Messages of God's Love: 1987

Mr. Marcus had a fancy wristwatch which had a musical alarm. Every night he set the watch on the nightstand beside his bed, and every morning automatically at 6:45 the watch would play a tune and wake him up.

But one morning something strange happened. Mr. Marcus woke up at 6:45 as usual and heard his musical watch playing its tune. The watch was not on his nightstand, however, and the tune sounded muffled and far away. Sleepily, Mr. Marcus stumbled out of bed and began to look around for his watch.

The sound seemed to be coming from the kitchen, so Mr. Marcus searched all around the kitchen carefully. But, even with his dog, Fudge, helping him hunt, he could not find his watch. This was a real mystery. Soon the music stopped, and then Mr. Marcus had to give up his search.

The next morning at 6:45 Mr. Marcus again heard his musical watch, but this time the muffled tune seemed to come from the hall outside his room. Puzzled, Mr. Marcus stood in the hall, scratching his head. There was no place in the hall where a watch would be lying out of sight. In fact, there was nothing at all in the hall except Fudge. Fudge? Was it possible...?

That night Mr. Marcus closed Fudge in the bedroom with him, and, sure enough, at 6:45 the next morning the music started again. This time he picked up his dog, held him close and listened intently. He could hardly believe what he was hearing, but it was true! The music was coming from inside Fudge!

Poor Fudge. He had been snooping around in Mr. Marcus’s room at night and must have knocked the watch to the floor. Somehow, in licking or chewing the watch, he swallowed it, wristband and all. Then he ran out of the room, probably knowing he had done something wrong, and hid in the kitchen.

Maybe you are doing something just as foolish as Fudge did. You know you are a sinner, and yet you hope you can hide your sins from God. But the Bible tells us that “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper.” Proverbs 28:13. We are also warned: “Be sure your sin will find you out.” Numbers 32:23.

Mr. Marcus loved his pet and was worried that the swallowed watch might make him so sick he would die. Mr. Marcus knew there was someone he could turn to for help. He took Fudge right over to the vet.

There is Someone you can turn to with your load of sins. You don’t need to try to hide them any longer. The Lord Jesus loves you so much He provided a way for you to be free from your sins. He voluntarily died on Calvary’s cross and shed His blood there. His blood has the power to wash away every one of your sins. “The blood of Jesus Christ His [God’s] Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7. All you have to do is trust Him, by confessing you are a sinner and thanking Him for dying for you.

Mr. Marcus told the vet his story. After taking some X-rays of Fudge, the vet and Mr. Marcus both could see plainly on the X-ray that Fudge had indeed swallowed the musical watch. Now there was no choice in the matter — the vet had to operate on poor Fudge to remove the watch from his stomach.

Fudge is fine now, and we hope he has learned a lesson about chewing on things that don’t belong to him. Fudge is only a dog, but you are a person with a never-dying soul. We hope and pray that you will accept God’s warning about your sins. But if you do not accept the Lord Jesus as your Saviour and let Him wash away your sins, you will be far worse off than Fudge. God tells us that “The wages of sin is death.” Romans 6:23. He warns us, too, that “after this [death] the judgment.” Hebrews 9:27.

Won’t you accept His love and ask Him to be your own Saviour?

ML-01/04/1987

A Lion in the House

Hannah lived on a mission compound in West Africa with some other missionaries. She enjoyed visiting women and children in the surrounding villages, telling them about the love of God that sent the Lord Jesus Christ down from heaven to die for sinners. “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. These women were glad for Hannah’s visits, because she was kind and often helped them when they needed something. Since she was their friend, they listened to the words she read from the Bible. Some gave up their heathen religion and accepted the Lord Jesus as their own Saviour.

Wild animals often prowled around in the forests near Hannah’s house. Although she lived all alone in a small house, she trusted the Lord to protect her, and He did.

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

One night, she thought she heard an animal trying to get into the cattle shelter which was close to her house. She lighted a lantern and set it outside to frighten the animal away. Going back into the house, she suddenly stopped. There was a huge lion looking in the back window at her! She thought it was going to jump right through the window into the room! Hannah quickly ran out the front door. Slamming it shut, she heard the crash of glass as the lion jumped through the window! She screamed for help! The men on the compound came running with their rifles. They slowly opened the door to Hannah’s house with their rifles ready. Where was the lion? They carefully searched each room, but they found no trace of it except for the shattered window pane and blood. It must have gone out the same way it came in when it found nothing to eat.

Hannah was saved from danger by running away from the lion as soon as she saw it. She could have tried to fight it, but she knew the lion was too strong for her. She needed help.

Satan is a very strong enemy, too. None of us can fight him alone. But the Lord Jesus Christ has defeated Satan. He has already won the victory for us. We can run to Him for salvation and protection. Have you run to Him for protection? He wants to save you today. “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Peter 5:8.

ML-01/04/1987

Chantel and Lassie

One day not long after my mother went home to heaven to be with the Lord Jesus, my granddaughter, Chantel, was found busy packing her suitcase as if she were going on a journey. Chantel is only six years old.

After packing her suitcase, she picked up the leash for Lassie, went outside and brought Lassie in on the leash, then picked up her suitcase and started out of the house.

Her mother said to her, “Chantel, just what do you think you are doing with that suitcase and Lassie?”

Chantel answered, “Me and Lassie are going to heaven to see Great Gramma. We miss her, you know.”

So Chantel’s mother sat down with her and explained to her that you just can’t walk to heaven. Chantel knows where her great gramma is. You see, Great Gramma was saved, and when she died she went to be with the Lord Jesus.

Do you know anyone in heaven? Heaven is a very beautiful place. The Lord Jesus said in John 14:2, “In My Father’s house are many mansions.” If you die, will you go to heaven? You will if you are saved. If you are not saved, you will go to the terrible place called hell, “where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.” Mark 9:44.

Great Gramma accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as her Saviour many years ago, and He washed all her sins away in His precious blood. “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7.

Are your daddy and mommy going to heaven? Will you be with them in heaven? Why not accept Jesus Christ as your Saviour right now and know for sure that someday you also will be in heaven.

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

ML-01/04/1987

Treasures of the Snow

“Hast thou entered into the treasures of the snow? or hast thou seen the treasures of the hail?” Job 38:22.

What are the treasures of snow and hail? There are many. Among others, by means of them, the Creator stores long-lasting supplies of water on mountains and hilltops, as well as covering the ground at lower levels. In warm weather these high and low storehouses melt and seep into the soil or release a flow of clear water into rivers, lakes and reservoirs — a vital supply for the needs of every living thing. Coming fresh and pure from melted snow, this water is more valuable than can be told. This is one of the important treasures.

On its way to lower levels, this “treasure of the snow” makes itself known, as rivers it has formed pass through powerhouses, turning huge electric dynamos. In other places it turns waterwheels and millstones in flour mills and other kinds of machinery. Here are other treasures for mankind.

Vast supplies of melted snow seep into underground reservoirs, called aquifers, some of which are very deep and hundreds of miles long. The Creator has placed most of these under dry lands where quantities of it are pumped to the surface to nourish crops that would otherwise die in the hot sun. On a smaller scale, homes in every part of the world depend on wells which have originated the same way. The treasures are seen here, too.

Glaciers are formed by millions of tons of snow and hail that, over the years, have become hard ice. Growing deeper and deeper, its very weight forces it down a mountainside, pushing at the ice that has gone ahead of it. The 40-mile-long Columbia glacier in Alaska came into existence this way.

As these glaciers move slowly along, they dig into the soil and create wide valleys which later become forested or covered with grass and flowers, adding to the beauty of the area. Great pieces of ice from those that reach the ocean drop off to form icebergs, providing a mixture of fresh and salt water in big bays. Many forms of sea life thrive in this blend of water and are eaten by fish, seals, whales, porpoises, etc., some of which become a source of food for humans.

The list of treasures keeps growing, and if space allowed, we could add many more.

In the 37th chapter of Job, verses five and six, we read: “Great things doeth He, which we cannot comprehend. For He saith to the snow, Be thou on the earth... and to the great rain.” God’s bounty never stops at our mere needs, but He provides beyond our power to ask or think. There is not only the beauty of snowcapped peaks showing His handiwork, but in more ways than we have discussed, hidden “treasures of the snow” provide benefits to us. We can truthfully say, “How unsearchable are His judgments, and His ways past finding out!” Romans 11:33.

ML-01/04/1987

The Spider and the Fly

Memory Verse: “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” 1 John 4:10

One day last July my grandson Stephen came to see us. He asked if he could go see Snowflake, our cat, in the barn. I said, “Sure.” So out to the barn we went to find her. She lives in the barn because her job is to keep it clean of mice and birds.

Snowflake isn’t hard to find because she is pure white. She was up in the rafters and would not come down. But we did see a big cobweb by the window above the workbench where Snowflake has a second bed and loves to lie in the sun.

Stephen said, “Look, Grandpa, there is a big fly caught in the web, and there is the spider up in the top of the web. Let’s wait to see what will happen.”

After only a few seconds, down the web came Mr. Spider to get that big fly. The fly started to beat its wings furiously! So, the spider went back up the web. In a few more seconds down came Mr. Spider again to get that fly. Again the fly started to beat its wings furiously!

Stephen said, “Look at that, Grandpa. The spider won’t touch the fly as long as he beats his wings.”

I said, “That’s right, Stephen, but the fly is going to get tired soon, and then the spider will have him.”

Again, down came Mr. Spider to get that fly, and again the fly started to beat its wings, but not quite so hard this time. Back up the web went the spider.

Stephen was beginning to feel a little sorry for the fly and asked, “Grandpa, do you think we should save that fly?”

Boys and girls, this reminds me of what God has said in His holy book called the Bible. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23. Because we were born in sin (Psa. 58:3) we need to have someone save us from the penalty of sin. Romans 6:23 says, “For the wages of sin is death.” So who can we turn to for help? God has told us in the Bible about His only beloved Son, Jesus Christ. “While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8. Isn’t that wonderful, that even while we were just plain sinners Christ would die for us! What good news!

“Stephen, I guess we will just have to save that fly since he sure can’t save himself.”

And we certainly can’t save ourselves from the web of sin we are caught in, either. We need help, and the Lord Jesus Christ can help us. 1 Timothy 1:15 says, “Christ-Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” Will you let Him save you today?

Stephen and I found a little piece of straw and let the fly hold on to it with his feet. Then we gently pulled him out of that web. Away he flew! Then he came right back and flew around our heads as if to say, “Thank you for saving me.”

Are you saved? If you are, have you thanked the Lord Jesus for saving you? “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation [God’s acceptable substitute] for our sins.” 1 John 4:10.

ML-01/11/1987

Mother Duck and Her Ducklings

This is a story of a mother duck and her baby ducks. We were vacationing this past summer at a lake in northern Ontario, Canada, called Kenogami. We really enjoyed seeing the wild ducks and the other water birds that live there.

One mother duck and her ducklings that we often watched always seemed to show up for breakfast and supper. You could hear mother duck quacking as she led her babies up the lake toward our campsite. Mother duck always gave a loud “quack,” but her babies just gave a little “peep.” She was very careful with her babies as she never let them get too close to shore. She knew there was danger on shore.

It made me remember that God has warned us of danger ahead. He has said in His Word, the holy Bible, “Flee from the wrath to come.” Matthew 3:7. Romans 5:9 says, “Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.”

When those baby ducks got too close to shore, mother duck gave a loud “QUACK,” and they all dashed right back to her.

God has spoken very loudly to us, too, through His Word, the Bible. Hebrews 1:1,2 Says, “God... hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son.” His name is Jesus Christ.

Boys and girls, God says in 2 Corinthians 6:2, “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”

Just as those baby ducks were quick to obey their mother, will you be as quick to obey God? Isaiah 1:18 says, “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.”

Come to the Saviour, make no delay;

Here in His Word He has shown us the way.

ML-01/11/1987

Bear, the Dog

This is a story of a dog named Bear. The reason he is called Bear is because he is black and was born with a short tail.

Bear lives in West Chester, Ohio. One morning while visiting with Bear’s owner, I was walking around the back of their house and there was Bear. But he sure didn’t look like Bear. He was covered with little green burrs, and he looked like a green monster!

I said to Mr. Monroe, his owner, “Where has that dog been to get covered with burrs like that?”

Mr. Monroe said, “He’s been some place where he shouldn’t have been!”

Say, boys and girls, doesn’t this remind us of sin? We go places, do things and say things that we shouldn’t. Then we try to cover up our sin as if nothing has happened. God says in His Word, the holy Bible, in Numbers 32:23, “Be sure your sin will find you out.” Bear couldn’t possibly hide his burrs. I thought that if we could just put a nice coat or blanket over him, we could hide all those burrs and he would look like Bear again.

But you see, boys and girls, God says in Proverbs 28:13, “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” If we had covered Bear with a new coat, the burrs would still be underneath, and they would hurt him since these burrs are full of tiny needles. Sin is just like a burr — it hurts and hurts, and unless it is removed it gets worse and worse.

Mr. Monroe got a brush. We only called Bear once and did he ever come quickly! He seemed to know what we were going to do.

The Lord Jesus calls you to “come” in Matthew 11:28, “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Are you ready and willing to come just as you are? Bear came just as he was. He couldn’t help himself at all.

When Mr. Monroe finished cleaning the burrs out of Bear’s hair, do you think he was sad? No sir! He wagged his tail and seemed as happy as could be! His burrs were gone!

God says in 1 John 1:7, “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin!” Will you trust the Lord Jesus today? Let His precious blood cleanse you today!

Trust the Saviour early,

Jesus says today.

While you’re young and tender,

Choose the narrow way.

ML-01/11/1987

Is It a Mule, or an Ass or a Donkey?

The Wonders of God’s Creation

“Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle.” Psalms 32:9.

Those familiar with work animals would have no difficulty answering the question in our title, but most of us would have a hard time telling them apart. So let’s study them a little.

Take the mule, for instance. This animal has a donkey for a father and a horse for a mother. Except in rare instances, a mule cannot be a father or a mother — a donkey and horse are almost always the parents of a mule. But when we reverse the parents — the father is a horse and the mother is a donkey — then the little one is called a hinny, although it looks just about the same as the mule. Kind of confusing, isn’t it?

The Bible mentions mules many times. Even kings rode on them and people gave them as gifts to Solomon. They are about the size of an average horse, but have larger heads, much longer ears, tufted tails and smaller hooves. They are more surefooted and work more slowly than horses. In fact, they are very stubborn and can’t be hurried.

Mules are common throughout the world, especially in Asia and parts of Europe, starting with light work when they are three years old and handling heavier burdens two years later. They make excellent pack animals over mountain trails. Thousands were used by the United States Army before modern machinery was developed.

How about the ass, which is also mentioned in the Bible? The names “ass” and “donkey” are given to the same animal; the male is also called a “jackass” and the female a “jenny.” Although they have bigger ears they are smaller than most horses.

In the Far East, the ass still takes the place of a horse and is preferred by men and women riders. They are also used as pack and work animals. Jesus rode on one, as told in Zechariah 9:9, “Behold, thy king cometh unto thee: He is just, and having salvation; lowly, and riding upon an ass.” You can read the interesting story of this in the first nine verses of Matthew 21.

With few exceptions, asses (donkeys) and mules are stubborn and want to do things their own way. Because of this and the frequent need to use a whip with them, as well as with some horses, we are counseled in the opening Bible verse not to be like them.

Instead, another Bible verse says, “With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord.” Ephesians 6:7,8. Another Bible verse says, “Serve the Lord with gladness: come before His presence with singing. Know ye that the Lord He is God: it is He that hath made us, and not we ourselves.” Psalms 100:2,3.

When we walk before the Lord as stated in these verses, we need no whip nor bridle and will find how much He loves to bless us.

ML-01/11/1987

The Snakebite

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

What a hot afternoon it was on the South Dakota prairie. John decided to take his little son Marc down to the Missouri River for a swim. It seemed like the best way to cool off on such a hot day.

Marc floated on a piece of driftwood, dangling his feet in the water, as John swam along beside him. They both were enjoying the cool water.

Suddenly, Marc screamed and jumped from the driftwood. John could tell from his screaming that he was in severe pain. John carried him right to the shore. Within five minutes Marc was vomiting and looked awfully sick. John quickly discovered what had happened to Marc. A poisonous water snake had bitten him underneath his fourth toe — just one single puncture wound. Grabbing Marc, John put him in the car and drove as fast as he could to Dr. Van’s office.

Dr. Van was very concerned. He told John later it was the worst snakebite case he had ever seen. He gave Marc a shot of antivenin immediately to act against the poison from the snakebite. Then Dr. Van rushed Marc to an air ambulance helicopter, and he was flown to a larger city hospital.

Poor Marc had to have more of the antivenin while he was in the helicopter. Then when he got to the hospital he had to have an emergency operation to help fresh blood circulate to his toes. Everyone was very relieved and happy that Marc did not die from his snakebite. He didn’t even lose any of his toes!

Marc did come very close to dying from the snakebite. God’s Word, the Bible, tells us of a sting that is much worse than a snakebite. It is the sting of sin, and it results in death (1 Cor. 15:56). Only people who get too close to snakes are bitten by them, but everyone of us has sinned. “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23. Just as Marc needed an antivenin to cure him from the snakebite, everyone of us needs a cure for our sins. There is only one cure for sin, and that is the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. “The blood of Jesus Christ His [God’s] Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7.

Dr. Van gave Marc the antivenin for the snakebite and he was soon well. You must decide if you want God’s cure for sin. Accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour now, and you will be saved from the sting of everlasting death.

ML-01/18/1987

Sally's Friends

It was a warm summer afternoon, the kind that makes you wish there was something really exciting to do. Annie and Lynn lived on a farm where there were lots of things to do. Mother always suggested they pull weeds in the big garden by the barn or make sure the little calves had plenty of water or watch their little sister and brother while she worked in the house. They didn’t like these suggestions. They wanted to do something really fun—like have an adventure!

As they sat on the front porch watching the little kittens play in the grass nearby, Annie said, “I know! We can pretend that we are pioneers, and the Indians are after us!” That was one of the girls’ favorite games.

“Yes,” agreed Lynn, “but we always play that game.”

“Well....” Annie was thinking. Her imagination did get her into trouble now and then, but this time she had a really good idea. “Let’s play it the real way,” she exclaimed.

Annie jumped up and ran to the barn with Lynn close behind her. It’s no fun just to pretend that you have a horse to pull the covered wagon. Annie had a better idea.

“Lynn, go get the wagon over there, and bring it here,” she directed. She waited as Lynn came back with the old red wagon rumbling along behind her.

“What are we gonna do, Annie?” Lynn asked as she followed Annie out to the pasture.

Out in the pasture was their dearest pet — Sally, the mother goat. She was munching on the fresh green grass. Sally seemed glad to see the girls and baaaaaed her greeting.

“Oh!” exclaimed Lynn, “Sally can be our horse!”

“That’s right,” Annie agreed. “This will be lots better than just pretending that we have a real horse. And besides, if we take Sally up the gravel road to the top of the hill we can have a faster ride, and we won’t be so heavy for her.”

“That’s a good idea,” Lynn agreed. So the girls tied Sally to the old red wagon.

Soon they were on their way up the hill. The girls walked beside Sally, trying to coax her along. She didn’t want to go, but when Annie and Lynn held bunches of grass in front of her she eagerly followed them.

At the top of the hill, they turned Sally and the wagon around. How fun this would be — just like the pioneer girls used to do — but they had to hurry, because soon the Indians would be after them!

Sally was in a hurry, too. She wanted to get back home. She started off down the hill. Quickly, Annie and Lynn hopped into the wagon, and down the hill they went.

Poor Sally! What was that awful noise that was following her? The faster she went, the more the old red wagon rumbled and squeaked as it hit rocks and holes in the road. Sally was scared! Faster and faster she ran. They were going so fast down the hill that Annie and Lynn were getting scared, too. Suddenly, they hit a big bump! The wagon dumped over, leaving the girls sprawled out in the road while Sally ran faster and faster with the wagon tumbling over and over behind her. Sally was running so fast that when the girls finally picked themselves up, they could hardly catch up with her. When they finally did catch her, they untied the wagon and let her go out to the pasture again.

That night, Papa wondered why Sally didn’t give as much milk. He thought she seemed a little nervous. When he found out what his girls had done, he was not at all happy. Annie and Lynn felt badly, too, because they really did love Sally. They were sorry they had upset her.

Annie and Lynn loved Sally very much. But there was Someone who loved them even more than they loved Sally. This Someone was the Lord Jesus Christ.

Do you love Him? He loves you just as much as He loves Annie and Lynn. The two girls had confessed Him as their Saviour. Have you? You have probably heard the story of the love of God many times. He loves us so much that He sent His only Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, into this world. He experienced every unkind thought and mean act that man could think of. But far worse than that, He was punished on the cross by God for our sins. It was there that He showed us how much He loves us. He willingly did everything that was required for you to be saved. All you have to do is realize your need of a Saviour and accept Him into your heart.

“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-01/18/1987

The Frisky Marten

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

There are innumerable beautiful and interesting animals living in the wild, hardly ever seen because much of their activity is at night or their homes are in places difficult to reach.

One of these is the marten, making its home in much of Canada and Alaska as well as parts of the United States. Sometimes it is incorrectly referred to as a sable or fisher-marten, but it is somewhat different than these, although closely related. This animal’s soft fur is usually, gray or brownish above and lighter below, but occasionally black or yellowish. Hunters have for years trapped them in winter months when their fur is at its best quality, but this hunting is no longer permitted in most places.

The marten has a rather sharp face, with the appearance of always wondering what’s going on. Its ears are large and alert and its eyes are extra large — provisions of the Creator to enable it to identify sounds quickly and see well when hunting at night.

It is mostly at home in trees where it can keep up with the liveliest squirrel or chipmunk. Sad to say, part of its tree-food comes from eggs and small birds taken from nests, but it finds other food on the ground as well. This includes almost any small animal, such as squirrels and mice, snakes, etc. It has a “sweet tooth” and is not afraid to rob a beehive, since its thick fur protects it from bee stings. Unlike the fisher-marten it will not go into deep water, but does catch frogs and fish near the shore.

In late spring the mother has her babies in a den, usually made in a hollow log or a tree. They are born with a light covering of soft fur, are extremely tiny (weighing only an ounce or so), but are fully grown in three months. While growing up they are frisky and full of pep, often having harmless fights among themselves. Later that energy is spent in continual hunting for food or fighting other animals.

As mentioned earlier, martens are not often seen by people, but they are seen by their Creator, of whom it is said, “Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him?” Jeremiah 23:24. And this Creator, the Lord God, whose eyes are always on them is the One who provides for them as well, for He loves and cares for all His creatures.

How thankful we should be that He is also watching over every one of us. The Bible assures us of this, saying: “For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, and He pondereth [pays attention to] all his goings.” Proverbs 5:21. Is He pleased when He sees the ways of your life each day?

ML-01/18/1987

Jake and the Mud Wasps

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

One sunny day in June, Gramma said to me, “Grampa, it’s about time we got rid of that old sandbox by the barn. The children are all grown up now.”

I said, “You’re right.”

So out to the barn I went to get a shovel and a pry bar to dig out the boards. Our dog Jake came along to help. First, he checked in the barn to make sure that Snowflake, our cat, was up in the rafters and not down on the ground where he could chase her.

Now, let me tell you what happened. As I pried up the first board, out flew a swarm of mud wasps! I dropped the pry bar and ran away as quickly as I could. My two old legs could really move that day!

And what did Jake do? Well, he wanted to see what I was running away from, so he went over to investigate. I called, “Jake! Jake! Get out of there! Come here! Hurry up!” But Jake was determined to see what was there and he wouldn’t listen to me.

This reminds me of God’s Word in Matthew 3:7, “Who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come?” Flee means to run away as fast as you can. What is the wrath to come? God’s Word tells us in Revelation 20:15, “Whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” The Lord Jesus Christ wants us to flee to Him as quickly as possible so that we will not be cast into this terrible place of punishment. He wants to save us.

You see, boys and girls, Jake was being bad; he wasn’t listening to me. God’s Word, the holy Bible, says in Romans 3:23, “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Every one of us has been bad, too.

It didn’t take long for those mud wasps to find Jake, and then did he run! He turned in circles and rolled in the grass, trying to get away from those wasps.

Finally, he came to me! I picked up a big pair of gloves and started to pick the wasps out of his hair and squash them. But it was too late for poor Jake. He had gotten stung twice on his lip, and it was all swollen.

After I got Jake all fixed up I put on a coat and face mask and then carried some oil over to that mud wasps’ nest and poured the oil all over it. Do you think Jake came with me? No sir! He had learned a lesson he will never forget.

Boys and girls, the Lord Jesus is calling you away from the dangers of sin and the lake of fire. Won’t you run to His loving arms right now? Don’t wait, like Jake did, until it’s too late. The Bible says in 2 Corinthians 6:2, “Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” Let’s remember again the warning in Revelation 20:15, “Whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”

“Whosoever believeth in Him [our Lord Jesus Christ] should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.

Will you trust Him today?

ML-01/25/1987

Jonathan and Samson

Jonathan is a little boy five years old, and Samson is his playmate. Samson is a big white German shepherd dog, and he is two years old.

Samson and Jonathan play together all the time. Jonathan throws the ball and Samson brings it back to him and drops it.

One day Samson brought the ball back to Jonathan, but he wouldn’t drop it when Jonathan told him to. So Jonathan had a talk with Samson and explained to him that he was supposed to “drop it” when he was told to. But Samson just didn’t want to do what he was told!

Say, boys and girls, doesn’t this remind us of what God has said in the Bible about us and’ sin? The Lord Jesus says in Matthew 11:28, “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” But in John 5:40 the Lord Jesus says, “Ye will not come to Me, that ye might have life.” Sounds like we’re not willing to do what the Lord Jesus tells us, either.

Three times Jonathan told Samson to drop the ball, and he wouldn’t do it. What do you suppose happened next? Did Jonathan pull the ball out of Samson’s mouth? No, he didn’t. Instead, he put his mouth right up close beside Samson’s ear and said really loudly, “DROP IT!”

Then Samson dropped the ball. I had a good laugh when I saw that, but poor Samson’s ear must have really hurt!

I thought to myself that sometimes the Lord Jesus has to speak really loudly to us, too. Why? Because in Matthew 13:15 the Lord Jesus says, “For this people’s heart is waxed gross [without feeling], and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed.”

Oh, boys and girls, don’t close your ears to God’s Word. John 5:24 says, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life.”

Don’t be like Samson; he wouldn’t obey. If you won’t do what God has said in the Bible, the Lord Jesus will have to say to you what He said in John 7:34, “Ye shall seek me, and shall not find Me: and where I am, thither ye cannot come.”

Isaiah 1:18 says, “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.”

Jesus I will trust Thee, trust Thee with my soul;

Guilty, lost and helpless, Thou canst make me whole.

ML-01/25/1987

More About Jonathan and Samson

Samson is a guard dog and Jonathan plays with him all the time. They are good friends. If a stranger tried to hurt Jonathan or pick him up, Samson would attack the stranger and bite him until he ran away.

This reminds me of the Lord Jesus who saw us lost in sin and ready to die. How could He protect us from Satan?

The only way He could protect us from Satan and Satan’s power was by coming right down here to earth and going to a place called Calvary, where He died for us on the cross.

How could the Lord Jesus triumph over Satan by dying on the cross? When those people who hated Him nailed Him to the cross and He died, they thought, “Now, that’s the end of Him.” But they were wrong! When those who loved the Lord Jesus came to His grave very early in the morning of the first day of the week, he was not there — He had risen! Matthew 28:6 reports, “He is not here: for He is risen, as He said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.”

Just as Samson would even die to protect Jonathan, so the Lord Jesus has already died to save us from going to hell. Will you trust Him today?

Seek the Saviour early, Jesus says today.

While you’re young and tender, choose the narrow way,

Lest when you get older, Satan snare your feet,

And you miss the way to heaven’s golden street.

“But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:57.

ML-01/25/1987

The Possum That Isn't a Possum

The Wonders of God’s Creation

“O Lord: let Thy loving-kindness and Thy truth continually preserve me.” Psalms 40:11.

When an early explorer in Australia first saw certain little furry animals in the forests, they somehow reminded him of opossums in England, so he just called them “possums.” But if he had watched them longer he would have realized they weren’t opossums at all. Since then, different names have been given to them, some being known as lemurs, phalangers, colugos, etc. (A few of these were described in past articles.)

But one of these did keep the possum name and is now known as leadbeater’s possum. It is on unusually pretty little animal, an adult being about six inches long, plus a ten-inch tail. It has soft, gray-brown fur on most of its body, but white at the throat, stomach and lower part of its limbs. Deep, black-shaded eyes are alert over a pointed, bright-red nose, and large, furry ears crown its head. It has a long, gray-brown tail, bushy at the end, and sharp claws with soft cushions on the toes, enabling it to run safely over smooth bark without a sound.

It is a great tree climber and, like most of its kind, can make great leaps between trees with its four legs spread wide apart, to become a living kite, its long bushy tail acting as a rudder as it glides through the air, just as though flying.

It nests in holes in tree trunks where little ones are born. For several weeks they stay in their mother’s pouch until ready to follow her and learn how to gather food, principally insects and the sweet gum of Acacia trees.

In parts of Australia there is a larger relative called the silver-gray bushtail possum. It is equally at home on the ground, where it walks with a swaggering style, or in trees, where it seems to take fearful chances in great glides — sometimes as much as 150 feet or a straight drop of 30 feet or more to the ground. Everything about them is on a bigger scale than the leadbeater’s. Instead of pointing upright, their big ears stand out on each side of a rabbit-like head. Razor-sharp claws enable them to climb well and defend themselves very capably. Their calls are harsh, like a deep, barking cough.

The Bible tells us that the Lord God took pleasure in all His creation, so we can understand why He made so many different kinds of lemurs, phalangers and possums. We know, too, that He watches over each of them, for it is recorded in the Bible: “O Lord, Thou preservest man and beast. How excellent is Thy loving-kindness, O God!” Psalms 36:6,7.

He is the only One in whom we can put our full trust, as another Psalm says: “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.” Psalms 118:8. Have you put your trust in Him?

ML-01/25/1987

Old Clem

Memory Verse: “He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.” Psalm 40:2

At the end of the 1983 school year, an entire fifth-grade class went on a weekend trip in a state park in Connecticut. Three girls from the class decided to take a hike through the forest. They were having lots of fun walking along the trails, telling stories, laughing and enjoying the pretty spring flowers.

However, they were so busy having fun that they weren’t watching where they were going and turned right where they should have turned left. It wasn’t long until they realized they didn’t know where they were. It was time to backtrack!

The more they tried to find their way back to camp, the more confused and lost they became. They wandered around all afternoon.

As it was beginning to get dark, they found themselves at the edge of a shallow swamp. When one of the girls thought she heard a wild animal behind them (a bear or wild dog or some other scary thing), the girls all plunged ahead into the swamp and began slogging as fast as they could through the murky water. At first they fled through the swamp to get away from the noise, but when the fear of the noise left them they hurried on to get out of the swamp, which in itself was scary with night coming on. They hurried on until they were exhausted. When it seemed they could go no farther they reached higher ground where they huddled together to spend the night. They were scared, tired, wet, cold and hungry. Then, to add to their troubles, it started raining.

When the girls didn’t return to camp at the proper time, the park rangers were called, and they immediately went out searching for them. The girls’ parents were also called, and they all hurried to the park. They spent what was probably the worst night of their lives, in the park headquarters, listening to the radio reports of the searchers who were looking for their lost daughters.

When the girls hadn’t been found by morning, 100 fresh volunteers were ready to renew the search. Among these volunteers was a state trooper named Andrew Rebbman and his old bloodhound named Clem.

The trooper led Clem to the last spot where the girls had been seen. Then he had Clem sniff a piece of clothing one of the parents had brought that belonged to one of the girls. “Find them!” the trooper commanded Clem.

Clem sniffed around until he picked up their trail. When the scent was strong Clem would strain on his leash, but when the scent was faint he would spend more time sniffing.

After following the scent trail for three miles, Clem found a barrette that belonged to one of the girls. After another mile he brought the search party to the edge of a swamp where the scent trail ended. Thinking the girls must have gone into the swamp, the men started calling. The girls heard them and shouted back.

The men headed through the swamp to where the girls were and then carried them on their shoulders all the way back to the rangers’ station. What a joyful moment it was when the girls were reunited with their parents!

Clem was a bloodhound, and bloodhounds are wonderfully suited to follow a trail because of their keen sense of smell. The Lord Jesus is the Son of God, and He is wonderfully suited to be the Saviour of lost sinners. Let’s think about this. For three and a half years He did wonderful miracles — giving the blind their sight again, healing the lepers and raising the dead. At the end of this time Judas Iscariot, one of His close followers, betrayed Him into the hands of the religious leaders. These men were jealous of the Lord Jesus and wanted to put Him to death. In order to do this they had to bring Him before Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor. Pontius Pilate, even though he knew the Lord Jesus was innocent of everything they accused Him of, passed the death penalty on Him.

Oh, what a sad, dark day that was for the world when men cast out God’s beloved Son and nailed Him to a cross. He who made the world and everything in it was slain by the very creatures He made — think of it! But when Jesus hung on the cross, the love of God shone out more brightly than ever before, for on that cross the Lord Jesus bore in His own body the punishment for the sins of every person who would trust in Him as their Lord and Saviour! Now the sins of every believer are gone forever, because Jesus paid the penalty for them. If you trust in Him, your sins will be gone forever, too. Oh, isn’t the Lord Jesus wonderfully suited to be the Saviour of lost sinners! Best of all, we are all invited to trust in Him. Won’t you do this 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-02/01/1987

Pierre

In bitter cold and through blinding snowstorms the weary soldiers plodded on. They had followed their leader, Napoleon Bonaparte, to Moscow, and now they were retreating across the frozen Russian countryside. Every day more and more of the weary, freezing soldiers gave up the struggle and fell by the side of the road.

As column after column of troops marched west, one of the soldiers heard a cry coming from a snowdrift at the side of the road. Stopping to make a quick search, he found a small boy sobbing and shivering in the bitter cold. The little boy told the soldier his name was Pierre. He had fallen off a wagon that had gone on ahead and had not been missed.

Gently the soldier picked up Pierre and, opening his own coat, tucked the little boy inside. Then, hurrying to rejoin his company, the soldier marched on, carrying Pierre safely inside his warm coat.

Day after day the soldiers continued their march, and little Pierre was often passed from soldier to soldier. Many of the men took turns carrying the little boy and keeping him safe and warm inside their coats. As they marched they had to cross dangerous rivers and fight battles with their enemies, but through it all little Pierre was kept safe. The soldiers had rescued him from the snowdrift and they protected him and cared for him until he was returned safely to his home in Paris.

Boys and girls, the Lord Jesus has done something far more wonderful for you than the soldiers did for little Pierre. The Lord Jesus loved you so much that He suffered and died on the cross to save you from the punishment your sins deserved. All you need to do is admit that you are a sinner and that you need a Saviour. Then thank the Lord Jesus for dying for you. “The Son of God... loved me, and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20. “The blood of Jesus Christ His [God’s] Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7.

Little Pierre could not do anything to save himself from the snow and cold, nor could he find his way safely home to Paris. He trusted the soldiers for everything, and they carried him the whole way.

In the same way, the Lord Jesus not only saves us, but He carries us all the way home to heaven. He has promised us: “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.” Hebrews 13:5.

All through the battles the soldiers protected Pierre, and no enemy could harm him. So the Lord Jesus is guarding and protecting us from our enemy, Satan. In John 10:28 we read that Jesus said, “I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand.” He saves us and then takes care of us and protects us.

Isn’t He a wonderful Saviour? Is He your Saviour?

ML-02/01/1987

Birds of Paradise: Part 1

The Wonders of God’s Creation

“And out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field, and every fowl of the air.” Genesis 2:19.

There are more than 40 species of birds of paradise. Each is so outstandingly beautiful that when the explorer Magellan first took some back to Spain the people said they were so grand they could only have come from paradise, and that’s how they got that name.

It takes a male five or six years to get his mature plumage, but once he has it, the use of his feathers in courting a female companion is very important to him. The female, incidentally, is not decorated in such colors, but this is a wise provision of the Creator, for in her drab feathers she is not easily spotted by enemies that would like to get her.

Birds of paradise live all the way from sea level to some 6000 feet high in New Guinea, Australia and a few South Sea islands. The males have the most extraordinary plumage of any bird in the world. Usually these birds nest in trees, often near the very top, and generally lay just two eggs. When these hatch out, they become the full responsibility of the mother, as by then the father bird has flown away to find another companion. Only on rare occasions does one of the father birds help a little in feeding the young ones. This behavior is disappointing to bird lovers, most of whom appreciate it when both parents share responsibilities and are loyal to each other.

The diet of these birds includes fruit, berries, seeds, insects, frogs and reptiles. These birds are rather stout and heavy-billed and vary from the size of a robin to that of a crow (long plumes and “wires” not included).

Noted for their loud, clear calls that can be heard for quite a distance, as well as their pretty coloring, they have been given a wide variety of feathering among the different species — one special decoration being a pair of wire-like tendrils anchored to their backs and extending out in odd ways two or three feet past their tails. Also, beneath the wings of some, are long, delicate plumes in contrasting colors, or sometimes in pure white, that can be raised and spread out like a cape over their bodies.

All plainly show the pleasure of the Lord God in creating so many beautiful varieties of these birds, as well as untold others that have obeyed His command and multiplied throughout the entire earth. There are many that have never been seen by men, but the eye of their Creator is always on them. Some of the ones that are known will be described in the next article.

(to be continued)

ML-02/01/1987

The Two Signs

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

Near Proviso West High School in Hillside, Illinois, are railroad tracks which cross a street and a sidewalk. Recently at this crossing two signs were erected which literally beg for attention. The signs both read:

PLEASE-PLEASE ...

STOP?

LOOK?

LISTEN.

It you were to ask why these signs were placed there you would hear a very sad story.

In March of 1986 a 14-year-old girl was walking to school. The hood of her jacket was snugly drawn around her head, protecting her from the falling rain and the cold. Oblivious of the red lights flashing and warning bells ringing and unaware of the train’s whistle blowing, she walked into the locomotive’s path and was killed instantly.

After this terrible tragedy the local people requested the railroad company to make the crossing safer. The railroad company responded by erecting these two signs, one on either side of the tracks.

It seems nearly impossible that, with so many warnings, a person could lose her life by walking in front of a train at that crossing.

Even far more sad and hard to understand is that with such clear warnings from God’s Word, the Bible, a person should die unsaved and go to the lake of fire. “And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20;15. We fear that many people, careless of God’s warnings, will walk right into a lost eternity. We ask you to seriously...

PLEASE-PLEASE ...

STOP?

LOOK?

LISTEN.

“Say unto them... saith the Lord God, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die?” Ezekiel 33:11. Pay attention to God’s warnings about eternal punishment and accept the Lord Jesus Christ as the only Saviour of sinners and avoid the horrible result of those who die unsaved.

The townspeople cared enough about their friends and neighbors that they asked for warning signs to be erected so no one else would be killed. God not only cares about us, but He loves us so much that He gave us the Bible telling of His love and warning of the danger of ignoring the salvation He has provided for us.

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

“In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.” 1 John 4:9.

ML-02/08/1987

A Great Discovery

In 1848, Jim Marshall was crossing a stream in California. Looking down, he spied a bright, shiny object in the water. He had discovered gold!

At first, Jim thought he would keep his discovery as much a secret as possible. But news of the discovery leaked out and traveled across the nation like prairie fire. The California gold rush was on!

Soon prospectors flooded into California from all over. Men from every walk of life came to seek gold and their fortunes. Because many of the men made the trip to California in 1849, they became known as the “forty-niners.” California’s population exploded from 15,000 to 80,000 in that one year alone.

Only a handful of men struck it rich in a big way. The others had to work hard to earn their livings.

Jim Marshall was the first to discover gold, and his discovery sparked the gold rush, but there is a far greater discovery for each one of us to make in our lives. It is the discovery that Christ, the Son of God, is the Saviour of sinners.

Jim Marshall was working at his everyday job when he made his discovery. And you, too, may be going about your everyday life when you learn of God’s great love in giving His Son to die for the sins of any who will accept Him as their Saviour.

No discovery is so great as the discovery of realizing for the first time that “Christ died for me!”

It is by faith in Christ that we receive God’s gift of eternal life. Anyone who receives this gift is far richer than the man with the most gold in this world. “Ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold... but with the precious blood of Christ.” 1 Peter 1:18,19.

“And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish.” John 10:28.

ML-02/08/1987

Birds of Paradise: Part 2

The Wonders of God’s Creation

“I will praise Thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will show forth all Thy marvelous works.” Psalms 9:1.

In the preceding article we mentioned the magnificently colored feathers, plumes and unusual features of the various species of birds of paradise. The most outstanding feature is an extension of usually two, slender, wire-like filaments crossing each other beyond the tail, or at times curling to form a pair of circles or other pretty shapes. On some birds there are six of these and on some others a dozen appear — but these larger numbers form small coils snugly against the tails and do not extend far out. Let’s study a few of them:

One called Count Raggi’s is an example of one with 12 wires. It is bright yellow all over, except for red feet and a bright-green balloon-like head. It is unusually active in winning a mate, dancing about on a tree limb to attract a likely female. There it spreads its wings upward to show how high its pretty plumes reach, then turns nearly upside down to make its feathers flash more brilliantly than ever. If she doesn’t respond he repeats the performance for another one when he has the opportunity.

The king is also outstanding. It is brilliant red over its top and throat with a green band over its chest, dividing the red from a white under-body. From its short purple tail two long filaments reach out with small balls of purple feathers on their ends.

Another has the name Saxony and looks almost like a robin with dark top feathers and orange below. But the distinctive thing about it is a pair of long, glossy plumes — one blue and the other brown extending from the back of its head far past its ordinary tail, with a total distance more than twice the length of its body. The Creator has given it these pretty ornaments in place of the wire-like filaments most others display.

The superb has a different arrangement. An olive-green body and wide-spreading tail contrast with its bright blue chest and short wings of the same color. But this is one that has no stringers behind it.

The white-plumed one lacks the spectacular colors of the others, but has a great display of long, fluffy white plumes extending from its back instead. These it can raise over its body to look like a most beautiful cape.

The beautiful feathers of these, as well as a wide variety of other birds, represent perhaps the greatest display of God’s visible handiwork, but in fish and animal groups there are other beauties as well. On the other hand, it is often the plain-colored creatures that have the greatest skills and amazing ways of life. They are all part of God’s creation, and we should think of Him and His wisdom whenever we have occasion to observe any of them.

ML-02/08/1987

Lost in the Woods

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

Susie, Amy, Ann and Peter, each carrying a pail of wild blueberries, moved slowly through the woods. They talked about lots of things as they picked from the little bushes that were loaded with berries. It was a beautiful, warm, summer afternoon, just perfect for being outside.

After several hours of picking, nine-year-old Susie, who was the oldest, suggested they start for home. The shadows were growing long as they started back towards the farm where they lived. They walked for some time, but still didn’t come to the dirt road they wanted to find. After wandering around for almost an hour, Susie said to the others, “Now, don’t cry, but I think we’re lost!”

Discussing what they should do next, Amy suggested that they ask the Lord Jesus to help them. The three sisters thought that was a good idea, but their cousin Peter said he didn’t want to pray. The three girls knelt down on the ground and each one asked the Lord Jesus to help them. They were used to talking to the Lord Jesus, because they knew Him as their Saviour. Peter, however, was not saved and did not love the Lord Jesus. He just walked on while the girls prayed. Catching up to Peter, Amy told him that if he didn’t ask the Lord for help, he would probably be lost in the woods all night! Peter just laughed, saying that since they were all together, how could he be the only one lost in the woods all night?

The four of them walked a little farther when suddenly little Ann wailed, “I left my bucket back there!” She had not picked it up again after they had knelt down to pray. It was just a short way back, but Susie didn’t want Ann to go back alone. She suggested they all go back together, but Peter refused. He didn’t want to go back and decided to himself that he’d find his own way out.

The three girls left Peter and soon found Ann’s pail of berries. But when they got back to where they had left Peter, he was nowhere to be found. As they wandered around looking and calling for Peter, they discovered a cow walking in the woods.

“Hey, that’s one of our cows!” exclaimed Susie. “We can follow it!”

The cow was the answer to their prayers. After the girls had followed its wandering path for quite a while, the cow eventually guided them out of the woods. Then it was easy to find their way home. Peter, however, was still lost. He wanted to do things his own way, and so he was left in the woods all alone.

By the time the girls got home and told their parents that Peter was lost, it was nearly dark. Right away they began to search for him, but soon it was too dark, and then it began to rain. Lightening flashed and thunder crashed; it rained heavily all through the night.

Early the following morning, they finally found Peter — soaked, frightened and lonely. Picking him up, they wrapped him in a blanket and carried him back home.

I am sure that Peter, who is now an old man, will never forget that night alone in the woods. But Peter didn’t learn from his mistake. He still wants to find his own way to heaven, just like he wanted to find his own way out of the woods without anyone’s help. Don’t be stubborn like Peter. The Lord Jesus Christ is looking for anyone who is wandering away from Him. He loves them and wants to pick them up in His strong arms and carry them home to His Father’s home in heaven. But no sin can enter into heaven, so the Lord Jesus had to die on the cross. He took your place there willingly and was punished for your sins. Now He can wash your sins away in His precious blood so that you are ready for heaven. Won’t you let Him wash away your sins and lift you onto His shoulders right now? He wants to carry you safely home to heaven. “The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10.

ML-02/15/1987

The Returning Tide

The Egede’s lived in Norway on the seacoast. Ten-year-old Paul was the Egede’s only child. One morning when Mr. Egede was away on business, Paul asked his mother, “Can I go to the strands today and look for fish?” (The strands is the name of the land that is uncovered by the ocean when the tide flows out.)

“All right, you may go, but be sure you come home before noon,” Paul’s mother said.

Paul found a basket to carry the fish that he planned to find and trotted happily down the path which led from their cottage to the sea. Behind him rose majestic mountains. As he got near the strands he could see sea gulls flying in the sky, but no person was in sight.

Paul began searching for fish called flounder. They are a small fish that look like a flat, round, greenish-brown stone. They don’t have eyes on either side of their heads like other fish do; instead, both their eyes are on the right side of their head. These fish swim along the bottom of the ocean, and sometimes they get trapped in small pools of water when the tide goes out.

Some days Paul didn’t find any fish, but today was unusually good. He was finding so many that he forgot about the time. Farther out on the strands he searched, hoping to fill his basket with fish. He was so busy finding fish that he never noticed the returning tide behind him.

When he finally turned around he saw his mother on the shore half a mile away. Because the tide had covered all that distance with water, Paul was unable to get back to shore!

Slowly and steadily the tide kept rising. It rose to his ankles, then it rose to his knees. If Paul didn’t do something soon he would be trapped and drown. He was in great danger!

Paul went to the closest rock and climbed on top of it, but the water kept getting higher too!

On shore Paul’s mother could see the tide rising and knew the danger her son was in. She cried to God in prayer. “Oh, God, stop the rising tide and spare my son!” she pleaded. Both Paul and his mother were believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. “Hasn’t God promised to protect those who trust in Him?” she thought. “Then He must help my Paul,” she told herself.

The water rose until it completely covered the rock Paul was standing on. Then, it stopped rising. For several long hours Paul stood on that rock, until the tide flowed back out and it was possible to return to shore.

How thankful Paul and his mother both were. They both learned a lesson that day, that God will protect those who trust Him.

A few years after this story happened, when Paul was 13, the Egede family moved to icy Greenland. They went there to tell the Eskimos about the love of God in sending His Son into this world to die for them.

Do you know the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour? He loves you and died for you. He is now at the right hand of God in heaven and is able to save from their sins every person who trusts in Him. Trust in Him today.

“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.

ML-02/15/1987

African Wild Dogs (or Cape Hunting Dogs)

The Wonders of God’s Creation

“For every beast of the forest is Mine.... and the wild beasts of the field are Mine.” Psalms 50:10,11.

South African wild dogs live in packs of from five to thirty, often made up of family groups. Almost always on the move, they stay just a few days in one spot, then move on to another, perhaps 25 miles away. About the size of a wolf and weighing around 40 pounds, they are vicious hunters and can outrun just about any other animal. However, they only kill when they need food.

For about three months each year a pack stays near the dens where as many as 16 pups are raised with much care, all parents sharing in this duty. Adults and young spend much time together, playfully pushing their muzzles into each other’s mouths. When they are ready for a pack hunt, one or two stay behind to watch over the little ones.

The pups are really cute looking with inquisitive faces, bright eyes, big saucer-like ears pointing forward, and silvery whiskers sprouting sideways from their upper lips. The youngsters usually have tan-colored backs, but their sides and underparts are a blackish-brown, splotched with white patches on their throats and legs.

A dozen of the adults may spot a herd of impalas or other animals and set out to capture one of them. Several dogs chase part of the herd while their companions go after any that may have broken away. When one impala finally gets separated from the others, a single dog keeps chasing it. Knowing that the victim will run in a wide circle, the rest of the dogs leave the impalas they have been chasing and cut across the circle to get in front of the tiring victim. Soon, with dogs all around it the impala gives up; the chase is over and the pack moves in for the kill.

The dogs always eat as much of the food as they can, but do not quarrel over it as some wild animals do. Filled, they return to their dens and cough up portions for the pups and the guards that stayed with them. Later, when the pups are big enough to join these hunts and an animal is caught, the older ones let the youngsters eat their fill first. This is just the opposite of lions, which satisfy their own hunger and let the little ones have what is left... if any.

The care these wild dogs give their young helps us to think kindly of them, doesn’t it? Many of you have been favored with parents who have not only shown love and care to you in every way, but who knew the importance of telling you of God’s love. They have explained about the precious Saviour who gave His life to wash away the sins of all who admit to Him that they are sinners and accept Him as their Saviour. Have you done this? And have you thanked Mother and Dad for telling you about Him?

ML-02/15/1987

Missionary Guide

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

As we approached the native village, I breathed a sigh of relief. It had been a long, hot, tiring day of walking through the jungle. There should be plenty of food in the village and a place to sleep. Being a missionary in Africa, I had visited this village several times. I knew that my native helpers and I would be welcome.

Shortly after we arrived in the village, we were told there wasn’t any food. Elephants had trampled down all the crops. A hunting party had been sent out each morning to hunt food, but game was scarce this time of year. The natives could not get close enough to the animals to use their spears. I offered to go out with my gun to shoot a buffalo. My offer was gratefully accepted by the chief.

“But you must wait until the hunters come back,” he advised. “They will go with you so you don’t get lost in the jungle. They will guide you to the water holes where there are many buffalo.”

My helpers and I sat down to wait, but the longer I sat the hungrier I became. Finally I suggested to the chief that my men would go with me and the hunting party could catch up when they returned. The chief told us that we should not go without a guide since we would get lost on the many crisscrossing animal trails.

We waited a few more hours. Finally, I decided I couldn’t wait any longer. Going against the advice of the old chief, my helpers and I started off into the jungle. The trails that we followed twisted and turned as we got closer to the river. Sometimes we did not know which of them to take, but we kept on walking anyway. We finally reached the river, and hiding in the brush we waited for the buffalo.

It wasn’t long until we spotted one. After following it for some distance, I got a clear shot and was able to kill it. My men quickly started skinning the large animal. It took about two hours to get the meat cut and packed and ready to carry back to the village. It began to get dark as we were ready to start back. We discovered we did not know which of the many trails led to the village. Every trail looked the same to us. Suddenly we heard the roars of lions approaching! We knew they were being attracted by the smell of fresh meat.

We worked fast to get as much of the meat stored in trees as we could. Then we climbed up into the trees right along with our meat. It wasn’t long before several lions appeared and began feeding on the buffalo carcass.

One of the native helpers climbed to the top of the tree to see if he could see any sign of the hunting party. He would call them, then listen for an answering call. There wasn’t any. He continued calling for the next three hours until we heard a faint answer which gradually came closer.

At last the hunting party from the village appeared. They were carrying torches and shouting as loud as they could. Their noisy approach with the fire torches scared the lions, and they ran off.

I was very thankful, but felt foolish as I climbed down the tree. I realized I should have waited and not started out on the hunting trip without a guide. We thanked our rescuers, loaded up the meat and started back to the village.

Up and down hills, through valleys and the dense undergrowth of the jungle, the native hunters led us back to the safety and shelter of the village. The chief came out to meet us and took us to his own campfire.

After we had eaten some of the meat which had been roasted over the fire, I turned to the chief and said, “Chief, I have something to tell you. I was lost in the jungle today because I didn’t have a guide. It’s not the first time that I have been lost. Years ago as a young man, I did not know the Lord Jesus Christ as my Saviour. I did not have Him as the Guide for my life. Although I had heard many times that I needed to be saved, I did not obey. I laughed at God’s offer of love and mercy and decided I didn’t need it. Everything went well for a while, but then I discovered I was lost and needed a Saviour. I called for help, just like we did in the jungle tonight. God heard my call, just like your hunting party heard our calls for help. Then the true Guide, the only One who can rescue us from sin, saved me. He rescued me from Satan’s power and lifted me up in His loving arms, and He is now taking me safely home. He wants to save you, too, Chief. He shed His blood so that you, also, can be protected in His arms. He loves you just like He loves me, and He is waiting to be your Saviour.”

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

ML-02/22/1987

Wuggins

I once visited a farm where the children had a pet lamb named Wuggins. The children had to raise him all by themselves because Wuggins’s mother had died.

The farm was in hilly country, and Wuggins liked to run and play on the hills. Sometimes he got too far away from home and couldn’t find his way back. Then the children would go out looking for him until they found him.

One day Wuggins really got lost. First, the children looked for him. Then their parents looked for him. Finally, they asked me to help look, too. We all went into the hills, and each of us looked in a different area. We called, “Wuggins, Wuggins,” until we were all hoarse, but there was no sign of him.

I was climbing up the side of a steep hill when I was startled to see Wuggins looking at me from a clump of bushes. I called him, but he ran away, because he did not know my voice. I hurried back to tell the others. The children ran to where I had seen Wuggins. They soon found him. When Wuggins heard the children calling he ran to them, because he knew their voices. He was picked up and carried home by the happy children who loved him very much.

Each one of us is just like Wuggins. We are lost if we don’t know the Good Shepherd. The Lord Jesus is that Good Shepherd. He said, “I am the Good Shepherd: the Good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep.” John 10:11.

He also tells us later in the chapter, “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.” John 10:27,28.

The Lord Jesus loves us and wants us to come to Him and be saved. All we need to do is believe on Him. Jesus died for His sheep. Why did He do that? Because we are lost sheep and need to be found. The Bible says, “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 [sin] of us all.” Isaiah 53:6. Ask the Lord Jesus to be your Saviour, and He will pick you up in His strong arms and carry you to heaven, just like the children carried Wuggins home. Won’t you listen to the voice of the Good Shepherd and come to Him right now?

“I am the Good Shepherd, and know My sheep, and am known of Mine.” John 10:14.

ML-02/22/1987

The American Black Bear

The Wonders of God’s Creation

“Then the beasts go into dens, and remain in their places. Out of the south cometh the whirlwind: and cold out of the north.” Job 37.8.9.

The black bear, often seen by hikers and campers in forests and mountainous country, is the smallest species of bear in North America, measuring from five to seven feet long and weighing around 300 pounds. It has short legs with powerful claws and just a stub of a tail. Its muzzle is usually tan, and there may be a patch of white on its breast. While technically known as the black bear, it is sometimes light brown or cinnamon in color, but should not be confused with the true brown bear of Alaska, which is the biggest of all.

Timid by nature, these bears avoid people, and it is rare for them to attack a person, unless a mother feels her cubs are in danger. Then she can be vicious with her teeth and claws. This is one reason forest rangers warn people not to feed or get near any of the wild animals.

The bear’s diet includes such things as grass, roots, berries, corn and other plant material, as well as fish, small animals, birds and their eggs, ants, bees and their honey. Tearing the hives open, a bear is protected by its thick fur from the bees’ stings.

Southern black bears are active throughout the year, but those in the north hibernate (males and females separately) in caves or dens in the fall, remaining until early spring. During this period two, three or four little ones are born. They are about the size of a rat and are hairless and blind for a month or so. Mother’s milk is their only food until springtime, when they are about the size of a tomcat.

Coming out of the den, the mother teaches her cubs how to find food and care for themselves. They follow her about like little toy teddy bears. The mother keeps them close by until full grown, which sometimes means sharing her den for another winter.

The cubs, like so many young, wild animals, are full of pep, wrestling, annoying their mother, climbing small trees and swinging back and forth before jumping off. If a tree is not strong enough for this, they enjoy riding it down to the ground doing this over and over again.

The hibernating of animals is referred to in the opening Bible verse and assures us that God provided for all creatures of earth when He created them. No one has ever known a bear or other animal to show resentment at the discomfort of cold weather, but all just quietly accept it.

In this they are wiser than people, who complain about discomforts. How much better to turn over every trial to God, remembering that He says, “All things work together for good to them that love God.” Romans 8:28. You do love God and His Son. Jesus Christ. don’t you?

ML-02/22/1987

The Runaway Tractor

Memory Verse: “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither His ear heavy, that it cannot hear.” Isaiah 59:1

Mr. and Mrs. Wilson lived on a small farm just outside the city limits. They had three children: Becky was eight, Randy was six and Wally was just three.

One day in the summer Mrs. Wilson was in the kitchen washing dishes. Randy and Wally came bursting in the door each carrying a brand-new water gun. They had been told they couldn’t use them inside the house, so they had been busy squirting water on things in the backyard.

“Mommy, can we water your flowers with our water guns?” asked Randy.

Mrs. Wilson told them she thought that was a good idea; her flowers could always use a drink.

So she filled their little bucket with water again, and back outside they ran, happy their water guns had a job to do.

It was lots of fun at first, but soon they got tired of watering flowers. So they looked around to see what else they could water.

“I know; let’s wash the tires on Daddy’s tractor,” suggested Randy.

“Okay,” said Wally, delighted with the new idea. So they filled up their water guns from the bucket again and ran off for this new fun.

Little boys aren’t the only ones always looking for some new pleasure to keep them happy. The pleasures this world has to offer just don’t satisfy anyone for very long. So many spend their time and money searching for some new and exciting pleasure that will last, only to be disappointed again. But the Bible has the answer for those who are searching for happiness. “O satisfy us early with Thy mercy; that we may rejoice and be glad all our days.” Psalms 90:14. The Lord Jesus is the only source of true happiness.

It wasn’t long before Randy and Wally got tired of washing tractor tires, too. Randy had a new idea.

“Wally, let’s climb up and look at Daddy’s tractor.”

Randy had to help Wally climb up since a three-year-old doesn’t have very long legs. Soon the two brothers were both sitting in the big tractor seat.

“I know how Daddy cranks this tractor,” Randy said proudly. “How?” asked Wally.

“Well, he pushes in that starter,” explained Randy, pointing to the starter button.

So Wally put his little foot up on the starter button and pushed it.

Now, the tractor was old and was almost impossible for even their father to start. But when Wally’s little foot pushed the starter button, that tractor started up the first time! Since it had been left in high gear, the tractor lurched forward and took off.

Randy quickly jumped off the tractor, but Wally just stood there, hanging on to the steering wheel, too scared to know what to do.

In the house, Mrs. Wilson heard an engine running that sounded to her like the big, old tractor. She ran outside to see. What she saw terrified her! Coming up the hill towards her was the big, old tractor with little Wally standing up on it, gripping the steering wheel.

Mrs. Wilson couldn’t do anything to stop the tractor. So she turned to the only One who could help her little boy — she cried to the Lord Jesus to save little Wally!

About then the tractor crossed a little ditch which made it whirl around and take off at full speed in the opposite direction. Not far ahead were two big oak trees, and beyond them was a big, deep ditch.

By now Mrs. Wilson was frantically running along behind the tractor, praying as she ran, hoping somehow to try to snatch little Wally off the tractor. He was still standing gripping the steering wheel in terror, too frightened even to cry.

As the tractor ran by one of the oak trees, the inside of one of its big tires caught the tree and this made the tractor jump up the tree trunk, lurching higher and higher up the trunk.

Mrs. Wilson, close behind the tractor, was terrified that it was going to flip over backwards on top of little Wally and herself. She cried to the Lord Jesus to save both of them!

“Before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.” Isaiah 65:24. The Lord Jesus answered Mrs. Wilson’s cry. The tractor stopped.

Mrs. Wilson quickly gathered poor, frightened little Wally into her arms. She was so weak with relief that she sat down on the ground. With tears streaming down her face she thanked the Lord Jesus for saving her little boy. Wally hadn’t gotten even a scratch.

It has been 18 years since little Wally’s terrifying tractor ride. Both Randy and Wally are grown men now. But the two old oak trees are still standing. One still has the marks nine feet high where the runaway tractor climbed its trunk... and stopped.

Mrs. Wilson will never forget that day and her answer to prayer. Those of us who have accepted the Lord Jesus as our Saviour know we can cry to Him in any difficulty, and He will hear us. “Call unto Me, and I will answer thee.” Jeremiah 33:3.

Is the Lord Jesus Christ your Saviour? He loves you and longs to forgive your sins, if you will only come to Him. The freedom of knowing your sins are gone forever gives true happiness. “Whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he.” Proverbs 16:20.

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

ML-03/01/1987

A Wise Decision

In February, 1978, the New England states were hit by a blizzard that will be remembered by many for years to come. The weathermen had predicted a “northeaster” that would dump several inches of snow.

Before lunch I told my work crew that we would leave work early that day so that everyone would reach home safely before the storm set in too heavily, snarling traffic. I decided 3:00 would be early enough.

At lunch time I walked next door to a restaurant for a quick lunch, but on the way back the wind was blowing fiercely, and snow was blowing sideways instead of falling.

Arriving in the office after lunch, our plans for leaving at 3:00 were immediately changed, and I informed the crew to head straight home without waiting any longer.

This decision proved to be wise, because by 3:00 all major highways were already jamming up. All roads were slippery, snow was blowing and drifting, and soon all traffic completely stopped. This hindered the snowplows from doing their job.

Those who waited too long to go home were stranded on the major highways in a serious situation. It took several days for all the snowplows the state could call in, including the U. S. Army, to pull the buried vehicles out one by one and clear the highways.

How this should warn us of the terrible storm that is going to fall on this world. God warns us in the Bible to “flee from the wrath to come.” Matthew 3:7. God loves us and wants us to listen to His warnings and come to Jesus for safety. Boys and girls, will you make it safely home with Jesus to heaven before God’s storm of punishment falls on this world?

Jesus said, “Come unto Me.” Matthew 11:28. He also said, “I am the way... no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” John 14:6. And we are told, “Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:2. Don’t wait any longer to escape from the coming storm! “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” Acts 16:31.

ML-03/01/1987

The Wallaby From "Down Under": Part 1

The Wonders of God’s Creation

“These wait all upon Thee; that Thou mayest give them their meat [food] in due season.” Psalms 104:27.

There are 39 known varieties of this interesting animal. Some of the pale-colored wallabies look like large rats while others are similar to rabbits, but most look like small kangaroos since they are part of the kangaroo family. However, the fur of most wallabies is brighter colored than kangaroos'. Wallabies’ tails are more slender and bushy or tufted at the tip, whereas kangaroos’ tails are quite plain.

These animals are known as marsupials, meaning the mothers carry their little ones in a pouch. The Creator has adapted them to the rocky areas of Australia, New Guinea and neighboring islands. (Australia is sometimes called the “Land Down Under” because it lies entirely south of the equator.) Most of them are speedy and if startled hop swiftly away on their strong hind legs. At other times they will hide in a cave or rocky crevice.

Wallabies live on grasses, but also eat foliage and bark from trees and roots of various kinds. They usually feed in the cool of the evening, at night or in early morning, leaving the shelters where they rest throughout the day. Another provision of the Creator is in providing them, in their hot, dry homelands, with bodies that get along very well on the moisture in their food, although they will drink water when it is available. One kind, the tammer, even drinks salt water when fresh water is not available.

Each year mothers have just one blind, helpless baby (like a baby kangaroo which is called a Joey), and it remains several months in her pouch until it can eat solid food. Even then it stays near her, until big enough to care for itself, and is not ashamed to jump back into her pouch if danger is near. Babies are not born in this pouch, but, although tiny and blind, their sensitive noses tell them that’s where their food supply is, and they make their own way into it to enjoy the rich, nourishing milk.

Usually brownish-beige in color, or occasionally red, gray or blackish, they are much like miniature kangaroos, having short front feet, long back feet and long, strong tails which they use for balance, support when sitting, and help in leaping. Full of curiosity, they usually stop grazing to watch a person going by.

Wallabies are content with the heat and dryness of their homes, and if they knew about their Creator and could speak, they would surely thank Him for His care over them. But boys and girls do have that ability, and God (your Creator, too) likes to have you thank Him. One Bible verse expresses it this way: “Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Ephesians 5:20. Be sure to do this every day!

(to be continued)

ML-03/01/1987

The Muddy Mess

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

Mr. Thomas busily cleared the land of trees, trying to get his mobile home set up before the cold, harsh winter of southern Maine set in. Frost was already in the ground, and snow would be falling at any time.

He pushed the trees away with a big bulldozer and dug trenches with a backhoe to bury the water line. Soon enough land had been cleared, and the water line was laid and connected to the home.

Before much more could be done, the winter’s snows began to fall, and the ground around the home was left uneven with the trenches hurriedly filled with loose, claylike earth. Boards were laid over parts of the uneven ground to make walking easier.

Winter passed and spring thaws made the yard a muddy mess, the kind that little boys seem especially attracted to.

One Saturday morning, friends decided to come from the city to visit the Thomas family and brought their children along. The children were warned not to play in the mud. But soon, five-year-old Jamie spotted the mud and was off for some fun that only a young boy might enjoy. He jumped from board to board, occasionally missing and sinking a few inches in the muck. Great fun!

When he came to the spot where the trench had been filled in, he stepped off the board into the mud and just that quickly, he began to sink. Almost immediately he was up to his chest and sinking deeper. Jamie cried out, and the other children nearby saw him and began screaming for help! Mr. Thomas heard their cries for help and came running from the corral where he was tending the horse. By the time he got there, Jamie had sunk up to his neck and was still sinking.

Mr. Thomas quickly threw some boards across the trench, and, kneeling down on them, he grabbed Jamie by the arms and tugged with all his might! Jamie’s mother arrived just in time to see her little boy being pulled out of the muddy trench and saved from possible death. Jamie was very relieved when he found himself once again on solid ground.

This story reminds us of a verse in the Bible that describes in one way how Jamie was rescued when he disobeyed the warning “not to play in the mud.” “He brought me up also out of a horrible pit, out of the miry clay, and set my feet upon a rock.” Psalms 40:2. This verse describes the terrible pit we are in because of our sins.

Because Jamie disobeyed what he had been told, he could have lost his life. You and I have disobeyed God, and we are slowly sinking to our eternal death in the pit of sin. The Bible says, “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23. Another verse tells us the result of our sins — “The wages of sin is death.” Romans 6:23. It is important for us to realize our danger and to call out to Jesus to save us, to pull us out of the mire and “set our feet upon a rock.” Another Bible verse says, “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:13. The Lord Jesus went into the pit of death for our sins and is now risen and living in heaven above. He is a wonderful Saviour. Won’t you call upon His name and let Him save you?

ML-03/08/1987

A Good Day's Catch

It looks like the fisherman who caught these fish had a good day of fishing. He fished patiently with his rod and line, probably using a worm or minnow for bait. Many times during the day, he felt the exciting tug on his line that signaled he had caught another “big one.”

Now that the fishing day is over, our fisherman must prepare the fish before they can be eaten. He will remove the fins and scales, maybe the head and tail, clean them, and then they are ready for the frying pan.

The fins and scales have to be removed, because they are not good to eat. But these were very important to the fish.

God told the children of Israel in the Bible that they could not eat anything that lived in the water that did not have fins and scales. (See Leviticus 11:10.) Frogs, crabs, lobsters and eels do not have scales and fins, so they could not eat them.

Do you know why God made this law and what lesson it has for us today? Fins enable the fish to swim against the current, so that it doesn’t just move along with the current. The scales of the fish are like a coat of armor. They give the fish protection from the things around which might injure it. God calls any fish “clean” that has fins and scales. The ones without these He calls “unclean.”

God shows us many examples like this in the Bible. Even fish remind us of how He wants us to swim against the current. It is very easy to do what other children are doing, and just go along with them. But it takes energy to swim upstream, against the current. It takes energy not to go along with the rest or do wrong things that they are doing, because you want to please the Lord Jesus.

Have you ever heard of the salmon which swims long distances and even leaps up over waterfalls to get back to the stream where it hatched from a tiny egg? God gave it the strength and energy to dc this.

He will give you the strength and energy to go against any force of evil, if you are one of His “clean” ones (saved), and ask for His help.

Do the other children do things that are wrong and unkind? Remember that you don’t have to go along with what they do. Going upstream against their ways may be very hard and a real struggle. The Bible gives us a very good example in our blessed Lord Jesus’ dying for us, with all the people against Him. His life and His death were “against the current.” Now those of us who have been saved, because He has washed away our sins in His precious blood, find that the world has not changed, nearly 2,000 years later. The world is still against the Lord Jesus Christ, and we can only expect its scorn when we try to please Him.

“Thou shalt not follow a multitude to do evil.” Exodus 23:2.

ML-03/08/1987

The Wallaby From "Down Under": Part 2

The Wonders of God’s Creation

“O Lord, how manifold are Thy works! in wisdom hast Thou made them all: the earth is full of Thy riches.” Psalms 104:24.

Let’s consider a few of the varieties of wallabies living “down under.” These vary in size from 12 to 40 inches, plus a 10 to 28-inch tail and weigh from 4 pounds to over 50.

One of the largest is the brush kangaroo, because in size and activities it appears more like a kangaroo than anything else. Another large one, most commonly encountered and best known, is the rednecked. It is particularly noted for the great leaps it can make.

Then there is the sure-footed rock wallaby, provided by the Creator with special thick pads of rough skin on its hind feet to give it a good grip on the rocks where it makes its home. It is stocky and unusually powerful, jumping and dashing around on rocks and precipices, making great leaps from cliffs and from rock to rock. Most of these are red in color with big, upright ears, large eyes and fine long fur.

Another of the rock family is known as the ring-tailed, because of the pretty bands of white, brown and pale yellow that circle its tail. Another, with the name shrub wallaby, is among the smaller ones. Each mother in this group seems to have a problem with her lively joey that hops in and out of her pouch when she stops to rest or eat. Unable to teach it good manners, she sometimes will not let it in again until it gets back on good behavior. (So you see the mothers of lively boys and girls aren’t the only ones who have problems!)

It’s not hard to understand how the spectacled hare variety got its name, for each eye is circled by a light-orange ring, looking just like a pair of glasses. Another one that has an unusual tail also has an unusual name — the nail-tailed — because at the tip of its tail a horny spike appears. No one knows just what its purpose may be.

The hare wallaby, named for its size and movements, can jump higher than a man’s head. Like a rabbit, with twists and jumps, it usually leaves its enemy far behind and is quite a sight to see.

Space doesn’t allow listing more of these unusual creatures, so we will have to stop with these few, but how nice to know the Creator doesn’t overlook any of them. They also give us reason to think upon His ways in every part of His wonderful creation, as the opening Bible verse tells us, and we must never forget that because we are a very special part of His creation, we should always seek to please Him.

ML-03/08/1987

The Weasel

Memory Verse: “The Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.” Luke 9:56

I never knew much about weasels, but when I visited Mr. Thomas, who lives out in the country in southern Maine, I found out why they aren’t liked very much by farmers.

Mr. Thomas had recently gotten four laying hens, which were just enough to supply eggs for his family. The chicken coop was built with thin slits to let air in and with windows to let the light in. The chickens seemed safe and happy and were each laying an egg a day.

One day, Bobby and Richard were asked to go feed the chickens, which they did. However they forgot to close the door when they left. Later that day someone found the chickens out, roaming around near the barn... all but one, that is. She apparently had wandered away and was never found again.

The next day when Mr. Thomas went to the coop to check on his hens, everything looked all right, until he opened the door. It had been closed tightly and fastened, but to his surprise, one of the hens was lying on the floor dead.

He picked her up and noticed that she seemed lighter in weight than normal. Very strange! Looking over the hen, he found the feathers had been plucked from her neck and there were slits where an animal had sucked out the chicken’s blood, which, of course, killed it. This was a new and sad experience for Mr. Thomas. Now he knew what had happened to the chicken which had wandered away. He had lost two chickens in 24 hours to the little animal known as the weasel. The weasel is able to squeeze through even a very small opening, as small as slits in a chicken coop, to catch his victim. He is a destroyer that looks for easy victims.

After that, Mr. Thomas let his dog out at night instead of keeping it in the house. He also got himself a barnyard cat. Since then, there have been no more lost chickens. He often wondered what happened to that sneaky weasel.

You and I also have an enemy that is just as sneaky and dangerous as the weasel. His name is Satan, and the Bible calls him “the destroyer” (1 Cor. 10:10), the one who walks around “seeking whom he may devour.” (1 Peter 5:8.) Satan is also called “that old serpent” (Rev. 12:9) because he sneaks around, using trickery to catch his victims.

But what a wonderful thing it is that the Lord Jesus came into the world to defeat Satan. Though we have all strayed and wandered away, the Lord Jesus loves us and can save us. “The Son of man [the Lord Jesus] is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.” Luke 9:56. He died on Calvary’s cross to bear our sins and to bring us to God. God tells us in the Bible that Jesus is the victor over Satan. “Thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Corinthians 15:57. What a wonderful Saviour the Lord Jesus is. How good it is to trust in Him and stay in safety near His side each day. “But whoso hearkeneth unto Me shall dwell safely, and shall be quiet from fear of evil.” Proverbs 1:33.

ML-03/15/1987

The Doll That Grew

Becky lived on a small farm many years ago. She had a very strange doll. It looked very much like a gingerbread girl, but it was made out of cloth and hard, dry kernels of corn. Becky had wanted a doll for a long time, but they lived far away from the nearest town. After she had asked for a doll many times, her mother sat down and made one for her out of scraps of cloth. Then she stuffed it with corn from the grain bin.

It wasn’t a very pretty doll like girls have today, but Becky still loved her very much. She named her Betsy. She played house with Betsy and took her out for walks, just like little girls do with their dolls today.

One day, Becky and her brother Jimmy had a quarrel. Jimmy had been carving a little boat out of a block of wood. He was carefully cutting one of the masts when Becky accidently bumped into him. The boat was knocked out of his hand and broke when it hit the floor.

“Can’t you ever watch where you’re going?” Jimmy cried angrily. “Look what you did!”

“I don’t care if I did it!” snapped Becky. Then she thought to herself, “I shouldn’t have said that, because I really do care.” She was so ashamed of herself that she hurried out of the room.

“I’ll get back at her for that,” thought Jimmy, as he picked up the broken pieces of his boat. Just then he saw her doll lying on a chair. He snatched it and ran outside with it. He found a shovel in the tool shed, and then raced around to the garden. At the far end of the garden, Jimmy buried Becky’s doll in the dirt.

“There, that takes care of that! That’ll pay her back for breaking my boat,” he thought to himself. “Nobody will ever know what happened to it.”

But Jimmy had forgotten that God sees and knows everything that we do. The Bible tells us that “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good” (Prov. 15:3), and “Be sure your sin will find you out.” Numbers 32:23.

It wasn’t long before Becky missed her doll. She cried and cried, but no one could find Betsy. The family couldn’t figure out what had happened to the doll, that is, everyone but Jimmy. The doll had just disappeared.

Jimmy wasn’t very happy after that. He told a lie when his mother asked him if he knew where the doll was. He began to feel that he had done something very wrong. He thought about digging up the doll again. But when he thought about the hard time he would have trying to explain how it got so dirty, he decided to leave it where it was.

A few days after a hard rain, Mother was in the garden picking tomatoes. Walking around the garden, she happened to notice a clump of new green plants at the far end. “That’s strange,” she thought. “I wonder what that is. Nothing is planted down there yet.” She walked over to look closer, and there, just in the shape of Becky’s cloth doll, were new, green corn shoots. The corn which was in Becky’s buried doll had all started to grow. Jim’s hidden sin was discovered, just as the Bible said it would be.

Mother soon found out the whole story. Becky was scolded for not telling Jimmy she was sorry about his broken boat. And Jimmy had to be punished for taking something that didn’t belong to him and for telling a lie.

Sin hidden in the heart will also be uncovered. You cannot hide sin from God. He wants to wash your sins away and make your heart clean. God’s Word, the Bible, says that “the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7. The Lord Jesus loves you very much, and He is waiting for you to ask Him to wash your sins away. Why not ask Him to make your heart clean right now? Then your sins will “be as white as snow.” Isaiah 1:18.

“In whom we have redemption through His blood, even the forgiveness of sins.” Colossians 1:14.

ML-03/15/1987

Elephants at School

The Wonders of God’s Creation

“For every kind of beasts, and... things in the sea... hath been tamed of mankind: but the tongue can no man tame.” James 3:7.8.

Elephants are included in the above Bible verse and have been useful to mankind over the years. In olden days they were often used in wars to carry soldiers and move heavy equipment. Royal people are still sometimes carried on elephants’ decorated backs in fancy parades, and they are useful in many other ways.

An example of their usefulness is that in Asian countries they help in forest work, including uprooting trees, pulling them out for cutting, then carrying the logs in their trunks or tusks to storage areas where they cleverly stack them or load them on trucks.

What kind of school do they attend? When natives need a worker elephant they search wild areas for a suitable one. Then several men and two or more big, strong, tamed elephants go after it — an exciting and dangerous experience! The first thing is to get it off by itself where it is “tranquilized” with a dart from a special gun, and it soon lies sleeping on the ground. Strong ropes are tied around each leg above the foot, and the ends are tied to nearby trees. Another rope, passed around its neck, is tied to the “teacher” elephants standing on either side of it.

Awakening, it rises and tugs and pulls on the ropes until it realizes this is useless. Then the two teacher elephants move in, pressing against it and gently but firmly making it understand it must do as they tell it. Soon the three of them move slowly around, the captive resisting, but gradually learning that neither its teachers nor the men are going to harm it. Soon the teachers take it slowly between them to a stockade where it is released.

With kind but firm treatment and continued teaching, it gradually loses its wildness and understands commands it must obey. Finally the day comes when, with the two teachers, the men take it to the forest where they are working. After many trips, with the patience and skill of men and teachers, the new member soon learns how to help with the work and does it willingly. Its school term is over.

It is only too true that we can tame the wildest creature, as the opening verse says, but are unable to control our own tongue. How naughty it can be and how sorry we often are for what we have said, but it can never be called back.

What can be done about it? Well, we can admit to the Lord Jesus how helpless we are and trust Him to control our tongue. He has promised to do just that if we ask Him. His promise is: “I will instruct thee and teach thee in the way which thou shalt go: I will guide thee with Mine eye.” Psalms 32:8. Won’t you trust His promise?

ML-03/15/1987

"Be Ye Therefore Ready"

Memory Verse: “Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.” Luke 12:40.

“Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.” Luke 12:40. The Sunday school teacher was reading the words slowly so that his class would realize how important it is to be ready for the Lord’s coming. As usual, Scott sat back in the corner looking out the window, only half listening as the verse was again repeated. It was a lovely, warm summer day, and the thoughts of a great afternoon of baseball and fun were not allowing the words to enter his heart.

Several hours later, Scott sat on the back steps of his home, waiting for Mother to finish the dishes so she wouldn’t see him sneak off to the baseball game. Finally, after what seemed like forever, she dried her hands on the towel—a signal that the dishes were done. Coming to the back door, she said, “Scott, please don’t leave the backyard this afternoon, will you?” Scott didn’t answer because he didn’t want to lie to his mother, thinking to himself, “If I don’t promise, I won’t be lying.” Strange, though, how his mother seemed to know just what he was secretly planning.

As soon as he heard her footsteps leave the kitchen, he quickly ran down the steps, across the yard and jumped over the back fence. He was on his way to an afternoon of fun, so he thought. But that very afternoon the Lord was going to speak to Scott in a real way about what the verse meant that they’d had in Sunday school: “Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.”

On his way to the corner baseball game, he passed the Taylor’s house and noticed a horseshoe game being played in the backyard by Mr. Taylor, his two sons, and a neighbor. Scott had been wanting to try to play horseshoes for some time, so he stopped to watch. Just as he had hoped, he was soon asked to join in the game. Boy, what fun it was to throw horseshoes, and he was quite good at it, too.

In an especially exciting game, Scott stooped down to pick up his horseshoes, forgetting that all the shoes were not thrown yet. “Look out, Scott!” yelled Mr. Taylor, but it was too late. Before he could move out of the way, the horseshoe hit him on the head. He felt an awful pain in his head, and as he fell to the ground these words flashed across his mind, “Be ye therefore ready.”

Mr. Taylor ran into the house to get a first aid kit and called to his wife. Mrs. Taylor hurried outside. They washed the blood from his face, cleaned the deep cut in his head, and applied some medicine and a bandage. Mrs. Taylor had Scott lie down in the shade until he felt well enough to go home.

Until now, Scott had thought he could get away with being disobedient. But now with his bandage, Mother and Dad would know what he had done. He was sorry now he had disobeyed. His head was beginning to throb painfully, and he was sure he would be punished when he got home. The afternoon that once promised so much pleasure had turned into a disaster!

When he got home, he went in as quietly as possible through the back door. As he headed toward his room, he became aware of how quiet it was in the house. In fact, he got the feeling that he was all alone. He hurried to the front of the house, but no one was there. Alarmed, he ran upstairs, searching each room, but no one was up there either. Could the Lord have come? He knew the Bible said Jesus was coming again. He looked at the clock — it was 8:00. No wonder no one was home; the family was at the gospel meeting! Coming back downstairs, he glanced out the front door. He could hardly believe his eyes —the family car was in its usual place in front of the house! The Lord must have come, and he was left here on earth!

He thought of the Meyers family who were Christians. Their oldest son, Mark, was his best pal. Mark had accepted Jesus as his Saviour. He would go check their house. He went by the baseball game on his way to the Meyers’ home. It no longer interested him, because something was far more important to him, now. When he got to the Meyers’ home, his worst fears were confirmed — there was no one at the Meyers’ house either! A very frightened Scott hurried back home, unable to shut out that verse that had once seemed unimportant: “Be ye therefore ready: for the Son of man cometh at an hour when ye think not.” He remembered hearing his Dad say, “In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, the Lord will come, and then it will be too late to be saved.”

By the time he reached home, he was in a near panic, tears streaming down his face. He was sure he was lost forever! He sat on the front steps wondering what would happen to him now. He wished over and over again that he had accepted Jesus as his Saviour before it was too late. Just then a car pulled up and stopped in front of the house, and his Mother, Dad and two sisters got out. They had gone to meeting with Uncle John and Aunt Nancy. That’s why the car was still at home.

Words could not describe Scott’s relief. How thankful he was that the Lord hadn’t come yet! It wasn’t too late to be saved, but he knew now that he had better not waste any more time. Mother and Dad, not knowing his thoughts, were asking other questions — why did he have that bandage on his head, and why wasn’t he home in time to go to meeting? They had been very worried about him. When he told them the whole story, they were very sorry that he was hurt, but his father reminded him that it was the result of his disobedience. As a further punishment, he would not be allowed to go out to play after school for two weeks. Being grounded for two weeks would have seemed unbearable before today’s experience, but now he had a far greater worry. He knew he was not ready for the Lord to come.

Alone in his room, he threw himself on his bed and cried to God to save him from the punishment that his sins deserved, and to make him ready for the Lord’s coming. He told God that he wanted Jesus to be his Saviour. He thanked God for giving His only Son to die on the cross for sinners like him. Now he believed the verses he had only memorized before. His heart was filled with happiness, because now he had peace with God. Down the stairs he flew to tell Mother and Dad the good news!

That night there was joy in heaven over one sinner repenting, and there was joy in Scott’s home, a joy never known until then. Today, many years later, Scott still remembers that night and the happiness that filled his heart, happiness that has never left him.

ML-03/22/1987

Tree Climbers

Recently I watched Eddie, shown in this picture, climb a tree. He loves to do this and he climbs quite well.

It reminded me of a man in the Bible who once climbed a tree. His name was Zacchaeus, and he was a short little man. He climbed a tree because he wanted to see Jesus who was coming along the road in the middle of a crowd of people.

But when Jesus came by the tree where Zacchaeus was sitting, he looked up and said, “Zacchaeus, make haste, and come down; for to-day I must abide at thy house.” And he did just what Jesus told him to do.

Zacchaeus was a sinful man, just like you and me. But before the day was over, Jesus said to him that salvation had come to him. This meant that Jesus had forgiven all his sins, he was saved, and someday he would go to heaven to live with Jesus.

Boys and girls, Jesus knows all about your sins, but He wants you to come to Him. He is calling you just like He called Zacchaeus. He wants to come into your heart and live with you until He takes you home to heaven. Won’t you make room for Him and say to Him now, “Lord Jesus, I want You to be my Saviour.” “Believe on the Lord’ Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” Acts 16:31.

You may read the story of Zacchaeus for yourself in your own Bible in Luke 19:1-10.

ML-03/22/1987

The Charming Ocelot

The Wonders of God’s Creation

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

Ocelots, about twice the size of a house cat, are considered by many to be the most beautiful of all animals. They have pretty faces with long, white whiskers and small, upright ears pointing foard. Most are whitish or a tawny yellow, but the fur may also be reddish or dark gray. Whatever their color, they are always spotted with beautiful black markings over their entire body.

These decorative spots are in a variety of shapes, usually round, but sometimes oval or connected in chainlike streaks. Tails may be ringed or marked with dark bars, but the under-surface will be white, as is the inside of their legs. Strangely, markings on one side may differ from those on the other, and no two ocelots are ever marked the same way.

These are tropical animals, at home in the marshy areas or riverbeds of the humid jungles of Central America, as well as in the thick brush of Texas and Arizona, and as far south as Argentina in South America.

Active during the night, most ocelots sleep on tree limbs, or curl up inside a hollow tree or in the shade of dense bushes during daylight hours. Wherever possible they make their homes in trees and walk silently along the branches surrounding them.

In some areas their favorite food is monkey meat. They sometimes play dead to attract a monkey, then suddenly pounce on it. If monkeys are not available, they annoy farmers by going after lambs, young pigs or rabbits, but their diet also includes rats, mice, birds, snakes and lizards. Rather than chase their victims, they drop on them from a tree limb or silently stalk them through the woods or brush.

In past years the beautiful furs of these animals have been their downfall, as hunters have trapped and killed them in great numbers. This is now against the law, although there are always some who disregard this fact and kill them anyway.

The spotted coats of ocelots are an indication of the Creator’s care over them, providing effective camouflage in the light and shadows of their home areas. They, of course, know nothing of the Creator’s care, but as the Bible verse at the beginning of this article indicates, there is no creature, no matter how small or how large, how beautiful or how plain, that is not an object of His mercies and kindness.

But there is another Bible verse that every boy and girl, as well as every adult, may claim: “How precious also are Thy thoughts unto me, O God! how great is the sum of them!” Psalms 139:17. Have you thanked Him for those precious thoughts?

ML-03/22/1987

"Arrest That Man!"

Memory Verse: “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

At the beginning of this century Jack Williams was the most-wanted outlaw in the state of Minnesota. Many sheriffs were “madder than hornets,” not only because of the crimes he committed in their towns, but also because he always escaped from them.

Once, in a fight he shot a man, wounding him badly. Women who had seen the fight ran out into the street pointing and shouting to the law officers, “Arrest that man!”

Jack escaped by running away, with the sheriff chasing him and shooting at him. Jack ran to the edge of town, which was on the banks of the Mississippi River. There a friend of his was waiting to whisk him away in his boat. Jack raced down the pier, running as fast as he could, and leaped into the boat. Just as the boat pulled away, a bullet struck his leg, breaking the bone.

Once again he had escaped, but the search for Jack Williams didn’t stop. Posses were formed and crisscrossed Minnesota searching for him.

Crippled by his broken leg, Jack fled to his father’s cabin in the North Woods. He reached it late at night, opened the door and crept in.

His father, awakened by the noise, lit a lamp and cried out, “Who’s there?”

“Father, it’s your son, Jack. I busted my leg and I’m hurting. Let me wait here for a doctor.”

For a long minute the old man looked at his son lying on the floor. He knew Jack was a criminal. With feelings of anger and disgust he shouted, “This is my house and I want no outlaws in it! Get out!” He set his lamp down, grabbed his son by his coat collar, dragged him out the door, and left him on the steps.

The pain of being dragged across the floor was too much for Jack. He fainted. When he came to, he remembered a root cellar that was nearby that hadn’t been used for years. He crawled into it and hid.

Jack’s friend with the boat knew Jack had gone to his father’s cabin. From the root cellar Jack kept watching until he saw his friend coming and waved to him. His friend had brought a doctor who set his leg. He also brought food and water and a kerosene lamp. Jack hid in that root cellar for a few months until his leg was strong enough so he could walk again.

Following little-used trails, he walked to the town of Brainerd where he robbed the general store. Then he made his way to the Black Duck Logging Company headquarters.

The manager of the logging company was new to Minnesota and didn’t recognize Jack. Jack asked for a job. The only job open was far out in the deep woods of the back country. This was exactly what Jack wanted. He took the job at once. He figured a remote logging camp would be a good hiding place from the law. He worked there as a lumberjack for several months.

One Sunday while the men were sitting down in the mess hall just about to eat their supper, the door was kicked open and in walked a big, burly man named Frank Higgins. Frank was what the lumberjacks called a “skypilot,” because he went through the logging camps telling the men about the way to heaven through faith in Christ.

After Frank had eaten dinner with the men, he stood up, pulled a Bible out of his pocket and said, “Boys, I have come to have a gospel service with you.”

Jack Williams would liked to have walked out right then, but he didn’t want to draw the stranger’s attention to himself; he didn’t want him to get suspicious.

First, they sang a few hymns. After a short prayer Frank began his message. “Boys, I want to tell you today about a parable Jesus told to a crowd that was even rougher than you. This parable is known as the ‘Story of the Prodigal Son.’"

Frank described the happy home of the father and his two sons. He told them of the younger son’s love for pleasure and adventure which led him to leave his happy home and travel into a faraway country. Then he described how the younger son fell into misery and ruin. He also told them how in his misery and hunger the younger son came to his senses and decided to return to his father’s house. Frank read the verse, “And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.” Luke 15:20. Looking up at the men he noticed a man at the back of the room with an angry look on his face. Frank thought he was one of the meanest-looking men he had ever seen. Of course, it was Jack.

Frank continued with his message, telling the men how the story explains the way God loves and forgives sinners. After his message was over he prayed again and went outside. In a few minutes he bumped into Jack. Jack still looked angry.

Frank asked, “What’s the matter, friend? Didn’t you like that story?”

“That soft talk about his old man taking him in is a lot of hogwash, Mister! I should know. I went back home when even the pigs wouldn’t have me. I was sick and hurt and my father dragged me out of the house!” Jack answered angrily.

“I see what you mean,” Frank said, “but you should have gone to your other Father first.”

“Not me, Mister. I’m too bad for God to have anything to do with.”

“Hold on there,” Frank replied. “Let me read you a verse.” He opened his Bible to 1 John 1:7 and read, “If we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.”

“Now,” Frank continued, “when God says all sin He means all sin; He doesn’t mean half of our sins. If you were Judas himself, God could forgive and cleanse you from your sins, because Jesus shed His blood on the cross.”

Frank saw that Jack was really listening. He continued. “God has promised that ‘If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.’ Romans 10:9. You know, I don’t even know your name, but do you know that you are a sinner? Do you want salvation?”

As Jack stood there listening to the gospel being simply explained, a sense of his sins filled him. For the first time in his life, he saw his sins not the way man sees them, but the way God sees them, and he hated them. He heard the offer of salvation as if God Himself were speaking to him. Hot tears started streaming down his face. “Yes,” he cried, “I want Jesus to save me.”

The two of them kneeled down together and prayed. In a moment Jack’s soul was turned “from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God.” Acts 26:18. The Father welcomed another prodigal son home that night. After that Jack Williams lived faithfully for the Lord Jesus, serving Him and telling others of His love.

Your sins may not seem as bad or as many as Jack’s were. But it’s not how bad you are or how many sins you have that will keep you out of heaven. One sin is enough to keep you out of heaven! The Bible tells us “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23. Because you are a sinner you need the Saviour as much as even the worst sinner does. Without Him you will never be saved and be in heaven.

Jack fled to the logging camp to find a hiding place from man’s law, and while he was there he found a hiding place in the love of God the Father who gave His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to die in the sinner’s place. Wouldn’t you like to come to the same hiding place? If you would, then “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” Acts 16:31. Do it now, for, “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:2.

ML-03/29/1987

The Spectacular Humpbacked Whale: Part 1

The Wonders of God’s Creation

“And God created great whales, and every living creature... which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind.” Genesis 1:21.

Some humpbacked whales are 50 feet long and weigh 40 tons. They are extremely strong, with big flippers and huge, flat tails controlling their motions. They can swim 25 miles per hour and at times dive nearly a mile below the surface. Although they seem gentle and playful they can be dangerous, too. Anyone closing in on a mother with her calf will find her quite ready to smash their small boat with a slap of her tail.

Looking down on one of these whales from above, its black back is not easy to distinguish from the dark water, and looking up from underneath, its white underparts blend with the sky. These safeguards represent provisions of the Creator, helping to protect them from their enemies — principally men above and sharks and killer whales below.

Of all mammals, whales are most perfectly at home in water, although they have to come up for air from time to time. Rising to the surface, they get rid of the stale air in their lungs through a “blowhole” on their backs. This makes what looks like a waterspout rising 12 feet or more into the air, but is actually just hot vapor condensing as their used air hits the cold atmosphere. Those who hunt whales (mostly just Eskimos now) watch for these “spouts” to locate their prey.

The greatest number of humpbacks are in the Pacific Ocean, many spending winters in the cold waters of Alaska and the Bering Sea where food is plentiful. Their thick coat of blubber keeps them warm in these cold waters. In springtime they migrate — some to Mexico and some to Hawaii (distances of about 6000 miles). Both places provide warm tropical waters where the females give birth to their babies (which are called calves) and shortly thereafter all return North. In the Atlantic similar migrations are made from northern Canadian waters to southern areas. These migrations are watched by people along those shores, just as they are watched on the West Coast.

We may wonder how these big creatures know when it is time to leave for the southern waters and how they find their way over such a great distance. You may have heard that recently one did get confused, left the ocean at San Francisco’s Golden Gate and would have died if people hadn’t managed to get it back to the ocean. But that was a rare exception of one that did not follow the God-given instincts that guide and instruct them.

How much more important it is for us to know the way to heaven, for we can never get there by our own efforts. The only way is by believing on the Lord Jesus Christ, who said: “I am the way, the truth, and the life.” John 14:6. Are you trusting in that Way?

(to be continued)

ML-03/29/1987

"Bear" And the Porcupine

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

“Bear” is the name of a big furry dog. He is called “Bear” because he has a head that looks something like a bear’s and a very thick neck. He is black all over except for his paws, which are white.

The first few times I saw Bear he growled at me and frightened me even though his master was standing right there.

Bear could hunt quite well in the woods. None of the small animals were safe once he decided to track them down... that is, until he met “Mr. Porcupine.” Bear’s strength, his fierce growl, and his great hunting ability didn’t do him one bit of good when he met him.

His first scrap with Mr. Porcupine was perhaps the most unpleasant.

Without the help of his master and the veterinarian, Bear would have died.

Since Bear had never seen a porcupine before, you can probably guess how he went after it... the wrong way. He pounced on the porcupine and tried to bite him. The porcupine arched its back so that its quills, which come out easily, stuck not only into Bear’s chin, nose, cheeks and paws, they also stuck inside his mouth and even in his throat! Poor Bear!

When his master arrived home he found Bear whimpering in agony and about as sick as any dog could be. His master got a pair of pliers and pulled out as many quills as he could. But the ones in: ear’s throat had to be left for the vet to take out. Bear was in pain for at least another week and had to take medicine so the quill punctures wouldn’t get infected.

What do you think Bear did the next time he saw that porcupine? You wouldn’t believe it! He went right after it again. He didn’t attack quite as forcefully as he did the first time, but he still had to go to the animal hospital to have more quills removed and have more medicine. This happened six times before he learned to leave the porcupine alone!

Doesn’t that sound stupid? Perhaps. But you know, boys and girls, we are a lot like that dog. We think we are strong and able and a match for sin and the devil. But just as Bear didn’t learn the first time, even after we get “stung” by sin we don’t always learn our lesson right away either.

Bear would have died if his master had not come to his rescue. You and I would die in our sins if our Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, had not come to rescue us. The Bible says that “the sting of death is sin” (1 Cor. 15:56), and that “all have sinned.” (Rom. 3:23.) Satan, too, has “fiery darts” that he hurls at us. We certainly are no match for sin or Satan. We need a Master, a Saviour who can save us from the awful result of sin. The Lord Jesus died and shed His blood to wash away all our sins. “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7. Though “the wages of sin is death... the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Rom. 6:23. Won’t you accept Him as your Saviour? Trusting God and the Lord. Jesus gives us a shield to protect us from those fiery darts. The Bible says, “taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked.” Eph. 6:16. Won’t you “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and... be saved"? Acts 16:31. What a Saviour!

ML-04/05/1987

"No Trespassing!"

Joe and I used to have a lot of fun as we walked back and forth to school. We lived in the country, and the road to the school was about a mile long. There were fields and woods on both sides of the road, but no houses. Sometimes we would see a farmer on a tractor in the field, but usually there was nobody around. We used to run through the woods, climb the trees and sometimes pick the flowers along the way.

One day, we noticed a big new sign which read, “No Trespassing.” It was a post just at the edge of the woods where we liked to play. This sign meant we had to stay on the road and not go into these woods. It meant we could no longer climb the trees or pick the flowers. We didn’t like that sign because it took away some of our fun. We wanted to just forget it was there. We threw a few stones at it the first day. Each day when we walked by, we threw more stones at it. Then we got the idea of throwing mud at it, until finally we could hardly read the words anymore.

We were acting like boys and girls who don’t like the warning signs in the Bible and who do their best to stay away from anyone who might tell them about Jesus.

One morning as we passed the woods, we saw a new sign had been put up with the same big black letters, “No Trespassing.” This time, we climbed the fence and pulled up the sign, post and all, and then we ran away as fast as we could. But somebody had seen us. The farmer had been watching, and he chased us all the way to school, He went right into the principal’s office. It didn’t take the principal long to find out who the bad boys were. We were punished not only at school, but when we got home, too! The farmer had gotten our names and phone numbers and called our parents. We had to pay for the sign we ruined and replace the sign we had pulled up.

We should have had enough sense to know that ruining the first sign and pulling up the second sign did not change the law, “No Trespassing.” Many people think that they won’t have to answer to God if they just forget about Him and don’t pay any attention to what the Bible says.

We ran away from the farmer for almost a mile, but we were caught and punished. Some people go on for fifty years or more, running away from God. But in the end, they will be punished for their sins. “The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Rom. 6:23.

The farmer who caught us was angry with us. But God, against whom you have sinned, loves you and wants to forgive you. He hates your sins, but loves you so much that His own Son, the Lord Jesus, was punished for sin on Calvary’s cross. He died for your sins so that you can go free, if you will just ask Him to be your Saviour.

“There is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12.

ML-04/05/1987

The Spectacular Humpbacked Whale: Part 2

The Wonders of God’s Creation

“Behold, [God] spreadeth His light upon [the world], and covereth the bottom of the sea.” Job 36:30.

On both the Atlantic and Pacific seacoasts great numbers of people gather each year to watch the migrations of humpbacked whales. They sometimes see whole schools throwing their big bodies into the air, as if competing with one another. At other times they are seen “lob-tailing” (standing on their heads with the rest of their bodies in the air), waving their big flukes and making huge splashes when they drop back to the surface.

Frequently they lift their tails above the water and bring them down, making tremendous waves. At other times they swim at great speed and “breach,” leaping clear of the water and landing their entire bodies in one great splash. No wonder people gather by the thousands to see these performances!

As a porpoise will often do, some of these giants play tag with a large boat for an hour or so, coming up on one side, swimming under and popping up on the other, to the amusement of all on board. Playful by nature, they seem to enjoy showing off in all these ways.

The long migrations end in warm, shallow bays where calves are born under water. Some of these new calves are as long as 13 feet. Usually a female “nurse” is on hand and helps the mother push the newborn up to the surface for its first breath of fresh air. Isn’t it amazing that the little one has been given an instinct by the Creator so that it doesn’t breathe in water right after birth and drown? After experiencing fresh air for the first time, it drops back, and, again, a God-giver instinct tells it to drink the warm rich milk of its mother. While doing this it must return to the surface for more air over and over again, until its hunger is satisfied.

The fathers (bulls) have a large number of mothers (cows) and calves for which they are responsible, but when danger comes they usually swim away, leaving the cows to take care of themselves and the little ones. That’s not very brave of them, is it?

It is interesting that in the Bible where the ocean is spoken of it says: “There is that leviathan [whale], whom Thou hast made to play therein.” Psa. 104:26. So we see that the Lord God, the Creator, intended whales to enjoy their playfulness, just as boys and girls do. And He is pleased for young people to be happy and playful, as long as they are also obedient, kind and thoughtful of others. True happiness is one of His great gifts and comes from faith in Him and His Word which tells us: “Whoso trusteth in the Lord, happy is he.” Prov. 16:20. Is this true of you?

ML-04/05/1987

In Trouble Without Knowing It

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

Do you think it is possible to be in trouble and not know it? Ian and Jim learned the answer to that question.

One day they rowed their boat to a little island which was only a large rock in the harbor of the fishing village where they lived. They got out of their boat and pulled it up on the island.

What fun they were having playing on their own island! No one else was there that might be bothered by them or tell them to be quiet or in any way spoil their fun.

Boys and girls, and men and women too, like to have their own way. Nobody wants to be told what to do or what not to do. “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man; but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Proverbs 16:25.

Many people think that we can do as we please and that since we only live once we might as well enjoy it. “When you die,” they say, “that is the end of you.” “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” (Eccl. 11:9), is their whole idea. They forget that the end of this verse says, “but know thou, that for all these things God will bring thee into judgment.” So they go on living without thinking of God and that some day they must face Him.

While Ian and Jim were playing, the tide rose high enough to make their boat float off the rock. It began to drift away. The boys were stranded on their island, but they did not know they were in trouble. They were so busy playing they never thought about the tide coming in.

“It’s almost time for supper,” Ian said. “We better go back to the shore.”

What an unhappy surprise the two boys had when they discovered their boat was gone. They could see it drifting away. It was out of their reach.

Do you think they went on playing and having fun? No! They began to call loudly, “HELP! HELP!”

People in the fishing village heard their calls for help. It wasn’t long before a motorboat headed out to their little rock island to rescue them and their drifting boat.

Why should anyone live a sinful life without God?

God’s punishment for sin is ahead for all who do not trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour. Maybe you have not thought about it very much, but it is dangerous to go on without calling to God for help. “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:13.

Just as the villagers on shore came to the boys’ rescue when they heard their calls for help, so the Lord Jesus, who loves you, will hear your call to Him and will rescue you from your sins. He said, “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.” John 6:37.

Are you still stranded in your sins? Have you called for help?

ML-04/12/1987

Mary's Two Bibles

Mary was the daughter of a missionary couple in India. She was born in India and lived there until she was six years old. When it was time for her to start to school, her parents sent her back to America to live with her grandmother. Mary’s grandmother was very kind to her and often told her Bible stories and did many things to make her happy.

As Mary learned to read and write, she would send letters back to her parents in India. They sent many letters to her, too, which she loved to receive. At first, her grandmother would have to read them to her. But it wasn’t long before she could read them herself.

One day when she was almost seven, she received a letter from her father. In it he included some money and a note which said, “You will soon be having your seventh birthday, Mary. I have enclosed some money for you to buy yourself a new Bible as your birthday present.”

“That’s just what I wanted!” exclaimed Mary happily.

A few days later, on her birthday, Mary and her grandmother went to a bookstore. They looked at all the different kinds of Bibles. There were big ones and little ones, some had gold edges on the pages, and some had leather covers which cost more. It was hard to make a decision. After looking at them for almost fifteen minutes, Mary told the saleslady how much money she had and asked if it would buy two Bibles.

“Yes, it would,” replied the saleslady, “but not the nice ones you’re looking at.”

Mary’s grandmother heard this and asked, “Mary, why do you want two Bibles?”

“Because I want one for myself and one to send to a girl in India who is my age, so that she may learn about Jesus, too,” answered Mary.

So Mary bought two Bibles. They didn’t have gold-edged pages or soft, leather covers. But the saleslady told Mary, “The inside is just the same!”

As soon as Mary got home, she printed her name in one of them. Her grandmother helped her carefully wrap the second Bible to be sent with a letter to her parents. She thanked them for her Bible and asked them to please give the second Bible to a seven-year-old girl in India.

Mary read her Bible every day and learned more and more of the love of Jesus. Her favorite verse was, “We love Him, because He first loved us.” 1 John 4:19. She read in a letter from her father that the second Bible had been given to a seven-year-old girl, just as Mary had asked. Each day Mary prayed for her unknown friend in India, that she also might learn to know all about the love of Jesus and how He had died on the cross for her, too.

Many years later, after Mary finished going to school, she went back to India to be with her father and mother and to help them in their missionary work. Not long after she arrived, she met a young Indian girl and learned that she was a happy Christian.

“How did you learn about the Lord Jesus?” Mary asked her one day.

“When I was seven years old, I was given this Bible,” answered the girl. “I read it and learned how the Lord Jesus loved me and died for me.

Mary had found her unknown friend! This was the seven-year-old girl who had received Mary’s second Bible and for whom Mary had been praying all these years.

Do you have a Bible? If you will read it, you will learn about God’s love and how He sent His only Son, the Lord Jesus, to die for your sins. If you already know Him as your Saviour, why not do what Mary did — pass on God’s Word to others, so that they can learn of God’s love and be saved.

“Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away.” Matthew 24:35.

ML-04/12/1987

No Love for Fire Ants

The Wonders of God’s Creation

“Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the Lord. Do not I fill heaven and earth?” Jeremiah 23:24.

We have considered many kinds of ants in past articles, discovering how interesting are the ways the Creator has ordered their lives. But as we look at fire ants we will understand why many people wish they could be wiped off the earth, for they only spell trouble wherever they choose to live.

This big, bright-red ant was originally a resident of South America, living in its forests and fields. However, about 40 years ago a few found their way into the southern United States. People, unfortunately, didn’t pay much attention to them at that time. They multiplied rapidly though, and before long they appeared in many places in great numbers. Today millions of them live in the entire area from Florida and Georgia west into Texas and are getting more numerous every day.

If you ever get one on you, you will soon know why they are so unpopular, for their sting is painful and itchy, raising a red welt that hurts for several days. But for farmers it is even more serious; the ants infest their fields, building underground nests that soon rise a foot or more above the soil and coating them with a sticky material that dries as hard as cement. These become hidden among the crops, and when farm equipment passes over them it gets damaged and requires expensive repair, only to have it happen all over again if another mound is run over. Sometimes the crop-grower gets so discouraged that he leaves his crop unharvested, which of course means no income from it.

As though not satisfied with damaging farm machinery, they also devour some of the crops as well as killing young, tender orchard trees. Their ferocious appetites also harm much wildlife — birds, insects, small animals and even snakes being among their frequent victims. Of course, great and expensive efforts are made to find a means of killing them off, but they are so tough that this has not been successful. People now realize they just waited too long.

The carelessness of people 40 years ago, who first experienced fire ants and did nothing about them until it was too late, is a lesson for us about every sin (even ones that seem very small) that we commit. If we ignore them, then, like the fire ants, they get worse and worse until they have real control over our lives.

How important it is to confess our sins to the Lord Jesus just as soon as they happen. If we ask sincerely, He will guide us in a right way so they will not be repeated. His promise is, “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. Don’t put off doing this!

ML-04/12/1987

The Appointed Day

Memory Verse: “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: so Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many.” Hebrews 9:27,28

I was looking for a dog to be my pet and saw an advertisement in the newspaper. The ad was for a toy fox terrier named Susie. Her master had died, and she was being kept in a garage by some kind neighbors who were taking care of her. This sounded like a dog who not only needed a home, but needed someone to love her and take good care of her. I was interested.

When I first saw her she came running to me, very excited just to see someone. She melted my heart when I saw her. I could only think of how alone she was with no one to love her. I took her home with me, and both of us were very happy.

It was just Susie and me until I was married five years later. Susie still remained as one of the family. My wife and I loved to go for bike rides with Susie sitting in the basket of my bike. She loved going anywhere in a car or on a bike.

When Susie was 12 years old she became sick. We took her to the vet, and he said that Susie had a disease called sugar diabetes. It reminded me that we all have a disease called sin. “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23. Isn’t it wonderful that we have a loving Saviour who can save us from our sickness of sin and make us healthy and well again by His death on the cross.

For a while Susie’s disease was controlled by shots of insulin each day. The time came, however, when the little dog just kept getting worse. She lost a lot of weight. We felt so sorry for her since there was nothing more we could do to help her. We have a Saviour to whom we can turn for help with our needs and troubles, and He is there, ready, willing and able to answer our prayers.

The day finally came that we had to make an appointment with the vet to have her put to sleep. It was terribly hard to think about Wednesday, May 1, 1985 at 3:45 p.m. But the appointment had to be kept, and Susie was put to sleep.

Each of us has an appointed day when we have to leave this world.

None of us knows just when that appointed day is, so it’s very important to get ready right now. If the Lord Jesus has cleansed you from your disease of sin, then you are ready to go — even if today should be your last day on earth. Those of us who are ready don’t dread leaving this world because we look forward to being with the Lord Jesus in heaven. But if you still have your disease of sin, the Bible warns that instead of happiness in heaven with the Lord Jesus, you will have to face punishment for your sins. “It is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: so Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many.” Hebrews 9:27,28.

Are you ready for your appointed day?

ML-04/19/1987

The Little Stowaway

Many years ago in one of the harbors of England, a ship was being loaded for a long trip. A young boy had been watching the loading of the big ship. As the crew boarded, he quickly decided that he was going to go, too. He was tired of school and tired of his foster home, and had always wanted to go on an adventure. So when nobody was looking, he slipped on board the ship and hid. Soon the whistle blew, and the large cargo ship moved slowly out of the harbor.

The ship had been out to sea for less than a day when the captain and all his crew wished they had never started the trip. They knew before they left port that a tropical storm was approaching. But now the storm had increased in strength and had become a hurricane. The young stowaway boy came out of hiding. He was very sick and very scared. He also wished that he were back home, even back in school.

For hours the ship struggled against the huge waves. Then real problems developed! A leak allowed water to get into one of the ship’s engine rooms, which caused the ship to lose power. Then the steering gear broke, and the ship turned broadside to the waves. Wave after wave broke over the deck and leaked into the other engine rooms, flooding all of them. Everyone knew the ship was in real trouble! To make matters worse, it was being blown toward the rocks along the coast of Wales. Before the ship struck the rocks, they radioed an SOS and their position.

“Abandon ship! Abandon ship!” came the call from the captain.

Quickly, the lifebelts were handed out to each of the crew, and the lifeboats were lowered. One by one the crew jumped into the churning waters and were pulled into one of the lifeboats. Everyone had forgotten about the stowaway on board — everyone, that is, except the captain. When the crew was all safe in the lifeboats, he found the boy crying in one of the ship’s cabins.

The captain put his own lifebelt on the boy, and then lifting him up carried him to the railing of the ship. Still holding the boy, the captain jumped into the raging seas just as a huge wave broke over the ship. The force of the wave tore the boy from the captain’s arms and swept them both away from the waiting lifeboats. The crew, rowing as hard as they could, was able to rescue the boy. But the captain, without a lifebelt, drowned. The kind, brave captain gave up his life to save the stowaway boy.

What was it about the stowaway that brought out the kindness of the captain? The boy shouldn’t have been on the ship at all, and he really deserved to be punished. It was the kindness of the captain’s heart that saved the boy’s life.

Let’s stop a minute and look at the cross of Calvary. There the Lord Jesus Christ gave Himself to die for sinners. By suffering on the cross for our sins He has opened up the gates of heaven. Now we, poor guilty sinners washed clean of our sins, can enter the Father’s home forever.

If the boy had refused the captain’s lifebelt he would have drowned. If you refuse God’s offer of mercy, you will perish also. Accept His offer of mercy now, and you will be in heaven with the Lord forever.

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

ML-04/19/1987

The Bluefin Tuna

The Wonders of God’s Creation

“Let the heaven and earth praise Him, the seas, and everything that moveth therein.” Psalms 69:34.

There are few places in the world where you would find people who have not tasted and enjoyed tuna fish. There are many varieties of them, and it is estimated that about two million tons are caught each year for the fish markets or by sportsmen.

The largest is the bluefin that in mature size matches a shark or porpoise; a big one reaches 13 feet in length and weighs half a ton. But most that are caught are around three feet long, which is big enough to give a sports fisherman a real battle.

Although found in every ocean, many live in the Atlantic Ocean, with Nova Scotia and Norway being two of the places where great numbers feed. Big ones, ten feet or longer, are often taken in these places. Most are packed in ice and shipped to cities throughout Canada, the United States and Europe, as well as many being flown to other countries.

The bluefin shares with all tuna a very distinctive shape. From its large mouth to the very narrow connection at its crescent-shaped vertical tail, it is as streamlined as a dolphin, enabling it to glide through the water as easily as a bird sails through the air. It is a pretty fish, deep-blue along its well-muscled body in which the Creator has provided an extra-strong heart, so that many live to be 30 to 35 years old. It is swift and active all its life — on occasion speeding up to 50 miles per hour!

The Atlantic tuna migrate each year from the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the Mediterranean Sea in schools estimated to contain as many as 10,000. These migrations, as far north as the Arctic Circle and back, set a long-distance record in the fish world.

Females lay tremendous quantities of eggs which float near the surface. These hatch and grow rapidly, but many become the victims of hungry sea creatures. Those that survive weigh about nine pounds in a year’s time and become mature in three or four years, but keep on growing no matter how old they become.

Tuna, as well as all other creatures, are always under God’s care and live their lives through instincts He has given them. In the Bible we also find that “His eyes are upon the ways of man, and He seeth all his goings.” Job 34:21. We should thank Him for this, but even more for the message, “In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live [have eternal life] through Him.” 1 John 4:9. Have you thanked Him for that love and made the Lord Jesus Christ your own Saviour?

ML-04/19/1987

He Took My Place

Memory Verse: “He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” Romans 8:32

During the winter of 1944-1945, I was in the U.S. Army, 503 Engineers, stationed in Germany. This was near the end of World War II. Our job was to build bridges so the troops could cross the rivers. Being in Headquarters Platoon, my job was to keep the trucks and other vehicles in running order. Although the other platoons built the bridges, we had to take our turn guarding them.

On this particular afternoon I checked the bulletin board and found my name listed for guard duty that night. It was a cold, wintry day and I did not have a warm coat. I headed right over to the supply room to get one so I could keep warm while on guard duty.

When I came out of the supply room to get on the guard truck, it had already left! Turning to some soldiers standing nearby, I asked, “What happened? Where’s the guard truck? I’m supposed to be on it.”

They answered, “Sergeant McGraw took your place. He wanted to go.”

This was not the first time a friend had taken my place. Nearly 2000 years ago the Lord Jesus Christ took my place on Calvary’s cross and bore all the punishment that I deserve for my sins. He took my place because He loves me. Sergeant McGraw was a good friend, but he did not take my place on guard duty because he was my friend; he took it because he wanted excitement.

I was glad not to have to go on guard duty that cold night.

The next day I looked around for Sergeant McGraw, but I couldn’t find him. When I asked where he was I was told that while he was standing guard that night an artillery shell came in close, and he lost an arm. Not only did he take my place on guard duty, but he was wounded in the line of duty. Had he known what taking my place was going to cost him, he probably would not have gone.

I want to tell you something amazing and hard for me to understand. My Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ, took my place at Calvary, knowing exactly what it was going to cost Him — His life. It was no accident. This was God’s plan. And the Lord Jesus, God’s beloved Son, loved not only His Father and obeyed Him, but He loved me so much that He would die that terrible death for me. “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. Such love cannot be explained; it can only be accepted.

Sergeant McGraw did not lose his life. He was taken to the hospital and then he was sent back to his home in Texas. I never saw him again.

But I am going to see my Saviour who died for me. After He died and was buried, God raised Him from the dead on the third day. Today He is living in heaven, sitting on the right hand of God. I am going to spend eternity with Him in heaven. “Let not your heart be troubled: ye believe in God, believe also in Me. In My Father’s house are many mansions.... I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” John 14:1-3.

This same Jesus loves you just as much as He loves me. Will you believe that He died in your place for your sins? Will you accept Him as your Saviour, just as I have? “Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us, and sent His Son to be the propitiation [sacrifice] for our sins.” 1 John 4:10. “Our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, that... we should live together with Him.” 1 Thessalonians 5:9,10.

Can you say “He took my place"?

ML-04/26/1987

Brought Through the Storm

The loaded cargo ship pulled away from the San Francisco pier on a beautiful fall morning. It was starting on a four-week journey to the South Pacific. There it would be unloaded and then reloaded with goods to be brought back to the United States. This was a routine trip for the sailors who were on this ship. There were times, however, when they became aware of their helplessness in the face of the forces of nature.

As the sunny days passed, there were no thoughts of problems in the sailors’ minds. However, when the ship was about 600 miles off the California coast, a storm sprang up, and the ship’s engines broke down. Suddenly, they had big problems!

On the lowest deck of the ship, two large tractors were tied down. Each of these weighed several tons. As the ship rolled and tossed in the storm with no engines to direct its course, one of the tractors broke loose and began rolling from side to side, crashing into the side of the ship with each roll. Although the sailors tried to tie it down again, it kept breaking loose. They finally gave up and told the captain that it was too dangerous to try to tie down the tractor.

Their problems continued to get worse. The loose tractor crashed into the second tractor, loosening it. Now both tractors rolled back and forth as the ship rolled in the huge waves. The storm was still raging, and the weight of the tractors would break through the side of the ship in a very short time.

As these thoughts rushed through the captain’s mind, he knew nothing could be done with the storm still raging and the engines not working. He called to his crew members and told them they all must pray. The crew gathered together, and each one prayed to the Lord of the universe to save them from certain death.

God, in His goodness, heard these desperate cries, and He calmed the storm. It was safe then for the Coast Guard to approach the ship and tow it back into port.

The ship, captain and crew members reached the port safely. But when the incident was discussed later, no credit was given to God. None of the crew stopped to thank God for saving them from the terrible storm.

There is another storm that God has made calm through His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. It is not the kind of storm that causes ships to be tossed on waves. It is the kind of storm that is caused by sin, because God hates sin. But because God loves us so much, He sent the Lord Jesus to die on the cross. All His hatred of sin was put on the Lord Jesus instead of you — if you take Him as your Saviour. Have you accepted the calming of this awful storm from God? Have you asked the Lord Jesus to be your Saviour? If you have not, then you will be punished for your own sins! “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.

Why not take the Lord Jesus as your own Saviour right now and be free of the punishment that must come on anyone who is not sheltered by Him.

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

ML-04/26/1987

Gazelles and Gerenuks

The Wonders of God’s Creation

“God... hath in these last days spoken unto us by His Son, whom He hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also He made the worlds.” Hebrews 1:1,2.

Two of Africa’s closely related animals are the gazelle and the gerenuk. You have probably seen tranquil pictures of these pretty animals in their soft tan and pure-white fur grazing on the open plains. While they retain separate herds, they frequently graze side by side. Both animals get enough moisture from their food that they can go longer without drinking water in that dry land than most animals.

These two are similar in many ways; the Creator adapted them well to their surroundings. They are long-legged and have long, curved horns that stand almost straight up over their small heads. Both have soft, dark eyes with good vision, as well as large, pointed ears for keen hearing. Both of them have long, slender necks, the gerenuk’s being the longer. In fact, its native name means “giraffe necked.”

Their food is primarily lush grass, but includes leaves and foliage of many trees and brush, and flowers and fruit from desert plants. One distinction of the gerenuk is its appetite for the foliage of the African thornbush which is covered with sharp spikes. It is amazing how it avoids the thorns, but manages, sometimes standing upright on its hind feet, to get at the high branches. Other animals avoid that thorny bush.

There are about 14 species of gazelles, some not conforming in all respects with the others. Most common is the Thompson’s, with a dark band on both sides. Two of the smallest are the Grant’s and dorcas varieties.

Another difference between them is the way they respond to the threat of vicious animals. Gazelles, aware of approaching wild dogs, lions, leopards, etc., immediately jump high in the air, bouncing up and down to signal the rest of the herd. Then they all run off at speeds up to 40 miles an hour.

The gerenuks react differently. When their keen senses tell of a nearby threat, they pass the message around, then freeze like statues, at times standing still for several minutes. The threatening enemy, realizing it has been spotted, usually leaves. But if it seems evident that the enemy is going to attack, the gerenuks dash off in strong leaps and bounds at great speed, usually escaping.

These animals are always in the care of the One who created them, as the Bible tells us: “The Lord is good to all: and His tender mercies are over all His works.” Psalms 145:9. He does not expect animals to know this, nor to thank Him for it.

But He has done something even greater for mankind in providing Himself as the Saviour of sinners. He invites you and me to personally accept His death on the cross to put away our sins forever. Will you come to Him as a sinner in need and accept His loving gift of forgiveness and eternal life with Him in heaven? Each one of us should accept His invitation and thank Him for such love.

ML-04/26/1987

Stuck in the Ice

Memory Verse: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1

It was a beautiful springtime evening and Mr. Jones had hopes of a nice, smooth overnight ride as he drove his car aboard the ferryboat Marine Atlantica for the 96-mile crossing over the Cabot Strait from Port aux Basques, Newfoundland, to North Sydney, Nova Scotia. In the back of his mind, however, was the thought that this was not the best time of the year to make the crossing, due to drifting ice problems. Each spring the St. Lawrence River breaks up and sends its heavy ice out into the Gulf of St. Lawrence. This often plays tricks on boats and ships traveling these waters.

The trip was quiet and smooth for the first hour or two, so Mr. Jones settled in for a little sleep.

Suddenly... he was awakened by a grinding sound and felt the ferry shake and lurch as it began to pound its way through an ice field. (These ferryboats are built for this task.) However, to his concern, the ferry soon was forced to a stop.

“Are we stuck?” he wondered. No, the ferry backed up, and then pushed forward again with a ramming drive through the ice. Some distance was gained before the ice again forced the ferry to a stop. The ferry continued this backward and forward travel for a surprising amount of time.

For Mr. Jones and the other passengers, sleep by now was out of the question! “Will we make it?... will we get through?” they all wondered.

No! They finally came to a complete halt! The ice won out! The wind pushing against the drifting ice field held the ferryboat in a vice-like grip. The captain shut down the engines. He could do nothing more.

What a reminder this is of how helpless we are. Every man, woman and child born into this world is “born in sin and shapers in iniquity.” We have no power to free ourselves from sin. But then comes the sweet ray of sunlight: “When we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” Romans 5:6.

By now it was early morning and beginning to get light. Every direction they looked, the passengers could only see the white of the widespread ice field... no other ships... no sight of land. How helpless they felt! What about getting to North Sydney? What about this day’s plans? Needless to say, Mr. Jones and the other passengers were filled with uncertainty. We have sometimes heard that “man’s disappointments are God’s appointments.” “Lo, all these things worketh God oftentimes with man.” Job 33:29.

After another two or three hours of waiting, some thought they heard the sound of a plane. Sure enough... away up high a coast guard helicopter was coming, sent out by an icebreaker boat to find the ferryboat. Help was on the way! Someone had known they were in trouble.

Boys and girls, do you know that the Lord Jesus has His eye upon you as a poor, helpless sinner in this world? He loves man, whom He created... but He doesn’t love his sins. “The Lord looked down from heaven upon the children of men, to see if there were any that did understand, and seek God. They are all gone aside, they are all together become filthy: there is none that doeth good, no, not one.” Psalms 14:2,3.

Finally, on the horizon the passengers could see a ship coming. Everybody was so happy and relieved. As they waited for the rescue ship to arrive, Mr. Jones, who loves the Lord Jesus, overheard a father tell his young son, “They are coming to save us.” What do you think crossed Mr. Jones’s mind? He was thinking of how the Lord Jesus first came into the world as a baby. His reason for coming — “He shall save His people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21. The Lord Jesus obeyed His Father’s will — He came all the way to the cross of Calvary to meet us in our need.

The John A. McDonald coast guard icebreaker was a happy sight as it plowed open a path through the ice. Hear that sound! Cracking, rumbling, ice breaking up in every direction — nothing could stop the icebreaker! It was able —just as we know the Lord Jesus “is able... to save them... that come unto God by Him.” Hebrews 7:25. Its hull was bright red, making it easy for the helicopter to see it from the air —another reminder of the great cost of our redemption — nothing less than “the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” 1 Peter 1:19.

Then, to the eager interest of all the passengers, the icebreaker made a complete circle around the ferry, breaking up the ice, setting it free from its ice prison. “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” John 8:36. What happy, what wonderful freedom for those who know the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour! They are free from their prison of sin!

Happiness and relief showed on the faces of all the passengers (we hope they were thankful, too) as the engines of the ferry were once again started.

“But wait... " thought Mr. Jones, “Where is the icebreaker going?... will they leave us?... what if we get stuck again?” His fears didn’t last long, for the icebreaker, without stopping, took the lead and broke open a path for the ferryboat all the way to the open waters of North Sydney! “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Heb. 13:5), said the Lord Jesus. He is an all-the-way-home Saviour!

Can you imagine how glad Mr. Jones and the other passengers were to drive their cars off the ferryboat and onto the solid ground of Nova Scotia?

ML-05/03/1987

A Mother Bird's Care

One day I was canoeing down a river in an out-of-the-way part of Canada. I could tell from my map that there was a high waterfall ahead, around which I would have to carry my canoe and supplies.

As I rounded a bend of the river, I could hear the roar of the waterfall, even though I was still 200 yards from it. I slowed the canoe and kept close to the bank of the river as I looked for the portage (trail) around the falls.

I could feel the water was beginning to flow quite swiftly as I searched for the portage. Backpaddling to slow the canoe, I noticed a branch floating by with a young bird clinging to it.

The mother bird was fluttering around, chirping and scolding, trying to get the young one to fly to shore. But it would not leave the branch which was now rushing towards the waterfall. When her fluttering and scolding didn’t do any good, the mother suddenly pushed the young bird off the branch, so that it had to fly to keep from falling into the water. The young bird flew to a tree on the shore where it was safe.

Although what the mother bird did may seem cruel, she saved her young one from going over the falls. How often the Lord works this way, too. Perhaps He has brought unhappiness into your life and you wonder why. What the mother bird did seemed unkind, but it was really the best thing for the young bird. So if some problem makes you turn to the Lord and, as a result, you acknowledge your need of Him as your Saviour and believe Him, it will then be for your good. How much better to have problems and unhappiness if it turns you to the Lord. God has shown His love to us by giving His only Son to die for our sins on Calvary’s cross. There He suffered and died for your sins, and now He waits to save everyone who will come to Him just as they are.

“All these things worketh God oftentimes with man, to bring back his soul from the pit.” Job 33:29,30.

ML-05/03/1987

Nature's Janitors: Part 1

The Wonders of God’s Creation

“The Lord is gracious, and full of compassion; slow to anger, and of great mercy. The Lord is good to all: and His tender mercies are over all His works.” Psalms 145:8,9.

All kinds of natural litter fall on the ground in the forests day and night. If it weren’t for busy crews of “janitors,” which the Creator has provided, long ago this litter would have piled up so deeply that life on the earth could not be possible. Trees, plants and other vegetation would not be able to withstand the pileup of tons of waste material smothering their roots. Animals, birds, fish and even humans dependent on plants and trees for food would starve — their dead bodies adding just that much more to such an awful situation.

What is this crew of “janitors” and what part do they play in the Creator’s plan? One of them, quite visible to us, is the common angleworm. Untold millions of them are constantly at work, eating their way through the soil and returning to the surface again and again to gather leaves, grass and other litter to take to their burrows for disposal.

But angleworms are just part of the visible crew. Lizards, mice, squirrels and other small animals do their part, as well as beetles and innumerable other insects, some visible, some invisible, all taking part in the endless chore of breaking down the litter of fallen leaves, dead trees and rotten material. As they eat this it passes through their digestive systems, becoming rich fertilizer which feeds the roots of existing vegetation as well as seeds just starting out. Mushrooms and toadstools also take part in the process.

If we could place on a scale all the beautiful fall leaves that drop on one acre, they would weigh over a ton, and in the tropical rain forests the leaves which fall to the ground would weigh three times that much. What becomes of all these when the time comes for new leaves to appear on the tree’s branches? Through the effects of sunshine, rain and snow, combined with the work of the “janitors,” it takes about two years for these to be changed into rich, soft soil. In evergreen forests of pine, fir, cedar, etc., it takes nearly twice as long, but these are eventually changed into new soil the same way.

When the Creator placed trees and vegetation on the earth on the third day of His new creation, He knew exactly what this lovely growth would need, and in His wisdom all this “janitorial” force was created to take care of it. This brings to mind the Bible verse, “Thou, even Thou, art Lord alone; Thou past made... the earth, and all things that are therein... and Thou preservest them all.” Nehemiah 9:6.

Because of all these silent helpers nothing is ever wasted in the wonderland of God’s creation, the earth. How wonderful it is that we can know Him not only as our Creator, but also as our loving Saviour. Do you know Him as your Saviour?

ML-05/03/1987

Mike

Memory Verse: “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12

Mike was an active little beagle dog, in spite of the fact that he looked somewhat overfed. He guarded his territory, fearlessly chasing away any trespassing dog, cat or wild animal. The size of a trespassing animal didn’t bother him at all, for he was a brave little dog.

One day Mike chased a trespassing rabbit out of the yard and followed it into the surrounding brush. He barked fiercely as he trailed it. His master stood by, smiling at Mike’s scrappy spirit.

Suddenly the fierce barking changed to a frightened, shrill yelping. Moments later Mike tore out of the brush, raced across the yard and leaped for safety right up into his master’s arms. At the edge of the clearing appeared two coyotes who were hot on the trail of their next meal... so they thought. They backed off when they saw Mike’s master and slunk away to look for some other prey.

Mike had left the safety of his master’s side. Chasing that rabbit took him beyond his boundaries and into an enemy’s territory. This mistake nearly cost him his life. But when trouble came, he knew that he would find safety in his master’s arms.

Those who know the Lord Jesus as their Saviour have a place of safety for their souls. “The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous runneth into it, and is safe.” Prov. 18:10. We are safe only when we stay close to our Saviour. Satan is just like those coyotes — he is “seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Peter 5:8. But the Lord Jesus saves all who come to Him. He loves you and wants not only to save your soul, but to protect and keep you safe. “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Rom. 10:13. Accept Him today as your Saviour. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.” Acts 16:31.

ML-05/10/1987

Stuck in a Well

Six-year-old Alfredo Rampi was visiting at his grandparents’ house when the accident happened. While playing in the field near the house, he fell into an open well. He was not found for several hours and then only after search parties heard his faint cries. The well opening was only 18 inches wide and narrowed to 12 inches, but it was very deep. Alfredo had fallen down the slippery, muddy well shaft. Down, down, down he slipped. The more he struggled, the farther down he slipped. Finally, he stopped sliding 120 feet below the surface.

Rescue equipment arrived quickly after Alfredo was found. Many attempts were made to lower ropes and hooks to the trapped boy. But Alfredo could not reach or even see the hooks, so these attempts failed.

The rescuers dug another shaft parallel to the well. Then a cross shaft was dug to the well. A cave expert named Claudio slithered down the opening of the rescue shaft. He started lowering himself headfirst at about midnight — 53 hours after Alfredo had fallen into the well. He made his way down the rescue shaft dug by the rescuers and through the cross shaft. But his shoulders were too wide to squeeze all the way through the cross shaft into the well where Alfredo was stuck. Claudio worked for over an hour trying to squeeze through. Exhausted, he had to give up.

Another expert cave explorer named Angelo then tried. He had a smaller body and was able to squeeze through to the well shaft. He discovered that Alfredo had slipped another 80 feet down the well. Angelo finally worked his way down to where Alfredo was stuck between the slippery walls.

Angelo reported on his walkie-talkie that he had reached the boy. When this news was heard, cheers came from the thousands of people who were now gathered at the site. “Hook him up! Hook him up!” firemen yelled over the walkie-talkie. Angelo worked as hard as he could, but Alfredo kept slipping in the mud beyond his reach. After an hour’s struggle, Angelo, mud-caked and gasping for air, was hauled back to the surface. He had tried, but had also failed.

There are millions in this world who are slipping down in sin just like Alfredo continued to slip down deeper in the well. The problem with most of these people is that they don’t know that they are in trouble. Satan has blinded them to what sin is and what the results of a sinful life are. Before they can be rescued from their sins, they have to realize that they are sinners. Once they know this, then they must admit that they can’t help themselves, that they are hopelessly stuck. This is very hard for most people to admit — that they can’t help themselves. Each one seems to have his own special way of trying to please God and get to heaven. But God has said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” John 14:6. You must come God’s way or not at all.

Using six different cave experts, many rescue attempts were made to reach Alfredo. All failed. They could get to him, but a slippery coating of mud prevented them from attaching rescue equipment to the child’s outstretched arms. The last of the rescuers reported that Alfredo’s arms were “stiff and cold.” When it became apparent that he had died, all further attempts to reach him were stopped.

The rescue of Alfredo Rampi had failed! It was not because he didn’t know he was trapped or didn’t want to be rescued. It was due to the inability of the rescuers to reach him.

How wonderful to know that the One who can rescue sinful man is completely able. But there are those who are still trying various other ways to save themselves. They are playing with danger!

Admit that you are helpless and cannot save yourself. Call to God, asking Him to save you. The work has already been done. The Lord Jesus loves you so much He died on the cross, shed His blood, and was punished for your sins so that you can be saved. All you have to do is accept His love by believing that He suffered and died for your own sins. Don’t put it off. The longer you wait, the further you slip into the shaft of sin. Why not accept Him right now as your Saviour?

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.

ML-05/10/1987

A Bible Searching

Swift “steed of the desert,” thy name must be told (Gen. 24:64),

Whose hair clothed a preacher, both faithful and bold (Mark 1:6).

Bird — type of sinner, by nature unclean.

The friend of corruption, you know what I mean (Gen. 8:7).

Majestic and powerful, the strength of thy wing

Like the way which the Lord His people did bring (Ex. 19:4).

A reptile so subtle so deadly its sting,

The horse and its rider to earth it can bring (Gen. 49:17).

Pure, gentle and harmless, thy blood must he spilt

Ere the sinner can have a remission of guilt (Lev. 14:22).

With head reared on high, and a beat of the wing,

The swiftest pursuers to scorn thou dost bring (Job 39:13-18).

So graceful thy form, so quick is thine ear.

Thou’rt off like the wind when danger is near (1 Chron. 12:8).

Now then, dear young readers, with Bible in hand,

Set down the initials, and then understand

That the name thus evolved remembered should be

In the days of thy youth, ere its precious years flee.

ML-05/10/1987

Nature's Janitors: Part 2

The Wonders of God’s Creation

“Yea, the darkness hideth not from Thee; but the night shineth as the day: the darkness and the light are both alike to Thee.” Psalms 139:12.

Many industries produce what is called “toxic waste” — material that is harmful to the soil and water with which it comes in contact. But while many of the things of nature also produce waste products, they are helpful rather than harmful. In fact, the Creator’s order in the things we call “nature” is that nothing is ever actually wasted; as trees, grass and other vegetation die, their very death is the first step in renewing life in the forest.

In our preceding article we learned of some of the visible things — weather and creatures — that help dispose of the forest’s litter and convert it to good soil to nourish new and old growth. But, even more important than those busy creatures are the invisible ones which work side by side with them. These are the bacteria that take over when the work of the others is completed. Many billions of bacteria, too small to be seen without a microscope, are always on hand to do their part in the whole process of breaking down the waste products of forests and orchards.

These organisms not only eat and secrete the softened material already partly decomposed by the great “janitorial” armies of insects and animals — each doing a tiny but important part in enabling more new growth to maintain itself and repeat the whole process year after year — but in some instances they work ahead of the others, preparing the material for them. We see the effect of these organisms in a piece of fruit with a brown mushy spot on it. Bacteria may start this and a bird or animal finish it off.

Almost all these “janitors” in the soil are too tiny to be seen by the naked eye, and no one but the Creator knows for sure how many different kinds there are. We do know there are billions and billions of them, more than could ever be counted, and all are a part of God’s wonderful creation.

All this activity is going on night and day, and few people are even aware of it. But God is not only aware of it, but is the One who has made them and given them their important place in this vast worldwide system, and He watches over them as they do their work.

As we think of this amazing activity and how that which has died becomes new life again, we can see a happy picture of the person who has trusted in the Lord Jesus as his Saviour, and how the Bible says this person has “passed from death unto life.” John 5:24. Another Bible verse explains more about this person: “If any man [or boy or girl] be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17.

These happy people enjoy entirely new lives in the sight of God, a life that will be theirs for eternity. Are you one of these changed people who has new life?

ML-05/10/1987

A Kangaroo's Fatal Attraction

Memory Verse: “Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.” Isaiah 46:22

Kangaroos are never seen hopping around in downtown Rome, Italy. Well, I should say, almost never.

One night, a runaway kangaroo (nobody knows where it came from) caused quite a commotion there. People parked their cars along the streets for blocks to watch the “hopper.”

If they were attracted by the kangaroo, he was even more attracted by the headlights of all the cars. He would hop along, pause in front of a car, put his nose really close to the headlights, cock his head to one side with a quizzical look on his face, and stand there as if he were trying to figure out the invention of the light bulb for a few seconds; then he’d hop along to inspect the next car’s headlights.

The folks in the cars found it quite funny as they watched the comical figure of the kangaroo peer into the bright beams of the car lights. They didn’t realize that thousands of kangaroos die every year in Australia as they leap into oncoming traffic, attracted by the headlights.

Their laughing came to a sudden end as a sports car came speeding around the corner. Just that quickly the kangaroo hopped out in front of it to take a closer look at the headlights.

The sports car could not stop in time.

An ambulance was called and rushed the poor kangaroo to the veterinarian at the Rome Zoo. Many of the people who had enjoyed watching the kangaroo followed the ambulance to the zoo. Sad to say, the vet wasn’t able to save its life. One more kangaroo’s attraction to headlights had proved fatal.

The kangaroo’s attraction to car headlights caused him to be hit by a car. Many children (and adults too) are so attracted to the pastimes of this life — sports, amusements, hobbies and other things — that they never take time to think about death and where they will spend eternity.

Have you ever thought seriously about death and eternity? The Bible teaches the truth, that those who are truly sorry about their sins and accept the Lord Jesus Christ as their own Saviour will spend eternity with Him in heaven. But those who find no time for Him and refuse His offer of forgiveness will be sent into everlasting punishment.

Don’t let attraction for the things of this world keep you from the Lord Jesus. He loves you very much and wants to save you. In His Word, the Bible, it is written, “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out” (John 6:37), and, “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” John 3:36.

ML-05/17/1987

Jennie Carey

Recently on a vacation trip we passed under an old wooden railroad bridge. It reminded me of the story of Jennie Carey.

Jennie was ten years old and lived in one of the western states. One day as she was playing in a field near her house, she saw smoke coming from the direction of the railroad tracks. She ran over to see where the fire was and found it under the railroad bridge that crossed a deep canyon. The bridge was built of logs and was very old. These logs were burning. Jennie could see that part of the bridge had already burned through. She knew that the bridge was not safe for a train to cross. She also knew that the daily passenger express was due to come by soon. She often would watch it cross the canyon and would wave at the passengers. She knew that she didn’t have time to run for help, so she would have to try to warn the train herself.

Jennie ran up the tracks as fast as she could. She got about one quarter of a mile from the bridge when she saw the train coming around the curve ahead. Standing in the middle of the track, she took off her jacket and frantically waved it up and down. She could not see the engineer, but she was praying that he would see her. As the train roared closer, she waved and yelled as loud as she could. At the last minute she jumped off the track, but kept waving her jacket as the engine rushed by. She heard the squealing of the brakes, which the engineer had already used to slow the train. Then Jennie knew that her warning had been seen. The train stopped just in time — just before the weakened bridge!

Jennie was a real heroine when her bravery was reported. The passengers, train crew and officials all thanked her for her brave act. Many lives were saved by what she did.

There are many people today who are heading toward eternity by “express.” They close their eyes and ears to all thoughts of danger. When they are warned of the punishment ahead, they turn away laughing and ignore the warning. Think what would have happened to the train’s passengers if the engineer had ignored the warning. He was responsible for his passengers and watched out for their safety. You are responsible for your actions towards God’s warning. He has provided an escape from the penalty that your sins deserve. His own Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, was punished on the cross for the sins of those who will believe in Him. Don’t put it off! Apply the brakes! The warning has been given and there isn’t very much time left. The Lord Jesus is coming back very soon to take everyone who has believed home to heaven with Him. Why not take Him as your own Saviour right now. “A prudent man forseeth the evil, and hideth himself: but the simple pass on, and are punished.” Proverbs 22:3.

ML-05/17/1987

On the Wrong Train

I was seated on a train in the commuter station in Chicago. The ear I was in was filling fast with businessmen anxious to return to their homes after a day of work in the city. It was a regularly scheduled express commuter which only stopped at certain places. Just before the train started, a young man sat down beside me. As the train pulled out of the station he turned to me and said, “This train stops at Morton Grove, doesn’t it? I’m visiting here, and I have friends who are to meet me at the Morton Grove station.”

“No, I’m sorry, it doesn’t,” I answered. “You should have asked before you got on. This is an express train. It goes straight through to Glenview without stopping anywhere else.”

He looked worried for a while, but then seemed to relax. I said to him, “Morton Grove is the next town, but I’m sure the train isn’t going to stop.” He got up, walked to the front of the car and waited. As he anxiously looked out the window, the name “Morton Grove” flashed by while the train roared past the station. All he saw was a brief glimpse of the station and platform as we went by.

He was on the wrong train for sure. His friends were waiting for him at Morton Grove. The same train that was taking me to where I wanted to go was each moment taking him farther away from where he wanted to go.

Each one of us is a traveler hurrying on to somewhere. Those who are saved are hurrying onward and upward to be with the Lord Jesus Christ. Those who are not saved are hurrying onward and downward to never-ending darkness. If you are an unsaved child of Christian parents, your house has people going to two different places. Your father and mother are getting nearer and nearer to heaven, while you are getting nearer and nearer to hell.

If you come to the Lord Jesus Christ now and accept Him as your own Saviour, you will also be on your way to heaven.

“There is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12.

ML-05/17/1987

The Earth Still Turns

The Wonders of God’s Creation

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

God has placed the earth and every planet and star in its own special orbit through the vast reaches of space, and all spin through it in perfect order and always on schedule. If this were not so, long ago they would have collided with each other and produced chaos too great to imagine.

Astronomers are continually amazed to find, through improved instruments, that the galaxies of stars reach farther away than has been thought, and some now say there may be no end to them! No one on earth will ever know for sure, but those who, through faith in Christ, will be in the glories of heaven with their Saviour will then undoubtedly learn all about His wise creation. Will that include you?

We have been taught that the earth turns on its axis every 24 hours (although it is actually 23 hours, 56 minutes and 4.1 seconds), providing an average of 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness every day of the year. Who do you think arranged this, and why doesn’t it ever run down or change? The answer, of course, is found in the Bible verse: “The Lord by wisdom hath founded the earth; by understanding hath He established the heavens.” Proverbs 3:19.

The earth’s tilt of 23° on its axis is another provision of the Creator, bringing a welcome change in seasons, as our opening verse states. This places more areas of the earth’s surface under the benefit of the sun’s warmth than would be possible if it were not tilted.

Imagine what life would be like (if there could be any life) if the earth didn’t rotate every 24 hours! On one side the heat would be so unbearable that nothing could live, and on the other side it would be so dark and cold everything would freeze solid. Aren’t you glad the Creator is the One who controls this turning? We should thank Him, among other things, for the way this design takes care of all His creatures — some are active in daylight hours and go to sleep around sunset, while others sleep in the daytime and are active at night, all according to His plan.

It is sad to realize how mankind’s carelessness has spoiled many benefits our loving Provider has given us, yet He continues to provide for us in every necessary way. We can only agree with the Psalmist: “The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament [expanse] showeth His handiwork.” Psalms 19:1.

We are so used to these marvels that we rarely think about them, but it is good to stop and think over what this Bible verse tells us: “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.

ML-05/17/1987

Stranger at the River

Memory Verse: “Wherefore He is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them.” Hebrews 7:25

If there had been anyone there to see, the appearance of Gladys Aylward and her 100 orphans would have been a pitiful sight. But there was nobody within miles, for this was during the Japanese invasion of China, and everybody had fled beyond the Yellow River.

It was a miracle that she had gotten this far at all. It was winter, and for weeks they had trudged over the mountains, desperately trying to get away from the invaders. It had been terribly slow and they were almost starved, for there was little food in that desolate area. But beyond the Yellow River there was safety.

Tired though they were, the children raced down toward the great river.

“Oh, Ma, it’s so big! Are you sure the boat won’t sink?”

“No, children, our troubles are over now.”

“But, Ma, where are the boats?”

Gladys was puzzled. There were no boats to be seen on either side, yet this was a regular ferrying place, she knew.

“Be patient, children. They must be busy. They will come.”

But they didn’t. Gladys didn’t know, but the service had been abandoned several months before. So night came on. Bitterly disappointed, the children, without any dinner, lay down on the ground to sleep.

The next day was the same. Desperately they scrounged for whatever food they could find. But now the hungry, crying children had no patience left.

By the third day Gladys was desperate. She felt that God had let her down. In her agony, she went up the river a little so that she could pray in quiet, away from the children. Then she sobbed her heart out.

“Lord,” she said, “I’ve done my best and it’s no good. The children are starving. Why haven’t You helped me? Why?”

Gladys was too tired and too desperate now to remember the great things God had done for her in the past. She had been a servant girl in London, but God had led her by a dangerous journey across Siberia and into China. There she served Him as a missionary. He had cared for her many years, but she was too upset to remember that now. All she was aware of was the broad, impassable river before her — the barrier to freedom and safety for 100 needy children.

She was glad that she was out of their sight now. They had never seen her cry like this. In fact, she hadn’t cried in years. Always she had been strong and courageous, but now the strain and worry had broken her down. God seemed far away and uncaring.

“Ma, don’t cry,” a little voice said sadly.

Gladys jumped, for she had not seen the child approach. She knew who it was without looking, for this young girl had been very close to the missionary for many months. Gladys had rescued her from a life of hardship and misery. Now she felt ashamed that the child had caught her like this.

“Oh, child, child,” she said. “Why can’t you leave me alone?”

“I can’t let you cry, Ma. It hurts me inside. Why do you cry, Ma?”

Gladys motioned towards the river, and the child understood.

“But, Ma, Moses crossed the Red Sea, and that was bigger than this.”

“I’m not Moses,” said Gladys desperately.

“No, Ma, but God isn’t any different. I’m going to ask Him to work another miracle.”

As Gladys listened, the child began to ask God to get them across the river. Her little voice, quiet and confident, made the missionary ashamed. She went over and put her arm around her.

“God, forgive me for not having the faith of a little child,” she said.

Together they continued to ask God to help them. For Gladys, now the gloom was gone. She was certain that God would deliver them. “Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me.” Psalms 50:15.

A few moments later they were interrupted. It was one of the children.

“Ma, come quick! A great one wishes to talk to you.”

Gladys rose quickly and followed the child. The “great one” proved to be a tall officer in the uniform of the Nationalist Chinese Army.

“I have a boat,” he said. “I can take you and the children across the river.”

Gladys was too overjoyed to ask any questions. “Praise the Lord!” she said, and began rounding up the little ones.

In relays they were all taken across the river. By the time Gladys had finished counting them to make sure they were all there, the officer and his boat had disappeared. It was only then that she realized how strange it all was.

When they arrived in the city a few hours later, the Chinese could not believe her story. “The army withdrew beyond the Yellow River weeks ago!” they said.

Gladys smiled knowingly. “I guess the Egyptians felt the same way about Moses,” she said to herself. “The child is right... God hasn’t changed. His power is as great now as it was in Moses’s time.”

“I am the Lord, I change not.” Malachi 3:6. “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and to-day, and Forever.” Hebrews 13:8.

ML-05/24/1987

Skippy

Skippy was so thirsty. He wanted a drink, but his dish was dry. There was not one drop of water in it. He went to Lisa and sat up begging and barked. He said just as plainly as he could, “Please, Lisa, I want a drink.”

“You’re a good doggie,” said Lisa and patted him. “Now be quiet,” she added. She did not seem to understand what he wanted.

Lisa’s sister Ruthie did not understand him either. “Oh, Skippy, you’re a nice dog,” she said. “You want a dog biscuit, don’t you? Well, here’s one for you.” Skippy took the dog biscuit and then laid it back down on the floor.

Daddy did not understand either. “Sure, Skippy,” he said. “There’s a bone for you out in the garage. I’ll get it for you.” But when the bone was laid down in front of Skippy he just looked at it. He did not want a bone either.

“I wonder what Skippy wants?” Mother questioned as she turd the water on in the kitchen sink.

Skippy walked over to the sink and whined as he looked at the water. “Maybe he wants some water. Lisa,” she called, “check Skippy’s water dish.”

Sure enough, Lisa found the dish completely empty. There was not even a drop! Lisa brought the dish to the sink and filled it up. Did Skippy’s tail wag! At last he had his drink.

Boys and girls often want something, too. But they are not like Skippy who knew exactly what he wanted, because children often do not know what they want. First they want a toy, but they soon get tired of it. Then they start reading a book.

When that does not interest them anymore they look for something else to do. They are always wanting something that they do not have.

A person who has the Lord Jesus Christ as his Saviour has everything that he needs. Being saved is what brings real happiness. The water they gave Skippy took care of his thirst, but he would soon be thirsty again. The Lord Jesus Christ will give us the “living water” which will last forever. He is that “living water.” He is the only one that can satisfy all our needs. He loves us so much that He died for our sins. Now He is waiting for anyone who will believe in Him. Will you?

Jesus said, “Whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life.” John 4:14.

ML-05/24/1987

North America's Flying Squirrels: Part 1

The Wonders of God’s Creation

“But be ye glad and rejoice Forever in that which I create.” Isaiah 65:18.

While there are many “flying squirrels” in lands south of the equator, there are only two look-alike varieties in North America the northern, living mostly in Canada and about the size of a common gray squirrel, and the southern, slightly smaller and living in the forests of the eastern United States.

Their name in Latin means “gray mouse that flies,” and because of their amazing movements through the air, in some places they are known as “fairy diddles.” Actually, a more realistic name would be “gliding squirrels,” for they do not actually fly but, as we will explain in the next article, they have special bodies which enable them to make great leaps between trees.

Unlike the gray and red squirrels, familiar to most of us, that are active during the daytime, both the North American “flyers” are active at night, which accounts for the fact that they are seldom seen, and people are often unaware that they are in the neighborhood.

These squirrels do not hibernate, but if the weather gets unusually cold, a dozen or more will keep warm by snuggling together in a nest until the weather warms up enough to resume their activities.

These closely related little animals are alike in many ways. They all tend to have grayish-brown backs and white stomachs. Their pretty fur is thick and silky, and their chins have long whiskers. They also all have flat tails nearly as long as the rest of their bodies and large ears, as well as big black eyes. It is plain to see how the Creator wisely provided these features to help them in their manner of night-time living.

They are playful creatures, chasing each other from tree to tree or scampering up the trunk, accompanied by loud squeals. When gathering nuts they sometimes stop their work and bat some around, apparently just for the fun of it. In fact, seeing their different playful ways, they seem to be one of the few animals that get much pleasure out of all that the Creator has done for them. They don’t seem to take life seriously and have been seen exchanging kisses with their companions. However, on rare occasions when they become irritated, one might be spotted stamping its feet like a spoiled little child, or lying on its back kicking its feet in the air as if to pummel a real or imagined enemy.

In many Bible verses the wonders of the Lord God’s creation are spoken of, such as the words of David: “I will praise Thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will show forth all Thy marvelous works.” Psalms 9:1. There is real joy for all who, like David, do this with their whole heart. Do you?

ML-05/24/1987

Grandy and His Friend

Memory Verse: “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth His life for the sheep.” John 10:11

Grandy was a beautiful Arabian horse and quite well-behaved. It was a good thing he was, because I had very little riding experience the day I took him out with a couple of other riders who were more experienced. All went well for about an hour as I followed at a distance... until we crossed a bridge with water flowing underneath. Suddenly the horse became uneasy and began to balk. Sam yelled to me, “Get him away from the edge of the bridge! He’s afraid of water!”

Having crossed the bridge, we had to go down an embankment on the edge of the road and cross a culvert which had about six inches of water in it. Every time I steered him toward the embankment, the horse would veer around or back up. He refused to go ahead. Traffic on the road had to come to a stop as I dismounted and proceeded to lead him by the halter down the embankment. As I reached the bottom and started through the water, the horse moved his head in behind me and shoved ahead, leaping over the water and sending me head over heels into the brush on the other side of the water. Sam, the horse’s owner, had been watching and coaching me as all this happened. Other than not being sure of what had happened, I was unhurt and picked myself up, while Sam, realizing I was just shaken up, found the whole thing quite funny.

After a rough ride through woodland paths, we came to a large, deep, watery area which could only spell trouble for Grandy and me. Sam instructed me to bring Grandy up close to Scamp, the horse he was riding. Scamp and Grandy were good friends.

“Let his head rest on Scamp’s rump,” Sam instructed, “and follow closely like that, right through the water.”

To my surprise, Grandy crossed over the watery area without any sign of fear. I would never have believed it. The rest of the ride was uneventful, other than my being saddle-sore from a first long ride.

Scamp leading Grandy reminds me of the 23rd Psalm: “The Lord is my shepherd.... He leadeth me beside the still waters.... Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil.”

How good it is to have Jesus as your Shepherd and your Friend. He said, “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth His life for the sheep.” John 10:11. He continues on, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish.” John 10:27,28.

Jesus also said, “Greater love hath no man than this, that a Man lay down His life for His friends.” John 15:13.

Do you know Jesus as your Shepherd? He laid down His life for you because He loves you. What a friend Jesus is! Claim Him as your Saviour, and He will never leave you nor forsake you, so that you “may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear.” Hebrews 13:6. What a SAVIOUR! He is even more — a Shepherd, a Friend and a Helper.

ML-05/31/1987

The Mountain Climbers

Three mountain climbers had gone to Switzerland to climb one of the mountains there. They had climbed most of the peaks in Canada and the United States. Now they wanted to climb some of the Alpine peaks.

After arriving in Switzerland they located the climbing school that had been recommended to them. They hired an experienced guide, a man named Jenni, and began to plan for their first climb.

Several days later the four men began their climb up the snow-peaked mountain Pitz Musteratsch. The climb went well with no unusual problems. The three climbers were proud of themselves when they reached the top. They rested for a short time and then began the return trip. They had decided to make the return trip by a different route.

Starting down, they soon found this way to be more dangerous than the way up. The slope was icy, and it was difficult to walk over. There was also evidence of recent snow-slides on this side of the mountain.

“This could be dangerous,” warned Jenni. Each of them attached safety lines to their belts. These were linked to the person ahead and the person behind so that all four men were linked together. “Keep close to each other, and follow my steps exactly!” cautioned Jenni. “One wrong step or loud noise may start a slide.”

Jenni had no sooner finished warning them when there was a roar above them. Looking up he saw a huge cliff of snow break away and begin moving towards them. The four men tried to get out of the path of the sliding snow. But it was too late! Only Jenni, who was in the lead, managed to jump clear. The three others were knocked over and swept down the steep slope towards the brink of a high cliff. It seemed like certain death for the whole party. The men were being carried so fast that they could not stop themselves. Jenni realized that as soon as the safety rope tightened he would be pulled down, too.

Stamping his steel-spiked boots into the ice, he drove his ice ax deep into the ice and braced himself. Straining backwards with all his strength, he was able to stop the slide of the three other climbers. They found a foothold in the icy slope and carefully climbed back to Jenni, who was still holding tightly to the rope that held them. He had saved the lives of the three men! They had been saved from going over the cliff to their death. The three climbers will never forget Jenni, their guide who saved their lives.

At the end of a sinner’s life there is everlasting punishment if he has not had his sins forgiven. Many people are sliding over the brink of life every day into an eternity without God. What a terrible thought!

The three climbers were saved because they were linked to their guide Jenni. Are you linked to Christ? Do you know Him as your Saviour and Guide? There is no safety without Him. Everyone who is linked to Him is safe even if the path is slippery. No one in His care will be lost.

The Bible tells us that God loves us. He sent His Son to die for us so that we can be saved. The only question remaining is — will you let Him save you right now?

“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” John 3:36.

ML-05/31/1987

Something God Cannot See

Timmy said to his mother, “Guess what my Sunday school teacher told me yesterday.”

“What did she tell you, Timmy?” “She told us there is one thing God can’t see!”

Mother asked with a surprised voice, “Are you sure your teacher told you that? Why, God sees everything!”

Timmy said with a smile on his face, “She said that God can’t see our sins when they are all covered by the blood of Jesus!”

Mother quickly agreed, “That’s exactly right, Timmy. God tells us that in the Bible.”

“I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins.” Isaiah 44:22.

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

ML-05/31/1987

North America's Flying Squirrels: Part 2

The Wonders of God’s Creation

“This also cometh forth from the Lord... wonderful in counsel, and excellent in working.” Isaiah 28:29.

As mentioned earlier, the outstanding feature that makes these squirrels different from their more common relatives and the reason for their being called “flying squirrels” is their amazing ability to travel considerable distances through the air. Although they appear to be flying, they are actually gliding, which in itself is outstanding.

On the underpart of their bodies, not easily seen when scampering up a tree trunk or along a branch, is a loose flap of furry skin on each side attached to each front leg and stretching back to where it is attached to each hind leg. This forms a “kite” that enables the squirrel to glide from one tree to another or safely parachute to the ground from a high point.

How do they do this? A flight begins high in a tree with the squirrel first bobbing its head in every direction, apparently sizing things up before taking off. Then it makes the leap with all four legs spread as far apart as possible, stretching the loose skin into a tight kite. Its target will usually be a lower point on the trunk of another tree, sometimes nearly 100 feet away, but usually closer. Gliding through the air, its flat tail acts like a rudder to keep it on course and then is lifted straight up to also act as a brake just as it lands.

It always lands in an upright position with the claws of all four feet gripping the tree’s surface tightly. It immediately scoots around to the other side of the tree before venturing further, an instinct the Creator has given it to preserve it from an owl or another enemy that might have seen it land.

Nests are usually a hole in a dead tree trunk, sometimes one abandoned by a former owner and freshened up with leaves, moss, feathers, etc. There the mother will raise up to half a dozen little ones, caring tenderly for them for a few weeks before introducing them to the pleasures of gliding. Her first task is to take them gliding, one by one. She grasps a baby’s loose skin in her mouth while it holds on upside down with its legs wrapped around her neck. Don’t you imagine that’s quite a thrill for the little one? It is not long before they venture forth on their own, without need of gliding lessons, for they have been given a natural instinct for it by the Creator.

In the coming happy time when those who have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour will be in heaven with Him, they will happily exclaim: “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created.” Revelation 4:11. Will you be in that happy group?

ML-05/31/1987

The Raccoon

Memory Verse: “The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it?” Jeremiah 17:9

Artists often draw pictures of raccoons with masks on their faces. In animal stories they are usually the villain or thief. In real life they are very, very clever animals, but often they are also a nuisance and can be very destructive. This is the reason why they are described as the thief in stories.

Mr. Linden had been bothered by a raccoon that had become a real problem. It was killing his chickens, one at a time, until he had lost 20 in all. The killing came to a climax when his neighbor lost some ducks and 30 chickens all in one night. The coon was now killing just for the sake of killing.

Soon after, Mr. Linden’s dog alerted him that something was wrong outside. He went out to see what was going on. There in the shed was a large, fat raccoon eating the bag of dog food. It just turned its head sideways, looked at Mr. Linden, and went back to eating the dog food. Mr. Linden made a threatening move toward the coon, so it decided to move along elsewhere, where it wouldn’t be bothered. Mr. Linden’s dog, a large Doberman, was let out to guard things after that.

Not long after, a fight took place outside which brought Mr. Linden out with a flashlight in one hand and a gun in the other. The bold raccoon was cornered in the shed, but stood its ground against the dog. The corner of the dog’s mouth was bleeding, so Mr. Linden now had no choice. He held the flashlight with one hand while he fired the gun with the other. The coon fell dead.

When I visited Mr. Linden there was the coonskin stretched out on a board to dry. The killing and destruction of ducks and chickens had stopped. It made me think of how sin and Satan go on and on in this world. There is so much heartache, unhappiness, confusion, killing and destruction because of it. “Evil men and seducers... wax [grow] worse and worse.” 2 Timothy 3:13. Wicked men, when not punished and subdued, become bolder and bolder, just like the raccoon in our story.

Yes, because of sin, God must act in judgment. He must step in and bring it to a stop. God must punish sin, but He loves the sinner and wants to forgive him. God loves you. He gave His own Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to save you. Jesus died, bearing God’s punishment and shed His blood on Calvary’s cross to wash away your sins, if you will accept Him. He gives a new life and a new nature to all who accept Him.

The raccoon could not receive a new nature, so it had to be destroyed. Those who will not accept the Lord Jesus as their Saviour will have to be punished for their sins. “He that rejecteth Me,” said the Lord Jesus, “and receiveth not My words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the same shall judge him in the last day.” John 12:48. “He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into [judgment]; but is passed from death unto life.” John 5:24. Have you believed on the Lord Jesus? Oh, how He wants to save you and bless you! Won’t you trust Him now?

ML-06/07/1987

The Garden of Weeds

Dave Bowray was a wise man. He loved the Lord Jesus and asked Him for help and guidance each day and obeyed Him. He was a hardworking black man with a large family. Besides being a gospel preacher, Dave had to do a little farming to make ends meet, and his wife preserved much of the food for their family’s needs.

One day when I visited Dave, he took me out to show me his garden, which he enjoyed and cared for. The rows were neat and orderly, the weeds were pulled, and the vegetables were large and healthy. But right in the middle of the garden was a patch that had been planted in a hodgepodge manner. The weeds were bigger and more abundant than the vegetable plants, and the fruit was stunted.

I asked Dave about this patch of unkept garden. He told me that he planted this patch to remind himself of how not to raise his children. He said, “Some folks tell me, ‘Just let the children be; don’t be too concerned; everything will be all right!’ " Dave explained that raising children, or doing anything right in life, requires proper care and attention. “First,” he said, “you must know the Lord Jesus yourself. You must accept Him as Lord and Master of your life. But you know,” he continued, “we have something far more valuable than a garden when we have a family and children. How important it is to read the Word of God and pray with them; how important it is to correct them with love and wisdom from the Bible. That’s like planting well and pulling the weeds.”

Fathers and mothers, do you have your life in order? Do you know Jesus as your Lord and Saviour? Your children are like a garden. Are you reading God’s Word, the Bible, to them and praying with them every day? Are you bringing them up the way Ephesians 6:4 instructs? “Fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” Acts 16:31.

Boys and girls, do you know Jesus as your Lord and Saviour? “He that abideth in Me, and I in him... bringeth forth much fruit; for without Me ye can do nothing.” John 15:5.

Let us use much care and wisdom, that our lives and the lives of our families may never become a garden of weeds!

ML-06/07/1987

Keeping Guard

You have a little prisoner,

He’s nimble, sharp and clever;

He’s sure to get away from you

Unless you watch him ever.

And when he once gets out, he makes

More trouble in an hour

Than you can stop in many a day,

Working with all your power.

He sets your playmates by the ears

And says what is not so;

He uses many ugly words

Not good for you to know.

Quick, fasten shut the ivory gates

And chain him while he’s young;

For this same dangerous prisoner

Is just... your little tongue.

“Set a watch, O Lord, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.” Psalms 141:3.

ML-06/07/1987

Florida's Scrub Jay

The Wonders of God’s Creation

“Great is our Lord, and of great power.... He giveth to the beast his food, and to the young ravens which cry.” Psalms 147:5,9.

There are 36 types of jays in North and Central America. Some, preferring to make their homes in stunted oak trees, are known as scrub jays. An interesting member of this group is the Florida scrub jay. Its vivid blue and gray feathers and long, slender tail are similar to the common blue jay, but it doesn’t have the crest on its head that marks most of its relatives.

These aggressive birds are about the size of a crow and among the noisiest of all birds. Lacking a real song, they resort to harsh calls, chattering away to their neighbors. The Bible does not mention jays by name, but our opening verse applies to them, too.

Scrub oak trees are part of the Florida landscape where there are old sand dunes, and the scrub jay is the only bird that makes its permanent home there, with the exception of hawks and a few other flesh-eaters. Some snakes and a small number of bobcats and various rodents are also resident of these areas.

The scrub jay has almost completely taken over every spot where the small oaks grow, claiming individual territories and forcefully keeping others out. Long ago they divided up all available property on these dunes and have prohibited entrance to others outside their own families ever since. They can do this because the climate of that part of the country stays warm year-round, so they do not migrate south in the winter as their northern cousins do. But, socially inclined, they like to have other scrub jays nearby, and their colonies are noisily happy together.

A pair of adults raises just one brood each spring. The female does all the incubating and feeding of the little ones, but the male guards them carefully and provides much of their food. However, he seems to feel it beneath his dignity to feed the youngsters, so turns his offerings over to the mother to pass along. Sad to say, the father bird can’t seem to change, even in an emergency, so if the mother should die, her little ones soon starve to death.

If the young ones have not found mates and made nests of their own by the time new brothers and sisters hatch out the next spring, they also help bring food to the mother and keep an eye on the nest when both parents are away. Some of them also help the father defend the home territory if strangers try to move in.

Since there are so many birds in the world, do you think God, the Creator of all of them, pays any attention to these lowly scrub jays on the dunes of Florida? He certainly does, as the Bible often tells us. Look up these verses and see for yourself: Genesis 1:30, Psalms 50:11, Jeremiah 8:7, Matthew 10:29, and Luke 12:24. Then turn to Psalms 145:18,19 and see how He invites you to experience His love and preserving care, which is much greater to boys and girls than to birds and animals.

ML-06/07/1987

A Dangerous Ride

Memory Verse: “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knoweth them that trust in Him.” Nahum 1:7

Mr. Brewster was building a road to the top of a mountain. The sides of the mountain were very steep and rocky. Some experienced road builders thought that it would be impossible to plow a road from the bottom all the way to the top, so Mr. Brewster knew that the job would be difficult and dangerous. Each morning before going to work, the family would pray that the Lord would keep him and his two sons safe as they worked on the mountain.

Most of the work was done with a huge bulldozer. The work moved along quite well until they were almost to the top. Then one day the earth beneath the outside track of the bulldozer let go, causing the big machine to slip and hang dangerously over the side. Then it began to slide down the side of the mountain. Mr. Brewster looked up to God his Father in heaven and asked for help with this dangerous situation.

In the time that followed, Mr. Brewster had the “ride of his life,” riding that big machine down the side of the steep mountain, praying as he had never prayed before! If the machine caught a rock just right it would flip end over end, or if it slid sideways it would roll over and over down the mountain. Either way, it would have meant certain death for Mr. Brewster. Once the machine started down, it would continue to speed downward for a long distance. There would be no stopping it!

The most reassuring thing about this frightening experience was that Mr. Brewster knew the Lord Jesus as his own personal Saviour. By that we mean he knew that all his sins were washed away in the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. He was ready to meet God.

The second thing that is so wonderful is that since he knew Jesus as his own Saviour, he could cry out to God as his Father for help, knowing that He would hear him.

We wonder, boys and girls, if some tragedy were suddenly to face you, would you be ready to meet God? We hope so! But first you must know the Lord Jesus as your Saviour. Oh, how important it is to know that your sins are all forgiven. Only “the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7. The Bible says, “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved” (Rom. 10:13), and, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” Acts 16:31. If you haven’t done this yet, please don’t wait any longer! Call upon Him right now and accept Him as your own Saviour! Those who are saved also have God as their Father and can ask for His help every day in all of their activities.

God, who hears His children, heard Mr. Brewster’s voice and answered his prayer. Through the Lord’s mercy, Mr. Brewster managed to ride that bulldozer all the way down to a safe stopping place. God, his Father, had kept him safe.

A verse from the Bible came to my mind when Mr. Brewster told me this story. I learned it from him 35 years ago when we were much younger. We were returning from a Bible conference together. It goes like this: “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knoweth them that trust in Him.” Nahum 1:7.

ML-06/14/1987

Two Rabbits for a Bible

A long, long time ago a girl named Mary lived in a little village in France. The people who lived near her did not love the Lord Jesus or read the Bible. Even Mary’s family did not love Jesus. Mary had accepted the Lord Jesus as her Saviour while visiting her grandmother the summer before.

Mary wanted to have a Bible so much. Her parents would not get one for her. Even if they would, Bibles were hard to find in those days. Mary could not go to town and buy a Bible. None of the stores sold them, and she did not have any money with which to buy one.

One day someone told Mary, “I know where you can buy a Bible. Over in Nimes there is a man who sells them. They only cost three francs.” How happy Mary was to know where she could get a Bible, but it would cost three francs. How could she get three francs? She did not have any money of her own. She knew neither her father nor her mother would give her any.

Mary tried to figure out how she could get three francs. Then she thought of her two little rabbits. They were so cute. She really loved them, but it was more important to her to have a Bible. Perhaps the man would trade a Bible for two rabbits.

Now Mary had to figure out how to get to Nimes. It was 70 miles away. They did not own a horse and cart. There weren’t any trains or cars in those days. People traveled in carts, but Mary did not have the money to pay for a ride. So she decided she would just have to walk the 70 miles.

Early one morning Mary left with her aunt and uncle to walk to Nimes. Since there were no other children going, they had finally agreed to let Mary go along. She put her rabbits in a basket and said good-bye to her parents.

When the rabbits got hungry along the way, she would pick grass for them to eat. One and on they walked. Each night they would sleep in a farmer’s barn and work for a little food. Everyone treated them kindly and helped them as much as they could.

Mary and her aunt and uncle had walked many miles. Up hill and down hill they walked. Mary was getting so tired. On and on they went. Then the road turned and started to go down another hill. They could see a village down in the valley. It was Nimes!

Mary forgot all about being tired. She started to walk faster. Soon she was in the town. Mary went from one shop to another. At last she found the place where Bibles were sold.

“Please, Sir,” she asked, “would you trade a Bible for two rabbits?”

“All right, little girl,” the man said kindly.

So Mary handed over her rabbits and got her Bible. How happy she was! As soon as her aunt and uncle had finished their business, the three of them started for home. She was so happy to have her Bible that the 70 miles back did not seem long at all. When she got home she read it every day. It made her so happy, and soon her parents were reading it, too. It wasn’t long until they accepted Mary’s Saviour for themselves.

I wonder how many of you children reading this story read your Bible every day. If you love the Lord Jesus and He is your Saviour, then you should learn all you can about Him. The best place to learn about our wonderful Saviour is in the Bible. God’s own words are written down in it, telling us about who He is, how He loves us, and what He did for us. It also helps us to want to live for Him because we can read what He wants us to do. We cannot be happy like Mary was unless we read our Bibles every day.

“Forever, O Lord, Thy Word is settled in heaven.” Psalms 119:89.

“Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psalms 119:105.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... And the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.” John 1:1,14.

ML-06/14/1987

The Hardy Musk Ox

The Wonders of God’s Creation

“I have made the earth, the man and the beast that are upon the ground, by My great power.” Jeremiah 27:5.

The five-foot tall, 900-pound musk ox is not really an ox. It looks more like a water buffalo or a big ram. The Eskimos have their own name for it, “oomingmak,” which means “the bearded one.”

Not many creatures could survive in the musk oxen’s harsh Arctic circle homeland, but when it pleased the Creator to place them there He gave them special ability to survive, including a long, shaggy, dark-brown coat covering their entire body, right down to their hooves. During winter months an additional covering of soft, downy wool grows under the heavy outer coat, but when warmer weather returns this drops off, leaving just the coarse outer covering to keep them comfortable.

Another important provision, to protect them from wolves and polar bears, is a pair of heavy horns that curve down the sides of their heads, then turn upward with sharp points. This is an important feature, for as they follow their God-given instinct to stay together in herds of a dozen or more, they can make a united resistance when attacked. They do this by forming a circle, faces turned outward and horns lowered in warning. It would be a foolish enemy that would tackle such a determined group.

The Creator also gave them sharp, curved hooves with soft pads for traveling across the tundra and over rocky mountain slopes. With these hooves and the help of their strong horns, they dig in the tundra for hidden plants and in winter paw and toss the snow away to expose this food.

Many of the herds prefer to spend the winter among the high peaks of the cold Arctic area (where temperatures often reach more than 50° below zero), because the strong winds of the mountains expose the grass and moss they eat. In warmer weather they return to lower areas where grass, willows, flowers and water are again plentiful.

Incidentally, babies stand on their feet immediately after birth and can keep up with the herd just a few hours later. They grow quickly and reach full size in five or six years.

As we notice the special features the musk ox has been given, our thoughts turn to the Bible verse that says, “God that made the world and all things therein... giveth to all life, and breath, and all things.” Acts 17:24,25.

May each of us respond to the care and love our Creator shows us in even greater measure than animals have, and trust in Him as the prophet Isaiah did when he wrote: “O Lord, Thou art my God; I will exalt Thee, I will praise Thy name; for Thou hast done wonderful things.” Isaiah 25:1. The Lord God loves to hear the praise and thanks of those who trust Him. Can you share in this?

ML-06/14/1987

Forest Fire

Memory Verse: “Whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:15

There were 17 school children and several adults on the school bus that day last May. I was their bus driver. We were returning from St. John’s where the children had spent a day or two. They had had a good time sight-seeing and learning about their province of Newfoundland and St. John’s its capital. We had left early that morning and had been traveling quite a while, so we all were looking forward to stopping at the McDonald’s Restaurant in Grand Falls for lunch.

We had been hearing about the forest fire. What we didn’t know was how fast it was moving in the direction of Grand Falls. As we traveled closer we could see smoky haze in the sky and then thick smoke billowing upward. As we came into Grand Falls, there was no doubt in our minds that the fire was very close.

We pulled into McDonald’s parking lot. I got off the bus after asking everyone to stay seated until I could learn more about the fire’s path.

What I immediately learned was rather frightening — the road over which we had just traveled was closed behind us!

I quickly got back on the bus and everyone shushed to hear what I had to say. They were surprised to hear about the road behind us already being closed, and everyone agreed with my decision not to stay here another minute, but to get out.

There went our lunch, but that fire was traveling fast... from several directions.

Thinking back on that day, I can only thank the Lord Jesus for the warning we were given at McDonald’s, and that we didn’t take just a little time to quickly order our hamburgers and milkshakes and eat them on the bus as we hurried out of there. Chances are, even waiting that 10 or 15 minutes to order would have spelled disaster. A Bible verse comes to my mind: “Flee from the wrath to come!” Matthew 3:7. The fire of God’s punishment for sin will soon be here. Those who ignore God’s warning now may find out — too late — that they missed the only escape route — the Lord Jesus Christ and His loving offer of salvation. I accepted Him as my Saviour many years ago. I know I am safe from that eternal fire of punishment.

On the other side of Grand Falls it looked a little better, as though maybe we had left the fire behind. We were still hungry and found a small restaurant in a shopping mall where we could get those hamburgers we had been looking forward to all morning. We were glad to get off the bus and stretch our legs a little before going in.

Boy, did that food taste good; we were starved! But while we were taking a lunch break, the forest fire wasn’t. We came out to get on the bus and were startled to see heavy smoke rolling in from three directions.

We scrambled aboard that bus in a hurry! Everyone got seated quickly, and I put that bus in gear!

We turned west, the direction we wanted to go and also the only way that now looked safe. But we didn’t get very far. The police had the highway blocked —the road west was also now closed! We were trapped. They ordered us to turn around and go back to the mall parking lot we had just left — it might be the safest spot around.

We waited there for three long hours. You can imagine the fear that gripped us as we watched the billowing smoke and sparks coming closer. Then we could see flames, sometimes leaping nearly 100 feet high as they consumed everything in their path.

How helpless we felt during those hours as we watched the flames closing in around us. I prayed for our safety. Being a child of God, I knew He would hear my prayer, and I could trust Him for our safe keeping. “What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee.” Psalms 56:3.

Suddenly, a police car zoomed into the parking lot and the officer announced over his loud speaker, “The highway is open to the west escape at once!”

We hollered to all the kids to get on the bus immediately. They didn’t need to be told a second time — they followed orders. I followed the last one on, slid into my seat, and we took off as fast as that school bus could move.

We made it through! We all heaved a sigh of relief.

But our joy and relief was short-lived.

Suddenly, several of the girls began shouting frantically to me to turn around and go back. They were crying and talking at the same time — something had been left behind. We suddenly understood, with a terrible sinking feeling... two of our girls had been left behind at the mall! In our frantic hurry to leave, we had not counted heads.

Of course we turned right around, but now the fire was raging across the highway. We could not go back.

Oh, what could we do? We all wished we had been more careful, but wishing couldn’t change anything. We were all so upset, each one blaming himself.

I turned the bus back west and drove a little way. Someone spotted a brook, and we decided to pull over. We all went down for a drink as our throats were burning from the smoke and heat. While we were all gathered there, I asked the students and adults to bow their heads while I prayed, crying to the Lord Jesus for the safety of our two young friends who we left behind.

In just three minutes’ time the Lord Jesus answered that prayer. A police car suddenly pulled up beside our bus, and the two girls tumbled out of the back seat, tears streaming down their faces, but they were tears of relief and joy now. And let me tell you, the rest of us were just as relieved and overjoyed as they were. The girls were safe. We hugged them.

What a fast answer to prayer! The Lord is so good. “Whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.” John 14:13.

As I was driving, I was thanking the Lord Jesus for keeping us all safe through that whole scary ordeal. But I also had some sad thoughts. I could not help thinking that when the Lord Jesus comes to take all those who have accepted Him as their Saviour to heaven with Him, there will be some (maybe some on my bus) who have ignored God’s warning. They will be left behind to suffer the punishment for their sins. And there is no escape from the fire of hell. “Whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:15.

Today there is still time to listen to God’s warning and be saved. Won’t you accept the Lord Jesus as your Saviour right now and be safe?

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

ML-06/21/1987

The Capybara

The Wonders of God’s Creation

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

You may never have heard of the capybara, but it’s possible that in the near future you may be adding the meat from this animal to your dinner table, as is now done in parts of its Central and South American homeland.

This animal is the largest of all the rodents and looks like a small pig or an overgrown guinea pig, covered in dark, coarse hair. Its hind legs are longer than its front legs, and webbed feet help make it a swift swimmer. It is a sociable animal, living in a group of 20 or more at the edge of a grassy plain adjoining a river, swamp or lake. Its happiest occupation seems to be standing up to its stomach in a muddy swamp, busily eating the plants growing there.

It does not have many enemies, but if a capybara is pursued by some beast out of the forest, its best means of escape is to plunge into the nearest water, leaving only its eyes, ears and nostrils exposed until the enemy goes away. However, it is not so easy to get away from angry farmers, when raiding a melon patch or field of corn. Perhaps it was first discovered that capybaras represent a tasty meal when one was shot and taken home for this purpose.

A mother raises four or five two-pound babies each year, born with a fair coat of hair and immediately able to open their eyes. Their front teeth start growing at once and never stop. If it were not for constantly biting and chewing plants and other foods, this could become a real problem, but the Creator has arranged that their eating habits and growth of teeth are in balance.

Strangely, the young ones have no interest in going into water until the parents coax them in. Then, like some children who are slow to take their parents’ advice, they find that it is very pleasant. From then on they spend more of their waking hours in water than out of it.

Having discovered how tasty the meat of the capybara is, many South American ranchers now raise them in fenced areas. So it appears that this animal, once scarcely known even in its homeland, will become a well-known food supply even in far away places.

These unusual animals have followed their pattern of life ever since the day they were created and God declared, “Let the earth bring forth the living creature after his kind.” Genesis 1:24. It is well to remember that the Bible, God’s Word, is always true, and God’s way is always perfect. Believing in the Bible’s account of creation is the only safe ground on which to stand. Any other teaching is incorrect.

“Seek the Lord and His strength, seek His face continually. Remember His marvelous works that He hath done, His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth.” 1 Chronicles 16:11,12.

ML-06/21/1987

No Brakes!

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

Those 35 cows were hungry! It was mid-winter in Ordnance, Oregon. Mac was driving an old army surplus truck to a pea vine pit near Weston for a load of feed for the cows. The farmer he worked for had little money left and wanted to make every trip count, so Mac told the operator of the front-end loader at the pit to “heap ’em up” as he dumped them into the truck. The vines had sat in the pit for a few months now and were wet, pressed down and heavy. The poor old truck, built to carry four tons, was creaking under its load of 14 tons as Mac started back toward home.

After a few miles he came to a steep hill about two miles long and ending in a sharp curve. The highway had been blasted out of the hillside. Part way down the hill the land rose about 20 feet above the level of the road on either side.

Mac had driven this way quite a few times that winter, and usually he trusted the old truck. But this trip he carried such a heavy load pushing from behind that he could picture himself flying down that hill at 80 or 90 miles an hour and crashing into the enormous boulders that were heaped up beside the curve at the bottom! He decided he had better test his brakes.

There were none! He knew the hand brake didn’t work either, and he had already started on his way down the hill.

It’s wonderful to know that we are under the tender care of a loving Father if we trust in the Lord Jesus, and that we can look to Him for help whenever we need it. Mac needed it now! He prayed. It was then he noticed how the land rose in a little hill beside the highway not far ahead. If he left the road perhaps the truck would stop as it went up the little hill.

He was already going 40 or 45 MPH as he turned to the right, bounced over the ditch, and started going up. How relieved he felt to come to a safe stop —and he hadn’t lost a single pea vine!

Thankfully, the brakes weren’t too difficult to fix, and Mac was soon on his way again, thanking the Lord Jesus for keeping him safe and thinking of another hill that had meant eternal safety for him. As we travel along life’s road each one of us must pass Calvary’s hill. We stop there or we choose to pass by the Lord Jesus dying on the cross for our sins and go headlong down to destruction.

If Mac had missed that little hill there would have been no other place of safety, and he would surely have crashed into the boulders at the bottom. Hell is waiting at the bottom of the broad road that leads to destruction, but God is full of love and mercy. He has sent the Lord Jesus to die in our place. Won’t you stop at the feet of Jesus on Calvary’s hill and accept Him as your Saviour? He is the only one who can give you eternal safety.

“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-06/28/1987

Lost in the Atlantic

It was the last day of March when the storm slammed into the east coast. The 85 MPH winds whipped the water into huge waves. As these broke on the New Jersey coast, they were 35 to 45 feet high.

The Norwegian freighter, the Norse Variant, was fighting these waves and having trouble. It was heading to Hamburg, Germany, loaded with coal when the storm hit. About midnight a distress call was received by the Coast Guard. It said, “Number 2 hatch broke open — ship sinking!” Then it gave its position as 150 miles southeast of Cape May.

During the remainder of the night two additional messages were received. The last message reported that the crew was abandoning ship. Then there was silence!

The Coast Guard on Governor’s Island responded quickly and sent three Coast Guard cutters and a Navy rescue boat to the ship’s last-reported position. Air Force bases all along the coast sent rescue planes to look for the sinking ship and possible survivors. The strong winds and rain mixed with snow made the search very difficult. For two days they searched from dawn to dark as the weather and seas became more calm.

Late on the second day an empty life raft from the Norse Variant and a few pieces of debris were found southeast of the ship’s last-known location. All hope for any survivors was almost given up.

The next morning Lieutenant Commander Edward Weilbacher took off in a search plane from Pease Air Base in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Nine men were with him in the search-and-rescue crew. They flew over the area where the Norse Variant had gone down. His crew carefully scanned the whole area with binoculars. Two rubber rafts were discovered; both were empty. Then another orange raft was spotted. As they flew over it they could see a man kneeling in the center of the raft. Weilbacher reported later: “We circled over him a few times. He was waving to us frantically. He seemed very excited. I can’t imagine how he survived in those sea conditions!”

A rescue team, carrying a radio and medical kit, parachuted from 1000 feet. They landed close to the raft and swam to it. The rescue team reported to the plane that the seaman was in good condition, and that he had not seen any other survivors in the three days he had been on the raft since the ship went down.

A rescue ship was then contacted by Weilbacher who directed it to the raft. With great difficulty, in waves that were still 15-20 feet, the rescue ship maneuvered close to the raft and rescued the seaman and the two parachutists. The seaman, Stein Gabrielsen, was transferred from the rescue ship to a hospital by helicopter. He was examined by doctors who found him slightly dehydrated, but otherwise, in good condition. He had suffered a terrible experience in hurricane winds, high seas and near-freezing nights.

There is probably no one reading this story who has had an experience like this. What must it be like to spend three days alone in a raft under those conditions? What were Gabrielsen’s thoughts during those days and nights of being constantly tossed about? No doubt he spent much time thinking about his home and family. Perhaps he thought of some of his childhood experiences some nice and some not so nice, because of wrong things he had done. We believe he must have thought about God and prayed that he might be rescued.

We know from God’s Word, the Bible, that “They that go down to the sea in ships... these see the works of the Lord, and His wonders in the deep. For He commandeth, and raiseth the stormy wind, which lifteth up the waves thereof.... Their soul is melted because of trouble.... Then they cry unto the Lord in their trouble, and He bringeth them out of their distresses.... Oh that men would praise the Lord for His goodness, and for His wonderful works to the children of men!” Psalms 107:23-31.

We don’t know if Gabrielsen ever did “praise the Lord” or thank Him for being rescued. We do know that 29 men died when the Norse Variant went down. We hope that many of them turned to God and were saved by believing in the Lord Jesus Christ.

We hope that each of you also knows Him as your own Saviour. Have you ever stopped to think that you are on your way to an eternity in hell if you have not been rescued from your sins by the Lord Jesus? He died on the cross to save you. Accept Him now as your only hope of rescue. He has done everything for you, so that all you have to do is believe.

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

ML-06/28/1987

More About the Crocodile

The Wonders of God’s Creation

“Whatsoever the Lord pleased, that did He in heaven, and in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.” Psalms 135:6.

Some time ago we briefly considered the crocodile, the largest of all “reptiles,” including South America’s huge snakes. Now let’s look at it a little more closely. There are some 25 species throughout Africa, Asia, Australia and some Pacific islands, as well as in South and Central America and the Everglades of Florida.

Crocodiles are related to alligators, but grow bigger, have longer, more slender heads and when their jaws are closed, one large tooth shows on each side (making an ugly grin). The alligator’s mouth doesn’t show these teeth unless it is open.

Perhaps you have seen crocodiles in a zoo and thought they were rather clumsy, but in the wild they are surprisingly fast on land, and in water their big tails and webbed hind feet move them along even more swiftly. They are expert at swimming silently below the surface, snatching unsuspecting birds and small animals that are on the surface. The Creator has adapted them to a watery life, providing a feature that closes nostrils, ears and throats when submerged, as well as keen eyesight — even after dark — with big bulging eyes. Their bodies are covered with tough, leather-like armor; their jaws have sharp, vicious teeth, and long tails serve as a fearful weapon. When their loud roars bellow out and these weapons are in action, it is no wonder that they are one of the most feared of all animals!

A female crocodile lays about three dozen eggs in a sun-warmed trench which she has dug out with her tail. She covers the eggs with sand or dirt and guards them, with time-out only to search for food. Disaster awaits any intruder that threatens to dig them up! At the end of a month-long incubation, as the little ones begin to hatch, her keen ears hear their sounds through the soil. Uncovering them with her sharp claws, she picks up a dozen or more at a time in her mouth without harming them and carries them to the water where she leaves them on their own. The six-inch youngsters are quite capable of finding their own food, but many become victims of racoons, storks, cranes and even adult crocodiles until they increase in size, so that out of three dozen only six or so may survive.

The crocodile has its place in God’s creation and is included just as every person is — in the Bible verse: “Known unto God are all His works from the beginning of the world.” Acts 15:18. But the crocodile’s life is just for this world, whereas the life of each of us is for eternity. Can you say that “your life is hid with Christ in God” (Col. 3:3) through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ?

ML-06/28/1987

The Warning Towers

Memory Verse: “The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust.” Psalm 18:2

In the Mediterranean Sea off the east coast of Spain is an island called Mallorca. It is the largest of a group of islands owned by Spain and has an interesting history as well as a delightful climate and beautiful scenery.

One of the many interesting things about the island is a series of stone towers which look like smoke stacks all along the shoreline. They are close enough that each tower can be seen by the next one in line. In this way every bend of the shoreline can be watched from one of the towers.

These tall structures were built and used hundreds of years ago when pirates cruised the Mediterranean, looking for easy victims. Before the towers were built, the pirates would come ashore, often killing, robbing and kidnapping whenever they caught the islanders off guard.

In addition to the towers, what was called a city of refuge was built, with a wall around it, on the north side of the island. This provided a safe place for the islanders to escape from the pirates.

When an unfriendly ship came into sight, its course was followed from tower to tower, using lanterns. If it came into shore, an alarm was sounded, and everyone who heard the alarm ran for safety with their loved ones and all they could carry that was valuable.

Boys and girls, Satan, just like those pirates, is looking for easy victims. But God has sent His watchmen (gospel preachers) to warn you to escape to a place of safety. “The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous [wise] runneth into it, and is safe.” Proverbs 18:10. The alarm has been sounded! Have you escaped to the only safe place? Are you safe in Christ?

On Mallorca those who waited too long to run to the city of safety were killed or carried away captive, never to be heard from again. Those who wait too long to run to the Lord Jesus for safety will be lost forever. The Bible says, “now is the day of salvation” (2 Cor. 6:2), and “there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12. Won’t you run to Jesus right now? He is waiting for your answer to His invitation, “Come unto Me.” Matthew 11:28.

ML-07/05/1987

"There's an Animal in My Room!"

One evening a missionary and his wife were reading together in their African home. They were startled by the loud voice of a young native woman calling through the door.

“Lady,” she called, “tell this poor girl about the good God.”

The missionaries went to the door to see what was going on. There stood a young woman whose face was covered with dirt, and her hair was matted and dirty. The missionary’s wife thought to herself, “She looks more like a wild animal than a girl.”

They were told that the girl had come a long way to hear “the words from the missionary.” They invited the girl to come in and spend the night with them. She was taken to her room, and then the missionary and his wife prayed together. They prayed for help and guidance to say the right things to this girl so that she might understand that she was a sinner and needed to be saved from her sins, and that the Lord Jesus Christ was the only One who could save her.

Suddenly, a few minutes after the girl had been shown to her room, there was a loud scream. Before the missionaries could move they heard her running down the stairs. The terrified girl ran into the room. She was breathing hard, and she looked as though she were about to faint.

“Why didn’t you tell me there was an animal in my room?” she gasped.

“There is no animal in your room,” said the missionary. “My wife will go back to your room with you.”

“No! No! It will jump on us!” said the girl, pulling back.

Taking the girl by the hand, the missionary’s wife led the frightened girl gently, but firmly, back to the room. “Now, show me what scared you,” she said.

The girl pointed to the mirror on the wall above the dresser. Then the missionary realized that the girl had never seen a mirror before. It was her own reflection that had frightened her.

“That’s you,” she explained to the girl. “It’s a reflection just like when you walk beside a river and see the nearby trees in the water.”

After watching a few of her motions copied by the mirror’s reflection, the girl was convinced that the “animal” was herself. “I’m so dirty and ugly,” she said to the missionary. “Can I be clean like you?”

The missionary’s wife saw to it that the girl got a bath. Then she washed her hair and braided it for her. She was given a clean, flowered-print dress to put on. Looking at her new image in the mirror the girl said, “I’m clean and pretty now.”

“Yes,” agreed the wife, “but only on the outside.” Then she went on to tell the young girl that on the inside she was just as “dirty” as she was before. She showed her from the Bible that God sees us “dead in trespasses and sins.” “Each one of us is like that,” she explained to her. “Everyone in your village, everyone in Africa, everyone in the whole world is a sinner. To make things worse,” she added, “God hates sin and sin cannot be in His presence.”

The young woman looked sadly at her missionary friend. “Then can I be clean on the inside, too?” she asked.

“Yes,” answered the missionary, “but it’s not by taking a bath and putting on a clean dress. The only way that we can be clean on the inside is to be washed by something that can wash away our sins from God’s sight.”

“What will do that?” the girl asked anxiously.

The missionary turned to 1 John 1:7 and read, “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” She went on to explain to the girl how the Lord Jesus suffered on the cross for the sins of those who believe on Him. She showed the girl other verses from the Bible that told of the love of God and His Son for sinners just like her.

The girl listened carefully to everything. Then in simple faith she asked the Lord Jesus to wash away her sins and be her very own Saviour.

Now she was clean on the inside, too.

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17.

ML-07/05/1987

Jesus Loves Me

I was visiting in a foreign country, far away from my home and my family. I was feeling lonely that day, wishing I could see my dear wife and children. A short while later I heard a voice singing and I stopped to listen. What do you think I heard? I looked across to the house next to the one where I was staying. There, on the front porch sitting in a little rocking chair was a little girl. As she rocked back and forth, she sang,

Jesus loves me, this I know,
For the Bible tells me so;
Little ones to Him belong;
They are weak, but He is strong.

I cannot tell you how this cheered me. I am sure the Lord Jesus was using that little girl to shine for Him and to tell others, anyone who would listen, about His love for them.

Do you know that Jesus loves you? He loved you so much that He died on the cruel cross of Calvary for you. He wants you to know that He loves you, and He wants you to trust in Him and have your sins washed away in His precious blood. Just tell Him that you are a sinner, and that you want Him to wash your sins away — and He will. Then you will be happy and able to sing,

“Jesus loves me! This I know,

for the Bible tells me so... "

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

ML-07/05/1987

Your Faithful Soldiers

The Wonders of God’s Creation

“Great and marvelous are Thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are Thy ways.” Revelation 15:3.

Among the wonders of God’s creation nothing can equal the human body and mind. Human intellect far excels that of all other creatures, and it is only because of sin having come into the world that our bodies do not now have their created perfection, but are subject to sickness, weakness and death.

But, even with sin having caused these sad things, God, in His love for mankind, has given our bodies the ability to perform most remarkably, including an almost unbelievable array of “soldiers,” without whose services we could not survive. Let’s investigate some of them.

Although unseen, untold millions of bacteria are always present all over our bodies, but are unable to harm us unless they discover a cut or injury that leaves an open wound. But some do enter through the nose and mouth, so that a vast number of them are always inside our bodies, and if the Creator had not provided a way to fight them, our life span would be short indeed.

This is where the marvelous work of our soldier guards takes place automatically. There are thousands of types of microscopic soldiers that come to our rescue when the invaders show up. The main ones are called white blood cells. About a trillion of these move through every part of our bodies at all times, searching for intruders. Finding some, they immediately attack, and at the same time a part of the body called the thymus starts manufacturing millions more to help in the battle that is to take place. Some of the new reinforcements are called, by the medical people, “helpers” and others “killers.”

Amazingly, everyone in this coined group knows exactly where to go and what its particular job is. When the battle is over, the same crews clean up the entire area, remove their own dead ones as well as the destroyed enemies, and then take part in repairing the part of the body that has been damaged. Have you ever heard of anything more amazing? It reminds us that with God all things are possible.

Is it not a gracious provision of His love that, although death is the penalty of sin, yet He has placed such a remarkable means of defense within us? If it were not so, a baby’s first illness would cause its death. No doubt His kindness in prolonging some lives is to give full opportunity to believe in the Lord Jesus as the Saviour of all who put their trust in Him, before it is too late.

The uncertainty of life (soldier cells are not always winners of the battles) should cause all to hear His faithful word: “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:2. Also, “To-day if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts.” Hebrews 3:7,8. Do not delay if you have not yet come to the Saviour. Tomorrow may be too late!

ML-07/05/1987

Under the White Stone

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

Ever since the day her brothers teased Ling Fang about not being able to speak English, what she wanted most was to learn the language. Only boys went to school in China at that time. Education was not thought to be necessary for girls.

Ling Fang saw only one means of learning English; she would have to attend a foreign missionary school. She didn’t dare suggest this to her father, but she did tell her secret wish to her nurse.

“I want to attend a foreign missionary school where they teach English and piano,” Ling Fang told her.

“But are you not afraid they will make you eat their Christianity?” her nurse replied.

“I don’t want their Christianity, but I would rather be an educated spirit than a stupid peon.”

The nurse told this to one of Ling Fang’s brothers, who then told their father.

The father, who genuinely desired his daughter’s happiness, gave his permission.

The first time Ling Fang went to the missionary school she dressed in new and very costly clothes and was carried by servants in her own sedan chair. When Miss Leaman, who was in charge of the school, saw Ling Fang she knew at once that she came from a wealthy family.

“What is your name and what is your father’s name?” Miss Leaman asked.

When Ling Fang answered, Miss Leaman looked surprised and said, “Your father is Mr. Tsai, the Acting Viceroy of Hangchow?”

Ling Fang nodded yes.

“This school has many poor orphans, and I am not sure someone with your background could be happy here,” explained Miss Leaman.

“But I want to learn English and how to play the piano. I don’t mind the orphans. My father also gave me permission,” Ling Fang replied. And so she was accepted.

Ling Fang’s first English lesson was a story called, “A Deer at the Brook.” A few days after, Miss Leaman asked, “Would you like to attend our English Bible class?”

“No,” Ling Fang answered abruptly.

“But you cannot really be educated unless you learn this book,” Miss Leaman said.

Ling Fang did not reply to this. To herself she thought, “What? Not educated if one does not know this book? Does she think our Chinese scholars are uneducated!”

The first time Ling Fang saw Christians worshiping together she was bewildered by it. She asked Miss Leaman, “What is everyone doing?”

“Worshiping,” was the reply.

This seemed strange to the girl for she was brought up to worship Buddhist idols and to burn incense to dead relatives. The idea of worshiping without something to look at was new to her. She didn’t know that “God is a Spirit: and they that worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth.” John 4:24.

Ling Fang worked hard at her studies and was sent to another missionary school which offered her more advanced classes. All this time her heart remained closed to Christianity.

At this new school it was required of all students to attend a regular Bible meeting. Ling Fang would make up excuses not to go. “My back is hurting today,” or, “I have a toothache.” The teachers soon understood that these were only excuses and made her attend. Ling Fang would bring Chinese books to the meetings and spend the time reading.

Ling Fang and another Chinese friend at the school even started writing a book about why they didn’t need Christianity, because they had Confucius and Buddha.

Even though Ling Fang was dishonoring God’s Son, the Lord Jesus, God didn’t give up on her. In Psalms 103:8 we read, “The Lord is merciful and gracious, slow to anger, and plenteous in mercy.” To hear one time of the Lord Jesus and the salvation He offers is a great mercy, but to hear of Him many times while still not receiving Him is only possible because “God is plenteous in mercy.” It was Ling Fang’s love of the English language which God used to draw her to Himself.

An American evangelist was to preach at a gospel meeting. The man was well known for his speaking ability. Because of this, Ling Fang decided to attend. The man was preaching from John 8:12. “I am the light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.”

Ling Fang let down the bars of her heart and listened. One illustration the man used stuck in Ling Fang’s mind. It went like this: “If a piece of wood is kept in darkness, all kinds of insects will hide under it. But if we expose it to the light, the insects will run away. So it is with our hearts and the Lord Jesus who is the light of life. If we do not have Him in our hearts, our hearts will be full of darkness and have all kinds of evil in them. The moment we receive the Lord Jesus as Saviour, light comes into our hearts and the evil must leave.” This illustration stayed in Ling Fang’s mind, because she hated insects.

A few days later she was playing a game of croquet. She saw a white stone lying on the grass. This reminded her of the illustration. With her mallet she lifted the rock up, and as the daylight reached them, out ran a big lizard and several creeping insects. Ling Fang shuddered. A voice within her seemed to say, “You are just like this white stone — smooth and white on the outside and full of sin on the inside.” Ling Fang was beginning to see why she needed a Saviour. She hurried to her room and made sure she was alone. She kneeled by her bed and prayed, “Lord Jesus, forgive me my sins and help me to understand Thy Word.” It was only a short prayer, but it was a prayer of faith. As she got to her feet, her face felt hot and her heart beat fast. She had just left the religion of her family behind, with its idols and ancestor worship. The burden of sin and the weight of unbelief rolled off her. She felt new and free — a joy and peace were hers which she had not experienced before. Her life was changed. “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” 2 Corinthians 5:17. No person can accept the Lord Jesus as their Saviour and be the same again.

“My life was changed,” Ling Fang said of the time of her conversion. “The old unrest was gone, and all the world seemed a beautiful garden of the Lord.”

“Whom having not seen, ye love; in whom, though now ye see Him not... ye rejoice with joy unspeakable.” 1 Peter 1:8. This joy was Ling Fang’s. It can be yours, too, by believing on the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour. “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” 1 Timothy 1:15.

ML-07/12/1987

Likeable Alpacas

The Wonders of God’s Creation

“Through faith we understand... by the word of God... that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.” Hebrews 11:3.

In the South American countries of Bolivia, Argentina and Peru and nearby parts of the high Andes Mountains, large numbers of lively and playful alpacas seem to enjoy their time spent eating the tall grass and chewing their cuds. They are a lovable type of animal with odd but pleasant-looking, inquisitive white faces. Their expressions seem friendly when they look you over with what appears to be a big smile. They also have long, thick necks and upright, alert ears.

They are short, thick-bodied animals, looking like a huge stuffed toy, with coats of fleecy brown, black or white wool which covers them from head to feet like a huge blanket. Actually related to the camel and llama families, they are only about three to four feet high at their shoulders, although their long necks make them appear to be much taller. Even-toed and hoofed and about as nimble as mountain goats, they are right at home on the high, steep slopes of the Andes Mountains.

For as far back as anyone remembers, numbers of alpacas have been tamed, given good care and raised by many ranchers. Their valuable wool, when about twelve inches long, is sheared usually every year, and each one produces about six pounds. In Peru alone, where some two million of these animals are raised for that purpose, about three thousand tons (more than six million pounds) of wool are sheared every year. So you can see it is a large business and valued by the native people. (Maybe you have a sweater made of alpaca wool.)

While llamas and alpacas look alike to anyone not familiar with them, there are, of course, differences in them. One of these is that the llamas are stronger and principally used as pack animals, carrying loads across the plains and mountain passes, whereas alpacas cannot be used that way. Another easy-to-spot difference is that the alpaca holds its stubby tail close to its body at all times, while the llama holds it longer tail up in the air.

The Creator has given all these animals whose homes are from 12,000 to 16,000 feet above sea level, extra-large lungs and three times as many important red blood corpuscles as man has, which enable them to live and be active at altitudes where there is less oxygen.

It is interesting to consider the vast number of animals placed on the earth by the Creator, and we know He found pleasure in providing a great variety of them. The Bible clearly tells us this, saying, “Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power: for Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created.” Revelation 4:11. Have you ever praised Him and thanked Him for His care and love shown to you?

ML-07/12/1987

Evelyn's Tastes of Freedom

Memory Verse: “Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:32

We could describe her life in one word — boring. At night Evelyn the gorilla was locked up in her cage. During the day she was allowed to go outdoors into the gorilla yard which was surrounded by a brick wall on three sides and steel bars in the front.

Each day hundreds of visitors came to the zoo. Evelyn would watch them as they passed by. They could walk away, but because of the bars and walls she could not. Evelyn wanted to walk down that sidewalk and see what was around the corner.

One day she saw Leonel, her gorilla friend, standing by the wall. She walked over to him, climbed up his back, and stood on his shoulders, grabbed the top of the 12-foot wall, and pulled herself over. She was free!

Now it was her turn to stroll down the sidewalk. She saw people running away from her in every direction. She didn’t know why. She was just wandering around, investigating whatever she came across.

But the news of a 200-pound gorilla loose in the zoo grounds travels pretty fast. She had been free only about 45 minutes when she felt a sharp sting in the back of her leg. Seconds later she fell asleep. A zookeeper had shot her with a tranquilizer dart so she would go to sleep. Then they could put her back in her cage.

The brick wall was built several inches higher on the side where she had escaped before Evelyn was allowed to return to the yard.

The day she was allowed back in the yard it happened all over again. Leonel, as if he had been asked, stood beside the other brick wall while Evelyn climbed to his shoulders and scrambled over the wall. Evelyn had a second little trip of freedom which ended just like the first one did.

After her second breakout, Evelyn was kept in her night cage until workers could raise the entire wall several more inches. Now it is doubtful that she will be able to escape again.

Freedom is very precious, and no one should take it for granted. True freedom comes from knowing Jesus Christ, God’s Son: “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” John 8:36.

So that we might enjoy true freedom, “the Father sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.” 1 John 4:14. Because the Lord Jesus went to the cross and died in the sinner’s place, God can give eternal life to every person who believes on His Son.

Do believe on the Lord Jesus today. Because of your sin you will never be truly free nor be happy in this life without Him. Don’t let pride become high walls and steel bars between you and the Lord Jesus Christ. He will give you not only freedom, but peace and happiness, if you’ll only come to Him.

“And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:32.

ML-07/19/1987

Hurricane!

The “hurricane alert” quickly spread over the island soon after it was announced. Already the wind had become so strong that it was bending the palm trees over so that the island looked like it was sliding into the sea! Hurricane Allen had switched direction: it was now heading right for the island.

The natives were hurrying around, gathering up things to take inside and tying down anything else that could blow away. Out in the harbor they were also securing their boats as best they could, preparing them to ride out the storm.

Bernie walked around the deck of his boat again, checking for anything that might still be loose. He had not owned this boat very long and hoped to earn a little money sailing tourists around the island. Once the full force of the wind hit, Bernie knew anything loose would tear and be blown away. He realized that he could easily lose the whole boat.

The boat had been turned so its nose faced into the wind, with three sturdy anchors carefully set out. These were tied securely to the boat so that they would not loosen or be damaged by anything rubbing against the strong ropes.

It was hard just waiting for the storm to hit, but already the wind was shrieking at 45 mph and steadily rising. He was glad that at least he was in the harbor with some protection.

This scene is similar to one we see every day. God tells us of judgment that is coming on this world. People are busy trying to prepare themselves to escape. Some are very honest and upright, doing good deeds, like helping their neighbors. Others go regularly to church, give money to the poor, and all of them hope to escape the coming storm of punishment by their good works.

Isaiah 32:2 tells us, “And a Man shall be as a hiding place from the wind.” Who is that Man who can hide us from the punishment God requires for sin? It is none other than the Lord Jesus Christ who endured the punishment of God for those who would believe in Him and be saved. 1 John 1:7 says, “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.”

By now the sky was dark. The air was filled with a choking spray as the waves grew higher and higher. Palm fronds, pieces of buildings, tin roofs and other debris were being whirled through the air. Lightning danced along the ragged clouds, then split the heavens in deafening crashes of thunder. Everything seemed bathed in an eerie, greenish light. The wind was now screaming at 90 to 110 mph! It did not seem like anything could possibly survive!

In his little sailboat, Bernie was having a difficult time. Hour after hour his boat had taken a steady pounding from the seas. The cabin was in shambles, and Bernie was tired and sore from being banged around. One giant wave had nearly rolled the boat over, and he did not know if she could take much more.

Suddenly there was a wrenching, splintering sound and then a roar. Bernie looked toward the hatch cover overhead which had been torn away. He saw a cresting wave above him! Water poured into the cabin, and he started to bail frantically. Would this terrible storm ever end? Then he became aware of a new motion of the boat. He quit bailing and quickly went to the forward hatch and looked out. One of the anchor lines had broken, but the other two still held the little boat securely.

Hours later, the storm now past, the islanders began the massive cleanup. Smashed boats littered the beach, and destruction was everywhere. Hurricane Allen had been one of the worst storms ever known. Weary, but relieved, Bernie was glad that his boat had survived the storm.

What careful plans are made by people who try to make peace with God in their own way. Then when the storms of this life smash their efforts, they are left in despair. Christ has died to make peace for us — He now is our peace. When we accept Him as our Saviour, we have a hope that is an anchor to the soul, both sure and steadfast (Heb. 6:19).

If you, too, are weary of the storms and trials of a sinful life, why not come to the harbor to safety? The Lord Jesus Christ will save you from the awful storm of God’s judgment and be an anchor for your soul forever.

“Thou art my hiding place.” Psalms 119:114.

ML-07/19/1987

The Noisy Puffbirds

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

There are many species of puffbirds in the rain forests of Central and South America. They are not very big, only about seven inches from their beaks to the tips of their tails, but they make up for any lack in size by their loud and noisy chatter. Their heads, with big red eyes, are rather large in proportion to their bodies and are decorated with a long, white, feather tuft under their bills and another on top of their foreheads. The name “puffbird” has been given to them because they often sit with these feathers fluffed out like a puffball.

The Creator has provided them with wide short bills, enabling them to scoop insects out of the air with ease. Sitting on a branch or other high place in groups, individuals dart out quickly now and then for passing bugs and flies, or spiders and lizards they may spot, as well as small frogs.

One, called the white-eared, is among the prettiest. It is all white on its throat and lower parts, decorated with a vivid-orange beak and reddish-brown cap, with narrow black ribbons across it, matching its tail feathers. Its reddish-brown wings are decorated with numerous black patches.

Another, the swallow-wing, has a bluish-black cape over its head and down most of its back and wings, but sports a distinctive white area between its cape and tail. Its body is a nice combination of blue beak and breast with orange lower plumage.

The smallest, but most active, is the white-fronted. In spite of its name, only half of its front is white, the balance being a grayish-blue, nicely matching its broad tail feathers. The male and female of this group surround their burrow entrances with sticks to help conceal it, and together remove the fresh dirt from the tunnel so enemies can’t easily find their underground home.

With all puffbirds both parents work together digging a burrow and making a nest at the end. After the eggs are laid, both also share incubating them. However, after hatching, the male always stays with the chicks for a week or more while the female finds food. She brings this to the tunnel entrance, and the little ones get good exercise walking up to get it. The male doesn’t eat any of this food, so has to make quick trips outside to satisfy his hunger. Chicks fly from the nest when about three weeks old.

The Bible verse at the top of the page tells us that the Lord God knows all about these birds which He has created and cares for. He knows all about you, as well, and wants you to trust in Him by accepting the Lord Jesus as your Saviour. Have you done this?

ML-07/19/1987

The Deliverance of God

Memory Verse: “The Lord thinketh upon me: Thou art my help and my deliverer.” Psalm 40:17

Does God send angels to watch over us and to deliver us in times of danger? The Word of God, the Bible, refers to angels as “always [beholding] the face of [our] Father which is in heaven. For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.” Matthew 18:10,11.

An incident that happened last summer on a butte near Sweet Home, Oregon, might well be a case of God’s sending an angel to help Sue Arrance and her little daughter Starolette.

Late one night, the van that was driven by Sue missed a sharp turn in the road and plunged over 100 feet into the ravine below, bouncing off boulders and snapping off trees, leaving the van a battered, twisted wreck at the bottom.

Little Starr, only five years old, was thrown clear of the wreckage, but she suffered a broken nose, cuts, bruises and scrapes.

Sue, her mother, was in far worse condition. She had many injuries, including broken ribs, a punctured lung, a fractured pelvis, a broken leg and cuts on her head. Starr crawled the 30 feet over to her mother, who was also thrown out of the van. She thought her unconscious mother was dead.

The night was dark and cold. The canyon was unfamiliar and dangerous. But Starr remembered her father’s instructions. He had taken Starr and her older sister on hikes along the ridges and canyons of that part of Oregon and taught them about trees, birds and animal tracks. He had instructed them that if they were ever lost at the bottom of a canyon, the only way to go is up, because they were bound to find a road.

The paramedic team that finally was called the next morning found it necessary to use ropes and other safety equipment to get down and up the steep canyon wall.

In the dark, little Starr climbed part way up through brambles, around boulders and through dumped trash. At one point she lost her footing and hit her head on a rock. She started back up the side of the canyon, but she got cold. Finding a hole, she crawled into it and spent the night there.

It was while she was in this hole, cold and afraid, that a little boy with a puppy appeared and spent the night with her, telling her not to worry, that everything was going to be all right.

Her father Ron felt that it was just a make-believe friend, but her mother felt that God had sent an angel to help in their rescue. In either case, we believe it was God’s deliverance, because God is able even to work in our minds to comfort and guide us. Starr received the needed comfort and encouragement to go on.

Ellen Walker, driving the cliff-top road the next morning, found the battered little girl barefoot and shivering by the side of the road. She took Starr to her home and gave her a hot bath. Then Starr began to spill her story. Ellen called the sheriff’s office while her husband drove to the spot and found the van at the bottom.

Had the little girl not made it to the top when she did, her mother would soon have died. Her injuries were very serious, her body temperature was dangerously low, and she was in a state of shock.

Little Starr has completely recovered from her injuries and her mother is continuing to mend, having survived because of a loving God who sends help in His own way, according to His wisdom and love.

Starr’s mother said, “I really do believe that Jesus sent that ‘little boy’ to help her feel comfortable.”

Boys and girls, what a God we have! He is “not willing that any should perish.” 2 Peter 3:9. He not only cares for us in our everyday lives here below, but has a far greater care for our never-dying souls. We have been caught in the wreckage of sin and are on our way into the pit of hell. But God loves us so much He has sent His own Son into this world to deliver us and lead us safely to heaven.

Yes, Jesus came down to this sin-ruined earth, but the deliverance He provides cost Him a great price. He had to bear “our sins in His own body on the tree.” 1 Peter 2:24. “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.

Will you accept His deliverance?

ML-07/26/1987

Jesus Can and Jesus Will

I cannot make this black heart white,

But Jesus can.

I cannot make my life a light,

But Jesus can.

I cannot beat back every foe,

Nor make my naughty temper go,

Nor wash my robes “whiter than snow,”

But Jesus can.

Not only Jesus can, we say,

But Jesus will.

Jesus can wash my sins away,

And Jesus will.

This heart I ask Him to renew

And fill with all that’s good and true;

More than I ask, Jesus can do,

And Jesus will!

ML-07/26/1987

An Interesting Trip

Jon was eight years old, and he and his father, mother, sister and brothers were going on a little vacation. They were going to visit Uncle Steve and Aunt Linda who loved these children very much, and whom these children loved very much also.

On the trip to their house, which was over 300 miles away, they stopped for other activities to make the trip interesting and fun for the children. They visited a zoo, stayed at a motel where there was a swimming pool and had picnics all things that boys and girls like to do. While they were at their uncle and aunt’s house, they got to do more special things. They had more picnics, went on hikes, took a trip to a museum, and even had a birthday party for one of the children.

When the family got back home from their trip, Jon was telling his grandmother about the trip and all the wonderful things they had done and seen. She listened as he eagerly told her about each activity. Finally she asked, “Jon, what was the very best part of your whole trip?”

Jon thought for a moment, then answered, “The very best part was just enjoying Uncle Steve and Aunt Linda.”

What thoughtful words from a child. While there will be many, many things in heaven for us to enjoy, still, the very best part about being in heaven is going to be just as Jon said, “just enjoying Him!” our Saviour the Lord Jesus Christ.

“Delight thyself also in the Lord.” Psalms 37:4. “In My Father’s house are many mansions... I go to prepare a place for you.... I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” John 14:2,3.

ML-07/26/1987

Palm Trees: Another of God's Gifts

“Blessed is the man that trusteth in the Lord.... For he shall be as a tree planted by the waters... neither shall [he] cease from yielding fruit.” Jeremiah 17:7,8.

The Bible often speaks of palm trees. For instance, in Exodus 15:27 we read that when the Israelites were thirsty and weary in the desert “they came to Elim, where were twelve wells of water, and threescore and ten [70] palm trees” where they enjoyed a good rest. Another occasion is found in John 12:12,13, telling of “much people... when they heard that Jesus was coming to Jerusalem, took branches of palm trees, and went forth to meet Him.”

Palms grow throughout the tropics and other places where there is abundant sunshine. Varieties include cabbage palms, sagos, palmettos and the well-know date and coconut palms. An oasis of palms around a well of water is always a welcome sight in the desert. They also add beauty to many ocean islands, leaning over the shoreline, and the Creator has so formed them that they stand firm in the fiercest gales, fronds (leaves) trailing in the wind and their flexible trunks bending gracefully. Coconuts from them are often carried on ocean waves to distant shores, were they take root and soon add beauty and supply food to yet another spot.

It is easy to see why palm trees are considered one of the Creator’s great gifts to mankind, providing daily food for millions, as well as timber, fuel, boats, dishes and a long list of useful things. Soap and candles are made from coconuts and sugar from the tree’s sap. The fruit of some is dried into starch, used in puddings and parts of the fronds are made into clothing.

Date palms provide one of the most reliable foods for people in many places. Large groves grow right in the southern United States, their fruit appealing to the appetites of those who like their sweet and nourishing quality, which also often helps cookies, bread and cakes, as well as candies, taste so good.

As we speak of the wonderful fruit coming from so many of these palms, we are reminded that we are ourselves told in God’s Word, the Bible, to be “fruitful” in our lives, just as our opening verse states. Another verse in Colossians 1:10 says, “That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work.” Also, reading from Luke 6:43,44, “For a good tree bringeth not forth corrupt [bad] fruit; neither doth a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. For every tree is known by his own fruit.”

What kind of fruit shows itself in your life? When a Christian really wants to please the Lord and be helpful to people around him, the Lord will always help him or her to do so, when such a desire is told to Him in prayer. Do you do this?

ML-07/26/1987

The Foolish Lamb

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

We had just pitched our tents on the bank of the Hawash River when the sky grew dark and rain began to pour down. As often happens in Africa, the rain came down so hard and fast that the ground could not absorb it quickly enough. Soon there were many little ponds and rivers joining together to swell the nearby stream which fed the Hawash River.

As the rain was beginning, a shepherd led his flock of sheep down to the edge of the stream, and hurried them quickly over to the other side. All but one of the sheep crossed over safely. And that little lamb was enjoying the green grass near our tent, and was left behind when the rest crossed the stream.

Are you like that foolish little lamb? Perhaps your daddy and mother know the Lord Jesus as their Saviour and are following Him. Maybe your brother is saved, or the friend you sit next to in Sunday school may belong to the Lord Jesus. But, like the little lamb, you are still going your own way and not following the Lord Jesus Christ to safety.

As long as the rain was gentle and soft, the little lamb enjoyed munching away at the green grass all by itself. But soon the rain began to come down harder and harder, and then the lamb became frightened. It decided to join the other sheep on the other side of the stream. But the rain had swollen the stream until it was now a rushing river, much too deep and fast for the lamb to cross over safely. In fear, the poor little lamb began to run up and down the bank of the stream, bleating for help.

Today it is easy for you to come to the Lord Jesus. He loves you and calls you to “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28. He promises that “him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.” John 6:37. He invites you now; tomorrow may be too late. “Now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:2.

The shepherd soon missed his little lamb, and waded back across the rushing stream to carry it to safety. But the poor little thing was frightened by the rain and the thunder, and every time the shepherd came close to it, it ran away from him, bleating. It did not seem to recognize that the shepherd was only trying to carry it to safety.

It was getting dark now, and hyenas would soon be prowling around, looking for something to eat. The little lamb was in real danger.

Faithfully and lovingly the shepherd followed the lamb, calling and calling until at last he managed to catch it. Then, holding it on his shoulders out of reach of the rushing water, he carried it safely to the fold where the rest of the sheep were sheltering.

Boys and girls, won’t you let the Lord Jesus save you? He said, “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth His life for the sheep.” John 10:11. He loved you so much that He suffered and died on the cross so that you could be saved from the punishment you deserve for your sins. Now He wants to forgive you and take you safely home to spend eternity with Him in heaven. Won’t you accept Him today?

ML-08/02/1987

The Volcano

Recently we had the privilege of visiting the Hawaiian Islands. One of the things I think we shall always remember is the destruction caused by the recent volcanic eruptions of Mt. Kiluea.

It is difficult to imagine rock heated so hot that it melts and flows like a raging flood, flowing as fast as 30 miles per hour, with fountains of lava spurting 1700 feet into the air. That’s as high as tall skyscrapers. But such can be the force of an eruption.

Among the ruins, we saw the places where houses once stood, the burned out tops of cars, and twisted steel gates. We could still feel the heat of the lava as we walked on top of it.

It reminded us of the Bible verses found in 2 Peter 3:9-12 which tell us of God’s final destruction of this earth. “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,” and “all these things shall be dissolved.”

Yes, God will destroy the whole earth with fire because of the corruption of sin. But God also tells us that He is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.”

What a loving God He is. He is grieved by sin and all the sorrow that it has caused and does cause. God is holy and cannot let it continue. He must punish sin and everyone who will not accept the Lord Jesus as their substitute. Have you confessed to God that you are a sinner? He wants to save you from fiery judgment, so He sent His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, into the world to die for sinners. Yes, through Him is “the forgiveness of sins: and by Him all that believe are justified from all things.” Acts 13:38,39. But to those who will not repent and receive the Lord Jesus, God says, “Behold, ye despisers... and perish.” verse 41.

What a wonderful God. Though He must punish sin, He loves the sinner and wants to save him. He can take away all your sins and save you from that terrible punishment. Won’t you believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved?

“What must I do to be saved?” “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” Acts 16:30,31.

ML-08/02/1987

The $1,500 Pet

Mr. and Mrs. Morgan really valued Mickey their Macaw. Not only was he a family pet, but he cost $1,500! A Macaw is a long-tailed parrot with beautiful blue, red, yellow and green feathers. These birds come from the warm climates of Mexico and South America. So Mickey had to live indoors at the Morgan’s Illinois home.

One September day Mickey escaped from the Morgan’s house. No one seemed to know just how he got out, but there he was at the top of a tree! Mr. and Mrs. Morgan called the fire department which arrived at the scene with a large snorkel truck to try to capture Mickey. The snorkel would lift a fireman right up to the top of the tree. But each time a fireman would get within reach of Mickey, off he would fly to the next tree. It certainly looked like an impossible job to catch Mickey, the $1,500 pet.

Have you ever thought of your value to God? Matthew 10:30 tells us that God values us so much He knows exactly how many hairs we each have on our head! We also know that God’s love for us is so great that He sent His only Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to die on the cross to wash away our sins. Have you asked Him to wash away your sins and be your Saviour? Those who love the Lord Jesus are called His jewels in Malachi 3:17 — “They shall be Mine, saith the Lord of hosts, in that day when I make up My jewels.” Are you one of His valuable jewels?

After several attempts to capture Mickey had failed, a fireman came up with a great idea — and it worked! The fireman hooked up the fire hose and sprayed Mickey lightly with water until his feathers were soaked. Poor Mickey was now so heavy with water that he could not fly anywhere. Now it was an easy job to raise the snorkel and catch Mickey. How glad the Morgans were to have Mickey safe indoors again — even if he was all wet!

Just as the Morgans would not leave Mickey in the tree top, the Lord Jesus will not leave His own children in this world. The Lord Jesus values His children so much that He has prepared a place for them in heaven. Very soon He will come to take those who have accepted Him as their Saviour to that home. Will He take you? “I go to prepare a place for you.” John 14:2. “I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” John 14:3.

ML-08/02/1987

Leaf-Cutting (Parasol) Ants: Part 1

The Wonders of God’s Creation

“And God made the beast of the earth after his kind... and everything that creepeth upon the earth after his kind.” Genesis 1:25.

There are over 12,000 kinds of ants throughout the world, all extremely interesting. The one we will now consider is particularly so in many ways. Some of the leaf-cutting ant colonies in Central and South America contain a million ants or more, and tons of soil are often dug by them while making such big nests with their many rooms.

This ant is not interested in seeds, fruit, or any kind of food except that which is made in its own home from pieces of green leaves, farmed and tended by them very carefully. Just getting these leaf pieces to the nest is a big project.

First, scouts are given the duty of finding a tree with the right kind of leaves and then marking out a trail to it with special odors. In ways provided by their Creator, they pass the word when this is done. Then workers, having sharp mandibles like the teeth of a saw, go to the tree, each selecting a suitable leaf and cutting out sections much larger than themselves. These they pass, one by one, to another worker which lifts it up over her head like a parasol, except that it stands upright. With this accomplished she joins hundreds of others walking in a single line back to the nest over the marked trail which may be 400 or 500 feet long (which would be like a person walking 20 miles with a heavy load). Usually they do this several times a night!

Under certain conditions pesky flies, that want to lay eggs in the carrier’s body while it is occupied with its load, light on the piece of leaf, waiting for an opportunity to attack. But the ants prepare for this by sending along a tiny sister ant who hops aboard the leaf after it has been hoisted up, scurrying over it, front and back and top to bottom, all the way to the nest and chases away any flies that show up. On arrival, it hops down and returns to the tree to make a similar trip with another carrier ant.

We might ask, who taught these ants such amazing tricks? Or, for that matter, how did they learn to cut leaf sections and store them away for food? As the Bible verse above tells us the Lord God created the ants, just as He did all living things, and He gave them instincts distinguishing one kind from another that often amaze us. David, the psalmist, in thinking on these wonderful provisions, wrote: “The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein. His work is honorable and glorious.... He hath made His wonderful works to be remembered.” Psalms 111:2-4.

When we look on all the wondrous things about us, let us always remember who it is that has made them.

(to be continued)

ML-08/02/1987

Hero in Feathers

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

When the doorbell rang no one expected the surprise Mother found as she opened the door. Nestled in a basket on the front step was a round, yellow ball of fluff. It had two black, shiny beads for eyes and a bill that constantly poked into everything. It was a little baby duck—a present from an unknown friend.

Neither Mother nor Father was very happy about this gift. They both knew that baby chicks and ducks are often mishandled when given to small children. But to Susie, their three-year-old daughter, this present was just for her. From the moment the little duck came into the house, all of Susie’s toys were forgotten for this tiny bit of quacking life.

Much to the surprise of her parents, Susie was very gentle with the soft, fragile body of the duckling. So it didn’t take long for the duck to show that Susie “belonged” to him, too. Wherever she walked he waddled along right behind her. When she would run, in his hurry to catch up he would fall over himself with loud quacking that demanded, “Wait for me!”

Susie spent hours that first day cuddling him, talking to him and showing him her toys. She showed story books, dolls, and blocks to the small duck which was nestled by her side quacking contentedly. Trying to make him understand, she would bend over with her nose to his bill, explaining everything. He seemed to answer by stretching his little neck and making little quacking noises. Sometime during that first day the yellow ball of fluff got a name—Waddles!

Mother and Father did not really want to keep this fluffy gift. From the beginning Father insisted it should go to a pet store or a farm. They decided to keep it only for one day.

It was raining the next morning. This made it easy to delay taking Waddles out to Grandmother’s farm. Every day after that for a week some reason seemed to come up for waiting to get rid of Waddles. Finally, it was decided that he could stay.

At last Susie had her first playmate. There were no children her age living nearby, so Susie and Waddles did their exploring together in the high-fenced backyard. It was amazing how a funny little duck could so quickly and completely take over what at times had been a real job for her parents—keeping track of a three-year-old.

The two friends chased butterflies, built castles in the sandbox, played hide-and-go-seek among the shrubs and lawn furniture, or just sat in the sun “talking” to each other.

As the summer wore on, Waddle’s yellow down was replaced with a thick coat of gray feathers marked with black. He grew larger than most ducks and was quite a sight as he waddled proudly about the yard.

Waddles was about two years old when Susie’s baby sister, Carol, was born. Carol was brought home from the hospital and placed in the crib. Susie and Waddles had been watching the new arrival for a few minutes when Susie asked, “Where are her teeth?”

But it was Waddles who was the biggest surprise. Except for different ways of quacking, he had never made any other sound. Now, he suddenly beat his large wings against his sides, let out a trumpeting honk, and sat down beside Carol’s bed! With that one wild honk, Waddles was telling the world that he was now an adult. He was now going to take on a new job — protecting the new baby. From that moment Waddle’s attention switched from Susie to Carol.

This loss of a friend was very hard for Susie at first. But starting to kindergarten and a new family moving into the neighborhood with a little girl her age, helped her over the problem.

Waddles began guarding Carol whenever she was put in the backyard. No one, except the family, could go in the yard without being attacked by Waddles. This included the local dogs and cats and even the milkman. The yard belonged to Waddles when Carol was being guarded.

One Saturday afternoon all the neighborhood children were in the yard for games and a picnic lunch. After they left, Susie had to go inside to take a nap. Carol was placed in her buggy in the backyard to take her nap. Mother went back into the house, and Waddles took his usual place underneath the buggy in his “guard position.”

Five minutes later the phone rang. A friend down the street said, “I just saw a dog turn into your driveway, and it looks like a mad dog to me!” Rabies had broken out among some of the dogs in the town. Whenever a stray dog was seen in the neighborhood, everyone was sure it had rabies.

Thanking her friend, Mother hung up the phone and then thought, “The back gate!” She hadn’t checked it to make sure it was closed after the children left. Frightened, she hurried for the yard. Before she reached the back door she heard, for the second time in her life, that loud, wild honk from Waddles!

Bursting through the door, Mother saw something she will never forget. Not three yards from the baby buggy was an ugly, shaggy dog with a swollen head, red, wild eyes and foaming mouth. Flying at him was Waddles, wings outspread, neck stretch out, and beak snapping and cracking like a gun! Grabbing Carol, Mother ran back into the house and called the police.

Mother couldn’t see the fight going on in the yard, but she could hear it. The blood-chilling growls and the thrashing around told her that the shaggy dog and Waddles were fighting all over the backyard.

Mother knew there wasn’t anything she could do. She hoped that Waddles would realize his danger and fly up on something out of reach before it was too late. But all the time she knew he wouldn’t. Waddles simply would not stop fighting until his enemy was driven out of the yard. This time, however, the enemy didn’t have enough sense to run, no matter how much he was beaten.

The pain-filled squawks and barks gradually lessened, as did the sound of the fight. Then, all was quiet in the backyard. The police arrived, and there was a muffled pistol shot. One of the officers came to the back door and said, “I want you to see a sight you will never see again.”

The backyard was in shambles! Chairs had been upset, flowers and shrubs were beaten down, even the buggy had been overturned! In the open gateway, with a wing tip touching the fence on either side, lay Waddles. Just beyond him in the driveway lay the dog’s body.

“The dog was almost dead when I got here,” said the officer. “I don’t think the bullet was really necessary. Your duck had really torn him apart!” Then looking down at the still warm but motionless body of Waddles he added, “He protected his own, didn’t he?”

Yes, Waddles had “protected his own.” Somehow he had managed to hold on until he had driven his last enemy out of his backyard. He had given up his life to protect his little world and the ones he loved.

Doesn’t this story describe what the Lord Jesus Christ has done for each of us? He gave up His life that we might be saved and have everlasting life. The Bible says that “when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” Romans 5:6. Each of us is “without strength” when it comes to doing anything about our sins. Just as Carol would not have been able to fight against the mad dog, we cannot do anything about our sins. We need someone to help us, just like Carol did. The Lord Jesus Christ saw that we were helpless and died to save us. His love for us was so great that He suffered on the cross for the sins of everyone who will believe in Him. “For the Son of man is come to save that which was lost.” Matthew 18:11. He did this because He knew we were on the way to hell, a lost eternity. He wanted to rescue us from that terrible punishment. He has already done everything that is needed for us to be saved. All we have to do is believe.

Do you believe that you are a lost sinner “without strength"? If you do, why not ask Him to wash your sins away and be saved right now. “The Lord is... not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9.

ML-08/09/1987

Leaf-Cutting (Parasol) Ants: Part 2

The Wonders of God’s Creation

“And all men shall fear [respect], and shall declare the work of God; for they shall wisely consider of His doing.” Psalms 64:9.

In the last issue we learned how these amazing leaf-cutting ants gather green leaves for a food supply in their nests. What kinds of leaves do they gather? They are chosen with care and always with a preference for orange, lemon, lime or grapefruit leaves. This presents a real problem for fruit growers who discover all the leaves from a single tree removed during one night’s time.

What do the ants do with these leaves? Here again we see an amazing procedure in the wonders of God’s creation. Awaiting delivery of them by the carriers (mentioned in last week’s paper) are great numbers of workers who accept them and chew them up into a pulp (but do not swallow them). This pulp is turned over to yet other workers who coat it with an acid-like moisture before taking it to a storage area inside the nest.

While waiting many days for this to ferment and produce a coating of fungus, all deposits are carefully guarded by still other workers. Soon the fungus appears all over the surface of the pulpy pile, and this becomes the main food of the colony.

As this busy program goes on day and night, a certain amount of food spoils. There is also a problem of foreign insects coming in and being killed, as well as the death of some workers. Being very clean creatures, it is the duty of some to dispose of such things by carrying them promptly to an outside “garbage dump.”

The methodical ants have a highly developed method of distributing the fungus food, which is the responsibility of another group of workers. They deal it out as follows: tiny workers who just tend the garden and feed the babies get the least amount; leaf-cutters and carriers get portions sufficient to keep up their strength; and the biggest amount goes to soldiers who fiercely defend the nest when necessary and to the queen and “princesses” (who will soon be starting conies of their own). These latter ones really get the “cream of the crop.”

If human beings tried such a program, long training would be required, and even then there would be many who wouldn’t work out too well. But the ants need no training. Each one just goes into its act as it is able and stays on the job for its lifetime. This is another example of the Creator showing His care for all His creation and reminds us of His word in the Bible: “Go to the ant, thou sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise: which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.” Proverbs 6:6-8. Let us each prepare for a future eternity by trusting in the Lord Jesus Christ as our Saviour today.

ML-08/09/1987

Freddie - The Brave Dog: Part 1

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

Freddie was a big golden retriever, a strong and beautiful dog. He enjoyed life on a Caribbean island with his owners, Lester and Elaine, and he seemed like one of the family. Everywhere that Elaine went in the house or yard Freddie was right beside her, and no one dared to come near. He considered himself to be her bodyguard, barking and chasing after cows, dogs or workmen who ventured into the yard. Sometimes when it was reported that thieves were stealing oranges from the orange grove, Lester would put Freddie on a long chain and run into the grove with him. When the thieves saw Freddie coming, they would leave their partly filled bags and run, as they knew that Freddie would bite them.

Freddie was not always vicious. When Lester and Elaine had guests they simply told Freddie that these people had come to visit, and the guests were accepted as part of the family for as long as they wanted to stay. When children came to visit, Freddie was happy, as the children always ate plenty of fruit. Freddie loved fruit and would roll his big brown eyes in such a way that the children couldn’t resist giving him a good share of the banana, orange or tangerine that they were eating.

Freddie was a wise dog — he hated those whom he thought might harm his owners, but he loved the guests whom he knew were friends of Lester and Elaine. I wonder if you are as wise as Freddie. Do you hate what your Maker hates and love what He loves? God hates sin, but most men and women, boys and girls love sin. God will make you “wise unto salvation” if you will only come to Him, repent of your sin and accept His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, as your Saviour. “The holy Scriptures... are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” 2 Timothy 3:15.

The years passed, and Freddie continued to be a brave and faithful friend, but just like humans, Freddie was becoming old, and his health began to fail. Lester and Elaine took him to the vet several times. Each time medicine was prescribed and Freddie got a little better, but his strength was gradually draining away. Some days he was so weak that he hardly moved from his mat under the kitchen table.

Lester and Elaine were very sad about his condition as they had become very fond of Freddie. They knew that Freddie did not have a soul, as you have, and they did not like to see him suffer. So one day they decided to have the vet come and give him an injection that would put him out of his sufferings. When the vet came into the yard, Freddie became very alert, barking at the vet. Lester sadly shook his head. He couldn’t part with Freddie yet and he asked the vet to come back some other day. (Lester and Elaine did not know that Freddie had one more brave thing to do before he died!)

October 25, 1982, was a day like most other days in the Caribbean sunny and warm. It was a Monday and therefore prayer meeting night at the little meeting where Lester and Elaine attended. There was only one thing a little different about this Monday; Freddie was very ill and had to be helped to even get down the stairs that morning.

Elaine watched him with a heavy heart as she did her household chores. She was so concerned about him that she paid little attention to the neighbor who told her that two strange men had been down at the road-crossing looking up the hill at the house most of the day. People often waited at that crossing for buses to take them to the nearest village, so there didn’t seem to be any cause for alarm. However, the neighbor had lived in the area a long time and said she had never seen those men before. She warned Elaine that something didn’t seem just right.

The warning fell on deaf ears; nothing had ever happened before, and there was no reason to think that anything would happen now. Is that how you think about the warnings given in the Bible? If so, you had better be concerned about the warnings that God has given. “Thou knowest not what a day may bring forth.” Proverbs 27:1. “Prepare to meet thy God.” Amos 4:12. Are you ready to meet God today?

The neighbor left to go home, and Elaine was busy preparing supper. She had heard Lester go over to the grove for oranges and knew that he would soon be coming in to get ready to go to the prayer meeting. Freddie had eaten his supper and he was back in the house lying under the table watching Elaine. He was not following her around the kitchen as he usually did. Poor Freddie. As Elaine turned to glance at him, her eyes fell on something which startled her—the shadow of a man’s head on the open kitchen door. She softly called, “Lester, is that you?” But there was no reply. She moved quickly to close the door. She got the door almost closed, but as she frantically reached for the bolt she realized that she was just a few seconds too late. A gun was pushed through the crack of the door and was pointed at her head. She silently cried to her heavenly Father for help.

No one was nearby, but Elaine knew that God was watching over her and that He could save her from these wicked men if it were His will. As she stood there alone and helpless, the man suddenly lowered the gun. A shot rang out! Elaine looked down in surprise, and then realized what had happened. Freddie, using all his remaining strength, had rushed out from under the table to attack the two intruders. Freddie lay dead at Elaine’s feet, shot through the neck with the bullet that had been intended for Elaine.

Freddie died in his brave attempt to save Elaine. Do you know that Someone died to save you? The Lord Jesus saw that you were born in sin and could do nothing °to help yourself. Although He hates your sin, He loves you and does not want you to have to suffer the punishment of hell. In love, He gave Himself to die on the cross that His blood might wash away all your sins and save you from eternal death. “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7. Will you accept Him as your Saviour and someday go to be with Him forever in heaven? What a terrible thing it would be to refuse His wonderful offer of salvation when He has done so much for you. He died that you might live. “God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8. Come to Him right now; tomorrow may be too late.

Next week we’ll learn how the gunmen’s being distracted by Freddie’s attack gave Elaine a few moments to escape.

ML-08/16/1987

The Ring

One day a six-year-old boy asked his mother, “Where did God come from?”

"It is hard to understand,” she answered, “but maybe this will help us.” She took off her wedding ring, handed it to him and asked, “Where does this ring begin and where does it end?”

The boy turned the ring over and over in his hands and finally answered, “There isn’t any starting place or stopping place.”

Then his mother explained, “It is exactly the same way with God there was no beginning to God, and there will be no end to God. He always has been, and He always will be.”

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by Him; and without Him was not anything made that was made.” John 1:1-3.

ML-08/16/1987

The Mallee-Fowl: Part 1

The Wonders of God’s Creation

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

Some time ago we briefly considered this unusual bird, but now we’ll give it a more complete look. A Mallee-fowl is large, about the size of a turkey, and has a rather long neck and a small head with a crest on top and a strong, sharp beak. Some of them are quite pretty, with a plain white front and underpart of the body, except for a striped black ribbon from the neck to the base of the chest. The outstanding feature is a pinkish-brown (or sometimes pinkish-gray) marbling of the wings and tail feathers, giving them an attractive appearance.

They are not too choosy about food, eating mostly seeds, as well as fruit and buds, worms and insects. They gather this food by scratching the soil for it, just as a chicken does in the barnyard. Although living in a hot, dry country, water is not a problem as God who created them, as the above Bible verse says, has given them the ability to go for long periods without it.

Their homeland in Australia is called “Mallee Country” because so many live there. In this area eucalyptus trees grow close together with scarcely any sunlight breaking through, except at random spots. In some of these bare, but hot spots will be found huge mounds of dirt, as big and high as a small cottage. This, however, is not a natural dirt pile; it is built by a number of Mallee-fowl working together (over the years), using their strong legs and sharp-clawed feet to form it. This is done by standing with their backs toward a central spot (forming a circle) and then digging and kicking dirt, leaves, broken branches, stones and anything else their feet may find toward that target. Each bird selects a place from which to kick and contributes its share toward making a more-or-less round heap.

When these mounds get too big to be managed, a new site is selected, and they start again from ground level. The beginning work is easy compared to what it becomes when the mound has been added to for several years and may become as large as 15 feet wide and several feet high. Just think what strong legs and feet they have to kick this material so high over such an area! Each year they work several days at building it a little higher — a tremendous job — and it’s amazing some don’t give up. But they work together very nicely, just as ordered by the Creator when He first formed them.

He wants all of us to behave just the way the Bible tells us, also. If we want to please Him and ask His help, He will enable us to do so.

ML-08/16/1987

Freddie - The Brave Dog: Part 2

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

Elaine had been home alone that afternoon caring for Freddie, their faithful watchdog, who was old and so sick he could hardly get around. Two gunmen had forced their way in through the kitchen door. Faithful Freddie, though so old and sick, had attacked the men, protecting his mistress. One shot rang out, and the brave dog lay dead at Elaine’s feet.

Because of Freddie’s bravery in giving his life to save his mistress, Elaine was able to escape onto the high, balcony-type porch which ran along the whole length of the house. The gunmen followed her as she ran calling for help. She was doing her best to escape from these wicked men and was running to the end of the porch where it was not so high off the ground. If she could only jump over the railing at that point, she felt she would be safe.

However, Elaine’s thoughts were not God’s thoughts, and God knew what was best for her. As she looked back to see where the men were, she suddenly tripped and landed flat on the porch floor. Just as she fell, she saw Lester and one of the workers coming out of the grove in the jeep.

Lester had seen the men and realized that something was wrong. He was driving as fast as he could.

One of the gunmen shouted at Elaine not to get up. Her chest ached terribly from the fall, and she didn’t know if she could get up even if she tried.

Elaine could do nothing to help herself, but she was thankful God was sending Lester to help her. Have you ever realized that you cannot do anything to save yourself and that you must acknowledge to God that you are a helpless sinner in need of a Saviour? “When we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” Romans 5:6.

When the gunmen saw that Lester was on the way, one jumped over the railing and ran down the hill. The other one turned back into the house to see if he could find any money or valuables.

As Lester drove into the yard, Elaine managed to get up and over the railing, trying desperately to stop him from going into the house where she knew the gunman was. She was too late... he did not see her.

Lester drove at top speed right up to the back gate. As he ran from the jeep up the walkway, the first thing he saw was the body of the faithful dog. He realized that Freddie was dead, but he did not know that it was a bullet that had killed him. In his hurry to reach Elaine, he ignored this warning and rushed on, not knowing the danger ahead. He loved his wife and was determined to save her.

The Lord Jesus knew what terrible sufferings and death lay ahead of Him as He went to the cross, but He “set His face to go to Jerusalem” (Luke 9:51), because of the love that He had for sinners. Have you ever thanked Him for His love’ Have you accepted Him as your Saviour?

Lester ran through the kitchen and down the hallway leading to the porch, but came to a sudden halt as the gunman stepped out of a doorway into the hall. There they faced each other — the gunman with the gun in one hand and a portable typewriter in the other, and Lester with no weapon, not even a stick. They stood looking at each other for several seconds. In those few seconds Lester silently asked God to take over.

Without a word, the gunman suddenly dropped the typewriter, turned on his heel and ran to the porch. There he saw that workmen and neighbors had started to gather. He fired a warning shot into the porch wall as he climbed over the railing.

The devil is worse than any gunman. The Bible says “the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Peter 5:8. You, like Lester, cannot defend yourself against such a strong enemy, but God is able to make the enemy run away, if you’ll just allow Him to save you One of the workmen began to chase the gunman as he ran down the hill towards the road, but Lester called him back. He realized how good God was in preserving them all from serious harm. The body of Freddie, the brave dog, still lay in the doorway... a solemn reminder of what could have happened to Lester, Elaine and the workman.

Lester called together the neighbors and workmen who had gathered in the yard. He asked them to bow their heads as he gave thanks to God for His goodness and protection. He reminded them that only God could bring about such a deliverance, and that if they were not born again they were in danger of losing not only their lives but also their never-dying souls. “Fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear Him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Matthew 10:28.

Lester and Elaine were quite late for prayer meeting that Monday night. When Lester explained why they were so late, the Christians praised God for His preserving care over His own. One after another, the Christian men rose to give God thanks for His Son, for His love and for His protection. It was a wonderful prayer meeting.

Wouldn’t you like to be a Christian? You would then be able to say, like Lester and Elaine, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for Thou art with me.” Psalms 23:4.

ML-08/23/1987

David Brainerd and the Indians

David Brainerd was a missionary to the North American Indians many years ago. When he left home to tell the Indians of God’s love, his friends thought they would never see him again.

David traveled by foot deep into the wilderness with the gospel. One day he knew he was nearing the large village he had been walking several days to reach. After a night’s sleep he was breaking camp to start on the trail again. He knelt down by his tent and asked the Lord for special help that day. He knew he would be in contact with Indians from the village that very day. He asked for special help to reach them with the Word of God.

As David knelt praying, he thought that only God was watching. Actually, a scouting party of Indians from the village was watching him. As they watched they saw a large rattlesnake crawl from under the log where David was kneeling. When it reached David’s feet it reared back as if to bite him on the leg. Suddenly, instead of striking, it turned and slithered off into the grass.

The watching Indians were amazed. For sure, some unseen hand had kept the snake from injuring the white man! They went back to their village and told the chief what they had seen. The council decided that the white man was under the protection of the “Great Spirit,” and they did not hurt him.

When David reached the village he was surprised when the whole village came out to greet him. They listened to his preaching as he told them about the Lord Jesus Christ. Many of them accepted the Lord Jesus as their Saviour. The same God that saved David Brainerd from the snake saved many Indians and many white people from their sins. He wants to save you from your sins, too. The way to have your sins forgiven is still the same way that David explained to the Indians. It is by believing that the Lord Jesus died on the cross. He suffered there and was punished for sinners. Did He take the punishment for your sins and die in your place? He did if you will accept Him now as your Saviour.

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

ML-08/23/1987

The Mallee-Fowl: Part 2

“And... 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.

Last week we learned a few things about the Mallee-fowl of Australia and their huge mounds of dirt. We have no way of knowing if the name Adam gave them, referred to in the above verse, was changed, but we have a clue to their present name — they are of the species known as “megapodes,” which means mound-builder or incubator bird.

After completing the mound (described last week) each male bird picks a spot on the top, scoops out a hole about three-feet deep in which he places green leaves, grass, flowers and plant stems, then covers it all with the dirt he has just dug out. The bird follows God-given instincts in what it does and seems to realize the covered vegetation will soon decay under the dirt, producing much heat. In fact, he stays nearby and each day checks on the nest until he feels the temperature rising. Then he again digs into the hole and calls several females (hens), to come and lay their eggs in it, which are then covered with the material he has just scooped out.

At that point the hens consider their responsibility ended and disappear, apparently not caring or thinking of what will happen to the eggs or the chicks that will hatch from them. But the father bird stays on the job, checking every day by digging his beak into the nest to make sure there is plenty of heat to keep the eggs well incubated. If not, he scrapes hot sand over them and may do all this over and over for several weeks. Did you ever hear of such a busy, faithful father bird?

The male is so faithful in his care that if rain threatens, he will pile additional sand on top to absorb the moisture, and when the storm is over he will scrape it all off again. Finally, the chicks hatch, climb up through the dirt, and wobble weakly off to the brush where they learn to take care of themselves.

Sometimes, instead of digging nests at the top of the pile the male makes a tunnel into the side until he finds a spot where the temperature is just right, then he guides a hen to that spot to deposit her eggs and, like the others, he watches over them until the chicks hatch and work their way to the outside.

These unusual birds remind us of the wonders of all God’s creation and the pleasure He had in forming them all. We might wonder how these birds ever thought of such an unusual way to incubate and hatch their eggs, but then we realize they didn’t have to learn how to do this, for the Lord God arranged it for them when He first placed them on the earth and provided instincts that have been followed ever since. God loves and cares for you, too. Have you ever thanked Him for this?

ML-08/23/1987

The Ostrich Race

Memory Verse: “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me.” John 10:27

Ostriches are huge birds with powerful legs which enable them to run as fast as 40 miles an hour. They are not very smart birds, so they are controlled by men through fear and nervous instinct rather than by their intelligence.

Recently we watched these birds run races. In some of the races, the riders rode on the ostriches’ backs, and in others the birds were yoked in a harness, pulling carts behind them which looked like Roman chariots. Each bird was steered by waving a broom at the side of its head. The bird’s instincts would make it turn the other direction. To make the bird move faster the broom was brushed or beaten on its backside, hurrying it forward out of its frightened instinct to get away. Men at the finish line helped to calm the birds at the end of the race. A judge made the decision as to which man-and-bird team won the race.

Although this race was run to entertain people and make them laugh, it would remind us of a far more important and serious race that each of us is running every day. That is the race of life. The world, too, seems to be running a race, but, sad to say, the world seems to run its race much like the ostrich —blindly turning this way or that way out of fear. Like the ostrich, the world has tremendous power, but it does not understand where it is running or why. Yes, man and his world are being blindly driven by sin and Satan. There is no winner at the end of that race. The “prize” at the end is judgment in the lake of fire. But still men run on, ignoring the warning signs and often refusing to look at the danger ahead of them.

But the Lord Jesus Christ loves every one of us and asks us to listen to His voice. He urges us to step out of that race that leads to judgment and simply to follow Him. He does not drive us in fear, but to those who will listen to His voice He simply says in love, “Follow Me.” Matthew 4:19. He also tells us, “Come unto Me... and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn of Me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For My yoke is easy, and My burden is light.” Matthew 11:28-30. He also says, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand.” John 10:27,28.

What a price Jesus paid to deliver you from Satan’s race that ends in judgment. “The Good Shepherd giveth His life for the sheep.” John 10:11. Have you ever heard His voice? Are you following the One who loves you and who gave His life for you? Why not step out of the race and follow Him right now? “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” Acts 16:31.

ML-08/30/1987

A Letter From a Son

As parents, we always pray for our children, even when they are grown up and live far away. Sometimes even though we are praying for them we feel a little bit discouraged when they are not going on with the Lord as they should. But we should not be disheartened, because the Lord does hear our prayers. “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither His ear heavy, that it cannot hear.” Isaiah 59:1.

A wonderful answer to prayer came to us in a note enclosed in a birthday card. I had heard from our son who had accepted the Lord Jesus as his Saviour when he was a small boy, but over the years had drifted into the world. Recently, the Lord had worked in his heart and that of his wife and turned them back to Himself. Here is part of his letter which was enclosed in my birthday card.

Dear Dad,

The Lord is good, and life has been a waste without Him in my life. Thanks for teaching me this at an early age. I should have listened more. With Jesus in your life, things are so much better.

I have been trying to get my brother back toward the things of God. He mentioned about going to meetings at a later time. He doesn’t realize the things and events of this world are despair, starvation, unhappiness, violence and emptiness, and that his trials are related to his testimony. I know my share of problems came when I wasn’t walking right. With Jesus in your life, there is so much more hope, happiness, purpose, fulfilment and the despair of the world stays in perspective.

Witnessing to a fellow at work, he told me I’d gone crazy since I’ve been witnessing (even though he may be saved). I told him that I was brought up the way I’m living now, and I had never met people with more peace and happiness, and that I had lived on the world’s side of the fence for over ten years, and I never found true happiness since I was a child growing up, until recently.

My wife and I were talking the other day about how much we look forward to having fellowship with you and Mom when you come our way. We miss you.

With love from all of us,

John

Fathers and mothers, be faithful in the home with your little ones, reading the Word of God to them and praying with them while you have the opportunity. Encourage them to accept the Saviour at an early age. And never cease to pray for them yourselves.

Boys and girls, do you know the Lord Jesus as your Saviour? Happiness is knowing the Saviour. Only by being “justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Romans 5:1. “Jesus our Lord... was delivered for our offenses, and was raised again for our justification.” Romans 4:24,25. Won’t you receive Him as your Saviour today? Your sins will be washed away. He’ll keep you and you’ll find happiness and satisfaction in your soul. “Reconciled to God by the death of His Son; much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved [kept] by His life.” Romans 5:10. May this blessing be yours.

ML-08/30/1987

Hidden Insects: Part 1

The Wonders of God’s Creation

“Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the Lord.” Jeremiah 23:24.

In numerous forms of animal, fish and bird life the Creator has provided protective camouflage to their surroundings, but in none of them is this as remarkable as with insects, which represent a principal part of the food of birds, fish, snakes, etc. When insects follow the way the Creator has marked out for them, they are hidden from their enemies, even though they are actually exposed to full view.

Most frequently this camouflage is by means of coloring or the imitation of the surface on which they are resting or feeding, and the fact that most of them can remain perfectly still for long periods of time adds to their safety. There are literally thousands of insects so protected in very interesting ways, and it would take much more space than available here to consider them all. But we will give a few examples.

Some, for instance, known as stick insects, with odd-shaped legs and bodies, perfectly match the dead leaves on which they rest and look exactly like a part of the leaf as they lie openly without moving throughout daylight hours, waiting until it is dark to eat the leaves. Birds often alight on nearby branches, never suspecting they are missing out on a tasty morsel.

The green wings and bodies of other insects are spotted in such a way as to give the appearance of leaves that have been partially eaten or damaged. Others, the exact color of a given flower, sit on its petals and appear to be part of it. An outstanding example of these are known as African planthoppers and come in two colors — green and yellow. When feeding on a bush of their favorite food, the green ones go above where they look like the green buds which they are devouring, while the yellow ones go below to feast on the yellow flowers which they match perfectly.

Some caterpillars that are able to remain motionless for hours are thin and covered with rough spots, so that they look exactly like twigs jutting out from plants or bushes. At times they hold to a bare branch with their hind feet only, the front part of their bodies sticking out stiffly in the air. These are so perfectly disguised that a photographer, who once happened to spot one and took its picture, wasn’t able later to tell it from other parts of the branch when his finished photograph was right before him!

These insects can “hide” themselves from their enemies, but as the opening Bible verse tells us, they cannot hide from their Creator whose eyes are always on every creature, including every human being. What does He see when He is looking at you?

In the next issue we will “take a look” at a few more of these hidden insects.

(to be continued)

ML-08/30/1987

Crocodile! Crocodile!

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

The river steamer had to make many stops at little port towns as it traveled up the Amazon River. At these stops the steamer dropped off supplies and loaded up with Brazil nuts and rubber, along with some change of passengers. Travel was slow, and the passengers spent the hours leaning on the railings, watching the sights they passed and listening to the sounds of the jungle. Giant palm trees, passion flowers, rubber trees, brilliantly colored birds, and even monkeys whistling were seen along the way.

Following a loud scraping sound under the boat, it suddenly stopped with a jerk. The boat tilted, and some of the passengers were thrown off balance. The captain yelled for the crew to grab poles and help shove the boat off the sand bar before it became imbedded. It was too late. They were stuck right there until the tide in the giant Amazon River would come up high enough again so the river steamer could float off the sand bar where it was stuck.

Most of the passengers lived along the river, but two young men on this journey were from the big city of Rio de Janeiro. They were salesmen for a company that sold medicines such as aspirin to kill pain. The bright sun and heat made them think about cooling off in the river.

Finally one of them, Raul, asked his friend, “Arnaldo, how would you like to go for a swim so that we could get cooled off a bit?”

“Sounds good to me,” Arnaldo answered.

After they had changed into a pair of swimming shorts, they stood at the edge of the boat ready to dive off.

An old man named Tiago who lived along the river looked up at them and shook his head “no.”

“Boys,” Tiago warned, “I’d suggest you not do that. You never know what is in the waters of this river.”

Arnaldo looked up to question Tiago when another man, who was a judge, added, “For one thing, there are piranhas, man-eating fish, in some places. Also, there are stingrays with their poison and the painful cut of their barbed tails.” Another young man who worked cutting rubber warned of snakes in the water.

Have you ever been warned of the danger you are in if you have never asked the Lord Jesus to be your Saviour? In the Bible in James 2:10, we read, “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.” Just one sin is enough to keep you or me out of heaven. Lies, bad thoughts, and stealing are sin and are more dangerous than even piranhas, snakes and stringrays. The problem is that boys and girls and men and women ignore the danger.

Raul just laughed and said to Arnaldo, “We can take a chance. Let’s dive together. Are you ready?”

Tiago warned them once again, “Seriously, fellows, I wouldn’t do it.”

As Arnaldo smiled, Raul insisted on going in the water, saying, “Just look at the water. We are so hot, and the water is so cool.”

Arnaldo added, “Don’t worry, Tiago, my friend. It’s not my destiny to die in these waters! Just a little dip.” He dove in with Raul close behind. The warnings of danger were being ignored.

Seldom do people plan to die. Instead, they make plans only for the future. James 4:13 and 14 tell us, “Go to now, ye that say, To-day or to-morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.” Arnaldo and Raul planned to continue their travels, selling their aspirin and other medicines. Neither of them planned to die.

Both dove in and were swimming away from the sand bar where the boat was stuck. Something on the bank that looked like a dead log suddenly rose up on four legs, then quickly sank into the water. The judge and the man who worked as a rubber cutter both saw it and shouted at the same time, “CROCODILE!”

Everyone on the boat heard the cry and ran over to see what was happening. They could see the heads of the two swimmers and occasionally the two eyes of the crocodile as he came to the surface to check where the young men were headed.

On the boat, the crew and the passengers all joined to warn the young men, shouting, “Crocodile! Turn back! Turn back!” Perhaps your dad, your mom, your brother, your sister, your Sunday school teacher, and your friends have all told you to “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” Acts 16:31. The Lord Jesus is coming back very soon to take to heaven all who have trusted Him to wash their sins away in His precious blood which He shed on Calvary’s cross. The Lord Jesus wants to be your Saviour, not your judge. Have you responded to the warnings?

Raul and Arnaldo didn’t understand the warnings at first; they just thought everyone was having fun and joking. Finally Raul heard the cry, “CROCODILE! CROCILE!” and shouted the warning over to Arnaldo, “CROCODILE! CROCODILE!” They quickly headed back for the boat, but the crocodile was a faster swimmer than they and soon got close to Arnaldo.

Tiago knew that crocodiles swim faster than they can turn, so he shouted to Arnaldo, “Dive, Arnaldo! Dive underneath him and come up on the other side!” Arnaldo was almost back to the boat and already very tired. His only hope to escape was to follow Tiago’s advice.

He dived. But he didn’t stay down long enough and came up too soon. The crocodile’s jaw snapped open where Arnaldo came to the surface. There was a slight movement in the water, and the crocodile and Arnaldo were not seen again.

Raul sat on the deck with his face in his hands. The men on the boat groaned and the ladies wept. It was too late for Arnaldo.

It is not too late for you if you will believe on the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour right now. “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Cor. 6:2 Instead of the sadness as at the end of Arnaldo’s life, there will be joy even in heaven. Luke 15:10, says, “There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.”

ML-09/06/1987

A Sky Without God

Aunt Jenny had been painting a picture all morning. It was an oil painting of the barn, lake and woods which she could see from her living room window. The picture was about half finished as she put her brushes away to stop for lunch. As she stood back to study the picture, her little niece, Ann, burst though the kitchen door. Running into the living room, Ann saw Aunt Jenny looking at the picture. She stopped and looked at it, too, and said, “What a pretty sky, Aunt Jenny. Are you going to put God in it?”

Aunt Jenny did not expect that question, so she asked, “What do you mean, Ann?”

“Well,” answered Ann, “if God lives up above the sky, shouldn’t you put Him in your sky picture?”

Ann did not know what David said about God in Psa. 139. David said that God is everywhere! He said, God is before me and behind me, He is above me and beneath me. How can I run away from Him? If I rise up to heaven, He is there. If I go down ever so deep, He is there. Even the darkness cannot hide me, because darkness and light are both the same to God.

Yes, David found out that God is everywhere! He saw Him when he woke up and in everything he did during the day. So David just cried to the Lord and said, “Search me, O God, and know my heart: try me, and know my thoughts: and see if there be any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” Psa. 139:23,24.

I hope Aunt Jenny and Ann make the big discovery that David made. And I hope that you do, too.

ML-09/06/1987

Hidden Insects: Part 2

The Wonders of God’s Creation

“For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible.” Col. 1:16.

In last week’s issue we looked at a few insects that have a God-given ability to conceal themselves from their enemies by various disguises, even though they are actually in plain view. Let’s look at a few more of them.

Some insects are protected, not because they are concealed, but because they look like others that are left alone because they are poisonous or have a terrible taste, and the predator can’t tell one from the other. One of these is the yellow and black tiger moth of Arizona that looks like a very distasteful beetle and so is avoided by the hungriest bird or snake.

Another, the larva of swallowtail butterflies, has the appearance of a vicious small snake, with what look like huge eyes and a big mouth, but which are really only marks on a swelling on its body a short distance behind a real but harmless mouth. These don’t need to hide themselves. Attackers are scared away just by their deceptive looks.

Treehoppers, which suck juice from plants, look like thorns along the stems they feed on and fool birds, even when such plants may have no real thorns naturally. And the American katydid looks precisely like a spotted green leaf, while a grasshopper on one of Africa’s deserts can instantly change its color to match pebbles on the ground wherever it alights.

Sphinx moths’ wings have a pattern looking so much like the bark of trees to which they cling in the daylight that even if one is seen alighting it seems to disappear if the eyes of the searcher are turned away for a moment or two.

The walking-leaf beetle of the Philippines lays eggs that look like seeds. When they hatch, the babies are the same color as the buds on which they feed. When fully grown, their bodies look like the leaves on which they then feed. In addition, their legs have yellow edges which appear to be leaves which have been nibbled. On a windy day they hang from a branch and move with the wind just as the leaves next to them do. How wonderfully the Creator has provided these safety features for those we have considered and many, many more of them!

The opening Bible verse assures us that nothing is invisible to Him who has created it. This includes every human being, and God has provided wonderful protection from Satan’s power for all who are in the shelter of the Lord’s love.

Another verse assures us of this. “He that dwelleth in the secret place of the Most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.” Psa. 91:1. When your trust is in the Lord Jesus, you are sure of His loving shelter. Are you sheltered by Him?

ML-09/06/1987

A Close Call

Memory Verse: “Before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.” Isaiah 65:24

Several sisters were busy washing the dishes and getting the kitchen cleaned up after a large family dinner. Everyone was bustling around with the various chores that needed to be done.

Bradley, who was four years old, decided he and the bunch of grapes he was eating had better get out of the kitchen and go to another room where they wouldn’t be in the way. He stretched out on the sofa to finish his bunch of grapes, popping them in his mouth one at a time.

In the other room Bradley’s mother suddenly heard a strange noise coming from the living room. Not seeing Bradley in the kitchen where he had been a few minutes ago, she decided she had better find out what he was up to.

She turned the corner into the living room and found Bradley with his face turning purple, clutching his throat and fighting for air. She called to her sister in the kitchen for help as she ran to Bradley.

Hearing the cry for help, Aunt Charlotte came running and quickly realized Bradley was choking on something. Having learned about the “Heimlich maneuver,” she quickly stood behind him, wrapped her arms around his middle and gave one quick, hard squeeze. Out popped the grape that had stuck in Bradley’s throat! Now his airway was open and he could breathe again.

A few minutes later when Bradley felt better, he and his mother knelt down and together they thanked the Lord Jesus for His help. Bradley’s life had been spared. As they talked together about his close call, his mother explained to Bradley that what had just happened to him reminded her of the verse in Romans 5:6, “When we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” Bradley was without strength to help himself, just as we as sinners are without strength to do anything about the awfulness of our sins. That grape was enough to keep Bradley from breathing, and our sins are enough to keep us from heaven. Just as Bradley’s mother had called to her sister to help Bradley, God sent His Son, the Lord Jesus, to die on the cross for us.

Aunt Charlotte knew just what to do to help him, and the Lord Jesus did just what was needed for us in our sinful condition. Aunt Charlotte didn’t wait one second when she was called, and the Lord Jesus is waiting at this very moment for any sinner to cry to Him in their need. “Before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.” Isaiah 65:24.

Ever since that day, Aunt Charlotte has been very special to Bradley, and the Lord Jesus should be a very special Friend to every sinner because of His love and what He has done for us on the cross of Calvary. Is He your special Friend? Is He your Saviour?

ML-09/13/1987

Bringing up Daisy

One cold April morning a neighbor boy brought me a baby squirrel in a cardboard box. He had found the squirrel under a large oak tree in his backyard. He knew that I sometimes cared for injured birds and animals. We could see the squirrel was cold and barely breathing. Its body was only about two-and-one-half inches long with a tail about the same length. Since it did not even have any fuzz on its body or tail, we knew it was not very old.

I brought the tiny squirrel into the house and fixed up an incubator to keep it warm. I filled the bottom of a large wooden box with crushed newspaper. Then wrapping a hot-water bottle in a wool blanket, I placed this in the middle of the box. A nest of cotton was placed on top of the blanket, and into the nest went the tiny squirrel. I wondered if she would live.

Warming some canned milk, I tried to get a few drops into her tiny mouth by using an eye dropper. Getting six drops into her tummy this way took all day. Finding one of my daughter’s doll bottles, I tried it, and it worked much better. The little squirrel quickly learned to Bringing Up Daisy drink from it, and for the next 36 hours, feedings were three hours apart. I named her “Daisy.”

Like all baby squirrels, Daisy had been born blind. It was two weeks before her eyes opened. Her fur began to show when she had been with me for a week. After two weeks her body and tail were pretty well covered with a furry coat.

As Daisy grew larger she got feedings of orange juice or grape juice in between milk feedings, until she was about two months old. Then she began to eat solid food. She liked oranges, watermelon, cantaloupe, avocado, rose petals, dandelion leaves and leaves from the tips of branches. The food from the backyard was carefully washed.

This story makes me think of how the Lord Jesus takes care of His children —those who have accepted Him as their Saviour. Just like Daisy, we were helpless and without any way we could please God. But God knew that we needed to be saved and sent His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to save us. He came into the world to rescue us. As sinners there was no hope for us, except by the love and grace of the Son of God. He was perfect and could not sin. But His love for us was so great that He took the punishment for our sins on the cross. All that we have to do is admit that we are helpless sinners, and accept what the Lord Jesus has already done for us. Ask Him to be your Saviour now, before it is too late.

Daisy would have died if someone had not taken such good care of her and given her the food that was just right for her. God has given us the Bible, which is the best food that we can have. It helps our Christian life grow so that we can please Him. Daisy could not have grown if she had not eaten the food that was given to her. We cannot grow in the things of God if we do not read the Bible and use what we have learned from Him.

Daisy lived in the house for two years. I kept a branch for her to exercise on, and she learned to follow orders. Squirrels can be trained indoors so that when the time comes for them to be released outside, they are ready for life in the open. Daisy was released among the trees in our backyard. She has lived there for almost three years and has raised several families of her own.

Daisy was cared for until she could take care of herself. God has promised to be with us and take care of us until He takes us to be with Himself in heaven. The Apostle Paul expressed his own trust in these words: “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 Timothy 1:12.

ML-09/13/1987

About Your Skull

The Wonders of God’s Creation

“I will praise Thee; for I am fearfully [amazingly] and wonderfully made: marvelous are Thy works.” Psalms 139:14.

A bare skull may not look very attractive, but it shows better than can be told how wonderfully the Creator has made this part of your body. Notice, for instance, how openings for ears, eyes, nose and mouth are designed so that these parts make a pleasing appearance to a person’s face without interfering with one another. Notice, too, how the upper jaw remains firm, but the lower one is hinged to take care of chewing, talking, etc. If it were otherwise, how difficult it would be to do those things!

Important as these features are, the principle purpose of the skull is to protect the brain which the Creator has given us — a brain superior to all other living things of the earth. The skull is remarkably strong, 1/4 inch think at the top and thicker at the base, making a light-weight, strong armor. Over its top and sides is a scalp of tough skin and over that is a protective mat of hair, both coverings being a helpful part in protecting what is under them.

Then inside the skull is a thin, but tough lining between it and the brain to help protect important nerves and blood vessels. This is called “dura mater.” But that’s just part of the story. As further protection against bumps, blows and falls, the skull holds a special fluid cushion in which the brain “floats.” The rigid casing of the skull surrounds the brain very closely, and all empty spaces are filled with this important fluid.

Nothing has been overlooked. Even the nerves that take care of smell, hearing and sight, are sheltered in special notches of the skull to protect them as they attend to their duties.

Through an opening in the bottom of the skull, the spinal cord enters the brain with a marvelous system of nerves that carry messages between the brain and all parts of the body. This opening is so placed that the head of a man is perfectly balanced to enable him to hold it upright and cause his whole body to stand in an erect position which, incidentally, apes and monkeys cannot do, unless holding on to a support. The spine itself becomes the principal support of your entire head — skull and all.

This is just one of many differences between an ape and man. They are not the same at all, even though there are those who tell us they are. The reason they teach such things is to take our thoughts away from a loving God, our Creator. David followed his God-given thoughts in the opening Bible verse by declaring: “How precious also are Thy thoughts unto me, O God!” verse 17. And God’s loving thoughts are the very same toward you today. Don’t listen to any who would tell you differently.

ML-09/13/1987

Out of Control!

Memory Verse: “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12

The day was clear and sunny as the students gathered around their instructor at the Sunset Pilot Training School. These young pilots had already learned much about flying. Now they were going to learn how to “recover” when the airplane goes into a spin. One at a time the students went up with the instructor to practice what they had learned in the classroom.

John Roberts, one of the students, waited for his turn. He was a good student who learned easily and now was anxious to show the instructor what he could do. Finally, his turn came. He listened carefully as his instructor reviewed some last-minute points with him.

They climbed into the small plane and taxied down the runway. Soon they were in the air, climbing steadily over an unpopulated area until they reached 12,000 feet.

The instructor told John to put the plane into the spin. John eased back on the control stick, kicked on full rudder, and put the plane into its spiral dive toward the earth. That part was rather easy to do.

When the order was given to pull the plane out of the spin, John found this hard to do. He tried his best, but nothing seemed to work. Sweat poured down his face as he realized that he had lost control of the plane! As it hurtled closer and closer toward the ground, the plane shuddered as it spun round and round. It looked to John like there was no hope. The plane was going to crash! He fearfully looked over at his instructor.

The instructor calmly spoke to John over the intercom: “Relax, it’s all right. I have control of the plane.”

A few minutes later they were safely on the ground again. John was still visibly shaken knowing that if it had not been for the instructor, he would have been killed instantly in the crash.

What about your life? Have you lost control? Are you spinning downward and not able to help yourself? Do you realize that, unless you accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your own Saviour, you are heading for a crash landing in your sins?

Your life does not have to end that way! The Lord Jesus loves you and will take over the controls of your life if you will ask Him. He does not want you to crash — to die in your sins.

The Lord Jesus Christ was wounded and died on Calvary’s cross for any who will believe in Him. Accept Him now as your Saviour and know for sure that He will pilot you safely through this life to heaven. His promise is found in Isaiah 41:13: “I the Lord thy God will hold thy right hand, saying unto thee, Fear not; I will help thee.”

ML-09/20/1987

The Shiny Iron

Mother was ironing the dresses the girls were to wear. Baby Edith was watching intently. Swish, swish went the shiny iron. Soon Mother was finished and set the iron on the counter to cool while she went to tie the boys’ shoes.

Just that quickly, Edith started pushing a chair over to the counter.

“Oh, no you don’t, little darling — that’s HOT!” said Mother, scooping Edith up in her arms.

How often God gently warns us to stay away from things that would harm us. But Edith was determined to get that iron. The next time she tried to reach it she got a spanking. Sometimes God must speak to us more forcibly if we continue in a wrong course. But He graciously warns us in His Word, the Bible. May we faithfully read it and carefully store it up in our hearts so that we may be kept from sinning against Him.

Now it was Mother’s turn to get dressed. Just for safe keeping, she took the still-hot iron into the bathroom with her while she got ready. Soon there was a knock at the bathroom door. Helen needed help with a stuck zipper.

While the door was open and Mother was busy working on the stuck zipper, Edith toddled in and grabbed the iron she wanted so much. She quickly dropped it, but she had to pay for her self-will with a badly burned hand. May we not be like little Edith, seeking what we think will please ourselves, but like our blessed Saviour who said, “I delight to do Thy will, O My God.”

Psalms 40:8.

ML-09/20/1987

Suddenly, We Were There!

In June of 1955, my husband and I packed up our 1950 Chevy and started out from Portland for Kinzua, a rich logging community in central Oregon. We were planning to have vacation Bible schools for the children living in several logging camps. We’d been given our directions: follow the Columbia River Road to Arlington, turn south to Fossil, then east to Kinzua.

By noon we’d left the pasture lands of Arlington and were heading deeper and deeper into the desert. Finally we arrived at Fossil, a town as dead as its name. Everything was dry, dusty and dreary. We stopped to recheck our map. Yes, it really did show we were only eight miles from Kinzua, but there was not a tree worth cutting anywhere to be seen.

Sometimes those of us who are Christians don’t realize how close we are to heaven. We could be there today — out of this sin-cursed world and with our blessed Saviour in the twinkling of an eye.

We were hot, tired and unbelieving, but we had only one choice — to follow the directions and keep on going. God has given us His directions too — in His precious Word, the Bible. We need to study it thoroughly and follow it carefully.

We hopped back into the car and began to climb toward Butte Creek Summit. Just four miles now to Kinzua, and still no trees. And then, suddenly, we were at the top. What a sight! All down the eastern side of the mountain the trees were thick thousands of them — tall, strong western pines. We’d arrived!

One day the Lord Jesus Himself will come from heaven with a shout to catch up all His own suddenly, and we will have arrived home! What a moment! “So shall we ever be with the Lord.” 1 Thessalonians 4:17.

Only those of us who belong to the Lord Jesus will be taken to heaven when He comes. For those who are left here on earth, it will be too late! The door to heaven will be closed forever. They will be left behind for judgment.

Today there is still time to come to the Saviour. He has not closed that door— yet. If you are thinking right now, “Maybe tomorrow,” stop for a moment... not one of us knows if we have a tomorrow. Come to Jesus right now! “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:2.

ML-09/20/1987

The Always-Hungry Shrew

The Wonders of God’s Creation

“And out of the ground the Lord God formed every beast of the field.” Genesis 2:19.

There are more than 200 kinds of shrews throughout the world, with 30 kinds in North America. They are among the smallest of the animals — the tiniest is so small it could be hidden in a man’s closed fist and weighs less than a dime. The largest is about a foot long, plus a tail of the same length and weighs about a pound. But in spite of their small size, they will attack, and with their sharp, needle-like teeth they will kill animals more than twice their size, often killing other shrews as well.

The reason for such fierceness is that they are always hungry, and many have to eat their weight in food every day in order to stay alive. A boy or girl weighing 50 pounds would have to eat about 200 hamburgers a day to keep up with them! Do you think you could do that?

Most shrews look like a mouse with a pointed nose. Because much of their food consists of worms, insects and lizards in the soil or under a cover of leaves, the Creator has given them long snouts with which to root out these creatures.

An African species, known as the elephant shrew, has an extra-long, flexible nose, like a miniature elephant’s trunk.

Actually a shrew will eat almost any living thing it can handle, including small birds and snakes, mice, frogs and chipmunks. Because their tremendous appetites cause them to eat so many mice and insects, farmers are usually glad to have them on their property.

Most shrews are good swimmers, but one known as the water shrew outdoes them all and can stay under water a long time, devouring fish, frogs, crabs, etc. If its food gives out it will die of hunger in less than a day’s time, so it also has to eat some of the land creatures the others do.

Most of them make grassy nests in the side of a bank or in short burrows where half a dozen or so little ones arrive in the spring. The mother takes care of them, nursing them for a short time, then training them to search for solid food. In just a few weeks she leaves them entirely on their own.

Do you think God cares about shrews? Yes, we know He does for the Bible tells us, “In [His] hand is the soul of every living thing” (Job 12:10), and He watches over all His creation, even though sin has spoiled so much of it.

We admire these little creatures but cannot help but think how they remind us of Satan who “walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Peter 5:8. Satan is very real, and we can only be kept from allowing him to tempt us into evil things if we know the Lord Jesus as our Saviour, and in earnest prayer come to Him who “is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.” Is He your Saviour? Is He a refuge and strength to you?

ML-09/20/1987

The Unmovable Suitcase

Memory Verse: “By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8,9

We were on our way to Alaska on our honeymoon, and Mac was teaching me to drive. We’d left the east coast several days earlier and he had been driving most of the time. Now we were on the lonely stretch halfway between Edmonton and Dawson Creek in the Canadian province of Alberta. We’d hardly seen another vehicle all day. Mac felt too sleepy to drive another mile, so he climbed into the back seat and started rearranging things so he could lie down while I took over the driving.

For a wedding present one of our friends had given us a neat little suitcase with a mirror set into its lid. It was a gift I especially valued. Unknown to me, Mac took a fine wire and anchored it to the frame of the rear windshield, but in the rear view mirror the suitcase looked as though it was resting unsupported on the back of the back seat.

“That suitcase will never stay there,” I said.

“Yes it will,” he answered sleepily.

“Not if I put the brakes on hard, it won’t.”

“It will,” he said, wriggling into a more comfortable position.

Not believing him, I pressed the brake hard. The car skidded off the road onto the loose, sandy gravel of the shoulder parallel to the road, and came to a stop, tipped at a frighteningly sharp angle toward the deep gully that ran alongside. I was laughing so hard I couldn’t think. The only thing in the whole car that hadn’t moved was that suitcase!

But Mac, realizing the seriousness of our situation was all action. “Try to open the door,” he said.

I couldn’t.

Car doors are heavy when they are almost above you instead of beside you, but he managed to push it open. We both climbed out onto the running board of our old Chevy and leaned as far back toward the road as we could, trying to balance the tipping car.

That was a strange place to hold a prayer meeting, but our loving Lord Jesus is very gracious and hears our cries, whatever position we are in.

In fact, in Isaiah 65:24, He tells us, “Before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear.”

Our arms were getting tired hanging onto the open door and supporting our bodies’ full weight, so we were very glad to see an old, horse-drawn wagon come lumbering along the road.

“Please get us some help,” we called to the driver over the noise of the wooden wheels on the gravel and the clop, clop, clop of the horse’s feet.

He looked at us as though we were crazy, and passed by on the other side.

We thought we then knew a little of how the half-dead man of Luke 10 felt when the priest and Levite passed by without offering a helping hand. But the Lord was watching over us, and He knew exactly what would answer our need. Hours earlier the Lord had allowed two trailer trucks to start in motion, one in Edmonton and one in Dawson Creek. And just when we needed their help, they met right in front of our car.

The driver traveling east hitched his chain around the body of the car to keep it from tipping over completely, and the driver traveling west hitched his chain onto our front bumper and hauled us back onto the road.

We thanked them as warmly as we could. And when in a couple of minutes they continued on their different ways, we knelt down and thanked the Lord Jesus. How wonderfully He helps us even when it’s our own sin and foolishness that have brought us into a place where we cannot possibly help ourselves. “Even when we were dead in sins, [He] hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus.... 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 2:5-6, 8-9.

ML-09/27/1987

The Basket on the Bike

Lori never expected a bike for her birthday. But that is just what Grandpa bought her — a bright blue tricycle. She rode it outside in nice weather, and she rode it in the basement in bad weather. However, there was something Lori liked almost as much as her bike. It was her mother’s old sewing basket. Mother had told Lori she could have it for her bike to keep things in, and that is just what she did. Daddy mounted it on the front of the bike for her. Now when she found something she wanted to keep, into the basket it would go. Then she would snap down the cover and know it was safe. Sometimes she showed these “treasures” to special friends, but she was always careful to tuck them all safely back into her basket again.

One morning Lori was riding her bike on the sidewalk in front of her house. Mr. Winston, their next-door neighbor, stopped to talk to her. Looking over her new bike and admiring it, he asked her what she carried in the basket. Lori opened it up to show him her “special things.” He could see pieces of ribbon and cloth, buttons, a few shiny stones and some pictures. There were other things, too, but he could not tell what they were.

“Well, Lori,” he said, “I see you have lots of treasures in your basket. Have you ever thought of putting treasures in heaven?”

Now “treasures” was a big word for Lori, but she knew it meant something valuable and worth keeping. So she answered, “No, Mr. Winston. How do you do that?”

“It’s this way, Lori,” he explained. “You love your little basket of play things, don’t you?”

“Yes, I do,” answered Lori.

“You would feel very sad if your basket were lost and you never found it again, wouldn’t you?”

“Oh, yes! I don’t ever want to lose my basket of special things!” Lori said thinking about it.

“That’s just it, Lori. The Lord Jesus Christ says, ‘Where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.’ You love your basket of precious things. They belong to you, and you like them very much. But someday they will be gone.

“In the same way the Lord Jesus loves you and wants to be your Treasure, Lori. He died for your sins, if you will accept Him as your Saviour. He wants you to love Him and trust Him, and He will never leave you. If you come to the Lord Jesus and ask Him to save you, He will be your Treasure, and you will be His treasure — He will belong to you, and you will belong to Him.”

Lori listened to everything Mr. Winston said. She went to Sunday school every week and learned about the Lord Jesus. She knew that her father and mother loved Him. She memorized a Bible verse each week and prayed every night before she climbed into bed. But she knew she did not have the Treasure that Mr. Winston was talking about.

This little talk with Mr. Winston started Lori thinking. It was not long before she decided that she wanted the Lord Jesus to be her Treasure and asked Him to forgive her sins and be her Saviour.

How many of you boys and girls are so busy with things going on around you that you have forgotten about the Treasure that is in heaven? The Lord Jesus Christ cares for you and wants to save you. He died on the cross for sinners. If you know that you are a sinner, and accept Him as your Saviour, then you can say, “He died for me.” Why not accept Him as your Saviour right now?

“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Luke 12:34.

ML-09/27/1987

Birds on the Move: Part 1

The Wonders of God’s Creation

“The winter is past... the flowers appear on the earth; the time of the singing of birds is come.” Song of Solomon 2:11,12.

Seasonal migrations are usual with many animals, fish, butterflies and other creatures, but none can match the wonderful migrations of billions of birds taking place all over the world twice a year — fall and spring.

It is an unforgettable experience to observe a little part of this when, in the countryside as the sun is about to set, the honking of a flock of geese overhead is heard and looking up, they are seen circling lower and lower, following the leader of their V-formation, until they drop down on a pond or swamp nearby. There they may remain just overnight, or perhaps for several days, resting and feeding before continuing their long trip from Alaska, the Yukon, or Canada’s Maritime provinces. They are headed to the warmth of the southern United States or on into Mexico, or even farther, where they will stay through the winter months before returning to the north the following spring.

Many millions of ducks, swans and other waterfowl make these trips over North America’s flyways, and millions of other birds fly even farther than these twice yearly. It is understandable that many questions are asked. Why do they do this? How do they know where to go? Where do they get strength for such flights? How do they find their way?

Bird lovers and trained researchers take such questions seriously and have spent years of research and much money and effort, trying to find the answers. Although they still confess they understand very little concerning some of the things involved in such massive migrations, they have discovered things that are of interest, and we will borrow from what they have learned to bring some of their findings to our readers in this and following articles.

But when all is said and done, there is only One who truly knows all about them, and that is their Creator. He is the Lord God, the same Creator of the heavens and earth and all things contained therein, as the Bible tells us, “Thou, even Thou, art Lord alone; Thou hast made... the earth, and all things that are therein, the seas, and all that is therein, and Thou preservest them all.” Nehemiah 9:6.

It is claimed there are about 100 billion birds in the world, and while many make their homes in warm climates and do not migrate, a vast number do. For instance, in America alone there are an estimated 10 billion birds that fly to and from other countries. Additional billions in Europe and Asia, never seen in American countries, make their flights to other places, as well. We will consider some of these in the following issues.

(to be continued)

ML-09/27/1987

Listen Carefully!

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

Do you listen carefully when someone speaks to you? You should, especially if the person is telling you something that might save your life.

Paul Nordin was only five years old, but he listened carefully to the two visitors who spoke to his kindergarten class at school. It was Fire-Prevention Week, and two firemen from their town were showing the children some of the dangerous things that might be in their homes. These were things like matches, dirty, greasy rags, frayed electrical wires, and aerosol cans. Paul learned that these and many other things could be dangerous. The firemen showed the children what to do if their clothes caught on fire. They also explained how to crawl close to the floor if they were caught in a smoke-filled room. Yes, Paul listened carefully to the two firemen that day, and it was a good thing he did!

Aren’t we glad that there are firemen, policemen and others who help us and protect us? It is good that they explain to us what to do when there is danger — especially when there are dangers close to us that we don’t even know about.

This is why we should also be glad the Bible, God’s Word, is available for us to read. I am sure that most of you have at least one Bible in your home. But how many of you have read it? If you have not, then you are in great danger!

God tells us in the Bible that we are all sinners. Because we are sinners we are in terrible danger of missing heaven and of having to spend eternity in hell. But the Bible also tells us that God loves us and wants us in heaven with Himself. It explains that God’s Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, loves us so much He willingly was nailed to Calvary’s cross. He took the punishment for our sins, if we will accept Him as our Saviour.

If any of us were trapped in a burning building and could not get out, would we tell a fireman who came to rescue us to “go away"? No! We would be glad he came and would do exactly what he said and let him lead us out to safety. The Lord Jesus has said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” John 14:6. He is the only “Way” that will lead to safety. Do not be misled by Satan and continue on the path that leads to destruction (hell).

Two weeks after listening to the two firemen, Paul found what he had learned to be very useful. After getting off the school bus he walked toward his house and saw smoke. Running in he tried to smother the fire with a pillow. But sparks caught his pants on fire, so he dropped the pillow and quickly took them off! Then he immediately got down on his hands and knees and crawled out of the smoke-filled house to safety! He was home alone at the time.

Paul’s mother came home just five minutes after he did. She found smoke pouring out of the windows, and when she opened the front door, the house burst into flames! She ran around to the back of the house and found Paul crawling out onto the back porch. When she asked him how he knew to do that —to crawl out using the good air close to the floor — he said the firemen told him how to do it.

The firemen had given Paul the right instructions. But it was just as important that Paul had listened carefully and followed those instructions. The best instructions cannot help us if they are not followed.

God has some instructions for us: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” Acts 16:31. These are the instructions that we must follow. If we do, we have this promise in the Bible: “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.” John 6:37.

ML-10/04/1987

It Never Happened Before

Halifax has been known as an ice-free harbor. This proved to be true until 1987 when ice from the Gulf of St. Lawrence moved down the Atlantic coast of Nova Scotia. It was a pack of ice chunks eight miles wide and many miles long.

Toward the end of March and the first week of April, wind and tide forced some of this ice into the harbor. There were some chunks large enough that passenger ferries could not safely cross the harbor, and service had to be stopped.

Some of these large chunks of ice grounded on the beach at low tide.

People went to see them and climb on them (like the girls in our picture). On some days the whole harbor was full of ice. Old-timers said they never had seen this happen before.

There was another time long ago when something happened for the very first time. We are told in Heb. 11:7, “By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark.”

After God created the earth and placed man and animals on it, the ground was not watered by rain as it is now. “For the Lord God had not caused it to rain upon the earth.... But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground.” Gen. 2:5,6.

God told Noah to build an ark, a large ship, because He was going to “bring a flood of waters upon the earth to destroy all flesh, wherein is the breath of life.” Gen. 6:17. “And I will cause it to rain upon the earth forty days and forty nights.” Gen. 7:4.

Noah believed God, and he built the ark. It took a long, long time. Everybody was warned of the coming flood. They could have gone into the ark and been safe. There was room for all. It says that even the animals came to him.

Don’t you think those people were foolish not to go into the ark? Even if they did not trust Noah or believe him, they should have known it was true when the animals came to Noah and went into the ark by themselves.

If you had been there would you have gone in? People would not go in because they did not believe a flood was coming. It had never happened before!

God is warning us now that the world is going to be burned up. He tells us that the same word that warned about-the flood warns that the world will be destroyed by fire. “The heavens and the earth, which are now, by the-same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition [destruction] of ungodly men.” 2 Peter 3:7.

If you answered our question by saying, “Yes, I would have gone into the ark,” have you trusted in the Lord Jesus? He is like the ark for us. He will protect us from the judgment that is coming on the unsaved. He is our Deliverer from the-coming wrath. Read 1 Thessalonians 1:10.

Jesus also said to those who believe on Him, “I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand.” John 10:28.

Things that have never happened before can happen for the first time. Ice in the Halifax harbor was only a problem fora short time. To refuse the Lord Jesus will be an eternal loss. Trust in Him today and you will be happier than you have ever been before.

ML-10/04/1987

Birds on the Move: Part 2

The Wonders of God’s Creation

“Yea, the stork in the heaven knoweth her appointed times; and the turtle [turtledoves] and the crane and the swallow observe the time of their coming.” Jer. 8:7.

This verse speaks very plainly of God’s care over the birds and His appointment of the time of their migrations. In the preceding issue mention was made of the work done by bird lovers and researchers looking into the migrations of birds throughout the world. Now, let’s get a globe of the world and look at the facts about just a tiny number of the many millions of birds involved.

The greatest traveler of all is the Arctic tern that flies from the Aleutian Islands to Antarctica every fall and returns again in the spring — some 12,000 miles each way! A shorter journey is the 25-hour, 500-mile, non-stop trip of the 8-ounce ruby-throated hummingbird, flying from the United States over the Gulf of Mexico to Central America. How do you think this tiny bird can do this?

From various parts of Europe, storks make round-trip flights of 14,000 miles to Israel, the Nile River and South Africa, the young ones going a week or two ahead of the parents, although they have never migrated before. How do they know where to go?

Swallows arrive in Southern California every March after a 6000-mile flight from Argentina, going to the same nest previously used, while orioles wintering in South America return in May to their summer homes in the eastern United States after a 2000-mile flight.

The Tennessee warbler, weighing about as much as two quarters, flies some 3000 miles from Canada and the northern United States to Central and South America each fall. Some fly nonstop. Others take short rests en route. Their close relatives, blackpoll warblers, raising their families in northern Canada and Alaska, get together with others of their kind in New England during September, then the whole group continues another 2100 miles on a 100-hour nonstop ocean flight to South America. By contrast, bobolinks in the fall fly almost entirely overland from Canadian prairies to the pampas of Argentina — a 6000-mile trip returning in the spring.

Golden plovers from Alaska fly over the Pacific to Hawaii — a 2000-mile trip —and after resting go on another 2000 miles south. Parent birds take off first, leaving the young ones to follow later. Never having done this before, can you explain in what way their little ones know how to reach the Hawaiian Islands? One thing we do know is that these flights, and untold numbers of others, speak of the Creator’s care over all His creation, from the smallest to the greatest. “Known unto God are all His works from the beginning of the world.” Acts 15:18.

(to be continued)

ML-10/04/1987

Midnight's Hideout

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

Have you ever watched a cat stalk a mouse or a bird, or even a butterfly? It crouches down close to the ground, never taking its eyes off its victim. It is motionless except for the very end of its tail which is switching back and forth, back and forth, back and forth. It will hold this stance for several minutes ... waiting. Then suddenly it will POUNCE! catching its victim in its sharp claws.

Cats don’t usually finish off the mouse or bird right away. Their habit is to play around with it for a while. Sometimes a very quick mouse or chipmunk will make a dash for freedom and get away. These little animals are at home on the ground and know their way around. They dash for their hole or some other safe place. But it is quite different with birds. Birds are not safe on the ground. Their safety is above the ground—up in a tree or in the air. When a cat catches a bird and plays with it, its feathers get all ruffled, and sometimes it loses a few in the struggle. So it would need some recovery time before it could fly up and away to safety. Since cats are not noted for walking away from their victim and coming back later, birds don’t usually have a chance to get away.

Some of you boys and girls have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour. You have admitted to Him that you are a sinner and have trusted Him to wash your sins away in His precious blood. And you know from the Bible that He has, and you now belong to Him. Have you ever thought of yourself as being a little like a bird? Your real home now is in heaven with the Lord Jesus, not down here in this world where sin and Satan have ruined everything.

Think of yourself as being the bird in this story.

Midnight the cat had a favorite hiding place in the bushes where he could stretch out in the shade and still keep a watchful eye for anything moving in the yard. Nobody could see him hiding in those bushes, but he was there just the same, always watching. It was his yard. Sometimes when one of the Kelly family walked past his hideout, he would pounce on their feet... just keeping in practice.

One morning a dove was sitting in the hickory tree close to Midnight’s hiding place. Seeing a few seeds in the grass, the dove fluttered down and busily pecked at them.

Midnight, undercover in his hideout just a few feet away, saw the dove land on the grass. He watched it... then crouched low, ready to pounce. Motionless except for that slowly switching tail, he waited for the right moment.

Meanwhile, the dove was so busy enjoying its breakfast that it didn’t suspect the danger lurking in the nearby bushes. Those seeds down in the grass tasted too good to miss even one. Searching around for a few more, the dove’s head was down, and it wasn’t keeping guard. POUNCE! A fast blur of black fur caught the dove in his claws!

Satan isn’t often out in the open; he usually keeps himself well hidden. From his hiding place he’s always watching and waiting. This world we live in is his yard. If we let our guard down even to peck at a few seeds that attract us, he may catch us and harm us. We are warned, “Watch thou in all things.” 2 Tim. 4:5.

But there’s more to our story.

Mrs. Kelly was getting ready to go shopping. Thunder was rolling in the distance, so she decided to put Midnight in the house. She knew where she could probably find him outside and headed for his hideout in the bushes.

But something in the grass made her stop short... feathers! Oh, no! she thought. Midnight’s up to his awful habit again. Mrs. Kelly always felt sorry when Midnight caught chipmunks, but she felt even worse when she would discover he had caught a bird.

Walking on slowly, she found feathers all over the place — a sure sign of disaster for some poor bird.

Then, she caught sight of Midnight playing with his still-alive victim. She crept up behind him, quickly scooped him up, and carried him into the house, scolding him for hurting the poor dove.

She hardly dared go look at the bird again, but it certainly was still alive. With one wing spread out, it was terribly frightened and breathing rapidly. Being partway under a bush, it had some protection, so she left it alone and went shopping.

An hour later she returned home and tiptoed over to check on the dove. She was surprised to discover it had recovered enough that it was now out from under the bush and sitting on the step. She left it alone and went inside.

Mrs. Kelly could now watch the dove from the front window and check on its progress. The dove’s wings looked to be okay, and the bird was alert, turning its head at her movement by the window. But she could also see the pink wounded place on its back where all the feathers had been torn out, probably from Midnight’s claws when he pounced.

A little later she went to the window to check on the dove again, and this time there was another happy surprise — the dove was gone. It had recovered enough to fly to the safety of the hickory tree.

Sometimes Satan does catch God’s children off guard, and he pounces, digging in sharp claws. The little dove could not call for help, but those of us who belong to the Lord Jesus may call to Him for help in any trouble. “He shall call upon Me, and I will answer Him: I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him, and honor him.” Psa. 91:15. Because Mrs. Kelly was going outside to find Midnight, the little bird was rescued from the cat. How thankful we can be that our loving Father doesn’t just happen to rescue us. He loves us, knows what has happened, and promises to rescue us from Satan’s sharp claws when we call to Him for help.

Midnight is out there in his hideout right now... waiting. Little birds, be on guard!

Satan is out there in his hideout right now... waiting. Children, grownups, be on guard!

ML-10/11/1987

Don't Be Afraid to Speak

When I was about ten years old and in public school, there was another boy in my class I wanted so much to speak to about my Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ. Somehow I could never get up the courage to do this. More than once I prayed and asked the Lord Jesus to give me an opportunity and the courage to speak to Leslie about the uncertainty of life, and how important it is to know the Lord Jesus as Saviour. Timidly and shyly I went up to him one day in the schoolyard and gave him a gospel tract. I trembled as I told him about Jesus dying for sinners. He promised to read the tract, and I sure hope he did, because that was the very last time I ever saw Leslie alive.

It was either that same evening or the following day that he stood behind the boards by the rink to watch an inter-class hockey game. Just as the final whistle blew one of the players hit the puck at the boards. The puck lifted just high enough to clear the boards, and it struck Leslie on the temple. He fell over backwards — DEAD!

You can never speak to the “wrong” boy or girl about the Lord Jesus and His love for sinners. And no one is ever too young to tell others that “Christ died for our sins.” 1 Cor. 15:3.

ML-10/11/1987

Birds on the Move: Part 3

“And out of the ground the Lord God formed... every fowl of the air.” Gen. 2:19.

In previous issues we considered a few facts about the migration of birds in which the question was raised: why do they migrate? There are two principal reasons. One reason is that those summering in the north need to move away from soon-coming cold weather with short winter days providing very little sunshine.

While departure times from northern points usually follow close schedules, in some way humans cannot understand, migrating birds have been given ability by the Creator even to know about weather changes long before our weathermen and will advance their migration time to get away before heavy storms move in.

Then, after some six months in the sunny south lands, the birds get restless and seem to sense that the ice and snow on ponds and streams of the north are melting. Days are getting longer again, and an invigorating climate for hatching and raising their young compel them to make the return trip northward.

The second principal reason for their migrating is that food supplies are all-important, and somehow they instinctively know that plenty of fresh, nourishing food will be waiting for them at the other end of their journey. For instance, as though anticipating the arrival of hungry birds from the south, aphids, caterpillars, mosquitos, grubs, flies and other insects of the north make their appearance just in time for the travelers to benefit by this nourishing food and, there is plenty of it to last a long time! The same is true of new plant life springing up, providing additional food and nesting materials.

But after several months in the north, the appetites of the growing bird families pretty well deplete this abundance of food. In contrast, southern lands have benefited by the birds’ absence, and new supplies will be awaiting their return in the fall.

Incidentally, in the Arctic areas there has been a general warming of the atmosphere in the past 40 or 50 years, resulting in many birds now migrating there for summer months that did not go there before. Who told them about the improved climate? and how did they find the way there?

The answers explained above may well be accurate, but the source of the implanting of these actions in the heads and wings of so many varieties of birds can only come from the Creator, of whom the Bible says, “For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth.” 2 Chron. 16:9. Also, “In whose hand is the soul [breath] of every living thing.” Job 12:10.

ML-10/11/1987

Let's Go See the Beavers!

Memory Verse: “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” John 15:13

The five children tumbled excitedly into the car. We were off to see the beaver dam. The sky was sparkling blue and the fall colors were at their best as we drove through the hilly, wooded New Brunswick countryside to the river where the beavers had their home.

The dirt road came to an end about an eighth of a mile from the water’s edge, and a footpath led us down to the low dock that jutted several feet out into the stream. We cautioned the children to be very quiet as they approached the dock and to walk as softly as possible. They tiptoed forward expectantly and were rewarded by seeing five sets of little buck teeth underneath five pairs of bright, dark eyes looking up from the water.

The dock was old, flimsy and slippery with wet green moss. It was made of two long planks nailed together by crossboards underneath and secured to the land, but it had no support beneath the end that was over the water. As soon as we stepped on it, the far end began to sink, and with every step farther, it went a little lower into the water.

Because the dock was old and rickety, the rest of the family seemed to have no difficulty in seeing that it was wise to stay on the shore to watch the beavers. But five-year-old Ruth was very anxious to get as close to them as possible.

“Please, Mummy, can’t we go out there?” she begged again.

Finally, I gave in and walked with her out on the dock, getting closer to the beavers that were only a few yards away. When we got as far as we could go without getting our shoes soaked, Ruth carefully knelt down and started talking softly to the babies.

Now the mommy and daddy beaver climbed out of the water onto the top of their mud and stick house. They began running back and forth on their house and on their dam, then slid down into the water to swim alongside their babies, all the time watching us with wary eyes.

While the rest of us were watching the adult beavers, one of the babies had ventured close enough so that Ruth felt she could reach out with her hand and pet him.

Immediately the father beaver gave a resounding slap on the water with his thick, flat tail!

Ruth was so startled she jumped up and immediately slipped on the dock and right into the water! She was gasping from the shock of the cold water and looking up at me with pleading eyes.

Do you think I decided to leave her there? No, not for one instant! I love her too much. And the Lord Jesus says, “Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.” Isa. 45:22. If we feel our need, as little Ruth did then, and look to Him, why, He has no intention at all of leaving us floundering in our sins until we sink down into the pit of hell. He loves us too much. He will lift us up at once, and we will feel the comfort of those everlasting arms that are underneath us to hold us from the moment we are saved until we’re safely home in heaven with our blessed Saviour.

Will you look to the Lord Jesus and be saved?

ML-10/18/1987

What Saved the Bird?

“Tell me a story, please, Uncle Ed,” said Mark as he lay in bed. Mark was recovering from the flu and had been in bed for two days. His Uncle Ed, who lived in the same town, had come over to cheer him up.

Uncle Ed had just returned from South America and had lots of wonderful things to talk about. He liked children, and they all liked him and the stories he told.

“I’ll tell you a snake story,” Uncle Ed replied.

“One beautiful morning I started on a day’s hike into the jungle. I carried a small lunch and a gun for protection. I had been hiking for several hours when I found a nice shady spot beside a stream. I sat down on the trunk of a fallen tree to rest and eat my lunch. It was a beautiful tropical day. The jungle was beautiful with color and full of life. The quietness was broken only by the music of the birds and the humming of countless busy insects.

“While resting there I noticed a bird fluttering around in a tree near where I was sitting. As I watched, the fluttering of the bird increased. It was noticeable that this mother bird was upset about something. I slowly walked closer to see what was bothering her. There was her nest, but why was she so upset?

“Looking around, I quickly understood her problem. Slithering slowly towards the tree was one of the most poisonous snakes in South America. Its small eyes were focused on the nest as its forked tongue flicked out and in.

“I was getting ready to shoot the snake when I saw a strange thing happen. The father bird flew away, returning moments later with a small twig covered with leaves in his beak. Perching near the nest, he laid the twig carefully across it, covering the nest and the mother bird who was now sitting on the nest. Then he flew to the top of the tree and quietly waited.

“The snake moved closer and closer. He twisted himself around the trunk and climbed up the tree. Then, gliding along the branch, he came close to the nest. His small eyes watched the nest, his tongue flicked several times, and then... " Uncle Ed paused.

“Oh! What happened, Uncle Ed?” cried Mark anxiously.

“The snake suddenly jerked his head back as if he had been hit with something. Then he turned around, slithered back down the tree, and disappeared in the long grass.

“Curious to see what had caused this reaction by the snake, I climbed up the tree and examined the small leafy twig still covering the mother bird and her babies. Not finding anything unusual, I gently removed the twig and carried it home with me. I showed it to a native friend and told him the whole story. He told me that the twig came from a bush which was poisonous to the snake, and which they are never known to touch. The bird had used it to protect his family from the snake.”

In the Bible Satan is called, “that old serpent” or snake. Satan wants to destroy not only boys and girls, but men and women as well. He is a powerful enemy, and none of us can fight against him. The bird could not fight against the snake. Instead, he found a twig that would give protection. In the same way we are no match for Satan. But Christ is the One who can give us perfect protection from Satan. It was on a tree, the cross of Calvary, that He died for sinners. “His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree.” 1 Peter 2:24. Are you as wise as the bird that protected its nest? Are you protected by the blood of the Lord Jesus shed on Calvary’s tree?

Isn’t it wonderful that God should teach the bird which tree would give protection from the snake? And isn’t it wonderful that He has provided the cross for our protection from Satan? There that great work was finished by our Lord Jesus for those who would trust in Him. It is the most remarkable fact in the whole universe that “the Son of God... loved me, and gave Himself for me.” Gal. 2:20. This salvation is for “whosoever will.” Will you? “Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Rev. 22:17.

ML-10/18/1987

Birds on the Move-Part 4

The Wonders of God’s Creation

“By them [springs of water] shall the fowls of the heaven have their habitation, which sing among the branches.” Psa. 104:12.

Two questions were asked in an earlier issue about migrating birds: where do they get strength for such flights? and how do they find their way?

For any of them, whether a small hummingbird or a large goose, to fly non-stop over a wide ocean certainly takes a great deal of strength and could not be done if the Creator did not give them a terrific hunger long before such a trip takes place. Eating great quantities of extra food provides an unusual layer of fat (sometimes doubling their weight) which becomes all the “fuel” needed for strength while traveling. Isn’t this a wonderful provision of the One who always has them in His care?

The question, “How do they find their way?” remains unanswered, although researchers try hard to find out. But all they can do is make some guesses —one of which is that the birds are guided by the sun and perhaps have a hidden compass inside them. But this raises a new question: how are they able to find their way when the sun is hidden by fog or clouds? Another guess is that when flying at night they are guided by the moon and stars. But again, what do they do when these are not visible?

Still another guess is that their routes are learned from the parents. But then we ask, what about those that fly away and leave their young ones to follow later? Then, some birds have been carried from one side of the Atlantic Ocean to the other side and raised there until released at migration time. How do these find an entirely new route to the same destination as their former companions? Similar tests have been made by taking certain eggs to distant countries, hatching and releasing them at the migratory period. These birds, too, find their way without difficulty.

It must be admitted that wonderful controls are at work in the heads of these birds, and the most dedicated researcher may never come up with a true explanation. We know the real answer lies with the Lord God who gives them these abilities and implants needed guidance and wisdom in their heads, so that they adjust to any unusual circumstance. Certainly, these migrations are indeed one of the outstanding wonders of God’s creation.

Another very special wonder is that He invites every boy and girl, every man and woman, to come to heaven when life here on earth is finished. The Lord said when He was here, “I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” John 14:2,3. This is His promise to everyone who comes to Him as a helpless sinner and accepts Him as their personal Saviour. Have you answered His invitation?

ML-10/18/1987

The Markers Within Reach

Memory Verse: “Be sure your sin will find you out.” Numbers 32:23

Little Danny was bored. It wasn’t much fun to have one of his brothers at school and the other brother out playing with the neighbor boy. But, being a typical three-year-old, it didn’t take Danny long to find something to do —especially since his mother was busy in the kitchen.

Wandering through the living room, he discovered one of his favorite things to play with! His brother had left them within Danny’s reach when he went outside to play. Even, though Danny knew that his mother didn’t want him to play with them, he just couldn’t resist his brother’s marker set — especially the nice big black one! If he played very quietly with it, maybe Mother would not find out what he was doing.

Off came the cap of the big black marker. He touched the damp, inky tip and squished it against his fingers. Then he started drawing on his hands. This was more fun than drawing on paper! But suddenly Danny wasn’t thinking any more about how much fun it was. He set the marker down and looked at his hands. What a mess they were! Now Mother would find out what he had been doing!

The quietness of Danny’s play made his mother do some checking, and when Danny looked up from his inky, black hands, his eyes met his mother’s. She didn’t look happy. Danny knew he had done wrong, and there was the ink all over his hands to tell his mother what he had been doing.

Often we are tempted to do things that we know are not right, thinking that we will get away with it if no one finds out. But there is One, our loving Father, who sees, hears, and knows everything. Danny’s mother had often sung to him:

Oh, be careful, little hands, what you do,

There’s a Father up above looking down in tender love,

Oh, be careful, little hands, what you do.

Everyone of us needs to remember that God has said, “Be sure your sin will find you out.” Num. 32:23.

Mother scolded Danny and warned him not to play with pens and markers again unless he asked her first, even if they were left out. It was a big job trying to get all that black ink off Danny’s hands.

Sometimes there are things in our hearts that we know are wrong, but we don’t want to give them up. We need to talk to the Lord Jesus about them and confess to Him these sins in our hearts and lives.

Mother’s scolding and the long scrubbing of his hands to clean them didn’t change Danny’s heart. He still wanted to play with pens and markers without asking.

A few days later Danny found on the table a nice blue pen that Mother was using for writing her grocery list. This time he took it with him out to the deck at the back of the house. It was a pretty day, and he could have lots of fun with the pen out there... where Mother wouldn’t see him. Danny didn’t have any paper with him, so he used the next best thing — his legs. Up and down he scribbled, from his socks all the way up over his knees and on up his legs. Pretty soon he had blue ink all over them.

Again his mother found him. Danny had to be punished and then scrubbed and scrubbed to get his legs clean.

There was something else dirty about Danny. It was his heart. Disobeying and self-will are sin and make hearts dirty, and there is only one thing that can clean hearts from sin. When the Lord Jesus died on the cross, He bore the punishment for sin and shed His precious blood to wash sins away. Nothing else will do. “For though thou wash thee... and take thee much soap, yet thine iniquity is marked before Me, saith the Lord God.” Jer. 2:22. “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7. “Come NOW... saith the Lord: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow.” Isa. 1:18.

Have you let the Lord Jesus make your heart clean?

Oh, be careful, little tongue, what you say,

There’s a Father up above looking down in tender love,

Oh, be careful, little tongue, what you say.

Oh, be careful, little feet, where you go,

There’s a Father up above looking down in tender love,

Oh, be careful, little feet, where you go.

ML-10/25/1987

Timmy's Taste of Trouble

Timmy was the delight of the children. He was a cute little kitten with lots of energy and was always getting into things. The whole family liked having him as a pet. One day Timmy’s curious nature got him into serious trouble.

He was playing alone in the basement when he found something new to play with. He probably smelled, licked and played with the object before he finally sank his sharp teeth into it. What he had found was a tube of “super glue” left on the desk by one of the children.

Poor Timmy quickly found out that “super glue” is not good to eat. That little taste of glue was enough to make Timmy foam at the mouth and roll on the floor in pain, because the glue had burned his lips and tongue.

The family took Timmy to the vet who told them he might even lose part of his tongue. Poor Timmy had bitten into and tasted something that was harmful.

The Bible tells us to “taste and see that the Lord is good.” Psa. 34:8. We are never told to taste (try) things of this world to find out if they are harmful. We are only told to taste of the Lord. Isa. 7:15 says, “Butter and honey shall he eat, that he may know to refuse the evil, and choose the good.” Only by feeding on (reading) God’s Word, the Bible, will each boy and girl (and older one, too) know what is good and be able to refuse the evil of this world. I am sure if Timmy had known the pain he would have from that little taste of glue, he would have gladly chosen a bowl of warm milk. God’s Word tells us that the sad end of going on in a sinful path and refusing the Lord Jesus Christ is hell. Do not be foolish and refuse to taste of the Lord by accepting Him as your Saviour. How much wiser to be able to say as 1 Peter 2:3 tells us, “Ye have tasted that the Lord is gracious.”

ML-10/25/1987

Gorillas Can Be Gentle

The Wonders of God’s Creation

“I have made the earth, the man and the beast that are upon the ground, by My great power.” Jer. 27:5.

A full-grown gorilla, six-feet high and weighing 500 pounds, dressed in a heavy, black fur coat certainly looks threatening, but if you’re kind to one and it gets to know you, it can be about as nice as a Shetland pony. A few people, studying their habits, have spent day after pleasant day with them in their African forest homeland.

Actually, wild gorillas are seldom seen as they are shy and disappear quickly when approached. As many as six family groups (a group being a male, two or three females and young ones) often live together, sharing feeding grounds. A male is much more powerful than a man, with massive bones, broad shoulders and long arms. Its open, vicious-looking mouth reveals strong jaws and tusk-like teeth, surrounded by a wrinkled, oily-black face with a large flat nose and furry ears. Underneath it all a rounded “pot-belly” stomach is much in evidence.

A frightening habit, never forgotten by those who have experienced it, is for a large male to let out an ear-splitting scream while thumbing his hairy chest. When several more join in, it is easy to understand why a listener would consider them ferocious animals, but all this noise seems to be just that — harmless noise — merely “letting off steam.”

Such big animals need lots of food, and most of the day is spent eating bamboo shoots, tree buds, various plants and vines, ferns, thistles and the wild celery which they particularly like. They are not meat eaters.

Females give birth each year or two to just one tiny baby, weighing less than four pounds, which clings to her chest but soon learns to ride on her back and has fun sliding down her sides. Groups of little ones play together, climbing and swinging on trees, or sliding down tree trunks. They often play while the parents take daytime naps. Each night the adults make new nests on the ground or in the lower branches of a tree, pulling grass and tender branches together, something like a huge bird’s nest. But they only use them once and make a new one each night.

While gorillas and other apes look something like men, in no way are they related. The first chapter of the Bible makes it very plain that man was a separate creation, distinct from beasts, fish and birds. This is confirmed again by a verse in the New Testament, telling us plainly, “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 Cor. 15:39. Do not listen to those who try to teach otherwise. The Word of God is always true.

ML-10/25/1987

A Dog Named "Bear" And the Sawmill

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

Recently, a group of men were building a sawmill. There are many parts to a sawmill, so there was a lot of fitting, cutting and reworking of parts. This all made the job drag on over a period of weeks.

During those weeks Sam’s dog, named Bear, liked to keep Sam and the other men company. Bear always chose the same spot to lie down where he could watch all the activity. This favorite spot happened to be the very place where the large 52-inch sawblade, which would saw the logs, would soon be put into place.

Finally the big day came — which happened to be the 4th of July — to test the sawmill and run the first logs through. Bear kept a safe distance while watching the men’s activities.

The men were still testing the sawmill as evening wore on. Nearby some fireworks suddenly were set off. The loud bangs frightened Bear and sent him running for cover. And where do you suppose he ran for safety? Right toward the whirring sawblade where he had spent so much time in the past!

A terrible tragedy was about to happen when Sam spotted Bear. Sam was not close to the cutoff switch. Even if he could shut down the engine, the blade would continue turning for some time until it slowed to a stop.

Sam shouted as loudly as he could, “BEAR — STOP!”

The startled dog looked up as he stopped in his tracks, only inches from the deadly blade.

Sam continued to command the dog to come to him. Although not really wanting to follow the command, Bear obeyed and went to his master, still not realizing the danger that was so near.

Boys and girls, this story has much to teach us. So often we feel comfortable in dangerous places and dangerous situations. Bear felt comfortable for a long time, lying in a certain place. But we know it could have cost him his life, except that his master saw him in time and called out to him, urging him to safety.

This world is a place of danger. We can even get comfortable and feel safe in it. And when problems come, it can become the natural thing to just turn to the world for help. But the end result is even greater danger.

The world is on a course of death and judgment. But the Lord Jesus loves you and has His eye upon you, calling you away from the danger. He urges you to come to Himself. “Come unto Me,” He says. The world says, “Peace and safety; then sudden destruction cometh upon them... and they shall not escape.”

1 Thess. 5:3. It goes on, “Let us... [put] on... the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thess. 5:8,9.

Are you listening to the Master’s voice? Jesus warns you to stop! Then He urges you to come! “Come unto Me... and I will give you rest [comfort and safety].” Matt. 11:28. Have you come? Death and judgment are near at hand. Come to the Saviour now! He loves you and died on Calvary’s cross to wash away your sins. He anxiously waits to receive you and keep you in safety. Tell Him that you accept Him as your Saviour. “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Cor. 6:2.

Now when the sawmill is ruing, Sam takes care that Bear is in a safe place. He must be tied up so that tragedy cannot strike. So the Lord Jesus keeps His own. He says, “I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand.” John 10:28.

ML-11/01/1987

"Don't Worry About Your Clothes, Son, Save a Life!

Standing on the muddy bank of a canal near Miami, Florida, Jim Polowy saw bubbles coming up from a car which had just plunged into the murky water.

Jim and his wife saw the accident happen as they were driving to the airport for a flight to their home in Chicago. Graciela Rodriguez, the driver of the car that nose-dived into the water, had lost control when the car’s hood flew open, blocking her view.

“We quickly turned our car around and went back,” Jim recalled. “I knew that I was going to have to go in after her, so I took my wedding ring off and got my wallet out of my pocket.”

“Everyone was saying Jim was crazy to go into that water,” his wife added. “It was black and deep and full of snakes and alligators! But nobody else among the 50 people who stopped seemed to want to help.”

This story reminds me of the story of the good Samaritan that is found in the Bible in Luke 10:30-35. The Lord Jesus Christ, God’s Son, is pictured as the Samaritan who helped the poor man who was robbed and beaten by thieves and left to die. At least two other men passed by him, but they could not, or did not want to help him. They did not have the love that was needed to help the poor man who could not help himself. The only person who could help him was the Samaritan, a stranger from another land. It was he who in love to the poor man chose to help him.

It is just the same with us as sinners. It is only God, in His own love to sinners such as you and me, who can save us, because we are helpless. There is no one else who can help us. “For there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12.

The Lord Jesus Christ is like that good Samaritan, that “Stranger” who has come to poor sinners like us, and has done all that could be done to save us. He became poor, that we through His poverty might be made rich (2 Cor. 8:9). He changed places with the wounded traveler, getting down from his own horse and setting the wounded man on it, and arranged to take care of him.

As Jim pulled off his shoes, someone called to him from the crowd standing around, “Don’t worry about your clothes, son, save a life!” Although his good clothes and his flight to Chicago that he was about to miss were on his mind, Jim dove into the 15 feet of black water to try to find the car. Coming up for air, he dove again and again. On the fourth dive he finally came back up with the young lady in tow and pulled her to shore.

“I couldn’t see my hand in front of my face in that water,” he said later. “I didn’t think I was going to find the car. I was amazed when I touched it.”

Although nearly exhausted and out of air, Jim forced open the car door and found the unconscious driver.

On the shore they found Graciela not breathing and apparently in shock. Others gave her artificial respiration until the paramedics could take over.

Jim’s quick action and the equipment and training of the paramedics saved her life. After a short hospital stay she was released in good health.

Graciela’s life was saved because of Jim’s concern and quick action. There were 50 other people around who either could not or would not help. We may ask why, and not come up with a very good answer. But how many of us who are saved are standing around seeing people going on in their sins towards hell, and are not trying to rescue them. Christ loved us; He was punished on the cross for our sins, and His blood shed there has washed all our sins away. We have everlasting life because of His love and work. But are we telling others about this good news? Are we concerned enough to “not worry about our clothes and save a life?”

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

“He that believeth on Him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already.” John 3:18.

ML-11/01/1987

Another Unusual Anteater

The Wonders of God’s Creation

“Seek the Lord and His strength, seek His face continually. Remember His marvelous works.” 1 Chronicles 16:11,12.

The silky anteater lives in the forests of southern Mexico and down through Central and South America. It is very small, only about the size of a squirrel, but has a long, furry tail that makes it look somewhat larger. Its little body has honey-colored fur, and it has a rather pretty face, with round black eyes and a half-covered, pointed snout ending in a bare, pinkish nose.

In securing its food, composed of termites and ants, teeth would be of no value, so the Creator has instead provided it with a pointed nose and long, sticky tongue which it pokes into the nests of these insects and pulls them out in great quantities.

Different not only in size from its relatives, it is also a tree-climber, whereas the larger anteaters spend their lives on the ground. To aid in tree climbing, it has been given an extra joint on both hind feet, enabling its toes to bend around a tree branch for a good, strong grip — a provision of the Creator to help its food-searching activities. In addition, it has a prehensile tail (a grasping tail similar to that of many monkeys) with which it can suspend itself head downward while working with its strong front claws to tear bark off a tree, under which it finds its food. This special tail also may perform like an extra hand, helping to hold it tightly to a tree.

Silky is a night worker and spends daylight hours curled up in a nest of dry leaves in a hollow tree trunk, where the mother leaves her one tiny baby while she feeds. She nurses it for a short period, but then feeds it on digested insects coughed up for it, until soon the little one is able to scramble around and find its own food.

Because these animals hunt only at night and hide in the daytime, they very seldom encounter any enemies. But when they do, they are able to make a good defense by rearing up on their hind legs and slashing their opponent with the long, sharp claws of their front feet.

Do you think God takes note of this obscure little creature? The exceptional provisions for its way of life all tell us that He certainly does, and we are further assured by the Bible verse that says, “In whose hand is the soul [life] of every living thing.” Job 12:10. Another verse exclaims, “The eyes of all wait upon Thee; and Thou givest them their meat [food] in due season.” Psalms 145:15.

How much greater is His love to us! He not only takes care of our daily needs, but has prepared a way for eternal life in the glories of heaven for all who will trust His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, as their Saviour. Do not neglect doing this.

ML-11/01/1987

Stalking the Deer

Memory Verse: “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man; but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Proverbs 16:25

One overcast Saturday afternoon Mac asked permission to take his dad’s car and his old shotgun to go deer hunting. Now, that old shotgun was known for only firing two thirds of the time, but it was the only one available, so Mac was glad to use it.

Off he went, driving from Rockland about 35 miles up into the heavily wooded interior of Maine. Nearing the area he began driving very slowly along the side of the road, looking for signs of deer. It wasn’t too long before he saw a big buck.

Mac parked the car, jumped out with the shotgun, took good aim and fired. But it so happened that that was the one third of the time when the shotgun didn’t fire properly. The buck was startled by the noise and crashed through the underbrush ... with Mac crashing after him.

The chase went on for an hour or so, and each time the buck stopped to rest, Mac would try to stalk him and take aim, but he never got an opportunity like he had the first time. Now the buck was jumpy, and hearing the slightest noise it would crash into the underbrush in another direction. Then Mac would trail him once again.

After a while Mac began to get tired and decided to sit down to eat an apple he had in his pocket. While resting, he noticed an unusual tree growing near the spot where he was sitting. Finishing his apple, he got up and began trailing the deer again.

Well, Mac never did catch up to that deer because he was suddenly rather surprised to see that it was beginning to get dark — time to head back to the car. It was then he realized that he had been in such a hurry to chase that deer that he hadn’t taken the time to pull his compass out and check his direction, as he usually did.

Mac started to worry. He didn’t know exactly which way he should go. He began to walk in the direction that he thought would be the right way.

After walking for about an hour, he was startled by a discovery... he had come back to the same unusual tree where he had stopped to eat his apple. Now he really was worried, because he realized he had walked in a big circle! So he asked the Lord Jesus to help him find his way out of the woods.

It wasn’t too long before that prayer was answered. A kind old woodsman came walking by, and he said to Mac, “Son, what are you trying to do?”

Mac answered, “I’m trying to get to the road.”

The old woodsman said, “Well, you’ll never get there that way, son.”

“There is a way which seemeth right unto a man; but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Proverbs 14:12. As we travel through life we have to turn in the right direction, too, if we want to be on the road that leads to heaven. Jesus said, “I am the way.” John 14:6. So we must follow Him.

The kind old woodsman said to Mac, “Follow me, son, and I’ll lead you to the road.”

Mac didn’t have to be told that he was lost — he knew it very well. He was only too thankful to follow the woodsman to the road and thanked him heartily for leading him the right way.

It is the goodness of God that leads us to Calvary’s cross. There the Lord Jesus died for sin. We deserved God’s punishment for our sins. But if we confess that we are sinners and trust in the Lord Jesus, believing that He was punished for our sins in our place, we’ll be saved and on that road that leads to heaven. There is no other way.

The old woodsman had led Mac out of the woods just a short distance from where the car was parked. So he hopped in the car, thanked the man again, and was soon on his way home. For those of us who have followed God’s way of salvation, how thankful we can be that heaven soon will be our home, because the Lord Jesus was willing to die on Calvary’s cross for our sins.

“I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” John 14:6. “Him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.” John 6:37.

ML-11/08/1987

The Biggest Piece of Money

It was cold, very cold, one night many years ago. Jimmy stood by his small newsstand on the corner trying to sell papers. There was hardly anyone on the street that night. Those passing by were bundled up against the cold wind, hurrying to get inside. No one wanted to stop long enough to buy a paper.

Jimmy wanted to buy a cup of coffee to help him warm up. His clothes were old and nearly worn out, and his coat was not very warm. But he did not even have a nickel, and that is what a cup of coffee would cost. If only he could sell a paper.

“Here comes another man,” he thought as he shivered again. “Buy a paper, mister?” he asked.

The man looked at Jimmy. “I don’t need a paper,” he said. “But would you like some money to buy a cup of coffee?”

“I sure would,” replied Jimmy. “That’s why I wanted to sell you a paper.” The man pulled a handful of change out of his pocket and handed it to Jimmy saying, “Take one piece of money.”

Jimmy picked out a nickel and said, “Thank-you, sir,” and turned to go to a nearby restaurant. Then thinking about it, he turned back to the man who still stood holding the handful of money. “Did you say I could have one piece of money?” he asked. “Could I have a dime?”

“Yes,” replied the man. “I told you that you could have one piece of money.”

Jimmy put the nickel back and took a dime. “But there is a quarter and there is a fifty-cent piece,” he thought, still looking at the handful of money. “Mister, could I have the fifty-cent piece?”

“I told you that you could have one piece of money,” the man repeated.

Jimmy put back the dime and took the fifty-cent piece, the biggest piece of money in the man’s hand. “Thank-you,” he said again and turned to leave.

“Wait a minute,” said the man. “I am glad you took the biggest piece. That’s what I wanted you to take, but you took the smaller piece first. Did you know that God has many gifts? You use them every day. He gives you air to breathe, food, a home, a mother and father — many things that you take for granted.

“But God has a much better gift for you. He wants you to accept this gift — His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. And if you will receive His best gift, believing that you are a sinner and that Christ died on the cross for your sins, He will give you everlasting life. There will be a home ready for you in heaven, besides His other gifts to you while you are here on earth. Won’t you accept His best gift now and thank 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.

ML-11/08/1987

The Scheming Antbird: Part 1

The Wonders of God’s Creation

“In six days the Lord made ... [the heavens] and earth, the sea, and all that in them is.” Exodus 20:11.

There are more than 200 species of antbirds in different parts of the world, but they are particularly numerous in Central and South America’s tropical forests. They are small birds, most about the size of a sparrow, having no particular melody but making whistles, chirps and trills that are pleasant to hear.

Their rounded wings are shorter than most birds their size, but this is not important as most of their time is spent on the ground or in perching. Strong thick bills, some of them hooked, have been given them by the Creator, helping them capture and quickly eat their prey. Another provision from their Maker is their extra-strong legs, toes and claws, so suited to their manner of life. Most of their time is spent in small groups on the ground, vigorously scratching for food.

The name “antbird” does not mean they eat ants, but rather that whenever possible they use ants to discover and expose food for themselves. Only the big vicious army ants perform this unwilling service as they work their way over the ground in great numbers like columns of soldiers, hunting for bugs, worms, crickets, spiders, lizards, small frogs, etc.

As the ants move over the ground and expose these tidbits, the antbirds come right up to the edge of their columns and snatch some of the bugs and insects which the ants have overlooked or which they have not yet taken. Strangely, the ants do not bother the birds, even though they may be aware they are being robbed of some of their food and are quite capable of giving them painful bites.

The antbirds know it is only these big ants that can expose the hidden food and do not waste time following any of the many other smaller varieties found in those tropical areas, except when food is scarce. Then they will eat the smaller ants to relieve their hunger.

If army ants are not active, the birds do their own scratching through the soil with their strong, clawed toes. At times some will climb tree trunks like woodpeckers, searching under loose bark for tasty morsels, or will follow animals whose hooves turn up desirable food as they walk along.

Isn’t it remarkable how the Creator has given these birds such a variety of ways and ability to find their food day by day?

Every person who knows the Lord Jesus Christ as his Saviour is given an even better promise, as the Bible tells us in Philippians 4:19, “But my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.” We should thank Him every day for His great love to us and providing care.

(to be continued)

ML-11/08/1987

Ranger and the Real Estate Man

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

Ranger was a good watch dog. Being rather large and strong, most people were a little afraid of him. But this was not so with a certain real estate man.

Ranger’s master had put his house up for sale. The real estate people were given careful instructions to call before bringing anyone out to see the place, because Ranger was guarding the place. They were to be sure to make an appointment. All of the real estate people did this. When they drove up, Ranger would bark a warning, but at his master’s command he would lie down and watch quietly until the people left.

But one day, one of the men from the real estate office, hoping for a quick sale, brought some interested people out to see the house even though no one was at home. He had not made an appointment — he was not following instructions.

As they drove up, Ranger warned them by barking. However, the man ignored him and reassured the customers that this big dog was just a “pussy cat.”

All went fine as they crossed the yard until they got near the house. It was there that Ranger growled and blocked their way, taking the man’s wrist into his rather large mouth and holding him fast, but without actually biting him.

Terrified, the other people backed away toward the car. Ranger let go of the man’s hand and quickly headed them off. He allowed them to go no farther than halfway between the house and the car. Ranger circled them, holding them captive for a long time.

About then, Ranger’s master came home, and finding three frightened people huddled together with Ranger circling them, he ordered the dog to retreat. Ranger slunk off to one side.

With great relief the three quickly headed to the car and left, not even bothering to look at the house. That real estate man never came out to show the property to anyone again. He learned a lesson.

Is there another kind of lesson for us in this story? Yes, there is! Just as it is important to pay attention to warnings and to listen to instructions in our everyday lives, it is even more important to pay attention to God’s warnings and to listen to His instructions.

God warns us that sin must be punished. He tells us of coming judgment in John 5:25-29. But He loves us and explains the way of salvation. Judgment is coming because of sin, but salvation is through the Lord Jesus Christ for any who will accept Him. Jesus died on Calvary’s cross and bore the punishment for sin.

Have you confessed to God that you are a sinner, that you have not always obeyed His instructions in His Word, the Bible? Why wait any longer? Do it now! The real estate man who was held at the wrist by Ranger had a good reason to be frightened. But if you are not saved, you are in a more frightening situation. You are being held fast by sin and Satan and facing God’s punishment, too.

Won’t you, child or grownup, listen to Jesus’ instruction now? He says, “He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation [punishment]; but is passed from death unto life.” John 5:24. Hear, believe, and live!

“He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” John 3:36.

ML-11/15/1987

Mike Takes off

Mike overheard his mother tell Patty, his older sister, that there was some money on the table to buy some hot dogs. “Will you please run to the store for me?” she asked. “Daddy will be home in an hour, and I haven’t started dinner yet.”

Mike, who was just 4 years old, thought to himself, “I know where the store is. I can do it.” So he took the money off the table and ran off all alone. He really thought that he was doing the right thing and was happy that he could be Mother’s helper.

Although it was summertime there was a cold wind blowing off the lake. It had been warm when Mike had played outside earlier in the day. But now as he walked, skipped and ran to the store, he started to get cold.

Mike was gone only a few minutes when Mother wondered where he was. She went all through the house calling and looking for him. “Mike, Mike!” she called out the door several times. Then she asked Patty to look around for him before she went to the store. She called him, too, but there was no answer. No one had seen Mike leave, so no one knew where he was. Mother was very worried. Where could he have gone? She decided to call the police.

“Are you lost, little boy?” a gentle voice asked Mike.

He looked up into the face of a kind lady and started to cry. “I can’t find my mommy,” he sobbed, “and I’m cold.”

The lady picked up little Mike and held him close as she walked down the street to the nearest phone. She called the police and told them about Mike. They thought he was probably the same little boy that they were looking for. Soon a police car came to take Mike, and it was not long until he was safe at home with his parents.

The first thing Mike said when he got home was, “Look, Mommy, I got the hot dogs!” Sure enough, he had brought a bag home with him, and in it was a package of weiners and the change from the money.

Now Mother figured out what he had done. “Couldn’t you find your way home?” Mother asked holding him tightly.

“No. I couldn’t find our street, and I walked and walked,” explained Mike.

Poor Mike. He had turned the wrong direction after coming out of the store. He had been going the wrong way!

Mike was really lost. He had walked and walked trying to find his own way home, but couldn’t. He need someone to help him, to show him the way. The lady that found him knew just what to do to get Mike back home.

The Bible tells us that “the Son of man (the Lord Jesus Christ) is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10. It also tells us that we have all turned our own way. Each of us is a sinner and going away from God. We are lost and cannot find our own way back to God. It is sin that keeps us away from Him. We are lost — lost in sin.

But God sent His only Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, into the world to save the lost. God says you need a Saviour. Little Mike admitted he was lost. We know he was glad to accept the kind lady’s help. He did not tell her to go away, that he would find his own way home. Will you admit that you are lost, and accept the Lord Jesus as your Saviour? God cannot accept you with your sins, but the Lord Jesus Christ shed His blood to wash away sins. Accept Him as your Saviour so that He can take you to His home in heaven forever.

“For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.

ML-11/15/1987

The Scheming Antbird: Part 2

The Wonders of God’s Creation

“Foxes have holes, and birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay His head.” Luke 9:58.

The many species of antbirds have been given a variety of names. Some are called antwren, antshrike, antvireo, ant-thrush, fire-eye, and many more, but all are closely related.

Most are rather drab looking with plain black and white or brown coloring. However, there are exceptions. For instance, the male of one species called bicolored has dark feathers on its wings and over its back, but is pure white underneath, making a sharp and pleasant contrast. The female is usually light brown above and white below. Another, called the ocellated (which means “spotted"), has a variety of pretty color patches over its entire body.

Yet another outstanding one goes by the name white-fronted. This one has a silky, white-feathered crest over its head, matched by a white beard under its beak. When in the air, these white ornaments blow back against its body, making it look like a flying arrow, but when still, they stand out and are pretty.

Antbirds make cup-shaped nests composed of leaves or fibers in forks of trees or the branches of shrubs. But they’re not committed to any particular spots; some prefer nesting in a hollow tree, while others just make their nests right on the ground. Whatever the choice may be, the male and female work together on the nest, as well as in all their activities, and stay together for life. It surely is nice to see this faithfulness to each other.

Immediately after nest building, two or three eggs are laid. Once again, the parents share in incubating and watching over them — the male taking his turn in the daytime and the female at night. In about two weeks the little ones hatch out and remain in the nest for about two more weeks. Then it is time for the parents to gently but firmly push them out, so they will learn to fly and care for themselves. However, different from many birds, it is not unusual for some of the young to resist these necessary lessons, and the parents are patient with them, sometimes continuing to feed them for many weeks before they will venture away on their own.

In the above opening Bible verse, the Lord Jesus contrasted the birds — all of which have nests of one kind or another — with Himself when He was on earth and did not even have a home of His own. Another verse (2 Cor. 8:9) tells us “though He was rich [in heaven], yet for your sakes He became poor [on earth], that ye through His poverty might be rich.” The riches He desires to give every one of us are those of everlasting life in heaven, through knowing Him as our Saviour. Do you have these wonderful riches?

ML-11/15/1987

The Hard Question

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

One Sunday morning I was telling my Sunday school class of young children the story of Adam and Eve. During the lesson I asked, “Joel, have you ever had to have a spanking?”

“No,” he said very solemnly. “You’ve never been naughty?” I asked.

“No,” he assured me.

So I thought I’d ask Michael. Now Michael is my neighbor, and I’d seen both his mommy and his daddy give him a spanking. So I said, “Michael, have you ever had a spanking?”

He shook his blond head “no,” and assured me that he also had never been naughty.

Tony was next, and he was six. Since he had lived six whole years, I was sure that he must have had a spanking. So I asked him the same question. But Tony was sure that he had never been naughty and had never needed a spanking.

So then I asked Rhonda. And Rhonda also said she had never had to have any kind of punishment.

Several more of the children told me the same thing. Then Robby, my little grandson, was next. He was the second to last child to be asked. He was sitting there looking at me with bright, blue eyes. The class was very quiet. I asked, “Robby, have you ever had a spanking?” His answer was the same — he had never had one either. I said, “Robby, you’ve been at our house when I’ve seen your mommy take you into the bathroom and I hear ‘smack, smack, smack,’ and then I hear you crying. What is going on in there, Robby?”

He didn’t seem to know. He just sat still and looked at me.

Now there was only Jason left. “Jason, have you ever had a spanking?” I asked.

Jason sat looking down at his hands that were fidgeting on his lap. And finally he said in a very small voice, “Yes.”

“Why did you have to have a spanking, Jason?”

“I was bad.”

How very hard it is for us to admit that we are bad. But God tells us that we have all sinned — we have all done things that are wrong. “There is no difference: for all have sinned.” Romans 3:22,23. “If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him [God] a liar.” 1 John 1:10. So we have to admit that we have been bad and that we need to be saved from our sins.

A little stir went through the class when Jason told the truth and admitted that he had been naughty. I said, “Jason, how very nice that you’ve been able to tell the truth. I’m sure that everyone in this class has been naughty and has had to be punished at some time.”

We sat in silence for just a moment. Then Joel spoke up, “Sometimes I tell the truth.” You know, we might as well always be honest with God, because He sees everything we do, He hears everything we say, and He even knows what we think. “All things are naked and opened unto the eyes of Him [God] with whom we have to do.” Hebrews 4:13. But the wonderful part is that even though He knows how naughty we are, He still loves us just the same. In fact, He loves us so much that He sent His own beloved Son to die on Calvary’s cross, and to bear the punishment for naughty sins and take them away forever. Won’t you admit to Him that you’ve been naughty and trust Him to wash your sins away? You’ll be very happy because then He will make you one of His children. This means that some day He will take you to His heavenly home to live with Him there forever.

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

ML-11/22/1987

Help From Above

Charles sat down dangling his legs out the open door of the airplane. The wind whipped around his face. It was an exciting moment — his first parachute jump. The instructor tapped his shoulder, giving him the signal. Charles leaned forward and pushed himself out the door.

No one knew just why, but Charles’s parachute came out of its pack too quickly. As he somersaulted away from the plane, the chute whipped back catching fast on the tail of the plane.

Charles found himself being towed at more than 50 miles per hour about 40 feet behind the plane. He jerked desperately at the parachute lines, hoping to jerk loose from the plane. It was no use. He was caught!

Back at the door of the plane, the instructor stared back at the hung-up parachute, hardly able to believe what he saw. Charles twisted around so he could see the plane’s door. There was a questioning look on his face. As they looked at each other, the instructor stuck out his fist with his thumb up —“Everything will be all right. We’ll get you loose,” his motion said. Charles answered back with a thumbs-up fist.

The instructor pulled himself back in the door and began to study the problem. There was really no way to reach the hung-up parachute to release it. If he tried to land the plane, Charles would be killed. They needed help from somewhere else — someone to come release the helpless man.

The call went out over the plane’s radio, and everyone waited. Would help arrive before the gasoline supply ran out?

Each one of us is just like Charles before we are saved! We are tangled up and caught in our sins and cannot do a thing about it. Those to whom we might go for help are also helpless. What we need is help from somewhere else —someone to come down and save us. And only the Lord Jesus Christ can do that. “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12.

Time went by slowly for Charles while he was being towed behind the plane: 30 minutes, 60 minutes, 90 minutes passed. Time was running out! The gasoline was running low! If he were going to be saved, he needed to be saved soon! And God says to each sinner, “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:2.

Suddenly Charles heard a roar above him. Looking up he saw a huge, red helicopter dropping down through the mist. The copter hovered along about 50 feet above the slow-flying plane. A man quickly descended on a boom cable right to where Charles was caught. After first making sure that Charles was prepared to use his emergency parachute, the rescuer cut him loose from the plane. Three seconds later the emergency parachute opened beautifully, and he floated down to a perfect first landing.

Charles was released from his terrible position by help from above. And each person who realizes their terrible condition, lost in their sins, can also call for help from above. “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” 1 Timothy 1:15. You can be saved by simply calling to Him in faith. “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:13. “If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.” Romans 10:9.

ML-11/22/1987

The Scary Squid: Part 1

The Wonders of God’s Creation

“The sea is His, and He made it: and His hands formed the dry land. O come, let us worship... our Maker.” Psalms 95:5,6.

Millions of squid live in the world’s oceans, many of them off the Atlantic coast of Newfoundland on south to the United States’ waters, as well as the Pacific coast areas from the Aleutian Islands to South America. They are more abundant in the colder waters, but there are untold numbers elsewhere as well.

The longest on record was 57 feet from tip to tip, but larger ones undoubtedly live in deep places of the ocean where they are rarely seen by men. These are very vicious squid, able to kill small whales, porpoises, octopi, etc. and would not hesitate to kill and devour a person. But the Creator keeps them at depths where men do not venture, except in submarines.

There are nearly 400 species of squid, ranging from huge giants down to only six inches long. The smaller ones represent the greatest number and are harmless, living off tiny forms of marine life.

Regardless of size, all squid have bullet-shaped bodies, equipped with two large fins at the tail end and eight, long, snakey arms equipped with rows of tooth-like suckers rising up from the top of their heads. A 50-pound squid can spread these arms out about ten feet beyond its body and in addition has two, long, whip-like tentacles that reach even farther. The purpose of these arms and tentacles is to catch victims and pull them into a parrot-like beak in the center of the squid’s head, where the captive is rapidly eaten.

Long before airplanes had jet engines, squid used a jet system provided by their Creator for swimming. It works by a loose mantle which fits over the squid’s body below its ugly-looking eyes. This fills with water which squirts out through a “siphon” near its head to provide speeds up to 35 miles per hour. Usually a squid swims backwards, but the siphon is flexible and can be pointed up, down, ahead or sideways, to move the creature any direction.

Except for those seen in fish markets, it is unlikely any of us will ever come face to face with any of these creatures. However, they are really a wonderful example of God’s handiwork, as the Bible states: “And God created great whales, and every living creature that moveth, which the waters brought forth abundantly, after their kind.” Genesis 1:21.

But He is not only the God of creation, He is the God of love as well, as another Bible verse tells us: “In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.” 1 John 4:9. Have you experienced that love by accepting His Son, the Lord Jesus, as your Saviour?

ML-11/22/1987

Okay, Monkey, I'll Find You!

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

A jet cargo plane zoomed in for a landing at busy New York’s Kennedy Airport. It was planning to stop only long enough for refueling before taking off again.

In the big cargo hold of the plane, among the countless boxes and crates were a dozen animal cages with five macaque monkeys in each cage, which makes 60 monkeys in all.

When the plane came to a standstill, one particular little monkey got very busy. He grabbed onto the bars of his cage with his slender fingers and started shaking the bars with all the might his 15-pound body could muster. He shook those bars to the right, and then he shook them to the left. He pulled them up, and then he pushed them down. He shook them till his hands got tired, and then he shook them with his feet. He struggled with those bars, making them rattle and clatter... and finally the gate opened. The monkey quickly squeezed through. After he got out, the gate sprung closed again.

When the other monkeys, all 59 of them, saw their friend free, they started screeching and screaming, clapping their hands, and spinning around in circles. In their screeching they seemed to be calling to their escaped friend, “Escape out of this place! Run, and don’t let anyone catch you ever again! You can do it!”

Encouraged by all the clamor, the monkey scurried out of the cargo hold and into the cabin of the plane. Rushing down the aisle and screaming as he went, he took the men working there by surprise. They were so shocked they ran off the plane. Then the pilot and copilot heard the commotion. They came to see what the problem was. They too were startled by the monkey and locked themselves in the cockpit. The tiny monkey must have felt like a mighty conqueror for a while with all the humans running away from him.

An animal expert working at the airport was called to the airplane. John was a big man with a beard and a rosy, smiling face. When he heard all the ruckus one tiny monkey had caused, he chuckled.

The first thing John did was to take the pilot and copilot off the plane. Then he turned his attention to catching the escaped prisoner. The only problem was the little escapee didn’t want to be caught.

What John thought would be an easy catch turned into an energetic game of hide-and-seek. The monkey would stick his bald head out of one spot as if to say to John, “Here I am, you can’t catch me!” Then before John could catch him he would find another hiding place. This game went on for an hour and a half.

Then something caught the monkey’s attention, and his curiosity got the better of him. He spotted all the colorful dials and interesting levers and buttons in the cockpit. He stopped to play with them.

John saw his chance and nabbed him as the monkey sat on the instrument panel right between the pilot’s and copilot’s seats, fingering the levers and buttons as though he knew how to fly the airplane.

Later that day, John posed for a picture with the monkey in his lap and told reporters, “He’s one sharp little cookie... but, no, I don’t think he was trying to fly the plane back home.”

You know, that monkey might have been “a sharp little cookie,” but there are limits to what monkeys can do. It would have been impossible for him to start the giant engines of the 747 and fly it home to the Philippine Islands. And there are some things which are impossible for people to do, whether children or grownups. It is impossible for anyone to save his own soul. And yes, your soul must be saved if you want to be in heaven with the Lord Jesus.

Since there can be no sin in heaven, it is impossible for you to go to heaven just as you are, for Romans 3:23 says, “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” And it is impossible to go to heaven by earning your way there, thinking your good works might cancel out your sins. Ephesians 2:8,9 says, “By grace are ye saved through faith... not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Still, there is a way to be saved, but it must be God’s way. “With men it is impossible, but not with God: for with God all things are possible.” Mark 10:27. “The Father [God] sent the Son to be the Saviour of the world.” 1 John 4:14. God’s way of salvation is to come as a helpless sinner to the Lord Jesus who is the only Saviour of sinners and accept His loving offer of sins forgiven. It is impossible to be saved any other way — as impossible as that monkey piloting the 747 by himself.

“I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” John 14:6. Will you trust the Lord Jesus? He alone can save — the only possible way.

ML-11/29/1987

"Help Me!"

Mrs. James arrived home later than she had expected to, so she hurried from her car to the front door. She was holding the house key in her hand just ready to unlock the door when she heard a small boy’s voice calling, “Help me! Help me! Will you help me?” Mrs. James was rather startled since she had not seen anyone around when she pulled her car into the driveway. Setting her purse down on the doorstep, she started towards the front sidewalk when she heard the voice again call, “Help me, please.” There she found Timmy, a little boy from down the street, almost hidden by a large evergreen tree, and he was in real trouble!

Mrs. James arrived home just in time to hear Timmy’s call for help, but the Lord Jesus is able to hear our cry at all times. He tells us to “Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee.” Psalms 50:15.

Poor Timmy! There was his bicycle turned over on its side and one of his long shoelaces was wound many, many times around the pedal. All poor Timmy could do was to stand beside his bicycle with his foot all twisted to the side! There was no way a little five-year-old boy could get that tangled shoelace off the bicycle pedal.

Mrs. James worked quickly, pulling the shoelace this way and that way, until it finally came free of the pedal. Timmy was so happy to get his foot free from that twisted position and to be able to ride away on his bicycle again, and Mrs. James was glad she had returned home just when Timmy needed help.

How like Timmy each sinner is tangled in sin and completely unable to help himself. The Lord Jesus Christ is able and willing to free from sin all who ask Him to wash their sins away. He is the only One who can do that, “For there is none other Name under heaven... whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12. Mrs. James was able to free Timmy from his tangle, but so could Mr. James if he had been there, or their neighbors, the Richards. But the Lord Jesus Christ is the only Saviour. He died and shed His blood to wash away sins. Won’t you accept Him as your Saviour right now and be free from the tangle of sin?

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

ML-11/29/1987

The Scary Squid - Part 2

The Wonders of God’s Creation

“They that go down to the sea in ships... in great waters; these see the works of the Lord, and His wonders in the deep.” Psalms 107:23,24.

While the squid is dreaded by fish and other marine life that are smaller, it also has many enemies that consider squid-food a very nice answer to their hunger. Fish larger than themselves — killer-whales, porpoises, octopi and other kinds of sea life — gobble up the small and medium-sized squid whenever they get a chance.

But squid are not without means of defense. In addition to being able to swim away faster than most anything else in water, the Creator has given them other means of self-protection. For one thing, its strong arms can often wind around an attacker, even if it is larger than itself, and kill it. But they have two other most-interesting defensive weapons that are frequently used. One is an ability to change color almost as fast as you can wink your eye, so that they blend in with their surroundings and are hidden from the enemy. Another is to shoot out a cloud of thick black ink, sometimes even making it in a shape and color that looks just like itself. Then it backs quickly away while the badly fooled enemy attacks the inky mass and, to his surprise, finds nothing there. Aren’t these wonderful features the Creator has given them?

The shallow ocean shores of some California islands are one place where great quantities of squid are caught. Every winter millions of them, six to eight inches long, come there to lay tremendous quantities of eggs, and fisherman (as well as sharks and other big fish) are always waiting for them —somehow knowing just when this will take place. They scoop up tons of them, but scarcely make a dent in their numbers. The same thing takes place in the Mediterranean Sea where they are caught in a similar manner. Millions of tons go to the world’s fish markets from these and other places every year.

Ocean workers, mentioned in the opening verse, as well as cruising tourists, tell of interesting encounters with squid; one common thrill is to see smaller ones jump from the water by means of their jet propulsion in leaps as high as 20 feet and 50 feet in distance. Sometimes they unintentionally land on board bigger boats and at other times jump over smaller ones.

Truly the works of the Lord are marvelous, and though we may not understand why He created some of these odd creatures, we know they serve His plan in ways known to Him. He also has a plan for every boy and girl, every man and woman. Have you thanked Him for His love for you and asked Him to show you what His plan is for you and how you can honor Him in your life?

ML-11/29/1987

Short … but Paid for

Memory Verse: “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God.” 1 Peter 3:18

It was lunchtime at a busy fast-food restaurant. Waiting in line to order were office men and women, construction workers and two young boys. The line moved steadily until it was the two boys’ turns to order their food. They looked like brothers, with the same brown eyes and brown wavy hair. One looked to be about ten and his younger brother about eight or nine.

“I’ll have a hamburger and a small order of French fries and a can of pop,” the younger brother said, giving his order first.

“A dollar sixty-seven please,” the lady behind the counter announced.

The boy stuck his hand deep into one of the pockets of his blue jeans, came out with a handful of change, dumped it on the counter, and began counting... "$.25..30..40..50..75.

1.00:1.25:1.35:1.40:1.50,” he counted, setting a finger on each coin and sliding it a little way on the counter. Now he had only pennies left... "$1.51:1.52:1.53:1.54:1.55:1.56:1.57,” he said, counting slower because he was nearly at the end of his pile of money, and by now he wasn’t sure he was going to have enough... "$1.58:1.59:1.60:1.61:1.62:1.63. $1.63 is all I have,” he said to the lady, not knowing what to do now.

“Sorry, but you’re four cents short,” the lady answered him.

“Wait,” the boy pleaded, and he started rummaging through all his pockets, turning them inside out, hoping to find more money to pay for his order.

When he didn’t find any more, he counted his money again, hoping he had made a mistake the first time.

"... $1.63,” he finally said as he finished counting again, giving the lady such a sad look.

But his sad look didn’t change her mind; she wasn’t going to give him his order of food without the four cents he still needed.

“Mark,” broke in his older brother, “I’ll give you the four cents you need.”

A few sighs of relief were heard from the hungry people waiting in line behind them.

Then it was the older brother’s turn to order.

“I’ll have a double cheeseburger and a can of pop.”

"1.71,” was the reply from behind the counter.

He reached into his pocket and also brought out a handful of change and dumped it on the counter. Laying a finger on each coin, just as his brother had, he slid them one at a time toward the cashier as he counted them. First he counted his quarters, then dimes and nickels, and had only his pennies left when he realized he didn’t have enough money either!

"$1.59,” he finally said as he counted his last penny. He looked up at the lady with a look that said, I can’t believe it... I don’t have enough money either... now what...?

“You’re short 12 cents,” the lady said, now a little annoyed. “I can’t give you your order.”

The people in line behind him by now were more than tired of waiting.

“Uh-oh,” he mumbled.

He was about to recount all his change when a construction worker, anxious to get his lunch, called out, “Don’t count that money again — I’ll give you the 12 cents.”

And so both boys were able to have their lunch.

You may never be short of money, but you may be short of something far more important. “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23. That little word all includes you and me; it includes everyone— “Both low and high, rich and poor, together.” Psalms 49:2.

What does it mean to come short of the glory of God? It means that because of our sins God cannot accept us as we are, that His anger is upon us, and that hell, instead of heaven, will be the unhappy result when we die. And this is all because of our sins!

What can we do to pay for our sins? Good works, Sunday school, trying to help our neighbors, and things like that will never pay for our sins. “We are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses [good works] are as filthy rags.” Isaiah 64:6. No! Anything we might do by ourselves would still leave us in our sins and still short of the glory of God.

How then can we be saved from our sins? The only way is through the Lord Jesus Christ. God sent Him, His beloved Son, into the world. And on the cross of Calvary, that place of shame and disgrace, Jesus died and paid for the sins of every person who would accept Him as their Saviour. Those who accept the Lord Jesus are no longer short of the glory of God, but are washed in the precious blood of Jesus, forgiven of their sins, and on their way to heaven.

Yes, even though “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God,” the Lord Jesus, through His death, paid for the sins of all who would trust Him.

Both boys realized they were short of money to pay for their lunches. But they both were willing to accept the kindness of someone else who was able to give them what they owed. So neither of them missed out on lunch.

Are you going to refuse God’s loving, kind offer of salvation and miss out on heaven? Why not accept His Son, the Lord Jesus, as your Saviour and know your sins are paid for.

ML-12/06/1987

Mr. Squirrel's Hiding Place

“Get your trowel and check the new concrete at the bottom of the steps,” Grandpa called out to me from the house. It had been a busy day of pouring concrete. The steps had been one of the last things we had worked on.

When I looked at the steps, I saw that a patch of the new, wet concrete had been all dug up. As I smoothed out the spot again, my trowel uncovered an acorn. Digging around with the end of the trowl, I found four of them!

When I told Grandpa about it, he laughed and said that he had seen Mr. Squirrel digging in the new concrete. That is why he had asked me to check the steps. Mr. Squirrel had found the soft concrete, busily dug holes in it, and then buried his acorns.

Smoothing out the concrete, I thought about what would have happened if the acorns had stayed there. Mr. Squirrel would have returned later and found the concrete as hard as rock. He thought he had found a good hiding place. But he had buried his acorn treasures, causing a lot of damage and he would never find them again!

The Lord Jesus said, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth... but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” Matthew 6:19,20. Some people are just like Mr. Squirrel. They only worry about “treasures” for themselves in this life. They work hard for food, clothing, cars, houses and other things which are not bad in themselves. But they become so concerned about these things that they do not think about God.

Where are your treasures? Are they in heaven, because you have accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour? Or are they only on earth, because you are still a lost sinner? Think about it — Where are your treasures?

“Christ; in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Colossians 2:2,3.

ML-12/06/1987

The Fish With an Unusual Eye

The Wonders of God’s Creation

“Whatsoever the Lord pleased, that did He... in earth, in the seas, and all deep places.” Psalms 135:6.

About the only thing many people know about a fish called a flounder is that it tastes good and that it can be purchased at almost all fish markets at any time of year. There are two unusual things about this fish: it can change its color to match the surroundings as it moves from place to place, and early in its life, one of its eyes changes location.

In the springtime a female lays about a million eggs which do not hatch until late summer. Of course, a good many of the eggs are eaten by various creatures, but those that survive to hatch, soon develop into small “fry.” These, too, are choice rood to other fish, so that out of a million eggs only a few hundred are likely ever to become full-sized fish.

At first a baby flounder looks quite ordinary as it swims around, but within a few days it begins twisting to one side. As it continues twisting an amazing thing takes place. While the right eye remains in place, the left eye begins to travel up and over the top of the head — a little bit each day — and finally comes to rest next to the right one. (In a few species the right eye does the traveling.)

Why do you suppose the Creator provides this unusual experience to these little fish? The reason is that the flounder is a member of the “flatfish” family and, being a rather inactive fish, will spend most of its life lying on its left side in the sand or rocks of the ocean floor, snatching whatever food comes by. So if the left eye remained in its original place on the left side, it would then be of no use and would only be harmed by the sand and dirt into which it would be rubbing. So the Creator provided this unusual way of putting both eyes where they are useful. We can see this as an example of the pleasure He had in making so many wonderful things throughout His creation, as stated in the opening Bible verse and again in Revelation 4:11: “For Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created.”

Another verse tells us to “stand still, and consider the wondrous works of God.” Job 37:14. This is good counsel as is this verse: “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth.” Ecclesiastes 12:1.

You are of much more value to God than a little flounder on the floor of the ocean, and He wants you to accept His love by confessing that you are a sinner and need a Saviour who is His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ. When this is done sincerely, He immediately accepts you as His own child and assures you of a place in heaven with Him when you leave this world behind. If you have not yet taken this important step, won’t you come to the Lord Jesus today?

ML-12/06/1987

A Scary Ride

Memory Verse: “Their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.” Hebrews 8:12

David and Jane had ridden their bikes about half a mile up Warrenville Road to play with their friends the Thompsons. When they got there the Thompson children showed them where a bear had torn down the wall of their barn the day before and had gobbled up all their chickens.

Soon they all were having such a good time playing that they forgot about the bear. David and Jane also forgot that their mother had told them to be home well before dusk.

When Mrs. Thompson called her children into the house for supper, David and Jane realized that it was already beginning to get dark. So they quickly hopped on their bikes and started down the road through the woods toward home, pedaling as fast as they could.

After several minutes of riding, they came to a long stretch of the road that was so overhung with tree branches that they shut out what little light there was left.

Suddenly David said, “Listen, Jane... there’s a bear!” And he began pedaling even faster.

Jane was just as scared as David and was trying to keep up with him, but she was a year younger and was not able to pedal quite as fast as he did. In her fright and hurry she wasn’t watching very closely where she was going. Suddenly a low-growing branch caught between the fender and wheel of her bike. The back wheel flipped up, throwing Jane over the handlebars onto the road. She was cut and bruised.

David had been pedaling so fast and was far enough ahead of Jane that he didn’t realize what had happened to her. He got home first and found their mother waiting at the door with a strong stick.

Jane was left behind and tried to pick herself up off the road, while thoughts of a bear were rushing wildly through her mind. She managed to pull out the branch, get back on her bike, and ride home.

When her mother saw her knees bleeding and her hands and face cut with her nose bleeding too, she decided Jane had already had enough punishment for her disobedience, and she forgave her.

We’ll never know if there was really a bear out there near the road. No one was going to go back to see, especially since it was nearly dark. All of us can certainly understand David’s and Jane’s being afraid of a bear. We would have done the very same thing — get away from there as fast as possible! Being afraid of something is nothing to be ashamed of. It is usually wise to be afraid. If a bear were really in the woods, the children’s fear made them do the right thing — get away from the danger as fast as possible — and it may have saved their lives.

There is another danger, and it is wise to be just as afraid of this danger as if it were a charging bear! In fact, this danger should be even more frightening. This danger is God’s anger against our sins. You and I each have sinned against God many times. “There is none righteous [good], no, not one.” Romans 3:10. God hates sin and says it must be punished, and you and I deserve the punishment for our sins. This is really frightening because God punishes sin in that awful place called hell.

But we also have good news although God hates sin, He loves sinners — and that includes you and me! Because He dearly loves us He gave His own beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, to be the Substitute to bear the punishment for sin. While Jesus hung on Calvary’s cross, God punished Him for the sins of every person who will accept Him as their Substitute. “He was wounded for our transgressions [sins], He was bruised for our iniquities [sins]: the chastisement [punishment] of our peace was upon Him; and with His stripes we are healed.” Isaiah 53:5.

If you will accept the Lord Jesus as your Saviour, there is no more reason to be afraid of God’s anger about your sins. The Lord Jesus has been punished for your sins, and He also has washed them away forever.

“There is therefore now no condemnation [punishment] to them which are in Christ Jesus.” Romans 8:1. “Their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.” Hebrews 8:12.

ML-12/13/1987

Mrs. Ashton and the Boys

Mrs. Ashton’s husband had died. Now she had to sell her home in the country and find a place to live in the city. As she looked for an apartment to rent, she asked the Lord Jesus to help her find the right place.

She found a small apartment across the street from a park. She felt that this was the place the Lord had for her, and so she rented it.

One day after she had moved in, she was startled by a lot of noise in the park. Looking out the window she saw a dozen boys playing over there. She watched them for a while and could hear their rough talk and bad language. All of a sudden she thought, “Maybe it is for boys like these that the Lord gave me this apartment.” She remembered the calendar verse for that day: “Go in the strength of the Lord God.” Psalms 71:16.

Although she was shy, Mrs. Ashton went over to the park and called to the boys, “Won’t you come over to my apartment to hear a Bible story?”

The boys stopped their noise and seemed too surprised to answer right away. Finally, one of the oldest boys smiled and said they would. So in they all came. Some sat on the floor and some on chairs. They were all curious and amused, wondering what would happen next.

Then she read the story of Joseph and told them about the Lord Jesus Christ and how His blood was shed for boys just like them. After she finished talking to them, she gave them cookies and juice and invited them to come again next week.

Every week, all winter, Mrs. Ashton had the boys over. Sometimes she had little games for them, and sometimes she read to them, but she always told them how the Lord Jesus loved them.

After that winter, Mrs. Ashton had to move to another part of the city to live with her daughter. She lost track of “her boys,” because she did not get to see them anymore.

Seven years passed. One day a tall young man spoke to her in a shopping plaza.

“Are you Mrs. Ashton?” he asked. “Yes, that is my name.”

“Don’t you know me?” he asked.

“You look familiar, but I can’t remember who you are,” she answered.

“I am one of the boys on the west side whom you read Bible stories to,” and he told her his name.

Then Mrs. Ashton remembered him as one of the biggest troublemakers of the group.

“I’ve accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as my Saviour,” the young man told her. “I never forgot the things you told us during that winter. Five years ago I admitted that I was a sinner and was saved. Thank you so very much, Mrs. Ashton.” After talking a little longer, he said good-bye and went on his way.

Mrs. Ashton returned home with a happy heart thanking the Lord for this encouragement, another proof of His love.

“He that trusteth in the Lord, mercy shall compass him about.” Psalms 32:10.

ML-12/13/1987

The Pretty Almond Tree

The Wonders of God’s Creation

Jacob said: “Carry... the man a present, a little balm, and a little honey, spices and myrrh, nuts and almonds.” Genesis 43:11.

When Jacob sent his sons to Egypt, hoping to receive some favors there, it is interesting to see that the gifts he sent included almonds. In those days nothing was known of vitamins and other nutrients which almonds contribute to health, but this was a wise choice, as we now know, for these tasty nuts contain minerals as well as vitamins and other nutrients, and so represented a valuable gift.

An orchard of almond trees is a beautiful sight when loaded with fragrant, pinkish-white blossoms surrounded by shiny, pointed leaves. These blossoms soon develop into fruit that, in its first stages, looks something like a small, unripe peach. This fruit has a silvery-green rind (soft at first, but turning leathery and hard) which surrounds the nut that is forming inside. This hard outer covering, or hull, finally splits open when fully ripe, curling downward to let the nut drop out. This yellowish nut, with which most of us are familiar, has a soft shell that is easily broken open to get at the edible almond.

Almonds are enjoyed all over the world, whether they are eaten plain, roasted, or used in desserts, candy and food products. They also provide an oil for cooking purposes and another product which can be seen in the small bottles on grocers’ shelves called “almond extract,” which is used for flavoring certain foods.

In addition to the sweet-almond trees of California and southern Europe, many bitter-almond trees are grown in the Mediterranean and tropical countries, mainly as shade trees. However, their nuts are also used in making certain perfumes and cosmetics valued by the ladies, as well as in cough syrups, soaps and a variety of other things. But these almonds are far too bitter for eating whole, even when roasted.

These popular nuts remind us of the third day of creation when the Lord God created the first trees told of in Genesis 1:11. In the 29th verse of that chapter, Adam was informed, “Behold, I have given you... every tree, in the which is the fruit of a tree yielding seed; to you it shall be for meat [food].” It was there that almonds, and all other trees, got their start, and in God’s goodness they have kept on growing to our present time, providing nutritious food for untold numbers of people.

In Romans 8:32, we read: “He that spared not His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?” Have you thanked Him for His goodness in creation and for the best gift of all, the Lord Jesus Christ, who is the Saviour of those who put their trust in Him?

ML-12/13/1987

Scruffy's Rescue

Memory Verse: “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” John 8:36

“Scritchy, scritchy, scratch... scratch, scritchy, clatter.”

I wonder what that noise is. thought Mr. Mackey, glancing at the print shop door. It was evening, and no one was working in the print shop. He was the only person in that part of the building, and he was in the lunchroom sitting at a table doing some paperwork. The noise stopped, so he went back to his work.

“Scritchy, scratch, scritchy... scratchy, clatter.”

There it is again, he thought. Someone must have left one of the machines running in the print shop. Again the noise stopped, so he went back to his work.

A few minutes later Mrs. Kelly came though the lunchroom on her way back to the print shop to pick up some newly printed booklets. Stopping at the print shop door to chat with Mr. Mackey, she too heard the noise.

“Scritchy, scratchy... scratch... scratch, clatter.”

Opening the door, she flipped on the light switch and immediately saw what was making the scritchy, scratchy, clatter sounds. It was not a machine. There at her feet was the cutest, tiny, gray mouse... but his right hind foot was caught in a mousetrap!

“Scritchy, scritchy, scritchy, scrihy scratch, clatter.” Now the little mouse was really frightened and was trying to get away from her. But he couldn’t make any headway. He could use only three of his feet, and the trap was too heavy for him to drag more than a few inches. He was trying so hard to run away using his three feet that were free. But they would only skid on the smooth floor, and the trap barely moved.

I know some of you children like mice. Maybe some of you have even had a white mouse for a pet. They are fun to watch and hold.

However, not very many grownups like mice. Ladies especially don’t like them, because they get into the kitchen cupboards and chew boxes open, eating cereal and other things and leaving a dirty mess behind.

When God first made mice, they didn’t ruin boxes of cereal. Sin had not come into the world, and everything was good. They had enough food in the garden and were content where they lived. Adam and Eve both liked them then. But Satan tempted Adam and Eve to sin, and when they sinned, that ruined everything. Mice and rats couldn’t find enough food to eat after that, and soon they were sneaking into kitchens to find food.

The little mouse in our story (let’s call him Scruffy) had probably come into the print shop a few days earlier to get out of the rain. And he could have been heading for the lunchroom to see if he could find some dinner. Instead, he got himself caught in a mousetrap! Poor Scruffy.

Let’s see what happened.

Mrs. Kelly felt so sorry for Scruffy and called to Mr. Mackey to come see what she had found.

When he saw poor little Scruffy struggling to get away, he felt sorry for him too. Mrs. Kelly said she’d like to open the trap and let him go free. Then Mr. Mackey said maybe Scruffy should be let go outside. That was a better idea, and so that’s just what he did. He carried the trap outside and opened it. Scruffy scampered away.

Mrs. Kelly felt much better because she likes mice, and she felt so sorry for Scruffy. Now, can you keep a secret?...

I think Mr. Mackey likes mice too. But we have to keep it a secret, because If Mrs. Mackey doesn’t like mice, she might not be very happy to know that he likes mice. You see, Mr. Mackey could have quickly killed Scruffy right there in the print shop, but instead he was kind and carried Scruffy and the trap outside and set him free.

Now I have something to tell you that isn’t a secret. God loves you and me even though we are sinners and have done many things that are wrong. And He loves us so much He made a plan so we could be set free from our sins. He sent His only Son, the Lord Jesus, to die on the cross and bear the punishment for sin. And the Lord Jesus will gladly set you free from your sins if you will just let Him. “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” John 8:36.

You know, if Mrs. Kelly had been alone when she found Scruffy, she probably would have opened the trap and let him go free right there in the print shop. And can you guess what might have happened next? After his foot felt better, Scruffy would have headed back to the lunchroom for that dinner he was looking for. But our story wouldn’t have had a happy ending then, because... there are other mousetraps set in the print shop and in the lunchroom. And can you guess what kind of bait is in those mousetraps? I’ll tell you — cheese and peanut butter — Scruffy’s favorite foods! The next trap might have done lots more harm to Scruffy than just catching his foot. It might have caught his head... and that would have been the end of poor little Scruffy.

So aren’t you glad Mr. Mackey set Scruffy free outside where he wouldn’t get caught again? I am.

And I’m also very glad that when the Lord Jesus sets us free from our sins, He gives us eternal life and promises that we are safe. “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. I and My Father are one.” John 10:28-30. Satan can never trap us in our sins again... because all our sins are gone.

Are your sins gone? Or are you still caught in Satan’s trap?

ML-12/20/1987

Collar of Iron

Little Danny, age three, busied himself with toys in the backyard. Somehow playing with his favorite trucks in the sand and crawling through the car tire was boring, and he felt like finding a new toy. Since his parents collected things old and rustic, he had some “goodies” to look over. Suddenly his eyes rested on a rusty iron ring. It was the inside ring of a large wooden wheel from an old farm wagon. Daddy had made a neat “something-or-other” from the wheel and had tossed the ring on the pile for a future project.

Danny rolled his new toy around the patio until he was tired of doing that. Sitting on the grass, he remembered how he used to put the ring over his head to make a collar around his neck. Since small children’s head bones grow very fast in the early years of life, Danny found that this iron collar did not go over his head like it used to without a few good tugs. At last he got it to go on. “Mommy, look at me!” he called.

About an hour later Danny’s father was called to the telephone where he works. Someone heard him say, “Oh no! What did he do now? Yes, I remember he used to put it over his head. Well, try lathering him up nice and slick with shampoo. If you can’t slide it off, then you’d better bring him over.” Hanging up the phone, Daddy sighed, “That Danny!”

A little while later Mommy showed up at Daddy’s work with Danny. Sure enough, a dripping, soapy, sad-faced Danny came in with his worried Mommy. Daddy, Grandpa, and some of the other employees kept wanting to smile as they looked him over. But poor Danny did not know whether to cry or to smile. He decided that they could be trusted, however, and he stood bravely through the “rescue operation.” Mommy padded his neck well with a towel as Daddy slowly cut through the hard metal ring with a hacksaw. Soon a relieved Danny was free from his iron collar.

What a cruel iron band! This is like the band of sin. Romans 3:23 tells us that “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Sins are like iron bands from which we cannot possible get free by ourselves. Then, the wages, or payment, for sin is still to come: “The wages of sin is death.” Romans 6:23. Call right now to the Lord Jesus Christ, the only One who can deliver you. Then you will find that those bands of sin are replaced by God’s bands of love. As God said to His people of old, “I drew them with cords of a man, with bands of love: and I was to them as they that take off the yoke.” Hosea 11:4. He will do this for you, because He took those very sins upon Himself and bore the punishment for them so that we do not have to reap everlasting death as our wages. All you have to do is believe that He was punished for your sins. Do you really want to serve sin and Satan and be bound tighter and tighter by those cruel bands?

Children who have already accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as their Saviour can still be tempted and sin against the Lord Jesus who died for them. When this happens, it must be confessed to God. Then they can know from the Bible that they are forgiven: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9.

The secret is to know what God wants us to do and then walk just as close to Him as we can. If we ask Him, He will help us to walk in a path that is pleasing to Him.

ML-12/20/1987

The Tasmanian Devil

The Wonders of God’s Creation

“The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knoweth them that trust in Him.” Nahum 1:7.

The world contains many creatures strange to us, seen only by explorers or natives in some far-away spot. But the Creator had a purpose in forming every one of them, and they are always under His watchful eye.

One of these is the Tasmanian devil, found on the island of Tasmania, off the coast of Australia. It lives in woodlands and rocky, hard-to-reach places, hiding all day and coming out only after dark. Many who have seen this animal think it resembles a small bear or badger. It is about the size of a bulldog and is usually black with white patches. Its name pictures a mean-looking and fierce-fighting character toward most anything encountered.

Its short, heavy head contains sharp, strong, fang-like teeth that quickly tear and crush the flesh of victims and are so strong they can even bend some steel traps! When approached by an animal or person, it puts on a scary show, opening its mouth wide to expose these weans, accompanied by growls and weird, screaming howls, frightening enough to turn most things away in a hurry. It also has very strong claws used in defense or when attacking its prey.

This unpleasant animal’s diet is mainly the flesh of other animals, including sheep and pigs, making it an enemy of farmers. But one thing in its favor is that it also eats dead animals and birds, just as vultures do, and thus provides a good service in disposing of decaying bodies that spread disease and cause horrible odors.

Strangely enough, young ones can be trained as rather nice pets. They keep themselves clean by bathing in pools or streams, or like cats, licking their paws and wiping them over their faces and coats.

With their savage habits, it is easy to understand the name “devil,” and their fierce ways make us think of Satan, that evil one of whom the Bible warns, “Your adversary [enemy] the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” 1 Peter 5:8. This is a warning for each of us always to be on guard, because our enemy’s evil ways can cause great harm.

How can we be protected from Satan? The verse at the beginning tells of One who will protect us if we trust in Him. Another Bible verse also gives this wonderful promise: “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on Thee: because he trusteth in Thee. Trust ye in the Lord forever: for in the Lord Jehovah is everlasting strength.” Isaiah 26:3,4. How good it is to know this Saviour and have His help and protection from Satan’s evil ways! Are you trusting in this Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ?

ML-12/20/1987

Dirty Wasps

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

Mr. and Mrs. Anderson had just moved the family into a new home out in the country. They had four very active children, and how happy they were to find a place to live where there was lots of room for the children to play.

One day Mr. and Mrs. Anderson decided to clear out some of the brush which hid part of the small woods on their land. They felt it was important for their children to know just where they could play safely.

As they were working, Mrs. Anderson suddenly felt a sharp pain in her foot. At the same time something flew up and stung her on the arm, too. She had accidentally stepped into a yellow jackets’ nest! Those wasps were so angry that they kept flying in circles around both of them. Mr. Anderson got stung on his face, and Mrs. Anderson got stung several more times on her arms and legs before they could get away. How those stings did hurt!

Yellow jackets are little wasps that sometimes make their nests in holes in the ground. Mr. and Mrs. Anderson were so glad that they had found the wasps’ nest first, and that it was not the children who had found it and gotten stung. When they went back to the house to take care of their wasp stings, they warned the children to stay away from that dangerous place.

Mr. Anderson got a can of insect spray and went back to the nest and sprayed it to kill the wasps. But it is hard to kill all the wasps with one spraying. During the day some of the wasps are out flying around and don’t come back until dark. So it would take more than one spraying, perhaps every few days, before all the wasps would be killed and the nest could be cleaned out.

We hope the children paid attention to their parents’ warning! It would still be a dangerous place until all the wasps could be killed. “My son, keep thy father’s commandment, and forsake not the law of thy mother.” Proverbs 6:20. “Children, obey your parents in all things.” Colossians 3:20.

The next day both Mr. and Mrs. Anderson’s wasp stings were badly swollen. Mrs. Anderson couldn’t even put on her shoe. They both went to the doctor to get help. The doctor said that yellow jackets were known as “dirty wasps” because they eat rotten fruit and other garbage.

Soon Mr. and Mrs. Anderson’s stings were much better. The next time the family sang this little song, they remembered those “dirty wasps” and how easy it is to step into dangerous places.

Oh, be careful, little feet, where you go,

Oh, be careful, little feet, where you go.

There’s a Father up above looking down in tender love,

Oh, be careful, little feet, where you go.

The pathways of this world have many hidden traps of sin placed by Satan where danger waits for any passing by. For those who have accepted the Lord Jesus as their Saviour, there is a safe way around those hidden dangers. The Bible is our map that shows us that way. “Thy word [the Bible] is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psalms 119:105.

But those who have refused to accept the Lord Jesus as their Saviour have no map to show them the safe way around the dangerous places. They step right into Satan’s hidden traps and get stung. And Satan’s stings lead to death. “The sting of death is sin.” 1 Corinthians 15:56. “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man; but the end thereof are the ways of death.” Proverbs 14:12.

Have you found the safe way? Is the Lord Jesus your Saviour?

ML-12/27/1987

What Do You Weigh?

Many children like to step on the scales to see how much they weigh. Johnny liked to do this, and he always wanted to weigh more than anyone else! One time, trying to be the heaviest, he puffed up his cheeks full of air. One of his friends called, “Johnny, you can only weigh what you are. Puffing up your cheeks won’t make you weigh more!”

This is true of each one of us in God’s eye — we can only “weigh what we are.” Unless we have our hearts washed clean of our sins in the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ, we are only sinners in God’s sight and on our way to hell.

In Daniel 5:27, we are told of a king who was “weighed in the balances, and... found wanting.” This means when he stepped on “God’s scale” he did not “weigh enough.” God could see that his heart had not been washed clean of its sins, so he was not ready to go to heaven when he died. And he died that very night!

How terrible it will be when the Lord Jesus comes if you do not “weigh enough” — if your heart has not been washed clean of its sins. Why not ask Him to wash away your sins right now?

“Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” Psalms 51:7.

“Jesus Christ, who... loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood.” Revelation 1:5.

ML-12/27/1987

What Goes on in a Compost Pile?

The Wonders of God’s Creation

“For He looketh to the ends of the earth, and seeth under the whole heaven.” Job 28:24.

Many children help their parents make compost piles by dumping grass clippings, weeds, rotten vegetables, spoiled fruit, leftover food, etc. in one spot to which, if available, manure, lime and occasionally soil and ashes may be added. These piles are turned over and stirred up once in a while, until the whole mixture becomes a wonderfully rich substance that, when spaded into a garden, provides the finest kind of enriched soil.

How does this all happen? If you were to force your hand into a compost pile, you would find it is very warm and moist. This is the result of all the items decaying together because of certain types of tiny worm-like creatures and orgasms doing their job. The most active of all are billions of bacteria which work inside the pile. These are the principal producers of the heat and not only silently change everything to fertilizer, but destroy many harmful insects that are attracted to this banquet.

Other helpers, quite visible, include beetles, worms, millipedes, sowbugs, etc., that work near the surface, making miniature tunnels that bring air into the materials and make them decay faster. Many of these helpers have short lives, and soon their bodies become part of the compost, too.

Just think — all these helpers almost seem to appear from nowhere. Where do they come from? Well, this is just another wonder of God’s creation. He arranges for them all and for each to do its part without any training or instruction. Usually in a few weeks’ time the compost has become a crumbly, loam-like substance which, when spaded into a garden, provides very good soil in which to grow the finest kind of fruit, vegetables and flowers.

To see some of these active producers of compost, just take a shovel full of the decomposing mixture out of the center of the pile when it is about ready for use, spread it on a white cloth or newspaper, and look at it through a strong microscope. You won’t be able to see all of them, but what you find will help you grasp how wonderful the Creator’s ways are, even in such a thing as an unpopular compost pile.

The Bible verse at the beginning reminds us that nothing is hidden from God, no matter how small or where it may be. Another verse asks, “Doth not He see my ways, and count all my steps?” Job 31:4. The answer is, yes, He does indeed see the ways of every one of us, and He wants our lives to show obedience to His Word, the Bible, and to be pleasing to Him. Does your way of life please Him?

ML-12/27/1987

Messages of God's Love: 1987

Table of Contents

The Musical Watch

A Lion in the House

Chantel and Lassie

Treasures of the Snow

The Spider and the Fly

Mother Duck and Her Ducklings

Bear, the Dog

Is It a Mule, or an Ass or a Donkey?

The Snakebite

Sally's Friends

The Frisky Marten

Jake and the Mud Wasps

Jonathan and Samson

More About Jonathan and Samson

The Possum That Isn't a Possum

Old Clem

Pierre

Birds of Paradise: Part 1

The Two Signs

A Great Discovery

Birds of Paradise: Part 2

Lost in the Woods

The Returning Tide

African Wild Dogs (or Cape Hunting Dogs)

Missionary Guide

Wuggins

The American Black Bear

The Runaway Tractor

A Wise Decision

The Wallaby From "Down Under": Part 1

The Muddy Mess

A Good Day's Catch

The Wallaby From "Down Under": Part 2

The Weasel

The Doll That Grew

Elephants at School

"Be Ye Therefore Ready"

Tree Climbers

The Charming Ocelot

"Arrest That Man!"

The Spectacular Humpbacked Whale: Part 1

"Bear" And the Porcupine

"No Trespassing!"

The Spectacular Humpbacked Whale: Part 2

In Trouble Without Knowing It

Mary's Two Bibles

No Love for Fire Ants

The Appointed Day

The Little Stowaway

The Bluefin Tuna

He Took My Place

Brought Through the Storm

Gazelles and Gerenuks

Stuck in the Ice

A Mother Bird's Care

Nature's Janitors: Part 1

Mike

Stuck in a Well

A Bible Searching

Nature's Janitors: Part 2

A Kangaroo's Fatal Attraction

Jennie Carey

On the Wrong Train

The Earth Still Turns

Stranger at the River

Skippy

North America's Flying Squirrels: Part 1

Grandy and His Friend

The Mountain Climbers

Something God Cannot See

North America's Flying Squirrels: Part 2

The Raccoon

The Garden of Weeds

Keeping Guard

Florida's Scrub Jay

A Dangerous Ride

Two Rabbits for a Bible

The Hardy Musk Ox