two weeks he hammered, patched, repaired and painted.

Finally the agent returned and looked quite surprised when he saw what had been done to the old shack. Putting his hand on the old man’s shoulder, he said quietly, “Mr. Brooks, I’m afraid you misunderstood me. Mr. Parker doesn’t want your old shack. He would never think of living in it. What he wants is your property.”

Poor old Mr. Brooks. All his time and effort fixing up his home was useless. The old shack was just going to be torn down.

Many boys and girls (and older people, too) are doing the very same thing that Mr. Brooks tried to do. They hear about God and decide that they would like to be good enough for God to love them. So they try to fix up their lives by obeying Mother and Dad, going to Sunday school, and maybe even reading their Bibles. But all those things, like the old man’s nails and paint, are not what God wants.

God wants you just as you are. He tells us that “All our righteousnesses [good deeds] are as filthy rags” (Isa. 64:6), and warns us that “not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us.” Titus 3:5. He loves you just the way you are, and sent His Son, the Lord Jesus, to die for you.

Don’t try to fix up yourself for God. Just accept His love for you.

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

ML-10/19/1986

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Gentle Tapir

“I have made the earth, the man and the beast... by My great power and by My outstretched arm.” Jeremiah 27:5.

If you were in the wilds of Mexico or Central or South America and found yourself face-to-face with a strange brown animal known as the tapir, the first thing you probably would notice would be that, although it is as big as a small donkey, with its short legs, tiny tail and pig-like head, it looks more like an overgrown pig.

It would be a special treat if a baby tapir were there, too, for they are really cute, weighing only about 15 pounds when born and with white stripes all along their backs and sides. When resting in the grass they might be mistaken for a big watermelon.

If you didn’t show any sign of wanting to hurt the tapir you would find it wouldn’t hurt you, either, for the Creator has given it a shy and gentle nature. Their food includes such things as water plants, grass, leaves and fruit, and they never kill another animal unless in self-defense.

These animals stay close to their homes, but make paths for miles through the thick jungle. Some lead to water holes which they visit morning and evening, enjoying a swim and wallowing in the mud to get rid of ticks and other pests. They also walk along the bottom of these ponds, even though completely submerged, and slide down banks into the water for the fun of it.

About their only enemy is the fearsome jaguar. However, when a jaguar springs on a tapir it receives an unexpected, rough ride through low brush where it will quite likely be knocked off. But if it hangs on, it next finds the tapir jumping into deep water and going on down beneath the surface. At that point the jaguar gives up.

Tapirs remind us of the great variety of animals placed on earth by the Creator and His untiring care and provisions for all. We know, however, the lives of animals are for this world only, but that God has given to each of us an everlasting life and provided a way in which that life can be spent happily in heaven with Him.

A few verses from the Bible explain how this can be. First we need to understand clearly “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23. That is a tragic statement, but happily we are told, “But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8. We also read this wonderful statement: “Therefore being justified by faith [in the Lord as our Saviour], we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:1.

If you want that peace and everlasting life in heaven, think about these important Bible verses.

ML-10/19/1986

Mickey

Memory Verse: “I say unto you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth.” Luke 15:7

As I came home one afternoon, there in his usual spot in the picture window standing on a footstool was my Shetland sheepdog Mickey. Mickey was about a year old and as yet had lost none of his puppy playfulness. When he saw me he got so excited he spun around in the air a few times.

When I opened the back door, Mickey could hardly wait to get out and greet me. Acting like a jackrabbit with springs in his legs, he jumped three feet into the air and three feet out the door into the backyard. Then I caught the happy, squirming fellow and gave him a big hug.

I knew he needed some exercise after being cooped up all morning by himself, so I decided to take him out for a walk. I also had to get some studying done, so I brought along a textbook.

We walked down the sidewalk to the end of our block, across a street, over a parkway, across train tracks, through some bushes, and into a large field next to a school. Mickey was walking by my side without his leash.

If I sat down on the grass, I knew Mickey would never let me study because he has never had any use for books. So I climbed up to the top of a set of monkey bars where I perched myself, as comfortably as possible, to read my book in peace.

As soon as Mickey saw I meant to sit still, he gleefully kicked his legs like a frisky colt and started running. Around the outskirts of the whole field he ran at full speed. Then he sat down in front of the monkey bars and looked up at me with his bright, eager eyes. He seemed to be expecting something. I thought he wanted me to praise him, so I said, “Mickey, you run beautifully; you run just beautifully.” Then he caught sight of rain that was speeding down the tracks a block away. He looked back at me again. Then he started to run.

I thought he was running around the field again. I never expected what he did next. Instead of rounding the corner and coming back to me, he kept running straight for the train.

I jumped down off the monkey bars and shouted as loudly as I could, “Mickey, stop! Mickey, stop!” He must have heard me, but he chose to keep going.

I ran as fast as I could to the tracks. People in their cars waiting at the crossing saw what was happening and waved frantically, pointing down the tracks. I looked to where they were pointing, and there was Mickey... a way down the tracks running alongside the train, dashing dangerously close to the train and snapping furiously at the wheels!

I couldn’t believe it! My 25-pound dog had challenged a Union Pacific coal train. My heart sank as I saw him snap at the wheels, and I couldn’t bear to think what would happen if he got too close. Frantically I shouted, “Mickey, no! Mickey, come back!” But the noise of the train was too loud for Mickey to hear me.

I ran down the tracks, stumbling over the railroad ties. Running as fast as I could, I was still rapidly losing in the race to keep up with the train and Mickey. They got so far in front of me that finally I lost sight of Mickey. Then I lost sight of the train.

All I could do was to continue walking down the tracks, hoping Mickey would stop his mad chase and come back looking for me. Every few minutes I would stop and call, “Mickey!” in case he had wandered into the surrounding neighborhoods. Whenever I would see an object in the distance beside the tracks I would think, “Could that be Mickey hit by the train and lying there?” As I got closer I discovered that they were only pieces of trash.

As I walked down the tracks, the story of the prodigal son and his father came to my mind. I knew in my heart what the father must have felt like when the son whom he loved took his things and left his father’s house to go into a far country. In my mind’s eye I saw the father standing in his doorway watching his boy leaving home, walking down the lane which led away from his father’s house. How the words must have welled up in the father’s heart, “My son, I love you! Come back to me. Come back,” but he was not able to call them out to his son because he knew his son had made up his mind to leave him.

After walking half an hour down the tracks without seeing any sign of Mickey, I turned around and headed home. Mickey whom I loved was lost, and I didn’t know if I would ever see him again.

God dearly loves you, too. He loves you infinitely more than I loved Mickey or even than the father loved his wandering son. When I called Mickey at first, he chose not to listen and kept chasing the train. God calls us, too, through what we read in the Bible and gospel papers, what we hear in Sunday school, and many other ways. God is calling sinners now to believe on His Son and receive everlasting life and the forgiveness of sins. It was His love for you that brought the Lord Jesus down to die for sins. But if you refuse to answer God’s calling to you, all the love which God has shown to you in giving His Son to die, as far as you are concerned, will be lost love. Lost love — just think about it. You may die unsaved and go to a lost eternity, but you will never die unloved. Oh, come home to God the Father through the Lord Jesus Christ today!

Forlornly I walked home, across the railroad tracks and parkway, across the street and down the sidewalk where a little while earlier I had walked with Mickey. But now Mickey was gone and I walked alone.

When I got home I couldn’t help but glance into the picture window, but there was no Mickey waiting for me. I opened the back door, but there was no happy puppy prancing around to welcome me. I sat down in the kitchen and sighed deeply. How quiet the place was without him.

Then, who do you think sheepishly poked his head around the corner? Yes, Mickey! A lady in her car had found him and brought him home. I looked down at him and I got angry with him for disobeying me, and I felt like punishing him. But at the same time I was terribly glad he was safely home, and I wanted to hug the little dog. I couldn’t make my mind up whether to punish him or hug him, so I did both.

My story had a happy ending, and the story of the prodigal son had a happy ending, too. The son went into a far country and spent all his money on having a good time until his money was gone. All his new friends liked him as long as he had money, but when it was gone, they left him. He finally fell so low that he got a job feeding pigs, and he got so hungry he wanted to eat some of the same food the pigs were eating.

Then he thought about his father’s house and how the servants there had plenty of food while he was starving. So he decided to return home and ask his father if he could become one of his servants.

When he returned home, do you think his father was angry with him? Oh, no. When his father saw him a long way off, he ran out to meet him and hugged him and kissed him. Then he ordered the best robe and shoes and a ring for his son. Then he had a feast prepared, and they all began to be merry.

This story is a picture to us of how God feels when a sinner returns to Him. You don’t need to be afraid God will punish you for your sins, if you accept Jesus Christ as your Saviour. The Bible tells us that on the cross Jesus took the punishment for all the sins of every person who would believe on Him. God is just, and He would not punish twice for the same sin. So no matter how awful your sins are, there will be only joy if you accept the Lord Jesus as your Saviour.

Mickey came home and the prodigal son came home. Won’t you come home to God the Father through the Lord Jesus Christ? When Mickey came home I was a little angry with him, but when a sinner repents and turns to God, joy, only joy, without any feelings of anger are the feelings of God’s heart toward him. “I say unto you, that... joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth.” Luke 15:7.

ML-10/26/1986

The Wonders of God's Creation: Mallards by the Million

“The Lord God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air; and brought them unto Adam to see what he would call them.” Genesis 2:19.

What an interesting job Adam was given! The English language was not then in use, but in whatever language he spoke, it was his privilege to be the first to call a duck a duck.

The mallard is the wild duck from which most domestic ducks have been bred. The male (sometimes called a greenhead) is one of the beautiful birds of God’s creation, with a glossy purplish-green head, black neck and narrow white collar. The rest of its body is brown except for 12 white tail feathers.

Millions of mallards spend summers in Canadian prairies and additional numbers are just across the United States border, particularly in North Dakota where “pothole” ponds are ideal for nesting.

Females are plain brown and, like the males, have orange legs and webbed feet. Their nests are well hidden, lined with down and feathers, usually in thick grass at the edge of a pond or lake. The hatching and training of the ducklings is left to the hen. The little ones can walk and swim expertly a few hours after hatching.

Mallards are the most common (and noisiest) of all ducks, the female’s quack being so loud it can be heard a mile away. In addition to acorns, wheat and other grains, their food includes water insects, frogs and fish. When feeding in shallow water, mallards have a “bottoms-up” position, feasting on underwater plants and insects.

They like to eat in concealed places in the daylight, but raid grain fields at night, to many farmers’ dismay. Some areas are now being planted especially for them so that they will not go into the farm fields until crops have been harvested; then they feed on the grain left on the ground.

Some mallards spend the full winter along the coasts of Alaska and western Canada, but others migrate to Texas and California before winter, returning north in early spring. Their migrations are beautiful to see as, high in the sky, their V-shaped groups with heads and necks outstretched move swiftly along.

Do you think the Lord God, the Creator, cares about birds and their nests? A Bible verse tells us He certainly does: “If a bird’s nest chance to be before thee in the way... thou shalt not take the dam [mother bird] with the young.” Deuteronomy 22:6. And if He cares about birds on their nests, doesn’t He care much more about you? The Bible answers this question also, “Casting all your care upon Him; for He careth for you.” 1 Peter 5:7. The invitation is also given, “Commit thy way unto the Lord; trust also in Him; and He shall bring it to pass.” Psalms 37:5. Have you committed your way to Him?

ML-10/26/1986

Petting the Lioness

Memory Verse: “The soul that sinneth, it shall die.” Ezekiel 18:4

It was a warm July day, and Jim was enjoying himself as he strolled from cage to cage at the Lincoln Park Zoo in Chicago. The monkeys’ antics were amusing as usual. The seals and sea lions were splashing around in their pools and leaping high in the air to catch the fish the keeper was throwing to them. But what interested Jim the most were the lions. He had always been fascinated by them. As he watched them now they lay sleepily soaking up the morning sun. They looked just like big over-grown pussycats.

Now Jim really should have known better. After all, he was 39 years old, and by that age most people know enough to stay away from danger, even if it does look inviting. But as he stood watching the huge beasts, a very foolish idea crossed his mind. He thought that the lioness that was lying along the bars right at the front of the cage looked so gentle and tame that he just had to pet her. So he looked around to make sure no one was watching, then climbed over the safety wall and slowly walked up to the cage with his hard outstretched to pet the lioness.

Most boys and girls would know enough not to try to pet a lion or a lioness, and yet maybe you are doing something that is just as foolish and dangerous.

God tells us in His Word, the Bible, how terrible sin, is and warns us of the dangers of playing around with it. He warns us that “the soul [person] that sinneth, it shall die” (Ezekiel 18:4), and that “the wages of sin is death.” (Rom. 6:23.) But we still hear boys and girls and even grownups saying, “Oh well, everybody does it,” or, “It was only a little white lie.” That is playing around with sin, and it is even more dangerous than petting a lion!

God even warns us that “your adversary [enemy] the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Peter 5:8.

Jim decided to ignore the danger, and, reaching through the bars of the cage, he gently petted the lioness’s sleek fur. Seconds later he began screaming with pain! The lioness had reached out as quick as a flash and clawed Jim’s arm. (You know how much a kitten’s claws can hurt you. Can you imagine what a lion’s claws could do?)

The zoo keepers came running when they heard Jim scream. They were able to distract the lioness and free Jim’s arm from her claws. Jim was then rushed to the hospital to have his hand and arm stitched up.

God has provided a way for us to escape from the consequences of our sins, too. Just as Jim was helpless in the grip of the lioness, we are also helplessly caught by our sins. God loves us, though, so much that He sent His Son, the Lord Jesus, down to this earth to save us from our sins. “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 zoo keepers risked getting hurt themselves by going into the cage to save Jim, but the Lord Jesus did more than risk getting hurt for us. The Bible tells us “Christ died for our sins.” 1 Cor. 15:3. He loved us so much that He died on the cross and suffered for the sins of everyone who will believe on Him. Won’t you accept Him as your Saviour today?

ML-11/02/1986

Sirrah

James Hagg was a shepherd, and his job was to care for 700 sheep which belonged to his employer. Every day he and his dog Sirrah herded the sheep from one pasture to another on the Scottish hills. They found the best grass for the flock and protected the sheep from harm and danger.

One evening something frightened the sheep, and in spite of Mr. Hagg’s and Sirrah’s efforts to keep them together, every single one of the sheep ran away. They scattered over the hills in three different directions.

“Sirrah,” said the upset shepherd, “they’re all gone!”

The Bible tells us that we are all like those 700 sheep. We want our own way, not God’s way. He tells us that, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way.” Isa. 53:6. Some of those sheep went one way, some another, and some a third way, but not one of them stayed with their shepherd who loved them and cared for them. Every one of them ran away.

When Sirrah heard Mr. Hagg’s words, he trotted off as though he knew exactly what Mr. Hagg wanted him to do. The poor shepherd spent the whole night wandering over the hills hunting for his lost sheep.

By morning Mr. Hagg had not found any sign of the sheep. Sadly he decided he would have to go to his employer and tell him that all 700 sheep were lost.

Just as Mr. Hagg spent all night hunting for his lost sheep, we also have a Shepherd who loves us and cares for us and is looking for us. The Bible tells us that the Lord Jesus Christ is our Shepherd. He said, “I am the good Shepherd, and know My sheep.” John 10:14.

Mr. Hagg could not find even one of his sheep, but the Lord Jesus does not give up after only one night of looking for us. He keeps on until He can say, “Rejoice with Me; for I have found My sheep which was lost.” Luke 15:6.

As Mr. Hagg headed sadly toward his employer’s home, he caught sight of Sirrah guarding some sheep at the bottom of a ravine. Climbing down into the ravine, he found, to his surprise and joy, that all 700 sheep were there. Somehow during the night Sirrah had found and rounded up every one of the lost sheep. Mr. Hagg counted them to make sure they were all there.

How the dog had managed to collect all of them, Mr. Hagg never found out. “But,” he said, “I never felt so grateful to any living creature as I did to my faithful Sirrah that morning!”

Although Mr. Hagg could not find his lost sheep, Sirrah found them and guarded them safely all night long. Our good Shepherd, the Lord Jesus, has done more than that for us. He loved us so much that He died so that we could have our sins forgiven. He says, “I am the good Shepherd: the good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep.” John 10:11. He will take good care of His sheep until every one of them is safely home in heaven. Not one of His lambs will be missing when He gathers His flock safely home to heaven.

If you have accepted the Lord Jesus as your Saviour, you are one of His own sheep. He promises you that, “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, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand. My Father, which gave them [to] Me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of My Father’s hand.” John 10:27-29.

Isn’t that a wonderful promise? He will never, ever lose us or let us go. Once you belong to Him you are His forever!

Are you one of His sheep?

ML-11/02/1986

The Wonders of God's Creation: Rhinos - Ugly and Mean

“Will the unicorn be willing to serve thee, or abide by thy crib [stable]?... Wilt thou trust him, because his strength is great?” Job 39:9,11.

The unicorn is mentioned several times in the Bible. While no one knows for sure, some think it refers to the rhino, perhaps because the word “rhinoceros” means “horned nose.” All rhinos have horns — some have two, others have just one. These horns actually are not made of bone, but are formed by hair-like fibers growing tightly together and are very tough and strong.

Rhinos are big. Some, like the so-called white rhino of Africa, are as much as 15 feet long and taller than most men. Their massive head has large, trumpet-like ears and huge nostrils on an ugly wrinkled snout. Their skin is rough and warty.

One type in India, weighing two to three tons, is an example of the armor-plated kind; with its loose skin folded into sections, it is the home of many parasites which attract birds known as oxpeckers. These birds may spend all day on a rhino’s back and sides, providing considerable relief for it as they feast on the troublesome insects. They also give warning calls when other animals or people approach. This is, incidentally, another example of the Creator providing benefits shared between two creatures that are nothing alike.

Not only do these beasts look mean, but they are truly vicious and short-tempered — inclined to charge anything crossing their path whether it be an animal, a person, or even a car or train. Although they look clumsy on their short legs, they are as swift as a horse. It is a terrifying experience to be charged by one galloping at top speed, its feet pounding the ground while it snorts loudly through flared nostrils.

The African black rhino is the fiercest of all with its front horn two to three feet long and the back horn half that size. Their eyesight is poor, but a strong sense of smell and extra-sharp hearing make up for that problem. They are lightning fast when charging and extremely dangerous when wounded.

A tragedy for the rhinos is that their horns are in demand by people who grind them up and sell the powder at high prices as so-called medicine. They are also hunted by some native warriors who consider it a matter of pride to carry daggers with handles made from the horns. The result is that, although protected by the governments of Africa and India, poachers kill great numbers illegally just to get the horns, and it is feared these animals may some day become extinct unless the poaching can be stopped.

When those who love the Lord are with Him in heaven, we will learn and understand why such creatures as rhinos have been given a place in His creation. Meanwhile we can say “Thou art worthy... for Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created.” Rev. 4:11.

ML-11/02/1986

Tell the Truth

Memory Verse: “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way? By taking heed thereto according to Thy word.” Psalm 119:9

“CRASH” went the glass from the window as it shattered onto the back porch! Keith stared at the broken window.

“I didn’t know I could throw a football that far,” he thought as he ran up to see the mess he had made. “I guess I shouldn’t have thrown it toward the house.” The very first time he threw his new football, Keith realized that he was bigger and stronger than the year before. It had been a nice spiral, too, but it went right through the back porch window!

“Dad and Mom are going to be mad at me when they get home,” he thought to himself. “I’ll probably have to pay for the new window, and I hardly have enough money to buy Mom’s birthday present.”

“Maybe, just maybe I don’t have to tell them I did it. If they ask me I’ll have to tell them, but if they don’t ask me, then maybe it won’t be like lying.”

Suddenly he remembered what his Sunday school teacher had said just the week before. They had been reading in Acts 5 about Ananias and his wife, Sapphira, and what happened to them when they lied.

“Boys,” his teacher had said, “truth is something that we cannot prize too much. There is nothing such as ‘a little white lie’ in God’s sight. Those who are not Christians think nothing of lying about something if it will help them. But the judgment that fell on Ananias and Sapphira shows what God thinks about lying. Yes, boys, a lie is an awful thing and often it is just the beginning of a path of sin. Also, remember that an acted lie is just as bad as a spoken lie. Someday, perhaps one of you may be tempted to hide something by keeping silent. In God’s sight the sin is the same. When Satan tells you to keep quiet, ask God to help you to tell the truth and to confess your sin. He will help you and give you the strength to do what is right and pleasing to Him.”

Just then Keith’s parents drove into the driveway. As Keith ran to the front of the house he silently asked God for help to tell his father just how the accident had happened.

Keith’s father immediately saw that something was bothering him. “What’s wrong, Keith?” he asked. “You look like you have something to tell me.”

“Yes, Dad, I do,” said Keith, and his voice trembled a little as he spoke. “I’m very sorry, but I broke the back porch window.”

“How did it happen?” asked his father.

“I threw my new football toward the house, and it went lots farther than it’s ever gone before! I wasn’t being careful. I’ll pay for the new window.”

“That’s all right, Son,” said his father quietly. “Accidents happen. I’m just glad that you came to tell me right away. I would rather have every window in the house broken than have you try to hide something by lying.”

As they talked more about it, Keith told him how he was tempted not to say anything about the window, and how he had remembered what his Sunday school teacher had said.

“Son,” said his father, “I’m happy to see that you’ve learned a lesson today. It is so easy to be guilty of lying even without opening your mouth. I hope you’ve learned something else, too. Never trust in your own strength. When you’re tempted to do something wrong, ask God for help to do what is right.”

“Deliver my soul, O Lord, from lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue.” Psa. 120:2.

ML-11/09/1986

Who Made It?

Sir Isaac Newton had a friend who, like himself, was a scientist. Newton was a Christian and loved the Lord Jesus Christ. His friend was not a Christian. He didn’t even believe that there was a God! Newton had spoken to his friend many times about how God had created such a wonderful universe.

Each time, though, his friend would shake his head saying “no,” and reply that the universe “just happened.”

Newton had finished the design of a scale model of our solar system. A very skilled craftsman then built it from Newton’s plans. In the center was a large ball made of brass which represented the sun. Revolving around this sun were smaller balls attached to spokes of different lengths. These balls represented the planets, and the spokes placed them at the proper distances from the sun. All of these balls representing Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune, were in their proper order. (Today we know that the planet Pluto is also in our solar system, but Newton did not know this.) These balls were all geared together so that when a crank on the front was turned, they all moved in their orbits around the sun.

One day Newton was in his study reading when his friend came to visit him. His friend saw the model and instantly recognized what it was. As he slowly cranked the model, he studied it closely. He said to Newton, “This is tremendous! Who made it?”

“Nobody,” Newton answered without looking up from his book.

His friend turned to him with a confused look and said, “You must not have heard me, I asked, ‘Who made this wonderful model?’”

Looking up, Newton said with a perfectly straight face, “Nobody made it. Those balls and gears just appeared and put themselves together!”

His friend, now quite upset, said, “You must think I’m a fool! Of course somebody made this! He’s a genius, and I’d like to meet him!”

Newton set his book aside and slowly walked across the room to his friend. As they stood in front of the model, Newton explained to his friend, “This model is just a poor imitation of our wonderful universe. You know the laws and the precise order which govern our universe. I can’t seem to convince you that this model, this toy, does not have a designer or a maker. However, you have said many times that the solar system, which this model represents, ‘just happened.’ Now tell me, is that the logical conclusion of a scientist?”

Newton’s friend quickly understood how foolish he had been. He realized that there had to be a Master Designer and a Master Creator for everything! It wasn’t long after accepting the thought that God was the Creator that he also accepted Him as his Saviour.

Have you accepted Him as your Saviour?

“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.” Gen. 1:1.

“All things were made by Him.” John 1:3.

“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-11/09/1986

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Odd Opossum

“Let all the earth fear the Lord: let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him.” Psa. 33:8.

What is this strange thing coming down the forest trail, looking like a miniature gray trolley car loaded with passengers all hanging onto an overhead support? It turns out to be a mother opossum carrying eight babies who are strung along her back and clinging to her long, bare tail which she arches completely over herself. The mother is very careful about her big family.

Female opossums are the only animals in the United States and Canada that have pouches (like kangaroos have). Baby opossums are no bigger than a bumblebee when born outside this pouch, and within two minutes they smell their mother’s milk located in her pouch and climb in, remaining there for three months. For a few more months after that, they are given the piggy-back rides while their mother introduces them to fruits, nuts, insects, fish, frogs and vegetation.

One thing the mother doesn’t have to teach them is how to “play possum,” for this is an instinct given to them by the Creator when He first placed them on the earth, and it is carried on from generation to generation. When danger threatens, instead of trying to run away (they’re not too fast on their feet) they fall to the ground, jaws dropping open, tongues hanging out, eyes glazed and barely breathing — looking just like a dead animal and even giving off that kind of an odor.

A fox or coyote might come right up to them, but they do not move a muscle nor blink an eye and are usually left alone because the attacker is not interested in dead meat. People, too, have found them this way and grabbed their fur, shaking them just to see what will happen, but they always lie perfectly still until the danger is past. Isn’t it wonderful how the Creator has given them this ability?

As we consider the various habits God has given all His creation, we look on in amazement. One important provision He has given each of us is an intelligence to understand His precious Word, the Bible. There we find that He loves us, and He knows all about us. We also find that we are lost sinners. Yet His desire is that we might live forever in His heavenly home, although we cannot go there with our sins on us.

Does the Bible provide a remedy for us? Yes. In Titus 2:13-14 we read of “the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ; who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from all iniquity [sin].” If we admit to Him that we are sinners and believe on the Lord Jesus Christ who died to save us from our sins, God will then accept us as His very own sons and daughters forever and ever. How important it is to do this right now!

ML-11/09/1986

The Story of George Frazer

Memory Verse: “Let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Revelation 22:17

George was a teenage boy who did not like anyone to say “no” to him, but he was always quick to say “no” to other people. That is why when his brother invited him to a gospel meeting his quick answer was “no!”

But then as George thought it over he wondered to himself, “What kind of people go to gospel meetings anyway?” So he decided he would go with his brother just to watch the people going in, but he would not go inside himself.

However, when they reached the door of the building where the meeting was going to be held, George heard something which stirred up all the rebellion in him. There was a man standing at the door telling those still waiting to go in, “No, the place is filled. You cannot go in.” Immediately George decided he was going to go in anyway.

Looking around the outside of the building for another way to get in, he found a gutter downspout from the roof to the ground, and up near the roof was a small window open for ventilation. Hand-over-hand George climbed up the downspout and managed to seat himself on the windowsill of that small window with his legs dangling inside the room. From his perch he looked down on the sea of faces below him.

The songs and prayer were slightly interesting, but the preacher’s subject was such a surprise after what he had heard at the door that it almost startled him from his seat. The subject was, “Yet there is room!” The preacher read the story from Luke 14 about the man who made a great supper and invited many people to come. But the answer from each of the invited guests was “No!” All their excuses were different, but each of them refused his invitation. The man then sent his servant out into the streets, lanes and highways to bring in poor and handicapped people to be his guests at his great supper. “Yet there is room,” said the servant. The man really wanted his house filled with guests, so he sent the servant out to bring in more. We are not told at what moment his house was filled, but then the invitation was changed to the sad message, “No room.”

What about the first guests who were invited and said “no”? Were they still welcome to come along with the poor and handicapped people to the supper? NO. We are told of the final decision of the man who had invited them: “None of those men which were bidden [first invited] shall taste of my supper.” It was his time to say “no.”

The preacher did not notice George sitting in the window, but he told those listening of God’s invitation which is so often refused. The invitation welcoming any poor sinner into God’s home of everlasting joy in heaven is possible because of the death of God’s beloved Son. Those who say “no” have their pleasures and friends now, plus troubles and worries and eternity in the sinners’ hell. Those who come to the Saviour have His joy in their hearts, plus troubles too, but we never have to bear them alone, and we have a home in heaven with Christ forever.

After the meeting was over George climbed down, an unhappy young man, but he decided not to forget about it until he found the Saviour for himself. For two weeks his misery lasted, and he decided to go back to the pleasures of the world and forget the whole thing. But then he thought, “I will still have to face God about my sins.” He had to make his decision right then, and God brought these words from the Bible to his memory: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” 1 Timothy 1:15. “That’s it!” he cried, “I’m a sinner, and Christ Jesus came into the world to save me!”

He lay awake for hours thanking and praising God, and then fell into the best sleep he had had since the night of the gospel meeting. In the morning he told the good news to his family, and from that time he wanted to tell others of his Saviour. He loved to write hymns. Here is one of them which you may already know:

“O blessed gospel sound!

‘Yet there is room!’

It tells to all around

‘Yet there is room!’

The guilty may draw near;

Though vile, they need not fear;

With joy they now may hear

‘Yet there is room!’”

God has not yet said, “No room.” You are still welcome to come from the streets or the highways, or wherever you are, and receive a welcome from the Saviour of sinners. Will you come?

“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-11/16/1986

The Stolen Rose

Seven-year-old Janet lived in an old apartment building in the city. The area around the building was mostly cement except for the small yard right behind the building. There weren’t any flowers or bushes in the yard, but at least it was a yard where she could play.

One day as she and her friend Elaine were coming home from school, they saw some beautiful roses growing on a trellis on the side of a house.

As the two girls admired and smelled the flowers, Elaine said, “I don’t think the people who live here would care if we took just one rose. They are so beautiful.”

Janet was a Christian, but she didn’t think the owners would care either. The two of them tiptoed up to the trellis, and each girl picked off a rose. Then they hurried away, hoping the owners would not see them.

Janet began to feel very guilty as she walked home. She enjoyed the rose and loved its smell, but she knew she had sinned. She knew that God had seen her steal. Just before she reached home, she put the rose in her jacket pocket so that her mother wouldn’t ask her questions about it.

Yes, God had seen the girls steal. We read in the Bible, “Thou God seest me.” Genesis 16:13.

A few days later when her mother was brushing off Janet’s jacket, she noticed the wilted rose in her pocket. “Where did this come from?” she asked. “We don’t have any red roses like this around here.”

Poor Janet started to cry, and then she told her mother how she had taken the rose. Her mother had to punish her for stealing, but I am sure that Janet learned her lesson. She got down on her knees and confessed to the Lord Jesus what she had done.

The Bible tells us, “Be sure your sin will find you out.” Numbers 32:23.

Although we all are sinners, God has a message for each of us. The message of the gospel is that God loves us and has provided a way that any sinner who comes to Him may have his, or her, sins washed away. This is possible through the death of the Lord Jesus on the cross. The precious blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, God’s only Son, can cleanse us from all sin. Accept Him now as your own personal Saviour. “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-11/16/1986

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Open-Billed Stork

“Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle [dove] and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming.” Jeremiah 8:7.

Except for people living in Florida and Central and South America, few Americans have seen a stork living in the wild. However, many live in Europe, Africa, India and some other lands. They are big birds with long beaks and legs and partially webbed feet. It is a pretty sight to see them soaring through the air, big wings spread out, long necks extended and legs sticking straight out behind.

The open-billed stork is different from other storks in many ways. For instance, it makes its rough nest of sticks near marshes, whereas most others prefer dry and hotter places. But the main difference is that other storks don’t eat snails, while this one lives almost entirely on them, taking them from the water in their shells.

Here’s how the open-bill got its name. Because of the way it gets its food, the Creator has given it a special bill. Other storks have smooth bills, but this one’s is grooved all along the edges. Also, the upper part of the beak curves downward, and the lower part turns up, so that when the tips are together there is a spot left open in the middle. In other words, it is “open-billed.” This together with the grooves helps it to hold the slippery snail shells securely until it has a chance to insert the pointed tip of its bill into the shell, cutting the snail loose and eating it. We can certainly see this specially designed bill is a provision of the Creator, enabling this stork to capture the great number of snails it eats daily.

Open-bills are happy when there is opportunity to ride on the back of a hippo wading in the same spot. The hippo pulls up its own grassy food and exposes snails which are grabbed by the stork. The hippos don’t seem to mind this since they have no interest in snails.

When stork eggs hatch, the little ones are naked, but before long they grow a soft coat of down followed a little later by feathers. Both parents take care of them, shading them from the hot sun by stretching out their wings over them for shade and also bringing food in their throats which they cough up for them. The greedy youngsters eat more than their stomachs can hold, but the Creator has provided for this too. Instead of getting a stomachache, the extra food goes into a pouch in their throats until their stomachs are ready for it.

These interesting birds provide another example of the way God cares for every creature — big or small, as a Bible verse tells us: “In whose hand is the soul of every living thing.” Job 12:10. We are told in other Bible verses how much more He loves and cares for every boy and girl in the world. Have you ever thanked Him for His loving care?

ML-11/16/1986

A Pocket Full of Chicken

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

Marty was having a lot of fun. It was her first visit to southern Mexico and, like most eight-year-olds, she found the new sights and sounds exciting.

The animals were especially interesting. Dogs, chickens and pigs wandered around the small homes and sometimes even came right into the house where Marty and her parents were visiting. She loved to scratch the animals’ heads, pet them and try to make friends with them.

One fluffy, little, yellow chick was especially cute. Marty was delighted when she finally managed to catch it. It was so soft and fluffy, and it snuggled down in her hand as she petted it. She didn’t want to put it back down on the dirty ground, so she carefully put it in her skirt pocket.

“Look, Mommie,” she called. “I think this baby chick likes me.” Sure enough, the little chick had snuggled down in her pocket with only its head showing, looking very contented.

Soon, however, the little chick began to struggle to get free, and Marty reluctantly lifted it out of her pocket and put it down on the ground. Quickly it ran over to join its mother and brothers and sisters who were pecking in the dirt nearby.

For a few minutes all was quiet. Then Marty, with a shudder, called, “Ooh, Mommie. Come and look!”

Mother hurried over to see what she had found. There was Marty holding her skirt pocket open and peering into it with a look of disgust. Inside her pocket were several, tiny, little insects squirming around. The poor, little chicken had these insects in its fluffy feathers and quite a few of them were left behind in Marty’s pocket.

Marty changed her skirt at once, and then her mother got a bucket, soap and hot water and proceeded to wash the dirtied skirt.

That fluffy, little chicken looked so cute that it didn’t seem possible that it could ever cause any trouble. And sometimes sin is like that. That little lie doesn’t seem too bad, in fact, it may have saved you from being punished. Or maybe the time you cheated in school doesn’t seem very serious either. You may even have fooled your teacher into giving you a higher grade because of it. But the Bible tells us that “the pleasures of sin” are only “for a season.” Heb. 11:25.

The Bible warns us that God hates sin, and that “the wages of sin is death.” Rom. 6:23. In fact, sin is so terrible that the only possible way that God could get rid of the stain of sin was to send His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to die on the cross and shed His blood so that our sins might be forgiven.

Marty’s skirt could be washed with soap and water, but only the blood of the Lord Jesus can wash away the stains of sin from our hearts. “The blood of Jesus Christ His [God’s] Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7.

Won’t you let Him wash your sins away right now?

“Now is the day of salvation.” 2 Cor. 6:2.

ML-11/23/1986

The Pirates and the Bed

It was a nice little white bed like some of you children sleep on every night. However, this bed was a little different because it had an iron framework over the top. Mosquito netting could be hung from this iron framework. I don’t think many of us have anything like that over our beds. But you see, this bed belonged to a missionary in South China many years ago.

Along with the bed there was a mattress too. It was not a nice, soft mattress like we have today. This one was stuffed with bamboo shavings. In South China bamboo was used for many things.

The missionary had bought the bed and mattress at a department store in the city of Hong Kong. It was carefully wrapped for the long trip back to the missionary’s home which was 200 miles away. But how would a person get a bed and mattress to their house that far away when there were no moving or delivery trucks? The missionary didn’t have a truck or a car either.

He was able to find a small boat, called a “sailing junk,” which was going up the river delivering goods to the city where he lived. He made all the arrangements to have his bed and mattress delivered to the sailing junk, and then the missionary left for home by land.

When the missionary got home, he told his family about the new bed he had bought. He knew it would take about three weeks for the sailing junk to make the long trip up the river with the new bed.

Three weeks passed, but the bed did not arrive. What was wrong? Had the sailing junk sunk in the river, or had the bed been stolen by pirates?

After about six weeks the missionary got word that, “Yes, the bed was stolen.” The pirates who had stolen it were now trying to sell it back to him. Would the missionary pay to get his bed back?

“No,” said the missionary, “I will not do business with robbers! I will not pay a cent to those who stole it!”

The missionary thought he would never see his bed again. He and his family often laughed, thinking about the pirate chief comfortably stretched out on the little white bed, enjoying the happy feeling of a mattress, which he probably had never felt before.

Although he was disappointed, the missionary accepted the loss of his new bed. He knew that, like the Apostle Paul in Philippians chapter three, he might suffer “the loss of all things... that I may win Christ.” So there were no hard feelings about the loss. He told the Lord all about it and left it for Him to work out.

Not too many days later, a friend rushed in all excited and exclaimed, “The bed is coming — I mean, the junk is coming!”

Yes, soldiers had captured the pirates and had recovered the junk with all its goods. Perhaps the pirate chief had been napping in his new bed. His friend didn’t know how it happened — all he knew was that the junk was on its way to the city.

A few days passed and then, sure enough, along came the bed. Chinese coolies carried it to his house. The missionary and his family hurried out to see what the pirate chief had done to the bed. And what did they find? Neither the bed nor the mattress had even been unwrapped! Maybe the pirate chief didn’t know what it was. If so, he certainly never knew the comfort he had missed.

When the missionary asked if there were additional charges for recovering and delivering his bed, he was told there were none. Duty, freight, soldiers’ charges and delivery charges had all been paid.

The merchant who was with the coolies said, “The junk and all the goods came back because of your bed. It must have been your God taking care of your bed, or else we would never have seen our things again!”

If God watches over things like beds, can’t we trust everything to Him? Best of all, we can trust Him with our soul’s salvation. Can you say like Paul, “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”? 2 Tim. 1:12.

“Blessed are all they that put their trust in Him.” Psa. 2:12.

ML-11/23/1986

The Wonders of God's Creation: The American Buffalo (Bison) - Part 1

“I have made the earth, the man and the beast that are upon the ground, by My great power and by My outstretched arm.” Jer. 27:5.

The buffalo or, more correctly, the bison shares with the moose the distinction of being the two heaviest land animals of North America. The buffalo is from nine to twelve feet long and as tall as a man from the ground to the top of its hump. Some bulls weigh nearly a ton, but cows are smaller. They are strong and tough and can live through storms that kill other beasts. They are also great runners — up to 30 miles an hour for long distances.

When Indians were the only people west of the Mississippi, there were millions of bison forming herds, often as far as the eye could see on the prairies of mid-America, all the way from Mexico up into Canada. For the Indians this was a principal food, and they made wigwams, blankets, clothing and other things from the hides. God provided plenty of grass and water, and even though the Indians killed many it did not make much difference as so many calves were born every year that their numbers just kept on growing.

But as white people moved west after the Revolutionary War, it became a different story. It is easy to understand that the settlers, like the Indians, found buffalo a good source of food and hides, but as they settled the land they not only used them for these purposes, but determined to get them off the land they wanted to farm. As a result many thousands were killed just to get rid of them.

Hunters from the eastern part of the country also, and “sportsmen,” even from Europe, went west with their guns, thinking it was great sport to see how many they could kill, without even caring about the meat or hides. When railroads reached that part of the country, some hunters shot the beasts from moving trains. All this leaves a sad picture of that part of America’s history. The result of all this was that, just 100 years ago, instead of millions of buffalo, there were only about a thousand left in the United States and Canada combined.

Bison are part of God’s creation, and He surely had the Indian people in His thoughts in preparing such an abundant supply to meet their needs. Many people today are sad and ashamed to think of the way bison were deliberately killed. He, of whom it is said, “I know all the fowls of the mountains: and the wild beasts of the field are Mine,” (Psa. 50:11), must have been displeased to see this cruelty and waste. However, we can be happy to know that His watchful eye and care are over those bison that are flourishing again, as we will discuss in the next issue.

ML-11/23/1986

The Telephone That Wouldn't Work

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

A dairy farm is a busy place. The cows have to be milked each morning and each evening every day of the week. And even if the farmer has to go away for a few days, somebody still has to milk the cows twice a day. If a farmer doesn’t have a son to work with him, he often hires another man to help him with chores.

It usually takes several hours to do the chores each morning and each evening. Not only are the cows milked, they are also given special feed at that time. Then there is the cleanup afterward. All the milking equipment must be carefully cleaned and put away. Then the floors have to be swept. So a dairy farmer spends lots of time in the dairy barn, besides time in his workshop where he repairs his machinery and time out at the silo where he feeds his other cattle twice a day.

Mr. Beckley was one of these busy dairy farmers. It seemed as though every time an important phone call came for him he was out in the barn or workshop. One day he read an article about a farmer who bought a cordless telephone and carried it with him wherever he happened to be on the farmstead when he was expecting a phone call. Mr. Beckley thought that sounded like a good idea. He decided he’d keep his eyes open for one on sale sometime.

Several weeks later he went to an auction at a hardware store. Sure enough, they were selling a cordless telephone. It was a new phone, but it didn’t work. He was told its battery wouldn’t take a charge. But for $10 he decided to take it home and maybe he or one of his sons could fix it.

When he got the telephone home he and his oldest son, Todd, took it apart and discovered it had a broken wire. That was easy enough to fix. Todd got out the soldering iron and soldered the wire back together again. The phone took the charge... but they discovered it still wouldn’t work. Something else was wrong.

Have you ever wished you could “repair” some of the broken parts of your life? Sometimes we wish we could take back something we’ve said that wasn’t true. Or maybe it was a mean trick we pulled on somebody we didn’t like. These things have a way of bothering us, and we wish we hadn’t done them. Sin never makes us happy. We might look happy on the outside, but sin only makes us unhappy, deep inside where nobody but God can see. Admitting we told a lie or saying we’re sorry doesn’t erase the sin (although both are right to do). God still sees it as sin, and no matter how much “repair” work we try, it won’t work. We still have those sins on our record with God.

Mr. Beckley and Todd checked over the telephone parts again to make sure nothing else was broken. Everything looked okay, so they put it all back together again. But the phone still wouldn’t work. It was then that Todd discovered a tiny little switch below the earpiece. When he switched it on, the phone worked beautifully. That was the answer! They can talk from the workshop or barn now and Mr. Beckley doesn’t miss his important telephone calls. It has saved them time and steps ever since.

We can’t do anything to “repair” our sin problem, but God has the answer for it. He tells us in the Bible “that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” 1 Timothy 1:15. All you and I have to do now is accept for ourselves that Christ Jesus died on the cross for our sins. His blood shed on the cross has the power to wash away every one of our sins so that we are clean in God’s sight. That’s all we have to do. Mr. Beckley’s telephone would never have worked no matter how many parts they replaced or repaired. That little switch had to be turned on. And no matter how hard we try or how much we do, we can’t do anything about our sins. God has the only answer through His Son Christ Jesus. It’s the only way that works. “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us.” Titus 3:5.

“Jesus Christ... loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood.” Revelation 1:5.

ML-11/30/1986

"I Jus' Don't Have Nothin' the Matter With Me"

The Bible tells us that when Matthew responded to the request of the Lord Jesus to “follow Me,” he made a great feast in his own house for the Lord, and a great many publicans and others sat down with them. The religious leaders of that day didn’t like this and asked the disciples of Jesus why they “eat and drink with publicans and sinners.” Jesus answered them: “They that are whole need not a physician; but they that are sick. I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.” Luke 5:31,32.

Isn’t this good news! Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners! I am happy to tell you that you are qualified for heaven. Don’t disqualify yourself by thinking that you are not a sinner in need of a Saviour.

Years ago in a large city in the northeastern United States, a group was formed to help and encourage the handicapped children of that area. The group was called the GBPT, which stood for “The Guild for the Brave Poor Things.” They did many good things. Once every year they had a big party for all of the handicapped children, and it was always a very happy affair. A newspaper reporter was invited to visit one of these annual parties to observe their activities and to write a feature article for the newspaper. When he came into the entrance hall of the building, he paused to look at row after row of “helps,” including crutches, wheelchairs, walkers, canes, braces, etc. — the symbols of their handicaps and sorrows. But then he heard singing and laughing inside the banquet hall. He went inside and discovered the happiest group of children he had ever seen. When he left, the reporter paused again in the hall to look at the “helps.” While doing this he heard a little girl crying. Looking around, the reporter saw a beautiful little girl sitting on the stairs. She was very well dressed and didn’t seem to have anything wrong with her. He went to her and asked why she was crying. She sobbed: “I can’t go in with them ‘cause I jus’ don’t have nothin’ the matter with me.”

But that is not the way with God’s salvation. “There is no difference: for all have sinned.” Romans 3:22,23. We are all candidates for heaven. None of us can say like that little girl, “We jus’ don’t have nothin’ the matter with us.” We are sinners, and Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners. The problem is that we say we are not so bad, or we are doing the best we can, or we are doing better every day, or that we can take care of ourselves — and thereby we disqualify ourselves for heaven.

Do not disqualify yourself for heaven. You are a sinner. There are only two groups — lost sinners, or saved sinners. Which are you? Do not say like the little girl: “I jus’ don’t have nothin’ the matter with me.” Rather say, “Christ is the Saviour of sinners; Christ is the Saviour for me.” Admit you are a sinner and in need, and Jesus will answer your cry for help. Then you will be among those who are called unto the marriage supper of the Lamb. (Rev. 19:9.)

ML-11/30/1986

The Wonders of God's Creation: The American Buffalo (Bison) - Part 2

From the place of His habitation [heaven] He looketh upon all the inhabitants of the earth.” Psa. 33:14.

When people, nearly 100 years ago, worried about the disappearance of bison from America they persuaded the governments of Canada and the United States to set up protective areas, such as Yellowstone National Park and Custer State Park, throughout the West. Others thought it would be profitable to raise them like cattle and take care of them in protected areas.

These good actions resulted in a gradual increase in the number of these animals so that now there are about 30,000 of them in parks and preserves like the National Bison Range in Montana where large herds now prosper.

Both bulls and cows have horns and shoulder humps. They are impressive with their shaggy, bearded heads and sharp, curved horns. When herds are threatened in any way, the males huddle together to form a ring around cows and calves, providing good defense. God, their Creator, gave them this instinct. In winter thick, heavy hair grows over the back part of their bodies. This drops off in springtime, sometimes hanging in loose patches until the animal rubs it off against a tree or big rock. They don’t look too attractive during this period.

Calves, weighing about 30 pounds, are born in early summer and can stand up and nurse in half an hour. When they are about six weeks old they change their diet from milk to grass, which becomes their entire food supply along with leaves from certain trees for the rest of their lives. They do most of their grazing in the morning with the afternoon being a time of resting and rolling in the dust to get rid of insects.

When angry, bulls charge one another, coming together slowly with heads down, feet pawing the ground, and tails up in the air, while blowing volumes of air from their nostrils and raising clouds of dust — making a very scary sight. Suddenly they slam their heads together, pushing each other back and forth until one finally gives up. When the fight is over they walk peacefully away.

The Bible tells us God cares for the beasts of the field. But He cares much more for people on earth who, when He created them, were made in His likeness and for whom He has always shown His love. The greatest proof of His love was at the cross of Calvary where “He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.

Until the Saviour comes to call those who love Him into heaven, His invitation to you to accept Him as your own Saviour stands open. However, once believers are called up to heaven it will be too late for any who are left behind to accept His invitation. Will you be called up to heaven, or will you be left behind to face the punishment for your sins?

ML-11/30/1986

A Fearless Cat

Memory Verse: “The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.” Proverbs 18:10

In our small yard in town we had two calico cats. The older one was small, but she was a real fighter. Her name was Heidi, and she was not afraid of either man or beast. When we yelled at dogs to scare them out of the yard, Heidi would chase them with great fierceness. We were quite concerned when sometimes she would chase one of them beyond the boundary of her territory, for fear the dog might turn on her without our being there to protect her. She would run after the dog, striking with her claws at his backside to keep him moving. One time she even jumped up and rode on the back of a large dog to hurry him on his way. After the dog was sent off with his tail curled under, Heidi would trot triumphantly back to the yard with her tail held high.

Our younger cat, Kinza, was larger than Heidi and solidly built. She did not spend much time in the front yard because she liked the safety of the back yard with its high fence, trees and shrubs. She was sometimes called a “fraidy cat” because she could be easily startled and would run and hide. She usually curled up under a bush to sleep while Heidi would stretch out on the front lawn and sleep in the open on a hot day.

Heidi is no longer with us. We miss her and her watchful patrol across the yard in front of our house. When she didn’t come home one day, our daughters were looking for her and found her lifeless body in the field across the street. She must have been caught out there in the open by a large enemy and had no place to run for safety.

Heidi was a brace cat and very sure of herself, but Kinza knew her weakness compared to the large dogs living on our street, and she kept out of sight of her enemies. Perhaps you may know some people who are like Heidi. Instead of seeing themselves as sheep needing the protection of the Good Shepherd, the Lord Jesus, they see themselves as something larger and stronger than they really are. Our enemy, Satan, is just waiting to catch those who think they don’t really need the Lord Jesus. These people have no fear and think only “fraidy cats” need His help. These are the very people Satan lures into his territory to become his victims. “Your adversary [enemy] the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Peter 5:8

Do you know that the Lord Jesus loves you and waits with outstretched arms to save and protect you? “The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.” Proverbs 18:10.

Are you a Heidi or a Kinza?

ML-12/07/1986

Mud Pies

Heather came running into the kitchen saying, “I’m home, Mommy. When do we eat?”

“Soon, dear. Where have you been?” her mother asked as she turned to face a very dirty little girl.

“In the field playing with Barbie and some other kids,” answered Heather. “She showed us how to make mud pies. She made them on that big, old log, while we got mud from the edge of the creek. It was really fun!”

“Maybe it was,” said Mother, “but you can’t eat at the table until you’re all cleaned up. You’re a mess!”

“I’m pretty clean,” Heather said quickly. “I washed my hands in the creek.” But when Mother rolled up the sleeves of Heather’s sweater, they both could see her arms were still quite dirty. Off to the bathroom went Heather to scrub her hands, just like Mother had asked her to do.

Now, while Heather is scrubbing her hands, let’s stop and think for a minute about what this story tells us. Mud stains on our skin and clothes can be washed off. But sin stains on our hearts are far worse. Sin stains are on the inside, and there is nothing we can do to wash them off. Let’s remember what God says about a sin-stained heart: “Take heed... lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief... hardened through... sin.” Hebrews 3:12,13.

Heather returned to the kitchen, saying, “I think they’re clean now. Anyway, the other kids’ hands were a lot dirtier than mine!”

Mother looked again at Heather’s hands. “That won’t do,” she said. “Look at those dirty fingernails! You can’t eat until they’re clean.”

So Heather went off again to scrub some more. Perhaps you don’t think that your sin-stained heart is as bad as “the other kids.” Maybe you think their lives and hearts are much worse than yours. But let’s remember, God is looking at you. No amount of washing or good deeds can wash the sins from your heart. If you want to live with God in heaven, then He must say that you are clean.

“I can’t get all the dirt out,” Heather called from the bathroom.

Mother went in to help. She added a little extra soap to Heather’s fingernails and a little more to her knuckles. Then with some more scrubbing and after a final rinse, she was clean. Mother gave her clean hands a kiss and said, “Now my little girl is clean. You may come to supper.”

Mother helped Heather get her hands clean, but God has to do it all for you. God does it all Himself without our help, and then He says that we are clean. Won’t you ask Him to do it for you? You can’t get clean by yourself. The Bible says your sins are “red like crimson,” but He can make them “white as snow.” (See Isaiah 1:18.) Then we are ready to live with God’s Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, in His home in heaven. Then we will sing that wonderful song in Revelation chapter 1 “Unto Him that loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood... to Him be glory and dominion forever and ever.”

ML-12/07/1986

The Lost Girl

A woman in China who was a Christian once went to visit a couple who had no children of their own. She found them happy because they had recently bought a four-year-old girl to raise as their own. They told the woman that there was one thing about the girl that puzzled them. Before she would eat food, she always folded her hands, closed her eyes and said something.

The visitor knew at once that the little girl must have had a Christian upbringing. She then remembered that she had seen an advertisement about a lost girl in a Christian paper. The parents lived in a distant town.

She was finally able to find out where the little girl came from and that she was the missing child. She had been stolen and sold.

When the foster parents heard the facts, they returned the girl to her parents. What a happy time for both the little girl and her parents when they were together again.

“Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it.” Proverbs 22:6.

ML-12/07/1986

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Pond-Loving Jacana (Lily-Trotter)

“Great and marvelous are Thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are Thy ways.” Revelation 15:3.

A person approaching a pond in among the trees of a tropical forest might think his eyes were deceiving him, in what appears to be a group of large birds walking on the water. But, coming closer, he would find them actually walking on lily pads. These are jacanas.

There are eight varieties of them; two of these live in North, Central and South America where they are often called lily-trotters or banana coots. These pretty birds, mostly black or deep blue with the outer half of their wings solid white, have a deep red face with a yellow beak. They are about the size of a chicken and have long, thin, scaly legs and toes, enabling them to spread their weight over enough area of a lily pad so they can walk on it without even getting their toes wet. Jerking their tails and taking high steps across the floating pads, they pick up seeds, insects and small fish, at times lifting the edge of a pad, hoping to find food on the bottom side. Flies are snatched out of the air and swallowed immediately. Bees are also favorites, but before swallowing one, they hold it under water so it cannot use its stinger. Who do you think taught them to do this?

Family life is left up to the male jacana, who first builds a floating nest on the water without any help from his mate. When that is finished, the female shows up and lays half-a-dozen eggs, but flies away again and lets the male do the incubating for about three weeks.

The newly hatched babies are helpless, with just a thin, moist covering of down. The father pushes them under his wings to dry out, keeping them sheltered for about three days. Soon feathers appear, and then the young ones are big enough to follow their parent across the lily pads in search of food. From then on their lives are on the water, and there is no need ever to go ashore. When in danger, young and old all dive under water for safety, but they normally spend the entire day walking across the lily pads, gathering their food. The young ones never see their mother. Isn’t it amazing how the father bird takes over these responsibilities?

Jacanas are part of the Creator’s wonderful works, of which the Bible speaks: “Thou, even Thou, art Lord alone; Thou hast made... the earth, and all things that are therein... and Thou preservest them all.” Nehemiah 9:6.

His love extends to each of us in a very special way. He wants each of us to draw near to Himself, not just as the Creator of all things, but admitting we are helpless sinners. He wants us to trust in the Lord Jesus who came into the world to die for us. Have you done this?

ML-12/07/1986

Almost Buried Alive

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

“Put him in the grave with his dead father.”

Standing at the edge of his father’s grave, little Pedro Montes heard these words being said about him. Even Pedro’s poor mother, whose husband had just died, agreed.

Pedro and his family are members of the Culina Indian tribe in the jungles of Peru. At the time Pedro’s father died, the people of his tribe had never even heard the name of the Lord Jesus, or how to be saved from their sins and be sure of going to heaven. So Pedro was afraid to die.

In the Culina tribe, parents could ask to have a live baby or child buried with a parent who had died.

Since Pedro was young and his mother already had more children than she thought she could possibly feed by herself, Pedro was just moments away from being buried alive!

Pedro’s time was short. Your time also may be short to decide if you will spend eternity in heaven with the Lord Jesus, or in that awful place called hell with Satan. The Bible says in 1 Cor. 15:52 That the Lord Jesus will come and, “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye” He will take everyone who has believed in Him to heaven. This could happen today. If you have not believed on the Lord Jesus at the time He returns, you will be left behind to bear the punishment for your own sins.

Pedro was terrified! Without waiting another second, he ran as fast as he could into the jungle. He climbed a tree and sat there, crying and sobbing. When an animal started climbing up the tree where Pedro was sitting, his crying scared the animal away.

Pedro was afraid the men of the village would come looking for him to take him back and bury him. So he came down out of the tree and headed farther into the jungle.

Suddenly, he spotted a jaguar. Now everyone in Pedro’s village was in danger!

In Rom. 3:22,23 we read, “For there is no difference: for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” This Bible verse tells you that you are a sinner. If you haven’t trusted the Lord Jesus to wash your sins away, you are in danger too.

Pedro didn’t think of his own danger, but only that everyone in his village was in danger. He ran back to the village and screamed, “Jaguar! Jaguar!”

His mother and some others followed him back into the jungle. But the jaguar had run away; instead they found a deer. One of the men shot the deer with his bow and arrow and took it back to the village for food.

Pedro’s relatives said, “This is a good son. He will help us have lots of meat.” Since they agreed Pedro was a good little hunter who would help them find meat, they would not bury him. His life was saved.

Pedro and the rest of the Culina tribe traveled from place to place most of the year. Sometimes they would raid settlements to steal machetes and other tools. A measles epidemic broke out after one of these village raids, and many people of the Culina tribe died.

Only 75 people were still alive in Pedro’s village at the time two young missionaries came to live with these Culinas. These missionaries began to study the Culina language. After they had learned enough, they began to translate the Bible into the Culina language. Then Pedro and other Culinas could learn of God’s love. They would hear for the first time how God’s Son, the Lord Jesus, came into this world and became a man to die on Calvary’s cross so that anyone who will believe in Him can be saved.

Pedro got sick and was once again near death. One of the missionaries read to him some Bible verses that they had just translated. Pedro believed what he heard and said, “I will follow God.” He also said, “I want to hear more from God’s Book so I’ll know it better.”

Another missionary sent medicine, and Pedro soon got over his sickness. Since then, Pedro has helped the missionaries translate more and more of the Bible into the Culina language. He wants all the Culinas to understand God’s meage and be saved.

The Lord Jesus hasn’t come back yet. 2 Peter 3:9 tells us, “The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” Is He still waiting for you to be saved? Why not make that decision right now, before it is too late.

ML-12/14/1986

The Two Puppies

Once there were two young Scotty dog puppies that were identical. The more I studied these two dogs, the more I saw they were exactly alike. They were still young enough that they liked to drink milk, but you could tell that their teeth were starting to grow. How did I know? Because they chewed on everything! Boots, mittens, toys anything small they found was chewed.

Then the day came when their owner decided to sell them. He wanted both of them to go to good homes. However, you cannot always know how somebody is going to treat a dog after they buy it. Even though he thought the two buyers would be good owners for the puppies, it turned out that one buyer was kind, but the other buyer was very unkind.

The puppy who had a kind owner was always with him, trotting by his side or running and playing with him. He had the best dog food to eat, and he was brushed once or twice a week.

The other puppy had a hard time. Some days he got enough to eat, but other times his owner would go away and forget all about him. Sometimes his owner would hit him with a stick or do other things to him just to be mean. Before, the two dogs had been together in the same happy home, but now things were very different.

Two boys or girls may grow up together in a Christian home. They will each have had the same teaching and love shown to them by their parents. But when it comes time to decide about the Lord Jesus Christ, they sometimes go opposite ways. Then they have different masters, and they are treated differently. Of course, our puppies did not have a choice as to who their master would be. However, boys and girls do have a choice. Every boy and girl has a precious soul which God says is worth more than the whole world! But since we are all sinners, Satan is our master, and we need to be redeemed (bought back). But who could pay such a price? God loves us so much that He could pay that price. In love He sent His only Son to die on Calvary’s cross. The Lord Jesus Christ suffered on the cross for our sins and paid the full price to redeem us. Will you accept Him right now as your own Saviour? Then He will be your Master, and what a wonderful Master He is! He will make you very happy. Some day He will take you to His home in heaven.

However, if you are not saved, you are lost, and Satan is your master. He is a hard master, and some day, if you continue to serve him, you will die in your sins and be lost forever.

Why continue to be a slave of sin and Satan. Come to the Lord Jesus now, and thank Him for dying for you. He is a loving Saviour and Master, and He wants you to be His child.

“Choose you this day whom ye will serve.” Josh. 24:15.

ML-12/14/1986

The Wonders of God's Creation: Never Tease a Moose

“Be not afraid, ye beasts of the field: for the pastures of the wilderness do spring.” Joel 2:22.

One of the largest animals of North America is the moose, found mainly in Alaska but in many areas of Canada and the northern part of the United States as well. It likes areas with lakes, rivers and pastures with ample food, as the Creator has promised them in the Bible verse above. They obtain some of their food while feeding in chest-deep water, dipping their heads under to pull plants out by the roots.

The bull moose of Alaska is the largest and boldest, weighing almost a ton with shoulders as high as eight feet. Their huge size, plus big antlers, make an impressive sight and they are very bold, so that even if a truck or slow-moving train annoys them, they do not hesitate to charge it — sometimes knocking it off the highway or railroad track. It is easy to see why they are seldom attacked, although a calf or a sick or old one might become the victim of a bear or a wolf pack. But if an enemy makes the mistake of attacking a moose, it may pay for the mistake with its life, as one kick from a moose’s sharp hooves can crush a skull, break a leg or badly cripple it. The big antlers are equally dangerous.

The dark-brown moose is not a pretty animal. Its long face is marked by a baggy muzzle hanging over its chin and another loose fold of skin (called a dewlap) dangling at its throat, and it has a hump on its back. But, with its massive crown of antlers, it does present a mighty awesome appearance.

While it may seem awkward to us, the moose is one of God’s creatures, as the Bible clearly tells us: “For every beast of the forest is Mine.... And the wild beasts of the field are Mine.” Psa. 50:10,11. It is the divine Creator who has given it such strength and ability to survive in harsh, cold winters and who also provided it with large, split hooves and broad feet to make walking easy on marshy ground and through snowdrifts. He knew what their needs would be when He created them and included four foot-long legs and strong muscles so they can run at speeds of 35 miles an hour. The Creator has also given them coloring that blends with their surroundings, so that they are usually well hidden from enemies. Of course, no animal is aware of the One who created and preserves it, but how about us humans? Ah, there’s a real difference, for we have the ability to know of the Lord God and all He has done and is still doing for us. The Psalmist, thinking about this, wrote, “Oh that men would praise the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!” Psa. 107:8. Are you one who does this?

ML-12/14/1986

The Valley of Doom

Memory Verse: “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.” Matthew 7:13

The Indians had a name for this valley. They called it “The Valley of Doom!” Sometimes strange and frightening noises were heard from this deep, dark ravine. The Indian tribe that lived in the mountains above it told me strange stories about this valley they all feared. Over the years many people and animals had gone down into the valley, but only a few had ever come out again. Sometimes they would hear cries of terror and cries for help not long after someone entered the valley. Their cries would echo off the valley walls, putting deep fear into the Indians.

After hearing the stories the Indians told about “The Valley of Doom,” I decided to go into the valley to learn its secret, if possible. The old Indian chief begged me not to go, but their stories did not frighten me.

I started early one morning on foot. I didn’t take my horse, since I wanted to be able to take cover quickly if there was trouble. Having spent many years traveling in the mountains and valleys of the West, I was sure I could handle any difficulty. Cautiously walking down the trail that led into the valley, I looked very carefully for any clue that would explain the mysterious noises and why some people did not return.

The trail was easy to follow as it zig-zagged down the valley. About halfway down it divided. One trail looked rather narrow and rough, but the other trail looked as good as the main trail. I decided to try the better trail first. It was not far to the floor of the valley from where the trail divided. As the trail leveled off, I noticed a stream coming down the far slope that formed a pool before continuing on down the valley. As I stopped to carefully study the scene, I noticed something rather strange. The trail led right to the edge of the stream, but there was no sign of the trail continuing on the other side. I picked up a good-sized log and threw it into the sand at the edge of the stream. In a moment I knew why so many people and animals had never returned. As soon as the log landed on the sand, it began to sink and was soon out of sight. It was quicksand! I had seen quicksand in other parts of the country, but never in these mountains. I shuddered, thinking how close I had come to stepping in that area. It all looked so harmless.

Going back to the fork in the trail, I started down the narrow, rough trail. There were rocks, stumps and fallen trees on it. However, with careful walking I soon stood on a bank of the stream above where I had been earlier. Here the trail crossed the stream where there was a rock bottom. On the other side, the trail continued up the far slope to safety, away from the quicksand danger.

Those who chose the easy trail thought it must be the right way. They were not careful and did not see the danger. Once they stepped into the quicksand, they were caught. Their cries of terror echoing from the valley walls frightened the Indians. Those who took that trail died and could not warn others of the danger.

The rough, narrow trail, which a few of them had taken, led to safety. Had those Indians known the truth, they would not have been afraid to go down into “The Valley of Doom.” The wide, well-used trail fooled them into thinking they were going the right way. Sometimes what looks like the right way is really the wrong way.

In the Bible, the Lord Jesus Christ tells us about two paths, in Matt. 7:13 and 14: “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.” As each of us travels along the road of life, we will come to a fork in the road where we will have to make a choice. The choice we make will decide if we spend eternity in heaven or in hell.

In Rom. 6:23 we read, “The wages of sin is death.” Also in Rom. 3:23 it says, “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” If we refuse the Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour, we are on the “broad road” that leads to death. To get off the broad road and onto the road that leads to life, we must accept God’s way to be saved. All we need to do is accept the Lord Jesus as our own Saviour.

“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.

ML-12/21/1986

The Lost Letter

We were expecting Grandmother’s weekly letter to arrive. Mother watched through the living room window as the mailman came up the front walk. He dropped one envelope through the letter slot in the door. Mother saw it fall to the floor, and she walked quickly over to pick it up — but no letter was to be seen! She knew it had to be there, because she had seen it! Looking closely at the floor, she discovered a crack just at the edge of the door frame. I brought her a flashlight, and shining it down the crack, we could see her letter.

She tried so hard to get it out, but the crack was too narrow for even tweezers to grasp the letter. She finally gave up and waited for Father to come home from work. As soon as he came in, she told him about the letter.

Father worked and worked, trying to get the letter out of the crack. He was able to move it with a thin wire, but he couldn’t grasp it or snag it on a hook. He finally had to make the crack a little wider with a wedge. And what do you think he found? He found not just one letter, but several pieces of mail! Some of them looked like they had been there for a long time.

The whole family watched while Mother and Father opened the mail they had just found. Some pieces were advertisements now almost ten years old! It was surprising to see how prices had gone up in the ten years the mail had been lying there.

The most interesting piece of mail was for me. It was six years old and had been written by my best friend. It was an invitation to her house for dinner!

I know about a wonderful letter which also has an invitation. Maybe this letter is lying somewhere in your home, and you have never looked at it. This letter I’m talking about is the Bible, and it contains God’s loving invitation to spend eternity with Him in heaven. He tells us how much He loves us and wants us to live with Him forever. He also tells us about the home He has prepared for us. The Bible also tells us that no sin can ever enter His home (Rev. 21:27). It also tells us how Jesus came down to earth and died for sinners. He rose again from the dead, and He is now in heaven waiting for us. He is sending down this invitation for us to believe Him and come to live with Him in heaven.

Have you answered this invitation? I did not accept the invitation to dinner, because I did not receive it in time. But can you say that? You have probably heard God’s invitation before, and He is waiting for your answer right now. We do not know how long He will extend this invitation. Tomorrow may be too late. “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:2.

ML-12/21/1986

The Wonders of God's Creation: Lizards Are Almost Everywhere - Part 1

“Through faith we understand that... things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.” Hebrews 11:3.

There are more than 2000 kinds of lizards throughout the world, mostly in deserts, but sometimes in swamps, meadows, forests and even houses and other buildings. Most of them are harmless and a great help to mankind by eating innumerable insects that destroy crops. In earlier issues we considered some of them and will now look at a few more.

Among the interesting ones are 13 varieties of the whiptail lizard, having tails which are half again as long as their bodies and which they use in running over the sand. The males are dark brown, decorated with narrow gold stripes.

Another one is the barking gecko which in the hottest part of the day burrows into the sand to escape the heat of the African desert. Its home area has just enough rainfall to permit a small amount of plant life to grow, but most of the time this is not available. However, the barking gecko gets along very well on seeds and scraps of plants and other food blown about by desert winds. The Creator has given it pad-like feet, enabling it to scoot easily across the dry sand chasing this food.

As mentioned, there is rarely any water where this little animal lives, and this brings to light another example of the Creator’s care of His creatures. When a foggy night comes our little friend goes out to enjoy it, because all over its specially designed skin the fog condenses into drops of water. The gecko licks these up and in this way it gets all the water it needs.

An unusual lizard is the 12-inch anole, which has skin like extra-coarse sandpaper and a flat head with a large mouth that gives it a smiling look. An opening in the side of its body takes the place of an ear. The slender male is green or brown, with a patch of brilliantly colored skin that puffs out from its neck to attract a mate or scare a challenger. While doing this it spreads its front feet, than bobs its body up and down in a peculiar manner. The female lays her eggs on the sand, covers them lightly and lets the sun hatch them out. She does not need to raise or train them, as the Creator has given them instincts that enable them to be on their own immediately.

When we consider God’s kind ways toward even these little animals, it causes us to think how much more kind and loving are His ways to those who love Him. Perhaps you have memorized the 23rd Psalm which opens with, “The Lord is my Shepherd; I shall not want,” and closes with, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.” Have you thanked Him for His kindness and love to you?

ML-12/21/1986

Kevin's Dangerous Ride

Memory Verse: “He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy.” Proverbs 29:1

Mrs. Frith said she had never before been so frightened in her life. She was driving slowly along Park Street, just two blocks from her home, when suddenly she saw something speeding down the hill on Linden Street. Even though she tried to stop and swerved up over the curb to miss it, the object was just too close, and she heard the loud thud of something as it hit her car.

When Mrs. Frith jumped out of her car, she found a bloody-faced boy. He had been riding down the hill flat on his stomach on his skateboard.

The screeching of brakes and loud thud had brought Mrs. Kris running out of her house on the corner. One glance told her what had happened, and she ran back inside to call the police. Mrs. Frith was so thankful as it seemed the police were there almost immediately.

The injured boy kept trying to get up off the grass, insisting that he was not hurt, even though he was covered with blood. When Officer Jim arrived, the boy refused to tell the officer his name, giving such reasons as, “I’m not hurt; my mother isn’t home,” and “I don’t want to go to the hospital.” Then the paramedics arrived and there was no more argument — the boy was going to the hospital. So they loaded him into the ambulance, and off they sped to Central Hospital.

Later, Officer Jim came to Mrs. Frith’s house to fill her in on some details and to get her report of the accident. The boy had not been seriously injured, Officer Jim assured her. Following x-rays and a good clean-up, he had been sent home. It turned out that he was much more frightened than hurt.

Kevin was 11 years old. Just the day before the accident occurred, he had been stopped by Officer Jim and sternly warned about riding his skateboard down the hill on Linden Street. Officer Jim had written down in his records that he had talked with Kevin. No wonder Kevin was afraid! He knew he had been warned by the officer, and now he not only was hurt, but he was also in serious trouble. Officer Jim told Mrs. Frith he had given Kevin a ticket for disobeying the law.

Have you ever thought of how many times you have been told that you are a sinner — by your parents, at Sunday school and maybe even by Christian friends? How thankful you should be if you have listened to that warning and accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour and know you are safely on your way to heaven. But what if you are like Kevin and are ignoring the warning? In Job 33:14 it says, “God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not.” Has God warned you once... twice... and still you are paying no attention to His warnings?

Kevin did not listen to Officer Jim’s warning. God’s Word, the Bible, tells us, “Ye must be born again.” John 3:7. Have you listened, and obeyed what you have been told by God? Kevin ended up with his name written in Officer Jim’s police records, and that was something he did not like. God is keeping records, too, but it is good and it is important that your name be found in His records. “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:15. Accept the Lord Jesus Christ now and your name will be written in His book.

ML-12/28/1986

Ann's Disaster

Ann loved dogs, so she didn’t wait for even a minute to say “yes” when Lisa asked her if she would take care of Blackie for the weekend. Ann knew that Blackie had lots of energy and would need a good walk several times a day, but she was happy to have the dog and to be a help to her friend.

Things went just fine the first day. Blackie had some good walks, and Ann had lots of fun playing with him. But the second day things just didn’t go quite so well. Ann and Blackie started out on a walk. Blackie was on a leash. Suddenly, Blackie became so excited that he ran in circles around and around and around Ann. There she stood with the dog’s leash wrapped tightly around her legs and she couldn’t move. All of a sudden Blackie tried to run straight ahead, and over fell Ann onto the ground with a thud!

Just as Ann was held tightly with the dog leash, a verse in Proverbs 5:22 tells us, “He shall be holden [held] with the cords of his sins.” If you are held with the cords of your sins, you are headed for a disaster.

There was no one around to help poor Ann; and when she fell to the ground, she broke her leg. But the good news for each sinner is that the Lord Jesus Christ is able to help you and release you from those cords of sin that hold you so tightly. The bad news is that if you won’t accept the Lord Jesus as your Saviour, you are headed for a much worse disaster than Ann’s. You are headed for hell, to be there forever. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” Acts 16:31. This is the only way to be set free from your cords of sin.

ML-12/28/1986

The Bridge

When we travel today, we often go over bridges. Some of them are so short that we hardly notice them. Others are high and long, reaching many miles. The longest bridge in the world is near New Orleans, Louisiana. It stretches for 24 miles! I know about a bridge, however, which is not the highest, nor the longest. It was not built by anyone, and at one time it was alive. It is a tree that turned into a bridge.

In Arizona there is a very large tree that forms a natural bridge over a deep canyon. Hundreds of years ago this huge tree was growing on the edge of the canyon. The mountain stream that ran through the canyon washed out the soil from around its roots. Then one day during a severe storm, the tree fell. It was so large then when it fell, that it reached all the way across the canyon! There it lay for years and years. Some people might think that this great tree was a failure.

Something happened to that tree as it lay there over the years. Gradually the wood was being changed into stone (what we call petrified wood). Now it is a solid, stone bridge which can never rot or break. Many people use it to cross the deep canyon safely.

Many people think that Jesus Christ, as a man, didn’t accomplish very much and that His life was a failure. “He is despised and rejected of men... despised, and we esteemed Him not.” Isaiah 53:3. Men tried to get rid of Him by nailing Him to a cross so “that His name may be no more remembered.” Jeremiah 11:19. However, the Bible explains that by His death the Lord Jesus Christ became the “strong bridge” to take us from earth to heaven. He is the only “bridge” we can use to cross from this dark, sinful world into the light and holiness of heaven. Have you crossed this bridge by asking Jesus to wash away your sins? If not, do not wait any longer. He is longing for you to let Him into your heart today.

“By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.” Ephesians 2:8.

ML-12/28/1986

The Wonders of God's Creation: Lizards Are Almost Everywhere - Part 2

“Many, O Lord my God, are Thy wonderful works which Thou hast done, and Thy thoughts which are to us-ward.” Psalms 40:5.

In Australia and New Guinea the frilled lizard — 30 inches long, including a 10-inch tail — makes its home. When threatened, it opens its mouth wide and fans out flaps of skin around its throat, making it appear much larger than it actually is. At the same time it hisses fiercely, rearing up on its hind legs and thrashing its tail, all of which is scary enough to frighten off almost anything.

Another, the moloch lizard, lives in dry, hot deserts. It is strange looking — brown and tan, with an upturned snout and horny crest on its head. Its body almost looks as though it’s made of grape-size chunks of flesh, poorly glued together. Sharp points, like oversized thorns of a rose bush, extend all along its back to the tip of its long tail. It is one of the many lizards able to change colors to match its surroundings. In the same way as the barking gecko in our preceding article, it collects moisture on its skin, changing fog into water that runs to its mouth in tiny canals to take care of its thirst.

Male agamas, African residents, are unusually colorful, having so many variations of brilliant red, blue, green and yellow that they almost look hand-painted. The female is not so spectacular in her olive-green color, but she does have bright red spots on her sides. These lizards come boldly into houses, dashing on their long legs after insects or squatting on a piece of furniture, heads bobbing up and down as though agreeing with everything being said.

Why are there so many lizards and why did the Creator make them? Well, we find a partial answer in the Bible, telling us that in His wonderful creation it was not His purpose merely to have a beautiful globe spinning through space, but that all kinds of living things should make their homes on it. We read this in Isaiah 45:18: “God Himself that formed the earth... created it not in vain, He formed it to be inhabited.” Also in Revelation 4:11 it says, “For Thy pleasure they are and were created.”

In His kind thoughts toward people, who would be the most important part of His creation, we are told of “the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy.” 1 Timothy 6:17. Not only did He have pleasure in His creation, but He wants us to share that pleasure with Him.

Another kind of creation is also mentioned in the Bible: “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature [creation]: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17. This means that those who accept Christ as their Saviour receive a new life which is pleasing to God. When we walk in His ways, this brings happiness to us as well. Have you become part of that new creation by accepting Christ as your Saviour?

ML-12/28/1986

Messages of God's Love: 1986

Table of Contents

Trapped

In Five Years …

Queen Victoria's Dolls

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Strong-Jawed Wolf

The Wrong Way

"Jump Out! We'll Catch You!"

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Rabbit-Eared Bandicoot

The Dangerous Toy

Crafty Rags

From Darkness to Light

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Kangaroo Rat - Part 1

"Lonesome"

The Secret of Secrets

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Kangaroo Rat - Part 2

The Locked Door

A Crash Through the Ice

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Long-Lived Orangutan

One, Only One!

Dandelions

The Wonders of God's Creation: Treasure in the Ocean

The Cat Did It

"Help! I'm Stuck!"

The Wonders of God's Creation: Hidden Beauty Spots - Northern Lights

The Railroad Bridge

The Tree House That Fell

The Wonders of God's Creation: Some Shocking Fish

Where Was Larry?

Joyful News: The Victory Is Ours

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Beautiful Grebes - Part 1

Another Moment

Traffic Lights

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Beautiful Grebes - Part 2

Favorite Cookies

Prickers

Ten Little Candles

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

Peace and Safety?

The Phantom Flagman

The Wonders of God's Creation: Sweating Is Good for You - (Part 1)

A Pony in the House

Grandma's Ducks

The Wonders of God's Creation: Sweating Is Good for You - Part 2

The Rescued Doll

Are They Gone?

The Wonders of God's Creation: Sweating Is Good for You - Part 3

Pearl Harbor

The Stolen Pear

The Wonders of God's Creation: Under Your Skin

Following Directions

The Magnet

Ducks and Chickens

The Wonders of God's Creation: What Your Nose Knows

Jake and Snowflake

Another Story About Jake

Another Story About Snowflake

The Wonders of God's Creation: Beware the Puffer! - Part 1

A Priceless Newfoundland Dog

Monsters

Terry Fox

The Wonders of God's Creation: Beware the Puffer! - Part 2

Ruthie's Love Note

Road Signs

The Wonders of God's Creation: Is It an Anteater or a Porcupine?

A Skunk in Trouble

Wasps Everywhere

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Goldenrod and the Gallfly

"Stay With the Boat"

Christopher

The Wonders of God's Creation: The Lovely Fairy Tern

Great-Great-Great Grandpa John

Who Protected Grandpa Walt?

Too Late

The Wonders of God's Creation: Weaver Ants Are Fantastic - Part 1

A Thief in the Chimney

The Hole in the Wall

The Wonders of God's Creation: Weaver Ants Are Fantastic - Part 2

The Adopted Kitten

A Free Gift Offered