Messages of God's Love: 1992

One of the most strange-looking birds makes its home in the Nile River area of Africa. It was called father of the shoe by the natives, because its huge eight-inch-long beak looked like the shoes some of them wore. The name was later changed by others to shoebill.

The shoebill is a relative of the stork. Its big body is covered with coarse blue feathers over its back and wings and is a dull gray everywhere else. It has long legs, making it about four feet tall, and spends most of its time wading through swamps to feed on frogs, fish, etc. It often points its large, silvery feathered head skyward, snapping its oversized bill open and shut rapidly, making a racket that sounds like a machine gun.

It certainly ranks among the world’s strangest creatures, but we know it is part of God’s creation. Even though it is odd and strange to us, God had a purpose for it and it gave Him pleasure to create it.

Speaking of shoes, it is interesting to think about them in another way. For instance most shoes have a tongue, and so do we. Many Bible verses speak of using our tongues in the right way. One is: “Keep thy tongue from evil, and thy lips from speaking guile [bad things].” Psalm 34:13.

Also the eyelets that hold laces in place make us think of our wonderful eyes. One of the best things we can do with them is to ask the Lord Jesus to “open Thou mine eyes, that I may behold wondrous things out of Thy law [the Bible].” Psalm 119:18. Also, “Look unto Me, and be ye saved... for I am God, and there is none else.” Isaiah 45:22.

A shoe’s toe and heel are important, for without them we could not walk straight. King David was no doubt thinking of this when he wrote, “Thou [the Lord] hast also given me the shield of Thy salvation.... Thou hast enlarged my steps under me, that my feet did not slip.” Psalm 18:35,36. Do you remember to ask the Lord Jesus to keep your feet in the right path too?

In many ways the sole is the most important part of a shoe, and the soul is the most important part of every person. It is only by faith that our souls will enter an eternity in heaven. How wise is the Bible verse, “Now set your heart and your soul to seek the Lord your God.” 1 Chronicles 22:19. Those who know the Lord Jesus as their Saviour can say, “[This] hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast.” Hebrews 6:19. Does your heart and soul trust in Him?

Perhaps you can think of other parts of a shoe that apply to you and find Bible verses to accompany them. Above all, remember that we are told, “In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:6.

ML-01/05/1992

How a Cat and a Mouse Lived Happily Together

When Grandma was a young lady she taught in a one-room schoolhouse. Of course she wasn’t called Grandma back then; she was called Miss Smith. The schoolhouse was out in the Canadian countryside. None of us have ever figured out how Grandma, or rather Miss Smith, ever taught all eight grades in one room. How could she teach the alphabet to the first graders and algebra to the eighth graders in the same room on the same day? She also stood beside a funny old wood stove and stirred hot lunches while she taught!

At another school where Miss Smith taught, the children were very poor and brought their lunches to school in honey pails. There were 42 students and only 36 seats. How did Miss Smith teach that class?

But teaching everyone together in one room and not having enough desks weren’t Miss Smith’s only problems. Another problem was mice. There were a lot of them at the school where the children brought their lunches in honey pails. Often the children left their pails on a shelf at the back of the room. The mice could smell the food in the pails. As Miss Smith prepared lessons, she could hear the pails dancing as the mice scurried around them. A stamp of her foot brought silence, but not for long.

One day during class when Miss Smith opened her desk drawer, a mouse jumped right out! The girls jumped on their desks (and yes, Miss Smith squealed), and the boys gave chase as the mouse headed for the cold-air register in the floor. The mouse won. That did it! Something had to be done about the mice in the schoolroom.

“Does anyone have a cat that is good at catching mice?” Miss Smith asked her class. Yes, one girl did. Since she lived close by, as soon as school was over she came back with a sleepy-looking creature in her arms. The cat curled up and dozed in a corner of the room until... suddenly she streaked across the room and POUNCE! The cold air register was no protection for the mouse this time. The cat ate it, cleaned her whiskers and waited. Before long there was another streak across the room and POUNCE! The cat got that one too. She ate it and cleaned her whiskers. Before Miss Smith went home that day, the cat had killed and eaten six mice!

Miss Smith left the cat in the schoolhouse for the night. The next morning she found 16 dead mice on the floor! She didn’t know how many more the cat might have eaten, but there were 16 left on the floor!

But wait a minute. You thought this story was about how a cat and a mouse lived happily together. It is. But first I had to tell you how much cats like to hunt mice even when they are not hungry. This will help you understand just how remarkable it was when a cat and a mouse lived together.

This part of the story happened a long, long time before Miss Smith had 22 mice in her schoolroom. This part of the story happened not too long after God made people and animals. The Bible says God saw that the earth was wicked, and it was filled with violence (Genesis 6:12). It says that God saw that everything men thought about was only evil all the time, much like it is today. The world was so evil that God decided that He would have to destroy the men on the earth.

One man, Noah, was doing what was pleasing to God and He wanted to save Noah and his family. He also wanted to save the animals. So God told Noah exactly how to build a large boat. God was going to send a flood to destroy the men on the earth, and Noah and the animals would be safe in the boat.

Noah obeyed God, and before it began to rain, two cats and two mice walked into the boat. Why is it that the cats didn’t eat those mice? If a cat would kill over 22 mice in one day, why were those mice safe? The answer is easy. God wanted to save them, that’s why. And the lions and the lambs lived together in that boat too, and all kinds of other animals that normally wouldn’t live together were there. Animals are more obedient than boys and girls when they hear the voice of their Creator! God told them to go in together and they did. God has told you that you must be saved... have you obeyed? “God... now commandeth all men every where to repent: because He hath appointed a day, in the which He will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom He hath ordained.” Acts 17:30,31. “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.

Were the mice afraid of the cats? No, I don’t think so. When God works, He can take care of all the problems that we might think up, and I’m sure those mice were happy in that boat with the cats. Boys and girls sometimes think up “problems” about being saved too. Some are afraid that being a Christian isn’t a happy life or that they wouldn’t be able to keep themselves saved. But the Lord Jesus said, “These things have I spoken unto you, that My joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.” John 15:11. And you don’t have to keep yourself saved, because the Lord Jesus does that. Jesus also said, “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 next time you see a cat or a mouse, I hope you’ll remember about the time a cat and a mouse lived happily together. God planned that special time so that there would be more animals in the world after the flood. And God has a wonderful salvation planned for you too. Will you accept it?

ML-01/05/1992

The Story of Ezra

The words with missing letters in the following story are the same as those in the crossword, only in the crossword they run in two directions, across or down. Try to fill in the missing letters in the squares.

You can read this story in Ezra 7.

Ezra was one of those held captive in B _ B _ _ _ N a long way from Israel and J _ R _ S _ L _ _, the city where the house of the Lord once stood. The Lord had not forgotten His people even though they had done evil in His sight and He had permitted their enemies to carry them away captive.

Ezra felt very keenly that his people could not worship in the house of the Lord as they once did, so Ezra prepared his H _ _ _ T to seek the law of the Lord and to do it. He requested King _ _ T _ X _ R _ _ S that permission be given him to return to Jerusalem to rebuild the temple so his people might worship the Lord again.

Artaxerxes sent his answer to Ezra in a letter, and told him he could return to Jerusalem and take all those who of their own free will wanted to go with him. Furthermore, he gave Ezra S _ _ V _ _ and gold so that he might buy bullocks, rams, and L _ _ B _ to offer upon the altar in the H _ _ S _ of the Lord. He also gave him wheat and wine and _ I _ and S _ _ T. Then Artaxerxes wrote in the letter that “touching any of the priests and Levites, singers, P _ _ T _ R _, Nethinim, or ministers of this house of God, it shall not be lawful to impose toll, tribute, or C _ S _ _ M, upon them.”

When Ezra saw how God had prepared the heart of Artaxerxes to provide so wonderfully for the rebuilding of the house of the Lord, he prayed thus: “ B _ _ S S _ D be the Lord God of our fathers, which hath put such a thing as this in the king’s heart, to B _ _ U _ I _ Y the house of the Lord which is in Jerusalem: and hath extended _ E _ _ Y unto me.”

And so, Ezra experienced much blessing because he prepared his heart to honor the Lord. We can experience the Lord’s blessing by putting Him first in our lives. “Them that honor Me I will honor.” 1 Samuel 2:30.

ML-01/05/1992

Evelyn's Taste of Freedom

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, 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 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 unharmed.

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 that 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.

Will you believe on the Lord Jesus today? Because of your sins 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. “Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:32.

ML-01/12/1992

A Painful Mistake

The dishwasher machine had been finished rinsing the dishes for about 15 minutes when I walked from the well-lighted living room into the dark kitchen. The light from the living room gave me just enough light to see to open the dishwasher door.

That’s strange, I thought, I don’t remember putting any orange plasticware in here. But there, on the bottom of the dishwasher lay a ring of what looked like dull, orange plastic. I reached down to pick it up, and instantly I knew what it was the electric drying element that was still hot! My skin stuck to it for a second or two, welded there by the intense heat. If only I’d turned on the light I never would have made that terribly painful mistake.

Darkness is scary! Anyone walking around in a dark room will bump into things or even trip and fall. And anyone working in a dark room will make mistakes. But there is another kind of darkness that is even more scary, and it covers the whole world. This darkness is caused by sin. And since we are living, each one of us has to walk and work in this evil darkness. But there is a light that we can have so we won’t trip or make awful mistakes. That light is the Lord Jesus Christ who loves us. He tells us in the Bible in John 12:46, “I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on Me should not abide [remain] in darkness.” He is telling us that those who will come to Him, admitting their sin and believing that He died on the cross to wash them from their sins, will no longer walk in the darkness of this world. He is the light for us to follow, and the scariness is gone! He will guide us the rest of our lives.

I had two very badly burned fingers because I had not bothered to turn on the light. I jumped around the house with the pain, spraying on this and rubbing on that, but nothing helped. Then I remembered I’d frozen some small plastic jars of water. I grabbed one out of the freezer and clutched it tightly. It took the terrible burning out of my fingers and stopped the blisters from growing larger. A few hours later I went to bed, still clutching a jar of ice.

My fingers are better now, and I hope I’ll always remember to work in the light. But when we sin it’s not so easy to recover. Please don’t reach out for things in this sin-darkened world without first coming into the light. The Lord Jesus says, “I am the light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” John 8:12. Will you accept Him as your Saviour and let Him light your way? He will never lead you in a wrong path.

“God is light and in Him is no darkness at all.” 1 John 1:5. “The Lord my God will enlighten [light up] my darkness.” Psalm 18:28.

ML-01/12/1992

Look Out for Water Snakes!

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary [enemy] the devil, as a roaring lion... [is] seeking whom he may devour.”

1 Peter 5:8.

Snakes are usually thought of as creatures living on land. But there are many that are more at home in lakes, ponds and even some parts of the ocean. All water snakes are excellent swimmers and can stay under water a long time, going as deep as 50 feet for fish and other sea food.

Several varieties are in various areas of Canada and the United States. One commonly found in Ohio and Illinois is called the queen. Another, the Graham’s water snake, is common in Pennsylvania and north into Canada. Some others include the striped, Clark’s, flat-tailed, and red-bellied species. The brown is the largest, growing up to five feet long. These fresh-water snakes are not poisonous and are usually harmless to people. However, if some of the larger ones are stepped on they can give a painful bite.

In the ocean waters of the Philippines, Australia, etc., there are about 50 species, and all are as poisonous as a rattlesnake or other pit viper. These are usually about three feet long and are rather pretty creatures with a variety of colors. They often stay in deep water a long time, searching for fish and other food. They come to the surface for a breath of air after about 30 minutes.

They may swim in groups of just a dozen or so, but often there will be hundreds of them hunting together. Fortunately they are not inclined to bother anyone swimming among them. Quite a few men make a living by capturing them and selling their skins to tanneries and shoemakers, to be made into belts, shoes, bags and other items.

Strangely, these men don’t wear gloves or special clothing in their work with these dangerous serpents. They just swim up behind a snake and grab it tightly behind its head with their right hand. Then they quickly transfer the snake to the other hand, in which three or four may be held together before they swim up to an overhead boat, killing them there and stowing them away for skinning later.

In the Bible, Satan is referred to as “that old serpent, which is the Devil” (Revelation 20:2), and as “a roaring lion,” as quoted at the top of this page. These descriptions tell us that Satan is like a serpent and wants to sneak into our lives with evil thoughts, and as a fierce lion he will harm us in any way he can. He wants to keep us away from the Lord Jesus who really loves and cares for us.

What a contrast the Lord Jesus is. He is called “the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29), and “a lamb without blemish [flaws] and without spot” (1 Peter 1:19). When Satan tempts you to do any bad or evil thing, just pray to the Lord Jesus to help you. He promises He will. “Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me.” Psalm 50:15.

ML-01/12/1992

Almost Buried Alive

“Put him in the grave with his dead father.”

Standing at the edge of his father’s grave, little Pedro Montes heard these words being said about him. Even Pedro’s poor mother, whose husband had just died, agreed.

Pedro and his family are members of the Culina Indian tribe in the jungles of Peru. At the time Pedro’s father died, the people of his tribe had never even heard the name of the Lord Jesus, or how to be saved from their sins and be sure of going to heaven. So Pedro was afraid to die.

In the Culina tribe, parents could ask to have a live baby or child buried with a parent who had died. Since Pedro was young and his mother already had more children than she thought she could possibly feed by herself, Pedro was just moments away from being buried alive!

Pedro’s time was short. Your time also may be short to decide if you will spend eternity in heaven with the Lord Jesus, or in that awful place called hell with Satan. The Bible says in 1 Corinthians 15:52 that the Lord Jesus will come and, “in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye,” He will take everyone who has believed in Him to heaven. This could happen today. If you have not believed on the Lord Jesus at the time He returns, you will be left behind to bear the punishment for your own sins.

Pedro was terrified! Without waiting another second, he ran as fast as he could into the jungle. He climbed a tree and sat there, crying and sobbing. When an animal started climbing up the tree where Pedro was sitting, his crying scared the animal away.

Pedro was afraid the men of the village would come looking for him to take him back and bury him. So he came down out of the tree and headed farther into the jungle.

Suddenly, he spotted a jaguar. Now everyone in Pedro’s village was in danger!

In Romans 3:22,23 we read, “For there is no difference: for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” This Bible verse tells you that you are a sinner. If you haven’t trusted the Lord Jesus to wash your sins away, you are in danger too.

Pedro didn’t think of his own danger, but only that everyone in his village was in danger. He ran back to the village and screamed, “JAGUAR! JAGUAR!”

His mother and some others followed him back into the jungle. But the jaguar had run away; instead they found a deer. One of the men shot the deer with his bow and arrow and took it back to the village for food.

Pedro’s relatives said, “This is a good son. He will help us have lots of meat.” Since they agreed Pedro was a good little hunter who would help them find meat, they would not bury him. His life was saved.

Pedro and the rest of the Culina tribe traveled from place to place most of the year. Sometimes they would raid settlements to steal machetes and other tools. A measles epidemic broke out after one of these village raids, and many people of the Culina tribe died.

Only 75 people were still alive in Pedro’s village at the time two young missionaries came to live with these Culinas. These missionaries began to study the Culina language. After they had learned enough, they began to translate the Bible into the Culina language. Then Pedro and other Culinas could learn of God’s love. They would hear for the first time how God’s Son, the Lord Jesus, came into this world and became a man to die on Calvary’s cross so that anyone who will believe in Him can be saved.

Pedro got sick and was once again near death. One of the missionaries read to him some Bible verses that they had just translated. Pedro believed what he heard and said, “I will follow God.” He also said, “I want to hear more from God’s Book so I’ll know it better.”

Another missionary sent medicine, and Pedro soon got over his sickness. Since then, Pedro has helped the missionaries translate more and more of the Bible into the Culina language. He wants all the Culinas to understand God’s message and be saved.

The Lord Jesus hasn’t come back yet. In 2 Peter 3:9 we read: “The Lord is not slack [slow] concerning His promise, as some men count slackness; but is long-suffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” Is He still waiting for you to be saved? Why not make that decision right now, before it is too late.

ML-01/19/1992

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 turned on the water in the kitchen sink.

Skippy walked over to the sink and whined as he looked at the water. “Maybe he wants some water, Lisa. Check his 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-01/19/1992

Nutria - A Problem

“For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways, saith the Lord.” Isaiah 55:8.

In an earlier issue we briefly looked at the large rodent called nutria under the name coypu. Here’s another account of it under its other name of nutria. In Argentina, the place where the Creator arranged their homeland, it was the native Indians who called the nutria by a different name—coypu, which means water-sweeper. For several reasons some of them were brought to the swamplands of Louisiana about 90 years ago and set free, and they have become a serious problem there as the years have gone by.

One of those reasons was the demand for their beautiful furs. Also, it was hoped that they would destroy troublesome plants that were taking over the Louisiana swamps. Although nutria occasionally eat a snail or small fish, they eat mostly vegetation which they devour while swimming or wading in the shallow swamps. But the people who brought them to Louisiana failed to try this out on the nutria before taking them out of Argentina, and the result was that they didn’t do what was expected of them in their new homes.

The lively animals soon discovered that just a short distance from their new homes there were tasty rice and sugarcane crops which some of them took over. Farmers naturally complained loudly about the damage they did.

Actually, if they would just leave the rice and sugarcane alone the wild tangled vegetation in the swamps not only supplies ample food for them, but also helps hide them from alligators and big birds such as herons and eagles. Also, the young can be raised in burrows dug into the soft swamp banks where a mother may have eight or nine babies a year. They are born with a full coat of fur, with their eyes open and quite capable of promptly taking care of themselves.

The biggest problem about these water-loving animals is trying to control their ever-increasing numbers. A recent estimate is that there are 20 million of them. When fur sales are good that’s just fine with those in the fur business, and the nutria population is kept in pretty good control. But as people are now tending to buy fewer fur coats, there is a serious question whether the increasing number of these animals will be a problem too great to handle.

This reminds us that often the plans of men and women and boys and girls don’t work out, just as the nutria plans didn’t work out. This is usually because we think our ideas are good and fail to pray to the Lord for His guidance. The very middle verse of the Bible (Psalm 118:8) says, “It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.” Have you put your trust in Him?

ML-01/19/1992

Jason's Story

Eleven-year-old Jason was the oldest of five children. He and his brother and three sisters lived with his parents in Saugus, Massachusetts.

The first time I remember hearing of Jason, I learned that he had leukemia a disease of the blood. Because of this terrible disease that some people die from, Jason had to have surgery and lots of radiation treatments to try to stop the disease and maybe even cure him completely.

Many times Christian friends prayed for Jason to get better. How thrilling it was to see how God answered our prayers over and over again. Yet amazingly, through all the uncertain times, Jason looked to God for help and peace and let others know that he was ready to meet God. Jason knew he was ready if he should die.

In an interview which was published in a local paper on December 23, 1990, Jason was quoted as saying, “I’ve always believed that nothing is going to happen to me unless the good Lord wants it to. I have no fear of dying.”

Jason’s faith was based on what God had said. In the Bible we read that for the Christian to be absent from the body (to die) is to be present with the Lord Jesus (2 Corinthians 5:8). Jason knew he would be happy with Jesus.

Boys and girls, you too can have the peace that Jason had and can be ready to die or be ready to meet the Lord Jesus in the air when He comes for all those who have accepted Him as their Saviour. What you need to do is, “Prepare to meet thy God.” Amos 4:12.

Many of you already know that sin cannot enter heaven. Jesus died to forgive you and wash your sins away. Why not accept Him now and know the joy of your sins forgiven, peace with God and His promise of a home in heaven? Jason did.

Jason was saved on December 25, 1983. He simply believed God’s Word which tells us that “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever [Jason] believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.

Jason went on to tell many others that he was a Christian. Some of his fellow students, in writing tributes to Jason later, commented on how he was kind, different, and how he loved to talk about Jesus. One of them even went as far as to say that he was like an angel from God. But the comments that impressed me the most as I read them were those of a young girl by the name of Stacy. She had written, “Jason faced the facts and was strong. He had a great influence on my life.”

Jason went peacefully to be with the Lord Jesus on January 30, 1991. It was an ending to his earthly life and the beginning of a life in heaven with his Saviour.

One month before he died, on December 30, 1990, Jason asked if he could speak to the group of Christians that he regularly met with. He wanted to thank them for their prayers and care during his long illness. He also wanted to encourage others, especially children, to accept Christ and be ready. “God gives us a gift called salvation, and it’s most important,” Jason said, “that when we’re young we take the opportunity to get it settled.” Jason pleadingly and lovingly told the audience not to “despise the issue [of salvation] but to hurry up with this and not fool around with the subject, and say that today I’ll do what I like to do with my sports and hobbies, and I’ll leave salvation for tomorrow. We should make sure,” he continued, “that we’re not passing it [salvation] by or letting it slip through our fingers.”

Jason often read this paper that you are reading and answered the “Bible Searcher” questions, which many of you answer. Today he is happy with the Lord Jesus in heaven. What about you? I hope that you will accept God’s gift of salvation today. Both Jesus and Jason would be so glad if you did.

ML-01/26/1992

Gulf Stream Waters: Part 1

“All the rivers run into the sea; yet the sea is not full: unto the place from whence the rivers come, thither they return again.” Eccles. 1:7.

The Mississippi River empties a great quantity of water into the Gulf of Mexico. Other rivers and streams also empty their water into the Gulf, making a tremendous amount being continually added. If all this water didn’t have a means of escape, it would have flooded all the land surrounding the Gulf long ago.

It is interesting to discover where all that water goes after it empties into the Gulf. The western side of the Gulf is bounded by the shores of Texas and Mexico, so there is just one direction left open eastward below Florida, and that’s where it flows.

Moving at about four miles an hour (the same speed as a fast walker) this tremendous flow of water is first called the Florida current, but farther along it is called the Gulf Stream or “the warm ocean current of the North Atlantic.” In some places it flows as fast as 138 miles a day, and any given amount of all this amazing body of water takes many months to travel its full route.

After swinging around the bottom of Florida, the islands of Cuba and the Bahamas are in its path, causing it to turn north and travel along the United States coastline, on up to the New England states, and on to the Maritime Provinces of Canada. By that time it is much wider than when it started. Then swinging northeast, it passes Nova Scotia and Newfoundland where the cold water of the Labrador Sea flows into it, making quite a change in the temperature of the Gulf Stream. Finally, flowing into the North Atlantic waters below Iceland it loses its identity, although its current and warming effect can be felt as far away as Norway and Spain.

All this flow of water, finally spreading out and mixing with the great North Atlantic Ocean, is a partial answer to why “the sea is not full” as stated in the opening Bible verse. Water in one part of any ocean will not pile up higher than what is around it, but spreads out. But a more interesting reason why the sea is never full is that the Creator has arranged continual evaporation from the surface of all oceans, lakes and rivers that equals the amount of water that rivers, rain and snow bring into it.

That’s mainly where clouds come from. Just the right amount of water is drawn back again into the skies, forming clouds, to later drop down as snow, rain and hail for the benefit of all God’s creation. And this is just what the second part of the verse says, “From whence the rivers come, thither they return again.” The evaporation and returning moisture have balanced out perfectly through all the centuries of the world’s history, because they are so ordered by God who has created them.

In our next issue we will look at some of the benefits the Gulf Stream carries with it.

(to be continued)

ML-01/26/1992

Bringing up Daisy

JASON clipper art of squirrel in tree; children watching 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 that 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 this nest went the tiny squirrel. I wondered if it would live.

Warming some canned milk, I tried to get a few drops into its tiny mouth by using an eye dropper. Getting six drops into its 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 drink from it, and for the next 36 hours, feedings were three hours apart. I named the little squirrel “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. His children are 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. Will you let Him 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. And 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 our 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 stated 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.

“Prepare to meet thy God.” Amos 4:12

ML-01/26/1992

Mike Takes off

Mike overheard his mother tell Patty, his older sister, that there was 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 four 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. 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 was getting cold.

Mike was only gone 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 again, but there was no answer. No one had seen Mike leave, so no one knew where he was. Mother was 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 home, and it was not long until he was safe with his parents again.

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 hot dogs 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 needed someone to help him, to show him the way. The lady who 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 Him. It is sin that keeps us away. 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 that 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-02/02/1992

Gulf Stream Waters: Part 2

“[God] doeth great things and unsearchable; marvelous things without number.” Job 5:9.

Last week we considered many interesting facts about the Gulf Stream which flows from the Gulf of Mexico thousands of miles through North Atlantic waters. Now let’s look at more facts about this amazing body of water.

Even in winter this ocean current from the Gulf of Mexico is much warmer than the Atlantic Ocean waters through which it flows, and that is very welcome to the sea life along its route. People along the eastern shores of North America, particularly those in New England and Canada, are very thankful that these waters help provide milder winter weather than many places inland.

Ships traveling northward are thankful for the four-mile-an-hour boost the Gulf Stream provides. This is particularly true of huge tankers and freighters that sit deep in the water. The benefit of the stream’s northward flow, plus the fact that prevailing winds are usually from the south, has always made the Gulf Stream particularly attractive to sailing boats of past days, as well as today.

These waters also carry many seeds and plants, some of which wash up, take root and add to the beauty of remote shorelines. Stray pieces of lumber that probably fall into the Mississippi and other rivers en route to the Gulf, also travel north on this unusual Gulf Stream and wash up on island shores. Residents collect them until there is enough lumber to build a shed, barn, or even a small house.

Sportsmen have found great numbers of fish in these waters, including unusual ones from the Caribbean Sea. They like the large numbers of trout, salmon and varieties of tuna, some as big as sharks. Landing one of these is a real challenge to the most experienced fisherman.

Whales and sharks swim to these warm waters, particularly in the northern areas which otherwise are quite cold. Migrating eels swim against the current on their way to the Sargasso Sea where they produce their young ones. Incidentally, the American eels swim about 2000 miles to spawn and the European eels swim about 3000 miles, going to the same place. Millions of their hatchlings rise from the calm waters of the ocean floor and then follow the Gulf currents at least part way to their destinations.

There is not room to mention all varieties of birds and other creatures that benefit by this “river in the ocean.” But God, their Creator, is aware of and provides for them all. We know this from a Bible verse which states: “Thou, even Thou, art Lord alone; Thou hast made... the seas, and all that is therein, and Thou preservest them all.” Nehemiah 9:6.

How good it is to know Him as the Creator of all things, but much more important is also to know Him as your Saviour and true Friend. Is He your Saviour and Friend?

ML-02/02/1992

Desert Fire!

Living in Idaho, farm boys learn early to make their own fun. Boys grow up to be young men, but they still enjoy adventure. This story happened to four young men: Jerry, Rich, Paul and John. A pastime they often enjoyed was riding motorcycles on the desert west of town. There were always interesting trails to follow, and they liked the challenge of climbing hills and jumping rocks and gullies on their cycles.

One hot, dry, August day the sky to the west looked strange. They decided there must be a large fire on the desert! Since there was a break in their harvest work, Jerry, Rich, Paul and John decided to take that time and head west on their cycles to check it out.

About 15 miles out they caught up to the racing fire, licking up tender grass and sage brush in a four-mile-wide path. Since the wind was blowing the fire away from them, Jerry and Rich decided to see if they could locate an old lookout tower not far away.

They found the old tower, but it had toppled and was ruined. So they got back on their motorcycles and headed back to where they had left Paul and John. Suddenly they realized the wind had changed direction, and now they were trapped by fire on all sides!

Jerry and Rich realized their danger and were anxious to do something about it, and right away! I’m sure anyone would feel the same way if they were trapped like Jerry and Rich were. And yet there are boys and girls, and grown-ups too, who are trapped in their sins and don’t seem to care. Every one of us is a sinner. Not only are we born in sin, but we continue to sin all our lives. And the Bible clearly tells us that “the wages of sin is death.” Romans 6:23. That’s pretty frightening. But there is a way to be rescued from that eternal death. As God looked down from heaven, His heart of love longed to make a way to rescue us.

God also looked down and saw Jerry and Rich trapped by the leaping flames. He always loves to be our help and strength in times of trouble. As they looked around, the only place the flames weren’t leaping was where the fire had already burned. Quickly they ran to a patch of blackened dirt where the fire had already burned. They stood there choking in clouds of smoke, blown by the changing wind. Now they feared the smoke, but that seemed to be lessening. They took some deep breaths and raced through the smoke to clear air. Those gulps of air were nearly used up when they finally came out of the smoke and saw blue sky. We know God was helping them! How thankful they were to be safe on the other side. Now they could look forward to seeing their loved ones again.

Take time to think about this, boys and girls: what escape has God made for us? He sent His only begotten Son to come to die at Calvary. There Jesus bore our judgment and took our place in the death we deserved for our sins. There is no other way to escape than for you to accept Jesus as your own Saviour, confessing that you are a sinner and believing that He suffered for your sins. If you accept Him right now you don’t ever need to fear punishment for your sins, but can rest in His words, “It is finished,” and His promise, “I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” John 14:3.

Remember, fire can’t burn twice, so if Jesus bore our judgment we’ll never have to fear that judgment falling on us.

ML-02/02/1992

On the Wrong Train

I was seated on a train in the commuter station in Chicago. The car I was in was filling fast with business people anxious to return to their homes after a day of work in the city. It was a regularly scheduled express train which only stopped at certain places. Just before the train started, a young man sat down beside me. As we 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, then seemed to relax.

After about 20 minutes, 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 as the train raced 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 from their sins are hurrying onward and upward to be with the Lord Jesus in heaven. Those who are not saved from their sins are hurrying onward and downward to a hopeless, never-ending darkness. If you are a child who is not saved and your parents are, 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 that awful place of never-ending darkness.

If you come to the Lord Jesus Christ now and accept Him as your own Saviour, you will be on your way to heaven instead. Will you come to Him now while you still have time?

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

ML-02/09/1992

The Foolish Frog

Mr. Donaldson told the children at hobby class a story about a foolish frog.

“The foolish frog had a long, sticky tongue, and he could catch flies so well that he grew bigger than any of the other young frogs. In fact, he could catch flies so well that he became very proud of himself. When the weather began to grow cold and the other frogs began to jump into the pond where they could hide safely in the mud through the winter, he thought they were very foolish. As for himself, he was going to stay on his rock and grow fat feasting on flies. Then when it got really cold he would jump into the pond.

“One night little white flakes came falling down from the sky, and the frog got so cold he could hardly move. In the morning, he said to himself, I must jump into the pond. When the sun came up he hopped stiffly off his rock and over to the edge of the pond. Safe at last, he thought as he dived into the water. But the water had become hard. He dived again, but he couldn’t get into the pond.

“Later that morning a young boy walking to school noticed something green on the ice. He went over to inspect it. ‘What a foolish frog,’ the boy said as he looked at the frog, fat and frozen on the ice.”

Mr. Donaldson asked the children if any of them were as foolish as that frog by putting off coming to a place of safety until it was too late.

He had the children repeat together 2 Corinthians 6:2, “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation,” and he urged each child not to wait any longer to come to the Lord Jesus to be saved from their sins.

When Mr. Donaldson had finished speaking, Brian turned to where I was sitting with my little grandson on my lap and said, “You’d better get saved quick! You’re getting old!”

I answered, “I am saved. I was saved when I was 16. But it would have been better if I had been saved when I was 7 [that’s how old Brian is], or even sooner.”

“What does all this ‘gettin’ saved’ business mean anyway?” Brian asked.

“It means we must come to the Lord Jesus and ask Him to wash our sins away in His precious blood.” Brian just looked at me as if he didn’t understand what I was talking about. So I asked him, “Brian, have you ever done anything bad?”

“Nope!” he answered, shaking his head slowly from side to side, as if in some doubt if his answer were honest.

“Well, if you’ve never done anything bad, I guess the Lord Jesus didn’t come for you,” I said. “God says, ‘Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners’ (1 Timothy 1:15). I know I’ve done lots of bad things, but I also know that the Lord Jesus has forgiven me, because He died for my sins.”

Sometimes it’s hard for us to admit that we’ve done wrong, but God cannot lie and He says that all of us have sinned. “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23. So whether we admit it or not, we all stand under the judgment of God until we’ve come to His Son, the Lord Jesus, to have our sins washed away. In John 3:36, God tells us, “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.”

First, are you willing to admit that you are a sinner? Second, are you willing to come to Jesus right now and let Him save you from your sins?

ML-02/09/1992

Odd Heads on Birds

“Thou art worthy, O Lord... for Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created.” Revelation 4:11.

We usually think that most birds are beautiful, but some of them deserve more than just a quick look because of unusual features of their heads. A few are so unusual that we might wonder why God made them that way.

One of these is the hoatzin of Venezuela, about the size of a turkey. Its head is a vivid blue with large, black-bordered, bright-red eyes and a large pointed beak. Its most distinctive feature is a high crown of long feathers from its forehead to the back of its neck. The shorter feathers are pinkish-yellow and the longer ones lean forward above the rest in a scraggly mixture of yellow, red and black. Some call it the strangest bird in the world.

In South Africa, the crowned crane usually holds its head very high atop a long neck. Beneath its head a large blood-red wattle (a hanging flap of flesh) drapes across its neck to meet velvety black hairs of whiskers that reach on up to its long pointed beak. This all finally forms a big cap of black over its head. But that’s not all. It also has a wide, tall crown of thin black-tipped lavender feathers reaching high above its colorful head. It is really a spectacular sight!

Another bird with an odd head is the king vulture of southern Mexico. Its head is a vivid red on top, down to the back of its neck. It has large white eyes and black pupils framed in the same deep red. In addition, a strange growth, like a long thin arm with long warty fingers, stretches across the back of its head, pressing down on black hairs on the sides and front of its head to the base of the beak. This beak is covered with a shapeless mass of bulgy, warty flesh, mostly bright orange.

Still another is the ocellated turkey of Mexico. Its tall, sky-blue head is held upright. It has a short, white and yellow beak with a blue rope-like wattle with red tips draped over it, looking like a long woolen stocking. Its blue head has large dark eyes set in wide collars of deep red. Even more unusual is a large number of marble-size lumps, yellow and red, that seem to have been stuck on various parts of its head and neck. But most of them are in a big cluster at the very peak of the high dome of its head.

Perhaps another time we can look at some other unusual birds.

We might ask the question, did the Creator have a reason for giving these birds such odd heads? Yes, I’m sure He did. Many things in His creation that may seem odd to us demonstrate His creative power and remind us that He took pleasure in what He created. The Bible verse at the beginning tells us this.

ML-02/09/1992

Count and Cross Out: Who gave Moses his name?

Cross out all letters you find 4 or more times.

Write the remaining letters here:

_________________________

To check your answer, read Exodus 2:10.

ML-02/09/1992

The Warning Towers

If Jonathan’s parents had not already been certain that the Bible verse, “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23), was true, it would have been hard to believe that it was true about Jonathan. He had a quick smile and quietly and willingly obeyed his parents and teachers. He kept up with his schoolwork and was always ready to listen and to learn. His parents always looked forward with interest to attending his “Open House Nights” at school. His teacher’s praise was always glowing, and even in the background they could hear the whisperings of his classmates saying, “Look! there’s Jonathan’s parents.”

Jonathan was still in grade school when the truth of Romans 3:23 became quite clear. All the children in the family had been called in for dinner. They seemed to file in more quietly than usual that night. Finally, one little voice said, “Jonathan says he’s not ready to come in yet.” His mother, not really believing, answered, “He didn’t say that.” She was remembering that Jonathan always obeyed her. “Yes,” another brother added solemnly, “he said he was going to stay out and play for a while.”

“Go out and tell him to come in right now,” Jonathan’s mother ordered one of the brothers.

On his return, the report was the same: “He said he’s not ready to come in yet.” Another brother was sent out and came back in with the same report. By this time Jonathan’s mother had made up her mind. Without another word she went to the front door and securely locked it. Everyone else, in a kind of strange hush, went in and washed for dinner.

It was evening and Jonathan realized it was beginning to get colder outside. Besides, he found it really wasn’t that much fun playing out there all alone, so after a short while he decided to come in. However, he had not expected to find a locked door. That had never happened before in their family. As he stood out there on the porch, he thought, This must mean that I get no supper tonight and that I have to sleep outside! But then he realized there was one last hope. His father had not come home yet. Perhaps he could slide in the door with Dad.

And sure enough, just then he saw his father’s car drive up. However, as soon as his father reached the porch he asked Jonathan what he was doing standing out there in the cold.

When Jonathan told his father he had been locked out, his father brought him in the house to find out the details. Jonathan said years later, “My father talked it over with my mother, and they agreed on a different punishment. So I was able to have supper that night and sleep in a warm bed.”

This incident is a reminder to us of what is happening to people every day. In the Bible, God is calling each person to come in and have a feast with Him. But men and women, just like children, want to stay outside and play, and come in when they feel like it. Even though God keeps sending them messengers to say, “All things are ready: Come” (Matthew 22:4), many still refuse. This is very sad, because they forget a day is coming when the door to heaven will be locked forever. Then God will say, “Depart from Me, all ye workers of iniquity [sin].” Luke 13:27. However, God does not want this to happen. In fact, Christ died to bear our sins in His own body on the tree, so that we could accept Him as our “open door” to heaven, without any cost to ourselves. It is no wonder, then, that a day is coming when He must say to everyone who has refused to come in, “Because I have called, and ye refused; I have stretched out My hand, and no man regarded [listened]... I also will laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear cometh.” Proverbs 1:24,26. So He pleads now, while there is hope “Turn you at My reproof: behold, I will pour out My Spirit unto you, I will make known My words unto you.” Proverbs 1:23. “Do not My words do good to him that walketh uprightly?” Micah 2:7.

Jonathan had someone to plead for him his father. But even Christ’s Father will not be able to plead for you if you continue to refuse His call.

All of Jonathan’s good behavior before that day he refused to come inside could not save him from his needed punishment for not obeying his parents. And neither can the “good works” of men get them through the locked door of heaven if they refuse God’s way of salvation through Christ who said, “I am the door: by Me if any man [woman or child] enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.” John 10:9. Today is the day of salvation; God does not promise us salvation tomorrow. The hymn says, Come to the Saviour, Make no delay, Jesus is waiting, Come while you may.

Will you come in while the door is still unlocked?

ML-02/16/1992

Valuable Sulfur

“For the earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof.” 1 Corinthians 10:26.

Perhaps you have never seen sulfur, but it is a pale-yellow, chalk-like element often mined underground. Sometimes it is found as pure sulfur, and other times it is mixed with other substances from which it is separated at chemical companies. Often, instead of digging it out of the ground, it is first melted by hot water piped into it and then pumped into tanks and vats where it dries into powdery form for various uses.

The word sulfur is not used in the Bible, but where brimstone is mentioned it is the same thing. Remember the time God was angry with the wicked people of two cities and burned them with fire and brimstone (Genesis 19:24). Also in Isaiah 34:9, at another time of His judgment on the wicked, it says, “The dust thereof [shall become]... brimstone, and the land... burning pitch.”

Several uses of sulfur you may be familiar with are in fertilizers and also sprays for plants to destroy insects and pests that are harmful. It is also used in such things as match heads, gunpowder, rubber and even medicines. Sometimes it is placed in pools that sheep and cows are compelled to walk through in order to kill insects that get into their wool and hides. The animals don’t like this, but it helps keep them in good health.

Actually the chief use of sulfur is in compounds such as sulfur dioxide and sulfuric acid, which are necessary in many factories in manufacturing various products. But these sulfuric items have to be carefully handled, for just a drop of sulfuric acid on a person’s skin can be very painful.

Liquid sulfur dioxide is usually stored in iron tanks and its principal use is in bleaching cloth (removing colors). It is also used in making sulfuric acid, which is one of the most common acids in all countries. Workers where these things are used often wear face masks and protective clothing as a necessary protection from harm to their bodies.

It is important to remember always that these sulfur products, while they are valuable and useful in many ways, should not be handled carelessly. Even when spraying plants with them, keep your face away from the spray.

Sulfur is one of the things reminding us that the earth was not just dirt, sand and rocks when God created it. No, He knew the things that would be needed in our lives and included not only great supplies of food and water, as well as sunshine, rain and the air we breathe, but also much, much more. Sulfur is one of the important things, along with coal, oil, iron, copper, gold, silver and many more.

How important it is to believe what God tells us about how all these things came into being. God’s Word, the Bible, is always true, including the verse, “For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven [the stars], and that are in earth [sulfur included], visible and invisible.” Colossians 1:16.

ML-02/16/1992

The Locked Door

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 smokestacks 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.

Along with the towers, the people built a city with a wall around it on the north side of the island. This was called the “city of refuge.” This provided a safe place for the islanders to escape from the pirates.

When an unfriendly ship came into sight, its course was closely watched from tower to tower, using lanterns. If it came in to shore, an alarm was sounded. Everyone who heard the alarm ran for safety with their loved ones and all they could carry to the “city of refuge” with the wall around it.

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. And 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 Corinthians 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-02/16/1992

Sergeant Tibbs

Sergeant Tibbs took up his position by the window and watched as Danny, his little master, walked down the long driveway to the school bus. He would be sitting there again when Danny walked back up the driveway after school. Sergeant Tibbs was a black cat with white paws and a white belly. He liked Danny because Danny often patted him or scratched his ears.

“Sarge” led a good life for a cat. When he wasn’t sitting on somebody’s lap getting his ears scratched or his back petted, he was out hunting chipmunks or birds in the fields and woods all around his home. And he and Heidi, Danny’s big Saint Bernard dog, were good friends. One day, however, his easy cat life had a sudden interruption! That was the day he had to go to the veterinarian.

Danny was assigned the job of holding Sarge in the car while they drove to the vet’s office. When the car door closed Sarge started to get uneasy and wanted to get down, but Danny held onto him. Then when the car started to move, Sarge suddenly clawed his way off Danny’s lap and dove under the seat. And he stayed under there for the whole 10-mile ride. The poor cat was terrified! When they pulled into the parking lot and one of the car doors was opened, Sarge shot out and ran away before anyone could catch him.

It was wintertime and cold. The cat had never been to the vet’s office before, so the whole neighborhood was new to him. All the houses and streets were different, and there were dogs around that he certainly would not want to meet. Poor Sarge only wanted to go home! And poor Danny loved his cat and wanted him back.

You and I are like Sarge. Our sins have separated us from God, and so we are lost from God. But the Bible also tells us that God loves you and me and wants us back. He sent His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, purposely to find and save us. “The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10.

Danny was so sad. His parents drove around and asked people if they had seen a black and white cat, but no one had. Danny finally gave up hope of ever seeing his cat again.

One night three or four days later when the family got home from shopping and got out of the car, Danny heard a cat meowing. He was sure it couldn’t be his cat, but out of the bushes came a much skinnier Sergeant Tibbs! How he found his way back home is hard to say. We know that God has given some animals the ability to find their way, traveling even greater distances than 10 miles. You may be sure that both Danny and his cat were delighted to be together again.

The Lord Jesus wants to take you home to heaven where He is. He says in John 14:2, “In My Father’s house are many mansions.... I go to prepare a place for you.” How can we be sure we are going home to be with Him? We certainly can’t go there with our sins, and we can’t get rid of them by ourselves. The answer is in John 14:6: “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” Each of us needs to come to the Lord Jesus and let Him wash our sins away. It isn’t hard to come to Him, even though we can’t see Him. Just close your eyes and tell Him you are a sinner and want to be saved from your sins and the punishment you deserve. You can be sure He will, and He will be so glad to have you back! “There is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner that repenteth.” Luke 15:10.

ML-02/23/1992

Stay Away From Killer Bees

“I would seek unto God, and unto God would I commit my cause: [who] doeth great things... marvelous things without number.” Job 5:8,9.

Most people are familiar with honeybees. They are very useful in pollinating flowers, fruit trees, etc., as well as being the source of delicious honey. They, as well as wasps and other insects, are all an important part of God’s creation. However, people sometimes interfere with the plan God has made for them, and that is almost certain to lead to trouble.

Sad to say, that’s how killer bees have become a serious problem in areas of South and Central America. About 25 years ago some were brought to Brazil from their natural, God-given African homes. Beekeepers wanted to crossbreed them with honeybees of Brazil so they would produce greater amounts of honey, and then the beekeepers would make larger profits. But that was a serious mistake.

There are thousands of species of bees in the world, but only honeybees make honey and wax that man can use. And there are only four kinds of honeybees: the German, the Western, the European and the African. Each species was originally placed in its own geographical location with a particular nature best suited to its surroundings. The bees in Africa, for instance, have different things to cope with in the wild life of that country than the Western bees have. African bees defend themselves by flying together in huge angry swarms and attacking their enemies with more stings than could be counted.

The result of the unwise crossbreeding experiments in Brazil has been a new type of bee called “killer bees.” These are actually a cross between the African and the Western honeybees, with a few German honeybees also included. These killer bees attack in large masses when bothered and annoyed, and many animals and people have been killed by their many stings since these experiments started.

These vicious bees have gradually worked their way northward into Mexico, and even into the southern part of the United States in the last year. It does not appear that they will be a serious problem farther north, because they prefer the warmer climates of the south, like those in Africa and South America.

This tragic experience and resulting trouble should remind all of us that only God’s ways are perfect, and men should be very careful before making changes in them. How much better it is to do as the Bible verse at the beginning says, and to remember Psalm 25:4,5: “Show me Thy ways, O Lord; teach me Thy paths. Lead me in Thy truth, and teach me: for Thou art the God of my salvation.”

ML-02/23/1992

What Do You Weigh?

Most boys and girls like to step on the scales to see how much they weigh. Brent 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, “Brent, 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 sight; 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 that 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 let Him wash away your sins right now?

“Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow.” Psalm 51:7.

“Jesus Christ, who... loved us, and washed us from our sins in His own blood.” Revelation 1:5.

ML-02/23/1992

"Bible Birds" Word Search

This word search uses the names of some birds found in the Bible. See how many of the words listed below you can find among the letters. Look up, down, diagonally, backwards, across-every direction.

SWAN DOVE OWL PELICAN RAVEN HAWK STORK

OSSIFRAGE CUCKOW BAT SPARROW VULTURE COCK PIGEON EAGLE CORMORANT

ML-02/23/1992

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 snowslides 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 toward 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 toward 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 backward 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-03/01/1992

Caymans Have No Friends

“The cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.” Isaiah 11:7-9.

Most people in Florida and the lower Mississippi areas are familiar with crocodiles and alligators and their vicious ways. But there is a close relative of these, the cayman (or caiman) that lives only in Central and South America, where they thrive in great numbers in rivers and swamps. A big one will measure up to twenty feet long, and if it were stretched out on your garage floor you would probably be barely able to close the door completely!

In certain ways they hold their mouths it almost seems as if they are smiling or grinning, but there is nothing pleasant about them. Long curved jaws filled with big sharp teeth are under a bulb-like snout. When those huge jaws are open one quick snap of them can immediately end the life of a victim.

Caymans’ bodies are covered on top with a dark tough skin with a pattern of pointed wedge-shaped bumps. The underpart of their bodies is much lighter in color and has protective plates covering it.

South American hunters find their flesh tasty when roasted. But they are more interested in the caymans’ skins, which are in great demand and are made into high-quality leather goods. A pair of men’s shoes made from this leather may be priced at $250 or more, and jackets, gloves, belts and other items all carry high prices. Of course, the hunter doesn’t get much of that money, but can often make more than he would in some ordinary job.

Baby caymans, like alligators and crocodiles, are hatched from eggs. Usually a dozen or more are laid by the mother. She makes her nest on a spot of high ground near a pond or stream and covers it with a few branches or rubbish. She lets the sun incubate the eggs, but stays nearby to protect them. When hatched the young caymans are about ten inches long and already can fight! The mother immediately carries them in her big mouth to nearby water where she leaves them on their own. They live on insects, frogs, fish, mice and other small creatures. They know enough to stay out of the way of bigger caymans who, if hungry enough or annoyed, would gobble them up in one bite.

We might wonder why such vicious creatures were included in God’s creation. Actually they were not that way until sin came into the world and its effects were passed on to all forms of life. But the time is coming when God is going to bring back peace, and the peaceful natures of all creatures will return. The Bible verse at the beginning refers to that time.

We learn from the Bible that that peace will not come until the Lord Jesus takes His own to heaven and comes to reign in righteousness. Will you be included with those who will be in heaven, those who have trusted in Jesus as Saviour?

ML-03/01/1992

Jessica and Her Doll

I love Jessica! She is such a good little mother.

When I first met her she was sitting with a group of young girls at a table. She had her doll, Lisa, sitting on her lap. All the girls were eating their dinner, and Jessica was offering spoonfuls of peas and potatoes to Lisa and smiling happily at her as she “ate” each bite. Then Jessica would pop the food quickly into her own mouth and tell her doll what a good baby she was for eating so well.

The doll used to belong to Jessica’s mother, so Lisa is really 30 years old. “But I like to pretend she’s just coming to her first birthday,” Jessica told me.

“How many children are in your family?” I asked.

“Five,” Jessica answered. “Six, if you count Lisa.”

Of course, even Jessica knows that Lisa is only a doll. It’s not hard to tell the difference between a real person and a doll. But sometimes it’s hard to tell which children are real Christians and which are just pretending they are Christians.

Are you a real Christian, or are you pretending? Before you can really be a Christian you must be born into God’s family. Romans 10:9 tells us that if we will confess with our mouths that Jesus is our Lord and believe in our hearts that God raised Jesus from the dead, we will be saved. That’s how we are born into God’s family. God gives us a pure, clean, new life just like the life the Lord Jesus has that cannot sin. We still have our old life, too, that can do nothing but sin. But Romans 6:11 tells us we should look at ourselves as dead to sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

After lunch Jessica gave Lisa a sponge bath and a diaper change and put her down for a nap, just as if she were a real baby. When you are a little girl it’s really fun to play with a doll you love. Children can learn many things from playing “Let’s pretend.” But we must never just pretend we’re Christians. We need to be very sure that’s what we are, because if we should die without having that new life, the Bible says that “whosoever was not found written in the book of [new] life was cast into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:15. But there is no need for anyone to go there! The Lord Jesus died for the sins of anyone who will believe in Him. Just come and tell Him that you are a sinner. He will forgive all your sins and give you that new life and write your name down in that book. Jesus promises, “Him [anyone] that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out [turn away].” John 6:37.

Do you have that new life?

ML-03/01/1992

"Paul's Companions" Word Search

This word search uses the names of some of Paul’s companions. See how many of the words listed below you can find among the letters. Look up, down, diagonally, backwards, across-every direction.

PHEBE TIMOTHY MARK PRISCILLA CLEMENT LUKE AQUILA TYCHICUS

ML-03/01/1992

Plenty of Room!

“Guess what!” said Marta, “I have a new baby sister!”

“How nice,” I replied.

“Would you like to see her?” Marta asked.

“I sure would!”

We were in Mexico for a Bible meeting and the meeting was about to start, but Marta and Gaby ran off to their house and soon came back with a tiny baby. They placed her in my arms, and we all talked about how tiny and sweet she was.

“What’s her name?” I asked.

“Virginia,” they said.

“That’s the same name as one of my favorite aunts!” I told them.

Soon it was time for the meeting, and that was the last I saw of tiny baby Virginia for a week or so. The next time I saw her was in the middle of another Bible meeting. Right while we were all singing a hymn, Gaby walked in and placed little Virginia in my arms and walked out again! I was rather surprised, but since it had been a long time since my children had been that small it was fun to hold her. But this time little Virginia had not been washed and did not seem to be gaining weight. We knew the family was very poor, but we wondered if something more were wrong.

When Virginia was about a month old we found out. My husband looked up from his work one day and saw Marta’s mother standing there holding baby Virginia. She held out her baby to my husband.

“Take my baby,” she said. “I can’t look after her. Please take my baby.”

At first my husband was surprised at the request, but he remembered that the mother was very poor and that she hadn’t really brought up her other children. The old grandmother had fed them and taken care of them.

“My wife and I are really too old to look after another baby,” my husband told her. But he wanted to help, so he went with the mother to speak with the family. Perhaps someone in the family would help look after the baby. The family gathered around, and then my husband asked if the grandmother could look after Virginia.

“No way!” the grandmother said. “I’ve already brought up my own children and two of my grandchildren. No, I’m too old,” and with many other words she said she couldn’t.

Well, then maybe the uncle?

“Oh, no!” he said. “My wife already has too much work with our own two children. No, we can’t take her.”

A cousin who had recently been married and had no children of her own was also sitting there. Would she take her?

“Absolutely not!” she said. “That baby cries day and night and I’d go crazy.”

There was no one else to ask, and no one wanted baby Virginia. Her mother and father would have to keep her, even though there was no room for her in their homes, in their lives, or in their hearts. No room for Virginia in all their family! Oh, but I want to tell you that there is plenty of room in God’s family! He wants more children in His family, and it does not matter if they are little or sick or poor! God loves every single person in the whole world, and He has room for you in His family. “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.

God has already saved many millions, but there’s still more room in His house. Jesus said, “In My Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.” John 14:2. God wants His house filled and has told His servants, “Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.” Luke 14:23.

The grandmother was too old and too tired to bring up another child, but God is not. The Bible says, “Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary?” Isaiah 40:28. God is able and willing to save you, care for you, and take you safely to His wonderful home in heaven.

The uncle and his wife were too busy for Virginia. Is God too busy for you? Never! Jesus said that “him that cometh to Me I will in no wise cast out.” John 6:37.

The cousin just couldn’t stand the troubles that a baby would bring into her home. Will the troubles in your life be too much for God? No! He even invites you to bring your troubles to Him! “Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me.” Psalm 50:15. How great is God’s love!

There’s plenty of room in God’s family for you. Do you have room in your life for Him? You have room for your friends, for your family, for fun and many other things. Do you have room for Jesus?

Some day, very soon, there will be no more room in God’s family. Some day His house will be filled, and Jesus will come to take all of God’s children to the mansions that He has prepared. Will you be there? Come to Jesus for salvation today!

God’s house is filling fast –

Yet there is room!

Some guest will be the last -

Yet there is room!

ML-03/08/1992

Sun-Loving Sunflowers

“For the Lord God is a sun and shield.... No good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly.” Psalm 84:11.

The sunflower has such a good name, for it not only looks somewhat like the sun, but it also follows the sun. During a part of its life its tall stalk turns and bends so the flower head faces east in the morning as the sun rises and actually turns, following the sun, until it sets in the west in the evening. Then it turns back and is ready to do the same thing the next day.

Sunflowers grow in many places in the world, but mostly in North America, particularly in the central United States where their bright yellow color adds beauty to thousands of acres of farmland. They are planted in early spring in moist soil, where the seeds promptly sprout.

It doesn’t take long for a flower to appear on the top of its 6-to-10-ft.-high stem with many huge green leaves. The seeds soon fill the center of the big golden head that looks so pretty. A healthy plant will have about a thousand seeds on its crown. It takes most of the summer for the seeds to ripen for picking, and they are tough enough to withstand frost, which helps to dry them.

There are two kinds of sunflowers. The one described above is known as an oil sunflower, with rather small black seeds. These are sold to mills that make vegetable salad oil and margarine from them. After removing the husks, the kernels are heated so the oil can be squeezed out, eventually to be used by bakeries and many other food companies. The oil is also sold in bottles and cans in supermarkets and other food stores.

The other type of sunflower is called non-oil. In many ways both types look alike to anyone driving by, but the main difference is that the seeds of this one are white with black stripes and much larger than the oily seeds.

These are also known as confectionery sunflower seeds, because they are used as a tasty snack or to be sprinkled over salads or added to cookies and other bakery goods. Mothers sometimes put a handful of them (with the shells already off) in lunch boxes for an extra snack at the school lunch room or for their husband’s lunch bag. No doubt most of you already know how good they taste.

One problem farmers have with both kinds of sunflowers is that birds find them very tasty. To protect their crops, sometimes big frightful-looking scarecrows are placed among them, some of which also make scary noises to keep them away. But this remains a real problem, for it’s hard to fool the birds, and the seeds are really tempting.

The way the sunflowers turn to the sun all day long is a nice picture of boys and girls who can say that the Lord God is my sun and shield (as our opening Bible verse states) and always remember that He is shining His love on them. Can you say that?

ML-03/08/1992

Matches!

One little match can start a big fire, but Mike wasn’t worried about that. He just wanted to start a little fire, one he could sit around and enjoy in the pine forest. He had used up at least a couple of packs of matches trying to start the fire, before his mother caught him. He was reaching up over the fireplace mantle into the little blue jar to get another pack when she walked into the living room.

Deciding to find out what he had been doing with the matches, she discovered a large pile of pine needles that he was trying to burn. Thankfully, in gathering the pine needles he had also gathered some wet pine needles and dirt. That was why the pile wouldn’t burn, which probably kept the whole pine woods from going up in flames.

Matches are like sin. One little match could have burned down the whole pine woods, and one little sin can start a bad habit that could ruin your whole life. The Lord Jesus not only wants to save you from hell, but also from the terribly destructive power of sin in your life right now. If you have trusted Jesus as your Saviour but have allowed some sin in your life, tell Him about it. He promises that “if we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 1 John 1:9.

ML-03/08/1992

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-03/15/1992

The Moose and the Swing Set

Dean Tanner of Anchorage, Alaska, looked out his window one morning and was a little surprised to see that his daughter’s swing set was no longer in the back yard. Now this was no ordinary swing set, because he had built it. It was 14 feet long and 10 feet high and made of heavy lumber. Someone had gone to a lot of work to steal that heavy, bulky swing set. Mr. Tanner’s first thought was to call the police and report one stolen swing set.

After calling the police Mr. Tanner went out into the yard to look around. He found tracks in the snow made by the swing set’s heavy lumber as it was being dragged away by the thieves.

As Mr. Tanner turned the corner to the side of the house, he stopped and stared in amazement! There was the swing set lying in the driveway, and lying beside it was the thief. With his horns all tangled up in the swing chains lay a rather tired-looking bull moose!

Mr. Tanner and his daughter tried to get near to untangle the moose, but he was a very unhappy bull moose and would not let them get too close. So they called the Fish and Wildlife Department about their problem. They sent one of their workers who came and shot a tranquilizer dart into the animal.

When the moose began to get sleepy, they quickly untangled the swing chains from his horns.Then the worker gave him another shot to wake him up, and in a few minutes he got to his feet and ran back into the bush.

Boys and girls, this poor old moose is a picture of you and me. Because we have gotten away from God, we are all tangled up in Satan’s chains of sin. And no matter how much we struggle or how hard we try, we can’t get free from those chains. We just drag all our sinful ways and habits along with us. But there is Someone who wants to cut off those chains of sin for us. The Lord Jesus Christ came here for that very purpose! Only He had the power to defeat Satan, untangle those chains of sin, and set us free. “For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.” Romans 5:6.

If you are still tangled up in your chains of sin, let Jesus set you free from sin and its terrible end, which is everlasting darkness. Will you tell Him about your sins and that you want Him to take them away? He will give peace and joy in your heart and you will be set free. “If the Son [Jesus] therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” John 8:36.

ML-03/15/1992

Wildcats Are Interesting

“O Lord, Thou preservest man and beast. How excellent is Thy loving-kindness, O God!” Psalm 36:6,7.

There are many varieties of wildcats in different parts of the world. The term “wildcat” generally refers to small, wild members of the cat family. It is often applied to an unusual species of lynx, bobcat, or even a domestic cat that has gone off into the wilds.

The one known as the forest wildcat is actually a variety of the lynx, but is smaller than most lynxes being only about one-third larger than a house cat, with longer legs, a broader head and shorter tail. They have dense, long, yellowish hair with stripes in various places, but their throats are whitish.

Another variety is called desert lynx, and looks very much like a household pet. It has a striped brown coat, with some white on its throat and face. Both kinds are found in various parts of Canada and the United States and are bold and cunning at hunting, which they do mostly at night.

Among wildcats’ favorite foods are ground squirrels, rabbits, wood rats, mice, moles and low-roosting birds which they capture while the birds are asleep in their nests. Unless the birds are sick or injured, wildcats catch very few in daylight.

Actually these animals are not very good runners, but bound after their prey in bobbing leaps, just like a frightened house cat does. When other food is not available and they are really hungry, they have been known to eat insects, such as beetles, grasshoppers and crickets. At times a wildcat will flatten itself on a limb over a trail and pounce on unsuspecting animals or birds which pass below.

Excellent tree-climbers, wildcats prefer to live in forests or brushy places, but sometimes make their homes in rocky areas where they will have a well-hidden den. Often they will have more than one den in which to hide when pursued by an enemy, which might be a fox, wolf, or prowling dog. When attacked by an owl, hawk or eagle without chance of escape, wildcats roll over on their backs, biting at the bird’s head and neck and sharp-clawed feet, pulling out feathers. The birds generally give up and fly away.

Usually three or four kittens are born in the spring, either in a cave or hollow log. They are just as cute as domestic kittens. The mother nurses them for several weeks before teaching them to hunt by putting live mice and other small creatures in front of them. If the intended victims are about to get away from one of the kittens, she will go after it and bring it back for the kittens to try again. They soon catch on.

Does the Creator watch over these wildcats? Yes He does. They are one of the “beasts” in the Bible verse at the beginning. Can you say with the Psalmist, when he thought about the loving ways of the Lord: “O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker. For He is our God; and we are the people of His pasture.” Psalm 95:6,7.

ML-03/15/1992

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.” 1 John 1:7.

Are your sins covered by the blood of Jesus?

ML-03/15/1992

The Blood of Christ

An old man sat reading his Bible. He did not understand how the blood Jesus shed on the cross nearly 2000 years ago could wash his sins away now. And five-year-old Brendan asked, “Mommy, where do they keep the blood of Jesus so it can wash away our sins?” Maybe some of you who are reading this have the same questions.

God does not tell us we have to understand His Word, but He wants us to believe it. The blood of Jesus does clean us from all our sins. It is true however it happens. I believe it because God said it.

Here is a true story that will help us to understand the blood of Christ. In Exodus 12 the Israelites were slaves in Egypt. They had to work for the Egyptians and their king, called Pharaoh. They were not free.

God sent Moses to tell them that one night He was going to punish the country of Egypt. He said that the firstborn in every house would die, including the oldest child in Pharaoh’s family, and even the firstborn of the cows and sheep.

There was one way anyone could escape death. They must take a lamb from their flocks. It could not be blind or lame. It had to be a perfect lamb, one without any bruises or sores. After they kept it for four days they must kill it and catch its blood in a basin. Then that blood must be put on the sideposts and tops of the doors of their houses.

Each family had to go inside and shut the door. Inside they ate the roasted lamb. The blood was on the outside and they were on the inside. Do you think they could see the blood while they were inside? No, they would not be able to see it. Were they safe? Yes, they were.

They did not have to see the blood, and the Bible tells us why. God had said, “When I see the blood, I will pass over you.” Exodus 12:13. Did it make any difference whether or not the people could see the blood? No! As long as God saw the blood on the door, those inside were safe.

We do not need to know how it works or where it is. We only need to believe what God has said.

Jesus is God’s Lamb. “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world!” John 1:29. Since Jesus never sinned and never could sin, He was the perfect Lamb needed for the sacrifice. He gave His life and His blood was shed. God sees the blood; He is satisfied with the sacrifice. The sinner who believes is saved.

“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” Acts 16:31. Jesus said, “He that believeth on Me hath everlasting life.” John 6:47.

The old man in our story believed, and his sins were washed away. He has since died and gone to be with the Lord Jesus. The little boy has also believed, I think, and so his sins are gone. What about you? Do you believe on the Lord Jesus? Has His blood washed your sins away? If so, why not thank Him for doing that for you.

ML-03/22/1992

Star

Star was the name of my reddish-brown horse. He was very gentle and fun to ride. One summer day my friend Bill and I were horseback riding. I was on Star and Bill was on Princess, our other horse. We hardly ever bothered using saddles, because I didn’t like to go through all the bother of dragging them out from the barn and putting them on the horses. Besides, we thought it was more fun just riding bareback like the Indians used to.

We soon left the small paddock where we kept the horses, crossed over a road and started riding up a hill on the other side. Anyone riding a horse without a saddle soon finds out there are only two comfortable speeds to go -either a slow walk or a fast gallop. The speed in between is a trot, and it makes you bounce up and down on the horse’s backbone, which soon becomes painful. So Bill and I galloped our horses up and up, till we got to the top of the hill.

From the top of the hill we could see our house on the other hill. As we rested, it was fun to look back and see how far we had come. The horses were happy and so were we.

Becoming a Christian by accepting the Lord Jesus as our Saviour is a happy experience. We can look back to the cross, knowing He suffered there for our sins and has washed us clean. We can rest on Him to guard us and keep us safe from Satan, our enemy. Satan will never be able to undo what Jesus did on the cross when He suffered for our sins. The Bible never tells us to fear Satan, but we are to watch out for him and his traps. Keeping close to Jesus by talking to Him and reading the Bible is the best way to guard against Satan.

We started to gallop our horses around the top of the hill. Suddenly, a big dog darted out of the bushes and started running toward us, barking. It frightened Star and he took off with me on his back, down the hill at a full gallop. He was so scared that I couldn’t stop him. All I could do was hang on as best I could. Galloping uphill is one thing, but galloping downhill is something else it’s dangerous! Whether Star realized this, I don’t know, but he suddenly skidded to a stop halfway down the hill. And without a saddle to keep me on the horse, I went flying over his head and landed on my back with a thud!

For what seemed like an awfully long time I couldn’t get my breath. The wind had been knocked out of me. Finally I was breathing again, but I was done with horseback riding for the day. Bill led my horse back home while I rode home in my parents’ car.

Star didn’t know any better, but he really didn’t need to run away. He was much stronger than that dog. One kick from his powerful hooves would have scared that dog off for a long time. And for those of us who belong to Jesus, we have His strength to count on. He is much stronger than Satan, whom He defeated at the cross. A good Bible verse to count on when Satan is bothering us is, “Resist [stand firm against] the devil, and he will flee from you.” James 4:7. If you are afraid or are thinking about doing something you know is wrong, call on the Lord Jesus for strength to do what is right. “Be strong in the Lord, and in the power of His might.” Ephesians 6:10. He promises He will help you: “Call upon Me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify Me.” Psalm 50:15.

ML-03/22/1992

Amazing Sled Dogs

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

Every March one of the world’s most interesting races takes place. It covers 1000 miles of snow-and-ice-covered land, rivers and lakes between Anchorage and Nome, Alaska. This is perhaps the toughest of all races ever run and takes the competing teams two weeks or more to finish. The people involved (men and women) run most of the way at the rear of the heavily loaded sleds.

These sleds are pulled by a dozen or more strong dogs, usually including Alaskan malamutes, Siberian huskies, and Eskimo dogs, all of which have been trained for months by their owners. The dogs are selected for strength, endurance and ability to work together in teams. All have thick fur, enabling them to withstand the extremely cold conditions. This thick fur has coarse outer hair and another coat of fine hair next to the skin so that they never get “soaked to the skin.” When resting or sleeping, their heavily furred tails wrap around their bodies, helping to keep them warm.

But it is not only in this amazing race that sled dogs are needed; they are needed for more practical purposes in the freezing climates of Greenland, Europe and Asia, as well. Trappers and prospectors, for instance, could not get along without them in places where no other transportation is available. Eskimos, Indians and other natives of those areas find them a real help in getting about in cold winter months also.

Many of these sled dogs look fierce and untamed and occasionally fight between themselves, but they are usually friendly with their master and other people known to them. Some owners take special care of them when on trails of harsh snow and ice, putting special boots on their feet and ankles, but leaving the toes uncovered. This is because they have extra-thick fur on them, and their strong claws give them a good grip on slippery surfaces.

But it is not only in the frozen north that sled dogs are popular. In parts of Europe and other countries, dogs of various varieties pull carts loaded with cans of milk, firewood and other items, as well as children enjoying a ride along a trail or dirt road. At times just one dog will pull these wheeled carts, or frequently a pair of them will be used.

As we consider many different animals it is not difficult to see how the Creator has designed each one in a special way for its own life pattern. More importantly, we should consider how He has provided for each of us in a special way. The Bible tells us in many places how He cares for us. Here is one: “Many, O Lord my God, are Thy wonderful works... and Thy thoughts which are to us-ward... they are more than can be numbered.” Psalm 40:5. Have you ever thanked Him for His loving care over you?

ML-03/22/1992

Scripture Verse Word Search

Can you find the words of this Scripture verse in this word search? Look up, down, diagonally, backwards, across-every direction. Use a ruler if necessary.

Circle each word in the diagram as we did with “and” and then circle the same word in the verse once you have found it.

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

ML-03/22/1992

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 home in Illinois.

One summer 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 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-03/29/1992

A Dog Named Springer

God sometimes uses our pets to teach us lessons. He has given some creatures loving, faithful natures that may put you and me to shame. Perhaps you have a pet that can teach you some good habits and lessons. This story gives us three good examples.

Gregory Paget had always wanted a dog, but his parents had never felt it was wise to have one because they lived in the city. But one day after Gregory had grown to be a young man and had gone away to school, he came home for the summer and brought a black and white puppy with him.

Even though the puppy was so cute and cuddly, Gregory’s mother, Mrs. Paget, said, “You know we can’t keep him.”

Gregory answered, “Yes, I know, but I’m sure Uncle Russell will take him on his farm, and I’ll just go and visit him sometimes.”

Mrs. Paget said she was certain Uncle Russell would not want another dog since he already had a nice big farm dog named King. But Gregory said, “I’ll ask him anyway.”

Several days went by before Mrs. Paget asked Gregory, “What did Uncle Russell say about taking Springer?”

By then Gregory had given him a name. “Springer” seemed to fit since he moved so quickly. It was as if he were springing into action to obey.

“Well,” Gregory said, “I haven’t asked him yet.” (You see, he was beginning to love the dog and did not want to see him go.)

A few more days went by before Mrs. Paget asked Gregory again if Uncle Russell had agreed to take Springer. But she got the very same answer, followed by, “Someone will want him.”

By this time, as you can imagine, Gregory wasn’t the only one who thought Springer was a pretty special dog. Both Mr. and Mrs. Paget were also becoming so fond of him that the question of a new home for him just never came up again.

You see, a dog can show a great deal of love for those who care for him. But there is One, the Lord Jesus, who loved and cared so much for us that He came into the world and went to the cross and died. He did that purposely so that those who will take Him as their Saviour may one day live with Him in His home in heaven. Have you accepted His love and taken Him as your very own Saviour?

Well, now that Springer had become part of the Paget family, he had to be trained. He quickly learned that he was not allowed in the living room and dining room where there was carpet on the floor. He would come into the house, run through the utility room, the kitchen, the breakfast nook, then into the large front entry hall. But he would stop short at the carpet and just sit there.

The family never saw Springer disobey that rule. Wouldn’t it be nice if Christian boys and girls would be that obedient to their parents? The Bible, God’s Word, says: “Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well-pleasing unto the Lord.” Colossians 3:20.

Springer showed his love for the family in another way too. Grandma, who was about 85 years old, lived there too, and she took a daily walk using a cane. Springer, who had been taught to stay at home, would sit on the front porch until Grandma returned. After her short walk, once in a while she would decide to go a little farther. She would go on past the house for a block or two, and then return. But Springer always seemed uneasy about that. He seemed to think that Grandma had forgotten where her home was, and so would always bark a few times as she went past the house. It seemed he wanted to warn the family to go see about her.

Like Springer, children can be kind and careful of older people, as well as younger brothers and sisters. Another Bible verse reminds us, “By love serve one another.” Galatians 5:13.

There is one more lesson we can learn from Springer. Mr. Paget occasionally worked at his workbench in the basement. On these occasions Springer loved to be right beside him, and being curious he would get his head right down to where the saw or hammer was being used. One day he got a little too close, and as Mr. Paget’s hammer came back up it smacked poor Springer right in the nose. Springer gave only a little yelp even though it was a pretty hard smack. Before Mr. Paget could even give him a pat to assure him it was an accident, Springer was licking his hand. He seemed to be telling Mr. Paget, “It’s okay, I know you didn’t mean to do it.”

The Lord Jesus wants us to show forgiveness, so He said: “Be ye kind one to another, tender-hearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” Ephesians 4:32. You see, when you come to the Lord Jesus and accept Him as your Saviour, He forgives all your sins. Only He can do this, because He died for those sins.

ML-03/29/1992

Farms in the Ocean

“By the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of the water and in the water.” 2 Peter 3:5.

Ocean waters cover nearly three-fourths of the world and are an important part of God’s creation the home of fish and other creatures He provided for our food. When in recent years it has become difficult to feed people where there is little farm land and food is scarce, some have decided to “farm” in the ocean. The following are a few examples of what can be grown in an ocean farm.

MARINE PLANTS: A number of seaweeds have always been an important food for people as well as domestic animals. Kelp is one outstanding seaweed with stems growing as long as 200 feet. But crops of kelp are never certain, because they receive no care and are often destroyed by fish. Now, however, some natural kelp areas are being “farmed”, and new areas are being planted, screened and watched over carefully, resulting in large crops.

SHELLFISH: There is serious concern because shellfish are becoming scarce in some places. Oysters, clams, crabs, lobsters and other shellfish have been taken out of the ocean in great quantities. So “sea farmers” now set aside protected places where they control the number of shellfish “harvested”. One big oyster farm is in Chesapeake Bay, Maryland, and smaller ones are in other parts of North America, as well as in Italy, Japan and other places.

SALTWATER FISH: You have probably seen fish hatcheries where eggs are taken from freshwater fish and hatched in ponds or tanks alongside streams and lakes. Recently some “fish farms” have also been established in ocean waters where eggs of local saltwater fish are hatched. The fingerlings are then raised to full size in wire cages that have been dropped into deep water. There they grow safely and rapidly, providing a new source of tasty food.

These are just a few examples of “sea farms” now operating in many places. These new sources of seafood are helping to feed the increasing numbers of people who don’t have enough to eat. No doubt additional “sea farms” will soon be helping out with ever-improving methods.

A Bible verse tells us: “He [the Lord] causeth the grass to grow for the cattle, and herb [plants] for the service of man: that he may bring forth food out of the earth.” Psalm 104:14. And He also provided seafood for part of our food, too. God has provided plenty for everyone, but there are not always people willing to share with others, and much food is wasted while people go hungry.

When we help take care of someone’s need, it pleases the Lord Jesus. He tells us that “it is more blessed to give than to receive.” Acts 20:35. We should be glad to help those in need, and this should also include telling them of the love of God and His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, who wants all to know Him as their Saviour. This is man’s greatest need.

ML-03/29/1992

"Bear" and the Porcupine

“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 head and a very thick neck like a bear has. 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 vet, 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 nose, cheeks, chin 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 Bear’s throat had to be removed by the vet. 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 Corinthians 15:56), and that “all have sinned” (Romans 3:23). Satan 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.” Romans 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.” Ephesians 6:16. Won’t you “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and... be saved”? Acts 16:31. What a Saviour!

ML-04/05/1992

The Wrong Way

What a busy time our family was having. My children and I were helping my sister Michelle move. We were moving boxes and furniture from one house to another. There was so much to do and many trips to make back and forth.

The first day we needed to make several trips, so Michelle taught me the way to the new house and back. I soon knew it by heart and made the trips on my own.

The second day my other sister, Kathy, joined our moving team at the old house. She said she already knew the way to the new house.

After both our cars were loaded we started on our way. Kathy’s car was in the lead, and she kept a nice even pace so our heavy loads would not shift. I drove right behind her for the 10-minute trip.

After we made several turns we were on the road leading to Michelle’s new home. But when we were almost there, Kathy drove right past the last turn she kept going straight ahead! Even though I could see the house and knew she had passed the turn, I drove right past the turn too and followed her... the wrong way.

In that moment when she didn’t make that last turn, I had an instant of doubt, wondering if she knew another way I didn’t know. So I followed her. Boys and girls, have you ever doubted what the Bible tells us is the only way to heaven? Perhaps friends have told you they are going to heaven “another way.” Have you wondered if they might be right? Have you wanted to follow them?

The Lord Jesus tells us in John 14:6, “I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” There is no other way to heaven than by accepting the Lord Jesus as your very own Saviour! God warns those who doubt that this is true by telling them, “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man; but the end thereof are the ways of death [to hell].” Proverbs 14:12. God repeats the very same warning again in Proverbs 16:25. And when God tells us something twice, it is very, very important!

Kathy and I soon discovered we were on the wrong road, and we had to find a place to turn around. We had to back up with our heavy loads and retrace our steps until we came back to the right road.

Why make a mistake and waste time by following others who seem very sure that they can get to heaven another way than what the Bible clearly tells us? The only way to heaven is by admitting to God that you are a sinner and letting the Lord Jesus wash your sins away in His blood. “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7.

Are you on the right way to heaven?

ML-04/05/1992

Charming Sandpipers: Part 1

“Thou art worthy, O Lord... for Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created.” Revelation 4:11.

When we look at the great variety of birds the Creator has placed on the earth, it is not difficult to understand the above Bible verse and see why He had real pleasure in creating them.

There are many millions of sandpipers, in many varieties, throughout the world. They are found mostly in North America and Europe, but some in other countries as well. The one most often seen in Europe is known as the common sandpiper, and the two most common ones in North America are the spotted and the western. Some of them are given nicknames such as “stilts”, “shanks” and “peeps” because of their special habits.

Most sandpipers migrate, spending fall and winter in warm southern places and flying thousands of miles to northern Canada, the Yukon and Alaska in spring. As an example, over 6,000,000 of the western species leave South America in May for northern spots where they nest, raise their young and find abundant food provided by a kind Creator.

Some of these fly along the Pacific coast, others across midwest states, but the greatest number prefer the Atlantic coast. Whichever route is taken, many stops are made along the way for eating and resting. They fly in great masses, but not in formation like geese and ducks. In flight their wings lift high above their backs, then drop swiftly below their bodies, making a rapid sweep.

Sandpipers find much of their food in water or on sandy shores, eating mostly at night. Food includes many kinds of small sea life, such as clams, mussels, a small fish now and then, and many insects caught while flying over the seashore. Large groups often stand perfectly still on the sand, heads pointed into the wind, and many, if not all, stand with one leg tucked up under their feathers. They are also interesting to watch as they run rapidly together, feet in shallow water, some stopping now and then to poke their beaks into the sand or water to snatch a tasty bit of food.

Sandpipers usually nest on the ground, scraping out a shallow round spot and lining it with grass. Two or four eggs are laid, with both parents taking turns incubating them. By late fall they are ready to make the return trip to their winter homes.

In the following issue we will look at a few of the interesting varieties in more detail. Meanwhile, if you are near a sandy lakeshore or ocean beach, keep your eyes open and you may see some.

We have already mentioned the Creator’s pleasure in placing these birds on the earth. Another Bible verse tells of His watchful care over them: “Thou hast made... the earth, and all things that are therein... and Thou preservest them all.” Nehemiah 9:6. Have you thanked Him for His watchful care over you?

(to be continued)

ML-04/05/1992

The Shiny Iron

Mother was ironing the dresses the girls were to wear. Baby Emily 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 Emily started pushing a chair over to the counter. “Oh, no you don’t, little darling. That’s HOT!” said Mother, scooping Emily up in her arms.

How often God gently warns us to stay away from things that would harm us. But Emily 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 path. 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, Emily 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 Emily, seeking what we think will please ourselves, but may we be like our blessed Saviour who said, “I delight to do Thy will, O My God.” Psalm 40:8.

ML-04/12/1992

An Urgent Message

“Mommy!” yelled Micah as he ran into the house. “The dogs are eating money! Come quick!”

Micah’s mother looked up from her work. Her four-year-old son was excited about the dogs. They had only had the dogs for about two months, and Micah liked to play with them outside.

“Mommy!” Micah tried again, “the dogs are eating money!”

“What are you talking about?” asked his mother. There’s no money outside for the dogs to eat. Children! They do have the greatest imagination! she thought.

But Micah insisted that the dogs were eating money.

“Go tell your daddy,” his mother said. “Daddy’s outside anyway, and I’m busy.”

So Micah ran outside to find his dad. “Daddy!” he called, “the dogs are eating money!”

Now his dad was talking to a man when Micah came up. He was an insurance man who had come to look at some boards under the house that had been damaged. The man was partly under the house looking at the boards.

“Daddy, the dogs” began Micah again.

“Now, Micah,” said Daddy, “I’ve told you many times not to interrupt me when I’m talking to someone. Wait until I’m finished here.”

So Micah walked back to the yard where the dogs were and did the only thing he knew to do. He walked around the yard and began picking up the money. He couldn’t read and didn’t know how much it was, but he knew it was money! And nobody cared but he that the dogs were eating it!

A few minutes later the insurance man got out from under the house and then looked around.

“Where’s my money?” he asked.

“What money?” asked Micah’s dad.

“Just before I went under the house, I took the money out of my shirt pocket. I laid it on the ground here so it wouldn’t get wet when I went under the house,” the man said. “Where’d it go?”

Money! Micah... the dogs! Dad quickly went around the house, and then he saw it himself $20 bills scattered all around the yard! The men hurried to help Micah gather up all the bills and then counted to make sure they were all there... $400! They were relieved to find it was all safe, and then Micah’s daddy and mommy told him they were sorry they hadn’t listened to his message. It had been urgent!

If you are not saved from your sins, there’s an urgent message for you right now! The Bible says, “Prepare to meet thy God.” Amos 4:12. This is a very important message for you, because “every one of us shall give account of himself to God.” Romans 14:12. You must stand before God and give account to Him of all that you have done. Are you prepared? You can be. God’s Word says, “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7. If you have been cleansed from your sins, they are gone! “I have blotted out, as a thick cloud, thy transgressions, and, as a cloud, thy sins.... I have redeemed thee.” Isaiah 44:22. When you stand before God, you won’t have to give an account for your sins, because Jesus took care of that for you. He already bore the punishment for your sins.

Micah’s mother hadn’t really believed his urgent message, and many today do not believe God’s message in the Bible. They have made up their own ideas about how the world began and about what’s right and wrong, because they do not believe what God says. But some day everyone will know that God’s Word is true. “Behold, He cometh with clouds; and every eye shall see Him, and they also which pierced Him: and all kindreds of the earth shall wail [cry] because of Him.” Rev. 1:7.

When people finally believe that God’s Word is true in that day, it will be too late. That is why they will cry. You can believe God’s Word today and receive all the blessings that God wants to give you. Jesus said, “Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.” John 20:29.

Micah’s dad had been too busy with other important matters to listen to Micah’s urgent message. Have you been too busy to listen to God’s message? Is having fun with your friends more important to you than God’s Word? Or is school work more important? Nothing should be more important to you than accepting the Lord Jesus as your Saviour! It’s a matter of heaven or hell!

When Micah’s dad looked over the money that the dogs had scattered, most of the bills were still fine. A few had been chewed, but were still okay. Micah’s mother said later, “Believe me, we listen to Micah now no matter how fantastic his story may sound.” God tells us that His message is worthy to be believed by everyone. “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” 1 Timothy 1:15. The whole family learned a lesson that day about urgent messages. Have you?

ML-04/12/1992

Charming Sandpipers: Part 2

“For of Him [the Lord God], and through Him, and to Him, are all things: to whom be glory forever.” Romans 11:36.

Last week we looked at the lovely sandpipers in general. There are too many to list them all, but here are some interesting things about a few of them.

The one named spotted is one of the best known all along the Pacific coast. These are commonly seen running along the shore, stopping now and then to teeter up and down several times, then running again. This has given it the nickname “tip-up”.

The large-beaked spoonbill and the broad-billed are among the great migrators. Their large beaks contrast with the small ones of others. The westerns, also migrators, are very pretty with white stomachs and breasts and mottled dark and light brown wings, tan heads and sharply pointed bills.

An unusual one that doesn’t migrate is named eastern. It spends winters and summers in the midwestern United States in deep woods, wading in shallow ponds and swamps, stirring up food with its feet.

The greater yellowlegs has long colorful legs, lifting its body to nearly a foot above ground. Another tall one is the nine-inch-high stilt, living along the Atlantic Coast, with some in Texas.

Among the shorter ones is the least, probably given this name because it is so small. It is quite pretty with black wings, speckled top and tail feathers, and clear-white underparts on its round little body. Its head fits snugly into its body with a sharp black beak pointing out. It often stands a long time on one leg, the other tucked under its body and completely hidden.

The one called purple is really black with gray and brown markings. Its winter home is in Central America, but it migrates far north in spring and summer. Then there is the red-headed, with a long black beak and pretty reddish feathers so smooth against its small skull that it looks almost bald.

A provision of the Creator, made for many birds, is in Delaware Bay, near Washington, D.C., where great numbers of horseshoe crabs migrate each spring and lay millions of eggs, which many birds eat. Great numbers of sandpipers find this a good stopping place when migrating north, including the semi-palmateds. Feeding on this tasty treat, they fatten up for the last lap of a several-thousand-mile migration. Many other kinds of birds join them in this feast.

We must stop here, although there are many more interesting species. Remember, these are all examples of God’s creation, placed on the earth by Him, and are dependent on Him for their short life span. They do not know of God’s care over them, but we can know about His care over us and thank Him for it. The Bible tells us, “The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; and He knoweth them that trust in Him.” Nahum 1:7. Does He know you because you trust in Him?

ML-04/12/1992

A Lesson in Patience

Do you know the names of these letters: A, B, C, D, E, F, G? My kindergarten class was trying to learn them. There was blonde, blue-eyed Danny; slender, freckle-faced Jessica; roly-poly Paul; tall, serious Antoquan; and smiley Tyshana with her black braids and bright barrettes. They all watched closely as I printed some letters on the blackboard. “What’s the name of that letter?” I asked, pointing to a “C”.

Tyshana’s hand shot up.

“Yes, Tyshana.”

“A,” she announced.

“No, this is an ‘A’ over here. It only has straight lines in it. This is a ‘C’. It’s like a broken ball. It has no straight lines at all.” Then I printed a “B”. Again, Tyshana’s hand shot up. After I’d asked the others if they knew its name, I asked Tyshana.

Confidently she answered, “A.”

“No, Tyshana, this is a ‘B’. It has one line standing as straight as a soldier, then two bumps on the side.” But no matter how I drew and explained the letters to Tyshana, every one was an “A” to her.

Some people have so much trouble calling things by their right names. God says, “Whatsoever is not of faith is sin.” Romans 14:23. That means God is not happy with anything we do simply to please ourselves. We might not want to call it “sin”, but He does. He wants us to read His Word, the Bible, and find out what He wants us to do, then ask Him to help us do it.

Finally I explained to the class, “These letters are our friends. They’re going to help us to read so we can learn many wonderful things out of books. Tyshana, what would you think if I called you ‘Danny’, or called Danny, ‘Jessica’?”

“That would be silly,” she giggled.

“Well, we need to learn the right name of each of these letters, so let’s not call any other letter but this one ‘A’. Now what’s the name of this one,” I asked, pointing to a “G”, the last one on our list.

“L,” she said hesitantly.

I wondered how long it would take little Tyshana to learn her letters. It was going to take a lot of patience to teach them to her.

And how patient God is with us! We are so slow to learn what sin is and that we are sinners. God tells us over and over again in His Word, the Bible, that every one of us is a sinner. He says in Romans 3:22 and 23, “There is no difference: for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” And another verse says this: “By one man [Adam] sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned.” Romans 5:12.

Now, some of you boys and girls may not think you have any sins because you’ve never done anything you think is really, really bad. You can think of lots of sins that other children have done. Eric pushed Tommy off the climbing bars. Lynn stole a piece of candy out of Paula’s locker. Frankie said a bad word and got sent to the principal’s office. But you haven’t done anything that bad; what they did were really sins.

But have you ever told a lie? Have you ever not bothered to clean up your room when you were told to? What about calling your brother or sister a name? God calls every one of these a sin, and that means that you are a sinner.

Every one of us is a sinner. But God still loves us! He hates our sins, but He loves sinners. “God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8. He not only loves us, but the Lord Jesus Christ, His Son, died on Calvary’s cross to pay the penalty for our sins so that we don’t have to be punished for them. All you have to do is admit to God that you are a sinner and believe that Jesus died for your sins. God erases your sins forever! “Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God.” 1 Peter 3:18.

God loves you and is still patiently waiting for you. Will you let His Son save you from your sins?

ML-04/19/1992

Presents

Benjy and his dad had gone to a restaurant for lunch, and now they were on their way to Sunday school. It was a beautiful sunny day, and they were enjoying their drive past the pretty golf course.

“Look at those golf carts, Benjy!” exclaimed his dad. “Are they ever fancy! Did you ever see golf carts with such pretty canopies over them? How would you like to have one of those for your birthday?”

“They’re really nice,” answered Benjy. “I would like to have one of those very much.” Benjy paused for a few minutes as they continued driving past the golf course and the motorized golf carts with their brightly colored tops rippling in the breeze. Then he said, “You know, Dad, the Lord Jesus has lots better presents for me than those. And it’s going to take me all eternity to unwrap them too.”

Even though Benjy was only a boy, he was already looking forward to heaven and what the Lord Jesus would have waiting for him up there. He knew the Lord Jesus was going to include him, because he had already admitted to Him that he was a sinner and had believed that the Lord Jesus had died for his sins, and now they were gone forever. Benjy knew for sure that someday he would be in heaven. Do you know for sure that you will be there? You can.

“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 [in heaven].” John 3:16.

ML-04/19/1992

Wild Pigs Ugh!

“Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and ye turn aside, and serve other gods.” Deuteronomy 11:16

Wild pigs have a variety of names, such as boars, razorbacks, or just plain hogs or pigs. They were not always wild. Years ago some escaped from their farm homes and easily adapted to living in the wild.

There were no pigs in Hawaii until someone imported a number of tame ones. Some of them escaped into the nearby beautiful forests and shorelines. Today they have become Hawaii’s worst pest, among other things, destroying beautiful tree ferns by gnawing into the stems for food. Another plant they love to eat is the banana-poke, the seeds of which they spread around, making it also a problem because it chokes out other pretty plants.

Both California and North Carolina have thousands of these black, fat, short-legged animals with ugly pointed snouts and bare tails. Many other North American areas have similar problems with them, all resulting from the importing of tame pigs years ago, without realizing some of them would soon go wild. Hunters shoot them by the thousands. But it is impossible to keep ahead of them since the mother pigs give birth to about six babies twice a year. These soon grow up and do the same thing.

They feed on acorns, hazelnuts, chestnuts and berries, among other things, hoggishly depriving many birds, deer, bears and other wild creatures of what they need. Another disadvantage is that they do not hibernate in the winter, but rain, snow and freezing weather seem to make them hungrier. With part of their regular food not available they strip bark off many trees, looking for hidden insects. This results in ruining some forested areas.

As if these traits are not bad enough, they love to change a forest pond or part of a shallow stream into a filthy mud hole in which they wallow and get covered with mud. These areas soon become terribly smelly with all the filth involved. This attracts flies and other insects that carry some of the disease-laden filth to farmyards and homes, public parks, etc., harming not only farm animals and birds, but people as well.

These vicious, unpleasant beasts are an example of what sin has brought into the world, for when God created them they were not this way. This reminds us that Satan tempted Adam and Eve to sin against God, and Satan is still trying to keep people from responding to God’s love (as our opening Bible verse warns us).

A loving God wants us to turn from sinful ways and look to His beloved Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, who died on Calvary’s cross for all who will come to Him. The Bible tells this, saying: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness [evil].” 1 John 1:9. Have you done this?

ML-04/19/1992

Scripture Verse Word Search

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

Can you find the words of this Scripture verse in this word search? Look up, down, diagonally, backwards, across-every direction. Use a ruler if necessary.

Circle each word in the diagram as we did with “my” and then circle the same word in the verse once you have found it.

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

ML-04/19/1992

Look Up

Stephen’s hiccups just would not go away! His mom tried giving him honey, then counting to ten while he held his breath, and several other methods, but nothing worked. Then she remembered having heard someone say that sometimes a sudden surprise will “shock” the hiccups into stopping. Stephen’s mom thought it was worth a try, so without thinking about what she would say she turned to Stephen suddenly and with a gruff voice said, “Oh yes, Stephen! What were you doing last Tuesday afternoon?”

There was a great silence as Stephen’s face became white with guilt. All he could think was, Who could have told my mom? He was sure no one had seen him!

But Stephen had forgotten to “look up.” “Thou God seest me.” Genesis 16:13. And though no one on earth had seen Stephen in his secret sin that Tuesday afternoon, God saw, and He sent His messenger, the hiccups, to tell on him. And sure enough, as soon as the hiccups’ assignment was finished, they went away.

Do you have some secret sins that you are sure no one else knows about? Everyone has some, for we are all born sinners. Luke 8:17 says, “Nothing is secret, that shall not be made manifest [displayed]; neither anything hid, that shall not be known and come abroad.” This could be very embarrassing for all of us. But you know, children, God is so kind that He says, “If we confess our sins [to Him], He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9. Then He assures us, “Their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.” Hebrews 10:17. Since Christ bore our sins in His own body on the tree, we have only to rest in the fact that He has taken our punishment for us, and realize that what God no longer remembers, we must not think about any more either. Now God says that we are to think about “whatsoever things are true ... honest ... just ... pure ... lovely ... of good report.” Philippians 4:8. Of course, when we think of our Saviour we think of the whole list at once, don’t we? But God also wants us to notice these traits in others. Seeing them is God’s love working in us.

Now it may surprise you to know that just as God does not want us to have secret sins, He also does not want us to have secret love. God says, “Open rebuke is better than secret love.” Proverbs 27:5. So tell those around you today how they have helped and encouraged you in your Christian life. It may come at the very time when Satan is trying to discourage them by telling them what a failure they are. You can be God’s messenger to encourage them to continue in well doing.

How about starting right now with your mom and dad?

ML-04/26/1992

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 good news. 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 strike 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 would not harm 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 who loved them. Many of them accepted the Lord Jesus as their Saviour.

The same God who saved David Brainerd from the snake has saved many Indians and many white people from their sins. He loves you and 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, first, that you are a sinner and need a Saviour, and second, that the Lord Jesus was punished and died on the cross for your sins. That is all that is necessary. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” Acts 16:31.

Have you believed?

ML-04/26/1992

Unusual Nests

“As an eagle stirreth up her nest, fluttereth over her young... taketh them, beareth them on her wings.” Deuteronomy 32:11

Bird nests come in a great variety of sizes and shapes. Small hummingbirds, for instance, build tiny ones only an inch or so across. Compare them with those of some eagles. A new eagles’ nest may be only three feet across, but they add new material every year they use it, so that an old one may be 10 or even 20 feet across. Storks add new material to their large nests every year too. A lady told of hanging a pair of men’s socks outside to dry, and when she went to get them later, she found a bird was using one of them for a nest and had already laid two eggs in it. And a farmer who found his lost ball of string which had an opening in its center, discovered that it had been made into a nest with three baby wrens inside.

Many seabirds lay their eggs on bare, rocky ledges in cold northern areas and sit over them most of the time until the baby birds hatch. Another unusual nesting arrangement is that of some penguins. The female lays just one egg right on the bare ice. Standing over it, she scoops it between her overlapping webbed feet, then turns it over occasionally. The male takes his turn too. When the little one finally hatches it is kept warm in the same spot on their feet until it develops enough feathers to come out in the open.

Cliff swallows make their nests out of mud. They plaster one beakful of mud at a time against the side of a barn, or a smooth rocky wall, or the bare cement of an overhanging bridge.

Flamingos also use mud to make their nests. A big area of mud flats alongside a seashore will often be covered with hundreds of their high-walled nests. They are all close together and look exactly alike, but the birds never get mixed up. They always find their own. The female makes her nest while sitting in the mud with legs folded under her. Then beakfuls of mud are placed in a circle just a few inches wider than herself. She eventually forms a circular wall all around herself that looks like a tiny open-top mountain. After this hardens she lays just one egg in it. Both parents take turns incubating it for about a month until the little one hatches.

There are hundreds of other kinds of nests, all speaking of the wonders of God’s creation. He is the One who has provided birds with both instincts and abilities to build just the right kind for their individual needs.

The Lord God, the Creator of all things, watches over everything He has created. The Bible often tells of His care of birds. One verse gave special instructions to the children of Israel: “If a bird’s nest chance to be before thee... in any tree, or on the ground... thou shalt not take the dam [mother bird] with the young.” Deuteronomy 22:6. Did you know He watches over you all the time too?

ML-04/26/1992

The Three Lepers

A few years ago I was visiting a beautiful island in the Atlantic Ocean. I had rented a little car to drive, and Edmond, a dear man who lived on the island, and I were winding our way up a narrow road on a tree-covered hill.

As we continued climbing, the road became more narrow and rough. Soon it was only two tire tracks with little streams of water running across the road here and there.

“I think we had better park the car and walk the rest of the way now,” Edmond said finally.

Perhaps you are wondering what we were doing in such a wild area. Who would live so far away from other people? Who were we going to visit?

The people we wanted to visit did not live so far away from everyone else because they wanted to. They lived way up there because that was where the government told them they had to live. You see, the people we were going to visit had the disease of leprosy.

Leprosy is a disease which sometimes can be spread from one person to another. The government of some countries keeps it from spreading to others by keeping the sick ones in a special hospital far away from other people. In the Bible leprosy is used as a picture of sin, because it is such a dreadful disease. Leprosy has no cure.

We got out of the car and took some gospel papers and song sheets with us. We continued to climb up the hill until we reached the hospital. There were the sick ones we had come to visit.

We said hello to them and gave each one a hymn sheet. As one lady reached out to take it, I saw that she had no fingers. The disease had destroyed them. Some folks were so sick they did not come out to see us. We saw people in all different stages of the disease.

Three of them made me think of three kinds of sinners. One man looked like he didn’t have anything wrong with him. I thought, What is he doing here? No, he must have leprosy or he wouldn’t be here. He is like someone who says, “I am not a sinner; I am pretty good.” But God says, “We are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses [good works] are as filthy rags.” Isaiah 64:6.

The next lady had a bandage on her arm, so you could see she had something wrong with her. A sinner like that might say, “I know I have sinned, but I am not as bad as some.” But God says, “There is no difference: for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:22,23. We can’t be good enough to save ourselves, even though we may see others who behave worse than we do.

The last man in the row was a dark-skinned man, and over his whole body you could easily see light marks like chalk. But they were not chalk they were marks of leprosy. This is like a person who doesn’t try to cover up his sins, but confesses to God that he is a sinner and needs a Saviour. God says of him, “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.

Which of these sinners are you like? I hope you will confess your sins to the Lord Jesus and let Him wash them away. “The blood of Jesus Christ His [God’s] Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7. This is the only cure for sin.

Now, I don’t want you to think that someone with leprosy is a worse sinner than others. God uses leprosy to show us that just as this sickness causes the body to die, sin will cause your soul to die eternally, unless you take God’s remedy. We are all sinners in God’s sight. Many of those dear people with leprosy whom we visited have accepted God’s remedy for the sickness of their souls and have been cleansed from their sins. They love to sing the gospel hymns.

I hope you will accept God’s remedy too, and you will meet them one day in heaven.

ML-05/03/1992

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 trowel, 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 was probably going to happen. Mr. Squirrel would return during the winter and find the concrete as hard as rock. He thought he had found a good hiding place, but he had buried his acorn treasures in the wrong place. It was a place where he would never find them again, even if I had not dug them out.

There is a lesson for us to learn from Mr. Squirrel. The Lord Jesus said, “Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth... but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven.” Matthew 6:19,20. Many people are storing their treasures in the wrong place. They only worry about “treasures” for themselves in this life. They work hard for food, clothing, cars, houses and other things which are necessary and not bad in themselves. But they become so concerned about these things that they do not think about God and the treasures that He wants us to have.

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-05/03/1992

Robins Are Popular

“But ask now... the fowls of the air, and they shall tell thee [about God’s creation].” Job 12:7.

To most everyone in North America, the American robin is a favorite bird. It has become well-known for its cheery songs, one of which seems to say, “Cheer up, cheer up.” And most of us have watched a robin, with its grayish-black head, back and tail, and its brick-red breast, hopping across a lawn, stopping frequently to cock its head sideways, perhaps listening, and then quickly tugging a nice fat worm out of the ground and swallowing it.

During summer months robins are found from Alaska and the Canadian Rockies, all the way across lower Canada and the United States, and down to the Gulf of Mexico. In winter many migrate to the southern United States, and in early spring return to the exact spots they temporarily vacated often to the very same nests. The same male and female are usually together from year to year.

Building a nest requires lots of mud. The female does most of the work, but her mate helps gather some of the material. She starts by mixing mud and grass. As the sides get higher and before the mud hardens, she squats down and squirms around in it to make a bowl-shaped bottom. Then, after building the sides higher and before it fully hardens, she lines it with soft grasses, leaves and a few feathers. Sometimes it takes two weeks to build a nest. In it she lays from three to six pretty blue eggs.

The eggs take about two weeks to hatch. The chicks, naked and blind at birth, open their eyes in five days and feathers begin to show. Two weeks after hatching they are ready to fly. Robins may have two or three broods during the spring and summer.

Although most people admire these lively birds, they are at times a problem to fruit and berry growers. Robins eat fruit, like cherries and berries, along with their worm and insect diet. But overall they are a great benefit to farmers and to all of us in eating a tremendous amount of harmful insects every day.

These pretty birds were first called robins in colonial days. People from England found their colors similar to the British robin, although the American robin is larger. Both are part of the thrush family.

In looking at all kinds of birds we are reminded they are all an important part of God’s creation. We cannot help but marvel at the wide variety He placed on the earth, all the way from the cold Arctic and Antarctic areas to the heat of the equator. The Bible tells us He had real pleasure in creating them.

It is important to remember that the Bible also tells us, “Thou, even Thou, art Lord alone; Thou hast made... the earth, and all things that are therein... and Thou preservest them all.” Nehemiah 9:6. All creation belongs to Him.

ML-05/03/1992

Betsy Learns About Sanctification

Sanctification what’s that? It’s a big word for most of us, and maybe some of you will have trouble even saying it. Betsy learned what it meant long before she could say the word. She began learning about it when she was just one year old.

Betsy lived in a hot climate where there were always lots of bugs. Her mother made a little fence around the porch outside their house. That way Betsy could toddle around on her own but couldn’t wander away and get lost or get into the dirt.

One day Betsy’s mother noticed that her little daughter had something in her mouth. She looked closer and found that two wiggling legs were sticking out of Betsy’s mouth! Of course, she reached inside her mouth right away and was surprised to pull out a live cockroach! Ugh!

Betsy began learning that day that some things were dirty and nasty and should not be put in her mouth. She wasn’t born knowing about what was clean and what was dirty; she had to be taught.

You and I also were born not knowing what is clean and dirty in God’s eyes. It’s not mud or beetles that are dirty in God’s sight. It’s sin. In God’s eyes, a lie that comes out of your mouth is much worse than a cockroach in a tiny girl’s mouth. The Bible says, “God is light, and in Him is no darkness at all.” 1 John 1:5. You and I need God’s Word to teach us about what is good and what is bad. That big word, “sanctification”, means just that. It means keeping yourself apart from the dirty things (sins) and loving the clean (good) things. If you are not saved, you can never do this. You might avoid the sin of taking drugs or saying bad words, but you’ll fall into another sin, such as being proud. The Bible says that the only thing that can clean us from our sins is the precious blood that the Lord Jesus shed when He was on the cross. “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7.

Betsy is now a lovely young lady in her early teens. If you took a cockroach to her now, she would probably say, “Oh yuck! Get it away!” But how about the things that are more dirty than bugs? What would you say if someone wanted to show you a bad video or magazine? Would you say, “Take it away!”? I’m thankful to tell you that Betsy not only learned to leave cockroaches alone, but she has also learned about that word sanctification. She asked the Lord Jesus to wash away her sins. She reads God’s Word, the Bible, and asks His help in keeping away from the sin in this world.

There was one Man born in this world who didn’t have to learn about sanctification. The Lord Jesus hated sin even way back in a past eternity, long before He lived as a man on this earth. But He came into this world which was full of sin and, even more, He took our sins upon Himself in order to save us from them. “[Christ] who did no sin, neither was guile found in His mouth... who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree.” 1 Peter 2:22,24.

Now that Betsy is a young lady, she wouldn’t want even one cockroach near her. But can you imagine how she would feel, or for that matter how you would feel, about being covered with cockroaches? The Lord Jesus hated sin far more than you hate cockroaches. But because He loves us, He took our sins upon Himself and paid the penalty for everyone who would come to Him for cleansing.

Now you know how Betsy learned about that big word. And what about you? Have you learned from God’s Word about sanctification? Are you cleansed from your sins? You can be. Accept the Lord Jesus as your Saviour today.

ML-05/10/1992

The Oryx, a Desert Resident

“O Lord, how manifold are Thy works! in wisdom hast Thou made them all.” Psalm 104:24

The scimitar-horned oryx of northern Africa is noted for its spectacular curved horns slanted in a high curve over almost its entire body. These pretty animals, part of the antelope family, are about four feet high at the shoulders and except for those horns similar to a small horse. Another closely related species is the Arabian oryx, making its home in the desert country near Saudi Arabia.

But their coloring is very different than that of horses. The faces of one group of the scimitar-horned are grayish-white, with small brown patches over the fronts and sides and brown continuing down to the top of their front legs. From there to the divided hoofs the coloring matches their faces. Their backs (which have a small hump on them), sides and stomachs all are grayish white and look very smooth. Another of this species has reddish-tan coloring over their bodies, but black and white faces and legs.

The Arabian oryx looks much like its close relatives, only its body is almost totally white except for a bit of black on its head, and all four legs are totally black. The horns of the Arabian are also outstanding, but not quite as long as the others. They stand nearly straight up from the top of the head.

All these oryx species have been the victims of cruel hunters who wanted the horns for trophies. This went on for so long that they almost entirely disappeared from their homelands. Fortunately, nature lovers have captured some for zoos in other countries, and these have given birth to little ones in the safety of such shelters. This program included zoos in Phoenix, Arizona, as well as the Wild Animal Park in San Diego, California, where they are getting along just fine.

Also included in these programs was the help of a wealthy man who set up a most interesting reserve on his own property near Fort Worth, Texas. There he has devoted much time to the oryx group, as well as other wild, imported animals. He has worked closely with the American zoos in getting selected pairs back to the desert lands where they really belong.

As these animals are shipped back to their homelands, laws are now made that hunting them is strictly forbidden, and guards patrol the desert areas where the animals graze. With this kind of protection, it is expected the herds will soon grow into large numbers.

As the beginning Bible verse expresses it, these spectacular animals again remind us of the wonders of God’s creation that accounts for everything seen and unseen on the earth. That includes each of us, too, and His Word, the Bible, tells us of His love inviting us to be His very own children by accepting His Son, the Lord Jesus, as our Saviour. Have you done this? If not, wait no longer, for He is coming soon to take His own home to heaven.

ML-05/10/1992

The Returning Tide

The Egede family lived in the country of Norway on the seacoast. Ten-year-old Paul was the only child. One morning when Mr. Egede was away on business, Paul asked his mother, “May 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 bucket for carrying the fish that he hoped to find and trotted happily down the path which led from their cottage to the sea. Behind him rose majestic mountains. As he came near the strands he could see some sea gulls flying in the sky, but no person was in sight.

Paul began looking for fish called flounder. They are small fish that look like flat, round, greenish-brown stones. They don’t have eyes on either side of their heads like other fish do; instead, both eyes are on the tops of their heads. 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. He searched farther out on the strands, hoping to fill his bucket with fish. He was so busy looking for fish that he never noticed the tide coming back in 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 he couldn’t swim. He was in great danger!

Paul ran 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 will 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 wade back 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. Will you 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-05/10/1992

Saved Through a Friend at School

It was bitterly cold that Tuesday afternoon in January. I wasn’t looking forward to waiting outdoors for my friend, Betty, as I’d done every Tuesday since school started in September. I enjoyed walking with her on the long walk home, but on Tuesdays she stayed after school along with some other students for a Bible study. If students weren’t actually involved in an after-school activity, they were not allowed inside the building. So I would wait for Betty on the front steps, because I didn’t go to the Bible study. I simply wasn’t interested in “religion”.

But that day it was just too cold to wait outside for her. “What do you do in there anyway?” I asked.

“Oh, we pray... ” Betty answered, and then hesitated, wondering how to continue.

But before she finished I exclaimed, “Baloney! You stay in there for a whole hour! You can’t tell me you pray that long.”

“Come and see,” she said.

I wasn’t too eager, but I went with her to the classroom where the students met. It was better than waiting outside in the cold.

They sang some songs I’d never heard before. The chorus of one stuck in my memory:

He lives, He lives,

Christ Jesus lives today!

He walks with me and talks with me

Along life’s narrow way.

He lives, He lives,

Salvation to impart!

You ask me how I know He lives?

He lives within my heart.

Then they prayed and several of them spoke from the Bible for a few minutes each.

I don’t really remember what they said, but the Lord Jesus imprinted two verses from the Bible permanently on my mind: “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23), and, “The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23). In my heart I admitted that the first of these certainly applied to me; I knew I was a sinner.

As we walked home from school that afternoon, we didn’t talk much. Somehow I didn’t feel like talking. As I look back on it, I’m sure Betty was praying for me.

That night when I was ready for bed I went to lie down, but first I felt I must kneel before the Lord Jesus. When I knelt He brought a memory vividly to my mind. The memory was of an Easter dinner at our house when I was younger.

My grandparents, aunt, uncle and several cousins were seated around the table with our family. I was sitting at the end beside my father, and I turned to him and said, “Boy, am I glad Jesus was born so we can have this good meal together.”

But my father answered, “This isn’t the day when we remember His birth; this is the day we remember that the Lord Jesus rose from the dead.”

I looked at my father, not believing what he had said. Standing up, I pounded my small fist on the table and said, “He couldn’t rise from the dead. If someone’s dead, they’re dead. No one can come alive again!”

My father didn’t argue with me, and dinner continued as though I had never spoken.

For 11 years I had not thought about what I had said that Sunday. But God says, “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. And as I knelt beside my bed, He brought my sin of unbelief before me. With true thanksgiving I confessed that the Lord Jesus Christ had truly risen from the dead and was even now living and calling me to Himself. As I knelt there a great peace and joy flooded my soul. My sins were gone! I belonged to the Saviour.

Now, 50 years later, I still belong to Him and I will belong to Him forever. And it’s not because of anything good I’ve done, either before or since He so graciously saved me, but because He died on Calvary’s cross to wash away my sins. He paid the penalty for all my sin and unbelief, and now I am His, and His forever!

Have you confessed to Jesus that you are a sinner and truly believed that He died for your sins and is alive now in heaven? If you can say yes, God’s Word promises that you are saved from your sins and have everlasting life.

ML-05/17/1992

Bald Cypress Trees

“For by Him were all things created... visible and invisible... all things were created by Him, and for Him.” Colossians 1:16.

Every tree is a marvel of God’s creation. Think of the giant Sequoia that starts life as a small seed, wrapped in a cone, that has taken root in the moist ground. After pushing through the soil it may grow for as long as 4000 years, reaching a height of 300 feet or more. Or perhaps the word “tree” makes some think more of almond or fruit trees blooming in a grove in early summertime.

The Creator made the first trees three days before He created Adam. The trees already had fruit for Adam and Eve to eat when they were placed on the earth shortly afterward. When God looked on what He had created He “saw that it was good,” and it has been good ever since.

The bald cypress trees in the southern United States represent one of the unusual varieties. They grow right in water in swampy areas. They are sometimes called fat-bottomed cypress trees because of large bulbs at the base of their trunks which stand in water. Above the bulbs the trunks grow straight and tall, similar to pine or fir trees. But instead of needles, their branches are loaded with leaves that are vivid green through the summer and change into a beautiful orangy-pink in the fall.

One of the many groves of this lovely tree is called Moro Bottoms in Arkansas. It also has a wide variety of other trees in it, providing a spot nature lovers like to visit. Another, the Big Bend Wildlife Refuge in Florida, has beautiful displays of bald cypress. Also, in the nearby Everglades Park, trails and foot bridges enable visitors to get close to beautiful groves of this outstanding tree.

Another popular spot is in the Chicksaw Wildlife Refuge in western Tennessee. Paths allow visitors to reach out and touch the trunks of these trees standing so stately in water that reflects their colorful foliage. More can be seen in many other parks and reserves, one being the Black River Reserve of North Carolina which is home to some of the oldest bald cypress trees in North America. These unusual trees can also be seen in the Atchafalaya Swamp in Louisiana.

In addition to these trees, many other varieties help beautify these reserves, and visitors also often see colorful birds and a variety of water-loving animals. These all speak of the wonders of God’s creation and part of His design for the world around us.

Do you believe what the Bible tells us, that it was His creative wisdom and power that made these beautiful displays for us to enjoy? Here is one of the verses that assures us it is true: “Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.” Hebrews 11:3. Also, “The living God... giveth us richly all things to enjoy.” 1 Timothy 6:17. I believe it. Do you?

ML-05/17/1992

"I Don't Understand It!"

FOR GOD, the Lord of earth and heaven,

SO LOVED, and longed to see forgiven,

THE WORLD, in sin and pleasure mad,

THAT HE GAVE the greatest gift He had,

HIS ONLY BEGOTTEN SON to take our place

THAT WHOSOEVER oh, what grace!

BELIEVETH, placing simple trust

IN HIM, the Righteous and the Just,

SHOULD NOT PERISH lost in sin,

BUT HAVE ETERNAL LIFE in Him.

John 3:16

We found Gordon in his wheelchair in the lobby of the nursing home. We had often visited him and shared his delight in talking about the Lord Jesus.

After we greeted him, he said, “Do you remember that calendar you gave me with a verse on it?”

“Yes, I do.”

“It said, ‘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.’ I don’t understand it!”

We were puzzled. Gordon was a Christian and not ashamed of his Lord. He enjoyed talking about Him and visiting with other believers, but now he was saying he did not understand a verse like John 3:16!

“I don’t know why you say you don’t understand John 3:16.”

“Well, it says ‘God so loved the world.’ I don’t understand it.”

“Yes, Gordon, I don’t understand it either. Why would God love such a world as we live in? This world is so full of violence and evil. It hates Him and does not obey His Word.”

Can you understand why God loves this world? Why should He love me; why should He love you? There really is no reason for it. But, God is love (1 John 4:8), and that is why He loves us.

Then Gordon said an amazing thing. “He would have died for me if I were the only sinner.”

That is also true. If I were the only sinner in this world, Jesus still would have died for me. It would have been as necessary for Him to die on the cross just for one sinner as for a world of sinners.

It may be hard to understand, but God only expects us to believe it to enjoy the good of it. That verse says “whosoever believeth”; it does not say “whosoever understands”.

Something else in that verse I want to tell you. The person that believes in Him will not perish -be put into hell after he or she dies. That is true, but that isn’t all. It goes on to say that the believer has everlasting life. God not only spares you from hell when you believe on His Son, the Lord Jesus, He gives you everlasting life so you can be in heaven with Him forever. Isn’t that marvelous!

One other thing Gordon said before we left him. “Don’t stop praising the Lord.” Many of you do know the Lord Jesus as your Saviour. If you do, “Don’t stop praising Him.” That is what we will be doing forever in heaven, so why not start right now. It will honor the Lord Jesus and will bring happiness to your own heart. Thank Him today and every day for that love so great and free.

ML-05/17/1992

The Knife

As I remember it, the knife was lying on Dad’s chest of drawers. It was one of those wonderful, shiny penknives that has a sharp blade, a can opener and a file.

It was that sharp blade that attracted my six-year-old mind. I was showing the knife to my little friend, Danny, and I wanted to impress him. I told him that “knives are for cutting.” I wondered what I could test the very sharp blade on to show him.

After checking to make sure my mother and father weren’t around, I decided to try out the knife on something in their closet. Quietly I closed the bedroom door and began to test it out on my dad’s shoes, then one of his ties, and then some of my mother’s dresses. The blade easily cut through every material without any effort.

I knew what I was doing was wrong, but somehow I blocked out of my mind the thought that I would be punished for what I was doing. Besides, I could tell that Danny seemed quite impressed, and that encouraged me to test that penknife blade on other things.

How often Satan leads us on by helping us forget that what we are doing is really sin, or that it doesn’t matter as long as we don’t get caught. But the Bible reminds us, “Be sure your sin will find you out.” Numbers 32:23.

Danny and I went from the bedroom into the bathroom. The knife easily slit the shower curtain and the vinyl top of the clothes hamper. Then we headed to the living room. The last thing I tested it on was the big leather chair. Then I quietly put the knife back on my father’s chest of drawers as if nothing had happened, and Danny and I went out to play.

I thought there were only two people who knew what I had done Danny and me. But there was Another who had watched the whole thing. The Bible tells us that “the eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.” Proverbs 15:3. God had seen everything.

There were very sad results to what I had done. My mother cried when she saw everything I had ruined, and my father was very upset. I was miserable and had to be punished.

In looking back at that terrible incident in my childhood, I am thankful to say that the Lord Jesus bore the punishment in His own body for that awful sin. But that wasn’t the only sin of mine that He suffered for. He was punished for all my sins, because I know that He loves me and I believe that He washed away every one of my sins in His blood that He shed on the cross. “The Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20. “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7.

Thankfully the Lord Jesus is the Good Shepherd, and “He restoreth my soul.” The Lord Jesus did restore my soul, and the miserable feeling went away even though, after almost 30 years, the big leather chair still has the little slit in it.

ML-05/24/1992

He Took My Place

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-05/24/1992

Birds of the Cliffs

“Birds of the air have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay His head.” Matthew 8:20.

There are a great number of ways in which birds make their nests. Among the most unusual are those of several species of sea birds in the high, rocky cliffs of the North Atlantic and Pacific oceans. One species will choose a section of the cliff, from the top to the bottom, for its nests. Other species will choose their own section on the same cliff, but the species do not mix. For instance, one section might represent the homes of petrels, next to it sea gulls, then puffins, or sometimes gannets, guillemots and murres. These series of nests in some areas look just like several apartment buildings built next to one another, but the people from one don’t mix with the people from another.

This separation of nests is a wise provision of the Creator, for it keeps the various species from fighting with one another. But in daylight hours there is always a terrible racket from such a collection of birds.

Openings between the levels of the cliff may be several inches high and not very deep in some places, but several feet deep in other places. In these areas eggs are laid, often on the bare rock, but sometimes in nests made of mud and grass. The eggs of most of these birds are pear-shaped instead of round or oval. Can you guess why? I’ll tell you. If a pear-shaped egg is knocked out of the “nest” it will not roll out and drop over the edge. Instead, it will roll in a tight circle and stop. The mother then can fetch it back where it belongs. Isn’t that a wonderful provision of the Creator?

These birds get almost all their food from salt water. It is thrilling to watch one making a swift dive through the air into the water and coming up with a fish in its beak. The fish is often flown back to little ones crouched in their rocky home.

When there are hundreds and sometimes thousands of nests so close together, how does each bird find its own nest when returning from a fishing trip? Another question: How do the little ones dare to jump from their high homes and use their wings the very first time? For answers to these questions we can only look at the Master Designer and His ability to provide so wonderfully for all that He has created.

The opening Bible verse refers to the Lord Jesus, who left the riches of heaven to become a man on earth. He showed kindness to needy people, but He was so poor Himself that He did not even have a bed of His own. At the end of more than 33 years, He allowed wicked men to nail Him to Calvary’s cross where He bore the sins of all who will confess they are needy sinners and accept Him as their Saviour. Have you done this?

ML-05/24/1992

Eusebia's Bitter Medicine

Have you ever had to take some bitter medicine? Perhaps you’ve chewed up a pill that was supposed to be swallowed whole. The bitter taste stayed with you for a long time, didn’t it? Eusebia once had to take some medicine that I’m sure was far more bitter than the worst you’ve ever tasted.

Eusebia was ten years old and lived in a jungle area of Bolivia. There were wild monkeys, flocks of green parrots, wild pigs and snakes.

One evening it was already dark when Eusebia walked home along a jungle trail. Suddenly she tripped and fell right on top of a poisonous snake! The snake bit her on the arm and slithered off into the bushes. Poor Eusebia was left frightened and with a painful arm. When her family found out about the snakebite, they knew they would have to give her medicine quickly. There were no doctors or drug stores way out in the jungle, so the only thing to do was to give her the usual jungle remedy for snakebite. It would be terrible, but Eusebia would have to drink the gall from a wild pig.

Gall is probably the most bitter thing in the whole world. It is found inside the gallbladder of animals. Once a friend killed a sheep that his family planned to eat. As soon as the sheep was dead, he quickly looked for the gallbladder and threw it away.

“Why did you do that?” we asked.

“If it bursts, the gall will spill out and spoil all the meat. We wouldn’t be able to eat it because it would be too bitter. I couldn’t even give it to the dog, because if he ate it he would die.”

I cannot tell you where they found the wild pig or how hard it was to get poor Eusebia to drink the gall, but a Christian friend later said to us, “How much she must have suffered! One gallbladder is enough to kill my dog.”

Sad to say, this bitter medicine didn’t help. Eusebia’s arm continued to swell as the poison from the snake moved up her arm. When the Christian friend found her, he immediately brought her to our home in the town. We took her to a doctor, and she was given medicine to stop the spread of the poison. After a few days Eusebia was much better and able to go home again.

You’ll probably never have to taste anything so bitter as Eusebia’s medicine. But did you know that the Lord Jesus did? He tasted gall, the very same bitter medicine given to Eusebia, when He was upon the cross. The Lord Jesus said, “They gave me also gall for my meat; and in my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.” Psalm 69:21.

The people who gave Eusebia the gall loved her and hoped that the bitter medicine would help her get better. But the ones who gave gall to the Lord Jesus wanted to kill Him. Jesus was God’s own beloved Son and the Lord of glory. He could have called 10,000 angels to destroy those wicked men. Why did He stay there when they gave Him gall for His meat and vinegar for His drink? It was because He loved you and me and wanted to save us from our sins. He suffered many things from the hands of cruel men and the punishment of our sins from the hands of God, so that He could freely offer us the forgiveness of our sins. “In whom we have redemption [deliverance] through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” Ephesians 1:7.

Several years have passed since Eusebia was bitten by the snake. She’s a young lady now and was married not long ago. I cannot tell you if she remembers the terrible day when she had to drink the bitter gall. She probably does. The Bible tells us that Jesus remembers the gall even though it was given to Him almost 2000 years ago. “Remembering Mine affliction and My misery, the wormwood and the gall. My soul hath them still in remembrance, and is humbled in Me.” Lamentations 3:19,20.

Have you ever thought that His affliction and misery and gall were for your sake? Because He loves you Jesus suffered and died for you. Will you receive Him as your Saviour? “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” Acts 16:31.

If you ever have to take bitter medicine, even if it’s not as bad as Eusebia’s, think again of the gall given to the Lord Jesus. Remember that He did it for you.

ML-05/31/1992

The Glen

The glen was a place where a small creek flowed between the hills near where I lived. As a boy I loved to go there sometimes, either by myself or with a friend. We would slide down the steep bank, holding on to roots or small trees to keep ourselves from falling into the creek. In the spring after a rain, the creek would be full and running fast, but in the summer parts of the creek would dry up completely.

There is no end to the fun a creek can provide for children. One of the best things we did was to find a fallen tree across the creek and then try to walk across it without falling in. Another was to cross the creek stepping from stone to stone without getting wet. Every bend of the creek was different. At some places there were waterfalls. At other places there were quiet pools of water that had minnows in them and fast-moving water bugs that skimmed across the surface of the water. We found salamanders hidden under the rocks that were everywhere along the streambed. We also found animal tracks where deer came to drink and raccoons came to wash their food.

Who designed this beautiful playground? God did! It tells us in the Bible that “He cutteth out rivers among the rocks; and His eye seeth every precious thing.” Job 28:10. Even though sin has left its awful marks on God’s wonderful creation, we can still see enough beauty to know that He is a mighty and wonderful God. And when we remember that we ourselves are part of His creation, then we remember that we are accountable to Him. God has not only given us all of creation to enjoy, but He has also given us His Word, the Bible, that we might know Him as the Creator and also as a loving Father.

Have you read in the Bible about the special gift He has for you? You will find it in Romans 6:23 and also Ephesians 2:8 and 9.

ML-05/31/1992

The Seldom-Seen Desman

“The works of the Lord are great, sought out of all them that have pleasure therein.” Psalm 111:2.

In remote mountain streams of Spain and France there is a mysterious little animal whose body is no longer than a man’s hand, and its rope-like tail is the same length. The desman lives a very secret life and is rarely seen by anyone. It is well hidden not only living in places that are difficult to reach, but also because it sleeps during the day hidden in a rocky nest beside a stream. It spends the dark hours of night underwater in the fast-flowing stream.

It is an odd-looking creature, resembling a mole. It has thick yellowish-gray fur which, when wet, stands out in long arrow-like pointers. The skin, where exposed, is rough and looks like rows of small, dark, round beads pressed tightly together. Its long snout, brown on the end, has two large, rubbery nostrils. Each foot has leathery soles with five long, white claws. The claws are used to pull itself along the creek bottom, as well as for loosening rocks under which food is usually found.

It has eyes, but does not seem to use them for finding its way around or in hunting food. Instead, it relies on a sensitive nose to smell out its underwater food of bugs, worms and other insects and their larvae. Its nose seems to be its greatest helper, not only in finding food, but, being sensitive, warning it of rocks and other obstacles in the dark waters. It can stay underwater for a long time, occasionally pushing that useful nose through the surface for a gulp or two of air.

Its life pattern of hunting underwater at night includes the ability to hide on a dark rock when threatened. When really scared, it darts through the water so fast that it is almost impossible to get a good look at it even if a strong light is used.

The desman and its mate hunt for their food in only a small area of the stream close to their daytime home. They are most active in winter, eating as much as possible to keep warm. Their bodies develop rather fat stomachs through the winter months.

It is not likely that any of us will ever see a desman, but there is One, the Creator of all living things, who is watching over each and every one of them. He gave them these amazing instincts and the ability to live in such an unusual way. A Bible verse tells of this, saying, “The Lord is good to all: and His tender mercies are over all His works. All Thy works shall praise Thee, O Lord.” Psalm 145:9,10. Do you thank and praise Him for His love and tender mercies to you?

ML-05/31/1992

At the Swimming Pool

“All right, you can go in now; the lifeguard is on duty.”

The turquoise water of the pool broke into a million crystal sparkles as the children dove and jumped into the cooling water.

Mother had taken Jeff and Jenny, both of whom could swim, to the public swimming pool for a time of fun on a hot summer day. She had little Annie with her over at the wading pool with the other little children.

Everyone had been having a good time for about fifteen minutes when the lifeguard suddenly called, “EVERYBODY OUT OF THE POOL! GET UP ON THE SIDE, BACK BY THE FENCE!”

Mother also heard the urgent announcement and hurried over to the big pool to see what was happening.

As they all watched, fearing that something was terribly wrong, one of the lifeguards had a little, tanned, limp body in a red swim suit by the arm and was pulling him out of the pool!

Mother suddenly remembered that Jeff wore a red swim suit that day. Is that Jeff the guard is pulling out? She thought the lifeguards weren’t moving very fast for an emergency like this.

Jenny ran over to the chain-link fence where she saw her mother standing, watching.

“Who is it, Jenny? It isn’t Jeff, is it?”

Jenny answered, “No, it isn’t Jeff. I think it’s David, from my school. Oh, David, why did you have to go and drown?” she said with anguish. “Call the aid unit.” The lifeguard spoke in a quiet voice, not at all excited. Mother thought, Can’t they help him? Can’t they do any better than that? Her stomach was turning flip-flops and she felt like crying. Jenny was upset, too, and Jeff came over, looking worried.

Then the lifeguard picked up a megaphone and announced, “THIS HAS BEEN AN IN-SERVICE PRACTICE. IF IT HAD BEEN REAL, YOU KIDS SHOULD HAVE GOTTEN OUT OF THE WATER MUCH FASTER THAN YOU DID.”

And having supposedly drowned, David yelled as he jumped up and dove back into the pool!

Everyone was glad that nobody had really drowned, although Mother was rather disgusted that they would scare everyone like that!

What if David had drowned? His parents would have been very sad. They would have had a funeral with lovely flowers. Nice things would have been said, and then they would have put his body in a grave. But where would David’s soul be? If he knew the Lord Jesus as his Saviour, he would be in heaven where there is only joy and happiness forever. The Bible tells us some of the sad things that won’t be in heaven: “God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.” Revelation 21:4.

But if David had never accepted the Lord Jesus as his Saviour, he would be sent to that awful place called hell. The Bible warns us to “fear Him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.” Matthew 10:28.

If Jeff had drowned that day he would not have gone to heaven with the Lord Jesus, because he did not accept the Lord Jesus as his Saviour until several years later. Thank God that both Jeff and David were kept alive to realize they were sinners and needed the Saviour to forgive their sins.

What if you were to die today? Would your soul be in heaven with Jesus? Do you believe that you are a sinner? Have you turned to the Lord Jesus to have your sins forgiven? “Be it known unto you therefore... that through this man is preached unto you the forgiveness of sins.” Acts 13:38.

If you’ll accept Him as your Saviour right now, you will be safe for eternity.

ML-06/07/1992

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 her dog 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 from your sins. 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 [put out].” 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-06/07/1992

The Strange Hoatzin

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

The hoatzin is rather large, about two feet long and weighs about two pounds. It is one of the most colorful birds in the world and a native of South America. It is found along the banks of the Amazon and other rivers. Its principal food is leaves and fruit of plants growing in the marshes, as well as an occasional small fish, crab or frog. It is not a good flyer and, except when nesting, spends most of its time on the ground or in low brush.

An impressive crest (crown), composed of a dozen or so thin black and yellow feathers, stands straight up in a fan shape from the top of its head, which is deep blue. Its neck, brown on the back and over its wings, is marked with white cross-stripes. The front is solid white between its strong, sharp beak and its stomach, where deep orange takes over down to its gray legs. Long tail feathers on the young are gray, with light yellow tips, but on adults are dark brown with a wide yellow border at the tips. All in all, they are strange looking, but very colorful birds.

As many as five eggs are laid in loosely woven nests which are built as high as 20 feet above ground alongside a river or stream. Little ones hatch out in about a month’s time, and during the first two years of life often stay with the mother to help take care of new hatchlings. If they are not available, other friendly hoatzins become helpers.

Young hoatzins are born with claws on their wings which they use to climb on tree branches until they learn to fly. When they get older the claws fall off.

If an unprotected young one, resting in this high nest, is threatened and no helper is near, it will dive headfirst into the water below, swimming under the surface for quite a distance. Then, when the danger is past, it will work slowly back through the brush, at times hooking its chin, feathers and claws over a branch low to the ground to help it reach the other side. Then it will climb to its nest when it reaches the right tree.

Do you think the Creator knows about these hoatzins, so well hidden in the jungles? He certainly does, as the above Bible verse says, and provides for all their needs. But His love for you and me is much greater. He says, “I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee.” Jeremiah 31:3.

He invites you to know Him as your Saviour, to enjoy His love while still on earth, and then share it more fully in the wonder of heaven for all eternity. Will you accept His loving-kindness and thank Him for it today? “To-day if ye will hear His voice, harden not your heart.” Psalm 95:7,8.

ML-06/07/1992

A Red Light

When you feel a bout of criticism coming on,

See it as a big red light.

STOP! TURN RIGHT!

Go up the Avenue of Prayer;

Our gracious, loving Saviour’s waiting there.

Lift the one you might have criticized

To Him, in prayer.

ML-06/14/1992

The Dog Who Bluffed

There was that dog again, straining at his leash, jumping up and down, snarling and barking at our ponies which were feeding on the other side of the fence. “You think you’re pretty big and strong, don’t you?” I said to the dog one day as I went to get Lightfoot, my pony. But the dog just barked all the louder.

Then one day the gate was left open by mistake, and Lightfoot wandered out of the meadow into the yard next door. When I went over to get him, it was really funny to see how that dog was behaving. He was shaking and trembling as he tried to flatten himself against the back of his kennel, as Lightfoot stood switching his tail and cocking his head from side to side as he inspected the cowering dog.

The snarling and barking were only a bluff. Now he was scared and wanted to hide.

Sometimes we act pretty big and brave, but things have a way of becoming bigger than we expected. What happens then? Do you have someone you can turn to for help, even when your father or mother isn’t around? Is there someone who is able to look after you no matter what happens? Only the Lord Jesus can do that. But is He your friend? Do you know Him well enough that you can trust Him?

Let me tell you something about the Lord Jesus. He loves you and cares about you so much that He died for you on Calvary’s cross. He knows all about your sins and wants to wash them away and make you clean. He wants to be your trustworthy Friend.

Will you let Him be your Friend? You only need to tell Him that you know you are a sinner and want Him to wash you clean from your sins. He will give you the faith to believe and trust Him. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8,9.

Here is a little acrostic that will help you understand what faith means:

F orsaking

A ll others,

I will

T rust

H im.

Will you let Jesus be your special Friend you can always count on? Then this verse can be your very own: “What time I am afraid, I will trust in Thee.” Psalm 56:3.

ML-06/14/1992

Brought Through the Storm

The loaded cargo ship pulled away from the San Francisco pier on a beautiful fall morning. It was beginning 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 to 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 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-06/14/1992

Rhesus Monkeys

“We know that an idol is nothing in the world, and that there is none other God but one.” 1 Corinthians 8:4.

Rhesus monkeys are distinct from others in the ape family. They live in the Himalayan area of Nepal, high in the Himalayan mountains between India and Tibet. Seen from the back, their fur is usually reddish above the hind legs, but gray over the rest of their bodies, including their legs, heads and beards. Long tails look like pieces of rope, and on their fingers, toes and faces a bright pink color shows. But there are some differences a few are plain reddish-brown almost all over.

They are naturally wild animals, but we are going to look at some tame ones that live in heathen temples. It’s sad to think that the natives’ religion is based on worshipping idols that represent false “gods”. One idol the natives worship is called the “monkey god”.

Perhaps because they look a lot like miniature humans, these Rhesus monkeys are given privileges that their relatives in the nearby mountains do not enjoy. For instance, they can make their homes in the temples and surrounding grounds where the worshippers spend much time. The monkeys are very tame and are allowed to climb over idols and ornaments in the temples, even though the native people are not permitted to.

Steps going into the temples, or the hilly grounds around them, are favorite places for the monkeys, because worshippers hand them lots of food treats. In addition to these handouts, when the idol-worshippers place food as an offering at the base of the idols, the monkeys lose no time in gobbling it all down just as soon as the person’s back is turned.

Many fables are told by the temple priests about the “sacred” roles of these monkeys. They convince the people that the monkeys are truly sacred and should be pampered and never harmed. If a native is annoyed with a monkey and even scolds it, he or she is in real trouble if a priest hears about it.

We can’t help but feel sorry for these people who are taught from childhood about these false gods and the idols and animals that represent them. Let us all hope and pray that they will listen to the truth of the love of the true God, told to them by missionaries outside the temple grounds. What a wonderful account they can hear of the love and forgiveness the Lord Jesus Christ is offering them. The Bible clearly tells them they only need to confess their sins to Him and believe that He died on the cross for their sins.

A God who loves them is such a contrast to their worship of idols and monkeys that only fill them with dread and terror. It would please God to hear you pray for these people, that they might learn and believe the truth of the only one true God who loves them.

ML-06/14/1992

The Beauty of God's Creation

The sun was hot and the water was warm. It was our first time snorkeling. We were swimming over the reef near a tropical island where the underwater beauty was fantastic! This was a part of God’s creation that we had never seen before, and it certainly was beautiful.

Perhaps many of you have never seen a bright blue starfish. We saw some that day, and many brightly colored fish too. Some of them were tame enough to eat out of our hands! On the bottom of the sea were many brightly colored corals of different shapes. Some were like antlers of a deer in various colors green, yellow and brown. Others were called brain coral because of their shape. Underneath some table coral we could see the spines of sea urchins.

It was all so interesting that we could have spent many more hours out there enjoying the beauty of God’s creation. It made us think of the verse of Scripture, “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. We felt privileged to enjoy what God has created for His own pleasure.

We lost track of time enjoying the beauty and almost missed our boat home. Are any of you so interested in what you are doing that you have lost track of God’s time? What is God’s time? It is now! “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:2. Sometimes people are so busy doing things and seeing things that they forget to come to the Saviour, Jesus, for salvation. Please don’t wait; time is running out. Receive Him this moment and then confess Him as your Lord. “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.

Another verse we understood a little better was this: “That in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace, in His kindness toward us, through Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:7. When all believers are with the Lord Jesus in heaven, time will mean nothing; there will be no time. Just think of enjoying the beauty of the Creator Himself forever. Not only is He the Creator, but He is our Redeemer. He gave His life for us.

Stop and ask yourself, “Am I going to be there?” He died for sinners, and that’s what you are. “God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8. If you will come to Him as a sinner, believing that He died for your sins, you will be in heaven.

Just think of looking at those hands that healed the sick and fed the crowds. Those hands were pierced for my sins. Can you say they were pierced for your sins too?

“And they shall see His face.” Revelation 22:4. Won’t it be wonderful to see our Lord Jesus face to face! Do you know that when we see Him we will know Him. “We shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is.” 1 John 3:2.

Boys and girls, will you be in heaven with the Lord Jesus? I hope so.

ML-06/21/1992

Long-Legged Stilts and Avocets

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

There are several varieties of the closely-related large birds called stilts and avocets which are among those with the longest legs in the world. The Creator gave them these long legs to wade in the waters of marshes and swamps and on ocean beaches, while searching for insects, small fish and other underwater food. These birds often nest near each other and get along quite well.

But there are a few differences. For instance, an avocet has three partly-webbed toes and a smaller plain one behind each foot, whereas a stilt’s foot has only three unwebbed toes. Also, the stilt’s 18-inch-long, narrow beak points straight out, and the avocet’s curves upward toward its tip.

An avocet’s body is black and white on top and plain white below, with its head and neck a dull tan. The American black-necked stilt is typical of other family members, with glossy black covering the top of its head, long neck, wings and tail, but otherwise almost entirely white. Its beak is a combination of dark pink and black.

Before nesting, these both follow the usual custom of birds everywhere the male goes through a ritual. The avocet gets the attention of a female sitting on the shore by wading out in the water where he crouches, leaps and dances with his wings spread wide. This seems to impress her, and when he comes ashore they build a nest. The male stilt does much the same thing but adds another feature to his display. He playfully sprays the female with water thrown by his strong wings. She also is impressed, and when he comes ashore they build a nest.

The nests of these two related birds are very similar and are always either on the ground, on bare sand, on mud flats, or occasionally on a grassy spot. Sometimes they are built in the open, but more often under a low bush. Soon three or four eggs appear; the pale-yellow ones of the stilts have speckled dark marks and the olive-colored ones of the avocets have brown and black spots here and there.

It is quite a sight to see several of these birds, each standing on just one leg with the other completely drawn up and hidden under its wing feathers. To look at them you would think a puff of wind would blow them over, or at least make them put the other foot down. However, their foot and leg muscles are strong, and they may stay in that position for long periods of time.

As we consider all the interesting living things throughout the world, let us always remember that they did not just happen to be here. The opening Bible verse clearly informs us that the Lord God is the Creator, and He found pleasure in creating them and watches over them, as He does over us, night and day.

ML-06/21/1992

Mrs. Ashton and the Boys

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

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.” Psalm 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 they all came in. 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.

ML-06/21/1992

Fourth of July

Tommy’s cousin, Matthew, lives in Canada and expected to visit Tommy’s family during the summer. But before he came, Tommy wrote him a letter.

Dear Matthew, I’m glad you are coming to see us this year. I hope we can go to the beach while you are here. Please try to get here by July the fourth.

Love, Tommy

Matthew was pleased to get the letter, but since Canada has different holidays, he didn’t know why Tommy wanted him to arrive by July the fourth, nor did he really give it much thought. Probably, Tommy just wanted him to hurry up and come.

Matthew’s family packed their things into their van and trailer and began the long trip from Canada to Tommy’s house. They did not intend to make their plans for a summer vacation based on a single letter from a 10-year-old cousin. However, it worked out so that Matthew and his family arrived at Tommy’s house on the very afternoon of July the fourth.

Tommy and his family welcomed their cousins with smiles and hugs, and truly, any thought of July the fourth was lost in the excitement of the arrival of cousins they had not seen for a whole year. It was lost, that is, until after supper when it began to get dark. Several neighbor boys also came over to Tommy’s house because they knew Matthew’s family and they knew too what the fourth of July meant! Matthew still did not know.

The noise and activity of all the children after supper made it seem almost impossible to have the usual family Bible reading. But Matthew’s dad finally got all the boys settled down with Bibles and hymnbooks, and they read about God’s love in sending the Lord Jesus to die for our sins.

After the Bible reading was over, Tommy and the neighbor boys jumped up, grabbed little paper bags and ran outside. Matthew and his brothers followed, and then they found out why Tommy wrote what he did in his letter. Each of the paper bags was full of fireworks!

While the dads and moms watched too, some of the fireworks popped with a loud bang, others shot up into the sky with a burst of colors, and others whistled before they popped. Talk about excitement! Just put 12 boys together with bags of fireworks and, well, Matthew knew now that Tommy’s letter had a message more important than he realized. What if he had missed all this?

Matthew was glad to join Tommy on the fourth of July even if he hadn’t paid much attention to the letter, but later Matthew and his Dad thought about another letter, even more important. If they had not read this one, the greatest of all letters, they would have missed something far more wonderful than colorful and noisy fireworks with Tommy and his friends.

Matthew and his dad knew that God’s Word, the Bible, is the most important “letter” ever written, because it is from God! It is so important that Jesus said, “It is written, That man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word of God.” Luke 4:4. You cannot truly live without God’s Word and you cannot be saved without it. The Bible says, “Being born again, not of corruptible seed [that dies and decays], but of incorruptible [that does not die and decay], by the word of God, which liveth and abideth forever.” 1 Peter 1:23.

Have you read this important letter from God? Are you going to miss something wonderful because you have never read what God has said? You won’t just miss a day of fireworks and excitementyou’ll miss heaven! Read God’s Word today and believe it when it says, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” John 5:24.

Tommy’s fireworks did not last long. One flash and each one was gone, and so was the excitement that Tommy had wanted to share with Matthew. This is not so with God’s Word! The happiness and singing in heaven will last forever and so will that important letter that God has sent to you. Jesus said, “Heaven and earth shall pass away, but My words shall not pass away.” Matthew 24:35. If there is a letter that is so important that it will last forever, don’t you think you’d better read it? Matthew almost missed the excitement on the fourth of July by not paying much attention to Tommy’s letter. But how much worse if you should miss all the wonders and joys of heaven by not paying attention to God’s letter -the Bible, the Word of God!

Jesus is coming soon, so God’s letter to you is not only important, it is also urgent. It is more urgent right now, in 1992, than ever before. Read it and believe it today!

“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-06/28/1992

Beautiful Amber

Amber is a beautiful and interesting part of God’s creation. It is a stone-like jewel, sometimes clear enough to see right through. It most often appears in pretty shades of yellow, from which the name “amber” comes, but sometimes it is brown or even colorless. It looks hard and solid, and its irregular shape is smooth and as warm as the air around it. If caught in a flame, it will burn and be destroyed.

While new amber is actually being formed right now, the amber that is thousands of years old needs only polishing to make beautiful and extremely valuable pieces of jewelry. You have perhaps seen some in necklaces, bracelets, rings or other ornaments prized by both men and women.

Amber was formed from the resin of pine trees that grew in northern Europe hundreds of years ago. This resin slowly seeped out of the bark until its own weight caused it to drop to the ground where it hardened in round, oval, or flat shapes. The pine trees were buried under ground or under water for many, many years. Most amber is mined, but some washes up on shore in the Baltic Sea area.

What adds the most value to these gems is that some contain a trapped insect, such as an ant, fly, mosquito, spider, etc. These small creatures got caught so tightly in the sticky resin before it hardened that they couldn’t move. They are perfectly preserved and look alive inside the amber jewel. That, of course, gives the wearer of such jewelry an interesting thing to talk about.

Incidentally, these insects, now seen hundreds or thousands of years after their capture, are just like those we see today. There has been no change in them at all. They are still just as the Creator made them; today’s are identical to those living so many years ago.

Sad to say, there are those around us who will not believe in God as the Creator. In spite of lack of evidence, they still try to convince others that everything began as a lower form of life and progressed upward through gradual change. But the Bible, which we can always trust, tells us: “For in six days the Lord made heaven [the sky and stars] and earth, the sea, and all that in them is.” Exodus 20:11. How much more happiness it gives us to know and believe the Lord God and be able to say, “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.

The One who created all things has a heart of love for you and invites you to know Him as your Saviour and be with Him in heaven when your life on earth is finished. Have you accepted His invitation?

ML-06/28/1992

Taking Pictures

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

Isn’t it fun to get your photographs back from the photo company and look through all the pictures of places you’ve been and people you’ve met?

One day I took my camera to school and took some pictures of the children playing on the seesaw, jumping rope, climbing on the monkey bars and sitting in the classroom. When I got home I opened the camera to take the film out and mail it to the photo company. But what a disappointment the camera was empty!

Are you empty like that camera? You know, if the Lord Jesus is not living in your heart there won’t be one thing recorded in your life that will be pleasing to God. He sees your life as empty.

All that day I thought I was taking pictures. I worked hard to get the children to pose for me, but when the day was over I had nothing to show for it. Our lives may be like that too. We may think we are doing good things, but unless we’ve had our sins washed away and been born into God’s family, we are like a camera without film empty.

My camera clicked and whirred almost like it does when there is film in it, but I wasn’t taking pictures. And we may say the same things as a Christian does and look just like a Christian from the outside, but we must have the Lord Jesus living in our hearts to really BE a Christian.

Jesus said, “If a man love Me, he will keep My words: and My Father will love him, and We will come unto him, and make Our abode [home] with him.” John 14:23. Isn’t it wonderful that we can have the Lord Jesus and God the Father living right in our hearts!

Don’t be like an empty camera, a complete disappointment to God. Be like a camera with film in it; be useful and bring joy to His heart. The Lord Jesus tells us in John 15:5: “I am the vine, ye are the branches. He that abideth [lives] in Me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit; for without Me ye can do nothing.”

ML-06/28/1992

Newborn Babies

The happiest place to visit in a hospital is the place where the newborn babies are kept. It is called the maternity ward. When you go there they usually let you in to an area where you can see the babies through big glass windows. They usually keep the babies in there when they aren’t with their mothers. You might think it would be a noisy place with lots of babies crying. But, no, most of them are sleeping, tucked into their tiny little beds with pink blankets for girls and blue blankets for boys.

Not all newborn babies are cute, at least it didn’t seem so to me when I visited. But if you’re the father or mother of one of those babies, then it seems like yours is the cutest and sweetest of them all.

How do the nurses keep from getting all the babies mixed up. How do they know which baby goes to which mother? To make sure they don’t get them mixed up, they put a little plastic bracelet on the baby’s wrist shortly after it’s born. The mother’s name is on that little bracelet. Most every mother knows her own baby anyway, but they can always check the little bracelet just to be sure.

Did you know that if you have accepted the Lord Jesus as your Saviour, you have been born a second time? You have been born into God’s family. Just like those little babies, you have a life that is brand new. The Bible says that “if any man be in Christ [saved from his sins], he is a new creature.” 2 Corinthians 5:17. We must have that new life to be able to go to heaven where Jesus is.

Jesus told Nicodemus that he had to be born again in order to see the kingdom of God (heaven). Nicodemus couldn’t understand what Jesus meant. He knew he couldn’t become a tiny baby again and be born of his mother. He asked Jesus what it meant to be “born again”.

Then Jesus explained that the need to be born again did not mean another natural birth; it meant a spiritual birth. And a spiritual birth is becoming a child of God by believing that Jesus died on the cross for our sins. Our natural life is a sinful life that cannot go to heaven. So we need the Lord Jesus to give us a new, everlasting life that cannot sin and can go to heaven. And He wants to give us that new, everlasting life right now! “He that believeth on the Son [has] everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abideth upon him.” John 3:36. Do you have that new life?

Newborn babies all speak the same language after they are born. They usually clench their fists, wrinkle up their faces, open their mouths as wide as they can, and cry their hardest. That usually gets the mother’s or nurse’s attention quickly. Usually it is a sign that the baby is very hungry. It wants milk! In 1 Peter 2:2 we are told, “As newborn babes, desire the sincere milk of the word, that ye may grow.” Every newborn needs food to grow. And a newborn child of God may get all the food he needs from the Word of God, the Bible.

Have you had any of that food today?

ML-07/05/1992

Ranger and the Real-Estate Man

Ranger was a good watch dog. He was rather large and strong, and 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. 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 again to show the property to anyone. 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. In John 5:25-29 He tells us of coming judgment. However, 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.

Will you 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!

“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-07/05/1992

Meat-Eating Plants

“The grass withereth, the flower fadeth: but the word of our God shall stand forever.” Isaiah 40:8.

Some time ago we reviewed a few unusual plants -the yellow pitcher, the red sundew, and the warty butterwort. Each of these plants traps and eats insects by dissolving them into a juice which feeds the plant’s fibers.

Another meat-eating plant is the bladderwort, which grows in swampy areas. Its stems, rooted in the muddy bottom, produce leaves and flowers that float on the surface. This plant appeals to the underwater bugs, some of which can’t resist taking a nibble of the bladder-like swellings on its underwater stems. But the moment they touch it a “door” flies open, and they are sucked inside. The door closes behind them, and they turn into food for the bladderwort.

A similar water plant, the Venus fly-trap, grows in shallow ocean waters along the coasts of North and South Carolina. A small white flower grows on top of the plant, nestled in a tuft of leaves which have short stiff hairs on their edges. When a small object touches one of these hairs the leaf snaps shut, capturing it. If it is a chip or pebble the leaf promptly releases it, but if it’s an insect, then the leaf immediately begins to digest it, and the plant is nourished that way.

A plant that does not actually eat insects is the beautifully flowered passion vine of South America. It attracts insects that find its leaves and sweet nectar appealing, but which damage the plant when they get to the flowers. So the Creator provided guardian ants that love the nectar that drips from the blossoms, and they will not allow others to climb to it. However, the ants can’t do anything about birds and insects that fly to the plant, wanting to get at the pollen deep in each blossom. To safeguard the important pollen, each plant has been given a stiff, collar-like opening that can only be entered by the specially-designed, long, curved beak the Creator has given to an unusual hummingbird that He has arranged to live close by.

Another vine also in South America, the passifiora, has delicate and fragrant blue flowers and relies on bees to pollinate it. But other creatures, such as fire ants and various crawling bugs, find that when they chew its leaves a poison is given off that makes them very uncomfortable. Most of them seem to sense this and leave the passifiora alone.

It is interesting to hear of these and other amazing wonders of God’s creation, but we know they will not last forever. He tells us in the Bible that all will be destroyed in a coming time when God is going to bring the world into judgment. But there is one thing that will last forever. Read again the beginning verse to find out what it is.

Do you obey it?

ML-07/05/1992

Chasing Spots

Dalmatians are white dogs with many black spots on them. This is the kind of dog that many fire departments used to have because of their ability to get along with horses. Sometimes they rode on the horse-drawn fire engines; at other times they raced through the streets next to the horses.

Nikki is the name of the dalmatian in our picture. She is a nice dog and very friendly. She will put her paws on your chest and want you to hug her.

When she sees a flashlight, she gets very excited. She likes to chase the spot of light and will race around trying to catch the spot. If you shine the light up on the wall and across the ceiling, Nikki will stand on her hind legs and try to reach it. It is a lot of fun to watch her do this.

While I was tying my shoelace the sun reflected off my watch. Suddenly Nikki raced across the room to catch the spot of light that was moving on the wall. She tried to bite it but could never reach it. When she got close to the spot it shone on her back, and then she couldn’t find it.

“Silly dog,” you might be saying, but are you doing the same kind of thing? Do you think you can find real happiness and peace in the things of this world? What are you chasing? Pleasure? The Bible says that the pleasures of sin are just for a season (Hebrews 11:25). They will only last a short while and they do not really satisfy. Soon you are looking for something else.

Is it money you want? How much would be enough? The richest man who ever lived, King Solomon, said, “He that loveth silver shall not be satisfied with silver.” Ecclesiastes 5:10. No, you would not be content with money. It cannot keep you happy.

King Solomon tried many ways to find real happiness in this world. God had given him wisdom, riches and honor. He used these to try to find happiness, but he could not find it. He said, “All is vanity [emptiness] and vexation of spirit [like chasing the wind].” Ecclesiastes 1:14. It’s just like Nikki chasing the spots and never catching them.

No, you cannot find real and lasting happiness, satisfaction and peace in this world. The wisest and richest king could not find it, and neither can you nor I.

Then where can we go to find this happiness, peace and satisfaction? King Solomon gives good advice in Ecclesiastes 12:1: “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth.”

Who is your Creator? JESUS! “By Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth.” Colossians 1:16.

God knew what we needed and that we could not find peace and happiness ourselves. He sent His Son, Jesus, to seek and to save us from our sins. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16. “The Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10. Being free from your sins and enjoying the love and care of the Lord Jesus who was punished for your sins instead of you gives true happiness, satisfaction and peace.

Here is what some believers said about Jesus. Peter, a fisherman: “Unto you... which believe He is precious.” 1 Peter 2:7. Paul, in prison: “Rejoice in the Lord always: and again I say, Rejoice.” Philippians 4:4. John, in exile (prison): “Even so, come, Lord Jesus.” Revelation 22:20. Two discouraged disciples: “Did not our heart burn within us, while He talked with us... while He opened to us the Scriptures?” Luke 24:32.

Will you come to Jesus to find real happiness, peace and satisfaction? “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” Acts 16:31.

Will you do it now? Then you can live for Him and tell others where true happiness is found.

ML-07/12/1992

Am I Really Saved?

I was terrified! There was no doubt in my mind that I was a sinner. And I knew that there was a place called hell a place of total darkness where people were sent forever who had never confessed to the Lord Jesus that they were sinners and let Him wash them clean. I knew it was all true, because the Bible said so, and I believed the Bible.

Because I was so afraid, I did what the Bible said I called upon the name of the Lord and asked Him to save me from my sins. Romans 10:13 says, “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” But still I wasn’t really sure I was saved. Questions would come into my mind like, Do I really believe? What if I don’t really trust enough? and other tormenting thoughts. I also knew the Lord Jesus was going to call all the Christians to heaven sometime soon, and I was afraid I would be left behind. So I memorized my uncle’s telephone number, and I would call him if I came home and my mother wasn’t there. When he answered and said “hello”, I would hang up without talking, so relieved that he was still there. I knew that when the Lord came my uncle would go with the rest of the Christians to heaven. So when he answered the phone I knew the Lord Jesus hadn’t come back yet.

Was I really saved? Yes, God’s Word says so! He didn’t say “might be saved,” but, “shall be saved.” I finally became sure that I was truly saved from reading the Bible. One day I read Romans 4, especially the last part of the chapter, and realized that the real question was, Did I believe that God was satisfied with what Jesus did on the cross for me? Oh, yes, of course God was satisfied! It says that He “raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead; who was delivered for our offenses [sins], and was raised again for our justification.” Romans 4:24,25. When I saw how God felt about the wonderful work His Son had done, then I was sure that I was saved. I realized that my being saved doesn’t depend on how I feel! It only depends on what the Lord Jesus has done.

Are you sure that you are saved?

ML-07/12/1992

Decoy Birds

“Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived.... Lay up these My words in your heart.”

Deuteronomy 11:16,18.

Horned puffins are very pretty birds which usually find nesting places on the cliffs of islands off the North American coasts. They have orange-red sharp beaks, with wide flat webbed feet of the same color. But the back of their necks is bright yellow, overlapping the front of their round heads, which are white on both sides with matching breasts and stomachs. The rest of their bodies are black.

Some time ago people were concerned because fewer and fewer were coming to an island off the coast of Maine that had once been a nesting place for great numbers of them. The people concluded that if something weren’t done about it, soon there would be none left.

Since puffins are social birds and only nest where there are others of their kind, the people decided to set out decoys to attract the puffins. They arranged for a number of imitation wooden puffins (decoys), skillfully painted to look like live ones, to be set in several places on the island, with mirrors near them as well.

It wasn’t long before several pairs of puffins spotted the decoys from the air and landed near a group of them. They must have been puzzled when the decoys didn’t respond to their cooing, but they didn’t leave. Soon others also flew in and before long many were making nests. And so their numbers grew.

The decoys were kept in place for several years, resulting in increasing numbers making this island their home, to the satisfaction of those who worked so hard to make it possible. Now more than 100 pairs of puffins return to the island every year, and the decoys have been removed to other areas.

This experience was so successful that before long a similar program was used to bring lovely terns and other birds to suitable spots. It was also a good way to get newcomers into areas where they had never been before. The decoy idea is presently being used along California shores to attract the lovely little birds called the “least tern”.

But, as we think of the happy results of the decoy system, we are reminded that there are other “decoys” that are not good ones. Satan is the one who uses these. He tries to tempt us into places or to do things that we should stay away from. So the Bible faithfully warns us, saying, “Neither give place [an opportunity] to the devil” (Ephesians 4:27), and, “Trust in the Lord with all thine heart.... In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.” Proverbs 3:5,6.

Asking the Lord Jesus to help us do this is the way to a happy life, if we follow the guidance He gives us in the Bible.

ML-07/12/1992

Caught!

“Who wants to go to the grocery store with me?” Mother called to the children in the living room.

“I do!” called 12-year-old David, jumping up from his chair.

“And me too!” called 8-year-old Grace, pulling on her shoes.

The children loved to go shopping with Mother. Sometimes she even let them buy treats.

Inside the store, Mother took the shopping list out of her purse and said, “Grace, would you go get two cartons of milk for me, please? And, David, you can get the bread.”

“Okay!” they both said and hurried off in different directions.

Soon Grace came back with the two cartons of milk. “Where’s David?” she asked Mother.

“He’s still getting the bread. Here he comes now,” said Mother, but she saw his hands were empty. “David, where’s the bread?”

“Mother, I saw a man steal... and he’s still in here!” David said, quite out of breath.

Mother’s eyes grew wide. “Tell a salesclerk, David ... quickly!” “Okay, I will. Come on, Grace, let’s go!”

They ran up to a sales lady who worked in the store. “Excuse me, Miss, I saw a man take something and hide it in his jacket!” exclaimed David. The saleslady thanked him for reporting it and asked him what the man looked like.

“He has a black jacket on and blue pants, and he had a band-aid on his forehead. Look! He just came around that corner over there!” And David pointed him out.

The saleslady turned and told two of the salesclerks about the shoplifter.

“What are they going to do?” Grace asked her anxiously.

“They’re going to wait by the doors and when the man goes out, they will take him to the back room to see what he took. If he really took something and was leaving without paying for it, they will have to call the police.”

David and Grace watched the salesclerks standing by the doors.

Mother came over to the children and said, “What did the saleslady say?”

“They’re going to wait for him by the doors and take him in the back room!” said Grace, breathlessly.

Sure enough, a man that fit David’s description went out the door where the two salesclerks were waiting. They each quickly took an arm and led him to the back of the store. The thief was caught.

God knows what that man did. Even if David had not seen him steal, God still would know about it. Proverbs 15:3 tells us, “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.” People cannot get away with sin, because God sees it all and He has it written down beside our names. And this includes little people as well as big people.

Sometimes we think that the little sins we do aren’t as bad as somebody else’s big sins. But whether we call them “big” or “little” makes no difference. All sin must be punished: “The wages of sin is death.” Romans 6:23. Someone will be punished for your sins either you or a substitute (someone who takes your place).

There is Someone who loves you and will be your substitute if you will let Him. The last half of Romans 6:23 tells us who it is: “But the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Jesus went to Calvary’s cross and bore the punishment for the sins of every person who will accept Him as their substitute. “Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God.” 1 Peter 3:18. Do you have Jesus as your substitute? Or are you going to have to suffer for your sins in that awful place where the devil and his angels will be?

You can’t do wrong and get by,

No matter how hard you may try,

Nothing hidden can be,

Everything He doth see,

You can’t do wrong and get by!

ML-07/19/1992

The Magnet

A magnet is fun to play with. It is able to attract to itself things made from iron and steel. Other things such as wood and glass, or even other metals such as brass and aluminum, are not affected by a magnet.

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

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

The Bible tells us that Jesus is going to return. All those who love Him and have their sins washed away by His precious blood will be caught up to be with Him. They are like the steel pins that are attracted to the magnet. But those who do not know Jesus as their Saviour will not be caught up when He comes. They are like the brass pins and will be left behind, shut out forever from heaven. They will never be with Jesus.

When Jesus returns will you be caught up, or left behind?

“The Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16,17.

ML-07/19/1992

The Elephant Seal

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

It’s not hard to see where elephant seals get their names. Some of these huge mammals, sometimes called sea elephants, weigh as much as four tons. But the name comes not so much from their size, but from the large, 15-inch-long nose of the male. It laps clear over his chin when his mouth is shut. The females only weigh about a ton when full-grown, and their noses are not quite so large.

It is quite a sight to see these orangy-pink or dark-brown, 20-foot-long bodies stretched out in a huge mass of 1000 or more on a sunny beach. Often they are friendly and mix with other varieties. It’s not unusual to see several large seals enjoying a good nap while another, half their size, is taking its nap sprawled across their backs for lack of other space.

The bodies of elephant seals have thick, tough, wrinkled skin with prickly-looking long whiskers on their faces. Their big flippers take the place of feet and legs, enabling them to get about on the sandy or rocky shores or, on rare occasions, to fight one another. They are excellent swimmers and can dive deeper than most submarines, as much as 4000 feet, in their search for fish or other seafood. They have been known to stay under water a full hour before coming up for air.

Most of these seals make California their home, sometimes traveling as far north as Alaska or as far west as Hawaii, but always returning to the beach where they were born. Some, whose homes are on the beaches of Georgia, migrate clear across the Atlantic Ocean in the fall to the Orkney Islands north of Scotland. This is where their pups are born and raised and then join the parents on the long swim back to the United States the next spring. Incidentally, pups are born with their eyes already open and are able to swim immediately.

At certain times great battles take place in the big colonies, with each male (bull) wanting to have the greatest number of females (cows) staying under his care and obeying every command. Most have 3 to 40 cows, and a few bulls may have more than 100. The weakest of them, however, may not have any cows and live apart from the others.

Mammals such as these, with their unusual appearances and ways, remind us that the Bible says of the Lord God: “Thou hast created all things, and for Thy pleasure they are and were created.” Revelation 4:11. But in another Bible verse He tells us that His creation of people is extra special: “My delights were with the sons of men.” Proverbs 8:31. In the following verse we can hear His loving voice saying to you and me: “Now therefore hearken unto Me, O ye children: for blessed are they that keep My ways.” (verse 32.) Are you one who is happy to keep His ways?

ML-07/19/1992

"Passover" Word Search

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

This word search uses words from the story of the passover. First read Exodus 12 in your Bible. Then see how many of the words listed below you can find among the letters. Look up, down, diagonally, backwards, across -every direction.

BLOOD ISRAEL BREAD JUDGMENT CONGREGATION KILL DESTROYER LAMB DOOR LINTEL EGYPT LORD FEAST MALE FIRE MOSES FIRSTBORN NEIGHBOR GIRDED NIGHT HASTE PASSOVER SHOES UNLEAVENED HOUSEHOLD PLAGUE SIDEPOSTS WORSHIPPED HYSSOP ROAST STAFF

ML-07/19/1992

How a Saw Caught a Fish

One day at our house, a saw caught a fish! Isn’t that strange? Only it’s probably not the kind of saw you are thinking about, and it’s almost certainly not the kind of fish you are thinking about.

The saw that caught the fish wasn’t a hand saw; it was an electric band saw! That’s a saw that cuts wood quickly, makes lots of noise, and can be used to cut out shapes in wood.

And the fish? The “fish” was the kind that the Lord Jesus talked about when He said to Peter, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” Matthew 4:19. Yes, the “fish” that was caught at our house with a saw was a young man!

When we moved into our new house a few years ago, one of the first things we wanted to do was meet the people in our new neighborhood especially the children and teenagers. We wanted to tell them the good news that “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” 1 Timothy 1:15.

Several of the younger children were so friendly that the first time we walked up the sidewalk to our new home, they walked right in the door with us! We even had our first Bible story time with them before the boxes and clothes were unpacked.

But getting the older boys to come in was not so easy. Teenagers always seem to have ball games to play, or places to go, or friends to talk to. Besides, one of the mothers had told them not to come to our house because maybe the new neighbors did not like them. (She did not know that we wanted to be “fishers of men”!) We knew that we must have some help to “catch” the young men in the neighborhood.

One day not long after we moved in, we took a band saw outside and began to cut pieces of wood. The saw made a lot of noise, and it wasn’t long before some heads began to appear over the fence.

“Hello!” we said.

“What are you doing?” they asked.

We explained a little and invited them into the yard and let them begin to use our saw and other tools. The saw had not actually caught any fish yet, but they were nibbling! James was one of the boys who heard the saw that day. Soon he and his brothers and friends began coming often to our house to use the tools to make things out of wood. Each time after they worked for a while, we would sit down and read God’s Word, the Bible, and tell them the wonderful news that “God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.

It was the first time that James and his friends had ever heard this wonderful news. One friend said, “I’ve never had neighbors to talk to me about the Bible like this.” James listened carefully to God’s Word, asked many questions and kept coming back to work with the tools. The young men made baseball bats turned on the lathe, wooden plates, a lamp and wooden boxes. James made a tall bookshelf for his room at home. And each time he was over he listened to the message that he needed to be saved from his sins before Jesus comes.

After a while, James realized that the message he was hearing from the Bible was far more important than the things he was making with tools. He accepted the Lord Jesus as his Saviour -he was “caught” for the Lord!

When the Lord Jesus catches a young man, He does something different than a fisherman does with a fish. The Lord Jesus catches men in order to set them free! “Ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.” John 8:32.

Now that James was caught for Jesus, he was free from his sins. One night we asked James, “What made you sure that you are saved?”

“Two verses,” James replied. “‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved’ (Acts 16:31), and ‘ The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.’ ” 1 John 1:7.

Have you been “caught” for Jesus? Are you sure, like James, that your sins are forgiven? If you are not caught for Jesus, then you will be caught by the devil, and his hooks hurt! The Bible calls them “the fiery darts of the wicked” and “the snare of the devil.” Come to Jesus for salvation today and you will find what it means to be free from your sins and free from hell.

James is now doing some fishing of his own. He is trying to catch fish with pencils! He takes pencils with Bible verses on them to school. Whenever anyone needs a pencil, he gives them one and tells them they can keep it. He hopes they will read it and be saved from their sins be caught for Jesus. If you are already saved, then don’t forget that many things can be used for this kind of fishing! You can be a fisher of men by playing a guitar and singing to others. Or you could share your toys and tell others about the Saviour. Maybe you could even use chocolate chip cookies as you fish for boys and girls and men and women.

If your sins are not forgiven, then Jesus is fishing for you right now with this little paper. Let Him forgive your sins and you will find how wonderful God’s freedom is. “O taste and see that the Lord is good: blessed is the man that trusteth in Him.” Psalm 34:8.

ML-07/26/1992

Grandma's Ducks

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

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

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

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

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

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psalm 119:105. “Seek ye out of the book of the Lord, and read.” Isaiah 34:16.

ML-07/26/1992

Kangaroo Rats

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

Kangaroo rats are fascinating little animals with long, rather flat tails and hind legs about three times the length of their front legs. They are not at all like the rats many of us are familiar with; these are really cute and interesting to watch as they leap about in desert places.

There are about 50 varieties of them, mostly in the deserts of the southwestern United States and Mexico. They are well named, for they look like miniature kangaroos as they hop about on their long, powerful hind legs, with their long tails trailing behind them.

Large ears are almost flat against their heads and large eyes are prominent on their sloping heads. They have long black whiskers on either side of their noses. Most are about ten inches long, plus a fur-covered long tail. The tops of their bodies are provided with dark fur to camouflage them from birds of prey, such as hawks, falcons, ravens, owls, etc., which are always trying to capture and eat them. In contrast to the dark top fur, the undersides of their stomachs, legs and tails are white, perhaps the Creator’s way of protecting them from snakes that are crawling over the light-colored desert sands.

One species has a pretty reddish-tan coloring with a few white stripes. This gives them good protection from the eyes of their enemies as they gather their food in grassy areas and carry seeds and plant material in their cheek pouches into their burrows. Others have different colorings as well, but all blend with their surroundings, which are mostly hot, open, sandy deserts.

One of these, known as the hammertain, spends its life in hot desert areas and has been provided by the Creator with a digestive system that does not need a drink of water. It gets all the moisture it needs from the seeds it eats. On days when the heat is too uncomfortable and it wants to get cool, it crawls backwards into its burrow and pulls a pile of sandy soil over the entrance, leaving itself temporarily in total darkness, but at least much cooler than outside.

Kangaroo rats come out at night when it is cooler to search for food. They can see well in the dark with their large eyes.

Do you think the Lord Jesus cares about these little creatures living in such hot places? He surely does, as the Bible verse at the beginning of this article assures us. Here is another verse that tells us how He cares for them: “These wait all upon Thee; that Thou mayest give them their meat [food] in due season.... Thou openest Thine hand, they are filled with good.” Psalm 104:27,28.

ML-07/26/1992

The Telephone Rang and Rang

Donald gulped down his breakfast and picked up his beautiful new kite with its long, strong string. The weather was perfect, and he could hardly wait to get outside so he could fly it. Just then his mother came into the kitchen with a worried look on her face.

“I’m sorry, Donald,” she said, “but I’ve got to go on an errand, and I’m waiting for a very important phone call. I need you to stay in and wait by the phone. When it rings please answer it and take a message for me.”

Donald was disappointed, but he obeyed. He loved his mother, and he also loved the Lord Jesus. He knew that obeying was right and pleased the Lord. The Bible says, “Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well-pleasing unto the Lord.” Colossians 3:20. So he sat quietly by the phone as his mother went out.

After a while he got tired of just sitting and began to wonder how many times he could wrap the string of his kite around the telephone before it rang. He tipped the phone over a little so he could slip the string underneath it and began wrapping it around and around the phone and the receiver ... once ... twice ... three times ... four times. ...

After a while when he had used up almost all the string and was still counting, the telephone suddenly began to ring. His mother’s important call! Horrified, he realized he couldn’t answer the telephone because of all the string wrapped around it. Desperately he tried to pull the string off as the phone continued to ring and ring. But the string was wrapped too tightly around it.

Our sins are just like that string wrapped tightly around the telephone. The more sins we have, the longer the string, and Satan just keeps wrapping it tighter and tighter around us. Our sins have made us helpless captives. The Bible says, “His own iniquities [sins] shall take the wicked himself, and he shall be holden [held tightly] with the cords of his sins.” Proverbs 5:22. Crying about our sins and struggling to get free from them won’t do any more good than it did Donald.

He was crying and yanking at the string. But before he was able to get it off, the phone stopped ringing. Donald sank down in a heap beside it, crying. He had been so foolish. He had failed his mother, and there was nothing he could do about it now.

Donald didn’t have anybody around to help him out of his trouble. But there is Someone who can cut your cords of sin and set you free right now. If you will just come to the Lord Jesus who loves you and tell Him you are truly sorry about your sins, He will cut those cords and set you free forever from the guilt and penalty of sin. “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” John 8:36.

Would you like to be set free? Will you come to the Lord Jesus? He died to save you from your sins. “Christ died for our sins.” 1 Corinthians 15:3.

ML-08/02/1992

Sirrah

James Hagg was a shepherd, and his job was to care for 700 sheep which belonged to his employer. Every day he and his dog Sirrah herded the sheep from one pasture to another on the Scottish hills. They found the best grass for the flock and protected the sheep from harm and danger.

One evening something frightened the sheep, and in spite of Mr. Hagg’s and Sirrah’s efforts to keep them together, every single one of the sheep ran away. They scattered over the hills in three different directions.

“Sirrah,” said the upset shepherd, “They’re all gone!”

The Bible tells us that we are all like those 700 sheep. We want our own way, not God’s way. He tells us that “all we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way.” Isaiah 53:6. Some of those sheep went one way, some another, and some a third way, but not one of them stayed with their shepherd who loved them and cared for them. Every one of them ran away.

When Sirrah heard Mr. Hagg’s words, he trotted off as though he knew exactly what Mr. Hagg wanted him to do. The poor shepherd spent the whole night wandering over the hills, hunting for his lost sheep.

By morning Mr. Hagg had not found any sign of the sheep. Sadly he decided he would have to go to his employer and tell him that all 700 sheep were lost.

Just as Mr. Hagg spent all night hunting for his lost sheep, we also have a Shepherd who loves us and cares for us, and He is looking for us. The Bible tells us that the Lord Jesus Christ is our Shepherd. He said, “I am the good Shepherd, and know My sheep.” John 10:14.

Mr. Hagg could not find even one of his sheep, but the Lord Jesus does not give up after only one night of looking for us. He keeps on until He can say, “Rejoice with me; for I have found my sheep which was lost.” Luke 15:6.

As Mr. Hagg headed sadly toward his employer’s home, he caught sight of Sirrah guarding some sheep at the bottom of a ravine. Climbing down into the ravine, he found to his surprise and joy that all 700 sheep were there. Somehow during the night Sirrah had found and rounded up every one of the lost sheep. Mr. Hagg counted them to make sure they were all there.

How the dog had managed to collect all of them, Mr. Hagg never found out. “But,” he said, “I never felt so grateful to any living creature as I did to my faithful Sirrah that morning!”

Although Mr. Hagg could not find his lost sheep, Sirrah found them and guarded them safely all night long. Our good Shepherd, the Lord Jesus, has done more than that for us. He loved us so much that He died so that we could have our sins forgiven. He says, “I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth His life for the sheep.” John 10:11. He will take good care of His sheep until every one of them is safely home in heaven. Not one of His lambs will be missing when He gathers His flock safely home to heaven.

If you have accepted the Lord Jesus as your Saviour, you are one of His own sheep. He promises you that, “My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me: and I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand. My Father, which gave them [to] Me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of My Father’s hand.” John 10:27-29.

Isn’t that a wonderful promise? He will never, ever lose us or let us go. Once you belong to Him you are His forever!

Are you one of His sheep?

ML-08/02/1992

A Spectacular Beauty

“For of Him, and through Him, and to Him, are all things: to whom be glory forever.” Romans 11:36.

There are more than 40 species of birds called quetzals in the tropical parts of the world. The one named mocinno trogon is probably the most beautiful of all. It lives in Mexico and Central America and is the national bird of Guatemala. Its picture is on a silver coin of that country. Here are some interesting facts about this beautiful bird.

Its short body is only about a foot long, but the long tail feathers form a train about three feet long. Head, chest, back and tail feathers are all a beautiful emerald green, and the under parts of its body are bright red. The only additional colors are the few white feathers in the tail, a soft-yellow, short, pointed beak, and maroon legs and toes. To see one perched on the limb of a tree is something to be remembered, but to see one flying or gliding under the trees is a really beautiful sight!

Its food includes insects, which they dart out to catch in the air, as well as spiders, berries and fruit, including a small wild avocado that it devours whole. When its normal food is hard to find, it may substitute small lizards, snails and frogs.

The male puts on quite a display when trying to win a female companion. He repeatedly flies straight up in the air as much as 150 feet, then swoops gracefully down to display his gorgeous colors.

Nests are usually high up in the trunk of a dead tree. Both birds peck out a hole with their sharp beaks and claws. They take turns incubating from two to four bright-blue eggs for two to three weeks, until the chicks hatch out. They are born without down or feathers and are totally helpless. So until they grow enough feathers to fly and can hunt for themselves, both parents feed them with pre-digested food held in their wide-open beaks. The babies greedily peck it out. Sad to say, these lovely birds are facing many problems. In addition to natural enemies, which include the weasel-like tayra, monkeys and snakes, hunters often shoot them for their feathers. But the worst hazard of all is the fact that loggers are now cutting down the forests in which they make their homes. However, a few national parks are being preserved for them and other wildlife, which should protect many of them.

These spectacular birds are certainly one of the wonders of God’s creation and remind us that “He hath done all things well.” Mark 7:37. His doing all things well includes a Bible promise to those who know the Lord Jesus as their Saviour. The promise says: “It shall be well with them that fear [have reverence for and listen to] God.” Ecclesiastes 8:12.

He does care for the quetzals out in the tropical forests, but those people who love Him know much more of His love and care over them every moment of their lives. Are you aware of His care?

ML-08/02/1992

The Camping Trip

“Mom said, ‘Yes!’” I hollered as I ran over to the cabin where my friend Audrey and I slept. “We can go on an overnight campout, and we can take Helen with us too!”

Helen was my five-year-old sister. Audrey and I were almost 12, but Helen was such a good sport we really liked having her do things with us.

Quickly we began gathering up everything we would need sleeping bags, food, bathing suits, insect repellant. Soon the canoe was loaded and we were on our way with Helen nestled in a bundle of stuff in the middle. Audrey and I paddled as fast as we could. We were headed to the sandy beach about six miles away where we wanted to set up camp for the night.

When we arrived, we unrolled the canvas and straightened our sleeping bags out on it in a neat row. Then we changed into our bathing suits and went for a swim. The water was quite shallow and clear as crystal. The lake bottom was firm sand a great place for children to play.

After a good swim we built a fire and got out the can of spaghetti-O’s for our supper. I began looking through the stuff for a can opener. “Oh, great!” I said. “I must have forgotten the can opener. Maybe if we just put the can in the fire it will get soft enough so I can poke a hole in the lid with this sharp stick.” Audrey wasn’t too sure it would work, but we tried it anyway.

When we thought it had been in the fire long enough, Helen went up close to inspect it.

“You’d better not get too close,” I warned her. “It just might explode.”

Helen obediently moved back a few steps, and just then the can gave a mighty “POP!”, spewing its spaghetti in every direction!

Helen was covered from head to toe with spaghetti and sauce, and it was all over the ground. Even the bottom of the lake had O’s of spaghetti scattered under the calm, clear water for as far as you could see. It was hard to imagine that one can could hold so much.

The contents of that can could have been very helpful to us. It could have been our supper. And that’s the way it is with the good or bad in us. If we have come to the Lord Jesus for salvation and we are living for Him, there is no way to measure how much good we can spread, by His grace, to others. But if we have only our own sinful nature, or even if we are Christians but are letting that sinful nature control us, there’s no telling how much harm we can cause to those around us. God tells us in Romans 14:7 that “none of us [lives] to himself, and no man [dies] to himself.” We are always affecting the lives of other people around us. And in 2 Corinthians 5:15, God tells us that the Lord Jesus “died for all, that they which live [those who have trusted in His precious blood to wash their sins away and have that new life in Christ] should not... live unto themselves, but [live for] Him which died for them, and rose again.” That is how we can be helpful to those around us. They will see that we are living to please Jesus and may ask us about it. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 5:16. Is your life helpful or harmful to those around you?

ML-08/09/1992

The Locked Door

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

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

Just as she was picking up the cans she heard the garage door coming down. Shirley had stood on the seat and pushed the button on the transmitter fastened on the sun visor. This caused the garage door to close.

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

“When once the master of the house is risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us... He shall answer and say unto you, I know you not.” Luke 13:25. This Bible verse is telling us about another door that will be closing very soon -the door to heaven. And like Mrs. Eastman, someone will be locked out and unable to get in, even when they call. I don’t want to be locked out of heaven... do you?

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

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

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

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

ML-08/09/1992

Lightning Is Frightening!

“For as the lightning cometh out of the east, and shineth even unto the west; so shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” Matthew 24:27.

Every day across the world there are countless flashes of lightning striking with breathtaking speed and power. Sometimes it is a single streak, and at other times a single streak breaks into several branches or forks. This is called forked, zigzag, chain or ribbon lightning.

When there is lightning, it is best to get inside a house or building, but don’t stand near a fireplace or open windows, and don’t touch plumbing fixtures, electric wiring, telephones, etc. Inside a car is one of the safest places to be. If you’re caught out in the open, lie down flat, even though it may be raining (you can dry off later). Never stand under a tree, by a telephone pole or alongside a tall building, for lightning often travels down such things and strikes whatever is beside them. If you’re swimming, get out of the water as fast as you can. Not all flashes reach the earth; some jump from cloud to cloud. But you can’t count on that.

It is the heat of these flashes that causes the air to expand violently. This process starts a great air wave that results in thunder. Lightning travels at a speed of a thousand miles a second on its way to the earth. Some lightning will reach as far as 20 miles between clouds. A stroke between a cloud and the earth may measure up to 8 miles long.

Lightning is not totally harmful. Air is 78% nitrogen, which is a necessary element for plants, trees, etc. with roots in the ground. One might ask: “How does nitrogen in the air get to the plants?” Well, the Creator provided for this when He made the world. Lightning, touching the nitrogen as it flashes through the air, changes some of it into tiny solid particles which drop to the earth and are washed into the soil by the rain. Isn’t that interesting?

In the above Bible verse we are told, “So shall also the coming of the Son of man be.” This refers to the time when the Lord Jesus comes to bring judgment on the world for its sinful ways and refusal to walk in God’s way. But before that time He will come in a happy way, as the Bible also tells us: “For the Lord Himself shall descend from heaven with a shout... and the dead in Christ [those who have known Him as their Saviour, but have died] shall rise first: then we which are alive and remain [those who love the Lord and know Him as their Saviour] shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air; and so shall we ever be with the Lord.” 1 Thessalonians 4:16,17.

Will you be included in that happy crowd?

ML-08/09/1992

Kindness of God

How much is a dead dog worth? Nothing? Listen to this story and then think again.

Our neighbor in Bolivia woke up one morning to find a dead dog in her front yard. How awful! she thought. I must get rid of it immediately!

She was an old grandmother and couldn’t get rid of it by herself, so she went to the city authorities and signed some papers to ask them to remove the dead dog. The people at the city offices said they would be right out, so the grandmother went home to wait. But the city people didn’t come.

So the grandmother went to a neighborhood group and asked them to do something about the dead dog. They agreed to come to remove it, so the grandmother waited again. But the neighborhood group didn’t come either.

The grandmother was upset by this time, so we decided to help her and began to bury the dog.

“Not there!” our neighbor said. “Don’t bury it near my yard!”

“Don’t worry,” we said. “We’ll bury it deep enough.”

So the grandmother finally got rid of the dead dog after almost a whole day of effort. How much was that dead dog worth? A lot less than even nothing! Nobody would even take the time to get rid of it. It was worth so much less than nothing that the grandmother was willing to go to a lot of work to get rid of it. She would even have paid us to get rid of it, if we would have accepted the money. I think you would have paid someone to get rid of it too. Who wants a dead dog in their yard?

Since a dead dog is worthless and not wanted, why in the Bible would Mephibosheth say to King David, “What is thy servant, that thou shouldest look upon such a dead dog as I am?” Who was he calling a dead dog? Mephibosheth was calling himself a dead dog!

This man with such a strange-sounding name was the grandson of King Saul who had tried to kill David. But now David was king, and he wanted to find a relative of Saul (his enemy) to whom he could show the kindness of God. It was the kindness of God because God shows kindness even to His enemies.

When King David brought Mephibosheth to his palace, Mephibosheth wondered why so great a king would want to show kindness to someone as worthless as himself. He knew his grandfather had been King David’s enemy. That was why he called himself a “dead dog.”

Have you ever thought about how much you are worth when compared to the King of kings, the Lord Jesus? The Bible says that those who have never been saved are “dead in sins.” And it says that if you have never had your sins forgiven you are “enemies in your mind by wicked works.” Have you ever admitted that your sins have made you like a dead person and an enemy of God? Mephibosheth did. He said he was just like a dead dog.

But David loved him anyway and wanted to show him kindness. God loves you even more and wants you to enjoy all His kindness. “God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us [made us alive] together with Christ... that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace, in His kindness toward us, through Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:4,5,7.

Will you come to the Lord Jesus to receive such great kindness? King David brought Mephibosheth into his own home and treated him, not as a dead dog, but as one of his own sons. And God would like to take you into His family as one of His own children. “As many as received Him, to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name.” John 1:12.

King David’s kindness to Mephibosheth wasn’t just for one meal. No, he said, “Thou shalt eat bread at my table continually.” If you take Christ as your Saviour, then you will be able to say with many others, “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.” Psalm 23:6. He will take you to His home in heaven to live forever.

The Lord Jesus paid a great price to save you, not to get rid of you. Will you accept His love and kindness?

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

ML-08/16/1992

The Year-Round Ptarmigan

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

Ptarmigans (pronounced tar-mi-gans) are about the size of hawks. Males and females stay together for life, making their year-round homes in northern Canada and Alaska. Their name means “feet like a rabbit,” because thick, soft, warm feathers cover their legs right out to the claws.

In spring they build their nests on the ground. The female lays six or more eggs, which both birds take turns incubating. Foxes, weasels, hawks and other carnivorous birds are a threat at such a time, and both parents are very protective of the chicks.

While the female is tending the chicks, the male often conceals himself on a nearby rock or branch of a tree. When an enemy approaches he will either attack it or draw it away so it will attack him instead of his family. Sometimes the male loses his life protecting his family. And if the female should be killed while the chicks are still in her care, the male will sometimes take over and raise them by himself.

An amazing thing about these birds is the pure-white color of all their feathers in winter, making them almost invisible against the deep snow of their homeland and preserving them from hungry enemies. In the fierce cold they could not survive without these thick layers of warm feathers. If overtaken by a fierce snowstorm before they can get back to the nest, they will sometimes burrow into a snowbank for protection. They come out later, none the worse for the experience.

As spring begins and the snow melts, large rocks, patches of bare soil, and dark clumps of vegetation appear. Ordinarily, an all-white bird walking across such a place would be immediately visible to a hungry fox or hawk. However, just as these changes take place, the color of the bird’s feathers also changes, turning into a combination of dark and white, helping to assure its safety.

Another complete change of color is timed with the final melting of the snow. This is when its feathers turn a soft yellow, blending with the brush and grass. But that’s only part of the story, for as the fall season approaches there is one more color change to a combination of gray and brown, which remains until winter when it becomes all white again.

Do you think the ptarmigans plan these color changes? No, they couldn’t. Everything about them displays the wonders of the Creator’s care for them. But He has an even more special care for every boy and girl, man and woman. Here is what He tells us in a Bible verse: “I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee.” Jeremiah 31:3.

Have you thanked Him for that kindness and accepted Him as your Saviour? The Bible warns us, “To-day if ye will hear His voice, harden not your hearts.” Hebrews 3:15. Will you to come to Him this very day?

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

ML-08/16/1992

Dandelions

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

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

Mark quickly got a glass of water so the flowers could “have a drink,” and we put them on the table for the whole family to see. Then Mark went back outside to play.

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

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

ML-08/16/1992

Danny Wanders Off

It was past midnight when little Danny pushed open the door and left the babysitter’s house. He toddled down the sidewalk, looking for his mother. The street lights lit up the dark night quite well as Danny toddled along calling, “Mommy, Mommy!” He walked and walked. Perhaps Danny felt a little frightened when he would hear a dog bark as he went by. But on he went, looking and calling for his mommy. He didn’t realize that he was really quite lost.

Due to the warm weather, my husband, John, and I had our bedroom window open. Suddenly we both heard it at the same time “Mommy, Mommy!” the cry of a young child. We quickly checked our own children and then, looking out the window, John saw the little barefoot boy walking down the sidewalk. He ran out the front door and within seconds scooped the bewildered little fellow up into his arms. Danny cried a bit but soon trusted the strong arms and kind voice.

Danny probably did not realize the danger he was in. He was not yet three years old, and so unable to protect himself from dogs, passing cars, and people who might harm him. But God had His eye on that little boy and was caring for him.

And God cares about each one of us and gave His Son that we might be saved. He said in Isaiah 49:6 that His Son Jesus would be His “salvation unto the end of the earth.” Jesus is the Saviour for anyone who will trust in Him. “For WHOSOEVER shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:13. “Whosoever” includes you and me.

God made us and therefore we belong to Him, but our sin has separated us from Him. “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23. But because He loves us, He supplied the answer to our need. “God SO loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.

The Lord Jesus was willing to obey His Father and come to this world to bear our sins. “The Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me.” Galatians 2:20. “Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree... by whose stripes ye were healed.” 1 Peter 2:24.

John, little Danny and a police officer drove around town for about two hours in the wee hours of the morning. They knocked on several doors and woke up people, but no one knew the cute, blond-headed little boy. Finally, John brought Danny home and we made him a little bed on our bedroom floor. The poor little fellow was so tired, he fell asleep immediately. And there he stayed until 9:00 the next morning when the policemen came with Danny’s parents.

What a kind Saviour Jesus is. Because of His love for you and me, and obeying God His Father, He went quietly to the cross as our Substitute. Now He is ready and longs to scoop you up into His arms to save you from hell and judgment. And He will help and guide you through this life until you go to be with Him forever. All you have to do is tell Him how sorry you are for your sins and that you want Him to be your Saviour, and He will gladly save you.

Soon the Lord Jesus will come back and call all His own to come live in heaven with Him. “I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” John 14:3. But then it will be too late for those who have not believed. There will be judgment next. Revelation 20:15 warns, “Whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” Do not wait another minute to come to the Lord Jesus who is calling, “Come unto Me.” Matthew 11:28. You will never find another like Him powerful, loving and wise. “He is altogether lovely.” Song of Solomon 5:16.

ML-08/23/1992

Frogs and Toads Beyond Number: Part 1

“And God made... everything that creepeth upon the earth after his kind.” Genesis 1:25.

Many people don’t like frogs or toads, but these creatures are a benefit to us by eating tremendous amounts of insects that would otherwise be pests. Also, they provide food for many people who enjoy eating frog legs. Millions of frogs and toads are in just about every warm part of the world in remarkable varieties. Let’s look at a few.

Down in Costa Rica is the golden toad. The entire body of the male is a bright golden orange, but the female has areas of mixed colors most made of spots about the size of a penny.

Another unusual one is the red-eyed Mediterranean tree frog. It lives in the swamps of Spain. Its throat and lower lips are white as snow, but sides are pale yellow with big spots of black. Its underparts are bright green. It can change colors to match whatever is close by if danger is near.

A tiny one in Chile has the odd name of rhinoderma darwini. It is bright red over its back and legs, but has a dark-green stomach. Instead of laying eggs in ponds, this one lays them on moist ground. Then, when they begin to develop, the male frog snatches them into his mouth. He doesn’t eat them, but keeps them there until the frogs finally develop and hop out.

Poison-dart frogs have this name because their poisonous skin is used by some South American hunters on the points of their darts when hunting. Their eggs are laid on damp ground, and when the young hatch, the mother carries them piggyback to a water-filled plant high in a tree, where she brings them food until they are able to care for themselves.

Still another variety seems to eat the eggs it lays. The female actually tucks them away in the back of her mouth where they grow into froglets, which she then spits out without harm.

In North America all frogs lay eggs in water and leave them entirely on their own. But in some tropical places certain species provide additional care for their eggs, as well as the tadpoles hatching from them.

In parts of Europe an unusually long-legged brown one, covered with black spots, rises on its long legs and puffs out its round body with a fierce look to scare away snakes that come to attack it.

You may have noticed that one of the frogs mentioned has the name “darwini” attached to it. This was probably done by someone who believed in Darwin’s unproven idea of evolution and thought that’s how frogs came about.

But in our opening Bible verse the truth of God’s way of creation is explained to us with the words “after his kind.” This makes it plain that nothing was ever to change into something else. All things including humans were created just as we see them today. Another Bible verse also plainly explains this: “All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another flesh of fishes, and another of birds.” 1 Corinthians 15:39. The Bible gives us the truth.

(to be continued)

ML-08/23/1992

Rogilio

They called the little island “a tropical paradise” with sunshine, palm trees waving in the breezes, white sand and sparkling blue water. “Oh, it’s so beautiful, it’s perfect!” said visiting Mrs. James.

“Let’s wait and see,” said her husband.

There were soft breezes, beautiful flowers and sounds of guitar playing. “Oh, how happy everyone is here!” exclaimed Mrs. James.

“Are they really?” asked Mr. James. “Let’s find out.”

The chance to find out soon came. Rogilio, a boy about ten years old, knocked gently at their door looking for some business: shoes to shine, errands to run, anything that might bring him a few coins. They found some small jobs for him, and he began to tell them about his island. “Now this,” he would say, “is a jacaranda, and that bush that smells so sweet is jasmine. But that tree there is a mastic tree... it’s bad, very bad! Many bad spirits live there, and at night there are blue lights going up and down in it. Nobody, nobody goes by it at night! Sometimes I’m so scared!”

Here was Mr. James’s answer. It might be a tropical paradise, but the natives lived in fear of evil spirits and black magic. Even a small boy said, “I’m so scared.”

But there was an answer for Rogilio’s troubles. Sitting down with him, Mr. James opened his Bible and told him how God loved him. He showed Rogilio in the Bible how God’s Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, had come down from heaven to die to take away all his sins. He told him that if he believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, then he would go to live with Him in heaven someday. He finished by giving Rogilio a little Testament of his own to read.

Would he understand? Could years of superstitious fear be erased so quickly? The answer came the next day. Down the street came Rogilio, straight past the mastic tree, eyes shining and grin flashing.

“Oh, Mr. James,” he called, “I read in the Book last night. I read all about the blood that washes away my sins. Oh, I’m so happy -I feel so good here!” and he placed his hand on his heart. He had no fear of evil spirits now.

ML-08/23/1992

The Report Card

It was a very wet day and I was trudging home from school with that horrid report card tucked up the sleeve of my raincoat to keep it dry. I was watching the streams of water hurry along by the curb and disappear through the grating into the sewer below.

Suddenly an idea popped into my mind. If I floated my report card on the water, it would disappear down into the sewer too, and I’d be rid of that big red “F” forever! And with that I let go of the card. It dropped into the little river... and it was gone!

Now I was free... or was I? I didn’t feel like walking any faster.

When I got home, Mom asked, “Did you bring your report card?”

“No,” I answered.

“How come? Mike brought his,” she said.

But I was already heading for my bedroom. I was utterly miserable.

At the beginning of the school year I had lost my spelling book, and my teacher had told me that I would have to buy myself another one. My parents had given me the money and I had gone to the store and asked for a 3rd-grade spelling book. However, our house was in the township, and the store, although it was only a block away, was in the city. And the city’s 3rd-grade spelling book that I bought that day was very different from the one we used in my class.

Mom had told me to take it back, but I was just too shy to return it. Besides, there were no township bookstores anywhere near where we lived where I could buy the right spelling book. So I had spent two months without the right book, and now I had this big, red “F.”

Hot tears ran down my cheeks and spilled onto my pillow. The only way I would ever get a good mark in spelling, I thought, was if someone else took the test for me, someone who knew all the words perfectly.

The next day Miss Carter collected the report cards all but mine. “Where’s your report card, Anna?” she asked.

“It’s lost,” I mumbled.

“Well, you’d better find it!” she replied.

But I knew that wasn’t possible. That big red “F” is gone forever, I thought to myself, and I’m glad!

Do you know that every one of us has a big red “F” in God’s record book. We’ve all failed miserably, but God loved us so much He sent His own Son to take and pass the test for us. The Lord Jesus lived a perfect life. He never did one thing wrong or even thought any wrong thoughts. Everything He did was right and pleased God His Father. Then when He died on Calvary’s cross, God punished Him for our sins so we could get a perfect grade in God’s book. If we come to the Lord Jesus, admitting that we are sinners, and let Him wash away all our sins, we have God’s promise that we are just as acceptable to Him as the Lord Jesus is. Ephesians 1:6,7 tells us that God has “made us accepted in the beloved: in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.”

A few days later Miss Carter made out another report card for me. She let me know she was calling my mother to tell her I was bringing it home. So I still had that red “F.”

We can’t get away with our sins. God knows every one even the bad thoughts we have that no one else can see. But He loves us just the same and is eagerly waiting to forgive us, if we will only turn wholeheartedly to Him.

Have you come to the Lord Jesus for forgiveness?

ML-08/30/1992

"Jump Out. . . We'll Catch You!"

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by Me.” John 14:6. The Lord Jesus Christ died on the cross. He paid the ransom for you and now is waiting for you to take Him as your Saviour. Will you jump into His outstretched arms today? He can and will save you right now.

ML-08/30/1992

Frogs and Toads Beyond Number: Part 2

“For by Him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth... all things were created by Him, and for Him.” Colossians 1:16.

In last week’s article we looked at unusual frogs and toads in different parts of the world. Here are a few more.

A tiny frog in Central America, the pygmy marsupial, lays a small number of sticky eggs each spring. Somehow, using her legs, the mother gets them into slits on her back where she carries them for many days until they are ready to hatch into tadpoles. Then she finds a good spot in the water, hops in, releases the eggs into the water and swims away, leaving them to take care of themselves.

The Cuban tree frog, makes its home in Florida. It has bulging black and green eyes and a gray stomach and throat, but is pale yellow over the top from head to tail. Its yellow legs have odd cups on the end of each toe, providing a good grip on tree trunks and branches as it feeds on insects at night.

The glass frog of South America is well named, for its entire body, including the legs, is transparent and looks like it was made out of glass. Its eggs look like little green-colored beads or marbles. At hatching time the father frog guards these eggs and makes sure they are always kept moist.

The last one we will look at is the desert spadefoot toad, whose home is in a hot desert area of Arizona. This shy and ugly brownish-green fellow, with huge, bulging green eyes and deep-black pupils, is only seen when heavy rains fill up otherwise empty streambeds, making pools along the edges. Then, amazingly, several of these may come out of the muddy ground. The females lay a few eggs which they attach to rocks and plants at the edge of the water. Several days later little ones hatch out and find food of some kind, enabling them to grow full size. Then, as the water in the stream begins to dry up, they quickly bury themselves in the mud, using their back feet as shovels, and will remain there until new rains come -maybe many months later. No one has been able to figure out how they live and even grow down in the muddy ground. It is certainly another of the wonders of God’s creation, and we know He is looking over them even in their odd way of life.

If space permitted we could go on and on, always being reminded of the wonders of God’s creation and His preserving care over all things. Just think how much more He cares for men and women, boys and girls. One way is that He has given us the ability to read His Word, the Bible, and learn how good He is to us. There we learn how much He loves us and how the Lord Jesus gave His life on the cross to pay the penalty for the sins of those who trust Him. How thankful each one should be that He gave His life for them so that they could accept Him as Saviour. Have you done this?

ML-08/30/1992

Left Behind

Going out with Dad and my grandparents was always fun. One evening I was the only one of the children able to go with them to the gospel meeting. That made it extra special. I had been ready in plenty of time, but just as I was going out the door I remembered something. I had to go get a present for my friend James.

I raced upstairs to my room and rummaged through my drawer till I found a special marble. Then I leaped down the stairs two at a time, but when I got to the bottom, I found my little brother Nathan locking the front door.

“Let me out!” I said, “I’m going to be late!”

“For what?” asked Nathan, “Dad’s already gone.”

“Mom!” I yelled, “Has Dad left already?”

“Why yes, Cliff,” said Mom, “I’m sorry, but you’ve missed him. I didn’t know you were upstairs.”

I turned and plodded up the stairs to my room. I felt pretty sad to have been too late... and all for a marble.

Have you ever thought that someday you might be left behind too? You might, and not just from an evening with your Dad, but from heaven. The Bible says, “Be ye therefore ready also: for the Son of man [Jesus] cometh at an hour when ye think not.” Luke 12:40. To be ready to go with Jesus, you must be clean from your sins, and Jesus will do this for you right now, if you trust Him. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness [sins].” 1 John 1:9.

Once Jesus has washed away your sins, you do not need to be afraid that He might leave you behind. When the Bible verse says, “He is faithful,” it means that we can trust Him to forgive us, as He has promised to do. And we can trust Him also to keep His promise to take us with Him to heaven. He will never leave behind one who has trusted Him, as my Dad left me.

And I was left behind because of a marble. Could it be that you are letting something very small keep you from coming to Jesus?

If you are left behind when Jesus comes, you will never have another chance to go with Him. But my story has a happier ending. Just as I reached the top of the stairs, the doorbell rang three times the family signal. I ran down the stairs, unlocked the door, and there stood Dad.

“You came back!” I shouted.

“Yes,” said Dad as we hurried out to the family van. “We stopped to pick up a neighbor, and when I called out, ‘Cliff, could you run to the door and see if he’s ready?’, Grandpa answered, ‘Cliff? he’s not here!’ Then I realized that you had been left behind.”

As Dad slid behind the wheel, and I buckled my seat belt, I thought to myself, I’m glad I got to go along tonight, but now I know what it’s like to get left behind. I sure hope none of my friends will be left behind when Jesus comes!

And so I’ve written this story, hoping that you’ll be sure to be ready. Are you?

ML-09/06/1992

Bluffing Its Way Through

“For the Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts.” 1 Chronicles 28:9.

We all know what it is to “pretend.” This goes on with many wild creatures of the world every day -usually when they are frightened and hope to scare a threatening enemy away.

The hognose snake is one of these, sometimes called a puff adder. It may play dead when frightened, just like an opossum does. At other times it inhales more and more air into itself, until its body is about twice as big around as usual. Either of these tricks usually works and causes an enemy to give up the idea of attacking it.

The coral snake has combinations of white, yellow, black and red bands around it. It is very poisonous, but there are other snakes that look like the coral snake but are not poisonous. If one of these is threatened by an animal or another snake, it puts on a show and acts just like the coral snake, to frighten its enemy away.

A five-inch long caterpillar, called hickory horned devil, has been provided with vicious-looking but soft horns on the top of its head. It also has bulges around its mouth that look like big sharp teeth. When frightened it raises the front of its body straight up and moves its head around, as though it will either take a bite out of whatever threatens it or stab it with its fierce-looking horns. The bird or small animal that was hoping for a good meal “escapes” as quickly as possible.

You have perhaps heard of another very odd desert dweller, the frilled lizard of Australia and New Guinea. It has been provided with four sturdy legs and a large fold of loose skin that normally lies flat against its body like a collar. But when threatened this lizard immediately rises on its strong legs and puffs out its huge collar which makes it look more than twice its usual size. When its mouth is wide open and a row of sharp little teeth are showing, while it makes very fearsome sounds, its attacker usually changes its mind and makes a quick getaway.

If space permitted we could explore many more interesting examples of the provision of the Creator for defenseless animals, fish and birds.

Sad to say, there are some people who are also pretenders and claim to be wiser than God. Some teach that there is no God, or that the Bible is not true, or that we will get to heaven just by “being good.” Many of them teach that the world and all in it were not created by God, but just “happened to come about.”

Turn away from such evil teachings and do as David the Psalmist did when people told him false things. He said, “I esteem all [God’s] precepts [teachings] concerning all things to be right; and I hate every false way.” Psalm 119:128.

ML-09/06/1992

The Foolish Lamb

“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

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 mommy 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-09/06/1992

Scripture Verse Word Search

Can you find the words of this Scripture verse in this word search? Look up, down, diagonally, backwards, across every direction. Use a ruler if necessary.

Circle each word in the diagram as we did with “the” and then circle the same word in the verse once you have found it.

“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.” Psalm 23:1.

ML-09/06/1992

Dangerous Tricks

Five-year-old Danny and his three-year-old brother David live in the country. They love to play outdoors and sometimes they get into mischief. David especially loves to play with tools. Sometimes he gets into his Dad’s toolbox.

One day as they were outside playing, two strangers came along and began talking to them. After the young men went away the boys went inside and told Daddy and Mommy about it.

This was a good opportunity for them to explain to the boys how careful they must be with strangers. “If anybody ever talks to you and offers you some candy, don’t take it. They might want to take you with them and steal you away from Mommy and Daddy. There are bad people who want to do bad things to little boys and girls. So be very careful, and don’t ever go with someone you don’t know.”

The boys were listening carefully. Suddenly David said, “What if they give you tools?”

Little David might refuse the candy, but he would have a hard time refusing the tools.

There is a lesson in this story. We all have an enemy that wants to harm us. He does not want us to come to the Lord Jesus to be saved from our sins. And for those of us who are already saved, he wants to spoil our lives so we will not be happy. Then no one will hear of the Saviour from us. That enemy is Satan.

He uses people to deceive or trick us. “Many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver.” 2 John 7. Some of Satan’s deceivers are very religious. They bring false religions to our door. “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming [changing] themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed [changed] into an angel of light.” 2 Corinthians 11:13,14.

Satan uses many things to trick us. The Bible mentions things like this: “Take heed [pay attention] to yourselves, lest at any time your hearts be overcharged with surfeiting [overeating], and drunkenness, and cares of this life.” Luke 21:34. It may be one thing with you and something else for me, but he has something different to attract every one of us away from Christ. Just like little David, who may not be tricked by candy, would have a hard time refusing tools.

Satan’s dangerous tricks can be things like sports, TV, hobbies, jobs and anything that makes us so busy we have no time to read our Bibles. These things attract boys and girls and men and women away from the Lord. We soon don’t have time even to pray or go to meetings to learn about the Lord Jesus.

It is important for those of us who love the Lord Jesus to fill our minds with Himself. “Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.” Colossians 3:2. This is what makes Christians happy. When we are busy with these things we will not be doing sinful things. “If ye know these things, happy are ye if ye do them.” John 13:17.

“The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust.” Psalm 18:2.

ML-09/13/1992

The Spider and the Fly

One day in 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 (Psalm 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 onto 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 from your sins? 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-09/13/1992

The American Brown Bear

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

Psalm 104:24.

There are many bears in North America, including the black, the brown, the grizzly and the polar bear. The brown bear we are considering today lives mostly in Alaska, but there are also some in Canada and the northern United States. It is often mistaken for a grizzly, to which it is closely related, but the brown bear is larger and stronger. A big one may weigh nearly a ton and, standing on its hind feet, be about ten feet high. It can run 35 miles per hour. Its head is round with big upright ears, dark eyes and a short wide snout and just a stub of a tail.

This bear is often thought of as a flesh eater, but actually its favorite foods are grass, weeds, flowers, berries, acorns and other nuts and seeds. Honey is also a favorite food and a real treat. The bear’s heavy tan-brown coat of hair protects it from getting stung by bees.

There is an exception to its vegetarian diet when salmon are coming in from the ocean to spawn far upstream. At that time large numbers of these bears wade in the stream’s shallow parts, scooping out one fish after another onto the shore for a good meal. They never share these fish with one another, but sea gulls and other birds stand by for occasional scraps they can snatch.

It is most interesting to see a bear wade out in the strong-flowing river to the very edge of a waterfall. It waits there, head pointed downstream and getting soaking wet, until a salmon makes a giant leap from below and comes through the air in range to be grabbed in the bear’s jaws and taken to shore for an anticipated meal. Full-grown bears can handle the strong current, but smaller ones don’t venture out. They seem to sense that they could possibly get washed over the edge.

In winter these bears do not actually hibernate as most varieties do. They have prepared dens in advance, lined with soft grass and moss, where they remain sleeping much of the time. It is during this period that babies, about the size of a little kitten, are born. The mother nurses them until she takes them outdoors in early spring.

The Bible speaks in several places of bears. In one place David told King Saul how he had killed a bear with his bare hands (I Samuel 17:34). But that, of course, was not as big as these brown ones.

As part of God’s creation, these creatures are always under His watchful eye. The animals do not know this, but we who do know of His watchful care should thank Him often for the love that provides it. A Bible verse says: “Let us come before His presence with thanksgiving.... For the Lord is a great God.” Psalm 95:2,3.

ML-09/13/1992

Bill's Birthday Parties

My friend Bill always had wonderful birthday parties. His family had a large house and enough money to plan special parties for Bill’s birthday each year. I was glad to be one of his friends!

The dinner tables at Bill’s parties were always full of such good food, and sometimes waiters in uniforms served us. Once there was a whole cooked salmon with all the bones taken out and the center filled with cheese and cream. We didn’t have such treats at my house, so I made sure I got a good serving of the salmon! But when Bill kept telling us to have a little more, we finally had to say, “No thank-you,” because we couldn’t possibly eat another bite.

After that we had games and contests, and whoever won got really expensive prizes. That’s why my friends and I looked forward all year to the invitation to Bill’s birthday party, even if he did live in a town 40 miles away.

One year after the invitation came, John, a friend who lived in the same town as I did, said, “We can all go in my car.”

“But there’s no way everyone can fit into the car,” John’s father said. But we were so determined to go to the party that a week ahead of time we crammed ourselves into the car, just to prove that we could all fit!

But as wonderful as those parties were, John, Bill and I are going to be at another supper. It will not be a birthday supper but a wedding supper, and that will be far more wonderful. We are going to be at the wedding supper of the Lamb that will take place in heaven! And we’re not going to have to cram ourselves into a car to get there! The Lord Jesus Himself is coming to take us there, and when He calls us, we’ll go as fast as you can blink your eyes. We’re sure that we are going because Jesus Himself has invited us, made us ready, and is coming to take us there.

The Lord Jesus invited us by saying, “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28. He made us ready to go by dying on the cross for our sins. “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7. He promised to take us there by saying, “I will come again, and receive you unto Myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.” John 14:3. John, Bill and I are going to go to this wonderful supper because we have all received the Lord Jesus as our Saviour.

You were never invited to Bill’s birthday parties, but this better invitation includes you! God wants you to come to His home so much that He tells His servants, “Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel [make] them to come in, that My house may be filled.” Luke 14:23. Have you answered this invitation? Are you washed from your sins and ready to go when Jesus comes to take us there?

One year at Bill’s birthday party we got to go water skiing. That was great fun for us boys! They pulled us on skis over the water behind their powerful boat, and we enjoyed spraying the water behind us. Enjoyed it, that is, until I took a tumble. I got a gash in my lip, and Bill and his family were sorry for me. But since his father was a doctor, I got help right away. However, I still have the scar from those stitches on my lip.

Will the rejoicing in heaven end up that way, with a cut and stitches and pain? No! God has promised in His Word that He “shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain.” Revelation 21:4. Heaven is going to be better than the most wonderful party you or I have ever attended. But are you going to be there? Have you accepted God’s invitation?

Even after all the special birthday parties, the ones where I didn’t get hurt, there came a time each evening when Bill’s family said good-bye to us. As much as they welcomed us, there still came a time for us to leave.

What about heaven? Will the joy there come to an end too? No, never! The Bible says, “In Thy presence is fullness of joy; at Thy right hand there are pleasures for evermore.” Psalm 16:11.

If you do not accept God’s invitation to His home, then the only place that you can go when you leave this world is the lake of fire. Accept His invitation today! Then John, Bill and I will meet you there in God’s wonderful home.

ML-09/20/1992

Crafty Rags

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

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

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

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

Nitrogen Is All Around You

“For in six days the Lord made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that in them is.”

Exodus 20:11.

In an earlier article we considered the importance of oxygen. Nitrogen is also extremely important, and the Creator has arranged that the air we breathe is more than three-fourths nitrogen and only about one-fifth oxygen. While oxygen is the more important of the two, by itself it would be far too strong for us. So the Creator has wisely combined the two in just the right balance (along with small amounts of other substances) to provide us and all air-breathing creatures with just the right combination for our comfort and health.

In addition to this, if oxygen were present in larger quantities, a fire could probably never be put out, but the nitrogen, which does not burn, keeps this from happening. Actually no plant, animal or person could survive without nitrogen.

In spite of there being so much nitrogen in air, our bodies could not survive unless some were provided by another source. Once again we see another wonder of God’s creation, in that He has provided that vegetables, fruit and cereals we eat contribute large amounts. Also, since animals, poultry and fish have it in their bodies, we get an additional supply when they are included in our diets.

Where do plants get this extra nitrogen? Much of it comes from the air and some from the soil through their roots. But one of the spectacular ways is through lightning which brings large quantities to them, some of it passing on through their roots in the soil to other vegetation.

Much of the fertilizer and plant food sold by garden supply stores also has a high quantity of sodium nitrate in it, which is a means of providing nitrogen-rich food to the plant. But sometimes a plant can get too much of it, and its green color becomes too bright. An example of this is a tomato plant that is covered with too much leaf and not enough fruit.

In Psalm 40:5 we read, “Many, O Lord my God, are Thy wonderful works which Thou hast done, and Thy thoughts which are to us-ward... if I would declare and speak of them, they are more than can be numbered.” As we look at these wonderful works, it should cause us to agree with the Psalmist who said, “O come, let us worship and bow down: let us kneel before the Lord our maker. For He is our God; and we are the people of His pasture, and the sheep of His hand.” Psalm 95:6,7.

Not only should we worship and thank Him for His marvelous works, but more importantly for His love in providing His Son, the Lord Jesus, as the Saviour for all eternity to all who put their trust in Him.

ML-09/20/1992

"Bible Verse" Word Search

Can you find the words of this Scripture verse in this word search? Look up, down, diagonally, backwards, across every direction. Use a ruler if necessary.

Circle each word in the diagram as we did with “to” and then circle the same word in the verse once you have found it.

“Prepare to meet thy God.” Amos 4:12.

ML-09/20/1992

Tantalizing Tunaburgers

Mom was tired! She’d had a busy day, so 10-year-old Mark volunteered to make lunch. Tunaburgers would be great, and the whole family liked them.

Mark opened three cans of tuna and carefully drained them. Then he grated a nice big pile of cheddar cheese and chopped a small onion into tiny pieces. Mark enjoyed working in the kitchen, and he liked to help his mom too. With seven children to look after, his mom often needed some help.

Mark mixed the tuna, cheese and onion in a big bowl and added just the right amount of salad dressing. Now he only needed to add the salt and pepper. He sprinkled in the salt and picked up the pepper shaker. But when he turned it upside down to shake it, the top came off and the whole shakerful of pepper tumbled into the bowl. Mark was horrified! He glanced around quickly to see if anyone was looking, but no one had seen it. He likely could have scooped out most of the pepper, but all he could think of now was to hide it.

Have you ever made a mistake and then tried to hide it? That is being dishonest. Hiding a mistake might work for a little while, but in the end it only makes things worse. God tells us that “the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? I the Lord search the heart.” Jeremiah 17:9,10. “Be sure your sin will find you out.” Numbers 32:23. How much better it is to tell the truth right away.

Mark stirred and stirred until the pepper was thoroughly mixed in and the tuna mixture only looked a little bit gray. He had a guilty conscience, but he kept telling himself that everything would be alright. He spooned the tuna onto the hamburger rolls, wrapped each one in aluminum foil, and popped them into the oven.

Soon it was lunchtime. The tunaburgers sure smelled good, and everyone was hungry as they came to the table to eat. Mom thanked Mark for fixing lunch, and then Dad gave thanks to the Lord for the food. Everyone reached for a tunaburger and took a big bite.

“Ugh! What did you do to these tunaburgers?” chorused the family. Only Mark took more than one bite.

He hadn’t been able to hide his mistake. And each of us must realize that we can’t hide anything from God. He knows everything we do. He knows every thought that passes through our minds. And yet, He loves us just the same. He says, “I have loved thee with an everlasting love: therefore with loving-kindness have I drawn thee.” Jeremiah 31:3.

Don’t resist His unconditional love. He has provided a way of removing your sins and clearing your guilt forever. You only need to come to Him, not hiding your sins, but being honest about them. He will gladly be your Saviour and blot out every one of them. Then in Hebrews 8:12 He assures you that your sins will be gone forever: “[Your] sins and [your] iniquities will I remember no more.”

Will you be honest with God about your sins? “He that covereth his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Proverbs 28:13.

ML-09/27/1992

Camouflage in the Seas

“[God] doeth great things past finding out; yea, and wonders without number.”

Job 9:10.

Around coral reefs and other areas in the oceans where sunlight penetrates, many fish would be easy targets for larger fish, animals and birds, unless protected in some way. And so God has given them camouflage for protection.

An example of this is the 10-inch, bright-red sea dragon, living in the red seaweed along Australian shores. It looks quite similar to the sea-horse. The sea dragon is a poor swimmer and would be devoured quickly by larger fish except that the Creator has given it an interesting disguise. Not only is it helped by its red color, but it has been given weed-like growths all over its oddly-shaped body, including its head, chin, back and stomach. This makes it look like a sea plant with new leaves sprouting on it.

In South America and the Philippines there are also several small fish that both look and act like leaves of the mangrove tree that grows there. One fish, almost as thin as a leaf, swims on its side near the surface and moves about as slowly as a drifting leaf, as it finds morsels of food here and there.

The Nile catfish is the only known fish that swims upside down, just the opposite of other fish. Their backs are light-colored and bodies are dark thus they are safely camouflaged.

Flounders, that are common around North American and European shores, can change color to match the bottom of the bay as they slowly swim along the bottom. The same is true of several fish which live around Bermuda. They can change color almost instantly when swimming over different colored parts of the ocean floor.

Sponge crabs look ordinary enough, but cover themselves with a sea sponge, which they cut with their claws to make a coat over their backs. As the crab grows, the sponge does the same. Or, if the sponge dies, the crab just gets rid of it and cuts another one to fit.

Another variety, the decorator crab, will often cover itself with bits of coral or limestone, as well as certain sea plants. To other sea creatures it just looks like seaweed drifting by.

None of these amazing creatures arranged for its unusual camouflage, nor did it happen gradually over a long time. No, the Bible (which always tells the truth) says, “And God said, Let the waters bring forth abundantly the moving creature that hath life.” Genesis 1:20. Another verse, speaking of God, says: “He is wise in heart, and mighty in strength.... [He] doeth great things past finding out.” Job 9:4,10.

It is good to read the Bible every day, and when you do ask the Lord Jesus to make it all plain and helpful to you. He will be pleased to have you do this.

ML-09/27/1992

Valerie's Scare

“Val, please take these apples over to Mrs. Lawrence. She might enjoy some, and we have so many.”

“Sure, Mom.”

Valerie took the bag from her mother and walked over to Mrs. Lawrence’s house. She rang the doorbell, but no one answered. She tried the door and found it was unlocked, so she went inside, calling for Mrs. Lawrence.

That’s strange, Valerie thought to herself. She looked in the kitchen and bedrooms but could not find Mrs. Lawrence. She searched through the whole house and backyard without finding her. All she found was her cat Blinker curled up asleep on one of the beds.

It isn’t like Mrs. Lawrence to go out and leave her door unlocked -she is always so careful. Oh! I wonder... Her heart leaped as she thought, Has the Lord Jesus come and taken Mrs. Lawrence and all the other Christians up to heaven and left me behind?

Stunned by this awful thought, Valerie sank into a chair. Everyone knew Mrs. Lawrence was a born-again Christian because she was always talking about her Saviour. She had had some serious talks with Val about accepting the Lord Jesus as her own Saviour, explaining that He was coming one day soon to take all who had accepted Him home to heaven. Why hadn’t she asked the Lord Jesus to be her Saviour before now? She had meant to do it, and now... was it too late? Val could hear her heart pounding. She was scared.

A few moments later the front door opened and in walked Mrs. Lawrence. Relief filled Valerie’s heart. There was still time it wasn’t too late!

“Why, Valerie, how nice to see you!” Mrs. Lawrence exclaimed, a little surprised. “How did you get in? I was wondering when I came in why the door was unlocked.”

Valerie told her what had happened.

“Barbara must have misunderstood me when she left for work, thinking I wanted it left unlocked.”

“I think God wanted her to leave it unlocked, Mrs. Lawrence,” Valerie said. And in her heart she added, I’m so glad there is still time! I’m going to accept the Lord Jesus Christ as my Saviour today before it’s too late and I’m left behind.

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

“We which are alive... shall be caught up together... to meet the Lord in the air.” 1 Thessalonians 4:17.

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

ML-09/27/1992

Cross-Out Puzzle

On what day did God make the sun, moon and stars?

To find the answer, cross out all the letters B, G, J, P and S.

Write the remaining letters here: _________________________

To check your answer, read Genesis 1:16-19.

ML-09/27/1992

Miserable Meeksha

The family had just moved to the old farm house in Texas, and there was lots of work to be done. Eight-year-old Robby was delighted when Uncle Mark brought over Meeshka, a full-grown golden retriever, to be their watch dog.

Robby and Meeshka had lots of fun together the next day. By bedtime that night they were fast friends. But the afternoon of the third day, something was wrong. Meeshka had no energy to play. She just lay on the ground and looked miserable. Pretty soon she started to shake all over and seemed unable to stand up or move around by herself.

Mom called Uncle Mark about the dog, and he told her to call the vet. The family was sure Meeshka was just about ready to die.

Robby was really upset to see his new friend so sick. But he knew that the Lord Jesus hears and answers our prayers. The Lord Jesus promised His disciples in John 14:13,14, “Whatsoever ye shall ask in My name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If ye shall ask anything in My name, I will do it.”

“Can’t we pray for Meeshka?” Robby cried.

“We certainly can,” his dad answered.

So Mom, Dad, Robby, Danny, and even their baby sister, all knelt down to pray and asked the Lord Jesus to make Meeshka better.

It wasn’t too long before they noticed Meeshka was better, and soon she was up and running around again, as good as new. That night Robby’s heart was full of thankfulness to the Lord Jesus for answering his prayers. And he and Meeshka are still the best of friends. “Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee. He shall never suffer [allow] the righteous to be moved.” Psalm 55:22.

The Lord Jesus delights to answer prayer. But He would like you to know Him first. He already knows all about you, and He loves you very much. And He knows about your sins and He wants to forgive them. He tells us in the Bible in 1 John 1:9 what He promises He will do: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”

That makes it pretty simple, doesn’t it? You only need to tell Him that you know you are a sinner and are truly sorry about your sins. He does the rest -forgives you and makes you clean from every sin forever. Then He is your Saviour and true Friend. You will want to talk to Him in prayer, and He will answer you.

Is Jesus your Saviour and best Friend?

ML-10/04/1992

Pretty Kitty in Prison

Robby got his new cat on a Saturday. Her name was Pretty Kitty. She was a big gray cat with a white stomach and white paws. And she was a great mouser!

The family needed a cat like that because the old house they had just moved into had not been lived in for five years except by mice. A few snakes had made their nests under the house too, along with a family of skunks.

That same day Robby’s dad and uncle crawled under the house to check the plumbing and to clean out any creatures living under there. When the men had finished their work, they crawled back out and then sealed up all the openings, to be sure no more snakes, skunks or mice could get in.

In the afternoon, Robby couldn’t find his new cat. “She likely ran away,” said his dad. “Full-grown cats are often unhappy to move from the home where they’re used to living.”

And she didn’t come back all day Sunday or Monday.

Monday evening Robby was still thinking about Pretty Kitty. Dad was busy laying a new floor in the kitchen. Half of the new boards were laid, and the old boards were loosened, ready to take out. Mom had made good beef stew, and the family sat down right on the floor to enjoy a picnic-style supper.

Before they gave thanks for the food, Robby said, “We could ask the Lord Jesus to make Pretty Kitty come back home, couldn’t we?... He made Meeshka better.”

“Yes we could,” said Dad. “God says, ‘Ask, and ye shall receive.’” (John 16:24.) So they all prayed together for Pretty Kitty. No sooner had Dad said “Amen” than they heard a faint “meow.”

“Where did that ‘meow’ come from?” asked Robby excitedly. “It sounds like it came from right under us.” Robby jumped up and lifted one of the loose floorboards. There was a hole under it just big enough to put his hand through. He got some beef stew on his hand and wiggled his fingers under the floor. Pretty Kitty came over to that good smell, and soon she squeezed through the hole into the kitchen. She had gone under the house when the men were working, but she hadn’t followed them out, so she had been sealed into the crawl space for three days and needed someone to help her escape.

Being sinners, we do things that are wrong. Just as Pretty Kitty got sealed under the floor, our sins seal us into the darkness of evil. But the Lord Jesus can bring us out into the light. He said, “I am the light of the world: he that followeth Me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.” John 8:12. And when He brings us into the light, He feeds us too, for He is “the living bread which came down from heaven.” John 6:51.

Pretty Kitty needed freedom and food, and we do too! We need freedom from our sins, and God can give it to us because Christ died on the cross for sins. When our sins have been washed away in Jesus’ precious blood, we need food from the Bible to grow in grace and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. We can get that food by reading the Word of God, the Bible, every day. Jesus said, “I am the bread of life: he that cometh to Me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on Me shall never thirst.” John 6:35.

Pretty Kitty was very anxious to get out from under the house and have something to eat. Are you anxious to be set free from your sins and to learn about the Saviour from the Bible?

ML-10/04/1992

Looking But Not Seeing: Part 1

“Oh God, Thou knowest my foolishness; and my sins are not hid from Thee.” Psalm 69:5.

The Creator has provided interesting ways for many of His creatures to protect themselves from danger while gathering food. He has given them various camouflages so they cannot be easily seen.

One of these is the katydid, an insect which has green wings that match the color of leaves where it nests. These wings also rise up like a strong, round armor covering their backs, keeping birds from attacking it.

Leafhoppers, common in many areas, are protected in much the same way. They are colored like the plants on which they feed, but the “armor” on their backs rises to a high, sharp-looking point that scares most enemies away.

In South America the false-eyed frog has large imitation eyes on its back. When this little fellow is in danger, he turns his back and bends his head down low to hide his real eyes. Usually the attacker, looking at the fierce imitation eyes, leaves in a hurry.

There is a bright yellow caterpillar, called synchlora, that bites off chunks of flowers of various colors, rolls them into small coils and attaches them all over its body with sticky threads. Then it goes to feed on a variety of flowers, fully disguised and safe from birds that would otherwise make a quick meal of it.

You may have heard how some ants make friends with little bugs known as wooly alder aphids. The ants gently lick a sweet fluid from the aphids’ bodies; this does not hurt the aphids. To protect this good source of sweets, some of the ants stay by the aphids all day to protect them from intruders. But, sad to say, aphids of another kind sometimes sneak into a colony of the sweet aphids and kill some. Then they pull off pieces of their sticky wool to attach over their own bodies. This makes them look like the real thing. Unfortunately the ants, being fooled, protect these intruders just as they do the genuine wooly alders.

Isn’t it wonderful how the Creator has provided for these and many other little creatures? It is easy to see how they can hide from their enemies and fool them. But we also think how misbehaving boys and girls (and older people too) try to fool others by pretending innocence when guilty of some offense. But, as the beginning Bible verse tells us, there is One from whom we can never hide. The Bible also tells us, “The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.” Proverbs 15:3.

It is good to ask the Lord Jesus every day, as the Psalmist did: “Make me to go in the path of Thy commandments [instructions].... Turn away mine eyes from beholding vanity [foolish or evil things].” Psalm 119:35,37. Our loving Lord delights to hear such a request and will help you when you ask Him.

(to be continued)

ML-10/04/1992

Looking but Not Seeing: Part 2

“Show Thy marvelous loving-kindness, O Thou that savest... them which put their trust in Thee.” Psalm 17:7.

In our last issue we explored some of the living creatures that blend in so exceptionally well with their surroundings that often a person can look directly at one and not even be aware it is there.

Many moths are examples of this, looking so perfectly like part of a tree limb, its foliage, blossoms, or bark, that even a bird might hop right by without seeing them.

Another interesting insect is called the walking stick. Remaining perfectly still on a bare branch, it attracts no attention. A person passing by would never realize that what he takes to be a dead twig is actually a living insect.

A gray tree frog is another example. This one can change the colors of its skin to look exactly like part of a log where it rests, even having similar mixed colors.

Also, the green anole is a lizard-like, long-tailed little creature that can change color when necessary. Its home is among trees and grass-covered forest floors, over which it scampers in search of food. It is very difficult to see, even when in motion.

Many birds have also been provided by the Creator with colors that hide them. For instance, the colorful woodcock and its chicks, nesting on a low spot of ground, all have speckled back and side feathers that look just like their surroundings. A person walking through the woods might unintentionally step on one if the bird did not startle him by jumping or flying out of the way.

One of the first things a mother deer teaches its little fawn, with white-spotted tan fur over its upper body and head, is to lie perfectly still on the forest floor of similar color and make no noise if an enemy comes near. This saves the lives of many fawns from hungry animals.

Another unusual one is a large bird known as the bittern, which lives in swampy areas where tall grasses, cattail plants and similar vegetation grow high above the marsh. When sensing danger, the bittern squats on the ground, but raises its head with its long, sharp-pointed beak and long, speckled neck straight up, remaining well concealed among the plants around it. If the plants are swaying in the wind, the bittern does the same with its long neck and head, swaying back and forth in perfect time with the plants.

These are just a few more examples of the wonders of God’s care over His creatures. They, of course, can’t be expected to thank Him for providing so wonderfully. But when a boy or girl, man or woman, learns of God’s very special love for them as quoted in the beginning Bible verse how pleasing it must be to Him to hear our thanks for that care and love. Have you ever thanked Him?

ML-10/11/1992

36 Scary Hours!

Have you ever thanked God for your mayor, your policemen, and the other authorities who protect you? The Bible says “they are God’s ministers [servants]... to execute wrath [carry out punishment] upon him that doeth evil.” Romans 13:4,6. Even though they may sometimes do wrong things and should be punished, God has put them there for a purpose.

Christopher and Dawn live in the large city of Los Angeles, where not long ago the police lost control for 36 hours. The results were frightening! Almost 60 people died, 2,400 were injured, and thousands of stores were looted, damaged or destroyed. When the police and other authorities lost control, people of all ages acted on what was inside of them sin. God warns us, “Because sentence [punishment] against an evil work is not executed [carried out] speedily, therefore the heart of the sons of men is fully set in them to do evil.” Ecclesiastes 8:11. Every one of us has an evil heart inside, and there is only one way to change that evil heart being given a “new” heart.

God hates sin, whether it is secretly stealing your brother’s chocolate bar, or carrying a stolen chair down the middle of the street in broad daylight. He will punish sin too. Sometimes punishment comes right away, as it did for some of the looters who entered a store to steal and were trapped by fire. For every one who has not had their sins forgiven by the Lord Jesus Christ, there will be judgment after death in the lake of fire. “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. But the Lord Jesus loves us, and took the punishment that we deserve. He paid the penalty for those who are sorry about their sins and come to Him for forgiveness. “Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God.” 1 Peter 3:18. The Lord Jesus gives those who come to Him for forgiveness a new heart a heart that loves to do what is right, as well as the power to do what is right even when tempted to do something wrong.

Did you know that even worse times are coming? When Christopher and Dawn were surrounded by fires on the north, south, east and west, stores and businesses on both ends of their block were looted, and the electricity went off, they were frightened, although they knew that God was with them. But God took care of them, and made a way for them to leave the city. He gave them an escape past burning buildings and stealing, angry crowds. Soon the Lord Jesus is coming to call to Himself all who trust in Him. Once again there will be no authorities to restrain evil and protect people. Men will again kill and steal as they choose, and things will be so terrible that people will “seek death, and shall not find it.” Revelation 9:6. There will be no comfort then in knowing that God is with you, because He will not be with you; He will have already taken all Christians to heaven. There will be no escape.

Will you be with Jesus in heaven then, or will you have to live through that terrible, terrible time that will last much longer than 36 hours? “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:2.

“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

ML-10/11/1992

Jennie Carey

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

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 was 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 could see that it 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.

Many people today are headed 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 Jennie’s warning. He was responsible for his passengers and their safety. You are responsible for what you do with 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 accept 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-10/11/1992

Stolen Chickens

“Let’s go to the jail to preach the gospel,” said Mr. Chilo.

“Okay, let’s go!” I replied.

We were visiting Christian friends in the Dominican Republic, and Mr. Chilo loved to tell others of the great love of his Saviour, the Lord Jesus. He was an old man with white hair, but he still walked briskly. Although I was almost 40 years younger than he, I had to work to keep up with him as we headed to the jail.

Many people in the Dominican Republic are very poor, but Mr. Chilo was not. He had a large farm with many animals and fruit trees. But he was never too busy or too rich to remember poor people or to tell sinners about the Saviour.

When we got to the jail, it was terribly hot. There was not a single tree for shade in the whole prison courtyard. The prisoners slept on iron cots built four cots high, one on top of the other, around the courtyard. The top cot near the ceiling was the hottest of all. I couldn’t see how they even climbed up there.

Mr. Chilo and I and some other Christian friends sang hymns and read from the Bible to the prisoners. Then we walked around to talk to the men.

I started to repeat a Bible verse to a man named Juan, “Christ Jesus came into the world.... ”

“... to save sinners,” he finished!

“If you know that,” I said, “why are you in jail?”

“Stealing,” Juan replied.

“Well, who taught you that verse from the Bible?” I asked.

“That man right there,” Juan replied, pointing to Mr. Chilo.

Later when we left the jail, I asked Mr. Chilo if he remembered Juan.

“Oh yes, I remember him,” he said. “He and his friends used to steal from me. I told them, ‘If you’re hungry, ask me, and I’ll give you a chicken but don’t steal from me at night.’ But Juan answered me, ‘A stolen chicken tastes better.’”

Since Mr. Chilo was a Christian, he had taught Juan Bible verses and had spoken to him about his need of the Saviour, rather than report him to the police. But later Juan stole from someone else and ended up in jail. And what an awful jail!

Boys and girls, could you learn a lesson from Juan? The Bible says, “The way of transgressors is hard.” Proverbs 13:15. It says, “His own iniquities [sins] shall take [catch] the wicked himself, and he shall be holden [imprisoned] with the cords of his sins.” Proverbs 5:22. Don’t steal even a cookie from the cookie jar! You never know what the devil will lead you to steal next. What Juan needs and what you need too -is to have his sins washed away. I’m sure that Mr. Chilo had also taught him that “the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7.

I cannot tell you if Juan was ever sorry for his sins and turned to the Saviour to have them washed away. But I can tell you that Mr. Chilo is still a happy Christian and still loves to tell people of his wonderful Saviour. Who will you be like? Will you be like Mr. Chilo who is happily waiting to be taken to God’s happy home in heaven or Juan who was shut up to live in a hot and crowded jail? If Juan never turns to the Lord Jesus to be washed clean from his sins, he will still have to go to another jail. This one will be far, far worse, where sinners are bound hand and foot and cast into the lake of fire. “Whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.” Revelation 20:15.

“The wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23. Will you accept Christ’s wonderful gift of eternal life?

ML-10/18/1992

The Volcano

A few years ago 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 volcanic eruptions of Mt. Kiluea not long before we arrived.

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 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 3:10-12 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 is going to destroy the whole earth with fire because of the wickedness 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 every person who will not accept the Lord Jesus as his or her 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.” v. 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-10/18/1992

Fish-Loving Harbor Seals

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

Harbor seals (called this because they stay near shore) are in great numbers from the Arctic Ocean to Mexico on the western coast of North America, and from the Arctic down to South Carolina on the eastern coast, as well as along European and Asian coasts. They are also called hair seals.

These are much smaller than sea lions or elephant seals. A full-grown one is about five-feet long and weighs about 200 pounds. Baby seals are about 30 pounds at birth, born in spring and nursed for about a month, after which they are on their own. The pups, which can swim right after birth, make loud cooing sounds which are recognized by their mothers when they get separated.

They are appealing mammals, starting out as pups with a smooth, gray skin with patches of dark spots. The adults are speckled dark brown or sometimes almost reddish. They have tan oval faces with dark eyes and long white whiskers and large flipper-like tails. They have a friendly look, but are actually timid and quickly wiggle from the sandy shore into the ocean waters when people or animals get too close.

They may live for 20 years, but are not as strong as their larger relatives. Still, they are excellent swimmers and can dive 200 feet deep after food. Although good swimmers, they tire rather easily, resting frequently on shore or on a rock protruding out of the water where there are almost always others already enjoying a sunbath. Some do their hunting at night.

They feed on kelp, crabs, squid, octopi, and also enjoy fish, particularly salmon. They can be a real problem where streams or rivers empty into the ocean and great numbers of fish start to migrate upstream. Some of their favorite salmon areas on the West Coast of North America include the entrance to canal locks between Lake Union and the salt water in Seattle, the mouth of the Columbia River between Washington and Oregon, as well as at the Trinity and Sacramento Rivers of California.

In addition to being killed by many fishermen, the harbor seals’ worst enemies are sharks, particularly the one called great white, as well as dogs, bears, coyotes and foxes going after them along the shores where they are resting. Efforts are being made to protect them from fishermen.

They are indeed one of the wonders of God’s creation, and He cares for them. The Bible says, “In whose hand is the soul [life] of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind.” Job 12:10.

Have you thanked Him for His care over you, and have you accepted His offer to have His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, as your Saviour?

ML-10/18/1992

The Snakebite

Lonesome Kakapos 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 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 so 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 Corinthians 15:56). Only people who get too close to snakes are bitten by them, but every one 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, every one 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-10/25/1992

The Owl Parrot

“And God created... every winged fowl after his kind... and God blessed them, saying... let fowl multiply in the earth.” Genesis 1:21,22.

Pronounce this New Zealand bird’s name “caw-caw-po.” They are heavy birds, weighing up to six pounds. They cannot fly, and they nest in holes dug in the ground. They feed mostly on seeds of plants. They are related to parrots, and because they do most of their feeding at night, they are also called the owl parrot.

Their enemies include dogs, rats, cats and other animals, as well as hunters who not only like their pretty olive-colored feathers, but consider them a nice addition to the dinner table.

Their calls are unusual. Wanting to attract another kakapo, a male fills his breast with air and, after a bob or two of his head, lets out a loud booming call like someone blowing a blast of air across the top of a large bottle.

It is sad to note that there are not many kakapos left. Years ago well-meaning people imported some new animals that promptly found the kakapos very tasty and have continued to kill them ever since. As a result, when a male bird tries to attract a female with his booming call, there are seldom any answers. Because of increasing scarcity, few nests now have eggs in them or little ones to take over when the older ones will all be gone.

Strangely, although this unusual bird has fairly large wings, it only uses them in the utmost emergency. Explorers visiting their area reported that walking through a forest they suddenly saw a big kakapo perched high in a tree. Trying to get close to it, it spotted them, and instead of flying away as other birds would do, it dropped to the ground, never once opening its wings to break the fall, and then scooted off through the brush on foot.

It is interesting that since these birds don’t use their wings, the only way they can get up a tree is to claw their way up the trunk, using their strong toes and beaks to get from branch to branch.

The Creator included these beautiful birds in the vast number of other kinds and instructed, “Let fowl multiply in the earth.” He not only created them, but provided ample food and nesting places for them as well.

With most bird species we can see how they have multiplied in abundance over the centuries. But because of man’s carelessness, some, like this lovely bird, seem destined to completely disappear before long. Let’s always do what we can to protect birds and other creatures that were put on the earth so long ago and that the Creator looks upon with pleasure. The Bible really tells us to do this in Isaiah 65:18: “But be ye glad and rejoice forever in that which I create.”

ML-10/25/1992

Darkness at Noon

At nine o’clock in the morning, the sun was a coppery color. It looked like a large penny in the sky. Later it became so dark outside that we needed to turn on our car’s headlights. The clouds had a reddish-brown glow. By noon, when the sun normally is brightest, it was so dark that stores and gas stations had their signs lit and lights turned on inside. It was almost as dark as night. This unusual darkness was very strange and scary. We had never seen anything like this before.

Maybe you are wondering what caused this darkness at noon. It was thick smoke from forest fires many miles away.

It made us think of another time when the sun got dark at noon and stayed dark for three hours. This was total darkness. It was not caused by forest fires, and it was not an eclipse. I think that most of you know when this happened. It was while the Lord Jesus was hanging on the cross.

You remember how they crowned Him with thorns and spit on Him. Then they nailed Him to the cross at about nine o’clock in the morning. They made fun of Him and cursed Him and then sat down to watch Him (Matthew 27:36). They said, “If Thou be the Son of God, come down from the cross.” Others said, “If He be the King of Israel, let Him now come down from the cross, and we will believe Him.” Matthew 27:40,42.

Both of these things are true. He is the Son of God and He is the King of Israel. But what if He had come down from that cross? We would not have a Saviour. Jesus came purposely to die for us.

What the people and soldiers did to Him was terrible, but there was something much, much worse. Jesus, who was without sin Himself, was made sin for us. “For He [God] hath made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Corinthians 5:21. “Who His own self bare our sins in His own body on the tree.” 1 Peter 2:24. Many years before, the prophet Isaiah wrote, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the Lord hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.... Yet it pleased the Lord to bruise Him.” Isaiah 53:6,10.

God stopped the light of the sun when Jesus was made sin. Sin is so terrible that God would not look on it on His beloved Son. In Psalm 22:3 it says, “Thou art holy, O Thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.” God would not allow men to look at Jesus either, while He suffered for us.

Children, His suffering for our sins was far worse than all the things that those men did to Him. As terrible as the suffering was for the Lord Jesus, it is a blessing to us. “He bare [took] the sin of many.” Isaiah 53:12. Salvation is offered to everyone, but it is given only to “all them that believe.” Romans 3:22. Are you one of those who believe? Do you have salvation?

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

Those hours of darkness He suffered for sinners

On Calvary’s cross, all for-saken, alone,

While making atonement, and bearing the judgment

Are ended, and now He’s on high on the throne.

O come now to Jesus, that dear loving Saviour,

Receive Him this moment, and peace shall be thine.

“How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation.”

Hebrews 2:3

ML-10/25/1992

Stranger at the River

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 come. 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.” Psalm 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-11/01/1992

Whales Eat Their Fill of Tasty Krill

“And God created great whales... which the waters brought forth abundantly.” Genesis 1:21.

In the cold Antarctic Ocean krill are found in huge numbers. The name includes extremely small shrimp, red crabs, tiny lobsters and fish larvae, all swimming together in huge schools that often cover several miles.

Tiny shrimp make up the greatest part of these groups. Their eleven pairs of legs are extremely important to them the five back pairs are shaped like paddles for swimming, and the six front pairs are used for capturing tiny food particles. To do this, they throw out each leg in a circle and draw the food particles to their mouths.

Where do krill come from? They start life deep in the ocean as eggs too small to be seen easily. The larvae hatching from these various kinds of eggs don’t grow to full size for four years. During this time they don’t look at all like the adults.

It is the grown krill that are hunted, as they are very nutritious and tasty to whales, seals, porpoises and other marine life. Sometimes, when aware that a hungry enemy is near, they wriggle out of their shells which, holding their shape deceive the hungry enemy. Then the now-unprotected krill drops down deep and remains there until a new shell grows and covers it over.

Whales (principally those called baleens) living or migrating through this area, are krill’s greatest enemy, and one of them can swallow as much as five tons of krill a day. When gulping a mouthful of seawater with krill in it, the whale traps and crushes the krill by closing its huge mouth. The seawater squirts out before the whale swallows the krill.

In addition to whales, it is estimated that millions of penguins and seals, as well as numerous kinds of sponges and fish, dispose of many tons of krill each day. Yet krill keep showing up in great numbers.

Isn’t it remarkable how the Creator provides these tiny bits of sea life to meet the food needs of so many larger creatures, and yet enables the krill to replenish their numbers year after year? It is a reminder that He is looking upon all things of the sea, earth and sky at all times.

But these creatures have only a short life and then cease to exist, whereas every person has his lifetime here on earth and then enters eternity to exist forever. Where will your eternity be? If you know the Lord Jesus as your Saviour, it will be in heaven with Him and the vast number of others who have accepted Him as their Saviour. If not, it will be in an awful place the Bible calls “outer darkness.”

Will you choose heaven?

ML-11/01/1992

The Ring

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

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-11/01/1992

Scripture Verse Word Search

Can you find the words of this Scripture verse in this word search? Look up, down, diagonally, backwards, across every direction. Use a ruler if necessary.

Circle each word in the diagram as we did with “of” and then circle the same word in the verse once you have found it.

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

ML-11/01/1992

Safety First

At the cottage where the family was staying, the lake was over 10 feet deep right off the end of the dock. Anna’s parents were quite worried about their little toddler being around such deep water. They were afraid she might fall in and drown. They talked over what they should do about it and decided the best thing would be to teach Anna to swim. So they all got into their bathing suits and went down by the shore where the water was shallow.

First, Anna’s mother held her in the water and her daddy reached out his arms for her to come to him, just a few inches away. Anna sputtered and kicked, and soon she was in her daddy’s arms. Then her daddy released her in the water while her mother stretched out her arms and called Anna to come. By the end of the afternoon Anna was having a great time and could swim several feet.

Of course they didn’t want Anna to fall into the deep water, but they wanted her to be able to swim just in case she did. They wanted her to be ready.

If you should fall into the deep waters of death, would you be ready for eternity? Have you trusted in the strong and loving arms of the Lord Jesus who has won the victory over death by rising from the dead?

In 2 Samuel 22 David says, “The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; the God of my rock; in Him will I trust.... When the waves of death compassed me, the floods of ungodly men made me afraid.... In my distress I called upon the Lord, and cried to my God: and He did hear my voice.” v. 2,3,5,7.

God is listening. He loves you even more than Anna’s parents love her, and He doesn’t want you to fall into the waters of death unprepared. If you have not come to Him to have your sins forgiven, call to Him for forgiveness right away. He assures us that “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. That’s all that is necessary to be ready for an eternity with Christ in heaven.

Don’t you want to be sure and safe?

ML-11/08/1992

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 of her own. 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 to pay for 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 that 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. There weren’t any trains or cars in those days, and they did not own a horse and cart. Mary did not have the money to pay for a ride in a cart either. 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 picked grass for them to eat. On and on they walked. Each night they slept in a farmer’s barn and worked 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, uphill and downhill. 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 they were 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.” Psalm 119:89.

“Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path.” Psalm 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-11/08/1992

Two Unusual Monkeys

“Behold, God is mighty, and despiseth not any: He is mighty in strength and wisdom.” Job 36:5.

All monkeys in South and Central America are active only in daylight hours except for one kind the owl monkey. People who have seen them tell us they are cute little fellows with velvety gray and white faces, white eyebrows and tiny beards, along with bright yellow chests and underparts.

Although these monkeys are gentle when young, when older they come up with many annoying tricks to play on those who may be caring for them. One writer said, “At a year old they are gentle and affectionate, at two years playful, but can be annoyingly angry; then at a full age they are simply troublesome and full of mean tricks.”

At sunset, when other monkeys are getting ready for a night’s sleep, owl monkeys are just getting started, usually traveling in pairs. They’ve had their sleep during the day. How can they see in the dark? The Creator has provided them with special, large, orange eyes and black pupils, enabling them to find fruits and insects just as easily as other monkeys do in the daytime.

Our second monkey is known as the wanderoo, or sometimes it is called the black monkey. This monkey lives in India. It is very sober-looking and acts rather dignified. It junk has a big head completely surrounded by a wreath of grayish-white thick fur reaching down to its cheek, which, like the rest of its body, is coal black.

An adult is about three feet long from nose to the tip of the tail and weighs as much as 80 pounds. Its whole appearance has a dignified and grandfatherly look.

Its manner of eating is unusual. It stuffs its mouth with all it can hold, puffing out its cheeks, before swallowing any of it. This seems to be just another way of showing its dominance over everything around it. The other monkeys don’t seem to argue with it either. Actually, they show it a lot of respect, as some people also do.

These are just two of the amazing varieties of animals and other wild creatures of whom the Bible tells us, “For Thy pleasure they are and were created.” Revelation 4:11. As we look at the wonders of God’s creation, we can’t help but be impressed. Have you ever agreed with what the Psalmist said? “I will remember the works of the Lord: surely I will remember Thy wonders of old. I will meditate [study] also of all Thy work, and talk of Thy doings.” Psalm 77:11,12.

ML-11/08/1992

Fill in the Verse

Try to fill in the missing letters and complete this Bible verse from Genesis 16.

T_ _O G_ D _E_ST M_

ML-11/08/1992

T-Shirt Messages

If you walk through shopping malls or other public places, you will see people wearing T-shirts that have many different messages printed on them. We have seen shirts with the name of a favorite sports team or some superstar. Very likely some of you own T-shirts which have the name of your school or your town on them. Some shirts have the name of a club or a favorite music group. And some even have a famous person’s picture on them. We have seen shirts advertising many products, brands of clothing, soft drinks, and even products harmful to our health and happiness.

It is sad, but we have also seen shirts with bad language on them. Some have words that should never be repeated, let alone worn on a shirt for everyone to read. We saw two shirts like these recently. We were not at a mall or other public place; we were at our own home having a garage and yard sale. Jennifer, our eight-year-old granddaughter, was also at our garage sale and had a table of toys and cookies for sale. We were concerned about such bad language being where she could see it. We wanted to ask the people with the bad words on their shirts to leave, but we did not want to call attention to the words in front of Jennifer.

We are glad all “messages” seen on T-shirts are not bad. Some are not messages Christians who want to please the Lord Jesus would like to “send” to those reading their shirts. Many of you boys and girls have seen these shirts and talked about them. Some are funny messages and some are serious messages. But every shirt with writing tells people something about the person wearing it. Are you really sure you want others to think of you based on what your T-shirt says?

As we walked through the mall the other day, we saw a T-shirt message that puzzled us. We do not know whether the person was trying to be serious or funny. To us the message was a very serious one. It said, “Naughty by Nature.” Boys and girls, the thought of a naughty or sinful nature is very serious. We decided the young woman wearing that shirt was probably not serious, but thought such a message might be funny. The Bible, the Word of God, tells us, “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23. This means all of us not only are naughty by nature, but we have also been naughty by choice. We have let our sinful nature come out in bad behavior.

There is another verse in the Bible that is a warning for anyone who wears a shirt “advertising” his or her naughty nature. “Fools make a mock at sin.” Proverbs 14:9. Instead of being serious about sin, some people make jokes about it. It is very foolish to “be funny” about sin, which will send a person to hell for eternity. Satan, our enemy, makes sin look very inviting. Those trying to sell things that go along with a life of sin and self-pleasure show beautiful people “having fun” while using their product. But the Bible says, “Sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.” James 1:15. Jesus said that if you “die in your sins: [where] I go, [you] cannot come.” John 8:21. His love for you and me caused Him to die on the cross, and now He can say of those who receive Him, “That where I am, there [you] may be also.” John 14:3.

We sincerely hope the young person wearing the T-shirt that said “Naughty by Nature” was not being foolish and making fun of sin. The matter of our sinful nature and bad conduct should not be taken lightly, nor should the messages we send to others with words printed on our T-shirts. We would like very much for each one of you to take seriously your own sinful nature and conduct. Come to the Lord Jesus today. He has died for sinners and He says, “Come unto Me... and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28. He has also said, “All that... come to Me... I will in no wise cast out.” John 6:37. Won’t you come to Him and have all your sins washed away? Your “naughty nature” is condemned through His death, but when you receive Him as your Saviour, all your sins are washed away in His precious blood. “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7.

ML-11/15/1992

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 out 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.” Psalm 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. Isaiah 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 grown-up 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 Jesus 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-11/15/1992

Fierce Tigers: Part 1

“And God made the beast of the earth after his kind... and God saw that it was good.” Genesis 1:25.

There are eight varieties of tigers. Although they all look much alike, there are differences in their stripe markings. The Bengal and heavily-furred Siberian tigers (the ones most often seen in zoos) are the largest. Some measure 10 feet or more from their noses to the tips of their tails and weigh as much as 550 pounds. There are smaller tigers in India, Turkey, Iran, China, Japan, Java and Sumatra.

Tigers’ coats give them their beauty, with black and orange stripes circling their bodies, contrasting with yellow legs and long, white-tipped tails. But their faces, with their glaring eyes and open mouths with sharp fangs, make them rather scary, especially if a rasping snarl comes out. They are not friendly with other tigers unless it is a member of their own family.

It is not hard to see that they are distantly related to the domestic cat you may have in your home. Both of them have loose fur, small ears, long whiskers and sharp claws that are hidden when walking or resting, but spring out as sharp weapons when fighting or capturing an animal. That animal might be an antelope for the tiger or a mouse for your house pet.

Tigers are well camouflaged by the stripes on their coats when in a forest, swampy area, or desert with its tall dry grass, and by instinct take advantage of this when hunting. For instance, when a tiger is in an area where it is camouflaged and spots a zebra or other animal nearby, the tiger will immediately stop. It may lie perfectly still for an hour or more, until, carefully and silently placing one foot before the other, it sneaks closer.

If nothing betrays the tiger’s presence, it will continue its silent approach until close enough to attack. Suddenly, darting out of its hiding place, it will leap on the victim’s back and with a bite of its fierce jaws, put a quick end to its victim’s life. Then it might call its mate to come and join in the feast. They may take two or three days to eat all of a large animal, but their stomachs will then be so full they won’t be interested in hunting for at least another three or four days.

Do you think the Lord God, the Creator, knows what these beasts are doing? Yes, He surely does, and it seems He most often directs them to a feeble or sickly animal that would only suffer in continuing to live with its handicap. Its sudden death is really a merciful way of ending its life, for tigers never torture their prey but kill it quickly. We will consider this more in next week’s issue. Meanwhile, think about the Bible verse that tells us: “For He looketh to the ends of the earth, and seeth under the whole heaven [sky].” Job 28:24. His look of love and kindness is on you too.

(to be continued)

ML-11/15/1992

Fill in the Verse

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

Try to fill in the missing letters and complete this Bible verse from Amos 4.

P_E_ _ R_ _O M_ _T _H_ G_ _.

ML-11/15/1992

Yosie's Debt

Do you know what a debt is? It’s when you owe money to somebody else. The Bible says some important things about debts. It says simply, “Owe no man anything.” Romans 13:8. Many people do not follow these wise words from the Bible, and some end up with large debts and lots of trouble, because they cannot pay back what they owe.

Yosie’s debt is an unusual one because she is only three years old! That’s pretty young to have a debt, isn’t it? Yosie’s debt gets bigger every day just by her living one more day. This must sound strange, but I’ll tell you how it happened.

Yosie lives in Mexico, and when she was just a baby her mother asked a family, “Could you take care of my baby? I’ll pay you 18,000 pesos a month to look after her.”

“Okay,” the family agreed. “We’ll look after Yosie.”

So for a whole month the family took care of baby Yosie, changing diapers, bathing her, feeding her and playing with her. At the end of a month the mother came back to get her baby.

“You owe us 18,000 pesos,” the family told her.

“But I don’t have the money... I can’t pay you,” the mother said.

“Well, you can’t have Yosie back until you pay us!” the family said.

Yosie’s mother left that day, leaving Yosie behind with the family, and she never came back, not even to this day. Yosie is still with the family now, three years later, and her debt is up to 650,000 pesos! Only three years old and in debt for 650,000 pesos!

When Jesus was here on earth, He taught His disciples to pray to their Father in heaven and say, “Forgive us our debts.” Many people have memorized this prayer and have repeated it many times. But have you ever stopped to think about what sort of “debt” it is that a person could owe God? It’s not a debt of money, but it’s the debt of our sins. God is the One who made us, and every sin that we do is like another debt to God who is holy.

Yosie owes many thousands of pesos when she is only three, but is it possible that you, at 8, 10 or 12 years old, owe an even larger debt to God? How many years have you lived, adding more sins all the time? What would it take to pay for those sins? The Bible says that it would take forever in the lake of fire for a person to pay for his own sins.

But I have good news for you! God sent His own Son into this world to pay the debt we owe for our sins. The Lord Jesus suffered and died on the cross to forgive our debt of sins. The Bible tells us that those of us who have come to Jesus for salvation have been “purchased with His own blood.” Acts 20:28. “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7. For those who have come to Jesus with their sins, the debt is wiped clean; nothing more is owed!

Yosie’s debt is still growing larger every day. Every day she stays with that family, she owes more money. And you? If you have never come to Jesus for salvation, then every day you live and sin, your debt to God is growing larger. Wouldn’t you like to have it all paid? Just tell the Lord Jesus, right now, that you have this debt of sin and want to be free from it all. “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:13.

There are other children like Yosie in Mexico, children whose mothers cannot or will not pay what they owe for their care. If you have already had your debt of sins forgiven, maybe you will pray that Yosie, and others like her, will have their debt of sins forgiven even if they never have their debt of money paid. Some of them are learning to sing, “Jesus loves me,” and are learning even now while they are still young the verse, “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners.” 1 Timothy 1:15.

But if you still have your debt of sins, let Yosie’s debt be a warning to you. Come to Jesus to have your debt forgiven before it grows any larger!

“Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.” Romans 4:7.

ML-11/22/1992

Fierce Tigers: Part 2

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

In last week’s issue we mentioned a similarity between tigers and house cats. But one difference is that while our pets don’t like getting even a paw in water, tigers love to play or just swim in it, sometimes swimming great distances.

Baby tigers are cute and interesting. Females usually have two to six cubs in a litter, and they are born blind and helpless. However, just like kittens, cubs don’t lose any time finding their mother’s milk, and they nurse until big enough to eat meat, which she teaches them to catch for themselves. The male can’t be bothered with them, so the mother cares for them for about two years, until they have learned how to be on their own.

Except for swimming, tigers will not mix with others and will fight any that come too near. When one has eaten its fill of a kill and there is some left over, it will not let others have it, but covers it with rocks or branches to hide it for later.

We mentioned the two largest tigers as the Bengal and the Siberian. Although the Bengal is the strongest, the Siberian is the most beautiful. Its golden brown body fur, with narrow black stripes, contrasts beautifully with the solid white fur on its face with stripes down the inside of its lower jaw and throat, as well as its front legs.

There are some exceptions to the usual orange and black tiger colors. The Bengals, for instance, sometimes have white fur all over, ringed with the usual black stripes. But they do not live separate from the others. Some of these are in the National Zoo in Washington, D.C.

Although fierce hunters, tigers live peaceably with hippos, rhinos and elephants, because, in spite of sharp claws and strong teeth, they would be no match for those huge beasts. Instead, they just ignore one another. Tourists, wishing to get a picture of these beauties, ride on elephants -sometimes arranged in groups -and a native guide leads them. Strangely, the tigers don’t appear to mind this and at times seem proud to have their pictures taken.

Some might ask, “Why did the Creator make tigers so vicious?” Actually, God made them tame and gentle, but when sin came into the world a sad change came to many creatures. They will remain that way until God will make them peaceful again. When that time comes, all who know the Lord Jesus as their Saviour will be in a more beautiful place heaven itself. Will you be there?

ML-11/22/1992

A Great Discovery

“Blessed are they whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered.” Romans 4:7

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-11/22/1992

Trapped in a Sand Cave

Drops of cold, icy water dripped off the roof of the cave onto Floyd Collins. He was trapped in a cave 50 feet below the surface of the ground. Outside the sun shone brightly as rescuers dug desperately to tunnel down to him. Inside Sand Cave the only sounds that Floyd could hear were the dripping of water and the cold wind that blew through the black tunnels where there had never been any sunlight.

The day before Floyd had inched his way through an 18-inch opening in one of the tunnels of Sand Cave. He was looking for an inner cave a huge, domed cathedral of rock he had heard about.

Floyd moved through the narrow tunnel slowly and cautiously. He was an experienced cave explorer who had spent most of his boyhood and adult life exploring caves and caverns beneath the surface of the earth. As he squirmed through the small opening, he saw above him an enormous boulder, held in place by one small rock. He moved past the boulder, being careful not to bump the supporting rock.

He crawled from the tunnel and suddenly saw it the cave of his dreams! He had come into a vast, inner chamber many feet below the surface. Stalactites, which came down from the ceiling, and stalagmites, which came up from the floor, were everywhere. Some were joined in immense, glittering columns. The ceiling was a hundred feet high; the length and width were larger than he could estimate. He knew that at last he had found the cave he had been searching for.

Full of excitement, and anxious to tell others what he had found, Floyd began the return trip to the surface. Once again he wedged himself into the narrow opening of the tunnel, moving along on his knees and elbows. Then it happened!

In his excitement he had not moved carefully enough past the huge boulder. His foot brushed against the small rock that held it in place. The boulder shifted just a few inches, but it was enough to crush down on Floyd’s left ankle, pinning him there.

He twisted about frantically, pulling his leg up, trying to twist his ankle free. The huge boulder was immovable! Scraping moisture from the walls, he tried to wet his ankle. He hoped this would allow him to slip it out from under the terrible weight that pressed it down. It didn’t work. He grasped his left knee with both hands and tugged until he was sure his ankle was coming apart. It was no use. He was caught held captive in the deep earth he loved to explore! He lay back panting with the searing pain in his foot and tried to keep calm.

Floyd Collins was powerless. He had seen the danger, but thought he could avoid it. His search for something special had urged him on, but now he was trapped.

Many people have been warned about the dangers of sin, but they are not paying attention to the warnings. They continue to enjoy the “pleasures of sin” (Hebrews 11:25), ignoring the warnings of God’s Word. The Bible warns us of punishment to come if we continue in sin. It tells us that the only hope for a sinner is the Lord Jesus Christ. His death on the cross was for those who would believe on Him. Knowing that we are sinners, we can turn to the work that the Lord Jesus Christ has already done for us. There on the cross He was punished for our sins. He had committed no sin Himself and was the only perfect man, but He took the punishment for the sins of any who will accept Him as Saviour. He is the only way of escape. Do not ignore the warnings turn back! Accept the Lord Jesus Christ as your own Saviour and know that your sins are washed away in His precious blood. “The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanseth us from all sin.” 1 John 1:7.

As the hours passed, Floyd waited to be rescued. He knew that he would be missed and that rescuers would be searching for him.

Floyd kept thinking about what must be going on outside of Sand Cave. There was much activity. Earth-moving equipment, rescuers and many other emergency people had been called to the cave by Floyd’s brother. Three experienced cave-exploring teams were formed. Each team was to enter one of the three entrances to Sand Cave.

Inside the cave Floyd was beginning to feel panicky. He was cold from the continuously dripping water. His body and face were covered with sand and small rocks that had been loosened by his twisting and turning. As he lay there he could only hope, think and pray that help would come soon. It had to come!

Then he heard a scraping noise and voices. He saw a light. It was his brother and those with his rescue team. Floyd yelled frantically to them, begging them to hurry. They squeezed into the narrow tunnel and tried to move the boulder off Floyd’s ankle. It was impossible to move! Excited, tense, hungry and yet filled with hope, Floyd begged them to get more help and equipment and to bring him food. They left their lamp with Floyd and crawled out quickly to get more help.

Even though Floyd had been found, he still was not rescued. Teams of workers began digging another tunnel beside the one that he was in. They planned to dig a connecting shaft to the tunnel where he was trapped.

For 48 hours the men dug as fast as they could, but problems continued to hinder them. The tunnel would collapse after heavy rain. Often the sand walls would collapse as fast as they were dug. Each foot of the new tunnel had to be supported before they could go on.

Meanwhile, Floyd’s physical and mental condition were getting worse. The tunnel in which he was trapped had collapsed, cutting off the contact he had with those who were trying to reach him. They worked to reestablish contact, but the rain was causing problems in this tunnel also.

It was several days before the rescuers were able to reach Floyd again. When they did reach him, they found him dead! He had died of exposure and exhaustion.

The rescue of Floyd Collins had failed. Although many hundreds of people worked to save him, their efforts were of no use.

The rescue of a sinner is hopeless by any way other than by the Lord Jesus Christ. It is only by His death on the cross, where He suffered for sins, that we can be rescued. The Bible tells us that “there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12. This is the only hope for sinners. This is the only way to escape the punishment that each one of us deserves. We are all sinners, and we need a Saviour. The Lord Jesus Christ is that Saviour. Won’t you accept Him as your very own Saviour today?

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

ML-11/29/1992

The Grand Saguaro: A Desert Giant

“Blessed be the Lord God... and let the whole earth be filled with His glory.”

Psalm 72:18,19.

In parts of Arizona and New Mexico as well as the country of Mexico, the deserts are extremely dry. The surface of the ground has perhaps a few spiny cacti and is covered with rocks that become very hot with the sun beating down on them.

Among the cacti are the towering saguaros. They have bare and heavily-ribbed green trunks and branches, some as high as 60 feet. No two of them look alike. One may look like a huge totem pole with no branches, and another may have just one branch almost as tall as its trunk. But most frequently there will be twin branches on opposite sides, branching out about five or ten feet above the ground. Rising alongside the main trunk, they form a big “U,” almost touching the sides of the trunk. In some areas there may be just a few saguaros on a sloping hillside, and in other spots great numbers of them, each with its own shape.

Saguaros have no thorns, leaves or bark, but the trunk and branches have a dozen or more thick, deep, vertical ribs. For a short time each year pretty white flowers bloom that produce fruit which can be eaten. With the sun beating down on them so fiercely day after day and with hardly any rain, how do saguaros grow and stay alive? The answer is that the Creator has designed them in a very special way. At certain seasons heavy rains soak the ground in which they grow. For the saguaros to benefit from these rains, unlike most trees that send roots down deep, the saguaro’s roots are just a few inches beneath the surface and spread over a wide area in a great mass of small roots and fibers. These are able to quickly absorb water coming their way, which is then drawn up into the trunk and branches to be stored in the thick ribs for future use. Saguaros benefit from even light rain or dew, because the Creator has arranged for the great number of roots to grow so near the surface of the ground.

Some birds make nests by boring holes in the fleshy trunks. When this happens, a waxy coating covers the exposed edges, which prevents evaporation of any of its valuable water. This waxy coating dries so quickly that it doesn’t seem to bother the birds.

The opening Bible verse says that the whole earth is filled with the Creator’s glory. When we realize that all things have been made by Him, we can quickly see that these amazing desert plants were included. How good to think of His wonders in all created things and say, as the Psalmist did: “I will praise Thee, O Lord, with my whole heart; I will show forth all Thy marvelous works.” Psalm 9:1.

ML-11/29/1992

Sheep Need to Be Led

Herman and Edward loved to work for Mr. Burge, a neighboring farmer. He always paid them well, and they learned quite a few useful things from him too. So they were happy to hear Mr. Burge asking their dad if they could help him move some sheep.

“Yes, we’ll make real shepherds out of these boys,” Mr. Burge said, smiling at Herman and Edward. They arranged a time for him to pick them up the next day.

“Okay, boys, there they are,” Mr. Burge said as he dropped them off in a pasture with his 80 sheep. Herman and Edward had often worked with cows and calves, but never with sheep. Still, they were sure they could handle them, as they ran around behind them and began driving them toward the gate. The sheep, however, were not so sure about this way of being herded. They began running in all directions and finally collected behind the discouraged boys.

Soon Mr. Burge came back and stood by the gate, watching and smiling. “I guess two boys are no match for 80 sheep,” he said. “But I’ll tell you something: these sheep like to be led.”

Are you one of God’s sheep? We become one of His sheep by trusting the Lord Jesus to wash away our sins in His precious blood that He shed on Calvary’s cross. And if we are truly His sheep, we will want Him to lead us too.

Mr. Burge went to the back of his pickup truck and opened the tailgate. And there in the back he had placed a big, fresh bale of hay. To those sheep it looked absolutely delicious! The boys hopped into the back of the pickup, and Mr. Burge climbed into the driver’s seat. And as he began to drive down the road, every one of those sheep followed the truck with its bale of hay.

The Lord Jesus is the Good Shepherd, and this is how He leads His sheep: “He calleth His own sheep by name, and leadeth them out. And when He putteth forth His own sheep, He goeth before them, and the sheep follow Him.” John 10:3,4.

Along each side of the road were fields with fences, so the sheep stayed on the road and ran along well, until they came to a crossroad. Now it’s very easy for a sheep to get confused when there’s more than one way to go. So the boys’ job was to jump off the truck and make sure the sheep stayed on the right road.

God’s sheep also need the constant guidance of their Good Shepherd if they are to stay on the right road. The Lord Jesus said, “Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life... few there be that find it.” Matthew 7:14.

Soon the pickup truck came to a lovely flower garden without a fence around it. The sheep were attracted by the brightly-colored flowers. But soon the boys were able to direct their attention back to the truck and its sweet-smelling bale of hay.

All along the highway, wherever there were no fences, the sheep tended to wander off the road. And if one wandered off, the others would try to follow. So Herman and Edward were kept very busy, until all 80 sheep arrived safely at the other pasture where Mr. Burge was leading them. Then Mr. Burge took the boys home, thanked them and paid them well.

If you belong to the Lord Jesus and are careful to do any jobs He gives you to help His sheep down the road of life, “when the chief Shepherd shall appear, ye shall receive a crown of glory that fadeth not away.” 1 Peter 5:4.

One day when Herman was a little older he went to a sheep auction. As the sheep came through the door into the auctioning pen, the auctioneer held out a stick as high as his knees and in front of the first sheep. The sheep jumped over it. Then the auctioneer took the stick away. But, even though there was no stick there, as each of the following sheep came to the spot where the first sheep had jumped, that sheep jumped also, even though there was nothing to jump over.

Every one of us who is saved from our sins is a sheep in God’s pasture. Let us always remember the wise advice Paul gave to Timothy, “Be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity [love], in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attendance to reading.” 1 Timothy 4:12,13. Every day we need to walk closely with the Lord Jesus and feed on His Word if we want to faithfully follow that great Shepherd of the sheep, our Lord Jesus Christ.

“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.

ML-12/06/1992

Eat It Don't Smell It

“And God said, Behold, I have given you... every tree, in the which is the fruit.... To you it shall be for meat [food].”

Genesis 1:29.

Some time ago we looked at jackfruit trees which have fruits that smell terrible but that taste unusually good and are popular with the people of India.

There’s another awful-smelling but good-tasting fruit that grows in the Philippines and Indonesia. It is called the durian and is about the size and weight of a coconut and grows hanging down on long strong stems. This melon-like fruit is dark-green, oval-shaped and covered with thorn-like knobs. When a fully ripe durian fruit drops, it can badly injure, or even kill, a person or animal if it hits them.

In spite of the awful smell of this fruit, native people wait impatiently for them to ripen and drop, as do elephants, tigers, wild pigs and other animals. Because of the awful smell, visitors will seldom even taste it. The natives claim they taste like rich custard, flavored with almonds. They sometimes eat them fresh, like an avocado or cantaloupe, but more often they are either cut up or mashed, then mixed in ice cream, candy, cake icing, etc.

When it is sliced and put on a plate in a restaurant, everyone soon knows it is there. Though foreign visitors may get up and leave, even if they haven’t finished eating what they ordered, the natives consider durian fruit a real treat. They sometimes come back with the remark, “Well, it’s just like limburger cheese... lots of people don’t eat it because of its odor, but many others enjoy it and don’t let the smell bother them.”

Did the Creator make a mistake when He provided these lands with jackfruit and durian trees? No, they are simply another example of His providing a great variety in all He has created. Perhaps He primarily intended them for birds and animals, giving them a strong odor so these creatures can tell when they are ripe.

This world has many problems, but in heaven everything will be perfect. How nice to know that God has prepared a home there for those who have had their sins forgiven by letting His Son, the Lord Jesus, be their Saviour. His invitation to all is: “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” Matthew 11:28. Are you one who has come to Him? Are your sins forgiven?

ML-12/06/1992

Queen Victoria's Dolls

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

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

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

If you are not a Christian, then you cannot please the Lord Jesus and set a good example. Come to Him today as a poor, lost sinner and believe that His precious blood washes away all your sins. Then with His help you too can shine for Him in this dark world.

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

“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

ML-12/06/1992

Grandma's House Is Nicer

“Let’s go for a walk,” Daddy suggested.

“Where to?” asked Sarah.

“Well, we can drive to a rich section of the city and look at all the beautiful homes.” Daddy said.

So all the family got into the car and drove to a part of the city where there were huge, lovely homes. They parked the car and got out to walk. As they walked along, one of the children noticed the pretty flowers, one noticed the birds in the trees, and another pointed out the way some trees were trimmed into round balls.

As the family walked to another, even richer area, they came to a street that had a gate-keeper and a large sign. The sign said, NO TRESPASSING!

FINE $200 FOR ENTERING WITHOUT PERMISSION BY CITY ORDINANCE It was a city street, but the rich people living there didn’t want anyone even to drive on their street unless they lived there! Sarah and her family had to walk on another street behind those houses and see what they could over a high wall. They were not welcome to walk on the street of the rich people or even to look at their houses!

How wonderful that God is not like that! Those people were rich in money, but they were not rich in grace. The Bible says that God is not only so rich that He owns the whole world, but that He also wants to show us the riches of His grace. To be rich in grace means to be rich in love that wants to share all that a person has with others. God is rich in love and wants to share all that He has with you!

Listen to what the Bible says: “God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love wherewith He loved us, even when we were dead in sins... hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace, in His kindness toward us, through Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:4-7.

But of course none of these wonderful riches of God’s love could be seen or enjoyed by those who have stains of sin on their hearts. Not one sin can ever enter into the mansions of heaven. Because of our sins every single one of us would have been shut out of heaven because we don’t belong there, just as we were shut out of the street of rich houses because we didn’t belong there. But that is just where the riches of God’s grace come in. He loved us so much that He sent His Son, the Lord Jesus, to die for our sins so that He could share all His riches with us. “In whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” Ephesians 1:7.

Are your sins forgiven? They can be. Trust in the Lord Jesus today and you can begin to enjoy God’s riches right now, even before you get to heaven.

As Sarah and her family walked along the street with the wall, they could see one especially large house.

“Wow!” Daddy said. “Look at that house! They must have a pool because there’s the top of a slide. And that other house over there must be the changing house for the pool.”

“Grandma’s house is nicer,” said Sarah.

Grandma’s house! thought Mother. Grandma doesn’t have a pool! Her yard isn’t that big! Grandma’s house is old and doesn’t have fancy lights! But... well, we are welcome at Grandma’s house. We hope to go there soon and... of course!... Grandma and Grandpa are there! That’s what makes Grandma’s house nicer!

And that is what is going to make heaven more wonderful too. Jesus is there! Oh, there are going to be beautiful walls in heaven made out of precious stones. There are going to be gates of pearl and the street is going to be pure gold. There is also going to be a river that is clear as crystal, and there will be the tree of life that will give twelve different fruits. But even all of that is not as wonderful as the fact that Jesus will be there. The Bible says, “They shall see His face.”

Grandma’s house is nicer than any of the richest homes in any town, because Grandma is there. And heaven, the most wonderful home ever prepared, will be the nicest, because Jesus is there. Will you be there with Sarah and her grandmother? Accept the Lord Jesus as your Saviour today and be ready to go with us!

Jesus said, “In My Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. 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.

“Verily, verily [truly, truly], I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” John 3:3.

Will you be there?

ML-12/13/1992

The Bridge

When we travel we often go over bridges. Some of them are so short that we hardly notice them. Others are high and long, reaching many miles. The longest bridge in the world is near New Orleans, Louisiana. It stretches for 24 miles! I know about a bridge, however, which is not the highest, nor the longest. It was not built by anyone, and at one time it was alive. It was a very large tree in Arizona that formed a natural bridge over a deep canyon.

Hundreds of years ago this huge tree was growing on the edge of the canyon. The mountain stream that ran through the canyon washed out the soil from around its roots. Then one day during a severe storm, the tree fell. It was so large that when it fell it reached all the way across the canyon! There it lay for years and years. Some people might think that this great tree was a failure.

Something happened to that tree as it lay there over the years. Gradually the wood was being changed into stone (what we call petrified wood). Now it is a solid, stone bridge which can never rot or break. Many people use it to cross the deep canyon safely.

People often think that Jesus Christ, as a man, didn’t accomplish very much and that His life was a failure. “He is despised and rejected of men... despised, and we esteemed Him not.” Isaiah 53:3. Men tried to get rid of Him by nailing Him to a cross so “that His name may be no more remembered.” Jeremiah 11:19. However, the Bible explains that by His death the Lord Jesus Christ became the “strong bridge” to take us from earth to heaven. He is the only “bridge” we can use to cross from this dark, sinful world into the light and holiness of heaven.

Have you crossed this bridge by having Jesus wash away your sins? If not, do not wait any longer. He loves you very much and will wash you clean of your sins if you’ll just come to Him.

“By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.” Ephesians 2:8.

ML-12/13/1992

A Look at Vireos: Part 1

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

Psalm 50:11.

Vireo is the name of a family of small birds of the Americas. They are charming birds, four to seven inches long with short, strong legs, medium-length tails, short necks and a variety of wing sizes. Their coloring is not bright, but soft and subdued. Color mixtures include olive, greenish or gray upperparts, with white, light gray or yellow and sometimes a touch of light red or blue on their underparts.

A large number of species make their homes in North, Central and South America, migrating back and forth in spring and fall. Often they form colonies the air filled with their pleasant chirps, songs and whistles. They are helpful to farmers, eating great numbers of caterpillars, flies and other harmful insects picked off bushes or trees or caught in mid-air. They are also fond of berries and fruit found in the wild.

Building cup-like nests is a big occupation with them. The male, hoping soon to have a mate, picks a suitable spot and begins building the nest. He ties long fiber strands to the forked branches of a tree or shrub. These strands hang down in big loops to support the actual nest which is made of grasses, fibers and spider webs. The nest is often lined with soft bark and the inside bottom lined with soft cottonwood seeds.

By the time he has the framework under way he has attracted a female bird who comes and puts in the finishing touches. Then she lays three or four white eggs marked with a few dark specks near the large end. Incubating these takes about two weeks. When the little ones hatch out the real work begins, as both parents spend most of their wakeful time bringing them food. When the little birds are ready to fly, the father bird takes over, flying ahead a short distance and calling them to join him. Soon they are on their own.

But something strange has been going on while the mother bird has been incubating the eggs. The father gets busy building another nest nearby, and when the little ones are on their own, the parents move into the new nest where another brood will be raised.

Isn’t it nice to know that the Creator is always watching over these little birds, as the above Bible verse tells us? And even nicer is knowing that He is always watching over us and loves us in a way the birds could never understand. If you know the Lord Jesus as your Saviour it gives Him joy to know that soon you and all who are trusting Him will be together in His heavenly home. Is He your Saviour? You can be sure by following this Bible verse: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved.” Acts 16:31.

(to be continued)

ML-12/13/1992

Midnight's Hideout

Have you ever watched a cat stalk a mouse or a bird, or even a butterfly? The cat 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 seconds or even 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 then 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 victims 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 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 Timothy 4:5.

But there’s more to our story.

Mrs. Kelly was getting ready to go to the store. 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 to the store.

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 had come out from under the bush and was 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 wing 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 spot 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.” Psalm 91:15. Because Mrs. Kelly happened to go 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, grown-ups, be on guard!

ML-12/20/1992

A Look at Vireos: Part 2

“[God] sendeth the springs into the valleys... [where] the fowls of the heaven [sky]... sing among the branches.”

Psalm 104:10,12.

Last week we learned about vireo birds in general. Now let’s consider a few varieties that make their summer homes in America.

Least bell’s vireo: What a cute little bit of creation this bird is, nesting in the willows and cottonwood trees near Santa Barbara, California. Its little, round, dark-feathered head is accented with large eyes and little beak. Its gray top feathers and white underparts and large dark eyes make it a charming little bird with a pretty song.

The red-eyed vireo: This one has a blue cap on its head, contrasting with red eyes which have a white line with a black border above them. It’s difficult to spot this olive-green warbler as it sends its melody through the bushes.

The solitary vireo: Like the red-eyed, this one’s home is in the eastern United States. It has a light-purple head, white chest and underparts and big dark eyes set off inside a yellow circle. Its back is tannish-yellow with two white stripes stretching across its brown wings.

The white-eyed vireo: One variety lives in Florida and another in Texas. They are among the smallest of the vireos and are quite pretty. The tops of their heads are bluish, fading out to blend with totally white lower body feathers. Brown wings with white cross stripes match short tail feathers, but dark-pupiled eyes centered in soft yellow (rather than white) help to identify them.

A few others the greenlet, the black-capped, the yellow-throated, the warbling vireo and some others are all residents of the western or central United States with many more in these areas.

Vireos are all examples of the wonders of God’s creation and His delight in placing them on the earth. He is always watching over them, even though they are such small creatures and there are so many of them. We know He really does watch over them, for a Bible verse tells us: “In whose hand is the soul [life] of every living thing.” Job 12:10.

Jesus, talking with His disciples, said to them, “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing? and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father [knowing it].” Then He added, “Fear ye not therefore, ye are of more value than many sparrows.” Matthew 10:29,31.

At another time He said to them (and to us too), “Consider the ravens: for they neither sow nor reap... and God feedeth them: how much more are ye better than the fowls [birds]?” Luke 12:24. Yes, His loving eye is always on you and He invites you to know Him as your Saviour. He says, “Come unto Me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden [burdened with sins], and I will give you rest.” Matt. 11:28. If you have not yet accepted His loving invitation, will you accept it today?

ML-12/20/1992

Scripture Verse Word Search

Can you find the words of this Scripture verse in this word search? Look up, down, diagonally, backwards, across every direction. Use a ruler if necessary.

Circle each word in the diagram as we did with “for” and then circle the same word in the verse once you have found it.

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

ML-12/20/1992

"Arrest That Man!"

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 hurtin’. 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 like 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 quickly 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 own 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 knelt 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 that “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 because “now is the accepted time... now is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:2.

ML-12/27/1992

Helpful Guinea Pigs

“I have made the earth, the man and the beast that are upon the ground, by My great power and by My outstretched arm.”

Jeremiah 27:5.

In some parts of South and Central America and Mexico, guinea pigs are considered a choice food, roasted and served with potatoes or rice. They are inexpensive and easy to raise. But being gentle and small as a little bunny, they are also often treated as pets and allowed to scamper around the house. Very clean and quiet, the only noise they make is like that of a kitten, but instead of a “meow” their call is more like “coo-ee,” and because of this they have the nickname “cuy.”

They come in a variety of colors -black, white, yellow, brown and a bluish-purple. In the wild a full-grown one weighs a pound or two, but when provided with plenty of food they often reach four pounds. They are cute, have no tails, never bite people and are a favorite pet for children. It is hard to figure how they got the word “pig” attached to their names. They are rodents and are not pig-like at all. Instead, they are clean and pretty with soft fur, small dark eyes and a head shaped more like a baby seal than a pig. Often they will be heard chattering quietly in squeaky tones.

In the wild, mothers give birth to six to twelve young and only care for them for about six weeks. After that they can take care of themselves.

Those raised commercially, along with those in private homes, total in the millions. Since they are so popular as a food product, many natives find this an easy way to make a living, raising and selling them.

In North America and other parts of the world, guinea pigs are not thought of as food. Besides being kept as pets, many are used in scientific experiments. Scientists infect guinea pigs with diseases and then try to cure them. This has been very helpful over the years in developing many good medicines and keeping off the market those that are harmful. Perhaps you have heard someone say, “Don’t make a guinea pig out of me!” What that person means is, “Don’t use me to test anything.”

As we consider the great variety of birds, fish, animals and other creatures, we are amazed at how the Creator designed and provided for each species. The Bible tells us that the Lord God had pleasure in creating each one.

Let us also remember that His special love and thoughts are toward every boy and girl, man and woman, in the world. He has promised that all who come to Him, confessing themselves to be sinners and asking Him to be their Saviour, have His promise “that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16. Have you done this?

ML-12/27/1992

Messages of God's Love: 1992

Table of Contents

Father of the Shoe (or the Shoebill)

How a Cat and a Mouse Lived Happily Together

The Story of Ezra

Evelyn's Taste of Freedom

A Painful Mistake

Look Out for Water Snakes!

Almost Buried Alive

Skippy

Nutria - A Problem

Jason's Story

Gulf Stream Waters: Part 1

Bringing up Daisy

Mike Takes off

Gulf Stream Waters: Part 2

Desert Fire!

On the Wrong Train

The Foolish Frog

Odd Heads on Birds

Count and Cross Out: Who gave Moses his name?

The Warning Towers

Valuable Sulfur

The Locked Door

Sergeant Tibbs

Stay Away From Killer Bees

What Do You Weigh?

"Bible Birds" Word Search

The Mountain Climbers

Caymans Have No Friends

Jessica and Her Doll

"Paul's Companions" Word Search

Plenty of Room!

Sun-Loving Sunflowers

Matches!

Pierre

The Moose and the Swing Set

Wildcats Are Interesting

Something God Cannot See

The Blood of Christ

Star

Amazing Sled Dogs

Scripture Verse Word Search

The $1,500 Pet!

A Dog Named Springer

Farms in the Ocean

"Bear" and the Porcupine

The Wrong Way

Charming Sandpipers: Part 1

The Shiny Iron

An Urgent Message

Charming Sandpipers: Part 2

A Lesson in Patience

Presents

Wild Pigs Ugh!

Scripture Verse Word Search

Look Up

David Brainerd and the Indians

Unusual Nests

The Three Lepers

Mr. Squirrel's Hiding Place

Robins Are Popular

Betsy Learns About Sanctification

The Oryx, a Desert Resident

The Returning Tide

Saved Through a Friend at School

Bald Cypress Trees

"I Don't Understand It!"

The Knife

He Took My Place

Birds of the Cliffs

Eusebia's Bitter Medicine

The Glen

The Seldom-Seen Desman

At the Swimming Pool

Chantel and Lassie

The Strange Hoatzin

A Red Light

The Dog Who Bluffed

Brought Through the Storm